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 E324

57m 46s

Antarctic sea ice at record lows as global temperatures rise

5m 5s

As temperature records fall all over the planet this summer, scientists are also increasingly concerned about what’s happening to the sea ice around Antarctica. William Brangham reports.

Jason Rezaian on potential release of Americans held by Iran

6m 23s

It appears that five Iranian Americans who have been detained in Iran are in the process of being released. The Associated Press reports Iran's move is part of an agreement in which billions of dollars frozen in South Korea will be released. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with Washington Post columnist Jason Rezaian, whose own grueling detention by the Iranian government ended in January 2016.

What fueled the Hawaiian wildfires that killed dozens

7m 39s

Crews are still fighting fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui. At least 36 people are known dead and more than 270 buildings damaged or destroyed across a blackened landscape. It's the nation's deadliest fire disaster in five years. Amna Nawaz discussed the fires with KITV meteorologist Malika Dudley.

Family of Afghan American held by Taliban pleads for release

7m 31s

An Afghan American businessman has been held for more than a year in the land of his birth. Mahmood Habibi's family has decided to go public in the hopes that the Taliban will release him. Amna Nawaz spoke with them about Habibi's unjustified incarceration.

Report reveals Justice Thomas benefited from wealthy patrons

7m 20s

There are new details about the gifts Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has gotten from wealthy businessmen. ProPublica provided the fullest account yet of the gifts and there are far more than previously known. John Yang discussed the story with Brett Murphy, one of the reporters who unearthed these details, and Joel Anderson, host of Slate’s “Slow Burn” podcast.

Alcohol deaths among women rise at a faster rate than men

6m 11s

In the last two decades, more and more Americans have died from drinking-related causes. But a new study shows alcohol-related deaths are rising faster among women than men. Laura Barrón-López discussed the research with Dr. Paula Cook, a physician who specializes in addiction medicine and host of the podcast, "The Addiction Files."

The economic juggernaut that is Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

6m 15s

Pop superstar Taylor Swift ended the first U.S. leg of her Eras Tour Wednesday night, leaving American fans waiting until next fall to see the concert that's turbocharging the economy and capturing the pop culture zeitgeist this summer. Stephanie Sy reflects on the tour and the power of Taylor Swift for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Government eyes coal mining rules as black lung cases rise

9m 31s

One in five coal miners in central Appalachia with at least 25 years of experience has black lung disease. It is caused by inhaling toxic dust in and around mines and the most severe form is at its highest rate in decades. In June, the federal agency charged with overseeing miners' health and safety proposed cutting the exposure limit to hazardous silica dust in half. William Brangham reports.

Details emerge on Trump alleged plan to use fake electors

5m 44s

New information is coming to light in a central charge facing former President Trump. Federal prosecutors point to seven states where they allege Trump plotted to subvert the results with false slates of electors poised to cast electoral votes. The indictment says Trump’s goal was to cast doubt and disrupt the final vote certification on Jan 6. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Amy Gardner.

Asian American students on the end of affirmative action

11m 5s

Since the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, questions remain over how this will affect students and who will be impacted. The court sided with plaintiffs who argued race-conscious admissions discriminate against Asian Americans. We hear Asian American students' thoughts on the decision and Amna Nawaz discusses their views with Janelle Wong and Susana Liu-Hedberg.

Montgomery mayor discusses viral brawl on city's riverfront

6m 20s

A chaotic brawl on the riverfront in Montgomery, Alabama, has captured the attention of many Americans. It started when a riverboat was returning from a two-hour cruise and a private boat was blocking the dock. Videos of the fight that happened next have gone viral on social media and several people have been charged with assault. John Yang discussed the latest with Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed.

New fundraising tactics raise campaign finance concerns

6m 5s

The first Republican presidential debate is just two weeks away and at least eight candidates have met the RNC criteria to participate. Some used creative tactics to reach that threshold. One campaign offered $20 gift cards to people who donated at least a dollar, another gave away soccer tickets. Amna Nawaz discussed the methods with Adav Noti of the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center.

Why Biden wants to limit U.S. investments in Chinese tech

6m 44s

The Biden administration released a long-awaited executive order aimed at curbing China’s military development. These new rules mark the first step by the U.S. government to clamp down on overseas investments by American firms in three high-tech sectors. Laura Barrón-López discussed the plan with Chris Johnson of China Strategies Group.

News Wrap: FBI shoots Utah man accused of threatening Biden

6m 30s

In our news wrap Wednesday, FBI agents shot and killed a Utah man accused of making threats against President Biden, wildfires in Hawaii burned thousands of acres and killed at least six people on Maui, days of downpours in Europe caused a partial dam-burst in Norway and a factory explosion in Russia killed one and wounded 56 amid conflicting reports of a Ukrainian drone attack.

Casualties mount as Ukraine's counteroffensive continues

10m 16s

This has been a long and brutal summer in Ukraine as Kyiv's counteroffensive continues to retake lands now occupied by Russia. A leading British military think tank reported that the Ukrainian operation is going more slowly than expected, and it blamed the slow provision of advanced weaponry by Western partners. Amna Nawaz discussed the war with Michael Vickers and Jennifer Cafarella.

James McBride discusses the themes in his new new novel

7m 5s

The National Book Award-winning author James McBride has a new novel out, "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store." Like much of McBride’s work, it’s rooted in race, religion and personal history. Jeffrey Brown turns the page for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

How cities are converting vacant offices into housing

7m 59s

American cities are dealing with housing shortages and an office glut, with millions of square feet of office space sitting vacant since the onset of the pandemic. Office-to-housing conversions are becoming an increasingly popular two-in-one solution for city leaders. But will it result in housing that’s affordable for all Americans? Paul Solman reports.

Report explores doctors spreading COVID misinformation

6m 41s

What happens when doctors spread misinformation during a pandemic, potentially endangering peoples’ lives? A new investigation from The Washington Post looks at why doctors who pushed medical misinformation, particularly about alleged COVID remedies or treatments, faced so few repercussions for their behavior. William Brangham spoke with Lena Sun, one of the lead reporters on that investigation.

Breaking down Trump's claims he can't get a fair trial

6m 47s

In the criminal cases involving former President Trump, we’ve seen the first legal skirmishes. Significant questions over venues and evidence, and from Trump himself, a push for the judge assigned to his criminal trial in DC to recuse herself. Lisa Desjardins discussed the brewing legal fight with David Kelley, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Interior Secretary on new monument protecting tribal land

6m 24s

President Biden headed to Arizona Tuesday where he made an announcement designating some million acres of land around the Grand Canyon as a national monument. The move would stop future uranium mining projects on the land, marking a key victory for environmentalists and tribal leaders. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland joined Amna Nawaz to discuss the designation.

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