>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED IN PART BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU WITH LOCAL NEWS FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> IF YOU'RE A PARENT IN MINNESOTA, HEARING THAT THE COST OF CHILDCARE IN THE STATE RANKS AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE US MAY NOT SURPRISE YOU.

A GROUP KNOWN AS KIDS COUNT ON US BEMIDJI HOSTED A FORUM WITH STATE AND CITY OFFICIALS, TO DISCUSS CHILDCARE AFFORDABILITY AND SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, ATTENDED THE FORUM AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: IN MINNESOTA, MEDIUM INCOME FAMILIES SPEND 20% OF THEIR EARNINGS ON CHILDCARE, THAT IS MORE THAN THE 7% BENCH MARK, ESPECIALLY FOR SINGLE PARENTS.

>> WHEN I WAS PREGNANT WITH MY DAUGHTER, I KNEW THERE WAS A CHILDCARE CRISIS, BUT I DIDN'T TRULY UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF THE SITUATION UNTIL I WAS IMMERSED IN IT.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING CHILDCARE.

REALITY SETTLED IN WITH THEIR FAMILY LIVING ONLY WITH ONE INCOME.

>> HALF OF MY HUSBAND'S PAYCHECK WENT TO OUR HEALTH INSURANCE.

WE UTILIZE WICC AND HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE BUT IT WAS SECONDARY.

WITHOUT THOSE PROGRAMS, WE WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT.

NO FAMILY CAN SURVIVE ON HALF AN INCOME.

>> THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE MATH.

>> Reporter: THEY DISCUSSED WHY CHILDCARE IS SO EXPENSIVE IN THE STATE AND WHY CHILDCARE TEACHER SALARIES ARE SO LOW.

>> CCAP, EARLY LEARNING SCHOLARSHIP, AND SOME FROM FEDERAL FUNDING STREAMS.

LICENSED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WHO DELIVER A HIGH QUALITY RELATIONSHIP-BASED CARE IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS STATE OPERATE WITH FAR LESS RESOURCES AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, TYPICALLY RECEIVE SINGLE FUNDING STREAMS.

YET, WE'RE THE ONES CLOSING AT THE FASTEST RATE.

>> Reporter: CITY AND STATE OFFICIALS ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE ON WHAT THEY HAVE DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO TO HELP WITH THE AFFORDABILITY OF CHILDCARE.

>> WE NOT ALWAYS HAD A DEFINED ROLE IN THIS SPACE AND IT WILL BE IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO SET THE NEXT GENERATION UP TO BE MORE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT OUR ROLE IS IN THIS SPACE.

>> WE DO NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND WE NEED POLITICAL LEADERS THAT HAVE THE WILL AND COURAGE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT TO HELP WORKING FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> INFANT CARE IN MINNESOTA RANKS AS THE 3RD MOST EXPENSIVE STATE, WITH AVERAGE COSTS AROUND $22,000 A YEAR.

>>> FEDERAL AGENTS HAVE MADE A DOZEN ARRESTS IN MINNEAPOLIS IN AN OPERATION FOCUSED ON SOMALI IMMIGRANTS LIVING UNLAWFULLY IN THE U.S., BUT FEWER THAN HALF OF THOSE ARRESTED ARE SOMALIS.

IN WHAT IS BEING CALLED OPERATION METRO SURGE, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT SAID THURSDAY THAT AGENTS ARRESTED 12 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 6 MEXICANS, 5 SOMALIS, AND 1 PERSON FROM EL SALVADOR.

IN A STATEMENT, ICE CALLED THE 12 PEOPLE ARRESTED SOME OF THE WORST OF THE WORST CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS.

EIGHT OF THEM HAD BEEN CHARGED OR CONVICTED OF CRIMES, INCLUDING ASSAULT, FRAUD, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, ACCORDING TO I.C.E.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST.

PAUL, HOME TO THE NATION'S LARGEST SOMALI COMMUNITY, IS THE LATEST TARGET FOR MASS DEPORTATIONS UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS RECENTLY CRITICIZED SOMALI IMMIGRANTS, DRAWING INTENSE CRITICISM FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO HAVE PLEDGED TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

>>> HUBBARD RADIO HOSTED THE 32ND ANNUAL BRAINERD RADIOTHON TO END CHILD ABUSE AT WESTGATE MALL THIS WEEK.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE, ON WHAT THE EVENT MEANS TO THOSE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.

>> Reporter: SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1994, THE BRAINERD RADIOTHON RAISED WELL OVER $2 MILLION, ALL IN AN EFFORT TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE PROBLEM THAT IS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

>> YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A GUY AND HE AND HIS FAMILY OUT OF BEMIDJI OWNED STATIONS ALL OVER NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THEIR FAMILY.

32 YEARS OF A COMMUNITY CARING FOR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: FOUR DIFFERENT RADIO STATIONS COME TOGETHER FOR TWO 6-HOUR LONG STREAMS, CALLING FOR THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE PLEDGES AND GIVE DONATIONS TO END THE EPIDEMIC.

>> WE BUILT AN ENTIRE RADIO STUDIO IN THE MALL THAT DID NOT EXIST THE OTHER DAY, TESTING, TECHNOLOGY, HAVING TECHNOLOGY, THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS SO THAT RADIO STATIONS CAN BROADCAST ONE RADIOTHON LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: AITKIN, MORRISON, AND CASS COUNTIES, THE CROW WING COUNTY CHILD PROTECTION TEAM ALL JOINED THE RADIO PERSONALITIES TO FIELD THE MANY CALLS.

>> WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF ALL OF THESE COMMUNITY AGENCIES, THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WHO REALLY KNOW THE INS AND OUTS OF THE PROBLEMS.

THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO FAMILYWISESERVICES.ORG, IN 2020, 4.8 OUT OF 1,000 CHILDREN ARE SUBJECT TO MALTREATMENT.

THE RADIOTHON RAISED OVER $100,000 AND THE BATTLE IS AS PREVALENT AS EVER, ALL THE MORE REASON THAT THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED.

>> KIDS ARE THE FUTURE.

WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM.

>> YOU TAKE THESE STORIES FROM YOUR PAST, YOUR CHILDHOOD, AND YOU FIND OUT THESE THINGS DO GO ON.

THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT AND THERE IS A WAY TO PREVENT IT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BAXTER, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BRAINERD RADIOTHON TO END CHILD ABUSE RAISED OVER $110,000 THIS YEAR.

>>> AND HUBBARD ALSO HELD THEIR OWN RADIOTHON TO END CHILD ABUSE, WHICH HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL TRADITION IN THE REGION FOR 37 YEARS.

YESTERDAY, PAUL BUNYAN BROADCASTING AND THE UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI AREA TEAMED UP, TO BROADCAST LIVE FROM RAPHAEL'S BAKERY AND TRY TO REACH THEIR GOAL OF $25,000.

ALONG WITH PUBLIC DONATIONS, LOCAL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN BUSY HOLDING FUNDRAISERS OF THEIR OWN, AND ELECTED OFFICIALS SPENT THE DAY PLEDGING THEIR OWN MONEY AND CHALLENGING OTHERS TO MATCH THEM.

ALL OF THE MONEY RAISED GOES TOWARDS SUPPORTING CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS IN BELTRAMI AND HUBBARD COUNTIES.

>> HAVING A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND, I HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE WORST THINGS WE COULD HAVE.

IF WE DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THIS STUFF OR TALK ABOUT THIS STUFF, WE'RE NEVER GOING TO FIX THE ISSUE.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BRING LIGHT TO THE ISSUES WE CAN SOLVE.

>> YOU HAVE KIDS THAT ARE REALLY STRUGGLING AND HOW DO YOU GET THEM TO BE GREAT CITIZENS AND HAVE A GREAT LIFE FOR THEMSELVES WITHOUT SPENDING SOME MONEY TO HELP THESE ORGANIZATIONS A, MEET THOSE IMMEDIATE NEEDS, GET THEM INTO SAFE SPACES, AND HELP THEM THROUGH THE MENTAL ISSUES THEY'RE DEALING WITH SO THEY CAN BE A HAPPY HUMAN BEING FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES IN THE COMMUNITY OR ELSEWHERE.

>> AND THE UNITED WAY IS CONTINUING THEIR FUNDRAISING WITH THEIR FIRST-EVER V.I.P.

AND ME DANCE TOMORROW EVENING AT THE LOFT EVENT CENTER, WHERE CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER WILL HAVE AN EVENING OF DANCING AND GAMES WITH AN ADULT ACCOMPANYING THEM.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE NIGHT WILL ADD TO THE $22,000 RAISED SO FAR, TO HELP END CHILD ABUSE.

>>> ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, NEARLY 6 MILLION DOGS AND CATS ENTERED SHELTERS AROUND THE COUNTRY LAST YEAR.

STRAY ANIMALS HERE IN LAKELAND COUNTRY ARE ENTERING A PERILOUS TIME OF YEAR AS TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO DROP.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL CAUGHT UP WITH A LOCAL ORGANIZATION LOOKING TO HELP OUR FURRY FRIENDS, HERE HE IS WITH MORE.

>> Reporter: FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS, THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN WORKING TO ENSURE THAT DOGS AND CATS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA ARE ABLE TO FIND THEIR FOREVER HOME.

>> IT'S OUR MISSION TO RESCUE AND RESTORE ANIMALS, STRAY AND ABANDONED ANIMALS, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A NEW LIFE AND LOVING HOME THROUGH ADOPTION AND EDUCATION.

SO, WE TAKE IN DIFFERENT ANIMALS FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, WE TAKE IN STRAYS, SURRENDERS, AND ANIMALS FROM RESCUE SITUATIONS.

>> THE FOUNDATION BROUGHT IN OVER 1,500 ANIMALS IN 2025, ALL WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING SURE THEY GET SAFE AND WARM HOMES.

>> WE TRY TO PROVIDE CARE, NECESSARY CARE FOR ANY STRAY ANIMAL, ANY ANIMAL THAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO SURRENDER AS WELL.

SO WE PROVIDE AS MUCH CARE FOR THE ANIMAL AS POSSIBLE.

THAT CARE AS WELL AND OF COURSE T.L.C.

>> Reporter: AS THE TEMPERATURES DROP LOWER AND LOWER, SO DO THE CHANCES OF A STRAY DOG OR CAT'S SURVIVAL.

>> AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS MINNESOTA AND WINTER IS FREEZING COLD.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO JUST TAKE CARE OF THE ANIMALS.

CATS AND DOGS DON'T LIVE GOOD LIVES WHEN HUMANS ARE NOT THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

IN THE WINTERTIME, THEY NEED TO GET OUT OF THE COLD.

IT DOESN'T MATTER THEY HAVE FUR, THEY GET FROSTBITE AND I HAVE SEEN IT ON CATS AND DOGS FIRST HAND.

IT'S IMPORTANT DURING THE WINTERTIME SO THEY DON'T SUFFER.

>> Reporter: FOR OFFICIALS AT THE FOUNDATION, THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN SEEING A DOG OR CAT FIND A LOVING AND WARM HOME.

>> WHEN I STARTED VOLUNTEERING IN FEBRUARY, THERE WERE A FEW DOGS THAT HAD BEEN HERE FOR 6 OR 7 MONTHS.

GOOD NEWS WHEN YOU COME IN, YOU EXPECT TO FIND THEM -- OH, HE'S BEEN HERE FOR SO LONG AND THEY'RE GONE AND THEY STAY ADOPTED.

IT'S VERY REWARDING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO ADOPT A DOG OR CAT FROM THE BABINKSI FOUNDATION.

THE SHELTER IS OPEN TUESDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS FROM 8:30 TO 5:00 AND SUNDAYS FROM NOON TO 5:00.

>> STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Stacy: IT WILL BE COLD AND QUIET THIS WEEKEND WITH CHANCES OF SNOW SHOWERS RETURNING NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IS KICKING OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON WI [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> FOR SEVERAL DECADES THE CONCORDIA LANGUAGE VILLAGES NEAR BEMIDJI HAVE HELD AN ANNUAL SHOP THE WORLD EVENT AT CHRISTMASTIME, INVITING THE PUBLIC TO FIND GIFTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

14 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND MANY MORE CULTURES ARE REPRESENTED IN THE SHOP WITH ONE OF THE BIGGEST VARIETIES OF CANDY, BAKED GOODS, AND SMALL TOYS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THE FOOD IS BAKED ON-SITE AT CONCORDIA, BUT MOST OF THE ITEMS ARE IMPORTED RIGHT FROM THE COUNTRIES THAT THEY REPRESENT.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO KNOW YOUR HERSHEY'S, YOUR KIT KATS, THOSE STANDARD THINGS HERE.

