Good morning, Morgantown.

Beckwith Lumber Company in Pocahontas County and Laurel Creek Hardwoods in Nicholas County received USDA Forest Service grants to boost hardwood processing and production efficiency — the federal investment supports local timber jobs and market expansion.

The campus invites residents to attend four public Zoom lectures by Honors College Faculty Fellows, featuring sessions (registration required) on topics from Appalachian Health Narratives on Aug.

25 to War on Drugs on Sept. 15.

The Office of the Provost at WVU is accepting nominations for honorary doctoral degrees to be awarded at Commencement in May 2027.

Faculty, staff, students, and alumni can submit nomination packets (due by Oct. 2).

New 2026 state assessment results from WVDE show that 14 north central counties have wide differences in student enrollment and scores.

Monongalia schools led in math, reading and science while smaller districts face lower results as local boards address chronic absenteeism.

Uriah Cummings from the Department of Education said that school administrators remain essential for handling growing tasks like managing AI and increased safety and instructional needs.

Lawmakers are expected to review funding as he explained that administrative costs account for about 2.47% of overall expenditures.

WVU student Alison Smallwood earned a Gracie Award for her digital media work — Mountaineer Playbook — marking the program’s first honor.

The University will end support for its Cisco phone system on Sept.

15 as migration to Zoom Phone nears completion on the Morgantown, regional and Health Sciences campuses. Staff needing help are advised to contact the ITS Service Desk (304-293-4444).

Today the USDA begins air dropping 300,000 oral rabies vaccines in 16 counties to protect wildlife; helicopter drops will run until Aug.

18 and airplane drops will run from Aug. 25 to Sept. 4 (Morgantown parks and near the WVU Coliseum will receive hand distribution).

D.J. Epps (formerly a walk-on from Troy) has become WVU’s top slot receiver after nearly two weeks of camp, posting 47 catches, 512 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Coaches expect him to also boost punt returns as he demonstrates strong leadership and quick learning.

After a judge ruled that high school class of 2022 athletes get an extra year of eligibility, Brenen Lorient will return to play for the Mountaineers in Morgantown this season.

He averaged 11.9 points + 5.2 rebounds last season under coach Ross Hodge.

WVU women’s soccer head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown starts her 31st season as the Mountaineers host Dayton at 7 p.m. today inside Dick Dlesk Stadium.

The team is ranked No. 20 nationally and is counting on key preseason picks like all Big 12 goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth.