>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> WALKER AREA RESIDENTS ATTENDED A PUBLIC INPUT MEETING WITH THE WALKER CITY COUNCIL LAST NIGHT, TO DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL 2027 TOWER AVENUE EXTENSION PROJECT.

THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION WOULD DIRECT TRAFFIC AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN, BY CONNECTING TOWER AVENUE TO BOTH HIGHWAY 371 AND HIGHWAY 34.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS AT THE SESSION, AND HEARD FROM BOTH COMMUNITY AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE PROJECT.

>> Reporter: IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY AT THE WALKER CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY AS THE SESSION OPENED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THE PROPOSED 2027 TOWER AVENUE EXTENSION PROJECT.

>> YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO BE A LOCAL TO KNOW THAT THE TRAFFIC IN WALKER IS INSANE.

IF YOU DRIVE THROUGH WALKER ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR, YOU REALIZE THAT IT'S BORDERLINE DANGEROUS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER.

>> Reporter: IT BECAME ONE OF THE CITY COUNCIL'S MOST ATTENDED MEETINGS EVER, WITH MORE THAN 80 PEOPLE SHOWING UP TO EITHER LISTEN AND LEARN ABOUT THE PROJECT OR VOICE THEIR CONCERNS TO THE CITY.

>> IN THE CITY, THEY NEED TO TAKE TIME TO EVALUATE A LOT OF CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED ABOUT THE PROJECT.

WE NEED TIME TO EVALUATE THE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS THAT THEY RAISED.

>> Reporter: AS IT STANDS NOW, THE ROAD EXTENSION WOULD START ON HIGHWAY 371 BY THE COUNTRY INN, GO PAST THE WALKER AREA COMMUNITY CENTER, AND FINISH BY THE SCHOOL BUS GARAGE ON HIGHWAY 34.

>> ALL EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, WHETHER THAT'S POLICE, SCHOOL, OR AMBULANCES CAN HAVE A SECOND ROUTE THROUGH TOWN.

>> Reporter: BUT THIS IS STILL JUST A PROPOSAL AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK COULD POTENTIALLY CHANGE THE PLAN TO EITHER MOVE THE PROJECT TO A NEW SPOT, ONLY START WITH ONE-HALF OF PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION, OR PUSH THE START OF THE WHOLE THING BACK.

>> THE RESIDENTS ON 5th STREET HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT MORE TRAFFIC, BIGGER VEHICLES GOING DOWN THERE, VERY QUIET AND SECLUDED NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IT'S 55%, I THINK IT LIMITS HOW COMMERCIAL SPACES CAN OPERATE THERE.

>> Reporter: THEY PLAN TO CREATE ANOTHER ACCESS ROUTE TO DIRECT RESIDENTIAL AND SCHOOL TRAFFIC AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN BUT CONCERNS WERE RAISED ABOUT THE EFFECT THIS MAY HAVE ON LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> I THINK THAT THE BUSINESS ON MAIN STREET WILL LOSE SOME BUSINESS, WILL IT BE 500 CARS A DAY FROM MINNESOTA?

HOW MANY OF THOSE CARS WOULD HAVE STOPPED FOR GAS OR FOR DAIRY QUEEN, OR BENSON'S PIZZA.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSED COST IS SET TO BE AROUND $9 MILLION.

ACCORDING TO CITY ENGINEERS, $2 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS HAS BEEN ALLOCATED BUT THE REST OF THE FUNDING SOURCES ARE NOT FINALIZED.

SOME MUST COME FROM TAXES.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO SEE IT INCREASE.

I DON'T.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS WITH ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT NEED TO BE MET BECAUSE THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY HAS EXPANDED ITSELF.

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

>> ANOTHER MAJOR ASPECT OF THE PROPOSED EXTENSION IS THE POTENTIAL CREATION OF MORE HOUSING IN THE AREA, BUT NO CONSTRUCTION IS OFFICIALLY PLANNED YET.

THE NEXT STEP IN THE CITY COUNCIL'S EXTENSION PROJECT PLANNING IS RE-EVALUATING WITH WALKER CITY ENGINEERS, AND TAKING THE COMMUNITY'S FEEDBACK INTO ACCOUNT TO FIND THE MOST SAFE AND EFFECTIVE NEW ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC DIVERSION AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN.

>>> THE ELECTION YEAR OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF TONIGHT IN MINNESOTA WITH PRECINCT CAUCUSES ACROSS THE STATE.

CAUCUSES, ALLOW POLITICAL PARTIES TO SELECT DELEGATES, SET PARTY PLATFORMS AND GAUGE SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATES.

THE CAUCUSES ARE PARTY RUN FUNCTIONS AND CAN GIVE A GLIMPSE INTO EARLY FRONT RUNNERS IN DIFFERENT RACES LIKE THE REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL RACE WHICH INCLUDES TEN CANDIDATES.

OUR MATTHEW FREEMAN WILL HAVE A CLOSER LOOK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD CONTINUED THEIR INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES FOR THE DISTRICT'S SUPERINTENDENT ROLE TODAY.

THE BOARD INTERVIEWED THE FINAL TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION THIS AFTERNOON, DR JAMES WAGNER, SUPERINTENDENT OF LE SUR, HENDERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT AND DR MIKE NEWBECK, INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WITH BOTH CITING THROUGHOUT THEIR INTERVIEWS THEIR EXPANSIVE BACKGROUNDS AS SUPERINTENDENTS IN MULTIPLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE AS REASONING FOR WHY THEY ARE CUT OUT FOR THE JOB.

>> JUST WORKING WITH DISTRICTS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY AND BRAINERD IS STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY, AND LOOKING TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEM, BRING INFORMATION FORWARD, SO THEY CAN FEEL INFORMED AND MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR KIDS.

>> I REALLY UNDERSTAND HIGH LEVEL EDUCATION.

I REALLY UNDERSTAND ALSO REALLY HARD DECISIONS THAT NEED TO MAKE BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL SITUATIONS AND SO FORTH.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I BRING TO BRAINERD THAT THEY'RE FACING.

>> THE BOARD DECIDED TO PROGRESS BOTH WAGNER AND NEWBECK TO THE SECOND ROUND OF INTERVIEWS NEXT WEEK ALONG WITH CHIP RANKIN, CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT AT MINNEWASKA AREA SCHOOLS WHO INTERVIEWED FOR THE POSITION YESTERDAY.

>>> LEADERSHIP FROM THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

AND THE WHITE EARTH NATION JOINED GOVERNOR TIM WALZ TO SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AT A CEREMONY AT THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL TODAY.

THE DOCUMENT FORMALIZES THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

AND WHITE EARTH NATION'S LONG-STANDING GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIP FOR MANAGING LAND, WATER, FISH, WILDLIFE AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE WHITE EARTH STATE FOREST.

WHILE THE MINNESOTA DNR AND WHITE EARTH NATION HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF COORDINATION AND SHARED STEWARDSHIP OF NATURAL RESOURCES, THE DETAILS OF THIS WORK HADN'T BEEN FORMALLY MEMORIALIZED OR DOCUMENTED UNTIL NOW.

WHITE EARTH NATION TRIBAL CHAIRMAN MICHAEL FAIRBANKS SAID THE MOU REPRESENTS A CRITICAL STEP TOWARD RESTORING TRIBAL CULTURAL, HISTORICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES.

AMONG THE SPECIFIC AREAS OF COORDINATION DOCUMENTED IN THE AGREEMENT ARE AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION, FISHERIES, FORESTRY, LANDS, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE, AND WILD RICE.

THE AGREEMENT ALSO OUTLINES COORDINATION ON SETTING SEASONS FOR WATERFOWL, DEER, BEAR, SMALL GAME, AND FURBEARERS AND RELATED MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION.

>>> THE 2026 MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS IN EXACTLY 2 WEEKS.

