Valerie Richardson

Nancy’s Reagan’s anti-drug crusade came to define her role as first lady

First lady Nancy Reagan was better known for her shrewd political instincts than her policy chops, except when it came to her fight against drug abuse.

March 6, 2016

Ted Cruz wins Colorado in unofficial straw poll

The Colorado Republican Party declined to hold a presidential straw poll on Super Tuesday, so John Brackney decided to conduct one himself.

March 4, 2016

Brian Pagliano’s immunity deal could indicate Hillary Clinton grand jury probe

At least three conclusions can be drawn from media reports that federal prosecutors have agreed to an immunity deal in exchange for cooperation with former State Department computer tech Bryan Pagliano.

March 3, 2016

Washington Supreme Court to hear appeal of florist fined for refusing to serve gay wedding

The Washington Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a florist penalized for declining to prepare floral arrangements for a same-sex wedding.

March 3, 2016

David Daleiden, pro-life investigator, takes multiple honors at Weyrich Awards

Pro-life investigator David Daleiden was the big winner at Wednesday's 2016 Weyrich Awards Dinner, picking up honors in three different categories at the high-profile conservative event.

March 3, 2016

Abortion clinic technicians got bonus pay for fetal tissue

The House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives produced documents at its first hearing Wednesday showing that technicians at an abortion clinic were paid extra for the number of fetal body parts they obtained.

March 2, 2016

Donald Trump rejected by conservative millennials

Donald Trump enters the annual Conservative Political Action Conference this week as the Republican presidential front-runner, but he is still getting the cold shoulder from millennial voters like Kyle Foley.

March 1, 2016

Tim Scott blasts Donald Trump for failing to denounce KKK

Sen. Tim Scott, the Senate's only black Republican, denounced Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for failing when prodded Sunday to denounce the Ku Klux Klan.

February 28, 2016

Donald Trump refuses to condemn KKK as campaign veers into nativist territory

Sen. Jeff Sessions, who led the fight against the 2013 Senate immigration bill, endorsed Donald Trump's presidential bid Sunday, breaking his own precedent to boost the billionaire businessman just ahead of the biggest day on the primary election calendar.

February 28, 2016

Tulsi Gabbard resigns from DNC post to endorse Bernie Sanders

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced she is resigning from her Democratic National Committee post to endorse Bernard Sanders' bid for the presidential nomination.

February 28, 2016

Ted Cruz speculates Trump’s tax returns could show Mafia ties, Planned Parenthood support

Ted Cruz said Sunday that Donald Trump is "hiding something" by not releasing his most recent tax returns.

February 28, 2016

Christie defends Trump endorsement as ex-campaign official blasts governor’s ‘political opportunism’

Chris Christie defended Sunday his endorsement of Donald Trump, as a former Christie campaign official condemned the move as "an astonishing display of political opportunism."

February 28, 2016

Trump goes on defense over Mussolini quote, David Duke endorsement

Donald Trump was grilled Sunday on his opinion of Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini and white nationalist David Duke, after both popped up in references to his campaign.

February 28, 2016

Australians say they were paid by Labor Party to work for Bernie Sanders in Project Veritas video

Young Australians say they are being paid to work for Sen. Bernard Sanders' campaign by the Australian Labor Party in what appears to be a violation of U.S. election law, according to an undercover video released Thursday.

February 25, 2016

Wildlife groups sue Obama administration to force tougher sage grouse rules

Wildlife groups filed a lawsuit Thursday to force the Obama administration to further restrict oil and gas development, grazing and other economic activity on Western lands in the name of protecting the greater sage grouse.

February 25, 2016

Planned Parenthood dented as American Cancer Society backs away from breast exams

Threatened with cuts to its state and federal funding, Planned Parenthood has fought back by touting its non-abortion services, starting with its "life-saving breast cancer screenings."

February 24, 2016

Obama admin blasted for allocating water for endangered fish but not California farmers

Despite wetter-than-average weather in California, some farmers are looking at another year of a zero federal water allocation even as the billions of gallons of water continue to be dumped into the ocean in order to save a three-inch fish.

February 24, 2016

Robert, Cynthia Giffords give up legal fight over same-sex marriage on New York farm property

The owners of a New York farm fined $13,000 for declining to host a same-sex wedding on their property have chosen not to appeal a court ruling against them, bringing an end to the high-profile legal battle after more than three years.

February 23, 2016

Dynel Lane, Colo. woman, found guilty of attempted murder, cut unborn baby from mother’s womb

A Boulder County jury found Dynel Lane guilty Tuesday of first-degree attempted murder, assault and unlawful termination of a pregnancy for cutting the unborn baby from the womb of a seven-months' pregnant woman.

February 23, 2016

Clean Power Plan reset sought after emails show collaboration between EPA, greens

A pro-energy advocacy group is seeking to incinerate the Clean Power Plan after releasing more emails showing a key Environmental Protection Agency official collaborating behind the scenes with leading environmental activists.

February 22, 2016