September 17, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

With about six weeks remaining until Election Day, the security of elections and mail-in ballots were part of an ongoing, contentious debate Thursday. President Trump kept up his continued, unfounded attacks on mail-in voting as a threat to the election, while FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that ongoing Russian disinformation campaigns are the real danger. William Brangham reports.

A new memorial is being dedicated in Washington, D.C., to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who also served as the supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War II. The four-acre memorial comes to fruition after 20 years and internal controversy over its design -- and at a time when memorials are being examined. Jeffrey Brown reports.

The remnants of Hurricane Sally are moving east, still pouring rain onto parts of the Southeast. In the storm’s wake, heavy flooding along the Gulf Coast is keeping rescuers busy, while others begin the work of cleaning up. Hundreds of thousands of people in Alabama and Florida are without power. John Yang reports on how residents are coping with the storm’s trail of destruction.

In our news wrap Thursday, New York City has again postponed in-person schooling for more than 1 million students. Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement, saying schools need more time to implement the “gold standard” in COVID-19 protocols. Also, smoke over parts of the fire-ravaged West Coast cleared some for the first time in days. Crews hope scattered weekend rain will help douse flames.

Recent reporting from veteran journalist Bob Woodward of The Washington Post created political shockwaves. Woodward’s newest book, “Rage,” features 18 on-the-record interviews and recordings of President Trump talking about topics from his handling of the pandemic to racial injustice. Woodward joins Judy Woodruff to discuss what he learned from the process about Trump’s mindset and motives.

In Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro has presided over an economic and societal collapse. The country’s health care system was already coming apart even before the coronavirus pandemic struck. Now, COVID-19 patients are filling ICUs that lack supplies, and doctors are dying. But criticism of the government's pandemic response is grounds for arrest. Special correspondent Marcia Biggs reports.

Speaking at the White House Conference on American History on Thursday, President Trump announced he would be signing an executive order to create the “1776 Commission” to promote a “patriotic education.” Trump also blasted efforts to reexamine American history with a deeper emphasis on slavery and racism. Yamiche Alcindor joins Judy Woodruff to discuss Trump’s perspective on race.