AGP Executive Report

SCOTUS & Elections: In Watson v. RNC, the Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive days later, a decision that undercuts President Trump’s preferred approach to ballot timing. Transgender Athletes/Title IX: The Court also upheld West Virginia and Idaho bans on transgender girls and women competing in girls’ and women’s school sports, ruling the laws don’t violate the Constitution or Title IX—prompting reactions from officials, advocates, and sports groups nationwide. Defense Contract: Raytheon won a $1.1 billion U.S. Navy contract for AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles, with production work tied to multiple sites including West Virginia. Local Government/Planning: Mark Debald was selected as the next executive director of the Morgantown Monongalia MPO, with Bill Austin retiring at month’s end. State Budget: West Virginia closed FY 2026 with a $370 million revenue surplus, with surplus collections slated to cover parts of the FY27 general revenue budget. America250: Gov. Morrisey urged statewide bell-ringing at noon July 4, with communities encouraged to ring 13 times for the original colonies. Public Safety/Workforce: West Virginia joined other states easing child labor protections this year, expanding youth apprenticeship hours and relaxing rules tied to hazardous assignments.

U.S. Supreme Court & WV Schools: The high court upheld West Virginia’s and Idaho’s bans on transgender girls and women competing in girls’ and women’s sports, ruling states can define “sex” as biological sex under Title IX and the Constitution—setting up more state-by-state fights and guidance for WVSSAC and school leaders. State Government & Education Funding: West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship program saw enforcement action: Tygart Valley Christian Academy was permanently disqualified for financial misconduct, and Laurel Academy in Preston County was placed on probation for rule violations, with investigations still ongoing. Local Law Enforcement & Surveillance: Monongalia County commissioners defended the use of Flock Safety license-plate cameras funded through opioid settlement money as residents raised civil-liberties and data-sharing concerns. Public Safety: Jackson County’s June grand jury returned 36 indictments against 35 people, including multiple forgery, larceny, and conspiracy counts. Courts & Crime: In federal sentencing, LaShawn Monroe received life in prison for a drug trafficking operation tied to large fentanyl and other narcotics seizures in North Central West Virginia. Politics & Elections: Rep. Riley Moore said House Republicans plan to attach the SAVE America Act voter ID push to the NDAA after Senate inaction. Business & Consumers: Kroger announced it will buy Giant Eagle for about $1.65 billion, a deal that includes stores and pharmacies across West Virginia and could reshape local grocery competition.

U.S. Supreme Court & West Virginia: In a 6-3 ruling, the court upheld West Virginia and Idaho laws barring transgender girls and women from competing on girls’ and women’s school sports teams, saying the bans fit Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause—prompting praise from state officials and fresh legal questions for districts still allowing trans athletes. State politics reaction: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley hailed the decision as a win for “biological females,” while West Virginia officials reiterated support and said the ruling clears the way for enforcement. Local government & business: The West Virginia Lottery Commission approved the Greenbrier Casino license renewal at the last minute, but ordered quarterly financial reviews after audit delays. Public safety: WVDNR Police joined the nationwide Operation Dry Water push to warn boaters about alcohol- and drug-impaired boating. Road conditions: AAA warned extreme heat is driving dangerous roadside breakdowns and urged drivers to protect both themselves and roadside technicians. International/environment: WVU biologist Ember Morrissey is part of research on using giant miscanthus grass to help clean war-polluted Ukrainian soil under a NATO-linked project.

Supreme Court & West Virginia Schools: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act, ruling 9-0 that the ban on transgender girls and women in girls’ and women’s school sports doesn’t violate Title IX, and 6-3 that it also passes the 14th Amendment equal-protection test—an outcome that West Virginia officials celebrated and that leaves the fight largely to state-by-state policy. Idaho Ruling Mirrors WV: In a companion case, the court also backed Idaho’s similar law, reinforcing that states can set sports eligibility by biological sex. Local Impact Watch: West Virginia officials said they’re awaiting final guidance for how the WVSSAC will apply the decision, while advocates and opponents warned it could spur broader restrictions elsewhere. Environment & Accountability: Separate from the sports ruling, a proposed federal settlement would require Chemours to pay West Virginia more than $11 million under a consent decree tied to PFAS “forever chemicals,” with a public comment period still ahead. Policy Process: The West Virginia Division of Personnel opened a public comment period on proposed civil service rule updates, with comments due July 30.

Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court’s final rulings of the term are set for Tuesday, with West Virginia in the spotlight on transgender student-athlete bans and Idaho’s similar law, after lower courts sided with challengers under the Constitution and Title IX. Voting Rights: The court also dealt a major blow to efforts to tighten mail voting, ruling states may count ballots received after Election Day if they’re postmarked by then. Public Safety: In Mercer County, a man died after a shooting tied to an arranged confrontation at Brushfork Elementary’s parking lot; a suspect faces a murder charge. Child Welfare: Gov. Patrick Morrisey said West Virginia is working to get to the bottom of a foster-care death of a four-month-old, with multiple CPS-related charges filed. State Government: Morrisey appointed Del. Daniel Linville as Director of Special Projects and rolled out the America250 Capital City Celebration schedule, while also granting state employees a half-day holiday ahead of July 4. Culture & Community: A viral “Melania” cow named by West Virginia FFA students has become a feel-good moment at the Great American State Fair.

America250 Capital City kickoff: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Alabama will headline Charleston’s America250 Capital City Celebration on July 3, with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra on July 4 and the Marshall Tucker Band on July 5; the free four-day event (July 2-5) also features the America250 Wheel, nightly Capitol 3D projections, and family activities. Capitol budget watch: A separate report says the Ferris wheel project is expected to stay within Morrisey’s estimated $2 million budget, paid from the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund. Supreme Court election ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to the Trump administration by ruling states can count mail-in ballots received after Election Day if they were postmarked by then, preserving “grace period” practices in West Virginia and other states. West Virginia federal land payment: Greenbrier County received $383,198 in a payment in lieu of taxes tied to Monongahela National Forest lands. Public health/medicine: The Robert C. Byrd Clinic in Lewisburg is being rebranded as the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Health starting July 1. State politics personnel: Del. Daniel Linville officially resigned from the West Virginia House of Delegates after losing his GOP primary by three votes. SNAP food rules fight: A federal judge struck down USDA SNAP “junk food” restriction waivers, and West Virginia is among the states affected. Local safety: Fire officials shared guidance ahead of July 4 fireworks, emphasizing proper handling and fallout zones.

America250 Capital City plans: Gov. Patrick Morrisey says country legends Alabama will headline West Virginia’s America250 Capital City Celebration July 3, with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra July 4 and the Marshall Tucker Band July 5; the concerts are free and the event runs July 2-5 with fireworks, 3D Capitol projections, and family activities. Courts & governance: The U.S. Supreme Court heads into opinion day with major cases on Trump’s presidential power, including challenges tied to birthright citizenship, firing independent agency leaders, and a West Virginia-linked transgender sports dispute. State schools under pressure: West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty keeps warning lawmakers that the school-aid formula and declining enrollment are pushing districts toward a fiscal cliff, with more closures or consolidations looming. Public safety & courts in WV: Third Judiciary Circuit Judge Tim Sweeney asks the West Virginia Supreme Court to toss an admonishment tied to ethics accusations after he raised concerns about child welfare staffing shortages. Local incident: Fayette County deputies arrested a woman after a domestic disturbance at a Kanawha Falls home that allegedly involved assaulting household members, including during a confrontation over caged chickens. National policy pressure on families: A report highlights rising hunger as federal food cuts and higher grocery prices strain pantries, with SNAP losses driving more demand. Energy & business: FTAI Infrastructure completed its acquisition of Tidewater Logistics, expanding barge and rail transloading operations across Ohio, West Virginia, and Texas. Environment: A federal appeals court rejected the EPA’s bid to abandon a tougher soot pollution rule, keeping tighter standards in place.

Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue major end-of-term rulings starting Monday, including cases that could reshape Donald Trump’s presidential power (firing Fed and FTC officials, and birthright citizenship limits), plus election rules and a crackdown on transgender athletes. Federal Facilities: A new report highlights a massive federal maintenance backlog—leaks, mold, and broken elevators—made worse by slow approval processes and pressure to bring workers back to offices. West Virginia Schools: State education leaders warn more school closures could be coming, with enrollment down sharply and officials saying 8–10 schools may be in line (possibly up to 20). Kanawha County EMS: Lance Wheeler is set to begin as executive director of the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority, aiming to stabilize finances and boost training and transparency. PFAS Accountability: Federal regulators secured a $450 million Chemours settlement tied to “forever chemicals,” including impacts on West Virginia communities and long-term discharge cuts. Local & State Life: WVU’s new provost, Beverly Wendland, starts work with priorities including library leadership and pushing for AAU status, while Charleston officials ramp up for the Sternwheel Regatta ahead of America’s 250th.

Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue major rulings soon, including cases testing President Donald Trump’s power, election disputes, and a transgender-athlete crackdown that could spill into West Virginia’s own sports-biology fight. SNAP Food Rules: A federal judge blocked a state ban on buying soda with food stamps, keeping the focus on whether USDA can approve these waivers—an issue that directly affects West Virginia’s SNAP policy debates. PFAS Accountability: Federal and state regulators reached a $450 million settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals,” with commitments tied to pollution cuts and drinking-water controls affecting West Virginia communities. Local Control vs. Libraries: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson joined West Virginia in a legal push defending local library authority to remove materials, highlighting the ongoing culture-war fight over children’s content. West Virginia Community Grants: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $2.5 million for Logan’s downtown redevelopment and $450,000 for Clendenin’s streetscape project, both tied to revitalization and safer pedestrian upgrades. Opioid Treatment Expansion: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4 million NIH grant to expand opioid use-disorder medication support in primary care across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Environmental/Local Voice: A new look at West Virginia’s “garbage wars” compares past landfill battles to today’s data-center fights, arguing communities should keep a say.

SNAP Oversight: USDA says the national SNAP payment error rate hit 10.62% in FY 2025, above Congress’s 6% threshold, with “improper payments” totaling $10.1 billion and potential state financial consequences starting as soon as Oct. 1, 2027. Legal Fight Over Food Rules: A federal judge blocked SNAP waivers that would have restricted soda and candy purchases in multiple states, including West Virginia, after ruling the agency overstepped. Statehouse Culture War: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson joined West Virginia in backing a library system’s authority to remove materials, arguing local libraries should control what’s on taxpayer-funded shelves. Environmental Enforcement: A Gazette-Mail report says Sen. Jim Justice’s Bluestone Coal Corp. owes West Virginia about $1.61 million in delinquent DEP fines tied to hundreds of mining permit violations. America250 in WV: Gov. Patrick Morrisey marked the arrival of the America250 Wheel at the Capitol—free rides July 2–5, with presidential-themed gondolas. Regional Politics: A multi-state GOP coalition, including West Virginia, sued to challenge California’s plastics packaging law, arguing it unlawfully forces nationwide compliance. Workplace Safety: A report comparing workplace fatality rates puts West Virginia at 8.3 deaths per 100,000 employees, cited in a broader push for stronger worker protections.

SNAP Fight in Federal Court: A federal judge paused West Virginia’s SNAP waiver that would have blocked sugary drinks and soda purchases, saying the USDA overstepped its authority—another blow to state efforts to restrict “junk food” with federal benefits. School Funding Pressure: West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty warned enrollment declines are accelerating school closures and pushing districts toward “the rocks” unless the Legislature modernizes the school aid formula. Courts & Child Welfare: Third Judicial Circuit Judge Tim Sweeney asked the West Virginia Supreme Court to dismiss ethics charges tied to his public concerns about CPS staffing shortages, arguing judges shouldn’t be punished for raising abused-children needs. Energy & Environment: Records show Sen. Jim Justice’s Bluestone Coal owes the state more than $1.6M in delinquent DEP fines, with the debt reportedly growing since earlier totals. America250 in Charleston: Gov. Patrick Morrisey welcomed the America250 Wheel to the Capitol, touting free rides July 2–5 as a centerpiece for West Virginia’s 250th celebration. Local Governance & Community: Wood County commissioners proclaimed September “Goes Purple Month” to support recovery and mental health awareness through the Hope Dealer Project. Local Business/Real Estate: A WestRidge reorganization plan includes proposed asset sales in Westover, including a leased retail center and a law-firm-anchored office building. Public Safety/Operations: Randolph County swore in a new superintendent and board members, setting up leadership changes for the school system.

SNAP Fight in Federal Court: A federal judge blocked USDA SNAP “food restriction waivers” in five states, including West Virginia, saying the agency overstepped by changing what SNAP can buy without Congress. Teen Pregnancy Funding: HHS is canceling 53 of 67 Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants, about $68 million total, with West Virginia grantees among those affected. PFAS Settlement Watch: Chemours reached a proposed $450M-plus PFAS deal with federal and state regulators; North Carolina advocates are questioning how much direct relief communities will see, while the settlement includes mitigation and drinking-water work tied to Chemours sites in WV, NJ, and NC. West Virginia Courts: The state Supreme Court upheld dismissal of a Lewisburg attorney case accusing an affair of “destroying” a marriage. Immigration Detention Hearings: Attorneys for two ICE detainees from Weston and Bridgeport asked a federal court to keep their cases in West Virginia rather than transfer them to Pennsylvania. Local Economy: A ribbon cutting in Putnam County marked Centauri Ground Support’s move into the Waterways Industrial Park, a $25M investment expected to create 120–150 jobs. America250: Charleston is gearing up for the America250 Wheel opening July 2, with nightly projections and major events on the capitol grounds.

PFAS Accountability: The EPA and DOJ reached a landmark $450 million settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals” discharges, including major corrective measures and drinking-water support tied to West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey. SNAP Court Fight: A federal judge struck down SNAP restrictions in multiple states, pausing West Virginia’s waiver that would have limited soda and candy purchases—prompting disappointment from the Governor’s Office. School Funding Pressure: West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty warned enrollment declines are draining school budgets and could trigger another lawsuit unless the Legislature modernizes the school aid formula. Hope Scholarship Update: State Treasurer Larry Pack said 26,617 students applied for full-funding for the 2026-2027 Hope Scholarship, with an estimated initial cost of $155 million. Local Government & Health: Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation will replace several low-ridership routes with on-demand KRTplus service starting July 20, while PEIA reported public employee health plan finances are stable heading into the next fiscal year. Community & Civic Life: Wheeling Heritage received nearly $49,000 from T-Mobile for a Market Plaza pocket park, and Weirton is planning a July 18-25 Disability Independence Celebration.

PFAS Fallout in West Virginia: A proposed federal consent decree would require Chemours to pay $22.5 million in civil penalties tied to “forever chemicals” violations at facilities including Washington Works in Parkersburg, with West Virginia potentially receiving more than $11 million if approved. SNAP Fight Hits Home: A federal judge blocked West Virginia’s SNAP waiver that barred soda purchases, saying the state can’t violate law and its own rules while trying to steer “healthy choices.” OSHA Funding Pressure: Public Citizen urged Senate appropriators to reject Trump-era OSHA cuts, warning West Virginia workers and others could face higher risk if funding drops below the FY2026 level. Plastics Packaging Lawsuit: Seventeen GOP-led states, including West Virginia, sued California over its single-use plastics packaging law, arguing it violates the Commerce Clause and will raise consumer costs. Kanawha County EMS Leadership: Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler was named executive director of the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority, replacing interim leadership amid ongoing board shakeups. Local Notes: Alderson’s Fourth of July returns with a bigger fireworks show and a new launch site; a Junior First Responder Academy kicked off in Grant Town for teens.

Medicaid Watch: West Virginia’s Department of Human Services is urging Medicaid members to stay alert as federal requirements tied to community engagement kick in for certain adults starting Jan. 1, 2027. Public Safety: In Raleigh County, a DUI arrest led to a felony charge after a jail body scan allegedly found meth and paraphernalia hidden on a suspect during intake at Southern Regional Jail. Environment & Industry: The Trump administration reached a multistate PFAS settlement with Chemours filed in West Virginia federal court—$22.5 million in penalties plus $90 million over 15 years for cleanup and controls at Chemours sites in WV, NC, and NJ. Education Funding: West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty warns the state’s school aid formula and enrollment declines could force major financial fallout unless lawmakers act. Federal Appointments: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito grilled Interior nominee Kevin Lilly on streamlining Endangered Species Act consultations and on support for New River Gorge’s permanent superintendent. Local Economy/Tech: Wheeling officials are asking questions after reports of a potential 100MW data center proposal tied to a former Centre Foundry site. Courts & Rights: A judge blocked SNAP soda and candy restrictions in multiple states, and advocates say the ruling could shape future challenges—including in West Virginia.

Jail Medical Neglect Lawsuit: A Boone County woman says jail staff and Wexford Health failed her sister with multiple sclerosis, abandoning her along a roadside in extreme heat before she died, prompting a Kanawha Circuit Court complaint. Flood Recovery & Emergency Response: Ten years after the 2016 Elk River flood, Clendenin marked recovery progress, while Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for Boone, Logan, and Raleigh counties after severe storms, flash flooding, and landslides. Federal Prison Contraband Case: A Federal Correctional Institution Beckley inmate was indicted in an alleged multistate drug smuggling ring using drone drops into federal prisons. PFAS Accountability: The DOJ, EPA, and WV DEP announced a $450 million Chemours settlement tied to “forever chemicals,” including major controls and clean-water commitments affecting West Virginia. SNAP Food Limits Blocked: A federal judge ruled USDA exceeded its authority in approving state waivers restricting SNAP purchases of soda and candy, a decision that also hits West Virginia’s waiver effort. State Education Warning: West Virginia school leaders warned some counties could head toward insolvency if lawmakers don’t close funding gaps. Airport Pay Raise: Yeager Airport director Dominique Ranieri received a 4% pay increase for FY2026, with another 4% planned for FY2027.