PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 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: S2025 E54

26m 45s

How Biden is canceling student loan debt for millions

6m 31s

President Biden on Friday announced another $5 billion in student loan forgiveness for 74,000 borrowers. It’s the latest batch of student debt cancellations after the Supreme Court struck down his larger forgiveness plan last year. John Yang reports on Biden's efforts and speaks with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, who covers the economics of higher education for The Washington Post, to learn more.

American doctor describes dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza

9m 10s

More than 60,000 Palestinians have been wounded during the Israeli air and ground campaigns. Nick Schifrin reports on the state of medical care in the warzone and speaks with Dr. Seema Jilani, an American doctor who just returned from Gaza. A warning, some of the images and descriptions in this story are disturbing.

Congress passes temporary funding bill to avert shutdown

5m 40s

Congress dodged a partial government shutdown with just one day to spare. A temporary funding bill passed with strong bipartisan support, but a long-term fix and tougher debates remain. Lisa Desjardins reports on what this means and what it doesn't.

News Wrap: Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood after war

4m 48s

In our news wrap Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed talk of Palestinian statehood after the Gaza war ends, the Hamas-run health ministry reported the Palestinian death toll has passed 24,600, the U.S. military hit Houthi rebels in Yemen for the fifth time and severe drought forced authorities to cut shipping traffic through the Panama Canal by 36 percent.

DOJ issues review of police response to Uvalde shooting

6m 31s

The Justice Department released a report on how law enforcement failed in its response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 children and two teachers dead. The nearly 600-page report lays out a series of “cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy, and training.” Geoff Bennett discussed the findings with Tony Plohetski of the Austin American-Statesman.

What's in the bill to expand the child tax credit

4m 21s

The federal child tax credit may soon be expanded as part of an effort by some lawmakers to ensure that more American families can access the benefit. If the proposal becomes law it would gradually increase the credit and allow lower-income families to receive a refundable tax credit for each child. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Sharon Parrott of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Health advocates press White House to ban menthol cigarettes

7m 16s

Activists and health advocates are pressing the Biden administration to ban menthol cigarettes ahead of an FDA deadline. Black community leaders and public health advocates marched toward the White House and staged a mock funeral for the 45,000 Black lives lost from tobacco-related illnesses each year. But there's a battle over whether the administration should enact a ban. Stephanie Sy reports.

Tourism industry responding to women drawn to solo travel

6m 30s

A majority of people traveling abroad alone these days are women, and demand for women-led tour groups is rising. Stephanie Sy takes a closer look at the reasons why women are drawn to solo travel and how the hospitality industry is taking notice.

Michele Norris discusses new book 'Our Hidden Conversations'

7m 50s

In 2010, journalist Michele Norris started “The Race Card Project.” She asked people around the world to send her a postcard, and in just six words, share their thoughts, questions, experiences and aspirations about identity and race. Geoff Bennett and Norris discussed the project and her new book, “Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity.”

Case involving a fish could curtail federal regulations

6m 34s

The Supreme Court heard arguments about whether a group of East Coast fishermen should be required to pay for a costly monitoring system on their boats. The fishermen are being supported by industry groups who want to curtail government regulation and the outcome could have enormous impacts far beyond the fishing industry. William Brangham discussed the case with Carrie Johnson of NPR.

Artist reflects on natural beauty with a knife and paper

7m 21s

Paper cutting is an art form that possibly dates back to the invention of paper itself in China around 2,000 years ago. Since then, many cultures have developed their own unique styles. Special correspondent Cat Wise visited an artist whose paper cutting reflects the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the lives of those who live there. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Schools work to help students amid chronic absenteeism rise

5m 21s

Chronic absenteeism is a problem for school districts and students and the situation has grown significantly worse since the pandemic. Nearly 30 percent of students were chronically absent during the 2021-2022 school year, missing at least 10 percent of school days. Communities Correspondent Gabrielle Hays joined Geoff Bennett to discuss how schools in Missouri are struggling with it.

Growing number of men say they are in a friendship recession

8m 13s

American men are stuck in what’s been dubbed a friendship recession, with 20 percent of single men now saying they don’t have any close friends. More than half of all men report feeling unsatisfied with the size of their friend groups. Geoff Bennett traveled to Phoenix to take a closer look at the implications of male loneliness and how some men are confronting it.

Former NATO head on U.S. debate over Ukraine military aid

6m 51s

Critical U.S. aid to Ukraine is still being held up in ongoing negotiations between Congress and the White House over funding for border security. Amna Nawaz spoke with former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen about what this means as Russia's war in Ukraine enters its third year.

U.S. official overseeing Yemen discusses response to Houthis

7m 34s

The Biden administration relisted Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a specially designated global terrorist group. The move follows more than 30 attacks by the Houthis on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Nick Schifrin discussed the tensions with U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking, the top State Department official overseeing Yemen policy.

Congress, White House negotiate Ukraine and border funding

4m 36s

Congressional leaders returned to the Capitol Wednesday night after spending the afternoon negotiating with President Biden at the White House. At stake is funding for Ukraine, Israel and additional border security measures. It comes as Congress faces a separate funding deadline and a potential government shutdown. Lisa Desjardins reports on what’s standing in the way of a deal.

Student network helps address mental health needs in schools

4m 58s

Mental health among the nation's student population has been a growing concern, especially due to the pandemic. From PBS Wisconsin, Steven Potter reports on how peer support, school staff and psychology researchers are trying to keep up with the growing rate of mental health issues among students. It's part of our series, Early Warnings: America’s Youth Mental Health Crisis.

'The Rebels' explores populism in the Democratic Party

6m 15s

Between the House GOP’s funding fight and Donald Trump’s hold on the Republican party, much has been made of the far-right’s sway. But what doesn’t get as much attention is the far-left’s influence in the Democratic party. Geoff Bennett discussed that with Joshua Green, author of “The Rebels: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Struggle for a New American Politics.”

Insulin prices capped for some, cost still high for millions

8m 25s

Diabetics will now see a break in their out-of-pocket costs for insulin. Sanofi, one of the leading manufacturers of the hormone, joined two other major pharmaceutical companies in capping their insulin copays at $35. This comes after years of pressure by President Biden, lawmakers and activists for companies to lower their list prices. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.

Trump back in court for damages phase of defamation case

5m 26s

Fresh off his win in Iowa, former President Trump spent time in a New York courtroom. The trial that started Tuesday will decide how much he owes writer E. Jean Carroll for defaming her while he was president. Trump was already found liable for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s and then lying about her years later. William Brangham was in the courtroom and reports from New York.

Supported by