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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 LONG-AWAITED DECISION WAS MADE YESTERDAY, WHEN A JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF NORTHERN TOWNSHIP'S INCORPORATION PETITION, AND DENIED THE ANNEXATION REQUEST BROUGHT BY THE CITY OF BEMIDJI.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, SPOKE WITH BOTH TOWNSHIP AND CITY OFFICIALS ABOUT HOW THIS RULING AFFECTS BOTH THE TOWNSHIP AND THE CITY GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: IT WAS IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR WHEN NORTHERN TOWNSHIP ISSUED THEIR NOTICE TO INCORPORATE IN THE CITY.

THE CITY OF BEMIDJI FILED A PETITION TO ANNEX THE NORTHEAST SHORES OF LAKE BEMIDJI.

AFTER 10 MONTHS, A JUDGE'S RULING MAKES THE TOWNSHIP THE CITY OF NORTHERN.

>> THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE HOPING FOR, OBVIOUSLY.

WHEN YOU SEE THE WORDS IN FRONT OF YOU, THERE IS DISBELIEF THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.

>> RELIEF FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

THEY INVESTED A LOT AND WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE A GOOD OUTCOME FOR THIS.

>> IT WAS SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTING, BUT LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, YOU HAVE TO PROCESS IT, READ THROUGH THE OPINION, UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC AND JUSTIFICATION BEHIND WHY THE DECISION WAS MADE, SO I THINK MYSELF AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PROBABLY IN THAT PROCESS RIGHT NOW OF JUST DIGESTING EVERYTHING AND MAKING SURE WE UNDERSTAND THE RATIONAL.

>> Reporter: ONE MAJOR TOPIC HAS BEEN THE PROPOSED WASTE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY FROM NORTHERN TOWNSHIP.

CITY OFFICIALS BELIEVE THEY WERE THE MORE CAPABLE HANDS, BUT THE JUDGE'S RULING NOW GRANTS FULL RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TOWNSHIP.

>> NOW THAT WE HAVE CLARITY ON THIS, WE JUST KNOW THAT WE CAN CONTINUE FORWARD, 100%, WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE IN MOTION.

SO OUR PLANS ARE AT THE MPC RIGHT NOW BEING REVIEWED.

WE SHOULD HAVE A PERMIT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

CONSTRUCTION IS SLATED TO BEGIN IN 2026, PROBABLY INTO 2027.

WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, WE SHOULD HAVE A FUNCTIONAL WASTE WATER FACILITY.

>> Reporter: AND THE POSSIBLE TAX INCREASES WITH THE NUMBER OF SERVICES GOING UP NOW THAT THE TOWNSHIP IS A CITY, HOW WILL THEY KEEP TAXES LOW FOR THEIR RESIDENTS?

>> THE MAIN WAY IS TO INCORPORATE.

THIS IS A WAY TO KEEP OUR TAXES AT A STABLE RATE.

WE OFFER A LOT OF SERVICES.

WE HAVE THOROUGHFARES IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS HOW WE MAKE SURE OUR TAXES STAY AT A REASONABLE RATE, WHICH WE ANTICIPATE COMING THROUGH IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> Reporter: TOWNSHIP AND CITY OFFICIALS WERE CLEAR THAT THIS RULING WILL NOT EFFECT THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP GOING FORWARD.

>> A HEALTHY BEMIDJI IS IMPORTANT FOR NORTHERN TOWNSHIP AND A HEALTHY NORTHERN TOWNSHIP HAS A BENEFIT FOR THE CITY OF BEMIDJI.

>> THIS WILL CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE IN OUR COMMUNITY LONG-TERM AND WE'RE GOING TO NAVIGATE THAT TOGETHER IN SOME WAY.

>> WE HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP IN THE PAST.

WE WORKED ON MANY THINGS IN THE PAST AND I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY IT CAN'T BE THAT WAY MOVING FORWARD.

