AURN News

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation's 38th annual study, you can expect a lighter impact on your wallets this Thanksgiving compared to last year.

The average cost for a classic holiday feast for 10 is now $61.17. It marks a 4.5 percent decrease from 2020's record high. However, prices are still up by 25 percent compared to 2019, reflecting the ongoing challenges of high supply costs and inflation.

A major contribution to this year's cost reduction is the turkey. Traditionally the most expensive item on the table, the average price for a 16-pound turkey is down 5.6 percent from last year at $27.35. The Farm Bureau survey includes all the staples, stuffing sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, and pumpkin pie.

But if you wanna include things like boneless ham, russet potatoes, and frozen green beans, it brings your cost up to $84.75.

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According to the American Auto Association, 55.4 million Americans are expected to travel this holiday season. That's a 2.3 percent increase from last year, making it the third highest since 2000.

Now, most Americans will be reaching their destination by car. That's an anticipated 49.1 million people, marking a 1.7 percent increase from 2022.

The good news is gas prices are trending lower with an average of $3.58. Also, by air, those numbers are going up with 4.7 million people in the friendly skies, that's a 6.6 percent increase from last year and the highest since 2005.

The busiest days? The Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, with Sunday and Monday being popular days to return.

Cruises, busses, and trains aren't far behind, showing an 11 percent increase over last year.

As millions gear up to travel, one question looms: are you ready for the busiest Thanksgiving travel season in nearly two decades?

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In a new blow to President Joe Biden's re-election prospects, the latest NBC News poll, conducted this month, unveils more concerning findings. Only 40% of respondents expressed approval of the president's performance, while 57% voiced disapproval of the job he is doing.

The economic front appears particularly challenging for Biden as the country continues to deal with inflation, with 59% of respondents expressing dissatisfaction with the president's handling of the economy.

Looking ahead to potential electoral scenarios, the poll gauged voter preferences in a hypothetical match-up between President Biden and a Republican candidate. Results also indicate that 48% of respondents expressed a preference for the Republican candidate, while only 37% signaled support for Biden.

This poll aligns with others that continue to underscore a challenging landscape for Biden's re-election campaign, with approval ratings and economic concerns shaping the narrative. As the 2024 election looms on the horizon, the president and his team face the formidable task of addressing voter confidence and support.

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In a significant move for Mississippi's higher education landscape, officials have designated a new president for Jackson State University, the state's largest historically Black institution. 

According to the Associated Press, the board of trustees for the state Institutions of Higher Learning has bestowed the prestigious title of 13th president upon Marcus L. Thompson, concluding an extensive search process initiated after the resignation of the university's former president, Thomas K. Hudson, on March 31. 

Presently holding the role of deputy commissioner and chief administrative officer within the Institutions of Higher Learning public university system, Thompson also holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in urban higher education from JSU. 

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed profound dismay over the recent assault on the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza as the war continues. The attack, occurring on Monday, resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including patients and their companions. Additionally, numerous others have sustained injuries, some critical.

The Indonesian hospital, now under siege, has been a beacon of hope amidst turmoil, but it is struggling with severe shortages of fuel, water, medicines, and essential supplies. This has drastically reduced its capacity to treat those with severe injuries and other medical emergencies.

Over the past six weeks, Gaza has witnessed multiple attacks on health facilities causing many mass evacuations, fatalities that are now over 12,000, and injuries.

The WHO has documented 335 attacks on healthcare in the region, impacting hospital operations and bed capacity for Palestinians.

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The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has dealt a huge blow to what is left of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, further weakening the rights of minority voters.

The Eighth Circuit ruling, which affects voters in Arkansas and six other states, determined that only the federal government, not private citizens or civil rights groups like the NAACP, can challenge discriminatory voting practices under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

The latest ruling contradicts decades of legal precedent where private parties have played a crucial role in challenging racist laws and gerrymandering.

The decision is expected to face appeal, potentially reaching a Supreme Court that has shown a mixed record on voting rights. The question is, how deeply will this impact the future of voting rights and racial equity in America?

