MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

Brooklyn girl, 15, cuffed in deaths of mom and her boyfriend — told police mom’s beau repeatedly raped her

Police found the decomposing bodies of a man and woman inside a Brooklyn apartment Sunday night — and have taken the woman’s 15-year-old daughter into custody in connection with their killing.

EXCLUSIVE Queens high school janitor busted on sexual abuse charges had teen victims masturbate into cups to sell their semen

William Romero, a janitor at Cardozo High School, was arrested on New Years Day after he arranged a rendezvous with one of his victim over the phone, police sources said.

NEW YEAR, NEW ARRESTS: Board of Elections boss expects more pols to be hit with criminal charges in 2016

As state lawmakers return to Albany this week, the stench of corruption scandals that hung over the Capitol in 2015 is not expected to dissipate any time soon.

SEE IT: El Faro shipwreck lays battered at bottom of ocean

The beat-up hunk of metal resting at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean is the El Faro in its watery grave, new images show.

EXCLUSIVE Dr. Jonathan Zizmor, 70, retires and closes NYC office

Married couple killed in California cemetery by former in-law

Police in Ontario say 60-year-old Misak Minasyan and 59-year-old Hripsime Minasyan were fatally shot by Karapet Kalajian Saturday at Bellevue Memorial Park.

Chick-fil-A shuts down Midtown location over health violations — just months after grand opening

The fast-food restaurant was closed after the city Health Department found a host of violations, including flies in food areas and unprotected food, officials said.

Bodies of two Illinois men found in Wisconsin lake after stealing canoe during drunken party

Searchers combed Lake Beulah for the remaining victims who packed into the three-man boat without life jackets at a drunken cabin party but the search was suspended for the night Sunday.

THIS JUST-IN! Bieber kisses gal Hailey Baldwin

HAZY ON POT: New York medical marijuana program launch remains unclear

State health officials insist the program is on track to open in January but they have been mum on exactly when it will launch and have not indicated the number or locations of doctors.

Donald Trump claims Hillary Clinton 'caused tremendous death with incompetent decisions' as secretary of state

Demonizing Republican blowhard Donald Trump on Sunday said Clinton, his potential Democratic presidential rival, “has caused tremendous death.”

Powerball lottery jackpot surges to roughly $400M; odds of winning are 1 in 300 million

The eye-popping jackpot is fueled by heavy sales after nobody matched all five numbers plus the Powerball to claim Saturday’s $334 million grand prize.

Car strikes pedestrian in New Orleans, drags body six miles

Police say another driver found the disfigured body about 3:30 a.m. Friday.

Memoir reveals why Amy Winehouse took path of doom

RUIZ Obama must understand deadly consequences of deporting Central American immigrants

Every January I look forward to writing a column with my wishes for the new year, which I — and hopefully my readers — usually enjoy.

North Carolina police officer shot in ankle while trying to serve arrest warrant

Police say one person was killed and a police officer injured in the ankle when shooting broke out as police tried to serve an arrest warrant at a Charlotte home.

Assembly Speaker Heastie considering barring legislators from accepting outside income

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie recently met with 20 of his members to discuss the idea of possibly barring or restricting outside income for legislators.

Speeding Pennsylvania man had license suspended 88 times

Police learned that Eric Dunbar, 43, racked up 88 suspensions on his New York State license on 25 different occasions after trying to dodge traffic tickets, records showed.

Prince William says fatherhood makes him 'more emotional'

Why has an armed militia taken over a building in Oregon?

Here's what you need to know about the bizarre situation in Burns, Ore. this weekend involing a group some are now calling "YallQaeda."

Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties to Iran after executions

Saudi Foreign Minister Abel al-Jubeir announced the bombshell decision late Sunday.

EXCLUSIVE Highest-ranking official in Bloomberg administration convicted of corruption gets jail delay to sell historic brownstone

Wendell Walters is trying to sell his home in Harlem for a stunning 300% profit.

PEEPING PREZ: Nude man wearing Ronald Reagan mask spotted in couple's driveway

An Alabama couple spotted a naked man outside their home wearing only a Ronald Reagan mask and a sock over his private parts.

RiRi makes an oversized statement, Rita dons tiny bikini

New Age guru Marc Gafni denies allegations that he molested two NYC teen girls during the 1980s

His address changed across the decades: Brooklyn, Israel — and now, California. His name changed, too, from Mordechai Winiarz to Marc Gafni.

Workers to return to office where San Bernardino attackers killed 14 people

Workers are expected to return to the offices of the Inland Regional Center, where two killers went on a shooting rampage.

MESSAGE AND A BOTTLE: Dopey Mississippi pol wants people to throw rocks, bottles and bricks at cops chasing suspects

Jackson Councilman Kenneth Stokes said he’s had enough and that police pursuits put area residents in danger.

SHE WAS HELPING HER FRIENDS: University of North Texas student killed in road rage shooting after volunteering as designated driver

Someone in a black SUV fired into Sara Mutschlechner’s car, fatally injuring her.

Autos

Daily News Autos Down-to-Earth holiday bonus cars

Wall Street may earn upwards of $150K in bonuses each, but we’d use our extra cash to buy some more humble rides this season.

10 things you never knew about the BMW 7 Series

The 2016 BMW 7 Series is loaded with tech and luxury. But this German super sedan also packs some surprising secrets.

2016 Subaru WRX

If you like to drive, and you’re thinking about getting a nicely equipped midsize car for carting around kids, consider this WRX.

5 dead American brands that deserve a second chance

After the Great Recession, the American auto industry is doing better than ever. Here are 5 brands that could send it into the stratosphere.

Semi-truck destroys historic bridge in Indiana

The bridge was destroyed because the woman behind the wheel did not know that truck was over six tons.

New York

Dad mourns son who was killed, dragged onto Queens street on New Year's Eve

Jihad Jackson (pictured), a 6-foot-1, 200-pound aspiring football player, was shot during a holiday party in Jamaica, Queens.

EXCLUSIVE Stepdaughter of U.S. Attorney General taken into police custody over unpaid cab fare

Kia Absalom was taken into police custody and placed in a holding cell at the 69th Precinct stationhouse in Canarsie after she couldn't cover her $20 fare about 3:30 p.m. last Monday.

Cuomo to kick off 2016 with major rally for $15 minimum wage statewide

Gov. Cuomo and some of the state's most powerful unions will kick off the new year with a massive rally Monday to push for a $15-an-hour statewide minimum wage.

EXCLUSIVE Wheelchair advocate claims Statue of Liberty ferry violates disabilities law

One of the city’s most beloved tourist attractions — the ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty — is a nightmare for people in wheelchairs, a disability rights group says.

Bill de Blasio gets support for affordable housing plan from business groups

Chambers of commerce and local business groups are coming out in support of Mayor de Blasio’s affordable housing plan.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Man, 24, held in first killing of 2016, may face charges for death of girlfriend in Queens

Police are still investigating whether to charge the 24-year-old man in the killing of Joceline Romo, the first murder victim of 2016.

Parishioners get into shoving match with pastor accused of stealing at Lenox Hill church

Cops were called to the Rock Church on E. 62nd St. near Lexington Ave. at the end of the 11 a.m. Mass when several worshippers began clashing with the Rev. Daniel Iampaglia (pictured).