Valerie Richardson

Polar vortex freezing Midwest ignites climate change fight

Midwesterners seeking a warmer locale Wednesday could have gone almost anywhere else: Antarctica, Siberia, Everest Base Camp. Even Mars.

January 30, 2019

Michael Bloomberg blames Midwest polar vortex on global warming

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg blamed Wednesday the frigid cold temperatures sweeping the Midwest on global warming, arguing that climate change makes weather events more extreme.

January 30, 2019

Virginia Republicans defeat Democratic bill allowing abortions up until birth

Virginia Republicans on Tuesday killed legislation that would have loosened abortion restrictions after the bill's sponsor admitted it would allow the procedure even after a mother went into labor.

January 30, 2019

Democrats codify Roe v. Wade abortion decision, face backlash

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has reawakened the abortion debate with the sweeping Reproductive Health Act, lending momentum to similar bills in other states -- and igniting a backlash from the pro-life movement.

January 29, 2019

Pardoned ranchers who inspired Oregon occupation win back grazing permits

Dwight and Steven Hammond's journey from ranchers to convicted domestic terrorists back to ranchers concluded this week when the federal government reissued permits allowing the father and son to graze cattle again on public land.

January 29, 2019

Miracle Hill Ministries foster care targeted in religious-freedom fight

The American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Campaign, erupted last week after Miracle Hill Ministries received a federal waiver to continue offering services despite only working with foster couples that adhere to traditional Christian beliefs.

January 28, 2019

March for Life apologizes to Covington Catholic teens for ‘rush to judgment’

The March for Life apologized Monday for rushing to judgment on the Covington Catholic students, saying they experienced "real and inexcusable intimidation, insults and harassment" after attending the Jan. 18 pro-life rally.

January 28, 2019

Howard Schultz, former Starbucks CEO, teases 2020 independent bid for president

Jittery Democrats sought to put a lid on former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz after he said Sunday that he is "seriously considering" running for president in 2020 -- as an independent.

January 26, 2019

Most Americans unwilling to spend $10 per month to fight climate change: Poll

Most Americans are willing to chip in a buck each month to help fight climate change, but they draw the line at $10.

January 25, 2019

Virginia Happy Hour advertising restrictions ending after Chef Geoff Tracy suit

The Virginia state legislature gave initial approval Wednesday to House and Senate bills diluting the state's tight laws on advertising happy-hour prices and catchy slogans, stepping up after a legal challenge filed by a popular local restaurateur.

January 24, 2019

Federal judge rejects lawsuit challenging Arkansas anti-BDS law

A federal judge in Arkansas has thrown out a challenge to the state's anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions law, rejecting the argument that commercial boycotts qualify as protected speech.

January 24, 2019

South Carolina faith-based foster-care providers protected by HHS waiver

The Health and Human Services Department touched off a firestorm over religious freedom and discrimination Wednesday after granting South Carolina an exemption aimed at protecting faith-based foster-care providers.

January 23, 2019

Justice Department seeks to appeal stinging defeat against Cliven Bundy in Nevada standoff case

Federal prosecutors said Wednesday they plan to appeal their demoralizing defeat in the Nevada standoff trial, which saw a federal judge rebuke prosecutors for "flagrant misconduct" and dismiss all charges against rancher Cliven Bundy and two of his sons.

January 23, 2019

Archdiocese of Baltimore apologizes for rush to judgment in condemning Covington teens

The Archdiocese of Baltimore apologized Wednesday for "speaking too hastily" in condemning the Covington Catholic teens over their high-profile encounter with Omaha Nation elder Nathan Phillips.

January 23, 2019

Ad campaign accuses ‘Meet the Press’ of denying climate change debate

NBC's "Meet the Press" has been accused of engaging in denial -- for denying the debate over climate change.

January 23, 2019

Donald Trump judicial nominees backlog spurs conservative charges of religious bigotry

Conservatives are turning up the heat on Senate Democrats to fill the growing number of federal judicial vacancies, blaming the backlog in part on Democratic hostility to the traditional religious beliefs of some White House nominees.

January 22, 2019

Jim Carrey Covington Catholic teens painting labeled ‘baby snakes’

A number of media figures and celebrities have had second thoughts about condemning the Covington Catholic High School teens, but not actor Jim Carrey.

January 22, 2019

Covington Catholic cancels class as American Indian Movement protesters rally at diocese

Covington Catholic High School was closed Tuesday amid safety concerns over Friday's viral encounter between students and a tribal elder, while protesters held a rally outside the diocese in Covington, Kentucky.

January 22, 2019

Nathan Phillips seeks meeting at Covington Catholic on racism, accuses student of ‘falsehoods’

Nathan Phillips sought Tuesday to meet with teens from Covington Catholic High School on racism and cultural appropriation while accusing one of the students of "intentional falsehoods" about their viral encounter.

January 22, 2019

Patricia Heaton: Covington Catholic teens suffer ‘incalculable’ damage despite media backpedaling

Actress Patricia Heaton commended Monday the media figures who deleted their initial tweets blasting the Covington Catholic students, but said that the damage done to the teens is "incalculable."

January 21, 2019