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Alissa Zhu

Alissa

Alissa Zhu is a journalist at The Baltimore Banner. Her reporting on Baltimore's drug overdose crisis for The Banner and The New York Times' Local Investigations Fellowship won a Pulitzer Prize in 2025. Previously, she worked at the Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, and the News-Leader in her hometown of Springfield, Missouri.

The latest from Alissa Zhu

In Baltimore’s ‘hope desert,’ mass overdoses overshadow residents’ struggle for survival
To Baltimore Penn North neighborhood residents, it felt like the beginning of a familiar cycle: Crisis strikes, troubling woes are in the spotlight and then the cameras and immediate attention are gone.
Ulysses “Chuck” Palmer and his daughter Serenity Palmer wait in line for snowballs from Daisy Bush at the D&D Variety store, in Baltimore, Friday, August 8, 2025.
Matthew Williams, who overdosed in a vacant building, was known for his hard work and humor
Matthew Williams was a meticulous, hard worker and customer favorite at Big O’s Hand Car Wash.
Matthew Williams.
One dead after 2-vehicle collision in Owings Mills, police say
Baltimore County Police and paramedics responded to the crash at Newtown Boulevard and Middle Mill Drive around 11:20 a.m. They found a victim trapped inside a car.
Baltimore County Police and paramedics responded to the crash at Newtown Boulevard and Middle Mill Drive around 11:20 a.m.
Baltimore neighborhoods worry about the influx of low-quality drug treatment
As of last year, there were more than 670 Medicaid-funded addiction treatment locations in Baltimore, state data shows — up 50% from 2021.
Crystal Parker, left, and Doren Davis work in their West Baltimore neighborhood community garden. For years, neighbors have worked toward revitalizing a long-neglected stretch of West North Avenue.
Mass overdose in Baltimore may be tied to new illicit drug mixed with fentanyl
A federal testing program found the synthetic opioid fentanyl mixed with other new drugs may be to blame for the mass overdose in Baltimore.
Boxes of naloxone, testing strips and other resources at North and and Pennsylvania avenues in Baltimore, days after a mass overdose in the Penn North neighborhood.
A week after mass overdose, Baltimore groups implore city to fund services in Penn North
Baltimore groups ask for more funding for drug treatment services in the Penn North neighborhood in West Baltimore.
The Penn North neighborhood was full of emergency crews and outreach services on Friday, July 11, 2025 in Baltimore. Just a day following a mass-overdose in the area.
Baltimore’s wake-up call: How the mass overdose unfolded
Audio from emergency dispatches show a single call for help for a 27-year-old woman quickly spiraled into a much larger crisis.
First responders, the mayor's office and community members gather at the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Avenues on July 10, 2025 after an alleged mass overdose took place in the area.
West Baltimore overdoses leave at least 25 hospitalized
There had been no fatalities, but 25 people had been hospitalized for treatment as of Thursday night, according to Lindsey Eldridge, Baltimore City Police Department spokesperson.
Baltimore Police and Baltimore City Fire Department personnel ⁩respond to a call for multiple people experiencing overdose symptoms at the intersection of Pennsylvania and North avenues in West Baltimore on Thursday.
After false starts, Baltimore City Council to hold hearings on drug overdoses
After two cancellations, Baltimore leaders starting this week will launch a series of public hearings on the city’s drug overdose crisis, which has been the worst in the country.
The Baltimore City Council will launch a series of public hearings on the city’s drug overdose crisis starting this week.
New details revealed about Baltimore’s plan to reduce drug overdose deaths by nearly half
After Baltimore City scored a windfall of new money from settlements with drug companies, leaders unveiled a draft plan of how to tackle substance use.
Mayor Brandon Scott at a press conference at Baltimore City Hall last summer laid out his plans for managing the money won from pharmaceutical companies as part of ongoing opioid litigation.
In search for Medicaid fraud, Maryland extends ban on some new treatment programs
Maryland health officials are extending a temporary ban on the enrollment of certain types of mental health and addiction providers in Medicaid amid fraud.
The Maryland Department of Health is located in the Herbert R. O'Conor State Office Building at 201 W. Preston Street in Baltimore.
Maryland ended treatment at a troubled provider. For some, little has changed.
Patients of PHA Healthcare, a treatment program in Baltimore, were housed in drug-ridden buildings where many overdosed, an investigation reported last year. Some are still there.
PHA Healthcare told state regulators it intended to send some patients to I'm Still Standing By Grace, whose owner also ran methadone clinic By Grace, which used to drop off medication at PHA Healthcare's apartments.
Baltimore judge proposes slashing city’s award in opioid verdict
The city could accept the new, lower $52 million award or receive a new trial, the judge proposed.
Two drug distributors, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, were found liable last year for their role in Baltimore’s deadly opioid crisis.
Van of lifesaving supplies to combat Baltimore drug overdoses fueled by new funds
Baltimore City opioid settlement money is starting to reach those in need.
The Charm City Care Connection van stops in parts of Baltimore to distribute clean needles, toothpaste and other items.
Maryland officials must describe how they combat overdose deaths in treatment under new law
Under the law effective July 1, signed by Gov. Wes Moore last week, the Maryland Department of Health must detail in annual reports how the state agency is improving oversight and regulation of the treatment field.
Baltimore City Democrat Del. Sandy Rosenberg, left, sponsored a bill that requires the Maryland Department of Health to detail how the agency is improving oversight and regulation of the treatment field.
Bob Embry, who shaped Baltimore philanthropy, retiring from Abell Foundation
The Abell Foundation contributes $16 million to causes each year, and Embry has guided that giving.
Robert C. Embry Jr., President of the foundation, is stepping down from his post.
Baltimore won millions to fight overdoses, but community groups may get just a fraction
Only $2 million is slated to be available to community organizations interested in applying for grants this upcoming year.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott spoke to Candy Kerr of the Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition and other community advocates at a budget town hall held at Coppin State University on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Nearly 3,000 jobs cut in Maryland after federal health agencies scale back
Mass layoffs at federal health agencies began this week, producing anxiety about workers, public health and economy.
Employees of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stand in line to enter the Mary E. Switzer Memorial Building on April 02, 2025 in Washington, DC. Layoffs began earlier this week at the Health and Human Service Administration offices after it was announced last week that the Trump Administration plans to cut 10,000 jobs at HHS.
Their loved ones died while in drug treatment at PHA Healthcare. They still want answers.
One mother of a former federal contractor who died while in PHA Healthcare’s housing said authorities should close the program permanently and punish its operators.
From left, Amanda Vlakos, Rodney Myers, and Fernando Rivera-Estrada all died while in treatment.
Vaccines, transgender health studies at risk as $300 million in federal cuts expected in Maryland
Another round of federal health grant cancelations threatens kids' vaccines and other medical research.
The Maryland Department of Health is located in the Herbert R. O'Conor State Office Building at 201 W. Preston Street in Baltimore.
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