AGP Executive Report

Cancer Care Fundraising: The 2026 Golf and Sporting Clays Classic in West Virginia raised a record $100,000+ for patient support at the WVU Cancer Institute, with the Connection 304 Fund backing the institute’s greatest needs. Pharmacy Reopens After Flooding: Weston’s CVS reopened after severe flash flooding, completing cleaning, flooring replacement, and restocking with fresh merchandise and prescription meds. Food Safety Recall: Kettle Cuisine recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits sold at select Walmart stores, including in West Virginia, due to possible listeria contamination; no illnesses reported. Public Health & Access: State lawmakers pressed the Morrisey administration over disruptions to West Virginia’s school clothing voucher program, citing unclear problems tied to funding and application data. Workforce Shortage: A new West Virginia Supreme Court report says legal demands are rising while the number of attorneys is falling, leaving many counties “legal deserts.” Healthcare Education Enrollment: West Virginia’s higher education chancellor reported record enrollment in the tuition-free West Virginia Invests Program and rising FAFSA completion among high school graduates. Community Health Events: Animal Friends of North Central West Virginia held its Splash Bash in Morgantown to raise funds for medical care, vetting, and adoption support. Local Emergencies: A single-engine plane crash in Millwood left one person transported by HealthNet; an ATV crash in Mink Shoals sent two people to the hospital.

Food Safety Alerts: Walmart shoppers in West Virginia should check for recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits after Kettle Cuisine LLC issued a listeria-related recall affecting select stores in 29 states, including WV; the 14-ounce kits (UPC 194346474004) have a use-by date of Aug. 22, 2026, and consumers are urged to throw them away or return for a refund. Public Health & Vaccines: A new Trump executive order on childhood vaccines is stirring debate, but states still control school vaccine requirements and enforcement; meanwhile, a CDC map shows measles cases spiking as guidance shifts raise concerns about immunity gaps. Care Access in WV: West Virginia is facing a growing shortage of attorneys for court-appointed work, with a new Supreme Court of Appeals report finding declining lawyer numbers alongside rising legal demand. Local Health & Community: Monongalia County Schools reported its highest overall assessment results in a decade, with gains in reading, math, and English Language Arts. WV Health-Adjacent Policy: West Virginia lawmakers are also weighing hospital-to-nursing-facility admission rules tied to patient representatives, a move aimed at easing consent and admissions processes. Emergency Response: A single-engine plane crash near a TIMET facility in Jackson County left one survivor being transported for medical treatment; details on injuries were not immediately released.

Food Safety Recalls: Kettle Cuisine recalled 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits sold at select Walmart stores in 29 states (including West Virginia) after routine testing showed a presumptive positive for Listeria; no illnesses reported yet. Public Health: The CDC says cyclosporiasis linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has surged to 13,895 lab-confirmed cases across 47 states, with Ohio and Michigan leading reports; FDA is coordinating with Mexico and has begun inspections at Taylor Farms’ plant. Addiction Treatment Access: A federal judge let a lawsuit challenging West Virginia’s nearly 20-year methadone clinic moratorium move forward, arguing the ban and zoning limits block people from timely, evidence-based care. Healthcare & Community: West Virginia Prevention Solutions raised support at “Tunes and Togetherness” to fund youth-focused, substance-free programming and school curriculum. Environmental Health: DEP approved an air quality permit for a Clean-Seas plastics pyrolysis plant near Belle despite community health fears, including concerns about monitoring near Riverside High School. Telehealth & Broadband: A Mountain State Spotlight report highlights how unreliable internet disrupts telehealth counseling, underscoring the stakes of broadband expansion in rural West Virginia.

Public Health & Food Safety: The CDC says male life expectancy varies by nearly 8 years between top and bottom states, with West Virginia among the lowest for men (about 69.5 years), underscoring big health gaps. Food Recalls: Walmart shoppers in West Virginia should check for recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits after a listeria risk prompted a recall in 29 states; no confirmed illnesses reported so far. Infectious Disease Watch: The cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has spread to 17 states, with West Virginia listed among affected areas as FDA and CDC continue investigations. Addiction Treatment Access: A federal judge let a lawsuit challenging West Virginia’s methadone clinic moratorium move forward, arguing the limits block people from needed, evidence-based care. Rural Healthcare Access: Gov. Morrisey announced $4.2 million for rural transportation and EMS collaboratives to connect patients to the right care beyond the emergency room. Environmental Health: DEP approved an air quality permit for a plastics-to-products facility near Belle despite community health fears, including concerns about proximity to a high school. Community Wellness: West Virginia Prevention Solutions raised support at “Tunes and Togetherness” to fund substance-free youth programming.

