AURN News

"The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy. As much as any other principle, it is what distinguishes our system of government from monarchy or tyranny," said Vice President Kamala Harris.

Today, four years after the Capitol was overrun, Congress is certifying Donald Trump's reelection under tightened rules and heightened security. Vice President Harris will oversee the process, which law enforcement officials have declared a national emergency event. Over 100 security changes have been implemented to ensure there is no repeat of the chaos.

The certification process itself has also evolved. In 2022, Congress passed an overhaul of the Electoral Count Act, clarifying the vice president's role as strictly ceremonial. The revision closed a loophole that Trump had attempted to exploit by pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results.

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

President Joe Biden presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to 19 recipients, including actor Denzel Washington, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and posthumously, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer.

The ceremony took place in the White House East Room, where Biden praised the recipients for their contributions to America’s fabric.

Established in 1945, the Medal of Freedom was modernized by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to honor figures like Marian Anderson, the first African-American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera.

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

In a razor-thin victory, Mike Johnson was reelected as Speaker of the House with a 218-215 vote.

The drama unfolded as Johnson initially appeared poised to lose. A tense roll call saw several hardline Republicans withholding their support, including Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who ultimately voted against Johnson.

Johnson managed to flip the remaining two holdouts after a private huddle on the House floor and a call from President-elect Donald Trump.

Their late switches gave him just enough to secure the gavel, avoiding a repeat of the 15-vote marathon that Kevin McCarthy endured in 2023.

The vote was crucial, as the 119th Congress could not begin work until a speaker was elected. Johnson received praise from Trump and promised to cut government spending and target what he calls a "totalitarian fourth branch of government known as the administrative state."

Progressives have come out warning that that could include cuts in Medicare and Social Security.

The narrow outcome highlights the deep Republican divisions as Congress embarks on a new legislative session.

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

(AURN News) — U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has issued a new advisory citing the connection between alcohol and cancer. He is also calling for warnings to be updated with the risk added to alcoholic beverages.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cites a direct link between drinking alcohol and seven types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, oral, throat, and laryngeal cancers.

According to the Surgeon General, alcohol is responsible for approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year.

“This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm,” Dr. Murthy said in a statement.

HHS noted that cancer risk increases with alcohol consumption, with some cancers potentially developing from as little as one drink a day. Officials also identified alcohol consumption as the third leading preventable cause of cancer.

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

Happy New Year! In this episode of Hollywood Live with Tanya Hart, we kick off 2025 with inspiring stories of personal growth and transformation. Denzel Washington has added a new chapter to his incredible life by becoming an ordained minister. Baptized at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York City, Denzel now holds a ministry license—a milestone he calls his “greatest accomplishment.” Tanya reflects on his deep faith and shares how he’s embraced his spiritual journey over the years.

In other news, Dry January is becoming a bigger trend among celebrities. Tanya spotlights stars like Rihanna, who’s over a year sober; Tom Holland, who launched his own non-alcoholic beer company; and Lewis Hamilton, who introduced the first alcohol-free tequila brand. With more celebrities embracing sobriety, Tanya predicts a shift in how liquor companies approach the rising demand for non-alcoholic products.

It’s a fresh start for 2025, and Tanya promises more exciting stories and updates in the year ahead. Don’t miss a thing—follow her on social media and visit @aurnonline across all platforms.

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

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) just swore in its new members for the 119th session of Congress. Governor Wes Moore, only the third African American elected U.S. governor, ran down why this session is the most historic.

"This is a history-making CBC because we have a record 62 members of the Congressional Black Caucus that we are celebrating today. It's a history-making CBC because this CBC represents more states than ever before in our country's history. We don't just have the largest representation of Black women in CBC's history, but also for the first time, we have two Black women in the United States Senate representing the CBC."

Those two new women are Lisa Blunt Rochester, elected as Delaware's first female Black senator, and, in Maryland, Angela Alsobrooks.

The CBC started in 1971 with just 13 founding members.

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

Longtime Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., was honored with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Joe Biden during a White House ceremony on Thursday.

Thompson, 76, whose congressional career spans over 30 years, has long been a defender of democracy.

As former chairman of the Jan. 6 House Select Committee and the first Black chair of the Homeland Security Committee, Thompson’s leadership earned praise on Capitol Hill.

Thompson worked alongside icons like Fannie Lou Hamer, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and John Lewis. His legacy, rooted in advancing civil rights and defending the U.S. Constitution, made him a fitting recipient of this honor.

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

"All the resources of the FBI are being focused on tracking down every piece of evidence, every lead, every interview."

That was the FBI assistant director who updated the media on the terrorist attack that killed 14 people and injured 35 others.

"First and foremost, let me be very clear about this point. This was an act of terrorism. It was premeditated and an evil act."

Investigators were also looking to see if there was anyone else involved in the attack.

"We do not assess at this point that anyone else is involved in this attack, except for Shamsud-Din Jabbar."

He went on to say that the FBI is deploying multiple resources and agents across the nation to continue the investigation.

"Whether you know Jabbar personally, worked with him, served in the military, we need to talk to you."

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

(AURN News) — Delta Airlines clinched the top spot for punctuality among North American carriers for the fourth consecutive year, according to Cirium's 2024 on-time performance report.

The Atlanta-based carrier achieved an 83.46% on-time rate across 1,712,529 flights, earning Cirium's platinum award. In global rankings, Aeromexico led with an 86.70% on-time arrival rate, followed by Saudia at 86.35% and Delta at 83.46%.

For North American airlines, Delta topped the list, with United, Alaska, American, and Southwest rounding out the top five. The report, now in its 16th year, analyzed 3 million flights monthly to determine rankings.

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

(AURN News) — President-elect Donald Trump criticized outgoing President Joe Biden's border policies following two separate violent incidents on New Year's Day that left multiple casualties in New Orleans and the suspect dead in Las Vegas.

Trump posted on Truth Social: “With the Biden “Open Border’s Policy” I said, many times during Rallies, and elsewhere, that Radical Islamic Terrorism, and other forms of violent crime, will become so bad in America that it will become hard to even imagine or believe. That time has come, only worse than ever imagined. Joe Biden is the WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER. What he and his group of Election Interfering “thugs” have done to our Country will not soon be forgotten! MAGA”

In New Orleans, at least 14 people died after Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a Texas resident, drove through a crowd on Bourbon Street and then fired shots. The FBI reports finding an ISIS flag and potential IED in his rental pickup truck. Jabbar was killed by local law enforcement.

Separately, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police are investigating an explosion outside the Trump International Hotel involving a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck. The incident injured seven people and killed the driver. Police discovered gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters, and fireworks in the truck bed. While investigating possible connections to the New Orleans attack, authorities currently believe it was an isolated incident.

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