AGP Executive Report

Retail Watch: Men’s Wearhouse just opened a second West Virginia location—its first in the north central part of the state—bringing designer suits, dress shirts, sport coats, and tuxedo rentals to Morgantown (Town Centre). Capitol Weekend: The 49th Vandalia Gathering kicks off at the state Capitol Complex in Charleston this weekend with free parking, Appalachian music and dance, and contests—starting Friday with quilt and wall-hanging awards and the Vandalia Award. Gas Prices: West Virginia drivers saw mixed movement in the latest GasBuddy reports: midgrade hit lows around $4.57 in Mineral County, premium dipped to $4.68 in Marion County, and diesel lows reached $5.79 in Mingo County. Big 12 Baseball: Kansas and West Virginia are the top seeds heading into the Big 12 tournament, with WVU positioned as a serious threat as postseason selection nears. Tech & Health Policy: States are pushing AI rules—especially around healthcare and counseling—while emergency planning is being updated for seniors who now rely mostly on cell phones.

NCAA Spotlight: WVU’s Maxx Yehl shut down Kansas State with six scoreless innings, and the Mountaineers won 4-2 in the Big 12 quarterfinal—next up is the winner of Arizona State vs. Cincinnati on May 22. Sports Tragedy: NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, 41, died after being hospitalized with a “severe illness,” with no cause released yet. Public Safety: An Ohio-led human trafficking sting—Operation Spring Cleaning—netted 11 men in the Mahoning Valley, targeting online solicitation of minors. Politics & Policy: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito says she needs more details on a nearly $1.8B “anti-weaponization” settlement fund as immigration enforcement funding debates heat up. Local Growth: Upshur County announced a $12M grant for a multi-sport complex at the John C. Allen Regional Hub. Everyday Costs: GasBuddy reports regular gas in Monongalia County hit a low of $4.19/gal for the week ending May 16.

Players Era Bracket Set: Michigan’s early-season path is locked in—Creighton comes to T-Mobile Arena on Nov. 24, with the Wolverines in the Players Era 16 and a shot at the Nov. 28 title game. Gas Watch (WV): Cabell County’s regular hit a low of $4.18 (week ending May 16), while Marion diesel dipped to $5.35 and Hardy regular to $4.47—prices are still bouncing around. Sports Shock: A 22-year-old college football player, William Davis, has had his cause of death reported as a gunshot wound to the chest, with officials saying the manner is pending. TV/Film Buzz: “Prison Break” is rebooting with Los Angeles production—shooting starts in June after a West Virginia pilot last year. Local Life: Bridgeport’s Class of 2026 graduation is set for May 23 at Wayne Jamison Field. Health & Care: CMS data puts Montgomery General Elderly Care among Fayette County’s top nursing homes in Q1 2026.

College Football Playoff Expansion: Big Ten deputy commissioner Kerry Kenny says if the CFP had started with 24 teams in 2014, 80 different schools would’ve qualified—proof the field would be way more unpredictable and more teams would get a real shot. Indiana Hoops: IU coach Darian DeVries is optimistic after prioritizing high-major transfer experience, adding size, length, and playmaking for next season. Weird-but-Real Police Call: A West Virginia man was arrested after repeated 911 calls claiming zombies, ghosts, and a UFO were “harassing” him—authorities say it was false and he also allegedly impersonated an officer. Local Graduation Season: Lincoln, Robert C. Byrd, and South Harrison High Schools are all rolling into Class of 2026 commencement week. West Virginia 250 Plans: Gov. Morrisey announced America’s 250th celebration events in Charleston, including a new DMV vanity plate.

Food Safety Alert: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are being recalled after a possible Salmonella risk tied to a milk-powder ingredient, with distribution across 17 states including West Virginia—no illnesses reported so far. Local Health Watch: CMS data puts Clarksburg Healthcare Center at No. 3 in Harrison County by size in Q1 2026, while Willows Center lands at No. 3 in Wood County but with a 1-out-of-5 overall rating. Sports & Coaching: Utah Valley adds Snow College’s Andrew May as assistant coach/offensive coordinator, and former MLB pitcher Harrison Musgrave takes over as baseball coach at San Angelo Central. Community & Culture: Clarksburg’s 47th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival returns Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4–6) with free downtown entertainment, plus a new Clarksburg History Museum mural funded by a $5,000 tourism grant. Wildlife Reminder: A black bear sighting in Ohio nearly led to a truck collision—officials urge residents to secure food sources.

