AURN News

In this heartfelt episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart honors the life and legacy of gospel icon Cissy Houston, the mother of the late Whitney Houston, who passed away at the age of 91 in her New Jersey home. Surrounded by family, Cissy had been in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Known not only as Whitney’s mother but as a remarkable singer in her own right, Cissy Houston’s career spanned decades. She was an aunt to Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick and a cousin of opera singer Leontyne Price.

Tanya reflects on Cissy’s incredible journey, from forming The Sweet Inspirations in 1963 with her niece Dee Dee Warwick to providing backup vocals for legends like Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, and Jimi Hendrix. Beyond her Grammy-winning career, Cissy was a loving mother, and Tanya recalls the emotional and candid memoir Remembering Whitney, where Cissy opened up about her daughter’s struggles and tragic death in 2012. Despite the heartache, Cissy’s legacy, filled with love, music, and resilience, remains a testament to the Houston family’s impact on the world. Tanya offers her deepest condolences to the Warwick and Houston families.

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(AURN News) — As Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida's west coast, the NOAA National Weather Service National Hurricane Center is warning of an elevated tornado threat across much of central and southern Florida. The National Hurricane Center reports that the tornado risk associated with Milton is greater than typically seen with most landfalling hurricanes. A tornado watch has been issued through 9 p.m. EDT Wednesday, covering a large area from Orlando south to Lake Okeechobee and extending across much of central and southern Florida.

Multiple tornadic thunderstorms have already been observed. These tornado-producing storms are expected to advance northward with one tornado already confirmed. The elevated tornado threat comes in addition to the numerous other hazards posed by Hurricane Milton. As a powerful Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, Milton is expected to bring devastating storm surge, destructive winds, and heavy rainfall to much of Florida.

Residents in evacuation zones are urged to leave immediately and officials are asking for all Floridians to complete their storm preparations and be ready to shelter in place as Hurricane Milton approaches.

For the latest updates on Hurricane Milton, you can visit the National Hurricane Center’s website.

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(AURN News) — Hurricane Milton, the powerful category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, is rapidly approaching Florida's west coast, prompting urgent warnings from the NOAA National Weather Service Hurricane Center. As of 11 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, Milton was located approximately 190 miles southwest of Tampa, moving northeast at 17 mph. The National Hurricane Center reports that multiple life-threatening hazards are expected to impact much of Florida from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday.

“Milton right now, a category 4 hurricane, still expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the west coast of Florida late this evening or overnight, tonight, and maintain hurricane status all the way across the Florida peninsula and out into the western Atlantic during the day, on Thursday,” said National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan on Wednesday morning.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are particularly concerned about the potential for devastating storm surge. A storm surge warning is in effect for almost the entire west coast of Florida. Areas from Anna Maria Island to Boca Grande could see 10 to 15 feet of inundation above ground level, while the Tampa Bay region may experience 8 to 12 feet of surge.

The Hurricane Center strongly urges residents in storm surge evacuation zones to evacuate immediately, warning that some areas may become uninhabitable for an extended period due to structural damage and washed-out roads. In addition to the storm surge threat, Milton is expected to maintain major hurricane status as it makes landfall late Wednesday evening or overnight. Hurricane warnings are in effect for a large portion of central Florida, including Fort Myers, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Ocala, Orlando, Melbourne, and St. Augustine.

Officials also caution that the storm will bring significant structural damage, widespread power outages, and impassable roads due to debris. Inland areas along the I-4 corridor are also expected to experience hurricane-force wind gusts. Heavy rainfall poses another significant threat, with 6 to 12 inches expected along and north of Milton's track, and isolated amounts of up to 18 inches possible. This could lead to widespread, life-threatening flooding, particularly along the I-4 corridor from Tampa to Orlando to Daytona Beach.

As Milton approaches, residents are advised to stay informed through multiple channels, including wireless emergency alerts and battery-powered weather radios, to receive critical updates on flash flood and tornado warnings.

For the latest updates on Hurricane Milton, you can visit the National Hurricane Center's website.

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Florida is bracing for the catastrophic Hurricane Milton, expected to hit landfall as a category 5 storm with winds of over 160 miles per hour and a storm surge of up to 12 feet. The White House is in full response mode. President Joe Biden declared Florida a disaster area, mobilizing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources, including food, water, and rescue teams.

Meanwhile, FEMA is still assisting with the recovery from Hurricane Helene, which devastated multiple southern states just two weeks ago. Over $210 million has been distributed to aid Helene's survivors, but the recovery is far from over. Eighty-two Republicans recently voted against additional FEMA funding despite the ongoing disaster responses, with Speaker Mike Johnson delaying further financial aid until after the election.

With 27 days until election day, the Biden administration is juggling storm recovery, misinformation and political roadblocks, ensuring no community is left behind.

