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Bowden Fish Hatchery to host free Youth Fishing Derby during W.Va. Free Fishing Days

Fishing

Bowden Fish Hatchery to host free Youth Fishing Derby during W.Va. Free Fishing Days

Will Reedy June 9, 2026

Rural Women Entrepreneurs: The findings may be particularly relevant to West Virginia, where many communities are rural, and small-business ownership is vital to local economies.

Economic Development

Rural women entrepreneurs fuel economic growth in America’s small towns, WVU study finds

The West Virginia Department of Tourism has announced its 2026 History Heroes Award recipients, honoring volunteers, preservationists, historians, genealogists, and museum leaders from communities across the Mountain State

History / Prehistory

W.Va. Tourism announces 2026 History Heroes award winners

Larvae of the New World Screwworm fly burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious, often deadly damage. (USDA Image)

Agriculture

W.Va. agriculture officials monitoring screwworm after first U.S. detection

Communities

A study by researchers at West Virginia University found a greater-than-expected significance in the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for women who spend more time sitting compared to those who include even light activity in their daily routines.

WVU study shows pregnant women who move more have better outcomes

Bianca Bosworth June 2, 2026

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As West Virginia experiences a cultural and economic shift toward recreation, researchers at West Virginia University have discovered even better news about active living. A study by researchers at the university in Morgantown found a greater-than-expected

Demand for the 2026 vacation guide is shattering previous records, with requests pacing 92% ahead of requests for the 2025 guide.

W.Va. tourism grows as 2026 Vacation Guide demand reaches record levels

David Sibray June 1, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than 200,000 copies of the 2026 West Virginia Vacation Guide have been distributed by the W.Va. Department of Tourism since its launch in February, reflecting growing interest in the Mountain State as a top

Research supports the idea that destinations benefit when businesses remain open during peak visitor periods.

West Virginia experts say tourist towns lose money when businesses close on Sundays

May 31, 2026

Nursing students gather at the West Virginia Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS) Center.

WVU School of Nursing to host to free day camp for high school students

May 24, 2026

Vision impairment: changing weather and lighting can make life even more difficult for people with eye diseases, says a West Virginia University professor.

Vision impairment can be manageable, says a West Virginia University professor

May 23, 2026

The program creates incentives for private investment funds and financial institutions to direct capital into qualified small business growth.

Applications open for West Virginia First small business growth program

May 19, 2026

Attractions

National Trails Day encourages people of all ages to get outdoors, connect with their community, and become trail stewards.

West Virginia state parks celebrate National Trails Day with hikes, volunteer events

Clyde Craig June 1, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In celebration of National Trails Day, officials at West Virginia State Parks announced a lineup of guided hikes and trail cleanup events across several state parks and forests, scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026. Organized

A new “Almost Heaven” swing has been added at Cedar Creek State Park in central West Virginia

Iconic “Almost Heaven” swing added to Cedar Creek State Park in central West Virginia

David Sibray May 27, 2026

GLENVILLE, W.Va. — An “Almost Heaven” swing has been installed at Cedar Creek State Park in central West Virginia, the latest of more than 60 such iconic swings that are attracting tourists who are fascinated by the idea

Forest projects have included stream restoration, erosion control, invasive plant removal, native tree planting, wildlife habitat improvements, and trail or road maintenance.

Monongahela National Forest seeks conservation proposals in five West Virginia counties

May 22, 2026

Seneca Rocks, one of the most recognized landmarks in the Appalachians, is greeting new crowds.

Seneca Rocks draws excited new crowds to West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest

May 21, 2026

A new partnership is working to improve and maintain more than 500 miles of trail in the northern region of the Monongahela National Forest.

Partnership to enhance more than 500 miles of Monongahela National Forest trails

May 20, 2026

Tourists on bicycles visit the Elk River Trail Visitor Center.

Visitor center opens as Elk River Trail extends toward West Virginia capital city, Charleston

May 17, 2026

Recreation

Fisheries experts say the upward trend in fishing records is the result of several factors, including better stocking and water quality improvement.

Here’s why fishing records are being broken more often now in West Virginia

Will Reedy May 25, 2026

PETERSBURG, W.Va. — West Virginia anglers are breaking fishing records with unusual frequency, a trend fisheries experts say reflects years of better fish stocking, improved water quality, and the maturation of trophy-sized fish populations. So far in the

The Mourning Dove is one of the most abundant and widespread North American birds and a popular gamebird.

South Branch ends mourning dove permits; controlled hunt begin at Stonewall Jackson

Will Reedy May 11, 2026

ROMNEY, W.Va. — Mourning dove hunters no longer need to apply for a limited permit to hunt at the South Branch Wildlife Management Area in Hardy and Hampshire counties. They will now be able to hunt doves in

John Terry, of Gallagher, in Kanawha County, set a new state record for tiger trout on March 19 by catching a 29.13-inch, 11.04-pound tiger trout from Seneca Lake in Pocahontas County.

John Terry catches record-breaking tiger trout in lake at Seneca State Forest

David Sibray May 10, 2026

MARLINTON, W.Va. — John Terry, of Gallagher, in Kanawha County, set a new state record for tiger trout on March 19 by catching a 29.13-inch, 11.04-pound tiger trout from Seneca Lake in Pocahontas County. The trophy catch surpasses

One of the largest networks on the East Coast, the routes activate thousands of miles of gravel roads across the Mon Forest for visitors and communities. (Photo: Getty Images)

Gravel, bikepacking network connects towns across Monongahela National Forest region

May 7, 2026

Motorboats with engines larger than 10 horsepower are now permitted to operate at no-wake speed on Elk Fork, North Bend, O’Brien, Stonecoal, and Woodrum lakes.

Horsepower restrictions removed on five small lakes in West Virginia

May 6, 2026

Hunter Rohr, 15, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, has caught a golden rainbow trout that set state records for length and weight.

Buckhannon teen Rohr catches record-breaking golden rainbow trout

May 3, 2026

Matt Born of Reedsville, West Virginia, has caught a new state record chain pickerel.

Reedsville man catches state record chain pickerel in Preston County pond

May 3, 2026

Black bears: The 2025 black bear harvest fell just ten bears short of the 2024 total of 2,479.

Black bear harvest remained steady in West Virginia in 2025 as predicted

January 26, 2026

Big Buck Photo Contest: Hunter Miller of Advent, W.Va. with a buck he harvested on Nov. 24, 2025, in Jackson County.

West Virginia announces winners of 2025 West Virginia Big Buck Photo Contest

January 23, 2026

West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show: The three-day event showcases leading outdoor brands, outfitters, and conservation organizations, and has become one of the state’s largest gatherings focused on hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

W.Va. DNR to sponsor West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show in Charleston

January 16, 2026

Trout stocking: Hatchery crews stocked trout in 46 lakes and streams across West Virginia during the week of Jan. 5.

West Virginia trout stocking Jan. 5: biologists stock 46 waters statewide

January 12, 2026

Mountaineer Heritage Season opens, reviving a West Virginia hunting tradition

January 9, 2026

Culture

Historian William Jones at Pence Springs

Hidden healing spring on historic Pence Springs resort grounds draws new interest

David Sibray May 30, 2026

PENCE SPRINGS, W.Va. — Historians in West Virginia’s Greenbrier Valley are searching for answers about a little-known healing spring hidden on the grounds of the famed Pence Springs Hotel, a once-renowned mineral resort now on the market. While

David Sibray visits Pickle Street on U.S. Route 33 along Leading Creek in Lewis County, West Virginia.

Origin of the name “Pickle Street” remains a central West Virginia mystery

David Sibray May 26, 2026

PICKLE STREET, W.Va. — Of all the odd community names in West Virginia, “Pickle Street” may rank among the oddest. Why this hamlet in Lewis County bears the name “pickle” is as much a mystery as why it

Musicians gather freely at the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, West Virginia.

49th annual Vandalia Gathering celebrates old-time and bluegrass music at state capital

David Sibray May 22, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Now in its 49th year, the Vandalia Gathering—West Virginia’s signature celebration of folk music, arts, and heritage—returns May 22–25 to the grounds of the state capitol in Charleston. The free, public event attracts more than

A party of travelers bound for the Cumberland Gap in 1779 were scalped and captured in what is remembered as the Pauley Massacre.

Lore and Legend

Solomon Spaulding claimed to have uncovered ancient plates along Prickett's Creek in Marion County, West Virginia.

Real Estate

History and Prehistory

Frank James, the older brother of Jesse James quietly rode into Princeton, West Virginia, and walked straight into the Bank of Princeton—not to rob it, but to study it.

State Parks

Hunting

Fishing

A rite of winter in West Virginia, trout stockings have resumed in select lakes and streams. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)

Hiking

Held at 21 state parks and forests across West Virginia, the First Day hikes are part of a nationwide New Year’s Day tradition designed to promote outdoor recreation.

Skiing

White Grass has long been a magnet for visitors from Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. (Photo: Mountain River Media)

National Parks

Kayaking

Kayakers On The Ohio River in West Virginia

Whitewater Rafting

Biking

Latest News

Fishing