AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

Exclusive 'THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING': Staten Island boy, 13, hangs himself after months of bullying by classmates — wrote in letter that school ignored his pleas for help

Before he took his own life, Daniel Fitzpatrick wrote a final, heartbreaking letter lamenting that nearly no one tried to help him.

YANKED OUT: Forced feel-good vibe in final game can't hide Alex Rodriguez felt crushed he was pushed out by Yankees

The Yankees did their best to dress up the proceedings Friday night as a tribute to Alex Rodriguez.

DEADLY TRIO: New Mexico police officer killed after traffic stop shooting; suspects fled leading authorities on high-speed pursuit

A New Mexico police officer was killed Friday when a routine traffic stop turned deadly, cops said.

PENNSYLVANIA PARANOIA: Donald Trump rants about possible voter fraud in battleground state, exhorts volunteers to prevent it

If he loses, it’s not his fault. Donald Trump said Friday the only way Hillary Clinton will win Pennsylvania “is if cheating goes on.”

Paid content by

Home prices are up, highest values in 9 years

Put your home to work for what’s important to you. Compare lenders now at LendingTree

Ex-health aide gets four years after pocketing $260G from 99-year-old Manhattan widow

A home health aide got up to 4 1/2 years in prison for stealing $260,000 by cashing forged checks from a 99-year-old widow.

JOHNNY-ON-THE-SPOT: Depp on video yells at Amber Heard, hurls phone

BUZZ KILL: 8-pound swarm of 20,000 bees take over, ground F-22 fighter jet

A swarm of nearly 20,000 bees grounded an F-22 aircraft in Virginia.

Graphic Video Shocking footage shows cops punching, kicking man in the head as he’s pinned down in the Bronx — police say suspect attacked officers

A disturbing video surfaced on Friday showing two Bronx cops repeatedly punching and kicking their suspect in the head — despite the fact that he was on the ground being pinned.

Buzz builds for Harlem as place to set up shop for new businesses

Uptown has the feel of a boom town, with new businesses sprouting up across Harlem.

Convicted cop killer’s daughter says she received suicide note comparing Fishkill prison to Auschwitz days after dad’s death

Long Island cop killer John MacKenzie dashed off a final letter likening Fishkill prison to Auschwitz, according to his daughter Denise.

The A-pocalypse: Alex Rodriguez's Yankees career comes to a close after rain delay, victory over the Tampa Bay Rays

You didn’t think Alex Rodriguez’s farewell ceremony would go off without a hitch, did you?

'MY MOTHER IS MAD. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE': Queens mom shot after idiot son's beef with Craigslist hooker he pulled knife on, took $120 payment back from

Mergildode Rodriguez, 49, survived the Thursday gunfire when the 9-mm. bullet grazed her head after tearing through her son Freddie's right arm, the sources said.

SELFIE LIT: Kim K. teases rerelease of 'Selfish' featuring kids Saint, North

Yankees manager Joe Girardi booed during Alex Rodriguez’s final game

Yankee fans let Joe Girardi know where their loyalties lie.

Here are some warning signs for teens who may have been bullied

We don’t have good evidence to say bullying causes suicide, but it can be the most recent or salient contributing factor.

Silicon Harlem STEM events to empower youth

Harlem may well be on its way to adding a new distinction as a community: an innovation and technology hub.

DNC hackers release another round of documents about House Democrats, including passwords and memos from ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi

The Democrats’ hack headache just keeps getting worse.

Adele invites fan to sing with her on stage, she turns out to be a Grammy nominee

Man arrested in fatal shooting during Bronx robbery

Authorities say that Dwayne Francis, 20, robbed then killed the older man on Glebe Ave. near Manning St. in Parkchester on Aug. 3.

Fla. mom, 62, who appeared on 'I'm Pregnant and 55 Years Old' charged with manslaughter after 6-year-old son beats newborn sister to death

Kathleen Steele had left the children for 38 minutes while she visited a cellphone store in St. Petersburg.

Texas sheriff’s deputy found dead after reporting 'prowlers' in backyard actually shot himself

Travis County Sheriff’s Sgt. Craig Hutchinson, 54, committed suicide after struggling with depression and financial problems, officials said Friday.

Mobster accused of making threats over $100G loan takes 33-month plea deal

A longtime Luchese capo who had insisted on going to trial this month on extortion charges chickened out Friday.

FLYING SOLO: Man goes on honeymoon alone, with cutout photos of wife, after lost passport kept her at home — pics get pols’ attention and they are reunited

An Indian man who was stuck honeymooning by himself in Italy after his wife lost her passport took to social media this week posing next to a photo of his wife.

HEFTY THEFTS: On the anniversary of Brazil's Banco Central heist, look back at the world’s largest bank robberies

It's been 11 years this week since bank robbers busted into the Banco Central in Fortaleza, Brazil, and made off with a record-breaking amount of cash. As we look back at this monumental mugging, here's some of the hugest heists in history from around the world.

SHE HAS A NAME! San Jose Mercury News blasted for racially insensitive headline after Simone Manuel’s historic Olympic win

The initial headline following her historic win didn't name Manuel, but simply billed her as an African-American.

Lisa Marie Presley checks into rehab for prescription pill addiction

Soldier, teen girlfriend accuse each other of stabbing her mother to death before he is found guilty of murder in Pennsylvania

Jamie Silvonek, now 15, is already serving 35 years to life in a plea deal with prosecutors in the slaying of her mother. Caleb Barnes was found guilty Friday night.

NYPD cop attacked by hatchet-wielding ISIS poser returns to Jamaica Hospital to thank staff for saving his life

NYPD Officer Kenneth Healey returned to where his life was saved, to honor everyone who treated him.

Italian goverment takes over town of Corleone because of Mafia influence

The Italian government isn't letting the town refuse its offer to help clean up its mob problem.

'MY LIFE HAS BEEN RUINED WITHOUT MY CONSENT': University of Colorado rape victim releases statement she read to her attacker in court

The victim said she decided to release the statement so that she can tell her story and "not keep it bottled up." Boulder County Judge Patrick Butler gave her rapist no jail time.

Hugh Grant doesn't recognize ‘Bridget Jones’ star Renée Zellweger

Georgia man gets four years in prison for setting dog house on fire with dog locked inside

Caleb Lanier, 23, was convicted of felony animal cruelty and second-degree criminal damage to property after investigators in suburban Atlanta said the dog suffered burns to 60% of her body.

Brendan Dassey's 'Making a Murderer' conviction nixed by federal judge — he got life sentence for 2005 killing, could now be released

Brendan Dassey, 16 at the time of Teresa Halbach’s rape and murder in October 2005, was sentenced to life in prison in 2007 for participating in the killing, along with his uncle Steven Avery.

Federal judge rejects settlement to impose special monitor for NYC foster care system over ‘lack of specificity’

The settlement was opposed by legal advocates from children and parents, who said the special monitor's role was too vague.

ISIS leader Hafiz Saeed Khan killed in U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan

Hafiz Saeed Khan, a former Taliban leader who pledged allegiance to ISIS, was designated a global terrorist by the U.S. last year.

Autos

FIRST LOOK 2017 Audi A3 Sedan, Cabriolet and S3 Sedan shake up a stout model lineup

New styling an advanced safety technology headline for Audi's refreshed A3 lineup.

A grand opening for Tesla, another Autopilot crash, and more

Plus, trouble for Volkswagen that isn't about emissions, collective bargaining kicks off in Canada, and more in today's Daily Drive-Thru.

REVIEW Short Report: 2017 Audi A4 Sedan

With the redesigned 2017 A4, Audi channels Aristotle in that the whole of this excellent luxury sedan is greater than the sum of its parts.

BUYER'S GUIDE How to lease a car in 7 steps

Leasing is a good way to drive a better car than you might otherwise be able to afford. But it’s not all sunshine, puppies, and chocolate.

REVIEW NEW PATH NEEDED: 2017 Nissan Pathfinder First Drive

Strong competition in the family-sized, crossover SUV segment leaves the mostly unchanged 2017 Nissan Pathfinder in need of a fresh start.

GALLERY First Pictures! 2017 Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan's 2017 Pathfinder received a refresh in all facets including interior, exterior, technology, and safety. This midsize crossover SUV is sure to compete in an already competitive segment.

GALLERY First Pictures! 2017 Audi A3 spruces up a favorite

The 2017 Audi A3 lineup gets refreshed on all fronts, including design, technology, and driving dynamics.

New York

IN THEIR MEMORY: Marine treks 1,000 miles to honor friend who died of suicide, raise PTSD awareness

Mark Otto, who served in the Marines from 1988 to 1992, has been walking 10-to-20-mile segments in New York and New Jersey since Jan. 1.

Fun for all ages: Percy Sutton Harlem Run and Walk open to all

There will be something for everyone from 2-year-olds to elite adult runners on Aug. 27.

Brooklyn mother, two young daughters reported missing

A 31-year-old mother and her two daughters were reported missing after they didn't return home.

Harlem Week offers political education courses for kids

Harlem Week will include a seminar to get young people involved in politics and understand the neighborhood and American civics.

Harlem has been influenced by strong community leadership

During the past 45 years, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce has improved Harlem's image and its residents' quality of life.

Dollar van hit-and-run in Brooklyn sends 2 to hospital

The driver of a dollar van struck two people — critically injuring one — before fleeing in Brooklyn Friday night, cops said.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

• Silicon Harlem STEM events to empower youth

• Fun for all ages: Percy Sutton Harlem Run and Walk...

• Buzz builds for Harlem as place to set up shop for...

• Brooklyn mother, two young daughters reported miss...

• Broadway's 'The Color Purple’ star finds humanity...

• FDNY union adds $5G to Howard Beach jogger killer...

Upper Manhattan Auto Show recognizes classic Cuban cars that graced the streets of Havana in Harlem

When it comes to classic automobiles, Havana has nothing on Harlem!

Yankees fan who persevered to become a Little League first baseman makes it to the bigs in Daily News' Field of Dreams contest

Yankee Stadium truly is a field of dreams for 10-year-old Patrick Feller.

VIDEO Bronx man, 74, pushed down stairs by would-be robber says he has ‘no fear’ after attack

A spirited 74-year-old Bronx man, shoved down a flight of stairs in a failed robbery attempt, said the troubling episode isn’t throwing him off his day-to-day routine.

PBA President Pat Lynch slams Mayor de Blasio's $2M raises for his staff

The head of the city’s largest police union on Friday blasted Mayor de Blasio for doling out hefty raises for his staff — including a $13,000 bump to his executive chef.

COOKING UP SOME CONTROVERSY! Mayor de Blasio dishes out $2M in raises to staff — including his chef — as poll numbers keep plummeting amid scandals

Hizzoner doled out raises to 358 of 360 staffers. That came to a total of $2 million, which included a $13,000 raise to his chef.

EXCLUSIVE 'HE MADE MANY SACRIFICES': Family of Bronx bodega worker killed by man who stole cop's gun pleads for visas to bring body back home to Africa

Family members of the African man killed in the Bronx appealed to Rep. Charles Rangel for help obtaining visas to bring his body home.

Daily News Video

podcast Terry Gilliam brought his unique, often bizarre vision to 1995's '12 Monkeys'

The wonky time travel tale from director Terry Gilliam offers a clever plot and unique characters.

podcast 1974's 'The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3' is the classic New York City thriller that stills holds up

There are a handful of movies that are quintessential New York City, and "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" is one of them.

Sports

A-Rod takes the field in 9th inning, gets surprisingly cheery Yankee sendoff

The supporting players in Joe Girardi’s plan to insert Alex Rodriguez at third base weren’t informed early.

Yankees Insider: With A-Rod out, prospect Tyler Austin on the way

The Yankees are expected to recall prospect Tyler Austin on Saturday after placing Alex Rodriguez on unconditional waivers.

McCARRON Collins' Mets see same result, but different path to get there

The Mets lost again, this time by 8-6 to another woeful team, the Padres. But it felt somewhat different to Terry Collins Friday night.

LEONARD Big Black and Blue again? Giants rookie WR says 'don't freak out'

Ben McAdoo continued to prioritize the health of his players in Friday night’s Giants preseason opener.

So far, so good for Giant brand new, super-expensive defense

So far, the $200 million defensive spending spree is working.

USA-HOLE: Hope Solo's bitter rant after team eliminated in Olympic loss to Sweden — 'We played a bunch of cowards'

Hope Solo wins the gold medal for being an ugly American. The controversial goalie for the U.S. women's soccer team unleashed a sore-loser rant for the ages after the Americans were eliminated by Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals on Friday.

Sponsor Content Provided By

Turbo Tech of the 2016 Mazda CX-9: Taking a Closer Look

Much of the magic in the 2016 Mazda CX-9 ’s 2.5-liter turbo-four engine happens in the exhaust manifold.

Harlem Week 2016 to salute the musicians who brought Cuban music into the spotlight

With the launch of Harlem/Havana initiative, Latin music will be in front and center this year.

CRUSHED IT: Katie Ledecky wins gold, sets world record in 800m freestyle

Katie Ledecky has delivered another dominating performance at the Rio Games, handily breaking the world record in the 800 freestyle.

The story of the time Alex Rodriguez almost became a Met in 2000

Before Alex Rodriguez played his final game with the Yankees, Steve Phillips reminisced about A-Rod’s free-agent talks with the Mets.

Glenn Yarbrough, folk singer with the Limeliters, dies at 86

Glenn Yarbrough, a founding member of folk trio The Limeliters, has died. He was 86.

Prince’s family honor late singer in private service

A cousin of Prince says family members and close friends gathered in Minneapolis to say goodbye.

Broadway's 'The Color Purple’ star finds humanity in ‘bad guy’

Isaiah Johnson couldn’t have known that decades later he would be portraying one of film’s most despised black male characters.

Verrett awful, Mets can’t climb out of hole in 8-6 loss to Padres

The modest crowd that littered the stands at Citi Field on Friday night had nowhere else to turn.

SEE IT LIBERAL REDNECK: The Olympics remind us America is still pretty badass

WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE. The Daily News’ Hillbilly-in-Chief Trae Crowder is fired up about the summer Olympics. There’s only one thing he likes more ‘than American and kicking a-- and that’s watching America kick a--.’ He just wishes they had more redneck events.

