AGP Executive Report

Rural Healthcare Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced more than $1.1 million in West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program awards to Community Care of West Virginia, expanding telehealth and mobile care plus workforce training. State Parks Boost: The governor also rolled out nearly $19.725 million for upgrades across state parks and forests—campgrounds, wastewater systems, paving, snowmaking at Canaan Valley, and repairs at multiple major sites—aimed at sustaining tourism’s record $9.4 billion impact. Banking Deal: Peoples Bancorp agreed to buy Capital Bancorp for $728 million, creating a pro forma bank with $14.3 billion in assets and pushing Peoples past the $10 billion mark as the deal is set to close in 1H 2027. Health Refunds: The Trump administration says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states—including West Virginia—will receive $500 ACA refund checks starting in October for alleged exchange overcharges. Local Government Money: State Treasurer Larry Pack delivered more than $16,000 in unclaimed property funds to the Logan County Sheriff’s Office. Workforce & Training: Pierpont Community & Technical College broke ground on a new aviation education facility at North Central West Virginia Airport, expanding capacity for aviation maintenance students. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reported Hampshire County premium gas at $4.99 in the week ending Sept. 19, while Lincoln County regular hit $4.09. Data Security: A multi-state settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach was announced, with Michigan’s share totaling $2.3 million. Logistics Pilot: USPS and Amazon are testing same-day delivery for certain Amazon packages dropped at USPS facilities in the afternoon, including a Morgantown, W.Va. site.

Data Security & Consumer Protection: A multistate coalition announced a settlement with Labcorp over the 2019 AMCA data breach, with the deal underscoring that companies can’t “pass the buck” to vendors on HIPAA compliance and vendor management. Energy & Utilities: The West Virginia Public Service Commission held a packed hearing on proposed rules tied to 2025’s HB 2014, with competing views on how coal-fired capacity should be regulated as data centers expand. Local Governance & Data Centers: Putnam County approved a data center resolution requiring developers to follow county rules and consider impacts beyond just financials, reflecting ongoing community pushback. Healthcare & Workforce: Valley Health’s emergency department staffing shift to SCP Health drew national attention, raising questions about corporate contracting and patient care. Natural Gas Markets: U.S. natural gas futures fell on softer demand forecasts and improved supply after repairs to the Mountaineer XPress pipeline in West Virginia. Business Growth & Retail: Sheetz opened a major $169 million Findlay distribution facility, adding hundreds of jobs and supporting Midwest expansion that includes West Virginia. Public Safety & Courts: A Greenbrier County forfeiture petition was filed seeking forfeiture of $1,514 tied to a drug task force seizure. Community & Economy: West Virginia tourism is gearing up for another busy fall season, while an elk restoration effort in the southern coalfields is drawing visitors back to see the herd.

Education Leadership: Harrison County Schools swore in Dr. Sheena Van Meter as superintendent, with board leaders saying the transition will be “business as usual” and focusing on staff and building infrastructure. Healthcare Expansion: Local Infusion opened a new clinic in Hagerstown, aiming to bring faster, more affordable specialty IV infusion care to the Tri-State region, including West Virginia. Energy & Workforce: U.S. DOE’s Audrey Robertson visited WVU to promote the OROSPECT critical-minerals education program, touting $100 million in incentives to grow the mining and supply-chain workforce. Local Business & Jobs: Sheetz announced its first Indiana store in Indianapolis, with plans for 100 Indiana locations over 10 years and nearly $1 billion in investment. Legal/Insurance: West Virginia’s Supreme Court upheld an insurer’s reserved-rights position, rejecting waiver, estoppel, and bad-faith claims in a timber-trespass coverage dispute. Public Safety/Crime: Two Charleston-area residents face felony charges in Missouri tied to alleged identity theft and bank fraud using a fake passport ID. State Policy: Gov. Morrisey pushed back on a nuclear “campus” bid, saying West Virginia will not be a dumping ground for nuclear waste. Energy Markets: Natural gas prices steadied as the Mountaineer XPress pipeline returned to service and LNG export demand improved.

