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USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
From rock climbing to skiing, this hidden gem is perfect for outdoor-loving families
'Experience America' is a five-part series that showcases often-overlooked destinations and experiences in our backyard. FAYETTEVILLE, West Virginia ― If you had told me in January I'd be going to West Virginia twice this year, I don't think I would have believed you, but I'm so glad I can now say I have been. West Virginia is an outdoor adventurer's paradise, and although even locals don't always take advantage of the resources right on their doorstep, the state is truly a hidden gem of the great outdoors. 'West Virginia is just often an underrated destination as a whole, and maybe not the first thought for a really high adventure destination,' Lindsey Funk, a public relations assistant at the West Virginia Department of Tourism, told me during my first visit, in May. For that, she said, even West Virginians often go elsewhere. But the Mountain State is trying to remind residents and visitors alike that it's a great place for any pace of outdoor adventure. Hiking and nature Probably the lowest barrier to entry for the outdoor adventure novice is a hike or a nature walk in West Virginia. The state and national parks, almost all of which are free to access, have nearly endless trails and scenic lookouts. West Virginia is a year-round destination, with breathtaking foliage in the fall and gorgeous vistas the rest of the year, according to Funk. 'In the state as a whole, hiking is probably one of our most family-friendly activities,' she said. From the Endless Wall trail in the New River Gorge to the West Virginia Waterfall trail – an official guide to the state's most beautiful water features – there's something for everyone. Just remember to bring a sturdy pair of shoes. On a recent personal trip to the New River Gorge and Charleston this spring, I saw firsthand how stunning the scenery along the Endless Wall trail can be. With scenic vistas throughout the gorge, including a unique perspective on the famous bridge, hiking there is relatively low-intensity and well worth the payoff. The entire trail is just under 5.5 miles out and back, according to AllTrails, but can easily be shortened after taking in some of the views. High adventure: Climbing and rafting For those seeking more adrenaline, West Virginia is also a great destination for rock climbing and whitewater rafting, both of which can be found in the New River Gorge. During the spring trip, I had a chance to raft on the lower New River, with rapids up to Class V, thanks to heavy rain in the days leading up to the excursion. With swift-moving water, the entire trip took around an hour and a half to two hours to cover about 14 miles, and the rapids were characterized primarily by big, rolling waves. The guide on the trip, from ACE Whitewater Rafting, said water levels can significantly change the dynamics of the river, which is why it's important to always travel with a guide. Whitewater rafting is an extreme sport, but guides make it much safer. There are numerous outfits throughout the New River Gorge that provide guided whitewater rafting excursions. Novice climbers may also want a guide or a more experienced buddy if they're checking out the crags. For rock climbers of all skill levels, West Virginia and the New River Gorge are also almost heaven. Crags around Fayetteville offer opportunities for outdoor bouldering, top roping, sport and trad climbing for all skill levels. There are also opportunities for deep water soloing at Summersville Lake State Park during the summer. I took a trip in July to join Queerclimbtastic, an LGBTQ+ rock climbing retreat held every summer in the New River Gorge, and saw firsthand how great the climbing opportunities are in the state. It was my first time climbing outside after years of indoor-only climbing, and I'm already excited to go back next year and explore other crags closer to home in the meantime. Bike City, USA Charleston is West Virginia's urban gateway to the wilderness, about an hour from the New River Gorge. It's also home to a professional circuit bike race and is trying to grow its presence as a destination for road and mountain biking. The state's capital is also a great place to use as a home base for a trip to West Virginia. 'Charleston's more of a cityscape for us, a smaller city, but this is a great place for downtown shops and events,' Funk said. 'But then, just an hour away, is so many acres of public land and those outdoor adventure options.' Charleston has a budding food and brewery scene, an extensive farmer's market and is also home to Mountain Stage, a long-running NPR program that broadcasts two hours of performed-live country music nationwide. Winter sports Funk said West Virginia is a year-round state and also has a handful of small ski resorts, which are great for beginners interested in trying out the sport. 'We are a four-season destination,' she said. Jim and Cara Hocking are full-time travel content creators and said they visited Winter Place, one of West Virginia's ski resorts, earlier this year with their four kids. Only Cara had skied before, and she said it was a great place for the rest of her family to learn. 