MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

EXCLUSIVE SICK & TIRE-D: Nurse accuses NYPD officer of driving over her foot after issuing ticket, then arresting her for not moving

Nurse Aisha Beckett says a cop accidentally drove his radio car over her foot, and then arrested her when she said she wanted to file a complaint.

’TIL DEATH DO THEY PART: Pastor refuses to resign despite sex, drugs confessions, tells judge job is for life

Juan McFarland, testifying in court Monday, argued that his challenged pastoral position is protected by his church's constitution which prevents him from being fired, AL.com reported.

Restraining order denied: Before a man killed his ex at Nordstrom, her sister tried to protect them both

Before a man shot his ex-girlfriend and then himself at a Chicago Nordstrom store, he was accused of cracking her ribs, putting a gun in her mouth and punching her jaw, according to court records.

Passenger tells court he is ‘terribly sorry’ he groped 18-year-old woman on flight to New York

A computer engineer convicted of molesting a woman on a flight from Casablanca tearfully apologized to the victim in Brooklyn Federal Court.

Dickinson to Cosby: 'You're a pig... a monster that raped me' (Video)

PHEW, THAT WAS CLOSE! Florida cop rescues woman choking on a seatbelt her daughter, 3, put around her neck

A Florida state trooper rescued a 37-year-old woman from choking on a seatbelt that was placed around her neck by her 3-year-old daughter.

Pennsylvania mom to be charged after three kids rescued from burning car ... while she shopped

Two of the three kids were found strapped in car seats as the car burned outside of a Walmart parking lot on Friday, police said.

Charity cha-ching! Las Vegas man wins $14 million, donates it all

The man being addressed as the Rampart Lucky Local spent $20 on a Megabucks slot machine at the Rampart Casino in Las Vegas. Five minutes later, he became a millionaire.

Madonna poses topless for Interview Magazine

EXPERT: Janay Rice incident raises urgency on domestic violence

It took courage for Janay Rice to address the public outcry over the video showing her husband, NFL star Ray Rice, knocking her unconscious.

OPINION: Janay Rice plays good wife in 'Today' interview, makes excuses for Ray Rice's horrific actions

Janay Rice, the wife of Ray Rice, found the strength to make excuses for her husband, who knocked her unconscious in a hotel elevator.

North Carolina father loses only child in car wreck days before Thanksgiving

A man from Lexington, N.C., lost his only child three days before Thanksgiving in what state troopers described as a "careless and reckless" car accident.

Spicy! Mel B. had a relationship with a woman for 4 years

Beverly Hills cops gun down suspected bank robber in swanky Rodeo Drive hotel

Gunfire erupted at a swanky Rodeo Drive hotel Monday afternoon after Beverly Hills police cornered a bank robbery suspect and shot him.

Disgraced scientist James Watson puts DNA Nobel Prize up for auction, will donate part of the proceeds

The co-discoverer of DNA has put his Nobel Prize on the auction block in hopes of using part of the proceeds for philanthropic gifts

Emboldened GOP moving to extend tax breaks affecting millions

Most of the more than 50 tax breaks expired at the end of 2013, so the extension would allow taxpayers to claim the tax breaks when they file their 2014 tax returns.

THE NEWS SAYS: De Blasio is sticking with his promise to ban carriage horses — a stubborn move that will only result with hundreds landing on the unemployment line

YULE CRUELTY: Carriage horse drivers fear for their livelihoods

Mayor de Blasio finally confirmed that he will move forward with legislation that would outlaw the city's famed Central Park carriages by the middle of 2016. Horse-handlers were left uncertain about the future of their careers.

Anti-carriage group NYCLASS spent year lobbying Council

The group targeted almost anyone who would listen and then zeroed in on Council members who were 'undecided' on Mayor de Blasio's proposal to outlaw New York's carriage industry, according to city clerk filings.

De Blasio's carriage horse ban could end up in courts

Carriage drivers say they will file lawsuits to block the mayor's proposed ban if it gets passed by City Council, and lawmakers could also introduce legislation in the statehouse.

Sponsor of carriage bill compares plight to human rights

Queens Councilman Daniel Dromm announced plans to introduce Mayor de Blasio's proposed ban on the carriages next week.

New York

De Blasio continues on ‘community schools’ promise with $52 million project pairing city schools with organizations

The new project is part of de Blasio’s plan to fulfill a campaign promise to create 100 of the schools by the end of his first term.

Woman sues NYC hospital, doctor after spinal surgery left her blind as teen

Bethany Flanders, 20, had normal vision going into the seven-hour operation but came out unable to see.

Few riders show up for MTA fare-hike hearing in Manhattan

The MTA board actually took a break an hour into the hearing because everyone who signed up to speak had already said their piece.

THE BAD SEED: Anthony Marshall, convicted of looting millionaire mother Brooke Astor’s fortune, dead at 90

Marshall, who suffered from Parkinson’s and congestive heart failure, died early Sunday at a Manhattan hospital, his defense attorney, Ken Warner, said Monday.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

'My son likes his weed. I like my weed. Plain and simple!' Mother of Staten Island boy furious over son's bail stemming from run in with cocaine-delivery model

Christopher Wetmore's mother insisted her son is a good boy with nothing more than a little pot habit.

