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: S2025 E1

57m 46s

How did pumpkin spice become synonymous with the holidays?

6m

While this season’s politics and headlines may lead to heated exchanges over the Thanksgiving table, economics correspondent Paul Solman looks at the history of a different controversy that is ubiquitous during the holidays: pumpkin spice.

Why the FDA wants to pull this cold medicine ingredient

5m 43s

With winter setting in around much of the country, many people are also gearing up for cough and cold season. But the Food and Drug Administration now says that phenylephrine, a long-used ingredient in many over-the-counter medicines, is ineffective and should be removed. Stephanie Sy speaks with Randy Hatton, a professor at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, to learn more.

News Wrap: Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire holds for 2nd day

5m

In our news wrap Thursday, the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah held for a second day, more than a million homes in Ukraine lost power after a massive Russian attack, Australia’s Senate passed a first-of-its-kind social media ban for children under 16, travelers returning home this weekend may have some issues with weather, and Biden and Harris celebrated Thanksgiving with acts of service.

Israeli-Hezbollah deal learns from past, negotiator says

9m 52s

Residents of southern Lebanon began returning to their homes as the U.S. brokered cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. The agreement calls for Israel’s withdrawal, for Hezbollah to move its fighters, and the Lebanese armed forces deployment to conclude within 60 days. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Amos Hochstein, President Biden’s special envoy who led the negotiations.

Trump's win signals acceptance of authoritarian leadership

6m 9s

President-elect Trump ran much of his campaign based on retribution and absolute loyalty. As he prepares for a second term in office, what might that mean for the future of U.S. democracy? Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Jason Stanley, a Yale philosophy professor and author of “Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future.”

Trump names COVID lockdown skeptic to lead NIH

6m 54s

President-elect Trump selected a critic of COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates to lead the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is known for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration, a 2020 manifesto that advocated allowing COVID to spread in order to achieve herd immunity. It was widely criticized by top health officials. William Brangham discussed more with Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo.

Ukraine takes harsh measures to force draft dodgers into war

6m 26s

A U.S. official said Ukraine should consider dropping the age of military conscription from 25 to 18. It's a stark acknowledgment that Ukraine doesn't have enough troops to fight the seemingly endless volume of Russian soldiers, especially now that they're being bolstered by North Korean troops. Special correspondent Jack Hewson looks at Ukraine's dilemma and the country's harsh solutions.

How psychology can help bridge divisions this Thanksgiving

10m 14s

Just a few weeks after a divisive presidential election, millions of Americans are preparing to sit down with their families for Thanksgiving. According to some experts, the keys to moving forward lie not in politics, but in psychology. Judy Woodruff discussed political identity with social psychologist Keith Payne as part of her ongoing series, America at a Crossroads.

'Brains and Beauty' explores how the mind processes art

6m 15s

Visual art is a subjective experience, but what draws one person into an artwork and turns off another? A new exhibit, "Brains and Beauty: At the Intersection of Art and Neuroscience," explores that question by examining how the brain processes aesthetic experiences. Stephanie Sy reports from Arizona for our look at the intersection of art and health, part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Can the Israeli-Hezbollah cease-fire last? Experts weigh in

9m 47s

For the first time in nearly 14 months, the guns along the Israel-Lebanon border are set to fall silent. The Israeli security cabinet approved a cease-fire and Lebanon's government says it will ensure Hezbollah abides by the deal. Nick Schifrin discussed the developments with Randa Slim of the Middle East Institute and Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment.

News Wrap: G7 foreign ministers renew support for Ukraine

5m 24s

In our news wrap Tuesday, G7 foreign ministers renewed their "unwavering" support for Ukraine, at least six people have died in Pakistan during violent clashes between security forces and protesters who are seeking the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison and a new Biden administration proposal would cover the cost of popular weight-loss drugs through Medicare or Medicaid.

A look at Trump's tariffs and the economic consequences

8m 5s

President-elect Trump is wasting no time when it comes to making good on his promise to impose tariffs on foreign nations. He announced he would slap major new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on his first day in office. The economic consequences of the tariffs could be enormous, involving multiple industries, goods and groceries. William Brangham discussed more with economist Mary Lovely.

Is the political climate influencing a spike in racism?

7m

After the election, there was a spike in incidents involving neo-Nazi marches and racist and hateful messages sent online, stoking fear for residents in several states across the country. Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ Americans in at least 25 states have been subjected to racist text messages telling them to report to a plantation to pick cotton. Stephanie Sy reports for our series, Race Matters.

Biden pushes to fill judicial vacancies before Trump returns

7m 2s

In the final weeks of this Congress, Democrats are making a push to confirm a number of President Joe Biden's judicial nominees. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.

Syrian refugees in Lebanon caught in violence again

7m 44s

A year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has destroyed many lives and livelihoods, including those of Syrian refugees sheltering in Lebanon. That led to a steady flow of refugees trying to return to Syria. Special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen reports on the people desperate to cross the border.

How political upheaval inspired the French Impressionists

6m 56s

Impressionism is perhaps the most-viewed and best-loved movement in art history. A new exhibition, first shown in Paris, looks back 150 years to its founding moment and to the darkness hidden behind all that light. Jeffrey Brown visited "Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment" at the National Gallery of Art for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

What Trump's appointments tell us about his economic agenda

6m 16s

President-elect Trump continues to round out his Cabinet, including some key economic appointments. He's chosen billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent for treasury secretary and for commerce, he's chosen Howard Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and a big backer of tariffs. William Brangham discussed what these choices mean for Trump's agenda with David Wessel.

Trump names Project 2025 architect to key White House role

4m 24s

For the director of the Office of Management and Budget, President-elect Trump named Russell Vought as his pick. Vought previously led that office for part of Trump’s first term. He is also a co-author of Project 2025, the controversial Heritage Foundation blueprint for a second Trump term. Laura Barrón-López reports on what the pick may signal.

Climate deal reached but developing nations 'not satisfied'

6m 56s

At the U.N. climate talks in Azerbaijan, negotiators struck a deal at the last moment. Wealthy nations pledged $300 billion a year by 2035 to help developing countries deal with the impacts of climate change and to help their transition to cleaner energy. It’s nowhere near the $1 trillion a year that many experts and analysts say is needed. William Brangham discussed more with Manish Bapna.

Trump’s success among men illustrates manosphere's influence

8m 41s

This year, President-elect Trump made gains across almost every demographic since the 2020 election. But one of the most notable was among young men, who shifted roughly 15 points to the right. Laura Barrón-López examines how Trump was able to court young men online by reaching out to them in spaces far beyond mainstream media outlets.

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