Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
California to tighten vaccine law
The rash of tough pro-vaccine bills that infected state legislatures after the Disneyland measles outbreak has largely faded, and based on the uproar in California, it's not hard to see why. Published June 10, 2015
Colorado school district cuts free period after lawsuit on prayer, religion talk
A Colorado Springs school district that was sued after banning students from praying and discussing religion during a free period has resolved the issue by eliminating the free period. Published June 9, 2015
Climate activists give cold shoulder to Georgetown’s move to divest only from coal
Student activists were lukewarm on Georgetown University's resolution to divest its $1.5 billion endowment from coal, characterizing it as a symbolic move that will have little impact on the institution or the climate. Published June 5, 2015
Jerry Brown rejects California fracking ban, risks alienating environmentalists
An unusual schism has opened up on California's politically dominant left flank, where Gov. Jerry Brown, a longtime favorite of the state's environmentalists, has refused to give in to the climate change movement's demand for a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing. Published June 2, 2015
New York Times accused of hypocrisy for allowing dung-covered Virgin Mary but not Muhammad art
Critics are crying double standard over The New York Times's decision to run an image last week of the Virgin Mary smeared in elephant dung after refusing to print sketches of the prophet Muhammad. Published June 1, 2015
Christopher Driscoll, Lehigh religion professor, hands down ‘10 Cracka Commandments’ for whites
A Lehigh University assistant professor is coming under criticism for issuing rules for white people involved in the Black Lives Matter movement called "The Ten Cracka Commandments." Published June 1, 2015
Jerry Brown in cross-hairs as Prop 13 foes push ‘split roll’ in California
Ever since Proposition 13 ignited a nationwide tax revolt in 1978, the California measure has been regarded as politically untouchable -- until now. Published May 31, 2015
No show of suspicion of ABC’s George Stephanopoulos among presidential candidates
If presidential candidates other than Hillary Rodham Clinton are leery of being questioned by ex-Clinton aide-turned-ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, so far they're not showing it. Published May 31, 2015
Western states decry Obama plan to save greater sage grouse
DENVER | There's one big problem with the Bureau of Land Management's newly released federal habitat plan for the greater sage grouse: It's federal. Published May 28, 2015
Forecast sees milder-than-average hurricane season
Those who dispute the theory that global warming is producing more extreme weather events received a boost Wednesday with the release of a federal forecast indicating another milder-than-average hurricane season. Published May 27, 2015
California water crisis could leave Democrats high and dry in 2016
Wherever he goes, Tom Del Beccaro asks California voters which they would prefer: high-speed rail or more water. Invariably, the answer is the same. Published May 27, 2015
Terry McAuliffe ices talk of Virginia divestment from fossil fuels
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe wants to fight climate change but not by divesting. Published May 27, 2015
NRA: Gun rights advocates fight to change Colorado’s limits on ammunition magazines
There is nothing that infuriates Colorado firearms owners more than the 15-round ammunition magazine limit enacted two years ago by Democrats, but a proposal to raise the limit to 30 rounds has split the states gun rights movement. Published May 19, 2015
Freddie Gray Baltimore police death sparks outrage as black-on-black murders go unnoticed
Former Baltimore cop Peter Moskos understands the anger over Freddie Gray's death, but he wishes there were a little more outrage over the deaths of men like Kareen George, Andre Hunt and Tierell Wilder. Published May 10, 2015
Gary Hart apologizes to Cory Gardner for barbs during Colorado Senate campaign
Former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart publicly apologized Friday to newly elected Sen. Cory Gardner for making "disparaging comments" about him during last year's hard-fought Senate campaign. Published May 9, 2015
Rubbin’ Buttz BBQ, Hispanic-owned restaurant, hit with bomb scare over ‘White Appreciation Day’
The Hispanic restaurant owners who ignited an uproar over their plans to hold White Appreciation Day next month were forced to evacuate their barbecue joint late Friday after a bomb scare. Published May 9, 2015
Hispanic barbecue owners to host ‘White Appreciation Day’ at Colorado eatery
Black History Month is February. Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. And at one Colorado barbecue joint, June 11 is White Appreciation Day. Published May 8, 2015
Bowdoin, California students reject Israeli divestment as issue surges on campuses
Supporters of Israel at U.S. universities spend a lot of time playing defense against the boycott and divestment movement, but the result is that their skills may be improving. Published May 7, 2015
Sweet Cakes by Melissa, snubbed by Gofundme, gets new crowdfund campaign
A new crowdfunding campaign on behalf of Sweet Cakes by Melissa was launched Tuesday after a similar effort was removed last week by GoFundMe. Published May 5, 2015
Colorado Democrats defeat fetal homicide bill filed after grisly attack on pregnant woman
Colorado Democrats defeated Monday a fetal homicide bill introduced by Republicans in April after a horrific attack on a woman in her seventh month of pregnancy whose unborn baby was cut out of her womb. Published May 5, 2015
