AGP Executive Report

WVU Medicine: WVU Heart and Vascular Institute and the WVU Cancer Institute performed West Virginia’s first single-port robotic-assisted lobectomy for lung cancer, aiming for less pain and faster recovery. Public Safety & Immigration: An Ogden official is pushing for clearer rules for police interactions with ICE after an officer was filmed caught between an ICE agent and an immigrant. Public Health: A cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled lettuce keeps expanding, with CDC reporting new confirmed cases in additional states and thousands of illnesses nationwide. Disaster Relief & Food Access: SNAP hot-food waivers were approved for flood-impacted Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur counties, letting households buy prepared hot meals through late September. Local Government: Austin Gessel will fill a vacant Kanawha County Commission seat, after an unusual scramble over whether nominees would accept the appointment. Sports (WVU): Rich Rodriguez is expected to name Michael Hawkins Jr. as WVU’s starting quarterback for the opener. Community & Education: West Virginia Superintendent Michele Blatt read to Southside first graders in Huntington as part of an Engaging Families push to boost learning at home.

Severe Weather: Martinsburg was hit by flash flooding after a storm dumped about 5.5 inches of rain in under an hour, damaging vehicles, flooding basements, and forcing closures at multiple Berkeley County schools. Public Health & Tech in Medicine: WVU Medicine performed West Virginia’s first single-port robotic-assisted lung surgery, aiming to reduce pain and speed recovery for eligible patients. Opioid Response: Charleston is using opioid settlement funds to back local treatment and recovery initiatives through grants coordinated with the United Way. AI & Energy Economy: Reporting says Anthropic agreed to a roughly $45 billion deal for AI computing tied to a West Virginia power plant, with 460 megawatts from a Mason County campus. Local Infrastructure: Harrison County’s Brushy Fork Road is set for a week-plus of daytime traffic delays for milling, paving, and shoulder work. Education & Literacy: Read Aloud West Virginia launched a Dolly Parton–linked fundraising match to boost early childhood literacy. Greenbrier Ownership: The Greenbrier’s ownership change drew public sparring between Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Sen. Jim Justice. Road Safety: State Police reported a fatal head-on crash on U.S. 52 in Wayne County. Business & Workforce: BridgeValley CTC and WVU Parkersburg received $2 million for a manufacturing workforce program.

AI & Health Care: WVU Medicine teams at the Heart and Vascular Institute and Cancer Institute performed West Virginia’s first single-port robotic lung surgery, aiming for less pain and faster recovery for lung cancer patients. Public Safety & Scams: WVU police warned students about sextortion and fraud schemes tied to online dating and social media, urging people not to send money to threats. Education Policy: West Virginia’s superintendent backed Kanawha County Schools’ Hope Scholarship and special-education reevaluation approach after the AG questioned whether the protocol violates law. Courts & Local Government: Kanawha County renamed a courtroom for longtime prosecutor U.S. Attorney Chuck Miller. State Politics: A Kanawha County commissioner selection hit a snag after two nominees said they would not serve if chosen. Business & Housing: Prime Cabinets opened a third West Virginia showroom in Beckley. Storm Impacts: Martinsburg-area flooding led to school closures and other storm-related office shutdowns. Food Safety: Cyclospora cases tied to recalled lettuce expanded to 20 states, including West Virginia. Tech Investment: Gov. Morrisey touted a reported $45B Anthropic deal for AI computing capacity at Nscale’s West Virginia data center.

