Valerie Richardson

Native Hawaiians would be ‘Indians’ under Obama plan

The Obama administration is quietly moving again to bypass Congress on yet another policy issue, this time by enacting the much-disputed bill that would grant tribal sovereignty to Native Hawaiians. Published May 28, 2014

Bipartisan calls increase for Holder to investigate ‘level of criminality’ in VA scandal

Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Illinois Republican, called on Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to investigate accusations that the VA submitted fake waiting list times in order to bolster its numbers while keeping secret lists of the actual wait times for patients. Published May 25, 2014

Tom Steyer’s targets fire back after green billionaire announces $100M campaign push

It didn't take long for San Francisco environmentalist-billionaire Tom Steyer to become a campaign issue after unveiling this week his hand-picked slate of seven Republican candidates he is vowing to defeat in November. Published May 22, 2014

New Mexico fence impasse deepens as county weighs sanctions against feds

New Mexico ranchers are plenty mad over the U.S. Forest Service's refusal to open a gate blocking their cattle from reaching water, but all sides say they are working hard to avoid an armed showdown reminiscent of Nevada's Bundy ranch skirmish any time soon. Published May 21, 2014

Wehby wins Ore. Republican Senate nod, blasts Democrats for ‘dirty tricks’

Dr. Monica Wehby accused Democrats of "dirty tricks" Tuesday after she captured the Oregon Republican Senate nomination, overcoming a last-minute bombshell over reports that she stalked and harassed a former boyfriend. Published May 21, 2014

Ad calls Democrat vows to fix Obamacare a new lie

Vulnerable Democratic senators in tight races are vowing to fix Obamacare, but a national ad campaign unveiled Tuesday by conservative groups calls those promises nothing more than lip service. Published May 20, 2014

Twenty states throw support behind lawsuit aimed at overturning Obamacare

Twenty states have signed onto a lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act on the grounds that it violated the Origination Clause by starting in the Senate instead of the House. Published May 20, 2014

Stalking accusation shakes up Republican Senate race in Oregon

A last-minute bombshell over a stalking accusation is threatening to derail the candidacy of Monica Wehby, a Portland brain surgeon who is considered the front-runner in Oregon's Senate Republican primary Tuesday. Published May 18, 2014

‘Hump Day’ party with camel cancelled at Minnesota college over fear of offending Middle East

Students at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota cancelled a "Hump Day" party last week featuring a live camel following complaints that the event could be viewed as offensive to Middle Eastern cultures. Published May 16, 2014

Media watchdog seeks Obamacare contraception opt-out

The conservative Media Research Center has filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration seeking an exemption from Obamacare's contraception, sterilization and abortion-pill mandate. Published May 15, 2014

Colorado Dem faces flak for fracking fight

Rep. Jared Polis has become something of a persona non grata among top Colorado Democrats for funding an anti-fracking initiative, and now a Republican gay rights group has turned on him as well. Published May 13, 2014

Outrage over raise for Colorado health exchange CEO

Frustration with Colorado's shaky health care exchange erupted Monday after the program's board voted to award a five-figure bonus to the CEO even as members consider raising fees in order to keep up with costs. Published May 12, 2014

State officials slap feds: New Mexico board orders Forest Service fence opened

In what some are calling a replay of the Nevada standoff with rancher Cliven Bundy, a New Mexico county board agreed Monday to instruct the sheriff to remove the Forest Service gates blocking thirsty cattle from reaching water, setting up a clash with federal agents over state water rights and endangered species. Published May 12, 2014

Fed’s next land fight: New Mexico ranchers angered over water fenced off to cattle

The Obama administration's crackdown on Western land use has sparked a furor over the Forest Service's decision to fence off a creek used by thirsty cattle in drought-stricken Otero County, New Mexico. Published May 11, 2014

D.C. firm retreats in Chevron legal battle

In a stunning retreat, high-powered Washington, D.C. firm Patton Boggs agreed Wednesday to pay $15 million to energy giant Chevron and withdraw from its central role in trying to enforce an Ecuadorean court judgment against the oil company that was found to have been obtained through fraud. Published May 7, 2014

New hope seen in appeals court fight to nullify Obamacare

A lawsuit that could nullify Obamacare on the basis of the Origination Clause is gaining momentum as it goes Thursday before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Published May 7, 2014

University rescinds ban on grads thanking God

Seeking to quell a mounting controversy, East Carolina University officials announced Tuesday that there would be no limits on religious references at its graduation ceremonies after a chemistry professor told his students that they were not allowed to thank God for earning their diplomas. Published May 6, 2014