MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

EXCLUSIVE Banner to honor POW/MIA veterans returns to City Hall after Daily News probe; critics call flag flap Blaz's latest insult to nation's servicemembers

The forgotten flag of remembrance was nowhere to be seen because the de Blasio administration shelved it for roof repairs. It was hidden away until The News inquired about it Tuesday.

EXCLUSIVE PBA boss grilled over $13K in restaurant fees, accused buying loyalty with Porterhouses

Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, is being accused by challengers of priming the vote in a upcoming election with Porterhouse steaks and truffle fries.

Man left in critical condition after plunging into Hudson River in Tribeca: cops

The man apparently jumped into the Hudson River from the west side of Manhattan in Tribeca on Tuesday, authorities said.

ISIS leader killed by Delta Force raid may have kept American hostage Kayla Mueller

The U.S. investigating whether the Islamic State militant leader killed Friday was the captor of American hostage Kayla Mueller for a time.

Bill Murray bids Dave sweet farewell before sloppy MSNBC antics

EXCLUSIVE Rookie FDNY EMT to be reunited with radio host he saved from brink of death after heart attack

Gabriel Hernandez, 54, suffered a massive heart attack, but was saved by good luck and rookie FDNY EMT Fernando Frias.

Ohio man goes on drunken rampage at Disney resort, steals golf cart, crashes into pier and nearly drowns: cops

Andrew Hall had been boozing at the campground's restaurant for several hours when he tried to leave early Monday morning on a bike, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Pocket-sized nukes? North Korea can make nuclear weapons small enough to fit on a missile: report

North Korean defense officials have the technolog to make nuclear weapons tiny enough to fit onto missles, according to a report Wednesday.

ABC charitably ends probe into George's Clinton donations

Student, 13, accused of sexually assaulting four younger classmates on school bus in Louisiana: cops

The investigation began last week after the Jefferson Parish School Board told police about accusations from two girls at Estelle Elementary School — a 7-year-old and her 5-year-old cousin.

EXCLUSIVE High-tech software allows city schools to track progress of students and teachers

New software will allow city schools to chart student and faculty performance with laser-like accuracy.

Hundreds of starving refugees from Myanmar, Bangladesh saved after months at sea

Indonesia rescued more than 430 migrants stranded at sea Wednesday, the latest victims of a humanitarian crisis confronting Southeast Asia.

OH, WOWW! ‘Jersey Shore’ star shows off post-baby bod

Brooklyn DA announces nearly 1,000 office workers will receive bonuses for saving money

Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson announced to his staff Tuesday that they will receive bonuses after saving money during the fiscal year.

No charges for off-duty St. Louis cop who fatally shot black 18-year-old

A prosecutor cleared an off-duty, white St. Louis police officer who shot and killed a black 18-year-old in October.

Taxi boss, who owes $31M to bank, makes deal to halt seizure of medallions

Evgeny Freidman made an interim deal with Citibank to avoid having the bank seize 90 of his 900 taxi medallions.

GOODNIGHT, DAVE! Top 10 reasons we'll remember David Letterman after he signs off late night after 33 years

David Letterman has succeeded in his 33 years in late-night TV, and here ten reasons why.

FLASHBACK 'Late Show With David Letterman' airs first show in 1993

David Letterman moves his show from NBC to CBS, bringing along familiar gags like Top 10 list.

HINCKLEY Stephen Colbert is the right bet for CBS in replacing David Letterman

And having Stephen Colbert replace David Letterman is the right move. Here's why.

David Letterman's 'Late Show' leaves lasting mark on late-night television

He hasn't been the highest-rated late-night host for most of his record-breaking run, but no one outside of his mentor Johnny Carson has had more influence on the tone of midnight-hour television.

LETTER TO LENO: Fans hope Jay, who fought Dave for 11 years as late-night rival, will appear on final 'Late Show'

Will Jay Leno help David Letterman sign off for the last time Wednesday? We hope.

FLASHBACK David Letterman’s first show after 9/11 terrorist attacks

The Late Show with David Letterman was the first late show to return after the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Jimmy Fallon reveals his ‘Top 10’ reasons why David Letterman is retiring

Letterman, 66, who is known for the staple "Late Show" segment, announced his 2015 retirement from the CBS show this week and Fallon, 39, decided to bring a little humor as to why he made this decision.

Hello Deli owner Rupert Jee is 'sickly sad' as David Letterman goes

America is in mourning as David Letterman's leaves on May 20 — but perhaps no one is sadder than Rupert Jee.

New York

Queens prosecutor claims man charged with teen’s 2008 shooting had ‘murder in his heart’

Calling Himen Ross’ time on the stand “a lesson in unreliable testimony,” Assistant District Attorney Peter Lomp told the court that Ross, 29, shot Tyrese Johnson exactly seven years ago.

Former controller of Bernie Madoff avoids prison by helping authorities

Bernard Madoff's former controller, Enrica Cotellessa-Pitz, avoided a prison sentence Tuesday thanks to her extensive cooperation in explaining his historic fraud to federal authorities.

New sanitation contract with city may be 'another nail in the coffin' for NYPD union’s chances of getting better deal for cops

The contract with sanitation workers announced Tuesday by City Hall could be bad news for the police union in its arbitration fight to get a sweeter deal for cops.

De Blasio calls plan to save NYCHA a 'game-changer,' includes giving public land to private developers

At the James Weldon Johnson Houses in East Harlem on Tuesday, Mayor de Blasio debuted his ambitious NextGen NYCHA, promising budget surpluses by 2017 at an agency that’s had deficits for the past 15 years.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

De Blasio: New York needs to follow L.A.’s lead, raise min wage to $15 an hour

Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved a $15 an hour minimum wage — prompting Mayor de Blasio to say New York needs to follow suit.

Two taxis crash outside LaGuardia, flipping one over; three people sent to hospital

Two yellow cabs crashed, causing one to flip, in a collision outside LaGuardia Airport that sent three people to the hospital Tuesday night.

State Assembly approves legislation to extend, strengthen city rent regulations

“Our people are living in legitimate fear of losing their homes,” said Assembly Housing Committee Chair Keith Wright (D-Manhattan). “We are smack dab in the middle of a rent crisis.”

'Sopranos' star 'VITOS' movie with ex-con, former castmate Lillo

OPINION Bill Hammond: We should be encouraging, not discouraging, businesses from hiring poor and working-class New Yorkers

Given that members of the state Legislature have collectively proposed more than 13,000 new laws so far this year,

EDITORIAL Pa. members of Congress must come to the rescue of Ground Zero workers

They did their duty and paid an awful price.

Little League ump busted with child porn — after undercover cop baits him with father/daughter threesome

That detective allegedly chatted with the Alexandria man while posing as a father who was sexually active with his daughter, according to a search warrant.