>> 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.

>> Josh: GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, I'M JOSH PETERSON IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>>> AUTHORITIES IN BELTRAMI COUNTY ARE SEEKING THE PUBLICS HELP IN LOCATING A MISSING MAN.

THE SHERIFFS OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING AND SEEKING ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING 31-YEAR-OLD COREY ADAM BRYANT WHO IS DESCRIBED AS A 5'11", WHITE MALE WHO IS APPROXIMATELY 200 POUNDS WITH BLUE EYES.

BRYANT WAS LAST SEEN IN THE CITY OF BEMIDJI ON DECEMBER 19, 2025 BUT HAS COMMUNICATED WITH FAMILY AS RECENT AS LATE JANUARY.

THE SHERIFFS OFFICE HAS INVESTIGATED AND FOLLOWED UP ON SEVERAL LEADS BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH BRYANT IF YOU KNOW OF BRYANT'S WHEREABOUTS YOU ARE ASKED TO CONTACT THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AT 218-333-9111.

>>> FEBRUARY 14 IS A NATIONAL DAY RECOGNIZED TO HONOR AND REMEMBER LOVED ONES WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES.

THIS ALSO COINCIDES WITH THE AN EVENT TO HONOR THOSE OF MMIR.

SATURDAY, THE LOCAL MMIW 218, WILL HOLD AN EVENT TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED AND OR MISSING.

THE GATHERING WILL BE HELD IN PAUL BUNYAN PARK STARTING AT NOON AND IT WILL RUN UNTIL 2:00 THOSE ATTENDING ARE ASKED TO DRESS ACCORDINGLY AS THIS IS AN OUTSIDE EVENT.

ATTENDEES ARE ASKED TO BRING SIGNS AND WEAR RED.

RED IS A KNOWN COLOR TO SYMBOLIZE AND CALL TO ACTION FOR MMIR.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON MMIW 218'S FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HAVE OPENED A CRIMINAL PROBE INTO WHETHER TWO IMMIGRATION OFFICERS LIED UNDER OATH ABOUT A SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS LAST MONTH, AS ALL CHARGES WERE DROPPED AGAINST TWO VENEZUELAN MEN.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT DIRECTOR TODD LYONS SAID FRIDAY THAT HIS AGENCY HAD OPENED A JOINT PROBE WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AFTER VIDEO EVIDENCE REVEALED SWORN TESTIMONY PROVIDED BY TWO SEPARATE OFFICERS APPEARS TO HAVE MADE UNTRUTHFUL STATEMENTS ABOUT THE SHOOTING OF ONE OF THE VENEZUELAN MEN.

THE OFFICERS, WHOSE NAMES WERE NOT DISCLOSED, ARE ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE PENDING THE COMPLETION OF AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION.

LYONS ADDED THAT THE U.S.

ATTORNEYS OFFICE IS ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING.

>>> FORMER CNN HOST DON LEMON HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES IN MINNESOTA.

THE VETERAN JOURNALIST IS AMONG SEVERAL PEOPLE ACCUSED IN A JANUARY 18TH PROTEST AT CITIES CHURCH IN ST PAUL, WHERE AN IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL SERVES AS A PASTOR.

FOUR OTHER PEOPLE PLEADED NOT GUILTY IN THE CASE TODAY, INCLUDING CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY AND PROMINENT LOCAL ACTIVIST NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG.

LEMON SAYS HE WAS CHRONICLING THE PROTEST AS AN INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST.

PROSECUTORS HAVE ACCUSED HIM OF JOINING A MOB.

LEMON SAYS HE WILL FIGHT TO DEFEND HIS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

NINE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INDICTED IN THE CASE.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HELD A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY THIS WEEK FOR ITS BRAINERD CAMPUS RENOVATION PROJECT.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON WHAT THE YEAR-LONG, LARGE SCALE TRANSFORMATION MEANS FOR THE C.L.C.

COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: C.L.C.

'S BRAINERD STUDENT SERVICES AND ACADEMIC RENOVATION PROJECT RENEWED AND RENOVATED OVER 45,000 GROSS SQUARE FEET, SOMETHING THAT WAS BRAINSTORMED DURING LARRY'S TIME AT THE SCHOOL.

>> IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET THINGS TO HAPPEN, BUT I'M REALLY PLEASED TO SEE WHAT HAS OCCURRED.

IT STARTED 10 OR 12 YEARS AGO.

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS WALKED IN, THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO AND THEY HAD TO GO TO MULTIPLE PLACES, MULTIPLE FLOORS.

>> Reporter: NINE OFFICES WERE RELOCATED AND BARRIERS TO STUDENT ACCESS WERE ELIMINATED.

>> ONCE WE GET READY TO REGISTER, RIGHT AWAY THEY MEET WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO HELP WALK WITH THEM THROUGH THE EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.

WE WANT STUDENTS WORKING HARD IN THEIR CLASSES, BUT WE DO NOT WANT THEM WORKING HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEIR ADVISER IS OR HOW TO SUBMIT A FAFSA.

>> Reporter: OTHER KEY COMPONENTS REVOLVE AROUND RENOVATING THE ATHLETIC FACILITY AND STREAMLINING ACCESS TO STUDENT SERVICES STAFF FOR PROSPECTIVE AND CURRENT STUDENTS.

>> ANY GIVEN STUDENT COMES TO US WITH THESE COMPLICATED LIVES AND FOR US TO SUPPORT THAT STUDENT, WE NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT ALL THE RESOURCES ARE TOGETHER AND OUR STAFF CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THAT STUDENT.

THAT HELPS THE STUDENT THAT IS HERE TODAY AND PREPARES US FOR THE STUDENTS THAT ARE COMING.

>> Reporter: IMPROVING STUDENT SUCCESS SERVED AS ONE OF THE MAIN GOALS FOR C.L.C.

'S RENOVATION PROJECT, ADDRESSING STRUCTURAL INEFFICIENCIES AND CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT CLOSES THE STUDENT'S SUCCESS GAP.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL ALL ACROSS THE CAMPUS TO GO TO TALK TO FINANCIAL AID AND ADMISSIONS AND YOUR ADVISER.

NOW THEY'RE ALL CENTRALLY LOCATED AND IT'S GOING TO BE A FANTASTIC CHANGE FOR THE CAMPUS.

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

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> C.L.C.

WILL ALSO BE REPLACING CARPETS, PAINTING AND MORE FOR ADJACENT SPACES TO THE RENOVATION PROJECT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>>> IN JULY OF LAST YEAR, THE U.S.

SENATE VOTED TO APPROVE THE RESCISSIONS ACT OF 2025, WHICH INCLUDED FEDERAL CUTS TO PUBLIC MEDIA FUNDING.

AS A RESULT, LAKELAND PBS HAS LOST NEARLY 37-PERCENT OF THE STATIONS OPERATING BUDGET.

LAKELAND PBS IS NOW ASKING FOR THE COMMUNITY'S HELP, WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE VIEWERS LIKE YOU FUND.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, HAS MORE DETAILS ON THE CAMPAIGN.

>> Reporter: THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING OR CPB VOTED TO DISSOLVE AFTER THE LOSS OF OVER $1 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING.

THIS RESULTED IN HUNDREDS OF JOBS LOST, AS WELL AS MASSIVE REDUCTIONS, OR CLOSURES OF SEVERAL MID AND SMALL MARKET STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THAT RESCISSION WAS VERY SUDDEN IMPACT ON PUBLIC MEDIA STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: FOR LAKELAND PBS, THE STATION FACES A $1 MILLION ANNUAL DEFICIT, RESULTING IN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BEING CUT.

>> THAT'S OPERATIONAL FUNDING THAT WE UTILIZE.

IT'S EVERYTHING FROM ELECTRICITY COST, STAFFING COSTS, TO ALL THE BILLS WE HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL OF OUR CONTRACTED SERVICES WE HAVE.

>> IT WAS MONEY THAT WAS PRE-APPROVED FOR '26 AND '27.

THAT WAS MONEY WE ALREADY PLANNED ON RECEIVING.

>> Reporter: SMALLER RURAL STATIONS LIKE LAKELAND PBS RECEIVED A HEFTY PORTION THROUGH CPB.

FOR LAKELAND PBS, IT JUMPS TO 37%.

>> WE CUT AS MUCH AS WE COULD FROM A VERY LEAN BUDGET.

TRUTHFULLY, THERE REALLY WASN'T MUCH TO CUT.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE VIEWING AREA REACTED TO THE FUNDING CUTS WITH LAKELAND PBS SEEING AN INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIPS.

>> AT THE END OF JANUARY, OUR NUMBERS COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS JANUARY JUMPED UP 616 MEMBERS.

>> THEY INCREASED THEIR DONATIONS ON NEW PEOPLE THAT WEREN'T PREVIOUSLY MEMBERS, THEY SAW THE SITUATION, AND DECIDED TO BECOME MEMBERS.

SO, WE SAW A BIG INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP, BUT WE WANT TO KEEP THAT MOMENTUM GOING.

>> Reporter: TO KEEP THAT MOMENTUM GOING, THE STATION LAUNCHED THE VIEWERS LIKE YOU FUND WITH THE GOAL OF RAISING $2 MILLION BY JANUARY 2028 TO REPLACE THE LOST REVENUE AND RESERVE THE STATION'S INDEPENDENCE.

>> WE HEAR FROM OUR VIEWERS EVERYDAY REALLY THAT THEY VALUE OUR SERVICES AND THEY WANT TO KEEP THE LOCAL VOICE THAT WE PROVIDE TO ALL OF OUR VIEWERS AND ALL THE CITIZENS ACROSS NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE WANT TO KEEP THAT OPERATION GOING HERE AT LAKELAND PBS.

>> I HAVE BEEN WORKING AT THE STATION FOR 32 YEARS.

IT'S BEEN MY JOB TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE STATION.

WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO RAISE MONEY AND I'M HOPING SOME OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING COMES BACK AT SOME POINT, BUT IN ORDER TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS RIGHT NOW, WE NEED THAT MONEY NOW SO THAT'S WHY WE CAME UP WITH THIS CAMPAIGN TO TRY TO RAISE IT.

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

>> WE WILL PROVIDE A LINK TO THE VIEWERS LIKE YOU FUND, ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE AREAS OF FOG AND FREEZING FOG OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING.

OTHERWISE, WE WILL BE SEEING SUNSHINE AND MILD TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN TO START THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL HAS THEIR ANNUAL MIDWINTER CONCERT.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE MILD WEATHER OUTSIDE HAS SOME PEOPLE, READY TO JUMP IN THE LAKE.

THE BEMIDJI JAYCEES HAS KICKED OFF ITS THIRD ANNUAL BRRR-MIDJI DAYS EVENT THAT FEATURES A WEEK OF VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, HOWEVER TODAY, PREPARATIONS WERE UNDERWAY FOR ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CELEBRATION.

ELLIS RECOVERY WAS BUSY PREPPING AND CUTTING THE HOLE FOR THE 22ND ANNUAL BRRRMIDJI PLUNGE ON LAKE BEMIDJI.

THE REFRESHING DIP INTO THE FROZEN LAKE IS A FUNDRAISER WHERE 100 PERCENT OF ALL PLEDGES WILL BE DONATED TO BEMIDJI SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

THE PLUNGE LOCATION IS LOCATED NEAR THE THIRD STREET DOCK STRAIGHT OUT FROM THE SHORES OF PAUL BUNYAN PARK.

THOSE INTERESTED CAN REGISTER IN ADVANCE AT BEMIDJIJAYCEES.COM OR ON-SITE FROM 11:00 A.M.

UNTIL 12:30 P.M.

THE FIRST JUMP INTO LAKE BEMIDJI WILL TAKE PLACE AT 1:00 P.M.

SHARP!

>>> STACY JOINS US NOW.

I DID THAT WHEN IT WAS -30 IN 2019 AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GETTING BY PRETTY NICE THIS YEAR.

IT IS VERY REFRESHING.

>> Stacy: WELL, THE LAKE IS STILL GOING TO BE COLD.

THE WATER WILL STILL BE VERY COLD BUT TEMPERATURES IN THE AIR NOT LOOKING TOO BAD AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, VERY MILD, HIGHS IN THE 30s AND 40s AS WE HEAD INTO THE START OF NEXT WEEK.

WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON A WINTER WEATHER SYSTEM THAT COULD BRING SOME SNOW TO THE AREA BY [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, AFTER SOME FOG EARLY TODAY, THE SKIES CLEARED OUT.

WE HAD A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND IT WAS ANOTHER MILD DAY WITH HIGHS IN THE 30s AND 40s ACROSS THE AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, WE WILL ONCE AGAIN SEE AREAS OF FOG FORMING, SOME FREEZING FOG IN PARTS OF THE AREA, BUT AGAIN ONCE THAT LIFTS TOMORROW, WE'LL SEE A RETURN TO SUNSHINE WITH MILD TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 27 DEGREES.

AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A SOUTHWEST WIND AT OUR STUDIO, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 77%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, IT'S 27 DEGREES, OUR DEW POINT IS 24, BAROMETRIC PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, IT IS PRETTY UNEVENTFUL OUT THERE.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF CLEAR SKIES.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, WE'LL SEE AN INCREASE IN CLOUDS AND SOME AREAS OF FOLLOWING -- FOG DEVELOPING.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW MORNING, THE FOG AND FREEZING FOG CONTINUES THROUGH THE MORNING, BUT ONCE THAT LIFTS, EXPECT TO SEE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE WITH SIMILAR TEMPERATURES TO TODAY WITH HIGHS IN THE 30s AND 40s.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, IT WAS A FOGGY START TODAY.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNSHINE THROUGH THE FOG IN MENAHGA.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THE FOG IN THE CASS LAKE AREA.

GARY SENDING US THIS PHOTO, CITING EVIDENCE OF A BUSY BEAVER.

CHRISSY WITH SOME NICE EVENING SKIES IN DEERWOOD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 14 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, FROSTY, A HIGH OF 42.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD REPORTING A HIGH OF 43.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, HIGH OF 46 TODAY WITH CLEAR SKIES AND SOME MULTIING THANKS TO -- MELTING THANKS TO THE SUNSHINE.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 45 WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD, MILD OUT THERE AND A FEW DEGREES SHY OF OUR RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE THAT WAS SET BACK IN 1947.

15 DEGREES FOR THE LOW THIS MORNING, AND WE HAD SUNSET AT 5:40.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 48, SO WE MISSED THE RECORD BY 2 DEGREES.

THAT RECORD WAS SET BACK IN 2011.

11 WAS OUR LOW TODAY AND SUNSET AT 5:40.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE MAY SEE SOME CLOUDS CONTINUING IN THE MORNING.

WE'LL SEE AREAS OF FOG AND FREEZING FOG, BUT THAT WILL START TO BREAK UP AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING AND INTO THE AFTERNOON.

WITH THE SUNSHINE, WE WILL ONCE AGAIN SEE THOSE MILD TEMPERATURES.

IT WILL BE COOLER IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, LOW TO MID-30s THERE, BUT OTHERWISE WE SHOULD BE SEEING UPPER 30s TO LOW 40s FOR HIGHS ACROSS THE REST OF NORTHERN MENZ MINNESOTA, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOOKING AT HIGHS BETWEEN 40 AND 45.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH AREAS OF FOG AND FREEZING FOG.

LOWS SHOULD DROP TO 22.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, WITH AGAIN THE AREAS OF FOG AND FREEZING FOG IN THE MORNING, TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT NEAR 40 WITH WEST WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING PRETTY MUCH MORE OF THE SAME, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON SUNDAY AND THAT CONTINUES INTO MONDAY, WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE 30s AND 40s AND LOWS GENERALLY IN THE LOW TO MID-20s.

AS WE HEAD MORE TOWARDS MIDWEEK, WE DO HAVE A WEATHER SYSTEM, WHICH COULD BE SEEING SOME RAIN OR SNOW ON TUESDAY AND BECOMING ALL SNOW ON WEDNESDAY.

TEMPERATURES A LITTLE BIT COOLER WEDNESDAY, A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY WITH THE SYSTEM MIDWEEK, SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH STACY.

A GORGEOUS WEEKEND BUT WE'RE IN THE HEART OF WINTER HERE AND THE SANFORD CENTER WAS HOPPING TONIGHT.

>> Charlie: IT WAS BECAUSE IT'S WINTER SPORT SEASON.

IT WAS THE 218 SPORTS SHOWCASE.

IT WAS SHOWCASING BASKETBALL NIGHT NUMBER 2 OR DAY NUMBER 2 YOU CAN SAY, SIX GAMES IN TOTAL.

WE WERE THERE ALL DAY.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS AND THE SCORES FROM AROUND THE AREA.

ALL THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> AFTER FALLING IN THE SECTION 8-A TITLE GAME AT THE MINI RALPH A YEAR AGO, NORTHOME-KELLIHER HEAD COACH KEVIN WALDO SAID THEY NEEDED MORE PREP IN BIG TIME GAMES AT BIG TIME VENUES.

THE MUSTANGS, WHO ARE RANKED 2ND IN CLASS A, HAD THE CHANCE TO DO JUST THAT TONIGHT AT THE SANFORD CENTER.

IN THE MARQUEE MATCH-UP OF THE 218 SPORTS BASKETBALL SHOWCASE, WHERE THEY WERE TAKING ON THE CLASS 3-A, THIRD RANKED DULUTH MARSHALL HILLTOPPERS.

THIS ONE WAS AN ABSOLUTE SLUG FEST.

THE HILLTOPPERS TOOK THE FIRST SWING WITH CHLOE JOHNSON.

SHE RANKS AS THE TOP THREE RECRUITS IN THE NATION IN THE CLASS OF 2028.

SHE HAD 11 OF THEIR FIRST 15 POINTS AND FINISHED WITH 35.

MARSHALL LED BY 10 AT THE HALF.

NORTHOME-KELLIHER, THEY DID NOT BLINK.

2 OFF THE TURNOVER, TIES THE GAME AT 76-76.

MUSTANGS DOWN BY 3, AND AGAIN, CLUTCH CITY, SHE DROPPED 45 POINTS TONIGHT.

LATER, ALL KNOTTED AT 85, ALLEY PULLS FROM LONG RANGE, YOU BET YA SHE HAD 18 POINTS.

MUSTANGS ARE UP 96-88.

IT'S KYLIE'S TURN FROM DEEP.

THAT IS A DAGGER, SHE ADDED 23 ADDRESS NORTHOME-KELLIHER TOP IT IS TOPPERS, 105-94.

AN ABSOLUTE TRACK MEET OUT THERE ON THE COURT IN THAT ONE.

>>> FOSSTON GIRLS' BASKETBALL TAKING ON CASS LAKE-BENA AT THE 218 SPORTS SHOWCASE.

MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST HALF, PANTHERS TRAIL BY THREE, JORDINCE WIND KNOCKS DOWN THE TREY TO KNOT THE GAME AT 13, SHE FINISHED WITH 13, THEN WAS BACK AND FORTH UNTIL RIGHT BEFORE THE BREAK.

THAT'S WHEN BRIELLE DUPPONG HIT, NOT ONE, NOT TWO, NOT THREE, BUT FOUR STRAIGHT THREES FOR THE GREYHOUNDS, 12 OF HER 26 POINTS, THEY LED 30-23 AT THE HALF.

AFTER THE BREAK, NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON'T, CLB COMES BACK TO SNAG THE WIN BEHIND ANIKA WINDS 13 SECOND HALF POINTS, 15 TOTAL FOR HER.

CASS LAKE-BENA HOLDS OFF A LATE FOSSTON CHARGE TO WIN 54-51.

A FEW MORE GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES FOR YOU.

>>> BRAINERD BEATS DETROIT LAKES.

PEQUOT LAKES GETS THE WIN OVER ALBANY.

