MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

INSIDE THE 9/11 MEMORIAL MUSEUM: A first look at the moving tribute to the devastating loss and incredible recovery that followed the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil — SEE THE PHOTOS

In honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the 9/11 Memorial Museum will open on May 21 at the site of the World Trade Center. Among the artifacts on display are the Ladder 3 Fire Truck (center), the 'Survivors' Stairway' (left), and steel remnants of the World Trade Center (right). read full story »

Lupica: New 9/11 Museum becomes magnificent part of Bloomberg's legacy due to his vision, leadership and $15M of his own money

The museum being unveiled Thursday is a cathedral that honors the greatness of New York. 'The city needed this and the country needed it and the world needed it,' the former NYC Mayor told Lupica.

Body language expert: Jay Z and Beyoncé are used to Solange's anger outbursts

After reviewing the shocking Standard Hotel elevator footage, I’m certain of two things: Solange Knowles’ anger has been building up for some time, and Jay Z and Beyoncé are used to her outbursts.

HEAR IT N.Y. school official resigns after calling woman ‘chubby wubby’ on hot mic at board meeting

Some have called for the resignation of Ray Cote in the small town of Mahopac in Putnam County after he called a parent "chubby wubby,' who "gets fatter and fatter at every meeting,"

NIGHTMARE: Emotionally disturbed cross-dresser tries to light subway token booth on fire with worker inside

An man dressed as a woman tried to torch a subway token booth on Tuesday in the Bronx, but the agent calmly used a fire extinguisher to snuff out the blaze, transit sources said.

Bieber questioned by LAPD over alleged attemped robbery

Anonymous woman pays $500 restaurant tab for autistic N.J. kids and their teachers

The kind-hearted anonymous donor dropped nearly $500 by paying the Tex-Mex restaurant tab for 21 Matthew Jago Elementary School educators and their 25 autistic charges earlier this month.

Florida gym coach arrested for stealing money from his STUDENTS

'Operation: Sticky Fingers,' which partnered with the Volusia County Sheriff's office and New Smyrna Beach High School, led to the bust of Rodney Barnes, 43, on felony charges Monday.

Ex-nun-in-training to be sentenced in newborn baby’s death in Washington, D.C.

Sosefina Amoa of Somoa had only been in the U.S. for five days when she gave birth to the baby at a Washington convent last October, according to documents. She later confessed to smothering the baby.

CONCERT REVIEW: Lady Gaga turns MSG stage into bizarre photo shoot

Lupica: Yankees - Mets rivalry now looks like Flushing express

It was the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night, by which time the Mets had already scored 11 runs on the Yankees, the last three coming on a three-run shot from Daniel Murphy that tried to take off the top of the foul pole.

Baltimore votes to impose youth curfew in city, will start in July

The Baltimore City Council voted late on Monday to require children under 14 to be off the streets by 9 p.m., and those under 16 to be home by 10 p.m. Parents can be fined $500 if their children are caught after the curfew.

Suspect arrested after crashing truck into Baltimore TV station, claimed to be God: report

Police are looking for the man who rammed a dump truck into the lobby of ABC2 News. The suspect is thought to be holed up in the building, which has been evacuated.

EXCLUSIVE NYPD official to push to fire Brooklyn detective who shot partner after night of boozing

The Brooklyn detective who shot his partner after a night of boozing should be fired, a NYPD trials commissioner will recommend to Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, the Daily News has learned.

Ex-NYPD chief Bernie Kerik seeks subpoena of documents for lawsuit against A-Rod lawyer

Celebrity attorney Joe Tacopina's alleged cooperation with prosecutors pursuing former police commissioner Bernie Kerik on fraud and tax evasion charges will remain secret — at least for now.

Post your questions for tomorrow's live chat with 'Sharknado 2' star Ian Ziering

Michigan police shoot, kill couple's dog in their backyard, owners claim

Police were hunting for a suspect in Redford Township, Mich., on Sunday when they entered the backyard containing 10-month-old puppy Rock. Cops say the lab-pit pull mix was shot after charging at them.

‘Miracle’ toddler SURVIVES after 11-story fall from Minneapolis balcony

Doctors and neighbors are calling him the “miracle baby.” A 15-month-old toddler somehow survived an 11-story fall this weekend from a balcony in a Minneapolis housing project.

Oklahoma grandma shot in the head by grandson, 11, and SURVIVES with bullet lodged in head

Annie Mougell-Walker says she was going to talk to her grandson about him getting in trouble at school, but before she got her chance, she says the preteen blasted her. She was able to quickly call 911.

HEAR IT Man calls Oregon 911 center to find out where to buy weed

Here’s a tip: 9-1-1 is not a drug dealer’s phone number. A confused Oregon man used the emergency call system to inquire about the best place to find some sticky-icky.

Four men affiliated with New York nonprofit stole $12.4M in state funds meant for special-needs kids

A group of scammers helped themselves to $12M in state money intended to help special-needs children, allegedly using filched funding to pay for home renovations and wedding and bar mitzvah costs.

Three times the sexy: Kim K. Instagrams sizzling post-gym pic

Mississippi man accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Obama now wants to WITHDRAW guilty plea

James Everett Dutschke, who pleaded guilty in January to sending the toxic letters, had been scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday. But at the hearing, Dutschke said he was innocent.

Hook-handed accused terrorist Abu Hamza al-Masri lashes out at prosecutor, says 9/11 was inside job

Hate preacher Abu Hamza al-Masri repeatedly lashed out at a federal prosecutor on Tuesday while being questioned during his New York terrorism trial.

Obama awards heroic Afghanistan War veteran with Medal of Honor

Kyle J. White, a former Army sergeant who bravely risked his own life to save his comrades and help evacuate others during a deadly 2007 ambush, was honored at the White House Tuesday.

HOUSE OF CLAY: 'American Idol' runner-up wins N.C. Democratic congressional primary after opponent dies

“American Idol” singer Clay Aiken won what had been a hotly contested Dem primary for an N.C. congressional seat according to a final, unofficial vote count that was posted Tuesday.

Justin Timberlake opens up about decision to leave NSYNC*

SEE IT Dash cam video captures possible road rage attack in California

A vicious crash in Southern California involving a pickup truck that rammed a small sedan, causing both to careen off a highway, may have been a result of a road rage attack, authorities said.

FCC official Gigi Sohn talks proposed open internet rules during net neutrality Twitter Q&A

Proposed rules for what the Federal Communications Commission says will be needed to protect the open Internet were center stage during a Tuesday Twitter chat with a senior official at the commission.

White House slams Karl Rove's 'cognitive capacity' after he reportedly claims Hillary Clinton has brain damage

The White House joined Democrats in bashing Karl Rove for reportedly suggesting Hillary Clinton suffered from brain damage after a 2013 blood clot near her brain.

Chris Christie’s spokesman: we were blindsided by bridge closings to punish Fort Lee mayor

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s mouthpiece insisted Tuesday neither he — nor his boss — played any role in the Bridgegate scandal or the “actual or perceived ‘cover up.’”

Ex-Giant Sash is Tased, arrested after drunken scooter chase: reports

Former Giants safety Tyler Sash took Iowa police on a drunken scooter chase early Saturday morning that ended with him being Tased and arrested. Sash, a sixth-round pick in 2011 who spent two seasons with the Giants, was charged with public intoxication and interference with official acts in Oskaloosa, Iowa after leading police on a brief and bizarre chase around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Likely 2016 contenders get their spiritual houses in order

Tales of spiritual awakening are popping up among likely contenders in the 2016 presidential race: Rick Perry was baptized in March, Hillary Clinton reconnected with her Methodist roots at the denomination's women assembly in April and Jeb Bush has pledged his support for Catholic education in New York.

