| By Bob Warren
COVID and schools: COVID continues to be the big story we're tracking. Each day brings a huge new swell of new cases. So what's happening in our schools as students begin returning this week from the winter break? Meanwhile, as the latest surge rages, should high schools forgo sports? Columnist Will Sutton thinks so.
Medical marijuana: Monday was the first day that a handful of pharmacies could sell medical marijuana. Patients waited in long lines at some pharmacies for the first batch approved by state regulators, Sam Karlin reports.
Carnival time is cake time: Ready or not, the Carnival season is upon us. And Ian McNulty, our dining guru, says a long king cake season awaits – a whopping 55 days. Bon appétit! And it’s not just king cakes. Carnival lover Doug MacCash offers a handful of foot parades you should check out in the coming days.
Tiger bait: LSU's topsy-turvy football season comes to an tonight with a final game, the Texas Bowl in Houston. Columnist Scott Rabalais has this take on the crisis the team faces heading into tonight's game.
Hope you enjoyed the Lunch Line. Thanks for taking a break with us today. BW | 
