AGP Executive Report

Radio Milestone: Martinsburg’s WEPM is celebrating 80 years on air. Since its 1946 debut, the station has brought the Eastern Panhandle local news, music, sports and community programming—and welcomed guests including Patsy Cline. Live Music: West Virginia’s Mountain Stage heads to Boone on Oct. 16, with host Kathy Mattea, bluegrass star Missy Raines and her band Allegheny, Sarah Jarosz and other artists. Onstage and Onscreen: West Liberty’s Ursa Major is set for an ArtsLink concert, while Charleston filmgoers can meet the filmmaker behind “Dark Hollow” at a special screening. Gaming: Concord University will host a free Valorant tournament Nov. 6–8, bringing high school and college players to Athens for the Passion Series.

Film: West Virginia filmmaker Daniel Byers brings horror movie “Dark Hollow” to Charleston’s Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., followed by a Q&A. The film was shot in part at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and near Spruce Knob. Live Music: West Liberty University student group Ursa Major plays popular songs spanning decades and genres at ArtsLink’s concert Thursday at New Martinsville’s Lincoln Theater. Campus Traditions: WVU Homecoming Week is underway, with a parade, spirit events and a basketball exhibition Thursday at Woodburn Circle. Arts Community: Local artist Matthew Mosley’s death has prompted mourning in the community.

Mothman Mystery: A podcaster’s trip to Point Pleasant revisits the legendary creature’s sightings and the theories that have kept the story alive for decades. Local Arts: Wheeling’s sixth annual Resurrection Island Tattoo Convention wrapped up, while the Robinson Grand hosted a Warriors Rock concert honoring veterans. West Virginia on Screen: The indie horror film “Redhead” is getting a sequel, and the film “Adam’s Fire,” known for its West Virginia scenery and characters, drew a live Q&A with its stars in Morgantown. Mountaineer Sports: BYU swept WVU women’s volleyball in straight sets, holding the Mountaineers to a .033 hitting percentage.

Live Entertainment: Wheeling’s sixth annual Resurrection Island Tattoo Convention drew an estimated 3,000 people and about 220 artists for a weekend of tattooing, vendors and live entertainment. In Clarksburg, the Warriors Rock concert honored local veterans and a first responder, with proceeds supporting VFW Post 573. Festivals & Traditions: Rowlesburg’s 18th Chestnut Festival celebrated the American chestnut with roasted nuts, vendors and restoration displays. West Virginia’s Bigfoot Festival also drew visitors from around the world, while Hinton Railroad Days marked its 60th year. Arts & Artists: West Virginia mourned Matthew Mosley, the Bluefield-born spoken-word artist, actor and musician known as Matt the Janitor. ArtsLink presented the group Ursa Major, and WVU’s PRT unveiled a wrap honoring a 20th-century West Virginian artist. Film & Heritage: The WV Film Team previewed indie horror favorite “Redhead’s” sequel, while the film “Adam’s Fire” showcases West Virginia scenery and people. Eight historic state buildings will share more than $490,000 in grants for preservation and continued community use.

Heritage & Preservation: Eight historic West Virginia buildings will share more than $490,000 in grants for repairs and restoration, with some sites planned for museums, cultural centers and educational use. Books & Screen: Bluefield State professor Jeffrey Yeager shared his Steinbeck expertise in a national story about Netflix’s upcoming East of Eden adaptation. Festivals & Folklore: Wheeling Island’s third annual Eats and Beats festival brought food and music together, while the West Virginia Bigfoot Festival drew visitors from around the world. Local Arts: Carnegie Hall is hosting a pumpkin-themed paper-quilling workshop, and the WV Folklife Center has storytelling and square-dance events on its October calendar. Morgantown moviegoers can also catch a live Q&A with stars of Adam’s Fire at the AMC.

Books & Screen: Bluefield State English professor Jeffrey Yeager brought West Virginia expertise to a national TODAY.com conversation about Netflix’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden. In Morgantown, the AMC is hosting a live Q&A with stars of Adam’s Fire, a film set in West Virginia that explores grief and forgiveness. Festivals & Folklore: The West Virginia Bigfoot Festival drew visitors from around the world, mixing Bigfoot talks with fiddle music and handmade mountain crafts while supporting a local museum and community. Arts & Community: Fall offerings include ArtsLink’s performance by Ursa Major, storytelling and square dancing at the WV Folklife Center, and a paper-quilling workshop at Carnegie Hall. Hinton Railroad Days also marks its 60th year.

Mountaineer Honors: WVU inducted seven new Sports Hall of Fame members, including basketball coach John Beilein and soccer stars Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence, bringing the hall to 250. On Screen: Indie horror favorite “Redhead” is getting a sequel with a special guest, while “Adam’s Fire,” a West Virginia-set film about grief and forgiveness, is drawing attention in Morgantown with a live Q&A featuring its stars. Arts & Traditions: ArtsLink is bringing the group Ursa Major to the region, and the WV Folklife Center plans October storytelling and square-dance events. Hinton Railroad Days is marking its 60th year, with the Hillbilly Jubilee offering another celebration of Appalachian culture. Game Day: Arizona visits WVU at noon Saturday in Morgantown; the Big 12 matchup airs on TNT and streams on HBO Max.

West Virginia Music: Princeton native Delnora was named 2026 Multi-Genre Artist of the Year at the Infinity Music and Film Awards; her song “Looking For The Light” will appear in the film Disconnected. Weekend Traditions: Hinton’s 60th Railroad Days brings music, food and local vendors downtown, while fall festivals across the region celebrate Appalachian culture. On Screen: The West Virginia-set film Adam’s Fire gets a Morgantown AMC screening and live Q&A with its stars. Local Arts: West Liberty University’s 10-member group Ursa Major plays ArtsLink’s concert series in New Martinsville on Oct. 15, and Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg hosts a pumpkin paper-quilling workshop Oct. 17. The WV Folklife Center also plans October storytelling and square-dance events. Mountaineer Spotlight: WVU women’s soccer celebrates 30 years under coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. Game Day: West Virginia hosts Arizona today at 9 a.m. in a matchup against former Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez.

West Virginia on Screen: The independent drama Adam’s Fire, filmed largely in Lost Creek, held a red-carpet screening in Morgantown Friday. The story follows a boy and his father through grief and forgiveness. Mountain State Lore: Mothman joins Nalgene’s Halloween bottle collection, bringing West Virginia’s famed cryptid to a new line of outdoor gear. Music: Hurricane native Scott T. Smith released “A Few of Us,” a new single shaped by years of performing and touring with Tyler Childers. Arts & Events: Blenko’s Dolly suncatchers raised more than $85,000, while an exhibition of award-winning films from Cannes and Berlin is coming to a West Virginia festival. Mountaineer Sports: WVU hosts Arizona on Saturday at noon, with the game airing on TNT.

Art on the Move: WVU has wrapped a PRT car with “Planes II,” celebrating Blanche Lazzell, a Monongalia County-born modernist whose work is held in the university’s largest collection. Weekend Culture: Hinton’s 60th Railroad Days runs Friday through Sunday with live music, food, vendors, kids’ activities and an open railroad museum. Film & Music: A West Virginia film festival is bringing award-winning films from Cannes and Berlin to the state; Wheeling also welcomed Notre-Dame organist Vincent Dubois for a performance Wednesday. Spooky Season: Shepherdstown’s Halloween events are underway, leading to BooFest on Oct. 31. Ghost tours and spooky stories are planned, and the Howl-o-ween Pet Pawrade returns Oct. 22.

Film: Award-winning films from Cannes and Berlin are coming to a West Virginia film festival, while Appalachian-based movie Dark Hollow is set to screen in Beckley on Oct. 17. Festivals: Salem’s Apple Butter Festival marked its 40th year with a free community celebration and an ’80s rock tribute planned for Saturday. The West Virginia Bigfoot Festival runs Oct. 9–11 in Nicholas County. Music & Arts: Huntington’s Funktafest X brought local performers, art and a video-game theme to Ritter Park last weekend. In Lewisburg, Carnegie Hall has a mixed-media exhibition on view through Oct. 30 and will host Halloween collage and paper-quilling workshops on Oct. 17.

Live Music: Notre-Dame Cathedral organist Vincent Dubois wowed a full house at Wheeling’s Cathedral of St. Joseph, performing six works and improvising on a theme from the church. Local Arts: Lockbridge Pottery’s annual fall studio show brings visitors to Meadow Bridge on Friday and Saturday to see new work by a local potter. Appalachian Culture: Shepherd University’s 30th Appalachian Heritage Festival celebrated regional traditions with music, square dancing, history and hands-on art workshops. Coming Up: West Virginia Bigfoot Festival runs Oct. 9–11 in Nicholas County, while Appalachian film Dark Hollow is set to screen at Marquee Cinemas in Beckley on Oct. 17. Folk Arts: An Elkins folklorist has received a national award, recognizing West Virginia’s living traditions.

