AGP Executive Report

Meta Settlement: West Virginia is set to receive up to about $114.6 million from a landmark $17.1 billion multistate deal over claims that Facebook and Instagram were built to be addictive and harmful to minors, with required changes including tighter teen time limits, nighttime blocks, and stronger parental controls. AI & Misinformation: WVU researcher Anthony Sicilia says generative AI can “agree” with users even after they challenge it, and he’s studying how to make AI recognize uncertainty instead of doubling down. Dolly Parton’s WV Legacy: Parton’s death at 80 sparked tributes across West Virginia, including her Imagination Library impact—now enrolled in all 55 counties and delivering hundreds of millions of books worldwide. LGBTQ+ Food Culture: Charleston’s Capitol Market hosted the first Rainbow Harvest, pairing local LGBTQ+ chefs and businesses with a four-course celebration of diversity. Community & Education Grants: Your Community Foundation is bringing back educator mini-grants (up to $750) for classroom projects across several WV counties. Local Justice: The WV Supreme Court dismissed ethics charges against Kanawha County Judge Maryclaire Akers tied to foster-care comments on statewide radio. Public Safety: West Virginia State Police arrested a Morgantown man accused of sharing child sexual abuse material online, including under the name “MrChildPorn.”

Meta Settlement Watch: West Virginia is set to receive up to $114.6 million from a landmark $17.1 billion multistate deal over alleged child-safety failures on Instagram and Facebook, with court approval required; the agreement centers on sweeping reforms like daily time limits, nighttime blocks, and stronger age verification plus parent controls. Education & Youth Support: WELLWVU is ramping wellness outreach for students, aiming to help them make healthier choices through stigma-free support and direct campus engagement. STEM Inspiration: West Virginia State University marked Katherine Johnson Day, celebrating the alumna’s NASA legacy and awarding STEM scholarships to new recipients. Campus & Community Momentum: Pierpont C&TC opened fall with a persistence-and-success push, tying enrollment growth to expanded student supports. Local Culture & Events: Parkersburg will host the 8th Annual Patriot Marching Band Invitational on Sept. 26, bringing bands from across the state for a full day of performances. Sports: WVU women’s soccer surged to No. 7 after a strong start, including a win over Penn State.

Dolly Parton Remembrance: Gov. Patrick Morrisey ordered flags lowered to half-staff statewide after Parton’s death, highlighting her decades-long West Virginia ties and the Imagination Library that reached about 50,000 children. Public Health & Access: Morrisey also announced up to $2 million to expand home dialysis across West Virginia, aiming to reduce travel and scheduling burdens for rural patients. Community Safety: Monongalia County schools delayed afternoon drop-offs after a Cheat Lake report of shots fired; deputies said the shots hit the woods, the suspect was taken into custody, and normal operations resumed. Culture & Learning: The Clay Center opened “I I AM WILD,” a hands-on Charley Harper wildlife art exhibit running through Jan. 3, 2027. Local Lifestyle: National Save A Life Day returns Sept. 24, with SOAR West Virginia coordinating naloxone kit distribution that began in two WV counties. Sports & Campus Life: Morgantown NOW is tabling on WVU and Marshall campuses with a grant to boost voter registration, including reproductive justice and LGBTQIA+ equality priorities.

Local Arts & Community: Beckley unveiled a new Bill Withers Plaza and statue at the Beckley Intermodal Gateway, honoring the Slab Fork-born singer with family remarks and performances of “Lean on Me.” Education & Workforce: Project SEARCH kicked off its second year in Weirton, placing six high school seniors in hospital internships through a Hancock County Schools and WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center partnership. STEM in Appalachia: Oak Hill High School hosted a STEAM TAC immersion for 120 students, using coding and design to tackle real-world problems tied to West Virginia tourism. School Policy & Equity: West Virginia AG JB McCuskey pushed state officials to review Kanawha County Schools’ Hope Scholarship policy affecting special-education eligibility for students returning to public school. Public Health & Schools: New CDC data shows kindergarten measles vaccination coverage ranges from 98.9% in West Virginia to 75.2% in Idaho, highlighting how state exemption rules shape risk. Civic Preservation: Thurmond Town Council voted to pursue legal action against the Interior Department to stop proposed demolitions in the Thurmond Historic District. Health & Safety: A Hagerstown man was sentenced to 17+ years for selling fentanyl-laced pills online that investigators say nearly killed two teens.

Judicial Appointments: Gov. Morrisey appointed Joseph R. Kinser as a Berkeley/Morgan Circuit Court judge, highlighting his work in criminal litigation and juvenile justice. Youth Services Funding: Morrisey also announced $659,570 in juvenile justice grants for 12 West Virginia projects, including mentoring, counseling, and child advocacy. Public Safety Tech Debate: Huntington leaders are still setting “guardrails” for a $2.1M Flock surveillance contract after public pushback and shifting data-retention rules. Health & Family Support: Monongalia County WIC added postpartum mood disorder screenings, using trained staff and referrals for at-risk parents. Community & Culture: Travel Berkeley Springs launched a 250th-anniversary tourism push in Philadelphia with a wrapped rideshare campaign. Sports & Eligibility: Marshall and Ohio athletes filed a federal lawsuit challenging the NCAA’s 5-for-5 eligibility approach. Outdoor Recreation: West Virginia Trail’s statewide trails conference is set for Nov. 8–10 at Pipestem Resort State Park. Local Losses: Multiple obituaries marked the week, including longtime WVU-trained physician Dr. Dean E. Wolz and community members Donna A. Cook and Christine Ann Osecky Godfrey.

Juvenile Justice Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $659,570 in federal Title II juvenile justice grants for 12 West Virginia projects, backing mentoring, counseling, and intervention for at-risk youth. Maternal Health & Care Access: In north-central WV, the Monongalia County Health Department’s WIC program has screened 600+ parents for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, with training aimed at connecting families to local mental health support. Public Safety & Exploitation Cases: Morgantown police say a 20-year-old used Discord to share child pornography; separately, former WV Delegate David Elliott Pritt pleaded not guilty in federal court to child exploitation, coercion/enticement, and witness tampering charges. Culture & Tradition: The West Virginia Humanities Council’s Folklife Apprenticeship program is still accepting applications through Sept. 18, pairing traditional Appalachian mentor/mentee artists for a year-long skills exchange. Community Life: Mountaineer Food Bank will hold multiple county food giveaways this week, including Fayette, Kanawha, Greenbrier, and McDowell. Sports & Local Pride: WVU women’s soccer beat Duquesne 2-0, scoring late to extend a strong start to the season. Road Rules Watch: West Virginia lawmakers discussed whether the “zipper merge” could return on some highway projects, with officials noting past attempts didn’t stick.

Tourism Leadership: Gov. Patrick Morrisey named Fayette County’s Kayla Kessinger as West Virginia’s second Tourism secretary, betting on her “storyteller” skills to keep the state’s outdoor and visitor brand moving. Business & Community Honors: WVU’s John Chambers College announced the 2026 inductees for the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame, with the Sept. 1 ceremony at The Greenbrier Resort spotlighting leaders tied to the state’s economy. Sports & Local Pride: Morgantown’s Dick’s Sporting Goods reopened after a 14-month remodel, adding new athlete-focused features and drawing a visit from Steelers player Zach Frazier. Public Safety & Health Services: Monongalia County commissioners placed a renewal of the EMS levy on the November ballot, citing 84,450 calls answered over four years. Tragedy in Clay County: West Virginia State Police reported two juvenile deaths and a third child critically injured after a crash near the Indore Post Office. Culture Spotlight: Shepherd University will mark the 30th Appalachian Heritage Festival Sept. 24–27, with free events aimed at challenging stereotypes and celebrating living Appalachian traditions.

Campus Safety: WVU Tech police are investigating vehicle break-ins and an auto theft on the Beckley campus, urging drivers to lock cars and keep valuables out of sight. Public Health & Community Services: Monongalia County voters will decide in November whether to renew the EMS levy, supporting tens of thousands of emergency responses over the past four years. Local Tragedy: A Clay County crash killed two children and left a third critically injured as the family was traveling home from youth football. Surveillance & Privacy: Huntington residents are pushing a ballot measure to ban third-party mass surveillance after a 6-4 council vote approved Flock Safety contracts, with organizers collecting signatures for a citywide vote. Culture & Appalachia: Shepherd University will mark the 30th Appalachian Heritage Festival, aiming to challenge stereotypes through free music, dance, history, and workshops. Sports & Community: Parkersburg’s News and Sentinel Half Marathon returned with a revised, safer course through historic districts and parks. Education & Tech: Charleston-area schools are rolling out AI literacy training so students can learn how tools can fail—and how to use them responsibly. Legal Fight Over Schooling: A 14-state coalition led by South Carolina and West Virginia filed Supreme Court briefs arguing states can’t deny special education services to children based on parents’ constitutional choices.

