Your Daily Guide

Pittsburgh's Role in Rethinking Addiction Treatment

Could weight loss drugs help treat addiction? That’s what researchers hope to find out in a new $13.3 million Pittsburgh study testing whether GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic, can reduce alcohol and opioid use. Starting in 2027, researchers will recruit 1,200 Allegheny County residents, with half receiving weekly injections and the other half a placebo. They’ll also study whether reducing substance use could help people find housing, stay employed, and avoid jail. [Public Source]

And that’s not the only way addiction treatment is being rethought in our region:

• Allegheny County’s new recovery partnership plan aims to break the cycle of repeat visits to rehab. It includes creating a single point of entry for treatment, having outreach workers reconnect with people who’ve fallen out of care, and requiring residential treatment providers to work more closely with outpatient services. [Allegheny County]
• Carlow University is part of a $1 million, state-funded pilot program offering tuition assistance and stipends to students pursuing careers in addiction counseling. In exchange, grads must work at a state-approved treatment facility for three years. The program is funded through PA's opioid settlement dollars. [WESA]

CDC Sends 'Disease Detective' to PA

The state is getting federal backup as it battles its worst measles outbreak in decades, with more than 1,200 confirmed cases statewide. A CDC expert is coming to help state health officials track the virus, assess case numbers, and evaluate vaccination efforts. Six measles-associated deaths have been reported in PA this year. [🔒 Philly Inquirer]

• Allegheny County has reported two confirmed measles cases as of Oct. 15. Both individuals attended the same school. [Public Source]

Not So Fast, Kroger

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants federal regulators to take a closer look at Kroger’s $1.65 billion plan to buy Giant Eagle. In a letter to the DOJ and FTC, she warned that this deal, and two other major food industry acquisitions, could reduce competition, raise grocery prices, and threaten jobs. The Giant Eagle deal is still awaiting regulatory approval. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

• Kroger recently announced plans to cut 3,000 corporate jobs over the next three years as it expands its use of artificial intelligence. [AP]
• Why is Pittsburgh suddenly at the center of the grocery store wars — with Kroger, Wegmans and Meijer all wanting in? We’re digging into the changing supermarket landscape and debating our own grocery store preferences on today’s podcast. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

EMS Crews Can Live Outside Pittsburgh

A judge struck down the city’s residency requirement for paramedic and EMTs, allowing them to live outside city limits. Union leaders say the rule discouraged qualified applicants and hope the change will help fill vacancies and reduce mandatory overtime. Managers in the Bureau of EMS are still required to maintain city residency. [TribLive]

Wabash Tunnel Faces Closure

It might be the end of the road for one of the city’s lesser-used shortcuts. Pittsburgh Regional Transit wants to permanently close the Wabash Tunnel, which connects Mount Washington to Station Square, citing $43 million in needed repairs. The agency’s board is expected to vote this Friday. If approved, the century-old tunnel would close Dec. 1. [KDKA]