Today’s Paper: Today: Rubio’s Faded Buzz. What Sanctions?

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

TOP STORIES

Rubio's Faded Buzz

He was hailed as a Republican savior: young, savvy, a tea party favorite. He could even attract Latinos. That was three years ago, and it's different now for Sen. Marco Rubio: Fellow Floridian Jeb Bush is his main rival instead of his mentor. Scott Walker is the new face. Ted Cruz is the tea party darling. Rubio is joining the White House race anyway and will try to regain the buzz.

Sanctions? What Sanctions?

Iran's leaders aren't the only ones eager to have economic and trade sanctions lifted. So too, it seems, is Russia. With a "framework" deal to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions only 10 days old, Moscow said it would revive a sale of defensive missiles to Tehran. "It was done in the spirit of good will in order to encourage progress in the talks," an official said. Washington sees it differently.

The Real "-gate"

A developer is fixing up the old Watergate Hotel, scene of a nefarious deed by Republican operatives that eventually cost Richard Nixon the presidency. Happily, the developer is making some subtle nods to the grandaddy of all "-gate" scandals. It may be the closest D.C. ever gets to an "All the President's Men" theme park. Read what he's up to.

Down on Mexico's Farms

PR or serious crackdown? Mexican officials raided several squalid labor camps and posted videos of them. It's a response, in part, to unsettling strikes and reports of shameful abuses documented in a Times investigation, "Product of Mexico." Skeptics abound, but at least one university expert on labor says she senses a change: "The people in charge are very worried."

Drip, Drip, Drip

Slowly but surely, Southern California is coming to grips with drought reality. The Metropolitan Water District is expected to vote today to slash deliveries to 26 Southland agencies by 15%. Those who can't make the cut will pay more -- in some cases a lot more -- and it'll all come home to roost on household water bills.

4 Years of Drought: A Gripping Narrative

It was done. Over. No more waiting for rain, hoping for snow. The 32-year-old farmer in the barber's chair said his well wouldn't make it to summer. "I held on a little longer than some," Adam Toledo said. "But only the richest will survive now." It was late afternoon at the tail end of what should have been the rainy season in the fourth year of the California drought. The haircut was the only time Toledo would sit still while the day's sun was up. Read Diana Marcum's story about a farmer's life in Terra Bella, Calif.

CALIFORNIA

-- A former gang member testifies that he couldn't say whether Marion "Suge" Knight was at the wheel of a pickup that ran him down.

-- Jail reform and health funding are among priorities in an L.A. County budget plan.

-- The famed P-22 mountain lion is found under a Los Feliz home.

-- Explainer: How tiered water pricing works.

-- The state Senate passes a bill clarifying the right of citizens to photograph police officers.

NATION-WORLD

-- A former Blackwater guard gets a life sentence in the fatal shootings of Iraqi civilians in 2007. 

-- An Oklahoma reserve deputy is charged with manslaughter in an accidental shooting.

-- In Phoenix, Jodi Arias is sentenced to life in prison for killing her ex-boyfriend.

-- A new report paints a sad picture of Israel's Holocaust survivors.

-- Iran halts pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia as tensions rise.

 BUSINESS

-- Florida Gov. Rick Scott comes to town hoping to lure California businesses to his state.

-- Celebrities play defense as they buy up newly available .porn addresses.

-- David Lazarus: Airlines' seating plans won't sit well with fliers.

-- Two egg industry execs get three months in jail in a salmonella case.

SPORTS

-- If the Lakers lose to the Kings on Wednesday, they'll be the worst team in the franchise's history.

-- Jordan Spieth's Masters triumph was a lot like Tiger Woods' first Masters win.

-- Helene Elliott: The Ducks and other playoff-bound NHL teams are making some crucial decisions about goalies.

-- The latest scores and stats.

ENTERTAINMENT

-- An appreciation of Günter Grass, Nobel-winning German writer and social critic best known for his debut novel, "The Tin Drum." He died Monday at 87.

-- Days of rage in '92 L.A.: Ryan Gattis weaves many viewpoints into his novel "All Involved." 

-- Coachella festival fashion: flash tattoos, white outfits and chunky silver.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- Quite an expedition: Walking 500 miles to Kotzebue -- with two kids.

-- This was L.A. baseball in the 1880s.

-- A true Soviet man: Yuri Gagarin's first speech about his flight into space.

-- For a more creative brain, travel.

ONLY IN L.A.

Talk about spare change. Ever forget to scoop out all the pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters you toss into those boxes for TSA screeners at the airport? Passengers at LAX are the national leaders in the forgetful category: They left behind $41,506.64 last fiscal year. Where does the money go? Hint: They don't try to give it back.

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.