THE MALE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO SAINT JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL IN PARK RAPIDS, FOR SMOKE INHALATION AND POSSIBLE BURNS.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND THE VICTIMS' NAMES WILL BE RELEASED PENDING AUTOPSY RESULTS OF THE FEMALE.

>>> CHAD AANERUD, A 36-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM BRAINERD IS SET TO SERVE LIFE IN PRISON FOR THE NOVEMBER 2024 SHOOTING AND KILLING OF A MAN, AND THE ABDUCTION OF A PREGNANT WOMAN AND HER FOUR CHILDREN NEAR BRAINERD.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, AANERUD ENTERED A PLEA AGREEMENT ON DECEMBER 17TH OF 2025, AND WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF RELEASE AFTER 30 YEARS FOR THE FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF 62-YEAR-OLD LYLE MASKE.

THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT IN THE CASE SAYS THAT ON NOVEMBER 1, 2024, AANERUD FORCED A WOMAN TO HAVE SEX WITH HIM, THEN BURNED HER PARENTS' HOME DOWN AND STOLE NUMEROUS FIREARMS FROM THE HOME.

AFTER, THE WOMAN AND HER CHILDREN FLED TO MASKE'S HOUSE, WHO WAS THE WOMAN'S NEIGHBOR.

MASKE CONFRONTED AANERUD, AND AANERUD SHOT AND KILLED HIM.

AANERUD WAS ALSO ORIGINALLY CHARGED WITH ARSON AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, BUT THOSE WERE LATER DROPPED AS PART OF THE PLEA AGREEMENT.

AANERRUD PLED GUILTY TO FIRST DEGREE MURDER WITH INTENT, KIDNAPPING, FIRST DEGREE BURGLARY, AND TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON.

>>> AN OSAKIS MAN HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER ARREST FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE POSSESSION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL.

ACCORDING TO A RELEASE FROM THE DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THEY RECEIVED A CYBER TIP FROM THE INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN TASK FORCE, WHICH INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION.

AS A RESULT, DEPUTIES OBTAINED AND EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT AT A RESIDENCE IN THE CITY OF OSAKIS.

DURING THE EXECUTION, INVESTIGATORS LOCATED ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF EVIDENCE.

THE RESIDENT OF THE HOME, CHRISTOPHER PAYNE, WAS PLACED UNDER ARREST WITHOUT INCIDENT.

PAYNE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT THE DOUGLAS COUNTY JAIL ON PROBABLE CAUSE FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL.

THE CASE WILL BE REFERRED TO THE DOUGLAS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR CHARGING REVIEW, AND REMAINS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION.

>>> A 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM RICHMOND, MINNESOTA HAS DIED AFTER A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH IN CASS COUNTY.

ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL, A SEDAN DRIVEN BY 21-YEAR-OLD, JONAH OLEARY, WITH 19-YEAR-OLD, TAYLOR WAHNSCHAFFE AS A PASSENGER, WAS HEADED WESTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 210 IN SYLVAN TOWNSHIP, ABOUT TWO MILES EAST OF PILLAGER.

AN SUV DRIVEN BY TRAVIS GROSSMAN OF PILLAGER, ALONG WITH TWO MINOR PASSENGERS, WAS EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 210, MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO WEST SYLVAN DRIVE SOUTHWEST, AND STRUCK THE SEDAN IN THE INTERSECTION.

BOTH OCCUPANTS OF THE SEDAN WERE TAKEN TO SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL IN BRAINERD, BUT THE PASSENGER, WANSCHAFFE, WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS WANSCHAFFE WAS NOT WEARING HER SEAT BELT, AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE WET AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH.

NO ALCOHOL IS REPORTED TO BE INVOLVED.

>>> VISIT BEMIDJI RECENTLY WON AN AWARD FROM "EXPLORE MINNESOTA", TO RECOGNIZE THE ORGANIZATION FOR THEIR “WE ARE OPEN” CAMPAIGN LAST SUMMER, AFTER A WIND STORM CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CITY IN LATE JUNE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO VISIT BEMIDJI STAFF, ABOUT HOW SUCCESSFUL THEY FEEL THE CAMPAIGN WAS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND WHAT THE AWARD RECOGNITION MEANS TO THEM.

