AGP Executive Report

College Sports: WVU is one win from its first College World Series after a 12-2 Morgantown Super Regional opener vs. Cal Poly, sparked by Tyrus Hall’s grand slam and Chansen Cole’s dominant start. State Politics & Courts: The West Virginia Supreme Court sided with the City of Weirton in a zoning fight, ruling municipalities can control where certain businesses operate through zoning. Energy & Jobs: Gov. Morrisey says West Virginia will benefit from Trump’s $700M coal push, including upgrades tied to the Mitchell Plant in Moundsville and projects in Mount Storm. Health Care: A surgeon has filed an age-discrimination complaint against CAMC, alleging it reneged on a promised job and then restricted operating-room access. Local Business/Science: GATC Health’s Morgantown lab says it developed GATC-1021 for opioid use disorder, with human trials ahead. Public Health: WVU researchers report that more than 10 hours of sitting a day in early pregnancy is linked to higher odds of complications. Nursing Homes: Worthington Healthcare Center in Wood County received a CMS overall rating of 2 in early 2026, with fines and penalties reported.

NCAA Baseball: West Virginia is one win from the College World Series after a 12-2 Super Regional win over Cal Poly, with the Mountaineers now set to host the next game at Kendrick Family Ballpark. WVU Football: WVU announced it will retire Pat White’s No. 5 jersey this fall at a home game to be named later this summer. Public Health: Oak Hill-area doctors are urging West Virginians to refresh CPR and AED skills during CPR and AED Awareness Week, pointing out how often cardiac arrests happen at home. State & Federal Policy: The Trump administration is pushing $425 million to keep 13 coal plants running longer using the Defense Production Act, including support tied to West Virginia coal-fired power. Social Security: New analysis warns automatic benefit cuts could hit by 2032, with retirees facing roughly $500 a month less on average, and some states still taxing benefits in 2026. Local Government/Community: Morgantown’s Public Library is hosting StoryFest June 6 with a Fairytale Forest theme, plus crafts, authors, and family activities.

Coal Revival: Gov. Patrick Morrisey joined President Trump at the White House as Trump announced nearly $700 million in federal support for coal-fired power plants and exports, using the Defense Production Act; details for which WV plant(s) get money weren’t released. WVU Baseball: WVU is set for its first-ever super regional at home vs. Cal Poly, with Game 1 Friday at noon on ESPN2, after a regional run highlighted by Armani Guzman’s clutch hit and a pitching staff that “threw everything it had.” Flood Recovery: One year after the June 14, 2025 Ohio County flood, partners held a community gathering to help residents process lingering emotional fallout. Local Business: Moundsville’s new Sheetz opened Thursday with a ribbon cutting and donations to the Mountaineer Food Bank and Special Olympics West Virginia. Health & Safety: A new study suggests pregnant people can lower adverse pregnancy risks by swapping some sitting for light activity and daily steps. Public Input: WVDOT held a hearing in Weirton to gather feedback on updating the state bicycle and pedestrian plan. Nursing Home Watch: CMS ratings spotlight three West Virginia facilities in Q1 2026, including St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington earning a five-star overall score.

WVU Baseball Super Regional: West Virginia hosts Cal Poly in the first Morgantown Super Regional since 2019, with the winner headed to Omaha. WVU (43-15) rides a late-season surge and a pitching-heavy run, while Cal Poly (39-22) comes off an undefeated regional and a first-ever trip to this round. Game 1 is Friday at noon on ESPN2, with Games 2 and 3 (if needed) Saturday and Sunday. Coal Policy: President Trump says he’ll use Cold War-era Defense Production Act powers to push nearly $700 million into coal—upgrading plants, backing new projects, and supporting a West Coast export terminal—while environmental groups vow to fight it in court. Social Security Warning: A new analysis says Social Security could trigger an automatic 24% benefit cut in 2032, averaging about $500 a month nationwide, with no state spared. Public Schools: West Virginia’s Board of Education is changing pre-K eligibility rules to give families more flexibility for enrolling 5-year-olds. Crime Crackdown: The FBI announced charges tied to a West Virginia drug and firearms operation, launching a summer crime-fighting push. Local Travel: Contour Airlines will start seasonal nonstop flights from Parkersburg to Myrtle Beach on July 1, twice weekly through Aug. 15.

College Sports, WVU Baseball: Cal Poly’s improbable run continues as the Mustangs reach the Morgantown Super Regional for the first time in program history, setting up a best-of-three against West Virginia starting Friday at 9 a.m. at Kendrick Family Ballpark; ESPN2 will carry the series. College Sports Policy: West Virginia is part of a national push as lawmakers and athletics leaders debate the Protect College Sports Act, with Nick Saban arguing the current system lacks consistent, enforceable rules amid NIL and the transfer portal. State Courts, Energy: The West Virginia Supreme Court ruled in the Weirton gas drilling dispute, finding SWN showed only an incidental overlap between state and city authority over land use. Immigration Oversight: An ACLU of West Virginia report challenges how an ICE operation earlier this year was framed, saying most arrests had no criminal record and that the operation produced no convictions for child sex abuse or child endangerment. Housing/Schools: WV Board of Education President Paul Hardesty urged county systems to embrace school choice as public schools compete for families. Business/Economy: West Virginia companies were honored at the Governor’s Export Awards for expanding into new international markets. Health Care, Nursing Homes: CMS data highlighted multiple West Virginia nursing facilities’ size and ratings, including top scores for some county leaders. Weather: Dry, sunny conditions continue with warm-up into the 80s before showers and storms return late Saturday into Sunday.

College Sports Policy: West Virginia President E. Gordon Gee joined a Senate Commerce hearing where Nick Saban and others backed the bipartisan “Protect College Sports Act,” aiming to end NIL and transfer-era legal chaos with a national rulebook and limited NCAA antitrust protection. Health Care Expansion: WVU Medicine’s Princeton Community Hospital expanded cancer services, adding Pluvicto for advanced prostate cancer, THOR supportive photobiomodulation, and Cooling Cap Therapy to reduce chemo hair loss. Business & Trade: Thirty-four West Virginia companies earned the 2026 Governor’s Export Award for first-time sales into new countries, highlighting growth in international markets. State Government Watch: State Treasurer Larry Pack asked the state auditor for details on whether a sitting senator’s contractor work followed constitutional rules. Social Security Warning: New analysis says Social Security could trigger an average $500-a-month cut for retirees in 2032 if Congress doesn’t act. Local Economy & Community: Morgantown opened West Virginia’s first Foot Solutions franchise, while Parkersburg hosted the Powering Appalachia Expo to connect small businesses with lenders and federal resources.

Supreme Court Showdown: The U.S. Supreme Court is racing through 26 decisions this month tied to President Trump’s priorities, including fights over executive power, birthright citizenship, mail ballot deadlines, and the Second Amendment. Rural Health Push: Gov. Jim Justice Morrisey announced a $3.4 million Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunity aimed at prevention and tackling chronic disease barriers, with up to $100 million a year for five years. Nursing Home Watch: CMS ownership and quality reports highlight sharp differences across West Virginia for-profit nursing homes, including Moundsville Healthcare Center (4-star, above state average) versus facilities like Sistersville Center and Brightwood Center (1-star). Public Safety & Local Policy: Wheeling narrowly approved a new city flag policy, while Morgantown paused its conversion-therapy amendment work amid legal concerns. Law Enforcement: The FBI says Operation Turf War led to 35 charges in West Virginia and is setting up a broader summer crackdown. Sports: WVU baseball is set for super regionals after dramatic regional wins, and Brooke’s softball run ended in the Class AAA state tournament.

Health Care Deal: WVU Health System and Independence Health System have signed a definitive agreement for WVU to acquire Independence’s five hospitals, with a late-September or early-October closing expected after regulatory approvals. Public Health Research: A new WVU-led study links long daily sitting during pregnancy—especially over 10 hours a day—to higher risks of adverse outcomes like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. State Government & Veterans: Gov. Jim Justice signed two veterans bills: tougher enforcement for unauthorized use of Purple Heart parking and expanded Gold Star vehicle fee waivers for surviving Gold Star parents. Transportation: West Virginia 68’s Pond Creek Bridge will close starting Thursday for a full replacement, expected to reopen in mid-August or later, with detours routed via U.S. 33 and I-77. Community & Sports: Parkersburg’s Kids Classic raised a record $349,400 for the Boys & Girls Club, pushing the event’s total past $5.1 million. Outdoors: West Virginia State Parks is marking National Trails Day with guided hikes and trail cleanups on June 6. NCAA Baseball: WVU is set for a super regional matchup against Cal Poly, with the series beginning Friday at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.

NCAA Baseball: West Virginia stunned Kentucky in the Morgantown Regional final, scoring in the ninth to force extras and then getting a walk-off single from Armani Guzman in the 10th to send the Mountaineers to the Super Regional—Morgantown will host next weekend for the first time. State Budget: West Virginia’s General Revenue Fund collections topped $381 million in May, beating the monthly estimate by $44 million, with Governor Morrisey citing strength in personal income, sales, and severance taxes. Rural Health Funding: Gov. Morrisey announced a $3.4 million Rural Health Transformation Program local health challenge, pushing prevention-focused community initiatives. Energy Rules Pushback: Attorney General Morrisey’s office urged the Department of Energy to rescind Biden-era rules that would ban certain non-condensing gas heaters and furnaces starting this fall. Dem Party Shakeup: Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva announced a bid to challenge incumbent Mike Pushkin for West Virginia Democratic Party chair. Child Welfare: A new report highlights gaps for young people aging out of foster care, with nearly 6,000 kids in the system statewide. Community & Culture: Wheeling Farmers’ Market awarded $500 scholarships to two students, and the West Virginia Arts Council is set to debut a new “America and Art” exhibit.

Infrastructure Boost: Buckhannon secured major federal backing for a new water treatment plant, with USDA Rural Development confirming $47.31 million in loans and grants plus additional partner funding—city officials move next toward design, permitting, and bidding. Rural Health Push: Gov. Patrick Morrisey rolled out a $3.4 million Rural Local Health Challenge in Kingwood, aiming to improve health and workforce participation through programs like the Personal Health Accelerator and Rural Health Link. Greenbrier Fight: A federal Greenbrier control lawsuit is paused while a state case heats up, with Omni-linked lenders and the longtime banker trading accusations over how debt control changed hands. Education Disruption: Logan County says Logan Elementary students will likely spend the 2026-2027 school year at Logan Middle after a February fire caused more damage than first believed. Public Safety: West Virginia State Parks announced National Trails Day events and guided hikes statewide for June 6. Sports Spotlight: WVU’s NCAA baseball season stayed alive with a dramatic 11-9 comeback over Kentucky in the Morgantown Regional, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7.

Energy & Infrastructure: The WV Public Service Commission is holding public comment hearings on the proposed Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link 500-kilovolt transmission line, with sessions June 4 in Keyser, June 5 in Romney, June 10 in Morgantown, and June 11 in Kingwood. Local Sports: West Virginia baseball kept its season alive in the Morgantown Regional, rallying to beat Kentucky 11-9 in the final game of the weekend and forcing a winner-take-all matchup Monday after Paul Schoenfeld’s go-ahead homer. More WVU Baseball: WVU also advanced in the regional with a 10-5 elimination win over Wake Forest, powered by Dawson Montesa’s 7.1 innings and Sean Smith’s big day. Business & Jobs: Pro Medicus’ U.S. subsidiary Visage Imaging won a $28 million, five-year contract renewal with Allegheny Health Network, adding Visage 7 Workflow—part of a $44 million total contract announcement. Civic Life: Wood County’s Centennial Chapter of the National Society Daughters of American Pioneers is marking Henry Cooper Day with local history programming and an “Anti-Tea Party” event.

WVU Baseball: Dawson Montesa delivered a workhorse 7.1-inning win to keep West Virginia alive in the Morgantown Regional, but the Mountaineers still face a do-or-die path after Kentucky’s 11-9 win set up a regional final with the Wildcats. NCAA Baseball: Kentucky’s Luke Lawrence and Hudson Brown came through with late RBI hits as WVU rallied repeatedly, setting Sunday’s schedule: WVU vs. Wake Forest at noon, then Kentucky awaits the winner at 5 p.m. Local Infrastructure: The Pond Creek Bridge on Route 68 will close June 4 for a $4.8 million replacement, with detours expected through mid-August. Greenbrier Legal Fight: A federal judge granted the Justice family a delay in the Greenbrier financing dispute, pushing deadlines to allow more time for a potential deal. West Virginia Education/Health: Fairmont State received a $71,101 IDeA Network grant for neuromuscular diagnostic and imaging equipment. State Politics: Supreme Court watchers flag major June decisions on voting rules, gun rights, and Trump’s power over independent agencies.

