PBS News Hour - Segments

The birth control pill is one of the most common forms of contraception in the U.S. But in recent years, claims of side effects of the pill have filled social media platforms, often fueled by influencers promoting misinformation. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports on the science behind birth control for our series, The Next Frontier. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It’s been a successful few months for 40-year-old writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and his play, “Purpose,” which won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown spoke with him recently at Broadway’s Hayes Theater for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It is a pivotal moment in Ukraine as Kyiv announced it will hold another round of peace talks with Russia on Wednesday. It's the first such meeting in seven weeks and comes as NATO leaders try to answer Ukraine’s desperate call for more weapons after Moscow launched one of its largest-ever aerial assaults. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Monday, a judge seemed receptive to Harvard's arguments that the Trump administration illegally cut $2.6 billion in funding to the school, a second suspect has been arrested in the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Protection officer in New York and the FAA said it's investigating a close-call over North Dakota involving a military aircraft and a passenger jet. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump’s new tax and spending law brings sweeping changes to the federal student loan system, affecting both current and future borrowers. Nearly half a million borrowers could see their payments spike after the Department of Education scrapped most existing repayment plans. For a breakdown of what it all means, Geoff Bennett spoke with NPR education correspondent Cory Turner. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Texas lawmakers convened for a special session and one agenda item was added at the request of President Trump. He's pushing the Republican-controlled legislature to redraw congressional district lines in their favor ahead of the 2026 midterms. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Beto O’Rourke, the former Democratic congressman from El Paso. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including the politics of redistricting and how Democrats can gain House seats from Republicans, the public response to President Trump's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and what Trump views as his signature achievements. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Earlier this year, the Trump administration scrubbed CDC guidance on birth control from government websites and froze $65 million in funding to family planning clinics that provide free or low-cost contraception. The moves are seen as part of an effort to curtail reproductive rights. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports for our series, The Next Frontier. PBS News 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. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown has answers to that question from two of our regulars, Ann Patchett and Maureen Corrigan. It's for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

There are signs that Israel is preparing to expand ground operations into an area of central Gaza that has been a relatively safe refuge for displaced Palestinians and humanitarian aid groups. While the Israeli military issued evacuation orders, at least 85 more Palestinians were reportedly killed while seeking food aid. John Yang speaks with The Wall Street Journal’s Sudarsan Raghavan for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders