AURN News

Today marks the start of Black History Month. Under the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) introduced this year's theme, celebrating African Americans and the arts.

The theme spans visual/performing arts, literature, and more, highlighting the blend of African, Caribbean, and Black American experiences. From the spirituals of enslaved Africans to the global influence of hip-hop and Afrofuturism, African American arts have used their creativity for empowerment and preserving history.

This year, ASALH honors the vast contributions of Black artists, from the historic Sweetgrass Baskets to the revolutionary sounds of blues and beyond, showcasing the unbroken chains of Black artistry.

This year, they want you to explore the rich tapestry of African American influence on the global cultural landscape, a celebration of resilience and creativity.

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Following the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, formally abolishing slavery, John Swett Rock, an abolitionist lawyer, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first African-American to be admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court on February 1, 1865.

Born free on October 13, 1825, in Salem, New Jersey, Rock was not only a lawyer but also an educator and a dentist. He graduated from the American Medical College in Philadelphia in 1852 and established a dental practice in Boston, where he tended to escaped slaves seeking refuge through the Underground Railroad.

His tenure at the U.S. Supreme Court lasted only one year as health issues interrupted his career. At the age of 41, in 1866, Rock died due to tuberculosis.

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WASHINGTON (AURN News) — The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it would maintain its current interest rates, with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasizing the nation's economic growth and tight labor market. Powell pointed to GDP growth in the fourth quarter of last year and persistent strength in the labor market as key factors in the decision to keep interest rates unchanged.

“Inflation has eased from its highs without a significant increase in unemployment. That is very good news. But inflation is still too high, ongoing progress in bringing it down is not assured, and the path forward is uncertain,” Powell said.

“I want to assure the American people that we are fully committed to returning inflation to our 2 percent goal. Restoring price stability is essential to achieve a sustained period of strong labor market conditions that benefit all,” he added.

The Fed has consistently emphasized a target inflation rate of 2 percent. Powell acknowledged some progress in reaching this goal but emphasized the need for additional evidence to ensure the economy is on the right track. While signaling a willingness to dial back rates at some point this year, he made it clear that the Fed did not anticipate any immediate changes in March. He also conveyed that the central bank believes it is currently at the peak for raising rates.

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The first woman of color owned venture capital firm, Fearless Fund, is stepping into Miami Federal Appeals Court Wednesday. Their mission? To challenge a court order stopping them from giving grants exclusively to women of color.

This legal tussle pits Fearless Fund against the American Alliance for Equal Rights, an organization led by far-right activist Edward Bloom.

Arian Simone, the co-founder and CEO of Fearless Fund, says they aren't backing down. In August of 2022, Bloom sued Fearless Fund over their grant program, saying that they were practicing reverse discrimination by excluding non-Black applicants. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta responded by hitting pause on the program until the lawsuit's conclusion.

But this isn't just about this program. Many Black business leaders are worried that these legal challenges could roll back years of efforts to level the playing field.

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President Joe Biden has made a decision on how to respond to the recent drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers and injured dozens of others. The attack, carried out by Iran-backed militants, marked the first U.S. deaths in the months since the Israel-Hamas war began. 

Biden confirmed his decision as he was leaving the White House this morning. He had previously vowed to hold those responsible accountable at a time and manner of their choosing. 

While Iran denies involvement in the attack, Biden holds them responsible for supplying weapons to the perpetrators. He has expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and will attend their dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stated that the U.S. response will be strong and sustained over time. The administration aims to avoid a wider war with Iran but is prepared to take necessary action.

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On January 31, 1943, Etta Moten Barnett, a Broadway star and film actress, made history as the first African-American to perform at the White House during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's birthday party.

She delivered a rendition of "Remember My Forgotten Man," a song she had previously sung in the 1933 movie Gold Diggers, despite not being credited for her contribution. Renowned for her contralto vocals, Barnett gained prominence for her leading role in the 1942 revival of "Porgy and Bess" on Broadway.

Born on November 5, 1901, in Weimar, Texas, she married Claude Barnett, the founder of the Associated Negro Press, in 1934. Throughout her later years, Barnett remained actively involved in various civil rights movements.

Etta Moten Barnett passed away at the age of 102 in 2004.

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It's Grammy week here in Los Angeles, and two-time nominated comedian, actor, author, podcast host, and former "Daily Show" host Trevor Noah returns to host the 2024 Grammys. He always does the best job at this. It will be his fourth time as host of music's biggest night. And by the way, he's also nominated for a Grammy in the Best Comedy Album category for his 2020 Netflix comedy special "I Wish You Would."

