Up First – February 3, 2026

Main Stories: Government Shutdown Day 4, US-Iran Nuclear Talks, Guthrie Investigation
Hosts: Michel Martin & A Martinez
Reporters: Claudia Grisales, Jackie Northam, L.M. Boyd

Episode Overview

This edition of NPR’s Up First zeroes in on the fourth—potentially final—day of the partial U.S. government shutdown, the high-stakes reopening of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, and the urgent investigation into the abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother. Each story is explored with insightful reporting and direct analysis, capturing the moments shaping the morning’s headlines.

1. Government Shutdown – Day 4: Will the House End It?

Segment Start: 01:59

Key Discussion Points

• Senate Approval, House Uncertainty:
  The Senate passed a six-bill appropriations package (five for full year, one—Homeland Security—for two weeks) in a deal between President Trump and Senate Democrats to end the shutdown. The onus is now on the House.

• Triggered by Tragedy:
  The short-term DHS extension is to allow time for negotiation on federal enforcement changes, after outrage over killings by US agents in Minnesota.

• Bipartisan Friction in the House:
  The House is divided—some Republicans think existing reforms are sufficient, while Democrats want stronger measures. The current DHS bill was crafted before the recent fatalities, fueling discontent among House Democrats.

• Speaker’s Tightrope:
  Speaker Mike Johnson faces a razor-thin margin—only a one-vote cushion. President Trump’s endorsement of the deal is putting pressure on House Republicans to fall in line.

Insights & Analysis

• Reporter Claudia Grisales explains:

  “This is a six-bill package that funds a large portion of the government. Five of those bills are full year appropriations... the Department of Homeland Security... just two weeks. This would give lawmakers time to negotiate changes to how federal agents do their jobs.”
  (02:45 – 03:17)

  “Some Republicans have argued the DHS bill already has reforms negotiated with Democrats, but those reforms were all negotiated before the killings... So a lot of House Democrats say this bill does not go far enough.”
  (03:23 – 03:57)

  “He has a razor thin margin to work with... But he has a powerful ally in President Trump. Trump weighed in yesterday telling House Republicans they need to get in line and support the plan.”
  (04:00 – 04:23)

  “Senate Democrats are demanding immigration agents stop wearing masks... want new rules on the use of warrants... immigration agents to wear body cameras. DHS Secretary Krissy Noem said yesterday she would agree to. But Democrats don’t trust that and want it put in law.”
  (04:48 – 05:20)

• Takeaway:
  The situation in the House is fluid, riding on a thin majority, high passions, and electoral posturing. Even if the shutdown ends, DHS reforms discussions are predicted to be “pretty difficult.” (04:48)

2. U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Resume Amid Military Tensions

Segment Start: 05:33

Key Discussion Points

• Diplomacy vs. Military Threats:
  U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff heads to Turkey for renewed nuclear talks with Iran, joined by key regional mediators Qatar and Turkey. The meetings happen as President Trump considers military action, and regional states push hard for dialogue to avoid broader conflict.

• Regional Economic Stakes:
  Mid-East powers (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey) stress the need for stability to realize ambitious economic plans, and fear that a U.S.-Iran conflict would undermine this.

• Iran’s Negotiating Climate:
  Iran signals willingness to talk, but not at the expense of sovereignty. President Massoud Pezeshkian says Iran seeks “fair and equitable negotiations provided a suitable environment exists.”

• U.S. Aims:
  Demands include halting Tehran’s nuclear enrichment, support for proxies (Hezbollah, Hamas), and limiting the ballistic missile program — all core to Iran’s power projection.

• Skepticism About Real Progress:

  • Dana Stroul (Washington Institute for Near East Policy):

    “The Iranians are pragmatic. They’re going to work to appear willing to make concessions, but something not actually meaningful in terms of sufficient reassurances.”
    (07:30)

  • Iran comes in weakened (proxy networks and air defenses battered by Israel), but still poses a missile threat.

• Why Talks Now?
  Talks may buy time for U.S. military buildup and provide leverage. Trump’s strategy may be to build force, reassure allies, and keep the diplomatic door ajar—not necessarily to broker an immediate deal.

Notable Quotes

• Jackie Northam:

  “Iran has warned if the U.S. launches an assault, it could result in a regional war... they need calm and stability in order to pursue some of their grand economic development plans.”
  (06:03 – 06:17)

  “This meeting might not take place. A lot can happen between now and Friday.”
  (08:54)

3. Guthrie Investigation: Where is Savannah Guthrie’s Mother?

Segment Start: 09:08

Key Discussion Points

• Urgent Missing Person Case:
  Savannah Guthrie pleads publicly for help finding her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, believed abducted from her Arizona home.

• Timeline & Circumstances:
  Last seen by relatives before 10 p.m. Saturday; reported missing when she didn’t attend church.
  Sheriff describes Nancy as mentally sound but physically frail.

• Investigation Moves:

  • Drones, dogs, and helicopters deployed overnight.
  • Homicide detectives processed the scene, but the case remains classified as a missing persons investigation.
  • The home’s state was “concerning” and Nancy likely could not leave on her own.

• Neighborhood Profile:
  Area is semi-private, with desert landscape and wide spacing between homes, making unnoticed movement possible but fostering privacy.

• Community Response:
  Local anxiety is high given the Guthries’ deep community ties—Savannah is an alumna of the University of Arizona, her mother a university staffer for two decades.

Notable Quotes

• Arizona Public Media reporter L.M. Boyd:

  “We know that Nancy Guthrie was last seen by relatives Saturday night just before 10pm at her home in Catalina Foothills community... She did not come to church the next day.”
  (09:38 – 10:04)

• Sheriff Chris Nanos:

  “We need her back. We need to find her and time is very critical. She is 84. She needs her meds. Her family needs her too.”
  (10:10 – 10:20)

• Boyd, on why abduction is suspected:

  “The state of the home is concerning... she would not be able to leave the home on her own. She was likely taken in the middle of the night.”
  (10:40 – 10:54)

• Boyd, on community mood:

  “The community is deeply engaged. They’re worried about the Guthrie family... Savannah visits often and gives talks. Her mother, Nancy, worked at the university for nearly 20 years. So she is embedded in the community.”
  (11:48 – 12:19)

Noteworthy Moments & Quotes

• On House vote for shutdown end:

  “This plan has faced both bipartisan support and bipartisan opposition in the House.” – Claudia Grisales (03:23)

• On Iran’s tactical approach:

  “They’re going to work to appear willing to make concessions, but something not actually meaningful in terms of sufficient reassurances.” – Dana Stroul (07:30)

• On urgency in the Guthrie case:

  “Time is very critical. She is 84. She needs her meds. Her family needs her too.” – Sheriff Chris Nanos (10:10 – 10:20)

Key Timestamps

• 01:59: Shutdown situation update — House prospects, context, and process
• 02:45 – 05:20: Claudia Grisales explains negotiations, House divide, reforms debate
• 05:33 – 08:59: US-Iran nuclear talks preview, regional implications, what’s really at stake
• 09:08 – 12:25: Guthrie missing person investigation — details, community reaction, law enforcement actions

Summary prepared for readers who want an in-depth, structured glimpse of the episode’s substance and tone.