Ever find yourself wide awake in the middle of the night, wondering how long you’re going to live? Well, the answer depends on where you live in the commonwealth.

According to new analysis from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, the average life expectancy statewide is 77.5 years, but there’s considerable variability based on your country of residence.

For example, Centre County tops the list with a life expectancy of 81.7 years, with Chester County a close second at 81.4 years.

Life expectancies are shorter in the western and northern parts of the state, according to the center’s data, particularly in many rural communities. At the bottom of the list are Fayette (southwest) and Forest (northwest) counties, with average lifespans of 72.5 and 71.6 years respectively.

Find out about the life expectancy in your county, and the contributing factors in this story.

Patrick Berkery

Senior Newsletter Editor, The Keystone

With President Trump once again attempting to cast doubt on the integrity of Pennsylvania’s elections as he tries to drum up support for the SAVE America Act we’d like to know: How confident are you that Pennsylvania’s election process is fair and secure?

Here’s what you’re saying:

“I’m a poll worker and am very confident in the integrity of our elections. We never had all these doubts about elections until Trump lost to Biden. Why do you think that is? If you have doubts about the system then learn more about how it works. Don’t let one man try to ruin it just because he lost.” — Steve C., Bucks County

“I was a Judge of Elections for 17 years in my voting district. I got involved because I questioned the voting process after Bush v. Gore in 2000, so I started when old fashion voting machines were in use and then transitioned to the current electronic machines within a few years. In both cases, I found that the process is secure and has layers of verification for the identity of every voter. The machines themselves cannot be tampered with by anyone at the local voting place. It is impossible for us to change a vote. Anyone who says otherwise is making stuff up!” — Sue, Pittsburgh

“The focus of this question is wrong. It is not whether people think that elections are or are not secure. There will always be some disagreement on that. The better question is why anyone would object to common sense solutions to ensuring that only people entitled to vote are permitted to vote. Evidence clearly shows that voter roles include non-citizens and dead people. Why not put in safeguards to ensure only eligible voters vote and have their votes counted?” — Jim, Pittsburgh

“I am very confident in our elections. The real threat to our elections is a man who tells the Georgia secretary of state to find him votes. Who harassed Arizona officials to submit fake electors. Who pressured Michigan officials to refuse to certify the election. Who summoned supporters to DC and sent them to the Capitol to ‘fight like hell.’ That person is the danger to democracy. I have not lost faith in our elections ( yet) but I have lost faith in many of this country’s citizens.” — Bonnie Gribschaw, Montgomery County

See more responses from your fellow Pennsylvanians in this story. And let us know below how you feel about election security in Pa. Don’t forget to include where you live!

TELL US: How confident are you that Pennsylvania’s election process is fair and secure?

Where to enjoy waterfall swimming

Swimmers enjoy the Natural Water Slides at Meadow run in Ohiopyle State Park. (Alex Byers/GO Laurel Highlands)

Pennsylvania is home to dozens upon dozens of beautiful waterfalls that you can chase throughout the year. However, many Pa. waterfalls don’t allow swimming—a major summer bummer because swimming near waterfalls is relaxing, scenic, and extremely fun. Like my mom always used to say, safety first.

But don’t shrug your shoulders and head south in search of waterfall swimming holes in West Virginia. There are indeed a number of waterfalls and cascades in Pa. where you can swim and beat the heat. Our food and travel writer has a roundup of five of her favorite spots in this story.

• Nearly one year after she and other members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation were turned away, US Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon said she was allowed Wednesday to inspect the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the largest ICE detention center on the east coast. Read what she had to say about the visit here.

• Pennsylvania healthcare insurers are seeking to increase rates by an average of 17% in 2027, further turning up cost pressures for Pennie enrollees who have already seen their premiums jump. Get the details here.

• As measles cases continue to tick upward across Pa., challenges are mounting for a new generation of healthcare professionals who have never treated someone with the virus which was considered eradicated around 2000. Find out more in this story.

• A new report ranks Pa. seventh in the nation for scam losses, estimating residents lost $3.8 billion to online fraud last year. Find out more in this story.

Finally…

The band Rubix Kube lights up the night with 80s hits at Musikfest 2025. (Neil Clements/Shutterstock)

Bethlehem’s Musikfest officially kicks off Friday, with 500 free performances scheduled to take place across 15 stages before the festival winds down on Sunday, Aug. 9.

Headline shows at the ticketed Wind Creek Steel Stage begin tonight with country singer Russell Dickerson. Comedian John Mulaney takes the stage there on Saturday night, followed by alt-rock hitmakers Third Eye Blind on Sunday.

We’ve got a complete guide to Musikfest right here, with details on who’s playing when and where, how to get around town, and what’s available to eat and drink, and more.