The Breeze 9.3.26

The Breeze

JMU’S AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1922

Sept. 3, 2026 VOL. 105 NO.3 BREEZEJMU.ORG

BATTLE OF THE BLUE RIDGE RETURNS A preview of JMU football’s season opener against in-state foe Liberty 14 | Sports

Case dismissed against DTD brothers 4 | News

Your guide to surviving ‘frat flu’ 10 | Culture

FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW INSIDE

My mediocre boyfriend dumped me 19 | Opinion

2

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

DUKES DUKES EAT EAT

Vol. 105, No. 3

DOMINO’S DOMINO’S

ENTIRE ONLINE ORDER AT MENU PRICE

COUPON CODE 1126

Vol. 105, No. 3

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

IN THIS ISSUE

3

ON THE COVER

COVER BY: THE BREEZE COVER PHOTO: CADEN BURCH / THE BREEZE

Last season, JMU football beat Liberty in the renewed Battle of the Blue Ridge. New head coach Billy Napier looks to keep that trophy in Harrisonburg during Saturday’s season-opener.

7

17

JMU minimum wage is going up

Women’s hoops drops schedule

12

18

LTE: Rise against UREC

Bring ugly actors back to Hollywood Tessa Kuta / The Breeze

9

ONE Punt, ONE Pass, ONE Kick

and ONE BIG $25,000 PRIZE Don’t miss your chance to win on October 3 at JMU’s Homecoming Game!

Visit cofcu.org/win for full details.

Hurry! The deadline to enter is September 13.

NEWS

EDITORS Charlie Bodenstein & Emma Brown

4

EMAIL breezenews@gmail.com

Court dismisses malicious wounding by mob charges against 7 JMU fraternity brothers

By CHARLIE BODENSTEIN The Breeze The Harrisonburg-Rockingham General District Court dismissed seven charges of malicious wounding by mob against seven members of the Kappa Beta chapter of the Delta Tau Delta (DTD) fraternity during a preliminary hearing Wednesday evening.

A preliminary hearing happens after a defendant(s) is charged with a crime. The hearing determines if there is probable cause to send the case to a grand jury to consider indictment, according to Cornell Law School.

The charges were brought forth by Aiden McLaughlin, who testified that the seven brothers engaged him in a physical altercation at a ticketed fraternity party on April 16, 2026.

The defendants were DTD brothers Aidan Amidon, Sam Beers, Christian Ciombor, Henry Page, Keith Polin and Jaiden Salamino, and chapter president Landon Hutchison. Each defendant was represented by a separate attorney.

Judge Kenneth L. Alger II said there was a “low threshold for probable cause” because, during McLaughlin’s testimony,

‘It was like my son got beat up again by seven defense attorneys’ - Aaron McLaughlin, Aiden’s father

he misidentified defendants and did not remember some of the events that took place that night.

During McLaughlin’s testimony, he said he did not have independent recollection of all the events that transpired that night, and some of the details were told to him by a Harrisonburg police officer and other third parties.

McLaughlin, who was not a member of the fraternity, testified that upon arriving at the fraternity house on Governors Lane, he was allowed to enter after showing his purchased ticket.

About five to 10 minutes later, his friend Marcus Campbell arrived with a purchased ticket but was denied entry to the event, he alleged.

Then, McLaughlin alleged someone told him to come outside to meet Campbell, where McLaughlin then confronted the DTD brothers about why Campbell was denied entry to the party. McLaughlin alleged he was pushed onto the ground by one of the brothers before he retaliated by tackling one of the members.

During the altercation, the brothers punched and kicked McLaughlin, he alleged, adding that he allegedly suffered a concussion, a torn shoulder and other back and nose injuries from the altercation. The altercation stopped momentarily before McLaughlin later approached the brothers, which resulted in one of the brothers slapping his face, McLaughlin alleged.

McLaughlin testified that he didn’t punch or spit on anyone during the physical altercations. He also alleged he did not previously know any of the defendants before that night. McLaughlin said he was asked to leave before the altercations took place, but refused because he wanted to ask why Campbell was denied entry.

Moreover, McLaughlin alleged he consumed two beers and one shot of vodka prior to the party, but that his intoxication did not inhibit his memory or his ability to willingly leave the party. He also alleged that consuming alcohol doesn’t make him violent.

The judge dismissed the case after determining there was not enough probable cause. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

McLaughlin visited the JMU clinic after the incident to be evaluated for his injuries, he said. McLaughlin alleged that the clinic told him to go to Sentara RMH Medical Center, where he later underwent a CT scan that determined he didn’t have a concussion.

McLaughlin’s father, Aaron McLaughlin, said after the preliminary hearing in an interview with The Breeze that the prosecuting attorney representing his son was “illprepared.” Aaron McLaughlin said he plans to contact the prosecutor’s office to better understand the situation, hoping to receive more resources and a more “seasoned attorney” on the case. He added that the prosecuting attorney was “set up to fail.”

“It was like my son got beat up again by seven defense attorneys,” he said. “And all those criminals are laughing now.”

Although Judge Alger dismissed the case in the preliminary hearing, the case can be refiled or appealed. Prosecutors can also bring forth a direct indictment, which would directly bring the case in front of a court. When asked about the case, a JMU spokesperson said he is unaware of the case but that he will research it further to provide comment at a later time.

“I’m not done fighting for my son,” Aaron McLaughlin said.

“We’ll do everything we can to get some kind of justice out of this.”

CONTACT 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

5

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Q&A with JMU Police Chief Anthony Matos following last weekend’s shooting

By CHARLIE BODENSTEIN The Breeze After last Saturday’s shooting at a student housing complex left a 19-year-old male with a gunshot wound, The Breeze sat down with JMU Police Chief Anthony Matos to discuss how JMU police and Harrisonburg police protect students.

Context: What happened last Saturday?

An individual was shot in the upper leg at The Harrison, an off-campus student housing complex, on Aug. 29 around 10:30 p.m. The victim was not a JMU student or a resident of

the housing complex, according to the Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD).

The victim was brought to the Sentara RMH Medical Center that night and later airlifted to UVA Hospital. The HPD said the victim is in stable condition. The HPD is currently conducting an investigation and has increased police presence throughout the housing complex.

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30, the JMU Police Department sent a campus-wide email stating that Motorola Solutions — the system that powers the university’s emergency alert system and the JMU Shield app — experienced a service disruption around the time of the incident.

Because of this, timely notifications from the police department were not sent during the incident, and some individuals received multiple messages at the same time.

In an interview with The Breeze, Matos said he’s in contact with Rave, which is a subplatform of Motorola Solutions. Matos said Rave assured him that the service disruption is being worked on.

Question: What does the JMU Police Department do?

Answer: “We provide all law enforcement services for the university. We also provide much more of a customer experience for our university. If you live in Harrisonburg, we’re just like the Harrisonburg Police Department, except they will deal with more community-related issues.”

Question: Do JMU Police operate within a certain area off-campus?

Answer: “We have a dedicated unit of officers called the Joint Patrol Task Force that are responsible for being the JMU Police presence off campus. We try to stay within college housing areas.”

Question: How do the JMU police, Harrisonburg police and Rockingham police work together?

