PBS Newshour Season 2020 Episode 212 Oct 20, 2020

On October 20, 2020, PBS Newshour aired season 2020, episode 212 with a variety of news stories covering different topics. The episode started with the breaking news that the Senate kicked former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen's ICE/CBP nomination to the floor which could polarize voters with the presidential election less than two weeks away. This was quickly followed by a report on how the novel coronavirus continues to impact people's lives in the US and around the world. The program discussed the record-breaking number of cases reported in Europe, prompting France, Spain and the United Kingdom to reinstate lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus.

Next on the episode was a report on how voters were handling the long lines and social distancing at early voting centers. With a record number of voters casting their ballots early, some voters were experiencing long waits, leaving many to wonder how much time is needed to vote. The reporters on the ground covered how voters are dealing with the unprecedented election while maneuvering around social distancing guidelines.

In an in-depth interview, the show discussed how some Americans are struggling to make ends meet amid the pandemic. The guest speaker was Yamiche Alcindor, a White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour and NBC News contributor. She shared her insights on the current state of the economy and how the pandemic has affected people’s lives on an economic level. The focus was on how the pandemic is disproportionately affecting low-wage workers, renters and people of color. The conversation shed light on potential solutions for providing federal aid to these communities.

The episode also covered the US Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit against Google. The Department of Justice has accused the company of anticompetitive practices and monopoly behavior. The segment featured discussions on whether or not Google's market dominance is impairing innovation and competition. This segment also delved into the implications of the US government's attempts to regulate tech monopolies.

PBS NewsHour interviewed a group of astronomers about a new discovery from observatories in Hawaii and Chile. The scientists found evidence of a rare molecule, phosphine, on Venus. This fascinating segment explains why the discovery is surprising and what implications that discovery could have for future study of alien life and Venus.

Finally, the show discussed how the presidential election is affecting voters' mental health. Many Americans are experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety due to the uncertainty surrounding the election's outcome. Reports from polling organizations and individual interviews with psychiatrists and psychologists also served to explain the effects of political-related stress and ways to cope with the stress.

In conclusion, the PBS NewsHour episode on October 20, 2020, provided a diverse range of stories that encompasses different topics of current events from service and economic hardships amid a pandemic to the rise of antitrust legislation and voters' mental health. The show offered an objective and informative presentation of the latest news and issues.