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Articles by Kayla Gagnon
Recounting the History of a Longtime LGBTQ+ Bar in West Virginia
For more than 30 years, the space at 335 High Street in Morgantown, West Virginia has been a gay bar, serving the state’s LGBTQ+ community and providing them a space to meet each other, perform, and express themselves. The establishment is currently known as Vice Versa, but in the beginning of its history as an LGBTQ+ space, when it was first called The Class Act, patrons had to navigate a world that was cold and violent to them before entering the safe haven of the bar.
Where does West Virginia rank in having a baby?
VIDEO: WVI breaks down the Big 12’s decision The Big 12 has made the decision to move forward with the 2020 football season with enhanced medical protocols and a revised schedule — but still, there are a lot of unanswered questions for fans. Commissioner Bob Bowlsby provided some clarity in a Wednesday teleconference, providing additional details on how the decision was made and what the season may look like moving forward.
West Virginia ranked 38th best state to have a baby
by: Kayla Gagnon Posted: Aug 12, 2020 / 03:40 PM EDT / Updated: Aug 12, 2020 / 03:40 PM EDT (Credit: LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images) CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A recent study has placed West Virginia as the 38th state to have a baby.
West Virginia ranks high for racial equality in civic engagement
by: Kayla Gagnon Posted: Aug 11, 2020 / 03:24 PM EDT / Updated: Aug 11, 2020 / 03:24 PM EDT MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A recent study by WalletHub has ranked West Virginia 13 out of 48 states and D.C. for racial equality in civil engagement. The ranking system came from the differences between white and black Americans in different areas like single-parent households, volunteer rate, voter turnout rate, share of veterans and adult population on parole.
WVU is adapting student activities to adhere to social distancing guidelines
by: Kayla Gagnon Posted: Jul 28, 2020 / 05:11 PM EDT / Updated: Jul 28, 2020 / 05:11 PM EDT Photo Courtesy of WVU Careers MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – With campus reopening next month, WVU’s Arts and Entertainment office has been looking at options to make sure students can be safe and still have fun.
West Virginia ranks as No. 1 state for hot dog lovers
Trump, Barr to expand anti-crime surge to several US cities WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr are expected to announce Wednesday that federal agents will surge into several American cities including Chicago to help combat rising crime, expanding the administration’s intervention in local enforcement as Trump runs for reelection under a “law-and-order” mantle.
West Virginia ranks as No. 1 state for hot dog lovers
West Virginia man accused of shooting at newspaper delivery man, yelling about drug sales CHARLESTON, W.V. (WOWK) — A West Virginia man has been arrested after gunshots were fired at a man delivering newspapers. At 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, a 47-year-old man reported to authorities that he was delivering newspapers when a man in a green Jeep Wrangler drove alongside him and fired a pistol at the front of his car.
West Virginia ranks as No. 1 state for hot dog lovers
by: Kayla Gagnon Posted: Jul 22, 2020 / 02:54 PM EDT / Updated: Jul 22, 2020 / 02:54 PM EDT CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – Even with social distancing measures in place, summer is here and cookouts are in full swing with grills sizzling with a variety of classics like hamburgers, bratwursts and hot dogs.
Survey reveals favorite female superheroes around the world
by: Kayla Gagnon Posted: Jul 21, 2020 / 03:20 PM EDT / Updated: Jul 21, 2020 / 03:20 PM EDT CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – Superheroines are starting to take the movie industry by storm. 2017’s “Wonder Woman” blew the door wide open for blockbuster superhero movies starring women, 2019 brought the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first woman-lead superhero film in “Captain Marvel” and the first all-women superhero team depicted in “Birds of Prey” earlier this year.
Maternity wards put forth extra safety measure for expecting parents amid COVID-19 pandemic Original
by: Kayla Gagnon Posted: Jul 16, 2020 / 04:04 PM EDT / Updated: Jul 16, 2020 / 04:04 PM EDT MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Hospitals across the country have postponed non-emergency procedures in response to COVID-19. Even as the rest of the country starts shutting down to respond to surges of COVID-19 cases, that doesn’t stop babies from arriving. The United Nations estimates that about 116 million babies will be born worldwide before the pandemic ends.
West Virginia LGBTQIA+ History: Amanda Love
by: Kayla Gagnon Posted: Jun 30, 2020 / 03:59 PM EDT / Updated: Jun 30, 2020 / 04:00 PM EDT PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – When it comes to LGBTQIA+ history in West Virginia, there are few resources where it can be accessed. However, if you ask certain people in the community, there are a few people who come to mind when talking about trailblazing LGBTQIA+ West Virginians. One of these people was Amanda Love.
Courtney Conquers by Kings and Queens in Quarantine • A podcast on Anchor
Yay! First episode! Courtney Conquers is one half of the drag media content channel Drag Coven. We had a great time talking about the creation of Drag Coven and the impact of digital drag shows so far. Drag Coven is adding digital drag show content to their YouTube channel. If you're a drag performer and you want to have your work on there, WeTransfer or email your video to dragcoven@gmail.com.
Helping Paws Meet the Visitation Therapy Dogs: Omega
In this episode of Helping Paws, meet Omega, the Reed College of Media’s therapy dog. She was one of the pups that started out in Hearts of Gold’s training program and has since become the longest-serving therapy dog on WVU’s campus. Sponsored by the Cheat Lake Animal Hospital Video by Kayla Gagnon Read more- daonline.com/helpingpaws
Q&A with Savannah Connelly, Hearts of Gold assistant trainer
The DA has created a new multimedia series called "Helping Paws," which releases on Feb. 6. It will go behind the scenes of service dog training, testing and eventual assignment by Hearts of Gold, a service dog training program at WVU. In this Q&A, the DA's Kayla Gagnon sat down with Savannah Connelly, a Hearts of Gold assistant trainer, about training and working with service dogs. The DA: How long have the dogs been in training?
Violent threats lead to cancellation of Morgantown Drag Queen Storytime
After the Drag Queen Storytime was canceled because of threats of violence, members and allies of WVU’s LGBTQ+ community gathered in front of the Morgantown Library in a gesture of support. “In order to counteract this hate, we need to show love,” said Ash Cutright, the president of Morgantown Pride, which provides resources to the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. “While the library event was canceled, [the people who sent threats] thought this was a victory.
LGBTQ+ community stands together after canceled drag queen storytime
Morgantown Pride President Ash Cutright embraces another rally attendee. By Kayla Gagnon An attendee writes a sign in support of the drag queens that were supposed to read on Saturday, Nov. 16. By Kayla Gagnon After the Drag Queen Storytime was canceled because of threats of violence, members and allies of WVU’s LGBTQ+ community gathered in front of the Morgantown Library in a gesture of support.
LGBTQ+ community celebrates new rainbow crosswalk
Members of Morgantown’s LGBTQ+ community gathered on Wilson Street in South Park for the unveiling of a new rainbow Pride crosswalk at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. While it took five months to plan the crosswalk before the brushes hit the pavement, Morgantown Pride President Ash Cutright said it was worth it. “I’m super excited,” Cutright said. “We knew that we were getting the sidewalk, but we didn’t know when it was being installed.
PopCon celebrates geek culture in West Virginia
Hundreds of fans swarmed to the 2019 West Virginia Pop Culture and Comic Book Convention at Mylan Park on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate pop culture, cosplay and fandom. “We don’t have anything else like [this convention],” said Jon Hayes, PopCon’s founder. It’s very special to us.
Morgantown residents rally against ICE presence
Protesters gathered in front of the Mountainlair to protest the presence of ICE. Kayla Gagnon/The Daily Athenaeum Morgantown residents rallied on Saturday against the presence of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the community. ICE activity was confirmed by Morgantown and Monongalia County authorities on Friday. Standing outside of the Mountainlair, criminal justice attorney Robb Livingood answered the crowd’s questions for what to do if they encountered ICE.
WVU meal plans undergo changes for new year
In addition to Hatfields and Cafe Evansdale, meal plans also received a facelift over the summer. “[Dining Services] went back and evaluated what was working for students and what wasn’t working for students,” said Whitley Warbel, field marketing specialist for Sodexo. “We wanted to add more flexibility to students’ meal plan.” For students who live on campus, their meal swipes can only be used at four “restaurant-style” sites: Cafe Evansdale, Boreman Bistro, Hatfields and Summit Cafe.
WVU meal plans undergo changes for new year
In addition to Hatfields and Cafe Evansdale, meal plans also received a facelift over the summer. “[Dining Services] went back and evaluated what was working for students and what wasn’t working for students,” said Whitley Warbel, field marketing specialist for Sodexo. “We wanted to add more flexibility to students’ meal plan.” For students who live on campus, their meal swipes can only be used at four “restaurant-style” sites: Cafe Evansdale, Boreman Bistro, Hatfields and Summit Cafe.
Morgantown residents rally against ICE presence
Protesters gathered in front of the Mountainlair to protest the presence of ICE. Kayla Gagnon/The Daily Athenaeum Morgantown residents rallied on Saturday against the presence of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the community. ICE activity was confirmed by Morgantown and Monongalia County authorities on Friday. Standing outside of the Mountainlair, criminal justice attorney Robb Livingood answered the crowd’s questions for what to do if they encountered ICE.
Reported attack against local drag performer under investigation, community shows solidarity
A crowd of around 75 people marched from the Public Safety Building to the Pleasant Street bridge Monday evening. Kayla Gagnon/The Daily Athenaeum Morgantown’s LGBTQ community and allies gathered in Morgantown on Monday evening to show solidarity with Jared Rote, a local drag queen who performs under the name Ophelia Jewels and said he was attacked early Monday morning. In a Facebook post on Monday, Rote shared the aftermath of a reported malicious assault by the Pleasant Street bridge.
Morgantown residents rally against abortion bans
Jodi Hollingshead publicly shares her experience of getting an abortion. By Kayla Gagnon/The Daily Athenaeum Reproductive rights activists rallied on Tuesday in hundreds of different locations nationwide, including Morgantown. The events were held to protest recent abortion restriction bills that have been passed in states like Georgia, Ohio, Alabama and Mississippi. About 60 people gathered in front of the Mountainlair Tuesday night to share their personal experiences with abortion.
Morgantown organization to support LGBTQ community
Morgantown City Councilor Barry Wendell, Del. Barbara Fleischauer and Del. Danielle Walker sit at a table during the April 9 PFLAG Morgantown event. By Kayla Gagnon When his daughter came out four years ago, Chris Mullett said he didn’t have anyone to talk to about how to support her. Now, he is part of an organization to help those in similar situations.
WVU Police say shooting reported near Chestnut Street in Morgantown
Police outside of Vice Versa early Sunday morning. The patrons inside the night club were kept on lock down. By Kayla Gagnon The WVU Police Facebook account posted early Sunday morning that Morgantown Police reported a shooting near Chestnut Street. This followed WVU Alerts informing students of two men brandishing a firearm in the 200 Belmar Ave. area. At 12:34 a.m., the WVU Police Twitter account said the 200 Belmar Ave.
Halloweekend lockdown: Reports of shots fired on Chestnut Street
Click here to read an update to this article.Two separate warnings about reported incidents involving guns were issued by police late Saturday night. +1 Patrons gather in the smoking area near the back entrance to Vice Versa, and were not able to leave the area during the lockdown. Kayla Gagnon At 11:32 p.m. Saturday, a report of two males brandishing a weapon on Belmar Avenue came in, University Police Capt. Sherry St. Clair said Sunday.
