Valerie Richardson

Sheriff: ‘Balloon boy’ saga was hoax

UPDATED: The "balloon boy" saga was nothing but hot air, according to authorities, who said the entire Heene family was in on the publicity stunt. Published October 18, 2009

‘Balloon boy’ family likely faces charges

The Larimer County Sheriff said Saturday that criminal charges would be filed against one or both of the parents of the six-year-old boy who was hiding in his garage attic while authorities thought he was flying through the air in a homemade helium balloon. Published October 18, 2009

Sheriff rechecks family’s balloon account

An investigation is under way by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office to determine whether Thursday's balloon-boy episode was real or a hoax. Published October 17, 2009

Boy found in attic, not homemade balloon

As it turned out, the Falcon had only flown up to the attic. Published October 16, 2009

Boy said to have floated off in balloon found

A 6-year-old Colorado boy who was thought to have flown off in a homemade helium balloon Thursday was found safe in his family's attic shortly before authorities were slated to launch a massive evening search for his body. Published October 15, 2009

Radio host wins pardon for executed great-uncles

Syndicated radio-talk show host Tom Joyner's crusade to clear the names of two great-uncles executed in 1915 for the murder of a Confederate Army veteran ended triumphantly. Published October 15, 2009

Schwarzenegger inks pro-gay bills

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's late-Sunday flurry of bill-signings produced a pair of groundbreaking victories for the state's gay rights community. Published October 13, 2009

Kentucky pastor drops flock for his Glock

The Kentucky pastor who drew notice earlier this year for hosting a God-and-guns event at his church is giving up his flock for his Glock. Published October 12, 2009

Challenge to appointed Colorado senator roils Democrats

When Michael Bennet was tapped to fill Colorado's U.S. Senate vacancy in January, it didn't sit well with Diane Rubenstein. Published October 6, 2009

N. Dakota’s Fighting Sioux fight for survival

Fans of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux will not be watching pucks or game scores Thursday night; instead, they'll be eyeballing the returns in a local Sioux tribe's election. Published September 30, 2009

Dad found guilty in likely death of his daughter

A Colorado jury found Aaron Thompson guilty Monday in the presumed death of his young daughter Aarone, who disappeared from the family's home anywhere from four to six years ago but whose body has never been found. Published September 29, 2009

Canada’s lack of special care empowers brokers

Richard Baker is known as a critic of the Canadian health care system, but he's the first to acknowledge that it represents a real bargain for those with routine afflictions. Published September 28, 2009

Blown terrorist case led to rushed arrests

The FBI's arrest of three men on charges of lying to investigators came after the probe of a possible terrorism plot was revealed to its target. Published September 22, 2009

Two states seek to rein in spending

It's not exactly the year of the tax revolt, but 2009 could wind up as the year of the spending backlash. Published September 15, 2009

U.S. flooded with endangered species requests

DENVER | When WildEarth Guardians filed two petitions in the space of a month to list 681 species under the Endangered Species Act, it came as a shock to biologists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Published September 1, 2009

Brown’s gubernatorial bid a blast from past

Much has changed for Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr. in the 31 years since he last ran for governor of California. Except that he's running for governor again. Published September 1, 2009

FTC bans robocalls

As of next week, those irritating automated phone calls asking people to buy hot new consumer products or take a dream vacation will be a thing of the past. Published August 28, 2009

Western Dems brace for 2010 election pitfalls

President Obama's approval rating is slipping. Republicans are preparing red-meat ballot initiatives to get out conservative voters. Democrats have a negative "tax-and-spend" image. Published August 21, 2009

It’s farmers vs. fish for California water

Supporters of California agriculture called on the Obama administration and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday to lift water restrictions that were imposed to protect the endangered delta smelt, saying the fish is putting farmers out of business. Published August 20, 2009

29 species considered for endangered list

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday that 29 species -- plants, insects, mollusks and one fish -- will be considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Published August 19, 2009