AURN News

The MTV Video Music Awards are back and for the first time in history, only women are nominated in the show's Artist of the Year category. Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Karol G, and Shakira are contenders for the night's biggest prize.

Well, this morning the VMAs announced its final round of presenters, which include A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Ashante, Billy Porter, Chloe Bailey, Dove Cameron, Fat Joe, Halle Bailey, Nelly Furtado, Tiffany Haddish, Timberland, and Wyclef Jean. It's going to be a good show.

It takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It will be hosted by Nicki Minaj. Now, last year, she emceed alongside Lil Wayne and Jack Harlow. This year, she is solo. Because, like I said, it is definitely the year of women.

Well, the show also will celebrate 50 years of hip hop with a star-studded, multi-generational finale performance. And by the way, Diddy will receive the Global Icon Award and perform at the VMAs for the first time since 2005. He will become the third recipient of the award, following the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Foo Fighters. It should be, like I said, a great show.

Jussie Smollett's drawn-out legal saga has a new chapter. It began this week, as an Illinois appeals court will hear the oral arguments that the former Empire actor's convictions for staging a racist homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and then lying about it to the Chicago police should be just tossed out.

If the appeal before the Chicago-based First District Appellate Court fails, Smollett would have to finish his 150-day stint in jail that his trial judge ordered during his 2022 sentencing.

Smollett spent six days in jail before his release, pending the outcome of the appeal. There are a lot of things that they are appealing among the long list of arguments in the 76-page written appeal. But the main thing is his lawyers say he has already performed community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond as a part of the 2019 deal with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office to drop the initial charges.

Yep, remember that part of it? They had dropped the charges, and then they came back. Who knows?

In any case, Jussie will be back in court in Chicago. I know he will be really happy when this chapter of his life is over.

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DALLAS, TX (AURN News) — Dr. Tony Evans, 74, the renowned pastor and author, has shared the joyous news of his engagement during a heartfelt service at the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. The announcement came on Sunday morning, when Dr. Evans was joined by his four children to deliver the news to his congregation.

Dr. Evans, who holds the distinction of being the first Black author of a study bible and a commentary, revealed that he is now engaged to Dr. Carla Crummie, hailing from Atlanta. Dr. Crummie has been an integral part of Dr. Evans' ministry, "The Urban Alternative," serving as a Kindness Ambassador.

The congregation was moved by Dr. Evans' announcement, coming nearly four years after the passing of his beloved wife, Lois, in 2019. Mrs. Evans had battled gallbladder cancer, and the couple had shared a remarkable marriage lasting 49 and a half years.

During the service, Dr. Evans expressed his gratitude to his congregation for their unwavering support during the challenging times of grief. "I want to just thank so many of you who have been grievers with us and allowed us to grieve with you in some of your times. And so that’s part of life, it’s outside of our hands, we had to put it in the hands of sovereign God," he said. "God in His sovereignty has brought someone into my life," he added. 

This announcement marks a new chapter in the life of this esteemed pastor and author, as he embarks on a journey of love and companionship with Dr. Crummie. The news of their engagement has been met with warm wishes and congratulations on social media from the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship community and beyond, as Pastor Tony Evans embraces this new season of life.

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There is a major development in the police case that has rocked Memphis. Five officers linked to the deadly beating of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols are now facing federal indictments.

Officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith are being charged with several counts, including deprivation of rights.

The beating of Nichols occurred in January following a traffic stop and a brief foot chase. Nichols was violently beaten, suffering injuries that later led to his death in the hospital. The officers, who have already pleaded not guilty to state charges, are also staring down a federal civil lawsuit.

The Justice Department and the FBI are set to hold news conferences to announce the charges. The question is, what kind of turning point could this be in police accountability, if at all?

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A shift in criminal justice is taking place in Illinois, making it the first state in the U.S. to abolish cash bail. Starting September 18, the Land of Lincoln will become a testing ground for pre-trial fairness.

A judge will now have to rigorously review each case before deciding who stays behind bars.

Why is this a big deal? Let's talk numbers. A 2022 federal report showed that Black men received bail amounts 35 percent higher than white men. Nearly 74 percent of the 631,000 people jailed daily in the U.S. haven't even been tried yet.

Critics have called the system a cousin to slavery, disproportionately affecting Black and brown communities. Opponents warn that without cash bail, more defendants may skip court appearances.

But New Jersey's switch to a risk assessment model suggests otherwise. Rates of new criminal charges and no-shows in court remained steady.

Illinois' criminal justice system is boldly marching into new territory.

