PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch Latest: S2024 E316

26m 45s

How Americans hit by extreme weather feel about the future

6m 27s

The punishing heat hitting much of the U.S. this week, and the downpour that Hawaii is enduring, are just the latest in what has been a relentless drumbeat of extreme weather this summer. We spoke with people in different parts of the country about the impacts of these events and how they’re thinking about the future.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on Harris' convention bump

9m 17s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including the post-convention bump for Kamala Harris, the Trump campaign's response to the Harris surge and how Robert Kennedy Jr.'s endorsement of Trump could impact the race.

Campaign enters final stage as both conventions conclude

3m 13s

With both party conventions in the rear-view mirror, the 2024 presidential campaign enters its final stage. Donald Trump turned his attention to national security and Kamala Harris’ record and there are new questions about if the candidates will debate. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Sudanese families describe search for sanctuary amid war

12m 3s

In total, 11 million Sudanese have been forced from their homes because of the country's bitter civil war between the army and a rogue militia. Up to 150,000 are feared dead and millions more face unimaginable trauma. In her third report from the front lines and with support from the Pulitzer Center, special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen followed some families searching for sanctuary.

The new challenges to the influence of American megachurches

7m 8s

There are hundreds of thousands of religious congregations across the United States. Some of the biggest, known as “megachurches,” are facing challenges as the culture around organized religion changes. Scott Thumma, a professor of sociology of religion at Hartford International University, joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss.

Funding and staffing shortages strain wildland firefighters

7m 10s

As climate change causes wildfires to become more frequent and devastating, wildland firefighters are often the last line of defense protecting homes and communities. But these crucial public servants are stretched thin and underpaid, and a temporary pay raise for federal firefighters will expire at the end of September unless Congress acts. Stephanie Sy reports.

Study: More Americans are self-managing abortions post-Roe

6m 25s

According to a new study, the percentage of people who say they’ve tried to end a pregnancy outside of the medical system has gone up since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago. John Yang speaks with Shefali Luthra, reproductive health reporter for The 19th News, for more.

The future of debt relief for Black farmers in America

6m 58s

According to federal data, there were about 925,000 Black farmers in 1920 in the United States. A century later, that number has declined to only about 42,000. John Boyd Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, joins Ali Rogin to discuss efforts by the Biden administration to help farmers who have been historically excluded from government assistance programs.

Residents try to save Tangier Island amid rising sea levels

3m 11s

Rising waters due to climate change and erosion are diminishing the landmass of Tangier Island, Virginia, a tiny speck of land in the Chesapeake Bay, and threatening a centuries-old culture fostered by the island’s isolation. PBS News Student Reporting Labs’ Sabrina Tomei reports on how the community is trying to restore their land and preserve their history and traditions.

How extreme heat is contributing to a U.S. blood shortage

5m 11s

The American Red Cross says there’s an emergency shortage of blood for transfusions. In July, the national supply dropped by more than 25 percent. The Red Cross says the only solution is more blood donors. Jessa Merrill, director of biomedical communications at the Red Cross, joins John Yang to discuss.

What a COVID vaccine program’s end means for the uninsured

4m 13s

As new, highly contagious mutations are making this summer’s COVID surge significantly bigger than expected, the FDA approved updated COVID vaccines on Friday. But funding runs out this month for a federal program providing free vaccines to uninsured and underinsured Americans. John Yang speaks with PBS News digital health reporter Laura Santhanam for more.

Fed chair says ‘time has come’ to cut interest rates

6m 59s

Financial markets rallied Friday after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said that it’s time to start cutting interest rates. The question now is by how much, and how quickly fed policymakers will act. Powell said inflation is low enough and that the bigger threat to the economy is now a weakening jobs market. John Yang speaks with Rachel Siegel, who covers the Fed for The Washington Post, for more.

3 things to know about RFK Jr. suspending his campaign

3m 18s

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Friday that he is suspending his campaign and that he wants to help former President Donald Trump win the election. Lisa Desjardins joins Geoff Bennett to discuss the announcement and what’s next.

Harris accepts her party’s nomination on final night of DNC

5m 8s

Kamala Harris is now the first woman of color to become a major party’s presidential nominee. That history was made Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Speaking to an energetic crowd, Harris formally accepted her party’s nomination and made her case for why she should be the next president of the United States. Lisa Desjardins reports.

How ‘Miles the Music Kid’ became an internet sensation

4m 45s

Eight-year-old Miles Bonham and his music production videos are striking a chord with millions of social media followers around the world. William Brangham reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Brooks and Capehart on main takeaways from the DNC

11m 31s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including major moments from the Democratic National Convention and what’s next in the battle for the White House.

Experts debate level of threat AI advances pose to humanity

7m 17s

The development of artificial intelligence is speeding up so quickly that it was addressed briefly at both Republican and Democratic conventions. Science fiction has long theorized about the ways in which machines might one day usurp their human overlords. As the capabilities of modern AI grow, Paul Solman looks at the existential threats some experts fear and that some see as hyperbole.

How RNC and DNC delegates reflect American political divides

7m 17s

With the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention, both parties now have their official presidential nominees, and the race to Election Day begins in earnest. For her series, America at a Crossroads, Judy Woodruff takes us back to both convention floors, where she spoke to Republican and Democratic delegates for a sense of how they see the road ahead and the divide between the parties.

Walz steps into national spotlight on third night of the DNC

5m 14s

On the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept her party’s nomination for president and outline her vision for the country. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, set the stage for her the night before as he introduced himself to the American people and accepted his nomination with Midwestern flair. Amna Nawaz reports.

What voters, uncommitted delegates at DNC expect of Harris

3m 37s

Democrats are gearing up for their convention’s grand finale in Chicago on Thursday, when Vice President Kamala Harris will take the stage to speak as she accepts her party’s nomination for president. White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López joins Geoff Bennett and Amna Nawaz to discuss what’s on voters’ minds.

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