PBS News Hour - Segments

On Capitol Hill, one of President Trump’s most consequential and controversial nominees made his case for the top job at the Department of Health and Human Services. In his first of two hearings, former environmental lawyer and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. took tough questions from senators as he also faced blistering criticism from his own family. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. faced tough questions over vaccine skepticism and Medicaid reform at his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Wednesday, at least 30 people in India were killed and dozens more injured in a stampede during the world's largest religious gathering, the State Department raised its travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of Congo to its highest level advising Americans not to travel there and former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years for his bribery conviction. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Trump administration has shut down or indefinitely halted most legal avenues for migrants to come to the U.S. The revoked pathways include an end or pause to the CBP One app, humanitarian parole, refugee admissions and protected status for Venezuelans. Laura Barrón-López discussed the impact with Jennifer Babaie of Las Americas and Krish O'Mara Vignarajah of Global Refuge. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed the security detail for former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley. He had security as a former chairman and for his involvement in a 2020 drone strike that killed a top Iranian general. Hegseth also pulled Milley’s security clearance and opened an investigation that could end with demoting Milley in retirement. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Jim McPherson. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

American students continue to struggle in both reading and math, and the gap between the highest and lowest performing kids is widening to historic levels. Data from the Nation’s Report Card shows test scores are still below pre-pandemic numbers. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado and chair of the National Governors Association. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

We continue with our remembrances of the 29 people who died in the fires in Southern California. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office continues its work to identify victims, with some still classified as “unidentified Does.” We remember seven individuals, recently identified by officials, and the legacies they leave behind. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A viral, online phenomenon claims to have further opened the door to human-canine communication. Buttons allow dogs to seemingly talk with their humans, but are all these button enthusiasts barking up the wrong tree? William Brangham and his pup Macy doggedly pursue the truth. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The start of President Donald Trump's second term has been marked by a flurry of executive orders and challenges to his policies in courts. A federal judge ordered a temporary halt on a White House plan to pause funding for all federal grants and loans. The funding freeze was laid out in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget. Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump's sweeping pause of federal grants and loans led to a flurry of confusion and clarifications. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders