AURN News

(AURN News) - You may want to take a closer look at your fruits and vegetables, as a new analysis sounds the alarm on potentially dangerous pesticide levels in popular fresh produce items.

The report, recently released by Consumer Reports, examined seven years of data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The findings reveal that nearly one in five foods tested had concerning levels of pesticide residues, including bell peppers, blueberries, green beans, potatoes, and strawberries.

"Pesticides posed significant risks in 20 percent of the foods we examined, including popular choices," the consumer advocacy group stated. "One food, green beans, had residues of a pesticide that hasn’t been allowed to be used on the vegetable in the U.S. for over a decade."

The analysis also flagged imported produce, particularly from Mexico, as being more likely to contain risky pesticide residue levels compared to domestically grown crops.

However, the report did find that the majority of conventionally-grown produce showed little to no risk, with pesticide exposure negligible for nearly two-thirds of samples analyzed. Organic produce fared even better, with almost no pesticide residues detected.

Whether shopping organic or conventional, experts recommend that consumers thoroughly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drake floored the masses when he brought Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg into his beef against Kendrick Lamar via artificial intelligence. And let me tell you, Pac's brother is thinking it's a step too far in this ongoing beef. Mopreme Shakur talked to TMZ Hip Hop and said his issue with Drake using an AI Tupac voice is that he weaponized it, all for a rap battle.

Mopreme says that Drake using Pac's voice is like bringing out a tank or even going with a nuclear option. He thinks the battle should be one on one, with no outside help. I think the battle should be over, personally, but I do agree with Mopreme. You know what, keep it to yourself.

One more Post-it Note from Coachella: Kid Cudi was hospitalized for a foot injury after jumping off the stage during his performance over the weekend. On X, formerly Twitter, the rapper said, "Hey guys, so I broke my foot today at the show. just leavin the hospital."

Interestingly enough, he called the accident a "bit crazy" and said he had never broken a bone before in his body. But he did post a video as he recovered in bed and joked that "this is what happens when a 40-year-old man tries to prance around off stage like he’s 26 like he used to do back in the day."

Yeah, it does. Well, we're so glad he's getting better.

And for all these stories and a whole lot more, don't forget to follow Tanya Hart on social media @tanyahollywood and @aurnonline.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden is set to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse College on May 19, which has sparked a mix of anticipation and controversy. 11 Alive News spoke with students on campus. 

"However you feel about Biden, having a president be willing to speak at a graduation is a tremendous honor," one student said.

"I don't see myself being there," another student said. 

Morehouse officials, including President David Thomas and Vice President Henry Goodgame, also expressed pride in Biden's upcoming visit, underscoring the college's legacy of hosting influential figures and its role in shaping future leaders.

However, dissent is brewing among some alumni, who criticize the invitation due to Biden's foreign policy decisions, particularly his administration's role in conflicts affecting Palestinians, labeling the decision as a betrayal of the college's ethical standards.

There will be a virtual meeting with students and faculty to discuss the invite on April 25, according to 11 Alive News.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biden administration has introduced a new rule that will extend overtime pay to nearly 4 million more salary workers in the U.S., surpassing previous measures. Under this rule, workers earning up to $58,656 annually will now qualify for overtime pay if they work over 40 hours weekly.

The change is a significant jump from the current threshold of about $35,500 set by the previous administration. The acting secretary of Labor, Julie Su, stated that the move aims to ensure that workers are compensated fairly for working long hours. The salary threshold will further rise by January 2025 and will adjust every three years starting in 2027, reflecting wage growth.

The expansion of overtime eligibility is part of the administration's effort to improve compensation for lower- and middle-income workers, although it has faced criticism from some business groups and is expected to encounter legal challenges.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the weekend, on Cannabis Celebration Day 4/20, at exactly 4:20 p.m., President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris voiced their strong support for changing marijuana laws and highlighted the issue of people being jailed for possessing marijuana, which is no longer illegal in many states, emphasizing it's time for change.

Biden took to social media to express that current laws have unfairly ruined lives and pushed for state governors to pardon those with past minor marijuana offenses. He stated clearly that no one should be jailed for just having marijuana. 

The day before, the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, stressed that the president has consistently supported not punishing people for just marijuana use or possession. She mentioned the administration is waiting for the Justice Department to finish reviewing how marijuana is classified under federal law, which could potentially change how it's regulated.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There were lots of concerts this weekend. Doja Cat, the first female rapper ever to headline Coachella in its 25 year history, closed out the two weekend festival in a bodysuit covered with blonde hair. Yep, she rocked it.

Nicki Minaj was in Detroit with her current Pink Lady tour and everything was going really well until this unwelcome guest made their way to the stage at the end of the night. Minaj was performing "Starships" when an unknown object was thrown toward her at the stage by somebody close to the end of the catwalk where she was standing. It was a small item, but it just narrowly missed Nicki's face and landed on the stage. So what did she do? Picked it up and threw it back at the person. I don't blame her.

In other news, David Beckham has filed a lawsuit against Mark Wahlberg over a deal that fell apart regarding their partnership in that F45 Training deal. Well, per TMZ, the legendary soccer star's company is claiming that Wahlberg's investment group duped him into doing business with the fitness company in which the actor has a 36 percent interest and is on the board of directors.

You know, they became friends once the Beckhams moved to Los Angeles. But according to the lawsuit, Beckham lost $10 million when the stock he owned in the deal wasn't given to him until after the stock prices had fallen.

Wahlberg and his co-defendants asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit. They describe it as fraudulent conduct, but a judge has ruled against them. Well, it turns out Beckham isn't the only athlete who has sued F45 Training. Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens sued them back in 2017, claiming the company never paid him the $700,000 he was promised in a promotional video deal. Things that make you go hmm...

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) - President Joe Biden's proposed 2025 fiscal year budget ignited a fierce partisan debate last month over the administration's fiscal management and priorities. The White House maintains that the President has demonstrated fiscal responsibility, citing a $1 trillion reduction in the deficit since taking office and nearly $1 trillion in projected savings over the next decade. 

However, House Republicans launched a blistering counterattack, accusing the President of proposing a historic $4.9 trillion tax increase and generating the largest debt in American history at $52.7 trillion. 

The White House released a fact sheet in March lauding the President's economic stewardship. "The President has delivered this progress while fulfilling his commitment to fiscal responsibility. The deficit is over $1 trillion lower than when President Biden took office, thanks in large part to the strength of our economic recovery," the White House claimed, citing the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Inflation Reduction Act's measures to empower Medicare drug price negotiations and ensure corporations pay a minimum tax.

House Republicans fired back, with a post on X (formerly Twitter) denouncing the President's budget. The GOP asserted that the president’s budget proposes a $4.9 trillion tax increase, the largest in history. They also accused Biden of saddling the nation with an unprecedented $52.7 trillion debt.

Already staunchly against any support for student loan forgiveness, Republicans also took aim at the President's plans to invest $90 billion in free community college education.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) - Gas prices are surging again just as Americans prepare for the busy summer travel season, according to the latest data from AAA. The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen to $3.67, a 12-cent increase from last month and right on par with prices this time last year.

The steady climb at the pump comes more than a month before Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer when gas demand typically rises. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration is closely monitoring the volatility in global energy markets.

"We are focused on securing energy supply and, like I said, lowering prices for Americans," Jean-Pierre told reporters. "The United States’ current record domestic oil and gas production is helping meet our immediate needs while we make the historic investment needed to transition into clean — a clean energy economy, but obviously we’re going to continue to watch the markets carefully."

Higher gas prices pose a challenge for the Biden administration as it struggles to tame inflation and provide financial relief for American families. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Protests continue at Columbia University and they've moved to virtual classes as tensions heighten amidst ongoing protests about the war in Gaza. This marks the sixth day of unrest on the campus. The administration has beefed up security in response, deploying at least an additional 111 safety personnel and doubling the number of campus guards.

The president has addressed the community, asserting the importance of heightened security measures during this critical period. These steps include rigorous ID checks and increased presence of personnel at entry points and the perimeter. The protests sparked a wide reaction, with over 100 students arrested after a recent encampment was dismantled.

The White House and New York Mayor Eric Adams condemned the anti-Semitic undertones of the protests, stressing the importance of peaceful protests and the unacceptability of violence and intimidation. The conflict was triggered by events dating back to the October 7 attacks on Israel, which have fueled divisive sentiments on campus.

Amid these developments, a rabbi affiliated with Columbia University urged Jewish students to stay off campus for their safety.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During a caucus held to replace the late mayor of Fort Wayne who passed away in March, Councilwoman Sharon Tucker, a Democrat, emerged as the city's new mayor, marking the first Black leader for Indiana’s second most populous city. 

Tucker, who also becomes the second woman to hold the mayoral position in the northeastern Indiana city, secured her victory in the second round of voting by meeting the requirement of 50% of the votes plus one, as reported by The Journal Gazette. 

Derek Camp, chairman of the Allen County Democratic Party, disclosed that Tucker would be inaugurated as mayor early next week, refraining from revealing the exact number of votes she received in the caucus to foster party unity behind Fort Wayne’s new leader.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices