Valerie Richardson

Voters back religious leaders who defend faith against government, poll shows

A poll conducted in the wake of Houston's move to subpoena sermons shows that voters overwhelmingly agree religious leaders should be able to stand up for their beliefs without government prosecution. Published October 22, 2014

‘Ballot harvesting’ by Colorado campaign workers raises vote abuse fears

It's harvest time in Colorado, and not just for pumpkins. Concerns are running high over door-to-door campaign workers asking voters for their mail-in ballots in what is known as "ballot harvesting." Published October 21, 2014

Ebola protocols flawed, left U.S. nurses vulnerable, health official says

An Obama administration health official said Sunday that U.S. protocols on Ebola failed because they originally were intended for African field hospitals, while the White House came under another round of attacks for its refusal to restrict travel from nations suffering epidemic outbreaks. Published October 19, 2014

Republicans say Ebola czar should have been real doctor, not spin doctor

Republicans vented their frustration Sunday with the White House's newly appointed Ebola czar, accusing President Obama of naming a spin doctor instead of a real doctor. Published October 19, 2014

Petitions urge Obama to disclose immigration policy, premium hikes before election

President Obama has pushed a number of key policy decisions until after the Nov. 4 election, and Colin Hanna wants voters to realize that before they hit the ballot box. Published October 19, 2014

Obama administration resists Ebola travel ban even as other nations restrict entry

More than two dozen countries in Africa, the Caribbean and elsewhere have instituted Ebola-related travel bans, but public health officials continued to insist Sunday that entry restrictions would do little to help prevent an outbreak on U.S. soil. Published October 19, 2014

Houston mayor removes church sermons from subpoena request after outcry

Houston officials moved Friday to squelch a national outcry over religious freedom by removing a demand for sermons from subpoenas filed against five local pastors, but critics said the city's response doesn't go far enough. Published October 17, 2014

Health care cancellation avalanche hits Colo. Democrats weeks before election

The Colorado Division of Insurance announced Friday a surge in health-care policy cancellations in the wake of Obamacare, just what Democratic candidates in high-profile races didn't need less than three weeks before Election Day. Published October 17, 2014

Ted Cruz, Houston pastors rally as sermon subpoena outcry intensifies

Critics called Thursday on Houston Mayor Annise Parker to withdraw subpoenas for church sermons issued as part of a lawsuit over a transgender rights ordinance, while city officials attempted to downplay the outcry as overblown. Published October 16, 2014

Report on Cory Gardner’s football days retracted for inaccuracy

It must be October: Republican Rep. Cory Gardner's prep sports career emerged as an issue in the Colorado Senate campaign this week after the website Deadspin accused the congressman — wrongly, it turns out — of lying about playing high school football. Published October 16, 2014

Houston backs off church sermon subpoenas in transgender ‘bathroom bill’ fight

After calling church sermons "fair game" for subpoena, Houston Mayor Annise Parker backed down Wednesday from the city's effort to force local pastors to turn over speeches and papers related to a hotly contested transgender rights ordinance. Published October 15, 2014

Udall drilled on fracking in new Colorado Senate ads

Democratic Sen. Mark Udall’s stance on hydraulic fracturing is coming under fire in the latest wave of ads hitting the razor-close Colorado Senate race. Published October 15, 2014

Houston subpoenas pastors’ sermons in fight over ‘bathroom bill’

Attorneys for several Houston pastors are challenging the city's attempts to subpoena their sermons as part of a lawsuit against the recently passed transgender-rights law, also known as the "bathroom bill." Published October 14, 2014

Obama postpones key decisions until postelection

The president has pushed back until after the election decisions on a host of high-profile issues related to Obamacare insurance premiums, immigration, the Keystone XL pipeline and his cabinet, prompting critics to accuse him of hiding his policies from the voters until it's too late. Published October 14, 2014

Obamacare website won’t reveal insurance costs for 2015 until after election

Those planning to purchase health insurance on the Obamacare exchange will soon find out how much rates have increased — after the Nov. 4 election. Published October 14, 2014

School shooter fooled psychologists as he plotted deadly rampage: Report

He called himself a "psychopath" in his secret diary and vowed revenge for slights dating back to elementary school before the Arapahoe High School shooter killed another student and himself last year, according to a sheriff's report released Friday. Published October 12, 2014

John Hickenlooper slams marijuana legalization, takes pot lobby’s campaign cash

He still thinks Colorado voters made a mistake when they legalized marijuana two years ago, but Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper is not above taking the pot industry's campaign money as he faces a tough re-election battle next month. Published October 9, 2014