Newsletter: Today: The President Goes to Cuba; the Boss Sends Off the Sports Arena

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

Obama in Cuba

Amid great fanfare and pouring rain, President Obama arrived in Cuba on Sunday, the first American president to visit in nearly 90 years. “I feel so happy, like the rest of the world,” said a Cuban chef. “Right now, we forget the past,” said a Cuban bartender. But Cuban President Raul Castro insists the island nation will not be bent to America’s will.

Trump’s German Relations Are Appalled at The Donald

A century ago, Donald Trump’s grandfather fled rural Germany. Now, the citizens of Kallstadt, a little town in wine country, say they are “baffled and appalled” by the presidential candidate’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. Most Germans have a negative view of Trump; maybe because of their history, they prefer their leaders a little dull.

Springsteen at the Arena

Bruce Springsteen concluded a three-night stand at the scruffy but venerable L.A. Memorial Sports Arena. Nobody sings about wreckage as poignantly as the Boss, so the arena - which will soon be demolished and turned into a soccer stadium - could have picked no better bard for its elegy.

Will Trump Hasten Arizona’s Shift to Blue?

Demographic shifts have long heralded the rise of Democratic power in a state roiled by immigration battles. Will the reaction against Trump accelerate that trend? “A good villain is a terrible thing to waste in Latino politics,” one expert said.

Census to Experiment on Los Angeles

The U.S. Census Bureau will launch a pilot program in Los Angeles County, taking advantage of a large multiethnic population, varying levels of Internet access and a high number of vacant homes to test a new data-collection system in English, Spanish, Korean and Chinese.

OUR MUST-READS FROM THE WEEKEND

Steve Lopez at Republican rallies in Arizona: Anger and frustration become “raw, unvarnished intolerance.”

Jonathan Gold on noodles in the San Gabriel Valley.

Seismologist Lucy Jones, aka “the Beyonce of earthquakes,” retires from the U.S. Geological Survey.

As travel and business restrictions ease, Cubans rush for political asylum in the U.S.

Comic Louie Anderson channels his mother in the FX comedy “Baskets.”

As the Lakers’ dismal season continues, the Los Angeles D-Fenders - the Development League affiliate run by a son of the late Jerry Buss - are among the best in the NBA’s minor league.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens soon at Universal Studios Hollywood, raising crowd management worries.

CALIFORNIA

In Baldwin Park, elected officials file a restraining order against a gadfly - again.

How will the state offset emissions from the Aliso Canyon leak?

The California primary.

NATION-WORLD

The radicalization of young Kurds in Turkey.

A flood of Chinese tourists visits Japan.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell digs in: No confirmation hearing for President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee now or after the November election.

As refugees appear on their shores, Greeks show generosity.

HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS

Box office: “Zootopia” bests “Divergent: Allegiant.”

The Hulk Hogan verdict raises privacy questions.

BUSINESS

Freedom Communications chooses Digital First Media to buy the O.C. Register.

Apple announcement: Modest updates expected.

SPORTS

NCAA tournament: Which teams are advancing?

NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson wins the Auto Club 400.

Chone Figgins gets a one-day contract to retire as an Angel.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

The Violin Thief (from the Washington Post).

Secrets of King Tut’s Tomb (from National Geographic).

In Louisiana, the Poor Lack Legal Defense (from the New York Times).

ONLY IN L.A.

Some 75 million people poured through Los Angeles International Airport last year, and a good number of them, it turns out, were indifferent to its gritty glories. For several years, LAX failed to crack the list of the world’s Top 100 airports. It made 98th last year, and crept up to 91st this year. Who won first place in the most recent survey? Singapore Changi Airport.

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.