AURN News

Despite calls for Michelle Obama to consider running for president, her office stated to NBC News that she will not pursue a presidential candidacy. Crystal Carson, director of communications for her office, reiterated Mrs. Obama's stance, emphasizing her support for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' re-election campaign.

While sources familiar with discussions suggest Mrs. Obama intends to assist the Biden campaign this fall, her involvement is expected to remain relatively limited, as was the case in 2020. This reflects both her existing commitments and her longstanding reluctance to fully re-enter the political arena.

However, given her immense popularity, it is anticipated that the Biden campaign will strategically leverage her influence later in the election cycle, particularly when targeting swing voters.

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For the past 17 years, Essence has presented their Black Women in Hollywood Awards during Oscar week. Well, they showed up and showed out again this year.

Zendaya, fresh off of that big opening for "Dune," was a fashion icon as she dazzled another red carpet and debuted her stylish new bob haircut.

Black love was in full display with B.E.T.'s "Sistas" and "Zatima" actor DeVale Ellis and his wife Khadine Ellis sharing some touching moments on the carpet. "American Fiction" star Erika Alexander joined with fellow actress Kim Coles and uber-producer Yvette Lee Bowser on the carpet. They delved into some nostalgic memories from "Living Single," which recently hit a 30-year milestone. Do you believe it? Oh, time's going too fast.

Honoree Danielle Brooks received a standing ovation as she sang the gospel melody, "I Won't Complain" to accept her award. That was something else. You got to check that out. I'm so sure we're going to see a lot of these same folks, especially Danielle Brooks, who is nominated for "The Color Purple" on the Oscar red carpet Sunday.

Now, whatever you do, you've got to log in to Instagram on Sunday. We're on at 1 p.m. PT, 4 p.m. ET. We will be live on the red carpet at the 96th Academy Awards. And whatever you do, you really want to check it out. We're going to be out there with everybody, and there's a lot of folks coming through.

Before the big show, it is Daylight Savings, so set the clock forward and tune in to the Oscars. It's on ABC and Jimmy Kimmel is hosting again. That's at 7 p.m. ET and of course 4 p.m. here on the West Coast. Don't want to miss any of this all day on Sunday. We'll be there with you.

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On March 8, 1964, activist Malcolm X announced his separation from the Nation of Islam (NOI), a religious sector advocating for Black self-determination. This decision came after a disagreement with Elijah Muhammad, the leader of NOI.

Despite parting ways with the organization, Malcolm X retained his adherence to Islam and went on to establish the Organization of African Unity, embodying a vision of broader inclusivity and unity among African descendants. 

However, his journey was tragically cut short on February 21, 1965, when he was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, just as he was about to deliver an address. His untimely death, at the age of 39, marked a profound loss for the civil rights movement.

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Lawmakers are weighing in on President Joe Biden's State of the Union address. One of those being Democratic California Representative Peter Aguilar.

"I thought Joe Biden did an incredible job. That is just who he is. He led with empathy. He was compassionate. He was forceful. He was clear. And he laid out a positive vision while talking about all of the work that we have done," Aguilar said.

Last night, Biden said America is safer now than before he took office and said his administration is making the largest investment in public safety ever. He said the state of the union is strong and getting stronger.

The president opened his speech with warnings of threats to democracy, both at home and abroad, citing the war in Ukraine and the January 6 insurrection.

He also called on Republicans to bring back a bipartisan border deal negotiated in the Senate and pledged to bring home American hostages being held by Hamas.

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The wife of a Texas Ranger who was murdered in what some feel was a hate crime will be at tonight's State of the Union. Priscilla Martinez says it's important to stand up to a growing trend of white supremacy.

"We do have a target on our back and we need to speak up," Martinez said.

Her husband was allegedly killed by a neighbor who previously told them that Latinos were not welcome in their community.

"We do need to bring awareness to hate, to racism, not just with Latinos but African Americans as well."

Martinez will be a guest tonight of Congressman Joaquin Castro of San Antonio. He says the GOP is fanning the flames of hate, pointing to a meeting between prominent donors and neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I have to speak up for the ones that can't speak anymore."

