PLEASE STAND BY.

PLEASE STAND BY.

PLEASE STAND BY.

GEOFF: ALL THE NEXT NEWS HOUR, HOW THIS YEAR’S DROUGHT AND THE SHRINKING COLORADO RIVER ARE COMPOUNDING PROBLEMS FOR FARMERS, FRIDAY ON THE PBS NEWS HOUR.

GEOFF: A RETURN TO OPEN HOSTILITIES BETWEEN IRAN AND THE U.S.

TESTS NEGOTIATIONS TO END THE WAR.

THAT’S AT 7:00 ON KPBS.

GEOFF: GOOD EVENING.

I’M GEOFF BENNETT.

AMNA NAWAZ IS AWAY.

ON THE "NEWS HOUR" TONIGHT -- A RETURN TO OPEN HOSTILITIES WITH IRAN.

WHAT THE LATEST U.S.

STRIKES MEAN FOR EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE AN END TO THE WAR.

DEMOCRATS SEARCH FOR A REPLACEMENT SENATE CANDIDATE IN MAINE AFTER A SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS FORCE GRAHAM PLATNER TO DROP OUT OF THE RACE.

WE SPEAK WITH FORMER WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF AND POTENTIAL 2028 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE RAHM EMANUEL ABOUT HIS WARNING TO ISRAEL THAT IT CAN NO LONGER EXPECT "UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT" FROM THE U.S.

>> THIS IS AT A TIPPING POINT.

AMERICA HAS BEEN ON YOUR JOURNEY WITH YOU FOR 78 YEARS SINCE THE FOUNDING AND HARRY S. TRUMAN.

BUT YOU HAVE TAKEN YOURSELF UNDER THIS PRIME MINISTER STRAIGHT INTO A WALL AND CRASHED THE CAR.

GEOFF: AND THE BAND HERMANOS GUTIERREZ JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT THE STORIES THEY TELL THROUGH MUSIC -- AND PERFORM THEIR NEW SINGLE.

♪ >> MAJOR FUNDING FOR THE PBS NEWS HOUR HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY -- >> CONSUMER CELLULAR.

THIS IS SAM.

HOW MAY I HELP YOU?

THIS IS A POCKET DIAL.

WELL, SOMEBODY’S POCKET, I THOUGHT I WOULD LET YOU KNOW THAT WITH CONSUMER CELLULAR, YOU GET NATIONWIDE COVERAGE WITH NO CONTRACT.

THAT’S KIND OF OUR THING.

HAVE A NICE DAY.

>> FRIENDS OF THE NEWS HOUR, INCLUDING THE RAYMOND JAMES CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT FUND.

THE ANDREW CARNEGIE FOUNDATION, FORMERLY CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK, WORKING TO REDUCE POLITICAL POLARIZATION THROUGH PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION, DEMOCRACY, AND PEACE.

AND WITH THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS.

♪ THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

GEOFF: WELCOME TO THE NEWS HOUR.

HEY RETURN TO OPEN HOSTILITIES BETWEEN THE U.S.

AND IRAN.

LATE LAST NIGHT, U.S.

CENTRAL COMMAND SAID IT COMPLETED A NEW ROUND OF STRIKES AGAINST IRAN.

NEITHER SIDE APPEARS READY TO RETURN TO TALKS, AND IRAN HAS NOT SAID IT WILL ALLOW FREE PASSAGE THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ.

OUR LIZ LANDERS STARTS OUR COVERAGE.

LIZ: OVERNIGHT, AIRSTRIKES KNOCKED OUT A CONTROL TOWER IN SOUTHERN IRAN.

U.S.

CENTRAL COMMAND SAYS IT STRUCK ROUGHLY 90 TARGETS ACROSS IRAN LAST NIGHT, TARGETING MILITARY ASSETS TO "FURTHER DEGRADE IRAN’S ABILITY TO ATTACK COMMERCIAL SHIPPING."

AN UPTICK FROM THE 80 TARGETS THAT WERE HIT THE NIGHT BEFORE.

BY DAY, IRAN’S COAST BILLOWED WITH PLUMES OF FIRE OFF THE WATER, BOATS SET ABLAZE.

IN RETALIATION, IRAN FIRED ACROSS THE GULF TARGETING AMERICAN MILITARY SITES.

AIR RAID SIRENS OVER KUWAIT CITY.

A MESSAGE, "TO THE MEMORY OF THE CLINCHED FIST OF THE MARTYRED LEADER."

ANOTHER VIOLENT NIGHT IN A SECOND CYCLE OF BOMBING PULLING AT THE SEAMS HAVE A CEASE ALREADY THREADBARE.

PRES.

TRUMP: WE JUST HIT THEM VERY HARD.

LIZ: LAST NIGHT ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, LITTLE APPETITE FOR DIPLOMACY.

PRES.

TRUMP: 20 TO ONE, EVERY TIME THEY HIT US, WE ARE GOING TO HIT THEM 20.

LIZ: THE PRIME MINISTER MOURNED ON SOCIAL MEDIA "AMERICA STILL HAS NOT LEARNED THAT BULLYING AND BREAKING PROMISES ARE NO LONGER COST FREE.

LET ME PUT IT PLAINLY -- IF YOU STRIKE, YOU WILL GET HIT."

THE RETURN TO OPEN HOSTILITIES FOLLOWS IRAN STRIKING THREE COMMERCIAL OIL TANKERS IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ.

THAT FIGHTING, THE U.N.

SAID TODAY, IS TRAPPING OVER SIX THOUSAND SAILORS IN THE PARTIALLY BLOCKED WATERWAY.

AS THE PASSAGE REMAINS PERILOUS, REMAINING SHIPS TRANSITING GO DARK, TURNING OFF THEIR SIGNAL BEFORE NAVIGATING.

>> IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ, WE HAD BOOTS ON THE GROUND WHICH BECOMES THE GREAT DIFFERENTIATOR.

ARE WE WILLING TO TAKE THAT RISK HERE?

LIZ: A RETIRED VICE ADMIRAL WAS THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF CENTCOM FROM 2012 TO 2014.

HE’S NOW A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE JUNIOR INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY IN AMERICA.

HE SAYS SENDING TROOPS INTO IRAN TO DESTROY IRANIAN FORCES THAT THREATEN SHIPPING IS NECESSARY.

>> IF WE DON’T KNOW IF WE HAVE COMPLETELY ERADICATED DRONES AND MISSILES FROM KHARG ISLAND, ANYWHERE ELSE, GOING IN, BOMBING HITS AND THEN FOLLOWING IT WITH A RAID TO PUT BOOTS ON THE GROUND TO ENSURE WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THAT MISSION IS ANOTHER OPTION AVAILABLE TO THE PRESIDENT.

BUT WE DID IT IN THE CASE OF THE DOWNED PILOT.

I THINK THIS IS A STRATEGIC AND NECESSARY REQUIREMENT TO DO IT AGAIN NOW TO VERIFY AND ENSURE THEY CANNOT -- >> YOU PUT BOOTS ON THE GROUND, THEY ARE TARGETS.

LIZ: A FORMER NEGOTIATOR FOR THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL UNDER OBAMA SAYS SENDING U.S.

TROOPS INTO IRAN WOULD NOT ELIMINATE IRAN’S ABILITY TO THREATEN SHIPPING IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ.

>> IRAN, AT LEAST IN TERMS OF ALL THE ASSESSMENTS I HAVE SEEN, HAS SIGNIFICANT REMAINING QUANTITIES OF MISSILES AND DRONES.

THESE SMALL BOATS CAN BE QUICKLY DEPLOYED.

EVEN WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND, UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO STAY, I DON’T THINK WE CAN SUFFICIENTLY DEGRADE THEIR ABILITY TO THREATEN MARITIME SHIPPING IN THE STRAIT.

LIZ: KING TIME, ON THE GROUND IN IRAN, THE CONCLUDING STEPS IN THE MARCH FOR THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE AYATOLLAH.

