AGP Executive Report

Big 12 Baseball: WVU’s Maxx Yehl shut down Kansas State with six scoreless innings, and the Mountaineers now set their sights on the Big 12 semifinals after the 4-2 quarterfinal win. Sports Roundup: Kansas State’s run ended in the tournament, while OSU waits on its postseason destination after a 9-2 semifinal loss to Kansas. Wheeling & History: Jeanne Cox will speak May 27 at the Ohio Valley Civil War Roundtable on how Civil War-era medical records shaped today’s understanding of PTSD. State Politics: West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey is co-leading a Supreme Court amicus brief aimed at stopping a Boulder, Colorado climate lawsuit that he says would let one locality dictate national energy policy. Local Government: Fayette County commissioners appointed Chuck Miller to fill a vacant seat after Greg Fernett’s death. Public Safety: Berkeley County’s May grand jury handed down 69 indictments. Community Calendar: Memorial Day events in Paw Paw run rain or shine, with the parade stepping off at 1 p.m.

Retail Expansion: Men’s Wearhouse opened a second West Virginia location—its first in the north central part of the state—at Town Centre in Morgantown (773 Target Way), with suits, dresswear, and tuxedo rentals. Business & Markets: WisdomTree and Clinch Resources are set to appear on Bloomberg TV’s RedChip Small Stocks, Big Money this Saturday, with WisdomTree’s chief investment officer discussing the firm’s growth into a global asset manager. Politics & Courts: Attorneys general from Texas, Nebraska, Iowa and West Virginia are pushing coordinated lawsuits against proxy adviser ISS, accusing it of misleading investors while advancing ESG/DEI goals. Public Safety: A new WalletHub ranking calls Louisiana one of the worst states to be a cop, citing pay, training, and job hazards. Weather & Travel: Memorial Day gas prices hit a four-year high nationally, and holiday forecasts keep an eye on wet conditions and travel delays. Local Governance: Parkersburg recall petitions are circulating, targeting Mayor Tom Joyce and Council President Andrew Borkowski amid sanitation-contract backlash.

Big 12 Baseball: West Virginia’s Maxx Yehl lived up to Big 12 Pitcher of the Year hype, tossing six scoreless innings as WVU beat Kansas State 4-2 in the quarterfinals and moves to Friday’s semifinal. Local Sports: Harrison Central made history with a 1-0 Division IV district title win, while John Marshall topped Grafton 5-2 after weather delays. Community & Growth: Upshur County is getting a $12 million Abandoned Mine Land grant for the John C. Allen Regional Hub, a multi-sport complex planned for construction bids later this year. Business & Jobs: Men’s Wearhouse opened a new location in Morgantown, its first in north central West Virginia. Public Health: The FDA issued a recall for a liquid multivitamin sold in more than 20 states due to contamination concerns. Weather: Showers and storms are expected Friday, with the main hit late morning into the afternoon.

Memorial Day & Military Remembrance: West Virginians are marking Memorial Day as a call to remember and act, with attention on the state’s large veteran population and the generations who served. Education Funding Pressure: Monongalia Del. Joe Statler is pushing for more state money to cover a reported $170M special education shortfall, arguing mandates and rising costs are outpacing promised allocations. Household Costs: A new doxo report finds big state-by-state gaps in monthly bill costs, with the most expensive states hitting far higher affordability pressure than the most affordable. Local Public Safety & Courts: A Randolph County man was arrested after repeated 911 calls claiming zombies, ghosts, and a UFO—authorities say the claims were false. Wheeling Traffic & Street Rules: Wheeling is weighing whether to allow golf carts on city streets, while the city also issued traffic advisories for the wellness weekend. Business & Growth: Trader Joe’s announced dozens of new store openings across 14 states, adding more momentum to the retail expansion wave.

Greenbrier Court Fight: West Virginia tax officials asked to join a federal lawsuit over the Justice-owned Greenbrier Resort, saying more than $4 million in tax liens are at stake as the dispute over debt and a possible receiver heads to the next phase. Local Government: Wheeling is floating a proposal that could let residents use golf carts on city streets, with council members weighing safety and feasibility after the state expanded rules for certain utility vehicles. Child Welfare Tech: Lawmakers heard updates on West Virginia’s S.A.F.E. child welfare system, a shift meant to track cases from intake through permanency and focus on root causes, not just immediate risk. Education Access: Randolph County’s school board will vote on whether to expand Proximity Learning districtwide, aiming to bring more home-schooled and scholarship students back into the system. Sports & Community: Basil’s Sports Bar in Weirton awarded $1,000 scholarships to two local athletes, while WVU begins Big 12 tournament play tonight as Maxx Yehl’s Pitcher of the Year spotlight turns to postseason.

