Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Thursday, April 23, 2026.

A major healthcare investment is improving access for communities in southern West Virginia.

WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital has announced a $25.5 million medical office building project that will expand services and bring care closer to patients. The new four-story, 50,000-square-foot facility will centralize physician practices and outpatient services, making healthcare more convenient and efficient.

Leaders say the project will strengthen regional healthcare infrastructure while supporting long-term growth and provider recruitment.

Read more:
https://wvpress.org/breaking-news/wvu-medicine-pch-announces-25-5-million-medical-office-project/

Looking for a relaxing getaway with a view? Tygart Lake Lodge is drawing attention as a top destination in North Central West Virginia.

Overlooking Tygart Lake, the lodge offers scenic dining, locally inspired meals, and easy access to outdoor recreation like hiking, boating, and fishing. Visitors say the peaceful setting and natural beauty make it an ideal spot to unwind.

It's another example of how West Virginia's state parks continue to deliver memorable travel experiences.

Read more:
https://www.wboy.com/news/local/restaurant-road-trip/restaurant-road-trip-tygart-lake-lodge/

WorkForce West Virginia is helping connect job seekers with new opportunities.

A statewide virtual job fair is set for May 6, giving participants the chance to explore job openings, connect with recruiters, and learn about career paths across multiple industries — all from the comfort of home.

Officials say the virtual format expands access and makes it easier to match workers with employers throughout the state.

Read more:
https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/workforce-west-virginia-sets-may-6-date-for-statewide-virtual-job-fair/article_2d1cbb7e-9e9f-48c1-b716-68df1d2588a7.html

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

#1 – WV News: Spring turkey season highlights outdoor economy

West Virginia's spring turkey season is underway, bringing hunters into the woods and boosting local economies across the state.

The 2026 Spring Gobbler Season runs from April 20 through May 24, with a special youth season giving younger hunters the chance to participate. Officials say hunting remains a major economic driver, supporting more than 7,400 jobs and generating over $850 million in annual spending.

From lodging to local businesses, the season continues to highlight the powerful connection between outdoor recreation and economic growth in the Mountain State.

Read more:
https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/west-virginia-announces-2026-spring-turkey-season-highlights-economic-impact-of-hunting/article_40bbffee-d771-40ff-b859-9caeeff595d3.html

#2 – WV SBDC: WV entrepreneurs earn national recognition

West Virginia entrepreneurs are earning recognition on a national stage.

Seven business owners have been named 2026 National Small Business Week state award winners, representing industries ranging from manufacturing to family-owned enterprises. Leaders say these entrepreneurs are driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening communities across the state.

National Small Business Week, set for May 3 through 9, celebrates the vital role small businesses play in economic growth and opportunity.

Read more:
https://wvsbdc.com/west-virginia-small-business-development-center-clients-named-2026-national-small-business-week-state-award-winners/

#3 – WV MetroNews: FestivALL returns with 10 days of art and events

Charleston's signature arts festival is back and bigger than ever.

FestivALL returns in 2026 with a full 10-day schedule of events, featuring visual arts, music, dance, theater, and family-friendly activities across the city. The festival transforms Charleston into a vibrant cultural destination, showcasing the creativity and talent found throughout West Virginia.

Organizers say the expanded event highlights the strength of the state's arts community while supporting tourism and local economic activity.

Read more:
https://wvmetronews.com/2026/04/14/festivall-unveils-events-for-10-day-citywide-art-festival/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

West Virginia State Parks are serving up a unique dining experience that blends local flavor with scenic beauty.

The popular Cellar-to-Table Dinner Series features 11 dinners at state park restaurants across the state, with menus built around locally sourced ingredients and Appalachian culinary traditions. These limited-seat events give guests the chance to enjoy thoughtfully crafted meals in unforgettable outdoor settings.

Learn more:
https://wvstateparks.com/cellar-to-table-dinners/

A new childcare center is making a meaningful impact for families in southern West Virginia.

Lively Little Ones in Fayetteville is helping meet the growing demand for early childhood care, offering services for children from infancy through school age. With support from the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, the business expanded from a home-based operation into a full learning center.

The growth is helping support working families while strengthening the local community.

Read more:
https://wvsbdc.com/lively-little-ones-fulfilling-childcare-need-in-fayette-county-with-wv-sbdc-assistance/

West Virginia is investing in the future of outdoor entrepreneurship.

The FASTER WV Outdoor Business Accelerator, launched by Advantage Valley, is helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into successful outdoor recreation businesses. The program provides mentorship, training, and access to funding opportunities, supporting an industry that continues to grow across the Mountain State.

Leaders say initiatives like this help strengthen local economies while promoting sustainable business development.

Read more:
https://wvbusinesslink.com/2026/04/15/sustainable-entrepreneurship-in-west-virginia/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Robert Graetz, Jr. saw wrong and worked to correct it when he became friends with Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama after she refused to give up her seat on a city bus. The only white reverend in the city to support and aid the bus boycott, the former Charlestonian also became friends with Dr. Martin Luther King, as he joined in the fight for equality, armed with the spirit of faith and humanity.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Thursday, April 16, 2026.

#1 – From WV ENERGY - Energy rebate programs help WV residents save money

West Virginia residents now have access to Home Energy Rebate Programs designed to lower utility costs and improve home efficiency.

The programs include rebates for upgrades like insulation, heat pumps, and energy-efficient appliances. Households can receive assistance based on income and projected energy savings, with some qualifying for significant cost coverage.

Officials say the initiative takes a whole-home approach — helping families improve comfort, reduce energy use, and lower monthly bills.

Learn more:
https://energywv.org/funding-opportunities/home-energy-rebate-programs/

#2 – From WVDRS - Division of Rehabilitation Services supports workforce success

The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services provides resources to help individuals prepare for, find, and maintain employment.

Programs include job training, career counseling, and support services designed to connect West Virginians with meaningful work opportunities. The agency plays a key role in strengthening the workforce by helping individuals overcome barriers and build long-term career paths.

Read more:
https://wvdrs.org/

#3 – From WV BUSINESSLINK - Outdoor business accelerator supports regional growth

Advantage Valley has launched the FASTER WV Outdoor Business Accelerator, aimed at helping entrepreneurs grow businesses tied to West Virginia's outdoor economy.

The program provides mentorship, training, and access to resources for companies focused on recreation, tourism, and outdoor products. Leaders say the initiative builds on the state's natural assets while supporting small business growth and regional economic development.

Read more:
https://wvbusinesslink.com/2026/04/06/advantage-valley-launches-faster-wv-outdoor-business-accelerator-to-grow-regions-outdoor-economy/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

#1 – Careers in WV State Parks offer outdoor opportunities

Looking for a job that gets you outside? West Virginia State Parks are offering a wide range of career opportunities across the state.

From seasonal roles to full-time positions, openings include lifeguards, campground attendants, office assistants, and hospitality staff. These positions give employees the chance to work in scenic environments while gaining valuable experience in tourism and natural resource management.

Officials say these opportunities provide flexibility, skill-building, and potential pathways to long-term careers in West Virginia's growing outdoor tourism industry.

Learn more:
https://wvstateparks.com/careers/

#2 – GATC Health uses AI to advance medicine in WV

Innovation in biotechnology is gaining momentum in West Virginia.

GATC Health is using artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery and development. The company's platform simulates human biology to predict how treatments will perform, helping reduce the time and cost required to bring new therapies to market.

Based in Morgantown, GATC Health is helping position West Virginia as a hub for cutting-edge research and life sciences innovation.

Read more:
https://westvirginia.gov/gatc-health-advancing-medicine-with-ai-in-yeswv/

#3 – Constellium advances manufacturing innovation in WV

West Virginia continues to lead in advanced manufacturing innovation.

Constellium is developing lightweight aluminum solutions used in aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. Through continued investment in research and technology, the company is helping improve performance, reduce emissions, and support next-generation manufacturing.

Leaders say Constellium's work strengthens West Virginia's position as a competitive force in advanced industry and innovation.

Read more:
https://westvirginia.gov/exploring-the-power-of-constelliums-innovative-solutions-in-yeswv/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

#1 – From WV FORESTRY - How do foresters fight wildfires?

Now that spring fire season is upon us, it's time to take extra precautions when burning outdoors. But did you ever wonder about the science behind fighting wildfires and how that differs from fighting structure fires? Officials with the West Virginia Division of Forestry break it down for us:

Fighting wildfires requires different tactics and resources compared to fighting a house fire.
Spraying water on a large fast-spreading wildfire is not very effective. So when dealing with wildfires, wildland firefighters/foresters have to use more indirect methods. These include using hand tools and leaf blowers for smaller fires. For a larger fire, a dozer line may be needed to control the perimeter.

Read more:
https://wvforestry.com/how-foresters-fight-wildfires/#:~:text=Fighting%20Wildfires%20Using%20Controlled%20Lines&text=These%20include%20using%20hand%20tools,the%20head%20of%20the%20fire.

#2 – From WV NEWS - Recent investments signal a 'comeback' for West Virginia

Recent weeks have brought a wave of economic development news to West Virginia, totaling billions of dollars in both present and planned investment.

These projects range from an expansion at an existing facility to the inauguration of a new Amazon distribution center and a data center initiative spearheaded by technology leader Google. Governor Patrick Morrisey characterized these developments as indicative of a wider economic revitalization for the Mountain State.

Read more:
https://www.wvnews.com/statejournal/news/from-google-to-amazon-new-investments-signal-a-comeback-for-west-virginia/article_5e8bc4db-1b2f-43f4-8bdf-6d52ea713327.html

#3 – From WV SBDC - Couple launches their deer farm with help from the WV SBDC

When Jaelyn and Tyler Rohrbough decided to start a deer farm in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, they set out with no business experience–only a dream and the determination to make that dream a reality. They turned to the West Virginia Small Business Development Center for assistance in getting their fledgling business up and running, and soon, Pointed Acres was up and running.

The WV SBDC offers a wide range of services at no cost to the client. The agency's experienced business coaches can guide clients throughout the business process including concept, startup and growth.

Read more:
https://wvsbdc.com/pointed-acres-couple-launches-their-deer-farm-with-help-from-the-wv-sbdc/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Just as West Virginia's state capital was moving from Wheeling to Charleston in 1871, city leaders wanted to see the new capital city as a place that could attract new hotels and commerce. Enter Mordecai Levi, who proposed an answer to not just the muddy streets of Charleston but for cities everywhere. Levi built the first brick streets known to the world in the capital city and soon cities large and small were using his patent.