West Virginia Explorer West Virginia Explorer News
Browse

Communities

See our Communities Travel Guide

Communities in West Virginia offer residents a welcoming atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of connection to nature and neighbors alike. From charming small towns to vibrant cities like Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia communities provide friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and access to outdoor recreation right at your doorstep. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life, surrounded by the state’s beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as rich local culture, historic sites, and community events that bring people together.

 

With safe streets, local businesses, and a true spirit of Appalachian hospitality, living in West Virginia communities means enjoying a high quality of life and a supportive, tight-knit environment where everyone feels at home. Be sure to visit our Communities Travel Guide for information about communities in West Virginia.

A researcher adjusts laser-based equipment used to study plasma behavior in a laboratory setting. Scientists at West Virginia University are developing new methods that could advance technologies ranging from semiconductor manufacturing to spacecraft propulsion and fusion energy.
Communities

WVU researchers developing plasma tech that could improve computer chips, spacecraft and fusion energy

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University researchers have secured a $633,833 National Science Foundation grant to develop technology that could improve computer chip manufacturing, spacecraft propulsion systems and future fusion-energy devices. The project places WVU scientists among a relatively small group of researchers working to solve one of plasma physics’ most challenging problems—understanding what happens … Read more

A spectator watches a Fourth of July fireworks display. Medical professionals say hand injuries and burns increase significantly during Independence Day celebrations each year. (Photo: Dillen M)
Communities

Why hand injuries surge during Fourth of July fireworks celebrations

by David Sibray

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, medical professionals warn that the holiday also brings a predictable surge in emergency room visits for serious hand injuries. According to B. Seth Powers, a certified hand therapist and assistant professor in the Master of Occupational Therapy program at the West Virginia University … Read more

Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, illuminate a West Virginia field on a summer evening. The Mountain State is home to numerous species whose populations depend on healthy habitat and dark night skies.
Communities

Why West Virginia may be America’s best place to see fireflies this summer

by David Sibray

WATOGA, W.Va. — As fireflies begin their annual summer display across West Virginia, scientists say one of the insects’ greatest allies may be something many residents take for granted—darkness. Across much of the eastern U.S., artificial lighting continues to expand as development spreads into rural areas. Streetlights, security lighting, and commercial development have transformed nightscapes … Read more

A new $7 million research partnership between West Virginia University and Johns Hopkins University will support studies focused on rural health, mental health, substance use disorders, dementia, and other healthcare challenges affecting West Virginia communities.
Communities

WVU, Johns Hopkins launch $7 million partnership to address W.Va. health challenges

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University and Johns Hopkins University have launched a new $7 million research partnership to address some of the state’s most pressing health and environmental challenges and help researchers compete for major federal grants. Announced Friday during a meeting of the WVU Board of Governors, the initiative will support collaborative research … Read more

A white-tailed doe feeds twin fawns near Dolly Sods Wilderness during peak fawn season in West Virginia, when thousands of baby deer are born across the state's forests and mountain landscapes.
Communities

Why baby deer are appearing across West Virginia right now

by Will Reedy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Across West Virginia’s mountains, valleys, farm fields, and suburban neighborhoods, a new generation of baby deer is quietly entering the world. June is the peak month for fawning season in the Mountain State, and residents are increasingly encountering spotted fawns curled motionless in tall grass, woodland edges, hayfields, and even backyards. While … Read more