Opioid abuse is as much an economic problem as a public health crisis, according to a comprehensive analysis provided first to Axios that shows Pennsylvania spends nearly $730,000 on each such case.

Why it matters: The cost burden falls unevenly across the country, with states in a belt stretching through Appalachia to New England typically having bigger caseloads and a higher cost per case.

Context: Opioid use disorder — defined as frequent opioid use and unsuccessful efforts to quit — is estimated to affect more than 6 million people in the United States, costing the nation an estimated $4 trillion last year, per health care consulting firm Avalere Health.

Zoom in: At $728,200, Pennsylvania's average cost per case is higher than the national average, per the analysis from Avalere, which used 2017 figures to project 2024 net costs.

• Pennsylvania patients bore more than $177 billion in costs from reduced quality of life and statistical loss of life.
• Businesses absorbed more than $28 billion in costs from lost productivity and health insurance costs.

What they're saying: "While this is a cost to governments, it's also a cost to private businesses, and the huge cost, of course, is to the individuals who have OUD," said Margaret Scott, a principal at Avalere and author of the report.

State of play: Pennsylvania will receive more than $1 billion over 18 years in a settlement with major U.S. opioid distributors and manufacturers to further address the opioid crisis.

Zoom out: The total average annual cost associated with each case nationally is nearly $700,000.

Between the lines: Drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania dropped 31% last year, per preliminary CDC data.

The bottom line: Some addiction experts say cuts to federal grant funding and other program changes led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could hurt addiction recovery programs.

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One of Pittsburgh's newest coffee shops boasts measured elegance and late hours, making it worth a trip.

The intrigue: Shibam Coffee opened this year in Oakland, glistening with a gold-plated interior and offering coffees bursting with Middle Eastern flavors, as well as decadent desserts.

Dig in: We tried the iced pistachio latte, a picture-perfect presentation made for social media.

• The nutty and creamy flavors took a while to mesh, but once they did, the latte was an elegant treat.
• Don't forget to try a pastry or a Yemeni milk cake, and wash it down with a Turkish coffee.

The vibe: Students love hanging out here, either chatting with friends or studying on their laptops. And it's one of the few coffee shops open late, closing at 11pm daily.

Between the lines: Michigan-based Shibam specializes in Yemeni recipes and has locations across the country, particularly near college campuses and in areas with high Muslim populations.

• Shibam's owner had family in Pittsburgh, which led him to open the shop in Oakland, according to Table magazine.

If you go: Shibam Coffee is at 4630 Centre Ave. in Oakland.

• Open 7am-11pm daily.

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⛔ The Herron Avenue Bridge is temporarily closed due to safety concerns related to its support columns — already slated for rehabilitation in 2028. The city is working with PennDOT to explore options to safely reopen the bridge, which connects Polish Hill and Lawrenceville. (News release)

🚧 Parkway East drivers will continue to see outbound lane and shoulder restrictions today and tomorrow from 5am-2pm for ongoing work on the Commercial Street Bridge. Restrictions include closures between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale exit.

• A full closure of the Parkway is planned for next summer to complete the bridge replacement. (WTAE)

🚗 The Armstrong Tunnel, which connects the South Side and Uptown, reopens on both sides today after a two-year, $13 million rehabilitation project. (WESA)

Friday

Kick off Pride weekend at the All Out Music Fest, formerly Pride on the Shore, at Stage AE with a diverse lineup of artists headlined by electronic artist Galantis.

• 📍400 N. Shore Dr., North Side
• ⏰ Doors open at 2pm
• 💵 $60+

Saturday

Head to the Pride Festival in Allegheny Commons Park West, where musicians, speakers and drag performers light up the stage all weekend.

• 📍Allegheny Commons Park West, North Side
• ⏰ Full schedule will be added here
• 💵 Free

Dig into the city's vibrant literary scene at the Carnegie Library's Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, hosting local and national authors, poets, children's activities, bookstores, entertainment and more.

• 📍4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland
• ⏰ 10am-5pm
• 💵 Free

Sunday

Wrap up the festivities at the Pittsburgh Pride march and parade, with prime viewing along Liberty Avenue in the Strip District, Andy Warhol Bridge and Downtown.

• 📍Full parade route here
• ⏰ Starts at 12pm
• 💵 Free

Nostalgic for Blockbuster nights? Good news — they're back (kinda).

Zoom in: Free Blockbuster boxes are popping up across Pittsburgh — take or leave a DVD or VHS, no fees, no membership.

• Find them in Braddock, the South Side and Bloomfield.

The big picture: There are over 100 "Blockbusters" still active in 45 states.

• Visit freeblockbuster.org for details and a map.

Go deeper: See more little Blockbusters on our Instagram.