Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Republicans ask for EPA probe into impact of abortion pills on water supply, infertility
House and Senate Republicans have called for the Environmental Protection Agency to study whether the rising use of abortion pills is contaminating the nation's water supply, citing concerns that the drugs may be contributing to infertility rates. Published June 19, 2025
BYU study shows that boys run faster than girls even before puberty
Some international sports authorities have agreed to let transgender athletes compete in the female category as long as they haven't undergone male puberty, but that compromise may not be enough to level the playing field. Published June 19, 2025
XX-XY Athletics CEO Jennifer Sey refuses to bow to Colorado’s anti-misgendering law
Jennifer Sey hasn't run afoul of Colorado's newly passed ban on "misgendering," but it's only a matter of time. Published June 18, 2025
University blasted for investigating student who distributed free copies of pro-Israel book
Students at West Virginia University may want to think twice before handing out free copies of books sympathetic to the Israeli cause. Published June 17, 2025
McMahon raises stakes by referring New York’s ban on Indian mascots to Justice Department
The Trump administration isn't taking no for an answer in its battle to overturn New York's prohibition on American Indian school mascots. Published June 17, 2025
House DOGE panel opens investigation into Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds
Planned Parenthood has long denied using federal funds to pay for abortion procedures, but House Republicans have their doubts. Published June 16, 2025
High school teacher fired after reading aloud racial slur from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
A high school teacher was fired after being reprimanded for reading aloud a passage from the classic novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" that includes the n-word. Published June 12, 2025
Trump administration ramps up Minnesota probe after transgender pitcher wins title
The Trump administration has prioritized its investigation into Minnesota's transgender-athlete policies after a male-born pitcher powered the Minnesota girls' softball team to a state title. Published June 12, 2025
Crimson chutzpah: Censorious Harvard accuses feds of violating its First Amendment rights
Harvard has wrapped itself in the First Amendment as it battles the Trump administration over campus antisemitism, but the university might have more credibility if its own record on free speech weren't quite so dismal. Published June 12, 2025
Bill to repeal FACE Act after Biden ‘weaponization’ clears House committee
The House Judiciary Committee passed legislation Tuesday to repeal the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a law wielded by the Biden administration to prosecute more than 30 pro-life activists, in some cases sending them to jail. Published June 10, 2025
Simone Biles apologizes to Riley Gaines, tweaks transgender-athlete stance
Olympic gymnastics great Simone Biles apologized Tuesday for her viral blast at Riley Gaines, saying her intention was to defend "children" coming under public scrutiny amid the debate over fairness versus inclusion in female sports. Published June 10, 2025
Portland State professor placed on leave after declaring, ‘I am Hamas’
A Portland State University professor who proclaimed "I am Hamas" at a demonstration has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Published June 10, 2025
No fear: Thousands descend on site of Boulder firebomb attack in support of victims, hostages
The site of last week's attack on advocates for the Hamas-held hostages was inundated Sunday by allies of the victims and their cause, burying any concerns that the assault would discourage participation in the weekly vigil. Published June 8, 2025
Simone Biles calls Riley Gaines ‘sick’ for opposing male-born athletes in female sports
Olympic gymnastics great Simone Biles leaped into the fray over transgender athletes by taking on Riley Gaines, calling the former collegiate swimmer "sick" and a "sore loser" for her advocacy against male-born competitors in female sports. Published June 7, 2025
Minnesota male-born pitcher powers girls’ softball team to state crown
Champlin Park High School won the Minnesota girls' state softball championship behind a dominant transgender pitcher, fueling more frustration over male-born athletes in female sports. Published June 7, 2025
California sports group pressured to reinstate track title of girl punished over celebration
The California Interscholastic Federation may be fine with biological boys competing in girls' sports based on gender identity, but not with girls who celebrate their wins with a bit too much vigor. Published June 6, 2025
Olympics under pressure to strip Khelif of boxing gold medal after leaked lab report
Calls for the International Olympic Committee to rescind Imane Khelif's women's boxing title have reignited after a leaked lab record reportedly found that the Algerian athlete has male chromosomes. Published June 5, 2025
Nebraska governor signs bill barring biological males from female sports
Nebraska joined the ranks of states that prohibit male-born athletes in female sports as Gov. Jim Pillen signed legislation Wednesday requiring students to compete based on biological sex. Published June 4, 2025
Columbia faces threat to accreditation after probe finds university violated federal law
The Trump administration said Wednesday that Columbia University has fallen short of accreditation standards by violating federal law, raising the stakes in the onslaught against elite universities over their handling of campus antisemitism. Published June 4, 2025
Student behind DOGE-style probe tells Congress that Brown U. is ‘empire of administrative bloat’
The Brown University student who faced discipline for asking thousands of administrators how they spend their workday took his fight against bureaucratic excess in education Thursday to Congress. Published June 4, 2025
