AGP Executive Report

WVU & Big 12 Sports: WVU’s Oct. 3 Big 12 game at Iowa State is set for noon ET on TNT/TruTV/HBO Max, with WVU also opening conference play Sept. 26 vs. Oklahoma State (FS1, 7 p.m.). Higher Ed & Workforce: West Virginia colleges landed a $15 million federal education grant to expand adult education and workforce training through WV READY centers. Campus Workplace Culture: WVSOM earned “Great College to Work For” recognition for the 11th time, highlighting job satisfaction, support, and faculty experience. Community & Family Life: The West Virginia Culture Center is closing parts of its space for renovations, with Mountain Stage performances moving while updates roll out. Equality & Rights: Equality Arlington joined a Virginia coalition backing a constitutional amendment to enshrine same-sex marriage. Health & Public Safety: A measles update notes 3,294 U.S. cases this year and rising Pennsylvania numbers. Local Events: Parkersburg South hosts its 8th Annual Patriot Marching Band Invitational Sept. 26, and the Mountaineer Food Bank schedules pantries in Kanawha and Raleigh counties Sept. 22-23.

Culture Center Update: West Virginia’s Culture Center is set to close parts of the facility ahead of major renovations, with no new 2027 reservations being taken and “Mountain Stage” performances moving from the Norman L. Fagan State Theater while work continues. Community & Youth: Randolph County 4-H is kicking off fall with Teen Leaders painting festival “leaves” to fund programs, plus Camp Pioneer dorm feedback sessions and a fall recruitment event at Camp Pioneer. Education & Workforce: Pierpont Community & Technical College will break ground Sept. 30 on a new Aviation Maintenance Technology facility at the West Virginia AeroTech Park, aiming to expand training tied to local aerospace employers. Inclusion in Action: Fairmont State swimmers partnered with the Autism Society of West Virginia for free, individualized water-safety lessons, pairing participants with swim team members to build confidence and belonging. Local Governance Watch: Kanawha County BOE leaders are questioning the long-term viability of the Garnet High School property’s promised community-center plan as the five-year agreement nears its key timeline. Arts & Craft Spotlight: The West Virginia Fiber Festival drew vendors and hands-on education on wool, spinning, and natural dyeing.

Education & Workforce: Pierpont Community & Technical College will break ground Sept. 30 on a new Aviation Maintenance Technology facility at the West Virginia AeroTech Park, aiming to expand training for a program that’s been at capacity and to strengthen ties with major aerospace employers. College Readiness: GEAR UP Southern West Virginia is marking National GEAR UP Week with events focused on academic preparedness, financial aid awareness, and test practice for students and families. Community & Culture: The 31st annual West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival is underway in Morgantown, with local wineries, food, artisans, and live music that also supports music education in schools. Local Traditions: Belleville Homecoming Festival wrapped up with a parade, craft vendors, classic cars, and live music—another reminder of how rural events keep community bonds strong. Arts & Learning: A Morgantown candidate forum let voters question local and state hopefuls on issues like homelessness, costs, and proposed data centers. Health & Safety: Flash flood warnings are in play for parts of southern Ohio and central West Virginia, with officials urging caution for morning travel near small streams. Sports (WV ties): WVU women’s soccer drew Baylor 1-1, keeping its unbeaten run alive late.

Local History & Identity: A new look at how the Gauley River got its unusual name traces the mystery back to early surveys and competing Indigenous and European theories. Community Traditions: Belleville Homecoming returns as a weekend of parades, tractor pulls, crafts, and live music—neighbors say it keeps local bonds strong. Arts & Music: The 31st annual West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival is underway in Morgantown, pairing wineries and local food with live performances and music education support. Civic Life: A Morgantown candidate forum let voters press questions on cameras, homelessness, costs, and proposed data centers. Public Memory: A Jerry Dove 5K in Clarksburg honors the FBI agent killed in the line of duty and highlights the FBI’s ties to the community. Education & Access: A new scholarship from Capital University backs Appalachian students from Ohio and West Virginia, with extra support for first-generation learners. Health & Safety: Residents near Chemours in Wood County are pushing a class-action lawsuit alleging long-running PFAS contamination and property damage. Sports: No. 9 WVU women’s soccer battled Baylor to a 1-1 draw, keeping its unbeaten run alive.

