AGP Executive Report

Big 12 Baseball: Kansas is headed to the Big 12 Tournament final after a 9-2 semifinal win over Oklahoma State, sparked by Tyson LeBlanc’s grand slam and a six-run eighth that put the game away. Mountaineers on Deck: West Virginia and Kansas meet Saturday for the title and an automatic NCAA Tournament bid—WVU swept KU earlier this month in Lawrence, setting up a high-stakes rematch. Courtroom Verdict: Timothy Kennedy Jr. was found guilty on all charges in the 2023 murder of West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard, with the jury also rejecting mercy. Gas Watch: Prices stayed uneven across the state—Upshur midgrade hit $4.78, Fayette diesel dipped to $5.69, and Morgan regular fell as low as $4.29 in the week ending May 16. Religion & Community: A WVU study finds many worshippers rotate between multiple churches, while a new Wetland Trail opened at the Ohio River Islands Refuge in Williamstown.

Big 12 Baseball: West Virginia punched its ticket to the Big 12 title game with a 7-3 semifinal win over Arizona State, turning a 3-1 deficit into a late surge and setting up Saturday’s championship against Kansas. Historic Preservation: Wheeling’s Friends of Wheeling is continuing its Preservation Loan Guarantee Fund and grant efforts after the death of founder Betty Woods “Snookie” Nutting, aiming to keep older homes from being lost. Local Control vs. State Oversight: The Little Kanawha Conservation District is warning that a new law (HB 5364) could shift dam maintenance duties from local districts to a state agency starting June 12. Family Anxiety in Early Learning: A multistate survey finds Head Start kids are showing increased anxiety and behavior issues tied to immigration enforcement fears, including in West Virginia. Memorial Day Costs: AAA and GasBuddy say gas prices are still climbing, with West Virginia among states projected to hit Memorial Day record highs.

Local Government: Chuck Miller was appointed Fayette County Commissioner, stepping into the seat left vacant after Greg Fernett’s death, and says he plans to push on affordable housing and local fixes like the pool and memorial flame. State Policy: A new West Virginia law shifts ownership of watershed dams and flood-control channels from local conservation districts to a statewide agency, raising fears about slower emergency response and lost local oversight. Weather & Safety: A flood watch is up for multiple counties across West Virginia through Saturday morning, with 1.5–2 inches possible, while eastern Kansas saw a driver hit a bear; the bear was euthanized. Community & Culture: The 49th Vandalia Gathering kicks off at the state Capitol Complex this weekend with free events, music, and contests. Economy & Cost of Living: A new study says West Virginia has the lowest monthly household bills in the U.S. at about $1,984, while other states face steep pressure. Sports & Entertainment: The Players Era 16 bracket is set, and IU Columbus is getting WV’s Devin Baty after his LOI signing.

Parkersburg Recall Push: Recall petitions are circulating to remove Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce and City Council President Andrew Borkowski, with organizers citing transparency and public backlash over a proposed shift of sanitation work to a contracted service. Courts & Care: West Virginia Supreme Court justices revived a Wheeling wrongful-death medical malpractice case, ruling a duty of care existed during a 2017 opioid clinic intake assessment. Big 12 Moment for WVU: Maxx Yehl struck out seven and went six scoreless as WVU beat Kansas State 4-2 to advance in the Big 12 Tournament. Memorial Day Safety: Governor’s Highway Safety Program officials urged drivers to slow down, buckle up, and put phones away as enforcement ramps up for the “100 days of summer.” Rare Visitor: A glossy ibis—normally a coastal bird—was spotted near the Ohio River Islands refuge in Waverly.

Memorial Day travel crunch: West Virginia Turnpike officials are bracing for about 349,000 transactions over the holiday weekend, with Friday the busiest day at roughly 146,000. Players Era hoops: The 2026 Players Era men’s brackets are set in Las Vegas, with Auburn vs. West Virginia on Nov. 17 and Michigan drawing Creighton in the other early tournament. Gas prices watch: Cabell County’s lowest regular hit $4.18 (week ending May 16), while statewide averages for regular hover around the mid-$4s. Public safety: Parkersburg police arrested a man after he allegedly admitted shaking a 4-month-old, leaving the infant with serious injuries. Health alert: The FDA ordered a recall of 4,000+ bottles of vitamin supplements across 24 states due to possible black particulate contamination. Higher education pressure: A new report warns colleges face a structural reckoning as costs rise and enrollment strains budgets.

College Football Playoff Expansion: Big Ten deputy commissioner Kerry Kenny says if the CFP goes to 24 teams, 80 different schools would’ve qualified since 2014—proof the field would be far more crowded than fans expect. Local Weather: A cold front brings soggy conditions across the Mid-Ohio Valley Thursday, with more rain and possible localized flooding Friday through the Memorial Day weekend. Public Safety: A Randolph County man was arrested after repeatedly calling 911 claiming zombies, ghosts, and a UFO were “harassing” him—authorities say the reports were false. Greenbrier Legal Fight: West Virginia tax officials are asking to join a federal lawsuit tied to the Greenbrier Resort, arguing more than $4 million in tax liens are at stake. America 250: West Virginia is rolling out statewide plans for the nation’s 250th, including a major Charleston Capitol weekend with a free, 200+ foot America250 Wheel. Sports (WVU): WVU’s Maxx Yehl was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Year as the Mountaineers begin Big 12 tournament play.

Turnpike Disruptions: West Virginia State Police say an oversized equipment escort on I-77 from Princeton toward Charleston is expected to start around 2 p.m., with intermittent lane closures and extended delays. Public Safety: A pedestrian was killed after being struck on the West Virginia Turnpike in Charleston early Wednesday morning; the incident remains under investigation. Investigation Update: In Kanawha County, authorities confirmed human remains found during a search warrant at a Big Chimney home are those of missing 16-year-old Shayln Shantel Harvey, and the case is now being investigated as a homicide. Health Alert: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are recalled in multiple states, including West Virginia, due to possible salmonella contamination. State Funding: WVDEP is accepting applications for 2026 Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization grant money, with submissions due July 10. Local Culture: Clarksburg’s 47th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival returns Sept. 4-6 with free street entertainment.

Storm Watch: A cold front is bringing a stormy stretch across the Mid-Ohio Valley, with widespread rain and storms possible through the Memorial Day weekend, including hail and gusty winds—so locals are being urged to plan for wet-weather backups. Public Safety & Courts: Parkersburg police say a suspect was fatally wounded in an officer-involved shootout, and investigators found a second deceased person inside the home; the West Virginia State Police are leading the probe. State Budget Pressure: Lawmakers were told West Virginia will pay more than $12M in consulting fees for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program next year, while the governor’s office continues to tout “potential” savings claims that critics say lack clear cost details. Health & Consumer Alerts: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are under recall in 17 states over possible Salmonella exposure. Local Economy: The Secretary of State reports over 1,900 new registered businesses statewide in April, with business growth led by Monongalia, Kanawha, Berkeley, Raleigh and Jefferson. Community & Culture: Clarksburg is gearing up for its 47th Italian Heritage Festival in September, with free street entertainment downtown.

Violent Arrest-Scene Shooting: Parkersburg police say a man produced a firearm and opened fire on officers at an apartment on 25th Street Saturday night, killing two people at the scene; West Virginia State Police now leads the investigation, and one Wood County deputy plus one Parkersburg officer are on administrative duty. Public Safety Focus: A state traffic-safety luncheon highlighted DUI, speed, distracted driving, and seat-belt enforcement—reporting 1,873 DUI arrests in 2025. America 250 Rollout: Gov. Morrisey launched West Virginia’s four-day America 250 celebration (July 2-5) with a 230-foot “America 250 Wheel,” and the DMV unveiled a limited-edition license plate. Health & Care Watch: CMS data continued to rate nursing homes across the state, with multiple facilities reporting fines/penalties and overall ratings ranging from 1 to 5. Everyday Life: AAA expects 213,704 West Virginians to travel Memorial Day weekend, and the state registered 1,975 new businesses in April.

Officer-Involved Shooting: West Virginia State Police took over an investigation after Parkersburg officers responded to an apartment on 25th Street and a suspect opened fire, killing two people inside; a Parkersburg officer and a Wood County deputy were placed on administrative duty. Public Safety & Enforcement: The Governor’s Highway Safety Program honored more than 100 agencies and officers for 2025 traffic-safety work, including DUI crackdowns and seatbelt enforcement, as officials stress “crashes” are choices. State Politics: House members met at the Capitol for first informational sessions after contested primaries, while lawmakers pressed for more data on Morrisey’s claim of a potential TANF deficit. Child Welfare: WV joined the “A Home for Every Child” initiative to expand foster capacity and stabilize placements. Health Watch: Across the country, tick bites and Lyme-related ER visits are spiking in Illinois and other warmer regions. Local Planning: Meetings continue on replacing the Market Street Bridge, with alternatives on the table.

Childcare shake-up signals: Gov. Patrick Morrisey is flagging possible cuts to West Virginia’s childcare assistance and clothing voucher program, citing state debt—just as families say childcare costs keep climbing. Public safety push: West Virginia State Police will run a seatbelt checkpoint on Rt. 3 and Rt. 99 near Glen Daniels May 21, and the state is also urging life-jacket use as National Safe Boating Week kicks off. Workforce pipeline: Nitro’s new training center is expanding union apprenticeship access for trades like construction and welding, aiming to close the skills gap. Missing teen case: Deputies say the body of 16-year-old Shayln Harvey was found at her home two weeks after she went missing; investigators are treating it as a homicide. Energy costs: Mon Power and Potomac Edison seek PSC approval for a rate increase tied to reliability and infrastructure, with a public comment hearing set for July 15. Health care spotlight: CMS ratings highlight a mix across nursing homes, from top marks at Webster to lower scores elsewhere.

Data Centers Watch: State and developers held a Lunch and Learn on the proposed $4 billion Bedington Data Center campus, pitching power, infrastructure, and community impacts as the project’s scale—600+ MW and 1,000+ construction jobs—moves from talk to planning. Election Courtroom Fight: The DOJ is pushing to force the release of unredacted statewide voter registration files from WV’s Secretary of State, arguing federal election-law checks require access despite privacy and authority objections. Child Care Crunch: Save the Children says rural West Virginia lacks providers and slots, and an $8 million grant aims to expand the early-childhood workforce. Public Safety: WV DNR is urging boaters to follow life-jacket rules as summer boating season ramps up. Politics After Primaries: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito called for unity among Republicans after a rough, negative primary season. Sports & Community: Oak Glen punched a ticket to the state softball tournament; WVU wrapped spring commencement weekend with 3,600+ graduates.

Parkersburg Police Standoff: An officer-involved shooting Saturday night ended with two deaths after gunfire erupted at a 25th Street apartment; the West Virginia State Police took over the investigation and placed one Parkersburg officer and one Wood County deputy on administrative duty. Gas Prices Watch: In the week ending May 9, Roane County’s lowest regular gas hit $4.09, while Grant County’s lowest premium was $5.09; across West Virginia, averages stayed elevated (regular about $4.35, premium about $5.22). WVU Sports: WVU baseball closed the regular season with a 6-4 win over TCU, setting a program record for Big 12 wins and earning the No. 2 seed for the conference tournament. Big 12 Baseball Tournament: The bracket and schedule are set in Surprise, Arizona, with WVU opening tournament play on May 21. Artemis 2 in West Virginia: The Green Bank Telescope tracked Orion around the moon and captured a pixelated image of the “Integrity” capsule. Health & Outdoors: Tick bites are driving ER visits to their highest levels for this time of year since 2017, prompting CDC-style outdoor caution.

WVU Baseball: West Virginia capped its regular season with a gritty 6-4 win over TCU, using two wild pitches in the eighth to grab the series and set a program record with 21 Big 12 wins—now the Mountaineers head into next week’s Big 12 Tournament as the No. 2 seed. High School Sports: Williamstown’s Brady Woodard and Isaac Harris battled through injuries to win the Division II boys doubles state title, while the state tennis scene also saw other local teams place and advance. Local Spotlight: Parkersburg South senior Harmony Watkins is already lining up a future in medicine after earning a feature twirler spot at Marshall. Statehouse/Politics: West Virginia’s first statewide photo ID election ran “smoothly,” Secretary of State Kris Warner said, as counties finish canvassing and certification. Community & Outdoors: DCNR highlighted Laurel Caverns as Pennsylvania’s first underground state park, and local Memorial Day and fishing derby events are drawing families outdoors.

Gas Watch: Lewis County’s lowest reported E15 hit $3.33/gal (week ending May 9), while Wood County’s cheapest E85 was $3.79/gal—statewide averages for both fuels rose week over week, and analysts warn prices could stay volatile as global oil markets react to geopolitical risk. Community Spotlight: Mountwood Park’s annual Fishing Derby drew kids and families for a free day on the lake, with organizers saying it’s been running for decades. Sports: Fox Chapel’s playoff run ended with a 4-1 loss to Penn-Trafford, as the margin for error ran out in a game where both teams managed six hits. Health & Safety: The WV AG Consumer Protection Division is warning residents about a fresh wave of scams, led by Medicare fraud, phishing, robocalls, DMV text scams, and fake court notices. Public Service: A federal process is underway for reappointing Wesley P. Page as Federal Public Defender, with the Fourth Circuit seeking feedback before a decision.

Gas Prices: AAA says drivers are getting little relief as the national average dips, then rises again—Memorial Day is shaping up as the highest in four years. Data Centers: State and developers held a Martinsburg-area Lunch and Learn on the future of data centers, including the proposed Bedington campus, as power, water use, and community concerns stay front and center. Downtown Wheeling: WVDOT crews are milling key streets in the Wheeling Streetscape project, with most remaining work expected to wrap next month. WVU & Sports: Ian Korn tossed six scoreless as No. 9 WVU beat TCU 2-0 in Game 1 of a season-ending series; elsewhere, baseball regionals are set and WVU commencement kicked off with the Flying WV water tower lighting. Public Safety & Health: Parkersburg will start interim trash service July 1 under a temporary contract, while a new WVU study links gut “tiny particles” to inflammation and aging-related disease. Courts: Virginia’s new “assault firearm” limits face immediate lawsuits.