AGP Executive Report

WVU Football: Arizona beat West Virginia 52-31 in Morgantown, handing the Mountaineers a third straight loss and leaving them winless in Big 12 play. WVU piled up 522 yards, but its defense gave up 482 and couldn’t stop the Wildcats. Historic Trees: Gov. Patrick Morrisey says chestnut and chinquapin trees at the former Clements State Tree Nursery will be preserved, with plans to relocate them on the property in late 2027 and protect their genetic lineage. Support for New Families: Morgantown is the first stop in a national rollout of the federal NEST program, with about 2,000 kits of newborn and postpartum supplies planned for West Virginia families. Youth Innovation: WVU Extension’s Young Innovators program is expanding to Logan County, helping high school teams develop community projects and compete for funding.

WVU Football: Rich Rodriguez faced former team Arizona in Morgantown, with the Mountaineers’ defense under pressure after giving up 577 yards in last week’s loss. Seven new members, including coach John Beilein and soccer stars Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence, joined the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. State Politics: A poll commissioned by the West Virginia Democratic Party found 57% of likely voters say the state is on the wrong track; 57% viewed Gov. Patrick Morrisey unfavorably. Jobs and Industry: A Boone County coal mine closure is set to eliminate 71 jobs, while the head of the Morrisey administration’s energy development office has left his post. Infrastructure and Research: Boone County is seeking a Public Service Commission review as water-main breaks persist; West Virginia State University received a $26.5 million federal grant for an agriculture complex. Health Care: WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial marked 10 years under the health system, reporting that its workforce more than doubled and annual wages more than tripled.

Mine Safety: A 44-year-old miner died Thursday at the American Eagle Mine in Kanawha County. State mine safety officials are investigating. Family Support: West Virginia is the first state to receive kits in a national newborn-support program; about 2,000 families are expected to get supplies and health information. Disaster Aid: FEMA extended the application deadline to Oct. 17 for storm assistance in five West Virginia counties. Economic Development: USDA awarded West Virginia State University $26.5 million for a new agriculture complex. Coal Jobs: A Boone County mine closure is set to eliminate 71 jobs. Politics: A Democratic Party-commissioned poll found 57% of likely voters say the state is on the wrong track; the party says most blame Republican leaders. Weather: Remnants of Hurricane Isaias are forecast to bring rain to West Virginia Sunday.

Energy and Investment: Todd Johnston, Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s energy and competitiveness director, is leaving for a job in Washington. He said his work helped bring more than $96 billion in private investment and establish the state’s first comprehensive energy policy. Higher Education: West Virginia State University won a $26.5 million USDA grant for a new agriculture complex, with construction expected to begin next year. Data Centers: Putnam County commissioners say they welcome investment but want protections for residents, public resources and utility customers; their resolution is advisory, as state law limits local authority. Privacy: A Monongalia County sheriff’s contract shows 20 license-plate cameras connect to a nationwide network, with hundreds of outside agencies able to search local records. Food Insecurity: A report says cuts to federal food programs have hit rural Wayne County hard; statewide, about 24,000 West Virginians, including 8,000 children, have lost SNAP benefits since last summer.

Federal Case: Former WVU guard Kerr Kriisa pleaded guilty to wire fraud in West Virginia, admitting he demanded $9,000 under a fake identity; sentencing is set for Dec. 22. State Government: Todd Johnston, who led Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s energy and infrastructure work, has left the administration for a job in Washington. Economic Development: West Virginia State University received $26.5 million in federal funding for a new agriculture complex, while Rep. Riley Moore secured $1.5 million for sewer upgrades along Corridor H near Weston. Energy Costs: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is among sponsors of a bipartisan bill that would make data centers pay for grid upgrades tied to their power demand, rather than passing the costs to households. Coal Jobs: A Boone County mine closure is set to eliminate 71 jobs.

Economic Development: West Virginia has formally bid to host the new U.S. Space Academy, which could bring jobs and investment. West Virginia State University also won a record $26.5 million federal grant for an agricultural complex, on top of $50 million in state funding. Recovery & Infrastructure: Federal disaster aid is expanding for storm-hit counties, while Weston secured $1.5 million for sewer upgrades intended to support growth along Corridor H. Energy & Jobs: Attorney General John McCuskey joined a 26-state coalition backing faster approval of natural-gas infrastructure, citing jobs and energy supply. But a Boone County mine closure is set to eliminate 71 jobs. Essential Services: The state Public Service Commission is urging federal regulators to protect traditional landline service as Verizon seeks to end copper-wire service; West Virginia had required a $60 million fund for continued service. Workforce: Parents in Clay County opened a childcare center after the county lost its only provider, underscoring how scarce care can keep workers from their jobs. Politics: Logan County now has slightly more registered Republicans than Democrats, while 3,808 voters are registered as independents.

