Republicans block bill to outlaw bump stocks for rifles after Supreme Court lifts Trump-era ban
Senate Republicans have blocked bipartisan legislation that would have outlawed bump stocks after the Supreme Court struck down a ban on the rapid-fire gun accessory.
US appeals court blocks ban on rapid-fire 'bump stocks'
A federal appeals court has ruled against a Trump administration ban on bump stocks, the devices that enable a shooter to rapidly fire multiple rounds from a semi-automatic weapon after the initial trigger pull.
Cignetti contract extended through 2028 season
As part of the latest extension, Cignetti will also have one year automatically added to his contract by achieving eight wins against FBS opponents in any season during the length of the contract.
Roanoke Valley Schools, Teachers, and Students Earn Top Awards for Teen-Related Traffic Crash and Fatality Prevention Efforts
The Liberty and Jefferson Forest high school YOVASO clubs were among the 15 award winners recognized during the annual Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO) Awards Banquet held Saturday night, July 16, at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Va. A Liberty High School teacher was also recognized, as well as two students from Jefferson Forest High School. From Roanoke Co., Northside High School was recognized, as well as a Life Counselor at the school.
Mental health awareness month begins just a week after JMU softball playerโs death
James Madison University softball player, Lauren Bernett passed away last week. Her death is shedding a light on mental health concerns for student-athletes and people everywhere.
James Madison University cancels final softball games after catcherโs death
The final games of the James Madison University softball season have been canceled after the death of sophomore catcher Lauren Bernett last week.
Sheriff: JMU softball starโs death an apparent suicide
The death of a James Madison softball star has been classified as an apparent suicide, but Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson said Wednesday that an investigation into the death is continuing.
Sanity evaluation ordered for man charged with killing two Bridgewater College officers
A Virginia judge has ordered a mental health evaluation for the man charged in the fatal shooting of two campus officers.
โOur hearts are hurtingโ: Loved ones, community honor Bridgewater College officers during funeral
A week after Officers J.J. Jefferson and John Painter were killed in the line of duty, family, friends, students and law enforcement joined together to remember and mourn.
Hokiesโ Kenny Brooks selected for the James Madison Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022
James Madison announced Wednesday that Virginia Tech Womenโs Basketball head coach Kenny Brooks has been selected for the James Madison Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022.
Man charged with killing two Bridgewater College officers makes first court appearance
The man accused of shooting and killing two Bridgewater College campus officers appeared before a judge on Wednesday.
WATCH: 4 bodies found in Virginia are victims of โshopping cart killerโ
Police in Virginia say the discovery of four bodies at two different locations in the state are the work of a serial killer who used a shopping cart to transport his victims' bodies after meeting them on dating sites.
James Madison prepping to host Montana in FCS Quarterfinals on Friday
The 11-1 Dukes are no stranger to the FCS playoffs, and with an offense averaging 41 points a game, theyโve been hard to stop. The Grizzlies are also operating behind a high-powered offense, and I donโt think anyone will forget their first game upset over the Washington Huskies.
![William Byrd sweeps Northside in regular season finale, Rockbridge County advances to district title game](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ihN134PGmgpmcjwDIyuDtYOE6Q8=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/04-08-2021/t_2b86a4783655486e92d25c97c6c3da7f_name_image.jpg)
William Byrd sweeps Northside in regular season finale, Rockbridge County advances to district title game
William Byrd beat Northside in a doubleheader regular season finale tonight, 25-17, 23-25, 15-11 in the first game and 27-25, 25-21 in the second.
![Rockbridge County remains perfect, beating Harrisonburg](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/8KHdQlG81aUHOgQCXAP0K_sy0qo=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-27-2021/t_3a5120c6e1b54d4894843b69a8239750_name_image.jpg)
Rockbridge County remains perfect, beating Harrisonburg
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. โ Rockbridge County keeps winning, moving to 5-0 on the season after Friday nightโs 35-19 win against Harrisonburg. The Wildcats will next play Thursday night against Turner Ashby with the Valley District title on the line.
![William Fleming gets key win over Staunton River amid playoff push](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/gatz_cEFCmRerFaVCFfzNwLil-E=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-27-2021/t_cfccd7a8aa1847c39a034a4af94d75ae_name_image.jpg)
William Fleming gets key win over Staunton River amid playoff push
ROANOKE, Va. โ Coming into the night fifth in Region 5D standings with only four teams qualifying this season, William Fleming needed a win. With a decisive 42-0 victory and a loss by Harrisonburg, itโs likely the two teams will flip flop. Fleming certainly wonโt be able to coast into the postseason as the Colonels wrap the regular season campaign against Franklin County.
