PBS News Hour full episode, Feb. 5, 2026

A new PBS News/NPR/Marist poll indicates a significant increase in public disapproval of ICE actions. 65% of Americans now believe ICE has gone too far, up from 54% last year. Crucially, 50% of Americans report feeling 'much less safe' because of ICE, a law enforcement agency intended for protection. This sentiment extends across party lines, with 27% of Republicans now disapproving, a 7-point jump and one of the highest disapproval ratings for a Trump policy. This public sentiment is a major factor in the ongoing Capitol Hill debate over Department of Homeland Security funding, with Democrats proposing 10 reforms for ICE, including body cameras and judicial warrants, which Republicans largely reject.

PBS News/NPR/Marist poll results: 65% believe ICE has gone too far (up from 54%), 50% feel much less safe. 27% of Republicans disapprove (up 7 points). Democrats' 10 demands for ICE reforms and Republican red lines.

South Carolina is experiencing a historically large measles outbreak with 876 confirmed cases, making it the biggest in the U.S. since the country achieved measles elimination in 2000. This surge is primarily driven by growing pockets of low vaccination rates. Measles is highly contagious and can cause severe complications, including hearing loss, death, and a wipeout of the immune system's memory, making individuals vulnerable to other infections. The success of vaccines has led to a 'collective amnesia' about the disease's dangers, contributing to declining vaccination rates. The U.S. is projected to lose its measles elimination status by April, mirroring a global trend where several European countries have already lost theirs.

South Carolina has 876 confirmed cases, exceeding 2025 West Texas (762) and 2019 NYC (649) outbreaks. Katelyn Jetelina states 'core driver is susceptibility' due to 'pockets of low vaccination rates.' Measles can cause 'hearing loss, it can cause death, but it can also wipe out your immune system memory.' U.S. likely to lose elimination status by April.

Second mortgages issued before the 2008 financial crisis, often considered forgiven or dormant, are now being reactivated by investors, leading to foreclosures. These 'zombie mortgages' were bought for pennies on the dollar by investment funds like Aspen Funds, which waited for property values to rebound post-COVID. Homeowners like Terence Hardin, who had built significant equity, are being blindsided by foreclosure proceedings for debts they believed were resolved, often without receiving prior statements or being charged retroactive interest. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's investigation into these practices was halted by the Trump administration, leaving homeowners vulnerable, though some states are passing legislation to protect them.

Terence Hardin was evicted from his home due to a second mortgage he thought was gone, losing nearly $200,000 in equity. Jerry and Sharon Lomurno face a $75,000 claim on a $30,000 loan from 2006. Andrew Engel explains lenders sold these for 'pennies on the dollar' and investors 'sat and waited' for market values to return. Bloomberg News estimates over 600,000 such mortgages could resurface. CFPB investigation was 'shut down last February by the Trump administration.'

Sudan is grappling with the largest humanitarian crisis globally, with famine now spreading to more parts of Darfur. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced 14 million people and killed an estimated 40,000. Civilians in besieged cities like Kadugli, recently 'liberated' by the army, face overwhelming suffering, including widespread hunger, with families resorting to eating tree leaves and grass. The RSF is accused of genocide in Darfur, echoing past atrocities. Despite recent pledges, including $1.5 billion from the U.S., aid efforts are severely underfunded, and there is a critical three-month window before the rainy season makes aid delivery impossible in many areas.

U.N.-backed watchdog warns famine spreading in Darfur. 14 million displaced, 40,000 killed. Haja Bahareldin lost three children to hunger. Aid worker reports 'famine, families forced to eat tree leaves and grass.' RSF accused of genocide in Darfur. Jan Egeland states 'biggest gap anywhere in the world between urgent needs and available aid.' U.S. pledged $1.5 billion, but money 'needs to come now.'

Prajwala, an Indian organization, has helped over 32,000 women exit sex work, providing shelter and vocational training. However, its 'raid-and-rescue' approach, influenced by past U.S. anti-trafficking policies, faces criticism. Anthropologist Vibhuti Ramachandran argues that many women enter sex work voluntarily due to extreme poverty and illiteracy, not always through trafficking, and may not wish to be 'rescued' or undergo lengthy rehabilitation. Critics highlight issues with substandard shelters, the confiscation of women's livelihoods, and the slow court system for release. Prajwala's founder, Sunitha Krishnan, maintains a steadfastly abolitionist stance, viewing sex work as a 'patriarchal legitimization of commodifying a woman's body,' and emphasizes the need for improved shelters and long-term education.

Prajwala helped over 32,000 women. Sunitha Krishnan's background as a rape survivor. Lakshmi Priya, Nazia, Siraj's stories of coercion and poverty. Vibhuti Ramachandran states 'most of these women... are not actually trafficked and go into the business voluntarily.' She questions 'why are we exceptionalizing the sex industry?' Krishnan calls herself 'steadfastly abolitionist' and views sex work as 'the oldest form of patriarchal legitimization.'