AURN News

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

CDC Director Susan Monarez was abruptly fired after refusing to resign under pressure from the Trump administration. Her lawyers say she resisted unscientific directives pushed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. Within hours, four senior CDC leaders resigned in protest. Public health experts warn the shakeup could leave the country more vulnerable to outbreaks. Former Biden-era CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said the move was a major setback for public health. 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

Activists behind a national Target boycott claim the campaign has cut foot traffic at nearly 2,000 stores since January. The protest began after Target scaled back its diversity, equity and inclusion commitments pledged in 2020 after George Floyd's murder. Civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, have urged Target to keep its promises. The boycott coincides with a planned leadership transition as longtime CEO Brian Cornell prepares to step down in 2026. 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 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology links hydration to stress response. Researchers found adults who drank fewer fluids had higher cortisol levels when tested under stressful conditions. The findings suggest that staying hydrated may help blunt stress reactions. Carrying a water bottle could be a simple step toward better stress management. 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 Aug. 28, 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till was kidnapped and murdered in Mississippi after being accused of whistling at a white woman. Till's brutal killing and the acquittal of his killers galvanized the civil rights movement. Carolyn Bryant Donham, who made the accusation, died in 2023 at the age of 88. 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 gunman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, killing two children, ages 8 and 10, and wounding 17 others. The shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, died after turning his weapon on himself. President Donald Trump ordered flags to half-staff, and Gov. Tim Walz said, “Minnesota is heartbroken.” The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for healing as the nation again confronts its gun crisis. 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 UC Berkeley study finds billionaires pay an average effective tax rate of just 23.8%, lower than the 30% for most Americans and far below the 45% paid by top wage earners. Researchers say the gap stems from how billionaires report far less taxable income relative to economic income. The study also shows billionaire wealth has surged, rising from 0.9% of household wealth in 1982 to 4.1% 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

With more than 2,200 National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C., Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has introduced legislation requiring body cameras for all federal forces. Norton says the measure would protect residents and troops, ensure transparency, and counter what she calls a raw assertion of power under President Trump's law-and-order agenda. 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 called for the death penalty in Washington, D.C., as part of his aggressive approach to crime in the capital. But the District hasn't had the death penalty for more than four decades, following a 1972 Supreme Court ruling, repeal by the D.C. Council in 1981, and voter rejection in 1992. Trump's push also comes as crime in D.C. continues to trend 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

Howard University and Google have launched Project Elevate Black Voices, an effort to make speech recognition technology more inclusive. The team has collected 600 hours of voice data from Black speakers across 32 states to build a dataset of African American English. Howard will retain ownership and ensure its use benefits Black communities, with initial access limited to HBCUs. 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 announced he is firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the board. Legal experts say he lacks the authority, and attorney Abbe David Lowell has vowed to fight the move in court. The Congressional Black Caucus called Trump's actions “a racist, misogynistic, and unlawful attack.” The dispute is now headed toward the courts and could reach the Supreme Court. 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 Aug. 26, 1874 — 151 years ago — 16 Black men were dragged from a Tennessee jail by a white mob. Five were killed outright, others wounded, and a few escaped. Despite national headlines, intimidation in court led to acquittals and no convictions. The Trenton Massacre remains a stark reminder of how fragile Black freedom was in the Reconstruction South. 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 signed two executive orders targeting crime. One threatens to strip federal funding from states using cashless bail, while another expands federal and military roles in Washington, D.C., policing, including deputizing the National Guard and directing federal agencies to probe local housing and transit. Critics say the orders raise constitutional questions and may not reduce crime. 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 escalating attacks on ABC and NBC, calling for license revocations and steep penalties over their coverage. At the same time, Pew Research polling shows cracks in his base, with approval among younger voters and Black Americans slipping sharply. 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

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant at the center of Trump's immigration crackdown, was arrested again in Baltimore and now faces possible deportation to Uganda—a country where he has no ties. His lawyers argue the administration is pursuing retribution after he refused a plea deal, and they are fighting the case in federal court. 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 2001, Aaliyah's life was tragically cut short in a plane crash at just 22. Known as the “Princess of R&B,” she left behind timeless music, groundbreaking film roles, and an influence that still echoes in today's artists. Her legacy continues to shine as a symbol of talent, vision, and grace. 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 FBI has raided the home and office of former Trump national security adviser John Bolton in a classified documents probe. Bolton, long a fierce Trump critic, was not charged, but the raid is raising alarms. Kash Patel, Trump's FBI director, cheered the operation online, saying “no one is above the law.” 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

