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Parsing the PPIC poll, Villaraigosa still with the president of Mexico, DWP, Randal Simmons, Suge Knight, Otis Redding and more.
- Much analyzing and spinning of the PPIC poll from last night showing Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner in a race for the Republican nomination for governor. Rough & Tumble
- Mayor Villaraigosa's activities related to the president of Mexico's trip to Washington continues with a 10:30 AM joint session of Congress, noon reception in the House Speaker's office for President Calderón, and a luncheon hosted by the Mexican Ambassador to the United States at the Mexican Cultural Institute.
- The developer of Midtown Crossing near Pico and San Vicente has asked the city for another $19 million loan. LAT
- The Department of Water and Power intends to fire two workers filmed drinking while driving city trucks and going into strip clubs on city time, agency head Austin Beutner said Wednesday. DN
Plus: Beutner shot a contest free throw after the first quarter of last night's Suns-Lakers game, according to a tweet from blogdowntown. - Randal Simmons, the SWAT officer who was killed in the Valley in 2008, will receive the LAPD's Medal of Valor. CBS 2
- Marion “Suge” Knight was arrested by the LAPD, booked and released on bail after being accused of brandishing a weapon in South Los Angeles. LAT
- Councilman Jose Huizar will unveil a street sign outside Our Lady Queen of Angels “La Placita” church this morning dedicating Paseo Luis Olivares, for the late pastor who created a sanctuary for Salvadoran refugees and became an AIDS rights activist.
- A Porter Ranch man who was missing overnight was located in a creek.
- Otis Redding's 1966 performances at the Whisky a Go Go are the focal point of "Otis Redding — Live on the Sunset Strip," a double CD released this week. LAT
- Incoming MOCA director Jeffrey Deitch on Los Angeles: "Los Angeles does not have the same professional art audience that New York does. They have a crossover audience---people who work in art direction, film, music---where they don't differentiate between innovations in the digital culture and music culture and film culture. So it's going to be a very interesting opportunity to present programming that addresses this larger audience that's interested in art as a participant in the wider culture." Culturegrrl
- FORM magazine has hired its managing editor: Caren Kurlander, a former editor at Architectural Digest who most recently was a senior editor for Western Interiors and Design.
- Southwestern Law School and the League of Women Voters are offering a free public forum with at least 19 candidates for Superior Court judge this evening in the school's Bullock's Wilshire building. Info
- Variety columnist Brian Lowry talks about the TV upfronts with guest host David Lazarus on KPCC's "Patt Morrison" at 2:40 p.m.