The Breeze 11.05.26

The Breeze

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care; (ii) protect

doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

JMU’S AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1922 Question

Amendment

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Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

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Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

Nov. 5, 2026 VOL. 105 NO. 11 BREEZEJMU.ORG

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

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Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

3

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

3

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

3

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

3

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

3

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

3

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

3

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

Virginia US senator, 6th District rep. reelected

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

3

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to

understand the act of voting? Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility

care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

2

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law? Proposed

Constitutional

Amendment

Question

3

Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration

2

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Vol. 105, No. 11

Vol. 105, No. 11

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Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Breeze Editorial Staff

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Lee Hummel | Kenny Warlick

ON THE COVER

Following the Nov. 3 election, incumbent U.S. Senator for Virginia Mark Warner COVER PHOTOS: LANDON SHACKELFORD / THE BREEZE and incumbent U.S. Representative VA06 Ben Cline were reelected. Projected PHONE: (540) 568-6127 1598 S. Main St. winners for Harrisonburg local elections FAX: (540) 568-7889 Harrisonburg, VA 22801 were also announced. COVER BY: KIRAH VILLANUEVA

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NEWS

EDITORS Charlie Bodenstein & Emma Brown

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EMAIL breezenews@gmail.com

Incumbent 6th District representative Ben Cline was reelected. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

Incumbent Harrisonburg City Council member Monica Robinson is projected to be reelected to her seat.

Incumbent Virginia U.S. Senator Mark Warner was reelected.

By EMMA BROWN & CHARLIE BODENSTEIN The Breeze

Cline has represented VA-06 since 2019 and has focused his work on supporting rural farmers, voter identification requirements, modernizing the U.S. military, the second Amendment and monitoring government spending.

is not seeking reelection after 12 years, according to The Harrisonburg Citizen.

Midterm election review US senator, VA-06 rep. reelected, 3 Virginia constitutional amendments passed Voting statistics accuracte as of 11/04/26 at 5 p.m. Virginians across the state voted to reelect an incumbent United States Senator, new members to the U.S. House of Representatives and to pass three proposed state constitutional amendments. Virginia 6th Congressional District residents voted to reelect their incumbent representative, and Harrisonburg residents elected members to its city council on Tuesday.

All 3 constitutional amendments pass

The first constitutional amendment on abortion and reproductive care access passed with 62.4% of the vote, with 96.5% of the votes counted, according to NBC News. The second amendment, regarding same-sex marriage, passed with 57.4% of the vote, with 96.8% of the votes counted, according to NBC News. The third amendment, regarding the restoration of voting rights for felons, passed with 56.5% of the vote, with 96.8% of the votes counted, according to NBC News.

VA-06 Congressional representative

Incumbent Ben Cline (R) was reelected to represent Virginia’s 6th Congressional District. Cline, who will be serving a fifth term, won 55.5% of the vote, with 175,796 votes. His opponent, Beth Macy, received 44.3% of the vote, losing with 140,210 votes, making this Cline’s closest race since he first ran for the seat in 2018.

Harrisonburg City Council elections

Currently, incumbent Monica Robinson (D) and Dany Fleming (D) are winning for the races for two seats on Harrisonburg City Council as of Wednesday night. Robinson currently has 6,879 votes, Fleming has 6,319 votes and Sal Romero Jr. (I) has 5,728 votes. However, there are still approximately 1,811 provisional ballots and 401 post-election votes yet to be counted, according to the Harrisonburg Voter Registrar. Results will not be officially confirmed until Tuesday, Nov. 10.

U.S. Senator election

Virginia reelected incumbent Mark Warner (D) as its senior U.S. senator, winning with 61.1% of votes right at 7 p.m., according to the Associated Press. His opponent, Bert Mizusawa (R), received 38.7% of the vote. Warner has held his senatorial position since 2009, with this being his fourth term. He served as Virginia’s 69th governor from 2002-2006.

School board elections

The three uncontested candidates up for the Harrisonburg City School Board election are Deb Fitzgerald, Emma Phillips and Rachel Smallwood, according to WHSV news. Current school board member Kristen Loflin is not seeking reelection after two terms on the board, and Andy Kohen

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Congressional races across the state:

The District 1 race has not yet been called; however, Shannon Taylor (D) is currently winning with 51.0% of the vote, while incumbent Robert J. Wittman (R) currently has 48.7%, according to the Associated Press. District 2: Elaine Luria (D) District 3: Robert C. Scott (Incumbent) (D) District 4: Jennifer McClellan (Incumbent) (D) The District 5 race has not yet been called; however, incumbent John McGuire (R) is currently winning with 50.2% of the vote, while Tom Perriello (D) currently has 48.0% of the vote, according to the Associated Press. District 7: Eugene Vindman (Incumbent) (D) District 8: Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. (Incumbent) (D) District 9: H. Morgan Griffith (Incumbent) (R) District 10: Suhas Subramanyam (Incumbent) (D) District 11: James Walkinshaw (Incumbent) (D)

Ruth Abit, Justin Braunstein, Madelyn Elmore, Jack Friedman, Jacin Garnica, Sara Helwe Paget, Nikolai Perry, JaMya Ribbon & Edison Vranian contributed to this report. CONTACT Emma Brown & Charlie Bodenstein at breezenews@gmail.com. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @ TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

NEWS

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Harrisonburg Republican watch party reacts to midterm results By JAMYA RIBBON The Breeze

About 60 people gathered for the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County Republican watch party in El Charro, sharing their reactions to the midterm election results. State Senator Mark Obenshain (R) said that though he was disappointed in Virginia United States Senator Mark Warner’s (D) victory over opponent Bert Mizusawa (R), he expected it. He added that he was worried about Warner’s plans in office. “I’m very concerned that he’s going to enable the Democratic socialists and weaken our national defense, weaken our economy and is going to [be] empowering folks who don’t have our values first and foremost,” Obenshain said. Obenshain said Mizusawa was a great candidate based on his stances on limited government, foreign policy and border control, but he lacked the backing that incumbent Warner had. “He knew he was an underdog from day one, and he’s an incredible patriot,” Obenshain said. “He really did this for [the] love of [his] country. I’m very proud of him.” District 34 Delegate Tony Wilt (R) agreed, adding that he thought Mizusawa would have handled federal spending and the military well based on his background. He also applauded the campaign Mizusawa put together with a “shoestring budget.” “He traveled the state endlessly and got his message out there,” Wilt said. Wilt said he hopes Warner will take the time to balance the needs of Virginians while representing them in Congress.

“We all have great ideas, but you got to pay for them,” Wilt said. “So I hope he takes that seriously.” Despite the loss, attendees who campaigned for Republican candidates said the experience was rewarding. Republican Commissioner of Revenue for Rockingham County Dan Cullers said he organized with three local precincts and enjoyed connecting with voters. “It’s great just to get out into the county and be able to have conversations with people and find out what they’re thinking about,” Culler said. Culler added that he believed that Ben Cline, the VA-06 Republican candidate, would be “victorious.” Ben Cline was later reelected with a 56.5% advantage, according to an election night Breeze article. Sophomore political science major and President of JMU College Republicans Thomas Dickinson said he attended the watch party after handing out pamphlets at Godwin Hall. Dickinson represented the group earlier this month at Dukes Debate and expressed difficulty motivating students before the midterms elections. “It’s always a struggle, but you know, it’s midterms,” Dickinson said. “Keeping up with the headlines is always one of the best things you can do to keep interest going.” Dickinson said he hopes Republicans can maintain control of the Senate and House of Representatives as the race continues, with his biggest worry the potential of calls for impeachment with a Democrat majority. “Maybe [Republicans] gain an edge,” Dickinson said. “But the biggest thing is just keeping that majority.”

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Harrisonburg Republicans watched the election at El Charro. Caden Burch / The Breeze

Chair of Harrisonburg Republicans and co-organizer Abby Christophel said she was concerned about the three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution, specifically the wording in the clauses themselves. All three amendments to Virginia’s constitution were passed by 9:35 p.m., according to the Associated Press. Christophel said she was glad that citizens on both sides had positive interactions despite political divisions, and that she hoped future civil conversations were possible.

“So many people have not said things because they don’t want to offend their neighbor,” she said. “And if we can get to a place where we can speak about these things, and then also do it in a way where we can stay civil and respectful to each other, that is such a huge step.” Sara Helwe Paget contributed to this report.

Warner was the best candidate because he has Virginians’ best interests at the forefront. “Senator Warner is exactly who we want to be back in D.C. for us,” Reed said. “He has always put Virginia families first, and so we’re excited that he has another term.” Reed feels that Warner’s win inspires hope for future economic development. “The senator is certainly a friend of Harrisonburg; he frequently comes here when he’s on his travel time,” Reed said. “He has helped us, especially with our economic development. He has helped us secure federal funding.” Harrisonburg Vice Mayor Dany Fleming — who is also up for reelection this election — said Warner represents Harrisonburg and Virginia well, being a great leader and a “great friend to Harrisonburg.” “We have many requests we’ve made for the Senate that he’s helped bring money down for us and responded to us for issues we need in Harrisonburg,” Fleming said. “I’m thrilled that he’s going to continue to be our senator. I really value and respect his relationship with the city and his role.” Harrisonburg School Board candidate Rachel Smallwood attended the watch party. She ran uncontested and shared her plans to help Harrisonburg Public Schools’ students and her opinions on the current administration. “I believe that love is love, and people should be able to practice their religious freedoms,”

Smallwood said. “I don’t want God in the classroom, who doesn’t belong in the government or classroom. I see no reason why someone doesn’t approve of certain behaviors.” Incumbent VA-06 Representative Ben Cline (R) beat Beth Macy (D), though the loss was by a much narrower margin than previous elections in VA-06. Co-president of JMU’s chapter of Planned Parenthood Generation Action and junior communication studies major Alex Tucker, who had been tabling for Macy for the past three weeks, spoke on how she would continue her advocacy after the loss. “Just because an election race is over doesn’t mean that all the work that we do behind the scenes has to stop,” Tucker said. “Virginia does have frequent elections, and there’s always another chance to flip the district. I think for me and for others … the best thing to do is just try and keep a positive mindset and to continue all the hard work that they’ve been doing.” Read more online at breeze.jmu.org.

CONTACT JaMya Ribbon at ribbonjm@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

Harrisonburg Dems react to wins across the state: Senate, city council

By RUTH ABIT, JACIN GARNICA, DANI INAL & EDISON VRANIAN The Breeze

Harrisonburg Democrats gathered at Sage Bird Ciderworks to watch the midterm election as results across the country rolled in, cheering as the Democratic Party won in swing states

like Georgia and North Carolina. Above all, the crowd waited with bated breath for the results of Virginia’s Senate race and the 6th Congressional District. The wait for the Senate race wasn’t long, as the Associated Press called incumbent Democrat Mark Warner’s victory shortly after polls closed. Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed said she felt

Harrisonburg Dems watched the election at Sage Bird Ciderworks. Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

CONTACT Ruth Abit at abitrm@dukes. jmu.edu, Jacin Garnica garnicja@dukes. jmu.edu, Dani Inal at inaldm@dukes.jmu. edu & Edison Vranian at vraniawe@dukes. jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @ BreezeJMU.

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Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Vol. 105, No. 11

JMU used AI to create its Strategic Plan.Why? By SIMONE DYSTANT The Breeze JMU used Microsoft Copilot, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, to help develop the Five Pillars of University President Jim Schmidt’s Strategic Plan, according to an April Breeze article. The data collected for the Strategic Plan informed the Master Plan — which includes plans for expansion, enrollment, special student guarantees and other benefits by 2040 — and the Madison Promise. This use of AI in the Strategic Plan raises questions about JMU’s relationship with AI and its reliability in interpreting human needs on campus.

Initial planning

Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

According to JMU’s website, developing the Strategic Plan was an eight-month process in which over 200 pages of online feedback from JMU faculty, students, and staff was collected by Schmidt. Orem said he and his team asked Copilot multiple prompts to consolidate the many pages of feedback for the Strategic Plan. “We took an effort to essentially take a lot of information and try to distill it into what are common concepts across this feedback,” Orem said.

Strategic Plan

According to the JMU website, the Strategic plan was proposed by Schmidt in August 2025 to be completed by April 2026. The timeline was broken into four parts: • Listening timeline • Envision timeline • Create timeline • Implement timeline The plan received $3.37M for its initial implementation phase. The five pillars that were developed for the Strategic Plan are the same five pillars guiding the Master Plan, the physical application of the Strategic Plan. The Master Plan includes plans to expand and develop campus over the next decade.

Student and professor reactions

Professor of English education and Faculty Senate Speaker Melanie Shoffner said the biggest problem with AI is overreliance on it, and that to use it as a tool, we need to teach people how to use it to assist them. Shoffner said this is difficult, as “technology becomes ubiquitous, and we no longer use it as a tool. We use it as a default, and that is problematic when we think about learning.”

Andrea Miller, a sophomore political science major, said she’s concerned about possible inaccuracies in the feedback because AI is known to hallucinate information. According to a National Library of Medicine article, generative AI can produce a convincing response that is completely incorrect; it can also repeat false information to maintain consistency. “It’s important [that the feedback] is vetted by an actual person rather than AI, because it makes it easy to miss information,” Miller said. Freshman architectural design major Maddy Probst indicated that she was concerned about the planning process utilizing AI. “I think making this plan is supposed to be a human process, and it goes against that, using AI … It’s hard to enforce critical thinking among students when the plan for the school used AI,” Probst said. Read more online at breezejmu.org CONTACT Simone Dystant at dystansl@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @ TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @ BreezeJMU.

Vol. 105, No. 11

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

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Dukes hold vigil for sophomore Alyssa Williams By JACIN GARNICA The Breeze

Every Nation Campus (ENC) held a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening for sophomore nursing major Alyssa Williams at the Festival Amphitheater. Williams’ roommates planned the event with ENC, a Christian organization that Williams was a part of. Williams died on Monday, Oct. 26 after being struck by a tractor trailer in a chain-reaction crash on Interstate-64, according to a WTVR article. Vice President for Student Affairs Tim Miller announced Alyssa Williams’ death the next day in a campus-wide email. ENC invited people who knew Williams and the JMU community to the sunset vigil in an Instagram post over the weekend. “Alyssa embodied the light of Christ, carrying joy with every step, into every room and to every person fortunate enough to have met her, gotten to know her and shared a laugh with her,” the Instagram post read. The vigil began at 5 p.m. with Becca Gaines, an ENC member, leading the ceremony. Gaines shared Williams’ love of sunsets and said that “it reminded her [Williams] of God’s creation.” Gaines ended her opening speech with a prayer. Williams’ friends and roommates then came and spoke about her, sharing their memories of her. Senior inclusive early childhood education major Stephanie Boakye from ENC talked about her friendship with Williams and recalled her kindness, honesty and love for God.

“Alyssa is like the little sister we didn’t know we needed.” - Senior inclusive early childhood education major Stephanie Boakye

“Alyssa is like the little sister we didn’t know we needed,” Boakye said. Junior computer information systems major Alexa Alfaro, who knew Williams from the Latinx Student Alliance (LSA), shared memories of laughter, listening to music and dancing with Williams and her friends. “Knowing her, we understood more deeply that love exists in every facet of life, especially friendships,” Alfaro said. Williams’ roommate, sophomore math major Sicily Wilson, said that despite her and her roommates only getting to know Williams a few months ago, “she became such an immediate friend for us.” Wilson then described Williams as her “brightest light” and shared how Williams always saw the good in people. “That’s just the person Alyssa was, she was so compassionate,” Wilson said. ENC members then sang “At the Altar” by Elevation Rhythm. During this performance, attendees were invited to turn on their candles to honor Williams. Senior chemistry major Daphne Antwi later told The Breeze that this was Williams’ favorite song. Miller also gave a speech about Williams and described her as “radiant” and said that although Williams has passed away, she is not gone. “Every time I saw her on campus, she always brightened my day,” Miller continued. “As you think about Alyssa and her light, think about the sunset behind me; that sunset’s going to fade, but it’s not gone. It’s gone from sight, but it’s still with us.” The vigil ended with the attendees being served Smiley’s Ice Cream, one of Williams’ favorite snacks, according to ENC’s Instagram post. Williams’ death is one of two announced on Oct. 27. Sophomore finance major Anthony Lemus-Argueta died after experiencing a medical emergency in Gabbin Hall, according to an October Breeze article. University President Jim Schmidt sent out a statement in a campus-wide email acknowledging the two students and said the deaths were not related. “Anthony and Alyssa were part of the fabric of JMU. They built friendships, pursued their passions, became involved in campus life, and touched the lives of those around them. Their loss will be felt by classmates, friends, faculty, staff and many others who knew and cared about them,” Schmidt wrote in the email. CONTACT Jacin Garnica at garnicja@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

Students gathered at Festival Ampitheater to hold a vigil for Alyssa Williams, a JMU student who died in a car crash on Oct. 26. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

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Vol. 105, No. 11

CULTURE

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CULTURE EDITORS Bella Arist & Audrey Fletcher

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EMAIL thebreezeculture@gmail.com

A little whipped cream goes a long way: Pieing JMU students in the face for fundraising events By SOPHIA ABOUSAMRA contributing writer

Many clubs set up a table at Warner Commons to attract students. Emma Notarnicola / The Breeze

Some people throw their money toward a good cause; at JMU, some students pay to throw a pie in someone’s face. With whipped cream flying and students lining up for their chance to pie someone, campus organizations are turning a messy activity into an opportunity to give back. For the Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association (EESA) and Muslim Student Association (MSA), pieing is more than just an excuse to get a little messy. It’s a way to bring students together while raising money for charitable causes beyond campus. Abza said the silliness of the event is part of what appeals to students. “Pieing is really just a fun way to interact with the members and even random people,” Abza said. Junior computer information systems major Yohana Margen is involved in EESA’s social media, saying the organization also uses platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share moments from its events and give people a look at its members. Margen believes pieing gives students the chance to get involved with the organization in a lighthearted way. “I think it’s just funny, because you get to pie your favorite exec members and see them covered in whipped cream,” Margen said. While EESA is raising money to support communities in Ethiopia and Eritrea, MSA is using its own pieing fundraiser as part of its annual charity week.

Senior biotechnology major and MSA President Hisham Majzoub said the organization has hosted several events throughout the week to raise money for emergency funds worldwide. In the past, MSA has raised between $7,000 and $8,000 throughout the week of events, Majzoub said. Like EESA, MSA uses pieing as a way to encourage students to stop by and participate; and Majzoub said the opportunity to pie someone normally attracts a crowd. “A lot of people tend to stop by at Warner Commons if they get to pie someone,” Majzoub said. But for Majzoub, the fundraiser is about more than drawing a crowd. It’s also an opportunity for students to contribute to something that can have a lasting impact on others. “You make a difference, even though it’s not necessarily tangible for you, it is for other people,” Majzoub said. “When you know that you’re changing someone’s life to something better, I guess that draws you to it.” While the pies might only last a few seconds, the impact of the money raised can last much longer and reach even further. CONTACT Sophia Abousamra at abousasl@dukes.jmu. edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

Open mic comedy club welcomes all By SARAH HENDRIX contributing writer

Around the back of Liberty Street Mercantile, down the stairs and into the dimly lit, cozy basement sits a little-known community of comedy lovers. At 6:45 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month, they drift in and gather on miscellaneous couches and chairs in anticipation of a night of laughter as everyone from first-timers to experienced comics sign up for their shot at the spotlight. It’s the perfect place for an open mic. “It’s dim enough that the audience can’t really see each other very well,” Nathan Carlson, a comedian of nine years, said. “They feel anonymous enough to laugh.” Voices echo off the low ceilings as the lively audience talks among themselves until feedback squeals and Katie Schmid, the organizer of the open mics, takes center stage. Schmid is heavily involved in the downtown community. She manages Magpie, a popular local brunch spot, and deals with a multitude of Liberty Mercantile events. “There wasn’t really a local open mic,” Schmid said. “I wanted something that didn’t start after 8 p.m., and that got me in bed by 10.” The comedians take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and get five to seven minutes to try out their prepared material in hopes of getting a laugh. The Funny Womacks & Friends is a professional, local comedy show that takes place at Massanutten every Saturday. It features rotating comedians with a polished set for a smooth night. Some of the comedians they hire have come out of Schmid’s open mic. The consensus about open mics is that they are unpolished, brutal and an unparalleled opportunity for any former class clowns or distraction-seeking individuals.

