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Were here for you with local news from Bemidji, Brainerd and all of the Lakes Country.

Dennis Weimann with the news.

Stacy Christiansen with the weather and Charlie Yaeger with your sports.

Hey everyone.

Thank you so much for watching.

My name is Matthew Freeman filling in for Dennis Weimann.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says that the FB has formally notified its office that it will not provide the BC with access to any information that it has collected in the Al Pretti shooting investigation.

In a statement released earlier today from the BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, he said the FBI' lack of cooperation is, quote, concerning and unprecedented.

Pretti was shot to death on Janu 24th during a confrontation with Border Patrol agents.

Evans stated the BCA is committed to thorough, independen and transparent investigations of these incidents, even if hampered by a lack of acces to key information and evidence.

Our agency has committed to the FBI and Department of Justice that, should its stance change, we remain willing to share information that we have obtained with that agency and would welcome a joint investigation.

Superintendent Evans also added that the BCA reiterated its request to receive information for the killing of Renee Good and the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan who was shot in the leg and injured on January 14th.

But quote, it remains unclea if there will be any cooperation or sharing of informatio related to those two shootings.

The BCA says that investigations of these incidents will continue, and that it will present these its findings without recommendation to the appropriate authorities for review.

The 2026 Minnesota legislative session that begins tomorrow, February 17th, is expected to be highly active yet challenging due to a historically divided legislature featuring a 67-67 tie at the House.

While in the Senate, DFL holds a very slim 34-33 majority.

Some key priorities for th session include combating fraud, federal immigration enforcement, economic affordability, education, and gun violence prevention.

For House District 2A Rep.

Bidal Duran, one of his top priorities will be the bill that would provide full reimbursement towards the June 21st stor windstorm for Beltrami County.

I've actually worked with the county here, and we're going to be asking the state of Minnesota to give the 25%, reimbursement that the county be on the hook for.

We're hoping to get that back.

So it should be somewhere around $2 million coming back to our area, which is going to be great.

You know, it's going to be able to, I guess, alleviate a little bit of stress on some of our local funding, but also allow things to get a little bit, settle down, I guess, from the tax stance in the, in our area.

So that's what I'm hoping to do.

The first day of the session will be devoted to honoring the memory of Melissa Horman and her husband, Mark, as well as celebrating th return of Senator John Hoffman after they were sho in targeted attacks last June.

With today being Presidents Day.

Brainerd Lakes indivisible decided to host a Power to the People Presidents Day protest, inviting community members to gather on Washington Street in Brainerd.

Earlier this afternoon.

Reporter Miles Walker attended the protest and has more on wha those involved are fighting for.

The Power of the People President's Day protest was rooted in one simple but urgent truth through the eyes of Brainerd Lakes Area Indivisible.

Democracy requires that power remains with the people and should not be hoarded by a single office, party, or individual.

For a long time, this country has been operated in a pyramid of power, and that power has always been in balance since the founding of this country.

And we really believe in a future where everyone feels safe, where everyone feels free.

Hundreds marched along Washington and sixth Street in an effort to peacefull and publicly protest, to affirm that leadership is service, not entitlement.

I have known everyone here, and I have a deep sense of care for them, and I can't live in a world where care is not the main sense of everything.

If I were to now go to these, I don't know what kind of person I would be.

The power of the people protest is posted through Brainerd Lakes area indivisible, a grassroots, people powered movement organizing to protest for democracy and build community strength.

We are a community.

I think that people have really been looking for a place to belong, a place that feels loving, a place that is rooted in our shared visions and dreams for the future.

Not one that's rooted in hate or division.

We believe that community is built over time, and the fabric of our democracy is only as strong as the fabric of trust that clothes it.

Brainerd Lakes Area Indivisible mission is to empower change through unity, embodyin core values rooted in democracy, community equity and justice, and accountability.

All of which those protesting today believe this country can learn from.

They need to learn because the you, every single person who has less money than them and less power than them, is simply a lesser person.

Every single perso has the power to make a change.

And we have no more power than not.

We need to understand that.

