AURN News

William L. Clay Sr., the trailblazing Missouri congressman who served from 1969 to 2001 and helped found the Congressional Black Caucus, has died at 94. Clay was a powerful voice for racial and economic justice, sponsoring nearly 300 bills and leaving a lasting impact on labor and education reform. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the fifth anniversary of John Lewis's passing, more than 1,600 demonstrations erupted across all 50 states and abroad under the banner “Good Trouble Lives On.” The protests, led by the 50501 Movement, targeted the Trump administration's rollback of civil rights and social protections. The flagship rally took place in Chicago, while symbolic protests unfolded in The Villages — Trump's Florida stronghold. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation may be easing nationally, but families in cities like Seattle, Boston and Chicago are still feeling the squeeze. WalletHub's latest report ranks the U.S. metro areas where the cost of living continues to surge, with details on short-term and long-term Consumer Price Index trends. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Urban League has declared a “state of emergency,” warning that democracy and civil rights are under attack, as it released its annual State of Black America report. Urban League President Marc Morial and VP Rhonda Spears Bells say America faces grave challenges amid anti-equity policies, weakened enforcement and attacks on voting rights. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five immigrants convicted of crimes in the U.S. have been deported — not to their home countries — but to Eswatini, a small absolute monarchy in southern Africa. Immigration lawyers and human rights advocates are raising alarms about this new deportation policy and the lack of transparency around the arrangement. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five years ago today, we lost Congressman John Lewis — a hero of the civil rights movement and a tireless advocate for democracy, justice and human dignity. His legacy endures in every ballot cast and every peaceful protest, and the fight he championed is as urgent as ever. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump's approval ratings are slipping in a narrow but consistent pattern, driven by voter dissatisfaction over his handling of the economy, trade and inflation. Nate Silver's Silver Bulletin highlights a 4.5-point decline in net approval since the start of Trump's second term, with steep drops on key economic indicators. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump-Epstein firestorm is no longer aimed at Democrats — MAGA influencers, House Republicans and Speaker Mike Johnson are turning their frustration toward Trump after the DOJ declared there's no Epstein client list. Trump's own comments and Pam Bondi's refusal to discuss the matter have triggered a rare conservative backlash. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former President Barack Obama urged Democrats to act, not despair, during a private fundraiser in New Jersey that raised $2.5 million for the DNC. Obama called on Democrats to stop seeking quick fixes and focus on winning races in states like New Jersey and Virginia while defending values like free speech and delivering for working people. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation ticked up again in June, marking the third consecutive monthly rise as the Consumer Price Index climbed 0.3%. Prices for food, energy and shelter all increased, adding financial pressure for American households already managing rising costs. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Trump-appointed judge in Texas has struck down a rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that would have erased $49 billion in medical debt from Americans' credit reports. Nearly 30% of Black Americans and 22% of Latinos carry medical debt compared to 17% of white Americans. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court has cleared the Trump administration to proceed with layoffs of nearly 1,400 Education Department employees, a decision delivered via the court's shadow docket and without written explanation. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented sharply, accusing the court of enabling lawlessness. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to move forward with mass firings at the U.S. Department of Education, a decision that legal experts say could expand presidential power and undermine Congress' authority. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, calling the move a blow to civil rights, student loans and special education enforcement. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has frozen nearly $6.8 billion in federal education funding, jeopardizing after-school programs and summer camps serving low-income, rural and immigrant families. Georgia and North Carolina's Republican superintendents are speaking out as lawsuits mount. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former NBA player Willie Burton may pursue a Republican U.S. Senate bid in Minnesota's 2026 race. We explore his priorities—from literacy to job growth—and what his candidacy could mean for conservative and Black voters. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 14, 1953, the George Washington Carver National Monument was dedicated in Diamond, Missouri, marking the first U.S. monument to honor an African American. The site honors Carver's legacy as a pioneering scientist, educator and agricultural innovator — and preserves the landscapes that shaped his youth. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump is pressuring Congress to approve $9.4 billion in spending cuts, targeting public broadcasting and foreign aid programs like PEPFAR. The House narrowly approved the plan, but GOP senators from rural and Native communities are pushing back. At stake: funding for more than 1,500 local public stations and billions in humanitarian aid. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of heated debate, a new Gallup poll shows that most Americans — including many Republicans — now favor immigration as a positive force in the country. Record-high support for a path to citizenship highlights a shift, even as Trump continues to push mass deportation policies and struggles with disapproval among Hispanic voters. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 35% tariff on all Canadian imports, citing fentanyl concerns. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the tariffs a financial attack, while opposition leader Pierre Poilievre warned they would hurt both economies. The move could strain already fragile U.S.-Canada relations and drive up prices on both sides of the border. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, has vetoed three Republican-backed bills aimed at eliminating DEI programs in schools, universities and state agencies. His actions come as President Donald Trump aggressively rolls back DEI programs nationwide — underscoring a growing national divide over equity and representation. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal judge in New Hampshire has ruled that President Donald Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, issuing a nationwide injunction and certifying a class-action lawsuit on behalf of affected children. The case centers on the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to all born in the U.S. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Michigan judge has dismissed a challenge to the state's decades-old ban on publicly funded abortions, leaving Medicaid unable to cover abortion care except in limited circumstances. Even after voters enshrined abortion rights in the constitution in 2022, low-income residents remain blocked from equitable access. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An Economist/YouGov poll shows that a majority of Americans now oppose President Donald Trump's proposed budget, with many concerned about cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP. Even Republican voters expressed strong support for maintaining funding for social programs. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has sanctioned U.N. Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who has been outspoken about alleged human rights violations in Gaza. The move comes as Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with President Donald Trump in Washington and raises questions about silencing international watchdogs. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a move that could reshape church-state boundaries, the IRS has indicated that churches can endorse political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status. Critics warn this opens the door to dark money and political manipulation — and Rev. Al Sharpton says Black churches could be unfairly targeted. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark Atlanta University is launching a groundbreaking initiative in partnership with IBM SkillsBuild to train students and faculty in artificial intelligence. With access to large language models, real-world AI tools, and capstone projects, HBCU students will be equipped to shape a more inclusive future for tech. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court has upheld President Donald Trump's executive order targeting the federal workforce. The decision opens the door to massive layoffs and restructuring across key agencies like the EPA, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a forceful dissent. Critics warn of unchecked executive power. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1893, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams broke both medical ground and racial barriers when he performed the first successful open-heart surgery at Provident Hospital. This episode honors his historic achievement and the enduring legacy of a man who reshaped access to care for Black patients and professionals alike. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump's overhaul of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program could deny debt relief to workers based on their employer's political stance. Immigrant rights, LGBTQ support, and pro-Palestinian groups may be blacklisted — threatening the futures of teachers, nurses and public servants across the country. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump hit pause on sweeping new tariffs — but only until Aug. 1. Letters to allies warn of hikes up to 40%, and countries like Japan and South Korea face immediate trade pressure. The Dow dropped 400+ points, and consumer costs could spike. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick says the Trump-backed OBBB Act is “the devastation of America.” From Medicaid disenrollment to SNAP rollbacks, the law hits the vulnerable while shielding its harshest impacts until after the 2026 midterms. AURN News breaks it all down. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bayard Rustin's legacy as a queer Black civil rights leader gets new life through a digital archive launching this fall. Speeches, photos and rare footage—like Rustin at a 1964 Selma rally—will highlight his critical role in the March on Washington and advocacy for justice. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new Joint Center report reveals a troubling decline: only 6 percent of House personal office top staff were Black in 2025—down from 6.7 percent in 2018—despite overall increases in staff diversity. We explore which caucuses are bucking the trend and what this means for influence behind the scenes. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black‑owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk has officially launched the America Party, challenging what he calls the “corrupt two‑party system” — just two weeks after a public split with President Trump. We explore the implications of Musk's move, his ineligibility for the presidency and Trump's threat to retract federal subsidies from Tesla and SpaceX. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black‑owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flash floods turned a summer weekend into a deadly disaster, leaving at least 80 dead and dozens missing in Texas. Camp Mystic suffered the worst losses, as families now demand answers. President Donald Trump declared a disaster zone but sparked criticism over potential FEMA cuts. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While President Trump points to job growth as a sign of economic strength, new data shows layoffs are surging in several industries — and most new jobs are in government, not the private sector. AURN breaks down the latest numbers, including what's driving job cuts in 2025. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a split decision, the Supreme Court cleared the way to deport eight South Sudanese men, overriding a Massachusetts judge's order—even with warnings of potential torture or death. We explore the legal and moral implications of the ruling. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black‑owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the June jobs report, Black unemployment rose to 6.8% while the white jobless rate fell to 3.6%. Despite gains in state, local, and health care hiring, the federal workforce shrank. Experts are asking: who's left behind when growth isn't equal? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At 4:52 a.m., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries began using his “magic minute” to delay a GOP megabill and draw attention to the human cost of Medicaid cuts. His speech features letters from Americans in all 50 states. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail after a jury acquitted him of the most serious charges but found him guilty under the Mann Act. Prosecutors plan to push for a “substantial” prison term. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss ruled that President Donald Trump's first-day executive order restricting asylum access violated federal law. The decision reaffirms that migrants have the right to seek protection regardless of how they enter the country. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Private employers cut 33,000 jobs in June, according to ADP, signaling an uneven slowdown in hiring. Small businesses and the service sector bore the brunt, even as pay growth continues for now. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new Florida detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” has ignited controversy over its remote Everglades location, hurricane safety, and alleged human rights risks. President Trump has praised the site, while critics call it dangerous and inhumane. A second facility is planned near Jacksonville. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote to push President Trump's massive spending bill through the Senate. The legislation extends tax cuts, raises the debt ceiling, and slashes safety net programs — and now faces a divided House. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush offered sharp criticism of the Trump administration in a farewell video marking the closure of USAID. The foreign aid agency, created by President Kennedy, was dissolved and its duties moved into the State Department under a new initiative called “America First.” Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump's massive budget legislation, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” would cut income for the poorest Americans while increasing tax savings for high earners, according to new analysis by Yale's Budget Lab. Cuts would phase in by 2026, with deep impacts on Medicaid and SNAP programs. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate stayed up overnight for a marathon vote-a-rama session on President Trump's massive spending bill, which includes $930 billion in Medicaid cuts and new work requirements. Democrats stalled the bill's progress with full readings and amendments, while Republicans fought to keep it intact. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, a centrist Republican, says he won't run for reelection. Bacon cited growing dysfunction and a GOP he says has become unrecognizable. The announcement could flip a key swing district. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only 58% of U.S. adults say they are proud to be American — the lowest figure ever recorded by Gallup. The drop reflects growing partisan divides, with Republican pride rising while Democratic and independent sentiment declines. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jurors have begun deliberating in the federal sex trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, following seven weeks of emotional testimony and explosive allegations. Combs faces charges that could lead to life in prison, including racketeering and transporting women for prostitution. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republicans are in a frenzy to pass President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act — a sprawling proposal of tax breaks and spending cuts — before the July 4 holiday. But political infighting and fierce Democratic resistance are threatening the timeline. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices