Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Udall latest Democrat to be accused of downplaying Islamic State threat
The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a television ad Tuesday accusing Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado of being soft on national security for saying during a debate that the Islamic State doesn't pose an "imminent threat." Published September 30, 2014
‘Not white’ Salt Lake officer ‘justified’ in shooting of unarmed youth
The Salt Lake County district attorney announced Tuesday that the minority police officer who fatally shot an unarmed white suspect was "legally justified," in a case that drew national attention in the aftermath of the racially charged police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. Published September 30, 2014
Mitt Romney proves to be a draw in Colorado races
Luckily for Colorado Democrats, it's too late for a recount of the 2012 presidential race here, since Republican challenger Mitt Romney is proving vastly more popular on the campaign trail than President Obama. Published September 29, 2014
Boehner wants to stop ‘butting heads’ with president
House Speaker John A. Boehner said Sunday he hopes to persuade President Obama after the November election to end the gridlock and tackle a host of contentious issues, including immigration reform and the Keystone XL pipeline. Published September 28, 2014
Obama says administration may have misjudged Islamic State
President Obama acknowledged Sunday that his administration misjudged the danger from the rising Islamic State, while House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, said the result is that U.S. officials may have “no choice” but to send troops back to the Middle East. Published September 28, 2014
Wealthy single women choose conservative men over liberals
Successful women seeking a love connection prefer conservative men to their liberal counterparts, according to figures released last week by an online dating service. Published September 28, 2014
Suburbs clash over solutions as residents battle coyote infestation
When Charlene Warner walks her dog each morning in her neighborhood in upscale Seal Beach, California, she’s terrified she’ll be attacked — not by muggers or gangs, but by coyotes. Published September 28, 2014
Republican Sullivan overtakes Sen. Begich in four latest Alaska Senate polls
Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan has pulled ahead of Democratic Sen. Mark Begich in four separate polls released in the last few days, lending more drama to a race that could decide control of the Senate. Published September 27, 2014
GOP doubles down with ad slamming the Udall ‘Dynasty’
Having a famous family name is usually a plus in politics, but Republicans are going populist on what they call the “dynasty” candidacy of Colorado Sen. Mark Udall. Published September 26, 2014
Climate changers criticized for taking fossil-fuel money while calling for divestment
Another climate-change group is being accused of hypocrisy for accepting fossil-fuel funding even as its leaders call for others to divest from coal, oil and natural gas. Published September 25, 2014
Colorado marijuana VIPs raise green stuff for Sen. Mark Udall
Colorado marijuana bigwigs are holding a fundraiser Friday for Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, an indication that the growing industry is moving to exercise its clout in partisan politics. Published September 25, 2014
Millennial group hits Senate Dems for supporting Internet sales tax
Two vulnerable Senate Democrats are depicted as being on the wrong side of the generation gap in a television ad released Wednesday by a millennial advocacy group. Published September 24, 2014
Climate article points up tensions for newspaper
The Los Angeles Times won’t run letters from climate-change “deniers,” so readers may have been surprised to find an article in Monday’s edition on research concluding that natural changes in the wind — not fossil-fuel emissions — are driving West Coast land and sea warming. Published September 24, 2014
Longshot Neel Kashkari challenges Jerry Brown for California governor
California Gov. Jerry Brown is running for re-election on his economic record, which means he's got at least one thing in common with his feisty Republican challenger. Published September 22, 2014
Skeptics heated over climate conference
The environmental movement is turning up the heat as President Obama heads to New York for Tuesday's global climate gathering, but climate-change skeptics are calling for cooler heads to prevail. Published September 22, 2014
Senators aim to tackle NFL’s ‘dramatic growth in violence’
Sen. Dianne Feinstein warned Sunday that members of the Senate may intervene in the NFL domestic violence scandal, saying the situation has gone on too long. Published September 21, 2014
Senate may become involved in NFL domestic violence issue: Feinstein
Sen. Dianne Feinstein warned Sunday that members of the Senate may become involved in the NFL's domestic violence scandal, saying the situation has gone on "too long." Published September 21, 2014
Obama needs no U.N. approval to order airstrikes in Syria, ambassador says
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Sunday that the Obama administration has a legal basis to conduct airstrikes in Syria without U.N. approval, raising questions about the White House's ability to form an international front against the Islamic State. Published September 21, 2014
Gates warns president’s goal of destroying Islamic State is ‘very ambitious’
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Sunday that President Obama's vow to destroy the Islamic State is "very ambitious," but that even degrading the terrorist group will require some American combat troops. Published September 21, 2014
Democrats drop off tickets to help Harry Reid keep Senate control
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wants Democratic candidates to win, but it may be more important that Republican candidates lose. Published September 19, 2014
