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

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>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

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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.

>>> THE WHITE HOUSE BORDER CZAR SAYS 700 HOMELAND SECURITY EMPLOYEES ARE WITHDRAWING FROM MINNESOTA IMMEDIATELY.

TOM HOMAN SAYS ABOUT 2,000 WILL REMAIN IN THE AREA FOCUSING ON THE ADMINISTRATION'S IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN.

HE SAYS HE WANTS A COMPLETE DRAWDOWN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BUT, HOMAN SAYS THAT DEPENDS THE COOPERATION OF STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> GIVEN THIS INCREASE IN UNPRECEDENTED COLLABORATION, AND AS A RESULT OF THE NEED FOR LESS LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DO THIS WORK IN A SAFER ENVIRONMENT, I HAVE ANNOUNCED EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY WE WILL DRAW DOWN 700 PEOPLE, EFFECTIVE TODAY.

MY GOAL WITH THE SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP IS TO ACHIEVE A COMPLETE DRAW DOWN AND END THIS SURGE AS SOON AS WE CAN.

THAT IS LARGELY CONTINGENT UPON THE END OF THE ILLEGAL AND THREATENING ACTIVITIES AGAINST I.C.E.

AND ITS FEDERAL PARTNERS WE'RE SEEING IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AND MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR JACOB FREY, BOTH DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE HEAVILY CRITICIZED THE SURGE, SAID PULLING BACK 700 OFFICERS WAS A GOOD FIRST STEP BUT THAT THE ENTIRE OPERATION SHOULD END QUICKLY.

>>> TWO BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC DEANS WERE REMOVED FROM THEIR POSITIONS FOR UNSPECIFIED REASONS, AT THE START OF THE NEW SEMESTER IN JANUARY.

JEFFERY BELL WAS THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCES AND HEALTH, AND MARY THERESA SEIG WAS THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF CREATIVITY, ENTERPRISE, AND PLACE.

ACCORDING TO BEMIDJI STATE OFFICIALS, THE TWO WERE, "ASSIGNED TO SPECIAL PROJECTS" ACCORDING TO THE ADMINISTRATOR PLAN.

BOTH HAD SERVED AT THEIR POST FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND WERE NOTIFIED OF THEIR REMOVAL ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES AFTER CHRISTMAS BREAK.

>> THE CHANGE PERHAPS WAS NOT EXPECTED.

YOU KNOW, I AM NOT ABLE TO COMMENT ON PERSONNEL MATTERS, MATTERS THAT ARE PROTECTED UNDER HUMAN RESOURCES BUT THIS WAS A THOUGHTFUL DECISION ON JANUARY 12TH OF THE DECISION.

SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED BY THAT OR HAVE MIXED REACTIONS BY THAT.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

THAT IS UNDERSTANDABLE.

>> BSU SAYS THAT THE RE-ASSIGNMENTS OF THE DEANS WERE NOT FINANCIALLY MOTIVATED.

BOTH BELL AND SEIG STILL REMAIN EMPLOYED BY THE UNIVERSITY, JUST NOT AS ACADEMIC DEANS.

THE UNIVERSITY IS DOING AN INTERNAL SEARCH TO FIND TWO PEOPLE WHO CAN FILL THE INTERIM DEAN POSITIONS, WHO ALREADY WORK AT THE SCHOOL.

EECHLT -- >> I DON'T KNOW IF STATUS QUO IS AN OPTION.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW ARE WE INNOVATING?

HOW ARE WE SERVING THE STUDENTS?

WHERE DO WE NEED TO GO?

WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT STRUCTURAL CHANGES RIGHT NOW.

THAT WOULD NEED TO GO THROUGH OUR CONSULTATIVE PROCESS.

SO THE POSITION DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE INTERNAL DEANS VERY MUCH NEAR THE DEAN'S POSITION DESCRIPTION PRIOR.

SO I DON'T SEE ANY RADICAL CHANGES THERE IN OUR NEAR FUTURE.

>> WE TRIED REACHING OUT TO BOTH THE DEANS AND OTHER MINNESOTA STATE OFFICIALS, BUT WERE UNABLE TO GET ANY FURTHER COMMENT ON THE SITUATION.

