MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

PUNCHES MISSING: New York AG probing video of Delrawn Small shooting in Brooklyn — footage disputes report that he punched off-duty cop repeatedly

The state Attorney General’s office is reviewing damning video of a Fourth of July road rage incident that shows a 37-year-old man getting fatally shot by an off-duty cop.

Tractor trailer crushes elderly man's legs in Jamaica Hills, Queens

A tractor trailer struck an elderly man in Queens Friday afternoon, crushing his legs under the big rig’s wheels.

'YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND BEING BLACK': Gingrich says white people don't know danger faced by African-Americans

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) had some surprising words on race Friday after a tragic week.

Democratic Party platform includes $15 minimum wage

NBC News reported that the language mentions raising the minimum to $15 an hour.

WE LEARN: Alanis Morissette welcomes daughter Onyx Solace

Cop slain in Dallas ambush was Army veteran, served 28 years as police officer

A Dallas police officer killed in the ambush at a protest was an Army veteran and father of two serving in his 28th year as an officer.

Obama pushes for peace after calling Dallas murders ‘vicious’

President Obama called for peace Friday in the wake of the slaughter in Dallas that left five police officers dead.

'TIRED OF Y’ALL TRYIN TO BE ON THESE COPS SIDE': Sister of Dallas sniper Micah Xavier Johnson defends shooting rampage, says officers deserved it

Nicole Johnson defended her sibling's actions, claiming that cops needed “to get a taste of the life we now fear.”

Kim K, other stars fearing for kids’ lives after recent shootings

Missouri cop in critical condition after he's 'ambushed,' shot by driver he'd just ticketed in St. Louis suburb — comes day after Dallas attack

The driver, later identified by prosecutors as Antonio Taylor, 31, got out of his pulled-over car, shot the officer at least once in the neck and fled, sources said.

Georgia police officer who was shot multiple times was ambushed by gunman who called 911

A gunman and a police officer exchanged fire in south Georgia early Friday.

'BLACK LIVES MATTER IS NOT SAVING BLACK LIVES': Giuliani says movement puts 'target on police officers' backs'

In the wake of the massacre in Dallas Thursday that left five police officers dead, Giuliani said the swell of protests and demonstrations in response to black men being shot and killed by cops led to “divisiveness and anti-police rhetoric.”

Dallas police officer slain in ambush was father of two married to detective from same department

A Dallas police officer killed in the ambush at a protest event was a 14-year officer married to a detective from the same department.

Greta defends Fox boss Roger Ailes, slams ex-colleague who filed sex suit

Shaun King In a country built on violence and racism, cop killer Micah Johnson is the making of America’s own creation

Please allow me to teach you how to bake a cake from scratch. The recipe has just seven ingredients and it's pretty hard to mess up.

Activists demand Westchester County enforce 2009 racial desegregation order for affordable housing

A coalition of Westchester organizations demanded Friday that the U.S. District Court enforce a 2009 desegregation order.

TSA probes a Delta Air Lines jetliner for landing at Air Force Base instead of nearby airport in South Dakota

The Delta A320 landed at Ellsworth Air Force Base at 8:42 p.m. Central Time Thursday, when its destination was an airport in Rapid City, board spokesman Peter Knudson said Friday.

Developing Miami Children's Hospital was put on lockdown due to reports of active shooter

A children's hospital in Miami was put on lockdown Friday due to reports of an active shooter and possible bomb.

LECTURE FROM SPOCK: Quinto 'disappointed' by Takei's comments on gay Sulu

Dallas shooter Micah Xavier Johnson who killed five cops wanted to kill more, had a 'well-thought out evil strategy'

The ambush killing of five Dallas cops during a protest march was a carefully-plotted scheme to murder unsuspecting white law enforcement officers, officials said Friday.

Conservative blogger arrested after pulling gun on group protesting police shootings in Portland

Michael Strickland, 36, was videotaping the rally when he pulled a handgun from his waist and wildy waved it at the crowd.

Obama to visit Dallas next week, will return early from Europe

Obama had been scheduled to return to Washington on Monday.

NYPD union head says Dallas massacre shows hand of Black Liberation Army, calls Obama and de Blasio untrustworthy

The Dallas ambush signaled the rebirth of the Black Liberation Army, the head of the NYPD’s sergeant’s union said.

Ciara shows off big rock with new hubby Russell Wilson

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls Dallas Black Lives Matter protesters ‘hypocrites’

Black Lives Matter protesters who found themselves in a hail of gunfire at the Dallas ambush are “hypocrites,” the Lt. Gov. of Texas said.

Hedge fund manager who allegedly bribed Norman Seabrook lives near head of controversial inmate cash system

The man accused of bribing the city's former jail union boss lives near head of a controversial inmate money transfer system.

Utah resident is first Zika-related death in continental U.S.

An elderly Utah resident who contracted Zika virus died in late June, the first confirmed Zika-related death in the continental U.S.

Dallas protest organizer in shock over slain officers

A lead organizer of the Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas where a sniper opened fire on cops said he was stunned by the deadly assault.

Autos

VW's California fines, Tesla's crash probes, and more

We've also got news on the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, popular used electric cars, and more in today's Daily Drive-Thru.

REVIEW 2016 Lexus RX 450h Road Test

Is an angular exterior and hybrid technology enough to take Lexus’s RX crossover from boring but strong-selling to the luxury SUV elite?

PHOTOS MADE IN AMERICA: Top 11 Most American SUVs

According to the 2016 Kogod Made in America Auto Index, these are the SUVs that contain the most "total domestic content," making them the "most American" vehicles in their class, listed in alphabetical order.

PHOTOS MADE IN AMERICA: Top 10 'Most American' Trucks

According to the 2016 Kogod Made in America Auto Index, these are the trucks that contain the most "total domestic content," making them the "most American" vehicles in their class, listed from the least amount to the greatest.

SEE IT Video: Nissan tweaks design, engine for refreshed 2017 Pathfinder

Nissan has restyled its Pathfinder crossover SUV for the 2017 model year, adding new design, wheels and direct injection engine.

First Pictures! 2017 Nissan Pathfinder Photos

Nissan's 2017 Pathfinder received a refresh in all facets including interior, exterior, technology, and safety. This midsize crossover SUV is sure to compete in an already competitive segment.

New York

Cellphone robber who fatally struck woman while fleeing cops in Queens just got out of prison for a similar crime

A cellphone robber who killed a 78-year-old woman while fleeing police was recently let out of prison for killing another driver in 1989.

Man arrested after allegedly elbowing NYPD cop in the forehead during Manhattan police brutality protest

Cabel Perkins allegedly elbowed an officer in the forehead at 57th St. and 5th Ave., leaving the cop with a bruise, police said. The officer was not taken to the hospital.

Cops hunt teen creep who groped two women within 15 minutes on Bronx streets

Cops are looking for a teenage boy who groped two women in the Bronx on Tuesday, officials said.

De Blasio unveils policy changes in wake of Rivington House deal

The city will invest back into the community the $16 million it netted from a controversial land deal on the Lower East Side.

EXCLUSIVE NFL recruiter says he was stiffed by top sports agency, paid less than $10G over five years

Zachary Hiller claims that the agents didn't pay him for scouting NFL players, and stiffed him on $70,000 in job-related expenses.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

NYPD union head wants assault rifles in patrol cars as Dallas shooting prompts change in tactics

The NYPD is changing its tactics in response to the fatal police shooting in Dallas, Texas, officials said Friday.

City EMS worker hospitalized after shot with BB gun in Bronx — third BB gun incident in area in last month

The EMT was waiting inside an ambulance at a stoplight on E. 163rd St. near Intervale Ave. in Foxhurst when he was shot in the side about 10:45 a.m.