CNN Explains

The 2026 elections are almost over, but 2028 campaigns are about to begin. And Democratic presidential hopefuls will be watching the Michigan midterms very closely. CNN's Dana Bash explains just why Michigan is a key swing state.

Deadly pathogens like the plague have killed millions. So why do scientists still keep them around? CNN's Meg Tirrell explains why this research matters - and how it could protect us from potential pandemics or bioterrorism.

A monster El Niño is brewing in the Pacific, threatening to become the strongest on record. CNN explains what's fueling this extraordinary weather phenomenon, and what it could mean for the rest of the year.

CNN's Krishna Andavolu explains how the mystery of AI's black box is at the center of today's uneasy march to superintelligence.

With more than $240M raised, AI-backed super PACs are a major new spender in politics. But what are they buying? From fights over data centers to national policy, CNN follows the money to reveal what AI companies want.

Several mRNA vaccines are in development right now, including ones for different cancers. CNN's Meg Tirrell explains how mRNA technology works - and what it will take to get these vaccines and treatments on the market.

Canada's retaliatory tariffs weren't random. The 15-50% duties on things like plywood, toilet paper and harvesting machines were designed to hurt Republicans in tight midterm races. CNN's Phil Mattingly explains why that might work.

After Trump started a redistricting frenzy last year, some blue states tried - and failed - to counter a wave of red states redrawing maps. CNN's Marshall Cohen explains how Democrats tied their own hands in the gerrymandering wars.

DHS plans to spend up to $20 million outfitting ICE agents with a hand-worn electric shock weapon called G.L.O.V.E. CNN's Krishna Andavolu explains how it compares to widely used less-than-lethal electric weapons like TASER.

Over the last decade, baseball has been reshaped by a rise in pitching velocity-and arm injuries. CNN's Hannah Keyser visits an independent training facility.

The bond market affects everyone. So when rates reached a near 20-year high in August, CNN's David Goldman explains why.

Section 230 created the internet as we know it. It's also protected Big Tech from being held liable when their platforms harm users. CNN's Clare Duffy explains how bipartisan calls for reforming the law could change how we use the internet.

An OpenAI model broke out of its lab environment and hacked AI company Hugging Face. CNN's Krishna Andavolu and Hadas Gold explain how it reached the open internet, what it did, and why current regulations may not prevent it happening again.

Gain-of-function research has helped scientists develop life-saving vaccines and cancer treatments. But as political pressure mounts to ban the practice.

AI data centers aren't just gobbling up water and electricity. They need vast amounts of computer memory to feed AI processors, too. CNN's Krishna Andavolu explains how that's caused the price of many consumer electronics to spike.

Wildfires are raging across Spain, France, Italy, and Canada. CNN's Alex Clark explains how climate change is fueling a new generation of extreme, uncontrollable mega fires.

Polls say parents are worried about risks their kids will likely never face, like kidnapping and being hit by a car. CNN's Gianna Toboni explains how this anxiety could be driving kids toward what many parents fear most: screens.

Nine months after US President Donald Trump laid out his 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, the reality is worlds apart from what was promised. Israel keeps seizing territory and Hamas refuses to disarm. So why hasn't the plan become a reality?

More and more businesses are shifting away from expanding affordable options to focus on premium ones. CNN's Rachel Siegel explains why, despite the affordability crisis, budget options are disappearing.

A string of AI companies has announced plans to go public, with SpaceX - owner of xAI - leading the charge after a historic IPO debut in June. CNN's Hadas Gold explains why these private companies are seeking public equity.

The difference between World Cup glory and defeat can come down to the width of a shirtsleeve or the tip of a knee. That's due to soccer's offside rule. CNN Krishna Andavolu explains its intricacies, origins and ethics.

With the midterms approaching, there are tons of questions and conspiracy theories about how secure US elections really are. CNN's Marshall Cohen traces the system of integrity checks and safeguards that effectively prevent - and catch - voter fraud.

It's a good time to be a billionaire political donor. Decades of Supreme Court cases have eliminated key guardrails keeping political spending in check.

After a supposed "noise demonstration" at a Texas ICE detention facility went awry last year, the DOJ secured convictions for 15 people with a terrorism-related crime.