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

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>> 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.

>>> A JUDGE HAS RULED IN NORTHERN TOWNSHIPS FAVOR IN AN ANNEXATION DISPUTE WITH THE CITY OF BEMIDJI.

THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS DECISION GRANTS THE TOWNSHIP'S INCORPORATION PETITION AND DENIES THE ANNEXATION REQUEST BROUGHT BY THE CITY OF BEMIDJI.

THE DECISION WAS SIGNED TODAY AND MADE BY CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE JESSICA PALMER-DENIG AFTER LISTENING TO COMMENTS AT TWO PUBLIC HEARING LAST FALL.

THOSE HEARINGS PROVIDED TOWNSHIP AND CITY RESIDENTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ISSUES, ASK QUESTIONS, AND BE HEARD.

NORTHERN TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR CHRIS LAHN SAID IN A RELEASE THAT 'NORTHERN TOWNSHIP' IS NOW FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE, AND THE TOWNSHIP IS PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD AS THE NEWEST CITY IN BELTRAMI COUNTY AND TO TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH THAT ROLE.

LAHN ALSO SAID NORTHERN TOWNSHIP HOLDS NO ILL WILL TOWARD THE CITY OF BEMIDJI AND VIEWS THIS OUTCOME AS A POINT OF CLARITY RATHER THAN DIVISION, AND LOOKS FORWARD TO IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH THE CITY OF BEMIDJI WHERE GOALS AND INTERESTS ALIGN.

WE REACHED OUT TO BEMIDJI MAYOR JORGE PRINCE FOR COMMENT AND HE SAID CITY STAFF AND THE COUNCIL ARE REVIEWING THE JUDGES RULING AND ANY POTENTIAL LEGAL OPTIONS.

PRICE SAYS QUOTE, ALTHOUGH THIS RULING IS DISAPPOINTING, MY POSITION REMAINS THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN THROUGHOUT THESE PROCEEDINGS, THAT WE HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE NEIGHBORS REGARDLESS OF THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME.

OUR MATTHEW FREEMAN WILL HAVE A COMPLETE STORY TOMORROW NIGHT ON LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD HAS SELECTED ITS NEW SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE DISTRICT.

THE BOARD HELD A SECOND ROUND OF INTERVIEWS FOR FINALISTS CHIP RANKIN AND DOCTOR MIKE NUEBECK THIS AFTERNOON.

NEUBECK IS CURRENTLY JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS' INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS BYRON SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT FOR FOUR YEARS.

RANKIN IS SERVING AS MINNEWASKA AREA SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT AND WAS PEQUOT LAKES HIGH SCHOOLS' PRINCIPAL FOR SEVEN YEARS PRIOR TO THAT.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT ROLE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN BRAINERD, IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT WHAT INFLUENCE I HAVE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND WITH OUR STAFF TO HELP OUR KIDS EVERY DAY.

>> YOU WANT EVERY MOM AND DAD TO FEEL WE'RE GOING TO DO THE BEST FOR THEIR KIDS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE'RE GOING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO PREPARE THEM FOR AN UNPREDICTABLE FUTURE.

>> FOLLOWING THE FINAL INTERVIEW ROUNDS, THE SCHOOL BOARD DELIBERATED BEFORE UNANIMOUSLY SELECTING CHIP RANKIN AS ITS NEXT SUPERINTENDENT.

BOARD MEMBERS CITED RANKIN'S LEADERSHIP, PREPARATION, AND SELF-AWARENESS AS SOME OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR CHOOSING HIM.

>> JUST HIS LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS, HIS COMMITMENT TO LEARNING THE DISTRICT AND UNDERSTANDING OUR TRUE CHALLENGES AND HOW HE WOULD APPROACH THAT AND JUST THE WAY HE TALKED ABOUT HIS LEADERSHIP AND HOW HE GOES ABOUT LEADING AND BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

IT SEEMS LIKE WHAT WE NEED IN THIS MOMENT FOR OUR DISTRICT.

>> THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS WITH RANKIN, AND A CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED AT A FEBRUARY BOARD MEETING.

THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT'S PENDING START DATE IS JULY 1ST.

>>> GOVERNOR TIM WALZ SAYS THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN IN MINNESOTA COULD END SOON.

HE SAYS HE SPOKE WITH TOP TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS, INCLUDING BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN AND WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF SUSIE WILES.

AND WHILE WALZ SAID HE'S HOPEFUL AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE EVERY INDICATION HE HAS IS THAT THINGS ARE WINDING UP HE ADDED THAT COULD CHANGE.

OFFICIALS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DID NOT IMMEDIATELY REPLY TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON THE GOVERNOR'S REMARKS.

WALZ SAID TUESDAY THAT HE ANTICIPATES HEARING MORE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION SOON ABOUT THE OPERATION'S FUTURE.

>>> MEANWHILE THE HEAD OF THE AGENCIES CARRYING OUT PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT APPEARED BEFORE LAWMAKERS TODAY THE HEARING HAPPENED AMID HEIGHTENED CALLS FOR OVERSIGHT AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND AS LAWMAKERS DEBATE POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE D.H.S.

AHEAD OF FUNDING DEADLINES THIS FRIDAY.

MICHAEL YOSHIDA REPORTS.

>> WE SIT HERE AT AN INFLECTION POINT.

>> Reporter: A HEAVY WAVE OF SCRUTINY FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING DEATH OF TWO U.S.

CITIZENS BY FEDERAL AGENTS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

>> D.H.S.

PERSONNEL ARE NOW FORCING THEIR WAY INTO PRIVATE HOMES WITHOUT A JUDICIAL WARRANT IN VIOLATION OF THE 4TH AMENDMENT.

>> TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION ARE NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER.

THE DEPARTMENT'S NO FAIL MISSION HANGS IN THE BALANCE.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS ARE NOT COMMENTING ON THE ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS BUT DEFENDED THEIR MISSION AND AGENTS.

>> YOU WON'T SEE I.C.E.

JUST SNATCHING SOMEONE UP.

>> THEY SPENT THE LAST YEAR REBUILDING WHAT WAS A BROKEN BORDER.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS PRESSED ON OFFICERS WEARING BODY CAMERAS AND THE TRAINING THEY RECEIVED AMIDST A HIRING SERVE.

>> IF YOU HIRED SOMEONE FOR I.C.E.

TODAY, HOW MUCH TRAINING UNTIL THEY BECOME A FULL TIME AGENT?

>> FOR A PERSON OFF THE STREET WHO HAS NEVER BEEN A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, THEY ARE LOOKING AT THREE MONTHS OF TRAINING.

>> Reporter: TRYING TO REACH A DEAL TO REFORMS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

THEY HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY OR FACE A SHUTDOWN THAT WOULD IMPACT AGENCIES LIKE T.S.A.

AND FEMA.

IN WASHINGTON, MICHAEL YOSHIDA REPORTING.

>> LYONS AND SCOTT, ANSWERED ALMOST ALL OF THE QUESTIONS AT THE HEARING BUT IT ALSO INCLUDED TESTIMONY FROM JOSEPH EDLOW, THE DIRECTOR OF U.S.

CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES.

>>> THE MAJOR WIND STORM THAT STRUCK BEMIDJI LAST JUNE AFFECTED MANY BUSINESSES IN THE AREA, ONE OF WHICH WAS KEITH'S PIZZA'S SOUTH LOCATION.

THE FAMILY-OWNED PIZZA BUSINESS WAS SHUT DOWN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS DUE TO STORM DAMAGE, BUT HAS FINISHED RENOVATIONS AND IS NOW OPEN AGAIN.

KEITH'S PIZZA HAS TWO LOCATIONS, ONE NEAR THE PAUL BUNYAN MALL AND ONE CLOSE TO NYMORE ON THE SOUTH END OF BEMIDJI.

THAT LOCATION SUSTAINED SERIOUS DAMAGE IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR, AND WAS CLOSED UNTIL CHRISTMAS TIME.

>> THE WIND PULLED THE WHOLE RUBBER ROOF OFF THE BUILDING.

ALL THE WATER CAME IN, WHICH WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN A HUGE DEAL, BUT WE HAD A FALSE FLOOR, SO WE HAD A BUNCH OF CONCRETE BENEATH THE FLOOR SO THE 1,200 SQUARE FEET WAS SATURATED.

BY THE TIME THE INSURANCE GOT DONE MAKING THEIR DECISION, WE HAD MOISTURE ISSUES EVERYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

>> THE WATER DAMAGE TO THE FRONT HALF OF THE BUILDING WAS EXTREME, BUT THE KITCHEN AND BACK OF BUIDLING REMAINED INTACT.

FIXING THE ROOF WAS THE ONLY MAJOR EXTERIOR CHANGE, BUT KEITH'S PIZZA OWNERS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO UPGRADE THE INTERIOR TO A MORE MODERN DESIGN.

BEFORE THE STORM, THE PIZZERIA STILL HAD THE SAME LOOK AS IT DID WHEN IT FIRST OPENED IN 1981.

>> WE HAD LOTS OF WOWS, WE USED TO HAVE 8-FOOT CEILINGS AND NOW WE HAVE A NEW STEREO SYSTEM, A HEATING SYSTEM, THE COMMUNITY WAS SUPER BUSY WITH ALL OF THE DAMAGE.

THEY WERE PROMPT, RESPECTFUL, OUR STAFF STUCK WITH US.

WE'RE BLESSED THAT OUR CUSTOMERS SUPPORTED US A GAVE US A PRETTY BIG INCREASE AT THAT STORE AND CARRIED US THROUGH THE TIME WE WERE OFF.

>> BOTH LOCATIONS ARE NOW FULLY OPEN FOR BUSINESS, AND KEITH'S PIZZA SOUTH WILL BE OPEN SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY, 4:00 TO 8:00, AND WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 4:00 TO 9:00.

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

>> Stacy: WE MAY SEE SOME PATCHY FOG OVERNIGHT TONIGHT BUT SUNSHINE IS BACK TOMORROW AND WE HAVE A START OF ANOTHER WARMING TREND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, FIND OUT WHY A UNIFIED BASKETBALL GAME IN BEMIDJI IS REFERRED TO AS THE BEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IS HARD AT WORK ON THEIR FIRST STAGE SHOWS OF THE YEAR INCLUDING THE COTTAGE, WHICH PLAYED ON BROADWAY AS RECENTLY AS 2023.

THE COMEDY IS SET IN 1920'S ENGLAND AND FOLLOWS TWO COUPLES EACH HAVING AFFAIRS AND THE CHAOS THAT ENSUES AS SECRETS ARE REVEALED.

THE SHOW INCLUDES MATURE THEMES, BUT ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS WITH THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, THE AUDIENCE WILL BE LAUGHING FROM START TO FINISH.

>> IT IS IN THE SPIRIT OF NO YOU WARD, WHO WOULD PUT A LOT OF PEOPLE INTO A ROOM THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO KEEP SECRET AND ALL THE SECRETS COME OUT AND IT'S SET IN 1923.

IT'S IN THIS BRITISH COTTAGE WHERE A WOMAN CAME OUT ABOUT AN AFFAIR TO HER HUSBAND AND HER HUSBAND'S LOVER.

>> PERFORMANCES BEGIN THIS COMING VALENTINES DAY WEEKEND.

>>> AND STACY IS HERE WITH OUR WEATHER.

WE COULD HAVE A MILD VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND.

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY MILD VALENTINE'S WEEKEND.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE ON THE RISE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK WITH 30s [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID HAVE SOME CLOUDS ROLL IN AND TEMPERATURES ARE A LITTLE COOLER THAN WE HAVE EXPERIENCING THE LAST FEW DAYS, STILL MILD WITH HIGHS IN THE 20s.

WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT, SOME PATCHY FOG DEVELOPING HERE OR THERE AND IT LOOKS LIKE TEMPERATURES TO FALL AROUND TO 10 DEGREES OVERNIGHT.

SUNSHINE IS BACK TOMORROW AND WE HAVE THE BEGINNING OF A WARMING TREND THAT WILL BRING HIGHS IN THE 30s AND 40s THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 19 DEGREES.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE FROM THE NORTH AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, WITH GUSTS UP TO 14 AND THE DEW POINT IS AT 16.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 23.

17 IS OUR DEW POINT, WINDS ARE AT 14 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTS UP TO 21.

ON THE SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING CLOUDS MOVING INTO THE AREA FOR MUCH OF THE DAY AND IN FACT, WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE OUR TEMPERATURES WILL DROP TO ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 15 THROUGHOUT OUR VIEWING AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, EXPECT TO SEE THE BEGINNING OF A WARMING TREND, UPPER 20s AND INTO THE MID-30s FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO, SOME OF THE SUNSHINE OVER MENAHGA TODAY AND SOME CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE OVER CASS LAKE FROM ANGELA.

CHRISSY SPOTTING WHAT LOOKS LIKE A HEART ON THE TREE IN DEERWOOD, JUST AS WE'RE HEADED TOWARDS VALENTINE'S DAY.

JOAN SPOTTING A BALD EAGLE NEAR LAPORTE.

GARY IN DEERWOOD WITH THE FEBRUARY THAW AND SAMROSE WITH THE COTTON CANDY CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, JOAN IN LAPORTE, WINDY WITH A HIGH OF 38.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY, 25, TEMPERATURES STEADY ALL DAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, HIGH OF 31, CURRENTLY FEELING LIKE 11.

ARLENE, WITH A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 28.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, WINDY WITH CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE AND 24 TODAY.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 35 WAS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD, THAT WAS EARLY ON TODAY.

WE AGAIN ARE SEEING MILDER THAN AVERAGE TEMPERATURES.

WE DID HAVE A LOW OF 23 AND SUNSET 5:35.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 29, SO A LITTLE BIT COOLER THAN WE HAVE BEEN SEEING BUT WARMER THAN AVERAGE, 18 WURZ -- WAS OUR LOW.

AS WE LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE MAY SEE AREAS OF PATCHY FOG, SOME LOW CLOUDS OUT THERE.

WE SHOULD AS THE DAY WEARS ON EXPECT TO SEE SOME SUNSHINE OUT THERE.

WE WILL SEE TEMPERATURES STARTING TO WARM UP.

HIGHS SHOULD BE ANYWHERE FROM THE MID TO UPPER 20s IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA WE'LL SEE THE HIGH TEMPERATURES CLIMBING INTO THE 30s, LOW TO MID-30s ACROSS THE NORTH, WITH MID-30s EXPECTED IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, WITH SOME PATCHY FOG POSSIBLE, LOWS NEAR 9, WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

THEN TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, WE STILL COULD SEE SOME PATCHY FOG LINGERING IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 32, AND VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT THAT EXTENDED FORECAST, SUNSHINE AND 38 ON THURSDAY, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO LATE THIS WEEK AND THE START OF THE WEEKEND, WE COULD BE SEEING HIGHS CLIMBING INTO THE LOW 40s, PARTLY SUNNY ON SATURDAY.

HIGHS SHOULD STILL REACH THE UPPER 30s LATE THIS WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

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

A BIG LOCAL RIVALRY GAME TONIGHT.

>> Charlie: YES, A RIVALRY EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT IN THE AREA, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A LEECH LAKER OR PART OF RED LAKE NATION.

THE RED LAKE, CASS LAKE-BENA, WE WERE AT RED LAKE TO WATCH THIS ONE.

IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD ONE AND A LOT OF SCORING AS WELL.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE 52 MILES THAT SEPARATE RED LAKE AND CASS LAKE-BENA HIGH SCHOOL DOES LITTLE TO QUELL THE RIVALRY, ESPECIALLY ON THE HARDWOOD.

