PBS Newshour Season 2019 Episode 144 July 17, 2019

In PBS Newshour season 2019 episode 144, which aired on July 17, 2019, the focus was on a range of domestic and international news stories. The episode began with an in-depth report on the continued fallout from the Trump Administration's controversial decision to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census. Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor interviewed a range of experts, advocates, and officials to explore the implications of the move, which many critics argued could lead to undercounting of immigrants and people of color.

The program also featured a special report on the humanitarian crisis facing migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Correspondent Amna Nawaz traveled to the border to speak with migrants, activists, and officials about the challenges they faced, including overcrowded detention centers, family separation, and the impact of Trump's "zero tolerance" policy. The report highlighted the urgency of the situation and the need for solutions that protect human rights while addressing the underlying causes of migration.

In addition to these domestic stories, the program also delved into the fast-moving political situation in the United Kingdom, where a new prime minister was set to take over just days after the episode aired. Correspondent Nick Schifrin interviewed experts and officials to explore the implications of Boris Johnson's election, particularly in the context of Brexit negotiations and the ongoing tensions between the UK and the European Union.

The episode also featured a report on the escalating tensions between Japan and South Korea, two US allies in the region who have seen their relations deteriorate in recent months. Correspondent William Brangham interviewed experts to explore the roots of the dispute, which revolves around issues of historical memory, trade, and security. The report highlighted the challenges facing US diplomacy in the region as tensions between its key partners threaten to undermine its broader strategic goals.

Another segment of the episode focused on the healthcare crisis facing rural America, where hospitals and clinics are closing at an alarming rate and leaving many communities without access to basic medical services. Correspondent Lisa Desjardins visited a small town in Kentucky to speak with residents and healthcare providers and to explore the complex economic and political factors driving the decline of rural health systems.

Throughout the program, correspondents also provided updates on various other news stories from the US and around the world, including developments in the ongoing trade war between the US and China, the escalating tensions between Iran and the US, and the record-breaking heatwave that gripped Europe in July 2019. With its comprehensive coverage of a range of important issues, PBS Newshour season 2019 episode 144 offered viewers a thorough and insightful look at the state of the world in mid-2019.