'It was exactly what we needed, we had someone that was there that taught us the basics, taught our kids the basics,' Jim told me. 'It was a perfect place to have your first skiing experience in my mind.' How to get there and where to stay The closest airport will depend on exactly where you're going in the state, but for both of my trips to the New River Gorge, I flew into Charleston, the state capital of West Virginia. From there, it's about an hour to an hour and a half drive to Fayetteville, which is a significant gateway to the Gorge's outdoor recreation areas. Lodging options in and around Fayetteville include campsites, cabin rentals, traditional hotels, B&Bs and more. Options are also available in Charleston for those looking for a more urban base camp for their travels. Public transit options are limited, so visitors should plan to rent a car to get around. The reporter on this story received access from West Virginia's Department of Tourism. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'We lost a legend.' Oklahoma leaders remember Bob Funk, Express Employment cofounder
Robert A. Funk Sr., co-founder and executive chairman of Express Employment International, died Tuesday at Express Ranches, his longtime home in Yukon. He was 85. Funk's passing was less than three months after the death of company co-founder William H. Stoller. Together, the pair bought a bankrupt employment agency, Acme, and built it into the franchiser of Express Employment Professionals, the company's flagship brand and the fourth-largest staffing firm in the United States. The staffing firm, started in 1983, is also the 13th-largest globally, according to Staffing Industry Analysts, and operates in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Funk's son, Bob Funk Jr., was appointed company CEO and chairman in May. Officials mourn Bob Funk Sr., acknowledge his impact on Oklahoma Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ said in a statement that Funk was "a pillar" of the state's business and philanthropic community who left his mark on Oklahoma. "From helping Oklahomans find meaningful work to supporting rural development and preserving our Western heritage, his impact will be felt for generations," Russ said. "We take comfort in the words of Scripture: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' (Matthew 25:21). My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time of loss." Brian Pillmore, the Mayor of Yukon, released a statement praising Funk for his support of the city. "From seeing his Clydesdales and stagecoach grace our annual Czech Day parade to witnessing his dedication to our local traditions and charitable causes, it became clear that Bob's impact was woven deeply into the fabric of Yukon," Pillmore said. "On behalf of the City of Yukon, our deepest condolences go out to the Funk family and all those who have been touched by Bob's extraordinary life ... Rest well, Bob. Your spirit and contributions will forever be a cherished part of our city." In losing Funk, the state "has lost one of its greatest champions," Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said in a statement. "Bob embodied the entrepreneurial spirit ... his work ethic and vision were unmatched," Paxton said. "He believed in opportunity, in rewarding hard work and in giving people the tools they needed to succeed." House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson said her "heart goes out" to the family of the "Oklahoma legend." "His work on the Oklahoma Youth Expo Board–a beloved program for those of us in the Legislature–will be long lasting," Munson said. "He invested in Oklahoma and our future by using his influence to give back to a state he believed in. He will be missed, and his impact will always be remembered." What people are saying on social media about the death of Bob Funk Sr. From politicians to fellow ranchers, and friends to those who knew Funk through Express Employment, here's how people reacted to Funk's death. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Bob Funk dies at 85: Gov. Stitt, OK leaders remember business owner Solve the daily Crossword
Business Insider
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Autodesk (ADSK) Receives a Hold from Bank of America Securities
Bank of America Securities analyst Michael Funk reiterated a Hold rating on Autodesk yesterday and set a price target of $330.00. The company's shares closed yesterday at $294.55. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. Funk covers the Technology sector, focusing on stocks such as Autodesk, CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings, and Guidewire. According to TipRanks, Funk has an average return of -7.8% and a 39.31% success rate on recommended stocks. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating for Autodesk with a $345.11 average price target, which is a 17.17% upside from current levels. In a report released on July 8, Morgan Stanley also downgraded the stock to a Hold with a $290.00 price target.
