Valerie Richardson

Book fans descend on town’s ‘Twilight’ zone

Strange, previously unseen creatures have overrun this tiny logging burg, creeping through its neighborhoods and staring at the town's high school. The locals have a name for these otherworldly beings: "Twilight" fans. Published November 20, 2008

Gay rights left on sidelines after election

The 2008 election was a success for nearly every segment of the Democratic coalition, with one stark exception: gay rights advocates. The same voters who backed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and defeated conservative ballot measures on issues such as abortion, assisted suicide and marijuana legalization suddenly veered from the script when it came to advancing rights for gays. Published November 18, 2008

Obama helped defeat anti-affirmative action

Ward Connerly says his anti-affirmative-action movement wouldn't have taken its first ballot defeat if not for a buzzsaw named Barack Obama. Published November 8, 2008

Blacks, youths turn out; vote record holds

Tuesday's presidential election was historic for many reasons, but achieving the record-shattering voter turnout many expected wasn´t one of them. Published November 6, 2008

Obama’s key state victories flip electoral map

President-elect Barack Obama's victories in previous Republican states Tuesday night transformed the red-blue electoral map that has helped define the nation's regional political bent for the last few presidential elections. Published November 5, 2008

Changes expected to red-blue electoral map

The red-blue electoral map that has helped define the nation's regional political bent is expected to look quite different after Tuesday's presidential vote. Published November 4, 2008

Moderation not key for GOP incumbent

Republican Sen. Gordon H. Smith has compiled one of the most moderate voting records in the Senate during his two terms, but that may not be enough to win over voters in this increasingly "blue" state. Published November 3, 2008

In Washington, ‘change’ is red word

Like many of this year's candidates, Washington gubernatorial hopeful Dino Rossi is running on a message of change aimed at voters dissatisfied with the political status quo. Published October 28, 2008

Palin’s makeover cost RNC thousands

Gov. Sarah Palin's maverick image as a moose-hunting "hockey mom" took more hits this week with disclosures about her campaign-bought Neiman Marcus wardrobe and her charging the state for some of her children's travel expenses in 2006. Published October 23, 2008

Candidates’ all-out push in final 2 weeks

The John McCain for President headquarters here is exactly what you'd expect in a town of 10,000 planted on the southern rim of the Gila National Forest. Published October 21, 2008

Bush sets high bar for service initiatives

When it comes to national service and volunteerism, President Bush will be a tough act to follow. Published October 12, 2008

Colorado Senate race heats up

DENVER Published October 7, 2008

Colorado Senate race heats up

As anyone who has ever run against Bob Schaffer knows, it's only a matter of time before the "gotcha" moment. It's that instant right after Mr. Schaffer maneuvers his opponent into making what appears to be a harmless statement. Like four years ago, during a debate against Pete Coors in the Republican Senate primary, when Mr. Schaffer repeatedly cited a man named Paul Martin. Published October 6, 2008

Unions retract ‘poison pill’ measures

Colorado leaders say they dodged a ballot bullet by reaching a last-minute agreement with labor unions. Published October 3, 2008

Legal group sues over polar-bear listing

The Pacific Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the Bush administration´s decision to list the polar bear as a threatened species, the latest salvo in the debate over global warming and its impact on Arctic wildlife. Published October 2, 2008

Michelle Obama courts student vote

Michelle Obama urged University of Colorado students to register to vote at an event here Wednesday, underscoring the importance of both Colorado and the youth vote in her husbands presidential campaign. Published October 1, 2008

Coors is not light in union battle

A high-stakes game of chicken between labor and business is unfolding in Colorado over four pro-union ballot measures and a right-to-work proposal, all of which are scheduled to appear on the November ballot. Published September 30, 2008

Name change latest quirk in race for Senate

Other politicians may say they're pro-life, but Marvin Richardson is Pro-Life. The 67-year-old candidate, running as an independent for a U.S. Senate seat from Idaho, legally changed his name earlier this year to Pro-Life. That's how it will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot, along with a brief aside identifying him as a person, not a position. Published September 30, 2008

Obama regains lead in battleground Colorado

Sen. Barack Obama hammered Monday at his favorite targets, Sen. John McCain and Wall Street, as polls showed him regaining the lead in the presidential race in this battleground state. Published September 30, 2008

Palin’s ‘mission’ to call for more transparency

Sarah Palin said her "mission" as vice president in a McCain administration would be to promote energy security, clean up government and increase support for families of special-needs children, including pushing for cures through medical research. Published September 16, 2008