PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch Latest: S2025 E117

26m 45s

How lawmakers are responding to frustrated constituents

5m 18s

This week marks the end of Congress’s longest break from Washington since President Trump re-entered the White House. For most lawmakers, that has meant more time with constituents. And for some, aggressive questioning at town halls. Lisa Desjardins reports on the past week’s interactions.

Religious directives complicate care at Catholic hospitals

9m 11s

For decades, Catholic leaders in the U.S. have placed restrictions on certain reproductive health services at Catholic-run hospitals. But as abortion is becoming harder to access nationwide, there’s a new spotlight on care at these facilities. Special correspondent Sarah Varney traveled to Eureka, California, to meet one woman who ran into the limits of Catholic-run healthcare.

Utility assistance frozen after Trump fires program's staff

5m 8s

Money for heating and cooling assistance for those in need is on the line. As part of the cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Trump administration reportedly fired the staff that runs the Low-Income Home Energy Program. Congress already approved funds for the program but with the staff gone, the allocated money is frozen. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Logan Atkinson Burke.

The benefits and toll of rebuilding U.S. aluminum industry

8m 35s

The central economic focus of President Trump's second term so far has been tariffs. Over the past few months, the president has levied - and also paused - taxes on imports from all over the world. Some have taken effect, including his tariffs on aluminum. Economics correspondent Paul Solman looks at those and what kind of impact they may have on manufacturers, workers and consumers.

New FDA commissioner on abortion medication restrictions

2m 1s

Many conservatives want the FDA to impose tighter restrictions on mifepristone and misoprostol, which can be delivered by mail. The medication accounted for 63 percent of U.S. abortions in 2023. Amna Nawaz spoke with the new FDA commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, about what the agency may do.

Harvard scientist describes ICE detention, deportation fears

7m 12s

Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist at Harvard Medical School, has been detained by ICE since February. She was arrested as she returned to Boston with frog embryo samples. The government says she knowingly failed to declare them. Petrova's visa was revoked and she is flagged for deportation. Geoff Bennett spoke with her via video call from the facility where she’s held.

Democratic lawmakers visit students arrested by ICE

6m 53s

A group of Democratic members of Congress traveled to Louisiana to visit Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk at federal detention facilities as both face potential removal from the U.S. The Trump administration claims they're each a threat to national security. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey.

American citizens wrongly detained in immigration crackdown

5m 57s

A federal judge accused the Trump administration of trying to obstruct the truth about the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Judge Paula Xinis said the administration’s refusal to answer questions “reflects a willful and bad faith refusal to comply with discovery obligations.” Addressing the case, President Trump said he wants to bypass due process. Laura Barrón-López reports.

Tesla revenue falls sharply as Musk faces political backlash

6m 16s

Elon Musk says he’ll scale back his time with DOGE and focus more of his time on Tesla. That announcement came as Tesla reported its net income plunged 71 percent and car sales revenue dropped 20 percent. Musk defended his federal cuts with President Trump and said he would still spend one or two days a week working for the administration. John Yang discussed more with Bobby Allyn of NPR.

Springfield and its migrants still dealing with spotlight

9m 22s

During the campaign, Springfield, Ohio, became a flashpoint in the national conversation when Donald Trump and JD Vance amplified false rumors that Haitian immigrants were abducting and eating pets. Months later, Springfield is reckoning with its turn in the spotlight as its Haitian migrants face the threat of deportation. Judy Woodruff visited the town for her series, America at a Crossroads.

Project lets people experience iconic places through sound

5m 35s

If you think of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, you might conjure an image of Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. But what does that famous place, or any place, sound like? A new project timed to World Heritage Day asks us to experience the world through its sounds. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

What the U.S. proposed in latest Ukraine ceasefire talks

6m 3s

It was a pivotal day of diplomacy and declarations for the future of the war in Ukraine, now mired in its fourth year. Ukrainian and American officials convened in London in what had been billed as a make-or-break meeting. Ukraine demanded a ceasefire before it would agree to any concessions, while President Trump aimed his fire at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Nick Schifrin reports.

Mourners crowd Vatican to say farewell to Pope Francis

5m 9s

Thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square as Pope Francis' casket was brought for three days of viewing. The pontiff, who died Monday at age 88, will be celebrated this Saturday in an elaborate funeral mass. Mourners came from all corners of the world. Some were compelled by pilgrimage, others to witness a snapshot in time of the 2000-year-old Catholic Church. Malcolm Brabant reports from Rome.

News Wrap: U.S. and China see tariffs as unsustainable

6m 14s

In our news wrap Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said both the U.S. and China see high tariffs as unsustainable but dismissed reports U.S. would bring them down unilaterally, a dozen states have sued the Trump administration over its tariff policy and President Trump signed an executive order that will seek changes in the accreditation process for colleges and universities.

'Love, Queenie' chronicles life of actress Merle Oberon

6m 53s

As the first Asian, and only South Asian, to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, Merle Oberon’s place in the pantheon of cinema is historic. But it came with enormous sacrifice as Oberon had to hide her race to stay working. Amna Nawaz sat down with writer Mayukh Sen to discuss "Love, Queenie," a new book on Oberon’s rise to fame, her groundbreaking career and eventual fade from the spotlight.

Student loan collections to resume for borrowers in default

6m 29s

The Trump administration is taking a different approach to student debt and many borrowers will notice it right away. In May, the Department of Education will begin collecting payments from borrowers in default, ending a pause that began during the pandemic. The government will withhold tax refunds and garnish wages to recover the debt. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel.

Foreign policy experts on Trump's student activist crackdown

8m 45s

According to attorneys, over 1,000 student visas have been revoked in the Trump administration’s crackdown. Part of that effort has been a State Department argument that some students’ actions threaten U.S. foreign policy interests. Nick Schifrin discussed more with former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and Richard Haass, president emeritus of the Council of Foreign Relations.

Supreme Court hears school curriculum, parental rights case

7m 17s

The Supreme Court heard arguments in a major case focused on parental rights and public schools. At the center of the case is a dispute over a curriculum in Maryland that included books featuring LGBTQ+ characters. Some parents asked for their children to be excused, but schools stopped allowing opt-outs the next year. Amna Nawaz discussed more with News Hour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle.

Vatican plans for Francis' funeral amid conclave speculation

6m 33s

The Catholic faithful and many more the world over continued to pay their respects to Pope Francis one day after his death. An official period of mourning began in Italy that will last through his funeral this weekend. Security is ramping up to prepare for the throngs of mourners and world leaders expected to gather in Rome. Malcolm Brabant reports.

Economic forecasts show global impact of Trump tariffs

7m 51s

President Trump’s trade wars are likely to slow down economic growth across the globe significantly this year, according to projections from the International Monetary Fund. And Treasury Secretary Bessent reportedly told investors that he believes the trade war with China is unsustainable and hopes tariffs on both sides could be eased. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Ron Insana.

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