PBS NewsHour - Segments

In our news wrap Wednesday, Pfizer agrees to give the U.S. an additional 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine, President-Elect Biden introduces Miguel Cardona as his nominee for Secretary of Education, the FBI says Iran was behind efforts to incite violence against director Christopher Wray and others, and more than 100 people in Ethiopia died in a new massacre over ethic tensions. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Tennessee has been hit especially hard as of late by the coronavirus. While it's numbers are lower than those in other states, it has had the highest rate of new cases and infections twice this week, and some hospitals are nearing capacity. Stephanie Sy spoke with Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

There is something close to chaos in southeastern England, where thousands of trucks began crawling toward Europe after a full-border closure between the U.K. and the continent due to COVID-19. This comes just eight days before the U.K. leaves the European Union. NewsHour Special Correspondent Ryan Chilcote reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

With much of the United States solidifying its partisan leanings, Maine has stood out for its bipartisan vote. Jeffrey Brown reports on what is different about the state and what it can teach us about the rest of the country. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Americans are living longer, with average life expectancy in the U.S. rising from age 71 in 1970 to age 79 last year, leading many to stay employed far past retirement age. Paul Solman reports on some of the oldest workers of all, and the lessons they can share, as part of our series, "Unfinished Business." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Misty Copeland has been a major star in American cultural life for much of the last decade. As principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, she became the first Black woman to achieve that position in the company's 75 year history. But amid a pandemic shutdown, the graceful steps and powerful moves have all but stopped for her and dancers around the country. Jeffrey Brown reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Members of the U.S. Congress are mostly home for the holidays after approving aid for an economy battered by the pandemic. The mega-deal includes economic relief and a catch-all spending bill to fund the government for the rest of the year, and comes as California is hit hard by the coronavirus. The legislation now awaits President Trump's signature. William Brangham reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

States across the country continue to grapple with the economic fallout of COVID-19 as they plan the rollout of vaccinations. For the view from Michigan, Judy Woodruff spoke with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President-elect Joe Biden spoke Tuesday in Delaware, addressing the pandemic surge and the new relief package ahead of the holiday. White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, who was at the event, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Surprise medical bills occur when a patient goes to a hospital or an emergency room believing their insurance will cover their treatment. But if they get care from someone outside their insurance network they could unexpectedly be charged hundreds or thousands of dollars. A new law passed Monday aims to change those practices. New York Times reporter Sarah Kliff joins William Brangham to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Tuesday, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla is tapped to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the E.U.'s executive body calls for an end to travel bans aimed at confining a new COVID-19 strain in Britain, China imposes new visa limits on unnamed U.S. officials, and the Justice Department sues Walmart for fueling the opioid crisis. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Millions of Americans have been crushed by the pandemic but older workers have faced both an economy with high levels of unemployment and a virus that puts them more at risk than younger people. And once they do lose a job it can be harder to find new ones, with many older workers simply giving up the search. Paul Solman reports as part of our series, "Unfinished Business." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

NewsHour Special Correspondent Malcolm Brabant has covered some of Europe's virus hotspots during the pandemic. But he has not been impacted personally until now. As he explains from his home in Brighton in the south of England, he is currently staying in self-isolation with his wife and son. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It's been about two months since the NBA finished a delayed season that saw its players confined to COVID "bubbles." But with a new season set to begin amid a surging pandemic, the NBA now plans to allow teams to travel and compete in their home stadiums. Michele Roberts, executive director of the NBA Players Association, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The stalemate is over as the nation's lawmakers prepared to vote Monday on measures to provide financial relief during the pandemic, to fund the federal government and to address other key concerns. Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders