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During the holiday season, many West Virginia families deck their halls with garland, tinsel, lights and most commonly, the Christmas tree. While the ease and convenience of a pre-lit, artificial tree appeal to some, others prefer the look and smell of a fresh-cut Christmas tree. A fresh-cut tree does require a bit more attention and care, but according to West Virginia University Extension Service expert Dave McGill, by taking a few simple precautions, you and your family can safely enjoy your tree all season long.

It’s easy to blow your budget while grocery shopping for big holiday meals. How do you spend money wisely while still preparing a feast your family will remember for years to come? Melissa Painter, a nutrition outreach instructor with WVU Extension Service Family Nutrition Program, has plenty of tips for making your food budget go further.

West Virginia has been invited to submit an RFP for Virgin Hyperloop One to create a certification and testing center to establish regulatory standards. Virgin Hyperloop One will be on campus to meet with experts from the State of West Virginia and West Virginia University for discussions about the resources West Virginia can offer on research and development, operational capabilities, technology, infrastructure, maintenance, talent and security needed to move people and goods Thursday (Nov. 21) at 1 p.m. in the Erickson Alumni Center.

Ashley Brundage, diversity and inclusion educator, corporate diversity leader and board member of GLAAD, will speak to students studying business, law, political science, public policy, among other fields, and will discuss why states like West Virginia should protect LGBTQ+ people in the workplace and in housing Thursday (Nov. 21) at 1 p.m. in the Chambers College of Business and Economics.

Dr. Otis Brawley, keynote speaker, will talk about “Cancer Control in the 21st Century” Friday (Nov. 22) at 4 p.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center.

Topics will include strategies to increase educational attainment rates; how to ensure graduates can meet workforce demands; local flexibility for superintendents, principals and teachers; teacher preparation to ensure current and future educators infuse innovation and personalized learning in the classroom; and best practices to ensure a culture of entrepreneurship programs in schools.

A new GLAAD report recently announced a surge in LGBTQ+ and gender inclusiveness on television at the same time the FBI reports hate crimes against transgender and Latina/o/x people are at a 16 year high. West Virginia University LGBTQ+ Center director Cris Mayo, who recently co-edited two scholarly collections in LGBTQ+ studies in education and co-authored the book Navigating Trans*+ and Gender Complex Identities, notes that there has been progress in media representation but clearly much more work needs to be done to prevent bias-related violence.

“WV Policy and Research Engagement Symposium,” an opportunity for researchers and state decision-makers to connect, identify challenges and craft an action plan to bring evidence-based opioid policy to West Virginia. The symposium will be Tuesday (Nov. 19), 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., and Wednesday (Nov. 20), 8 a.m. to noon.

Pancreatic cancer is expected to be the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States by 2020, according to Dr. Brian Boone, a surgeon and researcher with the West Virginia University School of Medicine. Boone is one of only a few doctors in the country to perform a minimally invasive surgery to remove pancreatic tumors.

A chance encounter with a production designer and an invitation to assist in the film production of “Feast of the Seven Fishes” has fueled West Virginia University junior Anthony Basil’s desire to become a producer. Shortly after the industrial engineering major from Weirton accepted the invitation to work on the comedy, he was promoted to production design intern creating an unusual pairing of skills and passions.