AURN News

The largest legal challenge yet to President Donald Trump's federal reorganization plan is now underway. A sweeping coalition of labor unions, cities and nonprofits — including San Francisco, Baltimore, the American Federation of Government Employees, the Service Employees International Union and VoteVets — is asking a federal judge to block what they call an unconstitutional dismantling of the U.S. government. At the center is Executive Order 14210 — Trump's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — which demands massive federal layoffs and agency shutdowns without congressional approval. The administration calls it a "Manhattan Project" to shrink government. Critics call it an illegal power grab. The lawsuit argues Trump is violating core separation of powers by ordering reductions in force and agency overhauls that only Congress can authorize. If granted, the restraining order would stop layoffs and protect thousands of federal jobs — many of which directly serve Black, brown and low-income communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — The U.S. economy added 177,000 jobs in April, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, signaling continued growth amid global tariff tensions and economic uncertainty under President Donald Trump's administration. The national unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, but stark differences remain among racial groups. The unemployment rate for Black Americans stood at 6.3%—the highest among any demographic—compared to 5.2% for Hispanics, 3.8% for Whites and 3.0% for Asians. Healthcare led job gains last month, contributing 51,000 new positions. Government employment, however, declined by 9,000 jobs. Wages also rose modestly, with average hourly earnings increasing by six cents to $36.06. President Trump took to Truth Social to tout what he called signs of a strengthening economy. “Gasoline just broke $1.98 a Gallon, lowest in years, groceries (and eggs!) down, energy down, mortgage rates down, employment strong, and much more good news, as Billions of Dollars pour in from Tariffs,” Trump posted Friday. “Just like I said, and we're only in a TRANSITION STAGE, just getting started!!! Consumers have been waiting for years to see pricing come down. NO INFLATION, THE FED SHOULD LOWER ITS RATE!!!” But the president's claims appear to overstate the situation. According to AAA, the national average price of gasoline is $3.18 per gallon—down from $3.67 a year ago but still far from the $1.98 figure Trump cited. Meanwhile, egg prices remain elevated. A dozen eggs currently cost more than $2.99, the average price a year ago. While the labor market remains stable, ongoing questions about inflation, tariffs and income inequality continue to loom over the administration's economic policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal judge just slammed the brakes on President Donald Trump's use of wartime powers to fast-track deportations. In a major legal blow to the administration, Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., a Trump appointee, ruled that Trump overstepped his authority by using the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century wartime law, to deport Venezuelan migrants from South Texas. The ruling permanently bars this maneuver, calling the administration's justification—an alleged gang invasion—unsupported and unlawful. The Alien Enemies Act, enacted in 1798 during fears of a European war, allows deportations of citizens from enemy nations during declared wars. But the problem is, the United States is not at war with Venezuela. Rodriguez wrote flat out that the president cannot simply declare an invasion, sidestep immigration courts and throw people out of the country. More than 130 migrants had already been expelled under the scheme before the courts intervened. For now, the ruling blocks removals under the Alien Enemies Act in South Texas and sends a message that executive power has limits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump signed an executive order slashing all federal funding to PBS and NPR, accusing them of pushing radical and "woke" propaganda. The order not only cuts direct funding, but also directs agencies to eliminate indirect support—a move critics say is designed to choke out public broadcasting altogether. This isn't new. Since returning to office, Trump has aggressively targeted institutions he deems unfriendly—cutting arts funding, seizing control of the Kennedy Center, and threatening law schools that refuse to dismantle DEI programs. But this latest move goes straight for the jugular of independent journalism. PBS and NPR received nearly half a billion dollars through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. While they have been bracing for cuts since Trump's 2024 campaign, PBS President Paula Kerger warned that yanking support now would disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide to the American people. So who gets silenced next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to Essence Magazine, Clarence O. Smith, one of its four founding pioneers, passed away on April 21 at the age of 92. Smith helped to launch Essence in 1970 and shaped its legacy for over three decades. As president of Essence Communications, he led marketing efforts that established the “Black Women's Market,” revolutionizing how advertisers viewed and valued Black audiences. His leadership expanded Essence into an empire — including the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, the nation's largest Black gathering. Former Editor-in-Chief Susan L. Taylor called him “a mighty mind,” crediting his vision with shifting hearts, minds, and investment. Smith is survived by his wife Elaine and family. Rest in peace, Clarence O. Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Bey, the acclaimed jazz singer known for his remarkable four-octave range, died April 26 at the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey. He was 85. His nephew, actor and singer Darius de Haas, announced his passing. A Newark native and child prodigy, Bey began his career with his sisters in Andy and the Bey Sisters before collaborating with jazz legends like Max Roach. His solo albums, including “Experience and Judgment” and “Ballads, Blues & Bey,” earned critical acclaim. Bey, an openly gay man living with HIV, became a beloved figure in jazz. He won numerous awards and remained musically vibrant into his 80s, saying in 2019, “The music is always inspiring.” Rest in power, Andy Bey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is speaking out forcefully for the first time about President Trump's second-term agenda. Appearing at the Emerge Gala, Harris issued a stark warning about what she called a coordinated effort to reshape the nation's future. "Certainly true of those tariffs. Tariffs that, as I predicted, are clearly inviting a recession. But friends, please let us not be duped into thinking everything is chaos. I know it may feel that way, but understand what we are in fact witnessing is a high-velocity event where a vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making—an agenda to slash public education, an agenda to shrink government, and then privatize its services." Harris torched Trump's first 100 days of his second term, calling it the greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history and warning that his Project 2025 agenda is taking America to the brink of a constitutional meltdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — President Donald Trump's latest executive order directing federal agencies to enhance support for law enforcement has sparked renewed fears over the militarization of local police and its potential impact on civil liberties. The order, signed Monday, instructs the attorney general and other agency heads to “maximize the use of Federal resources” in support of state and local law enforcement. Among its directives: developing new best practices to “aggressively police communities,” increasing officer pay and benefits, seeking enhanced penalties for crimes against police, and investing in prison infrastructure. Section 4, mandates that within 90 days, the attorney general and the secretary of defense “shall increase the provision of excess military and national security assets in local jurisdictions to assist State and local law enforcement.” The order also calls for determining how military training, non-lethal capabilities, and personnel “can most effectively be utilized to prevent crime.” With provisions that call for expanded use of military assets in local jurisdictions, the order is likely to renew public debate over the federal government's role in shaping local law enforcement — and how far is too far when it comes to crime prevention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday accused 60 Minutes, CBS and Paramount of committing what he called one of the “most egregious illegalities in Broadcast History,” and suggested The New York Times could also face legal consequences. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the news program edited out Vice President Kamala Harris' original answer to a question during the 2024 campaign and replaced it with a different response, misleading the public. “Kamala Harris, during Early Voting and, immediately before Election Day, was asked a question, and gave an answer, that was so bad and incompetent that it would have cost her many of the Votes that she ended up getting,” Trump wrote. “It was a disastrous answer!” Trump alleged that 60 Minutes removed that original response and substituted a later one. He also accused the program and its corporate owners of deceiving voters and violating federal election laws. “60 Minutes perpetrated a Giant FRAUD against the American People, the Federal Elections Commission, and the Federal Communications System,” he wrote. Trump also criticized The New York Times for dismissing the allegations as “baseless,” calling the paper “Fake News” and accusing it of “tortious interference.” “The bottom line is that what 60 Minutes and its corporate owners have committed is one of the most egregious illegalities in Broadcast History,” Trump wrote. “They have to pay a price for it, and the Times should also be on the hook for their likely unlawful behavior.” According to a report this week by The New York Times, Paramount's board has shown interest in exploring a potential settlement of the lawsuit. The report also said the situation has caused internal divisions at CBS, and that the executive producer of 60 Minutes recently resigned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ten state treasurers and one state auditor just pulled the alarm on America's economic future, and their message is simple: Congress, do your job. In a fiery open letter, the financial watchdogs warned that the U.S. is teetering on economic collapse—and they're pointing fingers at the Trump administration's trade wars, rising borrowing costs, and threats to the Federal Reserve's independence. The data is chilling: A $6.6 trillion stock market loss in just two days, the dollar hit a three-year low, and consumer confidence has crashed to near-Great Recession levels. The twist—they're not just blaming Trump. They're calling out Congress for sitting on its hands. The Constitution gives Congress power over trade, tariffs, and economic policy—not the White House. The message is clear—this isn't about red or blue. It's about governance—and the credibility of the United States is on the line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a false report and a political firestorm, Amazon found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump White House over tariffs. The e-commerce giant issued a statement denying that it planned to list import tariffs next to product prices after Punchbowl News had reported Amazon would show how much of each item's cost stems from Trump's tariffs. The report triggered a full-on political tantrum. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the move “hostile,” accusing Amazon of working with Chinese propaganda. President Trump reportedly called Jeff Bezos directly—flipping from fury to flattery. By afternoon, Trump was praising Bezos: “He solved a problem very quickly. He's a good guy,” he said. The bigger issue remains tariffs. Economists warn that Trump's trade wars are contributing to inflation. Retailers such as Temu and Shein are already raising prices and citing increased import costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over 100 attorneys have left the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division—not because they're soft, but because Trump's DOJ has flipped the script on civil rights. The division was created after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to fight racism, protect voting rights, and confront police abuse. But under Trump's handpicked appointee, Harmeet Dhillon, the division's new priorities shifted to targeting transgender athletes, focusing on antisemitism, and dismantling diversity programs. Those who left said they refused to help dismantle the very laws they swore to uphold. Dhillon shrugged off the walkout, saying: “I don't want people in the federal government who feel like it's their pet project to go persecute police departments based on statistical evidence or persecute people praying outside abortion facilities instead of doing violence. That's not the job here. The job here is to enforce the federal civil rights laws, not woke ideology.” With staff down