PBS News Hour full episode, Nov. 26, 2025

Key Concepts

• National Guard Shooting: Two National Guardsmen critically injured in a shooting near the White House, leading to a White House lockdown and increased security measures.
• Trump Election Case Dismissal: The final criminal charges against Donald Trump related to overturning the 2020 election in Georgia were dropped.
• Ukraine Peace Negotiations: Leaked call from a U.S. negotiator reveals details of a proposed peace plan for Ukraine, causing controversy.
• Army OB-GYN Scandal: Numerous women accuse an Army OB-GYN of recording patients, leading to a large-scale investigation and lawsuits.
• Thanksgiving Travel: Major winter storm impacting travel plans across the U.S.
• Hong Kong Fire: Deadly high-rise fire in Hong Kong results in significant casualties.
• Taiwan Defense Budget: Taiwan announces a substantial military budget increase amid perceived threats from China.
• Thailand Flooding: Severe flooding in Southern Thailand causes widespread displacement and fatalities.
• Middle East Exchange: Israel returns bodies of Palestinians to Gaza under a fragile cease-fire.
• Guinea-Bissau Coup: Soldiers claim control of Guinea-Bissau following elections.
• Wall Street Performance: Stock markets show gains ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Annual balloon inflation event takes place in New York City.
• Immigration Reform Debate: A group discusses strategies for achieving bipartisan immigration reform.
• Lacrosse History: The deep cultural and spiritual significance of lacrosse, particularly for the Haudenosaunee people, is explored.
• Music Therapy: The use of music therapy to address trauma and improve well-being among elderly immigrants in Boston is highlighted.

National Guard Shooting Near White House

Two National Guardsmen were shot and critically injured near the White House. The incident prompted a brief White House lockdown. Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., described it as a "targeted shooting" by a lone suspect who has been apprehended. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are collaborating to bring the perpetrator to justice. The suspect is receiving medical treatment. In response to the shooting, the Secretary of Defense has requested the deployment of an additional 500 troops to Washington, D.C. President Trump, in a social media post, referred to the suspect as an "animal" and vowed a "very steep price" for the act. The presence of the National Guard in the capital has been a subject of political debate and lawsuits concerning the Trump administration's use of military resources for domestic law enforcement.

Dismissal of Final Charges Against Donald Trump in Georgia

The last criminal case against former President Donald Trump concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia has been dismissed. The prosecutor appointed to oversee the case, Peter Skandalakis, filed a motion to dismiss the charges against Trump and 18 co-defendants. Skandalakis cited the indictment being "too sweeping" and the case being too complex and time-consuming to prosecute, potentially extending to 2029-2031. He also indicated a reluctance to charge a sitting president. The case originated from an infamous phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in January 2021, where Trump allegedly pressured Raffensperger to "find 11,000 votes." The charges were brought in August 2023 as a RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) case. Former federal prosecutor Gene Rossi described the indictment as a "hot mess" and stated the case has "no chance of survival."

U.S. Peace Plan for Ukraine and Leaked Negotiator Call

Details of a U.S. peace plan for Ukraine have emerged, reportedly requiring Ukraine to reduce its military by nearly a third, abandon NATO aspirations, and demilitarize territory in Donetsk. This plan has been met with criticism from Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling such assessments "unacceptable" and asserting that Russia, not Ukraine, should be pressured for peace. The confidence of Russia in a potential U.S. deal is noted, with President Putin expressing optimism about achieving "acceptable and sought-after results" through peaceful means.

A significant development is the leak of a phone conversation between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Yuri Ushakov, Putin's top foreign policy aide. In the leaked transcript, Witkoff expressed "deepest respect for President Putin" and advised Ushakov on how Putin should communicate with Trump, suggesting he "congratulate the president on this achievement of a cease-fire in Gaza." Witkoff also discussed the potential for a peace deal involving "Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere," but urged a more hopeful tone. This leak has drawn criticism, with some U.S. officials calling for Witkoff's dismissal, while others, including former President Trump, defended it as "standard negotiation." Russian officials claim the transcript was leaked to create division between Washington and Moscow. European officials, such as Kaja Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission, emphasize the need for concessions from Russia to cease aggression and prevent border changes by force.