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin has settled his lawsuit against Marriott International. In February, Irvin filed a lawsuit against Marriott and six others alleging that a hotel employee at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel falsely accused him of misconduct during the week of the Super Bowl. 

After the alleged incident became public, Irvin was removed from covering the NFL for ESPN. According to Irvin’s account, the interaction with the hotel employee was minimal.

Irvin vehemently denied any wrongdoing and no criminal charges were ever filed over the incident.

Irvin is now an analyst on NFL Network's "GameDay."

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As America marks the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, New York City officials broke ground using science to identify two more victims. A man and a woman -- their names kept confidential for family privacy -- have been identified through cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology.

This marks a major leap after two decades of inconclusive results. The development also amplifies Mayor Eric Adams' statement that the city's mission to reunite the missing with their families is unyielding.

The man was identified using remains found back in 2001, and the woman from remains discovered in 2001, 2006, and 2013. It's the first identification since last September, underscoring the city's relentless quest for answers.

As the nation pays homage today, it's a bittersweet reminder that around 40 percent of those who perished still remain unidentified.

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The American Red Cross issued an urgent call for action this week, warning of a critical shortage in the national blood supply that poses a significant threat to the healthcare of patients across the country, particularly those in the Black community who rely on life-saving blood transfusions to manage sickle cell disease. 

With the blood supply dwindling by nearly 25 percent since early August and a series of natural disasters in recent months, the situation has become increasingly dire, according to a press release from the organization.

The Red Cross reports a surge in blood drive cancelations and a substantial decrease in blood and platelet donations in regions affected by recent catastrophes. August witnessed a big decline in donor turnout – a staggering 30,000-donation deficit for the month.

September is also designated as Sickle Cell Awareness Month, drawing attention to the importance of raising awareness about the more than 100,000 people in the United States grappling with the disease. The majority are of African descent and depend on regular blood transfusions to manage their condition.

The Red Cross is now launching a campaign titled "Joined by Blood" throughout September and October. The initiative involves collaborations with prominent organizations within the Black community, including 100 Black Men of America and Kier's Hope Foundation. 

One in three African-American blood donors is a compatible match for individuals with sickle cell disease. For more information on how to donate blood or get involved in the "Joined by Blood" campaign, head to the American Red Cross website.

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Taraji P. Henson, known for her extraordinary talent and captivating performances, celebrates her 53rd birthday today. Born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C., she first garnered widespread recognition for her role in the critically acclaimed film "Baby Boy" (2001).

However, it was her iconic portrayal of Cookie Lyon in the hit television series "Empire," from 2015 to 2020, that truly solidified her status as an industry powerhouse. Cookie Lyon earned Henson numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe.

Her filmography also includes memorable performances in 2016's "Hidden Figures" and 2008's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" for which she earned an Oscar nomination.

Happy birthday to the one and only Taraji P. Henson!

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The FDA is on the cusp of green-lighting new COVID-19 booster shots by Pfizer and Moderna as early as this week. With colder months ahead, the approval comes just in time.

These shots are no longer just boosters, but rather part of an annual immunization effort, similar to a flu shot. These boosters are targeted against the latest variants and will land on shelves alongside seasonal flu vaccines.

But despite millions of doses set to roll out nationwide, demand remains uncertain. Last year, only 20 percent of U.S. adults received updated COVID shots. Will this year be any different?

Now about your pocket; don't worry. If you have private insurance or government coverage, you're covered. But what about the 23 million uninsured Americans?

Plans are in place to offer shots through local clinics and pharmacies. Both Moderna and Pfizer are also stepping up to donate doses.

So, the question remains, will you roll up your sleeves and get armed against COVID and the flu at the same time?

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(AURN News) — Inflation-weary consumers are bracing for another financial hit as GasBuddy, a leading fuel price tracking platform, warns of an imminent surge in gas prices. According to GasBuddy's predictions, gas prices are set to skyrocket over the next couple of days, with increases ranging from 50 cents to one dollar per gallon.

The impending price hike is expected to hit several states hard, including Oklahoma, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Kansas. GasBuddy attributes this sudden spike to a refinery outage. In a press release issued this week, GasBuddy urged consumers to take immediate action by filling up their tanks now to avoid the impending surge in prices. 

In recent months, increasing inflation rates have been a cause for concern among consumers across the country. The strain on household budgets has become more palpable as prices for essential goods and services continue to climb.

While GasBuddy's forecast focuses on specific regions, it serves as a broader indicator of the ongoing volatility in the energy market. Factors such as supply disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and fluctuating oil prices can all contribute to sudden price spikes at the pump. 

The big takeaway? Fill up now to save.

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