Live from New York

Posted: Saturday, March 29, 2008 3:32 PM by Ian Sager

By Hoda Kotb, NBC News Anchor

Greetings from sunny Manhattan. Lester Holt (the hardest working man in television) is off today, enjoying some much deserved time with his family. I'm Hoda Kotb and I'll be filling in for Lester this evening. With regards to my name, it's HOE-duh KOT-bee (imagine being me during elementary school roll call).

We are following several stories this afternoon, among them the economy. It is so tough for so many Americans right now. In response, the federal government is announcing some sweeping changes in the way it regulates financial markets. Savannah Guthrie will join us to iron out the details.

Along with the economy, we're hot on the political trail this weekend. As you very well know, no one rests in the world of politics. Ron Allen is with Hillary Clinton while Lee Cowan is with Barack Obama. Each will join with updates from the campaign trail.

Finally, one piece you won't want to miss. Skateboarding, often frowned upon, even forbidden in some places, is beginning to show up in school gymnasiums. I hope you'll join me tonight.

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Comments

Dear Hoda,

I very much enjoy your reporting; you have a terrific energy about you. I was particularly moved by your willingness to share your story of breast cancer survival. You rock! I look forward to the broadcast.

XOXO - Georgia Girl, California Girl, & Maine Girl! (You know who you are!)

lnp, leonardtown, maryland, usa (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 5:08 PM)

Good Evening Hoda, Nice to see you this evening and I'm happy it is sunny in Manhattan. It has been raining really hard here in Georgia and hopefully helping the drought. I don't think I need to hear thunder though. Anyway, looking forward to the broadcast! Peace to all!
XOXO-Laurel,Jackie and Stephanie!! Hope you enjoyed the lecture by Mr.Brokaw Laurel!!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 5:23 PM)

P.S. - Jackie, regarding your post from the other evening, I forgot to mention that I had to ask my high school age friend what in the world DDG means - drop dead gorgeous? I am so out of touch. Anyway, I agree with your choice of Orlando Bloom; however, for my money, John Kennedy, Jr. will always be the best looking human being ever, with Michael Jordan a close second! I wonder who Lisa McNeil would select? Hmmm.... Anyway, I understand your point - race shouldn't (and doesn't) matter.

lnp, leonardtown, maryland, usa (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 5:24 PM)

Under the weather today; caught the sniffles! Missed the broadcast, but going to do my part to honor Earth Hour this evening. Will I survive an hour without my computer????? The sniffles won't kill me, but no computer for an hour just might!

Hoda, I'm bummed I missed seeing you on the Nightly desk tonight. I alway enjoy your segments and know you'll do a splendid job in Lester's place. It's about time he gets a day off!

I agree with LNP - thank you for being open about your tango with cancer. You go, girl!

... and happy weekend greetings to the Georgia Girl, California Girl, Maryland Girl, from the Maine Gal - as we say here!

Stephanie-Umbro, Maine (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 7:16 PM)

Good Evening Hoda, Very good broadcast this evening. First of all regarding the report by Mr.Colt on the increase in violence in Basra and other cities including the capital Baghdad makes one wonder if there is ever going to be peace in the region. Mr.Colt stating that the curfew has been extended indefinitely because of the conflict is terrible for all the innocent people living within these cities. They were just beginning to feel alittle secure to venture out and visit cafes. Now it has returned to severe curfews and it seems with every step forward there are several steps back. Prime Minsiter Maliki is not going to stop until victory and al-Sadr's Shiite militia keeps fighting back. I do think the Iraqi military misjudged the resistence of the militia and now innocent people are paying the price. I do wish that peace would befall this region because I hate to see lives lost. Please everyone in the Baghdad Bureau stay extra extra safe!! (Especially my favorite journalist!. On another note I liked the report by Mr.Mott concerning the earth hour with lights being turned off for an hour because the city of Atlanta was featured. It was nice to see Mayor Shirley Franklin speak about how Atlanta is excited about going green and there are many buildings that will save energy this evening in downtown Atlanta and throughout Georgia. We have received quite alot of rain today so I hope that helped the lake levels. Thank you for the broadcast Hoda! You do a great job! Peace to all!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 7:18 PM)

Hello,
I have no personal interest in or for Walmart but only focusing on Walmart taking $278k from the vehicle accident lady was wrong. Why didn't you tell the world how much money the attorney's took of the settlement money she won?? I will be willing to bet it was a lot more than the $278k Walmart wants back for her medical expences.

