Valerie Richardson

Trump approves expedited major disaster declaration for California wildfires

President Trump approved Monday an expedited request for a major disaster declaration for California as the state grapples with devastating wildfires that have left 31 dead.

Donald Trump sparks California wildfires debate on clearing versus climate

The California wildfire disaster marked Monday a deadly milestone as frustrated calls for more aggressive forest management -- led by President Trump -- met with climate-change pushback from Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown.

Hillary Clinton will run for president again in 2020, predicts her former top adviser

A longtime Hillary Clinton adviser guaranteed Monday that the former secretary of state would make a third bid for president in 2020 on a more progressive platform.

Tucker Carlson accuses Michael Avenatti client of calling his daughter ‘whore’

Fox News host Tucker Carlson admitted Sunday that he yelled at a man during dinner at a country club, but said he did so only after the diner called his teenage daughter an obscene name and asked if she were "Tucker's whore."

Sam Donaldson says CNN suing White House over Jim Acosta suspension

Former ABC White House correspondent Sam Donaldson said Sunday that CNN has sued the Trump administration -- and that he has been asked to submit an affidavit -- although the cable network said no decision has been reached.

White director who won minority theater grant defends decision to identify as black

A white theater director defended Saturday his decision to identify as black, a case that has sparked an identity-politics debate in Great Britain after he received a publicly funded grant intended for minority artists.

‘South Park’ apologizes to Al Gore for mocking him in ManBearPig episode

The creators of "South Park" appear to have apologized to Al Gore for a 12-year-old episode roasting his belief in ManBearPig, which has long been viewed as a metaphor for climate change.

Democrats flip key state, federal seats in Nevada after midterm election

The blue wave fizzled into more of a blue splash nationwide, but not in Nevada, where Democrats tightened their grip on the Silver State by squeezing out Republicans up and down the ballot in what was only recently a swing state.

Louis Farrakhan denies ‘death to America’ chant in Iran

He said "death to," and the Iranian audience responded with "America" and "Israel," but Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan insists he never led chants of "death to America."

Gunman opened fire at bar popular with Christian students on college night

The deadly Southern California shooting took place at a bar popular with students from several local universities, including two Christian colleges, on the venue's college night.

Climate change ballot initiatives get cool reception from voters

Global warming met with a cool reception from voters Tuesday as ballot initiatives targeting fossil fuels went down to defeat in several Western states, defying environmental groups who are raising alarms about catastrophic climate change.

Jon Tester wins tight re-election bid in race targeted by Donald Trump: AP report

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester was declared Wednesday the winner of the Montana Senate race, scraping out a razor-thin victory against Republican Matt Rosendale despite a campaign onslaught by President Trump.

Marsy’s Law for crime victims wins big with ballot victories in all six states

Nobody had a better election night than Henry Nicholas III, who won all six of his state campaigns Tuesday for the victims'-rights ballot measures known as Marsy's Law.

Keith Ellison weathers domestic-abuse claims, wins Minnesota AG’s race

Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison eked out a win Tuesday in his bid for Minnesota attorney general, overcoming the domestic-abuse allegations that threatened to derail his political career in the MeToo era.

Pro-life ballot measures win in Alabama, West Virginia

Pro-life ballot measures aimed at preventing public funding of abortion went two for three on Tuesday, winning approval in Alabama and West Virginia while going down to defeat in Oregon.

Dan Crenshaw, target of ‘SNL’ joke, wins Texas House seat

Being mocked on "Saturday Night Live" didn't hurt--and may have helped-- Texas Republican Dan Crenshaw, a retired Navy SEAL and political newcomer who easily won Tuesday his House race.

Jared Polis elected first gay Colorado governor

Democratic Rep. Jared Polis was declared the winner of the Colorado gubernatorial race Tuesday after spending $22 million of his own fortune to defeat Republican state treasurer Walker Stapleton.

Florida votes to restore automatically voting rights of felons

Florida voters approved a ballot measure Tuesday to restore automatically the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences.

Elizabeth Warren defeats Geoff Diehl to easily win Senate re-election

Kenan Thompson: ‘SNL’ plans to ‘right that wrong’ by taking action on Crenshaw joke

Comedian Kenan Thompson said Tuesday that "Saturday Night Live" plans to "right that wrong" by addressing the show's widely condemned joke about House candidate Dan Crenshaw's war injury.