Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Susana Martinez, New Mexico governor, declares win with illegal-immigrant driver’s license reform
In New Mexico, illegal immigrants will no longer be able to obtain a state driver's license -- but they will have access to a driver's authorization card. Published February 16, 2016
Oregon bill would shield identity of officer who shot and killed ‘LaVoy’ Finicum
Fast-tracked Oregon legislation that would conceal the identity of the officer who shot Robert "LaVoy" Finicum is meeting with resistance from supporters of the slain Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupier. Published February 14, 2016
EPA coordinator knew of Gold King Mine’s blowout danger, email reveals
An internal email unearthed by House Republicans shows that the Environmental Protection Agency on-site coordinator knew that there was "a lot of water" behind the plug at the Gold King Mine — but didn't check to see how much before removing loose dirt. Published February 11, 2016
Four Oregon occupiers surrender to FBI; final man threatened suicide before leaving
More arrests and indictments came Thursday after the 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended with the dramatic surrender of the four remaining protesters, including one who threatened to commit suicide rather than go to prison. Published February 11, 2016
House panel report slams EPA for Animas River spill, accuses administration of concealing details
A House committee investigative report released Thursday slammed the Environmental Protection Agency for the Animas River spill, attributing it to the crew's sloppiness and accusing the Obama administration of deliberately concealing information about the accident. Published February 11, 2016
Planned Parenthood defunding bill in Ohio sent to John Kasich’s desk
A bill that would defund Planned Parenthood in Ohio and redirect funding to other health-care centers is headed to the desk of Republican Gov. John Kasich after the state House gave it final approval Wednesday. Published February 10, 2016
Oregon wildlife standoff: FBI moves in on remaining occupiers at refuge
Federal officials moved in on the remaining occupiers of an Oregon wildlife refuge, the agency said Wednesday night as the four activists continued their stance of public defiance and made a real-time public event of the siege on YouTube. Published February 10, 2016
Oregon holdouts say they want same deal judge gave Ferguson
The four remaining Oregon occupiers say they want the same deal given to residents of Ferguson, Missouri -- namely, they want their arrest warrants withdrawn. Published February 9, 2016
LaVoy Finicum mourners draw public lands attention, but Malheur occupation questioned
There is no doubt that foes of the federal government's public lands authority have been re-energized by the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon. Whether they have helped or hurt their cause overall is another question. Published February 7, 2016
David Daleiden, pro-life investigator, surrenders, posts bail
Pro-life investigator David Daleiden posted bail Thursday in Houston while his attorneys said he would refuse a plea deal on charges stemming from his undercover probe of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast. Published February 4, 2016
Broncos fans brace for a Super Bowl nail-biter, but fear a rout
Fans of the Denver Broncos are reeling from a bad case of Mile High anxiety. With this year's game, the Broncos now share the NFL record for most Super Bowl appearances with eight. But the team has also lost more championship games than any other team with five, none of them close, most recently the nightmare 43-8 blowout against the Seattle Seahawks two years ago. Published February 4, 2016
Grand jury indicts 16 in Oregon standoff, including Bundy brothers, four holdouts
A federal grand jury has indicted 16 people on conspiracy stemming from the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, including four people still holed up at the property. Published February 4, 2016
Center for Medical Progress releases Planned Parenthood video ahead of court appearances
Apparently neither lawsuits nor indictments can stop the Center for Medical Progress from releasing anti-Planned Parenthood videos. Published February 3, 2016
FBI video of Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum shooting in Oregon fails to calm uproar
The FBI video showing the death of Oregon occupier Robert "LaVoy" Finicum last week was supposed to put to rest doubts about the shooting's legitimacy, but the footage has instead raised as many questions as it answers. Published February 3, 2016
Cliven Bundy declares Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation will go on even after sons arreste
It seemed last week as if the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters would soon collapse, but now Cliven Bundy says the occupation will continue indefinitely. Published February 2, 2016
Hillary Clinton officially declared victor in Iowa; closest caucus in history, officials say
Hillary Clinton was officially declared the winner in the Iowa caucuses Tuesday afternoon, but not before Sen. Bernard Sanders outperformed expectations and reset the Democratic presidential primary, putting a serious dent in Mrs. Clinton's aura of inevitability. Published February 1, 2016
Bernie Sanders inspires a fashion revolution at Iowa caucuses
It turns out Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is also a fashion revolutionary. Published February 1, 2016
Iowa caucuses: Heavy turnout boosts insurgent candidates
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernard Sanders were locked in a tight battle in early returns from Iowa's caucuses Monday night, as were Sen. Ted Cruz and Donald Trump on the GOP side, with the billionaire businessman looking for voters to validate his unorthodox campaign. Published February 1, 2016
Ammon Bundy seeks release from custody as Oregon protesters rally
Taking a page from the Black Lives Matter movement, protesters chanted "don't shoot" and held up their hands at a Monday rally in rural Oregon condemning last week's shooting death of Robert "LaVoy" Finicum. Published February 1, 2016
Oregon protestors dig in at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
They are proving a small but stubborn band as the last four anti-government occupiers remained dug in Sunday at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge while activity swirled outside the perimeter. Published January 31, 2016
