July 29, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Roughly 2.7 million civilians working for the federal government now have a big choice to make about COVID-19 shots as President Joe Biden moves to require federal workers get vaccinated or face regular testing. That decision, and the return to the recommendation for Americans to wear face masks indoors, is causing a deep divide across the country, and in Congress. Yamiche Alcindor reports.

The frustration over masking mandates that has been playing out around the country erupted in Missouri Tuesday night during a county council meeting that focused on the new mask mandates issued just the day before. Dr. Faisal Khan, the acting director of the St Louis County Health Department called to testify during that meeting, faced racial slurs, verbal attacks and even physical intimidation.

In our news wrap Thursday, the U.S. Congress gave final approval today to $2 billion in emergency spending for Capitol security. The Biden administration will allow a nationwide ban on evictions imposed during the pandemic to expire Saturday. The U.S. Commerce Department said economic growth reached an annual rate of 6.5% in the year's second quarter. On wall street, stocks managed modest gains.

Tokyo on Thursday registered its highest number yet of COVID-19 cases. Amid American triumphs in the gym and the pool, the reigning world champion pole vaulter Sam Kendricks was forced to leave after testing positive. The Japanese public is split between cheering the medal count and fearing the virus. Opposition to the games has only grown. Special correspondent Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

American gymnast Sunisa Lee's gold medal in gymnastics Thursday makes her the first Hmong American to participate and win in the Olympics. Lee said she trains daily for first-generation Americans and wanted to win for Hmong Americans. John Yang reports on the reaction within the Hmong American community with Bo Thao-Urabe, founder and executive director of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders.

The grey wolf was once nearly hunted to extinction in the U.S. until the federal government put it on the endangered species list in 1974. 20 years later, it was successfully reintroduced to Idaho and Yellowstone. As pack numbers grew, the gray wolf was taken off the list. But more than 50 wildlife groups are worried it may face endangerment again from expanded hunting. William Brangham reports.

While art history usually involves portraits of royalty and society's rich and famous, a young Detroit artist is rethinking who deserves a place in the picture. Jeffrey Brown reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.