| By Bob Warren Rubber on the road: There’s a huge – and we mean huuuge – illegal tire dump on a stretch of roadway in New Orleans East. Illegal tire dumping has long been a problem, but it’s gotten worse in recent years - especially there. This morning the state was set to begin a cleanup. COVID's peak? You’ve no doubt heard about omicron COVID cases peaking in some other places. What about Louisiana? Maybe soon? One expert offered this educated, and only-in-New-Orleans guess: “I’m hoping that by the time we hit Chewbacchus, we’re going to be on a downward slide.” In another COVID-related story, some Louisiana homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage might be eligible for $25,000 in pandemic aid. Here’s how to apply. Lucrative: Mitch Landrieu’s post-mayoral jobs have paid him very well. Landrieu, who President Biden has tapped to oversee the spending in the federal government’s huge infrastructure plan, earned almost $2 million the last two years, wearing a number of different hats. Saints game plan: Today we have the second part of our Saints' coverage team's discussion of what went right - and wrong - the past season. Today the huddle looks at what moves the Saints should make this offseason. Fitting tribute: Lawrence Brooks, who was 112 and the oldest World War II veteran in the U.S. when he died at home in New Orleans on Jan. 5, will be laid to rest Saturday. The services will include a jazz procession and be livestreamed on the National World War II Museum's website. RIP. Hope you enjoyed Lunch Line today. Thanks for taking a break with us. BW | 