PBS News Hour

GEOFF BENNETT: Good evening.

I'm Geoff# Bennett.

Amna Nawaz is on assignment.

On the "News Hour" tonight:# Florida braces for impact,## as Hurricane Helene barrels toward the Gulf Coast.

Israel strikes Hezbollah in# Lebanon for a third straight## day in preparation for a possible ground invasion.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump# continue campaigning in swing states,## with polls showing the race as close as ever.

And the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog on the## precarious and potentially catastrophic# situations in Iran and war-torn Ukraine.

(BREAK) GEOFF BENNETT: Welcome to the "News Hour."

In the span of 24 hours, Helene in the# Gulf of Mexico has s.. tropical storm into a hurricane.

Over the next# 24 hours, it's expected to grow even stronger,## and it's barreling straight toward Florida.# Floridians have been filling sandbags,## preparing to hunker down in the face# of heavy rains, storm surge and floods.

Earlier today, Florida Governor Ron# DeSantis urged residents to act now.

GOV.

RON DESANTIS (R-FL): Time to make the# preparations and put your plan in place today,## but that time is running out.

This storm, I think,## as you know, is basically in the area of Cuba# and the Yucatan Peninsula.

It's moving past## that, and then it's going to have pretty# much a clear runway in the Gulf of Mexico.

GEOFF BENNETT: Current forecasts show Helene## will arrive as a dangerous# Category 4 hurricane tomorrow.

Jamie Rhome is the deputy director# of the National Hurricane Center,## and he joins us now from# its headquarters in Miami.

Thanks for being with us.

So, Jamie, where is Helene right now, and# what w.. JAMIE RHOME, National Hurricane Center: Well,# Helene is centered down here just to the north## of Cancun, Mexico.

It's now emerging out over# the open waters of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico,## where conditions appear especially favorable for# development, possibly significant development.

And we anticipate Helene to go on and become# a major hurricane before it tracks somewhere## here over the Florida Panhandle or# Big Bend region late on Thursday.

GEOFF BENNETT: And what about the potential,## Jamie, for storm surge and flooding?# What does .. JAMIE RHOME: Unfortunately, it has increased over# the last 12 hours.

With the wind increase and the## size increase that we have been talking# about all day, so goes the surge risk.

And we're now looking at the potential for# 15 to 20 feet.

You read that correctly,## 15 to 20 feet of storm surge in the Big Bend# region, with significant surge less than that,## but significant surge extending basically# all the way down the Florida west coast.## So this is going to have a big and lasting# impact for much of the Florida peninsula.

And, unfortunately, it's going to spread,# spread its impacts deep into the Southeast,## especially over Southern Georgia.

GEOFF BENNETT: So it's expected to# land as a Category 4 storm right## now.

What does that suggest# in terms of wind strength?

JAMIE RHOME: For those in the path of that wind,# it would be catastrophic damage.

Category 4 winds## are capable of significant structural damage# to all but the most sound and secure buildings.

So anything that isn't up to modern building# codes or your modern standards are probably## going to sustain substantial damage,# widespread power outages, trees down.## Especially in and around Tallahassee, they have# got a really big tree canopy.

Impassable roads,## down power lines, it's just going to be a big# mess for people who are in the path of the storm.

GEOFF BENNETT: So people who are in that# path of the storm and the affected areas,## they should really heed those# evacuation warnings, I'd imagine.

JAMIE RHOME: Oh, absolutely.

Those evacuation orders are.. Hurricane Center.

And, in fact, we have been# on the phone with the emergency managers all## day trying to assist them in that evacuation# decision.

It's a hard decision for them to make,## but it's based off the best and most reliable# forecast that are issued straight from here.

GEOFF BENNETT: Jamie Rhome with# the National Hurricane Center,## thanks for your time this# evening, sir.

We appreciate it.

JAMIE RHOME: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: ## Israel's military said today it's preparing# for a ground invasion of Lebanon.

U.S.## officials are frantically trying to avoid# all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah## after more than a week of unprecedented# Israeli attacks on the militant group,## which have killed hundreds# and injured thousands more.

Nick Schifrin is here now with the details.

So, Nick, how tense is the situation# along the border right now?

NICK SCHIFRIN: It's extremely# tense, Geoff.

This has been the## deadliest week in Lebanon for decades,# and that violence continued today.

Israel said that it struck some 350 Hezbollah# sites, including some associated with the## intelligence directorate, to --# quote -- "make it more difficult"## for Hezbollah to produce an intelligence# assessment.

Lebanese authorities say the## strikes killed 50 on top of the more# than 550 killed the previous two day.

But, meanwhile, Hezbollah continued its# own strikes into Israel, including it's## hit villages near the border, wounding at# least two civilians.

Hezbollah also launched## its first ballistic missile at Tel Aviv.# It was intercepted by Israeli air defense.

But, as you said, Geoff, Israel went# further today than it has in the past,## calling up two reserve brigades to# deploy them to the northern area## along the Lebanese border.

And the# IDF's chief of staff, Herzi Halevi,## warn today that troops need to prepare for# -- quote -- "possible entry into Lebanon."

LT. GEN. HERZI HALEVI, Chief of Staff, Israeli# Defense Forces (through translator): We are## prepar.. enter villages that Hezbollah has prepared# as large military outposts.

You will go in,## destroy the enemy there, and decisively# destroy their infrastructure.

These## are the things that will allow us to safely# return the residents of the north afterward.

NICK SCHIFRIN: And that is what Israel says is# its goal, returning the 60,000-plus residents who## have been displaced from their homes since October# the 8th, when Hezbollah opened fire into Israel.

GEOFF BENNETT: So what does# de-escalation look like now?

What is## the U.S. doing to try to prevent an all-out war?

NICK SCHIFRIN: President Biden admitted# today that an all-out war was possible.## Secretary of State Antony Blinken called# the risk of escalation -- quote -- "acute."

So they have been scrambling.

And# they all are in New York with the## entire international community.

So# that makes it possible for them to## have meetings with partners and allies.# And Western officials, U.S. officials,## tell me that those partners and allies have# been Europeans, Arabs, alongside Israel.

And two U.S. officials confirmed to me# that the U.S. is proposing a temporary## cease-fire along the Israel-Lebanon# border.

It's not ready to be announced## yet.

One official called it -- quote# -- "pretty limited and short-term."

But the idea here, Geoff, would be to# stop the violence, again, temporarily,## in order to try and have a conversation# that they have been having for months,## which is a diplomatic agreement that would# push Hezbollah back past the Litani River,## which on average is about six miles north of the# border, beyond Hezbollah's anti-tank weapons.

That's really what Israel wants.

And# that is prescribed by Security Council## Resolution 1701.

So Hezbollah was# already supposed to be doing that.

One of the leading partners that is# helping the U.S. with this is France.## They are hosting a Security Council meeting# right now over Lebanon, and whose president,## Emmanuel Macron, said today that he was# ensuring that a diplomatic voice can be heard.

EMMANUEL MACRON, French President# (through translator): We must not,## we cannot have a war in Lebanon.

There cannot# be a war i.. Israel to cease this escalation in Lebanon and to# Hezbollah to cease this missile launch to Israel.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Senior U.S. officials# tell me that they believe Hezbollah## and Iran do not want an all-out war in# Lebanon, but Hezbollah has to respond## in a serious way to those unprecedented# attacks that you mentioned at the top,## especially using pagers that really hit# Hezbollah fighters where they're most vulnerable.

U.S. officials also believe that Israel# is willing to go to war and obviously is## trying to make it clear to everyone that it is# with this announcement today and the movement,## but that they're hoping Prime Minister Benjamin# Netanyahu is willing to forego an invasion.

But it's still not clear, Geoff, how any step that## Israel could take could really get all# of those residents back to their homes.

GEOFF BENNETT: So what would an# Israeli invasion of Lebanon look like?

NICK SCHIFRIN: It would be devastating,# devastating to Southern Lebanon,## to the people who live there, to Lebanon's# economy, which is already in shambles.

Take a listen to Lebanon's foreign minister,## Abdallah Habib, talking to the Carnegie# Endowment's Aaron David Miller.

ABDALLAH BOU HABIB, Lebanese Foreign# Minister: It's all destruction by## destruction and nothing -- and the people# are hurt.

Both people are hurt.

Israelis are## hurt.

Lebanese are hurt.

While we can find# a solution, the more we think about it is,## the United States is the key to our, I would# say, salvation, if I can say, use this word.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Salvation, that's an incredible# word, Geoff, to hear from him, when the U.S,## of course, is giving Israel the weapons# that it would be using in Lebanon.

Bottom line is, though, that their hopes# are on the U.S. on the West trying to get## some kind of deal that would push Israel# to withhold any kind of invasion and that## would somehow get Hezbollah to, again,# not -- who doesn't want full-scale war,## but has to respond to those major attacks, that# response to be under the threshold that Israel## needs it to be and somehow move from that# to the point where residents can get home.

But that's a very, very difficult task.

GEOFF BENNETT: Yes, more to come.

Nick Schifrin, thanks for th.. NICK SCHIFRIN: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: Turning our focus# now to the 2024 race for president,## both candidates were out on the campaign# trail today laying out their plans to tackle## one of the most consequential issues# of this election.

That's the economy.

Vice President Kamala Harris was in Pennsylvania# and Donald Trump campaigned in North Carolina.

And that's where our Lisa# Desjardins has been reporting.

LISA DESJARDINS: Today, two battleground states,# two battling visions for America's economy.

KAMALA HARRIS, Vice President of the United# States (D) and U.S. Presidential Candidate: I## intend to chart a new way forward and#.. intends to take America backward.

LISA DESJARDINS: Vice President# Kamala Harris' came in a speech to## the Economic Club of Pittsburgh.

She# played up what she calls a pragmatic## approach and pledged policies# to boost domestic manufacturing.

Her proposals largely include# tax shifts and incentives,## such as a $50,000 tax deduction for# new small businesses.

Other ideas,## she says, will pick up where President# Biden's economic agenda leaves off.

KAMALA HARRIS: A survey of top economists## by The Financial Times and the University# of Chicago found that by an overwhelming## 70 to 3 percent margin, my plan would# be better for keeping inflation low.

LISA DESJARDINS: Just hours earlier... DONALD TRUMP, Former President (R) and Current U... LISA DESJARDINS: ... former President Donald Trump# outlined his economic plan, including tariffs## and a push for American businesses to keep jobs# here at a factory in Mint Hill, North Carolina.

DONALD TRUMP: I will give you the lowest taxes,# the lowest energy costs, I will cut your energy in## half, the lowest regulatory burden and free access# to the best and biggest market on the planet## Earth, but only if you make your product here in# America and hire American workers for the job.

LISA DESJARDINS: It comes at a time# when the economy consistently tops## the polls as one of the most# important issues for voters.

DONALD TRUMP: Forty-one days from now, we# are going to win the state of North Carolina.

LISA DESJARDINS: The location is politically# powerful.

Near the bottom of the state,## Mint Hill has a suburb of Charlotte between# two powerhouse counties, Mecklenburg,## a population center that voted 67 percent# for Biden in 2020, but next door is Union,## the largest county that Trump won in# 2020.

It voted for him 61 percent.

Both counties are fast growing and business# centers.

Industrial parks keep popping up.

Colin Hughes and his wife opened this# coffee shop in Mint Hill over a year ago,## a risk, but one that's paid off.

COLIN HUGHES, Coffee Shop Owner: We have# been in business for a little over a year,## year-and-a-half, and we haven't gone down# yet in a month.

Last year at this time,## we had four employees.

Now we have 10.

So, for us,## the only thing I can really speak on is# how we're doing here and how our other## friends are doing up and down this trip.

And,# yes, things are going really well for us.

LISA DESJARDINS: But the economy here# has not been as bright for everyone.

Nina Harrill is a Trump supporter.

NINA HARRILL, Voter: I lost my job during COVID,## and things were getting really good when Trump# was in.

But right after he went out, it's like## everything started going south, and my company# that had been in business for 80 years went under.

So, I'd been at my job 25 years# and lost my job after all that.

LISA DESJARDINS: She now works at a Chick-fil-A,## where she has seen customers cut back,# adults buying kids' meals to save money.

She's all in on Trump because she thinks the# country is on a downward track.

We also asked Nina## about the Republican candidate for governor, Mark# Robinson, and the bombshell report last week from## CNN asserting that he previously posted a litany# of offensive comments on a porn site, including## that he was a Nazi, that slavery should return,# and that he enjoyed watching transgender porn.

As a candidate, Robinson has adamantly# opposed transgender rights.

He maintains## the CNN report is false, that these# are not his words.

Despite pressure## and resignations from top staff,# Robinson has stayed in the race.

A candidate Trump has vigorously embraced# in the past, now the Trump/Vance campaign## avoids talking about Robinson, and he# was not at the event today.

So far,## the Robinson story hasn't impacted# either Nina's vote for Trump or him.

NINA HARRILL: I mean, from just a little# bit that I know to be able to bring up a## past from probably 10 years ago, and it's not# like I know if all that stuff's true or not.

LISA DESJARDINS: But at the# coffee shop after our interview,## she did confront a different doubt# about Trump from someone nearby.

MADISYN BELK, Voter: I don't see Trump# sacrificing anything that he has for his country.

LISA DESJARDINS: Madisyn Belk sees Trump's# relationship with the economy differently,## that he's a billionaire who wants to# continue tax cuts for the wealthy.

MADISYN BELK: He was born# rich and he's for the rich.

GEOFF BENNETT: And Lisa joins us# now from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Lisa, it's great to see you.

So, based on your reporting, how is Donald# Trump's .. LISA DESJARDINS: Republicans like a# lot that's in this plan, in particular,## lower taxes.

Most people like the lower taxes.# There are some, as you heard in the piece,## especially Democrats, who say that he# gives away too much to the wealthy.

But something has happened in the last day about# a key part of Donald Trump's plan.

That's tariffs.## More and more conservative groups are saying they# have concerns, and they're saying this publicly.## Notably, yesterday, the top Republican in the# U.S. Senate, Mitch McConnell, came out and said## he's not a fan of tariffs and he went even farther# and said tariffs add cost to American consumers.

That's the opposite of what Donald Trump# has been saying about his tariff plan.

Now,## Mitch McConnell, of course, is someone that# Trump supporters really don't pay a lot of## attention to, but they may be paying attention# to something else that happened this morning.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board came# out with a strong statement also about Trump's## tariff policy.

They wrote: "Hard to# believe, but Donald Trump is giving## U.S. companies a reason to think that Kamala# Harris might be better for their business."

The Wall Street Journal there talking about the# idea that Trump would penalize businesses moving## overseas with tariffs somehow.

As someone told me# this morning, to paraphrase them, if Donald Trump## has a problem with The Wall Street Journal on the# economy, then he has a very big problem indeed.

GEOFF BENNETT: Well, let's talk about# North Carolina, a battleground state.

How much does the scandal involving# the GOP candidate for governor,## Mark Robinson, how much does that hurt# Donald Trump's chances of winning?

LISA DESJARDINS: It is the hot# topic of conversation down here,## but people are having it in# quiet ways in their home.

When you talk to Republican officials here, they# tell you on or off the record that they're trying## not to be concerned, but you can really feel their# trepidation.

One Republican official told me,## though, that they think ultimately no one can# hurt Donald Trump, including Donald Trump,## that his fan base is so loyal, they're not# worried about Mark Robinson taking him down.

On the other hand, there# are some who are concerned,## and part of it has to do with voters.

I talked# to one of the voters at this Trump event today,## someone who says they're still voting# for Mark Robinson.

Here's what she said.

KATIE BRIDESON, Republican Voter: I think Mark# Robinson is going through a lot right now,## and I think that these are just allegations,# and I believe that there's a lot that people## can do with A.I.

these days, and we just need to# be careful what we listen to and what we believe.

We 100 percent believe and trust in Jesus# Christ, and we pray for our politicians,## and we hope that Donald Trump and Mark# Robinson are on that path with us.

LISA DESJARDINS: I heard# that from a number of people,## thinking that this couldn't really# be something that happened Mark## Robinson.

They don't trust the CNN# reporting.

They think maybe it's A.I.

There's no reason to think this was A.I.

But# there are some Republican officials who say## that is also a problem, that there is a base# that is supporting Mark Robinson, when they## want him to drop out.

They think, as long as he's# on the ballot, there may be some Republican voters## who don't show up at all and they think# that could ultimately hurt Donald Trump.

GEOFF BENNETT: Well, as you have been# speaking with voters there across## North Carolina, what's your sense# of where folks might be leaning?

LISA DESJARDINS: I really got a strong# sense of place in that community,## Mint Hill, where Donald Trump spoke today.

First of all, the factory he was at has grown in# the last year.

This is a place where the economy## is good.

Feelings are generally good.

Prices# are the problem for Kamala Harris here.

But## this is a community that, honestly, they're# dealing with their divide together in a more## gentle and, shall I say, like, civil# way than I have seen in other places.

There are a lot of people here who say they# don't really like either candidate, what we heard## earlier this year.

They're not comfortable yet# with Kamala Harris.

But when I asked them more,## Geoff, I heard a lot of people tell me they're# less comfortable with Donald Trump.

There are## more people who say: I can't vote for him.

I'm# not sure about her, but I can't vote for him.

And that is why Democrats have so much hope# in this state.

The ground game is going to## matter here.

Turnout will matter, but it is very# much anyone's ball game here in North Carolina.

GEOFF BENNETT: Lisa Desjardins reporting# tonight from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Lisa, thanks so much.

LISA DESJARDINS: You're welcome.

GEOFF BENNETT: And we start today's# other headlines with efforts by## Ukraine's president to keep the world's# attention his country's war against Russia.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech today at the# U.N. General Assembly comes as much of the## focus has been on events in the Middle East.# He warned neighboring countries in Europe## and Central Asia that the war could come# for them as well.

And Zelenskyy urged## world leaders not to accept any peace proposals# from Russia or its allies to end the conflict.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, Ukrainian President:# When some propose alternatives, half-hearted## settlement plans, so-called sets of principles, it# not only ignores reality, but also gives Putin the## political space to continue the war and pressure# the world to bring more nations under control.

GEOFF BENNETT: Shortly before Zelenskyy took# the stage, an official in Ukraine said that a## Russian strike hit the town of Kramatorsk.

Two# people were killed and a dozen more injured,## including three children.

Tomorrow,# Zelenskyy is set to meet with President## Biden in Washington to lay out what he calls# a victory plan.

Details have been kept secret,## but Zelenskyy has said it's meant to# be a bridge toward ending the war.

A bipartisan Senate investigation says# Secret Service failures during the July## assassination attempt on former President# Donald Trump were preventable.

The interim## report from the Senate Homeland Security# Committee found mistakes in planning,## communications, and the use of resources.

The report also found the Secret Service was# notified about an individual on a nearby roof## about two minutes before the gunman opened# fire.

And 22 seconds before the shooting,## a local officer sent a radio alert that was# not relayed to vital Secret Service personnel.

Mr. Trump was wounded in the ear in the## July 13 shooting.

One rallygoer was# killed and two others were injured.

The House of Representatives passed a temporary# measure to keep the government funded just days## ahead of next week's deadline.

The measure# passed by a vote of 341 to 82 this afternoon,## with Republican Speaker Mike Johnson relying# on the support of Democrats to supply a large## number of the votes.

The bill generally funds# agencies at current levels through December 20.

So that's well after the November election.

The# bill also includes more than $200 million to## support the U.S. Secret Service.

It still needs to# pass the Senate, but is widely expected to do so.

Turning now to a series of stories from# around the country.

An evacuation order## remains in effect in an Ohio# town following a chemical leak## that started yesterday.

Firefighters# in Cleves, just west of Cincinnati,## tried to contain a leak of styrene.

That's a# toxic chemical used to make plastic and rubber.

The White House says that President Biden has been## briefed on the situation.

No# injuries have been reported.

In Los Angeles, a gunman hijacked a city# bus, leaving one person dead.

The driver## was held at gunpoint and forced to drive through# downtown L.A. in the early hours of the morning.## Police trailed the bus for an hour before# it stopped and the suspect surrendered.

Also in California, an explosion injured# two people at the Santa Maria courthouse## today.

Authorities detained one person# and said they believe the explosion was## intentional.

The court complex was closed for# the day and all court business was canceled.

And Wall Street today saw some stocks inch back## from their all-time records.

The Dow Jones# industrial average lost nearly 300 points,## falling back below 42000.

The Nasdaq# notched an ever-so-small gain on the day,## and the S&P lost nearly 11 points a# day after it reached an all-time high.

Still to come on the "News Hour": one family's# journey to access gender-affirming care after## their state banned it for trans youth;# why Missouri executed a prisoner even## though the victim's family said his life# should have been spared; and a new book## takes a hopeful view of the climate crisis,# asking the question, what if we get it right?

Ukraine's president today at the# United Nations warned that Russia## is preparing to attack Ukraine's# nuclear plants.

At the same time,## Iranian officials have repeatedly stated they# are interested in resuming nuclear diplomacy.

Nick Schifrin is back to speak with an official# who is central to both challenges -- Nick.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Yes, Geoff, central to both# challenges because the International Atomic## Energy Agency, or IAEA, is responsible# for monitoring and ensuring the safe use## of nuclear power around the world and for# inspecting countries' nuclear programs.

Rafael Grossi is the director general# of the IAEA, and he joins me now.

Director General, thank you very# much.

Welcome back to the "News Hour."

As we just said, today, at# the U.N. General Assembly,## Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy# accused Russia of -- quote -- "planning## attacks on our nuclear power# plants and their infrastructure."

Do you have any crowd# corroboration for that accusation?

RAFAEL GROSSI, Director General, IAEA: Thank you# very much.

As always, a pleasure to talk to you.

No, we don't have that information.

Of course,## we are aware of the statement by# the president.

We don't have that.

Let me simply say on this thing that# we have said very clearly at the U.N.## Security Council and elsewhere that# nuclear power plants should never be## attacked wherever they are.

Let me# also say that, as you may remember,## the IAEA has personnel deployed not only at the# Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, but also at## every other nuclear power plant in Ukraine,# Rivne, Nytskyi, South Ukraine, and Chernobyl.

So we are present in all these sites.

NICK SCHIFRIN: So is -- the context# for this is Russia's occupation at## the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,# which you visited just a few weeks ago,## and as well as your presence, as you# just said, at other nuclear power plants.

And Ukraine and you have pointed out that# for these nuclear power plants to stay safe,## they need to have electricity.# Russia has deliberately targeted## Ukraine's electricity infrastructure.# Is there a higher concern today that## the electricity that these plants need to# maintain their safety could be cut off?

RAFAEL GROSSI: This is a# permanent concern of ours.

In reality, there have been already# eight complete blackouts at the## Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

And,# of course, we are aware of the events## and incidents on other parts of the# electric grid and the infrastructure.

So, we are also monitoring that.

We have# established, as an additional measure,## a system to assess and analyze the critical# substations to the nuclear power plants from,## of course, a perspective of# nuclear safety in all of them.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Let me switch to Iran.

This week at the U.N., you met Iran's new# foreign minister.. a former nuclear negotiator for Iran.

And# you said you see a -- quote -- "expressed## willingness to reengage with us# in a more meaningful fashion."

Why do you say that?

And what# does that actually translate to?

RAFAEL GROSSI: Because I was told so.

So I# heard the foreign minister who said that.

I also got a letter from President# Pezeshkian during the summer indicating## that -- his willingness to meet# with me.

And we are -- precisely,## one of the things we were doing# with Foreign Minister Araqchi,## whom I know very, very well and has a lot of# experience in nuclear matters and negotiations.

We are preparing the ground for that meeting,# which should be -- in their own interpretation,## should mark a clear progress, a turning# point, as they say.

So I have to see.## There are lots of things that we need to# discuss, and we are preparing for that.

NICK SCHIFRIN: So, among the things that,## of course, you need to discuss is a# proble.. which is that Iran has failed to explain# uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

Do you believe that they are interested# in finally providing those explanations?

RAFAEL GROSSI: Well, I have to# continue.

I should never give up.

I'm hearing a high official of a# member state of the IAEA.

Of course,## there is a history, and we always# have that in mind.

But we trust,## but we verify.

So we hope that this will# be the case and that we will be able,## at long last -- like you say, this has been going# on for a long time -- to move to a better place.

NICK SCHIFRIN: What about restrictions on some of## your inspectors that Iran has placed?

Do# you believe that they might lift those?

RAFAEL GROSSI: They won't do that.# They indicated, unfortunately,## that the inspectors, they have taken out of# our roaster of inspectors visiting different## facilities in Iran which have been taken# out of that list will not be restored to it.

So, I am, frankly, frustrated about this.

But# as I said to one of your colleagues, that ship## has sailed.

We continue.

We will be trying to# do the best we can, and we will certainly do.

NICK SCHIFRIN: And the larger context for# this, of course, is what you have called## the turbocharging of Iran's nuclear program,# enriching uranium up to 60 percent purity.

Last month, the IAEA said Iran added nearly# 50 pounds of highly enriched uranium,## exceeding what it would need to create# at least three nuclear weapons.

Do you## believe you understand that you can't# understand the baseline of Iran's## nuclear program?

And do you believe that# that means you could have negotiations?

RAFAEL GROSSI: Well, for that, that -- that# is exactly what we want to do.

We want to## reestablish a credible baseline on -- with regards# to the material, with regards to the production## capacities in terms of centrifuges and other# things which are truly indispensable to prepare.

I'm not talking about a final# or wide-ranging negotiation.## I'm talking about preparing the grounds# for that.

If you don't have the -- or the## IAEA does not have the ability to say what# is what is there, what is present there,## then the basic foundations for a# sound negotiation are simply missing.

And I believe my Iranian counterparts understand# this.

So let's hope that this reengagement,## reestablishment of contact, my upcoming# visit to Tehran, will be a positive one.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Rafael Grossi, director# general of the IAEA, thank you very much.

RAFAEL GROSSI: My pleasure.

GEOFF BENNETT: The political battles over# the rights of transgender Americans have## led to difficult decisions for# a number of families, especially## those living in states with restrictions on# transition-related medical care for minors.

Laura Barron-Lopez has the story of one# family's journey to access that care.

RHYAN, 14 Years Old: When are we leaving?

MIA, Mother: Twenty minutes, 20, 10 minutes.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Fourteen-year-old# Rhyan (ph) and his single mom,## Mia (ph), have waited over a year for this day.# They're getting ready for a doctor's appointment.

MIA: Yes.

Can you put that away?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: But that appointment is in# Albuquerque, New Mex.. from their home here in Austin, Texas.

It is a# journey they are making because Rhyan is trans.

This is something that you didn't just decide# one day.

You felt this for a long time?

RHYAN: Yes.

I was really young.

I was -- like, I# was 6, and I knew for sure that I was not a girl.

MIA: He was always a dude.

He was# always a little dude.

And then,## right before he came out, he cut his# hair, and looking back on it now, like,## cutting all those curls off and everything, like,# I can see how his -- he was starting to align.

And it just in hindsight makes it way# more clear than it was at the time.

But,## yes, he's always been who he's been.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Rhyan saw doctors# and therapists for years before## starting medication around the age of 10 to# temporarily pause the effects of puberty.

A few years later, he began testosterone# treatments, which can lead to things like hair## growth and a deeper voice.

All those steps fall# within guidelines for gender-affirming care, which## is supported by major U.S. medical associations,# including the American Academy of Pediatrics.

But around the globe, medical experts and# government health officials haven't been## in complete agreement.

Gender-affirming medical# care for minors has come under increased scrutiny.

STATE SEN. BEN ADAMS (R-ID): If# they really feel that their best## choice is to mutilate themselves, they# better wait until they are an adult.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: As conservatives,# from local lawmakers to the Republican## presidential nominee, have# used it to mobilize their base.

DONALD TRUMP, Former President (R) and Current U... and you say, Jimmy, I love you so# much, go have a good day in school,## and your son comes back with a brutal# operation?

Can you even imagine this?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Lies spread by former# President Donald Trump and others in his## party about things like surgeries on minors# have helped fuel a wave of state legislation.

In 2021, Arkansas became the first# state to ban transition-related## medical care for those under 18.

Since then,# restrictions have passed in 25 more states,## home to 40 percent of the nation's trans youth,# including Texas.

It's law went into effect last## September.

It revokes the licenses of# doctors who provide gender-affirming## medical care to minors and requires# anyone on treatment to be weaned off.

MIA: It was terrifying.

Like it# was, immobilizing, immobilizing.

I pounded the pavement.

I knocked on doors.

Like,# I did my best as, like, a mom and as a constituent## to the plea my to plea my case and plead our# family's case.

I watched experts get disregarded## and dismissed.

I watched facts and evidence# be ignored.

And they voted for it anyways.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: What's your message# to those lawmakers who passed that ban?

RHYAN: You don't know the people you're# affecting.

You don't know how much of a,## like, impact it has on them, how dangerous it is.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: As the measure# moved through the Texas legislature,## Rhyan and Mia were told his doctor# couldn't see him anymore.

They lost## access to his prescriptions and had to stretch# the medicine they did have as long as possible.

Mia started looking for care in other# states.

But between the cost of travel,## the appointment, and the# medicine, they couldn't afford it.

MIA: There's no way.

I'm already, like, barely,# barely scraping by.

I don't have -- actually,## if my car breaks down, I don't have extra# funds.

And there's days where I have to -- like,## I had to choose between, like, gas or food.

And# there's days I went hungry so my kid could eat.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Mia ultimately connected# with the Campaign for Southern Equality,## a nonprofit focused on LGBTQ rights.# Its Trans Youth Emergency Project## helps families cover the costs of# travel for out-of-state treatment.

Mia got Rhyan an appointment at a University# of New Mexico clinic in Albuquerque.

But she## still didn't have enough money to cover the# entire cost of the trip.

Enter Elevated Access,## whose volunteer pilots fly# patients living in places with## abortion or gender-affirming care bans# to out-of-state appointments for free.

A pilot we're just calling Clyde to# protect his identity volunteered to## fly Rhyan and Mia from Austin# to Albuquerque in his Cessna.

CLYDE, Pilot: The biggest surprise for# me is how I reacted emotionally to this## need.

It just seems so political, so# ridiculous because it was political.

RHYAN: I think it's stupid.

We shouldn't# have to take a private plane to go to a## fully different state for some little# vials of medicine, a shot.

And I don't## think old men should be making laws about# something that doesn't affect them at all.

MIA: Our pilot, the people that go out of their# way to risk it, that are risking their livelihoods## or putting themselves at risk for no reason,# they're just -- they're kind, and they understand## what's at stake.

And that's the part that --# it gets to me.

It gets me in my heartstrings.

CLYDE: And I will see you tomorrow maybe.

MIA: Oh, thank you.

Oh, yes, for sure.# Thank you very much.

really appreciate it.

CLYDE: Rhyan, give you a hug.

RHYAN: Thank you.

MIA: You're our hero tod.. LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: The next morning, Rhyan# and Mia arrived for their appointment with Dr.## Michele Hutchison, a pediatric endocrinologist.# About half her patients are now from Texas.

DR. MICHELE HUTCHISON, University of# New Mexico Health: I hate that this is## happening to my families.

Being .. you're doing all of this in the background# of everybody coming at you and telling## you that it's wrong.

How would you not have# anxiety?

How would you not have depression?

This is -- it's just a mountain to overcome.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: And there are new# obstacles.

Texas' attorney general has## tried to access medical records of trans# patients getting care out of state.

Trans## Texans can no longer change their gender# on birth certificates or driver's licenses.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is set## to decide whether bans like the# one in Texas are constitutional.

DONALD TRUMP: Transgender insanity# the hell out of our schools.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: And Mia says# that, if Trump is reelected,## she will move her family out of the country.

MIA: The stakes are high.

It is# that scary.

I want to -- yes.

No,## I wouldn't stay.

How -- how could I do# that in good faith and be a good parent?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: But, for now, Rhyan's# care moves forward.

Dr. Hutchison said## Rhyan was handling his treatment well,# gave him a new testosterone prescription,## and scheduled a follow-up# appointment for six months.

RHYAN: I'm excited.

And now we# have, like, plans set in place,## and like, resources available.

I'm happy.

MIA: I love you.

Yes, today's a good day.# I have been emotional all morning.

But## it's a good day.

This is happy tears.

I'm# just -- I'm overwhelmed with gratitude.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: They went to a# pharmacy nearby to fill the prescription.

MIA: Thank you very much.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: A moment of# relief amid near-constant struggle.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Laura Barron-Lopez.

GEOFF BENNETT: Last night, the state of Missouri# executed 55-year-old Marcellus Williams over the## objections of the local prosecutor and against# the wishes of the murdered victim's spouse.

Williams was convicted of the# 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle,## who was stabbed more than 40 times# in her home in suburban St. Louis.

As William Brangham explains, Williams maintained# his innocence throughout decades of incarceration.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Geoff, no physical evidence# ever linked Marcellus Williams to that crime## scene, and there was only one Black# person the jury that convicted him.

Earlier this year, the St. Louis county# prosecutor filed a motion to overturn the## conviction, calling it a -- quote -- "manifest# injustice."

It cited a lack of credible evidence,## ineffective trial counsel, and racial# discrimination in jury selection.

For more on this case,## we are joined by Jonathan Potts.

He was# Marcellu.. Jonathan, thank you so much for being here.

I# know this has got to be an awful day for you all.

And I wonder if you could just# -- how are you doing?

How's the## defense team doing?

How's# Mr. Williams' family doing?

JONATHAN POTTS, Attorney For Marcellus# Williams: Thank you, William.

As you can imagine, everyone's devastated# right now.

It's been a v.. draining past 72 hours.

There's been# a lot of effort and a lot of support## to keep Mr. Williams alive, but,# obviously, we failed last night.

And when that failure happens, you take# it personally, and you take it hard.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Do you believe# in your heart of hearts that the## state executed an innocent man yesterday?

JONATHAN POTTS: Yes, of course I do.# We don't take these cases unless we## believe in our clients, and that's# why we fought for him for years.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: I know that just on Monday you## were even arguing his appeal in# front of the state Supreme Court.

And one of the things you were arguing# about was the DNA that was found on## the murder weapon in this case.

Can# you tell us what was going on there?

JONATHAN POTTS: Yes.

So, years ago, w.. and that actually led one of the prior governors# in Missouri to halt Mr. Williams' execution back## in 2017.

It's always been believed by us that# DNA was going to belong to the true killer.

And as we were systematically excluding# everyone, what we found out is that the DNA## on the murder weapon belonged to the original# trial prosecutor.

At a hearing last month,## the trial prosecutor admitted that he'd# been handling the bloody kitchen knife## without gloves five times before# trial, contaminating the evidence.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: How do you# make sense of all of this?

I mean, despite the objections of the# current occupant of the prosecutor's office,## who didn't want this to go forward, Ms.# Gayle's own family, this tainted DNA## evidence that you're describing, how do you# explain that this execution still took place?

JONATHAN POTTS: I think you have# to look to leadership that's not## being responsive to the communities# that they're supposed to be serving.

Now, to be clear, as you said, the local## prosecutor's office recognized that this# was not a fair trial.

And they were the ones## who filed the motion asking a court to throw# out Mr. Williams' conviction death sentence.

We were locked arm in arm.

And what the family# has said is they never wanted a death sentence## in the first place.

And yet here they were# 20 years over and still having to deal with## this.

The victim didn't believe in the death# penalty.

The victim's husband didn't want Mr.## Williams to be executed;.

And then the rest# of her family didn't want him to be executed.

It was state-level leaders who were pushing# this through, despite the public's concerns.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: The current governor of# Missouri, Mike Parson, supported the state's## action, was encouraging that this execution# go forward.

He put out a statement yesterday.

I want to read you a part of it.

He wrote: # "Mr. Williams has exhausted due process## and every judicial avenue, including over 15# hearings, attempting to argue his innocence## and overturn his conviction.

No jury# nor court, including at the trial,## appellate and Supreme Court levels, have ever# found merit in Mr. Williams' innocence claims."

What do you say to the governor's response there?

JONATHAN POTTS: I say that he didn't# receive due process.

And that's## exactly why the trial -- that the prosecuting# attorney's office was trying to correct this.

There was an execution that was set just a# few months ago and everyone was scrambling## trying to stop this.

And in a hearing that# just occurred just a few weeks ago, we heard## for the very first time from the original trial# prosecutor from 20 years ago where he admitted## that he had removed at least one Black juror from# the jury because, in part, that person was Black.

Now, you can talk about 20 years of due process,# but we didn't hear about that until a month ago.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: I mean, every year -- I mean,## apart from this particular case, every year,# on average, there's -- I think it's four## cases where someone who is on death row is found# to innocent, is exonerated, and is set free.

I'm just curious what you think this# case reveals about this broader system## in our country to execute people, when# the evidence really can be questioned.

JONATHAN POTTS: I think that the important# message that I hope people will take away## from this is that the public knows# that the justice system isn't perfect.

All those exonerations that you're# talking about, the public sees that,## and the public accepts it.

What the public wants# to hear is that, when the system makes a mistake,## it is going to admit that mistake, it's going to# fix it, and it's going to promise to be better.

That's not what happened here.

This is# a typical scenario where there's a fear## about admitting that you are wrong because you# think that it's going to undermine public trust,## but it's really that resistance# that's undermining the public trust.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: All right, that is Jonathan# Potts, the lawyer for Marcellus Williams.

Thank you so much for talking with us.

JONATHAN POTTS: Thank you, William.

GEOFF BENNETT: One of the global problems## being addressed at this week's U.N.# General Assembly is the clim..

Multiple wars and other geopolitical tensions# have cast a particularly sobering shadow over## whether nations can meet meaningful# pledges they have made, but, tonight,## a more optimistic conversation# about what individuals can do.

