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

MEMBER FDIC.

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

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> 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.

>>> THE SNOW LAST WEEK CAME JUST IN TIME FOR THE MINNESOTA UNITED SNOWMOBILERS ASSOCIATION WINTER RENDEZVOUS THIS PAST WEEKEND.

THIS YEAR'S ANNUAL MEET-UP TOOK PLACE IN BEMIDJI, AND THROUGHOUT THE FOUR-DAY EVENT THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF RIDERS TRAVELING HUNDREDS OF MILES ON THEIR SNOWMOBILES.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: WITH THE HUM OF THE FOUR STROKE, AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE AIR, THE MINNESOTA UNITED SNOWMOBILERS ASSOCIATION WAS READY TO HIT THE TRAILS.

>> OH, JUST THE FREEDOM OF IT ALL.

YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE HAVING A ROLLER COASTER AT YOUR THUMB.

SO YOU CAN HAVE A LITTLE FUN WITH IT AND GO FOR A RIDE, STOP, HAVE SOME LUNCH.

IT'S JUST A SOCIAL EVENT BASICALLY.

A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE HERE.

THE FIRST THING IS THE COMRADERY, HANGING OUT AT EVENTS LIKE THIS, RIDING WITH A BUNCH OF PEOPLE AND HAVING A GREAT TIME.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE SPAN OF THREE DAYS, A TOTAL OF BETWEEN 700 AND 800 MILES WERE TRAVELED BY SNOWMOBILERS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE, REPRESENTING OVER 50 SNOWMOBILE CLUBS.

>> PEOPLE ARE ALL THE SAME WHEN YOU FIND SOMETHING OF INTEREST.

THEY WERE LAUGHING QUITE A BIT LAST NIGHT.

>> WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF PEOPLE THAT SNOWMOBILE, FROM DOCTORS, TO BANKERS, TO LAWYERS, TO LOGGERS, TO RETIRED PEOPLE, COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND SO ON.

SO YOU HAVE ALL THIS MIX OF DEMOGRAPHICS COMING TOGETHER IN ONE LOCATION AND SO THE STORIES THAT ARE BEING TOLD.

>> Reporter: THERE IS MORE TO THE MEETING THAN JUST CATCHING UP AND BRINGING OUT THE SLEDS.

THE RENDEZVOUS ENCOURAGES SNOWMOBILERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MINNESOTA'S OVER 22,000 MILES OF TRAILS.

>> SO THIS IS A LONG PROCESS.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAILS, SO IT TAKES A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS.

>> TREE TRIM, BRUSH, SIGNAGE, AND THEN THE WINTERTIME, GROOMING.

YOU HAVE GROOMER EXPENSES, YOU HAVE INSURANCE EXPENSES.

>> Reporter: ALL THE UPKEEP SEEMS TO BE WORTH IT IF IT KEEPS AWAY THE WINTERTIME BLUES.

>> COME ON MINNESOTANS, YOU NEED TO BE ACTIVE AND THIS IS ONE WAY TO DO IT.

NO BEES, NO HORNETS, THE AIR SEEMS TO BE CLEANER AND MORE CLEARER.

IT'S JUST FRESHER, I THINK IN THE WINTERTIME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ON TOP OF THE HUNDREDS OF MILES OF RIDING DONE AT THE RENDEZVOUS, THE OVER 200 MNUSA MEMBERS ARE JOINED BY STATE LEGISLATORS AND D.N.R.

OFFICIALS EVERY YEAR TO DISCUSS TRAILS, FUNDING, AND OTHER ISSUES INVOLVED IN SNOWMOBILING TODAY.

>>> THE OWNERSHIP TRANSFER OF THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES MUST CONTINUE AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED.

AN ARBITRATION PANEL HAS RULED THAT CONTROLLING OWNER GLEN TAYLOR MUST CEDE CONTROL OF THE NBA CLUB TO PARTNERS MARC LORE AND ALEX RODRIGUEZ IN THE DISPUTED FINAL PHASE OF THE SALE.

THE $1.5 BILLION TRANSACTION WAS UNIQUELY ARRANGED THREE YEARS AGO TO GIVE LORE AND RODRIGUEZ THE MAJORITY STAKE.

