MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

EXCLUSIVE 'It’s too much... It’s like a tracker': Hundreds of Manhattan phone booths rigged with pinging devices to detect smartphone user's location

The city allowed advertising giant Titan to install Bluetooth pinging devices in hundreds of phone booths throughout Manhattan last fall, a spokesman for the city’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications confirmed to BuzzFeed News.

Former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal addresses college grads

A one-time death row inmate now serving a life sentence for the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia police officer spoke to a graduating class at a Vermont college Sunday, encouraging them to strive to transform the world. Mumia Abu-Jamal spoke by video to 20 students receiving bachelor degrees from Goddard College in Plainfield. He earned a degree from the college in 1996.

SEE IT Mom’s ashes scattered in luggage, Ohio man claims in TSA suit

When a Cleveland man boarded a flight bound for Puerto Rico with his mother's ashes secured in his luggage, he planned to scatter her remains in the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea.

EXCLUSIVE Rob Astorino donor blamed civil judgment against him on 'discriminating' Jewish judges

ALBANY — A controversial Westchester County businessman who blamed a $4.75 million civil judgment against him on “pro-Israeli judges” donated several thousand dollars to Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino, the Daily News has learned.

'Blurred Lines' siren Emily has become a real girl 'Gone' wild

Case against Sanford Rubenstein may be hard to prove: former prosecutor

A person can be incapable of consent if she or he is too intoxicated. Sex crimes prosecutors consider these cases to be very difficult to prove ... but not impossible.

Sanford Rubenstein sex scandal may put big cases in jeopardy

Sanford Rubenstein is the attorney for some of the city’s most closely watched cases — and now they may be in jeopardy.He is representing the family of Eric Garner, the Staten Island man who died after cops put him in a chokehold.

LE$$ GIVING: Rich Americans donating less to charity while middle-class giving more

An analysis of IRS data by the Chronicle of Philanthropy showed Americans earning at least $200,000 a year cut their charitable donations by 4.6% between 2006 and 2012.

Ben Affleck calls Bill Maher’s Islam views ‘racist, disgusting'

'Do us all a favor and turn yourself in': Sister of alleged Pennsylvania cop-killer calls manhunt stressful

The 22-day manhunt for alleged cop-killer Eric Frein has enveloped the entire Pocono Mountain region in eastern Pennsylvania with a sense of anxiety; scaring hunters out of the woods, forcing residents and businesses to monitor their trash and keeping everyone on heightened alert at potential sightings and the constant police presence.

SEE IT 67-year-old Utah woman struggles after drinking poisonous tea

Jan Harding, 67, took the first drink from the sweet tea station at Dickey's Barbeque in South Jordan on Aug. 10 and the footage shows she immediately knew something was wrong.

See It Jahi McMath, called brain dead, can move on command, says family

The family of Jahi McMath reported the Oakland teenager is not brain dead, but can in fact move parts of her body on command.

'People like me, need to be under stood': 'BTK' serial killer helping crime author on book

Wichita's notorious serial killer BTK has sent another handwritten note to the media — but this time from behind bars. Dennis Rader, who killed 10 people in Kansas between 1974-91 and became known as the "Blind, Torture, Kill" murderer, said he will cooperate on a book about his deeds with his portion of the profits going to the victims' families.

Bruce debuts flowing long locks at Elton John concert

VIDEO 'Drink bleach and kill himself’: Bullies tell 13-year-old Washington state boy to end his life

Bullies at a Washington state middle school told a 13-year-old boy to “drink bleach and kill himself,” the latest in a series of hateful acts directed at the teen, his mother alleges.

Dog named Lazarus rises from the dead, survives euthanasia attempt

Animal control officer Wanda Snell knows what she saw: A veterinarian inserted a needle into the black-and-brown mutt and injected a chemical meant to euthanize the dog no one had adopted.

Peter Kassig, ISS hostage, wrote he was 'scared to die' in June: parents

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana aid worker threatened with beheading by the Islamic State group said in a June letter that he’s afraid to die and is saddened by the pain his captivity must be causing his family, his parents said Sunday.

SWEEP DREAMS: Royals take out Angels, will face Orioles in first ALCS since 1985

Sundays in October aren't just for football around here anymore. The Royals advanced to the American League Championship Series Sunday night, thumping the Angels, 8-3, to finish off a stunning three-game Division Series sweep of the team with baseball's best record.

Dallas Ebola patient Thomas Duncan worsening, listed in critical condition: hospital

Dallas Ebola patient Thomas Duncan is now in critical condition, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital said Saturday. He was previously listed in serious but stable condition.

Dallas authorities find homeless man may have contracted Ebola

Dallas authorities have located a homeless man who might have had indirect contact with Ebola patient Thomas Duncan, city officials said Sunday.

New York

SEE IT NYPD officer wheeled off of Brooklyn Bridge after cyclist slams into him

A cyclist hit and injured an NYPD officer on security duty on the always-crowded Brooklyn Bridge footpath on Sunday night, police said.

U.S. must do more to check air passengers for Ebola when they return from West Africa: Schumer

The feds should tighten up protections for Americans at airports, ports of entry and hospitals in response to the Ebola outbreak, a top New York lawmaker said Sunday.

Donohue: City Council to consider transit-related tax-break bill for riders

It’s only fair then that our elected officials get a little credit when they get down to the wonky business of governing and enact laws making it easier for everyday working men and women to pay the bills.

Gov. Cuomo on his record, his political comeback and Destiny's Child

Gov. Cuomo hit the stump at black churches in Queens in Brooklyn Sunday - and had an unexpected celebrity encounter when he bumped into singer Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Rep. Michael Grimm was target of witch hunt: lawyer

Rep. Michael Grimm’s legal defense to fraud charges suggests that the former FBI agent was the target of a witch hunt by his enemies in law enforcement.

Democrats unlikely to gain New York seats in House and Obama’s unpopularity is not helping

One year ago, Republicans had just shut down the government, and Democrats declared they might win back the House, in part by picking up Republican-held seats in New York.

Thousands of 'provisional' city workers set to be laid off

Thousands of city workers who never passed a Civil Service test will be let go under a new plan soon to be unveiled by the de Blasio administration.

Week 5 recap: 49ers outlast Chiefs, Broncos rip Cards

EXCLUSIVE Overtime pay up at city hospitals, with 6 workers each getting $80K in OT last year

Six hospital maintenance workers each banked more than $80,000 in overtime last year, records obtained via a Freedom of Information Law request show.

Ex-French intelligence officer who joined Al Qaeda was targeted in U.S. airstrikes on ISIS: report

The first wave of U.S. airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Syria last month reportedly targeted an ex-French intelligence officer who defected to al Qaeda.

Pope eyes path for flock that stray on sexual, family issues at synod

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has called for a creative, humble approach as the Vatican ponders why many in the Catholic Church have gone their own way on sexual and family issues like contraception, premarital sex and divorce.

Game of Drones: In Touch takes to the skies to cover Clooney wedding

TOTAL GARBAGE: Washington St. woman faces jail over trash tab

One woman in a Seattle suburb is creating a stink over her garbage tab. Vonna Posey said she's willing to go to jail after trashing the city garbage bill because she has none.

U.S. airman drowns at sea, two missing as typhoon strikes Japan

One member of the U.S. Air Force is dead and two others missing after a strong typhoon hit Okinawa on Sunday. The Japanese Coast Guard recovered the body of an airman who drowned.

Lovett: GOP official denied FOI request — by state tax official who ran backround check on him

A state tax official conducted background research on a Republican party official — then denied his request for public information, the Daily News has learned.

Jessica Chastain dishes to 'Interview' on her love scenes

Sukkah builders rake in big bucks before holiday

Yeshiva students and handymen are raking in a holiday bonanza by installing sukkahs, the temporary tabernacles that are a fixture of the Jewish Feast of Booths.

Next Secret Service director should have ‘fresh view:’ pol

President Obama should consider someone who isn’t “ingrained” in the current culture of the Secret Service when appointing a new director to lead the embattled agency, Sen. Kelly Ayotte said Sunday.

Sultry Bronx Poison Ivy gets ready for NY Comic Con

Georgia teenager killed after high school homecoming football game

A 17-year-old Georgia teenager was killed after attending a high school homecoming football game Friday night.

Free flying! Animal activists rescue 17 leftover redemption roosters before start of Yom Kippur

A group of animal activists saved 17 chickens from slaughter as part of a controversial Jewish Kaparot tradition before Yom Kippur.

Sports

Gola: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Patriots blow out Bengals... and rumors

Tom Brady was supposed to be ticked at Bill Belichick. That’s what a pre-game report said, anyway. But for all the chaos that was swirling above the Patriots after their staggering start, the rage Brady and his teammates exhibited Sunday night seemed to be aimed at their critics, with the Bengals caught in the crossfire.

C. J. Spillman flagged, Dallas Cowboys defeat Houston Texans

Moments before Tony Romo escaped the Houston Texans’ pass rush and threw an off-balance, 37-yard completion to Dez Bryant to set up the field goal that won the game for the Cowboys in overtime, 20-17, Sunday at AT&T Stadium, Dallas special teams player C.J.

METS KEEP 'EM DUMP 'EM! Let us know who should remain in Queens and who should just hit the road in 2015

Daniel Murphy? Terry Collins? Matt Harvey? David Wright? Now that the Mets season is officially over, step in to GM Sandy Alderson's chair and tell us who stays and who goes for next season.

Nelson Cruz helps Orioles complete sweep of Tigers in ALDS

Nelson Cruz, Buck Showalter and an unheralded bunch from Baltimore swept aside Detroit’s Cy Young winners. Cruz sliced a two-run homer for his latest big postseason hit, and the Orioles held off the Tigers 2-1 Sunday to reach the AL Championship Series for the first time since 1997.