Newsletter: Today: Strong Constitution Required. Have You Seen This House?

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

TOP STORIES

You Need a Strong Constitution for This

Who will be the next Supreme Court justice? You can scratch one name off the list: California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, who does “not wish to be considered.” President Obama probably won’t announce a name for several weeks, but in the meantime he’s vowed to find a nominee who will be “indisputably qualified.” As for the Republicans, two key senators indicated there may be room after all to talk about an Obama nominee.

Lift Those Dodger Blues

Speaking of infighting, let’s talk about the Dodgers clubhouse. The team’s 25 players are rich, famous and some just don’t get along. Despite lots of talent and money, the team hasn’t been close to breaking a nearly three-decade championship drought. Enter new Manager Dave Roberts. Before he even interviewed for the job, he consulted friends and mentors, including some who had won the World Series and the Super Bowl. So how will he get the Dodgers on the same page?

This House Is a Work of Art

You’ve seen the house in photo shoots and “The Big Lebowski,” with its triangular concrete roof and a pool that has a multimillion-dollar view. Now, architect John Lautner’s 1963 Sheats-Goldstein residence in Beverly Hills is being donated to the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Read on to see how this masterpiece has changed over the years, with the late Lautner’s blessing, and why it could be different still when its longtime owner is done with it.

Apple To Oppose Judge’s Order

Try as they might, FBI officials can’t unlock the iPhone5 that was given to San Bernardino attacker Syed Rizwan Farook by the San Bernardino County Health Department for his job as an inspector. A federal judge has now ordered Apple to help the FBI access the encrypted data on it, according to a three-page decision. But Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook said the company will resist the order in a statement released early Wednesday.

A Long-Delayed Trial Gets Underway

The victims were young, black and leading troubled lives. The slayings, as far back as 1985, mostly took place along a corridor in South Los Angeles. Their killer was eventually dubbed the Grim Sleeper. And for many in the community, there was outrage over how the killings were allowed to happen for so long. Now, Lonnie Franklin Jr. is facing 10 counts of murder and one of attempted murder. This is how the first day of his trial unfolded.

CALIFORNIA

-- LAPD Chief Charlie Beck says the force is understaffed and must hire hundreds more police officers over the next five years.

--The L.A. Ethics Commission agrees to fine two nonprofits more than $47,000 for lobbying violations.

-- Steve Lopez: One step forward, one step back involving the Coastal Commission.

-- Why your California driver’s license may not be enough ID at the airport come 2018.

NATION-WORLD

-- Beijing deploys anti-aircraft missiles on a disputed South China Sea island.

-- Avoid despair and “resignation” in the face of drug violence, the pope urges in Michoacán, Mexico.

-- Antonin Scalia’s death gets the full conspiracy treatment.

-- Donald Trump supporter in South Carolina: “We’re voting with our middle finger.”

-- The babies who are called “bad blood”: the sad legacy of Boko Haram.

-- In Spain, a 90-year-old finally finds her father, killed by Franco’s forces 77 years ago.

HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS

-- Analysis: On the issue of race, the Grammys leaped past the Oscars, then stumbled. Agree or disagree? Join the conversation on Facebook.

-- Q&A: Why Jimmy Fallon won’t be near tears again while he’s in L.A. with “The Tonight Show.”

-- Oscar-nominated “Room” star Brie Larson grapples with newfound fame, surreal moments and a certain giant ape.

-- Architecture review: The new Berkeley Art Museum is a study in extremes.

-- How composer Steven Stucky proved indispensable to the L.A. Philharmonic’s rise.

-- Photos: Inside the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

BUSINESS

-- The Beverly Center is getting a very expensive makeover.

-- Many small TV stations may soon go off the air as the FCC reshuffles the airwaves for mobile services.

-- Restaurants are booming despite financial market turmoil.

SPORTS

-- It’s the endgame for Kobe Bryant’s career, but will the Lakers ever get started this season?

-- Blake Griffin says he’s “truly, truly sorry” for punching a Clippers staffer.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- That could be wood pulp in your 100% Parmesan cheese. (Bloomberg)

-- When does “political correctness” work? (WNYC)

-- We can thank Darwin’s children for doodling on his “Origin of the Species” manuscript. (American Museum of Natural History)

ONLY IN L.A.

For anyone who has wanted to get past a velvet rope but couldn’t, this one’s for you: Paul McCartney — one-time Beatle, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire — could not get into a Grammys after-party at the Argyle in Hollywood. Said Sir Paul: “How VIP do we gotta get? We need another hit.”

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.