Army OB-GYN Patient Abuse Scandal

The U.S. Army is facing a significant scandal involving allegations of sexual abuse by an OB-GYN, Major Blaine McGraw, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and previously at an Army base in Hawaii. Approximately 2,500 patient notification letters have been sent out, and around 80 women have filed legal complaints. One complaint alleges that Dr. McGraw "used his position of trust to sexually exploit, manipulate and secretly record women under his care."

Andrew Cobos, an attorney representing 70 alleged victims, described the situation as one of the largest and most significant sexual assault cases in military history. The majority of the women represented are military spouses, spanning all four branches of the military. Allegations include medically unnecessary examinations, improper touching, and, in some cases, inducing birth without patient consent or notification to their families.

The discovery of the recordings reportedly stemmed from a husband who was present during his wife's examination and noticed Dr. McGraw's phone was recording. This led to an investigation by the Criminal Investigative Division (CID) of the Army, which uncovered numerous videos and photographs on McGraw's phone. Nurses at the Hawaii medical center reportedly knew about allegations against McGraw, with it being a "running joke" that he received "crazy patients." Cobos highlighted that complaints made by patients at the Hawaii center were allegedly ignored, with one client being given a number to call that repeatedly hung up on her or put her on hold.

The Army has issued a statement affirming its commitment to supporting affected patients, establishing a call center, assigning a special victims counsel, and encouraging individuals with information to come forward. Cobos emphasized that accountability should extend beyond the perpetrator to the Army itself for its alleged failures to act proactively. His clients are filing a federal tort claims act lawsuit against the Army, seeking restitution for damages. Cobos noted that this pattern of abuse and systemic failures has been observed in the Army and other military services, referencing the Vanessa Guillen incident as an example of a report detailing Army shortcomings.

Thanksgiving Travel Disruptions

A major winter storm is causing widespread travel disruptions across the U.S. ahead of Thanksgiving. The Upper Midwest has experienced heavy snowfall, with over a foot and a half in some areas, leading to dangerous road conditions. Millions of Americans are facing travel challenges, with AAA estimating that 90% of Thanksgiving travelers will drive, leading to anticipated traffic jams. Air travel is also affected, with the FAA expecting the busiest travel day in 15 years. By late today, approximately 4,000 domestic and international flights were delayed at U.S. airports, representing nearly one in ten flights. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has launched a civility campaign, encouraging travelers to be more considerate.

Hong Kong High-Rise Fire

A massive fire in a high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong has resulted in at least 36 deaths and 279 missing individuals. The blaze began when bamboo scaffolding caught fire and spread rapidly through the night, exacerbated by wind. Firefighters are working to bring the situation under control. The complex houses 4,800 residents. This fire is the deadliest in Hong Kong in nearly three decades, and three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

Taiwan's Increased Defense Spending

Taiwan has announced a special $40 billion military budget over eight years, starting in 2026, following U.S. pressure to enhance its defense capabilities. The budget includes plans for an air defense system, the purchase of American missiles, and joint U.S.-Taiwan arms production. This move is intended to address perceived threats from China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Southern Thailand Flooding

Severe flooding in Southern Thailand has claimed at least 33 lives since late last week due to relentless monsoon rains. The Thai military is conducting water rescues and airlifts. A state of emergency has been declared for the Songkhla region, the most affected area, where over two million people have been displaced. Rainfall has begun to ease, offering hope for receding water levels.

Middle East Exchange of Remains

Israel has returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza as part of a fragile cease-fire agreement. This exchange follows Israel's identification of remains returned yesterday of slain hostage Dror Or. The remains of one Israeli and one Thai national, both hostages, are still to be returned from Gaza.

Guinea-Bissau Political Instability

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau claim to have taken "total control" of the country following elections where both presidential contenders declared victory. A military spokesperson stated that the action was taken to prevent manipulation of election results. The electoral commission was scheduled to announce initial findings, but the military has suspended the electoral process, closed borders, and imposed a curfew. This is the latest in a series of coups or attempted coups in Guinea-Bissau since its independence in 1974.

Wall Street Performance

U.S. stock markets experienced solid gains heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, driven by hopes for an interest rate cut. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by over 300 points, the Nasdaq rose by nearly 200 points, and the S&P 500 closed higher for the fourth consecutive session.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

Thousands gathered in New York City to witness the annual inflation of balloons for the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This preview event is a cherished tradition, with each balloon taking approximately 90 minutes to inflate and some reaching heights of up to five stories.

