AURN News

On Nov. 13, 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Alabama’s laws permitting segregation on public buses. The landmark decision marked a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement and came as a direct result of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

For over a year, African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama, united in protest, refusing to ride public buses in response to the arrest of Rosa Parks.

Parks, a civil rights icon, was detained in 1955 after famously refusing to give up her seat to a white man. Her quiet act of defiance sparked a powerful movement against racial injustice and ignited a nationwide push for equality.

The Supreme Court’s 1956 ruling not only affirmed the unconstitutionality of segregation on public transit but also energized the broader fight for civil rights across the United States.

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President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump met at 11:00 a.m., marking the official start of the presidential transfer of power. The meeting was a pivotal moment, symbolizing the commitment to a smooth transition, something Trump notably withheld from Biden in 2020.

But the transition isn't starting off without a hitch. Trump's team missed a crucial Oct. 1 deadline to sign the necessary agreements for a seamless handover. Those agreements would have secured access to federal resources and agency briefings, meaning the incoming administration is already behind schedule.

But today's meeting at the White House laid the groundwork for Trump's team to start accessing federal agencies, setting the stage for briefings on national security, the economy, and more. The transfer of power is a massive coordination effort, and this meeting aimed to smooth out any initial bumps.

It's worth noting the irony. Back in 2020, when Joe Biden defeated Trump, there was no meeting at the White House. Trump denied Biden the customary face-to-face handoff, breaking a long-standing tradition. This time, though, both sides are coming together.

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In this inspiring episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart spotlights Marissa Bode, who made history this weekend at the LA premiere of Wicked. Marissa, who has been acting since age 8, was left permanently disabled after a car accident at age 11 but never lost her passion for acting. Now, she is the first wheelchair user to portray Nessa Rose, the Wicked Witch of the East’s sister, in the film adaptation of Wicked. At the premiere, Marissa expressed how meaningful it is to bring this representation to the screen, noting how important it is for audiences to see themselves in characters they love.

With Wicked opening nationwide on November 22, it’s set to be a holiday must-see. Tanya can’t wait to watch this long-awaited adaptation and witness Marissa’s groundbreaking performance. For more stories and updates, follow Tanya on social media and visit AURN online.

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President-elect Donald Trump is rapidly assembling his Cabinet of senior staff for his second term, laying the groundwork for a presidency expected to focus out the gate on tough immigration and major foreign policy shifts.

Marco Rubio, the Republican Senator from Florida, is Trump's choice for Secretary of State. House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik will serve as the United Nations Ambassador. In the White House, Susie Wiles will make history as the first female Chief of Staff.

Trump has also chosen Stephen Miller as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Tom Homan as "Border Czar" to oversee an expansive immigration agenda that many experts say will be impossible to execute. Mike Waltz, a congressman and army veteran, will serve as national security adviser.

Trump is expected to come in with an aggressive agenda and prepared to overturn many Biden-era policies.

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In a powerful tribute this Veterans Day, Maryland officially recognized Harriet Tubman for her remarkable contributions during the Civil War, commissioning her as a Brigadier General in the Maryland National Guard this past Monday. The momentous occasion highlights Tubman not only as a leader of the Underground Railroad but a courageous operative for the Union.

Born Araminta Ross, Tubman's journey from enslavement to freedom fighter is legendary. After escaping to Philadelphia, she returned to the Eastern Shore multiple times to rescue family and friends. During the war, she served as a nurse, scout, and leader, notably orchestrating a mission that liberated over 700 enslaved individuals along the Combahee River.

At the commissioning ceremony near her birthplace, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore praised Tubman as a pioneer of the phrase "leave no one behind," emphasizing her unwavering commitment to freedom and justice.

Despite her longstanding contributions, Tubman was only recognized as a veteran. This posthumous promotion corrects this oversight, celebrating a woman who has inspired generations.

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President-elect Donald J. Trump is reportedly set to nominate Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as Secretary of State, according to sources familiar with his decision-making.

According to the New York Times, Trump could still change his mind, but insiders say he has largely settled on Rubio, who was also considered as a potential running mate.

Rubio, first elected to the Senate in 2010 as a Tea Party leader, has been a vocal foreign policy hawk, especially on China and Iran, and recently echoed Trump’s stance on Ukraine, describing it as a “stalemate.”

Rubio’s past relationship with Mr. Trump has been complicated, with the two clashing during the 2016 Republican primaries. However, Rubio has continued to support Donald Trump.

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Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the next president on Jan. 20, 2025, and he's already making some bold demands aimed at reshaping the Senate's agenda. Trump has declared that any Republican senator vying for a leadership position must agree to allow recess appointments. This would let him fill top government roles swiftly, bypassing the lengthy Senate confirmation process that he claims could take over two years.

Trump is also insisting that no judicial nominees from the Biden administration be approved before he takes office, accusing Senate Democrats of trying to ram through judges while Republicans are distracted by internal leadership battles.

Trump's call to action raises the stakes as a fierce partisan showdown in these final weeks of the Democratic administration. As Senate Republicans face pressure to comply, battle lines are already being drawn on Capitol Hill, setting the tone for a contentious transition.

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On this day, Nov. 11, 1915, Xavier University of Louisiana opened its doors in New Orleans, beginning its mission to educate Native American and Black students. Founded by St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, this coeducational liberal arts college remains the only historically Black Roman Catholic institution in the United States.

Recognizing the lack of Catholic higher education opportunities for Black students in the South, Drexel used her inheritance to establish Xavier as a school that would fill this critical gap. Originally a small high school known as Xavier Prep and later Xavier Preparatory A. Normal School, the institution provided training within the limited career paths available to Black students at the time.

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The day after Trump's election win, disturbing racist text messages flooded the phones of African Americans nationwide, telling them to return back to the nearest plantation and also threats of violence. The messages targeted everyone from college students to everyday working Black adults.

The FBI has stepped in, urging recipients to report the text messages, while working with the Department of Justice to investigate the origin. Spoof numbers from text message services, like TextNow, are suspected.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson condemned the hate, linking it to divisive rhetoric that has emboldened racist groups. "These actions are not normal," he declared. "And we refuse to let them be normalized."

The NAACP is mobilizing, calling for accountability, and coordinating with law enforcement to protect Black communities. Johnson emphasized the NAACP's commitment to fighting for safety, freedom, and equality.

As investigations continue, authorities are working to ensure this wave of hatred does not escalate.

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In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart breaks down the latest Grammy nominations, where Beyoncé leads the pack with an impressive 11 nods, including a groundbreaking nomination for Best Country Album. Queen Bey also landed nominations for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year for “Texas Hold’em,” plus Best Pop Solo Performance for “Bodyguard” and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Post Malone for “Levi Jeans.” Other top nominees include Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone with seven nominations each. However, there were some surprising snubs, with Ariana Grande and Hozier missing out on the major categories. The 67th Grammy Awards will air on February 2, 2025, on CBS and Paramount.

Tanya also shares the sad news of the passing of Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister, who reportedly faced serious health issues in the months leading up to her death. Tyka, who had a music career of her own, achieved success with singles on the Billboard R&B charts and released several albums over the years, including her gospel album Hustler. Tanya sends condolences to the Nelson family and honors Tyka's legacy in music.

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

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