MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

‘There are a dozen former bunnies with similar stories’: Ex-Playboy bunny P.J. Masten says Bill Cosby raped her in the ‘70s — and that others are afraid to come forward

Masten says Cosby attacked her when she was a Bunny manager at the Playboy club in Chicago.

Luke Somers, American photojournalist held by Al Qaeda militants in Yemen, killed in failed rescue attempt, sister says

Lucy Somers told The Associated Press that she learned of her 33-year-old brother Luke Somers' death from FBI agents.

'I want this animal to suffer': N.J. man who knifed, raped 12-year-old girl and murdered heroic brother, 6, gets 110 years behind bars

Osvaldo Rivera was sentenced for raping and slashing the girl on her birthday as well as killing her brother when he tried to save her.

'He was such a sweet child': Boy cheerleader, 12, found dead in California after being bullied

Friends burst into tears grappling to understand why someone would bully 12-year-old Ronin Shimizu to death.

Beyoncé, Sam Smith and Pharrell will face off for Grammys' Album of the Year

GRUESOME END: Wisconsin college gymnast, who was found dead inside dumbwaiter, may have reached inside after pushing elevator button

'To explain more of her specific location, orientation or obvious injuries would require an extremely graphic explanation,' Fountain City Police Chief Jason Mork told the Winona Daily News.

SEEKING ANSWERS: Search underway for missing 25-year-old Houston doctor last seen at family dinner

Dr. Fehintola Omidele, 25, was reported missing after failing to appear to work at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital on Monday.

Transgender L.A. woman, 21, trying to flee killer is shot dead as she pounded on door to seek help: police

Deshawnda (Tata) Sanchez was discovered by the homeowner near the corner of South Wilton Place and West 62nd St. around 4 a.m. Wednesday after she was shot several times.

Cuomo: 'Perception' of racial bias in justice system must be addressed in New York and the country

'If people don't trust the justice system, you have a problem,' Gov. Cuomo said Friday in an appearance on NBC's 'Today' show.

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS Frank Serpico, the corruption-busting former NYPD detective, says grand jury Garner decision no surprise

Was I surprised by the Staten Island grand jury? Of course not. When was the last time a police officer was indicted?

Chokehold cop Daniel Pantaleo dodged charges in Eric Garner death but faces suits from 2 black S.I. teens

The Staten Island cop, who was spared charges in the chokehold death of Eric Garner, faces civil lawsuits from two black youths who claim the officer's lies led to their wrongful arrests.

NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton defends de Blasio despite mayor saying he’s taught biracial son Dante to be wary of cops

New York's top cop raced to his boss’ defense Friday, claiming Mayor de Blasio wasn’t attacking the NYPD.

Was Taylor Swift making out with BFF Karlie Kloss?

Cablevision CEO James Dolan broke labor laws attempting to stop Bronx workers from unionizing: judge

Administrative Law Judge Steven Fish of the National Labor Relations Board also found the company was guilty of trying to weaken its Brooklyn workers’ union through tactics that included firing nearly two dozen pro-labor workers.

Federal indictments may come to Gov. Christie staffers, Port Authority officials involved in Bridgegate: report

At least a half-dozen federal indictments could be handed down to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s staffers and Port Authority officials as early as January.

VENGEFUL MAMA: Cops say Pa. mom torched police detective’s home in revenge for son’s arrest

Donna M. Krupp, 52, believed that her neighbor, a Limerick Township police detective, was the reason for her son's June arrest, police said.

Jenna Bush admits to White House 'hanky panky'

Man allegedly collects ‘bail money’ from elderly victims who believe their grandchildren are in jail

It was “grand” theft. Allah Justice McQueen, 33, allegedly convinced vulnerable grandparents that their loved ones were in trouble and needed money.

Proposed bill to make changing gender on NYC birth certificates easier passes city panel

Proposed legislation that would make it easier to change the gender on New York City birth certificates passed an important hurdle Friday.

DEADLY ERROR: Unarmed Phoenix man shot dead by cop who mistook pill bottle for gun

Rumain Brisbon, 34, was shot twice in the chest after a chase and scuffle ended on the floor of a Phoenix apartment where two children were in a back bedroom.

New York

EXCLUSIVE Failure to make timely apartment building repairs may have contributed to Akai Gurley's death: officials

The failure to make timely repairs may have contributed to dangerous conditions, officials told the Daily News.

Carmen Fariña says new teachers contract reduced number of roaming instructors

The new teachers contract has reduced the number of roaming instructors who are not assigned to particular schools, Carmen Fariña said.

NYPD cop pays woman's impound bill after car gets towed outside Queens hospital

He’s not only one of New York’s finest, but this cop also is good for a few bucks in a pinch.

Woman faces jail after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $900,000 from Bronx charity

Yolanda Gonzalez, 46, of the Bronx, was charged in October 2013 of stealing the money from Nos Quedamos (We Stay). She could face more than four years in prison.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Mother of Sean Bell — man killed in hail of bullets on wedding day in 2006 — says cops must be held responsible

There will be more Eric Garners if cops accused of wrongdoing are held responsible and serve time, Sean Bell’s mother said Friday.

IMPERFECT ATTENDANCE: Indicted City Councilman Ruben Wills accused of skipping 27% of council meetings

City Councilman Ruben Wills isn't just accused of pocketing taxpayer funds — he's also blowing off his day job.

Bronx cop accused of helping drug trafficker avoid the NYPD: prosecutors

A Bronx cop was a drug trafficker’s go-to guy, authorities said Friday.

Kim K. celebrates nude photo shoot at Paper Mag party

Virginia man, 22, faces up to 20 YEARS in prison for stealing three pairs of designer sunglasses

Tyler Dean Williams pleaded guilty to shoplifting three pairs of shades from Sunglass Hut. He grabbed about $600 worth of designer glasses.

Tamir Rice’s family files wrongful death suit against officers, city of Cleveland, after 12-year-old shot dead

Tamir Rice “suffered terror and fear” when the 12-year-old was ambushed and shot dead by a police officer, a wrongful death lawsuit reads.

NYPD school safety agent stabbed in the leg while breaking up fight at high school in Chelsea

An NYPD school safety agent was stabbed in the leg Friday while trying to break up a fight at Humanities Preparatory Academy in Manhattan.

Michael Sam and his man kiss at GQ Man of the Year party

Florida woman hanging Christmas decorations on her condo balcony falls 12 stories and dies

A Florida woman fell 12 stories to her death Sunday night while hanging a Christmas wreath on her condo balcony.

'YOUR FAMILY WILL BE IN DANGER': Sony Pictures employees threatened in email from hackers

The cyber hackers waging war against Sony Pictures Entertainment unleashed a new attack against the company Friday in an ominous email threatening not only the employees but their families as well.

Upstate NY woman tried to electrocute boyfriend by throwing alarm clock into bathtub: cops

Alicia Gould, 28, allegedly dropped the electrical gadget into the water at a Super 8 Motel after an argument.

Sports

Knicks come back but fall to Hornets on Kemba Walker buzzer-beater

Forget about the Knicks viewing any struggling opponent as a chance to finally get back into the win column.

Be A-ware: Big Papi, Sheffield fire warning to tainted Yankee slugger

Before he suited up in pinstripes for three seasons and was Alex Rodriguez’s Yankee teammate, Gary Sheffield says he used to see the “venom” that other players would direct toward A-Rod, emotions that Sheffield says stemmed from Rodriguez’s gargantuan contract to “everything (Rodriguez) did.”

NFL Bettor's Guide Week 14: Packers still on the attack

From the best NFL games to bet, to the ones you should steer clear of, check out Hank Gola's guide to get you through the week a winner.

Gola: For Tiger, new technique starts to look promising

Tiger Woods’ game had to have gotten pretty bad for rounds of 77-70 at his old home course to feel like progress.

Kendall Jenner dresses as a sexy Santa for calendar

Rihanna is a braless veteran while shopping in NYC

Taylor Swift offs Jessica Hart from Victoria's Secret gig

The singer returned to perform the Victoria's Secret show this year under one condition — that VS Angel Jessica Hart not strut the runway.

Burt Reynolds denies he’s broke; auction simply housekeeping

Burt Reynolds is denying that an upcoming auction of his Hollywood memorabilia is a cash grab designed to bail him out from bankruptcy.

Outspoken NBA legend Barkley calls Ferguson rioters 'scumbags'

Barkley sounded off on the crisis in Ferguson by lashing out against "scumbags" who have rioted in the days after a grand jury chose not to charge police officer Darren Wilson.

NFL player posts bizarre photo on Instagram of Malia Obama

A prominent NFL player is in hot water after posting a questionable photo of President Obama's eldest daughter on his Instagram account.

Beyonce, Ariana grab top noms for 2015 Grammys

Woman launches $1M suit against Chick-fil-A chain, supplier over cherry she claims led to heart attack

Cyndi Scruggs has reportedly launched legal action against the Chick-fil-A chain and its New York-based cherry supplier.

Oregon woman says she was fired over taking too many bathroom breaks while pregnant

Dawn Steckmann alleges Maxim Integrated Products gave her the axe over taking long breaks in the restroom. Her pregnancy, she said, caused her to go more often.

SEE IT Tennessee 11th grader photographs substitute teacher allegedly sleeping in class

The educator is said to have handed out work sheets at Olive Branch High School in Memphis before passing out at his desk.

Cool in blue: Blake shows off baby bump in NYC

TV weatherman sues news provider for allegedly using his photo for story about man accused of sexual slavery

First Coast News meteorologist Tim Deegan claims that his photo was used in place of another Tim Deegan in an Action News article about a horrific sexual slavery case.