AURN News

A new Mercer survey projects that employer health benefit costs will rise 6.5% in 2026, marking the sharpest increase in 15 years. The report cites provider consolidation, inflation, rising medical wages and new technologies as key drivers. While many companies are pursuing cost-saving strategies, employees may still face higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

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Joseph McNeil, one of the four North Carolina A&T freshmen who staged the 1960 Greensboro sit-in at a segregated lunch counter, has died at 83. His act of defiance alongside Franklin McCain, David Richmond and Jibreel Khazan inspired a nationwide wave of protests that helped fuel the civil rights movement. With McNeil’s passing, Khazan is the last surviving member of the A&T Four.

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced sharp questioning from both Democrats and Republicans in a Senate hearing over his handling of vaccines. Lawmakers pressed him on restricted access to COVID-19 shots and accused him of undermining decades of vaccine progress. Kennedy defended his approach, insisting he is “pro-science, not anti-vaccine.”

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The District of Columbia has filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump, challenging his deployment of the National Guard as an illegal use of the military for domestic law enforcement. Attorney General Brian Schwalb warned that “no American jurisdiction should be involuntarily subjected to military occupation.” The lawsuit comes after a California court also ruled against Trump’s use of troops in Los Angeles.

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The latest ADP payroll report shows U.S. job growth slowed sharply in August, with just 54,000 jobs added. Sectors like trade, transportation and education posted losses, while wages showed little movement. Economists warn the cooling labor market could undercut President Donald Trump’s message of a booming economy.

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough questions on Capitol Hill over sweeping health agency layoffs and the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said they want to end all childhood vaccine mandates — prompting Democratic governors on the West Coast to form an alliance to protect immunization standards.

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Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a law criminalizing LGBTQ practices, including fines, prison sentences of two to five years, and deportation for noncitizens. The law, which awaits approval from the country’s military leader, is part of broader legal reforms. Human rights groups are expected to condemn it as part of a growing wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation across Africa.

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The latest federal jobs report shows U.S. job openings at their lowest level since the pandemic recovery in 2021. With fewer openings and a steady quit rate, workers are feeling the squeeze as the labor market cools under President Donald Trump’s second term.

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Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network spoke on Capitol Hill, demanding the release of Epstein files and calling out a government cover-up. They urged Congress to stop shielding predators, protect victims and push through the Crime Victims’ Rights Reform Act. Survivors warned they may release names if the government does not act.

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Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended cooperation with federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., beyond Sept. 10, when President Donald Trump’s emergency authority is set to expire. Supporters say crime is down, but critics warn the move undermines D.C.’s autonomy.

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