![JMU new arena tour](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/BDWU4wF7dGnKERUQwqnOwhleN2o=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/12-25-2020/t_433238ab5a65456996ba9e337d45463a_name_image.jpg)
JMU new arena tour
Every turn with a view of the 8,500 seat arena. โThereโs so many different ways you can describe it, it really took my breath away the first time i walked in with the court down, it took your breath away. Fans can enjoy a great view from the arena, donors can hang out in the Campanelli club before games, the walls honoring JMUโs rich basketball history. The lower level includes a new weight room, practice gym, sports medicine suite, nutrition station, menโs and womenโs locker rooms, studio, control room, media room and more. The court, bleeding with JMU purple, boasts a huge graphics package, removeable surface for concerts or events, and room for 44 courtside seats.
![JMU menโs basketball unveils new arena and local head coach Wednesday](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/gsmzQyZr-qP2F-b_G1mZqlcZnvw=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/11-12-2020/t_45d3e84522c94703a9dff519d3b8d958_name_image.jpg)
JMU menโs basketball unveils new arena and local head coach Wednesday
HARRISONBURG, Va. โ JMU menโs basketball team announced on Wednesday that theyโre getting a new look this year. Between a new arena and a new head coach, 2020 looks like a year of change for the Dukes. Mark Byington, JMUโs new menโs basketball coach who graduated from Salem High School, is a local to the area. Lookout and see leaves changing, havenโt seen that in a while.โOn Wednesday, the university also unveiled its new state-of-the-art basketball arena. The Atlantic Union Bank Center will host both menโs and womenโs basketball, their offices, practice facilities, weight room and a capacity of 8,500 fans.
![WATCH: Rep. Ben Cline gives speech after projected 6th congressional district win](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/UmjReENpMs-9L23VnPqIq_j1JuU=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/11-04-2020/t_d4e0405363f84ed48678a1a90809add5_name_Ben_Cline.png)
WATCH: Rep. Ben Cline gives speech after projected 6th congressional district win
HARRISONBURG, Va. โ Rep. Ben Cline is projected to continue serving Virginiaโs 6th Congressional District in Washington. Ben Cline projected to win reelection in Virginiaโs 6th Congressional District Rep. Ben Cline speaks to a crowd at Capital Ale House in Harrisonburg about his projected win. Posted by WSLS 10 / WSLS.com on Tuesday, November 3, 2020Cline was at Capital Ale House in Harrisonburg to speak to a crowd about his projected win. [Ben Cline projected to win reelection in Virginiaโs 6th Congressional District, according to NBC News]He was first elected to Congress back in 2018.
![Several injured in blast, fire at Virginia shopping center](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/wn5EIwhEBb68yGc5TBR5bN1YZac=/1200x600/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Q24EWWCOP5FVPOAZ534I2M2ZJM.jpg)
Several injured in blast, fire at Virginia shopping center
HARRISONBURG, Va. โ Officials said an investigation was underway into the cause of an explosion and large fire at a shopping center in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Saturday morning that injured several people. Three people were hospitalized as a result of the incident that was reported around 8:30 a.m., the Daily News-Record reported, and several others were injured but treated on-site. Ralph Northam tweeted that state emergency personnel had been deployed to the area after what he called a gas explosion. โ Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) October 17, 2020Tobia said when crews arrived, the injured were outside of the building. The building where the blast occurred was about 30 yards (27 meters) from the raceโs start and finish line, the school said.
![JMU plans to return to in-person classes in early October](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/nt2AiUZLn0unLbfFpdDYjFRCasc=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NM5HYPKL7VE77AEK667KUI2F4E.jpg)
JMU plans to return to in-person classes in early October
HARRISONBURG, Va. โ After nearly two weeks of temporary online classes, JMU is planning to bring students back to campus soon. JMU announced on Friday that school officials are currently finalizing plans to resume in-person classes on Oct. 5. Students began moving into on-campus housing on Aug. 21 and hybrid classes started on Aug. 26. JMU also said it is limiting the number of students in a class to 50 people for in-person classrooms. However, testing will be initially focused on on-campus students and they will not be testing students prior to returning to the classroom.
James Madison University suspends fall sports competition
HARRISONBURG, Va. โ With more of an emphasis on the health and safety and student-athletes, personnel and campus environment, James Madison Athletics has announced the suspension of competition for all Fall sport programs. The suspension was made in coordination with other Colonial Athletic Association institutions that were previously still pursuing fall competition: College of Charleston, Elon and UNCW. JMU initially elected to proceed with carrying out a plan to return-to-play in alignment with the NCAA championship calendar. As the national picture came into focus over the last week, it became clear that Fall competition would not be possible. If we can do that, weโll be back to sport competition in the near future.