Reporting in Brainerd, Miles Walker, Lakeland news.

Brainerd Lakes area.

Indivisible had planne another protest tomorrow morning at the Crow Wing County Courthouse in response to a visit from Representative Pete Stauber.

But they say they have.

That has been canceled after the county announced Stauber schedule has changed.

Jeremiah Liend, a technica coordinator for performing arts at Bemidji State University, has announced his intent to run for Minnesota's eighth congressional district seat, challenging incumben Pete Stauber as an independent.

Liend, a Turtle River resident previously challenged Matt Grossell in 2020 for the Minnesota House to a seat, but lost that race and has not sought office since then.

Liend stated in his campaign announcement that, quote, my goal is to offer a constructive alternative, one focused on truth, public service and solutions that can earn support across party lines.

Liend also stated that he intend to run a funds free campaign under a motto of, quote, Liberty and justice for all.

He says he will not accept any donations or seek any endorsements, but he plans to collect the required number of voter signatures during the May filing period, and if it does not mee that threshold, he will suspend the campaign.

Small business owners in Minnesota shared their concerns about tariffs with Amy Klobuchar on Monday.

The U.S.

senator me with leaders to discuss how U.S.

trade policies are impacting Minnesota's economy.

Ethan Kramer has the story.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Senator Amy Klobuchar brought her concerns about tariffs to Moorhead Monday, meeting with small business owners and local leaders to discuss the economic impact of current trade policies.

What's happening right now with the tariffs is really concerning for our small businesses at Swing Barrel Brewing.

Klobuchar, her directly from business owners like Sean Syverson, who says the unpredictability of tariff policies makes it difficult to plan for the future.

What we need in order to survive as a small business is stability and a little bit of predictability when we don't have those things.

It makes it a lot harder for us to make good, solid business decisions.

The senator says it's not just Democrats raising red flags.

She's hearing the same worries from Republicans, especially about losing overseas markets.

What is making them concerned is that these markets are drying up overseas.

You see countries like Canada having no choice but to make trade agreements with other countries.

And that is a huge long term problem for the U.S.. That bipartisan concer has led Klobuchar to co-sponsor a bill that would end the emergency declaration, eliminating tariffs on imports from Canada.

Minnesota's top trading partner, Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson, says the senator understands what's at stake locally.

She's showed up.

She's listene and she understands the unique challenges her or has been a border community.

Now, despite the challenges, Klobuchar says she sees signs of progress ahead on tariffs.

After the event, Senator Klobuchar traveled to Wilkin County for a farm roundtable with Minnesota agriculture leaders.

Still to come on Lakeland News at ten.

A winter storm could bring significant weather impacts to parts of the area as it moves through around midweek.

Details in a few minutes.

And coming up after the break for this week's In Business, the Dance Positive Studio in Bemidji is working on changing negative dance stereotypes.

And now Lakeland News at ten.

It was an East coast West coast showdown.

But it turns out the upper Midwest rolled out the carpet for Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.

Northern excellent Seed in Lake of the Woods County has been around since 2002.

It's made up of 53 growers in the region that contract produce for the seed companies, and news reporter Matt Henson explains how this company helped plant the seed for the big game.

They were always preaching quality.

That work paid off this past weekend at Levi' Stadium, home of the Super Bowl.

West Coast Turf, based in Californi grew the sod for the big game.

They use their signature ready play, a grass designed for player safety.

It's a Bermuda grass that the company over, seeded with a three way perennial rye grass.

That's where Northern Excellence Seed in Williams, Minnesota came into play.

And the Bermuda grass pinnacles dormant in the winter in the south and the west.

And then they are perceived as ryegrass to get the the green and kind of cushy cushy look to the field.

The company traced the seed back to three specific local farms Hagedorn Farms and Howell Farms, both in Badger.

And has bargain farms near the eastern border of Lake of the Woods County.

You don't have sod if you don't have seed.

So yeah, it all starts from seed.

More than 100 million people watch the Super Bowl, Brandt said.

Knowing they all saw the green grass that started as a little see produced in northwest Minnesota validate the hard work of local farmers.

And I'm not sure that you can get out any more famous field than a Super Bowl field.

Northern excellence produce between 1 million and 2 million pounds of this blend annually, and 15 million pounds of ryegrass.

We'll take a look at Stacy.

What's it?

I know there's snowstorm coming this week.

How's it looking?

Well, we kne winter wasn't done with us yet.

We are going to start to se some rain moving into the area, maybe starting tomorrow afternoon.

Tomorrow evening.

But that will eventually be mixing with some, freezing rain and snow tomorrow night and changing over to snow.

And much of the area is under a winter stor watch as a result of the system.

So have a closer look in just a few minutes.

And now the weather with Stacy Christiansen.

We enjoyed another springlike day today, but our springlike weather will shortly be coming to an end.

We'll start to see a winter storm moving into the are tomorrow afternoon, and tomorrow evening, starting as rain, but then beginning to change to mixed precipitation and eventually all snow.

Tomorrow night into Wednesday we could see some significant snowfall accumulations especially in northern Minnesota where we do have a winter storm watch in effect, so we'll have details on that in a second.

Here are the current conditions.

It's 33 degrees at the airport in Bemidji and at our studio.

Winds are from the east at three miles per hour.

Our dew point is 25, in Brainerd.

Clea skies and 29-20 is our dew point Pressure is rising and winds are calm.

A winter storm watch is in effect for the northern parts of our viewing area.

This begins Tuesday evening and continues through Wednesda evening in northwest Minnesota and Thursda morning in northeast Minnesota.

We'll be seeing heavy snow and mixed precipitation along with some gusty winds.

Those winds could be up to 35 to 45mph.

Gusts, and we could actually see about a trace of ice accumulation with the freezing rain tomorrow night.

Now, as far as snowfall totals and these are through 7 p.m.

on Wednesday, so we could pic up more snow after that point.

But it looks like in general across that watch area we're looking at about 4 to 7in of snow, maybe a little bit less, maybe a little bi more depending on where you are now on the satellit and radar picture for tonight, we do have some upper level moisture, but no reports of any precipitation reaching the ground.

We'll have partly to mostl cloudy skies overnight tonight.

Partly to mostly cloudy skies to start the day tomorrow.

Still pretty mild tomorrow, but then as we head into the afternoon we do have those chances of rain beginning some weather shots to share with you tonight.

Debra, Enjoying a beautiful day at Lake Ada, and Gary spotting some swans which return to the Deerwood area.

Ralph with the evening skies i Jenkins, we've got gorgeous set just after sunset from Angela at Cass Lake and Jackie from Lake Beltrami, and Arlene capturing some of the northern lights in Menahga.

So thank you all for sharing those tonight for our Eagle Ey reports, Arlene in Menahga, 24 and calm this morning, Debra in Pine River, 37, at noon.

Stephanie in Brainerd clear skies with a high of 47.

Lucas in Bemidji, 41.

This evening.

Bob in Bluffton.

Sunny and 45.

And Arlene in Longville, sunshine with a high of 49.

Looking at that almanac right now, today topping out at 48, just missing the record by one degree.

That record set back in 2011, 26 was our low, 5:44 was the sunset and Bemidji today topping out at 41.

Very mild averages 24.

We had a low of 20 and sunrise at 7:23.

So looking at tomorrow's forecast we'll have partly to mostl cloudy skies to start the day.

And through much of the morning and early afternoon.

That's what we'll see.

But as we head through the afternoon, chances of rain become more widespread again, mixing with some freezing rain and snow overnight.

Highs tomorrow, still pretty mild, mid 30s in Warroad.

We could be seeing temps right around 40 degrees across much of northern Minnesota and 40 to about 45 in central Minnesota.

So our forecast for tonight, partly to mostly cloudy skies with lows near 22.

And for tomorrow partly to mostly cloudy.

We do have a chance of ligh rain beginning in the afternoon.

Highs near 41.

We are also going to see those winds picking up out of the east at 10 to 30.

Looking at our extended forecast.

Mixed precipitation Tuesda becoming all snow on Wednesday.

And again we'll be dealing with blowing and drifting snow as those winds remain strong.

Still some chances of sno as we head to through the week.

And then this weekend looks a little bit quieter.

Partly to mostly cloudy Saturday.

Plenty of sunshine on Sunday, but temperatures will be colder and highs on Sunday will be near 17.

Back to you.

Thank you Stacy.

We got Charlie Yaeger with us.

I see we got a story with the Brainerd dance team.

Yeah, well, the Brainerd dance team, they had a pretty good weekend this weekend.

Also had a chance to go up to Warroad toda and talk a little bit of hockey.

They got the section tournaments coming up for the boys.

Obviously the state tournament this week for the girls as well.

So that's coming up after the break.

Now, your local sport with Charlie Yaeger.

It was a clean sweep for Brainerd Dance this past weekend, winning their third consecutive class three, a high kick state title and their first ever state title in jazz dance.

The Warriors dance team, known as the Kixters, had never finished better than fourth in the jazz competition.

They earned perfect scores of 160 in choreography and 80 in routine, while postin a category best 230 out of 240 in effectiveness, 145 of 160, and execution in High Kick.

They were dominant as ever, also scoring perfect marks in choreography and routine effectiveness as well, while earning the top score in difficulty.

Was just so awesome.

I don't feel like there's a like good way to describe lik the pure joy that we all felt.

I feel like it was mainly just like knowing all of our hard work really paid off.

Was like the biggest feeling I felt.

I know that we all were just so excite and like, couldn't believe it.

And still can't.

Our mindset was really just like pushing our hardest and like, whatever happened out there, we knew we could do the dance.

We knew we could do the technique and everything.

We just had to try our hardest.

And whatever happened, happened, we could only control the controllables.

We kind of felt like we had already accomplished so much with jazz and just going in another day, having to reset.

Get in the mind of like, even though such amazing things happened last night, we have to have that same drive and same energy that we had the day before, an just getting all that together to do it again took a lot, but we did it.

Yes, they certainly did do it.

And I think a three peat is you can call that a dynasty.

Well, Crosby Ironto also competed at the state dance meet, finishing fifth in class AA for both dance and jazz.

Brainerd also took home some hardware in state and Nordic and alpine skiing.

Girls.

Nordic skier Annelise Bair finished first in the freestyle skate and finished fourth in the classic pursuit for a fourth plac overall finish as an individual.

It's the senior first top five finish at state and hope the Lady Warriors to a 10th place finish, while the Brainerd Boys finished ninth as a team.

And in alpine skiing, Piper Grillo brought home the bronze for the Warriors.

The junior improved 15 spots after finishing 18th at last year's state meet.

Then also over the weekend in boys wrestling, four area schools were crowned section champions as a team.

Staples-Motley included.

The Cardinals are the reigning class A state champions and a couple scores from this weekend for of Bemidji State off an Oliver Peer goal in overtime beats Minnesota State.

They split that series with the, excuse me with the Mavericks over in college hockey girls college women's college hockey.

Saint Cloud Stat they beat Bemidji State 5 to 0.

Also in men's basketball at the 218 Sports Showcase.

Jamestown, Jamestown tops Bemidj State and on the women's side they would also beat Bemidji State as well.

And looking at women's college tennis, Bemidji State is off to their best start in program history.

They are six and out to start the year.

Well motivation comes in all forms, but sometimes the simples is falling short of your goals.

Last year, the Warroad boys hockey season came to a screeching halt with a 3-2 loss in overtime of the section eight championship game to East Grand Forks.

The Green Wave would go o to win the class AA state title this season.

The Warriors would suffer losses in two of their first three contests, albeit both of them ranked, but would follow that up with a dominant seven game win streak, outscoring opponents 31 to 8.

And it was during that stretch where this year's squad really found their identity.

We're really tight knit, close group guys.

We like to be flashy when we can, and then we have a good deep for who can stop plays.

And then we got two great goalies who can stop the puck when we needed.

So we just got a great team all around, right.

And we got the guys who aren't very flashy, but we'll get the puck out when we need, and then we got guys who can score and guys who can make great passe and guys who can kill penalties.

So we got we got it all being focused every game, like some games we have really gone and some games we don't.

But being focused is a big thing and getting pucks out and F3 is a big thing of our game.

So having all those aspects world would finish the regular season by going eight, one and one over their final ten games, earning them the top seed in the section tournament for the second straight year.

But this time with the motivation of last year's loss fueling the run even if they aren't openly admitting it.

It's one of those things where it's there, but you don't really talk about it.

But I think it's it drives the kids and drives me.

It's just that motivation where you know, and it's that's what section eight is.

It's it's tough every, every single year.

You know I think we've been in, overtime in the section final maybe 2 or 3 years in a row.

So, yeah, you definitely got to think about it.

You got a chip on your shoulder, right?

Like we were one step away from getting to that state tournament.

Right?

And so it's just motivation for this year to get back to, where we were at a couple of years ago.

And that's where we got to get back to.

That's the goal.

So we have a little fire in our stomach training over the summer.

And, just training and comin to practice every day focused.

And that's our end goal to beat them and win the state championship.

Well, it's no longer called the trek to the because it's Grand Casino Arena.

But either way, Warroa trying to make their 26th trip to state.

It starts tomorrow in the quarterfinals against Park Rapids in Section AA.

Here are some of the othe pairings that are also tomorrow.

All the quarterfinals are tomorrow, Tuesday, Bagley Fosston at Detroit Lakes and then Northern Lakes.

We'll have the highlights of that one against Breckenridge-Wahpeton, Little Falls, taking on Prairie Center.

And then in tw a Brainerd, Roseau and Bemidji all on the road.

Grand Rapids they are the top seed in seven two AA.

And Andover has moved to a different section.

So they have a real good shot at winning that section.

All right.

Thank you Charlie.

A new positivity centered dance studio opened up in Bemidji last summer with a focus on creating a good experience for dancers of all ages and abilities.

Our reporter, Sydney Dick, spoke to instructors at the Dance Positive training space for this week's In Business to see how much of a difference attitude can make in a dancing career.

Five six.

For this, I got to take in to your let's go get ready five, six, seven, eight.

It has been a lifelong dream of Randie Blumhagen to own her own dance studio, and she was able to watch that dream come to life in August of 2025, when she opened up the dance positive studi and training space in Bemidji, and by taking a different, gentler approach to her teaching style, Randie's goa is to make all of her students comfortable and happy as they learn.

I have wanted to be a dance teacher and on my own studio since I was a little girl, and I, as I got older, I'm like, oh, that's never going to happen.

I've been teaching dance my whole life.

And then the opportunity arose and I jumped on it.

And the biggest thing that Dance Positive wants to preach is inclusivity.

Accepting dancers of all ages and all abilities.

We are very body positive.

Everybody has their goals for the year.

We are very geare towards what our dancers want, where they're going, and we look to provide them those opportunities.

We don't allow any negative language towards ourselve or other people in our studio.

Everybody's here to learn at their own pace and we're here to meet them there.

But no matter what style or difficult level of the class, the common theme of staying positive is in all of them personally.

Just like growing as a as a teacher an then as a dancer as well myself, and then also being able to like project that onto the kids and like you could do this one day, you know, like if you really want and just seeing them gro as well from like past studios where I've seen them and then to now you see, so many girls especially have such traumatic experiences with dance.

Myself and Izzy and Jackie love dancing, and we want our kids to feel that same passion for dance without feeling so hard on themselves.

Being a girl and being in middle school high school is hard enough.

They need an outlet where they feel safe.

Reporting from Bemidji with this week's in Business I'm Sydney Dick, Lakeland News.

And we'll toss it right back over to Stacy for some more details.

And we do have that winter storm watch for northern Minnesota starting tomorrow evening and continuing through Wednesday evening in the northwest and Thursday morning in the northeast.

That's our show Have a good night.

Good night.