NBC News
06-07-2025
- Health
- NBC News
When arousal hurts: Women suffering rare genital disorder often go undiagnosed
Mandy Funk, 37, remembers when her body began to betray her. As a college junior, she began to have episodes in which her body would act as if it were aroused for no reason. Sometimes, she says, it felt like hot sauce had been slathered over her genital area. She had to give up tight-fitting clothes and horseback riding, her lifelong love. Often the pain was so intense that she couldn't sit down. Funk struggled for years to find a doctor who understood her symptoms. She eventually learned she had developed a condition called persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), which led to treatment. Funk, who, with her husband, owns an electrical contracting company in Goessel, Kansas, did eventually get her life, at least partly, back on track. She's especially happy she can ride horses again with her children, although she still sometimes experiences flare-ups. Funk is fortunate to have gotten a diagnosis and help, experts say. Many doctors are unaware of the disorder, although there is some growing research. The condition started to come to light only in 2001, when researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey, described the experiences of five women with bouts of arousal symptoms that seemed to arise out of nothing. In the report, published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, the authors, Sandra Leiblum and Sharon Nathan, identified the key feature of the disorder as 'persistent physiological arousal in the absence of conscious feelings of sexual desire.' The condition was initially called 'persistent sexual arousal syndrome,' but then 'sexual' was replaced with 'genital' because it really had nothing to do with sex, said Dr. Irwin Goldstein, a urologist and director of San Diego Sexual Medicine. Not long after the 2001 report, Leiblum, then a professor of psychiatry at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, concluded that psychology alone wouldn't explain all the symptoms the five women were experiencing. Leiblum began sending patients to Goldstein, who at the time was a specialist in sexual dysfunction at Boston University. It's estimated that 1% to 4% of women may have symptoms of the disorder, although incidence could be significantly higher, said Caroline Pukall, a professor of psychology at Queens University in Canada. Many women aren't comfortable discussing a topic they see as private, even with their doctors, she said. Another issue could be people's difficulty imagining arousal could be a bad thing. 'Maybe it's all the assumptions about how arousal is supposed to feel,' Pukall said. 'Most experience body and mind working together in a really pleasurable way. So they have no framework to understand this in.' Pukall said that may help explain why so few in the medical community are aware of PGAD, adding, 'Certainly, most primary care providers have not heard of it at all.' To raise awareness, Goldstein and other experts — including doctors who focus on sexual dysfunction, psychologists and physical therapists — formed a panel to share what they had learned about PGAD. In 2021, the panel published a report in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, offering a road map to determining possible causes and treatments for the 'extremely distressing sexual health condition,' which 'may be more prevalent than previously recognized,' the authors wrote. They noted that symptoms might first appear in the vaginal region, the pelvic area or the spinal cord. According to Goldstein and colleagues, diagnosis of PGAD, at a minimum, would require that a woman had: Persistent or recurrent, unwanted or intrusive, distressing sensations of genital arousal. Symptoms that had lasted for three or more months. Sensations that couldn't be associated with any sexual interest, thoughts or fantasies. Buzzing, tingling, burning, twitching, itching or pain, along with a sensation of arousal. While the sensations would most commonly be felt in the clitoris, they could also be felt in the vulva, the vagina, the urethra, the bladder and other locations in the vicinity of the pelvis. The 2021 report included findings from a small functional MRI study that analyzed brain scans of three women with PGAD and 12 healthy volunteers. The healthy volunteers were asked to think about sex while in the machine, and those with PGAD were scanned when they were feeling symptoms of the condition. The area of the brain that lit up when the healthy volunteers were thinking about sex, the paracentral lobule, also shone much more brightly when the women with PGAD were symptomatic. PGAD is primarily a problem of too much unwanted, unrelenting sensation going to the brain, Goldstein said. While the paracentral lobule has other functions, in the context of PGAD, it's a key sensory region of the brain involved in processing information from the urogenital areas, such as the clitoris, vulva and perineum; the pelvic organs, including the bladder, urethra, vagina, cervix and rectum; and the lower limbs, especially the toes, he said. More recently, a small study by German researchers using brain scans was published in Scientific Reports in February, with 26 patients diagnosed with PGAD and 26 healthy volunteers. Areas of the brain associated with the disorder were activated as expected, but the researchers said it was unclear whether specific symptoms were connected to the different pattern of brain activity. The findings gave potential areas of focus for future research, they wrote. Ultimately, the earlier scanning study may have been more telling. 'We know that irritated sensory nerves and nerve roots are associated with PGAD and excess brain activity in the paracentral lobule,' Goldstein said. But that's still not enough, he said. 'Nerve irritation or nerve root irritation can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, compression, infections and inflammation,' he said, adding that if the message from irritated nerves gets to the paracentral lobule, a woman might experience unwanted genital arousal. If doctors could better identify the exact pathway that led to unwanted arousal, more women could be helped, Goldstein said. 'That's our job as sex detectives,' he said. 'The good news is that we can now really help improve quality of life in about two-thirds of women.' In general, specialists will treat the underlying problem that triggered the disorder to see whether the arousals resolve. What causes the disorder? PGAD can result from many conditions that irritate the nerves, from back injuries to changes in dosing of certain antidepressants. Dr. Sharon Parish, a professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, points to the first case she ever saw: that of a woman who had tripped at work and injured her hip a year earlier. By the time the patient was referred to Parish by her OB-GYN, she was struggling to find a position that didn't cause her pain. For Shari Stewart, 63, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, the bottom came when she went to a doctor for help with the pain she was experiencing. She had searched for her symptoms online for years and finally determined she must have PGAD. 'I told him I think I have PGAD,' Stewart remembered. 'I have all these symptoms, and before I could show him the list, he said, 'God, I wish my wife had that.' And then he chuckled.' Stewart doesn't think the doctor ever took her seriously. Even after the 2021 consensus report, a very small percentage of doctors know about the disorder, especially in primary care or internal medicine, Goldstein said. 'I estimate only about 5% to 10% of all providers are aware of PGAD.' Parish recommends that women who suspect they've developed PGAD search the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health website for a list of providers who are familiar with the condition and can offer treatments. Knowing just what went wrong is what helped April Patterson, 45, get her life back. Patterson, a physical therapist from Los Angeles, started having pain during intercourse when she was 21. 'It was like sciatic pain,' she says. 'It would just shoot down my leg, during intercourse only.' Then the pain started to arise more often and in more places. 'Everything felt like it was tingling, burning, buzzing,' she said. After years of pain, one day, Patterson saw a flyer advertising a presentation on pelvic pain related to nerve issues. 'I thought, this is what I have,' she said. 'I need to go to this meeting.' That was when Patterson first heard Goldstein talk. After several X-rays and a brain scan, Patterson's symptoms and pain were traced to herniated discs in her lower spine. After she was treated with a nerve block, her pelvic symptoms were relieved. A spine surgeon repaired the damaged discs and widened the opening in the spinal canal where it was too narrow. The procedure completely fixed Patterson's PGAD and most of her pain. The experience made Patterson more aware of how much women keep to themselves. In questionnaires, she now asks her patients about unwanted persistent arousal, as well as pelvic pain and other related symptoms. 'And then we can get into the conversation,' she said.
