Rite Aid is filing for bankruptcy and plans to close or sell all its stores, marking its second bankruptcy in under three years. CEO Matthew Schroeder cited high supply costs and economic downturns as reasons for this decision. The company has secured nearly $2 billion from lenders to maintain operations during bankruptcy, transferring prescriptions to other pharmacies amid growing pharmacy deserts in western Washington. The closure of the flagship Bartell Drugs store in Seattle’s University Village has significantly impacted local students. Meanwhile, Safeway and Albertsons launched the Nourishing Neighbors program to combat food insecurity, and Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture will debut an exhibition on Asian comics.
