Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
State, local lawmakers seek alternatives to TSA airport screenings
A coach-class rebellion against the Transportation Security Administration is brewing as state and local lawmakers challenge the agency's right to implement its invasive airport-safety protocols. Published December 2, 2010
Churchill loses appeal of university firing
Former University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill won't be returning to the classroom anytime soon after losing his appeal Wednesday to get his job back. Published November 24, 2010
Bristol Palin matches mom in ‘Stars’ power
Bristol Palin had the bloggers and the buzz, but Jennifer Grey had the moves. Published November 23, 2010
Independent panel to draw the line on districts in California
It was as Californian as beaches, surfing and movie stars, but the legislative gerrymander may now be a thing of the past in the Golden State. Published November 18, 2010
Court backs in-state tuition rates for illegals
The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that illegal immigrants attending state universities can continue to pay the cheaper, in-state tuition rates instead of the pricier rates charged to U.S. legal residents and citizens who live outside the state. Published November 15, 2010
3rd-party bid buffed Tancredo viability
Technically, he's no longer a Republican, but Tom Tancredo's decision to run for governor as a third-party candidate may have made him the most electable conservative in Colorado. Published November 10, 2010
Colo. group scores court win in free-speech case
A group of Colorado neighbors who ran afoul of the state's complex campaign-finance rules scored a victory Tuesday when a federal appeals court ruled that the law imposed an unreasonable restriction on free-speech rights. Published November 9, 2010
Republicans grab majority in both Minnesota houses
How big a year was it for Minnesota's Republicans? Let's just say that if Ronald Reagan had been on the ballot Tuesday, he might have finally carried the state. Published November 4, 2010
Rocky Mountains slowed Republican wave
The Republican juggernaut lost a bit of its steam once it hit the Rocky Mountains, with Democrats and Republicans largely splitting the key contested races for governor and Senate, and Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet pulling out a win in a race that was only called late Wednesday. Published November 3, 2010
Reid overcomes Angle to keep Nev. Senate seat
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was projected as the winner early Wednesday in the hard-fought Nevada Senate race, beating back a formidable challenge from Republican Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle and overcoming his own high negatives with the voters. Published November 2, 2010
Republican 2012 dark horses at the starting gate
Republicans typically stick with their front-runners when it comes to presidential primary contests, but 2012 may not be a typical year. Published November 2, 2010
In Colorado race, it’s economy vs. abortion
The pivotal Senate race in Colorado is locked in a dead heat as Republican Ken Buck struggles to keep the message on taxes and spending, while Democrat Michael Bennet pounds his opponent on social issues. Published October 27, 2010
3rd-party candidates could tip tight races
Even political junkies might not be able to identify LeAlan Jones, Shawn Moody, Scott Ashjian and Ceci Iglesias, but all four could have a major effect on the political balance of power after Election Day. Published October 24, 2010
Five ex-governors hope to catch on again
The anti-incumbent fever sweeping the nation apparently isn't contagious when it comes to gubernatorial contests. Published October 20, 2010
With few undecideds, Reid, Angle try to rally voters
Polls show nearly all voters in Nevada have made up their minds about the state's bitter Senate race, but combatants Harry Reid and Sharron Angle upped the ante this week with a round of fresh attacks as they try to gain separation in a contest that's long been too close to call. Published October 19, 2010
Colorado clean-campaign vow at risk
Democrat John Hickenlooper has repeatedly vowed to run no negative ads in his campaign for Colorado governor, but that was before Tom Tancredo pulled within 4 percentage points. Now campaign watchers are waiting to see how much longer the Hickenlooper campaign can continue to ignore Mr. Tancredo's insurgent American Constitution Party candidacy. Published October 17, 2010
Military gay ban best left to Congress, Gates says
The Obama administration distanced itself Wednesday from a federal judge's injunction banning enforcement of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military, with officials saying that the policy should be properly addressed by Congress and not the courts. Published October 13, 2010
Judge orders end of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
A federal judge in California on Tuesday ordered the U.S. military to stop enforcing the 17-year-old policy banning openly gay service members, the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell." Published October 12, 2010
‘Tea party’ warms up to Tancredo
There's a "tea party" candidate running for governor in Colorado this fall, but with three weeks to go in the campaign, it's not entirely clear who it is. Published October 11, 2010
Mum’s the word as Brewer shuns debates
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer insists she won't participate in any more debates after her notorious brain-freeze moment in the first gubernatorial debate, but so far that doesn't seem to be hurting her with the voters. Published October 6, 2010