Foster Care Fallout: After Gov. Patrick Morrisey vetoed a bill to expand help for West Virginia kids aging out of foster care, lawmakers say support services can still grow—because programs already passed by the Legislature are moving forward despite waitlists and Morrisey’s cost concerns. Child Welfare Overhaul: The state is also rolling out the S.A.F.E. model for CPS decisions, aiming to keep families together while caseworkers juggle heavy caseloads. Sports Spotlight: In Georgia, Jacobi Pasley made history by sweeping the 100, 200, and 400 at the state finals. Business & Energy: Appalachian Power is pushing back on a court appeal over a PSC-approved rate adjustment, while Clinch Resources says it has started commercial coal production at its Lanes Branch property. National Politics: New polling shows Trump underwater nationwide and in every swing state, with West Virginia among his stronger net-approval states. Tech & Policy: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers sues ISS over claims it hid an ESG agenda while selling “objective” advice. Local Notes: A West Virginia student, Maya Panta, earned national semifinalist recognition in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Business & Growth: West Virginia’s Secretary of State says 1,900-plus new businesses registered in April, with Monongalia, Kanawha, Berkeley, Raleigh and Jefferson leading the surge. Courts: Del. Bill Flanigan has won a seat on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, beating incumbent Tom Ewing in a nonpartisan race. Health Costs: New national figures show ACA Marketplace benchmark premiums jumped 21.7% in 2026, with West Virginia listed among the higher-cost states. Local Economy Watch: A Federal Reserve leader visited Erie to hear directly from businesses and workers in the Cleveland Fed region. Public Safety & Industry: The Governor’s Cup Mine Rescue competition crowned Alpha Metallurgical Resources-Southern WV the overall winner in Abingdon. State Services: West Virginia’s Treasurer’s merchant services now accept Apple Pay and Google Pay. Data Centers: State officials admit community communication around data center projects needs improvement, as more proposals move forward.

Tech & Justice: German student filmmakers say their animated short was stolen and reuploaded in the U.S. under a new title, sparking a festival scramble and a revenge-style movie trail. West Virginia Finance: State Treasurer Larry Pack says West Virginia’s merchant services now accept Apple Pay and Google Pay, with the service launched May 4. Public Health: Tick bites are sending more people to ERs, with Minnesota among states seeing surges, as Lyme remains the most common tick-borne illness. Food Safety: Another popular pantry item is under recall amid salmonella concerns, a reminder that recalls can take weeks to surface. Local Economy: Pocahontas County’s tourism summit pushed “Connecting People, Places and Possibilities,” touting major visitor spending and regional partnerships. Business Growth: Gov. Morrisey’s new West Virginia First Small Business Growth Program is taking applications, aiming to pull more private capital into small firms.

TANF Crunch: Gov. Patrick Morrisey says West Virginia’s TANF program (WV WORKS) is headed toward a structural deficit of at least $40 million, with about 18 months before it becomes an immediate crisis—prompting House HHR Chairman Evan Worrell to demand more data behind the claim. Cost-Cutting Push: Morrisey also points to audits finding more than $168 million in potential savings across executive branch departments. Legal Fight at Greenbrier: Carter Bank is asking a court to dismiss a lawsuit from Sen. Jim Justice’s family over alleged interference with the Greenbrier, citing a Virginia forum clause. Boating Safety: WVDNR urges life jacket use during National Safe Boating Week, stressing kids under 13 must wear one while underway. Local Life & Learning: Monongalia County students Emily Nguyen and Maxwell Chen earned National Merit Scholar honors; WVU announced a $1 million gift expanding Data Driven WV.

Aviation training push: Pierpont Community and Technical College is moving toward construction of a 65,000-square-foot Aviation Maintenance Center at the North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport, with bids for a construction manager due May 28 and work expected to start this summer. Memorial Day safety: With National Safe Boating Week kicking off the summer season, West Virginia officials are urging life-jacket use, noting drowning is a leading cause in recreational boating deaths. Local justice: A Mercer County man faces charges after an alleged hot wax attack on a woman, with the incident tied to a domestic disturbance report. Sports loss: Sam Houston defensive back William “Will” Davis, who also played briefly for WVU, died at 22; no cause was disclosed. Health watch: Ohio is seeing rising Lyme disease numbers as tick season ramps up, with researchers reporting many ticks testing positive. State government savings: Gov. Patrick Morrisey says outside audits found up to $168 million in potential annual savings across three agencies.

Boating Safety Push: With National Safe Boating Week running May 16-22, West Virginia officials are urging everyone to wear a life jacket—calling it the simplest way to prevent drownings, which accounted for most recreational boating deaths in 2024. Child Care Crunch: A new $8 million grant will expand rural child care and early education workforce training, after Save the Children says many counties have too few providers, leaving parents on long wait lists. Politics & Turnout: U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is calling for unity after a contentious GOP primary, while local reporting flags low primary turnout in the Northern Panhandle as a worrying sign for democracy. Workforce Pipeline: A new union training center in Nitro is opening to meet demand for skilled trades careers. Sports: WVU baseball is set for the Big 12 tournament as it wraps up a series win over TCU, and Oak Glen clinched a return trip to the state softball tournament.

Artemis 2 Watch: West Virginia’s Green Bank Telescope tracked NASA’s Orion “Integrity” capsule around the moon and even produced a pixelated image—“four people in those pixels”—as the mission wrapped up five days of observations. Big 12 Baseball: WVU earned the No. 2 seed and a double bye in the 2026 Big 12 Tournament after rallying past TCU to close the regular season; Kansas is top-seeded. Gas Tax Fight: In Charleston, Democrats are pushing for a 30-day suspension of the statewide gas tax while prices stay high, with GOP allies split on whether it’s workable. Workplace Safety: A new report highlights a gap in OSHA oversight, noting federal inspectors don’t regularly check the most dangerous workplaces—raising fresh pressure for more inspections in West Virginia. Community & Health: WVU Medicine marks Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month with reminders to get help early, and the Run For The Wall is set to stop in Nitro later this week.

Outdoor Tourism & Jobs: Pennsylvania is spotlighting Laurel Caverns as its 125th state park—and its first underground one—pitching the “oh wow” cave experience as a boost to the outdoor economy that already supports about 177,000 jobs. Local Community Life: Memorial Day plans are rolling out across the South Hills, with towns scheduling wreath-layings and ceremonies. West Virginia Politics: The 2026 primary is basically wrapped up, with counties now canvassing results before official certification next week; turnout was about 21% statewide, with Northern Panhandle counties higher. Health & Policy: West Virginia’s charter schools are urging the state Supreme Court to allow religious vaccination exemptions, while the state AG’s consumer protection team is warning residents about a fresh batch of scams. Sports: WVU baseball closed the regular season with a gritty series win over TCU, and high school tennis headlines include Williamstown’s boys finishing second at state.

High School Sports: Fox Chapel’s playoff run ended fast with a 4-1 first-round loss to Penn-Trafford, with the Foxes blaming key moments and the lack of a big hit. Medicaid Watch: In West Virginia, Medicaid spending on durable medical equipment rose to $268,930 in Hurricane in 2024, while Fairmont providers billed $616,469 for enteral and parenteral therapy—both up from 2023. Public Safety & Scams: The state AG’s Consumer Protection Division is warning residents about the latest scam wave, led by Medicare fraud, computer phishing, robocalls, DMV text scams, and fake court notices. Legal & National: A major West Virginia federal judge, John T. Copenhaver Jr., died at 100, leaving a long record of steady, rule-bound service. Health Policy: Gov. Patrick Morrisey visited WVU Medicine Camden Clark to discuss the Rural Health Transformation Program, pitching prevention and workforce support as cost savers. Local Government: Parkersburg’s trash service transition to Waste Management starts July 1 on an interim basis, with city billing staying the same.

Toyota Expansion: Toyota filed to build a new $2 billion plant in Bexar County, Texas, aiming to add 2,000 jobs and potentially shift Tacoma production to the U.S. as trade policy uncertainty lingers. Parkersburg Waste Service: Parkersburg will start trash service July 1 under a temporary Waste Management contract while a possible referendum over the deal plays out. Health & Science: Marshall University researchers report tiny gut particles may help drive inflammation and aging-linked chronic disease—when transferred between young and older animals, the metabolic and inflammatory effects moved with them. Medicare CBD: A new federal experiment will let some Medicare patients get free CBD, testing whether it improves quality of life and lowers costs. WVU Commencement: WVU kicked off spring commencement weekend with more than 600 graduates walking ceremonies Friday, capped by the water tower lighting ceremony ending President Benson’s “Welcome Home Tour.” Local Spotlight: Lou Holtz Life Improvement Scholarships honored regional students, including several at West Virginia Northern Community College.

Gun Law Fight: Virginia’s new ban on “assault firearms” is already hitting the courts, with gun-rights groups filing quick challenges after Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the measure. Energy & Rates: Appalachian Power customers are appealing a Public Service Commission order that would raise bills via an “experimental inflation-based” rate mechanism and surcharges. Rural Health Push: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $62 million for West Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program, including a new Rural Scholars pipeline aimed at boosting rural physician supply. Opioid Settlement: West Virginia is set to receive $27 million from the Purdue Pharma opioid settlement as the long-running bankruptcy-era payouts move forward. Learning Recovery: West Virginia is highlighted for pandemic learning gains, ranking 6th in math recovery and 8th in reading recovery in a new national scorecard. Data Centers: Battery storage is gaining ground as data centers look to cut diesel backup use amid fast power swings tied to AI workloads.