Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Dan Helmer, Virginia House candidate, defends ad comparing Trump to Osama bin Laden
Virginia Democratic House candidate Dan Helmer defended Sunday his incendiary campaign ad comparing President Trump to 9/11 terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden. Published June 3, 2018
Rudy Giuliani says Trump ‘probably’ has power to pardon himself, but won’t
Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani argued Sunday that the president probably has the power to pardon himself, as suggested in a recently leaked letter, but he has "no intention" of doing so. Published June 3, 2018
Oklahoma unfazed after landing on California state-travel blacklist
Oklahomans weren't exactly crying in their sweet tea after learning that their state has been added to California's blacklist on state-sponsored travel. Published June 3, 2018
Facebook scraps ‘Trending’ section that ignited fracas over anti-conservative bias
Facebook announced Friday will remove its "Trending" topics section, the snafu-plagued module behind the 2016 uproar over the suppression of conservative news. Published June 1, 2018
Elizabeth Warren doubles down on bid to make way for controversial tribal casino
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has upped the ante on her Indian gaming gamble, defending her bill to clear the way for a Massachusetts tribal casino as she fights to overcome her "Pocahontas" problem. Published May 31, 2018
Homeschooling surges as parents seek escape from shootings, violence
Demands to restrict firearms and beef up school security have dominated the debate following the shootings, but flying under the radar is the surge of interest in homeschooling as parents lose faith in the ability of public schools to protect students from harm. Published May 30, 2018
Starbucks anti-discrimination plan invites homeless, drug problems
With its decision to allow the non-paying public unlimited access to its cafes, Starbucks may have traded one grande problem for another. Published May 29, 2018
Starbucks shuts down for afternoon of racial-bias training
Those seeking a caffeine boost Tuesday night afternoon will need to make their way to Dunkin' Donuts or Kaladi Brothers instead of Starbucks. Published May 29, 2018
California softball crowd sings national anthem after announcers refuse to play it
An effort to shut down the national anthem before a high school softball game fell flat -- because the crowd sang it instead. Published May 29, 2018
Edward Snowden: Trump not smart enough to collude with Russians
Classified document-leaker Edward Snowden isn't a Trump fan, but he also believes it's unlikely that the president colluded during the 2016 campaign with Russia -- because he isn't that sophisticated. Published May 28, 2018
Publix suspends political donations after ‘die-in’ protest
Thanks to David Hogg, candidates who support the National Rifle Association won't receive campaign donations from Publix -- for now -- but neither will NRA critics like Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. John Lewis. Published May 27, 2018
Bill Nye calls for fighting climate change with tax on cow flatulence
Television's "science guy" Bill Nye has a suggestion for combating climate change: Impose a tax on cow flatulence. Published May 24, 2018
Elizabeth Warren’s rejection of nonexistent NRA donations mocked by Republicans
Sen. Elizabeth Warren provided an irresistible opening for her Republican campaign foes with her vow to turn down National Rifle Association contributions to her re-election effort, which are so far nonexistent. Published May 24, 2018
Team Kaepernick strikes back at Pence over his support for NFL kneeling ban
Team Kaepernick swung back Thursday after Vice President Mike Pence cheered the NFL's decision to ban kneeling during the national anthem. Published May 24, 2018
NFL bans anthem protests in nod to Donald Trump, fans
NFL owners stood up Wednesday to the kneelers, voting to ban on-field protests during the national anthem after two years of social justice activism, fan outrage and flagging viewership -- but that doesn't mean game over. Published May 23, 2018
Jed York says San Francisco 49ers will halt concession sales during national anthem
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York said Wednesday he will halt concession sales during the national anthem after the NFL voted to prohibit on-field kneeling during the flag ceremony. Published May 23, 2018
‘#Winning’: Mike Pence celebrates NFL’s decision to ban anthem kneeling
Vice President Mike Pence cheered the NFL's decision Wednesday to ban on-field protests during the national anthem with one word: "#Winning." Published May 23, 2018
Obama White House figures sought to ‘tap peoples emotions’ for gun control after Sandy Hook
Rahm Emanuel famously said that "you never want a serious crisis to go to waste," and apparently that included the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre. Published May 23, 2018
Dimitrios Pagourtzis called victim but bullying may not spur school shooters
The father of the accused Santa Fe gunman has moved to pin the blame on bullying, calling his son a "victim," even as recent research suggests that the role of bullies in driving school shootings may be overblown. Published May 22, 2018
Elizabeth Warren vows to refuse NRA money after never receiving such donations in the past
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has vowed to do something about mass shootings by refusing to accept campaign donations from the National Rifle Association, even though she's never received any money from the organization in the past. Published May 22, 2018
