>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> 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.

>>> NEXT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5TH, IS BEMIDJI'S ANNUAL DAY AT THE CAPITOL EVENT, WHICH GIVES BEMIDJI CITY OFFICIALS THE CHANCE TO PRESENT WHAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE PRIORITIES FOR THE CITY TO STATE LEGISLATORS.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS ON WHAT EXACTLY OUR CITY OFFICIALS WILL BE PRESENTING DURING THEIR DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Reporter: IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CONCISE AND CONSISTENT INFORMATION TO STATE LEGISLATORS, THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL HELD A WORK SESSION TO DISCUSS WHAT EXACTLY THE CITY NEEDS BEFORE THEY HEAD TO ST. PAUL'S TO DISCUSS THOSE NEEDS WITH STATE LEGISLATORS.

REQUESTS FOR RENOVATIONS OR CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRE HALL IS NEEDED, CITING A NEED FOR CO-ED LOCKER ROOMS, AND SIZE EXPANSION.

THE BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCT IN THE 1970s AND HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RENOVATIONS YET.

THE CITY COUNCIL HOLD THEIR MEETINGS IN THE BUILDING, WITH THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AS A CONCERN.

>> I'M NOT CONVINCED YET ABOUT THAT.

SO, THAT WOULDN'T BE A PRIORITY FOR ME.

IT SEEMS TO BE THE WAY OF THE WORLD.

AFTER 50 YEARS, YOU TEAR DOWN AND YOU BUILD NEW.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO GET MY ARMS AROUND THAT.

I'M MORE IN FAVOR OF A SALES SPECIAL TAX TO HELP US MAINTAIN WHAT WE OWN.

>> IN THIS REQUEST, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR US TO SAY WE'RE CONSIDERING FINDING WAYS TO REUSE WHAT WE HAVE, BUT IN THE EVENT THAT IT CANNOT HAPPEN, WE'RE LOOKING AT UP TO THIS AMOUNT.

WE WILL GIVE YOU THIS AMOUNT, WE WILL SPEND OUR TIME DOING THE SAME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S THE BEST WAY AND HOW WE CAN BEST USE YOUR MONEY.

>> Reporter: THEY DISCUSSED USING A SALES AND SPECIAL USE TAX AS THEIR PRIORITY, WHICH SOME COUNCILLORS WERE AGAINST.

>> WHILE I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF A SALES TAX OR CONSIDERING IT FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT A HAND FULL OF BUSINESSES HAVE REACHED OUT AND I TALKED TO A FEW OF THEM.

OUR SALES TAX IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH AND I KNOW A HAND FULL OF PEOPLE THAT PURCHASE THINGS HAVE HAVE IT SHIPPED OUT OF TOWN TO AVOID PAYING THAT SALES TAX.

IT PUSHES HUBBARD COUNTY OVER THE COUNTY LINE.

>> I AGREE WITH THE SPECIAL USE TAX, I'M MORE IN FAVOR WITH A FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX.

I KNOW THAT OUR ROADS ARE ON A 100-PLUS YEAR ROTATION, WE DON'T HAVE FUNDING FOR MAINTENANCE IN OUR BUILDINGS, SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FIRE STATION 1 AND CITY HALL.

WE NEED TO GET AHEAD OF THIS.

TO ME, THAT'S THE SIMPLEST WAY.

>> Reporter: HOUSING FUNDING WAS LISTED AS A PRIORITY, BUT SOME COUNCILLORS THOUGHT THEY SHOULD SPEND THE MONEY THERE THAN ASK FOR MORE.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ON HOW TO USE THESE HOUSING DOLLARS, BECAUSE THEN WE CAN GO TO THE LEGISLATURE AND SAY WE USED THESE DOLLARS IN THIS WAY, SO WE WOULD WANT YOU TO PROVIDE MORE UNRESTRICTED HOUSING DOLLARS, THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE FIND FRUSTRATING ABOUT GOVERNMENT WHEN WE SIT ON DOLLARS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO USE TOWARDS SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

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

>> MAYOR PRINCE ALSO WANTS TO REMIND STATE LEGISLATORS THAT THE RAIL CORRIDOR PROJECT IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY AND HOPES THE COUNCIL CAN FIND OTHER MEANS OF DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FOR THAT PROJECT WHILE THEY ARE AT THE CAPITOL.

