'Today' show's touching way of showing support for Savannah Guthrie

The "Today" showis sending love and hope toSavannah Guthrie.

The anchors on the NBC morning show this week have been wearing yellow ribbons, and filling their studio with yellow roses, as a way of showing their support for their colleague amid the disappearance of her84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie.

On Feb. 18,Hoda Kotbnoted on air that many people were placing yellow flowers near the Guthrie home in Arizona, so the "Today" show decided to follow suit.

"We got a suggestion from one of our viewers, and we're doing the same here," Kotb said as the camera panned across a row of yellow flowers on the "Today" show set. "We have yellow roses around Studio 1A, and we're all wearing ribbons as we send our love to Savannah and her family."

"Today" show host Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, was seemingly abducted from her home outside Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of Feb. 1, 2026. Authorities released photos and videos on Feb. 10, of a potential suspect who was caught tampering with a camera on her front door on the morning of her disappearance. 

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> New images from a Nest camera show an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie's front door on the morning of her disappearance.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, accompanied by her siblings Annie and Camron, speaks in a video message, addressing that they are willing to pay for the release of their elderly mother, Nancy Guthrie, who went missing from her Arizona home several days ago, in this screen grab obtained from social media video taken at an unspecified location and released February 7, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie is missing, and Arizona officials say they are investigating her disappearance as a "crime."

"Today" show cohost Savannah Guthrie, accompanied by her siblings Annie and Camron Guthrie, speaks in a video message addressing a possible kidnapper who might be holding her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie in this screen grab obtained from social media video taken at an unspecified location and released Feb. 4, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The Pima County Sheriff's Office in Arizona received a 911 call reporting Nancy Guthrie missing from her home outside Tucson around noon local time on Sunday, Feb. 1.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> She was reported missing from her home in a community just north of Tucson on Feb. 1, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Search for Nancy Guthrie and person suspected of taking her continues

"Today" show host Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother,Nancy Guthrie, was seemingly abducted from her home outside Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of Feb. 1, 2026. Authorities released photos and videos on Feb. 10, of a potential suspect who was caught tampering with a camera on her front door on the morning of her disappearance.

"For the national collective, this is our missing mom, and this is a nice symbol," Carson Daly added.

Nancy Guthrie's neighbor Laura Garganopreviously told Peoplethat "some of us put flowers at the front of Nancy's house, while others who may not have wanted to go down to Nancy's house, put ribbons on their mailboxes," noting, "The yellow ribbon is a sentiment of hope and support after someone goes missing. I believe the use of the yellow ribbons goes back to hostage-taking in the 1970s."

Yellow ribbons were used as a symbol of hopeduring the Iran hostage crisisthat began in 1979. They were also used during the disappearance of 3-year-old Madeleine McCann in 2007,the BBC notes.

"Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother Nancy Guthrie was reported missing in February 2026. See photos of the mother-daughter duo together through the years on NBC and beyond. Here, they're pictured in an undated photograph. Arizona officials say they are investigating Nancy Guthrie's disappearance as a "crime."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nancy Guthrie and "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie are pictured in an undated photograph provided by NBC.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nancy Guthrie and "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie are pictured in an undated photograph provided by NBC.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nancy Guthrie and "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie are pictured on April 17, 2019, on "Today with Hoda & Jenna."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nancy Guthrie and "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie are pictured in an undated photograph provided by NBC.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie, is pictured in an undated photograph provided by NBC. Pictured here are Savannah and her mother on the set of the "Today" show on June 15, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nancy Guthrie and "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie are pictured in an undated photograph provided by NBC.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Search for Nancy Guthrie and person suspected of taking her continues

"Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old motherNancy Guthriewas reportedmissing in February 2026. See photos of the mother-daughter duo together through the years on NBC and beyond. Here, they're pictured in an undated photograph. Arizona officials say they are investigating Nancy Guthrie's disappearance as a "crime."

The anchors on the "Today" show continued to wear their yellow ribbons on Feb. 19, and the flowers have remained in the studio. Kotb, a former "Today" anchor who left the show in early 2025, has been helping fill in for Guthrie amid her absence. Earlier this week, she reflected on the messages of support she has been receiving from viewers.

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"I was walking through the airport yesterday, I was just flying back here. The number of people who came up and said, one thing they kept repeating, which just struck me is, 'She's like all of our moms. She's like all of our moms. Tell her we're praying. Tell her we're here,'" Kotb said. "And I think that's so important. It's touched everybody."

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her home in Arizona on Feb. 1, and authorities have said they believe she was taken against her will. Law enforcement is calling on the public to share any information that could lead to her recovery, and the FBI is offering a reward of $100,000.

A suspect in the case has not been identified, but according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department, investigators are analyzing biological evidence found at the Guthrie residence.

The "Today" show has been providing regular coverage of the case. Throughout the month, the show's anchors have also reflected on how the story has hit close to home. Nancy Guthrie had made numerous appearances on on the "Today" show with her daughter over the years, and the NBC anchors have noted they met and became close with her.Jenna Bush Hagershared earlier this month that Savannah Guthrie's mom is "loved deeply by everyone here at 'Today,'" whileSheinelle Jonesreflected, "Behind the scenes, we're all rattled. We're all shaken."

Savannah Guthrie most recently spoke out about thecase in a video shared on Instagramon Feb. 15, in which she addressed her mother's apparent kidnapper.

"We still have hope, and we still believe," Guthrie said. "And I wanted to say, to whoever has her, or knows where she is, that it's never too late, and you're not lost or alone, and it is never too late to do the right thing."

Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Today' show anchors wear yellow ribbons to support Savannah Guthrie

byJastin

in

2/20/2026 09:12:00 AM

'Today' show's touching way of showing support for Savannah Guthrie

The "Today" showis sending love and hope toSavannah Guthrie. The anchors on the NBC morning show th...

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Skier missing amid brutal weather near Lake Tahoe. Latest updates.

After tragedy struck in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range earlier this week whenat least eight skiers were killed in an avalanche and one remains missing, search teams are facing brutal winter conditions and the threat of more avalanches as they work to recover the bodies of the victims.

The skiers were part of a group of 15 guides and clients of a mountain guide company in the Lake Tahoe area. They were backcountry skiing from remote huts in an avalanche-prone area on Feb. 17 when the incident happened. Six people survived and were rescued hours later, and eight people have been located deceased. One was still missing but is presumed dead as of the latest update from authorities on Feb. 18.

It is thedeadliest avalanche in the United Statesin almost 45 years, according to theColorado Avalanche Information Center.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office said on Feb. 18 that none of the eight bodies were removed from the mountain because it has been too difficult for crews to access them. That struggle could extend on Feb. 19, with forecasters warning ofanother winter stormto bring heavy snow and a heightened avalanche risk.

"Due to the ongoing challenges of the weather, the avalanche conditions, the effort remains ongoing, as well as our search for the remaining skier," Sheriff Shannan Moon said.

Visual story:See how six skiers survived the deadly Tahoe avalanche

The region is under a winter storm advisory and an avalanche warning. Another over a foot of snow could fall on Feb. 19, after2 to 4 feet have already fallenin the Lake Tahoe area, according to the National Weather Service office in nearby Reno, Nevada.

"The longer that we continue to have people out there and exposed, the higher chance we put our rescuers in danger," Capt. Rusty Greene of the Nevada County Sheriff's Department said.

Inside the search for missing skiers after California avalanche

Avalanche was the deadliest in decades

The group of 15 skiers included four guides from the Blackbird Mountain Guides company and 11 clients, officials said. They were at the end of a three-day trip to the remote Frog Lake huts, which require miles of skiing, snowboarding or snow shoeing to access. The company said the group was returning to the trailhead at the end of the trip.

The avalanche happened in the Castle Peak area northwest of Lake Tahoe at about 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 17. Six people who survived had to shelter for hours until search and rescue crews could reach them. Two had injuries that weren't life threatening and were taken to hospitals later that evening.

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The surviving group located three of the missing people deceased, and rescuers found another five people deceased. One was still missing, officials said Feb. 18.

It was thedeadliest avalanche since 11 people were killed in 1981while attempting to climb Mount Rainier in Washington state.

Harsh conditions, threat of avalanches as recovery continues

The Feb. 17 avalanche came amid the strongest winter storm in the region of the year, reported the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Officials said the weather conditions, which included heavy snow and gusty winds creating whiteout conditions, made it extremely difficult to reach the survivors and find the victims.

Moon described the weather conditions as "horrific." At times, it was "impossible" to see in the conditions, Moon said on Feb. 18. The eight bodies that were located were not yet removed from the mountain because of the conditions and the risks to the search crews, authorities said. Search teams used a snowcat vehicle but had to ski the remaining 2 miles to reach the people stranded to avoid triggering another avalanche, she said.

On Feb. 19, forecasters said another 12 to 18 inches of snow could fall at elevations over 7,000 feet and 6 to 12 inches in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Ridge-top wind gusts will reach 45 mph, the weather service said.

There is also a high risk for large avalanches in backcountry areas of the Tahoe region, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center. Greene said on Feb. 18 that there was a concern that additional avalanches could rebury the victims' bodies, but officials also have to weigh the safety of the search team, which consists of volunteers.

"We've done everything we can to make it so that given the opportunity, we can get in and do a fast recovery if the weather gives us that chance," Greene said.

The searchers placed avalanche poles, probes that can help them later find the bodies' exact locations, but recovery will depend on how the weather acts over the next few days, he said.

"We want to really make sure that our first responders are safe and have all of the confidence that they can get there," Moon said.

Contributing: The Reno Gazette Journal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Latest on missing skier after avalanche at California's Lake Tahoe

byJastin

in

2/20/2026 08:42:00 AM

Skier missing amid brutal weather near Lake Tahoe. Latest updates.

After tragedy struck in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range earlier this week whenat least eight skiers were k...

