Good afternoon! Here’s a look at how my brain feels when I find a frozen pizza in the refrigerator. And here’s what you need to know today.

1. Obama’s phone call with Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson

Former President Barack Obama called up Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson over the weekend and gave him some advice — about parenting, writes my colleague Lynn Sweet.

“Obama spent a decent amount of time giving advice about raising a family with young kids while holding executive office,” a source told Sweet.

Johnson and his wife, Stacie, have two sons — Owen, 15, and Ethan, 10, — as well as daughter Braedyn, 8.

Obama also “made a general offer of assistance and support as Johnson takes office,” the source said. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, Johnson’s pledge to end the city’s contract with ShotSpotter got a little more complicated. The Lightfoot administration quietly extended a deal to use the controversial gunshot detection software. [Chicago Sun-Times]

And stubbornly high commercial vacancies and a slow return to office work are just some of the problems facing downtown Chicago that Johnson will have to confront. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Two federal judges released contradictory rulings on a key abortion drug

A Texas judge suspended the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the abortion pill late Friday, saying the federal agency improperly gave the drug the OK more than 20 years ago.

Hours later, a judge in Washington state came to the opposite conclusion in a separate case.

The Justice Department is appealing the Texas decision, and both rulings could eventually wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

President Joe Biden said the Texas ruling could have widespread consequences.

“If this ruling were to stand, then there will be virtually no prescription, approved by the FDA, that would be safe from these kinds of political, ideological attacks,” the president said in a statement. [NPR]

3. What we know about the deadly mass shooting in Louisville

At least five people were killed and nine others were hospitalized from a shooting at a bank across the street from Louisville’s Slugger Field, reports NPR.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, said some of his own friends were among the victims.

“This is awful,” he said. “I have a very close friend that didn’t make it today.”

Police received calls about a shooting at Old National Bank around 8:30 a.m., said Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey. Police arrived on the scene shortly after and exchanged gunfire with a suspect, who died and is believed to have been an employee of the bank.

Police say two officers were shot, including one taken to a local hospital in critical condition. [NPR]

4. A look into the high-tech fight against carjackings in Chicago

The FBI says a tracking device hidden inside a stack of glued dollar bills was among the technological tools helping authorities link seven carjackings and three armed robberies committed in an ambitious two-day spree in late September, reports my colleague Frank Main.

The FBI, the Cook County sheriff’s office and the Illinois State Police are part of a Chicago police task force targeting carjackings that has been a “game-changer,” said Roe Conn, director of data driven strategies for Sheriff Tom Dart.

He says when carjacking crews are arrested, there’s often a quick — but not permanent — drop in the number of these crimes.

And since the carjacking task force was formed two years ago, many more stolen vehicles are being recovered, Conn said. [Chicago Sun-Times]

5. This week could see a high near 80 degrees in the Chicago area

I can’t remember the last time I considered going sunbathing at the beach in April, but here we are. Seriously, my husband’s birthday is April 13, and it seems like it snows every year on his big day.

But things may start to really heat up tomorrow, which is expected to see a high of 76 degrees, reports Block Club Chicago.

But Wednesday could be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures reaching upwards of 78 degrees.

From there, things could begin to cool down, with the weekend seeing highs back in the 50s and 60s. [Block Club Chicago]

Here’s what else is happening

• A Chicago man was convicted of six federal charges for entering the U.S. Capitol and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office during the Jan. 6 insurrection. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Enrollment has cratered at Northeastern Illinois University over the past decade. [WBEZ]
• Strep throat is more prevalent this year, and an antibiotic shortage is making the situation worse. [NPR]
• Kim Kardashian is joining American Horror Story. [Variety]

Oh, and one more thing …

Thinking about trying your hand or, uh, voice in radio?

My friends over at WBEZ’s sister station, Vocalo, are accepting applications for their Storytelling Workshop, which offers hands-on classes taught by multimedia professionals from Chicago Public Media.

The classes are free, and applications are open until April 21. [Vocalo]

Tell me something good …

I’ve got the windows open and listening to music, trying to enjoy this great weather while it lasts. And I’d like to know what songs put you in a great mood?

I’ve got to go with “Do You Wanna Funk?” from Patrick Cowley and featuring the great Sylvester. There’s also “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran. And I’d be booted out of the Parliament of Gays if I didn’t mention something by Lady Gaga, so let’s go with “Rain On Me” with Ariana Grande.

Feel free to email me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.