Teen drowns taking part in 'Cold Water Challenge'

A 16-year-old Minnesota boy has lost his life after taking part in what's known as the "Cold Water Challenge." Authorities say the victim, identified as Davis Colley, went swimming at Eagle Lake in Baylor Park Friday night by himself, and he drowned.

Two workers killed in West Virginia mine: official

WHARTON, W.Va. — State and federal officials say two workers who were trapped when the ground failed at a West Virginia mine with a history of safety violations have died.

Google must respect individual's privacy: ruling

People should have some say over the results that pop up when they conduct a search of their own name online, Europe's highest court said Tuesday.

UNDERWATER ATTACK: Scuba diver pulls oxygen mask off activist (VIDEO)

A scuba diver was caught on video ripping the oxygen mask off an environmental activist in a Hawaiian coral reef and the victim wants her assailant to be charged with attempted murder.

Rob Thomas on becoming gay: 'I’m still fairly young, anything can happen'

Eastern Ukraine rebel leaders call for region to become part of Russia

DONETSK/SLAVIANSK, Ukraine - Pro-Moscow rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine called on Monday for their region to become part of Russia, the day after staging a referendum on self-rule, although Moscow stopped short of endorsing their bid for annexation.

Smoke in radar facility halts flights into and out of O’Hare, Midway airports: report

A radar facility in Elgin, just northwest of Chicago, was forced to evacuate after smoke filled the center and activated the sprinklers around 11:30 a.m. CDT, according to a report.

BYE BEY: Solange deletes Beyoncé pics from Instagram

Oklahoma teacher gave flunking student 98% after having sex with him multiple times: cops

Kalyn Thompson, 25, allegedly gave the Kellyville High School teen a 98 per cent result in his English test — just months after he'd been struggling to pass the exams at all.

Oscar Pistorius should go to mental facility: prosecutor

State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel has called for Oscar Pistorius to be sent for a 30-day observation at a mental facility.

3 Connecticut boys found safe after beibng snatched by mother

Connecticut police have issued an amber alert for three young boys who may have been kidnapped by their mother.

German 2-year-old steals sleeping dad's Mercedes, crashes in parking garage

The 2-year-old tearaway reportedly stole the luxury car's keys from his sleeping father at 10 a.m. Sunday so he could take it for a spin.

Cleric claims he didn't know about Yemen kidnapping plot

Caustic cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri tried Monday to explain away his link to a 1998 hostage-taking of tourists in Yemen by casting himself as a would-be negotiator who didn’t know about the plot ahead of time.

George Zimmerman's friend now says he is guilty, racially profiled Trayvon Martin

Frank Taaffe vocally supported George Zimmerman throughout his trial and told the media his friend 'became the victim' following the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin. He's now had a chance of heart.

Taking the plunge: Lea Michele suffers wardrobe oops

AirAsia will doublecheck all passenger passports against Interpol list

Top Asian budget carrier AirAsia said Tuesday it will become the world's first airline to check the passports of all its passengers against Interpol's global database of 42 million stolen or lost travel documents by end of this month.

Florida mom who allegedly killed her teenage children was insane: doctor

TAMPA, Fla. – A woman accused of shooting her two teenagers called herself "a failure" because she didn't succeed at committing suicide after killing her children, a psychiatrist testified Monday.

January Jones lists $1.5 million Los Angeles home

Mississippi man who sent ricin-laced letters to President Obama to be sentenced Tuesday

A Mississippi man who pleaded guilty to making ricin and sending letters laced with the poison to President Barack Obama and other officials will be sentenced Tuesday in federal court.

Ex-con who made gay porn with twin aims to start new life

A former gay porn star who spent the last six years in prison doesn't hold a grudge against the identical twin brother who ratted him out. Taleon Goffney is hoping to start a new life after serving time for elaborate burglaries and other crimes.

Sports

SEE IT: Doc Rivers wants to ban replay after Clips loss to OKC

Russell Westbrook scored 38 points and made three free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining, and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a seven-point deficit in the final 50 seconds to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 105-104 on Tuesday night to go up 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinals.