Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
Today is Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
…and now for the rest of the stories…on today’s daily304.com!
#1 – From MARSHALL UNIVERSITY – Building the future of rural healthcare in Huntington
Artificial intelligence could help solve one of rural healthcare’s biggest challenges. And some of that work is about to happen in Huntington.
Canadian-based Synthesis Health is establishing an operation in Marshall University’s IDEA District, where it will focus on AI-driven medical imaging, improved radiology workflows and technology designed to help doctors make faster, more accurate diagnoses.
That’s particularly important in rural communities, where patients can face limited access to specialized care and shortages of healthcare professionals.
Synthesis is already recruiting employees in the Huntington region and plans to move into the IDEA District’s future Med-Tech building once fully staffed. Construction on that facility is expected to begin in summer 2027.
The company also plans to help establish an advanced radiology IT center anchored by an AI incubator, creating a platform where other companies could develop new healthcare technologies of their own.
The idea is to solve real rural health problems here then take those West Virginia-developed solutions to healthcare systems around the world.
#2 – From WV NEWS – NASA grows its West Virginia workforce
Some of the software helping NASA’s most important missions operate safely is checked right here in West Virginia.
And the team doing that work is growing.
NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation Facility in Fairmont is expanding its workforce with more than 50 new civil servant hires, according to The State Journal.
The IV&V Program has a critical mission within NASA: independently analyzing and testing mission-critical software to help ensure it operates safely and dependably. The program also conducts research to advance software assurance methods and tools.
The latest hiring expansion adds to West Virginia’s growing technology workforce while bringing more federal career opportunities to the Mountain State.
More than 50 new NASA employees.
Right here in Almost Heaven.
#3 – From WV EXPLORER – 30 years of telling the Appalachian story
For 30 years, a festival in Shepherdstown has been working to tell a fuller story about Appalachia.
Shepherd University’s Appalachian Heritage Festival returns September 24 through 26 with music, dance, history, workshops and other events celebrating the region’s living traditions. Events are free and open to the public.
The festival was founded by Rachael Meads and Linda Tate with a deliberate mission: connect people with authentic Appalachian stories and traditions while challenging stereotypes and exploitative portrayals of the region.
Over three decades, nearly 80 nationally recognized artists, writers and musicians have participated, including Ralph Stanley, Hazel Dickens and Jean Ritchie.
Thousands of students, schoolchildren and community members have experienced Appalachian culture through its performances, lectures and workshops.
This year’s lineup includes West Virginia fiddler Dave Bing, author and festival co-founder Linda Tate, dancer and choreographer Becky Hill and Smithsonian Folkways recording artist Jake Blount.
Visitors can also experience literary readings, old-time square dancing, jam sessions, workshops and a showcase concert.
Thirty years later, the mission remains the same:
Tell the Appalachian story.
Read more:
https://wvexplorer.com/appalachian-heritage-festival-shepherd-university
Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.
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That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
