The coronavirus pandemic has hammered our economy, putting hundreds of thousands of Louisianans out of work. Many say they’ve only been able to make ends meet thanks to an extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits by way of the federal government. But with that federal kicker set to disappear in the coming weeks, maximum Louisiana unemployment pay will fall back to its pre-pandemic $247 per week. And that has a lot of folks really stressed about how they’ll be able to cover their bills, Bryn Stole reports. Many of those plunged into joblessness, of course, are in New Orleans’ restaurant and hospitality industry. Restaurants have struggled to reopen and remain profitable enough to stay open, but as Ian McNulty reports, some are finding the odds just too stacked against success. The NFL reportedly plans to have the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” performed or played at every game during the first week of the football season. Music writer Keith Spera has more on that, including some history about the song that is also sometimes called the “Black national anthem.” In other news, Della Hasselle reports that teachers have some real mixed feelings about possibly returning to their classrooms next month amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Anna Jones writes that the debut of Carnival’s New Orleans-themed cruise ship has been delayed and the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday morning involving President Trump’s tax returns. All that – and more – is in today’s Lunch Line. As always, thanks for reading. Keep your distance and, please, wear a mask. |