Let’s Go Girls

How women’s sports became a slam dunk. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( [Wake-Up Call] [by Katie Couric Media] April 4, 2024 Good morning! Women’s sports are finally getting the recognition they deserve — but [will interest continue beyond March Madness](? We’ve got a closer look. Then, my friend Kathy Giusti shares [essential advice for anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis](. Later on, I’m sharing two important projects I’m working on — and we’re cooking up something big with [Good Taste](. Plus, we'll share [supportive and stylish bras]( and [the best Colleen Hoover books](, right here in Wake-Up Call.   In the News [LSU and Iowa compete in a March Madness basketball game]( Getty Images She Got Game This year's [NCAA women’s basketball tournament]( is shaping up to be the biggest ever. Here’s how the LSU-Iowa rematch in the Elite Eight smashed records — plus a preview of the Final Four. By the numbers: Iowa’s 94-87 win over LSU drew 12.3 million viewers, the most ever for an NCAA women’s basketball game. It topped last year’s record-setting championship game between the rivals, watched by 9.9 million Americans, and was ESPN’s second largest audience for any basketball game since 2012. Big tickets: The cheapest tickets for the women’s Final Four are $343, versus $233 to watch the men’s. (The men are playing at the 70,000-seat State Farm Stadium, while the women will face off at Rocket Mortgage Field, which has 19,400 seats.) The average price to watch the women’s playoffs is $718, a leap from $479 last year. Up next: The women’s Final Four starts tomorrow. First underdogs NC State will try to spoil South Carolina’s undefeated season, then Caitlin Clark and Iowa will tip off against Paige Bueckers and UConn. Catch the action on ESPN. If you think the Big Dance seems bigger than ever this year, you’re not alone. In this essay, a KCM senior writer dives into [why this tournament feels like a turning point]( for women’s sports. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fentertainment%2Fsports%2Flsu-iowa-viewership-womens-sports-caitlin-clark-angel-reese%2F   More Stories [President Joe Biden (L) listens to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he joins a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023]( Biden and Netanyahu meeting last October in Tel Aviv. (Getty Images) President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu will speak today on a call that comes amid rising tensions between the two leaders. While U.S. aid to Israel remains constant, Biden has expressed increasing distaste for the IDF's assaults on civilians in Gaza. The judge overseeing Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial has rejected his eleventh-hour effort to delay proceedings beyond April 15. This comes alongside the news that Trump leads Biden in six of seven swing states, according to a Wall Street Journal poll. A federal judge has ruled that migrants flown from Texas to Martha's Vineyard in 2022 on flights arranged by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can proceed with a lawsuit against the company that took them there. A group of activist investors failed to gain seats on Disney's board of directors, a major win for CEO Bob Iger. The House of Mouse has done well over the last quarter, but the failed nominees wanted more — and to align pay with performance for key execs. The first patient to undergo a groundbreaking kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig has been discharged two weeks after surgery. “Today marks a new beginning," 62-year-old Richard Slayman said.   In Focus Emily Whitehead is a modern medical miracle. Thanks to the brilliance of cancer scientist Carl June, who pioneered CAR T cell therapy, Emily is finishing up her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania. You can watch their incredibly inspiring story in a new documentary called Of Medicine and Miracles on Jolt Films, a new platform for filmmakers, and [get a first look at the trailer right here](. I’ll be moderating a panel with Emily, her dad Tom, Dr. June and others on Saturday at 6 p.m. EDT — [get access here](. I’m so excited to be a part of this!   Must-Reads [Photo of woman with no hair wearing headscarf]( Been There, Done That My friend Kathy Giusti survived cancer and is now sharing necessary advice on navigating the complex web of diagnosis. [Read More »]( [scattered white piggy banks on green background]( Money Matters With Tax Day approaching, there's no better time to assess your financial health. We asked an expert for the 5 steps to take right now. [Read More »]( [Colleen Hoover books on dark purple background]( It Starts With This Looking to get into Colleen Hoover? With a whopping 26 novels, starting may feel intimidating, so we rounded up her 10 best books. [Read More »](   Tune In [The poster for ''An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th'']( Max On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh ignited a truck bomb outside a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including 19 children — the deadliest act of homegrown terrorism in U.S. history. The new documentary An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th explores the surge in anti-government sentiment that led to the bombing, and stands as an essential wake-up call about how that threat lingers today. It was an honor to executive produce this insightful and extremely important film. [Watch the trailer right here]( and tune in beginning April 16 on Max.   Good Taste [Katie Couric and Kimbal Musk]( KCM Every Thursday, our cooking newsletter brings delicious meals straight to your inbox — and today, it comes with a prize on the side! This week's issue features a stellar salmon recipe from Kimbal Musk's new cookbook, and we're giving away a signed copy to one lucky subscriber. [Sign up for free right here]( and find out how to win it when our next email goes out in just a few hours! And because we know all you Wake-Up Callers have a nose for news, we also asked Kimbal about his very famous brother, Elon Musk. "We love each other very much," he said, "and he's a savant." But Kimbal also understands the reactions to Elon's more controversial habits, like the outlandish comments he shares on his social media platform: "Posting on X before he thinks is the problem that he would admit he has as well." [SUBSCRIBE TO GOOD TASTE](   Extra Credit Sneak peek: I'm back on the mic for a new season of Next Question, and we've got big things brewing for 2024 — including some amazing guests. [Check out the trailer]( to see what's in store. Hold strong: Finding a bra that supports a bigger bust shouldn't have to mean sacrificing style or comfort. We found [the 13 best bras for large chests]( that will hug your girls close. Don't miss these deals: We understand if you beelined straight to the clothing during Nordstrom's spring sale, but you'd be overlooking some serious beauty bargains, like [Jo Malone perfumes]( and [Reese Witherspoon's favorite foundation](.   Get Away [lavender hard top suitcase]( Finding your black suitcase at baggage claim amongst a sea of other black suitcases is added travel anxiety you don't have to deal with. Save yourself the headache with [Quince's luggage in gorgeous hues](. [SHOP HERE](   [Ripple Effect by Katie Couric Media]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2023 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.