Push for Bipartisan Immigration Reform

A group in South Lebanon, Ohio, is working to foster bipartisan immigration reform. Organized by Braver Angels, a group that bridges political divides, the initiative aims to reduce partisanship and polarization. Participants, including Republican and Democratic voters, discussed issues such as border security, legal pathways to residency, and humane treatment of immigrants. The group has found common ground on values like border security and treating people with dignity. Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, participated in discussions, highlighting the challenge of translating public consensus into legislative action due to political polarization and gerrymandering. Voters expressed a mix of hope and skepticism about Congress's ability to enact meaningful reform.

The History and Significance of Lacrosse

Scott L. Price, author of "The American Game: History and Hope in the Country of Lacrosse," discusses the deep cultural and spiritual significance of lacrosse, particularly for the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people. Created over 1,000 years ago, the game served purposes beyond recreation, including settling boundary disputes, training warriors, entertaining the creator, and healing the community. While stick-and-ball games were common among tribes, lacrosse has unique spiritual dimensions for the Haudenosaunee, including "medicine games" for healing and playing for sovereignty.

In the late 1800s, George Beers, a dentist, is credited with appropriating lacrosse from Native Americans, transforming it into a "civilized sport." Historically, Canada, the U.S., England, and Australia were lacrosse powers. Price conducted 370 interviews for his book, noting a common "dreamy-eyed expression" when people discuss the game.

Oren Lyons, a prominent indigenous activist, co-founded the Iroquois Nationals in 1983 with Wes Patterson to revive the field lacrosse team. Despite a difficult start, the team has improved significantly, ranking third in the world by 2014. In 2023, lacrosse was accepted by the International Olympic Committee as a host city sport for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, the IOC does not recognize the Haudenosaunee as a nation, offering them the option to try out for U.S. or Canadian teams, which is unlikely to be accepted due to sovereignty concerns.

Price argues that lacrosse reflects the continent's culture and history more than any other sport, predating baseball and football by centuries and embodying the experiences of Native Americans, including the collision with white society, appropriation of land, and genocide. He concludes that while the sport and the country are imperfect, they are working towards a "more perfect union and a more perfect sport."

Music Therapy for Elderly Immigrants

In Boston, therapists are using music to help elderly immigrants overcome trauma and improve their well-being. Ming Yuan Low, an assistant professor at Berklee College of Music, leads music therapy sessions at the Greater Boston Chinatown Golden Age Center. These sessions involve singing popular Chinese songs from the 1960s to '80s, which are formative years for the participants, many of whom are retired, have limited English proficiency, and may lack family support.

Low explains that music therapy offers a vital form of health and enjoyment, especially for those living long lives without connection or pleasure. Music can lower defenses, allowing individuals to process past experiences and share them with others, even if they don't explicitly name their struggles. The Chinatown Golden Age Center provides various services, including mental health support, for Chinese elders who often face linguistic and cultural isolation, and a stigma around expressing emotions.

Megan Cheung, the center's associate director, notes that anxiety and depression are common among Asian American elders, who may exhibit physical symptoms rather than verbalizing their feelings due to cultural norms. Music therapy is seen as a way to heal when words fail.

Ninety-three-year-old Situ Pin, who attends the center daily, finds that music makes him happy and helps him forget past hardships, alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation. Low also believes music therapy is aiding Situ Pin and others in the group, who suffer from dementia, with their cognitive memory. Students at Berklee, like Jie Wen Ong and Irene Chow, are trained in music therapy and use their skills to help participants transfer coping mechanisms and emotional expression into their daily lives. The field is still exploring the physiological impacts of music, with a focus on understanding patient needs and delivering relevant services.

Conclusion

The "News Hour" covered a range of significant events, including a shooting incident near the White House, the dismissal of charges against former President Trump, developments in the Ukraine conflict, and a major scandal within the U.S. Army. Additionally, the broadcast touched upon global news, economic trends impacting Thanksgiving feasts, efforts towards immigration reform, the historical and cultural significance of lacrosse, and the therapeutic benefits of music for elderly immigrants.