Shields, Brooks on Campaign Ads, J.P. Morgan Losses, Debt Ceiling Debate

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top political news including a recent Obama campaign video that tries to debunk Mitt Romney's job creation claims, J.P. Morgan Chase losses and the expected renewal of the debt ceiling debate.

Washington Week Webcast Extra - May 18, 2012

On the Webcast Extra: Deb Fischer surprising won a Senate primary in Nebraska this week.  Also, George W. Bush endorses Mitt Romney.  Meanwhile, world leaders are converging on Camp David for the G-8 summit.  Also, according to the latest unemployment numbers, our workforce is shrinking.  Where is everyone going?

USAID Admin: Food Security a 'Grand' But 'Achievable' Goal

President Obama outlined Friday a private-public partnership to work on global poverty issues ahead of the Group of Eight summit in Camp David this weekend. Ray Suarez and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah discuss the initiative to lift millions out of poverty and hunger through farming partnerships.

News Wrap: Greece Uncertainty Tops Agenda at G-8 Summit

In other news Friday, leaders of some of the world's largest economies began gathering at Camp David in Maryland for the G-8 summit. Also, German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested Greece hold a referendum on staying in the eurozone, according to a spokesman for Greece's caretaker government.

What Are Facebook's Challenges Now?

The public sale of Facebook shares on Friday didn't soar as some had expected. Margaret Warner talks to Arvind Bhatia of Sterne Agee and Rob Cox of Reuters' Breakingviews about what Facebook needs to do to keep its audience and advertisers.

In Trayvon Martin's Case Documents, 'No Obvious Slam Dunk'

Prosecutors released this week more than 200 pages of photos, eyewitness accounts and investigative reports in the case of Trayvon Martin's killing in Florida. The Washington Post's Sari Horwitz tells Margaret Warner that the documents bolster neither the prosecution nor the defense's case.

'The Information Diet': More 'Conscious Consumption' Needed?

Clay Johnson, author of "The Information Diet: A Case for Conscious Consumption", discusses with Hari Sreenivasan how abundant technology is affecting our health, such as "email apnea."

Shields, Brooks on Campaign Ads, J.P. Morgan Losses

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top political news including a recent Obama campaign video that tries to debunk Mitt Romney's job creation claims, J.P. Morgan Chase losses and the expected renewal of the debt ceiling debate.

Shields, Brooks on Americans Elect, Preakness Predicting

In this week's Doubleheader, Mark Shields and David Brooks talk Ron Paul, the Preakness Stakes and what it's like on the field at Yankee Stadium.

In 'First Position,' Ballet Behind the Scenes

For more arts coverage, visit Art Beat: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/ In the ballet world, the Youth American Grand Prix can make or break a young dancer's career. In "First Position," director Bess Kargman follows seven aspiring ballet dancers between the ages of 10 and 17 as they prepare for and compete in the annual New York City event.

News Wrap: U.S. Soldier Killed by Man in Afghan Army Uniform

In other news Friday, an American soldier was killed in eastern Afghanistan by a man wearing an Afghan army uniform. The Taliban claimed responsibility. Also, in Greece, political leaders failed in a third attempt to form a government after Sunday's election produced no clear winner.

Minority Babies Make up Majority in U.S. Births

White babies account for fewer than half of newborns in the United States -- just 49.6 percent of last year's births, according to new Census data released Thursday. Margaret Warner discusses the tipping point and its implications with the Brookings Institution's William Frey and New York University's Marcelo Suarez-Orozco.

Combating Hardship in Rural Thailand

From Thailand, special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on one social entrepreneur's efforts to combat hardships and instill a new way of thinking in the rural regions of the relatively prosperous country.

Campaigns Utilize YouTube to Save Money, Target Voters

As part of an ongoing series on how candidates use social media this election season, Ray Suarez and journalists Lauren Ashburn and Howard Kurtz of Daily-Download.com discuss how President Obama and Mitt Romney use YouTube to bypass the "gatekeepers," or mainstream media, and get constituents to watch their campaign videos.

News Wrap: Greek Credit Rating Drops Amid Eurozone Doubts

In other news Thursday, questions kept coming about the future of the eurozone. By all accounts, money was flowing out of Greece where far-left leaders are agitating to break a bailout agreement and end austerity measures. Also, a fight over solar panels flared into the open between the U.S. and China.

