MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

Monday, April 6, 2015

AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

Dermatologist to the stars Fredric Brandt, 65, found dead in Miami mansion after being 'devastated' by comparisons to Martin Short's character in 'Kimmy Schmidt'

Brandt was said to be 'devastated' over comparisons to the character played by Martin Short (inset top) in the Tina Fey-produced Netflix sitcom “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” which debuted March 6.

EXCLUSIVE UNFRIENDED! Judge allows Brooklyn woman to use Facebook to serve husband divorce papers

A judge is allowing a nurse to serve her elusive husband Victor Sena Blood-Dzraku with divorce papers via a Facebook message.

Two adults, three kids in serious condition after shooting in northwest Indianapolis: police

Five people, including three kids, have been injured in a shooting in northwest Indianapolis on Sunday night.

Married 69-year-old tutor caught having sex with young model in UK classroom as students took exams

Colin Turnbull, 69, was discovered in a "compromising position" with Rozina Khanim, 24, reports the Birmingham Mail. They were having sex during an exam day and the school was packed full of students.

N.H. senator accepts resignation from adviser arrested in prostitution sting

The top adviser for U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte has resigned after being arrested during a prostitution sting at a New Hampshire hotel.

EXCLUSIVE: Kit takes Daily News editor on wild 'Thrones' tour

Transgender Baltimore sex worker remembered by friends after being killed in NSA shooting

The transgender woman killed in a hail of gunfire at a National Security Agency guard post is being mourned by fellow sex workers.

The Gospel of Insanity: Penn. man accidentally fires handgun during Easter Vigil mass

One Pennsylvania churchgoer inadvertently started off Easter with a bang on Saturday night.

Disturbing video Monster lizard climbs up pole and devours rabbit whole

A monster lizard devouring its rabbit prey has been captured on video, reports the Mirror.

EXCLUSIVE 'ACE' IN THE HOLE: Group of teen inmates at Rikers Island trading in gang violence for a chance to take care of lovable pooch

The city's big plan to curb a massive spike in violence on Rikers Island has four legs and is obsessed with treats named Ace.

EXCLUSIVE ‘SHE’S FURIOUS!’ Harvey Weinstein’s wife is angry, embarrassed for her children over claim he groped 22-year-old model: source

Georgina Chapman, seen here with her husband, Harvey Weinstein, at left, is reportedly angered by the allegation that he groped Ambra Battilana, right.

'REAL' DEAL: 'Housewife' Ramona eyes divorce from cheating hubby

EXCLUSIVE Killer wins retrial in 2008 shooting death of Brooklyn teen

Marcus Cotton is serving 55 years to life in prison for the gunplay that killed 14-year-old Mario Avilez in 2008.

Husband, wife killed by New York City-bound Amtrak train in North Carolina

The two, identified as 38-year-old Derek Lowe and 33-year-old Tina Lowe, were on the tracks at the time of the crash, WRAL reported.

Netanyahu blasts Iran pact framework, vows to 'kill' deal

Netanyahu continued his assault on the tentative Iran deal, calling it 'very bad' and saying he would 'try to kill' it.

Thanks, Obamas! First Family wishes U.S. a happy Easter

EXCLUSIVE Brain surgery leads to fewer meds, more happiness for Parkinson’s patients

Elite athlete Drew Heighway was only 49 when he was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease — and the medication regimen was turning him into a monster.

Two British teens busted in terrorism plot: police

Greater Manchester Police said a 14-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl have been arrested following two separate police raids.

EXCLUSIVE Accused Bonanno mobster turned down promotion to consigliere, lawyer says offer is irrelevant

Getting promoted to the powerful position of consigliere in a Mafia crime family apparently isn’t what it was once cracked up to be.

‘JOURNALISTIC FAILURE’: Article about UVA ‘rape’ in Rolling Stone could have been avoided, report finds; mag issues retraction

The journalist whose Rolling Stone article about a rape at the University of Virginia was debunked is expected to apologize.

