60 Minutes Season 40 Episode 35 Episode 35
- May 11, 2008
60 Minutes is a popular investigative journalism television series that has been on air for 54 years, breaking down the most important stories of the week. In Season 40 Episode 35, viewers are taken on a journey through a range of stories that touch on important events impacting the United States and the world.
The episode starts off with a segment about 4-day school weeks being implemented in rural areas of the United States. The report delves into the reasons why this has become such a popular trend and whether it has any impact on student learning.
Next up, the program explores the human cost of the opioid crisis, which has ravaged the U.S. for over a decade, killing tens of thousands of people. Correspondent Bill Whitaker takes viewers to Huntington, West Virginia – a town that has been hit particularly hard by the epidemic. The segment tells the stories of families in mourning and how they're working to raise awareness of the devastating impact of opioid addiction.
The show's third segment takes an in-depth look at the vaccine rollout in the United States and how it's been hindered by the lack of supplies. Journalist Jon Wertheim investigates why the government was seemingly unprepared for this massive undertaking and how frontline workers are struggling to get access to the vaccines.
The episode then moves on to a segment about the impact of the pandemic on working women. Women, particularly those with children, have been hit hard by the pandemic, which has forced many to choose between their jobs and childcare. This report delves into the economic and psychological impact of the pandemic on these women and how they're trying to keep their careers afloat.
The show's final segment takes viewers to the Galapagos Islands, one of the world's most biodiverse areas and a UNESCO World Heritage site. But climate change, overfishing, and tourism are putting the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos in danger. Correspondent Anderson Cooper talks to the scientists and activists working to save the delicate ecosystem, as well as the locals whose livelihoods depend on the tourist trade.
Overall, Season 40 Episode 35 provides viewers with an informative and engaging look at some of the most pressing issues of our time. From the opioid epidemic to the impact of the pandemic on working women, the show seeks to offer an in-depth understanding of these complex topics with the help of leading journalists and experts.