MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

EXCLUSIVE: Etan Patz jurors recount 17 grueling days of deliberations, struggles with lone holdout who ‘threatened to keep us there for months’

Juror Jennifer O'Connor (seated) along with her fellow panel members explain how they endured 17 grueling days of deliberations in the Etan Patz (inset, center) case. Adam Sirois (left) was the lone holdout in the jury.

EXCLUSIVE Man finally free after 6 years awaiting trial in Queens murder plans to sue city

Terrel Banks was 20 years old when he was charged with murder, accused of gunning down Timothy Smith in Fresh Meadows, Queens. He maintained his innocence as he endured three mistrials.

SEE IT: Georgia principal shocks graduation audience with racial comment

A high school graduation in Georgia turned bizarre on Friday night when the school’s founder and principal accused African-American attendees of disrupting the program that she had flubbed up herself.

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Hamill: Brooklyn 'Nanny to the Stars' lives American Dream

PICTURED 1-year-old dies after teen mom allegedly throws him off bridge in Pennsylvania: reports

Zymeir Perry passed away at 11:51 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest in Allentown on the eastern side of the state, officials in the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office told The Morning Call newspaper.

Tourist from Florida killed by taxi in Midtown as shoppers watch: officials

Amelia Sterental, 76, was crossing E. 60th St. near Madison Ave. around 2:45 p.m. when an SUV taxi making a left turn rammed into her.

Armed bandits gang up on 20-year-old man, 17-year-old girl sitting in Central Park playground

Nearly a dozen bandits — one armed with the stun gun and another with a knife — ganged up on a 20-year-old man and 17-year-old girl sitting in a playground at 62nd St. and West Drive.

Rapper Ghostface Killah is 'app' to do a comeback

Florida cops nix ambulance and suspect dies after asthma attack in custody: probe

Officials are investigating why an ambulance was called off by Florida police for a man who later died after complaining of having an asthma attack while in custody.

EXCLUSIVE Embattled Skelos could step aside if Long Island senator of his choosing is tapped as his replacement, sources say

Embattled state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos would consider stepping aside if a fellow Long Island senator is picked to succeed him, sources close to him told the Daily News.

Magnitude-4.5 earthquake shakes Big Island of Hawaii

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says a magnitude-4.5 earthquake jolted the Big Island of Hawaii.

High-ly Jenner? Kylie snaps over 'misquote'

Cuban President Raul Castro's daughter comes out for gay rights

The daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro sponsored a blessing ceremony Saturday for gay couples on an island where gay marriage remains illegal.

Man robs Brooklyn woman's Coach bag — a Mother’s Day gift from her 6 kids: cops

Cops are hunting a heartless crook who robbed a 65-year-old Brooklyn woman of her leather Coach bag Friday — a Mother’s Day gift three years ago from her six children.

One dead, one critically injured as tornadoes batter northern Texas and eastern Colorado: reports

A twister west of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Eastland County caused the death and serious injury, along with damaged homes, flooded roads and downed power lines in Cisco.

New York

NYC buildings show connection between Albany corruption and real estate industry, with developers saving millions on taxes

To understand the connection between Albany corruption and the New York City real estate industry, take a look at Hampton Court, a new luxury condo building on E. 102nd St. in Manhattan.

EXCLUSIVE Homeless families signing kids up for prekindergarten grow following city push

Deputy Mayor Richard Buery told the Daily News that more than half of eligible 4-year-olds living in shelters applied to city pre-K programs in the enrollment period that ended in April.

New York State sets aside $2M to invest in tech businesses owned by minorities, women

The initiative is meant to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and promote economic growth around the state, Gov. Cuomo said.

Teen boy hit in chest on Long Island baseball field is revived by parent

The unidentified boy collapsed after he was hit in the chest by a line drive at the North Shore Little League Complex in Rocky Point, reported Eyewitness News.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Cops hunting gunman after Bronx argument turns violent

The gunman, who is still on the loose, fired off several rounds at 23-year-old Patrick Johnson during the tussle in front of 2734 Bainbridge Ave. at around 8 p.m. Thursday night, officials said.

