CNN 5 Things

CNN 5 Things

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

Episodes

December 31, 2025 6 mins
2026 will bring changes to healthcare premiums and SNAP benefits in some states. The government has frozen federal child care payments in Minnesota. We explain why Israel is threatening to suspend aid groups in Gaza. California will be ringing in the new year with more heavy rain. Plus, $400,000 worth of seafood has been stolen in New England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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We start with the untimely death of President John F. Kennedy's granddaughter. The FBI and DHS are investigating fraud allegations in Minnesota. A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's latest attempt to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Foreign ministers from 10 countries have issued a call to action in Gaza. Plus, we explain what’s behind the rapid spread of two contagious illnesses. Learn more about you...
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The US struck its first target inside Venezuela earlier this month. President Donald Trump has wrapped up two days of diplomacy with Israel and Ukraine’s leaders. We explain how a viral video by a led to a surge of police presence in Minnesota. More artists are cancelling their appearances at the Kennedy Center. Plus, this iconic musician has reached a financial milestone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...
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President Donald Trump praised his meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister, even as disagreements remain. The president also shared an update on the US’ campaign against Venezuela. China is conducting “major military drills” around Taiwan. A second pilot has died after a midair helicopter crash in New Jersey. Plus, weeks after an epic knock out, a British boxing star is injured in a tragic accident. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
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We start with how peace talks fared between President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s leader in Florida. A winter storm is causing travel disruptions across large parts of the US. An investigation is underway after two helicopters crashed midair in New Jersey. A train has derailed in Mexico. Plus, it’s time to wave goodbye to this New York staple.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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If you binge-watched “The Diplomat” or “Death by Lightning” this year, you’re not alone. These politics-centric dramas have united audiences at a time when real-life politics can feel toxic and fractured. Why is this genre so resilient? And could Washington, DC itself become a new home for Hollywood storytelling? We hear from someone who is banking on it. ---  Guest: David Beaubaire, Founder & CEO, Sunset Lane Media  Host: David...
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The free travel program that helps American students discover unfamiliar parts of the US is expanding in a big way. This nature reserve in Tennessee is seeing new growth, thanks to goats. CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta recaps the hopeful progress made this year on the procedure that could save countless lives. This year’s CNN Hero of the Year is proving flowers can be powerful in more ways than one. This state has a drunk driving problem –...
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We start with a winter snowstorm warning for millions across the Northeast and in California. We’ll tell you what the US is saying about its strike on ISIS in Nigeria. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he plans to meet with President Donald Trump on Sunday. A mother charged in the killing of her nine-year-old daughter appeared in court today. Plus, authorities are investigating who’s responsible for an explosion at a Syri...
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We explain why the US ordered strikes on ISIS in Nigeria. California’s governor has declared a state of emergency in several counties, including Los Angeles. Ukrainian and US negotiators discussed a potential peace deal on Christmas Day. Scores of House Republicans are leaving to run for governor. Plus, why President Donald Trump’s Christmas message had a not-so-festive tone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c...
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We start with the latest discovery of an additional one million documents related to Jeffery Epstein. A new CNN poll reveals what Americans wish they could say to their political leaders. The suspect in the National Guard shooting faces new federal charges. We explain why Israel’s global standing on gender equality has declined. Plus, the latest front in the battle over transgender rights and medical care.  Learn more about your ad...
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Although not accused of any criminal wrongdoing, President Donald Trump’s name is mentioned many times in the latest release of the Epstein files. The Supreme Court has delivered a blow to the Trump administration’s immigration agenda. A month's worth of rain is set to be dumped on parts of California. Authorities have made a breakthrough in the search for missing nine year-old Melodee Buzzard. Plus, the government will start garni...
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President Donald Trump and other names appear in the latest released batch of Epstein files. We'll break down new economic data that show a mixed economic picture. The Supreme Court has made a decision on National Guard deployment to Chicago. Emergency crews are responding to a tragedy at a Pennsylvania nursing home. Plus, we explain how a pulled “60 Minutes” episode reached a worldwide audience. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
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A strike on another suspected drug trafficking boat in the Pacific is again escalating tensions between US and Venezuela. Five people are dead after a plane crash off the coast of Texas. The FDA has approved a pill version of Wegovy. President Donald Trump made his first public comments on the latest release of the Epstein files. Plus, the Kansas City Chiefs are leaving Kansas City, Missouri. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
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President Donald Trump unveiled a new class of Navy battleships. We have the latest blow to the US offshore wind industry. New storms are prompting evacuations in parts of California. We’ll tell you why Barry Manilow rescheduled his upcoming concert dates. Plus, Paramount beefs up its bid for CNN's parent company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The US is pursuing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The Justice Department’s release of the Epstein files is causing widespread criticism. We explain why the pulling of an episode of “60 minutes” has caused internal turmoil at CBS. Police in Australia say the suspected Bondi Beach gunmen threw bombs into the crowd which did not go off. Plus, another famous institution in Paris has been robbed. Learn more about your ad choi...
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President Donald Trump’s second term has been norm-busting and extraordinarily consequential, but cracks are starting to form in Trump’s base. As 2025 comes to a close, we take stock of whether his political pull is reaching its limit and how discontent with his policies could shape the midterms.  For more: Americans have a new thing to worry about: A stuck job market with no quick fix  ---  Guest: Aaron Blake, CNN Senior Report...
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The Happiness Factory brings holiday cheer to people who need it most. An elementary school in Fort Worth, Texas couldn’t afford their annual Christmas gifts for its students, until TikTok made the magic happen. These sisters live far away from each other, but this holiday tradition brings them back together. This group believes Santa comes in every color. Plus, how many mistletoe-kissing couples does it take to make history? Learn...
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The Justice Department just released a massive portion of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. We’ll tell you about the US military’s operation in Syria. Investigators face steep challenges trying to piece together a motive in the Brown University shooting. More pharmaceutical companies are joining President Donald Trump’s push to lower drug prices. Plus, an update on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Learn more about your ad choice...
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There are questions over whether all the files related to Jeffrey Epstein will actually be released tonight. A powerful storm is causing flight delays and knocking out power for millions in the Northeast. We explain how an anonymous reddit post helped track the suspected Brown University shooter. The EU has announced a funding package for Ukraine. Plus, we’ll tell you why President Donald Trump’s “Patriot Games” are being compared ...
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We begin with news that the Brown University shooting suspect has been found. The US has carried out more strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Pacific Ocean. In a CNN Exclusive, we tell you about some planned changes to vaccines for children in the US. Australia’s prime minister has announced a plan to buy back hundreds of thousands of guns. Plus, the US-based TikTok app is inching closer. Learn more about your ad choic...
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