October 23, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Coronavirus is spreading across the United States more widely than it did in previous waves. U.S. hospitalizations rose 40 percent in the past month and increased across 38 states during the past week. The country saw more than 75,000 new cases Thursday; over 41,000 people are hospitalized with the virus. Judy Woodruff talks to Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health.

President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden faced tough questions in their final debate Thursday, but the face-off remained civil. On Friday, both candidates sought momentum for the closing sprint to Election Day. Trump rallied in the crucial state of Florida in an attempt to galvanize the senior vote, while Biden, in Delaware, focused on the pandemic. Amna Nawaz reports.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of American life, including the performing arts. Actors and dancers are experiencing unemployment rates over 50 percent, and many companies have said they will remain closed for in-person performances for the foreseeable future. But there are glimmers of hope and pockets of movement where the show goes on. Jeffrey Brown reports.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week in politics, including Florida’s complex electoral dynamics, how President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden performed in their final debate and the outlook for key competitive Senate races.

The NewsHour takes a moment every week to honor victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the stories of five more Americans who lost their lives in the crisis.