Two of the biggest names in women’s college basketball faced off last night.

They Meet Again

The Story

Two of the biggest names in women’s college basketball faced off last night.

Run it back.

The showdown between Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese gave fans a long-awaited rematch of the 2023 championship game. Last year, 9.9 million fans tuned in to watch LSU beat Iowa for the title — making it the most viewed game in the women’s tournament ever. This year, Iowa knocked out defending national champion LSU and advanced to the Final Four. Clark helped carry Iowa with a game-high of 41 points. The highly anticipated game comes as women’s college basketball, and women’s sports in general, sees a rise in popularity. It's all brought more attention to how female star athletes are portrayed.

What do you mean?

Since last year’s championship, commentators have zeroed in on Reese and Clark and their alleged animosity. Ahead of the rematch, Reese cleared the air to say there’s no bad blood between her and Clark, adding that trash talk is “not personal.” The spotlight on both players has also revealed disparities in the portrayal of Black female basketball athletes. Over the weekend, an LA Times column used derogatory terms like “dirty debutantes” and "basketball villains" to describe LSU's predominantly Black team, sparking outrage. The LA Times has since edited the piece and apologized. It’s all got some fans pointing out the double standards in coverage, with some saying men’s teams don't face this level of scrutiny.

theSkimm

Trash talking and rivalries have always been a part of sports, regardless of gender. But as women's basketball gets more attention, its players face heightened scrutiny and deal with constant sexist and racist comments.

Where one of the strictest abortion bans is set to take effect…

Florida. Yesterday, its conservative-leaning Supreme Court ruled that the state’s constitution doesn’t protect abortion rights, effectively allowing Florida's six-week ban to go into effect on May 1. The ban, which was signed into law last year, includes exceptions for rape, incest, and medical emergencies. Still, the measure will eliminate almost all access to the procedure in the South, where Florida’s current 15-week ban had made the state a safe haven for abortion. It's not the last time the state could see changes to abortion law. Florida voters will get to have a say in November on whether to enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution.

…Oh and speaking of health, the Department of Health and Human Services is now requiring hospitals to get written informed consent before performing pelvic, prostate, rectal, and breast exams, especially if the patient is under anesthesia.

What’s in mourning...

World Central Kitchen. Yesterday, the nonprofit group founded by celebrity chef José Andrés said an Israeli airstrike killed seven of its workers in Gaza. The Israeli military said it’s investigating “the circumstances of this tragic incident.” Video obtained by news outlets showed the bodies of multiple people wearing clothing with WCK's logo and passports from Britain, Poland, and Australia — potentially indicating the nationalities of the aid workers. WCK is reportedly one of the few aid groups delivering food in Gaza, where UN experts warn hundreds of thousands of people are on the brink of famine.

Why people could be saying ‘what the flock’...

Bird flu. Yesterday, health officials confirmed a person in Texas has been diagnosed with a strain of bird flu after coming into contact with dairy cows presumed to be infected. This is believed to be the first known human case linked to dairy cattle. Authorities detected the strain of bird flu in the animals last week at dairy farms in Texas, Kansas, and Michigan. The CDC and other US health officials said the risk of infection for humans is low. Health experts do not expect the outbreak to affect food safety or supply.

Who avoided a financial crisis…

Former President Trump. Yesterday, Trump posted a $175 million bond in his New York civil fraud case, preventing state authorities from seizing his assets.

Who has an unpopular opinion…

Shakira.

What’s a new nightmare unlocked…

A partial highway collapse in California.

What’s finally on IG…

The world’s oldest monarchy.

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