Learn more about how these policy changes can positively impact your life in West Virginia. Explore our detailed resources to understand the real-life implications of these policies and how they can enhance your day-to-day living.

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The security guards then left Love to chat with their supervisor. The supervisor came back and asked Love where he was sitting.

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"I had [the flag] on a broomstick, security said, 'No, no, you can't bring this in here!' And I said, 'What do you mean, do you want to win in this new ballpark?'" Love said.

The head of security at the time granted Love's wish on a few conditions. The flag couldn't be waved during game action, and Love was not permitted to hit anyone with the stick.

"I said to my wife, we were in a museum in Salem, I said, 'Hey, I'm going to get one of these flags and see if I can take it into the ballgame,'" Love recounted.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Jolly Roger flags have become commonplace throughout PNC Park during baseball season. But who started it all? When were the flags first brought into the ballpark?

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The first official game at PNC Park was played on April 9, 2001, when the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Pirates, 8-2. The Buccos were well on their way to another losing season, but a new era and tradition were born.

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We must maintain free speech on college and university campuses. Allowing people to express their thoughts and ideas is essential for creating a culture of intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and open debate. This is true even if the ideas are controversial or unpopular. An atmosphere of open inquiry helps students, faculty, and staff engage in constructive dialogue and exchange diverse perspectives, which leads to a more robust academic community and a healthier society overall. It’s important to air and challenge different opinions, whether we’re discussing politics, religion, or any other topic. This is vital for promoting intellectual growth, expanding knowledge, and strengthening civic values.

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Philanthropy, churches, and community engagement are the backbone of civil society in West Virginia. These institutions are crucial in supporting the community, providing essential services, and creating a sense of belonging among residents. By strengthening civil society organizations, we can improve the social safety net and reinforce the state’s culture of independence and self-reliance.

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Love estimated that in 2013, the year the Pirates clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 1992, 500 flags were flying around the park.

Gary Love holds the distinction of being the first Pirates fan to bring a Jolly Roger flag into PNC Park, starting the tradition back in 2001 when the stadium first opened its doors.

"Very much my family's culture is Pirates baseball," he added. "My grandma, like I said, was the biggest fan, my dad and I could come into Three Rivers Stadium and find her by listening. She would hoot and holler so loud."

West Virginia’s foster care and child welfare system is facing significant challenges. To solve these issues, we need to identify gaps in the current system and develop actionable strategies for better care and support of vulnerable children. Some focus areas should be increasing support for foster families, identifying means for greater efficiency within foster and adoptive processes, and ensuring that children in the welfare system have access to quality education, health care, and support. This is the first step, but creating a better future for these children is critical.

The Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy works alongside Mountaineers to build a West Virginia Miracle founded on economic freedom, education freedom, worker freedom, and a culture of freedom enshrined in the state motto: Mountaineers are Always Free.

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"She's never gone to school on [the same day as] the home opener. Not going to happen; it's a family holiday," the elder Love said.

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“Montani Semper Liberi” — Mountaineers Are Always Free — is more than just West Virginia’s state motto; it’s a call to reinforce the pillars of freedom that underpin a thriving society. This broad spectrum of policies aims to reinvigorate the culture of freedom across the state, touching on critical areas from free speech and civil society to child welfare, civil asset forfeiture, and electoral reform.

In West Virginia, the government can take property without convicting or even charging its owner with a crime. This process, called “civil asset forfeiture,” must be eliminated to protect West Virginia’s citizens. By doing so, we want to show that the state is committed to protecting the rights of its residents and ensuring that law enforcement practices are transparent and fair.

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