THE PANTHERS HAD WON 11-STRAIGHT GAMES IN THE SERIES DATING BACK TO DECEMBER 19, 2019, BEFORE THE WARRIORS FINALLY BROKE THROUGH LAST YEAR, AND HAVE NOW BUILT A 2-GAME WIN STREAK OF THEIR OWN.

RED LAKE TRYING TO EXTEND IT TO THREE AS THEY HOST CASS LAKE-BENA FOR THE SECOND BOUT OF THE SEASON BETWEEN THE TWO RIVALS.

FIRST HALF, PANTHERS GETTING A LOT OF POINTS FROM DOUG, SCORING 34 AND HIS 1,000th CAREER POINT IN THIS ONE.

NOW HE DROPS 16 AND THE WARRIORS TRAIL.

NEAR THE END OF THE HALF, JOSEPH BANGS HOME A TRIPLE TO KEEP CASS LAKE-BENA AHEAD.

THEY LED BY 1 AT THE BREAK.

RED LAKE DOWN 3, HE HAD 13 FOR THE WARRIORS, TIES THE GAME AT 49-49 AND THAT'S WHEN RED LAKE STARTS TO PULL AWAY OFF THE STEAL, AUSTIN WIN AUTHORITY, HE ALSO ADDS 34 POINTS.

ALSO SCORED HIS 1,000th CAREER POINT TONIGHT.

THAT'S TWO OF THEM TONIGHT.

WARRIORS KNOCK OFF THE PANTHERS, 88-70 THE FINAL IN THIS ONE.

>>> ALSO, BEMIDJI AT MOORHEAD, SPUDS LEADING, AND THEN AUSTIN HAD 22.

JACKSON ALSO GETS THE HOOP AND THE LEAD.

SPUDS ARE TRYING TO GET BACK INTO IT.

ROMEO STOPS THE RUN, AND THE FOUL FOR HIM AND THEN IT'S JET, STEAL AND SCORE AND GUESS WHAT?

HE IS FOULED AS WELL.

WHY NOT?

EVERYBODY ELSE IS GETTING FOULS.

TONIGHT, MAGNIFICENT FIRST LUMBER JAP -- LUMBERJACK TO CLIP THE 2,000th CAREER MARK.

IT'S BEEN 8 YEARS SINCE THE JACKS BEAT THE SPUDS TWICE IN A SINGLE SEASON.

>>> AND SOME MORE SCORES.

PEQUOT LAKES BEATS PIERZ.

DEER RIVER 9 POINTS OVER EAST-CENTRAL.

AITKIN GETS MORRIS.

SEBEKA TOPS MENAHGA.

THEN THE GIRL'S SIDE, BRAINERD BEATS ST.

CLOUD TECH.

MENAHGA THERE, THEY STAY UNDEFEATED.

DULUTH MARSHALL TOPS PEQUOT LAKES.

BLACKDUCK GETTING THE WIN OVER BIG FORK, DEER RIVER OVER MOOSE LAKE.

IN BOYS HOCKEY, WARROAD TOPS.

BAGLEY FOSSTON WINS.

PARK RAPIDS OVER GREEN WAY AND SARTELL EDGES NORTHERN LAKES 3-2.

ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL BEATS LITTLE FALLS.

>>> SINCE THEIR 7-1 WIN OVER ROSEAU ON SATURDAY, THERE'S BEEN A BUZZ AROUND TOWN ABOUT BEMIDJI GIRLS' HOCKEY, WHO, WITH A WIN TOMORROW, WOULD PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2007.

STANDING IN THEIR WAY IS MOORHEAD, THE REIGNING SECTION 8-2A CHAMPS.

THE SPUDS BEAT THE LUMBERJACKS IN THEIR LONE MEETING DURING THE REGULAR SEASON, BUT MISSING FROM THAT GAME WAS BEMIDJI'S LEADING SCORER BAILEY RUPP, WHO WILL BE THE MOST TALENTED PLAYER ON THE ICE TOMORROW NIGHT.

IT'S PERHAPS THE REASON THE COACHES WERE STILL INCLINED TO VOTE THE JACK'S AS THE TOP SEED.

