June 30, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

The U.S. is now averaging roughly 40,000 new confirmed infections of COVID-19 each day. The caseload has more than doubled this month in at least 10 states, mostly in the South and the West. As some states put their reopening plans on hold, the nation’s top health experts are sounding new warnings about the recent surge -- and how it could grow even more severe. William Brangham reports.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, many Americans are calling on Congress to provide a new economic relief package. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joins Judy Woodruff to discuss how to stimulate the U.S. economy and contain the virus outbreak, her take on reports Russia paid the Taliban bounties to kill U.S. troops and where congressional negotiations stand on passing police reform legislation.

Beloved comedy writer, actor and director Carl Reiner died Monday night of natural causes. His prolific career spanned seven decades and influenced virtually every entertainment genre, from television to Broadway theater. Amna Nawaz takes a look back at Reiner’s accomplished life.

The NewsHour has reported that Russian military intelligence provided financial incentives to the Taliban to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan -- and that this intelligence was always briefed up to senior U.S. government officials. But the White House say President Trump was unaware of the possible Russian bounty payments. Nick Schifrin talks to Douglas London, who had a 34-year career in the CIA.

The ventilator has been a vital piece of medical machinery in treating some of the most severe COVID-19 patients. But the devices were hard to come by and expensive at the beginning of the pandemic, prompting a group of residents at Massachusetts General Hospital to start the CoVent-19 Challenge to design a cheaper, easy-to-assemble model. John Yang reports on the innovative ideas it inspired.

U.S. and Israeli officials met in Jerusalem Tuesday to discuss what could be one of the most dramatic changes to the Middle East map in decades. Israel says that as of Wednesday, it might unilaterally declare significant parts of the West Bank as part of Israel. That annexation had the green light of the Trump administration, but the United Nations says it would be illegal. Nick Schifrin reports.

In our news wrap Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a controversial Hong Kong security bill into law. Beijing lawmakers applauded after passing legislation that punishes secessionist activity in the semi-autonomous territory with up to life in prison. Also, the U.S. Supreme Court has made it easier for religious schools to obtain public funds by upholding a Montana scholarship program.

In the U.S., some states that reopened their economies early are now reversing course as the virus surges back, sickening thousands and filling hospitals to capacity. Arizona's governor has ordered gyms, bars and other businesses to close again after reopening them in the middle of May. William Brangham talks to Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association.

Lauren Wilkinson, author of our June pick for the NewsHour-New York Times book club, Now Read This, joins Jeffrey Brown to answer reader questions about “American Spy.”

Dr. Diane Meier is the director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care in New York City. As a palliative care specialist, she has an intimate view of how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting patients and their loved ones. Meier shares her Brief But Spectacular take on showing compassion during COVID-19.