About Michael
Mike Fritz is a video journalist and producer for the PBS NewsHour.
Michael’s Recent Stories
Nation Apr 16
Chicago sees massive protests after police shooting of 13-year-old Adam ToledoQuestions over the fatal shooting and the role of the police in the death of a teen are front and center in Chicago. There, the mayor, city officials and community leaders are taking stock of how police respond with force,…
Nation Apr 12
New book sheds light on secretive Sackler family — the makers of opioid OxyContinThe Sackler family is one of the richest families in America, donating millions to some of the world’s most prestigious museums and universities. But the source of that wealth was for many years something of a mystery. William Brangham talks…
Nation Mar 19
Why 41 percent of Republicans don’t plan to get the COVID vaccineAlthough nearly 41 million Americans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, one segment of the population remains steadfast in its opposition to getting the vaccine: Republicans. Recent polls, including our latest PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll, shows at least 41 percent of…
Health Mar 08
‘The Longest Year’ podcast explores what Americans have faced during the pandemicWe are now one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and the virus has altered our lives in many ways. The NewsHour launched a new podcast series called, "America Interrupted: The Longest Year." Hosted by Amna Nawaz, she speaks to Americans…
Nation Mar 05
The Longest Year: Fighting ‘the invisible enemy’In the first episode of a series we're calling "The Longest Year," which tells the stories of the isolation, uncertainty, fear, loss and new understanding that have spread alongside the virus, we focus on the people on the front lines.
Nation Feb 25
Despite being first in line, many health care workers are delaying vaccinationsCOVID-19 vaccines were developed with record-breaking speed, and by late last year they were rolled out to frontline health care workers across the country. But despite being first in line many of those workers have decided to delay getting the…
Nation Feb 16
How obtaining identification can complicate the road from prisonFor men and women coming out of prison every year, one of the first steps to re-entering society can be one of the most difficult: simply getting a valid ID. William Brangham reports on the many hurdles returning citizens often…
Nation Jan 27
Mothers leaving prison encounter uphill battle as they try reconnecting with familyResearch has found that prisoners who maintain close contact with their family members while incarcerated have lower recidivism rates. But for formerly incarcerated mothers, rebuilding relationships with their children can be incredibly challenging after they serve time behind bars. Amna…
Nation Dec 21
What’s behind the sharp rise in murders across the U.S.?Murders across the U.S. have skyrocketed in 2020, while nonviolent offenses have largely dropped, according to publicly available crime data. But efforts to curb homicides come at a time when police departments are facing both staffing shortages because of the…
Nation Dec 07
Free from prison after 23 years, but facing new challenges during the pandemicThe coronavirus pandemic has upended the lives of all Americans but it’s been especially hard on individuals known as returning citizens -- formerly incarcerated men and women who are re-entering society. William Brangham has the story of one man in…