POPULARITY
Saturday on PBS News Weekend, smoke from raging Canadian wildfires drifts into the U.S. and triggers air quality warnings across the upper Midwest, a look at how lawmakers across the country are trying to rein in citizen-led ballot initiatives and we follow a group of rehabilitated seals making their way back into the sea off the coast of Rhode Island. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Friday on the News Hour, Elon Musk steps down from his official White House role after overseeing a drastic slashing of federal spending and jobs. Mississippi's governor discusses how the Trump administration is affecting states, including after natural disasters. Plus, a Harvard professor who has not shied away from criticizing the university speaks out against President Trump's latest attacks. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Thursday on the News Hour, an appeals court allows the Trump administration's tariffs to stay in place for now as the legal back and forth causes more uncertainty for businesses. The U.S. proposes a new deal to pause the war in Gaza and release the rest of the hostages. Plus, we speak with the head of the FDA about recent changes to COVID vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including Elon Musk's legacy as his time in the White House comes to an end, members of Congress facing more pushback from voters over the Trump agenda, the president's controversial pardons and Russia's attacks on Ukraine intensifying. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Wednesday on the News Hour, the U.S. pauses student visa interviews and promises additional social media vetting, causing more disruptions for colleges and universities. The CDC's abrupt changes to COVID vaccine recommendations spark concerns among some health professionals. Plus, the site of America's worst nuclear accident gets another chance to become a power hub. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the CDC would drop the COVID vaccines from its list of recommended shots for pregnant women and children. That decision and other recent changes under Kennedy are leading to major worries and unease among medical and public health groups. Ali Rogin discussed more with Dr. Richard Besser. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In our news wrap Wednesday, Germany's chancellor offered to help Ukraine build long-range missile systems that could strike deep into Russia, a judge ordered the release of a Russian-born scientist and Harvard researcher saying she was unlawfully held by immigration authorities, the White House says President Trump issued a full pardon for former Congressman Michael Grimm. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The U.S. is pausing new student and exchange visitor visa interviews while it looks to expand screening of applicants' social media posts, according to a State Department cable obtained by the News Hour. It's part of a crackdown on immigration and higher education by the Trump administration. Amna Nawaz has views on the effort from Simon Hankinson of the Heritage Foundation and Fanta Aw of NAFSA. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
After World War II, nuclear power was heralded as the future of energy. Then the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 marked a turning point and solidified opposition. In two decades, a dozen U.S. reactors have closed and only three have come online. But the site of America’s worst nuclear accident may now be the site of its rebirth. William Brangham reports for our series, Tipping Point. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
As Republicans work to advance a massive bill containing much of President Trump’s domestic agenda, one of the central flashpoints is its potential cuts to Medicaid. Geoff Bennett discussed the impact on healthcare access for millions of lower-income Americans, the elderly and people with disabilities with Jennifer Tolbert, deputy director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at KFF. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
This week, Trump Media and Technology Group announced it is selling shares and bonds to raise $2.5 billion to create a "Bitcoin treasury.” It marks the Trump family’s latest addition to their cryptocurrency empire. Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, run the family’s multiple crypto ventures and spoke at the world’s largest Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas. Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The violin has a storied place in so much of European classical music. But sometime in the 17th century, it began to intrigue maestros from a very different and ancient music tradition. Fred de Sam Lazaro has the story of one American violinist who sought to explore what’s become known as the Carnatic violin. It's for our arts and cultures series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Monday on the News Hour, Russia escalates its assault on Ukraine, drawing criticism from President Trump and complicating U.S. efforts to broker a peace deal. We hear from Democratic candidates who are launching primary bids in hopes of charting a new path forward for a party in disarray. Plus, major charity organizations face an uncertain future after the Trump administration halted foreign aid. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Tuesday on the News Hour, a new group distributing aid in Gaza comes under scrutiny. President Trump pardons a tax offender after his mother attended a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago. Plus, an online university rethinks the college experience by offering students around the world an inexpensive education. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The new aid distribution system in Gaza was quickly overwhelmed by Palestinians who for 11 weeks have been blocked from assistance. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the U.S. and Israel, says the old UN-led system allowed Hamas to flourish. But humanitarian groups say the new system is incapable of alleviating the suffering of Gazans. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Ciarán Donnelly. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
It’s been 100 years since Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and 60 years since he was assassinated. His expansive legacy is the focus of a new book written by journalist Mark Whitaker. He sat down with Amna Nawaz to discuss "The Afterlife of Malcolm X: An Outcast Turned Icon's Enduring Impact on America." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Ensuring the safety of federal judges falls to the U.S. Marshals Service, an agency within the Justice Department. But as President Trump increasingly lashes out at the courts, empowering judges to oversee their own dedicated security force is an idea that is gaining traction. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Jeremy Fogel of the Berkeley Judicial Institute at the UC Berkeley School of Law. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
