| BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
Takeoff time for the Pelicans: The Pels tip off later tonight in Brooklyn and rarely has the team seen as much hype heading into a season opener. Ain't it great? We’ve got all kinds of coverage today. Something on the new Zion we'll see this year. Something on Willie Green. A rundown of the roster. Even how to find 'em on TV. And for breaking news, be sure to sign up for our Pelicans Insider newsletter. Big hospital plans: As soon as word went out that hospital giant LCMC was purchasing Tulane Medical Center in downtown New Orleans, the questions began: What did LCMC plan for the site? Our health reporter Emily Woodruff has the answer. And on a somewhat related note, business reporter Stephanie Riegel tells us the latest about the Lindy Boggs Medical Center in Mid-City, which has been empty and moldering since Hurricane Katrina. For more business coverage, please sign up for our NOLA Business Insider newsletter. Casinos and malls: In Kenner, meanwhile, the big development news is that the Treasure Chest Casino will forge ahead with a new, land-based casino on roughly the same site near Lake Pontchartrain at the end of Williams Boulevard. Our Blake Paterson reports that the gambling hall is all in on a big investment. Blake’s Treasure Chest story follows news that the troubled Esplanade mall in Kenner has found a buyer who wants to transform the place into a retail/residential/recreation hub. Yeah, it got cold: Finally, we told you yesterday it was going to be cold this morning. (Exclusive!) And guess what? It did get cold – check out these mid-October temps. Thanks for reading Lunch Line today — and remember, you can keep up all day long at NOLA.com. Bob | 