Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
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
Trump administration moves to reverse Obama-era hunting restrictions in Alaska
The Trump administration moved Monday to rescind Obama-era regulations on hunting predators in Alaska's national preserves, issuing a proposal that would put the state back in charge over the objections of wildlife groups. Published May 21, 2018
Dimitrios Pagourtzis Jr., Santa Fe High School shooting suspect, on suicide watch
The suspect in the Santa Fe High School mass shooting that left 10 dead has been placed on suicide watch, according to authorities. Charged with capital murder and being held without bond is 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis Jr., who admitted to authorities that he opened fire at the school but did not kill students he liked "so that he could have his story told," according to the police affidavit. Published May 21, 2018
Greg Abbott, Oliver North cite violence as factor in fatal Santa Fe High School shooting
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined parishioners seeking solace at the first church services since the deadly school shooting at Santa Fe High School as the debate over how to stop such incidents intensified. Published May 20, 2018
Arne Duncan, Peter Cunningham propose school boycott to push for gun control
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined parishioners seeking solace at the first church services since the deadly school shooting at Santa Fe High School as the debate over how to stop such incidents intensified. Published May 20, 2018
Boulder ‘assault weapons’ ban triggers lawsuit by gun owners
Firearms owners wasted no time challenging the Boulder gun ban, filing a lawsuit one day after the city council's Tuesday vote to expel "assault weapons" and certain accessories from the city limits. Published May 17, 2018
Cambridge rescinds order to remove anti-Warren ‘fake Indian’ campaign signs
That campaign sign dubbing Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren a "fake Indian" no longer faces an existential threat from the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Published May 17, 2018
