Up First from NPR — January 31, 2026

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This episode unpacks the latest release of Jeffrey Epstein files by the Justice Department, coverage of another partial government shutdown and its unusually charged political circumstances, and a significant winter storm threatening the U.S. Southeast. Each story offers on-the-ground reporting and expert analysis, prioritizing clarity and context on the nation’s core headlines.

1. More Epstein Files Released

Overview:
The Justice Department released 3 million pages of Jeffrey Epstein documents—part of an effort aimed at transparency, yet marked by disorganization, heavy redactions, and ongoing controversy over the treatment of victims’ identities.

Key Insights & Discussion:

• Delayed Release & Reasons

  • The files were due last month; the delay stemmed from efforts to comply with laws protecting victims’ privacy and a new requirement to release as much information as possible.
  • Quote:

    "It took time for them to comb through 6 million documents and make sure that they complied with existing laws around victim privacy and this new law’s directive to share as much information as possible."
    —Stephen Fowler (03:14)

• Scope & Content

  • Approximately half of the 6 million documents will not be released due to containing child pornography, attorney-client privilege, duplications, or irrelevance.
  • Released materials include:
    • Over 2,000 videos
    • 180,000 images
    • Internal criminal case files
    • Epstein’s emails and texts
    • Disorganized, largely uncontextualized files, often heavily redacted.
  • Inconsistencies include unredacted victims’ names and faces, while Epstein’s own name is sometimes redacted in his own texts.
  • Quote:

    "We did find examples of Epstein’s victims' names and photographs being unredacted. In some cases, texts that Epstein sent—his name was redacted."
    —Stephen Fowler (03:45)

  • Quirky find: A news photo of President Trump’s face hidden behind a black square (04:07).

• New Revelations

  • The files detail a wider web of high-profile interactions:
    • Names seen include Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Howard Lutnick, Kathy Rummler, and Trump’s new Federal Reserve chair pick, Kevin Warsh (found on a 2010 Christmas party invite list).
  • The records include salacious claims, particularly regarding Trump, but the Justice Department cautions these may be sensational and untrue.
  • Quote:

    “Mentions and conversations in this file are not indications of wrongdoing or association with Epstein’s crimes... files may include, quote, untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump.”
    —Stephen Fowler (04:29)

• Looking Forward

  • Journalists are combing through the vast trove for genuinely new information — especially Epstein’s private correspondence and financials.
  • Victims express anger at the exposure of their identities, while alleged abusers remain protected.
  • Congress demands transparency over redactions (about 200,000 pages), with a report due in two weeks.
  • Quote:

    “Publishing 3 million files like this just makes closure and finality even less likely for everybody involved here.”
    —Stephen Fowler (06:14)

Segment Timestamp:

• Topic intro: 02:40
• Interview with Stephen Fowler: 03:00–06:28

2. Government Shutdown — Political Clash Over Immigration Enforcement

Overview:
The latest partial government shutdown is distinct from previous ones—centered not on spending per se, but as leverage for Democrats seeking tighter constraints on federal immigration enforcement tactics after deadly incidents in Minneapolis.

Key Insights & Discussion:

• Scope & Impact

  • Senate voted to fund most of the government, but House approval is pending until at least Monday—meaning the shutdown could be brief, affecting relatively few services or paychecks.
  • Core services (like food assistance) are insulated due to earlier agreements; some workers (e.g., TSA) may be furloughed or work unpaid.
  • Quote:

    “If all goes smoothly, this could be really brief... not enough time for most federal workers to miss paychecks, though some might be furloughed or have to work without pay.”
    —Sam Gringlass (07:07)

• Why Another Shutdown So Soon?

  • The standoff began after Democrats opposed the Homeland Security funding bill—citing ICE-involved deaths of US citizens.
  • Republicans agreed to temporarily separate DHS funding (for 2 weeks) from the rest, allowing time for negotiations over ICE reform.
  • Quote:

    “Democrats pledged to oppose the Homeland Security funding bill, which includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement... Republicans agreed to Democrats’ demands to isolate DHS funding from the rest and only extend it for two weeks.”
    —Sam Gringlass (07:55)

• Demands & Political Stakes:

  • Democrats seek:
    • Judicial warrants for immigration raids
    • Impartial investigations after incidents
    • Body cameras and removal of masks for immigration officers
  • Democrats, emboldened by public outrage, are more willing to risk the shutdown this time.
  • Quote:

    “People want us to fight. People want us to act in an urgent way. So I think if we're fighting for these reforms, we're exactly where the American people want us to be.”
    —Sen. Chris Murphy (voiced by Scott Simon) (09:03)

• Unusual Republican Responses

  • Even GOP voices like Sen. Thom Tillis admit the Minneapolis images are damaging:
    • “It’s making the president look bad on policies that he won on... now nobody’s talking about securing the border, they’re talking about the incompetence of the leader of Homeland Security.”
  • Others, like Sen. Markwayne Mullin, defend ICE as upholding law and order, calling the deaths anomalies.

• What’s Next?

  • The House still must approve the funding; Democrats may yet use the opportunity to push further.
  • DHS funding remains on a two-week timer—Congress must rapidly negotiate reforms, a tall order for the deeply divided body.
  • Quote:

    “Funding for Homeland Security, it’s just temporary. Congress will have less than two weeks to coalesce around policy changes. And that is a really tall order here.”
    —Sam Gringlass (11:03)

Segment Timestamp:

• Topic intro: 06:35
• Congressional analysis: 07:03–11:14

3. Major Winter Storm Threatens the U.S. Southeast

Overview:
A massive winter storm is heading for the Southeast, bringing unusual snowfall, wind, and cold to states unaccustomed to winter extremes.

Key Insights & Discussion:

• Scope of the Storm:

  • Affected states: From New England to the Carolinas, including North Carolina (expecting up to a foot of snow) and normally mild South Carolina (possible 2–5 inches).
  • South Carolina declared a state of emergency (11:35).
  • Snow expected even into Georgia.

• Lowcountry Unpreparedness & Risks

  • Charleston's geography (many bridges/barrier islands) raises hazards, as bridges ice before roads.
  • Charleston Mayor William Cogswell urges:

    “Stay off the roads, stay home. We don’t really have the equipment to manage this kind of winter weather... make sure that we’re not putting our emergency personnel in unnecessary danger.” (13:07)

  • Strong winds and record lows are forecasted; "feels like" temps may drop into the single digits.

• Community Reactions

  • Grocery shelves emptied; newcomers (especially from northern states) note the region’s unique vulnerabilities.
  • Quote:

    “Even if it’s a couple inches of snow... you shut down for days here, they don’t have the plows or the supplies to take care of it. I learned the hard way to stock up for a few days.”
    —Monica Pepe, Connecticut transplant (14:09)

  • Locals know to stock up and stay home:

    “Just have enough food in the house so you don’t have to get out in it because that’s dangerous... we do not know how to drive in it.”
    —John Radcliffe, 83, longtime resident (14:26)

  • Anticipated power outages not yet observed in Charleston, but other southern states are still reeling from last week’s outages.

• Community Spirit

  • Optimism for family fun is present—children preparing to sled, even if hills are few in the Lowcountry.

Segment Timestamp:

• Weather intro: 11:24
• On-the-ground reporting (Victoria Hanson): 12:04–15:09

Notable Quotes

• On the chaos of the Epstein release:

  • "These files have no sense of organization or context and are often heavily redacted." —Stephen Fowler (03:45)

• On political willingness to risk a shutdown:

  • "People want us to fight. People want us to act in an urgent way." —Sen. Chris Murphy, as quoted by Scott Simon (09:03)

• On local snow in South Carolina:

  • "We don’t really have the equipment to manage this kind of winter weather." —Charleston Mayor William Cogswell (13:07)
  • "You shut down for days here, they don’t have the plows or the supplies to take care of it." —Monica Pepe (14:09)

Timestamps Index

• [02:40] — Epstein file release coverage begins
• [03:00–06:28] — Interview with NPR’s Stephen Fowler
• [06:35] — Government shutdown story begins
• [07:03–11:14] — NPR’s Sam Gringlass analysis
• [11:24] — Winter storm update
• [12:04–15:09] — Victoria Hanson reports from Charleston

Tone & Context

The hosts and reporters keep a brisk, conversational tone, but don’t shy from tough criticism or somber realities—especially regarding the sensitivity and ongoing wounds surrounding the Epstein case, and the political brinkmanship over immigration enforcement. Humor and local color lighten the mood in the weather segment, particularly with anecdotes about Southerners facing rare snow.

This summary distills the major stories and their nuances for listeners needing a concise but thorough catch-up on January 31, 2026’s top headlines, as delivered on NPR’s Up First.