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Taliban allows men to beat wives – so long as they don’t break bones

The Taliban has passed a law that allows men to beat their wives as long as it does not cause "broken bones or open wounds".

The Telegraph obtained the 60-page penal code – signed by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban supreme leader, and distributed to courts across Afghanistan – which classifies spousal beatings as "ta'zir" – discretionary punishment – rather than a criminal act.

A husband may strike his wife and children freely, provided the violence does not leave visible bone fractures or open wounds.

Even where serious injury can be proven, the maximum sentence is 15 days in prison.

The law is written to ensure that the bar is almost never met.

To pursue a complaint, a woman must present her wounds in person to a male judge while remaining fully veiled and accompanied by a male guardian.

In the majority of domestic violence cases, that guardian is the husband who committed the beating.

There is no provision in the code prohibiting physical, psychological or sexual violenceagainst women.

For those who do attempt to flee, thelaw offers another trap.

Article 34 says that a woman who goes to her parents' home without her husband's permission – even to escape violence – faces up to three months in prison. Family members who shelter her face the same sentence.

The code dismantles the legal framework established under Afghanistan's previous government, including a 2009 law that criminalised forced marriage, rape and gender-based violence and imposed sentences of between three months and one year for domestic abuse.

Working-class Afghans at the bottom of the hierarchy face imprisonment and corporal punishment.

The code explicitly distinguishes between"free" citizensand "slaves."

The requirement to bring a male chaperone to court – where that chaperone is, in most cases, the abuser – makes justice structurally impossible.

The criminalisation of fleeing to a parent's home makes escape structurally impossible.

The Taliban has since ruled that discussing the penal code is itself a criminal offence.

Narges, a former university student in western Herat, told The Telegraph: "The world has always shown its unjust side to us. I do not feel like I am living, and this feeling is shared by everyone I know."

She added: "Our life is more like a constant resistance against everything out there. No one sees us.No one cares about us.

"This new law is not just a law – it is making our bodies their field of control.No one would see our painunless our bones are broken. They are legalising fear. We are living in fear and silence."

Article 59 criminalises dancing – performing it and watching it – without providing any legal definition of what dancing constitutes.

"Dance for boys and girls, and those who play music for them, or the people who watch (attend) the show, are all criminals. The judge shall sentence each one of them to two months' imprisonment."

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The new law also criminalises thought. Criticising any action banned by the Taliban leadership is itself a criminal offence, including criticism of the ban on girls' education, which Taliban courts now classify as a lawful restriction.

Under Article 23, insulting Taliban leaders carries 20 lashes and six months in prison.

Any Afghan who witnesses opposition activity and fails to report it to Taliban authorities faces two years in prison.

There is no right to a lawyer anywhere in the legal document.

The entire edifice of fair trial has been stripped out and replaced with the discretion of Taliban judges, operating without oversight, without appeal, and now with the force of signed, distributed, enacted law.

Religious minorities face their own specific jeopardy.

Article 2 designates followers of non-Hanafi Islamic schools – including Shia Muslims, Ismailis, Salafis and Ahl-e-Hadith, roughly 15 per cent of the population – as "innovators" or apostates.

Teachers are permitted to beat children in their care, with only the most extreme injuries – broken bones, torn skin, heavy bruising – defined as excess.

Other physical violence, all psychological violence, all sexual violence against children are not prohibited.

Article 48 explicitly permits fathers to physically punish sons from the age of 10. The code frames this as acting in the child's interest.

Article 9 divides Afghan society into four formal tiers: religious scholars, elites, middle class, lower class.

The same crime committed by a scholar earns advice. Committed by an elite, it earns a court summons. If committed by a middle-class Afghan, the punishment is prison. And if committed by a working-class Afghan, the result is prison and corporal punishment.

Article 17 criminalises "mockery" of Islamic rulings with two years in prison, with no definition of what mockery means, leaving judges to decide arbitrarily.

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban has systematically curbed women's rights in Afghanistan.

The restrictionsaffect their daily lives, ranging from preventing them from showing their faces in public or driving a car, to forbidding conversations with men and restricting how they dress.

Women have already been ordered to cover their faces "to avoid temptation and tempting others" and refrain from speaking in the presence of unfamiliar men who are not husbands or close relatives.

Afghan women have also been ordered not to speak loudly inside their homes, to prevent their voices from being heard outside.

Women who defy the new rules will be arrested and sent to prison, the Taliban said.

In July 2024, a United Nations report said the ministry for promoting virtue and preventing vice was contributing to a climate of fear and intimidation among Afghans through its edicts and the methods used to enforce them.

However, in recent months, there have been increasing signs of discord from within the ranks of the Taliban as it tries to transform itself from a guerrilla force to a functioning government.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.

byJastin

in

2/20/2026 08:42:00 AM

Taliban allows men to beat wives – so long as they don’t break bones

The Taliban has passed a law that allows men to beat their wives as long as it does not cause "broken bones or open...

Read More