>> AFTER THE JUNE 21ST WIND STORM BLEW OVER MILLIONS OF TREES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA AN CAUSED SEVERAL DAYS POWER OUTAGES FOR HOMES AND BUSINESSES, A WE ARE OPEN CAMPAIGN WAS STARTED TO BRING ATTENTION TO LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT DEPEND ON TOURISM TO STAY AFLOAT.

THESE FLIP CARDS WERE USED BY 44 LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT WANTED TO SHOW OFF THEY WERE STILL OPEN, EVEN IN THE WAKE OF THE STORM, WITH ALL THE NEWS ABOUT BEMIDJI BEING ABOUT THE STORM AND THE DAMAGE IT CAUSED, THE REASON FOR THE CAMPAIGN WAS ABOUT CHANGING THE NARRATIVE.

>> WE WENT THROUGH THIS CATASTROPHIC DISASTROUS EVENT BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE SUMMER SEASON IS OUR BREAD AND BUTTER FOR A LOT OF THE RESORTS, A LOT OF THE BUSINESSES, A LOT OF OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES.

SO IT WAS A MEETING OF THE MINDS, WHAT CAN WE DO, WHAT CAN WE COME UP WITH TO HELP PEOPLE KNOW THAT BEMIDJI IS STILL VIBRANT AND OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: WITH SIX VIDEOS TOTALING NEARLY 800,000 VIEWS AND 12,000 LIKES, THE RESPONSE TO THE CAMPAIGN WAS OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE.

>> WE DID SEE THAT WITH OUR RECORD BREAKING TAX NUMBERS THIS YEAR.

THE JUNE STORM IMPACTED US BUT JULY, WE HAD ONE OF OUR BEST MONTHS EVER AT VISIT BEMIDJI IN JULY.

>> Reporter: THEY VISITED DULUTH FOR THE EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM CONFERENCE, WHERE THE ORGANIZATION WAS AWARDED THE 2026 ONE MINNESOTA AWARD FOR THEIR CAMPAIGN EFFORTS.

THE STATEWIDE AWARD WAS CREATED TO RECOGNIZE A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THREE OR MORE ENTITIES COMING TOGETHER.

>> IT'S VERY HEARTWARMING, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND INSTILL SOME HOPE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> TO SEE THE IMPACT ON THE BUSINESSES BECAUSE OF THAT, IT'S NOT JUST A VISIT BEMIDJI AWARD, THIS IS A WIN FOR BEMIDJI ALL TOGETHER.

>> THE AWARD IS A TRUE TESTAMENT FOR BEMIDJI RISING ABOVE THE GREAT CHALLENGES THAT WE DID FACE AND WE WILL FACE MOVING FORWARD.

THE AWARD RECOGNIZE IT IS HARD WORK AND EFFORT THAT EVERYONE RALLIED TOGETHER TO REALLY PUT OUT THE MESSAGE THAT BEMIDJI IS STILL GOING, WE'RE STRONG, AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

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

>> THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND YEAR THAT “EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM AWARDS” HAS HAD THE “ONE MINNESOTA” CATEGORY.

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

>> Stacy: A PART OF THE VIEWING AREA REMAINS UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AS WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE SNOW AND POSSIBLY SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE.

I' >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>>> THE NINTH ANNUAL I.C.E.

FEST IS SET TO RETURN TO GREEN PRAIRIE FISH LAKE THIS YEAR, HOSTED THROUGH THE PAY IT FORWARD FOUNDATION, THE ICE CAROUSEL EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURES THE EVENT'S SIGNATURE ATTRACTION, MASSIVE SPINNING ICE CAROUSELS, ALONG WITH A FULL LINEUP OF ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES, ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS SHOW, CURLING DEMONSTRATION, HUMAN FOOSBALL AND MORE.

ALL ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE, MAKING I.C.E.

FEST AN AFFORDABLE WINTER DESTINATION FOR FAMILIES ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

HOWEVER, ANYONE IN ATTENDANCE CAN DONATE FUNDS TOWARDS HELPING FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER AND HARDSHIP.

>> WE DONATED $168,000 THROUGH THE FIRST EIGHT YEARS AND IT'S THANKS TO GREAT SPONSORSHIP, GREAT INVOLVEMENT BY THE COMMUNITY.

LAST COUNT I HAD 89 SPONSORS AND 80% ARE LITTLE FALLS DIRECT.

>> Matthew: ICE FEST WILL GET UNDERWAY SATURDAY FROM 10:00 A.M.

TO 6:00 P.M.

AND SUNDAY FROM 10:00 A.M.

TO 4:00 P.M.