>> THEY WILL HOLD A CLOSED MEETING ON FRIDAY TO DISCUSS STRATEGIES RELATED TO THE INCORPORATION CASE.

I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN REPORTING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> AS PART OF THE JUDGE'S RULING, INCORPORATION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UPON THE ELECTION AND QUALIFICATION OF A NEW CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF NORTHERN.

AN ELECTION OF A MAYOR AND FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL BE HELD WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026.

ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD BE AT-LARGE POSITIONS.

>>> A LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN CAUGHT FIRE TODAY AS IT WAS PASSING THROUGH BRAINERD.

THE BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE SITUATION INVOLVING A BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTE FE RAILWAY ENGINE AROUND 10:30 THIS MORNING.

ASSISTANT BRAINERD FIRE CHIEF DAVE COX TELLS LAKELAND NEWS THAT WHILE AT THE FIRE STATION HE SAW THE TRAIN ON FIRE HEADED WESTBOUND.

THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE LOCOMOTIVE STOPPED NEAR CYPRESS DRIVE AND AFTER ENSURING THE CONDUCTOR AND ENGINEER WERE OUT, CREWS WORKED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.

COX SAID IT APPEARS SOME FILTERS WERE ON FIRE AND IT WAS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.

HE SAID DUE TO THE HIGH VOLTAGE IN THE LOCOMOTIVE, FIREFIGHTERS USED DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND NOT WATER.

THE RAILROAD CROSSING AT SOUTHWEST FOURTH STREET WAS CLOSED FOR PART OF THE DAY BUT HAS RE-OPENED.

>>> DISTRICT 2-A REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE BIDAL DURAN HAS ANNOUNCED HE IS SEEKING RE-ELECTION TO THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

DURAN, A COMBAT VETERAN AND FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT HIS DECISION TO RUN AGAIN IS DRIVEN BY A BELIEF THAT A STATE REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE, DEPENDABLE, AND FOCUSED ON HELPING CONSTITUENTS NAVIGATE CHALLENGES THAT REQUIRE ATTENTION AT THE CAPITOL.

REPRESENTATIVE DURAN CURRENTLY REPRESENTS PARTS OF BELTRAMI COUNTY, CLEARWATER COUNTY, AND LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HE IS FINISHING HIS FIRST TERM IN OFFICE AFTER WINNING ELECTION IN 2024.

>>> MEANWHILE, LONGTIME HUBBARD COUNTY SHERIFF COREY AUKES SAYS HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION FOR A FIFTH TERM AS SHERIFF.

AUKES SAID A NEWS RELEASE THAT AFTER SERVING THE CITIZENS OF HUBBARD COUNTY FOR 36-YEARS ITS TIME TO MOVE ON TO A DIFFERENT CHAPTER.

AUKES WAS FIRST ELECTED SHERIFF IN 2010 AND HAS BEEN WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SINCE 1990.

HE SAYS HE STILL HOPES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND PLANS ON RUNNING FOR HUBBARD COMMISSIONER IN DISTRICT THREE LATER THIS YEAR.

>>> A LITTLE LOST DOG SURVIVED 20 DAYS IN VERY COLD FARGO-NORTH DAKOTA IN JANUARY.

THE RESCUE IS THANKS TO SOME CAREFUL SURVEILLANCE, LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND MAYBE A GROUP OF CARING RABBITS.

KEVIN WALLEVAND REPORTS.

>> HELLO.

>> HI.

>> HERE HE IS, THE SURVIVOR.

PEANUT THE WONDER DOG.

>> OH MY GOSH, HE IS SO TINY.

>> WHO TODAY MET SOME OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESCUE.

>> HI BUDDY.

>> EVERYBODY WAS LOOKING FOR YOU.

>> PEANUT ESCAPED ON JANUARY 8TH AND FOR THE NEXT 20 DAYS.

