January 27, 2022 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Moderna and Pfizer announced they are moving forward with trials of a new booster designed to guard specifically against omicron. This comes as the CDC reported Thursday that a third shot of either of those vaccines substantially reduced the risk of hospitalizations among people with weakened immune systems. Amna Nawaz speaks with a top Moderna scientist about several key vaccine questions.

Justice Stephen Breyer's retirement announcement paves the way for President Joe Biden's promised nomination of a Black woman to the Supreme Court. White House correspondent Geoff Bennett begins the report, and congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff with more on how the Senate may respond to his nominee options.

Justice Stephen Breyer leaves a storied legacy as he prepares to step down after more than 27 years on the bench. To reflect on what his absence will mean for the future of the Supreme Court, Judy Woodruff is joined by legal veterans Gregory Garre, a former U.S. Solicitor General who has argued in front of the court, and Neal Katyal, former acting U.S. solicitor general, who clerked for Breyer.

In our news wrap Thursday, the U.S. economy rebounded strongly in 2021, with the best growth since 1984. Russia said there's little room for optimism after the U.S. rejected its security demands, but said dialogue on Ukraine is still possible. The Pentagon put out new guidance on limiting civilian casualties from air strikes.

Recent shootings in New York City have spotlighted a troubling rise in gun violence and homicide across the country. Amna Nawaz reports on why violent crime has increased and how cities can prevent it.

It's been seven weeks since a series of ferocious tornadoes tore through Western Kentucky and surrounding areas, killing 90 people, and making hundreds more homeless. Kentucky’s governor, and President Joe Biden, have promised whatever is needed to rebuild. William Brangham recently returned to the town of Mayfield, and found a community struggling to get back on its feet.

Syria is in the throes of conflict. In the northeast, Syrian Kurdish forces are fighting ISIS militants who forced a prison break last week. It’s the largest recent ISIS resurgence. The president and his Russian allies are continuing airstrikes in Northwest Idlib province. But Syrian children are determined to pursue their education, video journalist Abddulrazaq Alshani found. Ali Rogin reports.

Viewers may remember the unlikely but true story of the Jamaican bobsled team that made it to the Olympics. It was a feat popularized in the 1993 film, "Cool Runnings." Now, Jamaica's bobsled team is back at it again. Lucy Watson from Independent Television News explains.