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 E360

26m 45s

Why Sinéad O’Connor’s legacy is deeper than her music

8m 8s

In the days since Sinéad O’Connor’s death at age 56, there’s been an outpouring of appreciation for the Irish singer-songwriter’s music and her legacy. Jeffrey Brown talks with Una Mullally of The Irish Times about what made O’Connor both a revolutionary and controversial figure.

Jan. 6 investigator discusses charges against Trump

6m 7s

Many of the details in former President Trump's third indictment were first revealed last year as part of the House Jan. 6 committee’s probe of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Timothy Heaphy was the lead investigator for the committee. He joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the charges Trump now faces.

Trump attorney blasts indictment as ‘attack on free speech’

11m 55s

Former President Donald Trump's third indictment includes the most serious charges against him. The counts include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding for Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. John Lauro is a defense attorney representing the former president. He joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the indictment.

Breaking down the latest charges against Trump

4m 57s

Former President Donald Trump will appear in federal court in Washington Thursday to enter a plea on charges that he illegally tried to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election and stay in power. Those alleged actions are the most grave accusations to date against Trump. William Brangham reports on the historic indictment.

What we know about Trump’s 2020 election indictment

21m 13s

Former President Donald Trump was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The four counts include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding. Laura Barrón-López reports on what we know so far, and former Justice Department official Mary McCord and former federal prosecutor Jessica Roth offer their reactions.

John Kirby discusses changes to the military justice system

8m 26s

An executive order signed by President Biden makes the largest changes to the military justice system since its creation. John Kirby, White House National Security Council spokesman, says it’s a monumental step toward better prosecuting crimes like sexual assault and restoring confidence. Kirby joins Laura Barrón-López to discuss what it means and whether it could still be improved.

How opioid settlement money led to a legal battle in Ohio

10m 2s

In Ohio, a state with one of the highest overdose death rates in the nation, a private foundation has been set up to distribute opioid settlement funds over several years. But as special correspondent Cat Wise and producer Mike Fritz report for our ongoing series, “America Addicted,” some have raised concerns that the public will be left out of the process.

UN food chief Cindy McCain on the need for more aid

7m 42s

South Sudan may look very lush right now, but flooding there has disrupted life and caused hunger on an “enormous” scale, says Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme. McCain, on the ground in Juba, South Sudan, talks with Amna Nawaz about the need for greater food aid around the world, and how the end of the Ukraine grain deal is hurting those most in need.

States debate how best to use new opioid settlement money

9m 58s

More than $50 billion in settlement funds from pharmaceutical companies that made and sold opioid painkillers will be paid out over the next 18 years to state and local governments across the country. But the debate around how this money should be spent is just beginning. Special correspondent Cat Wise and producer Mike Fritz report from North Carolina for our ongoing series, “America Addicted.”

GOP challengers struggle in polls despite Trump’s legal woes

7m 49s

The latest polling shows former President Trump’s legal troubles do not appear to be putting a dent in his support among Republican voters, and there’s scant evidence any of his challengers will be able to loosen his grip on the party’s nomination, even as he faces criminal charges. Republican pollster Whit Ayres joins Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest developments in the Republican primary.

How ‘Try That In A Small Town’ became a cultural flashpoint

6m 59s

One of the most popular country music hits of the summer is Jason Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town." But the song has ignited controversy and faced backlash from fans who say the lyrics encourage racism and violence. The Tennessean’s country music reporter Marcus K. Dowling joins Jeffrey Brown to discuss for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Analyzing the military’s changes to handling sexual assault

9m 31s

After years of protest and advocacy, a new executive order from the Biden administration seeks to bolster the military’s ability to deal with sexual assault in the ranks. But how far-reaching are these changes and will they make a difference? Retired Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham and Army veteran Lindsey Knapp join Laura Barrón-López to discuss.

The historical context of recent UFO whistleblower claims

7m 8s

Are we alone in the universe? Former Pentagon employee David Grusch told Congress last week that UFOs are real and the U.S. government has been withholding knowledge of non-human life on Earth for nearly a century. Meanwhile, NASA is set to release its own report on UFOs in the next few weeks. Journalist and author Garrett Graff joins Geoff Bennett to help separate fact from science fiction.

Katie Ledecky makes swimming history at world championships

5m 7s

Katie Ledecky is already considered the greatest swimmer of this decade. This weekend, she made her claim for the greatest of all time, notching two new records at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, and surpassing Michael Phelps for the most individual titles in swimming history. USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan joins Amna Nawaz to discuss.

Haitians ‘live in misery’ as country spirals in chaos

8m 20s

The situation in Haiti seems to be progressively worsening, as gangs control half the country's territory and most of its capital. We hear from Haitians affected by the violence, and John Yang speaks with Garry Pierre-Pierre, founder and publisher of The Haitian Times, for the latest on the crisis and international response.

Tips for combating climate anxiety in a warming world

8m 42s

This summer, millions of Americans are experiencing firsthand the effects of climate change, from triple-digit temperatures to wildfire smoke to bleached coral reefs in warming oceans. For some, growing concern about climate change can become an overwhelming sense of despair that psychologists call climate anxiety. Climate psychology therapist Leslie Davenport joins John Yang to discuss.

What it’s like living through Phoenix’s historic heat wave

3m 25s

Phoenix, Arizona has been hotter for longer than any other big U.S. city this summer, with a record 30 consecutive days of highs above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. We hear first-hand accounts from some of those sweltering in the heat, including some of our colleagues at PBS NewsHour West.

The potential and risks of fighting STIs with doxycycline

6m 3s

Doxycycline, a cheap and widely available antibiotic, is gaining attention as a promising new way to prevent the spread of some sexually transmitted infections. But some health officials are raising concerns that wider use of the preventative antibiotic could breed drug resistance. Washington Post journalist Fenit Nirappil joins Laura Barrón-López to discuss.

The 'cursed' life of 'Last Tango' star Maria Schneider

9m 31s

At 19, French actor Maria Schneider was launched into the spotlight for her role in the erotic drama “Last Tango in Paris.” The notorious film made her famous, but haunted the rest of her life. But she was more than that to her cousin Vanessa, whose memoir “My Cousin Maria Schneider” tells her story. John Yang speaks to Vanessa Schneider and actor, writer and translator Molly Ringwald for more.

A Brief But Spectacular take on the future from graduates

5m 28s

For recent graduates, every year of their high school career was touched by the pandemic. In spite of the challenges, they never lost their perseverance and creativity. Graduating seniors at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California share their Brief But Spectacular take on the future.

Supported by