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 E29

57m 46s

How to navigate political divisions at holiday gatherings

6m 12s

The presidential election laid bare political fault lines across the country, stark divisions that can be even more intense when they involve loved ones. William Brangham speaks with Jamil Zaki, a professor of psychology at Stanford University and author of “Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness,” for ways to handle post-election stress and find a little holiday season hope.

Trump taps ‘deep state’ conspiracy theorist to lead the FBI

6m 56s

As he continues stocking his new administration with staunch loyalists, President-elect Trump on Saturday nominated Kash Patel to be FBI director. Patel claims that the FBI is part of what he calls the “deep state” conspiracy against Trump and his allies. NBC News reporter Ryan Reilly, who authored the book “Sedition Hunters: How January 6th Broke the Justice System,” joins John Yang to discuss.

Texas food bank provides relief from high grocery prices

4m 5s

Stubbornly high food prices are compounding the problems of hunger and food scarcity across America, as people face tough choices in order to stretch their budgets to cover basic necessities like housing and child care. In one Texas community, residents are stepping up to help neighbors in need. Austin PBS’ Blair Waltman-Alexin and Austin Vida’s Isadora Day report.

Why Black women are more likely to get unneeded C-sections

5m 30s

Cesarean sections to deliver babies are among the most common surgical procedures in U.S. hospitals. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Black women are almost 25 percent more likely than white women to have unnecessary C-sections, putting them at risk of surgical complications. John Yang speaks with New York Times investigative reporter Sarah Kliff to learn more.

Holiday shoppers still feel inflation’s squeeze this year

7m 35s

The weekend after Thanksgiving is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, beginning with Black Friday. Some retailers have been offering discounts throughout November in hopes of encouraging shoppers squeezed by inflation to open their wallets. We hear from people about their shopping plans this year, and John Yang speaks with retail analyst Dana Telsey for more.

One woman’s mission to feed hungry children around the world

5m 6s

As armed conflicts and climate change fuel a global hunger crisis, tens of millions of children under the age of 5 are malnourished. One woman is on a mission to change that. Pamela Watts of Rhode Island PBS Weekly reports.

Thousands protest in Georgia after government kills EU bid

5m 39s

The ruling party of the country of Georgia has suspended talks to join the European Union, a decision that the opposition calls the culmination of a pro-Russian effort to rig recent parliamentary elections and turn the former Soviet Republic back toward Moscow. Nick Schifrin reports on the future of a country that plays a pivotal role in U.S. influence across the region.

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.

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