Overview of Government Reopens But DHS Funding Fight Heats Up, Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn to Compete With Injury, Westminster's Top Dog and more
Host Kate Baldwin runs through five headline stories to start the day: the federal government has reopened after a short shutdown but a looming funding fight over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is next; a missing-persons investigation into Today host Savannah Guthrie’s mother; new Epstein-related documents naming Bill Gates and fallout in the U.K.; Lindsey Vonn’s decision to compete at the Winter Olympics despite a severe knee injury; dental health coverage on Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Chasing Life podcast; and the Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show winner.
Top stories — quick takeaways
-
Government reopens; DHS funding fight ahead
- President Trump signed a spending package that fully reopens the federal government and funds most agencies through September.
- A new showdown looms over DHS funding: lawmakers have nine days to reach a deal or DHS funding will lapse again.
- Democrats are pushing reforms tied to funding, including limits on federal agents wearing masks and requiring judicial warrants for all immigration arrests; Speaker Mike Johnson called those proposals “unworkable.”
- Punchbowl: “Congress put out one fire just to start another.”
-
Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother (Nancy Guthrie)
- Authorities say Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Tucson home and has been missing for more than three days.
- TMZ and at least one local newsroom reported they received what appears to be a ransom note; Pima County Sheriff said the note appears credible and will be treated as evidence.
- Blood was found inside the home (source: LA Times); investigators are reviewing license-plate readers, neighborhood surveillance and data from Guthrie’s pacemaker. It’s unclear whether a vehicle was used.
- Tip line: 520-351-4900 (Pima County); the FBI tip line is also available.
-
Epstein document releases and fallout
- New documents from the FBI’s Jeffrey Epstein files include draft emails and references to Bill Gates (no allegations of criminal wrongdoing against Gates).
- Gates: “That email was never sent. The email is... false,” and expressed regret for his past interactions with Epstein.
- Melinda French Gates said remaining questions are for others to answer, not her.
- In the U.K., former ambassador Peter Mandelson is resigning from Parliament after documents suggested he leaked sensitive information to Epstein; he was previously fired as ambassador after a note for Epstein surfaced.
-
Lindsey Vonn to compete despite major knee injury
- Vonn says she suffered a “completely ruptured ACL,” plus bone bruising and meniscus damage in a recent crash, but plans to compete as training runs begin.
- She reports her knee feels stable, is not swollen, and she’ll use a knee brace; she aims to compete on Sunday.
- Context: Vonn is 41, a three-time Olympic medalist, recently became the oldest World Cup winner this season, and has a history of multiple severe injuries and surgeries (this is her third ACL tear).
-
Other highlights
- Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Chasing Life podcast will feature Dr. Kami Haas on oral health, cavity prevention, optimal routines, and the fluoride debate; Haas authored If Your Mouth Could Talk.
- Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show: Penny, a 4-year-old Doberman handled by Andy Linton, won Best in Show at Madison Square Garden — Penny is the fifth Doberman to ever win and Linton’s first Doberman win since 1989.
Notable quotes
- On the DHS funding fight: “Congress put out one fire just to start another.” (Punchbowl)
- Pima County Sheriff on the ransom note: the note “seems credible” and will be treated as evidence and a lead.
- Bill Gates on Epstein-related draft emails: “That email was never sent. The email is... false.”
- Lindsey Vonn on competing: “Considering how my knee feels... I am confident that I can compete... As long as there's a chance, I will try.” She added: “This would be the best comeback I done so far.”
Action items / What to watch
- DHS negotiations: funding expires in nine days — watch congressional negotiations for potential policy riders affecting ICE and DHS operations.
- Guthrie case: anyone with information should contact Pima County tip line 520-351-4900 or the FBI tip line.
- Olympics: monitor Lindsey Vonn’s training runs and race status as the Games progress — her participation is conditional on how her knee responds.
- Epstein fallout: further document releases or official inquiries could prompt additional resignations or investigations, especially in the U.K.
Podcast / episode notes
- Host: Kate Baldwin, CNN Podcasts.
- Next episode drops at noon ET and will examine the cultural/economic ripple effects of a celebrity wedding (Taylor Swift/Travis Barker-era theme teased).
- For more detail on oral health, listen to Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Chasing Life episode with Dr. Kami Haas.