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.

Another prominent official is getting involved in gang rape allegations at Cornell University. President Donald Trump signed a new order aimed at lowering diesel prices. New York became the first to declare a statewide measles disaster emergency. A wave of massive student protests has France on edge. Plus, the tech push behind a new mega-merger.
Oct 6, 2026
President Donald Trump is in the midst of a weeklong campaign blitz through Trump-friendly territory, trying to beat back Democratic headwinds ahead of Election Day. But will his presence hurt or help GOP turnout? We head to Nebraska to find out.
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Guest: Jeff Zeleny, CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 6, 2026
Trump to stop using taxpayer money for promo ads. Cornell faculty prepare vote of no confidence against administration. Trump approves first military execution by firing squad since WWII. Influential TV evangelist Jim Bakker dies at 86. Robots trained to melt themselves.
Oct 6, 2026
An Israeli airport may have been the target in a suspected hijacking attempt last week. A Russian lab worker’s death is sparking fears of the plague. A new revelation is raising more questions about what Cornell University police shared with prosecutors in a sexual assault investigation. The man convicted of murdering his wife now faces his final sentence. Plus, meet the newest Nobel Prize winners that helped illuminate the deepest mysteries of the human brain.
Oct 5, 2026
As voter skepticism of artificial intelligence and data centers rises, a new CNN analysis finds that millions of dollars are being spent on midterm advertising that appears to include AI-generated content. However, more than two-thirds of that spending has been on ads that didn't disclose using the technology. We break down what to look for and whether the ads could impact the outcome of certain races.
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Guest: Fredreka Schouten, CNN National Political Writer
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 5, 2026
Supreme Court takes on climate change in first case of term. US moves Air Force bombers from UK base after threat. Protests in Japan after US Marine arrested on suspicion of murder. Clinical trial for possible new drug to prevent Ebola infection. Giant pumpkin battles.
Oct 5, 2026
Climate scientists are warning that a super-sized El Niño is laying the groundwork for stronger storms, extreme heat, and potential food supply disruptions in certain parts of the world. But what exactly is this weather phenomenon? And how does climate change fit in? We look at how impacts are already being felt and what the coming months could look like.
For more: El Niño just leveled up to super status. Here’s what that means for the weather
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Guests: Deborah Funai Brown & Ali Van Fleet, CNN Meteorologist
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Eric Zerkel
Oct 4, 2026
At Rikers Island in New York, a book club co-founded by Nora Fried and Julia Fox gives incarcerated women a chance to read, write and feel seen. A robot built from recycled plastic is giving deaf students a new way to learn STEM. Why more people are choosing to start their day with coffee and a rave. A high school science teacher found something paleontologists had never seen before. Plus, meet the youngest player ever to claim the highest women's title in chess.
Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanco
Producer: Eryn Mathewson
Senior Producer: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Paola Ortiz, Steve Tuemmler, Sophia Anderson, Natalie Haytayan
Oct 3, 2026
Voters get their last economic report card ahead of the midterms. The alleged Cornell University gang rape case has turned into an active criminal investigation. Europe is releasing a large amount of its diesel reserves to cool surging fuel prices. The annual Kennedy Center Honors is moving off-site for the first time. And, an update on Christa Pike after surviving lethal injection.
Oct 2, 2026
Democrats still have high hopes of flipping a Senate seat in Maine, even after a scandal brought down their original nominee over the summer. But has that grassroots energy been sapped? And what impact will a ProPublica investigation into Republican Sen. Susan Collins have on her campaign? We dig into one of the key races of this cycle.
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Guest: Patrick Svitek, CNN Politics Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 2, 2026







