PBS NewsHour - Segments

Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on Capitol Hill Tuesday, appearing again before a congressional oversight panel about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Blinken was peppered by both Democrats and Republicans about the Biden White House strategy and planning. Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, is a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and joins Judy Woodruff to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Over the past two decades, tens of thousands of Afghans rose to the occasion and took jobs in the public sector to help their country and their livelihoods. Now that the U.S. has pulled out, many feel abandoned. One particular group who say they feel let down -- former police women -- are now being targeted by the Taliban. Lindsey Hilsum of Independent Television News reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

With just hours left until voting ends in California in the recall election of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newson, Stephanie Sy provides us with an overview of the recall and we check in with Scott Shafer, politics and government editor for public media station KQED in San Francisco, about the latest in the race. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Biden administration has said COVID-19 vaccine boosters may be available to eligible groups a week from now. But that timing is uncertain and scientific advisory committees still need to meet in the next several days. Lisa Desjardins spoke with CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky about the status of boosters and the spread of the virus as part of a special forum hosted by Research America. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Tonight, we begin a three-part look at the production -- and devastating effects -- of the drug fentanyl. Illicit use of the synthetic opioid painkiller has ravaged the United States, with Mexican drug cartels now seeing huge profits. With the support of the Pulitzer Center, from Sinaloa State, in Mexico, special correspondent Monica Villamizar and videographer Zach Fannin report. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Monday, about a million New York City students returned to school Monday, with no option for remote learning in the nation's largest public school district. Tropical Storm Nicholas is headed for landfall in Texas Monday night, with up to 16 inches of rain. President Joe Biden traveled to Idaho and Northern California for a first-hand look at the aftermath of wildfires. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It has been four weeks since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. As the militant group cements control in the absence of U.S. military forces -- restricting the rights of women and minorities -- the lives of millions more afghans lie in the balance. The specter of famine looms, and global efforts to deliver emergency aid accelerated Monday. Foreign affairs correspondent Nick Schifrin reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee released a proposal Monday that helps pay for most of President Biden's $3.5 trillion social spending bill. In addition to raising the corporate tax rate on businesses making $5 million in income, the plan also includes taxes for wealthy individuals. Judy Woodruff discusses with the Chairman of the Budget Committee, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As the U.S. continues inoculating adults and adolescents, questions remain about vaccinating the 48 million kids under the age of 12. With the delta variant raging, almost five times as many children are being hospitalized for COVID-19. The American Academy of Pediatrics has called on the FDA to pick up the pace. William Brangham discusses with Dr. Lee Beers, president of the academy. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Voters in Boston are getting ready for a major shakeup in their city's politics. Tuesday's election in the race for mayor narrows the field to two finalists. One thing won't change -- all the contenders in this nonpartisan election are left of center. But as Jeffrey Brown reports for our "Race Matters" series, the face of leadership looks different this year. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including Democrats' $3.5 trillion social spending bill and California Gov. Gavin Newsom's recall election. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Saturday marked the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. On that day and for weeks after, first responders at the World Trade Center worked to clear rubble and to search for remains. Many were stricken with debilitating illness, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We hear from some of them, as Amna Nawaz reports on the challenges first responders are still facing. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

When the two towers fell and the New York Fire Department rushed in to save victims, Father Mychal Judge, chaplain of the NYFD, entered the burning buildings, too: he prayed in the lobby for victims and first responders. One of the many searing images from 9/11 is Father Judge's body being carried out of the rubble. In remembrance, this animated segment from our partners at StoryCorps is told by his close friend, Father Michael Duffy. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Scientists and forecasters who study the connection between climate change and extreme weather say the rapid rates of sea-level rise are accelerating the frequency and intensity of severe weather events--like hurricanes, heat waves and more. Claudia Tebaldi, Climate Scientist with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, joins to discuss her latest report on the global impacts of rising sea levels. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As the globe marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Taliban formally raised their flag over the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul, officially marking the beginning of their governance in the conflict-torn nation. Several of their key officials are on the U.N.'s terror list and there are several questions about women's rights and the group's relationship with Pakistan. NPR International Correspondent Jackie Northam joins from Islamabad, Pakistan. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders