First Cyclosporiasis Deaths, Cuba Blackout, Reflecting Pool Fallout and more

Summary of First Cyclosporiasis Deaths, Cuba Blackout, Reflecting Pool Fallout and more

by CNN Podcasts

7m•August 3, 2026
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Overview of First Cyclosporiasis Deaths, Cuba Blackout, Reflecting Pool Fallout and more

This CNN 5 Things episode covers a fast-moving set of breaking news stories: devastating wildfires in Washington state, the first reported deaths tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak, political fallout around a Justice Department filing on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, another nationwide blackout in Cuba, and a Senate confirmation update involving Todd Blanche. The episode closes with a promo for Chasing Life, focused on how GLP-1 drugs may affect addiction and reward pathways.

Major News Stories

Washington wildfires

  • Officials say 17 major fires have burned more than 260,000 acres across Washington state.
  • In Spokane County, three large fires have burned 8,000+ acres and were 0% contained at the time of the report.
  • 700 structures have been destroyed, and 10,000+ more are at risk.
  • Authorities say the area looks like a “war zone,” and thousands have evacuated.
  • No confirmed deaths or injuries were reported, but 14 people were unreachable because of communication issues.
  • Dry heat and no rain in the forecast mean the fire threat remains elevated.

First deaths in the cyclosporiasis outbreak

  • CNN reports the first deaths linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak.
  • The deaths occurred in Michigan, and both individuals reportedly had significant underlying health conditions.
  • Officials say the illness is usually not life-threatening, making the fatalities a notable escalation.
  • Michigan has been hit especially hard, with roughly 1 in 1,000 residents affected so far.

Todd Blanche and the Senate

  • Two key Republican senators reportedly plan to support Todd Blanche for a permanent role after initially threatening to block him.
  • The dispute centered on Blanche’s moves to rescind a Trump-backed anti-“weaponization” fund and adjust related immunity issues.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee was expected to vote the next day.

Cuba’s sixth nationwide blackout of the year

  • Cuba experienced its sixth nationwide blackout this year after the country’s electric grid collapsed late Sunday.
  • State media said restoration efforts were underway.
  • The outage underscores Cuba’s ongoing energy crisis, which has worsened amid long-term infrastructure problems and reduced fuel supplies.

Reflecting Pool fallout and Jeanine Pirro

  • President Trump is reportedly considering removing Jeanine Pirro over a Justice Department filing concerning the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
  • The filing said the problem came from a flawed renovation, not vandalism.
  • The DOJ previously dropped its criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn, who had been accused of vandalizing the pool.
  • Trump publicly criticized Pirro, saying she made a mistake and “choked,” while a senior official said he was blindsided by the filing.

Key Takeaways

  • Wildfire danger remains severe in Washington, with major damage and no immediate relief in sight.
  • The cyclosporiasis outbreak has turned more serious with the first reported fatalities.
  • Political and legal fallout continues over both Trump-aligned Justice Department decisions and the Reflecting Pool case.
  • Cuba’s power grid remains fragile, with repeated blackouts highlighting a deepening infrastructure crisis.

Podcast Promo / Additional Segment

Chasing Life teaser

  • The episode ends with a promo for Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Chasing Life.
  • The upcoming discussion explores how GLP-1 medications may affect:
    • cravings and reward systems,
    • addictive behaviors,
    • and possibly broader changes in human behavior.
  • The guest is Dr. Dhruv Kular, who has observed effects on cravings firsthand.