Johnny Vincent (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 7:23 PM)

Hoda-- Unfortunatly I did not see the broadcast tonight, however I still read the blog. You seem like a very nice person and that picture, with your Blog post, does not do you justice. I hope by tomorrow(sunday) when you post there will be a better picture, because you look better than that picture. Keep up the great work on NN & on the 4th hour..... "theres more Today"

Mike, Amsterdam, NY (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 8:14 PM)

When you have a report on what the economy is doing to Main Street, shouldn't you at least mention inflation?? This is really a big part of our problem.

Katherine Reynolds, Shelton Washington (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 9:20 PM)

You are so adorable I can hardly stand it. Katie Couric move over, retire, there is no way you will outshine this awesome person. I really appreciate your sincerity and, pray that you are unmarried. I am eligible and a real catch. Retirement in 7 years target, and then, sailing and seeking.

Marco (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 9:32 PM)

Great show Hoda. Nice to hear Lester got some time off now he can play with the toys he got for Christmas. As to your name well at lease you only had to remember 4 letters smile.

Ron Allen was off the mark in his question to Hillary about dropping out of the race. Republicans denied voters their right to vote their choice and Dems should do the same. Senior Democrats are looking out for themselves not for the American people. Next the Democrats will act like the Republican Party destroy the Constitution all together. Let the Hillary and Obama continue so all voters have their votes counted.

It was a sad story with the lady and Wal Mart. But not surprising as companies today are only interested in greed. Just think the Family lost a son who gave his life for the Freedoms even the Executives of Wal Mart have. But life has shown that you get back 7 times what you give out. I'll leave it in God's hands. My prayers go to the Family for God to bless them.

Yes I will be spending an hour in candle light and hope this action continues more often.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 9:51 PM)

I forgot to give a shout out to my friends Lisa, Laural and Stephanie

Laural love the States ID of us.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 9:53 PM)

hi there Hoda,
We here in Orangeburg S.C. really do enjoy you. I have followed you on T.V. for over a year now and am really impressed by your sense of style, your candor and most of all your energy. Keep up the good work.

D.Myers, Orangeburg, S.C. (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 11:36 PM)

Missed your show as it was my husband's birthday.
I think Lester Holt is DDG.
Phyllis Kunz

Phyllis Kunz Louisville Ky (Sent Sunday, March 30, 2008 6:20 PM)

I & my family were appalled at the story of the brave family who tries to go on after the mother, being totally disabled from an accident, losing a son in Iraq, and suing for damages due to the accident. Now Wal-Mart wants the funds received from the lawsuit, claiming because they carried her insurance they are entitled to the settlement.

We, as a family, will no longer shop at Wal-Mart. I think they are heartless and greedy. Bottom line be damned. There is more to business than profit.

An upset former customer,

Patsy Smiley

Patsy Smiley, Ashland City, TN (Sent Monday, March 31, 2008 9:21 AM)

We love the Hoda!

g.eglesias``pennsylvania`` (Sent Monday, March 31, 2008 9:41 AM)

Dear Ms. Hoda Kotb:
Thank You for your blog introduction and what elementry roll call may be like. It makes me ask whether your parents required you to take a sugar cube. The one with the cherry red sphere in it(Polio Myelitis vacine) I told my precint polling officer about it on Tuesday November 6, 2007 in front of my State Representative. A local election.

Second, about Mr. Shank and his family's ordeal facing a medical crisis; When you had summarised Mr. Shank had been approved of a divorce, would this allow his disabled wife to recieve speech therapy sessions? She may benefit in establishing the ability to communicate salutations. She may also learn to comprehend how to handle questions that would make her scared?

Sincerely Yours,
James Erdmanczyk
Registered Voter

James Erdmanczyk Warner Robins, Georgia (Sent Monday, March 31, 2008 4:32 PM)

Is it just me or are there others out there feeling weary and bone tired of all the political reporting.

When nothing of substance is happening in a campaign what do these embedded reporters report on ?

fredf,virginia (Sent Monday, March 31, 2008 5:04 PM)

Hoda, am I crazy (OK--don't answer that) or was there a time when you spelled your last name as "Kotbe"? Perhaps as a way of making it easier for viewers to read and pronounce.

Tie Dye Jenny, New York (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 5:44 AM)

Hoda, I LOVE your hour of "Today"! You ROCK. I have a Greek "God" who would love to treat you like a queen. He's spent his life racing cars, likes to get his hands dirty, but cleans up DDG ! He says he's 59, IS single, and loves, LOVES life. He's also going to Greece by June, for 30 days, to arrange shipping his newest sailboat there. Want to meet him? YELL!
BTW, keep Kathie Lee on her toes! Lovin' you BOTH :)

Bobi H, San Pedro, CA (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 6:01 PM)

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