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 E311

56m 58s

News Wrap: High winds help wildfires spread in Texas

4m 29s

In our news wrap Wednesday, high winds pushed wildfires across the Texas Panhandle and one grew into the second largest in state history, the Supreme Court will decide whether to uphold a ban on bump stocks, the leader of Hamas claims his group will consider making concessions in the Gaza cease-fire talks and loved ones of Alexei Navalny will hold a funeral for him on Friday in Moscow.

Congressional leaders agree on deal to avert shutdown

6m 28s

It was a swirl of news at the Capitol Wednesday where the top four leaders in Congress agreed on a deal to avert a government shutdown for at least a week. That came after GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell announced he will step down from leadership this fall. House Republicans also made headlines by questioning Hunter Biden behind closed doors. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Supreme Court to decide if Trump is immune from prosecution

3m 26s

The Supreme Court says it will hear arguments over whether Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The justices set oral arguments for the week of April 22. Trump’s pending trial in a federal court in Washington will remain on hold until then. William Brangham reports.

News Wrap: Israel, Hamas doubt Biden's cease-fire hopes

4m 8s

In our news wrap Tuesday, Israel and Hamas cast doubt on President Biden's suggestion that a Gaza cease-fire deal could be reached by Monday, communities in Israel held local elections despite the ongoing war, Ukraine's military retreated from more territory in the east after intense battles overnight and a human rights activist in Russia was sentenced to prison for criticizing the Ukraine war.

Plan for new affordable city in California meets skepticism

8m 54s

Cities worldwide are becoming overcrowded, overpriced and a source of global warming. That's why a group called "California Forever" is looking to build a livable, affordable, and eco-friendly community near San Francisco. But some local officials and residents are skeptical about the proposal. Paul Solman visited the area to find out if the developers' dreams could come true.

IDF soldier's videos offer unique perspective of war in Gaza

7m 25s

We have a rare glimpse into the Israel-Hamas war from an ordinary Israeli infantryman, Sam Sank, who in normal life works in information technology. His period of service has just ended and special correspondent Malcolm Brabant caught up with him during a brief visit to the Sank family home in London.

Georgia murder fuels heated debate over immigration policies

8m 1s

The murder of a college student in Georgia and the immigration status of her alleged killer have thrown new fuel into the heated debate over immigration and the government's policies. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Charis Kubrin, a professor of criminology, law and society at the University of California, Irvine and co-author of, “Immigration and Crime: Taking Stock.”

Biden, congressional leaders meet with shutdown looming

6m 9s

The top four leaders in Congress met with President Biden in the Oval Office to discuss how to fund the government and what should happen next for U.S. support of Ukraine. Congress faces a precarious stack of crises this week as leaders race to meet deadlines, including one that could spark a partial government shutdown. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Michigan Democratic Party chair on 'uncommitted' voters

4m 24s

Voters in Michigan are casting their votes in that state's presidential primary. Some Democratic activists say they're hoping to send a message to President Biden, by voting "uncommitted." It follows growing frustration among some Muslim and Arab Americans over the administration's handling of the war in Gaza. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes.

Israel plans for Rafah invasion amid cease-fire negotiations

5m 51s

Jordan's king warned against a proposed Israeli raid of Rafah in Southern Gaza after the IDF sent an operational plan to the War Cabinet outlining its proposed invasion. Rafah is now home to more than 1.3 million Palestinians who have fled fighting elsewhere in Gaza. At the same time, negotiations continue over a cease-fire and deal to exchange hostages for prisoners. Nick Schifrin reports.

News Wrap: Trump appeals $454 million judgment in fraud case

3m 56s

In our news wrap Monday, Donald Trump appealed the $454 million judgment in his New York civil fraud case, Ukrainian troops retreated again in the east as Russian forces pushed forward, Alexei Navalny supporters may try to hold a farewell event in Moscow this week and Sweden cleared the final hurdle to NATO membership as Hungary's parliament voted to ratify its bid.

Supreme Court hears cases on free speech and social media

8m 50s

The Supreme Court heard arguments in highly consequential cases navigating First Amendment protections on social media. Tech companies are taking on state laws, decrying conservative censorship online. A decision could fundamentally change the use of speech on the internet. Amna Nawaz discussed the hearing with Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle.

Asthma drug helps reduce allergic reactions to certain foods

4m 12s

There's some relief for people with food severe allergies. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reports the drug Xolair allows people with allergies to tolerate higher doses of allergenic foods before developing a reaction after accidental exposure. Geoff Bennett discussed more with the study’s principal investigator, Dr. Robert Wood of the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

Muslim, Arab Americans hope to send Biden message about Gaza

3m 9s

A campaign for Michigan voters to boycott President Biden in Tuesday's primary has picked up momentum. Muslim and Arab Americans are hoping to send a clear message to the president after months of frustration with the administration’s handling of the war in Gaza. Geoff Bennett reports.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on politics of Israel support

9m 29s

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 potential protest vote against President Biden in Michigan, Donald Trump's primary win in South Carolina and Nikki Haley's status in the GOP race.

Afghan activist's memoir details her fight to educate women

6m 12s

When the Taliban roared back to power in Afghanistan in 2021, education activist Pashtana Durrani had some 7,000 girls enrolled in her organization. The schools were shuttered and Pashtana was forced to flee. She’s now living in exile in the U.S. and still working to educate girls back home. Amna Nawaz spoke with her about her remarkable story told in her new book, "Last to Eat, Last to Learn."

Researchers use AI to decipher unreadable ancient scroll

2m 48s

Ancient scrolls that were buried in volcanic ash during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius are now being deciphered two thousand years later thanks in part to artificial intelligence. Martin Stew of Independent Television News reports from Oxfordshire, England.

The story of Granny Hayden, a Black midwife and former slave

3m 5s

Mary Stepp Burnette Hayden was born into slavery on a plantation in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She remained there after being freed in 1865, going on to become a midwife. In this animated feature from our partners at StoryCorps, Hayden’s granddaughter Mary Othella Burnette tells her great-granddaughter, Debora Hamilton Palmer, about their family matriarch.

What a federal lawsuit means for kids health care in Florida

8m 20s

The end of pandemic-era protections has meant the end of Medicaid coverage for more than 17 million low-income Americans so far. Now, Florida is considering other changes to how it provides health insurance to children from low- to moderate-income families, expanding access for some and limiting it for others. KFF Health News correspondent Daniel Chang joins Ali Rogin to discuss what’s happening.

A look at what might be the brightest object in the universe

1m 9s

According to a paper published this past week in the journal Nature Astronomy, scientists found what could be the brightest known object in the universe: a quasar produced by a massive and voracious black hole. It’s estimated to be emitting light that’s 500 trillion times more intense than Earth’s sun. John Yang has more.

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