Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Role reversal: Col. Democrat hit as immigration hard-liner
Ordinarily it's the Republican candidate who gets hammered for being insufficiently supportive of illegal immigrants, but that's not how the dynamic is playing out in a pivotal House race here. Published June 19, 2014
Life inside a children’s warehouse: Border agents watch over illegals in limbo over their futures
Imagine running a high-security day care at a Costco, and you have a pretty good idea of the scenario unfolding along the Arizona border. Published June 18, 2014
Sen. Mark Udall embraces Obama, not pipeline
Other vulnerable Senate Democrats in tight re-election battles are embracing the Keystone XL pipeline and stiff-arming President Obama — but not Colorado's Mark Udall. Published June 16, 2014
Bans on fracking in Colorado would hurt family farms, elderly
When foes of fracking complain about moneybags billionaires profiteering from "Big Oil," they're probably not thinking of people like Bob and Cristy Koeneke. Published June 12, 2014
Colorado unveils Obamacare tax to boost struggling state exchange
Colorado will begin charging an Obamacare tax next month on all health insurance policies — even those obtained through private employers — to help prop up the state's struggling health care exchange. Published June 10, 2014
Calif. judge rules teacher tenure policies unconstitutional
In a stunning defeat for teachers' unions, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge found Tuesday that job-security policies such as teacher tenure are unconstitutional because they cause disproportionate harm to poor and minority students. Published June 10, 2014
Clinton defends Obama’s prisoner exchange
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton defended the Obama administration's hotly debated prisoner swap Sunday, saying the circumstances behind the American soldier's capture don't matter. Published June 8, 2014
Gunmen kill 13 people at airport in Karachi, Pakistan
Heavily armed gunmen attacked Pakistan’s busiest airport late Sunday, killing 13 people and touching off a gunfight with police and military commandos. Published June 8, 2014
Kerry says exchanged Taliban fighters could re-enter terror war — at ‘enormous risk’
Secretary of State John Kerry acknowledged Sunday that the five Taliban prisoners recently released in a prisoner exchange may re-enter the battle, but warned that they face "enormous risk" if they do. Published June 8, 2014
Koch brothers donate to college fund; Steyer’s money aimed at climate change
This year's best-known politically active billionaires — liberal Tom Steyer and the libertarian Koch brothers — drew headlines Friday for a pair of hefty charitable contributions, but that's where the similarities end. Published June 8, 2014
Kochs give to United Negro College Fund while Steyer offers climate-change aid
This year's best-known politically active billionaires — liberal Tom Steyer and the libertarian Koch brothers — drew headlines Friday for a pair of hefty charitable contributions, but that's where the similarities end. Published June 8, 2014
Dems try to manipulate Colorado GOP primary against Bob Beauprez with pro-Tancredo ads
Democrats really don't want former Rep. Bob Beauprez to win this month's Colorado GOP gubernatorial primary, so they're hitting the airwaves with television ads aimed at boosting his nearest rival, former Rep. Tom Tancredo. Published June 7, 2014
Remote town sues feds over blocked road project
The Aleut community of King Cove, Alaska, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Interior Department over its refusal to allow the construction of a 10-mile gravel road to an all-weather airport. Published June 4, 2014
California counties split on whether to pursue new state of Jefferson
California voters in two northern rural counties split the difference Tuesday on two ballot measures aimed at carving out a 51st state called Jefferson, but the half-loaf result hasn't discouraged the movement's organizers. Published June 4, 2014
In Idaho hometown, Bowe Bergdahl’s legacy in limbo
The initial euphoria in Idaho over Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's release is turning to alarm over reports that the long-held prisoner of war may have been a deserter. Published June 3, 2014
Labor unions mobilize as California counties weigh secession
Having once dismissed the movement, state labor unions and Democrats are scrambling to snuff the growing 51st state movement in Northern California, campaigning against two county measures that go before voters Tuesday. Published June 2, 2014
Media ‘hedging’ on climate change?
Global warming activists say that man-made climate change is "settled science" backed by almost all researchers, but a new Colorado study finds that rising doubts are creeping into the coverage of the issue in the press. Published June 2, 2014
Obama’s Energy Secretary Moniz: Oil boom boosted economy — but we’re focused on ‘global warming’
The booming oil industry has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise sluggish economy, but Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz says that the days of fossil fuel are numbered as the administration focuses on climate change. Published May 31, 2014
Unsettling: House panel hears debate on climate change science
Liberals have been piling on Rep. Lamar Smith and his fellow House Republicans for failing to hold more committee hearings on climate change, but Thursday's often-heated testimony probably wasn't what the movement had in mind. Published May 29, 2014
University appeals bias ruling for conservative prof
A North Carolina university that lost a seven-year legal battle against a conservative professor Mike Adams has decided to file an appeal, citing the “potentially excessive” cost of reimbursing him for attorneys’ fees. Published May 29, 2014