AURN News

(AURN News) - As you have heard by now, former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts in the New York hush money trial and faces sentencing on July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention where he is expected to be nominated as the party's 2024 presidential candidate. Trump is charged with falsifying business records related to the hush money payment made to porn actress Stormy Daniels. 

In a fiery response, Trump attacked the judge, prosecutors, and President Joe Biden and made sweeping claims about immigration.

"If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone. These are bad people. These are in many cases, I believe sick people," Trump said.

He also alleged that millions are flowing across the border from jails, prisons, and "insane asylums" around the world. Trump claimed Biden could stop it today but won't because "they're destroying our country." 

The former president also railed against Biden's policies, alleging his opponent wants to raise taxes four-fold, eliminate cars through "ridiculous mandates" benefiting China and other claims.

Mr. Trump took particular aim at the "highly conflicted" judge who placed a rare "gag order" on him as the leading presidential candidate. He was referring to the judge in the case, Judge Juan Merchan. He said he's been forced to pay "thousands in penalties and fines" and was threatened with jail.

"This is all done by Biden and his people," Trump alleged without proof, accusing them of being "in total conjunction with the White House and the DOJ."

Trump faces sentencing in New York on July 11. His legal troubles will then shift to the national stage at the Republican National Convention from July 15-18, where he is expected to be formally nominated as the party's 2024 presidential candidate.

The continuing legal saga will play out against the backdrop of the RNC convention, where Republicans must decide whether to fully embrace the embattled Trump as their standard bearer amid the cloud of his legal woes.

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Former President Donald Trump became the first U.S. President to be convicted of a crime. He has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts by a jury of his peers in a New York criminal case regarding hush money payments he made to Stormy Daniels in an attempt to influence the 2016 election.

But the conclusion of this high-profile hush money trial isn't over. The verdict marks just the beginning of a protracted legal battle. The road ahead includes sentencing, potential prison time, and a prolonged appellate process.

Amidst all of this, Trump faces three more criminal cases and an ongoing presidential campaign with aspirations of reclaiming the White House. As the nation grapples with the verdict, uncertainties loom over the sentencing slated for July 11, just days before Trump's potential nomination as a 2024 Republican presidential candidate.

We will be following this legal saga as it unfolds and shapes the political landscape.

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The Supreme Court has sided with the National Rifle Association (NRA) in a legal battle against former New York official Maria Vullo, in a conflict intertwined with the aftermath of the tragic 2018 Parkland school shooting.

The NRA contends that Vullo's efforts to sever ties with the gun rights group following the Parkland tragedy violated its free speech rights under the First Amendment. Conversely, Vullo argues that her actions were necessary, regulatory measures addressing concerns over insurance products offered by the NRA in New York.

The ruling underscores the intricate interplay between constitutional rights, government coercion and regulatory enforcement in the aftermath of significant events, and intersects constitutional freedoms and regulatory practices.

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President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are intensifying efforts to secure Black voters for their 2024 reelection campaign. Speaking at a Philadelphia school with a predominantly Black student body, Biden and Harris kicked off the Black Voters for Biden-Harris initiative.

This move comes as polls indicate Biden's support among Black voters is slipping. Biden emphasized the critical role Black voters played in his 2020 victory and their importance in defeating Donald Trump again.

Following the event, Biden visited a local Black-owned business to connect with supporters. The campaign plans more voter engagement events nationwide, aiming to rebuild enthusiasm and ensure a strong turnout in battleground states.

This outreach is now vital, as recent polls show a decline in Biden's approval rating among Black Americans, dropping from 94 percent at the start of his term to 55 percent.

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(AURN News) - Climate change and increasing extreme heat pose a severe risk to labor productivity, particularly in outdoor industries like construction, threatening to hamper economic growth in the coming decades, according to a new analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

In a recent economic letter, the San Francisco Fed pointed to mounting evidence that extreme heat is already taking a toll on worker productivity, especially for those toiling outdoors in sectors like construction. The productivity losses, if left unchecked, could have cascading and long-lasting effects on the broader U.S. economy.

"The labor productivity losses in construction today could have long-lasting effects on the U.S. economy because construction is important for investment," the letter stated. "If extreme heat lowers investment today, then it will slow the accumulation of capital for future use and have long-lasting impacts on economic outcomes."

The San Francisco Fed's analysis also highlights that by the year 2200, the U.S. capital stock would be 5.4% smaller and annual consumption 1.8% lower than it would have been without the extreme heat impacts. Capital stock refers to the total amount of machinery, equipment, and other productive assets retained for future production.

"Decreases in construction productivity slow capital accumulation and therefore have long-lasting effects on macroeconomic outcomes," the authors wrote.

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According to CNN, a lawsuit filed Wednesday on behalf of three Black men alleges "blatant and egregious race discrimination" by American Airlines when they were removed from a flight. The suit claims that plaintiffs Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Xavier Veal, along with five other Black male passengers, were ejected from a flight from Phoenix to JFK in New York City on January 5, 2024, "without any valid reason, based solely on their race."

