TODAY’s Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie have been replaced by a surprising new fill-in.
Achor Laura Jarrett, 40 – usually seen over the weekends – stepped in for her missing co-stars this Monday morning. 
Today regular Craig Melvin, 44, explained why Hoda and Savannah‘s spots were empty.
“Thanks for starting off the week with us! We’ve got Laura Jarrett with us while Savannah and Hoda are taking time off with their families!” he kickstarted the broadcast.
Craig then steered the discussion towards March Madness, the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.
Typically, if Hoda or Savannah is out, Craig Melvin fills in for one of them, but both of their seats at the news desk are empty.
Hoda’s absence came after The U.S. Sun chatted with the NBC star about her daughter’s medical crisis.
‘A SCARY TIME’
Hoda is the adoptive mother of two girls: Haley Joy, seven, and Hope Catherine, four, whom she shares with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman, 65.
In 2023, the mom of two revealed Hope suffered a terrifying health scare.
The little one spent nearly a week in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
In mid-March, Hoda shared an update on her daughter’s condition.
Today’s Hoda Kotb gets serious as she shares health update on 4-year-old daughter Hope’s ‘scary’ medical crisis–
“It was a scary time. I’m learning a lot about myself,” she said.
“I’m learning my daughters are stronger than I ever imagined.
“I’m learning my capacity to love her has grown. I learned my older daughter is a better big sister than I could have ever imagined,” she continued.
“I also learned not to put my worry on her.”
“Kids are little, and they don’t need scary-eyed mom looking at them like, ‘Are you OK?’” the Today star concluded.
“So I try really hard not to put my worry on her – but Hope is doing well.”
Hoda’s fourth children’s book, Hope is a Rainbow, is dedicated to her youngest child.
The TV personality explained Hope has loved rainbows since she was a baby and shared how the bright side “is a feeling.”
“There’s something about her in how she sees magic in everything.”
‘HOLDING IT DOWN
In early March, Savannah, 52, was not in the studio when she opened the show with Hoda.
The 52-year-old star had to call in via video chat because she was reporting live from Washington, DC.
It was a scary time. I’m learning a lot about mysel
Hoda Kotb
While Hoda was inside the studio in the Big Apple, the two appeared on split-screen as they talked about the State of the Union.
“Hoda, you are there in the studio holding it down,” Savannah said.
“I’m here in Washington. We had the State of the Union last night.”
“Yeah. We had a late night,” Hoda replied.
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