DALLAS (AURN News) — The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has fallen to $3.05, according to AAA, marking a continued downward trend in fuel costs across the United States. The current price is a nine-cent decrease from last month's average of $3.14 and is also 20 cents lower than the $3.25 drivers paid during the same period last year. Regional prices vary significantly across states. In Texas, drivers are paying some of the lowest prices at $2.64 per gallon, while...

DALLAS (AURN News) — A stark racial divide in homeownership continues across America, with Black buyers representing just 7% of recent home purchases while white buyers account for 83%, according to the newly released National Association of Realtors Profile of Buyers and Sellers for 2024. This racial disparity comes amid broader challenges in housing accessibility, as first-time homebuyers have dropped to a historic low of 24% of all buyers. The financial barriers to entry continue to rise,...

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Scott Turner, a former NFL player and political leader, as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Turner will oversee housing policies impacting low- and moderate-income families, homeownership access, and housing discrimination cases. Turner previously served as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, where he worked on the Opportunity Zones programs, which reportedly helped to...

Today, President Joe Biden will pardon the National Thanksgiving turkey in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, marking the 77th anniversary of this beloved tradition. This year's lucky birds, Peach and Blossom, were introduced over the weekend by the National Turkey Federation. Raised on a Minnesota farm, the two birds spent the night at Washington's historic Willard Hotel before their big day. The president is expected to highlight the spirit of Thanksgiving, celebrate the...

In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart shares heartwarming updates just in time for the holidays. The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner in Los Angeles for women resettled in the U.S. from Afghanistan. Partnering with the charity Mina’s List, Meghan will cook traditional Afghan dishes before heading home to Montecito for a cozy holiday with Prince Harry and their children, Archie (5) and Lilibet (3). Tanya celebrates Meghan’s ongoing efforts to give back...

The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the convictions of former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett on Thursday, according to the Chicago Tribune. The court ruled that retrying Smollett after the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office dropped charges against him violated his rights. The decision ends years of legal battles surrounding Smollett’s 2019 claim of being attacked in Chicago, which was later deemed a hoax. Smollett was convicted in 2021 on five counts of disorderly conduct and sentenced...

In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart brings you the latest buzz from Hollywood and beyond. Olympic champion Simone Biles joins Snoop Dogg on an upcoming episode of The Voice, airing Monday. As a mentor in the playoff round, Biles teams up with Snoop to inspire contestants vying for a spot in the finals, emphasizing confidence as the key to success. It’s also a showdown at the box office this weekend with Wicked and Gladiator II battling it out, echoing last year’s “Barbenheimer”...

According to the Associated Press, President-elect Donald Trump has announced key Cabinet nominations, including billionaire wrestling mogul Linda McMahon as Education Secretary and Dr. Mehmet Oz as head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). McMahon has limited education experience but supports charter schools and school choice. Oz, a TV personality and former heart surgeon, ran an unsuccessful 2022 Senate campaign and is known for controversial medical claims. Trump also...

A bill nicknamed the "nonprofit killer" is barreling toward a vote in the House, and its implications are chilling. H.R. 9495, backed by House Republicans, would let President-elect Donald Trump revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofits deemed "terrorist-supporting" by the Treasury Department without due process. While the bill, known as the "Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act," claims to target terrorism, many civil rights advocates warn this measure could...

Could President-elect Donald Trump shake up the federal government even more? Well, it looks so with his new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Their goal? End remote work across federal agencies. The initiative aims to bring all federal employees back to the office full-time. Both Musk and Ramaswamy have voiced concerns about the number of government workers telecommuting. A source familiar with the...

President-elect Donald Trump has named Linda McMahon, co-founder of WWE and a close ally, as his pick for Education Secretary, sparking widespread concern. While McMahon has a background in business and a brief stint on Connecticut's Board of Education in 2009, her experience in public education is minimal and dismal. Trump has vowed to dismantle the Department of Education, leaving critical responsibilities like federal oversight and funding to state governments. Critics warned that this...

A Georgia appeals court has canceled oral arguments scheduled for Dec. 5 in the appeal of a ruling that allowed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting the election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press. Trump and other defendants had sought Willis’s removal, citing her past relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade as a conflict of interest. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March that no conflict...

