Social Issues 2009 Archive | PBS NewsHour

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SOCIAL ISSUES


	2009 DECEMBER Dec. 29, 2009 Psychiatric Demands Jump as India Battles Mental Illness Mark Scheffler of GlobalPost looks at the ailing profession of psychiatry in India, where only a handful of doctors are equipped to handle the increasing demands of mental health there.

	Dec. 29, 2009 In Mexico, a Plan to Beat Poverty With Health Care and Education In the next installment of his series on Mexico, Ray Suarez examines how the government is lifting people out of poverty and inspiring nations throughout the world to do the same.

	Dec. 22, 2009 Effort to Reform D.C. Schools Stirs Fierce Pushback John Merrow reports on the controversial steps D.C. schools chief Michelle Rhee is using to shake up the city's school system, including closing 23 schools by 2010.

	Dec. 21, 2009 D.C. Schools Chief Rhee Faces High Hopes for Reform As part of a series of reports on how educators are attempting to reform urban schools, education correspondent John Merrow reported in 2007 on the efforts of Washington, D.C., school chancellor Michelle Rhee to turn around the city's troubled school system.

	Dec. 17, 2009 In India, Battling Global Warming One Stove at a Time Special correspondent Fred De Sam Lazaro looks at reducing black carbon emissions in North India, where the simple act of cooking can be dangerous for the environment and lung health.

	Dec. 15, 2009 Who Should Get Vaccinated, How Bad Will the H1N1 Pandemic Get, What's Ahead? CDC flu head Dr. Anne Schuchat and flu expert Dr. Michael Osterholm answered your questions about the H1N1 pandemic.

	Dec. 15, 2009 Nicaraguans Seek Better Life Across the Border Because of extreme poverty and lack of jobs, Nicaraguans in greater numbers are heading to Costa Rica and Mexico. Director General of the International Organization for Migration William Lacy Swing describes the impetus for their move and how the IOM is trying to address the situation.

	Dec. 11, 2009 Study on Hispanics Presents Complex Picture of a Growing Demographic The NewsHour's Judy Woodruff spoke with Mark Hugo Lopez, associate director of the Pew Hispanic Research Center about their Pew's new study on Hispanics in America.

	Dec. 10, 2009 Patchwork Nation: In One Boom Town, 'Simple Supper' Offers Community Relief As the recession has dragged on in Eagle, Colo., a church dinner has provided relief to dozens of local residents hard hit by the economy's slide.

	Dec. 10, 2009 School Opens Doors with Second Language Learners in Focus The New America School in Eagle County, Colo., opened three years ago to educate the area's Latino high school students.

	Dec. 9, 2009 Climate Change and Food Security Two food security experts explain how climate change and food security connect, and what needs to be done to prepare for climate changes.

	Dec. 7, 2009 Patchwork Nation: The 'Cities' of Philadelphia As part of the kick-off to a series this week on the PBS NewsHour examining the communities of Patchwork Nation, project director Dante Chinni takes viewers on a drive down Germantown Ave., revealing the many "cities" that make up Philadelphia.

	Dec. 4, 2009 Young Voters a Complex and Growing Force In the 2008 presidential election that sent Barack Obama to the White House, younger voters challenged the conventional wisdom that young people are too fickle, immature or uninformed to vote.

	Dec. 4, 2009 For Singles, Job Losses Hit Twice as Hard When it comes to job losses, the economy's slide has been twice as painful for singles as it has for married adults.



	NOVEMBER Nov. 27, 2009 'Black Friday' Has New Tone Amid Recession Kwame Holman has a look at how consumers are changing their shopping habits during this year's Black Friday because of the financial crisis.

	Nov. 26, 2009 How Will Proposed Health Care Overhaul Affect Patients? Ray Suarez sits down with medical experts to talk about possible changes to the U.S. health care system as Congress prepares to vote on a major overhaul.

	Nov. 26, 2009 Barbara Kingsolver Discusses Eating Locally As many of us sit down today for a Thanksgiving meal with friends and family, we thought you might enjoy the short clip below. In it, Jeffrey Brown talks to writer Barbara Kingsolver about the sustainable food movement.

	Nov. 24, 2009 Report: 23% of Mortgaged Homes 'Underwater' The number of U.S. homes worth less than the mortgages owed on them reached 10.7 million, or 23 percent of all mortgaged homes, in the third quarter, according to a new report.

	Nov. 24, 2009 Phillip Hoose, National Book Award Winner for Young People's Literature Art Beat talks to Phillip Hoose, who last week won the National Book Award for young people's literature for "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice."

	Nov. 17, 2009 USDA: 1 in 7 U.S. Households Struggle for Food At some point in 2008, 14.6 percent of U.S. households had trouble finding food, a 3.5 percent increase from 2007 and the highest since the USDA has kept records.

	Nov. 17, 2009 More Americans Facing Hunger, Report Finds A new report found that almost 15 percent of U.S. households had trouble finding enough food in 2008. Jeffrey Brown speaks with experts for more.

	Nov. 17, 2009 In China, a Struggle for Rights, but Hope for Future Jim Lehrer speaks with a human rights activist and a China expert about the state of the struggle for human rights in China.

	Nov. 16, 2009 Weekly Poem: 'Storm' Kwame Dawes is director of the South Carolina Poetry Initiative and the University of South Carolina Arts Institute, where he also teaches as distinguished poet in residence.

	Nov. 12, 2009 White House Nominates New Leader to Revive USAID The White House has named its USAID head nominee, after 10 months of a leadership vacuum that prompted public statements of frustration from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

	Nov. 11, 2009 Exclusive \| Ray Suarez: My Post-9/11 Interview With Anwar al-Awlaki Editor's note: After the shooting at Fort Hood, suspected gunman Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's relationship with Imam Anwar al-Awlaki-- believed to now be in Yemen -- has been the focus of much attention. Ray Suarez recalls a 2001 interview with him.

	Nov. 10, 2009 Iraqi Refugees Discover Security Comes at a Price Nearly 32,000 Iraqi refugees have come to the United States over the past three years to escape violence and political uncertainty. But as Jeffrey Kaye reports, more refugees are learning that personal safety often comes at the cost of economic security.

	Nov. 10, 2009 Suspect's 'Radical' Views Examined in Fort Hood Investigation Gwen Ifill speaks with two reporters about the ongoing investigation into last week's attack at Fort Hood, including new revelations that the alleged shooter had ties to a radical cleric in Yemen known for his anti-American teachings.

	Nov. 9, 2009 Supreme Court Hears High-Profile Cases on Juvenile Sentencing The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday about whether giving juveniles life sentences with no chance of parole for non-homicide crimes qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment.

	Nov. 6, 2009 Freelancers Struggle As Unemployment Worsens in U.S. As part of his Making Sen$e series on the financial crisis, Paul Solman looks at how freelancers are faring in the declining job market.

	Nov. 6, 2009 Germany's First Concentration Camp Sachsenhausen Memorial, located about an hour's drive north of Berlin, holds the remnants of Germany's first large concentration camp. Sascha Klepzig, a German student, takes groups through the tree-lined site.

	Nov. 4, 2009 Maine Gay Marriage Repeal Draws Mixed Reaction Voters in Maine on Tuesday dealt another defeat to gay-rights advocates after voting to repeal a new state law allowing same-sex marriage.



	OCTOBER Oct. 29, 2009 House Health Care Bill Features Public Option Compromise House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled an $894 billion health care reform bill Thursday that would expand insurance coverage to as many as 36 million people. In a nod to moderates, the plan includes a public option in which rates are negotiated with doctors and hospitals. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

	Oct. 29, 2009 U.S. Economy Rebounds 3.5% in Third Quarter The U.S. economy expanded at a 3.5 percent annual pace from July to September, according to Commerce Department figures released Thursday, in a signal that the worst recession since the 1930s may be easing.

	Oct. 28, 2009 Other News: Obama Expands Hate Crimes Law In other news, President Obama signed an expansion of the federal hate crimes law, and new home sales fell unexpectedly by 3.6 percent in September.

	Oct. 28, 2009 New Strategies Considered to Curb U.S.-Mexico Drug Trade The U.S. dealt a "significant blow" to one of Mexico's most infamous drug cartels last week after a 19-state drug raid resulted in 300 arrests and millions of dollars in confiscated money. This comes on the heels of new drug policy talks.

	Oct. 28, 2009 Obama Signs Measure to Widen Hate Crimes Law In the first expansion of a federal hate crimes law since 1968, President Barack Obama signed a bill Wednesday that extends hate crime protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

	Oct. 27, 2009 'Neglected Infections' Resurface Among America's Poor In poor rural areas, inner cities, and among Latin American immigrants, exotic diseases classified by the CDC as "neglected infections" are now affecting millions of people. As Jeffrey Kaye reports, the rarer the illness, the harder it is to find treatment.

	Oct. 23, 2009 In U.K., Political Extremism on BBC Causes Outrage A heated debate over political extremism in the United Kingdom came to a head this week when the leader of the British National Party appeared on a BBC show.

	Oct. 20, 2009 HIV Vaccine Tests Confirm 'Modest' Protection, More Research Needed PARIS \| The complete results of the first vaccine trial to ever show some protection against HIV were released Tuesday, and researchers sought to refute criticism that the study's results could be weaker than indicated.

	Oct. 19, 2009 Voices of Health Care Reform: Children's Hospital CEO Jim Shmerling, CEO of Children's Hospital in Denver, Colo., gives his take on health care reform and the importance of providing health care for children.

	Oct. 19, 2009 Health Reform Calculator: What Would You Pay? As Congress works to consolidate pieces of legislation that could overhaul the U.S. health care system, the issue of how Americans would afford mandated health insurance is a focus of the debate.

	Oct. 16, 2009 Casualties Take Heavy Toll on Colorado Military Post Tom Bearden reports on how soldiers at Fort Carson in Colorado are coping with rising casualties from among their ranks, first from the Iraq war and now from Afghanistan.

	Oct. 13, 2009 Finance Committee Passes Reform Bill With Support From Snowe The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday became the last of five congressional panels to act on a health reform bill, passing its legislation in a 14-9 vote that saw Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe breaking from Republicans -- at least for the moment.

	Oct. 12, 2009 Lawmakers Eye 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Reversal Tens of thousands of demonstrators descended on Washington this past weekend demanding an end to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Could a reversal be next? Kwame Holman reports.

	Oct. 12, 2009 Unusual Battle Lines Are Drawn on Role of Individual Mandate in Reform Bill The Senate Finance Committee is expected to approve its health reform bill Tuesday, but the legislation may include an amendment that weakens penalties designed to support an individual mandate requiring most Americans to carry insurance.

	Oct. 12, 2009 Poll: Americans Support Civil Unions, but Oppose Same-sex Marriage Americans broadly support giving gay and lesbian couples the same rights as people in heterosexual marriages, but using the term "marriage" still draws opposition, according to the latest Pew Research Center survey on same-sex marriage.

	Oct. 12, 2009 6 Uighurs Sentenced to Death Over Xinjiang Riots A Chinese court sentenced six Uighur men to death and a seventh to life in prison on Monday for murder and other violent crimes committed this summer during ethnic rioting in Xinjiang, China's western region.

	Oct. 9, 2009 Obama's Reform Effort Faces More Hurdles After Finance Committee Vote A key component of President Obama's health reform overhaul faces a vote next week in the Senate Finance Committee after the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office gave it an upbeat assessment.

	Oct. 8, 2009 Michelle Obama's Ancestry Reveals Intriguing Slave Tale Jeffrey Brown examines first lady Michelle Obama's ancestral path as the descendant of a slave.

	Oct. 8, 2009 News Wrap: House OKs Hate Crime Protections for Gays, Lesbians In other news, the House voted to include homosexuals in federal hate crime laws, and first-time claims for unemployment fell more than expected last week.

	Oct. 8, 2009 Health Reform Vote Set for Senate Finance Committee The Senate Finance Committee will vote next week on revamping the nation's health care system. Kwame Holman reports.

	Oct. 8, 2009 Senate Committee Set for Health Reform Vote The Senate Finance Committee will vote Tuesday on a sweeping revamp of the U.S. health care system as the debate over President Barack Obama's top domestic policy enters a new stage.

	Oct. 7, 2009 New Statue Honors Helen Keller A bronze statue of Helen Keller was unveiled to Congress Wednesday. Kwame Holman reports.



	SEPTEMBER Sept. 29, 2009 Welcome Home: A Look at Living in Slums A multimedia exhibition from Norwegian photographer Jonas Bendiksen on display at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., documents the experiences of families living in unplanned, off-the-grid slums in Nairobi, Mumbai, Caracas and Jakarta.

	Sept. 25, 2009 Clinton Group Unites Private, Public Spheres on Big Issues Amid the G-20 and U.N. summits, former President Bill Clinton's foundation brought together big names from both the private and public sectors to tackle major issues.

	Sept. 18, 2009 India's Population Boom Tests Green Revolution's Legacy Fred De Sam Lazaro reports from India about new questions about the environmental impact of the nation's first major initiative to grow more food to meet the needs of a booming population.

	Sept. 17, 2009 For Young Americans, Health Insurance is Often Elusive President Obama took his health reform call to young people Thursday with a speech at the University of Maryland. Kwame Holman reports on the challenges faced by the more than 10 million Americans between the ages of 19 and 26 without health insurance.

	Sept. 16, 2009 Debate on Race Emerges as Obama's Policies Take Shape The question of race has simmered on the back burner of the national debate over President Obama's policy agenda. Gwen Ifill talks to columnists and academics about the role of race in the current political climate.

	Sept. 14, 2009 'Green Revolution' Founder Borlaug Dies at 95 A look back at the life of Norman Borlaug, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize who developed important agricultural strategies for countries around the world. Borlaug died over the weekend at the age of 95.

	Sept. 14, 2009 Indian Agriculture Faces Complex Problems NewsHour correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on how India is trying to feed its growing population while maintaining the environment.

	Sept. 11, 2009 Call to Service Resonates in Muslim Community When President Barack Obama called on the nation to serve in remembrance of the 2001 terrorist attacks, many Muslim-Americans were mobilized to act and some have managed to shape new roles in their communities as a result.

	Sept. 10, 2009 Public Voices on Obama's Health Care Address Spencer Michels gets reactions from the public to President Obama's health care speech.

	Sept. 10, 2009 U.S. Poverty Rising, Family Incomes Fall The poverty rate increased in 2008 to its highest point since 1997 and median household income declined 3.6 percent as the effects of the recession set in, according to new census data released Thursday.

	Sept. 3, 2009 Health Care Reform Splits Retailers In a summer of health care reform twists and turns, few things may have surprised the public more than the debate over the positions that their favorite -- and least-favorite -- places to shop have taken on the issue.

	Sept. 2, 2009 Eye Hospital in India Restores Sight with Free Surgeries Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from India on the Aravind system of eye hospitals and clinics that subsidizes sight-restoring surgery for impoverished patients and provides top-of-the-line care for patients who can pay.

	Sept. 2, 2009 Two Decades On, India Eye Clinic Maintains Innovative Mission In this Reporter's Notebook, Fred de Sam Lazaro visits the Aravind Eye Care System, 20 years after he first reported on the hospital in 1989.

	Sept. 2, 2009 A Quiet Revolution in Eye Care in India In India, the Aravind Eye Care System has provided eye care to millions of people, offering sight-restoring surgery to impoverished patients by subsidizing the cost with paying patients. The state-of-the-art facilities were established by Dr. G. Ventakaswamy, with the goal of eliminating needless blindness.



	AUGUST Aug. 31, 2009 Few Glimmers of Hope for Unemployed Americans With the long-term unemployment rate at its highest level since 1948, the nation's jobless are taking little solace in recent data suggesting the recession is winding down. In the latest installment of his Making Sen$e series, Paul Solman explores the sometimes grueling search for work in an battered economy.

	Aug. 28, 2009 Kennedy's Immigration Legacy Shaped Makeup of U.S. Ray Suarez examines the impacts of the 1965 Immigration Reform Act, one of Sen. Edward Kennedy's earliest and most-enduring pieces of legislation.

	Aug. 21, 2009 Controversial Afghan Law Leaves Shiite Women's Rights in Question Afghan President Hamid Karzai faces continued international and domestic pressure to further overhaul a controversial law affecting Shiite women that critics say he passed to secure votes from conservatives in this week's election.

	Aug. 20, 2009 An Unflinching Look at Violence in Juarez Artist Alice Leora Briggs takes an unflinching look at the violence in the border town of Juarez, Mexico.

	Aug. 18, 2009 Higher Scores Test How D.C. Schools Define Success Two years into a bold effort to reform the city's school system, Washington, D.C., has seen gains in reading and writing proficiency among students. But while scores are up, critics are asking whether reforms have actually made district schools better off.

	Aug. 18, 2009 Aetna CEO: Public Insurance Option 'Wrong Way to Go' Efforts to overhaul the health care system would be damaged by creating a public option to compete with private insurers, Ron Williams, chief executive of Aetna Inc., the nation's third-largest health insurer, tells Judy Woodruff.

	Aug. 13, 2009 U.S. Retail Sales Sink After 2 Months of Gains Sales at U.S. retailers sank in July for the first time in three months despite the government's popular 'cash for clunkers' incentive program, indicating that the American economy faces a bumpy recovery from its worst recession since World War II.

	Aug. 11, 2009 Remembering the Life of Eunice Kennedy Shriver Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a member of the famed Kennedy family, died Tuesday at 88. An advocate for people with disabilities discusses her legacy.

	Aug. 11, 2009 Systemic Rape, Fighting Threaten Congo's Future Secretary of State Clinton condemned sexual abuse by Congolese soldiers and rebels against civilians. A women's rights advocate describes the scope of the atrocities.

	Aug. 11, 2009 Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Early Advocate for People With Disabilities, Dies at 88 Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a member of an American political dynasty and founder of the Special Olympics, died Tuesday morning at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Mass. She was 88.

	Aug. 7, 2009 During August, Public Weighs in on Reform The Senate remained in session this week, but as House members headed home to their districts the focus of health care reform efforts moved off Capitol Hill.

	Aug. 7, 2009 U.S. Unemployment Rate Dips Slightly to 9.4% For the first time since April 2008, the U.S. unemployment rate fell slightly in July, to 9.4 percent, down from 9.5 percent in June.

	Aug. 6, 2009 Somali Instability Poses Challenge for Anti-Terror Efforts Secretary of State Clinton spent the second day of her African tour expressing support for the fragile transitional government in Somalia. Margaret Warner reports on the visit, and the risks posed by the Somali government's struggles to combat extremist groups linked to al-Qaida.

	Aug. 6, 2009 Other News: 4 Marines Killed in Afghan Explosion In other news, four U.S. Marines died in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan, and the Obama administration is considering a new plan to remove billions of dollars worth of troubled loans from the books of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

	Aug. 5, 2009 Grassley Outlines Obstacles Facing Health Care in Senate Any overhaul of the nation's health care system will depend on draft legislation from the influential Senate Finance Committee. In an interview with Judy Woodruff, Sen. Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the committee, discusses the challenges facing reform.

	Aug. 5, 2009 Other News: In Kenya, Clinton Pushes for Accountability In other news, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spent the first day of her seven-nation African tour calling for improved accountability in Kenya, and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn into office for a second term.

	Aug. 3, 2009 In Nigeria, Scarce Water Supply and High Food Prices Leave Families Hungry NewsHour special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on how a scarcity of water and high supply costs are hindering efforts to improve Nigeria's food supply.

	Aug. 3, 2009 Lawmakers Weighing Tax on 'Cadillac' Health Plans As Congress continues searching for ways to finance a health care overhaul, one option under review is taxing the costliest employer-provided health plans, otherwise known as "Cadillac" plans. After a recap on developments on the health care front, experts discuss the proposal with Judy Woodruff.



	JULY July 31, 2009 Recession Shows Signs of Easing Grip on U.S. Economy New economic figures hinted that the U.S. recession could be slowing down. Jeffrey Brown gets analysis from a banker and a journalist.

	July 23, 2009 Professor's Arrest Puts Racial Profiling in the Spotlight The arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates at his own home in Cambridge, Mass., made headlines again Thursday, after President Obama commented on the controversy during Wednesday's news conference. Ray Suarez talks to analysts about the larger issues at play.

	July 22, 2009 Patchwork Nation: Bumping Along the Economic Bottom Patchwork Nation's Hardship Index -- a short-term barometer of how communities are faring each month -- rose in July, indicating that the country's not out of the downturn quite yet.

	July 17, 2009 On 100th Anniversary, NAACP Looks to Future of Civil Rights President Obama spoke Thursday at the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Gwen Ifill traveled to New York to speak with the leader and two activists from the organization about its changing role.

	July 17, 2009 At NAACP Centennial, Obama Speaks of Struggle President Barack Obama delivered a rousing speech Thursday to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, paying tribute to the organization's history and challenging its members to confront continued racial disparities.

	July 15, 2009 Experts Ask: How Do We Define Hispanic Identity? As Sonia Sotomayor faces the Supreme Court confirmation process, the Online NewsHour asked experts to weigh in on how we define Hispanic identity.

	July 15, 2009 British Couple's Assisted Suicide Reignites Debate Independent Television News reports on the decision by one of the world's most famous conductors and his wife to take their lives. Their deaths have reignited a debate in Europe over assisted suicide.

	July 15, 2009 Acclaimed Conductor and Wife End Lives Together in Assisted Suicide British conductor Sir Edward Downes ended his life last week at the age of 85, alongside his wife Joan, 74, in Switzerland. He had not been ill (though his daughter reported he was nearly blind and deaf), but Lady Downes had been suffering from terminal cancer.

	July 3, 2009 Supreme Court Term Brought Some Surprises Legal analysts Linda Greenhouse and Thomas Goldstein examine the impact of the most significant Supreme Court decisions of the 2008 term, including a narrow ruling on the landmark Voting Rights Act.

	July 3, 2009 Russia Strives to Maintain Economic Momentum Amid Shifting Political Landscape Margaret Warner filed a series of reports about Russia's political and economic climate in conjunction with President Barack Obama's visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 6. Here, she answers some viewers' questions about her reporting trip.

	July 2, 2009 In Russia, Unhealthy Habits Make Funerals Outpace Births In her latest report from Russia, Margaret Warner takes a look at the health and well-being of the Russian people, including the low life expectancy for adult males.

	July 2, 2009 The 1-Dress Sustainability Solution How will the future of fashion -- one predicated on continual consumption -- survive in a world of limited resources? Can fashion -- the cultural apex of illimitable desire -- ever be sustainable? Sheena Matheiken is attempting to answer those questions -- one outfit at a time.



	JUNE June 30, 2009 Video Collection: Margaret Warner's Reports From Russia On the eve of President Barack Obama's meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Margaret Warner presents a series of reports on Russia's politics, economy and social issues.

	June 29, 2009 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Military Policy Faces New Scrutiny Following protests from gay rights activists, efforts to lobby Congress and the administration to repeal the military's policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" have picked up speed. Ray Suarez reports on the movement and its critics.

	June 29, 2009 High Court's Bias Ruling May Reshape Employer Policies The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a group of white firefighters was unfairly denied promotions because of their race. Analysts examine the impact on future labor policy.

	June 29, 2009 Justices Reverse Sotomayor Ruling in Discrimination Case The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision Monday that white firefighters in Connecticut were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision supported by high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor when she was an appellate judge. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal discusses the case with Gwen Ifill.

	June 29, 2009 Firefighters Case Prompts Reaction on Sotomayor's Role in Lower Court Decision The Supreme Court's Ricci v. DeStefano decision was highly anticipated not only because of its potential impact on civil rights and affirmative action, but also due to high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's role in the case as an appeals court judge.

	June 29, 2009 Supreme Court Rules 5-4 for White Firefighters in Job Promotions Bias Case The Supreme Court ruled Monday that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions due to their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor supported as an appeals court judge.

	June 26, 2009 Amid Recession, U.S. Savings Rate Hits Highest Mark Since 1993 As the longest recession since World War II drags on, Americans are responding by shying away from spending, opting instead to save money at the fastest pace in 15 years, a new report shows.

	June 24, 2009 Fed Keeps Key Rate at Record Low The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the recession is easing, but that the U.S. economy likely will remain fragile and limit the threat of inflation.

	June 22, 2009 Justices Deliver Narrow Ruling on Voting Rights Act The Supreme Court delivered a tightly focused ruling Monday in a challenge to the landmark Voting Rights Act, exempting a small Texas governing authority from a key provision of the law but avoiding a larger constitutional issue. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal examines the decision.

	June 18, 2009 Iranian Protesters Mourn Deaths as Guardian Council Calls in Candidates Supporters of Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi rallied in Tehran again Thursday, many dressed in black and carrying candles to mourn demonstrators killed in post-election clashes, according to witnesses.

	June 18, 2009 Cambodia's 'Killing Fields' Sprout New Purpose Cambodia's "killing fields" are the site of mass graves where the Khmer Rouge regime executed and buried people suspected of having ties with the former government in the 1970s. Now, the fields are used for rice production to help feed Cambodia's poor.

	June 16, 2009 American Cross-border Gun Traffic Fuels Mexican Drug-related Violence NewsHour special correspondent Jeffrey Kaye reports on the American gun trade that is fueling drug-related violence in Mexico and new efforts to stop it.

	June 15, 2009 Congo's Civil War Is Rich Seam for Prize-Winning Playwright Playwright Lynn Nottage talks to Jeffrey Brown about her Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, "Ruined," set during Congo's civil war.

	June 15, 2009 Business Students Rethink Wall Street Plans After the economic slump scuttled their plans to enter the financial sector, business students at Duke University look at different alternatives, such as graduate school, or rethink their career paths altogether. Judy Woodruff talks to some recent graduates in the second part of her Generation Next series.

	June 15, 2009 Doctors Consider Health Care Possibilites as White House Pushes Reform As the health care reform debate heats up on Capitol Hill, health correspondent Betty Ann Bowser speaks with doctors about the pros and cons of a government-funded public plan and other possible changes to the current system.

	June 10, 2009 Suspected White Supremacist Opens Fire in Holocaust Museum, Kills Guard An 88-year-old known for expressing violently anti-Semitic views opened fire inside the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, killing a guard before being wounded by other guards.

	June 8, 2009 GM Woes Hit Close to Home for Young Graduates In the first of a new set of reports for the Generation Next series, Judy Woodruff traveled to Detroit to profile recent graduates from a GM training program who are now facing the prospect of finding a new career.

	June 5, 2009 Full Extent of Nazi Prison Camp System Still Emerging Scholars are still discovering the full scale of the Nazi prison camp system during WWII as President Obama visited remembrances and anniversary celebrations in Europe this week. Ray Suarez reports.

	June 4, 2009 Legacy of Tiananmen Crackdown Lingers Over China's Politics Analysts reflect on the life of key Chinese leader Zhao Ziyang, who died in 2005 after being under house arrest for almost two decades and kept a secret journal chronicling the events around the Tiananmen Square protests.

	June 4, 2009 Police Crowd Tiananmen to Block Possible Anniversary Protests Independent Television News correspondent John Ray reports from Beijing on the twentieth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests, where police maintained a heavy presence to tamp down on demonstrations.

	June 4, 2009 Obama's Speech Could Mark Shift in U.S.-Muslim Relations As reaction to President Obama's address in Cairo continues to filter in, analysts consider what the lasting effect Thursday's speech may have on U.S. policy and global attitudes.

	June 4, 2009 Obama's Cairo Speech Elicits Varying Reactions From American Muslims Many American Muslims watched Thursday's address by President Obama with keen interest, seeing it as both a major moment for U.S. policy as well as a call for Muslims to reflect on their beliefs and the governments of the Middle East.

	June 4, 2009 Obama Urges Cooperation With Muslim World In a sweeping speech in Cairo, President Obama called for stronger U.S.-Muslim alliances, urging each to put suspicions aside and unite to combat violent extremism.

	June 3, 2009 Familiar with Unemployment, Edgecombe County Weathers Recession Unemployment rates of 8 percent and higher are uncharted territory for most communities across the nation, but in Edgecombe County, N.C., those sorts of numbers are familiar ground.

	June 1, 2009 Abortion Doctor's Murder Puts Debate Into Sharper Focus The murder of prominent Kansas abortion doctor George Tiller has raised new questions on where things stand among groups on both sides of the abortion debate. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service, examines the impact of Tiller's death on the abortion issue.

	June 1, 2009 China Appears to Tighten Internet Access Around Tiananmen Anniversary In the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen protests on June 4, concerns over Chinese censorship of the Internet are running strong, although problems with unpredictable Web access and other matters are proving just as tricky.



	MAY May 29, 2009 U.S. Economy Shrank 5.7% at Start of Year The U.S. economy shrank slightly less than initially estimated at a 5.7 percent pace at the start of 2009 as the recession lumbered into the new year, according to a government report released Friday that hinted the recession might be letting up.

	May 27, 2009 Tonight on PBS: 'Hollywood Chinese' Wednesday night on PBS, WNET's American Masters presents the national premier of "Hollywood Chinese," the highly acclaimed documentary that tells the story of Chinese-American cinematic history.

	May 22, 2009 Debate Over Guantanamo, Detainees Continues A day after dueling high-profile speeches over the handling of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, legislators and administration officials continue to voice both support and opposition to President Obama's plan to close the prison camp.

	May 19, 2009 Credit Card Regulations Easily Clear Senate Vote Senators voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to stop credit card companies from arbitrarily raising cardholder interest rates and charging unexpected fees that have become customary -- and crippling - for cash-strapped consumers during this recession.

	May 15, 2009 In India, School Principal Works to Changes Lives of the Poor Sister Cyril Mooney, principal of the Loreto Day School in Kolkata, India, is working to provide poor children a place to learn by day and a safe haven at night. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports.

	May 15, 2009 GM Plans 18 Percent Reduction in Dealer Network A day after Chrysler unveiled plans to close a quarter of its dealerships, General Motors followed suit Friday by telling about a fifth of its dealers their franchises will be terminated by late next year.

	May 14, 2009 Chrysler Looks to Slim Down Dealership Network Embattled automaker Chrysler wants to shutter about 25 percent of its 3,200 U.S. dealerships by next month, stating in a bankruptcy court filing Thursday that the network is antiquated and has too many stores competing with each other.

	May 8, 2009 Black Unemployment in East St. Louis Highlights Disparities Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports on the high unemployment numbers among blacks in East St. Louis, where painful memories of the Great Depression still persist.

	May 8, 2009 Jobs Reports Shows Layoff Pace Slowed in April The pace of layoffs slowed in April as employers cut 539,000 jobs, the fewest in six months, according to a Labor Department report released Friday. But the unemployment rate climbed to 8.9 percent, the highest since late 1983.

	May 5, 2009 Culture of Avoiding the Doctor Intensifies Health Concerns in Mexico MEXICO CITY -- The serious outcomes of some of the earliest H1N1 flu cases in Mexico renewed attention on a national culture of avoiding doctor visits, and self-medicating at the pharmacy instead.

	May 5, 2009 Benefits of Shutdown Debated as Mexico City Lumbers Back to Life Senior correspondent Ray Suarez is in Mexico City to report on the H1N1 flu virus outbreak. In this reporter's notebook that he filed Monday, he reports on the huge city coming back to life after a days-long shutdown aimed at containing the outbreak.

	May 4, 2009 Fifteen Years After The Genocide, Rwandans Struggle To Heal National Wounds Author Philip Gourevitch discusses his piece in the New Yorker reflecting on the state of Rwanda 15 years after genocide ravaged the country.

	May 4, 2009 Rwandan Genocide: 15 Years Later In the spring of 1994, an estimated 800,000 Rwandan Tutsis and Hutu political moderates were slaughtered by Hutu extremists. Photojournalist Kathryn Cook traveled to Rwanda in the winter of 2008 to document how the country is dealing with the genocide's fallout.

	May 1, 2009 For Those With Low Incomes, Help Creating a Credit History Spencer Michels reports on a program that helps low-income people with no credit gain access to loans and financial counseling.



	APRIL April 30, 2009 St. Louis Program Helps Make College More Affordable for Low-Income Students The College Summit program in St. Louis Missouri helps low income students turn their dreams of college into reality. In this interview, teacher Brian Kruger describes how the program transformed the school, his students and his own life.

	April 30, 2009 Business Incubator Helps St. Louis Startups Thrive The BEGIN New Venture Center at the St. Patrick Center in St. Louis is one of more than 1,200 business incubators in the U.S. In addition to helping small businesses grow with financial aid and office space, it also works to help homeless and disadvantaged communities.

	April 29, 2009 Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Landmark Voting Law The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on a challenge by a Texas community to strike down an extension to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal recaps the day in court.

	April 27, 2009 Reviving Downtown St. Louis St. Louis, like many cities, has watched its downtown decline, but in the past ten years, business groups and the city have worked to revive the area and attract residents, restaurants and retail.

	April 22, 2009 Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case Alleging Reverse Discrimination The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case brought by a group of white firefighters in Connecticut who argue they were the victims of reverse discrimination. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal gives an update on the day in court.

	April 17, 2009 EPA Report Marks First Step Toward Climate Change Regulations Carbon dioxide and five other heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions are a danger to public health and welfare, and possibly even national security, according to an Environmental Protection Agency scientific review released Friday.

	April 16, 2009 BeadforLife Program Helps Lift Ugandans Out of Poverty A program that helps Ugandans sell beads in America has brought hundreds of families out of extreme poverty through a woman-to-woman network focused on sales at house parties and a Web store. Spencer Michels reports on the program and the people it helps.

	April 15, 2009 Public Insurance Concept May Prove Sticking Point in Health Care Reform As the outlines of a health care reform package begin to emerge in Washington, one of the central dividing lines is quickly taking shape: whether the government will create a public insurance plan that would compete with private insurers.

	April 15, 2009 In Nigeria, Scarce Water Supply and High Food Prices Leave Families Hungry NewsHour special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on how a scarcity of water and high supply costs are hindering efforts to improve Nigeria's food supply.

	April 10, 2009 Dayton Arts Community Faces Struggle to Stay Afloat The arts scene in Dayton, Ohio, has been feeling a financial pinch as the troubles of the "Big Three" U.S. automakers and other economic woes ripple through its community. Jeffrey Brown reports on Dayton arts organizations' struggle to survive.

	April 10, 2009 Questions Remain on Fate of Disputed Exec Bonus Pay As frustration continues over extravagant pay to executives of companies receiving billions of dollars in taxpayer aid, Paul Solman travels to AIG headquarters and Washington to explore options for getting some of the money back.

	April 10, 2009 Obama Optimistic, Yet Cautious on Economic Recovery Outlook The president said Friday he saw "glimmers of hope" in increased lending to small businesses, but the economy was still under "under severe stress." Analysts discuss the signs of economic recovery and the road ahead.

	April 9, 2009 Around the World, Women Are on the Move From working their way into positions as high-ranking government officials to becoming the first females in their families to attend school, Richard Rodriguez explores the many ways in which women are on the move all over the globe.

	April 9, 2009 'Brown Fat' Studies Provide New Medical Insights, Hope For Weight Loss New studies reveal that "brown fat," a type of fat scientists previously thought disappeared after infancy, can burn large amounts of calories if activated by cold temperatures. An author of one study explains the discovery and its possible medical applications.

	April 8, 2009 Iowa, Vermont Push Gay Marriage Rights Forward Vermont's legislature and the top court of Iowa delivered legal victories in recent weeks to those seeking the right of same-sex couples to marry. And as battles in other state capitals continue, Americans are weighing the issue with other pressing concerns.

	April 8, 2009 High-tech India Contrasts With Rural Ways India has benefited from supplying other countries with outsourcing services from computer help to legal document analysis, while in other parts of the country poor farmers are struggling to make a living. NewsHour special correspondent Simon Marks reports on the two Indias.

	April 8, 2009 Possible Cuba Policy Changes Spark Debate The Obama administration is expected to ease travel and financial embargoes with Cuba in broad policy changes that have sparked debate between those in favor of starting a dialogue with Cuban leaders and those who advocate continuing the restrictions. Analysts probe the policy issues.

	April 8, 2009 Lawmakers Eager for Cuba Policy Changes Meet with Fidel and Raul Castro Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with Cuban President Raul Castro and former leader Fidel Castro this week to discuss proposed relaxations in travel and financial restrictions. Calif. Rep. Barbara Lee, just back from Havana, talks about the conversations.

	April 7, 2009 In Famous Mumbai Slum, Redevelopment Plans Stir Controversy Hundreds of thousands of Indian citizens are upset with the government's plans to level Mumbai's Dharavi Slum, the now-famous setting for the film "Slumdog Millionaire", to make way for commercial buildings and luxury housing. Simon Marks reports from Mumbai.

	April 7, 2009 India Seeks Higher Global Standing As India seeks to improve its global standing, it must also deal with security issues following the Mumbai siege in November and fallout from its economic growth. View photos from a recent NewsHour reporting trip.

	April 6, 2009 Study Finds Honor Killings a Major Portion of Pakistan's Homicides One in every five homicides in Pakistan is a so-called "honor killing," according to a new epidemiological study published in the European Journal of Public Health.

	April 6, 2009 Video Collection: India's Global Ambitions NewsHour special correspondent Simon Marks reports from India on economic, social and geopolitical developments in the country.

	April 3, 2009 Iowa Court Decision Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage Iowa became the first non-coastal state and the third nationwide to legalize gay marriage Friday when the state Supreme Court unanimously found that the state's same-sex marriage ban violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couples.



	MARCH March 26, 2009 Seattle Coffee Company Uses Profits to Aid Bean Growers Seattle-based coffee company Pura Vida's core mission is to help its bean growers in Central America improve their lives. NewsHour special correspondent Lee Hochberg reports.

	March 25, 2009 AIDS Orphans in South Africa Face Uncertain Future With so many South Africans struck down by AIDS, a generation of children is watching their parents die and being forced to form new family units. In his third report from South Africa, Ray Suarez explores the plight of AIDS orphans.

	March 20, 2009 Women Make Gains, but Still Struggle in Afghanistan Much has improved for Afghan women and girls in the areas of education and community support since the removal of the Taliban regime in 2001, but incidents of violence and traditional practices such as forced marriages continue. Margaret Warner reports from Afghanistan.

	March 20, 2009 Students Voice Economic Woes, Catch Obama's Attention High school students in Pomona, Calif., articulated the struggles of millions of Americans by making a video called, "Is Anybody Listening?" about the economic hardships they have faced. KCET's "SoCal Connected" examines their story, which ends with a visit by President Obama.

	March 18, 2009 Essayist Says a Reluctant Goodbye to Winter Despite the harsh weather that pummeled her hometown, essayist Julia Keller of the Chicago Tribune laments the passing of winter and the time of reflection it brings.

	March 12, 2009 Michelle Obama Works to Define Agenda as First Lady First lady Michelle Obama is settling into her new role as she tours federal agencies, participates in community projects and highlights issues like bolstering support for military families. Analysts discuss her role and the public reaction.

	March 12, 2009 Foreclosures Rise 6 Percent Between Jan., Feb. Despite several major lenders and states halting foreclosures, the number of households threatened with losing houses jumped 6 percent in February after falling 10 percent in January, RealtyTrac announced Thursday.

	March 9, 2009 Justices Reject Expanded Protections for Minorities Under Voting Rights Act A Supreme Court ruling Monday refused to expand protections for minorities under the Voting Rights Act, a decision that may affect the redrawing of legislative boundaries following the 2010 Census.

	March 9, 2009 Obama Lifts Restrictions on Stem Cell Funding President Obama on Monday ended his predecessor's policy of restricting the use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research.

	March 5, 2009 Calif. Supreme Court to Rule on Proposition 8 Challenge orrespondent Spencer Michels describes the scene inside and outside the courtroom at Thursday's California Supreme Court hearing on the legality of the state's same-sex marriage ban.

	March 5, 2009 Calif. Court Hears Challenge to Gay Marriage Ban California's Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in a highly anticipated legal challenge to Proposition 8, the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

	March 4, 2009 'Picturing the Promise' in D.C. "The Scurlock Studio and Black Washington: Picturing the Promise," with more than 100 prints and artifacts, is the first exhibition in the African-American History Culture Gallery in of the newly renovated National Museum of American History.



	FEBRUARY Feb. 25, 2009 Are We Overreacting to Unemployment Numbers? Paul Solman answers questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."

	Feb. 24, 2009 Effort to Allocate House Seats to D.C., Utah Clears Major Hurdle in Senate An effort to give District of Columbia residents a real vote in Congress for the first time in two centuries cleared a major hurdle Tuesday when the measure passed a key procedural vote in the Senate.

	Feb. 16, 2009 At Age 112, Montana Resident Reflects on More Than a Century of Changes Born in 1896, Walter Breuning of Great Falls, Mont., is the oldest living man in the United States. Breuning discusses his lifetime spent working for the railroads and the changes he has witnessed.

	Feb. 12, 2009 Iran Marks 30 Years Since Revolution Since its Islamic revolution 30 years ago, Iran has undergone numerous changes. Steve Inskeep, host of NPR's "Morning Edition," reported from the country on its economy, politics and social issues.

	Feb. 11, 2009 Detroit Program Aims to Provide Job Training, Hope in Tough Times Eleanor Josaitis co-founded the Detroit program Focus: Hope more than three decades ago to provide job training and other opportunities to the city's residents. With the U.S. mired in a recession and the auto industry future uncertain, her group is reinventing itself.

	Feb. 9, 2009 Valentine's Day May Mean More to Retailers Than Lovers Guest Essayist Nancy Gibbs of Time magazine reflects on the true meaning of Valentine's Day, and determines that it isn't about greeting cards, chocolates, diamonds or flowers.

	Feb. 4, 2009 Obama's Remarks on Executive Compensation President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner imposed tough rules Wednesday to rein in corporate pay, capping executive compensation at $500,000 a year for companies getting taxpayer funds. Here are the president's prepared remarks:

	Feb. 3, 2009 'Slumdog Millionaire' Attracts Controversy, Awards Not everyone is showering the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' with accolades. Since its Indian premiere in late January, the film has faced criticism from both audiences and people directly involved in the production over its portrayal of poverty and the use of impoverished children as actors.



	JANUARY Jan. 29, 2009 In Signing First Bill Into Law, Obama Touts Equal-pay for All President Barack Obama signed his first bill into law Thursday, an equal-pay measure championed by labor and women's rights backers, reversing a 2007 Supreme Court decision that made it harder to sue for pay discrimination.

	Jan. 23, 2009 Obama Presidency Stirs New Reflections on Civil Rights Barack Obama's election to the highest office in the land is a turning point in American civil rights history. So will Mr. Obama's presidency change the tone of U.S. race relations? Experts answered your questions.

	Jan. 22, 2009 Inmate Re-entry Programs Aim to Strengthen Family Ties While campaigning for the presidency, one of the themes then-candidate Barack Obama touched on was the state of black families. The Obama team has voice support for programs like Hope House, which helps incarcerated and formerly incarcerated fathers reconnect with their families.

	Jan. 21, 2009 Watch Extended Interviews From Gwen Ifill's National Mall Report Gwen Ifill asked people who attended Barack Obama's inauguration what the moment means for them and the country.

	Jan. 21, 2009 How Will Medicare and Social Security Be Changed For Future Generations? Paul Solman answers questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."

	Jan. 19, 2009 Inauguration Marks Generational, Racial Turning Point Barack Obama's inauguration marks a turning point for the civil rights movement. Experts mull the event's significance and how it may shift the conversation over race in America.

	Jan. 19, 2009 Reflections on the Meaning of Obama's Inauguration One day before President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, visitors and residents of Washington, D.C., reflect on the historic significance and symbolism of the event and what it may mean for conversations about race in the U.S.

	Jan. 16, 2009 Author Offers Insights on Slavery, the Capitol, and Obama's Inauguration Jesse J. Holland, author of "Black Men Built the Capitol: Discovering African American History in and around Washington, D.C." reflects on the poignancy of Barack Obama's inauguration in a city that was built partially by slaves.

	Jan. 16, 2009 Foundation Invites Disadvantaged to Attend Inauguration 'The People's Inaugural Project,' a faith-based charity program founded by Earl Stafford, will bring 400 disadvantaged people to Washington D.C. for Inauguration Day to stay in a hotel and participate in meals, balls, and parties. Mr. Stafford discusses the $1.5 million undertaking.

	Jan. 16, 2009 American Indians Celebrate Obama's Inauguration As Washington, D.C. prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, the American Indian community is preparing for its lesser-known inaugural ball and other events in the nation's capital.

	Jan. 13, 2009 1963 to 2009: Reflections on Civil Rights History Two civil rights activists and a political science professor reflect on the road from the landmark 1963 March on Washington to the upcoming inauguration of America's first black president, Barack Obama.

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