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

Today is Wednesday, January 7, 2026

#1 – From WV EXPLORER - From pickleball to mountain biking--discover 5 sports that are growing in WV West Virginia's sports landscape continues to grow, with expanding programs and participation helping strengthen communities across the Mountain State. From local leagues to broader opportunities for athletes, sports are building healthy habits, teamwork, and hometown pride. The story highlights how athletics are becoming a bigger part of community identity and quality of life — especially as programs evolve and reach more West Virginians. Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2025/12/27/sports-west-virginia-growing/

#2 – From THE REAL WV - Meet Yeager Airport's wildlife patrol team At West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston, two border collies — Hercules and Ned — have become part of the team keeping runways safer by chasing birds and wildlife away from flight paths. Airport staff say the runway dog program has helped reduce bird strike incidents significantly since it began. Learn how the dogs are trained for this work, how the airport coordinates wildlife patrol, and why Yeager is among a small group of airports using runway dogs as part of airfield safety. Read more: https://therealwv.com/2025/12/18/highway-to-the-danger-zone-the-true-tail-of-hercules-and-ned/

#3 – From WV DHHR - WV Department of Health seeks to implement a $199M rural healthcare transformation The West Virginia Department of Health is seeking a leadership team to implement a $199 million Rural Healthcare Transformation Initiative focused on strengthening healthcare access and systems in rural communities. The initiative aims to improve quality, sustainability, and outcomes — representing a major investment in long-term rural health capacity across the state. Read more: https://dhhr.wv.gov/News/Pages/West-Virginia-Department-of-Health-Seeking-Leadership-Team-to-Implement-$199-Million-Rural-Healthcare-Transformation.aspx

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.