Geithner: Another Debt Limit Debate? 'I Don't Understand it'

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told Jeffrey Brown during a factory tour Thursday in Baltimore that he couldn't understand why the debate over the federal debt limit is back again. They also discussed how regional Federal Reserve banks' boards are established and how President Obama will campaign about jobs and the economy.

Exclusive | Geithner: 'Perception Is a Problem' With Bank CEOs on N.Y. Fed Board

For more: http://to.pbs.org/JOWnnW Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told the PBS NewsHour's Jeffrey Brown Thursday that "perception is a problem" with bank executives sitting on the board of the New York Fed.

Watch Mitt Romney's Commencement Speech at Liberty University

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney delivered his commencement address before Liberty graduates.

'Crossing the Borders of Time:' A Tale of Love Amid WWII

Author Leslie Maitland speaks with Margaret Warner about her new book, "Crossing the Borders of Time," which chronicles the story of a 15-year-old Jewish girl raised in Germany as the Nazis came to power and her star-crossed romance with an older French Catholic man.

8th-Grade Journalist Spotlights Violence in School

How does violence affect students' ability to learn? That's what eighth-grader De'Qonton Davis and his classmates set out to investigate as part of the NewsHour's Student Reporting Labs project in partnership with PBS station WEDU in Tampa. The students produced a unique video report that they hope President Obama will see.

As Defense Rests, What's at Stake for John Edwards?

Despite a nearly three-week run by the prosecution, John Edwards' defense attorneys rested after two days without calling the former vice presidential nominee, his mistress or daughter to the stand regarding the campaign finance charges he faces. Judy Woodruff and the AP's Michael Biesecker discuss the case's next steps.

The Future of Prosthetics: Mind-Bending Robotic Arms

Researchers have shown that patients paralyzed from the neck down can move robotic arms with their minds, according to a new report in the journal Nature that documents two cases involving brain-stem stroke victims. Margaret Warner discusses the hopes for the technology with Dr. Leigh Hochberg of Massachusetts General Hospital.

Bosnia's Mladic Stands Trial on Genocide, War Crimes Charges

After more than 15 years on the run, Bosnian Serb Gen. Ratko Mladic -- once one of the world's most-wanted fugitives -- finally went on trial before an international court Wednesday. Mladic faces 11 charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes tied to the Bosnian Civil War in the 1990s. Jeffrey Brown reports.

Analyzing the Politics Behind Renewed Debt Debate

Battle lines were being drawn again Wednesday for a new fight over raising the U.S. borrowing limit, foreshadowing a replay of last year's stalemate. Judy Woodruff, Todd Zwillich of "The Takeaway" and Roll Call's Steve Dennis discuss the renewed war of words and how a new debt battle might shape the presidential campaign.

Remembering Carlos Fuentes, Mexico's Grand Man of Letters

Carlos Fuentes was a prolific writer -- penning novels, essays, newspaper articles, even an opera. Recognized as one of Latin America's greatest literary figures, Fuentes brought stories from Mexico to the world stage. He died Tuesday at age 83. Ray Suarez and Ilan Stavans of Amherst College discuss the impact of Fuentes' work.

As Mladic Stands Trial, 'In One Sense, War Criminals Won'

Facing 11 counts of genocide and crimes against humanity, Bosnian Serb Gen. Ratko Mladic finally went before an international court Wednesday after more than 15 years on the run. Jeffrey Brown and Michael Dobbs of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum discuss the case and Mladic's war crimes charges tied to the Bosnian civil war.

News Wrap: Greece Appoints Interim Government

In other news Wednesday, Greece appointed an interim government as it struggled to escape a deepening political crisis. The country faces new elections on June 17. Also, former Liberian President Charles Taylor offered no apologies at a U.N. tribunal for fomenting civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone in the late 1990s.

California Voter Heather Homer 'We Need Some New, Fresh Perspectives'

Extended Interview: The Life, Legacy of Carlos Fuentes

For more arts coverage, visit Art Beat: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/ On Wednesday's NewsHour, Ray Suarez talked to Ilan Stavans of Amherst College about the life and legacy of Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes. Here is the continuation of their conversation that Ray mentioned on the program.

