November 2, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Virginia's gubernatorial race has captured national attention because of a dead heat in a state President Joe Biden won by 10 points. Its results could provide insight into what's to come in next year's midterms. Jessica Taylor, senate and governors editor for The Cook Political Report, joins Judy Woodruff with more on Virginia, and New Jersey's gubernatorial race.

In our news wrap Tuesday, Facebook has announced it's shutting down its facial recognition system over growing privacy concerns, and has said it will delete the data by December. Yahoo is the latest tech company to leave China, citing growing restrictions. Arguments in Kyle Rittenhouse's trial in Kenosha, Wisconsin, began. He is charged with killing two men and wounding a third at a 2020 protest.

Democrats in Congress have spent the last several days working towards passing the Build Back Better and infrastructure packages. Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff with an update on negotiations.

It may be election day in 2021, but the attacks on the democratic process during the 2020 election had ripple effects that are still being felt. The latest PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll this week found that 81% of American adults believe the future of U.S. democracy is under serious threat. Tammy Patrick, senior advisor The Democracy Fund's elections program joins Stephanie Sy to explore the issue.

World leaders from more than 100 countries are in attendance at the U.N. Climate conference in Scotland. But China's Xi Jinping, president of the globe's largest polluter, is absent from the crowd. For any efforts to succeed in fighting climate change, China must be at the forefront. Reducing China's reliance on coal is key. Nick Schifrin and special correspondent Patrick Fok report.

College is a time of major transition and of stress. During the pandemic, students have been struggling to cope with ever-increasing levels of mental distress among students. A recent study by The American College Health Association found that one in four students had considered suicide. John Yang looks at the problem and solutions, on and off campus, for NewsHour's “Rethinking College” series.

Brandon Dennison is a sixth generation West Virginian who is on a mission to revitalize Appalachia. His community based non-profit, Colefield Development, has trained over 1200 people facing barriers to employment, helping with education and personal development. Dennison gives his Brief But Spectacular take on rebuilding the Appalachian economy, and making it sustainable in the process.

Judy Woodruff provides an election night update in various races across the country, including the crucial gubernatorial races in Virginia, New Jersey and more. Jessica Taylor, senate and governors editor for The Cook Political Report, joins Woodruff with analysis on available exit polls, vote counts and what hot-button issues have dominated the race.