In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart shares exciting news about Beyoncé’s upcoming live halftime performance during the Ravens-Texans NFL Christmas Day Game. Produced by her company, Parkwood Entertainment, in collaboration with Jesse Collins Entertainment, the performance will showcase songs from Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed country-infused album Cowboy Carter. This marks her first live performance of tracks from the album and promises to be a must-watch event. This performance is...

According to the Atlanta Black Star, the Palm Springs City Council unanimously approved a $5.9 million reparations settlement for Black and Latino families whose homes were destroyed 60 years ago during urban renewal efforts. Known as Section 14, the neighborhood was a thriving enclave of working-class residents, including chefs and maids, until city officials ordered homes demolished and burned to make way for luxury tourism. The settlement includes direct cash payments to an estimated 1,200...

In a move that signals a continuation of his close ties with right-leaning media personalities, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Sean Duffy, a former congressman and Fox Business host, as his nominee for Transportation Secretary. Duffy, who first rose to fame on MTV's "The Real World," follows fellow Fox host Pete Hegseth, who was nominated for the Defense Department. While Duffy's political background may resonate with Trump's base, his appointment raises concerns about how...

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Chris Wright, a fossil fuel executive with no government experience, to lead the Energy Department, signaling a major push to boost oil and gas. Wright opposes climate action, supports deregulating fossil fuels, and could roll back environmental protections that many Black communities rely on to combat pollution and health disparities. Critics warn this could increase toxic emissions in areas already plagued by environmental racism. Additionally,...

In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart honors the late Quincy Jones, who was posthumously awarded an Oscar at the 15th Annual Governor’s Awards in Hollywood. Though posthumous Oscars are rare, the recognition went forward since the announcement was made before Jones’ passing. His family accepted the award on his behalf, marking yet another groundbreaking moment in Jones’ legendary career. Tanya also dives into the latest about Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good, whose relationship has...

In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart gives the scoop on the highly anticipated Gladiator II, which explores the aftermath of Maximus Decimus Meridius’ journey to the Elysian Fields. The sequel introduces a new cast of characters, including Denzel Washington as Macrinus, a wealthy Roman power player with ambitions to control the empire. Denzel shares his experience working with director Ridley Scott, calling him a “master at the top of his form,” and jokes about watching co-star Paul...

Brendan Carr has been tapped by President-elect Trump to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, a current FCC commissioner, has pledged to dismantle what he calls the "censorship cartel" and overhaul how broadcast and tech media are regulated. Carr also co-authored the FCC section of the right-wing "Project 2025," which aims to target big tech, cut diversity and equity efforts, and consider pulling TV licenses for content deemed not in the public interest. Critics warn that...

The daughters of civil rights leader Malcolm X have filed a $100 million lawsuit against the CIA, FBI, New York Police Department, and other agencies, alleging involvement in his 1965 assassination. The lawsuit, filed Friday in Manhattan federal court, claims these agencies were aware of the assassination plot and failed to prevent it. The Malcolm X estate and family assert that prosecutors suppressed evidence of government involvement, stating that Malcolm X’s wife, Betty Shabazz, and their...

A scathing report from the U.S. Department of Justice has revealed dangerous and unconstitutional conditions at the Fulton County Jail, prompting widespread calls for reform. The 16-month investigation found severe overcrowding, broken toilets, rodent and roach infestations, and inadequate access to food and medical care. The report also highlighted instances of jail officers using force unjustifiably. Color of Change and other advocacy groups are calling for Fulton County Sheriff Patrick...

Dr. Margaree Seawright Crosby, a trailblazer and civil rights activist, passed away in Greenville, South Carolina, at age 82. She was the first African American woman to earn tenure as a professor at Clemson University’s College of Education. In 1960, Crosby made history as one of “The Greenville Eight,” participating in a pivotal sit-in at a segregated public library that advanced desegregation efforts. A fighter against Parkinson’s disease and a survivor of breast and ovarian cancer, Crosby...

"Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic—that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you will take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you, God?" "I swear." "Congratulations, you're now members of the 118th...

Denzel Washington recently revealed that a same-sex kiss he filmed for Gladiator II was cut from the final movie. Speaking with Gayety, Denzel jokingly referred to it as a “kiss of death,” as it occurred in a scene where his character kills someone moments later. Despite the edit, Denzel remains a favorite for award nominations for his role in this highly anticipated film. Reflecting on his future, Denzel shared that he plans to take on roles he hasn’t done before, including a return to...