Now, in the meantime, there is so much stuff going on in town. They are back with all of the great stuff that goes on during this week. But I gotta tell you, the hottest story is about two of music's biggest rap stars. I'm not sure when the feud began between Megan Thee and Nicki Minaj but honey, it heated up over the weekend as the war of words started hitting the internet.

Okay, so you probably know by now that on Friday, Meg released her latest single, "Hiss." It's a fierce track criticizing her haters, which fans have speculated included a line targeting Minaj. Well, Nicki Minaj fired back with an all-new diss track. The rap superstar dropped the one-off single, "Big Foot," which she revealed in multiple posts across social media, is directly aimed at Megan Thee Stallion, and is a follow-up to the song she released on Friday.

Now, Meg mentioned Megan's Law -- the policy that requires sex offenders to register with the state -- and you know, Nicki Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, is a level two sex offender in New York. He actually served four years in prison after being convicted of an attempted rape. Minaj's brother is also incarcerated for raping an 11-year-old girl. Horrible story.

But Nicki said, hey, that's her family. She hit back with "Bigfoot" making accusations about Megan Thee Stallion, referring to her mother's death and how she was shot in the foot by Tory Lanez in 2020. Oh, good Lord. There is just so much drama. It goes on and on and on. Lots of name-calling.

But I'm just wondering, what happened to women in the business trying to get together and support each other? Or is this just for publicity? Whoo! Whatever. Like I said, it has heated up the internet just in time for the Grammys.

Oh, and by the way, we will be there backstage and on the red carpet. You do not want to miss our coverage of the 2024 Grammys.

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(AURN News) – Where is your city on the bed bug list? A new ranking released by pest control company Orkin has some big surprises. With an increase in bed bug issues across the country and around the world, the latest report sheds light on the cities facing the most challenges.

According to Orkin's recent findings, Chicago has claimed the undesirable distinction of being at the top of their bed bug list for the fourth consecutive year. Following closely behind, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Los Angeles round out the top five cities with the highest bed bug issues.

Orkin's list of 50 cities includes some newcomers, including Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Oklahoma City. Orkin compiled the rankings based on the areas where they conducted the highest number of treatments from December 2022 through November 2023.

The increase in bed bug problems is attributed, in part, to the rise in post-pandemic travel. As more people resume travel, the chances of picking up these unwanted hitchhikers also increase.

Orkin emphasizes the importance of regular home inspections for bed bugs, particularly in common hiding spots such as mattresses, outlets, and behind baseboards. The company recommends inspecting your home after service visits, returning from a trip, or hosting overnight guests.

When on the go, Orkin provides tips for staying vigilant in hotels like storing your luggage in the bathroom or on a counter to minimize the risk of bringing bed bugs home.

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In a heated political showdown, House Republicans are pushing forward with impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

They contend that he and the Biden administration disregarded federal immigration laws and that Mayorkas willfully refused to comply with these laws, allowing millions of people to enter the country illegally. They also accuse Mayorkas of breaching the public trust and obstructing lawful oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.

Of course, Democrats are pushing back heavily, labeling them as politically motivated.

Mayorkas says the immigration system is in dire need of reform, and the current laws are not equipped to handle present-day migration patterns. He asserts the department has been enforcing immigration laws and shown Congress ample evidence of that.

As the Homeland Security Committee convenes today, tensions are high with procedural motions expected from Republicans.

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(AURN News) – Alaska Airlines has returned portions of its Boeing 737 Max 9 fleet to operation after one of its planes made an emergency landing on January 5 due to a blowout that caused a "door-sized" hole in the cabin. Flight 1282 was en route from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California, when the incident occurred, forcing the aircraft to return. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been investigating a door plug issue with the Max 9 fleet.

The airline announced the resumption of services last Friday afternoon, with a flight from Seattle to San Diego. Alaska Airlines emphasized that the FAA has approved their inspection and maintenance processes before allowing the aircraft to return to service.

In a statement, the airline stated, “Each of our 737-9 MAX will return to service only after the rigorous inspections are completed and each plane is deemed airworthy according to FAA requirements. The individual inspections are expected to take up to 12 hours per aircraft.” 

Alaska Airlines anticipates completing all inspections by the end of January, including ongoing oversight of the production of the Boeing 737-9 Max. Despite the aircraft's return to service, the FAA remains vigilant and has underscored the seriousness of the incident. 

“This won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing. We will not agree to any request from Boeing for an expansion in production or approve additional production lines for the 737 MAX until we are satisfied that the quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved,” affirmed FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker.

The FAA has outlined enhanced maintenance requirements, including inspecting specific bolts, guide tracts, and fittings, as well as addressing damage and abnormal conditions, among other measures. A Boeing Safety Culture Review report which began in 2023 is expected to be released within a few weeks according to the FAA.

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