Morning Brief: August 19

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is playing tonight on the lawn of Bryant Park at sundown. [Check it out]

WEATHER
Slight chance of thunderstorms today — you may want to leave the house with an umbrella, high around 84.

NEED TO KNOW
Dying trees across the five boroughs are sustained signs of Superstorm Sandy's damage. [New York Times]

Wife of New York City mayoral candidate Christine Quinn speaks out during a rare interview. [New York Times]

Great structures in the sand take shape on Coney Island for annual contest. [DNA info]

New 3D map shows where wealthiest New Yorkers live. [Daily News]

SPORTS
Mets at Minnesota Twins; 2:10 p.m.

TODAY'S HISTORY
2009: A series of bombings in Iraq killed 101 people, and injured another 565.

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