Health & Education Leadership: WVU alum Jayne M. Brandel has been named dean of Seton Hall’s School of Health and Medical Sciences, effective July 1, 2026, bringing years of health-professions leadership from WVU. Arts & Culture: West Virginia folklorist Gerry Milnes was honored with the National Endowment for the Arts Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship, continuing his work preserving local history through books, recordings, and community storytelling. Local Arts Spotlight: The Top of West Virginia Arts Council is rolling out “America and Art – Celebrating Our 250th Founding Through Art” at the Summit Art Gallery in Weirton, running through July 6. STEM Youth: Cheyenne South High School graduate Denver Priest was selected for the 2026 National Youth Science Camp in West Virginia, planning to study petroleum engineering and environmental and natural resources. Energy Policy Watch: Sierra Club filed testimony opposing Mon Power’s $2.48B gas plant proposal, arguing costs and pollution would land on West Virginia ratepayers. Public Health Alert: Tick bites are spiking, with ER visits at the highest levels for this time of year since 2017, as warmer temperatures boost tick activity. Healthcare Research: WVU researchers examined how managed care and public insurance eligibility rules can create mismatched coverage patterns for families over time. Infrastructure Funding: Buckhannon secured $33.31M in USDA loan/grant funding for a new water treatment plant, with additional support from state and federal partners. Tech & Security: The FBI is seeking industry input on biometric algorithms to support or replace matching capabilities in its Next Generation Identification system.