West Virginia Explorer West Virginia Explorer News
Browse

Clyde CraigClyde Craig

Clyde Craig is a staff writer for West Virginia Explorer. Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, he traveled with his family across the globe with the U.S. Army before returning to the Mountain State in 2011. He has been a writer with the explorer since 2018. He can be reached at 304-575-7390 or at craig@wvexplorer.com.
West Virginia Travel Safety: The Mountain remains a generally safe place to visit, particularly given its low violent crime rate. But safe travel here depends on understanding terrain, distances, and conditions that differ sharply from those in more urban states.
Communities

West Virginia Travel Safety: What it means for residents and visitors in 2026

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Travel safety in West Virginia is shaped less by headline-grabbing crime and more by geography, weather, and the realities of rural travel. For West Virginians and the growing number of tourists drawn by the state’s mountains, rivers, and small towns, that distinction matters. Recent tourism data show steady growth in outdoor recreation, … Read more

Communities once defined by vacant upper floors and underused downtown buildings are seeing renewed interest in housing from remote workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
Communities

Webinar examines housing stairway safety in growing West Virginia small towns

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As remote work reshapes where Americans choose to live, small-town housing in West Virginia has emerged as a central issue in the state’s economic revival. Communities once defined by vacant upper floors and underused downtown buildings are seeing renewed interest from remote workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Translating that momentum into lasting … Read more

At ski destinations like Snowshoe Mountain, midwinter typically marks the heart of the season.
Culture

Jan. 15 marks Midwinter Day, but the most wintry weather is ahead in West Virginia

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — By mid-January, many West Virginians will notice a subtle but welcome change: daylight is beginning to stretch a little longer each afternoon. That small gain of sunlight can create the impression that winter is already easing its grip. Meteorologically speaking, however, the opposite is true. January 15 is widely recognized by climatologists … Read more

Winter Energy Resilience at Snowhoe Mountain
Communities

WVU: Federal funding could lower bills, boost winter energy resilience in West Virginia

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Winter in West Virginia can be unforgiving, especially for households and businesses already struggling with high utility bills and the threat of losing heat when ice storms, extreme cold, or surging demand strain the electric grid. West Virginia University researchers say improving winter energy resilience is key to maintaining power and controlling … Read more

Sports that grew quickly after the 2020 covid pandemic, pickleball is played on a small court with a perforated plastic ball and is valued for its easy learning curve and strong social appeal.
Communities

These five sports are rapidly growing in West Virginia communities

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Sports in West Virginia will always include Friday-night football, high school basketball, and hunting and fishing, but the landscape is changing. A handful of “next wave” sports are gaining players quickly. Proponents say that’s because they suit modern life in the state’s small towns. They afford shorter learning curves, vibrant social scenes, … Read more

Each bottle of Smooth Ambler in the collection features custom artwork celebrating the landscapes, history, and outdoor experiences that make the parks iconic destinations. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Tourism)
Attractions

West Virginia state parks, Smooth Ambler expand branded bourbon partnership statewide

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A partnership blending West Virginia’s outdoor heritage with its growing reputation for craft spirits is expanding statewide. Officials with West Virginia State Parks announced that a new series of state-park-branded bourbons produced by Smooth Ambler Spirits will soon be available for purchase at select retailers across the Mountain State. The expanded retail … Read more