71% of rural hospitals in Arkansas are running in the financial red, according to a recent report from health care consultancy Chartis. The same is true for half of America's rural hospitals.

Why it matters: Millions of Americans, especially those in rural states like Arkansas, rely on local hospitals for emergency and other forms of care.

• The report also points out: "Within many rural communities, the hospital is often among the largest employers and thus a major contributor to the local economy."

Driving the news: While COVID-era government aid helped alleviate financial pressure on rural hospitals, such support has largely ended.

• The growth of Medicare Advantage enrollment is also taking a toll.
• "The Medicare alternative's popularity with seniors is cutting into a typically better funding source for rural hospitals — traditional Medicare — as hundreds of rural hospitals face financial calamity," Axios' Arielle Dreher reported last August.

Stunning stat: The jump from 43% of rural hospitals operating in the red last year to 50% this year is the single largest change in percentage in a one-year period that Chartis reports seeing.

What they're saying: "When you see all of this negative pressure, what you're really talking about is loss of access in the places where we need it — one could arguably say, most," says Michael Topchik, partner and executive director of the Chartis Center for Rural Health.

• He points to problems like suicide, opioid overdoses, alcohol-related deaths and more that plague rural America in particular.
• "I'm focusing on data on the providers, on the hospitals. But in the end, what we're really talking about is the communities served — and these are the most vulnerable communities in America."

Worth here. I recently swore off chains, but when fried chicken comes into play, well, I'll probably try it.

The vibe: Waldo's Chicken and Beer isn't where you go if you're counting carbs or calories or sodium or anything.

• This is where you go after a long weekend hike or an all-day fishing excursion and feel like a guilty culinary reward.
• Bottles of ketchup and hot sauce are on each table, along with, thankfully, a napkin dispenser.
• And yes, there's a full bar.

Dig in: Bone-in chicken isn't served most places anymore, but Waldo's offers a nice mix of it, along with tenders and some salads.

• The quarter chicken — all-white meat with two sides (mac and cheese and potato wedges) and a drink — was $16.

The verdict: Yes.

• Wedges are wedges and I'm never impressed, but the mac and cheese was nice and sharp.
• The chicken is top-shelf, homestyle comfort food. The wing and breast were large and juicy — this is not paltry poultry.

The intrigue: A choice of about a dozen sauces complement the meals. The Rooster (a sweet/spicy chili pepper sauce) will be on my mind for a long time. It's what will actually pull me back to Waldo's someday.

Check it out: 700 S.E. Walton Boulevard in Bentonville. Open 11am-9pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-8pm Sunday.

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🍕 The last Damgoode Pies, which was in downtown Fayetteville, has closed. (Fayetteville Flyer)

⚖️ Former Democratic candidate for governor Chris Jones filed a defamation lawsuit against the president of the Arkansas Senate, Bart Hester, for a post on X that claimed Jones was taking a "Pro Hamas Terrorist position." (Arkansas Advocate)

🎰 Arkansas casinos made a net win of $177.8 million for the first quarter of 2024, up almost $1 million compared to the same quarter last year. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Make plans for a weeknight.

❓ Go to trivia night — Try Bentonville Brewing on Monday, Ozark Natural Foods on Wednesday in Fayetteville or Rendezvous Junction Brewing, also on Wednesday, in Rogers.

📸 See a new art exhibit — "Dark Waters" by Kristine Potter is on display at The Momentary in Bentonville. The collection of photographs focuses on the characters of murder ballads — songs that often end in death and despair. It's free and available until Oct. 13.

♟ Play games — It's game night today and Family Feud night Wednesday at The Botanical in Bentonville; game night Tuesday at Fayetteville Beer Works; and chess today and bingo Tuesday at Rendezvous Junction Brewing in Rogers.

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The best barbecue in the U.S. is NWA's own Wright's, according to reviewers on Yelp!.

• It tracks because it was ranked No. 1 for Arkansas on the South's Best Barbecue Joint In Every State 2023 list compiled by Southern Living in March.

💭 Worth's thought bubble: Steuart Walton can boost Bentonville, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art can bring in top-tier exhibits and the Sanders administration can tout outdoor rec, but it'll be killer barbecue that keeps 'em coming back.