“If you get even one laugh, I’d say it’s worth building off of,” Travis Valle, a comedian of nine years, said. “You can make that grow.” They make it sound so simple, but to many onlookers, they are brave for getting in front of an audience. According to an article from the University of Florida, “between 72-75% of the population fears public speaking.” Comedians are not exempt from this statistic. “I was so nervous that my heart started doing that weird thing,” Derek Dye, who’s been doing comedy for one year, said. “I had to go into the bathroom, lay on the floor and put my feet on the wall.” They endure sweaty palms and pounding hearts, yet they push themselves on stage. “Fear is just a pain in the ass,” Dye said. “You’re not born courageous. You have to choose to be courageous.” Carlson said that aiming for “perfect” comedy is brutal and unattainable, but the challenge is intoxicating. For aspiring comedians not yet ready to face the Mercantile basement, comedian Chris Womack, one host of The Funny Womacks, hosts workshops that many of the open mic talents have attended and recommend. It is curated for those whose nerves take over to help them lay out five minutes of work accompanied by five minutes of feedback. “Anybody can do five minutes,” Womack said. Every comedian reiterated that, despite what that fear tells you, people don’t come to watch you fail; they want to laugh and forget about the world. Bombing is a harrowing feeling, but it’s a stepping stone to becoming better. “Practice makes perfect” is not a myth. “I want to give myself 200 sets,” Dye said. “I’ve heard that 200 sets is when you start to get good.” It takes time. Between anxiety around public speaking and the need for audience approval, it’s easy to become deterred.

“The funniest people you’ve heard have had bad nights,” Valle said. “I wouldn’t let it discourage you.” The Liberty Street Mercantile audience is noted as one of the warmest, most inviting, encouraging open mics many of the comedians have attended. They keep the audience returning each first Tuesday of the month. Schmid has hopes to grow her monthly event into a weekly one. Liberty Street Mercantile posts updates on their events to their Instagram account, @ libertyst_mercantile.

“I would rarely tell someone, ‘Oh yeah, you should show up to that open mic. That’ll be a good night out,’” Womack said. “I would tell anybody to come to Katie’s open mic.” CONTACT Sarah Hendrix at hendrisk@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @ BreezeJMU.

Kirah Villanueva / The Breeze

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CULTURE

‘Long live college radio’ with WXJM By JONAH RICHARDS The Breeze

When you step into the WXJM building, it’s easy to see how important the community is to the student radio station, with entire walls covered by writing, artwork, collages, newspaper clippings and other contributions from members of the college radio. WXJM is funded by JMU itself, with funding received from the Student Government Association and the Media Board. Students can listen via FM Radio at 88.7 or through WXJM’s official website. The only rule seems to be that the focus is on “nothing that has ever been a top-40 hit,” which means that radio members are “trying to out-niche each other; it’s very fun,” junior architectural design major Laci Barnes said. Of course, you don’t have to consistently be looking for the most obscure music on the air. If you’re running a show, it’s your show. “Students have the autonomy to pretty much do whatever they want … because we really value creativity and self-expression,” senior media arts and design major Riddhi Khanal said. “If a student comes in and they want to play heavy metal, by all means, they can do that. But if another student comes in and they would like to play country, then they could also do that.” But how would you go about running your own show? What prerequisites should you know about? None, according to Khanal. “As long as you’re really cool, energetic and you love music, then you’re fit for the job,” Khanal said. As for the technical aspects, there’s no pressure to be perfect on your first day; everyone starts somewhere. “The amount of times you talk into the wrong mic and it doesn’t actually play anything on the radio is insane,” sophomore music industry major Devin White said. It’s a place to learn without judgment, where everybody is figuring out what works best at the same time. “If you join the GroupMe and then ask to have a show, you can have a show,” White said.

Students can listen to WXJM on FM Radio at 88.7. Rowan Potts / The Breeze

“It’s just a matter of reaching out. So go for it.” If you don’t want to run your own show, there’s still a space for you at WXJM. The radio station hosts a variety of opportunities, thanks to the equipment available. “You can actually record podcasts at WXJM,” senior media arts and design major Stella Brakman said. “So if you don’t want to go on the radio live, you can record it as a podcast and put that out through post-production first, rather than talking straight on the air.” Alternatively, Brakman enjoys a spot at the station as the music director. “When I was younger, I remember thinking that music directors were like the coolest people in the world,” Brakman said. “I would go into the

CD library at the radio station my dad worked at, and I would find all these little notes that they would leave about songs, which ones were good, and which ones were safe for the radio.” Outside of the station, WXJM also hosts a variety of charity events and fundraisers, usually involving music in one way or another. On Oct. 16, the station hosted a fundraiser night at Wizard Mode Brewcade, where over $18,000 was raised for victims of flooding in Nepal. WXJM also publishes four zines per semester, which are small booklets covering a variety of topics appealing to the student body; for instance, the zine given out at the station covers the passing of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry as well as suggestions for a summer playlist all in

one. These are made by members of the radio station and are distributed across campus. With so many options available, it seems as though there’s a place for any JMU student who’s interested in working with the radio, even beyond running a show. Having been on the air for over 30 years, there’s no end in sight to the good times. “Long live college radio,” Brakman said. CONTACT Jonah Richards at fdfsjp@dukes. jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and Instagram @ BreezeJMU.

