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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
In observance of Virginia Agriculture Week, Governor Abigail Spanberger embarked on a tour of Washington County, making notable visits on Wednesday. Among her stops, she engaged in a meaningful discussion with local farmers at the Copenhaver Brothers Farm.
During the roundtable meeting, Governor Spanberger emphasized the importance of agriculture in the state’s culture and economy. “Being on a sixth-generation farm highlights the essence of Virginia’s heritage,” she remarked. “Agriculture stands as Virginia’s leading private industry, with forestry ranking third. Remarkably, 95% of these agricultural enterprises are family-owned. As governor, strengthening our economy remains a top priority for me.”
This gathering provided a platform for Southwest Virginia farmers to share their perspectives and concerns directly with the governor, fostering a dialogue on pressing issues.
Brad Copenhaver, co-owner of the Copenhaver Brothers Farm, underscored agriculture’s significance, stating, “Agriculture isn’t just the largest industry in Virginia; it’s pivotal here in Washington County as well. Many may not be aware of this fact. Currently, one of our major challenges is preserving farmland and ensuring its transition to future generations. Development pressures are mounting throughout Virginia, including Southwest Virginia, and once we lose that farmland, it’s often gone for good.”
“Agriculture is the largest industry in Virginia. It’s the largest industry here in Washington County. I think a lot of people might not realize that,” Brad Copenhaver, co-owner of Copenhaver Brothers Farm, told News Channel 11. “One of the biggest challenges right now is farmland preservation, farmland conservation, and transitioning to the next generation of farmers. There’s development pressures all over Virginia, even here in Southwest Virginia, and when we lose that farmland, it’s hard to get it back. Or we don’t get it back.”
Another thing highlighted by Spanberger was the Farm & Forestry Prosperity Plan she signed into law this week.
“It has been an essential element of my administration’s plan for our Department of Commerce and Trade to work hand-in-glove with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to ensure that, you know, when we are thinking about bringing in new investments to Virginia, it isn’t just a manufacturing plant that we’re trying to attract,” Spanberger said.
There are also bills included in the plan to encourage schools to buy food from Virginia farmers.
In a spirited showdown at Washington, DC’s Nationals Park, Republican lawmakers decisively defeated their Democratic rivals in the annual Congressional Baseball Game, securing an 11-2 victory. This triumph marks the sixth consecutive win for the GOP, highlighting their dominance on the baseball diamond.
Undoubtedly, the game’s standout moment came during the bottom of the third inning when Sen. Eric Schmitt displayed remarkable athleticism. Schmitt made a spectacular diving catch near the left field line, thwarting Rep. Johnny Olszewski of Maryland from securing an extra-base hit. Despite earning a bloody nose from the effort, Schmitt’s defensive play was a crowd favorite.
Schmitt’s prowess was not limited to fielding; he also shone at the plate. The Missouri senator contributed significantly to his team’s offensive efforts by securing two hits and earning two walks during the game.
Reflecting on the evening’s events, Schmitt expressed his dedication and pride on social media platform X, stating, “Left it all on the field,” and shared his honor in being named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
“Left it all on the field,” Schmitt wrote on X after the game, noting he was “honored to be named MVP.”
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) – donning an America 250 hat signed by President Trump and knee-high American flag socks – went the distance on the mound, tossing seven innings, giving up only two runs and striking out five Democrats.
Heck of a diving catch by Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt.
It should surprise no one that Republicans are better than Democrats at baseball. pic.twitter.com/GW7z9ddJqk
— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) June 10, 2026
“REPUBLICANS WIN… AGAIN!” Steube celebrated on social media. “Six straight Congressional Baseball Game victories!“
“There’s nothing more American than baseball, and doing it during America’s 250th year made it even better!”
Defensive miscues plagued the Democrats throughout the game.
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) made a nice stop on a groundball in the second inning but his errant throw got past the second baseman and right fielder, leading to two runs for the Republicans.
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), the Democrat starting pitcher, struggled through three innings, giving up 10 runs and walking seven.
More than 32,000 tickets were sold for the game, which raised over $3.1 million for Washington, DC-area charities.
Republicans hold an overall edge over Democrats in the series with a 48-42 record.
Inset: Adrian Anthony Longoria (Bexar County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The Bexar County Adult Detention Center in San Antonio, Texas (Google Maps).
A Texas man is facing serious allegations after reportedly threatening his girlfriend with violence if she attempted to leave his residence.
Adrian Anthony Longoria, aged 32, was taken into custody on Sunday following reports of a disturbance at a truck stop in San Antonio, Texas. According to a report from the San Antonio Police Department, obtained by local ABC affiliate KSAT, officers were dispatched to the Flying J Travel Center. Witnesses there claimed Longoria was pursuing his girlfriend with a firearm, making threats to kill her if she refused to enter his vehicle.
Upon locating the woman, police observed that she had a black eye and multiple bruises across her body. Longoria, however, denied any involvement in the assault, asserting that the injuries resulted from a “previous fight.”
Police interviewed the woman, who revealed she had been in an “intimate” relationship with Longoria for several months. She recounted moving in with him at his Cibolo, Texas home after leaving a rehabilitation center at the end of May. She claimed that mere days after her arrival, she attempted to leave, but Longoria prevented her.
The report further detailed a disturbing account where, as the woman approached the front door to leave, Longoria allegedly blocked her path, aimed a gun at her, and warned, “If you try to leave or escape, I’ll kill you and your family.”
Police said Longoria held the woman at his home against her will for several days, during which time he assaulted her and refused to let her leave. He also took her phone from her. The woman told police that she used Longoria’s phone to contact her family.
Longoria was arrested and charged with kidnapping. He is currently in custody at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held on $50,000 bond. His next court date was not publicly available.
On June 5, scrutiny over U.K. surveillance laws intensified as House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, raised alarms. He expressed concerns about these laws potentially exposing the communications of both officials and American citizens, according to various reports.
The focus of the debate revolves around the U.K.’s use of secretive Technical Capability Notices under the Investigatory Powers Act. Critics argue these measures could pressure U.S. companies to compromise encryption or create “backdoors.” Moreover, firms might be prohibited from revealing these requests without U.K. government consent.
Opponents of the law warn that it could jeopardize privacy, introduce security risks, and restrict congressional oversight. A former intelligence official even described the situation as a “standing invitation to Beijing.”
Andrew Badger, a former Department of Defense official, commented to News Media, “We have already seen how this ends,” indicating the potential implications of such surveillance practices.
Rep. Jim Jordan emphasized the political divide by stating that Republicans represent “the party of common sense,” while labeling Democrats as “the party that takes these crazy positions.” (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“There are legitimate privacy concerns here, and those have been well aired. The less examined issue is national security,” Badger said.
“A backdoor compelled by one ally becomes a standing invitation to Beijing, Moscow and Tehran so once one government can quietly compel access, others will demand the same, and a one-off concession hardens into a permanent vulnerability,” he warned.
According to the Telegraph, a June 5 letter sent by Jordan to U.K. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, showed the Trump ally had called for a review.
The report said Mahmood’s decision had been to deny a U.S. company permission to speak with Congress about an alleged encryption backdoor notice.
Jordan was also said to have warned that a lack of bilateral coordination raised concerns about the “trust and effective partnership between our two countries.”
“Five Eyes works because every partner trusts the others not to weaken the systems they all depend on,” Badger, co-author of “The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets,” said.
“If Washington also concludes that U.K. surveillance powers could inadvertently expose Americans and American officials to espionage, it puts real strain on the relationship and makes future cooperation on intelligence and cyber harder to sustain.”
The Thames House headquarters of MI5 in London on Nov. 18, 2025. Britain’s domestic security service has warned of growing state-backed threats, including more than 20 Iran-backed plots uncovered in the UK, as lawmakers consider new legislation targeting foreign state-linked groups.(Betty Laura Zapata/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
On the encryption issue, Badger noted that mainstream encrypted platforms now function as “de facto infrastructure for sensitive communication well beyond the consumer market.”
“Any access point built into them becomes a permanent target. It is not a private key the requesting government gets to keep to itself,” he said.
U.S. and British cyber officials have also repeatedly warned that an axis of hostile states — including Russia, China and Iran — poses threats to Western security and infrastructure.
As previously reported by News Media, cyberespionage by groups such as Salt Typhoon, linked to China, has carried out operations targeting sensitive communications.
“China is actively running one of the largest state-backed cyberespionage operations ever uncovered. The Salt Typhoon campaign has targeted hundreds of organizations across roughly 80 countries and, through those intrusions, gained access to sensitive communications and networks used by senior Western officials,” Badger warned.
“Chinese state hackers didn’t defeat encryption. They walked straight through the lawful-intercept systems telecom providers had built, reaching the communications of senior officials and even information about surveillance targets.”
The flag of China is flown behind a pair of surveillance cameras outside the Central Government Offices.(Roy Liu/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Reports also surfaced that U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper used a burner phone during a recent trip to Beijing and raising further concerns about state-sponsored espionage.
Badger noted that the episode reflects a broader pattern of Chinese targeting of British democratic institutions, including the “hacking of senior Downing Street officials’ phones and an Electoral Commission breach that exposed the data of roughly 40 million voters,” he said.
“The telling thing is that no one issues burner phones for a trip to Sweden or Germany,” he said.
“The precaution is itself an admission of the threat environment. The working assumption — correctly — is that anything digital taken into China should be treated as potentially compromised.”
The systemic vulnerability also highlights a fundamental contradiction in Western diplomatic strategy, according to Badger.
“This case perfectly underscores the contradiction at the heart of the U.K. Labour government’s China policy: chasing positive economic relations and expanded trade with Beijing on one hand, while being forced to take elaborate precautions against a state whose core interests remain fundamentally at odds with its own on the other,” Badger said.
“You can’t simultaneously treat China as a trusted economic partner and a hostile intelligence threat. It’s a fundamental contradiction. The need to use burner phones symbolically underscore this.”
Looking to achieve smoother underarms after 55? Try these six morning exercises that build upper body strength without weights.
Underarm fat tends to be stubborn, sitting in the tricky zone between the upper arm, chest, shoulder, and upper back. As we age, especially after 55, this area can appear softer due to a natural decline in muscle mass, altered posture, and an increase in body fat. The key isn’t to focus solely on one small area of fat but to target the entire upper-body region surrounding it.
While spot reduction is an appealing concept, our bodies don’t allow us to pick and choose where fat disappears first. Changes in underarm fat are more noticeable when overall body fat decreases, which can be achieved through a consistent calorie deficit, regular movement, and sufficient strength training to build lean muscle. By focusing on the muscles around the underarm area, you can create a firmer appearance in your arms, shoulders, chest, and upper back as your body composition improves.
Incorporating bodyweight exercises into your morning routine aligns perfectly with these goals. These exercises are straightforward, easy to repeat, and don’t require a gym. They focus on enhancing pressing strength, shoulder stability, posture, core control, and upper-back activation, all before the day gets busy. This approach provides a clear and uncomplicated path to achieving your fitness goals without turning the routine into a complex ordeal.
Morning bodyweight work fits this goal well because it’s simple, repeatable, and doesn’t require a full gym setup. You can train pressing strength, shoulder stability, posture, core control, and upper-back activation before the day gets busy. I like this style of training because it gives people a clear path without making the routine feel like a production.
For this lineup, you’ll use planks, push-up variations, shoulder-focused movement, and upper-back work to hit the muscles that shape the underarm area. Your chest, triceps, shoulders, lats, rear delts, and core all get involved. Keep the reps controlled, move with purpose, and let consistency do the heavy lifting.
Plank With Shoulder Taps
Plank shoulder taps train your core, shoulders, chest, triceps, and glutes while your body fights rotation. Every time one hand leaves the floor, your midsection has to brace harder so your hips don’t rock. That control helps build stronger shoulders and arms while also teaching your body to stay steady under its own weight. For the underarm area, the shoulder and chest work well with the core demand, giving you a greater return than small arm-only movements.
Form Tip: Keep your hips quiet while your hands move.
Down Dog to Cobra
Down dog to cobra trains your shoulders, chest, upper back, triceps, and core while moving your body through a smooth range. Pressing back into down dog asks your shoulders and arms to support you, while cobra opens the chest and brings more movement through the upper body. This helps firm the underarm area by strengthening the muscles around the shoulders and chest without needing weights. Move slowly and make the transition feel controlled, rather than rushing through it like a stretch you’re trying to finish.
Start in a high plank position with your hands under your shoulders.
Push your hips up and back into down dog.
Press your hands firmly into the floor.
Shift your body forward toward the plank.
Lower your hips and lift your chest into cobra.
Return to down dog with control.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 6 to 8 reps. Rest for 30 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Elevated hands down dog to cobra, shorter range reps, slower tempo reps.
Form Tip: Press through your hands and keep your shoulders active through the full movement.
Incline Push-Ups
Incline push-ups train your chest, shoulders, triceps, and core with a setup that’s easier to manage than floor push-ups. The elevated angle lets you focus on clean pressing strength while still challenging the muscles that help shape the upper arm and chest. Your triceps work hard on every rep, which matters because the back of the upper arm influences how firm the underarm area looks. Start higher if needed, then lower the incline as you get stronger.
Muscles Trained: Chest, shoulders, triceps, core.
How to Do It:
Place your hands on a bench, counter, or sturdy elevated surface.
Step your feet back until your body forms a straight line.
Brace your core and keep your hips level.
Lower your chest toward the surface by bending your elbows.
Press through your hands to return to the starting position.
Repeat with steady control.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps. Rest for 45 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Wall push-ups, counter push-ups, lower incline push-ups.
Form Tip: Keep your elbows angled slightly back and avoid letting your hips sag.
Reverse Plank Hold
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Reverse plank holds train your triceps, shoulders, upper back, glutes, and core while opening the front of your body. Holding yourself up with your hands behind you puts your back of your arms to work, and your upper back helps keep your chest lifted. That makes the move useful for building a stronger frame around the underarm area. Keep the hold clean and short at first, so your shoulders feel supported rather than cranky.
Form Tip: Press the floor away and keep your shoulders down.
Prone Y Raises
Prone Y raises train your upper back, rear shoulders, and lower traps, which help improve posture and shoulder position. Better posture can make the upper arms and underarm area look more lifted because the shoulders sit in a stronger position. The movement looks small, but it lights up the muscles that often get ignored when most upper-body work focuses only on pressing. Keep your thumbs up and lift with control, rather than shrugging.
Lie on your stomach with your arms reaching overhead in a Y shape.
Point your thumbs toward the ceiling.
Brace your core lightly and keep your neck long.
Lift your arms a few inches off the floor.
Squeeze your shoulder blades gently.
Lower your arms with control.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps. Rest for 30 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Prone T raises, prone W raises, paused Y raises.
Form Tip: Lift from your upper back, avoiding shoulder shrugs.
Arm Circles
Arm circles train your shoulders and upper arms while adding a simple endurance challenge. They don’t look flashy, but after 30 to 45 seconds, your shoulders will absolutely get the memo. The constant movement keeps tension around the delts and upper arms, which pairs well with push-ups and planks for a complete no-weight upper-body routine. Keep the circles small and controlled so the work stays in your shoulders instead of turning into loose swinging.
Extend your arms out to your sides at shoulder height.
Brace your core and keep your shoulders relaxed.
Make small forward circles with your arms.
Switch to backward circles halfway through the set.
Keep your arms lifted until the set ends.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 30 to 45 seconds. Rest for 30 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Larger arm circles, pulse holds, alternating forward and backward circles.
Form Tip: Keep your arms at shoulder height and avoid shrugging toward your ears.
How to Tighten the Underarm Area Without Weights
Shutterstock
Tightening the underarm area comes from training the muscles around the upper arm, chest, shoulder, and upper back while supporting overall fat loss. These exercises help because they don’t rely on one small motion. You’re pressing, bracing, holding, reaching, and stabilizing, which gives your upper body more ways to build firmness.
Train the triceps and chest together: Incline push-ups and reverse plank holds help strengthen the back of the arms and the muscles around the chest. Those areas influence how firm the underarm region looks.
