Friday, December 11, 2015

AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

Gov. Cuomo calls for overhaul to controversial Common Core in hopes of changing system into one that empowers parents, teachers, districts

Cuomo’s task force called for an overhaul to the controversial state academic standards in a report released Thursday.

Medical helicopter crash in Central California kills all 4 people aboard

The SkyLife air ambulance had a pilot, a nurse and a paramedic aboard when it went down, American Ambulance General Manager Todd Valeri said at a news conference.

THEIR 'GUIDING LIGHT': San Bernardino shooting victim Yvette Velasco mourned at funeral

Robert Velasco strode past a spray of white roses and tenderly kissed his daughter’s casket before delivering a heartbreaking eulogy for his 27-year-old daughter Yvette Velasco (pictured).

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EXCLUSIVE Tina Fey dishes on the coolest group text ever

Police arrest four suspects in connection to several Central Park muggings

The punks — all male, ages 20, 17, 15 and 14 — found themselves cuffed after cornering a man walking inside the park by E. 73rd St. and East Dr., not far from the Loeb Boathouse, authorities said.

Axe-wielding Manhattan man greets man at door with punch to his face

Police said a 55-year-old man came knocking at 37-year-old Lydell Flora’s E. 96th St. apartment around 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Car crash victim with Grateful Dead tickets in pocket ID'd 20 years later

DNA evidence confirmed that the man whose identity remained a mystery for two decades is Jason Callahan of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Kristin's heartbreak: TV star confirms brother's death

IT'S 'THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS': 'Operation Santa' kicks off in Manhattan post office

Every year the Postal Service intercepts thousands of letters from all over the country from kids requesting everything from bikes to boots.

Arizona man used 4-year-old son as human shield after failed robbery

Lorenzo Perez (pictured), 28, grabbed the boy in desperation when security guards caught him with $67 worth of goods stuffed down his pants at a JCPenney in Phoenix.

New Jersey man gets five-year sentence for killing Boy Scout leader who raped him decades ago

A New Jersey man who admitted killing the Boy Scout leader he said had raped him decades earlier received a five-year sentence Thursday.

Democrats will battle GOP to remove bill that prevents federal study on gun violence

Democratic lawmakers said Thursday they will push for the end of a 17-year provision that bans federal research on gun violence.

ONE NECK OF A TATTOO! Bieber reveals new ink

Staten Island woman made cookies for boyfriend before his murder-suicide

A 71-year-old Staten Island man who shot girlfriend Rosetta Fradella, 68, in the head and then turned the gun on himself had a seemingly pleasant exchange with her just moments before pulling the trigger.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel allegedly knew of dash cam video two months after Laquan McDonald was shot dead by police

Emanuel’s spokeswoman Shannon Breymaier was included in an email chain wondering whether the city would release the controversial footage, NBC Chicago reported.

'WE DON'T LIKE FA---TS ON OUR BLOCK': Beating of transgender woman in Brooklyn was hate crime, prosecutors say

Authorities said Mashawn Sonds grabbed a two-by-four piece of Plexiglass and bashed Kimy Hartman (pictured). She was hospitalized for three weeks where she underwent major brain surgery.

Karaoke bar police scandal expands, fourth NYPD cop stripped of gun and shield

The karaoke bar police scandal expanded with a fourth cop stripped of his gun and shield, police sources said.

Irina DOES know squat about keeping her bod in shape

MOM TO ROT: Florida woman pleads guilty to killing 3 kids, spared death sentence but gets life

A Florida woman pleaded guilty to murdering her three kids Thursday and received three life sentences instead of the death penalty.

'THIS IS COMMON SENSE... IT'S GOT TO STOP': Connecticut Governor Malloy intends to block anyone on terror watch lists from buying firearms in his state

The move comes four days before the three-year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. where 20-year-old Adam Lanza slaughtered 20 kids and six adults using an assault-style rifle.

Please don't 'allow me to rot in the landfill of lost souls': Creep pal of Jared Fogle begs judge after getting 27 years in prison

Russell Taylor was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to child exploitation and child porn charges.

Armed man who drove truck to Arkansas campus captured

An armed man who drove a truck on to an Arkansas college campus Thursday was captured after a one-hour standoff, officials said.

Not so golden! Globe favorites that failed at the Oscars

ISIS backers wanted to use 'homemade bombs' in Times Square

ISIS supporters from N.J. discussed using “homemade bombs” to attack New York CIty before they were busted by the FBI.

Geneva under 'precise threat' alert and manhunt underway for four men thought to be affiliated with ISIS

Authorities have raised the alert level to a “precise threat” from a “vague threat” as of Thursday afternoon after the tip on Wednesday, according to a Swiss official who spoke to The Associated Press.

Louisiana city marshals indicted on murder charges in 6-year-old boy’s shooting death

The indictment charged Derrick Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr. with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

AK, THEN! Fargo principal rejects photo of student holding assault rifle for the yearbook, so dad posts it on Facebook

This photo is too hot for the yearbook.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2015

HEY, BEAUTIFUL! Best makeup, nail polish for season

From makeup to perfume to nail polish, check out the hottest beauty products for this holiday season ... By Tracy Brock and Raakhee Mirchandani

DOGGYSTYLE: Pamper you pooch with these surprise holiday gifts

Are you barking (or meow-ing) mad for your pets? Treat them this holiday season with these perfect gifts for your furry four-legged friends ...

AUTOS

JIMINY CRICKET: Mattel's cricket-powered 'Bug Racer' has us bugging out

Our collective antennae raised at the mention of a bug-powered car, and according to Mattel, it's for real.. and on sale for just $40.

Man finds $180,000 Dodge Charger Daytona rusting away in barn

The flame-painted 1969 Dayton is one of just 503 ever made.

Lotus reveals newest coupe, Exige Sport 350

Lotus has revealed the name and specs for their newest coupe, the Lotus Exige Sport 350.

LAND OF THE RISING RATINGS: Japan cars are best in safety rankings

Japanese cars lead the way as safest vehicles for 2016 model year.

First Look: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Our exclusive first look at the brand new 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Test Drive and Review: 2016 Range Rover Sport SVR

Range Rover’s supercharged SUV has the heart of a supercar.

New York

One World Trade Center construction company to pay $20M for overtime scam

Tishman Construction Corp. has agreed to pay more than $20 million for overbilling clients for phantom overtime, prosecutors said.

EXCLUSIVE NYCHA sues insurers over Hurricane Sandy money

More than three years after Hurricane Sandy, the Housing Authority is suing its insurers, charging that they’re stiffing them out of millions of dollars in coverage.

Common Core Opt-Out movement prompts shift in Cuomo’s education panel

While the state task force that evaluated Common Core wants students and teachers to succeed, one winner may already have emerged.

Subway ridership hit 6.2M one-day record in October

There were 15 days in October where more than 6 million riders hit the rails — a modern record going back to at least 1985, when the MTA started to keep daily tallies on ridership.

Suspected Nyack College perv coach outed, ‘harassed’ lesbian student

Nyack College in Rockland County canned women’s softball coach Kurt Ludwigsen in March, after players came forward alleging that he groped their breasts and hit their buttocks.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Gov. Cuomo's economic grants don't leave much for New York City

The city was awarded $84.1 million in economic development grants, ranking second to last among the eight regions that competed for a total of $2.25 billion handed out Thursday.