AGP Executive Report

Water Infrastructure Push: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a new Clean, Clear Water Strategy with an additional $145 million for West Virginia water and wastewater projects, plus grant-writing and technical help for small, struggling systems. Surveillance Fight in Huntington: Residents are collecting signatures to put a ballot measure on the books that would ban third-party mass-surveillance systems and unwind Huntington’s 5-year, $2 million Flock Safety contract approved 6-4. Local Economy & Growth: Morgantown Area Partnership CEO Russell Rogerson will retire at year’s end, with a national search set to begin. Public Safety & Roads: Route 690 bridge reconstruction tied to the Route 7/690 interchange starts Sept. 8, with phased lane narrowing and shifting traffic to keep Rt. 7 open. Education & Workforce: Wesleyan College reports a 20% jump in new students, including big gains from Upshur County and West Virginia Promise Scholars. Business Development: Marshall University says Synthesis Health will move into the IDEA District to expand rural radiology access using AI and imaging tech. Community & Culture: Shepherd University will host its 30th Appalachian Heritage Festival Sept. 24-27 with free events across Shepherdstown.

Rare Earth Push: The U.S. is looking to abandoned coal mines for rare earth minerals, building on WVU’s work using acid mine drainage to recover valuable elements—an effort aimed at reducing reliance on China. Rural Health & Tech: Marshall University says Synthesis Health will set up in Huntington’s IDEA District to expand radiology access for rural and underserved patients using AI and imaging tools. Data Center Money in Motion: AEP Ohio and multiple data center companies announced $18M+ in added bill-assistance funding for Ohioans through Neighbor to Neighbor, with AEP Ohio adding $1M and major tech firms contributing. Local Business Support: The West Virginia Farmers Market Association opened applications for its 2026 Mini-Grant Program, offering up to $5,000 for market upgrades and visibility. Consumer Watch: Clendenin ranked among WV cities with scam reports in July, while gas prices in several counties (including Cabell and Raleigh) showed the latest weekly lows and averages. Public Safety & Water: Kanawha Falls faces biohazard water concerns tied to a sewer line issue from 2022, with WVDEP pursuing civil action.

AI & Data Centers: Nscale, building AI data centers including a major West Virginia campus, is reportedly seeking up to a $3 billion U.S. IPO as soon as September, with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan involved and about $51 billion in contracted revenue cited. Energy & Supply Chains: A new look at LNG shows how the Strait of Hormuz disruption briefly tightened global gas markets, pushing prices up abroad while U.S. gas got cheaper as exports stayed high. Critical Minerals: Appalachia’s coal mine wastewater is being eyed as a potential source of rare earths, aiming to strengthen the U.S. rare-earth supply chain for magnets used in EVs and wind. Public Health: The CDC is investigating a salmonella outbreak tied to recalled jalapeños, with cases in 32 states including West Virginia. State Policy & Aging: Gov. Morrisey announced $1.25 million to help launch PACE-style coordinated care networks for older West Virginians. Local Business: HD Media is buying Greene County News and other papers, with the change set to take effect Sept. 1. Business & Courts: A federal court rejected a bid to dismiss claims that a West Virginia machinery reseller group conspired to fix prices.

Water Infrastructure Push: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a “Clean, Clear Water Strategy” with $145 million for water and wastewater projects, and new Marshall and WVU grant resource centers to help communities pursue additional funding. Energy Regulation: West Virginia PSC staff asked to pause or dismiss NextEra’s MARL transmission line case after proposed route changes and new federal directives raised due-process and timeline concerns. Legal & Media: Beckley attorney Stephen P. New and Associates won a $9.25 million federal jury verdict against the New York Times in a defamation and privacy lawsuit tied to a 2023 shooting report. Housing & Jobs: Donaldsonville planning officials advanced zoning for two residential developments as Hyundai Steel construction nears, and discussed temporary housing needs. Food Safety: A broad set of recent recalls spans jalapeños, guacamole and salsa tied to salmonella, plus other items with lingering “best if used by” dates. Local Business & Community: The Old Stone House in Morgantown launched its 2026 Charity Partner Program, offering participating businesses a cut of gross sales to fund local nonprofits. Consumer Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data put Parkersburg among the top-scoring WV cities for scam reports in July. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show some of the lowest premium prices in multiple counties, including Brooke and Jackson, as statewide averages ease.

