More than 1,800 protests against President Donald Trump's agenda are planned nationwide Saturday, including more than 80 in Pennsylvania. The "No Kings" rallies coincide with a military parade organized by Trump in Washington, D.C., marking the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. Saturday is also Flag Day and Trump's 79th birthday.

Vicki Miller, group leader with Indivisible Philadelphia, said the protests are a way for people to rise up and remind leaders that power belongs to the people, not Washington. She noted no protests are planned in D.C., but a rally will take place in Philadelphia and communities across the country, with large turnouts expected.

"The point is also to show our solidarity, to show community, so we get together, so that the public understands anybody who's not participating understands how big this movement is, and how many people, how many Americans oppose Trump and his policies," she explained.

The protest is backed by civil rights, labor, education and environmental groups. In Philadelphia, the rally starts at noon in LOVE Park and with a march down to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with speakers including American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and the Reverend William Barber the Second. Rallies are also planned in Scranton, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.

Miller added the federal budget reconciliation bill proposes to cut Medicaid by $700 billion to fund a tax cut extension and other Trump administration priorities would have devastating effects on Philadelphians.

"He's cutting funding for infrastructure that's already under construction and has already been allocated," she contended. "They are significantly cutting Medicaid. Philadelphia has tens of thousands of people who are on Medicaid or who are on Social Security, and they are cutting off those funds because they are making it harder to apply."

Miller encouraged Pennsylvanians to sign up at nokings-dot-org. Some of the groups involved include Indivisible, Stand Up America, MoveOn, and the League of Conservation Voters.


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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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