CBS Sunday Morning: Hope in Alzheimer's & Artistic Wonders

Discovering Hope and Beauty on CBS Sunday Morning

The Emmy Award-winning CBS News Sunday Morning returned on November 9, 2025, with another captivating blend of science, art, and human stories. Hosted by Jane Pauley, the episode offered viewers a thoughtful journey through groundbreaking medical research, cultural treasures, and poignant historical reflections.

Alzheimer's Breakthrough: A Beacon of Hope

This week's cover story delivered promising news in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Jon LaPook reported from Washington University School of Medicine, where clinical trials on new antibody drugs are showing unprecedented potential to slow cognitive decline in early-onset Alzheimer's patients. This research focuses on the 1-2% of individuals genetically predisposed to the disease – a critical step in a field currently without a cure. Philanthropist Bill Gates, who has donated $300 million to Alzheimer's research, discussed the urgency of these studies with Dr. LaPook, emphasizing how this work could transform lives for generations to come.

Artistic Marvels: Bonsai and Ancient Treasures

The episode celebrated artistic beauty in miniature and monumental forms. Conor Knighton visited the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Washington State, where trees are transformed into living sculptures.

Photographer Stephen Voss shared how he captures the personality of these ancient art forms, proving that nature's grandeur can thrive in just a few square inches. Meanwhile, Jane Pauley explored Cairo's newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, a modern architectural marvel housing thousands of artifacts from King Tutankhamun's reign – a stunning bridge between ancient history and contemporary design.

Screen Stories and Historical Reflections

Oscar-nominee Jessie Buckley opened up about her role in Hamnet during an interview with Seth Doane. The Irish actress discussed how Shakespeare's work influenced her craft and her upcoming portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in The Bride. In a solemn tribute, the show remembered James Watson, Nobel laureate and co-discoverer of the DNA double helix, whose passing marked the end of an era in scientific history.

Uncovering Hidden Wounds and Unexpected Heroes

Lesley Stahl highlighted historian David Nasaw's book The Wounded Generation, revealing how WWII veterans returned home with untreated psychological trauma that predated modern understandings of PTSD. In contrast, Steve Hartman told the uplifting story of six-year-old Marianne Cullen, whose donation to a Harvard salamander regeneration lab restored both funding and hope during a critical funding crisis. The episode concluded with serene footage of wombats thriving in Tasmania's Cradle Mountain, offering a moment of natural tranquility.

Billy Bob Thornton on Artistic Evolution

Lee Cowan sat down with the versatile Billy Bob Thornton about his return to the Paramount+ series Landman. Thornton reflected on his unconventional career path, from his Oscar-winning Sling Blade to his musical endeavors, and how turning 70 has deepened his approach to playing oil-field veteran Tommy Norris in the West Texas drama.

Through these diverse stories, CBS Sunday Morning once again demonstrated its unique ability to illuminate the human experience – from scientific frontiers to artistic expression, historical lessons to simple moments of beauty in nature.