PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E25

26m 45s

New film explores mesmerizing, dangerous world of freediving

8m 3s

The extreme sport of freediving is growing in popularity and interest. A new Netflix documentary called “The Deepest Breath” goes inside the high-risk sport, following freedivers Alessia Zecchini and Stephen Keenan. Director Laura McGann joins John Yang to discuss the film.

A Brief But Spectacular take on expressing feelings with art

2m 58s

Kennady Bob is a Los Angeles-based artist who expresses herself through both large-scale paintings and small sketches. After experiencing great loss early in her life, she found that she could process the feelings she struggled to put into words through art. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on letting the colors say it for you.

Nelson George on the 50-year evolution and legacy of hip-hop

7m 54s

Hip-hop is celebrating its 50th birthday. It started with a back-to-school party on August 11, 1973, in The Bronx. Clive Campbell, known as DJ Kool Herc, improvised and played snippets in a loop on two turntables to keep the music and dancing going. Amna Nawaz discussed hip-hop's evolution with Nelson George, author of “Hip-Hop America,” for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Brooks and Capehart on special counsel in Hunter Biden case

10m 51s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including the fight for the Republican nomination and the appointment of a special counsel in the investigation of Hunter Biden.

GOP candidates try to win over voters at the Iowa State Fair

6m 15s

Butter cows, corn dogs and politics. These are just a few of the things top of mind for Iowans as they kick off the country's third largest fair this weekend. In attendance, nearly every major GOP presidential hopeful vying for the hearts and minds of the Hawkeyes ahead of the January caucus. Lisa Desjardins has been catching up with the candidates and voters.

Bankruptcy plan shielding Purdue Pharma owners blocked

6m

The Supreme Court blocked a bankruptcy plan for drug maker Purdue Pharma that would have paid out billions of dollars to address the opioid epidemic and shielded the company’s owners from legal liability. The Justice Department argued that shielding the Sackler family from all future lawsuits was an abuse of the bankruptcy system. William Brangham discussed the implications with NPR's Brian Mann.

What special counsel appointment means for Hunter Biden case

6m 34s

The long-running federal investigation of Hunter Biden entered a new phase with Attorney General Merrick Garland’s appointment of a special counsel. Delaware's U.S. Attorney David Weiss has run the investigation from the beginning and now has full authority over the case. John Yang discussed the appointment with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson.

Why people in Maui were caught off guard by deadly wildfires

8m 58s

At least 55 people are now confirmed dead after fast-moving wildfires ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui this week. Those who did manage to survive now face the daunting task of piecing their lives back together. Stephanie Sy reports on the latest and Amna Nawaz discusses the disaster response with Chad Blair of Honolulu Civil Beat.

Antarctic sea ice at record lows as global temperatures rise

5m 5s

As temperature records fall all over the planet this summer, scientists are also increasingly concerned about what’s happening to the sea ice around Antarctica. William Brangham reports.

Jason Rezaian on potential release of Americans held by Iran

6m 23s

It appears that five Iranian Americans who have been detained in Iran are in the process of being released. The Associated Press reports Iran's move is part of an agreement in which billions of dollars frozen in South Korea will be released. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with Washington Post columnist Jason Rezaian, whose own grueling detention by the Iranian government ended in January 2016.

What fueled the Hawaiian wildfires that killed dozens

7m 39s

Crews are still fighting fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui. At least 36 people are known dead and more than 270 buildings damaged or destroyed across a blackened landscape. It's the nation's deadliest fire disaster in five years. Amna Nawaz discussed the fires with KITV meteorologist Malika Dudley.

Family of Afghan American held by Taliban pleads for release

7m 31s

An Afghan American businessman has been held for more than a year in the land of his birth. Mahmood Habibi's family has decided to go public in the hopes that the Taliban will release him. Amna Nawaz spoke with them about Habibi's unjustified incarceration.

Report reveals Justice Thomas benefited from wealthy patrons

7m 20s

There are new details about the gifts Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has gotten from wealthy businessmen. ProPublica provided the fullest account yet of the gifts and there are far more than previously known. John Yang discussed the story with Brett Murphy, one of the reporters who unearthed these details, and Joel Anderson, host of Slate’s “Slow Burn” podcast.

Alcohol deaths among women rise at a faster rate than men

6m 11s

In the last two decades, more and more Americans have died from drinking-related causes. But a new study shows alcohol-related deaths are rising faster among women than men. Laura Barrón-López discussed the research with Dr. Paula Cook, a physician who specializes in addiction medicine and host of the podcast, "The Addiction Files."

The economic juggernaut that is Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

6m 15s

Pop superstar Taylor Swift ended the first U.S. leg of her Eras Tour Wednesday night, leaving American fans waiting until next fall to see the concert that's turbocharging the economy and capturing the pop culture zeitgeist this summer. Stephanie Sy reflects on the tour and the power of Taylor Swift for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Government eyes coal mining rules as black lung cases rise

9m 31s

One in five coal miners in central Appalachia with at least 25 years of experience has black lung disease. It is caused by inhaling toxic dust in and around mines and the most severe form is at its highest rate in decades. In June, the federal agency charged with overseeing miners' health and safety proposed cutting the exposure limit to hazardous silica dust in half. William Brangham reports.

Details emerge on Trump alleged plan to use fake electors

5m 44s

New information is coming to light in a central charge facing former President Trump. Federal prosecutors point to seven states where they allege Trump plotted to subvert the results with false slates of electors poised to cast electoral votes. The indictment says Trump’s goal was to cast doubt and disrupt the final vote certification on Jan 6. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Amy Gardner.

Asian American students on the end of affirmative action

11m 5s

Since the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, questions remain over how this will affect students and who will be impacted. The court sided with plaintiffs who argued race-conscious admissions discriminate against Asian Americans. We hear Asian American students' thoughts on the decision and Amna Nawaz discusses their views with Janelle Wong and Susana Liu-Hedberg.

Montgomery mayor discusses viral brawl on city's riverfront

6m 20s

A chaotic brawl on the riverfront in Montgomery, Alabama, has captured the attention of many Americans. It started when a riverboat was returning from a two-hour cruise and a private boat was blocking the dock. Videos of the fight that happened next have gone viral on social media and several people have been charged with assault. John Yang discussed the latest with Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed.

New fundraising tactics raise campaign finance concerns

6m 5s

The first Republican presidential debate is just two weeks away and at least eight candidates have met the RNC criteria to participate. Some used creative tactics to reach that threshold. One campaign offered $20 gift cards to people who donated at least a dollar, another gave away soccer tickets. Amna Nawaz discussed the methods with Adav Noti of the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center.

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