PBS News Hour - Science

Ticket prices for concerts and live events have skyrocketed, and fans are increasingly frustrated by how complex the process has become. As bots and other AI agents swarm the system and displace real fans, what can be done to protect consumers? Horizons moderator William Brangham explores the Wild West of buying tickets with Brian Shearer and Ben Sisario. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Indonesia is battling its worst wildfires in more than a decade, made worse by El Niño. Many were deliberately set to clear land for farming, including palm oil plantations. More than 12,000 schools across Indonesia have closed because of the toxic haze. Nathaniel Undas, a school principal and photographer, has been documenting the fires on social media. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

America has an epidemic of gun violence that claims over 120 people every day. The country has debated what to do about this for years, but little has changed. Horizons moderator William Brangham explores gun safety and public health with Dr. Sandy McKay and Dr. Joseph Sakran, two experts with prevention ideas they argue every American can get behind. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

When actor Christina Applegate revealed that she had been misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it triggered not only an outpouring of empathy for her, but raised important questions about how often people are told they have the condition when they don't. William Brangham discussed why MS can be so difficult to diagnose with Dr. Michael Kornberg of Johns Hopkins University. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Electric aviation is still in the very early stages of its development. But a number of companies are moving forward with more ambitious plans. In contrast to its approach with other forms of electric transportation, the Trump administration seems willing to embrace a bigger rollout. Aviation correspondent Miles O'Brien reports on the promise and the challenges of the budding industry. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Life-like, humanoid robots have captured our imagination for decades. Now, those robots work in factories and assembly lines all over the world. Will they soon be working in our own homes? Horizons moderator William Brangham explores our robotic future with Aaron Ames of the California Institute of Technology. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Record high temperatures this year forced European wine producers to harvest grapes much earlier than usual. French wineries fear it will lead to the worst season in 30 years. But Nordic newcomers to the world of wine are toasting what they believe will be a vintage harvest, thanks, in no small part, to climate change. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports from Sweden. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For many Arizona voters, the top concern heading into the midterms isn't inflation, immigration or education. It's water. With the state gripped by prolonged drought, candidates are facing growing questions about how to secure its water future. Stephanie Sy reports for our series, Tipping Point. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Everyone wants to keep a sharp mind as they age, especially as dementia cases continue to rise. Now, a growing body of evidence suggests almost half of the key risks for cognitive decline can be prevented or delayed. Horizons moderator William Brangham explores the emerging science that can help protect against dementia with Dr. Jonathan Rosand of the Global Brain Care Coalition. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Hurricane Isaias has strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane as it heads toward the Gulf Coast. Residents are rushing to prepare for the storm, which is packing winds up to 120 mph and is expected to make landfall Friday night. Amna Nawaz speaks with Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Millions along the Gulf Coast are on high alert as Hurricane Isaias gains power and moves closer to land. Isaias is now a Category 2 storm, the first hurricane in the Atlantic basin this year. Forecasters are warning of heavy rain, damaging winds, flooding, storm surge and the possibility of tornadoes. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Thursday, a federal judge extended White House access for three news outlets until a final ruling on President Trump's press ban is reached, the Trump administration is suspending Microsoft from a green card program, accusing the tech giant of abusing the system and Ukraine says a Russian guided bomb killed at least 33 people on public buses in the eastern city of Kramatorsk. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

About 12% of Americans are now taking the blockbuster set of weight-loss medications known as GLP-1s. While their popularity continues to skyrocket, new concerns have emerged around the societal impacts these drugs are having, especially around body image. Stephanie Sy and producers Mike Fritz and Sam Lane have the story for our series, GLP-1s: Reshaping America. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Elon Musk remains one of the more powerful and controversial figures in business, science, tech and politics. He played a central role in the early days of the second Trump administration. Now, a new documentary is chronicling Musk's rise to power and embrace of right-wing politics. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As AI continues to reshape arts and entertainment, it's also creating a new type of producers and content providers. A Silicon Valley start-up founded by a YouTube co-founder could change video storytelling as dramatically as he changed video distribution. Special correspondent Mike Cerre reports for our arts & culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Wednesday, Christa Pike's lawyers say she is "angry and confused" after regaining consciousness following her botched execution, a congressional candidate in Arizona says she was raped while trying to repair campaign signs and Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to strengthen into the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A growing body of evidence suggests that GLP-1 drugs are not only helping millions with their diabetes and weight loss, but they're also proving effective at curbing people's desire for drugs and alcohol. William Brangham reports on the researchers who are testing whether these medications can help tackle the country's addiction crisis. It's part of our series, GLP-1s: Reshaping America. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Despite some recent improvements, millions of Americans still face significant barriers in affording GLP-1s. At the same time, many patients have found alternative, cheaper paths to get their hands on unregulated versions. Stephanie Sy reports for our series, GLP-1s: Reshaping America. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Supreme Court justices heard arguments in a major climate change case that could shape how communities hold industries accountable. Officials in Boulder, Colorado, are seeking compensation from energy companies for the costs of natural disasters they say are caused by climate change. Ali Rogin discussed more with News Hour Supreme Court analyst and SCOTUSBlog cofounder Amy Howe. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The U.S. is closely monitoring a potential case of pneumonic plague in Russia after a laboratory worker who studied the disease fell ill and died. Russian authorities insist there is no cause for alarm, but officials have imposed quarantines and other measures at several medical facilities in Siberia. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Annie Jacobsen, author of "Biological War: A Scenario." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy