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The Story Is with Elex Michaelson
Houthi Threat Puts Mecca Defense Agreement To The Test; Iranian Foreign Min.: Choice On Seven-Day Plan Rests With U.S.; White House Bars CNN From Covering Trump's Tennessee Trip. Aired 1-2a ET
Aired September 26, 2026 - 01:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Story Is with Elex Michaelson.
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: I am Elex Michaelson, live in Los Angeles, where it's 10:00 p.m.
Coming up, "The Story Is", a red carpet send-off, several days of pageantry and praise for Xi Jinping now over. What actually came from the days of the U.S. and China meetings?
"The Story Is", two massive storms, an enormous and already destructive nor'easter crashing into the East Coast right now, while yet another hurricane bears down on the Hawaiian Islands. Meteorologist Tom Skilling standing by live in Hawaii.
And "The Story Is", midterms, less than 40 days to go. We take a look at why many candidates are avoiding the debate stage spotlight. Our political panel is here.
But let's start in Washington, where President Trump has wrapped up a landmark state visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The two leaders saying they could meet in person two more times this year. Trump and Xi trading niceties Friday, as the Chinese leader concluded his first visit to Washington in more than a decade. They extended a trade truce and talked about working together to address the risks of A.I. President Trump says they also discussed the U.S. war with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. The two also visited the National Archives with their wives to view the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, as the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary. The visit putting the founding documents of American democracy on display for China's autocratic leader.
Inside the rotunda, President Trump stopping to speak with reporters about the two countries' histories.
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DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We're just comparing, ours goes 250 years, which is great, and we're proud of it, but theirs goes 6,000 years. So, there is a little difference between 6,000 and 250, but we're very proud of our 250.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: President Trump -- TRUMP: Oh, everything. We had a great meeting. We had a really great
meeting. Great for everybody. Great for the farmers. Great for everybody.
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MICHAELSON: Meantime, Iran is offering a potential new path forward to end the war with the U.S. Iran's foreign minister says the country's seven-day plan would see the Strait of Hormuz reopen on day six, and that on day seven, Iran and Washington would restart talks towards a so-called final deal, but before that can happen, both sides would need to return to the conditions outlined in the memorandum of understanding from last summer. At the United Nations on Friday, Iran's foreign minister said the choice is now up to the Trump administration.
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ABBAS ARAGHCHI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: Iran has conveyed to the United States, through Qatar, a concrete seven-day plan. If the necessary conditions are met, the strait can be reopened, a normal maritime passage restored within seven days. The choice now rests with the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, Reuters says that Saudi Arabia has shot down multiple Houthi drones and missiles in recent hours, including some headed for its capital of Riyadh. That happens as the Houthi strikes are putting a military agreement between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia to the test. Military leaders from the three countries met in Riyadh on Friday amid growing Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia. Last month, those countries signed the Mecca Joint Military Agreement, which says an attack on any of them is an attack on all of them. The military leaders condemned recent Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and discussed how to bolster their defense cooperation.
Joining me now live is Ryan Crocker, the former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria. Thanks so much for joining us from the region. Mr. Ambassador, this Turkey-Pakistan deal supporting Saudi Arabia, what's the impact of that?
RYAN CROCKER, FMR. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, PAKISTAN, & SYRIA: I think it's mainly symbolic at this stage, Elex. The meeting on Friday showed solid political support, and the fact that those in the room were all in uniform, I think, signaled that. That said, I would not expect any of those three countries (TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY) join Saudi Arabia in a military response, at least not at this stage.
MICHAELSON: Of course, you are joining us from Pakistan right now. The other big story, of course, is in Iran. We just heard that idea of a seven-day plan for the strait to reopen. Is that a serious plan?
CROCKER: I haven't seen the plan in any detail, Elex. I think it comes down to whether there can be an arrangement for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without conditions or restrictions, in other words, no permissions granted by Iran or fees imposed by Iran, and to treat that for the lifting of the U.S. blockade on the Iranian coast, in other words, return to the MOU of June.
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I don't know if the Iranian memorandum holds that out, but I think that's the only possible deal that would work.
MICHAELSON: And lastly, we had an entire week at the United Nations. All the leaders from around the world, including the United States and Iran, came to New York. After all that, are we closer to a deal with Iran?
CROCKER: Well, certainly no. In the next couple of days, there is no indication that there will be real concrete movement. (TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY) the American president and the Iranian president. At the same time, there were brokered changes between the U.S. and Iran (TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY). So, we'll have to see.
MICHAELSON: Ryan Crocker joining us from Islamabad, Pakistan, where it is now Saturday morning. Thanks so much for being with us. Hope you have a great weekend.
CROCKER: Thank you.
MICHAELSON: CNN and the White House press corps facing a new challenge from the Trump administration. The White House says it is banning CNN from flying on Air Force One in the hours ahead as President Trump heads to Tennessee. CNN was scheduled to serve as the T.V. pool for the trip. This comes after a judge blocked the White House from enforcing a ban on CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO.
CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter picks up the story. Hey, Brian.
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BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST (on camera): Well, here we go again. Yes, the Trump White House has barred CNN from fulfilling its T.V. pool duties on Saturday. This means there will be no pooled T.V. coverage of the president's trip to Tennessee. He is heading there for a college football game between the University of Tennessee and the University of Texas. I know that doesn't sound like the most important, most newsworthy presidential event, but what's at stake here is a very important principle, a principle about press freedom. Past U.S. presidents have not tried to control news coverage the way Trump is trying to do right now.
So, there is a very slippery slope aspect to this situation. Last week, as you know, Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House grounds, and then that federal judge ordered the ban to be reversed temporarily. So, now it seems the president is looking for other ways to punish a news outlet he dislikes, and yes, it happens to be this network, but it could be some other outlet on some other or any other day. Litigation over Trump's original ban is ongoing, and it's not immediately clear if this latest development will be folded into that case. Basically, CNN was back at the White House on Thursday and Friday,
thanks to that judge's ruling, but the administration then left CNN off its weekend coverage plan on Friday night, even though CNN is scheduled to be the T.V. pool. The five major T.V. networks in the U.S. take turns as the pool, sharing video feeds and information with the others and with a huge array of other outlets, from local news stations to The New York Times to international broadcasters.
So, here is what the press freedom group "Reporters Without Borders" said about this earlier in the week, when the news outlets first sued over the ban, quote, "The administration has disrupted a system that allows people all around the world to follow what the American president says and does. Trump cannot ban the media just because he doesn't like the coverage he gets." But he is apparently going to keep trying to. A president with record low approval ratings, facing pressure over the economy, defending an unpopular war, while his party is staring down a brutal midterm election map, and he is picking a fight with the people who are reporting on those ugly realities.
As always, the reporters just want to do their jobs, as the five major networks all said in a joint statement earlier this week, quote, "The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government." And it really is that simple. But it appears this First Amendment fight is going to drag on for a while.
Brian Stelter, CNN.
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MICHAELSON: Brian, thank you.
Now, "The Story Is" the weather and a rare and dangerous storm is getting stronger as we speak. It is now set to bring heavy wind, soaking rain, coastal flooding to much of the U.S. East Coast.
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We're already seeing some of that. It's called a nor'easter, named for the direction its winds come from. It's already making itself felt in some coastal regions. Communities have been rushing to get ready with the peak of the storm forecast to arrive in the hours ahead. More than 40 million people now in its path. That storm's effects are being felt as far south as North Carolina's Outer Banks, up and down the East Coast. Organizers canceling or rescheduling events. The Boston Red Sox moved their Saturday game against the Chicago Cubs to Florida.
Major airlines waiving change fees for some flights through certain airports. That nor'easter is expected to slow down and linger over the region, complicating the situation, much of the Mid-Atlantic already soaked from rain since Wednesday. Tides are rising ahead of Saturday's full moon, which will make coastal flooding worse.
Meanwhile, in Hawaii, Hurricane Nolo is strengthening as heavy rains soaks the Big Island. Take a look at this satellite image. Nolo is the third hurricane to batter the Hawaiian Islands in just six weeks. They're not used to that there. Parts of the Big Island could see up to 15 inches of rain through the weekend, with up to 25 inches in the steepest terrain. Hurricane Nolo could also bring damaging winds and dangerous surf. El Nino conditions are helping fuel an above normal hurricane season in the Pacific. The water is warmer. That's a big part of all this.
Tom Skilling is an iconic retired meteorologist for WGN-TV. He joins us live right now from Hawaii. Great to have you back on the show. So, what are you expecting in the days ahead in Hawaii? And talk about how El Nino and this warm water is giving us something we've really never seen before: three hurricanes this quickly.
TOM SKILLING, RETIRED WGN-TV METEOROLOGIST: Isn't that amazing? Phil Klotzbach is a researcher at Colorado State University, and he noted that we had three 105 mile per hour or stronger hurricanes going simultaneously in the Pacific this morning. That's happened only twice before this -- since 1950. Here is -- you mentioned El Nino, Elex. You're absolutely right. Water temperatures are running up to five degrees Celsius, that's nine Fahrenheit, warmer than normal, and these tropical cyclones are fueled by this flow of latent heat energy that comes off of evaporating and condensing seawater.
To give you an idea how unusual this Pacific season has been, we've had 41 named storms in the eastern and central Pacific. 15 is normal. So, 41 versus 15. There have been 18 hurricanes. Eight is normal by now. And you mentioned Lowell hit Kauai only two and a half weeks ago, did incredible damage there. And six weeks ago, Hurricane Lala hit the Big Island. What's really sad is what's going to happen with these big rains from Nolo, and it's that it's going to hit about the same area that was so devastated by Lala back in August. So, most unusual, most unusual.
MICHAELSON: Well, we see you in Hawaii now, getting to enjoy some of this era of your life. You've got the great Hawaiian shirt on. So, I love you've got the Aloha Spirit going.
But you also know a thing or two about reporting on nor'easters and a big chunk of the East Coast now dealing with that. Give us some of your insight into what that part of the country can expect in the day or so ahead.
SKILLING: Do you know, Elex? The storm that's going up the East Coast is what's known in meteorology, it's a baroclinic storm. It's cool air next to warm air, and you develop a big jet stream and vertical motions that drive the winds of these storms. This is typical of the cooler period of the year to get a storm like this, and what's interesting is the Atlantic hurricane season has been really quiet. They haven't had a hurricane yet, and yet, here we have this late season baroclinic-type storm racing up the East Coast. And Elex, in the Midwest, in my home turf out around Chicago, we have the most tornadoes of any state in the country, going this year, over 200 tornadoes have occurred there.
So, the weather is really strange all over, and of course you're out in California and the beach erosion problems around --
MICHAELSON: Yeah. SKILLING: -- Malibu and so forth, another example of the unusual activity in the Pacific. We measure total energy put out in a tropical storm season, and the energy that's been produced by the storms in the eastern and central Pacific is four times normal by this time in late September. So, it's been quite a year, no question.
MICHAELSON: Well, just -- we wish everybody well with the weather in the weekend ahead.
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And speaking of Hollywood, I was just watching The Bear, and one of the great parts of The Bear --
SKILLING: Yeah.
MICHAELSON: -- was a cameo by Tom Skilling. So, not only do you do the weather well, but you're quite the actor.
SKILLING: Oh, you're very nice. I was out here, Elex, and I got a call from my roommate and said, hey, they want you to do a cameo on The Bear, and we're very proud of The Bear because it highlights the "dog- eat-dog" restaurant industry in the Chicago area and everywhere else. So, it was fun to do that. They were nice folks to work with.
MICHAELSON: Well, you did a great job, and people can check you out on Hulu if they want to see your acting chops this weekend. They're inside because of the bad weather.
SKILLING: Thank you, Elex. Good to talk to you again.
MICHAELSON: All right. Tom Skilling, thank you so much. Really appreciate it.
Still ahead on The Story Is, a Mississippi campus is in shock following the deaths of two students, as investigators examine a possible link to a controversial over-the-counter substance. That's next here on CNN.
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MICHAELSON: TikTok settling with Alabama over allegations its platform was designed to be highly addictive while downplaying safety risks. TikTok's parent company ByteDance is to pay $100 million to the state within 45 days, with future payments potentially reaching $300 million. The deal marks TikTok's first settlement with a state, as it battles similar claims across the U.S. The popular streaming platform has also agreed to new safeguards, including time limits and stronger age jacks.
The deaths of two students at the University of Mississippi is focusing attention on a product that is as close as the next gas station or convenience store counter. It's called kratom, and has not been verified as connected to the deaths. Seven states classify it as a controlled substance. Yet, elsewhere, this herbal extract can be bought over the counter or online. It is unregulated by the FDA, meaning there are no federal standards governing potency or even labeling. Yet, it targets the same parts of the brain as opioids.
More now from CNN's Randy Kaye.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): Possible O-D. They do not believe the subject is breathing, trying to start CCR over the phone.
JOHN MILLER, CNN CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ANALYST (on camera): A dispatcher in Lafayette County, Mississippi, on Monday responding to a possible overdose at the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss. The university identified the victims as two students: Aidan Hamilton, a freshman from Englewood, Colorado, and Robert Strang, a junior from Atlanta. Investigators are looking into whether the deaths are connected to kratom, an opioid-like herb that can produce both stimulant and sedative effects. While there is no evidence confirming kratom was the cause, packaged kratom sold from a retail store was found in both investigations. That's according to the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics, a multi-agency law enforcement unit.
JOHN MILLER, CNN CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ANALYST (on camera): Here, the autopsy is going to be key, which is was it an overdose involving only kratom, or were there other aspects to it in terms of other substances, whether they were legal or illegal?
KAYE (voice-over): Mississippi's governor said in a statement that the state's Department of Public Safety and Bureau of Narcotics are working with local law enforcement to expedite toxicology reports. The head of Mississippi's Department of Public Safety told CNN, "Until those investigations and toxicology testing are complete, we cannot rule out foul play."
RAVEN TUNSTALL, OLE MISS STUDENT (on camera): College is supposed to be where we grow and like gain new experiences. It's not supposed to be where our lives end.
KAYE (voice-over): Officials have asked people to avoid kratom.
MILLER (on camera): You can buy it in gas stations. You can get it in convenience stores, without having to jump through any hoops to do it that make it seem harmless and safe.
KAYE (voice-over): A spokesperson for student Robert Strang's family issued a statement saying, "We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear son, Robert, and are trying to process this unimaginable loss." A statement released by the university from Aidan Hamilton's family read, "Aidan was a bright, wonderful young man who was taken too soon. He is greatly missed." WTVA reported that several fraternities and sororities have placed black ribbons outside their on-campus houses. That station also said campus vending machines offering free Narcan have been emptied. Narcan can help reverse respiratory depression from a kratom or opioid-like overdose.
MILLER (on camera): In a case where there is a kratom overdose, whether Narcan will help that directly, it will certainly, in all likelihood, help it in the cases where it's a combination of kratom and other opioids.
KAYE (voice-over): Just last week, the state attorney general's office trained students at Ole Miss on how to use Narcan to help save a life.
KAYE (on camera): Kratom isn't illegal in Mississippi, but the AP has reported that Oxford, where Ole Miss is located, banned related products back in 2019. Meanwhile, the CDC reports that calls about kratom-related poisonings increased more than 1,200 percent between 2015 and 2025.
Randy Kaye, CNN.
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MICHAELSON: The second day of Pope Leo's four-day trip to France gets underway in the coming hours. He is set to visit a migrant support center and celebrate Mass at the Place de la Concorde. On Friday, the Pontiff led a prayer vigil after visiting Notre Dame Cathedral. He addressed some 80,000 people at the stadium, mostly young adults.
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Earlier in the day, Pope Leo issued a warning about the risks of artificial intelligence.
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POPE LEO XIV, HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (Interpreted) (on camera): If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines invading and conditioning our daily lives, there is an urgent need for education in ethical discernment and the capacity to acknowledge the moral good.
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MICHAELSON: Celebrations were in full swing in New Orleans on Friday to honor the legendary singer Dolly Parton. Dolly Day falls on September 25th, or 9/5, in reference to her hit song, of course, 9 to 5. In New Orleans, the celebrations included the parade. You can see here the unveiling of a Dolly Parton-themed license plate, as well as musical acts who perform the official after party. And it is officially Dolly Parton Day in California. It's now a state holiday as well.
You're watching The Story Is. For our international viewers, Quest's World of Wonder is next. For our viewers in North America, I'll be right back with our political panel.
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MICHAELSON: Welcome back. With the midterm elections just around the corner in the U.S., Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico challenged his opponent Ken Paxton to a debate on Fox News. Talarico has issued previous debate challenges, yet, Paxton hasn't agreed to participate in any of them. Paxton's campaign previously signaled it would be willing to debate Talarico, but only if the moderators were neutral. This comes as Democrats are eyeing Texas in hopes of flipping both houses of Congress in November. Well, speaking to the Texas Tribune, Talarico accused Paxton of running from a fight by avoiding a debate. Take a listen.
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JAMES TALARICO, TEXAS DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE: Let's go to Ken Paxton's safe space. Let's do Bret Baier on Fox News. I'll go into the lion's den because I know what I believe. I am proud of my record, and I'm not afraid of hard questions, and Ken Paxton is running from a fight, and that sounds like low-T behavior to me. I don't know if I'm doing that right.
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MICHAELSON: The testosterone is what he is talking about.
Let's bring in our panel to discuss, Caroline Sunshine, former communications aide for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, and political commentator Eric Messersmith, podcast host for the "Red, Blue and Real" YouTube channel.
Eric, first to you. Why not do a debate on Fox with Bret?
ERIC MESSERSMITH, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, because Paxton is scared because he is a terrible candidate. He knows the record of scandal he has is outrageous, and he would get crushed in a debate. And by the way, the knock on Talarico was he is not tough enough. Paxton is the tough guy. Come on, get out of here. Talarico has got the momentum in that race, for sure.
But I think it is part of a broader trend of people not wanting to debate, and I think there are reasons for that. They don't want a gaffe that would ruin a news cycle and maybe a campaign. I mean, we saw the Darline Graham situation for South Carolina. Now, she held on and won that race --
MICHAELSON: Yeah.
MESSERSMITH: -- but I think her gaffe in the debate led into a cycle where it got probably closer than it otherwise should have been.
MICHAELSON: Well, to that point, let's put up this headline from Axios, "Debate-shy: Candidates aren't sharing the stage like they used to", and Axios writes in their reporting, "In 10 of the most closely watched races for governor, there are no agreed-upon debates between the major party nominees in half of them, Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas, according to an Axios review of scheduled debates. In 10 tight Senate races this year, there are no debates scheduled in three states - North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas. That's up from one debate-free race in the same seats last time around." There is clearly a trend here.
First off, Texas. Your thoughts on that. I mean, President Trump has said that Ken Paxton looks terrible on T.V., dresses terribly, but is a great Attorney General. That's his endorsement. And Trump, of course, we know --
CAROLINE SUNSHINE, COMMUNICATIONS AIDE, TRUMP 2024 CAMPAIGN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: He is very honest.
MICHAELSON: -- understands T.V. performers better than anybody, perhaps. Your thoughts on that.
SUNSHINE: Ken Paxton should absolutely debate Talarico. Here is what I would do. I would show up to that debate, and I would show up, and I would have a photograph of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, and I would say, James, this is Jocelyn Nungaray, a Texas young girl who was viciously murdered under a bridge by two illegal immigrants who didn't have any prior criminal convictions in this country.
