July 13, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Although President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos are urging schools to reopen in person this fall, other officials fear the health risks are too high, especially as the virus surges in many states. Florida is one of them -- but its education commissioner is calling for schools to be physically open nonetheless. Amna Nawaz talks to Fedrick Ingram of the Florida Education Association.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including President Trump’s commutation of Roger Stone’s prison sentence and the Lincoln Project’s TV ad response, Trump’s attacks on U.S. health experts during the pandemic and what poll numbers in states struggling with COVID-19 could mean for Trump and Republican senators.

Although much public conversation about the novel coronavirus pandemic focuses on the national situation and the federal government's response, many of the decisions that directly affect our lives are made by local officials. Amna Nawaz spends some time with Justin Wilson, mayor of Alexandria, Virginia, to discuss the city's experience with COVID-19 to date -- and Wilson's worries for its future.

In light of the disappearance and murder of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen, new attention is focused on the problem of sexual harassment and abuse in the U.S. military. How does a military chain of command handle such complaints? Retired Lt. Col. Geoffrey Corn and former Capt. Melissa Bryant join Nick Schifrin to discuss.

On Friday, President Trump announced he was commuting the three-year prison sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone. Stone was convicted by a federal jury of seven felonies, including lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation. But Trump’s reprieve of Stone is raising questions and prompting criticism. Lisa Desjardins reports and joins Amna Nawaz to discuss.

In our news wrap Monday, more than 200 universities have announced their support of a lawsuit against pandemic restrictions on international students. The schools object to the Trump administration's plan to deny visas to students not taking at least one in-person class this fall. Also, the United Nations warned that the coronavirus pandemic could push 130 million more people into chronic hunger.

Hospitals across the U.S. are facing a widespread surge of coronavirus patients as new infection records continue to be set. Given the rising case numbers, some officials are calling for a return to more restrictions on residents and businesses. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is stepping up criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. Yamiche Alcindor reports.