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: S2024 E324

57m 46s

New aid delivery method aims to send help ahead of disasters

6m 46s

Africa’s first climate summit begins Monday in Kenya with the goal of better preparing the continent for climate disasters. When these disasters strike, aid often pours in from around the world. A new method of delivering aid uses technology to help predict the greatest need and send it in advance. Babatunde Ojei, Nigeria director for the International Rescue Committee, joins Ali Rogin to discuss.

Why auto prices are on the rise in America

6m 23s

The average price of cars has soared in recent years, and buyers are being further squeezed by rising interest rates. It’s hitting Gen Z and millennials particularly hard — in 2022, people aged 18 to 39 had over $20 billion in auto loans more than 90 days overdue. Tom Krisher, who covers the auto industry for the Associated Press, joins John Yang to discuss.

Arkansas Medicaid recipients struggle to keep their coverage

8m 15s

Medicaid enrollments reached unprecedented levels when Congress temporarily blocked states from kicking people off of the health insurance plan during the pandemic. But that policy has ended, and now states have until 2024 to check people’s eligibility and remove those who no longer qualify. Ali Rogin reports from Arkansas, which is nearing the end of its Medicaid unwinding process.

Why shooting sports are on the rise among young people

8m 39s

Every year, millions of Americans use guns recreationally, not only for hunting, but also for target sports like skeet and trapshooting. A growing number of young people are participating in shooting sports, a trend that is raising concerns for some. Special correspondent Megan Thompson reports.

Why AI is a central dispute in the ongoing Hollywood strikes

5m 19s

This Labor Day weekend, Hollywood production remains shut down by writers and actors on strike. At the heart of negotiations is figuring out the role of artificial intelligence in the motion picture industry. Jules Roscoe, a reporter at VICE Motherboard, joins Ali Rogin to discuss the collision of labor and technology.

The evolving challenges of disaster management in the U.S.

6m 16s

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has responded to a record number of billion-dollar weather-related disasters so far in 2023. And in recent years, FEMA has been called on for duties beyond extreme weather events, from COVID vaccine distribution to helping settle refugees. Former FEMA administrator Craig Fugate joins John Yang to discuss the future of disaster management.

Brooks and Capehart on the politics of Trump's trial date

9m 58s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join John Yang to discuss the week in politics, including fatal shootings that rocked the nation, the former president is at the center of unprecedented legal prosecutions and the Senate faces questions from within its ranks after another health scare.

Problems plague Atlanta jail where Trump was booked

6m 12s

The Fulton County Jail in Atlanta became front-page news last week as former President Trump and his 18 co-defendants surrendered to authorities. Many spent just a matter of minutes there. It's a much different story for the jail's long-term residents and nine people have died in custody this year. William Brangham discussed more with Chamian Cruz of WABE.

Can a longer school year help students with learning loss?

9m 49s

More than three years ago, schools received the first installment in the biggest ever one-time infusion of federal money dedicated to education, about $190 billion to protect against COVID and reverse the academic setbacks that followed the pandemic. One district in Virginia used its funds to add more days in the school year. Geoff Bennett visited to see how that program is faring.

Ukrainian counteroffensive makes gains against Russia

8m 1s

For months, Ukraine’s military has been grinding through a counteroffensive designed to liberate territory occupied by Russia. Kyiv has admitted that it’s gone slowly, but this week, Ukrainian soldiers made what the U.S. called notable progress. Nick Schifrin discussed the state of the counteroffensive with former U.S. ambassador to NATO Doug Lute.

Texas ban on youth gender-affirming care takes effect

7m 34s

A ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth went into effect in Texas, making it the most populous state to date with such a ban. The law revokes the medical licenses of any doctor who provides minors with gender-affirming medical care like puberty blockers, hormone treatments or surgeries. Laura Barrón-López reports on families grappling with the potential consequences.

What the latest jobs report signals for American workers

5m 39s

The August jobs report portrays a labor market that’s steadily growing, but there are signs of cooling in the face of the Federal Reserve’s higher interest rates. Employers added 187,000 jobs in August while the unemployment rate ticked up from 3.5 to 3.8 percent. The report paints a complex picture of the current economy. John Yang discussed that with Catherine Rampell.

Residents in Florida's Big Bend begin recovery after Idalia

8m 1s

Tropical Storm Idalia is heading back out to sea, but in its wake, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas are busy cleaning up. As a Category 3 hurricane, Idalia caused major damage in Florida's Big Bend region, but overall there was less damage throughout the Southeast than many feared. William Brangham reports from Florida where people say they want to stay and rebuild.

Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election case

3m 46s

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges in Georgia that accuse him and 18 allies of trying to upend the 2020 presidential election results in that state. The plea allows Trump to avoid an in-person arraignment next week. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest developments with Stephen Fowler of Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Can the 14th Amendment be used to block Trump from ballots?

6m 35s

Despite his legal troubles, former President Trump has a clear lead in the race for the Republican nomination. But is he qualified to run? A cohort of conservative legal scholars say no and a new lawsuit could put their theory to the test. They argue he violated the 14th Amendment with his actions on and before Jan. 6. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Ned Foley.

Commerce Secretary discusses trip to China amid tensions

8m 27s

This week, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo became the latest high-ranking U.S. official to visit China and engage with top Chinese leadership. She went during a time of security and trade tensions between the two global giants and China's ongoing economic slowdown. Raimondo joined Nick Schifrin to discuss the visit.

How the rise of hate is impacting the LGBTQ+ community

6m 36s

The murders of several LGBTQ+ people and allies in recent weeks are raising alarm across the U.S. O’Shae Sibley was stabbed to death in Brooklyn after police said he confronted a group who made homophobic slurs and Laura Ann Carleton was killed in California for apparently refusing to remove a Pride flag from her store. Geoff Bennett discussed more with GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.

Japan's problems developing stable energy after meltdown

7m 55s

While the world is focusing on the radioactive water released from the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, the country is grappling with other big questions about its use of nuclear energy. Japan dramatically changed its attitudes after Fukushima melted down in 2011. But since then, it's faced its share of problems with other energy sources and prices. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports.

U.S. may move marijuana to lower-risk drug category

5m 54s

The Department of Health and Human Services is recommending a major change in the way the federal government treats marijuana, but stops short of saying it should be decriminalized under federal law. HHS says marijuana should no longer be classified as Schedule One, which the law defines as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. John Yang discussed more with Natalie Fertig.

Connecting the decline of local news and political division

11m 28s

Judy Woodruff recently examined how the loss of thousands of local newspapers across the country is depriving communities of some of the glue that holds them together and fueling division. She now looks at how some news outlets are managing to hang on and whether what they’re doing is sustainable. It’s part of her series, America at a Crossroads.

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