PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

Millions of Americans turn to PBS for the solid, reliable reporting that has made PBS News Hour one of the most trusted news programs in television.

Watch Latest: S2024 E322

26m 45s

Study links ultra-processed foods to higher depression risk

5m 22s

The food we eat affects us in many ways. A recent study from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School found a link between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increase in the risk of depression. Ali Rogin speaks with Olivia Okereke, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School who worked on the study, to learn more.

The science behind why doing good makes us feel good

5m 26s

From lending someone a hand with their car to giving a simple “thank you” to a cashier, acts of kindness — whether big or small — can have a huge effect on both recipients and givers. Ali Rogin reports on insights into the power of these acts.

Physician describes recovery ahead for released hostages

10m 46s

The hostages released from Gaza face immense mental and physical trauma. Dr. Hagai Levine, the head of the medical and resilience team for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, began to meet some of the 13 Israelis who once again are free. Nick Schifrin spoke with Levine about the recovery ahead.

Daughter of man held in Gaza discusses 1st hostage release

5m 44s

Twelve of the 13 Israeli hostages released from Gaza Friday were kidnapped from one kibbutz, Nir Oz. One out of four of Nir Oz’s residents were kidnapped or killed in the October 7 attacks. Chaim Peri is one of the hostages from the kibbutz who remains held in Gaza. His daughter, Noam Peri, joined Nick Schifrin to discuss the latest.

Qatari official on mediating hostage release and cease-fire

4m 30s

The hostage deal between Israel and Hamas was mediated by Qatar. Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari is an advisor to the prime minister of Qatar and the official spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry. He joined Nick Schifrin to discuss the release of the first set of hostages and the temporary cease-fire.

What parents wish they had known earlier about head injuries

7m 36s

For years, researchers have studied the effects repeated blows to the head have on athletes in pro football, hockey, soccer and other sports. Now, researchers at Boston University are conducting the first major study of CTE, the degenerative brain disease linked to repeated hits to the head, in athletes who died before their 30th birthday. John Yang reports.

Lewiston gathers to reflect on tragedy and how to heal

6m 49s

Saturday marks one month since a mass shooter murdered 18 people and injured 13 others in Lewiston, Maine. PBS member station Maine Public recently brought together members of the Lewiston community for a special called, "Love Lewiston." Jennifer Rooks hosted the special and provided a space for families to reflect on the tragedy and discuss how to heal as a community.

Capehart and Johnson on Biden's foreign policy efforts

10m 15s

Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart and Washington Free Beacon editor-in-chief Eliana Johnson join Nick Schifrin to discuss the week in politics, including the Biden administration’s foreign policy efforts in the spotlight as U.S. officials push for more hostages to be released by Hamas and what’s ahead in the Republican presidential primary.

Charles Peters' legacy as 'the godfather of neoliberalism'

3m 7s

Longtime journalist Charles Peters, who was often called the godfather of neoliberalism, died Thursday at his home in Washington. Peters was once a state campaign manager for John F. Kennedy and later an executive at the Peace Corps. He was also the founding editor of the Washington Monthly, a journal where he challenged the core beliefs of both liberals and conservatives.

How a volunteer group is finding lost dogs with drones

6m 58s

Small, inexpensive, off-the-shelf drones have transformed the battlefield. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces are using them to devastating effect. But in Britain, the technology has brought new hope to families who’ve lost their dogs. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports from southern England.

'The World in a Wineglass' explores the future of wine

6m 6s

Many Americans likely paired their Thanksgiving meals with a nice bottle of wine. That's something that shouldn't be taken for granted because climate change is threatening wine production across the globe. Geoff Bennett spoke with one wine expert about the state of wine production and gets some recommendations on which bottle to try next.

Southeast Asia flooded with plastic meant for recycling

8m 3s

Last year, the U.S. exported more than 950 million tons of plastic waste meant for recycling and a significant portion of that ended up in Southeast Asia. The region has been inundated with plastic scrap after China blocked all but the cleanest plastic waste imports in 2018. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on how Thailand is dealing with the problem of plastic.

Organized labor faces challenges after series of union wins

6m 47s

This has been the season of organized labor’s discontent. But it has also been the season of big wins by unions from Hollywood, UPS, healthcare workers and the UAW. John Yang spoke with Lauren Kaori Gurley of The Washington Post to get some analysis on what this means for workers and the challenges ahead.

Youngest NCAA coach leads her team to national championship

6m 26s

The youngest coach in NCAA Division I sports this year just took home a national championship. Amna Nawaz spoke with 23-year-old Erin Matson, the rookie head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels field hockey team, about the victory that gained national attention.

Israel prepares for hostage and prisoner exchange with Hamas

13m 34s

After 48 days of war, 48 days of hoping the kidnapped will be released, these are the final hours before the guns are scheduled to go silent in Gaza. Israel has committed to pause its military campaign Friday and Hamas has committed to release 13 hostages it kidnapped during the October 7 terrorist attack. Nick Schifrin discusses the exchange with former Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher.

More American families rely on food banks amid high prices

7m 1s

There's been some good news of late when it comes to inflation. Data from the federal government last week showed inflation eased through October. And according to the Farm Bureau, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner actually decreased slightly this year. But as special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports, stubbornly high food prices are still squeezing families this holiday season.

Why OpenAI brought Sam Altman back as CEO

4m 27s

Sam Altman is returning as the chief executive of OpenAI. The hot tech startup behind ChatGPT is not only bringing Altman back, it’s also overhauling the board that fired him, ending a dramatic five-day standoff that’s transfixed Silicon Valley and the artificial intelligence industry. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest with Mike Isaac of The New York Times.

Fighting continues in Gaza ahead of hostage release

11m 53s

After more than six weeks of heavy fighting, a pause in the battle between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is expected to start soon. That's after the Israeli government approved a deal that includes the release of at least 50 hostages held by Hamas. Nick Schifrin reports and Geoff Bennett discusses the Biden administration's role in negotiations with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

New report reveals graphic aftermath of mass shootings

8m 36s

The Washington Post published images of the damage caused by AR-15-style weapons in a series called "Terror on Repeat." The report raised questions about whether the news media should show graphic images of the carnage it causes and does avoiding those images conceal the horror of that violence. William Brangham discussed that with Matea Gold. A warning: The images in this story are disturbing.

Columbia slammed for ignoring complaints about OB-GYN

8m 10s

Columbia University apologized to thousands of women for allowing an OB-GYN to continue practicing unchecked after he sexually assaulted patients for over two decades. Dr. Robert Hadden was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. But his conviction came years after patients repeatedly warned the university medical center about his behavior. Amna Nawaz discussed the case with Laura Beil.

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