NPR and three Colorado public radio stations filed suit against the Trump administration in federal court over his executive order targeting funding for NPR, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The lawsuit contends Trump's order is a violation of the First Amendment. Geoff Bennett discussed more with NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In his second term, President Trump has moved to pardon many who are considered to be loyal to him, from local Republican officials convicted of fraud to Jan. 6 rioters. The New York Times reported that Trump pardoned a Florida businessman convicted of tax evasion after his mother attended a million dollar per-plate fundraising dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Liz Oyer. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In our news wrap Tuesday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the CDC will no longer recommend COVID vaccines for 'healthy' children and pregnant women, the Trump administration is directing federal agencies to cancel all remaining contracts with Harvard, King Charles opened Canada's parliament amid threats from Trump and stocks jumped as investors reacted to Trump's delay of EU tariffs. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The cost of a college education has been under scrutiny amid crippling levels of student debt. That's also true in some cases for online degrees of dubious quality and outcomes. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on an effort to create an accessible, affordable and global university that's getting attention as an online alternative. It's part of our series, Rethinking College. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Young Democratic candidates are launching primary bids for national office in hopes of charting a new path forward for a party in disarray. We hear from three of those candidates, Mallory McMorrow, Jake Rakov and Kat Abughazaleh, about what they think the Democratic Party needs to do to win. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In the past week, 30 Ukrainians have died and more than 163 others injured as Russia escalated its bombing campaign amid U.S. efforts to end the war. It prompted President Trump to lash out at not only Russian President Putin, but also Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with retired Army Col. Robert Hamilton of the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Eurasia Program. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
On this Memorial Day, we turn to the life and legacy of Yukio Kawamoto. The Japanese-American World War II veteran served his country under almost unthinkable circumstances and then spent a lifetime building bridges between the two cultures he called his own. Amna Nawaz has the story for our ongoing series, Race Matters. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
A new book delves deep into the rise and fall of the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group and its close ties to Vladimir Putin. Nick Schifrin sat down with Candace Rondeaux, author of "Putin's Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia’s Collapse into Mercenary Chaos." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
One of the first major policy decisions of the second Trump administration was a significant change in spending on foreign aid. That eventually included effectively dissolving the U.S. Agency for International Development, the primary organization that distributed those funds. Deema Zein reports on how one major recipient of USAID funding is grappling with the impact. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Jasmine Wright of NOTUS join Laura Barrón-López to discuss the latest political news, including lawmakers hearing from constituents about President Trump’s big domestic policy bill passed by House Republicans, the president's attacks on the judiciary and young Democrats running for office. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In our news wrap Monday, police arrested a British man after he drove into a crowd of fans in Liverpool as they celebrated their team's Premier League championship, health officials in Gaza say the latest round of Israeli airstrikes killed at least 52 people and President Trump says he's pardoning a former Virginia sheriff who was convicted of federal bribery charges. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Jasmine Wright of NOTUS join Laura Barrón-López to discuss the latest political news, including lawmakers hearing from constituents about President Trump’s big domestic policy bill passed by House Republicans, the president's attacks on the judiciary and young Democrats running for office. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Sunday on PBS News Weekend, five years after the murder of George Floyd, his family’s fight for racial justice and police reform goes on. The environmental impact of data centers at the heart of the AI industry. Tensions in the South China Sea mount as Chinese and Philippine vessels clash in disputed waters. Plus, an endurance swimmer tries to change perceptions about sharks 50 years after “Jaws.” PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Nearly a quarter of global maritime trade goes through the South China Sea. In recent years, it’s become the site of clashes between Chinese coast guard ships and Philippine vessels as Beijing tries to exert its claim to virtually the entire sea despite international law. John Yang speaks with Andrew Chubb, Asia Society fellow and senior lecturer at Lancaster University, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Sharks have been cast as the ultimate villain ever since the movie “Jaws” was released 50 years ago this summer. The film tells the story of a great white shark terrorizing beachgoers, but in reality, humans pose the greater threat to sharks. Ali Rogin speaks with endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh, who wants to get that message out by swimming around Martha’s Vineyard, where “Jaws” was filmed. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Five years ago today, George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police. Video of the event sent shockwaves around the world and triggered an American reckoning with racial justice and police use of force. For our ongoing series “Race Matters,” John Yang speaks with Selwyn Jones, Floyd’s uncle and co-founder of Justice 929, about his family’s continued fight for civil rights and police reform. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The EPA has reportedly drafted a plan to eliminate all limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, according to documents obtained by The New York Times. Now, with the rise of artificial intelligence technology, demand on power plants is increasing, in large part due to AI’s reliance on data centers. Ali Rogin speaks with Kenza Bryan, climate reporter for The Financial Times, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In our news wrap Sunday, Poland scrambled its air defenses as Russia conducted an aerial assault on neighboring Ukraine, Israel continued making deadly airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, Elon Musk signaled he may be easing out of his role in efforts to slash government spending under Trump, and Memorial Day preparations are underway at Arlington National Cemetery. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Saturday on PBS News Weekend, what billions of dollars in proposed Medicaid cuts could mean for the millions of Americans who are caregivers for loved ones. Then, a new nationwide study finds a link between pre-teens’ use of social media and symptoms of depression. Plus, how some cities are taxing sodas and other sugary drinks in an effort to boost public health. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Experts say drinking a lot of sweetened beverages can lead to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. This week, the federal government reversed decades of policy and allowed states to ban the use of food stamps to buy soda and other sweetened drinks. In addition, a handful of cities have put taxes on them over strong objections from the beverage industry. John Yang reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have found a link between use of social media by pre-teens and future depression. The study, published this week in the American Medical Association’s journal JAMA, said more time spent on social media “may contribute to increased depressive symptoms over time.” Ali Rogin speaks with lead researcher Dr. Jason Nagata to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In our news wrap Saturday, Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners hours after a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv, dozens of staff members have been removed from Trump’s National Security Council, the U.S. measles outbreak passed 1,000 confirmed cases, tennis star Novak Djokovic won his 100th career singles title, and a wildlife center is going to great lengths to help a bear cub. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
House Republicans narrowly passed the multitrillion-dollar bill advancing Trump’s domestic agenda, and Senate Republicans are preparing for the battles ahead when they consider the measure next month. One item that’s sure to be debated is the House bill’s massive cuts to Medicaid. Jason Resendez of the National Alliance for Caregiving joins John Yang to discuss what those cuts could mean. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Friday on the News Hour, Harvard sues after the Trump administration tries to ban the university from enrolling international students. Cryptocurrency investors spend millions for a seat at the table with the president in a private dinner that's fueling concerns about Trump profiting from the presidency. Plus, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine explains why she resigned. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including House Republicans pass President Trump's budget plan, the administration’s latest move against Harvard University and Trump's meeting with South Africa's president. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In our news wrap Friday, President Trump says he's recommending a 50 percent tariff on all imports from the European Union starting June 1st and a 25 percent tariff on iPhones unless they are made in America, Gaza health officials say Israeli airstrikes killed at least 60 people and Billy Joel is canceling all of his upcoming concerts after being diagnosed with a brain disorder. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s move to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students. Harvard has been at the center of the administration’s battle over higher education. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Laura Meckler of The Washington Post for our series, Rethinking College. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Dawn Staley is a woman of many titles: five-time WNBA all-star, Olympic gold medalist, head coach and now an author. In her first book, Staley reflects on the lessons that made her who she is today. Amna Nawaz spoke with Staley about her love of basketball and her new memoir, "Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
President Trump hosted a gathering on Thursday with the highest-paying customers of his personal cryptocurrency business, sparking bipartisan concerns that he's selling access to the presidency for personal profit. Geoff Bennett discussed the event with Eric Lipton, who covers the intersection of the presidency and Trump’s business interests for The New York Times. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
This week's prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine was the largest since the war’s onset. But skepticism of a lasting truce, and President Trump’s peace-making, remains. Bridget Brink resigned as ambassador to Ukraine in April, faulting the Trump administration’s Ukraine policy. Brink joined Amna Nawaz to discuss the war and her resignation. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
For many people, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer. But along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, it also means the start of hurricane season is nearly here. This particular hurricane season comes at a moment when NOAA and its agencies are being cut and facing their own turmoil. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including House Republicans pass President Trump's budget plan, the administration’s latest move against Harvard University and Trump's meeting with South Africa's president. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Thursday on the News Hour, we speak with Israel's ambassador to the U.S. about the killing of two staffers from the Israeli embassy in Washington. House Republicans pass President Trump's budget bill but the legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate. Plus, an exclusive interview with the Georgetown University researcher who was released after two months in immigration detention. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders