1/11: Sunday Morning
Hosted by Jane Pauley. Featured: Health insurers' denial of coverage; Oprah Winfrey on her new book about weight loss; Carrie Coon and Tracy Letts; German artist Anselm Kiefer; and the surprising history of the Monroe Doctrine.
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Latest Videos
Faith Salie on flying and the pajama resistance
When Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy admonished air travelers who didn't "dress up" for their flights, flyers responded – by wearing pajamas. Faith Salie looks at what travelers think of the Secretary's flight of fancy.
What are the prospects for laid-off workers?
In 2025, more than 1.1 million Americans were laid off from their jobs, the most since the 2020 COVID pandemic. The layoffs were in numerous industries, by companies of all sizes, even as corporate profits remain high. Elaine Quijano talks with business experts who discuss why companies resort to layoffs and the psychological damage caused by firings, and why artificial intelligence is not filling those jobs – yet.
Passage: In memoriam
"Sunday Morning" remembers some of the notable figures who left us this week, including Emmy Award-winning newsman Ed Rabel, who reported for CBS and NBC for more than three decades.
Steps of Faith: Bringing hope to amputees
Twenty years ago, when Kansas City musician Billy Brimblecom Jr. was diagnosed with cancer, he went through 13 rounds of chemotherapy, and ultimately lost a leg. One of his oldest friends, former "SNL" and "Ted Lasso" star Jason Sudeikis, rallied to his cause, helping raise funds to pay for a prosthetic leg. Since then, Sudeikis, Brimblecom and friends have held an annual fundraiser, called Thundergong!, that has helped more than 2,000 amputees all over the country pay for prosthetics through the Steps of Faith Foundation. Lee Cowan reports.
Jane Austen at 250
Her enduring romances, including "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," and "Emma," made British writer Jane Austen one of the brightest names in literature – and the beloved subject of a yearlong celebration marking the 250th anniversary of her birth. Seth Doane visits Bath, England, the setting for two of the Regency Era author's six novels, and talks with Devoney Looser, author of "Wild for Austen." Doane also visits the set of a forthcoming miniseries inspired by Austen's characters, "The Other Bennet Sister."
Bûche de Noël: A traditional Christmas treat
Created in France in the late nineteenth century, Bûche de Noël is a favorite Christmas delicacy: a rolled chocolate cake that is a little piece of art. Alina Cho talks with food historian Loïc Bienassis about the dessert's origins, while pastry chef Mickaël Marsollier discusses variations on the traditional Bûche.
Almanac: December 14
"Sunday Morning" looks back at historical events on this date.
What makes for a great Christmas song?
The most popular and enduring Christmas songs, from "Jingle Bells" to "All I Want for Christmas Is You," share many traits, according to musicologist Joe Bennett. He talks with David Pogue about the most common songwriting components that make a great Christmas classic. Then, Pogue tries his hand at composing a holiday song, "The Sound of Christmas," which is given its world premiere performance by Broadway star Kerry Butler.
Nature: Alligators in Florida
We leave you this morning swimming with the alligators on the Myakka River in Florida. Videographer: Doug Jensen.
Author Jan Karon on returning to Mitford
Novelist Jan Karon has written 25 bestsellers, including 15 about a make-believe mountain village, Mitford – stories in which the humanity of her characters is evoked in what she calls "a place of refuge." Karon talks with Faith Salie about discovering her voice as a writer at a very young age; the comforting qualities of her stories; and how the death of her daughter, Candace, led to her latest Mitford book, "My Beloved."
More From Sunday Morning
Minnesotans speak out about fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good
Former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton talks about reaction to the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent, and why she says it is a time for action to make sure it doesn't happen again.
The surprising history of the Monroe Doctrine
In 1823, President James Monroe called for European powers to stay out of the Americas – a stance that for generations led to U.S. military interventions across the Western Hemisphere, including President Trump's incursion into Venezuela.
"Enough": Oprah Winfrey on her weight-loss lessons
For years, she seemed powerless against a fluctuating weight problem, until new medications, and a new attitude, gave Oprah Winfrey a breakthrough. She talks with Jane Pauley about "Enough," a new book co-written with Dr. Ania Jastreboff, about her weight-loss success.
Jim Gaffigan: Children are not pancakes
The comedian, who has raised many kids, says parenting is not like whipping up a stack of pancakes, but it may be like eating them.
Carrie Coon and Tracy Letts on their joint love for, and beyond, the theater
The star of "The Gilded Age" and "The White Lotus" has returned to Broadway in "Bug," written by her playwright-actor husband. The two talk about their on- and off-stage partnership.
The art of Anselm Kiefer: "Becoming the Sea"
One of the world's most prolific living artists is now the subject of a retrospective in St. Louis. He talks about how rivers cutting through America's Midwest, and a Beat Generation poet, inspired his three-story-tall abstract canvases.
State of denial: How insurance companies impact health care today
As millions of Americans struggle with paying for health care, doctors and health experts discuss how medical care is being eroded by insurers denying necessary tests and treatment, making it "more difficult to be healthy in the United States."
Book excerpt: "Enough" by Dr. Ania Jastreboff and Oprah Winfrey
The media superstar, who has struggled with weight for much of her life, and a Yale School of Medicine doctor team up for a book that examines the biology of obesity, offering a new way forward.
This week on "Sunday Morning" (Jan. 11)
A look at the features for this week's broadcast of the Emmy-winning program, hosted by Jane Pauley.
Doctor's orders: Eat ice cream, and other tips for a long and healthy life
In his new wellness book, "Eat Your Ice Cream," Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel goes beyond the basics of eating, exercise and sleep, to the importance of being happy, social engagement, and recommended behaviors (like "don't be a schmuck") that can benefit longevity.
U.S.
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Sidelining of DOJ's Civil Rights Division in ICE shooting is unusual, experts say
Though DOJ says there's "no basis" for criminal civil rights probe in ICE shooting case, some legal experts say the division's lack of involvement here is unheard of.
Mortgage rates fall to 3-year low, offering relief for homebuyers
The average interest rate on a typical mortgage dipped to 6.06%, the lowest level since September 2022, according to Freddie Mac.
What is the Insurrection Act, and why is Trump threatening to invoke it?
President Trump is threatening to invoke a centuries-old law to deploy troops to Minnesota. Here's what to know.
Bankruptcy filings surged last year. Here's what's behind the rise
The increase in bankruptcy filings comes as Americans face a slate of economic pressures, from sticky inflation to elevated borrowing costs.
Senators say bipartisan compromise on ACA tax credits has stalled
"We are in a little bit of a pothole," said GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno, who previously expected the compromise to be unveiled this week.
MoneyWatch
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Mortgage rates fall to 3-year low, offering relief for homebuyers
The average interest rate on a typical mortgage dipped to 6.06%, the lowest level since September 2022, according to Freddie Mac.
Bankruptcy filings surged last year. Here's what's behind the rise
The increase in bankruptcy filings comes as Americans face a slate of economic pressures, from sticky inflation to elevated borrowing costs.
Senators say bipartisan compromise on ACA tax credits has stalled
"We are in a little bit of a pothole," said GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno, who previously expected the compromise to be unveiled this week.
How the new $6,000 senior tax deduction could impact older Americans
A new tax deduction for senior citizens is kicking in this tax season, potentially providing bigger refunds to millions, the AARP says.
Verizon offers customers $20 credit for widespread outage
Verizon says it's giving a $20 credit to customers affected an outage that disrupted service across the U.S.
Politics
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Sidelining of DOJ's Civil Rights Division in ICE shooting is unusual, experts say
Though DOJ says there's "no basis" for criminal civil rights probe in ICE shooting case, some legal experts say the division's lack of involvement here is unheard of.
What is the Insurrection Act, and why is Trump threatening to invoke it?
President Trump is threatening to invoke a centuries-old law to deploy troops to Minnesota. Here's what to know.
Senators say bipartisan compromise on ACA tax credits has stalled
"We are in a little bit of a pothole," said GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno, who previously expected the compromise to be unveiled this week.
U.S. and Taiwan reach deal lowering tariffs to 15%, boosting chip financing
Taiwan is responsible for the majority of the world's semiconductor chips.
Could ICE agent in Good's shooting claim immunity from state charges?
The ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting could try to invoke immunity under the Constitution's Supremacy Clause to try to end state criminal prosecution.
HealthWatch
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Trump admin. reverses sudden cuts in mental health, addiction programs
The Trump administration reversed cuts to grants for mental health and addiction treatment programs that a CBS News source said were valued at around $1.9 billion.
Chicago mayor explains how he's tackling the city's life expectancy gap
In 2023, life expectancy in the Loop was 87.3 years, while in West Garfield Park, life expectancy was just 66.6 years, according to the city's Health Department.
Recalled "super greens" supplement linked to dozens of salmonella cases, CDC says
Illnesses linked to the New York-based Live it Up Super Greens brand powder were reported in 21 states from Aug. 22 to Dec. 30, 2025.
Wide variation found in funding for states' rural health proposals
Every state will receive at least $100 million annually from the federal Rural Health Transformation fund, but some scored millions more based on their plans and willingness to pass policies embracing MAHA initiatives.
ACA enrollment sinks sharply as coverage costs soar in 2026
Roughly 1.4 million fewer Americans have signed up for an Affordable Care Act plan as expiring tax breaks drive up premiums.
World
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Drug ring used swimmers to stash cocaine on ships at sea, police say
Police said they had busted a network that saw smugglers swim on the high seas to help stash Colombian cocaine on container ships and hijack vessels.
Russia calls NATO "unpredictable" amid divide over Greenland
As NATO prepares for war games around Greenland, Russia is highlighting the Trump administration's disagreement with its closest allies over the island.
U.S. forces seize sixth Venezuela-linked oil tanker
The seizure comes as President Trump is set to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado Thursday at the White House.
FIFA says it's received more than 500 million World Cup ticket requests
FIFA says it has received over 500 million ticket requests for 2026 World Cup matches in the U.S., Canada and Mexico— with prices as high as $8,680.
Iran opposition leader says "haven't reached the moment" to topple regime
As Trump steps back from threats against Iran, Kurdish Iranian opposition group says it's ready to help topple the regime, but the time isn't right yet.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Behind Ron King's mission to protect donkeys
Oscar's Place, a donkey sanctuary in California, now has 210 donkeys and it has successfully resettled 189 others. Ron King, the co-founder and CEO of the sanctuary, helped to create the new docuseries "Donkey King," which follows the work he and volunteers do to rescue, rehabilitate and resettle the animals to protect them. He speaks to "CBS Mornings" about his mission and why he says donkeys are misunderstood.
Actor Timothy Busfield held without bond in New Mexico child sex abuse case
Another allegation against Busfield was reported to law enforcement the same day he turned himself in, according to a court filing.
Stars of "Sinners" talk about movie
"Sinners" stars Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton and Wunmi Mosaku talk to "CBS Mornings" about the movie's recent success at the Golden Globes, the atmosphere on set and what they learned through the process.
Ali Larter talks what's ahead in "Landman"
Actor Ali Larter plays Angela Harris, the ex-wife of an oilman played by Billy Bob Thornton in the Paramount+ series "Landman." She talks to "CBS Mornings" about the series, working with Thornton and how she landed her role.
Actor Timothy Busfield turns himself in following child sex abuse allegations
In a video provided to TMZ on Tuesday, Timothy Busfield said the allegations "are all lies."
Technology
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Verizon offers customers $20 credit for widespread outage
Verizon says it's giving a $20 credit to customers affected an outage that disrupted service across the U.S.
New parental controls on YouTube kid accounts
YouTube is introducing new parental controls on youth accounts that it says could limit how long kinds spend scrolling. The latest parental controls will focus on YouTube Shorts, which utilizes a continuous scrolling video feed featuring videos three minutes and shorter. Parents of kid and teen account users are now able to enact time restrictions that will limit how long their children can scroll.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Details on Verizon cell phone outage
A widespread Verizon outage hit the U.S. on Wednesday, leaving thousands of customers without service. CBS News' Karen Hua has more.
Apple, Google face pressure to remove X and Grok from their app stores
Grok faces mounting scrutiny from government officials and advocacy groups after people used the AI chatbot to create sexualized images of minors and women.
