GEOFF BENNETT: Good evening.

I'm# Geoff Bennett.

Amna Nawaz is away.

On the "NewsHour" tonight: The death# toll from the war against Iran rises## and the U.S.

pledges to strike# deeper into Iranian territory.

Lebanon's government and its civilians are## caught in the middle of the war that's# reignited between Israel and Hezbollah.

AHMED MAZLOUM, Displaced Beirut Resident# (through translator): Nobody is looking## out for us.

Nobody answers when .. GEOFF BENNETT: And the results from# primary elections in key states,## including Texas, start to shape the# midterm matchups for this November.

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

The U.S.

defense secretary said today that# the war with Iran .. the war expanded once again.

Iran for the first# time fired a drone into NATO territory, and the## U.S.

used a torpedo fired by a submarine to sink# a warship for the first time since World War II.

The U.S.

says it has struck more than# 2,000 targets.

Iran's Health Ministry## says more than 920 people there have been killed.

Our Nick Schifrin starts our coverage.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Today, Tehran woke to terrifying# booms that engulfed the night sky and flames,## by day, the capital's Revolutionary# Square battered, many buildings broken,## and structures shattered as rescue# workers prayed for the dead.

Monireh Tehrani cannot believe what she's seen.

MONIREH TEHRANI, Tehran Resident (through# translator): I hope this ends sooner,## and so many people won't be killed anymore.

PETE HEGSETH, U.S.

Defense Secretary:# We are punching them while they're down,## which is exactly how it should be.

NICK SCHIFRIN: In Washington, Pentagon leaders# said U.S.

strikes had so far focused on Iran's## ballistic missile infrastructure and drones in# Iran's west and northwest.

And U.S.

strikes will## soon spread deeper into Iran now that the# U.S.

has more control over Iran's skies.

GEN.

DAN CAINE, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of# Staff: We will now begin to expand inland,## striking progressively deeper# into Iranian territory.

NICK SCHIFRIN: And the U.S.

expanded the# war zone today with an event not seen in## more than 80 years.

A submarine's torpedo# sunk the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off the## coast of Sri Lanka.

The ship was returning home# from an exercise hosted by India.

Sri Lankan## authorities rescued 32 sailors and recovered# nearly 100 bodies, with dozens still missing.

In total, the U.S.

says it has sunk 20 Iranian# ships.

And, today, Israel said it continues## to attack Iran's military, including internal# security services and leadership.

In Southern## Iran, the war has trapped civilians.

At this# hospital, the Iranian Red Crescent showed a## neonatal ward whose ceiling was damaged.# Medical staff evacuated premature babies.

Outside Tehran University, Iranians remembered# assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and## the bloodstained belongings of# more than 100 killed schoolgirls,## an attack that the U.S.

says# it is still investigating.

MOHAMMADREZA JAMA'ATI, Tehran Resident# (through translator): The system does## not depend on one person.

If one .. NICK SCHIFRIN: And Iran's resistance has included# firing more than 2,500 missiles and drones,## although the U.S.

today said these missile# launches have recently reduced by 23 percent.

Today, for the first time, one targeted# NATO.

Turkey said air defense shot down an## Iranian missile in the country's south.

Many of# Iran's targets are Arab Gulf energy facilities,## including this Emirati oil industry zone,# today covered in flames and thick smoke.

Iran's president wrote directly# to Arab governments today,## saying -- quote -- "The American# Zionist military attack has left## us no choice but to defend ourselves.# We respect your sovereignty and still## believe that the region's peace must be# ensured by the countries of the region."

REP.

MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA):# We're not at war right now.

NICK SCHIFRIN: On Capitol Hill, Iran has sparked# a divide along party and over nomenclature.

REP.

MIKE JOHNSON: We have to ensure# that they can't fire all those barrage## of missiles at our people, our troops, our# assets, our citizens in the region and our## installations.

We're taking that out.# We had to.

It's a defensive operation.

NICK SCHIFRIN: This afternoon,# the Senate rejected a bill that## would have demanded congressional# approval before further attacks.## But some Republicans are voicing# concerns if those attacks continue.

REP.

NANCY MACE (R-SC): I will# be a no for now.

But if this## thing goes beyond a few weeks, I'm# going to have a lot more concerns.

NICK SCHIFRIN: The war's first American# fatalities, reservists assigned to the## 103rd Sustainment Command out of Des Moines,# Iowa.

They worked behind the lines in logistics,## killed when their reportedly unreinforced# building in Kuwait was hit by an Iranian drone,## 39-year-old Sergeant 1st Class Nicole# Amor, 25-year-old Captain Cody Khork,## 42-year-old Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens, and# Sergeant Declan Coady, whose family says he was## considering extending his deployment to Kuwait# because he found the work hard but rewarding.

Andrew is Declan's father.

ANDREW COADY, Father of Declan Coady: One thing# he did say is that: "I.. but I have had jobs in the civilian world.# And I have been over here for six months,## and I work 12-plus-hour days.

I work six to# seven days a week."

And he goes: "I love it."

KEIRA COADY, Sister of Declan Coady: This was the## morning before we drop.. NICK SCHIFRIN: Keira is Declan's older sister.

KEIRA COADY: He's 20.

He was going to be 21 in# two months.

I just really wish I got to tell## him I love him one more time, because he was just# so amazing.

I can't help but think just he was my## little brother, and he was probably really scared,# even if he didn't want people to know.

So I just## wish he could have known one more time that we# all loved him, because he was so amazing and kind.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Keira said Andrew was the# best little brother she could have had,## just one family, Geoff, of the six Americans# killed so far in this war since Saturday.

GEOFF BENNETT: Our hearts certainly# go out to all of those families, Nick.

We have spoken on this broadcast# over the last couple of days about## the effort to evacuate Americans from# the region.

How is that progressing?

NICK SCHIFRIN: The State Department# said today that 17,500 Americans had## returned from the Middle East, about 6,500# of them thanks to State Department efforts.

U.S.

officials say that most have left on# commercial flights.

Some of them have left on## charter flights and also U.S.-arranged ground# transport to cities where the airports aren't## closed.

As we have been talking about, many cities# across the region, those airports are closed.

And, this morning, the chairman# of the Joint Chiefs also said the## military had opened up seats on# transport and other planes when## those seats had become available.

But# we have spoken to former officials,## a retired three-star who was in the region when# the war started.

I spoke to a former ambassador.

Both of them criticized the Trump# administration for not handling this sooner,## not evacuating people perhaps three, four,# five days before the war started.

President## Trump was asked that question just yesterday.# He said that the war started too quickly and## there was just simply no time to# be able to evacuate people early.

There's also been criticism that the message## played on the phone number for American# citizens to call yesterday, said:## "Please do not rely on the U.S.

government for# assisted departure."

Today, the State Department## updated that message so people can actually# talk to actual human beings to help them out.

And, at this point, this is the guidance that# the State Department is giving.

You can see## this on this graphic right here.

U.S.

citizens# need to register with the State Department.## They have to follow the State Department# on -- via WhatsApp and call this number,## 202-501-4444.

That's the number at the bottom.

Geoff, that's because you have# to make that call because,## until people actually register or tell# the State Department where they are,## the State Department suddenly doesn't know# how many people need to get out and how.

GEOFF BENNETT: Nick Schifrin, thanks,# as always, for your reporting.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: Let's turn now to "News Hour"# special correspo.. It's good to see you.

So what did it look like today# .. REZA SAYAH: Yes, more airstrikes,# more air raids in the capital, Tehran,## on this fifth day of this war, some of those# airstrikes taking place right over my left## shoulder.

That's Northern Tehran, earlier# in the day to my left in Eastern Tehran.

And that's where you had that same sequence# that we're so used to.

You hear jet fighters## going up above.

A few seconds later, you hear# loud explosions and thick plumes of smoke.

It## is these airstrikes, these explosions that are# chasing away many Iranians from this massive city.

My guess is, millions of people have left# the city, fled the city to get to somewhere,## another city that's not being# pounded by bombs.

Israeli officials,## U.S.

officials continue to say they're# hitting military targets mostly,## but they also acknowledge hitting police# stations and government buildings.

And oftentimes around those buildings you have# residential areas, residential apartments.## And again today, we saw more gruesome,# heartbreaking pictures of civilians injured,## being pulled out of the rubble.

And# the death toll, according to the Red## Crescent rescue and aid group here# in Iran, has eclipsed 1,000 people.

GEOFF BENNETT: What more can# you tell us about the response?

REZA SAYAH: Well, Tehran views it# as bluster.

They understand that## in this war there's going to be a lot of# bluster from Washington, and they dismiss## it.

They have their own bluster.

They say# they're the ones that are inflicting pain.

And as far as claims that their command# center has been destroyed.

Remember,## Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, he# said they're operating without a command## center and they have activated what they're# calling a decentralized mosaic defense.

This is a military strategy, according to# Tehran, where there's no Central Command,## where forces in each province, each area is given# autonomy and independence to fight their own war.## That means if one of them is neutralized, the# other forces in different provinces continue## to fight.

And that could explain why Iran# has successfully fired off so many missiles,## so many drones, something the# U.S.

is trying to neutralize.

GEOFF BENNETT: Meantime, Reza,# the CIA has reportedly contacted## armed Kurdish separatist groups in# Iraq, suggesting that they may be## preparing to join the army in the fight# against Iran.

Any reaction from Tehran?

REZA SAYAH: Iran is aware of it.

They# have acknowledged the reports.

Remember,## even before the reports, you had U.S.

and# Israeli airstrikes hitting border forces in Iran,## suggesting that they're softening the border in# preparation for something like this to happen.

But this has been a long-running threat for# Iran, and that's why, over the past 24 hours,## they have increased their missile strikes and# drone attacks targeting those separate disc groups## in Iraq.

But if indeed this happens, if they# cross the border, that opens up a new front## in this war.

It's more of an escalation,# and it's very likely that Iran is going to## deploy more forces, more Revolutionary# Guard forces, if they haven't already.

GEOFF BENNETT: Reza Sayah# reporting tonight from Tehran.

Reza, thank you.

Now to Lebanon.

Israel continued waves of heavy# airstrikes in the ca.. after Hezbollah began firing on Israel# earlier this week in support of its patron,## Iran.

Nearly 85,000 people in the city have been# displaced already, according to the government of## Lebanon.

The Israeli military has started a ground# incursion into Southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah## chief Naim Qassem said that the group -- quote# -- "will not surrender no matter the sacrifices."

Special correspondent Simona Foltyn# met with the people fleeing the## bombardment of Beirut's southern# suburbs and sent us this report.

SIMONA FOLTYN: The war has returned to Beirut,## with civilians once again bearing the brunt.# Tens of thousands have run from Israel's## punishing bombing campaign, many seeking# safety in schools repurposed into shelters.

Reema Shaheen fled Beirut's southern# suburbs in the middle of the night## with her husband two children,# and her 2-year-old granddaughter,## Matilda, still dressed in her pink# pajamas.

They left everything behind.

REEMA SHAHEEN, Displaced Beirut Resident# (through translator): We were bombed## without any warning.

It was 3:00 in t.. anything else.

We just grabbed the girl# and some milk and diapers and we left.

SIMONA FOLTYN: Reema supports Hezbollah's# decision to reenter the war.

For more than a year,## the Iran-backed group had largely complied# with a cease-fire agreed in November 2024,## showing restraint even as Israel# committed daily violations.

REEMA SHAHEEN (through translator):# We respected the cease-fire for a## year-and-a-half.

Israel didn't.

Israel does what# it wants.

They attack every day as they plea.. SIMONA FOLTYN: Hezbollah supporters# felt the situation was untenable.

REEMA SHAHEEN (through translator):# The situation in the south was bad,## but we were also not doing well.

There was# no work.

When your children leave the house,## you worry they won't come back.

Even for us# in Beirut, this was not a safe way to live.

SIMONA FOLTYN: Hezbollah was# weakened after the last round## of fighting.

Much of its weaponry# was destroyed in Israeli strikes or## later confiscated by the Lebanese army.# Many hoped it would sit this war out.

But Hezbollah resumed its operations on Sunday# to support Iran, claiming responsibility in## videos like these for targeting military# installations in Israel.

These attacks## have inflicted little to no damage, while# Israel's response has been devastating.## Fighter jets have pummeled residential areas.# And, on Wednesday the IDF issued a blanket## forced evacuation order for all of Lebanon's# south as it began a fresh ground incursion.

The Lebanese government has been# powerless to stop the spiral of## violence.

In a last-ditch effort# to force Hezbollah to stand down,## Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced# an unprecedented Cabinet decision.

NAWAF SALAM, Lebanese Prime Minister# (through translator): The Lebanese## government calls for the immediate banning of all# of Hezbollah's.. as it is considered against the law to# give up its weapons to the Lebanese state.

SIMONA FOLTYN: But Hezbollah has ignored the# government, and the whole country is paying## the price.

In Beirut, Israeli strikes have# spread beyond Hezbollah's areas of influence.

This residential apartment building# was targeted in an Israeli strike## on Monday evening, around the time# when people were breaking their fast,## and it happened without a warning.

Now, this# is a pretty affluent neighborhood.

We're pretty## close to the Mediterranean Sea, and it's not# typically considered a Hezbollah stronghold.

There is no military infrastructure here, although# some Hezbollah members do reside here, and we can## see that Hezbollah personnel have now secured the# strike location.

And I spoke to one of the guards## here, who told me that in total six people# were killed in the strike, one of whom was a## member of Hezbollah, and five of the victims were# reportedly civilians, including children.

Now, we can't independently verify that# information, but what we do know is that,## in the wake of this attack, many civilians# fled this area in fear of additional strikes.

Many of the displaced are struggling# to find a place to sleep.

This family## has been camping out in Beirut's# Martyrs' Square for two nights,## no roof over their heads, only# blankets to shield them from the cold.

AHMED MAZLOUM, Displaced Beirut Resident# (through translator): Nobody is looking## out for us.

Nobody answers when .. a house.

Whoever we ask doesn't have space,# and we don't have the money to rent a place.

SIMONA FOLTYN: Even among Hezbollah's# constituents, dismay is growing, though few## dare to state it explicitly.

Ahmed says his family# can't withstand another round of displacement.

AHMED MAZLOUM (through translator): The people are## tired.

It's impossible.

This.. SIMONA FOLTYN: There is growing# consensus among Lebanon's population## that this country has nothing to gain# and everything to lose from this war.

For the "PBS News Hour,"# I'm Simona Foltyn in Beirut.

GEOFF BENNETT: For perspective on how# Congress is weighing the unfolding## situation in the Middle East, we're joined now# by Republican Senator Katie Britt of Alabama.

Senator Katie Britt, welcome to the program.

SEN.

KATIE BRITT (R-AL): Thank you,# Geoff.

I appreciate you all having me.

GEOFF BENNETT: The Senate this evening# rejected a war powers resolution that## would limit the president's ability# to strike in Iran.

It would require## congressional approval.

What about# that did you find objectionable?

SEN.

KATIE BRITT: Look, the president# has the authority under Article II to## conduct the strikes that# he is executing right now.

The president's mission has been well# laid out.

He wants to make sure that## we keep Americans safe and secure, that# we ultimately destroy Iran's military,## their missile capability, the# ability to manufacture those,## also their naval fleet, and any ability to# regain or reconstitute nuclear enrichment.

When we're looking at bad actors across the# world, Iran has been at the top of that list.## So allowing the president to finish the mission# that was begun I think is critically important.## We have seen this authority be given to# presidents certainly over my lifetime,## and I, for one, am proud that the president# continues to put Americans front and center.

GEOFF BENNETT: When you say finish the mission,## at what point do you believe Congress# should have a formal vote on this conflict?

SEN.

KATIE BRITT: Well, the president# will have a number of days to obviously## complete this.

He's laid out that it'll take# a little bit of time to be able to do that,## but that we are well ahead of# schedule of where they planned to be.

So the president, not only with the number of# their military leaders and obviously the ayatollah## that have been taken out, but their number of# munitions, missile capabilities and capacity## that has already been diminished.

So I think# they have got a plan in place to finish the## job.

It will not be done overnight, but we will# certainly hopefully conclude in the weeks ahead.

There are no plans at this point# to put boots on the ground,## and the president obviously wants# the safety and security of our troops## to be of paramount importance.

And certainly our# heart is broken and our prayers go out to the## family of those who have already lost loved# ones.

We know that their selfless sacrifice## ultimately are going to keep Americans# safe both in the region and here at home.

GEOFF BENNETT: A question about that, because# regime change in the Middle East has often## produced instability.

History shows that conflicts# with Iran can escalate quickly through proxies.

How confident are you that the U.S.

won't# be pulled into a broader regional war?

SEN.

KATIE BRITT: Look, the president has# made it very clear.

He is going to make## sure that we actually achieve# peace through strength again.

For over 47 years, we have had leaders that look# the other way or tried to placate the regime,## and what happened is, they enriched it.

We# look at what happened to the Iranian people,## not only the conditions in which they were# living, but also the 30,000 Iranians that## were slaughtered just by this# ayatollah that we know about.

It is clear that now is the time to act.

The# president knew, given what happened in the## previous administration, the lax sanctions# when you go even go back before that with## President Obama and the JCPOA, that this# regime utilized that funding to build up## their military capabilities that ultimately put# people there in the region, on our military bases## and obviously our allies, but even has the# ability to put people here at home at risk.

And so I feel confident that the president# will continue to make decisive decisions,## that he is committed to making sure that# we finish the job, and do it thoroughly## and as quickly as possible.

So I know that# one other thing that is important is that,## when he says he's going to do something,# Geoff, he follows through with it.

He gave Iran an opportunity to come to# the table, to make the right decisions,## to move it forward.

But gone are the days# that we're going to look the other way at## the expense of American citizens.

We have seen# that with securing our border.

We have seen that## with making sure that we actually halt fentanyl# and halt that movement throughout our country.

And the president means it when it comes# to the largest state sponsor of terrorism,## which is Iran, the actual head of the snake.# The ayatollah is now gone.

We need to make## sure that their proxies do not have the# funding or the resources or the equipment## to be able to hurt Americans# in the region or here at home.

GEOFF BENNETT: Given, though, that the# Constitution gives Congress the authority## to declare war, if Congress doesn't debate or# take a vote on this conflict in particular,## how are you and your colleagues fulfilling# your roles as representatives of the public## on a decision as consequential as war,# especially when six in 10 Americans,## according to a new CNN poll, say they# disapprove of the strikes in Iran?

SEN.

KATIE BRITT: My question would be,## then how did President Obama do it# and how di.. When you are creating strikes from the air and# you're taking out other people's capabilities,## we have seen parties -- and I actually have# seen clips of Nancy Pelosi telling us that## it is absolutely well within Barack# Obama's constitutional authority to## be able to carry out those strikes and# carry them out for a number of days.

So, at this point in time, we have airstrikes# that are targeted at various targets throughout## Iran.

We have a mission that's been set in# front of the American people.

And I have## full confidence in President Trump and Secretary# Rubio, Secretary Hegseth to finish that mission.

Now, if there is a different -- a# different change of events that occurs,## I feel confident in our ability here in the# Senate to have those kinds of conversations## that need to be had.

And I think that# we're certainly all up to that task.

GEOFF BENNETT: Meantime, the Department# of Homeland Security, as you well know,## remains partially unfunded amid negotiations# over immigration enforcement policies.

You have said that you have reengaged in# negotiations with Democrats.

What concrete## progress has been made toward# ending this partial shutdown?

SEN.

KATIE BRITT: Yes.

And I would say, look, w.. it is not just a partial shutdown.

It# is a complete shutdown with regards## to us not doing our job.

So I think it's# imperative that we come back to the table.

What we have seen over the last 18 days is# conversations between the minority leader's## office and the White House.

At this point# in time, I think it is time for members## who were elected by the people in their states# that stood up and said, yes, I want to serve,## yes, I want to get in a room and have# tough conversations to actually do that.

I think there's absolutely a pathway forward here,## but there's not ever going to be one if we're# not having conversations.

So I've reengaged## with conversations with my Democratic colleagues.# Other Republicans have been doing the same thing.

But I think, at this point in time, where# you have a heightened threat environment here## in our interior, it is of the utmost importance# that the people whose job and mission it is## to keep Americans safe here at home are# not worrying about financial insecurity,## but rather are receiving a paycheck,# that the mission is fully funded,## and that we put the safety and# security of Americans before politics.

And that's certainly what I'm trying to do.

GEOFF BENNETT: Republican Senator Katie# Britt, thanks for joining us this evening.

SEN.

KATIE BRITT: Thanks so# much, Geoff.

I appreciate it.

GEOFF BENNETT:## The midterm elections kicked off in earnest# with contests in Texas, North Carolina and## Arkansas yesterday.

There was some confusion at# the polls, and the results led to sharp words,## a few upsets and more questions# about the elections still to come.

A late night turned into# an early morning in Texas.

STATE REP.

JAMES TALARICO (D-TX), Senatorial# Candidate: We are not just trying to win an## election.

We are trying to fundamentally# change our politics.

And it's working.

GEOFF BENNETT: State Representative James Talarico## won a hard-fought Democratic primary to be# the party's Senate candidate in November.

STATE REP.

JAMES TALARICO: Tonight, the# people of our state gave this country## a little bit of hope.

And a little# bit of hope is a dangerous thing.

GEOFF BENNETT: Defeating# Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett,## who sent her supporters home early# after a day of turmoil at the polls.

REP.

JASMINE CROCKETT (D-TX): I have no# idea of when we're going to get results,## and I fully anticipate it won't be until tomorrow.

GEOFF BENNETT: Rule changes in one of# the state's most populous counties led## to confusion about where voters should cast a# ballot.

A judge extended voting by two hours,## but the state Supreme Court quickly stepped in to# block the ruling, instead ordering late votes to## be separated out and leaving questions# about if they will be counted at all.

Crockett conceded this morning.

And Talarico# now turns his attention to November,## hoping to be the first Democratic senator elected## from Texas in nearly 40 years.

But# who he will face is still unknown... SEN.

JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): We are on to the run-off.

GEOFF BENNETT: ... as the most expensive Senate# primary in U.S.

history heads to a run-off.

Republican incumbent John Cornyn,# running for a fifth term, is in## the political fight of his career, narrowly# leading Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

SEN.

JOHN CORNYN: I refuse to allow a flawed,## self-centered and shameless candidate# like Ken Paxton risk everything we have## worked so hard to build over these many# years.

There is simply too much at stake.

GEOFF BENNETT: Paxton, the MAGA-aligned,# scandal-ridden fighter who has challenged## Democratic policies in court, turned# his focus to his primary opponent.

KEN PAXTON (R), Texas Senatorial Candidate: After# all the personal attacks, which there were many,## and after all the lies, you listened to what John# Cornyn was selling and you weren't buying it.

GEOFF BENNETT: The deeply personal battle will## only intensify with a new onslaught of# spending and efforts to gain President## Trump's endorsement before Republican# voters return to the polls in May.

Across Texas, newly drawn congressional maps# led to some big changes.

Republican Dan Crenshaw## is the first incumbent congressman ousted this# midterm year, losing to state Rep.

Steve Toth.

STATE REP.

STEVE TOTH (R-TX),# Congressional Candidate: That was the## White House wishing .. the president's MAGA movement, Crenshaw was the# only incumbent in the state without Mr.

Trump's## endorsement.

Other current lawmakers were forced# into run-offs, including embattled Republican## Tony Gonzales, facing scrutiny after an alleged# affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.

A newly launched Ethics subcommittee will# investigate any potential wrongdoing.## Gonzales will face gun manufacturer# and YouTube star Brandon Herrera## in a district that includes Uvalde.# Democratic Congresswoman Julie Johnson## and former Congressman Colin Allred will# compete for a safe blue Dallas area seat.

REP.

CHRISTIAN MENEFEE (D-TX):# We are in first place tonight.

GEOFF BENNETT: For two Democratic# incumbents competing in the same district,## a tight race remains undecided.# Freshman Christian Menefee,## in office for just over a month, holds# a narrow lead over 11-term Congressman## Al Green in Houston.

But neither has reached# the 50 percent threshold to avoid a run-off.

Meantime, in North Carolina, a potential recount# in the state's bluest congressional district,## with Democratic incumbent Valerie Foushee# leading her challenger by just 1,200 votes.## And in the closely watched Senate race,# both parties had all but cleared the## field for their preferred candidates to fill# the seat of retiring Republican Thom Tillis.

Michael Whatley, the former GOP chair, promised# to stay inside by side with the Trump White House.

MICHAEL WHATLEY (R), North Carolina Senatorial# Candidate: This election is bigger than a primary.## This election is a choice, a choice between a# conservative champion for North Carolina who## will be an ally for President Trump in the Senate# or a champion for the failed policies of the left.

GEOFF BENNETT: While former Democratic Governor# Roy Cooper made his pitch to moderate voters.

FMR.

GOV.

ROY COOPER (D-NC), SENATORIAL CANDIDATE:# I will be a strong independent senator who will## work with this president when I can and# stand up to him when the people need me to.

(CHEERING) FMR.

GOV.

ROY COOPER:## I will always, always put the people of North# Carolina fir.. GEOFF BENNETT: All setting up a# high-stakes showdown in November,## as Republicans work to# maintain their Senate majority.

In the day's other headlines: The congressional# investigation into files related to Jeffrey## Epstein is widening.

The Republican-led# House Oversight Committee has voted to## subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi for what the# "News Hour" has learned would be a closed-door## taped deposition.

Five Republicans voted# with Democrats in favor of the measure.

Bondi will be the highest-ranking sitting# official to appear before the panel.

She## had already fielded Epstein-related# questions during a combative appearance## before a separate committee last month.# It comes soon after lawmakers requested## interviews with seven other people, including# the billionaires Bill Gates and Leon Black.

Separately, the Justice Department says that tens# of thousands of Epstein files that were recently## taken down will be reposted soon, telling the# "News Hour" -- quote -- "More than 47,000 files## were offline for further review and should be# ready for reproduction by the end of the week."

Minnesota's governor and attorney general told# lawmakers today that the Trump administration's## immigration crackdown hurt their state's# efforts at fighting fraud.

Tim Walz and## Keith Ellison appeared at a House Oversight# Committee hearing today.

The committee chair,## James Comer, accused them of, in his words, not# being good stewards of the taxpayer dollars.

They, in turn, tried to put the hearing's focus# on the surge of federal agents to Minnesota in## recent months, calling it political# retribution at an unparalleled scale.

