PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch: S2024 E319

57m 46s

State laws create disparities in access to food benefits

9m 17s

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is one of the nation’s largest welfare programs helping to feed more than 40 million low-income Americans. But for people in need, what that assistance looks like, and who can access it, varies greatly across the country. Laura Barrón-Lopez and producer Maea Lenei Buhre report for our series, America’s Safety Net.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on abortion motivating voters

9m 20s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including how abortion rights could help President Biden motivate voters, House Speaker Mike Johnson signals a vote on Ukraine aid will come next week and the Biden campaign courts disaffected Republicans.

Gov. Whitmer on efforts to protect reproductive rights

7m 40s

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, Democratic leaders have worked to protect reproductive rights in their states. In Michigan, voters enshrined abortion rights in the state’s constitution. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for several reproductive rights measures and signed new laws protecting IVF and decriminalizing surrogacy contracts. Whitmer joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more.

Attack on Iran consulate in Syria escalates Mideast conflict

3m 32s

There is an escalation of tension in the Middle East. On Monday, warplanes attacked a building inside Iran's consulate complex in Damascus, Syria. Some of the most senior members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard were killed. Iran blames Israel for the strikes. Now there are reports of new attacks on international ships in the Red Sea and a base in southern Israel. Nick Schifrin reports.

Artist fuses design, accessory to create art you can carry

5m 21s

One artist has taken popular designer handbags to a whole new level by transforming the accessories into artwork. Instead of his creations hanging on the wall, Kent Stetson decided to put them right in your hand. Pamela Watts of Rhode Island PBS Weekly reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

The challenging task crews face to clear collapsed bridge

4m 56s

Over the weekend, one of the largest floating cranes on the East Coast arrived in Baltimore to start clearing debris at the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. But before it can start removing steel and concrete, officials must remove a section of the bridge draped over the cargo ship. Geoff Bennett discussed the efforts with Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

'Havana syndrome' investigator on linking Russia to attacks

6m 4s

For the last decade, American diplomatic, law enforcement and intelligence personnel have suffered grievous injuries in the line of duty. Many say they felt attacked by debilitating waves of sound and pressure known as "Havana syndrome." Sunday, 60 Minutes reported more on this story, and assigned blame to Russia. Geoff Bennett discussed that report with retired Army Lt. Col. Gregory Edgreen.

A look at Georgia’s controversial Medicaid expansion program

10m 9s

Since Medicaid was created 60 years ago, it’s been expanded again and again. Now, it’s the U.S. government’s biggest public health insurance program. For our series “America’s Safety Net,” John Yang reports on efforts to expand it even further with a visit to Georgia, the only state with a work requirement for Medicaid coverage.

Why religion is losing influence in American public life

6m 26s

In a new survey released by the Pew Research Center, 80 percent of respondents said religion’s role in public life is shrinking in America. That’s the highest proportion in two decades of asking the question. John Yang speaks with Gregory Smith, Pew’s associate director of research who helps coordinate domestic polling on religion, to learn more about what the results say.

A Brief But Spectacular take on vanishing rural structures

3m 33s

For more than two decades, Vermont-based photographer Jim Westphalen has documented old farmhouses, barns, churches and homes that have fallen into disrepair — he calls it “finding beauty in decay.” His works are collected in a book and film, both titled “Vanish: Disappearing Icons of a Rural America.” Westphalen shares his Brief But Spectacular take on the vanishing structures of rural America.

Centenarian Bennie Fleming reflects on a life of service

5m 15s

For our “Hidden Histories” series as Women’s History Month draws to a close, Rhode Island PBS Weekly’s Michelle San Miguel introduces us to Bennie Fleming, a 100-year-old woman who embodies what it means to live a life of service — even when that service wasn’t always welcome.

Women shoulder burden of caregiving as U.S. population ages

8m 43s

Currently, 1 in 6 Americans is older than 65, a number that’s projected to rise to 1 in 4 by 2050. As older Americans’ needs for medical care and other support grow, women bear the biggest part of the burden of caring for them. Ali Rogin speaks with some women about their experiences and author Emily Kenway about the often unseen costs of caregiving.

What’s at stake for Americans at risk of losing Medicaid

6m 45s

Medicaid is the nation’s largest health insurance program, covering nearly 80 million people, or more than 1 in 5 Americans. For many people who have low incomes or a disability, or who are either very young or very old, it’s a vital government program. John Yang reports from Georgia for our series, “America’s Safety Net.”

News Wrap: Salvage operation begins at bridge collapse site

6m 5s

Electricity and transportation each contribute about a quarter of America’s carbon emissions. Thanks to the growth of renewable energy and electric cars, those sectors are starting to get cleaner. Heavy industry is also a major source of pollution. The White House pledged billions for projects to spur a green revolution in those industries. William Brangham discussed more with Rebecca Dell.

Brooks and Capehart on the importance of campaign spending

12m 4s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join William Brangham to discuss the week in politics, including a record fundraiser that nets the Biden campaign millions, a stock market debut that could potentially net Trump billions, Ronna McDaniel's ouster from NBC after an employee revolt and the passing of Joe Lieberman.

The inspirations behind Beyoncé’s 'Cowboy Carter'

4m 38s

Beyoncé’s highly-anticipated album that’s deeply rooted in country music, “Cowboy Carter," just dropped. It’s Beyoncé, it’s big and it’s venturing into an unexpected arena of music. "Cowboy Carter" also features some of country music’s biggest stars. Jeffrey Brown discussed the album with Candace McDuffie of The Root.

Okla. commissioner faces recall over white nationalist ties

5m 55s

In Enid, Oklahoma, a fight is brewing over a city council recall election. At a candidate forum, residents who hope to oust Judd Blevins confronted him for his ties to a white nationalist group. While Blevins has tried to shut down the criticism, it has sharply divided this small town. William Brangham discussed more with the NewsHour's communities correspondent based in Oklahoma, Adam Kemp.

Georgia lawmakers pass more voting rules ahead of election

5m 28s

Georgia was ground zero for false claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election. The state is in the spotlight again as President Biden and Donald Trump head for a rematch and election laws just passed there could add new complications for voters. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Sam Gringlas of WABE in Atlanta.

How non-lethal police tactics led to 1,000 deaths

6m 39s

An investigation found that between 2012 and 2021, more than 1,000 people died after police used physical force that's considered non-lethal. That includes batons, stun guns, physical restraints and chemical agents. Only 28 of the officers involved faced criminal charges. Reese Dunklin of the Associated Press was part of the team leading the investigation and discussed the report with John Yang.

Gang violence in Haiti displaces 360,000 people

5m 10s

The UN says more than 1,500 Haitians have been killed so far this year in a situation it calls "cataclysmic." For nearly a month, the country has been engulfed in another wave of brutal gang violence. Nick Schifrin reports, and a warning, images in this story are disturbing.

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