07/26/2026: Vaccine Court, Chess Boxing, Amy Sherald

With vaccinations increasingly a point of political tension, correspondent Jon Wertheim reports on the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program – a “no fault” vaccine court that balances the public health benefits of widespread vaccination with rare cases of harm to individuals. Founded in the 1980s, the program has paid out billions of dollars to thousands of Americans. Denise Schrier Cetta is the producer. Brains meet brawn in the world of chess boxing, a sport in which competitors face off on the chess board and also in the boxing ring. Chess boxers win by checkmate or knockout — whichever comes first. Correspondent Bill Whitaker reports from the World Chess Boxing Championships in Serbia and meets Team USA as they go for gold. Heather Abbott is the producer. Correspondent Anderson Cooper profiles painter Amy Sherald, best known for her portrait of Michelle Obama. He traces her rise from obscurity to becoming one of America’s most celebrated living artists. Sherald explains why she canceled her own career retrospective at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, and reflects on the resilience behind her vibrant, optimistic work. Graham Messick is the producer.