Don’t skip upper-back work: Prone Y raises and down dog to cobra help strengthen the muscles that support better posture. A better shoulder position can change how the upper body looks and feels.
Use controlled reps: Fast reps usually turn into momentum. Slower push-ups, planks, and raises keep the target muscles working longer.
Pair the routine with daily movement: Walking, stairs, and short movement breaks help with calorie burn. Fat loss still comes from the bigger daily picture, not from a single underarm exercise.
Repeat the routine a few mornings per week: Consistency signals your muscles to respond. Start with the versions you can do well and progress from there.
A firmer underarm area starts with stronger arms, shoulders, chest, and upper back. Keep the routine simple, make each rep clean, and give your upper body a few focused mornings each week to build the shape and strength you want.
Meghan McCain didn’t hold back her criticism of Jimmy Kimmel, calling him detrimental to the nation. Her comments came after the late-night host made fun of Spencer Pratt’s failed bid to become mayor of Los Angeles.
“Jimmy Kimmel is a mean, heartless person, and no amount of tears on air will change my mind or anyone else’s,” McCain, who is 41, declared on X this Wednesday.
The daughter of the late Senator John McCain, Meghan, further commented on Kimmel, 58, stating, “The day he leaves television will be a better day for the country.”
The Phoenix, Arizona native made her remarks following Kimmel’s monologue Tuesday, in which he recalled how Pratt – a Republican who had been endorsed by President Donald Trump – had vowed to vacate the area should he lose.
Following Pratt’s elimination in the primary against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, 72, and city council member Nithya Raman, 44, Kimmel jested about helping the former star of The Hills with his plans to move away.
“He made it clear that if Karen Bass or Nithya Raman were elected, he’d leave L.A.,” the ABC host remarked. “He said he was done with the city, and Spencer, if you’re watching, we’re really sorry to see you go.”
Meghan McCain, 41, slammed Jimmy Kimmel, 58, as bad for the country in reaction to the late night host’s mockery of Spencer Pratt’s loss in his run for mayor of Los Angeles
The daughter of late U.S. Senator John McCain jabbed at the late night host on X
The late night host said, ‘You said you were going to go and I know things might be tight right now, especially out-of-state donation money is running out.
‘Moving is expensive. So to help you out we rented you a U-Haul.’
He added, ‘We do know we’re going to miss the hell out of you. You’re a man of your word and you’ve got to go.’
Kimmel showed off how he had a U-Haul truck decorated with balloons, a cutout of Pratt looking upset and a sign reading, ‘Just defeated.’
He said of the moving vehicle, ‘Our staff spent the whole day decorating for you – and everybody will notice you and wave goodbye as you leave.’
Kimmel said he hoped Pratt and his spouse Heidi Montag would be ‘happy wherever’ they wound up.
Pratt was initially in position to advance in the Los Angeles mayoral primary, but fell behind both Bass and Raman amid an extended counting process.
McCain’s sharp comments drew a varied response on social media, as some agreed with the one-time panelist on The View in her assessment of Kimmel and his impact on American society.
Kimmel in his monologue Tuesday recalled remarks Pratt made vowing to move if he lost
Kimmel showed off how he had a U-Haul truck decorated with balloons to help Pratt move
The truck also featured a cutout of Pratt looking upset and a sign reading ‘Just defeated’
McCain’s sharp comments drew a varied response on social media, as some agreed with the former View panelist in her assessments of Kimmel and his impact
‘If we could just remove his show and The View the world would be a better place!’ one user commented.
Another said that ‘it’s a travesty that ABC gets privileged use of the public airwaves for divisive, narrow-minded and tendentious shows like this.’
One user suggested that Kimmel’s show was too politically-focused, saying that ‘broadcast licenses need to be revoked’ and that ‘people that want to watch this stuff can get cable or stream it.’
One user said that the late night platform went from ‘shows that everyone looked forward to,’ to ‘a medium for those filled with hatred and mean-spiritedness.’
Others said McCain was misguided in directing her ire at the TV comedian – described by one commenter as ‘a decent & funny guy’ – and not Trump, recalling how he infamously said her late father was ‘not a war hero’ while campaigning in 2015.
