AGP Executive Report

Federal Funding for Kids’ Advocacy: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito announced nearly $2 million for WV CASA to expand mentoring for children affected by opioid and other substance use disorders. Public Health Survey: The West Virginia Department of Health is urging residents 18+ to take part in the BRFSS phone survey, with voluntary, confidential responses used to guide programs and resources. College World Series (WVU): West Virginia faces elimination Tuesday at 2 p.m. vs. Troy at Charles Schwab Field, after a 5-2 loss to North Carolina sent the Mountaineers into the losers’ bracket. Local Infrastructure: In Wheeling, Rep. Riley Moore secured $1 million for engineering and design toward replacing the Market Street Bridge, while the city also highlighted $2 million to rebuild the long-troubled Northern Parkway. Environmental Enforcement: DEP proposed disposal deadlines and penalties for a Huntington steel operator over radioactive dust disposal failures, including daily penalties up to $1,500 for noncompliance. Public Safety Tech: West Virginia State Police partnered with SmartSafety to modernize statewide crime scene operations with new evidence documentation and management tools. Education Funding Fight: WV lawmakers heard testimony that the enrollment-heavy school aid formula may underfund students with special needs, with counties urging reform.

Health Access: Bonnie’s Bus, a WVU Medicine–WVU Hospitals and WVU Cancer Institute mobile mammography program, will stop in Ritchie, Clay, Monroe, Gilmer, and Upshur counties in early July, offering 3D screenings and help enrolling for free mammograms for eligible uninsured women. Public Safety: The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a body was recovered from the Monongahela River near the Granville boat ramp; no identity or cause of death has been released. Education Funding: West Virginia lawmakers are revisiting the school aid formula as special education costs keep climbing, with officials warning of a roughly $170 million shortfall tied to rising transportation and service expenses. Cancer Care Coverage: Gov. Jim Justice signed a new law requiring insurance coverage for scalp cooling during chemotherapy, championed by Jessica Huffman after she lost her hair during treatment. Local Government: Jefferson County Sheriff Tom Hansen was sworn in as president of the West Virginia Association of County Officials. Road Work: Clarksburg drivers should expect downtown delays this week as WVDOH crews mill and pave multiple WV 20 corridors, with no street parking during daytime work. Food Safety: Fry Pie Factory recalled pepperoni rolls sold in West Virginia and Ohio due to an undeclared milk allergen and improper storage temperature. Sports (Omaha): West Virginia’s College World Series run continues in an elimination matchup against Troy after a 5-2 loss to North Carolina, with pitching rotation decisions now in focus.

College Sports: North Carolina beat West Virginia 5-2 in the College World Series, with Gavin Gallaher’s two-run triple breaking a 2-2 tie in the seventh; WVU now faces Troy in an elimination game Wednesday. UFC at the White House: UFC Freedom 250 at the White House was delayed by thunderstorms and lightning risk, but the card went on, ending with Justin Gaethje winning the lightweight title over Ilia Topuria. Summer Food Access: Kanawha County Schools and other partners are trying to keep WV kids fed this summer as grocery prices rise and welfare rules shift, with USDA-funded feeding sites and free meals for those 18 and under. Health Services: “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography units will visit multiple WV counties in early July, offering 3D screenings and help enrolling in the state breast and cervical cancer program for eligible uninsured or underinsured women. Local Business: Hibbett Sports has closed the Meadowbrook Mall location in Bridgeport after opening there in 2016. Civic & Community: Wheeling City Council will consider budget revisions and a state grant deal for a Heritage Trail connector project.