Halloweekend lockdown: Reports of shots fired on Chestnut Street
Two separate warnings about reported incidents involving guns were issued by police late Saturday night. +1 Patrons gather in the smoking area near the back entrance to Vice Versa, and were not able to leave the area during the lockdown. Kayla Gagnon At 11:32 p.m. Saturday, a report of two males brandishing a weapon on Belmar Avenue came in, University Police Capt. Sherry St. Clair said Sunday. A text alert was issued just after midnight warning people to avoid the area.
WVU Police say shooting reported near Chestnut Street in Morgantown
Police outside of Vice Versa early Sunday morning. The patrons inside the night club were kept on lock down. By Kayla Gagnon The WVU Police Facebook account posted early Sunday morning that Morgantown Police reported a shooting near Chestnut Street. This followed WVU Alerts informing students of two men brandishing a firearm in the 200 Belmar Ave. area. At 12:34 a.m., the WVU Police Twitter account said the 200 Belmar Ave.
Alumni Band member undergoes emergency surgery Friday, still makes it to game Saturday
While the WVU Alumni Band performed on High Street on Friday during the Homecoming Parade, one of its members, David O’Neal, underwent an emergency appendectomy at Ruby Memorial Hospital.David O'Neal“I’d been looking forward to this weekend for a while, so when they told me I had to go into surgery, I was like, ‘Really?
Crowns and diamonds: a WVU Homecoming
This was a moment West Virginia junior defensive lineman Reese Donahue waited a long time for.Donahue knew his girlfriend, Sarah Moore, was someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. They have known each other for three years. They have seen it all together, and it was only a matter of time before he decided to pop the question. +1 WVU defensive end Reese Donahue, a West Virginia native, proposes to his girlfriend Sarah Moore following WVU’s win over Kansas.
WVU Alumni Band continues Homecoming tradition
The organization, which now has 1,400 members, was created in 1969 by former band members who wanted to play together again. The band has performed in the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade and embarked on a European tour in the last year. +3 The WVU Alumni Band has been performing during Homecoming week for the last 49 seasons. Photo via Mary Lechliter “To me, being a part of the Pride was more than being in the band.
Diversity extends far beyond this week's celebrations
Diversity is a very important aspect of the world we live in today.It is a topic that affects us all, in almost everything that we do, and yet it can be a very difficult or even intimidating subject to try and talk about.
Bot account can tell when PRT is down within five minutes
What started as computer programming practice for Richard Deal has become a useful source of information for students traveling from campus to campus.Deal, a WVU alumnus, created an unofficial, bot-operated PRT monitor Twitter account, called PRT Monitor, in February 2017. Deal studied computer science and is now a web developer for Marriott International.Every five minutes, the account gets information on the PRT’s status.
WVU Collegiate Recovery Program gets ready for the academic year
The WVU Collegiate Recovery Program moved from Oakland Street to a new location on Price Street called “Serenity Place” in June.The change in location was necessary due to the WVU ROTC needing a new location. Their previous location was in Stansbury Hall, which is expected to be torn down in the next academic year.
WVU Greek Life strategic plan released
Matthew Richardson, WVU Director of Greek Life. Photo via Facebook West Virginia University conducted a review of the sororities and fraternities on campus and set new standards in place for Greek Life organizations.“We made a conscious decision to step back to look at where we are and why we’re here,” said Matthew Richardson, the director of WVU Greek Life.
EDTalks speaker series shares ideas about the future of WV education
Katlin Thorsell, the 2018 West Virginia Teacher or the Year. By Kayla Gagnon More than 100 business and education leaders gathered in the Erickson Alumni Center for EDTalks, hosted by the Education Alliance.“EDTalks is an education-based speaker series that promotes innovative discussion and big ideas about connecting education, jobs and our future,” the Education Alliance said in a press release.
Morgantown crowd protests against separating families at border
+1 Marchers gathered in 90-degree weather in front of the Seneca Center. By Kayla Gagnon Francisco Peña Ariet was a member of the crowd that marched through Morgantown on Monday to protest the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” practice against illegal immigration.“My father’s family were refugees from Cuba after the revolution of 1959. My father was sent here by himself when he was 9 years old,” Ariet said. Ariet’s father was part of Operation Peter Pan.