BUT THE TWO WERE BLINDSIDED LAST MARCH WHEN TAYLOR ANNOUNCED HE WAS EXERCISING HIS RIGHT TO PULL OUT OF THE DEAL BECAUSE HE FELT THE TWO MEN DID NOT SEND THE FINAL PAYMENT WITHIN THE 90-DAY DEADLINE OF INITIATING THE PURCHASE.

THE BINDING RULING ISSUED MONDAY GRANTED LORE, AN E-COMMERCE ENTREPRENEUR AND INVESTOR, AND RODRIGUEZ, THE FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STAR, A 90-DAY EXTENSION TO FINISH THE ACQUISITION OF THE TEAM.

THE SALE IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE LEAGUE'S BOARD OF GOVERNORS, WITH AT LEAST 23 OF 30 TEAM OWNERS NEEDING TO VOTE YES.

TAYLOR BOUGHT THE TEAM FOR 88 MILLION TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING TO NEW ORLEANS IN 1994.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INVITES THE TRAVELING PUBLIC, AREA RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO ATTEND A PUBLIC MEETING TO LEARN ABOUT FIVE ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS FOR THE HIGHWAY 371 AND HIGHWAY 210 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN BAXTER.

TWO OPEN HOUSE-STYLE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH.

ONE RUNS FROM 1:00 TO 2:30 P.M. AND THE OTHER FROM 4:00 TO 6:00 P.M.

BOTH ARE AT THE MNDOT OFFICE IN BAXTER ON INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD.

NO FORMAL PRESENTATION IS SCHEDULED SO ATTENDEES CAN STOP BY AT THEIR LEISURE.

THE SAME INFORMATION AND MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT BOTH EVENTS.

MNDOT HAS POSTED A VIDEO ONLINE EXPLAINING THE PROJECT'S BACKGROUND AND THE FIVE ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS THAT ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION.

THERE IS ALSO AN ONLINE SURVEY FOR THE PUBLIC TO GIVE FEEDBACK ON THE ALTERNATIVES.

THE SURVEY RUNS THROUGH FEBRUARY 21ST.

BOTH THE VIDEO AND SURVEY CAN BE FOUND ON THE PROJECT WEB PAGE WHICH WE ARE INCLUDING WITH THIS STORY ONLINE.

>>> MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER HAS REINTRODUCED HIS SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST RESTORATION ACT.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD OVERTURN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S MINERAL WITHDRAWAL OF AROUND 225,000 ACRES IN THE SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST AND RESTORE LONG-HELD MINERAL LEASES.

STAUBER, WHO REPRESENTS MINNESOTA'S 8TH CONGRESSION DISTRICT, SAYS THE DULUTH COMPLEX, LOCATED WITHIN NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST, IS A WORLD-CLASS MINERAL DEPOSIT CONTAINING NEARLY 8 BILLION TONS OF COPPER, NICKEL, COBALT, AND PLATINUM GROUP METALS.

HE SAYS THESE MINERALS WILL SOON SEE HUGE UPSWINGS IN DEMAND DUE TO THEIR USE IN DEFENSE APPLICATIONS, BATTERY STORAGE, ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND OTHER RAPIDLY EXPANDING SECTORS.

>>> ON JANUARY 26, 2022, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CANCELLED TWO DECADES-OLD MINERAL LEASES HELD BY A PROSPECTIVE MINE OPERATOR IN THE REGION, TWIN METALS MINNESOTA.

A YEAR LATER, ON JANUARY 31, 2023, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S MINERAL WITHDRAWAL OF 225,504 ACRES IN THE SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST WENT INTO EFFECT, BLOCKING DEVELOPMENT FOR 20 YEARS.

STAUBER SAYS WITH DONALD TRUMP IN OFFICE NOW AND REPUBLICANS IN CONTROL OF BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT LEGISLATORS ARE WELL POSITIONED TO REVERSE BIDENS ACTIONS AND ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE TO OVERTURN THE MINERAL WITHDRAW.

OFFICIALS WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP “SAVE THE BOUNDARY WATER”" CALLS STAUBER'S BILL DEEPLY UNPOPULAR, ANTI-WILDERNESS LEGISLATION THAT MUST BE STOPPED IN THE SENATE.

