Newsletter: Today: The GOP Swamp Wants to Be Harder to Drain. Everything Came Up Roses for USC.

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

TOP STORIES

The GOP Swamp Wants to Be Harder to Drain

Just as the old Congress was wrapping things up before the new one is sworn in today, House Republicans moved to give themselves a gift: They voted 119-74 behind closed doors to gut Congress’ outside ethics watchdog, letting lawmakers have more control over investigating themselves. The full House is scheduled to vote on the matter today, as a new session begins with much on the GOP-led Congress’ plate: vetting Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, investigating Russian hacking in the 2016 election and looking to repeal Obamacare and roll back a slew of regulations.

Everything Came Up Roses for USC

As Keith Jackson would say: “Whoa, Nellie!” USC and Penn State delivered a Rose Bowl performance befitting the title of the Granddaddy of Them All. Both teams staged huge comebacks, but in the end, the Trojans got the victory, 52-49, with a winning field goal as the clock ticked down to nothing. The Rose Bowl history book also got a rewrite. Among the records set: highest-scoring game, and the most touchdown passes and most yardage for freshman USC quarterback Sam Darnold. Bill Plaschke was there to take in the sweep of it all.

A Few Drops More in the Bucket…

Officials have said it’s far too early to declare California’s six-year drought over, but recent storms and the prospects of more this week are ever so slowly raising hopes of some long-term relief. Northern California in particular has begun to rebound; 15% of the state, all of it up north, is said to be out of drought conditions.

…But in L.A., the Fight Over Water Gets Salty

Even with the increased precipitation, Southern California is still in the dry zone. Last month, we told you about the battle over a plan to take seawater off the coast of Huntington Beach and turn it into tap water. Now, L.A. County has a fight of its own: a proposed desalination plant in El Segundo that, in one scenario, could become the largest in the Americas.

India Faces a Deadly Shortage of Cash

The idea was to fight corruption and tax evasion in India by banning its two biggest bills in circulation, the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. But that move has unleashed chaos in a country that still largely operates on cash: There just isn’t enough to go around. For some Indians who need medical care, the wait to find that cash is too long.

WELCOME TO 2017

-- Our handy guide to how California’s newest laws will affect you.

-- On the agenda at L.A. City Hall: immigration, short-term housing, street vendors and more.

-- Steve Lopez’s hopes for the year ahead: a Coastal Commission upgrade, the Dodgers on TV and a green light for Angels Flight.

We Want to Hear From You: Let’s start the new year on a positive note. Send us an email to let us know what you love about living on the West Coast, and we’ll share it with other readers of this newsletter. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

OUR MUST-READS FROM THE WEEKEND

-- A great story about family, perseverance and identity: Hector Becerra on his father, who came to California illegally but was a red-blooded American in many ways.

-- The children of Mosul talk about life under Islamic State. They saw things no child should see.

-- L.A.’s underground music scene thrives in buildings that often lack basic safety features, with little scrutiny from the city.

CALIFORNIA

-- The Hollywood sign could receive extra security after this weekend’s “HOLLYWeeD” incident.

-- A swarm of more than 250 small earthquakes has struck south of the Salton Sea since New Year’s Eve.

-- “Imagine driving your car down the street with a blindfold and your passenger telling you where to go,” says Rose Parade float driver Roger Thomas. “With a billion people watching. At 2½ miles an hour.”

HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS

-- The story behind Debbie Reynolds’ battle to preserve MGM’s treasures.

-- “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” led the box office again over the holiday weekend.

-- Less soapy theatrics, more of a focus on people: That’s how the TV show “Nashville” will change as it moves to a new network.

NATION-WORLD

-- Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the New Year’s attack that left 39 people dead at an upscale nightclub in Istanbul.

-- Israeli police interrogated Benjamin Netanyahu in what officials called a criminal investigation into allegations that he illegally accepted favors from business executives.

-- The New York Police Department will allow officers to begin wearing beards and turbans for religious reasons. The move is intended to help diversify the force.

-- Finland is trying something new: paying 2,000 unemployed citizens a basic monthly income amounting to $587 in a two-year experiment.

-- Video: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park may have had the most spectacular New Year’s Eve show of all, and it was all Mother Nature’s doing.

BUSINESS

-- SpaceX hopes to get back to launching rockets next week after completing its investigation of a September explosion.

-- Coming soon to a theater near you: the TV superhero series “Inhumans.” Multiplexes hope it will provide another form of revenue during slow times.

SPORTS

-- The Rams have asked for permission to interview at least eight candidates to fill their head coaching vacancy.

-- Jean Vuarnet, who helped pioneer the aerodynamic tuck position for downhill skiers and was the first to win an Olympic gold on metal skis, has died at age 83.

OPINION

-- Our editorial board’s wish list for the year: an end to the war in Syria, a push to reform the money bail system, and more.

-- Leaving for Las Vegas: California’s minimum wage law gives businesses no choice.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- Is it better to pursue a happy life or a meaningful one? (Science of Us)

-- What did China learn from the collapse of the Soviet Union 25 years ago? Possibly the wrong lessons. (Foreign Policy)

-- Are these the 10 best worst restaurant reviews of the last decade? (Bloomberg)

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA

The hallowed institution of UC Berkeley has eight Nobel laureates on its faculty. It also has classes on Harry Potter, Rubik’s Cubes and “The Big Lebowski.” Here’s how Cal scholars take a break, thanks to a program that has its roots in the free speech movement of the 1960s.

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.

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