February 17, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Most of the nation is still locked in the deep freeze as a polar vortex that swept south is holding sway, claiming at least 30 lives and keeping the power off for more than 3 million people. Stephanie Sy reports, and speaks to Mayor Harry LaRosiliere of Plano, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Mayor David Holt about how the weather is impacting their cities.

In our news wrap Wednesday, the White House COVID task force reported an average of 1.7 million Americans are being vaccinated daily as President Biden called on labor leaders to endorse his $1.9 trillion relief package. Also, the U.N. secretary general pleaded for a more equitable distribution of COVID vaccines worldwide, and NATO leaders urged the U.S. to consult before leaving Afghanistan.

Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh died Wednesday at the age of 70 after a battle with lung cancer. For more than 30 years, he trumpeted his brand of conservatism with a take-no-prisoners style that won compliments and condemnation. Lisa Desjardins looks at his career.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled the streets in Myanmar Wednesday to protest former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial, which began this week in secret. Protestors have been calling for the reinstatement of democracy since the military launched a coup on Feb. 1. And as Nick Schifrin reports, they are also demanding a society that ignores their new military leaders.

Rep. Madeleine Dean from Pennsylvania is perhaps best known these days for her high-profile role as a House manager during former President Trump's second impeachment trial. But in a deeply personal and revealing new book, "Under Our Roof," written with her son, Harry Cunnane, they share for the first time their family's long struggle with addiction. They join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

When Kev Marcus and Will B. met in a high school music class they shared their desire to disrupt people's impressions of what classical music should be. Together they formed a group called Black Violin, which we featured on the NewsHour early on in their success. Now they're back with a Brief But Spectacular take on defying stereotypes, as part of our coverage of arts and culture, "CANVAS."

If all goes according to plan, the United States will land its most advanced rover ever on Mars on Thursday, nearly 300-million miles from where it lifted off last year. It is a daunting task, one that will set up a more ambitious exploration of the Red Planet. Miles O'Brien lays out the nerve-wracking challenges and goals of the mission.