Valerie Richardson

Lawyer: Balloon boy parents to plead guilty

The Colorado parents accused of masterminding the "balloon-boy" escapade plan to plead guilty Friday to both felony and misdemeanor charges and could serve light jail terms as part of a plea agreement designed to keep the family together, according to their attorney. Published November 12, 2009

Gay rights movement sees few gains

Gay rights advocates took some comfort in small victories from Tuesday's elections after suffering a major defeat in Maine, where voters rejected a state same-sex marriage law. Published November 5, 2009

Maine gay marriage ban locked in vote

The vote on whether to affirm or reject same-sex marriage in Maine remained too close to call in Tuesday's early election returns. Published November 4, 2009

Aborted fetus cells used in beauty creams

A San Francisco cosmetics company has ignited an outcry among pro-lifers for including an unexpected ingredient in its anti-aging creams: skin-cell proteins from an aborted fetus. Published November 3, 2009

Historic vote on same-sex unions in Maine

Maine voters will make history next month when they cast their ballots on whether to legalize same-sex marriage in the state — one way or another. Published October 27, 2009

‘Balloon-boy’ dad told sons to lie, police say

Richard Heene instructed his children to lie to police and involved them in possible felony criminal behavior as part of last week's "balloon-boy" hoax, law enforcement authorities say. Published October 21, 2009

Slew of mayoral races spice up election season

More than a dozen big and mid-sized cities are electing mayors on Nov. 3. Published October 20, 2009

Colo. sheriff bursts story of ‘balloon boy’

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden concluded fairly early on that the "balloon boy" saga was nothing but hot air, yet he continued to state publicly that he believed the Heenes were telling the truth. Published October 19, 2009

Sheriff: ‘Balloon boy’ saga was hoax

UPDATED: The "balloon boy" saga was nothing but hot air, according to authorities, who said the entire Heene family was in on the publicity stunt. Published October 18, 2009

‘Balloon boy’ family likely faces charges

The Larimer County Sheriff said Saturday that criminal charges would be filed against one or both of the parents of the six-year-old boy who was hiding in his garage attic while authorities thought he was flying through the air in a homemade helium balloon. Published October 18, 2009

Sheriff rechecks family’s balloon account

An investigation is under way by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office to determine whether Thursday's balloon-boy episode was real or a hoax. Published October 17, 2009

Boy found in attic, not homemade balloon

As it turned out, the Falcon had only flown up to the attic. Published October 16, 2009

Boy said to have floated off in balloon found

A 6-year-old Colorado boy who was thought to have flown off in a homemade helium balloon Thursday was found safe in his family's attic shortly before authorities were slated to launch a massive evening search for his body. Published October 15, 2009

Radio host wins pardon for executed great-uncles

Syndicated radio-talk show host Tom Joyner's crusade to clear the names of two great-uncles executed in 1915 for the murder of a Confederate Army veteran ended triumphantly. Published October 15, 2009

Schwarzenegger inks pro-gay bills

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's late-Sunday flurry of bill-signings produced a pair of groundbreaking victories for the state's gay rights community. Published October 13, 2009

Kentucky pastor drops flock for his Glock

The Kentucky pastor who drew notice earlier this year for hosting a God-and-guns event at his church is giving up his flock for his Glock. Published October 12, 2009

Challenge to appointed Colorado senator roils Democrats

When Michael Bennet was tapped to fill Colorado's U.S. Senate vacancy in January, it didn't sit well with Diane Rubenstein. Published October 6, 2009

N. Dakota’s Fighting Sioux fight for survival

Fans of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux will not be watching pucks or game scores Thursday night; instead, they'll be eyeballing the returns in a local Sioux tribe's election. Published September 30, 2009

Dad found guilty in likely death of his daughter

A Colorado jury found Aaron Thompson guilty Monday in the presumed death of his young daughter Aarone, who disappeared from the family's home anywhere from four to six years ago but whose body has never been found. Published September 29, 2009

Canada’s lack of special care empowers brokers

Richard Baker is known as a critic of the Canadian health care system, but he's the first to acknowledge that it represents a real bargain for those with routine afflictions. Published September 28, 2009