AGP Executive Report

Flash Flooding: Heavy rain hit southern West Virginia again, with Fayette County flash-flood warnings and water washing out two bridges along Cunard Road, cutting off access to homes. Public Health & Food Safety: Walmart recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states, including West Virginia, due to possible listeria contamination (use-by Aug. 22, 2026). Education & Youth Voice: West Virginia’s Department of Education launched the Super STARS Council, naming the first 15 student members to boost middle-school engagement and career pathways. Workforce Development: Gov. Morrisey says Tourism Works has surpassed 25,000 microcredentials and 1,000 college credit hours earned since March 2025, with more than 4,000 West Virginians enrolled. Community Safety: Authorities issued an urgent alert for two children believed abducted in Greenbrier County, urging the public not to approach their mother, who is considered armed and dangerous. Culture & Arts: West Virginia Public Theatre announced a run of “Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather?” in Morgantown, a one-man play rooted in a Vietnamese American family immigration story.

Arts & Identity: West Virginia Public Theatre brings a homecoming run of Cody LeRoy Wilson’s one-man play “Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather?” to WVU Aug. 21-22, tracing a Vietnamese American family story through immigration, heritage, and identity. Workforce & Tourism: Gov. Morrisey says Tourism Works has topped 25,000 microcredentials and 1,000 college credit hours since March 2025, with more than 4,000 West Virginians enrolled in the free training. Public Safety Alert: Authorities are searching for two children reported abducted in Greenbrier County by their mother, Nicole Cary, described as armed and dangerous. Food Safety: Walmart is recalling 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states, including West Virginia, after possible Listeria contamination; no illnesses reported yet. Tech & Privacy: Flock Safety says it’s tightening oversight of its license-plate reader network, including shorter data retention and added tools to curb abusive searches. Sports: WVU women’s soccer opened the season with a 2-0 win over Dayton, and WVU safety Kamari Wilson discusses his transfer-portal path and development. Community & Culture: A Chester Freedom Run 5K produced 28 age-group winners in July, highlighting local participation and momentum.

Public Safety: Authorities issued an urgent alert for two children reported abducted in Greenbrier County, asking the public not to approach their mother, Nicole Cary, who’s considered armed and dangerous. Privacy & Surveillance: Flock Safety says it’s tightening safeguards for its license-plate reader network after lawmakers and privacy advocates raised concerns about data security and misuse. Education & Community Life: WVU women’s soccer opened the academic year with a 2-0 win over Dayton, while local districts and schools across the state gear up for the new term and track student progress. Health & Food Safety: A tomato bisque soup kit sold at Walmart in 29 states was recalled over possible listeria contamination, including West Virginia. Culture & Local Flavor: Sidecar Coffee & Bake Shop is leaning into its cult favorite—vinegar pie—turning skeptical first bites into repeat orders. Sports & Identity Debate: A national argument over women’s sports and who gets to compete continues to ripple, with West Virginia readers likely feeling the cultural heat. Local Recognition: An Indian Creek school nutrition leader was honored as Nutrition Group Director of the Year. Environment: DEP approved an air permit for a plastics conversion project near Belle despite community fears.

Food Safety: Walmart shoppers in West Virginia should check their pantry—Kettle Cuisine recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states after possible listeria contamination, with no illnesses reported yet. Public Health: Measles cases are spiking again, and West Virginia readers are watching as the Trump administration reshapes vaccine guidance—CDC data show the national caseload at its highest in decades. Education & Youth: Berkeley County approved an Autism Classroom Workforce Initiative to stabilize staffing in autism classrooms, while Greenbrier County schools continue “Celebrate Freedom Week” instruction and selected Greenbrier East student Hydee Wykle for the new statewide Super STARS Council. Privacy & Surveillance: Lawmakers and communities are pushing back on Flock Safety-style automated license plate readers; the company says it’s tightening safeguards as privacy concerns grow across West Virginia. Local Culture & Community: WVU Parkersburg mourns Alice Harris, a finance leader and mentor credited with building long-term stability, and Bluefield State named two students as NASA West Virginia Space Grant Ambassadors. Sports & Change: The NCAA’s new “5-in-5” eligibility rule is reshaping college rosters, with immediate ripple effects for athletes seeking extra seasons.

