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NEED TO KNOW
Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
March Madness wraps up
After an emotional ending to the NCAA women’s title game, March Madness wraps up tonight when Florida and Houston go head-to-head for the NCAA men’s championship. Here’s a recap, and what to expect later.
The champions: UConn routed the defending NCAA women’s champion, South Carolina, 82-59 to win their 12th championship, extending their record for the most of any NCAA women’s program and breaking a tie with the UCLA men’s program. [The Athletic]
Paige prevails: UConn senior Paige Bueckers celebrated winning her first national title with a full minute of hugs and an emotional moment with her coach, Geno Auriemma. She’s expected to be the first overall pick in the WNBA draft next week. [Yahoo Sports]
Men’s championship: After Duke’s “heartbreaking loss” on Saturday, Florida and Houston face off tonight in the men’s championship game in San Antonio. “It should be a good 40-minute fight,” Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. said. [USA Today]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
⛈️ Devastating storms
Since Wednesday, at least 20 people have died in the Midwest and South as severe weather flooded rivers and spawned tornadoes into the weekend. Forecasters expect the severe risk to continue in the Southeast today. [ABC News]
📉 Trump’s tariff shock
President Trump said yesterday that he won’t back down on sweeping tariffs unless countries even out their trade with the U.S. The tariffs have raised fears of a recession, and major stock indexes continued to fall this morning. [AP/Reuters]
➡️ RFK Jr. addresses measles
With at least 481 cases tied to the Texas measles outbreak, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met yesterday with the family of a child who died from the disease and called the vaccine the most effective way to stop its spread. [CNN]
🏒 NHL’s greatest goal-scorer
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. “I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that,” Gretzky said afterward. Watch the historic play. [Yahoo Sports]
🎬 Blockbuster
The “zany, family-friendly” film A Minecraft Movie, starring Jason Momoa, Jack Black and Jennifer Coolidge, broke records at the weekend box office, grossing $157 million and making it the largest debut of 2025 so far. [Entertainment Weekly]
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY
🏒 On the ice, the Rangers, in desperate need of some wins, face off against the Lightning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. [Hockey News]
🏀 On the court, March Madness concludes with Florida and Houston tipping off in the men’s NCAA championship game at 8:50 p.m. ET on CBS. [Yahoo Sports]
⚾ On the field, the Diamondbacks kick off a three-game series against the Orioles at 9:40 p.m. ET on Fubo. [AP]
📺 On TV, the season finale of The Hunting Party airs at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. Here’s what the cast said about last week’s “dizzying” foe. [NBC]
☀️ And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the crossword. Check the forecast in your area.
TODAY IN HISTORY
Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Chicago American historical photo/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
In 1933, the Cullen-Harrison Act went into effect, legalizing low-alcohol beer months before prohibition was fully repealed. The day eventually became known as National Beer Day. If you’re celebrating with a cold one later, try pairing it with a snack. [Daily Meal]
3 QUESTIONS
… about The White Lotus finale
I asked Yahoo Entertainment reporter David Artavia what he thought of last night’s finale and the third season overall.
Jessica: One of the show’s stars said fans would “hate Mike White” after seeing the finale. Do you feel that way?
David: The finale was unexpected. A little devastating? Yes. Oddly poetic? Absolutely. It’s not the death I was bracing for, but it was twisted in the most White Lotus of ways. As for hating Mike White? Never! Here’s what happened if you want to read about it, but beware of spoilers!
Jessica: Which character arc were you most surprised or delighted by this season?
David: Why choose just one? For me, Laurie’s simmering tension with her three best friends paid off in a moment that was raw and so deeply human. Let’s not forget Victoria, whose unraveling was brilliant, and Rick and Chelsea, whose twisted love spiral went places I never saw coming.
Jessica: If I can’t get enough White Lotus, what else from creator Mike White should I watch?
David: Do yourself a favor and watch Mike White’s Survivor: David vs. Goliath season. He’s just as brilliant, weird and emotionally layered as the characters he writes. I love that he brought some of his fellow castaways into White Lotus cameos!
As for Season 4: Here’s where it might take place.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
A 97-year-old Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise, who’s lived at the Philadelphia Zoo for nearly her entire life, recently hatched four babies, making her the oldest first-time mom of her species. Her very fitting name? Mommy. [People]
Have a great day! See you tomorrow.
💡 P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: Want to remove dirt and pesticides from fresh herbs before you cook? Skip the soap and wash them in a vinegar solution. [Simply Recipes]
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