Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Dakota Access oil pipeline: Army Corps says no decision yet
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers moved Wednesday to rein in reports that the Dakota Access pipeline easement has been granted, saying the project isn't yet a done deal. Published February 1, 2017
Steve Wynn, casino mogul, named as RNC finance chairman
The Democrats hold a pair of fundraising aces with billionaires George Soros and Tom Steyer, but Republicans are raising the stakes by bringing to the table a billionaire of their own. Published February 1, 2017
Army to proceed with Dakota Access pipeline North Dakota lawmakers say
Sen. John Hoeven, North Dakota Republican, said Tuesday that Acting Secretary of the Army Robert Speer told him that the easement for the final 1,100 feet of the project in North Dakota will be approved. Published January 31, 2017
Sally Yates obeyed Obama after immigration amnesty overturned
Former acting Attorney General Sally Q. Yates was cheered Tuesday by Democrats thrilled with her refusal to enforce President Trump's executive order on refugees, but she wasn't always as picky when it came to White House directives. Published January 31, 2017
North Dakota wants hired pipeline protesters to pay state income taxes
After spending more than $22 million on the Dakota Access pipeline protest, North Dakota wants to make sure any paid activists remember to submit their state income taxes. Published January 30, 2017
Protestors call attention to their causes in Trump’s first week
Tens of thousands of protesters converged on airports, parks and state capitols across the country Sunday to decry President Trump's temporary refugee ban, the largest anti-Trump mass protest since the previous weekend, when hundreds of thousands gathered for the Women's March on Washington. Published January 29, 2017
Susan Rice, ex-national security advisor, hits Trump reshuffle of National Security Council
Former national security advisor Susan Rice ignited a feud Sunday with the Trump White House by ripping the recent reshuffling of the National Security Council as "stone cold crazy." Published January 29, 2017
Sean Spicer, spokesman: Trump will not apologize for ‘putting safety of country first and foremost’
White House spokesman Sean Spicer pushed back Sunday against criticism of the temporary refugee ban. Published January 29, 2017
Trump defends ‘extreme vetting’ as Kellyanne Conway calls it ‘a small price to pay’
President Trump doubled down Sunday on his temporary refugee ban as senior counselor Kellyanne Conway called the relatively small number of those detained at airports "a small price to pay." Published January 29, 2017
Rob Portman, Ohio senator, says executive order needs vetting as GOP splits on refugees
Sen. Rob Portman, Ohio Republican, said he supports making the visa process more secure but that the temporary order barring U.S. entry from seven Muslim-majority countries could use some vetting. Published January 29, 2017
California secessionists launch ballot signature-gathering drive amid anti-Trump wave
California secessionists launched their CalExit signature-gathering drive Friday, riding a wave of momentum churned up by the inauguration of President Trump. Published January 27, 2017
Finicum family, Bureau of Land Management still tangling a year after standoff
Ten months after her husband was killed in a standoff with the federal government, Jeanette Finicum was driving her cattle to their winter range in Northern Arizona when she received a message from the Bureau of Land Management: Keep off. Published January 26, 2017
Illegal mass protests fuel state efforts to bill protesters, crack down on traffic blockages
Protesters shutting down freeways and blocking public spaces have cost Minnesota taxpayers millions in the past 18 months, and state Rep. Nick Zerwas wants activists to start picking up the tab. Published January 26, 2017
Barron Trump mockers apologize after social media blowback
A slew of Inauguration Day tweets targeting President Trump's youngest child, Barron Trump, misfired spectacularly as Republicans and Democrats alike scrambled to the 10-year-old boy's defense, prompting apologies Monday along with reminders that presidential children, even in the age of no-holds-barred social media, are viewed as off-limits. Published January 23, 2017
SNL writer Katie Rich issues apology after being suspended for Barron Trump tweet
A writer for NBC's "Saturday Night Live" apologized Monday for a tweet targeting 10-year-old Barron Trump, son of President Donald J. Trump, after being suspended from the show. Published January 23, 2017
Inauguration protests threatening to backfire on the Democrats
From blocking bridges and roads to shutting down Metro, disruptive protests attempting to undermine the legitimacy of President-elect Donald Trump before his first day in office could have the opposite effect — making the new president look statesmanlike by comparison, Republican observers say. Published January 19, 2017
Donald Trump poised to make history at presidential inauguration
Even before he takes to the podium and places his hand on the Bible, President-elect Donald Trump is poised to make U.S. inauguration history Friday on any number of fronts. Published January 19, 2017
Girl Scouts will keep promise to march in inaugural parade despite calls to boycott
The Girl Scouts are sticking by their commitment to march in the inaugural parade Friday despite mounting opposition from Trump foes. Published January 19, 2017
Inauguration protests threaten to backfire on Democrats
From blocking bridges and roads to shutting down Metro, disruptive protests attempting to undermine the legitimacy of President-elect Donald Trump before his first day in office could have the opposite effect -- making the new president look statesmanlike by comparison, Republican observers say. Published January 19, 2017
Donald Trump opponents’ role permanent
Is the political left getting ahead of itself in bashing and trashing the Trump White House? Or are Democrats and left-wing groups gearing up for perpetual protest -- a never-ending onslaught of dissent and criticism aimed at delegitimizing the Trump presidency, discrediting the Trump administration and demonizing all things Trump? Published January 19, 2017
