PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 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: S2025 E9

57m 46s

Why medical interpreters can be a vital but scarce resource

8m 33s

For many immigrants, a mastery of everyday English doesn’t mean they feel comfortable in all settings, like doctors’ offices. That’s where medical interpreters play a crucial role — but access to these highly skilled professionals isn’t guaranteed for many Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Ali Rogin reports.

What we know about Biden and McCarthy’s debt limit deal

7m 26s

The White House and Congressional Republicans have reached an agreement in principle to raise the debt ceiling and limit new spending. The deal will avert a potentially calamitous federal default if Congress passes it by June 5. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins and NPR’s senior political editor Domenico Montanaro join John Yang to discuss the latest.

The heroic actions of Capt. Francis Brown Wai in WWII

2m 27s

This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re highlighting people whose contributions have often been overlooked. Ahead of Memorial Day, we look at the lesser known story of U.S. Army Capt. Francis Brown Wai and his heroic service to the nation.

An Army bugler’s story about his special wartime assignment

2m 23s

In the final days of World War II, U.S. Army Sgt. Harrison Wright was stationed in a small Belgian village near the German border. He tells his grandson, Sean Guess, about a special assignment in this animated feature from our partners at StoryCorps.

How the UN aims to sharply reduce plastic pollution by 2040

7m 27s

As plastic waste piles up in the world’s landfills, sewer systems and oceans, the United Nations has set a goal to reduce plastic pollution by 80 percent by the year 2040. Inger Andersen, head of the United Nations Environment Programme, joins William Brangham to discuss the upcoming negotiations over how to realize this goal.

How the U.S. is addressing its maternal mortality crisis

6m 6s

The U.S. maternal mortality rate continues to steadily increase, with 2021 being one of the worst years on record. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mental health conditions are among the leading causes of pregnancy-related death. Carole Johnson, head of the Health Resources and Services Administration, joins Ali Rogin to discuss what the federal government is doing to help.

Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis worsens as civil war ramps up

6m 51s

The United Nations estimates that nearly 18 million people need humanitarian aid as a result of the civil war in Myanmar, now entering its third year. Aye Min Thant, Burmese-American journalist, and Jonathan Head, the BBC’s southeast Asia correspondent, join John Yang to discuss what’s happening.

The man behind the mercenary group in Russia's war

6m 48s

The battle for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine has been notable for several reasons, its length, its savagery and for the man who's pressed the fight for the Kremlin, the mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. As Stephanie Sy reports, Prigozhin and his Wagner Group are now the tip of the spear for Russia in Ukraine.

The best ways to protect your skin from the sun this summer

5m 19s

Memorial Day weekend is here which means many Americans will be spending more time in the sun. Experts are using the holiday as a moment to remind people about preventing sunburns and, in more severe cases, skin cancer. Stephanie Sy spoke with Dr. Adewole Adamson for advice on staying safe in the sun.

Brooks and Capehart on chances of reaching debt ceiling deal

10m 57s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including the ongoing negotiations in Washington to raise the nation's debt ceiling and Republicans Sen. Tim Scott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis officially launch their presidential campaigns.

Doctor who provided 10-year-old rape victim abortion fined

5m 52s

Indiana's state medical board fined a doctor who made national headlines last year after she provided an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio. The girl traveled across state lines for the procedure as a result of Ohio’s restrictive abortion laws. Ali Rogin discussed the decision with Brandon Smith of Indiana Public Broadcasting.

Texas lawmakers move to impeach state's attorney general

5m 11s

Bribery, dereliction of duty, obstruction of justice. Those are just some of the allegations against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after a months-long investigation led by members of his own party. The Republican has faced years of scandal but now he faces 20 articles of impeachment in the final days of the legislative session. Ali Rogin discussed the latest with Sergio Martínez-Beltrán.

Migrants waiting to seek asylum face appalling conditions

8m 36s

Earlier this month, a pandemic-era rule that allowed for the quick expulsion of migrants at the border, known as Title 42, officially ended. It created ripple effects on both sides of the border, though not necessarily what many expected. Authorities prepared for a surge in migrants, but that never happened. Amna Nawaz visited both sides of the border to better understand why.

Debt ceiling deadline pushed back to June 5

5m 17s

Ten days now stand between the U.S. and a catastrophic default on debt. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's new estimate moves the so-called "X-date" back to June 5. Even if lawmakers were to reach a deal Friday night, they still may not be able to get it through Congress before the country fails to pay its bills on time. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Leigh Ann Caldwell.

Inside encampments where migrants await chance to enter U.S.

5m 24s

It's been a few weeks since the end of a controversial pandemic-era immigration policy restricting asylum and swiftly turning away migrants at the southern border. While the number of border crossings has dropped since the policy was lifted, it has left countless migrants stuck in Mexico awaiting court dates and processing amidst harrowing conditions. Amna Nawaz reports.

Debt ceiling negotiations see progress, but still no deal

6m 50s

With the U.S. potentially just one week away from defaulting on its debts, members of Congress are leaving town for the Memorial Day break without a deal. The White House and House Republicans are continuing to negotiate. Lisa Desjardins reports on the latest talks.

Biden picks Gen. Charles Brown Jr. as Joint Chiefs chairman

8m 22s

President Biden named Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown as the nominee to serve as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed, he would replace Gen. Mark Milley as the nation’s highest-ranking military officer. As Stephanie Sy reports, the pick is both strategic and symbolic.

Investigation reveals culture of abuse inside N.Y. prisons

5m 56s

An investigation by the Marshall Project and the New York Times sheds light on an alarming culture of abuse inside New York state prisons. A review of officer disciplinary records found hundreds of incidents of abuse and mistreatment, and a widespread failure to hold guards accountable. Geoff Bennett discussed the report with Alysia Santo of the Marshall Project.

New Minneapolis police chief on changing the department

7m 53s

George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police in Minneapolis three years ago led to a widespread push for police reform and racial justice. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro sat down with the new police chief in Minneapolis to talk about the challenges of the past few years and the department's future.

DeSantis event highlights Musk's transformation of Twitter

6m 29s

Ever since Elon Musk bought Twitter, he’s been clear that he sees his platform as a place for free speech, especially as a space for conservative voices, who he feels have been silenced too often. That was part of the backdrop when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his presidential campaign on Twitter Spaces. Geoff Bennett discussed Musk’s plans and vision for Twitter with Philip Bump.

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