>> WE WERE JUST NOT HOPEFUL THAT HE WAS GOING TO SURVIVE THOSE CONDITIONS.

THEN TO SEE HIM ON CAMERA IN THE MIDST OF ALL THAT, STORM GOING ON, IT WAS JUST -- I MEAN I CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN THE FEELING.

>> Reporter: THE LITTLE CHIHUAHUA POMERANIAN WAS RUNNING SOLO.

>> THE WINDCHILL NEVER HIT ABOVE 0.

>> Reporter: IN UNIMAGINABLE WINTER TEMPERATURES.

>> THE LAST WEEKEND BEFORE WE FOUND HIM, WE WERE SEEING 50 TO 60 DEGREES BELOW 0 WITH THE WINDCHILL.

>> Reporter: MISSING SIGNS WITH A PHOTO OF PEANUT WERE EVERYWHERE DOWNTOWN.

>> IN THOSE EIGHT DAYS, WE HAD NO SIGHTINGS.

I HAD BECOME DISCOURAGED.

I WAS NOT HOPEFUL THAT WE WERE GOING TO FIND HIM.

>> Reporter: THE MINNESOTA BASED NON-PROFIT THE RETRIEVERS RELYING ON TIPS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA IN FARGO PUT OUT TRAPS FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

>> WE TELL PEOPLE THAT WE NEED PROOF OF IT.

>> Reporter: FINALLY, 20 DAYS AFTER DISAPPEARING, PEANUT GOT TRAPPED.

>> SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HOME.

YOU HAVE NEW FRIENDS.

EVERYBODY WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU.

>> Reporter: AREA BUSINESSES LIKE GABRIEL'S METAL CASTING HELPED LOOK FOR PEANUT AND THEY SWEAR HE HAD A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS, FURRY FRIENDS.

>> THERE WERE 20 BUNNIES OUT IN THE LOT WHERE HE WAS RUNNING WHEN WE WERE GETTING HIM AND HE WAS WARM.

HE FOUND WARMTH.

THERE WAS ALWAYS A BUNNY NEXT TO HIM WHEN YOU WOULD SEE HIM.

>> Reporter: AND YOU THINK BEING OUT IN 20 DAYS IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES WOULD HAVE A DRASTIC IMPACT ON PEANUT BUT HE'S THE WONDER DOG.

>> THEY SAID OTHER THAN BEING THIN, NO FROSTBITE, HEART WAS GOOD, LUNGS WERE GOOD.

>> Reporter: A HAPPY ENDING FOR ALL THAT CARE ABOUT PEANUT.

>> ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR FRIENDS?

>> Reporter: IN THE END, THIS BUNDLE FOOLED THEM ALL.

>> HE MEANS SO MUCH TO MY FAMILY.

>> Reporter: WITH HIS PER -- PERSEVERANCE AND SURVIVAL SKILLS, AND NOW HE IS LIVING HIS BEST LIFE.

>> SURE AS HECK, WE GOT HIM HOME.

>> IT FEELS GOOD.

>> IT FEELS WONDERFUL.

>> PEANUT WAS GIVEN A GIFT BAG THAT INCLUDES TOY FLUFFY RABBITS.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SOME PATCHY FOG ONCE AGAIN TONIGHT AND SUNSHINE IS BACK TOMORROW AS WE CONTINUE OUR WARMING TREND.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE DEER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD VOTED ON WHETHER OR NOT TO BRING THE DISTRICT DOWN TO A FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> 14 SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA HAVE SWITCHED OVER TO A FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK, AND EARLIER TONIGHT THE DEER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD VOTED ON WHETHER THEY WANTED TO JOIN THAT TREND.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT ABOUT HOW THE CHANGE COULD IMPACT.

>> THEY SAW A 3% DECREASE IN STUDENT ENROLLMENT, DOWN 140 KIDS FROM PRE-K TO 12th GRADE IN THE PAST SIX YEARS.

THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN A BUDGET DEFICIT.

THE DISTRICT SENT OUT SURVEYS TO SEE WHAT THE COMMUNITY THOUGHT OF SWITCHING TO A FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK.

>> IN GENERAL, WE HAD ABOUT A 70% FAVORABLE THOUGHTS ON A 4-DAY WEEK, WITH THE IDEA THAT THEY HAD CONCERNS.

WE ALL RIGHT HAVE DAYCARE, WE HAVE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, AND THE FOOD INSECURITY, WE CAN ADDRESS THAT.

THESE ARE THINGS WE CAN ADDRESS.

I JUST THINK THE IDEA OF TRYING TO SHIFT IN THINKING OF DAYS VERSUS HOURS.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD EXTEND EACH DAY BY 35 MINUTES.

THEY HOPE IT CAN HELP WITH WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND STUDENT ATTENDANCE, BUT BOARD MEMBERS HAD RESIDENCE CERT -- RESERVATIONS.

>> THE SURVEYS ARE TELLING US A STORY, BUT IS IT AN ACCURATE STORY?

THAT'S MY CONCERN.

IT'S IMPORTANT WE HEAR WHAT OUR STAFF AND THOSE WHO ARE WITH OUR KIDS EVERY DAY, AND TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> I HAVE PEOPLE REACHING OUT TO ME AND I HAVE TAKEN ALL THOSE INTO CONSIDERATION IN MAKING MY DECISION.

AS ELECTED POLITICIANS, THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR US ARE DEPENDING ON US TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.

MY DECISION TONIGHT IS TO SAY NO TO A 4-DAY WEEK.

>> Reporter: THREE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS ALSO VOTED NO, ENDING IN A 4-2 NO VOTE.

SO DEER RIVER WILL CONTINUE WITH THEIR 5-DAY SCHEDULE.

ANOTHER DECISION THAT WAS VOTED ON DURING THE MEETING IS WHETHER OR NOT TO CUT $2 MILLION FROM THE DISTRICT'S BUDGET.

>> WE WENT AFTER A BUILDING REFERENDUM TWO YEARS AGO.

WE WENT AFTER AN OPERATING REFERENDUM THIS YEAR, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE SUCCESS WITH EITHER.

IT'S A WAY TO TRY TO SOLVE SOME OF OUR OWN PROBLEMS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WITH DECLINING ENROLLMENT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN DEER RIVER, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE MOTION TO CUT $2 MILLION FROM THE DISTRICT BUDGET WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE BOARD.

THE DISTRICT WILL NOW NEED TO ALLOCATE WHERE THOSE FUNDS WILL COME FROM, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED YET.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US WITH VERY NICE FEBRUARY FORECAST.

>> Stacy: YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE WARMER TEMPERATURES ARE ON THE WAY.

WE HAD HIGHS IN THE 30s TODAY, SHOULD BE WARMER AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK AND WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE 40s.

FOR TONIGHT, WE COULD BE SEEING PATCHY FOG IN THE AREA ONCE AGAIN [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE ENJOYED ANOTHER SUNNY AND MILD DAY ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF PATCHY FOG TONIGHT AND EVEN INTO TOMORROW MORNING IN PARTS OF THE AREA.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE ENJOYING MORE SUNSHINE AND EVEN WARMER TEMPERATURES AS THE HIGHS CONTINUE TO CLIMB TO THE 30s AND INTO THE LOW 40s FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 21 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE CALM AT THE STUDIO.

HUMIDITY IS AT 75%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 21 WITH A DEW POINT OF 15.

PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE SOME CLOUDS MOVING INTO THE AREA, SOME PATCHY FOG DEVELOPING OUT IN THE DAKOTAS, AND WE HAVE SIES BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, WE COULD SEE PATCHY FOG DEVELOPING, LINGERING INTO THE MORNING HOURS TOMORROW, OTHERWISE IT LOOKS LIKE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES WITH MILD TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, IT WAS A FOGGY AND FROSTY MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

THIS IS THE SUNRISE IN CASS LAKE.