BELTRAMI COUNTY HAS IDENTIFIED NEARLY A DOZEN LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT ARE CRITICAL TO THE COUNTY AND WILL LIKELY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SPEARHEADING AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, HAS MORE DETAILS AS TO WHAT EXACTLY THE COUNTY PRIORITIES ARE.

>> Reporter: THE BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARD WANTED TO SET A LIST OF PRIORITIES BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS IN JUST A FEW WEEKS.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BELIEVERS THAT MOST OF THE COUNTY'S PRIORITIES ARE IN SOME RELATION TO UNFUNDED MANDATES AND STATE COST SHIFTS.

>> IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS ALONE, UNFUNDED MANDATES HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT BELTRAMI COUNTY TO THE TUNE OF $180 MILLION OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS IN NEW CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION AND AN ADDITIONAL $5 MILLION IN ONGOING ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER TOP PRIORITY CONCERNS THEIR DEMOLITION LANDFILL.

THE POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY HAS A GOAL TO CLOSE ALL UNLINED DEMOLITION LANDFILLS IN THE STATE, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE EARLY CLOSURE OF THE COUNTY'S LANDFILL, TAKING 10 YEARS OFF OF ITS INTENDED LIFE SPAN SINCE IT WILL NOT BE REISSUED A PERMIT.

>> THERE IS A COALITION TO LOOK INTO OPTIONS AND WE COME UP WITH OUR OWN SOLUTION.

WE HAVE LANDFILLS AND TRANSFER STATIONS, BUT THAT COMES OUT OF COST.

RIGHT NOW IT'S ROUGHLY $74 MILLION ACROSS ALL THE COUNTIES, FOR BELTRAMI COUNTY, THAT'S A $10 MILLION COST.

SO OUR LOCAL SHARE IS $2.5 MILLION.

>> DO YOU THE SUBSTANCE USE REFORM AND ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RECORDS, THEY BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD NO LONGER BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A COUNTY'S SHARE IN COSTS THAT ARE PAID THROUGH THE BEHAVORIAL HEALTH FUND.

>> WE HAVE TWO EXAMPLES OF THISSING WHAT, BOTH OF WHICH ARE IN THE MINNESOTA SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM, WHERE WE HAVE COURT ORDERS ORDERING INDIVIDUALS TO BE KEPT THERE AND THE FACILITY TO DEEM THEM NOT MEETING CRITERIA.

SO WE ARE BEING CHARGED THE FULL DAILY RATE FOR THOSE TWO INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS ALL THAT RARE AND SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CERTAINLY NEED TO FOCUS ON FOR THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY BOARD WILL SHARE THEIR LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM WITH LEGISLATORS IN MARCH WHEN THEY TRAVEL DOWN TO THE STATE CAPITOL.

REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE COUNTY ALSO DISCUSSED WORKING WITH STATE HOUSE 2-A REPRESENTATIVE BIDAL DURAN, ON A BILL HE IS AUTHORING THAT WOULD SEEK FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE JUNE 21ST WINDSTORM.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE MAY SEE A FEW SNOW SHOWERS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, SOME WARMER AIR WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA AND HIGHS COULD BE IN THE UPPER 30s AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

IS SEEING A RISE IN CHRONIC [♪♪♪] >> NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FLOCKED TO THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA TO COMPETE IN THE ICE FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: GULL LAKE IS HOME TO THOUSANDS OF FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC SPECIES BUT ON SATURDAY, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD CALLED THE LAKE HOME AS THEY COMPETE IN THE ICE FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA.

>> WE'RE ATTENDING THE 36th ANNUAL ICE FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA.

WE WANTED TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND THE FISHING COMMUNITY AND BRING MORE IN.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH COMPETITORS CAME FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE, THE EFFECTS OF THE EVENT ARE BEING FELT MUCH CLOSER TO HOME, WITH OVER 30 ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING DONATIONS FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE EVENT.

>> THIS EVENT SPECIFICALLY IMPACTS OUR CAMPERS BIG TIME.

