Concerns about potential voter intimidation have spurred several states to consider banning firearms at polling sites but so far, New Hampshire is not among them.

Only a dozen states and Washington, D.C., prohibit both open and concealed-carry weapons at voting locations.

Emma Brown, executive director of the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said most of the bans were enacted after the 2020 election, when unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud took hold.

"The risk of gun violence at the polls is heightened," Brown contended. "Which means that legislation at the state level is even more critical than it ever has been."

Brown argued America's elections are free and fair, and prohibiting guns at polling sites and government locations is constitutional. Opponents countered the bans unfairly disarm law-abiding gun owners.

Recent surveys reveal election workers have faced increased threats and harassment since the 2020 election with one in three reporting some form of abuse. And nearly half of election workers said they are concerned for their colleagues' safety.

Brown pointed out armed intimidation tactics disproportionately target people of color and add to the growing exodus of election workers.

"This is a threat that we can't ignore," Brown stressed. "These attacks have also served as a deterrent to Black and brown election workers, who've historically been a really key part of ensuring that our democracy endures on Election Day."

As state legislatures consider banning guns at voting sites, legislation in Congress known as the "Vote Without Fear Act" would place a nationwide ban on weapons within 100 feet of a federal election facility, with exceptions for on-duty law enforcement and security personnel. It has been languishing in a House committee for a year.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.

As New Yorkers protest the Trump administration, some groups are advising best practices for protesting. State and national protests are occurring against GOP budget cuts and mass firings of federal employees. These have mostly been peaceful actions, but with emotions running high, there can be some incidents of violence.

Kalaya'an Mendoza, head of U.S. programs with Nonviolent Peaceforce, says having a safety plan is the best way to stay safe at a protest.

"What that looks like could be everything from making sure you have a buddy to doing some research about where the protest is happening to find your primary and secondary exit points, to also knowing who the organizers are and even doing a capacity check for yourself," she said.

Mendoza noted that risks vary based on where a person is, but they should first determine if it's safe for them to even be at a protest. Beyond outside factors, another challenge to staying safe is seeing how state security forces act at the protest. He added to remain alert since they could use tear gas or pepper spray as things change. Sometimes, people might attend protests simply to agitate the crowd or incite violence.

If a protest gets violent or someone gets aggressive, knowing your survival response can help keep things calm. Mendoza noted as much as people can try, they can't de-escalate an aggressor, law enforcement officers, or someone intent on harming you. But, he says people don't consider certain things when preparing to attend a protest, although they always should.

"Having a buddy, that's a very important thing; just like having someone watch your back or even having a remote buddy, someone that can check on you before, during, and after the protest. That you would let them know, like, 'I'm going to be here. I plan to be here,' especially for folks that may be more vulnerable or at risk for arrest or deportation," Mendoza said.

Protests regarding the Trump administration have been nonviolent, but Mendoza says this is also due to them being organized by communities which could be targeted. In his 30 years of activism, the violence Mendoza's seen at protests came from state security forces or agitators.

AARP is taking applications for its 2025 Community Challenge grants and Wyoming's state chapter encouraged nonprofits and municipalities to apply.

Since 2017, AARP has invested more than $20 million in 1,700 projects nationwide. The grants are designed for quick-action projects to help communities of all sizes become more livable, especially for those aged 50 and up.

Ron Hammel, a member of the AARP Wyoming Executive Council, runs Wyoming's grant program as a volunteer.

"Let's say you're a small community up in Wyoming and you have an idea to do something that would benefit a lot of people in that area but you have no way of getting the money," Hammel explained. "This is one place where people could get up to $25,000 to fund a project."

Last year, a total of $45,000 was awarded to four Wyoming projects. Applications for the 2025 cycle are due March 5.

The City of Evanston last year received more than $12,000 to install concrete pingpong, foosball and chess tables in outdoor spaces downtown.

Mieke Madrid, program coordinator and grant writer for Evanston Main Street, said the project helps the program meet its goal to help build lasting memories.

"It is important to create public spaces that are for people of all ages and abilities and to create a dynamic space," Madrid emphasized.

Madrid pointed out the game tables help create a "sense of place" for locals and visitors alike.

In Buffalo, Powder River American Legion Post 13 used more than $5,000 to purchase 500 veterans markers for the town's several cemeteries.

Chuck Guilford, former post commander, said it gave their efforts a needed boost.

"We've been doing it piecemeal for the longest time ordering 40 markers or 20 markers and looking at years and years to get it done," Guilford recounted. "With the funding, we were able to order a sufficient supply."

Now, Guilford added, the grave of every interred veteran in Johnson County is marked as such.

February is Library Lovers Month - and libraries across the Commonwealth are encouraging their long-time and new patrons to celebrate.

Lisa Varga, executive director of the Virginia Library Association, said the easiest way to show love to your library is by signing up for a library card if you don't have one.

For folks wanting to do more, Varga urged them to let their local public officials know just how important the library is to them.

"There are so many things that libraries do that a lot of our financial decision-makers don't necessarily know, about because there's so much to keep track of," said Varga. "So, if you are someone who has benefited from a wifi hotspot, from being able to borrow materials that you could not otherwise afford, let the people know that you enjoy and appreciate your public library."

There are 94 public library systems across the Commonwealth. That ranges from one-building to multi-branch systems.

One study finds that 63% of libraries are funded through a local city or county government, while 29% are funded through an independent library district.

Varga said libraries are important for those seeking an affordable way to do academic research - and combating the loneliness epidemic. She said it's vital that information remains free.

"We are a distinct feature in each community," said Varga, "and it's really important that access to information and access to resources be shared and be publicly available to people. "

The first lending library in the U.S. was founded in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. Residents of
Franklin asked Benjamin Franklin, the town's namesake, to donate a bell to the town.

Instead, Franklin donated a collection of books to the town, believing "sense" was more important than "sound." The town's residents voted to make the books freely available to all of its citizens.




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