HIS BODY FOLLOWED BY THOSE OF HIS FAMILY CARRIED BY TRUCK.

THOUSANDS OF MOURNERS LINED THE STREETS TO BID FAREWELL AND CALL FOR REVENGE.

THE FINAL BURIAL FOR THE ASSASSINATION THAT IGNITED THE WAR NOW APPROACHING ITS FIFTH MONTH.

AS A RETURN TO ALL-OUT CONFLICT REARS ITS HEAD.

FOR THE PBS NEWS HOUR, I’M LIZ LANDERS.

♪ GEOFF: IN OTHER HEADLINES, THREE-TIME OLYMPIC CANOE RACER DAVID HEARN PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGING THE REFLECTING POOL IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE 67-YEAR-OLD WAS MET WITH CHEERS AS HE LEFT THE COURTHOUSE THIS MORNING.

HE WAS INDICTED ON A SINGLE FELONY COUNT OF PROPERTY DESTRUCTION LAST WEEK.

HEARN SAYS HE REACHED INTO THE POOL TO EXAMINE THE PEELED LINER, BUT LET GO WHEN TOLD TO DO SO BY A PARK WORKER.

HIS LAWYER SAYS THE CASE AGAINST HIM IS BASED ON A "CONCOCTED NARRATIVE."

>> EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD BE ALARMED ABOUT THIS PROSECUTION.

THIS INDICTMENT REFLECTS THE ADMINISTRATION’S EFFORT TO SCAPEGOAT DAVY, AND TO SHIFT BLAME FOR THEIR OWN FAILURES.

GEOFF: PRESIDENT TRUMP’S MULTIMILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION OF THE POOL HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ISSUES, INCLUDING FRESHLY-FORMED ALGAE, AND SEALANT PEELING OFF.

HE HAS CLAIMED WITHOUT EVIDENCE THAT VANDALS SLASHED THE POOL’S SEALANT WITH A BOX CUTTER, AND U.S.

ATTORNEY JEANINE PIRRO HAS SAID THAT SIX OTHERS WERE ARRESTED ON RELATED CHARGES.

HEARN’S NEXT HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR EARLY AUGUST.

AS OF TODAY, TRAVELERS FLYING IN OR OUT OF PALM BEACH WILL PASS THROUGH PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE CHANGE FOLLOWS A LAW GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS SIGNED IN MARCH, RENAMING PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AFTER NEARLY HALF A CENTURY UNDER THAT NAME.

IT’S PART OF A BROADER PUSH TO PUT MR TRUMP’S NAME OR IMAGE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

ABOUT A DOZEN U.S.

AIRPORTS ARE NAMED FOR PRESIDENTS, BUT IT’S RARE FOR AN AIRPORT TO BE NAMED AFTER SOMEONE STILL LIVING, AND THIS IS THE FIRST NAMED FOR A SITTING PRESIDENT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO TOOK THE UNUSUAL STEP OF REGISTERING TRADEMARKS FOR THE AIRPORT’S NEW NAME, RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER HE STANDS TO PROFIT.

TURNING OVERSEAS, UKRAINE STRUCK MORE ENERGY TARGETS INSIDE RUSSIA TODAY WITH LONG-RANGE DRONES.

ITS MILITARY RELEASED THESE VIDEOS OF STRIKES ON TANKERS AND OTHER VESSELS IN THE SEA OF AZOFF.

THEY ALSO HIT OIL REFINERIES ELSEWHERE.

A DAY EARLIER, PRESIDENT TRUMP PLEDGED TO GRANT UKRAINE A LICENSE TO BUILD ITS OWN PATRIOT AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS.

IN RESPONSE, THE KREMLIN LARGELY DOWNPLAYED THAT DEVELOPMENT, AND INSTEAD FOCUSED ON U.S.

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO END THE WAR.

>> UNLIKE THE EUROPEANS, THE UNITED STATES RETAINS A DESIRE TO FACILITATE A MOVE TOWARD A PEACE PROCESS.

THEY MAY BE MISGUIDED OR MISTAKEN AT TIMES, BUT THAT DESIRE STRIKES US AS SINCERE.

WE WELCOME IT.

GEOFF: MEANTIME, A TOP UKRAINIAN OFFICIAL CAUTIONED IT COULD TAKE A YEAR OR LONGER TO ACTUALLY PRODUCE THE PATRIOT INTERCEPTOR MISSILES.

IN SOUTHERN CHINA, AUTHORITIES SAY FLOODING HAS KILLED AT LEAST 39 PEOPLE AFTER DAYS OF RECORD RAINFALL.

A MASSIVE RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATION IS UNDERWAY, AS ENTIRE COMMUNITIES ARE UNDERWATER IN THE REGION OF GUANGXI.

OFFICIALS THERE SAY THE PARTIAL COLLAPSE OF A LOCAL DAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST OF THE FATALITIES, AND THEY WARN THAT MANY OTHER STRUCTURES COULD BE COMPROMISED.

>> CURRENTLY MORE THAN 300 RESERVOIRS ACROSS THE REGION ARE OPERATING ABOVE THEIR FLOOD-LIMIT WATER LEVELS.

EXTREME TORRENTIAL RAINFALL HAS TRIGGERED CRITICAL EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING DAM OVERTOPPING AND BREACHES.

GEOFF: MEANTIME, E.U.

CLIMATE WATCHERS CONFIRMED TODAY THAT WESTERN EUROPE ENDURED ITS HOTTEST MONTH OF JUNE EVER.

THAT SAYS HERE IN THE U.S., ANOTHER HEAT WAVE IS EXPECTED ACROSS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY.

TURNING TO THE NATION’S HOUSING MARKET, U.S.

HOME PRICES HIT AN ALL TIME HIGH LAST MONTH.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SAID TODAY THAT THE MEDIAN PRICE FOR EXISTING HOMES ROSE NEARLY 2% TO AROUND $440,000.

THOSE ELEVATED PRICES AND HIGH MORTGAGE RATES ARE ADDING PRESSURE TO WOULD-BE HOME-BUYERS.

MEANTIME, ON WALL STREET, STOCKS ENDED HIGHER AS OIL PRICES EASED.

THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ADDED AROUND 140 POINTS ON THE DAY.

THE NASDAQ JUMPED MORE THAN 300 POINTS THE S&P 500 ALSO CLOSED THE SESSION WITH A SOLID GAIN.

TRAILBLAZING AVIATOR MARY WALLACE, OR WALLY FUNK, HAS DIED.

IN THE EARLY 1960’S, SHE WAS AMONG THE "MERCURY 13", A PRIVATELY-FUNDED EFFORT INTENDED TO TRAIN WOMEN TO FLY IN SPACE.

THE 13 WOMEN IN THE PROGRAM UNDERTOOK THE SAME TRAINING AND TESTING REQUIRED OF THE SEVEN MEN SELECTED BY NASA FOR THE MERCURY SPACEFLIGHT PROGRAM.

FUNK CONTINUED TO FLY AND LATER SERVED IN HIGH LEVEL ROLES AT THE FAA AND THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD.

THEN AT AGE 82, SHE WAS CHOSEN FOR BLUE ORIGIN’S NEW SHEPARD ROCKET CREW, AND BECAME THE OLDEST WOMAN EVER TO REACH SPACE.

WALLY FUNK WAS 87 YEARS OLD.

AND IN THE MUSIC WORLD, WELSH SINGER-SONGWRITER BONNIE TYLER HAS DIED.

>> ONCE UPON A TIME I WAS FALLING IN LOVE BUT NOW I’M ONLY FALLING APART THERE’S NOTHING I CAN DO A TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART ♪ GEOFF: HER ANTHEM "TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART" WAS A HUGE HIT OF THE 1980’S, EARNING TYLER ONE OF HER THREE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS.

IT’S BEEN STREAMED MORE THAN A BILLION TIMES ON BOTH SPOTIFY AND YOUTUBE.

BORN GAYNOR SULLIVAN, SHE BROUGHT HER DISTINCTIVE GRAVELLY VOICE TO OTHER HITS INCLUDING "IT’S A HEARTACHE" AND "HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO."

IN 2022, SHE WAS HONORED AS A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE FOR HER SERVICES TO MUSIC.

BONNIE TYLER’S FAMILY SAID SHE DIED "UNEXPECTEDLY" IN PORTUGAL WHERE SHE WAS BEING TREATED FOR AN ILLNESS.

SHE WAS 75 YEARS OLD.

STILL TO COME, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EXPANDS MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR INCREASINGLY POPULAR WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS.

THE SISTER OF A FORMERLY IMPRISONED IRANIAN-AMERICAN BUSINESSMAN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT AMERICANS STILL DETAINED IN IRAN.

PLUS, AN IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE BY THE BAND HERMANOS GUTIERREZ.

>> THIS IS THE PBS NEWS HOUR, FROM THE DAVID AND RUBENSTEIN STUDIO AT WETA IN WASHINGTON, HEADQUARTERS OF PBS NEWS.

GEOFF: MAINE DEMOCRATS ARE SCRAMBLING TO PICK A NEW U.S.

SENATE CANDIDATE AS THE SCANDAL-PLAGUED WINNER OF LAST MONTH’S PRIMARY SAYS HE’S WITHDRAWING FROM THE RACE.

GRAHAM PLATNER ANNOUNCED HIS DECISION TO STEP AWAY LAST NIGHT THE FOLLOWING NEW SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS.

>> I KNOW THAT SOME WILL THINK IT’S AN ADMISSION OF GUILT AND IT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT.

WE’RE NOT DOING IT BECAUSE OF THE ALLEGATIONS, WE’RE DOING IT BECAUSE OF STRUCTURES THAT ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM US BY THOSE IN POWER.

WE BELIEVE THAT FOR THE MOVEMENT TO CONTINUE, IT CAN’T BE ME.

AND, FOR THAT REASON, WE ARE SUSPENDING CAMPAIGN OPERATIONS.

GEOFF: DEMOCRATS IN MAINE HAVE JUST 18 DAYS TO NAME A REPLACEMENT NOMINEE TO TAKE ON INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN SUSAN COLLINS.

WE’RE JOINED NOW BY ASHLEY ETIENNE, WHO SERVED AS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR FORMER VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, AND BEFORE THAT, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AND SENIOR ADVISOR TO FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.

PLATTNER’S CAMPAIGN WENT FROM INSURGENT SUCCESS STORY TO COMPLETE IMPLOSION.

WHAT DOES HIS COLLAPSE SAY ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RIGHT NOW?

>> IN SOME WAYS, THIS SHOWS THE DESPERATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

WE ARE SO DESPERATE TO FIND SOMEONE, A WHITE MALE IN PARTICULAR, WHO CAN CARRY THE PROGRESSIVE BANNER AT ALL COSTS.

THAT IS WHAT I THINK IS AT PLAY.

THE REALITY IS GRAHAM PLATNER HIMSELF IS TO BLAME.

HIS CAMPAIGN IS TO BLAME.

OVER A YEAR AGO, HIS WIFE TURNED OVER EXPLICIT TEXT MESSAGES BETWEEN HIM AND WOMEN -- A SET OF WOMEN.

ANOTHER WOMAN CAME OUT.

THIS WAS WELL-KNOWN TO THE CAMPAIGN.

THE WIFE SAID, THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR VULNERABILITY AS A CAMPAIGN, AND THEY IGNORED IT.

TO SOME DEGREE, IT’S THAT DESPERATION TO FIND ONE SORT OF WHITE TO TO SOME EXTENT THAT THE PARTY HAS BEEN SEARCHING FOR -- SOME WHITE SAVIOR TO SOME EXTENT THAT THE PARTY HAS BEEN SEARCHING FOR.

GEOFF: THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS GOING TO HOST A NOMINATING CONVENTION.

THEY MADE UP A SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY BUT PROVIDED FEW DETAILS ABOUT HOW THE PROCESS IS GOING TO WORK.

DEMOCRATS WENT THROUGH A VERY DIFFERENT BUT IN SOME WAYS SIMILAR CANDIDATE REPLACEMENT PROCESS IN 2024 WITH VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

WHAT LESSONS SHOULD THEY TAKE AWAY WITH WHAT DEMOCRATS EXPERIENCED IN -- AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL BACK THEN?

ASHLEY: YOU HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY TO SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

YOU DON’T WANT GRASS TO GROW UNDER YOUR FEET.

WE SAW THAT WITH KAMALA HARRIS.

THERE WERE THREE OR FOUR WEEKS BEFORE IT WAS DECIDED SHE WOULD BE THE NOMINEE.

THE SECOND IS YOU HAVE TO PICK SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO RAISE A LOT OF MONEY, APPEAL TO PROGRESSIVES.

I WOULD SAY THE THIRD LESSON LEARNED IS THAT IT CANNOT LOOK LIKE AN INSIDER JOB.

IT CANNOT LOOK LIKE THOSE ON THE INSIDE ARE PUTTING THEIR THUMB ON THE SCALE FOR ONE PARTICULAR CANDIDATE, AND IT APPEARS THE MAINE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS FULLY AWARE OF ALL THESE LESSONS AND ARE TRYING TO TAKE THE RIGHT STEPS TO ENSURE THE PROCESS IS FAIR, TRANSPARENT, AND ENABLES THE PROGRESSIVES THE FOLLOWING PLAT HER TO COME TO THE TABLE.

>> SEVERAL CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO POSITION THEMSELVES FOR THE NOMINATION.

>> MAINE DESERVES A FIGHTER, AND I WILL BE THAT FIGHTER.

>> PEOPLE ARE PISSED OFF BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST THEM.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE DEMOCRATS ARE FIGHTING FOR THEM.

>> WE NEED A CANDIDATE WITH A BACKBONE.

I AM THE BEST PERSON TO BEAT SUSAN COLLINS.

GEOFF: PLATNER BUILT THIS COALITION AROUND ANGER AT THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT.

HOW DO DEMOCRATS CHOOSE A REPLACEMENT CANDIDATE WITHOUT ALIENATING THE VOTERS WHO POWERED PLATNER’S SUCCESS?

ASHLEY: THAT IS THE FINE LINE YOU HAVE TO WALK.

YOU’VE GOT TO APPEAL TO INDEPENDENT VOTERS.

THAT IS HOW YOU WIN MAINE.

WE ARE SO CONSUMED WITH PROGRESSIVES, BUT YOU HAVE TO OUTPERFORM WITH INDEPENDENCE AND PROGRESSIVES.

COLLINS UNDERSTANDS INTIMATELY THOSE INDEPENDENT VOTERS.

THEY ARE THE VOTERS WHO HAVE BEEN KEY TO HER WINNING THAT SEAT YEAR AFTER YEAR, CYCLE AFTER CYCLE.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND SOMEONE WHO HAS THE ABILITY TO BRIDGE BOTH OF THOSE DIVIDES.

WE WERE UNSURE WHETHER OR NOT PLATNER HAD THAT ABILITY, SO NOW THE PARTY ALMOST AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO START FRESH AND REFOCUS ON, A, HOW DO WE FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN DO BOTH OF THESE AN APPEAL TO PROGRESSIVES WHILE BRINGING INDEPENDENCE TO THE TABLE?

GEOFF: HOW MUCH HAS THIS EPISODE DAMAGED THE PARTY’S CHANCES AT PICKING UP THIS SEAT?

ASHLEY: PEOPLE ARE FEELING SOMEWHAT OPTIMISTIC.

WE WERE FEELING OPTIMISTIC BEFORE, BUT SOMEWHAT OPTIMISTIC NOW.

