Valerie Richardson

Early recall comes back to haunt Newsom as virus, mandates surge

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was riding high after a buoyant pandemic reopening in June when state Democrats decided to fast-track the gubernatorial recall vote, but what once looked like a strategic decision now looms as a huge blunder.

August 4, 2021

Semenya redux? Mboma’s silver medal spurs testosterone debate

A Namibian teen whose high testosterone prevented her from competing in her preferred event won Olympic silver Tuesday in the women's 200m race, teeing up another round in the ongoing dust-up over fairness in female sports.

August 3, 2021

Peter Kirsanow blasts Portland’s ‘discriminatory’ plan to give $2 million to ‘artists of color’

U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner Peter Kirsanow on Tuesday urged Portland to reconsider its decision to funnel millions in stimulus funding to "artists of color," warning that distributing federal dollars based on race violates civil-rights laws.

August 3, 2021

Canadian Olympic archer triggers clash over transgender transparency

New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard became Monday the first openly transgender women's Olympian to compete based on gender identity, but the key may be "openly."

August 3, 2021

Masterpiece Cakeshop’s Jack Phillips appeals ruling over gender-transition cake

Colorado bakery owner Jack Phillips announced Tuesday that he has filed an appeal in a case brought over his refusal to create a pink-and-blue gender-transition cake.

August 3, 2021

U.S. committee defends Raven Saunders’ ‘respectful’ podium protest at Olympics

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has come to the defense of shot putter Raven Saunders' "respectful" podium protest as the International Olympic Committee weighs whether to impose sanctions on the track-and-field star.

August 3, 2021

American Loggers Council urges Senate to oppose Tracy Stone-Manning over tree-spiking

The American Loggers Council, described as the only national group solely dedicated to representing independent loggers and log truck contractors, said its board of directors recently voted unanimously to oppose the nomination.

August 2, 2021

Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard fails to complete lifts in Olympic bid

New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard made history Monday by becoming the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the women's Olympics based on gender identity, but her bid to win a medal fell flat.

August 2, 2021

Raven Saunders takes politics to podium with Olympic protest

U.S. track-and-field athlete Raven Saunders raised her arms in a symbolic protest Sunday after winning the silver in the women's shot put, placing her at odds with the ban on making political statements during the Olympic medal ceremony.

August 1, 2021

Robert Woodson to retire as president of Woodson Center after 40 years

Robert L. Woodson Sr., a pioneer in civil rights and community development, announced Thursday his retirement as president of the Woodson Center during the organization's 40th anniversary celebration at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.

July 29, 2021

Hubbard in, Semenya out: Olympics spark debate over who, exactly, qualifies as a woman

Laurel Hubbard and Caster Semenya are both world-class women's athletes, but only Semenya has been considered female her entire life. Hubbard transitioned from male to female at age 34. Yet Hubbard is set to compete Monday in women's weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics while Semenya watches the games from her home in South Africa,

July 29, 2021

Joe Manchin hit with West Virginia ads urging him to oppose Biden pick Tracy Stone-Manning

A pro-energy group launched ads Thursday in West Virginia urging Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III to vote against Bureau of Land Management nominee Tracy Stone-Manning over her involvement in a 1989 tree-spiking plot.

July 29, 2021

‘I didn’t nominate her’: Haaland distances herself from Biden pick Tracy Stone-Manning

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland didn't exactly rush to the defense Tuesday of Bureau of Land Management nominee Tracy Stone-Manning.

July 27, 2021

Larry Elder leads GOP pack as likely voters split on Newsom recall: poll

Likely California voters are split on whether to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, but if they do oust him, conservative radio host Larry Elder leads the field to replace him, according to a poll released Tuesday.

July 27, 2021

States move to freeze out Ben & Jerry’s over Israeli settlements boycott

Ben & Jerry's decision to protest Israel's Palestinian policies by halting some sales of its products in that country has state leaders in the U.S. threatening to give the ice cream manufacturer the cold shoulder.

July 26, 2021

Tokyo Olympics mark historic first by remembering Israelis slain in ‘Munich massacre’

The Tokyo Olympics made history by honoring the Israeli team members killed at the 1972 Munich Olympics, marking the first time the games have recognized the slain athletes at an opening ceremony.

July 24, 2021

Dems’ embrace of BLM pick Stone-Manning puts domestic terrorism message at risk

By falling in line behind Tracy Stone-Manning, Democrats may have ensured her confirmation to head the Bureau of Land Management, but they also muddied the Biden administration's message on domestic extremism -- and handed Republicans an explosive ecoterrorism narrative.

July 24, 2021

Boebert, Colorado Democrats urge Haaland to keep BLM headquarters in Grand Junction

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Rep. Lauren Boebert may not have much in common politically, but both on Friday urged Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to keep the Bureau of Land Management headquarters in western Colorado.

July 23, 2021

Senate committee splits on party lines on Biden nominee Tracy Stone-Manning

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee split along party lines Thursday on Bureau of Land Management nominee Tracy Stone-Manning, whose nomination has been roiled by her involvement in a three-decades-old tree-spiking case.

July 22, 2021

Tale of two walkouts: Texas Democrats hailed on left while Oregon Republicans vilified

Oregon Senate Republicans, like Texas House Democrats, left their state during the Legislative Assembly's session to prevent lawmakers from acting on certain bills, but that's where the similarities end.

July 22, 2021