Northern Appalachia Folklore: A new book spotlights “Fairies of Northern Appalachia,” tracing banshees, tommyknockers, and other “little people” tales back to immigrant roots and mountain isolation. Community & Local Business: Riverside General Store in Crumpler reopens with a 1950s feel, aiming to stay a gathering place while keeping its old-school charm. Data Centers vs. Neighbors: In Tucker County, residents and organizers are pushing back as plans for a massive data center campus expand, raising worries about air, water, and impacts on families. Women’s Sports: The Women’s Pro Baseball League kicks off with a new era of pro women’s baseball, honoring pioneers like Maybelle Blair. New River Gorge Fundraiser: Friend Fest returns Sept. 9 at The Outpost NRG with live music, local food, and a Kids Zone to support park education and research. Food Safety: Whole Foods and other retailers pull jalapeño-linked salsa and dip products after a multistate Salmonella outbreak. Flood Recovery: Gov. Morrisey extends the West Virginia state of emergency for 12 counties through Sept. 19 as cleanup continues. Health & Culture: A cash-based, hands-on physician in Earl Township emphasizes culturally competent care for patients from the Plain community. Education Watch: West Virginia’s statewide assessment results show gains are slowing, with math up slightly and ELA flat.

WVU Sports: No. 20 West Virginia women’s soccer opened its 30th season with a 2-0 win over Dayton, scoring in the second half and outshooting the Flyers after halftime. Education Watch: West Virginia’s statewide summative assessment results show math and ELA near pre-pandemic levels, but gains are slowing, according to the Board of Education’s latest report. Local Leadership: The Elkins-Randolph County Chamber announced the 2027 Leadership Randolph class, naming 18 participants from across Randolph County. Public Health & School Readiness: The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is running school and community clinics to help students meet West Virginia immunization requirements before classes start. Community Safety & Costs: Lubeck PSD residents packed a public hearing over proposed water and sewer rate hikes tied to aging infrastructure. Culture & Community: Nelson Gallery opened a new exhibit featuring Lenny-Lyons Bruno’s coal-town-rooted paintings and assemblages. Tech & Cybersecurity: WVU launched the state’s first Cyber-Resilience Resource Center to help small and medium businesses strengthen cybersecurity. Gun Policy: A federal injunction took effect that opens the door for unregistered silencers, signaling a potential shift in how suppressors are regulated. Sports Tradition: A guide to what makes Morgantown and WVU game days feel uniquely “Mountaineer Nation.” Remembering West Virginia: Obituaries highlighted longtime educator and outdoors advocate Janet (Hamric) Hodge, plus other community tributes.

Education & Health Access: Pierpont Community & Technical College celebrated 42 new LPN graduates, and the state has now given final approval for a $23 million Pierpont aviation training expansion at North Central West Virginia Airport—good news for workforce pipelines in Bridgeport. Local Governance & Accountability: Wyoming County Schools was placed under a state of emergency after a WV Department of Education review flagged systemic concerns in governance, leadership, personnel practices, and fiscal controls. Community & Faith: More than 2,000 Catholic Scouts gathered at Summit Bechtel Reserve for Mass “filled with joy, hope,” underscoring how religion and youth culture intersect in West Virginia. Public Safety: West Virginia’s fire commission audit highlights the state’s high house-fire death toll and the long-delayed push for a statewide prevention plan. Food & Family Support: United Way’s Helpful Harvest program is tackling food insecurity through a distribution hub serving dozens of local pantries and feeding programs. Health Alerts: A multi-state jalapeño recall tied to salmonella has expanded, including products sold at major retailers. Culture Calendar: Pocahontas County announced the 35th annual West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off and Autumn Harvest Festival for Sept. 26 in Marlinton.

Health Access: Bonnie’s Bus is back, with mobile mammography stops planned in Mercer, Doddridge, and Ritchie counties in early September, offering 3D screenings and help enrolling for free exams for eligible uninsured women. Education Accountability: The West Virginia Board of Education declared a state of emergency for Wyoming County Schools, citing problems in governance, leadership, personnel, and finances, and will assign a liaison and require a corrective plan. School Clothing Voucher Fight: Lawmakers grilled the new human services secretary over delays and alleged misuse in the $200-per-child school clothing voucher program, including concerns that about half is withdrawn as cash. Student Outcomes: West Virginia’s 2026 K-12 assessments show math and ELA above pre-COVID levels, while science dips slightly. Homelessness & School Discipline: New state data says half of West Virginia’s homeless students were suspended last school year. Community Safety & Training: Morgantown braces for increased calls as WVU students return, and Parkersburg first responders trained to better interact with people with autism and other invisible disabilities. Local Culture & Community: The Arts Council of Greater Morgantown and partners announced 2026-27 organizational arts grants totaling $135,000 for 13 nonprofits.

