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According to The New York Times, Native American tribes and students are suing the Trump administration over layoffs at federally run Native schools, claiming the cuts have severely harmed education quality.

The layoffs, part of broader federal job reductions, affected nearly a quarter of staff at Indian Nations University in Kansas and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in New Mexico.

Instructors, a basketball coach, and maintenance workers were among those dismissed in February, leading to instructor shortages, undrinkable water, power outages, and overflowing garbage in dorms.

The lawsuit, filed by the Native American Rights Fund, argues the government violated its trust responsibility to tribes by not consulting them.

Tribal leaders condemn the cuts as a continuation of historical neglect, vowing to protect their communities’ futures.

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The government is one week away from a shutdown, and House Republicans are playing hardball. Instead of negotiating, Speaker Mike Johnson is forcing a take-it-or-leave-it spending bill to the floor Tuesday, daring Democrats to vote against it.

The bill boosts defense spending to $892 billion while slashing non-defense programs by $13 billion. It also cuts funding for local projects and gives the Trump administration sweeping power over federal spending decisions.

Democrats are calling it a power grab that puts critical programs at risk. Trump, meanwhile, is demanding total GOP loyalty, warning lawmakers on Truth Social, “Remain united, no dissent.”

And so far, it’s working. Conservatives who usually oppose temporary spending bills are backing this one, betting that Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will find deeper cuts. But with Democrats refusing to play along, the risk of a shutdown by midnight is growing.

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Adrien Brody took home the Best Actor Oscar for The Brutalist on Sunday night, delivering a speech that unexpectedly included a mention of Harvey Weinstein’s children with his ex-wife, Georgina Chapman—who also happens to be Brody’s current partner.

Backstage, Brody reflected on the historical significance of his role, saying:

“As I had mentioned in my speech, I am oddly receiving recognition for representing a time in history that we witness unchecked anti-Semitism. Hatred and oppression have no place in this world, and we must learn from the past.”

From his prison cell, Weinstein, now 72, reacted to Brody’s mention of his children, saying he was “both happy for his ex and their children.” Chapman, 48, divorced Weinstein after his conviction for sexual assault, and she and Brody have been together since.

Sounds like a Hollywood drama in real life—but one with an Oscar-winning performance at its center.

Don’t miss our exclusive red-carpet coverage from the Academy Awards! Check out all the glitz, glam, and behind-the-scenes moments at @aurnonline, and follow @TanyaHollywood for more insider scoops! 🎥🏆✨

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“The House has resolved that Representative Al Green be censured.”

House Republicans, along with 10 Democrats, joined together on Thursday to censure Rep. Al Green for protesting during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress, where he shouted that the president has no mandate to cut Medicaid.

Fellow Democrats joined him in the well as they sang, “We Shall Overcome.”

Democrats continued singing, and Republicans eventually cut the feed to the House floor, preventing the public from seeing it.

On Tuesday night, Green said this is why he spoke out:

“I was making it clear to the president that he has no mandate to cut Medicaid. I have people who are very fearful, these are poor people, and they have only Medicaid in their lives when it comes to their healthcare.”

“I don’t know. Whatever the punishment is, I’m not fighting the punishment.”

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(AURN News) — A new poll conducted by CNN shows that 69% of those surveyed had a positive reaction to President Donald Trump's speech to the joint session of Congress on Tuesday. The poll found that 25% said they had a somewhat positive reaction and 44% had a very positive reaction.

While this was higher than former President Biden's last joint congressional speech, it fell short of Trump's earlier addresses. In March 2024, Joe Biden received a net positive of 65%, compared to April 2021, his first speech, which was 78%.

The numbers represent a decline from Trump's previous joint session addresses. In February 2017, he had a net positive of 78%, 70% in January 2018, and 76% in February 2019. By comparison, Barack Obama's first speech in 2009 had a net positive of 92%, with his last speech in 2016 having a net positive of 73%.

Despite the mixed historical comparison, the new CNN poll shows that Trump's policies are popular with Americans, with 66% saying they will move the country in the right direction.

According to the poll, 59% said that Trump had the right priorities, while 62% said his economic policies move the country in the right direction.

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Eighty thousand jobs — that's the number that the Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to slash, rolling back staffing to pre-2020 levels. VA Secretary Doug Collins insists the cuts won't affect veterans' healthcare benefits, calling it a move toward efficiency.

However, veterans groups and lawmakers from both parties are alarmed, warning that mass layoffs could reduce access to care and essential services for millions of veterans.

The memo tells agency leaders to begin restructuring in August, and work with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline operations. But many are warning that these cuts will leave the VA struggling.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal called it a "betrayal" that will leave veterans frustrated and underserved.

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The 97th Academy Awards drew an estimated 19.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched Oscars in five years and the biggest primetime entertainment show of 2025 so far, according to ABC. A notable boost in viewership came from younger audiences streaming on mobile and laptops, proving that Hollywood’s biggest night still commands attention.

One of the most controversial films of the night, “Emilia Pérez,” entered with 13 nominations but didn’t dominate the way some expected. However, Zoe Saldana emerged as a standout winner, taking home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and sweeping nearly every major award this season.

Backstage, Saldana reflected on her journey, saying:

“We have an instinct, and that instinct that keeps us from falling or helps us put our hands in front of our face to protect us when we fall—that’s the same instinct when you’re reading a script or you’re meeting someone, and you just know that you’re right for that part.”

Missed the glamour? Check out exclusive red carpet footage at @aurnonline and don’t forget to follow @TanyaHollywood for all the inside scoop! 🎥🏆✨

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Roy Ayers, the legendary jazz and R&B musician known as the “godfather of neo-soul,” has died at 84 after a long illness. His family announced his passing on March 4, 2025, in New York City through a statement on his social media accounts.

Born on September 10, 1940, in Los Angeles, Ayers grew up in a musical household. His mother was a piano instructor, and his father played trombone.

He formed his first group while in high school and released his debut album, “West Coast Vibes,” in 1963.

Roy Ayers produced hits like “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” and influenced artists like Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige.

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The music industry is in shock and mourning the tragic loss of neo-soul legend Angie Stone. The singer, known for timeless hits like “No More Rain” and “I Wish I Didn’t Miss You”, died in a car crash early Saturday morning while traveling from Montgomery, Alabama, to Atlanta. Her longtime manager, Walter Millsap, confirmed that Stone was the only fatality, as the vehicle she was in flipped over and was hit by a big rig.

A trailblazer in neo-soul, Angie helped shape the genre alongside Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, and Maxwell. Her influence stretched far beyond her own music—she worked with icons like Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, and Lauryn Hill, leaving an indelible mark on R&B and soul.

She is survived by two children and two grandchildren. Angie was not only an incredible artist but also a beautiful soul, and she will be deeply missed.

Rest in peace, Angie Stone—your voice and spirit will live on through your music. 🎶💔 Follow @aurnonline for more tributes and exclusive coverage.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration must release nearly $2 billion in frozen foreign aid, but the timeline for when or if that money will actually reach aid organizations remains unclear.

In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the Court’s liberal justices, rejecting Trump’s appeal to keep the freeze in place. Meanwhile, Justice Samuel Alito blasted the ruling, calling it “judicial overreach” and claiming it unfairly burdens taxpayers.

The decision comes after months of delays, with Trump officials refusing to release funds that humanitarian groups say are critical for food, medical aid, and refugee support. Many organizations have already laid off staff and shut down programs, saying the damage has been done.

Now, a federal judge is set to clarify how and when the administration must comply.

With Trump’s team avoiding direct answers on the next steps, the big question remains: Will they follow the ruling or look for another way around it?

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