AURN News

What happens when Congress passes a bill to keep the government running, but actually hurts the American people? That’s exactly what critics are saying about the GOP’s new stopgap funding bill, which passed Tuesday.

The bill would extend government funding at 2024 levels through the end of the fiscal year, forcing cuts to crucial services and programs that affect everyday Americans. For starters, this bill could leave vital public health programs—like research on cancer, Alzheimer’s, and mental health—unfunded. Small businesses could lose crucial support from the Small Business Administration, paving the way for unchecked corporate interests.

Worst of all, the bill may force drastic cuts to public services, including police, teachers, and critical health services for the homeless. Low-income families and public education programs could also face massive reductions. Critics say this is a temporary fix that could have lasting, harmful consequences for the American people.

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(AURN News) — The percentage of Americans losing money to fraud rose significantly in 2024, with total losses reaching $12.5 billion, up 25 percent from the previous year, according to new data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The FTC clarifies that the increase is not in the total number of fraud reports, but rather in the proportion of people who reported financial losses after being targeted. In 2023, 27 percent of Americans who reported fraud lost money, while that figure jumped to 38 percent in 2024.

Government-imposter scams saw particularly steep growth, with reported losses increasing by $171 million to reach $789 million in 2024, the FTC said.

According to the commission’s data, emails were the primary method scammers used to target consumers, followed by phone calls and text messages.

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Wendy Williams may be gaining ground in her fight to regain control over her life. The former talk show host was taken to a NYC hospital from her assisted living facility on Monday, where she underwent a psychiatric evaluation. According to reports, Wendy scored perfectly on a capacity test, which could suggest she is more aware than her court-appointed guardian claims.

The results of the test will be shared with the judge overseeing her guardianship, potentially influencing future legal decisions. And now, Wendy is rumored to make an appearance on The View this Friday, possibly addressing her situation for the first time.

Meanwhile, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are putting on a united front after Will’s steamy onstage moment with Spanish singer India Martínez at an awards show last month. Despite the backlash, the Smith family posed for a lighthearted “National Napping Day” photo, featuring Will, Jada, their kids Jaden, Willow, and Trey, plus his ex-wife Sheree Zampino.

For more entertainment news and exclusive updates, follow @TanyaHollywood and stay locked in at @aurnonline! 🎤✨

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DALLAS (AURN News) — Southwest Airlines is continuing to move away from long-standing customer-friendly policies with a series of new changes that include ending its free checked baggage benefit for most passengers.

The announcement comes less than a year after the airline said it would end its signature open seating policy.

Under the new baggage policy, A-List Preferred Members and Business Select customers will still be able to check two bags for free, while A-List Members and certain other customers will be limited to one free checked bag. Other passengers will now face baggage fees.

Southwest is also revising how customers earn points, adjusting the number of Rapid Rewards points earned on qualifying flights.

Additionally, the airline is implementing stricter expiration policies for flight credits. Credits issued for tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025, will expire one year or earlier from the date of ticketing. The airline described all of these changes as "implementing new initiatives that support business objectives."

"We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don't compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect," Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.

These policy changes represent a significant shift for the airline, which has traditionally differentiated itself in the market through customer-friendly policies like free checked bags and no change fees.

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President Donald Trump has stirred up more trade tension with Canada by announcing a 50 percent tariff increase on steel and aluminum imports. The move comes after Ontario Premier Doug Ford imposed a new tax on electricity supplied to three U.S. states.

However, Ford quickly backtracked on his decision after discussions with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Trump initially attributed the tariff increase to the tax and stated that the new measure would take effect on Wednesday, March 12.

The back-and-forth escalated market concerns, causing a drop in the stock market as investors grew uneasy about the potential economic fallout.

Trump also hinted at declaring a national emergency over electricity, while the Canadian government pushed back, calling the tariffs an attack on its workers.

For now, the trade dispute continues to unfold, with both sides signaling they may reconsider their positions.

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On this day in 1959, “A Raisin in the Sun” debuted on Broadway, making history as the first play produced by a Black woman, Lorraine Hansberry. Starring Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil, the play was inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem "Harlem ('A Dream Deferred')" and depicted a struggling Black family in Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood.

Originally titled “The Crystal Stair,” it was Hansberry’s first play after leaving her writing job. Despite being a debut work, it ran for 530 performances and was widely acclaimed.

Hansberry became the first Black playwright and the youngest American to win a New York Critics’ Circle Award, cementing her legacy as a groundbreaking voice in American theater.

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The Trump administration is cranking up the pressure on colleges and universities, launching a sweeping investigation into 60 institutions over alleged antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

This comes as Trump makes it clear his administration will not tolerate what it sees as anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses. Just last week, Columbia University became the first target, losing $400 million in federal grants after the administration accused it of failing to crack down on antisemitism.

Six Ivy League schools are now under federal scrutiny, along with dozens of other universities that have seen pro-Palestinian protests erupt in response to the war in Gaza.

Student activists argue that this isn’t about antisemitism; it’s about silencing criticism of Israel.

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Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, are launching a brand-new podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. The series will feature thought-provoking discussions on daily life, culture, and big questions—all with insights from experts and celebrity guests.

The first two episodes drop on March 12, with Episode 1 introducing the series and Episode 2 featuring Issa Rae. New episodes will be released weekly on all major audio platforms.

Meanwhile, Marvel fans may have something big to look forward to—Marvel Studios’ streaming and TV boss Brad Winderbaum recently hinted that efforts are underway to bring back Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist at some point. While no official timeline has been set, fans are eager for Luke Cage’s return.

For more entertainment news and award season highlights, follow @TanyaHollywood and stay locked in at @aurnonline! 🎤🎬✨

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The stock market plunged Monday, sending shockwaves through Wall Street as fears of a recession take center stage.

The Dow crashed more than 1,000 points, the Nasdaq collapsed 4.6%, and the S&P 500 sank 3.2%, wiping out all gains since Trump’s reelection.

So what’s causing the meltdown? Trump’s trade war. Investors are spooked after a week of whiplash, including tariff shifts. First, he slapped 25% duties on all Mexican and Canadian imports, then carved out last-minute exemptions for goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Trump doubled down on threats against Canadian lumber and dairy, while Canada hit back with tariffs of its own.

The chaos is already rippling through the economy. Consumer confidence is slipping, inflation is climbing, and job numbers are cooling, fueling deep recession fears among economists—even Republicans are getting nervous.

Trump brushed off whether he is worried about triggering a recession, but right now investors aren’t buying it, and if the market’s freefall continues, Americans might be paying for it.

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(AURN News) — President Donald Trump is making sweeping promises about economic prosperity as his administration grapples with persistent inflation, slowing job growth and high grocery prices that continue to burden Americans in the early months of his second term.

The president's economic agenda has been complicated by uncertainty surrounding his tariff policies, which have faced repeated delays, changes and possible reversals.

"All I know is this, we're going to take in hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs, and we're going to become so rich you're not going to know where to spend all that money. I'm telling you, you just watch. We're going to have jobs, we're going to have open factories. It's going to be great," Trump said Sunday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.

The administration has yet to provide specific details on how tariff revenue would directly address current economic challenges facing American households or a timeline for the economic turnaround Trump is forecasting.

Trump's comments come as many Americans continue to express concerns about their financial situation despite the president's optimistic economic outlook.

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