Top chef Marcus Samuelsson and uptown eateries team up for Harlem-Havana Music & Cultural Festival

Culinary and musical variety enhance the broad appeal of Harlem Week’s annual festivities.

Photos A HIT WITH THE LADIES: The women of Alex Rodriguez

Take a look back at some of the retiring Yankee player's leading ladies ...

‘Birth of a Nation’ star Nate Parker opens up on rape acquittal

Nate Parker's work in "Birth of a Nation" quickly generated Oscar buzz this year -- and questions on a college rape trial.

Photos Alex Rodriguez's final game with the Yankees

Alex Rodriguez plays his final game with the Yankees on Friday at the Stadium against the Rays after the Bombers figured out a way to end the slumping slugger's playing career.

DAILY VIEWS The MetroSpiritual: Does your DNA code prove you’re part alien?

As scientists suggest humans may be descendants of alien civilizations, see which extraterrestrial race you most connect with.

Part 14 SHAUN KING: Good police must speak out against bad officers

While American police publicly lament the "no snitching" culture prevalent in America's inner cities, they are masters of it.

Another game, another scare for USA Basketball as they hold on to beat Serbia 94-91

Kyrie Irving scored 15 points and the U.S. survived its second straight strong challenge, edging Serbia 94-91 on Friday.

HE GOT THE BOOT! 'Criminal Minds' star Thomas Gibson fired after kicking writer — 'There were creative differences'

The show is over for “Criminal Minds” star Thomas Gibson. The 54-year-old actor who was suspended from the CBS crime series for getting into a physical altercation with a show writer got the ax Friday.

Look back at A-Rod's career as he plays final game

Alex Rodriguez, who was slammed with an historic drug suspension that encompasses all of the 2014 season, including the postseason, has announced that he will retire following the 2017 season.

Catch up with McKayla Maroney 4 years after Olympic 'not impressed' pic

Maroney has certainly grown up since being an Internet sensation back in 2012.

Derek Jeter releases statement on A-Rod: 'He lives and breathes baseball'

Derek Jeter finally commented on Alex Rodriguez's days as a Yankee coming to an end Friday night.

‘America’s Most Wanted’ creator John Walsh understands pain felt by families of slain joggers

“America's Most Wanted” creator John Walsh knows all too well what the families of two slain joggers have been going through.

Mets send Michael Conforto back to the minors

The Mets optioned Michael Conforto back to Triple-A ahead of Friday night's game against the Padres, Terry Collins announced.

Evan Longoria: A-Rod should go into Hall — well, based on numbers

Count in Evan Longoria among those who believe Alex Rodriguez should go into Hall of Fame.

The untold story of how the iconic 'A Great Day in Harlem' photo, featuring 57 jazz stars, came to be — nearly 60 years later

These 57 jazz legends met photographer Art Kane in front of a Harlem brownstone on Aug. 12, 1958. Here is the unforgettable result.

Mets ‘concerned’ as Zack Wheeler to visit Dr. James Andrews for elbow discomfort

The bad news just keeps coming for the Mets. Zack Wheeler has made appointment to visit Dr. James Andrews.

U.S. women's soccer out of Olympics after losing to Sweden in shootout

The three-time defending champion U.S. women’s national team will miss the Olympic final for the first time.

‘Bachelorette’ couple Kaitlyn Bristowe and Shawn Booth don’t watch the show: 'Too much anxiety'

Kaitlyn Bristowe and Shawn Booth won’t be giving a final rose to the show that made them famous.

MOST POPULAR GALLERIES

Bella Hadid, Zoe Kravitz, Kate Moss and others strip down for #mycalvins campaign

From models to athletes, stars show off their Calvin Klein underwear in the #mycalvins advertising campaign.

SI model Hannah Ferguson sizzles on Ocean Drive

Been naughty? These stars have! Check out the celebs who let out their inner bad girls in some seriously sexy photo shoots ...

Today's Covers

• the week »
• buy framed Daily News covers »

Columnists

Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb

Kathie Lee & Hoda: NBC Rio trio ready to host Opening Ceremony of 2016 Olympics

Shaun King

KING: Good police must speak out against bad officers

Gersh Kuntzman

Andrew Dice Clay returns to Coney Island with an attitude — and an appetite! 

Linda Stasi

STASI: It’s a big swinging week of moving man parts

Mike Lupica

LUPICA: Tennis great Billie Jean King on Hillary Clinton's journey, Trump 'not funny anymore'

Don Kaplan

NBC and presidential debate squad both fumble TV schedule  

Leonard Greene

Don't let Clinton's YUGE lead over Trump fool you into believing this election is over

Gersh Kuntzman

Gabby Douglas does not need to apologize for not putting her hand over her heart 

N