GARY SAID THE SUN WAS PLAYING PEEKABOO IN DEERWOOD AND CHRISSY HAS THE SUNSET ACROSS THE SNOW IN DEERWOOD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 16, FROSTY THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, FOG, FROST, AND SUNSHINE TODAY, THE HIGH WAS 27.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE DAY, A FEW CLOUDS ROLLING IN THIS EVENING WITH A HIGH OF 33.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE, 33 FOR THE HIGH, AND STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD WITH A HIGH OF 32 AND CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 32.

WE'RE SEEING MILD TEMPERATURES, AVERAGE HIGHS IN THE MID-20s.

WE HAD 17 FOR THE LOW AND SUNSET TONIGHT WAS AT 5:37.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 31, SO WE'RE NEARLY 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH.

WE HAD A COLD START, 5 WAS OUR LOW AND SUNSET AT 5:37.

HERE'S TOMORROW'S FORECAST, SOME CLOUDS, PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY, WE SHOULD SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER MILD DAY, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 30s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE WILL BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 30s AS WELL.

MILD TEMPERATURES CONTINUE THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK AND IN FACT WE COULD SEE HIGHS IN THE 40s IN MANY LOCATIONS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND WE MAY SEE SOME PATCHY FOG DEVELOPING, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 16.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, SOME PATCHY FOG COULD LINGER IN THE MORNING, 37 FOR THE HIGH, AND WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 5 TO 15.

FOR THE WEEKEND FORECAST, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ON FRIDAY, AND THEN THIS WEEKEND, WE WILL BE SEEING A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUN, BUT MILD TEMPERATURES CONTINUE WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30s AND SOME LOW 40s OUT THERE.

LOWS WILL BE IN THE LOW 20s.

WE PRETTY MUCH HAVE MORE OF THE SAME AS WE START THE WORKWEEK ON MONDAY, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR 41, AND OUR LOWS NEAR 23.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

A BIG NIGHT TONIGHT FOR BEMIDJI GIRLS HOCKEY TAKING ON MOORHEAD WITH A BIRTH TO STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> Charlie: YES, IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE BUSIER WEDNESDAYS I HAD HERE IN A LONG TIME.

IT WAS WELL WORTH IT IN AN ABSOLUTELY PACKED BCA.

I NEVER SEEN IT THAT PACKED BEFORE.

IT WAS FOR A BIG TIME GAME AS YOU SAID, THE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE LINE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2007 FOR THE LUMBERJACKS.

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

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

[♪♪♪] >>> IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN 16 YEARS BEMIDJI GIRLS HOCKEY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING THEY HAVEN'T DONE IN NEARLY 2 DECADES, THAT'S PLAY FOR AND WIN A SECTION TITLE.

TO DO IT THEY'LL HAVE TO KNOCK-OFF A TEAM THEY HAVEN'T BEAT SINCE 2019, THE REIGNING 8-2A CHAMPS, MOORHEAD.

A STATE TOURNAMENT BERTH ON THE LINE AT THE BCA, PACKED FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BETWEEN TOP SEEDED BEMIDJI AND 2-SEED MOORHEAD.

IN THEIR FIRST MEETING, IT WAS THE SPUDS WHO TOOK A 3-0 LEAD.

THIS ONE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE OPPOSITE.

BAILEY, WHO MISSED THAT GAME, STRIKES FIRST.

THE JACKS LEAD 1-0.

LATER IN THE PERIOD, IT'S BAILEY AGAIN, SNIPER.

MAKING HERSELF A BIG PART OF THIS ONE, IT'S 2-0.

THEN WINNING SECONDS OF THE FIRST, NAOMI FINDS NYLON, THEY LED 3-0 AT THE BREAK.

IN THE SECOND, MOORHEAD STRIKES BACK, A BACK HANDER, FINDS ITS WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC, AND IT STAYS THAT WAY UNTIL THE FINAL 2 MINUTES OF THE GAME.

THAT'S WHEN THINGS GOT CRAZY.

MILLI CAN GOING TO GET THE SCORE HERE ON THE EMPTY NET.

THAT MADE IT 4-1 WITH A MINUTE AND 37 SECONDS LEFT.

BEMIDJI TAKES TWO QUICK PENALTIES, AND ANNA CASHES IN.

IT'S 4-2.

THEN OIL SLICK CENTRAL, A GREASY GOAL BY CAPTAIN HAILEY BRINGS MOORHEAD BACK WITHIN 1, WHICH IS 55 LEFT.

LILY WAS EXCELLENT IN THOSE FINAL 55 SECONDS, TURNED AWAY SOME SHOTS, AND BEMIDJI IS HEADED TO STATE.

IT FELT MORE LIKE 55 MINUTES THE LAST 55 SECONDS, AND WELL, I AM GOING TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, AFTER THE MATCH, THE MOTIONS WERE RUNNING HIGH.

WE GOT TO HEAR HOW IT FELT TO BE IN THAT ARENA, WHAT IT FELT LIKE DOWN THE STRETCH, AND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE HEADING TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> IT WAS THE BEST FEELING EVER HOW PACKED THE RINK WAS.

OUR TEAMMATES WANTED IT SO BAD.

TO GET THE FIRST TWO, IT FELT UNREAL BECAUSE WE WANTED TO SET THE TONE EARLY AND WE DID.

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE GAME THIS PACKED, NO BOYS GAME, NOTHING.

IT WAS SO AMAZING.

WE DON'T GET A LOT OF FANS ON OUR USUAL GAME, SO HAVING THAT MUCH SUPPORT AND NOISE AT THE END OF THE GAME WAS SO AMAZING.

>> IT'S SO AWESOME.

I MEAN I HAVE BEEN SO EXCITED FOR THIS GAME AND I DON'T KNOW, IT FEELS REALLY SPECIAL THAT I GET TO GO MY SENIOR YEAR.

>> Charlie: WELL, IT IS THE THIRD TIME THE JACKS WILL GO TO STATE, THEIR THIRD SECTION TITLE LAST TIME WAS IN 2007.

WE WILL FIND OUT THEIR SEATING AND WHEN THEY WILL PLAY ON THURSDAY THIS WEEKEND.

>>> BRAINERD HASN'T TRADITIONALLY BEEN KNOWN AS A STRONG WRESTLING SCHOOL IN RECENT SEASONS, IT'S BEEN NEARLY 30 YEARS SINCE THEY'VE MADE THE STATE TOURNAMENT AS A TEAM.

THAT'S WHY IT MIGHT FEEL LIKE THE WARRIORS SEEMINGLY CAME OUT OF NOWHERE TO EARN THE TOP SEED HEADING INTO THE SECTION 8-3A TOURNAMENT, AND ARE THE FAVORITES TO WIN IT.

TONIGHT THEY HOST 8-SEED SAINT CLOUD TECH IN THE SECTION QUARTERFINALS.

CLASS 3A'S THIRD RANKED WRESTLER IN 114 POUNDS WILLIAM DIRCKS, SHOWING UP AND SHOWING OUT FOR BRAINERD, GETS THE WIN BY FALL IN 44 SECONDS.

IN THE 121, WARRIORS' JAKE RODRIGUEZ, MAKES HIS GUY TOUCH EARTH, HE GETS THE WIN BY FALL IN 1-MINUTE, 7 SECONDS.

AND IN THE 145, NOLAN JUKISH FOR BRAINERD, DIPPING, DIVING, AND DOMINATING, HE GETS THE WIN BY FALL IN 38 SECONDS.

