Newsletter: Today: Clinton in the Hot Seat. Mattingly in the Ejection Seat.

I'm Davan Maharaj, editor of the Los Angeles Times. Here are some storylines I don't want you to miss today.

TOP STORIES

No Middle Ground

The topic was Benghazi. The witness was Hillary Rodham Clinton. The questioners were House members investigating the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Libya. The result was little new information from Clinton, the former secretary of State now running for the Democratic nomination for president. She stood her ground in the face of pointed Republican accusations, and in the end GOP members and their Democratic counterparts on the committee lapsed into angry procedural arguments.

Money Talks

He says he doesn't need the money to finance his presidential campaign. So why are ordinary Americans sending checks to Donald Trump, the real estate mogul turned Republican candidate? Because they appreciate his tough talk on immigration and other issues, and they want to send a message to the conventional politicians in the race. News flash: He's a capitalist, and he's not sending the money back.

Multiple-Choice Test

Wanted: Veteran education administrator who can brave political turmoil, tame the teachers union, manage the charter school movement and raise academic achievement in the nation's second-largest school district. And how soon can you start? The L.A. Board of Education is evaluating candidates to replace Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines, who replaced John Deasy just a year ago. The deadline is looming.

Blue Heaven or Hell?

In five years as manager, Don Mattingly led the Dodgers to the postseason three years in a row. But it wasn't enough, not for a team with the highest payroll in baseball. And so Donnie Baseball goes his way and the Dodgers go theirs. The heat is on executive Andrew Friedman to figure out how to get the team to the next level. Bill Plaschke offers his point of view. Plus, who could be the next manager.

Generation Red

Adolescents with bad aim practicing their knife-throwing skills. Older teenagers breaking down and reassembling Kalashnikovs. Rows of students lining up for martial arts and other sports training. It's all part of Vladimir Putin's plan to use thousands of military-patriotic youth organizations to prepare a generation to serve Russia in opposing the West. The youngsters may be needed sooner rather than later, if the country's Crimean maneuvers are any indication. It's today's Great Read.

CALIFORNIA

-- USGS slams study's claim of 99.9% chance of large L.A. earthquake.

-- L.A. can audit controversial DWP nonprofits, an appeals court rules.

-- Garcetti backs extension of Gold Line to eastern edge of L.A. County (plus map).

-- L.A. city commission opposes "amnesty" for billboards with permit problems.

NATION-WORLD

-- Paul Ryan makes it official: He's running for House speaker.

-- NRA and Michael Bloomberg square off over guns. Who's winning?

-- Obama vetoes defense spending bill with a rare Oval Office ceremony.

-- An American is killed during hostage rescue in Iraq; first U.S. combat death in the country since 2011.

-- 42 dead as bus, truck collide in southwest France wine country.

-- Real-life "Monuments Men" honored with the Congressional Gold Medal.

-- Breaking it down: What is causing the deadly flare-up between Israelis and Palestinians?

BUSINESS 

-- Workers weary of overflowing email in-boxes turn to Slack instant-messaging app.

-- Southern California Edison reaches a $400-million settlement with its insurer over the closed San Onofre nuclear plant.

-- Hands-free driving is still distracting and risky, a new AAA study says.

SPORTS

-- UCLA rebounds from back-to-back losses with a 40-24 win over No. 20 California at the Rose Bowl.

-- Offensive coordinator Todd Haley keeps Pittsburgh Steelers on the winning path despite injuries, suspensions.

-- Depleted football rosters lead to forfeits at three Southern California high schools.

ENTERTAINMENT

-- "Suffragette" star Carey Mulligan insists on keeping her private life private but speaks out clearly on her roles.

-- Actress Sarah Silverman, star of "I Smile Back," is that mystery girl who sat behind you in high school.

-- Book review: David Ulin follows "The Other Paris" author Luc Sante through the city streets of past and present.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- CityLab describes a new initiative in Chicago that provides lockers for homeless youth to safely store their belongings.

-- The Wall Street Journal tracks an online purchase of a sari from the manufacturer across India to the customer's doorstep.

-- A look back at the life and career of comedian Jan Hooks, one year after her death at age 57 (Grantland).

ONLY IN L.A.

What's the story behind the tattoos athletes display on their beefy bodies? For UCLA defensive back Jaleel Wadood, it's obvious. He loves L.A. In the case of USC linemen Zach Banner, Toa Lobendahn and Damien Mama, it's about their heritage. They're tough, but watch this video and hear what they have to say about how the needle feels on the inside of their arms. Ouch!

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.