Fall in love with these seasonal songs By CHELSEA NODELAND contributing writer

In autumn, the changing of leaves means a change in playlist. Breeze file photo

Now that autumn is in full swing and it’s officially sweater weather, the change in season calls for a new soundtrack. Whether you find yourself studying in the library, walking around the scenic campus surrounded by vibrant autumn leaves or relaxing with a warm drink, music can make these everyday moments feel a little more special. Here are a few songs Dukes are listening to that sound like the crunching of leaves and the cool, crisp air that you can add to your playlist to capture the feeling of fall. Sophomore nursing major Ciara Whaley said that a song that reminded her of fall was “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones because it reflected “the change of pace” that comes with the season. “Scar Tissue” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is a fall favorite for sophomore international business major Micah Mayer. The song captures the essence of the season with its introspective lyrics “Autumn’s sweet, we call it fall,” matched with a laid-back melody. Junior biology major Sophia Ellsworth listens to “Venus as Boy” by Björk to create an autumnal atmosphere. “Any time I hear jazz, I think of fall,” Ellsworth said. “Heartbreak Warfare” is a pop-rock song by John Mayer often listened to by sophomore finance major Sydney Poplawski. The edgy and steady rhythm of guitar and drums combine with the emotional lyrics fitting the descriptively rich nature of fall, she said. For freshman education major Sam Hansotte, fall “reminds me of Halloween and the song ‘Monster Mash,’” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett.

Other answers included “Cardigan” by Taylor Swift from freshman biology major Meredith Toussaint and another jazzy instrumental song, “Rein Me In” by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean reccomended by freshman accounting major Haylie Ehlert. “Gypsy” by Fleetwood Mac is on freshman communications major Kristin Mitchell’s soundtrack during the cooler months. The shorter days of autumn can be associated with a shift toward calmer and more melodic music, reflecting a change from the warmer days of summer. This relationship is explored in a 2019 study published in Nature Human Behaviour, which analyzed music-streaming data from approximately 1 million people across 51 countries. The researchers found that listeners may prefer more serene music with lower intensity during the colder seasons and that seasonal changes were connected with the differences in listeners’ music preferences. Fall is a season full of change, nostalgia and peace, bringing a sense of comfort as the leaves begin to turn different colors and the temperature drops. The right songs can capture the beauty of the season, from its cozy atmosphere to the bittersweet feeling of reminiscing. As you settle into the rhythm of autumn, consider adding these songs to your soundtrack to complement the season. CONTACT Chelsea Nodeland at dfqj3t@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts, and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and Instagram @BreezeJMU.

CULTURE

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Drama with season 35 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ By ALISON BAILEY contributing writer

The past few seasons of ABC’s reality competition show “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) have been much more popular than previous years, but not always for the best reasons. Season 35 premiered on the network on Sept. 15, and includes a wide variety of celebrities ranging from Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn to podcaster and comedian Connor Wood. However, it’s also come with quite a bit of controversy involving the alleged favoritism of certain dancers and an in-poor-taste joke made toward one of the judges. The show’s format is relatively simple. Each season, roughly 12 to 16 celebrities are each paired with one of the show’s professional dancers. Every week, they’re assigned a dance style (think waltz, rumba or tango) and compete against the other celebrities, being assessed by a panel of three judges. Their scores, combined with votes sent in by fans, determine which couple gets eliminated at the end of each show. Discourse online first started before the season premiered. The official cast list and professional partner pairings were revealed on the ABC website on Sept. 3, and fans immediately had opinions. One of the show’s professional dancers, Britt Stewart, has publicly stated in the past that actor Harry Shum Jr. is one of her dream partners to work with, and this season, Shum joined the cast, but, not as Stewart’s partner. Instead, he was paired with Jenna Johnson, causing fans to become angry on Stewart’s behalf and accuse the show of favoring Johnson and her husband Val Chmerkovskiy (another pro on the show) by consistently giving them promising partners. “Britt wanted Harry Shum Jr. so bad, and she was even so excited to talk about him and potentially having him as a partner, but no, we have to play favorites,” one fan wrote on X. Other fans believe that Shum shouldn’t be on the show at all due to his “unfair” dance experience, and the same applies to Chmerkovskiy’s partner, actress Jenna Dewan. The married couple both getting celebrity partners who have become famous for dancing made some fans think they’re benefiting from favoritism. “I have nothing against the Chmerkovskiys, but they HAVE to have something over the higher-ups at ABC to keep getting these celebs,” another fan wrote on X. Stewart and her partner Taylor Hanson were eliminated from the show in the third week, and some fans were extremely upset, according to a TikTok post with over 100,000 likes. The following week, pro Brandon Armstrong and his partner Ciara Miller were eliminated. Both of whom, like Stewart, are Black.

Both of the show’s Black pros being eliminated back-to-back so early in the competition added to some fans’ longtime suspicion that they’re experiencing some sort of racism behind the scenes, given that both Armstrong and Stewart often don’t make it to the finale. “There is no legitimate reason for Britt, Ciara and Brandon to go home one after another if it’s not racism,” one fan wrote on X. A more specific problem arose during the show’s week five episode, when judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued Johnson’s samba with Shum for containing a “lift,” a dance move that isn’t technically allowed in that dance style. This drove even more online discussion, with some viewers criticizing Inaba’s attitude and others defending her, claiming that she was right to call out the choreography. Chmerkovskiy then took to his TikTok account, where he posted and quickly deleted a status update reading, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” This is seemingly a reference to the infamous moment at the 2022 Academy Awards where “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” actor Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife. This post was taken seriously by fans and executives of the show, who suspended Chmerkovskiy for the following week (the first time in the show’s history that this has happened), meaning Dewan would have to be temporarily assigned a new partner. Once again, public opinion was split in two. Plenty of people thought that Chmerkovskiy’s punishment was fitting because it was highly inappropriate for him to joke about putting his hands on a female coworker, whereas others thought the suspension was ridiculous given that he apologized and was simply aiming to defend his wife. In addition to several repetitive camera mishaps, alleged inconsistent scoring from the judges and the celebrity contestants generally being more stressed about the competition than usual, it’s not ridiculous to say this season of DWTS has been a little messy. However, it’s also been one of its most popular in recent years. Variety found that season 35’s premiere night had the largest number of viewers since 2020. Additionally, this season’s week six Dedication Night brought in 7.36 million viewers, rising 12% from the week before, according to TheWrap, so maybe there’s a method to all the madness. CONTACT Alison Bailey at bail24am@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @ TheBreezeJMU and Instagram @BreezeJMU.

Kirah Villanueva / The Breeze

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SPORTS EDITORS Madi Perini & Libby Mercer

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EMAIL breezesports@gmail.com

‘ It’s bigger than you ’ Nakian Jackson Fifth-year linebacker

Jackson has tallied 66 total tackles through nine games with the Dukes in 2026. Caden Burch / The Breeze

BAM Nakian Jackson leads JMU BAM: football’s defense with physicality

By LIBBY MERCER The Breeze

To play football at a high level, fifth-year linebacker Nakian Jackson said you have to be energized. But even as someone who usually keeps it “poised” Jackson said he’s had a few moments where the energy came out. One of them was during the ODU game on Sept. 26, where he recorded 1 1/2 sacks. “I just started dancing,” Jackson said. “It[’s] moments in the game where I just be excited for myself, the guys or the team in general.” In his first year with the Dukes and final year of eligibility, Jackson has 66 total tackles, 33 solo and seven tackles for loss through nine games. “He is an extremely violent, physical player,” linebackers coach Josh Linam said. “To play football at a high level, you’ve got to be.” Violence is where Jackson got his childhood nickname: Bam. The name comes from the “Flintstones” character “Bam Bam,” who runs around and breaks everything with a stick. Jackson said he earned the title at a young age, and it has followed him from “school to school.” “I told some of the coaches that was my nickname from my mom,” Jackson said. “They were like, ‘you got to earn the title here,’ and I guess I earned it. They call me that now.” When Jackson transferred to JMU from Nevada, Linam asked him what he wanted the linebacker room’s identity to be — Jackson said “killers.” “We can legally be physical in football,” Linam said. “I think that is one of the number one characteristics of a linebacker, and I think he approaches the game that way. He plays with relentless effort. He’s physical. He’s tough.” Jackson is from Stockton, California, over 2,000 miles away, which he said can be tough when he wants to see his family. But Linam said he’s embraced his struggles as a “superpower.”

“[Linam] says, ‘know your purpose, know what you’re here for, know your why, why you do this, why you play this game of football,’” Jackson said. “It’s bigger than you.” Jackson’s “why” is his mother and family, he said. Growing up in Stockton, Jackson said it was not a lot, and he is blessed to be in the position he is today. “He comes from a background where he’s already had to overcome a lot,” Linam said. “I think he’s already a resilient person, and that’s part of his character.” Part of his ‘why’ is validating himself, Jackson said. “Just to prove it to myself that I’m more than what I come from,” Jackson said. “To prove [to] my parents and my mother, you did a great job with me. If I can do that, all said and done, I’ll be alright in life.” When the team played at SDSU on Sept. 19, Jackson’s family traveled from northern California down to San Diego to watch him play, he said. Jackson had his little cousins, older cousins, aunties, mom, dad, siblings at the game. Fifth-year punter Patrick Rea described Jackson as having “25,000” people in the stands. “Just being able to see them and put my work on display, it was amazing,” Jackson said. “I can’t even find the words to describe it.” As an older guy, Jackson has seen a few schools before landing at JMU. The connection to Harrisonburg starts with defensive intern Taylor Powell. Jackson spent the 2022-24 seasons at Sacramento State, where he met Powell. Powell took Jackson on his first college visit and coached him when he joined the staff in 2023, he said. Powell played linebacker at Sacramento State while Jackson was in high school, which is where their bond started. “I would come up [to Sacramento State] every weekend and just be a sponge and soak in advice from him,” Jackson said. When Powell joined Napier’s staff, he gave Jackson a call.

While Powell is an intern for the defensive line, Jackson said it’s still good to have someone from home who can “pour into” him. “It’s always good to have that guy that you can rely on sometimes,” Jackson said. “And have to reach me in a way some people don’t, because he’s been with me since I was at a young age.” Jackson also spent the 2025 season at Nevada, where he started six of 11 games and tallied 54 total tackles — just 12 less than his midseason total with the Dukes. As a leader, defensive coordinator Robert Bala said when Jackson talks, people listen. “His voice holds a lot of weight, you know,” Bala said. “He’s getting better and better at communicating the defense.” Head coach Billy Napier said he thinks Jackson has taken steps forward since getting here in the spring. “I think he’s played really good football,” Napier said. “The body of work so far is really good.” When it comes to improving in games, Bala said Jackson is the first one to say he needs to get better. “We can have a win, we can have a loss,” Jackson said. “I’m going to always try to stay poised and level-headed throughout all the situations, because there’s always something you can improve on.” This mindset goes into his role as a leader, where he asks himself: “How can I make somebody else do good? How can I get the team to be better?” “I want to be able to fire all cylinders when my name is called and represent that name on the back of my jersey,” Jackson said.

CONTACT Libby Mercer at breezesports@gmail.com. For

more football coverage, follow the sports desk on X and Instagram @TheBreezeSports.

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Vol. 105, No. 11

Analysis | Key takeaways from JMU football’s back-to-back overtime losses By MADI PERINI The Breeze

After opening the season on a 7-0 run, JMU (7-2, 5-2 Sun Belt) has disappointed with back-to-back losses against App State (5-3, 2-2) and Troy (4-4, 2-2). In both games, the Dukes came out strong before unraveling during the second half. Here are four key takeaways from JMU’s two losses:

Fast starts fade

The Dukes stormed out to a 21-13 advantage against App State and led 21-7 against Troy after scoring on their first three possessions. However, in both games, the offense flatlined for much of the second half, with JMU needing to make a lastsecond comeback against the Mountaineers, while going scoreless against the Trojans. “I think the turnovers ultimately contributed to the stops,” head coach Billy Napier said following the loss to Troy. “We come out of the gates … it looks the way you want it to look — then we struggled to sustain drives.”

Self-destruction

Napier pointed to “uncharacteristic” errors as the main thing that gave JMU’s opponents momentum that led them to wins. The Dukes racked up 10 penalties for 92 yards against App State, and fourth-year quarterback Camden Coleman threw a back-breaking interception in the fourth quarter. Against Troy, JMU turned the ball over five times (three interceptions and two fumbles) after committing just six throughout the first eight weeks. The Trojans capitalized on the Dukes’ mistakes, scoring 14 points off turnovers — including a 37-yard pick-6 from fifthyear safety Justin Powe. “Good football starts with protecting the football,” Napier said. “I don’t care who you’re playing or where you’re playing — we’re too sloppy with the ball.” This is the first time since November 2024 that the Dukes have dropped two games in a row. Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

The 2-quarterback system

JMU’s rotation between Coleman and third-year JC Evans showed signs of working, including a 70-yard touchdown

throw from Evans to get fourth-year wide receiver Braeden Wisloski in the end zone against App State. But under pressure, the system has crumbled, as both threw interceptions against Troy. Regardless, Napier defends using both of them while noting the issues made. “Both did some really good things and made some mistakes,” Napier said. “We’re blessed that we got two guys that can play in my opinion … but the teacher has to take a good look in the mirror.”