Before takeoff, an American Airlines representative ordered the men off the plane. Upon reaching the jet bridge, they saw other Black men also being removed. American representatives cited a complaint about body odor as the reason, although none of the plaintiffs were told they had body odor, and they denied having any.

They were allowed back on the plane after about an hour, which they described as traumatic and humiliating. The plaintiffs are seeking relief, compensation, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees.

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What is in the water at Cannes this year? Another Cannes attendee has called out the same security guard that Kelly Rowland had to put on blast last week. This time it's Ukrainian model, Sawa Pontyjska, better known as Miss Europe of 2023. Well, she shared a clip where she ended up in a bear hug by security.

It's unclear what led up to that confrontation, but Kelly Rowland is racking up allies in the south of France, and another South Korean actress is now the third woman to get into it with the same Cannes Film Festival security guard that Kelly had to chew out. Maybe they need to put that guard out.

Steph and Ayesha Curry's newest bundle of joy has arrived a bit early: a son, named Caius Chai. They announced the joyous news jointly on Instagram on Sunday, and the couple revealed that their newest addition came into the world on May 11. Steph said their sweet baby boy decided to make an early arrival. He's doing great, and the family is settling in at home. Wow, a family of six. They are just the cutest little family. Congratulations to all.

Mike Tyson is recovering from an ulcer flare-up that he suffered while flying cross country. It was so bad, the airline staff had to put out the call for any medical professionals on the plane to come forward. But Mike does seem to be okay, and he still plans on that fight in July. Oh, I don't know if that's a good idea.

We have lost an NBA legend, Bill Walton, who delighted fans for decades on and off the court and in the commentary booth, has died. Tributes for Bill are pouring in from all over the world. Former President Barack Obama even posted in his honor, remembering Bill as a grinder on the court and for his wonderful spirit off it.

The NBA did put out a press release Monday morning announcing the sad news. Bill passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family when he passed. And I know he will be missed.

I previously reported that Sean Kingston's mother, Janice Turner, had been arrested in her son's Miami home. Well, Memorial Day brought some fresh air. After spending four days behind bars, she bailed out following her arrest in that raid.

Now, according to court records, the 61 year old is facing eight charges, including conducting an organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and identity theft. After her bail hearing on Friday, she did have to post $160,000 bond to secure her release. I don't know what's going on down there, but I sure hope they work this one out.

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A new report from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition reveals that race-based exclusion from home ownership persists despite the Fair Housing Act, which outlawed discriminatory lending practices 55 years ago.

Analyzing 40 years of home Mortgage Disclosure Act data, the study shows redlined neighborhoods received 3,000 fewer mortgages than those rated as best by historic maps, even when accounting for market factors.

The report, funded by the NIH and created with the University of Michigan, provides clear evidence linking past redlining to current public health and housing issues. It highlights the need for stronger policy measures, such as enhancements to the Community Reinvestment Act and the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rules, to address and mitigate the long-lasting effects of redlining.

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Jury deliberations began today in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump, with Judge Juan Merchan instructing 12 jurors, comprised of seven men and five women, on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The jury must decide if Trump is guilty of covering up $130,000 of hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.

If found guilty by all 12 jurors, Trump could face prison time or probation. If acquitted, he would walk free. A hung jury would result in a mistrial.

In a packed courtroom yesterday, Trump's defense attacked key witness Michael Cohen, also known as the "fixer," while prosecutors painted Trump's actions as a deliberate attempt to deceive voters in the 2016 election.

Outside the courthouse, the Biden campaign took full advantage of the spectacle. They held a press conference featuring actor Robert De Niro and former U.S. Capitol Police Officers Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone.

But they weren't talking about the trial. They wanted voters to remember January 6th.

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(AURN News) - As the Federal Reserve continues to reiterate its commitment to taming stubbornly high inflation, a new survey finds mounting economic anxiety among Americans battered by skyrocketing prices. Data from the Pew Research Center released this week showed only 23% of U.S. adults believe the nation's economic situation is excellent or good - down from 28% who said the same in January. The decline has been particularly stark among Democrats, with 37% approving of current conditions, versus 44% in January.

Overall, 65% of respondents named inflation as a top national issue, reflecting the heavy toll soaring costs continue to take on household finances. From the gas pump to the grocery aisle, persistently elevated consumer prices have forced many Americans to recalculate budgets and rethink spending.

The findings come as newly released notes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting reveal central bankers remain resolute that the battle against inflation is far from over, despite recent signs of moderation. Recently, AURN News reported how the Fed admitted that getting inflation under control will take much longer than expected. And although the labor market remains strong, the Pew data shows many families are still straining under the burden of high prices as the Fed's war on inflation continues unabated.

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