PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch Latest: S2024 E324

57m 46s

Southeast Asia flooded with plastic meant for recycling

8m 3s

Last year, the U.S. exported more than 950 million tons of plastic waste meant for recycling and a significant portion of that ended up in Southeast Asia. The region has been inundated with plastic scrap after China blocked all but the cleanest plastic waste imports in 2018. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on how Thailand is dealing with the problem of plastic.

Organized labor faces challenges after series of union wins

6m 47s

This has been the season of organized labor’s discontent. But it has also been the season of big wins by unions from Hollywood, UPS, healthcare workers and the UAW. John Yang spoke with Lauren Kaori Gurley of The Washington Post to get some analysis on what this means for workers and the challenges ahead.

Youngest NCAA coach leads her team to national championship

6m 26s

The youngest coach in NCAA Division I sports this year just took home a national championship. Amna Nawaz spoke with 23-year-old Erin Matson, the rookie head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels field hockey team, about the victory that gained national attention.

Israel prepares for hostage and prisoner exchange with Hamas

13m 34s

After 48 days of war, 48 days of hoping the kidnapped will be released, these are the final hours before the guns are scheduled to go silent in Gaza. Israel has committed to pause its military campaign Friday and Hamas has committed to release 13 hostages it kidnapped during the October 7 terrorist attack. Nick Schifrin discusses the exchange with former Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher.

More American families rely on food banks amid high prices

7m 1s

There's been some good news of late when it comes to inflation. Data from the federal government last week showed inflation eased through October. And according to the Farm Bureau, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner actually decreased slightly this year. But as special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports, stubbornly high food prices are still squeezing families this holiday season.

Why OpenAI brought Sam Altman back as CEO

4m 27s

Sam Altman is returning as the chief executive of OpenAI. The hot tech startup behind ChatGPT is not only bringing Altman back, it’s also overhauling the board that fired him, ending a dramatic five-day standoff that’s transfixed Silicon Valley and the artificial intelligence industry. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest with Mike Isaac of The New York Times.

Fighting continues in Gaza ahead of hostage release

11m 53s

After more than six weeks of heavy fighting, a pause in the battle between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is expected to start soon. That's after the Israeli government approved a deal that includes the release of at least 50 hostages held by Hamas. Nick Schifrin reports and Geoff Bennett discusses the Biden administration's role in negotiations with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

New report reveals graphic aftermath of mass shootings

8m 36s

The Washington Post published images of the damage caused by AR-15-style weapons in a series called "Terror on Repeat." The report raised questions about whether the news media should show graphic images of the carnage it causes and does avoiding those images conceal the horror of that violence. William Brangham discussed that with Matea Gold. A warning: The images in this story are disturbing.

Columbia slammed for ignoring complaints about OB-GYN

8m 10s

Columbia University apologized to thousands of women for allowing an OB-GYN to continue practicing unchecked after he sexually assaulted patients for over two decades. Dr. Robert Hadden was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. But his conviction came years after patients repeatedly warned the university medical center about his behavior. Amna Nawaz discussed the case with Laura Beil.

Inside the renovated National Museum of Women in the Arts

7m 10s

In leading museums these days, women artists are gaining more prominence. But studies of acquisitions and overall exhibitions show just how much the gender gap remains. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is solely dedicated to the creativity and work of women and recently reopened after an extensive renovation. Jeffrey Brown visited for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

A Brief But Spectacular take on the pursuit of happiness

3m 15s

Jonathan McCrory has served as the artistic director at the National Black Theatre for over ten years. Along the way, he earned three Obie Awards, the highest honor for off-Broadway theater. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on love, joy and the pursuit of happiness.

Iceland readies as major volcanic eruption appears imminent

6m 22s

Scientists in Iceland say that a major volcanic eruption could occur within days. But they are increasingly optimistic that it may spare a town 40 miles southwest of the capital Reykjavik. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports.

Program reunites families split by climate-driven migration

8m 12s

The number of households where children are raised by grandparents is rising in lower and middle-income countries. Parents have moved away for opportunities as agricultural jobs no longer provide a reliable income due to climate change. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports for the series, Agents for Change, produced in partnership with the Under-Told Stories Project at the University of St. Thomas.

Constitutional scholar discusses Trump's ballot eligibility

7m 34s

The legal war continues over whether former President Trump should be disqualified from the ballot in Colorado. The case is over Section Three of the 14th Amendment, which bars a person from future office if they have taken an oath to the Constitution and later engage in an insurrection. Laura Barrón-López discussed the latest developments with constitutional scholar Laurence Tribe.

Disputes over debt, deficit could lead to federal shutdown

5m 15s

The U.S. government remains open this Thanksgiving week, thanks to a temporary funding deal Congress passed last week. But that deal starts to expire in January and conservatives are signaling they won’t pass another funding deal without addressing the swelling national debt. Geoff Bennett and Lisa Desjardins take a look at the big numbers.

Families of hostages held by Hamas discuss potential deal

9m 29s

The families of hostages held by Hamas have faced six weeks of horror and worry. Amna Nawaz discussed the ordeal with Abbey Onn and Liz Hirsh Naftali. Both are awaiting the return of loved ones.

Israeli forces battle Hamas as hostage deal appears close

7m 12s

Weeks of negotiations have led to an agonizing day as talks continue to free some of the nearly 240 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. In the proposed deal, Hamas would exchange 50 women and children they hold for 150 women and children in Israeli detention. Nick Schifrin reports on the negotiations.

Tamara Keith and Susan Page on Biden's low approval ratings

7m 36s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Susan Page of USA Today join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including how Rosalynn Carter transformed the role of First Lady, President Biden's latest approval ratings and a bandaid budget that won’t heal the nation’s divides or congressional dysfunction in the election year to come.

The lasting legacy of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

9m 10s

Global humanitarian, mental health advocate, champion for equal rights. These are some of the ways that former First Lady Rosalynn Carter is being remembered. Geoff Bennett discussed Carter’s legacy and many contributions with Judy Woodruff, who covered the Carter White House, and journalist and historian Jonathan Alter, whose biography of President Carter is “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life.”

Nurses challenged by treating patients with limited English

8m 33s

The increasing diversity of the U.S. brings an array of challenges, including the basic hurdle of not speaking the same language. The stakes are especially high in a medical setting. In collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center and with support from the Pulitzer Center, William Brangham looks at how nurses are meeting the moment for our series, Critical Care: The Future of Nursing.

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