May 13, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Can states punish presidential electors for bucking a pledge to vote for their state's winner? That was the question at the heart of Wednesday’s Supreme Court arguments, held once again by phone. Some states sought to invalidate the votes of these so-called “faithless electors” after the 2016 election. The electors sued, and the case has major implications for the next election. John Yang reports.

President Trump reiterated Wednesday that the U.S. must leave Afghanistan. But negotiations for a deal with the Taliban have stalled, in part because of disagreements over prisoner release, and violence continues. Meanwhile, the fate of one American hostage hangs in the balance. Family members of captured contractor Mark Frerichs join Amna Nawaz for their first interview, a NewsHour exclusive.

Since the coronavirus pandemic closed schools nationwide, children are spending much more time at home. But reports of abuse and neglect have declined dramatically, prompting concerns among child welfare advocates that mistreatment isn’t being exposed. William Brangham reports on the fears of child welfare experts and talks to Dr. Robert Sege, a pediatrician at Tufts Medical Center.

New Jersey is second only to New York for total deaths caused by COVID-19. While most other states are lifting pandemic restrictions, the Garden State has been in a near lockdown for months. But now, Gov. Phil Murphy is making plans to allow some non-essential businesses to reopen. He joins Judy Woodruff to discuss his state’s grim fatality statistics and what it needs from the federal government.

In our news wrap Wednesday, a federal judge has delayed a decision on dismissing criminal charges against Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser under President Trump. The Department of Justice wants to drop the case, but the judge is asking legal experts for their opinions. Also, one-time Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort will serve the rest of his prison sentence in home confinement.

The ‘Songs of Comfort’ project world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma launched on social media continues to expand in new directions. Jeffrey Brown looks at the growing collaboration in these mini performances, as tough times bring people together through music -- and technology. It's part of our ongoing arts and culture series, Canvas.

U.S. states and cities are setting their own pace in lifting restrictions enacted to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Officials are wrestling with the dual worries of economic devastation and a public health crisis, as virus cases continue to increase and deaths nationwide surpass 83,000. Meanwhile, President Trump is expressing dissatisfaction with Dr. Anthony Fauci. Stephanie Sy reports.

Sen. Lamar Alexander chairs the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which held a hearing Tuesday about the Trump administration’s handling of coronavirus. Alexander himself is in quarantine after a possible exposure, and he joins Judy Woodruff from his Tennessee home to discuss federal pandemic aid, his state’s plans to reopen and President Trump’s crisis response.