Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Renewable energy standards reconsidered as states question mandates, fret over costs
California Gov. Jerry Brown drew headlines for his proposal to increase the state's renewable energy standard to 50 percent by 2030, but elsewhere, the momentum on mandates is shifting in the opposite direction. Published July 16, 2015
Pro-life undercover group calls on Planned Parenthood to release fetal-tissue contracts
The Center for Medical Progress called on Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards to release all contracts with companies that provide fetal tissue to laboratories after she apologized Thursday for a top doctor's "tone and statements." Published July 16, 2015
Planned Parenthood’s Richards defends donating fetal tissue but denies profiting
The Center for Medical Progress called on Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, to release all contracts with companies that provide fetal tissue to laboratories after she apologized Thursday for a top doctor's "tone and statements." Published July 16, 2015
Lawsuit aims to trash Seattle law requiring garbage-snooping
A lawsuit filed Thursday accuses Seattle of violating residents' civil rights by requiring trash collectors to snoop through people's garbage to check for items such as half-eaten hamburgers and used pizza boxes. Published July 16, 2015
California curbs lawn size for new homes to save water
Those planning to buy new homes in California will have to make do with less lawn. Published July 15, 2015
Sweet Cakes by Melissa crowdfunder breaks record with $352K
A crowdfunding campaign for the Oregon bakery Sweet Cakes by Melissa has set a site record by raising $352,500 in about two months after being kicked off the GoFundMe website, far exceeding the initial goal of $150,000. Published July 14, 2015
Mini ice age likely from 2030 to 2040, European scientists say
A team of European researchers says the Earth is likely to experience a "mini ice age" from 2030 to 2040 as a result of decreased solar activity. Published July 12, 2015
Gun Owners of America calls background checks ‘utter failure’ after failing to flag Dylann Roof
That Dylann Roof was able to purchase a firearm despite a drug arrest comes as evidence that background checks have been an "utter failure," says a leading gun-rights group. Published July 11, 2015
George Soros-backed death penalty foes spend big in bid to block Nebraska vote
Opponents of the death penalty rejoiced when the Nebraska Legislature voted in May to abolish capital punishment, hailing a breakthrough win in a certifiably red state. Published July 9, 2015
Sally Jewell rebuffs Colorado pleas to appeal Colowyo coal mine decision
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has rebuffed the entreaties of Colorado lawmakers urging her to appeal a federal judge's order that threatens to shut down the Colowyo coal mine. Published July 9, 2015
Tom Steyer’s NextGen Climate Action still looks like one-man band
DENVER -- Liberal billionaire Tom Steyer plowed $5 million into his NextGen Climate Action in the last reporting period, which was $4,997,543 more than all other donations combined. Published July 8, 2015
Kathryn Steinle killing gun belonged to federal agent: report
The federal agent's gun used to kill Kathryn Steinle was taken from the agent in an auto burglary in June, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Published July 7, 2015
Dianne Feinstein blames San Francisco sheriff’s department in Kathryn Steinle death
Sen. Dianne Feinstein blasted the San Francisco Sheriff's Department on Tuesday for releasing an illegal immigrant with a felony record, saying the woman he shot last week would still be alive if the department had notified federal immigration authorities. Published July 7, 2015
Nobel-winning physicist who backed Obama: Prez ‘dead wrong’ on global warming
A Nobel laureate who supported President Obama in his first presidential campaign now says the Democratic president is "dead wrong" on global warming. Published July 7, 2015
Kathryn Steinle killing fuels outrage over Democrats’ deportation opposition
The Democratic campaign to relax national, state and local deportation policies is fueling outrage ignited by the shocking slaying of a woman in San Francisco by an oft-deported illegal immigrant with seven felony convictions. Published July 6, 2015
Edwin Lee, San Francisco mayor defends, sanctuary city policy after fatal shooting
San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee said Monday he was "concerned" about the release of an illegal immigrant with a criminal record who killed a woman last week but defended the sanctuary city policy. Published July 6, 2015
California Congressional Dems had urged Jerry Brown to sign 2013 anti-deportation bill
Congressional Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, pushed California Gov. Jerry Brown to sign the 2013 bill that made it more difficult to deport illegal immigrants. Published July 6, 2015
Francisco Sanchez admits shooting woman, knew San Francisco would not detain him
Francisco Sanchez had been deported to Mexico five times before he says he shot and killed a woman last week on Pier 14, but he knew San Francisco was a sanctuary city where immigration authorities would not detain him. Published July 6, 2015
Gay-rights advocate: Going to same-sex weddings optional for Christian business owners
When Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson said Sunday that Christian merchants aren't required to attend same-sex weddings in order to serve them, he was apparently overlooking photographers like Elaine Huguenin. Published July 5, 2015
Donald Trump’s comments on illegal immigrants divide 2016 GOP hopefuls
Several Republicans moved to distance themselves from billionaire Donald Trump's comments on illegal immigrants fueling crime even as Mr. Trump doubled down, citing last week's San Francisco shooting to bolster his case. Published July 5, 2015
