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In the news today: Savannah Guthrie sends a public message to her mother’s kidnapper; controversy over explicit images and victims’ names that should have been blacked out appearing in the recent Epstein files; and Nike faces a “DEI-related” federal investigation. Also, the experimental cholesterol-lowering pill that could help millions. 

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This image provided by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, on Monday shows a missing person alert for Nancy Guthrie. (Pima County Sheriff’s Department via AP) 

US NEWS

Savannah Guthrie posts message to her mother’s kidnapper asking to provide proof she is alive

The NBC “Today” show host sent a public message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper on Wednesday saying that her family is ready to talk but wants proof that she is alive. Read more.

What to know:

• Guthrie said in a recorded video posted on social media that her family has heard media reports about a ransom letter for Nancy Guthrie, who authorities believe was taken from her home in Arizona against her will. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Guthrie said while reading from a prepared statement. “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.”
  
  

• Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos’ office said detectives still were speaking with anyone who had contact with Nancy Guthrie last weekend but that no suspect or person of interest had been identified. Nanos suggested there was video from some cameras, though he didn’t elaborate.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• WATCH: Savannah Guthrie’s video to her mother’s kidnapper
  
  
• Veteran Olympics broadcaster Mary Carillo to replace Savannah Guthrie as co-host
  
  
• WATCH: Vigil held at Tucson church for Nancy Guthrie

US NEWS

Epstein files rife with uncensored nudes and victims’ names, despite redaction efforts

Under the law requiring the release of files, names were supposed to have been blacked out in documents. Their faces and bodies were supposed to be obscured in photos. Mistakes, though, have been rampant. A review by The Associated Press and other news organizations has found countless examples of sloppy, inconsistent or nonexistent redactions that have revealed sensitive private information. Read more.

Why this matters:

• The Justice Department has blamed technical or human errors on the problems and said it has taken down many of the problematic materials and is working to republish properly redacted versions.
  
  

• Despite the Justice Department’s efforts to fix oversights, a selfie taken by a nude female in a bathroom and another by a topless female remained on the site, their ages unknown but their faces in full view, as of Wednesday evening. Some accusers and their lawyers called this week for the Justice Department to take down the Epstein files website and appoint an independent monitor to prevent further errors.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• BREAKING: UK leader apologizes to victims of Epstein for giving Peter Mandelson an ambassador job
  
  
• WATCH: Melinda Gates speaks out about Bill Gates in the Epstein files
  
  
• David A. Ross resigns from School of Visual Arts after ties to Jeffrey Epstein surface

US NEWS

Nike faces federal probe over allegations of ‘DEI-related’ discrimination against white workers

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission revealed Wednesday that it is investigating Nike for allegedly discriminating against white employees through its diversity policies. Read more.

Why this matters:

• EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas has moved swiftly to target diversity and inclusion policies that she has long criticized as potentially discriminatory, tightly aligning the agency with one of President Donald Trump’s top priorities. The federal agency sought the company’s criteria for selecting employees for layoffs, how it tracks and uses worker race and ethnicity data, and information about programs which allegedly provided race-restricted mentoring, leadership, or career development opportunities, according to court documents.
  
  

• Nike appears to be the highest profile company the EEOC has targeted with a publicly confirmed, formal anti-DEI investigation. It does not stem from any worker complaint against the company. In a statement, Nike said the company follows “all applicable laws,” has worked to cooperate with the EEOC and the subpoena “feels like a surprising and unusual escalation.”

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• Trump taking steps toward installing a Columbus statue near the White House
  
  
• Plastic surgeons group calls for delaying gender-affirming surgery until age 19
  
  
• Texas A&M professor files lawsuit after firing over gender identity lesson
  
  

• ICE agents can’t make warrantless arrests in Oregon unless there’s a risk of escape, US judge rules
  
  

• New Orleans police say recruit detained by ICE had been verified through agency’s system
  
  

• Chinese national who exposed rights abuses is freed from US detention after being granted asylum
  
  

• On Capitol Hill, Treasury Secretary Bessent’s testimony descends into insults and shouting matches
  
  

• Taiwan-US ties are ‘rock solid,’ the island’s president says after Trump-Xi call
  
  

• Jesse Jackson Jr. pitches redemption in bid for old House seat years after campaign fraud conviction
  
  

• New Jersey Democrats pick from crowded field in special election for Sherrill’s US House seat
  
  

• Georgia Republican Barry Loudermilk won’t seek reelection to US House
  
  

• Former Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana, congressional overseer of US foreign affairs, has died

   

• Vance, in Milan, says the Olympics are 'one of the few things' that unite Americans
  
  

• CIA ends publication of its popular World Factbook reference tool
  
  

• Melania Trump meets with freed American-Israeli hostage whose story she features in her new film

   

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