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.

AI executives at the White House. Prosecutor reopens investigation intno Cornell University gang rape allegations. GOP's big spending on Texas Senate race, Closing arguments in Caleb Flynn murder trial after defense called no witnesses. How a Wyoming town went viral for curb paint.
Sep 29, 2026
Mediators are working to revive US-Iran talks despite diplomatic sticking points. An explosive civil lawsuit has forced a fresh look into a gang-rape case at Cornell University. Questions swirl after British police released five men accused of plotting a terror attack at a UK airbase. Experts weigh in on Nvidia’s new tool to keep AI agents in check. Plus, SpaceX's historic Starship flight delivered mixed results.
Sep 28, 2026
The Republican nominee for a powerful statewide office Texas went viral recently for a racist social media post about University of Texas students. But a KFILE investigation is revealing many more extreme online posts in his past where he appeared to call for public executions. We examine what he said and why violent posts are not automatic dealbreakers for some political candidates this cycle.
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Guest: Andrew Kaczynski, KFILE Senior Editor
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Sep 28, 2026
5 arrested on suspicion of terror near UK air base. White House releases third taxpayer-funded ad. 12 teens injured in shootout near skate park. Nor'easter cleanup and flight backlog. Taylor Swift sets VMA record.
Sep 28, 2026
Florida is among the states carrying out the most executions in the US, even as death penalty use and public support declines nationwide. CNN spoke with a former prison warden who oversaw multiple executions about how he is still haunted by his past work in the state and why he believes the practice should be put to an end.
For more: He executed death row prisoners. Then they came back to haunt him
Note: This episode contains graphic descriptions.
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Guest: Rob Picheta, CNN Enterprise Writer
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Sep 27, 2026
Meet the artist blending Punjabi storytelling with country twang. A neuropsychologist reveals why the music of our formative years can have such staying power. A wicked good accent could land a Massachusetts resident a pretty big gig. The championship giving a new generation of girls something to dream about. Plus, a scientist and a comedian walk into a bar… okay, not exactly, but we’ll tell you why they both believe in the power of laughter.
Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanco
Producer: Eryn Mathewson
Senior Producer: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial support: Harmeet Kaur, Don Riddell, Isaac Tellechea
Sep 26, 2026
The Supreme Court revived a citizenship data tool for voter audits. Millions are on alert as a powerful nor’easter unleashes its full fury this weekend. Sources say intel from Chinese groups are helping Iran target US sites. Ukraine’s president says President Donald Trump greenlit a key demand to fend off Russian attacks. Plus, the financial mood in America hasn’t been this grim in decades.
Sep 25, 2026
The Justice Department is planning to dispatch a widening network of poll monitors on Election Day in what it calls the “biggest DOJ election observer effort ‘in history”. Meanwhile, new records reviewed by CNN suggest that several DOJ monitors deployed during this year’s primaries previously helped challenge Trump’s 2020 election loss. We examine how state election officials are responding amid plans by the RNC to scrutinize voting machines.
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Guest: Gabe Cohen, CNN Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Sep 25, 2026
Nor’easter to slam East Coast with flooding, 50 mph winds. Trump hosting Xi for tea, trip to National Archives amid press access fight. NVIDIA CEO talks to CNN about warnings of AI doom. Democratic Alaska Senate Candidate Mary Peltola responds to allegations of abusive behavior toward staff. And grab your tissues, a Minnesota man is auctioning off nearly 400 vintage vehicles in his family's collection.
Sep 25, 2026
Three news outlets were temporarily blocked from entering White House grounds today, causing a chaotic delay. China’s president made his first state visit to the US in nearly a decade. New mortgage rates deliver a fresh blow to homebuyers. A powerful nor’easter is taking shape along the East Coast. Plus, Caleb Flynn’s mistress exposes chilling texts in his murder trial.
Sep 24, 2026