West Virginia on Screen: “Adam’s Fire,” a drama set in Lost Creek, opens Friday at AMC Morgantown. The film follows a boy’s journey through grief, friendship and forgiveness. Folklore & Family Fun: The West Virginia Bigfoot Festival runs Oct. 9–11 in Summersville, with live music, speakers, vendors and Bigfoot-calling contests. Local Traditions: Berkeley Springs’ 51st annual Apple Butter Festival returns this weekend, bringing the celebration to downtown streets. Appalachian Film: “Dark Hollow,” an Appalachian-based film, screens Oct. 17 at Marquee Cinemas in Beckley.

Sports Betting: West Virginia’s sports and iGaming handle jumped 16% in August to $922.1 million, with double-digit growth in both categories. Mountaineers Football: WVU’s defense is under heavy scrutiny after another rough showing, with defensive coordinator Zac Alley saying the current plan “hasn’t f*ing worked” and that changes are coming. **Big 12 Showdown: Rich Rodriguez’s Mountaineers host Arizona in Morgantown for a reunion game, with WVU looking to bounce back after consecutive losses. Local Sports & Community: Gov. Patrick Morrisey honored Upshur County flood relief volunteer Tammie Strong, spotlighting CERT work after the July 21 flooding. Arts & Education: Pellissippi State’s Young Creative Writer’s Workshop returns Oct. 24 with the theme “Joined at the Roots,” featuring WVU Wesleyan’s Doug Van Gundy. Civic Life: Morgantown swore in Seventh Ward councilor Gail Taylor, a longtime volunteer with the city’s Cultural Arts Commission. Public Safety: West Virginia’s ACLU-WV launched an Election Protection Hotline campaign ahead of Nov. 3. Wildlife How-To: WVU experts shared tips on keeping wild turkeys out of yards—and why they show up in the first place.

WVU Football: Defensive coordinator Zac Alley says he’s “losing sleep” and is changing the game plan after WVU’s defense slipped again, allowing Iowa State 45 points and 577 yards, with the unit now ranked near the bottom nationally. Election Prep in West Virginia: Secretary of State Kris Warner launched a 2026 General Election Sample Ballot Lookup Tool so voters can preview contests online, with key deadlines including Oct. 13 registration and Oct. 28 absentee requests. Nuclear Energy Update: Even after opting out of a major federal nuclear hubs initiative, West Virginia officials say nuclear opportunities are still worth pursuing through other pathways. Berkeley Springs Fall Fun: The 51st Annual Apple Butter Festival returns Oct. 9-11 with a parade, expanded craft and art vendors, and a new Apple Butter Festival Trail 5K. Appalachian Film Night: “Dark Hollow,” an Appalachian monster movie filmed partly in Beckley, screens at Marquee Cinemas Oct. 17. Sports & Community: Marshall beat Fairmont State 181-65, and WVU’s Faculty Senate discussed a new Retention Risk Model to help students stay on track.

Tragic Sports News: West Virginia football commit Chris Wilson Jr., 17, was shot and killed early Monday in Muncie, Indiana, just weeks after committing to WVU. Local Education & Safety: A Tucker County High School teacher, Haden Wamsley, 22, faces charges tied to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student. Arts & Entertainment: WVU alumnus Scott Simons returns Oct. 5-8 for music-industry lectures and masterclasses, bringing real-world experience from major TV talent shows back to campus. Music & Community: Aristotle Jones released “Appalachian Soul Power” with a companion short novel, “Mountain Alchemy,” blending coal-camp culture and songwriting. Culture/Spooky Season: A new look at the Flatwoods Monster story ties Appalachia folklore to the region’s enduring cryptid obsession. Health & Local Impact: WVU Health System added five western Pennsylvania hospitals under the WVU Medicine brand, with plans to invest $800 million over five years. Sports Betting/Media: A class action claims DraftKings used AI to target vulnerable gamblers, while NFL promo coverage ramps up for Falcons vs. Saints.