Data Center Transparency Fight: West Virginia advocates rallied at the Capitol to protest how “high-impact” data center projects moved forward with little local notice, pushing back on state certification tied to House Bill 2014. Education & Community Identity: Logan County Schools Superintendent Sonya White faced questions on local radio after the district permanently closed the fire-damaged Logan Elementary building, a decision that’s rippling into broader school-closure plans. Environmental Health in the Spotlight: Wood County residents near Chemours are seeking a class-action path after a prior settlement, alleging PFAS contamination damaged homes and land for years. Workforce & Adult Learning: Gov. Morrisey announced a $15 million federal grant to expand Educational Opportunity Centers through WV READY, aiming to boost career training access statewide. Wildlife on the Road: A new look at animal-vehicle risk puts West Virginia among the states most likely to see wildlife collisions, renewing attention on wildlife crossings. Sports & Culture: College GameDay’s $1 million “kicking is easy” contest keeps paying off for students—another big win is driving fresh debate over sponsor costs.

Hope Scholarship & school choice: West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship keeps expanding, with statewide applications up and a 98% parent satisfaction rate cited by State Treasurer Larry Pack, even as skeptics push for more reform. Education policy shake-up: U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Cabell County as West Virginia weighs what “returning education to the states” could mean for learning gaps and parental involvement. Adult learning boost: Gov. Morrisey announced a record $15 million federal Educational Opportunity Centers grant to expand workforce training for adults through WV READY across all nine community and technical colleges. Arts & culture accountability: A legislative audit says the former Department of Arts, Culture and History mishandled cash and missed inventory records for thousands of state artifacts—now under the Department of Tourism. Community & youth supports: Fairmont State’s swim team is teaching life-saving water skills to children with autism, while a new survey finds after-school STEM access is growing but rural gaps remain. Local governance: Randolph County approved $10,000 for the Mountain State Forest Festival, and a lawsuit seeks to void the Harman School sale and reopen the closed school. Sports (culture on the move): WVU women’s soccer opened Big 12 play with a 1-1 draw against Baylor.

Education & Culture Spotlight: West Virginia Public Broadcasting says its finances are stable heading into the new fiscal year, despite a $4.6 million operating loss tied to lower state and federal support—plus a small net gain overall. Community & Faith-Based Life: A nonprofit is suing to reopen the former Harman K-12 School in Randolph County and challenge how the property was transferred for a Christian microschool, arguing students faced long bus rides and that the Hope Scholarship expansion harmed public schools. Local Infrastructure for Daily Life: Kanawha County’s Olcott waterline extension—nearly a decade in the making—has state PSC approval and is headed to bid, aiming to bring clean water to 110 homes. Arts & Media: “DISCONNECTED,” a new drama about teen social media harms, was selected for the 35th Heartland Film Festival with a world premiere in Indianapolis this October. Safety & Kids: An anonymous threat prompted a lockdown at the WVU Child Learning Center in Morgantown; police investigated and the lockdown was lifted shortly after. Music & Heritage: De La Soul’s cultural impact gets a spotlight through WVU history/ethnic studies programming tied to their music and politics. Public Service & Transportation: The PSC marked National Truck Driver Appreciation Week with outreach at an I-64 weigh station, emphasizing safety and driver resources. Fall Season Experience: A new look at peak fall color points to central Appalachia—including West Virginia—as a top bet for vivid displays, with scenic train rides highlighted.

