Valerie Richardson

Californians jeer state’s decision to extend drought restrictions

California's decision to extend drought restrictions despite historic rain and snow has met with splashback from some waterlogged residents.

February 19, 2017

Veterans from post-9/11 seek new purpose by joining left-wing protest movements

The ground troops populating the latest left-wing protest movements? Some of them are actually former ground troops.

February 16, 2017

Joe Salazar-Dave Williams: Colorado Dem lawmaker calls Republican ‘half-Latino’

A Colorado Democratic legislator has ignited a debate over identity politics by referring to a Republican lawmaker as "half-Latino."

February 16, 2017

Doug Burgum, North Dakota governor, orders emergency evacuation of pipeline protest camp

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum issued late Wednesday an emergency evacuation order for Dakota Access protesters still located in the floodplain, citing the threat of "injury or death" and "ecological disaster" from the rapidly melting snowpack.

February 15, 2017

Dakota Access pipeline executive compares lawless protesters to terrorists

A Dakota Access pipeline executive lashed out Wednesday at protesters who have wreaked havoc for months in their campaign to halt the project, comparing those who shut down pipeline operations to terrorists.

February 15, 2017

Oroville Dam disaster declaration approved by Donald Trump

President Trump approved Tuesday disaster relief for California, putting an end to speculation that the bad blood between the White House and Gov. Jerry Brown would jeopardize the state's plea for emergency aid.

February 14, 2017

Feds join Dakota Access protest camp cleanup in race to avoid ‘environmental disaster’

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced Tuesday the federal government is moving in to accelerate the cleanup at the Dakota Access protest camp before the snowmelt turns the area into an "environmental disaster."

February 14, 2017

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