October 26, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Congressional Democrats spent Tuesday in a rush trying to work out the contours of a major proposal backed by President Joe Biden that would steer federal dollars toward climate initiatives, expand the U.S. safety net and change some aspects of the American tax system. But whether progressive and moderate Democrats fall in line behind the proposal remains up in the air. Lisa Desjardins reports.

In our news wrap Tuesday, U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisers recommended that the agency approve Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11. The Pentagon is warning that the Islamic State in Afghanistan could be able to strike at the U.S. within 6 to 12 months. State media in Iran say a cyberattack closed gas stations across the country.

Much of the U.S. is dealing with powerful storms that brought extreme winds and rain that triggered floods and mudslides. Governors of New Jersey and New York declared emergencies over the storms. Americans in the Midwest are also recovering from tornadoes, and drought-stricken California was pummeled by “bomb cyclones.” John Yang has our report.

As Democrats work to whittle down the price tag of their social spending bill, many key policies that would impact the lives of millions of Americans are on the chopping block. One issue that’s been renegotiated is a national paid leave policy — cut down from the initial proposal of 12 weeks to four weeks. We hear from Americans across the country about how this issue has impacted their lives.

A Senate committee is widening its investigation into the impact social media platforms have on children, teens and young adults, with more apps facing congressional scrutiny. William Brangham reports with Jean Twenge, a psychology professor and author of "iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy — and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood."

Thousands of Afghan refugees are now in the process of settling into American life following their evacuation from Afghanistan when the Taliban took control of the country in August. Those refugees are mostly scattered among eight military bases around the United States. But approximately 10,000 have resettled in different communities. Nick Schifrin has the story of one such Afghan refugee.

As California faces what is predicted to be one of its worst droughts in recorded history, water managers are seeing record increases in water theft, leaving communities angry and police chasing water bandits constantly on the move. Byrhonda Lyons of CalMatters, the nonprofit news site, has the story of how water meant for residential use is flowing to illegal marijuana farms.