Media M&A: HD Media, a Charleston-based company that already owns 10 West Virginia and Ohio papers, agreed to buy AIM Media’s 25 Indiana and Ohio newspapers (including The Republic in Columbus and The Daily Reporter in Greenfield), with the deal set to close Sept. 1. Healthcare Tech Deal: Pro Medicus’ Visage Imaging signed a seven-year, $25 million contract with Valley Health (six hospitals across Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia) to deploy its cloud imaging platform and migrate Valley’s PACS archive. Local Public Safety Fees: Randolph County commissioners are weighing whether to reimpose a suspended special ambulance service fee after state tax objections and an Attorney General review. Infrastructure Funding: Rainelle will receive $1.7 million from USDA Rural Development to rehabilitate sidewalks and improve pedestrian safety and stormwater drainage. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reported the lowest diesel price in Wood County at $4.14 for the week ending Aug. 15, while statewide diesel averaged $5.08. Data Center Politics: A Mason County letter to lawmakers on House Bill 2014 pushes for stronger host-county input on siting scores as residents question high-impact data center approvals. Public Health: A jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak has expanded to 32 states and 431 cases, with West Virginia listed among affected states.

Energy & Permitting: West Virginia regulators are asking the state Public Service Commission to pause or dismiss NextEra’s MidAtlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) transmission line application, arguing late route changes undercut field studies and denied some landowners a fair chance to participate. Public Safety & Health: A jalapeño-linked Salmonella Javiana outbreak has climbed to 431 illnesses across 32 states, with West Virginia now included among the affected states; federal and FDA updates note the grower still hasn’t been named. Workplace Safety: West Virginia ranks among the deadliest states for workers, landing seventh with 5.54 fatal injuries per 100,000 people, according to a new analysis of federal data. Healthcare Access: WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital launched 24/7 EEG monitoring to speed diagnosis of neurological emergencies and reduce the need for transfers. State Water Infrastructure: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $145 million for southern West Virginia water and wastewater projects, including major leak-reduction efforts in Wayne County. Local Business & Tourism: The Top of West Virginia CVB says hotel occupancy tax revenue in the Brooke/Weirton/Hancock area is up 13%, boosting tourism marketing plans. Food & Litigation: A lawsuit in federal court targets Taco Bell and Taylor Farms over alleged cyclospora illness tied to contaminated lettuce. Crime & Courts: Federal authorities say they dismantled a multi-state drug trafficking and money laundering network with charges tied to Morgantown-area sales.

Water Infrastructure Push: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced an extra $145 million for West Virginia water and wastewater projects, aiming to push total work past $1 billion and speed up approvals with a new “Clean, Clear Water Strategy” that adds grant-writing and technical help for small, understaffed utilities. Health Insurance Impact: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage enrollees will lose in-network benefits at Valley Health facilities after contract talks failed, affecting about 8,000 patients across Virginia and West Virginia. Workforce & Education: WVU opened the first phase of a major dental school expansion in Morgantown as federal data shows nearly 720,000 West Virginians live in dental shortage areas. Local Public Safety Funding: Mon EMS excess levy renewal is headed to the Nov. 3 ballot, with projected annual revenue of about $5.35 million. Business & Community: HD Media, based in Charleston, bought AIM Media Midwest/Indiana—owners of the Northwest Signal and 18 other Ohio papers plus six Indiana titles—effective Sept. 1. Food Safety Watch: Cyclosporiasis cases tied to a Taylor Farms lettuce outbreak appear to be trending down, though thousands of cases remain under investigation.

Water Infrastructure Push: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced an additional $145 million for West Virginia water and wastewater projects, launching a new “Clean, Clear Water Strategy” to speed timelines and help small, understaffed systems with grant-writing and technical support. Local Utility Upgrades: West Virginia American Water is also investing $678,000 in two Fayetteville line-replacement projects on Fayette Avenue and Lakota Road to improve reliability. Flood Recovery: West Virginia emergency officials urged residents affected by recent flooding to complete the state’s Survey 123 disaster survey so FEMA aid eligibility can be determined, stressing even minor damage matters. Surveillance Backlash: Flock Safety is tightening rules for its license-plate reader network, including shorter data retention and added controls as cities and lawmakers push back over privacy and misuse concerns. Broadband Progress: ARC Broadband’s project is nearly complete in Pocahontas County, with Citynet taking applications for service hookups as construction and testing wrap up. Legal/Health: A federal jury awarded Memorial Health $5 million in a conspiracy-related lawsuit involving WVU Medicine Camden Clark. Business Moves: Kroger plans to close 60 stores by year-end after merger setbacks and its Giant Eagle acquisition plan.

Statewide Emergency: Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties after Aug. 16-18 storms brought flash flooding, mudslides, damaging winds and widespread water rescues, with the order effective for 30 days to speed response and recovery. Flood Recovery & Schools: Kanawha County also declared an emergency as flooding delayed school openings for about 3,500 students, while Lewis County moved ahead with flood relief steps including relocating Robert Bland Middle School students to WVU’s Jackson’s Mill. Energy & Courts: The fight over Pleasants Power Station escalated as Omnis Pleasants’ Chapter 11 filing triggered a governance battle, with Omnis Fuel Technologies asking a Delaware bankruptcy court to dismiss the case or appoint a trustee. Tourism Push: Morrisey announced a $3.2 million investment toward the Wheeling Gateway Center and appointed Kayla Kessinger as tourism secretary, as tourism continues to post record economic impact. Opioid Funds Shift: AG J.B. McCuskey said future opioid settlement dollars will move away from the West Virginia First Foundation model toward direct state and local government funding. Banking Results: Highlands Bankshares reported year-to-date 2026 earnings of $3.84 million and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share. Food Safety: Kettle Cuisine recalled its Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit sold at Walmart in 29 states, including West Virginia, due to possible Listeria contamination. Local Business Spotlight: West Virginia Hive will showcase six entrepreneurs at Bridge Day 2026.

Tourism Leadership: Gov. Morrisey appointed former lawmaker Kayla Kessinger as West Virginia’s new Secretary of Tourism and Arts & History, aiming to build on record tourism results including $9.1B in economic impact and nearly 61,000 jobs. Child Safety & Privacy Lawsuit: West Virginia AG Nick Brown backed a bipartisan coalition’s Meta trial over allegedly addictive Facebook/Instagram features aimed at kids, with the case set to begin in federal court in Oakland. Medicare Fraud Case: U.S. prosecutors filed a civil complaint seeking about $4.6M in recovery tied to alleged Medicare billing by a Texas company and North Carolina man involving electro-neurostimulator claims. Flood & Power Disruptions: Historic rain hit Kanawha County and Charleston, triggering flash flooding, rescues, and a state of emergency, with thousands of power outages reported. Energy & Permitting: WVDEP cleared a key site-control procedural question for the proposed Ridgeline gas/solar/data-center complex in Tucker County, though other issues remain open. Water Infrastructure: West Virginia American Water announced a $166,000 Fayetteville water line project to replace aging pipe along Lakota Road. Consumer Watch: FDA issued a Class II recall of Cocoa Crunch cereal in 10 states over undeclared soy allergens. Unclaimed Property: State Treasurer Pack reported $1.4M returned in July, including more than 2,000 claims and nearly $40.2M returned in fiscal year 2026.

Housing Affordability: A new watchdog report says HUD spending hasn’t lowered home prices and that the “affordability gap” is widening nationwide, with homeownership getting harder across nearly every state. Power Plant Fight: Omnis Pleasants’ parent company asked a federal bankruptcy judge to dismiss the Pleasants Power Station Chapter 11 case, escalating a control battle with lenders tied to Tony Robbins. Transmission Line Pushback: Frederick County supervisors approved funding and outside counsel to oppose the Valley North/Valley Link transmission line, citing property and route concerns tied to rising electricity demand. Flood Recovery Support: FEMA opened new disaster recovery centers in Pleasants and Ritchie counties to help residents apply for federal aid after late-July storms, joining centers already operating in Upshur and Lewis. Storm Impacts on Utilities: Appalachian Power reported thousands of West Virginia customers still without power after weekend storms, with flooding and saturated ground slowing repairs. Nucor Spotlight: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito received a “Woman of Steel” award after touring Nucor’s Mason County site, highlighting the project’s long permitting path and job impact. Food Safety Recall: Walmart shoppers in 29 states were warned about recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits due to possible listeria contamination. Local Business & Workforce: West Virginia’s Tourism Works milestone topped 25,000 microcredentials as the state expands hospitality training for tourism employers. Airport Growth: Gov. Morrisey joined officials for the grand opening of a new passenger terminal at North Central West Virginia Airport, positioning it as a regional economic boost.

Greenbrier Deal Update: The Justice Family Group and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management completed a joint venture for The Greenbrier, with the West Virginia Lottery Commission authorizing the casino to keep operating while it reviews the transaction. Airport & Jobs: Gov. Patrick Morrisey joined officials for the grand opening of a new 53,000-square-foot passenger terminal at North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport, positioning it as a regional economic growth boost. Data Centers & Power Lines: The U.S. Department of Energy dropped plans to advance National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor status for three proposed grid routes, while West Virginia DEP said Fundamental Data had legal site control for a Tucker County data center-linked project. Surveillance Backlash: Huntington residents launched a “Rolling Rally” canvass to ban third-party mass-surveillance cameras like Flock, as the company tightens privacy and retention rules. Meta Trial: West Virginia’s AG coalition is set to begin presenting its case against Meta over alleged addictive design features targeting kids. Severe Weather: Flood threats rose again in West Virginia and Kentucky after deadly Indiana storms, with power outages still reported. Consumer Safety: Walmart recalled more than 3,000 tomato soup kits in 29 states, including West Virginia, over possible listeria contamination. Workforce Training: Pierpont students completed internships with regional energy and industrial employers, building hands-on skills for West Virginia’s pipeline of talent.

