I’m sorry to open today’s newsletter with such unpleasantness, but this is a very important story (having endured a stomach bug earlier in the week—though nothing as severe as this—my antennae are up for this kind of news).
A stomach bug that can lead to weeks of “explosive” or “watery” diarrhea has arrived in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania has seen 28 reported cases of the intestinal infection cyclosporiasis as of Thursday, a state Department of Health official told Axios.
By comparison, 40 cases were reported in all of 2025, and 87 in 2024, according to the health officials.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis. In Michigan, nearly 1,000 people have been diagnosed with the parasitic infection that can cause weeks of diarrhea, making it the largest such outbreak in state history and one of the nation’s largest in years.
More than 800 cases have been reported in Ohio.
We’ve got more on the spread of cyclosporiasis and how to protect yourself in this story.
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In Wednesday’s newsletter, we talked about the presence of artificial intelligence—AI—in online healthcare, like Utah allowing residents to get their prescriptions refilled online by an AI chatbot, and Pennsylvania’s efforts to prevent AI chatbots from falsely presenting themselves as licensed medical professionals.
With AI creeping into so many aspects of our life (friendly reminder: this newsletter is 100% generated by human beings), we’d like to know:
How do you feel about the idea of AI becoming more integrated into everyday life?
Here’s what you’re saying:
“I’m concerned about the drain on natural resources and the threat to jobs, but I confess that I find AI seductive to use.”
— Danielle S., Butler
“I’m very concerned about the rapid growth of AI. Setting aside the tremendous problems with water, noise, and light pollution for people living near these massive data centers being built to support AI development, I would say that my biggest concern with AI is how people are being tricked into relying on it. I work in higher education, and it’s already causing serious problems as more and more students rely on it to do their thinking and writing for them. It’s threatening to hollow out the educational process at every level—if we allow it to. But it’s especially problematic in post-secondary education, because students are expected to work independently, which makes using AI more attractive. Because they are still learning to write well, they can’t tell how bad AI writing is, or how easily most educated people can tell when students are using AI. They may never learn how to write if they keep relying on AI.”
— Jon Tveite, Huntingdon
“I’ve seen ‘The Terminator’ and ‘I Robot.’ I’m not really thrilled with the idea of AI at all.”
— Kim M., Erie
“For any world-changing good that may come from it (way too early to tell), I can already see people becoming addicted to AI to the point where they’re unable to make decisions or think for themselves without the use of ChatGPT.”
— TK, Lehigh County
Let us know how you feel. Reply below with your answer, and please let us know where you live!
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In the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, you’ll find one of the dozens of murals located throughout the city. (Stephanie Ramones/Visit Philadelphia)
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It seems like all eyes have been on Philadelphia this summer, between the America 250 celebrations, the FIFA World Cup matches and Fan Fest, and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week, which kicks off Friday and culminates with the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.
For all these major events, and well-known attractions like the Liberty Bell and the Art Museum steps famously climbed by one Rocky Balboa, Philly is also a city loaded with hidden gem things to do and see, whether they’re sites you may have heard of but never visited or those that you didn’t realize existed in Philly at all.
From unique museums to secret gardens, our Kalena Thomhave is highlighting some of her favorite things to do in Philadelphia, off the beaten path.
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• Wondering what the deal is with those Freedom Fuel gas stations that started popping up this week in the Philadelphia area and Cumberland County? Get the details here.
• Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti (D) renewed calls for a ban on congressional stock trading this week while unveiling an eight-point anti-corruption plan in her race against US Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R). Sean Kitchen has the story.
• It’s been one year since President Donald Trump signed his One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, and in that time 98,000 Pennsylvanians have stopped receiving SNAP benefits due to new requirements. Find out more here.
• A recent poll found that 80% of Pennsylvania voters want stronger safeguards for animals used in laboratories, like those contained in the “Beagle Bill,” a bipartisan package of reforms designed to improve protections for dogs and cats used in research. Get the story here.
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Some of the best pizzas I have enjoyed so far in 2026 include (clockwise from left): Verona Pizza in Maple Glen, Affinito Pizza Parlor and Cafe in Emmaus, CJ & D Trenton Tomato Pies in Philadelphia, and Apizzeria 888 by Sebastian in Elkins Park. (Patrick Berkery/The Keystone)
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Friday is traditionally a pizza night for many families, so let’s close out today’s newsletter with some pizza talk.
As you may or may not know, in addition to this newsletter, I also write and edit a twice-monthly newsletter highlighting the best in Pennsylvania pizza called Pizzavania (you can subscribe here … no pressure though).
Since we’re halfway through the year, I wanted to take a look back at the best pizzas I’ve eaten so far in 2026. Some of it came from NEPA institutions. One particularly memorable pie came from a new pizza kid on the block in the Philadelphia suburbs. And one of my favorites was actually an old Trenton, New Jersey, staple served on the Pa. side of the Delaware River.
You can read about the best pizzas I’ve had so far this year right here. And if you want to see me eat some of those pizzas, well, you can do that too.
**Yes, I realize we opened today’s newsletter with talk of ‘explosive’ diarrhea and we’re ending it with a story about pizza. We aim to cover all the bases here. Have a great weekend!
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