NBC Names Hoda Kotb As Lauer Replacement On ‘Today’

By DAVID BAUDER, AP Media Writer NEW YORK (AP) — NBC News opened the new year Tuesday by appointing Hoda Kotb as co-anchor of the “Today” show’s first two hours with Savannah Guthrie, replacing Matt Lauer following his firing on sexual misconduct charges in late November. Kotb, 53, will continue to co-host the show’s fourth hour…