AURN News

President-elect Donald Trump's Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth is under increasing fire as Republican senators question his fitness for the role. Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and Army vet, has drawn criticism over allegations of mistreating women, drinking on the job, poor leadership in past roles, and allegations of rape.

These issues are raising serious concerns about his ability to oversee the vast and complex operations of the Pentagon. Today he will sit down with Fox News in an effort to defend himself while rumors swirl about alternative picks, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Hegseth has been meeting with GOP senators on Capitol Hill, but cracks are forming in party support. Key Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Lindsey Graham and Joni Ernst, have hinted at doubts. But will it really add to an uphill battle for Hegseth's confirmation?

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On his first full day in office, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols is already tackling the city's biggest challenges, with homelessness at the top of his agenda. Sworn in on Dec. 1, Nichols is the first Black mayor in Tulsa's history and has set ambitious goals for his first 100 days.

He aims to eliminate long-term homelessness in the city by 2030 and quickly expand emergency and transitional housing options while decommissioning homeless camps. Nichols, citing a 33 percent rise in homelessness in Tulsa since 2021, said his administration will focus on rapid action to provide both shelter and services.

On Monday, Nichols introduced six key members of his leadership team, emphasizing their expertise and commitment over political ties. He described the group as passionate and ready to drive change for a city with a history deeply tied to racial and economic inequality.

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(AURN News) — A congressional investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and the government's pandemic response has concluded that the virus likely emerged from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, according to a final report from the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The extensive two-year investigation, which included 30 interviews and depositions, 25 hearings and meetings, and the review of over one million documents, revealed several key findings about the pandemic's origins and response.

The subcommittee determined that the virus exhibits biological characteristics not typically found in nature, supporting the lab leak hypothesis. The report also criticized the vaccine approval process, stating that "the FDA rushed approval of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to meet the Biden Administration’s arbitrary mandate timeline."

Additionally, the report highlighted significant failures in the management of COVID-19 relief funds at both the federal and state levels, resulting in widespread fraud and waste that cost taxpayers more than $191 billion. 

You can find the full report by clicking here.

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On this day (Dec. 3) in 1847, Frederick Douglass launched his own newspaper, “The North Star,” after years of reading and being inspired by William Lloyd Garrison’s “The Liberator.”

Renowned for its bold stance against slavery, the paper amplified Douglass’s voice as a leading abolitionist, building on his influential 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, which had galvanized the abolition movement.

Relocating to Rochester, New York, Douglass published the first edition, declaring, “Justice must be done, the truth must be told … I will not be silent.” A tireless advocate for equality across race, gender, and nationality, Douglass used the paper to champion justice and freedom.

“The North Star” was published until 1851, when it merged with the Liberty Party Paper to become Frederick Douglass’ Paper.

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In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart celebrates Kerry Washington’s latest achievement: receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Joined by Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes and entertainment mogul Tyler Perry, Kerry was honored in front of the W Hotel in Hollywood. The ceremony comes just ahead of her latest film, Six Triple Eight, premiering on Netflix in 18 days. Directed, written, and produced by Perry—with Kerry also serving as an executive producer—the film highlights the historic Women’s Army Corps unit of color that served overseas during World War II. Tanya shares her joy for Kerry’s well-deserved recognition.

Tanya also gushes over Hollywood’s cutest couple: Martin Lawrence’s daughter Jasmine and Eddie Murphy’s son Eric, who just announced their engagement after three years of dating. The news was shared via a sweet Instagram video of Eric’s proposal. Tanya dishes on Martin and Eddie’s excitement about the engagement, including their joking anticipation of a “super comedic grandbaby.” With the wedding on the horizon, Tanya predicts it’ll be a star-studded affair to remember.

For more stories and updates, follow Tanya on social media and visit @aurnonline across platforms.

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President Joe Biden issued a full pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, Sunday night, reversing his prior stance against using executive authority for family matters.

In his statement, Biden cited political interference as a factor in his decision, calling it a “miscarriage of justice.”

“No reasonable person can conclude Hunter wasn’t singled out because he’s my son,” Biden said. “In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me. Enough is enough.”

Hunter Biden, convicted on federal gun and tax charges, was set for sentencing in December. The pardon covers all offenses from January 2014 to December 2024.

Hunter acknowledged his past mistakes during addiction but credited his family and recovery for his stability, vowing to help others.

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According to the Associated Press, Spelman College President Dr. Helene Gayle will not return from her leave of absence and is stepping down permanently, the historically Black women’s college announced Thursday.

The college has not disclosed why Dr. Gayle initially took leave or why she won’t return. Trustees are developing a plan to select the next president, with interim President Rosalind “Roz” Brewer continuing to lead.

Brewer, former chair of Spelman’s board of trustees and a part-owner of the Atlanta Falcons, praised Gayle’s service and expressed enthusiasm for her interim role.

Dr. Gayle, who became president in 2022, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and said she looks forward to her next chapter. Before Spelman, she led the Chicago Community Trust and worked extensively in global health and anti-poverty initiatives.

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(AURN News) — The traditional Thanksgiving feast will be lighter on Americans' wallets this year, according to a new report from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

The average cost of a Thanksgiving meal has decreased to $58.08, down from $61.17 in 2023 and significantly lower than the record high of $64.05 in 2022. Turkey prices have also fallen, showing a 6% decrease compared to last year.

However, some traditional items saw price increases. The AFBF reported that dinner rolls and cubed stuffing costs rose by 8%, citing higher labor costs among other factors. Cranberries showed the steepest increase, with prices jumping nearly 12% from last year.

The report also highlighted significant price drops in several staple items. Milk showed a 14.3% decrease, while sweet potatoes fell by 26.2%.

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(AURN News) — New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals shifting patterns in sexually transmitted disease rates across the United States, with syphilis cases rising while other infections decline. The CDC's 2023 data shows an increase in syphilis cases compared to 2022, even as chlamydia and gonorrhea cases have decreased nationwide. 

Looking at state-by-state numbers, California led the nation in syphilis cases with 32,480 infections, followed by Texas (27,085), Florida (18,799), and New York (12,393). The data indicates that white Americans recorded the highest syphilis rates among all racial groups, with Black Americans representing the second-highest number of cases.

For gonorrhea, California again topped the list with 74,103 cases, while Texas reported 53,793 cases. Florida (46,726), New York (46,102), and Georgia (30,307) rounded out the states with the highest case counts. The racial breakdown for gonorrhea shows Black Americans experiencing the highest burden with 236,011 cases, compared to 131,170 cases among white Americans and 83,535 among Hispanic Americans.

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The world knew her as Tina Turner, but the chart-topping singer was born Anna Mae Bullock on this day (Nov. 26) in 1939. She passed away at 83 in May 2023, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

As a teen in St. Louis, Missouri, she discovered a vibrant R&B scene, met Ike Turner, and began performing with his band, the Kings of Rhythm. Their first hit, “A Fool in Love,” in 1960, launched the Ike and Tina Turner Revue to fame.

After leaving Ike Turner in 1976, she rose as a solo powerhouse, earning eight Grammys, starring in films, and securing her place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Happy heavenly birthday to Tina Turner.

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