Valerie Richardson

Dakota Access ‘water protectors’ endanger rivers by leaving behind 200 vehicles in floodplain

There's an imminent environmental threat to water quality in southern North Dakota from oil leaks, but not from the Dakota Access pipeline.

February 14, 2017

Oroville Dam flood danger recedes; state criticized for spending on rail, illegals

The flood danger from the Oroville Dam receded Monday, but California was hit by a wave of criticism for failing to heed warnings about risks to the spillway at a time when the state spent generously on illegal immigrants and high-speed rail.

February 13, 2017

Tribes lose bid to block Dakota Access pipeline as project nears finish line

A federal judge denied Monday a request by American Indian tribes to block construction of the Dakota Access pipeline's final leg, dealing a major setback to opponents as the project nears completion after months of delays.

February 13, 2017

Paris Jackson, Katy Perry uses Grammys to blast Trump, Dakota Access pipeline

Paris Jackson mixed politics with music Sunday at the 59th Grammy Awards when she gave a shout-out to the Dakota Access pipeline protesters.

February 12, 2017

Bill de Blasio: New York City interested in cutting ties to Dakota Access banks

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says he would consider divesting from banks that lend to the Dakota Access pipeline, following in the footsteps of last week's decision by the Seattle City Council to cut its financial ties to Wells Fargo.

February 12, 2017

Proposed coffee tax delivers rude awakening to highly caffeinated Oregonians

A Democrat-sponsored bill in Oregon that would tax coffee has jolted caffeine lovers in the famously java-friendly Pacific Northwest.

February 10, 2017

Five Dakota Access pipeline activists indicted on federal charges in torching of bridge

Five Dakota Access pipeline activists have been indicted on federal charges, accused of setting fire to a bridge in order to stop authorities from reaching a protest camp illegally built on private property.

February 9, 2017

Dakota Access pipeline company to finish, start moving oil by July

Energy Transfer Partners announced Wednesday that it has received an easement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, allowing the Dallas-based company to finish the Dakota Access pipeline after months of protest-driven delay and begin moving crude oil by July.

February 8, 2017

Anti-Trump business boycotts create confusion for consumers, hurt chance of success

At this rate, you may need to churn your own butter, brew your own beer and cobble your own shoes to avoid violating the boycotts organized by opponents of President Trump.

February 8, 2017

Dakota Access activists call for return to camps even as tribe cleans up

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe doesn't want activists returning to protest the Trump administration's decision to proceed with the Dakota Access pipeline. The activists, however, have other ideas.

February 8, 2017

Dakota Access pipeline approval will be granted: Trump administration

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed Tuesday that it will grant the easement needed to complete the Dakota Access pipeline, but the outcry surrounding the project is far from resolved.

February 7, 2017

Judge rejects Dakota Access activists’ request to stop ‘excessive force’ by police

A federal judge denied Tuesday a motion by Dakota Access pipeline protesters to stop law enforcement from using "excessive force," ruling that officers acted reasonably when they used water hoses and other methods against fire-starting, rock-throwing rioters.

February 7, 2017

Cliven Bundy case may be upset by BLM agent’s Burning Man freebies

The men charged in connection with the 2014 armed standoff at the Bundy ranch are hoping that a Bureau of Land Management agent with a taste for Burning Man will derail the government's case against them.

February 6, 2017

NOAA agrees to review scientist’s claim that data manipulated to discredit warming ‘pause’

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday it will review a whistle-blower's allegations that the agency manipulated climate data in order to eliminate the global-warming "pause" for political reasons.

February 6, 2017

Climate change whistleblower alleges NOAA manipulated data to hide global warming ‘pause’

The climate change debate went nuclear Sunday over a whistleblower's explosive allegation that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association manipulated data to advance a political agenda by hiding the global warming "pause."

February 5, 2017

Massive cleanup underway after Dakota Access protesters leave behind environmental mess

Clean-up crews are racing to clear acres of debris at the largest Dakota Access protest camp before the spring thaw turns the snowy, trash-covered plain into an environmental disaster area.

February 5, 2017

Dakota Access pipeline protest plagued by ‘fake news’

The photo was startling, showing teepees engulfed in flames with a caption condemning police for setting a Dakota Access protest camp on fire.

February 5, 2017

Andy Puzder, Labor nominee and fast-food executive, hailed by employees

Sen. Elizabeth Warren may think working at Hardee's sounds like a terrible job, but Patsy Elikson happens to love it.

February 2, 2017

Dave Archambault hits Dakota Access pipeline protesters for ignoring Standing Rock Sioux pleas to le

The Standing Rock Sioux chairman rebuked activists arrested Wednesday for setting up a camp on private property in the latest example of tension between the tribe and law-breaking Dakota Access pipeline protesters.

February 2, 2017

Dakota Access pipeline protesters arrested for camping on private property

About 76 Dakota Access protesters were arrested Wednesday after they set up a new camp on private land and then tried to stop law enforcement from reaching the encampment.

February 1, 2017