By Bob Warren
Home work: If you work for the state, you might be doing it from home, at least part of the time. Mark Ballard of our Capitol Bureau reports that many of the state’s 40,000 workers will head to their home work spots in an effort to cut the spread of COVID. Meanwhile, Gov. John Bel Edwards has scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference today where additional restrictions are expected to be handed down. Masks? Who knows. Check back with NOLA.com for coverage of the governor’s announcement.
Fan zone: For the first time in a couple of years, the Saints practiced today in front of a crowd. It was the first of seven scheduled practices open to fans this training camp. Here's some highlights from Thursday's practice: - Our talented photgraphers took a LOT of pictures.
- It was Day 1 of the QB competition between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston.
- And there was lots of music. Reporter Amie Just checked out the Saints’ music playlist.
Road woes: Cratered, trenched and stripped. It's not something from a Waffle House menu - it's how some folks are describing New Orleans streets as a massive construction program slowly moves forward. Frustrations took center stage during a City Council meeting.
There's hot, and there's hot: Hot enough for ya? (Don't you hate when people say that?) But today will be sweltering even by July standards. We’re under an excessive heat advisory today and the weather folks tell us it’ll feel like, oh, 113 degrees or so when the humidity is factored in. Really. Hydrate, folks.
Also in the news: A couple killed in a recent drive-by shooting in New Orleans leaves behind big dreams and a 1-year-old daughter. The swank neaw Four Seasons hotel had a "soft opening" for a handful of guests. And the Pelicans took an outside shooter with the 17th pick in the NBA draft Thursday. Meet him. All this and much more in today’s Lunch Line. Thanks for taking a break with us. BW | 
