Reverend Franklin Graham, isn't convinced that President Obama is a Christian, and this morning on MSNBC alluded to the delicious possibility that he is a secret Muslim: “I can’t say categorically [that Obama doesn't practice Islam] because Islam has gotten a free pass under Obama." But if Graham really wanted to know if Obama is a Christian, he could have just asked his father, the Rev. Billy Graham, who prayed with the president in 2010 at his private residence in North Carolina. more ›

The long, sad saga of the St. Mark's Bookshop vs. Cooper Union has come to an end today, as Cooper Union hands down its final word: there shall be no rent reduction. more ›

Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of the octagon: it seemed like the page was about to turn for Mixed Martial Arts aficionados—after a long struggle to get their beloved, bloody sport legalized in New York, the MMA bill was overwhelmingly approved by the Assembly Tourism Committee this week. But the bill was then unceremoniously bodyslammed by none other than the heavyweight champion of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver. "There does not appear to be widespread support in the Assembly for this legislation," he told the News. more ›

The paper of record has at last acknowledged the Paterson rumor cyclone that swallowed up much of the chattering class for the past week. But instead of dropping a giant scandal-house on the Governor's head, the Times has left everything up in the air. In a rather coy item posted to City Room without attribution, the Times marveled at the speculative media frenzy, quoted Paterson's rant against the paper at yesterday's press conference, and then refused to accept any responsibility for not clearing the air sooner. more ›

Despite the police chief involved with the case calling it a "coverup," Isiah Thomas and his family are still sticking to the story that he did not accidentally overdose on sleeping pills Friday, but that an ambulance was only called to treat his daughter's fainting after a dizzy spell. Harrison Police Chief David Hall again made the situation clear to reporters saying, "It wasn't his daughter - and why they're throwing her under the bus is beyond my ability to understand." While the former Knicks coach had nothing to say yesterday, his 20-year-old son Joshua was backing up his father's story and calling the police chief's comments "disrespectful." Meanwhile the Post says that Isiah has had a harsh fall since his demotion by the Knicks, describing him as "steeped in sadness and loneliness...dreaming that one day all those who chanted "Fire Isiah!" would be forced to eat their words." more ›

After Boy George's visa was denied he spoke out on the problem that could put a glitch in his touring plans. The U.S. State Dept. also told their side of the story, and in the end The Man won. A press release sent out this morning stated that his tour, which included a special concert for the New York Department of Sanitation workers and families this summer, was canceled as a result of the problem. George stated, “I was really hoping that the issue would be resolved and that some kind soul at the US Visa Office would realize that if the police in the UK placed no restrictions on my movements, that should have been good enough for them. I am very sorry that I will not see all my American fans this year, but I wish them a happy and healthy Fourth of July. I include the Visa Office in those good wishes and realize they are doing a very difficult job and I just got unlucky.” Those wishing to see him in the U.S. will have to wait until Winter 2009! more ›