PBS News Hour

With just more than a month to go before Election Day, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz met for their first and only debate on Oct. 1, hosted by CBS in New York. In the 90 minute debate, the two addressed issues ranging from climate change to gun violence, abortion and immigration.

Tens of thousands of dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts are on strike, freezing operations at ports that handle about half of all U.S. imports and exports. Analysts estimate the work stoppage by the International Longshoremen’s Association could trigger chaos in the supply chain just weeks before the election. William Brangham discussed more with Peter Goodman of The New York Times.

The Middle East stands on the precipice of regional war after Iran launched a massive attack on Israel with at least 180 ballistic missiles. Nick Schifrin reports from Tel Aviv where he witnessed the impacts of those strikes and Leila Molana-Allen reports from Beirut on the Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon.

Vice presidential nominees Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance square off Tuesday night in the final scheduled debate of the presidential campaign. Geoff Bennett discussed how the candidates prepared and what to watch for with Lisa Desjardins, Laura Barrón-López, Republican strategist Kevin Madden and Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross.

For the second time in six months, Iranian forces launched a massive aerial barrage at Israel. What does this latest flashpoint hold for the region after Israel's punishing campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon? Geoff Bennett has perspectives from two longtime watchers of the region, Suzanne Maloney and David Makovsky.

In our news wrap Monday, a judge in Georgia struck down the state's ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, the FBI agreed to pay $22 million to 34 women who claimed they were targeted for dismissal from the agency's training center, more than 90,000 people near Atlanta sheltered in place after a chemical fire and musician and actor Kris Kristofferson died at 88.

Israel appears to be starting its invasion of southern Lebanon, but on what U.S. officials believe will be a more limited basis. Israel continues to launch punishing air strikes across Lebanon, with some that have targeted leaders of militant groups in addition to Hezbollah. Nick Schifrin reports from Tel Aviv tonight.

The cost of housing has risen steeply in recent years, including for college students. Living in a dorm or renting an off-campus apartment can be the single largest expense a student faces, even more than tuition. Laura Barrón-López reports on how students are coping with the high cost of living and how some universities are responding. It’s the first part of our fall series, Rethinking College.

The devastating toll from Hurricane Helene keeps growing. At least 121 people have died in six states and officials fear that number could grow much larger. Many remain missing and unaccounted for since phone lines and cell towers have been down for days. Some places in Florida are trying to recover from their third big hit in less than two years. Special Correspondent Christopher Booker reports.

GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance attended a town hall organized by Christian nationalist leaders. The event’s host, Lance Wallnau, is a leading figure in a far-right movement that wants to erase the separation between church and state. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Matthew Taylor of the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies and author of "The Violent Take It By Force."

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including deadly disasters collide with the closing month of the campaign season and the vice presidential nominees prepare for their first debate.

In North Carolina, communities are in crisis with roads closed, slowing the delivery of food, water and other desperately needed aid. The city of Asheville, in particular, has been devastated with flooded roads and loss of power essentially cutting the city off from any outside assistance. Amna Nawaz discussed the situation there with Gerard Albert III of Blue Ridge Public Radio.