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.

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
NY AG Letitia James assigned to Cornell case. Hero FlyDubai pilot speaks out from his hospital bed. New polls show tight Senate races as Trump hits campaign trail. Kennedy Center losing pledges after Trump's name added. And, adopted man learns his biological dad is a 5-time Grammy winner and rock legend.
Oct 2, 2026
New details emerge about how Flydubai passengers and crew stopped a mid-flight attack. The Supreme Court is reviewing a key part of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy. The latest arrest in connection with an alleged terror plot targeting a UK airbase. The family of a woman killed by ICE in Minneapolis is suing the Trump administration. Plus, the latest on Rick Ross’ arrest.
Oct 1, 2026
As President Donald Trump hits the midterm campaign trail, history suggests he will exaggerate facts and figures or flat-out lie as he speaks to Republican voters. Can we learn anything from those lies? Our fact-checker weighs in after a decade of covering Trump.
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Guest: Daniel Dale, CNN Senior Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Molly English
Oct 1, 2026
Hero plane passengers thwart attacker. Failed Tennessee Execution attempt. Becerra and Hilton spar at California governor's debate, Hegseth launches new autonomous warfare command. Pain-free tattoos.
Oct 1, 2026
Chaos erupted aboard an Israel-bound Flydubai flight. The US military has officially completed its long-awaited exit from Iraq. The UK’s prime minister believes Iran played a part in an alleged terror plot targeting an airbase. A federal appeals court paused what would’ve been Tennessee's first execution of a woman in 200 years. Plus, a Republican effort to curb soaring costs from data centers failed.
Sep 30, 2026
With just days before voters receive mail-in ballots, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton will face off tonight in a California gubernatorial debate, hosted by CNN. We explore the issues motivating voters and what the dynamics in California can tell us about the national midterm picture.
For more: What to watch in CNN’s California governor race debate
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Guest: Elex Michaelson, CNN Anchor & Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Jen Buesinger Sperry
Sep 30, 2026






