Newsletter: Today: A Loan, a Bomb, a Massacre

I'm Davan Maharaj, editor of the Los Angeles Times. Here are some story lines I don't want you to miss today.

TOP STORIES

A Loan, a Bomb, a Massacre

A $28,500 loan taken out weeks ago and a bomb left at the massacre scene are the latest clues to emerge in the global investigation into the San Bernardino attack. Both could shed light on the depth of planning the husband-and-wife shooters undertook, as well as any possible ties to a larger terror network. The latest is here.

Responding to Victims and Villains

Medic Ryan Starling was practicing with San Bernardino's SWAT team when the call came last Wednesday morning. They were less than 10 miles away. He knew he would be the first to help the wounded receive medical attention. What he didn't know was that he'd later declare the shooters dead. Here is the story of that awful day through the eyes of some first responders.

In the Inland Empire, a Call to Arms

There are no hard figures on firearms sales yet, but by all indications, the San Bernardino attack is spurring a new interest in guns in Southern California. "This is basically home protection," said one customer at a dealer in Redlands. Applications for concealed-weapons permits are rising. And even before last week, gun purchases have been steadily increasing in California.

What Trump Has Wrought

"Un-American" and "un-Republican." "It's not what this country stands for." "Go to hell." Donald Trump's fellow Republicans had some words for his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. And that's not even counting Democrats, the media and Muslims around the world. Still, many Republicans indicate that they would support Trump if he becomes the GOP candidate. Now, the party is grappling with what to do. As Cathleen Decker writes, ignoring him hasn't worked.

1 Person, 1 Vote, 9 Justices, 50 States

Who should get counted when election districts are drawn? Is it all people, including children, prisoners and immigrants who are not eligible to vote — or only eligible voters? That's a key question the Supreme Court is considering, and if the answer is the latter, it could shift political power to rural areas. Here are the ways it could play out.

CALIFORNIA

-- Democratic support for the high-speed rail project is beginning to erode.

-- New documents provide details of an LAUSD probe that led to the firing of famed educator Rafe Esquith.

-- The state is falling short in the push for more clean vehicles.

-- Steve Lopez: On skid row, a chorus of hallelujahs for "Messiah."

NATION-WORLD

-- The U.S. is worried about foreign fighters returning from Syria and Iraq.

-- "The Menace": How U.S. Catholics were distrusted 100 years ago.

-- Where do the world's Muslims live? Check out this map.

-- The buildings we live in and the threat they pose to global warming.

-- Book review: "Destiny and Power" sheds light on George H.W. Bush and America today.

HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS

-- On "You're the Worst," clinical depression is the TV show's fifth character.

-- Carolina Miranda: Now that artists can't afford the Arts District, L.A. needs to rethink its role as a creative city.

-- "These are our brothers": U2 gives Eagles of Death Metal a stage in Paris.

-- The World Press Photo competition celebrates a powerful and ever-changing medium.

-- Five things to expect from this morning's nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

-- "Straight Outta Compton," "Creed" and "Concussion" are nominated for NAACP Image Awards.

BUSINESS

-- North Face co-founder Douglas Tompkins dies in a kayaking accident at 72.

-- Toy makers have turned to YouTube to grab kids' attention.

-- Super-fast Internet service Google Fiber could come to Los Angeles.

-- California's biggest health insurers are among the only ones to show a profit selling Obamacare policies.

SPORTS

-- Bill Plaschke: This is the wrong goodbye for Kobe Bryant.

-- Kobe's getting all the attention, but Lakers athletic trainer Gary Vitti will retire after 32 years.

-- UFC's Ronda Rousey says she'll fight again, but Holly Holm may want a bout in the meantime.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- Eh-xactly: A linguist explains "YouTube Voice." (The Atlantic)

-- It was Pepsi versus Walmart — in cricket. In Arkansas. (Wall Street Journal)

-- Scott Weiland's former wife writes a letter on behalf of the late singer's two children: "Don't glorify this tragedy." (Rolling Stone)

-- The BBC breaks down what President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping said on their trips to Africa.

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA

Interstate 5 may not be as celebrated as Route 66, but if you live in the state, you've no doubt gotten your share of kicks on it. Did you know that there are about 800 exits along the California portion of I-5? In this video, Times travel reporter Christopher Reynolds offers some facts (and fictions). His point of departure: a Taco Bell parking lot in Coalinga. How glamorous.

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.