| Served with a side of anger: Across New Orleans, visitors to bars and restaurants have been asked this week to show proof of vaccination, an added task for business owners already struggling with the pandemic. And, our Ian McNulty reports, some customers have responded by unleashing their anger on the poor folks working behind the counters, just trying to follow the latest COVID rules.
That's so Louisiana: Hardly rare for politics and sports to mix in Louisiana. And now COVID restrictions are being tossed in, too. The state Bond Commission has held up millions in funding for the Caesars Superdome and some other New Orleans projects over questions about the New Orleans Saints’ ticket refunding policy and the city’s recently-imposed vaccination requirement. Columnist Jeff Duncan, meanwhile, says it's a political show that's just wasting everyone's time.
Remembering a superfan: New Orleans Saints fan Luke Siegel, who enjoyed a special bond with Drew Brees following a tragic accident in 2015, has died. He was 15. "My heart is very heavy today after hearing of the passing of my friend Luke Siegel," Brees wrote on social media.
House hunters twofer: A couple for you real estate junkies. Mike Scott, purveyor of so many “gee-I-didn’t-know-that” stories, writes today about New Orleans’ own version of "Tara." And Missy Wilkinson has the scoop on the house that former Pelicans coach Jeff Van Gundy and his wife recently sold – a $2 million gem complete with a cat patio. Purr-fect Friday reading. (You didn't think I'd let that one pass, did you?)
Also in the news: COVID numbers are getting worse, but Louisiana isn't shutting down.
Hope you enjoyed the Lunch Line. Thanks for taking a break with us. BW | 
