The so-called megadrought that is afflicting the American West is the worst in 1,200 years, according to a study published this week. It has dried up water supplies, threatened ranchers and fueled wildfires. Park Williams, the lead author of the study just published in the journal Nature Climate Change, joins William Brangham with more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Scientists have recently discovered what they are calling a silent outbreak of coronavirus among white-tailed deer. William Brangham reports about how one of the most ubiquitous species in North America contracted COVID, and what that means for the future of the pandemic. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Omicron-fueled surge is slowing down in many parts of the U.S., but is still setting records nationally and internationally. While new cases in Russia broke records, many cities around the world are seeing mass protests against vaccine mandates even as countries start easing restrictions. ProPublica's reporter Caroline Chen joins to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Two years since the first lockdown in China, there have been great strides to combat COVID-19, but confusion and questions remain. From vaccinations to testing, to masking and how many days to isolate--there hasn't always been clarity. More collaboration between the CDC and the FDA would help, says Joshua Sharfstein, professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In order to expand testing access and help stop the spread of the omicron variant, the Biden administration announced this week that it would begin distributing millions of COVID-19 tests and masks to Americans for free. Infectious disease epidemiologist Jessica Malaty Rivera joins for more on the rollout of this plan and its potential impact, the latest public health recommendations, and what the future of COVID-19 may hold. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Verizon and AT&T are forging ahead with their plan to switch to new high speed 5G service nationwide -- but with an important exception near U.S. airports and runways. Those exceptions were made Tuesday because of fears that the new technology could interfere with plane technology and potentially impact landings. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien unpacks the details. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Starting Saturday, private insurers are required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home testing kits, while those without insurance can get a free kit from the federal government. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases rose by another 800,000 across the U.S. Hospitals are filling up even as deaths have risen at a slower pace. Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency room physician at Brigham and Women's hospital joins from Boston. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The worst drought in decades is gripping eastern Africa -- parching landscapes, killing livestock and creating a humanitarian crisis. Driven by climate change, it's also leading to civil strife, as shepherding communities battle each other for scarce resources. Special correspondent Jack Hewson and producer Georgina Smith report from the Wajir province of northern Kenya. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The world's most powerful telescope unfurled its final mirror today as it sped away to its final destination one million miles from earth. NASA completed the final step of the Webb telescope's difficult two-week initiation process Saturday, unfolding the final 21-foot piece: its 'golden eye.' NPR science correspondent Joe Palca joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain more about the telescope, its design, and its purpose. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Like Flint before it, Benton Harbor, Michigan, is in the midst of a water crisis. The water flowing through the city's pipes and into homes is not safe to consume because of the risk of lead exposure. There are more than 9,000 residents in this small community, most of them Black. More than 40% of residents live below the poverty line. But while locals wait for a long term solution, many in the Benton Harbor community are stepping up to help, including delivering bottled water door to door. Michael Hill reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders