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Economists Kevin Hassett and Dean Baker say the long-term unemployed represent a tragedy that can be fixed

The "human disaster" of unemployment

Economists Kevin Hassett and Dean Baker are on opposite ends of the political spectrum - but they agree that ongoing, long-term unemployment is a huge loss of potential value. They discuss what can be done with NewsHour's Jeffrey Brown.

RELATED: A look at a Rhode Island workshare program

Shields & Brooks on gay marriage

President Obama's announcement that he supports gay marriage might help energize some voters in November, even as it costs him in some states. Hear what PBS NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks think.RELATED: Pucks and politics on The Doubleheader

What can we learn from J.P. Morgan?

J.P. Morgan's $2 billion loss on trades it calls hedges illustrates some of the same issues as the 2008 financial meltdown. NewsHour explroes whether new regulations - especially the Volcker Rule - are working.

RELATED: Morgan exec quits over loss

RELATED: FRONTLINE's "Money, Power and Wall Street" explores the causes and impact of the 2008 Wall Street meltdown

Back to the economy

After a week dominated by discussion of gay marriage, both candidates returned to their focus on the economy, and battleground states. NewsHour reports.

Reviewing the week

Gay marriage may have dominated the political headlines last week - but the defeat of veteran Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar may say more about the November race. Washington Week panelists discuss the issues and the state of the campaign.

RELATED: Webcast Extra: Does Indiana show the Tea Party revitalized?

Legal immigration or brain drain?

Some of Silicon Valley's hottest companies were founded by foreign-born entrepreneurs who came to American to launch their firms. Does this mean we should allow more legal immigration to spur innovation and create jobs? Need to Know explores the issue.

"Everyone must sacrifice"

Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., says both parties are to blame for what he calls "the debt bomb" - and that everyone must sacrifice to defuse it. Watch his extended interview with NewsHour's Judy Woodruff.

EARLIER: Ornstein and Mann: Partisanship "even worse than it looks"

Congress members press for inquiry

Sixteen members of Congress are asking for an investigation of whether border agents use excessive force against captured illegal immigrants. The request comes in the wake of a Need to Know report that eight immigrants have died in incidents with border agents over the past two years.

EARLIER: Watch Need to Know's investigative report

Congress: Up for grabs?

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., thinks his party can retake the House in November because voters are wary of the Tea Party's influence.

EARLIER: NewsHour looks at six races that could decide whether Republicans gain control of the U.S. Senate