MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

Oscar-winning 'Titanic' composer James Horner, 61, killed in California plane crash — 'He will live on through the ages'

James Horner, one of Hollywood's most prolific and respected composers, was killed after a single-engine plane he piloted crashed Monday in California, his assistant confirmed.

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS Man who escaped prison and hid for 22 years believes escaped NY cons will get caught 'within 48 hours' due to mistakes

I’ve been looking at the TV every day for more than two weeks and screaming at the fugitives, “You’re stupid for doing this!”

Man wanted in string of bizarre attacks on Asian women discovered hanging in elevator shaft

Tyrelle Shaw, 25, was discovered around 3 p.m. inside a building at Madison Ave. and 66th St. on the Upper East Side, according to Eyewitness News Channel 7.

Sponsor Content Provided By

Pressure Treated Lumber: What Every Builder Needs to Know

Whatever you build with YellaWood® brand pressure treated wood will last a long time. So, it makes good sense to build in a craftsman-like manner. Here are some helpful tips:

Hugh Hefner breaks silence on Holly Madison’s shocking claims in memoir

Washington high school teacher allegedly snapped upskirt photo of one of his students: reports

Matthew Morasch, 40, a teacher at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, allegedly took out his phone to snap the creepy photo while sitting across from her in the classroom on June 15.

SEE IT Four people arrested in NYC march following vigil for Charleston massacre victims

At least four people were arrested Monday night during a march following a Harlem vigil for the Charleston massacre victims.

PICTURED Sheep chased by unleashed dog gets pinned to edge of cliff, plunges to its death

An untethered dog unleashed terror at a cliffside park in the United Kingdom, chasing down two sheep and forcing one to plunge to its death.

Derek Jeter, Hannah Davis enjoy lavish vacation in Italy

Missouri man jumps out of moving ambulance, dies during struggle while resisting arrest: cops

A Missouri man, who was apparently having hallucinations, died Sunday night after a strange police chase and a struggle to resist arrest — but the cause of his death remains uncertain.

Ex-Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke ‘appalled’ that Alexander Hamilton will lose place on $10 bill

Count former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke among those “appalled” that Alexander Hamilton will be bumped from his starring role on the $10 bill.

Bandidos’ lawyer calls for release of Twin Peaks melee video, autopsies as police caution that process take time

The Bandidos motorcycle gang is calling for the full release of the video and autopsy reports from the biker melee at Twin Peaks restaurant that killed nine in Waco, Texas, last month.

'Jackass' actor attacked by rappers at Iceland festival

Super drunk Florida man arrested for posing like Superman without pants on, public urination: cops

Joshua Masciarelli was allegedly wearing just a red tank top and no pants when he went on a late-night walkabout near his Palm Harbor home on Saturday, The Smoking Gun reported.

Dad celebrates first Father’s Day after wife died giving birth to quadruplets: 'She would be happy'

Carlos Morales had his first Father’s Day with his four newborns — but also without his late wife, Erica, who died while giving birth.

Buried cannonballs found under sidewalk at Alabama campus

Ten Civil War cannonballs were found under a sidewalk at the University of Alabama's campus.

Rob Kardashian steps out in rare public appearance

Convicted killer Jodi Arias ordered to pay $30K to slain ex-boyfriend’s family

The family of Travis Alexander, who Arias was convicted of shooting and then stabbing, had petitioned for approximately $100,000 in order to reimburse their travel and lodging expenses.

5 people rescued from rubble after tornado strikes Michigan town, severe weather sweeps through Midwest

Five people were saved from damaged buildings in a Michigan town and thunderstorms packing strong winds caused damage in Iowa and Illinois.

Charleston shooting at Emanuel AME hits close to home for former Daily Newser

As I stood in the Emanuel AME meeting room as the first service since the massacre began, I realized that many can’t process true horror.

‘A SIGN OF HATE’: South Carolina governor announces that Confederate flag will be removed from Statehouse

Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Lindsey Graham, a long-serving Republican and a 2016 presidential candidate, held a joint news conference at 4 p.m. in Columbia, the state capital, to make the announcement.

King of clubs throws an ace party for Mexico wedding

SEE IT 'Fox & Friends' co-host hits bystander with flying AX on live TV

Video shows Pete Hegseth hurling the blade over a bull's-eye and striking a West Point drummer who says he's lucky to be alive.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he has 'very advanced' cancer of lymph nodes, vows to remain on the job

Hogan said Monday he has "very advanced" and "very aggressive" cancer of the lymph nodes, but he said he will fight for a full recovery and continue to work as the state's chief elected official.

Connecticut nanny faces new abuse accusations after allegedly burning 3-year-old on stove

Court documents obtained by the News-Times outline 15 additional counts against Lidia Quilligana, including revelations that prosecutors believe she also abused the girl’s siblings, 1-year-old twins.

Brooklyn driver hits cars, pedestrian, house after possibly trying to avoid dead cat

A Brooklyn driver who may have been trying to avoid hitting a cat that was already dead struck a man and hit a house Monday, officials and witnesses said.

Autos

Photos A glimpse back at the first-ever Hot Wheels cars

2015 Bentley GT3-R – Test Drive and Review

Bentley takes lessons learned from racing and applies them to the fiendishly-fun and suavely-sophisticate Continental GT3-R

Not your dad's diesel: Our rundown of every diesel-powered model on sale in the U.S.

The smoky, smelly oil-burning days of yore are long gone, and today’s diesels are efficient, powerful, and cleaner than ever.

New York

Crook hid face with umbrella as he robbed, burned Upper East Side bar where he worked: authorities

Aureliano Flores, 21, snuck into the Pony Bar on First Ave. on the Upper East Side and stole $2,200 on May 24, an FDNY spokesman said.

MTA hires cleaning crew for dirty Select Bus Service stops

A $314,496 three-year contract to tidy up dirty bus stations would require crews to hand-clean streetside fare collection equipment, scrape off stickers and power wash the surrounding sidewalks.

Police add more cops on trains to fight rise in subway crime

More cops are riding the rails — collecting overtime along the way — to combat a spike in subway crime, Transit Chief Joe Fox said Monday.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, REFORM: Deal reached to put cameras on Rikers Island guards and around facility

Federal prosecutors have reached a deal with the city to reduce violence at Rikers Island.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

OPINION R train is a terrible route with frequent delays

The R train. Good luck catching one without standing around for 25 minutes.

City public schools will observe Lunar New Year starting in 2016

Mayor de Blasio is planning on adding Lunar New Year to the public school calendar next year — a recognition of the growing number of Asian students in the city’s school system.

Bronx landlords harassed, evicted rent-stabilized tenants

A pair of landlords has been harassing and unlawfully evicting rent-stabilized tenants in the Bronx, according to state senator Jeff Klein.

Kate Hudson’s bro wishes dad ‘Happy Abandonment Day’

HEAR IT Obama uses N-word during frank podcast interview on race in U.S.

Obama expressed his opinions on race in the starkest possible terms, using the N-word to explain that racism is still alive and well.

Obama to eulogize Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a personal friend killed in Charleston church massacre

President Obama will deliver the eulogy for slain Charleston pastor Clementa Pinckney on Friday, the White House announced on Monday.

Naked, drunken Ohio couple arrested after joyride — and then arrested again

An overnight worker first spotted the two standing sans clothes next to a car in a company parking lot, authorities said.

Richard Gere, 65, smooches 32-year-old girlfriend

PLAYGROUND NIGHTMARE: Teen mom killed, toddler injured after tree limb crushes them at Georgia park

LaRena Drayton, 16, had just moved to a bench in Cedartown’s Peek Park Friday when they heard 'something crack,' her sister recalled.

Indiana man scares, flashes children while armed with gun

The hunt is on for an armed flasher who reportedly exposed himself to a group of children near an Indianapolis apartment complex while holding a handgun.