CNN 5 Things

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...

This week marks one year since the United States military ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan, which culminated in chaos as the Taliban took control of the country. We reflect on what the last year has been like for the Afghan people as they prepare for a looming hunger crisis. We also examine how some Afghan women are working to continue their education, despite an ongoing ban. Guest: Clarissa W...

Last week, President Biden signed the $750 billion Inflation Reduction Act into law after more than a year of negotiations between Senate Democrats. We break down what’s in the climate portion of the package and how it could help address a drought emergency playing out right now on the Colorado River. Guest: Ella Nilsen, CNN Climate Reporter To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, v...

As monkeypox continues to spread around the US, federal health officials have rolled out a new strategy they say will stretch vaccine supply amid high demand. We break down what you should know about virus and look at why we may have already missed our chance at effectively containing it. Guest: Jacqueline Howard, CNN Health reporter To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn...

We start this episode with the latest from the FBI’s investigation of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. Gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since March this year, below 4 dollars a gallon on average. An 18-year-old and her mother in Nebraska are facing charges over an alleged illegal abortion after police accessed their Facebook messages. A man in the UK has been charged with various terrori...

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched down in Taiwan last week, ignoring warnings from both the Chinese government and the Biden administration. We examine the response from China's military, how the visit could further worsen US-China relations, and what it means for the millions of Taiwanese people caught in the middle. Guest: Will Ripley, CNN Senior International Correspondent To learn more abo...

Former President Donald Trump’s election lies are shaping Republican primary races across the country. Ahead of voting on Tuesday in Arizona, CNN traveled to the state to hear from Republican voters on who they’re backing, if the January 6th hearings are swaying their opinions, and who they want to lead the Republican party going forward. Guest: Donie O’Sullivan, CNN Correspondent To learn more ab...

After months of waiting, families in Uvalde, Texas are finally getting answers about the law enforcement response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. We examine the findings of a Texas House committee report, whether any officers will be held accountable for their inaction, and what Uvalde residents are demanding before the new school year. Guest: Rosa Flores, CNN Correspondent To lear...

Scientists were captivated when NASA released the first images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope, which included images of distant galaxies billions of light years away. We examine what they could tell us about the universe and what else the telescope will be looking for in the years to come. Guest: Ashley Strickland, CNN Space and Science Writer To learn more about how CNN protects listener...

President Biden is scheduled to set out this week on an international trip which includes a stop in Saudi Arabia. We examine why Biden is re-engaging with the kingdom after vowing to make it a ‘pariah,’ and how the reset could have wide-ranging impacts from the Middle East to US gas pumps. Guest: Natasha Bertrand, CNN White House Reporter To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visi...

In the days following the Supreme Court opinion which overturned Roe v. Wade, states have been left to decide how to regulate abortion. We examine the fallout in Missouri, where an abortion ban is forcing patients to travel across state lines for care and pushing local prosecutors to consider whether or not they’ll enforce it. Guest: Alexandra Field, CNN Correspondent To learn more about how CNN p...

In a special extended Sunday edition of the 5 Things podcast, we take a look at a momentous week at the Supreme Court and the far-reaching impacts of two major rulings. First, we examine why the court’s conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade, and what it means for women across the country. Then, in the wake of a major ruling on gun rights, we hear the story of an Oklahoma group that is activ...

Today is Juneteenth, which marks the day in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. We examine the its origins, how it became a federal holiday, and what happens when corporations try to commercialize a holiday Black Americans have been celebrating for over a century. Guest: Don Lemon, CNN Anchor To learn more about how...

After massacres in Uvalde and Buffalo, calls have grown louder to ban or restrict access to AR-15 style rifles. We examine what makes this weapon so lethal, how law enforcement has adjusted its tactics in response, and what Congress may be willing to do to further regulate it. Guest: Josh Campbell, CNN Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn...

This week, the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol is set to kick off a series of high-profile public hearings. We examine what new ground these hearings will cover and look at what remains unanswered about what former President Donald Trump and his allies were doing before and during the riot.  Guest: Ryan Nobles, CNN Congressional Correspondent To learn more...