It's frequently a challenge for a news organization to cover a story that involves itself, or one of its employees.
WEEKEND FORECAST: Highs near 80 degrees, sunshine for mostRead full article: Woman arrested, accused of murdering boyfriend in China Grove, affidavit saysCommunity support pours in for Kerrville teen injured in school bus crashIn this image provided by NBCUniversal, Savannah Guthrie , right, her mom Nancy speak, Wednesday, April 17, 2019, in New York.
In this image provided by NBCUniversal, Savannah Guthrie, center, her mom Nancy, left, and Jenna Bush Hager speak, Wednesday, April 17, 2019, in New York. In this image provided by NBCUniversal, Savannah Guthrie, right, her mom Nancy speak, Wednesday, April 17, 2019, in New York. Savannah Guthrie gets top billing every weekday morning when the “Today” show introduces its cast. In an anguishing twist, theNBC's morning show is reporting news that it is part of, a journalistic challenge made more acute by the conceit that this television format has long been built upon: The on-air team is a family, one that viewers are part of each day. Guthrie has been co-host of “Today” since 2012.The probable abduction of Nancy Guthrie from her Arizona home last weekend was the lead story on “Today” every morning this past week, as it often was on other newscasts. “Our thoughts and our prayers remain firmly focused on our friend,” said Craig Melvin, Guthrie's co-host. His partner has been replaced this week by Sheinelle Jones, who typically anchors the show's fourth hour. The “Today” show coverage stood in marked contrast to another journalism institution in the news this past week: The Washington Post did not assign any of its reporters to cover the announcement that the newspaper wasFor the most part, “Today” was relatively straightforward in its coverage, while mindful of the fact that it affected a person that its viewers “knew.” Dedicated fans are also familiar with Guthrie's mother, who has made a handful of appearances on the show with her daughter over the years — clips that were replayed this past week. Melvin and Jones updated the story with each day's developments, with the help of reporter Liz Kreutz in Arizona and Tom Winter, a law enforcement correspondent. At times, the details came at a frustratingly slow pace. “We're getting new information,” Winter said at one point. “Unfortunately, it's not really new information than can help advance the case.” Rather than overdoing it, the show seems to have covered the developments as they would if another well-known person — and not the mother of “Today’s co-host — was involved, said Shelley Ross, a longtime ”Today” competitor as former top producer at ABC’s “Good Morning America” and, later, CBS’ morning show. “They're reporting it as stoically as possible without medicating themselves,” Ross said. “They were very professional in their coverage. I think it was pitch-perfect and helpful.” When Guthrie recorded a video message with her brother and sister, addressed to their mother and potential kidnappers, “Today” aired it in full. That was one indication of the personal involvement — other networks generally aired bits and pieces of the video — but Ross argued that it made for effective television. “Today” seems to have sought — and was taking the advice — of experts in hostage situations, she said.The need to cover the story when the show was part of the news isn't foreign to “Today” — or Guthrie. NBC left it to her and Hoda Kotb to tell viewers in 2017 whenBeyond this week's headlines, “Today” colleague Jenna Bush Hager reported on Guthrie's religious faith, saying they were neighbors in New York City who often attended church together. Kotb, Guthrie's co-anchor after Lauer's firing until she left the show last year, returned Friday for a story about how others in news and entertainment, along with “Today” viewers, had shown their support.Viewing Kotb's return as a “family member” returning home at a time of crisis may seem schmaltzy, but it's an apt metaphor in this case, said Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture. Network morning shows are the ultimate fluid format: a “Today” host could report on a complex breaking news story one morning, and dress up in a Halloween costume the next, Thompson said. The show's sets are often designed to make it appear like a viewer is looking into a living room. “This is really the ‘Today’ show doing exactly what the ‘Today’ show was designed to do three-quarters of a century ago,” Thompson said. Guthrie's absence was also noted Friday at the beginning of NBC's coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. She was supposed to have co-hosted the event with Terry Gannon, but stayed in Arizona to be with her family and was replaced by Mary Carillo. “She is dearly missed by everybody,” said Terry Gannon, the co-host. NBC's Guthrie coverage made The Washington Post's own decision more noticeable. With the troubled news outlet facing headwinds over the past few years, its management decreed that its own media reporters who cover the news industry not write about their own. They stuck with that decision even as the deep layoffs, which included eliminating the newspaper's sports section, were widely covered elsewhere.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.People waiting more than a year for replacement of damaged mailboxes in NE Bexar County neighborhoodBlue Star Arts Complex’s ‘First Friday’ in full effect amid employee protest at Brick venueCat lost after July 4 floods in Hill Country reunited with owner 6 months laterTxDOT to opens final Loop 1604 flyover ramp on far Northwest Side near The RimICE confirms purchase of East Side warehouse, plans to hold immigrant detainees insideHeard about the Arctic blast? No worries for us!ICE purchases East Side facility to hold immigrant detainees, agency confirmsJudson ISD school board proposes termination of superintendent during special meetingHow to save water as SAWS expected to increase ratesAny Baby Can of Southwest Texas expands Spanish services, encourages other do the sameWhen does San Antonio typically see its last freeze? 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U.S. News Sheinelle Jones Jenna Hager Hoda Kotb Terry Gannon Tom Winter David Bauder Savannah Guthrie Business Mary Carillo Matt Lauer Shelley Ross Liz Kreutz Nancy Guthrie Craig Melvin
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