Good morning, Morgantown.

Campus community members held a peaceful protest outside Mountainlair Thursday calling for an end to violence in Palestine and the release of Mahmoud Khalil—a Columbia University student arrested last spring for organizing pro-Palestine protests.

Protesters marched to the Monongalia County Courthouse while chanting support messages and urging state representatives to oppose federal support for Israel.

The Center for Community Engagement is accepting nominations for its annual Excellence in Community Engagement Awards that honor achievements in engaged learning and community impact based on Mountaineer Values+ nominations are due by Monday, March 31 and winners will be announced by April 11.

The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program will join forces with the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch an anti-distracted driving campaign for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month (April) to boost safe driving on our highways.

State senators examined Senate Bill 804 Friday—this bill would restructure the high school athletics commission as a state agency, make its funds public, and require the governor to appoint its executive director—while the Senate Education Committee will vote on a study resolution Monday, signaling that the bill is not on track to become law as debate over the commission continues.

Monongalia County Health Department faced a direct impact as federal COVID funds were halted — a $90,000 contract was canceled and CFO Devan Smith is reviewing if other grants worth about $83,000 may be at risk.

The department will check other contracts as it prepares its 2025-'26 budget and will add revenue in April through employer drug testing.

WVU coach Rich Rodriguez relies on seven transfers from Jacksonville State, who already know his system, to help teammates learn the new terms and plays— these players ease the transition for the whole team.

Coach Rich Rodriguez is urging the Mountaineers to adopt a tougher, championship mindset by expecting every player to push hard in every practice session.

He said that players must compete in each rep—efforts that he believes will help the team improve in every game.

Sophomore Owen Recker of the WVU men's swimming and diving team competed on March 28 in the 3-meter prelims and will compete today in the platform prelims at the Weyerhaeuser Aquatic Center (Federal Way, Washington).

He is the only Mountaineer to qualify for the NCAA event and the first male diver to earn a spot since 2022.

Walker Taylor Live Performance

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Tipsy Teeze Bar, Grill and Music Hall — $15 — Enjoy the soulful melodies of Walker Taylor, inspired by country music's finest.

9 to 5 - The Musical

7-8:30 p.m. — Lyell B Clay Concert Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy the spirited music of Dolly Parton in this delightful adaptation of a classic tale.

Henry Clay 30K

12 PM — Coopers Rock State Forest — Registration required — Experience the thrill of mountain biking at this exciting event hosted by the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association.

Three Rivers English Springer Spaniel Club Event

April 24-27 — Hazel & J.W. Ruby Community Center — Entry fee required — Experience a weekend of dog shows with specialties and sweepstakes showcasing the best in English Springer Spaniels.

Brian Regan: Live Stand-Up Comedy

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Metropolitan Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the humorous observations of Brian Regan, renowned for his animated performance and relatable material.

2025 Spring Electronics Recycle Collection Event

8 AM – 12 PM — Sam's Club — Free entry — Safely dispose of your old electronics while supporting recycling efforts in the community.