July 16, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

As the November presidential election approaches, the Trump administration has been delivering on campaign promises to roll back environmental regulations, reduce legal immigration and eliminate financial protections. Yamiche Alcindor joins Amna Nawaz to discuss the details of these policy shifts -- and how Trump hopes they will give conservatives "something to feel good about."

In our news wrap Thursday, the European Union’s top court voided an agreement that let big tech companies share data on EU citizens with the U.S. Privacy activists in the region welcomed the decision. Also, the Trump administration criticized China as part of a growing pressure campaign, and Attorney General William Barr said some Americans have become too reliant on Chinese goods and services.

As the pandemic continues to worsen, President Trump’s poll numbers have declined -- and now he’s shaking up his reelection bid in response. On Wednesday, Trump replaced campaign manager Brad Parscale with longtime GOP strategist Bill Stapien. The move came after Trump visited Georgia, where COVID-19 cases are rising -- along with a political battle over mask mandates. Lisa Desjardins reports.

On Wednesday, Georgia’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp, put the issue of wearing face masks front and center. Kemp signed an order that bans towns and cities from requiring masks be worn, even as coronavirus cases in the state rise. Mayor Kelly Girtz of Georgia’s Athens-Clarke County, which recently approved a public mask mandate, joins Amna Nawaz to discuss the “deeply frustrating” situation.

Two major cybersecurity intrusions, each with global implications, are in the news. On Wednesday, hackers accessed high-profile Twitter accounts, using them to promote the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Also, three countries accused Russia of trying to steal research into a possible COVID-19 vaccine. William Brangham talks to the Wilson Center’s Nina Jankowicz and cybersecurity expert Dmitri Alperovitch.

The coronavirus pandemic has shed new light on racial disparities in American health outcomes. Economic disadvantage is one reason Black people in the United States are on average less healthy than white people -- but there are other causes, including the ongoing stress of systemic racism. Paul Solman reports in the second of a two-part Race Matters series.

The global economy is likely to take a massive hit from the pandemic, and the World Bank warns poverty levels will rise as a result. It’s already happening in Italy, Europe's third-largest economy. The country suffered a devastating human toll from coronavirus, and now an estimated 1 million additional Italians are unable to afford their basic needs. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have heard so many stories of loss and lasting illness. But for most who contract it, the novel coronavirus is not a death sentence. The NewsHour spoke to several survivors about their symptoms, how they coped with their sickness and what they learned from the experience.

Studies show that health outcomes are worse for poorer Americans, but pediatrician Lucy Marcil is one doctor who is trying to change that. Marcil integrates free tax and financial services into her clinical care as a way to improve patients’ overall health -- and finds that doing so builds better relationships. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on reimagining the doctor's visit.