>> 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.

>>> A 31-YEAR-OLD OHIO MAN IS CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT FOR CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT FOR SWINDLE AND IS ACCUSED OF SCAMMING SENIOR CITIZENS IN ITACA AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY OUT OF MORE THAN $42,000 IN CASH.

RA'SHAWN CARTER WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY IN GRAND RAPIDS WITH THREE MANILA ENVELOPES CONTAINING THE CASH.

CARTER MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN ITASCA COUNTY COURT TODAY AND BAIL WAS SET AT $100,000 WITH NO CONDITIONS OR $40,000 WITH CONDITIONS.

HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS A RULE 8 HEARING SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 12TH.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, CARTER IS ACCUSED OF CALLING THE VICTIMS AND CLAIMING THEIR GRANDSON HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH LED TO HIS ARREST.

CARTER REQUESTED IMMEDIATE PAYMENT FOR LEGAL FEES OR BAIL TO RELEASE THEIR LOVED ONES FROM CUSTODY ND THE VICTIMS WENT TO THE BANK AND WITHDREW THE NECESSARY MONEY.

CARTER IS THEN ACCUSED OF POSING AS A BAIL BONDSMAN AND PICKING UP THE MONEY FROM THE VICTIMS HOMES.

>>> A DEER RIVER MAN AND BAGLEY WOMAN ARE CHARGED WITH FELONY POSSESSION OF 50 GRAMS OR MORE OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE OR DELIVER.

SAMUEL HAGER AND KELSEY MORGAN WERE ARRESTED IN GRAND FORKS COUNTY IN NORTH DAKOTA.

BOTH MADE INITIAL APPEARANCES IN COURT YESTERDAY AND BOTH HAVE A PRELIMINARY HEARING AND OR ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 17TH.

>>> DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO END A STALEMATE.

TOP LEADERS FROM BOTH PARTIES ANNOUNCED THE DEAL TONIGHT.

BOTH SIDES SAY THE DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW.

DEMOCRATS HAD STAYED AWAY FROM THE CAPITOL SINCE JANUARY 14TH, WITH 67 ELECTED G.O.P.

MEMBERS IN THE CHAMBER, REPUBLICANS ARGUED THAT WAS SUFFICIENT FOR A QUORUM.

THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT SIDED WITH DEMOCRATS SAYING 68 MUST BE PRESENT.

THE COURT LEFT IT TO LAWMAKERS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORK TOGETHER.

A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL AN EMPTY SEAT IS SET FOR MARCH 11th AND IT'S EXPECTED TO RESTORE A 67-67 TIE.

D.F.L.

CANDIDATE CURTIS JOHNSON WON THAT SEAT BY MORE THAN 30-PERCENTAGE POINTS LAST NOVEMBER BUT A JUDGE RULED HE LIVED OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT AND OULD NOT TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE.

>>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY, BANNING TRANSGENDER WOMEN FROM COMPETING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

TRUMP WAS SURROUNDED BY DOZENS OF WOMEN AND SOME YOUNG GIRLS IN ATHLETIC UNIFORMS, AS HE SIGNED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER TITLED KEEPING MEN OUT OF WOMEN'S SPORTS.

CRITICS OF TRANSGENDER ATHLETES HAVE CLAIMED THEY HAVE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE IN SPORTS WITH THE ACTION, TRUMP IS DELIVERING ON A POLITICAL ISSUE THAT WAS A KEY PART OF HIS 2024 CAMPAIGN.

>> WITH THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER, THE WAR ON WOMEN'S SPORTS IS OVER.

WE'RE PUTTING EVERY SCHOOL ON NOTICE THAT IF YOU LET MEN TAKE OVER WOMEN'S SPORTS TEAMS OR INVADE YOUR LOCKER ROOMS, YOU WILL BE INVESTIGATED FOR VIOLATIONS OF TITLE 9 AND RISK YOUR FEDERAL FUNDING.

THERE WILL BE NO FEDERAL FUNDING.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> THE ORDER LEANS ON COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE 9.

THE LAW THAT PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING.

>>> THE SANFORD JOE LUEKEN CANCER CENTER IN BEMIDJI INSTALLED A NEW PET/C.T.

SCANNER LAST FALL.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS ON HOW THIS IMAGING SYSTEM AIMS TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE HOW THE CENTER WILL DIAGNOSE THEIR PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THIS PAST FALL, IF YOU LIVED CLOSE TO THE BEMIDJI AREA AND YOUR DOCTOR RECOMMENDED A PET/C.T.

SCAN, IT WAS A CHALLENGE TO GET IT DONE.

>> HISTORICALLY, WE HAD A MOBILE PET/C.T.

THAT REQUIRED OUR PATIENTS TO WALK OUTSIDE DURING ALL SEASONS.

WE QUICKLY REALIZED THAT FROM A PATIENT EXPERIENCE STANDPOINT, THAT WAS NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALSO NOT EXACTLY IDEAL TO DRIVE TO NORTH DAKOTA OR DOWN TO THE TWIN CITIES TO GET A PET/C.T.

SCAN, SO THEY MADE IMPLEMENTING THIS TECHNOLOGY A PRIORITY.

>> UNFORTUNATELY WE DO SEE A BROADER POPULATION OF PATIENTS, MORE AND MORE PATIENTS EVERY YEAR WITH THE CANCER DIAGNOSIS.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE OFFER THIS SERVICE HERE IN BEMIDJI, SO WE ARE ABLE TO KEEP THOSE PATIENTS FROM TRAVELING DISTANCES.

>> Reporter: THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT AT-LARGE WAS OVER $3.5 MILLION FOR THE ACTUAL SCANNER AND TO HELP RENOVATE THE SPACE.

ALTHOUGH DONORS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY WERE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP.

>> THEY SAW THE NEED AND THEY DELIVERED.

WE HAD 185 DONORS COMPRISED OF EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND BUSINESSES THAT CAME TOGETHER TO RAISE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT TOWARDS THIS PROJECT.

>> Reporter: A PET/C.T.

SCAN USES RADIOACTIVE TRACERS TO CREATE 3D IMAGES TO HELP DOCTORS SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF CANCERS AND BRAIN DISORDERS.

THERE IS AN IMPROVEMENT OF THE TIME, TAKING 10 TO 15 MINUTES NOW VERSUS 45 MINUTES IN THE MOBILE UNIT THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY USING.

>> ONCE WE GET OUR WORK FLOWS DIALED IN, WE PLAN TO SCAN 40 PATIENTS A WEEK.

THIS IS A KEY PIECE OF DIAGNOSING, STAGING, AND BEING ABLE TO SEE IF THOSE CANCER TREATMENTS ARE EFFECTIVE AS THAT PATIENT GOES THROUGH THEIR TREATMENT JOURNEY.

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

>> DONORS RAISED $746,000 TOWARDS THIS PROJECT, ALMOST THE FULL COST TO RENOVATE THE ROOM THE PET-C.T.

SCANNER SITS IN.

>>> THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S BLUE OX BUSINESS ACADEMY'S SUCCESS SERIES IS A SERIES WORKSHOPS CONDUCTED ONCE A MONTH, THAT AIM TO DEVELOP SKILLS IMPORTANT FOR MANAGING A BUSINESS.

THE LATEST 3-HOUR LONG TRAINING SESSION WAS ON SALES TRAINING.

THE SESSION FOCUSED ON HELPING TO IDENTIFY THE TOP CAUSES OF STRESS IMPACTING ONE'S ABILITY TO ENGAGE AUTHENTICALLY, AS WELL AS FIVE GROWTH BARRIERS HOLDING ONE BACK FROM GENERATING MORE INCOME AND FULFILLMENT, ALL IN AN EFFORT TO POSITIVELY IMPACT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND GROW ONE'S INFLUENCE TO SELL.

>> THERE ARE TIMES WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO STUMBLE IN THE ROLE THAT YOU PLAY.

THINK OF THE ROLE THAT YOU ARE PLAYING AS A SALES PERSON, WHAT ARE THE OBLIGATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS THE PROSPECT HAS AS YOU AS A SALES PERSON BARING PROMISES FOR A PROSPECT.

YOU ARE PLAYING THE ROLE, WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS?

>> THE NEXT SUCCESS SERIES WORKSHOP WILL FOCUS ON UNLOCKING THE POWER OF VIDEO FOR BUSINESS AND WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 25TH.

>>> WELL, ONE KELLIHER WOMAN IS RAISING MONEY.

HER LIFE WAS SAVED AFTER A DEVASTATING CAR CRASH.

SHE REALIZED HOW VITAL EMERGENCY DEVICES CAN BE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON HER STORY AND HER FUNDRAISING PLANS.

>> Reporter: ANNA'S WHOLE LIFE WAS CHANGE IN AN INSTANCE AFTER A COLLISION WITH A PLOW TRUCK JUST OVER THREE YEARS AGO.

>> AND I ENDED UP BREAKING 12 RIBS, CRUSHED MY CHEST, MY LEG WAS SHATTERED IN 30 DIFFERENT PIECES BUT I'M WALKING.

I'M A MIRACLE.

I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD BE HERE.

THERE HAS TO BE A REASON I'M HERE, SO LET'S SAVE MORE LIVES, THAT'S WHAT I SAY, LET'S CONTINUE BEING AWESOME.

>> Reporter: AFTER MANY SURGERIES AND MUCH RECUPERATION, SHE OWED HER LIFE TO THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> I THOUGHT AFTER I HAD COME OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, THAT IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO HELP THEM FOR THE NEXT PATIENT, THAT THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK I SHOULD REALLY DO.

I'M REALLY BLESSED TO BE ALIVE TODAY.

I'M REALLY THANKFUL FOR MY COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SO YEAH, THE COMMUNITY REALLY DOES PULL TOGETHER AND HELP SUPPORT EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS A GOAL TO RAISE $27,000 FOR A MACHINE, AUTOMATIC C.P.R.

MACHINE THAT WILL KEEP PATIENTS' INTERNAL ORGANS FUNCTIONING SO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS CAN TRANSPORT THEM TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL.

THE MACHINE COULD BE LIFESAVING TO TOWNS LIKE KELLIHER AND OTHER SURROUNDING AREAS DUE TO HOW RURAL THEY ARE AND FAR THEY ARE TO THE CLOSEST HOSPITAL.

>> SHE SENT OUT A LOT OF LETTERS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND SHE CHALLENGED DIFFERENT GROUPS AND THIS AND THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN GETTING SOME FUNDS COMING IN, SO THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

>> I OPENED UP WITH $3,000.

YOU CAN MATCH ME UP TO $3,000, $.03, 3 PENNIES, YOU CAN GET YOUR SCHOOLS INVOLVED, BUSINESSES INVOLVED, PEOPLE CAN BATTLE EACH OTHER.

YOUR FIRST DONATION CAN BE $.03, BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER, THOSE PENNIES WILL ADD UP.

I HAVE $4,390.

VERY AWESOME.

WE'RE GETTING UP THERE.

THAT'S GREAT.

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

>> Dennis: ALL THE FUNDS GO THROUGH THE CITY SO DONATIONS CAN BE SENT DIRECTLY TO KELLIHER CITY HALL.

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

>> Stacy: SNOW WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT AND A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF THE AREA INTO TOMORROW MORNING AND SOME AREAS INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, CENTRAL MINNESOTANS FILED TO CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE TO SEE STAND UP >> 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.

>>> CENTRAL MINNESOTANS FILED INTO CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE TO SHARE SOME LAUGHS WITH COMEDIAN ALI SULTAN.

THE EVENT WAS PRESENTED THROUGH THE C.L.C PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AS PART OF ITS CULTURAL ARTS SERIES, WHICH BRINGS REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS TO THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

SULTAN'S INTEREST IN COMEDY WAS SPURRED WHEN HE SAW HIS FIRST STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW WHEN HE MOVED TO AMERICA FROM YEMEN AT 15-YEARS-OLD AND IN 2021, HE BECAME THE FIRST YEMENI ETHIOPIAN AMERICAN TO MAKE HIS STAND-UP COMEDY DEBUT ON THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT.

>> COMEDY IS ABOUT BREAKING DOWN THE ROADS AND MAKING FUN OF THE IRONY AND POINTING OUT WHAT'S WRONG AND CELEBRATING WHAT IS UNIVERSAL.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST HUMAN THINGS.

ANY TIME I HAD A BIG LAUGH, I TREASURE IT.

I DON'T TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT I GET TO DO THAT FOR PEOPLE.

>> Dennis: C.L.C.

'S PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WILL BE HOSTING STORYTELLER KEVIN KLING ON FEBRUARY 15TH.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER WITH STACY, WE ARE SEEING SOME SNOW.

>> Stacy: YES, IT SHOULD TAPER OFF TOMORROW MORNING, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA THROUGH TONIGHT AND INTO THE AFTERNOON.

WE'LL SEE SOME WINDS PICKING UP CREATING AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

I'LL HAVE THE >> 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 THAT SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.

WE HAVE MORE SNOW ON THE WAY OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA THROUGH TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON AS WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE WINDS PICKING UP BEHIND THE SNOW.

WE WILL SEE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW THROUGHOUT MUCH OF TOMORROW.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 14 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEW POINT IS 11.

WE HAVE SO FAR SEEN 2.25 INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

IN BRAINERD, LIGHT SNOW THIS EVENING, 18 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 12, PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE EAST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA AND FOR MOST OF US, IT WILL EXPIRE AT 6:00 A.M. ON THURSDAY, BUT THIS INCLUDES THE ROSEAU AND FOSSTON AREA.

THE ADVISORY WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 3:00 P.M.

TOMORROW, WE ARE EXPECTING THE WINDS TO PICK UP, CREATING AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, REDUCING VISIBILITY IN THAT REGION.

AS FAR AS ACCUMULATION, WE'RE LOOKING AT 2 TO 6 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION, BEMIDJI LOOKS TO BE 5.5 INCHES OF SNOWFALL BY THE TIME SNOW WRAPS UP.

BRAINERD IS LOOKING AT 2.4 INCHES OF SNOW, 4.5 INCHES IN BIG FALLS.

WE WILL BE SEEING SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL OUT OF THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THE ACCUMULATING SNOW THIS EVENING, WIDESPREAD SNOW ACROSS THE AREA.

THIS WILL MOVE THROUGH NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, SHOULD TAPER OFF BY TOMORROW MORNING, SOME SNOW COULD LINGER IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT WINDS WILL BE PICKING UP AND WE WILL BE SEEING AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

ANGELA, OUR EAGLE EYE FROM CASS LAKE SENDING US THIS SHORT VIDEO OF THE SNOWFALL THAT FELL TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THAT.

OTHER EAGLE EYE SHOTS, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKIES.

SONYA WITH THE SKIES OVER TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

SAMROSE WITH A PICTURE OF SOME OF THE CLOUDS AND SOME SUNSHINE TRYING TO POKE THROUGH THE CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, A LIGHT BREEZE THIS MORNING.

SONYA NEAR TURTLE RIVER LAKE, 16 WITH A SLIGHT BREEZE.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, HAD A HIGH OF 12.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 19.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 22.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 20 TODAY, 7 WAS OUR LOW TEMP, AND WE HAD SUNSET AT 5:29.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 17, SO CLOSE TO THAT AVERAGE HIGH, WITH A LOW OF 3.

SO AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW, THERE IS A CHANCE OF SEEING SOME OF THE SNOW IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

A LOT OF CLOUD COVER ACROSS THE NORTH, WE'RE GOING TO SET THAT IN MOTION AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING, THE CHANCE FOR SNOW THERE AND THE CLOUDS THERE, BUT THAT WILL CLEAR OUT AS WE HEAD INTO LATE TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET ON FRIDAY, BUT AGAIN WE COULD HAVE ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOW THIS WEEKEND.

HIGH TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, MAINLY IN THE SINGLE DIGITS AND EVEN WHERE IT'S WARMER, WE WILL BE SEEING FALLING TEMPERATURES IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THAT WILL BE THE CASE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AS WELL.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, SNOW CONTINUING WITH 2 TO 6 INCHES OF TOTAL ACCUMULATION.

FOR TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, THE SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN WESTERN MINNESOTA WITH HIGHS NEAR 9.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, QUIET ON FRIDAY, ANOTHER CHANCE OF SOME ACCUMULATING SNOW ON SATURDAY, AND QUIET WEATHER RETURNS ON SUNDAY, AND THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, HIGHS IN THE TEENS, WE COOL OFF ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE, BSU IS ADDING NEW TALENT TO THEIR ROSTER.

>> Charlie: YEAH, 29 NEW PLAYERS ARE GOING TO BE JOINING THE RANKS OF THE GREEN AND WHITE, JUST LIKE DENNIS WEIMANN WHO DID IT SO LONG AGO.

WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCES TODAY WITH COACH AND WE GET TO HEAR ABOUT A LOT OF THOSE PLAYERS COMING UP NEXT AFTER T >>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> IT'S NATIONAL SIGNING DAY FOR FOOTBALL AND ONCE AGAIN BEMIDJI STATE HAS HAULED IN A LARGE GROUP OF SIGNEES.

29 RECRUITS ACROSS 11 POSITIONS COMMITTED TO PLAY FOR THE BEAVERS NEXT SEASON, THE CLASS REPRESENTED BY 5 DIFFERENT STATES WITH 20 FROM MINNESOTA AND 4 FROM THE VIEWING AREA.

EXCUSE ME, THAT'S 5 FROM THE VIEWING AREA.

HEAD COACH BRENT BOLTE WAS EXCITED TO INTRODUCE THE 2025 CLASS TODAY AND HOW HE EXPECTS THEM TO BUILD OFF THE NEW LEGACY THE PROGRAM HAS BUILT.

>> Reporter: OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, BSU FOOTBALL HAS CONTINUED TO REWRITE THEIR POST-SEASON HISTORY.

[CHEERING].

>> Reporter: IT STARTED WITH THE TEAM'S FIRST NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE IN 2021.

[CHEERING].

>> Reporter: THEN EARNING FIRST AND SECOND ROUND HOME GAMES IN 2022 AND 2023 RESPECTIVELY, THIS PAST SEASON BY PLAYING IN THE REGIONAL FINAL AND THE FOUNDATION FOR WHICH THAT SUCCESS IS BUILT BEGINS ON THE RECRUITING FRONT.

>> I WANT TO STAY HERE FOR FOUR TO FIVE YEARS, TO BE PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEMSELVES AND OUR PROGRAM, AND HAVE IT BE A FAMILY ORIENTED AFFAIR.

THEY KNOW THEIR EXPECTATION IS TO BUILD.

AS WE TALKED ABOUT, WE'RE EIGHT QUARTERS AND 10 SECONDS AWAY FROM OUR ULTIMATE GOAL LAST YEAR, WINNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> Reporter: BEING THAT CLOSE HAS HELPED RECRUITING IN RECENT YEARS, BRINGING MORE EYES TO THE PROGRAM FROM FURTHER AWAY.

>> WE WEREN'T ABLE TO PROBABLY RECRUIT KIDS OUT OF CERTAIN HIGH SCHOOLS AS EASY AS NOW.

EVEN ILLINOIS KIDS OR IOWA KIDS, IT'S A CULMINATION OF CONTINUING TO WIN.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, BSU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO FAR TO FIND SOME OF THE RIGHT KIDS FOR THE PROGRAM, WITH FOUR COMING FROM SMALL TOWNS WITHIN A 50 MILE RADIUS.

>> THOSE KIDS A LOT OF TIMES, THEIR FAMILY VALUE AND BELIEFS STRUCTURALLY FIT WITH WHAT WE SELL HERE AT BSU.

>> Reporter: THAT INCLUDES ELI, THE LINEBACKER OUT OF NEVIS THAT WON A 9-PLAYER STATE TITLE IN 2023, A TIGHT END FROM WALKER WHO PLAYED BOTH WAYS IN HIGH SCHOOL, BROEDEN, AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FROM CLEAR BROOK, AND RYAN, A DEFENSIVE END FROM PARK RAPIDS, WHO IS AN ALL SECTION AND DISTRICT SELECTION WHO PLAYED IN THE ALL-STAR GAME.

>> THAT'S THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME WE HAD THAT MANY GUYS.

YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AND NOT PUT THEM ON A SHELF.

>> Reporter: HAILING FROM FURTHER AWAY IS DEFENSIVE BACK CHAD KING.

HE HAD 67 TACKLES AND A PICK SIX THIS SEASON AND EXPLAINS WHY HE CHOSE BEMIDJI STATE.

>> THEY GAVE ME A CHANCE.

I MAY NOT LOOK THE BIGGEST AND DEFINITELY NOT THE STRONGEST, BUT I KNOW I CAN PLAY FOOTBALL AT THE NEXT LEVEL.

WE'RE GLAD THAT BSU GAVE ME A CHANCE TO SHOW THAT.

>> Reporter: HE JOINED 5 DEFENSIVE BACKS THAT WILL DAWN THE GREEN NEXT YEAR, WHICH WAS VERY YOUNG IN 2024.

THEY AREN'T THE ONLY GROUP IN NEED OF VOLUME.

>> YOU PAID ATTENTION TO BSU FOOTBALL, WE HAD A GOOD RUN OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, BUT WE DO CERTAINLY LOSE A LOT OF GREAT DEPTH, A LOT OF GREAT PLAYERS, GREAT HUMANS.

WE KNEW WE WOULD RELOAD AT THIS POSITION.

WE TOOK 2D TACKLES.

>> Reporter: THEY WON'T REPLACE THE 7 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN LOST TO THE TRANSFER PORTAL RIGHT AWAY, BUT THEY WILL FIT THE WINNING MOLD BUILT BY THE OTHERS THAT CAME BEFORE.

>> WE CAN GET IT DONE HERE.

WE FOUND A WAY TO WIN HERE AT BEMIDJI STATE AT A HIGH LEVEL AND KEEP OUR KIDS HERE.

THEIR PARENTS TOO, THAT'S PART OF IT.

>> Charlie: HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW IT BROKE DOWN.

29 TOTAL COMMITS, AND THOSE ARE THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS AND HOW MANY THEY HAD, AND FIVE DIFFERENT STATES REPRESENTED, ONE FROM CALIFORNIA, I GUESS THEY DON'T KNOW HOW COLD IT IS OUT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>>> A COUPLE MORE THINGS TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT, THE FINAL RESULTS FOR THE NORDIC SKI MEET CAME IN.

IT WAS BRAINERD WARRIORS THAT WON THE SECTION TITLE, WITH 5 BOYS FINISHING IN THE TOP 9 SPOTS.

THEN THE BEMIDJI DUO OF KAIDEN, WHO WAS ON THE LEFT, AND HE VIE ON THE RIGHT, FINISHED SECOND IN THE RELAY AND QUALIFIED FOR THE STATE MEET AS WELL.

>>> ON THE GIRL'S SIDE OF THINGS, SHE QUALIFIED FOR STATE.

IZZY FINISHED ONE SPOT SHORT.

AND FIFTH PLACE IN ALPINE SKIING, BUT SHE QUALIFIED FOR STATE AS WELL.

>> Dennis: GOOD FOR ALL OF THEM.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> JUST LAST WEEK, EXPERTS FROM LEADING HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS RELEASED NEW GUIDELINES CALLING FOR NO CAFFEINE FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 BUT A NEW STUDY SAYS EXPOSURES TO CAFFEINE ENERGY PRODUCTS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN RECENT YEARS AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS ON PURPOSE.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER LOOKS AT THE RESEARCH AND EXPLAINS WHY SUCH EXPOSURES APPEAR TO BE SKYROCKETING.

>> Reporter: THE FULL IMPACT OF CAFFEINE ON CHILDREN IS STILL UNKNOWN, BUT IT IS CLEAR THE SUBSTANCE ISN'T HEALTHY FOR THEIR DEVELOPING BODIES.

>> THE MOST COMMON CLINICAL EFFECTS THAT WE SAW IN OUR STUDY WAS AGITATION, NAUSEA, VOMITING, AND FAST HEART RATE.

>> DR. HANNAH IS THE CO AUTHOR OF THE NEW STUDY PUBLISHED IN MEDICAL TOXICOLOGY.

SHE ALONG WITH RESEARCHERS FOUND A 17% INCREASE IN CAFFEINE ENERGY PRODUCT EXPOSURES IN CHILDREN AND TEENS, WHICH WAS REPORTED TO U.S.

POISON CONTROL CENTERS BETWEEN 2011 AND 2023.

THE EXPOSURE RATE TO CAFFEINATED LIQUIDS SUCH AS ENERGY DRINKS ROSE 35% IN THAT TIME PERIOD AND THAT RATE FOR CAFFEINE POWDER, LIKE ONES TAKEN BEFORE EXERCISE, SKYROCKETED 633%.

>> I WAS SURPRISED THAT ALMOST 70% OF THE EXPOSURES IN OUR STUDY WAS IN CHILDREN UNDER 6 YEARS OF AGE.

>> Reporter: THIS SURPRISING RESULT MAY BE DUE TO THE INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF THESE PRODUCTS AND COLORFUL PACKAGING, WHICH CAN BE ATTRACTIVE TO YOUNG CHILDREN.

THEY ARE ALSO NATURAL CURIOUS AND ENJOY EXPLORING THEIR ENVIRONMENT, OR MAY SEE ADULTS DRINKING THESE BEVERAGES AND WANT TO TRY THEM.

SHE SAYS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE FROM UNINTENDED CAFFEINE EXPOSURES IS TO NOT HAVE THEM IN THE HOUSE.

>> HOWEVER, IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO KEEP THESE PRODUCTS IN YOUR HOME, YOU SHOULD STORE THEM IN A SAFE PLACE AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

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

>> Dennis: AND STACY HAS A LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA, CONTINUING INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON IN THE FAR WEST.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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