AURN News

CNN announced on Monday a sweeping new lineup, elevating a new generation of rising stars to key time slots as they try to improve their lackluster ratings. It seems the network is attempting to recreate the viewership figures that came along with former President Donald Trump's term in the Oval Office.

CNN is coming out ahead of the 2024 presidential election cycle with two African American women leading the charge. The schedule reboot gives weeknight shows to Abby Phillip and Laura Coates. 

The three-letter network said that Phillip, who is the current host of "Inside Politics Sunday," will become an integral member of the network's special politics coverage in the coming months and will anchor a 10:00 PM primetime program out of New York. Laura Coates, the network's recently promoted chief legal analyst, will helm a show from Washington, D.C.

Congratulations to both of these women. They certainly deserve the bump up.

Loretta Jones, the wife of Bishop Noel Jones, pastor of the megachurch City of Refuge here in Los Angeles, was punched in the face and knocked unconscious by a random woman in an apparent unprovoked attack at their church on Sunday, according to L.A. Focus Magazine.

One witness said the woman walked up to the first lady and coldcocked her from out of nowhere. Security did detain the unnamed woman as she shouted something like, 'I did it because she gave my daughter cancer.' At least that's what I've heard. 

Anyway, the first lady was apparently transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. Her status remains unknown. I've been trying to find more on this story. The church has not issued any kind of a statement. 

But I find it very interesting that none of the other news outlets have picked up on this story.

By the way, Bishop Noel Jones is the twin brother of iconic entertainer, Grace Jones. 

We wish them all well over there. And you know what? I bet a lot of folks will turn up on Sunday though to see what's going on.

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(AURN News) — Scientists at City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment institution in California, have made a breakthrough in identifying a crucial cell metabolism process shared by men grappling with diabetes and metastatic prostate cancer. 

According to a press release, City of Hope says this discovery holds potential for enhanced diagnostic methods and treatments tailored to Black men, who face disproportionately high mortality rates from these conditions. 

Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in men, and troublingly, Black men exhibit a 70% higher likelihood of diagnosis compared to white men, with a mortality rate two to four times greater than other racial groups, as per the American Cancer Society's latest data. 

City of Hope's clinical trial, focusing on men of West African heritage, pinpointed four metabolism-related biomarkers connected to an elevated risk of metastatic prostate cancer, providing an essential stride toward more inclusive and effective medical solutions.

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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis charged former President Donald Trump in a sweeping case alleging a plot to overturn Georgia's 2020 election result.

The indictment outlines over 150 alleged acts with 12 of them being Trump's tweets. Five of these tweets referenced Georgia's legislature hearings, where Trump's allies spread baseless claims of election fraud.

Notable attorneys, including Rudy Giuliani, now face charges themselves. The indictment also emphasizes Trump's aggressive Twitter campaign against Georgia officials, notably Republican Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who stood firm against Trump's pressure to overturn the election.

Adding fuel to the fire, the indictment details Trump's pressure on former Vice President Mike Pence leading up to the January 6, 2021 capitol riot, with Trump urging Pence to reject electors and overturn the election results.

The indictment reads: "On January 5, 2021, Trump tweeted, 'The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors.'"

Could this indictment be the turning point in holding Trump accountable for challenging the integrity of that election?

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United States House Representative Maxine Waters, who represents California's 43rd congressional district, was born on August 15, 1938, in Kinloch, Missouri.

In her over four decades of public service, she has built a reputation for tackling tough and even controversial issues. As a member of California's State Assembly from 1976 to 1991, she spoke out against South Africa's apartheid government.

Waters was elected to the House of Representatives in 1991. In 1992, as Los Angeles was rocked following the verdict in Rodney King's beating case, she founded Community Build, the city’s grassroots rebuilding project.

In recent years, Waters was outspoken against former President Donald Trump, has called for a thorough investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection, and has been a longtime advocate against police brutality.

Happy 85th birthday, Rep. Maxine Waters.

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A grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, has indicted former President Donald Trump on 13 criminal charges, intensifying his legal battles related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.

This marks Trump's fourth indictment since leaving office. Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis announced the charges, which include solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery, false statements and writings, and violating the Georgia RICO Act, among others.

Eighteen other individuals, including his former attorney Rudy Giuliani and former chief of staff Mark Meadows, have been indicted alongside him. In total, 19 people have been ensnared in Willis' extensive investigation.

These 19 individuals, including Trump, must turn themselves over to Georgia authorities by August 25.

Trump announced a major news conference for Monday, August 21, at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He says he'll present a report from his team concerning unfounded claims that the presidential election results in Georgia were fraudulent.

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Clarence Avant, "The Black Godfather," has died. Clarence helped launch the careers or guide the careers of all kinds of folks like Quincy Jones, Bill Withers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and The S.O.S. Band among many others.

Avant died quietly at his home here in Los Angeles yesterday. He did always talk about the two pieces of advice he got from an early mentor, the music manager, Joe Glaser. He said, never let on how much you know and ask for as much money as possible without stuttering. Clarence did just that.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, shortly after his beloved wife, Jacqueline Avant, was murdered in their Beverly Hills home. Her death was mourned by Bill Clinton, Magic Johnson, all of us here in Hollywood, and so many other people around the world.

Nicole Avant, their daughter, always credited her mom and dad for being prominent philanthropists and bringing other family members into the love, passion, and importance of arts, culture, and entertainment.

Clarence Avant was one of a kind and will truly be missed. Our condolences go out to their children and to the entire Avant family.

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Wildfires in Hawaii that have ripped through Lahaina and Maui are being called the worst in U.S. history in a century. The death toll has reached nearly 100, with officials saying that that number is expected to rise.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said yesterday that he ordered a comprehensive review of what happened in the early hours. The damage across Maui amounts to close to $6 billion and at least 2,700 structures have been destroyed.

Green also said 35 additional members of an urban search and rescue team will be arriving along with 20 dogs to help sort through the rubble.

The fire is currently out but there are some hot spots. Wind gusts of up to about 81 miles per hour have been reported. One question that still needs to be answered: why did emergency sirens not sound to warn residents of the fire?

Meanwhile, Hawaii officials are urging tourists to avoid traveling to the area as hotels prepare to house evacuees.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (AURN News) — The Lupus Foundation of America has released a new study that focuses on African Americans. Research conducted under the Lupus AIM (Addressing Health Inequities in Minorities) program, and published in ACR Open Rheumatology, underscores factors including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, healthcare access, and social conditions. 

The study also highlights the disproportionate impact of lupus on Black populations, revealing higher risks of disease development and poorer health outcomes, including increased severity and mortality.

It also underscores disparities in healthcare affordability, accessibility, and neighborhood conditions as contributors to these health disparities. The study calls for further research to address the unique challenges faced by African Americans when it comes to lupus care.

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On August 14, 1966, Halle Berry was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a trailblazer in the entertainment industry who would go on to shatter barriers and set new standards, not just for Black actors but for the entire film industry.

She began her journey with small television roles and steadily worked her way up, in films like 1991's "Jungle Fever," 1992's "Boomerang" and playing Storm in the X-Men franchise.

In 2002, became the first and only Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role for the film "Monster's Ball." She is also a winner of an Emmy, SAG, two Golden Globe Awards, and five NAACP Image Awards.

Happy birthday to the one and only Halle Berry.

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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is set to present her case to a grand jury this week against former President Trump and others concerning their efforts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results. This could lead to Trump's fourth felony indictment.

The former president has been charged in three other cases and has consistently pled not guilty. Willis is reportedly eyeing charges against over a dozen individuals with evidence such as text messages and emails connecting them to a voting system breach in Georgia in early January 2021.

Among the potential charges are conspiracy and racketeering. A key element is Trump's audio tape plea to Georgia election officials to "find 11,780 votes," just one more than needed to flip the state in his favor.

While Trump and his allies anticipate charges this week, Trump has recently attempted to discredit Willis, labeling her, a Black woman, as a racist. However, this defense strategy likely isn't going to be enough on its own.

Geoff Duncan, the former lieutenant governor of Georgia, is set to give closed-door testimony to the grand jury at the Fulton County Courthouse on Tuesday after he was subpoenaed to testify. On CNN on Saturday, Duncan stated, "Let’s hear the truth and nothing but the truth about Donald Trump’s actions and the surrounding cast of characters around him."

He also posted on X, stating: "I can confirm that I have been requested to testify before the Fulton County grand jury on Tuesday. I look forward to answering their questions around the 2020 election. Republicans should never let honesty be mistaken for weakness."

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