December 11, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

State governments continue to crack down on flavored e-cigarettes and other vape products, largely in response to the deaths and illnesses that began coming to light this past summer. But as lawmakers deliberate over their policy response to vaping, researchers are still trying to understand the cause of the illnesses. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports.

The origins of the Russia investigation were under the microscope on Capitol Hill Wednesday. Michael Horowitz, inspector general for the Department of Justice, sat for a day-long hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee about his recent report examining accusations of political bias in the FBI and how the bureau conducted itself in the early months of the probe. William Brangham reports.

In 434 written pages and more than five hours of live testimony, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz shared his perspective on how the FBI conducted itself in the early stages of its Russia investigation. How serious are his findings, and what happens now for the FBI? Former FBI official Frank Montoya and former federal prosecutor James Trusty join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

A day after a deadly shootout with police left six people dead in northern New Jersey, law enforcement and city officials are trying to understand what happened. Among the possible motives being considered: anti-Semitism. John Yang speaks to Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop about being “aggressive and deliberate” in calling out violent hate and how the community is reacting to the tragedy.

The United Kingdom goes to the polls Thursday in what is being considered the most significant election since the end of World War II. Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson needs a clear majority in Parliament to force through a deal for a January Brexit. But as special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports, British voters have trust issues with both Johnson and Labour rival Jeremy Corbyn.

In our news wrap Wednesday, the House opened debate on a Democratic bill to lower prescription drug costs through government negotiations. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appealed for bipartisan support, but Sen. Mitch McConnell said he won’t bring the bill up for a vote. Also, the Justice Department is appealing a federal judge’s ruling against spending Pentagon funds on a U.S.-Mexico border wall.