Weeping Bronx mom tears into man who killed her son at sentencing

A heartbroken Bronx mother had scalding words for her son’s convicted killer moments before he was locked away for 25 years to life Monday.

Sanctions stripping Assemblyman Micah Kellner of state offices should stand, ethics committee says

The committee said Monday there were enough allegations upheld by the hearing officer ‘to warrant all the sanctions imposed.’

Model suspects her agency gave info on her schedule to Cosby, leaving her vulnerable to assault

Warren: In wake of Ferguson protest Obama makes history, but not change

Obama is in part relegated to convener-in-chief with two years left and Republicans largely running Congress.

Somali Islamists kill 36 workers in Kenya border attack

Kenya police say at least 36 quarry workers were killed in northern Kenya by suspected Islamic extremists from Somalia.

Cycling enthusiasts use Facebook to recover man's stolen $5,000 bike

Mike Braylark didn’t know his custom Cannondale bicycle was missing, but fellow cyclist Thomas Davidson spotted his ride in the possession of a man in ‘regular clothes.’

South Korean fishing ship sinks in rough Bering Sea, more than 50 still missing

South Korean officials expressed fear Tuesday of a huge death toll after rescuers failed to find any of the more than 50 fishermen missing

Oh, Nicki you’re so fine! Minaj sizzles in GQ photo shoot

Myers: Giants and Jets could battle for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh

The Giants are agonizing over what to do about Tom Coughlin while it appears the Jets can’t wait to tell Rex Ryan — and maybe John Idzik — thanks for the memories and hand in your playbook.

More than 2,200 computers missing or collecting dust at nine city schools and Department of Education building: audit

City Controller Scott Stringer said the missing and unused computers at the 10 sites audited by his office could suggest a bigger problem.

A HOMICIDE CASE OF THE MONDAYS: First weekday is most common to get murdered at work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released preliminary data for the number of injuries, illnesses and fatalities that occurred in a workplace in 2013.

IVY LEAGUE THIEF: Alleged Harvard graduate arrested for carjacking taxi in Chicago

Mino Emini hailed a cab in the River North neighborhood, but refused to tell the driver where he wanted to go before he stole the cab.

Sports

Mehta: Geno Smith gets the runaround from Jets in loss

Rex Ryan’s desperation during this miserable season reached an unfathomable low in front of a half-house on Monday night: He tried to win a professional football game without a quarterback.

Vacchiano: Jerry Reese's piece doomed Tom Coughlin

There was never any doubt that Tom Coughlin would do what he did on Monday, in the wake of one of his team’s greatest failures.

Bondy: Knicks and Nets rival each other in failure

There is one notable difference, at least: The Nets have a coach who publicly questions his players’ efforts.

Harper: Brian Cashman could pass on Robertson for Scherzer

On a day when word leaked that the Yankees are pursuing reliever Andrew Miller, the inevitable question was whether they’re doing so for leverage with David Robertson or at least partly with some grander plan in mind.

Angelina Jolie shaken up in SUV crash in L.A.: report

Bad Santa bears nearly all in Black Friday mall stunt

One bad Santa at a mall outside Boston let it all hang out and got jangled by police for trying to jingle all the way.

FRESHLY COIFFED CROOK: Man gets haircut at NYC barber shop — then robs it with two accomplices: officials

Ramael Pierson, 24, and two accomplices entered Alante Barber Shop and Beauty Salon in the Bronx at 9:42 p.m. Friday, authorities said. After Pierson got clipped, cops said, he pulled a gun.

2 Australian boys discovered decomposing body of baby girl on beach: authorities

The 6- and 7-year-old boys were playing in the dunes on Maroubra Beach, near Sydney, on Sunday morning when they made the macabre discovery, according to a report.

Groovy! Rare photos of 'The Beatles' up for auction

EXCLUSIVE Jurors come to blows during trial of reputed Brooklyn drug dealers charged with torture, murder

In the first hour of deliberations last Tuesday, a fight erupted between two jurors who had to be separated by a court security officer.

ISIS attacks checkpoint at Iraq, Syria border, killing 15 police officers

Islamic State militants attacked a checkpoint along the volatile Iraqi-Syria border on Monday, killing at least 15 Iraqi border policemen, officials said.

Russia traded Picasso for World Cup bid support: report

Expensive artwork reportedly became currency in a complicated international scheme that resulted in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments.

All of him! Chrissy Teigen kisses hubby John Legend

Louisiana man secretly snapped, posted nude pics of ex-girlfriend

Sean Michael Gary's alleged victim told police she discovered the disturbing photos of herself online but didn't know where they came from.

Cleveland cops involved in shooting of unarmed black pair file racial discrimination suit

The officers claim in the suit filed Friday that they are being treated 'substantially harsher' than black colleagues in similar cases.

TOO CLOSE TO THE STORY: West Virginia reporter shot at while covering shooting

A news reporter from Charleston was interviewing a pregnant woman when someone fired several shots at him. Neither Delancey nor the woman were hit. Police are looking for the suspects.