The Justice Department released more than 3 million files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, exposing a sprawling web of powerful figures who vied for his counsel. The DOJ’s internal notes revealed the extent of allegations made against Epstein and others who have not faced criminal charges for sex trafficking, according to NPR’s review of the documents.
Annie Farmer, who testified that Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell abused her at 16, told NPR that the DOJ’s release of victims’ names and images is “really disgusting.” The release did not redact victims’ names and included photos of nude women and girls.
Elsewhere, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will arrive in Turkey this week to reopen negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Joined by allies like Turkey and Qatar, Witkoff aims to cool regional tensions. The meeting carries immense weight as President Trump weighs military strikes on Iran. If the U.S. Launches an assault, Iran has warned it could lead to a regional war.
In a separate matter, authorities in Tucson, Arizona, are searching for Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who investigators believe was taken from her home against her will. Officials continued their overnight search using drones, dogs, and helicopters. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said that the “state of the home” is concerning and that Nancy couldn’t have left on her own. Officials believe someone took her in the middle of the night, according to Arizona Public Media reporter L.M. Boyd.
The partial government shutdown entered its fourth day on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, with the House holding the power to end it. Trump is encouraging the House to approve a six-bill plan from the Senate that would fund most of the government. The bill would fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks, giving lawmakers time to negotiate changes to how federal agents conduct their jobs. NPR’s Claudia Grisales says she expects these DHS negotiations to be difficult because both sides are skeptical that two weeks is enough time. Ahead of the midterms, Democrats and Republicans are motivated to own immigration enforcement reform as a campaign talking point.
In France, students at the École Philippe Gaulier are learning the art of comedic resilience. For decades, students have paid to participate in exercises designed to embrace failure onstage. The school, located in Étampes, forces students to confront the “flop”—a moment of humiliation—and learn to continue performing.
NPR’s Frank Langfitt recently visited Caroline County, Maryland, after the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers. He found that many residents had not seen videos of the shooting and were disconnected from the details of the case, often lost in their own social media algorithms or simply preoccupied with their own lives. Langfitt noted the importance of a national reporter getting “in the car and drive” to understand the perspectives of people in different communities.
Finally, first lady Melania Trump’s documentary brought in about $7 million domestically during its opening weekend, outpacing box office expectations.
Here are three additional things to know before you go:
- Content creator Hobby Bobbins taught herself how to restore and breathe new life into vintage dresses during the coronavirus pandemic, bringing dozens of old wedding dresses back to life.
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport dashed U.S. Skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender’s hopes for a sixth Olympic bid yesterday, ruling that it can’t intervene in her alleged point-rigging case against Canada.
- The first lady’s documentary brought in about $7 million domestically during its opening weekend.