One user asked, ‘Has anyone ever heard Meghan defend her father @SenJohnMcCain against the awful lies that Trump said about her father????
‘My guess is she’s silent on that!’
Another user said, ‘You support Donald Trump! He says meaner things about your dead father you f***ing hypocrite!!! WHAT THE F*** IS WRONG WITH YOU???’
Others said McCain was misguided in directing her ire at the TV comedian and not Trump, recalling how he said her late father was not a war hero while campaigning in 2015
A commenter reminded McCain of the relative differences in power and influence Trump and Kimmel have.
‘Right, because Jimmy Kimmel is *checks notes* in the entertainment industry and doesn’t run our country,’ the user said. ‘F*** off Meghan.’
Said another commenter, ‘It’s wild how people who voted for Donald Trump – who’s said and done much worse – are so violently triggered by a late night host’s joke.
‘Only difference is that Jimmy Kimmel runs a TV show while Donald Trump runs a country.’
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Physicians at the Georgia Cancer Center and Wellstar MCG Health are breaking new ground in cancer treatment with the introduction of non-invasive technology. The Elekta Gamma Knife Esprit, a cutting-edge system, was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 9, signaling a significant advancement in the treatment of brain tumors.
The introduction of the Elekta Gamma Knife Esprit marks a pivotal moment in radiation therapy, providing an alternative to traditional surgical methods for treating non-invasive brain tumors. This innovative approach is being hailed as the gold standard in the field, offering hope to patients who may not be eligible for conventional procedures.
Dr. John Barrett, who chairs the Department of Oncology at MCG, emphasized the system’s precision and safety. “In certain situations, it is considerably safer than neurosurgery when addressing lesions located deep within the brain,” he explained. “The technology’s remarkable accuracy enables it to deliver a concentrated dose of radiation directly to a target, with minimal impact on the surrounding brain tissue. This significantly reduces the risk of injury.”
With this new treatment option, doctors are optimistic about extending care to individuals who previously had limited options, thus broadening the scope of patient eligibility for cancer treatment.
Doctors say they hope this new treatment helps patients who might not be candidates for other procedures.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — For generations, Juneteenth has been a significant day for Black Americans, commemorating the moment when enslaved African Americans in Texas learned of their freedom. Since its recognition as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth celebrations have expanded across the United States, including in Central Illinois.
Even though the official holiday lands on June 19, various events are set in motion by libraries, colleges, and community organizations throughout Central Illinois. These festivities include festivals, fairs, concerts, and other engaging activities leading up to the day itself.
It seems tensions were running high at Madison Square Garden during the Knicks game on Wednesday night.
Scooter Braun made an appearance at Game 4 of the NBA Finals to watch the New York Knicks face off against the San Antonio Spurs, accompanied by his girlfriend, Sydney Sweeney. However, the basketball court wasn’t the only arena witnessing a rivalry.
In the stands, Braun’s long-standing adversary, Taylor Swift, also made her presence known. Swift attended the event with her close friends, Este and Alana Haim, sporting a playful blue shirt emblazoned with the words “Stevie Knicks,” a nod to both the legendary singer and the home team.
Page Six shared an Instagram video capturing Swift seated courtside, while Braun and Sweeney found themselves situated three rows back, with a barricade distinctly marking the separation between them and Swift’s group.
Earlier in the day, Braun had taken to Instagram Stories, sharing a snapshot from inside the iconic venue. The photo, featuring his father among others, was captioned, “Game 4 at THE GARDEN,” hinting at the excitement ahead.
Braun, 44, is a life-long Knicks fan and has been posting videos of him excitedly cheering on the team during their playoff run on his social media.
Swift attended a Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game last month alongside her fiancé, Travis Kelce, and fans on social media pointed out that she’s appeared to be a fan of the Knicks over the years. The pop star, 36, has rocked Knicks merch and posed with former players, including Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.
Last month, Braun revisited his infamous feud with Swift during his appearance on the “Second Thought” podcast. Their beef ignited in 2019 when he bought the rights to her first six albums — “Taylor Swift,” “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Red,” “1989” and “Reputation” — from her former record label, Big Machine Records, without her approval.
