AGP Executive Report

Health Access: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography program will stop in Wetzel, Pocahontas, Harrison and Marion counties in late October, offering 3D screening and help enrolling uninsured/underinsured women who qualify. Domestic Violence Resources: A local roundup for Domestic Violence Awareness Month spotlights the barriers survivors face and points readers to nearby support services. Arts & Heritage: Saina Frank Rabon, a CHamoru dancer and choreographer from Guam, received the 2026 NEA National Heritage Fellowship—an arts honor that recognizes lifetime contributions to traditional culture. Community Fundraising: Growing Up Greene’s Coalbie’s Warrior Walk will hike the 67-mile Warrior Trail to raise money for a $1 million expansion. Fall in the Capital: Charleston families are getting an early look at autumn along the Sunrise Carriage Trail, with art and performances helping kick off the season. Education & Service: A WVU exercise physiology student is building a path to medicine through tutoring, research, and hospital volunteer work. Local Sports: Millbrook High’s girls’ cross country team placed fifth at the Octoberfest Invitational. Public Safety: West Virginia State Police arrested a man in connection with a stolen vehicle in Chapmanville.

Community & Caregiving: WVU exercise physiology student Sophia Bell builds a medicine path through tutoring, rural health research, and 100+ hours at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. Education & Workforce: Ascend West Virginia expands a teacher residency pathway modeled on Monongalia and Preston County pilots, aiming to recruit, prepare, place, and retain educators statewide. Disability & Family Life: A Southern WV mother advocates for her son with Level 3 autism amid an ABA therapy “desert,” showing how access gaps reshape daily life. Arts & Community Events: WV Wesleyan College names 2026 Alumni Award honorees for Founders Day Convocation during Homecoming. Sports & Local Pride: Groundbreaking is set for the University High Athletic Complex in Monongalia County, with baseball/softball now and future tennis. Culture & Heritage: Research highlights how West Virginia coal industrialization reshaped community names across coalfields. Public Safety & Justice: Kanawha County judge approves a $4.4M settlement for five Black children abused “as slaves” by adoptive parents, tied to CPS failures.

Food Safety: FDA says frozen Great Value organic blueberries and Triple Berry Blend, plus Trader Joe’s Mixed Berry Blend, were recalled for possible E. coli contamination, with West Virginia among affected states. Immigration & Community: NPR spotlights how Trump’s deportation crackdown is hitting Cuban-Americans in South Florida, including people caught in shifting interpretations of the Cuban Adjustment Act. Education Workforce: Ascend West Virginia expands an educator residency pathway to recruit, prepare, place, and retain teachers, modeled on a Monongalia/Preston pilot. Local Sports & Culture: Caitlin Clark visited Iowa fans at a children’s hospital during College GameDay, prompting the “Hawkeye Wave” across teams and patients. STEM Inspiration: Bridgeport’s Girls in Aviation Day at the airport’s former terminal brought hands-on activities and an all-female National Guard crew to spark future pilots. Community Building: Groundbreaking is set for the University High Athletic Complex in Morgantown, with fundraising still underway for a multi-sport facility. Appalachian History & Identity: A study finds industrialization reshaped West Virginia coalfield place-names, with many mining towns named quickly by operators. Arts & Reading: Deesha Philyaw discusses her church-centered fiction and plans to move to Philadelphia next spring.

Energy & Permitting: A bipartisan Senate energy bill would fine any administration that blocks permits for an entire class of energy projects like solar or wind, aiming to speed up approvals and limit “stalling” tactics. Coalfield Culture & History: A new study finds industrialization reshaped West Virginia’s coal-country place names, with many mining towns named quickly by operators—often after themselves or family—rather than local settlers or the landscape. Appalachian Folklore: For spooky season, a look at Appalachian graveyard beliefs and folk practices explores how the dead were sometimes thought to hold healing power. Community & Service: In Elkins, the Mountain Loggers Group’s Ted Harriman Log-A-Load for Kids auction drew strong support and raised $158,155 this year for WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital. Arts & Learning: Greenbrier Valley Theatre keeps its student matinee series going with discounted school tickets for Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” plus study guides and talkbacks. Local Education Fight: In Mingo County, a lawsuit continues over efforts to keep a small elementary school open, with residents warning closures could unravel the community. Sportsmanship & Belonging: The Big 12 launches “Respect the Game,” a league-wide campaign promoting respect, belonging, and community through sports.

Arts & Community: Greenbrier Valley Theatre keeps its Student Matinee Program rolling this fall with discounted student tickets and study guides for Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (Oct. 27–Nov. 6). Local Culture & Outdoors: The Mountain State Forest Festival moved up its Queen Silvia coronation by 90 minutes to dodge storms, with Queen Silvia LXXXVIII Emma Grace Snyder crowned at Davis & Elkins College. Hands-on Learning: Yew Mountain Center is offering restorative, functional-crafts retreats for the military community—timber framing, blacksmithing, ceramics, wood turning, brooms, and leatherwork—plus nature-based activities. Rural Economy: West Virginia Forest Farming Initiative mini-grants (up to $400) are open through Oct. 15 for forest farming and non-timber forest product market building. STEM & Workforce: Conn-Weld Industries visited Mercer County Technical Education Center for National Manufacturing Day, running a welding-focused interactive booth. Health & Access: West Virginia SNAP changes are already hitting enrollment, with advocates warning about barriers as work requirements and federal funding shifts take effect.

Health & Care: West Virginia will use a $195,825 federal grant to modernize WIC clinic screening, replacing painful finger-prick blood draws with needle-free fingertip hemoglobin checks that take about three minutes. Public Safety & Community Services: North Star Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg named Fred Hammack its new executive director, aiming to expand trauma-based therapy, aftercare, and medical services for abused children and their families. Sports & School Life: WVU Medicine’s Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center will host its 15th Annual Night of Recognition Oct. 15, honoring first responders and healthcare teams behind lifesaving trauma care. Local Culture & Events: Oktoberwest returns to Charleston this weekend, spotlighting West Side businesses with live music, games, and German festival food and drinks. Health Access on the Move: Bonnie’s Bus mobile mammography will make stops in Wetzel, Harrison, and Marion counties in late October, offering 3D screenings and breast-care education. Public Health Watch: The CDC reports measles cases continue to rise nationwide, with West Virginia among the jurisdictions reporting cases. Local Government Finance: West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack returned more than $33,000 in unclaimed property funds to Pleasants County and Ritchie County.

Local Public Safety: A Marshall County deputy shot and killed a man after he allegedly killed a John Marshall High School teacher and her husband, then held a juvenile hostage during a standoff at a Moundsville home. School Facilities & Student Life: Hancock County Schools is seeking West Virginia School Building Authority support for HVAC upgrades at Weir Middle and Weir High, building on earlier chiller funding at Oak Glen. Community Care: Freedom Day USA returns Oct. 5–9 with free dental exams and same-day work for active military, families, and veterans at multiple West Virginia locations. Local Arts & Culture: Ohio University Southern brings back Festival of the Hills on Oct. 10, a free Appalachian music, food, and craft day celebrating the school’s 70-year roots in the Tri-State region. Education & Access: West Virginia Northern Community College’s business program director was selected for an entrepreneurship education clinic at Florida State University, aiming to bring more hands-on learning to students. Health & Equity: A Kanawha County settlement will send $4.4 million to abused children after CPS failures in a Sissonville case. Arts & Film: West Liberty University hosted a student film-making competition with a public screening at Waterfront Hall, including a stop-motion entry.

Freedom Day USA: Local dental offices in WV are teaming up for the 14th annual Freedom Day USA (Oct. 5–9) with free exams, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride, and same-day work for active-duty families and veterans. Peace Tree at WVU: WVU’s 34th annual Peace Tree ceremony (Sept. 12 planting) brought Indigenous leaders and students together, urging ribbon-and-tobacco ties and a message that “peace is a possibility.” Education & school choice: Federal rules for a new Scholarship Tax Credit program would let nearly all children in 30+ states apply for help paying for private school or homeschooling, with public-school students able to use funds for extra learning expenses. Rural healthcare access: WV is getting more Rural Health Transformation funding, including new mobile health and telehealth upgrades aimed at expanding care in underserved areas. Nuclear campus decision: Gov. Morrisey’s administration declined to proceed with consideration for the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, saying WV wouldn’t be a “dumping ground” for waste. Community giving: United Way of Mon and Preston Counties’ “The Power of Us” campaign has passed the quarter mark, topping $340,000 toward a $1.2 million goal supporting dozens of local programs. Culture & arts: The Upper Ohio Valley Camera Club is set to showcase a juried exhibit at Summit Art Gallery in Weirton, with a public reception and categories spanning both film and digital work.

Rural Healthcare Boost: Gov. Morrisey announced more than $1.1 million in Rural Health Transformation awards for Community Care of West Virginia, including telehealth upgrades and a mobile healthcare unit for Braxton, Clay, and Pocahontas counties. Title IX Shake-Up: The U.S. Department of Education reinstated 2020 Title IX rules, rescinding Biden-era protections tied to sexual orientation and gender identity—prompting renewed pushback from advocates. School Funding Fight: The ACLU is challenging West Virginia’s school aid formula in a Lincoln County equity lawsuit, arguing the state isn’t meeting constitutional “thorough and efficient” education requirements. Community Care & Workforce: The same funding push also includes career advancement and apprenticeship efforts to grow the rural healthcare workforce. Local Culture Calendar: The West Virginia Botanic Garden’s free Fall Children’s Festival returns Sunday with pumpkin painting, crafts, and outdoor fun. Arts Funding: Carnegie Hall was named an inaugural Benedum Foundation Culture Collective grantee, part of a statewide push for fairs, festivals, museums, and performing arts. Public Safety: A TikTok couple, Dakota Harper and Felicity Eatmon, face felony arson charges after an abandoned-home fire allegedly damaged a nearby church. Sports & Community: West Virginia’s Peace Tree Ceremony in Morgantown highlighted Native American heritage and community harmony.

Rural Health & Workforce: Gov. Morrisey announced $1.1M+ in Rural Health Transformation awards for Community Care of West Virginia, expanding telehealth and mobile care plus apprenticeship pathways. Youth & Education: Israel Winfrey was selected for the 2026 FBI Teen Academy in Clarksburg, a hands-on look at CJIS and federal careers. Arts Funding: Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg was named an inaugural Benedum Foundation Culture Collective grantee, backing statewide arts, culture, and heritage work. Local Arts Spotlight: Lee Ann Blevins is featured in Carnegie Hall’s Lobby Gallery, with her oil paintings rooted in decades of teaching and West Virginia nature. Community Service: The GFWC Woman’s Club of Bridgeport marked 75 years of volunteer service with a city proclamation and recognition for long-time leaders. Culture & Heritage Events: The 58th Annual West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival wrapped in Sistersville with music, family activities, and a bass tournament; plus Lincoln Cultural Center hosts the Briarhoppers Oct. 3. STEM & Training: Pierpont CTC broke ground on a new aviation education facility at North Central WV Airport to grow its aviation maintenance program. Disability Access: Mountaineer Autism Project is pushing for expanded Medicaid ABA access, citing major gaps in providers and reimbursements. Public Safety & Community: Treasurer Pack returned $16,745 in unclaimed property funds to the Logan County Sheriff’s Office. Sports (Local Interest): Big 12 matchups highlight West Virginia’s trip to Iowa State and other key conference games this week.

Halloween & Family Fun: Oglebay Park Resort in Wheeling is bringing back “Boo at the Zoo” with trick-or-treating, rides, and spooky extras, plus “Fright Lights” and a ticketed haunted house (“House of Screams”) running Oct. 9-11, 16-18, and 23-25. Sports Culture: The Big 12 announced WVU’s Oct. 10 home game vs. Arizona will air at noon on TNT (simulcast on TruTV and HBO Max), and fans keep building community through long-running tailgating traditions. Arts & Community Reading: The West Virginia Humanities Council released its Fall 2026 digital magazine, People & Mountains, featuring historian-journalist Rick Atkinson ahead of the Oct. 15 Betsy K. McCreight Lecture. Public Health & Care Access: WVU Medicine surgeon Nick Baker honored his late mother by launching a low-dose CT screening fund for uninsured patients, with an “Afternoon for Hope” event tied to Pink & Pearl on Sept. 27. Child Welfare & Justice: West Virginia reached a $4.4 million settlement for five children abused in Kanawha County, with both adopters already serving massive prison sentences. Disability Services: Autism advocates say Medicaid reimbursement is blocking access to behavioral therapy, calling for higher pay rates for ABA providers. Local Government: Star City is upgrading ADA ramps and sidewalks along University Avenue, with bids opening Oct. 15 and work expected within 120 days.

Education & Community: Harrison County Schools swore in Dr. Sheena Van Meter as superintendent, with board leaders emphasizing a smooth transition and focus on staff and building infrastructure. STEM & Global Learning: An Eastwood Elementary teacher, Allison Patrick, brought Kenya classroom lessons back to West Virginia through WVU Extension’s study abroad program, pairing hands-on STEM with the story of “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.” Culture & Reading: Gov. Patrick Morrisey launched the statewide “Dolly Days Read-a-Thon” for K-5 students, aiming for 25 books and library visits through Dec. 31. Local Arts: Charleston’s FestivFALL kicks off with FestivFALL Eve and runs five days, featuring drum circles, free screenings, and a weekend Harvest Art Fair. Workforce & Industry: A U.S. DOE official visited WVU to promote a critical-minerals education push, touting new pathways to mining and supply-chain careers. Public Safety: Wirt County grand jury indicted 17 people on 117 counts, including multiple felony child-related allegations. Sports & Spotlight: WVU’s Oct. 10 home game vs. Arizona is set for noon on TNT, with the Big 12 also bringing a free David Lee Murphy kickoff concert to Morgantown Oct. 8-10.

WVU & campus culture: WVU’s Nicholson School of Communications gets a new leader, Dr. Kathy Fitzpatrick, as the university’s communications scene keeps evolving. Sports as community ritual: WVU’s game-day “puppet master” and the behind-the-scenes crew are spotlighted as Big 12 football ramps up, including TV plans for WVU’s Oct. 10 home game vs. Arizona and the Oct. 8-10 Big 12 Fall Tour stop in Morgantown. Arts & Appalachian identity: Carnegie Hall’s Second Stage brings “Appalachian Acoustic” to Lewisburg with West Virginia songwriters, while Melanie Myhre’s free Artwalk exhibition runs through Oct. 30. Health & everyday life: West Virginia’s nursing education gets a boost via a Rural Health Transformation Program award, and pharmacists get practical guidance for safer OTC choices during respiratory virus season. Policy & rights: The U.S. Education Department rescinds the Biden Title IX rewrite, restoring 2020 rules—prompting strong reactions from Gov. Morrisey. Education funding fight: A Lincoln County student asks the state Supreme Court to declare West Virginia’s school funding system unconstitutional. Outdoors & giving: Bow season opens with a Hunters Helping the Hungry contest that turns donated deer into meals for families.

WVU Sports Spotlight: West Virginia women’s soccer stayed hot with a 2-0 road win over Iowa State, powered by goals from Sophia Nickel and Abbey Olexa, with the defense posting another shutout. Local Education & Community: Harrison County colleges awarded 418 degrees and certificates in 2023-24, with master’s degrees leading the totals. Civic Life & Culture: Franklin County native Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Sr. was honored at the NAACP Freedom Fund Luncheon, tying local roots to a major civil-rights legacy. Healthcare & Careers: A WVSOM graduate says working with children helped him connect with patients, reflecting how training shapes bedside care. Arts, Media & Recognition: WHYY brought home five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards, underscoring the region’s strength in news, arts, and education programming. Sports-Adjacent Tech & Privacy: Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley faced an online privacy backlash over claims involving a blurred home image and doxxing concerns. Community Support: Salvation Army of Beckley is gearing up for Angel Tree applications starting Oct. 1. Policy Watch: The Education Department rescinded the Biden-era Title IX rule, restoring Trump-era regulations tied to how schools handle women’s sports.

ACLU-WV School Funding Lawsuit: The ACLU of West Virginia has filed a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to force changes to how tax dollars are distributed to the state’s 55 county school systems, arguing officials are failing their constitutional duty to maintain a “thorough and efficient” education. Data Centers Meet Local Power: In the District 2 race, Democratic challenger Ace Parsi is pushing a two-year moratorium on new large data centers and would require public input, citing impacts on health, water, jobs, utility costs, and the power grid. Homecoming Weekend Plans: West Virginia Wesleyan College is gearing up for Home Among the Hills, Oct. 9-11, with alumni events, class reunions, and a Founders Day convocation. Shriners Support for Kids: The Mountain Valleys Shrine Club in Durbin raised $1,000 for Shriners Children’s Lexington, continuing its 2026 donations to children’s hospitals. College Sports Rule Shake-Up: The U.S. Senate is set to vote on the Protect College Sports Act, aiming to limit transfers and athlete compensation rules—an issue that’s hitting West Virginia politics hard. Appalachian Horror on Screen: Elkins filmmaker Daniel Byers brings “Dark Hollow” back for West Virginia screenings, turning the region’s extraction history into a monster-movie story. Mountain State Forest Festival Kicks Off: The 88th edition begins with weekend races and runs through Oct. 4, including a parade and a new Saturday night drone show.

West Virginia sports: No. 10 WVU women’s soccer keeps rolling on the road, taking on Iowa State Sunday in Ames, with the Mountaineers undefeated vs. the Cyclones since joining the Big 12. College football culture: Week 4 delivered major shakeups, with a “winners and losers” roundup highlighting how conference title hopes can flip fast after big upsets. Local education & workforce: WVU is launching a three-year, $1.6M teacher pipeline effort to recruit, prepare, place, and retain educators across West Virginia. Health & community care: WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s is building a $16M pediatric outpatient center in Wheeling, slated to open in early 2027. Reading & early childhood: Tygart Valley United Way is bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Randolph, Tucker, and Marion counties. Public health access: A Veronica Baker Low Dose CT-Scan Fund is expanding lung screening support in Bridgeport, with an “Afternoon for Hope” event Sunday. Water equity: A new report says southern coalfield counties saw less investment in public water and sewer upgrades during Gov. Morrisey’s first 18 months. Arts & media: WHYY won five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards, including honors tied to children’s programming and Black intellectual history.