June 07, 2023

Why Rural Hospitals are Struggling | New Sacramento State President | Modesto’s “Graffiti Summer” Celebrates George Lucas Classic Film

50 minutes

Why rural hospitals are becoming increasingly difficult to operate. Meet the incoming Sacramento State President. Modesto celebrates the 50-year anniversary of “American Graffiti” with month-long “Graffiti Summer.”

Struggling rural hospitals

Rural hospitals are the lifeblood of a community. But over the years, everything from natural disasters to the skyrocketing cost of healthcare, and the ripple effects of the pandemic, have put the survivability of these remote hospitals that serve large distances at risk. Some are finding the costs are simply too great to bear and shut down completely. Some have gone bankrupt while others look to merge with larger hospital systems to stay financially afloat. Aside from critical care and life-saving services, many people are put at risk over the long term by putting off or missing routine check-ups and preventative care. For the communities themselves, many find that their hospitals are the largest employers with good wages. So when a hospital shuts down, the impact can be felt in towns to even larger cities like Sacramento. Sacramento Business Journal reporter Emily Hamman joined Insight to give a deep dive into the state of California's rural hospitals. The report is in partnership with the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.

New Sac State president

Over the past 75 years, Sacramento State has been the Capital City’s university. Throughout the decades Sac State prides itself in growing to become one of the most diverse campuses in the West. The strides behind the university's success are guided by the vision of leadership. And this upcoming school year, Sac State will welcome its ninth president in campus history. Dr. J Luke Wood is the incoming president of Sacramento State and takes the position in July Sac State's current president Robert Nelsen is retiring after taking the position in 2015. An alumnus of Sac State, Luke’s new role is a homecoming of sorts. Insight took time to get to know the incoming president better and hear his vision for current and future Hornets.

Modesto's "Graffiti Summer"

As we roll closer to the start of summer, so too will hundreds of classic cars as they “rev” their engines and cruise through the streets of downtown Modesto. “Graffiti Summer” is off and running in the “classic car mecca” of California, a celebration of the place which inspired the 1973 film “American Graffiti” directed by Modesto-native George Lucas. The enduring film is based on Lucas’ own experiences growing up in the Central Valley and this year marks 50 years since the film’s release. Throughout June, the streets will be jammed packed with impressive and immaculately restored classic cars, street fairs, and of course the music which captured the essence of this bygone era. Todd Aranson with Visit Modesto joining Insight to share how Modesto has kept the “cruise era” alive.

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