Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Xavier Becerra poised for confirmation as Collins, Manchin signal support
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra may be second only to progressive activist Neera Tanden as the president's most hotly contested Cabinet selection, but unlike Ms. Tanden, Mr. Becerra appears headed for confirmation. Published March 11, 2021
Gavin Newsom recall: Organizers brace for signature shenanigans
The recall effort against California Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to outstrip expectations as organizers rocket past the signature threshold, but don't underestimate the ability of state Democrats to claw back signatures. Published March 10, 2021
Recall launched against California school official who compared reopening to ‘slavery’
Gov. Gavin Newsom isn't the only elected official in California being targeted with a shutdown-related recall. Published March 10, 2021
Los Angeles teachers warned not to post vacation photos while resisting in-person learning: report
The Los Angeles teachers' union has voted against returning for in-person learning until its demands are met, but there's nothing to stop instructors from partying over spring break, which could be a problem. Published March 9, 2021
Daines, Lummis place holds on Haaland’s nomination to head Interior
Two Western Republicans placed holds Tuesday on Rep. Deb Haaland's nomination for Interior Secretary, citing concerns about job-killing impact of the New Mexico Democrat's opposition to pipelines and drilling on federal lands. Published March 9, 2021
Benjamin Watson, ex-New England Patriots standout, signals rise of pro-life Black leaders
Former tight end Benjamin Watson was a standout in the NFL -- he won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots -- and he's already a star in the pro-life movement. Published March 8, 2021
Twelve Republican attorneys general sue Biden over climate executive order
Twelve states filed a lawsuit Monday challenging President Biden's day-one climate-change executive order, saying he lacked the authority to enact what they decried as a massive regulatory expansion that would kill jobs, jack up prices and cripple the economy. Published March 8, 2021
Planned Parenthood ‘slush fund’ in relief bill despite Republican efforts
Among the beneficiaries of the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill passed Saturday was Planned Parenthood, despite the best efforts of Senate Republicans and pro-life groups. Published March 7, 2021
Gannett: ‘Mallard Fillmore’ comic ‘did not meet our standards’
The media giant Gannett denied Thursday dropping the conservative comic "Mallard Fillmore" for political reasons, saying that the strip "did not meet our standards." Published March 4, 2021
Interior pick Deb Haaland avoids committee split after Lisa Murkowski crosses party lines
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland to head the Interior Department, narrowly avoiding a deadlock after Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican, crossed party lines to support President Biden's pick. Published March 4, 2021
‘Mallard Fillmore’ dropped by Gannett in ‘unprecedented’ move
The conservative comic strip "Mallard Fillmore" has been plucked. Bruce Tinsley, creator of the 27-year-old cartoon, said he was told this week by his syndication company that Gannett newspapers across the country simultaneously dropped the comic over two strips critical of President Biden and transgender participation in women's sports. Published March 3, 2021
Heritage Action ads urge three Senate Democrats to oppose ‘radical’ Xavier Becerra
Heritage Action for America released Wednesday a two-state ad campaign urging three swing-vote Senate Democrats to vote against Health and Human Services nominee Xavier Becerra, calling him "radical and unqualified." Published March 3, 2021
Senate committee splits along party lines on Xavier Becerra, Biden’s HHS nomination
The Senate Finance Committee split evenly Wednesday on Xavier Becerra's nomination as Health and Human Services secretary, teeing up another pitched battle over a Biden Cabinet pick. Published March 3, 2021
Texas frozen wind turbine debacle prompts climate warriors push green energy
Frozen wind turbines became a symbol of last month's Arctic blast that left millions of Texans without power, but as far as green energy proponents are concerned, the solution is not less wind but more. Published March 2, 2021
Steve Daines reintroduces bill to protect gun owners bringing firearms across state lines
"I will always defend the 2nd Amendment and work to strengthen protections for law-abiding gun owners, including the right to safely transport firearms. We've already seen President Biden threaten the 2nd Amendment and we must act now to protect these rights for all Americans." Published March 2, 2021
Pope Benedict XVI uneasy with Joe Biden’s adherence to Democratic Party line
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, better known as emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, expressed misgivings in a Monday interview about President Biden for falling in line with the Democratic Party's political platform. Published March 1, 2021
Women’s sports bills in states face Equality Act headwinds
State lawmakers racing to pass legislation to stop transgender participation in female sports risk being lapped by the Equality Act as it sprints to the Senate with a boost from the Biden administration. Published March 1, 2021
Berkeley union leader under fire for sending child to private preschool while fighting reopenings
The head of the Berkeley teachers' union is being accused of hypocrisy for sending his daughter to an in-person preschool despite leading the fight against school reopenings over novel coronavirus concerns. Published March 1, 2021
Michael Che, SNL joke decried as anti-Semitic
Protesters gathered outside NBC Studios in New York City to demand an apology for a "Saturday Night Live" joke suggesting that Israel was only vaccinating Jews, a quip decried as anti-Semitic. Published February 28, 2021
House votes to set aside 3 million Western acres in ‘massive land grab’
The House voted Friday to cordon off nearly three million acres of Western land in the name of environmental protection, overriding Republicans who called it a "massive land grab" that will kill jobs, increase wildfire danger and reduce access to public lands. Published February 26, 2021
