A historian-nostalgist celebrates the Knicks’ first NBA title in 53 years as a unifying victory for a city he fears is fading, praising its democratic, cosmopolitan spirit. He contrasts this with a brutal, Trump-hosted cage fight at the Lincoln Memorial, calling it a sacrilegious symbol of political decay in Washington.

• The Knicks winning their first NBA title in 53 years united New Yorkers across class and tribal lines, a rare moment of collective joy after 9/11, Sandy, blackouts, and the pandemic.
• The author juxtaposes this with a Trump-hosted cage fight staged near the Lincoln Memorial/White House lawn, framing it as a sacrilegious symbol of democratic decay.
• The comparison casts New York's cosmopolitan, immigrant-driven celebration of a Black-led sport as a counterpoint to Washington's descent into spectacle and narrow nationalism.
• The Knicks' success is attributed to teamwork and Jalen Brunson's selfless leadership rather than a single superstar, reinforcing the piece's theme of democratic, communal triumph over brute individualism.

The Trump administration overstated New York’s Medicaid personal care users as 5 million when the real figure is about 450,000, undermining its own fraud probe. CMS head Dr. Oz based a high-profile investigation on that incorrect data, drawing criticism from analysts and state officials even as the review continues.

• CMS/Dr. Oz overstated New York's Medicaid personal care users as ~5 million (74%) when the actual figure is about 450,000 (6-7%), a data error CMS blames on misapplied billing codes.
• Despite admitting the error, CMS is continuing its fraud investigation into New York, part of a broader probe targeting at least five states (including California, Florida, Maine, Minnesota) led by VP JD Vance's task force, which already froze $243 million in Minnesota Medicaid payments.
• Oz's claim that New York accepts "easily distracted" as a qualifying condition is contradicted by state regulators, who say September rules actually tightened eligibility screening and that phrase appears nowhere in them.
• Critics, including a disabled New Yorker who relies on paid aides, call Oz's comparison of aides to unpaid family helpers insulting and warn the administration's adversarial approach undermines genuine anti-fraud collaboration.

James J. Foley offers specialized counseling for individuals struggling with sex addiction and related issues in New York City. With over 30 years of experience, he provides evidence-based treatment for various sexual compulsions, including infidelity, strip club addiction, and more. The service emphasizes a non-judgmental approach, aiming to help clients achieve significant progress.

• James J. Foley has over 30 years of experience treating sex addiction in NYC
• Treatment covers a range of compulsions, including infidelity and strip club addiction
• Approach is non-judgmental and evidence-based, aimed at helping clients make significant progress