Food Safety: FDA upgraded a large egg recall to the highest risk level after salmonella sickened nearly 100 people in 17 states, with dozens hospitalized. Food Safety: Kettle Cuisine recalled 3,240 packs of Walmart Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states, including West Virginia, after routine testing found a presumptive listeria result; no confirmed illnesses yet. Public Health: Measles cases are spiking nationwide as the Trump administration overhauls vaccine guidance, with Wisconsin among states reporting new outbreak-linked cases. Addiction Treatment: A federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit challenging West Virginia’s nearly 20-year methadone clinic moratorium, allowing the case to proceed; the state has only nine clinics. Healthcare Access: Gov. Morrisey announced $4.2 million for rural healthcare transportation via EMS and public transportation collaboratives under the Rural Health Transformation Program. Foodborne Outbreak Tracking: FDA and CDC began inspections in Mexico tied to the cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce, with West Virginia listed among affected states. Privacy & Tech: Lawmakers questioned Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader data security and privacy practices.

Black Lung Crisis in Appalachia: New federal findings show underground coal miners in central Appalachia are seeing black lung rates at the highest level since the 1970s, with about one in three miners testing positive after 25+ years underground—UMWA is calling for “immediate” enforcement of silica dust protections. Food Safety Alerts: The FDA issued a Class I recall for a Walmart Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit over possible Listeria contamination, with a use-by date of Aug. 22 still not reached; separately, egg recalls tied to Salmonella Enteritidis were upgraded to Class I, and a jalapeño-linked Salmonella outbreak has triggered broad recalls of salsas, guacamole and dips sold at major retailers. Cancer Screening Access: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, will visit Harrison and Clay counties in September, offering low-dose CT scans for eligible patients, including options for uninsured residents via grant support. Public Health in Motion: USDA-APHIS will air-drop oral rabies vaccine baits across parts of West Virginia through early September to protect raccoons and slow rabies spread. Local Food Support: Mountaineer Food Bank is seeking volunteers to pack and distribute monthly senior food boxes through the federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

Mobile Lung Cancer Screening: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS unit will bring low-dose CT scans to Clarksburg (Sept. 9) and Ivydale/Big Otter (Sept. 11), with options for private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and grant-funded help for eligible uninsured patients. Public Health Vaccines: Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is running school and community clinics next week to help students meet West Virginia immunization requirements before the school year. Cyclospora Update: The national Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce continues to be tracked, with confirmed cases still rising even as officials say the worst spread may be behind them. Addiction Treatment Research: Cabell County is partnering with the University of Pittsburgh on a project aimed at identifying what most effectively gets people into addiction treatment. Food Safety Recall: Walmart is recalling a Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit sold in select stores, citing possible Listeria contamination risk. Cancer Care Expansion: WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital named Dr. Mohammed Abdulhaleem director of medical oncology as its cancer program grows. Work Requirements: West Virginia lawmakers were told an initial DHS review found about 33,000 Medicaid recipients may not meet new federal work rules starting Jan. 1 and may not be automatically exempted. Rabies Prevention: USDA-APHIS will conduct an oral rabies vaccine bait drop across northern and central West Virginia through early September.

Mobile Cancer Care: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS mobile lung cancer screening unit is set to visit Harrison and Clay counties in September, offering low-dose CT scans; uninsured West Virginians who meet criteria may get free screening via grant support, but appointments require a physician order and insurance prior authorization. Nursing Pipeline: Pierpont Community & Technical College celebrated 42 new LPN graduates, marking its largest Licensed Practical Nursing class in school history. Food Safety Alert: Taylor Farms expanded a multistate jalapeño recall tied to salmonella, with products sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target and Trader Joe’s; CDC and FDA advise consumers to check recalls and not eat affected items. Breast Health Access: Bonnie’s Bus mobile mammography will make multiple West Virginia stops in September, with free screenings available for eligible uninsured women 40+ through the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. Public Health & Equity: United Way’s Helpful Harvest program in Monongalia and Preston counties is tackling food insecurity through a distribution hub serving dozens of pantries and feeding programs, plus hygiene and baby supplies. Local Health System Recognition: WVU School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (including the Beckley campus) was named a Program of Excellence by the WVU Board of Governors.

Mobile Cancer Screening: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS mobile lung cancer screening unit is set to visit Harrison and Clay counties in September, offering low-dose CT scans for eligible patients (with insurance billing and grant support for uninsured West Virginians who meet criteria). Mobile Mammography: Bonnie’s Bus will also roll through Mercer, Doddridge, and Ritchie counties in September, providing 3D mammograms and breast care education, with free screening options for uninsured women 40+ who qualify. Public Health Alerts: Monongalia County is distributing oral rabies vaccine baits around Morgantown, and residents are urged to avoid touching baits unless necessary for child or pet safety. Healthcare Funding: Vandalia Health received a $15 million federal grant for infrastructure and cybersecurity upgrades to better protect patient data. Legislative Scrutiny: West Virginia lawmakers pressed the new Department of Human Services secretary over the school clothing allowance program, including concerns about how benefits are being withdrawn and tracked. Food Safety: A major jalapeño recall tied to Salmonella has expanded nationwide, with hundreds sickened and products sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods. Local Health & Safety: Parkersburg firefighters are undergoing esophageal cancer pre-screening, while Preston County held a poverty simulation to highlight barriers that affect health. Education Outcomes: West Virginia K-12 assessments show math and English results above pre-COVID levels, with some grade-level shifts in proficiency.

