February 25, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter from the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest entrants into the Democratic presidential contest for 2020, what’s important for contenders to prioritize at this early stage, initial fundraising numbers and how voters may be able to gauge candidate performance against President Trump by his reactions.

The 91st Academy Awards represented an opportunity to celebrate cinematic triumphs and the racial and ethnic diversity of winners, but they weren't without controversy. Amna Nawaz talks to Mike Sargent, chief film critic of WBAI Radio, and Ann Hornaday, chief film critic for The Washington Post, about the absence of an Oscars host, whether the right nominees won and how the event should evolve.

Violent protests erupted this past weekend in Venezuela over humanitarian aid shipments into the country. Meanwhile, Vice President Pence traveled to Colombia to meet with opposition leader Juan Guaido, promising that the U.S. would increase sanctions on Venezuela in an attempt to oust President Maduro, and calling for other countries to do the same. Special correspondent Nadja Drost reports.

The unprecedented Vatican summit focused on clerical sexual abuse concluded over the weekend, with Pope Francis insisting the Catholic Church must end its long history of covering up child sexual abuse. The pope called for an “all-out battle” but didn’t offer many specifics, prompting criticism from survivors. Judy Woodruff talks to Becky Ianni of the victim support group SNAP for her reaction.

Confirmed and potential candidates for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination have begun making appearances in states with early primaries. Judy Woodruff runs down the current list of contenders and how they have been interacting with voters so far.

The Trump administration intends to limit the Title X program that provides birth control and other reproductive health services. Under the new restrictions, any clinic accepting federal funds would be prevented from performing abortions -- or referring women to other providers for the procedure. William Brangham talks to Doreen Denny of Concerned Women for America, who supports the new policy.

Under a new rule proposed by the Trump administration, family-planning clinics that receive federal funds through Title X would be prevented from referring women to other providers for abortions. One organization that would be affected is Planned Parenthood, whose president, Dr. Leana Wen, talks to William Brangham about why the move would compromise patient health as well as medical ethics.

Brittney Cooper is a cultural theorist, author and professor. Her new book, “Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower,” discusses the history of oppressive power structures and the intersection of race and feminism. She gives her brief but spectacular take on “eloquent rage.”