Good morning from Pistoia. Today’s briefing leads with the extended weather warning, followed by a serious motorway crash, fresh evidence of pressure on local jobs and new developments across Pistoia and Valdinievole.
1. Yellow weather warning extended until 8 p.m.
Pistoia remains under a yellow alert until 8 p.m. today, Friday, September 18. The warning covers strong thunderstorms and possible hydrogeological and hydraulic problems along the minor water network. Residents are advised to follow the municipality’s Alert System and Pistoia Alert channels. Source: Comune di Pistoia.
2. Four injured in multi-vehicle crash on the A11
Three cars and a van collided near kilometre 28 of the A11 in the Pisa-bound direction on Thursday evening. A 29-year-old man was taken to San Jacopo hospital in critical condition, while three other people sustained less serious injuries. The Pistoia–Montecatini section reopened after about an hour. Source: La Nazione – Pistoia.
3. More than one million hours of wage-support leave in six months
The Pistoia area recorded more than one million hours of wage-support leave in the first half of 2026, according to local CGIL secretary Daniele Gioffredi. He also highlighted the decline of manufacturing, growing job insecurity and a part-time rate of roughly 30 percent, calling for investment and a coordinated industrial strategy. Source: La Nazione – Pistoia.
4. Online betting figures raise concern in Valdinievole
Monsummano Terme recorded the highest 2025 per-capita online betting volume among Tuscan municipalities with more than 10,000 residents, at over €5,700. The same national study classifies nearby Larciano as facing an acute gambling problem after remote betting rose sharply over the previous two years. Source: La Nazione – Montecatini.
5. PalaTerme to replace all 1,300 courtside seats
Montecatini’s PalaTerme will replace its 1,300 parterre seats by the first half of October. The work, valued at more than €130,000 plus VAT, completes another stage of the arena’s refurbishment and is intended to improve comfort and support wider sporting, conference and entertainment use. Source: La Nazione – Montecatini.
6. Local Police continue checks in central public spaces
Municipal officers have continued targeted patrols in Piazza della Resistenza and Galleria Nazionale as part of the city’s campaign against urban degradation. The checks focus on public safety, proper use of shared spaces and prevention of disorder in two sensitive central locations. Source: Comune di Pistoia; Report Pistoia.
7. Young innovators present six projects in Pistoia
Students from schools in Pistoia, Pescia, Montecatini and Prato will present six business ideas at the Alta Toscana Innova awards this afternoon at Centro Mati 1909. Projects range from AI-assisted booking and plastic recycling for 3D printing to services designed for older people and healthier social-media use. Source: Report Pistoia.
8. Long-term decline in neighbourhood retail remains a major challenge
Confesercenti figures show that more than 430 neighbourhood shops closed across the province between 2019 and 2025, including about 170 in Pistoia city. Retail employment fell by more than 1,000 over the same period, reinforcing calls for policies that support town-centre commerce and locally retained spending. Source: Il Tirreno – Pistoia.
Compiled from local reporting and official updates available on the morning of September 18, 2026.