>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Matthew: HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING, MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN, FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> NEW ORLEANS IS ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST POPULAR PLACES TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR.

ITS FRENCH QUARTER OFTEN CROWDED WITH PEOPLE AND PARADE-GOERS.

IN AN INSTANT OVERNIGHT, SOUNDS OF CELEBRATION GAVE WAY TO TERRIFIED SCREAMS, THE ROAR OF A TRUCK ENGINE, AND GUNFIRE.

WITHIN MINUTES, AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE WERE DEAD AND AROUND 35 OTHERS INJURED.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ IS IN NEW ORLEANS WHERE THE FAST-EVOLVING FACTS IN THIS CASE CONTINUE TO UNFOLD AND WE MUST WARN YOU, SOME VIEWERS MAY FIND CERTAIN VIDEO GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING.

>> Reporter: DISTURBING SURVEILLANCE VIDEO WHEN A WHITE PICKUP TRUCK TURNED ON BOURBON STREET, PLOWING INTO NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY GOERS.

>> CRIME SCENE UNITS CONTINUE THEIR WORK.

>> BODIES WERE THROWN, SOMETHING YOU CAN'T UNSEE AND YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.

>> THE SCREAMS, YOU CAN'T UNHEAR THAT.

>> Reporter: A CAM IN THE FRENCH QUARTER CAPTURED IT WHEN THE POLICE OFFICERS RUSHED TOWARDS THE VIOLENCE.

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT RETURNED FIRE AND THE SUBJECT WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE SCENE.

>> Reporter: THE F.B.I.

CONFIRMS THE DECEASED SUSPECT IS 42-YEAR-OLD, A U.S. CITIZEN FROM TEXAS WHO WAS ALSO AN ARMY VETERAN.

HIS RENTED FORD PICKUP HAS AN ISIS FLAG AND THE SUSPECT USED THE VEHICLE TO PLOW THROUGH REVELERS.

THE F.B.I.

SAID THE ATTACK APPEARS TO BE AN INTENTIONAL ACT OF TERROR.

>> WE WILL BE RELENTLESS AND DO WHATEVER IT WILL TAKE TO RENDER JUSTICE.

>> YOU WILL FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE OR I WILL RAISE FRESH HELL.

>> Reporter: THE F.B.I.

CONFIRMED THAT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES WERE ALSO FOJD R FOUND AT THE SCENE.

>> TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WERE INJURED DURING THE GUNFIGHT WITH THE SUSPECT BEING TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL.

THEY WERE LAST REPORTED IN STABLE CONDITION.

THE NEW ORLEANS F.B.I.

OFFICE SAYS THEY DON'T BELIEVE THE SUSPECT ACTED ALONE AND THEY ARE, "AGGRESSIVELY RUNNING DOWN EVERY LEAD, INCLUDING THOSE OF HIS KNOWN ASSOCIATES."

>>> DOZENS OF REPORTS OF SCAM CALLS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY REPORTS THAT SCAMMERS ARE CALLING RESIDENTS CLAIMING TO BE A SERGEANT FOR THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TELLING THOSE WHO ANSWER THAT THEY NEED TO REPORT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BECAUSE THEY HAVE MISSED FEDERAL COURT.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE POSTED ON FACEBOOK TO WARN RESIDENTS THAT ALL OF THESE CALLS ARE SCAMS AND ARE NOT COMING FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

CROW WING COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE ASKING RESIDENTS WHO RECEIVE A PHONE CALL LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE TO HANG UP IMMEDIATELY AND TO NOT GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION.

>>> BAXTER CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AGREED ON INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CANNABIS STORES ALLOWED WITHIN THE TOWN FROM ONE TO NOW TWO AFTER APPROVING THE NEW PROPOSED ORDINANCE AT THEIR LAST MEETING.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REQUIRING ALL TOWNS TO UPDATE THEIR RESPECTIVE CODES AND ORDINANCES BY TODAY, FOLLOWING THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS FOR ADULTS IN 2023, BAXTER CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT BUT SHOWED DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON SOLUTIONS.

>> THE GROUP THAT IS MORE OPEN TO GIVING IT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW IT GOES AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO OPPOSED IT.

