PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch: S2024 E318

57m 46s

Researcher says seeing the good in others is good for you

6m 26s

At Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory, scientists have spent years studying kindness, connection and empathy. But those can all seem in short supply at a time of deep divisions. But the head of that lab offers a data-driven reason to be hopeful about each other and the future. Amna Nawaz spoke with Jamil Zaki about his latest book, "Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness."

Ohio city with Haitian migrant influx thrust into spotlight

9m 12s

Springfield, Ohio, is at the center of one of the most fraught issues in this election. GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance wrote that “Haitian illegal immigrants” are “draining social services and generally causing chaos.” Springfield has seen its population grow by over 20 percent in four years, driven mostly by immigration. William Brangham visited the city to understand how it is coping.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on debate expectations

7m 3s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including a look ahead to Tuesday night's debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, what the candidates hope to accomplish and new polls showing the race is tied.

Voters in county with record of picking winners share views

6m 26s

Tuesday's presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will take place in the state that could prove to be the deciding factor in the race for the White House. Lisa Desjardins takes us inside one Pennsylvania county with a track record of picking the winner, a place both parties think could signal how the state, and possibly the country, could swing.

House GOP report blames Biden for chaotic Afghan exit

6m 15s

House Republicans blamed the Biden administration for the chaotic and deadly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, accusing the White House of ignoring Afghan, allied and military advice and conducting a subsequent coverup. The White House called the report partisan and dismissed the accusation of a coverup. Nick Schifrin reports.

Harris, Trump prepare for debate as polls show close race

3m 17s

It's the eve of the pivotal presidential debate when Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to face off for the first time, and possibly the only time, between now and November. With only eight weeks remaining until Election Day, new polling suggests that the race is as close as ever. Geoff Bennett reports.

High demand for avocados drives deforestation in Mexico

5m 28s

Demand in the United States for one popular food is driving deforestation in Mexico. Daniel Wilkinson, senior policy adviser at Climate Rights International, joins Stephanie Sy to discuss the environmental and human costs of skyrocketing avocado sales and what can be done to address the issue.

Abortion restrictions affect training for OB-GYN residents

6m 2s

There has been a flood of state laws restricting abortion since the Supreme Court said access to the procedure was no longer a constitutional right. Those laws are affecting how medical residents in obstetrics and gynecology are trained in performing abortions and in counseling patients about their reproductive choices. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Sarah Osmundson to learn more.

New book explores what’s different about Gen Z’s politics

5m 56s

In the last three elections, voter turnout hit record highs among those born after 1997. This year, both the Harris and Trump campaigns are heavily courting this generation. A new book, “The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy,” looks at the effect they’re likely to have on American politics for years to come. John Yang speaks with author Melissa Deckman for more.

How Wisconsin is trying to save its freshwater mussels

4m 37s

Wisconsin is coming back from its worst drought in decades. Along with unusually high temperatures, it’s affected wildlife in and around the state’s rivers. While spring rains ended the drought, recovery in some places has been slow. PBS Wisconsin’s Nathan Denzin reports on one species that’s been hit particularly hard.

What a court ruling means for Louisiana’s Cancer Alley

5m 3s

Many studies have shown that the burden of air pollution in the United States disproportionately falls on racial minorities, especially Black Americans. In August, a federal judge barred the EPA and DOJ from using part of the Civil Rights Act to investigate how Louisiana regulates industrial plants. John Yang speaks with Beverly Wright of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice for more.

Americans navigate complex issues around family planning

8m 27s

The U.S. birth rate hit a record low in 2023, but data suggests that over the past 30 years, the number of adults who want to have children has remained relatively stable. So why aren’t more Americans having children or expanding their families? Ali Rogin explores the complexities of today’s family planning and speaks with family demographer Karen Guzzo to learn more.

7 football deaths raise concerns about risks for youth

6m 15s

Fans and families will pack the bleachers in high school stadiums across the country as football season ramps up. But after at least seven deaths tied to the sport in August, including two teenagers who sustained brain injuries on the same day, questions are again being raised about the safety of the game. William Brangham discussed more with Chris Nowinski.

U.S. envoy on aid effort for millions displaced in Sudan

6m 47s

U.N.-backed human rights investigators accused both sides in the Sudanese civil war of war crimes and advocated for an “independent and impartial force” to protect civilians. More than 10 million are displaced, millions are hungry and tens of thousands have been killed. Nick Schifrin discussed the world’s largest humanitarian crisis with Tom Perriello, the U.S. special envoy for Sudan.

Brooks and Atkins Stohr on a double standard for Trump

10m 49s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Boston Globe columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including Donald Trump getting a political reprieve after the judge overseeing his New York criminal case delays his sentencing, if there's a double standard for what Trump and Harris say and former Vice President Dick Cheney announces he's voting for Harris.

Teachers work to educate Gazan children in makeshift schools

5m 31s

It’s back-to-school season, but in Gaza, 625,000 students have no building to return to. Most of Gaza’s 560 schools have been either damaged or destroyed. More than half of the schools have been directly hit by Israel and the few remaining are now shelters for the displaced. Nick Schifrin reports with producer Shams Odeh.

Chicago Fed president expects rate cuts amid 'overcooling'

6m 35s

The latest jobs report paints a mixed picture of the overall economy. The U.S. added 142,000 new jobs last month and the unemployment rate dipped slightly to 4.2 percent. The report was better than July, but with revisions, it shows a job market that is notably cooler than this past winter. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

News Wrap: Suspected school shooter and arraigned in Georgia

6m 27s

In our news wrap Friday, the teenager charged with killing four in a Georgia school shooting made his first court appearance, Southern California is sweltering in the peak of a late-summer heat wave, the White House called on Israel to investigate the death of an American in the occupied West Bank and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the U.S. will provide additional weapons to Ukraine.

Trump appeals to overturn sexual abuse, defamation case

2m 38s

The 2024 presidential campaign is entering the final weekend before the critical first debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. While the vice president huddles with her team for debate prep, the Republican nominee was in federal court fighting to overturn a guilty verdict while another case saw a big delay. John Yang reports.

Displaced Israeli students start school in the shadow of war

5m 31s

As children around the world are starting a new school year, some are returning in the shadow of war. More than 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from the northern border because of Hezbollah attacks. Nick Schifrin and producer Karl Bostic report on some of those students who are now attending classes in Tel Aviv. Our next report will focus on life for school-aged children in Gaza.

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