AGP Executive Report

America250 Spotlight: Gov. Patrick Morrisey took the inaugural ride on the America250 Wheel in Charleston, kicking off the Capitol City Celebration with free rides and gondolas telling U.S. presidential stories. State Government & Courts: The West Virginia Supreme Court launched an online dashboard with near real-time statewide court statistics, aiming to boost transparency for circuit, family, and treatment courts. Public Safety & Weather: A Team Rubicon response is underway after late-June flooding hit Boone County, West Virginia, and neighboring Kentucky, with volunteers helping homeowners recover from major damage. Environment & Industry: Chemours reached a multi-state settlement over PFAS “forever chemicals” pollution, including alleged discharges tied to West Virginia facilities. Education Funding: West Virginia House Democrats asked Gov. Morrisey to call a special session over public school funding as districts face closures and mounting debt. Local Community: The PM Company’s Spirit of Giving grant applications are open for Wood County, W.Va., and Washington County, Ohio nonprofits serving vulnerable residents. Business & Sports Media: WVU and Learfield’s Mountaineer Sports Network expanded statewide radio coverage by adding WVRC Media stations as flagship affiliates for the 2026 season.

Supreme Court & Voting: The Court upheld Mississippi’s mail-ballot “grace period,” letting states count ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive later—an issue that could shape how West Virginians and others experience elections. Transgender Sports: In West Virginia v. B.P.J., the Court backed state bans on transgender girls and women competing in school sports, triggering strong reactions across the country. Grocery Shake-Up: Kroger announced it will buy Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, adding nearly 200 stores across West Virginia and the region—raising big questions for shoppers and local competition. Heat & Safety: An extreme heat warning and severe weather alert days are in effect heading into the July 4 weekend, with officials urging residents to stay cool and plan for storms. Local Government & Planning: Mark Debald was selected as the next executive director for the Morgantown Monongalia MPO, following Bill Austin’s retirement. Health Care: UHC’s Family Medicine Residency graduates passed board exams at rates above the national average. America 250: Gov. Morrisey is encouraging statewide bell-ringing at noon July 4 as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations.

U.S. Supreme Court & Title IX: The high court upheld West Virginia and Idaho bans on transgender girls and women competing in girls’ and women’s sports, saying states can define eligibility by biological sex under Title IX. Health Access: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, is scheduled to visit Monroe, Greenbrier and Lewis counties, offering low-dose CT scans by appointment for eligible patients. Local Justice: Jackson County’s grand jury returned 36 indictments against 35 people, including charges ranging from forgery and larceny to domestic battery and stolen-vehicle counts. Public Safety & Infrastructure: West Virginia’s Department of Agriculture plans aerial treatment for black flies on the Greenbrier, New, and Bluestone rivers next week, with weather and water levels able to delay timing. Business & Groceries: Kroger announced it will buy Giant Eagle for about $1.65 billion, keeping the Giant Eagle name while expanding Kroger’s reach across the region. Community & Culture: The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will hold a free “Celebrate America” tour with stops across West Virginia, culminating in a July 4 concert at Heritage Port in Wheeling.

Supreme Court & Sports: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld West Virginia and Idaho laws barring transgender girls and women from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports, saying the rules fit Title IX and the Constitution—sparking praise from supporters of “women’s sports” and renewed backlash from trans-rights advocates. Local Health Access: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, is set to visit Monroe, Greenbrier, and Lewis counties, offering low-dose CT scans with appointments required in advance. Public Safety: West Virginia DNR police are joining the nationwide Operation Dry Water campaign July 3-5 to warn boaters about alcohol and drug-impaired boating. Heat Watch: AAA warns extreme heat is creating dangerous roadside conditions for drivers and technicians, urging hydration and safety steps. Community Events: The Clay Center’s “Paper Pilots” returns July 18 with hands-on flight-building activities for families. Business: Kroger announced it will buy Giant Eagle in a $1.65 billion deal that includes stores across West Virginia. Sports (WV): WVU women’s basketball coach Mark Kellogg discussed how to coach without star Jordan Harrison as she’s sidelined.

U.S. Supreme Court: In West Virginia v. B.P.J., the court upheld West Virginia’s transgender athlete ban for girls’ and women’s school sports, ruling 9-0 that it doesn’t violate Title IX and 6-3 on equal protection—another major setback for trans youth nationwide. Local reaction: West Virginia officials celebrated the decision as a win for girls’ sports, while LGBTQ groups and advocates warned it could widen discrimination beyond athletics. Idaho parallel: The same ruling also upheld Idaho’s similar law, with the justices saying states can set eligibility for girls’ and women’s teams based on biological sex. Environment: In a separate West Virginia case, Chemours faces a proposed federal settlement that would require $22.5 million in civil penalties, with West Virginia potentially receiving more than $11 million, tied to PFAS discharges. Courts & crime: A Jefferson County jury found Isai Osmar Chinchilla-Guerra guilty on 14 felony counts after a two-day trial; sentencing is set for Aug. 25. State government rules: The West Virginia Division of Personnel is taking public comment on proposed civil service rule changes, with comments due July 30. Business: Panera opened a new Westover location on Pillar Drive, part of commercial growth along the West Ridge corridor.

Supreme Court Showdown: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue final rulings Tuesday, with West Virginia in the spotlight on whether the state’s ban on transgender student athletes can stand, after lower courts sided with the students. Birthright Citizenship: The justices are also expected to rule on a Trump executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and some temporary visitors—an outcome that could reshape citizenship for hundreds of thousands of U.S.-born babies. Heat & Safety: A Heat Advisory and Extreme Heat Watch are in effect for parts of West Virginia, with heat index values pushing past 100 and warnings to limit outdoor strain and watch for heat illness. America250 in Charleston: Gov. Patrick Morrisey unveiled the America250 Capital City Celebration schedule, including the America250 Wheel, projection shows, fireworks, and headline acts like Alabama. Local Growth: A new Panera Bread opened in Westover, part of continued commercial development along the West Ridge corridor. Foster Care Crisis: West Virginia officials are responding after a four-month-old in foster care died, with multiple charges filed and Morrisey saying the state wants to get to the bottom of what happened.

America250 Capital City kickoff: Gov. Patrick Morrisey says Alabama will headline Charleston’s free America250 Capital City Celebration July 3, with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra on July 4 and the Marshall Tucker Band July 5, plus fireworks, the America250 Wheel and nightly Capitol projection shows. Flood risk, still unsolved: A flood warning system proposal called SENTRY—aimed at forecasting rising water—wasn’t funded by the Legislature, leaving West Virginia still without the planned early-detection tools. PFAS settlement: Chemours reached a preliminary $450 million deal with EPA and WVDEP over PFAS releases, with state officials calling it a first step while pushing for broader cleanup at the Washington Works site. Supreme Court and voting: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can count mail ballots received after Election Day if they’re postmarked by then, preserving grace periods in places including West Virginia. Heat and safety: A heat wave is building across southern West Virginia, with advisories in effect and more extreme conditions expected around the Fourth. Local government and water: Kanawha Falls Public Service District’s board chair resigned as the agency moves toward a possible sale to West Virginia-American Water. Roads and travel: West Virginia’s DOT District Four scheduled rolling roadblocks on US 50 for bridge work, warning of delays and alternate routes.

America250 Capital City plans: Gov. Patrick Morrisey says country legend Alabama will headline Charleston’s America250 Capital City Celebration on Friday, July 3, with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra on July 4 and the Marshall Tucker Band on July 5; the free, four-day event also features the America250 Wheel, nightly 3D Capitol projections, fireworks, and family activities. Road work: West Virginia Division of Highways warns of rolling road blocks on US 50 for Fourth Street Bridge shielding removal Monday, June 29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with delays and alternate routes via Joyce and Chestnut exits. Local justice: Fayette County deputies arrested a Kanawha Falls woman after an alleged domestic disturbance that included assaulting household members and throwing a phone. Education trend: A look at microschools shows more are adding sports teams to keep students from feeling they’re missing out as they reach high school. Supreme Court watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is set for major opinion day decisions, including cases touching presidential power and election rules, with West Virginia and Idaho among the states tied to transgender sports questions. Public safety help: Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office asks for tips identifying suspects in a Rural King theft in Beckley.

Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to wrap up its term soon, with seven major rulings still pending—three tied to Donald Trump’s presidential power (including whether he can fire a Fed governor and limit birthright citizenship), plus election cases and a transgender-athletes dispute. Power Outages: Thousands of Appalachian Power customers remain without electricity in Fayette and Raleigh counties, with crews working to restore service Sunday evening. School Closures: West Virginia education leaders warn more school closures could be coming as enrollment keeps shrinking and funding strains persist. PFAS Testing: A West Virginia water authority is beginning testing for “forever chemicals” (PFAS), including PFOS and PFOA, as federal reporting deadlines approach. Local EMS Leadership: Kanawha County’s Emergency Ambulance Authority has a new executive director, Lance Wheeler, who says his first priority is balancing the budget. America250 Spotlight: West Virginia counties are rolling out America250 murals ahead of Independence Day, with artists and universities helping tell local stories.

Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to wrap up its term soon, with major rulings pending on President Trump’s power moves, election disputes, and a case tied to transgender athletes. SNAP Rules in Court: A federal judge blocked a state ban on buying soda with food stamps, keeping the focus on whether the USDA can approve such waivers. PFAS Fallout: Regulators secured a $450 million settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals,” including commitments aimed at cutting pollution tied to West Virginia facilities. Local Flood Memory + Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $450,000 for Clendenin’s Main Street Streetscape project to support safer, more walkable downtown improvements a decade after the 2016 flood. Health Care Access: Ohio University researchers won nearly $4 million in NIH funding to expand opioid use disorder treatment in primary care across Ohio and West Virginia. Weather: Forecasters warn of dangerous heat and humidity building into the July 4 stretch, with earlier rounds of downpours possible. Sports Spotlight: Wheeling Park grad Michael Grove returned to the majors with a strong debut for Tampa Bay.

High School Sports: Frankfort’s Lanson Orndorf capped a dominant senior run by winning the 2026 Lowery Award, named for WV’s legendary John Lowery. Prep Baseball Honors: Keyser’s Hunter Harr earned Class AAA First Team All-State as a catcher, with teammates Landon Tysinger and Lucas Williamson also recognized. SNAP Oversight: USDA says SNAP payment error hit 10.62% in FY 2025, far above the 6% congressional threshold, with financial consequences for states if rates stay high. Legal Fight Over Plastics: Seventeen Republican AGs, including West Virginia, sued to block California’s plastics packaging law, arguing it unlawfully forces nationwide compliance. Public Safety: A Mount Hope traffic stop led to felony drug and firearm charges against a 30-year-old man, according to a criminal complaint. Weather Watch: A heat dome could push West Virginia toward 100 degrees around the Fourth of July, raising serious health risks. Community & Service: The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy graduated 85 youth, including three Fairmont-area teens. State Spotlight: West Virginia’s Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame announced six new inductees ahead of a July 11 banquet at Jackson’s Mill.

High School Sports: Frankfort pitcher Lanson Orndorf capped a dominant senior run by winning the 2026 Lowery Award, honoring him as West Virginia’s top high school baseball player. High School Baseball: George Washington second baseman Jon Fala was named captain and earned a spot on the Class AAAA all-state team after a standout season for the Patriots. Public Safety & Accountability: A Gazette-Mail report says Sen. Jim Justice’s Bluestone Coal Corp. owes West Virginia more than $1.6M in delinquent DEP fines tied to hundreds of mining violations. State Government & Health: A federal judge blocked West Virginia’s SNAP soda-purchase ban, dealing a blow to the state’s SNAP waiver plan. Community & Recovery: Wood County commissioners declared September “Goes Purple Month” to support substance-use and mental-health recovery efforts. Energy & Environment: West Virginia joined a lawsuit challenging California’s plastics law, adding another front to the national fight over single-use rules. Local Events: The America250 Wheel arrived at the State Capitol, with free rides planned for the July 2–5 celebration.

Local Business: Wheeling Volkswagen-Subaru, long owned by the Weaver family, has been sold to Charleston-based Crown Auto Group and will reopen as Crown Subaru and Crown Volkswagen. Public Safety & Weather: A flood watch remains in effect for parts of southeast West Virginia and nearby areas as heavy rain could trigger flash flooding. Courts & Immigration: Two ICE detainees from North Central West Virginia asked a federal court to keep their cases in West Virginia after the government sought transfer to Pennsylvania. Health Policy: A federal health agency is canceling most teen pregnancy prevention grants, including some in West Virginia, citing misalignment with priorities. Food Assistance: A federal court blocked SNAP food restriction waivers in multiple states, including West Virginia, ruling USDA exceeded its authority. Community & Culture: Clarksburg’s Liberty Market kicks off Independence Day weekend July 2 with vendors, food trucks, family activities, and fireworks. State Celebration: Charleston is ramping up for West Virginia’s America250 Capitol City Celebration, with the America250 Wheel on track to open July 2. Conservation: An Ohio-based group is seeking public pledges to help win an auction of forest land near New River Gorge National Park. Sports: WVU’s College World Series run continues to draw attention, and local coverage highlights the Mountaineers’ impact during the postseason.

PFAS Fallout in West Virginia: EPA, DOJ and WV DEP announced a landmark $450 million Chemours settlement over “forever chemicals,” including alleged PFAS discharges affecting the Ohio River and funding for alternative drinking water and compliance upgrades. SNAP Court Fight: A federal judge struck down SNAP restrictions in multiple states, including West Virginia’s soda ban, dealing a blow to states that tried to limit what recipients can buy. Local Transit Changes: Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation will replace several low-ridership routes with on-demand KRTplus starting July 20, while keeping some Route 10 service. America 250 Events: West Virginia communities are gearing up for Independence Day and the 250th anniversary, from Clarksburg’s Liberty Market kickoff to Moundsville’s July 4 lineup. Sports Spotlight: West Virginia’s Class AAAA baseball all-state teams were announced, led by George Washington’s Jon Fala as captain, plus St. Albans’ Braxton Burke and Brogan Samms earning top honors. Community Service: United Way’s Day of Action drew about 150 volunteers for projects across the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Plastics Fight: West Virginia joined a 17-state lawsuit challenging California’s single-use plastics packaging law, arguing it violates the Constitution and will raise costs for everyday goods. SNAP Ruling: A federal judge blocked West Virginia’s SNAP waiver that barred soda purchases, ordering officials to revisit the policy. PFAS Fallout: A proposed federal consent decree would require Chemours to pay $22.5 million in civil penalties tied to “forever chemicals,” with West Virginia potentially receiving more than $11 million; an attorney says the science and exposure limits could make the deal “meaningless.” Workplace Safety: Public Citizen urged the Senate to reject proposed OSHA funding cuts, warning they could endanger workers. Prison Drone Case: Federal prosecutors indicted 12 people accused of using heavy-payload drones to drop drugs and contraband into federal prisons, including alleged drops into West Virginia. Energy: The PSC set a public comment hearing for July 15 on a $2.48B gas-electric plant and solar projects in Monongalia County and beyond. Local Notes: Alderson’s Fourth of July celebration returns with a bigger fireworks show and a new launch site; Harrisville unveiled an America250 mural on Main Street. Sports: WVU and Virginia Tech agreed to a three-game men’s basketball series starting Dec. 5, and WVU football landed 3-star WR Chase Guers for the class of 2027.

PFAS Settlement: The Justice Department reached a $450 million deal with Chemours over “forever chemicals,” including a $22.5 million penalty and $90 million in mitigation across West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey—plus major commitments for clean drinking water and pollution controls. State School Funding: West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty warns enrollment declines and an outdated school aid formula could force more school closures and even trigger another lawsuit unless lawmakers act. Medicaid Update: West Virginia Department of Human Services is urging Medicaid members to prepare for new federal community engagement requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027. Infrastructure: Harrison County’s Hackers Creek Bridge is set for replacement work this year, with a July start and no full detour as the new bridge is built downstream. Public Safety: A DUI arrest in Raleigh County led to a felony charge after meth was allegedly found during a jail body scan. Sports: St. Albans’ baseball run continues to roll—players earned West Virginia Sports Writers Association all-state honors, including first-team picks for Braxton Burke and Brogan Samms.