Melissa Hernandez De La Cruz

In an emotional interview during her return to 'Today,' Sheinelle Jones called the loss of her husband of 17 years a "beautiful nightmare." WASHINGTON — "Today" co-host Sheinelle Jones returned to the morning show on Friday for the first time since her husband's death.  During an emotional interview with Savannah Guthrie, Jones publicly addressed the loss of her husband, Uche Ojeh, for the first time on the air. The 47-year-old has been absent from 'Today' since December, with her co-hosts giving periodic updates. In May, the morning show announced Jones' husband, Ojeh, had died at the age of 45 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer called Glioblastoma. "In this moment, I'm okay, day to day, I'm okay," Jones said. "From a macro picture, how am I doing? My heart is shattered. My heart is shattered in a million pieces. The life that I've known since I was 19 is no more.  I've always wanted kids and I have three kids of my own now and they've lost their dad. And I'm their mom. It sucks." Jones called the experience "a beautiful nightmare." [embedded content] "We would just hold hands, and the nurses would come in, and they would call us the lovebirds. And we would just look at each other, say ‘I love you,’ and hold hands. But that’s what I mean by beautiful nightmare," Jones explained. "I found beauty in the nightmare."  "And trust me, it is a nightmare to watch a 45-year-old do two triathlons and live and breathe off of soccer and his kids...to take a guy like that and watch him have to deal with this fight was a nightmare," she added. Jones revealed that she kept on working at "Today" for nearly a year while dealing with her husband's illness behind the scenes. She said she would leave work and go spend time with Ojeh as he underwent chemotherapy treatment. “And I got to that place where I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, so when I decided to take a leave, that was why — because I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring,” she said. "And I was starting to feel like I didn’t want to miss it. I didn’t want to look back. I wanted to be strong, and I wanted to look back and know that I was strong. But I didn’t want to be so strong that I missed this blessing right in front of me — that I missed the fight, that I missed the beauty in the fight," she continued. Jones and Ojeh would've celebrated their 18th anniversary on Sept. 1 She hopes her return to the morning show can help others going through a similar situation. What kind of cancer did Sheinelle Jones' husband have? Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer in adults, and is typically one of the most aggressive types. It is known for its rapid growth and invasion of surrounding brain tissue.  According to 'Today,' the couple met at Northwestern University in the late 90s when she offered to show him around campus on a tour. Eight years later, Ojeh proposed on the campus of their alma mater.  The couple have three children: Kayin and twins Uche and Clara. 

The Duchess was married to the Duke of Kent, a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. WASHINGTON — The Duchess of Kent, who was married to the cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has died, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday. She was 92.  Buckingham Palace said that the Duchess of Kent "passed away peacefully" and was surrounded by family. "It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent," a statement shared on the Royal Family's social media account read. "The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people." The flag was lowered to half-staff at Buckingham Palace at noon to pay respect to the duchess. The Duchess of Kent was the oldest member of the Royal Family, according to the BBC. It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke… pic.twitter.com/OsCeb3pQ7d— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 5, 2025 Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley was born on Feb. 22, 1933, as the only daughter to aristocrat Col. Sir William Worsley, a baronet, and Lady Worsley of Hovingham Hall, near York. She joined the Royal Family when she married Edward, King George V’s grandson, in a lavish 1961 ceremony. Throughout the years, the Duchess, Katharine, was closely tied to the Wimbledon championships. She presented the Ladies' Singles Trophy for several years.  Perhaps her most memorable Wimbledon moment was when she consoled Czech star Jana Novotna after her defeat in the 1993 final. The duchess who preferred to be known as Mrs. Kent, was also a passionate musician and music teacher, dedicating a number of years to teaching music at a primary school in Hull, England. The pianist, organist and singer founded the charity Future Talent to break down barriers for young musicians and provide them with instruments. She stepped aside as a working Member of the Royal Family in 2002 to focus on her private and charitable work in music, according to Buckingham Palace. In 1994, she converted to Catholicism and became the first royal to do so in over 300 years. She leaves Edward and three children, George, Earl of St. Andrews, Lady Helen Windsor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The '80s rock band publicly offered to play at the couple's wedding because, as they put it, they know what love is. WASHINGTON — British rock band Foreigner has publicly offered to be Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's official wedding band.  In an Instagram post Wednesday, the band penned an open letter to the A-list couple, who recently announced their engagement. "Dear Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, we know what love is. We spent 40 years figuring it out... and now you guys have too," the band wrote for the post. "Please accept this as our formal offer to be your wedding band. Best wishes, Foreigner."  The Instagram post, with a teal background and orange letter, matched the theme for Swift's upcoming album "The Life of a Showgirl."  The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are known for their iconic 80s songs, including "I Want to Know What Love Is," "Feels Like the First Time" and "Juke Box Hero." It's unclear whether Swift or Kelce are going to accept the offer, but time will tell whether the British rock band will play at the famed couple's wedding. It's not yet known when they plan to tie the knot, but it likely wouldn't be until after the NFL season.  Swift and Kelce announced their engagement in late August with a series of photos of the proposal in a garden. "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married 🧨," Swift captioned the post. Kelce recently opened up about the proposal, addressing the news for the first time on Wednesday's episode of his "New Heights" podcast with his brother Jason Kelce.  “It’s been really fun telling everybody who I’m going to be spending the rest of my life with,” Kelce said, thanking fans and friends for their well-wishes. Travis admitted he still “gets giddy” about calling Swift his fiancée and noted he used the term publicly for the first time while attending the University of Nebraska versus University of Cincinnati football game with Swift.“It was the first time introducing Taylor as my fiancée to a few of my teammates,” he recalled. “So yeah, it was pretty cool.” Katrina Morgan contributed to this report.

The possibility arrives days after Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement announcement. WASHINGTON — Could Taylor Swift headline the next Super Bowl halftime show? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell isn't ruling it out.  During an interview on "TODAY" Wednesday, Goodell answered questions about the upcoming 2025 NFL season. When asked bluntly about whether Swift could headline next year's show, the NFL commissioner hinted at the possibility. "We would always love to have Taylor play. She is a special, special talent and obviously, she would be welcome any time," Goodell said.   "TODAY" host Savannah Guthrie pushed further, asking whether a Swift Super Bowl halftime show was in the works.  “I can’t tell you anything about it,” Goodell replied, before answering "maybe" when asked again.  [embedded content] With a possibility in play, Craig Melvin asked when people should expect a full answer.  “I’m waiting on my friend Jay-Z,” Goodell joked. “It’s in his hands. I’m waiting for the smoke to come out.” Roc Nation, founded by Jay-Z, is the current entertainment adviser to the NFL and is behind the decision for who gets to play the halftime show. Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins served as co-executive producers for the recent halftime show. Goodell also confirmed that he is a "Swiftie." This isn't the first time Swift's name has been thrown around for the Super Bowl halftime show.  In 2022, fans of the popstar, known as "Swifties," speculated that the singer would be tapped for the 2023 show after the NFL announced a new sponsor for the show. However, days later, the Roc Nation and Apple Music announced that Rihanna was taking the big stage. Goodell's comments come days after Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce's engagement announcement.  Their relationship was documented in countless shots of Swift celebrating at Chiefs games and fan videos of Kelce dancing along at Swift’s Eras Tour — including a surprise appearance on-stage at one concert — as it traveled the globe. When is the Super Bowl? Super Bowl 60 will take place in the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8, 2026. How much do Super Bowl performers get paid? The NFL may cover travel costs for artists, but maintains its long-standing tradition of not paying performers for the pregame and halftime shows beyond the minimum union scale requirements. Under union agreements, this typically amounts to around $1,000 per day for rehearsals and the performance itself. That means no splashy appearance fees for these major artists.  However, the real value of the Super Bowl halftime show lies in its unprecedented exposure. The 2024 performance headlined by Usher drew massive viewership, continuing the trend set by Rihanna's 2023 show which attracted 115 million viewers. For artists, this exposure typically translates into significant increases in music sales and streaming numbers.

The twice-a-year time change for most U.S. states is coming up in just a few weeks. WASHINGTON — Daylight saving time is coming to an end for 2025 on Nov. 2, the first Sunday in November.  Clocks will "fall back" one hour at 2 a.m. on Nov. 2, granting most people an extra hour of sleep. With the change comes earlier sunrises and nightfall well before 7 p.m. It won't be until March 2026 that we adjust our clocks to "spring ahead" once again.  Frequent measures in Congress have tried to make daylight saving time permanent in order to ditch the practice of changing our clocks twice a year. However, the bills usually die before they ever come close to becoming law.  With little to no progress made on that legislation, Americans will continue to "fall back" in 2025 and "spring forward" next year.  RELATED: Lock the clock: Here's where each state stands on making daylight saving time permanent When do clocks change in 2025? Daylight saving time in 2025 ends on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 2 a.m.  Why was daylight saving time created? The practice has been implemented in some form since World War I when Germany originally introduced it to conserve power and energy by extending daylight hours.  The Standard Time Act in 1918 was the first introduction of daylight saving time to American clocks. The temporary measure, which once held the nickname "war time," lasted from spring to fall and was intended to cut energy costs during World War I. The act is also responsible for the five time zones still in place today. The Department of Transportation was created and given regulatory power over time zones and daylight saving time in 1966. In order to correct confusing and alternating time zones, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 sought a nationwide standard for daylight saving time  from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.  Few changes have happened since then. Most recently, daylight saving time was extended by a few weeks in 2005 when former President George Bush changed the law. It is now observed from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November. Despite the national observance, Arizona and Hawaii don't observe daylight saving time. Under federal law, states are allowed to opt out of daylight saving time and remain on standard time, but are not allowed to remain on daylight time. The U.S. has previously implemented daylight saving time year-round twice, once in World War II for fuel conservation and once in 1974 as "trial run" during an energy crisis.  The Senate in 2022 unanimously approved a measure that would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States, but it did not advance. President Trump has made several digs at the semiannual changing of clocks, but backed off his call for the Republican Party to eliminate daylight saving time - calling it a “50-50 issue."

The "Hell's Kitchen" host shared details of his health diagnosis on Aug. 30 after he had a basal cell carcinoma removed from the side of his face. WASHINGTON — Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay revealed his recent skin cancer diagnosis on social media.  The "Hell's Kitchen" host shared details of his health diagnosis on Aug. 30 after he had a basal cell carcinoma removed from the side of his face. The 58-year-old chef posted two photos of the aftermath of his surgery, one showing a bandage on the side of his face and the other showing stitching below his earlobe.  "Grateful and so appreciative for the incredible team at The Skin Associates and their fast reactive work on removing this Basal Cell Carcinoma thank you ! Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend ❤️I promise you it’s not a face lift! I’d need a refund…….😜," Ramsay said on his Instagram.  Ramsay's family showed support online, with his daughter Holly commenting "Love you dad." What is basal cell carcinoma? Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and the most curable form. It's considered highly treatable, especially when caught early. It is a slow-growing cancer that usually is confined to the surface of skin — doctors almost always can remove it all with a shallow incision — and seldom causes serious complications or becomes life-threatening. Skin cancer typically develops on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands and on the legs, the Mayo Clinic says. It can also form on areas that rarely see the light of day, such as the palms, beneath fingernails or toenails, and in the genital area.

Consumers who have the recalled salad kits are advised not to consume the product and should discard it immediately. WASHINGTON — Salad kits sold in 25 states are being recalled due to the presence of undeclared sesame and soy allergens, the Food and Drug Administration announced. Taylor Fresh Foods, the California-based manufacturer behind the affected salad kits, issued a voluntary recall over its Honey Balsamic Salad Kit due to a mix-up with the wrong dressing and topping. The salad kits may contain undeclared allergens sesame and soy. The individual dressing and topping packets included in the Taylor Farms salad kits were supposed to contain the Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing but instead had the Asian Sesame Ginger dressing. Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame and soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products, the FDA said in a press release on Aug. 26.  So far, the FDA has reported no illnesses associated with Taylor Farms in connection with the recall.  Taylor Farms' recalled salad kits were distributed in 25 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.  The salad kits have code dates starting with "TRFS" and "Best If Used By" dates up to and including Sept. 4, 2025. The product code can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the packaging, the FDA said.  Consumers who have the recalled salad kits are advised not to consume the product and should discard it immediately. The FDA said the recalled products can be refunded at the location of purchase. Those with questions about the recall can contact the company's customer service team Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.

Starting this week, Costco customers risk being turned away if they don't come during their memberships' designated hours. WASHINGTON — Costco's new policy allowing an exclusive shopping hour for some members will take full effect this week.  Starting Monday, Sept. 1, the wholesale club will strictly enforce its latest perk: giving an exclusive, hour-long shopping window in the morning for its higher-paying members. The policy was announced earlier this summer, but Costco had given a grace period for the policy change in July and August. The enforcement goes into effect on Labor Day, when Costco is closed, so shoppers will likely see changes starting Tuesday, Sept. 2. Executive Members will be given early access to shop from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. local time on weekdays and Sundays, and from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays.  Gold Star and Business members who arrive at Costco during the "Executive hour" run the risk of being turned away by greeters at the door. The change, which is limited to U.S. stores, means executive members will get to shop earlier than when most - but not all - of the stores typically open. Some Costco locations, including all of the ones in California's Bay Area, already open at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday.  According to company data, executive members make up 73% of Costco's sales despite representing a little less than half of their 79.6 million memberships.  The move aligns Costco with rival Sam's Club, which has long offered exclusive early morning shopping hours for its premium plus members.  As part of the change announced June 30, Costco said that all U.S. warehouses will now be open an extra hour on Saturdays, closing at 7 p.m. for all members.   How much is a Costco membership? Last year, Costco raised the price of its memberships for the first time since 2017. The cost for a Gold Star membership, the basic tier, increased from $60 to $65. Executive memberships, the higher-tier plan, increased from $120 to $130. 

The girl group made a surprise appearance at the Jonas Brothers' concert in Texas. WASHINGTON — Fifth Harmony reunited in a surprise performance at the Jonas Brothers concert in Texas Sunday.  The girl group, excluding original member Camila Cabello, performed together for the first time in seven years. Normani, Dinah Jane, Ally Brooke and Lauren Jauregui performed the group's hits "Worth It" and "Work from Home" at the Dos Equis Pavillion in Dallas, Texas. "Where were you on August 31, 2025? Thank you @jonasbrothers for having us. Felt amazing to be back 💖," the Fifth Harmony social media page captioned an Instagram post with a snippet of the performance.  In the video posted to Instagram, Normani asks the crowd if they remember Fifth Harmony as the quartet struts on stage to perform "Worth It." "That was special! 💞💞💞💞💞," Brooke later commented under the post.  Cabello, currently on tour in Australia, also commented on Fifth Harmony's post with a series of red hearts.  Following the performance, the group released limited-edition merchandise of the surprise reunion, selling hoodies and shirts with the slogan "Where were you on August 31, 2025?" "New merch available. One night only. Get it before it’s gone," the group's official X page said early Monday.  New merch available. One night only. Get it before it’s gone 💖 https://t.co/TqMkyK20QL pic.twitter.com/sGLLoGRLef— Fifth Harmony (@FifthHarmony) September 1, 2025 Fans of the girl group, known as Harmonizers, speculated something was in the works after the Fifth Harmony X page posted for the first time in over half a decade shortly before the concert. The group went on hiatus in 2018, when they bid goodbye to fans on Instagram. The break-up came within two years of Cabello's departure from the girl group. Fifth Harmony formed in 2012 after competing on the U.S. version of the "X-Factor." All five members originally auditioned as solo artist before getting put together as a group. They finished third in the competition.  The girl group's surprise reunion is the latest viral moment from the Jonas Brothers' current tour, who have been brining special guests to their shows. Earlier this month, Demi Lovato joined the band on stage for a "Camp Rock" reunion and performed songs from the Disney Channel movie.  Jesse McCartney, Jojo and All Time Low have also joined the band on stage throughout their tour.

The post-Labor Day fashion moratorium has its roots in the Gilded Age. WASHINGTON — Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer as most Americans bask in the final three-day weekend of the season.  The federal holiday, which is celebrated the first Monday in September, honors the U.S. labor movement and the achievement of American workers. Millions of Americans celebrate with beach getaways or barbecues while others take advantage of the plethora of sales available.  The holiday's origins date back to the gilded age as activists sought to establish a day to honor workers in the late 1800s. Each year, the holiday also brings about a popular adage: One should not wear white after Labor Day. Here's what to know about the "fashion rule" that is tied to the holiday. Why are you not supposed to wear white after Labor Day? Where did the rule come from? Fashion experts say it likely goes back to the Gilded Age — the same period that spawned Labor Day. The cool, white frocks worn by wealthy New Yorkers summering in places such as Newport, Rhode Island, would be packed away upon their return to the city with its dirt-packed streets. Christy Crutsinger, a professor in merchandising and digital retailing at University of North Texas, heard the adage from generations of women in her family. But “the fashion world’s not working that way anymore,” she added. “People think it, say it, but don’t abide by it,” she said. Still, fashion is on the mind of many around Labor Day, thanks to back-to-school shopping and a switch by many business people from a more relaxed summer dress code, said Daniel James Cole, adjunct assistant professor in fashion history at the Fashion Institute of Technology and co-author of “The History of Modern Fashion.” The holiday, he said, “is kind of this hinge” between summertime dress and fun to going “back to more serious pursuits.” Even fashion icons like Coco Chanel defied the rule, implementing white as a permanent stable in her wardrobe.  The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.