School Meals Under Pressure: A new No Kid Hungry survey finds 59% of parents say their child wouldn’t have enough to eat without school meals, with many reporting food debt and tradeoffs between groceries and bills. WV Human Services Accountability: Lawmakers grilled new DoHS Secretary Carl Ayers over delays in the school clothing allowance and TANF/WV WORKS funding gaps, leaving families still waiting on $200 assistance. Medicaid Work Requirements: West Virginia is on track to start Medicaid work requirements Jan. 1, with lawmakers told about an estimated 33,000 recipients not meeting federal rules and potential enrollment impacts. Homeless Students & Discipline: State data shows half of West Virginia’s homeless students were suspended last school year, raising questions about what supports are in place. Breast Cancer Access: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography will make stops in Mercer, Doddridge and Ritchie counties in September, offering 3D screenings and help enrolling for eligible uninsured/underinsured women. Rural Healthcare Access: A report highlights how rural patients often face long drives to care, worsening outcomes for chronic conditions. Data Centers & Community Protections: Gov. Morrisey and leaders unveiled a 20-year “Responsible Data Center Development Plan” focused on ratepayer, water, grid reliability and community safeguards. Gambling Help for Loss-Chasing: WVU researchers received nearly $300,000 to study risky online sports betting behavior and triggers for loss-chasing. Public Health & Safety: A federal safety report recommends written procedures after a 2025 blast killed two workers at U.S. Steel’s Clairton plant.

Mobile Breast Screening: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” is bringing 3D mammograms and breast care education to Mercer, Doddridge, and Ritchie counties, with appointments and options for insured, Medicaid/Medicare, and eligible uninsured women (physician order required). Robotic Surgery Expansion: WVU Medicine added 17 Intuitive da Vinci 5 surgical systems, boosting the region’s largest da Vinci robotic fleet across multiple hospitals. Maternal Mental Health Access: A national postpartum psychosis hotline is highlighted alongside testimony in a Massachusetts murder trial showing how few clinicians treat postpartum psychosis—plus reminders to call 1-833-TLC-MAMA or 988 for urgent help. Food Safety—Salmonella Jalapeños: Taylor Fresh Foods/Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño-containing prepared foods after a salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico; affected products reached major retailers including Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Whole Foods, with West Virginia listed among impacted states. Food Safety—SNAP Storm Losses: WV Department of Human Services extended the SNAP food-loss reporting period for seven storm-hit counties, giving households until Aug. 20 to request replacement benefits. Health Care Policy Watch: Lawmakers pressed West Virginia’s human services secretary over clothing voucher disruptions, while Medicaid work-rule notices are set to go out soon under federal timelines. Child Advocacy Funding: Gov. Morrisey announced more than $2.1 million for West Virginia child advocacy centers, including Randolph Tucker Children’s Advocacy Center and other statewide programs.

Surgical Tech Expansion: WVU Medicine says it’s added 17 more Intuitive da Vinci 5 surgical robots, bringing the region’s largest fleet to 41 systems across multiple hospitals, including new capabilities for minimally invasive and single-port surgery. Food Safety Alert: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño-containing prepared foods and dips sold in 26 states, including West Virginia, after jalapeños were linked to a multistate Salmonella outbreak; retailers named include Walmart, Target, Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Public Health—Rabies Prevention: Monongalia County Health Department is hand-distributing oral rabies vaccine baits in Morgantown, with USDA aerial drops planned later, to help stop rabies spread in wild animals. Child Welfare Oversight: West Virginia lawmakers criticized the first report from the state’s Critical Incident Review Team on child deaths as too thin on details, despite reviewing 32 incidents. Rural Health Funding: WV lawmakers received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, including how West Virginia is working to obligate its first-year CMS award before an Oct. 31 deadline. Domestic Violence Services: CHANGE, Inc. is set to receive $89,016.53 from $2.1 million in state child advocacy grants for Comfort House operations supporting child abuse victims in Hancock and Brooke counties. Organ Donation Scrutiny: Federal reviewers began decertification proceedings involving an organ procurement organization serving Kentucky and parts of Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia after patient safety failures were found in nearly 30% of reviewed cases.