WVUp All Night schedule announced
WVUp All Night events for the 2017-18 school year ended in April, but Sonja Wilson and her team have already planned out the themes for next year. “We have all the themes planned out from August to next May.
New restaurants coming to WVU
There will be new restaurants coming to the Mountainlair and other locations on campus over the next few years.Updates and renovations are already planned for the next school year.
WVU students to see 5.7 percent tuition increase
Students will face another tuition increase going into the 2018-19 academic year.During a Friday meeting, the WVU Board of Governors voted to increase tuition and fees by 5.7 percent.“Tuition increases and expense reductions are always difficult decisions,” said Paula Congelio, vice president for finance, in a WVU press release. “However, we must continue to work toward improving the quality of the student experience while decreasing costs.
WVU sudents to see 5.7 percent tuition increase
Students will face another tuition increase going into the 2018-19 academic year.During a Friday meeting, the WVU Board of Governors voted to increase tuition and fees by 5.7 percent.“Tuition increases and expense reductions are always difficult decisions,” said Paula Congelio, vice president for finance, in a WVU press release. “However, we must continue to work toward improving the quality of the student experience while decreasing costs.
Girls on the Run 5K draws 1,000 people
Runners in colorful tutus, glitter makeup and capes flocked to the WVU Rec Center fields on Saturday to participate in the Girls on the Run 5K.The race is the final part of the 10 week Girls on the Run program, which uses running to teach young women between third and eighth grade about confidence, goal setting and creating positive connections with those around them. The program runs through schools in seven north central West Virginia counties.“The 5K really is symbolic for these girls.
Next year's tuition in-question at Friday meeting
“Consideration and potential action” on tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 academic year is on the WVU Board of Governor’s agenda for Friday’s special meeting. What’s going to be considered isn’t known to the public yet. “The agenda says what will be discussed.
WVU Law Professor wins Democratic primary
Kendra Fershee will face Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. David McKinley in the general election Photo via teamkendrawv.com Kendra Fershee couldn’t believe the results when she first heard she won the primary.“I’m still trying to process this, honestly,” Fershee said when she talked with The Daily Athenaeum on Tuesday night.
WVU’s “Out of the Darkness” walk enters its third year of participation
Michelle Toman lost her younger brother to suicide 24 years ago.“Jamie was a freshman in college, and was one of those kids who just didn’t make it back to class one day,” Toman said.Toman, the co-founder of the West Virginia chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), wore purple, blue, silver and orange necklaces to the third annual “Out of the Darkness” walk on Saturday at the WVU Recreation Center field.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate urges WVU students to take action
A Republican U.S. Senate candidate came to WVU on Saturday to urge students to get involved in the upcoming election."If I can impact you guys and you impact other people, together we can make a change in our state," said Tom Willis, who seeks to win the May 8 Republican primary election.This town hall comes weeks before the contested Republican primary election, with six candidates vying for the chance to represent the GOP in the general election.
Greek Life volunteers around Morgantown
On Saturday, more than 500 members of WVU’s Greek Life volunteered in the third annual BIG Greek Day of Service.The students participated in 23 service projects around Morgantown."Service is a value not only shared by our social Greek chapters, but is a part of the very essence of the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life," said Matthew Richardson, WVU director of Greek Life.
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission proposes $9.2 million cut
WVU could lose $9.2 million of its state funding.A recent proposed formula by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission would distribute funding to state universities based on the amount of high-risk and in-state students.
Bob Roberts named national chief of the year
University Police Chief Bob Roberts was named national chief of the year by the National Association of Campus Safety Administrators.The National Association of Campus Safety Administrators is an organization dedicated to security on college campuses acrossthe country. "It’s always a great honor to receive recognition from your profession," Roberts said.
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