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 Latest: S2025 E117

26m 45s

Researcher skeptical autism cause will be found by September

5m 11s

In a news conference on the rise in autism spectrum disorder, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made no mention of vaccines and instead emphasized the government’s plans to study potential environmental factors. To help put Kennedy's pledge in context, Stephanie Sy spoke with Christine Ladd-Acosta of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

What science shows about the rise in autism diagnoses

7m 16s

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged to find out what's driving the country's rise in autism spectrum disorder after a new CDC report said that rate had continued to climb. There are reports that the CDC plans to study a supposed connection between autism and vaccines, despite dozens of studies showing no connection between the two. Ali Rogin reports.

News Wrap: DOJ sues Maine over transgender athletes

6m 7s

In our news wrap Wednesday, the Trump administration sued Maine for allowing transgender athletes to play in women's sports, California is suing the Trump administration over the president's sweeping tariff policy, a military base in Georgia returned to its old name of Fort Benning and a new CDC study says depression has become more common among U.S. adults and adolescents over the past decade.

Inside the camp where Sudanese refugees have fled civil war

9m 57s

For two years now, Sudan has been wracked by a civil war between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Correspondent Neha Wadekar and filmmaker Zoe Flood, with the support of the International Women’s Media Foundation, report on the crisis on Chad’s eastern border, where hundreds of thousands of Sudanese civilians have fled violence and the risk of starvation.

Why abortions are rising in U.S. despite more restrictions

7m 11s

Access to abortion services has shifted dramatically in the three years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Twelve states currently ban the procedure with limited exceptions, another four have bans after six weeks of pregnancy. Stephanie Sy discussed a new report that shows whether bans have led to a drop in abortions with Mary Ziegler, author of “Personhood."

China cuts exports of rare earth minerals amid trade war

7m 37s

China’s leader is touring Southeast Asia and portraying Beijing as the anchor of world economic stability. Xi Jinping’s efforts come after the U.S. levied a blanket 10 percent tariff on goods coming in and steeper rates on China. Beijing is now restricting the export of minerals critical to everything from American cell phones to fighter planes. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Gracelin Baskaran.

How college communities are reacting to funding threats

5m 34s

Recent threats to federal funding and arrests of international students have created a sense of unease on many college campuses. A trio of editors at student newspapers across the country share a unique perspective about what they are seeing on the ground and how campus communities are reacting.

Grants frozen as Harvard pushes back against Trump's demands

6m 41s

Harvard became the first major school to push back against the Trump administration's efforts against colleges. The administration told Harvard it would lose federal funding if it didn’t change hiring practices and address allegations of antisemitism. But Harvard rejected that request, saying it can't "allow itself to be taken over." William Brangham discussed more with Cornell William Brooks.

News Wrap: Iran leader downplays chance of nuclear deal

4m 58s

In our news wrap Tuesday, Iran's supreme leader said nuclear talks with the U.S. were "taken well" but downplayed prospects for a deal, Russia said negotiations with the U.S. were "constructive" but wouldn't give a timetable for peace in Ukraine, the CDC says nearly one in 31 U.S. children has autism and Arkansas and Indiana moved to ban soda and candy from food stamp programs.

Judge presses DOJ on wrongfully deported man

8m 54s

A federal judge told Justice Department lawyers to cancel vacation as she launched rapid discovery in the case of a wrongfully deported man. Judge Paula Xinis scolded the Trump administration for doing “nothing” to facilitate Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release from El Salvador’s custody and return him to the United States. White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Mary McCord.

Blues musician Nat Myers faces battle with a rare cancer

5m 22s

In 2023, we told you about the debut of Nat Myers, an acclaimed blues musician from Kentucky. American Songwriter said his work "reverberates with the sound of a deep bluesman from the 20s and 30s." Special correspondent Tom Casciato has an update to Myers' personal story for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Trump, El Salvador reject responsibility for deported man

6m 51s

President Trump met with El Salvador's leader as both governments rejected responsibility for the fate of a man the administration admits was wrongly deported. The Supreme Court said last week the U.S. must facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Attorney General Bondi said the return is at El Salvador’s discretion, but President Bukele claims his hands are tied. Laura Barrón-López reports.

Tariff confusion injects more uncertainty into economy

8m 2s

The escalating trade war between the U.S. and China is continuing to inject uncertainty into the world’s two largest economies. Over the weekend, President Trump and top trade officials added to the confusion, carving out exemptions for tariffs on electronic products. To discuss the trade war, William Brangham spoke with David Wessel of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy.

News Wrap: Penn. arson suspect charged with terrorism

5m 42s

In our news wrap Monday, the man accused of setting fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion has been charged with arson, attempted homicide and terrorism, court documents claim a Wisconsin teen arrested for killing his parents did so to take their money and carry out a plot to assassinate President Trump and the tour company whose helicopter crashed into the Hudson River is shutting down.

Russian cluster bomb attack on Ukraine kills dozens

3m 57s

There is more fallout from a Russian missile strike in northeastern Ukraine that killed dozens of civilians on Palm Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russia “filthy scoundrels," while President Trump blamed both Ukraine and Russia for the start of the war. Nick Schifrin reports.

How Meta's antitrust trial could have major implications

6m 2s

A blockbuster antitrust trial between Meta and the Federal Trade Commission is underway. The government alleges the company monopolized the social media market when it purchased Instagram and WhatsApp. The trial could have major implications for big tech. Stephanie Sy discussed the case with Rebecca Allensworth, a law professor at Vanderbilt University.

Farmers turn to seaweed to reduce methane emissions

7m 45s

As the world races to curb climate change, scientists are taking aim at cows, a surprisingly potent source of greenhouse gases. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien traveled from California to Mexico and Australia to explore a bold idea that could make a big impact. It's part of our series, Tipping Point.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on voters and Trump's policies

7m 47s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join William Brangham to discuss the latest political news, including the political fallout from the Trump administration's tariff policies and intra-party fighting that seems to be breaking out with both Democrats and Republicans.

Why insurance companies are denying coverage for prosthetics

5m 48s

More than 2 million Americans are living with limb loss. A federal report says that number is expected to almost double by 2050. Recent reporting by KFF Health News found that many who have lost limbs are hitting roadblocks when they try to get insurance to cover the cost of prosthetic limbs. Ali Rogin speaks with KFF Health News contributing writer Michelle Andrews to learn more.

How China is responding to pressure from Trump as trade war brews

4m 30s

The developing U.S.-China trade war keeps ratcheting up, with reports Sunday that China has suspended exports of rare earth minerals. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Lutnick said that the electronics the Trump administration exempted from reciprocal tariffs could be subject to different levies in the future. Katrina Northrop, China correspondent for The Washington Post, joins John Yang to discuss.

Supported by