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The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of ‘TODAY’ co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, intensified Thursday as investigators released a clearer sequence of events from the night she vanished and confirmed that federal authorities are now fully involved. The case, now in its fifth day, has drawn nationwide attention, though officials say no suspect or person of interest has been identified.

Throughout the investigation, officials have stressed they are operating under the belief that Guthrie is alive. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said: “Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there We want her home … The community is hurting with you. We really just want mom back.”

According to timeline events leading up to her disappearance, Nancy Guthrie left her home Saturday evening around 5:32 p.m. to have dinner with family. She traveled by Uber to her daughter’s house, and investigators have since spoken with the driver, though details of that conversation have not been disclosed. She returned home at approximately 9:48 p.m., when her garage door opened and then closed two minutes later.

Several unexplained events occurred early Sunday morning. Sheriff Nanos said that at about 1:47 a.m., the doorbell camera at Guthrie’s home went offline. Roughly 25 minutes later, the system logged motion classified as a person, but no footage is available. Nanos noted it is unclear whether that detection involved a human or an animal. At 2:28 a.m., Guthrie’s pacemaker app disconnected from her phone.  Family members grew alarmed when Guthrie failed to attend church Sunday morning. They went to her home at 11:56 a.m., contacted 911 at 12:03 p.m., and deputies arrived shortly after, at 12:15 p.m., officially launching the missing person investigation.

Authorities later confirmed that blood discovered on the porch outside Guthrie’s home matched her DNA. Investigators have not said whether there were signs of forced entry or damage to security equipment and emphasized that all possibilities remain under review. Sheriff Nanos said the disappearance may not necessarily involve a kidnapping, but investigators are treating the case as suspicious and examining every angle.

The FBI announced it is now working jointly with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or to “the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.” FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said agents and technical experts have been deployed to assist local authorities, including teams analyzing digital records from banks, phone providers, social media platforms, and home security systems. Investigators are also reviewing reports of ransom notes that reference Guthrie and were sent to multiple media outlets. Janke confirmed one note demanded money by 5 p.m. Thursday, with a second deadline mentioned for Monday. Authorities have not verified the legitimacy of the notes, and no proof of life has been provided.

An arrest has already been made in connection with what officials described as an “imposter” ransom demand. Addressing those attempting to exploit the case, Janke said, “To those impostors who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation: We will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions.” He added that any decisions regarding ransom communication ultimately rest with the family.

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings also made an emotional public appeal in a video message, speaking directly to whoever may be involved: “As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us. Everyone is looking for you, Mommy, everywhere. We will not rest. Your children will not rest until we are together again.” Savannah’s sister, Annie Guthrie, said, “Mama, if you’re listening, we need you to come home, we miss you,” and their brother, Charles Camron Guthrie, added: “We love you, Mom, stay strong, come home.”  

President Trump has also offered support for the Guthries, stating on social media that he spoke with Savannah Guthrie personally. He wrote: “I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY. We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY!”

FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke issued a direct appeal to anyone responsible for Guthrie’s disappearance, urging them to “do the right thing” and return her safely. Investigators continue to ask anyone with information to call 911 or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.

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Apple TV has ordered eight episodes of an unscripted food series called The Unlikely Cook starring Awkwafina. No premiere date has been announced yet.

The series will see Awkwafina – otherwise known as Nora Lum – “embark on a deeply personal cross-country journey as she explores contemporary Asian American cuisine, starting with her family’s own legacy. Her family ran Lum’s, a Cantonese restaurant in Flushing, NY, which was the first Chinese restaurant in the city. But despite growing up in the family business, she can’t cook at all.”

A social post: “Awkwafina’s cooking. Or at least, she’s trying to. Join her as she traces her culinary roots in a new series, coming soon to Apple TV. #TheUnlikelyCook #Awkwafina #AppleTV”

Awkwafina  will be joined by chefs, restaurateurs and her family as she travels the country to explore what it takes to master Asian food in the kitchen.  She said in a press release – “I’ve never been trusted around a kitchen, so I thank everyone involved for opening that part of my house up to me. Food has been a huge part of my family’s history, and to be able to explore and reconnect with that legacy has been an incredibly rare and very special opportunity.”

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‘Sherri,’ the daytime talk show hosted by Sherri Shepherd, has been canceled after four seasons in syndication.

Debmar-Mercury, which both produces and distributes the series, said they plan to explore moving the show to a digital platform. “This decision is driven by the evolving daytime television landscape and does not reflect on the strength of the show, its production – which has found strong creative momentum this season – or the incredibly talented Sherri Shepherd,” Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus said in a joint statement. “We believe in this show and in Sherri and intend to explore alternatives for it on other platforms.”

Sherri tapes live in front of a studio audience at Chelsea Studios in New York City and will continue airing its current fourth season, with production expected to wrap in the fall. Shepherd, an actress, comedian, Emmy winner, and former co-host of The View, launched the talk show in fall 2022. It initially filled the Fox station time slots previously occupied by The Wendy Williams Show, which Debmar-Mercury ran for 13 seasons before Wendy Williams exited due to health issues.

Industry economics appear to have played a key role in the decision, with the financial pressures facing syndicated daytime talk shows influencing Fox Stations’ choice not to continue the series, even as the group maintains other syndicated hits like Family Feud.  When the show was renewed for Season 4 last year, Shepherd reflected on her connection with viewers, saying, “I don’t take it for granted that people welcome me into their homes daily. I work so hard to bring escapism to viewers’ lives through joy, laughter and inspiration, and I’m grateful that the audience has embraced what we do. I look forward to raising the bar and turning up the volume as we plan for our season four return.”

The announcement of Shepherd’s cancellation follows similar news from NBCUniversal, which revealed this week that The Kelly Clarkson Show will also end after its current season, leaving The Drew Barrymore Show and The Jennifer Hudson Show as the last major daytime talk programs operating under the traditional syndication model.

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Harrison Ford has been named the 61st recipient of SAG-AFTRA’s Life Achievement Award, presented by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Ford, 83, will be presented with the honor at the Actor Awards, streaming live from Hollywood’s Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Netflix March 1.   The SAG-AFTRA life achievement accolade honors an actor who demonstrates the “finest ideals of the acting profession.” It also recognizes his work on various humanitarian and environmental causes.

The union’s president, Sean Astin, said in a statement: “Harrison Ford is a singular presence in American life; an actor whose iconic characters have shaped world culture. We are honored to celebrate a legend whose impact on our craft is indelible.”

Ford has previously earned numerous accolades, including the Critics Choice Career Achievement Award (2024), Golden Globes Cecil B. DeMille Award (2002), AFI Life Achievement Award (2000) and more.  He said in a statement:  “I am deeply honored to be chosen as this year’s recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award. To be acknowledged by my fellow actors means a great deal to me. I’ve spent most of my life on film sets, working alongside incredible actors and crews, and I’ve always felt grateful to be part of this community.”

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The Kelly Clarkson Show will conclude with its current seventh season, officially bringing the daytime hit to an end after weeks of uncertainty about its future. Clarkson’s contract was set to expire after Season 7, and while there had been discussion about continuing the program with a new host, NBCUniversal instead opted to end the series entirely. Production will continue as scheduled, with episodes airing through fall 2026. Clarkson will host most remaining episodes, with occasional guest hosts filling in during planned absences.

NBCUniversal executive Tracie Wilson, EVP of Syndication Studios, called the program “an extraordinary collaboration,” crediting Clarkson’s warmth and authenticity for making viewers feel “seen, heard and a little bit better about their day.” Valari Staab, chairman of NBCUniversal Local, thanked Clarkson and the production team for delivering a consistently engaging and high-quality series.

The announcement follows a deeply challenging period for Clarkson, who took time away from the show to support her children, ages 11 and 9, while their father, Brandon Blackstock, underwent cancer treatment. Blackstock passed away in August.  Clarkson said in a statement: “Stepping away from the daily schedule will allow me to prioritize my kids, which feels necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives.” She reflected on the show’s run and her gratitude to those involved, saying, “I have been extremely fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of people at ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show,’ both in Los Angeles and New York… Because of all of that, this was not an easy decision, but this season will be my last hosting.” She added that fans haven’t seen the last of her, noting she will continue making music and could appear on The Voice in the future.

Since premiering in 2019, The Kelly Clarkson Show has earned 24 Daytime Emmy Awards, including four consecutive wins for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series and four for Clarkson as Outstanding Talk Show Host. It averages roughly 1.2 million same-day viewers in syndication and airs in more than 200 markets nationwide. The show has also built a massive digital presence, surpassing 2 billion annual views across major social platforms for three straight years. Much of that success has been driven by Clarkson’s viral “Kellyoke” performances, which regularly draw millions of views.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com