Authorities have released an early ransom note in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in hopes that someone will recognize the writing style. A second note that was also released Friday said Guthrie died shortly after she was kidnapped and “is buried in nature now.” Both notes initially were sent to a Tucson television station days after the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie went missing from her home outside Tucson on Feb. 1. Authorities have not said whether Nancy Guthrie is still alive. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said “we believe these distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes’ writer.”

A 40-year-old New York man faces hate crime charges following a confrontation with “Today" show host Craig Melvin at NBC’s studio in Manhattan. Police say Friday that the man was arrested Thursday morning inside 30 Rockefeller Center in Midtown by an officer responding to reports of a disorderly individual inside the building. NBC News says an individual approached Melvin after entering an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. Melvin notified security, who held the man until police arrived. The network says no altercation occurred and no injuries were reported. NBC did not say how the man gained access to the area.

Happy 50th “SNL!" The NBC sketch comedy mainstay “Saturday Night Live” begins its 50th season Sept. 28. Over the decades, some seasons were better than others. But from the very start, “SNL” produced breakout stars. Of the original seven so-called Not Ready for Prime Time Players, John Belushi and Gilda Radner have died. Chevy Chase went on to do films. Laraine Newman keeps busy with voice work. Dan Aykroyd just put out an audio documentary about The Blues Brothers. Jane Curtin won Emmys for her TV show “Kate & Allie." And Garrett Morris has a string of film and TV credits.