The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Wed Feb 4 2026

Nicole Fallert
Reporter & Newsletter Writer

Travis don't make Taylor mad! Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Here's what's breaking this morning:

•	Renee Good's siblings testified before Congress about her fatal shooting by an ICE agent.
•	Melinda French Gates says Bill Gates must "answer to" Epstein file claims.
•	Lindsey Vonn won't let a torn ACL stop her Olympic comeback.

Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Wednesday, from lawmakers' rifts over ICE reforms to an ongoing search for Savannah Guthrie's mother. Plus: A pretty Penny.

The shutdown is over. Now a race is on to reform Trump's ICE.

After a partial government shutdown ended Tuesday, lawmakers now face a Feb. 13 deadline to come up with a compromise to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. If they don't, the Coast Guard and TSA will see disruptions.

But Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) won't. That's because Congress approved $75 billion for ICE over the next several years under the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" that President Donald Trump signed into law last summer.

But ICE is still a sticking point as lawmakers stare down the deadline. Senate Democrats have a list of three main demands for reforming immigration enforcement . Among their asks is an end to sweeping immigration checks known as "roving patrols." They also want more accountability for ICE and Border Patrol, including independent investigations and stricter use-of-force standards. And they're imploring federal agents to be prohibited from wearing masks and for body camera requirements.

Some Senate Republicans have said they're amenable to some of those requests.

More news to know now

•	Savannah Guthrie exits hosting NBC Olympics. The "Today" anchor stepped away from hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Italy as authorities continue to investigate her 84-year-old mother Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. Guthrie's neighbors told USA TODAY they fear for her safety.
•	Trump again called for federal intervention in elections. The president's talk of nationalizing the voting process generated bipartisan pushback and alarms critics worried about the fairness of future races.
•	People trying to melt snow keep setting homes ablaze. Homeowners may want to expedite snow and ice removal from their roofs to prevent collapse. But don't use an open flame to melt ice on your home.

Dogs

A lucky Penny

A Doberman named Penny sits after winning the 'Best in Show' competition at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York City on Feb. 3, 2026.

Shannon Stapleton, REUTERS

A Doberman named Penny won "Best in Show" at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday in New York City. Penny beat thousands of other pups in the competition.

Caregiving

A nana fights in court

Texas child welfare workers removed a 16-month-old and her brother from their parents' home in January 2025. Their grandmother, Rochelle, cared for them for months until, one day last September, a state official took the children from daycare without notice or explanation. The kids were driven 170 miles to live with strangers. Afraid she'd never see them again again, Rochelle decided to fight to bring them home.