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Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city

New funding will help bring bikeshare stations beyond city limits for the first time.

News

POGOH, Pittsburgh&#x27;s bike share, is expanding and is planning to move <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beyond the city&#x27;s borders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/10/pittsburgh-neighborways-safe-bike-routes-guide" data-vars-content-id="8dba3370-191a-46ad-81d2-fd6c3ac83a73" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/10/pittsburgh-neighborways-safe-bike-routes-guide" target="_self">beyond the city&#x27;s borders</a> for the first time.Why it matters: Bikeshare use has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grown" data-vars-click-url="https://data.bts.gov/stories/s/Bikeshare-and-e-scooters-in-the-U-S-/fwcs-jprj/" data-vars-content-id="8dba3370-191a-46ad-81d2-fd6c3ac83a73" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.bts.gov/stories/s/Bikeshare-and-e-scooters-in-the-U-S-/fwcs-jprj/" target="_blank">grown</a> in many cities across the country, as people look for more non-car options amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/08/mccormick-gas-prices-iran-conflict" data-vars-content-id="8dba3370-191a-46ad-81d2-fd6c3ac83a73" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/08/mccormick-gas-prices-iran-conflict" target="_self">rising gas prices</a>.

Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space

The new restaurant plans sushi, churrasco and seafood stations.

Food and Drink

The Waterfront&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-shuttered" data-vars-click-url="https://archive.triblive.com/lifestyles/food-drink/rock-bottom-restaurant-and-brewery-in-the-waterfront-is-permanently-closed/" data-vars-content-id="7186a862-f6ad-4fe0-a24e-0e32098698b3" data-vars-headline="Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://archive.triblive.com/lifestyles/food-drink/rock-bottom-restaurant-and-brewery-in-the-waterfront-is-permanently-closed/" target="_blank">long-shuttered</a> Rock Bottom brewery space is getting a reboot as an international buffet later this year.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Opal Buffet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/opalbuffet/" data-vars-content-id="7186a862-f6ad-4fe0-a24e-0e32098698b3" data-vars-headline="Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/opalbuffet/" target="_blank">Opal Buffet</a>, from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant group" data-vars-click-url="https://opalgroups.com/" data-vars-content-id="7186a862-f6ad-4fe0-a24e-0e32098698b3" data-vars-headline="Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://opalgroups.com/" target="_blank">restaurant group</a> behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nan Xiang" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/24/try-these-colorful-soup-dumplings-at-nan-xiang" data-vars-content-id="7186a862-f6ad-4fe0-a24e-0e32098698b3" data-vars-headline="Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/24/try-these-colorful-soup-dumplings-at-nan-xiang" target="_self">Nan Xiang</a> Soup Dumplings, is expected to open for lunch and dinner service at the 16,000-square-foot venue by late summer or early fall, the group announced Tuesday.

Pa. lawmakers push gambling addiction fixes

Calls to a state helpline hit a record last year as online betting continued to grow.

Pennsylvania lawmakers say the explosion in smartphone gambling has fueled addiction problems they never anticipated when the state legalized online betting several years ago.Why it matters: Calls to Pennsylvania&#x27;s gambling addiction hotline <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit a record high last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/17/pennsylvania-problem-gambling-hotline-calls-soar-in-2025" data-vars-content-id="ab084a14-cabb-4ece-816a-bf5225f0b780" data-vars-headline="Pa. lawmakers push gambling addiction fixes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/17/pennsylvania-problem-gambling-hotline-calls-soar-in-2025" target="_self">hit a record high last year</a> as online betting revenues continued to surge.

Pittsburgh approves plan to close nine school buildings

The plan comes as the district faces falling enrollment, aging buildings and budget pressure.

Education

The region&#x27;s largest school district on Wednesday approved a controversial plan to close nine school buildings, reconfigure grade levels, and overhaul district programming in the coming years. Why it matters: Pittsburgh Public Schools&#x27; (PPS) <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Future-Ready Facilities Plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pghschools.org/about/future-ready-dashboard" data-vars-content-id="b7514d37-bcb0-4dd5-aa44-a846187245ec" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh approves plan to close nine school buildings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pghschools.org/about/future-ready-dashboard" target="_blank">Future-Ready Facilities Plan</a>, years in the making, comes as the district faces falling enrollment, aging buildings and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wesa.fm/education/2025-12-17/pittsburgh-public-schools-2026-tax-increase-approved" data-vars-content-id="b7514d37-bcb0-4dd5-aa44-a846187245ec" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh approves plan to close nine school buildings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wesa.fm/education/2025-12-17/pittsburgh-public-schools-2026-tax-increase-approved" target="_blank">budget pressure</a>.

