August 31, 2023 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges in Georgia that accuse him and 18 allies of trying to upend the 2020 presidential election results in that state. The plea allows Trump to avoid an in-person arraignment next week. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest developments with Stephen Fowler of Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Despite his legal troubles, former President Trump has a clear lead in the race for the Republican nomination. But is he qualified to run? A cohort of conservative legal scholars say no and a new lawsuit could put their theory to the test. They argue he violated the 14th Amendment with his actions on and before Jan. 6. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Ned Foley.

This week, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo became the latest high-ranking U.S. official to visit China and engage with top Chinese leadership. She went during a time of security and trade tensions between the two global giants and China's ongoing economic slowdown. Raimondo joined Nick Schifrin to discuss the visit.

The murders of several LGBTQ+ people and allies in recent weeks are raising alarm across the U.S. O’Shae Sibley was stabbed to death in Brooklyn after police said he confronted a group who made homophobic slurs and Laura Ann Carleton was killed in California for apparently refusing to remove a Pride flag from her store. Geoff Bennett discussed more with GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.

While the world is focusing on the radioactive water released from the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, the country is grappling with other big questions about its use of nuclear energy. Japan dramatically changed its attitudes after Fukushima melted down in 2011. But since then, it's faced its share of problems with other energy sources and prices. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports.

The Department of Health and Human Services is recommending a major change in the way the federal government treats marijuana, but stops short of saying it should be decriminalized under federal law. HHS says marijuana should no longer be classified as Schedule One, which the law defines as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. John Yang discussed more with Natalie Fertig.