IT KEPT THE LIGHTS ON AT CAMP FOR THEM.

THE IMPACT OF THE JAYCEES ON THE CONFIDENCE LEARNING CENTER GOES WAY BEYOND THIS EVENT.

SO, THEY ARE IMPACTING OUR CAMPERS THROUGH THEIR VOLUNTEERISM AND PROJECTS, AS WELL AS OF COURSE SUPPORTING US FINANCIALLY HERE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS AT THE JAYCEES, IT BRINGS IN OVER $3 MILLION TO THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA COMMUNITY, SOMETHING THAT THE JAYCEES SAY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

>> I THINK IT'S PRETTY INCREDIBLE BECAUSE IT'S ALL OF US PUTTING 1 FOOT FORWARD INTO OUR HOME.

MY CHILDREN WOULD GO HERE, MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS GO TO SCHOOL HERE.

WE HAVE CHARITIES, WE HAVE ALL THESE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS COMING OUT HERE TO DO ONE GREAT THING FOR A MILLION DIFFERENT CAUSES.

SO, EVERYBODY HAS A STAKE IN THIS TOURNAMENT, EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: FOR PARTICIPANTS, THE EVENT IS MORE THAN JUST A DAY OUT ON THE LAKE BUT A WAY TO GET CLOSER TO THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> I COME OUT HERE SINCE I WAS A KID.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING WE DO EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

I LOVE IT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

I JUST HOPE THAT WE CATCH SOMETHING, BUT IN THE END, I AM JUST GLAD TO BE OUT HERE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

WE'RE JUST HAPPY TO HANG OUT WITH EACH OTHER AND TALK TO EACH OTHER AND CATCH UP ON OUR LIFE AND BE WITH EACH OTHER.

THAT IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, BEING WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND THE COMMUNITY THAT IS OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN NISSWA, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THOMAS JOHNSON TOOK HOME THE GRAND PRIZE WITH A 5.63-POUND WALLEYE.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

BETTER DAYS ARE AHEAD.

>> Stacy: WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES, A LITTLE BIT WARMER TOMORROW AND WARMER AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY AS THE HIGHS CLIMB TO THE UPPER 30s.

FOR TONIGHT, WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, HIGHS ARE ONCE AGAIN IN THE TEENS TODAY AFTER A VERY COLD START THIS MORNING.

WARMER TEMPERATURES ARE ON THE WAY, 20s FOR MOST OF US TOMORROW, WE COULD BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE 30s AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY, A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE TONIGHT AND IN PARTS OF THE AREA AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, IT LOOKS LIKE TEMPERATURES ARE ONCE AGAIN GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE SEASONAL, EXPECT TO SEE THE HIGHS IN THE 20s.

THEY DO HAVE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS FOR YOU IN JUST A FEW SECONDS.

WE ARE AGAIN SEEING VERY PLEASANT CONDITIONS, VERY CALM WINDS THROUGHOUT THE AREA, AND RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 15 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AGAIN, THOSE VARIABLE WINDS, VERY CALM AT 2 MILES PER HOUR AT OUR STUDIO AND OUR DEW POINT IS AT 4.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A DEW POINT OF -4.

PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME CLOUDS MOVING THROUGH.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME LIGHT SNOW PUSHING INTO PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF SEEING LIGHT SNOW THROUGHOUT NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

SOME OF THE FLURRIES COULD LINGER IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW, OTHERWISE WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES, MOST OF US SEEING HIGHS IN THE 20s.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL COLOR IN THE SKY FROM YOLANDA IN PEMBINA AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

RALPH IN JENKINS SPOTTING SOME DEER VISITING THE YARD TODAY.

SAMROSE FINDING A FULL HALO AROUND THE SUN TODAY OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

GARY WITH A TREE VISITED BY SOME WOODPECKERS IN DEERWOOD.

THE EVENING SKIES TONIGHT, IN CASS LAKE FROM ANGELA AND AGAIN CHRISSY AT DEERWOOD WITH THE EVENING SKIES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, -14 THIS MORNING.

