Citizenship/Representative Democracy / Public News Service

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said he does not know what was discussed during a Thursday closed-door Statehouse meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Gov. Mike Braun. (Adobe Stock)

IN’s Lt. Gov. backs push to redraw U.S. House maps

By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service C…

If approved, the Democracy Voucher program would bring in $4.5 million each year through a property tax. (Road Red Runner/Adobe Stock)

Seattle votes on democracy vouchers designed to counteract wealthy donors

A public funding mechanism for Seattle elections is up for renewal in next week's election. The Democracy Voucher program was passed 10 years ago…

For the second month in a row, protestors will take to the streets nationwide to oppose Trump administration policies they said threaten democracy. (photo: courtesy Bud Branch)

NM's 'Good Trouble' protests honor John Lewis, denounce Trump

New Mexico demonstrators will join nationwide protests today to oppose policies of the Trump administration. The "Good Trouble Lives On" nonviolent …

According to organizers, a planned Indianapolis event will be one of over 1,600 coordinated actions taking place in all 50 states as part of the largest John Lewis National Day of Action to date. (Joe Ulery/Public News Service)

IN activists fight suppression with ‘good trouble’

Hoosiers will join a nationwide movement marking the fifth annual John Lewis National Day of Action. The Indianapolis rally takes place Thursday …

Then-President Barack Obama awards the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Congressman John Lewis in a White House ceremony on Feb. 15, 2011. (Official White House photo)

Advocates urge Utahns to cause 'good trouble' on National Day of Action

Civil rights activists are urging Utahns and thousands of other people across the country to cause "good trouble" today in the name of protecting Amer…

Some agenda items for the upcoming legislative session include bills strengthening protections against title theft and deed fraud, and protecting victims of human trafficking from criminal liability for nonviolent acts closely tied to their own victimization. (luzitanija/Adobe Stock)

TX lawmakers head back to Austin later this month

Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott. The 18 items on the agenda include …

In 2024, women earned an average of 85% of what men earned, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of median hourly earnings of both full- and part-time workers. (Nina Lawrenson/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Gender pay gap still a problem for TX women

Women who recently graduated from college are earning significantly less than their male counterparts. A new study reveals that women from Texas and …

Jeanette Vizguerra, currently being held in a Geo Group ICE detention facility in Aurora, was recently named a 2025 recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. (Galatas)

Poll: Most Americans say Trump has gone too far on immigration

Some 15 community and faith-based organizations gathered again this week outside the Geo Group ICE detention facility in Aurora where longtime Denver …

In an annual Gallup poll, the percentage of U.S. adults who feel extremely or very proud of America has fallen sharply over the past quarter century, down from around 90% in 2001 to 58% in 2025. (Adobe Stock)

Gallup poll: Record low number of Americans feel pride for country

With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates …

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed a bill allowing school board candidates to list a party affiliation into law on May 6. The measure passed during the 2025 legislative session after heated debate. (Adobe Stock)

IN ends era of nonpartisan school boards

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

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the Supreme Court decision as a big win for the Trump Administration on Friday but she did not explain how differing citizenship rules can be enforced. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

CA officials vow to defend birthright citizenship

All babies born in California are still automatically American citizens and the state attorney general is vowing to keep it that way, despite a mixed …

The Western Organization of Resource Councils is hosting the training and has members in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Oregon. (Adobe Stock)

WY residents invited to series on how to run for office, launching today

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 …

The student enrollment figure at Indiana's four-year colleges and universities in 2024 was nearly 172,000, according to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. (Adobe Stock)

IN students weigh politics, mental health factors for college choices

University officials in Indiana are rewriting guidelines for on-campus protests to address a tense political backdrop. More students are watching …

Following the 2020 presidential election, New Mexico was one of several states where Republican electors submitted false Electoral College certificates claiming Donald Trump had won. (PXMedia/AdobeStock)

Trump, FBI renew allegations of 2020 election fraud

President Donald Trump has renewed calls for a special prosecutor to probe false claims of fraud in the 2020 election but an election expert believes …

Around 67% of Medicaid beneficiaries in Michigan are enrolled in one of nine managed care plans.<br />(Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

League of Women Voters: Proposed federal cuts threaten MI health

CORRECTION: It was the Senate parliamentarian who decided part of the budget reconciliation bill violates rules for being able to pass it with a simpl…

Flowers and notes are placed outside the Brooklyn Park home of state Rep. Melissa Hortman after the Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were fatally shot in what police said was a politically motivated attack. (Mike Moen/PNS)

MN prepares to memorialize Melissa and Mark Hortman

Minnesotans have a chance Friday to pay respects to House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband as this month's political assassination cont…

Nelsonville residents are using Dave's Redistricting App, a tool originally built to promote fair congressional mapping, now adapted for local use in dozens of U.S. cities. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio town invites public to final redistricting meeting ahead of new ward map

Nelsonville residents have another chance to shape their city's political map. A final town hall next Monday invites the public to weigh in before a …

During Pride Month, LGBTQ+ organizations say it's important to draw a distinction between businesses that openly express support for the community and those releasing statements of solidarity but failing to be an ally throughout the year. (Adobe Stock)

LGBTQ+ organizations in SD team up to land more business allies

As Pride Month winds down, LGBTQ+ support groups in South Dakota said they are strengthening a resource tool detailing which businesses are willing …

Arkansas' ballot initiative process allows citizens to propose statutes or constitutional amendments and collect signatures to place the proposals on a ballot. League members say bills passed by lawmakers have taken those rights away. (edbockstock/Adobe Stock)

AR League of Women Voters collect signatures for ballot initiative

Members of the League of Women Voters-Arkansas are collecting signatures to add a constitutional amendment to the November 2026 ballot. The …

The president of the Indianapolis-based NCAA says fewer than 10 transgender athletes compete in college sports nationwide, with none in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

IN college sports ban on trans athletes starts July 1

A new Indiana law takes effect July 1 banning transgender women and girls from playing on women's college sports teams, expanding the state's earlier …

Nearly 122 million adults, about 47% of the population, have hypertension. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

Check out books, blood pressure cuffs at Missouri libraries

More St. Louis County libraries are teaming up with the American Heart Association to offer blood pressure cuffs for checkout, to help people take …

Advocates said prison gerrymandering gives voting districts with a correctional facility an unfair advantage in the West Virginia political system. They want state lawmakers to make changes before the 2030 Census. (Adobe Stock)

Report calls for WV redistricting reforms to stop 'prison gerrymandering'

Prison policy advocates are urging West Virginia lawmakers to put an end to "prison gerrymandering," which they said distorts political representation…

As the nation's political tensions rise, Ohio poll workers have faced fentanyl-laced letters, bomb scares at the Secretary of State's office, and online harassment, leading officials to implement bullet-proof glass, panic buttons and address protections. (Wikimedia Commons)

As political violence rises, Ohio grapples with growing threats to democracy

Ohioans can't help but feel the emotional weight of political violence after last weekend's assassination of a top Democratic state lawmaker in Minnes…

Neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and Delaware hold closed primary elections. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit challenges closed primary elections in MD

A new lawsuit is challenging Maryland's closed primary system. If the lawsuit is successful, nearly a million Marylanders may be able to vote in …

The U.S. agriculture sector includes farms and related industries. Together, they account for 5.5% of the country's gross domestic product and provide 10.4% of all U.S. jobs. (Anastasia Knyazeva/Adobe Stock)

Farming advocates fight bills they say could hurt farmers in MO, nation

With more than 95,000 farms, Missouri ranks among the top farming states in the nation. Now, a national agriculture group is warning that bills …

Minnesota is one of only three states where lawmakers see more pressure to compromise because the Legislature has split power. It is one of only 11 states where shared power comes into play when the Executive Branch is included. (Adobe Stock)

After Hortman assassination, MN civic trainers dig deeper for bipartisanship

The weekend assassination of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman is seen by many as a setback in recruiting future civic leaders who seek out bipartisa…

Humanities experts said facts are important but when a person starts a political conversation armed with bravado instead of curiosity, they are already losing in their attempt to be civically engaged. (Adobe Stock)

MN asks: Can humility, curiosity push aside political hate?

As Minnesotans process this weekend's shooting attacks on lawmakers, they are surrounded by talking points about turning down the political …

The late Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman was remembered at a

Expert fears political violence becoming 'part of the game'

Washingtonians cannot help but feel the emotional weight of political violence after this weekend's assassination of a top Democratic state lawmaker i…

Organizers said demonstrations throughout the country Saturday drew more than 5 million protesters. (Joe Ulery/Public News Service)

Hoosiers reject crowns and chaos at 'No Kings' protest

It is estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Hoosiers marched around the Indiana Statehouse during the "No Kings" protest in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday…

In a poll released last year by The States United Democracy Center, 45% of Americans viewed political violence as a major problem. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Assassination of MN lawmaker further normalizes political violence

Minnesota and the nation are feeling the emotional weight of political violence after this weekend's assassination of a top Democratic state lawmaker …

Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, was Minnesota House speaker from 2019 to early 2025. In this spring's legislative session, through a power-sharing agreement between Democrats and Republicans, Hortman was named Speaker Emerita and DFL leader in the Minnesota House. (Photo courtesy Hortman's Facebook page)

Rep. Melissa Hortman leaves lasting legacy for women in MN politics

Fighting for a wide range of people with a skill for compromise, is how Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, is being remembered for following her …

More than two dozen ‘No Kings’ events planned Saturday across Montana

While the Trump administration throws a parade tomorrow funded by taxpayers, Americans will gather at 1,800 protest events around the nation…