Answer: “We all share a radio. We all have our different channels on the radios, but we can all hear each other’s radio.

[The Joint Patrol Task Force are] our officers, but they don’t deal with JMU dispatch — they deal with the HarrisonburgRockingham Emergency Communication Center. They interact and operate just like a city police officer. But again, we try and limit ourselves to our area of expertise.”

The HPD works in tandem with JMU police.

Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

Question: How involved was the HPD in The Harrison shooting comapred to JMU police?

Answer: “Everything that happens here and in this town — and especially in those heavily student-populated college housing areas — it’s all a joint effort. We all work together to make sure that each incident comes to a successful conclusion. If the [HPD] arrives on the scene first, they’ll be orchestrating.”

Question: The shooting victim wasn’t a JMU student. Does that change how you handle it?

Answer: “The incident itself doesn’t change the response. What changes is the resources that we can provide to a JMU student compared to a state police officer, who might not be as familiar with the JMU resources. Our main goal is your success.”

Question: Do you know why there was a service outage that interfered with the JMU alert system and JMU Shield app?

Answer: “Motorola had a service disruption. I’ve talked to the president of Rave, and they assured me they’re working on it.”

Question: What would you say to students who were upset about the untimely alerts?

Answer: “I think my words were pretty direct in that message that I emailed out yesterday. Have faith in us … we’re here for you.”

Question: If there is a service outage again, where can students find information on what is happening?

Answer: “We are looking at some non-traditional emergency messaging platforms to take over and become useful in a situation if Motorola should encounter an outage.”

Question: Do you have advice for students going out on weekends to stay safe?

Answer: “Stay with your friend group. If you don’t know someone … you might want to be wary of who they are. If you’re underage, obviously, it’s illegal for you to be in possession of alcohol. I would ask you to reconsider your choices. I hope that we can find other ways to do Friday and Saturday night[s] without involving alcohol.”

CONTACT 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.

The representative of the student body: SGA

By EMMA NOTARNICOLA The Breeze At the end of last school year, the Student Government Association (SGA) updated its mission statement to include “enhance the student experience.” This change represents SGA’s main goals coming into this year and its responsibility to the student body, Student Representative to the Board of Visitors Gram Sher said.

SGA is a body within the university that works to “bridge the students and the administration,” SGA President Jessica Abadji said.

What SGA does Every Tuesday in 256 Union Hall at 6:15 p.m., SGA hosts its weekly senate, where senators evaluate and vote on bills, resolutions, contingency requests and more, according to its website.

One of the main roles of SGA is in club funding through frontend budgeting — annual allocation of funds for large student organizations designated as important for university function — and contingency requests — funds allocated from student fees to support student organizations — according to its website.

These requests go through the SGA Finance Committee, according to the website, and are eligible for all clubs recognized by the university, with a constitution and in good standing with the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement for at least four months.

Further requirements regarding necessary actions before requesting funding and what the funds can be used for are available on its website.

Additionally, SGA plans and puts on numerous events for the student body and faculty each year, including the Homecoming parade, Purple Out and more, SGA Vice President Abbey Turner said.

However, this year, Abadji said, SGA is pivoting its focus toward its main goal: enacting change for students. She added that this year, she hopes to advocate for changes students want to see across the board, including parking, nutrition, lowering overall costs for students and more.

“Going forward, you’re going to see a lot of SGA people trying to enhance the student experience, going far beyond events, making sure that students are being considered,” Abadji said.

One method toward greater representation is encouraging more Bills of Opinion, SGA speaker Caroline Spurling said.

Once a petition from a senator gains 10% of the student body’s signatures, it will be presented and voted on through the SGA which, if passed, the JMU administration will have to adhere to.

“I think it’s really important to have conversations,” she said. “That’s the best way, and the most diplomatic way, to get things done for both sides.”

Read more online at breezejmu.org.

CONTACT Emma Notarnicola at thebreezeweb@gmail.com.

For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

Caroline Spurling was elected SGA speaker last spring.

Tessa Kuta / The Breeze

6

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Vol. 105, No. 3

JMU adds new building, expands CHBS Lovell said. “We need this building, and I’m glad that we’re at this point.”

After years of planning, 34th District Virginia Delegate Tony Wilt said he hopes the building will provide JMU the capacity to educate more nurses, adding that more space allows more students to come off the school’s waitlist and more nurses to combat the healthcare worker shortage in Virginia.

“JMU’s got an outstanding reputation of producing healthcare workers that are ready to go to work, they know what they’re doing and they’re prepared,” he said. “It’s a win-win for the whole state.”

About the expansion

JMU students talk and laugh inside the College of Health and Behavioral Studies building.

Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

By EMMA NOTARNICOLA & EDISON VRANIAN The Breeze The Virginia General Assembly passed a new state budget allocating nearly $150 million to expand JMU’s nursing and healthcare programs. The majority

of that budget — $115.3 million — will go to expanding the College of Health and Behavioral Studies (CHBS) building, according to JMU. “I really am grateful for the support of JMU’s administration and the legislature in Virginia for approving the funding for the building; it’s needed,” CHBS Dean Sharon

The expansion encompasses a proposed five-story building adjacent to the current CHBS building with a bridge connecting the two, according to the construction company working on the project, Barton Malow.

Director of engineering and construction Kirk Morris wrote in an emailed statement to The Breeze that the demolition of the Cantrell Avenue Parking Deck and utility relocation will begin this fall. The project is planned to be completed in spring 2027. Morris added that the CHBS building should be open to the public by fall 2029.

Demolition of the Cantrell Avenue faculty parking deck will begin this fall, with the deck’s last day of operation Aug. 14, according to JMU’s website.

This closure resulted in the reallocation of the Grace Street Parking Deck to faculty parking and the fifth level of the Mason Street Parking Deck to students, the website read.

With the addition of a second building, director of nursing Melody Eaton said the new CHBS building will add nursing simulation labs,

competency-based labs, health assessment labs, conference rooms for debriefing and study areas.

The labs will help ensure students gain their 500 clinical hours because students can earn a percentage of them through the simulations, Eaton said.

Eaton said the nursing program sends around 480 students to community hospitals within an hour radius for clinical placements.

With the addition of the simulation labs, it still enhances students’ knowledge, but it won’t overwhelm the hospitals.

“Our clinical partners across the state love our graduates from JMU,” Eaton said. “They know they’re prepared for practice, and in this healthcare system, it pays to be practice-ready.

We have a pretty complex healthcare system that our students go out into, whether you’re in nursing or any health profession.”

In addition to the new labs, the new CHBS will alleviate the building’s capacity after the nursing program had moved into CHBS. “We outgrew [CHBS] right after we moved into it with the expansion in nursing,” Eaton said. “We’ve expanded faculty to meet student needs. We expanded our student population in 2020.”

Read more online at breezejmu.org CONTACT Emma Notarnicola at thebreezeweb@gmail.com and 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.

Vol. 105, No. 3

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

7

JMU student employees to get raises in January

By EMMA BROWN The Breeze

Student employee making minimum wage, including those participating in federal work-study, will receive a raise in January. On April 9, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a bill to increase minimum wage statewide from $12.77/ hour to $13.75, effective Jan. 1, 2027, and increasing to $15 on Jan. 1, 2028.

The transition will happen automatically in the JMU payroll services office and should be seamless for student employees, Student Employment Manager Amber Weaver-Shifflett said.

“That extra dollar is going to be great for students, especially for students who are paying their own rent, buying their own books, buying groceries,” Weaver-Shifflett said.

Weaver-Shifflett added that there’s no threat of students being laid off due to the increase.

The Financial Aid & Scholarship Office established that the federal work-study award for the 2026-2027 school year will be $13.50/hour, which is the difference between $12.77 and $13.75, resulting in a final amount of $4,900 in financial aid awarded to any student qualifying for work study, WeaverShifflett said.

Wages vary across campus

“Not all federal work-study students are making minimum wage, and not all institutional employment students are making minimum wage,” WeaverShifflett said. “There’s a lot of students on this campus that are making well above minimum wage.”

Weaver-Shifflett said that overall, she believes the increase will positively affect students; however, the change has presented some challenges for JMU. “There is a negative effect, and that’s your budgeting. It’s always coming down to budget. Our federal work-study allocation is not as large for [the] 26-27 [year] as it was for 25-26, so making those ends meet is very difficult,” Weaver-Shifflett said. “So, the budget office had to come up with some additional institutional funding to give to our departments so they could fill their student roles.”

Read more online at breezejmu.org CONTACT Emma Brown at breezenews@ gmail.com. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

The statewide minimum wage will increase from $12.77/hour to $13.75 on Jan. 1, 2027.

Photo illustration by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

8

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Vol. 105, No. 3

Vol. 105, No. 3

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

9

SGA holds first senate of the year

By JACK FRIEDMAN & EMMA NOTARNICOLA The Breeze

At its first meeting of the year, the Student Government Association (SGA) unanimously confirmed its speaker of the student senate and reviewed potential amendments to its constitution.

Speaker of the senate confirmed

SGA unanimously confirmed senior Caroline Spurling as the speaker of the 112th Student senate in its Tuesday meeting. Spurling was elected as speaker in the final senate of the 2025-26 academic year.

Proposed amendments

Spurling then reviewed proposed changes to the SGA’s constitution. These changes were mostly procedural, including renaming the treasurer to the executive treasurer and slightly modifying the academic council and appeals committee.

The proposed changes to the constitution will be debated and voted on in two weeks.

SGA over the summer

Over the summer and the first few weeks before its first senate, the SGA made significant internal and external changes to prepare for a new year and hone in on its goal to connect with students.

One of the summer's biggest changes was the renovation of the SGA’s office in Union 331, Spurling said. Using excess rollover funds from its reserve funding, SGA renovated the office for the first time in decades, she said.

“We weren’t using our office as an office space, we were using it more as a storage

space,” Spurling said. “Now we can actually hold meetings in that office and invite shareholders and student body and constituents … into our office.”

The SGA will host a grand opening later in the fall, with the full details still being decided, Spurling said.

“Our whole goal this year is to really work closely with the student body, and the best way to do that is to talk to people,” Spurling said. “It’ll not only serve as a grand opening, but also start to facilitate and network those conversations at the beginning of the school year.”

The SGA has also worked internally to develop its Student Leadership Team (SLT) committee heads, work on the constitution and expand committees to shift the SGA toward a greater focus on representing students, Spurling said.

Externally, the SGA has been discussing ways to alleviate students’ problems through discussions within the Executive

Leadership Team (ELT) and with JMU administration.

Focusing on expanding resources — transportation, mental health resources and other ways to improve students’ lives — the SGA is starting the process of making the change students want to see, junior biophysical chemistry major and SGA President Jessica Abadji said.

She added that one major goal this year is to make sure JMU is providing sufficient resources for students while it expands. Abadji added that, “SGA has been bringing this to the attention of the administration and the administration is very much on board.”

Lastly, SGA Vice President and senior studio arts major Abbey Turner, along with Student Representative to the Board of Visitors and senior political science and public administration major Gram Sher, said they’ve been planning events for the student body. Sher said one new event he hopes to host is a student meet-and-greet with the JMU Board of Visitors.

In the first few weeks of school, SGA representatives have been attending events including Block Party in the ‘Burg, Student Org Night and more to expose the student body to their student representatives, Abadji said.

“We really want to put ourselves out there this year, because a lot of people that don’t know who we are or people just mistake SGA as an org that just gives money, but we’re much more than that,” Abadji said. “We actually have a lot of power to organize the student body and get our concerns given to the administration.”

The SGA hopes to focus more on student representation this year. Tessa Kuta / The Breeze

CONTACT Emma Notarnicola at thebreezeweb@gmail.com and Danny Inal at inaldm@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

CULTURE EDITORS Bella Arist & Audrey Fletcher

10

EMAIL thebreezeculture@gmail.com

The ‘frat flu’: A price that may come with partying

By BELLA ARIST The Breeze

Precaution and prevention

As parties come back into season, so does the “frat flu,” a nickname students have given to a sickness they get after attending parties. Every fall, when students come back to school, the environment changes immensely from their summer bubble, making them more prone to being sick. It’s possible to go to a party without getting the “frat flu” if you are educated about the sickness.

“Frat flu” is a “college nickname and not an official medical diagnosis,” JMU health sciences professor Sojib Zaman said.

“Just because someone gets the ‘frat flu’ doesn’t necessarily mean it’s influenza.”

Symptoms and science

Some of the symptoms usually associated with the “frat flu” are a fever, headache, stuffy/runny nose, sore throat, muscle and body aches and general fatigue.

“Those symptoms could be influenza, a common cold, COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses we have,” Zaman said.

Scientists are still testing what the “frat flu” actually is, because it seems to be a combination of symptoms from different illnesses.

“If the ‘frat flu’ is influenza, then it is a milder version of the viral infection. Once symptoms become severe, like COVID-19, with severe weakness, confusion and breathing difficulty, a doctor can diagnose what is going on,” Zaman said.

If symptoms are like a common cold or flu, Tylenol would be helpful. If the sickness gets worse, it’s a good idea to visit the University Health Center.

Causes of the outbreak

At JMU, thousands of students are coming back from different places, according to College Factual. Students go from living at home to moving in with someone new and spend time in crowded places like libraries, classes, the gym, sporting events, buses and parties.

“When people go in crowded areas, there are more opportunities for respiratory infections to spread and infect others,” Zaman said.

Close-contact environments make the risk of sickness much higher. If someone is sick and still attends an event, they are putting everyone at the function in a vulnerable position.

“At parties, people are sneezing, sharing drinks, talking, shouting and coughing — which exposes infections to spread,” Zaman said.

At the beginning of the semester, people go from their own bubble to sharing that bubble with thousands of other people.

Their bodies aren’t used to this much exposure, which leads to greater risk, Zaman said.

Outside factors

Along with greater exposure, Zaman said, there are other factors that influence susceptibility to sickness, including sleep deprivation, nutrition and weather.

“Alcohol consumption itself does not make the body more prone to sickness; however, these parties are late, and students are drinking, which impacts their daily lifestyle” Zaman said.

