August 21, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Native Americans received more attention from presidential candidates this week than in previous years. Nine 2020 Democratic hopefuls attended a forum in Sioux City, Iowa, to discuss U.S. treaty obligations to Native people, the epidemic of violence against Native women, health care and more. Lisa Desjardins reports and talks to Mark Trahant, editor of Indian Country Today and the event moderator.

The Trump administration is responsible for the largest reduction of federally protected land in U.S. history, according to a recent study by the journal Science. And in the wide expanses of the American West, Trump's encouragement of industry and development has conservation advocates concerned for the future of public lands intended for varied use. Jeffrey Brown reports from central Montana.

A handful of interns is spending this summer in primitive conditions on a tiny, treeless island several miles off the coast of Maine. Their job? To monitor Atlantic puffins and other vulnerable seabirds. While the interns occasionally fend off predators like gulls, the biggest one, climate change, is much harder to dispel. Susan Sharon of Maine Public reports.

In our news wrap Wednesday, China said its trade war with the U.S. is hurting both countries. A spokesman in Beijing also said that when it comes to international treaties, the U.S. “breaks promises” and “violates rules.” Meanwhile, Hong Kong protesters staged a sit-in at the subway station where pro-democracy supporters were attacked last month, spraying fire extinguishers at approaching police.

President Trump has canceled a planned trip to Denmark because Danish leadership refused to discuss selling Greenland. In Denmark, Trump's decision was seen as "doubly offensive" considering he had reportedly pushed for a grand welcome from the longtime U.S. ally. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports on Copenhagen's reaction and why climate change is putting Greenland in the spotlight.