Morning Brief, December 18

The day has finally arrived--Star Wars is finally here. This next installment of the series is probably going to be the biggest movie for a long time. Given that it's been such a thing for such a long time, it can be easy to forget why Star Wars took off in the first place. This explainer will help.

NEED TO KNOW

Putin Praises Trump  [Washington Post]

Neighbor of San Bernardino Shooters Arrested  [Washington Post]

De Blasio Reveals Plan to Track Homeless Population  [New York Times]

JFK Hanger with 9/11 Artifacts Nearly Empty  [New York Times]

NYC Bans Discrimination Against Caregivers  [NY Daily News]

WEATHER

Partly cloudy, high of 50 degrees

SPORTS

The Knicks play Philadelphia at 7

The Nets play Indiana at 7

The Rangers play Winnipeg at 8

ON STAGE TONIGHT

Tonight

Girls + Boys Ft. Snails, Herobust, Alex English, Dali, Hiyawatha, 10:00 @ Webster Hall

San Fermin, Holly Miranda, Alex Edelman. 9:00 @ The Bowery Ballroom

Saturday

San Fermin w/ Son Little @ The Bowery Ballroom

Todd Rundgren @ The Gramercy Theatre

The New York Pops @ Carnegie Hall

Kenny Rogers @ the Bergen Performing Arts Center

Cherish The Ladies “A Celtic Christmas” @ South Orange Performing Arts Center

Sunday

Judy Collins @ Tarrytown Music Hall

Todd Tundgren @ Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center

The Costellos @ Towne Crier Cafe

Baroness @ Rough Trade NYC

Chris Botti @ Blue Note Jazz Club

TODAY IN HISTORY

Today in 1787, New Jersey becomes the first state to ratify the US Constitution.