PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch: S2024 E324

57m 46s

A Brief But Spectacular take on second acts

3m 15s

As a TSA agent, Benni Latham brought lots of joy to her job. However, after a violent incident at work, she felt the need to pivot. Today, Benni has found rewarding success in pursuing her dream job through commercials and various voice acting projects and commercials. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on second acts.

Over-the-counter birth control pill approved for U.S. sale

5m 38s

U.S. regulators approved the nation's first over-the-counter birth control pill. The FDA signed off on Opill, a once-a-day tablet available by prescription since 1973 that will soon be readily available online and in stores. The move is being applauded by medical societies and women's health groups who pushed for wider access. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Jennifer Villavicencio.

Israelis describe living with the threat of violent attacks

7m 42s

Earlier in the week we brought you stories from the occupied West Bank where Palestinians spoke of the struggles of daily life amid the recent wave of violence. Now we have the perspectives of Israelis in this dangerous new moment. Special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen begins the report at a protest against new government measures.

Reaction to Watergate tapes contrasts with today's response

10m 43s

Fifty years ago, a White House aide revealed that then-President Nixon’s conversations had been recorded. The tapes included Nixon working to cover up the Watergate break-in connected to his campaign and became a point of no return as he slid to political downfall. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks and Stuart Streichler of the University of Washington.

Supreme Court ruling prompts push to end legacy admissions

5m 37s

The Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions has renewed the debate over legacy admissions. A Boston-based nonprofit filed a complaint alleging Harvard’s legacy and donor-based admissions favors white students, and the NAACP called on 1,600 public and private universities across the country to end legacy admissions. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Derrick Johnson.

Biden vows security for Finland, newest NATO member

7m 6s

President Biden will soon land back in the United States after traveling to three European countries in five days. His last stop Thursday, after two days of NATO meetings, was the newest alliance member, Finland. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López traveled with the president and reports from Helsinki.

Why Hollywood actors decided to go on strike

9m 21s

SAG-AFTRA, the union representing 160,000 television and film actors, will go on strike after four weeks of failed negotiations with the studios. Jeffrey Brown spoke with Anousha Sakoui of The Los Angeles Times for a look at what’s behind the decision and how Hollywood will be affected. It’s part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

News Wrap: Flooding in India kills more than 100 people

5m 13s

In our news wrap Thursday, severe flooding in northern India has killed more than 100 people in the last two weeks, a mass grave with at least 87 bodies has been found in Sudan's West Darfur, a federal jury in Pittsburgh found the gunman who killed 11 people at a synagogue is eligible for the death penalty and the Secret Service has no leads and no suspects in the White House cocaine case.

NATO promises aid to Ukraine but no timeline for membership

7m 8s

President Biden is in Finland after an eventful two-day NATO summit in nearby Lithuania. Finland is the newest member of the trans-Atlantic alliance and Biden will celebrate that Thursday. But there was still much to do on the second day of the summit as the alliance expands in the face of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Laura Barrón-López reports.

Former ambassador on what was accomplished at NATO summit

5m 55s

For a look at the NATO summit and what was and wasn't accomplished, Amna Nawaz sat down with Ivo Daalder. He was the U.S. ambassador to NATO during the Obama administration and is now the president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

House Republicans grill FBI director over claims of bias

5m 37s

The director of the FBI sat on the other side of an interrogation Wednesday, taking sharp criticism before Congress, mostly from the right, but at times from the left as well. Congressional Correspondent Lisa Desjardins sat in on the House Judiciary hearing and breaks down the many layers of politics and policy that erupted.

Iowa Republicans pass ban on most abortions after 6 weeks

9m 9s

Iowa is the latest Republican-led state to pass abortion restrictions since the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Lawmakers there approved a bill that would ban most abortions in the state after six weeks and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to sign it into law on Friday. Geoff Bennett discussed the nation’s patchwork of abortion laws with Erin Murphy of The Gazette and Sarah Varney of KFF Health News.

JWST prompts scientists to rethink understanding of universe

7m 15s

Wednesday marks a year since the world first started seeing spectacular images of the cosmos that were captured by the powerful James Webb Space Telescope. But getting those images is only part of the important work being done by the $10 billion telescope. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports.

Podcast investigates abuse in substance recovery community

8m 28s

New Hampshire’s largest substance abuse treatment network has helped tens of thousands of drug users loosen addiction’s hold over their lives. But a three-year investigation by a local journalist uncovered evidence the group's founder took advantage of his position and the vulnerability of patients and staff. Ali Rogin reports. A warning: this discussion includes details some may find disturbing.

How recycled oyster shells help save Louisiana's coastline

4m 15s

In the last century, more than 2,000 square miles of Louisiana’s coastline have been lost to the sea. Tribal lands in the state’s southeast are among the most impacted. As NewsHour New Orleans Communities correspondent Roby Chavez reports, one volunteer-led effort is gaining attention in the fight against coastal erosion with an unlikely tool: recycled oyster shells.

Northwestern fires coach amid hazing and racism allegations

6m 52s

Northwestern University fired longtime head football coach Pat Fitzgerald after an investigation found hazing was widespread on the team, including instances of forced sexual acts. The student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern, also reported former players alleged there were racist comments and attacks by the coaching staff. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with Jon Greenberg of the Athletic.

Non-alcoholic beverages flourish as more cut back drinking

7m 48s

U.S. beer sales traditionally peak in the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But what’s in those beers is changing. While non-alcoholic beer, wine and cocktails make up a small fraction of the overall market, sales are rapidly rising. Economics correspondent Paul Solman went out for a taste test.

Schools, students battle learning gaps worsened by pandemic

6m 27s

Billions of dollars were funneled to school districts across the U.S. to help them make up for learning loss from the pandemic. But new research shows that even with that extra money, school districts are still struggling to close the gaps in reading, writing and math. Stephanie Sy discussed the findings with Karyn Lewis of the Center for School and Student Progress and a lead researcher at NWEA.

Jane Ferguson's memoir details career reporting in war zones

8m 16s

You often see our Jane Ferguson in war zones around the world for the NewsHour. But she's taken some time between assignments to pen a memoir, "No Ordinary Assignment," and she recently came into the studio to sit down with Amna Nawaz to discuss her far-from-ordinary journey.

Why extreme heat is more dangerous than many realize

6m 38s

Tens of millions of people living in the Southwest are dealing with what the National Weather Service says it's one of the longest heat waves in modern record. That extreme heat is even more dangerous than some might realize. Geoff Bennett discussed that with Jeff Goodell, a climate journalist and author of "The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet."

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