Elderly woman struck, killed by car in Brooklyn: cops

An elderly woman died after she was struck by a car that swerved into her as the driver tried to avoid another car in Brooklyn.

Bronx woman, 21, jumps to her death after threatening suicide in the past, witnesses say

The young woman, identified by police sources as Mary Nunez, jumped from her third-floor window on Sheridan Ave. near E. 168th St. at about 9:30 p.m., witnesses told the Daily News.

THE FIRST OF MANY: Which celebrities will celebrate their first Mother's Day?

Take a look at which Hollywood moms with be celebrating Mother's Day for the first time this year!

Famous mothers and their famous daughters

Look at these proud mama's! In honor of Mother's day, check out which famous mothers have famous offspring ...

10 SONGS TO HONOR MOM: Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J, Kanye West hits to replay on Mother's Day

Mothers have inspired musicians to pen some of their most deeply felt odes. The results can be admiring, grateful or witty - as well as angry, mournful or hurt.

Check out the hottest moms in Hollywood

No mom jeans here! Celebrate Mother's Day by checking out some of the hottest baby mommas in Hollywood.

Queen Latifah did her homework to play Bessie Smith on HBO

Utah teen Meagan Grunwald convicted for fatal highway crime spree with boyfriend

Meagan Grunwald, 18, is scheduled to be sentenced July 8 and faces life behind bars for drug-fueled drive.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie faces ever-steeper White House climb: observers

Shadowed by a scandal in his home state and preceded by his reputation as a blustering bully, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is facing an ever-steeper uphill climb to the White House, political observers say.

Canadian dad’s Facebook wall shares confession to killing family to end pain, shame

The disturbing post's discovery on Randy Janzen's wall Thursday came ahead of investigators confirming a multiple homicide involving a family to CBC News Friday.

Australian astronomers search for 17 years to find source of mysterious signal — just to learn it was coming from microwave

Baffled Australian researchers at the Parkes Observatory used a radio telescope to search for a mysterious signal for 17 years only to discover the source was their microwave oven, reports the Guardian.

Michael Fassbender channels Clint Eastwood in 'Slow West'

Baltimore officer in Freddie Gray case used position to demand arrest of ex-wife’s husband: report

Lt. Brian Rice demanded in March that Westminster police arrest Andrew McAleer for violating a restraining order against the mother of Rice’s son — an allegation that was found to be false.

Transformer explodes, causes scare at Indian Point nuclear facility

A small explosion at Indian Point Energy sent witnesses into a panic as a “big ball of smoke” rose over the the Hudson River.

Man fatally shot in chest on Queens street corner: police

James Burnett, 54, was blasted in the chest on Sutphin Blvd. and 111th Ave. in Jamaica at about 12:45 p.m., police said.

KARMA POLICE: Payback time for teen accused in Brooklyn robbery spree

A Brooklyn teen named Karma was nabbed by cops for a short-lived Brooklyn robbery spree, officials said Saturday.

Sports

Harper: Rest assured, Saturday was no big loss for Yankees

After all these years we know that for Joe Girardi, each and every loss is akin to chewing broken glass.

Juan Lagares, Ruben Tejada lead Mets over Phillies, 3-2

Jon Niese clapped his hands hard and Juan Lagares flipped his bat, both letting out a lot of frustration as they rounded the bases.

Tiger's terrible day includes par-5 record for double bogeys

Tiger Woods, hoping to make a Saturday move, went in reverse with a 3-over 75.

Leonard: Rangers exuding confidence after Game 5 dramatics

The only question now is how the Capitals will react to letting a series-clinching win slip through their fingers with seconds remaining.

Autos

Hummer SUVs maintain an OVERSIZED presence in this state

Five years after Hummer folded, these boisterous SUVs loom large in a U.S. state known for having stringent emissions standards.

Photos Muscle cars for sale: Indianapolis auction goes muscle car crazy

Mecum Auctions' Indy 2015 auction will feature a prime fleet of some of the finest examples of American muscle cars ever built. We take a peek at some of the models set to be offered.