August 19, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Renowned ballet dancer Misty Copeland and choreographer Kyle Abraham share a deep connection that shines brightly through in their creative collaborations. In 2019, Abraham choreographed an innovative solo performance that challenged expectations set for both Copeland and black dancers generally. Tonight, they offer their Brief But Spectacular take on communicating through movement.

For a senior perspective from the Biden administration on the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan and U.S. response and support of evacuation efforts, Judy Woodruff is joined by Jon Finer, the deputy national security advisor.

As more American and allied flights are leaving the capital of Afghanistan Thursday, an ever-growing panic descends on the city. More American troops and marines arrived, but despite U.S. efforts,Taliban fighters are hindering movement toward the Kabul airport, leaving thousands of civilians trapped. With support from the Pulitzer Center, Jane Ferguson reports on the situation in Kabul.

Less than half the people in Texas are currently fully vaccinated. 96% of ICU beds are full, leaving just over 300 available across the state. The state’s health department has requested additional mortuary trailers from FEMA in anticipation of more lives lost. Dr. Joseph Chang, the chief medical officer for Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas, Texas joins William Brangham to discuss.

Hot, dry conditions continue to fuel over a dozen wildfires in California, mostly in the state's northern quarter. Fire officials said they were seeing a "generational destruction of forests." Six of the seven largest fires on record in California have happened in 2020 or 2021, and at the current rate, fires this year are expected to burn more land than they did last year. Lisa Desjardins reports.