| BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
Wine country: The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, one of the marquee events in this food town’s culinary calendar, returns next week to nearly normal after a couple of pandemic-modified years. And that’s welcomed news. As out food guy Ian McNulty writes today, “As usual, it can make New Orleans feel a little like wine country.” Lifeguard shortage: It’ll be a long, hot summer. Heck, they all are. But around the area some public pools won’t be opened. Matt Sledge tells us why in this story. Crucial testimony: Mark Finn offered some of the most gut-wrenching testimony in former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain’s sex crimes trial last year. Finn, who publicly identified himself as one of Strain’s victims, was back in court to seek restitution. Joni Hess has that story. Teachers and guns: You might have read how a concealed carry bill being debated at Legislature has been amended to allow teachers and school administrators to carry guns. (Here's the background.) Our cartoonist Walt Handelsman adds his voice, er, pencils to the debate today. Jarvis dazzles: The Saints are continuing their practices out in Metairie. OTAs they’re called – organized team activities. Saints beat writer says Jarvis Landry, one of the team’s key offseason pickups, was one of the stars of Thursday’s session. Dreams of Omaha: Big weekend for LSU baseball, as the Tigers open play tonight in the regional in Hattiesburg. LSU beat writer has this preview, which seeks to answer the BIG QUESTION this time of year: Does LSU have the stuff to make it to Omaha for the College World Series? Hope you enjoyed today’s Lunch Line. Have a great weekend. BW | 