July 30, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

The coronavirus pandemic leveled the U.S. economy in the second quarter of the year, leading to the worst collapse since the Great Depression. Gross domestic product fell by more than 9 percent between April and June. While some parts of the economy have improved since, weekly jobless claims are rising again. Harvard University economist Ken Rogoff joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the outlook.

In our news wrap Thursday, NASA has launched Perseverance, the largest and most advanced rover ever sent to Mars. It blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a mission to drill for rock samples that could indicate whether life once existed on that planet. Also, businessman and former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain died in Atlanta of coronavirus. He was 74 years old.

The U.S. recorded more than 1,400 coronavirus deaths Wednesday. Hospitalizations are up significantly, and at least five states reported single-day death records this week. With the national death toll from the pandemic now over 150,000, many public health experts say we need to change our approach. Brown University’s Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency physician, joins William Brangham to discuss.

On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to respond to concerns about the status of the State Department. Lawmakers have questioned widespread department vacancies and whether career diplomats are being sidelined, as well as the dismissal of an inspector general and Pompeo’s own conduct. Nick Schifrin joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

The antibiotics industry has suffered an alarming collapse that has become even more troubling as secondary bacterial infections threaten patients with COVID-19. Why has production of these vital medicines stagnated, and what can be done to address the problem? Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports on why lifesaving drugs don't necessarily translate to lucrative businesses.

After a long hiatus forced by coronavirus, the NBA resumes its season Thursday, with the playoffs following close behind. The return comes a week after Major League Baseball began play and days before the National Hockey League resumes. But there are very big questions still unanswered about professional sports during a pandemic. Amna Nawaz talks to syndicated sports columnist Mike Wise.

The United States bid a final farewell to John Lewis in Atlanta Thursday, after more than a week of observations in his honor. A congressman and lifelong activist, Lewis endured threats, repeated imprisonment and physical violence to fight for civil rights. He was instrumental in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Judy Woodruff remembers the American icon who championed "good trouble."

On Thursday, luminaries and locals alike joined in a final farewell for John Lewis at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, the historic location where Lewis himself worshiped. Speakers including three former presidents -- Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama -- shared their remembrances of the lifelong civil rights leader. Judy Woodruff shares some of the highlights.