AS BRAINERD GOES ON TO TAKE DOWN SAINT CLOUD TECH IN A 44-26 VICTORY.

NEXT UP FOR THE WARRIORS ARE THEIR NORTHERN RIVALS BEMIDJI THIS FRIDAY AT SAINT CLOUD TECH HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY WILL MEET IN THE SEMIS AND FINALS.

>>> WITH JUST TWO SERIES LEFT IN THE REGULAR SEASON, THE MARGINS ARE NOW RAZOR THIN FOR BSU MEN'S HOCKEY TO EARN A FIRST-ROUND HOME SERIES IN THE CCHA PLAYOFFS.

THEY TRAIL 4TH PLACE BOWLING GREEN BY 10-POINTS HEADING INTO THIS WEEKEND.

SO BASICALLY THEY WOULD NEED TO SWEEP THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENT, CONFERENCE RIVAL MINNESOTA STATE, AND TAKE 5 OF THE 6-POINTS FROM SAINT THOMAS NEXT WEEK WHILE BOWLING GREEN GOES WINLESS.

UNLIKELY, BUT CRAZIER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.

THE BEAVERS THOUGH, THEY'RE JUST FOCUSED ON THE MAVERICKS, AND TRYING TO TOP A RIVAL THEY HAVE NOT BEAT IN THEIR LAST FOUR MEETINGS.

>> THE GAMES ARE JUST MORE EXCITING IN MY OPINION.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS MORE TO PLAY FOR.

I MEAN EVERY WEEKEND, YOU ARE PLAYING FOR THREE POINTS OR THE SIX POINTS AT STAKE.

YOU KNOW, THE STANDINGS, AND YOU WANT TO GET BACK, BUT THOSE RIVALRY WEEKENDS, IT'S ALMOST A LITTLE PERSONAL FOR BOTH TEAMS.

IT BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN EVERYBODY AND THE GAMES ARE FUN, THEY'RE PHYSICAL, FAST, AND FANS GET INTO IT, WHICH I LOVE.

THEY ARE FUN THINGS TO BE A PART OF AND IT'S EXCITING.

>> Charlie: THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR SPORTS.

>> Dennis: FINALLY TONIGHT, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR HEALTH MINUTE.

>> Reporter: FROM MAMMOGRAMS TO COLON SKOE PIS, CHOLESTEROL AND HEALTH SCREENINGS CAN HELP SAVE YOUR LIFE BUT AT HOME, SO CAN YOU.

>> THINK OF IT LIKE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

YOUR BODY IS GOOD AT SENDING YOU SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.

>> Reporter: CLEVELAND CLINIC SAYS YOU KNOW YOUR BODY BEST AND IN BETWEEN ANNUAL EXAMS, IF YOU NOTICE SOMETHING THAT FEELS OR LOOKS DIFFERENT, CALL YOUR DOCTOR.

>> IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TO FIND SOMETHING EARLIER THAN LATER.

>> Reporter: WATCH OUT FOR MOLES THAT ARE CHANGING, ITCHING, OR BLEEDING, UNEXPLAINED SHIFTS IN WEIGHT, ACHES AND PAINS THAT DON'T GO AWAY, OR CHANGES IN BOWL -- BOWEL OR BLADDER HABITS.

>> IF THERE IS BLOOD IN THE TOILET WITHOUT EXPLANATION, THOSE ARE SIGNS YOU WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON.

>> Reporter: CHECK FOR HARD LUMPS IN THE BREAST, UNDER THE ARMPITS, AND OTHER PRIVATE AREAS.

>> LOOK FOR CHANGES DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU ARE ACCUSTOM TO FOR YOUR OWN BODY.

>> Reporter: THESE SELF CHECKS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY MONTH BUT DON'T USE THEM AS A REPLACEMENT FOR ANNUAL HEALTH SCREENINGS.

>> IT'S AN ADDITIONAL CHECK ON TOP OF WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING AS RECOMMENDED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM