US & World News

What to know about Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping and the race to find her

It’s been a week since “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother disappeared from her home in Arizona in what authorities say was a kidnapping. Investigators have been examining ransom notes and looking for evidence but have not named a suspect. On Friday, officers returned to 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie’s home near Tucson and to the surrounding neighborhood to continue their search. Family members told officials they last saw Nancy Guthrie at 9:48 p.m. on Jan. 31 when they dropped her off at home after they ate dinner and played games together. The next day, family learned she didn’t attend church. They reported her missing after they checked on her.

Takeaways from AP report on immigrant who says ICE officers beat him during Minnesota arrest

A Mexican immigrant who suffered a broken skull last month in Minnesota says he was beaten by immigration officers in an unprovoked attack. Alberto Castañeda Mondragón says the federal agents began hitting him right after they pulled him from a vehicle. He was hospitalized with eight skull fractures and five life-threatening brain hemorrhages. Officers claimed he ran into a wall, but medical staff immediately doubted that account. His case has sparked calls for accountability and transparency, but it's not clear whether any authorities are investigating. The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to repeated requests for comment on the case.

Health costs are fueling voter stress — and Democratic campaigns

Democrats are focusing on health care in the midterm elections, highlighting it as a key issue. Republicans have cut Medicaid through new work requirements and declined to extend COVID-era subsidies, leading to increased costs for Affordable Care Act plans. Democrats are using campaign ads and personal stories to emphasize the impact on Americans. On Saturday, Sen. Jon Ossoff plans to address health care challenges in Georgia. Republicans have struggled to pass legislation to offset health costs, making it a weak point for them. Democrats see this as an opportunity to gain political leverage in upcoming campaigns.

Savannah Guthrie's mother may have been kidnapped. How does law enforcement handle negotiations?

Experts say abductions for ransom are rare, despite dramatic portrayals on TV. The apparent kidnapping of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother has raised questions about real-life hostage negotiations. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was taken from her home outside Tucson, Arizona. A local TV station received two alleged ransom letters demanding money for her return. Law enforcement hasn't confirmed the authenticity of these notes. Experts say kidnappings for ransom are uncommon and usually involve careful planning. The family has released videos appealing to the kidnappers. Patience and avoiding media attention can be crucial in these situations.

Rivers says Bucks won't shut down Antetokounmpo for season and will play him when he's healthy

Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers reiterated that the Bucks have no plans on shutting down Giannis Antetokounmpo for the rest of the season. Rivers said Friday the two-time MVP’s return date from a calf strain remains uncertain. Rivers spoke on the issue one day after the trade deadline passed with Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo’s future had been the center of attention across the league in the weeks leading up to the deadline. Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since straining his right calf on Jan. 23. The Bucks potentially could help their draft status by continuing to rest Antetokounmpo.

Giannis Antetokounmpo joins Kalshi as a shareholder, marking a new venture for the NBA star

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has become a shareholder in Kalshi, a major prediction market with a wide array of sports trading opportunities. Kalshi says Antetokounmpo is the first basketball star to join the company as a shareholder. The partnership includes help with live events and marketing. Antetokounmpo was the subject of widespread rumors ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. In the days leading up to the deadline, Kalshi had several posts on X highlighting its event contracts on Antetokounmpo’s trade market and the fluctuating odds connected to the teams believed to be in the mix for his services. According to Kalshi’s release, Antetokounmpo will be forbidden from trading on markets related to the NBA.

Justice Department will allow lawmakers to see unredacted versions of released Epstein files

The Department of Justice will allow members of Congress to review unredacted files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That's according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press says that lawmakers starting Monday will be able to review unredacted versions of the more than 3 million files that the Justice Department has released. To access the files, lawmakers will need to give the Justice Department 24 hours advance notice. They will be able to review the files on computers at the Department of Justice. Only lawmakers and not their staff will have access to the files.

They will have been to all 60 Super Bowls. This year is possibly their last

Three fans who have attended every Super Bowl since 1967 are going again this year. But two of them say it might be their last time. Don Crisman of Maine, Gregory Eaton of Michigan and Tom Henschel of Florida are the last remaining members of the exclusive club of people who have never missed the big game. But this year’s Super Bowl is a little bittersweet: Crisman and Henschel say advancing age and mobility issues mean this is probably their final trip. Eaton, however, plans to keep going as long as he can.

Accused militant is taken into custody in the deadly 2012 Benghazi attack

The Justice Department says a key participant in the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya, has been taken into custody and will be prosecuted in Washington in connection with the rampage that killed four Americans and became a divisive political issue. Zubayar Al-Bakoush had been wanted by the United States for more than a decade and was taken to an airfield in Virginia early Friday. He is accused of joining an armed mob that crashed the gates of the diplomatic mission and set fire to buildings. He appeared Friday afternoon in federal court. Speaking through an interpreter, Al-Bakoush said he has “complete trust in the court and the jury.” He did not enter a plea.

Bad Bunny look-alike contest in San Francisco draws hundreds of fans

A Bad Bunny look-alike contest in San Francisco has turned into a street party as hundreds of fans gather to celebrate the global superstar. More than 30 contestants from across the Bay Area competed Thursday at a packed Mexican restaurant in the Mission neighborhood. They channeled the Puerto Rican singer with his bold looks, including straw hats and aviator hats and his signature “perreo,” or twerking, moves. The grand prize went to Abdul Ramirez Arroyave, a professional Bad Bunny impersonator who broke into song when asked to say a few words to the delight of the artist's fans who sang along. The event took place ahead of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show this weekend.

Leadership changes in Minnesota follow tensions among agencies over immigration enforcement tactics

The Trump administration's immigration operation in Minnesota is now being unified under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That announcement this week from White House border czar Tom Homan came after months of internal grumbling and infighting among agencies about how to carry out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. ICE was established more than two decades ago and has conducted street arrests through “targeted enforcement.” Homan has used that phrase to describe narrowly tailored operations with specific, individual targets. It's a sharp contrast to the broad sweeps that had become common in Los Angeles, Chicago, Minnesota and elsewhere.

In unusual move, Republican chairman scrutinizes companies tied to husband of Rep. Ilhan Omar

The Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee is requesting records related to firms partially owned by the husband of Rep. Ilhan Omar. It's an extraordinary step of scrutinizing the spouse of a sitting House member. Rep. James Comer of Kentucky sent a letter to Timothy Mynett, a former Democratic political consultant who is married to Omar. Comer is requesting records related to a pair of companies that had a substantial jump in value between 2023 and 2024. Comer’s request marked a highly unusual move by the chair of a committee with a history of taking on politically-charged investigations, but almost always focused on government officials outside of Congress.

Actor Timothy Busfield indicted on 4 counts of sexual contact with a child

A New Mexico grand jury has indicted Timothy Busfield has been indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child. A county district attorney announced the indictment Friday in a social media post. Authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Busfield over allegations of misconduct from when he was working as a director on the set of the TV series “The Cleaning Lady.” Busfield has denied the allegations. He turned himself in to authorities and later was released from jail. Busfield is best known for appearances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams” and “Thirtysomething.”

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