May 8, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

The U.S. Department of Labor reported more than 20 million jobs were lost in April, driving unemployment to its highest level since the Great Depression. Among some minorities, the economic toll of the pandemic is even more dire. But more businesses across the country are reopening, many with new safety procedures in place to try to reduce the virus’ spread. Will they work? Amna Nawaz reports.

A new jobs report details a picture of devastating national unemployment not seen since the Great Depression. Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and former assistant secretary of the treasury, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss why the crisis is likely even worse than it appears, who is hurt the most and what the government can do to try to stabilize the U.S. economy.

In our news wrap Friday, two white men in Georgia made their initial court appearance in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Gregory and Travis McMichael were arrested Thursday night and face murder and assault charges in a case that sparked national outcry. Also, the CEO of Boeing says the company now expects to resume production of its 737 Max jets this month. The planes have been grounded for months.

While COVID-19 has devastated parts of the U.S., including hot spots like New York, New Jersey and Louisiana, many counties in Western states have few cases and no deaths. Some officials and residents in those areas feel that pandemic restrictions were overly cautious. But health experts fear that limited local hospital capacity means a high risk of becoming overwhelmed. Stephanie Sy reports.

Seventy-five years ago this week, Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies in Europe in a red schoolhouse in Reims, France. World War II would last three more brutal months in the Pacific, but six years of horror and Holocaust was then ended in Europe. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant talks to veterans of the fight about what they remember.

This year’s Pulitzer Prizes underscore the value of local reporting at a time when many papers and newsrooms have been closed or downsized. According to a recent estimate, more than 35,000 news media employees have experienced job or income loss since the pandemic began. Jeffrey Brown talks to two winners, Joe Sonka of the Louisville Courier-Journal and Kyle Hopkins of the Anchorage Daily News.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including the Department of Justice’s request to throw out the case against Michael Flynn, the politicization of American government institutions and how President Trump’s reelection ambition is driving his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We again share stories of just a few of the extraordinary Americans who have lost their lives in this devastating novel coronavirus pandemic. Judy Woodruff reports.

During this strange era of shutdowns and social distancing, artists, athletes and musicians across the country are trying to find new ways to channel their energy and share their passion. William Brangham has the story of a California artist who's trying to help people who are sick -- many with COVID-19 -- and connect them with loved ones. It's part of our ongoing arts and culture series, Canvas.