MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

XCLUSIVE: Woman bullied into and 'butchered' by unwanted hysterectomy awarded ONLY $142K after suing for $5M

A jury added insult to injury Wednesday, handing down a “shockingly low” verdict in a lawsuit brought by Jill Jacobs who said she was unknowingly bullied into a hysterectomy that she didn’t want or need.

KICK IT! Time to root for the Red, White & Blue as they face Germany in hopes of advancing in World Cup tournament

Phone-hacking scandal could 'kill' News Corp if corporate charges are sought

A lawyer for Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp pleaded with British cops and prosecutors not to file charges in a phone-hacking scandal, arguing it would be “apocalyptic” for the company, report says.

Former Detroit teacher accused of having sex with 15-year-old student in her classroom

Kathryn Ronk, 29, turned herself over to Madison Heights Police Department Wednesday for alleged sexual misconduct between her and a student at Bishop Foley Catholic High School, according to a report.

Vermont man accused of attempted murder told bogus bear attack story

Lucas Gingras, who has pleaded not guilty, told his girlfriend they were being attacked by a bear and she should jump off cliff. Then he pushed her, cops say.

Vanderbilt beats Virginia in College World Series for first national title

For a guy who doesn’t hit many home runs, John Norwood’s timing was impeccable. Norwood’s tie-breaking homer in the top of the eighth inning carried Vanderbilt to a 3-2 win over Virginia on Wednesday night for the Commodores’ first national championship.

Woman sues MTA, Showtime after falling over giant 'Dexter' ad

TD GARDEN NIGHTMARE: 'Medical issues' hospitalize Boston concertgoers who arrived intoxicated

Many people who attended an electronic dance music show featuring Swedish disc jockey Avicii at the TD Garden arena on Wednesday showed up intoxicated and several were hospitalized, authorities said.

Strutting Tennessee park ranger canned after mom complains about his 'dirty' dancing

Melissa Parsons posted a video of Deryl Nelson, a 51-year-old Coolidge Park employee who was known to locals as the 'Dancing Park Ranger,' getting low in uniform to YouTube.

IT'S OFFICIAL! City Council approves $75 billion budget

The City Council approved a $75 billion budget early Thursday morning that will set a new, more liberal tone for government spending over the next year.

Pregnant wife of ex-Seattle Mariners outfielder sentenced to jail for stealing credit card info from Felix Hernandez's wife

Wife of Carlos Peguero ordered to spend a year and a day behind bars for going on a shopping spree that totaled nearly $200,000 with a debit card belonging to the wife of star pitcher Felix Hernandez.

KIM WIGS OUT! Hot blond locks are fake

Artworks on display at Metropolitan Opera vandalized by unknown vandal

The fat lady is singing the blues. Someone snuck into the Metropolitan Opera and defaced several artworks inside the famed music hall, authorities said Wednesday.

House will sue Obama accusing him of abusing executive authority

WASHINGTON — The Republican-led House will file a lawsuit accusing President Obama of abusing his executive authority by failing to carry out laws passed by Congress, Speaker John Boehner announced Wednesday.

TOXIC MOM: Missouri woman convicted of poisoning twin babies with rubbing alcohol in chocolate milk

Gloria S. Jones, 23, of Kansas City, told police she felt overwhelmed and mixed the substance into her daughters' chocolate milk so they would stop being whiny.

Daughter testifies against her father, who's accused of plotting the murders of her lover's family in Pakistan

Amina Ajmal, 23, took the witness stand to testify against her father, Mohammad Ajmal Choudhry, who faces life in prison if he’s convicted of orchestrating the so-called “honor killings” half a world away.

University of Maryland lacrosse player sexually assaulted sleeping concertgoer: report

A 49-year-old woman claims she woke up to find Benjamin Chisolm inappropriately touching her after she fell asleep on the lawn during a show by the Zach Brown Band at Virginia's Jiffy Lube Live venue Sunday.

Sword-wielding actor in iconic 'Indiana Jones' duel dead

Driver accused of running down Ariel Russo, 4, while fleeing from cops gets light plea offer

An unlicensed teen driver charged with fatally mowing down little Ariel Russo while fleeing from the cops last year was offered a reduced sentence by a judge on Wednesday.

Supreme Court rules police need a warrant to search cell phone of anyone they arrest

Making a sweeping statement about digital-age privacy, the court ruled unanimously that police need a search warrant before inspecting a phone of anybody they arrest.

Man accused of murdering Minnesota Vikings star's 2-year-old son arrested for kidnapping, assault

Joseph Robert Patterson, 28 allegedly kidnapped and attacked the mother of Adrian Peterson's late son early Tuesday. Patterson had been freed on $750,000 bond after charged in the 2013 murder.

Detroit boy, 12, missing for 11 days found unharmed in father’s basement

The bizarre case of a missing 12-year-old Detroit boy was resolved Wednesday when police found him in his father’s basement, a happy resolution after cops feared the boy dead after disappearing 11 days ago.

