MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

EXCLUSIVE STRAY IT AIN'T SO: Man who rescued cat kicked by brute in YouTube video gets evicted from Hell's Kitchen home

The stray cat who survived being kicked like a football by a Brooklyn man in a YouTube video is being evicted from his Hell’s Kitchen apartment, along with the kind-hearted animal lover who took him in.

CHEESY TRIBUTE: ‘Pizza Rat Blvd’ sign in Brooklyn honors determined rodent

The rodent caught on video struggling to carry a slice of pizza down the subway stairs in the East Village last month was honored Thursday with an authentic-looking street sign in Brooklyn.

Doctor and ABC News reporter Jamie Zimmerman swept out to sea and drowns while on vacation in Hawaii

Jamie Zimmerman, a doctor and reporter with ABC News’ medical unit, drowned while on vacation

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See the New Car That’s Changing the Way We Park and Drive

Can the Ford Edge make you feel unstoppable from a city that’s determined to stop you from getting anywhere?

EXCLUSIVE Odom crushed over best friend's death and needed help, says pal's father

'THE GOLDEN YEARS DON'T EXIST': Wheelchair-bound Harlem retiree upset Social Security benefits won't increase next year

Wheelchair-bound Harlem retiree Patricia Carter was already three months behind on her rent when she heard the news Tuesday that her Social Security benefits aren't increasing next year.

Ohio woman trying to flee killer found hanging from barbed-wire fence, thought to be Halloween decoration

Rebecca Cade, 31, was trying to flee her suspected killer when her sleeve became caught on the barbed wire fence, Chillicothe police said.

Man, 53, arrested for throwing Molotov cocktail in Manhattan

A 53-year-old man was arrested for throwing a Molotov cocktail in Manhattan, nearly hurting others, cops said Friday.

Oprah Winfrey and celebs don't stop believing

Pane of glass falls 17 stories, injures 3 on Manhattan street

Construction at the building on Fifth Ave. and E. 28 St. dislodged the glass from a window around 6:35 p.m., the sources said.

Creep tried to lure boys into car in Queens with pizza offer: cops

A creep made an attempt to lure two brothers — ages 8 and 10 — into a car with food in Queens, a police source said Friday.

Ohio man impregnated, held girl captive while out on bond for abducting 2 others: FBI

Cody Jackson, 20, was being electronically monitored when he took a third victim and held her hostage for four months, authorities said.

'I SUPERVISED': Rudy Giuliani helps rescue man from Manhattan car wreck

A white Chevy SUV flipped on the northbound FDR Drive at Grand St. at 9:02 a.m., cops said. Giuliani and two associates stopped to help the shaken motorist.

Ebony mag's 'Cosby Show' cover sparks outrage and support

Two men who hospitalized gay couple, leaving one man with wired jaw get slap on the wrist, banned from downtown Philly

Two men who viciously attacked a gay couple in Philadelphia will be getting away with a slap on the wrist for their homophobic beatdown.

GONZALEZ Puerto Rican leaders call on U.S. for help with looming $72B default

Puerto Rican leaders in the U.S. held an emergency summit in Florida this week hoping to ramp up pressure on Congress and President Obama.

Palestinians torch Joseph's tomb site in West Bank

Dozens of Palestinians have thrown firebombs at a West Bank site revered by some Jews as the tomb of biblical patriarch Joseph.

SKIRTING THE ISSUE: Katherine Heigl exposes herself while on set

U.S. to halt Afghanistan withdrawal, will keep 5,500 troops beyond 2016

Obama will announce Thursday that the U.S. plans to keep 5,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan after he leaves office in 2017.

Computer glitch that sparked outages at Kennedy, other major U.S. airports not caused by foul play: feds

Federal officials are still determining what caused computer outages at several major airports, but don’t believe foul play was involved.

Donald Trump and Ben Carson threaten to boycott next GOP debate

Donald Trump and Ben Carson are threatening to boycott the next GOP debate if they don't get to dictate its format.

Florida man arrested after recording himself having ‘sexual contact’ with small pit bull: police

A Florida man was arrested for recording himself having the wrong kind of puppy love.

Another Cosby accuser sues comedian for defamation

U.S military analysts knew they were bombing hospital in Oct. 3 attack that killed 12 Doctors Without Borders staffers: report

The field hospital in Afghanistan that U.S. forces bombed earlier this month was known to American officials as a protected medical site.

Clinton appears with Castro at Texas rally, blasts NRA

Latinos are a crucial voting bloc Clinton is looking to as a bulwark against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primaries.

'MEEK AND TIMID KILLER': Mom accused of helping N.Y. church members in beating of sons 'went along with it'

Deborah Leonard is charged with helping her husband and other members of the Word of Life Christian Church beat her sons.

SHAUN KING Ignoring U.S. drone strikes is dangerous

A great team of journalists at The Intercept released a cache of classified documents on American drone strikes and the troubling system of targeted assassinations by our government across the world.

AUTOS

Daily News Deal of the Week: 2015 Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS is a great car in need of nothing more than some fine-tuning in terms of quality and detailing.

Mandatory recall of 2.4 million VW cars ordered in Germany

The Dieselgate mess continues for VW, but the slow climb back to cleaning their image is well under way.

BMW M2: A mischievous BMW

BMW's outrageous, fascinating M2 represents nothing less than the essence of the brand.

Volkswagen's response to diesel scandal: electric Phaeton

After emissions scandal, Volkswagen rolls out new diesel strategy and announces plan to make an EV Phaeton sedan the brand's flagship

emblem Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the people who live here inspiring every day.

New York

EXCLUSIVE CUNY unveils $42M plan to boost graduation rates

The City University of New York is unveiling an ambitious $42 million plan to boost graduation rates at its community colleges, the Daily News has learned.

NYC hotel workers busted for sending johns to hooker guests

Workers at hotels in Brooklyn and Queens were nabbed on Thursday for funneling johns to prostitutes who stayed there, law enforcement sources said.

Navy veteran father-in-law of former Newser dies aged 89

John Vairette, a United States Navy veteran and union painter passed away this week. He was 89. Vairette, a lifelong New Jersey resident, passed away in Red Bank on Sunday.

NY enforces 'Surprise Bill Law,' starting with urgent care centers: Attorney General

The state is enforcing the “Surprise Bill Law,” starting with urgent care centers, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said.

12 housing projects lead NYC in mold problems, vermin infestations

A dirty dozen housing projects have the highest number of mold problems and vermin infestations of all the subsidized developments in the city, according to a report by state Sen. Jeffrey Klein.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

NYC nonprofit aims to increase women's participation in tech, launches new job network with $2.7M in corporate donations

AT&T and others donated money to Girls Who Code to help the group lead female students into the fields of science, technology, engineering and math — better known as STEM.

$131M in lobbying to push Cuomo, state lawmakers in 2015

Nearly $131 million was spent trying to influence Gov. Cuomo and state lawmakers during the first half of 2015, a report revealed.

New bill allows NYC to fix broken elevators when landlords won't comply

The City Council on Thursday passed a bill that allows the city to step in and fix a broken elevator when negligent landlords fail to do it.

Spending on homeless to reach close to $1B in 2015: study

Spending on the city homeless shelters rose a whopping 62% in the past eight years.

Sports

Harvey 'couldn't be more excited' about Game 1 NLCS start

The Mets will open the NLCS against the Cubs Saturday at Citi Field, and Matt Harvey will have the ball in his hands. Just like the Mets once envisioned, well, with a few high-drama detours in between.

Jacob deGrom hangs tough for gutsy six innings in Game 5 win

Anyone who watched the Dodgers’ first five batters Thursday night and is claiming they believed Jacob deGrom would leave the game after six innings with a lead is flat-out lying.

Dodgers' Chase Utley goes out quietly in 9th inning vs. Mets

Chase Utley lives! It’s just his and the Dodgers’ season that died Thursday night. The Dodgers second baseman made his first appearance in the series since his controversial Game 2 slide broke Ruben Tejada’s leg last week.

VIDEO: Andre Ethier flips out on manager Don Mattingly

Why was Andre Ethier screaming at Donnie Baseball? The Dodgers outfielder was caught on camera getting into a heated shouting match with manager Don Mattingly in the dugout in the third inning of Thursday's Game 5.

PURPLE REIGN: Celebs post photos for #SpiritDay

NYC council speaker to dedicate immigration speech to Trump

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said Thursday she is dedicating an upcoming immigration speech to Donald Trump.

Fox News commentator accused of lying about his CIA career, charged with fraud against U.S.

Wayne Simmons, 62, was arrested Thursday and charged with false statements, major fraud against the U.S. and wire frauds, the Washington Post reported.

