Today Show Host's Mother Is Reportedly Missing

The 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing in Arizona on Sunday, under concerning circumstances, according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills area (north of Tucson, near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue) on Saturday night, January 31, 2026, around 9:30–9:45 p.m.

Authorities classified her as a vulnerable adult due to her age and some physical health issues (though family stated she has no cognitive impairments). 

She is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, about 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes; her clothing at the time is unknown.

Sheriff's deputies launched a search involving ground and air teams, with homicide detectives assisting, and appealed to the public for help. The case drew widespread attention due to Savannah Guthrie's prominence as a longtime Today host.

Local authorities say Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie's mother is missing https://t.co/o55Anzfo8W

— KVOA News 4 Tucson (@KVOA) February 2, 2026

As of the latest reports from February 1–2, 2026, her whereabouts remained unknown, with authorities expressing grave concern for her safety.

Savannah Guthrie has often spoken publicly about her close bond with her mother, who raised her and her siblings largely alone after Savannah's father died when she was a teenager. Nancy has appeared on Today in the past and was featured in family tributes, including for her 80th birthday in 2022.

ESPN, NFL Media Close Merger Deal

ESPN has finalized its acquisition of NFL Network and other key media assets from the NFL, in exchange for granting the league a 10% equity stake in the sports network.

In a joint statement, the NFL and ESPN announced: “With the closing, we will begin integrating NFL employees into ESPN in the months ahead. As we look to the future, NFL fans can look forward to expanded NFL programming, greater access to NFL Network, innovative fantasy experiences, and unparalleled coverage of America’s most popular sport.”

Under the terms of the deal, ESPN now owns and operates the linear NFL Network, holds the rights to distribute the RedZone Channel to cable and satellite providers, and has taken over NFL Fantasy operations (with plans to merge them into ESPN's platform). The NFL retains full ownership and control of NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, its FAST channel, the official websites for its 32 teams, and continues to produce and distribute NFL RedZone digitally.

The agreement also includes licensing arrangements that provide ESPN with ongoing access to the league's content and intellectual property.

Prior to the transaction, The Walt Disney Company held an 80% stake in ESPN, with Hearst owning the remaining 20%. Following the deal, the NFL's 10% stake adjusts the ownership structure accordingly.

The Athletic first reported the regulatory approval from government authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice and relevant non-U.S. antitrust bodies. The partnership was initially announced in August 2025, with NFL owners approving it in October 2025. The deal closed on Sundat=t, Integration of staff is expected to begin soon, with fuller effects rolling out in the coming months and ahead of the next NFL season.

As WaPo Newsroom Braces, Jeff Bezos Remains Silent

The Washington Post newsroom is bracing for potentially massive job cuts, with reports indicating up to 100–300 positions at risk across the company, as owner Jeff Bezos has remained publicly silent amid growing staff appeals and anxiety.

Staff journalists, including teams from the White House, foreign desk, and other sections, have sent impassioned letters and launched a visible social media campaign, often using #SaveThePost, to urge Bezos directly to reconsider or halt the reductions. They warn that deep cuts, especially to international coverage, sports, metro, and arts desks, could irreparably damage the paper's global accountability reporting, journalistic depth, and long-term relevance.

The looming changes, expected to be announced soon and possibly implemented early this month, stem from persistent financial losses at the Post, which has reportedly bled tens of millions annually in recent years despite its roughly 800-person newsroom. Leadership under CEO and publisher Will Lewis aims to reshape the organization by focusing resources on high-impact areas like video journalism, politics, and national security, core strengths seen as better aligned with reader interests and pathways to self-sustainability, a long-standing goal set by Bezos since his 2013 purchase of the paper.

No official announcement has confirmed the exact scale or timing, leaving staff in a state of uncertainty that has further eroded morale. Multiple sections reportedly face the heaviest hits, with some editors quietly advising employees to explore other opportunities and foreign correspondents emphasizing the risks to on-the-ground reporting from conflict zones and areas of press suppression.

