podcast
CNN 5 Things
We bring you 5 stories that will get you up to speed and on with your day. Updates at 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm Eastern, every weekday.

We start with President Trump’s medical diagnosis for leg swelling. Juul’s tobacco and menthol e-cigarettes can go back on the market. The Trump administration paused research that could improve flood preparedness. The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to advance the nomination of a controversial appointee. Plus, which political party is more motivated for the midterms?
Jul 17, 2025
We begin with massive protests nationwide against President Donald Trump’s controversial policies. Former and current State Department officials warn last week’s mass firings could be dangerous. The US attorney general is touring the former notorious Alcatraz prison after Trump called for its reopening. Pope Leo XIV is reacting to a strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church. And, we’ll tell you where the national voting age could be lowered to 16.
Jul 17, 2025
Democrats are pushing back on an executive order to end collective bargaining rights for federal workers. Water rescues are underway in Kansas City, MO after a month's worth of rain fell in just 12 hours. Suspects have been charged in the murder of a UC Berkeley professor. Americans are still opening their wallets despite President Donald Trump's tariffs. Plus, a 60s pop star who found recent TikTok fame has died.
Jul 17, 2025
Millions of people living along the Gulf Coast are getting ready for severe flooding as a tropical storm approaches. Republicans are racing to get DOGE cuts approved. We'll tell you why the US is set to destroy 500 metric tons of food meant to go to starving people. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing his fifth lawsuit in 2 weeks. Plus, rules could be changing around how much liquid you can take on a flight.
Jul 17, 2025
The Senate has passed $9 billion in cuts for foreign aid and public broadcasting. We’ll tell you why 20 Democratic led states are suing FEMA. A federal prosecutor who’s worked on high profile cases has been fired. A huge fire has killed dozens of people at a commercial building in Iraq. Plus, a debate about cryptocurrency has broken a record.
Jul 17, 2025
We begin with President Donald Trump’s mixed messages on firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. There’s a new law aimed at cracking down on illegal fentanyl. After days of deadly clashes, Syrian government officials and the Druze religious minority announced a ceasefire. An investigation into trade practices marks a deepening spat between the US and Brazil. Plus, “American Idol” producers are mourning the loss of one of their own.
Jul 16, 2025
The Senate has kicked off its voting session on President Donald Trump’s multibillion-dollar DOGE cuts package. Trump doubled down on his dismissal of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Deadly and chaotic scenes broke out at a controversial Israeli and US-backed aid site. Louisiana police chiefs are among those charged in a decade-long scheme. Plus, Mark Zuckerberg faces Meta investors in a Facebook data scandal trial.
Jul 16, 2025
Israel has carried out fresh strikes on Syria’s capital and more could be coming. The Senate is voting to start debating a wide-reaching funding cuts bill. We'll look at what those cuts could mean for PBS and NPR. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired two top aides. Plus, teenagers are talking to artificial intelligence about their problems.
Jul 16, 2025
Russia has hit Ukraine with a massive air attack after President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum. The GOP’s domestic policy bill doesn’t appear to have gone down well with the public. We’ll tell you why workers might end up seeing more healthcare costs. The world’s oldest marathon runner has been killed in a hit and run. Plus, we’ll bring you the highlights from last night’s MLB All-Star Game.
Jul 16, 2025
A high-profile Republican has joined calls for the Trump administration to be more transparent about the Epstein case. 2,000 National Guard members have been released from duty in LA. There’s growing concern about a weather threat along the Gulf Coast. An Arizona House seat looks poised to stay in the family. Plus, AI antisemitism could be here to stay.
Jul 16, 2025