MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

EXCLUSIVE Seven schools defying city's cell ban offer free phone storage to students being ripped off by high-fee bodega

Seven schools located in the Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex have begun to allow students to check their phones inside the building after the manager of a nearby storefront upped his phone storage fees for students from $1 to a whopping $5 per day.

Ebola-infected doctor to be flown to Nebraska from Sierra Leone

A surgeon working in West Africa's Sierra Leone has been diagnosed with Ebola and will be flown to the United States for treatment on Saturday, according to a federal government source.

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour apologizes for describing Obama policies as 'tar babies'

Barbour used the term —widely seen as a racial slur against blacks — last week to describe President Obama’s policies, he acknowledged Thursday.

Warren: Obama's possible immigration move will help 2016

President Obama’s reported decision to use his executive authority to push through huge immigration reforms will bring short-term political pain but almost certain long-term advantage.

BAH HUMBUG: Legal threats, labor issues may doom Fleming's Christmas special

'(I felt) that there's maybe no other alternative for me': Sperm donors seek hopeful mothers for sex to make babies

Internet dating websites promise customers they'll find the one. But some women are taking to the Internet to find the one who will impregnate them.

'With my dad, he knew the layout of the house in general': California cop-killer Christopher Dorner targeted the father of Los Angeles police chief

Former LAPD officer turned cop-killer Christopher Dorner stalked the 88-year-old father of Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck before going on a rampage that left four people dead in February 2013.

Oscar Pistorius trains with reputed gangster Radovan Krejcir in South African prison

Disgraced Olympian Oscar Pistorius hasn’t let prison slow him down. The double-amputee track and field star known as “Blade Runner” has been training with a notorious underworld figure inside a South African prison.

FUMBLE! Patriots tweet N-word in awful social media accident

BUFFALOED! Ryan Tannehill leads Dolphins to 22-9 victory over Bills

Ryan Tannehill shook off five sacks and a third-quarter deficit, throwing for two late touchdowns to help the Miami Dolphins break a streak of three consecutive losses to Buffalo with a 22-9 win Thursday.

22-year-old Brazilian woman possibly got HIV from sharing manicure tools with her cousin: study

A 22-year-old Brazilian woman may have been infected with HIV after sharing manicure instruments with a cousin about a decade ago, according to a new study.

Mob rat avoids jail for role in 1988 John Gotti-sanctioned killing at Ozone Park cafe

Anthony Ruggiano Jr. was given time served for helping 'destroy the remnants of this Mafia that had been the cause' of grief to victim Frank (Geeky) Boccia's family, said Judge Jack Weinstein.

Justin Bieber goes on Midtown bling buying spree

'He was face up, his head was bleeding like hell': Bronx man found bludgeoned to death with a SHOVEL

A 63-year-old man was found fatally bludgeoned next to a shovel in his Bronx apartment on Thursday night, police said.

Cannibalism trial begins for Brazil trio charged with killing women, making pastries of human flesh

Three people charged with killing at least two women, eating parts of their bodies and using their flesh to make and sell stuffed pastries went on trial Thursday in northeastern Brazil.

Suspected Pa. cop killer Eric Frein charged with two counts of terrorism

The latest charges are based on Frein allegedly shooting two Pennsylvania troopers on Sept. 12 'with the purpose of influencing the policy of government.'

New York

City will be required to slash gas emissions by 80% before 2050 under new legislation

The city will be required to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% in the coming decades under legislation passed by the City Council Thursday.

KEPT THEIR COOL AT 827 FEET: Window washer Juan Lopez says he and co-worker never panicked dangling from WTC scaffold

Window washer Juan Lopez, after escaping a dangling scaffold at One World Trade Center, said he and a colleague never panicked despite their mid-air predicament.

Daily Newser (almost!) treks from Bronx to Randalls Island

The Daily News took a sneak peek Thursday of a long-delayed $6 million footpath that will soon (or someday) afford Bronxites bicycle and foot access to Randalls Island.

What a difference a day makes: De Blasio actually shows up on time for Manhattan speech

The tardiness-prone mayor arrived on time for a Thursday morning speech a day after he infuriated relatives of Flight 587 victims by strolling in 20 minutes late to a memorial commemorating the crash.

New York City, state, housing authority to pay $9 million to end lawsuits by wrongly convicted, imprisoned pair

A pair of wrongly convicted murder defendants agreed Thursday to a $9 million settlement with New York City, ending a bitter legal battle after each spent 16 years behind bars.

Family of teen fatally stabbed in Brooklyn pizzeria demands justice, wants killer found

The family of an 18-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in a fight inside a Brooklyn pizza joint Tuesday wants to see justice delivered, they said a day after the crime.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

HOORAY! De Blasio FINALLY on time as Mayor arrives for Manhattan speech day after Flight 587

Mayor de Blasio arrived right on time for a morning speech in Manhattan Thursday, one day after he showed up 20 minutes late to a memorial service for Flight 587 victims.

Brooklyn man arrested in killings of two teens — allegedly to avenge brother's death

A 19-year-old Brooklyn man who shot two teens dead — one in a case of mistaken identity — to avenge his own brother’s killing was arrested Thursday, police said.

LET'S BLAZE: Melissa Mark-Viverito backs legalization of marijuana

After Mayor de Blasio overhauled the city’s marijuana policy, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito went further and called for the outright legalization of the drug.

Council votes for crackdown on illegal clothing bins

The city will crack down on illegal clothing donation bins that have sprung up in many neighborhoods under a bill passed by the City Council Thursday.

