Aug. 16: Five Things You Need to Know Today

1. On Monday , a new Patch-wide initiative in which we attempt to chronicle the changing face of the American dream at a local level. If you have an idea for a story you'd like to see, email laurene@patch.com.

2. Whether you're looking to take one final road trip of the summer or just want to save on your daily commute, we've got the area's cheapest gas prices here.

3. And speaking of commuting costs, it appears that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's habit of traveling by state aircraft costs more than $1,300 per hour to operate, the Huffington Post reports.

4. After a nice break for the Feast of the Assumption on Monday, alternate side parking rules are back in effect today.

5. The threat of rain continues today, as meteorologists predict that scattered thunderstorms will punctuate the better part of the afternoon and evening.