from 380 to possibly 140, the question remains: Who will enforce civil rights now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — Some economists argue that tariffs work like a hidden tax on Americans, because the extra costs usually get passed down to consumers in the form of higher prices. This week, Adidas warned that shoppers could soon feel the impact of those tariffs. "Although we had already reduced the China exports to the US to a minimum, we are somewhat exposed to those currently very high tariffs," the company said in a statement. "What is even worse for us is the general increase in US tariffs from all other countries of origin. Since we currently cannot produce almost any of our products in the US, these higher tariffs will eventually cause higher costs for all our products for the US market,” the statement continued. "Given the uncertainty around the negotiations between the US and the different exporting countries, we do not know what the final tariffs will be. Therefore, we cannot make any 'final' decisions on what to do. Cost increases due to higher tariffs will eventually cause price increases, not only in our sector, but it is currently impossible to quantify these or to conclude what impact this could have on the consumer demand for our products,” the company said. Tariffs are fees placed on goods imported from other countries. Although intended to protect American industries, the cost of those tariffs is usually paid first by U.S. importers — and often passed down the supply chain to consumers. Despite concerns from businesses like Adidas, the Trump administration continues to highlight its efforts and claims to lower costs for Americans. A general economy explainer on the White House website states, "President Donald J. Trump took office on a promise to lower costs for the American people — and the actions he has taken are already paying off while the work continues to turn back the economic plague unleashed by the Biden Administration." In a White House memo released Tuesday marking Trump's first 100 days in office, there was no mention of tariffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today marks 100 days into President Donald Trump's second term, and while he's holding a victory rally in Michigan—a state buckling under his tariffs—his approval ratings are tanking. According to Gallup, this is one of the lowest 100-day approval ratings for a newly elected president since Eisenhower. Trump's administration is touting so-called efficiency reforms, but critics call it sabotage. He has signed 139 executive orders, gutted civil rights rules, gutted the Department of Education, and rolled back DOJ protections. Trump has also targeted DEI initiatives at every level—all while handing out billion-dollar contracts to billionaire friends like Elon Musk, whose companies earn $8 million a day even as seniors survive on just $65 a day. Facing deep cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and federal workforce jobs, Democrats took to the Capitol steps at dawn—railing against a budget bill backed by President Trump that they say will wreak havoc on the American people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unveiled its 2025 list of inductees, featuring trailblazing acts like OutKast and Salt-N-Pepa. OutKast—the influential Atlanta duo made up of Big Boi and André 3000—will be inducted into the Performer category, recognizing artists whose innovation reshaped the direction of rock and roll. Known for groundbreaking albums such as "ATLiens" and the Grammy-winning "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," the duo transformed Southern hip-hop during an era dominated by East and West Coast sounds. Salt-N-Pepa will receive the Musical Influence Award. Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and DJ Spinderella paved the way for women in hip-hop with hits such as “Push It” and “Shoop.” The induction ceremony will take place Nov. 8 in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — The existence and operations of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continue to be debated and scrutinized, even as the agency claims billions in federal savings. According to its website — which is updated regularly with information about cost-cutting measures across the federal government — DOGE highlights a range of areas it classifies as waste. At the top of the website, a banner reads: “The people voted for major reform.” As of this week, DOGE claims it has saved $160 billion, advertising an average savings of $993.79 per taxpayer. The largest reported savings have come from cuts within the Department of Justice, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Transportation. One of the largest individual cuts reported was a contract within the Department of the Interior. Originally valued at $3,329,900,357, DOGE claims the contract was reduced by $2,902,177,562.  The website describes the project as an “Office of Refugee Resettlement Influx Care Facility” meant to house up to 3,000 unaccompanied alien children, providing full wraparound childcare and case management services. Musk had previously promised to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today marks 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term, and the economic fallout is already unfolding. He meets with House Speaker Mike Johnson today as Congress returns, but the backdrop is alarming: new tariffs, rising prices, and markets rattled by uncertainty. The International Monetary Fund has cut America's growth forecast. Consumer sentiment is hovering near historic lows. Despite promises to restore affordability, Trump's aggressive trade policies have wiped trillions off the stock market and triggered warnings from major CEOs, including Walmart's Doug McMillon. This moment is bigger than politics. It's about whether one president's unilateral economic overhaul could tip the U.S. — and the world — into a preventable recession. Trump calls it economic independence. Economists call it a high-risk gamble that American families are paying for. Consumer confidence just hit its fourth-lowest level since 1952. That's the backdrop as President Trump marks 100 days back in the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — President Donald Trump returned to U.S. soil this weekend after attending the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome, and spoke with reporters on the tarmac at Morristown Municipal Airport on Sunday afternoon. Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked him for more weapons during their conversation at the Vatican. On the subject of Crimea, Trump surprisingly placed blame on former President Barack Obama and former President Joe Biden. "Crimea was given away by Barack Hussein Obama and by Biden," Trump said. "That's 11 or 12 years ago. That's a long time ago. I don't know how he [Zelenskyy] could bring up Crimea, because that's been a long time. Nobody brought it up for 12 years, and now they bring it up now. So I told him, you can maybe go back to Obama. Ask them why they gave it up. They gave it up without a shot being fired, by the way." When asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said he hopes for an end to the fighting. "Well, I want him to stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal, and we have the confines of a deal, I believe," Trump said. "And I want him to sign it and be done with it and just go back to life." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexis Herman, First Black U.S. Labor Secretary and Civil Rights Pioneer, Dies at 77 According to The New York Times, Alexis Herman, the first Black U.S. secretary of labor and a key Democratic Party figure, died Friday in Washington at 77. Raised under segregation in Alabama, Herman became a major organizer, helping President Bill Clinton win office and later serving in his cabinet. She famously helped settle the 1997 UPS strike, easing tensions between labor and the administration. Earlier, she worked to expand opportunities for Black women and served as director of the Labor Department's Women's Bureau under President Carter. After her government service, she held leadership roles in several companies and disaster recovery efforts. Herman, a pioneer for civil rights and workplace diversity, was celebrated for her dedication to young leaders and grassroots activism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a dramatic escalation of Trump's immigration crackdown, the FBI arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, accusing her of helping a man evade ICE agents inside the courthouse. Court documents say Judge Dugan grew angry when agents arrived, allegedly leading the man and his lawyer out a back jury door meant only for deputies and in-custody defendants. Dugan faces charges of obstructing justice and harboring an undocumented individual. She's out of custody and blasting the arrest as political retaliation. Wisconsin's Democratic governor slammed Trump's Justice Department for undermining the judiciary, while Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., called the arrest of a sitting judge a “gravely serious and drastic move” that “threatens to breach” the separation of powers. The move mirrors a Trump-era case in Massachusetts—a prosecution that President Biden's Justice Department later dropped. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — The U.S. economy continues to take a beating under President Donald Trump's second term, with consumer confidence plunging to levels not seen since the early 1980s. The University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers reported that its sentiment index slipped from 57.0 in March to 52.2 in April, marking the fourth straight month of declines.  “Expectations have fallen a precipitous 32% since January, the steepest three-month percentage decline seen since the 1990 recession,” said Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu.  “While this month's deterioration was particularly strong for middle-income families, expectations worsened for vast swaths of the population across age, education, income and political affiliation. Consumers perceived risks to multiple aspects of the economy, in large part due to ongoing uncertainty around trade policy and the potential for a resurgence of inflation looming ahead. Labor-market expectations remained bleak,” she said in a statement. Meanwhile, Americans' expectations for year-ahead inflation jumped to 6.5% in April, up from 5.0% in March — the highest reading since 1981. The Surveys of Consumers data underscore growing uncertainty and concern among American households, much of it tied to Trump's trade and economic policies. The sobering figures arrive just days before the president marks his 100th day in office next week, a milestone typically used to showcase early achievements. Instead, the metrics paint a picture of eroding confidence as the administration grapples with lingering questions over tariffs, trade agreements and continued inflation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 25, 1944, one of the nation's most vital philanthropic institutions, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), was incorporated. Founded by Frederick D. Patterson, then president of Tuskegee University, along with Mary McLeod Bethune and others, the UNCF has awarded hundreds of millions in scholarships to help Black students attend private historically Black colleges and universities. In 1972, it adopted the iconic motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” one of the most recognized slogans in advertising. For 25 years, its fundraising was boosted by the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars, a televised telethon hosted by the late singer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite President Donald Trump's social media spin, the polls tell a different story. His approval ratings are plummeting—not rising. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll puts his approval at just 42%, down from 47% after his return to the White House in January. He's also underwater on every major issue—from inflation to immigration—with just 38% approving of his handling of the economy. Pew Research shows an even lower 40% overall approval, while The Economist/YouGov clocks him at 41%. The pattern is clear. Even his base is shrinking. Support among Republicans and GOP-leaning voters has dropped to 75%, compared to 93% support for President Biden among Democrats at the same point in his presidency four years ago. And with 59% of Americans—including a third of Republicans—saying the U.S. is losing credibility on the world stage, it's clear: the emperor's polling has no clothes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 25, 1989, James Richardson was exonerated after spending 21 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit—the poisoning deaths of his seven children in 1967. A Florida fruit picker, Richardson was wrongfully convicted after flawed police work, suppressed evidence, and false testimony. His neighbor, Bessie Reece, had poisoned the children's lunch, but jurors never learned of her criminal past or her later confession. Special prosecutor Janet Reno reopened the case, uncovering the truth and leading to Richardson's release on May 5, 1989.   Though he received a small settlement, he was denied full compensation from the state. Reece was never indicted. James Richardson passed away in 2023, a symbol of justice delayed but not denied. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump signed seven executive orders Wednesday targeting America's education system—chief among them, a major rollback on civil rights. The most controversial move: eliminating disparate impact, a key legal tool used for decades to challenge discrimination in schools, housing, and employment. Under disparate impact, it didn't matter whether intent was proven—if the outcome was unequal, it still counted. But Trump says that's government overreach. The administration is also canceling civil rights agreements based on discipline disparities, including one in South Dakota. In the Rapid City Area School District, a federal investigation found that Native American students were approximately four times as likely to be suspended and five times as likely to be arrested compared with their white peers. The agreement, which aimed to address these disparities, was terminated by the Trump administration, citing concerns over its foundation in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles. The move reflects the administration's broader efforts to roll back DEI initiatives in education. Another order rolls back Biden-era guidance that protected Black and brown students from biased school discipline. And higher education isn't spared—accreditors who assess diversity efforts now risk losing federal recognition. Instead, schools will be judged on student outcomes, not equity. Trump says the move is about fairness. Critics call it erasure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — As President Donald Trump gets ready to mark his first 100 days in office in his second term on April 30th, new polling data from the Pew Research Center shows a significant drop in public approval and growing resistance to his administration's sweeping policy changes. Trump's approval rating now stands at 40%, according to Pew, down seven points since February. The report attributes the slide to widespread disapproval of the president's continued use of executive actions and controversial policy moves. “Trump's current approval rating of 40% is on par with his rating at this point in his first term. It remains lower than other recent presidents' approval ratings in the early months of their presidencies,” Pew said in its report released this week. The poll also found that 59% of Americans disapprove of Trump's tariff increases, while 55% oppose his ongoing cuts to federal departments and agencies.  The report also highlights deep divisions over the role of the executive branch and its limits. Of those polled, 51% believe Trump is making too many policy changes through executive action, raising concerns about the balance of power in Washington. Pew also found that 78% of Americans believe the Trump administration would need to stop an action if a federal court says it's illegal. And 88% say the administration should have to follow a Supreme Court decision, reinforcing the public's expectation for constitutional checks on Mr. Trump's presidential authority. Pew's report also found that 78% of Republicans support Trump's move to end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the federal government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was the kind of email that hits like a gut punch. More than 350 community programs received a message from the Trump Justice Department: their funding was done. No warning. Just done. Millions of dollars slashed from efforts to stop gun violence, treat opioid addiction, and support victims of violent crime. The DOJ says the money no longer aligns with department priorities, but for programs like Oakland Youth Alive and the Baltimore Center for Hope, it's a death sentence. These frontline groups have helped reduce homicides by more than 30% in cities like Baltimore. And now, just before summer—when shootings typically spike—federal support is gone. This includes a $2 million grant pulled mid-cycle, hotlines shut down, violence interrupters laid off, and victims left with no resources. All while the Trump administration shifts its focus to law enforcement operations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — How clean is your air? The American Lung Association released its latest report this week that includes the most polluted cities in the United States, revealing surprising locations impacted by significant air pollution. Cities were ranked based on ozone pollution, year-round particle pollution, and short-term particle pollution. Leading the list for ozone pollution is Los Angeles-Long Beach, California. Visalia, California, followed closely, along with Bakersfield-Delano, California; Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona; and Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, California. Completing the top 10 are Denver-Aurora-Greeley, Colorado; Houston-Pasadena, Texas; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, California; Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, Utah-Idaho; and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas-Oklahoma. California dominated the rankings for year-round particle pollution, with Bakersfield-Delano listed first, followed by Visalia and Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran. According to the American Lung Association, air pollution can cause a variety of health issues ranging from wheezing and coughing to asthma and even lung cancer. Other potential health problems include heart attacks, strokes, and premature death. The organization also says that ozone is a lung irritant, and exposure can negatively affect respiratory health and potentially shorten lifespans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

White House aide Stephen Miller is at it again—this time, demanding reparations. Not for slavery. Not for Jim Crow. Not for Black families locked out of the American dream. No—Miller wants reparations for white America for what he calls the "cost of immigration." His remarks came after the administration was accused of violating a Supreme Court order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a man who was wrongly deported to El Salvador. Instead of apologizing, Miller launched into a rant—blaming immigrants for everything from gang violence to failing schools and fentanyl overdoses—while demanding the U.S. be repaid for decades of what he called uncontrolled illegal migration. Let's be clear: Abrego Garcia has no criminal record. His deportation was acknowledged as an administrative error, but rather than own that, Miller doubled down on scapegoating and xenophobia—echoing rhetoric we've seen time and time again from this administration. Reminder: Immigrants are statistically less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tesla stock is in a nosedive, dropping nearly 40% this year. Profits have plunged 71% year-over-year, and Elon Musk says he's finally refocusing on Tesla—not Trump. After months of moonlighting in the Trump White House leading DOGE, Musk says he'll reduce his time with the agency next month. That comes as Tesla faces a 13% drop in sales and a 9% revenue loss. Who's to blame? Musk's political entanglements, fierce competition from China, and backlash to Trump's steep tariffs. Tesla owners are trading in their cars, and protestors worldwide are torching charging stations and targeting dealerships. Musk defended lowering tariffs, but said it's Trump's call. Critics say Musk's anti-government crusade through DOGE is now eating away at his own empire. Will stepping back save Tesla, or is it too little too late? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the Associated Press, beginning May 5, the Education Department will resume collecting defaulted student loans through the Treasury Department's offset program, which withholds tax refunds, federal salaries, and benefits. Borrowers may also face wage garnishment after 30 days' notice. This move ends a COVID-era pause on collections in place since March 2020. About 5.3 million borrowers are currently in default, with millions more at risk. Advocates criticize the policy as harsh and confusing, citing frequent policy shifts between administrations. Some borrowers struggle to understand repayment options, especially after recent court rulings disrupted income-driven repayment plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 150 colleges and universities — including Harvard, Princeton, American University, and MIT — are drawing a red line. In a powerful joint statement, they're calling out the Trump administration for what they describe as unprecedented political interference in higher education. The backlash comes just after Harvard sued the administration for freezing over $3 billion in federal research grants. At the center of the clash are demands to gut diversity policies and audit schools for so-called viewpoint diversity. Trump's camp says it's cracking down on antisemitism, but universities say this is a thin cover for silencing dissent, cutting international student access, and politicizing science and speech. The warning from the nation's top schools: Undermining free thought in classrooms today could cost democracy tomorrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — President Donald Trump's approval rating has slipped to 42%, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, continuing a gradual decline over recent months. The poll shows a three-percentage-point drop from the 45% approval rating recorded just one month ago, highlighting ongoing challenges for the president in his second term. Trump, who won re-election campaigning heavily on economic policy, now faces diminishing public confidence in his handling of the economy. Only 37% of Americans approve of his economic policies, according to the poll. Immigration policy, another cornerstone of Trump's campaign platform, has also seen eroding support. The survey indicates that 45% of Americans currently approve of the president's immigration policies, down from 50% in polling conducted March 11–12. The Reuters/Ipsos poll comes as the administration continues to implement its second-term agenda following January's inauguration, ranging from the tariff wars to even recent calls to garnish the wages of those who have defaulted on student loans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny after reportedly sharing sensitive U.S. military plans in yet another Signal group chat that included his wife and brother. Hegseth faced intense questioning over reports that he disclosed sensitive military details drawn from a top general's secure messages about U.S. strikes in Yemen. Despite criticism, Hegseth remains defiant, insisting the chats were informal, unclassified, and part of routine media coordination. "Absolutely. The president and we are going to continue fighting on the same page all the way," Hegseth said. However, the timing raised concerns. The intelligence was shared just minutes before U.S. jets launched strikes, a move critics argue could have jeopardized lives. President Trump defended Hegseth, calling him "great" and dismissing speculation of a potential replacement, even as some administration officials reportedly view it as a serious misstep. The Justice Department is now investigating the leak, with Hegseth pledging prosecution for those responsible. Amid national security concerns, critics question how secure the chain of command can be if Signal is involved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 22, 1978, the One Love Peace Concert was held at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. It brought together some of reggae's biggest names during a time of intense political violence. The event's most iconic moment came when Bob Marley united Prime Minister Michael Manley and opposition leader Edward Seaga onstage, raising their hands in a gesture of peace and unity. Marley, returning to Jamaica after an assassination attempt two years prior, used his music and presence to call for healing. The concert wasn't just entertainment—it was a symbol of hope, a cry for peace, and a moment that defined Marley's legacy as both an artist and revolutionary spirit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a morning post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump cited falling energy and food costs as evidence that the Fed should move quickly to lower rates. "'Preemptive Cuts' in Interest Rates are being called for by many. With Energy Costs way down, food prices (including Biden's egg disaster!) substantially lower, and most other 'things' trending down, there is virtually No Inflation," Trump wrote. The president continued his argument by suggesting the economy could slow "unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW." He also accused Fed Chair Jerome Powell of political motives, claiming the Fed chair "lowered in order to help Sleepy Joe Biden, later Kamala, get elected," before adding, "How did that work out?" Wall Street reacted swiftly to the president's comments. Markets dove deep and hard throughout Monday's trading session, with the dollar falling to a three-year low. This is not the first time Trump has targeted Powell. The president has previously called for the "termination" of the Fed chair. The tensions come as the administration continues to navigate economic challenges following its trade policies, particularly regarding the trade war with China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Francis, who just delivered his Easter blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, has died. Less than 24 hours after that final moment, the 88-year-old pope—who broke centuries of tradition and opened the church to the edges of society—passed away early Monday at his Vatican residence. He was the first Latin American pope, the first Jesuit, and the first in over 1,200 years to come from outside of Europe. But what set the pope apart was his posture—always leaning toward the poor, the forgotten, the outcast. He called out President Donald Trump's deportation policies. He called for action on climate. He challenged the church to confront its own sins. And just yesterday, he smiled and waved from the popemobile like he had years left to give. Now begins a global period of mourning and the search for the next leader of the Catholic Church. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

