Embedded Files
Article written by Avalon Stewart, Feb 2nd 2026
A Stirring of the Nation
Newest Epstein Files Release
Just this past Friday, the Department of Justice released almost 3 million additional files on Jeffery Epstein that divulge information about the multitude of his wealthy and famous clients. One person that gets a spotlight in this release is current president Donald Trump, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stating at a news conference that “They [the Whitehouse] had no oversight over this review. They did not tell this department how to do our review, what to look for, what to redact, what to not redact”. This comes with the fact that the Justice Department has been accused many times of withholding crucial documents that reference Donald Trump.
This diagram showing Jeffrey Epstein’s inner circle was released by the Justice Department on Friday. US Department of Justice
As a part of their investigation The Justice Department revealed a list of Epstein co-conspirators with, as per usual, several of the figures tied closely to him being redacted. The diagram shows many known associates including Ghislaine Maxwell and Jean-Luc Brunel. Many advocates have heavily criticized the DOJ for overly heavy and equally inconsistent usage of redactions on names and images.
Department of Justice
Many other influential figures such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Steve Bannon, Bill Clinton, and a former Obama White House Counsel, Kathy Ruemmler. Musk himself claimed in September in a post on X that “Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED”, but the receipts show otherwise. Documents show that Musk tried multiple times in 2012 and 2013 to coordinate trips to an island of Epstein's with his then wife, Talulah Riley. It’s unclear from the documented email exchange whether Elon Musk actually went through with visiting, however.
As of now, the latest release raises more questions than it answers.In the United States, members of Congress from both parties have blasted the Justice Department’s handling of the release, with Democrats accusing the Trump administration of a “cover-up” for redacting names and withholding sizeable portions of the files, even as the Epstein Files Transparency Act mandated broad disclosure. Lawmakers like Rep. Jamie Raskin have demanded unredacted access and oversight hearings, while bipartisan efforts are underway to enforce full compliance with the law, including potential contempt actions against officials who resist releasing remaining materials.
The Life of Catherine O’Hara
On January 30th, beloved actress and comedian Catherine O’Hara was announced to have passed away at the age of 71 years old following a brief illness. Throughout her lengthy career, she cemented her role as “America’s Mom” through the many parts she played. Some notable productions include; “Home Alone”, "Beetlejuice", “Schitt’s Creek”, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, “Best in Show”, and many more.
Catherine O'Hara photographed by Jerry Avenaim
O’Hara was often best known for her role in the “Home Alone” film series, playing the mother of Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin. After O’Hara’s passing, Culkin, who still refers to O’Hara as “mom” wrote in a social media post, “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more,” Culkin wrote. “I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later”.
Catherine’s most recent big role was as Moira Rose in the TV series “Schitt’s Creek”, with her co-star Dan Levy writing on social media, “What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years”. Seth Rogen, who recently starred with O’Hara in “The Studio” on Apple TV, said “We’re all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it. She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous … she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it”.
O’Hara is survived by her husband, Welch, and her sons, Matthew and Luke.
January 30th Student ICE Protests
Photo Credit: Jack Petrie
This last Friday, thousands of students of all different grades from across the nation walked out of their classes, holding signs and chanting together in a movement of protest against ICE and in the wake of the multiple shootings of innocent civilians in January by federal agents. This comes after multiple nationwide organizations called for a boycott of school, shopping, and work.
Students nationwide are all saying the same thing; they want ICE out. A senior at a Portland High School, Jasmin Reyes-Contreras stated, “We as students care about this issue. We as students care about the funding that’s going to ICE because this is impacting everybody. I mean there’s been students who’ve gotten their parents taken away…”.
In Texas, UT Austin professor Zenzi Griffin voiced, “I feel like I can’t just sit by, it’s time to act,” Griffin said. “A couple protesters got killed, but people are dying in detention, families are being ripped apart, and this is not the first time the U.S. government has attacked people in the same way”. Additionally, some Republicans, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and House Rep. Michael McCaul, have called for investigations into Pretti’s killing.
Joaquin Castro
In additional news, 5 year old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias have, as of Sunday afternoon, returned to Minnesota from the ICE facility in Texas they had been held in. They were initially detained on January 20th from their home in Minneapolis, with neighbors and school officials having accused federal immigration officers of using the preschooler as “bait” by telling him to knock on the door to his house so that his mother would come outside. Thankfully, according to Texas Representative Joaquin Castro’s spokesperson, the two have been confirmed to have arrived home after being picked up and escorted by Castro on Saturday night.
Citations
Catherine o’hara died “after a brief illness,” her rep confirms. (n.d.). People.Com. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://people.com/catherine-ohara-died-after-brief-illness-11896606
Chowdhury, M. (2026, January 30). Deputy AG says DOJ “did not protect President Trump” in Epstein files. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/epstein-files-release-doj-01-30-26
Giraldo, N. (2026, January 30). January 30, 2026—Minnesota immigration and nationwide protest updates. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/minnesota-ice-minneapolis-protests-01-30-26
Honoring Catherine O’Hara: Emmy-winning actress, comedy icon. (n.d.). Honoring Catherine O’Hara: Emmy-Winning Actress, Comedy Icon - The Post. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2026/02/honoring-catherine-ohara-home-alone-schitts-creek-luke-ream
Hundreds of students walk out of class across Portland to protest ICE. (n.d.). Opb. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/30/oregon-businesses-students-general-strike-immigration-enforcement/
Luscombe, R. (2026, February 2). Democrats vow to fight ‘full-blown cover-up’ after release of Epstein files. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/02/new-epstein-files-democrats-call-cover-up
Runnels, A. (2026, January 31). Hundreds of Texas students walk out to protest ICE killings. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/30/texas-students-protest-ice-capitol/
The latest Epstein files release includes famous names and new details about an earlier investigation. (2026, January 31). PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/the-latest-epstein-files-release-includes-famous-names-and-new-details-about-an-earlier-investigation
VanArendonk, K. (2026, January 30). Catherine o’hara was everyone’s mom. Vulture. https://www.vulture.com/article/catherine-ohara-legacy-obituary.html
5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and father return to Minnesota from ICE facility in Texas. (2026, February 1). AP News. https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-boy-liam-conejo-ramos-fc958185cd2b4e946b82081be11bc0f6
Avalon Stewart
Avalon Stewart
Avalon is from Mount Vernon, Washington. She is a Freshman at Whitman College and plans to major in Psychology and Politics. In high school she competed in Speech and Debate all four years and even was state champ in Congressional Debate. She is passionate about politics and the process of delivering news that people can trust.
Lead editor for The Lamplight
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