Nuclear Power, Nazi-looted Art, Prison Labor and More

The latest edition of CBS News Sunday Morning features a cover story about the pivotal role nuclear energy could play in powering artificial intelligence's rising demand. Reporting from places like Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, correspondent David Pogue examines whether nuclear power can support the demands of Big Tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. Due to both growing electricity needs of advanced systems and the imperative to diminish carbon emissions, these prominent corporations have committed significant resources to develop nuclear projects.

Another major segment of the program tackles ongoing efforts to reclaim Nazi-looted art. A remarkable international agreement reached last year among 21 nations, along with a groundbreaking French law, may ease the process for Jewish families seeking to recover artwork they argue was forcibly sold or confiscated during Nazi rule. Barry Petersen interviews art experts and descendants affected by such cases, examining the complicated procedures involved and the enduring emotional significance it holds for families eight decades after the Holocaust.

In penitentiaries across America, incarcerated workers produce goods and services valued at billions of dollars annually, forming an often-overlooked sector of the economy. Luke Burbank explores the contentious issue of prison labor, visiting Oregon's Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution. Here, prisoners produce denim apparel under the brand "Prison Blues," illustrating both the economic benefits and ethical concerns surrounding prison labor practices.

A vibrant cultural story in this week's episode focuses on "Buena Vista Social Club," the renowned group of Cuban musicians who recorded a groundbreaking album in 1996, sparking global acclaim and now inspiring a Broadway musical. Martha Teichner engages in conversations with those behind this venture—bandleader Juan de Marcos González, playwright Marco Ramirez, director Saheem Ali, and journalist Judy Cantor-Navas—to understand the narrative, musical origins, and cross-cultural impact that define this celebrated Cuban musical phenomenon.

Other highlights include a feature on retired alpine skiing champion Lindsey Vonn, who discusses her intentions to return to Olympic competition following a titanium knee replacement; comedian John Mulaney's journey toward sobriety, fatherhood, and his comedic career, detailed in anticipation of his new Netflix show "Everybody's Live with John Mulaney;" and a visit to Naples, Italy, where correspondent Seth Doane takes viewers inside the closely-guarded museum entrusted with priceless treasures dedicated to San Gennaro, the city's patron saint.

The broadcast also honors notable figures who passed away recently and offers audiences a look at behind-the-scenes moments from the 2025 Academy Awards ceremony, including coverage and interviews from this year’s nominees.