She later publicly blasted him in a scathing Tumblr post, accusing him of bullying her over the years through his famous former clients Justin Bieber and Kanye West.
But Braun insisted he did not “know” Swift personally when asked about their drama during his podcast interview.
“I don’t know Taylor Swift. I think I’ve met her in my life three times,” he said. “I have never had a substantial conversation with her in my life.”
“I will never truly understand that situation to this day. I wish her nothing but the best,” he insisted.
Braun claimed Swift once invited him to a private party and that she told him she had “the utmost respect” for him, but that was the extent of their interactions.
“People are usually shocked to find out that I legitimately don’t know her and didn’t have many interactions with her and never really knew her,” he said.
Braun said his beef with the singer turned him into a villain overnight, but that in the end, he learned from the situation.
Ohio auditor sounds alarm on billions in Medicaid fraud at Capitol Hill hearing
During a recent hearing on Capitol Hill, Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber issued a stark warning about the significant financial losses Ohio faces due to rampant Medicaid fraud. Faber pointed out that the program’s weak controls have enabled ineligible parties, such as deceased individuals and people registered in multiple states, to abuse the system. He revealed that in 2020 alone, over $455 million in benefits were wrongly allocated to those who didn’t qualify, and he called for urgent measures to curb further misuse of taxpayer money.
In response to these issues, Ohio lawmakers approved a substantial $875 million payment package on Wednesday. This move comes after the Ohio Supreme Court determined that the state had been using an incorrect formula for calculating Medicaid reimbursements to nursing homes, which had resulted in a significant shortfall of funds for providers amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.
The newly approved funding, part of a budget correction bill now awaiting the signature of Republican Governor Mike DeWine, aims to address and resolve the longstanding payment dispute with skilled nursing facilities that dates back to the 2024-25 budget cycle.
“This is the most grievous oversight we could have committed against those who care for our elderly, ensuring they lead dignified and comfortable lives,” stated state Representative Jean Schmidt. “Today, we are setting that mistake right.”
The Ohio Supreme Court’s decision in September 2025 highlighted that state officials had employed an incorrect approach in calculating specific Medicaid quality payments. This error led to significant underpayments to nursing homes. Consequently, the court ordered the state to reassess and correct the owed amounts to the providers.
HOUSE GOP LAUNCHES NEW TASK FORCE, PROBES ALLEGED $250B MEDICAID FRAUD IN OHIO
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine poses for a group photo with the Ohio Congressional delegation after the ceremonial swearing-in of Sen. Jon Husted in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol on Jan. 21, 2025.(Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Lawmakers’ solution carries a larger price tag than the amount identified in the ruling. The package sets aside $875 million, including roughly $310 million from the state and $565 million in federal funding, to settle the issue.
Ohio pays nursing homes a daily rate for Medicaid residents and provides additional payments to facilities that meet certain quality benchmarks. Nursing home operators argued the state failed to properly account for the medical complexity of residents when calculating those payments, reducing reimbursement for facilities caring for some of the sickest patients.
Lawmakers later revised the formula, but the state remained responsible for payments tied to earlier budget cycles.
The Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Ohio lawmakers approved an $875 million payment package for nursing homes after the Ohio Supreme Court found the state underpaid providers through a Medicaid reimbursement formula.(Maddie McGarvey/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The financial stakes grew as the case moved through the courts. In legal filings, Ohio Medicaid warned that recalculating the payments under the court’s interpretation could cost about $285 million more per year than lawmakers originally intended, potentially approaching $1 billion over two budget cycles.
The legislation requires providers that accept the money to waive future legal claims related to the disputed formula.
An elderly resident sits with a walker at a nursing home. Ohio lawmakers moved to correct hundreds of millions of dollars in nursing home Medicaid underpayments after a state Supreme Court ruling.(Getty Images)
Scott D. Wiley, CEO of the Ohio Health Care Association, urged DeWine to sign the bill.
“These funds are critically important to Ohio’s providers and the families they serve, and we urge Governor Mike DeWine to sign HB 479 into law without delay,” Wiley said.