IT’S GOING TO DEPEND ON HOW QUICKLY AND SEAMLESSLY THIS PROCESS GOES FORWARD.

THE OBJECTIVE IS TO DO THE LEAST AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AS POSSIBLE ON THE GROUND THERE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE FEELING OPTIMISTIC BUT JUST BARELY OPTIMISTIC.

GEOFF: ASHLEY, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SPEAK WITH YOU.

THANKS FOR COMING ON.

ASHLEY: THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

♪ GEOFF: FORMER U.S.

AMBASSADOR RAHM EMANUEL DELIVERED A POINTED MESSAGE IN ISRAEL YESTERDAY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP -- AT A MOMENT WHEN AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION, AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ITSELF, ARE INCREASINGLY DIVIDED OVER U.S.

SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL.

EMANUEL, A FORMER MAYOR OF CHICAGO AND PRESIDENT OBAMA’S WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF -- WHO IS EXPLORING A RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2028 -- IS ALSO A LONGTIME SUPPORTER OF ISRAEL.

SPEAKING AT TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY, HE SHARPLY CRITICIZED PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU’S GOVERNMENT, CALLED FOR A NEW APPROACH TO U.S.

MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND RENEWED EFFORTS TOWARD PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD.

>> I CAME HERE FROM CHICAGO TO TELL YOU DIRECTLY WHERE THINGS NEED TO HEAD IF WE ARE GOING TO MAINTAIN THE HISTORIC ALLIANCE BETWEEN TWO DEMOCRACIES.

WITHOUT QUESTION, THE ALLIANCE IS AT A CROSSROADS.

IT CANNOT STAND OR SURVIVE AS IT HAS BEEN.

TO MAINTAIN THE STRENGTH OF OUR TIES, THIS ALLIANCE NEEDS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES AND A NEW DIRECTION.

GEOFF: RAHM EMANUEL JOINS US NOW FROM BERLIN, GERMANY.

WELCOME BACK TO THE NEWS HOUR.

IN YOUR SPEECH TO ISRAELIS, YOU SAID THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE U.S.

AND ISRAEL NEEDS A NEW DIRECTION.

WHAT MORE IN YOUR VIEW NEEDS TO CHANGE?

>> AS I LAID OUT IN THE SPEECH, WE WILL STAND BY YOU, WORK ON PEACE AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION.

A COUNTRY, ANY COUNTRY SPECIFICALLY, YOU HAVE FOUR TOOLS IN YOUR SECURITY TOOLBOX -- MILITARY POWER, POLITICAL PERSUASION, ECONOMIC STATECRAFT, AND CULTURAL ATTRACTION.

THREE OF THOSE HAVE BEEN ATROPHIED, AND ALL YOU DO IS YOU SEE THE MILITARY AS A HAMMER AND EVERY SECURITY CHALLENGE AS A NAIL.

LET’S WORK AND TOWARDS A TWO STATE, A 23 STATE SOLUTION WHERE ALL THE STATES IN THE ARAB LEAGUE FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH ISRAEL IF YOU COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON SOVEREIGNTY FOR THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, A RIFLE CAUSE, AS WELL AS YOUR SECURITY, A RIGHTFUL CAUSE.

THAT WOULD BREAK ISRAEL OUT OF ITS PARIAH STATUS.

GEOFF: THIS 23 STATE SOLUTION, SAY MORE ABOUT WHY YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THE TWO STATE DIPLOMACY THAT HAS FAILED FOR DECADES.

TWO STATE SOLUTION DOES NOT HAVE SUPPORT ON EITHER SIDE, AND THE POLITICS DON’T WORK.

THE POLITICS LEVERAGES THE ARAB NATIONS’ DESIRE FOR STABILITY, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOW TODAY MORE INTEGRATED TO THE ECONOMY OF THE WORLD, AND THEY WANT STABILITY AND THAT CHAOS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH IRAN AND THE REGIONAL WAR RESEARCHING THEIR OWN ECONOMICS.

TWO, THEIR PLAN IN 2013 WAS A 23 STATE SOLUTION.

GAME ON, LET’S GO.

BUT THEY HAVE TO PLAY A ROLE NOT FROM THE SIDELINES, STANDING UP A PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY THAT THREE SEPARATE TIMES IN HISTORY HAS REJECTED SOVEREIGNTY, AND THEN RESPONDED WITH VIOLENCE AND KILLING CIVILIANS IN ISRAEL.

THAT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

THEY BECOME THE KIND OF MENTOR THAT STANDS UP TO AUTHORITY, THEY CAN GIVE THE SOVEREIGNTY TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE THAT IS RIGHT.

ISRAEL REAL WOOD ALSO NEGOTIATED SECURITY.

THAT WOULD BE A BREAKOUT NOT ONLY OF THE PARIAH STATUS THAT ISRAEL HAS TODAY, IT LEVERAGES THEIR DESIRE FOR SECURITY, IT HAS AN ARAB LEAGUE AS AN INSURER OF PALESTINIAN SOVEREIGNTY THAT DOES NOT TURN THIS DOWN FOR A FOURTH TIME IN A ROW, AND THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTERESTS.

SO EVERYBODY HAS A POLITICAL INTEREST.

THE ONE THING I CAN TELL YOU AS A FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF AND AMBASSADOR, WHEN YOU ALIGN PEOPLE WITH POLITICS, YOU CAN GET THE POLICY TO WORK.

IF THE POLITICS WORKS AGAINST IT, VERY HARD TO DO.

GEOFF: YOU SAID ISRAEL’S CONDUCT IN GAZA HAS BEEN RECKLESS AND CARELESS WITH PALESTINIAN LIFE.

WHAT SHOULD THE U.S.

HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY WHILE THE WAR WAS UNDERWAY?

>> THERE WAS NO DAY AFTER PLAN.

AFTER YOU HAD ESTABLISHED YOUR DETERRENCE, AFTER YOU HAD ESTABLISHED BEATING BACK THE CAPACITY OF WHAT HAMAS HAD DONE, YOU HAD NO DAY AFTER PLAN EXCEPT FOR WHAT YOU WERE LEFT WITH, OCCUPATION AND ISOLATION.

YOU ARE A SMALL COUNTRY OF 9 MILLION.

YOU CANNOT BECOME A PARIAH.

YOU HAVE LOST THE UNITED STATES, AND IN THE LAST THREE YEARS YOU HAVE PICKED UP SOMALILAND.

THAT IS, AS MY MOTHER WOULD SAY, SUCH A DEAL, AND YOU CAN’T SUSTAIN THAT.

IN 22 YEARS, THE STATE OF ISRAEL WILL BE 100.

WE IN THE UNITED STATES JUST SURPASSED THE 200 50 YEAR MILESTONE.

DO YOU THINK THE STATUS QUO IS GOING TO SUSTAIN ITSELF FOR ANOTHER 22 YEARS?

ISRAEL HAS MORE NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS THAN IN THE NATION BASED ON PER CAPITA.

THERE YOUR CASH THEY ARE THE ENVY OF THE WORLD AS FAR AS A STARTUP NATION OF TECHNOLOGY.

DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR LEARNING HOW TO FEED THE WORLD OR CONDUCT WAR?

YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO BOTH.

TAKE YOUR MILITARY SUCCESSES AND TURN THEM INTO STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED, AS THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHERS WANTED TO QUIT THE NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT, THERE WAS NO DAY AFTER PLAN, AND I YOU HAVE BOTH THE OCCUPATION THAT IS SAPPING RESOURCES AND CONTINUES TO ISOLATE YOU JUST LIKE WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN THE WEST BANK.

IT IS AN UN-POLITICAL PATH.

-- UNSUSTAINABLE POLITICAL PATH.

THE U.S.

IS YOUR NUMBER ONE MARKET.

WE ARE THE LARGEST PATRON OF THE COUNTRY.

AND YOU HAVE LOST BOTH.

I WANTED TO GO THERE SO THEY HEARD IT AND UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS IS AT A TIPPING POINT.