THEY SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THE BILL, "UNDERMINES THE ROBUST RECORD OF SCIENCE, PUBLIC OPINION, LAW, AND ECONOMICS THAT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THAT THIS ICONIC AMERICAN LANDSCAPE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PLACE FOR OUR NATION'S MOST DANGEROUS INDUSTRY.” >>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCED TARIFFS ON STEEL AND ALUMINUM TODAY.

THE GOOD NEWS IS ANALYSTS SAY THE TARIFFS MIGHT HELP DOMESTIC PRODUCERS.

THE BAD NEWS IS THE POSSIBILITY OF HIGHER PRICES FOR AMERICANS.

SHERRELL HUBBARD HAS MORE ON THE PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS IMPOSING A 25% TARIFF ON ALL STEEL AND ALUMINUM IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES IS A PART OF HIS PLAN TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

>> WE'LL BRING BACK INDUSTRIES, WE WILL BRING BACK OUR JOBS, AND WE'LL MAKE AMERICAN INDUSTRY GREAT AGAIN.

>> Reporter: IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON AUTOMAKING, AEROSPACE, AND OIL PRODUCTION.

WHETHER THE IMPACT WILL BE GOOD OR BAD REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

CANADA'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THE MOVE IS WRONG ON MANY LEVELS.

THEY PRODUCE ABOUT A QUARTER OF U.S. STEEL IMPORTS.

>> WE DON'T NEED IT FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY.

AS AN EXAMPLE, IF WE MAKE IT IN THE UNITED STATES, WE DON'T NEED IT TO BE MADE IN CANADA.

WE'LL HAVE THE JOBS.

THAT'S WHY CANADA SHOULD BE OUR 51st STATE.

>> Reporter: THE TARIFFS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IMPOSED WITH NO EXEMPTIONS.

CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTER PREVIOUSLY SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT NO ONE WINS IN TRADE AND TARIFF WARS.

CHINA IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST STEEL PRODUCER.

TRUMP IS ALSO RECEIVING BACKLASH FROM WITHIN AMERICA'S BORDERS.

>> TARIFFS ARE GOING TO INCREASE THE PRICE OF EVERYDAY GOODS ON ALL AMERICANS, WHICH IS THE ANTITHESIS, THE OPPOSITE OF WHY THEY MAY HAVE VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP.

>> Reporter: I'M SHERRELL HUBBARD REPORTING.

>> TRUMP IS EXPECTED TO DIG EVEN DEEPER ON TARIFFS.

HE IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE NEW RECIPROCAL TARIFFS ON TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY, WHICH COULD MATCH OTHER COUNTRIES' TARIFFS ON U.S. GOODS DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR.

MONDAY'S MOVE WAS REMINISCENT OF TRUMP'S FIRST ADMINISTRATION WHEN HE ANNOUNCED 25 PERCENT TARIFFS ON STEEL AND 10 PERCENT TARIFFS ON ALUMINUM, WHICH HE EVENTUALLY LIFTED FROM MEXICO AND CANADA THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

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

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME COLD TEMPERATURES AND VERY COLD WINDCHILLS THROUGHOUT THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, THE SAGE RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD WILL BE SPORTING A NEW LOOK THIS SPRING.

[♪♪♪] >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

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

>> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> WARROAD IS KNOWN AS HOCKEY TOWN U.S.A. FOR YEARS AND NOW THE CITY IS ALSO FEATURING A NEW ATTRACTION, THE WARROAD RIVER BEND SKATE PATH.

WHEN COVID SHUTDOWN HOCKEY ARENAS ACROSS, TWO NEIGHBORS GOT TOGETHER TO CREATE BACKYARD HOCKEY RINKS ALONG THE WARROAD RIVER.

THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A 2.5 MILE LONG SKATE PATH THAT WOULD GO ON TO BREAK THE RECORD FOR THE LONGEST SKATE PATH IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> WE GOT IT UP TO 5.2 MILES, PRETTY INSANE.

AS THE YEARS GOES ON, IT'S HARDER TO KEEP IT UP.

WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT AT THE ORIGINAL SIZE.

