Morning Brief: January 15

The Oscar nominations are out for this year, and it's full of the usual mix of surprises, no-brainers, and snubs. Star Wars is up there for many of the techinical awards, and The Revenant is taking 12 nominations. Just like last year, however, there's significant controversy brewing over the lack of diversity in the nominations.

NEED TO KNOW

As World Economy Rumbles, Concern Grows in US  [Wall Street Journal]

Chicago Mayor Faces More Scrutiny  [Washington Post]

New State Budget Boosts Rivalry Between Cuomo, de Blasio  [New York Times]

New State Budget Shifts More of CUNY Expenses to City  [New York Times]

Study Finds Ride-Sharing Apps Not Responsible for Gridlock Boost  [NY Daily News]

WEATHER

Mostly Cloudy, high of 49 degrees

SPORTS

Yesterday

The Devils fell to the Avalanche, 2-0

The Islanders beat the Rangers, 3-1

Today

The Nets play the Trail Blazers at 7:30

ON STAGE TONIGHT

 WFUV Presents: Blind Boys of Alabama and Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ Tarrytown Music Hall

 God Street Wine, Strangefolk, Assembly of Dust @ The Captiol Theatre

 St. Paul & The Broken Bones @ Carnegie Hall

 Tim O’Brien @ the Rubin Museum of Art

 The Subdudes @ Iridium

TODAY IN HISTORY

Today in 1889, James Naismith publishes the first official rules of Basketball, his invention.