Newsletter: Today: How, now, Netanyahu?; retiring at 24

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

TOP STORIES

How, now, Netanyahu?

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu's election win was costly. His effort to undermine Iran nuclear talks and his thundering "no" to a Palestinian state angered the U.S. and much of Europe. He also snubbed, even insulted, many secular Jews and Israel's Arab minority. Mere tactics to win right-wing votes? This Etch-a-Sketch will be hard to erase. 

Run, baby, run

Long-shot presidential candidates once ran to promote causes like, say, a flat tax or ending the Vietnam War. These days, many get into the game to promote, well, themselves. Donald Trump, Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Sarah Palin -- none stands a remote chance of winning the White House. Read how they can cash in anyway just by talking about running. 

A prevent defense

Chris Borland wasn't a household name, but he could have been. The 49ers linebacker had a stellar rookie year and was on track to make millions. Now, he may achieve NFL fame for a different reason -- announcing, at 24, his retirement. He's not hurt, but he studied concussions and decided against "negotiating my health for money." It struck a chord across the league.

The firing line

Finally, the fire boot drops. Some L.A. County Fire Department employees will be punished over cheating that gave relatives of firefighters an inside shot at good-paying jobs on the force. The cheating was verified in an audit that was triggered by a Times investigation. It's unclear how many will be disciplined, but some will lose their jobs.

CALIFORNIA

-- Evidence writ large: A fascinating look at the handwriting analysis in the murder case against Robert Durst.

 -- The state Republican Party finally is emerging from denial, Columnist George Skelton writes. 

-- Another shooting rattles Stockton: Three dead and four others wounded in a drive-by.

NATION-WORLD

 -- A suspect is arrested in a Mesa, Ariz., shooting rampage that killed one and injured five.

-- "Wanna sign my house? It's only $1." An innovative renovation in distressed Detroit.

-- A mass killing at a museum upends Tunisia's relative tranquility in a turbulent region.

-- Singapore Inc.: It's humming along nicely at 50. Might the future bring a freer society?

BUSINESS

-- The Fed edges closer to raising interest rates, but the timing is still unclear.

-- Attention showered on "The Jinx" could shake up the world of documentaries.

-- California cab companies sue Uber, alleging deceptive advertising.

SPORTS

-- The mayor championing NFL stadium plans in Inglewood has a history as one tough cop. Today's Great Read.

-- NFL stadium Part II: AEG ratchets up pressure on Carson not to build one. 

-- NCAA tourney: Tony Parker helps the Bruins lighten up, but his effect on the game is serious.

-- The latest sports scores and stats.

ENTERTAINMENT

-- The Player: Video game industry execs ponder why the number of players is stuck in a loop.

-- Street art: A Google project aims to document temporary works worldwide, but some are wary.

-- Liza Minella enters rehab for substance abuse.

Passings: Andy Fraser, 62, bassist for Free who co-wrote "All Right Now"; Irwin Hasen, 96, cartoonist who worked on superhero comics and helped create "Dondi."

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- A doctor's message on his own death.

-- Hillary Clinton, suddenly, is tweeting up a storm.

-- The world of data: A sucker is optimized every minute.

-- Abandoned couches of L.A.: a photo essay.

ONLY IN L.A.

Simple, right? Stop building fast-food restaurants in South L.A., and the obesity rate will fall. Instead, it went up all across the city, and even more in the fast-food ordinance zones, a Rand Corp. study finds. What happened? And what is the future of this novel approach?

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.