>>> NOW IT'S TIME FOR STACY.

WE HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THE WINTER STORM.

>> Stacy: YES, THE STORM PART OF IT HAS WRAPPED UP.

WE STILL HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN TONIGHT WITH MORE SNOW POSSIBLE TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, NOT LOOKING TOO BAD BUT WE WILL SEE A COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE RECEIVED MORE SNOW AFTER LAST NIGHT'S RAIN AND SNOW AND VERY STRONG WINDS.

WE ARE STILL SEEING THE POSSIBILITY OF SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND WE COULD BE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF FREEZING DRIZZLE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA AND NORTHEAST MINNESOTA IS STILL UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF HOURS.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, THERE IS A CHANCE OF SOME SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A MAJOR WINTER STORM LIKE THIS LAST ONE, BUT WE WILL EVENTUALLY SEE THE TEMPERATURES COOLING DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 29 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE EAST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 29, WE PICKED UP 6 INCHES OF SNOW.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 32, WITH A DEW POINT OF 28, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE NORTHEAST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

PARTS OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA REMAINS UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE COULD BE SEEING MORE SNOW AND FREEZING DRIZZLE IN THE AREA.

ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE AN INCH BUT WE COULD SEE ICE THAT COULD CREATE SLIPPERY ROADWAYS OUT THERE.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE CAN STILL SEE THAT THERE ARE SOME AREAS WHERE WE HAVE SOME SNOW, MOST OF THAT TO OUR WEST AND SOUTH.

WE DO STILL HAVE AT LEAST A CHANCE OF SEEING MORE SNOW IN THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND POTENTIALLY FREEZING DRIZZLE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA THAT LINGERS INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

WE DO HAVE MORE CHANCES OF SNOW AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK.

NOW I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU A VIDEO SENT TO US BY MICHELLE IN BEMIDJI OF ONE OF THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES, THE AWNING COLLAPSING UNDER THE HEAVY SNOWFALL EARLIER TODAY.

IT WAS VERY WET AND HEAVY SNOW, SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT WAS.

OTHER EAGLE EYE PICTURES TONIGHT, JOAN IN LAPORTE AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA WITH A GLIMPSE INTO THE NOW SNOWY LANDSCAPE IN THE AREA.

WE ALSO HAVE SNOW PICTURES FROM LINDA IN WALKER, TANYA IN BEMIDJI, AND GARY STILL FOLLOWING THE EXPLOITS OF THAT PORCUPINE NEAR DEERWOOD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, JOAN IN LAPORTE, SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

8 INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

LINDA IN WALKER, 7 INCHES OF SNOW BUT IT WAS STILL SNOWING WHEN SHE MADE THAT REPORT.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SNOWY WITH 5 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW.

BOB IN BLUFFTON WITH 3 INCHES OF SNOWFALL TODAY.

AND STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST WITH A HIGH OF 32.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 34 WAS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD.

WE ARE STILL SEEING MILD TEMPERATURES AND WE HAVE BEEN SEEING CONSISTENT TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE DAY WITH A LOW OF 30.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 31.

SO AGAIN, A LITTLE BIT ABOVE THE AVERAGE, WE DID HAVE A LOW OF 28, WITH SUNSET AT 5:48.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE STILL COULD SEE SOME AREAS OF SNOW AND POSSIBLY SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, BUT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WE HAVE MORE CHANCES OF SNOW DEVELOPING ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE LATER PARTS OF THE DAY AND OVERNIGHT.

WE WILL HAVE LOW TO MID-30s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CONTINUED CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES AND FREEZING DRIZZLE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 22.

THEN TOMORROW, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES, BUT SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA STILL POSSIBLE IN THE MORNING, WITH HIGHS NEAR 30.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AT LEAST SOME CHANCES OF RAIN, EXCUSE ME, SNOW AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK WITH VARIABLE CLOUDS AND COOLER TEMPERATURES ARRIVING AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

HIGHS SHOULD BE NEAR 18 ON MONDAY, BUT LOWS SHOULD DROP TO -6.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE WITH US AND IT'S GIRLS STATE HOCKEY TIME, RIGHT?

>> Charlie: IT STARTED TODAY, THE QUARTER FINALS, WARROAD GOING FOR, TRYING FOR WHAT WILL BE THEIR 6th STATE TITLE IF THEY CAN GET THROUGH THE TOURNAMENT, BUT TODAY THE QUARTER FINALS MATCH UP BETWEEN THEM AND LAVERNE.

PLUS, WE GET TO HEAR FROM BEMIDJI GIRLS HOCKEY.

THEY START THEIR TOURNAMENT TOMORROW IN THE QUARTER FINALS.

THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> ONLY SOUTH SAINT PAUL HAS BEEN TO THE GIRLS' STATE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT AS MANY TIMES AS WARROAD, AND IN THOSE 17-APPEARANCES, THE WARRIORS HAVE NEVER LOST IN THE QUARTERFINALS.

THEY ENTER AS THE TOP-SEED IN THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT, A FAMILIAR SPOT FOR WARROAD TO BE IN, BUT AGAINST AN UNFAMILIAR OPPONENT, LUVERNE.

AT THE GRAND CASINO ARENA IN SAINT PAUL, THE 1-8 MATCH-UP OF THE CLASS A QUARTERFINALS.

WARRIORS COME IN ALLOWING JUST OVER 1-GOAL PER GAME BEHIND MINNESOTA GOALIE COMMIT PAYTON ROLLI, THE CARDINALS RIDING THE SCORING OF ELLIE VAN BATAVIA, SHE'S 5TH IN THE STATE IN GOALS SCORED, 2ND IN POINTS.

WARROAD'S SCORING IS A LITTLE MORE SPREAD OUT, BUT IT'S THEIR TOP SCORER OLIVIA ANTHONY WHO GETS THE BALL ROLLING, HER 23RD THIS SEASON, IT WAS 1-0 AFTER ONE.

IN THE SECOND, JAYLIE FRENCH FROM THE BLUE LINE, HITS TAYLOR REESE ON ITS WAY TO THE CAGE, WARRIORS EXTEND THE LEAD TO TWO.

LATER IN THE PERIOD, ELLE HARDWICK, HASN'T NETTED A GOAL ALL SEASON, STRIKES GOLD, IT'S A 3-0 ADVANTAGE FOR WARROAD.

LUVERNE WOULD STRIKE BACK THOUGH, A BLUE LINE BOMB ON THE POWER PLAY FROM VAN BATAVIA, HER 43RD OF THE SEASON HELPS THE CARDS CUT INTO THE LEAD.

BUT SECONDS LATER, VIVIENE MARCOWKA, THROUGH TRAFFIC, FINDS NYLON TO MAKE IT 4-1.

WARROAD WOULD ADD ANOTHER IN THE 3RD, A DEFLECTION BY JAYLIE FRENCH, TO WIN 5-1 AND REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN THE QUARTERFINAL ROUND AT STATE.

THE WARRIORS WILL NOW PLAY DODGE COUNTY IN FRIDAY'S SEMIFINAL, A REMATCH OF LAST YEAR'S TITLE GAME, AND THEY GOT THEIR BEHIND 5-GOALS FROM 5-DIFFERENT PLAYERS.

>> WE DO HAVE A LOT OF DEPTH WHEN WE'RE ROLLING.

SOMETIMES IT'S A DIFFERENT LINE, YOU KNOW, THE ONE LINE GETS OUR FIRST GOAL OFF A NICE RIM DEFENSIVE AND THEN WE GET A COUPLE POWER PLAY GOALS.

FIVE ON FIVE, I THOUGHT WE COULD DO BETTER THAN TODAY.

IT SEEMED SLOPPY AT TIMES.

SOMETIMES WE WIN AND WE MOVE ON AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT.

>> I WANT TO PLAY DODGE COUNTY.

I THINK WE OWE IT TO THEM.

LAST YEAR, BAD MEMORIES.

SO I WANT TO MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE HOW WE FELT LAST YEAR.

>> Charlie: WELL, AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE THEY DIDN'T KNOW YET WHO THEY WERE GOING TO PLAY.

THAT GAME WAS STILL GOING ON AT THE TIME.

IT IS DODGE COUNTY THAT THEY WILL PLAY FOR A THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR.

THIS MEETING IN THE SEMIFINALS, AND SHE WANTS TO GET THEM BACK FOR THAT 4-3 OVERTIME LOSS IN 2025.

OF COURSE, THEY DID BEAT THE WILDCATS IN 2024 FOR THE STATE TITLE.

SO IT'S KIND OF THE RUBBER MATCH GOING ON THERE.

