Good Morning 🌞

Today is National Telephone Day—a nod to the invention that dialed us into a new era of connection. From rotary phones to video calls, it all started with a simple “hello.” ☎️ 

Health Science

Colossal Squid Filmed

A rare encounter in Antarctic waters has given scientists an extraordinary glimpse of one of the ocean’s most mysterious giants—the colossal squid. Captured by the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s submersible near South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the footage shows a juvenile Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni gliding past the camera at a depth of about 1,800 feet. Though this individual measured only about a foot long, fully grown colossal squids can reach up to 25 feet in length and weigh over 1,200 pounds, making them the largest invertebrates on Earth.

Deep-sea biologist Dr. Kat Bolstad, who helped confirm the squid’s identity, emphasized the importance of finally capturing live footage of the elusive species. While she wasn’t directly involved in the expedition, Bolstad said the video provides critical clues to understanding the squid’s behavior and biology—especially since confirmed sightings are virtually nonexistent. The juvenile’s spotted mantle suggests it can shift between transparency and opacity, a key camouflage feature in the deep sea.

Colossal squids are thought to be ambush predators with enormous, light-sensitive eyes—up to 16 inches across—perfect for tracking bioluminescent prey and avoiding predators like sperm whales. With the Schmidt Ocean Institute not planning to return to Antarctic waters until 2028, and the squid’s legendary ability to detect submersibles before they get close, this rare sighting may be one of the only looks at a living specimen for years to come.

US News

DIY Levee Saves House

Amid the devastating floods in Tennessee earlier this month, a striking video went viral: a single dry property standing like an island, completely surrounded by water. The aerial footage, taken by helicopter, shows the home of brothers Justin and Tucker Humphrey—untouched while the rest of their Bogota farming community suffered heavy losses. The key to their survival? A homemade levee system, built by the brothers using an excavator and knowledge passed down from their late father.

The Obion River surged nine feet in just a few hours, eventually reaching within five feet of its all-time record on April 8. Many residents were caught off guard and experienced catastrophic flooding. But the Humphreys had been through this before. They knew what to do—and they acted fast. “We’re just doing what we have to do,” Tucker told The Washington Post. “He’d like seeing that,” he added, speaking about their father. “He’d know we were listening when we were kids.”

The brothers’ quick thinking and preparation earned them widespread admiration online. Commenters called the levee a mix of grit and foresight, with one summing it up perfectly: “Smart enough, stubborn enough—just like their dad.”

World News

World’s Tallest Bridge

In less than three months, China will unveil the world’s tallest bridge: the Huajiang Canyon Bridge in Guizhou province. Soaring 2,051 feet above the canyon floor—nearly 1,000 feet higher than France’s famed Millau Viaduct—the structure is an engineering marvel. But in Guizhou, where nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges already stand, record-breaking is secondary to necessity. The region’s steep karst terrain makes traditional roadways impractical, turning bridges like this into vital links between remote areas.

Spanning 9,776 feet with a 4,658-foot main span—longer than the Golden Gate Bridge—the Huajiang Bridge will cut travel time across the canyon from 70 minutes to just 2. It’s part of the new Liuzhi–Anlong expressway, designed to boost connectivity and attract more visitors to destinations like the Huangguoshu Waterfall. Chief engineer Li Zhao shared that the build involved 93 steel trusses, placed with GPS-guided cable cars and assembled with the help of 3D simulations to ensure precision. The result: a seamless, high-altitude crossing built to withstand both time and terrain.

Renderings suggest the bridge won’t just serve drivers—it may include a 1,500-foot pedestrian walkway, a cliffside restaurant, and even a bungee jump platform. Slated to open June 30, the bridge will surpass the nearby Duge Bridge, claiming the title of the world’s tallest and solidifying Guizhou’s status as the epicenter of sky-high infrastructure.

Mind Stretchers

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Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

beating around the bush —Debbie Ettinger got this first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]or reply to the email.

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