YOU WILL SEE SOME STUFF MAYBE YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH AND TRYING SOMETHING NEW IS EXCITING, RIGHT?

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE ONE BIG WORLD AND YOU CAN GET A GIFT FROM THAT WORLD, RIGHT HERE IN BEMIDJI.

>> THE SHOP IS OPEN THIS WEEKEND 10:00 A.M.

TO 6:00 P.M.

AND NEXT THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY THE SAME HOURS.

>>> NOW TIME FOR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE COLD TEMPERATURES OVER THIS WEEKEND, BUT WE HAVE MORE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES ACROSS THE AREA TODAY BUT TEMPERATURES WERE A LITTLE BIT WARMER.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A COOL DOWN, HIGHS MAINLY IN THE SINGLE DIGITS, MAYBE SOME LOW TEENS IN PARTS OF THE AREA TOMORROW, SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING CHANCES OF SNOW RETURN TO THE AREA.

NOW WE WILL GET THIS CLICKER WORKING FOR YOU IN JUST A SECOND.

CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 15 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE FROM THE NORTH AT 6 MILES PER HOUR WITH A DEW POINT OF 10.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 20 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 13.

PRESSURE IS STEADY AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA TODAY.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE THAT TAPERING OFF TO A FEW FLURRIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT PARTS OF WESTERN MINNESOTA COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW IN THE MORNING AND PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON.

HOWEVER, IT LOOKS LIKE OVERALL, THE WEEKEND IS LOOKING QUIET, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE ON THE COLD SIDE.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ANGELA SPOTTING A COUPLE OF EAGLES AT THE WALKER AIRPORT TODAY.

THE DEER ARE IN THE RHUBARB PATCH IN JENKINS.

A LITTLE RED FOX IS TAKING A NAP IN THE SNOW.

GARY SPOTTING EVIDENCE OF A BUSY BEAVER.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 24.

CHRISTY IN DEER WOODS, THE HIGH WAS 26.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY AND WINDY WITH A HIGH OF 21.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 25 TODAY, WARMER THAN IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT, BUT STILL COOLER THAN AVERAGE.

OUR AVERAGE IS 30.

15 FOR THE LOW, 4:31 WAS THE SUNSET.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 21, SO 5 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD A LOW OF 15 AND SUNRISE AT 7:51.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW IN PARTS OF WESTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, AND SOME OF THE SNOW IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE COULD PUSH INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SEEING SOME OF THE SNOW IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE TOMORROW.

OTHERWISE, VARIABLE CLOUDS, WE WILL BE SEEING HIGHS FROM 5 TO 10 ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA, HEADING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE COULD SEE LOW TO MID-TEENS BUT IT LOOKS COLDER AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, A CHANCE OF FLURRIES, LOWS NEAR -5.

TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON.

HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 9.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, BUT COLD TEMPERATURES ON SUNDAY.

WE COULD WAKE UP TO LOWS AGAIN AT -5 TO -15.

WARMER ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY, BUT WE HAVE CHANCES OF SNOW SHOWERS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA, THE BEST CHANCE ON TUESDAY, A SLIGHT CHANCE CONTINUES INTO WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: NOW CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE BEMIDJI MEN'S HOCKEY ON THE ROAD IN [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY HAS BEEN AT THE TOP OF THE CCHA STANDINGS SINCE CONFERENCE PLAY BEGAN.

IT MARKS THE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT POINTS.

THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON WAS A HIGH NOTE BEFORE HEADING INTO THE WINTER BREAK.

BEAVERS COME AS THE SECOND HIGHEST SCORING OFFENSE.

THE VIKINGS COME IN AS THE SECOND BEST DEFENSIVE SQUAD, BUT IT FELT LIKE THE ROLES WERE REVERSED.

AUGIE STRIKES FIRST ON THE POWER PLAY.

LESS THAN 30 SECONDS LATER, BEN GOES BAR DOWN TO PUT AUGUSTANA AHEAD 2-0.

THE BEAVERS FINALLY FOUND NYLON AND IT WAS THE LEADING SCORER, OLIVER, HIS 11th OF THE SEASON.

BEMIDJI STATE COULD NOT COMPLETE THE COMEBACK, 3-1 THE FINAL.

AUGUSTANA IS LEADING AFTER TWO PERIODS.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY CLOSING THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON, HOSTING 5TH RANKED MINNESOTA DULUTH.

HALFWAY INTO THE FIRST PERIOD, NO SCORE, OLIVIA DRONEN, BOMB FROM THE BLUE LINE, HER 1ST GOAL OF THE SEASON, BEAVS LED 1-0 AFTER ONE.

THEN THE 2ND, THE BULLDOGS' RAE MAYER, BURIES THE ONE-TIMER, HER 7TH ON THE YEAR, KNOTS THE GAME AT ONE.

LATER, CAITLIN KRAEMER FINDS THEA JOHANSSON IN FRONT OF THE NET, TO PUT THE BULLDOGS IN FRONT 2-1.

THEY'D COLLECT TWO MORE IN THE 3RD, BEMDIJI STATE FALLS 4-1 TO OPEN THEIR SERIES WITH U-M-D.

>>> WELL AFTER BEGINNING THE SEASON WITH A 3-0 WIN OVER ALEXANDRIA, BEMIDJI BOY'S HOCKEY STRUGGLED TO PUT THE PUCK IN THE NET, ONLY SCORING ONE GOAL IN THEIR NEXT TWO GAMES.

BUT TUESDAY NIGHT THE, THE LUMBERJACKS OFFENSE RETURNED AS THEY PUMPED THIEF RIVER FALLS FOR 6-GOALS EN-ROUTE TO A DOUBLE-U.

JACKS TRYING TO KEEP THAT MOMENTUM GOING TONIGHT AS THEY HOST CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON WHO COMES IN RANKED 12TH IN CLASS-A.

LATE FIRST PERIOD, STILL NO SCORE, NATHAN VALLEY TO DAWSON SCHOONOVER, POPPIN BOTTLES, HIS FIRST OF THE YEAR, BEMIDJI LED 1-0 AT THE BREAK.

IN THE SECOND, VALLEY WITH A CHANCE OF HIS OWN, BUT HE'S TURNED AWAY BY JACOB IALLONARDO, NO ONE WOULD SCORE IN THE PERIOD.

THEN IN THE THIRD, IALLONARDO TRIES TO CLEAR FOR CLOQUET, OH NO, HE SAVES THE FIRST SHOT, BUT QUINN NIEMI ABLE TO PUT AWAY THE REBOUND FOR BEMIDJI, MADE IT 2-0.

STORY OF THE NIGHT THOUGH, CHRISTIAN HILL IN THE NET FOR BEMIDJI, SAW 22-SHOTS, AND SAVED 22-SHOTS FOR HIS SECOND SHUTOUT OF THE SEASON.

BEMIDJI WOULD GO ON TO WIN 3-0 OVER CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, LUMBERJACKS IMPROVE T0 3-AND-2, THEY HEAD TO DULUTH EAST NEXT TUESDAY.

>>> SOME MORE SCORES, GRAND RAPIDS KNOCKS OFF ROSEAU.

BAGLEY FOSSTON GETS THE WIN IN BOYS HOCKEY.

WARROAD GETS THE WIN OVER GENTRY ACADEMY.

>>> MOVING TO BASKETBALL, LITTLE FALLS BEATS GRAND RAPIDS.

PIERZ GETS THE WIN OVER ROYALTON.

BLACKDUCK GETS A 2-POINT WIN OVER FOSSTON.

>>> ON THE GIRL'S SIDE OF THINGS, CROSBY-IRONTON, A 9-POINT WIN OVER PEQUOT LAKES.

MENAHGA AND PIERZ PICKING UP WINS TONIGHT.

BLACKDUCK GETS THE WIN.

CASS LAKE-BENA BEATS LAKE OF THE WOODS.

NEVIS OVER CLEARBROOK-GONVICK, DOUBLED THEM UP THERE.

>> Dennis: A 33-32 SCORE?