Online Safety Push: West Virginia’s mandatory online safety program hit 240,000 students statewide, with reported behavioral change across sextortion, catfishing, and AI scam scenarios. Child Exploitation Crackdown: Federal prosecutors say a former Boston-area science teacher used Discord to pursue nude exchanges with at least 20 underage girls, earning a 10-year sentence. Foreign-Linked Activism: A China-linked socialist network is expanding “Liberation Centers” across U.S. communities, drawing scrutiny over ties to a Shanghai-based financier and pro-CCP messaging. Public Health Watch: Kroger recalled seasoned cheese garlic croutons in 17 states over possible Salmonella contamination. America 250 in WV: Gov. Morrisey unveiled major plans for the nation’s 250th—plus a limited-edition WV DMV license plate—while Charleston prepares for a July 2-5 celebration. Mine Safety Debate: Proposed MSHA funding cuts are being framed as efficiency upgrades, including tech aimed at speeding up inspections.

America 250 Kickoff: Gov. Patrick Morrisey just unveiled West Virginia’s America’s 250 celebration—four days at the Capitol Complex (July 2–5) with free rides and a 230-foot “America 250 Wheel,” with a projected minimum $2M price tag. DMV Patriot Plate: The WV DMV also rolled out a limited-edition America 250 license plate featuring stars, stripes, fireworks, and New River Gorge scenery. Online Safety Push: Skyll and the Safe Surfin’ Foundation say West Virginia’s mandatory online safety program hit 240,000 students statewide, reporting 88–96% behavioral change across its tracked metrics. Local Public Safety: A Randolph County man was arrested after allegedly misusing 911 to report zombies, ghosts, and UFOs. Sports Notes: Giants’ preseason plans include a joint practice with the Dolphins, but not the Jets. Nursing Home Watch: CMS updates keep coming—Taylor Healthcare Center (5 stars) and multiple other facilities saw new Q1 ratings across West Virginia.

Gerrymandering Fallout: A new push to “end the doom loop” hits a wall as Democrats absorb fresh losses in the courts—after Supreme Court changes to the Voting Rights Act and Virginia maps being tossed—leaving them potentially down about 7–10 seats in the next fight. West Virginia Education & Health: WVU’s Chambers College got a $1M gift to expand Data Driven WV, while local nursing homes keep posting CMS results ranging from standout 4–5 star facilities to low 1-star scores. Boating Safety: WVDNR is urging life jacket use during National Safe Boating Week, stressing kids under 13 must wear one while underway. Sports Buzz: Kansas climbed to No. 16 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll after winning the Big 12 regular season; WVU baseball also closed strong vs. TCU. Local Culture: Parkersburg’s WesBanco spotlights the Sissons’ multimedia art run in May.

Tragic Update: Kanawha County deputies say the body of missing 16-year-old Shayln Harvey was found at her home two weeks after she vanished, with investigators still awaiting the medical examiner’s final cause of death as the case is being treated as a homicide. Workforce Boost: A new Nitro training center opened to expand union apprenticeship pathways in construction, welding, and other in-demand trades—aimed at closing West Virginia’s skills gap. Public Safety: With National Safe Boating Week kicking off May 16-22, WV officials are urging life-jacket use and reminding boaters of West Virginia’s rules, especially for kids under 13. Health Care Watch: CMS ratings highlight a mixed nursing-home picture—Webster Healthcare Center hit 5 stars, while Pocahontas Center landed at 2 and Sistersville Center at 1. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports show diesel as low as $5.54 in Putnam County and regular gas at $4.29 in Jackson County for the week ending May 9. Big Legal Question: The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether Title IX sex-discrimination protections extend to employees at federally funded schools.

Boating Safety Push: West Virginia’s DNR is urging life-jacket use as National Safe Boating Week kicks off May 16–22, noting drowning is the top cause in most recreational boating deaths and reminding that kids under 13 must wear life jackets while underway. Local Arts Spotlight: Follansbee artist Tom Ott was featured at Lewisburg’s Carnegie Hall art walk, drawing crowds for his bold, geometric, Appalachian-inspired work. Politics Watch: U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is calling for unity after a contentious GOP primary, saying the negativity needs to end now that the primary is over. Sports & Community: WVU wrapped Spring Commencement Weekend with 3,600+ graduates across nine ceremonies, while WVU baseball closed the regular season with a gritty 6–4 series win over TCU. Health & Outdoors: Tick activity is rising nationally, and experts warn more people are ending up in ERs during this season.

Artemis 2 Watch Party (Space Tech): West Virginia’s Green Bank Telescope tracked NASA’s Orion around the moon and even captured a pixelated image of the crewed capsule “Integrity,” with scientists joking, “There are 4 people in those pixels.” Tick Season Alert (Health): Tick bites are spiking—ER visits hit the highest levels for this time of year since 2017, as warmer weather boosts activity and Lyme disease remains a major risk. College Sports Push (Local Sports): Louisville athletic leaders published an editorial arguing college sports is “running out of time,” while WVU closed its regular season with a gritty 6-4 win over TCU to lock in the No. 2 seed for the Big 12 tournament. Community Calendar (Local Life): Bridgeport’s Farmers Market opened for the 2026 season, running Sundays through Oct. 11. Gas Watch (Everyday Costs): Roane County’s lowest regular gas hit $4.09 (week ending May 9), while premium prices in Grant County bottomed at $5.09. Scam Warning (Consumer Safety): WV’s AG Consumer Protection Division flagged top scams like Medicare fraud, phishing, robocalls, DMV text scams, and fake court notices.

WVU Baseball: No. 9 West Virginia finished the regular season in style, rallying past TCU 6-4 with two wild pitches in the 8th to grab a series win, set a program record for Big 12 wins (21), and head into the Big 12 tournament as the No. 2 seed. Outdoor Tourism: Pennsylvania is spotlighting Laurel Caverns as its newest and first underground state park, pitching it as a major “oh wow” draw for the Laurel Highlands. Memorial Day: South Hills communities are lining up wreath-laying and remembrance events ahead of May 25. Local Watch: West Virginia’s AG is warning residents about a fresh wave of scams, with Medicare, phishing, robocalls, DMV texts, and fake court notices topping complaints. Energy & Everyday Costs: Gas prices remain volatile statewide, with GasBuddy reporting low points like E15 in Lewis County at $3.33/gal and premium in Greenbrier County at $4.26/gal. Health Policy: A Most Favored Nation drug pricing model is raising alarms about how it could put people with disabilities at risk.

Gas Watch: Lewis County’s cheapest reported E15 hit $3.33/gal (week ending May 9), while Wood County’s lowest E85 was $3.79/gal and Cabell County’s lowest midgrade landed at $4.53/gal—overall, West Virginia averages edged up, with prices still tied to global oil jitters. Medicaid Dollars: In Hurricane, Medicaid durable medical equipment billing rose to $268,930 in 2024, and Fairmont saw $616,469 for enteral/parenteral therapy—local spending snapshots of where care dollars flow. Scam Alert: The WV AG is warning residents about Medicare scams, phishing, robocalls, DMV text scams, and fake court notices after 120 scam complaints in April. Local Loss: Long-serving federal judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. died May 12 at 100. Community & Campus: WVU’s Flying WV tower lit up for commencement weekend, and WV Wesleyan honored Clarksburg native Sydney Vilain as an Outstanding Senior.

WVU Commencement Kickoff: Thousands of graduates crossed the stage Friday as WVU’s May 2026 Commencement Weekend began at the Hope Coliseum, with ceremonies spanning the Law and multiple health-sciences schools and running through Sunday. Flying WV Moment: The restored Flying WV water tower lit up Evansdale Friday, wrapping Benson’s “Welcome Home Tour” and turning the page to graduation celebrations. Local Government & Waste: Parkersburg says Waste Management will start trash service July 1 under a temporary contract while a potential referendum over the deal remains unsettled. State Watch: The WV DMV is warning drivers about a fake “satire” post claiming people must retake tests—officially, there’s no such program. Health Policy: Medicare patients are set to get free CBD as the federal government tests whether it can improve quality of life and reduce costs. Sports & Recruiting: WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez tells ESPN’s Pete Thamel the program is closing the financial gap; meanwhile, Penn State lands 2027 QB Will Wood. Arts & Community: Carnegie Hall’s Taste of Our Towns heads into its 40th and final year this fall.

GOP Unity Push: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is urging West Virginia Republicans to come together after a nasty GOP primary marked by negative ads and internal friction, saying the primary is over and negativity can’t be the direction into November. Statehouse Watch: The week’s political noise also includes ongoing “grudge match” fallout as Republicans and Democrats sort out who advances and who gets challenged next. DMV Warning: West Virginia DMV is warning drivers about a fake “satire” post claiming people must retake passed tests—DMV says no such program exists. Gas Watch: Prices stay jumpy but mostly steady in the latest GasBuddy reports, with regular lows like $4.19 in Marshall County and $4.29 in Grant and Lincoln counties for the week ending May 9. Arts & Community: Tamarack Marketplace will host the opening reception for “Best of West Virginia” on May 16, and Beckley Concert Association has an Onyx Ensemble show set for May 21.

UFC Buzz: Tommy Gantt is finally back after an eight-month layoff, having fought 14 times in a single year to earn his UFC look. West Virginia Politics: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is urging unity after a contentious GOP primary marked by negative campaigning. WVU Sports: No. 9 WVU baseball kept rolling—Ian Korn tossed six scoreless as the Mountaineers shut out TCU, and Rich Rodriguez says the program is closing the financial gap. Local Sports: Oak Glen’s Haylee Stewart signed with Bethany, and Weir High is headed back to the state softball tournament after a run-rule win. Health & Community: WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals earned a top national rating for heart bypass surgery quality, while United Way’s Day of Caring brought deep-cleaning and help to local shelters. Weekend Watch: Gradfest returns at WVU, plus a packed Kanawha Valley events lineup. Supreme Court: The abortion-pill access fight continues as the Court preserves telehealth/mail access for now.