AGP Executive Report

Energy & Jobs: West Virginia is pushing a “50 by 50” plan to grow power capacity from 16 to 50 gigawatts, betting on coal, natural gas, nuclear and renewables as AI, data centers and manufacturing drive demand—while warning that infrastructure, markets and shifting federal rules could still trip the state up. Education Equity: New data show Monongalia County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black or African American students reached 47% by 2024, while Jefferson County’s rate for white students was 55.3%—highlighting uneven outcomes across counties. Rural Health Access: U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda and others introduced a bill to strengthen the Rural Emergency Hospital model, aiming to keep struggling rural hospitals open. School Funding Fight: Mingo County parents sued to block universal expansion of the Hope Scholarship, arguing it worsens impacts from school closures and the state’s failure to update the school funding formula. Public Safety: A campaign says an armed attacker lunged at Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair, injuring multiple people. Sports (WVU): WVU’s true freshman offensive tackle Kevin Brown made his debut for the Coastal Carolina game, with the Mountaineers winning as he helped anchor a strong rushing effort.

WVU Football: Rich Rodriguez wasn’t celebrating the full picture after West Virginia’s 31-24 comeback win over Coastal Carolina—WVU led 24-0 at halftime, then “stunk” in the second half as the Chanticleers surged. WVU Football—Debut Impact: True freshman OT Kevin Brown started at left tackle and helped WVU rush for 281 yards with just one sack allowed, while QB Michael Hawkins Jr. powered the offense with passing and rushing. Local Safety: WVU Police introduced Storm, a trained explosives-detection K-9, continuing the department’s long-running K-9 unit. Education & Accountability: A Brooke County high school principal was arrested after recording devices were allegedly found in girls’ changing areas, prompting felony charges. AI & Power Grid Backlash: Across the U.S., opposition to new AI data centers is growing, with residents citing power strain and rising electricity costs. West Virginia Economy/Jobs: West Virginia leaders highlighted major private-sector investment tied to data center development, projecting thousands of jobs. Sports Betting: Week 1 college football betting coverage highlighted major promos and odds for games including WVU’s opener and other marquee matchups.

WVU Football: West Virginia opened its 2026 season with a 31-24 win over Coastal Carolina in Morgantown, leading 24-0 at halftime before a shaky second half nearly cost it. QB Michael Hawkins Jr. sparked the comeback with 132 passing yards and 108 rushing yards, and the Mountaineers held on after Coastal’s late push fell short. Pat White Honor: Before kickoff, WVU retired the No. 5 jersey of legend Pat White, celebrating his record-setting career and four straight bowl wins. Local Justice: A Brooke High School principal in Wellsburg was arrested after alleged hidden recording devices were found in girls’ changing areas, with charges including breaking and entering and intercepting electronic communications. Education Data: New federal figures show Kanawha County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black students at 37% by 2024, while other counties tied to WV schools show mixed outcomes by race. Business/Tech: Nvidia-backed AI cloud firm Nscale disclosed about $103B in contracted revenue tied to a major Anthropic deal involving West Virginia data-center capacity, as it eyes a New York IPO. Sports Coaching: Shady Side Academy in Pennsylvania hired Jamal Woodson as its girls basketball coach after seven seasons leading Baldwin.

WVU Football Kickoff: Rich Rodriguez says the 2026 Mountaineers should be “fun to watch” as WVU opens Saturday vs. Coastal Carolina at noon on TNT/truTV, with a revamped roster and major turnover on both sides. Coastal Carolina Rebuild: Ryan Beard takes over the Chanticleers after a 6-7 season, bringing in transfers to reshape the program ahead of the trip to Morgantown. Local Sports & Community: Village Caregiving, founded in Barboursville, is expanding to 22 states and adding 160 jobs after opening seven new offices, including in Massachusetts and Montana. Consumer Watchdog: West Virginia AG JB McCuskey warns of new scam tactics targeting Medicare and impersonating state representatives, including spoofed phone numbers and video-call sweepstakes fraud. Data Center Debate: At the Greenbrier business summit, Gov. Patrick Morrisey pushed new “high-impact” data center approvals despite public opposition and local-control concerns. Business/Local Growth: Dave & Buster’s is set to open a second West Virginia location in the Morgantown area, with a ribbon cutting scheduled for Sept. 21.

West Virginia Data Centers & Taxes: Gov. Patrick Morrisey says West Virginia could use revenue from approved hyperscale data center projects to help eliminate the state’s personal income tax, pitching a 20-year plan tied to Charleston’s “High Impact Data Center Designation” process. Local Education Safety: A Brooke County principal was suspended after recording devices were found in multiple girls’ locker rooms at Brooke High School; Eric James faces felony charges and is held on $100,000 bond. Rural Health Funding: Morrisey announced nearly $2.4 million in early Rural Health Transformation Program awards to expand preventive care, screenings, chronic disease management, and employer-based health services. Business Growth: A Dave & Buster’s is set to open in Westover near the University Town Centre exit with a ribbon-cutting scheduled for Sept. 21. Sports (WVU): Rich Rodriguez says WVU’s 2026 team should be “fun to watch” as the Mountaineers open Saturday against Coastal Carolina.

Rural Health Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the first Rural Health Transformation Program grants, sending $1.17 million each to Spotted Owl Health and Chesapeake Healthcare Center, plus $612,000 each to CAMC/Vandalia Health and the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation, aiming to expand rural workforce clinics and improve outcomes for patients in employer-based care. Education & Outcomes: A new Monongalia County snapshot shows 65.3% of white WVU entrants from 2018 earned a bachelor’s within six years by 2024, beating the statewide rate for white students by 8.5 points. Business Growth: A North Central West Virginia Dave & Buster’s is set to officially kick off Sept. 21 in the West Ridge Business and Retail Park in Westover. Outdoor Events: WVDNR opened registration for Nature Wonder Weekend, returning Sept. 11–13 to North Bend State Park with wild-food foraging hikes and workshops. Tech & Daily Life: Oklahoma added driver’s licenses and IDs to Apple Wallet, joining West Virginia among the states already supported. Healthcare Research: A study reports GLP-1 drugs were linked to higher symptomatic remission in ulcerative colitis at 12 weeks, with benefits not tied to weight loss. Data Centers Backlash: West Virginia’s commerce plan argues data-center revenue should help reduce and eventually eliminate the state income tax amid growing opposition.

Business & Jobs: Gov. Patrick Morrisey told the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce summit that West Virginia has secured about $96 billion in new private investment since last fall, including NScale’s High Impact Data Center certification in Mason County (projected $69.2B, about 2 gigawatts of power) and Starwood Digital Ventures’ separate $12B Mason County project (about 2.16 gigawatts), with Morrisey saying infrastructure costs won’t be passed to ratepayers. Energy & Power Demand: Appalachian Power CEO Brian Abraham warned electricity demand is about to surge, arguing data centers and other mega users will drive the need for more generation while helping keep costs from landing on everyday customers. Local Backlash: Putnam County residents and “Putnam United” urged commissioners to push back on hyperscale AI data centers, saying a new state law has stripped local authority over zoning and permitting. Politics: Sen. Jim Justice said he’s “100 percent” considering a run for governor in 2028, setting up a potential Republican primary fight with Gov. Morrisey. Health: WVU Medicine hosted “Light the Night” in Morgantown to support blood cancer patients and survivors, with Blood Cancer United reporting more than $1 million in co-pay and financial help in 2025. Sports & Community: The 47th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival kicks off this weekend in Clarksburg, and the Jim Dunn Memorial Twilight 5-Miler returns in Morgantown to fund scholarships and SteppingStones.

Energy & Jobs: U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Gov. Jim Justice urged West Virginia leaders at the Chamber summit to push faster permitting and bigger energy investment, saying bipartisan talks on reforms are nearing a deal. Clean Power Buildout: Google is partnering with MN8 Energy and Eos to develop the Mammoth Solar project in Kanawha County—86MW of solar plus battery storage on a reclaimed coal mine—aimed at supplying round-the-clock power for data centers. Local Government: Weirton’s Water Board has started searching for a new utilities director after the current director announced plans to retire Oct. 16. Public Safety Tech: AAA and HAAS Alert are rolling out in-vehicle and app alerts to help drivers slow down and move over when tow crews are working roadside. WVU & Campus Life: WVU opened a renovated dental school facility and students also shared their go-to campus lunch spots. Sports (WVU opener): WVU faces Coastal Carolina on Sept. 5, with Coastal’s new coach Ryan Beard bringing major roster turnover that has WVU’s staff preparing for lots of unknowns.

West Virginia Economy & Jobs: The West Virginia Chamber’s 90th Business Summit opened at The Greenbrier, with WVU and Marshall leaders stressing collaboration and touting WVU Medicine’s reported $14.3 billion annual economic impact. Childcare Crunch: Summit panels put childcare at the center of workforce problems, saying families can spend over $10,000 a year and that tens of thousands of children still lack available spots. Energy & Data Centers: A major clean-energy push is taking shape in Kanawha County: Google-backed Mammoth Solar will pair utility-scale solar with lithium and zinc long-duration storage from Eos, aimed at powering data centers. Local Development: A $50,000 historic schools grant will help Coalfield Development Corporation adaptively reuse the former Fort Gay High School in Wayne County, pairing preservation with workforce training. Sports (WVU): Rich Rodriguez’s Mountaineers open the season Saturday vs. Coastal Carolina in Morgantown, with quarterback questions still swirling as the offense looks to rebound. Transportation: WVDOT says a delayed Pond Creek Bridge project will reopen with alternating lane shifts, while the contractor faces liquidated damages. Community & Culture: AmeriCorps programs across WV are set to share $6.4 million in federal funding for service roles statewide.

Energy & Industry: MN8 Energy, Eos Energy and Google announced a clean, dispatchable power deal for PJM that includes a planned West Virginia project—solar plus long-duration storage—aimed at supporting growing data center demand. Local Utilities & Costs: The West Virginia Public Service Commission has offered mediation in a Wellsburg sanitary fee dispute after Brooke County Public Service District challenged a December 2024 rate increase and alleged improper notice. Food Assistance: West Virginia saw about 4,000 fewer children on SNAP between June 2025 and May 2026, tied to cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Public Safety & Community: Mountaineer Animal Rescue is asking Tyler County for support toward a permanent animal shelter as calls for abandoned and neglected animals keep rising. Education & Research: West Virginia University coaches are sounding confident about a rebuilt offensive line as the season approaches, while WVU Medicine highlights ongoing work including innovative lung cancer care and AI research. Sports & Culture: A West Virginia native, Jim Thornton, was suspended from “Wheel of Fortune” amid an investigation, and local arts coverage spotlights Dr. Eli Dragisich’s snow sculpture-to-painting journey at the Summit Art Gallery.

West Virginia Politics & Elections: The state Secretary of State’s office kicked off National Voter Registration Month, urging West Virginians to verify and update registration ahead of November at GoVoteWV.com. State Government & Money: West Virginia reported August General Revenue Fund collections of $449 million, beating estimates by $34 million, with officials pointing to revenue strength and continued budget discipline. Courts & Energy Projects: West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals dismissed two Ridgeline Power Plant and Data Center Project appeals after a jurisdiction fight, with the project backers saying they’ll keep working through the proper process. Local Business: Citizens Bank of West Virginia held a ribbon cutting for its Thomas Financial Center, expanding banking and lending services for Tucker County residents and businesses. Public Health: September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, with advocates pushing for less stigma and pointing people to 988 for confidential crisis support. Sports (WV): WVU released its first depth chart for the season opener against Coastal Carolina, keeping “Ors” at multiple spots while naming Michael Hawkins Jr. first at quarterback. Road Work: A WVDOH District Four closure is set for County Route 50/6 (Raccoon Run Road) with paving and shoulder work running weekdays through Sept. 11, with daytime flagger-controlled delays.

Road Work Disruptions: WVDOH District Four schedules daytime paving and shoulder work on County Route 50/6 (Raccoon Run Road) from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Friday, Sept. 11, with flaggers and delays—inclement weather could shift the timeline. Floodwall Readiness: Huntington’s Stormwater Utility and Sanitary Board will run floodwall-gate closure exercises Tuesday, Sept. 1 (Altizer Avenue) and again Sept. 10 (Main Street) and Oct. 1 (Steel of West Virginia area), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with drivers urged to avoid the affected roads. Civic Reminder: September is National Voter Registration Month, with state and county clerks urging West Virginians to verify, update, or register before Election Day. Local Culture & Grants: Salango Law Light the Night returns Nov. 13 at GoMart Ballpark with new attractions, and the West Virginia Humanities Council announced 27 minigrants supporting local humanities projects. Health & Education: WVSOM student Erin McGowan was selected as the next AAFP Foundation Student Trustee, and another WVSOM student helped publish a children’s book to explain Crohn’s.

Energy & Courts: West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey says a federal judge blocked New York’s $75 billion “Climate Change Superfund Act,” ruling the state law is preempted by federal clean-air authority—an outcome WV had challenged. Air Pollution Fight: GOP attorneys general, including McCuskey, also filed to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse tighter Biden-era soot limits. Data Center Politics: Tucker County residents and conservation groups are pushing the West Virginia Supreme Court to decide which court should hear their challenges to Fundamental Data’s air permit for a proposed data center and gas complex. AI Infrastructure: Anthropic reportedly signed a $35 billion computing deal with Nvidia-backed Lambda, and the company has been expanding capacity tied to West Virginia power deals. Local Economy & Jobs: The Charleston LIFT Center is nearing completion, but officials say it still needs a tenant for the new advanced-manufacturing/energy space. Community & Culture: The 5th annual West Virginia Vintage Festival drew more than 50 vendors to Morgantown. Health & Care: Nursing home Medicaid rates in WV are up modestly (median +3.3%), according to a sector report. Public Service: Cooling stations opened across the region as heat continues. Sports & Pride: A Ravenswood man set a new WV record with a 72.75-pound blue catfish. Civic Leadership: Justice H.L. Kirkpatrick was publicly sworn in to the WV Supreme Court.

Business & Jobs: A new study puts West Virginia at the top for business survival, with 57.6% of 2019-started businesses still operating five years later—state leaders credit coaching, mentoring, and easier access to capital. Environment & Energy: West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey is leading a 25-state push to get the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Biden-era EPA air rule, arguing it raises costs without improving health and could stall new manufacturing and infrastructure. Wildlife & Tourism: The WVDNR says tickets are now available for 2026 Elk Management Tours in Logan County, with guided trips running Sept. 13 through Oct. 24. Public Safety & Fraud: Charleston tied for first among WV cities in July BBB scam reports, logging eight reports and about $1,189 in losses. State Government Watch: Gov. Morrisey’s America 250 Capitol City Celebration is drawing invoices that are nearing or exceeding its $2 million budget, according to state auditor data. Tech & Power: Anthropic’s reported $45B Nscale deal would secure about 460 megawatts of capacity tied to a West Virginia data center. Community & Culture: West Virginia’s 2026 Vacation Guide earned a U.S. Travel ESTO Award for Excellence in Print Marketing.

Energy & Regulation: A FirstEnergy proposal for a new 1,200-megawatt natural gas plant next to the Fort Martin Power Station is drawing fresh scrutiny from critics who say regulators still haven’t answered what happens to the existing coal plants in the same corridor. Public Health & Care: WVU researcher Dana Voelker warns that injured athletes who “try too hard” during recovery may be showing deeper issues tied to body image, food, and pressure to stay athletic. Medicaid Watch: New federal spending data show rising Medicaid billing in West Virginia communities, including South Charleston’s DME MACs claims hitting $11,275 in 2024 and Huntington’s Outpatient PPS payments climbing 12.2% to $54,852. Courts & Corrections: A Kanawha County judge approved a partial settlement tied to the 2023 death of an inmate at the North Central Regional Jail, with attorneys arguing the facility failed to provide timely withdrawal care. State Politics: West Virginia Democrats set their Roosevelt-Kennedy Celebration for Oct. 3 in Charleston, featuring DNC chair Ken Martin.

Foreign Money Crackdown: India’s Home Ministry rolled out tougher FCRA rules to clamp down on untraceable foreign funding tied to alleged anti-national activity, drawing pushback from major Christian groups. Medicaid Billing Watch: In West Virginia, Medicaid claims rose sharply in several small communities—Lost Creek (up 143.3% for state agency code services), Inwood (up 20.6% for evaluation & management), Cross Lanes (up 228.4% for ambulance/transport), and Poca (up 7.1% for ambulance/transport). Jail Death Case: A Kanawha County judge approved a partial settlement tied to the 2023 death of an NCRJ inmate, with attorneys arguing the facility failed to provide timely withdrawal care. Public Health Alert: The CDC expanded a cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce, adding Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas and bringing confirmed illnesses to 11,458. Literacy Push: Read Aloud West Virginia launched a September fundraising campaign in memory of Dolly Parton, matching donations to support early childhood and school reading.