CBS is facing another major shakeup at 60 Minutes as changes continue under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. The long-running news magazine, which has been on air for nearly six decades, has seen high-profile departures and contract disputes in 2026, adding to the turmoil already surrounding the network after the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Anderson Cooper aired his final broadcast with the program on May 17, 2026, saying he hoped the show’s core identity would remain intact even as it evolves.
The latest developments center on correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi. Vega, who became the first Latina correspondent on 60 Minutes, said on May 29 that CBS fired her even though her contract had been set to run until March 2027. In her statement, Vega alleged that she and her producing teams faced efforts to insert political bias into reporting and that story pitches on important topics had been held back because staff feared internal repercussions. She said she had refused to accept editorial suggestions she believed crossed a line and argued that many colleagues at the program have had to defend editorial independence.
Alfonsi also said her time at CBS News had come to an end. She told the Los Angeles Times that her contract expired over the weekend, closing a 20-year run with the network, including more than a decade at 60 Minutes. Alfonsi said the decision followed an intense editorial dispute over a CECOT story and that repeated attempts by her representatives to find a path forward received no response from network executives. She said the silence made it clear that her future at the program was over.
The departures have intensified concerns among journalists and observers about the direction of the iconic news magazine. Vega’s remarks suggested growing frustration inside the newsroom over editorial control, while Alfonsi’s comments pointed to unresolved conflict between correspondents and leadership. Together, the departures highlight a period of instability at one of television news’ most recognizable brands.
For decades, 60 Minutes has been known for hard-hitting reporting and a reputation for editorial independence. That tradition is now under scrutiny as CBS undergoes leadership and staffing changes. The exits of Cooper, Vega, and Alfonsi mark a significant reset for the program and raise questions about how the show will be shaped moving forward.
CBS has not publicly addressed all of the specific claims raised by the departing journalists, but the recent developments show that the network is navigating a high-profile internal transition. With major correspondents leaving and accusations of editorial interference surfacing, the future of 60 Minutes appears to be entering a new and uncertain chapter.
