AGP Executive Report

Grocery Deal: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, adding about 200 stores and expanding across West Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic as the industry battles for shoppers amid higher costs. Public Health: A new CDC study says the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris is rising in hospitals, with West Virginia University Hospitals’ infectious-disease leaders warning it’s hard to clear once it settles on skin. Tech & Infrastructure: The West Virginia Supreme Court launched an online dashboard for near real-time court statistics, aiming to boost transparency and help officials plan resources. AI for Bridges: Parsons says AI models using point clouds and drone photos can help predict bridge defects and improve planning as more bridges slide from “good” to “fair.” Energy & Data Centers: A report flags “behind-the-meter” gas plants for data centers as a major emissions driver, with projects concentrated in states including West Virginia. STEM in WV: A Woodlands Development & Lending program called Tech Toolshed will lend pro-grade photo, video, audio, and lighting gear to rural businesses and nonprofits to help them market nationwide. Local STEM Spotlight: An Oak Hill student was accepted into a selective Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Healthcare Policy: WV House Democrats asked for an urgent special session on public school funding as closures loom. Sports Law: The Supreme Court upheld West Virginia’s trans athletes ban, a ruling that will shape how schools handle women’s sports statewide.

PFAS Accountability: DOJ, EPA and WV DEP announced a multi-state settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals,” covering four facilities and alleged PFAS discharges into the Cape Fear, Ohio and Delaware rivers. Courts Tech: The West Virginia Supreme Court launched an online interactive dashboard with near real-time circuit, family and other court statistics to boost transparency and help resource planning. Trans Sports Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld West Virginia’s and Idaho’s bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, setting up new legal questions for schools nationwide. School Funding Pressure: WV House Democrats asked Gov. Morrisey to call an urgent special session after warnings that up to 20 public schools could close amid the state’s outdated funding formula. Data Center Emissions: A new report warns gas plants built to power data centers could drive a major greenhouse gas surge, with “behind-the-meter” projects approved faster and with less review. Energy Infrastructure Fight: Valley Link’s proposed high-voltage transmission line faces local opposition from landowners worried about impacts on farms and property value. Health Access: A Georgetown report says West Virginia’s youngest children are increasingly losing health coverage, with under-6 uninsured rates rising faster than older kids in several states. Local Tech & Community: Hope in Action Alliance and WVU’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities launched “TheLink,” a regional app to help residents find services and manage health reminders. Retail Shakeup: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, keeping the Giant Eagle brand while expanding Kroger’s presence across WV and surrounding states.

STEM & Workforce Development: WVU’s online Master of Science in Software Engineering student Jeremy Bliner is building an ice-cream app for Flo’s Premium Ice Cream, turning classroom skills into a real product. Disability Tech: Hope in Action Alliance and the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities are rolling out “TheLink,” a regional community resource app for finding services, saving supports, and setting reminders across WV Prevention Region 4. Coal Health Policy: A new federal bill would raise black lung benefit stipends and index them to inflation, a big deal for miners and families in West Virginia. Rare Earths & Clean Tech Jobs: Greenbrier County is set to see a $150M rare earth extraction push using coal tailings, aiming for 200+ jobs and more domestic supply for high-tech manufacturing. AI Infrastructure in Appalachia: Range Impact and C2 Ventures are launching an AI infrastructure platform on a 9,000-acre WV energy corridor site, pairing land, power, water, and transport assets. Local Data Center Governance: Washington County commissioners approved a 12-month data center application moratorium after residents raised concerns about water use, noise, and zoning fit. Retail Tech & Regional Economy: Kroger announced a $1.65B deal to buy Giant Eagle, spanning WV and nearby states, with integration expected to reshape grocery and pharmacy competition. Wildlife Tech & Safety: Ohio officials report rising black bear sightings and use tracking collars to study movement—useful guidance for residents near the WV border.

Supreme Court & Sports Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld West Virginia and Idaho bans on transgender girls and women competing in girls’ and women’s sports, saying Title IX allows states to define eligibility by biological sex. Local Governance: West Virginia’s DNR is seeking public comment on updated wildlife disease rules, including changes to how deer feeding and carcass transport are handled to slow outbreaks like chronic wasting disease. AI & Energy Infrastructure: Range Impact and C2 Ventures launched an AI infrastructure platform plan for a 9,000-acre West Virginia energy corridor site, pairing land, water, rail, and power access for next-gen compute. Rare Earths & Jobs: Greenbrier County officials announced a $150M rare earth minerals investment in Rupert, aiming to pull materials from coal byproducts and create about 250 jobs. Tech & Business: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, expanding its grocery and pharmacy footprint across West Virginia and neighboring states. Public Health & Environment: A report warns “behind-the-meter” gas plants for data centers could drive major climate-linked emissions, raising pressure on permitting and oversight. STEM & Education: WVU’s former CIO Neil Roth retired after decades of campus tech modernization, from early computer systems toward the start of AI. Community & Culture: A new West Virginia-shot teen deepfake drama, “Disconnected,” is underway, tackling AI surveillance and cyberbullying.

Science & Environment: West Virginia University biologist Ember Morrissey is co-author on a study tied to a NATO-backed effort in the Czech Republic testing giant miscanthus grass to pull pollutants from Ukraine’s war-damaged soil and rebuild farmland. STEM for Families: The Clay Center’s “Paper Pilots” invites families to build paper airplanes and launch straw rockets on July 18, mixing aerodynamics lessons with friendly flight challenges. Public Health: A Georgetown report finds West Virginia’s youngest kids are losing health coverage momentum—infants and preschoolers are more likely to be uninsured than school-aged children. Courts & Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld West Virginia and Idaho bans on transgender girls and women in school sports, a ruling that will shape how states write and enforce athletics eligibility rules. Local Tech/Economy: Wood County approved $15,000 to support a Japanese business delegation visit tied to potential new development in the Polymer Alliance Zone. Community & Learning: The West Virginia First Foundation backed WVU’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute with $4 million aimed at expanding addiction treatment tools and rollout infrastructure.

Supreme Court & Sports Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld West Virginia and Idaho laws barring transgender girls and women from school sports teams, saying states can set eligibility by biological sex under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause; West Virginia’s SSAC says it’s awaiting district-court guidance on implementation. Public Health & Water Systems: Drinking-water utilities at the American Water Works Association meeting flagged PFAS cleanup as a major cost and planning challenge, with utilities estimating trillions needed for upgrades through 2050. Local School Construction: Monongalia County BOE moved forward on a construction manager-at-risk path for the new Suncrest Middle School near the WVU Research Park. STEM & Youth Learning: A West Virginia student-robotics story highlights how FIRST programs are feeding future engineering talent. Tech & Industry in WV: A $150 million rare-earth minerals project is set to be announced in Greenbrier County, aiming to recover minerals from coal waste and create hundreds of jobs. Workplace Safety: WVU Medicine suspended an employee after a hidden camera was found in a staff restroom at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, with law enforcement investigating.

West Virginia Tech & Policy: Gov. Patrick Morrisey appointed former Delegate Daniel Linville as Director of Special Projects, tasking him with water and sewer upgrades, government reform, and tech/infrastructure priorities. STEM & Education: WVU hospitality expert Ajay Aluri says AI is reshaping hotels, but human service still drives trust and guest satisfaction. Local Science Talent: Wa-Hi junior Lars Sandven was selected for the National Youth Science Camp in West Virginia, a STEAM leadership program that has hosted major science figures. Health & Care Systems: Robert C. Byrd Clinic officially rebrands as WVSOM Health on July 1, aiming to better connect patient care, physician training, and community health. Weather & Safety: A heat dome will push West Virginia into the 90s with humid, stormy conditions around the Fourth. Community & Culture: WVU’s history center opened “Mountaineers Are Always Free: West Virginia at 250,” spotlighting the state’s evolving story. Tech in the Real World: A new owner is investing in renovations at Bluefield’s Club on the Green, including a driving range with Top Tracer tech.

Supreme Court & Voting Access: In a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court said states can count mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day if they were postmarked by then, a win for voting-rights advocates worried about disenfranchisement. Hospitality Tech: WVU hospitality research says AI is taking over routine hotel tasks like mobile check-in and concierge chat, but guests still expect human “high-touch” service for the moments that matter. Data Centers in the Region: Google revealed more details about its “Project Skye” data center campus in Virginia, including plans for five buildings on 887.7 acres—another sign of the AI infrastructure push spreading across Appalachia. Workforce & AI Infrastructure: Nscale is hosting a job fair in Point Pleasant for the Monarch Compute Campus, aiming to connect local students and job seekers with roles tied to building the data center. PFAS & Accountability: North Carolina stakeholders criticized the EPA/DOJ Chemours PFAS settlement, arguing the deal lacks transparency and limits how recovery funds are handled, with only a portion tied to West Virginia. Affordable Housing: Woodlands Development and Lending expanded its leadership team in Elkins to meet rising demand for affordable housing and rural business support.

Nuclear & Industry: Curio® hired nuclear quality leader Paul Oleyar to oversee company-wide quality assurance as it pushes commercialization of its NuCycle® recycling tech. Supreme Court & WV Impact: The U.S. Supreme Court heads into opinion day with major cases on presidential power, elections, and transgender sports rules—one track includes disputes involving West Virginia. Public Health & Data: Wastewater testing in Shreveport reported some of the highest methamphetamine levels in the world, using local lab work tied to opioid settlement spending. Infrastructure & Logistics: FTAI Infrastructure completed its acquisition of Tidewater Logistics, expanding barge and rail transloading operations across Ohio, West Virginia, and Texas. Climate Resilience: NOAA data shows West Virginia flood events have more than doubled since the 2016 disaster, with faster-moving water and longer recovery timelines. STEM in WV: Fairmont State University hosted the ASCE Civil Engineering Student Championships at Tygart Lake, bringing international concrete canoe teams to West Virginia. Wildlife & Conservation: West Virginia DNR staff are running spring bat counts, while a northeastern bulrush is set to be delisted after a long recovery—though researchers warn threats remain. Tech & Learning: WVU software engineering student turned a mobile assignment into a real-world success story.

PFAS Watch in West Virginia: The Peace River Manasota Regional Water Authority is starting PFAS (“forever chemicals”) testing after EPA deadlines, using Arcadis to check for compounds like PFOS and PFOA tied to health risks including cancer and immune effects—plus it notes West Virginia’s early PFAS lawsuit history. WVU Leadership: WVU’s new Provost Beverly Wendland begins work in Morgantown, highlighting library research support and a push toward earning an AAU invitation. STEM in the Mountain State: Fairmont State hosts the ASCE 2026 Civil Engineering Student Championships at Tygart Lake, with international concrete canoe teams and hands-on engineering skills. Health Care Access: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment in primary care across about 40 Ohio and West Virginia clinics, pairing prescribing support with mentorship. Community Tech & Learning: WVU Jackson’s Mill opens Public Archaeology Day with digs and fossil-hunting led by WVU and Marshall students and professors. Local Tech/Robotics: A West Virginia robotics team (Dark Side Robotics) received a $2,000 Optimum grant to support its FIRST program. Education Funding Pressure: West Virginia enrollment declines are accelerating school closures, with Board of Education President Paul Hardesty warning the aid formula could push the state toward another lawsuit.

Public Health & Rural Care: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment in primary care across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia, using prescribing support and mentorship to close the gap between proven meds and real-world practice. Environmental Regulation: A federal appeals court rejected the EPA’s bid to end a Biden-era soot pollution rule, keeping tighter limits on fine particle pollution that states and counties must meet. STEM & Student Engineering: Fairmont State University hosted the ASCE 2026 Civil Engineering Student Championships at Tygart Lake, with concrete canoe races drawing teams from China, India, Canada, and across the U.S. Local Tech & Industry: A Putnam County industrial building is being repurposed into a manufacturing facility expected to create 120+ jobs, as Sandvik and Alpha Metallurgical Resources launch Centauri Ground Support. Food Assistance Policy: A federal court blocked SNAP food restriction waivers in five states, including West Virginia, ruling USDA exceeded its authority. Community & Science Education: West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame announced six new inductees, including educators and lifelong contributors to ag and forestry, with a July 11 banquet at Jackson’s Mill.

SNAP Oversight: USDA says the SNAP payment error rate hit 10.62% in FY2025, with improper payments totaling about $10.1B nationwide, and states could face new financial penalties starting as soon as Oct. 1, 2027. STEM in WV: Fairmont State is hosting the American Society of Civil Engineers 2026 Civil Engineering Student Championships at Tygart Lake, with concrete canoe races and teams from China, India, Canada and across the U.S. PFAS Accountability: The DOJ reached a multi-state settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals,” with West Virginia included in a roughly $450M package covering penalties and long-term mitigation. Local Tech & Jobs: A Putnam County industrial building is being repurposed into a manufacturing site for mining supplies, aiming for 120+ jobs. Community Tech Education: Optimum awarded a $2,000 grant to a West Virginia robotics team to support FIRST competition work. Energy & Environment: A federal appeals court rejected the EPA’s bid to abandon a stricter soot pollution rule, keeping the 9 micrograms standard in place. Education Funding Watch: WV Board of Education leaders warn declining enrollment and a dated school aid formula could push districts toward insolvency.

Workplace Safety: West Virginia’s workplace fatality rate (8.3 per 100,000) is highlighted in a broader national push after Wyoming reported rising job deaths, renewing calls for stronger protections. Energy & Environment: A federal appeals court kept a tighter “soot” pollution standard, dealing a blow to the Trump EPA’s attempt to abandon the Biden-era rule. PFAS Accountability: The U.S. announced a landmark Chemours settlement totaling about $450M, with penalties and long-term mitigation tied to West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey—while advocates in North Carolina question how much relief communities will actually see. Local Tech & Jobs: Putnam County is getting a new manufacturing operation, Centauri Ground Support, creating about 120 jobs after a $25M investment to repurpose an industrial site. STEM in WV: Students in West Virginia competed in concrete canoe races at Tygart Lake, marking the first time the ASCE Civil Engineering Student Championships were held in the state. Education Funding: West Virginia school leaders warn enrollment declines and an outdated school aid formula could push districts toward insolvency. Data Centers & Community: A Warwood town hall drew a crowd as residents debated a proposed data center project on a former industrial site.

SNAP Legal Fight: A federal judge blocked USDA waivers that would restrict what SNAP recipients can buy in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia, saying only Congress can change eligible food definitions. STEM in WV: WVU Tech won an HSTA grant for free STEM camps for 10th-graders, with a two-week program that includes teacher training and hands-on nursing, engineering, chemistry, and biology. Engineering Competitions: Fairmont State hosted the ASCE Civil Engineering Student Championships at Tygart Lake, with international teams racing concrete canoes. PFAS Accountability: EPA, DOJ, and WV DEP announced a major federal settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals” releases affecting the Ohio River, Cape Fear River, and Delaware River, with penalties and long-term mitigation. Energy & Power Planning: The WV Public Service Commission heard support for the Maidsville Energy Center, as debate continues over future demand tied to data centers. Local Industry Jobs: Centauri Ground Support opened in Poca, investing $25 million and targeting 120 new jobs. Public Health: New CDC-linked reporting says tick-bite emergency visits are rising fast, a potential early sign for Lyme season.

PFAS Accountability in WV: The Trump administration reached a multi-state $450M settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals,” with $22.5M in penalties and $90M for mitigation in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey, plus major cleanup and drinking-water commitments. Local Education Funding Pressure: West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty warned enrollment losses now equal “six full counties” and says the state school aid formula is pushing districts toward insolvency unless lawmakers act. Courts and AI in WV: WVU research finds judges may use generative AI for efficiency, but they insist courtroom decisions stay human. Clean Water Watch: A Yale/UMass analysis flags that 65% of Charleston’s drinking water comes from streams losing federal Clean Water Act protections, raising concerns about future treatment costs. Data Center Debate: A Climate One segment zooms in on how hyperscale data centers are straining water and electricity and sparking local backlash. Medicaid Update: WV DHS urged Medicaid members to prepare for 2027 federal eligibility changes and community engagement requirements. Tech Trust Warning: DuckDuckGo’s AI search briefly amplified a rabies death hoax about Trump, showing how misinformation can spread through search tools.

PFAS Accountability in WV: The U.S. Justice Department announced a first-of-its-kind federal settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals,” including a $22.5M penalty and about $90M for PFAS mitigation tied to West Virginia facilities, plus major spending for clean drinking water and pollution controls. OSHA Funding Fight: Public Citizen urged the Senate to reject proposed FY2027 OSHA cuts, warning reduced staffing could endanger workers. Water Protection Watch: A Yale/UMass analysis says 65% of Charleston’s drinking water comes from streams losing federal Clean Water Act protections, raising concerns about downstream impacts and higher treatment costs. Data Center Debate: A new federal push to rein in data center energy costs is colliding with local opposition, while West Virginia communities keep weighing growth against infrastructure strain. STEM & Research Moves: Fairmont State won a $71,000 grant for neuromuscular and diagnostic equipment, and WVU researchers are advancing plasma tech with potential uses in chips, spacecraft, and fusion. Disaster Recovery Planning: The Appalachian Flood Resilience Coalition hosts a June 26 webinar on long-term recovery challenges after the 2016 floods.