AURN News

(AURN NEWS) — Next week is a big week for Donald Trump and the GOP as the Republican National Convention is set to kick off Monday in Milwaukee. The former president expressed enthusiasm for the event on his social media platform, Truth Social.

"I am looking very much forward to being in Milwaukee next week," Trump wrote. "The great people of Wisconsin will reward us for choosing their State for the Republican National Convention. From there we go on to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! See you next week."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party continues to grapple with questions surrounding President Joe Biden's future as their nominee. Despite ongoing speculation, Biden has consistently affirmed his intention to remain in the race.

A recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll suggests a tight contest remains between the two opponents. The survey shows Trump with a narrow lead over Biden, 47% to 46%. However, in a hypothetical match-up between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Harris holds a slight advantage, 49% to 46%.

The poll also revealed significant intra-party divisions among Democrats. Sixty-two percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents believe Biden should step aside. Even among Biden supporters, 54% share the same view.

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(AURN NEWS) — A radio host at Pennsylvania's only Black-owned talk radio station has resigned following a controversial interview with President Joe Biden, the station announced on Monday. Andrea Lawful-Sanders, formerly of WURD Radio in Philadelphia, voluntarily stepped down after conducting an interview with President Biden using questions provided by the White House. The interview, which was Biden's first following the recent debate, sparked concerns about journalistic independence.

In a statement, WURD Radio said, "The interview featured pre-determined questions provided by the White House, which violates our practice of remaining an independent media outlet accountable to our listeners. As a result, Ms. Lawful-Sanders and WURD Radio have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately." 

The station, founded in 2002, emphasized its commitment to maintaining trust with its audience. WURD's statement also highlighted the historical significance of Black media, dating back to the founding of Freedom's Journal in 1827, and stressed the importance of independent voices in journalism.

"Black media has a long history of advocating for the interests of the Black community dating back to 1827 when the first Black newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, was founded. Our outlets deserve to have a seat at the table especially because mainstream media has historically ignored, marginalized and stereotyped Black people in their coverage," the statement noted.

The incident has prompted WURD to review its internal policies and procedures to reinforce its independence. “WURD Radio is not a mouthpiece for the Biden or any other Administration. Internally, we will commit to reviewing our policies, procedures, and practices to reinforce WURD’s independence and trust with our listeners. But mainstream media should do its own introspection to explore how they have lost the trust of so many Americans, Black Americans chief among them,” the station said.

Sara M. Lomax, President and CEO of WURD, addressed the issue on air Monday morning, discussing the importance of accountability and access in Black media. 

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According to the Associated Press, a new poll indicates that a solid majority of Americans oppose a federal abortion ban. This presents a politically challenging situation for candidates opposing abortion rights as the November election approaches.

Approximately 6 in 10 Americans believe their state should allow legal abortion if a person doesn’t want to be pregnant for any reason, reflecting an increase from June 2021, when about half of Americans supported this view.

Since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure, Americans have largely opposed the strict bans implemented in Republican-controlled states. Full bans, with limited exceptions, are in effect in 14 GOP-led states, while three other states restrict abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy.

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The Braxton family is headed back to reality TV. They're going to be airing their family drama after seven seasons of "Braxton Family Values," which ended three years ago, but a lot has changed since then.

They will also address the loss of their sister, Traci, who died at age 50 of esophageal cancer in March 2022. They all say things will never be quite the same, but they're pressing on.

Toni Braxton says that she hasn't even performed in over four years and talked about her major health scare involving her heart, saying that "every time I step on stage, I pray I don't get sick."

Well, the R&B singer underwent heart surgery in September of 2022 after doctors found out that her left main coronary artery was 80 percent blocked. The good news? She's doing really well and is back on stage.

The new series will share new love, success, heartbreak, ongoing family dynamics, and so much more. I was a big fan of the show from the very beginning, and yep, I will be there when it premieres on We TV on August 9. You don't want to miss it.

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Mary McLeod Bethune was born on July 10, 1875. Her parents, former slaves, recognized the power of education.

In 1904, she opened the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School with just five students, which later became Bethune-Cookman College in 1929.

She founded the National Council of Negro Women in 1935 and was an influential advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on "Negro affairs."

In 1974, she became the first Black leader and woman honored with a statue in a public park in Washington, D.C. She passed away on May 18, 1955.

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The first trailer for "Gladiator II" dropped today. This film is the sequel to the 2000 historical epic starring Russell Crowe. The new installment features Denzel Washington, who appears almost unrecognizable in the trailer. Additionally, the cast includes Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal. The long-awaited "Gladiator" sequel, directed once again by Ridley Scott, debuts 24 years after the original historical film premiered.

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The bad boys of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence got the summer box office rolling, and now Despicable Me 4 handily topped it over the 4th of July weekend. 

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Today kicks off the 75th NATO Summit as leaders gather in Washington, D.C. to show support for Ukraine against Russia. For President Joe Biden, the summit is also about proving he can handle the presidency for another term.

As Europe and North America face the potential return of NATO-critic former President Donald Trump, Biden will emphasize his role in rallying NATO against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The summit is a key moment for Biden to demonstrate his leadership amidst his re-election campaign challenges. The meeting will cover Ukraine's path to NATO membership, strengthening Ukraine's defenses, and Biden's broader climate commitments.

As heads of state from NATO's 32 countries, plus partners from the Pacific and Ukraine, convene, Biden aims to reassure allies and voters of his steadfast leadership.

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On this day in 1893, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams made history as a pioneering open-heart surgeon. Williams began his medical journey as an apprentice under the esteemed surgeon Dr. Henry Palmer, which paved the way for his admission to the prestigious Chicago Medical School at Northwestern University. After earning his M.D. in 1883, Williams became one of the few Black physicians in Chicago.

Motivated by the plight of a Black woman who was denied entry to nursing school due to her race, Williams co-founded the Provident Hospital and Nursing Training School.

On July 9, 1893, he performed the first open-heart surgery, demonstrating his exceptional medical intuition and surgical prowess. That night, James Cornish arrived at Provident Hospital with a deep stab wound near his heart, setting the stage for Williams’ groundbreaking achievement.

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At this year's Essence Festival, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to a standing-room-only crowd at the Global Black Economic Forum and told Americans what's at stake:

"When the United States Supreme Court essentially told this individual, who has been convicted of 34 felonies, that he will be immune from essentially the activity he has told us he is prepared to engage in if he gets back into the White House. Understand what we all know; in 122 days, we each have the power to decide what kind of country we want to live in. Understand what we know; when there has been a full-on intentional attack against hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights. When I talk about the family that raised me, yes, they took me in a stroller as they were marching and shouting for justice, knowing that justice will not be achieved unless we are prepared to march and shout and fight for it."

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