Defense left out to dry

Despite frequent offensive issues, the Dukes’ defense has been a bright spot. The unit recorded three sacks and five tackles in the loss in Boone — led by nine tackles from fifthyear linebacker Nakian Jackson and two sacks by fifth-year edge Amar Thomas. The defense also managed to hold Troy to 4-of-17 on third down. “I thought our defense kept us in the game,” Napier said. “We kept putting them in, and in general, they played really well at times.” Fifth-year defensive lineman Rasheed Lovelace was also productive against the Trojans, recording seven total tackles. Though it was a season-high performance, Lovelace knows there’s more for the unit. “We played good … but we got to be better [and] we could do more,” Lovelace said. “Losses are a part of the game; it’s just a way to figure out how we’re going to bounce back.” Despite the hardships, there are still high hopes throughout the locker room as JMU looks ahead to three remaining regular season games. “These past couple weeks haven’t been us,” sixth-year tight end Cole Keller said. “I think all the guys are hungry to go back out there and prove to JMU nation and the rest of everyone else that’s watching we are the team that we showed in the first seven weeks.” CONTACT Madi Perini at breezesports@gmail.com. For more football coverage, follow the sports desk on X and Instagram @TheBreezeSports.

From Duke to coach: Julia McNeley’s next chapter of volleyball after college By HAYLIE DETERS contributing writer

For most student-athletes, life after college volleyball means stepping away from the game. For former JMU volleyball player Julia McNeley, who graduated this past May, it meant finding new ways to stay connected to the program she played for. After finishing her playing career at JMU, McNeley joined head coach Lauren Steinbrecher’s staff as an assistant coach. At the same time, she’s taken on another role as the executive director of Luxe Volleyball Academy, — a youth volleyball club working through League One Volleyball in Harrisonburg. Balancing two demanding positions is no easy feat, but for McNeley, taking on both roles stems from the same passion: giving back to a sport and community that have given her so much. “[I like] giving back to the kids the way the coaches gave me; I just wouldn’t be here without them,” McNeley said. McNeley’s transition from player to coach has been effortless, Steinbrecher said. Having spent years playing on the court, McNeley understands exactly what current players are experiencing. “She knows exactly what it’s like to get up and work hard every day and train, she understands their culture,” Steinbrecher said. “Just her ability to know exactly what the players are going through and being that connection point with the staff.”

Steinbrecher said one of McNeley’s strengths is her ability to bond with athletes while keeping things easy and welcoming. “Her ability to connect and keep it simple,” Steinbrecher said. “I think she’s easy to ask questions and approach.” Current players have embraced this new transition as well. Fifth-year setter Grace Wenrich, who played alongside McNeley, said seeing a former teammate move into a coaching role has been very unique. “I wish she was playing with us,” Wenrich said. “But her being on the sidelines has made us much better; I think she brings in a different viewpoint than our other coaches.” McNeley said the coaching experience has been overwhelmingly positive. “It’s been great,” McNeley said. “I played with pretty much everyone on the team, so I didn’t exactly know how that transition was going to go. But I think the girls have been so great about it, and the coaches have brought me in as one of their own.” As someone who experienced the program firsthand, McNeley hopes to pass along what made her years at JMU special. “I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the country that is like JMU,” McNeley said. “We enjoy each other, we enjoy the game and passing on to the girls how special this place is.” Read more online at breezejmu.org CONTACT Haylie Deters atptt5lc@dukes.jmu.edu. For more volleyball coverage, follow the sports desk on X and Instagram @TheBreezeSports.

Julia McNeley is one of 13 JMU players with 1,000+ career digs. Breeze file photo

OPINION

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

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OPINION EDITOR Katie Mae Yetter

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EMAIL breezeopinion@gmail.com

Gen Z has an obsession with getting rich quick

Want to praise someone or get something off your chest? Darts & Pats is the place to do it. Submit your own at breezejmu.org.

An “ouchie” dart to my Halloweekend injury. From someone who ended up in a boot from too much fun.

A “go-you” pat to everyone who voted on Tuesday. From someone who is feeling patriotic.

For generations, there was a format: work an honest job, pay your dues and climb your way up the ladder. While the goal is still the same, younger generations are having a harder time buying into this system. Gen Z appears to be obsessed with getting rich, and more importantly, doing it quickly. With more and more young people opting for anything other than a traditional 9-to-5, it’s clear there’s been a change in mindset. They are taking more financial risk than any other generation, LOUIS CATALANO but it isn’t because they’re irresponsible. contributing columnist If you’ve been on social media recently, you’ve probably noticed an influx of sketchy influencers flaunting their mansion or supercar while trying to sell you an online course, or panning their new crypto coin. While accounts like these have been around since the beginning of social media, they now seem unavoidable. These accounts seem more popular now because they have more of an audience. According to Statista, around three in 10 adults ages 18-34 spend more than 40 hours on their phones a week, making it more likely they run into a get-rich-quick scam. For comparison, a similar share of people aged 55 and older spend around four hours weekly on their phones. Scammers are aware of these changes and are adapting to attack the larger consumer base. Instead of trying to trick an old lady into sending money to a Nigerian prince, scammers are now advertising risky investments and promoting crypto coins just to rug-pull them once they see growth. Additionally, Gen Z’s environment plays a role in this issue. The current economic state of the country, as well as concerns about job security and availability is something that is at the forefront of just about every young person’s mind. With trust in the American dream dwindling, it makes sense that people are more likely to turn to any opportunity to bypass the rat race. According to a 2025 UCLA study, over half of Gen Z think the American dream is no longer attainable due to financial concerns, meaning there is less faith in the ability for any American to achieve success through hard work. With students increasingly holding pessimistic visions of their financial future, the idea of working a 9-to-5 is less appealing. This could

explain why these risky forms of making money are so attractive. When the return on years of hard work might not even yield the resources needed to start a family, it makes sense to look to other options. With less trust in traditional money-making methods, Gen Z is doing anything they can to gain a leg up financially. According to Intuit, nearly two-thirds of Gen Z either has a side hustle or plans to have a side hustle, and according to a realtor.com survey, about 82% of Gen Z and Millennials also feel that older generations had it easier financially. With more work being necessary to obtain the same life that those older than you were able to achieve with relative ease, the pessimism starts to be more understandable. With desperation peaking and ways out being advertised every day, it isn’t surprising that this generation falls for these scams more than anyone else. These factors are also changing the way the generation views risk. This tendency for risk-taking can also be seen with gambling. According to Bank of America, Gen Z accounted for 48% of online betting activity among Bank of America customers in July 2026. Another environmental factor contributing to these high scam numbers is the flaunting of wealth on social media. According to Newsweek, just under half of Gen Z is obsessed with getting rich. Flaunting money is a proven way to get attention, meaning that it is much more common to open up Instagram and see someone driving a Lamborghini than it is to see one out on the street. This distorted worldview has led many in Gen Z to perceive the standard for financial comfort to be well beyond. In a 2024 survey by financial firm Empower, the average Gen Z response said they consider “financial success” to be a yearly salary of at least $587,797 or have a net worth of over $9 million. These outlandish goals are a product of the delusion that social media creates, and they are leading younger generations to seek potentially risky methods of making money. Between the flaunting of wealth on social media, economic pessimism and the bombardment of scams online, you can’t blame Gen Z for looking toward sketchier money-making methods. CONTACT Louis Catalano at catalald@dukes.jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

Photo Illustration by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

An “I’m-unsafe” dart to horrible Maryland drivers. From someone who wants to make it to class safely.

