PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

Millions of Americans turn to PBS for the solid, reliable reporting that has made PBS News Hour one of the most trusted news programs in television.

Watch Latest: S2024 E361

57m 46s

Candy Cane Lane lights up St. Louis

2m 37s

For more than 20 years, one street in St. Louis, Missouri gets transformed every holiday season into a show of lights. But behind the sparkle of Candy Cane Lane there is an underlying motivation, demonstrating what many believe is the true meaning of Christmas. New Hour's Community correspondent Gabrielle Hays explains.

Arturo Sandoval on falling in love with music

9m 33s

Famed musician Arturo Sandoval was among those celebrated at the 47th Kennedy Center honors in early December. But as a young boy in Cuba, Sandoval's rise to the top of the music world was inconceivable. He has now won 10 Grammy awards and performed the world over. Geoff Bennett met up with Sandoval to talk about a life filled with music. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

News Wrap: Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to CEO's murder

4m 26s

In our news wrap Monday, the man accused of gunning down the head of United Health Care pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of murder, former President Bill Clinton is hospitalized in Washington, D.C. after developing a fever, automakers Nissan and Honda announce plans for a merger, and a man is facing murder and arson charges for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train.

House report on Matt Gaetz alleges rampant illegalities

4m 25s

A highly-anticipated House Ethics Committee report details a litany of allegations against Matt Gaetz, the former Republican Florida representative. Prosecutors previously declined to charge him, but Gaetz’ former peers found evidence that he paid several young women for sex -- including an underage girl -– and partook in drug-fueled sex parties. Lisa Desjardins joins William Brangham to discuss.

Why Biden commuted the sentences of 37 people on death row

5m 29s

President Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 prisoners on federal death row who will stay in prison for life but will not be subject to executions. Biden's move is likely motivated by the incoming Trump administration's expected hard line policy shift on federal executions. Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, joins William Brangham to discuss.

Researchers race to answer questions about wind energy

8m 49s

The Biden administration just approved a wind farm project off the coast of Massachusetts. It's the eleventh commercial-scale wind project of its kind to get approval and comes at a key moment for the sector, as President-elect Trump, a frequent critic, prepares to take office. Miles O'Brien reports.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on Biden's moves, GOP's fissures

8m 27s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join William Brangham to discuss the latest political news, including President Biden's big decisions with just weeks left in office and how a funding fight reveals potential cracks in the GOP as Republicans prepare to take power.

China's adoption ban leaves children and families in limbo

9m 22s

China’s announcement in September that it was ending international adoptions was a crushing blow for families awaiting the arrival of their adopted children. The policy change has now left more than 270 American families in limbo, unsure of where their adoption journey will lead. Stephanie Sy reports.

News Wrap: U.S. jet downed by friendly fire over Red Sea

2m 34s

In our news wrap Sunday, the U.S. military says an American fighter jet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea in a friendly fire incident, Israeli airstrikes killed nearly two dozen people in Gaza, the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany reopened two days after a car plowed into a crowd there, and more than 100 million Americans are expected to travel for the holidays.

How to keep your package deliveries safe from porch pirates

6m 34s

With Christmas and the beginning of Hanukkah just days away, many online shoppers are having last-minute gifts delivered to their homes. While it can be more convenient than brick and mortar stores, it also offers an easy target for criminals. Ali Rogin speaks with safety reporter Rebecca Edwards about how you can protect the items on your wishlist this year.

The painful toll of family estrangement during the holidays

9m 37s

The picture-perfect image of happy families at holiday gatherings isn’t reality for everyone. According to a Harris poll conducted in November, about 18 percent of those surveyed said they had only limited interactions with their immediate family. Some of our viewers share their stories of alienation from family, and John Yang speaks with family therapist Whitney Goodman for advice.

Seasonal vendors bring Christmas trees to NYC sidewalks

5m 2s

Every year, the smell of spruce around New York City announces the arrival of as many as 200,000 Christmas trees. The seasonal workers who sell those trees often live in on-site trailers, vans and even plywood shacks. We hear from one group of Christmas tree sellers at their sidewalk market in Brooklyn.

Major takeaways from the chaotic funding deal in Congress

4m 52s

President Biden on Saturday signed the spending bill that prevented a government shutdown, ending days of chaos that saw President-elect Trump clashing with House members of his own party. Congressional approval of the bipartisan deal came just past the midnight deadline, with lawmakers refusing Trump’s core demand to raise the nation’s debt limit. John Yang speaks with Lisa Desjardins for more.

News Wrap: Germany mourns victims of Christmas market attack

2m 16s

In our news wrap Saturday, Germans are mourning the victims of an apparent attack at a Christmas market, Israel blamed Houthi rebels for a missile attack that injured 16 people in Tel Aviv, world champion skier Lindsey Vonn is back on the slopes after more than five years of retirement, and baseball legend Rickey Henderson died at age 65.

Middle East crisis leave millions of children in dire need

7m 3s

As the humanitarian crisis affecting children in Gaza continues to deepen, UNICEF says there’s also a great need in Lebanon and Syria. John Yang speaks with UNICEF spokesman James Elder about what he saw on a recent trip to the region.

What to know about a surge of walking pneumonia in children

5m 38s

A rise in cases of a contagious lung infection across the United States is causing alarm, especially for parents of young children. Walking pneumonia usually sickens school-aged children and teens, but this year, toddlers are being hit the hardest. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Donald Dumford, infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic, to learn more.

Warming planet threatens tiny deer in the Florida Keys

4m

A type of white-tailed deer unique to the Florida Keys has been on the endangered species list for nearly 60 years. Only about 800 Key deer remain, and their habitat is under growing threat from rising sea levels. William Brangham reports for our series, “Saving Species.”

Former ambassador on challenges to rebuilding Syria

7m 35s

American diplomats were in Syria for the first time since the U.S. shut its embassy in Damascus in 2012. They met with Syria's new ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and announced the $10 million bounty the U.S. placed on him would be removed. For perspective on the latest developments, Geoff Bennett spoke with Theodore Kattouf, the U.S. ambassador to Syria during the George W. Bush administration.

House votes to avoid government shutdown, approves funding

7m 6s

Days of chaos and uncertainty on Capitol Hill appear to be winding down. A bill backed by President-elect Trump to keep the government open was rejected by the House Thursday night. But on Friday, an apparent breakthrough was announced by Speaker Mike Johnson. Lisa Desjardins is tracking it all on Capitol Hill.

Schweikert says Musk's political influence is 'wonderful'

6m 10s

The back-and-forth on the stopgap spending bill has created fault lines among House Republicans. Many were unsatisfied with the original text, but some also rejected the revised bill, which included President-elect Trump’s demands to suspend the debt limit. One of those members is Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona. He joined Geoff Bennett to discuss more.

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