Up First (NPR) – February 10, 2026

Episode: DHS Funding Negotiations, UK Epstein Fallout, Latest On Guthrie Investigation
Hosts: Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin
Correspondents: Barbara Sprunt, Lauren Frayer, Bill Chappell

Episode Overview

This episode of Up First covers three major news stories: the deadlocked negotiations over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding and key immigration oversight demands; the political crisis facing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer due to the fallout from the Epstein files; and the urgent, unresolved disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, including the latest on the investigation.

1. DHS Funding Talks & Immigration Transparency (02:06 – 05:43)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Deadline Approaching: DHS faces a budget deadline on Friday; without a deal, funding will run out, necessitating a stopgap bill.
  • “With a Friday deadline, doesn't give them a bunch of time to delivery. And if they don't reach a deal, then they need another stopgap bill to fund the department.” — Barbara Sprunt (02:57)
• Stalled Negotiations: Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse.
  • Republicans’ latest response was dismissed as “incomplete” due to a lack of legislative details.
• Democratic Demands:
  • Require officers to show faces (remove masks) and display names
  • Mandate body cameras for all immigration agents (“Both parties support body cameras, but Democrats want it in law.” — Sprunt (03:35))
  • Hold top DHS officials publicly accountable before Congress
• Republican Resistance:
  • GOP lawmakers oppose banning face coverings, citing safety concerns for agents (“that banning face masks would make it easier for people to dox federal agents.” — Sprunt (04:01))
• Transparency Theme:
  • Central debate around public accountability and transparency in immigration enforcement.
  • “Democrats at least want the person on the street who works for the taxpayer to identify themselves to this person, that they may be grabbing and taking down...” — Steve Inskeep (04:28)
• Upcoming Hearings:
  • ICE and CBP officials to testify before Congress about enforcement procedures, under heightened scrutiny after recent deadly incident in Minneapolis.
  • “Congress is actively negotiating on how to change DHS, and at the same time, this committee gets to question firsthand the people who conduct these operations.” — Sprunt (04:55)
• Political Tension:
  • GOP broadly supports current enforcement, but polls show the public is concerned that enforcement has gone too far.

Notable Quotes

• "There's general support from both parties on requiring officers to wear body cameras." — Barbara Sprunt (03:35)
• “Democrats want officers to display identifying information... and ban them from wearing face coverings. This has seemed to be a non-starter with a lot of Republicans.” — Barbara Sprunt (04:01)

2. UK: Keir Starmer’s Crisis Over Epstein Fallout (05:50 – 09:27)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Starmer Under Pressure: British PM Keir Starmer faces criticism for appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, after documents alleged Mandelson had close ties to Jeffrey Epstein and leaked sensitive information.
  • “He appointed someone who is and is having to defend himself.” — Michel Martin (05:59)
  • “The latest batch show he allegedly passed sensitive UK Government information to Epstein.” — Lauren Frayer (06:13)
  • Mandelson denies wrongdoing; an active police investigation is underway.
• Calls for Resignation:
  • Two top Starmer aides resigned, and Scotland's Labour leader Anna Sarwar called publicly for Starmer’s departure.
    • "[The] distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change." — Anna Sarwar (07:15)
  • However, Starmer’s cabinet and backbenchers rallied to support him, decreasing immediate risk of ouster.
  • “Starmer looks like he's living to fight another day.” — Lauren Frayer (08:10)
• Procedural Context:
  • As per UK’s parliamentary system, leaders can be replaced by their own parties, not only through elections—(explained in contrast to U.S. impeachment).
• Royal Family’s Involvement:
  • King Charles’s brother, Andrew (stripped of royal titles), also accused of passing sensitive info to Epstein when he was a trade envoy.
    • “Former Prince Andrew, we don't call him that anymore.” — Lauren Frayer (08:19)
  • King Charles has publicly committed to supporting any police inquiry and already distanced Andrew.
    • “The king issued a statement saying he is willing to cooperate with police if asked about his brother.” — Lauren Frayer (08:44)
  • Prince William and Kate expressed deep concern in their first statement on the matter.

Notable Quotes

• “The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing street has to change.” — Anna Sarwar (07:15)
• “King Charles has been getting heckled over this... the king issued a statement saying he is willing to cooperate with police if asked about his brother.” — Lauren Frayer (08:44)

3. Search for Nancy Guthrie: The Desperate Plea (09:28 – 13:12)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Savannah Guthrie’s Public Plea:
  • Savannah Guthrie, NBC’s Today Show host, released a video appeal as a ransom deadline passed, pleading for help to find her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie (age 84).
    • "We are at an hour of desperation and we need your help." — Savannah Guthrie (09:44, via excerpt)
    • Her mother disappeared on January 31 in Tucson.
• Ongoing Investigation:
  • Multiple agencies (including FBI) involved; still no suspects or persons of interest identified.
  • Ransom notes or messages have been received by the family and media, but authenticity is uncertain.
    • “The FBI says it takes those messages seriously, but it's not said definitively that it's sure one of those messages came from people who took Nancy Guthrie.” — Bill Chappell (11:01)
    • “On Monday... the FBI told news outlets it wasn't aware of any, quote, continued communication between the Guthrie family and the suspected kidnappers.” — Chappell (11:48)
• Lack of Breakthroughs:
  • No publicly reported progress, even after the ransom deadline passed.
    • “There’s been no follow up to these supposed ransom notes.” — Steve Inskeep (11:48)
    • “Investigators haven't identified suspects or persons of interest or vehicles.” — Chappell (11:57)
• Nancy Guthrie’s Condition:
  • Physically fragile, limited mobility, requires daily medication, but described as mentally sharp.
    • “She relies on a pacemaker and needs daily medic. We don't have new information about that, of course, but, you know, authorities say she's mentally sharp.” — Bill Chappell (12:46)
  • Police suspect abduction due to the nature of the disappearance.

Notable Quotes

• "No matter where you are, even if you're far from Tucson, if you see anything, you hear anything, if there's anything at all. That seems strange to you that you report to law enforcement." — Savannah Guthrie (10:22, via tape)
• “The combination of Nancy Guthrie's physical and mental condition and other circumstances is really what led police to suspect early on that she'd been taken from her home against her will.” — Bill Chappell (13:10)

Key Timestamps

• 02:06: DHS funding negotiations update starts
• 03:35: Body camera bipartisan support discussed
• 04:01: Debate over face coverings for officers
• 04:55: Congressional hearings on DHS practices previewed
• 05:50: Transition to UK’s Epstein file fallout and Starmer’s crisis
• 07:15: Anna Sarwar’s public resignation call
• 08:19: Royal family’s response and King Charles’s statement
• 09:28: Savannah Guthrie’s video plea
• 10:22: Clip of Guthrie’s direct appeal to the public
• 11:57: Sheriff’s office statement: no suspects or leads
• 12:46: Details on Nancy Guthrie’s condition and abduction suspicion

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The frustration and urgency in all three stories, with hosts and correspondents conveying the stakes for the public and for those directly involved.
• “We are at an hour of desperation and we need your help.” — Savannah Guthrie’s direct, emotional message (09:44), stands out as particularly heartfelt.
• The procedural clarity provided by Lauren Frayer on the UK system and the measured updates from Bill Chappell on the Guthrie investigation add critical context.

This episode delivers a brisk but thorough update on three high-stakes and highly human news stories, centering on accountability, transparency, and the deep uncertainty faced by individuals and institutions.