Medical Education in WV: WVSOM kicked off its Class of 2030 with a White Coat Ceremony, welcoming 220 new med students—82 from West Virginia, the school’s biggest in-state group—plus a keynote from OB-GYN founder Dara Aliff, D.O., who urged students to balance patient care with self-care. AI, Power, and Water Tensions: Reports and commentary spotlight growing concerns that West Virginia’s push to attract data centers could strain electricity, water, and air quality—while President Trump again framed the issue as a jobs-and-prosperity choice for communities that resist new builds. Workplace Health Crisis: A new look at black lung and silicosis argues that preventable lung disease is still killing workers, from coalminers to countertop fabrication workers, as protections lag and industry fights regulation. Mining Tech Funding: The U.S. Department of Energy approved $73M for Mine of the Future testing grounds, including a West Virginia-linked project to validate next-gen mining tech in real conditions. PFAS Cleanup Watch: A major PFAS settlement in North Carolina adds $455M to state efforts, with funds aimed at local water and wastewater mitigation—another reminder of how long cleanup timelines can be. STEM & Infrastructure: Northrop Grumman opened a Propulsion Innovation Center in Maryland to expand solid rocket motor capacity, signaling continued demand for advanced propulsion. Community Planning: A proposal for a “New River Gorge Artisan Corridor” aims to keep economic benefits local through arts, recreation, historic preservation, and small-business growth.