AURN News

In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart shares heartwarming updates just in time for the holidays. The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner in Los Angeles for women resettled in the U.S. from Afghanistan. Partnering with the charity Mina’s List, Meghan will cook traditional Afghan dishes before heading home to Montecito for a cozy holiday with Prince Harry and their children, Archie (5) and Lilibet (3). Tanya celebrates Meghan’s ongoing efforts to give back during the holidays.

Meanwhile, Lizzo has found her dream home for the holidays, purchasing a stunning $12.4 million estate in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood of Hollywood Hills. Formerly owned by actor Jeremy Renner, the house boasts six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a recording studio, and breathtaking 360-degree views of Los Angeles. Tanya congratulates Lizzo on her fabulous new home and wishes her good vibes for the future.

For more feel-good stories and celebrity updates, follow Tanya on social media and visit @aurnonline across platforms.

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The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the convictions of former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett on Thursday, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The court ruled that retrying Smollett after the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office dropped charges against him violated his rights. The decision ends years of legal battles surrounding Smollett’s 2019 claim of being attacked in Chicago, which was later deemed a hoax.

Smollett was convicted in 2021 on five counts of disorderly conduct and sentenced to 150 days in jail, probation, and restitution. However, due to ongoing appeals, he has not served the sentence.

Central to his case was the argument that the dropped charges constituted an agreement with prosecutors, making the subsequent retrial unjust.

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In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart brings you the latest buzz from Hollywood and beyond. Olympic champion Simone Biles joins Snoop Dogg on an upcoming episode of The Voice, airing Monday. As a mentor in the playoff round, Biles teams up with Snoop to inspire contestants vying for a spot in the finals, emphasizing confidence as the key to success.

It’s also a showdown at the box office this weekend with Wicked and Gladiator II battling it out, echoing last year’s “Barbenheimer” phenomenon. Tanya shares her enchantment with Wicked, praising its story and cinematic beauty.

In other big news, Viola Davis is set to receive the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2025 Golden Globes, honoring her illustrious career and EGOT status. Tanya celebrates this well-deserved accolade for one of Hollywood’s finest.

The episode wraps up with the Illinois Supreme Court overturning Jussie Smollett’s conviction, clearing the actor of charges related to staging a 2019 attack. Tanya reflects on the case and its impact while wishing Jussie a brighter future.

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According to the Associated Press, President-elect Donald Trump has announced key Cabinet nominations, including billionaire wrestling mogul Linda McMahon as Education Secretary and Dr. Mehmet Oz as head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

McMahon has limited education experience but supports charter schools and school choice.

Oz, a TV personality and former heart surgeon, ran an unsuccessful 2022 Senate campaign and is known for controversial medical claims.

Trump also nominated Howard Lutnick, a Wall Street executive, as Commerce Secretary. Lutnick, a tariff advocate, will oversee trade policy and economic initiatives.

These nominations signal Trump’s agenda for his administration’s return.

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A bill nicknamed the "nonprofit killer" is barreling toward a vote in the House, and its implications are chilling.

H.R. 9495, backed by House Republicans, would let President-elect Donald Trump revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofits deemed "terrorist-supporting" by the Treasury Department without due process.

While the bill, known as the "Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act," claims to target terrorism, many civil rights advocates warn this measure could silence groups fighting for justice, including those advocating for racial equity, Palestinian rights, and press freedoms.

Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), say it's a dangerous overreach. If passed, the bill risks stifling free speech and dismantling protections for civil society.

With a vote expected Thursday, the clock is ticking for lawmakers to decide whether they'll protect democracy or enable its suppression.

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Could President-elect Donald Trump shake up the federal government even more? Well, it looks so with his new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Their goal? End remote work across federal agencies. The initiative aims to bring all federal employees back to the office full-time.

Both Musk and Ramaswamy have voiced concerns about the number of government workers telecommuting. A source familiar with the discussions told CNN that making a five-day workweek mandatory is a top priority.

Their rationale? Bringing workers back in person would encourage many to leave voluntarily. Currently, federal agencies set their own remote work policies, with around 1.3 million employees approved for telework.

However, the American Federation of Government Employees argues most federal workers are productive. Any changes affecting their work conditions should be negotiated through proper channels.

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President-elect Donald Trump has named Linda McMahon, co-founder of WWE and a close ally, as his pick for Education Secretary, sparking widespread concern.

While McMahon has a background in business and a brief stint on Connecticut's Board of Education in 2009, her experience in public education is minimal and dismal.

Trump has vowed to dismantle the Department of Education, leaving critical responsibilities like federal oversight and funding to state governments.

Critics warned that this move could jeopardize protections for marginalized students, including Black and brown communities, and undermine public schools nationwide.

Education advocates argue that federal standards are essentially for equity and accountability.

The Senate confirmation process is expected to ignite heated debates over the future of education policy and its impact on millions of American students.

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A Georgia appeals court has canceled oral arguments scheduled for Dec. 5 in the appeal of a ruling that allowed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting the election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press.

Trump and other defendants had sought Willis’s removal, citing her past relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade as a conflict of interest. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March that no conflict existed but allowed an appeal.

The Aug. 2023 indictment accuses Trump and 18 others of a scheme to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election. While four defendants pleaded guilty, Trump and others maintain their innocence as his January return to the White House looms.

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In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart shares exciting news about Beyoncé’s upcoming live halftime performance during the Ravens-Texans NFL Christmas Day Game. Produced by her company, Parkwood Entertainment, in collaboration with Jesse Collins Entertainment, the performance will showcase songs from Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed country-infused album Cowboy Carter. This marks her first live performance of tracks from the album and promises to be a must-watch event.

This performance is also a significant moment for Netflix, which will stream the halftime show live. After facing backlash over technical issues during the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight, Netflix has something to prove, and all eyes will be on this high-profile event. Tanya can’t wait to tune in, and she’s sure Beyoncé will deliver as always.

For more updates on this story and other entertainment news, follow Tanya on social media and visit AURN online.

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According to the Atlanta Black Star, the Palm Springs City Council unanimously approved a $5.9 million reparations settlement for Black and Latino families whose homes were destroyed 60 years ago during urban renewal efforts.

Known as Section 14, the neighborhood was a thriving enclave of working-class residents, including chefs and maids, until city officials ordered homes demolished and burned to make way for luxury tourism.

The settlement includes direct cash payments to an estimated 1,200 descendants and plans for a memorial park, cultural healing center, and monument honoring the displaced families.

Former residents, led by the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors group, fought for years to hold the city accountable.

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