AURN News

Dorothy Dandridge, the groundbreaking actress and singer who became the first Black woman nominated for an Academy Award for best actress, is remembered 60 years after her passing. Known for her unforgettable role in “Carmen Jones,” she left a lasting impact on Hollywood and paved the way for future generations. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black...

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) is deploying 300 additional National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., joining more than 2,200 from other states under President Donald Trump’s federal order. While Kemp calls it a mission of security, critics argue the deployment is unnecessary and unlawful. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled me...

A new Mercer survey projects that employer health benefit costs will rise 6.5% in 2026, marking the sharpest increase in 15 years. The report cites provider consolidation, inflation, rising medical wages and new technologies as key drivers. While many companies are pursuing cost-saving strategies, employees may still face higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Subscribe to our newsletter t...

Joseph McNeil, one of the four North Carolina A&T freshmen who staged the 1960 Greensboro sit-in at a segregated lunch counter, has died at 83. His act of defiance alongside Franklin McCain, David Richmond and Jibreel Khazan inspired a nationwide wave of protests that helped fuel the civil rights movement. With McNeil’s passing, Khazan is the last surviving member of the A&T Four. Subscribe to our...

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced sharp questioning from both Democrats and Republicans in a Senate hearing over his handling of vaccines. Lawmakers pressed him on restricted access to COVID-19 shots and accused him of undermining decades of vaccine progress. Kennedy defended his approach, insisting he is “pro-science, not anti-vaccine.” Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with...

The District of Columbia has filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump, challenging his deployment of the National Guard as an illegal use of the military for domestic law enforcement. Attorney General Brian Schwalb warned that “no American jurisdiction should be involuntarily subjected to military occupation.” The lawsuit comes after a California court also ruled against Trump’s use...

The latest ADP payroll report shows U.S. job growth slowed sharply in August, with just 54,000 jobs added. Sectors like trade, transportation and education posted losses, while wages showed little movement. Economists warn the cooling labor market could undercut President Donald Trump’s message of a booming economy. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading B...

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough questions on Capitol Hill over sweeping health agency layoffs and the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said they want to end all childhood vaccine mandates — prompting Democratic governors on the West Coast to form an alliance to protect immunization standards. Subscribe t...

Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a law criminalizing LGBTQ practices, including fines, prison sentences of two to five years, and deportation for noncitizens. The law, which awaits approval from the country’s military leader, is part of broader legal reforms. Human rights groups are expected to condemn it as part of a growing wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation across Africa. Subscribe...

The latest federal jobs report shows U.S. job openings at their lowest level since the pandemic recovery in 2021. With fewer openings and a steady quit rate, workers are feeling the squeeze as the labor market cools under President Donald Trump’s second term. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/ne...

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network spoke on Capitol Hill, demanding the release of Epstein files and calling out a government cover-up. They urged Congress to stop shielding predators, protect victims and push through the Crime Victims’ Rights Reform Act. Survivors warned they may release names if the government does not act. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with th...

Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended cooperation with federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., beyond Sept. 10, when President Donald Trump’s emergency authority is set to expire. Supporters say crime is down, but critics warn the move undermines D.C.’s autonomy. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.co...

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser extended the Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center, created in response to President Donald Trump’s federal law enforcement surge. The center coordinates with agencies including the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Park Police and Secret Service, while pressing officers to follow standard policing practices such as visible IDs. Trump praised the initiative as a “t...

At a White House press conference, President Donald Trump pivoted from announcing Space Command’s move to Huntsville, Alabama, to discuss Chicago, which he called a “hellhole.” Citing weekend shootings that left nine dead and more than 50 injured, Trump said he has an obligation to send in the National Guard. He claimed Illinois leaders are refusing protection and that Chicagoans are pleading for...

A sweeping new law signed by President Donald Trump — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — imposes new work requirements for SNAP, the federal food assistance program. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates the law will slash $187 billion through 2034, the largest reduction in SNAP’s history. Analysts say 4 million people — including children, veterans and seniors — could lose benefits....

On this day in 1766, James Forten was born in Philadelphia. A free Black man, Forten became a successful sailmaker and inventor, developing an improved sail design that earned him respect in a trade dominated by white craftsmen. He used his wealth and influence to support abolitionist causes, fund antislavery publications, and aid the Underground Railroad. Forten believed in education and opportun...

A federal judge struck down President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles during immigration protests, calling it illegal under federal law. Judge Charles Breyer said the move crossed a line meant to keep the military out of domestic law enforcement. The administration claimed the Guard was only protecting officers, but the court rejected that argument. The decis...

President Donald Trump’s approval rating rebounded in August, according to Gallup, reaching 40% — a three-point increase from July. It’s the first uptick since February. His economic approval held steady at 37%, while his foreign affairs rating slipped to 39%. Gallup also found a historic partisan gap: 93% of Republicans approve of Trump’s performance, compared with just 1% of Democrats. Satisfact...

When most think of Labor Day, they picture parades and barbecues. But for Black America, the struggle has always been about more than wages — it’s about dignity. From the Pullman porters and A. Philip Randolph’s union to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last campaign with Memphis sanitation workers, Black labor has transformed labor rights and fueled the civil rights movement. Subscribe to our newslet...

Labor Day weekend is here, and millions of Americans are taking one last summer trip. The American Automobile Association says top destinations include Seattle, Orlando and New York, with cruises and theme parks also in demand. Travel is cheaper this year, with flights averaging $720 and hotels down 11%, while gas prices remain steady at $3.30 a gallon. But drivers should brace for congestion — tr...

On Sept. 1, 1867, Robert Tanner Freeman became the first Black graduate of Harvard Dental School, making history as one of the first professionally trained Black dentists in the United States. Born to formerly enslaved parents in North Carolina, Freeman overcame barriers of racism and exclusion that kept African Americans out of medical training. He later practiced in Washington, D.C., mentoring y...

President Donald Trump revoked Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of her 15-city book tour promoting her new book, “107 Days.” By law, former vice presidents receive six months of protection after leaving office, but Joe Biden had extended Harris’ coverage to 18 months. Her protection ends Monday, with the White House saying Trump is following the law. Critics...

Americans say they’ve had enough of tipping pressures, according to a new Talker Research survey. The study of 2,000 people found guilt tipping has dropped 38% in 2025, with average spending on unwanted tips falling from $453 last year. Many respondents said they feel pressured by rising default tip options, though guilt tipping still happens about 4.2 times per month. Subscribe to our newsletter...

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after Trump claimed he had fired her over unproven allegations of mortgage fraud. Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Fed board, argues the move threatens the central bank’s independence. Legal experts note Fed governors can only be removed “for cause” with due process — which Cook has not received — an...

Rev. Al Sharpton led thousands in a march on Wall Street to mark the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington. Sharpton told marchers that Wall Street benefited from Trump-era policies and vowed “your benefit days are numbered.” The demonstration comes as President Trump threatens more takeovers of Black-led cities and continues his attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion. Subscribe to our n...