Florida's “Alligator Alcatraz” detention camp in the Everglades has been ordered to shut down by a federal judge. Judge Kathleen M. Williams cited rushed construction, ignored environmental protections, and reports of inhumane conditions. Environmental groups and the Muscogee tribe called the ruling a victory, while Gov. Ron DeSantis' spokesman Alex Lanfranconi dismissed it, saying, “The deportations will continue until morale improves.” 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

Uganda has agreed to take in deportees from the U.S., but only under strict conditions — no unaccompanied minors, no criminal records, and a preference for those of African descent. The deal comes as America also sends deportees to Eswatini and South Sudan, sparking criticism that the U.S. is outsourcing its deportation crisis. 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

Texas Republicans have passed a new congressional map in the state House, crafted to give President Donald Trump a partisan advantage by flipping Democratic seats. The plan now heads to the state senate before reaching Gov. Greg Abbott. With Democrats in states like California, New York and Illinois pushing their own maps, the national battle over redistricting is intensifying ahead of 2026. 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

Texas Republicans have passed a controversial new congressional map designed to flip five Democratic seats. Democrats accuse Republicans of cheating under Trump's direction, while Gov. Greg Abbott vows to sign the plan. With lawsuits looming, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has already fired back online. 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

Target's longtime CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February, transitioning to an executive chair role. Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke will succeed him as the company faces mounting losses, consumer backlash, and stock 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

The Federal Reserve is holding its ground on interest rate policy, but inflation progress is stalling. Policymakers cite tariffs as a factor in rising prices, while household debt and delinquencies remain elevated. Americans face mounting financial strain with no clear relief 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

President Donald Trump ordered a review of Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, blasting what he calls “woke” bias. Historians and free speech advocates warn the move could erode independence and public trust. 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 says the White House is reviewing Smithsonian museums, arguing they are too focused on slavery. He blasted the institutions on social media and vowed legal action, saying, “WOKE IS BROKE.” The review is expected to include the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which Trump once praised in 2017. 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 District of Columbia is reporting the nation's highest unemployment rate for the third consecutive month. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show D.C. at 6% in July, compared with the national average of 4.2%. Experts cite mass layoffs under the Department of Government Efficiency and a steep decline in tourism as key factors. Neighboring states Maryland and Virginia are faring better. 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 just hit its slowest pace in a decade, according to Redfin. Prices remain near record highs while mortgage rates and limited inventory are keeping buyers away. Families across the country are feeling the strain. 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 Aug. 19, 1958, the NAACP Youth Council, led by Clara Luper and her students, staged a sit-in at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter in Oklahoma City. The peaceful protest challenged segregation and quickly drew national attention. Their movement inspired a wave of sit-ins across the Midwest and the country, marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. 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 advancing new congressional maps in Texas with President Donald Trump's backing, while Democrats in California seek a rare exception to redraw their own. The redistricting battles could determine control of Congress through the remainder of Trump's 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

President Donald Trump announced during a high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he will issue an executive order to eliminate mail-in ballots. Trump also criticized voting machines, claiming they are too costly compared with paper ballots. Critics say the president is undermining confidence in U.S. elections, despite courts, officials and his own former DHS cybersecurity chief finding no evidence of widespread fraud. 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

New federal data shows producer prices rose 0.9% in July, the largest gain in more than a year. The increases come as President Donald Trump's trade tariffs remain in place and expand. While the administration highlights tariff revenue, advocates warn the costs are hitting consumers through higher grocery and household prices. The Federal Reserve faces growing pressure as families struggle with climbing 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 says he will sign an executive order to eliminate mail-in ballots before the 2026 midterms. The pledge revives his false claims of voter fraud in 2020, despite no evidence according to his own attorney general William Barr. Trump also called for banning voting machines and said Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed with him during their recent summit. 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

Armed National Guard troops are now patrolling Washington, D.C., at President Trump's request, raising alarms about militarization in the capital. The White House says the mission is about making the city “safe and beautiful,” but critics call it unjustified and point to lawsuits already challenging 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

President Donald Trump's homeless crackdown in Washington, D.C., has cleared dozens of encampments in recent months. The administration says unhoused residents will be offered shelter or services, but advocates warn of insufficient resources and fear the policy will deepen the crisis. 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 recently spoke with New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, a conversation that has stirred speculation about a possible endorsement. Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist with a grassroots rise, has struggled with Black voter support — a group Obama's backing could influence. 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 District of Columbia is suing President Donald Trump over what officials call a hostile takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department. The lawsuit follows a federal order installing DEA Administrator Terrance Cole as emergency police commissioner. D.C. leaders say the move strips local authority and undermines public safety policy. 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

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee is gaining momentum in the race for Texas' 18th Congressional District, once held by Barbara Jordan and Sheila Jackson Lee. Menefee shares his personal journey, his record on voting rights litigation, and his vision for protecting democracy. 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

Protesters confronted federal officers, including Homeland Security agents, in D.C.'s U Street corridor as President Donald Trump expanded control over the city's policing. The move brought in hundreds of National Guard troops, federal agents, and local police under his command. Mayor Muriel Bowser has criticized the move as an “authoritarian push,” though arrest rates remain consistent with last year. 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

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is speaking out against President Donald Trump's federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. The Not Above the Law Coalition says it's part of a broader pattern involving military deployments during protests and FBI involvement in tracking Texas Democrats. 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 coalition of civil rights and small-business groups has filed suit against the Trump administration for halting a lending data rule mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act. Advocates say the rule is essential to preventing discrimination, while critics warn the rollback — alongside Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act — will widen the racial wealth gap. 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

Billions in U.S. foreign aid for HIV, AIDS, and other global health programs remain frozen after a divided federal appeals court backed the Trump administration's hold. The decision sidestepped a larger constitutional question, while a dissent warned the ruling undermines Congress' spending power. Vulnerable communities abroad now face uncertainty. 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

Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee — the youngest and first African American to hold the county's top civil legal post — says a GOP-backed Texas map would dismantle minority districts and weaken Black and Latino political power. The plan, already passed by Senate Republicans, could force mid-decade boundary changes and confuse 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

The small, majority-Black town of Mason, Tenn., has approved reopening a closed prison as an ICE detention center, turning it over to CoreCivic despite the company's record of fines, lawsuits, and inmate deaths. Supporters say it will bring jobs and revenue; opponents call it complicity in abuse and mass deportations under President Donald Trump. 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

Danielle Spencer, beloved as Dee Thomas in the sitcom “What's Happening!!,” died Aug. 11 at age 60 after a long battle with cancer. Known for her quick wit on screen, Spencer overcame immense personal challenges and later pursued a career as a veterinarian and animal welfare advocate. She was the first child star inducted into the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. 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 declared a “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C., using the Home Rule Act to federalize the police force and deploy the National Guard. Mayor Muriel Bowser says she will work with federal officials, but critics question the move's necessity given that crime is at a 30-year low. 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 survey from Omnisend finds that tariffs under President Donald Trump are costing the average American household $47 a month — adding up to $12.2 billion so far this year. While some shoppers say they would pay more for USA-made products, nearly half believe the tariffs are not worth the cost. 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 says President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act will increase household income overall between 2026 and 2034 — but with the largest gains going to the wealthiest Americans. Low-income households will face losses due to cuts in Medicaid and SNAP. 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 nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says President Donald Trump's tax and spending law delivers the biggest benefits to the wealthiest Americans while cutting programs that help the poorest. Millions could lose food assistance and health coverage under the changes. 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 declared a "crime emergency" in Washington, D.C., using the Home Rule Act to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deploy the National Guard. Mayor Muriel Bowser says the move relies on outdated crime data and ignores recent drops in violent crime. 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

For many Black men, safe spaces like barbershops and church basements provide the comfort and trust needed to address grief and trauma. Cultural trauma expert Cory George explains how these spaces foster vulnerability, community support, and resilience in the face of racial violence and personal loss. 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 ordered Education Secretary Linda McMahon to require federally funded colleges to disclose how they make admissions decisions. The move targets race-conscious policies and raises new concerns about the future of historically Black colleges and universities. 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