We’ve been tracking the healthcare crisis faced by rural Pennsylvanians the last few years, from a sharp decline in maternity healthcare access to the drastic measures some small-town healthcare facilities are taking to keep the lights on.

Now comes the news that more than a quarter of Pennsylvania’s rural hospitals ended the past fiscal year in the red as they reckoned with an aging patient population, rising costs, and dwindling payments from government programs. The data comes from a new report issued by the independent Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, which tracks the challenges facing Pennsylvania’s hospitals.

Rural hospitals in Pennsylvania and around the nation have been dropping specialties and closing their doors in recent years as they’ve struggled with financial headwinds. These disappearing services can leave communities vulnerable, requiring some residents to travel long distances to access care. 

We’ve got more details on the report’s findings in this story.

(Visit Philadelphia)

With the clock ticking down on August, we’ve been squeezing in recommendations for family-friendly things to do around the commonwealth before summer’s gone. Today, we’re highlighting Pennsylvania destinations and attractions that are fully accessible for those with disabilities. 

Focusing on Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lancaster, our state park system, and the Delaware Water Gap, our food and travel writer Kalena Thomhave has the details on places and attractions that welcome folks whether they use wheelchairs, are deaf or hard of hearing, are blind or have low vision, have sensory issues, or otherwise simply need accommodations to have the best possible experience.

• With the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks approaching, volunteers helped the Exchange Club of Hanover prepare 3,000 US flags that will be displayed on that day. Read more here.

• A Bucks County teen is set to appear on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” on Aug. 24. Find out who inspired his journey here.

• Voters in Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and parts of Monroe counties will decide between a working-class union leader and a politician who’s spent his career opposing organized labor when they cast their ballots in one of America’s tightest US House races this fall.⁣ Learn more in this video.

Two new 3-month-old American alligators, Roz and Randal, have a temporary home at the Erie Zoo. The zoo will use these gators as ambassadors for educational programs. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

How about a little cuteness to carry you into the weekend, emphasis on the little. 

This is one of two baby alligators that are being cared for temporarily at the Erie Zoo.

The 3-month-old baby American alligators are named Roz and Randall, names taken from the Disney and Pixar movie “Monsters, Inc.”

Learn some fun facts about the baby gators, including how many teeth they have and how you can view them IRL in this story.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Kalena Thomhave, Sean Kitchen, and USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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