Valerie Richardson

Thieves take Mojave Desert cross

Two weeks after the Supreme Court said it could stay, the Mojave Cross war memorial has been ripped out of and stolen from its rocky embankment in the California desert. Published May 12, 2010

Incumbency encumbers Utah senator

Sometimes politicians just wind up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Think House Democrats running for re-election in 1994, or Senate Republicans in 2008. Published May 7, 2010

Most Arizonans back new immigration law

Opponents of Arizona's tough new immigration law marked Cinco de Mayo with a flurry of protests, boycotts and threatened legal challenges, but a poll released Wednesday found that a majority of Arizonans support the measure. Published May 6, 2010

‘Border hawk’: Will the new McCain fly?

Sen. John McCain of Arizona has been called many things during his lengthy political career: maverick, straight-talker, the White Tornado. But "border hawk" isn't one of them. Until now. Published May 3, 2010

Three states kick-start primary season

Three battleground states that swung for candidate Barack Obama in 2008 are holding closely watched Senate primaries Tuesday that could solidify the Democratic Party's gains or contribute to a Republican rebound in 2010. Published May 3, 2010

Mojave Cross can stay on display in Calif.

An 8-foot cross honoring fallen soldiers in the remote Mojave National Preserve in California can stay where it is, because the Supreme Court said Wednesday that the Constitution nowhere requires the "eradication of all religious symbols in the public realm." Published April 29, 2010

Utah’s Sen. Bennett up against 7 challengers

Utah Sen. Robert F. Bennett is running hard for re-election, but the three-term Republican may also be running out of time. Published April 23, 2010

Abortion issue looms over high court fight

President Obama managed to avoid a full-scale eruption over abortion politics with his first Supreme Court nominee, but he probably won't get that lucky twice. Published April 22, 2010

Ariz. bill cracks down on suspected aliens

Arizona lawmakers are on the cusp of approving one of the toughest measures against illegal immigration in the nation by expanding the authority of local police to check the status of individuals suspected of being in the country unlawfully. Published April 15, 2010

Backers fight for Sioux logo

Hours after the state Board of Higher Education decided to retire the Fighting Sioux name last Thursday, fans of the nickname emerged in full backlash mode. Published April 15, 2010

Judge rules academic writings not protected

Mike Adams isn't exactly the most popular guy on campus. He's an outspoken conservative Christian who cried discrimination when his department refused to promote him to full professor and slapped the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a lawsuit. Published April 15, 2010

Governor’s race could be about illegals

Thirteen years after a federal judge struck down California's Proposition 187, the 1994 initiative banning social services for illegal immigrants, the measure has resurfaced as a top issue in the state's Republican gubernatorial primary. Published April 12, 2010

Vermont awards $150,000 for critter crossing

Why did the salamander cross the road? Because he wanted to check out the $150,000 tunnel built just for him. Published April 6, 2010

Arizona rancher’s slaying spurs calls for more border aid

The apparent slaying of a prominent Arizona rancher on his property near the Mexican border has inflamed tensions over illegal immigration. Published March 30, 2010

Amazon flexes muscle in sales-tax fight

Amazon.com, the nation's largest online retailer, is waging a bare-knuckles campaign over sales-tax proposals pushed by cash-strapped state legislatures eager to tap into the lucrative online market. Published March 23, 2010

Colo. Catholic school rejects gay parents’ children

Tensions between the Catholic Church and the gay community have erupted in Colorado after a Catholic school's decision to deny enrollment next year to the children of a lesbian couple. Published March 10, 2010

Compromise on greater sage grouse

Back in Colorado, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar was known as a master of the artful compromise, and his recent ruling on the greater sage grouse showed he hasn't lost his touch. Published March 8, 2010

Jerry Brown running for Calif. governor

Get ready for "Governor Moonbeam: The Sequel." Published March 3, 2010

New party brings its own ‘tea’ to election

Is the Nevada Tea Party and its newly minted third-party status for real? Published February 22, 2010

End near for Fighting Sioux mascot?

The end of the Fighting Sioux could be near as the University of North Dakota appears ready to abandon its mascot over calls of racism despite a petition drive by local tribe members to preserve the school's nickname and logo. Published February 17, 2010