The TODAY family reacts to Hoda's emotional announcement

Hurricane Helene causes widespread damage in the Southeast. September 27, 2024 | [VIEW IN BROWSER]( [This is TODAY] Hoda Kotb tearfully shared that she will be leaving TODAY in early 2025. Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage after hitting Florida as a Category 4 storm and is now moving across Georgia. Plus, a mom's blunt response to how she's mourning her husband's death.   The Latest   [Hoda Kotb announced she is leaving TODAY in early 2025.]( It was an emotional day at TODAY yesterday as Hoda Kotb announced she is [leaving the show]( next year. The beloved co-anchor spoke about how her 60th birthday celebration and being a mom to two young daughters prompted her decision. The TODAY family [gave her a standing ovation](, while her fourth hour co-host Jenna Bush Hager [tearfully thanked Hoda]( for always believing in her. See [Hoda's letter to the TODAY staff](. [🌀]([Helene hits Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, leaving 3 million without power](. Hurricane Helene made landfall last night in Florida's Big Bend region as a [Category 4 storm](, causing dangerous storm surges and knocking out power for [more than 3 million people]( across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Helene has now weakened to a tropical storm and is moving across Georgia, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and "life-threatening" conditions, according to the National Hurricane Center. [Here's the latest](. [😮 Mom responds to backlash for viral post after her husband’s death: ‘One guy dying isn’t going to ruin the rest of my life’]( The blunt response from a mother of two about a comment questioning her[behavior after her husband's death]( from a heart attack has left people surprised. Asked by a commenter why she's acting like everything's fine since her husband died, Holly Smith, 28, said in a TikTok video, "Because he’s not my God, because one guy dying isn’t going to ruin the rest of my life." Commenters[questioned her approach]( to grieving. "I have mourned the loss of my husband... But grief, to me, sounds like pain and suffering," Smith told TODAY.com. [Continue reading](.   Shop TODAY   Budget-friendly deals, gift guides and more from Shop TODAY. [Bobbie Thomas reveals her favorite beauty products for fall, starting at $10]( Still curating your beauty routine for the season? Bobbie Thomas is sharing her must-haves for manicures, the “it” lip and more. [SHOP NOW](   Start TODAY   Achieve your life and health goals with easy tips. Improve your posture and build upper body strength with these 10 chest exercises you can do at home. [READ MORE]( [GET THE NEWSLETTER](   What's For Dinner?   Allow us to do the meal-planning for you Sink your teeth into the TikTok-famous lamb burger with whipped feta and pickled red onions from Salt Hank — aka Henry Laporte. [VIEW RECIPE]( [♡ SAVE RECIPE](   Daily Delight   A little pick-me-up before you go. Michelle and Scott Ellermets met in a grief group after both of their [spouses of more than 20 years unexpectedly died](. The single parents fell in love and decided to get married, which led to an emotional moment at their Sept. 7 wedding in North Carolina. They were on the beach when a [spectacular double rainbow]( appeared. Guests saw it as a sign from their late spouses. "A message from them saying, ‘We’re happy for you, we want this for you,' and we believe that they would,” Michelle told TODAY.com. [See more photos](.   Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you tomorrow. Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Maddie Ellis Enjoying This is TODAY? Invite a friend to[subscribe here.]( Send us Feedback Follow us on Facebook More TODAY Newsletters Copyright © 2024 TODAY | 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 [MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_today) | [PRIVACY]( | [SEND FEEDBACK](