Fresh off of Jason Aldean‘s Full Throttle Tour overseas, opener Corey Kent dropped by the Taste of Country Nights studio to chat it up about his fast-tracked rise to the top of the country music charts.
While here, Kent revealed that his grandfather had just died the week before. Kent’s grandfather was more than just a relation. He was “my person,” the singer detailed.
The “Wild As Her” singer said he didn’t tell anyone about his grandfather’s passing and his wife only made a slight reference to it on her personal Instagram.
“You would have really had to read [wife’s Instagram post] to see what was going on in my life,” Kent said, “and I got a text from Aldean saying ‘Dude, I’m so sorry about your papa. Thinking of you. Love you, bro.'”
Corey Kent Says Jason Aldean is His Hero
Kent emotionally pulled back the curtain and said ,”It’s deeper than work with Jason, he’s become big brother. He’s a hero.”
“To have that guy that you listened to on the radio and looked up to…this guy is a bona fied rockstar. For that guy to be texting you about the loss of your grandpa just makes you realize that at the end of the day these are just living breathing people with a heart that care about you.”
Country Music is a Brotherhood
Kent went on to describe how in country music, unlike other genres, all artists are close to one another and show love and support. With that being said, Aldean and Kent have seemed to have formed that big brother/little brother bond.
“I’m closer to Aldean than anybody in country music,” Kent summed up.
Top 50 Jason Aldean Songs: His Greatest Hits + Best Deep Cuts
The best Jason Aldean songs are spread out among his 11 studio albums. Find singles and deep cuts from his self-titled debut album high on this list, right alongside more recent hits and duets from Macon and Georgia.
Taste of Country asked readers for input and did a deep dive into Aldeans’ full catalog of songs to identify those worthy of this top songs list, and those that simply aren’t. Spoiler alert: A few radio singles are missing, and several album tracks rank inside the Top 20. Sales and chart success helped us round out the Top 50. Do you agree with No. 1?
40 Photos of Jason Aldean Young
Jason Aldean exploded onto the country music scene in 2005 with his first hit “Hicktown,” which shot to No. 10 on the country charts. Since then, the megastar has released 11 studio albums and has had 27 songs reach No. 1. Let’s take a look back at a young Jason Aldean, when he was just getting started.
The Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1) were Jekyll and Hyde when it came to their 2025 offense and defense.
Offensively, the Cowboys soared with the NFL’s No. 7 scoring offense (27.7 points per game) and No. 2 total offense (391.9 total yards per game) in Year 1 with Brian Schottenheimer in charge and calling plays. Quarterback Dak Prescott was the NFL’s third-leading passer with 4,552 yards through the air, wide receiver George Pickens ranked third in the league in receiving yards (1,429), running back Javonte Williams ranked ninth in the league in rushing yards (1,201) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb ranked 11th in the league in receiving yards (1,077) despite missing three games with an ankle injury.
On defense, it was a tire fire. Dallas fired Matt Eberflus. The Cowboys ranked as the NFL’s worst scoring defense, allowing 30.1 points per game. That’s the second-most points per game allowed in the 66-season history of the Cowboys, with only Dallas’ inaugural 1960 team that went 0-11-1 being worse.
Let’s take a stroll by each of the Cowboys’ moves this offseason and grade them individually before assessing a collective grade on Dallas’ 2026 offseason through the first few weeks of free agency.
New acquisitions
Grade: B-
Trade & Contract:Acquired from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick; signed a revised two-year, $32 million contract with $16 million guaranteed
The Dallas Cowboys bailed out the Green Bay Packers by trading a 2027 fourth-round pick for edge rusher Rashan Gary given they were likely going to cut him. Gary himself appeared to post a goodbye letter to Green Bay, but claimed he had been hacked.
He sprinted out to 7.5 sacks in the first eight weeks of 2025 after teaming up with former Cowboys All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, which ranked as the fifth-most in the NFL to start the year. However, he didn’t record a single sack the rest of the 2025 campaign from Week 9 through the Packers’ opening round playoff loss at the Chicago Bears, and the Packers were happy to move off of him and get a draft pick in return.
“Just understanding the player that I am and just understanding through the I guess six or seven games [without a sack] as you said, football is football,” Gary said when asked about the sacks production dropoff. “At that time, we were playing meaningful games, so when you’re really playing meaningful games man, it really doesn’t come down to stats. It’s really about how you affect offenses and things like that. So just being able to lock in, being able to be effective and playing how I need to play and being the player that I am, the plays are going to come my way.”
Parker told Gary he will line up as an outside linebacker in his 3-4 defense with 4-3 spacing and multiple front looks along the defensive line. The revised contract Gary signed saved this acquisition for a Cowboys defense that is starved for league-average or better edge rushers. Gary is one of nine players with at least five sacks in each of the past six seasons (since 2020). He racked up the 10th-most quarterback pressures (280) and the 13th-most quarterback hits (97) in the NFL over the past five seasons. Dallas did fill a need, and he isn’t gouging the Cowboys’ cap space.
“The main thing for me is to come in, play good ball and play good ball to the point that we’re playing meaningful games,” Gary said. “Then, playing for some trophies and playing for some hats and T-shirts [things that come with winning the division, NFC and the Super Bowl]. That’s my goal.”
Grade: A
Contract: Three years, $33 million, $22 million guaranteed
After Eberflus insisted on lining up box safety Donovan Wilson as his deep safety in coverage with regularity in 2025, Parker gets a player actually capable of manning that spot in former Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson. Parker’s defense will run a lot of nickel — five defensive backs on the field — which requires versatility from safeties. Arizona tasked him with covering tight ends and wide receivers out of the slot at times. New Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith worked with Thompson in Arizona, so there is also staff familiarity there. Plus, Thompson turns 28-years-old in July, so Dallas has his prime years secured.
Grade: A
Contract: One year, $4 million, $1.5 million guaranteed
The Cowboys’ defense generated just 12 takeaways last season, the third-fewest in the entire NFL ahead of only the Washington Commanders (10) and the New York Jets (4). Their secondary desperately needed some ballhawks, and Durant fits that label. He has seven career regular-season interceptions since entering the league as a fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, and three of them came in 2025. In the 2025 playoffs, Durant led the entire NFL postseason in interceptions with three more and seven passes defensed. The Cowboys made a nice value signing here.
“I just thrive on taking the ball away. It’s just something I really enjoy doing. See ball, get ball. Nothing like getting the ball back to the offense,” Durant said on a conference call on Tuesday. “Defense wins championships. Offense sells tickets. So just getting the ball back to Dak Prescott is my new mode.”
He’s also open to playing in the slot, an area lacking since Jourdan Lewis departed for the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency last offseason, as well as outside.
“Wherever they put me, that’s where my playmaking ability will thrive at,” Durant said.
Grade: B+
Contract: One year, $4 million, $1.5 million guaranteed
Parker gets another one of his former players in Dallas. First, Dallas traded a fourth-round pick for Gary, and he also has Locke. Parker was the Denver Broncos‘ defensive backs coach from 2021-23, where Locke developed into a veteran. He represents a nice depth piece to battle veteran Malik Hooker for a starting spot now that he’s overcome some back pain and nerve issues following a successful back surgery. Locke began to feel like himself again in training camp last season.
Locke will also be crucial in Parker’s scheme installation. He could help speed up the learning curve for the rest of his new teammates. He also expects Parker’s scheme to be slightly different than Vance Joseph’s and Vic Fangio’s, the player caller in the latter’s last two coaching stops.
“When he [Parker] was my DB coach with the Broncos, I mean I’ve been in the same system, so I think it’s pretty much going to be a similar system. I’m pretty sure he’s going to throw his own twists and turns in and make it his own, but it’s going to be a familiar scheme,” Locke said on a conference call on Wednesday. … “I’m just super comfortable in this system.”
Miscommunication frequently received blame for the pass coverage woes Dallas suffered in Eberflus’ zone defense. Communication represents a strength for Locke.
“I think CP, his attention to detail, man,” Locke said. “CP hates gray area, and I think my own experience is that I hate gray area as well. I need to know what to do in this situation: if we get this motion, if we get this formation, if we get this play call, what do you want us to do?… He’s just really big on detail, teaching you the IQ of the game. He’s a technician in that way. … So that’s everything I love as a player, and it’s a reason why a lot of people gravitate towards him.”
Grade: B+
Contract: One year, $2.75 million, $500,000 guaranteed
Dallas needed more defensive tackle depth behind All-Pro Quinnen Williams and three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark after trading away Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers and Solomon Thomas to the Tennessee Titans. Ogbonnia also fits the build Parker is looking for in his defensive tackles: massive. He stands at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds. Ogbonnia, 25, is a young, affordable depth piece at the defensive tackle spot.
Grade: B
Contract: One year, $2.5 million fully guaranteed
The rocket-armed Joe Milton now has competition to be Prescott’s No. 2 in 2026. Howell, 25, has much more NFL experience than Milton: he started all 17 games for the Washington Commanders in 2023. In that season, the Commanders went 4-13 after Howell led the league in pass attempts (612) and interceptions (21, equaling the number of passing touchdowns he had) and time sacked (65). Washington had the NFL’s worst scoring defense that year, allowing 30.5 points per game. The following offseason, Washington drafted Jayden Daniels second overall in 2024, and Howell departed to be a backup with the Seattle Seahawks. He served as a backup with the Eagles in 2025 and now readies for his third tour of duty in the NFC East with Dallas in 2026.
“Shoot, I’ve done a lot of moving, and obviously that’s been good,” Howell said on Tuesday. “I’ve learned a lot the last couple of years. I’ve been to a lot of different places, learned a lot of different perspectives on the league. Dallas seems like a great place, and I’m excited to get there and work with Schotty [head coach Brian Schottenheimer]. He’s a guy I have a lot of respect for, obviously. Dak is a guy I’ve got a lot of respect for. Dak, just the way he plays the game and how much success he’s had. Shoot, I’d love to have an opportunity to be here as long as they want me here.”
Grade: B
Contract: One year, $1.4025 million, $1.2625 million guaranteed
Matt Hennessey, a 28-year-old who was a third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 202, was a full-time starting center in 2021 for Atlanta, starting all 17 games. He started just five games since 2022, but he could be a nice depth chart filler on the interior with Brock Hoffman no longer on the roster.
Re-signings
Grade: A
Contract: Three years, $24 million with $16 million guaranteed
The Cowboys’ re-signing of running back Javonte Williams is one of the best bargains of the offseason. Williams was a top 10 running back in basically every metric, and he is now just the sixth Cowboy in the last 50 years to rank in the top 10 of the league in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in a season. Williams joins Herschel Walker (1987), DeMarco Murray (twice), Tony Dorsett (three times), Ezekiel Elliott (three times) and Emmitt Smith (nine times) in that exclusive club.
He’s the perfect fit as Schottenheimer’s battering ram in Dallas, and the Cowboys front-loaded the contract to where there isn’t any guaranteed money in Year 3 of the deal in 2028. That provides the front office plenty of flexibility.
Carries
252
10th
Rushing Yards
1,201
9th
Rush TD
11
8th
Rush yards after contact per carry
3.56
6th
Grade: B-
Contract: One year, $2.5 million with $2 million guaranteed
Good on the Cowboys for retaining their 2022 second-round pick cheaply, but it’s not great that this is Williams’ second NFL contract following the expiration of his rookie deal. This contract highlights the 26-year-old’s current, unrealized potential through four seasons played in Dallas. Williams started a career-high five games in 2025, but he registered a career-low 1.0 sacks in his first year back after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in the first week of training camp in 2024. Williams is a cheap signing, but he likely won’t be more than a rotational piece.
Franchise-tagged/tendered
Grade: Incomplete
Contract: One year, $27.298 million fully guaranteed
George Pickens dominated in his first Cowboys season. The former Pittsburgh Steelers star produced like a borderline top-five wide receiver across numerous metrics, including receiving yards (1,429, the third-most in the NFL), yards per catch (15.4, the fifth-most in the NFL), catches (93, the eighth-most in the NFL) and receiving touchdowns (9, tied for the eighth-most in the NFL in 2025).
It would make sense for Jerry Jones to get this deal done as soon as possible. However, his agent is David Mulugheta, who is also the agent for Micah Parsons. It will be interesting to see how the two parties come together on an extension this summer, given what happened with Parsons last year.
Catches
93
8th
Receiving yards
1,429
3rd
Yards per catch
15.4
5th
Receiving TD
9
T-8th
Receiving first downs
73
T-3rd
Catches of 25-plus yards
13
T-4th
Grade: Incomplete
Contract: One year, $5.767 million fully guaranteed
The Cowboys applied a second-round tender on restricted free agent kicker Brandon Aubrey. It allows for Aubrey to negotiate with other NFL teams, but the Cowboys can match any contract offer he receives.
It’s likely another NFL team won’t want to do Dallas’ homework for them on Aubrey’s deal, so it will be up to Jones and agent Todd France, who is also quarterback Dak Prescott’s agent, to come together to work out an extension for the three-time Pro Bowl kicker. Aubrey set the NFL record for the most made field goals without a miss to start an NFL career at 35 in 2023, and his six made field goals from 60 yards
Field goal attempts
127
1st
Made field goals
112
1st
Made field goals from 50 yards or deeper
35
1st
Made field goals from 60 yards or deeper
6
1st*
* Most in NFL history
Grade: B
Contract: One year, $5.767 million fully guaranteed
Bass has 10 career starts and 48 games played in three seasons. He can fill in at either guard spot should there be an injury, or if Dallas decides to kick All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith out to left tackle. Bass surrendered only two sacks and 15 quarterback pressures in his three NFL seasons, all with Dallas. It’s a fair deal.
Grade: B
Contract: One year, $1.005 million fully guaranteed
Steward was an exclusive rights free agent, and he is now back on the league minimum. He registered 1.5 sacks, three passes defended and one forced fumble in 17 games and five starts. He’s a low-cost depth chart filler for 2026.
Overall Grade: C
Dallas addressed some needs with the signings of Gary, Thompson, Locke, Ogbonnia and Durant, but there are still holes at middle linebacker and edge rusher. It wouldn’t be surprising for Dallas to draft a defensive back high, either. The extensions for Pickens and Aubrey are the biggest items remaining outside of the draft, and their grade could climb higher if deals were struck. No budgets were busted in free agency, but the Cowboys were active. Yet, there are still plenty of areas on defense — edge rusher, middle linebacker and cornerback — that could either use reinforcements or a new front-line talent.
Leo penned a special message marking the 10th anniversary of Francis’ 2016 document “The Joy of Love.” He called the text a “luminous message of hope” that is even more relevant and urgent today than it was a decade ago.
When it was released, “The Joy of Love” immediately sparked controversy because it opened the door to letting civilly remarried Catholics receive Communion.
Church teaching holds that unless these Catholics obtain an annulment — a church decree that their first marriage was invalid — they cannot receive the sacraments, since they are seen as living in sin and committing adultery.
Francis didn’t create a church-wide pass for these Catholics, but suggested — in vague terms and a strategically placed footnote — that bishops and priests could do so on a case-by-case basis after accompanying them on a spiritual journey of discernment. Subsequent comments and writings made clear Francis intended such wiggle room, part of his belief that God’s mercy extends in particular to sinners and that the Eucharist isn’t a prize for the perfect but nourishment for the weak.
The document became one of the most divisive of Francis’ pontificate and in many ways became the focal point of conservative opposition to his pontificate. It prompted a wave of criticism from mostly conservative Catholics, who said it had sown confusion among the faithful about the church’s teaching on the indissolubility of marriage.
But in his message Thursday marking the anniversary, Leo strongly endorsed Francis’ text. He cited the Chapter VIII, which contained Francis’ opening on the divorce question, though he didn’t explicitly refer to access to the sacraments or Francis’ footnote No. 351.
In the text, Francis had told priests that they cannot merely apply moral laws to people in “irregular” situations. Rather, he said the church should help people who are in a technical state of sin, especially when there are mitigating factors at play.
In the related footnote No. 351, Francis elaborated that “in certain cases, this can include the help of the sacraments.” He told priests that “the confessional must not be a torture chamber, but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy” and that the Eucharist “is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.”
“On this tenth anniversary, we give thanks to the Lord for the stimulus that has encouraged reflection and pastoral conversion in the Church, and ask God for the courage to persevere on this path,” Leo wrote.
He summoned the presidents of bishops conferences to Rome for a meeting in October to decide next steps to minister to families today “in light of ‘The Joy of Love’ and taking into account what is currently being done in the local churches.”
Francis’ document sharply divided the church.
Within the first year of publication, four conservative cardinals formally asked Francis to clarify certain questions, or “dubia,” raised by the text. They argued church doctrine held that Catholics who remarried without a church annulment were living in sin and couldn’t receive the sacraments.
He never replied.
For a variety of reasons, such annulments often cannot be obtained though Francis issued a separate reform to simplify, facilitate and accelerate the process.
But others embraced the text. Bishops from Francis’ native Buenos Aires issued a set of criteria to apply Chapter VIII that clearly allowed for civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion, especially if the person in question isn’t responsible for the failed first marriage, while stressing it was not a free-for-all “as if any situation were to sufficiently justify it.”
Francis ordered the Argentine criteria published as an official act of the Vatican and wrote a letter to the bishops declaring their interpretation authoritative. “The document is excellent and clearly sets out the meaning of Chapter VIII,” he wrote. “There are no other interpretations.”
The Maltese church, for its part, issued its own set of guidelines that were published in the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, in another indication of Holy See approval.
The Maltese guidelines say that if a Catholic in a new civil union believes, after a path of spiritual discernment searching for God’s will, that he or she can be at peace with God, “he or she cannot be precluded from participating in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.”
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Warmer-than-average morning temperatures have gripped the region once again. Mostly, winds are calm, despite some occasional downsloping gusts that are also present with still plenty of dry air at the surface with few clouds present. Air temperatures in the north are starting off mostly from around 30° to the 40s, except for […]
The Texas country singer announced he’s pausing his tour to focus on his personal life and seek professional help, sharing a candid message with fans about where he is right now.
Stepping Back to Focus on Health
In a statement, King made it clear the decision wasn’t easy — but necessary.
“It’s easy to get lost in this world. Sometimes you have no idea how deep into it you are until you step back and look,” he wrote.
“Over the past couple weeks, I’ve dug deep and taken a hard look at areas of my life that need serious attention and change because not only have my choices affected myself, they have affected the people I love the most,” he added.
King said his faith played a major role in the decision to step away.
“My faith comes first, and right now I don’t feel right stepping on stage without the confidence that I’m living as the man God has called me to be,” he continued. “For that reason, I’m pausing touring for the time being. I’m actively seeking professional help and focusing on my faith, my health/mental health, and my family.”
Bigger Than Music
The singer acknowledged how difficult it is to cancel shows after spending the last decade on the road, but said the moment calls for honesty and change.
“It’s so hard for me to cancel shows because touring has been my life for the last decade,” King wrote. “But for the sake of my faith, my family, and my fans, I have to be authentic in this change in my life, and walk by Faith.”
He added that he plans to use this time to focus on getting better and returning stronger.
King also thanked fans for their continued support, adding, “I’ve always looked at music as a way to heal, but this is bigger than music. I appreciate any prayers you have. Through God’s grace and mercy, I will rise from this and see y’all soon.”
Tour Dates Affected
King has canceled several upcoming appearances, including shows at the Six Shooter Music Festival in Kenedy, Texas, the Austin Rodeo, and the Party in the Desert Festival in Wickenburg, Arizona.
He has also postponed dates in El Paso, Texas, Tucson, Arizona, and a run of California shows, including stops in Anaheim, San Luis Obispo, and Sacramento.
As of now, his next scheduled performances are set for April 10 at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead, Texas, and April 11 at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth.
New Music Still Fresh
The announcement comes shortly after King released his latest single, “Thinkin’ ‘Bout Drinkin’,” on Feb. 20.
For now, though, the focus is clear — stepping away, getting right, and putting life ahead of the spotlight.
11 Country Songs That Address Depression/Mental Health
There is no doubt a mental health crisis happening in America with nearly 50 million people a year experiencing a mental illness. Music can be a savior for some as well as a form of healing and therapy for others. Let’s take a look at 11 country songs that address depression/mental health.
The Chinese tech giant is zeroing in on making AI a key engine of growth, continuing to upgrade its Qwen model series and integrating it into its core ecosystem.
Michael Voepel is a senior writer who covers the WNBA, women’s college basketball and other college sports. Voepel began covering women’s basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996.
Charlie Creme projects the women’s NCAA tournament bracket for ESPN.com.
Multiple Authors
Mar 18, 2026, 06:45 AM ET
Sarah Strong has headlined ESPN’s ranking of the top 25 players in women’s college basketball all season. The forward for No. 1 overall seed UConn remains on top ahead of the 2026 women’s NCAA tournament, which opens Friday (11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2).
Players across the country who are expected to make a big difference in the tournament help make up ESPN’s top 25 players in women’s March Madness. Strong’s teammate, Azzi Fudd, joins her in the top five, but South Carolina led the way with four players on the list. LSU, Oklahoma and UCLA were the only other teams with multiple players, though it was difficult to rank teammates as several top teams are deep and balanced with multiple players making similar contributions.
Two newcomers break into the top 25 for our tournament edition. Ohio State‘s Jaloni Cambridge, one of nine underclassmen, made the biggest jump, moving up 15 spots. Two freshmen continue to make the cut.
All these players come into the NCAA tournament with hopes of playing their best basketball at the biggest time of the season.
Forward | 6-foot-2 | Sophomore
Midseason ranking: 1
2025-26 stats: 18.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 60.1% FG
Geno Auriemma wanted Strong to be more selfish and shoot more this season. She obliged … sort of. Strong takes one more shot per game than she did a year ago. She has also managed to increase her assist average. So perhaps she’s just as unselfish as she was during the Huskies’ 2025 title run. One thing that is undeniable: She is a generational talent. Strong’s skill set is fully realized, and a weakness in her game has yet to be found. She contributes to UConn’s success in every way. She shoots 42.7% from 3-point range — and that might not even rank in her three best attributes. By most of the advanced metric ratings she is the best defensive player in the country. And while her offense appeared to be merely supplemental to Paige Bueckers and Final Four Most Outstanding Player Azzi Fudd last spring, Strong proved she was ready for the biggest moments, averaging 22.7 points on 65.9% shooting in UConn’s final three games in the Elite Eight, Final Four and national championship game. — Charlie Creme
In any other season, Blakes would perhaps be a lock at No. 1 on this list. She just happens to be great at the same time Strong is a notch greater. In less than two years, Blakes has transformed Vanderbilt. The Commodores haven’t been seeded this high since they were also a No. 2 in 2007. That doesn’t happen without Blakes. Because she can finish at the rim and shoot with range (36.1% on 3-pointers) with equal efficiency, game-planning against her is nearly impossible. That’s why Blakes is the top scorer in the country. She is also so important to Vanderbilt’s defense, finishing fourth in the SEC in steals. — Creme
Guard | 5-6 | Junior
Midseason ranking: 7
2025-26 stats: 25.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.4 SPG
So much of the Fighting Irish’s success rides on each Hidalgo performance, and Notre Dame’s 9-2 record over its past 11 games is the best evidence that she keeps getting better. Hidalgo averaged 26.1 points per game during that stretch. She then took home ACC player of the year and defensive player of the year. Ranking third in the country in scoring and the runaway leader in steals, Hidalgo has cemented her place as the best two-way player in the game if Strong isn’t. In four games this season, she had double-digit steals, including twice against ACC competition. The rest of the players in the country combined for four such games. — Creme
Guard | 5-11 | Senior
Midseason ranking: 4
2025-26 stats: 17.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.0 APG
Fudd was the Final Four’s most outstanding player last season for the national champion. This season, she has helped lead the Huskies to a perfect record heading into the NCAA tournament, where they are the No. overall 1 seed. She is averaging career highs in points, assists, steals (2.5) and field goal (48.9%), 3-point (44.6%) and free throw (95.1%) percentages. For her college career, Fudd — the potential WNBA No. 1 draft pick — has shot 42.1% from beyond the arc. Fudd is also a key part of UConn’s defense, which holds opponents to a Division I-best 50.4 points. — Michael Voepel
play
2:59
Azzi Fudd: UConn ‘knows how to handle March’
Azzi Fudd joins “SportsCenter” to discuss UConn women’s basketball ahead of the tournament.
