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: S2024 E319

57m 46s

Arizona building workforce to manufacture semiconductors

8m 4s

The 2022 CHIPS Act led to a surge in funding for semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. and a demand for qualified workers. These chips power everything from our phones and cars to advanced fighter jets and artificial intelligence. Now, some colleges and universities are trying to help fill those jobs and create the workforce of the future. Stephanie Sy reports for our series, Rethinking College.

Hamas responds to cease-fire proposal as Gaza crisis worsens

9m 35s

Hamas formally responded to an Israeli-backed ceasefire proposal but did not fully approve it. The negotiations will continue as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens. Tuesday, the U.S. committed another $404 million in assistance despite limitations on aid delivery that have left Gazans largely on their own. Nick Schifrin discussed the crisis with Avril Benoit of Doctors Without Borders USA.

Biden courts Black voters as polls show support slipping

6m 57s

The Biden campaign says it's going all in to shore up support among Black voters. It comes as polls show him underperforming with the key Democratic constituency that helped deliver him the Democratic nomination and the White House in 2020. It's also unfolding as the Trump campaign tries to make inroads with Black men. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Emory University professor Andra Gillespie.

Political impact of convictions against Trump, Hunter Biden

4m 1s

The guilty verdict in the Hunter Biden case comes in the middle of his father’s reelection campaign and two weeks after presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts in his hush money criminal case. Laura Barrón-López explores the political implications of the convictions.

Bird flu outbreak at dairy farms continue to raise concerns

5m 52s

The H5N1 virus, also known as bird flu, is spreading among dairy cows. It's been found in over 85 herds across 12 states and at least three farm workers have been sickened. While public health officials say the risk to humans remains low, concerns are growing. William Brangham discussed the threat with Rick Bright, former head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

What guidelines suggest for Hunter Biden's sentencing

5m 40s

In another first, the child of a president was convicted on three felony charges. A jury in Delaware found Hunter Biden guilty on two counts of making false statements regarding his drug use when filling out paperwork to purchase a firearm and guilty of one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a drug user or addict. Amna Nawaz discussed the verdict with Ryan Lucas of NPR.

N.D. proposal would set age limit for Congress members

6m 18s

Voters in North Dakota will decide whether or not to set an age limit for the state’s members of Congress. The proposed amendment to the state constitution says lawmakers cannot be over 80 before the end of their term. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Revival of 'Merrily We Roll Along' gains rave reviews

7m 28s

When Stephen Sondheim died in 2021, he was remembered as one of musical theater’s all-time greats, creator of such works as “Sweeney Todd” and “A Little Night Music.” But one of his musicals, “Merrily We Roll Along,” never achieved that success. Now it has. The show, actors and director, Maria Friedman, are all up for Tony Awards. Jeffrey Brown has more for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Experts are split over smartphones and teen mental health

10m 3s

A number of states are moving to regulate social media use among children and teens. New York is the latest state with a new law that would allow parents to block their children from getting posts suggested by a platform’s algorithm. This comes amid a larger conversation about social media and smartphones. Stephanie Sy reports.

Tamara Keith and Leigh Ann Caldwell on Latino voters

9m 47s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Leigh Ann Caldwell of The Washington Post join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including where Republican lawmakers stand on reproductive rights, the stark differences between Trump and Biden on key policy issues and how the campaigns are courting Latino voters.

Closing arguments wrap in Hunter Biden's trial

6m 23s

Jurors started deliberations Monday in Hunter Biden's gun trial in Delaware. He is accused of lying on federal forms about his drug use to illegally purchase a gun. Following his historic conviction on 34 felony counts, Donald Trump sat for a probation interview, a critical step ahead of his sentencing. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest with former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti.

Parents of hostage held in Gaza describe 8 months of waiting

7m 52s

While the rescue of four Israeli hostages is great news for some, there are still about 120 captives remaining in Gaza. One of them is Omer Neutra, a 22-year-old American and Israeli citizen who was serving as an IDF tank commander on the Gaza border when he was taken by Hamas on Oct. 7. His parents, Orna and Ronen Neutra, joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more.

Blinken urges Israel, Hamas to accept UN-endorsed cease-fire

3m 34s

Secretary of State Blinken returned to the Middle East on Monday. He's pressing leaders to accept an Israeli proposal for a hostage and Gaza cease-fire deal that received a vote of confidence today in the United Nations Security Council. It comes as the fallout from an Israeli hostage rescue that killed hundreds of Palestinians continues. Nick Schifrin reports.

What water main breaks say about aging U.S. infrastructure

5m 49s

U.S. drinking water is among the world’s safest and most reliable, but aging infrastructure across the country is posing challenges. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that there's a water main break every two minutes. Shannon Marquez, professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University, joins John Yang to discuss why these problems are so common.

Can a new vaccine eradicate malaria? Here’s what to know

5m 40s

Malaria is one of the world’s deadliest diseases. Across Africa, it kills nearly half a million children younger than 5 each year. A new vaccine, only the second of its kind, holds the promise of saving thousands of lives and moving the world closer to eradicating malaria. Ali Rogin speaks with Andrew Jones, deputy director of immunization supplies for UNICEF, to learn more.

New book dives into science of gender identity among youth

7m 2s

According to the Human Rights Campaign, half of the U.S. states have passed measures restricting treatment for young people with gender dysphoria. But the legislative debate has often been short on science and medicine. Dr. Jack Turban joins John Yang to discuss his new book, “Free To Be,” which takes a researched-based approach to explaining gender identity and treatments for transgender youth.

Escalating conflict in Congo fuels humanitarian crisis

7m 44s

Years of violence between factions vying for control in the Democratic Republic of Congo have internally displaced 5.7 million people, according to the United Nations. Since 1996, fighting in the region has led to about 6 million deaths. Ali Rogin speaks with Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps, to learn more about the conflict and the humanitarian situation on the ground.

As temperatures rise, more schools struggle to beat the heat

5m 26s

Studies show that in more places in the United States, there are now more days hotter than 80 degrees during the school year than there were in 1970. Schools that can’t afford air conditioning are struggling with overheated classrooms, which researchers say pose both academic and health risks. John Yang speaks with Washington Post reporter Anna Phillips, who covers climate change, for more.

The hazards of wildfire smoke, even hundreds of miles away

5m 22s

Smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away is still a health threat, contributing to nearly 16,000 deaths a year, according to a recent National Bureau of Economic Research analysis. Laura Kate Bender, who leads the Healthy Air campaign for the American Lung Association, joins John Yang to discuss what makes wildfire smoke so hazardous and how people can protect themselves.

The words of wisdom offered to the class of 2024

5m 27s

Despite heightened tensions on many university campuses this year, it is still graduation season, and that means politicians, actors and members of the NewsHour family have been doling sage advice and encouragement to graduates around the country. Here are some of the life lessons this year's commencement speakers passed on to the class of 2024.

Supported by