AGP Executive Report

9/11 Remembrance in WV: Gov. Jim Justice joined federal law enforcement and first responders in Clarksburg for the 25th anniversary ceremony, honoring West Virginians lost that day and the people who ran toward danger. WVU Community Memories: Three WVU faculty members shared their personal Sept. 11 perspectives, and the university will hold a memorial event in front of the Downtown Library Complex. Local Arts & Culture: Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport welcomed Owl Creek Market, a new shop spotlighting handmade goods from West Virginia artists. NatureWV Launch: The Dominion Post is expanding its nature coverage with NatureWV correspondent David P. Davis, bringing a fresh outdoors-and-gardening beat. Sports Spotlight: WVU volleyball fell to Lehigh in five sets at the West Virginia Invitational, while WVU football’s season opener story is already setting up a Week 2 bounce-back vs. U.T. Martin. Community Grants: The Waymakers Collective opened applications for the Appalachian Futures General Fund, offering $5,000 grants for artists and cultural organizations across Appalachia. Health Watch: The FDA says the Cyclospora outbreak is over, with recalled iceberg lettuce no longer available. Music News: Country singer Brian Duckworth (“Nashville”) of Taylor Made died at 56.

West Virginia Arts & Community: Bridgeport’s Meadowbrook Mall just welcomed Owl Creek Market, a new shop spotlighting hand-crafted goods from West Virginia artists. 9/11 Remembrance (WVU): WVU faculty are marking the 25th anniversary with a Sept. 11 memorial event in Morgantown, sharing personal accounts of that clear-blue-sky morning. Music Loss: Country singer Brian “Nashville” Neil Duckworth, one-third of the Taylor Made family band, died at 56 in West Virginia. Local Entertainment Calendar: Frostburg State University announced its 2026-27 Cultural Events Series and Appalachian Festival run (Sept. 17-19), capped by a Missy Raines concert. Sports (WV): WVU volleyball opened the West Virginia Invitational with a win over VCU, and WVU added swimmer Whitney Kane to its 2027 recruiting class. Weekend Watch: WTAP will air the Waterford vs. Fort Frye high school football game live Sept. 11.

Local Outdoors: West Virginia’s regular squirrel season kicks off Saturday, Sept. 12, running through Feb. 28, 2027, with a 6-squirrel daily bag limit and 24 in possession. Education Spotlight: Mercer County’s Laura Presley was named West Virginia’s 2027 Teacher of the Year at the Champions of Learning Gala in Charleston. Arts & Culture: WVU’s Canady Creative Arts Center opens “Earth is a Snowball” with a reception today at 5 p.m., plus Morgantown Art Association workshops on pastel and gelli printing. Tech for Students: Thunkable wrapped up an AI education pilot in Monongalia, Kanawha, and Berkeley counties, with about 120 students building roughly 80 mobile apps. Community Events: The Beckley Moose Lodge hosts its 3rd Annual BBQ & Cancer Fundraiser in memory of Tom Macaulay on Sept. 12, featuring live music and proceeds for kids’ cancer research. Road & Regional News: Virginia and West Virginia officials met to discuss moving the Coalfields Expressway (U.S. 121) forward.

West Virginia Sports & Community: Rich Rodriguez says WVU’s defense needs fixing after a 31-24 opener vs. Coastal Carolina, and he called a rare staff meeting right after the postgame session. Local Outdoors: The WV Division of Natural Resources set the regular squirrel season to open statewide Sept. 12, running through Feb. 28, 2027, with a 6-squirrel daily bag and 24 in possession. Education Spotlight: Musselman High School principal Alicia Riggleman was named West Virginia School Principal of the Year at the inaugural Champions of Learning Gala in Charleston. Arts & Entertainment: Weirton’s Cloak & Dagger on the Air returns with a new live audio adaptation of “Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz” at 4 p.m. at the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Business & Growth: WV Secretary of State Kris Warner reported 1,796 new business registrations statewide in August, led by Kanawha, Berkeley, and Raleigh counties. Festival Buzz: Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion’s 25th anniversary runs Sept. 11–13 with App State alum Richard Oakley directing.

West Virginia Education: The state’s inaugural Champions of Learning Gala honored top teachers and school leaders at the Charleston Coliseum, spotlighting the people behind classroom success. College Sports (WV): Glenville State will host a WVU men’s basketball exhibition on Oct. 23 at the Waco Center, giving fans an early look at the 2026-27 Mountaineers. Arts & Culture (WV): Alchemy Theatre continues its push from pop-up performances to a year-round home for live theater, while Black Fox Social opens as Barboursville’s new speakeasy-style hangout. Humanities (WV): The West Virginia Humanities Council announced 27 minigrants supporting local history, arts, and education projects statewide. Music (WV roots): Athens band Bloodkin announced its Sept. 11 album release, Flowers and Ash, tying the new record to the West Virginia-to-Americana story of its founders. Community Spotlight: Tucker County kids wrapped up vaudeville-themed theater camps at Cottrill’s Opera House with creative showcase performances.

WV Sports & Campus: WVU special teams shined in its Week 1 win over Coastal Carolina, and the Mountaineers’ kicker battle story is already turning into a fan favorite. Community & Culture: Glenville State announced a WVU vs. GSU men’s basketball exhibition on Oct. 23 at the Waco Center, while Elkins’ Mon Forest Towns Partnership is rolling out a new “canoe kiosk” public art stop in the Elkins Railyard (unveiling Sept. 19). Local History: A free talk in Spring Mills (Sept. 10) spotlights “The 23,” a group that helped save Stonewall Jackson’s supply trains before the Battle of Port Republic. Arts & Entertainment Buzz: “Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton was fired after a pedophilia chat room incident. Food & Family Events: Lewisburg’s MLK Day Celebration Committee is hosting a community fish fry Sept. 19 at Dorie Miller Park. Tech & Debate: West Virginia leaders tout energy and investment momentum as data centers keep fueling both opportunity and backlash.

WV Basketball & Community Sports: Glenville State will host a WVU men’s basketball exhibition on Oct. 23 at the Waco Center, with GSU touting a strong 2025-26 season and WVU bringing a loaded 2026-27 group. Public Art & Tourism: Elkins is getting a new “canoe kiosk” sculpture in the Elkins Railyard, unveiled Sept. 19, as part of the Paint and Paddle Project linking Mon Forest Towns to hiking and river info. Energy & Policy at the Capitol: Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice used the West Virginia Chamber summit to push energy permitting and infrastructure, framing WV as central to U.S. electricity. WWII Remembrance: A bridge on Corridor H in Randolph County will be dedicated Saturday as the U.S. Army Pvt. Preston D. Vanscoy Memorial Bridge. Golf & WV Spotlight: The Solheim Cup returns this week on European soil, with Team USA aiming to keep momentum after its recent win. Outdoor Fun: The WV State Parks Foundation kicks off another fall photo contest to boost state park visits. Sports on the Field: WVU’s Cam Cook earns Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after a 142-yard, two-touchdown debut. Arts & Culture: WVU’s School of Art and Design announces free fall 2026 exhibits and lectures, including events tied to “Blanche Lazzell: Becoming an American Modernist.” Human-Interest Animal Story: Biologists at the White Sulphur Springs hatchery are testing tiny “backpacks” to track juvenile crayfish.

WVU Arts & Culture: The WVU School of Art and Design just announced its fall 2026 lineup, including a near-month faculty exhibition, free public lectures tied to “Blanche Lazzell: Becoming an American Modernist,” and more guest talks on performance/installation art plus interior design and architecture. Mountaineers Football: West Virginia added Georgia safety transfer JaCorey Thomas, bringing four seasons of SEC experience and starting time into the secondary. Big 12 Spotlight: WVU RB Cam Cook earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after a 31-24 season-opening win over Coastal Carolina, rushing for 142 yards and two TDs. Sports Tech in WV: MLB star Paul Skenes is training in Morgantown with “mad scientist” undergrads, using high-tech analysis to fine-tune his pitching. Labor Day Entertainment Picks: A new list rounds up ten films for Labor Day under “new management,” spotlighting movies about work and workers’ rights. Community Festival: Tamarack Marketplace’s Fallfest brought live music, craft vendors, and kid activities to West Virginia.

