Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Clean Power Plan reset sought after emails show collaboration between EPA, greens
A pro-energy advocacy group is seeking to incinerate the Clean Power Plan after releasing more emails showing a key Environmental Protection Agency official collaborating behind the scenes with leading environmental activists. Published February 22, 2016
New Hampshire voter-fraud probe into Sanders campaign expands after latest Project Veritas video
The New Hampshire voter-fraud investigation into Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders' campaign has grown with the release of a second undercover video showing out-of-state staffers saying they exploited the law in order to vote in the Democratic presidential primary. Published February 19, 2016
Man undressing in women’s locker room fuels drive to upend Washington transgender rule
Conservative activists have launched a ballot campaign to overturn Washington's transgender rule, fueled by alarm over a man who began undressing in front of girls at a Seattle Parks and Recreation women's locker room. Published February 18, 2016
Oddsmaker puts Sri Srinivasan at top of list to fill Antonin Scalia vacancy
Judge Sri Srinivasan of the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has the best chance of succeeding Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, according to a top online oddsmaker. Published February 18, 2016
Scott Walker, Wisconsin governor, signs bills to defund Planned Parenthood affiliate
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation Thursday to defund Planned Parenthood while directing state and federal dollars to other health care providers. Published February 18, 2016
Democrats ushered in partisan Supreme Court confirmation process, Republicans note
For Democrats railing against the Senate's threat to mothball President Obama's nominees to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia, Republicans have three words: You started it. Published February 17, 2016
Sally Jewell gets subpoena from House GOP over Gold King Mine spill
A House committee issued a subpoena Wednesday ordering Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to produce a critical peer review and other documents related to the Environmental Protection Agency's spill at the Gold King Mine. Published February 17, 2016
Oregon House passes bill to shield officer who shot ‘LaVoy’ Finicum
The Oregon House overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday that would shield the identity of the officer who shot and killed Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, and potentially others, despite cross-ideological opposition from both Finicum supporters and Black Lives Matter. Published February 17, 2016
South Dakota legislature sends landmark transgender-bathroom bill to governor
A bill approved Tuesday would make South Dakota the first state to enact a proactive ban on opposite-sex restroom and shower access in public schools, touching off the latest skirmish on transgender bathroom use. Published February 16, 2016
David Daleiden, Sandra Merritt criminal charges disturb Planned Parenthood supporters
Journalism professor Mark Feldstein isn't a fan of the pro-life Center for Medical Progress, but he is a staunch supporter of the First Amendment. Published February 16, 2016
Susana Martinez, New Mexico governor, declares win with illegal-immigrant driver’s license reform
In New Mexico, illegal immigrants will no longer be able to obtain a state driver's license -- but they will have access to a driver's authorization card. Published February 16, 2016
Oregon bill would shield identity of officer who shot and killed ‘LaVoy’ Finicum
Fast-tracked Oregon legislation that would conceal the identity of the officer who shot Robert "LaVoy" Finicum is meeting with resistance from supporters of the slain Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupier. Published February 14, 2016
EPA coordinator knew of Gold King Mine’s blowout danger, email reveals
An internal email unearthed by House Republicans shows that the Environmental Protection Agency on-site coordinator knew that there was "a lot of water" behind the plug at the Gold King Mine — but didn't check to see how much before removing loose dirt. Published February 11, 2016
Four Oregon occupiers surrender to FBI; final man threatened suicide before leaving
More arrests and indictments came Thursday after the 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended with the dramatic surrender of the four remaining protesters, including one who threatened to commit suicide rather than go to prison. Published February 11, 2016
House panel report slams EPA for Animas River spill, accuses administration of concealing details
A House committee investigative report released Thursday slammed the Environmental Protection Agency for the Animas River spill, attributing it to the crew's sloppiness and accusing the Obama administration of deliberately concealing information about the accident. Published February 11, 2016
Planned Parenthood defunding bill in Ohio sent to John Kasich’s desk
A bill that would defund Planned Parenthood in Ohio and redirect funding to other health-care centers is headed to the desk of Republican Gov. John Kasich after the state House gave it final approval Wednesday. Published February 10, 2016
Oregon wildlife standoff: FBI moves in on remaining occupiers at refuge
Federal officials moved in on the remaining occupiers of an Oregon wildlife refuge, the agency said Wednesday night as the four activists continued their stance of public defiance and made a real-time public event of the siege on YouTube. Published February 10, 2016
Oregon holdouts say they want same deal judge gave Ferguson
The four remaining Oregon occupiers say they want the same deal given to residents of Ferguson, Missouri -- namely, they want their arrest warrants withdrawn. Published February 9, 2016
LaVoy Finicum mourners draw public lands attention, but Malheur occupation questioned
There is no doubt that foes of the federal government's public lands authority have been re-energized by the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon. Whether they have helped or hurt their cause overall is another question. Published February 7, 2016
David Daleiden, pro-life investigator, surrenders, posts bail
Pro-life investigator David Daleiden posted bail Thursday in Houston while his attorneys said he would refuse a plea deal on charges stemming from his undercover probe of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast. Published February 4, 2016