Voting Rights Act & SCOTUS: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s 2024 congressional map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, reviving debate over how Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act shapes majority-minority districts. Local Accountability: In Grafton, residents held a “Forces for Justice” protest after the deaths of three West Virginia children, calling for changes and accountability in Child Protective Services. Healthcare Innovation: WVU Medicine United Hospital Center opened a new 28-bed unit with AI-assisted monitoring aimed at improving care for cardiac, respiratory, and neurology patients. Greenbrier Court Fight: Sen. Jim Justice’s proposed Greenbrier financing partner is back in the spotlight as court filings and disputes continue over the takeover plan. Sports—Morgantown Regional: Kentucky rallied to beat Wake Forest 6-5, while WVU advanced after a 10-1 win over Binghamton, setting up more games in the regional. Education & Workforce: Summit High School seniors graduated with thousands of college credits and industry certifications through partnerships and career pathways. Energy & Grid Reliability: A West Virginia-focused argument warns that an aging electric transmission system threatens reliability for major industries, including natural gas operations.

Farmland Fight: Haywood County farmers packed Raleigh to urge lawmakers to slow farmland loss, warning development is swallowing prime acreage and hurting water and future food production. Public Works & Costs: A Parkersburg-area column counts hundreds of potholes patched on Boone Hedges Road, raising the question of whether patching is just a stopgap for a bigger money problem. Addiction Response: Monongalia County’s Quick Response Team says its overdose-intervention model is boosting treatment connections—12-fold per successful interaction—after new data tracking. Water Infrastructure: Gov. Morrisey announced IJDC funding for water and sewer projects across Kanawha, Tucker and Barbour counties, including a Philippi reservoir add-on. Health Access: Aetna Better Health and Community Care opened a new West Virginia Community Resource Center in Clarksburg to connect Medicaid members with case management and support. Sports (NCAA): WVU rolled past Binghamton 10-1 in the Morgantown Regional opener and will face Kentucky Saturday after Kentucky beat Wake Forest 6-5. Local Sports & Community: Weirton Rotarians heard from Hancock County Special Olympics athletes heading to the June 6-7 Summer Games; Wheeling YMCA dedicated its gymnasium to Robert and Jody Contraguerro.

Rare Earth Push: WVU launched a Rare Earth Elements Initiative and a startup, Mission Critical Materials, aiming to expand extraction of critical minerals from sources like acid mine drainage and electronic waste. Water & Sewer Funding: Gov. Jim Justice’s administration announced IJDC approval of more than $1.15 million for water and sewer projects across Kanawha, Tucker and Barbour counties, including reservoir work in Philippi. Health Access in Clarksburg: Community Care of West Virginia opened a Community Resource Center in Clarksburg to connect Medicaid members and others to case management and wellness support. Power Line Fight: North Central West Virginia residents and groups are lining up to intervene in upcoming PSC hearings over NextEra’s MidAtlantic Resiliency Link transmission line, citing impacts on farms and local economies. Local Alcohol Policy: Vienna City Council approved alcohol sales by the glass in the business district from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with supporters pointing to growth and opponents warning of community harm. Education & Workforce: West Virginia’s SMART529 sweepstakes winner was recognized by State Treasurer Larry Pack with a $10,000 college savings boost.

Health & Human Services: A new Community Resource Center opened in Clarksburg inside Community Care of West Virginia, aiming to connect Medicaid members and other residents with case management and wellness support. Infrastructure: Gov. Jim Morrisey announced IJDC approval of more than $1.15 million for water and sewer projects across Kanawha, Tucker and Barbour counties, including a reservoir project in Philippi to add a backup water source. Opioids & Local Government: Hancock County commissioners split over additional opioid-fund distribution, approving $400,000 for Family Care Excellence while questioning whether earlier requirements were met. Public Safety Costs: Counties are pushing lawmakers to rein in rising jail expenses as regional jail costs climb under a 2023 law that shifted more costs to counties. Science: WVU researcher Christopher Fowler says NASA’s MAVEN data from Mars shows a solar-wind protection phenomenon can happen even around worlds without strong magnetic fields. Politics: A recount affirmed Tim McNeely’s narrow win over Laura Kimble in the GOP primary for House District 71. Community: Warwood unveiled a new steel “Warwood, WV” sign at Garden Park.