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West Virginia Appeals to SCOTUS Over Transgender Sports Ban

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West Virginia Appeals to SCOTUS Over Transgender Sports Ban


The state of West Virginia is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a lower court’s ruling against its transgender sports ban.

State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, along with the state of Idaho and the Alliance Defending Freedom, filed a briefing before the high court asking it to take up the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals April ruling about the Save Women’s Sports Act.

The appeals court blocked the law, finding it violates transgender students’ rights under Title IX, a federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on sex in education programs.


Morrisey, a Republican candidate for governor, announced the filing during a press conference alongside Lainey Armistead, an alumna of the West Virginia State University women’s soccer program.

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“The appeals court… got this case badly wrong,” Morrisey said. “The Save Women’s Sports Act does not discriminate against boys who identify as transgender. The law simply recognizes basic scientific truth and recognizes the separation of sexes in sport, something that’s been done at least my entire life and throughout the entirety of Title IX.

“If participation in school sports is decided by gender identity, then separate boys and girls sports will become meaningless,” Morrisey said.

The case, B.P.J. vs. the West Virginia Board of Education, was filed in May 2021 on behalf of Becky Pepper-Jackson, a now 14-year-old track athlete who would be barred from participating if the ban is upheld. Pepper will enter the ninth grade this fall. She is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, Lambda Legal and Cooley Law Firm.

“As the Fourth Circuit made abundantly clear, our client deserves the opportunity to participate in sports teams without discrimination,” the organizations said in a joint statement Thursday. “We will make our position clear to the Court and continue to defend the right of all students to play as who they are.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals in February 2023 blocked the state from removing Pepper-Jackson from her school’s track and field team while legal advocates appealed a decision from the Southern District of West Virginia upholding the ban.

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West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed the bill into law in April 2021. It prohibits transgender women and girls in the state from participating in sports that align with their gender identity, but does not likewise prohibit transgender boys and men from participating in boys and mens’ sports.

This article was first published by West Virginia Watch. Read the original article.





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West Virginia

Three people injured in RV fire on Interstate 79 – WV MetroNews

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Three people injured in RV fire on Interstate 79 – WV MetroNews


SALTWELL ROAD, W.Va. — Three people were injured after an RV erupted into flames on Interstate 79 near the Harrison-Marion county line Monday afternoon.

This motorist photo shows the RV fire along I-79 from Monday afternoon.

The fire was reported at around 3 p.m. southbound near the Saltwell Road/Shinnston exit. There was heavy smoke and flames.

Three people were transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The state Division of Highways reported traffic remained backed up at 5 p.m. DOH said all southbound lanes should reopen by 7 p.m.

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There was no early word on what started the fire.



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WVSports – West Virginia basketball transfer review

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WVSports  –  West Virginia basketball transfer review


The West Virginia Mountaineers basketball program will welcome a number of talented transfers into the fold and WVSports.com looks at each of those.

What are the opportunities for each this coming season and how do they fit into the picture with the basketball program?

We examine each.

2023-24 statistics: 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists

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DeVries was one of the premier transfer options available this off-season after back-to-back Player of the Year honors in the Missouri Valley Conference. DeVries was in the top 35 of the country in usage and delivered, shooting 50 percent from two, 36.2 percent from three and 82.2 percent from the foul line. Those are strong numbers and his offensive rating of 109.9, which is a measure of offensive efficiency, indicates that.

He will unquestionably be one of the primary options for West Virginia this coming season and will be a major factor on the offensive end. Expect him at the four and while it will be a step up in competition, DeVries is more than ready for it. DeVries will be a starter and a critical part of any success the Mountaineers will have in year one.

2023-24 statistics: 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 44-percent from the field and 37-percent from three

Small is a proven point guard that has already experienced success in the Big 12 Conference. He possesses great size and is an effective and efficient scorer at all three levels. The talented guard can score off the bounce in the mid-range but excels shooting off the catch. He is difficult to guard and understands how to take good shots which is critical to his overall shooting percentages.

Small is a strong passer and is effective in pick and roll situations either scoring or distributing the basketball. He is a guard that is going to immediately upgrade the West Virginia backcourt as a point guard that can not only get his teammates involved but can be a major scoring option as well. He also could potentially play the two as well depending on the lineup giving the Mountaineers even more options by taking him off the ball to maximize what is on the floor at any given time.

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For as much as DeVries is a critical piece, Small is every bit the same. Make no mistake about it the success Small has will dictate the success of this team.

2023-24 statistics: 11.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals

Okani is a strong presence on the defensive end and at 6-foot-8 has the length and athleticism that makes him an intriguing fit. But he has continued to improve his jump shot to go along displaying the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim and finish. He is most comfortable in that area right now with 52-percent of his field goals coming at the rim and he is effective off ball screens.

Okani has continued to develop his overall offensive profile although he still needs to improve in some areas such as shooting off the bounce. Given his size, Okani is a plus passer with a 12-percent assist rate and gives the Mountaineers a valuable piece that can fit into the program as a seasoned option that plays with energy and effort on both ends. His presence is going to allow West Virginia to play DeVries at the four and he will provide a veteran that has a track record of success.

2023-24 statistics: 20.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 42-percent from the floor and 31-percent from three.

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West Virginia needed somebody on the roster that can score the ball and Stone definitely fits that mold. He can create off the dribble and is a natural scorer that can put the ball in the basket. The graduate transfer has good size and also can effectively shoot the basketball across to space the floor.

While that total was only at 31-percent from three this past year, Stone shot 52-percent in 13 games the season before with the Titans when he was used more in a secondary role which is what he will be asked to do in Morgantown. Still, he is a scoring option that not only can generate his own points off the bounce but can play off the tandem of point guard Javon Small and wing Tucker DeVries in order to hit shots and help provide even more space for those two to operate on the court.

Stone also is an effective rebounder which makes him a strong fit for what head coach Darian DeVries wants to do especially on the defensive end of the floor to get out in transition. He will settle in as a two but could move around.

2023-24 statistics: 7.3 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 60-percent from the floor

This is an experienced option at the college level with four years under his belt and perhaps most importantly he has made improvement in each of those seasons. Andre possesses excellent size at the position and is active when it comes to rebounding on both ends of the floor as well as blocking shots.

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Andre is a traditional big in the sense that he scores near the rim and has a nice mix of post moves on top of some plus athleticism to get there and finish. He isn’t going to be a primary scoring option, but can score the ball at the rim.

Over the past two years, Andre has shot 59.3-percent from the field and the left-hander gets solid positioning using his strength to finish.

Andre also is going to be effective as a screener and his ability to rebound the ball on the defensive end is a fit for what DeVries wants in order to prevent second chance opportunities. The big has played at least 21-minutes per game in each of the past two years at Fresno, but now is going to have to prove how he can hold up in the Big 12 Conference against more difficult competition.

2023-24 statistics: 6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.8 assists and shot 35-percent from three

Yesufu is an experienced guard that has already played well in DeVries system when he was at Drake. The pairing is one that makes a lot of sense as he should be able to step in without any sort of adjustment and can provide help at the point guard spot next to what the program already has in the fold in Oklahoma State transfer Javon Small. The Mountaineers needed to find more help there and now have a pair of experienced options to go along with true freshman KJ Tenner at the one.

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Yesufu played primarily point during his time with Drake but also has spent time at the two at Kansas, so he has the ability to move around if need be to get the best grouping on the floor. Yesufu is explosive with the ball and has been a solid spot up shooter throughout his career. He has hit 40-percent of his shots and 32-percent from three point-range during his time playing college basketball. The experienced guard also is very effective finishing in transition, which is a strong match for West Virginia.

Yesufu makes good decisions in ball screen situations and has displayed the ability to finish with plus athleticism for his size. He has played in a total of 119 games over the course of his career but started only 16 of those with 7 coming during his sophomore season at Drake and six last year at Washington State.

West Virginia needed to get a mature option in the backcourt and Yesufu is a strong match given the fact that he is a solid on-the-ball-defender and already understands the expectations set by DeVries. It doesn’t hurt matters that he played the best basketball of his career while with the Bulldogs.

2023-24 statistics: 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45-percent from the floor.

Hansberry is a solidly built front court option and while his game isn’t necessarily above the rim, he is a crafty and skilled forward. He has plus mobility and vision which makes him a skilled passer, a good fit for what West Virginia wants out of their big men in Darian DeVries scheme.

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While he saw limited action at Illinois given older, more experienced options in front of him, Hansberry did play hard when he was on the floor and was well-thought of in the program. He can rebound the ball and has the ability to finish with both hands at the rim. At West Virginia there will be more opportunities for him and while he is more in the build of a traditional four, he is likely to see minutes at the five, too.

2023-24 statistics: 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. He also shot 43-percent from the floor and 32-percent from three.

Known as defensive stopper, Harris fits the mold of what new head coach Darian DeVries wants given his plus size at 6-foot-4 and length. There were obvious ties given his connections to Chester Frazier as well, which will help with the transition to Morgantown as he begins the next chapter of his career.

Harris was able to see action in every game as a true freshman and even made seven starts but the biggest holdup for him was simply the need to fill out his frame and get stronger. That played a major role in his decision to redshirt this past season and now should be in a better position to handle that department.

During his time away from the floor, Harris bought into his improvement during the redshirt and his defense and toughness alone is going to help him find a role. The offensive side of his game needed to continue to improve along with his strength and that is something that was a focus as well. He will serve as a two guard.

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———-

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WV Lottery hunt at Twin Falls Resort State Park offers chance to be on Whitetail Frenzy TV

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WV Lottery hunt at Twin Falls Resort State Park offers chance to be on Whitetail Frenzy TV


CHARLESTON, WV — Governor Jim Justice announced recently that the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) will begin accepting applications for an archery lottery deer hunt at Twin Falls Resort State Park. One lucky hunter will be chosen to participate in an episode of Whitetail Frenzy TV.

Applications open on July 15. Interested individuals can enter here.

“I’m thrilled to announce this lottery hunt at Twin Falls and to be part of providing an unforgettable experience for one lucky hunter,” Governor Justice said. “With gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife, and incredible opportunities like this, West Virginia continues to be the best place in the world to go hunting.”

There are 15 spots on the Twin Falls lottery hunt, but only one grand prize winner will get to hunt with the Whitetail Frenzy TV film crew. The winner will also receive a special prize package, including lodging at Twin Falls Resort.

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“I want to thank Whitetail Frenzy for partnering with the WVDNR to offer this extraordinary opportunity,” WVDNR Director Brett McMillion said. “This hunt not only highlights our state’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife but also supports our efforts in promoting sustainable hunting practices and wildlife conservation.”

The lottery hunt is open to residents and non-residents. Applications must be submitted online at WVhunt.com. Hunters must use their existing Electronic Licensing and Game Checking System account or create one to apply. Once logged in, applicants must select “Enter a Lottery Drawing” and choose one of the available options.

State Park Controlled Deer Hunt Lotteries

Governor Justice and the WVDNR also announced dates and locations for controlled hunts at Beech Fork, Bluestone, Cacapon Resort, and Twin Falls Resort state parks.

  • Beech Fork State Park (Nov. 4–6 and Nov. 11–13)
  • Bluestone State Park (Nov. 4–6)
  • Cacapon Resort State Park (Nov. 6–8 and Nov. 13–15)
  • Twin Falls Resort State Park (Nov. 4–6 and Nov. 11–13)

Applications are available starting July 15 and must be submitted online at WVhunt.com by August 31. Hunters may apply for multiple hunts as an individual or as part of a group, but can only enter each hunt once. There is a $15 application fee for each entry.

Class N/NN Deer Hunt Lottery

Applications to hunt in 12 limited permit areas during the 2024 antlerless deer season will also be available starting July 15. Hunters have until midnight on September 6 to apply. Locations for these hunts include:

  • Camp Creek State Forest
  • Greenbrier State Forest
  • Hillcrest WMA
  • National Forest Land (Pocahontas County)
  • Public Land (Randolph County)
  • Boone County
  • Clay County (South Portion)
  • Greenbrier County (North Portion)
  • Kanawha County (North Portion)
  • Kanawha County (South Portion)
  • Nicholas County
  • Webster County

Hunters who receive a permit may hunt antlerless deer on private and public land in the 12 limited permit areas on the following dates:

  • Oct. 24-27
  • Nov. 25 to Dec. 8
  • Dec. 12-15
  • Dec. 28-31

West Virginia hunting regulations apply to all controlled hunts. All hunters 15 and older must have a valid West Virginia hunting license, unless legally exempt from purchasing a license.

To learn more about lottery hunts or to purchase a hunting license, visit WVDNR’s website.



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