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 E18

26m 45s

The lasting legacy of Brown v. Board and ongoing challenges

9m 12s

This week marks 70 years since the Supreme Court's landmark civil rights ruling of Brown v. Board of Education integrated public education. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Annette Gordon Reed of Harvard Law School and the first Black student to enroll in an all-white school in her Texas hometown in 1963, and Kevin Young of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

FDIC audit reveals toxic culture, chair faces calls to quit

6m 46s

More than 100 million American households have money in bank accounts protected by the FDIC. The agency’s chairman, Martin Gruenberg, is facing calls to resign after a recent audit and major news investigation found serious problems with the FDIC’s workplace culture. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Rebecca Ballhaus, an investigative reporter who broke this story for The Wall Street Journal.

Cohen testifies for 3rd day in Trump hush money trial

4m 43s

Former President Trump's one-time lawyer, Michael Cohen, spent his third day on the stand Thursday in a Manhattan courthouse. Cohen is now the key witness in the case against his former boss, and he again faced hours of scrutiny over many lies and misstatements he’s made. William Brangham was in the courtroom reports on the latest.

Outgoing UN humanitarian chief on handling global crises

8m 24s

The U.N. warns the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is growing more acute. In southern Gaza, a quarter of the population faces catastrophic levels of food insecurity and in northern Gaza, nearly one in three children are severely malnourished. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Martin Griffiths, the U.N.'s top humanitarian official, about what he calls one of the worst years for humanitarian crises.

U.S. families working to save Gaza child with rare disorder

6m 17s

Among the families caught in the war between Israel and Hamas is the Abu Zaiter family. Three-year-old Julia suffers from alternating hemiplegia, or AHC, an extremely rare neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness, seizures and paralysis. Several families with children who have AHC have rallied to help Julia. Among them is Simon Frost, who discussed those efforts with Amna Nawaz.

Biden blocks GOP access to special counsel interview audio

3m 49s

President Biden used executive privilege to deny House Republicans access to audio from his interview with special counsel Robert Hur. The October 2023 interview centered on the president’s handling of classified documents. Republicans requested the audio and planned to hold Attorney General Garland in contempt of Congress for failing to provide it. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Carrie Johnson.

Music group spreads Mandela’s message of reconciliation

6m 23s

South Africa is celebrating 30 years since apartheid ended and Nelson Mandela became the nation’s first Black president. In the U.S., a South African musical group is spreading Mandela’s message of racial reconciliation and healing while reminding us that the fight for equality in both nations is far from over. Special correspondent Megan Thompson reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Understanding the politically diverse Latino community

8m 38s

Latino Americans make up nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population and will be a critical constituency for both Republicans and Democrats in swing states. But the idea of Latinos voting as a bloc betrays the diversity of history, culture and perspectives within that community which may also help strengthen it against polarization. Judy Woodruff reports, for her series, America at a Crossroads.

Scientists concerned about transmission of bird flu to cows

7m 47s

The outbreak of bird flu in the U.S. has alarmed researchers and prompted new efforts to track the virus that’s already killed millions of birds from Europe to Antarctica. As H5N1 continues to jump into mammals, many scientists are concerned that we’re not watching closely enough as this virus spreads. William Brangham reports. A warning: This story contains scenes of animals in distress.

Zelenskyy pleads for support amid Russian offensive

4m 24s

Ukrainian troops fell back to defensive lines amid one of Russia’s largest offensives since the beginning of the full-scale invasion more than two years ago. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has postponed all foreign travel, and U.S. Secretary of State Blinken announced new weapons deliveries while visiting Ukraine. But as Nick Schifrin reports, in Kharkiv, the front is fragile.

Inflation cools but prices still dominate view of economy

4m 23s

Inflation cooled somewhat in April, according to new numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The consumer price index rose at an annual rate of 3.4 percent, in line with expectations. But overall, inflation hasn't yet come down quite to the levels that many people have been hoping for. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports.

Israel defense minister criticizes Netanyahu's Gaza strategy

5m 53s

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back against criticism of his Gaza strategy from within his own government. Israel's defense minister accused Netanyahu of “indecision” and leading Israel down a “dangerous course.” The public infighting comes as the Biden administration said Israel did not have a political plan for what’s next in Gaza. Nick Schifrin reports.

Democratic and GOP strategists on Biden-Trump debate plans

8m 29s

President Biden and former President Trump have agreed to debate, one-on-one, but without the involvement of the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has run those debates since 1988. CNN and ABC will host the events in June and September, respectively. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Republican strategist Kevin Madden and Democratic strategist Faiz Shakir.

A look at the Kendrick Lamar-Drake feud and its implications

6m 47s

They are two of the biggest names in hip hop, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and they're locked in a rap battle that's capturing global attention and having a big impact on the music industry. Amna Nawaz discussed this feud and its implications with Sidney Madden of NPR. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Editors of small local news sites on winning Pulitzer Prizes

7m 32s

The Pulitzer Prize is one of journalism’s most prestigious awards and this year’s winners include some familiar names like The New York Times, Associated Press and Washington Post. But it was also a big year for some small newsrooms, including some new digital outlets with just a handful of reporters covering stories in their local communities. Stephanie Sy has our look.

White House seeks change for migrant children in custody

5m 12s

The Biden administration is asking a federal judge to partially terminate a decades-old agreement that set standards of care for unaccompanied migrant children held in U.S. custody. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López explains what this means.

Georgian parliament passes 'foreign influence' bill

5m 53s

The parliament in the country of Georgia passed a bill that requires aid groups and media that receive foreign funding to register as “organizations serving the interests of a foreign power.” Georgia is located between Russia and Turkey on the Black Sea. Critics call it the “Russia Law” and say it will increase Russian influence and block Georgia’s integration into the West. Nick Schifrin reports.

Trump attorneys grill star witness Cohen in hush money trial

6m 41s

The key witness in the New York criminal trial against Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, continued his testimony Tuesday, further detailing the alleged scheme to hide the payment Cohen made to Stormy Daniels to protect Trump during the 2016 campaign. During cross-examination, Trump’s legal team painted Cohen as a man motivated by greed, determined to convict Trump. William Brangham reports.

A Brief But Spectacular take on creating cultures of growth

2m 41s

Mary C. Murphy is a social psychologist and professor specializing in improving equity, diversity, and inclusion in educational and organizational settings. Her new book, "Cultures of Growth," explores the traits of individual and team success. Mary shares her Brief But Spectacular take on how we create cultures of growth.

Biden targeting Chinese manufacturing with new tariffs

10m 10s

President Biden announced a series of major tariffs on several Chinese imports. The world's two largest economic superpowers are colliding over the future of electric vehicles and other industrial sectors. It comes as both President Biden and Donald Trump are battling to sell voters on their visions for the economy. Amna Nawaz discussed the developments with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

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