AURN News

(AURN News) - The ongoing battle against high inflation is continuing to have ripple effects across various industries, and the auto sector is no exception. According to new data from Edmunds, an automotive research and shopping platform, higher auto loan rates are keeping new and used vehicle sales in 2024 low.

The experts at Edmunds have also noted that the $20,000 new vehicle is "nearly extinct." Their data shows that the average transaction price for a new vehicle reached $47,060 in February of this year, a significant increase from the average of $36,677 just five years ago - a staggering 28% jump.

Despite efforts by automakers to offer incentives, Edmunds reports that these measures have not been enough to boost sales and make new vehicles more affordable for consumers grappling with the high cost of living.

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

The Biden-Harris administration has introduced a stringent new rule aimed at curbing the sale of firearms without background checks. A direct response to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the rule mandates that gun sellers, including those operating online or at gun shows, must now obtain a license and conduct background checks.

The rule, expected to be submitted to the Federal Register by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), targets a significant loophole that has allowed unlicensed dealers to sell firearms unchecked, contributing to the illegal flow of guns and associated violent crime. The Department of Justice estimates this could impact over 20,000 unlicensed sellers who previously evaded the licensing requirement.

Despite the progress, President Biden is still calling on Congress to pass universal background checks and to increase funding for the ATF so the agency can continue to stop the flow of illegal firearms into communities. The president requested $2 billion for ATF as part of his fiscal year 2025 budget request.

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

Jonathan Majors got a get out of jail free card from the judge and has been sentenced to one year of domestic violence counseling after being convicted last year of assaulting and harassing his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. The actor must complete a 52 week in-person domestic violence program here in Los Angeles.

There will be an opportunity in the future for the sessions to be partially virtual, but he must continue the mental health therapy he has been enrolled in and provide updates on his progress. The judge also placed a permanent order of protection against any contact between him and Jabbari.

Any other violations or criminal activity could result in him actually facing jail time. Hs ex-girlfriend says that he is still a danger to society, but Judge Gaffey explained that Major's absence of criminal history and prior arrests contributed to his decision to not give the actor jail time.

I know he is happy about that. Good for him. Maybe he can jumpstart his career again. Hey, it is Hollywood. They forget quickly out here.

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

In a decision that has ignited widespread anger, the Arizona Supreme Court has reinstated an archaic 1864 law criminalizing nearly all abortions in the state. The law, a relic from before Arizona's statehood, threatens to imprison anyone involved in performing or facilitating an abortion, except in cases where the woman's life is in danger, offering no exception for rape or incest.

Arizona now joins the ranks of states with the most severe abortion restrictions, spotlighting the battle for reproductive rights as a central issue in the upcoming 2024 elections.

The law subjects physicians to potential imprisonment, drawing fierce criticism from Democrats, including President Joe Biden, who condemned the law as cruel and an attack on women's freedoms fueled by a Republican agenda.

In response to this draconian ruling, Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged to fight for reproductive freedoms, highlighting the ruling's potential to shutter abortion clinics across the state of Arizona.

The state's Democratic Attorney General, Kris Mayes, has vowed not to enforce this oppressive law, labeling the court's decision as unconscionable.

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

On April 10, 1972, Sammy Davis Jr. made history as the first African-American to host the Academy Awards. Sharing hosting duties with Alan King, Helen Hayes, and Jack Lemmon at the 44th annual event, Davis marked a significant milestone.

Moreover, Isaac Hayes further etched his name in history that same night by winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song with "Theme From Shaft," becoming the first African-American to achieve this honor in a non-acting category.

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

Rev. Al Sharpton, alongside Mayor Eric Adams and over 30 city leaders and state leaders, will inaugurate the 2024 National Action Network Convention with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday in New York City.

Amid challenges to voting rights, diversity, equity and inclusion, reproductive freedoms, and the rollback of affirmative action, this event marks a critical gathering of allies committed to civil rights and justice.

The convention will feature prominent figures including Whoopi Goldberg, Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Stacey Abrams, and members of the Biden administration, highlighting the urgent dialogue on safeguarding rights and equality.

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

(AURN News) - In a mixed economic report, the latest data from the Department of Labor reveals that while the country's overall unemployment rate remains low at 3.8 percent, Black Americans are not sharing equally in the gains.

The economy added 303,000 jobs in March, with the biggest increases coming in the healthcare, government, and construction sectors. However, Black Americans were the only racial group to see an uptick in unemployment during this period.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for Black Americans rose, even as the rates for Asian and Hispanic Americans declined to 2.5 percent and 4.5 percent respectively. The unemployment rate for White Americans remained unchanged at 3.4 percent.

The healthcare sector saw a notable increase of 72,000 jobs, while government added 71,000 positions and construction gained 39,000 new jobs. The report also showed an increase in average hourly wages, which rose to $34.69, or more than $72,000 a year.

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

Former President Donald Trump, who has long doubted his role in ending Roe v. Wade, is causing a huge stir on the left and the right after releasing a video stating his beliefs on abortion regulations, stating they should be determined by individual states, not through a federal mandate.

"My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land," Trump said.

Some Republicans are upset because Trump did not come out and call for a federal ban on abortion. And on the left, Vice President Kamala Harris responded to the video reminding people of the harm since Roe v. Wade ended.

One in three women live in states where there's an abortion ban. Doctors and nurses now practice in some states where they can be jailed for life for providing care, and many states have no exceptions for rape or incest.

"If he were to be put back in a position where he could sign off on a law, he would sign off on a national abortion ban. Let's be very clear about that. And that obviously makes the contrast between Joe Biden and Donald Trump quite clear," the vice president said.

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

Los Angeles pastor, civil rights advocate, and community leader, Rev. Dr. Cecil Murray, passed away on Friday night at the age of 94, following health struggles, as reported by his family to KCAL News.

Known as "Chip" to many, Rev. Murray served as the pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly thirty years. Throughout his tenure spanning 27 years, his leadership extended far beyond the church walls, as he spearheaded various initiatives to uplift the South Los Angeles community.

Rev. Murray's influence reached politics, with presidents such as George W. Bush and Bill Clinton making visits to his church. In recognition of his contributions, President Bush honored the church as the "177th Point of Light" under his Points of Light nonprofit initiative.

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

(AURN News) - Former President Donald Trump is angrily denouncing the judge overseeing his criminal case in Manhattan related to alleged hush money payments, accusing the judge of violating his free speech rights and political bias.

In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform over the weekend, Trump railed against Judge Juan Merchan, who recently broadened a gag order against the former president to include speaking out against the judge's family.

“Crooked Judge Juan Merchan is not allowing me to talk, is taking away my First Amendment Rights, he’s got me GAGGED, because he doesn’t want the FACTS behind the Gag to come out. How many Corrupt, Biased, Crooked Joe Biden-“Protection Agency” New York Judges do I have to endure before somebody steps in?” Mr. Trump posted.

Trump also rehashed grievances against other New York judges who have overseen cases against him, calling one a "Crazed Bully" and another a "total lunatic, whack job."

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, also condemned Merchan's actions.

 “Democrat Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan, who donated to Biden’s campaign and another anti-Trump cause in 2020, has a clear judicial bias against President Trump. Merchan’s adult daughter is a Democrat political operative who has financially benefited from her father’s unprecedented trial of President Trump. When Trump raised this additional evidence of Judge Merchan’s bias, Merchan retaliated by expanding his unconstitutional gag order on Trump," she said in a statement.

Trump declared he is willing to "sacrifice my Freedom" in order to "Save our Country from these Political Operatives masquerading as Prosecutors and Judges." He vowed that "on November 5th, we will become a Great Nation again.”

The Manhattan case stems from Trump's alleged involvement in hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

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