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.

With six months of midterm primaries in the books, what can the results tell us about how Election Day might play out? We dig into the trends and the surprising data around fears of Democratic socialism.
---
Guest: Aaron Blake, CNN Senior Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Sep 16, 2026
Deadly news chopper crash in California. Trump berates lone Democrat on Kennedy Center board. New organization launches to help Dems who run on reining in AI. Ed Sheeran's opening acts quit as he and Robert Kraft speak out on Macklemore controversy. The next chapter for the "Into The Wild" bus.
Sep 16, 2026
Another measles death, the most in US in decades. The latest developments in the Kennedy Center’s name change saga. There’s a major update in the case against Nick Reiner, accused of killing his parents. The FBI director clashed with lawmakers in a heated hearing today. Plus, the US just took national defense to orbit.
Sep 15, 2026
Alaska finds itself at number five in the most recent CNN ranking of Senate seats most likely to flip in 2026. But what is driving Democratic enthusiasm in this reliably red state? CNN hopped on to a dog sled and fishing boat to find out.
---
Guest: John King, CNN Chief National Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Allie Malloy, Ish Estrada, Riane Lumer
Sep 15, 2026
Tuesday, the Supreme Court shuts down mail-in ballot changes and says that states can proceed as usual. The Trump administration is rolling back Biden-era regulations on power plant pollution. Senator McConnell is back on the Senate floor after a three month absence due to health issues. A baby born from 22-year-old frozen embryo to a couple in their 50s. One last thing, history was made on TV's biggest night at the Emmys.
Sep 15, 2026
President Donald Trump is downplaying growing calls for new AI safety checks. States have sued to stop a rule that would make it harder for some immigrants to get green cards. Kennedy Center officials warn the institution is on the brink of bankruptcy. President Trump urges his Ukrainian counterpart to stop targeting Russia’s diesel fuel sites. Plus, an iconic designer, who made stars sparkle, has died.
Sep 14, 2026
As the Trump administration pushes ahead with an investigation into alleged voter fraud, some election officials are warning their proposed rules around mail-in-ballots would be unworkable and critics fear scores of voters could be disenfranchised in the process. Today, we look at how President Trump may be trying to put his thumb on the election scale through government agencies like the USPS and the Commerce Department.
For more: Trump’s Commerce Secretary under pressure to use his powers to block voting machines
---
Guest: Gabe Cohen, CNN Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Sep 14, 2026
Anthropic CEO responds to AI fears in CNN interview, Pilot shot down over Iran details his harrowing April rescue, Measles-related death confirmed amid Pennsylvania outbreak, Congressman's makes emergency landing in a lake, Therapy dog for your trip to the dentist.
Sep 14, 2026
A combination of extreme drought and aging infrastructure is contributing to an ongoing water crisis in Puerto Rico, putting strain on 3.2 million Americans who are facing a daily struggle for necessities like clean, running water. We travel to the island to hear how residents are coping and why they say they feel left behind by their government.
For more: In Puerto Rico, even when it doesn’t rain, it pours
---
Host: David Rind
Reporter/Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Ava Bambuck, Isabel Rosales
Sep 13, 2026
The spirit of unity that followed 9/11 became an annual tradition that’s still bringing Americans together 25 years later. We highlight some of the barrier-breaking performances inspiring the next generation of tennis players at this year’s US Open. A temporary city on the Crow reservation in rises Montana each summer for one of America’s largest Native American gatherings. Millions of people follow the journey of one Chicago man who turned sticker shock into a side hustle for an engagement ring...Show more. A group of college students built a solar-powered ambulance that could bring healthcare to communities far off the grid.
Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanco
Producer: Eryn Mathewson
Senior Producer: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Amy Gunia, Rachael Scott
Sep 12, 2026





