Book clubs have been a part of American life since 1634 when Anne Hutchinson started a “literary circle” for women as they crossed the Atlantic en route to the colonies. In 1840, Margaret Fuller founded the first book club sponsored by a book store, and by the mid 1800’s book clubs began to spread across the Midwest.

Today, estimates are that 5 million Americans participate in book clubs.

Independent Kansas gubernatorial candidate Greg Orman announced Tuesday that State Sen. John Doll of Garden City will join his independent ticket for governor.

After nearly three years on the job, multiple sources have confirmed to IVN San Diego that San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Brian Fennessy is leaving his post for the same position in Orange County.

The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity and came from within City Hall as well as the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

The nation had its first primary elections of 2018 on Tuesday in Texas. Much of the media’s focus has been on whether a “blue wave” will sweep the nation. Meanwhile, Republicans assert that Texas still has a deeper shade of red than any other state.

But there is something very important missing from the conversation: Whether a Texas voter is Republican, Democrat, independent, or a member of a third party, the meaningfulness of his or her vote depends on the party he or she belongs to.

I've never been a fan of politics. There are some great things out there, books and movies I enjoy, the occasional leader who does or says something worthwhile, but there is always a reserve, some part of myself I hold back. Mistrust, perhaps, or just knowing from history that even the best leaders have their limits. It's been an interesting life, I worked with a few stars as a child, met a few politicians, been held at gunpoint a few times, loved and lost, and considered politics but it never went anywhere. Deep trust or commitment has proven elusive.

The mainstream and social media's relentless appetite for "palace intrigue" stories about Washington bureaucrats and politicians warring with each other is absolute misery for all of us at this point.

Stop doing this to us. No one really wants this. Some people are just addicted to it. And I can't understand why, because it's just awful. It's boring. It's stupid. It's always clickbait. It just sucks.

Now is a pivotal moment for the millions of Americans who recognize that there is something terribly wrong with our government. That is why a coalition of over 80 civic action groups, called the Bridge Alliance, is kicking off its educational campaign #HealthyGov.

It's been a rough and uncertain road for ranked choice voting in Maine. It was the first statewide ranked choice initiative in the nation to get approval from voters, was made law in 2017, survived repeal attempts in the regular legislative session, but then was delayed and set for repeal in 2021 during a special session.

Americans have to admit that our democracy -- the great experiment -- is dead. Our government does not look or function as our Founding Fathers intended. In fact, it has failed in the fundamental purpose it was founded for -- to respond to the will of the people.

As a nation, we have found ways to subvert the will of the people by reversing how the voting process works. The use of gerrymandering has allowed those that run for office to select who will vote for them.

How can a party unite the independent majority and defeat the Republicans and the Democrats?

For decades, American voters have pretty much known about the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. As a matter of fact, those parties are believed by many to be the only ones.

During the last several years, tens of millions of people disillusioned with these establishment parties have felt like they are not represented. They feel as if they have no voice at all, and they have turned away from voting.