Education & Workforce: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited West Virginia on her “Returning Education to the States” tour, touring the Woody Williams Career and Technical Center in Cabell County and meeting educators and students about literacy, science, and hands-on career training. Student Debt: A new WalletHub analysis ranks West Virginia among the states with the highest student debt burdens as federal loan deadlines near, pointing to job and internship availability gaps. Public Media: West Virginia Public Broadcasting reported stable finances heading into the new fiscal year, despite a prior-year operating loss and a hiring freeze. Health & Prevention: Hope Scholarship participation is nearly doubling in parts of the state after expanded eligibility, and HHS announced faith-based youth drug prevention funding that includes West Virginia. Local History & Culture: The Clarksburg History Museum announced a new four-county Civil War tour tied to Civil War Trails stewardship. Community Life: “Save a Life Day” returns with free naloxone and training, part of a broader push to keep overdose reversal tools accessible. Sports (WV): WVU women’s soccer opens Big 12 play Friday against Baylor with a Coal Rush theme and fan events. Higher Ed (WVU Tech): WVU Tech launched the Golden Scholars program with a $1.8 million gift aimed at students from southern West Virginia counties.

Civil War Heritage: Clarksburg History Museum announced a new Four-County Civil War Tour, a three-day guided trip through Harrison, Barbour, Randolph and Lewis counties starting in Clarksburg and spotlighting the Jackson family, including the preserved Beverly home of Laura Jackson Arnold, with historians and museum partners interpreting sites as the museum takes stewardship of Civil War Trails markers. Community Health & Education: New River CTC is offering an eight-week “Heart Healthy Cooking” class in Summersville, while West Virginia DHS launched the WV Kinship Hub—an online, private resource to help kinship and foster families find support. Outdoor Culture: Tickets are now on sale for West Virginia’s National Hunting and Fishing Day at Stonewall Resort State Park on Sept. 19, featuring vendors, seminars and family activities. Higher Ed & Campus Life: West Virginia State University celebrated its record-setting State of Tomorrow fundraising campaign, and WVU students are reviving the Fashion Business Association to build a stronger fashion community. Arts & Music: Charleston Ballet will premiere “The Legend of Mothman” Oct. 23-24, and Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg hosts bluegrass duo Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland Oct. 2. Sports Schedule Buzz: Big 12 women’s basketball released schedules that include West Virginia matchups on Jan. 3 (OSU) and Dec. 30 (KU).

Civil War Heritage: Clarksburg History Museum is launching a new Four-County Civil War Tour, a three-day guided trip starting in Clarksburg and tracing the Jackson family through sites in Harrison, Barbour, Randolph and Lewis counties, timed with the museum taking stewardship of regional Civil War Trails markers. Appalachian Arts & Film: The Mtn Craft Film Festival returns to Clarksburg’s RGPAC with free admission, spotlighting 39 short films by Appalachian filmmakers plus workshops and a Heritage Screening honoring Danny Boyd. Education & Community Impact: Falling birth rates are forcing school closures and consolidations, and Randolph County is mapping how leftover funds from closed schools will be redistributed to other campuses. Faith & Service: A new pastor’s perspective in Randolph County highlights a “serve” approach to ministry, while local church milestones and long-time community leaders’ obituaries underscore ongoing civic faith life. Family Support: West Virginia’s DHS launched the WV Kinship Hub, an online, private starting point for foster and kinship families to find caregiver and child support resources. Campus & Tech: Marshall University appointed its first chief academic AI officer, and WVU continues outreach with “Top Secret Day” surprises for students. Sports: West Virginia Wesleyan’s Mike Evans’ transfer spark is driving early momentum as the Bobcats open conference play. Outdoor Culture: An outdoor educator urges parents to model nature time, and WV state parks are gearing up for National Hunting and Fishing Day with food, demos and family activities. Public Finance: Gov. Morrisey announced Fitch upgraded West Virginia lottery and excess lottery revenue bonds, citing strong coverage and resilience. Local Governance: Morgantown City Council interviews Gail Taylor for a vacant Seventh Ward seat, focusing on homelessness and civic collaboration.

