AURN News

The New York Attorney General's office is laying the groundwork to potentially seize former President Donald Trump's properties, including his notable Seven Springs estate, north of Manhattan. This comes on the heels of a staggering $464 million judgment against Donald Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization by Judge Arthur Engoron.

With judgments already entered in New York City, affecting Trump Tower and other key assets, and with a pressing need to satisfy the judgment or convince an appeals court for leniency, the stakes couldn't be any higher.

The intricate structure of Trump's business, with over 300 LLCs, complicates the process but doesn't make it impossible for the attorney general's office to pursue levies, liens, and other measures to enforce the judgment.

The situation threatens not only Trump's operations in New York but potentially his global brand. His legal team is battling suggestions from the AG's office on how to secure the necessary funds, arguing that the proposed measures are impractical and unjust, highlighting the challenges of posting a half-billion-dollar bond.

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Alabama Governor Kay Ivey recently signed a bill barring the allocation of state funds towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across various public entities such as state agencies and higher education institutions. 

In a statement, Ivey expressed staunch opposition to the utilization of taxpayer resources to promote what she perceives as a liberal political agenda under the guise of DEI. The move drew swift criticism from civil rights and advocacy organizations, contending that such measures encroach upon freedom of speech.

DEI, as defined by practitioners in the field, encompasses efforts to rectify disparities within organizations and provides anti-bias training.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson said in a statement, "Today, the Alabama government has failed our children."

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The Biden-Harris administration just announced a significant step forward in student debt relief, approving an additional $5.8 billion for nearly 78,000 public service workers. The move is part of the ongoing improvements to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program for those who serve in our communities (more info on requirements).

With this latest announcement, the total loan forgiveness under the administration has reached $143.6 billion and benefited almost 4 million Americans. The relief includes beneficiaries of the limited PSLF waiver and other regulatory enhancements to the program, marking $62.5 billion in forgiveness for 871,000 borrowers since October 2021. In prior initiatives, that number has only reached 7,000 borrowers. 

The administration will be reaching out to nearly 380,000 borrowers who are close to qualifying for PSLF, expressing gratitude for their service and encouraging their continued dedication to public service roles.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has given Texas the thumbs up to start applying a much-debated immigration law. The law grants Texas officials the power to arrest and hold individuals they believe have entered the U.S. without permission.

With the court's three liberal justices opposing, the move temporarily sides with Texas in its ongoing clash with the Biden administration over immigration policies.

Senate Bill 4, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott last December, now classifies unauthorized entry into Texas as a state crime. It even allows state judges to deport immigrants, marking a bold step into territory usually managed by the federal government.

Immigration advocates are concerned about the potential for racial profiling and the mishandling of detentions and deportations by state authorities.

The White House has also expressed disagreement, saying it sows confusion and undermines safety and law enforcement efforts at the southern border.

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In Hollywood Live Extra #176 Morris Chestnut sits down with Tanya Hart to talk about his new project, "Diarra in Detroit," which premieres on Thursday, March 21 on BET+.

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Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the renowned guitarist and gospel singer, was born on March 20, 1915, in Arkansas. One of the few Black women guitarists of her era, Tharpe had a unique sound that played a pivotal role in popularizing gospel music. She is hailed as the godmother of modern rock 'n’ roll.

In 1938, Tharpe relocated to New York City, where she recorded four gospel hits with Decca Records: "Rock Me," "That's All," "The Man and I," and "The Lonesome Road," all of which became instant successes, firmly establishing her as one of the earliest commercially successful gospel artists.

Tharpe’s career spanned over three decades, during which she continued to captivate audiences with her live performances until her passing at the age of 58 in 1973.

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(AURN News) — The divisive debate over immigration and border security continues to intensify in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing what some opponents call a controversial Texas law to take effect. The High Court issued an order Tuesday permitting the implementation of Texas' S.B. 4, which has drawn staunch opposition from the White House. The country also finds the White House and Congress still at odds over how to address the ongoing crisis at the southern border.

In response to the court's decision, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre delivered a pointed statement, expressing strong opposition to the ruling. She warned that it would not only jeopardize safety in Texas communities but also create logistical challenges for law enforcement agencies.

"We fundamentally disagree with the Supreme Court's order allowing Texas' harmful and unconstitutional law to go into effect," Jean-Pierre stated.

"S.B. 4 will not only make communities in Texas less safe, it will also burden law enforcement, and sow chaos and confusion at our southern border."

Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration's call for bipartisan action while speaking to the press on Air Force One heading to Reno, Nevada. She urged congressional Republicans to support a border security agreement that she says has garnered cross-party support.

"This border security deal was a bipartisan deal that came out of the Senate — Republicans, Democrats," Jean-Pierre remarked.

"Now, Republicans blocked it because of politics, because of the former president. And if we want to be where a majority of Americans are — wanting to deal with the immigration system, wanting to deal with the challenges of the border — we got to get this done."

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(AURN News) — Black congregations in the United States have borne a disproportionate financial and mental burden from the COVID-19 pandemic compared to white and multiracial congregations, according to a report released in January.

The Understanding the Pandemic Impact on Black and Multiracial Congregations report was funded by the Lilly Endowment and led by researchers at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. It found stark disparities in how the pandemic affected churches of different racial makeups.

One of the key findings of the report underscores the financial strain experienced by Black churches. Between the summer and fall of 2021, majority-Black congregations witnessed a significant downturn in their financial stability compared to their white and multiracial counterparts. The disparity persisted even in the post-pandemic period, with 34% of majority-Black churches reporting worsened financial health from 2018 to 2023, as opposed to 28% for multiracial churches and 29% for white majority churches.

The report unveils a concerning trend in the optimism levels within Black and multiracial congregations. Over the course of two years, spanning from spring 2021 to spring 2023, there was a noticeable decline in optimism among these two groups, indicating the major challenges they continue to face in navigating the aftermath of the pandemic.

So, what about the mental well-being of Black clergy members? By spring 2023, Black clergy reported a decrease in their overall mental health, in stark contrast to their white counterparts who experienced an actual increase. The data utilized in the report draws from the Faith Communities Today (FACT) and the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) surveys.

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Former Mississippi Rankin County Sheriff’s Deputy Hunter Elward has been handed down a 20-year sentence for his part in a chilling ordeal that's shaken people to the core. It revolves around the inhumane treatment of two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, who endured a nightmare at the hands of Elwood and five other officers.

The group of officers, dubbed the "Goon Squad," stormed into a home uninvited and without a warrant, targeting Jenkins and Parker with cruelty from stun guns to a sex toy. Their methods of torture were racially charged, all sparked by a complaint of the men's presence in a house with a white woman.

Southern District of Mississippi U.S. District Court Judge Tom Lee didn't hold back in condemning Elwood's actions, labeling them egregious and despicable. As we await the sentencing of the remaining officers, the community is watching closely.

Jenkins and Parker have not only called for the maximum sentences, but are also pushing for the resignation of Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey and are seeking a $400 million civil lawsuit against the department.

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As the clock ticks closer to a potential government shutdown at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Congress and the White House scramble to finalize spending legislation. Despite reaching an agreement on the fiscal year's budget, time is running short to prevent a disruption that could sideline federal services and leave workers unpaid.

The impending deadline puts essential functions and numerous federal employees at risk, with a short shutdown looming as a likely scenario. A shutdown could be brief if it coincides with the expiration of current spending laws for key agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of the Treasury. In such a case, Congress could use the weekend to negotiate a resolution.

However, uncertainty remains, with potential impacts on essential services and workers crucial to public safety and national security. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid services remain funded separately, ensuring uninterrupted benefits.

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