February 15, 2024 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Since the launch of 988, the three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, millions have made contact with counselors. But the support and services available after someone calls 988 largely depend on what state one lives in. Stephanie Sy reports on how Arizona’s crisis response network has become a leading model for crisis care.

The debate over diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in colleges and universities has been heating up around the country. The political and actual backlash to past DEI programs has been growing. John Yang breaks down more of what this dispute is about and what the stakes are in the world of higher education for our series, Race Matters.

As the war in Gaza rages, tensions are escalating on Israel’s Northern border. Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah, which the U.S. labels a terrorist group, have traded fire since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Nick Schifrin spoke with Israelis who live near the border about the threat, their forced displacement and how their government has responded.

A judge in New York City ruled Donald Trump will go on trial to face felony charges he falsified business records to cover up a sex scandal to protect his presidential campaign. The judge rejected Trump’s motions to dismiss or delay the case and told lawyers to prepare for trial starting March 25. The former president criticized the case as politically motivated. William Brangham reports.

In our news wrap Thursday, Israeli forces raided the main hospital in southern Gaza a day after ordering thousands of refugees to leave the complex, Houthi rebels in Yemen fired on another British freighter in the Gulf of Aden, Russia and Ukraine traded missile fire, adding to the civilian death toll and the White House confirmed that Russia is developing a space-based, anti-satellite weapon.

Kansas City is coping with the aftermath of the Super Bowl parade shooting that left one person dead and 22 others injured. Half of them were under the age of 16. The shooting left local officials asking themselves about what more they could do to protect the public when there was already a heavy police presence at the event. Geoff Bennett reports.

The special counsel in the Hunter Biden investigation charged a one-time informant with lying about President Biden and his son. Alexander Smirnov is accused of falsely claiming Ukrainian energy firm Burisma paid the Bidens $5 million apiece in 2015 and 2016. Laura Barrón-López breaks down the charges and how they undercut a key part of the House Republican impeachment inquiry into the president.