Inside the secretive world of freeing American hostages abroad

<p>USA TODAY World Affairs Correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard explains how the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2022/12/17/griner-whelan-prisoner-swap-negotiations/10889850002/?gnt-cfr=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">prisoner exchange</a> process works.</p><p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2022/12/18/hanukkah-2022-menorahs-windows-antisemitism/10865152002/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hanukkah</a> begins amid a rise in antisemitism.</p><p>Reporter Kierstin Foote looks at how the power dynamic with some <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/12/18/police-reform-unions-role/10849108002/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">police unions</a> is shifting.</p><p>Reviewed.com Accessibility Editor Sarah Kovac has some <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/reviewed/2022/11/02/accessible-gifts-children-adults-with-disabilities/8240635001/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">inclusive</a> gift ideas.</p><p>A white Christmas could be on the way for these <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/12/17/holiday-weather-major-christmas-snowstorm-central-eastern-united-states/10916381002/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">areas</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Episode Transcript <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/12/19/how-prisoner-swaps-work-white-christmas-forecasts-5-things-podcast/10924017002/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=show_description&amp;utm_campaign=5Things" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available here</a></p><p>Also available at <a href="https://art19.com/shows/5-things" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">art19.com/shows/5-Things</a></p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>