Valerie Richardson

Kenneth Williams executed in Arkansas

Arkansas executed late Thursday its fourth inmate in eight days, bringing to a close an unprecedented death-penalty odyssey driven by the looming expiration of a key lethal-injection drug.

April 27, 2017

Congressional Israel Victory Caucus’ launch by Republicans reinforces support for Israel

Republicans fortified their growing bond with Israel by launching Thursday the Congressional Israel Victory Caucus, a coalition aimed at promoting widespread recognition of the Jewish state's right to exist as a predicate to peace.

April 27, 2017

Portland protesters call for reinstating parade cancelled over threat of protests

Portland "antifascist" groups have called for bringing back Saturday's rose parade, even though fears of violence from left-wing protesters are what prompted organizers to nix the popular event in the first place.

April 27, 2017

Portland parade cancelled amid threats to Republicans

Protesters in Portland, Oregon, have gone from blocking streets and disrupting city council meetings to threatening to rough up Republicans, and James Buchal for one is sick of it.

April 26, 2017

Oregon rose parade cancelled after radicals threaten to oust GOP celebrants

An annual community parade in Oregon has been canceled after radicals threatened to shut down the event unless the local Republican Party was banned from participating.

April 26, 2017

Rasmea Odeh, convicted terrorist, pleads guilty to lying about criminal record on U.S. visa

Convicted terrorist Rasmea Odeh, who has lived in the United States since 1995, pleaded guilty Tuesday to lying about her criminal past on her visa application as part of a deal in which she agreed to be deported in exchange for no prison time.

April 25, 2017

Shots fired over Earth Day weekend at campus building home to prominent climate skeptics

Seven gunshots were fired over Earth Day weekend at a University of Alabama in Huntsville science center that holds the offices of two of the world's most prominent climate skeptics.

April 25, 2017

Marcel Williams, Jack Jones executed in Arkansas

Arkansas executed inmates Marcel Williams and Jack Jones Monday night in the nation's first double execution since 2000.

April 24, 2017

Jack Jones executed in Arkansas by lethal injection

Arkansas put to death a convicted killer on Monday night with plans to execute a second inmate the same night as officials moved to carry out multiple death sentences before the expiration of a key lethal-injection drug.

April 24, 2017

Judge declares mistrial in Bundy standoff after jury deadlocks on conspiracy counts

A federal judge on Monday declared a mistrial after a jury deadlocked on conspiracy counts against six men charged in the 2014 armed standoff between the Bureau of Land Management and Nevada's Bundy ranching family.

April 24, 2017

March for (Political) Science: Earth Day rally doubles as latest anti-Trump protest

Take the Women's March on Washington, slash its attendance, throw in Bill Nye "the science guy," and you have the formula for Saturday's March for Science, the latest in this year's series of anti-Trump protests.

April 22, 2017

March for Science comes under microscope over left-tilting political agenda

The March for Science has landed under the microscope amid mounting criticism over its left-of-center political agenda, prompting fears that the event could do more harm to the image of scientific research than good.

April 21, 2017

Ledell Lee put to death before key drug expires in first Arkansas execution since 2005

Convicted murderer Ledell Lee was executed shortly before midnight Thursday in Arkansas, making him the first prisoner to die under an expedited timetable before a key lethal-injection drug expires at the end of the month.

April 21, 2017

Greater sage grouse kills Oregon wind-energy project

After years of creating headaches for the oil-and-gas industry, the greater sage grouse is now standing in the way of renewable energy.

April 20, 2017

Louis Marinelli, Yes California leader, plans move to Russia

The Calexit movement was thrown into turmoil this week after the leader of the secession referendum effort to split California from the U.S. himself split -- to Russia. But to others, the dream of an independent California is going nowhere.

April 19, 2017

Stacey Eugene Johnson win Arkansas execution delay

A fourth Arkansas convicted killer has won a last-minute bid to delay his execution, further disrupting the state's plan to put to death eight inmates before the April 30 expiration of a key lethal-injection drug

April 19, 2017

Louis J. Marinelli Yes California founder withdraws independence proposal

The Calexit movement was thrown into turmoil after the leader of the secession ballot referendum split -- to Russia -- but the dream of a California nation isn't going anywhere.

April 19, 2017

Progressives take on establishment Democrats at town halls

Those rowdy progressives shouting down Republicans at town-hall meetings are starting to train their sights on establishment Democrats.

April 19, 2017

Arkansas battles to keep executions on track after first two inmates elude death

Arkansas officials vowed to keep the state's remaining five executions on track after Monday came and went without either of the state's two scheduled executions taking place.

April 18, 2017

Judge Wendell Griffen barred from death penalty cases over activism

A state judge who railed against the death penalty at protest rallies while he blocked executions in his courtroom ran afoul of the Arkansas Supreme Court on Monday as the legal fight over a planned spate of executions continued into the night.

April 17, 2017