November 8, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode

Any possible optimism that lawmakers would reach a deal this weekend to end the longest government shutdown on record has faded. The Senate held its first Saturday session since the shutdown began, but no votes were scheduled. John Yang speaks with former FAA administrator Randy Babbitt and Supreme Court analyst Amy Howe about two widespread effects of the shutdown: air travel and SNAP benefits.

In our news wrap Saturday, UPS and FedEx grounded their MD-11 cargo planes after Tuesday’s deadly crash in Kentucky, a federal judge said Trump cannot deploy National Guard troops to Portland, a Russian drone attack killed three people in Ukraine, health officials said the death toll in Gaza rose to 69,000, Arctic air from Canada is sweeping south, and the Kilauea volcano may soon erupt again.

Health systems in rural America are struggling. Many are losing money and over the past decade, more than 100 have closed. To address Medicaid shortfalls in the “One Big Beautiful” budget bill, Congress approved a $50 billion rural health transformation fund. Ali Rogin speaks with National Rural Health Association chief policy officer Carrie Cochran-McClain about how states hope to use the money.

One of the latest relationship tests to go viral is the “bird theory,” racking up millions of views on social media. It’s based on a theory developed by couples researcher John Gottman about the importance of engaging with partners when looking for a connection. John Yang speaks with licensed clinical psychologist Alexandra Solomon to learn more about the test and what it reveals.