MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

'EVERYONE IS AFRAID TO MAKE STOPS': Huge fall in stop-and-frisk leaves perps less 'afraid' to carry weapons and cops more reluctant to confront criminals

EXCLUSIVE: A dramatic drop in stop-and-frisk encounters has emboldened criminals and made cops more reluctant to take proactive police action.

EXCLUSIVE Man who punched 54-year-old over parking space may get homicide charge after victim dies from 'complications' 13 days later

Julio Baez sent Jones, 54, to the pavement with a roundhouse blow to the mouth, cops say, and he was initially charged with assault. The case seemed cut and dry.

Queens mom, daughter suing NYPD for $1 million over gun-in-oven arrest

A $1 million suit accuses NYPD cops of cooking up half-baked charges against a Queens woman and her teen daughter who were arrested after their oven caught fire and a burned handgun was found in the broiler.

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PICTURED IRON MAIDEN: Cops hunting 26-year-old who attacked woman in the Bronx with tire iron

Cops are hunting for Gloribels Serrano, a 26-year-old stunner who allegedly smashed a 35-year-old woman in the head with a metal bar at East Bedford Park and Marion Ave., police said.

'YES, I DID KILL HER': Detroit mom accused of killing two kids makes stunning confession — after 8-year-old son testifies against her

Mitchelle Blair is charged with murder after the bodies of two of her children, 9-year-old Stephen and 13-year-old Stoni, were discovered in the family’s home in March.

SEE IT Sparks fly when Chicago gangs battle in the street using Roman candles as weapons

About a dozen teenagers scampered in the middle of the street Tuesday night at the intersection of Western Avenue and Wilcox Street at about 10:30 p.m., the Chicago Tribune reported.

Playboy bunny says she slept with soccer star Ronaldo — ‘I love his body’

CRIME SPREE: Ex-FBI agent STOLE drug money to pay for plastic surgery, cars and Vegas vacation, officials say

Scott Bowman, 44, of Moreno Valley, California, allegedly misappropriated drug proceeds seized in June and August 2014 during the execution of search warrants, the department said.

Petco takes 'full responsibility' for golden retriever who baked to death in drying cage

The San Diego-based company said Thursday that it had dismissed the groomers who were involved in the May 29 incident.

CHINESE TAKEOUT: Hackers from China reportedly behind massive data breach that could affect 4M federal employees

The Obama administration is scrambling to assess the impact of a massive data breach involving a federal agency.

Northern California man gets life in prison for ‘executing’ migrant worker working on marijuana farm

A Calif. pot farmer was sentenced Thursday to life in prison plus 35 years for executing an immigrant worker and trying to kill another.

Cuomo administration keeping N.Y. fracking ban in DESPITE report that it causes no 'widespread' water contamination

The Cuomo administration is sticking by its decision to ban hydrofracking in New York despite a federal report Thursday that found it caused no “widespread” water contamination.

'Odd Mom Out' star Jill Kargman says show won't be like 'Housewives'

BATTLE OF CAT AND MOUSE: Hello Kitty, Minnie Mouse characters brawl in Times Square: police

The costumed characters came to blows over tips in the middle of the Crossroads of the World around 3:30 p.m., police said.

Lyft driver demanded sex in exchange for customer’s phone, then dragged her down street: cops

A Lyft driver in Seattle allegedly demanded sex from a customer who forgot her phone in his car, then dragged her down a road with his car when she resisted, police said.

Unions slam de Blasio’s plan to give injured workers 75% of salary

The mayor is offering to boost the amount the most seriously injured receive — but the unions still say it's not enough.

N.C. family details drug-overdose death of 22-year-old son in obituary — 'Pay attention to your children'

The family of a 22-year-old Clay Shephard who died from a drug overdose detailed his death in an obituary, warning parents to "pay attention to your children and the world that revolves around them."

Arizona actor accidentally stabbed in the stomach with BREAD KNIFE during theater performance, finishes scene

Ken Beider was stabbed in the stomach with a serrated breadknife while playing an ex-convict in "The Language of Flowers" at the Temple of Music and Art's Cabaret Theatre on Sunday.

New York

EXCLUSIVE City officials to 'insource' IT consultants, expect to save $3.6M this year through plan

De Blasio is about to end the era of huge technology firms feeding off taxpayers with their legions of $500,000-a-year consultants.

EXCLUSIVE Two Queens Democrats crafting amendment to stop Cuomo from slashing AG, controller budgets

Two pols are crafting a proposal that would make it difficult for Cuomo to slash budgets of state attorney general and controller’s offices.

Brooklyn man busted by bad cop Louis Scarcella will be freed after 27 years in prison

“We don’t have the ability to retry the case therefore we move to dismiss the indictment,” Brooklyn prosecutor Morgan Dennehy said Thursday of Shabaka Shakur.

Four Seasons co-owner previously settled harrassment lawsuit for $4 million in 1992

Back in 1991, a waitress named Mary Beth French sued Niccolini claiming he propositioned her, called her “slut” and “lesbian,” and repeatedly rubbed against her in public and private.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

GUEST COLUMN Crime hike may spoil Bill de Blasio’s plan

The solution to the rise in crime is simple, but it may put Mayor de Blasio in a difficult position.

Slain NYPD cop Brian Moore honored with memorial service at National Arts Club

Cops from across the city filled the halls and ornately decorated rooms of the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park to share stories and pay tribute to their fallen brother in blue.

Second Avenue subway may divert Q trains out of Astoria, leaving some Queens residents worried about losing service

In diverting the Q line to the East Side, NYC Transit has not decided if the N can handle riders in Astoria “or if there will need to be trains added,” according to an email obtained by the Daily News.

FATAL BEER PONG: Teen shot to death after drinking game

New York voters reject Cuomo's education policies, put trust in teachers unions: poll

The Quinnipiac University poll found that 59% of state voters disapprove of Cuomo’s education policies while only 30% approve of them.

Two senators want to stop Pentagon funding for military tributes at NFL games

Sen. John McCain and fellow Arizona Republican Jeff Flake want to add the prohibition to the Senate’s version of the annual defense authorization act.

IDIOT IN THE HEADLIGHTS: Law clerk resigns after mourning dead deer in state trooper’s fatal crash

The New Jersey law clerk who said last week's death of a state trooper was "not that sad" has resigned from her job.

Honolulu expands ban on sitting and lying down in public, despite veto from mayor

Honolulu is expanding its ban on sitting and lying down in public places to additional parts of the city, despite a veto from the mayor.

'SHE IS HERE': Ludacris welcomes daughter with wife Eudoxie

Walmart store investigator claims supervisors harassed her over religious beliefs

A Pentecostal store investigator at a Rockland County Walmart says she was harassed by supervisors after insisting she couldn’t work Sundays due to her religious beliefs.

Medical marijuana company wants to open dispensary — in Downtown Brooklyn

It’s high times in Brooklyn.

'HUMILIATING': Pennsylvania police officer wrongly accuses veteran of being a fake Marine

A police officer and a soldier accused a man of being a fake Marine during an art festival on Memorial Day. Turns out they were wrong.

Queens sex abuse survivor confronts perv at sentencing: 'I hope everything you go through is hell'

A Queens man who was sexually abused as an 8-year-old child made an emotional statement during the sicko’s sentencing to life in prison.

Sports

Belmont Stakes Bettor's Guide: American Pharoah goes for it

The 147th running of the Belmont Stakes, a Grade I event for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park. Last year's Belmont didn't yield a triple crown winner - will 2015 see one? Only American Pharoah can do it.