>>> THE 2026 ELECTION CYCLE IS NOW IN FULL SWING AS PRECINCT CAUCUSES WERE HELD YESTERDAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE WERE ABLE TO ATTEND A D.F.L.

CAUCUS IN CROW WING COUNTY, AND A G.O.P.

CAUCUS IN BELTRAMI COUNTY.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, HAS MORE DETAILS ON WHAT TOOK PLACE DURING BOTH CAUCUSES.

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS FLOODED TO THEIR ASSIGNED PRECINCT CAUCUSES TO SELECT DELEGATES TO SEND TO THE STATE CONVENTION THIS SPRING.

>> WE NEED TO GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVE IN THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY, JUST BECAUSE I THINK THIS PROCESS IS CRUCIAL FOR US TO SHAPEN AND UNDERSTAND HOW POLITICS ARE.

>> Reporter: THE DFL PARTY SAW A HISTORIC TURNOUT FOR 30,000 IN-PERSON ATTENDEES STATEWIDE.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT NEVER CAUCUSED BEFORE.

PEOPLE ARE READY FOR A CHANGE AND PEOPLE ARE REALIZING THEY HAVE TO GET INVOLVED OR DO SOMETHING OR SAY SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: MINNESOTA HOUSE SPEAKER IS LEADING THE CROWDED G.O.P.

RACE FOR GOVERNOR WITH 32% OF THE VOTE.

MIKE HAS 17%.

>> WHEN YOU'RE ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAX STATES IN THE NATION AND YOU'RE ON THE COVER OF EVERY NEWS ORGANIZATION ABOUT FRAUD, YOU KNOW THAT WILL BE AN ISSUE IN THE ELECTION.

>> I HOPE THEY CAN SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THE REST OF THE PARTY SO IT WILL BE EASIER ON ME.

>> Reporter: FOR DFL, THERE ONE WAS CHEER CHOICE, RECEIVING 79% OF THE VOTE STATEWIDE.

>> AMY HAS BEEN AN AMAZING SENATOR, AND I'M EXCITED FOR IT TO BE A FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR, BUT ALSO THAT IT'S AMY KLOBUCHAR.

>> Reporter: BOTH PARTIES FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE FUTURE WILL BE IN THEIR FAVOR.

I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN REPORTING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> PRIMARY ELECTIONS, WHICH OFFICIALLY DETERMINE WHICH CANDIDATES WILL APPEAR ON THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT, DON'T TAKE PLACE UNTIL AUGUST.

>>> LONGTIME WADENA POLICE OFFICER MILO SCOTT HAS ANNOUNCED HE IS RUNNING FOR WADENA COUNTY SHERIFF.

SCOTT HAS BEEN WITH THE WADENA POLICE DEPARTMENT SINCE 2004 AND RAN FOR SHERIFF IN 2022 BUT LOST TO INCUMBENT MIKE CARR JUNIOR.

CARR RECENTLY ANNOUNCED HE IS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION THIS FALL.

SCOTT HAS ALSO BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LAKES AREA SWAT TEAM AND A FIREARMS AND TASER INSTRUCTOR.

HE SERVED IN THE NATIONAL GUARD PRIOR TO JOINING THE WADENA POLICE FORCE.

SCOTT SAYS IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT HE IS RUNNING FOR SHERIFF BECAUSE HE BELIEVES RESIDENTS DESERVE STRONG PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES THAT ARE EFFECTIVE, FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, AND SUSTAINABLE FOR THE FUTURE.

>>> THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL BE HOLDING ITS RUNNING FOR OFFICE WORKSHOP.

HOSTED THROUGH THE CHAMBER'S BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES, THE TWO-HOUR LONG WORKSHOP WILL COVER TOPICS INCLUDING CANDIDATE FILINGS, CAMPAIGN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, AS WELL AS ADVICE ON HOW TO MANAGE AND FINANCE AN EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN.

THE CHAMBER'S GOALS FOR THE WORKSHOP REVOLVE AROUND DEMYSTIFYING THE CANDIDACY PROCESS AND INSPIRING PRO-BUSINESS CANDIDATES.

CROW WING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DEBBY ERICKSON, MOMENTUM ADVOCACY PARTNER MIKE FRANKLIN, AS WELL AS FORMER MINNESOTA SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL GAZELKA WILL BE AMONG THOSE PRESENTING, AND SHARING THEIR INSIGHTS.

