August 10, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

President Trump took a series of executive actions on Saturday to ease the economic strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as additional jobless benefits and a pause on federal student loan payments. But the moves, which bypassed Congress, prompted a flurry of questions, including about their legality. Yamiche Alcindor reports and joins Lisa Desjardins and Judy Woodruff to discuss the details.

The U.S. has now recorded more than 5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 160,000 deaths -- over 22 percent of the worldwide totals. Many American public health experts warn that the U.S. is at another important crossroads in its response to the pandemic. Dr. Peter Hotez, an infectious disease specialist at the Baylor College of Medicine, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss his recommendations.

In our news wrap Monday, Chicago police are beefing up their presence downtown after widespread looting there overnight. The unrest broke out after police shot a man who had fired at them on the city’s South Side. Mayor Lori Lightfoot deplored the “abject criminal behavior.” Also, 16 people were arrested in Portland, Oregon, after protesters rioted at a police union. Two officers were injured.

China expanded its crackdown on Hong Kong Monday, arresting a prominent pro-democracy activist and media owner. Jimmy Lai was paraded through his newsroom in a move designed to silence the press in the semi-autonomous territory. And it comes as the highest-level American official in decades visited Taiwan to reinforce U.S. ties to that island -- in defiance of Beijing. Nick Schifrin reports.

Alaska’s distance from the U.S. mainland delayed its pandemic pain -- but hasn't prevented it. Indeed, the mayor of Anchorage recently described the situation there as a coming “COVID storm.” New emergency orders restricting businesses and gatherings are being implemented as cases rise and the economy reels from major blows to the fishing and tourism industries. Stephanie Sy reports.

How is the 173-year-old, sprawling Smithsonian Institution slowly starting to welcome back the public? Of the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, only two attractions are currently open: the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar Hazy Center and the National Zoo. John Yang visited both to see how they are adapting, as part of our ongoing arts and culture series, Canvas.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including what to expect from former Vice President Joe Biden as he emerges into the convention spotlight, the potential for sexist criticism of Biden’s running mate and the political consequences of failed pandemic relief talks for both Congress and President Trump.