Sheinelle Jones, the veteran "Today" correspondent who has been absent from the NBC News program while she took care of he ailing husband, then recovering from his recent death, is set to return to the show on Friday. Savannah Guthrie revealed the news during Tuesday's broadcast of the venerable NBC morning show. "We cannot wait until to welcome Sheinelle home, right where she belongs," Guthrie told viewers, adding, "She's coming back and she's ready." More from Variety Meghan Rafferty, 'NBC Nightly News' EP, to Join Versant NBCU Veteran Jessica Kurdali Is Versant's New SVP, Talent Strategy NBC Plans 'Today' Fan Festival With Events Scheduled for Fall Jones took part in a taped interview with Guthrie that will also air Friday. Her return later this week will mark her first day back in a full-time capacity in weeks. Jones has been away from the program since January on a leave of absence. She was caring for her family as her spouse, Uche Ojeh, dealt with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Ojeh passed away in May. Jones has been part of a "Today" family of correspondents for more than a decade. She initially joined the NBC A.M. franchise in October of 2014 as a host on weekend broadcasts. In January of 2019, she joined the third hour of "Today,"as part of a team that aimed to bring audiences back to the hourafter an ill-fated era when the program was built around anchor Megyn Kelly. Jones has been part of a quartet that includes Al Roker, Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer. For some time, Jones kept her weekend duties as well as her new role on the 9 a.m. program, a situation that had her working six days a week. Before joining NBC News, Jones worked for Fox affiliates s in Tulsa, OK and Philadelphia. She worked at the Philadelphia station, WTXF, for nearly a decade. Best of Variety Samsung, Sonos, Criterion Collection Among Top Brands on Sale for Labor Day - See Running List Here What's Coming to Disney+ in September 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.
