60 Minutes

Firing the Watchdogs – The chief of the watchdog agency that protects federal workers and whistleblowers, Hampton Dellinger, was one of the first to be fired by President Trump. So were 18 inspectors general and the chief of the boardthat protects federal workers. What is happening to independent watchdogs, and why are they being dismantled? Correspondent Scott Pelley sits down with Dellinger and others to find out. Maria Gavrilovic is the producer.

The Settlement – Five years after it declared bankruptcy, Purdue Pharma and its wealthy owners, members of the Sackler family, have agreed to pay up to $7.4 billion in a proposed settlement that would deliver funds to victims of the opioid crisis. Correspondent Cecilia Vega investigates how this deal –potentially one of the largest opioid settlements ever –will affect the individuals and families who say Purdue's opioids harmed them. Natalie Jimenez Peel is the producer.

A Method to His Madness – With the NCAA basketball tournament, famously known as "March Madness," tipping off this month, the University of Connecticut men's team is aiming for a historic three-peat. Correspondent Jon Wertheim provides an inside look at coach Dan Hurley's preparations, his strategies for managing a changing roster, and his pre-season rituals. Draggan Mihailovich is the producer.

UNDER THE RADAR –With news of mysterious drones flying over New Jersey and concerns about spying, this week's 60 MINUTES investigates a surprising story about another drone incursion. Correspondent Bill Whitaker reports what happened 15 months ago over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, which houses nearly half of the most advanced U.S. stealth fighter jets, the F-22 Raptor, and how it is part of a series of brazen overflights of sensitive military sites. Graham Messick is the producer.

AMERICA'S OWN – Young dreams were dashed when the U.S. Marine Band followed orders to cancel a concert featuring middle and high school musicians of color, a result of the Trump administration's executive order ending DEI initiatives. Correspondent Scott Pelley speaks with performers of The Equity Arc Wind Symphony about the importance of supporting all talented, aspiring musicians. Nicole Young and Kristin Steve are the producers.

WERNER HERZOG – The name Werner Herzog may not be as recognizable as Spielberg or Scorsese, but over the last six decades, the German filmmaker has had a profound and far-reaching influence on the world of cinema. He's made over 70 features and documentaries, which are often dream-like explorations of nature's power, human frailties and the edges of sanity. Correspondent Anderson Cooper sits down with the enigmatic director to discuss his films, and his other roles as writer and actor. Michael Gavshon is the producer.

Death on the Chazy River – Correspondent Cecilia Vega reports from the U.S.-Canadian border – the longest international land border in the world – near the Chazy River, where migrants are crossing with the help of human smugglers who openly promote their services on popular social media platforms. Vega speaks with one of those smugglers, a Sinaloa cartel member who claims that there will always be ways to bypass barriers, no matter what steps the two countries take – and with an American sheriff who has seen the impact of President Trump's policies to reduce illegal immigration from the north. Michael Rey and Jaime Woods are the producers.

Larkin's War – Frank Larkin's commitment to America is remarkable. A former Navy SEAL, he served in the Secret Service, at the Pentagon, and as Sergeant-at-Arms of the U.S. Senate. However, as correspondent Scott Pelley reports, Larkin's most significant contribution may be what he's done since his son, Ryan, took his own life. Ryan was, like his father, a decorated Navy SEAL, and his death by suicide was attributed to depression. But Frank Larkin did not accept this explanation. When pathologists discovered Ryan suffered from scarring in his brain, likely due to repeated low-level blast exposure, this father campaigned for a change in how Special Operations and the rest of the military train and protect their service members. Henry Schuster is the producer.

Mr. Clooney Goes to Broadway – Correspondent Jon Wertheim goes behind the scenes as George Clooney makes his Broadway debut, starring in an adaptation of the 2005 Oscar-nominated movie "Good Night, and Good Luck." Clooney co-wrote both the original screenplay and this play, which tell the story of pioneering journalist Edward R. Murrow, who took on Senator Joseph McCarthy. Clooney calls it a fight for the ages and says the plot, which revolves around themes of truth, intimidation, and courage in corporate media, resonates today. At 63, the actor tells Wertheim why he finally feels ready to take on the role of Murrow himself. Nathalie Sommer and Kaylee Tully are the producers.

HOSTAGES – Correspondent Lesley Stahl dispatches to Israel for her 5th report since the Oct. 7 terror attack to interview freed Israeli and American hostages, including Yarden Bibas and Keith Siegel, who are speaking out to share their experiences in captivity and what they witnessed at the hands of Hamas. They are now fighting for a renewed ceasefire, to end the war and bring back the remaining hostages.  Shachar Bar-On is the producer.  

VOICE OF AMERICA – Voice of America (VOA), the storied U.S. government-funded international broadcaster with an 83-year history, is now off the air thanks to a Trump administration executive order and lockout of hundreds of its employees placed on suspended leave. Correspondent Bill Whitaker reports the action has extinguished a trusted beacon of fact-based journalism for hundreds of millions worldwide. While the White House says, "taxpayers are no longer on the hook for radical propaganda," many believe the move cedes a vital soft power tool to American adversaries in parts of the world saturated with propaganda and disinformation. Graham Messick and Jack Weingart are the producers.  

LEFT BEHIND – When wildfires tore through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods of Los Angeles three months ago, 9 billion pounds of toxic ash and debris were left behind. Now, a massive cleanup effort is underway to clear the 13-thousand properties destroyed in the fire. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi goes behind the scenes with the Environmental Protection Agency as it completes the first step: removing the hazardous waste. The rest of the debris is in the hands of the Army Corps of Engineers. Despite expedited cleanup efforts, some residents say they still don't feel safe returning home. Lucy Hatcher is the producer.