IT'S ALL MAINTAINED THROUGH KIDS LIKE ME THAT GO TO HIGH SCHOOL AND ARE LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS.

ACTUALLY, IT TAKES BIG PUMPS AND FLOODS THE ICE LIKE IN A NORMAL HOCKEY RINK, WHILE SWEEPING THE PATH.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE SAFE OUT HERE.

>> THE SKATE PATH BRINGS FAMILIES FROM ALL OVER TO THE SMALL TOWN IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND KIDS WILL FLOOD THE PATH AFTER EVERY HOCKEY TOURNAMENT IN THE AREA.

NIXON BELIEVES IT'S A SORT OF SMALL-TOWN EFFECT THAT MAKES THE RIVERBEND SKATE PATH SO SPECIAL.

>> MOST COMMUNITIES CANNOT PULL SOMETHING LIKE THIS OFF.

LIKE EVERYBODY IN WARROAD IS SO TIGHT AND CLOSE-KNIT.

THIS COULDN'T HAPPEN IN A BIGGER CITY BECAUSE EVERYBODY WANTS TO ENJOY IT AND SEE THE COMMUNITY HAPPY AND THRIVE.

SO, THINGS LIKE THIS IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF OUR SIZE.

>> THE WARROAD RIVER BEND IS USUALLY OPERATIONAL UNTIL THE RIVER STARTS TO MELT, WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS USUALLY IN LATE MARCH OR EARLY APRIL.

>>> WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO MELT ANY ICE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS STACY.

>> Stacy: NO, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY COLD AND TEMPERATURES STAY COLD THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

THE WARMEST DAY IS FRIDAY AND THERE WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE LOW TEENS.

WITH THE COLD TEMPERATURES, COLD OVERNIGHT LOWS, WE'LL ALSO SEE COLD WINDCHILLS AND DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING IN THE AREA, SO WE DO HAVE SOME WARNINGS AND >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DEAF, DEAF/BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING STATE SERVICES DIVISION.

>> SANFORD HEALTH; HERE FOR ALL, HERE FOR GOOD.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA IS AVAILABLE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

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

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: TEMPERATURES STAYED COLD, DESPITE THE SUNSHINE IN THE AREA TODAY AND I THIS WILL BE THE STORY AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

WE WILL SEE COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT AND TONIGHT IS NO EXCEPTION TO THAT AND WE'LL HAVE WINDCHILLS IN A DANGEROUS RANGE ACROSS OUR AREA.

WE HAVE WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES OUT.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, IT'S -6 AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A WEST WIND AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, DROPPING OUR WINDCHILL TO -17, OUR DEW POINT IS AT -12.

IN BRAINERD, IT'S -2, A DEW POINT OF -13, WINDS OUT OF THE WEST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, AND THE CURRENT WIND CHILL IS AT -18.

AN EXTREME COLD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA UNTIL NOON ON TUESDAY.

EXPECTED WIND CHILLS COULD BE AS COLD AS -45, THE REST OF OUR VIEWING AREA UNDER A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE WINDCHILLS BETWEEN -35 AND -40.

RIGHT NOW THE CURRENT WINDCHILLS, -18 IN GRAND RAPIDS, -28 IN ROSEAU, PARK RAPIDS IS AT -31.

SO IT'S VERY COLD AND IT'S GOING TO GET COLDER AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT.

WEATHER CONDITIONS QUIET OUT THERE, HIGH CLOUDS, BUT IT'S FAIRLY CLEAR, A FEW THICKER CLOUDS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT REALLY IT'S GOING TO BE UNEVENTFUL TONIGHT WITH CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, VERY COLD TEMPERATURES WITH THE WINDCHILLS, AND THE VERY COLD TO DANGEROUS LEVEL.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE FOR US TOMORROW, BUT IT IS GOING TO STAY ON THE COLD SIDE.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE MORNING SKIES OVER MENAHGA AND BRANDON WITH THIS GORGEOUS SHOT OF THE SUNRISE THIS MORNING.

THE MOON IS NOT DISAPPOINTING THIS EVENING EITHER.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, -8 WITH A LIGHT BREEZE THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNSHINE TODAY, A HIGH OF 2 ON THE PLUS SIDE.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN BUT BREEZY TODAY, ASHLEY IN JENKINS REPORTING -2 THIS EVENING.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 11 WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD.