WVU Enrollment Watch: WVU says projected fall 2026 enrollment for budgeting is down to 22,409 on the Morgantown campus, with first-time freshmen projected to fall to 4,127, even as retention hits an all-time high. Medicaid Work Requirement Prep: The West Virginia Department of Human Services is urging Medicaid members to get ready for 2027 changes, including an 80-hours-per-month qualifying-activity requirement for many adults ages 19–64. Meta Settlement Money: West Virginia is set to receive nearly $114M from a massive multistate Meta child-safety settlement, with sweeping requirements aimed at Instagram and Facebook. AI Compute Deal: Reports say Anthropic has signed a $45B cloud capacity agreement with Nscale, with a West Virginia site expected to begin operations late next year. Local Public Safety & Roads: WVDOH warns of a rolling roadblock on US 50 near Second Street Bridge work, and West Virginia State Police report a Nicholas County neighbor dispute turned fatal with a murder charge filed. Community Calendar: WVDEP is recruiting volunteers for the Kanawha River Cleanup on Sept. 12, and WV Lottery launches Powerball Xs and Os with tickets starting Sept. 8.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay $17.1B (up to $18B) and add new safety limits for teens on Instagram and Facebook, with West Virginia set to receive about $114M as part of the multistate deal. AI & Reliability: WVU researcher Anthony Sicilia warns that AI can be “right” and then get steered into wrong answers as users persuade it—an NSF-funded push to help AI recognize uncertainty. Data Centers & Power: Worley won three engineering contracts tied to U.S. data-center power expansion, with work routed through its Charleston, West Virginia office. Greenbrier Political Fight: Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Sen. Jim Justice traded barbs over Greenbrier leadership and casino ownership changes. Jobs Impact: Boone County’s Eagle Horizon Mine closure will permanently eliminate 70+ jobs, according to a WARN notice. Transportation Updates: A rolling roadblock is set for US 50 near the Second Street Bridge in the morning Thursday, with detours and delays expected. Health Access: LUCAS, WVU’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, is scheduled to visit Putnam, Clay, and Ritchie counties in September. Community & Culture: “Rainbow Harvest” brought LGBTQ+ chefs and local food to Capitol Market in Charleston. Public Safety: Mothers Against Drunk Driving is teaming up for “Saturation Saturday” Aug. 29 to crack down on impaired driving.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: West Virginia is set to receive up to $114.6 million from a $17.1 billion multistate deal with Meta over alleged harms to children on Instagram and Facebook, with sweeping safety changes required once court-approved. Tourism & Travel: The West Virginia Vacation Guide won a U.S. Travel ESTO Award for 2026 print marketing, with distribution topping 350,000 copies. Health Access: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit LUCAS will visit Putnam, Clay, and Ritchie counties in late September, with uninsured patients potentially covered through grant funding. Public Safety Funding: The ARH Foundation awarded $5,000 to the Hazard Fire Department for emergency communications upgrades. Local Roads: I-79 southbound off-ramp to I-68 eastbound closes tonight for bridge steel work; US 50 in Wood County faces Sunday delays for fiber-optic installation. Education/Student Life: A WVU alumni-created PRT status app is shutting down after eight years. School Clothing Aid: Gov. Morrisey says 54,000 students have received school clothing allowance funds, including some who didn’t apply.

Health Access: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, will visit Putnam, Clay, and Ritchie counties Sept. 22-24 for low-dose CT scans, with appointments required 14+ days ahead and screenings billed to insurance; uninsured West Virginians may qualify through grant funding. Public Safety & Courts: A Clarksburg man, Anthony Bernard Coles, was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison for selling meth and cocaine in Harrison County, with investigators also seizing fentanyl and a hidden firearm. Local Justice: Raleigh County deputies arrested Michael Shawn Ayers after a stolen-vehicle probe led to recovery of jewelry, gift cards, and a chainsaw, with charges including burglary and larceny. State Government: Gov. Jim Morrisey ordered flags at all state facilities lowered to half-staff in honor of Dolly Parton, running Aug. 26 through Sept. 1. Community & Housing: Morgantown’s warming shelter plans are lining up early, with Catholic Charities set to run the seasonal site at Hazel’s House of Hope while funding is finalized. Business/Tech: Putnam United is urging residents to weigh in on a proposed data center after commissioners heard concerns about transparency, environmental impacts, and water.

Federal Drug Case: A Clarksburg man, Anthony Bernard Coles, was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison for trafficking meth and cocaine, with investigators seizing fentanyl, a stolen handgun, and ammo during a Harrison County search. Judicial Appointment: Gov. Patrick Morrisey appointed Berkeley County Prosecutor Joseph R. Kinser to a new judgeship in the 27th Judicial Circuit covering Berkeley and Morgan counties. University Avenue Plan: WVU President Michael Benson says he’s discussing closing University Avenue in front of the Mountainlair to improve pedestrian safety, aiming to move “sooner than later.” Local Public Safety Tech Fight: Huntington residents are collecting signatures to ban mass surveillance, seeking to void the city’s Flock Safety contract approved last month for $2.1 million. Sports & Schedules: WVU released its 2026 cross country schedule, and Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport will reopen Wednesday after maintenance. Community & Culture: Parkersburg YMCA named Jan Dils its Heart of Our Community honoree, and Beckley unveiled a Bill Withers memorial statue.

