Ep 251. December 6, 2018

On December 6, 2018, PBS Newshour aired its 251st episode of the season. The episode covered a range of news topics from both national and international perspectives. The show opened with a segment on the ongoing controversy surrounding the death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Correspondent Simon Marks reported on the latest developments, including the release of a CIA report that directly implicated Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Khashoggi's murder. Marks also covered the response from the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress, which had been considering potential punitive measures against the Saudi government.

The episode then moved to another international topic, the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. Correspondent Marcia Biggs reported from Caracas on the escalating political and economic turmoil, including the recent escape from house arrest of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. Biggs interviewed Lopez and other opposition figures, as well as everyday Venezuelans struggling to cope with hyperinflation and widespread shortages of food and medicine.

Back in the United States, the show covered a range of domestic news stories. Correspondent Lisa Desjardins reported on the state of the ongoing government shutdown, sparked by a budgetary impasse between President Trump and Congressional Democrats over funding for a proposed border wall. The program also featured a report on the continuing aftermath of the deadly wildfires in California, which had killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands of residents.

In addition to these main segments, the episode included a number of shorter news reports covering a range of topics. These included a piece on the ongoing debate over net neutrality, and another segment on the potential implications of a new NASA mission to explore the planet Mars.

Overall, the December 6, 2018 episode of PBS Newshour provided a comprehensive news roundup of the day's most important stories both in the United States and around the world. The program's emphasis on in-depth reporting, expert analysis, and thoughtful commentary made it an essential source of information for anyone seeking to understand the major issues of the day.