AGP Executive Report

College Football Playoff Expansion: Big Ten deputy commissioner Kerry Kenny says if the CFP goes to 24 teams, 80 different schools would’ve qualified since 2014—proof the field would be far more crowded than fans expect. Local Weather: A cold front brings soggy conditions across the Mid-Ohio Valley Thursday, with more rain and possible localized flooding Friday through the Memorial Day weekend. Public Safety: A Randolph County man was arrested after repeatedly calling 911 claiming zombies, ghosts, and a UFO were “harassing” him—authorities say the reports were false. Greenbrier Legal Fight: West Virginia tax officials are asking to join a federal lawsuit tied to the Greenbrier Resort, arguing more than $4 million in tax liens are at stake. America 250: West Virginia is rolling out statewide plans for the nation’s 250th, including a major Charleston Capitol weekend with a free, 200+ foot America250 Wheel. Sports (WVU): WVU’s Maxx Yehl was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Year as the Mountaineers begin Big 12 tournament play.

Turnpike Disruptions: West Virginia State Police say an oversized equipment escort on I-77 from Princeton toward Charleston is expected to start around 2 p.m., with intermittent lane closures and extended delays. Public Safety: A pedestrian was killed after being struck on the West Virginia Turnpike in Charleston early Wednesday morning; the incident remains under investigation. Investigation Update: In Kanawha County, authorities confirmed human remains found during a search warrant at a Big Chimney home are those of missing 16-year-old Shayln Shantel Harvey, and the case is now being investigated as a homicide. Health Alert: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are recalled in multiple states, including West Virginia, due to possible salmonella contamination. State Funding: WVDEP is accepting applications for 2026 Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization grant money, with submissions due July 10. Local Culture: Clarksburg’s 47th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival returns Sept. 4-6 with free street entertainment.

Storm Watch: A cold front is bringing a stormy stretch across the Mid-Ohio Valley, with widespread rain and storms possible through the Memorial Day weekend, including hail and gusty winds—so locals are being urged to plan for wet-weather backups. Public Safety & Courts: Parkersburg police say a suspect was fatally wounded in an officer-involved shootout, and investigators found a second deceased person inside the home; the West Virginia State Police are leading the probe. State Budget Pressure: Lawmakers were told West Virginia will pay more than $12M in consulting fees for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program next year, while the governor’s office continues to tout “potential” savings claims that critics say lack clear cost details. Health & Consumer Alerts: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are under recall in 17 states over possible Salmonella exposure. Local Economy: The Secretary of State reports over 1,900 new registered businesses statewide in April, with business growth led by Monongalia, Kanawha, Berkeley, Raleigh and Jefferson. Community & Culture: Clarksburg is gearing up for its 47th Italian Heritage Festival in September, with free street entertainment downtown.

Violent Arrest-Scene Shooting: Parkersburg police say a man produced a firearm and opened fire on officers at an apartment on 25th Street Saturday night, killing two people at the scene; West Virginia State Police now leads the investigation, and one Wood County deputy plus one Parkersburg officer are on administrative duty. Public Safety Focus: A state traffic-safety luncheon highlighted DUI, speed, distracted driving, and seat-belt enforcement—reporting 1,873 DUI arrests in 2025. America 250 Rollout: Gov. Morrisey launched West Virginia’s four-day America 250 celebration (July 2-5) with a 230-foot “America 250 Wheel,” and the DMV unveiled a limited-edition license plate. Health & Care Watch: CMS data continued to rate nursing homes across the state, with multiple facilities reporting fines/penalties and overall ratings ranging from 1 to 5. Everyday Life: AAA expects 213,704 West Virginians to travel Memorial Day weekend, and the state registered 1,975 new businesses in April.

Officer-Involved Shooting: West Virginia State Police took over an investigation after Parkersburg officers responded to an apartment on 25th Street and a suspect opened fire, killing two people inside; a Parkersburg officer and a Wood County deputy were placed on administrative duty. Public Safety & Enforcement: The Governor’s Highway Safety Program honored more than 100 agencies and officers for 2025 traffic-safety work, including DUI crackdowns and seatbelt enforcement, as officials stress “crashes” are choices. State Politics: House members met at the Capitol for first informational sessions after contested primaries, while lawmakers pressed for more data on Morrisey’s claim of a potential TANF deficit. Child Welfare: WV joined the “A Home for Every Child” initiative to expand foster capacity and stabilize placements. Health Watch: Across the country, tick bites and Lyme-related ER visits are spiking in Illinois and other warmer regions. Local Planning: Meetings continue on replacing the Market Street Bridge, with alternatives on the table.

Childcare shake-up signals: Gov. Patrick Morrisey is flagging possible cuts to West Virginia’s childcare assistance and clothing voucher program, citing state debt—just as families say childcare costs keep climbing. Public safety push: West Virginia State Police will run a seatbelt checkpoint on Rt. 3 and Rt. 99 near Glen Daniels May 21, and the state is also urging life-jacket use as National Safe Boating Week kicks off. Workforce pipeline: Nitro’s new training center is expanding union apprenticeship access for trades like construction and welding, aiming to close the skills gap. Missing teen case: Deputies say the body of 16-year-old Shayln Harvey was found at her home two weeks after she went missing; investigators are treating it as a homicide. Energy costs: Mon Power and Potomac Edison seek PSC approval for a rate increase tied to reliability and infrastructure, with a public comment hearing set for July 15. Health care spotlight: CMS ratings highlight a mix across nursing homes, from top marks at Webster to lower scores elsewhere.

Data Centers Watch: State and developers held a Lunch and Learn on the proposed $4 billion Bedington Data Center campus, pitching power, infrastructure, and community impacts as the project’s scale—600+ MW and 1,000+ construction jobs—moves from talk to planning. Election Courtroom Fight: The DOJ is pushing to force the release of unredacted statewide voter registration files from WV’s Secretary of State, arguing federal election-law checks require access despite privacy and authority objections. Child Care Crunch: Save the Children says rural West Virginia lacks providers and slots, and an $8 million grant aims to expand the early-childhood workforce. Public Safety: WV DNR is urging boaters to follow life-jacket rules as summer boating season ramps up. Politics After Primaries: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito called for unity among Republicans after a rough, negative primary season. Sports & Community: Oak Glen punched a ticket to the state softball tournament; WVU wrapped spring commencement weekend with 3,600+ graduates.

Parkersburg Police Standoff: An officer-involved shooting Saturday night ended with two deaths after gunfire erupted at a 25th Street apartment; the West Virginia State Police took over the investigation and placed one Parkersburg officer and one Wood County deputy on administrative duty. Gas Prices Watch: In the week ending May 9, Roane County’s lowest regular gas hit $4.09, while Grant County’s lowest premium was $5.09; across West Virginia, averages stayed elevated (regular about $4.35, premium about $5.22). WVU Sports: WVU baseball closed the regular season with a 6-4 win over TCU, setting a program record for Big 12 wins and earning the No. 2 seed for the conference tournament. Big 12 Baseball Tournament: The bracket and schedule are set in Surprise, Arizona, with WVU opening tournament play on May 21. Artemis 2 in West Virginia: The Green Bank Telescope tracked Orion around the moon and captured a pixelated image of the “Integrity” capsule. Health & Outdoors: Tick bites are driving ER visits to their highest levels for this time of year since 2017, prompting CDC-style outdoor caution.

WVU Baseball: West Virginia capped its regular season with a gritty 6-4 win over TCU, using two wild pitches in the eighth to grab the series and set a program record with 21 Big 12 wins—now the Mountaineers head into next week’s Big 12 Tournament as the No. 2 seed. High School Sports: Williamstown’s Brady Woodard and Isaac Harris battled through injuries to win the Division II boys doubles state title, while the state tennis scene also saw other local teams place and advance. Local Spotlight: Parkersburg South senior Harmony Watkins is already lining up a future in medicine after earning a feature twirler spot at Marshall. Statehouse/Politics: West Virginia’s first statewide photo ID election ran “smoothly,” Secretary of State Kris Warner said, as counties finish canvassing and certification. Community & Outdoors: DCNR highlighted Laurel Caverns as Pennsylvania’s first underground state park, and local Memorial Day and fishing derby events are drawing families outdoors.

Gas Watch: Lewis County’s lowest reported E15 hit $3.33/gal (week ending May 9), while Wood County’s cheapest E85 was $3.79/gal—statewide averages for both fuels rose week over week, and analysts warn prices could stay volatile as global oil markets react to geopolitical risk. Community Spotlight: Mountwood Park’s annual Fishing Derby drew kids and families for a free day on the lake, with organizers saying it’s been running for decades. Sports: Fox Chapel’s playoff run ended with a 4-1 loss to Penn-Trafford, as the margin for error ran out in a game where both teams managed six hits. Health & Safety: The WV AG Consumer Protection Division is warning residents about a fresh wave of scams, led by Medicare fraud, phishing, robocalls, DMV text scams, and fake court notices. Public Service: A federal process is underway for reappointing Wesley P. Page as Federal Public Defender, with the Fourth Circuit seeking feedback before a decision.

Gas Prices: AAA says drivers are getting little relief as the national average dips, then rises again—Memorial Day is shaping up as the highest in four years. Data Centers: State and developers held a Martinsburg-area Lunch and Learn on the future of data centers, including the proposed Bedington campus, as power, water use, and community concerns stay front and center. Downtown Wheeling: WVDOT crews are milling key streets in the Wheeling Streetscape project, with most remaining work expected to wrap next month. WVU & Sports: Ian Korn tossed six scoreless as No. 9 WVU beat TCU 2-0 in Game 1 of a season-ending series; elsewhere, baseball regionals are set and WVU commencement kicked off with the Flying WV water tower lighting. Public Safety & Health: Parkersburg will start interim trash service July 1 under a temporary contract, while a new WVU study links gut “tiny particles” to inflammation and aging-related disease. Courts: Virginia’s new “assault firearm” limits face immediate lawsuits.

Election Logistics: Wood County officials are weighing changes to how elections run, including consolidating voting locations to cut the poll-worker crunch after staffing gaps and a missing thumb drive were reported. GOP Unity: U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito urged West Virginia Republicans to move past a contentious primary and come together for November. Opioid Courts: The 4th Circuit ruled Express Scripts is entitled to a jury trial in a West Virginia-led opioid public nuisance case. VA Upgrades: Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg received federal funding for continued infrastructure improvements. Water Quality: WVDEP extended the comment period to June 30 for draft ion TMDLs covering select streams in the Lower Guyandotte River watershed, with a virtual hearing set for June 2. Public Safety Funding: In Barbour County, Rep. Riley Moore announced funds for a new ambulance authority station aimed at faster response and better training space. Health Workforce: Gov. Morrisey announced $62M in rural health funding tied to recruitment, training, and telehealth support. DMV Scam Alert: WV DMV warned residents about a “satire” social media post falsely claiming drivers must retake tests.

Public Safety Funding: Barbour County is getting a new ambulance authority station aimed at faster response times, more training space, and a disaster shelter/distribution hub—money secured through Rep. Riley Moore’s House Appropriations work. Opioid Settlement Dollars: Hancock County commissioners approved nearly $900,000 from opioid settlement funds for six local organizations, including $330,000 for the ambulance service and $288,700 for the sheriff’s office. Election Turnout Snapshot: West Virginia’s primary turnout landed at 20.91% statewide, with Northern Panhandle counties generally higher than the state average. Business Relief Deadline: SBA is reminding Pennsylvania and West Virginia counties hit by drought that applications for low-interest disaster loans are due June 1. Sports Spotlight: WVU baseball extended its win streak with a 2-0 Game 1 shutout over TCU, powered by Ian Korn’s six scoreless innings.

Federal Traffic Crackdown: Homeland Security joined a multi-agency “Operation SafeDRIVE” on I-85 in South Carolina, targeting distracted and reckless driving around commercial vehicles. West Virginia Education & Jobs: Hope Gas and the WV Board of Education launched Hope Pathways, offering Logan County students energy-sector certifications tied to careers “close to home.” Public Safety & Health: DEA reported collecting 642,410 pounds of unused meds nationwide during the April 25 Take Back Day; in West Virginia, 4,063 pounds were turned in. Local Life: Parkersburg hosted the Professional Fire Fighters of West Virginia’s biannual convention, with firefighter health and cancer risk a major focus. Cost of Living: Gas prices stayed volatile, with Nicholas County’s lowest regular hitting $4.19 in the week ending May 9. Cyber & National Security: WVU Cyber is partnering with TWENTY to feed students into internships tied to real-world national security work. Crime & Courts: A Tennessee man known for racist videos was charged with attempted murder after a shooting outside a courthouse.

Child Safety Online: A federal prosecutor’s rule of thumb—if your grandma wouldn’t approve, don’t post—anchors fresh guidance for kids and parents on spotting unsafe situations online. Graduation & Local Pride: West Virginia Northern Community College will hold its 2026 commencement Thursday at WesBanco Arena, with CJ Goodwin speaking and Kate Nguyen named valedictorian. Health Costs Hit Workers: A new look at West Virginia coverage finds family premiums and deductibles topped 10% of workers’ income in 2024, even with employer plans. Housing for Young Mothers: Crittenton Services broke ground on two cottage-style homes in Wheeling to expand support for pregnant teens and young women. Public Safety: Wheeling honored 10 fallen officers, including K-9 Jericho, during its National Police Week memorial. Crash Update: One person died in a U.S. 50 crash in Wood County involving a pickup and a lumber trailer. Politics: Morrisey-affiliated groups notched some wins in GOP statehouse primaries but lost others, as results kept tightening in places like Wood County.

School Funding Vote: West Virginia voters approved most measures to fund public schools in Tuesday’s primary, setting up local money for salaries, meals, and construction while turnout stayed low. Election Fallout: Gov. Morrisey called it a win for endorsed candidates, while House Speaker Hanshaw vowed “we will remember” after Morrisey targeted incumbents in the GOP House fight. Public Safety Grants: The West Virginia First Foundation will open a new June grant cycle with up to $9.87 million available over three years, aiming at reducing substance use, boosting public safety responses, and supporting reentry and rehab. Health & Justice: A Wyoming County man faces multiple charges after a mine trespass chase and a later break-in; and a pastor in Braxton County was found guilty for sexually motivated battery. Federal Courts: Longtime West Virginia federal judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. died at 100. National Politics: The U.S. Senate again rejected a War Powers push over Trump’s Iran campaign, with WV Sen. Shelley Moore Capito voting no.