AGP Executive Report

Voting: Early voting is underway across West Virginia through Oct. 31. Secretary of State Kris Warner urges voters to confirm details with county clerks and bring photo ID. Schools: Public enrollment fell by 8,270 students to 226,687, a 3.52% drop and the biggest single-year decline since 2020-21. Household Costs: West Virginia has the nation’s highest reported ACA premiums, averaging $1,314 a month; enrollment fell 17% from last year, with 11,234 people dropping coverage. Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s 60-day diesel order allows dyed fuel for highway vehicles, though access may be limited. Energy and Growth: Valley Link plans a Nov. 17 meeting in Capon Bridge on revised routes for its proposed high-voltage line, which faces opposition from residents along potential paths. Health Care: Morrisey announced more than $3.4 million in rural health awards, while WVU’s neuroscience institute received an $11.9 million grant. Consumer Relief: West Virginia joined a multistate settlement with Snap Finance that cancels lease payments for eligible customers and provides about $664 million in relief nationwide.

Fuel Costs: Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared an emergency allowing dyed off-road diesel on West Virginia highways as prices surge. Treasurer Larry Pack is also urging a temporary diesel-tax suspension that would cut costs by more than 20 cents per gallon. Rural Health: More than $3.4 million in state awards will help WVU Health expand remote care for chronic conditions and ease staffing shortages, with a first-year goal of serving about 1,200 patients. Schools: Public school enrollment fell by more than 8,000 students, the state’s second-largest drop since the pandemic. Election 2026: Early voting is underway statewide; voter registration has grown by nearly 18,000 since May, and Republicans hold an advantage of more than 200,000 registered voters. Data Centers: A draft of proposed data-center rules is under review as residents raise concerns about energy costs and local impacts. Mine Safety: Remediation work is set to begin at the long-burning coal seam fire and subsidence site in White Hall.

Fuel Relief: Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a 60-day emergency across West Virginia, allowing temporary use of cheaper dyed diesel on highways. The state estimates savings of 20.5 cents per gallon as diesel prices top $6.30. Election Watch: Early voting starts Wednesday and runs through Oct. 31 ahead of the Nov. 3 election; voters need photo ID. Schools: Public enrollment fell by 8,270 students this year, a 3.5% drop and the second-largest decline since COVID-era disruptions. Data Center Rules: Wheeling leaders reviewed a draft zoning amendment for data centers and plan to invite public feedback as concerns grow over a proposed Warwood project. Consumer Relief: West Virginians will have $4.44 million in Snap Finance lease payments canceled under a multistate settlement, with affected customers keeping their merchandise. Rural Health: A Calhoun County nonprofit received $5.7 million in federal funding to train healthcare workers, while Morrisey also announced $3.4 million in rural health awards to WVU Health System. Flood Recovery: FEMA recovery centers are open in Charleston and Bridgeport to help residents affected by August flooding apply for assistance.

AI Investment: Nscale and Anthropic are negotiating a second computing deal worth about $45 billion for a 460-megawatt facility at the Monarch campus in West Virginia. It could nearly double their commitments, but talks aren’t final, and Nscale still faces financing and power-supply challenges. Election Watch: Republicans hold a voter-registration edge of more than 200,000 statewide, while West Virginia added nearly 18,000 registered voters since the May primary ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Energy Policy: The Public Service Commission released proposed power-plant capacity rules, with revisions to requirements affecting coal plants. Education Oversight: A Kanawha County child-abuse case has renewed questions about how schools track students using the Hope Scholarship, which serves more than 25,000 children. Health Care: More than 400 people received free medical, dental or vision care at a Charleston clinic, underscoring ongoing local need as new Medicaid work requirements approach. Research: WVU graduate students are studying how privately owned forests support migratory birds in Greenbrier County.

Election Watch: West Virginia has 1,210,297 registered voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election, up nearly 18,000 since May. Republicans hold a statewide registration lead of 200,835, though officials caution that registration doesn’t predict turnout. AI Investment: Nscale is negotiating a second deal worth about $45 billion to supply Anthropic with computing capacity at its West Virginia Monarch campus. The proposed 460-megawatt facility would use Nvidia’s next-generation chips; talks are ongoing. Energy Regulation: The Public Service Commission advanced proposed rules requiring utilities to maintain coal plants and target a 69% capacity factor, provided that doing so does not raise customer rates. Rural Health: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced more than $3.4 million for WVU Health programs, including remote support for patients with diabetes and high blood pressure, expected to serve about 1,200 people in its first year. Mountaineer Football: WVU’s 45-42 win over Cincinnati delivered its first Big 12 victory of the season, with quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. throwing for a career-high 464 yards.

WVU Campus: President Michael Benson says the university is weighing renovations to aging Boreman Hall, where residents reported stifling heat; he also warned upgrades must not price students out. Data Center Dollars: Mason County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to renew the school excess levy. Supporters say keeping it could bring schools about $90 million in annual revenue from planned data center projects, while debate continues over how state law distributes the tax proceeds. AI Accountability: West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey has sued OpenAI, alleging deceptive marketing and unsafe design put children at risk. State Education: Officials are considering an overhaul of West Virginia’s school funding formula, which the state Board of Education has called inadequate; the state also received $9 million for student career and college programs. Business and Community: Glenville oil and gas entrepreneur and philanthropist Ike Morris has died. He built Waco Oil & Gas and supported education, athletics and community programs across the state. Mountaineers: WVU beat Cincinnati 45-42 for its first Big 12 win of the season, with quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. throwing for a career-high 464 yards.

Jobs and Retail: Kroger plans to cut about 3,000 corporate jobs over three years as it expands AI and cost-cutting efforts. The chain has 36 stores and more than 3,500 employees in West Virginia, but hasn’t said whether state workers will be affected. Energy and Property: Valley Link is planning another round of public meetings in November on its proposed 765-kilovolt power line across West Virginia. The route could affect property owners, including families and farms. Home Energy: State officials say more contractors are needed to deliver $88 million in federal rebates for home efficiency upgrades, which can provide qualifying homeowners up to $34,000. Schools: The state Board of Education says West Virginia’s public-school funding formula is inadequate and is weighing an overhaul of the roughly $2 billion system. AI and Consumer Protection: Attorney General John McCuskey joined other states in suing OpenAI, alleging the company misled families about ChatGPT’s safety and exposed children to harm. Coal Rules: The Public Service Commission revised power plant regulations, easing some requirements tied to coal plants’ 69% capacity target.

WVU Football: A last-second field goal gave West Virginia a 45-42 win over Cincinnati and its first Big 12 victory; a late defensive stop helped set up the winning drive. Energy and Land: A proposed power line could disrupt family farms and retirement plans, while the Public Service Commission has scheduled hearings next week on the MARL project. Economic Recovery: Disaster unemployment assistance is available to eligible workers in Fayette, Harrison and Kanawha counties after August storms. Public Schools: The state Board of Education says West Virginia’s school funding formula is inadequate and has put forward a proposal to overhaul it. Data Center Impacts: Permit filings detail potential environmental effects of a major Mason County data center. AI Lawsuit: West Virginia joined other states suing OpenAI over alleged risks to children.

Mountaineers’ Walk-Off: West Virginia snapped a three-game skid and earned its first Big 12 win, beating Cincinnati 45-42 on Jack Cassidy’s last-second field goal after Michael Hawkins Jr. threw for 464 yards. Flood Recovery: Disaster unemployment assistance is available to workers and self-employed people affected by August flooding in Fayette, Harrison and Kanawha counties; applications are due Dec. 7. School Funding: The state Board of Education says West Virginia’s school funding formula is inadequate, as officials pursue an overhaul of the roughly $2 billion system. Consumer Protection: Attorney General John McCuskey joined seven states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT’s design and safety practices put children at risk; the company says it has age-specific protections. At the Polls: Early voting begins Oct. 21. Former Sen. Joe Manchin urged Democrats to focus on affordability rather than investigations of President Trump, warning that an inquiry-driven strategy could hurt the party in 2028. Business: Belmont Savings Bank is expanding into West Virginia with a Wheeling branch.

Data Center Scrutiny: West Virginia DEP filings project significant environmental impacts from two planned Mason County data centers. The concern comes as a separate project faces complaints over runoff, erosion and pollution. School Funding: Monongalia County’s school board is urging lawmakers to limit Hope Scholarship eligibility, citing the program’s roughly $155 million price tag and pressure on public schools. State education officials also say the school funding formula is inadequate. AI Lawsuit: West Virginia has joined a multistate lawsuit accusing OpenAI of putting children at risk and misleading consumers. Business: Belmont Savings Bank plans to open its first West Virginia branch in Wheeling in December, expanding across the Ohio Valley. Student Opportunity: The state received $9 million in federal funding to expand college and career pathways for students statewide.

Flood Recovery: Disaster unemployment assistance is available to eligible workers and self-employed people affected by August flooding in Fayette, Harrison and Kanawha counties; claims are due Dec. 7. WVU Leadership: Michael Benson was formally inaugurated as the university’s 27th president, 15 months after taking office. AI Accountability: Attorney General JB McCuskey joined three state counterparts in announcing a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT harms children and violates consumer protection laws. Education: The state Board of Education says West Virginia’s school funding formula is inadequate, citing rising costs for students who need specialized services; the state also received $9 million to expand college and career opportunities. Public Safety: Charleston officials are scrutinizing the I-64/I-77 split after six crashes killed eight people since May 2025. Household Costs: A national analysis puts West Virginia’s average annual water bill at $1,382, the highest in the country.

Consumer Protection: West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey joined seven states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT’s safety failures put children at risk and misled users. Coal-Miner Health Care: Retired miners and the United Mine Workers say companies tied to Sen. Jim Justice failed to provide promised health and prescription coverage. They’re asking a federal court to reject a delay in a hearing over compliance with a 2021 order. School Funding: State education officials are proposing an overhaul of the roughly $2 billion public-school funding formula after the Board of Education found the current system inadequate. College and Career Pathways: A $9 million federal grant will fund a five-year program serving 3,600 students annually, with tutoring, college and career guidance, and help exploring trades and apprenticeships. Public Health: West Virginia has one of the nation’s highest rates of opioid-use-disorder diagnoses. Health groups are also urging lawmakers to let dentists and hygienists administer HPV vaccines to widen access to cancer prevention.

AI Lawsuit: West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey has sued OpenAI in Mason County, joining seven other states. The suit alleges ChatGPT’s unsafe design and deceptive marketing put children at risk and violate state consumer-protection laws. School Funding: State education officials say West Virginia’s public-school funding formula is inadequate and have outlined a major overhaul of the roughly $2 billion system. Education Access: A $9 million federal grant will fund college and career support for students in 20 counties, including tutoring, advising and financial-aid guidance for about 3,600 students a year. Data Center Growth: A treasurer’s analysis estimates two planned Mason County data centers could generate more than $231 million in annual tax revenue, though state tax rules direct 70% of the property-tax revenue to state coffers. Gov. Patrick Morrisey also announced a plan to preserve 200 rare chestnut trees near the Monarch campus. WVU Leadership: President Michael Benson was formally inaugurated as WVU’s 27th president, pledging to focus on affordability, student outcomes and research. House District 14: Republican incumbent Dave Foggin faces Democrat Crystal Butcher in the Wood County race, with property taxes and privacy rules for license-plate readers among the issues raised.

AI Lawsuit: West Virginia joined seven other states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled families about safety and harmed children. The states seek penalties and court-ordered safeguards. School Funding: The state Board of Education says West Virginia’s school funding formula is inadequate and has proposed an overhaul of the roughly $2 billion system. Addiction and Recovery: West Virginia has the nation’s second-highest rate of opioid-use-disorder diagnoses among privately insured patients, at 1,528 per 100,000. Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $500,000 to bolster mental health and addiction recovery services in eastern counties. Taxes and Energy: Democratic and Republican leaders are calling for a gas-tax pause as fuel costs rise. Separately, a federal order allows backup power to be used if needed across PJM’s 13-state region, including West Virginia; officials say it is precautionary, not a sign that outages are expected. Rural Health: A $2 million state investment will create a teleophthalmology network, including screening access in 14 counties without a local eye doctor.

AI Lawsuit: West Virginia joined seven states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled families about safety and exposed children to harmful interactions. Attorney General JB McCuskey says the state is seeking stronger safeguards and penalties under consumer-protection law. School Funding: The state Board of Education voted 7-1 that West Virginia’s school funding formula is inadequate. A proposed overhaul would better account for special education, grade levels and the higher costs facing rural districts. Local Economy: Wood County development groups brought business and government leaders together in Parkersburg to review growth efforts and discuss projects in the pipeline. Health Care: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $2 million to expand teleophthalmology services statewide, while a new child-care cost-sharing program is now available to employers in all 55 counties.

Community Investment: Romney’s long-awaited $1.95 million pool and park project is fully funded, combining a $975,000 federal grant with local funds; the new complex will replace the pool that closed in 2023. Jobs and Recovery: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced more than $1.7 million for programs helping West Virginians in substance-use recovery find and keep work. Rural Health: Nearly $2.2 million will help community health centers modernize operations and expand access, with a statewide provider network initially serving 40 counties. Tourism: West Virginia’s tourism economy reached a record $9.4 billion in impact; Hampshire County visitor spending rose to $36.9 million and supported 241 jobs. Disaster Aid: FEMA approved public assistance for 11 counties recovering from July storms, flooding and landslides, funding eligible debris removal, emergency work and infrastructure repairs. Regional Economy: A WVU researcher sees potential for job growth in Brooke, Hancock and Jefferson counties, but cited population loss, limited housing and the need to diversify as barriers.