Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
Today is Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
…and now for the rest of the stories…on today’s daily304.com!
#1 – From TRAVEL + LEISURE – See fall color from the rails
Want a front-row seat to fall in Almost Heaven? Climb aboard the Greenbrier Express.
Travel + Leisure recently highlighted the steam-powered scenic train as one of the best ways to experience West Virginia’s fall color. The 15-mile journey leaves Cass, travels through the Monongahela National Forest and follows the Greenbrier River to Durbin. Along the way, riders can take in mountain scenery, colorful forests and wildlife including deer, eagles and waterfowl.
And the train itself is part of the experience. Greenbrier Express trips are pulled by steam locomotives more than 100 years old. Passengers stop in Durbin for an included lunch before making the return trip to Cass. October rides continue on select days, and winter weekend trips begin in mid-January.
Read more:
https://www.travelandleisure.com/greenbrier-express-west-virginia-12059570
#2 – From NORTHERN VA MAGAZINE – Charleston serves up Appalachian flavor
Northern Virginia Magazine is telling its readers to head west for a taste of Appalachia.
The magazine recently featured Charleston’s growing food scene, highlighting a new generation of chefs, distillers and market vendors embracing ingredients and traditions that make West Virginia distinctive. Think ramps, foraged mushrooms, sorghum and moonshine, served in a compact, walkable capital city.
The story takes visitors from Capitol Market and J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works to Charleston-area restaurants including 1010 Bridge, Paulie’s Fine Italian and Ristorante Abruzzi. It also highlights the city’s growing spirits scene and, of course, West Virginia’s famous pepperoni roll.
There’s plenty to do between meals, too. The itinerary includes Taylor Books, ArtWalk, the West Virginia State Museum, local shopping and a side trip to Helvetia.
#3 – From WV PRESS – West Virginia heart specialist joins global leadership program
A West Virginia cardiologist is joining an international network working to improve heart health around the world.
Dr. Abhishek Chaturvedi, a cardiologist with the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute at Thomas Memorial Hospital and Ruby Memorial Hospital, has been selected for the World Heart Federation Salim Yusuf Emerging Leaders Programme. He was chosen for the program’s 12th cohort from thousands of applicants representing more than 50 countries.
The program develops future leaders in cardiovascular health and connects physicians and researchers working in disease prevention, research, education and patient care. Dr. Chaturvedi has also been invited to participate in the 2026 Emerging Leaders Seminar in Florence, Italy, where he’ll collaborate with cardiovascular experts from around the world.
Here at home, Dr. Chaturvedi provides advanced cardiac care to patients in South Charleston and Morgantown.
Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.
The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.
That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
