PBS NewsHour - Segments

The college admissions scandal that engulfed several Hollywood figures this year has essentially delivered a public indictment of some elite institutions. It has also sparked a larger conversation about admissions, access and inequity throughout American higher education. Paul Tough has written a book about this very topic, titled "The Years that Matter Most," and he joins Amna Nawaz to discuss.

On Thursday night, the top 10 Democratic presidential candidates faced off on a debate stage for the first time, in Houston. The extended debate duration -- three hours instead of two -- enabled longer, more in-depth policy explanations. For the most part, the tone was civil, but Julian Castro's attack on Joe Biden's memory struck some viewers as overly personal and mean. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week's political news, including the third Democratic debate of the 2020 presidential campaign, results of the special congressional election in North Carolina, the departure of John Bolton from the Trump administration and movement toward gun reform legislation.

In our news wrap Thursday, the Trump administration began enforcing a new asylum policy after the Supreme Court allowed it to take effect nationwide. The rule requires migrants who pass through a country other than Mexico before reaching the U.S. to seek asylum there first. Also, the number of people missing in the Bahamas has dropped to 1,300, less than half of what was previously recorded.

On Capitol Hill, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are emphasizing that impeaching President Trump is still a real possibility. In a party line vote, the committee passed a resolution setting rules for future impeachment investigation hearings, with Chair Jerry Nadler vowing to scrutinize presidential behavior that "poses a threat to our democracy." Yamiche Alcindor reports.

Thursday night's debate is the third of the 2020 presidential campaign, but the first in which the 10 Democratic candidates leading most public opinion polls will share a stage. Lisa Desjardins joins Amna Nawaz from Houston to discuss the different format of this debate, what's at stake for the candidates and whether it's the end of the campaign road for candidates who didn't qualify.

On Thursday, a number of American business leaders joined the clamor of voices demanding meaningful legislation to reduce gun violence. CEOs from 145 major U.S. companies sent a letter to senators urging them to expand background checks and implement a "red flag" law. William Brangham talks to Richard Edelman, CEO of the public relations and communications firm Edelman, who signed it.

The war in Syria rages on, with President Bashar al-Assad's regime continuing its onslaught of airstrikes in northwest Idlib province -- the last rebel stronghold. Stephanie Sy reports and talks to retired Gen. Joseph Votel, who until recently oversaw U.S. military operations in the Middle East, about the outlook for a "political solution" in Syria, stability in Afghanistan and the threat of ISIS.

The Federal Election Commission's mandate is to ensure that campaign financing is transparent and election laws are obeyed. Intended to have six members, the agency currently has only three -- and as a result, is unable to pursue the hundreds of election-related enforcement matters before it. Judy Woodruff sits down with the chair of the FEC, Ellen Weintraub, to discuss the current limitations.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China are not expected to ease anytime soon, and in New England, tariffs are clawing away at lobster profits. Lobstering is a $1.5 billion industry that helps keep Maine's economy afloat. But due to China's retaliatory 25 percent tariff on U.S. crustaceans, it's Canada that is gaining the competitive edge. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports.

For everyone old enough to remember September 11th, 2001, their experience of that catastrophic day is seared into memory. But details of what the victims, survivors and emergency responders endured have faded from national consciousness over time. Now, a powerful oral history from Garrett Graff, "The Only Plane in the Sky," offers a lasting reminder of that pivotal moment in American history.

In our news wrap Wednesday, President Trump defended his decision to fire National Security Adviser John Bolton, citing differences over North Korea and Venezuela. Trump also said Bolton "wasn't getting along" with other administration officials. Meanwhile, a court in Scotland has joined the battle over Brexit, ruling that Prime Minister Boris Johnson illegally suspended Parliament.

The American opioid crisis has left a lethal mark. Experts estimate as many as 400,000 people may have died from overdoses and related problems in the past several decades. Now, more than 20 states appear to have reached a comprehensive settlement against Purdue Pharma, maker of opioid OxyContin. Amna Nawaz talks to Connecticut Attorney General William Tong about why he thinks it's not enough.

The 2018 congressional result in North Carolina's 9th District was thrown out because of GOP fraud, prompting a special election just held on Tuesday with a narrow victory by Republican Dan Bishop. The campaign was seen by both parties as a potential signal about voters' mindsets ahead of the 2020 presidential race. Judy Woodruff talks to Steve Harrison, a political reporter for WFAE radio.