Mom tossed 20-month-old baby from moving car while 7-year-old watched: cops

A twisted Louisiana mom tossed her 20-month-old toddler from a moving car, critically injuring the child, in a sick bid to get the attention of the child's father, cops say.

New York

LIRR SHOWDOWN: Workers threatening to strike as early as July 20 laugh off MTA’s most recent offer of 17% raises as bad joke

An official with the coalition of LIRR workers threatening to strike as early as July 20 likened the MTA's latest offer — 17% raises over seven years — to a bad joke.

1 in 3 New Yorkers enrolled in Obamacare are under 35

A large number of of young adults have obtained health insurance through New York State’s Obamacare website — but maybe not enough of them to keep the system afloat financially.

Port Authority, developer move ahead with 3 WTC deal

The Port Authority and developer Larry Silverstein agreed Wednesday on a way to pay for completion of the stalled 3 World Trade Center project.

Teacher fined $6K for touting daughter's babysitting business

An Upper West Side teacher learned her own lesson about promoting her daughter’s babysitting business on the job, authorities said Wednesday.

Toll collector pocketed MORE THAN $24,000 in cash from driver: authorities

Jonathan Germain, 22, faces up to 15 years in prison for allegedly swapping out the real cash for counterfeit bills as a toll collector at the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

NYPD investigate if city's drop in stop-and-frisk has raised shootings

THE NYPD is investigating whether there is a correlation between the city’s drop in stop-and-frisks and its rise in shootings.

Educations advocates ask judge to restore $1B in state school aid earlier than trial

Education advocates have asked a judge to restore $1 billion in aid to state schools before their case even goes to trial — the latest development in a years-long legal battle.

MTA board member: Improvements needed at Penn Station

IT SEEMS LIKE an MTA board member from Long Island has a case of terminal envy. Speaking at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board’s monthly meeting Wednesday, Mitchell Pally described Pennsylvania Station as a “disgrace” in comparison to Grand Central Terminal.

Jonathan Safran Foer and Nicole Krauss slash price of Park Slope home to $13M after split

Former literary power couple Jonathan Safran Foer and Nicole Krauss' marriage may not have been as blissful as it looked — but their house still looks pretty close to perfection.

Nigerian singer offers her virginity if kidnapped girls freed

Victim in McDonald's stabbing refuses to talk: cops

Cops are being cut out of the investigation into the Queens brawl that ended with a man standing outside a McDonald’s with a knife sticking out of his back, authorities said Wednesday.

Vegan Florida mom charged with neglect with refusing formula for sick newborn

Cops charged a holistic Florida mom with child neglect after she allegedly refused to take her dehydrated newborn to the hospital because of her vegan lifestyle.

Robber shot dead after hold up at Los Angeles weed dispensary: police

An armed robber was shot dead by a security guard after the man and an accomplice, who escaped unharmed, tried to hold up a Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensary near LAX airport.

Ex-Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci — a twice-convicted felon — plans new run for mayor

Buddy Cianci, the twice-convicted felon who led Providence as mayor for 21 years, wants his old job back. Cianci said Wednesday that he is running as an independent for a seventh term as mayor.

NFL agrees to remove cap on concussion damages

The league and lawyers for the 4,500 former NFL players who accused the league of covering up the long-term consequences of traumatic brain injuries unveiled a proposed settlement on Wednesday that removes the cap on concussion-related damages.

Kathie Lee & Hoda: Michelle Wie had the right to twerk

Rangel calls de Blasio, Sharpton's neutrality 'strange' during race

Savoring his election triumph, Rep. Charles Rangel said Wednesday he still cannot understand why the Rev. Al Sharpton and Mayor de Blasio stayed neutral and didn’t support him in Tuesday’s primary.

Corvette stolen in Detroit 33 years ago found in Mississippi

More than three decades after George Talley kissed his stolen 1979 Corvette goodbye the 71-year-old got a phone call last week announcing its incredible recovery.

FBI agent grilled in trial of ex-councilman Daniel Halloran

EX-CITY Councilman Daniel Halloran’s lawyer accused an FBI undercover testifying in Halloran’s bribery trial Wednesday of living large on the public dime.

Hillary Clinton backs away from 'unartful' denial of family's wealth

The former secretary of state admitted, 'I shouldn’t have said the five or so words that I said' when she downplayed her family's wealth, during a PBS NewsHour interview to air Wednesday night.

IS THIS FOUL-MOUTHED FURBY FOR REAL? Welsh mom accuses toy of dropping the F-bomb

A mom in Wales says she was shocked to discover that a Furby toy she bought for her kids came out of its wrapping swearing.

Sports

Bondy: Defense for Suarez at World Cup is shameful, tooth be told

Who are you going to believe, Luis Suarez or your lying eyes? Or those slow-motion replays? Or those close-up photos shot through telephoto lenses? Let us count the indentations on Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder, for they are easily spotted.

Chandler & Felton Dallas-bound as Knicks ship starters to Mavericks

Phil Jackson has agreed to the first significant player move of his tenure as Knicks president, a source confirmed, and it is one that could free up some needed cap space as Carmelo Anthony prepares to hit the open market next week.

Vanderbilt beats Virginia in College World Series for first national title

John Norwood’s home run in the top of the eighth inning gave Vanderbilt the lead, and the Commodores beat Virginia 3-2 on Wednesday night for their first national championship. Norwood turned on Nick Howard’s 97 mph fastball and sent it into the left field bullpen to break a 2-2 tie in the third and deciding game of the College World Series finals.

Warm welcome for Gwynn Jr. in return

The cheers started when Tony Gwynn Jr. walked to the batter’s box, grew louder when he was introduced as a pinch-hitter and turned into a standing ovation when catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia went to the mound.

PHOTOS! From Suarez's bite to Dempsey's broken beak: 2014 World Cup's memorable moments

Whether it's Robin van Persie's header or Tim Cahill's volley strike, this World Cup has not lacked for quality.

LATEST NEWS: U.S. looks to join the ranks of World Cup surprises vs. Germany; Bondy's World Cup Diary: Schecter’s Law a safe bet at this World Cup; Bondy: Defense for Suarez at World Cup is shameful, tooth be told; Goal-oriented U.S. keeper Howard overcomes Tourette Syndrome; Klinsmann writes excuse note so soccer fans can skip work for U.S.-Germany; View All

Jill Duggar describes wedding day first kiss with new hubby

Idaho sheriff's deputies seek owner of lost bag of meth

Excuse me, is this your meth? Idaho authorities turned to Facebook to track down the owner of a lost bag of methamphetamine after it fell off a speeding motorcyclist southwest of Boise.

Federal judges strike down same-sex marriage bans in Indiana, Utah in two separate landmark rulings

A federal judge has struck down Indiana’s ban on gay marriage, calling it unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Richard Young ruled Wednesday that the state’s ban violates the U.S.

Washington hiker battles BEARS while awaiting helicopter rescue on Pacific Crest Trail

The 50-year-old unidentified hiker, said to be an active duty U.S. Army soldier, said he fought off the animals with bear spray while waiting nearly seven hours for a rescue off a North Cascades mountain Saturday.

Google to show off wearables, home gadgets

Google's two-day developer conference kicks off Wednesday, and the tech giant is likely to focus on wearables and Internet-connected home devices. The annual conference is usually focused on smartphones and tablets.

Diane Sawyer stepping down as ABC’s ‘World News’ anchor

George Soros offered ex $6.9 million to drop lawsuit: lawyer

Billionaire investor George Soros offered to give his ex-girlfriend $6.7 million to drop her lawsuit over a $1.9 million penthouse she says he promised her — but a settlement could not be reached.

Karl Rove backed Congressional candidate, 29, scores landslide GOP primary win

Elise Stefanik, a former aide to George W. Bush and adviser to Paul Ryan’s vice presidential campaign, is only 29 but scored a landslide victory over Matt Doheny, 43, in Tuesday’s GOP congressional primary in upstate New York.

Hippie 'Hitler' stabs man at peace fest: cops

So much for the summer of love. A hippie named "Hitler" allegedly stabbed at man during a massive bohemian festival dedicated to peace and love.

Ex-girlfriend of indicted Rep. Michael Grimm in plea talks with federal prosecutors

Diana Durand is looking to resolve charges of operating as a straw donor for the embattled politician, prosecutors said Wednesday during a hearing.

Vanessa Hudgens strips down for sexy vacation pic

Sick teen releases Facebook video after being put in Chicago foster care

First look at Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy in ‘Mad Max’ reboot

Arizona man choked girlfriend for cooking dinner too slowly: cops

GROPE CENTRAL STATION: Hub a hot bed for perverts — and female riders’ worst nightmare

Straphangers throughout the city reported being the victim of creeps bumping, grinding, groping, flashing or assaulting them more than 3,000 times over a five-year period — and Grand Central Station was the epicenter of the subway sleaze, an unprecedented Daily News data analysis of NYPD subway crime data revealed.

Brooklyn’s Broadway Junction top station for weapons possession: data

Hectic hub on Bedford-Stuyvesant/East New York border recorded 320 weapon-possession reports from July 2008 through June 2013.

EDITORIAL: Safety on track as NYPD keeps driving down subway crime

Thanks to the terrific data-crunching on display in the Daily News’ three-day series on subway crime, you can zero in on trends in lawlessness at the stations you frequent.

VIDEO ‘YOU’RE GETTING F---ING ARRESTED’: Subway rider fights back against perv

I was on a southbound No. 4 train en route to Chinatown, where I was going to meet a friend for dinner. Without warning, a man on the train made the unwise decision to make me the target of a sexual assault. He tried to rub himself against me by taking advantage of a packed subway train.