BOULDER, COLO. - Nick Thomas, who has an opportunity to be Colorado's first independent congressman, has officially qualified for the November ballot in the state's 2nd Congressional District. Thomas submitted over 1,300 signatures of the 800 required, and the secretary of state has certified him for the ballot.

San Diego, CA. - There is no debating the value of the San Diego Junior Lifeguard program. Now in its third decade, the program gives kids ages 7 to 17 the opportunity to learn a litany of useful skills including: first aid and CPR, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, water rescue techniques, the importance of physical fitness and techniques to improve their swimming skills.

In short, it's a great program, and the community knows it.

It started with a speech on Sunday, in which Iranian president Hassan Rouhani sent a warning to the United States about pursuing a foreign policy hostile toward his government in Tehran, but to Donald Trump, Iranian president Rouhani was the one in need of a warning, and of course America's 21st century television game show host president had to make his implicit threat far more dramatic.

JUNEAU, ALASKA - Independent Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed a new anti-corruption law Thursday that reduces the influence of special interests, lobbyist gifts, and cracks down on taxpayer-funded foreign travel. HB 44 passed the legislature after a nearly identical ballot measure was proposed earlier this year.

IVN teams up with PredictIt, the online Wall Street of politics and Ballotpedia to bring you the political hotspots across the nation and what outcomes people are wagering on.

Should millennials form their own third party?

It's a question that's gaining traction in light of increasing Millennial disenchantment with the two party system.

Independent candidates are making serious waves in 2018, challenging the two-party status quo in several states. Now, Unite America is bringing these candidates and other leaders of the independent movement together for the Unite Summit in August.

San Diego, CA. - The State Court of Appeal has turned down an emergency petition filed by lawyers representing SoccerCity to have SDSU West removed from the November ballot.

The one page denial order issued by Presiding Justice Judith McConnell  and Associate Justices Gilbert Nares and Cynthia Aaron was to the point:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwyVJ_-q0mE&feature=youtu.be

Video Source: Rebel HQ

In this episode of Deconstructed, host TJ O'Hara chats with Peggy Grande. Grande worked by President Ronald Reagan's side for 10 years, and together they created a powerful partnership. Now a keynote speaker, Peggy shares principles of leadership and excellence with corporations, non-profits, C-Suites, political groups, students and executive assistants.

TJ and Peggy deconstruct the Cal 3 initiative (Proposition 9) that proposes to split California into three states. Prop. 9 will be on the November 2018 ballot.