I VIEW IT LIKE LIQUOR STORES, THEY SHOULDN'T BE EVERYWHERE, BUT THEY HAVE A PLACE IN OUR CITY, INSIDE OUR COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS.

>> Reporter: STATE LAW MANDATES THAT ONE CANNABIS STORE IS ALLOWED FOR 12,500 PEOPLE, BUT WITH BAXTER'S POPULATION EXCEEDING 9,000, THEY'RE WILLING TO BREAK THE MOLD.

>> WE COULDN'T HANDLE UNLIMITED DISPENSARIES, BUT ONE SEEMED INAPPROPRIATELY LOW AND WENT AGAINST A PERSONAL BELIEF I HAVE THAT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE SOMEONE A MONOPOLY BASED ON A REQUIREMENT TO ONLY ALLOW ONE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO ENJOYS TO SEE THE STIGMA AROUND CANNABIS USE EVOLVE.

>> LOOKING AT THE PAST 25 YEARS, WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMING OUT AND ALL OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS, OF COURSE THERE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE THAT ABUSE ANY SUBSTANCE OUT THERE, BUT THE AVERAGE USER THAT I EXPERIENCED IS NOT SOMEBODY WHO IS OUT COMMITTING CRIMES.

>> Reporter: WHILE BAXTER CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY HAVE BEEN SPLIT ON THE AMOUNT OF CANNABIS STORES TO COMMIT IN THE ORDINANCE, THEY CAN SEE THE ADDED FINANCIAL BUMP THAT ADDING CANNABIS STORES CAN BRING TO THE TOWN.

>> ALLOWING FOR COMMERCE AND FOR THE NEW BUSINESSES TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE'RE NOT A BIG CITY, WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO GET HUGE, BUT I THINK AT THE SAME TIME, HAVING A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO SPEND TIME AND PEOPLE LOVE LIVING AND STAYING HERE.

IT'S ALL PART OF THE GOAL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BAXTER, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BAXTER CITY COUNCIL IS NOW AWAITING WORD BACK ON THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE FROM STATE REGULATORS.

>>> THIS MONTH, THE WATERMARK ART CENTER IN BEMIDJI WILL BE HOSTING ARTIST TALKS AND RECEPTIONS FOR THREE DIFFERENT EXHIBITS.

FIRST ON JANUARY 10TH, THERE WILL BE A RECEPTION FOR "THE RHYTHM OF THE HILL ANNEX MINE," A SHOWCASE FROM METALPOINT ARTIST AARON SQUADRONI DEPICTING AND REFLECTING ON THE HILL ANNEX MINE STATE PARK IN CALUMET.

A RECEPTION WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 10TH FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 P.M., WITH AN ARTIST TALK AT 6:00.

THE EXHIBIT OPENS ON THAT DAY AND RUNS THROUGH APRIL 25TH.

>>> ON JANUARY 17TH FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 P.M. IS A RECEPTION FOR ARTISTS ZAC EARLEY AND ARDEN RAMAY FOR "THE ONES DRIFTING OFF ON THE CURRENT," FEATURING A CANOE BUILT COLLABORATIVELY TO HONOR THE STORIES OF THE OJIBWE PEOPLE.

THAT EXHIBIT IS ALREADY ON DISPLAY AT THE WATERMARK'S MIIKANAN GALLERY AND RUNS THROUGH FEBRUARY 8TH.

>>> AND THE EXHIBIT "LOADED" BY JONATHAN THUNDER AND ROBB QUISLING OPENS AT THE WATERMARK ON JANUARY 25TH AND RUNS THROUGH MARCH 28TH.

IT EXPLORES THE ARTISTS' PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH ALCOHOL ADDICTION AND RECOVERY, AND HOW IT AFFECTS THE IMAGERY OF THEIR WORK.

THE RECEPTION IS ON JANUARY 25TH FROM 1:00 TO 3:00 P.M. A CONVERSATION WITH THUNDER AND QUISLING STARTS AT 2:00.

MORE INFORMATION ON EACH EXHIBIT CAN BE FOUND ON THE WATERMARK ART CENTER WEBSITE.

>>> 2025 IS HERE.

TODAY IS A TIME FOR SMALL-SCALE DIFFERENCES LIKE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS AND A FRESH CALENDAR.

IT'S ALSO TIME FOR BIG CHANGES.

