Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Black Lives Matter’s political clout grows as Democrats disavow leaked memo
Democrats faced a thorny dilemma this week after a leaked memo showed that a party strategist had described Black Lives Matter as a "radical movement" and urged candidates not to endorse its policy positions. Published September 1, 2016
Colorado professors advise students to drop class if they question climate change
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is coming under fire after three professors warned their class that there would be no debate on human-caused climate change, and that any students who disagree should drop the course. Published August 31, 2016
Eric Schneiderman, N.Y. attorney general, sued over secrecy deal on climate-change investigation
New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman was hit with a lawsuit Wednesday seeking copies of any secrecy agreements related to a multistate investigation into climate-change dissent. Published August 31, 2016
Fracking denied credit as Obama administration touts 20-year carbon emissions low
The Obama administration is heralding the nearly 20-year low in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions as President Obama prepares to talk climate change in China, but so far the fracking revolution isn't getting any credit. Published August 30, 2016
Colorado anti-fracking initiatives fail to qualify for ballot, trigger forgery investigation
The anti-fracking movement suffered a setback Monday in Colorado, as two closely watched initiatives aimed at restricting fossil fuel development failed to qualify for the November ballot and prompted an investigation over suspected forgery of petition signatures. Published August 29, 2016
Obama will bypass Senate, ratify Paris climate accord himself during trip to China: report
The White House on Monday defended President Obama's decision to enter into the Paris climate accord without Senate ratification but stopped short of confirming a Chinese report that he will do so this week during his trip to China. Published August 29, 2016
Michael Bennet, Colorado Democrat, hit for declaring Iran nuclear deal ‘going well’
Sen. Michael Bennet prompted a few double-takes this week by saying that he believes the one-year-old Iran nuclear deal is "going well." Published August 27, 2016
Bernie Sanders picks fight with Democratic establishment over ColoradoCare ballot initiative
If Democrats assumed Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders would fall in line after losing the presidential nomination, they were sadly mistaken. Published August 26, 2016
Talk of regulating Louisiana’s freewheeling Cajun Navy makes waves
After three days helping victims of the Louisiana flood, volunteer Thomas Achord was piloting his boat back to shore when he saw authorities barricading the entry to the waterway in Livingston Parish. Published August 25, 2016
Clinton’s ‘done deal’ on keeping energy in ground would cost $70 billion, kill jobs: report
The "keep it in the ground" fossil fuel strategy described by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as a "done deal" would kill more than 380,000 jobs and deliver a $70 billion annual hit to the economy, according to a report released Wednesday. Published August 24, 2016
Bill Nye, ‘The Science Guy,’ admits climate ‘deniers’ have been ‘surprisingly successful’
Bill Nye, former host of the TV show "Bill Nye The Science Guy," is no fan of climate skeptics, but he recently acknowledged that they have been "surprisingly successful" in influencing public opinion on global warming. Published August 24, 2016
Feud with Democrat climate change prosecutors heats up as House GOP refuses to drop subpoenas
The House Science Committee's feud with Democratic climate prosecutors escalated Tuesday as the chairman said Tuesday that the investigation into climate-change "fraud" may be impeding federally funded scientific research. Published August 23, 2016
Baton Rouge grapples with Black Lives Matter lawsuit in midst of flood recovery
Baton Rouge police submerged in flood recovery efforts also are grappling with a lawsuit filed by Black Lives Matter protesters claiming excessive use of force during demonstrations that left three officers dead last month. Published August 23, 2016
Al Gore, climate activists use Louisiana floods to push narrative without evidence of link
Few would be surprised if President Obama took aim at climate change during his visit Tuesday to survey the Louisiana flooding, which is why global warming skeptics are already raining on his parade. Published August 22, 2016
Black Lives Matter takes heat for Louisiana flood relief inaction after Baton Rouge protests
Black Lives Matter is coming under fire for its lackluster response to the catastrophic Louisiana flooding less than a month after mobilizing crowds to protest the shooting of a black man in Baton Rouge. Published August 21, 2016
Obama offends Louisiana flood victims with memo warning them not to discriminate
President Obama has refused so far to survey the Louisiana flood disaster, but he did let state and local officials know that he's watching to make sure they don't engage in racial discrimination. Published August 19, 2016
Climate-change activists call for tax policies to discourage childbirth
Climate-change activists are mobilizing to cut the birthrate, arguing that richer nations should discourage people having children in order to protect them from the ravages of global warming and reduce emissions. Published August 19, 2016
Max Kellerman, ESPN host: Black Lives Matter has hurt its cause with ‘controversial’ platform
ESPN host Max Kellerman said Friday that the Black Lives Matter movement has damaged its cause with its "controversial" political platform, a fiery left-wing manifesto that accuses Israel of "genocide." Published August 19, 2016
Obama’s golf vacation amid Louisiana flooding stirs resentment, recalls Bush’s Katrina response
President Obama is stirring resentment over his refusal to interrupt his Martha's Vineyard vacation to survey the Louisiana flood -- the worst U.S. natural disaster since 2012 -- while drawing comparisons to President George W. Bush's hotly criticized response to Hurricane Katrina in the same state. Published August 18, 2016
Colorado universal health care initiative divides progressives
A left-on-left battle broke out Wednesday in Colorado as influential progressives turned on ColoradoCare, the sweeping universal health care initiative threatening to drag down Democratic candidates in November. Published August 17, 2016