60,000 families could lose their homes as a key federal housing program runs dry. Created to help survivors of abuse and homelessness, it now faces extinction. Will Congress step in before it's too late? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prince died on April 21, 2016, but his legacy lives on. From “Purple Rain” to his endless vault of unreleased music, he reshaped pop, rock, and soul. We look back at the genius who defined a generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, Kamala Harris expected his full support. But a new book reveals he stalled—and she had to plead for his endorsement. Go inside the chaos, power struggles, and elite resistance that nearly tore the Democratic Party apart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The FDA is reeling from mass layoffs ordered by RFK Jr., gutting teams that keep our food and drugs safe. Now the agency is outsourcing critical safety work. Experts call it a dangerous move that puts lives at risk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this day in 1969, members of Cornell's Afro-American Society took over Willard Straight Hall to protest racism, judicial bias, and the university's slow movement on Black studies. The occupation followed a burning cross found outside Wari House, a residence for Black women. A violent clash with white fraternity members escalated tensions, prompting the students to arm themselves for protection. The image of them emerging with rifles made national headlines, drawing comparisons to wartime unrest. The event sparked decades of change: the establishment of Africana Studies, new cultural living centers, and reforms in university governance. The takeover permanently reshaped Cornell's identity, marking a pivotal chapter in campus and civil rights history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — According to a new best-seller, President Joe Biden's closest advisers were aware of his cognitive decline long before he ended his re-election bid, but insiders say they continued to dismiss concerns—both internally and publicly. In “Fight,” journalists Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes detail how staffers, elected officials, and donors were kept in the dark or actively misled about the president's condition. “We detail this in a great deal in the book,” Parnes told AURN News. “You see President Biden at fundraisers, at a small fundraiser with a very small amount of donors there, and he needs fluorescent tape on the ground to sort of lead him from place to place. That's more common in rallies and bigger arenas—not so common in someone's house.” Parnes continued: “Eric Swalwell from California comes face to face with him at a congressional picnic at the White House in 2023—so a year before the debate—and Biden, who ran against him in 2020, doesn't recognize him. And Swalwell needs to cue him as to who he is.” The book also recounts numerous moments like this, including a makeup artist who was assigned to travel with Biden to maintain a consistent appearance for public events. “But clearly the White House was well aware of this sort of optics problem they had,” Parnes said. Allen described what he says was a broader pattern of misinformation. “I think it's deeply harmed,” Allen said of Biden's legacy. “I think the country broadly—and certainly many of the Democrats we spoke to—felt like the inner circle around Biden had gaslit them about his condition to start with. You go through the various things: it felt like they were gaslit about the economy, particularly inflation.” Allen said even internal staffers were misled about campaign data. “We even talked to campaign officials who said that they felt like they were being gaslit by the very top of the campaign,” he said. “They were being told things that simply weren't true throughout the process, including where the race stood.” Harris herself, according to the book, believed she would win on election night. “Ultimately, Kamala Harris believed—at the end, on Election Day—that she's going to win because her team has been telling her that she's going to win,” Allen said. The book describes these moments as not only frustrating but dangerous for a campaign that needed honesty, not spin. “They just kept gaslighting everyone,” Allen concluded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chaos erupted today at Florida State University after a mass shooting left six people injured—one of them in critical condition. It happened in broad daylight near the school's bustling student union—a place typically packed with students grabbing food or prepping for finals. Police say the suspect, who is now in custody, was armed with multiple weapons, including a handgun, a shotgun found inside the union, and another firearm discovered in the car. The suspect was also reportedly shot, though it's unclear by whom. As of this report, FSU remains under a shelter-in-place order. Law enforcement is sweeping buildings. Students are being urged to call loved ones and stay away from the area. Classes and all events are canceled through tomorrow. This marks Florida's sixth mass shooting this year alone, according to the Gun Violence Archive. There have been at least 30 in the state each year over the past five years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the Daily Tar Heel, Frank Brown, Ph.D., UNC's first Black full professor and dean in the School of Education, died in March at age 89. A pioneering scholar, Brown authored over 300 publications and held leadership roles at multiple universities. He secured funding for UNC's first Black Cultural Center, became the first Black vice president of the American Educational Research Association, and was the inaugural dean of a doctoral-granting school at UNC. Colleagues like J. John Harris III and Linda Tillman praised his mentorship and advocacy for Black scholars. Brown's work centered on desegregation post-Brown v. Board of Education, and his influence extended globally, including speeches at Oxford and the World Conference on Rights to