AMY KILEY REPORTS ON SOME OF THE NEW STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS THAT TAKE EFFECT TODAY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A NEW YEAR, WITH NEW LAWS ON THE BOOKS.

DOZENS OF FEDERAL AND STATE STATUTES TAKE EFFECT TODAY, IMPACTING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

ONE ALLOWS SOME SENIORS TO PAY LESS FOR MEDICATION, MEDICARE OUT OF POCKET PRESCRIPTION COSTS ARE CAPPED AT $2,000 A YEAR, THAT'S DUE TO A PROVISION OF THE 2022 INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, A LAW THAT TOOK SEVERAL STEPS TO LOWER COSTS FOR MEDICARE RECIPIENTS.

>> WE NEVER HAD MEDICARE NEGOTIATING DRUG PRICES, DESPITE DECADES OF FIGHTING FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: THE MINIMUM WAGE IS HIGHER IN MORE THAN 20 STATES TODAY AND IT'S RISING TO $17.75 AN HOUR FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS.

A HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE HELPS FEMALE, BLACK, AND LATINO WORKERS IN PARTICULAR.

>> THERE IS THE GAP, THE NARROWING OF THE GAP BECAUSE OF MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES.

>> Reporter: KENTUCKY IS LEGALIZING CANNABIS FOR THOSE WITH CERTAIN HEALTH CONDITIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT KENTUCKY HAS MOVED IN THIS DIRECTION.

WE'RE HAPPY TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> Reporter: A HEMP TESTING FACILITY IS KENTUCKY'S FIRST RECIPIENT OF A MEDICAL CANNABIS LICENSE.

>> IF THE CAPACITY IS AS BIG AS I ANTICIPATE, IT COULD BE, THEN WE WILL BE HIRING ADDITIONAL PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: I'M AMY KYLIE REPORTING.

>> WE COVERED THE NEW LAWS GOING INTO EFFECT FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA EARLIER THIS WEEK.

TO SEE WHAT LAWS EXACTLY, YOU CAN VIEW THE STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

>> Stacy: WE MAY SEE SCATTERED FLURRIES THROUGH TOMORROW, BUT WE MAY ALSO SEE COOLER TEMPERATURES IF THE COOL DOWN CONTINUES AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE BACKPACK CELEBRATION HOPES TO BE BIGGER THAN E >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> HACKENSACK'S ANNUAL BACK TO HACK FESTIVAL IS BEING HELD AGAIN LATER THIS MONTH WITH SEVERAL INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EVENTS.

WE VISITED LAST YEAR'S FESTIVAL TO SEE WHAT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN THE COLD JANUARY WEATHER.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE RISK OF GETTING FROSTBITE, IT WAS A LIVELY AFFAIR FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WITH MANY EVENTS LIKE ICE FISHING, FROSTBITE YOUR FAN ANY 2.5 FUN RUN AND WALK, AND PENGUIN PLUNGE INTO THE BIRCH LAKE TO KICK OFF THE BACK TO HACK.

>> THIS HAPPENS MID-JANUARY EFFECT -- EVERY YEAR.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL OFFICE HERE, RIGHT ON THE SHORES OF BIRCH LAKE AND LOTS OF GREAT VOLUNTEERS MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

WE HAVE SPONSORS LIKE JOE AND THE BILL HANSEN GROUP, WITH THEIR SAUNA TODAY FOR THE JUMPERS TO GET WARMED UP IN WHEN THEY JUMP IN THE LAKE TODAY.

>> Reporter: HACKENSACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PUTS THE EVENT TOGETHER, THE VOLUNTEERS ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS THAT BRING THE SHOW TO LIFE.

JAY THE PENGUIN HAS BEEN THE PENGUIN FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND GET PEOPLE TO JUMP INTO THE LAKE FOR FUNDRAISERS IS HIS BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT.

>> EVERY YEAR WE DO THE ANNUAL PENGUIN PLUNGE.

WE HAD 10 TEAMS THAT JUMPED IN BEAUTIFUL BIRCH LAKE AND THE WATER IS A LITTLE BIT COOL, BUT THEY DO IT AS A FUNDRAISER FOR DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE JUST HAVE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS GOING ON HERE TODAY.

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE JUMP IN THE LAKE IN JANUARY AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO AND WE ALSO HAVE A GOOD COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: BACK TO HACK BRINGS PEOPLE THERE ALL OVER TO ENJOY THE COMMUNITY OF HACKENSACK AND BUILD A FELLOWSHIP WITHIN THE TOWN.

>> IT BRINGS OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE, COMRADERY, A LOT OF PEOPLE COME INTO TOWN WITH THE CHILI FEED GOING ON AND WITH THE BONFIRE.

WE JUST FINISHED THE FISHING CONTEST ON THE LAKE AND THE KIDS BEHIND YOU ARE JUST FINISHING THE COLORING FOR THEIR LOGO CONTEST.

>> AND THAT WAS A STORY FROM FORMER LAKELAND REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS.

THIS YEAR'S BACK TO HACK FESTIVAL RUNS FROM JANUARY 17TH THROUGH THE 19TH.

A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CAN BE FOUND ON THE HACKENSACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WEBSITE.

>>> WELL, WE REPORTED ON MONDAY THAT NORTHERN LIGHTS WERE GOING TO BE VISIBLE THROUGHOUT THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE ON NEW YEARS EVE NIGHT, UNFORTUNATELY US HERE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA COULD NOT SEE THEM DUE TO THE HEAVY CLOUDS COVERING THE NIGHT SKY.

HOWEVER, OUR FRIENDS OF THE NORTH IN ALASKA WERE ABLE TO SEE THE DAZZLING AURORAS.

REVELERS IN ALASKA DIDN'T NEED FIREWORKS TO BRIGHTEN THE NIGHT SKY TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR.

MOTHER NATURE PROVIDED THIS SPECTACULAR DISPLAY AT A REMOTE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE.

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS WERE CAPTURED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

>>> WELL STACY, UNFORTUNATELY WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, BUT I NOTICED IT HAS BEEN GETTING PRETTY COLD OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

>> Stacy: IT IS, AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET COLDER.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES LATER ON THIS WEEK.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A TRADE OFF.

WE WILL HAVE MORE SUNSHINE, SO WE'LL ENJOY THAT, BUT TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE COLD AND WE COULD BE TALKING ABOUT WINDC >> 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 MAINLY CLOUDY SKIES ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND WE HAD A FEW FLURRIES OUT THERE.

WE COULD CONTINUE TO HAVE SOME FLURRIES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE CLOUD COVER TONIGHT, PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA COULD SEE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW, BUT OUR COOLING TREND WILL CONTINUE.

TEMPS WILL BE COLDER TOMORROW.

THEY WILL BE COLDER AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

WE WILL BE ENJOYING MORE SUNSHINE LATE THIS WEEK AS WELL.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 11 AT THE AIRPORT, WINDS ARE WEST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, 7 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND WE HAVE RECEIVED A TRACE OF ACCUMULATION.

PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE RADAR, THERE IS NOT A LOT TO SEE.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME OF THE FLURRIES.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SHOW UP ON THE RADAR PICTURE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SCATTERED FLURRIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL HAVE CLOUDY SKIES ACROSS THE REST OF THE AREA AND AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, AGAIN, A FEW SCATTERED FLURRIES POSSIBLE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

OTHERWISE, CLOUD COVER TO THE NORTH, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, WE EXPECT TO SEE MORE SUNSHINE, BUT COLDER TEMPERATURES.

A FEW WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, JERRY SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE FROSTY CONDITIONS IN FERGUS FALLS.

ANGELA WITH THE SNOWFLAKES IN THE CASS LAKE AREA THIS EVENING.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY SKIES, A HIGH OF 16.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST TONIGHT, THE LOW AT 16.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY SKIES, LIGHT SNOWFLAKES, HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 13.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDS WITH THE WEST WIND, THE LOW WAS 7 THIS MORNING.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 21, A VERY SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURE AT 1 DEGREE BELOW THE AVERAGE.

13 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 11, SO COLDER THAN THE AVERAGE, WHICH IS AROUND 19.

WE HAD 9 FOR THE LOW, SO TEMPERATURES ARE STAYING CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

SUNSET TONIGHT AT 4:40.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

A FEW FLURRIES ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH OTHERWISE CLOUDY SKIES IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE.

AGAIN, THE COOLING TREND, THE COLD TEMPERATURES CONTINUE, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE MID SINGLE DIGITS TO MAYBE SOME LOW TEENS ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE, WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, TEMPERATURES A FEW DEGREES WARMER, LOW TO MID-TEENS FOR OUR HIGHS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT WE WILL HAVE MORE SUNSHINE HEADING INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, EXPECT TO SEE THE COLDER TEMPERATURES MOVING IN.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, A FEW SCATTERED FLURRIES ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH LOWS DOWN TO ABOUT 3.

THEN TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, SOME SCATTERED FLURRIES IN THE NORTH, HIGHS NEAR 10, NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE'LL SEE MORE SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

THOSE TEMPERATURES JUST GET COLDER, HIGHS NEAR 3 ON SATURDAY, WITH A LOW OF -14.

WE COULD SEE WINDCHILLS IN THE -40 THIS WEEKEND.

MAYBE SOME ISOLATED SNOW IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, BUT OTHERWISE QUIET WEATHER INTO THE START OF NEXT WEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER WITH US AND IT'S FINALLY THE RETURN OF BSU HOCKEY.

>> Charlie: YEAH, IT IS THE RETURN OF BSU HOCKEY AND THEY GOT TO DO IT TO START OFF THE NEW YEAR, KICK THINGS OFF AND IT'S A CHANCE FOR A CLEAN SLATE.

THEY WERE TAKING ON ONE OF THEIR CONFERENCE FOES MINNESOTA IN A NON-CONFERENCE GAME.

ALSO MEN'S HOCKEY PLAYED LAST NIGHT AS WELL AND WE HAVE SOME BOWL GAME HIGHLIGHTS COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS.

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF THE OPTIC NETWORK.

>> 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 A NEW YEAR AND WITH IT COMES AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIPE THE PAST AND START WITH A CLEAN SLATE.

THE BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM HAD A CHANCE TO DO JUST THAT TODAY AS THEY RANG IN THE NEW YEAR WITH THE U.S. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MUSEUM FACE-OFF CLASSIC.

BSU AT LAKEVILLE HASSE ARENA TAKING ON THIRD RANKED MINNESOTA, NORMALLY A WCHA FOE BUT THIS MATCH A NON-CONFERENCE SHOWDOWN.

LESS THAN A MINUTE INTO THE GAME, BEMIDJI STATE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY.

HANNA CLARK COMES WAY OUT TO TRY AND CLEAR AND KATE JOHNSON MAKES HER PAY, NETS HER SECOND GOAL OF THE SEASON AS THE BEAVERS TAKE A 1-0 LEAD.

LATE IN THE FIRST NOW, GOPHERS LOOKING TO TIE AND IT'S NATALIE MILINKOVA WHO STRIKES IRON AND IN.

MINNESOTA EVENS THE SCORE 1-1 HEADING INTO THE BREAK.

SECOND PERIOD GOPHERS AGAIN WITH A LOOK BUT FILLIPOVA, SHE HAD 28 SAVES, NONE BETTER THAN THIS ONE, OH MY.

IT WOULD REMAIN TIED INTO THE THIRD PERIOD BUT THEN THE GOPHERS ABLE TO NET A GREASY GOAL.

LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT HAVE DEFLECTED OFF THE SKATE OF RAELEY CARNEY.

EITHER WAY IT OPENED THE DOOR FOR TWO MORE IN THE PERIOD FOR MINNESOTA AS THEY DEFEAT BSU 4-1.

BEMIDJI STATE WILL HAVE A DAY OFF BEFORE THEY PLAY A COUPLE OF NON-CONS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AGAINST PENN STATE AND BROWN.

>>> WELL, BEFORE THE CLOCK STRUCK MIDNIGHT YESTERDAY, BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY HOSTED RIVAL MINNESOTA DULUTH FOR A NEW YEAR'S EVE FACE-OFF AND THINGS GOT A LITTLE ROWDY AT THE PARTY EARLY ON.

A.J.

MCCAULEY UPENDS DOMINIC JAMES.

YOU DON'T SEE THAT EVERYDAY.

SHATTERS PLEXIGLASS ALL OVER THE ICE AND THE CROWD.

LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT.

THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT FIXED QUICKLY BUT MCCAULEY WAS CALLED FOR BOARDING AND IT WOULD LEAD TO A BULLDOGS GOAL.

