Morning Brief: February 18

The proposed Brooklyn-Queens Streetcar has been making some noise recently, as people weigh on on whether the Astoria-to-Sunset Park light rail link would is a good idea or not. There's no doubt that transit between Brooklyn and Queens is shockingly deficeint (especially for places right next to each to other). But there are still a lot of uncertainties--like whether or not there will be free subway/bus transfers.

NEED TO KNOW

Pope Travels to US-Mexico Border, Prays, and Highlights Migrant Crises  [Washington Post]

Senate Republicans Still Divided over Supreme Court Nominations  [Washington Post]

NYC Comptroller Faults City for Not Using Empty Lots  [New York Times]

73-Floor Massive Tower Proposed for Brooklyn  [New York Times]

De Blasio Mocks Derided Jeb Bush Tweet  [NY Daily News]

WEATHER

Sunny skies with highs of 36 degrees

SPORTS

Yesterday

The Rangers fell to the Blackhawks, 5-3

Today

The Islanders take on the Capitals at 7

ON STAGE TONIGHT

 Best Coast & Wavves @ Terminal 5

 Ra Ra Riot @ Rough Trade NYC

 The Wailers @ Brooklyn Bowl

 Eleanor Friedberger @ The Bowery Ballroom

TODAY IN HISTORY

Today in 2014, at least 76 people are killed in the streets of Kiev, Ukraine, in mass protests against the government of then-president Viktor Yanukovitch.