COLD TEMPERATURES, OUR AVERAGE IS IN THE MID-20s, WE HAD -11 THIS MORNING, AND SUNRISE AT 7:26.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 2, SO THAT'S 20 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE, -6 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNSET AT 5:37.

SO AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE START OUT WITH CLEAR SKIES TUESDAY MORNING AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT THIS IN MOTION, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE MUCH CHANGE.

PRETTY MUCH SUNNY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

IT'S GOING TO BE A COLD SUNSHINE AS TEMPERATURES STAY WELL BELOW AVERAGE, A FEW CLOUDS COULD ROLL IN AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE SEEING THE SUNNY SKIES, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE SINGLE DIGITS ABOVE AND BELOW ZERO IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, ABOUT -5 TO 1.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT THE FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT,-22 FOR THE LOW, AND WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE EXTENDED FORECAST.

NOT AN EVENTFUL FORECAST, BUT IT STAYS COLD THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, THE WARMEST DAY IS FRIDAY, WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SCATTERED SNOW AND FLURRIES ON FRIDAY, BUT HIGHS NEAR 13, AND WE'RE BACK IN THE SINGLE DIGITS ABOVE AND BELOW 0 AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Charlie: IT WAS THE WINTER CARNIVAL FOR MICHIGAN TECH AND THEY WERE HAVING A HECK OF A TIME OUT THERE PLAYING FOR THE WINTER CARNIVAL TROPHY.

WE ALSO HAD A CHANCE FROM THIS WEEKEND TO TALK TO THE BRAINERD NORDIC SKI TEAM AND HEAR FROM THEM AS THEY HEAD TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, BSU MEN'S HOCKEY HAD STRUGGLED TO PUT PUCKS IN THE NET OVER THEIR LAST 6 CONTESTS, AVERAGING 1 AND A THIRD PER GAME, RESULTING IN A 1-5 RECORD DURING THAT STRETCH, BUT ON FRIDAY THE BEAVERS PUMPED MICHIGAN TECH FOR 5-GOALS EN ROUTE TO A VICTORY.

SO, THE QUESTION WAS COULD THEY FIND SOME CONSISTENCY AND REPLICATE THAT RESULT.

>>> SATURDAY WAS NIGHT TWO OF THE WINTER CARNIVAL IN HOUGHTON.

WHOEVER FINISHED WITH MORE GOALS BETWEEN THE TWO GAMES WOULD WIN THE SERIES TROPHY AND THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN WHY THE GAME WENT THE WAY IT DID.

TIED AT ONE IN THE FIRST, KASPER MAGNUSSEN ON THE POWER PLAY.

HE HAD A 3-GOAL, 4-POINT WEEKEND, EARNED CCHA FORWARD OF THE WEEK.

IT PUT BEMIDJI UP BUT NOT FOR LONG.

TIED AT TWO NOW.

NOAH QUINN, BACK DOOR, 2ND GOAL IN AS MANY GAMES.

IT WAS CAT-AND-MOUSE THROUGH MOST OF THE CONTEST.

JUMP AHEAD TO THE THIRD, TIED AT FOUR, AND WITH JUST UNDER FOUR TO PLAY.

JAKSEN PANZER FINDS NYLON TO GIVE BSU A 5-4 LEAD.

UNDER 30-SECONDS TO GO NOW, HUSKIES WITH A 2-MAN ADVANTAGE AND THEY SCORE TO FORCE O.T.

THEN LATE IN THE OVERTIME, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN.

JACKSON JUTTING, HIS SECOND WALK OFF THIS SEASON.

BEMIDJI STATE GETS THE SWEEP AND WINS THE WINTER CARNIVAL.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT CAPS A MUCH NEEDED FIVE POINT WEEKEND FOR THE BEAVERS, WHO REMAIN IN 8TH PLACE IN THE CONFERENCE STANDINGS, BUT ONLY THREE POINTS BACK OF 5TH PLACE AND 6 FROM 4TH.

THEY HAVE A BYE THIS WEEKEND AND THEN JUST TWO MORE SERIES TO CLOSE OUT THE REGULAR SEASON.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES ON THE COLLEGE FRONT.

ON SATURDAY, MEN'S BASKETBALL BEHIND JOHN SUTHERLAND WHO HAD A PLAYER OF THE WEEK PERFORMANCE, GOT THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT WIN.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, UNFORTUNATELY THEY DROPPED THEIR THIRD IN A ROW AND WOMEN'S TENNIS, THEY GOT SWEPT ON THE WEEKEND.

ALSO OVER THE WEEKEND, GIRLS WRESTLING HELD THEIR INDIVIDUAL SECTION TOURNAMENTS.

THE TOP TWO FINISHERS IN EACH WEIGHT CLASS QUALIFY FOR STATE.

IN SECTION 7 AND 8, THERE WERE 10 GIRLS TOTAL, 6 OF THEM CROWNED AS SECTION CHAMPIONS, AND YOU CAN SEE THEM THERE.

AND IN SECTION 5 AND 6, FOUR AREA GIRLS WRESTLERS QUALIFIED FOR THE STATE MEET WITH ONE WINNING A SECTION TITLE.

BOYS TEAM SECTION PLAYOFFS ARE THIS WEEK WITH INDIVIDUALS NEXT WEEK AND THE ENTIRE WRESTLING STATE MEET RUNS FROM FEBRUARY 27TH THROUGH MARCH 1ST.

>>> IN THE NBA, IT WAS NOT ENOUGH AS THEY FELL TO THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS.

>>> BRAINERD NORDIC SKI IS PREPPING FOR YET ANOTHER TRIP TO THE STATE MEET AFTER THE BOYS TEAM TOOK HOME THE SECTION EIGHT TITLE AND ANNELISE BAIRD SECURED THE GIRLS INDIVIDUAL SECTION TITLE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE LATEST ON HOW MINNESOTA'S TOP RANKED HIGH SCHOOL SKIERS ARE TUNING UP FOR THE BIG STAGE.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD BOYS NORDIC SKIERS SLID INTO THE 2024-2025 SEASON HOLDING THE TOP RANKING IN CLASS 1A.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT BACK UP THE HYPE, EARNING THEIR FOURTH TITLE.

>> I KNEW WE WERE GOING TO DO GOOD, NOT TO SOUND COCKY.

WE WERE GOING TO HAVE FUN WITH IT.

IN THE AFTERNOON, ALL THE BOYS WERE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER, SO WE WERE LIKE LET'S JUST TRAIN AND GO SKI TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: ON THE GIRL'S SIDE, THE 10th RANKED NORDIC SKIER IN THE STATE WILL BE REPRESENTING THE WARRIORS, AFTER CLAIMING THE INDIVIDUAL SECTION 1-A TITLE FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR.

>> USUALLY I HAVE A PRETTY BIG LEAD AFTER THE FIRST PLACE, BUT I SAID WE'RE GOING TO COME OUT INTO THE SECOND RACE AND COME OUT HARD AND JUST CRUSH THE HOPES OF WHOEVER IS BEHIND ME BECAUSE I'M JUST GOING TO DOMINATE.

I DIDN'T EXPECT TO COME IN AND WIN THREE SECTION TITLES.

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE WAS REALLY EXCITING.

>> Reporter: AFTER SWEEPING THE TITLES BACK IN 2024, THE BRAINERD NORDIC SKI TEAM HAD A LOT OF EXPECTATIONS COMING INTO THE SEASON.

FIRST YEAR HEAD COACH KNEW FROM DAY ONE THAT THE WARRIORS ARE FLOODED WITH GEMS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

>> THEY HAVE A LOT OF GRIT AND THEY KNOW HOW TO DIG DEEP AND THE EXPERIENCE THAT THEY HAD REALLY HELPS OUR TEAM.

>> AT FIRST, IT WAS A BIT NERVE-RACKING THINKING OH JEEZ, WE'RE THE FIRST RANKED TEAM IN THE STATE.

>> I GET TO HUNT AND I DON'T HAVE TO BE HUNTED.

I GET TO EXECUTE, WHICH IS REALLY FUN.

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

>>> IN ADDITION TO BRAINERD HEADING TO THE STATE MEET, ELLIOT OBERTON OF LITTLE FALLS ALSO QUALIFIFED AND WILL BE RACING IN THE FREESTYLE AND PURSUIT ON SATURDAY.

AND BEMIDJI IS ALSO SENDING A PAIR OF NORDIC SKIERS TO THE STATE MEET.

SENIORS LEVI RENN AND KAEDON POLLOCK QUALIFIED FOR THE TEAM RELAY AND ARE EXCITED FOR THE CHANCE TO COMPETE ONE LAST TIME.

>> IT'S SUPER SPECIAL TO ME.

I'M SUPER EXCITED.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A GOAL AND SUPER SPECIAL TO GO WITH KAIDEN.

OBVIOUSLY WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME.

>> WE HAVE TO RACE BOTH RACES AND RACE HARD AND FOR EACH OTHER.

>> I THINK WE CAN DO PRETTY WELL.

I JUST HOPE TO GET OUT OF THE PRELIMS AND GET TO THE FINALS AND HAVE A CHANCE TO PLACE.

THAT WOULD BE PRETTY COOL.

I GET TO DO IT WITH MY BEST FRIENDS TOO WHICH IS COOL AND A FUN WAY TO WRAP UP THE HIGH SCHOOL CAREER.

>> Charlie: THAT'S WHAT THE STATE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE FOR NORDIC SKI.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> AND SAGE ON LAUREL IS GETTING READY TO BRING A REBRAND TO DOWNTOWN BRAINERD.

THE 8-YEAR-OLD RESTAURANT WILL BE CHANGING ITS NAME TO PASSPORT IN THE NEAR FUTURE WITH HOPES OF SHOWCASING THE CUISINES OF MANY CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: WHEN SAGE ON LAUREL'S OWNER TOOK OVER THE HELM BACK IN MAY OF LAST YEAR, THEY EACH HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WITH IDEAS ALREADY IN MIND CATERED TOWARDS IMPROVING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.

>> WHEN WE FIRST CAME OUT HERE, WE BOUGHT A CARD GAME THAT WAS DIFFERENT COUNTRIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

WE PICKED ONE RANDOMLY AND WE WOULD PREPARE A FEW DINNERS BASED ON THAT COUNTRY FOR THE WEEK.

THAT IS WHAT GAVE US THE PASSPORT IDEA.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE BOTH AVID FOOD ENTHUSIASTS AND AFTER MOVING TO BRAINERD IN 2018, THEY FELT THAT THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA NEEDED MORE FOOD OPTIONS REPRESENTING EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD.

>> WE WANTED TO STICK WITH WIDENING EVERYBODY'S TASTE BUDS.

WE HAD TO ROPE IT IN SOME AND NOT GO TO THE EXTREME FLAVOR OF WHATEVER REGION I HAPPEN TO BE DOING AT THE TIME.

IT WILL BE A CROSS BETWEEN THE REGION AND A LIGHTER PALLET OF MINNESOTA.

KEEP IT LIGHT IN SPICE COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT SAGE ON LAUREL ALREADY ESTABLISHED THEIR OWN TRADITION, WHICH THEY AIMED TO ENHANCE INSTEAD OF SCRAPE AWAY FROM.

>> THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID A GREAT JOB WITH THE FEEL OF THE PLACE, THE FRONT ROOM WE WANT TO TURN INTO A LOUNGE.

WE WANT TO EXPAND A LITTLE BIT ON THE BAR.

WE WILL MAKE DRINKS TO FEEL FOR WHATEVER REGION I'M DOING AND STICK WITH IT.

>> Reporter: SAGE ON LAUREL'S RE-BRAND IS EXPECTED TO GO INTO EFFECT THIS SPRING AND WHILE PREPARATIONS ARE STILL ONGOING, MATT AND JACQUELINE HAVE BEEN HOLDING DIFFERENT THEMED DINNERS AND INTRODUCING THE BRAINERD LAKES COMMUNITY INTO WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON.

>> THE LAST ONE WAS NORTH AFRICAN AND MOROCCAN FOOD, SO SOUP, SALADS, AN APPETIZER, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING IN A CHEF FOR THE MONTH TO TRY OUT THINGS THEY HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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