West Virginia

West Virginians clash over religious freedom bill at hearing

Published

2 years ago

February 25, 2023

West Virginians clash over religious freedom bill at hearing

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Some folks stated West Virginia wants a regulation to codify the fitting of residents to problem authorities rules that intrude with their non secular beliefs due to rising threats to their constitutional freedoms.

Others who spoke throughout a public listening to on the state Capitol Friday stated they’re apprehensive the proposal advancing within the Legislature can be used as a instrument to discriminate towards LGBTQ folks and different marginalized teams.

“Exercising your faith doesn’t imply discriminating or condemning folks as a result of they don’t have identical beliefs as you,” stated Jessica Eplin, who stated she is apprehensive about how the proposed regulation might have an effect on her as an atheist and her baby, who’s transgender.

The invoice, which handed the Home Judiciary Committee earlier this week and is now earlier than the total Home of Delegates, would require a authorities entity to have a compelling cause to burden somebody’s constitutional proper to freedom of faith and to satisfy its targets within the least restrictive means potential.

An identical invoice failed in 2016 after lawmakers voiced issues about the way it might have an effect on LGBTQ residents. Then-Senate Majority Chief Mitch Carmichael wiped away tears on the Senate ground as he spoke in assist of Democratic-proposed modification that might bar the laws from getting used to discriminate towards LGBTQ folks.

The invoice additionally dictates that the proposed regulation couldn’t be used to allow entry to abortion, which was banned by West Virginia lawmakers final yr. The availability was included as abortion rights teams are difficult abortion bans in some states by arguing the bans — supported by sure non secular ideas — violate the non secular rights of individuals with totally different beliefs.

Republican sponsors say the invoice has good intentions. Del. Chris Pritt of Kanawha County, who’s a Christian, stated the invoice would make West Virginia enticing to financial growth. He stated it’s not nearly defending Christians, however non secular minorities within the state, too.

However Catherine Jones, a homosexual lady, stated the invoice would do nothing however “legalize discrimination towards already marginalized communities.” She stated she fears the invoice might permit companies to problem metropolis ordinances prohibiting discrimination in housing or employment primarily based on sexual orientation or gender id.

“I shouldn’t be afraid of not being served at a restaurant as a result of I’ve a special relationship than you do,” she informed lawmakers. “This invoice will do nothing however unfold hate and violence throughout our state.”

Not less than 23 different states have non secular freedom restoration acts. The legal guidelines are much like the federal Non secular Freedom Restoration Act, signed in 1993 by President Invoice Clinton, which permits federal rules that intrude with non secular beliefs to be challenged.

Eli Baumwell, advocacy director and the Interim government director of the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, stated the 1993 federal regulation was designed to designed to guard folks, particularly non secular minorities, from legal guidelines that affected their skill to have interaction in private practices of their religion.

“Sadly, folks have seized upon a good suggestion and switch it a defend right into a sword,” stated Baumwell, who spoke in opposition to the invoice. “RFRAs at present are promoted by organizations and ideologies and aren’t involved about particular person non secular observances. They’re centered on circumventing legal guidelines that require honest and equal therapy.”

Individuals who spoke in assist of the invoice stated they had been involved in regards to the authorities imposing vaccination necessities towards folks’s non secular beliefs and restrictions in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted in-person worship in states throughout the U.S.

Monica Ballard Sales space stated she helps the invoice as a result of she needs to see equal safety for folks of all faiths. “Since some have questioned why this was vital, I’ll let you know why it’s vital: Christians are probably the most persecuted group on this planet,” she stated.

Pastor Bo Burgess of West Virginia Baptists for Biblical Values stated he doesn’t imagine the invoice could possibly be used to discriminate towards anybody — it’s about defending folks from discrimination, she stated.

“This laws doesn’t permit me or a enterprise to go round and assault different folks teams,” he stated. “There’s no folks group language within the invoice.”

Baptist Pastor Dan Stevens of Wooden County stated folks like him need the identical advantages of equal safety as individuals who oppose the invoice.

“We dwell out our firmly held non secular beliefs and convictions about marriage, the household, human sexuality, the worth of human life from conception to the grave with out worry,” he stated. “This invoice designed not as a instrument of discrimination utilized by folks of religion however to guard the folks of religion towards discrimination for individuals who are against our beliefs and our way of life.”

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West Virginia

West Virginia facing challenge in UCF rushing attack led by Harvey

Published

3 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

West Virginia facing challenge in UCF rushing attack led by Harvey

If West Virginia is going to have success on the defensive side of the ball against UCF it starts with keeping their ground game under control.

And the centerpiece of that is senior running back RJ Harvey.

The Knights are second nationally and top all Power Four programs at 262 yards per game with Harvey playing a major role in that. The Orlando native has rushed for 1,328 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging almost 7 yards per carry on the season.

It’s no secret that keeping him in check will be critical.

“His ability to break tackles and once he does get past the defensive line and linebackers he gets going really fast,” defensive lineman TJ Jackson said.

Jackson compares Harvey to a bigger Devin Neal from Kansas in large part because of his ability to go from a jump cut to full speed. The running back is one of the most improved players in the country and is playing at an elite level according to head coach Neal Brown.

“Really tough to tackle, can make people miss. Has a great feel for their zone schemes,” Brown said.

UCF will utilize the same inside zone rushing scheme that Baylor was able to rush for 183 yards and it’s going to require some discipline out of the unit. The defense must attack the ball with leverage.

“You got to keep great edges on the defense. You have to keep technique all 11 guys across the board. If you’re the backside guy pursuing the ball then you have to keep technique and keep your shoulders square,” coordinator Jeff Koonz said. “He’s a threat to go anywhere, at any time. He understands blocking, he understands their scheme. It’s a great challenge for us.”

Where Harvey has created the most issues is when he is able to get the safeties and linebackers bottled up and then jump cuts to the outside and outruns the defense for big chunks of yards.

“The key is to contain him and not let him get on the perimeter for explosives,” Brown said.

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West Virginia

Predicting the winners of the 2024 West Virginia high school football playoffs first round

Published

11 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Predicting the winners of the 2024 West Virginia high school football playoffs first round

The West Virginia high school playoffs begin tonight with a full slate of games on the table.

7:00 p.m. Friday

PREDICTION: Hurricane

1:30 p.m. Saturday

PREDICTION: Nitro

4:00 p.m. Saturday

PREDICTION: Phillip Barbour

2024 WVSSAC Class AA high school football bracket

First-round matchups

(1) Tug Valley vs. (16) Tolsia

Score Predictions for West Virginia’s Senior Day Game vs. UCF

Published

20 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Score Predictions for West Virginia’s Senior Day Game vs. UCF

Picking up a win this weekend means the West Virginia Mountaineers are going bowling. It’s been an extremely disappointing season to this point, but WVU can put an end to their woes at home by taking down a UCF team that has lost six of its last seven.

Here is how we see this Saturday’s game going between WVU and UCF.

The challenge doesn’t get any easier this week for new WVU defensive coordinator Jeff Koonz, who will have to gameplan for the nation’s third-leading rusher, RJ Harvey. UCF is and always will be a run-first football team under Gus Malzahn, but they have found an answer at quarterback over the last couple of games with freshman Dylan Rizk, giving them more of a balanced approach.

For the most part this season, West Virginia has had success defending the run. They rank fifth in the Big 12 in run defense and 50th nationally in yards allowed per carry (4.0). Although Rizk opens up UCF’s offense, I still believe Malzahn will want to remain confident in his superstar running back and try to lean on WVU’s front. With less-than-ideal weather conditions expected to be in play, it should keep UCF from wanting to spin it a bunch, which is great news for a weak Mountaineer secondary.

Whether it was the season opener versus Penn State, the Backyard Brawl against Pitt, the Coal Rush game versus Iowa State, or another primetime game against Kansas State, WVU has not handled distractions all that well this season. Senior Day can certainly provide a lot of distractions with all of the emotions that go into it, but I believe Garrett Greene, Wyatt Milum, and Co. will walk out of Milan Puskar Stadium as winners.

I’m going with the Mountaineers in a high-scoring affair.

Prediction record: 6-4.

UCF may have found its footing with quarterback Dylan Rizk – the Knights’ fourth starting QB this season. Rizk has made the last two starts for a team looking to remain bowl eligible. The freshman threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start and nearly pulled off the upset at Arizona State in game two. He’s been efficient in his passes, completing 74.6% of his passes.

The Knights have leaned on an effective rushing attack, ranking third nationally, and lead all Power Four programs, averaging 262.8 rushing yards per game.

Leading the UCF ground game is RJ Harvey. The senior has rushed for 1,328, ranking third nationally, with 19 touchdowns and was named a Doak Walker Award semifinalist for the second consecutive season.

Statistically, the West Virginia defense has been formidable against the run and is second in the Big 12 in rushing yards allowed per game at 126.8. However, last week against Baylor, the Mountaineers nearly allowed the Bears to reach their season average of 5.7 yards per carry, gaining 5.4 yards per rush. UCF is second in the country in runs of 10 yards or more with 86.

West Virginia was unable to keep pace with a surging Baylor offense last week at home and there is no indication they will be able slow the Knights down Saturday. The Mountaineers had an opportunity for a game turning interception against Baylor but what has occurred often with this unit, it was dropped. The defense will have to make plays for this team to win and they did it two weeks ago to steal a win in Cincinnati.

I’m reluctant to pick West Virginia for a multitude of reasons but what has been preached by the coaching staff since the arrival of Neal Brown, the lack of consistency in all three phases of the game, sums it up.

I’m going to go out on a shaky limb this week and pick the Mountaineers. It’s quarterback Garrett Greene’s last home game of his Mountaineer career and I think he will motivate and will this team to a win while the defense will dial up more pressure against a freshman quarterback and force mistakes, but it will not be easy.

West Virginia finds a way to win 27-24.

Prediction record: 6-4.