>> Charlie: YEAH, THAT'S LIKE A HIGH SCORING FOOTBALL GAME.

>> Dennis: THEY ALL HAVE SHOT CLOCKS NOW?

>> Charlie: YES, THEY HAVE THE SHOT CLOCK NOW, BUT SOMETIMES IT IS JUST A DEFENSIVE STRUGGLE.

>> Dennis: YEAH, IT MUST HAVE BEEN A REALLY GOOD DEFENSE.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> AS THE HOLIDAYS APPROACH, MANY FAMILIES ARE BEGINNING TO START THEIR HOLIDAY TRADITIONS LIKE DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE OR MAKING GINGERBREAD HOUSES.

BUT AT THE CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, THEY ARE KICKING OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY BRINGING A BELOVED CHRISTMAS CLASSIC TO THE STAGE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

>> Reporter: AS THE SONG GOES, YOU KNOW DASHER, DANCER, PRANCER, AND VIXEN, COMET -- BUT AT THE LATEST SHOW, THEY REMIND PEOPLE OF THE MOST FAMOUS RAIN DEER OF ALL.

>> RUDOLPH WITH YOUR NOSE SO BRIGHT, WILL YOU GUIDE MY SLEIGH TONIGHT?

>> IT'S THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC THAT EVERYONE HAS SEEN ON TV, THE CLAYMATION SHOW IS REALLY EXACTLY THAT SHOW, JUST BROUGHT TO LIFE ON THE STAGE.

>> Reporter: THE CAST AND CREW WORKED TO FAITHFULLY REPLICATE THE CHARACTERS FROM THE CLASSIC TV SPECIAL, FROM CORNELIUS, TO THE SNOW MONSTER OF THE NORTH, AND OF COURSE RUDOLPH.

>> IT WAS NICE KNOWING THAT IT'S SUCH A TIMELESS CHARACTER, SO IT WAS FUN TO DEVELOP.

IT'S JUST A HOLIDAY CLASSIC AND I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR EVERYONE TO JUST ENJOY.

IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO LAUGH AT AND HAVE FUN WITH.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC CHARACTERS, SO YOU'RE FIRED.

THAT WAS LIKE, I HAVE TO DO THAT.

I GOT TO DO IT.

I GOT TO DO THE MUSTACHE AND EVERYTHING.

IT WAS LIKE STEPPING INTO A WHOLE OTHER WORLD FOR AN HOUR TO ESCAPE REALITY.

IT WAS AWESOME.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE CAST AND CREW OF THE SHOW, THERE IS NO BETTER WAY OF KICKING OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON THAN SEEING THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC.

TICKETS ARE GOING FAST.

>> IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, THE CONSTANT CHRISTMAS SHOW.

IT'S GREAT TO BE ABLE TO COME OUT AND RELIVE THE NOSTALGIA OF YOUR CHILDHOOD AND INTRODUCE YOUR KIDS TO IT AND GET IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD.

>> IF PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THIS DURING THE WEEKEND, THEY NEED TO GET TICKETS FAST.

THE TICKETS ARE SELLING LIKE HOT CAKES.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'LL DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> RUDOLPH WILL RUN AT THE CHALBERG THEATER THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEKEND WITH SHOWS AT 2:00 AND 7:00 P.M.

ON SATURDAY, AND A SHOW AT 6:00 P.M.

ON SUNDAY.

>>> LET'S CHECK BACK WITH STACY FOR MORE ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING A FEW SCATTERED FLURRIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, THE LOWS ARE DROPPING TO -5.

VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS, SOME IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, OTHERWISE MAINLY IN THE CENTRAL PART TO THE STATE.

COLD TEMPERATURES, HIGHS NEAR 9, A VERY COLD NIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING, WITH LOWS NEAR -9.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE TO END THE WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: AND FORMER BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY GOAL TERNDZ -- GOALTENDER WAS RECOGNIZED, GETTING THE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO HER NATIONAL TEAM.

SHE PLAYS FOR SLOVAKIA.

CONGRATULATIONS, IT'S COOL TO SEE HER DOING WELL, CONTINUING TO DO WELL AFTER PLAYING FOR THE BEAVERS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY.

[♪♪♪]