Newsletter: Today: Carnage in Chattanooga.

I'm Davan Maharaj, editor of the Los Angeles Times. The nation is rattled by another mass shooting, this time against military service members in Tennessee; and Uber gets a big lift at LAX. Here are some story lines I don't want you to miss today.

TOP STORIES

Carnage in Chattanooga

Another mass shooting. A dead gunman with an Arabic name. And a new wave of fear about "lone wolf" attacks. Four Marines were killed in an assault on two military sites in Chattanooga, Tenn., before the gunman was shot dead. A motive wasn't clear. Here's the latest on the attack  and what we know about the suspect, by all accounts a bright and religious young college graduate.   

A Pick-Me-Up for Uber

Los Angeles officials opened a huge door for ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, all but clearing the way for them to pick up fares at LAX. L.A. would be the biggest city to open such access to its major airport. It's a big lift for Uber, which is beset by legal challenges around the country and the world -- including some serious problems with California state regulators. 

Farms vs. Fish

Congress can't make it rain, but it's good at starting storms. House Republicans passed a bill that would send more water to San Joaquin Valley growers by cutting water for endangered fish. Environmentalists are outraged. It won't get to President Obama, who probably wouldn't sign it anyway. Analysts say this merely highlights how little Congress can do about the drought. 

Japan's New Military

The U.S. took great pains to demilitarize Japan after World War II, even drafting a pacifist constitution for the country. Now, with China flexing its military muscle in the region, a doctrine of "collective self-defense" is taking hold. New legislation could allow Japanese troops to fight abroad, perhaps alongside U.S. forces. Problem is, a lot of Japanese want none of it.

India's Epic Fail

It's a colossal scandal even by India's standards. Whistle-blowers say tens of millions of dollars changed hands to rig tests for exams for medical school, the holy grail of education in India. More than 1,800 people have been arrested. Now, there's a grim twist: People linked to the scandal are dying. Take in some high crime and medical mystery in today's Great Read.  

CALIFORNIA

 -- An education group sues 13 school districts it says haven't included student test scores in teacher evaluations.

-- May miracle? Mountain storms send water into Lake Mead and other depleted reservoirs important to California water users.

-- Naturally occurring contaminants are more prevalent than man-made ones in California aquifers, a federal study finds.

 -- An Army Corps board OKs a $1.3-billion restoration plan for the L.A. River, assuming the money can be found.

NATION-WORLD

 -- James Holmes is found guilty of murder in the 2012 theater massacre in Aurora, Colo.

-- Hillary Clinton's other email problem: Her campaign database seems to have shrunk.

-- Senate rejection of the Iran nuclear deal isn't looking as likely as it was a few days ago.

-- Insecure fortress: A look inside the Mexican prison that failed to hold "El Chapo."

-- With a spoonful of financial relief, Greece aims to reopen banks next week.

BUSINESS

 -- A state regulator says health insurer Aetna's 21% rate increase amounts to "price gouging."

-- Southern California home sales soared in June; prices rose 5.7%.

-- A path toward reviving the Export-Import bank, backed by business groups, has emerged in Congress.

SPORTS

-- Dustin Johnson takes the first-round lead in the British Open on the revered Old Course. 

-- Hole 17 at St. Andrews: Lovable and unloved, a beautiful mistake.

-- Baseball resumes today. Here's a look at the second-half prospects for the Dodgers and the Angels.

-- The latest scores, stats and schedules.

ENTERTAINMENT

-- Emmys 2015: The selections are met with cheers and jeers, a sure sign of an abundance of good television.  Here's a full list of the nominees.

-- The Emmy nominees reflect the push for diversity on TV.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- A billionaire spends big in Australia to help satisfy China's appetite for beef (Quartz).

-- Getting the ax: The Atlantic pays homage to the lumberjack's talisman.

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA

You've heard of traffic school, where you can do penance to ease the sting of a ticket. Now, in a time of severe drought, there's Water School. It's in Santa Cruz, which has imposed water rationing and slapped stiff fines on wasters. Once, and only once, the penalty is forgiven if the outlaw attends a two-hour presentation. Read what some of the "students" say about it. 

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.