ASPCA honors Bratton for his fight against animal abuse

The animal advocate group honored Police Commissioner Bill Bratton with its Public Service Award during a Humane Awards Luncheon at Cipriani 42nd St.

Racy Kim photo sparks Sanchez butt fumble meme

Intern accused of molesting 13 preschoolers has all charges dropped as prosecutors fail to prove case

Prosecutors dismissed charges Thursday against an International Preschools intern from Denmark who was accused by a co-worker of molesting 13 children.

ISIS, Al Qaeda call truce, join forces against Syrian President Bashar Assad

The creepy conference happened Nov. 2 in the town of Atareb and lasted about four hours, from midnight to 4 a.m., according to a Syrian opposition official speaking in Turkey.

Michael Brown pathologist testifies as grand jury in Ferguson case nears decision amid fears of violence

A forensic pathologist hired by Michael Brown's family to perform an autopsy on the slain Ferguson teen testified in front of a grand jury as a decision nears on whether to charge the cop who shot him.

Polish woman rewarded wheelchair-bound husband's killers with threesome: report

A Polish woman who rewarded her wheelchair-bound husband's killers with a threesome has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, according to court records.

N.C. woman pleads guilty to making child porn at daycare

Elizabeth Holland Mills faces up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to manufacturing child porn. Her husband has also pleaded guilty.

Nina Agdal stuns in skimpy lingerie shoot

Escape from halfway house with 11 days left nets Oklahoma man a 15-month prison sentence

When does 11 days equal 15 months? An Anchorage judge came up with the new math after a man escaped an Alaskan halfway house with just 11 days left on his sentence, which earned him 15 months in federal prison instead.

Doctor at children’s hospital arrested for child porn: cops

Dr. Shoichi Okada, 30, a resident at St. Louis' Barnes-Jewish Hospital, was indicted Wednesday on a federal charge of possession of child porn, police said.

Cannibalism trial begins for Brazil trio charged with killing women, making pastries of human flesh

Three people charged with killing at least two women, eating parts of their bodies and using their flesh to make and sell stuffed pastries went on trial Thursday in northeastern Brazil.

Virginia lawyer couple stabs law firm partner: police

A Virginia lawyer couple was arrested for stabbing a man and his wife Sunday, days after one of the suspects was fired from the man's law firm, police said.

Don Blankenship, former CEO of Massey Energy, indicted over W. Va. mine explosion that killed 29

The former CEO who oversaw the West Virginia mine that exploded in 2010, killing 29 people, was indicted Thursday on federal charges related to a mine safety investigation that followed the blast.

Sports

Harper: Terry Collins will now have to manage expectations

Unlike Sandy Alderson, who never meant for last spring’s 90-win projection to be for public consumption, Terry Collins wanted fans everywhere on Thursday to hear him say the Mets should be “playing in October” next season.

No big deal, but Brian Cashman likes Yankees' moves

A year ago, Brian Cashman referred to the general managers meetings as “a necessary evil.” This year, Cashman seemed to change his tune after a somewhat productive week.

Derek Fisher: At least my Knicks own up to their mistakes

Cheer up Knicks fans, things could be worse for your 2-7 team, says Derek Fisher — they could be the Knicks from the past few years. The rookie head coach, while trying paint a rosy picture of team unity on Thursday, curiously took a dig at past Knicks regimes.

NBA to include all players on All-Star ballot

The NBA is expanding the All-Star ballot to include all players, and pushing back the start of voting so fans can better consider their choices.

Oh, Lorde! Singer defends Swift, slams Diplo’s ‘tiny penis’...

Man claiming to be George Zimmerman made racist phone call to confidant before his 2012 arrest

Frank Taaffe, who testified against ex-neighborhood watchman Wednesday, said a man claiming to be George Zimmerman called him days before his arrest in 2012 and made 'pretty disparaging' comments.

PETA members take Virginia family’s pet Chihuahua, kill it, then bring fruit basket, dad says

A Virginia dad says his family's beloved dog, Maya, was stolen from their porch and killed by a pair of PETA members who were captured on home surveillance video driving off with the Chihuahua.

Wall Street banker, estranged wife reach deal in divorce

The wealthy Manhattan couple whose messy divorce has been the talk of Wall Street slipped into Manhattan Supreme Court late Thursday to give a judge a copy of the settlement they reached earlier this week.

Texas gunman opens fire on San Antonio bus, kills fellow passenger: cops

San Antonio officers arrested 21-year-old Zachary Gonzales on Wednesday, a day after he allegedly opened fire on a city bus and killed Donovon Arzola, 23.

... as Taylor reveals Amar'e is the reason she's a Knicks fan

'I acted in frustration': Illinois cop pleads guilty to battering drunk driver’s face in a jail cell

The Illinois cop that broke a jailed woman’s face while throwing her into a cell has pleaded guilty to official misconduct.

Jodi Arias defense focuses on sex, secrets and religion in sentencing trial

Defense attorneys for convicted murderer Jodi Arias on Wednesday sought to portray the victim as a man torn between his devout Mormon faith and his secret sexual urges as they work to spare her life.

Kidnapped New Hampshire teen who suffered 'numerous acts of unspeakable violence' waited a week to reveal the name of her captor

New details emerged about the 2013 kidnapping of a New Hampshire teenager, who waited until a week after she was returned in July to reveal her alleged captor’s identity, according to court papers.

Raissman: Even with Phil Jackson in mix, Knicks still selling only false hope, not a winning team

Despite being one of the NBA’s perennial bottom feeders, the Knicks have led the league in selling hope. No matter it’s all been false — the better-days-are-coming shtick has kept James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan’s crew relevant for years where it counts most — at the box office and in the TV/radio ratings department.