Forward | 6-1 | Junior
Midseason ranking: 2
2025-26 stats: 18.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.8 APG
Booker has been the most consistent threat for the No. 1 seed Longhorns, who have won eight in a row and 13 of their past 14. She was MVP of the SEC tournament, totaling 60 points, 25 rebounds and 13 assists while shooting 61.4% (27 of 44) from the field as Texas defeated Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina for the championship. Booker led Texas in scoring in every game but one on its current winning streak. Last season, she was her regional’s most outstanding player as the Longhorns advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2003. — Voepel
Center | 6-7 | Senior
Midseason ranking: 6
2025-26 stats: 16.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 BPG
Betts was the Big Ten’s player of the year and defensive player of the year as the Bruins swept the regular-season title (18-0) and conference tournament title. UCLA has won 25 in a row; its lone loss this season was 76-65 to Texas on Nov. 26. Betts had 11 double-doubles for a balanced Bruins squad that is looking to make a second consecutive trip to the Final Four. Betts was her regional’s most outstanding player in 2025 as the Bruins made the Final Four for the first time in the NCAA era. Her scoring average is down from last season, but her career-high 3.2 assist average shows how she is helping everyone around her. — Voepel
Guard | 5-10 | Senior
Midseason ranking: 5
2025-26 stats: 19.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 6.4 APG
A year ago, Miles decided to transfer to TCU because she felt Mark Campbell’s system was a great fit. Since she arrived on campus, Campbell has been public about how easy Miles’ transition was. And when watching TCU play, it seems to be a perfect match. Miles has thrived in TCU’s high pick-and-roll offense. Not only does it take advantage of her exceptional court vision, she’s also a bigger scorer, surpassing her career high by more than four points per game. Miles’ 40-point game with 10 3-pointers against Baylor is the best example of her evolution as a player. The combination of Miles and Marta Suarez has put the Horned Frogs in position to make a repeat run at the Elite Eight. — Creme
Forward | 6-3 | Sophomore
Midseason ranking: 9
2025-26 stats: 19.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 58.7% FG
When A’ja Wilson was a sophomore at South Carolina, she averaged 16.1 points on 53.1% shooting. While the comparison might not be fair, it provides some perspective on how developed Edwards already is and how good she can become. She plays with a maturity beyond her years, knowing her own strengths and not deviating from them. Good shot selection, running the floor, patience in the post and elite finishing skills have made Edwards highly efficient. Her shooting percentage ranks 15th in the country. — Creme
Guard | 5-7 | Sophomore
Midseason ranking: 24
2025-26 stats: 22.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.6 APG
No player moved up more from the midseason rankings than Cambridge, one of the top scoring guards in the country. Her scoring average in Big Ten play elevated to 26.4 points, as she had five games with 30 or more points against league foes. She also shot 45.7% from 3-point range in conference regular-season games. She has scored in double digits all 33 games this season. Ohio State fell in the NCAA tournament’s second round the past two seasons, and Cambridge hopes to return the Buckeyes to the second weekend. — Voepel
play
0:26
Ohio State Buckeyes’ NCAA women’s tournament preview
Charlie Creme breaks down Ohio State’s NCAA tournament prospects.
Guard | 6-1 | Sophomore
Midseason ranking: 15
2025-26 stats: 19.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 47.9% FG
Olson made one of the biggest jumps in our ranking. That’s because in February her scoring average jumped to 22.5 points per game. Until two less productive games in the Big Ten tournament, Olson was playing her best basketball of the season. Her two worst games were losses to Iowa in which the Wolverines scored in the 40s, evidence that they need her to in order to make the deep run in the NCAA tournament that this season has been building toward. Olson already has a pro-level body and instincts. As she refines the other parts of her game, this ranking should get even better over the next two years. — Creme
Forward | 6-0 | Senior
Midseason ranking: 21
2025-26 stats: 19.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 45.1% FG
No player in the NCAA tournament gets to the free throw line more than McMahon. But at Ole Miss, McMahon relies less on physicality and brute strength than she did in three previous seasons at Ohio State. Her game has turned more cerebral and more perimeter-oriented. Her 119 3-point attempts this season are the most of her career by far. She has even played significant minutes at point guard for the Rebels. Her 3.0 assists per game are also a career best. Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said she would get McMahon ready for the WNBA. She has done just that. McMahon’s skill set is much more versatile than it was 12 months ago. — Creme
Center | 6-3 | Junior
Midseason ranking: 8
2025-26 stats: 25.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 64.7% FG
Crooks ranks second in Division I in scoring average and field goal percentage. She scored in double figures in every game, hitting the 40-point mark four times. That included a career-high 47 against Indiana on Nov. 30 and 41 against Kansas State on March 1. The Cyclones tied for seventh in the Big 12; they were without starting forward Addy Brown for 11 games during which even more defensive attention was on Crooks. She has a history of some big NCAA tournament performances, with 40 points as a freshman in the first round, and 27 and 28 points in the Cyclones’ two games last season. — Voepel
Her numbers dropped slightly in SEC play this year, but Beers remains one of the most consistently reliable post players in the country. Her scoring average in NCAA tournament games is 15.4, similar to what she’s averaging this season. And that’s the consistency Beers brings. With an opening-round game against Colorado State and a potential second-round game against Michigan State, Beers and her size give Oklahoma a big advantage. Her strength makes Beers hard to move off the low block or outmaneuver for an offensive rebound, but she is also an excellent passer from the post and is averaging a career-high 2.3 assists this season. — Creme
A steady presence all season, Fournier has evolved into the centerpiece of everything Duke does on both ends of the floor. Her length is a huge asset in Duke’s defensive scheme in protecting the rim and interfering with passing lanes. Fournier’s low post game has grown as the season has progressed and now she is the reliable, physical scorer that she was not a year ago as a freshman. Duke can win without her, as evidenced by the ACC tournament championship game when Fournier had only seven points. But over the course of a tournament, any hopes of the Blue Devils getting to their first Final Four since 2006 rest with Fournier being the star. — Creme
Guard | 5-10 | Senior
Midseason ranking: 12
2025-26 stats: 13.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.7 APG
The Tigers have so much balance — eight players average between 14.6 and 8.5 points — it is hard to rank them. Johnson, who won an NCAA title with LSU in 2023, gets the nod as the top Tiger here when combining her offensive skills and defensive playmaking. Her 40.2% 3-point shooting is the best of her college career. LSU, which finished fourth in the SEC, has reached the regional final the past two years. — Voepel
Center | 6-5 | Junior
Midseason ranking: 17
2025-26 stats: 17.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.6 BPG