GOV.

TIM WALZ (D-MN): I'm with you.

I want# your help on fraud.

Why would I not want## money to go to the programs I care deeply about,# feeding people, clothing people, housing people?## But what ICE did disrupted everything that we# were doing.

It disrupted our federal partners.

GEOFF BENNETT: That testimony comes as# Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem## faced a second day of questioning over# her oversight of the administration's## immigration crackdown, including in Minnesota.

Republican Committee Chair Jim Jordan praised# what he called her amazing record on immigration,## while Democrat Jamie Raskin accused her of a smear# campaign against Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two## Minnesota residents killed by federal agents, whom# Noem had claimed had links to domestic terrorism.

The U.S.

says it launched a joint military# operation with Ecuador targeting organized## crime groups in the country.

U.S.# Southern Command posted this video## alongside the announcement, saying it's# focused on combating narco-terrorism,## though further details about# the mission are still unknown.

It's just the latest escalation of military# involvement by U.S.

forces in the region,## following months of strikes# against suspected smuggling## vessels that have killed more than 150 people.

Cuban officials filed terrorism charges# today against six suspects who were aboard## a Florida-flagged speedboat that engaged# in a shoot-out with Cuban forces last week.## Prosecutors say they're being held in# pretrial detention and said they will## receive "due process in defense of our# people and the country's institutions."

The incident took place in the waters off# Cuba's north coast.

Officials say the group## opened fire as they tried to infiltrate the# island to commit acts of terrorism.

Four## suspects were killed, including one U.S.# citizen.

Last week, authorities unveiled## items they say were seized from the boat,# including a dozen high-powered weapons.

On Wall Street today, stocks rebounded as# a bit of calm returned to the markets.

The## Dow Jones industrial average added# nearly 240 points on the day.

The## Nasdaq saw a jump of nearly 300 points.# The S&P 500 also posted a decent gain.

And legendary college football coach Lou Holtz# has died.

Holtz was a giant of the sport, and## especially during his time at Notre Dame, where he# led the Fighting Irish to an unbeaten championship## season in 1988.

Holtz coached 11 seasons.

Holtz# coached 11 seasons there, racking up 100 wins.

Over his five-decade career, Holtz# was known for turning around losing## programs and he was elected to the College# Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

His death was## announced by Notre Dame, which shared# a statement from his family, who cited## his unwavering belief in the potential# of others.

Lou Holtz was 89 years old.

Still to come on the "News Hour": a# survivor of sexual abuse by Catholic## clergy speaks out after the# release of a scathing report;## and one family story of the struggle# to hold on to their farmland.

A new report out today says Catholic# clergy in Rhode Island abused hundreds## of children for decades, while# church leaders minimized the scandal.

William Brangham has more.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Geoff, according to# the report, more than 300 children were## molested or sexually assaulted by at# least 75 different clergy members over## 70 years.

The abuses documented date# back to the 1950s all the way to 2011.

According to Rhode Island's Attorney General Peter# Neronha, whose office wrote this report, those## numbers could be even higher.

The report alleges# the diocese kept a secret archive detailing abuse## allegations and often moved accused priests to# new parishes, rather than alerting authorities.

Following the report's release,# the new bishop of Providence,## reverend Bruce Lewandowski, stressed that# the church has instituted new standards for## reporting abuse and he expressed sorrow for# the trauma and pain experienced by victims.

REV.

BRUCE LEWANDOWSKI, Bishop of# Providence, Rhode Island: I take## this opportunity to .. for the failures of church personnel and others in# past decades to protect them and keep them safe.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: But investigators and## survivors continue to call for a# fuller reckoning of this story.

For more on this investigation, I am# joined by Ann Hagan Webb.

She is a## survivor of clergy sexual abuse and now# advocates for survivors.

Webb was abused## between the ages of 5 and 12 years old# by a priest at her school in West Warwick Ann, thank you so much for taking# the time to talk with us today.

Some of your own abuse stories were detailed# in this report.

And I just wonder how this## must feel to you, after so many years of being# told that your allegations were not credible,## to now have this report out in# the public for everyone to see.

ANN HAGAN WEBB, Abuse Survivor: Thank# you for having me on your show, William.

I -- this means so very much to me to be finally# deemed credible after all these years; 32 years,## the diocese has been calling me# not credible.

In spite of that,## I have tried to work to better the situation for# survivors across New England over these years.

But it really feels much better to have# that be a part of this report.

Up until## just a few weeks -- days ago, I still# thought it was just going to say in## that part under Monsignor DeAngelis# that I wasn't a credible witness.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: It is very difficult, obviously,# reading this report.

Both the allegations of the## abuse are just ghastly to read, but also the# lengths that the church went to cover it all up.## In this enormous report, what# stands out the most to you?

ANN HAGAN WEBB: Well, a lot stands out.

I mean, most of it is information I knew.

But one# of the things that really struck me in reading## this report -- and Peter Neronha said it today in# his remarks.

In the case of one priest, Santilli,## Father Santilli, the church heard reports# about him about 10 years earlier than 2014.

And then, in 2014, another person came# forward.

He spoke to me first before he## went to the church.

And they told him he was not# credible.

Then, finally, another survivor of that## same priest came forward in 2022.

And I spoke# with him as well before he went to the church.

And they actually said to him, OK, three# strikes, he's out about this priest.

And## they finally took the priest out of service.

That# is simply amazing to me.

We are not talking about## parking tickets or speeding tickets, where you# get three strikes and you lose your license.

These are rapes.

These are child# molestations that change people's## lives.

Many of the survivors committed suicide# over the years.

These are not minor crimes.

And## to have to be reported on three times over# a period of 10 years is just ludicrous.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: The bishop in his video# statement today said that we have got a## system of reporting that this would never# happen again, that if someone came forward## with an allegation of abuse, that the# reporting and the immediate standards## would kick into place and that we wouldn't# see this hiding and shuffling and denying.

But it sounds like you do not# believe that that's the case.

ANN HAGAN WEBB: Absolutely not.

One of the problems with this report# -- and the report is wonderful because## it really -- it is a horrifying report of# men's cruelty to children over seven decades.## However, it's only the information the church# voluntarily gave the attorney general's office,## and they refused over this whole 6.5 years# to ever come into the A.G.

's office and talk## to them about any questions they# had about what they were reading.

So there's lots left to be discovered.# And I don't for a minute believe that## they revealed all their deepest,# darkest secrets in what they gave## the attorney general's office.

In spite# of that, he produced a phenomenal report.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: There, as you know,# have been only a few prosecutions,## legal prosecutions over the years.# And the church has said, again,## we apologize for this, it's# not going to happen again.

So what would you like to see happen?

Most of the## men detailed in this report escaped# real accountability for any of their## crimes to children.

What would you# like to see done going forward?

ANN HAGAN WEBB: Right.

Well, first of all, I would like the diocese to be accountable.

Saying I'm sorry as damage# control or we apologize, have they ever## said they're ashamed of what has happened?# Because they should be incredibly ashamed.

This is -- to anyone reading, it has to# be really horrifying that people could,## with such disregard for children's# welfare, put their financial situation## and their good name above children's lives.# I think they have done a lot in terms of## monitoring who's in the schools and# things like that.

They have given## everybody programs about being safe -- how# to be safe with children and all of that.

They are fighting survivors as hard as# they possibly can in the courtrooms,## but especially in the legislature.

They are# lobbying very hard not to get any of the bills## passed that we want that would make them more# accountable.

And they need to stop that yesterday.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: OK.

Ann Hagan Webb, thank you so much for talking with## us.

I hope today's report offers you and# other survivors a small bit of peace.

ANN HAGAN WEBB: Oh, it does.

It does.# It -- this gives us our power back.

GEOFF BENNETT:## We will be back shortly with a look at one# woman's mission to preserve her family's land.

But, first, take a moment to hear from# your local PBS station.

It's a chance## to offer your support, which helps to keep# programs like the "News Hour" on the air.

When the World Cup kicks off in June,## billions will turn their attention to games# spread across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

It's an experience Roger Bennett likens to a# solar eclipse, except the earth is completely## engulfed not by darkness, but by soccer.

I# spoke with him recently about his new book,## "We Are the World (Cup): A Personal History# of the World's Greatest Sporting Event."

Roger Bennett, welcome back to the "News Hour."

ROGER BENNETT, Author, "We Are the World (Cup):## A Personal Histo.. GEOFF BENNETT: So, Roger, the# subtitle of this book makes the## case, "A Personal History of the# World's Greatest Sporting Event."

Do you have a favorite World# Cup game, a favorite memory?

ROGER BENNETT: I have so many.# It's why I wrote a book about them.

Look, the World Cup, which happens every# four years, is the spine of my life,## not just my life, but millions of human beings# across the planet.

It's magical.

And the book,## I hope, is a magical telling of the power# of the men's tournament, which I have come## to realize is like a solar eclipse that# engulfs the entire planet for its duration.

That's what we're in store for this summer# when it comes to the United States, Canada,## and Mexico in just over 100 days' time.

GEOFF BENNETT: And you have watched American## soccer culture grow in the three# decades since you came to the U.S.

How have you seen American# fandom change in that time?

ROGER BENNETT: It's incredible.

I moved here right# before the 1994 men's World Cup, which was meant## to turn America overnight into a football-loving# nation.

America then was like space to Captain## kirk, the final frontier, still the biggest# World Cup of all time in terms of attendance.

But it was like a circus that came and went.

And# tournament to tournament, the audience has gotten## bigger and bigger and bigger, also the Internet# that's allowed Americans to feel as close to the## game as if they lived in Manchester, Liverpool,# or Madrid.

There's now a massive young audience.

"The Economist" just said, Geoff, that football,# soccer, is the third most popular sport in the## United States.

It's just taken over from baseball.# So this 2026 men's World Cup will finish off## what '94 was meant to do and make America a true# football-loving nation like the rest of the world.

GEOFF BENNETT: And one through line# in your book is that the World Cup## isn't immune from geopolitics.

You write# that "Football at the end of the day is## just a mirror to the societies that# surround it.

It tells you things."

When you look back at recent# tournaments, what patterns stand out?

ROGER BENNETT: It's the joy of the World# Cup, the depth.

I think Walt Whitman,## who would have been a football fan were he alive# today, would say the thing that makes it contain## multitudes is that, in a World Cup, when two# teams take the field, their nation's histories,## their nation's politics, their nation's# cultures take the field alongside them.

And, honestly, that's what gives the tournament# the unparalleled emotional weight, the power,## the storytelling.

It's what makes it the most# profound, when two Balkans teams who've warred## take the field against each other, when# Senegal plays France, the former colonizer,## when England play Germany, when# England play pretty well anybody.