WE WILL HAVE THE DETAILS ON BEMIDJI'S DAY AT THE CAPITOL NEXT WEEK.

>>> THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING THE ATTEMPTED THEFT OF AN A.T.M.

FROM A BANK IN PIERZ.

INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL GATHERING INFORMATION AND FOLLOWING UP ON LEADS BUT HERE IS WHAT THEY HAVE RELEASED SO FAR.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 11:15 LAST NIGHT AT THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS STATE BANK IN PIERZ.

THE SUSPECT OR SUSPECTS HOOKED A CHAIN TO THE A.T.M.

AND PULLED IT WITH A STOLEN TRUCK.

THE VEHICLE AND SUSPECT OR SUSPECTS FLED THE SCENE PRIOR TO GETTING THE A.T.M.

LOADED.

THE VEHICLE IS DESCRIBED AS A LIGHT-COLORED, NEWER STYLE SUV WITH L.E.D.

HEADLIGHTS.

THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DANGER TO PUBLIC.

AND THEY SAY FURTHER UPDATES WILL BE SHARED ONCE INVESTIGATORS HAVE GATHERED ENOUGH CONCRETE DETAILS THAT COULD AID THE PUBLIC IN UNDERSTANDING THE SITUATION OR POTENTIALLY ASSISTING IN THE INVESTIGATION.

>>> RED LAKE TRIBAL OFFICIALS WERE IN OUR NATIONS CAPITOL TODAY DISCUSSING SEVERAL IMPORTANT TOPICS INCLUDING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S FUNDING FREEZE ON TRIBAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AS WELL AS THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED FUNDING CUTS TO TRIBAL PROGRAMS.

RED LAKE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN DARRELL SEKI AND TRIBAL SECRETARY SAM STRONG MET WITH MINNESOTA SENATOR TINA SMITH THIS MORNING TO DISCUSS THOSE MATTERS.

TRIBAL CHAIRMAN SEKI ALSO TESTIFIED BEFORE THE HOUSE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE THIS AFTERNOON ON THE 2026 BUDGETS FOR THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION, AND EPA TRIBAL PROGRAMS.

SEKI SPOKE TO THE LAWMAKERS ABOUT HOW THEY CAN SUPPORT RED LAKES EFFORTS IN THEIR BATTLE AGAINST DRUGS ON THE RESERVATION.

>> WE'RE IN AMIDST OF AN OPIOID CRISIS SPURRED BY NON-INDIAN DRUG DEALERS.

WE CANNOT ARREST AND DETAIN NON-INDIANS.

ALL FOREIGN LAW NEEDS TO BE OVERTURNED AND THEN THE TRIBES WILL BE ABLE TO PROSECUTE AND DETAIN NON-INDIANS WHO ARE KILLING OUR PEOPLE, DUE TO THESE DANGEROUS DRUGS THAT THEY ARE SELLING AT OUR RESERVATION.

DRUG DEALERS KNOW THIS AND THEY KEEP COMING BACK AT RED LAKE'S EXPENSE.

>> RED LAKE TRIBAL OFFICIALS PLAN TO MEET TOMORROW WITH MINNESOTA REPRESENTATIVE BETTY MCCOLLUM, HOUSE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBER, ON THE FY 2026 INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS FUNDING NEEDS FOR RED LAKE AND ALL TRIBES.

ALSO TESTIFYING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE TODAY WERE LEECH LAKE SECRETARY TREASURER LEONARD FINEDAY AND MILLE LACS CHIEF EXECUTIVE VIRGIL WIND.

>>> U.S.

SENATORS HAVE REINTRODUCED A BIPARTISAN BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW NATIONWIDE SALES OF GASOLINE WITH A HIGHER BLEND OF ETHANOL YEAR-ROUND, A PLAN THAT HAS THE SUPPORT OF A LEADING OIL TRADE GROUP.

MINNESOTA SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR, RANKING MEMBER OF THE SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE JOINED 13 OTHER SENATORS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO MAKE E15 AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND.

THE NATIONWIDE CONSUMER AND FUEL RETAILER CHOICE ACT OF 2025 WOULD ENABLE THE YEAR-ROUND, NATIONWIDE SALE OF ETHANOL BLENDS HIGHER THAN 10 PERCENT, WHICH PROPONENTS SAY WOULD HELP TO LOWER FUEL PRICES AND PROVIDE CERTAINTY IN FUEL MARKETS FOR FARMERS AND CONSUMERS.

THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, AN OIL TRADE GROUP THAT HAS AT TIMES BEEN AT ODDS WITH THE BIOFUEL INDUSTRY, SAID IT SUPPORTED THE LEGISLATION.

THE GOVERNMENT CURRENTLY RESTRICTS SALES OF E15 GASOLINE IN SUMMER MONTHS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OVER SMOG, WHICH THE BIOFUEL INDUSTRY SAYS ARE UNFOUNDED.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE IN WASHINGTON D.C. HAS INDEFINITELY BLOCKED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ORDER TO FREEZE ALL FEDERAL GRANTS AND LOANS.

THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION WAS ISSUED ON TUESDAY.

THE JUDGE SAID A PAUSE ON UP TO $3 TRILLION OF THAT FEDERAL FUNDING WAS IRRATIONAL AND LIKELY UNLAWFUL.

IN HER RULING, THE JUDGE AGREED THE NON-PROFITS BEHIND THE CASE WOULD HAVE OPERATIONS DISRUPTED WITH A FUTURE FUNDING PAUSE, UNLESS THERE WAS ADDITIONAL COURT INTERVENTION.

HOWEVER, THOSE ORGANIZATIONS COULD FACE A FUTURE FUNDING PAUSE.

LAST MONTH, THE SAME JUDGE ISSUED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER JUST BEFORE THE FREEZE WAS SET TO TAKE EFFECT.

THE GOVERNMENT WAS UNABLE TO APPEAL IT.

NOW, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS AN OPTION TO APPEAL THIS PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, OR SNOW IN PARTS OF THE AREA TONIGHT AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME ICE ACCUMULATION IN PARTS OF EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, RACE CARS ARE HITTING THE HOMEMADE TRACK EVERY WEEKEND IN THE GARFIELD LAKE ICE RACES.

[♪♪♪] >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

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

>> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>>> THE BRAINERD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOLDS MONTHLY WORKSHOPS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY LEARN HOW TO GROW THEIR BUSINESSES.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL WAS AT THIS MONTH'S MEETING TO SEE HOW THIS MONTH, THEY ARE DOING THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HELD THEIR BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES FOR THEIR MEMBERS ON TUESDAY, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS CONDUCTED BY A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER.

>> WE DONE THESE BEFORE, BUT NOW IT'S MEMBER TO MEMBER.

WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE OUR MEMBERS HELP AND EDUCATE OTHER MEMBERS ON TOPICS THAT PEOPLE JUST REALLY, REALLY WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT.

>> Reporter: THE BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES BRINGS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO EXCHANGE TIPS AND TRICKS FROM EVERYTHING FROM MARKETING TO SALES.

TODAY'S TOPIC, THE POWER OF VIDEO.

>> WE HAD A GREAT SESSION TALKING ABOUT HOW VIDEO CAN BASICALLY BE A SUPPORTIVE PART OF ANY BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION AND REALLY JUST SHARE THE LESSONS I LEARNED, NOT JUST CONSUMING AND CREATING CONTENT, BUT HOW IT INTERTWINES INTO A BUSINESS PLAN TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: DAVE TIM IS THE OWNER OF A VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY BASED IN BRAINERD.

HE SAID THE SERIES AND OTHER EVENTS PUT ON THE BY THE CHAMBER IS A VALUABLE RESOURCE.

>> HAVING ALL THESE RESOURCES AND BEING ABLE TO NETWORK HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BENEFITS FOR ME, MEETING OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS WITH A SIMILAR STRUGGLE WITH FINDING AN ACCOUNTANT OR FIGURING OUT HOW TO REACH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CLIENT.

ALL SHIPS RIDE IN THE TIDE AND WHEN WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER AND HELP EVERYBODY RISE WITH THAT TIDE, IT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY BETTER.

>> JUST GOING TO CHAMBER EVENTS LIKE THIS AND MEET OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THE STRUGGLE THAT COMES WITH A SMALL BUSINESS AND PEOPLE THINK THEY CAN DO IT UNTIL THEY CAN GET INTO IT AND THEN IT'S LIKE WHOA, THERE IS A LOT MORE TO IT THAN JUST THIS.

IT'S BEEN GREAT.

THE CHAMBER HAS BEEN SUPER HELPFUL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BRAINERD, DAN WOLFE -- DAMAGE -- DANIEL PURCELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE NEXT BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES EVENT, IT WILL BE ON MARCH 25TH, CENTERED AROUND BUYING AND SELLING A BUSINESS.

>>> AND THE WEATHER.

>> WE HAVE SOME PRECIPITATION MOVING THROUGH CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS EVENING AND WE COULD SEE RAIN OR FREEZING RAIN OR SNOW >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DEAF, DEAF/BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING STATE SERVICES DIVISION.

>> SANFORD HEALTH; HERE FOR ALL, HERE FOR GOOD.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA IS AVAILABLE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING QUITE A BIT OF CLOUD COVER THIS EVENING AND WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME PRECIPITATION MOVING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT CHANCE MAINLY IN THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN PARTS OF THE STATE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND IT WILL START AS RAIN, BUT IT COULD TURN TO FREEZING RAIN OR SNOW AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS, AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT WE COULD SEE A BIT OF ICE ACCUMULATION IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 32 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE AN EAST WIND AT 3 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 28, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 85%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 41 DEGREES.

28 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE, AND WINDS ARE CALM.

NOW AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING MORE CLOUD COVER MOVING INTO MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA, STILL PRETTY CLEAR IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE.

HERE WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION MOVING THROUGH, SO FAR IT'S BEEN IN THE FORM OF RAINFALL, BUT AS TEMPERATURES FALL OVERNIGHT, WE WILL START TO SEE THAT MIXING WITH, MAYBE CHANGING OVER TO SOME SNOW AND THERE THE THE POTENTIAL OF FREEZING RAIN IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, SO WE COULD SEE SOME ICE ACCUMULATION FROM THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, LITTLE FALLS, AITKIN, AND EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE COULD SEE THAT MOVE OUT OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND STILL A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, AND THEN LATE TOMORROW NIGHT PARTS OF THE NORTH COULD SEE SOME SNOWFALL.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ANGELA SHARING THIS PHOTO OF THE CLOUDY SKIES IN CASS LAKE.

SAMROSE WITH THIS PHOTO OF THE CONDITIONS OVER LOWER RED LAKE TODAY.

DEBRA WITH A PICTURE OF THE MORNING SKIES OVER LAKE ADA.

ARLENE WITH A VISITOR TO THE THEATER, A WOODPECKER THERE AS SHE TOOK THAT PICTURE IN MENAHGA.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, DEBRA REPORTING 28 AND ICY THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 27 AND CALM AND A LITTLE FOG THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY, HIGH OF 44.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, FOGGY TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 40.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 44.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 45 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, SO JUST ANOTHER MILD DAY.

OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE IS 31.

26 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING, WE HAD SUNRISE AT 1 MINUTE AFTER 7:00 AND BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 45, WE'RE 10 DEGREES SHY OF THE RECORD, BUT AGAIN VERY WARM OUT THERE.

29 FOR THE LOW, 6:01 IS THE SUNSET.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE WILL START OUT WITH A LOT OF CLOUD COVER IN THE AREA, MAYBE A FEW BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS AROUND THE BRAINERD, LITTLE FALLS, AND AITKIN AREA.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, EXPECT MAINLY CLOUDY SKIES THROUGH THE MORNING AND INTO THE AFTERNOON, A LITTLE BIT OF CLEARING IN THE WEST AND AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND TOMORROW EVENING AND TOMORROW NIGHT, WE COULD SEE SOME SNOW IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE MID TO MAYBE SOME UPPER 30s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, 38 INTO THE LOW 40s.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT THE FORECAST, CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, A CHANCE FOR RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, OR SNOW IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE WILL BE SEEING THE LOW TEMPERATURES NEAR 26.

THEN TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, THERE IS THE CHANCE FOR SNOW IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, ESPECIALLY AGAIN AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, HIGHS NEAR 37, WITH WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, QUIET THERE ON THURSDAY WITH A HIGH OF 34.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS THERE AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES GO ON FRIDAY, BUT WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING MORE PRECIPITATION, MORE RAIN OR SNOW, AND POTENTIALLY SOME ACCUMULATION OUT OF THAT.

WE WILL SEE A BIT OF A COOL DOWN TO START THE WEEKEND WITH CLOUDY SKIES, BUT HIGHS IN THE 30s ON SUNDAY.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH CROSBY-IRONTON BASKETBALL.

ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE STATE REGARDLESS OF CLASS.

THEY HAD A FIRST ROUND MATCH UP WITH THE NUMBER 16 SEED TONIGHT, WHICH WAS NOT VERY COMPETITIVE.

>> Charlie: IT WAS THE LAST CHANCE TO SEE CROSBY-IRONTON AT HOME BECAUSE THEIR TOURNAMENT TAKES THEM OUT TO THE DULUTH AREA, THE REST OF THE WAY IF THEY CAN BEAT GREEN WAY TONIGHT.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THAT AWAY BUT I THINK WE KNOW HOW IT ENDS UP.

WE GET A LOOK AT THEM BEFORE THEY HEAD THAT WAY FOR THE REST OF THE TOURNAMENT.

THAT AND MORE COMING UP >> SPORTS OP LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

>> NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE IS SPONSORED BY LVI SUPPLIES.

MORE INFO AT LVISUPPLY.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> SECTION GIRLS' BASKETBALL CONTINUED TODAY WITH THE START OF THE SECTION 7-2A TOURNAMENT.

CROSBY-IRONTON EARNED THE TOP-SEED AFTER PUTTING TOGETHER A PERFECT 26-0 REGULAR SEASON AND ARE LOOKING TO HOIST THE SECTION TROPHY FOR A THIRD CONSECUTIVE SEASON.

TONIGHT IN THE FIRST ROUND, C.I.

HOSTING GREENWAY-NASHWAUK-KEEWATIN.

THE LADY RANGERS TRYING TO WIN THEIR 9TH STRAIGHT SECTION TOURNEY GAME.

THE RAIDERS JUST TRYING TO KEEP PACE.

FIRST HALF, RANGERS WENT TO WORK STRAIGHT FROM THE JUMP.

REEGAN JUENEMANN, EASY MONEY FROM DEEP.

SHE HAD 35 POINTS ON THE NIGHT.

C.I.

UP EARLY.

FEW MINUTES LATER, GOOD DEFENSE FROM THE RANGERS, LEADS TO AN EASY LAY UP FOR SAMMIE HACHEY.

SHE DROPPED 16 POINTS FOR THE GAME.

C.I.

EXTENDS THE LEAD.

LATER IN THE HALF, IT WOULDN'T BE A C.I.

GIRLS HOOPS HIGHLIGHT WITHOUT A TORI OEHRLEIN BUCKET.

SHE TALLIED 30 POINTS TONIGHT.

RANGERS OPENED TONIGHT ON A 34-0 RUN.

AS CROSBY-IRONTON GOES ON TO TAKE DOWN GREENWAY-NASHWAUK-KEEWATIN IN A 117-25 VICTORY, EXTENDING THEIR HOME WINNING STREAK TO 37 GAMES.

NEXT UP FOR THE RANGERS WILL BE ESKO IN CLOQUET THIS SATURDAY.

>>> MORE IN GIRLS BASKETBALL, CONTINUING WITH SECTION 7-2A, AITKIN WINS THEIR GAME.

DULUTH MARSHALL BEATS STAPLES MOTLEY.

PIERZ FALLS AND PEQUOT LAKES, THEY CONTINUE THEIR RUN AS WELL.

THEY COULD MEET C.I.

IN THE SEMIFINALS.

>>> IN BOYS HOOPS, BEMIDJI AT HOME TONIGHT TAKING ON HIBBING.

LUMBERJACKS BEAT THE BLUEJACKETS 89-62 IN THEIR SECOND GAME OF THE SEASON.

EARLY FIRST HALF, HE FINISHED WITH 12 POINTS, PART OF THE 7-0 RUN TO START THE GAME FOR THE LUMBERJACKS.

THEN COBY IS ABLE TO DELIVER FROM DEEP, HE TIES THE GAME AT 22-22.

RAYMOND, TOO MUCH FOR THE JACKS TO HANDLE DOWNLOAD.

HE LED WITH 26 POINTS AND IT WAS ENOUGH TO DOWN BEMIDJI.

THEY FALL TO HIBBING.

THEY CAN HEAD TO THE SECTIONS THIS THURSDAY IF THEY CAN GET IT DONE AGAINST ST.

CLOUD.

BRAINERD GETS THE WIN OVER SARTELL, GRAND RAPIDS FALLS TO DULUTH EAST.

CROSBY-IRONTON DROPS A CLOSE ONE TO MLWR.

PIERZ GETS THE WIN.

PARK RAPIDS CLOSE ONE, BUT NOT ENOUGH.

PELICAN RAPIDS BEATS STAPLES MOTLEY.

LITTLE FALLS, THEY'RE DOWN BY ALBANY.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS PICKING AUDIO TAPE WIN TONIGHT.

NEVIS, THEY GO 14-0 IN CONFERENCE, THEY WIN THEIR CONFERENCE WITH THEIR WIN OVER CASS LAKE-BENA TONIGHT.

RED LAKE BEATS BLACKDUCK, 96-59.

DEER RIVER, THAT WAS A TOP 10 MATCH UP THERE.

9-POINT GAME, BUT MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL BEATS DEER RIVER.

>>> AFTER A 4-YEAR HIATUS, BEMIDJI BOYS WRESTLING IS BACK AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE 18TH TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY BUT THE LUMBERJACKS JOURNEY TO THE “X” THIS SEASON MAY HAVE BEEN THE MOST SURPRISING ONE YET.

>> Reporter: WHEN SHE STEPS ON TO THE MAT, HE REGULARLY GIVES UP 50 POUNDS OR MORE TO HIS OPPONENT.

THE 215 POUNDER WRESTLES A WEIGHT CLASS UP WITH THE 285-POUND HEAVYWEIGHTS.

IT DOESN'T BOTHER THE BIG MAN.

>> THEY'RE JUST FATTER AND SLOWER THAN I AM.

I DON'T MIND IT AT ALL.

I FIND IT MORE FUN THAN WRESTLING GUYS SMALLER THAN ME.

I LIKE THE CHALLENGE.

>> Reporter: IT'S A MINDSET THAT THEY EMBRACED THIS SEASON, ONE THAT EARNED HIM A TICKET TO THIS YEAR'S STATE TOURNAMENT.

AFTER FALLING TO WILLMAR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE LUMBERJACKS FINALLY TOOK DOWN THE FAVORED CARDINALS WITH A COME FROM BEHIND FASHION, OVERCOMING A 9-POINT DEFICIT TO TIE THE CARDS AND WIN ON CRITERIA.

>> IT'S AN UNDERDOG STORY, DEFINITELY THIS YEAR.

WE KNEW WE HAD TO WORK AND OUR FIRST DUEL AGAINST WILLMAR, WE WERE RIGHT THERE.

IT'S A LOT OF HARD WORK TO BEAT THEM.

>> Reporter: THE JACKS WERE NO STRANGERS TO HARD WORK.

THEY HAD A CHALLENGING SCHEDULE THAT RESULTED IN A 13-10 REGULAR SEASON RECORD.

IT'S ONE THAT IS NOW BENEFITTING THEM IN THE POST-SEASON.

>> WE WRESTLED SOME OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE STATE AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I THINK WE BATTLE TESTED THEM.

NOW THEY DONE THAT AND THEY'RE NOT AFRAID OF ANYONE.

>> Reporter: FEARLESS IS A GOOD ATTRIBUTION WHEN THEY ARE ABOUT TO FACE THE BEST THE STATE IS ABOUT TO OFFER, AND TO ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF THEM.

>> A BIG THING IS THE TEAM ASPECT OF IT.

I HAVE TO GO IN VISUALLY, BUT I HAVEN'T HAD THE SENSE OF FAMILY DOWN THERE.

