| By Bob Warren Pivotal Pels: Seems like we've been saying this for a while now, but the Pelicans open a pivotal season tonight with a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Smoothie King Center. Lots of plotlines working here – new head coach, injured superstar, a cadre of promising young players -- and we've got ‘em all. Hop on for what hopefully will be a fun ride. Insurance beefs: Got a beef with your insurance company over Hurricane Ida claims? The state Insurance Department has set up a mediation program. Here's how it's supposed to work. Famous knees: A New Orleans rapper is suing a Baton Rouge rapper over a song intended as a tribute to a third rapper. The song, “Knees Like Megan,” a tribute to Megan Thee Stallion, now finds itself at the center of a suit filed in federal court in Baton Rouge this week, our Ramon Vargas reports. Lifestyle: Meanwhile, in the federal courthouse in New Orleans, prosecutors have asked a judge to let them introduce “lifestyle” evidence in Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams’ tax trial next year. They want to convince a jury that Williams and law partner Nicole Burdett outspent their reported incomes, John Simerman reports. Monumental: Here’s the latest development in a story out of New Orleans that involves a stolen Confederate monument from an Alabama cemetery and a not-so-run-of-the-mill ransom demand. Capitol burial: Finally, former Gov. Edwin Edwards' widow says he wanted to be buried near Huey P. Long in the park in front of the State Capitol. But it might not be as easy as just asking. Hope you enjoyed the Lunch Line. Thanks for taking a break with us today. If you’re not already a subscriber, here’s a great offer … BW | 