Allegheny County proposes 18 weeks of parental leave

The proposal would require employers to offer paid leave to new parents and legal guardians.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allegheny County Health Department" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/25/allegheny-county-health-outcomes" data-vars-content-id="ad9679b0-d478-4669-a78d-301085a5d4d3" data-vars-headline="Allegheny County proposes 18 weeks of parental leave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/25/allegheny-county-health-outcomes" target="_self">Allegheny County Health Department</a> proposes to require employers in the county to provide 18 weeks of paid leave to new parents and legal guardians.Why it matters: Pennsylvania does not have any parental leave laws, and Allegheny County would be the first county in the state to enact one.

Health care gaps persist for Black and Hispanic Pennsylvanians

A new report finds disparities in access, cost and outcomes across racial groups in Pennsylvania.

Black and Hispanic Pennsylvanians still face the largest gaps in health care access and quality, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Commonwealth Fund report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2026/apr/commonwealth-fund-2026-state-health-disparities-report" data-vars-content-id="cfd44f41-9b94-42b0-b134-d0873e83a5dc" data-vars-headline="Health care gaps persist for Black and Hispanic Pennsylvanians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2026/apr/commonwealth-fund-2026-state-health-disparities-report" target="_blank">Commonwealth Fund report</a>.The big picture: No state has eliminated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health disparities" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11806735/" data-vars-content-id="cfd44f41-9b94-42b0-b134-d0873e83a5dc" data-vars-headline="Health care gaps persist for Black and Hispanic Pennsylvanians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11806735/" target="_blank">health disparities</a> across racial and ethnic groups, and researchers warn that recent federal policy shifts will likely widen them.

130K drop Pennie coverage as insurance costs spike

The end of federal subsidies is tied to rising costs.

Roughly 130,000 Pennsylvanians have dropped coverage through Pennie, the state&#x27;s Affordable Care Act marketplace, in the past five months.Why it matters: About 1 in 10 Americans enrolled in an ACA plan last year now lack health coverage, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surveys" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/a-follow-up-survey-of-aca-marketplace-enrollees/#c255b176-f8c5-4647-ac6f-75178b0ed76c" data-vars-content-id="a0691753-1973-4d7d-9085-e060fe1a0e7d" data-vars-headline="130K drop Pennie coverage as insurance costs spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/a-follow-up-survey-of-aca-marketplace-enrollees/#c255b176-f8c5-4647-ac6f-75178b0ed76c" target="_blank">surveys</a> by research nonprofit KFF.

Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds

The city's hospital systems will expand services to handle large crowds and emergencies.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s hospital systems are mobilizing in anticipation of hundreds of thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NFL Draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-transportation-tips-road-closures-parking" data-vars-content-id="862b1f09-3350-4b94-823c-653ef6320bd3" data-vars-headline="Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-transportation-tips-road-closures-parking" target="_self">NFL Draft</a> visitors flocking to the city this month.Why it matters: Record <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="862b1f09-3350-4b94-823c-653ef6320bd3" data-vars-headline="Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" target="_self">crowds</a>, alcohol and late nights can quickly overwhelm emergency departments.

What to know about measles in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania measles cases are on track to eclipse last year as infections rise nationwide.

Health

Pennsylvania <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/infants-measles-vaccines-hospitals" data-vars-content-id="136e00aa-3922-470a-8109-26baff865fb3" data-vars-headline="What to know about measles in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/infants-measles-vaccines-hospitals" target="_self">measles</a> cases are on track to eclipse last year as infections <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/track-measles-outbreak-cases-us-map-rcna198932" data-vars-content-id="136e00aa-3922-470a-8109-26baff865fb3" data-vars-headline="What to know about measles in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/track-measles-outbreak-cases-us-map-rcna198932" target="_blank">rise</a> nationwide.Why it matters: The state has so far avoided a major outbreak this year, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="falling vaccination rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/08/measles-vaccination-rates-in-most-pennsylvania-counties-lag-below-herd-immunity" data-vars-content-id="136e00aa-3922-470a-8109-26baff865fb3" data-vars-headline="What to know about measles in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/08/measles-vaccination-rates-in-most-pennsylvania-counties-lag-below-herd-immunity" target="_self">falling vaccination rates</a> are clearing a path for one of the world&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contagious" data-vars-click-url="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/measles-is-making-a-comeback-can-we-stop-it-202503063091" data-vars-content-id="136e00aa-3922-470a-8109-26baff865fb3" data-vars-headline="What to know about measles in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/measles-is-making-a-comeback-can-we-stop-it-202503063091" target="_blank">contagious</a> viruses to make a comeback.

How Pittsburgh can cash in on biotech boom

Federal leaders say the region is well positioned to compete for billions in biotech investment.

<figure><img alt="A robotic arm placing a plastic dish into place inside a lab" height="450" id="7b6040e2-9247-408b-a2b4-97671c0980a0" src="https://images.axios.com/M92SOVmlS4CXYKcxvtkT1pm1A-o=/2026/02/19/1771533898807.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A robot at work inside CMU&#x27;s Biological and Chemical Innovation Cloud Lab. GIF: Ryan Deto/Axios</figcaption></figure>Pittsburgh&#x27;s biotech industry is ahead of the curve, according to the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB).Why it matters: The commission was created by Congress in 2022 to see how biotechnology can improve national security, and Pittsburgh&#x27;s biotech sector wants to show it&#x27;s worth federal investment and attention.

Pittsburgh death cafes are drawing crowds

Strangers are coming together over cake and tea to chat about death.

Culture

Strangers in Pittsburgh are coming together over cake and tea to chat about death.Why it matters: As anxiety about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="longevity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/health-tech-deals/2025/12/29/longevity-companies-surging-2026" data-vars-content-id="bda90537-6afb-4eff-bb51-ded64a6c105f" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh death cafes are drawing crowds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/health-tech-deals/2025/12/29/longevity-companies-surging-2026" target="_self">longevity</a> and end-of-life care grows, death cafes are normalizing conversations about death and creating spaces for shared learning, organizers say.

What to know about the "super flu" in Western Pa.

A new flu variant is spreading fast this season.

Flu cases are climbing in Western Pennsylvania, driven by a fast-spreading strain that experts warn could prolong this year&#x27;s flu season.Why it matters: An unprecedented rise in nationwide flu cases comes as other sicknesses — such as the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter vomiting bug" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/24/norovirus-winter-vomiting-bug-variant-symptoms" data-vars-content-id="43b7c910-8301-4234-9df7-dcaae993412a" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Western Pa." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/24/norovirus-winter-vomiting-bug-variant-symptoms" target="_self">winter vomiting bug</a>&quot; and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="whooping cough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/whooping-cough-pertussis-symptoms-cases-november-kentucky" data-vars-content-id="43b7c910-8301-4234-9df7-dcaae993412a" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Western Pa." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/whooping-cough-pertussis-symptoms-cases-november-kentucky" target="_self">whooping cough</a> — are slamming the U.S. this winter.

What Pennsylvania should know about the new flu strain

A new flu variant is now dominant, but experts say the vaccine still helps.

This year&#x27;s flu vaccine may offer less protection against a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly circulating strain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" data-vars-content-id="54977057-c003-4e23-a1ed-036253f904bc" data-vars-headline="What Pennsylvania should know about the new flu strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" target="_self">newly circulating strain</a>, but health experts still urge Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated to limit severe illness and prevent outbreaks.Why it matters: A new Influenza A (H3N2) variant, &quot;subclade K,&quot; emerged over the summer, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sparking fears" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" data-vars-content-id="54977057-c003-4e23-a1ed-036253f904bc" data-vars-headline="What Pennsylvania should know about the new flu strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" target="_self">sparking fears</a> that this year&#x27;s flu vaccine may struggle against it because the strain wasn&#x27;t circulating when the shots were developed.

Pa. health insurance rates set to spike

Some counties face over 100% hikes if enhanced subsidies expire.

Rates for Pennsylvania&#x27;s Affordable Care Act insurance plans will jump significantly if Congress doesn&#x27;t pass tax credits before this weekend.Why it matters: Earlier this month, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pennsylvania Insurance Department" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/insurance/newsroom/aca-2026-health-insurance-rates" data-vars-content-id="91f60f1a-76a8-47a3-9eb2-2f92494e8faf" data-vars-headline="Pa. health insurance rates set to spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/insurance/newsroom/aca-2026-health-insurance-rates" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Insurance Department</a> released its 2026 rates for its marketplace, Pennie, if nothing changes before the start of open enrollment on Nov. 1.

A bar chart that shows Pennsylvania uninsured rates by race and ethnicity in 2024. Hispanic residents have the highest rate at 18.1%, followed by Black residents at 9.4%, AANHPI residents at 7.8% and White residents at 6.2%. Rates range from 6.2% to 18.1%.

Uninsured rates in Pennsylvania

Data: Commonwealth Fund 2026 State Health Disparities Report; Chart: Chrissy Suttles/Axios

Health 🩺

Allegheny County proposes 18 weeks of parental leave

Health care gaps persist for Black and Hispanic Pennsylvanians

130K drop Pennie coverage as insurance costs spike

Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds

Stonewall Inn resource center opens in Downtown Pittsburgh