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A recent survey conducted by Pew Research provides fresh insights into the tipping habits of Americans. The comprehensive study, encompassing nearly 12,000 adults, underscores the significance of good service when it comes to tipping behaviors, with 77% of respondents acknowledging that the quality of service directly influences both the amount and likelihood of tipping.

Breaking down tipping patterns across various service sectors, the survey uncovered that 81% of adults indicated that they always tip at restaurants with servers. In contrast, tipping for haircuts, another service-oriented sector, was reported by 65% of respondents as a consistent practice.

The study also delved into situations where traditional tipping norms may not apply, such as those encountered in coffee shops or restaurants without servers. When faced with the customary prompt to tip on a cashier-operated screen, only 12% of respondents claimed to always tip at coffee shops, and merely 7% reported always tipping at restaurants without servers.

The survey shows that there are evolving attitudes towards tipping over the years. 72% of Americans expressed the belief that tipping has become more expected today than it was five years ago. With the increase in tipping expectations, it comes as no surprise that more and more people are going through tip fatigue. A summer survey conducted by Bankrate revealed that 66% of Americans hold negative views about tipping.

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The Carter Center announced the passing of former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter at age 96.

President Jimmy Carter referred to her as "an extension of myself," recognizing her influential role in his administration and her unwavering advocacy for mental health causes. Rosalynn, who had been in hospice care at their home in Plains, Georgia, passed away surrounded by her family.

The Carters, who wed in 1946 when Jimmy was 21 and Rosalynn was 18, held the distinction of being the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history. Following Jimmy Carter's presidency from 1977 to 1981, their commitment to service continued.

Rosalynn remained an integral part of various initiatives, notably the Carter Center and the Habitat for Humanity charity.

Rest in peace, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

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(AURN News) — A recent report submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sounded the alarm on serious concerns plaguing air travel safety, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address issues within the National Airspace System (NAS). The NAS Safety Review Team (SRT) released its findings this week, shedding light on critical problems rooted in inadequate funding, staffing shortages, and outdated technology.

“These challenges, in the areas of process integrity, staffing, and facilities, equipment, and technology, all have ties to inadequate, inconsistent funding. Together, these challenges contribute to increased safety risk and should be regarded as incident precursors,” the report’s executive summary stated.

In a letter addressed to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker included in the report, the SRT emphasized the shared responsibility among stakeholders in the FAA and the aviation industry to maintain the safety of the NAS.

“To continue to do so depends on multiple factors and layers of safety mitgiations [sic]. The confluence of the issues we identified results in an erosion of safety margins that must be urgently addressed,” the team said in the letter.

A significant portion of the report focused on the staffing shortage among air traffic controllers, citing the FAA’s struggle in the mid-2000s. According to the report, “ there are 1,002 fewer fully certified air traffic controllers in August 2023 than in August 2012, despite increasing complexity of operations…”

Notably, Charles Bolden, a former NASA administrator, astronaut, and retired Marine Corps Major General, was the sole African American member among the six members of the Safety Review Team.

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Guess who is skipping Thanksgiving dinner this year? Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart. Yep, she told Kelly Clarkson that she has canceled her plans to host a Turkey Day meal and will instead be visiting different friends' homes for the upcoming holiday. She said she gave up Thanksgiving after nine of her guests canceled because someone got sick. So she decided she was just not going to do it at all.

Plus she did add the fact that she had already cooked 14 turkeys for her TV show and one more to cook for the Today Show. Martha, guess what? I'm giving you a day off.

The daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt has joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College. You know, the undergrad joined the Mu Pi chapter of the first historically Black sorority. AKAs have been around since 1908, with the Mu Pi chapter being established in 1979.

It was just so cute, the photo that Zahara took with her sisters, and how she introduced herself to the group. According to an Instagram video posted by Essence, she says, "My name is Zahara Marlee Jolie, and I landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels, Los Angeles, California."

And from what I hear, both of her parents are very proud.

And for all these stories and a whole lot more, don't forget to follow Tanya Hart on social media @tanyahollywood and @aurnonline.

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