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New York Declares Measles Emergency; Russia Investigates Possible Plague Death; Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Takes Effect; Polls Four Weeks Before the Midterms; Boxing Legend Laila Ali is Interviewed about Supporting Paralysis Research. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired October 06, 2026 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[09:31:12]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: New York Governor Kathy Hochul has now declared a statewide disaster emergency over measles, the first action like this taken by any state since cases began surging in 2025.

CNN's Jacqueline Howard has much more on this move. She's joining us now.

Jacqueline, what does it mean?

JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: Kate, this emergency declaration really seems to be the state's response to the rise in measles cases we're seeing across the country. In New York state alone, so far this year, we know at least 108 people have gotten sick with measles. Seven of those cases were confirmed in New York City. And then, in neighboring Pennsylvania, there's an ongoing outbreak where more than 1,000 people have gotten sick. And, sadly, five people have died.

And to put these numbers in perspective, when the United States declared measles eliminated in the year 2000, in the quarter century that followed that time, there were only about 180 cases reported each year in the entire country. Now we're seeing more than 100 cases in individual states. And the year 2026, right now, is not even over yet.

So, that's why Governor Hochul said this in a statement, quote, "after reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York state, I am declaring a state disaster emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease. No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine preventable disease. That is why I have taken steps to increase the number of health professionals who can vaccinate and test."

So, Kate, that's what this emergency declaration means. With this declaration, the state is expanding the pool of health care professionals who are authorized to administer measles vaccines, and they're now allowing nurses to order measles tests. So, with more vaccinations and more testing, the state is relying on those two actions to really combat this rise in measles cases that we're seeing at this time.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: All right, Jacqueline, thank you so much for that update. I really appreciate it.

Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, thank you, Kate.

Dozens of people are under quarantine this morning after a researcher at a lab that studies the plague died from pneumonia of a, quote, "unknown origin." Local officials are implementing anti-epidemic measures near the hospital where the worker was treated before she died. The World Health Organization says they are in contact with Russian authorities and the White House is also closely monitoring the situation.

Joining me now is CNN's senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen.

You've been following this case. What are you learning now as to what is happening at this moment with this case? It really has gotten a lot of attention, a lot of fear, when you mention the word "plague."

FREDRIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, a lot of fear, a lot of international attention. And certainly there have been several countries around the world, including the United States, that have been telling the Russians that they really need more information on this case. They don't want to jump to conclusions, but they want the Russians to be as transparent as possible.

And one of the things that we had earlier today, Sara, was actually a call with the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, where on several occasions he was asked for additional information and he kept pointing to Russia's agency to prevent infectious diseases, Rob Rospotrebnadzor (ph) and saying they would provide updates. But so far, we haven't really seen new updates coming.

What we had earlier today was the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, he was also asked about the situation. And he also urged the Russians to be as transparent as possible.

Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF STATE: We're glad to be aware of it. We're watching it very closely, hour by hour. We have multiple agencies, not just in the United States, but internationally, that are watching it. We encourage Russia to be transparent and share more information with the world so that all of us could react accordingly and appropriately.

[09:35:07]

But we'll have to make those decisions on the basis of the information that we're learning and are being provided. And so far that's still quite limited. But hopefully that will change in the next few hours and days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PLEITGEN: So, that's the information that we've got from the secretary of state.

As far as the situation on the ground is concerned, certainly the latest that we have is that those quarantines are still in place for the contacts of that lab worker who died of that pneumonic disease, and that also several hospitals there are still in lockdown. However, some video that we've seen from that town of Shelekhov, where all this is happening, that seems to show a situation that was normal (ph) people there also saying that there are no specific measures for the general population. And also, finally, the governor of that region was also asked about the situation, and he said, quote, "everything is under control."

Sara.

SIDNER: All right, Fred Pleitgen, thank you so much for your reporting there from Berlin for us.

John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, breaking news this morning. And the news is us. It is official, the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger with -- is all done. And CNN has a new parent company.

With us now, CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter, my new colleague at Skydance.

Brian.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Yes, the new company named Skydance. It began trading on the New York Stock Exchange just a couple of moments ago. This merger creates one of the largest media companies in the world, bringing together Paramount and the much bigger Warner Bros. Discovery. And as you said, CNN and CBS News now all part of that corporate parent.

The merger really symbolizes big techs ascendance in Hollywood. And it represents an opportunity for Skydance, which is highly leveraged with tons of debt, to try to transform the entertainment industry with multiple studios, dozens of television channels, and many streaming platforms.

On Tuesday morning, this morning, Skydance promoted this as a good thing for consumers, saying you can expect significant improvements to Paramount Plus and HBO Max, which will be brought into a single service over time.

No doubt this is a stunning achievement for the 43-year-old David Ellison, who, with the help of his father, Larry Ellison, the Oracle billionaire, was able to take a small production company and then take over Paramount last year and now gobble up the much bigger Warner Bros. Discovery.

That deal took about a year, but now comes the hard part, trying to bring together all of these assets, multiple movie studios, multiple news divisions, many different television channels. And to do that while paying down an enormous amount of debt. But this is day one, and we're going to hear more from Ellison later today when he holds a town hall and a press conference in Los Angeles.

BERMAN: The adventure begins.

Brian Stelter, thank you so much for bringing us up to speed.

And breaking news, Germany's former spy chief is now accused of espionage. August Hanning, who you can see right here in a CNN interview from 2018, was arrested for allegedly using classified intelligence for his consulting work.

And President Trump signed an executive order aimed at bringing down near record diesel prices. The average price now sits at $6.32 a gallon.

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[09:42:28]

BERMAN: For weeks exactly until the midterm elections. President Trump, just a short time ago, said that the results will be a midterm surprise. What kind of surprise?

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten is here.

So, where does the president stand with four weeks to go compared to his immediate predecessor?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes, I think this is one of the big questions, right? We know that Joe Biden had a low approval rating, right? His net approval rating was significantly low, but they held on to the Senate back in 2022.

Here's the problem right now. Here's the problem. Donald Trump is even less popular than Joe Biden was. You know, look -- take a look here. In the key Senate states that fall, right? Those were the races that ultimately determined control. Both Joe Biden's net approval rating was 13 points underwater. Look at what Donald Trump's is. He's 21 points underwater in an average of the key Senate races for this fall.

So, Donald Trump is in a considerably worse position than Joe Biden was. So, Republicans hoping that there's a midterm surprise have to deal with this factor right here, which is dragging them down even more so than Joe Biden was dragging Democrats down back in 2022.

BERMAN: OK, Democrats were able to hold on to the Senate with a number that looks like this. This number is different than this. What does this number look more like?

ENTEN: This looks a whole heck of a lot, not like a midterm surprise, but like a midterm nightmare for Republicans, because just take a look here. OK, key Senate states that fall, the president's net approval rating. How about 2014? Look where Barack Obama was. He was 20 points underwater. You know what happened to that Democratic majority in the Senate? Adios, amigos, goodbye, see you later. How about in 2006, George W. Bush's net approval rating in the key Senate states that fall. Look at that, his average net approval was 20 points underwater. That looks a whole heck of a lot like we're going on right here. And you know what happened, as I said, in terms of the Senate majority, it flipped from the president's party in this year and this year as well. This is an equation that looks a whole heck of a lot like this one. And this one -- these ones led to a result I don't think that Donald Trump would like.

BERMAN: He called this a thumping. He called it a shellacking. Sort of caption context here maybe on November 4th.

OK, how about the key swing group here, independents?

ENTEN: Yes, what is -- what is -- what is going on here? What is cooking? Why is Donald Trump so low? Well, how about this? Independents on Donald Trump and the key 2026 Senate states. You know, back in 2024, independents in these states, look at this, Donald Trump won by an average of 15 points.

Look at him now. Look at this now. This is just not even the same universe. This is like planet Krypton. I mean, look at this, 42 points underwater.

[09:45:02]

That is a significant drop well into the deep blue sea. What is that, Johnny B.? That is a shift away from the president of the United States of 57 points, a 57-point swing, which I said could very much lead to a midterm nightmare for Republicans.

BERMAN: Which is doing what to the prediction markets?

ENTEN: What's doing? You know, this is the trend line. Just look at this. OK, chance Democrats win the Senate. You go back a few months ago, two months ago, Democrats were slightly south to 50 percent. But as Donald Trump and his negative net approval rating has been dragging down Republicans, we've seen the polls shift. And as the polls have shifted, the prediction markets, the Kalshi prediction markets, now a two in three shot that Democrats win control of the Senate.

Look, it's not 100 percent. Still four weeks to go. But these are the types of numbers I think Democrats would say, hey, at the beginning of the year, we like our chances.

BERMAN: The trend line is moving up for them, but four weeks ago,

Harry Enten, thank you very much.

ENTEN: Thank you.

BERMAN: A lot of news this morning. We'll be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:50:23]

SIDNER: Some of the greatest athletes of a generation were honored last night at a special event for a great cause. We've just learned the Buoniconti Fund to cure paralysis raised $5 million at the annual Great Sports Legend's Dinner.

Take a look at some of the greats who were honored. Super Bowl champ Rob Gronkowski, Olympian Shaun White and undefeated boxing legend Laila Ali.

I spoke with Laila Ali about the connection between the organization, her and her father, Muhammad Ali.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER: You're being honored at this dinner. And there is something historic, particularly about this honor for you. What is it?

LAILA ALI, BOXING LEGEND: Well, my father, the great Muhammad Ali, was honored 40 years ago at one of, I think, their inaugural event.

SIDNER: Yes.

ALI: And to come full circle. And now I'm being honored as well is amazing. And as you know, the Buoniconti Fund is doing so much wonderful work just with their research for paralysis. And, you know, I really want to join them in that fight. So, being here is much more than just being awarded as an athlete, but just helping to bring more attention to the work that they're doing. So.

SIDNER: I do want to ask you, because you are an incredible athlete that has dovetailed into many different things, business, now you're an author, but I want to ask you about when it comes to an illness. Your father famously had Parkinson's disease. And he used his platform as he's going through this debilitating disease to bring awareness to it.

But you're his daughter. And you're having to endure watching this happen to someone you love so deeply. Do you have any advice to people who are dealing with this in their lives? There are many, many, many people who have a parent or a child or someone in their life that's dealing with a debilitating disease. And you've gone through this in such a public way.

ALI: Yes. Yes. Debilitating diseases. Neurological diseases. It can happen to anyone, not just athletes. Of course, we understand how, you know, you can go out there to play your sport and all of a sudden get paralyzed or get hurt. That's why the work that, you know, the Miami Project is doing is so amazing.

But I did witness it firsthand with my father having Parkinson's. And as family members, to answer your question, just being there to support them, making sure that you stay on top of the latest research that's done and the services that they can have to try to make their lives better.

And, you know, I can't say enough. That's why it's so important that we're having this conversation now, and that there are people who are on the front line in trying to, you know, make sure that there's research that we can eventually get rid of these diseases, you know, so people don't have to go through it. But until then, you know, we want to make sure that we shine a light on it.

SIDNER: Yes.

ALI: And it's tough, no matter who it is. Not just for me, but for anyone dealing with a family member going through something or going through it themselves.

SIDNER: Yes, it really is -- it can be quite a heavy weight. I mean there's the physical things happening to the person, and there's the emotional responses, right, that they're having and that you're having to also hold.

I do -- I cannot help but ask you. So, I got a chance to go to the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. And I was there for something else. And I said, I have to go in there. And I found myself somehow standing in a ring by myself in my socks, and I hear your voice come on. And you start giving me tips.

ALI: Yes.

SIDNER: So, just give me a little sense of what it is like to be a part of that museum and your voice and your image is literally telling us how to square up.

ALI: Right. Well, my father's the greatest of all time. The original GOAT. The only one as far as I'm concerned. And it's so amazing to have the Ali Center in Louisville for people such as yourself to go and visit.

And I did this little, you know, I don't know, I was going to say skit. It's not a skit, but I come in --

SIDNER: It's a teaching -- a teaching --

ALI: Yes, it's a teaching moment. I come in and teach people how to stand, how to -- how to punch, how to do -- I hope you learned something because, if not, you know, we can do a private session, you know, now.

SIDNER: I might need -- I might need help.

ALI: But, yes, it was a lot of fun, you know. I did that so many years ago. And to have it there now and it to be mentioned to me and, you know, to be a part of, you know, the center and my father's legacy is amazing.

SIDNER: Can you give me a sense -- you've got your book out, an autobiography. What was the hardest chapter? Like, do you -- what was hard -- ALI: Hardest chapter?

SIDNER: Yes, what was hard --

ALI: Oh, my gosh.

SIDNER: I know, maybe all of them, but --

ALI: No, I know. I know. Well, you know, this is my second book. So, I wrote a book called "Reach: Finding Strength, Spirit and Personal Power," which is for an older group. But in this particular book, I'm really focusing on curiosity, confidence, self-belief, discipline told through the lens of boxing. I want every child to know they have a spark in them.

I got in trouble growing up. I went to juvenile hall. I went to a group home at a certain point. I don't talk about this in this book, but I talk about it in my other book.

[09:55:01]

But a lot of what I learned in those situations is -- in those situations is what made me who I am today. So, never let your past define you.

Look at me now. You would never know I had been through that.

SIDNER: I have seen you, girl.

ALI: You never knew I had on that orange suit, right, and had my hands behind my back with handcuffs on.

SIDNER: Yes. Yes.

ALI: And I'm just saying, I can be proud of how far I come in those -- I've come and those lessons that I've learned. And that's why I'm able to go around the world and do public speaking and do all those things because there's so many layers to it. And, you know, you just never know what someone has gone through. It's how you use those moments to get ahead.

So, it's all in that book, that energy. And I'm just trying to inspire the next generation to find that confidence young. Because once you find that foundational confidence, you can be, you know, successful in any area of your life.

SIDNER: You are undefeated in the ring, but you're also undefeated in life.

ALI: Thank you.

SIDNER: Laila Ali, thanks for the fighting tips. I will not be squaring off with you.

ALI: I got you, girl. Come on. Come on.

SIDNER: OK. Let's work it out.

Thank you so much.

ALI: Thank you.

SIDNER: I do appreciate it and congratulations.

ALI: Thank you so much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN: I mean, private lessons. Yes, please. Exactly.

BERMAN: I'm already scared of you. I don't -- I --

BOLDUAN: Even before the boxing tips from Laila Ali.

BERMAN: Exactly. Even before the champ.

SIDNER: I learned something.

BOLDUAN: Thanks so much for joining us, everybody. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "THE SITUATION ROOM" is up next.

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