MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

EXCLUSIVE: Parents in uproar as over 450 city schools make start time earlier to comply with new teachers union contract

The widespread change was prompted by a new requirement in the city’s deal with the teachers union to set aside extra time for teacher training and parent conferences.

Man accused of going to ABC studio to attack Michael Strahan rants about Illuminati in court outburst

A judge has ordered a mental evaluation for a deranged man who allegedly went to a TV studio to attack Michael Strahan after he flipped out in a Manhattan courtroom on Monday afternoon.

New Mexico man killed family dog with screwdriver, skinned pooch to serve for dinner: cops

A drunken New Mexico man stabbed the family chiweenie — a mix between a Chihuahua and dachshund — and skinned the 9-month-old puppy in a twisted plan for supper, police say.

Hillary Clinton supports law that prevents immigrant children from quick deportation

Hillary Clinton opposes changing the law that prevents quick deportation of unaccompanied immigrant children.

Is Taylor Swift the perfect celebrity?

MTA releases updated budget plan and will go forward with 4% fare and toll hikes for 2015

Updated budget plans unveiled by the MTA on Monday show that a previously planned 2015 fare and toll hike of 4% will not be increased, despite rising labor costs.

Killer waited in FSU professor’s driveway, shot him in head in Tallahassee garage: report

An unknown assassin was waiting for a prominent Florida State University law school professor when he pulled into his Tallahassee driveway and was shot in the head 10 days ago, according to a report.

U.S., European Union plan to impose new sanctions on Russia after accusing Putin of boosting support for separatists in Ukraine

The West is set to crack down on Russia. The U.S. and European Union plan to impose new sanctions after accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of ramping up support of separatists in Ukraine.

Freddie: I almost quit acting after working with Kiefer

Remains Algerian flight that crashed in Mali 'pulverized': official

PARIS — The remains of the 118 victims from the Algerian passenger jet that went down in Mali last week have been “pulverized,” making identification extremely difficult, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Monday.

Suspected perv killed in NYC shootout was fugitive for 2 years, featured on wanted criminal show 'The Hunt'

Charles Mozdir, who is from suburban San Diego, was wanted for fondling the genitals of his friend’s 7-year-old son and vanished after failing to show up for his June 2012 arraignment.

PICTURED Man, 21, killed in Venice Beach lightning strike was high school baseball star: officials

Nick Fagnano was swimming off the crowded beach around 2:20 p.m. when the bolt struck, leaving a dozen beachgoers injured and others running for cover after the Southern California electrical storm rolled in over Los Angeles.

DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL: President Obama already sad about imminent departure of daughter Malia for college

President Barack Obama is practically weepy at the thought of his daughter Malia going off to college, a milestone many months away that is already on his mind.

Sandra's pals get cheeky celebrating star's big 5-0

Congresswoman wants to bring 2 giant pandas to NYC

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan) will travel to a nature preserve in China next month to explore the possibility of bringing two giant pandas to Gotham.

De Blasio endorses body cameras for cops to improve relationship between officers and community

Mayor de Blasio backed having police officers wear body cameras Monday, but said it can’t be done immediately because the technology still has to be developed.

OVERPROTECTIVE FATHER? Suspect punches man at Pa. Wawa for ogling his daughter, but cops say it's a poor excuse for assault

The Upper Darby Police Department is searching for the man who police said caused serious injuries to his victim after hitting him in the face at the convenience store Sunday.

DISA-PIER-ING ACT: Canarsie Pier damaged during Superstorm Sandy stuck in bureaucratic morass as $3M in aid goes unspent

Residents are angry the National Park Service still has not repaired dozens of broken lights and other damages Hurricane Sandy wrought to Canarsie Pier nearly two years ago.

New York

COP KILLER FOUND GUILTY: Parolee convicted of killing Long Island cop, innocent bystander during 2012 crime spree

A parolee was convicted Monday of killing a Long Island cop and an innocent motorist during a chaotic crime spree nearly two years ago.

Teachers unions ready to fight new suit challenging tenure, protections

The city and state teachers unions came out swinging against a suit filed Monday by seven families who seek to overhaul tenure and other job protections granted to Empire State educators.

Partially blind cook hits Barclays Center with $5M suit, says he was called 'cyclops,' 'one-eyed guy'

A partially blind cook who toiled in Barclays Center's luxurious Calvin Klein Courtside Club claims he was banished to the media section "out of sight" of well-heeled customers.

Author who wrote about her caffeine addiction arrested on charges of helping thief avoid community service: authorities

A self-described caffeine addict is getting to wake up and smell reality after getting busted for allegedly helping a defendant scam her way out of community service.