Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Oregon ranchers report to prison as sheriff calls for end to ‘armed occupation’
The father-and-son ranchers whose legal battle spurred the takeover of a federal wildlife building in eastern Oregon reported to prison Monday as the local sheriff called on armed militants to "end this peacefully." Published January 4, 2016
Donald Trump says Bill Clinton sexual past is ‘fair game’ in campaign
Fair game or not, former President Bill Clinton's sexual dalliances, which include rape accusations, emerged as a hot topic Sunday as the ex-president prepared to campaign Monday in New Hampshire for his wife, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. Published January 3, 2016
!["Whenever [President Obama] can't get what he wants — because, quite frankly, the American people have rejected his agenda — now this president wants to act as if he's a king, as if he's a dictator," said New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. (Associated Press)](https://twt-thumbs.washtimes.com/media/image/2016/01/03/1_3_2016_gop-2016-christie-68201_c0-33-4412-2604_s652x380.jpg?348a9b3e098f5bb46aa4d7e2dc4e59cca6efbdad)
Obama’s gun control executive orders on background checks draw Republicans’ ire
Gun control surged to the forefront of the 2016 campaign Sunday as Republicans unloaded on President Obama's anticipated executive orders on background checks, taking advantage of a potent wedge issue less than a month before the Iowa caucus. Published January 3, 2016
Donald Trump refuses to back down after being used in terrorist recruitment video
Donald Trump on Sunday shrugged off the use of his image in a recently released terrorist recruitment video, saying, "I have to say what I have to say." Published January 3, 2016
Cliven Bundy’s family joins militia members in seizing Oregon wildlife refuge
Armed anti-government militants who took over an unoccupied national wildlife refuge headquarters in rural Oregon said Sunday that they have no intention of engaging in violence unless the federal government comes after them. Published January 3, 2016
Bernie Sanders slams Donald Trump for broaching Bill Clinton’s sex life as a campaign issue
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders slammed Donald Trump on Sunday for bringing up former President Bill Clinton's "sexual life" as a 2016 campaign issue. Published January 3, 2016
Bernie Sanders, Vermont senator, defends Obama’s expected crackdown on gun access
Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders on Sunday defended President Obama's anticipated use of executive orders to clamp down on firearms access. Published January 3, 2016
Transgenders in Washington state to use restrooms based on identity, not anatomy: rule
A legislative battle over transgender restroom access is brewing in Washington after a state commission enacted rules requiring that bathroom, shower and locker room use in public accommodations be based on "gender identity," not sex. Published December 31, 2015
Sweet Cakes by Melissa forks over $135,000 for not baking gay-wedding cake
The owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa have paid a hefty $135,000 in state-mandated damages for "emotional suffering" inflicted by their refusal to prepare a cake for a lesbian couple's wedding. Published December 29, 2015
Planned Parenthood’s patients, services drop as its federal funding jumps: report
Nobody questions the clout of Planned Parenthood as a political player, feminist icon and Democratic fundraising machine, but as a health care provider, the organization is increasingly finding itself on the skids. Published December 29, 2015
Peyton Manning threats to sue Al Jazeera over doping story
An Al Jazeera reporter defended Monday the network's explosive report linking Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning to illegal doping even though the source has since recanted. Published December 28, 2015
Peyton Manning doping claim repudiated by Al Jazeera source
An Al Jazeera America investigation alleging that Peyton Manning used illegal performance-enhancing drugs came under attack Sunday after the report's source recanted his allegations. Published December 27, 2015
British Muslim family denied Disneyland trip for good reason, border security reports say
The initial outrage over a British Muslim family being denied a trip to Disneyland is increasingly being challenged as reports emerge that U.S. authorities may have had good reason to turn away the party at the airline gate. Published December 24, 2015
Air Force Academy rejects complaint against football players who pray before games
Score one for the Air Force Academy football players taking a Tim Tebow-style knee in a brief pregame prayer on the field. Published December 23, 2015
College students sign fake petition to ban ‘White Christmas’ as ‘racist’
An undercover video released this week shows college students signing a petition asking radio stations to boycott the "racist" song "White Christmas." Published December 22, 2015
Planned Parenthood hit with fetal tissue research probe, defunding in Utah
An inspector general has agreed to probe how the government doles out money to study fetal tissue, Sen. Rand Paul announced Tuesday, in an investigation he said could pry into Planned Parenthood's sale of parts of aborted fetuses for research purposes. Published December 22, 2015
Judge deals setback to Planned Parenthood, allows Utah to block funding
Planned Parenthood's winning streak in its funding battle with a half-dozen states ended Tuesday with a federal judge's ruling that Utah may block federal funds from the state's Planned Parenthood affiliate as it pursues a lawsuit. Published December 22, 2015
No war on Christmas: In many communities, officials opt to surrender
There was no flap this year over the "Merry Christmas" sign in Bethlehem, New York, because the town never displayed it, opting to avoid the possibility of a legal fight even in a community named for the birthplace of Jesus. Published December 21, 2015
House Republicans blast Interior Dept. for bowing to pressure from greens on lease sales
House Republicans are calling out the Interior Department for delaying a recent spate of oil-and-gas lease sales, accusing the department of kowtowing to pressure from environmentalists. Published December 17, 2015
EPA use of social media to tout own program broke law: GAO
When the Environmental Protection Agency launched a social media blitz touting its hotly contested proposal to expand its water regulatory authority, Republicans accused the agency of breaking the law by spreading propaganda on the public dime. Published December 15, 2015