Bezos, who has historically avoided direct interference in newsroom operations, has not responded publicly to the pleas or rumors. This silence contrasts with the staff's increasingly public desperation, as the Post continues high-profile journalism amid broader industry pressures like declining subscriptions and digital ad challenges.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions at the Bezos-owned outlet, which has faced prior buyouts and reductions, and raises questions about its future direction under current leadership.

Division Persists Inside The CBS Newsroom

CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss presented a bold vision lasr week to revitalize the struggling broadcaster, emphasizing commentator hires, digital expansion, and cross-platform "stars" to attract younger and independent viewers—drawing mixed reactions from staff.

Three months into her tenure, Weiss outlined plans to add 19 new commentators (including some from her former outlet, The Free Press), launch podcasts, newsletters, and live events, and shift toward a "streaming mentality" that starts stories on digital platforms before moving to TV. 

She highlighted building multi-platform personalities, using New York Times columnist and CNBC host Andrew Ross Sorkin as an example—jokingly termed "Sorkining"—and stressed reflecting America's political "friction" to appeal to audiences who feel unrepresented in mainstream media.

Bari Weiss

The approach sparked division at CBS News. 

Some employees felt energized by the focus on digital transformation and broader voices, while others—citing seven current and former staff and industry insiders—worried it conflicts with the network's core mission of objective journalism in a post-Walter Cronkite era. Critics likened chasing "stars" like Sorkin to an unrealistic Hollywood fantasy, noting TV has long created icons such as Dan Rather, Connie Chung, Katie Couric, and Cronkite himself.

Weiss, 41, with no prior broadcast experience and described by some sources as a distant leader, faces a tough challenge: reversing audience declines that have plagued broadcast and cable executives, including ousted former CNN chief Chris Licht. Supporters compare her to Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, who overcame early skepticism to transform her paper during its Watergate heyday.

One current staffer told Reuters: "People are saying, 'Let's give her a chance' ... I want to see her succeed. If she succeeds, we all succeed."

CNN Is Not For Sale, But Barry Diller Keeps Calling

Warner Bros. Discovery has firmly stated that CNN is not for sale and has no plans to divest the network, despite persistent interest from billionaire media mogul Barry Diller.

A Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson reiterated the position last week: “CNN was not and is not for sale,” describing the network as “an incredibly important part” of the upcoming Discovery Global spinoff entity. This came in direct response to a Wall Street Journal report revealing that Diller had made repeated approaches to the company last year expressing interest in acquiring CNN, with sources confirming he remains interested.

No formal offer was ever presented to Warner's board, and the inquiries never advanced beyond preliminary outreach. Diller's efforts were personal, separate from his role leading IAC (which owns assets like People and The Daily Beast).

The overtures highlight ongoing external curiosity about CNN's value amid broader media industry shifts, including cord-cutting pressures and Warner Bros. Discovery's corporate restructuring. The company is moving forward with a split that separates high-growth studio and streaming assets from its cable networks, with CNN positioned firmly inside the cable-focused Discovery Global unit alongside other channels that benefit from lucrative carriage agreements with pay-TV providers.

CNN itself continues to project strength: recent filings estimate $1.8 billion in revenue and $600 million in profit for 2026, and the network reported exceeding its 2025 subscription goals while starting 2026 strongly.

While Diller's persistence adds a layer of intrigue to one of the media sector's most watched sagas, Warner Bros. Discovery has shown no willingness to entertain separation of the iconic news brand from its broader cable portfolio. Interest from other potential suitors has surfaced periodically, but the company maintains that such calls have not changed its strategic direction.

AI Could Drive Up the Price of Your Next iPhone

Rising memory chip prices fueled by massive AI investments are squeezing Apple's supply chain and profit margins, with analysts warning that consumers may soon pay more for iPhones.

Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted the issue during the company's earnings call last week, noting significant increases in memory pricing and constraints in chip supplies. Despite record iPhone sales and profits, the comments contributed to pressure on Apple's stock.

Analysts say suppliers are gaining leverage as AI giants like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Microsoft pour hundreds of billions into building data centers, outbidding Apple for shared components such as DRAM (for fast app performance) and NAND flash memory (for storage).

"The rate of increase in the price of memory is unprecedented," said Mike Howard of TechInsights.

Estimates indicate DRAM prices could quadruple from 2023 levels by year-end, while NAND could more than triple.

For the base-model iPhone 18 expected this fall, memory costs alone could rise by about $57 compared to the current iPhone 17, according to Howard—a substantial hit for a device retailing around $799.

"Apple is getting squeezed for sure," said Sravan Kundojjala of SemiAnalysis.Apple has long dominated its suppliers, but the shift is eroding that power. Suppliers, previously focused on meeting Apple's demands, now prioritize higher-margin AI contracts, forcing the iPhone maker into a tougher negotiating position.

While Apple has so far absorbed much of the impact, ongoing shortages and price surges could lead to reduced margins or higher consumer prices in the coming year.

Bad Bunny Half-Time Show Marks NFL Milestone

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance will mark a historic milestone as the first primarily Spanish-language headlining act for the event, capping off an exceptional career year for the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican superstar (born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio).

The show draws massive attention amid political controversy: President Trump has publicly criticized the selection, calling it a "terrible choice" that "sows hatred" and stating he won't attend, while labeling himself "anti-them" regarding Bad Bunny and added opening ceremony performers Green Day (whose frontman Billie Joe Armstrong has opposed Trump and ICE policies). 

Homeland Security advisor Corey Lewandowski noted ICE would patrol during the performance. Experts anticipate political elements, with professor Vanessa Diaz (author of the forthcoming book How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance) describing the entire show as inherently political, given Bad Bunny's past criticisms of the Trump administration's immigration policies and his statement that "Spanish is part of me; it’s in my DNA.

"Despite the spotlight's value, Bad Bunny receives no direct payment beyond a union-mandated minimum (a few hundred dollars). Super Bowl headliners traditionally perform for free in exchange for unparalleled exposure—reaching hundreds of millions live and generating massive post-show boosts in streams, sales, and tours.

Previous examples highlight the economic upside: Kendrick Lamar's 2025 halftime show averaged 133.5 million viewers (with 157 million YouTube views), sparked a 430% stream surge for "Not Like Us," and fueled a stadium tour with SZA that grossed nearly $360 million, helping Lamar rank as the world's fourth-highest-paid musician ($109 million pre-tax/fees) and SZA 20th ($34 million).

Recent artists like The Weeknd (2021) and Dr. Dre (2022) invested millions personally to elevate productions, backed by NFL/Apple Music budgets often exceeding $10 million.

Bad Bunny earned $66 million in 2025 (pre-tax/fees, ranking No. 10 among musicians), per Forbes, boosted by a sold-out Puerto Rico residency and Hollywood roles in Happy Gilmore 2 (with Adam Sandler) and Caught Stealing (with Austin Butler). 

His February 8 appearance—his only 2026 U.S. show amid his tour skipping the country over ICE concerns—offers huge promotional potential for music, tours, and cultural impact through Roc Nation's artist selection process (led by Jay-Z since 2019, emphasizing diversity).

Here's How to See The Other Half-Time Show

The "All-American Halftime Show"—organized by conservative group Turning Point USA (TPUSA)—is the main "alternative" halftime event positioned as a counter to Bad Bunny's official Super Bowl LX performance. It promotes themes of "faith, family, and freedom" and serves as a response to backlash over Bad Bunny's selection (due to his primarily Spanish-language music and past criticisms of Trump/immigration policies).