Greenbrier Deal Update: The Justice family finalized a new financial partnership with Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, setting up majority ownership for the New York firm and pushing the Greenbrier refinancing case toward faster gaming-regulator approval, with the casino’s future tied to the transaction. Aviation & Jobs: Pratt & Whitney Canada won a nine-year, $1 billion contract to overhaul PT6A-68 engines for the U.S. Joint Primary Aircraft Training System, with much of the work routed through the North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport. Workforce & Higher Ed: West Virginia’s community and technical college chancellor reported record enrollment in the Invests tuition program (more than 1,500 students) and rising FAFSA completion among the class of 2026. Public Safety & Surveillance: Lawmakers continue pressing Flock Safety over license-plate camera privacy and data-security concerns, even as some jurisdictions cancel or scale back use. Legal System Capacity: A new West Virginia Supreme Court report warns of shrinking attorney supply and growing demand for court-appointed legal work, leaving many counties “legal deserts.” Local Economy & Community: The WVU Cancer Institute’s Connection 304 Fund topped $100,000 at a record-setting Golf and Sporting Clays Classic in Roanoke, with more than 140 participants. Weather Watch: Flooding and storm impacts in the Midwest are easing in places, but more rain is expected to threaten Appalachia and West Virginia.

Defense & Manufacturing: Pratt & Whitney Canada landed a nine-year, $1 billion contract to overhaul PT6A-68 engines for the U.S. Joint Primary Aircraft Training System, with much of the work tied to the North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport. New Industry in WV: Germany-based Helsing plans a $50 million manufacturing operation in Martinsburg, aiming to create at least 60 jobs in Berkeley County and initially build its HX-2 AI-enabled strike drone. Workforce Development: Gov. Morrisey says West Virginia’s Tourism Works program has topped 25,000 microcredentials and 1,000 college credit hours since launching in March 2025, with more than 4,000 enrolled in the free training. Legal & Courts: West Virginia faces a growing shortage of court-appointed attorneys, with a Supreme Court commission finding declining lawyer numbers alongside rising legal demand. Public Safety & Privacy: A West Virginia legislative committee questioned Flock Safety over its automated license plate reader network as communities push back on surveillance concerns. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in multiple states, including West Virginia, due to potential listeria contamination. Regional Weather: Midwest flooding continues to disrupt travel and power, with flood watches extending east into central West Virginia.

Tourism Workforce: West Virginia’s Tourism Works program has topped 25,000 microcredentials and 1,000 college credit hours since launching in March 2025, with more than 4,000 residents enrolled in the free online training. Flood Risk: Midwest flooding continues after days of heavy storms, with flood watches extending into central West Virginia and more rain expected through Sunday. Greenbrier Deal Update: The Justice family and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management finalized a new joint venture for The Greenbrier, aiming to stabilize the resort’s finances and keep the casino operating while court and regulator steps move forward. Surveillance Oversight: Flock Safety says it’s tightening privacy and oversight for its license-plate reader network, including shorter data retention and limits on data sharing as lawmakers question security and abuse. Public Health Recall: Walmart recalled more than 3,000 Marketside tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states, including West Virginia, due to possible listeria contamination. Local Business & Community: Hancock County commissioners hired outside counsel to help negotiate distribution of opioid settlement funds tied to a faith-based treatment project.

Greenbrier Deal Update: The Justice family and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management have completed a $500 million joint venture for The Greenbrier, with Kennedy Lewis taking a 51% controlling stake; the West Virginia Lottery says the casino can stay open during review, keeping reservations and operations running through the transition. Clean-Tech Investment: Form Energy secured $750 million in new equity to expand its West Virginia iron-air battery factory in Weirton, adding jobs and scaling a plant designed for multi-day power storage. Data Center Policy: Gov. Patrick Morrisey defended West Virginia’s “Responsible Data Center Development Plan,” but wouldn’t confirm it adds enforceable protections beyond existing law on ratepayer and water impacts. Surveillance Cameras: Flock says it’s tightening privacy, accountability and security after criticism of license-plate reader networks; lawmakers, including WV Delegate Tristan Leavitt, are pressing on data security and access. Local Business & Community: Hancock County commissioners hired outside counsel for opioid-fund negotiations tied to Family Care Ministries. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports Jefferson County midgrade hit $4.19 for the week ending Aug. 8, while Ohio County regular fell to $3.61. Food Safety: Walmart Marketside tomato bisque soup kits were recalled in 29 states over possible listeria contamination, including West Virginia.