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act proposes a new provision starting in fiscal year 2028 that cuts the enhanced federal Medicaid match rate by 10% for states that offer full health benefits or financial help to buy coverage for individuals who are not legally in the United States. (ChayTee/Adobe Stock)

Saturday 'No Kings' rallies in PA to protest Trump policies

More than 1,800 protests against President Donald Trump's agenda are planned nationwide Saturday, including more than 80 in Pennsylvania. The "No …

Tennesseans to join 'No Kings' rallies Saturday to oppose Trump policies

Activists in Nashville are holding a rapid-response protest today for Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Meanwhile more than 1,800 "No Kings" rallies against …

Colorado communities to join national 'No Kings' protests Saturday

As President Donald Trump celebrates his birthday on Saturday with a $45 million military parade in the nation's capital, organizers are expecting a …

If Congress enacts the budget reconciliation bill as currently written, the Campaign Legal Center contended the rule of law and democracy would be in jeopardy. (Adobe Stock)

'Hidden' provisions in U.S. budget bill raise concerns for AZ

As President Donald Trump's budget reconciliation bill sees an uphill battle in the U.S. Senate, a government watchdog group is raising concerns …

Some 17% of students surveyed said they felt like they could not express their opinion on a subject at least a couple of times a week because of how fellow students, a professor or the administration would respond. (Gatot/Adobe Stock)

Report: TX college students feel free speech is targeted

Texas colleges are getting mixed marks when it comes to protecting free speech on campus. The College Free Speech Rankings include survey results …

U.S. Senators are digging into the Trump administration's 1,116 page budget reconciliation bill that was already passed by House Republicans. (CreativeMania-AI enhanced/Adobe Stock)

Legal experts: Does rule of law still matter in second Trump term?

A government watchdog group is joining others in raising concerns about last-minute additions to the budget reconciliation bill passed by the House of…

Summer food feeding sites can be found by texting

AR summer food programs prepare to feed students

With the start of summer, organizations across Arkansas are ramping up programs to ensure kids have access to healthy food. The No Kid Hungry …

There are currently some 15,000 producing oil and gas wells in Weld County, not counting shut-in wells and temporarily plugged and abandoned wells. (Adobe Stock)

New alert system brings oil and gas spill data directly to Colorado residents

Over the past 12 months, 884 oil and gas spills were reported near homes in Greeley, Fort Lupton, Kersey, La Salle and Platteville, according to …

The report recorded more than 1,000 instances of students or student groups who were targeted for or received punishment for their speech. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Government increasingly involved in campus free speech crackdowns

Students and faculty are facing more investigations and punishment for exercising their right to protected speech on college campuses, according to a …

According to a 2024 report from the Center for American Women and Politics, 44 members of the Michigan House and 14 members of the state Senate are women. (Adobe Stock)

MI senator sponsors tax credit, cash allowance bills to help families

As families in Michigan and elsewhere struggle with daily living expenses, bills introduced this month could alleviate their financial burden…

In a Johns Hopkins University poll from last fall, nearly half of the U.S. electorate indicated they felt members of the opposing party aren't just wrong for politics - they're

Charting a new path for healthy political discourse in SD

In South Dakota and across the country, groups are working to help tone down the nation's heated political rhetoric. And experts are debating whether …

The race for Virginia governor is already set but some other local and down ballot races have competitive primaries this year. (Adobe Stock)

VA voters to decide nominees for local, statewide races in June primary

Voters in the Commonwealth have only a few more weeks to cast early ballots in the Democratic and Republican primary elections. Virginia voters have …

For now, North Dakota lawmakers are passing laws designed to provide property tax relief. But some policymakers, including the governor, hope to carve a path where homeowners pay little or no property taxes. (Adobe Stock)

ND's local governments press forward under new property tax laws

North Dakota's legislative session is in the rearview mirror, and the impact of hundreds of bills that were approved is still being assessed…

Among other 2025 bills passed, the Montana American Indian Caucus helped reauthorize Native language preservation programs and get formal recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day in the state. (Western Native Voice)

MT Native leaders: Civic engagement brings continued legislative wins

A Montana-based Indigenous advocacy group said it is increasing membership this year in a new way, with a traveling conference. Western Native Voice …

Opponents of a proof-of-citizenship bill before Texas lawmakers say many women in rural areas, who could get targeted by the bill, do not have a birth certificate matching their current last name. (Golib Tolibov/Adobe Stock AI)

Proposed proof-of-citizenship bill could impact all registered voters in Texas

Voting rights advocates in Texas are speaking out against a proof-of-citizenship bill before lawmakers. Senate Bill 16 would require new registrants …

Legal assistance groups said native voters in North Dakota have struggled for nearly a century for the right to vote and for inclusion in the democratic process. Despite a setback through the courts this week, they say they will keep defending those rights. (Adobe Stock)

Part of Voting Rights Act gutted for ND, other Midwestern states

Legal groups are weighing an appeal after a court ruling this week that left voters in several states, including North Dakota, at a disadvantage in …

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