SEE THE VIDEO WHAT WOULD DONALD SAY? Trump supporter spits, unleashes flurry of f-bombs on Latino protester at Virginia rally

WARNING GRAPHIC LANGUAGE: This is the latest face of civility at a Donald Trump rally.

Biden's family would support presidential campaign: report

Vice President Biden's family is on board for another presidential bid and he's personally calling into early primary states.

WOMEN IN POWER: Meet Elle's Hollywood bosses

'GETTING AWAY FROM ALL OF THIS': Girls who found Odom unconscious take break from Love Ranch

The two girls who partied with Lamar Odom on the night before he nearly died were missing from the Love Ranch Vegas on Thursday.

Suspected cop-shooter had 'hit list' and gun arsenal

An East Harlem man accused of shooting at two cops in Queens in 2011 had a “hit list” of targets when he was captured.

Paris train hero released from hospital after stabbing

The Air Force medic was photographed smiling among his own heroes, seen dressed in white coats and scrubs, following seven days' treatment.

2 mayors, 1 million trees: De Blasio, Bloomberg come together on planting day

De Blasio and Bloomberg have agreed to come together to plant the millionth tree of the Million Trees NYC program, according to sources.

Megan shares cute pic of Fox-y son Bodhi

Mayor de Blasio says he 'stands with Israel'

Mayor de Blasio said Thursday his upcoming trip to Israel has “taken on extra meaning” amid a spate of violence there.

SEE IT PURE INSPIRATION: Double amputee HS football player in Oklahoma giving teammates a real life lesson

A double amputee is inspiring his high school football team.

Pop artist Peter Max can go home with wife: court

Pop artist Peter Max, 77, got to go home with his wife, Mary, after his son claimed she was abusing his father.

Ex-boyfriend kills former love, tells her mother over phone

A twisted ex-boyfriend killed his former love and then called her mother to brag about it, Houston officials said.

Emily, Selena and Lupita light up Broadway

2 Libyans named as new Lockerbie plane bombing suspects

A bomb shattered the New York-bound Boeing 747 as it flew over Scotland on Dec. 21, 1988, killing 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground.

'Beat' the Mets? Think again! LAPD cops to go undercover as Amazin's fans to prevent violence

L.A. cops say they will go undercover as Mets fans Thursday to prevent violence like the kind that broke out after Game 1 in Dodger Stadium.

Schumer says college students should get commute discount

A bill that Sen. Schumer proposed would give federal money to transit agencies, offering college students a 25% discount.

Robert Durst may face lawsuit from family of his first wife

The family of Robert Durst’s first wife took the first step Thursday in pursuing a lawsuit against the eccentric real estate heir.

Kathie Lee & Hoda: John Stamos joins pack of sexy grandpas

7 nominees submitted to Gov. Cuomo for N.Y.'s chief judge

Former U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia and Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore are among seven nominees for New York’s next top judge.

Council members move to crack down on 'bad-actor' contractors

Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito moved Thursday to crack down on bad-actor contractors putting up affordable apartments.

U.S. toddlers shot one victim per week in 2015; Missouri, Florida lead in tot-involved gun accidents

You're more likely to be shot by an armed toddler than to be struck and killed by lightning.

KEYSTONE COPS: Pennsylvania officers release possible name of woman found dead in 1973 — then realize suspected victim is still alive

Pennsylvania police thought they cracked a 42-year-old cold case — until they realized their suspected victim is alive and well.

‘Nashville’ writers rework scripts as Hayden gets postpartum help

VOCATIV Bernie Sanders growls like a president, according to voice analysis

Studies suggest voice frequency can influence elections. Vocativ did a voice analysis and found out who will make the pitchiest president.

FIND THEM! L.A. cops release description of suspects in brutal beating after Mets-Dodgers game

Witnesses said the pair beat down a fan after an argument in a Dodger Stadium parking lot Friday after a Mets victory.

Northern Arizona University student charged with second-degree murder in campus shooting

Steven Jones initially was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Colin Brough, 20, following a confrontation last Friday. That charge was downgraded in a complaint released Wednesday.

Trump University was ‘classic’ fraud, says prosecutor

A state prosecutor said Thursday that Trump University deserves an F in ethics.

Daily News Video

VIDEO Kayaking off Chincoteague Island

Daily News photographer Marcos Santos takes paddles through the calm waters around Chincoteague Island in Virginia, where he captures images of fishermen and wild ponies.