AURN News

Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones, a notable figure among the 'Tennessee Three,' has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that House Speaker Cameron Sexton and others infringed upon his constitutional rights to free speech and due process.

Jones and Representative Justin J. Pearson were initially expelled from the Tennessee House after protesting gun violence, but later reclaimed their seats through special elections.

Representative Jones stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, "The people of District 52 deserve to have their voices heard without the threat of undemocratic silencing and retaliation."

The lawsuit, emphasizing that silencing opposing views is against the spirit of democracy and the Constitution, emerges as Jones was allegedly silenced by Sexton during a House session in August.

A pertinent question arises, how will this legal challenge shape the conversation around free speech and democratic representation in Tennessee's legislature?

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President Joe Biden has approved the cancellation of $9 billion in student loan debt for 125,000 people who qualify under existing programs, the White House announced. The move comes as the administration searches for workarounds to tackle the student debt crisis after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the president’s plan. 

The White House said in a statement, “President Biden has long believed that college should be a ticket to the middle class, not a burden that weighs on families." 

On Oct. 1, tens of millions with federal student loan debt resumed making payments, ending a more than three-year pause that started with the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

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In an unprecedented turn of events in Washington, Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position in a historic 216-210 vote. Spearheaded by hard-right conservatives, this monumental decision marks the first time a U.S. Speaker has been voted out, plunging the House and its Republican leadership into uncharted waters.

While McCarthy has always been known for his perseverance -- don't forget it took him 15 tries to get this seat -- he found himself cornered with limited options and announced he won't vie for the Speaker position again.

As the Capitol buzzes with speculation, the question on everyone's lips is, who will rise to take the helm for the House Republicans? The fate of the leadership remains uncertain until next week, when Republicans convene to choose a new speaker.

This is one for the history books. Stay tuned for more updates.

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(AURN News) — Bowie State University has announced an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing its online education programs. The university is set to significantly improve its online offerings through "Bowie State Online," an online education program that will incorporate 31 new courses, effectively expanding the program to accommodate more than 6,000 students.

University officials expressed their optimism about the potential of these new offerings to provide students with enhanced flexibility in tailoring their learning experiences to suit their unique needs and schedules. 

"An effective online strategy has been a key component of how we are meeting the needs of the diverse students that we serve. The expansion of Bowie State's online programs will help expand access to courses online—and provide students with additional flexibility as they work to achieve their education and career goals," Dr. Kimetta Reynolds-Hairston, Assistant Vice President for Regional Higher Education Centers and Online Programs, said in a statement.

The move comes as part of BSU's ongoing efforts to modernize and diversify its educational delivery methods, making quality education more accessible and flexible for students. Funding for this expansion has been made possible through support from the University System of Maryland's William Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation.

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In a momentous shift on Capitol Hill, Laphonza Butler was officially sworn in as California's newest U.S. Senator, succeeding the late Dianne Feinstein.

The honor of officiating the ceremony went to Vice President Kamala Harris. With the appointment, Butler not only steps into Feinstein's influential shoes but also marks her place as the third Black woman and the first Black lesbian to serve in the Senate.

Previously at the helms of EMILYs List, Butler is no stranger to advocating for women in politics as she fills this vital seat. 

The Democrats now clinch a 51-49 Senate majority. As California and the nation watch this transition, we're left wondering, how will Butler's tenure shape the legacy of this seat?

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After nearly 20 years of attempts by Black entrepreneurs to purchase a radio station, Jesse Blayton Sr. opened the first Black-owned station, WERD, on October 3, 1949, in Atlanta.

It wasn't Blayton's first time making history. In 1928, he became Georgia's first African-American certified public accountant. A few years earlier, he and a group of Black businessmen founded the Mutual Federal Savings and Loan Association, for which he served as president. He also taught at Atlanta University.

When Blayton bought the 1,000-watt radio station, he hired his son Jesse Jr. as station manager. From sunrise to sunset, it featured a mix of musical genres, from gospel to rhythm and blues, spun by "Jockey Jack" Gibson, one of the nation's most famous Black radio announcers.

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Capitol Hill is buzzing as Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz pushes to dethrone Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Gaetz's move, a motion to vacate, requires the House to vote within two legislative days on whether to unseat McCarthy.

Interestingly, McCarthy himself has permitted such a challenge during a past dispute, likely not foreseeing it being used against him.

This isn't just party infighting. The ripple effects are significant. McCarthy needs Democratic votes to retain his position given the strength of his far-right opposition. But will Democrats lend a hand?

Previously they've been unanimous in supporting their own leader, Hakeem Jeffries, and McCarthy's actions, such as initiating an impeachment inquiry into Biden, haven't endeared him to the opposing party.

But if this bid fails, Gaetz threatens repeated removal attempts, a tactic rarely seen in the House's long history. If McCarthy were to be removed, the House would grind to a halt, unable to conduct legislative business.

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Former President Donald Trump's financial claims are now under a legal microscope. In a significant courtroom showdown, New York Attorney General Letitia James alleged that Trump, along with his adult sons and the Trump Organization, inflated their wealth by a whopping $2 billion to snag advantageous bank terms and bolster their public image.

Key highlights included attorney Kevin Wallace, representing the attorney general, emphasizing it's one thing to exaggerate in the media, but quite another to misrepresent in New York's business realm.

Outside the courtroom, Trump countered, lambasting both James and Judge Arthur Engoron, deeming the trial a politically motivated witch hunt.

If James can prove her case, Trump could face a staggering $250 million penalty and be barred from conducting business in New York.

With Trump's image as a business magnate at stake, the question arises, could this trial reshape the legacy of the Trump Organization and the Empire State?

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(AURN News) — A recent report by Bank of America has shed light on significant disparities in financial wellness and economic optimism among various ethnic groups here in the U.S. The 13th annual Workplace Benefits Report, titled "The Transforming Workplace," presented a worrisome increase in stress levels among respondents due to the cost of living outpacing wage growth. This major economic concern affected a substantial 67% of employees surveyed.

The report, which delves into trends related to wellness and workplace financial benefits, drew from a pool of over 1,300 employees representing nearly 800 companies. The findings reveal a disconcerting gap in financial wellness perception across ethnicities.

Bank of America's study showed that only 35% of Black respondents rated their financial wellness as good or excellent, in stark contrast to 61% of Asians, 44% of whites, and 40% of Hispanics who expressed a more positive outlook regarding their economic well-being.

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(AURN News) — After a three-year hiatus prompted by the pandemic student loan payments resumed on Sunday, leaving many Americans bewildered about the state of their student loan obligations.

The Biden administration's efforts to enact large, widespread student loan forgiveness were met with a setback in June when the Supreme Court rejected the program in a 6-3 decision. The President's proposal aimed to alleviate the burden of nearly $400 billion in student loans, a plan that, according to the White House, would have directed 90 percent of its benefits to those earning less than $75,000 a year.

The opposition to widespread loan forgiveness has been fervently voiced by Republicans in Congress and Republican Governors across the country, arguing that such forgiveness would constitute an unfair use of American tax dollars.

In the midst of an economy grappling with inflation, job losses, and slowed growth, the end of the student loan repayment pause has raised concerns about its overall potential impact on the already fragile economy. To address these concerns, a new initiative called Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) was unveiled in August, introducing an income and family size-based repayment plan.

Under SAVE, a certain number of years of payments can lead to loan forgiveness. The White House estimates that approximately 20 million borrowers stand to benefit from this program.

You can sign up at StudentAid.gov/SAVE.

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