Good morning, Pittsburgh.

Yesterday the Tree of Life Center for Humanity held a public commemoration at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill, remembering the 11 victims and unveiling plans to reopen a rebuilt center in 2028.

Wigle Whiskey and Eat’n Park released Smiley Cookie Whiskey to mark the cookie’s 40th anniversary; the vanilla-infused corn spirit is sold at the Wigle Distillery, Ross Park Mall Bottle Shop (750 mL purchases include a free Smiley Cookie) and online.

Noah Wyle, star and executive producer of Pittsburgh-set medical drama The Pitt, was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive and this week toured Allegheny General Hospital with cast members ahead of (season three); he also praised local hospitals and had a Dr. Robby bobblehead giveaway at PNC Park.

Cast and crew of HBO Max’s Emmy-winning medical drama The PITT are filming exterior scenes today at Allegheny General Hospital (including the LifeFlight helipad and main entryways).

Production drew more than 28,000 extras, the cast received a large chalk mural from a local artist, and Season 3 will debut in January on HBO Max.

Peter Levins was named inaugural director of the Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars Program in August and will continue one-on-one mentorship while developing interdisciplinary seminars and a wrap-around staff to support incoming merit-based full-ride scholars at Pitt (the program expanded after a $30 million gift).

Pitt's first-year enrollment dropped to 4,726 this fall after last year's 5,861, a smaller class the university says was intentional to ease housing and classroom strain; graduate enrollment fell by 272 to 9,577 as research doctoral numbers declined.

Low-interest SBA disaster loans are now available for homeowners, renters, nonprofits and businesses damaged by flooding between Sept.

12 and 20 in Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties; the deadline to apply for physical-damage loans is Dec. 22 and for economic injury loans is July 23, 2027.

UPMC researchers completed a nearly 27-year study showing brain implants can be safe and effective for up to 10 years in people with paralysis, a result that will guide future development of neurotech and rehabilitation care.

About 1,500 nurses at Allegheny General Hospital ratified a three-year contract on Monday that runs through Oct.

13, 2029, investing $35 million in wages with average raises near 16% and a minimum $8-per-hour raise for nurses with more than five years' licensure (it preserves benefits, ends forced rotating shifts, and adds AI protections).

Pitt is banking on high-profile freshmen Chase Foster and Jermal Jones to spark a needed turnaround as Jeff Capel enters his ninth season.

The Panthers open at home against Rider on Nov. 2 and have nonconference tests vs. Penn State on Nov. 8, Villanova on Nov. 17, and West Virginia on Dec. 9.