WHICH, AS IT TURNS OUT, GIVES THEM ANOTHER DISTINCT ADVANTAGE, HOME ICE, A DEPARTURE FROM PREVIOUS SEASONS WHEN THE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP WAS PLAYED AT A NEUTRAL SITE.

>> IT'S GREAT, ESPECIALLY IN THE SEMIFINALS.

THE COMMUNITY SHOWED UP AND IT WAS JUST REALLY HYPED IN HERE AND EVERYBODY SHOWED OUT AND SHOWED SUPPORT TOWARDS US.

THERE WAS A LITTLE PRESSURE, BUT I THINK WE WILL BE FINE.

WE CAN'T GET TOO NERVOUS AND PLAY UNDER PRESSURE.

>> WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO, AND I THINK WHO CARES, WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND PLAY OUR GAME AND WORRY ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AND CONTROL WHAT WE CAN CONTROL.

THE OTHER GREAT TEAM THEY ARE GOING TO BE PHYSICAL AND WE'RE READY FOR THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO PLAY OUR BEST.

>> Charlie: THE FIRST SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP FOR BEMIDJI SINCE 2010 AND THAT GAME STARTS AT 6:00 P.M.

TOMORROW.

I RECOMMEND GETTING THERE EARLY.

WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS TOMORROW NIGHT.

>>> MENAHGA GIRLS BASKETBALL IS IMPOSING ITS WILL ON SECTION 8-2A THIS SEASON, OPENING THE SEASON 20-0, WHILE ALSO HOLDING A TOP TEN RANKING IN CLASS AA WE LEARNED WHY A WINNING CULTURE IS NOTHING NEW FOR THE BRAVES.

>> Reporter: SWITCHING TO 8-2A IN 2018, MENAHGA GIRLS BASKETBALL POSTED A RECORD OF 140-35 AND FOR COACH AND THE BRAVES, THAT WINNING CULTURE IS CULTIVATED THROUGH RELENTLESS PRESSURE.

>> WE'RE TEACHING THEM THAT THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER AND THEY BUY IN AND THEY KEEP SUCCESS.

THE GIRLS ARE ALWAYS IN THE GYM AT 6:30 A.M.

AND THAT'S BEEN THE CASE FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS AND KIDS GROW UP SEEING THAT AND THEY WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE NEXT IN LINE.

>> Reporter: MENAHGA GRADUATED 7 SENIORS FROM LAST YEAR'S TEAM AND THE GIRLS HAVE NOT SKIPPED A BEAT THUS FAR.

THEY RETURNED ONE STARTER, SOPHOMORE CHRISTENSEN, WHO IS LIFTING A HEAVY BULK OF THE BRAVES OFFENSIVE PRESENCE.

>> WHO WILL GET THE SHOTS AND WHATNOT AND WE PRACTICED EVERYTHING, SO WE'RE PREPARED.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE'RE A FAST TEAM.

WE LIKE TO RUN DOWN THE COURT.

WE GET A LOT OF POINTS FROM OUR STEALS.

>> Reporter: THE BRAVES ARE YOUNG THIS SEASON, ONLY HAVING ONE SENIOR, HOWEVER YOUTH IS NO EXCUSE IN THEIR EYES.

THEY HAVE A GOLD CHECKLIST, FIRST OF WINNING THE PARK REGION CONFERENCE FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR AND THE GIRLS ARE KEEPING THEIR MINDS LOCKED IN ON CROSSING THAT OFF THIS WEEK.

>> BEING CONSISTENT IN HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL IS NOT EASY.

IT'S A LONG WINNER AND THEY SHOWED UP, THE SAME TEAM, THE SAME ENERGY.

I TOLD YOU GET ADDICTED TO WINNING AND REFUSE TO LOSE AND THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN.

>> Reporter: THE NEXT GOAL LOADS UP FOR THE BRAVES, SECURING THEIR FIRST EIGHT TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE SINCE 2019.

>> LOSING LAST YEAR BY 1 WAS UPSETTING, BUT WE'RE HUNGRY THIS YEAR.

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

>> MENAHGA CAN CLINCH THE PARK REGION CONFERENCE FRIDAY WITH A WIN ON THE ROAD AGAINST WADENA-DEER CREEK.

THEY A HAD A CLOSE BOUT, SO EXPECT THAT TO BE A GOOD GAME.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST IF NOT THE BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, HAD THE CHANCE TO CATCH THE ANNUAL BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL VERSUS MENAHGA UNIFIED BASKETBALL GAME.

AND HE'S HERE TO SHARE WHAT THIS GAME MEANS FOR THE ATHLETES INVOLVED, FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> Reporter: IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST NIGHTS OF THE YEAR IN BEMIDJI.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS PACKED BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL'S GYMNASIUM FOR THE FOURTH ANNUAL BEMIDJI VERSUS MENAHGA TO CHEER ON ATHLETES WITH AND WITHOUT INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> HAVING JUST EVERYONE ON THE TEAM FROM A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PLACES AND SKILL LEVELS AND EVERYTHING, IT'S VERY INTERESTING EXPERIENCE THAT YOU DON'T GET ANYWHERE ELSE, AT LEAST I HAVEN'T FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> IT'S SO AWESOME TO BE PART OF SUCH A GREAT PROGRAM.

IT'S SO AWESOME SEEING EVERYBODY COME TOGETHER FOR ONE BIG NIGHT.

IT MEANS A LOT TO THE UNIFIED KIDS.

>> Reporter: NOT ONE SECOND OF SILENCE FELL THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE NIGHT.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> Reporter: WITH STUDENTS EXPLODING IN CHEERS EVERY TIME A BUCKET WAS MADE.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> JUST LIKE THE ATMOSPHERE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF CHEERING.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> BEMIDJI REALLY KNOWS HOW TO SHOW UP.

IT WAS SUPER FUN.

THIS CROWD WAS WILD, ALL FOR THE BEST NIGHT EVER, RIGHT?

THE ABILITY TO BE TOGETHER AS A UNIFIED GROUP, ALL TO SUPPORT INCLUSION.

>> Reporter: THIS GAME IS NOT ABOUT WINNING OR LOSING.

IT'S ABOUT PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING AND SOCIAL INCLUSION WHILE PROVIDING A FUN AND COMPETITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> I USED TO NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE LOSING, BUT HONESTLY IT'S NOW LIKE WE WIN, WE WIN.

IT'S LIKE WE HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

WINNING IS FUN BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY FUN THING ABOUT BASKETBALL IS IT?

>> Reporter: NOW REPORTING IN BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND THE BEMIDJI UNIFIED SPECIAL OLYMPICS GROUP WILL BE HOSTING UNIFIED DANCE CLASSES THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF MARCH, GIVING KIDS OF ALL ABILITIES A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF DANCE TOGETHER.

>>> TIME FOR ANOTHER CHECK OF OUR WEATHER, WE HEAD BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

LOWS ARE DROPPING TO ABOUT 9 AND THEN SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW.

IF WE LOOK AHEAD TOWARDS THE WEEKEND, WE CAN SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES ON THE WAY.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING SOME SUNSHINE AS WELL.

FRIDAY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, A BIT MORE CLOUD COVER ON SATURDAY, AND THEN THE SUNSHINE IS BACK ON SUNDAY.

HIGHS LATE THIS WEEK SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 40s.

STILL VERY MILD AS WE HEAD TO THE END OF THE WEEKEND WITH A HIGH OF 38, OUR LOW TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE TEENS, UP TO THE MID-20s.

>> Charlie: THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT GAME TOMORROW NIGHT BETWEEN BEMIDJI AND MOORHEAD BUT WE START WRESTLING SECTIONS AS WELL.

BRAINERD BEMIDJI GOING TO BE AT HOME TAKING ON SARTELL.

BRAINERD WILL BE AT HOME AS WELL AND WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS TOMORROW NIGHT.

>> Dennis: BUSY NIGHT TOMORROW NIGHT.

THAT WILL WRAP IT UP FOR TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW AT 10:00.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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