Performers: No official lineup has been announced yet, despite the event being just days away. TPUSA has claimed "multiple performers" are confirmed and teased updates (e.g., "coming soon" or "next week"), but as of late January 2026, details remain undisclosed. Some reports describe it as potentially featuring English-language, patriotic, or worship-style music, but no specific artists (like speculated country or Christian acts) have been confirmed by the organization. Critics have called it a potential "flop" due to the lack of transparency and hype.

How to watch: It will stream (not broadcast on major TV) during the same halftime window as the official show. Platforms include:

• TPUSA's YouTube channel
• The Charlie Kirk Show channel
• Rumble
• TPUSA's X (Twitter) page
• Various conservative-leaning outlets like The Daily Wire, Real America’s Voice, TBN, Charge!, The National News Desk, NTD, and OAN.

Other highlights: The event ties into broader conservative boycotts or alternatives, with groups like One Million Moms urging people to skip the official show.

It's framed as uplifting and family-friendly, honoring the late Charlie Kirk (TPUSA founder).

No physical venue or ticket info has been widely shared—it's primarily a streamed broadcast.

Gene Simmons: Radio Must Pay For Play

In an opinion piece published in the Los Angeles Times Saturday, KISS co-founder Gene Simmons calls for Congress to pass the American Music Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that would require AM/FM radio stations to pay performers royalties when their music is played on air.

Simmons argues that this longstanding loophole in U.S. copyright law allows radio corporations to earn billions—nearly $14 billion in ad revenue last year—while paying nothing to the artists whose recordings drive listenership. Songwriters and copyright holders receive compensation, but performers—from legends like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra to current stars like Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars—get zero for AM/FM broadcasts.

'If you work hard,
you should get paid'

He dismisses the radio industry's claim of "free promotion," noting that music discovery now occurs mainly through streaming, social media, and other platforms, while terrestrial radio often recycles older hits. 

Simmons highlights that performers already earn royalties from digital services like YouTube, TikTok, and SiriusXM, making AM/FM the sole major outlier.

The piece, timed to the recent 68th Grammy Awards weekend, frames the issue as unfair and un-American: even Russia and China compensate performers for radio plays, while the U.S. aligns with nations like Cuba, Iran, and North Korea in exempting broadcasters.

Simmons references his December 9, 2025, testimony before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, where he urged support for the bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.). He notes broad backing, including from the Recording Academy, past presidential administrations, and reportedly President Trump, emphasizing bipartisan agreement that hard work deserves fair pay.

As an 8-year-old immigrant who arrived in America without speaking English, Simmons ties the fight to the American Dream, warning that today's emerging artists face steeper hurdles—with declining album sales revenue—than those of past decades, and that the current system risks "pulling the ladder up" behind successful performers.

Congress can close the loophole by enacting the American Music Fairness Act, Simmons concludes, ensuring equitable treatment across all music platforms.

Bill Maher To Celebs: Drop The Political Satements

Bill Maher bluntly told Hollywood celebrities to stop injecting politics into awards shows, arguing their activism is backfiring and hurting Democrats.

On Friday'xs, episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, during his "New Rule" segment titled "Eyeroll Activism," the 70-year-old host urged stars to "drop the politics for a couple of hours and just enjoy these happy, dopey celebrations of show business" amid awards season.

He cited recent examples, including celebrities wearing pins supporting "Minneapolis ICE victim" Renee Good at the Golden Globes. When asked on the red carpet why he wasn't wearing one, Maher responded that the incident was terrible and "shouldn’t have happened," but added sarcastically that "if they didn’t act like such thugs, it wouldn’t have had to happen", referring to the circumstances of the shooting. He doubled down on air, calling ICE agents "thugs, pigs, stupid" but refusing to wear symbols.

