July 27, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

This week marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a groundbreaking law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The legislation has been invaluable for what it changed, but significant obstacles remain for Americans with physical or mental impairments. We hear some of their views on the ADA -- and what challenges they still face.

In our news wrap Monday, final-stage trials got underway in the biggest COVID-19 study so far. The first of 30,000 volunteers received initial dosages of a vaccine candidate developed by the National Institutes of Health and drugmaker Moderna in record time. Also, the Miami Marlins canceled their first home game amid reports that at least 14 players have tested positive for COVID-19.

It has been months since Congress passed a coronavirus relief bill into law. The extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits granted by an earlier piece of legislation expires this Friday, leaving millions of Americans in financial limbo. Though Senate Republicans unveiled their proposed bill on Monday, it's not clear it will garner enough support. Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

Protesters and police again clashed in a number of U.S. cities over the weekend, including Portland, Oregon, and Seattle. President Trump has defended sending federal law enforcement to the cities, but many local officials say their presence is only exacerbating the existing unrest. Amna Nawaz reports and talks to the mayor of Seattle, Jenny Durkan, about what she’s seeing in her city.

On the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking Americans with Disabilities Act, we consider how this legislation changed the lives of people with mental or physical impairments -- and where it falls short. Civil rights activist Judy Heumann, previously a special advisor to the State Department, and Keri Gray of the American Association of People with Disabilities join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

India has reported more than 1 million confirmed coronavirus infections -- a number exceeded only by the U.S. and Brazil. But experts say that both cases and deaths in the country are likely underestimates due to gaps in testing and reporting. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on the situation in India’s capital, Delhi, as part of his series Agents for Change.

During this anniversary week for the Americans with Disabilities Act, we take a moment to highlight the talents and contributions of artists, performers and writers with disabilities. Their work was featured in a special ceremony marking the moment, called “ADA 30 Lead On.”

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join John Yang to discuss the latest political news, including what to make of poll numbers showing former Vice President Joe Biden with a substantial lead over President Trump, the political fallout of Trump’s responses to the pandemic and protests over racism and what the upcoming conventions say about the two parties.