Assessing the Indiana Senate Race After Lugar's Loss

Indiana voters sent Richard Lugar to the U.S. Senate six times, but not again this year. He lost Tuesday to Tea Party-backed state Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Gwen Ifill, Greg Fettig of Hoosiers for a Conservative Senate and political analyst Brian Howey discuss why Lugar lost and preview the race to fill his seat in the Senate.

Al-Qaida Bomb Plot: How Alarmed Should U.S. Be?

A day after news broke that the CIA foiled a new al-Qaida plot to bomb an airliner, the official responses were low key on Tuesday. Margaret Warner, former National Counterterrorism Center director Michael Leiter and former FBI supervisory special agent Ali Soufan assess the current reach of the terror network.

News Wrap: In Iowa, Romney Attacks Obama Over Stimulus

In other news Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney accused President Obama of putting the economy on a disastrous course by increasing federal spending and debt. In Syria, a roadside bomb struck a convoy that was part of the United Nations' observer mission.

U.S. Launches National Strategy to Combat Alzheimer's

As rates of Alzheimer's Disease continue to jump in the U.S., HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday the first Congressionally mandated plan to help prevent and treat the disease. Margaret Warner discusses the details with NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins and Eric Hall, CEO of Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

FBI to Probe JPMorgan Practices After Trading Loss

At an annual shareholders meeting in Florida Tuesday, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon apologized for the company's recent losses and survived a pair of shareholder votes on his pay and job responsibilities. Judy Woodruff discusses the turmoil -- including news of an FBI inquiry of the company -- with Dawn Kopecki of Bloomberg News.

How to Better Treat Trauma Injuries in the Developing World

At San Francisco General Hospital, surgeons from developing countries are learning the latest techniques from top U.S. specialists. With just over 100 orthopedic surgeons serving the 80 million people of Kenya and Tanzania, it's admittedly a small step. But doctors there say it's a worthy one. Spencer Michels reports.

On the Brink of Insolvency, Greece to Hold Fresh Elections

Nine days after voters divided sharply over drastic austerity measures, Greece teetered toward insolvency and the prospect of yet another round of elections. Other European nations braced for the fallout and worried yet again about the future of their common currency. Ray Suarez reports.

What Ron Paul Wants If His Supporters Will Back Romney

Ron Paul announced Monday that his campaign would not spend any more money in the presidential primaries. But he's not suspending his campaign. Judy Woodruff looks at Paul's chances of continuing to impact the GOP -- and its upcoming convention -- with Jon Ralson of the Las Vegas Sun and Brian Doherty of Reason magazine.

How Europe's Turmoil Rattles World Markets

Greece's political turmoil intensified Tuesday amid calls for fresh elections. Ray Suarez gets the latest from reporter John Psaropoulos. He then turns to Fred Bergsten of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Nicholas Burns of Harvard Kennedy School for more analysis on the economic impact worldwide.

Sen. Tom Coburn' on 'Debt Bomb': Everybody Must Sacrifice

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., speaks with Judy Woodruff about his plan to tackle the nation's escalating fiscal crisis, as outlined in his new book "The Debt Bomb." Coburn says "everyone," from both the right and the left, must sacrifice to fix the country's mounting debt problems.

Virginia Voter Danny Carlton 'This Election Is About the National Debt'

Remembering Maurice Sendak and His Inner Child

Known for illuminating fantastic nightmares in picture book form -- like his most famous book "Where the Wild Things Are," writer and artist Maurice Sendak died Tuesday at age 83. Jeffrey Brown spoke with Sendak in 2002.

Unemployment: Addressing Worsening 'Human Disaster' in U.S.

Some 5 million Americans have been looking for work for more than six months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jeffrey Brown speaks with Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research and Kevin Hassett of the American Enterprise Institute who say the "human disaster" has potential generations-long effects.

Nearly 50 Headless Bodies Found in Mexico Amid Drug War

Without heads, hands or feet, 49 bodies were discovered outside Monterrey, Mexico -- the latest casualties of a brutal five-year-old war between the country's top two drug cartels. Ray Suarez reports.

Sens. Levin, Corker Debate Implementing Financial Regulation

Amid a $2 billion trading loss disclosed last week by banking giant JPMorgan Chase and the announcement of a top executive's retirement Monday, Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Bob Corker, R-Tenn., speak with Judy Woodruff about calls for more Wall Street reform and the future of implementing Dodd-Frank regulations.