Federal Sentencing: A Clarksburg man, Anthony Bernard Coles (“Pay Day”), was sentenced to 292 months for trafficking meth and cocaine in Harrison County, with investigators also seizing fentanyl, a stolen Glock, and ammo hidden in air vents. Courts & Public Safety: Former WV delegate/teacher David Elliott Pritt pleaded not guilty to federal charges tied to enticing a minor; his trial is set for Oct. 5. Local Government: Huntington City Council continues wrestling with Flock surveillance cameras, as officials work on “guardrails” after public pushback and changes to data retention. Health & Access: Gov. Jim Morrisey announced about $2.34 million to expand non-emergency medical transportation across West Virginia, focusing on adding vehicles and rides. Juvenile Justice: Morrisey also announced $659,570 in juvenile justice and delinquency prevention Title II grants for 12 WV projects. Environment & Tech: WVU researchers are using AI to speed up how scientists process ecosystem “breathing” data, aiming for faster responses to drought and wildfire. Road Safety: WSAZ reports repeated deadly crashes at the I-64/I-77 split, where cars have gone over barriers. Sports: WVU men’s soccer beat St. Bonaventure 1-0 in its home opener for its first win of the season.

Juvenile Justice Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $659,570 in federal Title II juvenile justice grants for 12 West Virginia projects, aimed at mentoring, counseling, intervention, and education for at-risk youth. Maternal Mental Health: Monongalia County WIC surpassed 600 parent screenings for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders across north-central WV, with staff trained to spot warning signs and connect families to care. Interstate Safety Scrutiny: After repeated deadly crashes at the I-77/I-64 split in Charleston, WVDOH says it’s coordinating with police and plans high-friction surface treatment later this fall while reviewing possible additional countermeasures. Military Hall of Fame Rules: Morrisey opened draft rules for the new West Virginia Military Hall of Fame for public comment through Sept. 11. Court Case Update: Former WV Delegate Elliott Pritt pleaded not guilty in federal court to child exploitation, coercion/enticement, and witness tampering charges. Local Law Enforcement: West Virginia State Police arrested a Morgantown man accused of sharing child pornography via Discord. Community Support: Catholic Charities West Virginia asked the Mon County Commission to help fund a warming shelter, seeking to match a $40,000 city contribution. Sports: WVU football is preparing for Coastal Carolina as Rich Rodriguez finalizes the team’s “answer sheet” ahead of the Sept. 5 opener.

Tourism Leadership: Gov. Patrick Morrisey appointed former Fayette County delegate Kayla Kessinger as West Virginia’s new tourism secretary, praising her storytelling and tying the role to the state’s outdoor-recreation identity. Water Infrastructure Grants: Morrisey announced a statewide partnership with WVU and Marshall, plus 11 regional planning councils, to help small water systems win state and federal funding and push projects past delays. Hospital Lawsuit: A federal jury in Wheeling found Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital Corp. liable for civil conspiracy and vicarious liability in a dispute tied to allegations of false claims over doctor overpayments and patient referrals, awarding Memorial Health System $5 million. Business Recognition: WVU’s John Chambers College named this year’s inductees to the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame, with the Sept. 1 ceremony set for The Greenbrier. Sports & Community: WVU women’s soccer beat Duquesne 2-0, and Morgantown’s Dick’s Sporting Goods reopened after a long remodel with expanded athlete-focused features. Public Safety: State Police said a Chapmanville man was arrested after a one-year-old suffered a serious left-eye injury during an alleged domestic incident.

Opioid Funds Shift: West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey ordered future opioid settlement proceeds to flow to the state legislature instead of the West Virginia First Foundation, changing how new money will be directed. EMS Levy on Ballot: Monongalia County voters will decide a four-year renewal of the county EMS levy in November, keeping the same property-rate structure after the agency reported 84,450 calls over the last four years. Road Safety Push: Lawmakers are calling for an immediate review of highway barriers after multiple recent crashes, including a deadly I-64/77 split incident that sent a car into a construction yard. Scam Tracker Update: Elkins logged three online purchase scams in July, tying for 7th among West Virginia cities with at least one BBB Scam Tracker report. Crash Tragedy: Two children were killed and a third teen was critically injured in a Clay County crash when a vehicle struck the rear of a parked loader. Community Health: Local groups donated produce boxes to cancer patients at United Hospital Center, aiming to support outpatient care with fresh food. Sports & Local Interest: The Monongalia County EMS levy renewal and WVU sports coverage also drew attention, while a separate story noted an Elkins scam report spike and a statewide push for safer roads.