Surgical Tech Upgrade: WVU Medicine says it has expanded its da Vinci® robot fleet with 17 more Intuitive da Vinci 5 systems, bringing the region’s largest surgical-robot lineup to 41 total systems across multiple West Virginia hospitals and beyond. Public Health—Food Safety: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño-containing dips, salsas and prepared foods sold at Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Kroger and others after a Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican-grown jalapeños; the FDA/CDC investigation reports 345 illnesses across 27 states, and consumers are urged not to eat recalled items. Public Health—Parasite Update: A multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak has surpassed 6,300 cases with two deaths, with North Carolina reporting hundreds more cases as health officials continue tracking contaminated food and water risks. Addiction Response: West Virginia’s drug control policy director told lawmakers the state has seen major progress, including a 41.6% drop in overdose deaths versus pre-pandemic levels and a 44.2% reduction in neonatal abstinence syndrome rates. Rural Care Funding: West Virginia Department of Health officials say they’re finalizing about $39 million in Rural Health Transformation funding, with grant names withheld until agreements are fully executed. Child Safety Grants: Gov. Morrisey announced more than $2.1 million for child advocacy centers statewide, including $83,245 for Monongalia County’s center. Policy & Oversight: Lawmakers pressed the Department of Human Services over audits and the troubled PATH data system, with concerns that promised savings from technology fixes may take years to materialize. Animal Health: USDA will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits in 16 West Virginia counties, citing a rise in rabies cases including doubling in Berkeley County.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño products (salsas, guacamole and prepared foods) sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Kroger and Trader Joe’s across 26 states after a Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico; the FDA and USDA issued alerts and the “Best If Used By” dates run through Aug. 16. Public Health & Access: A bipartisan Senate effort, the SUSTAIN 340B Act, would add new annual reporting rules for hospitals and clinics using the federal 340B drug discount program—aiming for more transparency while preserving safety-net benefits. Child Safety: Gov. Morrisey announced $2.13M in Child Advocacy Center grants supporting 22 projects statewide, expanding services like forensic interviews, medical evaluations and counseling for abused and neglected children. Privacy & Policing: Lawmakers questioned Flock Safety over automated license plate reader cameras, with supporters citing “precision policing” and critics warning about Fourth Amendment privacy risks. Local Care Quality: Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley again earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for spine surgery. Health Coverage Pressure: West Virginia is using nearly $8M in TANF funds to keep its troubled PATH online system running, raising questions about whether the spending matches TANF’s intended help for families.

Food Safety Alert: Target, Walmart and Whole Foods are among major retailers issuing recalls tied to a Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños, with FDA/FSIS actions covering multiple Taylor Fresh Foods products distributed across many states including West Virginia. Public Health: A separate FSIS public health alert flags additional meat and poultry items that may contain the same recalled jalapeños, urging shoppers to check “best if used by” dates through Aug. 16, 2026. West Virginia Health Access: WVU Medicine’s Bonnie’s Buses will bring mobile 3D mammography to several West Virginia counties in late August, with help for uninsured/underinsured women through the state breast and cervical screening program. Care for Kids: Gov. Morrisey announced more than $2.1 million for West Virginia child advocacy centers, including $127,103 for the Harrison County Child Abuse Task Force to support multidisciplinary services. Water Quality: A Gazette-Mail report highlights ongoing concerns about drinking water in McDowell County, where residents showed officials discolored tap water during Gov. Morrisey’s listening tour. Community Health Support: Walking Miracles Family Foundation Cancer Support Center in West Virginia continues counseling and resources for families dealing with cancer, drawing on founder Brett Wilson’s long survivorship experience.

Food Safety Alert: USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for certain meat and poultry products that include FDA-regulated jalapeños potentially contaminated with Salmonella, sold at major retailers in 22 states including West Virginia; consumers are urged to check product details and use-by dates as updates roll out. Public Health: The CDC says the Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce has expanded, with cases reported across 15 states and more expected as investigations continue; the illness can cause severe diarrhea and fatigue, and officials note reported numbers likely undercount illness. Local Health Access: WVU Medicine’s Bonnie’s Buses will bring 3D digital mammograms and breast care education to multiple West Virginia counties, with help for underinsured or uninsured women through the state screening program. Child Safety Funding: Governor Morrisey announced more than $2.1 million for West Virginia child advocacy centers, including a Harrison County Child Abuse Task Force grant of $127,103.87. Water Quality Watch: A Morrisey “water listening tour” in McDowell County highlighted ongoing distrust and concerns about drinking water quality in Gary, where residents say tap water looks and tastes unsafe. Policy & Care: A report says West Virginia’s SNAP waiver for hot, healthy foods stalled after legal and administrative twists, leaving the “hot foods” plan in limbo.