ROSEAU BEATS WARROAD.

>>> DEER RIVER BOYS BASKETBALL HAS BEEN WADING IN THE SHALLOW WATERS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CLASS A TOP-10 RANKINGS ALL SEASON LONG, AND WERE WINNERS OF 5-STRAIGHT BEFORE GETTING DERAILED BY GREENWAY-NASHWAUK KEEWATIN LAST NIGHT.

MAHNOMEN-WAUBUN IS A RESPECTABLE 13-8, BUT 5 OF THOSE LOSSES ARE BY LESS THAN 10-POINTS, AND 3 OF THEM DECIDED BY ONE POSSESSION.

A LITTLE FORESHADOWING FOR YA, WARRIORS TAKING ON THE THUNDERBIRDS IN WHAT WAS THE FIRST GAME OF THE DAY AT THE 218 SPORTS BASKETBALL SHOWCASE.

PICKING UP IN THE SECOND HALF, DEER RIVER BUILDING A LEAD BEHIND KELLEN ISAACS WHO HAD 21-POINTS, 57-51 THE SCORE.

LAWRENCE BOWSTRING, ALSO HAVING A BIG GAME, HE HAD 18-POINTS, AND ON A FREE THROW LATE IN THE CONTEST, SCORED HIS 1000TH CAREER POINT, THE SENIOR BEING RECOGNIZED FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT.

DEER RIVER LED BY 7 WITH TWO MINUTES TO PLAY, BUT THE T-BIRDS WERE ABLE TO CUT INTO THE LEAD, ANTHONY THOMPSON, AND-ONE, HE HAD 28, MAKES IT A TWO POINT GAME WITH UNDER A MINUTE TO GO.

AND THEN, STILL DOWN TWO, JUST 5.8-SECONDS LEFT ON THE CLOCK, THUNDERBIRDS FOR THE WIN, NO.

DEER RIVER ESCAPES AT THE BUZZER 76-74 OVER MAHNOMEN-WAUBUN, KEVIN DOERR ADDED 18-POINTS FOR THE WARRIORS, ETHAN JACKSON HAD 24 FOR THE T-BIRDS.

>>> FOSSTON AND CASS LAKE-BENA BOYS BASKETBALL ALSO FACING OFF AT THE SANFORD CENTER FOR THE SHOWCASE.

THE PANTHERS TRAILED 14-2 EARLY, DOUGIE CLOUD, HE SCORED 34-POINTS AT RED LAKE, HAD 33 TODAY, THIS CAPPED AN 8-1 RUN, THEY PULL TO WITHIN 5.

LATER, 24-20 NOW, GREYHOUNDS STILL LEAD AND SHOWING A LITTLE FLASH, NOAH MARTINSON TO JAKE HOWARD ON THE OOP, THE EXPAND THEIR LEAD.

THEN, JACK SEKELY, WAS MOLTEN LAVA HOT FROM DOWNTOWN, HIT 9-TRIPLES, FINISHED WITH 31-POINTS.

HOUNDS SURVIVE AN EARLY SECOND HALF PUSH BY THE PANTHERS THAT TIED THE GAME AT 43, THEY GO ON TO WIN 78-68, AVENGING THE GIRLS LOSS.

>>> AND, IN OUR FINAL HIGHLIGHT FROM THE 218 SPORTS BASKETBALL SHOWCASE, PINE RIVER-BACKUS TAKING ON BAGLEY.

IT WAS BACK AND FORTH EARLY, TIGERS, TRAILING BY ONE HERE WITH FOUR MINUTES LEFT IN THE HALF, KOAL OBERFELL WITH THE DEUCE OFF THE CUTTER, YOU DON'T SEE A LOT OF THAT ANYMORE, PRB LEADS 28-27.

END OF THE FIRST HALF, BRETT SCHWEGAL, AT THE BUZZER, BANKS OPEN, YOU CAN CASH THAT CHECK FOR THREE, FLYERS LED 39-34 AT THE BREAK.

