former president will stand striel next month. in kyiv, secretary of state antony blinken has made a surprise visit, he is there right now, set to meet with ukrainian president volodymr zelenskyy. senate republicans getting ready to meet with mitch mcconnell as concerns grow over the gop leader s health after he froze in front of reporters again. this hour of cnn this morning starts now. here s where we begin. in a few hours, the first televised hearing in the georgia alex m alex m election / election interference begins. the judge says he is going to address critical scheduling matters for the trial. it could begin october 23. there are 19 defendants. they have all all entered not plea pleas. the hearing will look at breaking up the case and trying some of the defendants separately. yeah, that s a loaded calendar you are looking at there. meanwhile, in the federal election interference case special counsel jack smith is accusing former president trump of making da