AMERICA HAS BEEN ON YOUR JOURNEY WITH YOU FOR 78 YEARS SINCE THE FOUNDING AND HARRY S TRUMAN, BUT YOU HAVE TAKEN YOURSELF UNDER THIS PRIME MINISTER STRAIGHT INTO THE WALL AND CRASHED THE CAR.

NOW, YOU WANT TO WALK ON THE JOURNEY OF PEACE, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH YOU.

YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS, YOU HAVE LOST THE UNITED STATES.

GEOFF: SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL HAS FALLEN SHARPLY AMONG DEMOCRATS, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNGER VOTERS.

HOW DO YOU SEE THIS SHIFT SHOWING UP IN THE MIDTERMS AND BEYOND THAT IN THE 2028 ELECTION?

>> THE PROBLEM IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC PARTY PROBLEM.

IT IS A AMERICAN PROBLEM HEIGHTENED BY THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 30.

WHEN YOU HAVE TWO THIRDS OF THE COUNTRY NOT SUPPORTIVE OF ISRAEL, THAT’S NOT A DEMOCRATIC ONLY PROBLEM.

WHEN YOU SAY THAT, YOU ARE DIMINISHING THE DEPTH OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH A COMPANY THAT NORMALLY HAS TWO THIRDS OF THE COUNTRY SUPPORTING THEM.

IF I COULD TWIST IT, IT IS A FAR MORE GRAVE CONSEQUENCE.

I THINK IT IS STARTING TO DAWN ON THEM THIS IS ACTUALLY BIGGER -- YOU COULD DISMISS IT AS A DEMOCRATIC PARTY PROBLEM.

IT ISN’T.

I DID NOT NEED A WAR TO KNOW THAT THIS PRIME MINISTER WAS WRONG.

IN 2009 IN THE WHITE HOUSE AS PRESIDENT OBAMA’S CHIEF OF STAFF, I SAID IT TO HIS FACE, WHICH IS WHAT LED TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT I WAS A SELF-LOATHING JEW.

WHAT I AM SAYING IS THIS IS AN ALLIANCE, WE ARE YOUR NUMBER ONE ALLY, AND YOU HAVE LOST US.

GEOFF: WE SHOULD MAKE CLEAR IS PART OF THIS CONVERSATION FOR FOLKS LISTENING THAT ISRAEL, YES, SUFFERED THE DEADLIEST ATTACK IN ITS HISTORY ON OCTOBER 7.

IT STILL FACES EXISTENTIAL THREATS FROM HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH, AND IRAN.

MANY ISRAELIS BELIEVE THE WAR -- THE WORLD HAS LOST SIGHT OF THAT.

HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE CRITICISM OF NETANYAHU AND ISRAEL’S POLICIES WHILE STILL RECOGNIZING THE EXTRAORDINARY SECURITY THREATS THE COUNTRY FACES?

>> THEY ARE NOT WRONG ABOUT THE SECURITY CHALLENGES.

DIPLOMACY IS THE RIGHT TOOL.

DO I THINK THERE ARE CHALLENGES?

MY FATHER FOUGHT IN THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE.

MY FAMILY IS NAMED AFTER MY UNCLE WHO DIED FIGHTING FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL.

I KNOW THE SECURITY CHALLENGES, AND THEY ARE NOT PHONY, BUT SOMETIMES IN THAT SECURITY CHALLENGE, IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU KNOW JUST YOUR MILITARY POWER.

YOU USE YOUR POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF YOUR SOFT POWER.

HAMAS KILLED OVER 1200 PEOPLE, WAIT MORE, TOOK 250 PEOPLE HOSTAGE.

WHAT THEY WANTED TO DESTROY IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS COULD EVER LIVE SIDE-BY-SIDE, AND I THINK THE WAY THE PRIME MINISTER EXECUTED THIS OPERATION IN GAZA ACTUALLY ENDED UP HELPING HAMAS ACHIEVE ITS GOAL RATHER THAN ACTUALLY DETER FUTURE ACTIONS AND CREATES A DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVE WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE DAY AFTER PLAN THAT HIS OWN GOVERNMENT OFFICERS THAT QUIT THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS OWN MILITARY TOLD THEM THEY LACKED, AND NOW YOU HAVE OCCUPATION WITH PERPETUAL ISOLATION.

THAT IS A FAILED PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

GEOFF: RAHM EMANUEL SPEAKING WITH US TONIGHT FROM GERMANY.

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME.

♪ GEOFF: THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS TAKING GLP-1 DRUGS FOR WEIGHT LOSS IS RISING SHARPLY.

A NEW GALLUP POLL FINDS 11% OF ADULTS SAY THEY’RE CURRENTLY USING ONE OF THE MEDICATIONS, UP FROM JUST 3% TWO YEARS AGO.

AND THAT NUMBER COULD CLIMB EVEN HIGHER, NOW THAT MEDICARE HAS CLEARED THE WAY FOR SOME PATIENTS TO ACCESS THESE DRUGS, WHICH CAN HELP REDUCE OBESITY SUBSTANTIALLY AND THE RISK OF OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM HAS THE DETAILS.

REPORTER: STARTING THIS MONTH, SOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES CAN BUY THESE POPULAR WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS FOR ONLY $50 A MONTH, A STEEP DISCOUNT FROM RETAIL PRICES.

IT’S PART OF A NEW, TEMPORARY PILOT PROGRAM TO GIVE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ACCESS TO THE DRUGS THAT MANY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO AFFORD.

THE PROGRAM IS SCHEDULED TO RUN THROUGH THE END OF 2027.

TO HELP FILL IN THE PICTURE OF WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW, WE’RE JOINED BY JULIETTE CUBANSKI.

SHE’S VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM ON MEDICARE POLICY AT KFF.

JULIA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

WHO ON MEDICARE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS DISCOUNTED ACCESS TO THESE DRUGS?

>> MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR THIS NEW PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO REACH PEOPLE ON MEDICARE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS COVERAGE OF GLP-1’S FOR WEIGHT LOSS SPECIFICALLY THROUGH THEIR PARTY PLANS.

THAT IS BECAUSE THE LAW PROHIBITS MEDICARE FROM COVERING DRUGS USED FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

THIS TEMPORARY PROGRAM IS TARGETING PEOPLE WITH A BMI OVER 35 OR A BMI OVER 27, ALONG WITH OTHER -- >> THAT’S THEIR BODY MASS INDEX?

>> YES, BODY MASS INDEX.

THANK YOU.

SO IF YOUR BMI IS 25 AND ABOVE, PLUS OTHER CONDITIONS LIKE PREDIABETES OR HYPERTENSION, YOU MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THESE DRUGS.

BUT IMPORTANTLY, YOU CAN’T HAVE TYPE TWO DIABETES OR SLEEP APNEA OR FATTY LIVER DISEASE.

IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THOSE CONDITIONS, YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR GLP-1 COVERAGE NOW UNDER YOUR PART D PLAN.

THE BRIDGE PROGRAM IS REALLY DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE WITH OBESITY OR OVERWEIGHT WHO DON’T HAVE OTHER CONDITIONS FOR WHICH THEIR PART D PLAN WOULD COVER A MEDICATION.

OUR ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT ABOUT 4 MILLION MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES MEET ALL OF THE CLINICAL AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE BRIDGE PROGRAM.

THAT’S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CURRENTLY ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS THESE MEDICATIONS UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.

WILLIAM: I WANT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION ABOUT COSTS, BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, THESE MEDICATIONS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE.

NOW THE GOVERNMENT’S GOING TO BE SHOULDERING SOME OF THAT BURDEN.

BUT AS YOU’RE DESCRIBING THESE, THE BENEFITS OF THESE MEDICATIONS ARE ENORMOUS.

