AURN News

Texas voters have delivered the first major primary results of the 2026 midterm season. State Rep. James Talarico secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett. On the Republican side, Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton will face off in a runoff after neither reached the 50% threshold. 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 March 4, 1877, Garrett A. Morgan was born in Paris, Kentucky. The influential Black inventor would go on to create an early three-position traffic signal and a safety hood gas mask used during a dramatic 1916 rescue. His innovations and entrepreneurial success left a lasting mark on American industry and public safety. 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

UBS has downgraded U.S. equities to neutral, warning the American stock market could begin lagging behind other global economies. The note cites risks to the dollar, high market valuations and growing investor diversification away from U.S. assets as markets weigh economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. 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

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States and Israel could control Iranian airspace within a week as military operations intensify. But in Washington, lawmakers and legal experts are raising new questions about the scope and legality of the conflict under the War Powers Resolution. 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

Sen. Tom Tillis, R-N.C., sharply criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, accusing her of leadership failures and threatening to place a hold on en bloc DHS nominations if he does not receive answers. 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

Primary season is underway in Texas, where Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico are locked in a competitive Democratic race for the U.S. Senate nomination. With outside spending heavily favoring Talarico and turnout strong for a primary, electability and voter expansion strategies are front and center. 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 American Heart Association study finds heart attack deaths rose between 2011 and 2022 among adults younger than 55. Researchers say the trend appears especially concerning for women, with low income, non-tobacco drug use and kidney disease more strongly associated with deaths than traditional risk factors. 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

Thirty-five years ago, the videotaped beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers sparked national outrage and led to days of unrest after the officers were acquitted. The incident forced a national reckoning over policing, race and justice — a conversation that continues today. 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 Washington has blocked a Department of Homeland Security policy that required members of Congress to give seven days' notice before visiting immigration detention centers. Judge Jia M. Cobb ruled the requirement likely violated federal spending law, temporarily halting enforcement while the case proceeds. 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

Early voting has ended in Texas, and a new Texas Politics Project poll shows competitive primary matchups in the U.S. Senate race. On the Democratic side, Rep. Jasmine Crockett leads state Rep. James Talarico, while on the Republican side, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton narrowly leads U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Wesley Hunt. 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

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered strong rhetoric during the administration's first briefing on U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran — but stopped short of offering detailed answers about exit strategy, troop deployment or timelines. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump warned that more U.S. service members could die before the conflict ends. 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 this day in 1867, Howard University was founded in Washington, D.C., in the aftermath of the Civil War. Originally created to educate newly freed African American clergymen, the institution quickly expanded into a leading liberal arts and medical university. Today, Howard stands as a global leader in higher education and a cornerstone of Black academic excellence. 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

Three House Democrats have introduced the Healthy Hair Act, legislation that would ban formaldehyde in hair straightening and smoothing products nationwide. Supporters say chemical hair products have been linked to higher risks of uterine cancer and other health harms, with Black women disproportionately impacted. The FDA proposed a similar ban in 2023, but it has yet to finalize the rule. 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 Justice Department has filed five new lawsuits against Utah, Oklahoma, Kentucky, West Virginia and New Jersey as part of its effort to obtain unredacted voter registration lists. Federal officials say the move is aimed at reviewing how states maintain their voter rolls under federal law. But opposition is growing, with Utah's lieutenant governor calling the effort federal overreach. 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 Reuters/Ipsos poll shows a majority of Americans believe President Donald Trump has become erratic with age during his second term. The survey also finds nearly 8 in 10 respondents believe elected officials in Washington are too old to represent most Americans. The White House dismissed the findings as “fake and desperate narratives.” 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

Marian Anderson rose from humble beginnings in Philadelphia to become one of the most celebrated singers of the 20th century. After being barred from Constitution Hall in 1939, her historic Lincoln Memorial concert became a defining moment in the fight against racial discrimination. She later made history as the first African American performer at the Metropolitan Opera and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 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

