Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Fast-food protests spur backlash
The labor movement's latest fast-food protest drew a "delicious backlash" Thursday from the burger-loving opposition. Published December 5, 2013
‘Hunger Games’ delivers Obama’s message on income inequality
A cultural tug of war is brewing between conservatives and liberals over the message of "The Hunger Games." Are the popular teen novels and films a leftist call for the downtrodden to rise up against the rich? Or an Orwellian take on the dangers of Big Government? Published December 4, 2013
Gay couple’s complaint against Colo. baker gets hearing
A bakery owner who refused to prepare a wedding cake for a gay couple heads to court Wednesday in a case closely watched for its implications on religious freedom in a society that increasingly embraces same-sex marriage. Published December 3, 2013
Fracking supporters fire back at ‘woefully misinformed’ celebrities
If Hollywood celebrities don't like hydraulic fracturing, then maybe they should stop flying in jets, heating their swimming pools and undergoing plastic surgery, according to a video released Tuesday. Published December 3, 2013
Colorado campus considers Indian names for dorms
Unusual campus names are a venerable college tradition — think Harvard's Wigglesworth Hall or USC's Argue Plaza — but nothing quite compares to those under review at the University of Colorado Boulder, where a commission has recommended renaming renovated dormitories "Houusoo Hall" and "Nowoo3 Hall" after two Arapaho Indian chiefs. Published November 29, 2013
Wolves no longer endangered but friends fight their delisting
Canadian gray wolves are by all accounts thriving in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes region, but getting the wolf's removal from the Endangered Species List won't be easy. Published November 28, 2013
Kmart, Walmart, Best Buy, other stores ready for Thanksgiving business
Bryna Reid wasn't in charge of cooking the turkey this year, so she popped over to Kmart early Thursday to take advantage of its Thanksgiving Day "doorbuster" deals. Published November 28, 2013
Colorado Dem lawmaker resigns ahead of looming recall election
Colorado state Sen. Evie Hudak resigned Wednesday rather than face the prospect of a recall election brought by opponents of her votes in favor of sweeping gun-control legislation. Published November 27, 2013
Colorado governor: Bureaucrats biased on endangered grouse issue
An example of the tension between Western Democrats and the Obama administration surfaced Monday when Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper told a rural audience that Washington bureaucrats are pushing a "slanted version" of the sage-grouse issue to political decision-makers. Published November 25, 2013
With JFK memories, baby boomers strive to keep history alive
They may be getting older, but baby boomers are not ready to pass the torch to a new generation when it comes to setting the national media agenda. Published November 21, 2013
Federal authorities raid Colorado medical marijuana operations
Federal authorities descended without warning Thursday morning on multiple Colorado medical marijuana operations, seizing plants and executing search warrants at shops as part of what was described as an ongoing investigation. Published November 21, 2013
Veteran cops challenge San Francisco’s gun limit laws
Gun rights advocates are challenging a newly signed San Francisco law that bans ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds and gives owners 90 days to hand them over to police. Published November 20, 2013
Jindal claims victory in fight with Obama administration over La. voucher plan
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is claiming victory after the Obama administration Justice Department backed off on its legal push to end the state's groundbreaking school voucher program, which has allowed thousands of poor children to attend the state's best schools. Published November 19, 2013
Forty House Republicans side with Obamacare Origination Clause suit
The Constitution says revenue-raising bills must originate in the House, and since the bill that became Obamacare was written in the Senate, House Republicans say that's a problem. Published November 17, 2013
Fracking foes pump out votes in Colorado and Ohio where wells are dry
The four local anti-fracking initiatives approved last week by voters in Colorado and Ohio should have roughly the same impact as outlawing surfing in Denver or cliff-diving in Cleveland. Published November 11, 2013
Hudak fights recall drive in Colo. with D.C. cash
Colorado state Sen. Evie Hudak, the latest Democrat to be swept up in the state's recall brushfire, is fighting back with a cash infusion from Washington, D.C. Published November 10, 2013
Colo. secessionists not giving up on drive to form 51st state
The secessionist movement in Colorado is reassessing — but not abandoning — its dream of forming a 51st state after voters in six of 11 rural counties rejected the proposal Tuesday. Published November 6, 2013
Colorado voters slap down Bloomberg-backed income-tax hike
Voters kicked him to the curb again at the ballot box, rejecting a proposed statewide income-tax hike heavily financed by Mr. Bloomberg just two months after ushering out two Democratic state senators who backed his gun-control agenda. Published November 6, 2013
Washington State voters rejecting initiative to label genetically modified foods
A Washington initiative aimed at requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods was trailing Tuesday after a $30 million campaign food-fight. Published November 6, 2013
Colorado says yes to tax on pot, no to higher levies for K-12 schools
Colorado voters split on taxes Tuesday, giving a resounding yes to a tax on retail marijuana and an equally emphatic no to an income tax increase aimed at funding K-12 education. Published November 5, 2013
