PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch Latest: S2025 E18

26m 45s

Biden awards Medal of Freedom to 19 at White House

2m 24s

President Biden bestowed 19 individuals with the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The recipients hail from nearly all corners of American life, actors, astronauts, activists like Opal Lee and athletes like Katie Ledecky. At the White House, Biden called them all the "pinnacle of leadership in their fields."

Book explores how ordinary people can be heroes of democracy

8m 31s

Eddie Glaude Jr. has a call to action for everyday Americans to reclaim their political destinies from the heroes of our past and present. He argues it's needed to secure a just and democratic future for America and makes the case in his new book, “We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For." Glaude joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more.

How young Michigan voters feel about the upcoming election

9m 48s

Young people between the ages of 18 and 29 make up roughly 20 percent of eligible voters. A majority of them voted for President Biden in 2020 and are typically a reliable vote for Democrats. In Michigan, NewsHour sat down with four young voters to talk about the election. Most of them plan to vote in November but they aren’t enthusiastic about their options. Laura Barrón-López reports.

Analyzing the consequential Supreme Court term

7m 57s

The Supreme Court wrapped up oral arguments and has now turned to rolling out decisions in some of the most consequential cases of the year. Those decisions will shape policies nationwide on divisive issues like homelessness and reproductive rights, and some of them could affect the presidential election. John Yang discussed more with NewsHour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle and Joan Biskupic.

Testimony in Trump trial continues after gag order hearing

4m 8s

On the stand Thursday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial was Los Angeles lawyer Keith Davidson. He negotiated both the Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal hush money agreements at the center of the case against the former president. William Brangham was in the courthouse and breaks down the latest.

Niece of American held in Gaza on efforts to bring him home

6m 39s

Among the more than 100 hostages still held captive by Hamas in Gaza are five American captives believed to be alive and the bodies of three Americans confirmed dead. Israeli American Keith Siegel has been missing from his home in southern Israel since October. Amna Nawaz spoke with his niece, Hanna Siegel, about the status of hostage negotiations and the relentless work to bring them home.

Biden condemns violence as some college protests escalate

9m 7s

While many protests on college campuses have been peaceful and many of the arrested are not students, this week has seen a series of escalating confrontations, occupations and shutdowns. That led President Biden to condemn violence and disorder following the latest developments at UCLA. Geoff Bennett discussed the largely peaceful encampment at Wesleyan University with President Michael S. Roth.

Violence erupts at UCLA as campus protests intensify

3m 30s

There were more arrests Wednesday at college campuses after demonstrations led to heated confrontations between protesters and law enforcement. The decision by college officials to call in police and when to do so has been debated in several states. Arrests played out dramatically on television in both New York and Los Angeles, but they are by no means the only ones. Amna Nawaz reports.

U.S. Indo-Pacific commander urges action to counter China

9m 42s

The Biden administration calls the People’s Republic of China the only country with the will, intent and military strength to change the world order. The U.S. military officer responsible for China and the vast area from Hawaii to India is stepping down this week after three years and a 40-year career. Nick Schifrin spoke with Adm. John Aquilino in Honolulu.

Mammograms should start at 40, task force recommends

6m 56s

A key scientific panel updated its recommendations on breast cancer screenings and the changes could potentially save thousands of lives. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that all women start getting biennial mammograms at age 40. The previous guidelines started at age 50. Ali Rogin discussed more with Dr. Wanda Nicholson.

Trump reveals how he would govern in second term

8m 12s

We have learned more this week about how former President Trump would govern if reelected. Wednesday in Wisconsin, he again pledged to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. And a wide-ranging interview with Time magazine sparked headlines with some of his most strident words yet about what he would do in a second term. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Agriculture school creates new approach to help feed Africa

8m 14s

Africa faces challenges as varied as its vast landmass. But one that’s shared by all 54 countries is how to feed a population of 1.2 billion that’s expected to double by 2050. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on one attempt to build a foundation. It's part of his series, Agents for Change.

How colleges decide when to call in police amid protests

7m 22s

Hundreds of protestors have been arrested across the country as demonstrations against the war in Gaza intensify on college campuses. For a closer look at when and how police are involved in these protests, Amna Nawaz spoke with Frederick Lawrence, a distinguished lecturer at Georgetown University Law Center and Ed Davis, former commissioner of the Boston Police Department.

State plans must cover transgender care, federal court rules

6m 24s

A groundbreaking ruling by a federal appeals court ensures gender-affirming surgery is covered by state-run health insurance programs. The decision ordered the plans to “reinstate coverage for medically necessary services for the treatment of gender dysphoria.” It’s a win for the trans community, but it may not be the final word on the issue. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Selena Simmons-Duffin.

Columbia protest escalates with students occupying building

3m 57s

Protests took a dramatic turn at Columbia University overnight when some pro-Palestinian students occupied a building on campus. In California, police arrested 25 protesters at California State Polytechnic University who had taken over a building for about a week and shut down the campus. A similar occupation was in its third day at Portland State University. Geoff Bennett reports.

University connecting doctors to remote African communities

8m 39s

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about 25 percent of all disease in the world, yet it has just three percent of the healthcare workforce. There are not enough medical and nursing schools and many of the continent’s graduates are recruited to wealthier countries. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on one effort to educate African providers who will stay and serve. It's part of his series, Agents for Change.

Why many universities are rejecting protester calls for divestment from Israel

6m 22s

A key issue at these college protests against the war in Gaza is the demand for schools to divest from Israel. Monday, we heard a perspective arguing how universities can do that more readily. Now, Geoff Bennett has a different take from Chris Marsicano. He studies higher education finance and is an assistant professor of education studies at Davidson College.

Israeli, Palestinian singers hope for peace and justice

9m 8s

Amid the ongoing trauma in Israel and Gaza, the Jerusalem Youth Chorus is trying to do what few others seem able to these days: see each other as people and enjoy each other through a love of music. Jeffrey Brown spent a day with the group composed of Israeli and Palestinian singers for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Student journalists discuss covering campus protests

9m 42s

Student protests over Israel’s war in Gaza and U.S. involvement continue across campuses nationwide. Even as the school year comes to an end, administrators are struggling with how to respond. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Spencer Friedland of the Emory Wheel, Aarya Mukherjee of the Daily Californian at UC-Berkeley and Neil Mehta of the Brown Daily Herald.

Colleges face challenge with demands for Israeli divestment

8m 9s

Protests show no signs of letting up and universities are handling their respective situations differently. Columbia University warned of mass temporary suspensions, state troopers were called in at Texas and nearly 300 people were arrested at other schools over the weekend. Geoff Bennett has perspectives from student protesters and discusses their demands of divestment with Charlie Eaton.

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