Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
‘Melania’ documentary delights audiences, foils naysayers with successful opening weekend
"Melania" blew past expectations in its debut, opening to the strongest ticket sales for a documentary in a decade and reaping rave reviews from moviegoers despite scathing takes from critics. Published February 1, 2026
Babylon Bee scores free-speech win as judge rejects Hawaii’s ban on election deepfakes
A federal judge has struck down a Hawaii law banning "materially deceptive" media and advertising in state elections, handing another First Amendment victory to the Babylon Bee. Published January 31, 2026
Gay marriage back on the table as conservatives launch campaign to nix Obergefell
A decade after the Supreme Court made gay marriage the law of the land, momentum is building on the right to reestablish the traditional definition of matrimony in the name of prioritizing children over adults. Published January 30, 2026
San Jose State found in violation of Title IX for biological male on women’s volleyball team
San Jose State University came under pressure to apologize to female athletes after the Trump administration concluded that the school ran afoul of Title IX by allowing a biological male to play on the women's volleyball team. Published January 28, 2026
First lady Melania Trump bets on herself with release of groundbreaking documentary
Melania Trump has worn many hats in her career, from fashion model to jewelry designer to children's advocate, and with her eponymous documentary, she's adding another: gambler. Published January 28, 2026
Transgender-skeptical liberals fight Illinois law blocking ‘Democrat’ in group name
A group of Democrats opposed to gender ideology has filed a First Amendment challenge to an Illinois law that prohibits the organization from using "Democrat" in its incorporated title without the party's permission. Published January 27, 2026
J.D. Vance wins pro-life 2028 GOP presidential straw poll
Vice President J.D. Vance was the top choice for the Republican presidential nomination in a straw poll conducted at the National Pro-Life Summit, the latest in a series of polls putting him at the front of the 2028 pack. Published January 26, 2026
Wisconsin chancellor Jennifer Mnookin named Columbia U. president after two years of turmoil
Columbia University has tapped University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin as its fourth president in the last five years, announcing her selection as the Ivy League institution seeks to regain its footing after two years of campus turbulence. Published January 26, 2026
Feds find New York school district violated federal law by scrapping Indian nickname
A Long Island school district that dropped its "Thunderbirds" nickname to comply with New York's Indian mascot ban is facing pressure to reverse its decision from the Trump administration. Published January 23, 2026
‘Wild, Wild West’: Pro-lifers press FDA to restore safeguards on abortion pill
Pro-life advocates have amplified their pleas to restore federal safety measures on the abortion pill, arguing the risks to women have soared under lax rules that allow them to obtain the powerful drugs with virtually no medical oversight. Published January 23, 2026
Americans overwhelmingly support pro-life pregnancy centers: Poll
Years of Democratic attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers have failed to put a dent in their popularity, as evidenced by a newly released survey. Published January 22, 2026
Three arrested in anti-ICE mob takeover of Minnesota church
Federal agents arrested and charged three activists on Thursday who were accused of leading a mob into a Minnesota church and disrupting a religious service, doing so in protest against immigration enforcement. Published January 22, 2026
Oddsmakers rate ‘Charlie’ as the most likely name for Vance family’s fourth child
The betting has begun on what Vice President J.D. Vance and second lady Usha Vance will name their fourth child, and the leading contender should come as no surprise. Published January 21, 2026
Democratic state Rep. Leigh Finke blasted for applauding anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church
Minnesota's first openly transgender legislator is facing blowback for applauding anti-ICE activists who stormed a church service in St. Paul, calling for more "essential" protests until federal immigration authorities have left the state. Published January 21, 2026
Minnesota AG Ellison defends anti-ICE church protest, says federal charges would be ‘stretching’ it
Those hoping Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will prosecute the protesters who caused chaos last weekend at a church service probably shouldn't hold their breath. Published January 20, 2026
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro says Harris camp quizzed him on whether he had been Israeli double-agent
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said the Harris campaign asked whether he had ever served as a "double agent for Israel" during the vice-presidential vetting process, offering an inside look at the challenges facing Jewish Democrats amid the rise of the pro-Palestinian left. Published January 19, 2026
Justice Department investigates ‘shameful’ anti-ICE protest that upended Minnesota church service
The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into anti-ICE activists who stormed a Baptist church in St. Paul, Minnesota, unleashing chaos during a Sunday service to protest a pastor who allegedly works as a federal immigration agent. Published January 19, 2026
Vance to headline March for Life for second year in a row
Vice President J.D. Vance will be the featured speaker next week at the 2026 March for Life rally, marking his second consecutive in-person appearance at the annual pro-life gathering on the National Mall. Published January 16, 2026
Gavin Newsom backtracks on anti-ICE ‘terrorism’ blast, opposes abolishing it in Shapiro interview
At this rate, California Gov. Gavin Newsom may wind up running for president as a moderate Republican. Published January 16, 2026
Support for sharing religious belief in public rises in latest Becket index
Americans are more supportive than ever of expressing religious beliefs in the public square, driven by enthusiasm from the pro-faith younger generation, according to the Becket Fund's 2025 Religious Freedom Index. Published January 16, 2026