BUT IN THE SECOND, DOUBLE-DUECES WITH THE JAY, SPLOOSH, JONATHON SHOGREN HELPING THE TIGERS CLAW THEIR WAY BACK.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS WOULD HOLD ON TO A LATE LEAD AND HIT THEIR FREE THROWS DOWN THE STRETCH TO DOWN THE FLYERS 69-64.

>>> WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE BASKETBALL SCORES FOR YOU.

IN THE 218 SPORTS SHOWCASE, WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY BEAT HILL CITY NORTHLAND.

FERGUS FALLS BEATS BRAINERD 76-50.

IN BOYS HOCKEY, WARROAD TOPS LITTLE FALLS.

IN BOYS WRESTLING FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1989, BRAINERD IS GOING BACK TO STATE FOR BOYS WRESTLING.

THEY'RE THE SECTION 8-3A CHAMPS.

ALSO MINNESOTA STATE EDGES BEMIDJI STATE 1-0.

THE WOMEN, THEY FALL 6-2 TO ST.

CLOUD STATE.

>> Josh: A FULL WEEKEND OF ACTION AND IT CONTINUES TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: IT DOES CONTINUE TOMORROW.

WE HAVE BEMIDJI AND BSU.

>> Josh: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL HELD THEIR ANNUAL MID-WINTER CONCERT ON MONDAY, FEATURING THEIR JAZZ BAND, VARSITY BAND, CONCERT BAND, AND SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO BAND MEMBERS AND THE SCHOOLS BAND DIRECTOR, TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THE LEARNING THAT TOOK PLACE LEADING UP TO THE CONCERT, FOR THIS WEEKS IN FOCUS.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: THE SECOND CONCERT IN A SERIES OF THREE FROM BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL BAND STUDENTS BROUGHT TOGETHER A CROWN ON MONDAY NIGHT AS THE MIDWINTER PERFORMANCE FOCUSED ON A WIDE RANGE OF MUSIC, INCLUDING ONE PIECE WITH A NEW COMPLICATED WAY OF PLAYING.

>> IN THE JAZZ BAND, WE DID PIECES LIKE FUR IOS O, WHICH IS LIKE JAZZ.

IN FIRST STAR BAND, WE DID BEYOND.

>> WE SPENT A LOT OF OUR TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO COUNT THE PIECES BECAUSE ONE OF THEM CHANGED METER EVERY 5 BARS.

SOMETIMES IT WAS ALL COMPOUND, COMPLEX, AND DIFFICULT, SO WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME COUNTING THAT.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING FOR THE KIDS TO START AT A LEVEL OF ALMOST NO COMPREHENSION, TO PUT TOGETHER THAT PIECE OF MUSIC AND BE ABLE TO PERFORM IT WITH A LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING OF HOW IT WORK TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH LEARNING THE MELODIES, THE NOTES, AND HOW TO PLAY THE SONG, THEY NEEDED TO PORTRAY THE MEANING OF THE SONGS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO WORDS.

>> THAT'S THE CHALLENGE FOR YOUNG STUDENTS, TO LEARN HOW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COMPOSERS WERE WRITING, TO UNWRAP THAT AND PRESENT IT IN THEIR WAY, THE BEST WAY THEY KNOW HOW.

WHAT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE TO YOU?

WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU IF YOU ADD WORDS TO THIS?

>> Reporter: THERE ARE MORE THAN 160 STUDENTS THAT PLAY INSTRUMENTS AMONG THE DIFFERENT BANDS AT THE SCHOOL, EACH OF THEM FOCUSED ON A DIFFERENT GROUP OF INSTRUMENTS AND STYLE OF MUSIC.

FOR THIS YEAR'S MIDWINTER PERFORMANCE, THE JAZZ, VARSITY, AND CONCERT BANDS, AND THE SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE EACH SHOWCASED THEIR STYLE OF MUSIC.

>> THE WORK WE PUT IN PAID OFF AND I THINK WE DID REALLY GOOD.

>> THEY'RE ALL HARD IN THEIR SEPARATE WAYS AND TO SEE EVERYONE DO IT CORRECTLY AND MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL IS A GOOD MOMENT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Josh: HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYONE.

HAPPY