March 3, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

In our news wrap Wednesday, President Biden denounced decisions some state leaders are making to loosen COVID restrictions a day after Texas and Mississippi lifted mask mandates, the U.S. House moved to pass major election changes, at least 34 protesters were shot dead in Myanmar amid a crackdown by security forces, and rockets struck a U.S. base in Iraq.

In his first speech as secretary of state, Antony Blinken on Wednesday unveiled the Biden administration's top foreign policy priorities, including containing COVID and putting Americans first. Judy Woodruff spoke with Blinken about those topics as well as vaccine diplomacy, China's human rights record, Iran nuclear talks, U.S.-Saudi Arabia relations, and U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Although the U.S. should have enough vaccines on hand for all adults by the end of May, it may take longer to inoculate enough Americans to provide adequate protection. There are many reasons for that, but key among them, lingering concerns and skepticism about the vaccine. Dr. Kimberly Manning of the Emory University School of Medicine joins Amna Nawaz to discuss and answer viewers’ questions.

As Washington debates how to provide economic aid during the pandemic, many say one critical component should be part of future deals: forgiving student debt. But determining how much could or should be forgiven is a complicated question. Paul Solman looks at the pressure to make changes for our series, "Making Sense."

Beloved country star Dolly Parton, who helped fund the Moderna vaccine, received her COVID-19 shot Tuesday, getting what she called “a dose of her own medicine.” In a video posted to social media, she encourages us all to do the same.