Nuclear & Workforce: WVU is launching a nuclear engineering career pathway starting in 2027, aiming to feed the state’s growing nuclear ambitions with new course work across engineering disciplines. Energy Policy & Cost Relief: Gov. Morrisey announced statewide home energy rebate programs funded with $88 million from federal sources, targeting lower utility bills for low- and moderate-income households. Economic Development: Toyota marked 30 years in West Virginia, highlighting $3.3 billion in investment and a new push tied to sixth-generation hybrid transaxles. Healthcare Labor: Valley Health will shift emergency department staffing at Winchester Medical Center and other hospitals from Emergency Medicine of Blue Ridge to SCP Health starting Thursday, with cost-cutting cited and clinicians raising quality concerns. Public Finance & Courts: A Lincoln County student petitioned the West Virginia Supreme Court to overhaul the school funding system, arguing the current formula violates the state constitution. Data Privacy: A multistate settlement reached by 44 attorneys general resolves a Labcorp data breach, with injunctive relief and payments to states. Local Business & Community: A Cabell County man pleaded guilty to laundering $624,599.86 through a nonprofit vet clinic. Energy Markets: Natural gas futures eased as the Mountaineer XPress pipeline returned to service, while West Virginia gas prices showed pockets of lower regular and E15 rates in the Sept. 19 reporting week.

State & Local Finance: West Virginia State Auditor Mark Hunt launched the WVSAFE Financial Efficacy Award, a quarterly scorecard-based recognition for counties and municipalities focused on transparency, compliance, and fiscal management, with inaugural winners including Roane County, Huntington, Bridgeport, and Danville. Education & Courts: The ACLU-WV filed a lawsuit asking the West Virginia Supreme Court to order fixes to the school funding formula, arguing it violates the state’s constitutional duty to maintain a “thorough and efficient” system. Economic Development: Treasurer Larry Pack released a report on Mountain Valley Pipeline’s local tax impact, finding rural utility property tax bases in 11 counties grew more than 62% in one year, with millions more flowing to county commissions and school boards. Workforce & Training: Bridgeport City Council will consider a high six-figure grant to help fund a planned $25 million Pierpont C&TC aviation maintenance training facility at Aerotech Park, aimed at expanding enrollment and addressing industry staffing shortages. Data Centers & Policy: A Democratic candidate for WV’s 2nd District, Ace Parsi, pitched a Neighbors, Not Servers Act proposing a two-year moratorium on large data centers and studies on public health, water, jobs, and utility costs. Community & Care: Village Caregiving held a grand opening for its Elkins office, and the Mountaineer Food Bank scheduled additional pantries in McDowell and Webster counties. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported Hardy County’s lowest E15 at $3.89/gal and Berkeley County’s lowest E15 at $3.69/gal for the week ending Sept. 19.

Education & Courts: The ACLU-WV sued state officials over West Virginia’s school aid formula, asking the state Supreme Court to order changes to ensure a “thorough and efficient” system. Energy & Utilities: A potential deal between troubled Black Diamond Power and Appalachian Power is headed back to the state Public Service Commission, with a key Oct. 1 deadline looming over back payments and next steps. Data Centers & Local Power: Democratic challenger Ace Parsi pitched a two-year moratorium on large data centers (20+ megawatts) to give communities a say and require studies on health, water, jobs, and utility costs. Local Preparedness: Tygart Valley and Central West Virginia United Ways will host disaster preparedness workshops, including an Oct. 6 Elkins session, focused on what residents should do before and after disasters. Community & Health: A Bridgeport event combined breast and lung cancer screening awareness, backed by a fund aimed at removing financial barriers to low-dose CT scans. Business & Labor Pipeline: Kanawha County Schools held a College & Career Fair with colleges, universities, and employers, adding an evening session for families.

Education & Workforce: Kanawha County Schools hosts its 2026 College & Career Fair Monday at West Virginia State University, with about 45 colleges and businesses plus a new evening session for parents. Energy & Permitting: West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is among negotiators pushing a bipartisan federal permitting package, with leaders arguing approvals are slower than it takes to earn a college degree. Public Safety & Local Business Risk: A Marion County pre-law coal mine fire and a hillside slide are threatening homes and businesses; bids for stabilization won’t open until Oct. 8, raising concerns the damage may be too late to prevent. Healthcare Data Security: Maryland AG Anthony Brown announced a $2.3 million multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach tied to a debt collector, highlighting vendor oversight failures. Consumer Costs (Gas Prices): GasBuddy reports Fayette County’s lowest premium gas at $4.84/gal (week ending Sept. 19), while West Virginia’s premium average sits at $5.09. Sports Betting Economy: New promos keep rolling out for West Virginia bettors, including bet365’s $150 bonus bets offer tied to Oklahoma State vs. West Virginia.

Transportation & Heritage: US Route 50 marks its 100th anniversary on Nov. 11, 2026, with West Virginia’s historic Northwestern Turnpike corridor among the roots of the cross-country highway. Energy Prices at the Pump: GasBuddy reports show West Virginia fuel prices varying by county in the week ending Sept. 19, including E85 as low as $3.59 in Berkeley County and regular gas as low as $4.09 in Preston County, underscoring how quickly costs can swing locally. Workplace Health & Safety: A black lung rule meant to protect coal miners from silica exposure enforcement has been indefinitely delayed, renewing pressure on regulators and clinics in West Virginia’s coalfields. Education Credentials: New federal data show Cabell County colleges awarded 2,956 degrees and certificates in 2023-24, with Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse the top field by count. Sports Betting & Local Interest: Multiple national promo stories keep spotlighting West Virginia’s online betting market ahead of major college football matchups, including bet365’s WV bonus offer.

Sports Betting & Promos: Week 3 NFL coverage is dominated by sign-up bonuses—nearly $3,000 across major apps—plus game-by-game odds for matchups like Cowboys-Ravens in Brazil and Steelers-Bengals. College Football Betting: Week 4 headlines include Ole Miss-Florida and Texas-Tennessee, with multiple sportsbooks and prediction markets offering welcome offers and trading bonuses. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show premium and diesel pricing staying volatile but generally easing in parts of West Virginia, with multiple counties posting “lowest” premium or diesel figures for the week ending Sept. 19. Education & Workforce: Cabell and Wood counties reported thousands of degrees/certificates in 2023-24, while WVU announced a $1.6M teacher recruitment/retention push aimed at filling the state’s educator shortage. Policy & Water Infrastructure: A Gazette-Mail series highlights uneven state water and wastewater investment in the southern coalfields, and a permitting reform deal led by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito appears stalled in the Senate. Local Business & Community: Morgantown’s West Ridge welcomes a second Dave & Buster’s location, and Tygart Valley United Way is bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Randolph, Tucker and Marion counties.

Co-op Finance: Tricounty Rural Electric CEO Brett Perkins was elected to the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) Region 4 board, giving West Virginia co-ops a direct voice on lending costs and priorities. Public Health & Safety: A Nashville forensic lab says it has detected the new synthetic opioid cychlorphine in 18 states, including West Virginia, tied to dozens of deaths in East Tennessee. Education Workforce: WVU won a $1.6M Appalachian Regional Commission grant to recruit, prepare, place, and retain teachers statewide through new community-based pathways. Early Childhood Literacy: Tygart Valley United Way is joining Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for Randolph, Tucker and Marion counties, expanding free book mailings to kids up to age 5. Permitting & Energy Policy: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito says a bipartisan permitting reform deal is stalled in the Senate but could move next week. Healthcare Staffing: Monongalia County Health Department voted to end its affiliation with the state Division of Personnel, aiming to improve hiring and retention. Data Centers & Local Control: Congressional candidate Ace Parsi unveiled a “Neighbors, Not Servers Act” proposing a pause on large data centers and requiring local approval. Business & Growth: West Ridge’s new Dave & Buster’s entertainment venue officially opened in West Virginia’s second location. Legal Challenge: A lawsuit backed by ACLU-WV asks the state Supreme Court to overhaul West Virginia’s school funding system. Cybersecurity: West Virginia and other states announced multistate settlements with Labcorp over patient data breach fallout.

Health Care Costs: Oklahoma ACA premiums are jumping 60%–75% in 2026, and HealthChoice rates for more than 180,000 public workers are rising 15%–19.5%, as officials cite expiring federal tax credits and higher medical costs. Legal & Consumer Protection: A West Virginia-related Labcorp data-breach settlement is moving through the AG pipeline, with multistate action targeting how patient data was handled by a medical debt collector. Education Funding Fight: A student-led lawsuit asks the West Virginia Supreme Court to order a full overhaul of the state’s school funding system, arguing it’s unconstitutional and unfair. Grants & Community Development: West Virginia grant professionals are set to gather Oct. 13–15 for a hybrid “Grant Expectations” conference focused on winning and managing funding. Energy & Prices: GasBuddy reports show West Virginia pump prices edging up week over week, with several counties posting low regular-gas deals around the high $3s to low $4s. Local Business: A new Dave & Buster’s location opened in Westover, adding another entertainment option in the Morgantown area. Workplace/Child Safety: A father has sued a Hurricane daycare alleging abuse and failures to report under West Virginia law.

Toyota milestone: Toyota West Virginia marked 30 years in Buffalo on Sept. 24, employing more than 2,000 workers and investing over $3.3 billion since 1996, with Gov. Patrick Morrisey declaring “Toyota West Virginia Day.” Local festival logistics: Elkins is ramping up for the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival, with street closures and traffic changes starting Saturday and running through Oct. 4, plus added demands on city services and public safety. Community & education: Elkins High School named its 2026 Homecoming Court, and Davis & Elkins College will honor four alumni during Homecoming Weekend. Water/wastewater pressure point: WOAY reports Kanawha Falls PSD customers are waiting on repairs tied to the near-final sale to West Virginia American Water, with timelines now dependent on the new owner. Energy & prices: GasBuddy data shows West Virginia regular gas averaging $4.22 for the week ending Sept. 19, with notable low points including $3.69 E85 in Monongalia County and $3.79 E85 in Mercer County. AI infrastructure deal with WV link: Akamai signed an $11.6 billion cloud deal with Anthropic and issued a warrant for up to a 5% stake; the companies also point to Anthropic’s $45 billion plan to rent AI cloud power from Nscale’s West Virginia data center campus. Policy watch: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito says a bipartisan permitting reform deal is stalled for now but still could move next week, while Senate negotiators signal timing may slip toward November.

Consumer Data & Enforcement: New York AG Letitia James joined a bipartisan coalition in a $2.3 million settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 breach tied to its debt collector AMCA, with reforms aimed at tightening data security and vendor data-sharing. Public Health & Food Safety: A new recall warns of alfalfa sprouting seeds potentially contaminated with STEC and/or Salmonella, tied to an ongoing multi-state outbreak investigation. Telecom & Seniors: Verizon has petitioned the FCC to end copper landline service in 18 states, drawing pushback from a retirees group that says it could harm older residents and union maintenance jobs. Railroad Jobs: A CSX union warns planned maintenance-of-way furloughs could become permanent, citing potential safety and deferred maintenance risks for workers across West Virginia and beyond. Energy Costs (Gas Watch): GasBuddy price reports show West Virginia regular gas averaging $4.22 in the week ending Sept. 19, with local lows like $3.99 in Summers County; diesel averages $6.12 statewide. Local Water Protection: Beckley Water is adopting two-mile highway stretches near its treatment plants under the Adopt-A-Highway program as part of source water protection efforts. Workforce & Education: A new scholarship was established for Preston County students, and WVU is pushing teacher recruitment and retention initiatives. Business Development: Frontieras North America selected Kiewit for front-end engineering and design on a Mason County facility, advancing its West Virginia project. Sports Betting Consumer Alert: The BBB highlights scams targeting bettors, including withdrawal problems and fake “picks” sellers.

Teacher Workforce Push: WVU is launching a $1.6M, three-year, place-based initiative to recruit, prepare, place, and retain teachers across West Virginia, including a “Take-Me-Home Teacher Residency” pathway. Local Education Cost Pressures: Raleigh County’s Board of Education has started the formal process to close Cranberry-Prosperity and Mabscott elementary schools, with public hearings set before a Nov. 10 vote. Healthcare Expansion: Vandalia Health held a grand opening for its $26M Mon Harrison Neighborhood Hospital in Bridgeport, adding 24/7 emergency and inpatient services starting Sept. 29. Business & Finance: Potomac Bank will present live at the Sept. 24 Financial Services Virtual Investor Conference, highlighting recent net income, ROA/ROE, and loan/deposit growth. Energy & Policy: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito chaired a hearing on updating U.S. nuclear waste management policy, as federal “innovation campus” plans consider West Virginia. Housing Market Snapshot: Zillow data shows Wetzel County’s typical home value rose 5.3% in August 2026 to $116,693. Consumer Protection: West Virginia’s AGs are urging people to claim potential compensation from multistate settlements tied to inflated generic drug prices. Civic/Community: Steubenville City Council approved a variance for a front-yard parking pad to support a resident with limited mobility.

Hospital & Economy: The West Virginia Hospital Association says hospitals generated $19.1B in statewide economic activity and delivered more than $1B in community benefits. Consumer Protection (Drugs): A bipartisan coalition led by AGs is urging consumers to check eligibility and file claims tied to alleged generic drug price-fixing settlements. College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate is set to vote soon on the Protect College Sports Act, a major overhaul proposal shaping how college athletics operates. Legal Update (Healthcare): West Virginia’s Supreme Court upheld dismissal of a $1B suit against Marshall Health Network over pre-suit medical-liability requirements. Local Development: Monongalia County commissioners approved more funding for the East End Village project and backed a new day center at Hazel’s House of Hope. Banking Expansion: United Bank opened a new Charleston Operations Center, consolidating employees and support across its footprint. Water Infrastructure: Ohio County received $2M to replace a failing Route 88 water main and improve storage-tank systems after repeated outages and storm damage. Retail Growth: Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport announced new store openings and a relocation to refresh shopping options. Aviation/Business Travel: NCWV Airport officials discussed an RFP to expand food options at the new terminal. Energy & Industry: DOE’s nuclear “innovation campuses” push could create waste-industry opportunities, with West Virginia added as a contender.

Rural Health Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $500,000 Rural Health Transformation Program grant for Weirton-based CHANGE, Inc., the first award under the Provider Productivity Support Fund, aimed at cutting paperwork and using AI tools for scheduling, referrals, billing questions, and 24/7 patient contact. Water Infrastructure: Morrisey also backed Ohio County water upgrades with a $2 million grant to modernize and secure systems, including work on storage tanks and a Route 88 water main replacement to reduce outages. Public Utilities Oversight: The state Public Service Commission ordered Gauley River PSD to implement an operation-and-management agreement so West Virginia Water Company can run the Mount Olive State Prison water system, with a status report due in 10 days. Healthcare Consumer Relief: West Virginia’s AG joined a multistate push urging consumers to file claims tied to a generic drug antitrust settlement over alleged price-collusion. Local Economic Development: A regional push to complete a Great American Rail-Trail Ohio River crossing in the Weirton/Steubenville area is framed as a boost for tourism and jobs. Education & Workforce: Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College received a car donation from alumnus Merritt Purol to support its Automotive Technology program. Sports & Recruiting: WVU’s win over No. 25 Virginia is already being tied to recruiting momentum as the Mountaineers prepare for Oklahoma State. Historic Preservation: Arthurdale Heritage earned a major national preservation honor, recognized for stewardship of the Depression-era community.