News Wrap: Greece Tries Again to Form New Government

In other news Monday, rival party leaders in Greece began a last-ditch effort to form a new government while European leaders faced the growing possibility that Greece's days in the eurozone might be numbered if it rejects austerity measures. Also, plans to close some 600 U.S. post offices have officially been put on hold.

JPMorgan Says Farewell to a Top Executive Amid Fallout

After news broke last week of $2 billion in trading losses, JPMorgan Chase had its first major casualty Monday when CEO Jamie Dimon disclosed the retirement of longtime executive Ina Drew. Margaret Warner and Bloomberg News' Dawn Kopecki discuss the case and the debate it has spurred over financial regulation.

Kidnapping Can Be a Family Affair in Mexico's Drug War

Since 2006, an estimated 50,000 people have died in drug- and gang-related violence in Mexico -- 49 of whom were found this weekend without heads, hands or feet outside Monterrey. Ray Suarez discusses the latest brutality with Alejandro Junco, owner of Grupo Reforma, one of the largest print media operations in Latin America.

Boosting Reading Skills: Will 'Common Core' Pay Off?

Called the "Common Core," a new set of state guidelines spell out what young students are expected to learn and what books they're expected to read. Forty five states and the District of Colombia have already adopted the standards. Learning Matters' John Merrow reports on the design and the aim of the new guidelines.

Watch President Obama's Commencement Speech at Barnard College

Click for more Vote 2012 coverage: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/topic/politics/ President Obama delivered his commencement address before Barnard College graduates Monday afternoon.

Shields, Brooks on Gay Marriage, Austerity Backlash

For more coverage, visit the PBS NewsHour website: http://to.pbs.org/J0l6XO Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top political news including President Obama's new support for gay marriage, Mitt Romney's "subtle gradations" on the issue, the backlash over austerity in European elections and the House Republicans' votes on the d...

Obama Supports Same-Sex Marriage: Now What?

For more coverage, visit the PBS NewsHour website: http://to.pbs.org/J2dCzf President Obama said Wednesday that he now believes "same-sex couples should be able to get married." Judy Woodruff and author Kerry Eleveld discuss the president's "evolution" on the subject, then Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry and the Rev. Harry Jackson of Hope Christian Church debate the legal f...

After JPMorgan's Huge Loss, Is More Regulation Needed?

Shares in JPMorgan Chase fell 9 percent Friday on news that the bank lost $2 billion over six weeks due to "self-inflicted" mistakes. Jeffrey Brown, The Wall Street Journal's Liz Rappaport, Michael Greenberger of the University of Maryland School of Law and consultant Bert Ely discuss the details and calls for more regulation.

U.N.'s Syria Cease-Fire Plan: The 'Least-Worst Option'?

Suicide bombers struck Thursday in the heart of Syria's capital of Damascus, killing at least 55 people and wounding at least 370. Jeffrey Brown and NPR's Kelly McEvers, reporting from Beirut, discuss the finger pointing over who's behind the attacks and the state of plans to stop the country's ongoing fighting.

Syria Suffers Deadliest Attack Since Uprising Began

Twin bombings tore through the Syrian capital of Damascus Thursday, in the deadliest attacks since the uprising began last year -- killing at least 55 people and wounding more than 370, according to state media. There were claims and counterclaims about the blame for the attacks. Jeffrey Brown reports.

News Wrap: Senate Bill to Extend Stafford Loan Rates Stalled

In other news Tuesday, a bill to continue low interest rates on federal student loans stalled in the Senate. Republicans blocked a plan by Democrats who wanted to cover the cost by raising taxes on wealthy stockholders in privately owned companies. Also, political leaders in Israel formed a new coalition government.

Napolitano: In Light of Bomb Plot, U.S. Must Be 'Proactive'

"Our adversaries are very creative, and they are very determined, and they are very persistent," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Tuesday in the wake of the CIA thwarting another al-Qaida plot to attack an airliner. The FBI is now studying the explosive device. Gwen Ifill has the latest.

Conversation: Filmmakers Zoom in on "The Weight of the Nation"

With more than two-thirds of U.S. adults age 20 and over now overweight or obese, a new four-part documentary series produced by HBO outlines the scope of the problem, common myths, and the costs of inaction. John Hoffman, executive producer of the "Weight of the Nation" series, sat down with Ray Suarez to discuss the filmmaker's approach to the public health problem.