>> WE NEED PEOPLE TO STEP UP AND RUN FOR OFFICE FROM LOCAL CITY COUNCIL TO THE U.S.

CONGRESS.

THIS WORKSHOP IS ABOUT GIVING THEM A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION, A LITTLE BIT OF CONFIDENCE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

WHAT ALL ELECTED LEADERS HAVE IN COMMON IS A PASSION TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY.

THAT'S ALL YOU REALLY NEED.

>> THE WORKSHOP WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 9TH FROM 11:00 A.M.

TO 1:00 P.M.

AT THE CHAMBER OFFICE.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW AND SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE IN THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD IS MOVING ON TO THEIR SECOND ROUND OF SUPERINTENDENT INTERVIEWS.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD HAS SELECTED TWO FINALISTS FOR ITS SUPERINTENDENT POSITION.

THE BOARD WILL MEET WITH CHIP RANKIN, CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT OF MINNEWASKA AREA SCHOOLS.

AND DOCTOR MIKE NEWBECK, INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR THE POSITION.

THE CANDIDATES WILL TOUR DISTRICT FACILITIES AND THE CITY OF BRAINERD BEFORE INTERVIEWING FOR A SECOND TIME IN FRONT OF THE BOARD.

>> I THINK IN THE FIRST ROUND, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THEIR BACKGROUND, TO UNDERSTAND THEIR STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS WHEN IT COMES TO LEADING A DISTRICT AND THIS TIME AROUND, SINCE WE KNOW SOME OF THOSE, WE CAN DIG DEEPER INTO SPECIFICALLY HOW DO YOU REACT IN SOME OF THESE SCENARIOS.

>> DOCTOR JAMES WAGNER WAS INITIALLY TABBED AS AN ADDITIONAL FINALIST FOR THE POSITION, BUT REMOVED HIS NAME FROM CONSIDERATION DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS.

THE SECOND ROUND OF INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH, WITH A DECISION EXPECTED FROM THE BOARD ON THE SAME DAY.

>>> CROSSLAKE IS GEARING UP FOR A WEEKEND OF FUN WITH THEIR 24TH ANNUAL WINTERFEST KICKING OFF TOMORROW MORNING.

THE THREE DAY LONG FESTIVAL AIMS TO BRING PEOPLE TO CROSSLAKE'S BUSINESSES THROUGH VARIOUS EVENTS LIKE THE CITYWIDE SCAVENGER HUNT WITH THE WINNER TAKING HOME $3,000.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TO THEIR CABINS OR TO BOOK AT OUR LOCAL RENTALS AND HOTELS AND RESORTS IN THE AREA, TO GET PEOPLE BACK UP HERE TO GIVE A BOOST TO OUR ECONOMY OVER THE WINTERTIME.

>> WINTER FEST KICKS OFF TOMORROW MORNING AT 9 A.M.

WHEN THE FIRST CLUE OF THE CITY WIDE SCAVENGER HUNT IS REVEALED.

>>> THAT IS KICKING OFF ON THE MOST UNWINTER-LIKE DAY WE HAD IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO.

IT'S GOING TO BE WARMER TOMORROW, RIGHT?

>> Stacy: IT'S GOING TO BE QUITE A BIT WARMER, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE 30s TOMORROW.

WE HAVE SOME SNOW AND POSSIBLY SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION EXPECTED TONIGHT AND THEN TOMORROW NIGHT AS ONCE AGAIN TEMPERATURES COOL OFF AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

[♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE HAD QUITE A BIT OF CLOUD COVER TODAY AS THE TEMPERATURES BEGAN CREEPING UP.

WE HAD A LOT OF HIGHS IN THE 20s TODAY.

WE HAVE SOME CHANCES OF SNOW AND LITTLE BIT OF FREEZING DRIZZLE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE IN THE 30s, SO MUCH WARMER TOMORROW.

ANOTHER CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT AND WE START TO SEE TEMPERATURES COOL OFF AGAIN ON FRIDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 18 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE VARIABLE AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEW POINT IS 15, HUMIDITY IS AT 88%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 19 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 15, AND PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION TRYING TO MAKE IT TO THE GROUND IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

A LOT OF CLOUD COVER OUT THERE.

WE DO CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA, WITH THE POTENTIAL IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA OF A LITTLE BIT OF FREEZING DRIZZLE.

SOME OF THE FREEZING DRIZZLE COULD LINGER IN EASTERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING, OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, WARM TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON, ANOTHER CHANCE OF SNOW BEGINNING IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, TIM SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM THE PLANE OVER BEMIDJI, JUST THE OTHER NIGHT.

BEAUTIFUL SHOT OVER THE CITY THERE.

WE ALSO GOT THE WOODPECKERS AT THE FEEDER FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, ANGELA SPOTTING AN EAGLE, AND LINDA WITH A FOX NEAR THE SHORES OF MILLE LACS LAKE.

JOAN CATCHING A SKUNK ON HER TRAIL IN LAPORTE.

SAMROSE HAS A PICTURE OF THE SUN SHINING THROUGH THE CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 21.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND 20 TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, A HIGH OF 20 UNDER CLOUDY SKIES.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY CLOUDY, A FEW SNOWFLAKES THIS MORNING, AND STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD WITH OVERCAST SKIES AND A HIGH OF 20.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 20, SO PRETTY CLOSE TO OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR TODAY, JUST FALLING A FEW DEGREES SHY OF THAT.

WE HAD A LOW OF 12 AND SUNSET THIS AFTERNOON AT 5:26.

BEMIDJI HAS A HIGH OF 19, SO NEARLY ON TARGET, JUST 1 DEGREE OFF OF THE TARGET, SUNRISE AT 7:42.

AS YOU LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT A LITTLE BIT OF FREEZING DRIZZLE COULD LINGER IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, BUT EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER OUT THERE AND PRETTY MUCH THE CLOUDS WILL STICK AROUND FOR MOST OF THE DAY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY.

WE HAVE A CHANCE IN THE AFTERNOON OF LIGHT SNOW BEGINNING TO PUSH INTO NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES, IT IS GOING TO BE QUITE A BIT WARMER WITH THE HIGHS TO THE MID TO LOW 30s.

AND HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 30s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A GOOD CHANCE OF SOME LIGHT SNOW, AND AGAIN THERE MIGHT BE SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

LOWS NEAR 17.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF FREEZING DRIZZLE IN THE EAST IN THE MORNING AND THEN IN THE AFTERNOON, THERE IS A CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS BEGINNING IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, BUT MUCH WARMER, HIGHS NEAR 35.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING QUIET WEATHER, TEMPERATURES A LITTLE BIT COOLER ON FRIDAY, BUT WE DO START TO WARM UP AND IN FACT, HIGHS COULD BE IN THE 30s BY NEXT WEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

BIG DAY FOR BSU FOOTBALL.

>> Charlie: A BIG DAY FOR A LOT OF FOOTBALL ATHLETES.

IT WAS NATIONAL SIGNING DAY AND WE GOT TO HEAR FROM COACH BRENT ABOUT WHAT THEY GOT THIS YEAR, 30 FOOTBALL PLAYERS.

SO WE GET TO HEAR FROM HIM AND TALK ABOUT THAT MORE AND MORE STUFF AROUND THE AREA COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE 2025 SEASON ENDED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED FOR BSU FOOTBALL, WHO FINISHED WITH A SUB-500 RECORD AND MISSED THE NCAA PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 4-YEARS.

BUT THAT JUST MEANT THE COACHES WERE ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL A LITTLE SOONER THAN USUAL.

WELL, IT'S NATIONAL SIGNING DAY SO NOW WE GET TO SEE THE CULMINATION OF THEIR WORK, AND AN INTRODUCTION TO SOME OF THE NEWEST BEAVERS WHO WILL GRIND THE AXE IN 2026.

>> Reporter: BLSHGS -- BSU HEAD FOOTBALL COACH DIDN'T MINCE WORDS WHEN IT CAME TO LAST SEASON.

>> LAST YEAR WAS MISERABLE, WE WERE FRUSTRATED.

>> Reporter: AND HE MADE CLEAR THEIR PLAN.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT GETTING BLUE COLLARED KIDS.

I JUST WANT TOUGH KIDS.

WE NEED MORE OF THEM.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR'S HALL OF 30 SIGNEES IS ONE MORE THAN LAST YEAR AND HAS THE BEAVERS BUZZING, STARTING WITH THE OFFENSIVE LINE.

>> WE REALLY DID WELL.

I THINK WE GOT LENGTH IN THIS CLASS AND A LOT OF PHYSICALITY AND VIOLENCE OUT OF THAT GROUP.

>> Reporter: THE BEAVERS GRADUATE 4 O-LINEMEN BUT BRING IN 7 TO REPLACE THEM, INCLUDING MITCH BAITER FROM WISCONSIN, A MULTI-SPORT ATHLETE, 6'3" CHRIS BRIDGES FROM DULUTH, AND NOAH SPEARS OUT OF MAPLE GROVE ARE TWO OTHERS THAT COULD MAKE AN IMPACT EARLY.

BEMIDJI STATE ALSO BROUGHT IN 7 DEFENSIVE BACKS THAT GRADUATED 4-DBs.

>> A LARGER GROUP, 24% OF OUR CLASS WAS IN THE BACK HALF, BUT I THINK IT'S JUST SOMETHING WE NEED TO ADDRESS AND BRING DEPTH BACK IN HERE AND PLAY PACKAGES AND CONTINUE TO RECRUIT THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: BSU ALSO SOUGHT SOME VERSATILITY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL, ONE OF THEM A 6 FOOT 4, 225-POUND TIGHT END, WHO WAS A MR.

FOOTBALL NOMINEE.

>> HE REMINDS ME OF A BRYCE DUFFY, A SWISS ARMY KNIFE THAT PLAYED RECEIVER, TIGHT END, A KID THAT I WOULD EXPECT TO PUSH FOR PLAYING TIME EARLY IN HIS CAREER BECAUSE HE IS SO ATHLETIC.

HE WILL BE A FUN TOY TO HAVE.

>> Reporter: A TEAM CAPTAIN THAT PLAYED LINEBACKER FOR THE WARRIORS WAS ALSO RECRUITED FOR HIS VERSATILITY.

>> REALLY ATHLETIC, PLAYED MULTIPLE POSITIONS.

HE HAD 20-PLUS ATTACKS IN HIGH SCHOOL, SO WE'RE GOING TO PLAY THAT RUSH BUCK POSITION.

>> BEMIDJI STATE FELT LIKE THE RIGHT FIT.

>> I LIKE THEIR PROGRAM, THEY ARE VERY GOOD.

I KNOW A LOT OF MY TEAMMATES, LIKE MY FORMER TEAMMATES HAVE GONE THERE.

SO EVERYONE IS UNITED AND IT'S A BIG FAMILY.

IT'S LIKE HERE IN BRAINERD.

>> Reporter: BAGLEY WIDE RECEIVER AND BRANDON ARE THE OTHER TWO JOINING NEXT SEASON, TRYING TO RETURN TO PROMINENCE AT A NATIONAL LEVEL.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RANKINGS ARE GOING TO BE NEXT YEAR BUT WE WILL PUT A DIFFERENT PRODUCT OUT THERE AND BE READY TO GO.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS GROUP.

THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD.

>> Charlie: WE SAID 30 COMMITS, 7 O-LINES, 7-DBs.

NORMALLY A LOT FROM MINNESOTA, THIS YEAR WISCONSIN, 2 FROM FLORIDA, 1 FROM NEW MEXICO, WHICH WAS OUT OF LEFT FIELD, TENNESSEE, TEXAS ALSO REPRESENTED.

A GOOD SMATTERING THERE.

>>> BRAINERD BOYS NORDIC SKI TEAM QUALIFIED FOR THE STATE MEET COMING UP NEXT WEEK, 2 POINTS BEHIND MOORHEAD.

THE BRAINERD GIRLS, THEY ALSO FINISHED SECOND AND ARE HEADED TO STATE.

SENIOR BAIRD WON FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR THERE.

IN ALPINE SKI, BRAINERD'S JUNIOR PIPER AND FRESHMAN CICI, BOTH QUALIFIED FOR STATE NEXT WEEK.

THAT IS CICI ON THE LEFT AND PIPER ON THE RIGHT.

SHE FINISHED THIRD PLACE AND NINTH.

>>> THIS GRAND RAPIDS CURLER EILEEN IS HEADED TO THE OLYMPICS FOR 2026 IN MILAN KNOW -- MILAN KNOW CORTINA.

