Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Komen backtracks on Planned Parenthood ban
Breast cancer research foundation Susan G. Komen for the Cure reversed on Friday its decision to defund Planned Parenthood after a three-day uproar that saw the foundation come under intense political pressure by pro-choice advocates. Published February 3, 2012
Susan G. Komen defends cutoff of Planned Parenthood
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the women's health foundation under intense criticism for breaking ranks with Planned Parenthood, denied Thursday that political considerations played any role in its decision to cut off funding to the nation's largest abortion provider. Published February 2, 2012
Washington state Senate approves gay marriage
The Washington state Senate approved 28-21 Wednesday a same-sex marriage bill, handing advocates their biggest victory of the 2012 legislative session and all but ensure legalized gay marriage in the Evergreen State. Published February 1, 2012
Santorum, Paul take campaigns out West and vow to stay in race
You know you've given up winning the Florida Republican primary when you spend election day in Colorado and Nevada. Published January 31, 2012
Gay history law on Calif. books, but not in texts
California's first-of-its-kind "gay history" law went into effect Jan. 1, but so far, educators don't appear to be on the same page. Published January 30, 2012
Washington, New Jersey governors diverge on gay-marriage bills
Two more state legislatures are on the verge of approving same-sex marriage, but whether the bills become law depends on two very different governors. Published January 24, 2012
High court ruling landmark for religion
Religious organizations won a landmark victory Wednesday as the Supreme Court held that churches have the right to make employment decisions free from government interference over discrimination laws. Published January 11, 2012
Grand Canyon uranium put off-limits
Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar placed a 20-year moratorium Monday on new uranium mining claims in the Grand Canyon region over the objections of Western Republicans, who insisted the ban would deliver an unnecessary blow to the Northern Arizona economy. Published January 9, 2012
Veteran Hatch gets challenger
For all the talk of Sen. Orrin G. Hatch's political vulnerability, the veteran Utah Republican had managed to deflect all serious challengers until Wednesday, when state Sen. Dan Liljenquist entered the primary race. Published January 4, 2012
New laws: No caffeine in beer, shark fins in soup
Starting Jan. 1, getting shark fins, caffeinated beer, cough syrup or a tan is going to be tougher than it was in 2011. Published December 26, 2011
Three Denver Muslims lead cheers for Tebow
This is the story of three sports-loving Muslim brothers and how they boosted the career of the NFL's most famous Christian. Published December 22, 2011
Colorado to challenge school-funding ruling
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper announced Wednesday that he would appeal a budget-busting court ruling on school finance to the state Supreme Court. Published December 21, 2011
Judge: Colo. fails to provide enough for schools
That sound you don't hear is Colorado lawmakers holding their breath over a court case that could upend the cash-strapped state's budget and tax structure. Published December 19, 2011
Press turns out a recent glut of ‘rare bipartisan’ breakthroughs
In the sharply divided 112th Congress, bipartisan support for anything seems rare - but perhaps not as "rare" as has been advertised. Published December 15, 2011
Tebow fever grips Denver
Coloradans — even the non-football fans — are as shocked and awed as anyone by the miracle occurring in their own backyard with the rise of Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos quarterback and quite possibly the most famous Christian bachelor to walk the Earth in the past 2,000 years. Published December 12, 2011
N.Y., Calif. governors press tax hike on rich
In the space of a few days this week, the Democratic governors of California and New York have backed a bet that voters will embrace the idea of raising taxes on the rich to solve their states' budget woes. Published December 7, 2011
Brown takes tax-the-rich plan directly to California voters
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday unveiled a tax-the-rich ballot initiative aimed at staving off budget cuts to education and public safety. Published December 5, 2011
In Oregon, a new debate on halting executions
Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber says he intended to start a debate about the death penalty when he announced at an emotional news conference last week that he would block all executions for the remainder of his term. Published November 30, 2011
Bricks-and-mortar stores aim to nail down sales tax
Buying online, especially when it comes to jewelry, cameras, computers and other high-end electronics, can save consumers a hefty chunk of change since no sales tax is charged. But the costs to traditional retailers, not to mention state and local governments, are mounting. Published November 24, 2011
Arpaio is next marked man for recall by ‘posse’ in Arizona
The same Arizona group that took down the state's leading immigration hard-liner is now gunning for its best-known lawman. Published November 23, 2011
