July 16, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

In our news wrap Tuesday, Army Sec. Mark Esper criticized Turkey’s purchase of Russian-made air defenses during his Senate confirmation hearing for defense secretary. Esper called the NATO ally’s decision “very disappointing.” Also, federally funded family planning clinics can no longer refer women for abortions. Courts ruled the administration’s referral ban could proceed amid legal challenges.

Eric Garner’s dying words, “I can’t breathe,” served as a rallying cry for protests against police brutality. But the Justice Department announced Tuesday it would not file charges against the officer involved in the incident. The decision closes the door on federal prosecution, as the statute of limitations expires Wednesday. Yamiche Alcindor talks to Katie Benner of The New York Times.

Over the past five years, Venezuela’s combination of political instability, economic crisis and humanitarian disaster has driven record numbers of people out of the country to seek refuge elsewhere. The exodus is reshaping the entire continent of South America in unexpected ways. Amna Nawaz reports from the border between Venezuela and Brazil, where she met families making the desperate journey.

It's been three years since a groundbreaking peace deal between the Colombian government and FARC rebels. The agreement opened the door for land reform, political participation for ex-rebels and a crackdown on drug trafficking. But most of those problems remain, amid a political transition and influx of Venezuelan refugees. Judy Woodruff talks to foreign minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo.

In Puerto Rico, demonstrators have gathered for days to demand the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rossello after hundreds of misogynistic, homophobic and crude text messages he exchanged with members of his inner circle were released. Targets included political opponents and the island’s financial oversight board. William Brangham talks to Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., about the fallout.

Pulitzer-winning author Colson Whitehead’s latest novel, “The Nickel Boys,” is based on the true story of a boys’ reform school in the Florida Panhandle that became notorious for horrific abuse. Jeffrey Brown sat down with Whitehead recently to discuss why the topic drew him in, the choice between realism and fantasy in his books, his evolving career and worries about the American cultural moment.