Morning Brief: August 2

The first Apple store in all of Brooklyn has officially opened on the corner of Bedford Ave and North 3rd Street in Williamsburg.  But some are saying the arrival marks the tipping point of gentrification.  Bedford Avenue between McCarren Park and the Williamsburg Bridge has become a symbol of the rapid changes occurring in Brooklyn in the past few decades.  10 years ago, the number of independent businesses outweighed the chains, and now it’s the priciest retail strip in Brooklyn.  Average commercial rent is $347 per square foot, compared to $50 in 2004. 

Still, many are hoping the shutdown of the L train for 18 months beginning in 2019 will help prices cool off.  The subway line needs repairs from Hurricane Sandy, and is an important link between Williamsburg and Manhattan. 

NEED TO KNOW
Trump Calls Clinton 'The Devil,' Boasts About Meager $35 Million July Fundraising Haul [NBC News]
Could ‘Third Party’ Candidates Swing the Presidential Election? [Gotham Gazette]
Queens Neighborhoods Sprayed With ‘Duet,’ Travel Warning Issued Amid Zika Concerns [CBS New York]
Indictment in Hurricane Sandy Fraud Case [The New York Times]

SPORTS
YESTERDAY
The Yankees beat the Mets 6-5.
TODAY
The Mets and Yankees face off in Game 2 of their series at 7:10pm at Citi Field.

WEATHER
A 30% chance of showers, mainly before noon.  Partly sunny, with a high near 79.  [full forecast]

ON STAGE TONIGHT
Broods @ Webster Hall
Langhorne Slim and The Law @ Brooklyn Bowl
The Last Shadow Puppets @ Terminal S
Corinne Bailey Rae @ National Sawdust
Cruisr @ Knitting Factory (Brooklyn)
WFFUV Presents: Beirut @ Celebrate Brooklyn, Prospect Park

TODAY IN HISTORY
On this day in 1776, members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

WFUV's Morning Brief is published each weekday morning at 5 a.m. Do you have an event or news item that should be included? Email Newsroom@WFUV.org or leave a comment below.