Good morning, Spokane Valley.

Students at Gonzaga Prep have collected 168,000 pounds for their annual Thanksgiving food drive and are working to reach 200,000 pounds before Wednesday’s distribution to local food pantries—food banks need extra supplies amid recent SNAP benefit changes.

Spokane Public Schools need gift card donations to support 1,172 students living without stable housing before winter break — the district’s HEART program, which also serves 260 unaccompanied youth, depends on these cards for food, clothing, and gifts.

Donations must be dropped off at the SPS Administration building, any school office, or given online by Dec. 8th — later contributions will be distributed throughout the school year.

Rep. Dan Newhouse introduced a bill called the SAWMILL Act to permanently reauthorize the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program—this measure will support Washington’s timber mills by creating jobs, reducing wildfire risks, and aiding forest management.

The legislation, backed by industry groups and accompanied by Senate bills, will boost local timber operations and forest care.

A rare strain of H5N5 bird flu caused the death of an older Washington resident with underlying health conditions, marking the first known human infection of this virus in the country.

Health officials said the patient—who cared for a mixed backyard flock—died on Friday after being hospitalized since early November and more than 100 contacts are being monitored even though the public risk remains low.

Twin Sisters Creamery voluntarily recalled four raw milk cheeses (Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, Mustard Seed) after tests detected E. coli and three people in Washington and Oregon became ill; customers should discard any remaining product and clean surfaces that it touched.

Another case of chronic wasting disease was detected in a white-tailed deer in the Mount Spokane area near where three cases were confirmed last year.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed the case late last week—bringing the total to six cases in Washington—and all elk, deer and moose harvested in the Eastern Region must be tested for CWD as hunting continues through December.

Providence Health & Services announced a permanent reduction in force affecting 57 employees in Spokane, Richland, and Walla Walla that will be finalized by January 20th—impacted workers will continue to receive their regular wages and benefits for 60 days and may apply for other positions within the organization.

The Gonzaga men's basketball team will play Alabama tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the Players' Era Championship and then face Maryland later on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Washington State Cougars will start the Southwest Maui Invitational by playing Chaminade at 6:00 p.m.—their next game could feature Arizona State or Texas based on the result.

Jeff Snow, a 79-year-old retired eye doctor, raced in Bloomsday—an event held every year since 1977—where he met his goal by finishing in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 24 seconds.

He said his body feels young at the start but soon shows its age, and he plans to have his family help him finish safely this May.

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