AURN News

Washington, D.C. (AURN News) - President Joe Biden addressed the National Action Network Convention last Friday, making his case to Black America for why he should be elected to a second term in 2024.

In his remarks, Biden touted the progress his administration has made for the Black community over the past four years. "Together, we’ve kept our promises to make some of the most significant investments in the Black American community ever,” he said.

The president highlighted a number of his administration's key achievements, including providing direct financial assistance to families during the pandemic, rebuilding infrastructure in Black neighborhoods, lowering prescription drug costs, and supporting Black-owned small businesses.

"The results are real," Biden declared. "We've reduced Black unemployment rate to its record low. More Black Americans have health insurance than ever before. More Black businesses are starting up than we've seen in the last 25 years."

Biden's pitch to Black voters comes as the 2024 presidential race continues to take shape. The latest New York Times/Siena College poll shows a tight contest, with 46% of respondents saying they would vote for former President Donald Trump, 45% for Biden, and 8% undecided. As the road to the White House continues, President Biden will likely need to maintain strong support from Black voters if he hopes to secure a second term. 

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The safety of organizing protests in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas has been compromised following the Supreme Court's decision not to hear McKesson v. Doe. This choice upholds a lower court ruling that threatens the ability to arrange mass protests in these states.

According to the lower court's decision, protest organizers now face severe financial repercussions if any attendee engages in illegal actions during the protest.

While this outcome may be temporary, as the Supreme Court did not outright support the Fifth Circuit's decision undermining First Amendment rights, it remains the prevailing law in a significant portion of the American South for the time being.

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(AURN News) — The criminal trial of former President Donald Trump continues, marking a historic moment in U.S. history. The White House is treading carefully in its public comments on the case against Mr. Trump, which surrounds an alleged hush money payment made by Trump's team to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has vehemently denied the charges, taking to his Truth Social platform to denounce the trial as "AN ASSAULT ON AMERICA!" and "RIGGED, UNCONSTITUTIONAL."

In a series of posts, the former president lashed out at the "conflicted, Trump Hating Judge" overseeing the case, claiming he is being prevented from responding to "people that are on TV lying and spewing hate all day long." Trump demanded the gag order be lifted, decrying the "New York System of 'Justice'" as being "decimated by critics from all over the World."

The White House, for its part, is treading cautiously when it comes to commenting on the unfolding legal drama. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday that the administration is being "super, super mindful" in its remarks, given the "ongoing" nature of the case.

“Even if it’s asking an opinion about the, you know — the historic nature of what’s happening and what’s going to occur over the next couple of weeks,” she said.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has continued his campaign schedule, visiting his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania on Tuesday. The president is expected to make additional stops in the Keystone State in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. While Tuesday and Thursday are campaign-focused days, the president will make the economy the highlight of his visit to the steel city on Wednesday, according to the White House.

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Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden revealed the latest additions to the National Recording Registry, showcasing the legacy of influential Black artists. Among the chosen 25 recordings are iconic works by legends such as the Notorious B.I.G., Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, and Bobby McFerrin.

Included in the registry is the groundbreaking debut album "Ready to Die" by the Notorious B.I.G., marking a significant milestone in hip-hop history. Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's timeless single "La-Di-Da-Di" also earns its place, recognized as one of the most sampled recordings in music history. Additionally, Bobby McFerrin's uplifting 1988 hit "Don’t Worry, Be Happy" is honored for its enduring critical acclaim and widespread appeal across generations.

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The family of Ricky Cobb II, a 33-year-old Black man fatally shot by Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan, is set to file a lawsuit. Cobb was killed during a routine traffic stop for a rear light issue in August. But despite footage from a dash and body camera showing no evidence of Cobb yielding a weapon, Trooper Londregan was the sole officer to use lethal force.

The incident has ignited widespread outrage, prompting the Cod family to seek justice through legal action. They'll hold an announcement later today at the Hennepin County Government Center. The family's legal team includes notable civil rights attorneys Bakari Sellers, Harry Daniels, and F. Clayton Tyler, who will speak at the event.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety confirmed that the available footage does not show Cobb holding a gun at any time during the confrontation.

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(AURN News) - New analysis from financial firm WalletHub reveals that some of the metropolitan areas with the highest Black and minority populations are also being hit the hardest by stubborn inflation. The data paints a bleak picture, with several major cities home to large Black communities ranking among the areas with the most severe price increases.

Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Detroit, Miami, Houston, and New York City all appear on WalletHub's list of U.S. cities suffering the most from the effects of runaway inflation. Baltimore in particular stands out, with the highest Consumer Price Index change compared to just two months prior. Meanwhile, Dallas, Texas saw the biggest CPI jump over the last year.

The stark economic realities facing American families, particularly in the Black community have become a central issue in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. Across the country, more and more households are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet amidst the ongoing challenges of the current economy.

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(AURN News) - A new report from real estate data firm ATTOM Data Solutions shows foreclosure activity is on the rise across the United States. According to ATTOM, foreclosures were up 3% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter. While foreclosure levels remain less than 1% lower than a year ago, the report indicates a troubling trend.

The ATTOM data also found that bank repossessions, a key indicator of completed foreclosures, were up 7% in March 2024 compared to the previous month. Several states saw significantly higher foreclosure rates last month, led by Illinois, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, and South Carolina.

The rise in foreclosures comes as the Federal Reserve is set to make another decision soon on interest rates. So far, the Fed has held rates for the past couple of months. Their next meeting is scheduled to start on April 30.

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In a pivotal ruling, a New York appeals court rejected Donald Trump's third and final request to delay the forthcoming trial concerning hush money payments involving Stormy Daniels. The decision ensures jury selection will proceed as scheduled next Monday, marking the first time a former U.S. president faces a criminal trial.

Trump's legal team has been pushing for a halt, arguing the trial should be postponed until a Supreme Court decision on a separate immunity claim is resolved. However, Justice Ellen Gesmer swiftly dismissed those arguments, emphasizing the need for the trial to move forward without further interruptions.

Trump, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, faces accusations of falsifying business records to conceal payments made during the 2016 campaign to suppress allegations of a past extramarital sexual encounter with Daniels. Despite various efforts to shift the trial from Manhattan and challenge the trial judge for alleged bias, all attempts have been denied, setting the stage for a historic courtroom showdown on Monday.

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O.J. Simpson, a trailblazer in American sports and culture, has passed away at the age of 76. He first rose to fame as an exceptional football player, securing the Heisman Trophy in 1968 while at the University of Southern California. His success broke significant barriers, cementing him in history.

Transitioning from sports to entertainment, he became a popular figure in television and film, maintaining a high public profile after his athletic career. His legacy, however, was overshadowed when Simpson faced a highly publicized trial for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman.

His acquittal was a pivotal moment that highlighted deep racial tensions and social divisions. Despite being cleared in the criminal trial, a civil court later found him liable for the deaths, leading to a $33.5 million judgment against him.

Simpson's later years were marred by legal troubles, including a conviction for robbery in Las Vegas, for which he served nine years before his release in 2017. His legacy is a significant part of American culture and discourse.

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Legendary DJ Mister Cee has passed away at the age of 57, as confirmed by his family and reported by HOT 97.

Hailing from Brooklyn, Mister Cee's musical journey began when he became Big Daddy Kane's official DJ, contributing to the success of Kane's seminal 1988 debut album, "Long Live The Kane." 

He also played a pivotal role in shaping the career of the legendary Biggie Smalls, also known as The Notorious B.I.G. Eventually, he served as the associate executive producer for Biggie's groundbreaking 1994 debut album, "Ready To Die." 

For decades, Mister Cee graced the airwaves as a DJ on New York's beloved hip-hop radio station, Hot 97.

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