PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E78

57m 46s

Harris calls government shutdown ‘completely irresponsible’

11m 7s

Several issues are swirling this week with potential economic and political fallout, including the ongoing auto workers strike, a looming government shutdown and the first hearing in the impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Geoff Bennett spoke to Vice President Kamala Harris about all of it at Morehouse College in Atlanta where she courted young voters as part of a month-long college tour.

Government shutdown deadline looms amid new concerns

4m 58s

More warnings about the potential effects of a government shutdown came Tuesday with concern from both the Department of Justice and the American Legion that national security could be affected and a signal from Moody’s that it would downgrade U.S. credit. Congress has until Saturday to figure this out. Congressional Correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on where things stand.

A Brief But Spectacular take on finding your voice

3m 9s

Writer Mary Otis' work grapples with issues of addiction, artistic purpose, and mother-daughter relationships. She recently performed excerpts from her debut novel, “Burst,” at Lincoln Center in New York City. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on finding her voice.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on government shutdown impacts

9m 46s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including the implications for the U.S. economy and political landscape as a potential government shutdown looms and union workers continue their strike against car manufacturers.

Sheila Johnson on her new memoir 'Walk Through Fire'

9m 8s

Sheila Johnson made history as America's first Black female billionaire after co-founding BET. She broke barriers and found success as an entrepreneur, hotel mogul and co-owner of multiple professional sports teams. But that success came at a cost and masked deep pain and trauma. Amna Nawaz sat down with Johnson to discuss her new book, "Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Triumph."

What scientists hope to learn from asteroid sample

7m 52s

You may have heard about a NASA probe that successfully brought some samples from a deep-space asteroid back to Earth. It took four billion miles to get them, but researchers believe it will be worth it. You also may be wondering just why scientists want these samples from what's essentially a huge rock flying through space. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien explains.

Family of Black teen suspended for hair sues Texas leaders

4m 39s

The family of Darryl George, a Black student in Texas suspended over his dreadlocks, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. They allege Abbott and Paxton are not enforcing the Crown Act, which says there can be no action taken against someone based on hair texture or hairstyles. Geoff Bennett discussed more with State Rep. Rhetta Bowers.

Biden hosts Pacific leaders in effort to counter China

6m 55s

President Biden hosted a gathering of Pacific Island leaders Monday that was equal parts about the U.S. growing its relationships and working to counter China’s power in the region. Biden promised the nations economic and climate-related help and dedicated a new U.S. Coast Guard mission. Lisa Desjardins discussed the tensions across the Pacific Rim with Zach Cooper.

What's next after writers reach tentative deal to end strike

7m 51s

Writers and the major studios reached a tentative deal after nearly five months of striking. In the coming days, members of the Writers Guild of America will vote to approve the new contract, which includes pay increases to keep up with streaming and protections around the use of artificial intelligence. Geoff Bennett discussed the deal and the ongoing actors' strike with Janice Min of The Ankler.

WTA resumes China Open despite questions about Peng Shuai

5m 25s

When Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai disappeared after accusing a high-ranking official of sexual assault, the Women’s Tennis Association said it would not hold tournaments in China until her whereabouts were known. Two years later, there’s still no official word about Peng, but the WTA’s China Open begins Tuesday in Beijing. John Yang speaks to Sophie Richardson at Human Rights Watch for more.

How lack of regulation for tattoo ink puts Americans at risk

5m 17s

Nearly one in three Americans surveyed this summer said they have at least one tattoo, according to the Pew Research Center. But while tattoo artists are required to have a license in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, tattoo ink is totally unregulated in the United States. Dr. Thomas Rohrer, a dermatologic surgeon, joins John Yang to discuss the associated health risks.

Why high ambulance costs are still a problem in the U.S.

5m 18s

In a medical emergency, you want to get to a hospital as quickly as possible. But what happens when the cost of that transportation is hundreds or thousands of dollars, even with insurance? NewsHour health reporter Laura Santhanam joins Ali Rogin to discuss how a legal loophole is creating a dangerous dilemma for families across the country.

The life of Lydia Mendoza, the 1st queen of Tejano music

4m 16s

For Hispanic Heritage Month, as part of our “Hidden Histories” series, we look back on the life of Lydia Mendoza, a Mexican American singer whose music bridged styles and cultures to tell the stories of the working class.

College hopefuls face changing admissions landscape

7m 4s

This fall is the first college application season in which schools are prohibited from considering race and ethnicity when making admissions decisions, after June's landmark Supreme Court ruling. Sandy Baum, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute's Center on Education Data and Policy, joins John Yang to discuss how this affects college-bound students and their families.

Rollout of driverless cabs raises safety questions

6m 18s

If you call a taxi in some U.S. cities, the car that picks you up might not have a driver. Self-driving “robo-cabs” are generating a lot of interest and controversy, and major technical questions remain. Aarian Marshall, a staff writer for WIRED who covers transportation, joins Ali Rogin to discuss the state of autonomous vehicles on the road.

Why cricket is having a resurgence in popularity in America

6m 59s

Cricket was once one of the most popular sports in the United States, until baseball became entrenched as America’s game during the Civil War. Now, the sport that was first played in England is seeing a resurgence across the pond, thanks in part to thriving South Asian immigrant communities who revere the game. Amna Nawaz reports.

How lockdown helped inspire the Tedeschi Trucks Band

9m 6s

The husband-and-wife creative duo behind the 12-member Tedeschi Trucks Band have been called two of the best roots musicians of their generation. But after a decade of success and touring, they hit a rough period after the death of a bandmate. Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks sit down with William Brangham to explain how the COVID lockdown helped them reset creatively and write new albums.

Ukraine’s national security adviser on vital U.S. aid

5m 16s

After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. leaders this week to urge them to continue sending aid to help fight the war against Russia, Nick Schifrin sat down in Kyiv with Oleksiy Danilov, National Security and Defense Council secretary, to discuss the state of the counter-offensive and the possibility that Congress might not approve a vital aid package.

Brooks and Capehart on the shutdown countdown

10m 25s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join William Brangham to discuss the week in politics, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s scramble to avoid a government shutdown, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington and more.

Auto workers expand strike nationwide

3m 51s

The United Auto Workers expanded its strike to 38 more facilities in 20 different states on Friday. PBS NewsHour’s Ali Rogin reports on why more workers are joining the picket line, what they’re seeking and how it might affect consumers.

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