Bill Maher unloads on Hollywood celebrities, warning their political lectures backfire — “You’re making independents vote Republican,” he says, adding that voters see celebs as an arm of the Democratic Party already suspected of lacking common sense.pic.twitter.com/FlR9WxpTyU

— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka) January 31, 2026

Maher mocked "virtue signaling body ornaments" like pins and ribbons as "crucifixes for liberals," quipping they raise awareness mainly of "how wonderful you are." He noted that ribbons haven't solved issues from guns to AIDS to bullying to breast cancer,"except all of them, you f—ing posers."

Referencing Ricky Gervais' 2020 Golden Globes plea against political speeches, Maher agreed celebrities have the right to speak but insisted, "I’m just saying, don’t." 

He argued it's counterproductive: major stars like Oprah, George Clooney, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris, yet she lost every swing state, with surveys showing Swift's support even reduced voter enthusiasm.

Maher concluded: "Read the room, Democrats. Celebrities aren’t helping." He suggested their efforts are actually driving independents toward Republicans.

Here's Why Katie Pavlich Departed Fox News Channel

Katie Pavlich, a longtime conservative commentator and Fox News contributor since 2013, did not experience a dramatic or contentious "sudden departure without a word" in the scandalous sense that some online rumors suggest. Instead, her exit from Fox News was a career move tied to the expiration of her contributor contract and an attractive new opportunity elsewhere.

In late 2025 (with her contract nearing its end), Fox News reportedly assumed she would renew her contributor role, which involved regular appearances as a guest co-host on shows like The Five and fill-in hosting in primetime. 

However, during negotiations, her agent presented a competing offer from NewsNation (owned by Nexstar Media). NewsNation offered her something Fox did not: her own nightly primetime show. 

Fox's proposal was limited to renewing her contributor status without a firm commitment to a bigger role.

The Five

Pavlich chose the new opportunity, announcing her departure around mid-December 2025. She officially joined NewsNation, where her show Katie Pavlich Tonight—a political opinion and analysis program airing at 10 p.m. ET—debuted on January 19, 2026.

In interviews after the move (such as with TheWrap and The Guardian in January 2026), Pavlich described the decision as straightforward and not complicated: "There was a new opportunity, and so I decided to take it." She emphasized that she loved her time at Fox, her colleagues, and had no planned exit—it simply came down to timing and the lack of immediate primetime "real estate" at Fox versus the chance to host her own program at NewsNation. She also noted maintaining good relationships with her former Fox colleagues.

The perception of it being "sudden" or "without a word" likely stems from the fact that she did not get a formal on-air farewell segment (common for contributors whose contracts end rather than full-time hosts), and the move coincided with her resignation from her long-held news editor role at Townhall.com on October 31, 2025. 

Some social media posts and clickbait-style articles/Facebook rumors have exaggerated this into claims of explosive confrontations, unfair treatment, integrity compromises, or forced exits—but credible reporting from outlets like Variety, TheWrap, The Guardian, and Status News consistently points to a standard career advancement decision driven by a better offer for her own show.

Megyn Kelly Rejects 1A Rights For Don Lemon

Megyn Kelly has forcefully rejected claims that the recent federal arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon over his involvement in a disrupted church service represents the criminalization of journalism.

Instead, she argues the case centers on trespassing, interference with religious freedoms, and active participation in disrupting a private worship event—not protected press activities.

The incident occurred on January 18, 2026, at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, during an anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protest. Demonstrators, including those Lemon was with and filming on his YouTube livestream, interrupted an ongoing religious service. The church's pastor reportedly works with ICE in another capacity. Lemon and several others faced federal charges, including conspiracy to deprive rights and violating the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, extended to places of worship), which prohibits interfering with religious exercise through force, threats, or obstruction.

1. There is no First Amd right - of protest OR of the press - to enter a house of worship and shut down a religious service. Lemon had no “right” to be there, as a journalist or protester.

