PBS NewsHour - Segments

Jane Willenbring is a geologist who solves problems related to the earth's surface. In 2020, she was featured in a NOVA documentary called "Picture a Scientist." She and two other women shared their experiences in the sciences, ranging from brutal harassment to years of subtle slights. Tonight, she gives her Brief But Spectacular take on making science more diverse, equitable and open to all. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Roughly 2.7 million civilians working for the federal government now have a big choice to make about COVID-19 shots as President Joe Biden moves to require federal workers get vaccinated or face regular testing. That decision, and the return to the recommendation for Americans to wear face masks indoors, is causing a deep divide across the country, and in Congress. Yamiche Alcindor reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Judy Woodruff discusses the latest on COVID-19's spread in the U.S. -- which is surging thanks to the delta variant -- and how incentives for those who are unvaccinated and anti-maskers will affect the situation with Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and a member of the Food and Drug Administration's vaccine advisory board. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The frustration over masking mandates that has been playing out around the country erupted in Missouri Tuesday night during a county council meeting that focused on the new mask mandates issued just the day before. Dr. Faisal Khan, the acting director of the St Louis County Health Department called to testify during that meeting, faced racial slurs, verbal attacks and even physical intimidation. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Thursday, the U.S. Congress gave final approval today to $2 billion in emergency spending for Capitol security. The Biden administration will allow a nationwide ban on evictions imposed during the pandemic to expire Saturday. The U.S. Commerce Department said economic growth reached an annual rate of 6.5% in the year's second quarter. On wall street, stocks managed modest gains. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The congressional committee investigating the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol is embroiled in a new partisan firestorm over which Republican members can serve on it. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has the final say over its members and announced Wednesday she would reject two of the five members -- Reps. Jim Jordan and Jim Banks -- suggested by Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Wednesday, Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked debate on a bipartisan infrastructure plan, leaving the bill -- worth $1.2 trillion -- unfinished. The Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon grew to half the size of Rhode Island. The Biden administration agreed to a plan for finishing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Europe. The list of COVID positive Olympics athletes grew. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. life expectancy has fallen by a year and a half, the largest one-year decline since World War II. Black and Hispanic Americans were hit the hardest, dropping by almost 3 years. As the delta variant spreads and officials paint a sobering picture for Americans, especially those unvaccinated, John Yang discusses concerns with Georgetown University's Dr. Ranit Mishori. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The consequences of extreme weather are evident and unmistakable. Scientists say human-caused climate change is making these events more frequent and severe. Miles O'Brien looks at a pivotal upcoming moment in addressing the climate crisis with Alok Sharma, president of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference. It's part of our collaboration with "Covering Climate Now." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

After more than two years of negotiations, a number of states agreed to a $26 billion settlement with three large drug distributors and Johnson & Johnson for their roles in the opioids epidemic. Half a million deaths over two decades are attributed to opioids and fatal overdoses. William Brangham discusses the settlement with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who worked on this agreement. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Estimates show that over five million children in the U.S. have had an incarcerated parent. As the number of women in American prison soars, little is known about the impact on children they leave behind. Amna Nawaz went to Texas to meet the children and report on how an organization, Girls Embracing Mothers, is connecting girls and their mothers. It's part of our "Searching for Justice" series. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

With summer in full swing, you may be wondering what books to take along on vacation -- or enjoy right at home. Jeffrey Brown talks with two writers who have answers to that question. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The city of Milwaukee is celebrating its first national basketball championship in 50 years. It's a delirious moment for a city and a smaller-market team that once won with the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. Fans are cheering the team and its new superstar leader Giannis Antetokounmpo -- the seventh player in NBA history to score 50 or more points in a final. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Tuesday, new COVID-19 infections in the U.S. are still building -- up 200% in two weeks. Vaccinated staffers in both the White House and in Congress have tested positive. China has rejected U.S. Accusations that it was behind the hack of Microsoft Exchange email system. Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein -- now a convicted rapist -- was extradited from New York to California. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

More than 80 large fires are burning in 13 states across the U.S. currently, impacting nearly 1.3 million acres. One of the worst remains in Southern Oregon -- the Bootleg Fire. It has been burning for two weeks and has already scorched an area a third of the size of Rhode Island. Carrie Bilbao with the National Interagency Fire Center joins William Brangham with the latest on the fires. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders