WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Good evening.

I'm William# Brangham.

Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett are away.

On the "News Hour" tonight: Ukraine# proposes demilitarized zones in parts## of the Russian-occupied east, the latest plan# for ending the nearly four-year invasion.

Judy Woodruff reports from a# small New Hampshire town on## how the answer to political divisions# may begin within our own communities.

SHAYLYN ROMNEY GARRETT, Co-Author, "The Upswing:# How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We## Can Do It Again": When we don't have.. on fire.

We are vulnerable to extreme views and# to extreme behaviors because we feel so unsafe.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: And during the Christmas# season, Palestinian Christians make the journey## to and from Bethlehem, navigating# Israeli checkpoints along the way.

(BREAK) WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Welcome to the "News Hour."

Ukraine's president has floated a possible# compromise to a key Russian demand that## Kyiv give up territory in Eastern Ukraine.# Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal could address## one of the main sticking points that# have bogged down U.S.-led negotiations,## this as Ukraine marks its fourth# consecutive Christmas under full-scale## Russian invasion.

But Moscow has given# no indication whether it might agree.

Nick Schifrin joins us now.

Nick, so what did Zelenskyy say today about## this critical question about# the eastern part of Donetsk?

NICK SCHIFRIN: So this was a briefing# that Zelenskyy gave to journalists in## Kyiv embargoed until today where he revealed# the 20 points of the 20-point peace plan.

And he talked about the fate of the# Donetsk.

That is the most contentious## part.

Zelenskyy says the current proposal# would be to demilitarize or create a free## economic zone in the portion of# Donetsk that Ukraine still holds,## but is fighting over.

You see that's the# light gray area inside Donetsk on the map.

Ukraine's military would have# to withdraw from that territory,## which Russia has failed to capture through 11# years of war.

The compromise that Zelenskyy## told journalists is -- quote -- "We consider# a free economic zone a potential option for## a sovereign state to choose."

He# has not used that language before.

The reason that it's potential# is the decision will be left to## a referendum -- quote -- "Only a referendum# can determine whether people agree to such## a path if the proposal for Ukraine is# precisely this, either this or war."

Zelenskyy's language is dramatic# there because that's how he sees it.,## William.

Either Ukrainians agree to the# entire peace plan, including converting## land that they fought and died for into# this free economic zone, or they reject it,## the war continues, and they do not get# security guarantees from the U.S.

or Europe.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: So, on that referendum,# what would be required for that to happen?

NICK SCHIFRIN: So, Zelenskyy went further# than the text on the peace plan and talked## about the conditions that he wanted to talk# to President Trump and President Putin about.

Those include a cease-fire first and then# 60 days to prepare the referendum.

Two,## Ukrainian police would remain in this# so-called free economic zone.

Three,## only Ukrainians living in Ukrainian# territory could vote.

In other words,## Ukrainians under occupation will be excluded.# And, four, international forces must then be## present on the ground to guarantee that no one# enters the free economic zone under any pretext.

It is not clear whether Russia will agree# to any of this, but Russia has repeatedly## rejected that last point, the presence# of foreign troops on the front line.

And,## in fact, William tonight Bloomberg# is reporting that Russia is seeking## changes to this text and that the text lacks# provisions that are important to Moscow.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: A lot there.

What are# the other challenges still remaining?

NICK SCHIFRIN: The main one is the fate of the# Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

This is Europe's## largest power plant.

It's been occupied by Russia# since the first days of the full-scale invasion.

And Zelenskyy said today the U.S.

plan is for# the U.S.

to manage the plant and for the power## to be somehow split between the U.S., Ukraine,# and Russia.

Zelenskyy rejects this.

He said --## quote -- "Clearly, for Ukraine, this sounds very# inappropriate and not entirely realistic.

How can## there be joint commercial activity with the# Russians after everything that has happened?## We are enemies.

It is very difficult to have# anything in common with them moving forward."

Ukraine's counterproposal, William, Russia's# withdrawal from the plant and that Ukraine## and the U.S.

split it 50/50, even if the U.S.# chooses to send some of their half to Russia.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Given all# that, what has been agreed to?

NICK SCHIFRIN: Well, pretty much everything# else.

That's what Zelenskyy said.

A couple of highlights from# that everything else basket,## Ukraine no longer has to give up its NATO# bid.

Ukraine's military is now able to stand## up to 800,000 soldiers during peacetime.# That's up from previous numbers.

And,## crucially, security guarantees that the# U.S.

would respond very specifically if## Russia opens fire on Ukraine, Zelenskyy said# today that would enable a strong Ukraine.

But the war rages on, William.

The Russians# released video just overnight that it said## attacking Donetsk and advancing in a small village# of Donetsk.

Meanwhile, Russia's attacks are mostly## on civilian targets, Zelenskyy said.

Moscow,# you see there, fired hundreds of drones and## ballistic missiles -- quote -- "This is how the# godless strike," he said, ahead of Christmas.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Nick# Schifrin, thank you so much.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Thank you.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: In the day's other headlines:## The Department of Justice says, it has# discovered over a million more do.. that are possibly related to the late# convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a social media post, DOJ did not elaborate# on when, where, or how the documents were found,## but they said the new trove will take a few# more weeks to process and release to the public.## That will further delay compliance with# the deadline set by Congress to release## all the Epstein files by last Friday.# A dozen U.S.

senators have urged the## Justice Department's inspector general# to investigate this ongoing delay.

Returning to the war between Russia and Ukraine,## an explosion inside Moscow today killed three# people, including two police officers.

It's## the second deadly explosion in the same area of# the Russian capital in just the last three days.

Russian investigators say two traffic# officers approached an individual,## when a device detonated, killing them and# a bystander.

Russia blames Ukraine for the## attack.

Kyiv has not publicly commented or claimed# responsibility.

The blast occurred very close to## where a car bomb killed a high-ranking# Russian general just two days earlier.

The election authority of Honduras has# declared Nasry Asfura the winner of its## recent embattled presidential# race.

President Trump endorsed## Asfura days before the November 30# election.

In the three weeks since,## the contentious vote count has suffered# technical problems and allegations of fraud.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged# all parties to accept the outcome,## although Asfura's opponent has not yet# conceded.

Honduras' election marks the## latest in a right-wing resurgence# in Latin America.

Just last week,## Chile chose far right politician Jose# Antonio Kast as its next president.

Back here at home, investigators are# searching for what caused a massive## explosion at a Philadelphia area nursing home.# At least two people were killed and 20 injured.## The blast on Tuesday occurred shortly after# a utility crew had responded to reports of a## gas leak.

The explosion collapsed parts of# the building and shook houses blocks away.

One resident died, as well as# a facility employee.

One of## the injured is in critical condition.# After an hours-long search-and-rescue,## officials said everyone was accounted for and# praised first responders for their bravery.

C.J.

WINIK JR., Bristol Township, Pennsylvania,# Police Chief: I have never seen such heroism.## They were running into a building that I could# -- from 50 feet away, could still smell gas.

Some## people couldn't talk.

It was -- this could# have been a much more serious catastrophe.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: State records# show that inspectors cited the## facility for multiple violations back in October,## including for a lack of barriers to# contain smoke across different floors.

On the West Coast, a powerful storm is# slamming California on the eve of what## could be the wettest Christmas in years for# southern parts of that state.

The atmospheric## river seen from space earlier this week# will continue dumping heavy rain all the## way through Friday.

It's led to scenes like# this today in Southern San Bernardino county## and Northern Mono counties, roads# flooded by dangerous rushing mud.

Coastal areas, including in Los Angeles, are under# flash flood warnings.

Meantime, the same storm is## bringing snow to California's mountains.

Officials# warn of hazardous holiday driving conditions.

And stocks set records on this shortened day of# trading before Christmas.

The Dow Jones industrial## average added nearly 300 points and notched a new# record high.

The Nasdaq made a 50-point gain.

And## the S&P 500 also ended on a record-setting# high note, getting closer to 7,000 points.

Still to come on the "News Hour": author David# Baldacci and his wife work to combat toxic## political discourse; we explore why Christmas# carols endure despite major changes in popular## music; and the armed forces musicians bring us# some holiday cheer in a "News Hour" tradition.

On this Christmas Eve, with the# new year rapidly approaching,## many are gathering to reflect on the# past year and look towards the next.

For her series America at a Crossroads, our# Judy Woodruff has been traveling around the## country this year talking with grassroots# groups that are working on solutions to our## nation's deepest divides.

For her last piece# of the year, she reports from New Hampshire## on how some believe the answer to many of# our challenges may begin right at home.

JUDY WOODRUFF:## Winter has come again to New Hampshire and,# with it, snow, ice, freezing temp.. and the need for plenty of firewood to keep# stoves roaring for the next several months.

In the small town of Richmond, Tom Tague# spent many years chopping his own wood,## but after receiving a pacemaker# now has to rely on others for help.

TOM TAGUE, Richmond, New Hampshire, Resident:# Most of my life, I have been on the side where## I'm serving and helping.

And now I'm on# the other side where sometimes I need help.

JUDY WOODRUFF: He found help from some volunteers# from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day## Saints.

He's been a member for 40 years, including# from 20-year-old Peter Brown, who's new to all of## this.

Brown says before joining the church# this year, he struggled with loneliness.

PETER BROWN, Member, Church of Jesus Christ# of Latter Day Saints: Since I was in school,## I never really had any friends,# to be honest.

There was a generic## friend where I would wave and say hi in# the classroom.

But when school was over,## there's no really ever opportunity# for me to get to know someone.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Through the church and# its service projects like this one,## he says he's found new community and purpose.

PETER BROWN: It makes me feel like I'm valued,# I'm able to help others, and I'm able to just be## myself, and able to be outdoors and talk to some# people that I wouldn't normally have been before.## I probably would be playing some sort of video# game.

But this really opens you up to others,## I guess.

It might make me emotional, but I'm# happy to have these people to support me.

SHAYLYN ROMNEY GARRETT, Co-Author, "The Upswing:## How America Came Together a Century Ago and# How We C.. one of our deepest, deepest ne.. JUDY WOODRUFF: Shaylyn Romney Garrett# belongs to the same church in Keene.

SHAYLYN ROMNEY GARRETT: And when we don't have# that sense of belonging, our nervous system is## literally on fire.

We are vulnerable to# extreme views and to extreme behaviors,## because we feel so unsafe.

And I really think# that that's what's happening in America.

We## have so many people who just don't feel that# their basic need for connection is being met.

JUDY WOODRUFF: A writer and speaker, Garrett# co-wrote the 2020 book "The Upswing" with## political scientist Robert Putnam featured# in our first crossroads report this year.

That book described the many parallels# between our own time and the Gilded Age,## that late 19th century period marked by# technological change and Industrial Revolution,## widespread dislocation, growing# inequality and political corruption,## and tells how those earlier Americans# found their way out of those challenges.

Putnam told us in February that he had# assumed the economy would change first.

ROBERT PUTNAM, Harvard University: The one thing# that data show is, that's not true.

Economics was## the last thing to change.

So then what was# the first thing to change?

And to my shock,## it was cultural change.

It was a moral# revival, is the way I want to put it.

People began to say, wait a minute, it's not all# about us.

We have obligations to other people.

JUDY WOODRUFF: We have spent much of this# past year examining so-called bridging groups,## which attempt to connect people from across# lines of division to try to rebuild civic health.

As the year closes, we wanted to# ask Garrett whether she sees the## kind of cultural change she# and Putnam think is needed.

SHAYLYN ROMNEY GARRETT: One of the things that# I see when I look at a lot of the bridging## initiatives that are out there is that they're# really these sort of head-centered exercises.

First of all, they have this way of foregrounding# political identity as if it's defining.

So we## say we need to bridge Republicans with# Democrats.

But I wonder if we're really## hitting people in the heart, if we're actually# changing their feelings toward other people,## because so much of the political violence, so much# of the sort of extreme end of this polarization is## about the way we're behaving toward one another,# the sort of dehumanization of the other side.

And so I have begun to wonder, as I# have thought and watched this over time,## are we doing enough to help people# have a morally formative experience## when they're interacting with# someone who's unlike themselves,## rather than just an intellectual exercise to# try and find sort of ideological common ground?

JUDY WOODRUFF: And what does it take to# address the moral piece of this, the heart?

SHAYLYN ROMNEY GARRETT: One of# the things that we need to be## able to do is give people experiences# that help them feel genuine unity .. genuine camaraderie with people in ways# that have nothing to do with politics.

And that's why, for me, I have really started# to lean into those kinds of communities that I## can find right outside my doorstep.

Instead of# saying, OK, I need to seek out someone who's## of a different political stripe, let's just# leave politics out of the conversation entirely## and approach each other as human beings who# are engaged in trying to get by in the world,## who all have problems, who have ways to# relate to one another on a human level.

And I think finding ways to serve one another# and really be in relationship on a much more## human level is what we need more of.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Garrett says that, rather## than looking to new groups and institutions# to help us out of this multifaceted crisis,## groups that often depend on philanthropic# dollars, which are now in greater demand## due to government cuts to programs, people# should look to themselves, to their neighbors,## and to their own communities to# figure out how they can give back.

SHAYLYN ROMNEY GARRETT: We have to# teach our children that succeeding## is not just about maximizing economic interest,## that succeeding is about creating communities# that thrive, which means giving, serving,## thinking about something bigger than# myself.

We're not doing enough of that.

JUDY WOODRUFF: At the LDS Church# that evening, Brattleboro, Vermont,## resident Carol Buffum joined a women's# group for food and conversation... WOMAN: We had your granddaughter# a couple weeks ago.

CAROL BUFFUM, Church of Jesus# Christ of Latter Day Saints: Yes.

JUDY WOODRUFF: ... to help p.. kits for the homeless and for an# ornament swap, a tradition here.

WOMAN: Nutcracker.

Don't look too closely.

(LAUGHTER) JUDY WOODRUFF: Like Peter Brown, Carol joined the church this year after struggling for many# other years with loneliness and isolation,## in her case, following an infection# that altered her appearance.

CAROL BUFFUM: I didn't leave my house for# five years after my staph infection that I## got.

People looked at me differently, pointed# at me, whispered.

And it bothered me a lot.## And then I met the missionaries and a couple# other people too helped.

But they said,## Carol, don't hide behind your mask,# because I wore the mask for years.

And then COVID happened.

And then everybody... JUDY WOODRUFF: Everybody was lonely.

CAROL BUFFUM: Ev.. and I saw it wasn't as bad as I thought it was.

JUDY WOODRUFF: She says she's so grateful for the# community she's found here, she wants to bring## that sense of connection back to her apartment# building to help others who might be struggling.

CAROL BUFFUM: I have a community room in my# building.

And it's free to all the tenants.

And## I have been talking about starting up a group for# people to just come and talk.

It's just something## to start.

If we don't do something, it's not going# to get better.

And I just want to make it better.

JUDY WOODRUFF: The point, Shaylyn Romney# Garrett says, is not that everyone needs## to join the Mormon Church or even a church.# But it's an example of a mutual aid network## that already exists and strengthens the# bonds of community, alongside things like## neighborhood associations and schools,# bonds that override our differences... MAN: You have much left of# your school this semester?

JUDY WOODRUFF: ... and, at this time# of year, the darkest in our hemisphere,## helping people like Carol# and Peter find the light.

SHAYLYN ROMNEY GARRETT: If you're one of# the majority of Americans who don't know## your neighbor, why don't you start by going# and meet your neighbor?

Introduce yourself.## Ask them if there's anything that you# can do for them.

You might find that,## living on your block, you have an elderly# woman who doesn't have any family support.

You might find that you have a 20-something young# man who spends most of his time in the basement## playing video games.

What can you do as a neighbor# to address those things?

I don't think we need to## wait for a church to tell us that we should do# that.

I can actually just ask myself, what kind## of world do I want to live in?

And how do I enact# that right now with the person across the street?

JUDY WOODRUFF: As we look to another year,# when our country marks 250 years since the## Declaration of Independence, I will continue# to report on how those original ideals are## measuring up to our present and how we might# continue our search for a more perfect union.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Judy# Woodruff in Keene, New Hampshire.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM:## Today, thousands of people flocked to# Bethlehem's Manger Square.

It's the spot## where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born.

It's in the occupied West Bank, and celebrations# were canceled the last two years because of the## Israel-Hamas war.

For Palestinians who live in# Bethlehem and work in Jerusalem, the distance## is not far, about five miles, but taking the# bus this short way sometimes becomes an ordeal.

"News Hour" producer Karl Bostic looks at what# life is like for Palestinians who live there.

KARL BOSTIC: In Bethlehem, this bus# is loading up with passengers to## take them to work in Jerusalem, but# they may already be late for work.

This is the bus you take in the morning?

RUBA MAHDI, Nurse: Yes.

KARL BOSTIC: How long have you been doing that?

RUBA MAHDI: Five years.

KARL BOSTIC: Ruba Mahdi is a nurs.. but it's the ride to work before she# can even think about what the day will## bring at the hospital that makes her more anxious,## what it will be like this morning# at the checkpoint into Israel.

Despite leaving so early, she# already thinks she may be late.

RUBA MAHDI (through translator): Almost every day,## we're late for our jobs at the hospital.

Also, we# could wait f.. and it's possible that they ask us to exit# the bus even while it's raining, so they can## search it.

So we always worry about our morning# journey to our job with all of these checkpoints.

KARL BOSTIC: And it's what can# happen at a checkpoint that can## cause so much anxiety and change everything.

RUBA MAHDI (through translator):# There was a person who used to work## in the hospital and was posting# on Facebook during the war.

Th.. Israelis canceled her permission,# so she can't work here anymore.

KARL BOSTIC: Do you even feel like it's Christmas?

RUBA MAHDI (through translator):# This year is better than before,## but not like it used to be before the war.# But, this year, at least we feel better.

KARL BOSTIC: This time, it wasn't too bad.# Everyone got off the bus and they showed their## I.D.s and special permission papers to work in# Israel, despite the war.

It took about 20 minutes.## Ruba was relieved.

She navigates between two# worlds, the harsh reality of life in the occupied## West Bank, including Bethlehem, and working# in Israel, especially at this time of year.

In these last few days leading up to Christmas,# normally, this Manger Square here in Bethlehem## would be packed with thousands of people, instead,# today, only a few hundred.

And, also, buses,## you would have more than 100 buses pulling up to# Bethlehem today, and, instead, less than a dozen.

The giant Christmas tree in Nativity Square stands# lonely.

Hotels are struggling to survive, like## this shuttered four-star hotel next to the square.# In the case of Joseph Giacaman, business has## collapsed during the war.

Only family pride that's# part of Bethlehem's history is keeping it open.

JOSEPH GIACAMAN, Woodcarver: And this has a lot# of work, now nobody., Maybe, some time, one bus## comes, two buses.

They come from here, people# who live here, but not tourists, not tourists.

KARL BOSTIC: So you hope the war will end soon?

ASHRAF, Falafel Chef: Yes, of course.

We don't# like it.

We don't like i.. KARL BOSTIC: Bethlehem's Mayor Maher# Canawati, who is an American citizen,## is numb from citing the cost of war in Bethlehem.

MAHER CANAWATI, Mayor of Bethlehem,# West Bank: I tell you, before the war,## we had approximately 2.5 million visitors# and pilgrims com.. the Church of the Nativity.

After# the war, we haven't had more than## 1,000 a year.

That's a complete collapse.# Definitely, it was.

It was catastrophic.

KARL BOSTIC: That is the reality Ruba tries to# put behind her, at least while she's at work.

And## she begins her day with eagerness, but must wait# for news of the patients she's expecting to see.

DR.

KHADRA SALAMEH, Augusta Victoria# Hospital: So this is our regular day.## We are waiting for patients, as usual,# to come to the peritoneal dialysis## to do our regular checkup for# these patients.

But, unfortunately,## we can't predict the arrival because they're# waiting for checkpoints and maybe they are## forbidden to come to these checkpoints, they have# to go to another checkpoint.

And we are waiting.

KARL BOSTIC: Because Augusta Victoria Hospital# provides cancer and kidney treatment for## Palestinians from the West Bank and, until the# war began, Gazans, Ruba has become used to this## unpredictability, accepting it with grace.

But# that doesn't make it any easier on her family.

RUBA MAHDI (through translator): Of course,# there are challenges to coming here every day,## but we need to do it.

After the war,# there were less jobs in the West Bank,## especially that my husband is working in# tourism, and we have no tourism anymore.## No tourists are coming anymore.

So I have to# work and support my family so we can live.

KARL BOSTIC: But Ruba also thinks about the# satisfaction she has by working at the hospital.

RUBA MAHDI (through translator): It's# true that we leave in the early morning## to the hospital leaving our homes, our# children and suffer in the checkpoint.

But,## honestly, I'm satisfied when I come# to the hospital and help my patients.

KARL BOSTIC: Augusta Victoria Hospital has# its own church for staff and patients.

Ruba## is Christian and, when she can, she visits# to say prayer for family and for peace.

After a long day of work and returning through# checkpoints, Ruba is back home in Bethlehem.## It's quality time with her family.

Her daughter,# Rain (ph), is waiting for her and so is dinner.## At this time of year, the quality time# includes a visit to the Church of the## Nativity.

Visitors still try to pay homage to the# birthplace of Jesus, even while there is a war.

And, inside, tradition remains# untouched for Christmas.## The superior of the Armenian church descends the# staircase to the grotto, where Jesus was born to## conduct a ceremony for his birth.

And for this# Christmas, he's optimistic about these times.

Has the spirit of Christmas come out?

FATHER ASBED BALIAN, Superior, Armenian# Apostolic Church, Bethlehem: We can say## yes.

Yes.

For the last few years, we# .. because of the corona before that.# So, this year, it seems like yes.

KARL BOSTIC: Ruba and Fadi (ph)# are preparing their daughter,## Rain, for her second Christmas, so that# she will grow with love, faith and hope,## and, as she grows, she will know# there remains a joy to this world.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm# Karl Bostic in Bethlehem.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM:## David Baldacci has written more than 50 legal# and suspense novels, including bestsellers like## "Absolute Power" and "Wish You Well."

His# latest is "Nash Falls."

It's a story about## a successful businessman who's recruited by# the FBI to expose a global crime network.

But Baldacci and his wife are now# tackling a major real-world problem,## how to combat toxic political discourse.

Geoff# Bennett sat down with them both recently.

GEOFF BENNETT: David and Michelle# Baldacci, welcome to the "News Hour."

DAVID BALDACCI, Civil Discourse and# Collaboration Initiative: Thank you very much.

MICHELLE BALDACC.. GEOFF BENNETT: When you started thinking# seriou.. service in this moment, what drew you to# this idea, this civic discourse initiative?

DAVID BALDACCI: Well, we sort of looked around,## I think, at the world and decided that this# polarization trajectory is.. And so many people now communicate and debate# via social media, where there's really very## little accountability.

We thought, if we could# bring people face-to-face, you know who they are,## getting rid of this anonymity, and people would# just sit down and actually have discussions and## conversations, that maybe it might work, and# people could figure out, what I -- sitting## across the table from you, I think I agree# with you on more things than I thought I would.

And I can see who you are.

You're another human# being.

You're not -- you could be a chatbot from## Russia, for all you know if you're online.# We just thought we wanted to make it simple,## but have these venues and platforms and# opportunities for people to come together.

GEOFF BENNETT: And how do you do it?

How# do you get people to engage face-to-face?

MICHELLE BALDACCI: Well, that's going to be an# ongoing project.

We're going to have to figure## that out and set up the platforms and the venues# and make it work for as many people as possible.

GEOFF BENNETT: And it's at VCU.

It's in# Virginia, lifelong Virginia resident.

DAVID BALDACCI: Yes.

GEOFF BENNETT: You earned your degree in# political science at Virginia .. DAVID BALDACCI: Yes.

And we thought we need.. VCU has a statewide footprint, as does the# Library of Virginia.

You know, Library of## Virginia sort of has the paper, the materials, the# resources, the history, the facts, the knowledge.

And to take that and take it across the# commonwealth, it's sort of -- I tell people## exercise to keep yourself healthy.# Well, as a citizen of the democracy,## you have to exercise your citizenship muscles# or else it atrophies and it goes away.

And you## can't wait every four years the day before# to figure out who you're going to vote for.

You need to be engaged throughout the# entire process.

I know people are busy,## but this is really important.

This stuff really# matters.

So we were thinking -- and we will give## you an example -- of a town hall with no# politicians, just people coming in, in the## area.

We want to go where they are.

We don't want# people to have to come to Richmond for everything.

We want people to go where they are in these# communities, in lots of different venues,## and just have opportunities where it could# be moderated.

We could have speakers come in## that have debates and conversations and# dialogue afterwards.

So it can take 100## different sort of facets and elements# of what this might be, but it's about## bringing people together to speak peacefully,# rationally, respectfully with other people.

This is not about getting out there and hurling# vitriol.

We have had enough of that.

This is## about facing problems, compromising, coming to# agreement and then moving forward as a country.

GEOFF BENNETT: And how do you plan to# measure success for an initiative like this?

MICHELLE BALDACCI: Oh, that's# a really good question.

The goal is to make this fun, as# well as educational.

So, hopefully,## we will be able to reach out.

And it'll# depend on how many people attend and how## many people seem interested, how many people# we can get into the venues and the platforms.

GEOFF BENNETT: It's interesting to hear you say# the goal is to make it feel fun, because my view## of things is that something being fun doesn't# dilute the mission.

It really just amplifies it.

DAVID BALDACCI: Yes.

MICHELLE BALDACCI: Well... GEOFF BENNETT: Y.. MICHELLE BALDACC.. (LAUGHTER) GEOFF BENNETT: As .. what surprising lessons have you learned about# how people engage with reading and dialogue today?

DAVID BALDACCI: Well, I think that very# few people read books consistently anymore,## unfortunately, and that number continues to go# down.

I mean, social media and everything else,## it's -- and being in the book world, I get# all the statistics and facts, where social## media is actually decreasing people's power to# be able to read a novel-length form of fiction.

So now, instead of in college teaching novels,## they are teaching excerpts of novels, because# kids' attention spans have atrophied so much.

GEOFF BENNETT: Really?

DAVID BALDACCI: Not just kids, adults as well.. every day, trust me, you're going to have a# really difficult time reading an entire book,## because your mind and your brain# and your synapses reformulate.

And so all of a sudden you're like,# I can't go more than seven minutes## on a focus because that's what my brain# has now adapted to.

So my hope is that## this will get people more engaged.

I want# people to both read a lot more because,## part of being a citizen is, you have to# read.

You have to understand the facts.

I always point to, there's a 47-page book that# was written in this country hundreds of years## ago by a former Englishman named Thomas Pain# called "Common Sense."

Back then, half the## people in this country couldn't even read.

I would# guarantee you that every American knew every word## in that book.

Why?

Because it mattered to them.# This is as they were seeking their independence.

I think that we can't take democracy for# granted.

I think, every day, we need to think,## if we're not working towards maintaining# our democracy one day, it could go away.

GEOFF BENNETT: Say more about# that, this idea that literacy## isn't just an educational issue.# It's a small-D democratic issue.

MICHELLE BALDACCI: Right.

It's difficult to get people engaged# in things .. every day.

Because we're from Virginia outside# D.C., we're kind of exposed to it all the time,## whereas the rest of the country really isn't.# So they don't feel like it's something they need## to engage with every day, maybe every two years,# maybe every four years, when there's an election.

And they don't also understand the# importance of local politics and how## that affects them.

And I think the other# issue with people not reading books is,## because of tweets and everything's gotten# shortened, you have to give it in small doses.

GEOFF BENNETT: And, obviously, you write these# thrilling fictional worlds filled with conflict.## How has that practice of crafting narratives## shaped your thinking about how to deal# with real-world conflict and resolution?

DAVID BALDACCI: I have found that# anything is possible.

My books are## bound by plausibility.

I can write about# anything.

Anything is plausible these days.

And so until Gutenberg invented his# little printing press, we lived in## the Dark Ages.

And books brought us into the# Enlightenment.

And if we stop reading books,## there's only one place for us to go, and# that's back there.

Books really are at the## center of what makes us human beings.

We're# the only species that can actually read.

And this is how you build intelligence.

All# these data centers are going up around the## world.

So all the tech bros have decided, you# know how to make superintelligence?

We're going## to feed every book ever written into them.# That should tell all of us how important## books are to build superintelligence, because# actually we are the superintelligent ones.

So if you think the tech bros are geniuses,## you should be reading a book# every single day of your life.

GEOFF BENNETT: Well, I have# had your latest book here## on the desk throughout our entire conversation,## because I do intend to ask you a question# about it.

It's not just here as a set piece.

GEOFF BENNETT: But most of# your longtime readers know## you for your fast-paced, plot-driven thrillers.

This book, "Nash Falls",## feels especially introspective.

Is that# a shift for you?

Was.. DAVID BALDACCI: The older you get... DAVID BALDACCI: ... the more# you reflect back on the past.

And I thought so.

What I do with "Nash Falls,"# Walter Nash is a -- he's done everything he's## supposed to do.

He got a good education.# He has worked really hard for decades,## and he has reached the American# dream.

And then all of a sudden,## nothing he can control, somebody# came and took it away from him.

And I -- on the book tour, I told people,# I feel like it's thematic these days,## where you have done everything you're supposed# to do, everybody told you were supposed to do,## and you achieved your goals, and then# it's gone.

And then you have to pick## yourself back up again and move# forward.

And how do you do that?

So, me, just as a observer of the world, I# took that story on because I'm going to make## Walter Nash feel like an everyday American.# And this is what happened, and where do you## go from there?

Because I think a lot of people# are asking themselves, where do I go from here?

GEOFF BENNETT: David and Michelle Baldacci,## a real pleasure to speak with# you both.

Thanks for being here.

DAVID BALDACCI: Thank you.

MICHELLE BALDACCI: Thank you.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM:## This week, bookseller Barnes & Noble said it plans## to open another 60 stores next year.# That builds on the recent expansion## for the company that's been something# of a bellwether for the book business.

Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey# Brown spoke with Barnes & Noble's## CEO about his evolving business model# and the redesign of many of its stores.## Here's another look at that conversation# that originally ran back in January.

It's part of our arts and culture series, Canvas.

JAMES DAUNT, CEO, Barnes & Noble:# It's recognizably Barnes & Noble## because there are lots and lots of books# piled high, but it looks very di.. JEFFREY BROWN: A pre-opening walk# through a Barnes & Noble bookstore,## a maze of small rooms and pathways# with company CEO James Daunt.

JAMES DAUNT: When you're very# full, as this store often will be,## it's creating space for people to drop into.

JEFFREY BROWN: This store on Manhattan's Upper# East Side is just a-year-old.

It's part of a## large nationwide chain, but, crucially# for Daunt, has its own look and feel.

JAMES DAUNT: The key insight that I have is# that it is about the bookselling team and it's## about how you take all of this huge number# of books and arrange them and display them## in a manner which really engages# with your local community.

The insight that gives me in terms# of running lots of bookstores is,## leave it to the teams in each store.

The vast# majority of them will do it exceptionally well,## and your stores will become better and# busier and the business will thrive.

JEFFREY BROWN: Barnes & Noble's# beginnings can be traced to 1873,## but it was in 1971 that Leonard Riggio acquired# its trade name and flagship Manhattan store and## grew the company into the nation's largest# bookseller, offering steep discounts and## a huge selection, changing the landscape# for how and where Americans bought books,## eventually with more than 700 superstores# all with the same titles and design.

ACTORS: One, two, three, four!

TOM HANKS, Actor: We don't want this superstore.

JEFFREY BROWN: Its success, along# with Borders, put hundreds of smaller## independents out of business, captured in# Nora Ephron's 1998 film "You've Got Mail."

MEG RYAN, Actress: Can we save# the Shop Around the Corner?

ACTORS: Yes!

JEFFREY BROWN: But Amazon,.. Barnes & Noble, which by the time Daunt arrived# had closed hundreds of stores around the country.

JAMES DAUNT: Obviously, we# have come back from the brink.

JEFFREY BROWN: The brink meaning the end?

JAMES DAUNT: Yes.

I mean, the# business was a public company.## It was sold really pretty much# for the value of the books that## were sitting on its shelves.

So that's# not a really very good sign of health.

The job that I had was to# restore it as a bookseller.

JEFFREY BROWN: Daunt brought an unusual# pedigree.

He'd launched Daunt Books in 1990## as an independent bookseller in a gorgeous London# setting that became a destination for book lovers.

In 2011 he was hired to rescue Waterstones,## Britain's largest chain bookstore,# then near bankruptcy and, in 2019,## after hedge fund company Elliott Advisors# bought Barnes & Noble, to attempt the same here.

His success has gained attention, as, in recent# years, Barnes & Noble began to open stores all## over the country, even reopening a flagship# Washington, D.C., store that had closed in 2012.

The new philosophy, have stores act and# feel like an independent local shop.

Victoria Harty, assistant manager at# this Upper West Side Manhattan store,## has worked for Barnes &# Noble for more than 10 years.

VICTORIA HARTY, Assistant Store Manager, Barnes# & Noble: We used to be told what table to do,## how to curate it, where that table should# go, what angle that table should be on,## and what discount that table# potentially is going to have.

JEFFREY BROWN: Angle of... VICTORIA HARTY: Angle of the table.

So,.. JEFFREY BROWN: These days, Harty# and her counterparts see themselves## as curators of individual tables and# shelves, as well as the store itself,## paying more attention to local consumers and# to social media, most of all, TikTok's BookTok.

VICTORIA HARTY: It was a lot of young readers,## almost this generation that was coming# into physical bookstores looking for books.## So what I started to do with that was look at# those titles, like what they were coming in for,## and how do you take that one title# and curate a display around it?

Like, what are those books that are similar,## pairing them together and# creating a bigger display from it?

JEFFREY BROWN: So fervent in his# approach is Daunt that he makes Amazon,## which today accounts for more than 50# percent of the market, sound like an ally.

JAMES DAUNT: I actually see Amazon as being a## massive positive for what it# is to be a great bookseller.

JEFFREY BROWN: How can it be a massive positive# if it's taking 50 percent of the market?

JAMES DAUNT: What it's taken is all the boring# books out of our stores.

We used to have great,## huge medical sections that# taught doctors and nurses## and all the other professionals.# But those books are very boring.

No more.

You go onto Amazon, bump, it arrives# through your letter box three minutes later.

JEFFREY BROWN: But surely people go to Amazon for## more than just what you're# calling the boring books?

JAMES DAUNT: Of course they do.

And if you# buy Percival Everett's "James" from Amazon,## it's the same Percival Everett I will sell# you.

But if you come into this store to buy it,## you will come in, you will be surrounded by other# books, which you can browse and engage with.

Almost certainly you, will have# another fellow customer saying, oh,## have you read this by him?

Have you read that?# You will have an experience.

And when you walk## out of the store with it in your bag, it will lift# you.

It's the same book, but I promise you it's## a better book and the reading of it will be more# pleasurable because you bought it in a bookstore.

JEFFREY BROWN: That strategy applies to# the nation's independent bookstores too,## of course.

In fact, Barnes & Noble recently# acquired one of them, Denver's much-loved,## but bankrupt, Tattered Cover, a move# being watched closely, locally and beyond.

Daunt says this.

JAMES DAUNT: Bookstores get into# trouble.

What we now.. we rescue them.

We give them a safe home.# We don't change them.

We don't change the## people.

We don't change the name.

But we# give them the structure of the large chain.

JEFFREY BROWN: An earlier plotline in this long## saga was, Barnes & Noble is killing# independents.

Now, they can coexist?

JAMES DAUNT: I think bookstores do# coexist.

I'm -- my instincts are that## of an independent bookseller.

I would never# open up in a location where I believed that## I was threatening an independent bookseller# ever, because that's totally unnecessary.

We're in this vast country of ours## with far too few bookstores.

So# -- but it isn't a zero-sum game.

JEFFREY BROWN: It is a business, though,# and Daunt has to answer to the company's## owners.

The plot of this story,# that is, is still being written.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm# Jeffrey Brown in New York.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: From "Silent Night" to# "Jingle Bells," Christmas carols are some## of the most familiar and beloved songs# of the season, and some of the oldest.

Stephanie Sy explores why, even as# popular music changes with the times,## these classics have endured.

