Dr. Dre attends a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Hollywood Live: R. Kelly could get that retrial | Dr. Dre gets his Hollywood Walk of Fame star

R. Kelly’s lawyer told an appeals court yesterday that all kinds of legitimate organizations, even college fraternities, could be deemed racketeering organizations under a law used to convict the R&B superstar at his Brooklyn trial of sexually abusing young fans. Now, this lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, is seeking to reverse R. Kelly’s 2021 convictions or win him a new trial. She tried to convince him. Three judges in a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan that prosecutors improperly used a racketeering statute written to shut down organized crime to go after the singer. She said it wasn’t fair that prosecutors charged R. Kelly with leading a racketeering influence and corrupt organization known as RICO from 1994 to 2018 and this is the law that they used to convict him. Ooh! Could it be true? Maybe the fat lady hasn’t sung on the R. Kelly situation yet. Stay tuned.

And Dr. Dre got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was unveiled on Tuesday. You know, Dre is known for his career as a performer, producer, founder, and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics and co-founder and president of Death Row Records. Well, Snoop Dogg was on hand along with music impresario Jimmy Iovine. And by the way, the star is right next to Snoop’s, right in front of the El Capitan Entertainment Center. Dre’s star is the 2,775th star since the completion of the Walk of Fame back in 1961. You know, Dre has always said he was inspired by the 1981 single Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel. Oh, I do remember that one. Anyway, after hearing that, he went on to be a DJ himself and he frequently attended a club called Eve’s After Dark. Now, this was over in the Willowbrook section of Compton. He would watch many DJs perform, and then when he became one himself, he was known as Dr. J, the nickname of his favorite basketball player, Julius Irving. Well, he later became Dr. Dre based on his first name and Irving’s nickname. How about that? Things that you just need to know. And congratulations to Dr. Dre for all of the work he’s done in the community.

And for all these stories and a whole lot more, don’t forget to follow Tanya Hart on social media @tanyahollywood and @aurnonline.


Click play to hear the Hollywood Live report from Tanya Hart:

Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., waves to the crowd gathered in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, for a rally announcing Lieberman as Gore's running mate. Behind Lieberman are from left Tipper Gore, Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Al Gore and Hadassah Lieberman. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Former Senator Joe Lieberman Passes Away

Joel Lieberman, known for his groundbreaking role as the first Jewish vice presidential candidate and a distinguished tenure in the U.S. Senate, has passed away at 82 surrounded by his loved ones due to complications from a fall.

His career was marked by significant moments such as his nomination alongside Al Gore in the 2000 election and his stance on various key issues positioning him as a centrist within the Democratic Party.

Lieberman’s commitment to bipartisanship and his independent streak led him to support the Iraq war, causing a rift within his party and leading to his independence and a victory in 2006. Lieberman’s political journey was also notable for his support of Republican John McCain in 2008, showcasing his cross-party alliances.

The dedication to his Orthodox Jewish faith alongside a career advocating for important issues like environmental protection and health care reform underscored his unique position in American politics. His loss is felt across the political spectrum with tributes acknowledging his service and impact on American political life.


Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.

FILE - In this March 30, 1968 file photo, Tennessee National Guard troopers in jeeps and trucks escort a protest march by striking Memphis sanitation workers through downtown Memphis, Tenn. A historic strike by the Memphis, Tenn., sanitation workers union drew the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to the city where he was assassinated. (AP Photo, File)

On this day in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. journeyed to Memphis to support Black sanitation workers

On March 28, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. journeyed to Memphis, Tennessee, to support Black sanitation workers in their quest for dignity and fair treatment. He led a march of 6,000 people in solidarity with their cause, which unfortunately escalated into violence. Tragically, one person lost their life, while 50 were injured, and hundreds were detained.

As the procession advanced through the iconic Beale Street, some young Black individuals began vandalizing storefronts. When they reached a critical juncture, fellow freedom rider James Lawson observed a significant police presence in riot gear, prompting concern for King’s safety. Lawson persuaded him to depart the scene to avoid potential harm. The aftermath deeply troubled the civil rights icon. Just days later, on April 8, King was assassinated.


Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.

Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Admiral Peter Gautier listens as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks about the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse during a press briefing at the White House, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Transportation Secretary Lays Out Focus Areas After Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

Operations have gone from a search and rescue mission to a recovery mission as search crews desperately try to find the bodies of six missing construction workers who fell into the water after a cargo ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg met with President Biden and spoke with members of the media about the next steps. Here are the areas they say they’re focusing on.

“Reopen the port. Deal with the supply chain implications until the port does reopen, rebuild the bridge, and deal with the surface transportation implications until the bridge is rebuilt. We are concerned about the local economic impact with some 8,000 jobs directly associated with port activities, and we are concerned about implications that will ripple out beyond the immediate region because of the port’s role in our supply chains,” said Buttigieg.

A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The Port of Baltimore is one of the largest shipping hubs. As many as 30,000 people use that bridge daily and 15,000 jobs are dependent on it.


Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.

Lime Green Bright Purple Black Minimal Bright Transparency Inclusive Skincare Multipage Instagram Post (6)

All Falls Down: AURN Gaming Collab with Black Girl Gamers on Fall Guys Tourney

Spring has sprung and AURN Gaming has just concluded its first tournament of 2024. We collaborated with Black Girl Gamers on AURNGAMING x BGG presents ‘Fall Guys’ tournament, our first with this game. Black Girl Gamers originally started out as a Facebook group and has now expanded to over 10,000 women around the globe who share a passion for gaming.

With a $750 prize pool (1st place received $500, and 2nd place received $250) and a total of 93 people who registered for the tournament, the turnout was great! We had Black Girl Gamers’ own @takemetochurch_ttv host the finals on AURNGAMING Twitch channel. Church’s casting  was engaging, lively, and hilarious for those watching the finals on Twitch. AURN Gaming also gave away three $50 Amazon gift cards just for joining us on Twitch.  Overall, it was a great turnout and an excellent collab with Black Girl Gamers.

This was the first of five gaming tournaments this year so be sure to follow AURNGAMING on Twitch and @aurnonline on Instagram to stay in the loop on upcoming tournaments.

Because we always need a soundtrack while gaming, check out @aurnonline’s Fall Guys playlist on Spotify.

FILE - Sean "Diddy" Combs, wearing a fur coat, walks down the sideline during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks, Sunday, March 12, 2017, in New York. Combs' lawyer said Tuesday, March 26, 2024, that the searches of his Los Angeles and Miami properties by federal authorities in a sex-trafficking investigation were ”a gross use of military-level force" and that Combs is “innocent and will continue to fight" to clear his name.  (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

Hollywood Live: The Diddy saga continues

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was blindsided by the raids on his Miami and Holmby Hills mansions. TMZ is reporting that he was with his family at Miami’s Opa Locka Executive Airport, gearing up for a spring break getaway with his high school-aged children when the agents descended upon them.

Now, it halted their plans, needless to say, but adding to the intrigue, we now know that news helicopters were hovering above Diddy’s Los Angeles property even before the feds arrived, hinting that there was a planned covert operation in progress.

The front gate of a property belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs stands closed on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Well, it’s been confirmed that the raids are part of that federal probe centered on Diddy’s allegations, which encompass a spectrum of serious charges, including sex trafficking, sexual assault, and involvement in illegal narcotics and firearms. The warrants were issued by a federal court in New York, but so far Diddy’s team has not responded to any of the inquiries from media outlets, including this one.

Reporters work by the front gate of a property belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Television crews work outside of a property belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Mase and Cam’ron are the latest rappers to revel in Diddy’s current predicament. You know, the opening of the latest episode of their podcast, IT IS WHAT IT IS. We saw the two hosts joke about what they saw on the news on Monday. “Reparations is getting closer and closer,” Mase said, as they both laughed, and everyone else laughed too. Then Mase said, “I’ll be sure to give you your percentage.”

Of course, neither mentioned Sean Combs by name. You know, Mase and Diddy have had a long-embattled history. Mase was signed to Bad Boy back in the late 90s, and then he gave his publishing rights to Diddy for $20,000. He attempted to get his catalog back for years, and in January 2020, he publicly slammed Diddy when he turned down Mase’s offer to buy back his publishing for $2 million.

Well, just last August, when Diddy was giving everybody their publishing back, Mase finally got his, too. And as it turns out, Mase had just finished the paperwork before this raid. Good timing on that one.


Click play to hear the Hollywood Live report from Tanya Hart:

Two properties belonging to Combs’ in Los Angeles and Miami were searched Monday, March 25, 2024, by federal Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Hollywood Live: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ homes in L.A. and Miami raided by Homeland Security

The entire world saw Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ homes raided by Homeland Security here in Los Angeles and in Miami. It turns out that the folks handcuffed at the L.A. mansion were Diddy’s two sons, who were hauled out of his home during the federal raid. The two were briefly handcuffed but released and not arrested.

Justin and King Combs, who were seen on video in handcuffs as Homeland Security agents swept through their father’s Beverly Hills estate, ended up arriving and eventually hightailing it late Monday night with their stuff in tow. Once the raid was over, the streets were cleared and we’re told the house seemed relatively empty, that is until around 10:30 p.m., when one of the boys came back, gathered boxes or luggage, and, of course, the paparazzi were stationed outside recording the action from beyond the main gate. 