Global News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Saskatoon, Regina tabbed as potential expansion markets for Women's Football Alliance
It's crunch time for the Saskatoon Valkyries, less than 48 hours away from competing for a fifth consecutive Western Women's Canadian Football League title. The Valkyries are preparing to hit the road for Edmonton and visit the Arctic Pride on Saturday in the WWCFL championship game. 'I think we're just ready to dial in, focus on the specifics of our game against their game and see where it takes us,' said Valkyries offensive line vet Alyssa Funk. Off the field, however, buzz is swirling around women's tackle football circles regarding the Women's Football Alliance and their push to expand north of the border in 2026. Established in 2009, the WFA has grown to become the largest women's tackle football league in the United States and includes 14 teams in their pro division, with another 46 teams across the country playing in their Division II and Division III ranks. Story continues below advertisement Partnering with Ontario marketing agency Cosmos Sports & Entertainment, the WFA is now pushing to expand to a Canadian division with the goal of adding up to six teams in the new year. 'Why is this not in Canada?' said Cosmos president Cary Kaplan. 'It's successful in the States, it's got big viewership on ESPN, it's growing. With the CFL and the strength of football in Canada, it really should have a Canadian presence.' Aiming to begin play for their Canadian division as early as next spring, the WFA has its eyes set on potential teams in Saskatchewan with the push to acquire interested investors in both Saskatoon and Regina. According to Kaplan, both markets were determined to have potential for expansion due to the facilities in both cities and the passion for football in the province. 'There's no better spot,' said Kaplan. 'Saskatchewan is the capital of football in the country. People in Winnipeg would argue that they're in the race, too, but I think that's really where the heart of football is and women's football.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Saskatchewan has been served by both the Valkyries and Regina Riot since the WWCFL launched as a league in 2011, combining to win every league championship since its inaugural season. With the WFA promoting a professional opportunity for women to earn a sum of money while playing, Funk said it's an interesting framework which she is eager to learn more about. Story continues below advertisement 'It's exciting,' said Funk. 'Getting to see the women's game grow especially is huge. It looks like they're doing some really good work in the States, so I'm curious to see where it's going to go from there.' According to Valkyries head coach Pat Barry, the WFA has not yet reached out to either the team or the WWCFL about what the potential expansion would mean for their member clubs. 2:06 Saskatoon Valkyries overcoming young roster, chasing fifth straight WWCFL title However, this isn't the first time the team has interacted with the WFA, as they played a team based out of Las Vegas in 2019. 'I'd be interested to see what they're thinking about, I know we have a league here in Western Canada,' said Barry. 'They are probably the biggest women's league in the world. They've been around for a long time and like I've said, we've already played a team in the WFA.' Story continues below advertisement Football Saskatchewan has entered into preliminary discussions with WFA representatives over the last few weeks, though CEO Jeff Yausie added there are still a lot of questions about what the process would look like and if a franchise could be established in less than a year's time. When it comes to the appetite for such a program in either Saskatoon or Regina, however, Yausie believes players would be interested with a move away from their current 'pay to play' model. 'I think it's a natural progression,' said Yausie. 'It's a matter of when it happens, not if it happens. I don't know if it's in the next year or two, or not. I'm excited about filling the stands and role models for girls that are playing flag and tackle (football).' He added the possibility of a television contract, similar to what the WFA has built with ESPN2, is intriguing for Football Saskatchewan. While the league is aiming to bring in six markets to start, Kaplan said they are prepared to move forward with the Canadian Division in the spring which would play in the WFA pro ranks alongside American teams. Kaplan also said the WFA isn't viewing the WWCFL as competition, but as a potential partner as they look for owners coast to coast to invest in franchises. 'We have great respect for the system and we would want to work closely (with them),' said Kaplan. 'We're not there yet. Once we get some backing behind it I think we would have serious discussions with the (WWCFL) and any existing teams about a collaboration.' Story continues below advertisement Playing with the Valkyries since 2019, wide receiver Rachelle Smith believes the increased interest in women's sports will mean even more growth for women's football in the province. Smith wants to be a part of that movement, whether it's with the Valkyries or as part of a new professional league. 'It would be a sweet opportunity,' said Smith. 'Any chance that women get to play football, get out there and show younger girls that it's a sport that they can get into, play and gain confidence in… I think it's an awesome opportunity.' The Valkyries will kick off the 2025 WWCFL championship game against the Edmonton Arctic Pride at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.
