June 15, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender identity is illegal. Justice Neil Gorsuch, one of the conservative members of the court, wrote the opinion. The decision represents a milestone for gay rights and comes at a time when minorities across the country are calling for justice. John Yang reports and joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

The Supreme Court announced a milestone decision Monday, ruling that job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender identity is illegal. What is the significance of this decision for LGBTQ rights, even beyond the realm of employment? Judy Woodruff talks to the Human Rights Campaign’s Alphonso David and the ACLU’s Chase Strangio, one of the lawyers who worked on the case.

Atlanta has become the new epicenter of a growing campaign for racial justice. Thousands of protesters marched there after the fatal police shooting of Rayshard Brooks on Friday night. Meanwhile, pressure continues to build in Minneapolis for the city to overhaul its police department following the death of George Floyd, which sparked a national social movement. William Brangham reports.

In our news wrap Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration withdrew emergency approval for hospitals to use hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19. The FDA said the malaria drug is unlikely to be effective against the coronavirus. Meanwhile, infections continue to increase across parts of the United States, with Arizona, Texas, Florida and Alabama among the states experiencing a surge in cases.

Since the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, calls have grown for that city to overhaul its police department. Now, the effort to “dismantle the police department as we know it” has gained the support of a majority of city council members. What does that mean in terms of actual policy? Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports.

As the world anxiously awaits development of a vaccine for COVID-19, new and controversial research measures are being considered for the first time. These include the possibility of deliberately exposing volunteers to the disease to see if they are infected. Amna Nawaz reports on a growing group of people eager to be subjects in tests that might help to heal the world -- but harm themselves.

Two Americans held overseas have been convicted in controversial court cases. In Russia, former Marine Paul Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison after a trial the U.S. ambassador to Russia called “a mockery of justice.” In the Philippines, renowned journalist Maria Ressa faces up to six years in jail in a case experts say reflects a broader trend of press crackdowns. Nick Schifrin reports.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including pressure on President Trump to respond to nationwide protests over American police violence, the public health concerns and political implications of Trump’s upcoming Tulsa rally and whether presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden is suffering for lack of publicity.