PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E23

57m 46s

Why SNAP benefits aren’t keeping up with rising food costs

6m 43s

The five-year farm bill is working its way through Congress, and one major sticking point this year is funding for the federal program that helps low-income people buy food. An analysis by the Urban Institute found that SNAP benefits in 2023 did not cover the rising cost of groceries in 98 percent of U.S. counties. Ali Rogin speaks with Urban Institute senior fellow Elaine Waxman to learn more.

Tyson Foods is polluting U.S. waterways, report says

5m 46s

Tyson Foods is one of the world’s biggest meat and poultry producers. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, it’s also a major polluter in the United States. A new report from the group says Tyson plants dumped more than 371 million pounds of pollutants into U.S. waterways between 2018 and 2022. John Yang speaks with UCS research director Stacy Woods about the report’s findings.

Grammy-winning teacher Annie Ray on music education for all

7m 27s

The end of the school year often means year-end concerts for student orchestras and choirs. For high school music educator Annie Ray, it’s time to look back on a busy year that included a Grammy award and look ahead at her vision of what education should be. Ali Rogin sits down with Ray for the latest installment of our “Weekend Spotlight” series.

The story of Chinese American movie star Anna May Wong

3m 46s

Anna May Wong was a pioneering actress considered to be the first major Asian American film star, despite the limits imposed by Hollywood’s racism. As this year’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month draws to a close, we bring you her story as part of our “Hidden Histories” series.

How George Floyd’s death changed Minneapolis, 4 years later

6m 12s

Four years ago today, the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers ignited international protests over racism and calls for police reforms. Despite that global reach, it is still very much a local trauma for Minneapolis. John Yang speaks with Minnesota Public Radio senior reporter Jon Collins about how the lasting effects of Floyd’s death continue to shape the city.

Exhausted Ukrainian forces fight to contain Russian advances

4m 24s

Along the Russia-Ukraine border, badly stretched Ukrainian forces are struggling to deny Russia a foothold. The town of Vovchansk, three miles inside the border, has seen some of the fiercest fighting since Russia launched its offensive in 2022. John Ray of Independent Television News joined soldiers from Ukraine’s 57th Brigade there and has this report from the front line.

Why a wave of legislation seeks to restrict sex education

7m 26s

What constitutes sexual education and the grade in which it’s taught varies greatly in America, and 2024 is shaping up to set a record for legislative proposals mostly aimed at restricting the subject in schools. Sara Flowers, vice president of education at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, joins Ali Rogin to discuss the increasingly complicated nature of sex education.

Brooks and Capehart on Nikki Haley supporting Trump

12m 11s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including Nikki Haley's announcement she's backing Donald Trump, how voters may react to the verdict in Trump's criminal trial and President Biden's attempt to appeal to Black and Hispanic voters as polls show Trump is gaining their support.

Airlines working to create sustainable aviation fuel

8m 21s

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer travel season and that means a lot of driving and flying. When discussing greenhouse gas emissions, the focus is usually on cars and trucks since they generate the most. But the aviation sector is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien looks at efforts to create greener fuels for the skies.

British pubs struggle to survive as drinkers stay home

5m 14s

A historic bicentennial anniversary is upon us. The humble pint is now 200 years old. That staple measurement of bar life was first introduced in 1824 to placate British drinkers who claimed taverns were cheating them of precious ale. Now those public houses are facing a crisis: what happens when the public no longer heads to the pub? Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports.

Thousands flee Myanmar amid flare up in civil war fighting

6m 46s

Myanmar’s civil war has taken a critical turn in recent weeks following a series of defeats for the military junta that reclaimed power in 2021. The exiled civilian government, deposed in that coup, says victory for their resistance is coming soon. But there are fears of a violent struggle as the military attempts to regain lost ground. Special correspondent Patrick Fok reports.

Louisiana reclassifies abortion pills, restricting access

5m 32s

A bill that would restrict access to abortion pills has been signed into law in Louisiana. The law reclassifies the drugs as a controlled substance, grouping them with Xanax and Valium. Possession without a prescription from a specially licensed doctor could be punishable by 5 years in prison. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Dr. Jennifer Avegno, director of the New Orleans Health Department.

NCAA and schools reach agreement to pay college athletes

6m 56s

In a historic first, the NCAA and the nation’s Power Five conferences reached a deal to pay their athletes. The general terms of a settlement will see the NCAA pay nearly $2.8 billion in damages over 10 years to nearly 14,000 players. It also creates a new system that allows schools to use up to $21 million a year to pay student-athletes. Geoff Bennett discussed the deal with Pat Forde.

U.S. may allow Ukraine to use American weapons inside Russia

9m 44s

Ukraine is desperately trying to hold off a new Russian offensive that threatens its second-largest city. U.S. officials tell the NewsHour that the administration is debating whether to lift a restriction on the use of American weapons to target Russian weapons in Russia. Nick Schifrin discussed that with former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor and Emma Ashford of the Stimson Center.

News Wrap: U.S. to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally

5m 3s

In our news wrap Thursday, President Biden plans to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, Senate Democrats launched an investigation into Donald Trump's reported offer to roll back environmental policies in exchange for $1 billion in campaign donations and Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill today that would re-classify two abortion-inducing medications as controlled and dangerous substances.

DOJ files antitrust suit against Ticketmaster, Live Nation

6m 23s

The Department of Justice wants the courts to break up Ticketmaster parent company Live Nation, the biggest concert promoter in the U.S. The company has faced intense scrutiny over prices and tickets selling out and reappearing on resale sites. More than two dozen states and the District of Columbia joined the lawsuit. California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined Geoff Bennett to discuss more.

Supreme Court rejects South Carolina gerrymandering claim

5m 27s

The Supreme Court struck down a challenge to a congressional map in South Carolina that civil rights groups argued was a racial gerrymander. In a 6-3 decision, the conservative majority delivered a win to Republicans who said they used politics, not race, as the key factor when drawing the district bounds. Geoff Bennett discussed the decision with NewsHour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle.

Controversial flag flown at Alito's beach house, report says

6m 44s

The New York Times reports that an “Appeal to Heaven” flag, which has origins dating to the Revolutionary War but is now associated with Christian nationalism and efforts to overturn President Biden's election win, was seen flying outside Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s New Jersey beach home last year. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.

College leaders grilled over handling of campus protests

5m 2s

College presidents were grilled again by the House Education Committee. The committee has held a series of hearings about antisemitism and protests, often focusing on private Ivy League schools. The focus has shifted to include public universities and the same tensions and allegations played out during a tense hearing. Ali Rogin reports.

Invasive goldfish threaten Great Lakes ecosystem

6m 6s

For many people, the humble goldfish is their first pet. Swimming in a tank in your house, it’s hard to imagine it’s much of a threat. But released into the Great Lakes, this iconic fish can imperil the fragile ecosystem of the largest freshwater system in the world. Christopher Booker has the story.

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