This week on "Sunday Morning" (February 28)
Host: Jane Pauley
WATCH THE FULL FEBRUARY 28 EPISODE!
COVER STORY: The danger of avalanches: Will 2021 be the worst year ever? | Watch Video
In Western states this winter's weather has produced snowpack conditions that are making avalanches even more threatening than usual. Correspondent Serena Altschul talks with experts about the conditions that create avalanches and how to make wise choices in the backcountry.
For more info:
- Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Boulder, Colo.
- Utah Avalanche Center
- National Avalanche Center
- For more about how to set safely out in the backcountry in winter, please find an American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education course near you
- Sun Valley Ski Patrol, Sun Valley, Idaho
- Sun Valley Guides, Ketchum, Idaho
- "Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain" by Bruce Tremper (Mountaineers Books), in Trade Paperback and eBook formats, available via Amazon and Indiebound
- Bruce Tremper Photography
- Christopher Marshall, AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide
- Animation by J. Gaume et al.
CORONAVIRUS: The evolving science of masks (Video)
How can you tell if the mask you're wearing is protective enough against the coronavirus? Correspondent David Pogue volunteers as a test subject to see how N95s work and learns about the science of face coverings.
For more info:
ART: The enduring popularity of artist Bob Ross | Watch Video
In the 1980s and '90s Bob Ross hosted the public television series "The Joy of Painting" until his death in 1995 at age 52. But ever since, the artist's instructions in how to paint "happy little trees" have only grown more popular. Correspondent Lee Cowan looks back at the canvas of Ross' career and the big picture of his life lessons.
For more info:
SUNDAY PROFILE: LeVar Burton on the good that television can do | Watch Video
When LeVar Burton switched his career ambitions from the seminary to the stage, his first audition was for the TV miniseries "Roots," which brought him instant fame as the enslaved Kunta Kinte. Since then the actor became renowned for his role in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and as host of the PBS literacy series "Reading Rainbow." Correspondent Mo Rocca talks with Burton about the broad sweep of his career, including his podcast, "LeVar Burton Reads."
For more info:
- levarburton.com
- LeVar Burton Reads (Podcast)
- Follow LeVar Burton on Twitter and Instagram
- "Roots" available on Amazon Prime
- "Star Trek: The Next Generation" on cbs.com
- readingrainbow.org
- "This is My Story: Part 1" (YouTube)
PASSAGE: In memoriam (Video)
"Sunday Morning" remembers some of the notable figures who left us this week, including poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, founder of the landmark San Francisco bookstore City Lights.
TELEVISION: Ellen Pompeo on the future of "Grey's Anatomy" | Watch Video
For 17 seasons actress Ellen Pompeo has starred in the longest-running primetime medical drama on American TV. But now her character on "Grey's Anatomy," Dr. Meredith Grey, has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Will she, and the show, survive? Correspondent Tracy Smith reports.
For more info:
- "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
- Follow Ellen Pompeo on Twitter and Instagram
HARTMAN: Best friends (Video)
When Brian Meyers adopted Sadie, a German Shepherd, from Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge in New Jersey, he may have thought he was rescuing her. But Sadie rescued Brian instead. Correspondent Steve Hartman reports.
For more info:
- Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Oakland, N.J.
MUSIC: Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. continue to let the sun shine in! | Watch Video
Correspondent Nancy Giles goes up, up and away with two of The 5th Dimension's founding members, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., whose music brought joyful harmonies to the tumultuous '60s and '70s, and who will soon release their first studio album in three decades, "Blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons," featuring classic Beatles love songs.
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. perform The Beatles' "Blackbird":
BUSINESS: Female McDonald's employees accuse fast-food chain of abuse, harassment in workplace | Watch Video
Dozens of women have filed complaints alleging workplace abuse, discrimination and harassment by male co-workers at one of America's largest, most iconic fast-food restaurant chains. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty talks with current and former female employees of McDonald's and its franchisees who are speaking out about their claims of serial harassment.
For more info:
- McDonald's
- Gillian Thomas, ACLU Women's Rights Project
- Eve Cervantez, Altshuler Berzon LLP
- Fight for 15
COMMENTARY: Pandemic anniversary – Jim Gaffigan marks one year of lockdown | Watch Video
The comedian ponders the perfect anniversary gift, to mark the passing of a year in which time did NOT fly by.
For more info:
- jimgaffigan.com
- Follow @JimGaffigan on Twitter
NATURE: Snowy Owls (Extended Video)
"Sunday Morning" pays a visit to some snowy owls on Plum Island, Massachusetts. Videographer: Michael Clark.
WEB EXCLUSIVE:
THE BOOK REPORT: Reviews of new releases by Washington Post book reviewer Ron Charles | Watch Video
Washington Post book critic Ron Charles checks out some of the latest titles to recommend, including "Klara and the Sun" by Nobel Prize-winner Kazuo Ishiguro, and "Under a White Sky" by Elizabeth Kolbert.
BOOK EXCERPT: "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro
BOOK EXCERPT: "Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future" by Elizabeth Kolbert
BOOK EXCERPT: "Fake Accounts" by Lauren Oyler
BOOK EXCERPT: "The Committed" by Viet Thanh Nguyen
The Emmy Award-winning "CBS Sunday Morning" is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. Executive producer is Rand Morrison.
DVR Alert! Find out when "Sunday Morning" airs in your city
"Sunday Morning" also streams on CBSN beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET and again at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Full episodes of "Sunday Morning" are now available to watch on demand on CBSNews.com, CBS.com and CBS All Access, including via Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon FireTV/FireTV stick and Xbox.
Follow us on Twitter (@CBSSunday), Facebook, Instagram (#CBSSundayMorning) and at cbssundaymorning.com.
You can also download the free "Sunday Morning" audio podcast at iTunes and at Play.it. Now you'll never miss the trumpet!