AURN News

In a bold move to tackle student loan challenges, the Biden administration has launched a dedicated website for its income-driven student loan repayment plan. Said to resume in October after a pandemic-induced pause, student loan payments have been a pressing concern.

Eligible students can apply for the newly introduced program, which aims to make monthly loan payments more manageable for some borrowers and reduce their overall repayment burden.

With simplicity at its core, the new website streamlines the process. Borrowers only need to apply once, eliminating the need for yearly applications. The enrollment process takes around 10 minutes, making it quick and efficient for federal student loan borrowers.

The plan is set to be in full effect by July 1, 2024. It halves payments on undergraduate loans and ensures borrowers won't see their balance grow if they keep up with the required payments.

For borrowers earning less than $15 an hour, no payment will be required.

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President Biden on Friday signed an executive order that will bring about historic military justice reform. The order transfers key decision-making powers from military commanders to independent prosecutors in cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, murder, and serious offenses. It marks the most significant transformation of the military justice system since 1950.

The ordered changes aim to protect victims and ensure decisions are independent of the chain of command, a turning point for gender-based violence survivors in the military, and fulfilling a key promise from Biden.

Reforms include rules by which the board of independent military prosecutors, or Offices of Special Trial Counsel, will function, modernized court procedures promoting fairness and victim protection, and uniform evidence standards for non-judicial punishment actions.

The executive action builds on recommendations from an independent review commission on sexual assault in the military, and strengthens the military's response to domestic violence and sexual harassment.

The president's bold move makes the military safer and more just, representing a historic leap toward ending gender-based violence in the military.

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Fort Worth, TX - Bank of America has given a $1M grant to the National Juneteenth Museum in Texas. The planned 50,000-square-foot center, set to open in June 2025, looks to serve as a hub for economic and cultural growth. 

It will not only house a diverse collection of artifacts but also host guest lectures, community events, and performances in its state-of-the-art 250-seat amphitheater. The site will also include a food hall and expansive green space.

The museum aims to ignite innovation and creativity through its business incubator. Its location in the Historic Southside neighborhood is very important and highlights its commitment to preserving history and shaping a brighter future for Fort Worth and the country.

For more information, visit the National Juneteenth Museum website.

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On July 28, 1868, a pivotal moment in American history occurred as the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was officially declared and ratified.

The amendment, encapsulated in a certificate signed by the Secretary of State, received the necessary approval from 28 out of the 37 states at the time, solidifying its place as a fundamental part of the nation's supreme law.

The 14th Amendment, among its significant provisions, granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all individuals born or naturalized in the United States, regardless of race or ethnicity.

This groundbreaking change marked a critical step in advancing civil rights and promoting equality in the country, making it a cornerstone of the American legal system.

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The Justice Department has launched a sweeping investigation into the Memphis Police Department following the tragic death of Tyre Nichols, the Black man who succumbed to injuries after a brutal police encounter in January.

The investigation seeks to determine whether Memphis PD has been engaging in discriminatory policing and violating constitutional rights through excessive use to force searches and arrests.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke announced the inquiry based on publicly available information and emphasized everyone's right to non-discriminatory policing. The probe is distinct from a federal criminal civil rights investigation into the officers directly linked to Nichols' death, which spurred citywide protests.

The officers charged, all members of the special Scorpion Unit, face charges of second-degree murder among others and have pled not guilty.

Amid the investigation, federal officials are set to create guidelines to help mayors and police chiefs decide when specialized units should be formed.

This marks the ninth such investigation into law enforcement misconduct by the Justice Department during the Biden administration. But whether this investigation brings about much-needed police reform is yet to be determined.

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The U.S. Postal Service is honoring the life and legacy of Georgia Congressman John Lewis and his work in the Civil Rights Movement with a special Forever Stamp. The dedication ceremony took place last week at Morehouse College. This is a special moment in Lewis’ legacy as he was a dedicated stamp collector, in fact, he always made sure to obtain stamps on the first day they were released.

The stamp features a photograph of Lewis taken by Marco Grob for Time Magazine in 2013, with his name at the bottom and "USA" and "Forever" in the top left corner. It was designed by USPS art director Derry Noyes.

Lewis is known for his tireless work during the Civil Rights Movement. He also served as chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, also known as SNCC, and delivered a memorable speech during the 1963 March on Washington. He served over 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, fighting for civil rights causes, and was known as "the conscience of the Congress."

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Rudy Giuliani has conceded in a court filing that he made false and defamatory statements about two Black Georgia election workers while serving as former President Donald Trump’s lawyer to dispute the results of the 2020 presidential election.

As The Washington Post reports, Giuliani’s lawyer underscored that the former New York City mayor does not admit to the allegations in the federal defamation lawsuit against him by Fulton County, Ga., ballot counters Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss.

Instead, his concession is a legal maneuver to speed up the litigation. Giuliani argues in the new court filing that his false claims are constitutionally protected speech under the First Amendment that did not damage the mother and daughter.

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Today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day, a crucial highlight of the racial and gender wage gap in our nation. Among full-time year-round workers, Black women typically earn a meager 67 cents for every dollar paid to white non-Hispanic men.

This egregious wage gap cost black women a staggering $907,000 over a 40-year career. The chasm deepens further when we include part-time and part-year workers. They earned just 64 cents for every dollar.

Despite increasing educational attainment, Black women grapple with persistent occupational segregation and wage gaps that permeate all occupations. For instance, even with a doctorate degree, a Black woman working full-time typically earns only 65 cents for every dollar a white non-Hispanic man makes, representing an annual loss exceeding $53,000.

The solution lies in challenging racism, sexism, and structural inequalities, public investments, and public policies that ensure Black women are paid what they're owed while standing together for wage parody.

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In an unexpected development, Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, pleaded not guilty to federal tax charges. This comes after a plea deal Biden reached with the government was derailed due to concerns from U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika.

Biden had been expected to plead guilty to two charges of failure to pay taxes under the plea agreement. The judge, however, challenged the terms, expressing concern over the proposed separation of tax charges and a gun possession charge, and the judiciary's role in overseeing the deal.

Judge Noreika pushed both parties to reconvene and provide further clarity. In a courtroom filled with tension and disagreement, Biden is expected to reverse his plea if a new agreement is reached or if the information presented satisfies the judge.

The judge also scrutinized the potential for the plea deal to shield Biden from prosecution regarding his financial and tax issues. The judge is seeking additional information on the reasoning behind the terms of the agreement.

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LeBron "Bronny" James Jr., the son of NBA star LeBron James, suffered cardiac arrest while practicing in Los Angeles on Monday and was taken to the hospital for treatment. He has since been released from the intensive care unit but remains in the hospital.

Plus, former President Barack Obama's personal chef has drowned near the family home on Martha's Vineyard. State police confirmed that a paddle border whose body was recovered from Edgartown Great Harbor on Monday was Tafari Campbell. The 45-year-old lived in Virginia.

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