Energy and Jobs: Attorney General JB McCuskey is backing a 26-state push for faster federal reviews of routine natural-gas pipeline projects. The coalition says updated rules could protect West Virginia’s 70,000-plus gas jobs and help keep energy affordable. Economic Development: Gov. Patrick Morrisey says West Virginia is competing to host a new U.S. Space Academy, with an application due Oct. 26. The state is touting its energy resources and workforce as it seeks a project that could grow to thousands of students. Child Care: A Wheeling business owner says she lost state child-care assistance after being told she couldn’t receive the subsidy while operating an LLC, raising concerns about rules affecting working parents and small businesses. Household Costs: A new report finds West Virginia among the states where water bills have grown roughly twice as fast as household incomes over the past decade. Coal: A Boone County mine closure is set to eliminate 71 jobs, a sharp hit to the local economy. Campus Safety: WVU police say anonymous hazing reports involving at least two fraternity locations are under active criminal investigation.

Data Center Dispute: A reported grove of about 200 American chestnut trees in Mason County could be cleared for a data-center project as soon as Nov. 1, conservation advocates warn. The developer says the grove is outside its property, leaving the threat unresolved. Economic Development: Two Beckley-area groups received $750,000 each for small-business support and childcare initiatives. Jobs: A Boone County coal mine is set to close Sunday, putting 71 jobs at risk. Affordability: A new national report says West Virginia water bills rose about twice as fast as household incomes over the past decade. Research: Bluefield State biology professor Yi Charlie Chen won $370,000 to study targeted treatments for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer. Childcare: A Wheeling business owner says state rules barred her from receiving childcare assistance while operating an LLC, forcing her to give up support she relied on to work.

Big 12 Football (WV): Rich Rodriguez returns to Morgantown as Arizona visits Saturday, with West Virginia trying to bounce back after a 45-42 loss at Iowa State and a defense that’s struggled mightily. Local Sports (WV): WVU DC Zac Alley says he’s losing sleep and plans major defensive changes after Iowa State put up 45 points and WVU’s unit ranks near the bottom nationally. Energy & Industry (WV): West Virginia air and utility filings move forward, including a general permit registration for a coal preparation plant near Rupert and a Gas South application to supply natural gas statewide (with limited county exclusions). Infrastructure (WV): WV DOT Division of Highways posted a structure replacement bid for Indian Creek Bridge in Greenbrier County. Environment & Community (WV): The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy announces a free Oct. 23-24 Fall Review at Canaan Valley with conservation hikes and advocacy training. Public Safety (WV): Fall burn rules kick in Oct. 1, restricting outdoor burning during daytime hours and requiring fires be fully extinguished by 7 a.m. Food Insecurity (Charleston): Mountaineer Food Bank won city approval to open a volunteer center in a former Charleston grocery store on the West Side.

West Virginia Health Care: WVU Medicine is rolling out new signage and planning major upgrades after acquiring Independence Health System, including $800 million in capital improvements and an Epic Systems rollout. Public Health: Monongalia County is investigating 16 lab-confirmed Salmonella cases near Morgantown, with several hospitalizations and no source identified yet. Community Health Access: West Virginia Health Right’s free #WeCareWV Day returns to Charleston Oct. 17 with medical, dental, and vision care for up to 500 people, citing rising demand as costs climb. Cancer Screening: Bonnie’s Bus will bring mobile mammograms to multiple West Virginia counties in late October, with help for uninsured and underinsured women who meet program criteria. State Government & Transparency: A new report says Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office is falling short on press access and follow-up opportunities, despite earlier promises of openness. Water Affordability: A national study finds U.S. households are paying 62% more for drinking water than a decade ago, with West Virginia among systems seeing steep increases. Education Funding: The U.S. Education Department announced an additional $39 million in TRIO college-access grants, bringing total 2026 awards above $225 million.

Mobile Health Access: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” will bring 3D mammograms to Wetzel, Pocahontas, Harrison and Marion counties, with appointments and free screening options for eligible uninsured women. Water Affordability: A new national analysis finds household drinking water bills rose faster than inflation and income from 2015 to 2025, with West Virginia among states where water costs climbed about twice as fast as median household income. Fire Safety Planning: The West Virginia State Fire Commission approved a comprehensive fire strategy after an audit flagged gaps, focusing on prevention, fire department capacity, water resources and better data. Flood Recovery: Gov. Morrisey secured a FEMA deadline extension for flood victims in Lewis, Upshur, Ritchie and Pleasants counties, moving the filing deadline to Oct. 17. Environmental Enforcement: Pocahontas County Landfill faces a WVDEP notice of violations citing issues including discolored discharges, permit noncompliance, and inadequate dust control. Wildlife Research: WVU research helped set new river otter management rules, increasing the annual trapping limit to two starting in 2027-28. Tourism in Schools: Gov. Morrisey and Tourism Secretary Kayla Kessinger unveiled “Mountain Moves,” a board game for eighth graders linking West Virginia history with tourism careers. Nuclear Debate: A report criticizes West Virginia’s push for nuclear benefits while raising concerns about responsibility for used fuel and waste.

