Good Morning! Today’s edition is 769 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Strange creatures found living beneath the seafloor

• NASA’s Europa Clipper launches for a Jupiter moon flyby

• How many times does your heart beat in a day

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Big Story

Walgreens Mass Closures

Walgreens plans to close around 1,200 U.S. stores over the next three years to fix its struggling business.

• About 500 stores will close this year, focusing on the worst-performing locations or where the leases are ending. The closures come after the company lost $3 billion last quarter.

• Walgreens still has about 6,000 profitable stores, and its CEO believes this foundation can help the company adjust to changing consumer needs. The company is also experimenting with smaller stores and focusing on selling more Walgreens-branded products.

• Some companies have urged Pharmacists to diagnose and treat customers for the flu, strep throat, and COVID-19 to increase revenue. While other drugstores like CVS are also adding healthcare clinics. However, Walgreens is moving away from that model by potentially selling its VillageMD clinic business.

Big Story

Strange Life Found Below Seafloor

Scientists have found a world of marine life thriving near hydrothermal vents under the seafloor.

• These areas, where hot water and minerals escape the Earth's crust, were previously thought too harsh for complex life. However, researchers discovered cavities filled with animals like worms and snails.

• The cavities, located about 4 inches below the ocean floor, are heated by volcanic activity and contain many species, including giant tube worms. Some of these animals were found both below and on the ocean floor, suggesting a connection between the two environments.

• This finding shows that deep-sea ecosystems are more complex than previously thought. Scientists are now planning future missions to explore how widespread these hidden communities are.

Big Story

Judge: Georgia Counties Must Certify Election Results

A Georgia judge ruled that county election officials must certify election results by the legal deadline, even if they suspect errors or fraud.

• The judge ruled that county officials cannot decide if fraud has occurred or exclude problematic ballots from certification. Their role is to note any concerns about fraud or error and report them to the appropriate authorities, but they must still certify the results.

• They can review election documents but can’t delay certification for any reason. Georgia law mandates certification by the Monday after an election (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday).

• Some officials, like Julie Adams of the Fulton County election board, have challenged the ruling that they must certify results, arguing they have the discretion to reject them.

• Adams' lawsuit is supported by Trump-aligned groups, and she believes she should have full access to election materials before certifying results.

Little Stories

• Archaeologists in Petra, Jordan, have discovered a hidden tomb under the famous Treasury monument. Inside, they found 12 human skeletons that are still in good condition, along with many grave offerings. The remains include both men and women and children. (More)

• The Biden administration warned Israel that if the humanitarian situation in Gaza doesn't improve in the next 30 days, the US might limit military help to Israel. In a letter to Israeli officials, US leaders said they need to check if Israel is blocking US aid from reaching Gaza. If they find that Israel is, the US could stop providing military funds. (More)

• Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are teammates again after being apart for over two years. The New York Jets traded for Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders, hoping they can help turn the team's 2-4 season around. (More)

• NASA has launched its biggest spacecraft, the Europa Clipper, on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Florida. The spacecraft is headed to Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, and has already separated from the rocket and deployed its solar panels. The journey to Europa will take about five-and-a-half years and cover 1.8 billion miles. (More)

• Bao Li and Qing Bao, two giant pandas from China, arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington on Tuesday. The 3-year-old pandas, one male and one female, will stay in the US for 10 years. They were transported to the zoo in special FedEx trucks with a police escort after landing at Dulles Airport. (More)

Extra Credit

🫀 How many times does a heart beat in a day?

🥇 World’s smallest washing machine wins a Guinness World Record.

🚗 Rare 1957 Jaguar could score more than $14M at auction. 

👨‍👧‍👧 Best friends discover they are sisters and have a brother.