2. Churches have statutory protection under the FACE Act that make it clear that…

— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 30, 2026

Lemon, arrested late January 30 in Los Angeles while preparing to cover the Grammys, was released from custody the next day. He has maintained he was there as a journalist documenting the event and vowed he "will not be silenced," framing the charges as an attack on free press and independent media.

Kelly highlighted evidence suggesting Lemon acted more as an activist than a neutral reporter: he was present with protesters beforehand, appeared to anticipate and align with the disruption, and engaged confrontational behavior inside the church, such as lecturing congregants and the pastor.

Some press advocates have raised concerns about precedents for charging journalists covering protests, but Kelly maintains the facts here—active participation on private property during worship—remove any First Amendment shield.

Don Lemon: 'I Will Not Be Silenced'

The Friday arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon on federal charges has escalated concerns about press freedom under the Trump administration, drawing sharp criticism from journalism advocates as a serious threat to democracy and the First Amendment.

Lemon, now an independent journalist, was taken into custody Thursday night in Los Angeles by federal agents while covering the Grammy Awards. He faces charges including conspiracy and interfering with religious freedom rights, stemming from his coverage of a January 18 anti-ICE protest that disrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Lemon was released Friday without bond after a court appearance and vowed to fight the charges, calling the action an attempt to silence journalism.

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the arrest as part of "a serious escalation of attacks on the press in the United States." CPJ's Katherine Jacobsen stated it "should alarm all Americans," warning that the treatment of journalists signals the health of democracy. Press freedom groups described the charges—brought after a magistrate judge previously rejected similar efforts—as unprecedented and chilling for reporters covering protests.

This incident follows other recent actions seen as pressuring media:

• Early January, the FBI conducted a pre-dawn raid on Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home, seizing devices in a classified information probe— a highly unusual step against a journalist.
• Last spring, the Associated Press was banned from the White House, prompting a lawsuit against administration officials for reinstatement.

These developments mark a significant fraying in relations between the Trump administration and the news media.

Lemon, 59, has long been a polarizing figure in journalism, often at the center of controversies tied to his outspoken commentary. A Louisiana native, he started in local TV, including stints at Fox in New York and NBC's WMAQ in Chicago, where he was once suspended for refusing to cover a crime story he deemed unworthy—earning headlines like "Lemon in Hot Water."

His polished delivery and presence led to CNN in 2006. He anchored "CNN Tonight" from 2014, drawing ridicule for speculating on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (suggesting a black hole) but later finding a stronger voice under Trump's presidency. Lemon increasingly added opinion, famously calling Trump racist after remarks about immigrants from "shithole countries."

Veteran producer Jonathan Wald praised Lemon's instinct for heading "straight for" major stories. His career shifted post-CNN, including independent work on YouTube and other platforms, often critical of the administration—making him a frequent target in ongoing media tensions.

Pentagon Defends Media Restrictions

The Pentagon late Friday defended its new restrictions on journalists in a court filing, describing them as a reasonable measure to protect national security while still allowing media access. The filing responds to a First Amendment lawsuit brought by The New York Times in December.

The Defense Department stated that the policy aims “to secure the Pentagon and stop activity that could compromise national security.” It provides “explicit and clear standards for conduct” at the building.The rules, implemented in October, require reporters to sign a detailed 21-page form limiting journalistic activities, such as soliciting story tips or making unauthorized inquiries to Pentagon sources.

Noncompliance risks revocation of press passes. 

The Times claims the policy violates journalists' First Amendment rights by restricting their ability to ask questions of government employees and report beyond official statements. It also alleges a Fifth Amendment due process violation, arguing the department has “unfettered” discretion to revoke credentials even for lawful newsgathering.

Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, shortly after his confirmation, the Pentagon curtailed media privileges: some major outlets were removed from on-site workspaces, and journalists face limits on unescorted movement in the building. In October, grounds for revoking passes were formalized.

Dozens of journalists refused to sign the new rules and surrendered their passes but continue covering the military. The department has welcomed a revamped press corps including pro-Trump commentators and influencers.

