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 E55

57m 46s

Brooks and Capehart on Trump's federal case dismissals

10m 50s

With the dismissal of the two federal cases against him, President-elect Donald Trump has bypassed some of the most serious legal jeopardy he faced. He’s now assembling a Cabinet to carry out his agenda. New York Times columnist David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart, associate editor for The Washington Post, discuss that and other matters shaping the transition to a second Trump term.

Reflecting on Rafael Nadal's storied career in tennis

7m 37s

When Rafael Nadal retired from the game last week, he left a remarkable two-decades legacy in his wake. He was beloved on the court, and off, by players and fans alike. The holiday season is a time of reflection, so the News Hour's Stephanie Sy reflects on a memorable era in men's tennis.

Why this famous New York food critic is moving on

5m 35s

There are many ways we define American culture: the music, art and literature we produce, how our politics plays out, but also: the food we eat, and where we choose to eat it. In New York City in particular, each bite has chronicled that slice of America. But now, after countless restaurants and hundreds of reviews, Pete Wells is moving on from his job as the New York Times restaurant critic.

Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral set to make a comeback

9m 4s

Five years after a devastating fire gutted a world icon, Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral is just days away from reopening. French president Emmanuel Macron toured the monument and his visit provided some first glimpses of this extraordinary restoration. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant met some of the expert artists and artisans whose skills have preserved "Our Lady" for centuries to come.

New book explores global influences on Western pop music

6m 53s

Western pop music has always been influenced by artists and styles from around the world. A new book aims to give those varied influences — all of them — their due. Special correspondent Tom Casciato has the story as part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

North Carolina residents lean on community help after Helene

5m 38s

It’s been two months since Hurricane Helene cut a path of deadly destruction across the Southeast. Ahead of the holiday season, PBS News returned to the hard-hit region of western North Carolina, where despite the challenges they face rebuilding their lives, residents described being overwhelmed with gratitude for a renewed sense of community. Laura Barrón-López reports.

What PBS News Hour viewers are thankful for in 2024

4m 40s

Thanksgiving Day is about coming together with family and friends, enjoying delicious food and, of course, giving thanks. This holiday, we wanted to take a moment to hear from viewers like you, so we asked people across the country what they were grateful for this year. Here’s what some of you told us.

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.

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