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.

A type of light therapy popular in skincare could be a game changer for people undergoing IVF. Meet the first dad in the US to use a new device that helps parents bond with their premature babies. A livestream of newborn puppies is so popular in Finland, it had more views last year than the country has people. A new study offers hope for restoring damaged coral reefs. Plus, what a tiny “immortal jellyfish” could teach us about treating age-related illnesses.
Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanco
Producer: Eryn Mathewson
Senior Producer: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Ava Bambuck, Jacqueline Howard, Lacey Russell
Oct 24, 2026
An elections forecaster predicts a bleak midterm outlook for Republicans, as the Trump administration preemptively sues to challenge Alaska’s Senate race. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces plans to demolish a Palestinian neighborhood in the West Bank. First Lady Melania Trump says she secured a limited ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. A Mississippi police officer resigns after fatally shooting a 1-year-old boy. Plus, the World Series kicks off tonight
Oct 23, 2026
Republicans worked hard in 2024 to court young men who were fans of combat sports and certain podcasters. After helping fuel President Donald Trump to victory, there are signs this group has soured on him and may not even vote at all in the midterms. We explore how the party is trying to keep them around and whether Democrats are having any success either.
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Guest: Steve Contorno, CNN Senior Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 23, 2026
President Trump says a Vivek Ramaswamy ad featuring the estranged mom of his democratic opponent is "fair game". Sources tell CNN the Justice Department is investigating misconduct allegations against Trump ally Corey Lewandowski. Ukrainians dispute that Elon Musk has restored Starlink on battlefield. New York City approves ban on horse-drawn carriage rides. And Idaho inmates are growing thousands of native plants to help with wildfire recovery.
Oct 23, 2026
Ohio gubernatorial candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy refuses to pull a controversial ad targeting his opponent despite backlash. A magnitude 7 earthquake shakes China’s Tibet region. Websites worldwide shutdown after AI reveals critical cybersecurity flaws. An 82-year-old democratic senator in Virginia faces racketeering and other charges tied to an alleged marijuana operation. Plus, France reports its first known human case of a virus typically found in livestock.
Oct 22, 2026
Experts say the critical Senate race in Michigan could come down to Black voters in urban areas like Detroit. But is Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed taking this group for granted? Our team travels to Flint to hear from voters about what this outreach looks like.
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Guest: Jeff Zeleny, CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 22, 2026
President Trump links Russia's release of American prisoner to his decision to waive oil sanctions. El-Sayed, Rogers trade personal attacks in final Michigan Senate Debate. Bodycam & surveillance footage released in fatal police shooting of 1-year-old in Mississippi. Meta ordered to pay $25B in one of the largest legal penalties ever for a tech company. Candidate turns campaign sign vandalism into viral ad.
Oct 22, 2026
Vice President JD Vance defends Ohio GOP gubernatorial candidate’s controversial ad against his opponent. A 74-year-old American imprisoned in Russia for more than four years is on his way home, while Russia and Ukraine seem open to talks to end the war in Ukraine. Two new cases of alleged sexual assault at fraternity houses come to light. The Supreme court handed the Trump administration a rare loss on a transgender care policy. Plus, the UN warns a major global climate goal is out of reach.
Oct 21, 2026
A new political ad from Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy featuring his Democratic opponent’s estranged mom telling voters to reject her has even some Republicans decrying dragging a painful family dynamic into the political arena. But in a close race, could the move sway undecided voters? We examine why Ramswamy is doubling down and how it could impact the race in a key battleground state.
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Guest: Patrick Svitek, CNN Politics Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 21, 2026
Vivek Ramaswamy says his campaign is behind an ad that features the estranged mother of his opponent in the Ohio governor's race. New CNN polls give final read on how voters are feeling ahead of pivotal midterm election. Pentagon okays tests of heat ray for potential use at U.S. southern border. Christina Applegate reveals she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis. And an Omaha couple celebrates 30 years of marriage on the airline where they first met.
Oct 21, 2026