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President Joe Biden will deliver the State of the Union address tonight, where he will play up the work his administration has done on things like infrastructure. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre talked about some of what we can expect.

"You're going to hear the president address how our democracy is under attack, how our freedoms are certainly under attack. He's going to speak to what we've been seeing across the country as it relates to a woman's healthcare," Jean-Pierre said.

A preview of the speech says the president will also outline how he's making the wealthy pay their fair share and push other policies that could pick up support from both sides of the aisle, like helping veterans and fighting cancer.

"He's going to talk about his unity agenda. There are issues that both sides care about… ending cancer, fighting for veteran families. Those are important; making sure we're getting fentanyl out of our communities."

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(AURN News) – There is now a shift in public opinion according to a recent Monmouth University poll, with 53% of Americans expressing a desire to build a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The poll, conducted independently by the Monmouth University Polling Institute, also sheds light on the prevailing sentiment towards illegal immigration. A staggering 8 in 10 Americans now perceive illegal immigration as a very serious or somewhat serious problem.

Patrick Murray, director of the institute, emphasized the significance of the immigration issue in the upcoming presidential election. “Illegal immigration has taken center stage as a defining issue this presidential election year,” he said in a statement.

A majority of respondents, 61%, voiced support for the notion that individuals seeking asylum should be required to remain in Mexico during the claims processing period. In contrast, only 35% favored allowing them into the U.S. while awaiting the outcome of their asylum requests.

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On March 7, 1965, approximately 600 activists embarked on a 54-mile journey from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery, the state capital. Their march was a response to the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson, who had been fatally shot three weeks earlier by a state trooper while shielding his mother during a civil rights demonstration.

Upon reaching the Edmund Pettus Bridge spanning the Alabama River, the activists encountered a hostile line of state troopers and deputies armed with tear gas and batons. Despite orders to retreat, they refused.

In response, the officers attacked many of the protesters. This infamous event became known as "Bloody Sunday" and there were more marches. The Selma marches ultimately led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on August 6, which ensured every American's right to register to vote.

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It looks like a rematch is coming in November, but young Colorado voters like University of Denver student Aidan Evans aren't thrilled over the Biden-Trump face-off for the second straight presidential election.

"I think Joe Biden has done a fine job as president overall. But I don't think he should be in the office again. I'll be voting for him because that's my only option, but no 82-year-old should be in the presidency, regardless of their politics," said Evans.

The University of Denver held a watch party as the results came in last night. Colorado was one of 16 states voting in yesterday's presidential primary. In fact, it was the only race on the ballot.

Voters made their voices heard, choosing President Biden and former President Trump as the nominees. At last check, both had more than 400,000 votes to secure their party nominations.

"I think that if we are forced to, we'll vote for Biden overwhelmingly against Trump," said another University of Denver student, Sergio Hernandez.

So far, the statewide turnout is reported to be 34 percent.

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(AURN News) – Amidst the escalating immigration crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border, the White House asserts President Joe Biden's commitment to bipartisanship in crafting solutions. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, emphasizing Biden's history of crossing party lines, criticized Republicans for letting politics obstruct collaborative efforts. 

“If you watch this President very closely the last three years — shoot, if you’ve watched him his entire career, he believes in going across the aisle and working in a bipartisan way,” said Jean-Pierre during a recent briefing.

“And what we continue to see is Republicans not doing that. They keep letting politics get in the way. So, the President, as he does many times, when he wants to work on behalf of the American people, he wants to see it d- — see it done in a bipartisan way. And not just him — we’ve learned and we’ve seen that that’s what the American public wants to see as well,” she commented.

During a visit to the border in Brownsville, TX, last week, President Biden expressed a willingness to work directly with former President Trump, signaling a departure from the entrenched partisan positions.

“So, here’s what I would say to Mr. Trump: Instead of playing politics with the issue, instead of telling members of Congress to block this legislation, join me — or I’ll join you — in telling the Congress to pass this Bipartisan Border Security bill. We can do it together,” Mr. Biden said.

The plea for cooperation reflects a broader strategy to break the political deadlock surrounding immigration policy. The administration argues that the American public, too, desires bipartisan solutions. A recent Gallup poll underscores the significance of immigration as the top concern facing the nation, followed by government and the economy.

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