The Best and Worst Places to Be a Mom

For more coverage, visit the PBS NewsHour website: http://to.pbs.org/IJI8mK Norway is the healthiest country in the world to be a mother, according to a new report released by the international non-profit Save the Children. The worst: West Africa's Niger. Gwen Ifill and Save the Children President Carolyn Miles discuss what countries are best and worst at creating healthy children and mothers.

Chen Might Soon Study in U.S., but Concerns Persist

"All of our efforts with [Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng] have been guided by his choices and our values," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after word came that Chen might travel to the U.S. for a fellowship at NYU. Ray Suarez and NYU's Jerome Cohen discuss what's ahead for Chen and U.S.-China relations.

News Wrap: House GOP Targets Food Stamps, Health Care to Spare Defense Budget

In other news Thursday, House Republicans pushed through a bill to prevent a 10 percent cut in the U.S. defense budget by cutting $300 billion in food stamps, health care and federal pensions, over 10 years. Also, Greece's struggle to form a new government entered a third round.

FDA Urges Caution Over Long-Term Use of Bone-Density-Building Drugs

Millions of women grapple with whether to take bone-density-building drugs to treat or prevent osteoporosis, but the FDA this week warned that long-term use of bisphosphonates can lead to rare fractures and side effects. Margaret Warner and Maine Medical Center's Dr. Clifford Rosen discuss the risks outlined by the FDA.

In Abbottabad, Bin Laden Lived in 'Prison of His Own Making'

For a decade after 9/11, Osama bin Laden was the most hunted man in the world. This week, more details emerged about the operation and the relentless, often frustrated intelligence effort that led to his death a year ago. Margaret Warner and journalist Peter Bergen, discuss his new book "Manhunt," which recounts the long chase.

Chen Guangcheng Offered Fellowship to Study in U.S.

After three days of talks between U.S. and Chinese officials, China's now world-famous dissident Chen Guangcheng will now be allowed to pursue a visa to study as a visiting scholar at New York University. Judy Woodruff has an update on the blind dissident's ongoing saga.

News Wrap: USPS Drops Plans to Close 3,700 Locations

In other news Wednesday, the U.S. Postal Service abandoned a plan to shutter 3,700 service locations. Under the new plan, more than 13,000 rural mail facilities may have to cut back hours of operation but no locations will close. Also, a key adviser to presidents Kennedy and Johnson, Nicholas Katzenbach, has died.

Shields and Brooks on Lugar's Luck, Basketball vs. Puck

The DoubleHeader is ready for your weekend viewing pleasure. Today syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the surprise results in the Senate race in Indiana this week, and consequences. On our lighter politics of sports segment, we also talk about how the NHL playoffs are defeating the NBA playoffs in[ ticket sales]

Washington Week Webcast Extra - May 11, 2012

On the Webcast Extra: After Republican Richard Lugar's defeat, how much power does the Tea Party have?  Plus, Mitt Romney came under fire for a bullying incident back in high school.  Will this have an effect on how voters perceive him?  Also, how dangerous is Yemen?

Romney, Obama Shift Campaign Focus Back to Economy

After days of campaign rhetoric over same-sex marriage, President Obama and Mitt Romney shifted back to the economy Friday. In North Carolina, Romney took aim at President Obama's "liberal policies" while the president alluded to Republican ideas having caused the financial crisis. Judy Woodruff reports.

A Drug to Prevent HIV's Spread: Truvada's Promises

The Food and Drug Administration gave the go-ahead Thursday to a drug combination called Truvada that is aimed at preventing the spread of HIV. Until now, it had only approved drugs for treating the disease. Ray Suarez discusses the details with Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases.

How Unusual Was Infiltration Effort That Stopped Bomb Plot?

A would-be bomber who was supposed to blow up a U.S.-bound airliner turned out to be a Saudi who had infiltrated al-Qaida's Yemen-based branch. Jeffrey Brown, NPR's Dina Temple Raston and security consultant Philip Mudd discuss what details are known about the operation and how it compares with other counterterrorism efforts.

Shields Brooks On Lugar And NBA Vs. NHL

The DoubleHeader is ready for your weekend viewing pleasure. Today syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the surprise results of the Senate race in Indiana this week and the consequences. On our lighter politics of sports segment, we also talk about how the NHL playoffs are defeating the NBA playoffs in ticket sales.

