Overview of Deadline Looms for Nancy Guthrie Search, Vonn Stable After Leg Fracture, Reviews of Super Bowl Ads and more
A CNN Podcasts morning briefing (hosted by Kate Baldwin) covering five top stories for February 9: an urgent development in the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, a virtual deposition tied to the Epstein case, Lindsey Vonn’s injury at the Olympics, a high-profile trial of a parent after a school shooting, and Super Bowl aftermath (halftime show, ads, and related podcast episodes). The episode also highlights related CNN podcast recommendations about gambling apps and behavior change.
Top 5 stories
1) Nancy Guthrie search — possible ransom deadline
- Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, has been missing for more than a week; investigators searched her Tucson home again (including a septic tank) while guarding the scene.
- Alleged ransom notes reportedly demanded $6 million in Bitcoin with a 5 p.m. deadline tonight (source: KGUN, a CNN affiliate). Authorities have not authenticated the notes.
- Savannah and her siblings released an emotional video plea for Nancy’s return.
- No suspects named; investigation active. Public tip lines: 520-351-4900 and 1-800-CALL-FBI.
2) Ghislaine Maxwell deposition and Epstein files
- Ghislaine Maxwell (convicted in connection with Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes) will virtually appear before the House Oversight Committee from prison; committee expects she may invoke her Fifth Amendment rights.
- Lawmakers began accessing unredacted Epstein-related files for the first time.
- Rep. Tom Massie (R) pushed for accountability, naming figures alleged to have interacted with Epstein; a Commerce Department spokesperson responded that one named individual denied wrongdoing and said interactions were limited.
3) Lindsey Vonn injured at Olympics
- Lindsey Vonn suffered a fractured left leg in a crash during the Olympic downhill final and underwent surgery; the same leg had been injured days earlier (reported ACL rupture).
- Officials say she is in stable condition but recovery will take time.
- U.S. teammate Breezy Johnson won the downhill gold for Team USA; U.S. also secured gold in team figure skating, with standout performances from Ilya Malinin (“Quad God”).
4) Trial begins for father in school shooting case
- Jury selection started in Georgia for the trial of Colin Gray (father of shooter Colt Gray), relating to a September 2024 Appalachee High School shooting that left four dead and nine injured.
- Prosecutors charged the father with nearly 30 counts, including multiple counts of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter; they say he bought a gun for his son in 2023 and had been previously questioned with his son about online threats.
- The trial is expected to last about three weeks. The case is part of a broader trend of prosecuting parents in shootings carried out by their children.
5) Super Bowl & cultural aftermath
- Bad Bunny’s halftime show drew praise for celebrating Puerto Rican culture and high-energy celebrity cameos; President Trump criticized it as “one of the worst ever” (contrasting public reactions).
- Memorable ads and moments: viral Bud Light stunt, a polar bear spot, Manscaped’s Super Bowl debut, and Dunkin’s “Goodwill Dunkin’” 90s-sitcom spot starring Ben Affleck.
- Ad rates for a 30-second Super Bowl spot were reported at $8–10 million. Dunkin’ gave away 1.995 million free iced coffees to mark 1995 (the year they first sold iced coffee).
Podcast highlights mentioned
- Terms of Service (CNN): Episode on sports betting apps with guest Harry Levant (gambling counselor and policy director). Key point: gambling apps normalize and rapidly deliver an addictive product through collaborations among industry, leagues, media, and tech.
- Chasing Life (Dr. Sanjay Gupta): Episode on psychological barriers to exercise with Dr. Diana Hill and Katie Bowman (authors of I Know I Should Exercise, But 44 Reasons We Don't Move).
- This Is All There Is: episode referenced about grief and building community (brief promo at the end).
Notable quotes and soundbites
- Family plea re: Nancy Guthrie: “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
- On gambling apps (Harry Levant): “We have normalized and now we deliver a known addictive product at light speed.”
- Breezy Johnson on Vonn’s crash: “My heart aches for her… it’s a tough road and it’s a tough sport.”
Action items / contact info
- If you have information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance: call 520-351-4900 or 1-800-CALL-FBI.
- For listeners: check CNN’s Terms of Service, Chasing Life, and other CNN Podcasts for deeper coverage of gambling policy, exercise motivation, and grief/community topics.
Key takeaways
- The Nancy Guthrie case is an active, time-sensitive investigation with an alleged ransom demand; authorities are requesting tips from the public.
- Lawmakers are reviewing unredacted Epstein files; Maxwell’s testimony is expected to be limited.
- Lindsey Vonn is stable after a serious Olympic injury; recovery will be lengthy.
- Prosecutors are increasingly pursuing criminal responsibility for parents in mass/shooting cases; the trial of Colt Gray’s father is a high-profile example.
- The Super Bowl’s cultural impact extended beyond the game — halftime, ads, and celebrity moments continue to dominate conversation and drive major ad spending.