podcast
CNN 5 Things
Monday through Friday get up to speed on the biggest headlines of the day with 5 Things. On Saturdays, get a break for your ears with good news from 5 Good Things. And at noon and Sundays, we take you beyond the headlines to help make sense of what everyone is talking about in politics and beyond with One Thing.

Every election season we hear a lot about the battlegrounds of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan. But what makes these places special? And how are voters there feeling about the midterms? One CNN team has put in many, many hours this week seeing as much as they can – and livestreaming it for everyone.
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Guest: Omar Jimenez, CNN Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Samantha Guff
Oct 30, 2026
Justice Department investigating Texas mystery mailers. Trump cancels 2 rallies in battleground states. Largest heist in history targets world's largest crypto exchange. Doordash buys Instacart. And an epic Halloween light fight.
Oct 30, 2026
A look at the last economic snapshot before the midterms. A new CNN poll shows Democrats within striking distance in four key Senate races. A beloved actor best known for leading two of sci-fi's most iconic franchises has passed away. A Cornell University student challenges Letitia James amid a sexual abuse investigation. Plus, the manhunt for a Tennessee killer stretches across states.
Oct 29, 2026
When President Donald Trump promised to accept the midterm election results this week, he added an important caveat: “if they are honest elections.” While there is no evidence anything dishonest is going on, critics say it’s just the latest example of Trump sowing doubt in an election that could be bad for Republicans. We explore what conspiracy theories are taking hold in Trump’s base and separate fact from fiction around Trump’s claim that the polls are “rigged.”
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Guest: Donie O'Sullivan, CNN Senior Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 29, 2026
Alaska governor launches probe into Peltola senate campaign. New CNN polls in key races. Police in Spain clash with protestors angry over deadly train crash. New study raises alarm about CTE in former NFL players. And, it's a party in Milwaukee as Brewers win first World Series in franchise history.
Oct 29, 2026
The Federal Reserve takes a pause on interest rates after last month’s hike. A deadly high-speed train collision in Spain has killed scores of people and injured dozens. Israel’s election results head toward a political deadlock. An embattled politician is in the US after fleeing his country. Plus, a labor activist and civil rights icon dies at 96.
Oct 28, 2026
Prediction markets have surpassed $1.4 billion in trading volume on the midterms, according to a CNN analysis. What’s driving the big spending? And are fears of insider trading materializing? We dig into Americans’ growing interest in betting on (literally) anything and what it means for our election system.
Note: CNN has a partnership with Kalshi and uses its data to cover major events. But CNN editorial employees aren’t allowed to trade on prediction markets.
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Guest: Marshall Cohen, CNN Senior Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 28, 2026
Source: Trump approved U.S. visa for Brazil's Flávio Bolsonaro who lost election and defied travel ban. Midterm ad spending surpasses all previous election cycles. Netanyahu to lose seats as Israel's election results are still being tallied. El Niño wreaks havoc in CA. And quilters come to the rescue for a high school band who needed 110 uniforms in 2 days.
Oct 28, 2026
President Donald Trump looks to bolster Republicans facing tougher-than-expects contests in the Lone Star State. The FBI searched a mansion tied to former Rep. Eric Swalwell. Alex Pretti’s family says feds are still stonewalling efforts for justice. Defeated candidate Flávio Bolsonaro defies a travel ban amid an active police search. Plus, Jay-Z picks himself to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
Oct 27, 2026
As Israeli voters head to the polls today, the Democratic litmus test over support for Israel is top of mind for voters in the most expensive US House race in the country. Rep. Jared Moskowitz speaks to CNN about why he is not changing his pro-Israel stance despite a nationwide wave of progressive blowback.
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Guest: Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN Senior Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 27, 2026