Health Access: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography program will visit Wetzel, Pocahontas, Harrison and Marion counties in late October, offering 3D screenings and help enrolling in the state breast and cervical cancer program for eligible uninsured women. Public Safety: West Virginia’s Fire Marshal’s Office kicks off Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4–10 with “Charge into Fire Safety,” urging residents to use the right chargers, charge on hard surfaces, and stop using devices that overheat or swell. State Finance: State Treasurer Larry Pack returned more than $13,000 in unclaimed property to Cabell County and more than $33,000 to Pleasants County Clerk and Ritchie County Commission. Energy Policy: U.S. Senate negotiators reached a permitting deal that would cut lawsuit deadlines for energy projects to 150 days, with WV Sen. Shelley Moore Capito involved. Local Environment: Kanawha Valley residents continue pressing Clean-Seas over air quality and finances for the plastic conversion facility in Belle, with county leaders planning a CEO Zoom. Sports & Culture: Harlem Globetrotters’ Rivalry Tour is coming to Morgantown’s Hope Coliseum March 27.

West Virginia Politics & Economy: West Virginia business groups are watching a bipartisan Senate permitting reform push that could speed up energy and infrastructure projects, with lawmakers saying a lame-duck push could bring final passage before year’s end. State Infrastructure: The West Virginia Parkways Authority is moving ahead with interior demolition on its new Charleston headquarters, aiming to strip out outdated systems and target construction in early 2028. Public Safety: Firefighters across the region are urging residents to follow National Fire Prevention Week guidance on safer charging of lithium-ion batteries—watch for swelling, heat, strange smells, and stop using damaged chargers. Community & Health: A Walk to End Alzheimer’s drew crowds to Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport to support research and local resources for families. Arts & Culture: Francisco “Frank” Rabon, a CHamoru dancer and choreographer, received the 2026 National Heritage Fellowship—an NEA honor for traditional arts. Fall in WV: Early fall color is showing in Charleston and southern West Virginia, with tourism officials pointing families to scenic drives and back-road stops. Sports (WV): WVU’s offense put up points in its loss to Iowa State, but the defense couldn’t hold; meanwhile, WVU’s Tyson Bagent celebrated a “full-circle” moment after a Bears win over the Jets.

West Virginia Sports: WVU’s next big test is set after a 45-42 loss at Iowa State, a game that turned into a shootout and left the Mountaineers looking for answers heading into their first matchup with Arizona under Rich Rodriguez. College Football Spotlight: Arizona followed up its Big 12 home opener with a dominant 34-7 win over Cincinnati, and now turns to Morgantown as it prepares for the “RichRod Bowl.” Local Education & Workforce: Pierpont Community and Technical College is highlighting growth tied to workforce training and a major aviation maintenance expansion, aiming to keep graduates working in the region. Community Development: The 1982 Foundation is moving to transform the old Calhoun County High School into a new community hub in Grantsville, with plans for local businesses, a preschool, and more. Public Safety & Weather: West Virginia’s fall wildfire season is underway with outdoor burning restrictions in place, while a small rain chance is expected Sunday before drier conditions return. Health & Policy: The Supreme Court is set to hear a climate-change lawsuit targeting fossil-fuel companies, a case that could shape whether similar suits can proceed in state court.

WVU Sports: West Virginia’s football season hit another snag as the Mountaineers fell to Iowa State 45-42 in Ames, with coach Rich Rodriguez pointing to “atrocious” penalties and a fumble late that swung the finish. College Football National: Week 5 reshuffled the national picture, with Alabama’s Keelon Russell starring in a 56-23 win over Mississippi State and updated CFP/bowl projections putting the Tide near the top. Local Education: Ascend West Virginia is expanding a teacher residency push aimed at recruiting, preparing, placing, and retaining educators, modeled on a Monongalia/Preston pilot. Public Health & Safety: A frozen berry recall expanded after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people, including updates affecting Walmart and Trader Joe’s shoppers across multiple states. State Watch: West Virginia’s well-water concerns remain in focus after reporting highlighted public health risks tied to local water quality. Community & Culture: Potomac State College officially named the baseball field at Golden Park “Doug Little Field,” honoring decades of program legacy.

Food Safety: Walmart and Trader Joe’s expanded a recall of frozen organic berries tied to an E. coli outbreak that sickened 17 people and hospitalized six in Florida and Georgia, with additional lots of Great Value Triple Berry Blend and Great Value Blueberries now included. Public Health in WV: A Gazette-Mail investigation highlights public health risks from West Virginians’ well water, pointing to contamination concerns in rural communities. Energy Costs: West Virginia launched Inflation Reduction Act-funded home energy rebates, offering savings for whole-home upgrades and high-efficiency appliances as the state weighs utility rule changes. Disaster Relief: Gov. Jim Morrisey won FEMA approval to extend the July flood assistance deadline to Oct. 17 for residents in Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur counties. Local Notes: The Mountain State Forest Festival’s Grand Feature Parade in Elkins runs Saturday with 107 entries, starting at 1:30 p.m. Sports: WVU looks to rebound after its loss to Oklahoma State, hosting Iowa State at noon Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium.