60 Minutes Reports on “Left Behind”, “South Africa’s Refugees” & “Is That Art?” on February 22 2026

The long-running news magazine 60 Minutes returns on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with a lineup of reports that examine economic hardship at home, global political controversy, and the growing debate over artificial intelligence in the art world. Airing from 7:00 to 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, this week’s broadcast delivers in-depth reporting from three very different corners of today’s headlines.

Each segment takes a closer look at complex issues affecting communities and industries, offering firsthand perspectives and thoughtful analysis from 60 Minutes correspondents.

• “Left Behind”: 60 Minutes Reports on Hunger, Hardship, and Survival in America’s Coal Country
• “South Africa’s Refugees”: 60 Minutes Investigates a Controversial Immigration Exception
• “Is That Art?”: 60 Minutes Explores the Rise and Controversy of AI Creations

Left Behind

Cecilia Vega reports from McDowell County, West Virginia, a region that once stood at the center of America’s coal industry but now faces deep economic challenges. Once the nation’s largest coal-producing county, McDowell has experienced decades of job losses, population decline, and growing poverty.

Today, the area is one of the most economically distressed communities in the country. Roughly one in three households relies on SNAP benefits, the federal food assistance program that originally began there. The segment explores how generations of residents have depended on government support as industries disappeared and opportunities became scarce.

The report comes at a critical time, as SNAP faces one of the largest proposed federal funding reductions in its history. Vega speaks with families and community members who have seen assistance programs expand and shrink over the years, examining what potential cuts could mean for a region already struggling to recover. The story also touches on the area’s battle with the opioid crisis and the broader question of what long-term solutions may look like for communities left behind by economic change.

South Africa’s Refugees

Anderson Cooper travels to South Africa to explore a controversial immigration policy that has sparked international debate. After announcing a plan to permanently pause migration from what he described as “third world countries,” President Donald Trump made a notable exception for white South African refugees, many of them Afrikaners.

The administration has argued that white farmers in South Africa are victims of genocide, a claim strongly disputed by the South African government and many analysts. Cooper’s report moves beyond political rhetoric to hear directly from South Africans affected by the issue.

The segment examines concerns about farm violence, land reform policies, and the historical and social context that shapes the country’s racial and economic tensions. By speaking with farmers, community leaders, and other residents, the report aims to present a fuller picture of life on the ground and the realities behind a highly charged political narrative.

Is That Art?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the creative landscape, and this week’s broadcast dives into the growing controversy over AI-generated artwork. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi explores how pieces created with algorithms and data are now being displayed in major museums and sold through prestigious auction houses.

At the center of the story is Refik Anadol, a Turkish-American artist widely regarded as a pioneer in AI-based art. Anadol views the technology as a revolutionary new medium that expands creative possibilities and redefines artistic expression.

Not everyone agrees. Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz has dismissed much of the work as lacking substance, while some traditional artists argue that AI relies on existing human creations in ways that raise ethical and legal concerns. The segment examines whether AI represents the future of art, a passing trend, or a deeper challenge to long-standing ideas about creativity, authorship, and originality.

The long-running news magazine 60 Minutes returns on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with a lineup of reports that examine economic hardship at home, global political controversy, and the growing debate over artificial intelligence in the art world. Airing from 7:00 to 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, this week’s broadcast delivers in-depth reporting from three very different corners of today’s headlines.

Each segment takes a closer look at complex issues affecting communities and industries, offering firsthand perspectives and thoughtful analysis from 60 Minutes correspondents.

Left Behind

Cecilia Vega reports from McDowell County, West Virginia, a region that once stood at the center of America’s coal industry but now faces deep economic challenges. Once the nation’s largest coal-producing county, McDowell has experienced decades of job losses, population decline, and growing poverty.

Today, the area is one of the most economically distressed communities in the country. Roughly one in three households relies on SNAP benefits, the federal food assistance program that originally began there. The segment explores how generations of residents have depended on government support as industries disappeared and opportunities became scarce.

The report comes at a critical time, as SNAP faces one of the largest proposed federal funding reductions in its history. Vega speaks with families and community members who have seen assistance programs expand and shrink over the years, examining what potential cuts could mean for a region already struggling to recover. The story also touches on the area’s battle with the opioid crisis and the broader question of what long-term solutions may look like for communities left behind by economic change.

South Africa’s Refugees

Anderson Cooper travels to South Africa to explore a controversial immigration policy that has sparked international debate. After announcing a plan to permanently pause migration from what he described as “third world countries,” President Donald Trump made a notable exception for white South African refugees, many of them Afrikaners.

The administration has argued that white farmers in South Africa are victims of genocide, a claim strongly disputed by the South African government and many analysts. Cooper’s report moves beyond political rhetoric to hear directly from South Africans affected by the issue.

The segment examines concerns about farm violence, land reform policies, and the historical and social context that shapes the country’s racial and economic tensions. By speaking with farmers, community leaders, and other residents, the report aims to present a fuller picture of life on the ground and the realities behind a highly charged political narrative.

Is That Art?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the creative landscape, and this week’s broadcast dives into the growing controversy over AI-generated artwork. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi explores how pieces created with algorithms and data are now being displayed in major museums and sold through prestigious auction houses.

At the center of the story is Refik Anadol, a Turkish-American artist widely regarded as a pioneer in AI-based art. Anadol views the technology as a revolutionary new medium that expands creative possibilities and redefines artistic expression.

Not everyone agrees. Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz has dismissed much of the work as lacking substance, while some traditional artists argue that AI relies on existing human creations in ways that raise ethical and legal concerns. The segment examines whether AI represents the future of art, a passing trend, or a deeper challenge to long-standing ideas about creativity, authorship, and originality.

With reporting that spans economic hardship, international policy, and cultural transformation, this episode of 60 Minutes offers a wide-ranging look at issues shaping the present moment. The broadcast airs Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+.

With reporting that spans economic hardship, international policy, and cultural transformation, this episode of 60 Minutes offers a wide-ranging look at issues shaping the present moment. The broadcast airs Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+.