Science
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Fossils found in cave shed light on where our species emerged
Fossilized bones and teeth dating to 773,000 years ago are providing a deeper understanding of the emergence of Homo sapiens.
The history and mystery of kissing
If you rang in the new year with a kiss, you took part in a tradition millions of years in the making. Scientists now say the origins of kissing go back much farther than most think. CBS News' Tina Kraus has more.
2025 was so hot it pushed Earth past critical climate change mark
2025 was the third hottest year on record and pushed Earth past a critical climate change mark, scientists say.
Major climate research center on Trump administration chopping block
The Trump administration intends to dismantle one of the world's leading climate research institutions, in Boulder, Colorado, over what it said were concerns about "climate alarmism."
Researchers capture video of rare polar bear adoption
The footage of a bear caring for an adopted cub was captured during the annual polar bear migration along the Western Hudson Bay in Churchill, Manitoba.
Crime
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Crime
Busfield held without bond in child sex abuse case
Actor Timothy Busfield is being held without bond in his New Mexico child sex abuse case. Busfield denies the charges. CBS News reporter Andres Gutierrez has more.
Drug ring used swimmers to stash cocaine on ships at sea, police say
Police said they had busted a network that saw smugglers swim on the high seas to help stash Colombian cocaine on container ships and hijack vessels.
Man convicted of killing Uber driver who he thought was robbing him
William J. Brock fatally shot the driver after wrongly assuming she was in on a plot to get $12,000 in supposed bond money for a relative, authorities said.
College basketball rigging allegations
A newly unsealed indictment details an apparent point-shaving scheme involving college basketball players. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane reports.
ICE officer shot a man in Minneapolis
More details are emerging about an apparent altercation that led to an ICE officer shooting a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis. CBS News' Lana Zak reports.
Space
More Space
Space
Astronauts return after mission cut short
A NASA crew splashed down off the coast of California on Thursday weeks earlier than scheduled due to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station dealing with a medical issue. Mark Strassmann reports on the unprecedented mission home.
Astronauts back on Earth after medical issue cut mission short
Four space station Crew 11 fliers splashed down off the Southern California coast at 3:41 a.m. ET, closing out a 167-day stay in space cut short by a medical issue.
Former NASA astronaut on ISS undocking
The members of SpaceX Crew-11 undocked from the International Space Station on Wednesday, beginning their journey back to Earth. The crew is leaving a month early after NASA announced that an unnamed team member experienced an undisclosed "medical concern." Clayton Anderson, a former NASA astronaut who spent time on the ISS, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
ISS astronauts prepare for early return
Crew-11 is preparing for an unprecedented early return to Earth over concerns for an astronaut's medical condition aboard the International Space Station. Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut and engineering professor at Columbia University, joins with more.
Former astronaut on ISS crew coming home early
Four members of Crew-11 are preparing to return to Earth from the International Space Station later this week after a "medical concern" prompted NASA to cancel a scheduled spacewalk. Former astronaut Dr. Scott Parazynski joins with his reaction.
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Notable Deaths in 2025
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Evidence in the Barbara Kendhammer case
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Officials: Machado gave Trump Nobel medal
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President Trump held their first face-to-face meeting on Thursday. CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang has the details.
U.S. still poised to strike in Iran
The White House says hundreds of executions scheduled in Iran have been halted and that the killing of protesters has stopped. Plus, the leader of an armed Kurdish Iranian opposition group sat down with CBS News in Iraq, saying it is ready to take on the Iranian regime at the right moment. CBS News' Holly Williams and Charlie D'Agata have the latest details on the situation.
Busfield held without bond in child sex abuse case
Actor Timothy Busfield is being held without bond in his New Mexico child sex abuse case. Busfield denies the charges. CBS News reporter Andres Gutierrez has more.
Civil rights attorney on aiding ICE detainees
The Department of Homeland Security says it has deployed to Minnesota nearly 3,000 agents and officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. James Cook, an Oakland civil rights attorney with the John Burris Law Firm, joins CBS News to explain the process of working with those detained.
Leavitt: Trump's opinion on Machado hasn't changed
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met with President Trump at the White House on Thursday. Mr. Trump has previously said he doesn't think she has enough support from the people to lead Venezuela. CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang reports.