Morgantown is about to become the next West Virginia city to adopt a broad camping ban in an attempt to clean up homeless encampments. The city council advanced the ordinance through first reading last week on a narrow 4-3 vote.

The vote came after a contentious debate over several hours. Supporters believe the prohibition is necessary to protect public spaces, as well as the interests of businesses and citizens. Opponents argue the ban is cruel and ignores the deeper issues impacting homelessness.

Erin Shelton, board chair of Project Rainbow which provides housing services for the LGBTQ+ community, was among those who spoke at the council meeting against the ordinance. “I’m asking you now not to be the people who add more barriers and make access to housing even harder,” Shelton said. “And when you do it anyway, know it’s an act of cruelty and not an act of compassion.”

The community is not short on compassion. The city and county provide a range of services for the unhoused, for individuals with substance abuse issues and for anyone looking for a meal or health care. Advocates for the homeless argue there must be more services, but how much is enough?

City council hears continually from citizens and downtown business owners frustrated with issues associated with homelessness—open drug use, petty crime, litter and unsanitary conditions. The four council members who voted for the ordinance are not ignoring the problems of the homeless, but they are responding to the legitimate complaints of their constituents.

Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 overturning a Ninth Circuit decision and affirmed an ordinance in Grants Pass, Oregon that prevents sleeping in public spaces. The majority found that such ordinances do not violate the 8^th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Since then, communities across the country and even some states have passed public camping bans. Even California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order following the court’s decision authorizing state agencies to clear homeless encampments on state property. Newsom himself even pitched in to help clear an encampment in Los Angeles County.

Neither Morgantown nor any of these communities prohibiting camping on public property are criminalizing homelessness as advocates often like to argue. Most of these communities are still searching for remedies to the homeless issue, but they do not feel compelled to allow the homeless to take over public spaces or private property with encampments.

Allowing these encampments does nothing to address the issues associated with homelessness. It only generates resentment in those communities.

After a whirlwind start to the college football season, Pat McAfee will be returning to his alma mater West Virginia after a memorable trip across the pond to Ireland.

McAfee and his merry band of misfits took their popular daily show on the road Friday, with McAfee thoroughly enjoying a visit to Ireland and the bevy of beverages and pubs that the Irish provide. He enjoyed himself while doing an Irish dance with the famed “Miss Terry,” wife of legendary coach Nick Saban. McAfee also had a traditional Irish band live on location for his Friday show, which was broadcast on-site at an Irish pub.

Pat McAfee Heads Home to West Virginia After Dublin Appearance

McAfee seemed to recover enough from what he claimed was a “30 Guinnesses” night to join his newest co-host on College GameDay, former Alabama coach Nick Saban. After the jokes regarding his activities from the day before, McAfee stayed true to his outlandish persona by claiming that “the Big 12 runs through Morgantown, W.Va.,” perhaps teasing the location for his next on-site broadcast for the Pat McAfee show.

Saban, who seems to have befriended the excitable McFee said, “I’m rooting for Pat and the West Virginia Mountaineers. I didn’t pick them, but I’m rooting for them.”

McAfee will broadcast from Morgantown to preview the Penn State-West Virginia season opener. What kind of hijinks and shenanigans await, one can only wonder, but if the first stop on The Pat McAfee Show’s tour is any indication, it is sure to be a must-watch.

McAfee’s Mountaineers Career Solidifies Bond With Alma Mater

McAfee attended West Virginia from 2005-08, where he earned a starting job as a freshman. Originally, McAfee handled field goal and kickoff duties as a Mountaineer, where he once had a streak of 106 consecutive extra points made. He also holds the school record for all-time scoring after kicking a field goal against Marshall in his senior year.

McAfee took over punting duties for West Virginia in 2007 and was one of the best kickers and punters in the country for his last two years. As a senior, he averaged 44.7 yards per punt, had a conference-leading 23 punts inside the 20-yard line, and notched a career-high 2,639 yards with a 65-yard long punt.

The stellar college career led the communications major to move on to the NFL, where his career lasted for eight years, earning All-Pro status in 2014. After he retired from the NFL, McAfee has continued to find success in the world of media, with a variety of sports talk shows and professional wrestling appearances. He currently hosts The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN and is a co-host on College GameDay for ESPN.