as the james webb space telescope blasted off. then, the rocket casing opened up and attend the skate was released into the darkness of space with a one million mile journey ahead. but as it travels, it has a fiendishly occult task to do. -- difficult task to do. unfolding. >> we did not have any rocket big enough to launch it fully deployed. so we had to fold it up to fit inside the rocket. this is really, really difficult engineering, but nasa has never shied away from doing fficult things. i have full confidence it will work. reporter: unfurling the sun shield is the most difficult part of this process. it is the size of a tennis court. first, its two halves are lowered into position, then booms are deployed. it involves 400 pulleys, 400 meters of cabling, and more than 100 release mechanisms that have to work at exactly the right time. finally, the five layers of the sun shield, each as thin as a human hair, separates. the whole process has been rehearsed again and again on earth, but doing this in space will be nailbiting. >>

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening. i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight: grounded. thousands of flights cancelled this christmas eve, as the omicron variant leads to airline staffing shortages. then, new frontiers. nasa prepares to launch a telescope capable of seeing farther into the known universe than ever before. >> there's absolutely a lot riding on this telescope. the future of astronomy is riding on this telescope. and i think it's going to be a huge payoff, in terms of what we learn about the universe. >> nawaz: and, it's friday. david brooks and jonathan capehart weigh in on the democrats'

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight: tense talks. president biden holds a virtual meeting with vladimir putin, amid rising fears over a potential russian invasion of ukraine. then, investigating the insurrection. the inquiry into the january 6 attack on the capitol intensifies as more trump officials refuse to cooperate. and, a history of discrimination. many black farmers still struggle to receive compensation after being excluded from federal government agriculture programs. >> we weren't able to pass on wealth, we weren't able to pass on a farm. and so, to look at it and say, "

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; puuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ judy: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshou tonight. after the storms -- families and businesses begin picking up the pieces in the wake of devastating tornadoes that left scores dead, including several children. then. investigating the insurrection -- text messages from former president trump's chief of staff provide more insight into the january 6th attack on the capitol. and. casualties of war -- new details emerge about the widespread deaths and injuries caused by u.s. air strikes in afghanistan and syria. >> the fact that we've seen thousands of these strikes, and we see recurring problems, creates a questions about, ok, who really should be accounta

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening, i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, covid on the rise-- infections spike, and more schools and businesses close, as hospitals brace for a wave of patients from the omicron variant. then, high stakes-- democratic senator joe manchin deals a blow to the white house, saying no to president biden's main social priorities bill. what's next for the president's agenda. and, reflecting on a legacy-- dr. francis collins discusses his long career as he leaves the top job at the national institutes of health, especially combating covid and mapping the human genome. >> now it's written in a

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned. woman: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also proded by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> i'm nora travailing in washington, this is bbc world news america. new details about the world's latest covid threat. it turns out omicron was in europe earlier than previously thought. we will have the latest. after seven years of war in yemen, hundreds of thousands fled their homes. as houthi rebels gained ground, we report from the makeshift camps of people replaced by flighting -- fighting. >> war creates a crisis. the way this war ends is not in the hands of yemenis, because big regional powers have interven

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursng solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening, i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away on the newshour tonight, covid surge-- what you need to know about rising infection rates, and a spike in hospitalizations among children. and, a jury finds ghislaine maxwell guilty on five of the six counts she faced helping lure teenageirls into having sex with jeffrey epstein. then, remembering harry reid. looking back at the life and political legacy of the former senate majority leader from nevada. and, tightening welfare rules-- 25 years after major changes, we examine how eligibility restrictions have failed americans in need. >> all the paperwork

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ ♪ judy: on the newshour tonight, democracy in crisis as president biden kicks off -- declining freedoms, others talk about the threat to democracy in the u.s.. then general in the middle east discusses flashpoints in the uncertain future of the region. and a polluted legacy. the air force and others contend with the community impact of chemicals linked to widespread health as shoes -- issues. >> many individuals have these chemicals in their blood. judy:

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening, i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, deadly storms-- several states begin the recovery process after devastating tornadoes kill dozens, destroy hundreds of homes and leave thousands powerless. then, a major settlement-- the abuse victims of former doctor larry nassar reach a multi- million dollar deal with usa gymnastics after a years-long legal battle. and, america addicted-- new york city becomes first in the country to open safe consumption centers, where people can use illicit drugs under supervision in hopes of reducing overdose deaths. >> if we don't create spaces like this,

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. anby contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening, i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, fighting covid-- the president announces plans to ship free covid tests to millions of americans and orders military medical personnel to help hospitals expecting a surge in patients. then, high stakes-- democrats face an uncertain future as their legislative priorities languish in a gridlocked congress. and, the next stage-- one of the country's leading black theater companies gives voice to racial equity issues through art. >> these are not characters that are distant from us. they are parents, they are cousins. this-- we're a professional thea

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening, i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight, the pandemic persists-- amid holiday travel, hospitals battle a surge in omicron cases around the country. and, massacre in myanmar-- a christmas eve attack leaves dozens dead, with aid groups claiming government forces are to blame. then, the year in tv and movies. what to watch this holiday season with a look back at the best entertainment offers of 2021. >> the first series that comes to mind is "hacks." it's kind of a generational look at how women have been treated in the comedy world, in the entertainment world. >> nawaz:

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening. i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight: new covid guidance. as rising omicron cases keep many at home, we explain the new c.d.c. recommendations around shorter isolation times. then, crackdown in russia. the government bans th most prominent human rights group, as the world mark 30 years since the dsolution of the soviet union. and, rising costs. how the roller coaster price of lumber might have predicted inflation and could signal where the economy goes from here. >> no one has ever seen $700. that w pretty astonishing. but then it went to $800, $900, and $1,000. >>

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff on the "newshour" tonight, the cost of covid: hospitals struggle to handle the influx of covid patients following the rapid spread of the omicron variant then, high stakes: we speak to a progressive democrat about whether his party can salvage the president's derailed legislative agenda and the vaccine gap: the racial divide on covid vaccinations remains stubbornly wide with many black americans still skeptical of the shots. >> one of the main problems is that people are scared. that's real. how do we get fear out of people? >> woodruff: all that and more on tonight's "

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight: democracy in crisis. as president biden kicks off a summit to combat declining freedoms around the world, others warn of the threat to democracy here in the u.s. then, one on one. the top united states general in the middle east discusses the potential flash-points in the region's uncertain future. and, a polluted legacy. the air force and others contend with the community impact of pfas-- chemicals linked to widespread health issues. >> we've seen, you know, somewhere between 98% and 99% of individuals have detectable levels of these chemicals

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was so provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening, i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight, the spread continues-- omicron appears in more states even as health officials battle a surge of delta covid cases. then, rising tensions-- the united states declares a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming winter olympics in china, inflaming a fraught relationship. and, veterans affairs-- secretary denis mcdonough on meetinthe needs of former servicemembers, including addressing toxic exposure and post-traumatic stress. all that and more on tonight's pbs newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by:

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: fundg was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ ♪ judy: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, on trial. former minneapolis area police officer kim haber takes the stand in her own defense in the trial over the killing of daunte wright. then high-stakes. the biden agenda faces an uncertain future as his policy priorities suffer major setbacks in the senate. plus, the pandemic in africa. the omicron and delta variants of covid-19 plagued the continent amid vaccine hesitancy and resistance to safety protocols. >> the cities across africa, business seems to go on as usual in the way it did before the pandemic. people have given up on masks and, in many pates --

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and per blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening, i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, rising rates-- the chair of the federal reserve signals an earlier increase in interest rates as inflation surges. then, picking up the pieces-- president biden visits western kentucky as the region undertakes a fifth arduous day of recovery. plus, covid's toll-- more than 800,000 americans have already lost their lives to covid-19 as hospitals brace for another potential wave from the omicron variant. and, heightened tensions-- china's increased focus on taiwan sparks a debate in the u.s. about how and if the united states cante

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned. woman: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> this is bbc world news america. vaccines and variants. our first clues into just how effective or not jabs can be against the omicron strain of covid. prosecors in michigan charge the parents of the teenager accused of a deadly school shooting with involuntary manslaughter. an unusual step in the tragic case. ongoing drought in the horn of africa has left millions without enough food to eat. animals are struggling to stay alive. >> the drought is still ongoing. this calf is too weak to stand up. she has to be f

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned. woman: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ♪ >> this is bbc world news america. south african officials say the omicron variant is driving a sharp increase in covid infections. the message: vaccinations are vital. >> the real problem is not lack of vaccines, it is the fact younger people seem very reluctant to get a jab. >> venezuela's health care system is collapsing. a special report from inside a hospital as doctors and nurses struggle with the impact of covid-19. the shadow of a shutdown looms over washington. lawmakers scramble to agree on how, or e

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned. woman: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". laura: i am lan and this is "bbc world news america." the u.s. supreme court hears arguments in the most significant abortion case in a generation. the first case of omicron is found in the u.s. as the world scrambles to contain the spread of the variant. u.s. and allies carry out drills off the coast of japan in front of a very important audience, china. >> we are 500 km off the coast of japan on the island of iwo jima. laura: world aids day. we go to liverpool to remember those who were lost too soon. ♪ welcom

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy anpeter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc > woodruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight: a verdict. the jury finds minnesota police officer kim potter guilty in her manslaughter trial, following the shooting death of daunte wright. then, omicron on the rise. lines for testing grow, as americans prepare to come together for the holidays plus, from russia with blame. vladimir putin accuses the west of escalating tensions, as russian troops mass along the ukrainian border. all that and more, on tonight's pbs newshour.

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight: fighting the mandate. the debate over vaccine requirements takes shape in congress, as even some democrats push back on the president. then, religion at the court. the justices hear a case about whether government funding can be used for religious education. plus, abuse in the ranks. history is made, as a congressional deal takes the reporting of sexual assault out of the military chain of command. and, on trl. the police officer who shot daunte wright during a traffic stop in a minneapolis suburb sees her case go to court. all that and more, o

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight: abortion battle. the supreme court allows health clinics to challenge texas' near-total ban on the procedure, but leaves the law in place, setting up another legal showdown. then, rising prices. inflation grows at its fastest rate in nearly 40 years, complicating the president's agenda. plus, democracy in crisis. personal freedoms and representative government decline worldwide, as the shadow of authoritarianism grows ever larger. >> these authoritarian trends are being promoted from within. parties inside democratic systems that are pushing th

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening. i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight: covid surge. new cases soar, breaking pandemic records across the u.s., as countries around the globe celebrate new year's eve. then, colorado's wildfires. fueled by hurricane-force winds, the blaze leaves thousands homeless, and could be the most destructive in the state's history. also, legendary actress and beloved comedian betty white has died, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday. and, it's friday. david brooks and jonathan capehart reflect on the year in politics, and democracy in america. all that and more, on tonight's

rrorat: fiianancl rvseices firm, raymond james. atnarrorfu: nding waal psorovided by, the freefoman untidaon. by judy peand te blum kr ovlefodauntion; purs suingolioutns for amicera's neglecteedd nes. anbyd contributio this pbs stn atiofrom vis ewerli ykeou. k thanyou. ♪ ♪ ♪ rrnaatoryo: u'reat wchinpbg s. ♪ ddaa--da-duh-da-d♪a-da♪ d♪a--ddaa-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening. i'm judy wufoodrf. on the nouewshr nitoght: pathe ndicem persists. dlrapiy crineasing infection ras tefrom the omi vcronarntia in the. u.sprptom more covid concerns. th, ghhi stakes. cossngre wngrales over the mass"bive ui bldack better" billd , anotr hecontentious leslgiation, in thnae fil ekwes of the year. anmad, igeofs freedom. nea w exhibit shseowcas e thwork ofor a fgoentt photographer documeg ntinthfie ght for eqliuaty in the un sitedtas.te she was an idoutsern ia lot ofay ws, and i thihenk s was tableo larete to some oef th experience ts ofheeo pple she s wadrawn to phoaptogrhi.ng >

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. man: bdo. accountants and adviso. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're wating pbs. judy: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the "newshour" tonight. covid concerns -- the first case of the omicron variant is detected in the u.s. as world governments impose more travel restrictions. >> this is the most visible way in which politicians can be seen as being responsive to a public health crisis, because it's a lot easier to shut your borders than to get your vaccines out. judy: then -- abortion battle -- the supreme court hears arguments on a restrictive mississippi law, setting up what could be the most important decision on the issue since roe v wade. and -- the nuclear issue -- indirect talks resume between the united states and iran, but hopes for a return to the 2015 agreement remain low. all that and