In this May 30, 2018, file photo, Sean “Diddy” Combs arrives at the LA Premiere of “The Four: Battle For Stardom” at the CBS Radford Studio Center in Los Angeles. Combs’ lawyer said Tuesday, March 26, 2024, that the searches of his Los Angeles and Miami properties by federal authorities in a sex-trafficking investigation were ”a gross use of military-level force” and that Combs is “innocent and will continue to fight” to clear his name. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

In the meantime, while this was all going down, Diddy was seen pacing at a private plane airport in Miami. The feds showed up there too. They did not arrest the music mogul, but no matter how you look at it, Diddy’s got some real trouble coming.

There will be a lot more on this story, I am sure. We will keep you posted. And don’t forget to check out all of our coverage on just about everything right here @aurnonline.


Click play to hear the Hollywood Live report from Tanya Hart:

Protesters for women's rights hold a rally on the Alabama Capitol steps to protest a law passed the week before making abortion a felony in nearly all cases with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, Sunday, May 19, 2019, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

Democrat Marilyn Lands Wins Alabama Special Election, Highlighting Reproductive Rights Battle

Marilyn Lands, a Democrat who prioritized reproductive rights in her campaign, has secured a special election victory in deeply conservative Alabama, marking a significant moment for her party in the Deep South.

Lands’ win has been hailed by Democrats aiming to challenge the perceived extremity of the state’s GOP stance on abortion and reproductive rights. In a state where Republicans dominate all statewide offices and hold a substantial majority in the Legislature, Lands’ victory over Republican Teddy Powell is a noteworthy achievement.

Alabama’s stringent abortion laws, including a near-total ban, have drawn national attention, and recent legal rulings affecting reproductive services have intensified the debate.


Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby, right, speaks during a press briefing with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Monday, March 25, 2024, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Border Crisis Continues As White House Calls for Congressional Funding

(AURN News) – The Biden administration continues to grapple with the ongoing situation at the southern border, with no clear solution in sight. During Monday’s White House press briefing, National Security Advisor John Kirby addressed questions about potential executive actions on immigration but emphasized the limits of what the president can do unilaterally.

When pressed on whether more executive actions were being considered, Kirby stated, “I don’t have any announcements to make with respect to executive action.”

FILE – Border Patrol agents ask asylum-seeking migrants to line up in a makeshift, mountainous campsite after the group crossed the border with Mexico, Feb. 2, 2024, near Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

But he pushed back against the notion that President Biden has not taken any steps, noting he has kept U.S. troops deployed at the border and worked with Mexico. Ultimately, though, Kirby argued that stemming the flow of migrants and curbing issues like fentanyl trafficking requires additional resources that only Congress can provide.

“But the idea that he hasn’t taken executive action when warranted is just not true. He has. But there is a real limit to executive action in terms of what’s needed down there. What’s needed is funding, more than anything. And, again, for all the people out there expressing concerns about the border, number one, we share those concerns, which is why the president put, you know, billions of dollars into a national security supplemental to give the Border Patrol, to give the customs courts additional resources. You got to have funding for that,” he said.

The administration previously requested billions in a supplemental budget for agencies like Border Patrol and immigration courts, which Kirby framed as evidence of their concerns. And as the crisis continues with no clear resolution, pressure will likely mount on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue to find a workable solution.


Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:

President Joe Biden walks out of the Oval Office to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 22, 2024, to travel to Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

White House Focuses on Black Men’s Mental Health

WASHINGTON (AURN News) – The White House Office of Public Engagement hosted a roundtable last week to highlight President Biden’s efforts to support the mental health of Black men in America.

According to the White House, President Biden has made addressing the nation’s mental health crisis a priority since taking office in 2021. In 2022, his administration released a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening mental health services, increasing access to care, and promoting healthier environments.

As part of this initiative, the White House launched the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, expanded funding for community mental health centers, and established new Centers of Excellence to help deliver culturally competent, high-quality mental health support.

The Biden administration says it has pledged to continue investing heavily in mental health and substance abuse treatment, including through the president’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025.


Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:

Diana Ross poses backstage with her Lifetime Achievement award at the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Born on this day in 1944: Legendary singer and actress Diana Ross

Born on March 26, 1944, Diana Ross is a legendary singer and actress. She got her start in the 1960s with her involvement in The Supremes. She contributed to the group’s immense success before embarking on a solo career in the 1970s, producing hits like “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

Ross expanded into acting, notably starring in films such as “Lady Sings the Blues,” earning an Academy Award nomination, along with roles in “Mahogany” and “The Wiz.”

In 1993, she was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful female music artist in history, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. Honored for her contributions, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 as a member of The Supremes alongside Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson.


Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.