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

Breaking down the U.S.-Iran deal that freed five Americans

6m 26s

Five Americans imprisoned by the Iranian regime for years were released Monday in a complex deal between the U.S. and Iran. Some lawmakers have been critical of the Biden administration for making the deal, but U.S. officials have defended the agreement. Geoff Bennett speaks to Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer for the White House perspective.

Five Americans fly home after years of imprisonment in Iran

10m 27s

It’s the end of an ordeal for five Americans held for years by the regime in Iran, who were freed after high-stakes negotiations and began their journey home Monday. Jared Genser, human rights attorney and pro-bono counsel for the family of one of the detainees, joins Amna Nawaz to talk about the hostage release.

Why violence is on the rise in health care facilities

7m 27s

Health care workers are five times as likely to experience workplace violence as other workers, according to government data. In a National Nurses United survey in 2022, 40 percent of hospital nurses said they’d seen an increase in violent incidents. Karen Coughlin, chair of the Massachusetts Nurses Association’s workplace violence and abuse prevention task force, joins John Yang to discuss.

Proposed WIC funding cuts raise child nutrition concerns

6m 28s

With a possible government shutdown looming, one federal program facing funding cuts is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which helps low-income families buy healthy foods. Nell Menefee-Libey, public policy manager for the nonprofit National WIC Association, joins Ali Rogin to discuss the potential impact on millions of children and pregnant people.

How climate change is making fall foliage less colorful

6m 36s

Next Saturday, the autumn equinox will mark the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. For some, though, the real start of fall is when the leaves change color. But scientists say climate change is affecting both the timing and intensity of fall foliage. John Yang speaks with Bill Keeton, a professor of forest ecology at the University of Vermont, to learn more.

How Jose Sarria paved the way for gay candidates in the U.S.

3m 56s

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we return to our “Hidden Histories” series with a look at the legacy of Jose Sarria, a Latino American political activist and drag performer who left his mark on U.S. history by paving the way for gay candidates.

Key takeaways from Texas Senate’s acquittal of AG Paxton

6m

The GOP-controlled Texas Senate voted Saturday to acquit state Attorney General Ken Paxton on 16 articles of impeachment, including bribery, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and abuse of the public trust. The charges largely centered on Paxton’s relationship with a wealthy donor. Austin American-Statesman investigative reporter Tony Plohetski joins John Yang to discuss the trial and what’s next.

What’s changed in Iran one year after Mahsa Amini’s death

10m 28s

It has been one year since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after morality police arrested her in Tehran. Her death unleashed decades of pent-up anger over Iran’s clerical rule and sparked the country’s biggest protests in years. Human rights activist Nazanin Boniadi joins John Yang to discuss whether life has changed for Iranian women living under strict Islamic law in the past year.

Reports shows staggering spike in Louisiana prison deaths

5m 5s

A new report sheds light on a rise in the number of people dying behind bars in Louisiana prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers. The Incarceration Transparency Project at the Loyola University Law School says there's been a 50 percent jump in deaths from 2019 to 2021. Roby Chavez, NewsHour's communities correspondent based in New Orleans, joins John Yang to discuss.

Sister searches for Princeton student missing in Iraq

5m 44s

Princeton graduate student Elizabeth Tsurkov has been missing for six months. A dual Russian-Israeli citizen with family in the U.S., she was conducting research for her doctoral degree in Baghdad when she was believed to have been kidnapped by an Iraqi militia. Amna Nawaz spoke with her sister, Emma Tsurkov, about efforts to bring her home.

Ohio town looks for answers months after train derailment

7m 38s

In February, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in the Ohio village of East Palestine, leading officials to burn the toxic freight to avoid an explosion. Residents soon began to claim a range of health issues. Months later, as remediation efforts continue, concerns in the area remain. Alan Shaw, the CEO of Norfolk Southern, joins Geoff Bennett to discuss.

UAW strikes after deadline with automakers expires

5m 27s

The United Auto Workers launched a strike Friday, the first time it began a strike by picketing against the three big automakers simultaneously. The union, under new leadership, has also changed its traditional approach to a walkout by starting with a shot on the production of popular truck models. Automakers say the workers' demands will endanger their ability to compete. Amna Nawaz reports.

Brooks and Capehart on Biden's impeachment inquiry

11m 29s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including rising tensions in the House as lawmakers launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

Iran tightens security before anniversary of woman's death

7m 23s

One year ago, a young Iranian woman died in police custody after she was arrested for taking off her headscarf, or hijab, required under the laws of the Islamic Republic. Huge protests followed, led by women. Tehran special correspondent Reza Sayah has the story of some of the women who participated in the protests and others who did not.

New Wrap: New England braces for impact of Hurricane Lee

4m 52s

In our news wrap Friday, New England residents are preparing for the impact of Hurricane Lee, climate change protests kick off worldwide, federal prosecutors say former President Trump is trying to intimidate potential witnesses in his Jan. 6 case and Birmingham, Alabama marked 60 years since the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church killed four young Black girls.

Devastation grips Libya after catastrophic flooding

3m 16s

The deadly floods that inundated eastern Libya earlier this week have now led to a tide of the dead, with a death toll of more than 11,000. This amid a race that pits dignity and respect for those lost, against the threat of disease and further calamity. Stephanie Sy reports.

New drone tech could help clear unexploded mines in Ukraine

8m 28s

Among the horrors of war, landmines and unexploded ordnances linger and kill for years afterward. Ukraine is littered with landmines and bombs from both sides. Clearing those explosives is a massive and complicated task, but two young Americans are working on a technological advancement that could make it easier. Special correspondent Jack Hewson reports with the support of the Pulitzer Center.

Flooding sparks scrutiny of Libya's divided government

4m 43s

In Libya, deep fears are becoming a horrific reality as the death toll from the devastating floods there has spiked to more than 11,000. Thousands are still missing, submerged in the muddy mire or washed out to sea. Stephanie Sy reports.

What led to Hunter Biden's indictment on firearms charges

4m 48s

Hunter Biden was indicted Thursday on gun charges, setting up a high-profile legal battle ahead of his father's reelection campaign. The indictment comes days after House Republicans opened an impeachment inquiry into the president and his family’s business dealings. A plea deal for Hunter Biden collapsed in federal court in July. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest developments with Devlin Barrett.

'Tyranny of the Minority' writers say democracy is at risk

7m 25s

America’s democracy is in an uncharted and fragile place, according to two Harvard government professors. In their new book, “Tyranny of the Minority,” Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt say politicians are welcoming anti-democratic extremists into their party ranks and part of the problem lies in the Constitution. Laura Barrón-López spoke with the writers about how the country got to this point.

Supported by