Searching for a new LSU leader. And a billionaire’s bequest to Louisiana.

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer​ ​ ​

Good morning and thanks for joining us. Here are some of today's top headlines.

Heavy giving: The largesse of billionaire MacKenzie Scott is being felt across the state, from a university in New Orleans to a day care center in Alexandria. Jenna Ross breaks down five years of Louisiana philanthropy from the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Seeing stripes: The search is on for the next president of LSU, where finalists for the job the last time around received this caution: “They’ll knife you here.” Patrick Wall explains why some don’t seem to mind.

Up in your face: Police use of facial recognition is again under scrutiny in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Jan. 1 Bourbon Street terror attack and last month's jailbreak have sparked a push to free NOPD officers from constraints. I have an update here.

Thanks for reading. Check back throughout the day for more news, entertainment and sports from The Times-Picayune.