Amna Nawaz recently spoke with marine biologist## Ayana Elizabeth Johnson about her# new book, "What If We Get It Right?"

AMNA NAWAZ: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, welcome# to the "News Hour."

Thanks for joining us.

AYANA ELIZABETH JOHNSON, Author, "What If We Get# It Right?

: Visions of Climate Futures": Thanks for having me.

AMNA NAWAZ: So the title itself of your book kind# of refra.. change.

It forces us to imagine success,# instead of failure.

Why frame it that way?

AYANA ELIZABETH JOHNSON: I don't know if it's# success so much as possibility, right?

What if## we get it right has a question mark at the end of# it.

And I feel like at the very least we should## not assume failure and acknowledge that getting# it as right as possible absolutely matters.

This is not apocalypse or paradise.

It's# really like, how close can we get to paradise?

AMNA NAWAZ: You start the book# with this question.

You say that## you're most often asked at parties# when people find out what you do.

I'm going to use the safe for TV# version here.

The question is,## basically, how screwed are we?

So what do# you tend to say when people ask you that?

AYANA ELIZABETH JOHNSON: Well,# we're pretty screwed unless we## all roll up our sleeves and do something, right?

I mean, the place where I learned to swim,# the waters off of Southern Florida reached## 100 degrees Fahrenheit last year.

Those# are literally hot tub temperatures.

Coral## reefs cannot survive that.

All species# on this planet are evolved to have a## pretty narrow range of temperature,# salinity, humidity comfort zones.

And so we're getting to just be out of the comfort## zone of current modern life# on Earth, including humans.

I mean, there are places where it is too# hot for normal human life now.

So we're## going to have to figure out how to adapt# to be more resilient to things.

And so## getting it right is not just about stopping# things from getting worse.

It's about,how## do we adapt to this world that is already# changed and is going to continue to change?

AMNA NAWAZ: There's a short passage from your## book I want to share here that# kind of captures you.. You write: "Humans have evolved# to not leap into a void.

That's## dangerous.

So we need something firm to aim# for, something with love and joy in it.

And## we need the gumption that emerges from# an effervescent sense of possibility."

So, Ayana, when you talk about getting# it right and those possibilities,## what are those possibilities?

What's# the something firm to aim for?

AYANA ELIZABETH JOHNSON: I# think it's really important## to understand that we basically# have all the solutions.. We already know how to make energy that's# clean and renewable.

We already know how## to green buildings and be more efficient with# our energy.

We know how to do public transit,## and high-speed rail would be amazing to have# in the U.S., wouldn't it?

And composting and## bike lanes and regenerative agriculture# and protecting and restoring ecosystems.

I just want people to understand that we have# the solutions we need.

It's implementation of## those solutions that's really not up# to the pace that we need.

There's a## lack of political will that's holding us# back.

There's some cultural change that## needs to happen in order to shift the# status quo.

But it really is possible.

There are so many possible futures that are# better than the trajectory we're currently on.

So,## yes, I mean, I love that word gumption.

And# possibility is the thing that I hold on to,## even though I'm not an optimist, per# se.

I'm a scientist and a realist.

I## know that there's a lot we could each be doing# to make sure we have the best possible future.

AMNA NAWAZ: Can I ask you more# about that lack of political## will?

Because that's often where# the finger-pointing goes, right?

There's political divisions that# fuel that lack of action.

There's## enough people who don't believe that# climate change is real or that human## action could change the directions# right now.

How do you look at that?

AYANA ELIZABETH JOHNSON: Well, first# I find it, like, most jarring once you## learn that a lot of those politicians are just# pretending they don't believe it because it's## politically expedient.

They know that the# science is real.

It's just a game, right?

And to play that game with the future of# life on Earth is unforgivably reckless.## But I think the opportunity in there# is to -- we don't even really have to## talk about the climate crisis in# order to agree on the solutions.

So, for example, it is Iowa and# Texas that have the most wind## energy in the United States.

And that's not# because there's a bunch of hippies running## around.

It's because it makes economic# sense.

It's because they're good jobs.

And the same with the Inflation Reduction# Act.

It's mostly red states that are## benefiting from the surge in manufacturing,# for example, batteries for electric cars and## things like that.

I think that's what's# missing in a lot of this conversation.

AMNA NAWAZ: What about at the individual# level?

From all the conversations you## feature in your book, what do you take away# in terms of what's standing in the way of## people acting at an individual level to do what# they think they need to address climate change?

AYANA ELIZABETH JOHNSON: I think some people# think they're part of it doesn't matter.

I think some people don't know# where to start.

And to those people,## I would say it absolutely matters.

Our actions# add up.

We're voting with our dollars and our## time and how we spread the word and use# whatever influence it is that we have.

More broadly, I have sketched out something that# I call a climate action Venn diagram.

And that's## three simple circles.

And the first one is,# what are you good at?

So what are your skills,## your resources, your networks?

What can# you specifically bring to the table?

The second one is, what is the work that# needs doing?

There are hundreds of climate## injustice solutions.

So pick one and# get moving.

And the third circle is,## what brings you joy or satisfaction, right?# What gets you out of bed in the morning?## And finding each of us, that sweet spot in# the center, that's what we should be doing.

AMNA NAWAZ: The book is called# "What If We Get It Right?

:## Visions of Climate Futures."

The# author is Ayana Elizabeth Johnson.

Thank you so much for joining# us.

Good to speak with you.

AYANA ELIZABETH JOHNSON: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: And that's the "News# Hour" for tonight.

I'm Geoff Bennett.

For all of us here at the "PBS News Hour,"# thanks for spending part of your evening with us.