Hacked Sony emails shed light on L.A. politics, including a critical vote a California politician made months before receiving a $25,000 donation from a Sony Pictures executive.

Top of the Alty World

"Hacked Sony Emails Reveal Behind-the-Scenes Political Dealings in L.A."—ProPublica

All six Baltimore police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray have been indicted.—Rolling Stone

The CIA is shuttering a program meant to study how climate change could worsen global conflicts.—Mother Jones

California's drought will lead to restrictions on farmers with century-old water rights.—Slate

Top of Alty Utah

Research shows American Indian students in Utah are referred to law enforcement and arrested more than any other group.—High Country News

Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes talks about the economy and the trade wars going on between President Barack Obama and Elizabeth Warren.—Utah Politico Hub

Poor air quality is targeted by lawmakers as an economic obstruction.—Utah Political Capitol

Activist, businesswoman and City Weekly advertiser and contributor Babs De Lay set to launch a self-financed campaign for the Salt Lake City Council.—Salt Lake City Weekly

Rantosphere

Bob Aagard with Utah Politico Hub reflects on the damage that has fallen on Democrats over the scandal that has arisen of Rep. Justin Miller, D-Salt Lake City, being accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from the campaign account of Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams.

This is a scandal that involves two of the brightest lights in the Utah Democratic Party. It has the potential to damage the Democratic Party for years to come. The biggest hook the Democratic Party has had in Utah is their relative stand on ethics for elected officials, especially compared to their Republican counterparts. That stand is quickly eroding with the deafening silence from Democratic leaders.—Utah Politico Hub

The Long View

The Atlantic talks with President Obama about ISIS, Iran and the Middle East.

When I asked about the continuing role Iraq plays in American politics—I was making a reference to Jeb Bush’s recent Iraq-related conniptions—Obama pivoted from the question to make the argument that Republicans still don’t grasp key lessons about the Iraq invasion ordered 12 years ago by Jeb’s brother.

“I know that there are some in Republican quarters who have suggested that I’ve overlearned the mistake of Iraq, and that, in fact, just because the 2003 invasion did not go well doesn’t argue that we shouldn’t go back in,” he said. “And one lesson that I think is important to draw from what happened is that if the Iraqis themselves are not willing or capable to arrive at the political accommodations necessary to govern, if they are not willing to fight for the security of their country, we cannot do that for them.”—The Atlantic