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The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced over $420 million in funding to eliminate lead hazards from homes across 32 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The goal is to protect low-income families, particularly children, from the dangers of lead exposure, which can cause severe health issues.

The funding includes $395 million to support local governments in reducing lead-based paint hazards and $10 million for research on improving safety and cost-effectiveness in addressing housing-related dangers. This initiative is a part of the Biden-Harris administration's broader efforts, which includes $2.6 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law for nationwide lead pipe replacements.

HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman emphasized that removing lead hazards is crucial to creating safe homes for all, especially vulnerable children. For Black and brown communities, the impact will be significant due to long-standing disparities in housing quality and access to safe environments.

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Cissy Houston, a two-time Grammy-winning gospel and soul singer who performed alongside legends like Aretha Franklin, has died at 91, according to The Associated Press. Houston passed away Monday morning at her home in New Jersey, under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston confirmed.

Known for her deep faith and conviction, Houston was a towering figure in the music industry for over seven decades. From her early days with The Sweet Inspirations to her successful solo career, she was an in-demand session singer. Her vocals graced tracks by stars like Franklin, Van Morrison, and Dusty Springfield, cementing her legacy as a musical icon.

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"It's going to be very, very serious. And I urge you to please just grab whatever you need. Listen to the orders you're getting from your local officials. They know what they're telling you," Vice President Kamala Harris said.

She was giving an update on Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit the Tampa Bay, Florida, area as a Category 5 storm. During remarks, she also rebuked former President Donald Trump for what she says are lies he's been spreading about the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the resources it distributes.

"A lot of mis- and dis-information being pushed out there by the former president about what is available in particular to the survivors of Helene. And first of all, it's extraordinarily irresponsible. It's about him, it's not about you. FEMA has so many resources that are available to folks who desperately need them. Now, and resources that are about helping people get back on their feet and rebuild."

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In this heartwarming episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart shares the cutest story of the week: Bronny James and his girlfriend Parker Whitfield celebrating National Boyfriend Day. Parker, the 19-year-old daughter of “All My Children” star DeAndre Whitfield and actress-director Sally Richardson Whitfield, gave a sweet shoutout to Bronny on Instagram. She posted an adorable photo of the two with Mickey Mouse at Disneyland, captioning it, “BF Day, I love you, Bronny.” The couple, who met in high school, sparked romance rumors when Parker was spotted courtside with Bronny during a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Tanya is all for this cute match and wishes them the best.

In other news, Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, has unfortunately canceled the remaining dates of his North American and European tour due to a health issue that requires surgery. After his New Orleans show, he sought medical tests and had to cancel his Houston performance. Glover, who didn’t elaborate on his condition, is now focusing on recovery, with all tour dates rescheduled for early 2025. Ticket holders will be fully refunded, and Tanya sends him well wishes for a speedy recovery. For more stories and updates, follow Tanya on social media.

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(AURN News) — Hurricane Milton is now prompting officials to issue hurricane and storm surge warnings for nearly the entire state of Florida. The Category 4 storm is now threatening both the east and west coasts of the Sunshine State, with the west coast already under a hurricane warning. The storm was a category 5 on Monday and is expected to return to that level later on Tuesday.

The National Hurricane Center has expanded its warnings, urging residents across Florida to either prepare for the storm or evacuate as directed by local authorities. As Milton approaches, its size is expected to increase, amplifying the potential for widespread damage. Forecasters predict Milton will make landfall on Florida's west coast on Wednesday. The hurricane is expected to bring damaging winds and life-threatening storm surge to coastal areas. Heavy rainfall is anticipated to continue through early Thursday, exacerbating the risk of flash floods and river flooding.

This marks the second major hurricane to target Florida in just a matter of weeks. The rapid succession of storms highlights the intensity of this year's hurricane season, which continues through November 30th. Residents are advised to stay informed about local conditions, follow evacuation orders, and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. 

For the latest updates on Hurricane Milton, you can visit the National Hurricane Center’s website.

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(AURN News) — Florida's Gulf Coast is preparing for another potentially catastrophic hurricane, just weeks after Hurricane Helene battered the state's Big Bend region. Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center reports that Milton now boasts maximum sustained winds of 175 mph. Officials also predict life-threatening storm surge of up to 12 feet along Florida's Gulf Coast. Some counties have already started mandatory evacuation orders.

The rapid intensification of Milton is particularly concerning as millions of residents are being urged to evacuate immediately. The most severe impacts, including damaging high winds and storm surge, are anticipated from Tuesday night through early Wednesday.

As Milton approaches, Florida residents in its path are advised to stay informed about evacuation routes, gather emergency supplies, and follow instructions from local authorities. For the latest updates on Hurricane Milton, you can visit the National Hurricane Center's website.

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