Hoda Kotb to Continue Filling In on 'Today' During Savannah Guthrie's Absence

Kotb will not rejoin the morning show full-time as Guthrie searches for her missing mother.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Hoda Kotb will continue to co-anchor NBC's Today show while Savannah Guthrie remains absent to search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since January 31, 2026. Kotb does not plan to return to Today in a full-time capacity, and NBC is expected to rely on a rotation of familiar faces to maintain continuity on the broadcast during Guthrie's extended absence.

Why it matters

Kotb's continued presence on Today provides stability for the long-running morning show as Guthrie deals with the personal crisis of her mother's disappearance. Guthrie's absence highlights the challenges networks face in maintaining programming when key on-air talent is unexpectedly unavailable.

The details

Hoda Kotb has been co-anchoring Today for the past three weeks, filling in for Savannah Guthrie, who has been working with authorities to find her mother Nancy Guthrie, who went missing on January 31, 2026. According to a Variety report, Kotb does not plan to rejoin the morning program in a full-time capacity, and Guthrie is expected to return on her own timeline, even if her absence extends for a significant period, as she and her family continue to address the personal matter.

  • Hoda Kotb has been co-anchoring Today for the past three weeks.
  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the night of January 31, 2026 and was reported missing on February 1.
  • On February 24, 2026, Savannah Guthrie announced a new $1 million reward in an Instagram video, stating 'Someone out there knows something that can bring her home. Somebody knows, and we are begging you to please come forward now.'

The players

Hoda Kotb

A longtime NBC News correspondent who has co-anchored the fourth hour of Today since 2007 and is now filling in as co-anchor on the main Today show.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-anchor of NBC's Today show who is currently absent from the program as she searches for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie.

Nancy Guthrie

The mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing since January 31, 2026 from her home near Tucson, Arizona.

Craig Melvin

The co-anchor of NBC's Today show who is currently hosting alongside Hoda Kotb during Savannah Guthrie's absence.

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What they’re saying

“Someone out there knows something that can bring her home. Somebody knows, and we are begging you to please come forward now.”

— Savannah Guthrie (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Hoda Kotb's continued presence on Today provides stability for the long-running morning show as Savannah Guthrie deals with the personal crisis of her mother's disappearance, highlighting the challenges networks face in maintaining programming when key on-air talent is unexpectedly unavailable.