I THINK I WILL FEEL MORE AT HOME, MORE COMFORTABLE, A GREAT WAY TO GO OUT AS A SENIOR WITH MY FAMILY.

>> BEMIDJI WILL ENTER THURSDAY'S CLASS 3A TEAM TOURNAMENT AS THE 5-SEED.

THEY ARE MATCHED UP WITH 4-SEED ALBERT LEA.

BEMIDJI WILL ALSO BE SENDING 6 BOYS WRESTLERS TO THE INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT, 4 OF THEM AS SECTION CHAMPIONS.

BRAINERD IS ALSO SENDING THREE INDIVIDUALS.

CAN -- YOU GOT A LOOK AT THEM RIGHT THERE.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> RACE TRACKS CLOSE DURING THE COLD MONTHS OF THE YEAR, SO RACERS FROM AROUND BELTRAMI AND HUBBARD COUNTY HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE THEIR OWN RACE TRACK EVERY WINTER FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON THE WEEKLY GARFIELD LAKE ICE RACES FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: THE SOUNDS OF WHEELS SPINNING AND ENGINES REVVING MAY TRANSPORT YOU TO SUMMERTIME AT THE RACETRACK BUT THESE STUDDED TIRES ARE FOR WINTERTIME.

>> WELL, WE HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO.

IT'S BORING HERE IN THE WINTER.

IF YOU DON'T ICE FISH, YOU DON'T SNOWMOBILE, YOU COME TO THE ICE RACES.

>> Reporter: GARFIELD LAKE IN LAPORTE HAS BEEN HOME TO ANNUAL ICE RACES FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

>> THIS IS JUST SOME DOWN HOME RED NECK FUN DOWN HERE.

THIS IS A BLAST.

DAYS LIKE TODAY, WHEN IT'S 40 DEGREES, A SLIGHT BREEZE, WE HAVE SOME HOT DOGS TO GRILL, WE ARE JUST DOWN HERE FOR A GREAT TIME.

>> Reporter: THE ATMOSPHERE OFF THE TRACK IS JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE WEEKLY EVENT AS THE ACTUAL CARS.

>> BEING ABLE TO BE WITH OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN CLOSE QUARTERS BECAUSE IT'S REALLY NICE OUT, THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT ICE RACING.

IT'S VERY FAMILY AND FRIEND ORIENTED.

>> COMING OUT HERE AND HANG OUT WITH FAMILY, IT'S ENJOYABLE AND SEEING PEOPLE WE KNOW, AND HANGING OUT.

>> Reporter: RACING MAY BE A FAMILY AFFAIR, BUT AS SOON AS THEY GET ON THE TRACK, IT'S EVERY RACER FOR HIMSELF.

>> A-CLASS DRIVERS, IT'S A LOT MORE AGGRESSIVE, IT'S CHESS IN THE A-CLASS, IT IS VERY DAUNTING.

>> Reporter: THE RACERS ARE SET UP IN TWO SECTIONS, THE B CLASS WITH LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVERS, AND THE A CLASS WHICH IS A LOT MORE COMPETITIVE.

>> IF YOU WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE, YOU'RE WORKING ON IT EVERY NIGHT IN THE SHOP, PREPPING TIRES, GETTING YOUR TIRES READY, SUSPENSION, IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

>> Reporter: AND THERE IS MORE TO THESE RACES THAN JUST SOMETHING FUN TO DO.

>> WE HAVE OUR GAMBLING SIDE OF IT, WHICH WE DONATED OVER $100,000 LAST YEAR TO DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND IT'S JUST AN ALL AROUND GOOD THING BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY'RE SPONSORING SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM LAPORTE WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> AS THE WEATHER IS GETTING WARMER AND ICE STARTS TO MELT, THE ICE RACING SEASON IS COMING TO AN END.

THE FINAL ICE RACE OF THE YEAR IS SET TO TAKE PLACE NEXT SUNDAY.

>>> TIME FOR A LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER WITH STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING SOME FREEZING RAIN OR SNOW IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, OTHERWISE CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS NEAR 26, VARIABLE CLOUDS AND A CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE NORTH TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: THAT WILL DO IT FOR US, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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