CNN 5 Things

When a series of massive earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria, relief organizations from around the globe sprung into action. Our CNN team got exclusive access to one of these groups, flying in to one of the hardest-hit areas in southern Turkey. We hear what survivors are facing now and how politics are complicating the relief efforts on both sides of the border. Guest: Becky Anderson, CNN Internat...

Calls for police reform have grown louder in the wake of the brutal beating that led to the death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis - especially after we learned that the first police report in the case did not match the video footage released by authorities. We examine why some are calling the quick decision to charge the officers involved a “blueprint” and look at the role specialized crime fighting un...

Earlier this month, the state of Florida announced it would block reject a proposed Advanced Placement course on African American Studies. The move follows laws passed in Florida and other Republican-led states aimed at restricting certain race-based coursework in the classroom, including so-called critical race theory. We examine how students, parents and teachers are reacting to this new era of...

Despite recent rainstorms in California, the decades-long megadrought in the West shows no signs of easing. As a result, some states have been forced to pull back on the water they use from the Colorado River. In this episode, we hear the story of one Arizona community forced to take legal action against the city of Scottsdale after being cut off from its water supply – and why it could serve as a...

When we learned Obama-era classified documents were discovered in multiple locations used by President Joe Biden after his time as vice president, some Republicans were quick to draw comparisons to former President Donald Trump, who is also under investigation for mishandling government documents. But just how similar are the two circumstances? We break down what we know about each case, the speci...

The sports world came to a standstill last Monday night after 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. In this week’s episode, a former NFL player weighs in on the league’s reaction and explains why he thinks this incident represents a turning point in the conversation around player safety and men...

The metaverse. Artificial intelligence. These technologies are here and already shaping our world in ways you may not realize. We take a closer look at how they are taking hold and tackle some commonly asked questions. See more on “Decoded”.  Guest: Anna Stewart, CNN Reporter To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...

Earlier this year, CNN Films and HBO Max released “The Last Movie Stars”, a documentary detailing the love story and careers of legendary Hollywood icons Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Its director, Ethan Hawke, stops by to talk about the film, how streaming has changed Hollywood, and what to watch if you have some downtime this holiday season. “The Last Movie Stars” is now streaming on HBO Max....

Sam Bankman-Fried promised to revolutionize the cryptocurrency industry through his exchange, FTX. Last week, he was arrested and charged with fraud, capping a month-long saga which saw the collapse of FTX along with his personal wealth. We examine how customers' money was allegedly stolen and what it all could mean for the future of the industry. Guest: Allison Morrow, CNN Business Senior Editor ...

Thousands of central North Carolina residents spent much of last week in the dark following an attack on two electric substations. It follows years of warnings from the federal government that the power grid was an attractive target for extremists. We examine how this attack upended daily life and look at what can be done to protect the grid going forward.  Guest: Whitney Wild, CNN Law Enforcement...

China has signaled it may adjust some aspects of its strict zero-Covid policy following a massive show of defiance in cities across the country, with some openly calling for the removal of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. We examine the financial and psychological ramifications of the restrictions and look at whether the protests could force more change. Guest: Selina Wang, CNN International Corresponde...

Over the past few years, once-sleepy local school board meetings have become passionate and occasionally rowdy venues for debate over issues like the pandemic, race, gender and more. We’ve also seen school board elections become more partisan than ever. We hear from two parents about why they decided to run for office and what changes they hope to make while in power. Listen to “The Assignment” he...

Former President Donald Trump has officially kicked off his 2024 presidential campaign amid multiple investigations into him, his business, and his allies. We examine if Trump’s grip on the party has weakened in recent years following his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and look at who may challenge him in the Republican primary.  Guest: Kaitlan Collins, “CNN This Morning” Anchor & Chief Cor...

While votes are still being counted in key states, it’s clear Democrats had a better midterm performance than most were expecting. We examine the biggest surprises and key takeaways for both parties. Guest: John King, CNN Anchor & Chief National Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adch...

As voters go to the polls this week, there are several states with key Senate races that could decide the balance of power in Washington. We go on a tour of these battleground states to unpack the key issues, hear how voters are feeling, and look at why election deniers continue to pose an active threat to democracy.  Guests:  Jessica Dean, CNN Congressional Correspondent  Eva McKend, CNN National...

After months of back and forth, billionaire Elon Musk has finally closed on his $44 billion to buy Twitter. We examine how we got here, what changes are in store for the social network, and why the deal could have implications far beyond Silicon Valley.  Guest: Clare Duffy, CNN Business writer To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad cho...

Thousands have taken to the streets in Iran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died after being detained by the country’s morality police. Hundreds have reportedly been killed by authorities during the unrest. We explore whether the uprising will bring about lasting change and hear from a young Iranian-Kurdish activist who fled her hometown to take up arms over the border in Iraq. Gue...

A new survey from CNN in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that nine out of 10 adults believe that there’s a mental health crisis in the US today. We explore what’s driving that sentiment, the possible solutions, and why an influential task force has recommended screening children 8 and older for anxiety.  This episode contains discussions of suicide. If you or someone you love i...

Over the past few weeks, Ukrainian forces have made major gains in the south and east of the country, taking back territory Russia claims it is annexing. It comes as President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization order has been met with protests back home. We examine what Putin’s next move might be and hear from Ukrainian residents emerging from life under Russian occupation.  Recorded on October...

Residents of southwest Florida are cleaning up after Hurricane Ian slammed into the coast as a deadly Category 4 storm last week, causing catastrophic damage and widespread flooding before later making landfall again South Carolina. We look at what role climate change may have played in the storm’s ferocity and how some cities are reconsidering how to rebuild with that in mind.  Guest: Bill Weir,...

For months, Republican governors have been accused of using migrants as political pawns by sending them north in protest of President Joe Biden’s border policies. In recent weeks, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has escalated the situation by sending two planeloads of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard without warning. We examine why a Texas sheriff is investigating those flights, what’s next for the asy...

Primary season is over, and we are less than 60 days away from the midterm elections. We examine what’s at stake in November, preview the key races to watch and look at how the abortion issue is galvanizing voters of both parties in a key governor’s race. Guest: Dana Bash, CNN Chief Political Correspondent   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more ab...

Queen Elizabeth II died last week at the age of 96, after ruling the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth for 70 years. We examine her life and legacy, what we can expect from King Charles III and how the monarchy moves forward amid criticisms of its colonial past.  Guest: Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief International Anchor To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privac...

In this special edition of 5 Things we take a look at the life of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch who’s passed away at the age of 96. We'll touch on her dedication to public appearances, her condolences in times of crisis and the controversies she faced over the last 70 years. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your...

This episode contains graphic descriptions of gun violence. According to a new analysis provided exclusively to CNN, the number of shootings involving automatic weapons in the US has sharply risen over the past few years. We examine how a small piece of plastic or metal can transform a semi-automatic weapon into a machine gun in a matter of moments and how law enforcement is responding. Guest: Cur...