PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch Latest: S2024 E322

26m 45s

Devastation grips Libya after catastrophic flooding

3m 16s

The deadly floods that inundated eastern Libya earlier this week have now led to a tide of the dead, with a death toll of more than 11,000. This amid a race that pits dignity and respect for those lost, against the threat of disease and further calamity. Stephanie Sy reports.

New drone tech could help clear unexploded mines in Ukraine

8m 28s

Among the horrors of war, landmines and unexploded ordnances linger and kill for years afterward. Ukraine is littered with landmines and bombs from both sides. Clearing those explosives is a massive and complicated task, but two young Americans are working on a technological advancement that could make it easier. Special correspondent Jack Hewson reports with the support of the Pulitzer Center.

Flooding sparks scrutiny of Libya's divided government

4m 43s

In Libya, deep fears are becoming a horrific reality as the death toll from the devastating floods there has spiked to more than 11,000. Thousands are still missing, submerged in the muddy mire or washed out to sea. Stephanie Sy reports.

What led to Hunter Biden's indictment on firearms charges

4m 48s

Hunter Biden was indicted Thursday on gun charges, setting up a high-profile legal battle ahead of his father's reelection campaign. The indictment comes days after House Republicans opened an impeachment inquiry into the president and his family’s business dealings. A plea deal for Hunter Biden collapsed in federal court in July. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest developments with Devlin Barrett.

'Tyranny of the Minority' writers say democracy is at risk

7m 25s

America’s democracy is in an uncharted and fragile place, according to two Harvard government professors. In their new book, “Tyranny of the Minority,” Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt say politicians are welcoming anti-democratic extremists into their party ranks and part of the problem lies in the Constitution. Laura Barrón-López spoke with the writers about how the country got to this point.

Biographer Walter Isaacson on what motivates Elon Musk

8m 36s

Elon Musk is one of the most famous people on the planet and one of the wealthiest. But Musk is also among the most controversial public figures because of his behavior, including the spread of misinformation, racist and sexist remarks and his political ideas. Now, the highly-anticipated biography of the tech mogul is on bookshelves. Amna Nawaz discussed the book with author Walter Isaacson.

Regional theaters fight to save historic art form

8m 34s

Regional theater has been a glory of the American cultural scene for many decades, bringing great plays and musicals to audiences in cities all across the country. But the pandemic and a host of other societal shifts have led to cutbacks, cancellations and closures of theaters. Jeffrey Brown has a look for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

What led to the rat boom and how cities are responding

5m 4s

Rats, the furry nuisance that once was a sometimes issue, have become a bigger problem over the pandemic years. Courtney Norris and Dorothy Hastings explore what led to the rise in the rat population.

White House responds to House GOP impeachment inquiry

6m 32s

After House Speaker Kevin McCarthy directed Republicans to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, the White House is urging a more aggressive pushback to the GOP and is dismissing the effort as “extreme politics at its worst." That description came from Ian Sams, a White House advisor working on congressional investigations. Sams joined Amna Nawaz to discuss the inquiry.

Pennsylvania Democrats discuss nation's political divisions

11m 42s

Over the summer, Judy Woodruff listened in as Iowa Republicans discussed their support for former President Trump following his indictments, the state of the country and what can be done to move forward. For a different perspective, Judy heard from Democrats in Pennsylvania on these topics and more. It's part of her series, America at a Crossroads, and was produced with help from PBS39 WLVT.

What autoworkers are demanding as strike against Big 3 looms

6m 49s

Nearly 150,000 auto workers could soon go on strike against the Big Three automakers in the U.S. The United Auto Workers are pushing for big changes, but the manufacturers say the costly transition to electric vehicles makes it too difficult to meet these demands. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Neal Boudette of The New York Times.

Kim Jong Un pledges support for Putin's war in Ukraine

9m 44s

In his first trip outside of North Korea since the pandemic, Kim Jong Un met Vladimir Putin in Russia to discuss whether they each had something the other wants. It’s a growing alliance that’s sparking concern from the U.S. and its allies. Stephanie Sy discussed what it means for Ukraine and the world with Jean Lee and John Sipher.

Aid workers struggle to reach flooded city in Libya

4m 55s

Scenes of biblical devastation, the dead stacked in the streets and aid for the living too slow in arriving. That is the situation in North Africa where at least 5,100 are dead from flooding in Libya. The mayor of one city says the toll could be as high as 20,000. And to the west in Morocco, nearly 3,000 are now officially counted among the dead from the Friday earthquake. Ali Rogin reports.

Colo. secretary of state on effort to keep Trump off ballot

6m 32s

A complex legal theory will soon be tested after a group of Colorado voters asked courts to block former President Trump from the primary ballot. The claim argues Trump violated the 14th Amendment, which says anyone engaged in insurrection or rebellion is ineligible to hold office. Amna Nawaz discussed the lawsuit with Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

The challenges Ukraine's counteroffensive faces

5m 23s

Kim Jong Un's rare trip outside North Korea for an expected meeting with Vladimir Putin will focus on ammunition sales for Russia's war in Ukraine. Fighting remains fierce, especially in southern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces are trying to recapture occupied territory. Nick Schifrin has returned to Ukraine and reports from Zaporizhzhia.

CDC director on updated COVID booster as infections rise

6m 28s

A new round of COVID-19 boosters will be available within days as cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the country. The Food and Drug Administration approved the new shots Monday and a CDC advisory panel recommended the updated boosters for all Americans 6 months or older. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen.

Mental health service shortage for teens creates challenges

10m 13s

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the enormous strain on the mental healthcare system for young Americans. Parents whose children have complex mental and behavioral needs have had to take desperate measures to get their kids treatment. Christopher Booker reports for our series, Early Warnings: America's Youth Mental Health Crisis. A warning, this story includes discussions of suicide and depression.

GOP Rep. McClain explains support for impeachment inquiry

6m 3s

The House Oversight Committee is one of several on tap to lead the Republican impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan sits on that committee and joined Amna Nawaz to discuss her support.

What McCarthy hopes to accomplish with impeachment inquiry

8m 10s

Months of Republican allegations and investigations into President Biden have led to the GOP-controlled House of Representatives launching an impeachment inquiry. Republicans have lobbed unsubstantiated allegations against Biden since taking over the House, but have turned up no evidence of wrongdoing so far. Laura Barrón-López discussed the developments with Heather Caygle of Punchbowl News.

Child poverty increases sharply after tax credit expiration

6m 11s

In 2021, as the economy reeled from the pandemic, a one-year expansion of the child tax credit led to a historic 46 percent decline in the child poverty rate. But new census data shows a dramatic reversal with the rate of children in poverty skyrocketing in 2022. Experts say it’s due to the end of pandemic-era safety net policies and inflation. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Catherine Rampell.

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