There's so many depths to the emotions that# have been experienced.

And ultimately that is## what makes the memory so searing and profound# for me and for millions across the planet.

GEOFF BENNETT: And, of course, this year, there# are some major off-field storylines.

You have## the acting director of ICE saying that ICE# will be a key part of security at the U.S.## matches this summer.

We all saw what happened in# Mexico recently with the cartel violence there.

Guadalajara, which saw some of the worst# unrest, is scheduled to host qualifiers as## early as this month, in March.

So is there# any chance, any realistic chance that that## could change the schedule or the locations# of where some of these games are played?

ROGER BENNETT: What I can say is that every# single modern World Cup, 2010 South Africa,## the drumbeat going in was doomsday, the crime,# the carjacking.

Every fan who was going,## it was feared that they would be -- become# instant victims just by walking the street.

It was the most deliriously joyful World Cup# there's ever been.

2014 in Brazil, I was there## the summer before.

There were riots, social and# economic unrest all over the country focused on## the football stadium.

They wanted education.# They wanted social services, not football.

But what happens is, once the ball is kicked, the# second Lionel Messi takes the field, the rational## and the doomsday falls off and the emotional# kicks in and it becomes doomsday, say, is nil,## cognitive dissonance one.

And I believe, I hope,# I pray that's what will happen this summer.

GEOFF BENNETT: How's the U.S.

team looking?

ROGER BENNETT: Yes, we love a dream team in the## United States.

The men's team has# for so long been a dream-on team.

It's a story of my lifetime watching Americans# fall in love with football.

Our women are## perpetual world champions.

Our men -- I mean,# this is amazing.

We put a man on the moon,## we invented the crooner, gifted it to# the world.

We have won one knockout## game in World Cup history, which is an# unfathomable, painful reality to me.

We don't know how good we are because we're hosts.# We have not had to qualify.

I can say we have got## the most talented player-for-player roster... ever been able to draw on in terms of individual## experience and how they perform as a collective.# Please God they will make our nation proud.

GEOFF BENNETT: If 2026 is someone's# first World Cup, as 1978 was yours,## what do you hope they feel?

What do you# hope they take away from their experience?

ROGER BENNETT: The World Cup is like no# other sporting event.

The sense of global## connectivity when a ball has been kicked in# our world of chaos is such a precious currency.

So you will see Lionel Messi and Cristiano# Ronaldo take the field for the last time at## a World Cup.

You will see in American streets# in Kansas, off the field, as joyous as on it,## you will see 50,000 Dutch men and women# clad in orange marching down the boulevard,## screaming to the links, to the# recs, as they bounce to the stadium.

You're going to feel passion.

You're going# to see a world of connectivity.

And I hope,## like the rest of the planet, you# will make some of the most joyful,## most meaningful cross-generational memories# that you will carry with you forever.

GEOFF BENNETT: The book is# "We Are the World (Cup)."

Roger Bennett, no relation,# always great to speak with you.

ROGER BENNETT: Geoff Bennett, you're my# cousin.

You don't have to be ashamed of it.

(LAUGHTER) GEOFF BENNETT: Finally tonight, .. our high school journalism training program.# They take us to a family farm in Upper Marlboro,## Maryland, outside Washington, D.C., to meet# Cameron Oglesby, who explains how her family## struggled to hold on to its land and inspired her# to want to tell stories of environmental justice.

CAMERON OGLESBY, Environmental# Justice Advocate: We're coming## up on our centenni.. This is what it's all about.

I# have received so much of my own## familial history just in sitting down# to conversations learning from my nana.

WOMAN: Look at me.

CAMERON OGLESBY: Oh, you don't know when this was?

WOMAN: Yes, we picketed in Baltimore# and downtown D.C.

at the capitol.

CAMERON OGLESBY: I remember when I was a kid,## and my nana would be going out in the garden or# she would be using her own vegetables to make## things.

I was just absolutely obsessed# with everything she was doing out here.

WOMAN: They were full of berries.

CAMERON OGLESBY: Land is wealth in this country,## and I have seen that right stripped away# from so many people for no other factor## than they are descendant of enslaved# peoples or that they are indigenous.

Some of the challenges the farm has dealt# with include my great-great-grandfather had## to sell-off portions of the land just# to maintain it.

In more recent years,## my uncle and my nana have contended with# someone trying to build a prison next door,## trying to set up facilities that would# generally reduce our quality of life.

We have been very fortunate that every attempt to# do that has been thwarted in a way that allows us## to continue to use the property as we would like# to and as we are entitled to.

I think that's## sort of the connection that helps me bring a# different perspective to the work that I do.

As an oral historian, I can point back to# my own people and say I know exactly what## you are going through, and I want to# help you protect this for yourselves.

We are archiving something that people's children# and their descendants can go back to forever.

The## Environmental Justice Oral History Project is a# repository that I founded to tell a comprehensive,## resilience-based, joy-based story of environmental# justice communities in the U.S.

South.

It's really critical that we understand# the power of storytelling to get people## riled up and to make people cry and# to give people joy and to really bring## out the emotions that undergird all movement work.

The fact that we have this untouched# property here, I can't even put into## words what it means and how unheard of# it feels.

I need to protect this place.## I need to invest in this place.

This place# needs to persist.

It is a symbol that is the## most fundamental right.

Land is wealth in this# country.

That's that generational wealth, man.

It's really solidified for me how important## it is for me to be picking up this# torch and keeping that work going.

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.