SHE WAS SELECTED AS AN ALTERNATE FOR THE U.S.

WOMEN'S CURLING TEAM.

SHE WILL FILL IN THE NECESSARY.

THEN ALSO REAL QUICK, THE MINNESOTA WILD GET THE WIN TONIGHT, MATT WITH A HAT-TRICK AS THEY WIN IN OVERTIME OVER THE PREDATORS AND THE TIMBERWOLVES GET 30 OUT OF ANTHONY EDWARDS AS THEY WIN OVER THE RAPTORS.

>> Dennis: THE OLYMPICS START SOON, TODAY MAYBE?

>> Charlie: IT'S FRIDAY AT 2:00 P.M.

IN THE AFTERNOON, THAT'S WHEN THE CEREMONIES WILL START.

I KNOW THEY WILL PROBABLY SHOW THEM LATER ON THAT NIGHT AS WELL.

THEY'RE HERE AND I KNOW THE WOMEN'S HOCKEY TOURNAMENT STARTS TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: YEAH, TOMORROW.

THANKS CHARLIE.

IT REMAINS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF AMERICANS.

HEART DISEASE CAUSES CLOSE TO 700,000 DEATHS EVERY YEAR.

EXPERTS SAY DETECTING IT AND GETTING TREATMENT EARLY ON CAN HELP LIMIT DAMAGE AND EVEN HELP PREVENT DEATH.

BUT DOCTORS SAY MANY PEOPLE DISMISS THEIR SYMPTOMS.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS A CAUTIONARY MESSAGE FROM ONE PATIENT WHO IGNORED HIS HEART HEALTH WARNING SIGNS AND HE EXPLAINS HOW IT ALMOST COST HIM HIS LIFE.

>> Reporter: AT FIRST, ALEX THOUGHT HE WAS JUST GETTING OLDER.

THE 32-YEAR-OLD FATHER FELT FATIGUED ABOUT PUT ON SOME EXTRA POUNDS.

>> I DON'T LIKE SEEING DOCTORS.

IF YOU SEE A DOCTOR, THAT MEANS THERE IS SOMETHING BAD.

I ALWAYS PUSH IT OFF.

>> Reporter: BUT HE KEPT FEELING WORSE AND ASSUMED IT WAS A VIRUS OR PERHAPS ANXIETY.

HE WAS VOMITING AND HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING WHILE LYING FLAT, WHICH LED TO SHORTNESS OF BREATH.

>> I FELT LIKE I WAS DROWNING.

>> Reporter: WHEN HE FINALLY WENT TO THE DOCTOR, HE WAS TOLD THAT ALL THOSE SIGNS HE HAD BEEN DISMISSING WERE WARNING HIM THAT HIS HEART WAS FAILING.

>> IT WAS ACTUALLY A MASSIVE SHOCK TO ME AND MY FAMILY.

>> I IMMEDIATELY KNEW THAT ALEX WAS IN TROUBLE.

>> Reporter: DR.

ORTIZ SAYS THAT SINCE HIS SYMPTOMS OF HEART FAILURE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE, HE EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE ADD LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION CALLED CARDIO GENETIC SHOCK.

>> THAT IS WHEN THE HEART IS SO SICK IT CAN BARELY KEEP UP WITH THE DEMANDS OF THE BODY.

>> Reporter: HIS TEAM OF DOCTORS THOUGHT HE WOULD BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A LEFT VENTRICULAR DEVICE, THAT DOES THE WORK FOR HIS HEART.

>> SO YOU ARE ABLE TO FLOW BLOOD IN YOUR BODY.

>> Reporter: LESS THAN TWO YEARS AFTER SURGERY, HE SAYS HIS LIFE IS ALMOST BACK TO NORMAL.

HIS ADVICE TO OTHERS, DON'T WAIT.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

>> I WAITED UNTIL THE VERY END AND IT WAS GOD'S GRACE THAT I CAUGHT IT IN TIME.

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

>> Dennis: OKAY, LET'S GO BACK TO STACY FOR A LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: SOME LIGHT SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

OTHERWISE, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS NEAR 17.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON, BUT MUCH WARMER TEMPERATURES.

>> Dennis: THAT'S GOING TO WRAP UP TONIGHT'S SHOW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM