The use of artificial intelligence—AI—is everywhere, sometimes in ways you may not even be aware of. For instance, if you’ve ever wondered how your navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze know how to route you around snarled roadways, it’s AI plotting the course.

Of course, with AI “everywhere,” it can easily be applied in ways it shouldn’t. In May, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration sued Character Technologies, the company behind Character.AI, alleging that some of its AI chatbots falsely presented themselves as licensed medical professionals who can provide medical advice. The Pa. Department of State is continuing efforts to identify AI chatbots posing as licensed professionals and misleading users.

While Pennsylvania is working to regulate the presence of chatbots in online healthcare, Utah is taking a bold step with a program that allows residents to skip the doctor’s office and get their prescriptions refilled online by an AI chatbot called Doctronic. It’s a seemingly simple step toward making healthcare more convenient for patients and prescribers.

But it’s also a precedent-shattering milestone that has set off alarm bells for doctors, lawyers and public health experts. The pilot program has laid bare a host of questions about the role of AI in medicine, including how it should be regulated, whether doctors should be able to veto it, and what kind of safety measures are needed to protect patients.

At the center of the debate: state and federal laws limit prescribing to licensed medical professionals. Proponents say those laws, which have underwritten American medicine for over 100 years, should be updated to include AI chatbots and other new technologies.

“We have crossed a threshold in terms of giving something that is not human a medical license, whether or not we want to call it that,” said Dr. Eric Bressman of the University of Pennsylvania.

Learn more about the program in this story.

With the prevalence of AI in so many aspects of our life (though rest assured: 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? 

Reply below with your answer, and please let us know where you live!

Historic reenactments are a big part of the Whiskey Rebellion Festivals which will return this weekend to Washington in western Pa. (Visit Washington County)

While the semiquincentennial is behind us, there is plenty more US history to be celebrated this weekend in Pennsylvania.

It’s also an exciting few days for classic car enthusiasts across the commonwealth, and baseball fans, as Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game returns to Philadelphia for the first time since 1996.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening:

MLB All-Star Week – Philadelphia, Friday through Tuesday

The Midsummer Classic returns to Philly for the first time in 30 years, bringing with it a whole host of events leading up to the All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14 (which will feature five Phillies, though, criminally, not Zack Wheeler). The Capital One All-Star Village opens Saturday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center with interactive contests, video games, prizes, and more. Other highlights include the 2026 MLB Draft (Saturday at the Convention Center), the MLB Futures Game (Sunday at Citizens Bank Park), and the T-Mobile Home Run Derby (Monday at CBP).

Whiskey Rebellion Festival – Washington, Friday and Saturday

The Whiskey Rebellion unfolded across Western Pennsylvania in the early 1790s, after the federal government imposed a tax on distilled spirits to help pay off the state debts the government had assumed following the American Revolution. The Whiskey Rebellion Festival brings those days to life with a parade, historic reenactments, live music, family-friendly activities, and a variety of food and libations, all commemorating a pivotal moment in US history. 

Carlisle Chrysler Nationals – Carlisle Fairgrounds, Friday through Sunday

For more than 35 years, car enthusiasts have flocked to Carlisle each summer for the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, the largest Mopar gathering in the world, with nearly 3,000 vehicles from every era of the Chrysler brand on display. This year’s event celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Dodge Charger with the unveiling of the Charger’s limited-run Purple Haze exterior color. 

Easton Heritage Day – Downtown Easton, Saturday

Before it became an important canal town in the 19th century, Easton was the site of one of three public readings of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, an event the town celebrates each year during July’s Easton Heritage Day. This year’s free, all-day festival features colonial reenactors, live music, local food vendors, and, of course, a live reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix — Saturday through July 19

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix kicks off Saturday, ushering in nine action-packed days with events like a black-tie gala, a scenic countryside drive, classic car shows, and a waterfront cruise, culminating next Saturday and Sunday (July 18 and 19) with Schenley Park Race Weekend.

• Since ICE officials have abandoned plans for converting warehouses in Berks and Schuylkill counties into detention facilities, officials are wondering how to offset millions of dollars in local government revenue that’s been lost now that the properties are tax-exempt. Get the story here.

• Pennsylvania has brought down its error rate for issuing food stamps over the past year, but its reported mistakes could still put the commonwealth on the hook for more than $400 million in additional annual program costs. Find out why in this story.

• An ex-strength and conditioning coach for the Bucknell University football team has been charged with felony aggravated hazing in the death of a player who died after collapsing during the first day of training camp in 2024. Get the details here.

Zachary Potter of Prompton captured a silver medal in individual bowling at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

For Wayne County’s Zachary Potter, the last few months have been nothing short of remarkable.

A 2019 graduate of Honesdale High School, Potter just recently returned from the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, where he won a silver medal in bowling.

Potter honed his skills for the big event by practicing religiously at the Wallenpaupack Bowling and Sports Center.

“I can’t believe I won a silver medal,” said the 25-year-old from Prompton. “I had a lot of fun and I’m really proud to be part of the Pennsylvania team.”

Learn more about Potter and his experience at the Special Olympics USA Games in this story.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from The Associated Press, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Emily Previti of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Paula Solis.

The Keystone is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.