RALPH IN JENKINS, -17 THIS MORNING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE REPORTING MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, -24 TO START THE DAY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SOME CLOUDS, LOW IS -18.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, TOPPING OUT AT 15.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 18.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD WITH A HIGH OF 16.

SO WE ARE SEEING BELOW AVERAGE TEMPERATURES.

OUR LOW IS -17 AND BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 16.

SO AGAIN, IT'S A LITTLE BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, -22 WAS OUR LOW AND SUNRISE AT 7:43.

AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, THERE MAY BE A FEW FLURRIES IN THE MORNING, OTHERWISE WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE EVENING HOURS AND OVERNIGHT, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT WE WILL SEE SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION, MAINLY IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES TOMORROW LOOK A LITTLE BIT WARMER.

WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE UPPER TEENS, BUT MANY OF US WILL BE SEEING 20 TO 25 FOR OUR HIGHS ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME LOW TO MID-20s FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST.

TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW OR FLURRIES AND LOWS FALLING TO ABOUT 4, BUT STILL ON THE PLUS SIDE OF 0.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, THERE IS A CHANCE OF FLURRIES IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING WITH HIGHS NEAR 23.

NOW TOMORROW NIGHT, THERE IS A CHANCE OF SOME ISOLATED FREEZING RAIN OR SNOW IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

THAT SHOULD CLEAR OUT IN TIME FOR THURSDAY, SO WE SHOULD ENJOY THURSDAY AS HIGHS ARE CLIMBING INTO THE MID TO UPPER 30s, MAYBE EVEN CLOSE TO 40.

TEMPERATURES ARE A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE SEASONAL AVERAGES AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW 20s, SHOULD BE PRETTY QUIET AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, AND THEN A LITTLE BIT WARMER ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS SOME PREVIEWS OF MEN AND WOMEN'S HOCKEY.

>> Charlie: ABSOLUTELY, BSU WOMEN ARE ON THE ROAD.

THEY DID A FLIP-FLOP THERE.

ALSO, HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT'S COMING UP TOMORROW, A SPECIAL GAME TOMORROW NIGHT AND THE SECTION SEATING FOR GIRLS HOCKEY.

THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> IT WAS 70-DAYS BETWEEN WINS FOR BSU MEN'S HOCKEY, ENDING AN 11-GAME WINLESS STREAK AND 7-GAME LOSING STREAK THAT MOVED BEMIDJI STATE FROM 2ND PLACE IN THE CCHA STANDINGS TO 6TH.

THE OVER TWO-MONTH LONG SEARCH FOR A DOUBLE-U CAME TO AN END THIS PAST SATURDAY WITH A 7-1 VICTORY OVER NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

IT WAS A MENTALLY TAXING STRETCH AND THE BEAVERS FELT AS THOUGH THEY HAD BEEN PLAYING WELL IN THEIR LAST FEW CONTESTS, BUT JUST WEREN'T GETTING THE RESULT THEY WANTED ON THE SCOREBOARD.

>> OBVIOUSLY, IT CAN GET A LITTLE REPETITIVE AND ALMOST RUN OUT OF WORDS TO SAY.

WE ALL KNOW WE HAVE THE GROUP TO DO IT AND AS LONG AS WE STICK TO OUR GAME, WE CONNECT AND WE CAN BE A DANGEROUS TEAM.

>> WE PLAYED A PRETTY GOOD WEEKEND.

WE GAVE UP THREE GOALS.

THEY FOUGHT HARD ON FRIDAY AND IT WAS TOO BAD THAT THE RESULT WAS THE WAY IT WAS ON FRIDAY NIGHT BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE DESERVE BETTER.

NOW LET'S BACK IT UP.

>> Charlie: BSU IS ONE OF THE MEN'S HOCKEY TEAMS THAT HAVEN'T GOT A CONFERENCE WIN SINCE THE CALENDAR FLIPPED TO 2026.