Fourteen years after 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Sanford, Florida, his legacy continues to echo across the nation. From the protests that followed to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, his name remains a symbol in the ongoing fight for justice and accountability. 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 nation begins its final farewell to the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., a towering figure in the civil rights movement who marched with Martin Luther King Jr., built the Rainbow Coalition and ran for president in the 1980s. Public services are underway in Chicago, culminating in a homegoing service at the House of Hope. 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 NPR investigation reports that the Justice Department withheld and removed some Epstein-related documents referencing President Donald Trump, including files tied to longstanding allegations. The administration has defended the president, calling the claims unfounded and false. 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 ruled that Americans cannot sue the federal government over intentional nondelivery of mail under the Federal Tort Claims Act's postal exception. The decision comes as more than 48 million Americans voted by mail in 2024, raising serious questions about mail reliability ahead of the midterms. 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 Massachusetts has temporarily blocked the Department of Homeland Security from deporting migrants to countries not listed in their original removal orders without first providing notice and an opportunity to object. The ruling, issued in a class-action lawsuit, cites constitutional due process protections and U.S. obligations under the Convention Against Torture. 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 declared a “golden age” during his State of the Union address, but how do the claims hold up? We break down the numbers behind inflation, prescription drug pricing and crime trends using federal data and independent analysis. 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 NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds 57% of Americans say the state of the union is “not very strong or not strong at all,” marking a 4-point increase since March 2025. The data also show partisan divides over whether the country is better or worse off compared with a year ago. 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 this day in 1870, Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first Black man to serve in the United States Senate. Representing Mississippi during Reconstruction, Revels overcame resistance and constitutional challenges before going on to serve as president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College. 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

As President Donald Trump prepares to deliver his State of the Union address, new polling shows majorities of Americans disapprove of his handling of tariffs. Surveys from ABC News-Ipsos, YouGov, Fox News, Gallup and Morning Consult suggest voters link tariff policies to higher prices and rising everyday 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

President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address as a Washington Post-Ipsos poll shows 60% disapproval — matching levels seen after Jan. 6. The speech comes amid Supreme Court tension over tariffs, escalating foreign policy challenges with Iran and sharp political messaging from Democrats through invited guests. 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

Early voting numbers in Dallas County show Democrats outpacing Republicans in the Texas U.S. Senate primary. Rep. Jasmine Crockett is gaining momentum, and a recent poll suggests she could be competitive in a general election matchup against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. 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 Feb. 24, 1865, Kentucky's General Assembly voted against ratifying the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. Although the state remained in the Union during the Civil War, slavery continued there until the amendment became law later that year. Kentucky did not officially ratify the amendment until 1976. 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

Farm bankruptcies surged 46% in 2025, marking the second straight year of increases. With USDA projecting record farm debt of $624.7 billion in 2026 and interest costs expected to hit $33 billion, financial pressure is mounting across rural America. 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 Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched its 2026 Red to Blue program, naming 12 top-tier challengers in key districts across the country. As Republicans defend competitive seats and redistricting battles unfold in states like Louisiana and Florida, voting rights advocates warn of potential impacts on Black representation in Congress. 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 economic agenda is facing new scrutiny after a Supreme Court setback over tariffs and fresh inflation data showing a 0.4% increase in December. As inflation concerns grow, economists are debating whether working-class Americans are seeing the promised gains. 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 reached a major milestone when DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince won the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. The victory signaled a turning point for a genre born in the Bronx and reshaped the music industry's recognition of rap. 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 Black Farmers Association is applauding a 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found the president exceeded authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in imposing tariffs. Association President John Boyd Jr. says the decision delivers relief to farmers who faced rising foreclosures, bankruptcies and economic strain. He is now urging Congress to stabilize farm markets and support communities hardest hit. 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 told supporters in Georgia that Republicans “will never lose a race” for 50 years if the SAVE Act becomes law. The proposed legislation would require documentary proof of citizenship to register and photo ID to vote. Voting rights advocates warn the measure could restrict access for millions of eligible voters. Meanwhile, Trump again referenced claims about Georgia's 2020 election as a separate legal dispute over seized ballots moves forward. 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 Feb. 20, two legendary artists entered the world. Sidney Poitier became the first Black man to win the Academy Award for best actor, redefining leading roles in Hollywood. Nearly a decade later, Grammy-winning vocalist Nancy Wilson was born, blending jazz, pop and soul with elegance and precision. Though both have passed, their influence continues to inspire generations. 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 U.S. trade deficit climbed to its highest level since 1960 in December, according to Commerce Department data reported by Bloomberg. President Donald Trump says tariffs have reduced the deficit by 78%, but analysts warn that rising import costs and uncertainty could shape consumer behavior and prices in the months ahead. 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

Georgia Democrats have introduced the Henry McNeal Turner Voting Rights Act, a state-level proposal aimed at protecting Black voters and other communities of color. The bill would require certain counties to obtain approval before changing voting rules and allow legal challenges in state courts. The proposal comes amid a federal probe into Fulton County's election operations and renewed debate over Georgia's 2021 voting law, SB 202. 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

Funeral arrangements have been released for civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson. Public events will take place in Chicago, including a lying-in-state at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters, a people's celebration at House of Hope and homegoing services later in the week. The family is asking the public to honor his legacy not just with attendance but with action. 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 U.S. housing market continues to show signs of strain. New data from the National Association of Realtors show existing-home sales fell 8.4% in January 2026 compared with December, and declined 4.4% from a year earlier. Meanwhile, home prices remain elevated, with the median price rising 0.6% from January 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

On this day in 1919, W.E.B. Du Bois organized the first Pan-African Congress in Paris as world leaders reshaped global power after World War I. Delegates from 15 countries demanded self-determination, fair labor practices and an end to colonial rule — planting seeds for 20th-century independence movements and the worldwide fight for Black liberation. 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

Early voting is underway in Texas, and new polling shows Black candidates performing competitively in both Democratic and Republican primaries. Could the Lone Star State elect its first Black U.S. senator? We break down the latest numbers and what they could mean for November. 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

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is drawing a line during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Jeffries accused Republicans of shutting down agencies like FEMA, TSA and the Coast Guard rather than reforming Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He outlined Democratic demands for judicial warrants, body cameras and independent investigations, and called for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign. 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

Independent journalist Georgia Fort entered a plea of not guilty in federal court to felony charges linked to a January protest inside St. Paul Church. Federal prosecutors allege she was part of a conspiracy under the FACE Act, while Fort maintains she was present strictly to report. Her legal team says it plans to challenge the prosecution's version of events. 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

Rev. Jesse Jackson died at age 84 on Feb. 17, 2026, in Chicago. His groundbreaking 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns marked the first viable nationwide bids for a major party nomination by an African American candidate and helped reshape Democratic Party delegate rules. His push for proportional representation and coalition politics later influenced campaigns such as Barack Obama's historic run. 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 has ordered the immediate restoration of the President's House exhibit in Philadelphia after parts were removed and altered. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe granted a preliminary injunction requiring the Interior Department and National Park Service to return the site to its previous state. The exhibit, located near Independence Hall, documents the enslaved people held at the president's residence and is viewed as a critical acknowledgment of slavery's role in the nation's founding. 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 posted a tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson that later took a political turn. In the message, Trump praised Jackson's personality and leadership before referencing criticism he has faced and former President Barack Obama. The post has drawn attention as reactions continue following Jackson's death at age 84. 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

Rev. Jesse Jackson has died at age 84. A towering figure in the civil rights movement, Jackson stood beside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., later founded Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition and ran for president twice in the 1980s. Leaders including Rev. Al Sharpton remembered him as one of the nation's greatest moral voices. 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

Google Calendar no longer includes Black History Month in its default listings, a change that began in mid-2024 and continued through 2025 and 2026. The Verge first reported the removal, which also included Indigenous Peoples Month and Women's History Month. The move comes amid broader corporate policy shifts during 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/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Feb. 17, 1942, Huey P. Newton was born in Monroe, Louisiana. He would go on to co-found the Black Panther Party and become one of the most influential figures in the Black Power movement. This episode revisits his legacy, the rise of the Panthers and the impact of their community programs and activism. 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 Congressional Budget Office projects the federal budget deficit, now at $1.9 trillion, will rise to $3.1 trillion by 2036. According to the CBO, deficits will grow relative to the size of the economy, driven largely by rising net interest costs. The projection comes amid scrutiny of tax cuts and federal benefits passed under the Trump administration. 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

Though the exact date of his birth is unknown, Frederick Douglass chose Feb. 14 as his birthday — a deeply personal decision tied to his mother, Harriet Bailey. That choice laid the groundwork for Douglass Day and later Black history observances. A century after Negro History Week was founded, Douglass' legacy continues to shape conversations about freedom, justice and equality. 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