© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
DONATE
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

PBS News Hour

Literary Arts Fund created to rekindle a love for reading

Season 2026 Episode 12 | 6m 34s

According to a recent study, reading for pleasure has fallen by 40% in the last 20 years, continuing a long-running downward trend. By many measures, reading skills for both students and adults continue to fall. Jeffrey Brown spoke with Elizabeth Alexander of the Mellon Foundation about a new effort to boost the world of words. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
Watch • 8:29
PBS News Hour
Trump administration using rhetoric linked to extremists
Trump administration's posts echo rhetoric linked to extremist groups
Clip: S2026 E12 | 8:29
Watch • 7:03
PBS News Hour
Trump's intimidation of Fed threatens stability, Yellen says
Trump's intimidation of Fed's leadership threatens economic stability, Yellen says
Clip: S2026 E12 | 7:03
Watch • 5:42
PBS News Hour
Ex-prosecutor on Powell probe, Trump targeting opponents
Ex-prosecutor on DOJ’s Powell probe and Trump’s targeting of opponents
Clip: S2026 E12 | 5:42
Watch • 7:05
PBS News Hour
News Wrap: Minnesota sues feds over ICE surge
News Wrap: Minnesota sues feds to stop immigration enforcement surge
Clip: S2026 E12 | 7:05
Watch • 3:53
PBS News Hour
Powell pushes back as Trump’s DOJ launches investigation
Powell pushes back as Trump’s DOJ launches unprecedented investigation into Fed
Clip: S2026 E12 | 3:53
Watch • 5:38
PBS News Hour
Iran protests escalate as regime crackdown leaves 500 dead
Iran protests escalate as regime crackdown leaves more than 500 dead
Clip: S2026 E12 | 5:38
Watch • 8:13
PBS News Hour
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on pushback to Fed threats
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on pushback to Trump's threats to Federal Reserve
Clip: S2026 E12 | 8:13
Watch • 57:46
PBS News Hour
January 12, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 12, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2026 E12 | 57:46
Watch • 6:41
PBS News Hour
Highlights from PBS News Weekend as show goes off the air
Highlights from PBS News Weekend as show goes off the air
Clip: S2026 E11 | 6:41
Watch • 4:53
PBS News Hour
Scientists use new tech to track monarch butterfly migration
Scientists use new technology to track individual monarch butterfly migrations
Clip: S2026 E11 | 4:53