“This deters their immune response, and once it is weaker, there are more chances to get sick.”

Circadian rhythm is the natural cycle within your body when you sleep, lasting about 24 hours and balancing the immune system, according to Zaman.

“Sleep and hydration have a very good impact on maintaining our immune system, which fights infections,” Zaman said. “So, depending on how strong your immune system is determines whether the sickness will attack you or not.”

Genetics play a role in immune systems as well. For example, if someone is already diagnosed with a chronic disease like diabetes or obesity, then their immune system is already compromised, according to Zaman.

The weather also affects the likelihood of contracting a disease.

“There were some cyclones and tornadoes a few days ago, and students were exposed to the cold environment, making their body temperature change” Zaman said. “This contributes to the likelihood of getting the ‘frat flu.’”

Doing the basics like not sharing drinks, washing hands and avoiding close contact will help prevent the ‘frat flu’ Zaman said. Also, getting vaccinated, like an annual flu shot, will aid your immune system.

“We don’t have medications for the ‘frat flu’ because it is a viral infection — you can take antibiotics, but it won’t work since it is viral. If you have a fever, take Tylenol, if your body aches, take Ibuprofen — all the drugs needed to help the sickness are over-the-counter,” Zaman said.

Staying hydrated, keeping up with vaccinations and taking care of the body will prepare the immune system to go out in crowded settings.

Students experiencing ‘frat flu’

Freshman psychology major Carly Kehoe is currently experiencing the “frat flu.”

“I went out to parties last weekend and shared a couple drinks and unfortunately am now sick,” Kehoe said.

The freshman didn’t go to the health center after feeling symptoms. “I have lost my voice and have a stuffy nose, and I don’t think the health center will be able to do anything for me,” Kehoe said.

Her suitemate, freshman political science major Claire Keadle, is experiencing the sickness even worse, Kehoe said. Keadle went to the health center and tested negative for both strep and mono, which led them all to believe it is the “frat flu.”

“She lost her voice completely and is extremely exhausted,” Kehoe said.

Junior finance and economics major Jacob Theiss had the “frat flu” the first week of his freshman year.

“I had a really bad cough for a week, then had mucus and coughing up phlegm for the next three to six months,” Theiss said.

He doesn’t know exactly how he got it but reflected on his sleeping and eating habits, which could have heavily impacted the likelihood of getting the disease.

“I would suggest everyone to get proper sleep if you do go out,” Theiss said. “Also, take the vitamins your mom gave you the first week. Vitamin C gummies did wonders for keeping my immune system strong.”

CONTACT Bella Arist at thebreezeculture@gmail.com.

For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU. Kirah Villanueva / The Breeze

REEL IT IN

Movie review| ‘Coyote vs. ACME’

By RYAN TIBBS

The Breeze

The newest Looney Tunes movie, “Coyote vs. ACME,” has unintentionally become a commentary on itself. Warner Bros. shelved the already finished film in 2023 as a tax writeoff, but after facing backlash online, decided to sell it to Ketchup Entertainment, according to Deadline. This has added another layer to the anti-corporate message of the film, as the audience can draw a comparison between the greedy and corrupt ACME corporation and the real-life Warner Bros. studio.

The film itself is an incredibly fast-paced family-friendly comedy. It’s packed with visual gags in every scene but cuts away so quickly that viewers may need to rewatch if they want to catch every joke.

The fast editing adds to the humor of the cartoons, but also leads to some moments of poor audio editing. It’s obvious at times that dialogue was added after filming the scene.

The plot revolves around Wile E. Coyote filing a lawsuit against ACME for selling him defective products. The film explores themes of individuals standing up to greedy corporations no matter how difficult the task. There’s a recurring image of the Greek myth of Sisyphus, likened to Coyote’s endless efforts against ACME and the Road Runner.

The film does a good job of including familiar Looney Tunes characters in a way that fits their personalities, doing an effective job of avoiding unnecessary inclusions solely to throw in cameos.

Alongside Coyote, the other leading character is Kevin Avery, played by Will Forte, who’s a small-time lawyer who takes on ACME. Avery starts as tired and easily willing to settle for the smallest wins he can get. He’s paired well with Coyote as he becomes inspired by his client’s refusal to give up and is emboldened to take on ACME as strongly as he can.

Read more online at breezejmu.org CONTACT Ryan Tibbs at TibbsRA@dukes. jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

CULTURE

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

11

By EDISON VRANIAN

Oct. 23, starting with its first hint on its Instagram on Aug. 19.

UPB gave hints, revealing the band’s first song was released in 2018, the headliners were members of another band previously and one of the members started their career as a star on Disney Channel.

After days of hints and speculation from the JMU community, the UPB Instagram announced on Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. that The Driver Era will be part of the AUBC scene for the annual fall concert.

The Driver Era is a rock duo of brothers Ross and Rocky Lynch, who formed in 2018 after their previous band, R5, disbanded. Some of their popular songs include “A Kiss,” “Afterglow” and “Preacher Man,” according to Genius.

Ross Lynch also starred on Disney The arena can seat 10,000 guests depending on the event. Breeze file photo Channel in the early 2010s, playing for $21. The general public can purchase their seats for $38, Austin in “Austin and Ally” and Brady in “Teen Beach Movie.” He also helped with the soundtracks in both according to the ticketing website.

With Train and The Driver Era coming to AUBC, expect to see films, according to WVAU. The Driver Era tickets have been available for purchase since Aug. the arena rock on.

26. Only JMU students are eligible to get floor tickets, and students can get a discount for bowl seating if they log in to their JMU CONTACT Edison Vranian at vraniawe@dukes.jmu.edu. account. The bowl seating is open to the general public, according For more on the culture, arts, and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk to the UPB Instagram.

Students can purchase the floor tickets for $48 and bowl seating on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

Multiple bands set to rock the AUBC

The Breeze

Excitement is brewing about the upcoming concert scene this fall, with popular bands like Train and The Driver Era taking the stage at the Atlantic Union Bank Center (AUBC).

Below is important information about each concert and how to buy tickets:

Train

Grammy-winning band Train, alongside Nashville-based band and concert opener Moon Taxi, will “Meet Virginia” on their Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Tour, according to the AUBC website.

The AUBC’s Instagram and a mass email to the JMU community on Aug. 18 announced that Train will head to the AUBC on Oct. 2 to amplify the Family Weekend festivities.

Train is well-known for songs like “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Drive By,” “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” and “Drops of Jupiter.”

Moon Taxi is an indie alternative rock band that has six full-length albums, according to its website. It’s known for songs such as “Two High” and “Morocco,” according to Spotify.

Tickets went on sale to the general public at 12 p.m. on Aug. 24, with the JMU community gaining early access at 10 a.m.

Tickets start at $49, and parking at the Ballard Parking Deck costs $20, according to the ticketing website where both can be purchased.

The Driver Era

Soon after Train and Moon Taxi were announced to perform at the AUBC, the University Program Board (UPB) started teasing which bands would be performing in the annual fall concert on

The block party marks one of the final events that’s held during Weeks of Welcome for freshmen. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

Annual Block Party in the ’Burg

12

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

CULTURE

UREC towels should not cost money This letter was lightly edited in accordance with Breeze and AP Style.

My dearest students, faculty and staff, It is that lovely time of year again: fall. The weather is warm in the afternoon and cool in the evenings. All of us are back on our lovely campus, and friends and lovers have been reunited at last.

So I find myself asking: Why, in the midst of all this joy and beauty, do I still cry myself to sleep every night?

Why do I still feel this nagging emptiness inside of me?

After years of therapy and on-again, off-again prescription medications, I have finally realized the Breeze file graphic only reason for my deep depression: UREC IS STILL CHARGING $1 FOR A LARGE TOWEL WHEN IT SHOULD BE FREE. Tuition has increased. The cost of living has increased.

Parking has decreased. And yet, they still expect us to pay a dollar for a bad towel.

Yes, I must stress: This is not a Ralph Lauren towel. This is a piece of shit. But I want that piece-of-crap towel. And I want it to be free. Because after my workout, all I want to do is take a shower. But no. The towels they give us for free are two tiny, shitty rectangles that can’t cover the body and can’t adequately dry me off. Meaning JMU and UREC want

me to be smelly all day. They want my friends to stop liking me. They want my professors to smell me coming before I enter the classroom. They want my partner and me to split up.

Why? Just give us the towel for free.

JMU and UREC, you know better. Do better. Be better.

Do it for us. Do it for the students who show up to the gym. Do it for the students who wish to shower. Do it for the students who simply want to be clean.

Let us — please — be clean.

I call upon the SGA to petition the leaders of the university, the Commonwealth, the nation and, if need be, the world, to stand up to these oligarchs and demand our fundamental right to a free towel at a gym we already pay for with our tuition dollars.

Is this really too much to ask?

I don’t think so.

Signed, Toni Walker

Vol. 105, No. 3

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

13

BE WHERE THE STUDENTS ARE Online. On Campus. On Point.

ADVERTISE WITH THE BREEZE thebreezeads@gmail.com

2025 6 FALL HARNESS RACING Shenandoah Downs Woodstock, VA

SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER SEPTEMBER 19 13 --OCTOBER 26 1 • Celebrate 10 years of harness racing at 1 HOT DOGS Shenandoah Downs this fall 2 CANNED BEER • Racing every Saturday & Sunday afternoon • Pari-mutuel wagering on all races • Bring your group out to enjoy the races from our VIP Trackside Viewing Deck (email drrllwd@hotmail.com for details) • Conveniently located at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds (I-81, Exit 283) $

$

EVERY SUNDAY

FREE PARKING • FREE ADMISSION • FAMILY FRIENDLY • SHENANDOAHDOWNS.COM

SPORTS EDITORS Madi Perini & Libby Mercer

14

EMAIL breezesports@gmail.com

JMU opens season against Liberty ‘Trophy game. Rivalry game. In-state opponent.’

By LIBBY MERCER The Breeze

For his first game at JMU, head coach Billy Napier will open with a rivalry game.

“Trophy game, rivalry game, in-state opponent. [The players] know a lot of the players on the other team,” Napier said. “Certainly these games are special for a reason.”

Last season, Liberty went 3-5 in the Conference USA and 4-8 overall.

With this being a rivalry game, Napier said there’s a “healthy understanding” among the roster regarding the stakes of the game.

“The ones that don’t understand, I think our veteran players and our community do a good job of making sure they’re aware of that,” Napier said.

Fifth-year edge Amar Thomas is telling the new players to expect a “very physical game.”

“Just do your job,” Thomas said. “Make sure your eyes are in the right place and everything will be okay.”

Seventh-year offensive lineman Zach Greenberg said Liberty is returning lots of talent on its roster.

Part of that returning production comes from fifth-year quarterback Ethan Vasko, who threw for 1,961 yards and added 10 touchdowns last season. Vasko spent two seasons at Sun Belt school Coastal before joining the Flames.

Vasko added the Flames’ lone touchdown against the Dukes last season on Sept. 20, 2025. JMU took home the Battle of Blue Ridge trophy with a 31-13 win.

However, during that same game, Vasko injured his shoulder. The starter missed the Flames’ games against ODU and Kennesaw State due to the injury and also sat out spring practice during the offseason.

Liberty’s quarterback battle is between Vasko and two others in the room — third-year Wake Forest transfer Deshawn Purdie and sixth-year West Virginia transfer Jaylen Henderson.

Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell said he hopes to announce his decision on Thursday or Friday.

While he wasn’t with the Dukes for last year’s battle, Napier “It’s going to be a really intense and hardsaid JMU’s team has always been “tough to defend.” fought game from whistle to whistle,” Greenberg “They always have an identity in all three phases, and said. “The first snap to the last.”

I do think that for us, the emphasis has to be on execution throughout the week,” Napier said. “We can execute really CONTACT Libby Mercer well during the week, [and then] during the game.”

Defensive coordinator Robert Bala spent the 2022 season at breezesports@gmail. as a defensive analyst for the Flames. With some familiarity, com. For more football Bala knows Liberty’s offense will focus on running the ball, coverage, follow the he said.

“We got to do everything we can to stop the run, and that’s sports desk on X at not different in any game, right?” Bala said. “It doesn’t matter @TheBreezeSports. how much somebody throws the ball; we need to stop the run, and so that’ll be of the utmost importance here.”

Another connection for the Dukes coaching staff is a Sun Belt reunion between Napier and Chadwell. The pair faced off from 2018-2021 when Napier was at Louisiana and Chadwell at Coastal Carolina.

With this being a season opener for both teams, Napier said there will be a lot of “twists and turns to come.” “[There’s] healthy respect for their identity in all three phases, and you pair that with the unknown, and you pair that with the personnel they have, given the resources that they have,” Napier said. “Jamey is a good football coach.”

During his time at Florida, Napier called all the plays. This year, offensive coordinator Cam Aiken will take over that role.

Aiken said Napier is a “great communicator” who he can collaborate with on calling plays.

“I think obviously with Coach Napier’s background, being a guy that’s called plays at the highest level for multiple years and playing quarterback,” Aiken said. “It’s been a great resource.”

Both coordinators will be in the booth as opposed to on the field on Saturday.

“I like being in the booth,” Aiken said. “I think you can just kind of see everything a little smoother. Kind of have all your thoughts spread out situationally and those types of things.”

The Dukes and Flames will take the field at noon Breeze file photo on Saturday.

JMU beat Liberty 31-13 last season after renewing the Battle of the Blue Ridge. This is the second consecutive year the teams have played each other. Photos by Caden Burch / The Breeze

SPORTS

15

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

What Liberty’s saying ahead of Week 1

By LIBBY MERCER The Breeze

Liberty football held a Tuesday press conference ahead of its opening match-up against JMU this Saturday.

Third-year head coach Jamey Chadwell, fifth-year linebacker Derrell Farrar and fourth-year wide receiver Jamari Person represented the Flames.

Here’s what they had to say about the Dukes ahead of their Saturday matchup:

Jamey Chadwell, head coach

Napier and Chadwell last played against each other from 201821. Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

With this game being a rivalry, Chadwell said there are many reasons why this game is important to different people, specifically returners.