Labor Day Spotlight: West Virginia coal miners and other vital workers were honored as the holiday’s labor-movement roots were highlighted, with energy leaders pointing to coal’s role even as power demand shifts. Energy & Politics: A new political climate is reshaping West Virginia’s energy strategy, with “50 by 50” pushing power growth while raising big questions about infrastructure and regulatory stability. WVU & Education: Monongalia County’s WVU bachelor’s completion rate for Black students hit 47% by 2024, while Jefferson County’s white-student rate was 55.3% and Marion County’s Black-student rate lagged at Fairmont State (20.8%). Local Sports: West Virginia opened with a 31-24 win over Coastal Carolina as Michael Hawkins Jr. showed big-play potential in his debut. Arts & Community: Tamarack Marketplace’s Fallfest brought live music, craft vendors, and kids activities to Beckley. Local Culture: New Cumberland’s brickmaking boom—once “Brickyard Bend”—was revisited as part of West Virginia’s industrial history. School Safety Case: Brooke High School principal Eric James was arrested after hidden recording devices were found in girls’ changing areas.

Local Crime & Safety: Brooke High School principal Eric James was arrested after hidden “pen-like” recording devices were found in girls’ locker and changing areas; he’s charged with intercepting communications and breaking into a non-residence, and the district says he’s suspended while the probe continues. West Virginia Sports: West Virginia kicked off strong with a 31-24 win over Coastal Carolina as QB Michael Hawkins Jr. threw for 132 yards and ran for 103, while Cam Cook opened the game with a 72-yard TD run. Mountaineers Traditions: WVU retired Pat White’s No. 5 ahead of the Coastal Carolina opener, with the number officially coming out of service after the season. College Football Buzz: ESPN’s “College GameDay” launched from Baton Rouge for LSU vs. Clemson, with the panel leaning LSU and also picking West Virginia to win the Big 12. Powerball: Powerball’s Sept. 5 jackpot was estimated at $173M—check your tickets.

West Virginia Football: Michael Hawkins Jr. made his Mountaineer debut a statement, rushing and passing for a 31-24 win over Coastal Carolina, while WVU also retired Pat White’s No. 5 ahead of the opener. Local Crime & Safety: Brooke High School principal Eric James was arrested after secret cameras were found in girls’ locker rooms, with charges tied to breaking in and intercepting electronic communications. College Football Spotlight: ESPN’s College GameDay kicked off the season from Baton Rouge for LSU vs. Clemson, and the LSU-Clemson matchup set the tone for Lane Kiffin’s era after Clemson struggled offensively. Sports Upheaval: Oklahoma State’s new era started with a 24-10 loss to Tulsa, extending OSU’s long losing streak. Arts & Culture (WV): New Cumberland’s brickmaking past is celebrated as a once-dominant industry that helped pave American cities. Sports Betting Buzz: BetMGM and other books rolled out Week 1 promos, including WV-eligible BetMGM bonus codes for new users. Community & Heritage: Thurmond in New River Gorge National Park is gearing up for a legal fight over planned demolitions.

WVU Football: West Virginia retired Pat White’s No. 5 ahead of the Mountaineers’ Week 1 home opener vs. Coastal Carolina, with the number officially staying in service through the season for fifth-year Jaden Bray. College Football Spotlight: ESPN’s College GameDay kicked off Week 1 from LSU-Clemson “Battle of Death Valley,” and the desk’s Big 12 picks included West Virginia (Pat McAfee) while others leaned BYU or Texas Tech. Game-Day How-To: WVU vs. Coastal Carolina airs on TNT/HBO Max at noon ET, with streaming options highlighted for Sling and other services. Local Sports Pipeline: Marshall QB commit Shamar Banner is headed to Huntington, and multiple West Virginia-area athletes landed on college volleyball rosters for the week ending Sept. 6. Arts & Culture (TV): TVLine’s What to Watch spotlights new seasons of “Haunted Harmony” and “Crossroad Springs,” plus UFC Fight Night on Paramount+. Community & Heritage: Preservation Thurmond says the historic town of Thurmond in New River Gorge National Park is preparing a legal fight to stop demolitions. Education Data: New county-by-county six-year bachelor’s completion figures show Kanawha (Black students 37%), Cabell (white students 52%), and Marion (white students 47.4%) among the latest reported updates.

High School Spotlight: Clarke County High School’s athletic department won $5,000 in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights contest, with coach Casey Childs saying the money could help upgrade locker rooms and eventually fund a field house. WVU Sports & Culture: Rich Rodriguez says WVU’s 2026 team should be “fun to watch” as the Mountaineers open the season at noon vs. Coastal Carolina, while Hope Gas’s name is now on WVU’s arena—raising fresh questions as customers brace for another rate hike. Entertainment & Community: Dave & Buster’s is set to officially open its second West Virginia location in the Morgantown area with a ribbon-cutting ahead of a Sept. 21 kickoff. Arts Calendar: Carnegie Hall is recruiting volunteers for 2026–2027 and is also gearing up for big programming like Taste of Our Towns (Oct. 10) and The Mystical Arts of Tibet residency (Sept. 20–26). Local Health Grant: Spotted Owl Healthcare Organization won $1.17 million to expand employer-based workplace health services. Sports Safety/Crime: Brooke High School principal Eric Michael James was arrested after investigators allegedly found hidden recording devices in girls’ locker rooms. West Virginia Outdoors: A Ravenswood angler’s 72.75-pound blue catfish was certified as a new state record.

Big-Ticket Growth: West Virginia says it has reached about $96 billion in private-sector investment since Oct. 2025, projecting more than 19,000 jobs, with September adding $81B tied to major digital infrastructure projects. AI/Data Center Push: Nscale is seeking up to $3.5B in pre-IPO financing as it lines up massive computing plans, while Starwood Digital Ventures’ Mason County project also moves forward. WVU Medicine Breakthrough: WVU Medicine performed West Virginia’s first single-port robotic-assisted lobectomy for lung cancer, aiming for less pain and faster recovery. Local Entertainment/Community: Dave & Buster’s is set to officially open in Westover on Sept. 21, with the ribbon-cutting at 10:45 a.m. Sports on the Ground: Week 1 college football TV listings are out, with Coastal Carolina at West Virginia headlining the day. Public Safety Shock: A Brooke High School principal was arrested after hidden cameras were found in a girls’ locker room and a dance team changing room. Outdoors & Travel: The new 18-mile Meadow River Rail Trail is already drawing out-of-state cyclists toward the New River Gorge area.

Local Entertainment: Dave & Buster’s is finally gearing up for its North Central West Virginia debut, with a ribbon-cutting and official kickoff set for Monday, Sept. 21 at the West Ridge Business and Retail Park in Westover (228 Brattice Drive). It’s the chain’s second WV location, after Huntington, and brings a big arcade plus a full restaurant and sports bar. Arts & Culture: The 47th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival starts this weekend in Clarksburg, running Sept. 4–7 with food and craft vendors, free live music, a Friday coronation, and a Saturday parade. Education & Health: WVU School of Dentistry officially opened expanded, renovated clinics in Morgantown, upgrading Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics plus a Dental Innovation Center, funded largely by a $12.6M federal award. Fashion & Media: WVU research says GLP-1 drugs are reshaping body culture and how lifestyle and fashion journalism talks about weight, celebrity, and “body positive” expectations. Sports (WV-focused): Coastal Carolina opens its 2026 season at WVU on Sept. 5 at noon, with West Virginia listed as a heavy favorite.

WVU & Campus Life: WVU estimates more than 3,500 students turned out for Mountaineer Midway and Movie on Aug. 17, with the event replacing the long-running FallFest Welcome Week concert. Sports on TV/Streaming: Week 1 college football kicks off Sept. 3 with full TV schedules and streaming options highlighted by Fubo and Sling promos. Local Arts & Entertainment: Country breakout Ella Langley lands her only Florida stop on “The Dandelion Tour,” with the Jacksonville show set for Sept. 19. Tech & Consumer Buzz: Dyson’s new UV robot vacuum, plus a UV-enabled toothbrush, are getting attention for “detecting” hidden messes. West Virginia Community & Safety: U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey urges schools and youth groups to use free DOJ training to prevent online child exploitation. Data Center Fight: Filmmaker Ken Burns joins opposition to Valley Link, warning the transmission project could irreversibly harm historic land and homes. Public Health/Relief: USDA approved D-SNAP for West Virginia disaster areas, with in-person applications Sept. 21–25 in Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur. Labor Day: WV AFL-CIO lists union-sponsored Labor Day events across the state.