Education. Rest in power, Frank Brown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal judge just delivered a blow to Elon Musk's controversial Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Labor unions sued to stop DOGE from accessing sensitive Labor Department systems, arguing that it violates the Federal Privacy Act. Why? Because those systems hold deeply personal information—medical and financial records of millions of Americans. Think Social Security numbers, employment histories, and even disability claims. Judge John Bates said the lawsuit can move forward. Even if the sphere literally encompasses only one row of millions in a data set, it amounts to an intrusion, like peeking into someone's home, he said. Not all of the union's arguments stuck. Claims against Health and Human Services for healthcare privacy breaches were tossed out. But the bigger question remains—does DOGE, a team not created by Congress, even have the legal authority to poke around agencies like Labor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal judge has found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt of court after deportation flights to El Salvador continued despite a direct court order to halt them. Judge James Boasberg said the administration tried to outrun the legal system — even launching deportation flights during the March 15 court hearing. Those aboard were deported under Trump's newly invoked Alien Enemies Act — a wartime law not used since World War II — targeting alleged gang members from Venezuela. But the plaintiffs say their clients were not gang members and that they were ripped off without due process to avoid a Salvadoran prison notorious for human rights violations. It didn't stop there. Secretary of State Marco Rubio retweeted a mocking post from El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele reading, "Oopsie. Too Late." Boasberg called the administration's actions "gleeful defiance." The administration has until April 23 to reverse the damage or name names identifying who made the call to ignore the judge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — As President Joe Biden faced mounting pressure over his 2024 re-election bid, one relationship loomed large behind the scenes: his strained connection with former President Barack Obama. A new must-read book, "Fight," by veteran political reporters Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, reveals how years of tension between the two men came to a head in the final months of Biden's presidency. This week in a special series, AURN News is giving you all of the palace intrigue behind the Biden, Harris, and Trump 2024 campaigns. "Biden had never gotten over the affronts," Allen and Parnes write in "Fight," describing the former vice president's lingering resentment. "And he no longer trusted Obama's political judgment. After Hillary's shattering 2016 loss, Biden told everyone who would listen that he would have beaten Trump and that Obama had been wrong." In an interview with AURN News, Allen elaborated on what he described as a deep fracture. "They both think they're the big dog," Allen said. "Joe Biden thinks that Barack Obama doesn't get elected without Joe Biden being his Vice President, which I think is ridiculous. But, Biden always felt like Obama kind of snubbed him some, and particularly because in 2016 Obama got behind Hillary Clinton at a time when Joe Biden wanted to run and thought it was his turn." According to Allen, Obama had misgivings about Biden's abilities even before the 2020 campaign. "Obama told anyone who would listen that Biden wasn't up to it — to run," he said. "And Biden ran anyway and won the presidency. And at this point, Biden no longer thinks that Obama's got particularly good judgment." While the public saw them as close allies, the authors say that dynamic had faded. "They don't even speak," Allen told AURN News, "unless there's some pressing need." Obama, known for his calculated post-presidency presence, remained mostly out of sight — but not out of mind. "He wants to do it without fingerprints," Allen said. "He wants to be able to affect things without getting his hands terribly dirty." The relationship degraded to the point where, according to "Fight," Biden and Obama were once put on the phone together "just so their aides could tell a reporter that they had spoken." The authors portray the collapse of the Obama-Biden partnership not only as personal but consequential. Their lack of unity, they argue, continued to destabilize the Democratic Party during a time of crisis. This is THE book of 2025 — and a must-read. Get your copy today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I'm here at the airport. I'm about to board my flight for San Salvador. The goal of this mission is to let the Trump administration, to let the government of El Salvador know we are gonna keep fighting. What bullies do is they begin by picking on the most vulnerable. But if we get rid of the rule of law and due process in the United States, it's a short road from there to tyranny." That message came from Sen. Chris Van Hollen moments before boarding his flight to El Salvador this morning. He's traveling to demand the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident currently detained in a Salvadoran prison. Meanwhile, two House Democrats — Reps. Robert Garcia and Maxwell Frost — are requesting an official congressional delegation (or CODEL) to visit the prison where Trump's deportees are being held. But here's the catch: a Republican committee chair has to sign off. Without it, lawmakers can go informally, but they lose access to security protections and oversight power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the D.C. Emancipation Act, granting immediate freedom to enslaved people in Washington, D.C., and offering up to $300 in compensation to Union-loyal slaveholders. Lincoln envisioned “compensated emancipation,” a plan where slave owners would be paid and formerly enslaved people would be colonized abroad—to the Caribbean, Latin America, or West Africa. He hoped this would encourage border states to gradually end slavery. Congress even offered federal funds to states adopting abolition, but the plan failed as border state senators rejected it. Before the Act, D.C. was a hub for slave trading, where enslaved people were held in pens or marched in chains through the streets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alphonso David, President & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum talks Trump tariffs, the elimination of DEI and the socio-economic future of Black America. Watch the video version of the interview here. And subscribe to On the Record with Ebony McMorris here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices