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Spelman College, the private women’s liberal arts institution in Atlanta, recently announced a groundbreaking $100 million gift, marking the largest single donation ever received to an HBCU, as reported by CBS News.

This generous contribution comes from the billionaire couple Ronda E. Stryker, a Spelman trustee, and her husband, William D. Johnston, the chairman of the wealth management company Greenleaf Trust.

The remarkable news of Spelman being the recipient of the donation is another exceptional academic year for the institution. In September 2023, Spelman achieved the top rank among HBCUs in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Colleges list, maintaining this position for the 17th consecutive year.

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(AURN News) – In a recent press briefing on Air Force One, Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton addressed growing concerns over former President Donald Trump's continued influence on Capitol Hill. The buzz comes after President Joe Biden met with Congressional leaders this week. The White House, however, downplayed any apprehensions, asserting that the administration remains focused on bipartisan cooperation.

“As federal officials, we can’t speak to Trump as a candidate under the Hatch Act. But what I can say is that, as the President has repeatedly said, there is strong bipartisan agreement on the need for action on the border,” Dalton said.

She went on to mention that President Biden is actively working with both Senate Democrats and Republicans to find common ground.

“He believes that our work with Senate Democrats and Republicans on the border, while we haven’t reached a final agreement on funding and policy, is moving in the right direction. He is optimistic that the conversations are productive and positive, and we’re going to keep at it,” she affirmed.

The White House's reassurance comes as Speaker of the House Republican Mike Johnson made it clear that he remains in close communication with former President Trump. This communication adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape, as Trump's influence continues to shape discussions on key issues such as border security.

As the Biden administration navigates the challenges of a divided Congress, the question of Trump's ongoing sway on Capitol Hill remains a topic of interest.

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The U.S. Education Department has announced an acceleration in the provision of student loan relief for eligible borrowers. As reported by USA Today, the agency is expediting the forgiveness process for individuals enrolled in President Joe Biden’s newly introduced income-driven repayment plan called Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE).

Initially slated for launch in July 2024, the SAVE plan will now commence in February, offering immediate debt cancelation for borrowers who initially took out $12,000 or less in undergraduate or graduate student loans and have been in repayment for at least 10 years.

President Joe Biden said in a statement, "I am proud that my Administration is implementing one of the most impactful provisions of the SAVE plan nearly six months ahead of schedule."

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"The law enforcement response at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 — and in the hours and days after — was a failure that should not have happened."

That was U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland at a press conference discussing a newly released Department of Justice report blasting Uvalde police for their response to the mass shooting.

"A series of major failures - failures in leadership, in tactics, in communication, and in training and preparedness — were made by law enforcement leaders and others. As a result, 33 students and three of their teachers — many of whom had been shot — were trapped in a room with an active shooter for over an hour as law enforcement officials remained outside."

The report, consisting of nearly 500 pages, provides a detailed analysis of the events and recommendations to guide communities facing similar tragedies.

While the report offers some closure to the grieving community, questions about lax gun regulations and accountability for the officers involved remain unanswered.​

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As President Joe Biden meets with Republicans, he is warning them of the risk to global security amid stalled U.S. military aid for Ukraine. During a White House meeting with congressional leaders, Biden emphasized the danger to the NATO alliance and the free world if support for Ukraine falters.

The deadlock centers around Biden's request for $60 billion in aid for Kyiv, which Republicans have tied to demands for stricter border control measures. This impasse comes against the backdrop of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, adding to the political tension.

Biden's call for urgent action on both aid to Ukraine and border issues was met with mixed responses. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the productive nature of the talks but stressed the priority of border security.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted a bipartisan need for a solution. Amid these challenges, Congress is also racing to avoid a government shutdown by Friday.​

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has unveiled a proposed rule this week aimed at alleviating the burden of bank overdraft fees for millions of Americans. According to the CFPB, a loophole would be closed in the Truth In Lending Act that allows the exemption of the fees.

President Joe Biden, championing the cause, asserted that the new rule could slash the average overdraft fee by more than half, potentially saving the average American family approximately $150 annually.

“That would add up to save families $3.5 billion every year. Unfortunately, some Republicans in Congress continue to defend these exploitative fees,” the President said.

“When companies sneak hidden junk fees into families’ bills, it can take hundreds of dollars a month out of their pockets and make it harder to make ends meet. That might not matter to the wealthy, but it’s real money to hardworking families—and it’s just plain wrong,” Biden stated.

According to the CFPB, over 23 million households grapple with overdraft fees each year. The proposed benchmarks of $3, $6, $7, or $14 for overdraft fees aim to establish fair and transparent standards in the financial landscape.

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New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman is taking a stand to hold the federal government accountable for the enduring impacts of slavery and systematic racism by introducing a $14 trillion reparations bill, as reported by The Journal News.

The proposed legislation, HR 414, aims to provide free college education at the 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the nation. Additionally, it seeks to support the National Publishers Association and National Association of Black Broadcasters, along with advocating for the restoration of voting rights for individuals currently or previously incarcerated.

With approximately 42 million African Americans constituting 12 percent of the U.S. population, Bowman suggests that, if evenly distributed, each person could receive $333,000, potentially disbursed over several decades.

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The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), founded 40 years ago, was originally a protest group against defamatory coverage of gay and lesbian demographics and their portrayals in media. 

A lot has happened since then. These days, stories including LGBTQ people are in our daily viewing. 

This year, the organization won the Governor's Award at the 75th Emmys. Backstage, I asked the folks at GLAAD what it meant to receive this award on MLK's birthday.

"I think it's no mistake… Our movements and our fight for racial equality and LGBTQ acceptance and equality and women having the ability to control their own bodies -- these are all integrated and intersectional. So it's, for us, it's really profound that we're winning this today on MLK Day and on the 75th anniversary of the Emmys, and we think that there's a lot of work ahead of us, but it's wonderful to take a moment and pause about how far we've come."

It is so comforting to know that many organizations have followed in the footsteps of Dr. King to achieve equality. We now see it in many aspects of our society. We've got a long way to go, but boy, we have come so far. Don't stop, don't stop. And don't stop following me on social media @tanyahollywood and @aurnonline.

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In a significant breakthrough, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has announced a major tax deal impacting families and businesses across the nation. The $78 billion agreement aims to expand the child tax credit and revive key business tax breaks.

The deal, a result of months of negotiations between House and Senate leaders, still has to be crafted into legislation, but it is a crucial development in a divided Congress.

The proposed policy includes refundable child tax credits benefiting 16 million kids in low-income families and lifting the $1,600 refundable cap, adjusting it for inflation.

It aims to reduce child poverty, potentially lifting 400,000 children above the poverty line, but would also revive elements of the 2017 Trump tax cuts for businesses.

While the White House supports the move, challenges remain in passing the deal amidst other pressing congressional priorities, including avoiding a government shutdown.

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Born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad Ali, the Olympic gold medalist and former heavyweight champion boxer, was a highly recognizable figure in the world of sports.

Originally named Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., he often referred to himself as "The Greatest," a title supported by his impressive record in the ring.

Beyond his achievements in boxing, he boldly expressed his beliefs through actions such as changing his name from Cassius Clay and taking strong political and social stances.

Muhammad Ali, who battled Parkinson's disease for over 30 years, passed away on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74.

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