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

November 16, 2025 19 mins
President Donald Trump has pardoned more than 1,600 people who played significant roles in matters involving him personally across his two terms, including dozens who worked to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Presidents always flex pardon power, so what makes these so unusual? We hear from a constitutional law expert who says part of the answer lies in the man in charge of the review process.  For more: Trump’s pa...
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Hear why this school in Ohio has students speaking up. From painting to songwriting, this veteran helps others heal. A Sydney-based scientist is leading the fight to restore the largest living structure on the planet. The “Tall Tour” and its attendees reach new heights. Plus, this couple fell in love in 1941 – today, they’re world record holders.  Sign up for the CNN 5 Good Things newsletter here.  Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanc...
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We start with President Donald Trump’s apparent shift in strategy in the Jeffrey Epstein controversy. We’ll tell you about the latest clash in the Chicago immigration crackdown. After more than a decade, Walmart is getting a new boss. We explain how tiny bugs gave a father a deadly allergy. Plus, sad news about the former football coach featured in a popular Netflix docuseries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...
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President Donald Trump is deflecting the renewed scrutiny on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein onto other figures. The election interference case against Trump and several allies in Georgia is being revived. The White House is preparing military options against Venezuela, which include strikes on land. Russia and Ukraine have traded severe attacks. Plus, the BBC has responded to Trump’s $1billion lawsuit threat. Learn more abou...
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As the House gets ready for a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein case files, more emails have been released between former Prince Andrew, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The government is now open, but there’s a slew of backlogs at federal agencies. Another high-profile Democrat has been accused by the Trump administration of mortgage fraud. A mosque has been torched and defaced by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Plus...
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We start with where things stand after the end of the longest government shutdown in US history. House GOP leaders are bracing for mass defections on a vote to release Jeffrey Epstein files. We’ll tell you who just joined the legal fight against California’s redistricting efforts. There’re new steps being taken to keep tabs on AI. Plus, a SpaceX competitor marks its first major test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...
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The US government is reopening, but could another shutdown be brewing? Two of President Donald Trump’s political enemies are heading to court in a bid to get their charges dismissed. The Trump administration is eyeing up another change to mortgages. An ammonia leak has led to evacuations and hospitalizations in Oklahoma. Plus, why flights over Thanksgiving weekend are set to be more expensive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
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The longest shutdown in US history is officially over. Meanwhile, food stamp benefits and air travel may take a while to go back to normal. A House vote on releasing the full Epstein case files has been promised for next week. A British journalist detained by ICE for more than two weeks has returned to the UK. Plus, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has been hospitalized. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
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The White House is pushing back against newly released Jeffrey Epstein emails that mentioned the president’s name multiple times. The House is taking a key step toward ending a record-setting government shutdown. A federal judge dealt a blow to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Chicago. The mom of a girl who disappeared nearly a month ago appeared in court today. Plus, it’s curtains for the penny after more than t...
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President Donald Trump is referenced multiple times in newly released emails written by Jeffrey Epstein. House lawmakers are set to vote on a bill to finally end the government shutdown. Trump’s advisers are looking to switch up the president’s messaging on the economy. A popular baby formular brand is recalling its US products following an infant botulism outbreak. Plus, where you can catch a glimpse of the Northern lights tonight...
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A bill to end the government shutdown is edging closer to passing, but people on SNAP benefits are still stuck in limbo. President Donald Trump says the US doesn’t have enough “talented” workers. Venezuela says it’s mobilized troops in the face of American threats. Dozens of Indigenous protestors stormed the COP30 venue in Brazil. Plus, one of Trump’s celebrated peace agreements is coming to an end. Learn more about your ad choices...
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It’s the House’s turn to end the government impasse, but travel chaos may be a hurdle. The top Border Patrol official and his agents may be eyeing new locations to ramp up arrests. We’ll tell you which side a Utah judge is leaning towards in the state’s redistricting fight. What we know about a TikTok influencer brutally killed by armed men. Plus, the news Dallas Mavericks fans have been waiting to hear since the Luka Dončić trade....
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The government shutdown may be ending, but air travel is likely to be impacted for months. The UK is pausing some intelligence sharing with the US over its military strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats. President Donald Trump’s is floating 50-year mortgages. Pakistan’s capital has suffered its deadliest attack in almost 20 years. Plus, why China has removed two of its most popular gay dating apps. Learn more about your ad ch...
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The Senate has passed a deal to end the government shutdown. President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to overturn the verdict that he sexually assaulted and defamed writer E. Jean Carroll. Families of campers and counselors who died in the Texas floods are suing Camp Mystic’s owners. Trump has ramped up his attacks on the BBC. Plus, millions of Americans are facing freezing cold temperatures and snow.   Learn more about y...
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The Senate is expected to vote on a short-term funding bill to reopen the government. President Donald Trump is floating tariff rebate checks again, but could they become reality? The FDA made a pivotal move for women with menopause symptoms. A car explosion in India is under investigation. Plus, Warren Buffett on his future plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Senior Democrats are fuming after several Senators broke ranks to reach a shutdown deal. There’s ongoing confusion over government funding for SNAP benefits. The Supreme Court has decided on whether to revisit its same-sex marriage precedent. Syria’s President Ahmad Al-Sharaa is set to visit the White House today. Plus, we explain why two Cleveland Guardians pitchers have been indicted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
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The longest government shutdown in US history could be ending soon. President Donald Trump has pardoned a long list of allies allegedly involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The Philippines has been hit by a second deadly typhoon in a week. We explain why the editing of a Trump speech led to the resignation of top BBC leaders. Plus, an arctic blast could be on the way to parts of the US today.  Learn more ...
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Ever since Tucker Carlson interviewed White nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, Republicans have been at odds over how to deal with what some see as a growing embrace of hateful voices like Fuentes’ within the party. But experts say voices like his might hold too much sway with young, disaffected Republicans to easily remove from the picture.  For more: Fierce backlash within GOP after Tucker Carlson gives White nationa...
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People step up nationwide to help feed their neighbors who rely on SNAP benefits. New research shows why you should go on walks more often. A forbidden book changed this former prisoner's life – now he's on a mission to bring libraries to prisons nationwide. Find out how goats are helping restore a Tennessee island. Plus, the 2025 Hero Dog of the Year was a stray three years ago.  Sign up for the CNN 5 Good Things newsletter here....
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Congress remains gridlocked over a deal to end the government shutdown as travelers navigate flight cancellations. We’ll tell you the latest Ivy League university to settle with the Trump administration. A controversial Trump ally visited the White House to discuss the war in Ukraine. We explain why ICE is attempting to recruit NYPD officers. Plus, a superstar’s noteworthy absence from the 2026 Grammy nominations.  Learn more about...
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