CNN White House Access Restored

Summary of CNN White House Access Restored

by CNN Podcasts

8m•September 24, 2026
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Overview of CNN White House Access Restored

This CNN “Five Things” update covers a mix of breaking political, weather, economic, and legal news. The main focus is a court-ordered restoration of CNN’s White House access, followed by coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the U.S., rising mortgage rates, an approaching fall nor’easter, and testimony in an Ohio murder trial.

White House Access Restored to CNN and Other Outlets

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore White House press badges for CNN, Politico, and MS NOW, citing due process concerns.

What happened

  • The judge issued a temporary restraining order just before 1 a.m.
  • The ruling blocked the White House from enforcing its ban on the outlets while the case moves forward.
  • The White House said it had restored access, but reporters from the affected outlets were still initially denied entry that morning.
  • CNN’s Betsy Klein was reportedly turned away before access was later granted.

Legal status

  • The judge denied an emergency request for a hearing after access was eventually restored.
  • The lawsuit will continue on a set timeline.

Xi Jinping’s State Visit to the U.S.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first state visit to the U.S. in nearly a decade.

Key themes from the meeting

  • Xi said the visit was meant to promote friendship and expand cooperation.
  • Both Xi and President Trump emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence in their discussions.
  • Xi reportedly said he hopes the U.S. will oppose Taiwan independence.
  • He also said he hopes the U.S. and Iran return to negotiations soon.
  • A state dinner was scheduled for later that evening.

Mortgage Rates Rise Above 7%

Mortgage rates climbed above 7% for the first time since January 2025, marking the fifth straight week of increases.

Why it matters

  • Higher rates are worsening housing affordability.
  • The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is now well above last year’s level of about 6.3%.
  • Buyers face higher monthly payments and reduced purchasing power.

What’s driving it

  • Rising bond yields are a major factor.
  • Investors are bracing for higher inflation, tied in part to energy-market shocks from the Iran war.
  • Homebuilder stocks have started to weaken as borrowing costs rise.

Rare Early-Fall Nor’easter Threatens the Northeast

A powerful nor’easter is developing off the central East Coast and is expected to affect the Northeast this weekend.

Expected impacts

  • Coastal flooding
  • Rip currents
  • Heavy rain
  • Strong gusty winds

Forecast details

  • The storm is still offshore but is moving north and strengthening.
  • Parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island could see more than a month’s worth of rain by the end of the weekend.
  • The full moon on Saturday could worsen high-tide flooding.

Ohio Murder Trial Testimony

A 24-year-old woman testified again in the murder trial of a former American Idol contestant accused of killing his wife.

Important testimony

  • In an August 2025 text exchange, she told him not to kill his wife and instead get a divorce after he said he was thinking about ways to kill her without going to jail.
  • She said she became suspicious after he told her his wife had been shot by an intruder.
  • On cross-examination, she said she initially told FBI agents she didn’t believe he killed his wife, but later changed her view after getting a lawyer.
  • Prosecutors say the two exchanged more than 100,000 messages in the year before the killing.

Defense position

  • The defense argues the prosecution lacks key evidence, including the murder weapon.
  • The defendant has pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence.

Key Takeaways

  • CNN regained White House access after a judge intervened, but the legal fight is not over.
  • U.S.-China relations remain centered on Taiwan, AI, and broader diplomatic cooperation.
  • Housing affordability is worsening as mortgage rates cross 7%.
  • A rare September nor’easter could bring major coastal flooding and heavy rain to the Northeast.
  • The Ohio murder trial featured damaging testimony about pre-killing conversations and later shifts in witness belief.