AURN News

(AURN News) — Former Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee who was a political legend, is paying tribute to Congressman Sylvester Turner, who died peacefully Wednesday at age 70, according to his office.

"Congressman Sylvester Turner was more than a public servant- he was a man of God and quintessential Houstonian who loved our City more than anyone I know," Carter said in a statement to AURN News. "He stood and fought for all people to have access to their American dream."

Carter briefly represented Texas's 18th Congressional District following her mother's death in 2024, before Turner assumed the seat in January. The position has now seen three representatives in little more than a year, marking a period of significant transition for the Houston district.

"On a personal note, he was kind and a true friend to our family including my mother, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, father Elwyn, Jason and myself," Carter continued. "We will forever cherish the times we shared. And, we remain committed to the values that he held so dear."

The connection between Turner and the Lee-Carter family runs deep in Houston politics. Turner had been in attendance at President Donald Trump's address to the joint session of Congress just one day before his death.

Turner previously served as Houston's 62nd mayor.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX) has reportedly passed away, just months after winning the congressional seat previously held by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).

Turner, 70, was an attorney and a longtime public servant. He spent 26 years in the Texas House of Representatives before becoming the mayor of Houston.

His leadership and dedication to public service made a lasting impact on Texas politics.

His passing marks the loss of a significant figure in the state's political landscape.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a fiery 90-minute address, President Donald Trump delivered a boastful victory speech to a joint session of Congress. Trump declared, "America is back," and touted his administration's swift and unrelenting actions.

However, the speech was packed with exaggerated claims, divisive rhetoric, and inaccurate statements. He highlighted his border policies, calling for harsher deportations, and defended his tariffs, which critics say have only driven up consumer prices.

Despite the rhetoric, he avoided discussing key issues like Medicare and healthcare reform, focusing instead on cultural battles.

The speech also took a turn when Texas Rep. Al Green protested Trump's claims and was ejected from the chamber for shouting during the address. Several Democrats walked out in protest while Republicans cheered Trump's every word.

The speech lacked concrete solutions to the economic challenges facing everyday Americans.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the best way for Democrats to show their opposition to President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress tonight? Well, for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the answer is clear: resist the temptation to stage dramatic disruptions.

At a closed-door meeting, he reminded members that while the pressure from their base to protest is high, going overboard could backfire. Instead, he urged colleagues to keep their focus on the American people and maintain unity.

While some Democrats are planning symbolic acts like wearing protest shirts and holding signs, others, like Reps. Maxine Waters and Jasmine Crockett, have opted out altogether, choosing to skip the address.

Jeffries' message is that their opposition should not be a spectacle, but a statement, a chance to show that Trump's agenda isn't going unchallenged. Within the Democratic Party, the debate continues over how best to express their resistance.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — New tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada took effect Tuesday as President Donald Trump aims to pressure companies to relocate manufacturing to the United States.

The 25% tariffs are part of what the president describes as an effort to incentivize businesses to build and expand operations on American soil rather than in neighboring countries.

"So what they have to do is build their car plants, frankly, and other things in the United States, in which case they have no tariffs," Trump said during a press conference at the White House on Monday.

During his remarks, Trump highlighted what he characterized as positive responses to his trade policies, citing new investments from major corporations like Honda and Apple.

"And I would just say this to people in Canada or Mexico, if they're going to build car plants, the people that are doing them are much better off building here, because we have the market - we're the market where they sell the most. And so I think it's going to be very exciting. Very exciting for the automobile companies," he said.

The tariffs have already produced market turbulence. Wall Street responded negatively, with stocks declining on both Monday and Tuesday. Cryptocurrency markets also experienced significant drops following news that the tariffs would begin.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Instead of watching President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress tonight, a powerful group of civil rights leaders, elected officials, journalists, and advocates launched the inaugural State of the People Livestream.

It kicked off at midnight, and this 24-hour marathon is providing a critical alternative to the president’s speech, offering what organizers say is a real assessment of the nation’s current state.

Journalist Joy Reid, in her first appearance since leaving MSNBC, set the tone as the livestream’s opening speaker. Over the next 24 hours, influential voices like Stacey Abrams, Ibram X. Kendi, Ben Crump, Tamika Mallory, Angela Rye, and many others will engage in conversations focused on the harmful impact of what they see as the administration’s first two months.

The event, held on stateofthepeople.media, calls on Congress to reject complicity and urges officials to stand with the people.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — Wall Street reacted negatively Monday after President Donald Trump confirmed that new tariffs against Canada and Mexico will take effect at midnight Tuesday, sending stocks downward. Bitcoin prices also declined following the announcement.

The confirmation comes months after the Trump administration proposed tariffs in January. The original proposal included a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, a 10% levy on Canadian energy imports, and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods.

Trump made the announcement while also promoting new investment opportunities for the country. The tariffs are scheduled to begin at midnight Tuesday.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hazel Nell Dukes, a tireless fighter for civil rights and the longtime president of the NAACP New York State Conference, died at the age of 92. She died peacefully at her home in Harlem, surrounded by family.

Known as a force to be reckoned with, a leader whose influence stretched far beyond New York, shaping national conversations on racial justice, education, housing, and voting rights.

If there was a fight for equality, Hazel Dukes was in it. From her early days championing Shirley Chisholm's historic presidential run, to leading the NAACP in the 1990s, she built a legacy of activism that spanned generations. She was a fierce advocate for criminal justice reform, economic empowerment, and equity in education.

Her leadership extended into Democratic politics, public policy, and countless organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., where she was a devoted member.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History was made at the 97th Academy Awards as Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win an Oscar for Costume Design. Tazewell, known for his stunning work in “Wicked”, has had a remarkable awards season, sweeping the BAFTAs, Critics Choice Awards, and Costume Designers Guild Awards.

A seasoned talent, Tazewell was previously nominated for an Oscar for West Side Story, and he already holds an Emmy (The Wiz Live) and a Tony (Hamilton). His win at the Oscars cements his legacy as one of Hollywood’s top costume designers.

Backstage, I caught up with Paul and asked him how he was able to create the magical world of “Wicked” on screen. His answer? A dedicated team of talented artisans who made the impossible possible.

Congratulations, Paul Tazewell! 🎭✨ Stay tuned for exclusive red carpet and backstage footage at @aurnonline—you don’t want to miss a moment of our Oscars coverage!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a tumultuous first month in office marked by unprecedented executive actions, President Donald Trump is set to deliver a speech to Congress on Tuesday, addressing lawmakers in the chambers still haunted by the events of January 6.

The address comes as Trump faces mounting legal challenges and criticism for wielding extensive power to push his agenda, including significant budget cuts and controversial deportation plans.

During his speech, Trump aims to rally support for extending tax cuts and securing additional funding for his immigration initiatives, all while navigating a divided Congress in which his party holds the majority.

However, Democrats are beginning to organize resistance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining constitutional checks on executive authority. With so much at stake for the American public, one pressing question remains: How will this action and address shape the future of executive power and the functioning of our democracy?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices