September 13, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

In our news wrap Friday, a new tropical weather system has hit the northern islands of the Bahamas, with forecasts calling for up to four inches of rain and winds of 30 miles per hour. The storm complicates relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. Also, parts of southeastern South Dakota were submerged after two days of downpours delivered more than seven inches of rain in some areas.

Although more Americans than ever are worried about climate change, less than 40 percent expect to make “major sacrifices” to tackle the problem. But according to Greta Thunberg, a Swedish teenager and climate activist, drastic action is exactly what's needed to address the problem. William Brangham sits down with Thunberg to discuss galvanizing young people across the globe to the climate cause.

The college admissions scandal that engulfed several Hollywood figures this year has essentially delivered a public indictment of some elite institutions. It has also sparked a larger conversation about admissions, access and inequity throughout American higher education. Paul Tough has written a book about this very topic, titled “The Years that Matter Most,” and he joins Amna Nawaz to discuss.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week’s political news, including the third Democratic debate of the 2020 presidential campaign, results of the special congressional election in North Carolina, the departure of John Bolton from the Trump administration and movement toward gun reform legislation.

Ken Burns’ latest PBS documentary, “Country Music,” is an eight-part series featuring never-before-seen footage and photos of giants including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Charlie Pride. Over eight years, Burns and writer Dayton Duncan conducted more than 100 interviews to compile the film. Amna Nawaz sits down with Burns to discuss country music's “good stories,” tradition and progress.