Latest News Digest - February 3, 2026
- Elisa Ballard
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
National News
3 Million Files Released on Epstein Case by DOJ - The primary and largest release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files by the U.S. Department of Justice occurred on January 30, 2026, when over 3 million pages of documents—along with thousands of images and videos—were published. This followed a smaller partial release in late 2025 and fulfilled (with some delay) requirements under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law on November 19, 2025. The public can access these files directly on the Department of Justice website at justice.gov/epstein where the documents are posted for download after redactions for victim privacy and other sensitive information. Note that some materials remain redacted or withheld, and there has been ongoing criticism regarding completeness and handling.
So far, questions have arisen tied to documents in the DOJ files regarding the following:
An October 5, 2015 Letter of Agreement between Jeffrey Epstein’s Southern Trust Company and the Rothschild Group indicating a $25 Million payment to Epstein for “risk analysis” and “certain algorythms”. This was after Epstein had already pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges of procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute in Florida.
Bill Gates’ name appears in 2539 files. One file appears to be a memorandum that Epstein wrote to himself on 7/18/2013 indicating he had been asked by his friend of 7 years, Bill Gates to supply him drugs to deal with sexually transmitted diseases that Bill was dealing with after being with Russian girls and married women.
Some files indicate that Michael Wolff was collaborating with Epstein to smear President Trump. President Trump says the latest release absolves him and that he will likely be suing Michael Wolff for conspiring with Epstein to do him harm. On one particular email, Jeffrey Epstein admitted Donald Trump “never got a massage”. - justice.gov, and X Posts of @zeeemedii
Lawmakers Race to End Partial Government Shutdown on February 3, 2026 - In a dramatic day on Capitol Hill, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced legislation on February 3, 2026, that is expected to end the four-day partial government shutdown, with a final passage vote scheduled around 1 p.m. ET and President Donald Trump poised to sign it shortly after. The package includes full-year funding for most federal agencies through September and a two-week continuing resolution specifically for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE and Border Patrol, buying time for ongoing negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms. No Democrats supported advancement, highlighting deep partisan divides.. - USAToday.com
President Trump Threatens Canada with Retaliatory Measures for Not Certifying Gulfstream Jets - On January 29-30, 2026, President Trump posted on Truth Social accusing Canada of "wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly" refusing to certify several Gulfstream business jet models (G500, G600, G700, and G800), calling them "one of the greatest, most technologically advanced airplanes ever made" from a "Great American Company." In retaliation, he announced that the U.S. was "hereby decertifying" Bombardier's Global Express jets "and all Aircraft made in Canada" until Gulfstream receives full certification. He further threatened a 50% tariff on "any and all Aircraft sold into the United States of America" from Canada if the issue is not "immediately corrected," claiming Canada was effectively blocking Gulfstream sales through the certification process. - Truth Social Post of Donald J. Trump
Nationwide Protests Continue - Nationwide protests and strikes erupted against President Trump's aggressive immigration policies, with thousands demonstrating in Minneapolis and other cities, calling for "no work, no school, no shopping" in response to fatal ICE shootings and raids, including the death of Alex Pretti, prompting a Justice Department civil rights investigation. - yahoo.com
Heavy Snow in North and South Carolina A major winter storm from January 30 to February 1, 2026, struck the Southeastern U.S. as a bomb cyclone, bringing heavy snow to North and South Carolina, canceling thousands of flights, causing widespread power outages affecting nearly 190,000 people, and leading to numerous accidents and at least one indirect fatality. - msn.com
Alternative Halftime Show - Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is hosting "The All-American Halftime Show" on February 8, 2026, as a patriotic, family-friendly alternative to the official Super Bowl LX halftime performance by Bad Bunny, emphasizing celebrations of "faith, family, and freedom" amid conservative backlash to the NFL's choice. The lineup, announced on February 2, features headliner Kid Rock alongside country artists Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, with the event streaming live around 8 p.m. ET on TPUSA's YouTube, X, and Rumble channels, as well as platforms like Daily Wire+, OANN, and Real America's Voice. - deadline.com
Another Possible Chinese Biological Lab Found in Las Vegas Home - On February 1-2, 2026, the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department raided a home in the east Las Vegas Valley (Sugar Springs area, Nevada), uncovering what authorities described as a suspected illegal biological laboratory. Investigators found refrigerators containing vials of unknown liquids and collected over 1,000 biological samples, which were secured and sent to an FBI lab for testing; the items appeared consistent with those from a prior case. Property records link the home (owned by David Destiny Discovery LLC) to Chinese national Jia Bei Zhu (also known as David He or Jesse Zhu), who is already in federal custody and facing charges related to an illegal biolab discovered in Reedley, California, in 2023. - abcnews.go.com
California News
Preparations for Super Bowl LX in San Francisco Bay Area - Super Bowl LX preparations are dominating conversations on X, with heightened security measures in the Bay Area drawing attention; a National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) helicopter was spotted scanning San Francisco for potential threats ahead of the February 8 game at Levi's Stadium. The New England Patriots' arrival in California for Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks has generated excitement, with posts showing the team departing from T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island and landing in Santa Clara. - usatoday.com
Jelly Roll Made Bold Grammy Award Acceptance Speech - Jelly Roll won three Grammy awards, including best contemporary country album. During his passionate acceptance speech, he shared a personal story of redemption, expressing gratitude to Jesus for changing his life and emphasizing that Jesus is for everybody, regardless of political party or music label. - yahoo.com
Governor’s Race Gets More Crowded -The 2026 California gubernatorial race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom remains a wide-open and crowded contest, featuring a mix of prominent Democrats and outsiders vying for the top-two primary spots in June. Former Fox News host Steve Hilton has gained momentum with a strong $4.1 million fundraising haul in his initial quarter, appealing to conservative and anti-establishment voters, while San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan officially entered the race on January 29 as a moderate Democrat emphasizing housing, public safety, and Silicon Valley innovation, quickly drawing tech-sector support. Tonight, February 3, several candidates—including Hilton, Mahan, Tom Steyer, Antonio Villaraigosa, Xavier Becerra, and Tony Thurmond—will face off in the first major televised debate of the cycle, hosted live by KTVU FOX 2 and FOX 11, focusing on critical issues like housing, the economy, wildfires, and homelessness (notably, figures like Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell opted out of this event). - ktvu.com