PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch Latest: S2025 E55

57m 46s

Can Biden issue preemptive pardons to protect Trump critics?

6m 44s

After President Biden gave his son, Hunter, an expansive pardon, legal experts have questioned how a president’s pardon power could be used moving forward. That includes questions about the possible use of preemptive pardons. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Kim Wehle, author of "Pardon Power: How the Pardon System Works-and Why."

News Wrap: Thousands ordered to evacuate Malibu wildfire

5m 30s

In our news wrap Tuesday, thousands in Southern California are under evacuation orders as a wildfire burns near Malibu, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu took the stand for the first time in his long-running corruption trial and U.S. wildlife officials are aiming to add monarch butterflies to the endangered species list.

The controversial vaccine policy changes RFK Jr. could make

7m 59s

More than 75 Nobel laureates signed a letter asking the U.S. Senate not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary, citing his opposition to vaccines among their concerns. William Brangham takes a deeper look at Kennedy's record on that issue and what impact he could have leading the nation's health agencies.

Cotton from Central Asia helps fuel Russia's war in Ukraine

8m 58s

It's been nearly three years since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and despite huge losses on both sides, there is no sign that Putin's war machine is letting up. Cotton is used to make gunpowder and explosives and Russia has a steady supply from one of its former Soviet republics. Special correspondent Simon Ostrovsky investigated why that is, and who's trying to stop it.

LA arts program gives addicts and ex-cons escape to new life

6m

A tried and true program in East L.A. helps former gang members, drug users and those leaving incarceration build a new life. Special correspondent Mike Cerre reports on the Homeboy Art Academy for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

What to expect from the Syrian opposition coming to power

6m 20s

For perspective on the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and the opposition that's coming to power, Amna Nawaz spoke with Murhaf Jouejati. He’s a distinguished visiting professor at the U.S. Naval Academy and the former chairman of The Day After, a nonprofit organization that's been working toward building democratic institutions in Syria.

Jury acquits man charged after NYC subway chokehold death

7m 1s

A jury in New York found former Marine Daniel Penny not guilty in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely. The killing, which took place on a subway car last spring, has provoked intense reactions. Some painted Penny as a savior who protected people while others see him as a reckless vigilante who went too far. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Samantha Max of WNYC.

Trump lays out agenda on border, tariffs in interview

7m 4s

Over the weekend, President-elect Donald Trump sat down for his first formal interview since winning a second term in the White House. Trump spoke to Meet the Press about his plans for his new administration, doubling down on campaign promises around mass deportations, threatening political rivals and praising Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Laura Barrón-López reports.

What we know about man detained in health care CEO killing

8m 3s

Police detained a person of interest in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The murder's connections to the health insurance industry have touched a nerve, sometimes with ugly results, in the days since the shooting. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Nicholas Florko of The Atlantic who wrote the recent piece, "Murder Is an Awful Answer for Health-Care Anger."

White House: Future of Syria depends on 'choices they make'

6m 6s

U.S. officials say they are closely monitoring the situation in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. It could have widespread ramifications for the region and the world. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer.

Syria seeks to build government after fall of Assad

5m 31s

After 13 brutal years of war, Syrians breathe free after the fall of the autocratic Assad dynasty. Bashar al-Assad and his family are now in Russia, which extended them asylum. The seizure of the nation by insurgents rocked the region and the world. But for many Syrians, the task after the fall of Assad was to take stock of the catastrophic damage and what the future holds. Nick Schifrin reports.

Half-century of iron rule ends as rebels seize Syria

8m 24s

For more than half a century, Syria had been ruled with an iron fist by the Assad regime. It all came to an end this weekend with lightning speed, as rebels took control of the capital city of Damascus, and with it, the country. What lies ahead now for Syria and the Middle East is an open question. Hassan Hassan, founder and editor in chief of New Lines magazine, joins John Yang to discuss.

How governments use spyware to monitor citizens’ phones

7m 16s

This past week, the White House detailed the scope of a massive Chinese hacking campaign that reaped information from American cell phone networks. But an HBO original documentary, “Surveilled,” says some governments use commercial spyware to monitor their own citizens. To learn more, John Yang speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Ronan Farrow, who produced the documentary.

A student and teacher connect over small acts of kindness

2m 58s

In 1958, when John Cruitt’s mother died, his third-grade teacher made a small gesture of kindness that meant a great deal to him. In this animated feature from our partners at StoryCorps, he sat down with Cecile Doyle decades later to tell her how that gesture changed his life — and in the process made a difference in her life as well.

Christmas tree farm overcomes Hurricane Helene’s destruction

4m 48s

Hurricane Helene’s path of destruction in the mountains of North Carolina devastated one of the region’s big industries: Christmas tree farming. One family operation overcame obstacles to get its crop to market, including one special tree that ended up in the White House. Ali Rogin reports.

Trump returns to the world stage at Notre Dame’s reopening

7m 50s

Against the Paris skyline, the Notre Dame Cathedral has risen from the ashes with its official reopening Saturday. Dozens of world leaders, diplomats and celebrities attended the celebration of the monument’s rebirth, including a high-profile return to the global spotlight for President-elect Trump. John Yang speaks with Heather Conley, senior advisor to the German Marshall Fund, for more.

Would a lower legal limit for drunk driving improve safety?

5m 38s

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, drunk driving crashes are as much as 40 percent higher between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than the rest of the year. The legal blood alcohol limit in the U.S. is higher than around the world, and advocates say lowering it would reduce fatal car crashes. John Yang speaks with researcher James Fell to learn more.

Rebirth of Michigan Central a symbol of Detroit's comeback

7m 58s

A restoration of past glory, a renovation toward future growth and potential consequences and conflicts in the present. That’s the story of Michigan Central, a grand addition to Detroit’s economic and cultural life. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Brooks and Capehart on Biden's pardon and Trump's nominees

10m 41s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including President Biden's pardon of his son has drawn scrutiny from both sides of the aisle, President-elect Trump's nominees continue to face heavy scrutiny on Capitol Hill and other issues shaping the transition.

Transgender lawmaker on backlash surrounding trans rights

6m 25s

Two years ago, Leigh Finke became the first trans person elected to the Minnesota state legislature. Even though she endured numerous threats, she leveraged her position, and a Democratic majority, to help pass legislation protecting other trans people in her state. Finke joined William Brangham to discuss the triumphs and the vitriol surrounding transgender rights in America.

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