AGP Executive Report

Meta Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B in a landmark child-safety deal over Instagram and Facebook, with West Virginia set to receive more than $114M and new protections for teens and parents pending court approval. AI & WVU Research: WVU’s Anthony Sicilia warns that AI can “agree” with users and grow less reliable during long conversations, even when it starts out correct—research backed by a $940K NSF grant. AI Data Centers in WV: Anthropic reportedly signed a massive $45B, six-year compute deal with Nscale tied to West Virginia power capacity, underscoring the state’s growing role in the AI infrastructure race. Health Access: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, will visit Putnam, Clay, and Ritchie counties in late September for low-dose CT scans. Arts & Community: The 10th annual Corks and Kegs Festival returns this weekend at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, and the Mon Valley Railroad Historical Society hosts a model railroad open house at Mountaineer Mall. Music Legacy: West Virginia and beyond are remembering Dolly Parton’s impact, including her Imagination Library work that now reaches all 55 WV counties. Local Watch: WV election officials are monitoring Supreme Court rulings affecting mail-in voting rules ahead of November.

Big Tech Accountability: Meta struck a landmark multistate deal worth up to $17.1 billion over claims it used addictive design on Instagram and Facebook that harmed children—plus sweeping safety changes like tighter teen limits and protections for kids under 13. West Virginia Impact: West Virginia is set to receive up to $114.6 million from the settlement, pending court approval. Local STEM Spotlight: West Virginia State University marked Katherine Johnson Day on campus, celebrating the NASA mathematician’s legacy and awarding 2026 scholarships to WVSU STEM students. Health Access in Rural WV: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, will visit Putnam, Clay, and Ritchie counties in September for low-dose CT scans, with grant support for eligible uninsured patients. Arts & Tourism: West Virginia’s 2026 Vacation Guide won a U.S. Travel ESTO Award for Excellence in Print Marketing, with distribution topping 350,000 copies. Community Notes: Wetzel County schools report the start of the new year with 2,017 returning students and highlight improvements in early math and literacy rankings.

Dolly Parton Memorial: Gov. Patrick Morrisey ordered West Virginia flags lowered to half-staff in honor of the country icon, citing her decades-long connection to the Mountain State and the impact of the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Local Arts & Culture: The Clay Center opened “I I AM WILD: A Charley Harper Exhibit,” bringing the West Virginia native’s wildlife-inspired art and hands-on activities to families through Jan. 3, 2027. WVU Spotlight: WVU Fashion Design and Merchandising students and faculty earned international recognition, with multiple designs accepted for exhibition at the ITAA conference. Public Safety Tech Debate: Huntington’s Flock Security contract fight is heating up after an anti-surveillance ballot push and a lawsuit over how the deal was approved. Health Access in WV: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, will visit Putnam, Clay, and Ritchie counties in late September, with appointments required in advance. Sports & Campus Life: WVU Police issued a community notice warning students about fraud and sextortion scams as the new semester begins. Community Growth: Bridgeport City Council backed the Clutch House travel sports hotel and gym at Charles Pointe, aiming to bring more team events to the area.

West Virginia Arts & Community: Oak Hill High School students packed in a STEAM TAC immersion focused on West Virginia history and tourism careers, designing solutions for parking shortages at New River Gorge National Park. Holiday & Family Fun: Smithers is getting a Mega Christmas Market on Dec. 14 with rare marionettes, Santa, and a 100-foot mural unveiling. Local Sports & Recreation: Bridgeport’s Bridge Sports Complex reopens Wednesday after maintenance, with group fitness classes returning Thursday and basketball courts opening Sunday. Music & Live Performances: Portsmouth’s Reunion Big Band Concert returns Labor Day weekend with an 18-piece band playing classic 1940s big band music—free and outdoors. Entertainment Spotlight: “Bat Boy: The Musical” opens Aug. 26 at Sarasota Players, with the story set in West Virginia’s Hope Falls. Sports Betting Promo: BetMGM’s TOP1500 welcome offer is live for new users in WV ahead of MLB action. Public Life & Policy: West Virginia’s citizenship voting amendment is set for the November ballot, with the Secretary of State outlining the proposal’s intent to limit voting to eligible citizens.

WVU & AI for the outdoors: WVU researchers are using AI to speed up how scientists process “forest breathing” data from flux towers, aiming to track ecosystem health in near real time during droughts and wildfires. Local governance & privacy: Huntington City Council keeps wrestling with Flock AI license plate reader guardrails after a $2.1M contract, as the company shifts its data retention policy and lawmakers push for tighter limits. Local governance & elections: Bridgeport council approved an ordinance seeking home rule to opt out of a state law that would align municipal election dates with statewide primaries and general elections. Arts & community: Bridge Day’s 2026 poster contest winner is a hand-drawn pointillism design by Kim Bowen, chosen by online vote and set to represent the festival this fall. Sports: Northwestern reportedly named Aidan Chiles its starting quarterback for the season opener. Public safety: A Maryland man was sentenced to 17+ years for selling fentanyl-laced pills online via social media. WV travel planning: The West Virginia fall foliage prediction map is back, with weekly updates for better color forecasts.

Wildfire Watch: A fast-moving Nevada wildfire near Reno forced evacuations of more than 90,000 people, with zero containment as firefighters worked to stop the blaze from jumping a major highway. Local Justice: Morgantown man Garrett Highlander was arrested after police say he used Discord to share child pornography, with investigators citing tips from NCMEC. Sports & Community: Wheeling Central opened its season with a 5-3 girls’ soccer win over Steubenville, rallying after an early 2-0 deficit. Holiday Buzz: Lewisburg, West Virginia is among Hallmark’s 2026 “Merriest Christmas Town” finalists, giving the town a shot at becoming a Hallmark filming location. STEM for Kids: The Carl Hopkins West Virginia Youth Aviation Expo returns Sept. 26 at The Bridge, with hands-on rocket and drone activities plus NASA and Fairmont State. Arts & Culture: West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship is accepting applications through Sept. 18, pairing mentors and apprentices to keep Appalachian traditions alive.

Tourism Shake-Up: Gov. Patrick Morrisey named former Fayette County lawmaker Kayla Kessinger as West Virginia’s second Tourism secretary, calling her a “great storyteller” as she steps into the role. Business Spotlight: WVU’s John Chambers College announced the 2026 inductees for the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame, with I. L. “Ike” Morris among those honored at a Sept. 1 ceremony at The Greenbrier. Local Arts & Culture: Morgantown hosted the 12th annual West Virginia Tattoo Expo, drawing 200+ artists and growing since its 2013 start. WV History, Up Close: Parkersburg’s News and Sentinel Half Marathon and Two Mile Race returned with about 1,000 runners, including a safer revised course through historic districts and Fort Boreman Park. Health Check: The FDA inspected WVU’s Center for Reproductive Medicine in Morgantown on Aug. 4 and reported no corrective action needed. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy data for the week ending Aug. 15 shows diesel at $5.39 in Doddridge County, while Ritchie County’s lowest premium price hit $4.79.

College Football Buzz: A new week-by-week watchability ranking for the 2026 college football schedule is out, with early November slated for the best “elite vs. elite” matchups. WVU Sports Spotlight: Virginia Tech’s Kyle Altuner is back as an offensive line anchor, and WVU’s campus is in full Welcome Week mode with RecFest giving students a taste of intramurals, clubs, and free perks. Appalachian Culture: Shepherd University is gearing up for its 30th Appalachian Heritage Festival (Sept. 24–27), aiming to challenge stereotypes through music, dance, and workshops. Local Arts & Community: The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon returns with a safer, revised course, while the Rehoboth Art League’s 12th Regional Juried Biennial Exhibition features 111 works from artists across the region. Tattoo Scene: The 12th annual Summer West Virginia Tattoo Expo hits Morgantown this weekend with 200+ artists, contests, and community energy.

Appalachian Heritage Festival: Shepherd University in Shepherdstown is marking 30 years of its Appalachian Heritage Festival Sept. 24-27, with free public events like music, dance, history, and workshops aimed at challenging stereotypes. Music & Community: The 12th annual Summer West Virginia Tattoo Expo returns to the Morgantown Event Center Aug. 21-23, with 200+ artists, contests, and a Miss Tattooed West Virginia pageant. Local Arts & Learning: Meadowbrook Mall’s Tools for Teachers event is supplying classroom kits to hundreds of teachers, while WVU’s RecFest is welcoming students with campus recreation demos, giveaways, and intramural/club sport info. Sports Spotlight: West Virginia WR Jaden Bray lands on the Comeback Player of the Year watch list for 2026, and the Big 12 preseason buzz keeps swirling as BYU tops conference projections. Entertainment News: Rock legend Bret Michaels cancels the rest of his 2026 tour after emergency kidney stone surgery, citing needed rest and recovery.

West Virginia Travel & Culture: A new North Central West Virginia Airport terminal is getting the spotlight, with a fresh photo tour of Bridgeport’s newest “treasure” and what it means for travelers. Local Sports & Community Nostalgia: Bridgeport’s Indians football memories continue in a new five-part guest series, looking back at the town’s Friday-night pride and the rite of joining the team. College Football Watch: WVU senior WR Jaden Bray lands on the Comeback Player of the Year preseason watch list, setting up big expectations for his final season. Arts & Education: Charleston-area educators are leaning into AI literacy training, using hands-on demos to show students how chatbots can get things wrong. Tech & Industry: Nscale’s AI data-center push stays in the news, with reports it could pursue a major IPO and its West Virginia campus highlighted. Weather & Safety: Flooding in Parkersburg has drivers wading through rising water—an urgent reminder that “looks passable” can turn dangerous fast. Sports Betting Promo: BetMGM’s TOP1500 code is back for MLB and NFL preseason action, offering new-user bonus bets.

West Virginia Arts & Culture: The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences mourns the sudden death of President and CEO Al Najjar, remembered for pushing STEAM learning and building programs like Clay2Go across the state. Local Arts & Community: Lewisburg City Council approved a bid for Green Space renovations and announced the city has advanced in Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town contest. Design & Education: WVU Fashion Design and Merchandising students and faculty earned exhibition spots at the 2026 International Textile and Apparel Association Conference, matching the school’s ITAA record with five student designs accepted. Media Business: HD Media is expanding in the region, buying Greene County News and other AIM Media Midwest/Indiana publications, with the change set for Sept. 1. Tourism: Gov. Morrisey’s new Secretary of Tourism, Kayla Kessinger, marked West Virginia Day at the State Fair and outlined early priorities for the department. Appalachian Spotlight: Inside Appalachia highlights rising black lung cases, roadside oddities, and efforts to bring back nearly extinct animals. Sports & Entertainment: The West Virginia Tattoo Expo returns to Morgantown for its 12th annual run, drawing 250+ artists and thousands of fans. Tech & Industry: Nscale, building AI data centers including a major West Virginia campus, is reportedly seeking up to a $3B U.S. IPO.

Navy & History: The U.S. Navy is reportedly considering renaming the future USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), originally set to honor Pearl Harbor hero Doris “Dorie” Miller, with President Trump’s name among options—sparking backlash over honoring a Black war hero. West Virginia Arts & Culture: WVU alumnus Jamie Lester has two sculptures (“Aphrodite” and “Zeus”) on display in Venice, Italy, as part of ECC Italy’s “Personal Structures” exhibition running through Nov. 22. Legal Spotlight: A Beckley attorney’s team won a $9.25 million federal jury verdict against The New York Times in a defamation and privacy case tied to a reported shooting location. Local Sports & Community: Prep Redzone lists multiple WV commitments, including Ace Clements to Marshall and Dustin Sanner to Drake. Food & Health Watch: A wave of recent recalls includes jalapeños, guacamole, and salsas linked to salmonella, plus other items with lingering “best by” dates. Community Fundraising: Morgantown’s Old Stone House launches its 2026 Charity Partner Program starting Sept. 7, with profits supporting local nonprofits.

Media Deal: HD Media (Charleston) is buying AIM Media’s Indiana and Ohio newspaper operations—25 titles total—taking over Sept. 1, including the Daily Journal (Franklin), Daily Reporter (Greenfield) and The Republic (Columbus), plus 19 Ohio papers. Arts Education: West Virginia Wesleyan College will host the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts through 2030, a free program for high school sophomores in areas like digital media, creative writing, dance, theatre and music. Tech & Health: Pro Medicus’ Visage Imaging signed a $25M, seven-year contract with Valley Health (Winchester, VA) to deploy its cloud platform and migrate Valley Health’s PACS archive. Local Faith & Community: St. Brendan Catholic Church in Elkins celebrated paying off nearly three decades of mortgage debt, with a ceremonial burn marking a new chapter. Entertainment & Culture: WalletHub ranked Louisiana 12th overall for “fun,” boosting it to sixth for nightlife, while West Virginia landed last in its nationwide list. Sports/Weekend Picks: Kanawha Valley’s weekend calendar highlights live music and major shows in Charleston, including Jason Aldean. Public Safety Tech Debate: Flock Safety license-plate cameras helped track a suspect tied to a murder case, but privacy and oversight concerns continue.

Local Arts & Tourism: The Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau says hotel occupancy tax revenue is up 13% and is leaning into targeted partnerships for events like the Brooke County Farmers Market, plus America 250 promotion. Community Events: Bridgeport’s Family Fun Extravaganza Festival runs Aug. 20–29 at The Bridge Sports Complex with carnival rides, a Cartoon Headquarters Fun Zone, live stunt shows, and a car show. Music in WV: Lewisburg’s Carnegie Hall will close its Ivy Terrace Outdoor Music Series Aug. 27 with The Bing Brothers Band. Sports Betting (WV): BetMGM’s TOP1500 offer is live for new users in WV tied to Yankees-Orioles and NFL preseason action. Health & Tech (WVU): WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital adds 24/7 EEG monitoring so neurological emergencies can be diagnosed faster without transfers. Public Safety: Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office reports an arrest after alleged online solicitation of a juvenile via gaming and Fortnite-related offers.

Family Fun Extravaganza: Bridgeport’s The Bridge Sports Complex kicks off a 10-day festival Thursday, Aug. 20 through Aug. 29, packed with Gambill Amusements rides, a Cartoon Headquarters inflatable zone, live stunt shows, food, and a car show Sunday. Arts & Culture: “Wardensville: Tales from Tiny Town” lands for a public screening at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Winchester Saturday at 11 a.m., with proceeds benefiting the Capon Valley Fire Department. WVU Dentistry: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito cut the ribbon on WVU School of Dentistry clinic modernization—Phase 1 includes new orthodontic, pediatric, and innovation spaces, with Phase 2 funding already lined up. WVU Welcome Week: WVU swapped the long-running FallFest for “Mountaineer Midway and Movie,” and students are split—some love the carnival vibe, others miss the old tradition. Local Sports Spotlight: Tri-Valley Conference golf returns after storms, with Alexander and Wellston sharing the top spot in a Mason match at Riverside Golf Club. Community Tech & Safety: License-plate camera backlash continues, with homeowners associations and residents pushing back hard over privacy and access concerns. Health Tech: WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital expands robotic-assisted surgery with new da Vinci 5 systems. Media Business: HD Media, based in Charleston, West Virginia, is buying multiple AIM Media Midwest/Indiana papers, including the Northwest Signal and The Bryan Times, with ownership changes set for Sept. 1.

WVU Sports: Rich Rodriguez says the Mountaineers’ kicker job is wide open, with “legitimate competition” among Fairmont native Nate Flower, plus transfers Jack Cassidy and Peter Notaro, while punting is locked in with Bryan Hansen. Local Entertainment: Bridgeport’s Family Fun Extravaganza Festival kicks off Aug. 20 at The Bridge Sports Complex, running through Aug. 29 with carnival rides, a Cartoon Headquarters inflatable zone, live stunt shows, food, and a car show on Aug. 23. Tech & Privacy: License-plate reader company Flock is tightening rules—shorter data retention, tighter sharing controls, and safeguards after backlash from cities and lawmakers. Broadband Update: Pocahontas County’s ARC Broadband/Citynet project is nearly complete, with service applications now being accepted and construction targeting a December 2026 finish. Community Safety: Sistersville approved park security cameras (up to $6,000) and heard police and city updates, including new software rolling out end of August. Arts & Community: Jefferson County’s 32nd annual African American Culture and Heritage Festival returns this weekend with music, vendors, and a parade. Statewide Media: West Virginia Public Broadcasting and Capitol Market were briefly without power after an interstate vehicle crash.