MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

CLOSED! S.I. rally for NYPD chokehold victim Eric Garner stirs 'Ferguson' fears, prompting local businesses to shutter Saturday

Fearing Ferguson-style violence, several Staten Island merchants are planning to close their doors ahead of Saturday’s march against police brutality.

Abducted N.Y. Amish girls lured into car by chance to pet dog, says investigator

FOWLER, N.Y. — A northern New York couple used a dog to lure two Amish sisters from their family farm stand with a plan to turn them into slaves, an investigator said Thursday.

JAILHOUSE ROMPS: Two female Oregon jail workers had sex with same male inmate: authorities

The inmate at the center of the women's affection is Jang-Li Delgado-Galban, a convict doing time for sexual harassment, assault, failure to register as a sex offender and unlawful use of a weapon.

Obama administration's deal to free Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is illegal, watchdog agency says

The Obama administration broke the law when it swapped five Taliban terrorists being held at Guantanamo Bay for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a government watchdog agency said Thursday.

Lupica: Obama's return to the links shows lack of leadership

There are so many reasons, too many, why the American people now think Barack Obama is about as good at being President as he is at hitting a golf ball.

V. Stiviano: Sterling is gay and I helped conceal the secret

EXCLUSIVE Gonzalez: School officials lose $356M in special education funds over sloppy accounting

City public schools lost $356 million during the past three years in federal Medicaid payments for special education services because city and state officials failed to properly apply for reimbursement, the Daily News has learned.

Ohio man arrested for alleged rape, tells cops he is surprised more women haven't come forward

An Ohio man arrested for the rape of a Columbus woman told police he'd done the same, "and more serious," to at least six other women, authorities said.

DANKE SCHOEN! U.S. flags swiped from atop the Brooklyn Bridge to be returned by German officials: source

The flags, allegedly taken by a pair of German artists on July 22, are set to be coming home in deal being worked out with officials at the German Embassy, a police source said Wednesday.

Carmelo Anthony eager for Knicks turnaround, believes they will make playoffs

He wasn't suited up to play, but an optimistic Carmelo Anthony was on the hardwood on Thursday talking turnaround for the 2014 season.

Nick confirms he and Mariah are 'living in separate houses'

Bill de Blasio's $42M school bus worker proposal passes City Council

Mayor de Blasio's proposal to give $42 million to school bus workers who took pay cuts under the Bloomberg administration passed the City Council Thursday — with reservations.

Pregnant women should avoid all tuna: Consumer Reports

The Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed guidelines suggest that moms-to-be and women who are nursing eat between 8 and 12 ounces (about two to three servings) of low-mercury seafood a week.

SEE IT: California shopkeepers fight back against alleged serial thief in street brawl

In the dramatic video taken outside an Oakland liquor store, employees are seen grabbing and even jumping on the back of a thrashing man like fire ants after he allegedly swiped three bottles of champagne.

ONE CRUEL CAT: Oregon teen sentenced for carving swastika in ex-friend’s forehead, making him eat feline feces

Blue Christian James Kalmbach, 16, was the last of four teens sentenced for the “unthinkable” crimes, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the horrifying February torture session.

Rick Perry pushing for more aggressive U.S. military response in Iraq days after taking mugshot

The Texas governor has pressed for an aggressive U.S. military response in Iraq to hit Islamic state militants, including a sustained air campaign, and signaled he would support sending ground troops.

Kim shows off her tiny waist — with the help of a corset

One elderly gambling cheat busted, others sought after grifters hit Minn. racino

A grifting group of septuagenarians scammed a measly $200 bucks in 45 minutes playing a rigged poker game, authorities in Minnesota said.

Spiders get bigger, multiply faster in cities: Australian study

Researchers at the University of Sydney found that golden orb weaver spiders, which are found in both urban and rural areas, are more likely to be bigger, more fertile, and better fed in cities than in outside areas.

Arkansas student IMPALED in neck when golf club breaks at fraternity: officials

Natalie Eaton, 18, a first-year student at Arkansas State University, is in critical condition after the golf club broke while being used as a baseball bat at a fraternity party.

Florida dad locks 3 kids in car for 4 hours so he can drink at bar: police

Joshua Keith Delong, 28, parked his vehicle at a bar named Dr. B's in Ocala while his three children, ages 5, 7 and 8, remained in the car Wednesday night.

Pope Francis calls parents of slain journalist James Foley to give condolences

Moved by the grisly images of James Foley’s murder, Pope Francis expressed his condolences to the slain journalist’s parents in a heartfelt phone call.

911 calls released in fatal St. Louis police shooting of knife-wielding man as cops identify suspect — SEE THE VIDEO

WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO: The suspect reportedly refused to drop his weapon after stealing from a Six Stars Market convenience store along Riverview Blvd., approximately five miles southeast of Ferguson, around 12:30 p.m.

AT EASE, SOLDIERS: Missouri governor orders National Guard to pull out of violence-plagued Ferguson

The National Guard was told Thursday to leave the Missouri town that has been gripped by violence over the killing of an unarmed black teenager by a white cop.

Supporters create fundraising pages for Michael Brown’s family, cop Darren Wilson in days after Ferguson shooting

Supporters have created dueling donation pages for Michael Brown, the 18-year-old gunned down in Ferguson, Mo., and for police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot the teen dead 12 days ago.

NYPD under fire for appearing to beat man during NYC protest over Michael Brown shooting — VIDEO

The 45-second video begins after police officers and the man have started arguing in the middle of a dark street in the East Village. It was not apparent what prompted officers to react so forcefully.

New York

FDNY firefighter claims he choked colleague to defend himself from sex ‘hazing,’ sues city for $2.5M

A city firefighter busted for choking a colleague in a Brooklyn firehouse has filed a $2.5 million lawsuit claiming he was merely defending himself from a sexually charged “hazing” attack.

Cops in Harlem find loaded pistol on man while responding to call of unruly crowd

Two plainclothes cops responding to a call of an unruly crowd in Harlem discovered Thomas Green, 22, smoking a cigarette inside a building’s lobby on St. Nicholas Ave. at W. 113 St.

Diabetic man died at Rikers Island when he was denied medical treatment: lawsuit

A diabetic man died on Rikers Island after being denied medical treatment for two days, a new lawsuit charges.

PICTURED Taxi catches fire, backs up traffic on the Queensboro Bridge

A yellow cab burst into flames on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, snarling New York City traffic during evening rush hour Thursday, authorities said.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Schools pay $1.8M in Common Core hidden cost

A whopping 278 city schools spent nearly $2 million to keep teachers in the classroom this year instead of grading state English Language Arts and math tests.

Public Advocate pushes for body cameras for cops in wake of chokehold death

The waterproof three-ounce cameras James favors, worn on a lapel or belt, would record audio and visual for 48 hours on a single battery charge.

Rapper Joe Budden beat up his ex-girlfriend: reports

Rapper Joe Budden has been accused of beating up his ex-girlfriend, according to published reports.

SHE'S AN ACE! Serena serves up sizzling karaoke hits

Sharpton, Eric Garner's family plead case to feds for probe of chokehold

The Rev. Al Sharpton and family members of Eric Garner pleaded their case Thursday for a federal investigation of Garner’s police chokehold death directly to Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch, but left emptyhanded.

Woman who aided ‘Monsignor Meth’ is headed to prison

A woman who authorities say helped supply nearly 10 pounds of methamphetamine to a drug operation in Connecticut run by a Catholic priest dubbed “Monsignor Meth” has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Topps sues Ring Pop competitor, moves to pull rival suckers off shelves

Topps, the makers of Ring Pops, filed suit in Manhattan Federal Court Thursday to block another company’s plans to start selling Valentine Ring Lollipops.

Connecticut baby’s hot car death is a homicide, medical examiner rules

The state medical examiner's office said Benjamin Seitz died of hyperthermia after his father left him strapped in the back of his car on a sweltering day for several hours July 7.

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell talks troubled marriage at public corruption trial

McDonnell wrote a long, forlorn email to his wife three years ago trying to save his marriage, calling her his “soulmate,” yet he also said he grew so weary of her yelling that he began taking refuge in his office.

S&P 500 soars to record high, Dow Jones rises after positive reports on jobs, housing and manufacturing

The economy is heating up this summer, and investors are responding. U.S. stocks soared Thursday after the release of a slew of promising economic reports ranging from jobs to housing to manufacturing.

WATCH: Gwyneth nominates ex Chris for ALS challenge

'Cannibal cop' pal wants his conspiracy conviction overturned too

One of ex-NYPD officer Gilberto Valle’s alleged co-conspirators filed papers this week asking that his conviction be overturned like Valle’s because, like the former cop, his crimes were all imaginary.

Virginia man named Stoner arrested for having $10G worth of pot plants

A Virginia man with the name Paul Stoner has been arrested for having $10,000 worth of marijuana plants, police said Thursday.

High school apologizes for making special needs students dig through trash

"I personally apologize to any students who may have been humiliated," said Elliott Duchon, superintendent of Jurupa Unified School District. "Our teachers care very much about the students they teach."

SHOE PERV: Florida man uses camera on his foot to take 'upskirt' shots: cops

Paul Senzee, 40, was nabbed in Sanford by store security guards after a woman began yelling at the man, after he followed her around the giant retailer and then sidled up next to her at the checkout line.

Florida’s same-sex marriage ban declared unconstitutional by federal judge

A federal judge on Thursday declared Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, joining judges across the country who have sided with gay couples wishing to tie the knot.

SEE IT 'It’s embarrassing': L.A. man who appeared in 'pillow selfie' believed taken with stolen phone says he didn't take it

A smitten selfie-taker whose photos popped up on a burglary victim's cloud account said he didn't steal the woman's phone and never thought the private pics would go viral.

Sports

During Jets - Giants matchup, Eli will be just as scrutinized as Geno and Vick

It never seemed like a dream marriage. And now, things are on the verge of a nightmare. This is what it has come down to for Eli Manning and the Giants’ new-but-hardly-improved offense. On Friday night at MetLife Stadium, Big Blue will face Gang Green in their annual preseason meeting, and Manning will be just as scrutinized as Geno Smith and Michael Vick.

Madden: Despite the win, no disguising Yankees' stinky lineup

The day began with Joe Girardi gamely trying to deflect a barrage of media questions about why his team has been so stinky, and ended a brisk two hours and seven minutes after the first pitch with Brandon McCarthy having demonstrated how good pitching can camouflage all the ills of one of the most inept hitting teams in baseball.

Mehta: Jets starting QB job is Geno's to lose and first month is crucial

Our long national nightmare will be over in the next few days when the Jets put an official end to an officially laughable quarterback “competition” that insulted the intelligence of every sensible person in this solar system.

Baseball Insider: Hoping adults are kinder to Mo'ne than they were Cody

What happens later, when you are still a child? Do they spit on you, swear at you? Worship you, forget you? It is a chilling business, this instant fame, and it has molded Cody Webster.

LiLo becomes latest star to take ALS challenge

Killer denied bid to inherit $250,000 from estate of mother-in-law he strangled

A Brooklyn appeals court ruled Wednesday that Brandon Palladino, 28, could not indirectly inherit the money because he was the one responsible for her death.

DEA offices in New York City evacuated after black powder discovered inside letter

The Drug Enforcement Administration evacuated a floor of its Chelsea office building and quarantined three staffers after a threatening letter filled with an unknown black powder was discovered, cops said.

ESPN anchor sues upstate NY hockey arena after 'large coin machine fell upon her' in 'freak accident,' leaving her with gash in arm

Linda Cohn, host of ‘Listen Closely,’ was injured when a coin change machine fell on her and cut her arm at the Brewster Ice Arena.

Obama spends ANOTHER day on the golf course despite demands he cut vacation short

The commander-in-chief returned to the golf course with two of the three pals who joined him a day earlier: Ex-NBA star Alonzo Mourning and longtime friend Cy Walker.

Charges tossed against 8 defendants in Social Security disability scam involving retired cops and firefighters

Manhattan prosecutors dismissed the charges on Thursday, saying they had uncovered new evidence that led them to re-evaluate the case against the accused scammers.

Go back to school in style with these fresh new looks — PHOTOS

Woman dies after jumping in front of uptown train at Penn Station

The woman, who police had not identified Thursday morning, jumped in front of the oncoming train around 2:30 a.m., police said.

SEE IT Tiny storage broom cupboard in London apartment block listed for $12,500

It's got room for a broom — and not a lot else. But a storage cupboard in a London apartment block has been put up for sale — with an astonishing $12,500 price tag.

Texas softball coach sexually assaulted special needs child on team: police

A 12-year-old girl on Warren Doyle’s softball team told her parents that the 69-year-old man had been sexually assaulting her for weeks since an away game outside Baytown, Texas, said police.

Nearly 400 Starbucks customers 'pay it forward' after woman's random act of kindness at Florida location

Almost 400 people who visited a St. Petersburg, Fla., Starbucks on Wednesday got a break from the daily grind thanks to a woman who paid for the caramel macchiato ordered by the stranger behind her at 7 a.m.

EDITORIAL After James Foley's savage slaughter, U.S. deserves more from Obama than a round of golf

Americans can only pray that President Obama was as serious as a drone strike when he vowed the United States would “see that justice is done” for the beheading of American journalist James Foley.

Pageant queen loses crown over 'inappropriate' pics

Hamas official claims responsibility for kidnapping Israeli teens

$(FILES) A combination of undated family handout pictures made on June 18, 2014 shows the three Israeli teenagers believed kidnapped by Palestinian militants, (From L to R) Eyal Yifrach, 19, Naftali Frenkel, 16 and Gilad Shaar, 16. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced during an emergency session of his security cabinet on June 30, 2014 that security forces "found three bodies and all the signs indicate that they are the bodies of (the) three kidnapped youngsters". AFP PHOTO/FAMILY HANDOUT=== RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / FAMILY HANDOUT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ===-/AFP/Getty Images$