AURN News

Fulton County officials are responding after the FBI seized 2020 ballot records under a court-authorized warrant targeting the county's elections hub and operations center. Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts sharply criticized the move during a press conference, questioning the handling and security of the ballots once they were removed by federal agents. Georgia officials say the action amounts to intimidation and distraction, while the FBI has declined to provide further details as the investigation remains active. 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 sharply criticized the Federal Reserve after officials decided to keep interest rates unchanged. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank remains focused on bringing inflation down to 2% while protecting employment. Trump accused Powell of keeping rates too high in a lengthy Truth Social post, as the decision comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and increasing oil prices. 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

Federal agents searched the Fulton County Elections Office near Atlanta after the FBI confirmed a court-authorized operation involving a sealed warrant tied to records from the 2020 presidential election. Investigators said they were looking for ballots and other election materials, though no charges have been announced. Fulton County officials say they are cooperating fully, while voting rights groups warn the search could deepen public mistrust and are calling for transparency. 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

Sly Dunbar, the legendary Jamaican drummer and producer best known as one half of the iconic duo Sly & Robbie, has died at age 73, according to the BBC. Dunbar helped define the sound of reggae and dancehall through his pioneering “rockers” rhythm, innovative production style and work on hundreds of thousands of recordings. His collaborations spanned genres and generations, leaving an indelible mark on global music that will continue to influence artists for generations to come. 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

College students in North Carolina have filed a lawsuit against state and county election officials after Republican-controlled election boards eliminated early voting sites on multiple college campuses just weeks before early voting begins for the 2026 primary. Students argue the move violates the First, 14th, and 26th amendments and places unfair burdens on young voters, particularly Black students. The lawsuit details accessibility concerns, including long distances to the nearest voting sites and the loss of heavily used same-day registration locations. 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

Wesley Hunt is the lone Black Republican in the crowded Texas GOP Senate primary, but new polling suggests he may be more competitive than headlines indicate. While Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn dominate primary coverage, Hunt's general-election matchups show him running close against leading Democrats, raising questions about visibility, media attention and strategy in one of the nation's most closely watched races. 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

Ilhan Omar was attacked at her Minneapolis town hall just moments after calling for the abolition of ICE and accountability from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. A man was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after spraying an unknown liquid at Omar with a syringe. Omar was not injured and continued the town hall, later saying she would not be intimidated. The Congressional Black Caucus condemned the attack and warned about the consequences of violent rhetoric. 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

Zora Neale Hurston died Jan. 28, 1960, but her voice continues to resonate through American literature and Black cultural history. A pioneering writer and anthropologist, Hurston captured Black life, language and traditions with brilliance at a time when such stories were often dismissed or erased. Best known for “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” her work now stands as a cornerstone of Black literary legacy and truth. 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

Eleanor Holmes Norton has announced she will retire at the end of her current term, ending a 35-year tenure as the District of Columbia's nonvoting delegate in Congress. Norton reflected on decades of fighting for D.C. statehood, civil rights and economic investment, while pledging to continue advocating for District residents until her final day in office. Her legacy includes major redevelopment projects across the city and a lifetime of civil rights leadership on Capitol Hill. 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

During a House Financial Services Committee oversight hearing, Ayanna Pressley sharply confronted HUD Secretary Scott Turner over the federal government's response to the affordable housing crisis. Pressley criticized the Trump administration's handling of housing affordability and cited new data showing a severe shortage of affordable rental homes for low-income Americans, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has reshuffled leadership of its immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota following three shootings and two killings linked to federal agents. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, who led Operation Metro Surge, is expected to leave Minneapolis as President Donald Trump moves border czar Tom Homan into a ground leadership role. The changes come amid intense backlash after the killing of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti and growing political consequences within the state. 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

Ye has issued another public apology for antisemitic behavior, taking out a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal to express regret and ask forgiveness from those he said he hurt. Ye attributed his recent actions to untreated bipolar I disorder and said he has since resumed medication and therapy, which he says are now working. The apology also included a message to Black people, saying he was sorry for letting them 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

Hours after a federal agent fatally shot a man in Minneapolis, the U.S. Department of Justice, led by Pam Bondi, demanded access to Minnesota's unredacted voter registration data. In a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, the DOJ tied public safety concerns to the state's refusal to share election records — a move Minnesota officials rejected as unlawful and coercive. The dispute renews questions about federal authority over state-run elections and voter data. 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 Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media Group survey shows Rep. Jasmine Crockett trailing state Rep. James Talarico in the Texas Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. While Talarico leads overall and performs strongly among Hispanic and white voters, Crockett overwhelmingly dominates support among Black voters, receiving 80% backing. The poll also finds both Democrats performing closely in head-to-head matchups against potential Republican opponents. 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 fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen Alex Pretti by federal Border Patrol agents during a protest in Minnesota has ignited national outrage and intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. In response, the administration dispatched Tom Homan to the state, even as Senate Democrats threaten to block Department of Homeland Security funding over ICE's conduct, raising the risk of a partial government shutdown. 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

Barbie has unveiled a new Inspiring Women doll honoring Opal Lee, widely known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth. The tribute recognizes Lee's decades of activism that helped make Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021 and highlights her historic Walk for 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

A massive winter storm stretching from New Mexico to Maine is threatening snow, crippling ice and widespread power outages for millions of Americans. Flights are already being canceled, emergencies declared in multiple states, and officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as freezing rain and heavy snow move across the country. Critics say preparedness has been weakened under the Trump administration as communities brace for days of dangerous conditions. 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 survey shows President Donald Trump's approval rating stuck at 35%, with a majority of voters disapproving of his handling of the economy. The poll highlights growing concerns about a possible recession and ongoing economic frustration as the 2024 election approaches. 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

Born on Jan. 23, 1915, in St. Lucia, William Arthur Lewis became one of the most influential economists of the 20th century, advising newly independent nations and redefining development economics. His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979 and left a lasting global legacy. 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

Labor unions, faith leaders and community groups across Minnesota are urging residents to stop working, skip school and avoid shopping in protest of a surge in federal immigration enforcement. The statewide strike follows weeks of unrest after a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer and highlights growing fears within immigrant communities. 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

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests of two people connected to a disruptive ICE protest inside a St. Paul church during a worship service. Federal officials say the protest crossed legal lines, while local leaders continue to dispute the circumstances surrounding the ICE shooting that sparked the demonstration. 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 internal memo obtained by The Associated Press reveals a major shift in how ICE officers are authorized to operate — including forcing entry into homes without a judge's warrant. The report raises serious constitutional questions and concerns among immigrant communities about long-standing legal protections. 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 major milestone for the fight against racial injustice. Fifty new attorneys trained through the Legal Defense Fund's Marshall-Motley Scholars Program are entering the field, ready to advance civil rights and justice across the 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

Dr. Gladys West, a pioneering mathematician whose work helped lay the foundation for the Global Positioning System, has died at 95. Her career broke barriers and reshaped how the world navigates every day. 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 Transportation Security Administration says travelers who arrive at airport checkpoints without a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification will soon face a $45 fee. Starting Feb. 1, passengers without proper ID will still be allowed to fly after completing an additional identity verification process and paying the fee. The policy follows years of delayed enforcement of the REAL ID Act, which was passed in 2005. 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

Journalist Don Lemon is pushing back after rapper Nicki Minaj attacked him with a homophobic slur over his coverage of an ICE-related protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota. Lemon, reporting from Minneapolis, said Minaj doesn't understand journalism and criticized her social media post. The controversy unfolds amid rising tensions around Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions following the killing of Renee Nicole Good.  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

Dr. Bernice King used her Martin Luther King Jr. Day address at Ebenezer Baptist Church to directly challenge President Donald Trump's false claims about the Civil Rights Act, framing the moment as a moral crisis for the nation. 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 unveiled what he calls the “Great Healthcare Plan,” promising to lower health care costs and make coverage more affordable. However, the proposal offers few specifics on eligibility, insurance subsidies, protections for people with preexisting conditions, or how many Americans would remain uninsured. The lack of detail has raised questions about what would actually change for families facing illness, job loss or major medical bills. 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 Nickelodeon child star Kianna Underwood has died at 33 following a hit-and-run incident in Brooklyn, according to People. Police say Underwood was struck by two vehicles in the Brownsville neighborhood, and both drivers fled the scene. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues. 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 Donald Trump marks one year into his second term, a new poll from CNN shows widespread dissatisfaction among Americans. The survey finds majority disapproval across key issues including health care, immigration and tariffs, with many respondents citing Trump's temperament and personal behavior. The poll also shows majority disapproval of Vice President JD Vance. 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

Civil rights leaders are using Martin Luther King Jr. Day to draw parallels between Dr. King's fight for justice and modern-day concerns over aggressive immigration enforcement. Speaking in Harlem, the Rev. Al Sharpton and elected officials warn that ICE operations and civil rights rollbacks are disproportionately impacting Black and immigrant communities. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the National Park Service's list of fee-free days, ending a long-standing tradition that allowed free access to national parks during key civil rights observances. The changes come as Donald Trump continues to roll back diversity initiatives while adding his own birthday to the list of fee-free park days. Data cited by federal agencies shows racial disparities in unemployment and education remain persistent. 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. Postal Service is honoring boxing legend Muhammad Ali with a commemorative Forever Stamp, marking the first time the global icon has appeared on U.S. postage. Featuring a classic 1974 Associated Press photo and imagery highlighting his life beyond boxing, the stamp celebrates Ali's cultural, political, and humanitarian impact. A first-day-of-issue ceremony is set for his hometown of Louisville, with 22 million stamps printed nationwide. 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

Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly announced articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing her of obstruction of Congress, abuse of public trust and self-dealing. While the effort is largely symbolic and unlikely to advance in the Senate, it underscores growing Democratic opposition to federal immigration enforcement actions tied to Chicago. 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 may invoke the Insurrection Act as protests continue in Minneapolis over federal immigration enforcement. The rarely used law allows presidents to deploy troops or federalize the National Guard over a governor's objections and has been invoked only a handful of times in U.S. history. 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. State Department has paused the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries at consulates worldwide. While applications and interviews will continue, visas will not be issued during the pause, including for already approved cases. The move disproportionately affects Black and brown nations and is tied to a broader administrative review. 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 threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act following two shootings involving federal immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis, including the fatal shooting of Renee Good. The rarely used law allows a president to deploy U.S. military forces domestically and has drawn scrutiny over its broad authority and limited oversight. 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

Civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin has died at 86. Arrested at just 15 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Colvin later became a key plaintiff in the lawsuit that ended bus segregation, laying legal groundwork for the modern 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

A new Economist and YouGov poll finds 69% of Americans watched coverage of the Minneapolis ICE shooting and, by a significant margin, say the officer's actions were not justified. For the first time, more people support abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement than oppose it. The poll also found strong concern about masked ICE officers and falling favorability for Vice President J.D. Vance. 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 Pew Research Center study highlights wide disparities in how often Americans use the internet and how they access it. The data shows significant gaps across racial and income groups, including reliance on smartphones for online access and uneven broadband availability at home. 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

Minnesota and Illinois have filed separate federal lawsuits against the Trump administration, alleging that mass deployments of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and Chicago violate state sovereignty and constitutional limits on federal power. The lawsuits come amid protests and controversy over federal immigration actions, including the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company:https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At least six senior prosecutors in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division resigned after leadership declined to review a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer in Minnesota. Prosecutors say federal officials blocked state investigators, controlled evidence, and publicly defended the officer before any review was completed — sparking internal outrage and accusations of political interference. 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 said in a New York Times interview that he would like to stop mail-in ballots and suggested he should have ordered the National Guard to seize ballot boxes during the 2020 election. Legal experts note the president has no authority to seize ballots, and Trump later questioned whether he would accept the results of future elections. 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 facing renewed skepticism from Black Americans after suggesting in a New York Times interview that white people have faced unfair treatment in higher education. The remarks come as his administration continues to roll back diversity initiatives and as Black unemployment has risen during his 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

In an interview with The New York Times, President Donald Trump said civil rights-era protections led to white people being “very badly treated,” embracing the idea of reverse discrimination. Civil rights leaders, including NAACP President Derrick Johnson, pushed back, saying there is no evidence the civil rights movement discriminated against white men. 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

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that federal immigration enforcement actions violate states' constitutional authority and administrative law. State and local leaders say the surge of federal agents has had a harmful impact on schools, law enforcement and communities across Minnesota. 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

Federal officials are deploying about 1,000 additional agents to Minneapolis after a fatal ICE-involved shooting during a federal immigration operation. The Department of Homeland Security says the officer acted in self-defense, but newly released video stops short of showing the shooting itself, leaving key questions unanswered. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company:https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, innovation is everywhere — but representation is not. A Black tech executive breaks down why diversity in tech matters, how bias shows up in products like AI, and what it will take to build a stronger pipeline of Black founders and engineers. 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

Veteran actor T.K. Carter, best known for his roles in “The Thing” and “Punky Brewster,” has died at age 69, according to The Associated Press. Authorities said no foul play is suspected.Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While attending CES 2026 in Las Vegas, educator Apollonia Smith highlighted the lack of Black representation in the technology industry and called for greater engagement in shaping the future of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Smith emphasized the need for community involvement, stronger regulations and more opportunities beyond consumer roles as tech continues to expand. 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 off-duty ICE agent fatally shot Keith Porter Jr. on New Year's Eve in Northridge, according to the Los Angeles Times. While federal officials say the agent believed there was an active shooter, Porter's family and witnesses strongly dispute that account. Local and county authorities are investigating the killing, which has sparked outrage from community members and activists. 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