Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Entertainment industry accused of pandemic privilege as small businesses struggle
Bars and restaurants may be closed, but the entertainment industry is finding ways to work around strict public health orders in California and New York, feeding the perception of a pandemic double-standard for the rich, famous and well-connected. Published December 9, 2020
CPAC 2021 to be held in Florida
For the first time in its history, CPAC will be held in Florida. Published December 8, 2020
Mac’s Public House battles Andrew Cuomo, Bill de Blasio to stay open during coronavirus pandemic
The fight to keep open Mac's Public House may look like a squabble over public health rules, but for the bar's patrons, the battle has all the hallmarks of a class struggle pitting Staten Island's Joe Sixpacks against the Big Apple's elite. Published December 7, 2020
Danny Presti, bar owner, says he did ‘nothing wrong’ after arrest for slamming into officer with car
The Staten Island bar owner who kept his pub open in defiance of New York City's coronavirus shutdown rules insisted Monday that he did "nothing wrong" after being charged with striking an officer with his car during an arrest. Published December 7, 2020
Adm. Brett Giroir pushes back on outdoor-dining bans as California’s kicks in
White House testing czar Adm. Brett Giroir pushed back Monday against bans on outdoor dining, saying that the "evidence just isn't there" to support such novel coronavirus prohibitions from a public health standpoint. Published December 7, 2020
Raphael Warnock dodges Supreme Court packing question
During the Georgia Senate debate, Raphael Warnock deflected a question about court-packing, pivoting instead to criminal-justice reform, and then dismissing the issue as unimportant to voters after being questioned by debate panelist Greg Bluestein, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter. Published December 6, 2020
Gavin Newsom California shutdown order faces resistance
After enduring some of the most restrictive novel coronavirus lockdowns in the nation, some Californians are putting up a fight. Published December 6, 2020
White House officials defend plan for rolling out coronavirus vaccine
White House officials said Sunday they are ready to roll out the novel coronavirus vaccine the same day it receives final approval, while Dr. Deborah Birx warned that the inoculations are "not going to save us from this current surge." Published December 6, 2020
Mark Warner: ‘Stupidity on steroids’ not to pass emergency coronavirus relief before Christmas
Lawmakers backing a proposed $908 billion emergency-relief package fanned out on the Sunday talk shows to whip up support, with Sen. Mark Warner saying that it would be "stupidity on steroids" to delay the issue until after the holidays. Published December 6, 2020
John Ratcliffe seeks Durham interim report on Trump-Russia probe origins
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Sunday that he wants to see an interim report on the Russia probe's origins from special counsel John Durham, given the likelihood that Democrats will push to shut it down under a Biden administration. Published December 6, 2020
Dr. Deborah Birx: Vaccine ‘not going to save us from this current surge’
White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx warned Sunday that the first COVID-19 vaccines expected to be rolled out this month are "not going to save us from this current surge." Published December 6, 2020
Georgia official: Election challenges ‘handing off a playbook to Democrats’ for Senate runoff
Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan said Sunday that he worries that President Trump's election challenges are "handing off a playbook to the Democrats" for the Jan. 5 runoff elections for the U.S. Senate. Published December 6, 2020
HHS chief refutes Biden’s criticism of administration’s vaccine rollout as ‘just nonsense’
White House officials on Sunday refuted former Vice President Joseph R. Biden's contention that there was "no detailed plan" for administering coronavirus vaccines. Published December 6, 2020
Eatery owner leads rally at home of L.A. official who voted to close outdoor dining
Frustration over California restaurant closures boiled over Saturday as protesters gathered outside the home of a Los Angeles County supervisor who dined outdoors after voting to ban such activity. Published December 6, 2020
Poll: Most Ga. voters want special session for ballot signature verification
Most Georgia voters want Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to call a special session to require signature verification on absentee ballots, according to a new poll. Published December 6, 2020
Black Lives Matter movement accused of morphing into financial ‘racket’ at expense of local chapters
Black Lives Matter is facing a rebellion within its own ranks as regional affiliates seek greater control over the movement and demand answers about where millions of dollars in donations have gone. Published December 6, 2020
Washington gym owner fights Gov. Jay Inslee’s coronavirus shutdown order
A fitness-center owner has refused to comply with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's latest novel coronavirus shutdown order despite being threatened with criminal penalties, saying he would rather go to jail than close his doors. Published December 4, 2020
Democrats take heat for ignoring own coronavirus rules
When Steve Adler, the mayor of Austin, Texas, urged his constituents last month to stay home -- even as he and his family vacationed in Cabo San Lucas -- he showed all the symptoms of an ailment sweeping the Democratic Party: shutdown chutzpah. Published December 3, 2020
Trump administration slates Arctic National Wildlife Refuge leasing sale for early January
The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will move forward with oil-and-gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, scheduling a leasing sale to be conducted two weeks before the presidential inauguration. Published December 3, 2020
Project Veritas: CNN veep says pro-Trump Cuban-Americans ‘very attracted to bullies’
A CNN senior vice president chalked up President Trump's support in Miami to some Cuban-Americans being "very attracted to bullies," which she called "terrifying," according to audio recordings released late Wednesday by Project Veritas. Published December 3, 2020
