Kimberly Fraley is teacher at James Monroe High School in Lindside, West Virginia. She teaches the Options Pathway program, which was established by the West Virginia State Department of Education as an alternative means to earn high school credit for students who have fallen behind and are unable to meet graduation requirements on time. Fraley is our Above And Beyond winner for July 2021.

Over the past 50 years in West Virginia, jobs in coal mining have declined by 66 percent -- and experts don’t predict a comeback. But we’re not alone -- other industrial places around the world face similar dilemmas.

West Virginia’s death toll from the coronavirus pandemic this month has already doubled the total from August. There have been 286 reported deaths from COVID-19 in September and at least 3,370 since the start of the pandemic, according to state health data. The September total includes at least 32 virus-related deaths added to the count after being reconciled with official death certificates.

Residents in several West Virginia counties hurt by the declining coal industry will soon have the option to receive training in cybersecurity work. Glenville State College this week received more than $1.4 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to develop a Cybersecurity and Safety Workforce Development Initiative.

The founder of one of the country’s top theater festivals for new plays is retiring. Ed Herendeen has been the producing director for the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia for the past 30 years.

Coal has been “king” for most of the last century in West Virginia and central Appalachia, but in recent years, global market forces, governmental regulations and alternative energy sources like natural gas have reduced its dominance.

“We know that we need to have this to try to keep people out of hospitals,” said the health department’s interim director Dr. Sherri Young at a press conference Thursday.

A new Mustang, free gas for 10 years, and full-ride college scholarships were among this week's top prizes handed out by Gov. Jim Justice to encourage more COVID-19 vaccinations. So far, 52 percent of state residents have been fully vaccinated.

A historic springs resort in Monroe County is embroiled in a lease dispute, pitting a local investor against the state of West Virginia.

The revival of the residency dispute comes after a court case was dismissed earlier this year — and as Justice continues to fight for a high school basketball coaching position.