Leslie Maitland Reads From 'Crossing the Borders of Time'

For more arts coverage, visit Art Beat: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/ Investigative reporter Leslie Maitland reads from her book, "Crossing the Borders of Time." A profile of Maitland and her book will air on Friday's NewsHour, May 11.

Conversation: Poet Natalie Diaz

For more arts coverage, visit Art Beat: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/ A profile of poet Natalie Diaz and her Mojave language preservation work will air on the NewsHour soon, but here is sneak peak of our interview with the 33-year-old writer, conducted along the banks of the Colorado River.

Undercover Saudi Agent Reportedly Foiled Airliner Bomb Plot

The would-be terrorist targeting a U.S.-bound plane was in fact an undercover agent from Saudi Arabia who had infiltrated al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. He was supposed to slip past airport security wearing a sophisticated bomb in his underwear, but he delivered the device into Saudi and U.S. hands. Jeffrey Brown reports.

Examining the Presidential Campaign, Battleground Virginia

On the campaign trail, President Obama and Mitt Romney both stumped Wednesday in hotly contested Virginia. Gwen Ifill, USA Today's Susan Page and NewsHour Political Editor Christina Bellantoni discuss the candidates' efforts in battleground states ahead of their parties' conventions and the November presidential election.

Shields, Brooks on Bin Laden Politics, Chen Guangcheng

For more coverage, visit the PBS NewsHour website: http://to.pbs.org/K86zZp Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top news including the political debates surrounding the anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death, U.S. and China relations amid the saga of blind dissident Chen Guangcheng, new jobs numbers and structural problems in the U.S. e...

Obama's Support for Gay Marriage and its Political Effect

The political reverberations continued Thursday, a day after President Obama announced his support for gay marriage. Judy Woodruff, Politico's Charlie Mahtesian and The Grio's Perry Bacon discuss how the issue is likely to play out this election year with different voting blocs and voters in different areas of the country.

Chimpanzee Testing: Is it the Beginning of the End?

Medical experiments on chimpanzees can be invasive, involving injections, blood samples and liver biopsies. But some say it's the only way to advance medicine. Miles O'Brien reports explores whether there are ever instances in which the scientific value of research should offset the moral cost of working with chimps.

LBJ: The Transformation of a 'Legislative Genius'

Historian Robert Caro has spent nearly four decades telling the story of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Gwen Ifill and Caro discuss the pivotal four years between 1960 and 1964 when Johnson rose from senator to an overshadowed vice president, and then to president -- the premise of his latest biography, "The Passage of Power."

For College Grads, Jobs Outlook Better but Far From Great

After a promising start earlier this year, U.S. job growth slowed for a third month in April with just 115,000 jobs added and the unemployment rate dipping slightly to 8.1 percent. Jeffrey Brown discusses the numbers and outlook for college grads with Brandeis University's Catherine Mann and Drexel University's Paul Harrington.

For Cambodian Kids, Friends International Redefines Normal

From Cambodia, special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on one group, Friends International, and its efforts to help homeless children and their families have a brighter future through education, shelter and health services.

China Was 'Beyond Furious' Over Renegotiating on Chen

Ray Suarez speaks with Steven Lee Myers, diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times, about the latest developments in the saga of blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng and how his situation rankled American and Chinese officials during high-level diplomatic meetings.

Louisiana Voter Allen McCullough 'I'd Like to See the Political Machine Straighten Up'

Political Checklist: Lugar's downfall and voter divides

Gwen Ifill, Judy Woodruff and Christina Bellantoni discuss Sen. Richard Lugar's primary loss in Indiana, the death of bipartisanship and new PAC appeals to female voters. For more politics coverage, visit http://pbsnewshour.org

Making Your Own 'Combat Paper': A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Davide Keefe of the Combat Paper Project talks us through the cathartic paper-making process used to create each leaf of paper from veterans' military uniform. The workshop assists veterans in sharing their personal military experience through art.

Will Obesity Reverse Rise in U.S. Life Expectancy?

Public health experts have long warned of a growing obesity epidemic in America. This week, the Institute of Medicine and others launched a major campaign in hopes of curbing the problem. Ray Suarez and Dr. Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health discuss the personal and public consequences of obesity.

