April 1, 2024 - PBS NewsHour full episode

There is an escalation of tension in the Middle East. On Monday, warplanes attacked a building inside Iran's consulate complex in Damascus, Syria. Some of the most senior members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard were killed. Iran blames Israel for the strikes. Now there are reports of new attacks on international ships in the Red Sea and a base in southern Israel. Nick Schifrin reports.

For the last decade, American diplomatic, law enforcement and intelligence personnel have suffered grievous injuries in the line of duty. Many say they felt attacked by debilitating waves of sound and pressure known as "Havana syndrome." Sunday, 60 Minutes reported more on this story, and assigned blame to Russia. Geoff Bennett discussed that report with retired Army Lt. Col. Gregory Edgreen.

In our news wrap Monday, Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza's largest hospital, Al Shifa, after a two-week battle that left much of the area in ruins, Turkey's political opposition is celebrating sweeping wins in Sunday's local elections and most fast food workers in California will earn $20 an hour after the state's new minimum wage law took effect.

Over the weekend, one of the largest floating cranes on the East Coast arrived in Baltimore to start clearing debris at the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. But before it can start removing steel and concrete, officials must remove a section of the bridge draped over the cargo ship. Geoff Bennett discussed the efforts with Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, Democratic leaders have worked to protect reproductive rights in their states. In Michigan, voters enshrined abortion rights in the state’s constitution. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for several reproductive rights measures and signed new laws protecting IVF and decriminalizing surrogacy contracts. Whitmer joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is one of the nation’s largest welfare programs helping to feed more than 40 million low-income Americans. But for people in need, what that assistance looks like, and who can access it, varies greatly across the country. Laura Barrón-Lopez and producer Maea Lenei Buhre report for our series, America’s Safety Net.

One artist has taken popular designer handbags to a whole new level by transforming the accessories into artwork. Instead of his creations hanging on the wall, Kent Stetson decided to put them right in your hand. Pamela Watts of Rhode Island PBS Weekly reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including how abortion rights could help President Biden motivate voters, House Speaker Mike Johnson signals a vote on Ukraine aid will come next week and the Biden campaign courts disaffected Republicans.