Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a $45 billion AI deal could reshape West Virginia’s economy

And on the Charleston Patch calendar - The Legacy: A New Ballet from the Music of Mark Scarpelli

Friday August 28th Patch AM
Friday August 28th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Morning Charleston! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $45 billion AI deal could reshape West Virginia's economy
  • What limits might Charleston put on police license plate cameras?
  • How a Charleston OB-GYN is shaping West Virginia's next doctors

Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)


From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Fog in the morning and humid, with a high of 85 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 89, low: 63. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 91 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Anthropic agrees to $45 billion West Virginia data center deal with Nscale, governor says (wvnews.com) — From Charleston, Gov. Patrick Morrisey is touting a roughly $45 billion agreement for AI company Anthropic to buy computing capacity at Nscale's flagship West Virginia data center, backed by new state rules on microgrids and ratepayer protections. The deal is tied to a long-term plan to expand power generation, cut state income taxes, and steer new revenue to counties and infrastructure statewide.
   

2. Charleston not using Flock, but no plans for license plate reader ban (wowktv.com) — City leaders in Charleston are weighing strict limits on Flock Safety license plate cameras, even as police continue using other ALPR systems with 30‑day data retention. At a downtown community meeting, residents and advocates pressed for privacy protections while acknowledging public safety needs. Officials say a full camera ban is unlikely but stronger guardrails are on the table.
   

3. Charleston OB-GYN Women's Health Advocate to Deliver WVSOM White Coat Ceremony Keynote - West Virginia Daily News (wvdn.com) — A Charleston-based OB-GYN and women's health advocate, Dr. Dara Aliff, will keynote the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine's White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2030 on Sept. 11 in Lewisburg. Aliff, who trained at CAMC and serves on the Kanawha Board of Health, has treated tens of thousands of women through her Charleston practice and remains active in statewide medical education and ethics.
   

4. AFL-CIO chief says on strike Teamsters are standing strong with support behind them (wvmetronews.com) — Teamsters Local 175 drivers serving 30 West Virginia counties have been on strike against The Beverage Market for more than 100 days, with picketing near Sissonville in Kanawha County and support from Charleston-area businesses. AFL-CIO President Josh Sword says community backing and concern over health and retirement benefits are keeping workers on the line as negotiations stall.
   

5. South Charleston High School tackles player safety (wsaz.com) — South Charleston High School football players will wear new high-tech helmets this season, thanks to a donation aimed at tracking and reducing head impacts. WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals and partners supplied 50 Riddell Axiom helmets plus real-time impact analytics, giving coaches and trainers better tools to monitor player safety throughout the 2026–27 season.
   


📸 Around Charleston

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!


🗓 Upcoming Events in Charleston

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Friday August 28
  • The Legacy: A New Ballet from the Music of Mark Scarpelli
    City of Charleston Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences
    7:00 pm
  • Saturday August 29
  • Downtown Art & Architecture Walking Tour
    City of Charleston WesBanco Bank
    8:30 am
  • Monday August 31
  • Cemetery Walk with a View
    City of Charleston Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum
    9:00 am
  • Celebrating Our Continued Level II Arboretum Accreditation
    City of Charleston Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum
    6:00 pm
  • Tuesday September 1
  • Sweet Charity
    City of Charleston Capitol Market
  • Fall Produce Season Begins
    Capitol Market 800 Smith St, Charleston, WV 25301
  • KCS Board of Education Meeting - Special Session
    Kanawha County Schools 200 Elizabeth St, Charleston, WV 25311, USA
    12:00 pm
  • Cemetery Running and Walking Group
    City of Charleston Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum
    5:30 pm

📣 Charleston Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!


🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday August 28
  • The Legacy: A New Ballet from the Music of Mark Scarpelli
    City of Charleston Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences
    7:00 pm
  • Saturday August 29
  • Downtown Art & Architecture Walking Tour
    City of Charleston WesBanco Bank
    8:30 am
  • Monday August 31
  • Cemetery Walk with a View
    City of Charleston Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum
    9:00 am
  • Celebrating Our Continued Level II Arboretum Accreditation
    City of Charleston Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum
    6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.


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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Lost dog she went missing from the orchard manor area .
    If you have her please message me she is my dog I just got her back from people who stole her & had appointments set up for her she's a sick dog to . (Nextdoor Orchard Manor)
  • Throwback Thursday
    So, This is where we talk about older books. Has your book been out a year or more? Tell us about it! Links and blurb, and maybe your next read will… (Nextdoor Clemson)
  • Atrium Hospitality posted a job opening for Housekeeping Public Space Attendant in Charleston. Apply here.
  • Capstone Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Biscuit Maker/Baker Hardee's (2538) in Charleston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Charleston here.

Ok Charleston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.


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