A “yum” pat to the Starbucks holiday menu. From someone who loves a festive and fun drink.

Editorial Policies

The Breeze 1598 S. Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801

The Breeze welcomes and encourages readers to voice their opinions through letters and guest columns.

The Breeze reserves the right to edit submissions for length, grammar and if material is libelous, factually inaccurate or unclear. The Breeze assumes the rights to any published work. Opinions expressed in this page, with the exception of editorials, are not necessarily those of The Breeze or its staff.

Letters and guest columns should be submitted in print or via e-mail and must include name, phone number, major/year if author is a current student (or year of graduation), professional title (if applicable) and place of residence if author is not a JMU student.

Vol. 105, No. 11

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Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Stop taking advantage of student movements Politics change by the day. The ideas that parties vehemently fought for a year ago are often significantly different than the ideas that they hold today. However, political parties have been changing positions on a dime to appeal to newer generations of voters. Often, these position changes happen without any regard or apology COLLIN J. EYLER for former stances. Breeze Columnist Making these changes for convenience fundamentally deny the idea that parties are meant to represent us, the people, because they prioritize popularity over ideological commitments. Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with changing one’s political beliefs. As society progresses and new information becomes available, political organizations should be reconsidering their positions. However, there’s a fundamental difference between changing a group’s stance because of newfound convictions and changing a group’s stance because doing so has become convenient. When parties refuse to acknowledge their former positions and switch views to gain popularity, they deprive their constituents of the opportunity to understand why those changes occurred. If political organizations expect us to trust their convictions, they ought to be expected to explain their change in convictions. Changes of convenience from political organizations can be especially frustrating on college campuses, where student protests offer political organizations an opportunity to present themselves as champions of causes they may have previously opposed. Student protests express dissatisfaction with policies, institutions and social conditions that students believe should change. Yet, when political organizations enter these movements primarily to capitalize on their popularity, attention shifts away from the concerns of students and toward organizations seeking to associate themselves with those concerns. This leads to serious

causes receiving less attention and instead becoming part of the political divide. Certainly, political organizations have just as much of a right to participate in demonstrations as any other group. Moreover, the support of established political organizations can bring greater attention to causes that students genuinely care about. However, participation should not automatically excuse an organization’s previous opposition to the very principles being advocated. When an organization that once condemned a particular cause suddenly presents itself as one of its strongest supporters, students ought to question what prompted such a dramatic change in position. The Democratic Party, for instance, was once a vocal supporter of immigration enforcement, and President Obama oversaw the deportation of over 2.3 million immigrants, according to Pew Research, with over 75% of these immigrants never seeing a judge, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. Clearly, this position no longer reflects the views of the Democratic Party, and yet no official condemnation of past actions has happened. More concerning than these reversals themselves is the apparent reluctance of political organizations to acknowledge their previous convictions. Rather than explaining the circumstances that prompted a change of heart, organizations have instead attempted to distance themselves from former positions altogether. This behavior is particularly troubling because it denies constituents the opportunity to understand the change in their representatives. Political accountability requires more than simply knowing what an organization believes today. Read more online at breezejmu.org CONTACT Collin J. Eyler at EylerCJ@dukes.jmu. edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

Kirah Villanueva / The Breeze

Vol. 105, No. 11

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

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FOR RELEASE NOVEMBER 2, 2026

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol

DOWN 1 Coppertone initials

October 30th, 2026

11/2/26

By Amanda Cook

2 Unit of corn 3 Shiba __: dog breed 4 Lose traction, as on an icy road 5 Recurring themes 6 Connective tissue 7 Curved path 8 “Not my fave” 9 __ ball soup 10 Quiver contents 11 “Hello” singer Richie 12 Dining establishment 14 Royal house of Elizabeth I 17 Bit of trekking gear 20 La Scala production 21 Append 22 Colorful clog with holes 23 Longtime latenight host Jay 25 Nefarious 26 Gather, as crops 28 Religious faction 32 __ for tat 33 North __ Sea: Kazakh lake 35 Eucalyptus lover

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

stumpe

find the answers online

d?

ACROSS 1 Earth tremor 6 Quarterback Darnold who won the Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2026 9 Tom or drake 13 Japanese breadcrumbs 14 Lose steam 15 20-Down highlight 16 Minute Maid juice box option 18 Dressage gait 19 The “D” of LED 20 Atmospheric layer with holes 21 Knee pt. studied in an MRI, perhaps 24 Catchphrase associated with hippies 27 Bedroom piece 29 Migrating geese formation 30 Crafty 31 Thoroughly cooked 32 Pageant crown 34 Occasion to wear a little black dress, perhaps 40 Maid of honor speech, typically 41 Field of expertise 43 PC key near the space bar 46 “What __ missing?” 47 Flagging down, as a cab 50 Tennis server’s infraction 53 Bear, in Spanish 54 Utterly confused 55 Loud kiss 57 Leaning Tower city 58 End of a race, or what’s found at the end of 16-, 24-, 34-, and 50-Across? 63 Notified 64 Opinion column 65 Conger catcher 66 Classic game console, for short 67 Prohibit 68 Airline based in Atlanta

www.breezejmu.org/ site/crossword_ answers/

©2026 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

36 Like household pets 37 “You wish!” 38 Threesome 39 Cravings 42 Long, long __ 43 Modifies to fit 44 Soothing cosmetic 45 Minor dustup 47 Muggy 48 “What a shame” 49 Irritated, in a way

11/2/26

51 Common elements in Native American jewelry 52 Ed of “Elf” 56 “Twittering Machine” painter Paul 58 Keyless key 59 Bitter beer letters 60 Unwell 61 Take-home pay 62 Pitching ace’s stat

Thursday, September 17, 2026 | breezejmu.org Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.

Vol. 105, No. 5 Vol. 105, No. 11

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Banking Fit For Dukes!

CommonWealth One is James Madison University’s trusted, full-service financial institution. We’re conveniently located on campus and offer everything you might need financially as a student. What we don’t have? Excessive and unnecessary fees.

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Annual Percentage Yeld (APY). 1When you qualify. Membership eligibility required. Ask a representative or visit cofcu.org/Dukes-Banking for complete details. 2Credit subject to approval. Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Opportunity Lender. Kasasa Eats® and Kasasa Saver® are trademarks of Kasasa, Ltd., registered in the U.S.A.

*

v04.25.25

Vol. 105, No. 11

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | breezejmu.org

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