Appalachian Identity: Shepherd University is gearing up for its 30th Appalachian Heritage Festival (Sept. 24-27) in Shepherdstown, with free public music, dance, history, and workshops aimed at challenging stereotypes and sharing “authentic stories” of the region. Privacy & Local Power: Huntington residents are pushing back against Flock Safety license-plate surveillance after a 6-4 council vote, launching a “Get the Flock Out! Huntington” signature drive to ban third-party mass-surveillance systems and cancel the contracts. Community Leadership: Morgantown Area Partnership CEO Russell Rogerson announced he’ll retire at year’s end, with a national search set to begin soon. Education & Access: A new Pierpont–Fairmont State agreement creates a tuition-friendly path for eligible Pierpont employees to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Teaching Pipeline: Bridgeport High grad Mackenzie Kimball received the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars award as she starts at WVU. Public Health Watch: Health officials are tracking rising measles activity in the region, with vaccination clinics and proactive outreach on the table. Culture & Learning Tech: Charleston-area educators are training for AI literacy by testing how chatbots can misspell and “hallucinate,” pushing students to learn what AI gets wrong.

Education & Youth: Bridgeport High grad Mackenzie Kimball starts at WVU with the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars award, a statewide scholarship for future educators. School & Community Tech: Charleston-area educators are piloting AI literacy training so students learn how chatbots can go wrong, not just how to use them. Sports as Culture: WVU women’s basketball sets its Education Day game for Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m. vs. Akron at Hope Coliseum. Child Welfare & Public Investment: Sen. Brian Helton highlights foster care reforms tied to 180 Ranch and announces major Wyoming County water and park infrastructure funding. Food Security: West Virginia groups warn Farm Bill changes could hit summer meals hard, with hunger affecting roughly one in four kids statewide. Health Watch: Ohio Valley health officials urge measles vaccination as cases rise nationally, with local updates from regional health departments. Local Spotlight: Child Protect of Mercer County marks 25 years supporting families affected by abuse and neglect. Arts & Learning: Pierpont and Fairmont State expand education pathways for employees, aiming to keep more learners in North Central West Virginia.

Education & Training: Pierpont Community & Technical College and Fairmont State University signed an agreement to expand degree pathways for eligible Pierpont employees, aiming for bachelor’s and master’s options at tuition comparable to community-college rates. Arts & Community Science: Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston mourns sudden death of longtime leader Al Najjar, remembered for pushing STEAM learning and building programs like Clay2Go. Youth & Food Security: Local groups warn Farm Bill changes could worsen child hunger in West Virginia, with summer lunch demand already rising for families facing food insecurity. Public Safety at the Fair: Operation Lifesaver brought train-track safety education to the West Virginia State Fair with hands-on model train displays for kids. Local Leadership Spotlight: Greenbrier East senior Hydee Wykle was named to the inaugural West Virginia Super STARS Council, a student-led voice for grades 6–12. Tech & Local Business: AI is starting to reshape Southwestern Pennsylvania design and printing work, with firms using tools to speed creative and customer communication. Health & Policy: West Virginia First Foundation says it will adjust operations after state-ordered changes to future opioid settlement fund handling, while insisting current redistribution and outreach plans continue. Culture Event: West Virginia Tattoo Expo returns to Morgantown for its 12th annual run, drawing hundreds of artists and fans.

Navy Naming Fight: Reports say the USS Doris Miller—named for Black Pearl Harbor hero Doris “Dorie” Miller—could be renamed before launch, with President Trump reportedly among options, drawing backlash from veterans and civil rights leaders. AI in Schools: Educators are rolling out “AI literacy” by letting students test chatbots and spot mistakes, using demos that show how easily generative tools can get basic facts wrong. WV Arts & Culture: WVU alum Jamie Lester’s sculptures “Aphrodite” and “Zeus” are on display in Venice, Italy, as part of a major European exhibition running through Nov. 22. Community & Education: A Morgantown piece argues school spirit shapes neighborhood identity—through sports, theater, bands, and traditions that keep families connected. Local Events: The 101st West Virginia State Fair is underway in Fairlea with daily attractions and big-name grandstand concerts, including Trace Adkins and Sierra Ferrell. Sports: WVU women’s soccer snapped a long Penn State losing streak with a 2-1 win, while other WVU sports updates continue the fall season buzz.

Arts & Education: West Virginia Wesleyan College will keep hosting the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts through 2030, extending a free, audition-based program for high school students in digital media, writing, dance, music, studio art, theatre and more. Local Faith & Community: St. Brendan Catholic Church in Elkins celebrated paying off its decades-old mortgage, a milestone parish leaders say will help expand ministry and service. STEM & Learning: A WVU doctoral study is surveying Appalachian elementary teachers on how STEM is taught now—and how to boost student engagement. Food & Family Support: A Marion County nonprofit reports rising food insecurity, including more working families seeking help, while SNAP rules are set to tighten in several states, limiting what benefits can buy. Public Safety & Kids: At the West Virginia State Fair, a Shriners club collected donations for Shriners Children’s, emphasizing care at no cost to families. Culture on the Field: WVU women’s soccer snapped a nine-year Penn State winless streak with a 2-1 victory, giving the program a big early-season confidence boost. Tech & Privacy Debate: West Virginia fairgoers voiced concerns about data centers—especially power, water use, and local control—as development accelerates in Jefferson County.

Public Safety: Federal authorities dismantled a multi-state drug trafficking and money laundering network tied to West Virginia, charging 28 people in an 114-count indictment involving meth, fentanyl, and cocaine. Public Health: The CDC says a jalapeño-linked Salmonella Javiana outbreak has grown to 431 illnesses across 32 states, with the grower still unnamed. Public Health: Cyclospora cases keep climbing, with the CDC reporting more than 15,000 lab-confirmed illnesses nationwide and tracing major clusters to contaminated lettuce. Local Government & Health Services: Monongalia County commissioners approved renewing a Mon EMS levy for the November ballot, keeping the same tax rates and citing tens of thousands of emergency responses. Crime & Youth Safety: Greenbrier County investigators concluded an online solicitation case involving a juvenile met at the West Virginia State Fair, with the investigation still active. Education & Rights: ACLU-WV says it plans to sue over West Virginia public school funding, alleging constitutional violations tied to disparities and shortages. Culture & Community: University of Charleston released an expanded UC Adventure Guide with nearly 100 local experiences, aiming to help students and residents explore West Virginia close to home. Sports & Community: Willie Akers, a WVU Hall of Fame player and longtime Logan coach, died at 89.

Community Events: The Family Fun Extravaganza Festival kicks off Aug. 20 at The Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport, running through Aug. 29 with carnival rides, inflatables, live stunt shows, food, and a car show. Local Culture & Arts: “Wardensville: Tales from Tiny Town” heads to a public screening at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester on Saturday, spotlighting stories from 31 residents and local archives. Sports & WVU Life: WVU hosts No. 23 Penn State in women’s soccer Thursday night, a Top 25 early-season showdown after a 2-0 start over Dayton. Health & Education: WVU’s School of Dentistry opens Phase 1 of major renovations, adding new orthodontic and pediatric clinics plus a dental innovation center to help address statewide dentist shortages. Public Safety & Disaster Relief: Fayette County continues flood relief along Route 61 after flash flooding washed out roads and left some families without running water. Legal & Accountability: Federal prosecutors indicted former Fayette County teacher and delegate David Elliott Pritt on child exploitation-related felony counts. Kids & Health Policy: CDC data shows kindergarten vaccine coverage slipping again as exemptions hit a new national high.

Community & Family Fun: The Family Fun Extravaganza Festival opens Thursday, Aug. 20 at The Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport, running through Aug. 29 with carnival rides, midway games, a Cartoon Headquarters inflatable zone, live stunt shows, food, and a car show Sunday. Sports Rivalry: No. 22 WVU women’s soccer hosts No. 23 Penn State Thursday, aiming to snap a long winless streak in the series after a strong start against Dayton. Local Sports Spotlight: WVU kicker competition is heating up as Rich Rodriguez calls it “legitimate” competition, with a three-horse battle for placekicker duties. Public Safety & Privacy: License-plate reader company Flock tightens rules—shortening data retention to seven days and adding limits on sharing—amid backlash from cities and lawmakers. Culture & Community Recognition: Michelle Wilfong of Dunmore earns a Women in Agriculture Award at the West Virginia State Fair, highlighting multi-generational farming and 4-H roots. Education & Pathways: A skilled trades initiative expands union apprenticeship pathways as 35 students complete the Carpenters Apprentice Ready Program. Justice: Former Fayette County delegate and teacher David Elliott Pritt faces federal felony charges tied to alleged sexual exploitation of a child and witness tampering. Arts & Heritage: The Spirit of Jefferson is named a Best of West Virginia finalist for “Best Small Local Newspaper,” with voting opening Sept. 22.