Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Recess makes comeback in public schools
After a years of teetering on the brink, recess is making a comeback in public schools as state lawmakers move to reinstate playground time lost in the push for higher test scores. Published April 10, 2018
Betsy DeVos criticizes teachers’ strikes, urges educators to ‘stay focused on what’s right for kids’
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos isn't a big fan of the recent round of state teachers' strikes, given their impact on students. Published April 9, 2018
Wells Fargo resists pressure to stop offering banking services to NRA, gun makers
The American Federation of Teachers has threatened to pull its business from Wells Fargo unless it severs ties with the National Rifle Association and gun manufacturers, but so far the bank is resisting. Published April 9, 2018
School shooting hero blames Broward County schools, sheriff for failing to get tough on gunman
A Parkland student badly wounded while saving the lives of classmates has blamed the Florida mass shooting on the sheriff and the school district, saying the confessed gunman should have been kicked out long before the deadly rampage. Published April 7, 2018
Betsy DeVos hears from warring camps on Obama-era discipline guidance
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos heard radically different takes Wednesday on an Obama-era school-discipline advisory that, depending on who was testifying, is either working like a charm in some classrooms or creating hair-raising chaos in others. Published April 4, 2018
Betsy DeVos urged to reverse Obama ‘Dear Colleague letter’ on school discipline
While the Obama guidance has been credited with lowering suspensions, expulsions and arrests at a number of K-12 districts, it's also been accused of making schools more chaotic and dangerous as officials seek to curb discipline rates in order to avoid triggering a federal investigation. Published April 3, 2018
Independent voters push to open primaries
It's their party -- for now -- but Democrats and Republicans are increasingly coming under pressure to let in independent voters seeking a piece of the primary action. Published April 2, 2018
Only 10% of March for Our Lives ‘student’ protesters were under 18: Study
It turns out the young people reportedly flocking to last weekend's March for Our Lives were actually pretty old. Published March 29, 2018
Goodell: NFL owners focused on $90M social-justice deal, not national-anthem protests
The take-a-knee protests may have been the biggest story of the 2017 NFL regular season, but commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that the topic really didn't come up much at the annual league meeting in Orlando. Published March 28, 2018
Conservative project seeks to fact-check the fact-checkers accused of liberal bias
If you've ever doubted the political objectivity of fact-checking sites like PolitiFact and Snopes, you're not alone. Published March 27, 2018
Emma Gonzalez stirs flap by wearing Cuban flag on sleeve at March for Our Lives
That video of Parkland student Emma Gonzalez ripping up the Constitution turned out to be fake, but she still managed to rile critics with her decision to wear a Cuban flag on her sleeve during her speech at the March for Our Lives. Published March 27, 2018
NFL owners finalize $90M social-justice deal without resolving anthem protests
NFL team owners unanimously gave their final approval Monday to an unprecedented $90 million social-justice initiative but made no decisions about how to handle players refusing to stand for the national anthem. Published March 27, 2018
March for Our Lives organizers inflate crowd size by 400 percent
The March for Our Lives was big, just not nearly as big as organizers said it was. Published March 26, 2018
Rapper Killer Mike apologizes for NRATV gun interview
Rapper Killer Mike apologized Sunday to students marching for gun control after he appeared in an NRA video defending firearms ownership that was released shortly before the March for Our Lives. Published March 25, 2018
Killer Mike defends gun ownership in NRA video
Rapper Killer Mike infuriated the left by defending gun ownership in a recent interview featuring black Second Amendment supporters on NRATV. Published March 25, 2018
Racism charges fly over indictment of NFL’s Bennett despite liberal prosecutor, black victim
Allegations of racism have erupted over the indictment Friday of NFL star Michael Bennett, even though he's being prosecuted by a liberal, Soros-backed district attorney for a crime against a black victim. Published March 24, 2018
Michael Bennett indicted for allegedly injuring elderly paraplegic at Super Bowl LI
NFL star Michael Bennett, one of the league's most visible national-anthem protesters, had a warrant issued Friday for his arrest after he was indicted on a felony count of injuring an elderly disabled woman at Super Bowl LI. Published March 23, 2018
NFL owners hope $89 million social justice package will defuse anthem protests, win back fans
After two years of kneeling players and plummeting ratings, NFL owners are expected next week to put the finishing touches on an $89 million social justice package intended to defuse the sideline protest problem that began with Colin Kaepernick in 2016 and put the focus back on what happens on the field. Published March 22, 2018
Obama school discipline directive fueling classroom chaos
The Trump administration is being accused of racism for targeting an Obama-era directive compelling schools to ease up on discipline for minority students -- even though the policy has made life more difficult for kids, including minorities, stuck in increasingly unruly classrooms. Published March 21, 2018
Hollywood, sports political activism turns off viewers: Poll
Actors and athletes increasingly using their forums for political activism are turning off viewers, according to a newly released poll. Published March 21, 2018