School Meals & Food Insecurity: A new No Kid Hungry survey finds 59% of parents say their child would go hungry without school meals, with many reporting skipped meals and debt as grocery costs rise. Human Services Clash: West Virginia lawmakers sparred with DoHS Secretary Carl Ayers over delays and confusion in the school clothing allowance program, as families still wait for $200 assistance. Homeless Students & Discipline: State data shows half of West Virginia’s homeless students were suspended during the 2025-26 school year, raising fresh calls for more support. Health Access in the Mountains: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography is set to stop in Mercer, Doddridge, and Ritchie counties, offering 3D screenings and enrollment help for eligible uninsured women. Arts & Community: Americana duo The Mammals bring their story-building songwriting to a New Marlborough performance, continuing a summer of teaching and composing. Education Leadership: New River CTC named Tori Taylor interim associate VP of external affairs, consolidating recruitment, communications, and community partnerships under one role. Disaster Recovery: Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders launched long-term flood recovery in Lewis and Upshur counties after July flooding damaged more than 1,600 homes.

Health Access: Bonnie’s Bus, a WVU Medicine-WVU Hospitals and WVU Cancer Institute mobile mammography program, is scheduling 3D screening stops in Mercer, Doddridge, and Ritchie counties in September, with options for insured, Medicaid/Medicare, and eligible uninsured women. Child Advocacy & Care: Gov. Morrisey announced $85,885.07 for the Randolph Tucker Children’s Advocacy Center, part of more than $2.1 million statewide to strengthen forensic interviews, counseling, and support for child abuse victims. Education Accountability: Lawmakers grilled the new DoHS secretary over disruptions to West Virginia’s clothing voucher program, while officials faced criticism for a first Critical Incident Review Team report on child deaths that lawmakers said lacked details. Public Safety & Weather: Severe thunderstorms and flooding concerns hit southern West Virginia, with warnings for damaging winds and reports of road closures and downed trees. Food & Community Health: Taylor Farms expanded a jalapeño-related salmonella recall affecting products sold at major retailers, as SNAP recipients in select storm-hit counties got a deadline extension to report food losses. Culture & Community: West Virginia Folklife is accepting applications for its 2026-27 Folklife Apprenticeship Program, pairing masters with apprentices for a year of traditional arts and a public showcase.

Health & Tech in the Mountains: WVU Medicine says it has expanded its surgical-robot fleet with 17 more Intuitive da Vinci 5 systems, boosting the region’s largest lineup and adding newer capabilities like improved visualization and telepresence. Public Health: Monongalia County health staff are hand-distributing oral rabies vaccine baits in Morgantown, with USDA aerial drops planned to help stop rabies from spreading west. Food Safety: Taylor Farms has widened a salmonella-linked recall of fresh jalapeño products, including salsa, guacamole and prepared foods sold across 26 states, including West Virginia. Child Welfare Accountability: West Virginia lawmakers criticized the state Department of Human Services’ first report on child deaths as too thin on details, while the Critical Incident Review Team’s first findings left officials asking for more actionable information. Community & Education Support: CHANGE, Inc. is set to receive part of $2.1 million in child advocacy center grants for Comfort House operations in Hancock and Brooke counties. Youth & Learning: WVU Extension named Matthew Helmondollar as the new 4-H Youth Development agent for Harrison County. Local Culture Calendar: The 9th Annual Beckley Honey Festival returns Aug. 15 at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine with beekeeping demos, kids’ activities and a honey competition. Sports & Campus Life: WVU freshman move-in runs Aug. 13-15 in Morgantown, with the university using a staggered logistics plan to ease congestion.

Healthcare & Tech: WVU Medicine says it has expanded its surgical robot fleet with 17 more Intuitive da Vinci systems, now boasting the largest regional lineup, including da Vinci 5 plus other models across multiple hospitals. Food Safety: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño-containing dips, salsas, guacamole and prepared items sold nationwide (including at Walmart, Target and Trader Joe’s) after a Salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican-grown peppers; officials warn contaminated food can look normal and urge people not to eat affected products. Education Policy: West Virginia House Democrats renewed calls for a special session over the school funding crisis, pointing to underfunding and rising special education needs, while lawmakers also reviewed the governor’s education “principles” and debated what reforms should come next. Community & Family Support: Gov. Morrisey announced $2.1M in grants for child advocacy centers, including $83K for the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center. Culture & Local Life: The State Fair of West Virginia opens Thursday in Lewisburg for a 10-day run blending agriculture, crafts and “grandma” hobbies with major concerts and family events.

Public Safety & Health: West Virginia’s fire commission has gone 50 years without a state-mandated plan to tackle the state’s high house-fire death rate, with officials saying a first comprehensive plan is finally being drafted for fall 2026. Child Welfare: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $2.13 million for 22 child advocacy center projects statewide, expanding services like forensic interviews, medical evaluations, counseling, and education for abused and neglected children. Food Safety: Taylor Farms and its jalapeño supply chain are behind multiple recalls tied to salmonella, with affected products sold across 26 states including West Virginia. Community & Culture: A West Virginia SNAP drop story shows how fewer households are getting benefits and food banks are feeling the strain, with one woman’s assistance falling from about $400 to $24. Tech & Schools: Montclair (outside WV) is weighing new AI policies after a survey found parents, students, and staff uneasy about classroom tech and communication. Sports & Local Life: The New York Giants held their first West Virginia training-camp practices at the Greenbrier, then returned to New Jersey. Education & Equity: West Virginia’s broken PATH online system is drawing scrutiny as nearly $8 million in TANF funds is used to keep it running.

Back-to-school strain in Kanawha County: Public school teachers say they’re paying out of pocket for basic supplies as funding worries and closures loom, with Hope Scholarship pulling students and destabilizing districts. School funding debate: Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s team pitched a simplified school funding formula aimed at steering more money to classrooms, as lawmakers brace for major 2027 session fights. Hope Scholarship rollout: West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack says more than 25,000 students will get first quarterly Hope Scholarship payments Aug. 13, with expanded eligibility for K-12 families. Flock cameras pushback: West Virginia lawmakers heard hours of testimony on Flock-style automated license plate readers, with concerns about warrantless, passive tracking and misuse. Morgantown zoning clash: The Morgantown Board of Zoning Appeals rejected a proposed Abundant Life Recovery Housing site on WVU’s downtown campus after university opposition. Public safety gap: A state fire commission audit says West Virginia has lacked a required statewide fire prevention plan for 50 years, with work now underway. Culture & community: The King Powwow’s second weekend in August spotlights heritage, regalia, and new special dances. Arts/lifestyle reading: A book excerpt explores the history of immigrant detention and the prison-industrial system.

Community Safety & Housing: Morgantown’s zoning board rejected Abundant Life Recovery Housing’s proposed downtown location after WVU opposition, keeping the faith-based recovery program’s operations in Westover. Public Health & Care Access: WVU Medicine is sending “Bonnie’s Buses” for mobile breast cancer screening across multiple counties, aiming to make mammograms and education easier to reach. Culture & Community Support: Walking Miracles Family Foundation Cancer Support Center highlights how one West Virginia survivor turned lived experience into counseling, resources, and travel help for hundreds of families. Civic Life & Oversight: West Virginia’s fire commission is still without a state-mandated fire prevention plan—50 years after its creation—raising pressure for a first comprehensive roadmap. Local Politics: Hope Scholarship funding is set to land for more than 25,000 students with early deposits starting Aug. 13. Tech & Privacy Tensions: Flock camera vandalism and theft continue nationwide, fueling debate over surveillance and community pushback. Public Service: West Virginia’s Army National Guard welcomes a new commander at a Change of Command ceremony in Charleston.

Education Funding: West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack says more than 25,000 Hope Scholarship students will get their first 2026-27 payments Aug. 13, with expanded eligibility for K-12 families. Public Safety & Justice: ICE arrested three people tied to West Virginia thefts, including $21,000 in jewelry stolen from a flood-damaged Walmart cleanup in Weston. Child Welfare: Gov. Morrisey announced $2.1M in Child Advocacy Center grants, including $127,103.87 for the Harrison County Child Abuse Task Force. Arts & Lifestyle: WVU’s College of Creative Arts and Media weighs in on why pink keeps popping in 2026, from fashion to food and sports. Higher Ed: WVU President Michael Benson reflects on a 55-county push to rebuild pride and connections as he looks ahead to the next year. Politics: The Constitution Party of West Virginia named Stacey Hensley as its candidate for House District 50 after a GOP ballot shakeup.