You say that our southern border should be a front porch with a welcome mat. You say you want to retool ICE. How does any of that help prevent another Jocelyn Nungaray from dying? OK, James. You say that radicalized white men are the biggest domestic terror threat facing this country. Well, there is a lot of white men that are about to go to the polls. Care to explain to them why they're the biggest domestic terror -- like, come on, Paxton has the most to gain by showing up to this debate.
MICHAELSON: Well, according to the recent polls, it seems like he is down. He may need to do something to shake up the race. But why do you think he is not doing this? Because Ken Paxton does not communicate on T.V. the way that you just communicated on T.V.
SUNSHINE: OK. Ken, give me a call.
MESSERSMITH: Yeah.
SUNSHINE: It's interesting. It could be -- remember the famous JFK- Nixon debate, speaking of people who aren't debating, but that's a very famous debate --
MICHAELSON: The first T.V. presidential debate.
SUNSHINE: -- exactly, where if people listened to that debate on radio, they liked Nixon, and if they watched the debate with JFK, they liked JFK.
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So, maybe that's an element of what's going on. Whatever's going on, it's not an excuse. You're running to be Senator of a very large state. You need to go face those voters, and I just laid out a great strategy for you, Ken.
MICHAELSON: There it is.
SUNSHINE: So, you've got one less excuse.
MICHAELSON: Richard Nixon famously did not wear makeup on T.V.
SUNSHINE: Yeah.
MICHAELSON: He didn't want to do that. He was very sweaty, JFK did, and that may have helped him in that debate.
But let's get out of 1960 and get back to --
MESSERSMITH: That's a mistake.
MICHAELSON: -- 2026. 1960 was the sort of beginning of the T.V. era for political campaigns. 2026 is, yes, about T.V., and clearly, we care about T.V. and the T.V. business. But also, is there something to the fact that this is such a social media campaign that people view debates differently, that they see it more as a risk, and that in the social media era, people are talking to the algorithm? They're not necessarily talking to the broadcast, and the algorithm doesn't reward talking to the other side. It's about dunking on the other side.
MESSERSMITH: I think it's a sign of the times and not a good one.
MICHAELSON: Right.
MESSERSMITH: And I think it shows two things. Number one, it shows the media, the bubbles that so many of us are in, where we will only watch and consume the media that reinforces our point of view, and we're so uncomfortable, even these political candidates taking even questions from media that they don't consider to be friendly and not in their ecosystem. I think that's part of it. And also, I think part of it is the risk-reward calculus for them is not the same as it used to be because there are so many fewer undecided voters.
MICHAELSON: Right.
MESSERSMITH: Tribalism has -- even in these midterms as unpopular as Trump is and as bad as the Republican brand is, as terrible as things are going for so many people, the losses for Republicans are not going to be what they normally would be in that environment because you have a base of support that's not going to leave either party --
MICHAELSON: Yeah.
MESSERSMITH: -- pretty much no matter what.
MICHAELSON: And let's just say, we love debate.
SUNSHINE: We do.
MICHAELSON: That's why we're here.
SUNSHINE: Yeah.
MICHAELSON: That's why I put on this show.
SUNSHINE: Yes.
MICHAELSON: That's why we welcome a variety of perspectives here. And so, I find this trend to be awful.
MESSERSMITH: It's terrible.
SUNSHINE: We agree.
MICHAELSON: But I'm also trying to be honest about what's happening here.
MESSERSMITH: It's bad for democracy.
MICHAELSON: But credit here in California to both Xavier Becerra, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for governor, who are going to be having a debate in this studio. So, next week, we're going to be out in the newsroom. This studio, this space, right where you guys are right now, is going to be the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor of California. Jake Tapper, Dana Bash are going to be out here next week in L.A. moderating that debate, which happens Wednesday at 9 o'clock Eastern time, 6 o'clock Pacific. It's going to replay at 9 o'clock Pacific time as well.
What are your expectations for that, and how do you see that debate going?
SUNSHINE: I mean, California is tough, right? This is a deep blue state. And so, the odds are, for sure, in Becerra's favor, regardless of debate. But I appreciate that they both are going to, and I think it's Becerra's to lose, and I think Hilton has so much to gain because Becerra has his ceiling, I think, of voters that he can reach, and again, I'm speaking in the context of California is a very blue state.
MICHAELSON: Yeah. He is up by 18 points in the latest poll.
SUNSHINE: So, that is sufficient --
MICHAELSON: Pretty good ceiling.
SUNSHINE: -- it's pretty good ceiling in this state, but he does have a ceiling regardless and I think there is a disaffected population in California, even of Democrats --
MICHAELSON: Sure.
SUNSHINE: -- that feel completely left behind by their party. Honestly, it's just a quality of life issue at a certain point.
MICHAELSON: Yeah.
SUNSHINE: And so, it's an opportunity for Hilton to speak to those people. And the reason I think it's important to still do this debate in a state that is pretty much single party is, I really believe if you don't go talk to people, they assume the worst about you. And so, it's really important for Hilton, especially, to show up to this debate.
MICHAELSON: Yeah, and good on Becerra for doing it.
MESSERSMITH: Yes, even though he is way ahead, and I think -- look, obviously, it helps Hilton, right, because he is behind. But I think there is also something to be gained for Becerra too, even though he is probably going to win the race no matter what. It's nice to show that you are in the fight, and he has been criticized for not being as aggressive post-primary in the campaign as Hilton has, and assuming he does win, it's nice to go in with a nice margin of victory and people seeing you as in command and running an aggressive campaign rather than limp in winning by maybe eight or 10 points in a state you should win by 30.
MICHAELSON: Yeah. I want to get you guys to weigh in on what's my favorite story of the day, which is The New York Times put out a list of the 100 greatest T.V. shows of all time from the 21st century. So, these are shows that started after the year 2000, and on their list, number one was Breaking Bad, number two The Wire, number three Mad Men, number four, Succession, and number five, Fleabag.
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I think most people would agree on the top four. I don't know about Fleabag. But your thought. What is the greatest T.V. show of the 21st century?
MESSERSMITH: So, their criteria left out --
MICHAELSON: The Sopranos and "The West Wing".
MESSERSMITH: -- and "The West Wing", and The Sopranos probably would have been number one, but it technically started in 1999.
MICHAELSON: Yeah.
MESSERSMITH: So, based on their criteria, I probably would have went with The Wire, one, Breaking Bad, two. But that's -- I'm fine with it the other way.
MICHAELSON: What do you think?
SUNSHINE: Breaking Bad, one, two, Glee, three, Homeland, four Modern Family, five, definitely not Fleabag, House of Cards.
MICHAELSON: Oh.
MESSERSMITH: That's a good show.
MICHAELSON: House of Cards was great, although the star hasn't necessarily aged well.
Caroline, Eric Messersmith, thank you so much. "Breaking Bad" is pretty great.
SUNSHINE: Yeah.
MICHAELSON: We're back with more of The Story Is right after this.
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MICHAELSON: Turning now to a bombshell verdict against English soccer giant Manchester City.
CNN World Sports Patrick Snell has the details.
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PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT (on camera): So, now we know the football world and beyond. The fans have all been waiting for an outcome to this case, was seemingly an eternity, according to multiple reports.
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Manchester City, who've consistently denied any wrongdoing, have been found guilty of 114 of those 115 charges it faced from an independent panel. Here is what many people are now asking. What about potential sanctions? Well, no sanctions have yet been decided. City are expected to appeal the decision. This has been something that's been bubbling away under the surface for the last three years. Remember, these charges brought against City, they were announced in 2023. City were charged in February of that year after a four-year investigation with the Premier League alleging that Manchester City failed to provide accurate financial information between the 2009 10 season and the 2017 18 campaign. The league also accusing City of failing to comply with UEFA's financial fair play regulations between 2013 and 2018.
Now, the Citizens won a total of eight trophies in that period, covered by the case, including three Premier League titles, three League Cups, and an FA Cup. And interesting to note that 2011 FA Cup was the club's first major trophy in 35 years.
Well, on Friday, Manchester City releasing a statement, "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such, Manchester City FC's position remains consistent with the Club's statement of February of 2023. The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
So, what can we now expect in terms of possible sanctions? Well, they could include a point's deduction, an unlimited fine, or even expulsion from the league entirely. That's according to the Premier League's handbook. The Premier League itself wouldn't comment on the report to CNN.
And with that, it's right back to you.
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MICHAELSON: Patrick, thank you.
Up next, CNN's Bill Weir traces the history of Farm Aid and shows us how the concert has been helping farmers for more than 40 years.
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MICHAELSON: For over 40 years, farming has helped raise funds for U.S. farmers while showcasing some of the hottest names in music.
CNN's Bill Weir explores the history of this unique concert.
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BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): *** It was 1985, and compassion was cool. Images of African famine were enough to inspire Band Aid --
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WEIR (voice-over):-- and USA for Africa, and a by continental mega- concert.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): Please welcome, America, to Live Aid Day.
WEIR (voice-over): And when Bob Dylan took the Philadelphia stage around 10:30, flanked by a couple of Rolling Stones, he would spark yet another charity benefit.
BOB DYLAN, MUSICIAN (on camera): I hope that some of the money --
WEIR (voice-over): -- with a simple shout-out for the folks who grow the food that ends famine.
DYLAN (on camera): Is it safe to pay the mortgages on some of the farms and the farmers here owed to the banks?
WEIR (voice-over): Watching on his tour bus at night was a former cotton and corn picker named Willie Nelson, who said it hit him like a ton of bricks because at 1985, crop prices were crashing and the heartland was setting new records for farm foreclosures and suicides.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): Because as simple man, we end up paying all those bills and thrills that kill us here in America.
WEIR (voice-over): So, Willie deputized fellow voices of blue collar conscience John Cougar Mellencamp and Neil Young.
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WEIR (voice-over): He got the governor of Illinois to help secure the football stadium in Champaign.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): This is the site for our Farm Aid, a concert for America.
WEIR (voice-over): And just 10 weeks after Dylan's offhand comment at Live Aid --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): Bob Dylan.
WEIR (voice-over): -- a parade of hall of famers showed up to spread some love for rural America.
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WEIR (voice-over): And together, they raised the modern equivalent of over $20 million that day.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): I believe the small family farmer to be the backbone of our country. They need our help.
WEIR (voice-over): The following decades would bring millions more and country music by the bushel.
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WEIR (voice-over): But Farm Aid was always inclusive enough for both patriots and protest bands.
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WEIR (voice-over): A tent big enough for everyone from George Jones to Rick James.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): To your left hand is that old, wrinkled face of (BEEP) Ronald Reagan. Now take your right hand and smack the (BEEP) out of him.
WEIR (on camera): The politics of agriculture even more contentious today with immigration raids and trade wars and an overheating climate, when it seems like the rains either never come or they bring too much water at once.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): I'm out here picking corn, $5 a bushel and paying nearly $7 a gallon for diesel fuel.
WEIR (voice-over): The price of diesel and fertilizer rocketing, thanks to yet another far away war, and with the import of cheap beef from Argentina, it's not hard to find political anger in farm country.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): We're probably the break point here pretty quick. That means people being closed out, people giving up.
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WEIR (voice-over): Dave Matthews, a climate activist, leader in eco- conscious touring, joined the Farm Aid Board in 2001.
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WEIR (voice-over): And Margot Price brings the POV of a woman reared on a foreclosed farm.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): If you don't know what a factory farm is, let me give you a picture: 50,000 hogs stuck in buildings on a 35- acre farm.
WEIR (voice-over): But over 40 years later, Farm Aid's founding fathers remain focused on the families trying to build healthy, sustainable food chains, and the massive forces they're up against.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): You can't put all of that in one place without destroying nature and the natural forces that keep us here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (on camera): As long as there is one family farmer out there who wants to stay on the land, we'll be here.
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MICHAELSON: Don't miss Farm Aid live Saturday night at 7 o'clock Eastern right here on CNN and on the CNN streaming All Access app.
I'll see you back here on Monday for The Story Is. Have a great weekend.
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