![JMU cancels fall football season, hoping to play in the spring](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ppYaxk-rT8avoCgR9W9--V_eOgA=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FRBRQDDDZNBTZPVXV5K27FQYN4.jpg)
JMU cancels fall football season, hoping to play in the spring
HARRISONBURG, Va. There will be no football in 2020 at James Madison University. On Friday, the university announced that it has suspended its fall football season, with hopes of a spring season. James Madison has suspended its fall football season & turns focus to hopeful FCS spring campaign.#GoDukeshttps://t.co/uaJlNS9Wv5 pic.twitter.com/dp47vWRhtD JMU Football (@JMUFootball) August 7, 2020In July, when the CAA, the conference in which JMU plays, announced its fall football season was canceled, JMU said it was still planning to play fall football. The CAA is planning to have a spring football season. As of Friday afternoon, greater than 50 percent of FCS institutions have postponed their fall football season.
![JMU not giving up on fall football, despite CAA canceling conference play](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/6MZSzgo52qpq3xPS4bdJt4FrToY=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QCZX7VEYB5HBPG2GDJL2LDVXTQ.jpg)
JMU not giving up on fall football, despite CAA canceling conference play
HARRISONBURG, Va. While the Colonial Athletic Association will not have football this fall, James Madison University isnt giving up on a fall season quite yet. On Friday, the CAA announced its decision to suspend conference play this fall for football. That includes football as well as other Fall sports, said athletic director Jeff Bourne said. We believe that we have a responsibility to explore all of the possible options at this point in time. Accordingly, while the majority of CAA institutions have decided not to continue with Fall football, we are currently looking at how to rebuild a schedule for the Fall season while following health and safety protocols and guidance.
![JMU is renaming halls that bear names of Confederate leaders](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/nt2AiUZLn0unLbfFpdDYjFRCasc=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NM5HYPKL7VE77AEK667KUI2F4E.jpg)
JMU is renaming halls that bear names of Confederate leaders
HARRISONBURG, Va. Virginia's James Madison University is renaming three buildings that bear the names of Confederate leaders. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that university's board of visitors voted to change the names of three halls following requests by students, alumni and campus organizations. The school in Harrisonburg has removed signs for the buildings on the quad and assigned temporary names. And Maury Hall is named for Matthew Fontaine Maury, a scientist and Confederate naval officer. James Madison was the slave-owning fourth U.S. president and chief architect of the U.S. Constitution.
![Amber Alert canceled as abducted Virginia 3-year-old found safely, police say](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/mceJMrBI5fwme7RqfAG2RuYcUoU=/1000x563/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/R6CJ4LV7HFB5RP2WKEJHJ223KQ.jpg)
Amber Alert canceled as abducted Virginia 3-year-old found safely, police say
HARRISONBURG, Va. โ Virginia State Police have canceled the Amber Alert issued for a 3-year-old girl on Monday. An Amber Alert has been issued for a 3-year-old girl that authorities believe was abducted out of Harrisonburg, according to Virginia State Police. Authorities say they believe the toddler, Brianna Reyes-Cordoza, is in extreme danger. She is described as being 3 feet tall, weighing 36 pounds and was last seen wearing a red short sleeve shirt with Minnie Mouse on the front, pink shorts and pink sandals. Authorities say he has black hair, brown eyes, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds and wearing a white t-shirt, black pants and a dark-colored beanie.
![JMU to continue with online learning for remainder of semester, postponing graduation](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/dw1brezFkfvzaYHr0dkbhP2D9S0=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/BW7MAQEH6BGSZJBVKIZBQ3HJFM.jpg)
JMU to continue with online learning for remainder of semester, postponing graduation
University leaders say degrees will be conferred on time in May and diplomas will be mailed this summer, in accordance with the standard university process. (1/4) โ JMU (@JMU) March 18, 2020ORIGINAL STORYAnother local university is adjusting operations during the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Starting on March 23, university officials say most classes will be held online until at least April 5. The university will stay open to provide student services, including those provided by the University Health Center and Counseling Center. University officials say there will be another update by at least March 27 regarding the plan of action after April 5.
![Houston leaving JMU for East Carolina](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/5n4PIQaj1JEGh6jp-ImaprhZKSU=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/FONOGBKCABGCDFVQY5FXWQWCEA.jpg)
Houston leaving JMU for East Carolina
HARRISONBURG, Va. โ After a wild week of speculation it's official. James Madison football coach Mike Houston is leaving Harrisonburg to take the head coaching job at East Carolina. "We are grateful to Mike Houston, his family and his staff for their commitment to JMU over the last three years," AD Jeff Bourne said in a release. Houston was 37-6 in three seasons, including the 2016 FCS national title and a national runner-up in 2017. Houston replaces the fired Scottie Montgomery, who was 9-26 in three seasons.