Valerie Richardson

Vermont awards $150,000 for critter crossing

Why did the salamander cross the road? Because he wanted to check out the $150,000 tunnel built just for him. Published April 6, 2010

Arizona rancher’s slaying spurs calls for more border aid

The apparent slaying of a prominent Arizona rancher on his property near the Mexican border has inflamed tensions over illegal immigration. Published March 30, 2010

Amazon flexes muscle in sales-tax fight

Amazon.com, the nation's largest online retailer, is waging a bare-knuckles campaign over sales-tax proposals pushed by cash-strapped state legislatures eager to tap into the lucrative online market. Published March 23, 2010

Colo. Catholic school rejects gay parents’ children

Tensions between the Catholic Church and the gay community have erupted in Colorado after a Catholic school's decision to deny enrollment next year to the children of a lesbian couple. Published March 10, 2010

Compromise on greater sage grouse

Back in Colorado, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar was known as a master of the artful compromise, and his recent ruling on the greater sage grouse showed he hasn't lost his touch. Published March 8, 2010

Jerry Brown running for Calif. governor

Get ready for "Governor Moonbeam: The Sequel." Published March 3, 2010

New party brings its own ‘tea’ to election

Is the Nevada Tea Party and its newly minted third-party status for real? Published February 22, 2010

End near for Fighting Sioux mascot?

The end of the Fighting Sioux could be near as the University of North Dakota appears ready to abandon its mascot over calls of racism despite a petition drive by local tribe members to preserve the school's nickname and logo. Published February 17, 2010

Hayworth to battle ‘moderate’ McCain

After coming within a few million votes of the presidency, John McCain is suddenly facing the toughest re-election fight of his nearly 24-year Senate career. Published February 15, 2010

Moderate Republicans crash tea party

"Tea party" Republicans aren't the only candidates poised to make inroads this year - moderate Republicans are surging from Illinois to California, and in several instances proving they can best tea-party-powered conservatives at the polls. Published February 11, 2010

Prop. 8 trial stirs questions, emotions

The trial on the federal constitutionality of California's Proposition 8, the same-sex marriage ban, has been in many respects a tale of two trials. The question is, which trial was U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker watching? Published February 8, 2010

Cash-strapped states avoid word ‘taxes’

Faced with severe budget shortfalls after a steep economic recession, state legislatures and governors are trying to raise money without raising taxes — at least not technically. Published February 3, 2010

U.S. raises $500 million for Haiti

Even when money's tight, Americans can be counted on to lend a hand in the midst of a disaster, as witnessed by the U.S. response to the devastation wrought by the Haiti earthquake. Published January 27, 2010

Fight on right enlivens Utah Senate race

On the list of endangered congressional incumbents this year, Sen. Robert F. Bennett is one of the last names you'd expect to see. Yet Mr. Bennett is in trouble, according to both the polls and the prevailing political winds, which are blowing from the right. Published January 25, 2010