podcast
CNN 5 Things
We bring you 5 stories that will get you up to speed and on with your day. Updates at 6am, 12pm, and 6pm Eastern, every weekday.

We lay out President Donald Trump’s options for Iran as the death toll grows massively. US inflation remained higher than expected last month. We have new details about Minnesota’s lawsuit against the federal government over its immigration crackdown. The BBC is looking to dismiss Trump’s defamation claim against it. Plus, we’ll tell you which countries have banned Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot.
Jan 13, 2026
President Donald Trump says he’ll slap tariffs on countries that do business with Iran. We explain what’s in the lawsuits Minnesota and Illinois are bringing against the federal government. A senior Trump administration figure is not happy with the probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The DOJ has fired a top prosecutor at the office behind the case against former FBI director James Comey. Plus, Paramount’s latest move to force a hostile takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Jan 13, 2026
We start with Minnesota’s legal action against the Trump administration on the federal immigration crackdown. We’ll tell you how President Donald Trump is threatening Iran and any country that does business with the country. The DOJ’s probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell draws backlash from some Republicans. A critical leader is set to visit the White House this week. Plus, we have new details on the arson suspect accused of starting the Mississippi synagogue fire.
Jan 12, 2026
Hundreds of people have been killed as protests in Iran enter a third week. There’s a massive surge of federal agents heading to Minneapolis. Wall Street has reacted to the Trump administration’s criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. We tell you why thousands of New York City nurses could go on strike today. Plus, a leadership change could be on the horizon for Gaza.
Jan 12, 2026
More than 500 people have died during anti-government demonstrations in Iran. Hundreds more immigration officers are heading to Minneapolis, as the city held mass protests over the weekend. The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation against Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve. Mississippi’s largest synagogue has been destroyed by a fire. Plus, we’ll tell you the big winners at last night’s Golden Globes.
Jan 12, 2026
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this week in a case that could decide whether states may ban transgender students from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity. It comes as President Donald Trump has moved to punish institutions that are inclusive of trans athletes. We break down the legal case and hear from a transgender former college athlete who says this is about way more than a game.
For more: Do transgender women have an athletic advantage? Here’s what the science does – and doesn’t – say
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Guests: Mayumi Berry, former NCAA athlete & John Fritze, CNN Supreme Court Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Jan 11, 2026
A health and fitness expert shares how to make healthy habits stick long after January. A chef’s intuition saved a longtime customer who stopped showing up. This highway is made of recycled tires. Meet the Catholic priest preaching in unexpected places. Plus, a specialized court helps veterans heal through recovery, mentorship, and second chances.
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Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanco
Producer: Eryn Mathewson
Showrunner: Faiz Jamil
Senior Producer: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Demetrius Pipkin, Jeff Winter
Jan 10, 2026
We begin with new video capturing pivotal moments surrounding an ICE agent’s fatal shooting in Minneapolis. President Donald Trump met with energy executives about plans to overhaul Venezuela’s oil industry. Flu and measles cases are surging in parts of the US. We have an update on the Swiss resort bar hit by a deadly fire on New Year’s Day. Plus, a key change to Elon Musk’s AI chatbot amidst a deepfake controversy.
Jan 9, 2026
Two US cities are on edge after separate shootings involving ICE agents. December’s job numbers are weaker than expected. We explain why the US has canceled a second wave of attacks on Venezuela. Iran is facing its most serious anti-regime protests in years. Plus, Luigi Mangione is back in court, as his lawyers fight for him to avoid the death penalty.
Jan 9, 2026
There’s been another shooting by border patrol agents, this time in Portland, Oregon. Meanwhile, the investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an ICE agent is raising concern. Five Democrat-led states are suing the Trump administration over the freezing of billions of dollars in funding. Russia has attacked Ukraine with one of it's most advanced weapons. Plus, new research on what happens after you stop taking weight loss drugs.
Jan 9, 2026






