School board elections in Idaho on Tuesday could impact what students are allowed to read.

Although school board elections are often overlooked, they've increasingly become races to watch - in part because of a rise in "book bans" that supporters say protect kids from content that some consider "obscene."

Kurt Zwolfer is director of The Cabin, a center for readers and writers in Boise. He said he thinks school boards are overstepping their duties, when librarians and educators are trained to do the work of book curation.

"When it starts to affect reading choices for kids, and it's a small group of people trying to restrict or change those choices, that's when that issue becomes important to a group like ours," said Zwolfer. "And we want people to pay attention to the election and, if they agree or disagree, to insert themselves into the process and make sure their voices are heard."

Book bans are happening in Idaho. After some lawmakers sent out a list of books they wanted to see removed from school libraries at the beginning of the year, the Kuna School District put 25 books under restricted access.

The Nampa school board restricted books even before lawmakers sent out their list.

Zwolfer said a small but vocal group of people on these boards is making choices for other parents.

"They're actually restricting the other parents' rights on what their kids can consume," said Zwolfer, "both for reading and for media."

A report from PEN America out this year found nearly 1,500 instances of individual books banned in 37 states.

Thirty percent of the books were about race, racism or featured people of color, and 25% include LGBTQ characters or themes.

Zwolfer said these books are important for the students who identify with them, but they also have value for students who've had different experiences.

"Students who are from those communities and maybe don't have those experiences, reading about characters who have experiences other than their own can be powerful experiences for helping build community," said Zwolfer, "and building empathy in the students as they progress into their adulthood."




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With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates that many Americans are struggling to feel optimistic about the state of the country.

A new Gallup survey shows 58% of U.S. adults say they're proud to be an American. While there are some partisan splits, the overall percentage is a record low for the annual poll question.

Barbara Headrick, president of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, said it's not surprising, given the sharp divides between the two major parties. But she feels there's something else at play.

"There is still an after effect, I believe, from the pandemic from that separation from each other that we had," she said.

That the pandemic was so politicized is another complicating factor that prevented the country from healing, Headrick said, adding that it's understandable some Americans are very concerned about various rights being taken away. However, she noted the U.S. has deep flaws throughout its history, and there are still many more rights afforded today than in past decades.

If heated rhetoric clouding U.S. politics has got you down, Headrick said, you can still show American pride through actions.

"Find a way to love your country by making it better," she said.

Headrick said it can involve showing support for civil workers or volunteering at a local homeless or animal shelter. She added that expressing pride through elections doesn't just involve voting, noting that there are opportunities to stay informed about how your local government is addressing pressing issues, such as affordable housing.


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A new Indiana law, starting today, allows school board candidates to list their political affiliation on the ballot.

Candidates may choose to register with a political party, as independents or not disclose any affiliation. Those who do not select will have a blank space next to their name and straight-ticket voting will not apply to school board races. Those opposed to the new law said it injects unnecessary politics into a role traditionally focused on education.

Leslie Jacobs, a school board member for the Fayette County School Corporation in Connersville, is against the new law.

"In my 10 years, I couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody on my board. Never comes up," Jacobs explained. "Our discussions are purely about educational opportunities, picking a superintendent, looking at budget."

She warned requiring party labels might discourage qualified candidates from running. Supporters of the new law said it increases transparency.

Jennifer Blackburn, a school board member for the East Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, also opposes the new law.

"The scenario that there are four candidates potentially running and three are Democrat, one is a Republican -- this last school board election -- none of us were opposed," Blackburn pointed out. "As big as our county is, there are not a lot of people running."

The law will first affect school board elections in November.


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A three-part online training series on how to run for office and govern effectively begins Monday, designed for people running at any level of government office in Western states, including Wyoming.

The training is part of the Grassroots Democracy Program under the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a group organizing in rural parts of the West and includes Wyoming's Powder River Basin Resource Council.

Gwen Lachelt, political director for the group, said the series will help answer a broad range of questions.

"Everything from, 'Am I ready to run for office? How do I organize my campaign?' To, 'how do I govern, and how can I be an effective elected official?'" Lachelt explained.

As of Friday, Lachelt noted about 50 people had signed up for the training. Registration is still open until the event starts Monday at 5:30 p.m. MT.

Lachelt added she is seeing a lot of interest in running for office from people of all age groups and all backgrounds. She emphasized the group hopes to connect with Westerners who care about natural resources.

"Our goal is to build a bench of elected officials across our regions who will champion democracy and also work to protect the West's land, air, and water," Lachelt stressed.

Guest speakers at the event include Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, who is the House Minority Leader, and Kevin Williams, a board member of Colorado's Delta-Montrose Electric Association.


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