When Strack plays well, it typically translates to Kentucky success. During a stretch of games at the end of January, the Wildcats lost five of six. In those losses, Strack averaged 11.2 points on 31.6% field goal shooting. In the win, she scored 33 points. To get to their first regional in 10 years, the Wildcats need Strack — from her double-digit rebounding abilities to her patented step-back, one-footed turnaround jumper, and from her shot-blocking abilities to her willingness to run the floor. She was named first-team All-SEC and to the conference’s all-defensive team. — Creme
Guard | 5-11 | Senior
Midseason ranking: 19
2025-26 stats: 15.3 PPG, 4.5 APG, 50.4% FG
Even though Rice has produced career highs in points, shooting percentage and steals this season, her leadership and understanding of the game have grown the most, according to Bruins coach Cori Close. A four-year starter in the transfer portal era, Rice has become the face of UCLA basketball during the most successful run the program has had in the NCAA era. Four of the five winningest seasons in Bruins history are with Rice as the point guard. Rice has engineered the country’s best offense, according to ESPN Analytics, but it might be her defense against other point guards in the Sacramento 2 Region — such as Princeton’s Ashley Chea, Duke’s Taina Mair or LSU’s Jada Richard — that will be key to UCLA getting back to the Final Four. — Creme
Guard | 5-9 | Senior
Midseason ranking: Unranked
2025-26 stats: 10.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.4 APG
In her fifth year at South Carolina after having to redshirt in 2021-22 because of injury, Johnson is having her best season. She is averaging career highs in points and assists along with her best percentages in field goals (50.6), 3-point field goals (40.2) and free throws (83.3). She was the SEC’s defensive player of the year. The Gamecocks have gone to the Final Four her previous four years in Columbia, winning twice. — Voepel
Guard | 5-10 | Freshman
Midseason ranking: 18
2025-26 stats: 18.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.2 APG
Chavez was ESPN’s national freshman of the year, as she led the Sooners in scoring and assists on the way to a top-16 seed. Oklahoma leads Division I in pace (possessions per 40 minutes) at 81.1, and Chavez is directing a lot of that as the Sooners’ point guard. She also leads the nation in an individual category: free throw percentage at 93.9 (108 of 115). Chavez scored in double figures in all but one game this season and led Oklahoma with 77 3-pointers. — Voepel
Guard | 6-1 | Freshman
Midseason ranking: 16
2025-26 stats: 17.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.2 APG
In a season without star JuJu Watkins (knee), USC needed to rely on Davidson, who had a terrific first season. She led the Trojans in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals (2.0) and blocks (2.0). She was Big Ten Freshman of the Year, plus on the all-Big 12 first team and defensive team. USC tied for ninth in the conference and is a No. 9 seed. If the Trojans can win their 8-9 game vs. Clemson, we could see Davidson facing South Carolina. — Voepel
Guard | 6-0 | Junior
Midseason ranking: 14
2025-26 stats: 13.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.5 APG
Williams is shooting 50.3% from the field and 42.1% from beyond the arc, both career highs. Her rebounds, assists and steals (1.4) averages are also career bests. She and Flau’jae Johnson led the Tigers with 45 3-pointers each. Williams’ scoring average is down from last season, but that reflects the Tigers’ greater depth, including the addition of MiLaysia Fulwiley. Williams has been a starter since she was a freshman and has been on the all-SEC first team the past two seasons. — Voepel
Guard | 5-8 | Senior
Midseason ranking: 22
2025-26 stats: 14.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.7 APG
Fulwiley has come off the bench in all but one game this season after transferring from South Carolina to LSU. But she has still been a huge addition for the Tigers, leading them in scoring, assists, steals (3.0) and blocks (1.4). Those numbers are all career bests, as is her 47% shooting from the field. Fulwiley won an NCAA title with the Gamecocks in 2024 and played in the national championship game last year, so she has a lot of NCAA tournament experience. — Voepel
Guard | 5-9 | Sophomore
Midseason ranking: 23
2025-26 stats: 20.0 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.9 APG
One of nine players in the NCAA tournament averaging 20 or more points per game, Scott is vital to Baylor’s success. She is the Bears’ undeniable go-to player, and if she is not scoring, Baylor can’t generate enough offense to advance far. The Bears split their final four games. In the wins Scott averaged 21 points on 10-of-22 shooting. In the losses, she was 11-of-44 from the floor, averaging 15.5 points. Scott is also a 90.0% free throw shooter who gets to the line nearly seven times per game. — Creme
Guard | 5-8 | Senior
Midseason ranking: 22
2025-26 stats: 14.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.5 APG
Latson was the top scorer in the nation last season at Florida State. She decided a move to South Carolina would give her a chance to win a national championship and develop her game more for the next level. She is shooting a career-best 49.3% from the field. Latson had 19 points in the SEC tournament semifinal win over LSU, but like most of the Gamecocks didn’t play well in the championship game loss to Texas. She will be looking to change that during the NCAA tournament. — Voepel
Center | 6-6 | Senior
Midseason ranking: 25
2025-26 stats: 13.4 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 57.8% FG
Dawn Staley is less about box scorers and more about players who impact winning. With Okot, the coach has both. Even with better players around her taking more of the shots, Okot’s numbers have grown by 2.1 points and 1.3 rebounds per game from her one season at Mississippi State. Her presence in the middle has also made South Carolina better. With Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins missing the season with injuries, the Gamecocks needed an inside threat. Okot filled those gaps and then some. She has even started taking (and making) 3-pointers. She is 10-of-22 from behind the arc, with seven of those makes coming from Feb. 19 on. A national championship is a possibility for the Gamecocks, but not if Okot isn’t a high-level contributor. — Creme
Fadel Itani is no stranger to Israeli strikes in his hometown.
The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday morning, showing an IDF missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.
Itani, a freelance photograher with more than 16 years experience, told NBC News that he learned about the incoming strike from an alert sent by the Israel Defense Forces.
Fadel Itani.Courtesy of Fadel Itani
It warned residents to evacuate the Bachura neighborhood in Lebanon’s capital where it said the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah, was operating.
“For the last two weeks, bombs have been dropping on Beirut,” he said, speaking from his home on Wednesday.
While others fled the incoming strike, Itani headed in the opposite direction.
Hopping onto his motorbike, he made the short journey from his family home and positioned himself behind a parking lot some 400 yards away from the site the Israelis said they were targeting.
Carrying only his camera and a wide-angle lens he watched and waited wearing a protective vest and helmet.
After waiting for around an hour, at approximately 6 a.m. local time (12 a.m. ET) he said he heard the missile and quickly fired off a series of images at 1/3000th of a second, capturing it moments before it smashed into the building and the explosive aftermath.
Within seconds the building was reduced to rubble.
The residents of the Catalina Foothills are friendly, offering “good mornings” and waves to passersby on the street.They’re also private: Towering saguaro cacti and long, winding driveways shroud nearly every house in the affluent neighborhood north of Tucson.For those who chose the hillside community for the quiet escape it offers, that privacy has been encroached upon over much of the past six weeks.Swarms of media outlets and law enforcement officers descended on the community when Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her home on February 1, the suspected victim of an abduction.The case quickly captured the attention of the nation, attracting intense media coverage and obsession from online sleuths as questions – some still yet to be answered – swirled about ransom notes and DNA from discarded gloves.But in her own neighborhood, almost no one wants to talk about Guthrie.“It’s an enigma,” said David Holter, among the few people around here willing to talk about her mysterious disappearance.Holter, who lives about a mile away, remembers a suitcase stolen off a porch and a bicycle swiped. That’s the extent of the crime he could recall in the Catalina Foothills in the decades he’s lived here.But the atmosphere has shifted.“I’ve been hearing neighbors talk about putting safe rooms in their house,” since Guthrie’s disappearance, Holter said.This weekday morning in the tucked-away neighborhood is quiet, the silence only broken by chirping birds or the wind blowing against the dry vegetation. No law enforcement vehicles, no news crews. And Holter’s wife, for one, is glad.“It’s enough already,” she said, exasperated, as she walked off.Media outlets pull up stakesIndeed, the seemingly endless lines of cars and news vans parked outside Guthrie’s home during the early days of the investigation are gone, replaced by orange cones along the road shoulder. Savannah Guthrie has too returned to New York City from her native Tucson.In the dusty foothills, there are parking restrictions within a half mile in every direction of the Guthrie house, with A-frame stands warning the Pima County Sheriff’s Department will strictly enforce the prohibitions.Video above: Savannah Guthrie offers up to $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie being foundUnder a “no trespassing” sign staked in front of the house, another sign reads: “Dear media, This neighborhood needs space to process, heal and gather in privacy as a loving community. Please cover this tragedy from elsewhere so that we may have some privacy, space, and dignity.”There are no national – or local – media outlets setting up for live broadcasts on this searing hot afternoon. But there is John DePetro, an independent journalist livestreaming on TikTok, who could recall with remarkable precision where each outlet was stationed at the height of the frenzy.“There was NewsNation over there,” he said, pointing to the side of the road. “’Fox and Friends’ next to them.”“Whatever MSNBC is now,” he continued, pointing a finger at a different spot on the road each time he rattled off an outlet. “ABC – ‘Good Morning America,’ Aaron Katersky – CNN on the corner, NBC next to them, and then stations from LA and local stations.”Gone, too, is the heavy law enforcement presence that for days scoured every square inch of Nancy Guthrie’s property, which spans thousands of square feet.The most consistent visitors now are streamers like DePetro, who flew from Rhode Island early in the investigation and said he never expected to stay so long.“I thought it was maybe gonna be a manhunt, and then so I’ll just fly out for the week,” he said. “And now it’s day 44. I’m still out here.”So is Damian Enderle, another streamer who drives by, holding his arm out the window with a red Gatorade for DePetro. His daily livestreams rack up thousands of views, and he said interest in the case from his loyal audience hasn’t dissipated.“What I do with my YouTube channel is keep the story alive,” the Tucson native said.Fresh bouquets left on top of old onesWhile the television cameras and the law enforcement officers have departed from the scene of the crime, reminders of Guthrie remain.Yellow ribbons symbolizing support for Guthrie, matching the vibrant flowers on the brittlebrush plants native to the area, dot her neighbors’ mailboxes, and in some cases, their cacti.Video above: FBI shares video in Nancy Guthrie caseOutside the local NBC station in Tucson, about five miles south of Guthrie’s residence, hangs a large banner with the words, “Bring her home,” in all capital letters, covered in messages of support from around the world: Bend, Oregon; New York City; Scotland; Mexico.“Praying for your safe return home.”“Dark will not stay – light will find you.”“Keep the faith.”Under the banner is a box filled with yellow bracelets with a ribbon charm attached.On the third day of Guthrie’s disappearance, a sign appeared outside her home that read, “Dear Guthrie Family, Your neighbors stand with you.”More than a month later, the sign has grown into a memorial stretching yards beyond it.Groups intermittently drop by throughout one afternoon, leaving fresh bouquets on top of old ones dried out by the unrelenting Arizona sun.‘Tucson’s not going to forget’Sandy Long and Sonja Gilgenbach, Tucson residents and seniors who came to pay their respects Monday, added new flowers to the growing pile.“I take a look at the memorial, and I think how she’s so badly missed in the neighborhood and in the city of Tucson,” Long said.“It is not over,” she said. “We just keep questioning – something happened, someone knows something, and we just are praying that someone will come forward and do the right thing. And I know that the media kind of has stopped with this, but…”“And that’s the sad part of it,” Gilgenbach interjected. “Now the days are getting more and more, so people have a tendency to go on with their lives and kind of forget.”“But yet,” Long responded, “I think this is an incident where Tucson’s not going to forget. I think that this has been an important family in Tucson. And I don’t think they’re ever going to forget.”Both women said they now tread their lives with a little more caution than before.“Because we’re her age, we feel like it could be us,” Long said.“You go through your life now with a little apprehension because you don’t know,” Gilgenbach said. “And it’s our world today, I think.”Herminia Serino, too, said her sense of security has been altered by Guthrie’s disappearance.“We feel a little insecure to go outside,” she said, speaking from outside her Mexican restaurant just 10 minutes away from Guthrie’s house. Serino said she doesn’t go outside at night anymore and always has someone with her.“I don’t feel the same anymore, because if it happens to her, it can happen to anyone,” she said.And she said developments from law enforcement feel like they are at a standstill.“The community needs an explanation,” Serino said. “With all the technology we have, cameras and all kind of stuff … they can resolve anything.”Task force dedicated to investigationIt’s been over a month since local officials held a news conference about Guthrie’s disappearance, and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos’ office said he is not currently holding any media availability.“This remains an active investigation and investigators are focusing (on) evidence analysis including DNA and digital. We will not get into specifics,” the sheriff’s office told CNN in a statement Tuesday.The FBI also declined an interview, saying the investigation is ongoing. Its Phoenix division has a big office in Tucson, which has managed the Guthrie case from the beginning and continues to do so, a spokesperson said.There’s a 20- to 24-person task force dedicated to the investigation – about half the personnel from the sheriff’s office, and the other half from the FBI, according to the sheriff’s office.The Guthrie family maintains close communication with law enforcement, a friend of Savannah’s said Wednesday.Authorities say they believe Guthrie was removed from the home against her will. But law enforcement still has not determined a motive.Six weeks after her disappearance, even after the cameras have left, there’s little respite from the questions and anxiety in the minds of Tucson residents.Underneath the banner outside the local NBC station, what was once a fresh bouquet is now dried out, much like the rest of the unforgiving desert landscape. Soft winds threaten to blow the withered flowers away.CNN’s Aaron Fisher and Brian Stelter contributed to this report.
TUCSON, Ariz. —
The residents of the Catalina Foothills are friendly, offering “good mornings” and waves to passersby on the street.
They’re also private: Towering saguaro cacti and long, winding driveways shroud nearly every house in the affluent neighborhood north of Tucson.
For those who chose the hillside community for the quiet escape it offers, that privacy has been encroached upon over much of the past six weeks.
Swarms of media outlets and law enforcement officers descended on the community when Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her home on February 1, the suspected victim of an abduction.
The case quickly captured the attention of the nation, attracting intense media coverage and obsession from online sleuths as questions – some still yet to be answered – swirled about ransom notes and DNA from discarded gloves.
But in her own neighborhood, almost no one wants to talk about Guthrie.
“It’s an enigma,” said David Holter, among the few people around here willing to talk about her mysterious disappearance.
Holter, who lives about a mile away, remembers a suitcase stolen off a porch and a bicycle swiped. That’s the extent of the crime he could recall in the Catalina Foothills in the decades he’s lived here.
But the atmosphere has shifted.
“I’ve been hearing neighbors talk about putting safe rooms in their house,” since Guthrie’s disappearance, Holter said.
This weekday morning in the tucked-away neighborhood is quiet, the silence only broken by chirping birds or the wind blowing against the dry vegetation. No law enforcement vehicles, no news crews. And Holter’s wife, for one, is glad.
“It’s enough already,” she said, exasperated, as she walked off.
Media outlets pull up stakes
Indeed, the seemingly endless lines of cars and news vans parked outside Guthrie’s home during the early days of the investigation are gone, replaced by orange cones along the road shoulder. Savannah Guthrie has too returned to New York City from her native Tucson.
In the dusty foothills, there are parking restrictions within a half mile in every direction of the Guthrie house, with A-frame stands warning the Pima County Sheriff’s Department will strictly enforce the prohibitions.
Video above: Savannah Guthrie offers up to $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie being found
Under a “no trespassing” sign staked in front of the house, another sign reads: “Dear media, This neighborhood needs space to process, heal and gather in privacy as a loving community. Please cover this tragedy from elsewhere so that we may have some privacy, space, and dignity.”
There are no national – or local – media outlets setting up for live broadcasts on this searing hot afternoon. But there is John DePetro, an independent journalist livestreaming on TikTok, who could recall with remarkable precision where each outlet was stationed at the height of the frenzy.
“There was NewsNation over there,” he said, pointing to the side of the road. “’Fox and Friends’ next to them.”
“Whatever MSNBC is now,” he continued, pointing a finger at a different spot on the road each time he rattled off an outlet. “ABC – ‘Good Morning America,’ Aaron Katersky – CNN on the corner, NBC next to them, and then stations from LA and local stations.”
Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Gone, too, is the heavy law enforcement presence that for days scoured every square inch of Nancy Guthrie’s property, which spans thousands of square feet.
The most consistent visitors now are streamers like DePetro, who flew from Rhode Island early in the investigation and said he never expected to stay so long.
“I thought it was maybe gonna be a manhunt, and then so I’ll just fly out for the week,” he said. “And now it’s day 44. I’m still out here.”
So is Damian Enderle, another streamer who drives by, holding his arm out the window with a red Gatorade for DePetro. His daily livestreams rack up thousands of views, and he said interest in the case from his loyal audience hasn’t dissipated.
“What I do with my YouTube channel is keep the story alive,” the Tucson native said.
Fresh bouquets left on top of old ones
While the television cameras and the law enforcement officers have departed from the scene of the crime, reminders of Guthrie remain.
Yellow ribbons symbolizing support for Guthrie, matching the vibrant flowers on the brittlebrush plants native to the area, dot her neighbors’ mailboxes, and in some cases, their cacti.
Video above: FBI shares video in Nancy Guthrie case
Outside the local NBC station in Tucson, about five miles south of Guthrie’s residence, hangs a large banner with the words, “Bring her home,” in all capital letters, covered in messages of support from around the world: Bend, Oregon; New York City; Scotland; Mexico.
“Praying for your safe return home.”
“Dark will not stay – light will find you.”
“Keep the faith.”
Under the banner is a box filled with yellow bracelets with a ribbon charm attached.
On the third day of Guthrie’s disappearance, a sign appeared outside her home that read, “Dear Guthrie Family, Your neighbors stand with you.”
More than a month later, the sign has grown into a memorial stretching yards beyond it.
Groups intermittently drop by throughout one afternoon, leaving fresh bouquets on top of old ones dried out by the unrelenting Arizona sun.
‘Tucson’s not going to forget’
Sandy Long and Sonja Gilgenbach, Tucson residents and seniors who came to pay their respects Monday, added new flowers to the growing pile.
“I take a look at the memorial, and I think how she’s so badly missed in the neighborhood and in the city of Tucson,” Long said.
“It is not over,” she said. “We just keep questioning – something happened, someone knows something, and we just are praying that someone will come forward and do the right thing. And I know that the media kind of has stopped with this, but…”
“And that’s the sad part of it,” Gilgenbach interjected. “Now the days are getting more and more, so people have a tendency to go on with their lives and kind of forget.”
“But yet,” Long responded, “I think this is an incident where Tucson’s not going to forget. I think that this has been an important family in Tucson. And I don’t think they’re ever going to forget.”
Both women said they now tread their lives with a little more caution than before.
“Because we’re her age, we feel like it could be us,” Long said.
“You go through your life now with a little apprehension because you don’t know,” Gilgenbach said. “And it’s our world today, I think.”
Herminia Serino, too, said her sense of security has been altered by Guthrie’s disappearance.
“We feel a little insecure to go outside,” she said, speaking from outside her Mexican restaurant just 10 minutes away from Guthrie’s house. Serino said she doesn’t go outside at night anymore and always has someone with her.
“I don’t feel the same anymore, because if it happens to her, it can happen to anyone,” she said.
And she said developments from law enforcement feel like they are at a standstill.
“The community needs an explanation,” Serino said. “With all the technology we have, cameras and all kind of stuff … they can resolve anything.”
Task force dedicated to investigation
It’s been over a month since local officials held a news conference about Guthrie’s disappearance, and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos’ office said he is not currently holding any media availability.
“This remains an active investigation and investigators are focusing (on) evidence analysis including DNA and digital. We will not get into specifics,” the sheriff’s office told CNN in a statement Tuesday.
The FBI also declined an interview, saying the investigation is ongoing. Its Phoenix division has a big office in Tucson, which has managed the Guthrie case from the beginning and continues to do so, a spokesperson said.
There’s a 20- to 24-person task force dedicated to the investigation – about half the personnel from the sheriff’s office, and the other half from the FBI, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Guthrie family maintains close communication with law enforcement, a friend of Savannah’s said Wednesday.
Authorities say they believe Guthrie was removed from the home against her will. But law enforcement still has not determined a motive.
Six weeks after her disappearance, even after the cameras have left, there’s little respite from the questions and anxiety in the minds of Tucson residents.
Underneath the banner outside the local NBC station, what was once a fresh bouquet is now dried out, much like the rest of the unforgiving desert landscape. Soft winds threaten to blow the withered flowers away.
CNN’s Aaron Fisher and Brian Stelter contributed to this report.
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