podcast
CNN 5 Things
We bring you 5 stories that will get you up to speed and on with your day. Updates every weekday morning, midday and evening. Plus, 5 Good Things and One Thing on the weekends.

We start with what US intelligence believes could be Russia’s next move and how it could test NATO’s unity. President Donald Trump is weighing in on the GOP’s prospects in the November midterms. The Senate has passed a major bill in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Three men are expected to return to Mississippi’s Horn Island, in an unofficial effort to investigate a Black teen's death. Plus, a federal appeals court has ruled on the legality of President Trump’s new White House ballroom.
Aug 7, 2026
A key Republican senator says he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general. The July jobs report is out, and it isn’t pretty. A deadly school shooting rocks Thailand. A new defense pact involving Saudi Arabia is taking shape in the Middle East. And a major water source in the Southwest is in major trouble.
Aug 7, 2026
The Washington state arson suspect tells police he started two dozen more fires. Growing calls from GOP senators for Ohio Rep. Max Miller to resign. The DOJ is reviewing Senator Rand Paul’s referral to charge Dr. Anthony Fauci with contempt of Congress. A New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $567 million into a youth mental health fund. Plus, a 97-year-old breaks her own wing walking world record.
Aug 7, 2026
We start with the latest tensions ramping up in the Middle East as Iran finalizes a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell gave an update on his recovery from a fall at his home in June. The weather may present some challenges for fire crews in Washington State this weekend. Threats have been made against people tied to a Black teen’s death investigation. Plus, SpaceX faces another crucial test on Wall Street.
Aug 6, 2026
Republicans vote to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress – we'll explain why. The FDA has approved the country’s first mRNA flu vaccine. President Trump says the military has plenty of weapons at the ready, but reporting suggests otherwise. UK regulators rubber-stamp the mega merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery (CNN’s parent company) - but hurdles remain stateside. And after abandoning a controversial plan to privatize the World Cup, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino appears safe in his job – for now.
Aug 6, 2026
President Trump attacks Abdul El-Sayed after MI primary win. Perez Hilton hospitalized after disturbing livestream. North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards abandons re-election bid after ethics report. A company is selling private plane seats to escape hurricanes. Plus, a Memphis TV anchor takes a viral sleeping moment in stride.
Aug 6, 2026
We start with mixed messages on plans for the future of a critical waterway in the Middle East. A progressive nominee traded attacks with his GOP rival after a major Senate primary in Michigan. We have an update on a program that temporarily protected Haitians from deportation. The Senate has confirmed the CDC’s first official leader in a year. Plus, why a livestream had police show up at a celebrity’s home.
Aug 5, 2026
The progressive wing of the Democratic Party continues to build momentum after Abdul Al-Sayed squeaks out a primary win in Michigan in a key race for Senate control. Another artificial intelligence agent went way off script during a cybersecurity test. The FAA is investigating an air safety incident involving President Donald Trump’s Marine One helicopter. A Republican congressman up for re-election throws in the towel after an ethics panel investigation. And Disney teams up with TikTok – we’ll explain how it could impact what you see on your ‘For You’ page.
Aug 5, 2026
The Michigan Senate primary is still too close to call. A man has been arrested outside the Trump golf course in California. Ohio Rep. Max Miller denies abuse allegations in a CNN interview. Chipotle pulls jalapeños from some stores amid a salmonella outbreak probe. Plus, a Florida steakhouse offers a nude dining night.
Aug 5, 2026
We start with a progress report on Qatar’s latest efforts to broker an agreement between the US and Iran. The House Ethics Committee says it’s investigating a series of allegations involving Ohio Rep. Max Miller. The White House is meeting with top AI companies to discuss a new framework for reviewing advanced AI models. Los Angeles County Fire officials released a report detailing the cause of the deadly 2025 Eaton Fire. Plus, we’ll tell you why NASA isn’t worried about a SpaceX rocket that’s expected to crash into the moon.
Aug 4, 2026