News Wrap: In Pakistan, Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 20

In other news Friday, a teenage suicide bomber killed some 20 people and wounded 40 at a marketplace near the Afghan border. Five victims were local members of the Pakistani security force. Also, Syrian forces opened fire on protesters in Aleppo, killing a teenager and wounding almost 30 others.

Chinese Dissident Chen Guangchen Leaves U.S. Sanctuary

While Chinese dissident Chen Guangchen gave up his U.S. diplomatic sanctuary Wednesday, nearly everything else surrounding the fate of the blind activist remained in dispute. Chen told The Associated Press in a phone interview that he had left the American Embassy under duress. Jeffrey Brown reports.

Better $120 Million Status Symbol: 'The Scream' or a Yacht?

One of the most iconic works of art in the word, a version of Edvard Munch's "The Scream," sold at a record price of $119.9 million in a much-hyped New York auction Wednesday night. Jeffrey Brown and The Wall Street Journal's Kelly Crow discuss what a 12-minute-long bidding war suggests about the current state of the art market.

Louisiana Voter Julie Morgan "I Feel That Politicians Forget Their Roots'.mp4

Louisiana Voter Hosea Borskey 'I'd Like to See the Political Machine Straighten Up'.mp4

Encore Conversation: Maurice Sendak

For moer arts coverage, visit Art Beat: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/ In 2002, for a segment about an exhibition on children's illustrations, Jeffrey Brown sat down with Maurice Sendak to talk about his roots as an artist and his interest in exploring children's perceptions of everyday life. Sendak died Tuesday at age 83.

Ndegeocello Credits Arts Education With Redefining Path to Success

With nine studio albums under her belt and a current world tour, bass player Meshell Ndegeocello was in her hometown, Washington, DC, last week recalling how arts classes were key to ensuring that she stayed in school till graduation.

Combat Paper: Veterans Battle War Demons With Paper-Making

At first blush, cutting up a military uniform might seem like an unsettling concept -- a potential act of disrespect. But veterans in New Jersey and around the nation are doing just that as part of the Combat Paper Project to repurpose uniforms into paper as canvasses for therapeutic works of art.

News Wrap: CIA Reportedly Foils New al-Qaida Bomb Plot

In other news Monday, The Associated Press reported that the CIA disrupted a plot to bomb an airliner -- around the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death. Also, a key suspect in the 2002 nightclub bombings in Bali apologized in an Indonesian courtroom.

9/11 Mastermind's Trial Likely Years Away

"These men have endured years of inhumane treatment and torture," defense attorney James Connell said Sunday at a Gitmo hearing for Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his alleged 9/11 co-conspirators. Margaret Warner, Frontline's Arun Rath and Medill National Security Journalism Initiative's Josh Meyer discuss the next steps in the case.

Politics of Gay Marriage: Biden Remarks Rekindle Culture War

When Vice President Joe Biden said he now believes same-sex marriages should be protected under law, it touched off a new round of political culture wars. Gwen Ifill hosts a debate between Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage and gay rights advocate Richard Socarides.

What Hollande's Win Means for Future of Europe's Economy

Unnerved by fiscal austerity measures, French voters on Sunday elected Socialist candidate Francois Hollande to the presidency -- rebuking sitting leader Nicholas Sarkozy. Jeffrey Brown, The New York Times' Elaine Sciolino and The Globalist's Stephan Richter discuss the prospects of major policy shifts on the horizon.

Incredible, Edible Bugs: Will Insect Meals Catch on in U.S.?

Most Americans would squirm when even thinking of eating a grasshopper or locust. But a movement is afoot to encourage insect eating with advocates praising bugs' low fat and high protein. Spencer Michels tasted wax moth larvae tacos and crispy mealworms over ice cream to prepare this report on efforts to put bugs on U.S. menus.

Sarkozy, Austerity Rejected by French Voters

In a firm rebuke to France's Nicolas Sarkozy and the fiscal austerity measures he advocated, a beaming Francois Hollande -- the country's Socialist Party president-elect -- promised a "new direction" for his nation and Europe. Jeffrey Brown reports.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Makes 1st Court Appearance in 3 Years

Saturday's arraignment at Guantanamo Bay marked the first court appearance in more than three years for the self-professed mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, and his alleged conspirators. Margaret Warner reports.