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: S2024 E324

57m 46s

Biden picks Gen. Charles Brown Jr. as Joint Chiefs chairman

8m 22s

President Biden named Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown as the nominee to serve as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed, he would replace Gen. Mark Milley as the nation’s highest-ranking military officer. As Stephanie Sy reports, the pick is both strategic and symbolic.

Investigation reveals culture of abuse inside N.Y. prisons

5m 56s

An investigation by the Marshall Project and the New York Times sheds light on an alarming culture of abuse inside New York state prisons. A review of officer disciplinary records found hundreds of incidents of abuse and mistreatment, and a widespread failure to hold guards accountable. Geoff Bennett discussed the report with Alysia Santo of the Marshall Project.

New Minneapolis police chief on changing the department

7m 53s

George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police in Minneapolis three years ago led to a widespread push for police reform and racial justice. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro sat down with the new police chief in Minneapolis to talk about the challenges of the past few years and the department's future.

DeSantis event highlights Musk's transformation of Twitter

6m 29s

Ever since Elon Musk bought Twitter, he’s been clear that he sees his platform as a place for free speech, especially as a space for conservative voices, who he feels have been silenced too often. That was part of the backdrop when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his presidential campaign on Twitter Spaces. Geoff Bennett discussed Musk’s plans and vision for Twitter with Philip Bump.

Supreme Court decision scales back scope of Clean Water Act

5m 22s

The Supreme Court has again weakened the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency. The case involved the EPA blocking an Idaho couple from building a house near a lake on their property, saying the construction would pollute water protected by the Clean Water Act. William Brangham discussed the case with Coral Davenport.

Brief But Spectacular take on making the ordinary beautiful

2m 38s

Michelle Zauner is a Korean American author and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of alternative pop band Japanese Breakfast. Zauner shares her Brief But Spectacular take on making the ordinary beautiful.

How DeSantis' campaign shapes the GOP presidential race

9m 6s

The presidential race has a new big-name candidate as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis officially announced his run Wednesday. The Republican is a headline machine, shaping national fights over COVID policies, education and immigration. But he faces an uphill climb against former ally Donald Trump. Lisa Desjardins discussed the race with former Rep. Carlos Curbelo, who served in Congress with DeSantis.

Uvalde struggles with trauma a year after school shooting

7m 26s

One year ago, a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and killed 21 people, including 19 children. Those families are still mourning their loss and survivors are living with trauma. Amna Nawaz spoke with Javier Cazares, whose nine-year-old daughter Jackie was killed that day. A year later, he says he’s struggling to move on.

Rainn Wilson on traveling the world in search of well-being

7m 43s

Traveling in search of the happiest places on Earth is at the center of the new series "The Geography Of Bliss." You might be surprised by the guide, who many may think of as having a desk job in an office. Geoff Bennett caught up with actor Rainn Wilson during this mental health awareness month to discuss his personal and professional journeys. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

News Wrap: No debt limit deal but both sides remain hopeful

4m 13s

In our news wrap Wednesday, there is still no deal to raise the nation's debt limit but both sides said they're still hopeful, a typhoon pounded Guam with sustained winds of 140 mph and torrential rains, Germany's government launched a crackdown on climate protesters who have blocked roads and sporadic clashes broke out in Sudan despite a ceasefire between the army and a rival paramilitary group.

Taliban crackdown makes delivering aid to Afghanistan harder

9m 57s

Afghanistan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Nearly two years since the Taliban’s reconquest, Afghans are facing extreme levels of poverty and many are dependent on aid for their survival. But the Taliban's crackdown on women makes delivering that crucial help even harder. William Brangham reports.

Remembering Tina Turner's extraordinary life and career

2m 50s

A legendary performer in the music industry has died. Tina Turner passed away Wednesday at her home in Switzerland at the age of 83. Stephanie Sy looks back on her life and career.

Texas Republican Will Hurd calls for meaningful gun reform

8m 19s

The concern about guns, and the violence done with them, is growing in this country. But Republicans and Democrats have long had very different views about what can be done. Former Republican Congressman Will Hurd is one of the few in his party calling for meaningful gun reform. Amna Nawaz spoke with him in Uvalde.

How the U.S. national debt reached $31.4 trillion

5m 43s

If you stacked up the full debt of the United States in hundred dollar bills, you could make not one, not two, but 13 piles of cash as tall as the Washington Monument. Lisa Desjardins takes a look at what the nation owes and has the latest on the debt ceiling negotiations on Capitol Hill.

The potential impacts of the U.S. defaulting on its debt

6m 8s

The impact of the U.S. defaulting on its debt would be felt by many Americans. It could include suspension of Social Security checks or a loss of food stamp benefits, to name just a few. Many economists argue it would be devastating to financial markets, tipping the country into a recession and creating global turmoil. William Brangham discussed that with Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics.

The human toll of the battle for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine

3m 46s

Russia claims it has won the battle for Bakhmut, but the fighting continues as it has for more than nine months. Both sides have taken massive casualties to control the strategically marginal city in Ukraine's east. John Ray of Independent Television News has a rare look at one of Ukraine's military field hospitals and its efforts to save lives shattered by war.

Artist uses architecture of Guggenheim in new installation

5m 49s

At New York’s Guggenheim Museum, you can walk around and into artwork by Sarah Sze. Photos, videos, objects, sounds and light are things in our daily lives. All of it is material for Sze, an artist who takes the information overload and gives it a new shape and order. Jeffrey Brown takes a look for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Tenuous ceasefire in Sudan offers some needed relief

5m 46s

After weeks of brutal fighting, a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia was signed by leaders of the two factions at war for control of Sudan. The conflict has killed hundreds, injured more than 5,000, and sent nearly a million fleeing. Millions more have been trapped in their homes, unable to access basic services or health care. William Brangham discussed the latest with Kholood Khair.

Black teachers counteract dropout rate among Black students

6m 40s

In our series Rethinking College, we've put a particular emphasis on showing why it's crucial to build and diversify the teaching pipeline throughout a student's academic life and the impact it can have. Geoff Bennett reports on why developing and recruiting more Black teachers is especially important for Black students to make sure they go on and get their degrees.

Dodgers re-invite drag group to Pride Night after backlash

7m 16s

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the latest corporation to get tangled in the culture wars. They originally planned to include a queer and trans group for a Dodgers' pride event, then, under pressure, retracted their invitation. Now, they’ve changed their minds again. Stephanie Sy discussed the backlash with LZ Granderson.

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