SO MIGHT THE COST THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS PAYING TO PAY FOR THESE DRUGS BE OFFSET BY SOME OF THE HEALTH BENEFITS THAT ACCRUE TO ALL OF THOSE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TAKING THE MEDICATIONS?

>> THAT’S CERTAINLY THE THINKING AND THE HOPE IN THE LONGER TERM.

IN THE SHORTER TERM, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL BE SUBSIDIZING THE COST OF THESE MEDICATIONS OVER THE 18 MONTH PERIOD OF THIS PROGRAM, AT A COST OF ABOUT, $3500 OVER THAT 18 MONTH PERIOD.

WE’RE CERTAINLY NOT LIKELY TO SEE $3500 IN COST SAVINGS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM IN THE SHORT TERM.

THE PROGRAM WILL, I THINK, OVER A LONGER TERM, PRODUCE SOME COST SAVINGS AS PEOPLE WHO TAKE THESE MEDICATIONS LOSE WEIGHT AND AS THEIR HEALTH IMPROVES, IF IN THE FUTURE THEY DON’T DEVELOP TYPE TWO DIABETES OR THEIR CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONS IMPROVE, THAT CERTAINLY COULD HELP TO GENERATE COST SAVINGS IN THE FUTURE.

BUT WE DON’T REALLY KNOW EXACTLY WHETHER THE LEVEL OF COST SAVINGS THAT WE ACHIEVE OVER A LONGER TERM WILL EQUAL THE ADDITIONAL SPENDING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL BE PAYING FOR THESE MEDICATIONS IN THE SHORT TERM, AND ALSO OVER THE LONGER TERM, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO KEEP TAKING THESE DRUGS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE BENEFITS.

SO THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, ENTAIL CONTINUING TO PAY FOR THESE MEDICATIONS OVER A LONGER TERM.

RIGHT NOW, THAT’S UNCERTAIN.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL COSTS IN THE SHORT TERM, WITH THE HOPE FOR SAVINGS OVER A LONGER TERM.

WILLIAM: AS WITH ALL DRUGS, IT’S WORTH REMEMBERING THAT WHILE THESE DRUGS HAVE HUGE BENEFITS, THERE ARE ALSO POTENTIAL DOWNSIDES.

ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES EARLIER TODAY TALKED WITH CATHERINE PORTER STAR.

SHE’S AT THE DUKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, AND SHE HAD RAISED A COUPLE OF CONCERNS ABOUT ELDERLY PEOPLE TAKING THESE MEDICATIONS.

HERE’S WHAT SHE SAID.

>> THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE, I THINK, CENTER REALLY AROUND THAT LOSS OF MUSCLE MASS.

OLDER ADULTS ALREADY LOSE MUSCLE MASS WITH AGING.

AND THEN WHEN WE ADD IN THE GLP ONES, WHAT WE ARE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, POSSIBLY SEE IS WEIGHT LOSS, YOU KNOW, IN THAT RANGE OF 25% TO 45% FROM FAT FREE MASS, THAT EXCESSIVE WEIGHT LOSS IN OUR OLDER ADULTS MAY MAY LEAD TO THAT SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF MUSCLE MASS AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY.

AND THEY REALLY DO RECOMMEND THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON THAT ADEQUATE PROTEIN INTAKE AND RESISTANCE TRAINING TO MITIGATE THAT RISK.

WILLIAM: ON TOP OF THOSE CONCERNS, THIS PROGRAM, AS WE MENTIONED, IS ONLY FOR ONE YEAR.

SO WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS IF SOMEONE IS TAKING THESE MEDICATIONS FOR A YEAR, BUT THEN HAS TO STOP BECAUSE THEY SUDDENLY HAVE TO PAY FULL RETAIL PRICE FOR THEM?

JULIETTE: SO THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY TEMPORARY.

THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, THE AGENCY THAT RUNS THE MEDICARE PROGRAM, DOESN’T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THE LAW ON ITS OWN.

THAT WOULD REQUIRE CONGRESS TO PERMANENTLY AUTHORIZE MEDICARE COVERAGE OF DRUGS USED FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

SO THIS BRIDGE PROGRAM, WHICH STARTED ON JULY 1, IS RUNNING THROUGH THE END OF 2027.

I MEAN, WE CERTAINLY DO KNOW THAT IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THE BENEFITS OF GLP ONE FOR WEIGHT LOSS, PEOPLE NEED TO KEEP TAKING THEM.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE THOSE OTHER DIRECT TO CONSUMER PROGRAMS, BUT THE $50 COPAY THAT BENEFICIARIES WILL ENJOY UNDER THE BRIDGE PROGRAM IS CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THE COSTS THAT WE’RE SEEING OTHER PATIENTS PAYING THROUGH THOSE OTHER DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER PROGRAMS.

SO AT THIS POINT, WE’RE REALLY NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END OF 2027.

WILLIAM: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHTS.

>> THANK YOU.

[16:30:32][0.3] WILLIAM: -- GEOFF: AS TENSIONS WITH IRAN CONTINUE TO ESCALATE, ANOTHER URGENT ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED -- THE AMERICANS STILL IMPRISONED THERE.

U.S.

OFFICIALS SAY THEIR CASES REMAIN PART OF ONGOING DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS, BUT THEIR FAMILIES FEAR THE BROADER CRISIS COULD PUSH THEIR LOVED ONES EVEN FURTHER FROM VIEW.

AMNA NAWAZ HAS MORE.

AMNA: THE CONFLICT WITH IRAN HAS AMERICANS CONCERNED ABOUT STAYING THERE.

BOTH THESE MEN HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE U.S.

STATE DEPARTMENT AS WRONGFULLY DETAINED, AND BOTH ARE HELD IN IRAN’S NOTORIOUS PRISON.

WITH US TO DISCUSS IS SOMEONE WHOSE BROTHER HAS BEEN HELD IN THAT SAME PRISON FOR YEARS BEFORE BEING FREED IN A PRISONER EXCHANGE.

WELCOME BACK.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

THE RESIN CONROD ARE BELIEVED TO BE A HANDFUL OF AMERICANS DETAINED IN IRAN.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW, IF ANYTHING, ABOUT HOW THEY ARE DOING?

>> IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM DIRECTLY.

I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY BROTHER THAT THEY ARE FEARFUL FOR THEIR LIVES AND DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TO SECURE THEIR RELEASE.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH CONFLICT, AND THE EVIN PRISON WAS HIT, FAMILIES WERE NOT ABLE TO VISIT THEM, THERE IS NO PHONE CONTACT.

IT IS A REALLY DIFFICULT TIME FOR THEM RIGHT NOW AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AMNA: TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE YOU KNOW VERY WELL WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE ON THIS END OF IT, WORRIED ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONE DETAINED IN IRAN.

WHAT ARE THEIR FAMILIES GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW?

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> ONE THING FAMILIES HAVE GOING FOR THEM IS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS PROVEN THEY CARE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE DETAINEES.

THEY HAVE A GREAT TRACK RECORD.

THEY HAVE BROUGHT HOME OVER 100 AMERICANS SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS TAKEN OFFICE.

I THINK WHAT FAMILIES ARE THINKING NOW IS, WHY AREN’T WE SEEING THE SAME EFFORTS TOWARDS THE AMERICANS IN IRAN?

THE DETAINEES WERE NOT PART OF THE MOU.

PRESIDENT TRUMP GAVE AN INTERVIEW IN EARLY JUNE IN WHICH WE SAID WE HAVE NO AMERICANS BEING DETAINED IN IRAN, SO I THINK THERE’S A LOT OF CONFUSION AND WONDER AS TO WHY IRAN IS DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER COUNTRIES FROM WHICH AMERICANS HAVE BEEN RELEASED RECENTLY.

AMNA: THE U.S.

AND ISRAEL LAUNCHED THAT WAR IN LATE FEBRUARY.

IT HAS OBVIOUSLY COMPLICATED EFFORTS AND TALKS AROUND THIS, AS WE CAN ASSUME, BUT SECRETARY RUBIO WAS ASKED IN LATE JUNE BY THE AMERICANS HELD IN IRAN HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED YET.

HERE IS WHAT HE SAID IN PART.

>> I DON’T WANT TO DISCUSS ANY SPECIFIC CASES.

IT COMPLICATES THEM.

THAT’S NOT JUST TRUE FOR IRAN BUT OTHER PARTS IN THE WORLD AS WELL.

BUT THE ISSUE OF WRONGFULLY DETAINED AMERICANS, WE HAVE AN ENTIRE OFFICE DEDICATED TO THAT.

WE RAISE IT AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY WE GET AND MAKE IT A HIGHEST PRIORITY.

AMNA: WE ALSO ASKED THE STATE DEPARTMENT FOR A STATEMENT.

THEY REITERATED -- REITERATED WHAT SECRETARY RUBIO SAID AND ALSO SAID THE IRANIAN REGIME SHOULD IMMEDIATELY READ ALL AMERICANS UNJUSTLY DETAINED IN TEHRAN.

DO YOU KNOW IF THAT IS TRUE?

>> I DON’T, BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT SPECIAL ENVOY WITTHOEFT, WHO HAS BEEN TEST WITH ALL THINGS IRAN RELATED, INCLUDING THE DETAINEES, HAS NOT MET WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE DETAINEES, NOR HAS HE SPOKEN WITH THEM.

AMNA: WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT, BASED ON WHAT YOU HAVE LIVED THROUGH?

YOU HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY CRITICAL SAYING NONE OF THE FAMILIES HAVE HEARD FROM JARED KUSHNER OR STEVE WITKOFF ON THIS.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

>> IT IS SIMPLE, OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND.

I HAVE WATCHED SPECIAL ENVOY WITKOFF TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO MEET WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE HOSTAGES IN GAZA, HOW IT TOUCHED HIM, HOW IT MOTIVATED HIM.

I THINK THAT HE WOULD TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE AMERICANS IN IRAN, IT WOULD HUMANIZE THEM.

FOR ME, IT IS LIKE A SURGE IN OPERATING ON A PATIENT -- CERTAIN OPERATING ON A -- A SURGEON OPERATING ON A PATIENT WITHOUT ANY HAVING MET THE PATIENT.

THESE AMERICANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD, AND I KNOW ENVOY WOULD COST CARES, AND I THINK IT WOULD GO A LONG WAY.

AMNA: ARE YOU AND OTHER FAMILIES WORRIED THAT THE PRIORITY TO NEGOTIATE FOR THEIR RELEASE IS FURTHER DOWN ON THE LIST THAN OTHER PARTS OF THIS CONVERSATION, LIKE REOPENING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, REACHING SOME KIND OF CEASEFIRE?

NEDA: ABSOLUTELY.

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE WHEN WE ARE DEALING WITH IRAN.

WHEN I WAS ADVOCATING FOR MY BROTHER, IT WAS THE SAME THING.

THE NUCLEAR FILE AND ISSUES WERE ALWAYS MORE OF A PRIORITY THAT THE AMERICANS WHO WERE DETAINED THERE.

I UNDERSTAND WHY THAT IS THE CASE IN SOME WAYS, BUT WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION NOW THAT HAS DONE INCREDIBLE WORK BRINGING BACK AMERICANS.

I DO NOT THINK IT IS MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

YOU CAN HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE NUCLEAR FILE AND THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND ALL THE OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES, BUT YOU CAN ALSO EMPHASIZE THAT THERE ARE AMERICANS BEING DETAINED THERE AND THAT WE NEED TO BRING THEM HOME.

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WOULD LOVE FOR THE SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY FOR HOSTAGE AFFAIRS TO BE MORE INVOLVED.

I KNOW EVERYTHING IS IN THE HANDS OF ENVOY WOULD COUGH, BUT IF ADAM BOLER WAS MORE INVOLVED, IF HE WAS IN THE ROOM EVERY TIME THESE CONVERSATIONS WERE HAPPENING, HE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE AMERICANS WOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

AMNA: NEDA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

NEDA: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

♪ GEOFF: SATIRE HAS LONG PLAYED A POWERFUL ROLE IN AMERICAN HISTORY, CHALLENGING AUTHORITY, EXPOSING HYPOCRISY, AND TESTING THE BOUNDARIES OF FREE EXPRESSION.

THAT TRADITION IS AMONG THE FORCES THAT HAVE SHAPED AMERICAN LIFE AND CULTURE, WHICH JUDY WOODRUFF EXPLORES IN THE PBS NEWS SIX-PART PODCAST, "IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS."

JUDY RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH THE ONION NETWORK’S JOSHUA JOHNSON AND SCHOLAR SOPHIA MCCLENNEN TO TALK ABOUT WHY THE FREEDOM TO LAUGH AT THOSE IN POWER CAN REVEAL A LOT ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF A DEMOCRACY.

>> I DON’T HAVE KEN BURNS ON SPEED DIAL RIGHT NOW, SO I CAN’T FACT-CHECK THIS, BUT I WOULD SUSPECT WE WOULD NOT SURVIVE AS THE DEMOCRACY WE HAVE BECOME WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO LAUGH AT OURSELVES AND OUR LEADERS.

I THINK IT IS MUCH HARDER.

THE OLD FOLKS USED TO SAY YOU LAUGH TO KEEP FROM CRYING.

I THINK IT IS A LOT HARDER WHEN YOU ARE A NATION TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF ITSELF.

WHAT IS THAT LINE FROM "HAMILTON ," EVERY AMERICAN NEW EXPERIMENTS SETS A PRECEDENT?

WHERE NOTHING IS NEW, WHERE EVERYTHING IS UNPRECEDENTED.

NO MATTER WHAT WE DO IS A COUNTRY IT’S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

YOU GOT TO BE ABLE TO LAUGH AT YOURSELVES, AND TO BE ABLE TO LAUGH AT YOUR LEADERS IS TO BE ABLE TO CRITICIZE THEM.

THAT IS THE WHOLE POINT OF THE DECLARATION.

IT IS THIS LIST OF THINGS WE TRIED TO SAY NICELY, THAT LONG TERM OF THAT JEFFERSON WRITES ABOUT THAT WE TRY TO SAY NICELY, BUT YOU WILL NOT LISTEN AND WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR SIX YEARS AND WE WOULD RATHER BE DEAD THAN ENGLISH.

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CANNOT CRITICIZE POWER.

OUR ABILITY AS THESE FEISTY COLUMNISTS, AS WE STILL ARE, TO LAUGH AT OURSELVES TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF THE STEAM OF THE -- OUT OF THE FRUSTRATION OF BUILDING A DEMOCRACY LIKE THIS.

IT DOES NOT DO IT COMPLETELY, BUT THE ABILITY OF COMEDIANS, OF SATIRISTS, OF ARTISTS TO TAKE WHAT WE ARE ALL SEEING AND SAY IT IN A WAY THAT IS PALATABLE ENOUGH FOR US TO HOLD IT IN OUR HAND, TO MAKE IT SMALL ENOUGH FOR US TO POKE FUN AT, THAT IS PROBABLY INCREDIBLY HEALTHY FOR A DEMOCRACY.

THAT IS PROBABLY WHY IT IS SO DANGEROUS TO DO SATIRE AROUND THE WORLD, BECAUSE YOU ARE RELYING ON THE MERCY OF THE PEOPLE YOU ARE MAKING FUN OF.

IN AMERICA, MOST OF US TYPICALLY DO NOT GO FOR THAT.

WE ARE LIKE, YOU ARE NOT ANY BETTER THAN ME.

IF I CAN’T MAKE FUN OF YOU, THAT MUST MEAN YOU THINK YOU ARE BETTER THAN ME.

THAT’S NOT HOW WE DO THINGS HERE, OR AT LEAST IT’S NOT HOW WE SHOULD.

JUDY: WHAT ABOUT THIS IDEA THAT WE MIGHT NOT HAVE SURVIVED AS A DEMOCRACY IF WE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO LAUGH, TO POKE FUN AT, AND SOMETIMES REALLY BE HARD ON OURSELVES TO MAKE FUN OF OURSELVES?

>> JOSHUA IS 100% RIGHT.

I ALWAYS LIKE BEING ABLE TO SPEAK WITH A CREATIVE PERSON, BECAUSE I GET TO TELL THEM WHAT YOU JUST SAID -- I HAVE PROOF.

THE PROOF IS THAT IN THE MOST DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES, YOU HAVE THE HIGHER TOLERANCE FOR SATIRE AND COMEDY.

WHEN THE SATIRISTS ARE GETTING ROUNDED UP, WHEN THEY ARE HAVING PRESSURE PUT ON THEM, THOSE ARE MOMENTS WHEN DEMOCRATIC RESILIENCE IS LOW, OR WHEN YOU ARE JUST IN A DICTATORSHIP OR AUTOCRACY.

TRY MAKING FUN OF PEYTON TODAY AND SEE HOW FAR YOU GET.

A LOT OF THE REALLY GOOD RUSSIAN SATIRE IS TYPICALLY COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA RIGHT NOW.

THERE ARE PEOPLE DOING IT INSIDE, BUT THEY HAVE TO LEVEL UP THEIR CREATIVITY.

I LOVE THAT JOSHUA REFERRED TO "ALL IN THE FAMILY," BECAUSE THAT’S A GREAT EXAMPLE.

"ALL IN THE FAMILY" IS WHAT WE WOULD CALL IN CHARACTER SATIRE.

ARCHIE BUNKER WAS PERFORMING A PERSONA.

THAT CAN BE TRICKY, BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK HE IS SINCERE.

THE FIRST EPISODE OF "ALL IN THE FAMILY" CAME WITH A DISCLAIMER SAYING, BY THE WAY, THIS IS A SHOW, IT’S FICTIONAL.

SO WHAT YOU SEE IN MOMENTS WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO HIDE AND BYPASS CENSORSHIP IS THAT INCREASED CREATIVITY.

BUT GOING BACK TO THAT ISSUE, DID OUR LOVE AND ENSHRINEMENT OF SATIRE STRENGTHEN OUR DEMOCRACY?

I AM NOT SURE WE WOULD PUT IT IN THAT KIND OF CAUSE AND EFFECT.

WE WOULD SAY THE DEMOCRACY IS STRONG BECAUSE IT CAN TOLERATE LAUGHTER.

IT CAN TOLERATE CRITICISM IN THE FORM OF LAUGHTER, WHICH IS BASICALLY THE TOUGHEST FORM OF CRITICISM TO TAKE.

IF YOU CAN TAKE THAT KIND OF CRITICISM, IT MEANS YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR IDEALS BEFORE YOUR EGO, AND THAT IS WHAT HAS MADE THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY SO SPECIAL WITH REGARDS TO SATIRE.

GEOFF: YOU CAN WATCH AN EXTENDED VERSION OF THAT CONVERSATION ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

THE MUSIC OF HERMANOS GUTIERREZ CARRIES LISTENERS ACROSS IMAGINED LANDSCAPES, BLENDING LATIN TRADITIONS, SURF ROCK, FOLK, AND CINEMATIC WESTERN SOUNDS INTO ENTIRELY NEW INSTRUMENTAL JOURNEYS.

♪ NOW THE SWISS ECUADORIAN BROTHERS, ESTEVAN AND ALEJANDRO GUTIERREZ, ARE TURNING THEIR GAZE HOMEWARD.

THEIR FORTHCOMING ALBUM, "LOS OJOS DEL CONDOR," DRAWS ON THE MUSICAL TRADITIONS OF SOUTH AMERICA AND THEIR FAMILY’S ROOTS IN ECUADOR AND PERU.

THEIR NEW MUSIC, PRODUCED BY DAN AUERBACH OF THE BLACK KEYS, IS BOTH A CELEBRATION OF HERITAGE AND AN INVITATION TO DISCOVER THE CULTURES AND LANDSCAPES THAT SHAPED THEM.

AS PART OF OUR ARTS AND CULTURE SERIES, CANVAS, WE’RE JOINED NOW IN STUDIO BY HERMANOS GUTIERREZ.

IT’S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

ALEJANDRO, YOUR MUSIC TELLS STORIES WITHOUT A SINGLE LYRIC.

WHAT DOES INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CAPTURE THAT OTHER TYPES OF MUSIC CAN’T?

>> IT REALLY CAPTURES THE CONNECTION OF BOTH OF US, THE CONNECTION THAT WE HAVE AS BROTHERS.

AND WITH CINEMATIC OR INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, IT’S JUST A CASE THAT LISTENERS CAN PUT WAY MORE OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE INTO THE MUSIC, AND WE LOVE THAT.

GEOFF: YOU BOTH HAVE SAID THAT THIS NEW ALBUM IS A LOVE LETTER TO SOUTH AMERICA.

IN WHAT WAY, STEFAN?

>> OUR MOM IS FROM ECUADOR, OUR DAD IS SWISS, BUT WE ALWAYS HAD THIS STRONG CONNECTION TO ECUADOR AND IN GENERAL TO SOUTH AMERICA.

AND SO WITH THIS JOURNEY, WE WANTED TO TAKE OUR LISTENERS TO THAT BEAUTIFUL SOUTH AMERICA AND WE’RE EXCITED TO SHARE THIS NEW JOURNEY WITH EVERYBODY.

GEOFF: AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU’RE MORE THAN BANDMATES, YOU’RE BROTHERS.

HOW DOES THAT RELATIONSHIP SHOW UP IN YOUR MUSIC?

THERE’S A LOT OF CONNECTION THERE, BUT IT’S LIKE ANY OTHER RELATIONSHIP.

WE GOT TO WORK ON IT, BUT THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT IS THAT MUSIC HAS KEPT US TOGETHER OVER THE YEARS.

GEOFF: I’VE FOLLOWED YOUR MUSIC FOR YEARS.

I’VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW YOUR PERFORMANCES COMMAND A CERTAIN AUDIENCES.

IN THIS NOISY WORLD -- PERFORMANCES COMMAND A CERTAIN TYPE OF STILLNESS AMONG AUDIENCES.

IN THIS NOISY WORLD IN WHICH WE ALL LIVE RIGHT NOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE VALUE IS OF THAT?

>> PEOPLE CAN REALLY BE PRESENT IN OUR SHOWS BECAUSE THERE’S NOT MUCH DISTRACTION.

THE SIMPLICITY REALLY AMAZES THE CONNECTION.

IT’S TWO GUITARISTS ENJOYING -- AND PEOPLE ENJOYING THE MUSIC, AND APPARENTLY THAT’S ENOUGH.

GEOFF: CERTAINLY MORE THAN ENOUGH, I WOULD SAY.

SO LET’S EXPERIENCE IT FIRSTHAND.

THIS IS "LOS OJOS DEL CONDOR," THE TITLE TRACK OFF YOUR FORTHCOMING ALBUM, HERMANOS GUTIERREZ.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ GEOFF: AND THAT’S THE NEWS HOUR FOR TONIGHT.

I’M GEOFF BENNETT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT THE PBS NEWSHOUR, THANKS FOR SPENDING PART OF YOUR EVENING WITH US.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR THE PBS NEWS HOUR HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY -- ♪ MOVING OUR ECONOMY FOR 100 60 YEARS.

BNSF.

THE ENGINE THAT ACCESS.

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AND FRIENDS OF THE NEWS HOUR, INCLUDING LEONARD AND NORMA KLORFINE AND THE JUDY AND PETER BLUM KOVLER FOUNDATION.

AND WITH THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF THESE INSTITUTIONS.

AND FRIENDS OF THE NEWS HOUR.

THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪ [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.]

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