JAYSON SHAUGABAY, THE FRESHMAN FROM WARROAD SCORES A SECOND AFTER THE POWER PLAY ENDS.

HIS 6TH OF THE SEASON.

UMD LED 1-0 AFTER ONE.

IN THE SECOND PERIOD, BEAVERS ABLE TO GET THINGS GOING ON OFFENSE.

AUSTIN JOUPPI ABLE TO RE-DIRECT MCCAULEY'S SHOT ON NET, HIS SECOND OF THE YEAR, TIES THE GAME AT ONE.

LATER BEAVS TRAILING BY ONE AGAIN BUT ABLE TO TIE IT AGAIN.

THIS TIME IT'S KIRKLAN IREY WITH THE REBOUND.

HE HAS 3 POINTS IN THEIR TWO GAMES, KNOTS THINGS AT TWO, BUT IN THE THIRD DULUTH ABLE TO BREAK THE TIE.

GREAT PASS BY ZAM PLANTE LEADS TO A GREAT GOAL BY OWEN GALLATIN.

BEMIDJI STATE WOULD SURRENDER ONE MORE AS THEY FELL TO MINNESOTA DULUTH 4-2.

DESPITE THE OUTCOME HOWEVER, THE BEAVERS WERE GENERALLY PLEASED WITH THEIR PLAY AS THEY SHOOK THE RUST OFF AFTER THE 17-DAY BREAK.

>> FIRST PERIOD I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, THEY WON THE PERIOD, BUT THEY TERRITORIALLY THEY WON.

THEY HAD MORE JUICE THAN US.

I THOUGHT WE PLAYED GOOD HOCKEY A WE HAD NO ISSUES.

WE GOT BETTER AS THE GAME PROGRESSED.

SOMETIMES YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE RESULTS YOU WANT ON THE SCOREBOARD, BUT YOU WILL GET THE RESULTS YOU WANT ON THE ICE.

>> WE PLAYED A LOT OF GOOD TEAMS AND I THINK THAT MAKES US BETTER AS A TEAM AS WELL AND BUILDING OFF THAT AND EVERY YEAR IS A NEW TEAM.

WE CONTINUE TO GET BETTER AND I THINK I'M REALLY EXCITED.

I KNOW THE BOYS ARE EXCITED TO GET DOWN THE STRETCH AND STRING TOGETHER SOME WINS AND WIN THE CONFERENCE STILL.

>>> BSU STILL HAS ONE MORE GAME BEFORE THEY GET BACK TO CONFERENCE PLAY.

IT'S AN EXHIBTION AGAINST MANITOBA, THE LAST TUNE UP BEFORE 7 STRAIGHT CCHA SERIES TO END THE REGULAR SEASON.

>>> WELL, NEW YEAR'S DAY MEANS NEW YEAR'S BOWL GAMES AND THIS YEAR THEY'RE PART OF THE NEWLY EXPANDED COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS.

IN ATLANTA, THE QUARTERFINALS, FOUR SEED ARIZONA STATE TAKING ON THE FIVE SEED TEXAS IN THE CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL.

WE'RE GOING TO JUMP AHEAD TO THE FOURTH QUARTER.

TEXAS, THEY'RE IN THEIR PAJAMAS, READY TO PUT THE GAME TO BED.

USING HIS LEGS TO PUT THE LONG HORNS UP BY 16.

THAT'S WHEN ASU'S RUNNING BACK WOULD MAKE HIS PRESENCE FELT, FIRST BY THROWING THE BALL ON 4th AND 2, AND HITS MALIK, BRINGING THE SUN DEVILS WITHIN 8.

AFTER AN INTERCEPTION, LINING UP AT WIDE RECEIVER AND SAM FINDS HIM DOWN THE SIDELINE, BECAUSE THAT WOULD SET UP THE TOUCHDOWN AND 2 POINT CONVERSION TO TIE IT.

TEXAS HAD A CHANCE TO WIN, AND AUBURN MISSED TWO GAME WINNING KICKS.

LONG HORN FANS CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

WE HEAD TO OVERTIME.

SUN DEVILS WITH THE FIRST POSSESSION, KNOCKING ON THE DOOR AND THEY GAVE IT TO, YOU GUESSED IT.

THEY GAVE ASU THE EDGE.

THEN TEXAS'S TURN.

HE GOES FOR IT ALL, CONNECTSES WITH MATTHEW AND SENDS US TO A SECOND OVERTIME.

NOW GUNNAR HELD, THE 2-POINT CONVERSION, AND ARIZONA STATE'S TURN TO ANSWER.

IT'S THE WRONG MAN, ANDREW ENDS IT WITH THE INTERCEPTION.

TEXAS WINS AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC OVER ARIZONA STATE AND COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTER FINALS, 39-31 THE FINAL.

LONG HORNS MOVE TO THE COTTON BOWL CLASSIC, WHERE THEY WILL TAKE ON OHIO STATE, WHO LAID A SMACK DOWN ON TOP SEEDED OREGON.

THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T SHOW THE HIGHLIGHTS, IT WAS PRETTY UGLY.

TONIGHT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO PLAY THE ALL STATE SUGAR BALL BETWEEN GEORGIA AND NOTRE DAME, BUT THAT GAME IS POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED EARLIER TODAY AT 3:00 A.M.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD DISCUSSION -- DECISION BY THEM.

>> Matthew: I THINK SO TOO.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> AFTER A RELATIVELY SLOW START TO RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON, THE U.S. IS KICKING OFF 2025 WITH A SURGE IN SEVERAL ILLNESSES.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER LOOKS AT THE LATEST DATA AND HAS MORE ON HOW YOU CAN HELP PREVENT GETTING SICK.

>> Reporter: IT'S A NEW YEAR BUT WE'RE STARTING 2025 WITH THE SAME OLD VIRUSES, SEVERAL NOW SURGING ACROSS THE U.S. >> YOU PUT TOGETHER A HOLIDAY PARTY, A HOLIDAY PARTY THAT IS CROWDED, PEOPLE TALKING LOUDLY AT ONE ANOTHER, NOT MUCH VENTILATION, AND THAT'S THE IDEAL SETTING FOR SPREADING THE RESPIRATORY VIRUSES.

>> Reporter: NATIONALLY, C.D.C.

SURVEILLANCE SHOWS THAT COVID-19 LEVELS ARE HIGH AND INFLUENCE A AND R.S.V.

IS MODERATE, AND CASES OF NOROVIRUS, SOMETIMES CALLED THE STOMACH FLU OR BUG IS ALSO SURGING BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND DECEMBER 11, THERE WERE 36% MORE NOROVIRUS OUTBREAKS REPORTED THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST SEASONAL YEAR.

>> NOROVIRUS IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF GASTRO INTESTINAL SYMPTOMS, NAUSEA, VOMITING, DIARRHEA.

IT'S A MISERABLE ILLNESS.

>> Reporter: DR. SAX SAYS NOROVIRUS IS SPREAD THROUGH CONTAMINATED SURFACES AND HANDS, CLEANING THINGS LIKE COUNTER TOPS AND WASHING HANDS CAN HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD.

IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME.

>> SHARING IS NOT ALWAYS CARING, AT LEAST WHEN IT COMES TO THESE VIRAL INFECTIONS.

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

>> DR. SAX SAYS HAVING GOOD VENTILATION IN INDOOR SPACES CAN ALSO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES, AND HE SAYS ITS NEVER TO LATE TO GET VACCINATED.

>>> VACCINES FOR COVID-19, R.S.V., AND FLU ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

WE HAVE SOME EXTRA TIME SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAD TO STACY FOR DETAILS ON THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING FLURRIES ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, OTHERWISE CLOUDY SKIES, AND LOWS DOWN TO 3.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT AGAIN A FEW SCATTERED FLURRIES POSSIBLE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 10, WITH WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

WE'LL SEE MORE SUNSHINE LATE THIS WEEK AND INTO THE WEEKEND, HIGHS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS, COLD WINDCHILLS IN THE -20s, WE'LL SEE MORE CLOUD COVER BY THE TIME WE HIT MONDAY, BUT TEMPERATURES ARE STILL COLD WITH HIGHS NEAR 6.

>> Charlie: IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR TICKETS TO THE BSU MEN OR WOMEN'S HOCKEY GAME, IT'S NOT A PRICE INCREASE BECAUSE OF THE NEW LAW BY TICKET MASTERS.

IT INCLUDES ALL THE PRICES WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING YOUR TICKETS.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH CHARLIE.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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