| BY JERRY DICOLO | Staff writer |
EVERYBODY WATCHED: Is there more to say about LSU's national championship? You betcha. It's looking like the Tigers were part of a watershed moment in women's college basketball: Television ratings for the national championship topped some of the biggest college football games last year, including LSU-Alabama and the championship games of the Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC. Meanwhile, Kim Mulkey walked through the final minutes of the game, and the 700+ text messages she received afterward. JOB PITCH: New Orleans Police Department Interim Superintendent Michelle Woodfork is looking to remove that "interim" from her title, and on Monday, she made a pitch to residents that she's the person for the job. During a news conference, she ticked off a series of statistics indicating that the steady surge in violent crime took a pause in the first three months of 2023. Missy Wilkinson has the details. And for more insight into the going-on at NOPD, John Simerman's story on a new recruiting plan for the force has raised some questions from the Police and Justice Foundation. TRANSGENDER LAWS: The fight over transgender rights is set to arrive in the Louisiana Legislature. House Bill 463 would limit the procedures doctors could perform on transgender youth, and House Bill 81, known as the "Given Name Act," would bar teachers from referring to students by their chosen name and pronouns unless parents had provided written permission. The bills follow similar legislation that has been passed in Montana, Kentucky and Georgia, James Finn reports. Details here, including reaction to the bills from GOP leadership. Thanks for starting your day with us. Catch up on the latest news on NOLA.com. JD | 