West Virginia
Cabell County voters in WV make their voices heard on women's reproductive rights, school levy • West Virginia Watch
As Cabell County voters took to the polls Tuesday morning, they had various issues and races on their minds.
Maggi Anderson, of Barboursville, West Virginia, said reproductive rights were her primary issue.
“The most important issue for me is women’s rights,” Anderson said. “I feel as a woman of any age, this should be one of the most important things in this election today.”
For her, Anderson said, voting was a way to fight for women’s futures while honoring those who came before her.
“Fighting for not only our rights as women right now,” Anderson said. “But like I said, the women that are going to come after us and to honor the women that came before us.”
Gina Milum, the Democratic candidate for House District 27, of Huntington, said reproductive rights were also one of her top issues.
“First and foremost, I have been activated by reproductive rights,” Milum said. “Even though my reproductive years are long in my rearview mirror, I have two daughters and six granddaughters. It’s an important thing to me.”
Debra La Pierre Sospe, of Milton, said her top issues included the economy, cost of living and homelessness.
She also said she wanted to “bring the Lord back in our country, starting with our schools and the home.”
She said her motivation mainly stemmed from a sense of duty.
“I’ve voted since I was 18,” La Pierre Sospe said. “It’s always been my life.”
Anderson said her son was her primary motivation to cast her ballot.
“I feel like voting you have to do it for not only the people who are here right now,” Anderson said. “But for the children and the future of our country.”
She said to her, the presidential race was most important, followed by the local elections.
“First and most importantly, the presidential,” Anderson said. “The local elections are all fairly important to me.”
Milum said she wished the presidential election was closer in West Virginia.
“Of course, everybody’s biting their nails over the presidential race. I wish I felt things were closer in West Virginia,” Milum said.
Milum said she focused more on down ballot races than the presidential election.
“A lot of the down ballot races, especially the state senate, especially the House of Representatives, are very important for me to watch because people don’t realize how much either harm or good that people in those positions can do,” Milum said.
La Pierre Sospe said she looked for “truth, honesty, and love for the Lord and our country” when deciding who to vote for.
As for the Cabell County school levy, Anderson said it was not at the front of her mind.
“I don’t know much about it,” Anderson said. “It’s not one of the issues I have dove into deeply today.”
Milum lives in the portion of Huntington located in Wayne County, and cannot vote for the levy. She said she would have certainly voted yes if she was able to.
“I was 100% vote no in May,” Milum said. “Now I am 100% vote yes in November.”
Milum said she believed the pre-primary movement to strike down the levy was successful in its messaging.
“The message was sent to the past superintendent,” Milum said. “He heard, he left, we now have new board members, we have a new superintendent, the libraries have their money, the parks have their money, and the schools have better leadership.”
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
West Virginia
What Kansas football coach Lance Leipold saw on targeting calls during win against WVU
The Topeka Capital-Journal’s Jordan Guskey talks Kansas football win
Check out what The Topeka Capital-Journal reporter Jordan Guskey had to say following Kansas football’s Big 12 Conference win against West Virginia.
LAWRENCE — Kansas football’s 41-10 victory against West Virginia this past weekend saw a pair of players ejected due to targeting calls, one on each side.
In the second quarter, WVU nickel/safety Fred Perry was disqualified because of a hit he made on KU quarterback Jalon Daniels. In the third quarter, Jayhawks safety Devin Dye was disqualified for a hit he made on a Mountaineers running back Cyncir Bowers. Holistically, Kansas football coach Lance Leipold acknowledged Saturday the calls were made in the interest of player safety.
But while Leipold thought Dye’s ejection was unfortunate, Perry’s led to a little longer of a conversation postgame. That’s because after the hit, some pushing and shoving ensued until players from both teams were separated. Kansas offensive lineman Kobe Baynes, who appeared to shove Perry right after the hit on Daniels, would eventually be called for a late hit.
Leipold, at one moment concerned the situation would get out of hand, was glad to see it get settled as quickly as it did. Although he understands a player’s desire to defend their teammate, he called for composure in all situations. He called it a tough situation for officials to handle.
Here are a few more takeaways from the Big 12 Conference matchup between the Jayhawks (3-1, 1-0 in Big 12) and Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1).
Why Trey Lathan was selected to be Kansas’ 4th captain for game
Kansas has three lead captains this season in Daniels, offensive lineman Bryce Foster and defensive end Justice Finkley, but each game there’s a fourth “rotational” captain who is honored as well. Against West Virginia, that individual was linebacker Trey Lathan. Lathan, who finished the game with three tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and an interception, transferred to KU during the offseason from WVU.
Leipold acknowledged Lathan’s past stop in his college career with the Mountaineers did play a factor in the decision. However, Lathan’s also someone he felt has been playing well and become more confident. Lathan is also someone he felt had become a more vocal leader within the defense and is well respected.
Kansas’ offensive line doesn’t allow any sacks
West Virginia’s defense collected six sacks against Pittsburgh just the week before this matchup. But by game’s end against the Jayhawks, the Mountaineers didn’t have a single sack. So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Leipold was pleased with the protection Kansas’ offensive line gave Daniels and for how Daniels at times escaped pressure.
On film, Leipold had seen an impressive defense that was athletic up front. It could use multiple looks and was aggressive. But KU proved capable of stymying that aspect of WVU’s defense.
West Virginia’s tempo offensively doesn’t prove to be much of a factor
Leipold thinks Kansas’ defense can get better at playing against tempo, based on what he saw against West Virginia. However, considering how well the Jayhawks played and what he heard as the game unfolded, he thought they did well. Physical play and quality tackling helped force numerous punts and stops as KU took control of the game.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
Injuries are piling up for the West Virginia Mountaineers early in the season, particularly in the running back room. To everyone’s surprise, Tye Edwards was unable to play this past weekend against Kansas, and despite being a game-time decision for that game, his status for this week’s matchup versus Utah remains in question.
“Hopeful might be too much,” Rodriguez responded when asked about Edwards’ status. “I’m more… he’s probably still doubtful right now with his hip pointer. He’s trying to. It’s not where he’s wanting to sit out. He’s a kid that really wants to play.”
Rodriguez also noted that Cyncir Bowers is in the concussion protocol and is also questionable for Saturday’s game.
So, what in the heck do the Mountaineers manufacture a rushing attack against a Utah defense that allows just over 110 yards on the ground per game? It’s a great question, especially given the Mountaineers’ offensive line struggles.
As far as available backs, WVU will have Clay Ash, Diore Hubbard, Tyler Jacklich, and Andre Devine. Those four have combined to rush for 127 yards on 38 carries, averaging 3.3 yards per tote. Ferris State transfer Kannon Katzer is still working his way back from injury, but his status as of this morning is unknown. If it is just those four aforementioned backs, WVU may have to get creative with Rodney Gallagher III and maybe go as far as starting Jaylen Henderson at quarterback to make Utah respect the threat of him pulling it and keeping it.
On today’s episode of Between The Eers, I discuss this huge problem the Mountaineers may have in the run game.
If you haven’t yet, please go over to our YouTube page, West Virginia On SI (@SI_WVU), and subscribe. You’ll get a notification the second a new episode of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru GameDay Show, or Mountaineer Postgame drops.
Recent Between The Eers episodes:
WVU’s Painfully Bad Offense Needs to Make Some Changes
Did One Game Flip the Narrative on WVU Entering Big 12 Play?
A Night West Virginia Needed
West Virginia Found Its Identity in Backyard Brawl Win
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
Rodriguez Candid on Why WVU’s Offense is Struggling and What Must Change
Why Scotty Fox Didn’t Play vs. Kansas and What He Needs to Do to Take the Next Step
Rich Rodriguez Shares His Message to the Team Following Embarrassing Loss to Kansas
Offensive Line Shakeup Could Be Coming Soon for West Virginia Football
Everything Rich Rodriguez Said on His Radio Show Monday Night Following Kansas Loss
West Virginia sent Pitt home with an overtime loss and will have bragging rights in the Backyard Brawl for the next four years. Following the game, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi met with reporters, discussing several different topics such as quarterback play, the lack of a run game, officiating, WVU’s offense, and more.
The one thing that stood out most, though, was his take on the officiating.
“Whew. You guys watched the game, I don’t know. There was some stuff out there, but we’ll look at the videotape. Not happy with that at all. 14 penalties, a little lopsided there. Eli got punched, got his helmet ripped off, punched in the face; no call there. We had somebody get spit in the face, too, but things didn’t go our way.”
To be honest, I truly don’t understand how Narduzzi can be upset with the officiating. Many of those 14 penalties were clear and preventable penalties, whether it was a false start, a hold, defensive pass interference, or offside. There were only maybe two that were 50/50.
But let’s not forget how Pitt caught a break at the end of the first half. Nicco Marchiol ran the ball up the middle for a first down, slid, and was hit late. The flag was dropped, but the officials said that because there was no time left on the clock, the half was over. I’ll need a better description from a rules analyst to explain this one because I don’t understand how the half can just end on that. I assumed there would either be one untimed down or Pitt would have to be penalized on the kickoff to start the second half. Neither happened.
What about the MarShon Oxley sack in the third quarter that was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct when all he did was stand up and walk away? That not only bailed Pitt out, but they would score a touchdown on that drive just a few plays later.
How about the first half when linebacker Ashton Woods was ejected for targeting on what appeared (by every angle shown) to be a clean shot?
There were also multiple times where Pitt defenders arrived way too early on a pass and should have been flagged for defensive pass interference. Instead, the flag remained tucked into the official’s waist pocket.
The penalties West Virginia had were way more costly and timely than those Pitt was guilty of.
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
Sunday Morning Thoughts: Grit, Guts, and Glory
Stock Up, Stock Down: Major Movement Following West Virginia’s Win Over Pitt
Quick Hits: Rich Rodriguez Discusses Final Scoring Drives, Tye Edwards Big Night and More
Three Rapid Takeaways from West Virginia’s Backyard Brawl Win
Mountaineer Mantrip: Backyard Brawl Edition
They Call Him OG Movie Review: Action-packed yet narratively uneven gangster drama
Mail stolen from 6 USPS mailboxes across Fort Lee, N.J. Map shows where residents need to be wary
Human plague case reported in Bernalillo County, second in state this year
USDA terminates annual Hunger Survey as food banks see growing demand
Enrollment up nearly 4% at North Dakota public colleges, universities
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Read the Letter to the Inspectors General
GOP senator blasts Schumer, Dems as 'forcing' shutdown while demanding price tag report
Palestine as a state – what would that actually look like?
Farage refuses to criticise Trump over paracetamol despite health experts dismissing autism claims
House plans Thursday vote on government funding bill to extend spending through November
-
World1 week agoTrump and Zelenskyy to meet as Poland pressures NATO on no fly zone over Ukraine
-
Technology1 week agoNew Evite phishing scam uses emotional event invitations to target victims
-
Health1 week agoDiabetes risk quadruples with use of popular natural remedy, study finds
-
Politics1 week ago
House plans Thursday vote on government funding bill to extend spending through November
-
Business1 week agoDisney, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery sue Chinese AI firm as Hollywood's copyright battles spread
-
Health1 week agoWho Makes Vaccine Policy Decisions in RFK Jr.’s Health Department?
-
Finance2 days agoReimagining Finance: Derek Kudsee on Coda’s AI-Powered Future
-
Lifestyle1 week agoBobbi Brown doesn’t listen to men in suits about makeup : Wild Card with Rachel Martin