Valerie Richardson

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

New Hampshire voter-fraud probe into Sanders campaign expands after latest Project Veritas video

The New Hampshire voter-fraud investigation into Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders' campaign has grown with the release of a second undercover video showing out-of-state staffers saying they exploited the law in order to vote in the Democratic presidential primary.

February 19, 2016

Man undressing in women’s locker room fuels drive to upend Washington transgender rule

Conservative activists have launched a ballot campaign to overturn Washington's transgender rule, fueled by alarm over a man who began undressing in front of girls at a Seattle Parks and Recreation women's locker room.

February 18, 2016

Oddsmaker puts Sri Srinivasan at top of list to fill Antonin Scalia vacancy

Judge Sri Srinivasan of the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has the best chance of succeeding Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, according to a top online oddsmaker.

February 18, 2016

Scott Walker, Wisconsin governor, signs bills to defund Planned Parenthood affiliate

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation Thursday to defund Planned Parenthood while directing state and federal dollars to other health care providers.

February 18, 2016

Democrats ushered in partisan Supreme Court confirmation process, Republicans note

For Democrats railing against the Senate's threat to mothball President Obama's nominees to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia, Republicans have three words: You started it.

February 17, 2016

Sally Jewell gets subpoena from House GOP over Gold King Mine spill

A House committee issued a subpoena Wednesday ordering Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to produce a critical peer review and other documents related to the Environmental Protection Agency's spill at the Gold King Mine.

February 17, 2016

Oregon House passes bill to shield officer who shot ‘LaVoy’ Finicum

The Oregon House overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday that would shield the identity of the officer who shot and killed Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, and potentially others, despite cross-ideological opposition from both Finicum supporters and Black Lives Matter.

February 17, 2016

South Dakota legislature sends landmark transgender-bathroom bill to governor

A bill approved Tuesday would make South Dakota the first state to enact a proactive ban on opposite-sex restroom and shower access in public schools, touching off the latest skirmish on transgender bathroom use.

February 16, 2016

David Daleiden, Sandra Merritt criminal charges disturb Planned Parenthood supporters

Journalism professor Mark Feldstein isn't a fan of the pro-life Center for Medical Progress, but he is a staunch supporter of the First Amendment.

February 16, 2016

Susana Martinez, New Mexico governor, declares win with illegal-immigrant driver’s license reform

In New Mexico, illegal immigrants will no longer be able to obtain a state driver's license -- but they will have access to a driver's authorization card.

February 16, 2016

Oregon bill would shield identity of officer who shot and killed ‘LaVoy’ Finicum

Fast-tracked Oregon legislation that would conceal the identity of the officer who shot Robert "LaVoy" Finicum is meeting with resistance from supporters of the slain Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupier.

February 14, 2016

EPA coordinator knew of Gold King Mine’s blowout danger, email reveals

An internal email unearthed by House Republicans shows that the Environmental Protection Agency on-site coordinator knew that there was "a lot of water" behind the plug at the Gold King Mine — but didn't check to see how much before removing loose dirt.

February 11, 2016

Four Oregon occupiers surrender to FBI; final man threatened suicide before leaving

More arrests and indictments came Thursday after the 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended with the dramatic surrender of the four remaining protesters, including one who threatened to commit suicide rather than go to prison.

February 11, 2016

House panel report slams EPA for Animas River spill, accuses administration of concealing details

A House committee investigative report released Thursday slammed the Environmental Protection Agency for the Animas River spill, attributing it to the crew's sloppiness and accusing the Obama administration of deliberately concealing information about the accident.

February 11, 2016

Planned Parenthood defunding bill in Ohio sent to John Kasich’s desk

A bill that would defund Planned Parenthood in Ohio and redirect funding to other health-care centers is headed to the desk of Republican Gov. John Kasich after the state House gave it final approval Wednesday.

February 10, 2016

Oregon wildlife standoff: FBI moves in on remaining occupiers at refuge

Federal officials moved in on the remaining occupiers of an Oregon wildlife refuge, the agency said Wednesday night as the four activists continued their stance of public defiance and made a real-time public event of the siege on YouTube.

February 10, 2016