Ep 173. Aug 26, 2020

On August 26, 2020, PBS Newshour Season 2020 Episode 173 delved into a myriad of global and national news stories. The show began with an evaluation of the unprecedented Republican National Convention that culminated the previous night, questioning whether the party was through with Trumpism or not. It highlights Trump's speech from the previous night, his speech contained a surprise pardon for Jon Ponder, a convicted bank robber who found God in prison and proceeded to start a nonprofit that helps other prisoners turn their lives around.

Next, the news presented a report on the growing unrest in Wisconsin over a recent shooting of a black man, Jacob Blake. The shooting is causing significant protests in the state, leading to Governor Tony Evers calling in the National Guard to help contain the situation. Meanwhile, the department responsible for the act says that Blake had a knife when he was shot but the police officers' body-cameras were switched off during the entire incident.

The show then went to the West Coast United States, where catastrophic fires are raging, causing mass evacuations and devastation in parts of Washington, Oregon, and California. President Trump tweeted to cast blame on forest mismanagement, while many people feel that the crisis is a result of climate change.

Next, the news showcased a foreign segment, where new protests erupted in Belarus after President Alexander Lukashenko won an election that is apparently rigged. This resulted in thousand of arrests of protestors, the police has used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrations, and a lawyer representing a jailed protestor died mysteriously, causing more tension.

Afterwards, the news delved into a report on US-China tensions, after the US placed sanctions against 11 Chinese companies accused of human rights violations of the Muslim Uighur people. China responded by imposing sanctions on US lawmakers, creating yet another strain in the fraught relationship between the two countries.

The show concluded with a segment on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how some school districts across the US are reopening for in-person learning, while others are choosing to continue using online learning. Health experts share their concerns and explain the various possible consequences of these decisions.

Overall, PBS Newshour Season 2020 Episode 173 covered a wide range of important news stories, from domestic politics to global events. The show provided a comprehensive and in-depth look at the issues which are currently affecting the world.