CNN 5 Things

Strait of Hormuz Tensions, Illinois Primary Battle, Sprawling Storm and more

Countries are responding to President Donald Trump’s demand for help protecting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump administration officials are also criticizing the news media’s coverage of the war with Iran. The Democratic primary race for Illinois Senator Dick Durbin’s seat is heating up. New research suggests AI is giving some teens bad diet advice. Plus, we’re tracking a powerful storm hitting the east. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Trump Urges Europe to Send Ships to Strait of Hormuz, TSA Agents Quit Amid DHS Shutdown, Oscars History and more

President Trump is demand that China and Europe send ships to help open the Strait of Hormuz.  Airline CEOs urge Congress to fund DHS to avert airport chaos.  The Kennedy Center board is scheduled to meet amid leadership overhaul.  ‘One Battle After Another’ tops the Oscars with six wins. Plus, the NCAA Basketball tournament field is set. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

One Thing: After DOGE Cuts, The Government Is Hiring Again. Will Anyone Bite?

Last year, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency took a chainsaw to the federal government, slashing jobs and cutting programs in the name of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. While it did not reduce spending, current and former government officials tell CNN that some of the cuts are hampering government readiness amid the Iran war. Now, the government is looking to ramp up hiring again – but only with workers who align with the Trump administration’s priorities. We hear from a former federal worker about how last year’s cuts impacted her, and from an expert who says he's concerned about adding more political appointees to the mix.  For more: ‘A shell of our former self’: How Trump and Musk’s spending cuts are hampering US government readiness amid the Iran war [https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/10/politics/doge-government-spending-cuts-iran-war]  ---  Guests: Melissa Patsalides & Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service President and CEO  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Tami Luhby Photo: Allison Robbert/AFP/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

5 Good Things: Following the Tracks of a Tiger Comeback

A legendary US Paralympian adds to her medal collection. CNN trekked deep into Thailand’s jungles [https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/world/video/thailand-tigers-wildlife-conservation-missiontiger-hnk-spc] to follow the surprising journey of a young tiger that’s giving conservationists hope. How the singer behind the hit song from “K-Pop Demon Hunters” reinvented herself after rejection. A car salesman found a way to stand out at his job, and his videos have gone viral. Plus, college students nationwide are training puppies with a purpose [https://www.guidedog.org/].   Sign up for the CNN 5 Good Things newsletter here. [https://www.cnn.com/newsletters]  Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanco  Producer: Eryn Mathewson   Senior Producer: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Allison Cho, Coy Wire, Will Ripley, Rosanna Philpott, Xavian Wu  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Iran War Death Toll Climbs, Judge Blocks Powell Subpoenas, New Medical Guidance and more

We start with the rising death toll on civilian and military personnel in the war, as protests against the US and Israel take place across Iran. A federal judge has thrown a wrench into the Justice Department’s investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. New details are emerging about the man who plowed into a Michigan synagogue. A deadly shooting at a Virginia university is now being investigated as terrorism. Plus, we tell you why millions more people may be advised to take cholesterol-lowering medication.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]