Valerie Richardson

Black pastors to Congressional Black Caucus: Skipping Netanyahu a ‘slap in the face’ to Israel

The message from a dozen prominent black pastors this week to the Congressional Black Caucus was loud and clear: Don't skip out on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyuhu's speech.

February 27, 2015

Most Americans agree bakers, florists should be able to opt out of gay weddings: poll

An overwhelming majority of Americans support the right of business owners to "follow their beliefs about marriage," even as courts increasingly rule against bakers, florists and others who resist providing services for same-sex weddings.

February 25, 2015

Benjamin Netanyahu backers hint at consequences for Democrats who boycott speech

Team Barack started strong, but Team Bibi is showing it knows how to finish, as supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pick up steam against those urging a boycott of his speech next week before Congress.

February 23, 2015

Washington florist rejects state’s deal requiring her to cater to gay weddings or none at all

Washington Attorney General Bib Ferguson has offered florist Barronelle Stutzman a deal: She can cater to same-sex weddings or she can stop doing weddings altogether.

February 22, 2015

Authorities: Explosion near NAACP office targeted accountant

The man arrested for planting a small bomb outside a Colorado Springs building said he was targeting a tax preparer, not the NAACP.

February 20, 2015

Climate change activists dismiss fossil fuel divestment movement as waste of time, resources

Paul Hamill isn't what you'd call a climate denier. Far from it. But he's also not a fan of pressuring academic institutions to sell off their fossil fuel stocks.

February 19, 2015

Colorado marijuana law faces RICO lawsuit

A Colorado hotel franchise and two property owners filed lawsuits Thursday to bring a halt to the state's legalization of recreational marijuana, citing violations of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

February 19, 2015

Voters less likely to blame global warming for ‘extreme weather’ events: poll

The number of likely voters who blame global warming for extreme weather events such as blizzards and hurricanes is dropping as disagreement in the scientific community continues.

February 19, 2015

Barronelle Stutzman, Christian florist who refused gay wedding, violated law, judge rules

A judge ruled Wednesday that a Washington state florist who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex marriage ceremony based on her Christian beliefs violated state consumer protection laws.

February 18, 2015

Colorado Republicans blast Obama’s latest national monument as land grab

Not everyone was thrilled by President Obama's plan to designate another national monument in Colorado, this time a 21,000-acre area around the Arkansas River called Browns Canyon.

February 18, 2015

Condoleezza Rice for Senate, California voters say

She's been out of public life for years, she's never run for office and she's a Republican, but Condoleezza Rice is now the first choice of California voters to replace Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2016.

February 18, 2015

Michael Hancock, Denver mayor, supports police chief’s decision regarding memorial vandalism

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock put himself at odds with rank-and-file officers Monday by standing behind Police Chief Robert White, even as the drumbeat for his resignation intensified after protesters were allowed to throw red paint on a police memorial.

February 17, 2015

Fossil fuel divestment movement struggles to build momentum on college campuses

Climate change activists spent Valentine's Day weekend wooing supporters for fossil fuel divestiture with their first-ever Global Divestment Day, but not everyone was feeling the love.

February 16, 2015

Global Divestment Day’s push against fossil fuels meets with cold shoulder

Climate-change activists spent Valentine's Day weekend wooing support for fossil-fuel divestiture with their first-ever Global Divestment Day, but not everyone was feeling the love.

February 16, 2015

Colo., N.M. lawmakers try to slam brakes on driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants

Lawmakers in Colorado and New Mexico are attempting to execute a U-turn on driver's licenses for illegal immigrants with bills to defund or revoke the programs.

February 13, 2015

James Comey, FBI director: Don’t scapegoat all police when wider race problems exist

It's easy to blame police racism for the deaths of young black men at the hands of law enforcement, but that narrative is increasingly facing pushback from those who say it's not so simple.

February 12, 2015

Sam Brownback cancels protected status for Kansas gay, transgender employees

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback rescinded Tuesday a 2007 executive order signed by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius extending protected-class anti-discrimination status to gay and transgender state employees.

February 10, 2015

Majority of Americans support lifting 40-year-old ban on oil exports: poll

Most Americans support lifting restrictions on oil exports to countries that are trade partners, saying that the change would have a positive effect on the U.S. economy.

February 10, 2015

Vaccine exemption bills introduced amid measles outbreak, underscoring anti-vaxxers’ strength

State legislatures are dealing with a rash of legislation to tighten vaccination rules in reaction to the Disneyland measles outbreak, but not every bill is aimed at making sure children get their shots.

February 9, 2015

Colorado GOP tries to ban ‘welfare for weed’ against Democrats’ wishes

Everyone in Colorado from Republicans to marijuana moguls wants to stop welfare cash from being used to buy recreational pot, but standing in their way are the state's formidable legislative Democrats

February 8, 2015