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 E331

56m 45s

Key highlights from the contentious presidential debate

6m 25s

The fiery and contentious debate may be the only face-off of the campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris And former President Donald Trump. Harris tried to walk a fine line between being both an incumbent and a change candidate and Trump was called out repeatedly for misinformation. Laura Barrón-López reports.

Report warns NASA is underfunded and its future is at risk

4m 43s

A four-person crew of civilians launched Tuesday morning on a private Space-X rocket for a five-day mission to include the first commercial spacewalk in history. NASA has big plans to send people to the Moon and Mars, but a sweeping new report from the National Academies of Sciences raises questions about the agency. Science Correspondent Miles O’Brien reports.

Musician Jon Muq's improbable journey from Uganda to Austin

7m 4s

There are a lot of paths young musicians can take to produce their first album. But few, if any, have taken one like Jon Muq. Special correspondent Tom Casciato has the story for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Tyreek Hill traffic stop sparks conversations about policing

5m 45s

The detention of Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill has sparked conversations on policing in America and the treatment of Black Americans. Body camera footage shows officers stopping Hill as he drove to his team stadium, pulling him from his car, forcing him to the ground and handcuffing him. Hill was cited for careless driving before being released. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Martenzie Johnson.

Ukraine launches massive drone attack on Moscow

8m 12s

For the first time, a Ukrainian drone attack killed a Russian civilian in the capital region of Moscow. It was part of a 140-drone barrage and one of the war's largest attacks by Ukraine into Russia. The U.S. also accused Iran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia and announced new sanctions against Iran Air. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Daniel Byman.

Family of fallen Marine on son, Afghanistan and politics

7m 23s

Thirteen American military service personnel were posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The service members were killed in a suicide bombing at Kabul's airport during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Kelly Barnett and Darin Hoover, the parents of Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover.

What's at stake for Harris and Trump in the debate

13m 10s

It's an historic night that could shape the course of the presidential election that is now just 55 days away. Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump are set to face off in Philadelphia in their first, and potentially final, debate. While a majority of Americans don't believe the debate will impact their vote, nearly a third say the matchup could influence their pick.

Warning from mother wasn't enough to stop Georgia shooting

5m 43s

New details are emerging in the deadly shooting at a Georgia high school that took the lives of four people and injured nine others. The mother of the 14-year-old suspect reportedly contacted the school 30 minutes before the shooting began to warn of an “emergency” regarding her son and asked a counselor to find him. William Brangham discussed more with Chase McGee of Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Researcher says seeing the good in others is good for you

6m 26s

At Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory, scientists have spent years studying kindness, connection and empathy. But those can all seem in short supply at a time of deep divisions. But the head of that lab offers a data-driven reason to be hopeful about each other and the future. Amna Nawaz spoke with Jamil Zaki about his latest book, "Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness."

Ohio city with Haitian migrant influx thrust into spotlight

9m 12s

Springfield, Ohio, is at the center of one of the most fraught issues in this election. GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance wrote that “Haitian illegal immigrants” are “draining social services and generally causing chaos.” Springfield has seen its population grow by over 20 percent in four years, driven mostly by immigration. William Brangham visited the city to understand how it is coping.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on debate expectations

7m 3s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including a look ahead to Tuesday night's debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, what the candidates hope to accomplish and new polls showing the race is tied.

Voters in county with record of picking winners share views

6m 26s

Tuesday's presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will take place in the state that could prove to be the deciding factor in the race for the White House. Lisa Desjardins takes us inside one Pennsylvania county with a track record of picking the winner, a place both parties think could signal how the state, and possibly the country, could swing.

House GOP report blames Biden for chaotic Afghan exit

6m 15s

House Republicans blamed the Biden administration for the chaotic and deadly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, accusing the White House of ignoring Afghan, allied and military advice and conducting a subsequent coverup. The White House called the report partisan and dismissed the accusation of a coverup. Nick Schifrin reports.

Harris, Trump prepare for debate as polls show close race

3m 17s

It's the eve of the pivotal presidential debate when Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to face off for the first time, and possibly the only time, between now and November. With only eight weeks remaining until Election Day, new polling suggests that the race is as close as ever. Geoff Bennett reports.

High demand for avocados drives deforestation in Mexico

5m 28s

Demand in the United States for one popular food is driving deforestation in Mexico. Daniel Wilkinson, senior policy adviser at Climate Rights International, joins Stephanie Sy to discuss the environmental and human costs of skyrocketing avocado sales and what can be done to address the issue.

Abortion restrictions affect training for OB-GYN residents

6m 2s

There has been a flood of state laws restricting abortion since the Supreme Court said access to the procedure was no longer a constitutional right. Those laws are affecting how medical residents in obstetrics and gynecology are trained in performing abortions and in counseling patients about their reproductive choices. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Sarah Osmundson to learn more.

New book explores what’s different about Gen Z’s politics

5m 56s

In the last three elections, voter turnout hit record highs among those born after 1997. This year, both the Harris and Trump campaigns are heavily courting this generation. A new book, “The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy,” looks at the effect they’re likely to have on American politics for years to come. John Yang speaks with author Melissa Deckman for more.

How Wisconsin is trying to save its freshwater mussels

4m 37s

Wisconsin is coming back from its worst drought in decades. Along with unusually high temperatures, it’s affected wildlife in and around the state’s rivers. While spring rains ended the drought, recovery in some places has been slow. PBS Wisconsin’s Nathan Denzin reports on one species that’s been hit particularly hard.

What a court ruling means for Louisiana’s Cancer Alley

5m 3s

Many studies have shown that the burden of air pollution in the United States disproportionately falls on racial minorities, especially Black Americans. In August, a federal judge barred the EPA and DOJ from using part of the Civil Rights Act to investigate how Louisiana regulates industrial plants. John Yang speaks with Beverly Wright of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice for more.

Americans navigate complex issues around family planning

8m 27s

The U.S. birth rate hit a record low in 2023, but data suggests that over the past 30 years, the number of adults who want to have children has remained relatively stable. So why aren’t more Americans having children or expanding their families? Ali Rogin explores the complexities of today’s family planning and speaks with family demographer Karen Guzzo to learn more.

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