AURN News

On September 8, 1954, civil rights activist Ruby Bridges was born. Ruby's name has become synonymous with courage and resilience, as she fearlessly became the first African American child to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960.

Her brave steps through the doors of an elementary school, flanked by federal marshals, marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, challenging segregation and inspiring change.

Ruby's unwavering commitment to education and her advocacy for equality continues to inspire generations, reminding us that even the smallest individuals can spark monumental change.

Happy 69th birthday to a true hero, Ruby Bridges.

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FBI Director Christopher Wray pulled no punches as he sent out a stern warning that the number of Russian spies in the U.S. is alarmingly high and still a pressing concern.

Speaking at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., Wray emphasized that despite expelling 60 Russian diplomats in 2018 for suspected espionage, the U.S. is still grappling with what he calls a traditional counterintelligence threat.

It's not just traditional intelligence officers. Wray also highlighted how Russia uses other individuals to aid its operations, citing the arrest of a Mexican national last year.

The sharp warning comes at a time when many consider Cold War-style espionage a thing of the past. But Wray's message is clear: Russia's spy game on American soil is far from over, which begs the question: What more can be done to curb this ongoing counterintelligence threat?

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There is an update on the Georgia election subversion case involving former President Donald Trump. Trump's legal team formally notified the judge that they may seek to move the case from state to federal court. Why? Federal jurisdictions could allow Trump to invoke immunity protections tied to his duties as a federal official, potentially getting the charges dropped.

But the clock is ticking, Trump has 30 days from his August 31 arraignment, where he entered a not guilty plea to make this move.

It's not just about legal technicalities. It's about the jury. If the case remains in state court, jurors will come from Fulton County, a region that heavily favors President Biden.

Federal courts would widen the jury pool to a 10-county area around Atlanta -- still Biden territory -- but their team may believe they may be able to stand a better chance.

So the question is, if a change in venue is granted, could it shift the outcome for Trump?

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On September 7, 1917, legendary painter Jacob Lawrence was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He became a pioneer in the realm of African American art and an influential figure in the broader world of modern art.

Raised in Harlem, New York, during the cultural explosion of the Harlem Renaissance, he was exposed to a community of artists. This environment served as a wellspring of inspiration for his work, which often depicted the everyday lives of Black people.

One of Lawrence's most renowned series of paintings is "The Migration Series," completed in 1941. This collection of 60 paintings masterfully chronicled the Great Migration, a massive movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North in the early 20th century.

In 1941, Lawrence married painter Gwendolyn Knight. They remained married until his death in Seattle in 2000.

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More on the Trump election case out of Georgia: Special prosecutor Nathan Wade announced plans to call at least 150 witnesses in the sweeping case that implicates former President Donald Trump and 18 others on racketeering and various other charges.

During a recent hearing in Fulton County, Wade estimated that if all 19 co-defendants are tried together, the trial would last a whopping four months, not including the time it takes for jury selection.

Lawyers for co-defendants Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell are trying to sever their case from the larger pool, aiming for a speedy trial this fall. However, Trump and other defendants say they're not ready for such an expedited timeline.

District Attorney Fani Willis wants to see everyone tried together, but will that strategy work, especially when co-defendants are trying to split off?

This case has potential implications for electoral politics and justice itself. The question is, with a lineup of 150 witnesses, what impact do you think this case will have on the broader political landscape?

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(AURN News) — There’s a concerning spike in COVID-19 cases across the United States, as the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) paints a grim picture. Hospitalizations have surged by 15.7 percent during the week ending August 26th, compared to the preceding week, while COVID-related deaths have risen by a staggering 17.6 percent within the same timeframe.

The CDC has also identified the emergence of the new variant, known as “BA.2.86,” as a potential contributor to the escalating infections. Their ongoing efforts to monitor and combat the virus's mutations have included extensive wastewater testing to pinpoint areas of spread and infection. 

The CDC also reports that approximately 97% of the U.S. population possesses antibodies against COVID. This immunity has been achieved through vaccination, prior infections, or a combination of both, known as hybrid immunity.

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(AURN News) — Despite a slight uptick in the number of mortgage applications, mortgage rates in the United States have surged to levels not seen in more than two decades. According to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey, the volume of mortgage loan applications increased by a modest 2.3 percent for the week ending August 25th.

In a recent press release, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) emphasized that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is holding steady at a staggering 7.32 percent – a level not seen since December 2000. The MBA also noted a stark contrast in application figures, revealing that they have plummeted by 27 percent compared to the previous year, primarily due to the combination of soaring rates and a constrained housing inventory.

“Mortgage applications for home purchases and refinances increased for the first time in five weeks but remained at low levels. Purchase applications increased but were still 27 percent lower than a year ago, as elevated mortgage rates and tight housing inventory continue to weigh on home buying activity,” Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist, stated in the release.

The unrelenting surge in mortgage rates, coupled with the escalating cost of homes, has further exacerbated the challenges faced by prospective homeowners. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reveals that the average home price in the United States has soared to $416,100, while Forbes reports that the national average salary stands at $59,428.

The current economic landscape presents a major obstacle for individuals and families aspiring to own homes, as the housing market grapples with unprecedented financial constraints and soaring inflation. With mortgage rates stubbornly high and housing affordability increasingly out of reach, the road to homeownership remains fraught with hurdles for many Americans.

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Reverend Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump are uniting their voices this Friday in a national call for justice. Sharpton will deliver the eulogy for Angela Carr, a 52-year-old mother of three and grandmother of 14, tragically slain in the Jacksonville Dollar General shooting last month.

The shooting, investigated as a hate crime by the Department of Justice, occurred in a predominantly Black community. The gunman, after being turned away from Edwards Waters University, a historically Black college, targeted the store, ending the lives of three individuals.

Carr, an Uber driver who had just completed her last trip, was shot 11 times, leading her family to opt for a closed casket service. The attack unfolded while Rev. Sharpton led the March on Washington, intensifying national outrage over continued racial violence and white supremacist acts targeting Black Americans.

We're left asking, in a country still grappling with racial injustice, what actions will finally put an end to such heartbreaking loss?

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Singer Sylvester James was born on September 6, 1947. Sylvester was a singer, songwriter, and performer known for his contributions to the disco and dance music genres.

Rising to prominence in the disco era of the 1970s and 1980s, Sylvester crafted a unique and unforgettable sound that resonated with audiences worldwide. His chart-topping hit, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," remains a timeless anthem of self-expression and liberation.

Tragically, Sylvester's life was cut short when he passed away at the age of 41 in 1988, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of music and an enduring influence on the LGBTQ+ community.

On what would have been his 76th birthday, we celebrate Sylvester's enduring impact on the world of music and beyond.

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In a seismic moment in the ongoing investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys, was hit with a 22-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy.

It marked the harshest penalty thus far in the DOJ's extensive probe. Prosecutors originally pushed for a 33-year sentence.

Tarrio has been in custody since last year, and though he wasn't physically at the Capitol, he's been called the primary organizer by the prosecution. District Judge Timothy Kelly cited Tarrio as the ultimate leader, motivated by revolutionary zeal.

His co-defendants received sentences ranging from 10 to 18 years. So what sets him apart? Tarrio took to social media calling for a civil war and even declared, "No Trump…No peace. No Quarter." During the riot, he gloated, "Make no mistake. We did this."

The defense argued that Tarrio was a misguided patriot. So will this heavy sentence set the bar for accountability or is it just the tip of the iceberg?

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