Your morning starts here.

As temperatures drop this holiday season, local heating experts recommend getting a heat-load and insulation evaluation to prevent brittle water lines from freezing and cracking and avoid costly repairs; schedule an assessment now so your home can be heated efficiently before winter storms arrive.

With clocks back and temperatures dropping, wood burning will increase in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties (the Northwest Clean Air Agency urges residents to avoid burning or, if necessary, use only clean, dry wood) to limit fine particles that can harm lungs and hearts.

Flu activity spiked earlier than usual in Whatcom County, with ERs reporting over twice the share of positive tests this October versus the past six Octobers.

One resident has died this year, and the county offers free vaccines to people 18 and under.

Skagit County announced Oct.

29 it will build affordable senior housing on the Mount Vernon senior center site and a residential clubhouse to link tenants with services (backed by more than $1.5 million from the Washington Department of Commerce); the county signed with the Housing Authority to begin planning, and the center will operate through the end of 2027 with a new site aimed for early 2028.

Lynden lost 35-14 to defending state champion Archbishop Murphy last night, while Squalicum beat Bellingham 56-7 and Burlington-Edison beat Sehome 43-13, sending Lynden, Squalicum, Burlington, Anacortes and Archbishop Murphy to the (Class 2A) Round of 32 play-in next week.

Lynden lost to Archbishop Murphy 35-14 on Oct.

29, and with Squalicum and Burlington-Edison finishing strong, Lynden, Squalicum, Burlington, Anacortes and Archbishop Murphy will head to the Round of 32 play-in next week.

Bellingham beat Lakewood 2-0 last night to stay unbeaten and will host Burlington-Edison in a semifinal at Civic Field Saturday; Sehome advances to face Anacortes.

Tonight Civic Field has a football doubleheader, and Lynden travels to Archbishop Murphy with KGMI coverage at 6:35 p.m.+ kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

Wild bird flu (HPAI) was confirmed this week in western Washington, and wildlife officials warn it could spread statewide during fall migration; WDFW asks people to report sick or dead birds and avoid touching them and offers precautions for feeders, hunters, and pets.