Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Court backs Idaho couple in battle with EPA
An Idaho couple facing ruinous fines for attempting to build a home on private property that the federal government considered protected wetlands may challenge an order from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in a unanimous decision. Published March 21, 2012
Broncos stick necks out for Manning; will Tebow stay?
The spirits of Colorado football fans soared a mile high when word broke Monday morning that future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning had decided to play for the Denver Broncos. They just had one request: Keep Tim Tebow, too. Published March 19, 2012
Arizona immigration hard guy ponders another run for office
Just months after falling victim to a recall effort, the author of Arizona's immigration crackdown is weighing whether to jump back into another legislative race. Published March 15, 2012
GOP challenges administration on oil production
Every time President Obama takes credit for rising U.S. oil and gas production during his administration, Republicans start rolling their eyes and grinding their teeth. Published March 14, 2012
Colleges find ways to foil pro-gun rulings
Courts are ruling in favor of allowing those with concealed-carry permits to bring their handguns on campus, but universities are figuring out ways to keep the guns out. Published March 8, 2012
Is Utah primed for another Sagebrush Rebellion?
Western lawmakers are stoking the flames of another Sagebrush Rebellion by moving to gain control of the federal lands within the states' borders. Published March 7, 2012
California judges asked to say if they are gay
It used to be considered bad form to out gay public figures - but now California judges are being asked to reveal their sexual identities in the name of diversity. Published March 1, 2012
Washington ballot best chance for foes of same-sex marriage
Opponents seeking to overturn Washington's newly signed same-sex marriage legislation may not have the governor or the Legislature on their side, but they do have history. Published February 16, 2012
Idaho gives Oregon ‘apology,’ gets no snarling over wolf
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter feels so bad about an Oregon gray wolf killed in Idaho that he has offered to repay his neighbors 150-fold. Published February 14, 2012
With referendum, fans of Sioux name fight to save mascot
Fans of the Fighting Sioux have once again rescued the nickname and logo from extinction, at least for another four months. Published February 8, 2012
Appeals court rules Calif. gay-marriage ban unconstitutional
A federal appeals court on Tuesday declared California's same-sex-marriage ban unconstitutional, paving the way for the legalization of gay marriage in the nation's most populous state and setting the stage for a showdown before the U.S. Supreme Court. Published February 7, 2012
Santorum pursues surge in Colorado, Minnesota
The Republican presidential race could be headed for another reshuffle Tuesday as Rick Santorum, who has lagged behind since his surprise Iowa victory, is once again challenging the dominance of front-runner Mitt Romney. Published February 6, 2012
Komen backtracks on Planned Parenthood ban
Breast cancer research foundation Susan G. Komen for the Cure reversed on Friday its decision to defund Planned Parenthood after a three-day uproar that saw the foundation come under intense political pressure by pro-choice advocates. Published February 3, 2012
Susan G. Komen defends cutoff of Planned Parenthood
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the women's health foundation under intense criticism for breaking ranks with Planned Parenthood, denied Thursday that political considerations played any role in its decision to cut off funding to the nation's largest abortion provider. Published February 2, 2012
Washington state Senate approves gay marriage
The Washington state Senate approved 28-21 Wednesday a same-sex marriage bill, handing advocates their biggest victory of the 2012 legislative session and all but ensure legalized gay marriage in the Evergreen State. Published February 1, 2012
Santorum, Paul take campaigns out West and vow to stay in race
You know you've given up winning the Florida Republican primary when you spend election day in Colorado and Nevada. Published January 31, 2012
Gay history law on Calif. books, but not in texts
California's first-of-its-kind "gay history" law went into effect Jan. 1, but so far, educators don't appear to be on the same page. Published January 30, 2012
Washington, New Jersey governors diverge on gay-marriage bills
Two more state legislatures are on the verge of approving same-sex marriage, but whether the bills become law depends on two very different governors. Published January 24, 2012
High court ruling landmark for religion
Religious organizations won a landmark victory Wednesday as the Supreme Court held that churches have the right to make employment decisions free from government interference over discrimination laws. Published January 11, 2012
Grand Canyon uranium put off-limits
Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar placed a 20-year moratorium Monday on new uranium mining claims in the Grand Canyon region over the objections of Western Republicans, who insisted the ban would deliver an unnecessary blow to the Northern Arizona economy. Published January 9, 2012