College World Series (WV vs. UNC): West Virginia and North Carolina meet Sunday night in a winner’s-bracket game at Omaha, with WVU sending Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Maxx Yehl and UNC likely countering with Ryan Lynch; the winner advances to the semis and gets a big rest advantage. CWS Elimination Drama (Troy vs. Ole Miss): Troy kept its Cinderella run alive by rallying past Ole Miss 12-8 in an elimination game, setting up another must-win matchup against the loser of WVU-UNC. Local Sports Culture: WVU’s Jedd Gyorko, now an assistant coach, talked about how different it feels to watch players experience Omaha for the first time. Gaming Expansion: Delaware North is expanding its Betly online casino in West Virginia via a Bragg Gaming Group partnership, adding more titles to the state’s full iGaming offering. Weather Alerts: Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings/watch coverage continues across the region, including parts of West Virginia and the Pittsburgh area. Community Spotlight: Fairmont kicked off the American Rosie Movement’s Rosie the Riveter Bluebird Trail with bluebird nest installations.

College World Series: West Virginia is set for a Sunday night showdown with North Carolina in Omaha after beating Troy 7-5 in its first-ever CWS game; the winner advances, while the loser drops into the elimination bracket. Sports Schedule: Sunday’s CWS slate includes an elimination game (Troy vs. Ole Miss) at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN, followed by the WVU–UNC winner’s bracket game at 7 p.m. ET. Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy North: Camp Dawson held the 66th class graduation, with 85 cadets completing GEDs and diplomas, plus nearly 4,000 community service hours. Local Remembrance: A new flood memorial in Triadelphia was dedicated for nine people who died in the June 14, 2025 flash flood. World Cup in West Virginia: Iraq’s World Cup squad trained at Greenbrier Resort, with midfielder Qasem saying “anything is possible” in a tough group. Weather Watch: Severe storms are forecast for parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with damaging winds and tornado risk extending into the region that includes West Virginia.

College World Series: Weather is already messing with Omaha’s schedule, with a delay reported for Game 4 at Charles Schwab Field as storms roll through the area. WVU Baseball: The Mountaineers keep their historic run rolling—UNC is set to face West Virginia again with a CWS berth on the line after UNC’s comeback win over Ole Miss, and WVU’s opener vs. Troy ended 7-5. Local Sports & Pride: Morgantown’s Elks Lodge marked Flag Day with a ceremony honoring the American flag, while Parkersburg Pride says its City Park celebration is bigger than ever, adding more vendors and community partners. Public Safety: Authorities are investigating after a body was recovered from the Monongahela River near Granville; identity and cause of death haven’t been released. Community & Culture: Boone County completed its America250 Mural project, funded by a $5,000 state tourism grant.

College World Series: West Virginia made history in Omaha, beating Troy 7-5 in its first CWS game. Tyrus Hall drove in four runs, and Ian Korn helped steady the pitching before Ben McDougal closed it out. The Mountaineers now face either Ole Miss or North Carolina Sunday. Local Government & Schools: Wetzel County’s consolidated high school is moving toward a new identity, with the board weighing community and student votes on mascot and colors. Higher Education: Wheeling University received provisional reauthorization from the state Higher Education Policy Commission, tied to continued compliance and financial oversight. Public Safety & Recovery: One year after the Ohio County floods, crews and residents are still dealing with debris cleanup and flood-preparedness concerns. Arts & Culture: David Hockney’s death is prompting West Virginia artists to revisit how they see and create. Community Events: Wheeling hosts a sold-out Fashion Week runway show, and Moundsville’s Fostoria Glass Show & Sale returns June 12-14.

College World Series: West Virginia opened its first-ever CWS with a 7-5 win over Troy in Omaha, highlighted by Armani Guzman’s record-setting steal of home and Tyrus Hall’s late heroics for the Trojans. Local Sports & Community: Fans packed JP Henry’s in Parkersburg to watch the opener, while supporters traveled nearly 980 miles to be in Omaha. Public Utilities: West Virginia Public Service Commission staff asked for an investigation into Kanawha Falls Public Service District, seeking receivership over alleged water and sewer failures. Weather & Safety: Severe thunderstorm watches stretch across parts of West Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, with damaging-wind risk and residents urged to monitor alerts. Outdoor Recreation: WVDNR will host a free youth fishing derby at Bowden Fish Hatchery on June 13 as part of Free Fishing Days. Public Health & Policy: A new NIH-funded project aims to expand opioid-use-disorder medication support in primary care across about 40 Ohio and West Virginia clinics. Arts & Culture: Clarksburg renamed the Hammond Highway Bridge for civil rights activist Philip W. Carter Jr. Sports Entertainment: Raleigh County’s “The Bash in Beckley” returns Saturday with more than 30 wrestling legends.

College Sports (WV Spotlight): West Virginia baseball is in Omaha for its first-ever Men’s College World Series game, taking on Troy on ESPN at 2 p.m. Friday at Charles Schwab Field, with the winner advancing and the loser heading to Sunday’s elimination round. College Sports (Road to Omaha): WVU earned the berth by crushing Cal Poly in the super regionals (12-2 and 17-1), and the matchup sets up a high-stakes opener against a Troy team also making its CWS debut. Health & Community: WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital unveiled plans for a Center for Nursing Education in the former NTTC building, aiming to train about 26 future RNs starting fall 2027 with no tuition and a three-year bedside work requirement. Public Health (National, WV-linked): A new NIH-funded project will expand opioid use disorder treatment support in primary care across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Outdoors: The WVDNR is hosting a free youth fishing derby June 13 at Bowden Fish Hatchery as part of West Virginia’s Free Fishing Days.

College World Series: West Virginia opens Omaha play Friday against first-timer Troy, with the Mountaineers riding a run built in part on Division II transfers and a late-season surge that has them in the national spotlight. Energy & Environment: The DEP has filed a complaint against Kanawha Falls PSD, while a federal appeals court denied efforts to pause water-quality certifications tied to the Mountain Valley Southgate gas project. Public Safety & Crime: A Bridgeport man was arrested after police say he broke into a woman’s home through a side window, assaulted her, and stabbed her with scissors; in McDowell County, deputies busted an alleged meth and fentanyl dealer. State Government: Gov. Jim Justice announced the America250 Poetry Contest, and also moved to keep the Chesapeake Volunteer Fire Department rebuilding on track with temporary state backing. Health & Policy: A new NIH-funded effort will expand opioid-use-disorder treatment support in primary care across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Everyday Life: Gas prices fell for a third straight week, easing the national average to about $4.12 a gallon.

College World Series: WVU baseball is headed to Omaha for its first-ever CWS game, with pitching “peaking at the right time” as fans get set for West Virginia vs. Troy. Public Safety: West Virginia State Police say a Bridgeport man broke into a woman’s home through a side window, hit her in the face, and stabbed her leg with scissors; Charles Pearcy IV is jailed without bond. Courts & Taxes: WV tax officials are seeking a role in a federal Greenbrier Resort lawsuit tied to Sen. Jim Justice, citing more than $4.4 million in tax liens. Energy & Environment: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and new builds, including a West Virginia project, while critics warn it could raise costs and harm health. Health & Treatment Access: An NIH grant will expand an Ohio-West Virginia model to help primary care clinics prescribe medication for opioid use disorder. Community & Giving: Circus Saints and Sinners pledged $100,000 to the new WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Center in Wheeling. State Watch: WVDA issued new interstate movement rules for warm-blooded animals after New World Screwworm detections.

College World Series: West Virginia baseball is headed to Omaha for the first time in program history, set to open Friday against Troy at 2 p.m., with the Mountaineers riding a 45-15 season and a bracket that also includes North Carolina and Ole Miss. Public Safety: A Logan County man was arrested after a shots-fired incident in Wilkinson; police say he had body armor, blasting caps, an AR-15 and a semi-automatic pistol, and charges include terroristic threats and wanton endangerment. Local Politics: The West Virginia GOP says Boone County has flipped Republican in voter registration for the first time in recorded history. State Government: Gov. Patrick Morrisey launched the America250 Poetry Contest, inviting West Virginians to submit original poems ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Health & Education: Save the Children is taking applications for a new childcare education program aimed at easing West Virginia’s rural childcare shortage by paying tuition and related costs for workers in 14 counties. Consumer Watch: The state Department of Agriculture says it’s taking steps to prevent screwworm from entering West Virginia, including new permit and inspection requirements for animals coming from high-risk areas. Transportation: Honda is recalling 880,514 vehicles in West Virginia and other states over possible rear suspension failure.

Energy & Jobs: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization plus two new plants, using the Defense Production Act—supporters call it grid reliability; critics call it an unnecessary subsidy. Public Safety & Health: MSHA says failures by a mine operator led to the Nov. 8, 2025 death of an Elkview miner, as violations persist at the Rolling Thunder Mine. Poverty & Services: West Virginia Family Support Centers face uncertain funding and possible cuts after a $40 million structural deficit tied to federal anti-poverty dollars. Immigration & Accountability: A West Virginia-focused immigration crackdown dubbed “Operation Country Roads” is challenged as propaganda, with claims it didn’t match what was described publicly. Local Government & Infrastructure: Follansbee secured a $500,000 grant for Hooverson Heights water treatment upgrades, and WVDOH awarded multiple bridge and paving contracts statewide. Sports: WVU baseball is headed to the College World Series, opening Friday vs. Troy.

Coal & Energy Policy: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and new coal projects, using the Defense Production Act to boost reliability—while critics call it an unnecessary subsidy. Local Infrastructure: Mt. Storm in West Virginia is among four coal projects selected for up to $350 million in DOE modernization funding. College Sports Pay: A new antitrust lawsuit targets the NCAA’s cap on revenue-sharing, arguing it violates state NIL laws in 17 states, including West Virginia’s region. WVU Baseball: West Virginia is set to open the College World Series against Troy on June 12, after a historic run that nearly ended the program a decade ago. Education & Community Support: Montgomery County Public Schools hired three new administrators; in Preston County, a summer feeding program is back for the first time since COVID. Public Safety & Rights: West Virginia ranked last in a new LGBTQ+ safety report card, and a semi rollover closed Route 50 in Ritchie County.

College Sports (WVU): Ben Lumsden’s postseason surge helped West Virginia crush Cal Poly 17-1 in the super regional and punch its first-ever College World Series berth, with WVU now set to face Troy in Omaha. College World Series (Field Set): The CWS field is set with a record five SEC teams, and WVU is among the eight looking to end title droughts. Local Sports (Wheeling Central): Wheeling Central advanced to WVSSAC Class AA semifinals with a 2-1 walkoff win over James Monroe. Politics & Education (School choice): West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty says there’s “no going backward” on school choice and urges public schools to adapt and improve. Public Safety (Weirton): Weirton is moving to fine drivers who park in Purple Heart-designated spaces without proper credentials. Health & Community (Water): Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced about $3.3 million for water infrastructure projects statewide, leveraging nearly $26 million total investment. Crime (Schools): A former Wheeling Middle School principal was charged with child abuse after an alleged incident involving a student. Public Safety (Missing): Randolph County is searching for 82-year-old James Hedrick, last seen leaving Davis Medical Center.

College World Series: West Virginia is set for Omaha after punching its first-ever CWS berth, with the field now set and opening-round matchups released—WVU plays Troy Friday at 2 p.m. EDT (plus the full bracket and finals dates). Sports Spotlight: Ben Lumsden’s postseason surge is driving the Mountaineers’ run, and the SEC’s record five teams headline the tournament. Local Water Infrastructure: McDowell County’s Public Service District is advancing multiple water projects, including Elkhorn Water Project Phase 3 and an extension of the Anawalt Water Project, while finishing a sewer system for Iaeger. Environmental Cleanup: WVDEP highlighted major progress at the Richard Mine Treatment Plant on Deckers Creek, saying restoration is bringing fish and aquatic life back. Child Wellbeing: West Virginia held steady at 41st nationally in the Kids Count child wellbeing ranking, with poverty still a key concern. Housing Help: Wood County is getting HOME-ARP funds for Legal Aid of West Virginia to expand eviction-prevention legal services. Energy & Costs: Gas prices continue to vary by county, with recent reports showing diesel and E85 figures shifting week to week.