Headlines: Skid Row Artists Brings ‘Whale-Watching’ to DTLA; Pussy Riot Plan Anti-Putin Art Show In West Hollywood

Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and look closely.

—Downtown: Artist S.C. Mero, in collaboration with other Skid Row artist Wild Life, gifted the neighborhood with some whimsical sculpture this week, placing a large blue whale tail in a puddle at Winston and Wall Streets. The artist's past pieces include memorials to broken traffic barrier "thingies" and ghosts flying out of trashed newspaper boxes. [S.C. Mero]

—West Hollywood: Russian artist-activist group Pussy Riot is bringing "Putin's Ashes," their first solo show, to Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in West Hollywood. Co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova calls it "our cry for the world to help us neutralize a blood-thirsty monster named Putin." Opening night is January 27, which will feature a show by Pussy Riot, which encourages all attendees to "wear balaclavas." [NadyaRiot]

—District 1 City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez spoke directly to Kevin de Leon, telling him he was "not welcome in these chambers." Hernandez explained why the Councilmember had to go following the release of leaked audio that found him participating in a racist conversation with two colleagues. [Eunisses2022]

—Orange County: A Delta flight leaving Orange County's John Wayne Airport caught fire this morning moments before takeoff. "The right side engine blew off as we were halfway down the runway and kind of skidded off the road," said one of the 172 passengers, who were all able to safely deplane after the aircraft was towed back to its gate. [KTLA]

—Pasadena: A family of three had to be rescued after their Tesla crashed through a wall and wound up in a Pasadena swimming pool. [LBPT]

—New York Times political journalist Blake Hounshell is dead at 44 after taking his life by jumping off Washington D.C.'s Taft Memorial Bridge. His family cited the former Politico staffer and celebrated journalist's long struggle with depression. [Washington Times]

—Emission to Mars! Elon Musk’s private jet made over 130 flights in 2022, with the shortest lasting six minutes. [The Independent]

—Call Jacob! Angelyne! Jumbo's Clown Room! Here's the Coachella lineup L.A. locals would like to see. [American Memes]