PBS News Hour full episode, May 12, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced bipartisan criticism over the rising financial burden of the war with Iran. The Pentagon's Chief Financial Officer, Jules W. Hurst III, confirmed the estimated cost increased from $25 billion to $29 billion in under two weeks, citing equipment repair, replacement, and operational expenses. This conflict, particularly the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, has directly contributed to a 3.8% year-over-year rise in the Consumer Price Index in April, the highest inflation rate since 2023. This inflation is eroding wage gains, making it difficult for many Americans to make ends meet.

Jules W. Hurst III, CFO, Defense Department: 'And so now we think it's closer to 29. That's because of updated repair and replacement of equipment cost and also just general operational costs to keep people in theater.' (00:04:36) Heather Long, Chief Economist, Navy Federal Credit Union: 'Inflation is a major problem again for the U.S. economy. And it's not just gas.' (00:08:41)

President Trump's visit to China aimed to engage President Xi Jinping, given China's status as Iran's largest oil customer and potential leverage in the conflict. However, Trump publicly downplayed the need for Chinese intervention, stating, 'I don't think we need any help with Iran. We will win it peacefully or otherwise.' Despite US sanctions on smaller Chinese oil refiners, China has continued to provide an economic lifeline to Iran. A senior US official noted that while China suffers economically from the Strait of Hormuz closure, it also perceives a benefit from the US being 'bogged down in a war in the Middle East,' making significant Chinese pressure on Iran unlikely.

Donald Trump, President of the United States: 'No, I don't think we need any help with Iran. We will win it one way or the other. We will win it peacefully or otherwise.' (00:05:53) Nick Schifrin: 'The U.S. has been asking China to use that leverage for years. And a senior U.S. official tells me that, yes, while China does suffer a little bit economically because the Strait of Hormuz is closed, it also thinks it benefits from the fact that the U.S. is bogged down in a war in the Middle East.' (00:18:08)

A recent US Supreme Court decision, which narrowed key provisions of the Voting Rights Act protecting minority voting power, has triggered a wave of redistricting efforts across several states, including Louisiana, Missouri, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In Louisiana, Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency, suspending House primary elections to redraw maps. Critics argue that Republicans are 'twisting' the ruling for political gain, potentially eliminating majority-minority districts and netting 10 or more seats for the GOP nationally. The close correlation between race and partisanship in states like Louisiana (80% white Republican, 90% Black Democratic) makes it challenging to separate the two in redistricting.

Liz Landers: 'Just a couple weeks ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's congressional map, the conservative justices narrowing the Voting Rights Act and a provision protecting minority voting power when states draw district lines.' (00:27:01) Jim Engster, Host, 'Talk Louisiana': 'In Louisiana about 80 percent of the white people are voting Republican and about 90 percent of the Black people are voting Democratic. So it is nearly impossible to separate race from partisanship.' (00:32:34)

The Ukrainian city of Izyum, strategically linking the Kharkiv region to Donetsk, is once again preparing for a potential Russian occupation, just 15 miles from the front line. The city endured a brutal six-month occupation in 2022, which revealed widespread Russian war crimes, including torture, rape, and mass graves containing over 1,000 victims, mostly civilians. Residents like Serhii Saltovskyi, who was tortured and forced to bury bodies, express deep trauma and fear of reliving such horrors. The city is now covered with nets to protect against drones, and families who were displaced multiple times are considering fleeing again.

Serhii Saltovskyi, Resident of Izyum: 'I was tortured with electricity in the basement. I was in there for almost 24 hours. They beat us up. They took us to the forest and pretended to execute us.' (00:35:35) Oleksandr Kobolev, Head of War Crimes Unit: 'The overwhelming number of these dead are civilians.' (00:37:04)

Amidst rising costs and uncertain job prospects, particularly with the advent of artificial intelligence, many students and even university presidents are questioning the worth of a college degree. While Michigan State University boasts a 93% placement rate for graduates, students at both MSU and Eastern Michigan University express high anxiety about entering the job market. The cost of a public university degree, averaging $27,000 annually, has become prohibitive due to administrative bloat, amenity arms races, and significant cuts in federal and state funding. Universities are adapting by focusing on internships and soliciting alumni input on essential workforce skills.

Itzel Segovia, Student, Michigan State University: 'I'd give it an eight as of now.' (00:42:51) Brendan Kelly, President, Eastern Michigan University: 'Higher education hasn't done that very well. Our business is rooted in the student, and then has to be connected to their participation in the economy after graduation.' (00:46:04)

Historian Helen Zoe Veit explains that childhood pickiness is a relatively modern phenomenon in America. In the 19th century, children were 'little omnivores' due to more physical activity, less snacking between meals, and limited access to fresh milk, meaning they came to meals genuinely hungry. The 20th century saw a shift with less outdoor play, increased snacking, and a strong push from nutritionists for children to drink large quantities of milk (up to a quart daily), which significantly 'tamped down appetites for meals' and hindered their ability to develop a liking for new foods. Veit suggests that historical methods, like not offering alternatives to a main meal, can be effective.

Helen Zoe Veit, Author: 'It's really the last moment in America where, like, childhood pickiness didn't even exist as a concept.' (00:51:31) Helen Zoe Veit: 'The recommendation is that kids as young as 2 years old drink a quart of milk...and it really tamped down appetites for meals.' (00:52:37)