September 18, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

In our news wrap Wednesday, the government of Israel remains in political limbo after two main parties deadlocked in Tuesday’s do-over election. A smaller party led by former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman may now be critical to forming a coalition in parliament. Also, the European Parliament approved another extension to the deadline for Brexit, if the United Kingdom seeks one.

The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the second time in three months in a bid to keep the U.S. economy growing. What indicators are driving the recent rate reductions, and what is the larger influence of economists on U.S. fiscal and monetary policy? Judy Woodruff sits down with Binyamin Appelbaum of The New York Times, author of “The Economists’ Hour,” to discuss growth vs. inequality.

President Trump has announced that states will no longer be able to set their own fuel mileage and emissions standards, as they previously were empowered to do. California, for example, had an agreement with several automakers for voluntary adherence to tougher standards. Its Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss why the policy change could be "catastrophic.”

Sand mining accounts for 85 percent of all worldwide mineral extraction, a $70 billion industry. In Cambodia, the practice is big business -- but it comes with a price. The country relies upon the Mekong River for commerce and transportation, but extensive dredging to harvest sand is fundamentally changing its ecosystem and eroding its banks. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports.

In Riyadh on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia showcased evidence it says proves Iran’s involvement in weekend airstrikes on two major Saudi oil facilities. Iran denies the claim, and given the strained relations between the two countries, how should the U.S. respond? Yamiche Alcindor talks to Danielle Pletka of the American Enterprise Institute and Rob Malley of the International Crisis Group.

The Gulf of Maine is known for lobsters, which form the foundation of an industry critical to the state’s economy. Due to climate change, the waters off southern New England have become too warm for the temperature-sensitive crustaceans, leaving Maine as the “sweet spot” for fishing them. But the Gulf’s own rising temperatures mean the lobster boom may not last forever. Miles O’Brien reports.

Last week, several students from Big Sky High School in Missoula, Montana, wrote to the NewsHour to sing the praises of their beloved teacher Mark Moe, who announced he would be retiring. Moe shares the news summary with his classes daily, so his students thought a message from the NewsHour would be a fitting tribute -- and maybe a reason to reconsider. Judy Woodruff shares their story.