July 12, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Pfizer's recent push to add a booster shot to its COVID-19 vaccination protocol seems to be at odds with what many people understood about the drug's effectiveness. And, as William Brangham reports, it has also prompted real concern among healthcare professionals. Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California joins us to discuss.

Police are out in force tonight in Havana, Cuba, after thousands of protesters rose up Sunday, taking to the streets across the country in the largest demonstrations against communist rule in a generation. Nick Schifrin begins our coverage, and talks to Lillian Guerra, a professor of Cuban history at the University of Florida, about the country's political developments.

It's been less than a week since the shocking assassination of Haiti's President Jovenel Moïse. A possible conspiracy involving a Haitian-born doctor from Florida has further roiled a fraught situation as political rivals jockey for power. Judy Woodruff speaks to Eduardo Gamarra, professor of political science at Florida International University, who has written widely on Haiti, and the Caribbean.

Washington, D.C. Is one of five areas nationwide where the Biden administration is launching strike teams to address gun trafficking. Like many regions across the country, homicides and gun violence in the city have been on the rise, impacting communities of color disproportionately. Lisa Desjardins discusses the issue with Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, who was at the White House meeting Monday.

During the pandemic, the federal government spent more than $50 billion to shore up the child care industry. But advocates say cost and access are still big hurdles. Over the past several months, special correspondent Cat Wise and producer Kate McMahon traveled across the country for our series “Raising the Future: America’s child care dilemma.” They begin with how we got here and what’s at stake.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including former President Donald Trump’s rewriting of the January 6 attacks, President Joe Biden’s stance on police reform and what it says about the Democratic party.