Hidden-Camera Lawsuit: A Kanawha County judge approved a settlement class for women allegedly exposed to hidden cameras at the West Virginia State Police Academy, covering trainees and others who used locker room or bathroom facilities from 2015 to 2023. Higher Ed Leadership: University of Charleston trustees elected Dave Ramsey as board chair, with Nancy Bruns as vice chair. Accessibility for Small Business: West Virginia State University Extension is hosting a free beginner workshop on website accessibility and ADA considerations in Charleston on Oct. 2. Appalachian Film & Community Arts: The Mtn Craft Film Festival returns with 39 short films from Appalachian filmmakers, plus workshops and a Heritage Screening honoring Danny Boyd. Water & Community Health: WVU Engineers Without Borders will host a Flowing Forward 5K on Sept. 20 to support clean drinking water projects, including a water drive. School Construction Milestone: White Sulphur Springs Elementary broke ground on a major $14M+ upgrade, including a new gym and facility improvements. Church & Local History: New Hope Lutheran Church marked 150 years with a service and picnic celebrating its founders and congregation roots. Arts & Stage: “Romeo and Juliet” returns in a 1930s Appalachian setting at JCCC with free performances Sept. 18-20 and 25-27. Holiday Music Tour: Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol national tour kicks off Nov. 14 in Princeton, WV. Local Culture Calendar: The 2027 West Virginia Wildlife Calendar is now on sale, featuring original hand-painted native wildlife art. Opioid Funds Watch: Brooke County commissioners continue receiving requests for shares of opioid settlement money, including new applications from local agencies. Education Staffing Focus: WV Dept. of Education will welcome about 400 student support professionals to a Charleston conference Sept. 24.

Education & Workforce: WVU Tech is launching the Golden Scholars program with a $1.8 million gift from Treasurer Larry Pack and his wife, covering remaining tuition, housing, and meals for high-achieving students from 13 southern counties—aimed at removing cost barriers and boosting local talent pipelines. Career Training: Pierpont Community & Technical College will break ground Sept. 30 on a 65,000-square-foot Aviation Maintenance Technology facility at West Virginia AeroTech Park, expanding capacity and bringing students closer to major aerospace employers. Health Access: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography is set to visit multiple counties in early October, offering 3D screening and breast care education, with help for underinsured and uninsured patients. Community Service: The Tygart Valley United Way Day of Action drew 260+ volunteers for dozens of local projects across five counties. Culture & Arts: The Mtn Craft Film Festival returns with 39 short films from Appalachian filmmakers, plus workshops and a Heritage Screening honoring late Danny Boyd. Civic Life: A ballot amendment would add a citizenship requirement to West Virginia’s constitution for voting in state elections, tightening what lawmakers say is currently unclear constitutional language.

Public Health Access: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography is headed to Mingo, Webster, Barbour, Logan, Harrison and Wyoming counties with 3D screening and breast-care education, including Oct. 6–9 stops at local hospitals and community sites. Workforce & Education: WVU Foundation names Will Green interim president and CEO, while WVU President Michael Benson lays out a “modernized” push tied to student success and new leadership hires. Child Safety Modernization: The West Virginia Department of Human Services launches WV VeriCheck to speed up Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services background checks and cut delays from paper processing. Teacher Pipeline: A state-funded Underwood Smith Teaching Scholarship is reporting strong results recruiting and retaining teachers in in-demand subjects. Community & Culture: A new look at West Virginia’s highest incorporated towns highlights how elevation shapes seasons—cooler summers, earlier fall color, and heavier snow. Sports & Community Life: Bluefield State University begins searches for interim president, CFO and an accountant after leadership changes. Accountability in Schools: Elizabeth Township approves fracked wells near a school despite resident concerns, and a Webster County couple faces felony charges tied to alleged long-running child abuse. Nonprofit Impact: BHE GT&S’s charity golf invitational raised $100,000 for five nonprofit agencies, continuing a long-running giving tradition.

Public Health Access: WVU Medicine’s Bonnie’s Bus mobile mammography will stop in Mingo, Webster, Barbour, Logan, Harrison and Wyoming counties in October, offering 3D screenings and help enrolling in the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients. Child Welfare vs. Parental Rights: Lawmakers are revising the controversial “Raylee’s Law” anti-child abuse proposal after earlier House turmoil, aiming for faster child welfare checks when students leave public school amid recent abuse or neglect history and chronic absenteeism—while homeschool advocates and some lawmakers question how far it goes. Teacher Shortage Fix: The Underwood Smith Teaching Scholarship is getting an interim update as West Virginia looks for ways to fill about 1,500 certified teacher openings, pairing scholarship students with classroom teacher mentors in high-demand fields. WVU Higher Ed: WVU President Michael Benson laid out a “Strategic Compass” push for student success, including expanding WVU Express direct admissions for qualifying seniors in Monongalia and Kanawha counties. Community & Youth Learning: WVU and partners launch the STEAM Innovation Alliance, a POWER-backed effort to help 15,000 middle- and high-school students turn ideas into real-world solutions and possible businesses. Reproductive Health: The Women’s Health Center of West Virginia is running a statewide campaign promoting abortion pills despite the state’s near-total ban. Culture & Local Life: Coda Grow brings Fayette County kids to Honeysuckle Hill Nature Discovery Center for hands-on after-school learning in nature. Arts & Music Loss: Country singer Brian “Nashville” Duckworth of Taylor Made died at 56 in Clarksburg.

Higher Ed Access: WVU launched “WVU Express,” a direct-admission pilot that lets qualifying high school seniors in Monongalia and Kanawha counties get admission decisions without the usual application and fee. Arts & Community: A West Virginia family with roots around Audra donated 47 acres to Audra State Park, expanding it from 355 to about 402 acres and funding future trails and signage. Local Culture Loss: Country singer Brian “Nashville” Duckworth, one-third of the family band Taylor Made, died at 56 in Clarksburg; the cause wasn’t disclosed. Sports & Campus Life: WVU also announced a new premium seating tower and press box at Milan Puskar Stadium, with luxury suites and expanded game-day media space. Public Health & Care: The Women’s Health Center of West Virginia launched a campaign aimed at correcting misinformation about abortion pills, directing residents to resources for accurate options. Faith & Service: Hope Week in Beckley/Raleigh County is building toward the “Out of the Darkness” suicide prevention walk, with community members serving as celebrity waitstaff to raise support.

Suicide Prevention & Community Care: Hope Week is building toward the “Out of the Darkness” Suicide Prevention Walk in Beckley, with local leaders serving as celebrity servers during the week and organizers saying participation is already growing fast. Mental Health & Harm Reduction: West Virginia’s ripple effect shows up beyond state lines too, as a “Save a Life Day” model that began in West Virginia spreads naloxone access and overdose-prevention resources. Remembering 9/11: Parkersburg marked the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with Gov. Patrick Morrisey honoring Mary Lou Hague and her family asking students to remember the people behind the names. Black Culture & Legacy: The West Virginia Black Heritage Festival in Clarksburg wrapped with dancing and a Sunday service led by Pastor Franklin Hairston, continuing a family legacy started 32 years ago. Nature & Local Storytelling: NatureWV adds a new correspondent, aiming to spotlight West Virginia’s outdoors and the groups protecting it. Health & Research Walks: Barbour County hosted a Huntington’s disease walk that brought together families, caregivers, and advocates. Education Access: WVU launched “WVU Express,” a direct-admission pilot for qualifying Kanawha and Monongalia high school seniors. Local Arts & Music: A local musician is creating a welcoming space for bluegrass fans through a monthly jam built for all skill levels. Sports (Community Spotlight): West Virginia Wesleyan shut out Glenville State 1-0, while WVSU soccer and other local match reports keep the week’s campus sports energy going. Public Safety & Outreach: The Mingo County Sheriff’s Office is shifting from outreach for people living outdoors in Williamson to enforcing the city’s anti-camping ordinance.