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell defended the shift in an October X post: “Americans have largely abandoned digesting their news through the lens of activists who masquerade as journalists in the mainstream media. We look forward to beginning a fresh relationship with members of the new Pentagon press corps.”

Dan Bongino Is Back

Dan Bongino, the conservative commentator, former Secret Service agent, NYPD officer, and right-wing podcaster, is making a highly anticipated return to podcasting with the relaunch of The Dan Bongino Show.

He stepped away from his original show in March 2025 to serve as Deputy Director of the FBI under the Trump administration—a role that ended in December 2025 amid a reportedly tumultuous tenure. Bongino left the FBI position and announced his comeback shortly after, describing it as a new chapter with fresh insights from his time inside the agency, including claims of shocking details on past events like the Russia collusion investigation.

The relaunched show premieres Monday as a daily two-hour program, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET.

Key details include:

• Format: It's positioned as a video podcast/live stream, with the video livestream exclusive to Rumble (the only platform for live video viewing).
• Audio availability: The recorded episodes will be distributed widely across major podcast platforms (e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.).
• Production and partnerships: Produced in collaboration with the Cumulus Podcast Network (via Cumulus Media), with Westwood One as the exclusive sales/advertising partner.
• Content style: Expect Bongino's signature approach—sharp political commentary, fiery debates, headline analysis, guest interviews, cultural takes, and listener interaction—now infused with perspectives from his FBI experience.

Radio History: Feb 2

Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll

➦In 1890...Charles James Correll born in Peoria, IL (died at age 82 September 26, 1972). He and Freeman Gosden gave birth to the 1930’s radio sensation ‘Amos ‘n’ Andy’.  The two developed ‘Sam & Henry’ in 1926 for WGN Chicago, which they renamed ‘Amos ‘n’ Andy’ when they jumped to WMAQ in 1928. They would be staples of network radio for more than 30 years, with Correll throughout portraying Andy Brown.  Later, for the early TV cartoon show ‘Calvin & the Colonel,’ he was the voice of Calvin.

➦In 1940...Frank Sinatra made his professional singing debut with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide.

➦In 1946... the radio quiz show “Twenty Questions” debuted on the Mutual network. Bill Slater was the quizmaster, and newscaster Fred Vandeventer, his wife Florence & son Bobby made up the panel. The latter two adopted different surnames to mask the nepotism. it was a major Monday night hit via delayed broadcast on CKWX Vancouver. The show ran for 8 years on radio & 6 more on TV.

Radio listeners sent in subjects for the panelists to guess in 20 questions.

➦In 1958...‘Frontier Gentleman‘ starring John Dehner debuted on CBS Radio. Frontier Gentleman is a short-lived radio Western series originally broadcast from February 2 to November 16, 1958,

➦In 1959...Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper made what turned out to be their last public appearances at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. They died in a plane crash a few hours later.  Admission to the show was just $1.25. On September 6, 2011, The Surf Ballroom was added to the National Register of Historic Places

Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly

Holly, Valens and Richardson left The Surf immediately after the show, going to the nearby Mason City airport and chartering a small plane to take them to Fargo, North Dakota to prepare for their next show at the Moorhead Armory in Moorhead, Minnesota.

The plane took off at 12:55 AM Central Time on Tuesday February 3, 1959. Shortly after takeoff, young pilot Roger Peterson, in a combination of spatial disorientation and misinterpretation of a flight instrument, flew the plane into the ground, killing everyone aboard. According to the report, Peterson was not certificated to fly commercially at night, nor was he qualified to fly in the adverse weather (IFR) conditions which prevailed at the time of the flight. Although Peterson underwent formal IFR training, he failed his final check ride weeks before the accident.

A concrete monument was erected outside The Surf, and the ballroom is adorned with large pictures of the three musicians. A street flanking the facility's east property line is named Buddy Holly Place in his honor.