Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Hawaii Mauna Kea telescope protests rage on as court refuses to block project
It was supposed to be a plum for Hawaii: a telescope powerful enough to peer back almost to the origins of the universe. But instead protests have erupted as Native Hawaiians and others seek to stop construction on a mountain regarded as a sacred site. Published July 23, 2019
Erica Thomas case: No charges in dispute over Georgia Democrat’s ‘go back where you came from’ claim
Cobb County police said Tuesday that no charges will be brought in the grocery-store altercation between a Georgia state lawmaker and a man she accused of telling her to "go back where you came from." Published July 23, 2019
Jack Phillips, Colorado baker, asks court to dismiss transgender birthday cake lawsuit
Attorneys for Colorado baker Jack Phillips asked a court Monday to dismiss a lawsuit seeking $100,000 over his refusal to create a transgender-birthday cake, arguing that the Christian cakeshop owner "has suffered enough." Published July 22, 2019
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum gets $25 million upgrade
It's not easy for small-town presidential libraries to keep up these days with behemoths like the ones for Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and the Bushes, but no president knew more about overcoming long odds than Harry Truman. Published July 22, 2019
Republicans dominate list of most popular governors despite legislative abortion battles
Fifteen of the nation's most popular governors are Republicans, continuing to dominate the approval ratings despite a legislative session that saw some come under fire for signing bills restricting abortion, according to a newly released analysis. Published July 19, 2019
Grand Junction, Colorado, welcomes Bureau of Land Management employees
Many employees at the federal Bureau of Land Management have made it clear that they are less than thrilled by the Trump administration's just-announced plan that they relocate from Washington for the untamed West. Published July 18, 2019
Gibson’s Bakery wins $6.5M in attorney’s fees against Oberlin after $25M in damages
A judge has awarded about $6.5 million in attorney's fees and court costs to Gibson's Bakery, the family-owned Ohio doughnut shop that won a $25 million judgment against Oberlin College over protests accusing the business of racism. Published July 18, 2019
Planned Parenthood to forgo Title X federal funds over Trump abortion rules
Faced with a choice between turning down as much as $60 million in Title X grants or stopping its abortion referrals, Planned Parenthood has chosen the former. Published July 17, 2019
Wes Pruden, Washington Times editor and columnist dies at 83 after remarkable six-decade career
Wesley Pruden would have undoubtedly wanted to spend his final hours at his keyboard, deftly deflating the pompous, entitled and arrogant of the political establishment, and he came awfully close. Published July 17, 2019
Google executive Karan Bhatia refuses to commit to independent audit during Senate hearing
A top Google executive refused repeatedly Tuesday to commit to a third-party audit under tough questioning from Senate Democrats on privacy and Senate Republicans on censorship and anti-conservative bias. Published July 16, 2019
Lisa Murkowski: Senate panel energy bills a “significant accomplishment”
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approves 22 energy-related bills aimed at lowering emissions, improving energy efficiency and increasing the nation's energy and minerals independence, in what was described as an "all of the above" strategy. Published July 16, 2019
Ashlyn Harris, U.S. women’s team goalie, blasts Christian player Jaelene Hinkle as ‘homophobic’
A member of the U.S. Women's National Team called another top U.S. player, Jaelene Hinkle, "homophobic" after the team was accused of being unwelcoming to Christians. Published July 16, 2019
Oregon GOP launches recall effort against Democratic Gov. Kate Brown
The Oregon Republican Party launched Monday a recall campaign against Democratic Gov. Kate Brown after a contentious legislative session that saw her sic state troopers on runaway GOP legislators fighting her climate-change agenda. Published July 15, 2019
Nikki Haley blasts Democrat silence on ICE flag incident
Former Ambassador Nikki Haley joined Sunday the chorus of outrage over the Democratic Party's near-silence over the protesters who ripped down the American flag and replaced it with the Mexican flag at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Aurora, Colorado. Published July 14, 2019
Lindsey Graham: 30% of adults with kids trying to cross border are ‘fake families’
Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said Sunday that about 30% of migrant adults with children trying to cross the U.S. border are "fake families" trying to game the U.S. asylum system. Published July 14, 2019
Megan Rapinoe offers equal-pay solution: Big corporations ‘can just write the check’
Soccer star Megan Rapinoe offered a solution Sunday to the push for equal pay for the U.S. Women's National Team: Big corporations "can just write the check." Published July 14, 2019
Bernie Sanders backs Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Nancy Pelosi feud
Sen. Bernie Sanders sided Sunday with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying the Democratic leadership was being "a little bit" too tough on young progressive House members resisting the party establishment. Published July 14, 2019
Kellyanne Conway defends immigration raids, points to ‘deporter in chief’ Obama
Trump administration officials sought Sunday to cool the heated rhetoric over anticipated immigration raids, arguing that enforcing deportation orders is routine -- and occurred with greater frequency under President Obama. Published July 14, 2019
Bill de Blasio, absent during NYC blackout, takes heat from Andrew Cuomo, New Yorkers
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio wasn't home during Saturday's massive blackout -- he was campaigning in Iowa -- a decision he defended Sunday after taking heat from fellow New Yorkers, starting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Published July 14, 2019
American flag donations pour in after protesters raise Mexican flag over Colorado ICE facility
Rep. Chip Roy thanked the "numerous patriotic Americans" who took it upon themselves to provide replacements after activists pulled down and then attempted to burn the stars-and-stripes, which he called "completely unacceptable." Published July 14, 2019
