Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
White director who won minority theater grant defends decision to identify as black
A white theater director defended Saturday his decision to identify as black, a case that has sparked an identity-politics debate in Great Britain after he received a publicly funded grant intended for minority artists. Published November 10, 2018
‘South Park’ apologizes to Al Gore for mocking him in ManBearPig episode
The creators of "South Park" appear to have apologized to Al Gore for a 12-year-old episode roasting his belief in ManBearPig, which has long been viewed as a metaphor for climate change. Published November 8, 2018
Democrats flip key state, federal seats in Nevada after midterm election
The blue wave fizzled into more of a blue splash nationwide, but not in Nevada, where Democrats tightened their grip on the Silver State by squeezing out Republicans up and down the ballot in what was only recently a swing state. Published November 8, 2018
Louis Farrakhan denies ‘death to America’ chant in Iran
He said "death to," and the Iranian audience responded with "America" and "Israel," but Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan insists he never led chants of "death to America." Published November 8, 2018
Gunman opened fire at bar popular with Christian students on college night
The deadly Southern California shooting took place at a bar popular with students from several local universities, including two Christian colleges, on the venue's college night. Published November 8, 2018
Climate change ballot initiatives get cool reception from voters
Global warming met with a cool reception from voters Tuesday as ballot initiatives targeting fossil fuels went down to defeat in several Western states, defying environmental groups who are raising alarms about catastrophic climate change. Published November 7, 2018
Jon Tester wins tight re-election bid in race targeted by Donald Trump: AP report
Democratic Sen. Jon Tester was declared Wednesday the winner of the Montana Senate race, scraping out a razor-thin victory against Republican Matt Rosendale despite a campaign onslaught by President Trump. Published November 7, 2018
Marsy’s Law for crime victims wins big with ballot victories in all six states
Nobody had a better election night than Henry Nicholas III, who won all six of his state campaigns Tuesday for the victims'-rights ballot measures known as Marsy's Law. Published November 7, 2018
Keith Ellison weathers domestic-abuse claims, wins Minnesota AG’s race
Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison eked out a win Tuesday in his bid for Minnesota attorney general, overcoming the domestic-abuse allegations that threatened to derail his political career in the MeToo era. Published November 7, 2018
Pro-life ballot measures win in Alabama, West Virginia
Pro-life ballot measures aimed at preventing public funding of abortion went two for three on Tuesday, winning approval in Alabama and West Virginia while going down to defeat in Oregon. Published November 7, 2018
Dan Crenshaw, target of ‘SNL’ joke, wins Texas House seat
Being mocked on "Saturday Night Live" didn't hurt--and may have helped-- Texas Republican Dan Crenshaw, a retired Navy SEAL and political newcomer who easily won Tuesday his House race. Published November 6, 2018
Jared Polis elected first gay Colorado governor
Democratic Rep. Jared Polis was declared the winner of the Colorado gubernatorial race Tuesday after spending $22 million of his own fortune to defeat Republican state treasurer Walker Stapleton. Published November 6, 2018
Florida votes to restore automatically voting rights of felons
Florida voters approved a ballot measure Tuesday to restore automatically the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences. Published November 6, 2018
Elizabeth Warren defeats Geoff Diehl to easily win Senate re-election
Published November 6, 2018
Kenan Thompson: ‘SNL’ plans to ‘right that wrong’ by taking action on Crenshaw joke
Comedian Kenan Thompson said Tuesday that "Saturday Night Live" plans to "right that wrong" by addressing the show's widely condemned joke about House candidate Dan Crenshaw's war injury. Published November 6, 2018
Louis Farrakhan under renewed fire for leading ‘Death to America’ chant in Iran
A few weeks after referring to Jews as termites, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has come under renewed fire for leading chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" during a solidarity trip to Iran. Published November 6, 2018
Election reform, tax revolt, marijuana lead hot topics on state ballot questions
Election reform tops the list of 2018 statewide ballot measures, indicating that the 2020 general election could hinge in many states on what happens at the polls Tuesday. Published November 5, 2018
California gas-tax repeal takes lead as race comes down to wire: Poll
The California gas-tax repeal has maneuvered into the lead as the election comes down to the final lap, according to the latest poll. Published November 5, 2018
NBC on ‘SNL’ segment ridiculing veteran Dan Crenshaw: No comment
NBC was tight-lipped Monday about the growing uproar over a Saturday Night Live sketch mocking the appearance of Republican House candidate Dan Crenshaw, a retired Navy SEAL who lost his right eye in Afghanistan. Published November 5, 2018
SNL mocks vet who lost eye in Afghanistan
NBC's "Saturday Night Live" came under fire Sunday for a sketch that mocked the appearance of a Texas House candidate who lost an eye to an IED blast in Afghanistan. Published November 4, 2018