Transportation Safety: Kanawha Delegate Dana Ferrell is pushing an immediate review of highway barrier safety after a deadly I-64/I-77-area crash where four died, citing multiple similar incidents in five days and calling for options like stronger walls, rumble strips, warning lights, and even short-term camera review. Infrastructure: Crews will begin phased work on the Rt. 690 bridge over Rt. 7 starting Sept. 8, narrowing lanes first, then rebuilding one side while traffic shifts to keep vehicles moving. Public Safety & Community: A new Benji Barb Memorial Training Center dedicated in memory of a fallen firefighter will expand search-and-rescue and rescue-tech training in the region. Local Governance & Privacy: Huntington residents are collecting signatures to put a ballot measure on the ballot to ban Flock mass-surveillance systems after a 6-4 council vote approved a multi-year contract. Water & Recovery: Weston is getting a street sweeper to speed flood cleanup after the July 21 disaster. Culture & Tourism: Shepherd University will host its 30th Appalachian Heritage Festival Sept. 24-27 with free public events across Shepherdstown. Education & Growth: Wesleyan College reports a 20% jump in new students, plus big gains from Upshur County and West Virginia Promise Scholars.

Rare Earths From Coal Mines: Researchers at WVU say abandoned mine drainage can be treated to recover rare earth minerals, with a Mount Storm pilot facility producing about four tons of rare earth oxides a year—aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on China. Severe Weather Watch: The National Weather Service warns Saturday storms in West Virginia could bring damaging wind gusts up to 58 mph and some hail. Local Fraud Snapshot: Clendenin is among 48 WV cities tied for 21st in July BBB Scam Tracker reports, with one scam report logged. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest E85 in Cabell County at $3.33 for the week ending Aug. 15, while premium gas prices vary by county. Education & Sports: WVU women’s basketball set its 2026 Education Day game (Nov. 17 vs. Akron) and WVU football WR Jaden Bray earned a Comeback Player of the Year watchlist spot. Community & Safety: A multi-vehicle crash on Route 50 in Harrison County sent multiple people to hospitals, with the cause still under investigation.

State Fair of West Virginia: Visitors say the fair still delivers the basics—livestock, rides, and comfort-food traditions—while organizers keep adding safety and community touches, including Operation Lifesaver’s train-track education. Tourism shake-up: Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s new tourism secretary, Kayla Kessinger, made her first public appearance at “West Virginia Day” at the fair and flagged a major end-of-September tourism conference as her early priority. Utility oversight: The West Virginia PSC granted intervener status to WVA Manufacturing (Alloy) and the Sanitary Board of Smithers ahead of a Monday hearing tied to a Fayette County water-system sale and expected resale-rate changes. Weather and travel: The weekend outlook includes scattered showers and storms with damaging-wind and hail risk, plus roadwork impacts on I-64 East in Putnam County. Local life, local wins: West Virginia anglers broke the pumpkinseed sunfish record three times in under a month, and a new set of mountain bike features is set to open on Beckley’s rail trail Saturday. Big-picture economy: Nscale’s reported plan to pursue a $3B IPO spotlights its West Virginia AI data-center campus and the growing national debate over data-center growth and water use.

Water Infrastructure Boost: Marshall and West Virginia University are teaming up to create Grant Resource Centers to help communities pursue water and wastewater funding, building on Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s $145 million state investment and aiming to leverage more federal and private dollars. Public Safety & Courts: A 15-year-old girl from Philippi is missing and considered endangered; authorities say she was last seen Thursday night leaving home in a 2018 Nissan Sentra. Legal Win: Beckley attorney Stephen P. New and Associates secured a $9.25 million federal jury verdict for Kai Spears in a defamation and privacy case against The New York Times. Energy/Regulation: West Virginia PSC staff asked for a pause or dismissal of NextEra’s MARL transmission line case after proposed route changes and new federal directives raised uncertainty. Local Updates: A rolling roadblock is planned on I-64 in Greenbrier County Aug. 30 for fiber line installation. Community Fundraising: Morgantown’s Old Stone House charity program kicks off Sept. 7, running through Dec. 31.