STEPHANIE SY: To help us dig into why# Christmas carols have stood the test## of time, I'm joined by Ariana Wyatt,# a professor of voice at Virginia Tech.

Ariana, it's great to have you on the "News Hour."

There are very few things that# haven't changed over the years,## and Christmas carols are one of# them.

In fact, as I was reading,## I understand that some of them date back 2,000# years to the birth of Christ.

Is that right?

ARIANA WYATT, Professor of Voice, Virginia# Tech: It's really remarkable, in fact,## that our first Christmas carol is# really proclaimed in the Gospel,## the "Angels Hymn," or "Gloria in Excelsis# Deo," which is a carol that we sing today## in many different versions and# have over the last 2,000 years.

STEPHANIE SY: I read that that's because# angels were viewed as biblically sort## of singing, that that was a biblical# interpretation of what was happening.

ARIANA WYATT: Yes, that's correct.# Scholars interpret that saying as singing.

And there's a lot of other references# to singing and praising with music,## with song in the Gospel.

So it makes sense# that the angels would have been singing that.

STEPHANIE SY: My favorite Christmas carol is# "O Holy Night."

And there are other carols## that start with this expression, O, right?

O,# come let us adore him.

Talk about the O carols.

ARIANA WYATT: Yes, it's really a fun thing.

So, in the eighth century, they made in the# liturgy a series of antiphons that were in## preparation for the birth of Christ.

So# they were during the period of Advent.## And there were seven specific# ones that led up to December 24.

So the last would be performed on December 23.# And they all started with O, O, and then a name## for God.

So, you had seven of them.

And the last# was "O, Emmanuel," or "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

"## And it's really interesting because, if you# reverse the order of the Latin of all of those O,## name for Christ, all seven, it spells ero cras,# E-R-O C-R-A-S, which means "I will come tomorrow."

STEPHANIE SY: Now, speaking of the Latin,## in the Middle Ages, not a lot of people were# speaking Latin.

How did it become accessible## when Latin itself was not particularly# well-known at the time of these carols?

ARIANA WYATT: So it wasn't until the 12th century# when Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy started to## introduce the vernacular into the Christmas# story.

And so he would take these Christmas## hymns and put the verses in the vernacular,# which would have been Italian where he was.

And then the choruses were -- remained in# Latin.

And that allowed people to start## to connect with the story.

So, previous# to this, these hymns were not popular.## They didn't connect with them.

They# didn't understand what the story was.

STEPHANIE SY: Do we know anything about# the melodies and how they have evolved?

ARIANA WYATT: We assume that some of these# melodies date back to celebrations about## the winter solstice, which predate# Christianity.

And so they would take## these folk tunes and they would put on new# words that were around the Christmas story.

And they are gradually put into the repertory# and passed down through oral tradition,## both by just singing to your own children,# but also by groups of traveling musicians## who would go from town to town and# kind of sing these various songs.

STEPHANIE SY: That's extraordinary.

Speaking of speaking to children,# I used t.. my babies as a lullaby.

Is "Silent# Night" one that dates back pretty far?

ARIANA WYATT: It's actually# one of the more recent ones.## Recent is a subjective term when we're# talking about 2,000 years of history,## of course, but it dates to 1818,# and it was composed in Austria.

Then it was brought to the United States# in 1839 and performed for the first time## in New York City at Trinity Cathedral.

And from# there, it kind of took on a world of its own.## There's a great story of the Christmas truce of# 1914 during World War I, where German and American## troops sang that hymn together from across# the trenches in their respective languages,## because it was one of and remains# one of our shared Christmas carols.

STEPHANIE SY: World War II also gave us some# really emotionally powerful Christmas songs.## What was happening in America at that time# that led to songs like "White Christmas"?

ARIANA WYATT: Yes, there's two large things.

First, we have the invention of recorded sound.

FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT, Former President of the# United States: A date which will live in infamy.

ARIANA WYATT: That was a huge change to music# and how music is transferred and shared across## continents, really.

And so we have for the# first time the ability to share music out## over the radio, share music that can# be purchased and listened to at home,## which is really remarkable and was --# really changed everything at the time.

But, also, we have two major World Wars that# happened in the 20th century.

And as a result## of that, after World War II, we have a real# economic boom in the United States.

And so we## see a new genre of Christmas music emerge# that is really a contemporary, commercial## Christmas music.

And it has legs because we# can record it and then we can broadcast it.

The first one that we really# look to is "White Christmas,"## which was broadcast for the first time# on the radio on Christmas Day in 1941,## which was just 18 days after Pearl Harbor.

And,# of course, that song is built in nostalgia,## is built in hope for Christmases future,# in nostalgia for Christmases past.

And, of course, the nation was reeling, as was# the world at the time, in the middle of a of a## World War.

And it really spoke to people, which# is why it continues to speak to people today.

STEPHANIE SY: That is Ariana# Wyatt with Virginia Tech.

Ariana, thank you so much and happy holidays.

ARIANA WYATT: Happy holidays.

Go hear some music.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Speaking of Christmas carols,# on this Christmas Eve, we continue a "News Hour"## tradition, where we ask the members of the# armed forces to record a holiday song for us.

Tonight, it's "Joy to the World.

"# This was produced by the Pentagon's## Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

(MUSIC) WILLIAM BRANGHAM: And that is the "News# Hour" for tonight.

I'm William Brangham.

Thank you so much for joining us.