“I think ones that are returning obviously have a bad taste in their mouth from last year,” Chadwell said. “I think we want to get that taste out as quickly as possible.”

Last season, the Dukes pummeled the Flames 31-13 and hold a 13-6 record over Liberty overall.

Chadwell said JMU is a quality opponent who will help either team’s season nationally, no matter what the inconference record looks like.

“I think it just puts a little bit more urgency on that first game than there already is,” he said.

Before joining the flames in 2022, Chadwell, then Coastal Carolina’s head coach, faced off with Napier when he was at Louisiana.

Chadwell said he expects the Dukes to have “some type of tricks or some of that nature” under Napier — something he was known for and good at when the pair last met.

“They were always detailed and disciplined,” Chadwell said. “We can expect that they’re going to play a fourquarter game.”

Another reunion on Saturday will be between Chadwell and new JMU defensive coordinator Robert Bala. Chadwell said Bala is “very knowledgeable,” noting his experience at Alabama in 2023 following his time at Liberty.

“He’s very intelligent as far as know[ing] the answers and knows what they want to do,” Chadwell said. “They’ll have a tough-minded defense.”

With no starting quarterback for JMU announced, Chadwell is focusing on offensive coordinator Cam Aiken and his experience at Ole Miss, he said.

“Whoever’s playing at quarterback [for JMU], I think the number one thing is they’re going to try to play with a lot of tempo.”

Chadwell said he and his team have studied all of JMU’s options in the quarterback room, and is weighing what each’s style of play might be.

“One of them might be more of a runner … one of them might be more of the passer and different stuff,” Chadwell said. “We got to make sure we know who’s in and what they like to do, or at least try to like to do while they’re in there.”

Traveling to Harrisonburg, Chadwell expects Bridgeforth Stadium to be loud.

“I know it’s a good environment and our guys are used to playing at home in good environments as well,” he said.

“Hopefully we’ll be okay.”

Derrell Farrar, linebacker

Before joining the Flames last season, Farrar started his career at Sun Belt school App State for the 2022-24 seasons.

When preparing for JMU’s offense without a named starter, Farrar said the defense’s focus is on learning Aiken and his tendencies.

“Just being prepared for both [quarterbacks],” Farrar said.

“You just got to be extra prepared because the truth is, you don’t know … more so learning the OC than anything.”

Heading back to JMU, Farrar said the game is going to be “fun.”

“It’ll definitely be cool to kick it off over there,” he said.

Jamari Person, wide receiver

During last season’s matchup, Person accounted for two receptions and 29 yards.

With JMU earning a playoff berth during its 2025 season, Person said the game is an opportunity to “prove” themselves.

Regardless of the weather or environment for the weekend, Person said he tries not to worry about the “extras” and focus on the game instead.

“Being steadfast in what we have to do, regardless if it’s hot, cold, raining, regardless if it’s 1,000 people in the stands or 100,000,” Person said.

CONTACT Libby Mercer at breezesports@gmail.com. For

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

The Breeze’s weekly scoreboard Volleyball

Two 3-0 WIN against Loyola Maryland on Friday and Saturday.

Up next: No. 19 UNC on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Field hockey

2-1 LOSS against Temple on Friday and 1-0 LOSS to Drexel on Sunday, both at the Confrence Cup in College Park, Maryland.

Up next: Liberty on Sunday at 12 p.m.

Women’s soccer

2-0 LOSS at Princeton on Sunday.

Up next: Georgetown on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Men’s soccer

2-1 LOSS at Radford on Saturday.

Up next: Princeton on Friday at 7 p.m.

Rowan Potts / The Breeze

16

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Vol. 105, No. 3

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Vol. 105, No. 3

Women’s basketball unveils 2026 nonconference schedule

By SPORTS DESK The Breeze

JMU women’s basketball announced its 2026-27 non-conference schedule on Wednesday morning.

The schedule features four Power Four opponents, with two ACC in-state matchups against Virginia Tech on Nov. 8 and UVA on Nov. 19, both away. The trip to Blacksburg will be the team’s first since 2008.

The Dukes also renew in-state rivalries with George Mason on Nov. 21 and Liberty on Dec. 8.

JMU will face SEC opponent Arkansas on Nov. 25 and the Big Ten’s Penn State on Dec. 2.

The Dukes kick off their season on the road with the annual MAC-SBC challenge against Miami (Ohio).

JMU’s non-conference slate also features home matchups with Navy on Veterans Day and ECU on Nov. 15.

The Dukes are coming off a 26-9 season, which ended with a first-round exit in the NCAA tournament to No. 5-seeded Kentucky.

CONTACT sports desk at breezesports@

gmail.com. For more women’s basketball coverage, follow the sports desk on X and Instagram @TheBreezeSports.

Courtesy of Miami Athletics

Courtesy of George Mason Athletics

NOV.

2

NOV.

21

JMU opens its season at Miami Ohio for its first MAC-SBC Challenge matchup of the year.

The Dukes and Patriots renew their in-state rivarly in Fairfax. JMU has a 56-21 record against George Mason.

Courtesy of Navy Athletics Courtesy of Arkansas Athletics

NOV.

11

NOV.

25

JMU and Arkansas will meet in the San Diego Classic for the first time. Arkansas is JMU’s lone SEC opponent in 2026.

The Veterans Day matchup marks the first meeting of the Dukes and the Midshipmen since 1985.

Courtesy of Virginia Athletics

Courtesy of Liberty Athletics

NOV.

19

JMU will head down to Charlottesville to face the Cavaliers after winning in Harrisonburg in 2021.

DEC.

2

The Blue Ridge rivalry makes its way to Lynchburg where the Dukes are 5-3 all time.

17

OPINION Bring ugly people back to Hollywood

18

EDITOR Katie Mae Yetter

EMAIL breezeopinion@gmail.com

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

Submit your own at breezejmu.org.

A “move-your-carback” dart to commuter students.

LUTHER COVERT | Breeze Columnist

From someone who thought they were getting a spot today.

Actor Steve Buscemi, who isn’t exactly known for his stunning looks, plays Carl Showalter, one of the dim-witted hitmen hired by debt-ridden car salesman Jerry Lundegaard in a scheme to kidnap his wife to collect her ransom in the 1996 dark-comedy “Fargo.” Buscemi’s appearance, characterized by buggy eyes, crooked teeth, pale skin and a short, wiry frame, perfectly defines his character — other characters even refer to him as “kinda funny looking.” He’s vulgar, spaztic, short-tempered and isn’t smooth enough to do his job right.

In the 20th century, movies seemed to cast a broader range of appearances: short people, big noses, weathered faces, thinning hair or generally just normal-looking people.

Directors and casting crews knew that characters tend to be imperfect on the inside, so they needed to be imperfect on the outside as well.

When you have a character with distinct features, it enhances their personality and allows the viewer to infer what the character is like. Therefore, less intricate writing is required to give a character more depth, with their appearance already telling half the story.

More importantly, it made movies feel real; imperfect features like this are part of being human. More often than not, the average viewer can find themselves connecting with the characters on screen, because they can see their features and say, “that could be me.”

