AURN News

Former President Donald Trump's surrender in Georgia could look a little different. In a developing story, the former president facing criminal charges in Fulton County is a unique situation, as he and his associates have until August 25 to voluntarily surrender.

Well known for its deplorable conditions, the Fulton County Jail is under civil rights investigation by the U.S. Justice Department. Normally, defendants face a lengthy booking process here, but Trump's status complicates the matter significantly.

While Fulton County officials, including Sheriff Patrick Labat, insist that Trump and his associates will be processed like any other defendant, the security requirements for a former president are unprecedented.

Trump's team is in negotiations with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis about the logistics of his surrender and potential release terms.

If Trump and his co-defendants don't secure a bond agreement before surrendering, they could be held in custody just like other defendants.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a historic move signaling the gravity of Asia's security landscape, President Biden is hosting South Korea's President and Japan's Prime Minister at Camp David this Friday. 

The trilateral summit is the first of its kind under Biden and marks the first time foreign leaders have been invited into the storied presidential retreat.

The three democratic nations are coming together amid shared deep concerns over China's expansion pursuits in military, technology, and diplomacy, as well as the nuclear threats emanating from North Korea. 

The South Korean and Japanese leadership, while navigating domestic pressures, are engaging in what the White House has termed "courageous diplomacy." The two nations aim to resolve longstanding grievances, a crucial step in presenting a united front.

Key commitments are expected to emerge from the summit, including a "duty to consult" crisis hotline between the three nations. The hotline, official stress, is a measure of preparation, not a signal of aggression.

Furthermore, the leaders are poised to release a statement emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Washington, D.C. (AURN News) — As anticipation builds for next week’s GOP Presidential debate, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has released a new video called “It’s Game Time,” showcasing highlights of his campaign's initial months. 

“I’m gonna stick with restoring hope, creating opportunities, and protecting the America we love,” Scott is heard saying in the video.

The video drop comes in preparation for the highly anticipated debate, scheduled to be broadcast live on Fox News on Wednesday. It emphasizes Scott's message of presenting his commitment to conservative leadership. 

“I look forward to sharing my positive, optimistic message on the GOP Debate stage in Milwaukee. Republicans are ready for conservative leadership with a backbone, one that will crush the cartels, stand up to China, and protect the America we all love,” Scott stated in a press release from his campaign.

With the countdown to the debate underway, political observers and voters at large will be closely watching Senator Scott as he prepares to present his vision to the nation in the first debate. He still lags behind the other GOP contenders according to polling averaged together by FiveThirtyEight.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Georgia, grand jurors who voted to indict former President Trump and 18 co-defendants on a combined 41 charges under the state's RICO Act are now under siege after their names were publicly listed in the indictment as required by Georgia Law.

They've been targeted with threats and a barrage of racist comments online, far-right forums and social media platforms, including the platform formerly known as Twitter, have become a hotbed for such threats, with some users going so far as to post the juror's personal addresses.

Fulton County officials, including district attorney Fani Willis, aren't immune. They're receiving violent and racist threats as well.

In response, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, is taking these threats seriously.

Natalie Ammons, the communications director for the sheriff's office, emphasized their commitment to responding swiftly to credible threats and ensuring the safety of these participants.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Miami, dozens of teachers, students, and labor leaders are standing up and speaking out. They marched to the Miami School District headquarters Wednesday to protest Florida's new standards for teaching Black history.

One particular point of contention is a requirement for middle school teachers to instruct students that enslaved people develop skills, which in some instances could be applied for their personal benefit. Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 GOP presidential nominee, is defending the new curriculum.

The protestors started from Miami's historically Black Overton neighborhood, demanding the truth in education with chants like "What do we want? Truth. When do we want it? Now."

This battle comes after a string of controversial moves by the DeSantis administration, including blocking a new advanced placement course on African American studies earlier this year and pushing through the Stop Woke Act, a law that limits discussions on race in schools.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In response to the devastating wildfires affecting Maui and the island of Hawaii, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is stepping up in a big way. Today they've announced a robust package of regulatory and administrative waivers aimed at fast-tracking the island's recovery.

The move follows HUD's initial support in the wake of the fires, reinforcing the agency's commitment to the residents of Hawaii.

The relief package is comprehensive, extending across several key HUD programs, including the Community Development Block Grant and home investment partnerships, among others.

So what does this mean on the ground? In practice, these waivers enable more flexible use of federal funds, including paying for emergency food and water, constructing new housing in disaster-stricken areas, easing tenant-based rental assistance requirements, and more, all via a new streamlined notification process designed to help where it's needed faster.

The critical question is, as these funds are unlocked and deployed, will they be the turning point that these communities need to rise from the ashes?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A man involved in the riverboat brawl in Montgomery, Ala. is having his legal fees covered via a GoFundMe page.

After Reggie Ray, the Alabama man who authorities accuse of swinging a folding chair at several people during the brawl, was released from jail on Aug. 12, a GoFundMe was launched to help pay his expenses. The 42-year-old, who was charged with disorderly conduct, has now raised over $288,000. 

The now infamous riverfront brawl was sparked when a group of white boaters refused to move their small boat from a docking spot.

When Dameion Pickett, the boat's co-captain, attempted to speak with the boaters about moving their pontoon boat, he was attacked by several people. In response, several bystanders came to Pickett’s defense which resulted in an all-out brawl.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Washington, D.C. (AURN News) - As the new academic year commences, Howard University welcomes Dr. Ben Vinson III, an accomplished scholar with a profound commitment to advancing the representation and exploration of the African diaspora within educational institutions.

In a press release issued back in May, Howard announced the appointment of Dr. Vinson as its 18th president, a position that embodies his passion for both academia and diversity.

Dr. Vinson's journey has come full circle, leading him back to the city that shaped his intellectual and personal growth during his high school years and subsequent academic pursuits. With a rich history in Washington, including his role as a professor and dean at various universities in the area, Dr. Vinson's return is marked by his desire to blend his academic interests with the vibrant atmosphere of a renowned historically Black institution.

Vinson's appointment is met with anticipation and enthusiasm, as the Howard community and the broader academic world eagerly await the innovative contributions he will undoubtedly bring to the presidency. His unique blend of scholarly expertise, administrative experience, and personal connection to Howard's legacy positions him to lead the institution into a new era of excellence.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today marks one year since President Biden signed his historic Inflation Reduction Act into law, a pivotal step in climate action and clean energy investment in America. In just 12 months, the act is making a significant difference, particularly for underserved communities and workers across the nation.

To date, over 170,000 clean energy jobs have been created with the promise of 1.5 million additional jobs expected over the next decade, according to outside estimates.

In a massive commitment to renewable energy, companies have announced $110 billion in new clean energy manufacturing investments just this year.

In a significant win for healthcare, nearly 15 million people are now saving an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums, and seniors on Medicare are benefiting from a $35 per month cap on insulin costs.

As we celebrate this milestone, one must ask, how will this act continue to shape America's clean energy landscape and further bridge the equity gap for communities across the nation?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artist Georg Elliot Olden featured a broken chain on the first African American-designed stamp to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was first made available to the public on August 16, 1963.

Olden's careful attention to detail and symbolic representation captured the essence of the occasion, serving as a powerful reminder of the progress made and the challenges that lay ahead in the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

Olden’s design was praised by then President John F. Kennedy as “a reminder of the extraordinary actions in the past as well as the business of the future,” reports the Professional Association for Design.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices