PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch Latest: S2025 E18

26m 45s

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.

How vaccine hesitancy is playing into rising measles rates

5m 17s

Vaccines have been proven to be an effective weapon against many diseases. Measles, for instance, was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, and more recently, vaccines helped curb the spread of COVID. But both of those diseases are on the rise in 2024. PBS NewsHour digital health reporter Laura Santhanam joins John Yang to discuss why cases are climbing.

How South Carolina may affect Haley’s fight for nomination

4m 26s

Saturday’s South Carolina primary is a crucial test for former two-term Gov. Nikki Haley’s effort to puncture former President Donald Trump’s air of inevitability. Trump has big leads over Haley in both polling averages and the number of delegates already allocated. South Carolina Public Radio’s Thelisha Eaddy joins John Yang from Haley’s election night headquarters in Charleston to discuss.

What lies ahead for Ukraine, 2 years since Russia’s invasion

7m 3s

Two years ago today, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Every day since then, an average of 42 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and wounded. More than 14 million people are in need of humanitarian aid and about 4 million have been displaced within Ukraine, with more than 6 million living as refugees around the world. Nick Schifrin joins John Yang to discuss his reporting.

The growing health crisis of loneliness in America

6m 11s

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s latest monthly poll, 1 in 3 Americans said they felt lonely at least once a week over the past year, with younger people more likely to report these feelings than other age groups. Edward Garcia, head of the nonprofit Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness, joins Ali Rogin to discuss the cause and how communities can work to combat it.

Brooks and Capehart on the partisan battle over Ukraine aid

10m 8s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics as Ukraine marks two years of war with Russia, American support for aid to the country is wavering on partisan battle lines and Biden's potential moves on immigration policy.

Biden working to regain support of disillusioned voters

5m 9s

Next week, Michigan primary voters may send a warning signal to President Biden. From the economy to abortion rights to the war in Gaza, the issues animating Democratic voters continue to shift in the lead up to the 2024 election. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.

Haley struggles to close gap ahead of home-state primary

6m 27s

South Carolinians head to the polls Saturday in the state’s Republican primary race. South Carolina is often seen as a bellwether with its first-in-the-South contest, and Nikki Haley has spent more money and time on the ground in her home state than former President Trump. But as Lisa Desjardins reports, it's Trump that maintains a strong hold on the electorate there.

The dangers of parents sharing children's lives online

6m 19s

A new investigation looks at the disturbing world of so-called "kidfluencers" and the moms who run their accounts. One in three preteens say being an influencer is a career goal, but the reality poses serious risks to underage girls. Stephanie Sy discussed those concerns with New York Times reporter Michael Keller.

Boyfriend discusses arrest of Russian-American woman

5m

A Russian-American dual citizen who's been living and working in Los Angeles has been detained in Russia accused of treason and fundraising for Ukraine. Ksenia Karelina was in Russia visiting her family when she was arrested. Her boyfriend, Chris Van Heerden, is pleading for help and joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest.

Ukrainian describes joining fight against Russian invasion

5m 58s

Ukraine finds itself in a bloody stalemate on the frozen plains of the country's east and south, now two years into Russia's full scale invasion. With forces taking immense losses throughout the war, many are answering calls to protect their nation, and joining up. Nick Schifrin and filmmaker Amanda Bailly in Kyiv introduce us to one of them. A warning, the images in this story are graphic.

State Dept. official: If Putin wins, tyrants will get hungry

7m 54s

The Biden administration unveiled a new set of sanctions against Russia to punish it further for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that it started two years ago. The sanctions are also meant to target Russia for the death of anti-corruption activist and politician Alexei Navalny. Geoff Bennett spoke with U.S. Undersecretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland about the state of the war.

Geneticist and singer study how music can improve health

9m 7s

Giants in their fields of music and science are merging their knowledge to propel advancements in body and mind. A recent international gathering of researchers, therapists and artists took stock of what is known and what is yet to be discovered. Jeffrey Brown reports for our ongoing arts and health coverage on CANVAS.

Family seeks answers after death of nonbinary teen in Okla.

5m 20s

There are new details about an Oklahoma teenager who died the day after a physical altercation in a school restroom. Nex Benedict, who was nonbinary, attended high school in Owasso, a suburb of Tulsa. Nex's death is raising concerns in LGBTQ+ communities and igniting fear in some families and students. Amna Nawaz discussed that with our communities correspondent based in Oklahoma, Adam Kemp.

Airstrikes flatten parts of Rafah amid cease-fire progress

4m

As the deadly bombing of Gaza continues, there is some progress towards a resumption of talks to release hostages held by Hamas and a cease-fire. Israel's Army Radio said the country's war cabinet approved sending emissaries to truce talks in Paris. But that slow progress toward a deal did nothing to stop the bombing and killing in Gaza. Geoff Bennett reports.

News Wrap: Navalny's mother says she has seen son's body

4m 44s

In our news wrap Thursday, the mother of Alexei Navalny says Russian authorities won't hand over his remains unless she agrees to a secret burial, a federal judge in California blocked a state law that targets guns designated as abnormally dangerous and a Texas judge ruled that a high school acted legally when it suspended a Black student over his hairstyle.

Spending fight pushes country closer to government shutdown

5m 16s

Even as Congress is out of town, bipartisan negotiators may reach a spending deal in the next few days. But that may not be soon enough to avert a partial government shutdown. This has been a familiar plotline in recent years, but as Capitol Hill correspondent Lisa Desjardins explains, this spending showdown has some unique features to it.

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