IT'S DOWN TO THREE AND THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENT IS FERRIS STATE.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY IS COMING OFF A BIG 2-1 VICTORY THIS PAST SATURDAY OVER 13TH RANKED MINNESOTA STATE.

IT'S THE BEAVERS THIRD RANKED WIN OF THE SEASON AND, AS THEY DO ALMOST EVERY WEEK IN THE WCHA, WILL HAVE A SHOT TO PICK UP ANOTHER ONE AT 10TH RANKED MINNESOTA DULUTH.

BUT THOSE WINS HAVE ALL COME IN THE SERIES FINALE, THIS TIME BEMIDJI STATE HOPES TO CARRY THEIR MOMENTUM INTO THE SERIES OPENER.

>> YEAH, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS WEEK.

WE FELT THAT MONDAY PRACTICE, THURSDAY PRACTICE, WE HAVE TO BE DIALED, WE HAVE TO BE FOCUSED ON OUR HABITS.

WHEN THAT PUCK DROPS ON FRIDAY, WE ARE READY TO GO AND NOT WAITING UNTIL SATURDAY TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS.

WE NEED TO BRING THE PHYSICALITY THAT WE DID AND LIKE YOU SAID, THE MOMENTUM AND THE ENERGY, I THINK ONE THING FOR US IS THAT IF OUR BENCH ENERGY IS HIGH, THAT IS A BIG FACTOR FOR US.

I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT AND HAVE A GOOD WEEK OF PRACTICE, LIKE WE HAD A GOOD PRACTICE YESTERDAY.

SO I FEEL LIKE DOING THINGS LIKE THAT WOULD HELP BETTER PREPARE US FOR THE WEEKEND.

>> UMD SWEPT BSU AT THE SANFORD CENTER EARLIER THIS SEASON, OUTSCORING THEM 8-1, IN FACT, THE BULLDOGS HAVE WON 19-STRAIGHT AGAINST THE BEAVERS DATING BACK TO 2021.

>>> SECTION PLAYOFFS FOR GIRLS HOCKEY BEGIN THIS THURSDAY AND WE HAVE THE SECTION PAIRINGS FOR YOU.

BEMIDJI EARNED THE ONE SEED IN SECTION 8-2A, COMING WITH A BYE TO THE SEMI FINALS.

THEY WILL PLAY SATURDAY THE WINNER.

THE TOP SEED AS IT TURNS OUT IS CRUCIAL IN 8-2A THIS SEASON BECAUSE THE HIGH SEED GETS TO HOST THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, WHICH MEANS IT COULD END UP AT THE B.C.A.

IF THEY WIN.

WARROAD WILL GET WHOEVER WINS BETWEEN CROOKSTON AND DETROIT LAKES.

ALSO, GRAND RAPIDS GETS THE 4-SEED, THEY WILL HOST ON THURSDAY IN 7-2A IN THE QUARTER FINALS AGAINST BLAIN.

IF THEY WIN, THEY WILL MORE THAN LIKELY PLAY FOREST LAKE.

THEN IN SECTION 6-A, NORTHERN LAKES AND PRAIRIE CENTER FOR THE SEMIFINALS, NORTHERN LAKES, THEY WILL HAVE A HOME GAME AS WELL.

>>> WELL, IT'S ALMOST HERE.

TOMORROW NIGHT IS THE FOURTH ANNUAL UNIFIED BASKETBALL GAME AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL BETWEEN BEMIDJI AND MENAHGA.

THE GAME IS FOR ATHLETES WITH COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND IS PLAYED WITH THEIR UNIFIED PARTNERS.

THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE GYM HAS BEEN JAM-PACKED, STANDING ROOM ONLY TO WATCH THE EVENT.

IT'S TRULY AN AWESOME EVENT AND I RECOMMEND GETTING THERE EARLY.

TIP OFF IS 6:30 AND THE THEME THIS YEAR IS ROCK YOUR NEON COLORS, SO ANYTHING NEON IS WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND WEARING AND I AM GOING TO TRY TO SNEAK OUT AFTER TOMORROW DENNIS AND DEFINITELY WEAR SOME NEON COLORS.

>>> WE HAVE SOME SCORES FOR YOU.

RED LAKE BEATS PINE RIVER-BACKUS.

DEER RIVER GETS THE WIN IN BOYS BASKETBALL.

IN BOYS BASKETBALL, PARK RAPIDS WINS.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE, FOLEY BEATS PIERZ.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH CHARLIE.

DEER SAMPLING OFFICIALLY CONCLUDED THIS PAST SATURDAY FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON, AND NUMBERS ARE INDICATING A RISE IN CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA, PRIMARILY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN REGION.

REPORTER MILES WALKER SPOKE WITH THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

REGARDING THE TREND, IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD'S EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE 2016-17 DEER HUNTING SINCE, THERE'S HAVE BE 495 POSITIVE OF C.W.D.

>> THAT NUMBER, WHILE UNFORTUNATE AND NOTHING WE WANT TO SEE, ISN'T ACTUALLY SURPRISING.

THERE WAS SOME WORK DONE BY DR.

SERGEI FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ST.

THOMAS, WHERE HE HAS BEEN MODELING THIS SPECIFICALLY IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF THE STATE AND THIS IS MATCHING HIS MODEL VERY, VERY CLOSELY TO WHAT HE WAS PREDICTING.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL, C.W.D.

IS A DISEASE THAT AFFECTS DIFFERENT SPECIES OF ANIMALS WITH HOOVES.

THERE IS NO VACCINE OR TREATMENT FOR THE DISEASE AND ALMOST ALWAYS EVENTUALLY LEADS TO DEATH.

>> IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS FATAL.

THERE HAVEN'T BEEN A SITUATION WHERE ANIMALS DON'T DIE.

OFTENTIMES YOU HAVE ANIMALS THAT CAN LIVE ONE TO THREE YEARS WITH THE DISEASE, WHICH MEANS THEY'RE SHEDDING PREONS THE ENTIRE TIME.

>> Reporter: SCIENTISTS ARE CONDUCTING STUDIES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POTENTIAL RISKS TO PEOPLE.

HOWEVER THE SPREAD IS PALPABLE AS MORE DEER ARE SHOWING CWD DETECTION FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.

>> IT HAS TO DO WITH MOVEMENT, WEST OF THE METRO AREA, OUT TOWARDS HUTCHINSON, THOSE BUCKS MOVE A LOT, SPECIFICALLY DURING THE RUT SEASON.

THEY COULD BE MOVING 25 OR 35 MILES OR MORE IN SOME STUDIES WE'VE SEEN.

THAT TENDS TO MAKE IT HARD TO KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING TO SPREAD.

>> Reporter: THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

DOES NOT BELIEVE CWD WILL COMPLETE WILL BE WIPED OUT, MITIGATING THE NUMBERS REMAINS THE MAIN OBJECTIVE.

THE MISSION IS A TALL TASK.

>> SOME OF THE BIG THINGS, REDUCING THE DENSITY.

THAT'S A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH.

THAT COULD BE TARGETED CULLING, IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS ENCOUNTERING TO TAKE MORE ANTLERLESS DEAR.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> AS OF JANUARY 30TH, 125 DEER HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE.

THE DNR IS STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK ON THE FINAL TOTALS FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON.

>>> WE HEAD BACK TO STACY FOR ANOTHER CHECK ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW IN THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND FEW FLURRIES COULD LINGER IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

OTHERWISE, TONIGHT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS NEAR 4.

A FEW FLURRIES ARE LINGERING TOMORROW MORNING, OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, HIGHS UP TO 23.

SO MIXED PRECIPITATION IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AS WE HEAD INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT, BUT A BIG WARM UP IN STORE ON THURSDAY.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW IS NATIONAL SIGNING DAY FOR FOOTBALL.

I'M GOING TO BE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE AT BSU AND GIVE YOU A BREAKDOWN AS WELL.

>> Dennis: I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]