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 Latest: S2024 E322

26m 45s

First Black astronaut flies in space after 63-year wait

5m 52s

More than 60 years after he was selected but ultimately passed over to become this country’s first Black astronaut, Ed Dwight finally made it to space. He flew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket as it skimmed space on a roughly ten-minute flight. Geoff Bennett sat down with Dwight to discuss his long journey.

American detained by Syria died in custody, family says

6m 22s

The family of an American psychotherapist detained in Syria says the U.S. government has informed them he has died in custody. Majd Kamalmaz was one of a half dozen Americans believed held by Bashar al-Assad’s regime, some of whom have allegedly suffered torture, or have even been murdered. Nick Schifrin spoke with two of Kamalmaz’s daughters, Ulaa and Maryam.

Social media's role in the rise of youth violence

8m 6s

Violent crime has been on a downward trend across the country since the pandemic-era spike. But today, several cities are reporting a new rise in violent crimes involving youth. In many of these cases, police say social media played a central role. Stephanie Sy reports on the challenges of addressing teen violence.

Trump's plans for healthcare, reproductive rights if he wins

7m 20s

This week on the campaign trail, Donald Trump suggested he was open to restricting birth control or allowing states to do so. He later walked it back on Truth Social, saying he will “never advocate imposing restrictions on birth control.” President Biden and Trump are proposing vastly different visions for reproductive rights and healthcare. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.

Rep. Raskin on urging DOJ to investigate 'big oil'

6m 25s

In Congress, the top Democrats on two committees are asking the Department of Justice to launch a sweeping investigation of big oil corporations. They allege that the companies have deceived the public for decades about their complicity in climate change and willingness to address it. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin.

Deadly tornado devastates small town of Greenfield, Iowa

3m 16s

Search efforts continue in Iowa where a devastating tornado tore through a small city and led to multiple deaths. It was part of a series of twisters hitting the state on Monday. The most powerful tornado cut through the heart of Greenfield, a small community about 50 miles southwest of Des Moines. Geoff Bennett reports.

Giuliani, Trump allies arraigned in Ariz. electors scheme

4m 31s

The legal fallout from alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election continued in Arizona on Tuesday. Rudy Giuliani and nearly a dozen other allies of Donald Trump were arraigned on charges connected to the plot to install fake electors to back Trump despite President Biden winning the state in the 2020 election. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Ned Foley.

Exhibit explores humans put on display at 1904 World’s Fair

4m 55s

In 1904, nearly 1,200 Filipinos were brought to the U.S. to take part in the World’s Fair in St. Louis. Some worked as guides, but others were put on display. More than a century later, a new exhibit explores the impact in St. Louis and beyond. Communities correspondent Gabrielle Hays reports.

Taiwan's new president urges China to end threats

5m 37s

Taiwan has a new president with Lai Ching-te inaugurated this past weekend. In the past, he has called himself a “political worker for Taiwanese independence,” words that enrage Beijing, which sees the island as a break-away province to be reunited with the mainland. President Biden has vowed to defend Taiwan, making it a potential flashpoint between the U.S. and China. Nick Schifrin reports.

'Climate refugees' sue Britain for failing to protect homes

7m 53s

Europe’s most important court has ruled that protection from climate change is a human right. The judgment will be put to the test in Britain by a climate change refugee who lost his cliff top home to sea erosion. Rising sea waters and increasingly violent storms, caused by melting ice and warmer oceans, are a special concern on Britain’s east coast. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports.

Turbulence on Singapore Airlines flight kills passenger

5m 26s

One person is dead and roughly 70 others are injured after a Singapore Airlines flight headed from London to Singapore hit severe turbulence. The flight descended 6,000 feet in three minutes over the Indian Ocean, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Bangkok. Aviation correspondent Miles O’Brien reports.

How Trump's alleged hush money payments led to his charges

7m 58s

Donald Trump’s defense team rested its case Tuesday in the trial brought against the former president by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Next week, both sides will make their closing statements to the jury and then deliberations will begin. While this case is often called a hush money trial, the charges against the former president are more complicated. William Brangham explains.

Bill Maher on book reflecting on his comedy and commentary

8m 58s

Bill Maher is often a controversial figure in the world of politics and culture. He’s positioned himself as the ultimate truth-teller who takes equal pleasure in punching at the left and the right. Maher is taking stock of his decades of commentary in his new book, “What This Comedian Said Will Shock You.” Geoff Bennett sat down with Maher for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Lorraine O'Grady on her long path into art world acceptance

6m 37s

Some 50 years into her career and at almost 90-years-old, artist Lorraine O'Grady has her first-ever museum retrospective at Wellesley College's Davis Museum. If that sounds like an honor delayed, much of O'Grady's career has played out with a slow burn. She looks back at her long path into art world acceptance with Jared Bowen of GBH in Boston. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Rapid AI advancements spark wonder and concern

7m 10s

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence continue as companies roll out new products sparking wonder and concern. OpenAI unveiled its next-generation chatbot, GPT-4o, which can respond to voice, text and visual commands in real-time. Google also unveiled a new AI-powered search function. Amna Nawaz discussed these developments with Nilay Patel of The Verge and the Decoder podcast.

How Trump’s legal team is trying to ruin Cohen's credibility

4m 55s

Cross-examination wrapped up Monday for Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, who is a central witness in the hush-money trial against the former president. Trump’s lead defense lawyer portrayed Cohen as a serial liar and someone who profited by turning against his former boss. William Brangham reports.

Deaths leave Iran without key leadership at crucial moment

9m 15s

The deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister left the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East. The deaths mark yet another blow to a country beset by pressures at home and abroad. Reza Sayah reports from Tehran and Amna Nawaz discusses what this means for Iran’s future with Suzanne Maloney.

Can the ICC arrest Israeli, Hamas leaders? Experts weigh in

6m 49s

The International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leadership. To get perspectives on this case, Geoff Bennett spoke with Adil Haque, a professor of law at Rutgers Law School, and Yuval Shany, the chair of international law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a former chair of the U.N. Human Rights Committee.

ICC seeks war crimes charges for Israeli and Hamas leaders

2m 58s

In an unprecedented announcement, the International Criminal Court said it was seeking warrants to arrest the leaders of Hamas and the elected leadership of Israel on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. President Biden called it “outrageous” and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called it “blood libel.” But prosecutor Karim Khan defended his decision. Nick Schifrin reports.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on GOP leaders at Trump's trial

8m 52s

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 Republican allies continue to make appearances at the courthouse to show their support for Trump and why Democrats wanted an early presidential debate.

Supported by