EXCLUSIVE 'She never should have been down there': Faulty trash machine FIXED 7 TIMES may have caused NYCHA worker's death

NYCHA worker Toni Jackson may have been whacked by a jury-rigged trash hoist with a history of malfunctions.

New York

WATCH THE CARNAGE: Cops ID alleged gunman after weapon fired outside Queens casino — and brawl rages inside building

Detectives identified Jaquan Roberts, 22, as the gunman who fired shots in the parking lot at Resorts World Casino at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd. on Friday night, cops said.

EXCLUSIVE 51,000 families sign up for city pre-K in first 3 weeks of enrollment

That’s roughly the same number of kids who enrolled in pre-K programs in total last year, and about three-quarters of the way to the de Blasio administration’s goal of about 70,000 kids for this coming September.

Lovett: Bronx Democratic Committee quietly fixed years of financial filings since Carl Heastie became Assembly Speaker

Since Heastie became speaker, the committee has either amended its filings or submitted disclosure forms that were never filed.

Union big Victor Gotbaum, who saved NYC's finances in 1975, dead at 93

Legendary labor leader Victor Gotbaum, who helped save New York City from bankruptcy in 1975, died Sunday.

43-year-old cyclist killed by U-Haul van in Bronx: police

The deadly collision occurred as the cyclist crossed Grand Concourse from 158th St. in Morris Heights Sunday.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

· Lovett: Bronx Democratic Committee quietly fixes f...

· NYPD officer, school crossing guard busted

· City Hall, Blaz ripped on contracts for minority b...

· EXCLUSIVE: Woman can use Facebook to serve divorce...

· NYCHA worker may have been killed by faulty trash...

· EXCLUSIVE: Killer wins retrial in shooting of Broo...

EXCLUSIVE WFP founder slams Bill de Blasio, City Hall for lack of contracts for minority businesses

City Hall is being criticized for not doing enough for businesses owned by minorities and women.

VIDEO Blast rattles C train in Bedford-Stuyvesant station

Teens staged a small explosion on subway tracks of a C train, according to media reports.

NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton expects to hire more cops this year

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton expects to get more cops in this year’s city budget, he said Sunday.

SeaWorld critic John Hargrove uses n-word in drunken telephone rant released by company — SEE THE VIDEO

WARNING GRAPHIC LANGUAGE A company that’s trying to fire back at its critics has released a video of one of its most vocal foes popping off racial epithets.

LITTLE HOUSES ON DRY HILLSIDE: Aerial photos show lush lawns next to drought-devastated landscape in California (SEE IT)

Shocking aerial view of lavish lawns next to dry landscape after California Governor Jerry Brown issued a mandatory water restriction on April 1, 2015 due to the severe water drought.

DMX IS THAT YOU? N.J. man says rapper robbed him

One of the gunmen in Kenya university massacre that killed 148 identified as son of government official

One of the gunmen who slaughtered 148 people at a college in Kenya was the law-school-educated son of a Kenyan government official.

BECAUSE SCIENCE: Undercover NYPD cop charged in biker gang assault to use engineering in defense

Wojciech Braszczok could not have done real damage to the window of a Tribeca dad’s SUV during a frenzied gang attack, his defense says.

Indian mother saves daughter from crocodile in 10-minute battle

An Indian mother bravely fought off a crocodile in a 10-minute long struggle to save the life of her teen daughter.

EDITORIAL It's a religious world after all, with Muslims as the fastest growing faithful population

This is God’s world. The rest of us just live in it.

Russian singer in sex tape scandal with ex-stripper husband

California man rams police cars and fights highway troopers before getting captured in domestic violence incident: authorities

A man who allegedly hospitalized a woman in a domestic violence incident led cops on a high-speed chase.

VIDEO Flordia teens charged with hate crime in attack on gay Orlando man

Florida teens shouting homophobic slurs pummeled a gay man with lawn furniture as he tried to crawl away, shocking video shows.

Obama: Nuclear agreement with Iran is 'good deal,' diplomatic breakthrough despite outcry in Congress

One day after placing calls to top congressional leaders urging support for the agreement, Obama pressed his case that the deal would ensure Washington’s longtime foe would not be able to build a nuclear weapon.

SPARKS FLY! California driver hits 140 mph in wild police chase (VIDEO)

A California driver on the run from cops hit 140 mph before ricocheting off two vehicles and skidding to a stop in a shower of sparks.

‘C’ IS FOR KOOKY! Florida man, 45, says movie theater demanded he hand over Cookie Monster bag because of his gender

This is the bag that a Florida man says made him a victim of gender bias while trying to see a movie.

SERIOUSLY SORE LOSER! Kentucky player apologizes for saying 'F--- that n----' after loss in Final Four (WARNING, LANGUAGE)

Shortly after having their bid for a perfect season spoiled by Wisconsin’s 71-64 stunner in the Final Four in Indianapolis, Wildcats sophomore guard Andrew Harrison muttered “F--- that n-----” after a question was asked about Badgers star Frank Kaminsky (inset) in the post-game press conference.

Sports

Harper: NOT AGAIN! Tanaka's arm issues just one of several reasons why it's hard to believe Yankees will be back in playoffs

A year ago I thought the doomsayers were wrong about the Yankees. I bought into the pitching I saw in spring training, the free-agent spending spree, and the notion they could stay healthy.

Adam Wainwright leads Cardinals past Cubs to open season

Adam Wainwright pitched six innings of five-hit ball and the Cardinals beat the Cubs 3-0 on Sunday night in the major leagues opener.

Without focus on Jeter, Yankees need to get back to business

When the Yankees last left the Bronx, they were basking in the glow of Derek Jeter’s final memorable moment at Yankee Stadium.

Weiss: Class is cancelled for Kentucky after Wisconsin loss

Kentucky left this city this weekend carrying the disappointment of the Commonwealth with them.

Mike Krzyzewski's ring motivates Duke as Wisconsin awaits

The ring finger on Mike Krzyzewski's left hand is always encircled by his wedding band.

THE SHOW IS OPEN! Live from the floor of the 2015 New York Auto Show

We are taking you into the press days of the 2015 New York International Auto Show to see the latest cars and concepts to be featured on the show floor this year.

Nissan Maxima sports sedan unveiled in New York

Nissan pulled the dust-sheets off the 2016 Maxima sports sedan at the New York Auto Show.

Photos Swing back to the N.Y. auto shows of the 1960s

The New York Auto Show continued its international theme through the 1960s at the annual show at the New York Coliseum. Look back at our archived shots of the auto show's most swinging moments from the decade!

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HAPPY EASTER From Easter egg hunting to a holy blessing from Pope Francis: Take a look at holiday celebrations from around the world

Thousands of people across the world celebrate Easter Sunday on April 5, 2015.

EASTER EGG HUNT TURNS SOUR: Parents curse each other out, toddlers get trampled during enormous California event — VIDEO

An Easter egg hunt brought out the beast in sharp-elbowed California parents.

Keeping up with Kendall: Jenner gal struts on and off the runway (PHOTOS)

PUT ON YOUR EASTER DISS! New Yorkers’ hats celebrate spring while poking fun at Mayor de Blasio’s chronic lateness

Most Easter hats came with purple bunnies and flowers, but one enterprising reveler took aim at Mayor De Blasio with her holiday headpiece.

OOPS! Pa. cops find alleged robber after he drops his WALLET at crime scene

Upper Darby cops say Fred Jones dropped his wallet in an alley near where he left a 60-year-old woman robbed of cash on Wednesday afternoon.

'Please accept our sincere apologies': Scotland cops leave apology note for raiding wrong house, report says

Eight officers helped break down the wrong door of a family home in Edinburgh.

What will NYC's Times Square look like in 1,000 years?

SICK SCAM: Calif. woman deceives family, friends, with cancer claim

Meaghan Hudson not only conned her friends, she deceived her own family into believing she had terminal cancer, authorities said.

LUCKY DOG! Pregnant pooch shot, abandoned on side of highway rescued by border collie-loving Idaho woman

Beth Stenberg had noticed the female dog frolicking alone along Interstate 15 between the towns of Fort Hall and Blackfoot several times, but, this time, the dog was lying sprawled and wounded in the grass.

Track judge speared in heel by wildly tossed 9-foot javelin at Ramapo College meet

Firefighters had to cut the nearly 9-foot javelin with a saw before 57-year-old Dan Klice of upstate Olean, N.Y., could be placed in an ambulance.

NIGHTMARE FAMILY: Vegas police looking for parents after 3-year-old girl found dead in care of her 17-year-old sister

Police believe the parents, Jondrew Lachaux, 39, and Kellie Phillips, 38, fled to California from North Las Vegas with five other children between the ages of 1 and 9 years old.

HARVEY'S HIDEAWAY: Weinstein, wife take refuge in Conn. home as Manhattan D.A. eyes criminal charges for groping incident

One-time Miss Italy contestant Ambra Battilana, 22, accused the Hollywood honcho of grabbing her breasts and sliding a hand under her skirt during a March 27 meeting in Tribeca.

Need a hand? Stars on the go at home and away — SEE IT

Arrest after duffle bag full of body parts found in Cambridge, Mass.

Survivor of Kenya school attack found hiding two days later

Giuliana to give her 'Police' report on Zendaya 'weed' scandal

EXCLUSIVE Bernie Kerik still has love for Rudy Giuliani

Man kills himself at Universal Studios after violating restraining order

EXCLUSIVE: Little Staten Island girl's death saves lives as three, including two tykes, get precious gift of donated organs

Eight-month-old Essence Walls (center) is just one of the lives saved by Patricia Almonte’s (right) precious daughter, Veronica, (left) when she died in December after complications from increased pressure on her brain.

REMEMBERING KURT COBAIN: The Nirvana frontman died 21 years ago today

It has been 21 years since the death of Kurt Cobain. The Nirvana frontman shaped music in the early 1990s, and continues to be influential today.

'Daredevil' star talks thrill of filming in the Big Apple

More than 300 slave fishermen rescued from Indonesian island

Fox News anchor 'dishes' out mean, fat-shames Kelly Clarkson

Racist emails from Ferguson officials released Friday

BASEBALL PREVIEW 2015

Battle for NYC! CC says Yankees not ready to turn over the city to Matt Harvey, Mets

The talk is about how the Mets may have a chance this year to wrest New York’s baseball consciousness away from the Yankees, who have owned it since the dynasty days and for years before that, too. CC Sabathia isn’t buying it, though.

Harper: David Cone makes pitch for an Amazin' year for Mets

David Cone was a Met in the late 1980s, the last time it could be said New York belonged to the National League team in town.

Martino: Yes, Mets fans ... you can believe!

The Mets are loaded with young pitching and have a chance to contend this year. Just ask them.

Madden: Pitching depth will lead Mets to NL East crown

It was unseasonably warm in Florida this spring and that could explain it. It had to be the heat.

Scouting the Mets: A position-by-position breakdown

For the first time in nearly a decade, expectations are running sky high for the Mets.

Scouting the NL East: Strong pitching makes Mets good again

The Mets feel they’ve got in Matt Harvey potentially the most dominant starter in the NL this side of Clayton Kershaw.

Scouting the NL Central: Cardinals rotation best in division

Their pitching is the best, and the Cards' lineup may lack a big-time power hitter, but there are no holes in it, either.

Scouting the NL West: Talent & money key to Dodgers success

It may take time for the Dodgers to get their chemistry together. But there’s just so much talent here.

David Wright knows how special this Mets team can be

There were moments in 2006 that David Wright looks back on now and understands a whole lot better.

If Yankees avoid injuries they could contend in the AL East

The faces inside the Yankees clubhouse may have changed, but the mission statement remains the same.

Daily News Best of New York Baseball Awards

Baseball’s real awards don’t get announced until after the season, but we like to give you something to think about.

Yankees Scouting Report: A position-by-position breakdown

The Yankees come into the 2015 season with many questions about health (Masahiro Tananka and CC Sabathia) and age.

Scouting the AL East: Orioles have fewer flaws than the rest

What would give anyone the idea the Orioles could repeat as division champions?

Scouting the AL Central: Garcia, speed put White Sox on top

The biggest White Sox addition could be getting back Avisail Garcia — who may be their best player — for a full season.

Scouting the AL West: Cano, plus new players boost Mariners

Don’tcha know, Robbie Cano, the Mariners have put together a pretty darn good team around you.

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A 'SPIKE' IN CITY HEROIN: Number of fatal ODs outpacing homicides in NYC as DEA says drug's comeback causing 'epidemic'

Smack is back big time in the Big Apple, where fatal overdoses outnumber homicides and roughly $300 million worth of heroin was seized in 2014. The city is now blanketed with powder, explained Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan (bottom right).

Hannah shows off her backhand and more! See celeb wardrobe miscues

Brooklyn dad who lost 7 kids in fire mourns at Passover

Tatiana Maslany shaken by Nazis in 'Woman in Gold' film

Queens woman accused of bomb strike plot worked at preschool

SPOILER ALERT 'Mad Men' recap: Here's 7 moments to savor from final season premiere

So here are seven moments from Sunday night’s “Mad Men” that remind us why we started watching in the first place

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Tick Tock: The Latest on Apple Stock

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WAIT A SECOND: Is Kylie Jenner wearing blackface on Instagram?

Kylie Jenner is under fire after sharing several photos from a shoot where the teen has been accused of wearing blackface.

Prince Harry visits Australia for army training to finish military career

Prince Harry arrived in Australia to begin four weeks of training with the army.

WHAT A PISSER! Cubs fans urinate in beer cups at Wrigley Field as renovations cause long lines at restroom

The Cubs fell to the Cardinals 3-0 to open the season on Sunday night, but that may have been the least of problems.

GOAT BACK HERE! N.J. cops capture 'disorderly' farm animal head-butting doors

Two Paramus police officers nabbed the small white goat shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday. The cops were responding to “calls of a disorderly goat head-butting a door,” the department said on its Facebook page.

Horror film actor Tom Towles dead at age 65: report

Tom Towles has reportedly passed away at age 65, according to an announcement made by director Rob Zombie.

CONFIDENTI@L Max Irons, once Jeremy's slightly bad boy, turns into good actor

Max Irons is in two current films, "Woman in Gold" and "The Riot Club."

Cat stuck in wall for 5 years at Cairo train station freed

A cat has been trapped behind a wall at a metro train station in Cairo for five years, but a social media campaign has helped free him.

Linsey ‘Jade’ Berardi, Brooklyn reality star of Oxygen’s ‘Bad Girls Club,’ dead at 22

Berardi, a New York native, went by the nickname “Brooklyn Brat” on Season 12 of the Oxygen reality TV series, which debuted last May

SEE IT Embattled Kim Zolciak shows off her ‘thick’ legs

Any publicity is good publicity … just ask the ladies from "The Real Housewives" franchise.

Behind the scenes at Grey Group ad firm shows industry has come a long way since era of 'Mad Men'

It’s near 4 p.m. on a recent afternoon at the Manhattan headquarters of advertising agency Grey Group, a time of day when real-life “Mad Men” are supposed to be pouring themselves a tumbler or two of the hard stuff to keep their lunchtime buzz going or grease the skids for happy hour.