August 28, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

On the Republican National Convention's final night, President Trump accepted his party’s nomination for a second term -- using the White House as a campaign backdrop. Trump painted the election in stark terms, calling opponent Joe Biden “the destroyer of America’s jobs” whose policies would unleash crime and disorder, while touting his own coronavirus response as a success. Amna Nawaz reports.

In accepting his party’s nomination on the final night of the Republican National Convention, President Trump characterized the United States’ response to the coronavirus pandemic as a success that saved American lives. But the metrics he referenced create an inaccurate impression. William Brangham joins Judy Woodruff to discuss how the U.S. response compares to that of its peer nations.

Thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Friday to commemorate the iconic 1963 March on Washington -- and to communicate a message of their own, calling for an end to the killing of Black Americans at the hands of police. Yamiche Alcindor reports and talks to Jacob Blake Sr., father of Jacob Blake, whose shooting this week by Kenosha police sparked new outrage.

In our news wrap Friday, authorities in Kenosha, Wisconsin, defended their actions during protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Video from Tuesday night showed officers thanking civilians who carried guns -- including one who appeared to be the white teenager charged with killing two people. Also, California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a new framework for gradually reopening businesses.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Friday that he is resigning because of a chronic health problem. A political veteran, he held the post longer than anyone else. Abe cultivated a friendly relationship with President Trump that some experts say strengthened the two countries’ alliance. He also tried to reinvigorate Japan’s economy and rebuild its military. Nick Schifrin reports.

Hurricane Laura has been downgraded to a tropical storm, but it is still dropping heavy rains and spawning tornadoes as it moves east. Hundreds of thousands of people along the Gulf Coast remain without power, and it may be days, or even weeks, before it’s restored. In Lake Charles, Louisiana, residents have begun the work of clearing trees and debris. Adam Raney reports from Alexandria.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week in politics, including their reactions to the Republican National Convention and President Trump’s speech in particular, how the conventions could affect the presidential race and the public and political fallout of ongoing unrest over policing and racial injustice.

As another difficult week for our country comes to a close, we want to take the time to honor a few of the more than 180,000 people in the U.S. who have lost their lives to the coronavirus. Judy Woodruff shares the stories of five individuals.

In the United Kingdom, an unexpected result of the pandemic: a surge in dognapping. Puppy prices have soared during lockdown, and pet thefts have spiked 65 percent in a year. As some owners pay hefty ransoms for their animals' return, they say Parliament needs to toughen legislation that currently treats pets as property rather than as companions. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports.