AGP Executive Report

WVU & Community Giving: The 2026 Golf and Sporting Clays Classic in Roanoke, W.Va. raised a record $100,000+ for the WVU Cancer Institute’s Connection 304 Fund, with more than 140 attendees and growing support since 2024. Local Fair News: Clarke County Fair attendance was up 5–10% over last year, with good weather helping crowds bounce back after a rain-hit Monday. West Virginia Education: Monongalia County Schools reported its highest overall state assessment results in a decade, with strong gains in reading, math, and ELA and top SAT math performance for juniors. Defense & Jobs: Germany-based Helsing is planning a $50 million manufacturing operation in Martinsburg, expected to create at least 60 jobs and produce its HX-2 AI-enabled strike drone. Arts & Theater: West Virginia Public Theatre is bringing a new one-man play, “Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather?” to WVU’s Gladys G. Davis Theatre Aug. 21–22. Nature & Science: New research using West Virginia camera-trap footage found American woodcock hens defending nests from deer—possibly the first known documentation of the behavior.

Appalachian Trail History: A new look at Grandma Gatewood’s 1953 solo thru-hike spotlights how the West Virginia-born endurance legend changed long-distance hiking forever. Arts & Culture: West Virginia Public Theatre brings Cody LeRoy Wilson’s one-man play “Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather?” to WVU in late August, tracing his family’s Vietnam-to-West Virginia story. State Fair Spotlight: The 101st WV State Fair is underway, with Hot Glass Academy heating up the grounds at “2000 degrees” glassblowing demos and big-name concerts rolling in. Local Schools: Monongalia County Schools reports its best overall assessment results in a decade, with standout SAT performance for juniors. Defense Industry: Germany-based Helsing plans a $50M Berkeley County manufacturing operation for its HX-2 AI-enabled strike drone, aiming for at least 60 jobs. Sports Betting Buzz: BetMGM’s TOP1500 promo is pushing MLB Sunday and UFC 330 offers for new users in WV. Surveillance Debate: Flock Safety tightens privacy and oversight rules for its license plate reader network as communities and lawmakers push back.

State Fair Spotlight: Hot Glass Academy is back at the 101st West Virginia State Fair, firing up a 2,000-degree glassblowing demo with narrated showtimes and fresh creations like hand-blown glass fish. Local Theater: West Virginia Public Theatre brings a new one-man play, “Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather?”, to WVU Aug. 21-22, tracing Vietnamese American identity through Cody LeRoy Wilson’s family story. Sports & Community: The Washington Mystics edged the Las Vegas Aces 80-70 at home, while the 101st State Fair keeps rolling with major acts announced for the coming week. West Virginia Arts: A reception at the Top of West Virginia Arts Council highlighted Evan Clough’s “Simulated Process” printmaking exhibit at Summit Art Gallery, running through Aug. 26. Tech & Privacy: Flock Safety says it’s tightening license-plate reader retention and adding safeguards after backlash over surveillance concerns.

WVU Football: Rich Rodriguez still won’t name a starting QB as fall camp nears its final stretch, keeping the race between Scotty Fox Jr. and Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. intentionally murky. WVU Updates: Tight end Jacob Barrick and defensive back Jason Chambers are set to return to team activities after getting a fifth season under the NCAA’s new 5-for-5 rule. WVU Soccer: Women’s soccer opened the academic year with a 2-0 win over Dayton, with WVU set for Penn State at home Aug. 20. Arts & Entertainment: The West Virginia Arts Council hosted a reception for Evan Clough’s “Simulated Process: Printmaking on Paper,” running through Aug. 26. Local Culture: Greenbrier Valley Theatre will honor local entertainer Chally Erb with “Red Nose Night” Aug. 29, with proceeds benefiting the ALS Association. Sports Spotlight: Fairmont boxer Cody Wilson is training for a WBF Super Silver Welterweight title bout Aug. 29 in Morgantown. Public Health: A cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled produce has expanded to more states, with thousands of lab-confirmed cases reported nationwide.

Country Music Spotlight: Dierks Bentley is set to hit West Virginia next week, bringing a stacked résumé of 22 No. 1 country radio hits, 15 Grammy nominations, and major CMA/ACM wins. Sports & Local Pride: West Virginia native Mike D’Antoni will be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. Community Arts & Theater: Greenbrier Valley Theatre will honor local entertainer Chally Erb with “Red Nose Night” on Aug. 29, with ticket proceeds benefiting the ALS Association. West Virginia Culture: Greene County’s David Crockett celebration drew about 3,000 people, with the event spotlighting the frontier legend’s legacy. Sports Rules Watch: The NCAA’s new “5-in-5” eligibility rule is rolling out, reshaping how college athletes can earn extra seasons. Tech & Privacy: Lawmakers are questioning Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader network as cities weigh surveillance and data security concerns. Local Entertainment: A local entertainer is also being recognized for an upcoming GVT performance. Sports Preview: WOAY’s Summer Football Tour heads to Wyoming County to preview the Westside Renegades. Sports Transfer Buzz: UNT linebacker Cedric Roberts is enjoying the move to a higher level after transferring from Alcorn. Health & Food Safety: A multi-state recall of tomato soup kits sold at Walmart is linked to possible listeria contamination.

WVU Welcome Week: WVU’s annual back-to-school kickoff runs Aug. 19–23, with University Police Chief Sherry St. Clair saying officers will focus on traffic flow, parking help, and visibility around residence halls as move-in wraps this weekend. College Football Buzz: West Virginia punter Bryan Hansen landed on the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list, while WVU Tech starts classes Aug. 18 with freshman convocation and campus welcome events. Music & Community: Dierks Bentley is set to play West Virginia next week, and Fayetteville’s Friend Fest for New River Gorge Park & Preserve is slated for Sept. 9 with live local bands plus a kids zone. Nature & Science: A new study reports American woodcock hens in West Virginia have been caught defending nests from deer on camera traps. Health & Safety: A heat wave is baking much of the U.S. with dangerous humidity, and a black lung update highlights Appalachia coal miners facing the highest rates in decades.

Health & Community: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, is heading to Clarksburg (Sept. 9) and Ivydale/Big Otter (Sept. 11), offering low-dose CT scans for eligible patients with appointments required 14+ days ahead. Music & Local Events: The Wild & Wonderful Country Fest returns to Elkins at the Davis & Elkins College amphitheater on Saturday, benefiting the Elkins/Randolph County YMCA, with acts including The Travelin’ McCourys and Dierks Bentley. Arts & Culture: Nelson Gallery is featuring Lenny-Lyons Bruno’s new exhibition of paintings and assemblages, inspired by her West Virginia roots and built from found, textured objects. Sports & WVU: WVU football says TE Jacob Barrick and DB Jason Chambers intend to return to team activities as eligibility details continue after a court ruling. Fair Season: The State Fair of West Virginia opens its second century in Fairlea, mixing returning favorites with new grandstand and stage attractions. Entertainment + Sports Betting: NFL preseason promos are rolling in, with BetMGM and Fanatics leading sign-up bonuses for early-week games. Public Life: WVU fall residence hall move-in is underway in Morgantown, with thousands arriving and the city’s population swelling to about 50,000.

Health & Community: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, is set to visit Harrison and Clay counties in September, offering low-dose CT scans by appointment (with grant support for eligible uninsured West Virginians). Morgantown Campus Life: WVU is rebooting Welcome Week for 2026, refreshing Fall Fest with a Mountaineer Midway and a Movie as the lead-in to classes. Sports (Baseball): The Williamsport Crosscutters bounced back in their series with the West Virginia Black Bears, including a sudden-death win in extra innings. High School Sports: University High in Morgantown hosts a Positive Coaching Alliance workshop for coaches, aiming to boost both athletic and academic growth. Local Culture & Food: Pocahontas County announces the 35th annual West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off and Autumn Harvest Festival on Sept. 26 in Marlinton, featuring the fiddle/banjo contest and Roadkill Pageant. Pro Wrestling: WWE is promoting CM Punk for 22 events through October, including a SmackDown in West Virginia on Oct. 30. Faith & Scouting: More than 2,000 Catholic Scouts gathered at Summit Bechtel Reserve for Mass during the National Jamboree. Wildlife: A rare eastern hellbender shut down an Ohio road project for two days while crews coordinated a safe relocation.

WVU & Community: WVU President welcomed students ahead of the new academic year, while move-in days ramp up Aug. 13-15 as the campus and local schools gear for back-to-school. Health Access: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, is set to visit Harrison and Clay counties in September, offering low-dose CT scans for eligible patients. Education: West Virginia’s 2026 student assessment results show math and overall English Language Arts above pre-pandemic levels, with science slightly down. Arts & Culture: Monongalia County arts groups are sharing $135,000 in 2026-27 Organizational Arts Grants, supporting everything from symphonies and theater to outdoor arts and science programming. Entertainment Spotlight: WVU’s “Mountaineer Playbook” student producer Alison Smallwood won a Gracie Award for her “3-in-30” segment. Sports: Rich Rodriguez says WVU football has less practice time before school starts, with the first live test coming Sept. 5 vs. Coastal Carolina. Local Interest: Morgantown’s CASA for Kids is hosting a Community Goose Chase Aug. 29 to recruit volunteers and raise support for court-appointed advocates.

Data Centers & Power: West Virginia unveiled a 20-year “responsible” data center plan, pushing for state oversight and requiring developers to help cover power and infrastructure costs while protecting water, grid reliability, and communities. School Funding Fight: Lawmakers grilled DHS Secretary Carl Ayers over delays and confusion in the school clothing voucher program, with questions lingering about TANF funding gaps and the state’s tracking of applications. Arts Spotlight: Americana duo The Mammals (Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar) bring their songwriting workshop vibe to the New Marlborough Meeting House Aug. 22, while Montana Baroque Music Festival performers earned standing ovations at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort. Community Recovery: Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders launched long-term flood recovery in Lewis and Upshur counties after July flooding damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes. Public Health Watch: A new national asbestos safety ranking found enforcement gaps across school systems, with West Virginia near the bottom. Sports Betting Research: WVU researchers are studying loss-chasing behavior in online sports betting using operator data to help protect gamblers. Weather Impact: Severe storms across the Midwest and Appalachians left widespread power outages and flooding risk, including tornado reports.

Legal & Education: Legal scholars are urging the ABA to repeal a DEI-related law school accreditation rule, arguing it was “misguided from its inception,” after a committee delayed the repeal push. Local Loss & Community: Clarksburg hobby shop owner and Navy veteran David Welton Reed, 76, died Aug. 6. Sports Betting Research: WVU researchers are using state online betting data to study “loss-chasing” behavior and help gamblers get support. Entertainment & Fan Culture: The New York Islanders kick off a fan vote for their next third jersey, narrowing choices to eight designs. Horse Racing: HISA is investigating five races after unusual betting tied to horses from Maryland’s Fair Hill Training Facility. West Virginia Arts & Heritage: West Virginia Folklife is accepting applications for its 2026-27 Folklife Apprenticeship Program, pairing mentors and apprentices in traditional music, dance, craft, and storytelling. Data Centers & Policy: Gov. Morrisey and lawmakers unveiled a 20-year Responsible Data Center Development Plan for hyperscale projects, aiming for state oversight and community protections. Health & Food: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeno-containing products over possible salmonella contamination. Live Events: K-LOVE hired venue executive Brian Sipe as VP of Live Events.

College Sports Policy: The Save College Sports Act is again delayed, leaving NIL and college football “guardrails” up in the air while fans worry rivalries and scheduling keep getting squeezed. Local College Football Buzz: Pitt and Penn State are in talks to renew their rivalry, with logistics still the big hurdle. West Virginia History & Culture: The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum marks the 105th anniversary of the Matewan Massacre with a new T-shirt based on an original mourning badge honoring Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers. WVU & Tech: WVU engineers unveiled an AI satellite positioning system to help detect wildfires from space and coordinate observations. Community Events: The 9th annual Beckley Honey Festival returns Aug. 15 at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine with honey demos, kids’ activities, and a competition. Health & Safety: Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño products tied to salmonella risk, with distribution reaching West Virginia and major retailers nationwide. Entertainment: “The X-Files: I Want To Believe – Vrach Frankensh” gets a harsh review, with the director’s cut failing to fix a mediocre sequel. Sports Media: WPGH is launching “Pittsburgh Sports Tonight” on Aug. 31, expanding local weekday sports coverage.

State Fair Spotlight: The 101st State Fair of West Virginia opens Thursday in Lewisburg for a 10-day run of concerts, carnival rides, livestock and ag competitions, with big-name acts including Dierks Bentley, Stone Temple Pilots, Trace Adkins and Sierra Ferrell. Food Safety: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño-containing dips, salsas, guacamole and prepared items sold at major retailers (including Target, Walmart and Trader Joe’s) after a Salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican-grown jalapeños; affected products carry “Best If Used By” dates through Aug. 16, 2026. Local Arts & Family Fun: The Clay Center invites families to “Art Takeover” Sept. 5 for a museum-wide, hands-on creativity day with live artists and activities like mural building and cyanotypes. Community Recognition: Morgantown received a West Virginia Municipal League All-Star Community Award for its Mosaic Neighborhood Engagement Initiative. WV Hobbies & Heritage: “STATE FAIR 101” highlights the West Virginia Building’s “grandma hobbies” craft and agriculture displays, celebrating Appalachian traditions.

State Fair Countdown: The 101st annual State Fair of West Virginia kicks off Thursday in Lewisburg, running Aug. 13–22 at the Lewisburg Fairgrounds, with rides, agriculture competitions, and big-name grandstand entertainment. Severe Weather Watch: Storms are expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rain across parts of the Midwest into the central Appalachians, with flooding risk stretching toward the Baltimore metro later Monday. Food Safety Alert: Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño products tied to a multistate salmonella outbreak, with items sold at major retailers including Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods across 26 states (including West Virginia). Local Tech & Privacy: West Virginia lawmakers grilled Flock Safety over automated license plate reader cameras, as supporters tout “precision policing” and opponents raise Fourth Amendment privacy concerns. Sports in WV Spotlight: The New York Giants wrapped up a West Virginia training camp stretch and return to New Jersey for practices, while Little League Baseball regionals set the path to the Little League World Series. Music & Community Health: An HIV and hepatitis C screening outreach model at an Appalachian music festival highlighted a “connected-to-care but not screened” gap.

Back-to-School Strain: West Virginia teachers say they’re digging into their own pockets for basics like pencils and classroom supplies as funding and school closures add pressure. Food Safety: Target, Walmart, Whole Foods and other major retailers are recalling jalapeño-linked Salmonella products after hundreds of illnesses were tied to fresh peppers. Privacy & Surveillance: Knox County’s mayor is calling for a nationwide pause on Flock camera deployments, citing constitutional and safety concerns amid reports of misuse. West Virginia Arts & Culture: A new book excerpt spotlights the fight against immigrant detention, while a WVU spotlight highlights students getting behind-the-scenes experience at Nemacolin luxury resort. Sports (Giants): The New York Giants add defensive back J.T. Woods after a West Virginia workout, as roster questions continue. Viral Hoax Watch: Fans worry after Dalton Ain’t Worried’s posts go viral, but claims that partner Sako died are described as false. Community Events: Huntington’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library 5K raised funds for free books across West Virginia.

Local Campus Privacy Fight: Ball State says police are investigating after a Flock license-plate camera was cut down at a busy intersection on Aug. 4, as privacy worries keep colliding with surveillance tech. West Virginia Sports & Talent: WVU basketball gets a boost as Treysen Eaglestaff enters the transfer portal for a fifth year after one season with the Mountaineers. Community Arts & Reading: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library held a 5K in Huntington to keep free books flowing to 52,000 WV kids. State Parks Culture: West Virginia State Parks brings back farm-to-table dinners with local chefs through November. Food Safety Alert: USDA warned shoppers about meat and poultry products containing FDA-regulated jalapeños that may be contaminated with Salmonella, including items sold in West Virginia. Energy & Cost Anxiety: Communities are pushing back on data center plans over fears of rising electricity bills, with residents speaking at public meetings. MLB Betting (WV): BetMGM’s TOP1500 welcome offer is live for Braves-Yankees and other MLB games, including $1,500 first-bet promos for new users in West Virginia.