In “Ghostbusters,” Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis star as three eccentric, nerdy guys who catch ghosts.

A “good-luck” pat to the football team.

From the JMU community.

A “stop-talking” dart to my COB 300 group.

From someone who wants to get a word in.

A “you’re-the-best” pat to my friends.

From someone who’s friends bring the best snacks.

Editorial Policies

The Breeze 1598 S. Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801

With their balding heads, big foreheads, glasses and big noses, they look exactly how you’d expect guys who built a career on investigating the paranormal to look. Their features add to the comedy of the film; goofy guys (who also happen to be a little goofy-looking) are the unlikely heroes who save the world from the supernatural.

Fast forward to this decade, and lead casting doesn’t often resemble anything close to this.

Nowadays, casting has become stagnant, with chiseled jawlines, shredded bodies, wrinkle-free faces and a constant need for almost every cast member to be “perfect” looking. Now, the average viewer can’t often say, “that could be me,” when every male lead has a chin sharp enough to cut glass.

“Caught Stealing” is a 2025 black comedy starring Austin Butler as Henry Thompson, a bartender who falls into New York City’s crime underworld while watching his neighbor’s cat. The movie is intended to have a goofy feel, and Austin Butler’s character is just a regular guy who found himself in a wild scenario. However, it’s difficult to perceive him as a “regular guy” when he still manages to give the camera a smolder while getting beaten up by Russian gangsters.

For one, the reason every actor and actress is attractive in movies now is because it sells. It’s part of the method of making a movie that’s essentially a money vacuum. There’s a modern-day problem with celebrity worship.

People tend to praise and obsess over celebrities simply because they’re good-looking. Therefore, when you stock your cast full of big-shot celebrities that happen to be model material, it becomes a pulling factor for ticket buyers.

Take Marvel Studios, for example. It’s found the formula for unlimited money: Release a new movie every other week with every character they have, pump all the budget into VFX, throw in a few sarcastic oneliners and some cliffhangers and cast every character to be aesthetically perfect, and toss them into skintight superhero getups. Their massive fanbase will throw on its unwashed Spider-Man t-shirts and waddle into theaters every time.

It’s part of a larger problem with the film industry in today’s world. The focus on creating films has unfortunately shifted

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

Kirah Villanueva / The Breeze

from making art to making money. This is evident in the way movies are produced, with constant remakes, sequels, starstudded casts, famous musicians and non-actors in movies and blatantly obvious product placement. It all seems like a plot by big studio executives to put money in their pockets.

Another reason for this surge of overly attractive casts is modern beauty standards. With the advancement of nutrition science and reconstructive surgery, there’s this modernday obsession with people perfecting their look to become the most attractive version of themselves, to the point where they’ve lost themselves.

It’s super prevalent in Hollywood, with seemingly every star getting plastic surgery and hiring personal trainers, completely getting rid of individualism in appearance.

It all seems like a competition among A-listers to make people doubt their real age, which in turn makes the majority of bigname films feel repetitive — everyone looks the same.

It’s not just actors and actresses striving for perfection; it’s the cameras as well.

With movies switching from film to digital, picture quality has almost become too good. When you can see every molecule on a character’s face because of

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.

modern movie technology, it makes sense why actors are so insecure about their appearance.

It gives films this almost fake feel; since lenses are now perfect, everything else follows suit — the set pieces and especially the cast.

It comes from a fear of taking risks in a now competitive field; films can’t risk money, and stars can’t ruin their physical reputation. Yet, it’s a field that shouldn’t be competitive, because it’s art. That’s where creative freedom and expression should triumph.

Films need to return to the idea of imperfection. It’s OK to have imperfections in storytelling mediums, whether that’s the actors, the set or the camera quality. It communicates a much richer, unique story and in a modern-day film environment, it goes against the grain of these sterile, aesthetically cookiecutter movies.

If you want better art, things should be “kinda funny looking.”

CONTACT Luther Covert covertlj@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.

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.

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

OPINION

I’m glad my mediocre boyfriend dumped me

KATHERINE GAGLIANO | contributing columnist “I just can’t give you what you need in this relationship.”

“I enjoy being single.”

You heard that correctly: The author of “Dump Your Mediocre Boyfriend” was dumped by her mediocre boyfriend. An almost twoyear relationship ended over the phone. But when I hung up, I felt a sense of relief. The pit in my stomach was gone, and the constant doubt floating around my head had dissolved. It was almost too easy. Too relieving.

For months, I had convinced myself that this doubt was normal. That every relationship had its hiccups. That crying myself to sleep over wanting more somehow meant that I was asking for too much.

I realized my relationship was over when the more time we spent together, the more disappointed I felt than excited. Soon, the disappointment turned into the new normal. The sense of acceptance that maybe I have to feel OK with not being loved or seen by someone I was so transparent with. Who I had countless conversations with about my expectations and needs in the relationship — needs that were never met.

The worst part was, I knew I was settling into something I preached against.

After the breakup, the doubt and sadness turned into anger. Anger at myself for holding onto a relationship I had poured so much into. All the love and time I spent on someone who was a great person, but not my perfect fit. And then came the embarrassment.

I was embarrassed by the hardships I kept from my friends, by how often I felt insecure, and by how badly I needed to validate my own doubts and feelings.

Sometimes, I’d lie in bed, feeling seen but not heard.

In “The Broski Report,” a podcast hosted by Brittany Broski, she said, “There’s

not a worse feeling than lying next to someone and feeling alone.”

I think that perfectly illustates my own struggles.

I wasn’t physically alone, but it felt like I was. I had someone to call my boyfriend, someone to text, someone to be myself around; but toward the end, it felt like something was missing.

I had become so focused on my own relationship that I stopped asking myself about the standards I set so long ago and if they were actually being met.

The idea of spending your life with someone who doesn’t meet your needs after constant repetition is a gutting feeling. It’s even worse when you realize you’re writing an article about settling for less while you’re living through it.

It’s tough throwing two entire years away with a person you were so close with.

But I’ve never felt so happy.

In the weeks since the breakup, I grew closer and closer to people whom I once pushed away. When I felt lonely, I called a friend. When I felt bored, I surrounded myself with people who saw me. The feeling of constantly being misunderstood and rarely feeling like I was put first diminished. It was then that I knew that I was going to be OK, and I wondered why I was trying to make

something work when neither of us was happy.

Being single doesn’t mean you’re alone. And being single isn’t something to be ashamed about. It’s a blessing in disguise, especially after a breakup.

It allows you to cherish the good times and reflect on the bad ones. I now understand what I want and need in a relationship, and how detachment and cutting things off may be for the best, even if it hurts in the beginning.

I continue to surround myself with those close to me, along with meeting new people, knowing I’m putting myself in situations where I’m more aware of my standards and how my experience can help others.

I realize that if you encircle yourself with amazing friends and people who give what you offer in return, you become a stronger version of yourself than what most relationships can bring to the table.

Read more online at breezejmu.org CONTACT Katherine Gagliano at gagliaks@dukes.jmu.edu.

For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.

EX

Kirah Villanueva / The Breeze

19

20

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Vol. 105, No. 3

Vol. 105, No. 3

21

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

JMU Convocation Center Aug. 28, 2026 “Purple Rain”

by Prince “POP DAT THANG”

by DaBaby “Buried the Sun”

by Wormrot “Here I Am”

by Dolly Parton “Ojitos Lindos”

by Bad Bunny “Kosmocide”

by Deus Mortem “Center Mass”

by Twenty One Pilots “Unlimited Love” by underscores

Dukes spike their way to sweep

Rowan Potts / The Breeze

“No Time to Explain”

by Good Kid

JMU women’s volleyball team played its first game of the season against Loyola Maryland at 6 p.m. in the JMU Convocation Center. The Dukes played two games against the Greyhounds, winning all six sets. JMU finished the second match with a .317 attack percentage, beating Loyola Maryland’s percentage of .052.

“Everything is romantic”

by Charli XCX “Love and Happiness”

by Al Green

w

The Breeze

Subscribe to our newsletter:

1598 S. Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22801 PHONE: (540) 568-6127 FAX: (540) 568-7889

Apply to join our team:

Editorial Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hannah Kennedy

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Preston Comer

OPINION EDITOR Katie Mae Yetter

breezeeditor@gmail.com

breezepress@gmail.com

ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Emma Notarnicola

NEWS EDITORS Charlie Bodenstein & Emma Brown

CULTURE EDITORS Bella Arist & Audrey Fletcher

ART DIRECTOR Kirah Villanueva

breezenews@gmail.com

thebreezeculture@gmail.com

SPORTS EDITORS Madi Perini & Libby Mercer

COPY EDITORS Kayla Katounas & Luke Faircloth

PHOTO EDITOR Caden Burch & Landon Shackelford

AUDIENCE EDITORS Isabel Lewis & Brandon Portillo Aponte

TV NEWS DIRECTOR Lauren Keller

breezecopy@gmail.com

breezephotography@gmail.com

Advertising Staff

thebreezeweb@gmail.com

breezesports@gmail.com

thebreezeartdirector@gmail.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Heidi Ellison

jmubreezetv@gmail.com

AD DESIGNERS

Corrections (8/27/26): The previous version of the story “City Council passes rezoning for 4-story apartment building in 3-2 vote” incorrectly stated the Harrisonburg commission that voted on the Lindsey before City Council. The article has since updated to accurately represent this timeline.

thebreezesocials@gmail.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Stephen Lunde

breezeopinion@gmail.com

Lee Hummel | Kenny Warlick

Vol. 105, No. 3

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

22

FOR RELEASE AUGUST 31, 2026

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol

October 30th, 2026

8/31/26

By Justin Werfel

DOWN 1 “I do” location 2 Card with two pips 3 “Knives Out” protagonist 4 “Grody!”

5 Hitchcock film with nonhuman villains 6 Capital of Cuba 7 Columbus sch.

8 Untamed 9 Penalties for missing due dates 10 __ favor: “please,” in Spanish 11 Indulged too much 12 May, in June 17 Bear who steals “pic-a-nic” baskets 18 __ Eats: DoorDash rival 23 Upper house of Congress 25 Cell service initials 26 High-end camera, for short 28 Language ending 30 Large cask 31 Running tally of drinks at a pub

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

stumpe

find the answers online

d?

ACROSS 1 Confess (to) 6 __ at the moon 10 23-Down fig.

13 Extract, as minerals from soil 14 Gobi Desert continent 15 Egg cells 16 Avian scavengers with red heads 19 Tread the boards 20 Feathery neckwear 21 Smitten Kitchen blogger Perelman 22 Some QB protectors 24 Neatens up text boxes, say 27 Hangry plea 29 Demo release 31 Secretly included on an email 34 Pop singer Carly __ Jepsen 35 “The Incredibles” supersuit designer Mode 36 Portuguese phone greeting 37 Health retreat 40 Recipe amt.

42 Addams cousin 43 Gambling town near Tahoe 45 One of eight on an octopus 47 Supple 49 Paperwork for leisure travelers 53 Nonprofit journalism agcy.

54 Most civil 58 Rotten 59 20-vol. lexicon 61 Karate rank 62 Dallas City Hall architect I.M. __ 63 Part of speech that requires a direct object 67 Enter a race 68 Benefit 69 Baking tool with holes 70 Actress Adams of “The Muppets” 71 Fairy tale opening 72 Screen found in many a living room, or what 16-, 29-, 49-, and 63-Across can be called

www.breezejmu.org/ site/crossword_ answers/

©2026 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

32 Pharaoh played

by Elizabeth Taylor 33 Puzzle 38 Collects $200 in Monopoly 39 Class with easels 41 Least fancy 44 Valuable excavation find 46 Team VIP 48 Real or ideal suffix

8/31/26

50 Cry of victory 51 Antiseptic fluid 52 Czech or Pole 55 Olympic swords 56 Start a tennis rally 57 Neighbor of Nepal 60 Gorilla researcher Fossey 64 Indefinite amount 65 Nervous twitch 66 “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” aunt, familiarly

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

Vol. 105, No. 3

MADISON MARKETPLACE

Madison Marketplace is open for business, and all textonly listings are FREE! Post job listings, announcements, rentals and more using our online placement tool.

Ads run two weeks online and in two print editions.

ITEMS FOR SALE Self Serve ROADSIDE Stand/1mile south of Dayton Walmart Farm fresh eggs Prices per dozen -Med$3.50 -Large$4.00 -XL$4.50 -Jumbo$5.00 Hours Monday-Saturday 7:30am-8:00pm Spring Chicken Eggs LLC 3039 John Wayland Hwy Dayton Va. 22821

THEY WON’T TELL YOU WHAT’S HAPPENING...

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fall Workshop

Fall Workshop

Fall Workshop

September 20,27 & October 4,11

September 20,27 & October 4,11

September 20,27 & October 4,11

Sunday Afternoons 3 – 5 pm Muhlenberg Lutheran Church 218 East Market Steet, Harrisonburg, VA

Sunday Afternoons 3 – 5 pm Muhlenberg Lutheran Church 218 East Market Steet, Harrisonburg, VA

Sunday Afternoons 3 – 5 pm Muhlenberg Lutheran Church 218 East Market Steet, Harrisonburg, VA

Biblical Storytelling

Biblical Storytelling

Biblical Storytelling

Interpretation, Coaching, Presentations

Interpretation, Coaching, Presentations

Interpretation, Coaching, Presentations

Led by Rev. Laura L. Schultz, M.A. Speech & Theatre, M. Div.

JOB

23

Funded by Network of Biblical Storytellers International Donations accepted Adults and older teens

BUT WE WILL.

Led by Rev. Laura L. Schultz, M.A. Speech & Theatre, M. Div.

Led by Rev. Laura L. Schultz, M.A. Speech & Theatre, M. Div.

Funded by Network of Biblical Storytellers International Donations accepted Adults and older teens

Funded by Network of Biblical Storytellers International Donations accepted Adults and older teens

SIGN UP NOW! For a twice-weekly newsletter from JMU’s news source, The Breeze.

http://www.breezejmu.org/newsletters/

Vol. 105, No. 3

Thursday, September 3, 2026 | breezejmu.org

24