Overview of Evening Wire: Ukraine Talks Begin Again & YouTuber Challenges Disney
This episode of Evening Wire (Feb 5, 2026) — hosted by John Bickley with Georgia Howe — runs through top national and international headlines: renewed Ukraine–Russia negotiations, the ongoing disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, an independent YouTuber’s unexpected box-office success, federal and administrative actions in Washington, and local-to-national law‑enforcement developments.
Top stories (quick bullets)
- Nancy Guthrie disappearance: timeline released, ransom note mentions Apple Watch and floodlight; family requested proof of life; investigation ongoing.
- Ukraine–Russia: second round of peace talks in the UAE; five-plus hours closed-door; fighting and attacks on Ukrainian power grid continue.
- Mark Fischbach (Markiplier) scored a major indie box-office win with Iron Lung, highlighting YouTube creators’ crossover potential.
- Federal/legal: arrest of Kyle Wagner (reported Antifa figure) for threatening attacks on ICE officers; EEOC seeks Nike documents in DEI investigation; FTC hires Glenna Goldis to investigate gender‑affirming care harms.
- Administrative/policy: OPM rule expands presidential authority over certain career bureaucrats; New START nuclear treaty formally expired; Trump administration launching critical minerals initiatives.
- Other: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. meets Tennessee GOP on health priorities; Daily Wire gains a seat in the White House briefing room.
Detailed summaries
Nancy Guthrie disappearance
- Timeline from Pima County Sheriff Chris Nano:
- Nancy returned home ~9:48 PM Saturday.
- Doorbell camera disconnected at ~1:47 AM.
- Camera detected a person at ~2:12 AM.
- Nancy’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone at ~2:28 AM.
- Ransom note surfaced, threatening Nancy’s life unless millions were paid; it specifically referenced her Apple Watch and a floodlight.
- Savannah Guthrie and siblings responded to the ransom demand and asked for proof of life; no subsequent communication from the note’s authors and no suspects publicly identified.
- The Daily Wire released a podcast episode, “Finding Nancy Guthrie,” for deeper coverage.
Ukraine–Russia peace talks
- Second round held in the United Arab Emirates; U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian negotiators spoke for about 5.5 hours behind closed doors.
- Talks come amid renewed Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power grid, which have killed at least six people.
- Key impasses: Russia opposes NATO troops or guarantees in Ukraine; Ukraine refuses territorial concessions. Outcome uncertain.
Mark Fischbach’s indie film success
- Mark Fischbach (Markiplier) released an independently produced horror film, Iron Lung.
- Iron Lung grossed nearly $18 million and led U.S. box office for much of the weekend before Disney’s Send Help (Sam Raimi) took the top spot on Sunday with about $19 million and wider distribution.
- Coverage and headlines downplayed Iron Lung’s performance; Fischbach attributes this partly to a stigma against YouTube creators transitioning to mainstream film. The film was produced on a low budget (reported ~$1M).
Arrest and threats tied to anti-ICE activism
- Federal authorities arrested Kyle Wagner, described in the report as a cross-dressing Antifa leader in Minneapolis.
- Wagner allegedly urged followers to “take up arms” and attack law enforcement following the fatal shooting of an anti‑ICE activist; he has been removed from social platforms and payment apps.
- Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche: “Conspire and threaten to assault, kill and dox officers and you find yourself in federal custody facing the full force of justice.”
EEOC vs. Nike (DEI investigation)
- The EEOC requested Nike produce DEI-related records dating back to 2018 as part of an investigation into alleged discrimination against white employees and applicants.
- Nike declined full compliance with a subpoena; EEOC filed to enforce the subpoena. Nike says it has already provided thousands of pages in response.
- EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas emphasized the commission will take necessary steps to fully investigate.
FTC hiring and gender‑affirming care scrutiny
- Glenna Goldis, previously fired from NY Attorney General Letitia James’ office after criticizing transgender medical procedures for minors, was hired as a senior litigator in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
- Goldis is expected to lead investigations into potential harms from gender‑affirming care; she previously participated in an FTC roundtable on the topic.
Administrative and policy updates
- Office of Personnel Management rule: expands presidential oversight over certain career employees with duties tied directly to executing presidential priorities — potentially affecting ~50,000 previously protected positions.
- New START treaty: formally expired; Russia had suspended participation in 2023. President Trump signaled willingness to renegotiate and has suggested restarting U.S. nuclear testing.
- Critical minerals initiative: the administration announced Project Vault and hosted the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, aiming to stabilize global critical‑minerals markets and reduce reliance on China. VP J.D. Vance described a “preferential trade zone” and enforceable price floors as part of the plan.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met Tennessee GOP leaders to discuss rural health, food policy (revised food‑pyramid guidance emphasizing whole foods and healthy fats), and rising public‑health concerns in the state.
Media, immigration and press notes
- DHS says the New York Times refused a requested full-page ad highlighting ICE arrests in Minnesota; the ad would have shown 30 mugshots and criticized sanctuary policies.
- The Daily Wire obtained a permanent seat in the White House briefing room; Mary Margaret Olohan is now the outlet’s first White House correspondent.
Notable quotes
- Deputy AG Todd Blanche on threats to officers: “Conspire and threaten to assault, kill and dox officers and you find yourself in federal custody facing the full force of justice.”
- HHS Secretary RFK Jr.: “Our job is not to tell Americans what to eat. It’s to tell them what’s good for them and to give them good information.”
- VP J.D. Vance on critical minerals: proposing “a concrete mechanism to return the global critical minerals market to a healthier, more competitive state.”
What to watch / follow-up
- Developments in the Nancy Guthrie investigation: proof-of-life, suspect identification, and any public communications linked to the ransom note.
- Outcomes from the UAE peace talks: whether Moscow or Kyiv budge on NATO guarantees or territorial issues.
- EEOC enforcement decision in the Nike DEI probe.
- Implementation details and country participation in Project Vault / critical minerals trade arrangements.
- Further reporting on FTC investigations into gender‑affirming care and any policy actions from HHS initiatives.
Where to find more
- Daily Wire coverage and the “Finding Nancy Guthrie” podcast episode (Daily Wire site and Daily Wire Plus podcast channel).
- For complete articles and updates, visit dailywire.com.
Those are the episode’s main takeaways and next items to watch.