>>> BEMIDJI FINALLY EXORCISED THE DEMONS AGAINST MOORHEAD, BEATING THE SPUDS 4-3 IN SECTION 8-2A CHAMPIONSHIP, PUNCHING THEIR TICKET TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY TWO DECADES.

THE STORY OF HOW THEY GOT THERE THOUGH EXTENDS BEYOND THIS SEASON.

FIVE YEARS AGO THE LUMBERJACKS HAD A RECORD OF JUST 1-17-1, BUT HAVE STEADILY IMPROVED EVERY YEAR SINCE, NOW POSTING THEIR 3RD 20-WIN SEASON IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

MANY OF THE JUNIORS AND SENIORS ON THIS SQUAD WERE PLAYING ON VARSITY AS 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS DURING THE TOUGH TIMES, GROWING THE TEAM FROM THE GROUND UP.

NOW THEY GET TO TAKE THE ICE AT GRAND CASINO ARENA ON THE BIGGEST STAGE THE STATE OF HOCKEY HAS TO OFFER.

>> I'M SUPER EXCITED.

IT'S GOING TO BE SO COOL GOING OUT THERE AND BEING ABLE TO PLAY IN FRONT OF THIS AMAZING RINK WHERE SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE HAVE PLAYED AND JUST KNOWING THAT HEY, WE'RE PLAYING ON THIS ICE THAT CONNOR McDAVID AND ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE PLAYED ON.

THAT'S SUPER COOL.

>> NO MATTER HOW BIG THE SITUATION IS, YOU'RE PLAYING THE GAME YOU LOVE WITH ALL YOUR TEAMMATES.

SO YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE SWEET BEING OUT THERE AND PRETTY COOL.

I'M SURE WE WILL BE NERVOUS, BUT WE HAVE TO IGNORE THE OUTSIDE PART AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE PLAYING HOCKEY AND WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AHEAD OF US.

>>> WELL, ITS KNOCKING IN THE FORM OF EDINA, A PERENNIAL POWER THAT HASN'T MISSED A STATE TOURNAMENT SINCE 2015.

THEY WERE THE 2024 STATE CHAMPIONS AND WERE RUNNER-UP IN 2025 TO HILL-MURRAY.

THE LUMBERJACKS SEEM UNFAZED BY THE HORNETS SUCCESS HOWEVER, AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UP.

>> I WAS SUPER EXCITED BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T PLAYED THEM IN A LONG TIME.

LAST TIME WE LOST IN DOUBLE OVERTIME TO GO TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR REVENGE ON THEM AND YES, IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN GAME.

>> NOTHING LIKE A GOOD UP NORTH VERSUS CITY TEAM RIVALRY.

IT'S GOING TO BE HUGE AND WE'RE EXCITED TO PLAY THEM.

>> ANY TEAM PLAYING IS A GREAT TEAM.

NO MATTER WHAT, WE HAVE TO PLAY HARD.

YES, THEY HAVE THEIR PLAYS AND STUFF BUT JUST WORKING HARD, BACK CHECKING, WE HAVE TO PLAY OUR GAME AND GIVE IT EVERYTHING WE GOT.

>>> HERE'S A SIDE-BY-SIDE LOOK AT EDINA AND BEMIDJI A.K.A.

THE CAKE EATERS VERSUS THE NORTHERN OUTSTATE.

THIS YEAR THEY STACK UP PRETTY EVEN IN TERMS OF RECORD AND LIKE OPPONENTS FROM THIS SEASON, BUT THE GAP IN HISTORY AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT IS FAIRLY LARGE.

THE GAME IS THE 4-5 QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UP WITH PUCK DROP SCHEDULED FOR 1:00.

AND I KNOW OF ONE GUY THAT WILL BE THERE TO WATCH THE GAME THAT HAS STRONG TIES TO BEMIDJI GIRLS' HOCKEY AND THAT IS FORMER HEAD COACH RICK COE, WHO TOOK THE LUMBERJACKS TO THEIR FIRST EVER STATE TOURNAMENT IN 2000.

26-YEARS LATER, HIS GRANDDAUGHTER, JUNIOR OLIVIA COE, IS CARRYING ON THE FAMILY LEGACY WITH THE JACKS, MAKING IT A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT OF SORTS FOR THE PROUD GRANDFATHER.

>> WELL, IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

I AM NOT TRYING TO DISCUSS MY FAMILY, BUT I NEVER PLAYED IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL.

MY TWO KIDS NEVER PLAYED AND MY DAUGHTER NEVER PLAYED IN ONE THAT I COACH IN THE LATE '90s AND MY GRANDSON DIDN'T PLAY IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS PLAYING IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

IT'S AWESOME TO HAVE HER DO THAT.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A MEMORY FOR OUR FAMILY FOR A LIFETIME.

>> HE BELIEVED IN OUR TEAM THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEASON.

IT REALLY MEANS A LOT.

IT SHOWS THAT HE CARES, HE SUPPORTS, I AM THANKFUL FOR HIM, AND I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED.

YOU DON'T GET MORE SOCIAL TIMES LIKE THESE.

>> Charlie: IT WAS FUNNY I WAS TALKING TO HIM AFTERWARDS AND JOKING BECAUSE I ASKED OLIVIA, HAS YOUR GRANDFATHER TALKED TO YOU ABOUT GOING TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT?

SHE SAID NO, NEVER ASKED THEM.

YOU HAVE TO TELL HIM ABOUT IT.

HERE'S A SPECIAL MEMORY THEY WILL HAVE TOGETHER AND HOPEFULLY ONE DAY THEY CAN TALK ABOUT HIS TIME AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT AS WELL.

>> Matthew: FOR SURE, A COUPLE OF GOOD STORIES AROUND THE STATE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT.

>> Charlie: YES, WE FOUND A FEW OF THEM.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S A LEADING CAUSE OF JOB-RELATED DISABILITY IN THE U.S., UP TO 80-PERCENT OF PEOPLE WILL EXPERIENCE LOWER BACK PAIN AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES.

IT CAN LEAD TO MISSED WORKDAYS, AND HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE, BUT EXPERTS SAY THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW TO HELP PREVENT THIS PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS WAYS YOU CAN SAVE YOURSELF YEARS OF UNNECESSARY PAIN.

>> Reporter: FROM IMPROPERLY LIFTING SOMETHING HEAVY, SITTING FOR PROLONGED PERIODS, THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO STRAIN YOUR BACK.

>> BACK PAIN UNFORTUNATELY IS QUITE COMMON.

>> Reporter: DR.

KAPOOR SAYS YOU CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING PAIN.

FIRST, HAVE A HEALTHY DIET AND EXERCISE, HAVING A STRONG CORE IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT SINCE THOSE MUSCLES SUPPORT THE SPINE, AND MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT, BUT ALSO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT WHICH NUMBER IS HEALTHY FOR YOU TO SEE ON THE SCALE.

HE SAYS FAT, MUSCLE, AND BONE CONTENT CAN SKEW THAT.

>> WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE ON WHERE YOU ARE CARRYING MOST OF THAT WEIGHT.

THAT CAN HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON YOUR SPINE, INCREASING CURVATURES THAT ARE EXACERBATED.

>> Reporter: NEXT, GET UNDERLYING MEDICAL PROBLEMS UNDER CONTROL.

HE SAYS CONDITIONS LIKE DIABETES AND HYPER TENSION COULD INCREASE INFLAMMATION IN THE BODY AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SPINE, JOINT, AND MUSCLE PROBLEMS.

SMOKING ALSO CAUSES SWELLING SO HE SAYS TO AVOID IT.

BE MINDFUL OF THE WAY YOU PICK UP SOMETHING HEAVY.

>> LIFTING, MAKING SURE YOUR BACK IS STRAIGHT, YOUR POSTURE IS CORRECT, AND USING YOUR BUTTOCKS AND YOUR KNEES AND YOUR BACK TOGETHER IN ONE FORM TO SQUAT YOURSELF UP AND LIFT THAT HEAVY ITEM OR OBJECT.

>> Reporter: FINALLY HE SAYS NOT TO DISMISS PERSISTENT PAIN.

IF IT DOESN'T GO AWAY OR GETS WORSE AFTER A FEW DAYS, SEE A DOCTOR.

>> DON'T IGNORE SMALL SIGNS BECAUSE THEY COULD LEAD TO MORE DANGEROUS THINGS LATER ON.

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

>> Matthew: WE'RE GOING TO THROW IT BACK TO STACY FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE WINTER STORM.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE COULD PICK UP AN INCH OF SNOW.

OTHERWISE, WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SNOW ACROSS THE AREA, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND LOWS NEAR 22.

>> Charlie: MINNESOTA WILD QUINN HUGHES LIFTS TEAM U.S.A.

OVER SWEDEN IN THE OLYMPICS.

WOMEN PLAY FOR