>> 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.

>>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS BOYCOTTED THE OPENING DAY OF MINNESOTA'S 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION TUESDAY IN AN EFFORT TO STOP REPUBLICANS FROM USING A TEMPORARY MAJORITY TO ADVANCE THEIR AGENDA, BUT G.O.P.

REPRESENTATIVES FORGED AHEAD AND NAMED THEIR LEADER AS SPEAKER IN A MOVE THAT DEMOCRATS REJECTED.

THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE OF THE HOUSE CHAMBER WAS EMPTY AS LAWMAKERS CONVENED.

SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON DECLARED THEY DID NOT HAVE 68 MEMBERS HE HAD SAID WOULD BE NEEDED FOR A QUORUM AND ADJOURNED THE HOUSE.

UNDER MINNESOTA LAW, THE SECRETARY OF STATE CALLS THE HOUSE TO ORDER AT THE START OF A SESSION, DECLARES WHETHER A QUORUM IS PRESENT, AND HANDS OVER THE GAVEL WHEN A SPEAKER IS ELECTED.

>> THERE BEEN BEING 67 PEOPLE PRESENT, THERE IS NO QUORUM, THE HOUSE MAY NOT CONDUCT ANY FURTHER BUSINESS.

>> BUT REPUBLICANS STAYED IN THEIR SEATS, SAYING THAT WITH 67 MEMBERS PRESENT THEY HAD A QUORUM.

>> I REQUEST A ROLL CALL.

MR. SECRETARY, THE HOUSE IS NOT ADJOURNED.

YOU DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY OVER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MINNESOTA LAW REQUIRES THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET AT NOON ON TUESDAY IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER.

THE DFL CAUCUS HAS VIOLATED THE LAW FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE FOR PREVENTING THE LAW FROM ORGANIZING AND BEGINNING THEIR WORK.

THEY HAVE NO CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OVER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE THE RULES OF ITS PROCEEDINGS AND PRESIDING OFFICER RESTS SOLELY WITH THE HOUSE, NOT WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> REPUBLICANS THEN VOTED TO ELECT THEIR TOP LEADER, FORMER MINORITY LEADER LISA DAY-MOOTH, OF COLD SPRING, AS SPEAKER >> IT REQUIRES BALANCE WITH COLLABORATION, LEADERSHIP WITH HUMILITY, AND VISION WITH PRAGMATISM, A LEADER THAT SHOWS OTHERS HOW TO LIVE BY VIRTUE.

SHE WILL BRING THAT BALANCE TO THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE, ENSURING THIS IS A PLACE WHERE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER, FIND COMMON GROUND, AND MAKE MINNESOTA A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL.

THE RESULT OF THE ROLL CALL IS AS FOLLOW.

67 VOTES.

AND I THEREFORE DECLARE REPRESENTATIVE LISA DAY-MOOTH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR THE 2025-26 SESSION.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] OF COLD SPRING, AS SPEAKER >> DAY-MOOTH VOWED TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO FOSTER A CULTURE OF RESPECT AND CIVILITY” IN THE HOUSE BUT DIDN'T DIRECTLY MENTION THE BOYCOTT IN HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS SAID THE G.O.P.

ACTIONS WERE ILLEGAL AND THAT DEMUTH IS NOT SPEAKER.

REPUBLICANS MEANWHILE SAY THEY ARE READY TO GET TO WORK.

>> WE SAW SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR ON THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY THAT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN IN MINNESOTA HISTORY, A COMPLETELY SHAM PROCEEDING.

REPUBLICANS DID NOT HAVE A QUORUM, THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO CALL THE HOUSE TO ORDER.

THEY COMPLETELY IGNORED THAT AND ENGAGED IN A SHAM PROCEEDING, UNLIKE ANYTHING WE COULD HAVE IMAGINED.

>> THERE IS SERIOUS WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS CHOSE TO SHOW UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AND GET STARTED ON THAT WORK AND WE WILL CONTINUE GOING FORWARD.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT OUR DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES CHOOSE TO JOIN US AND CHOOSE TO REPRESENT THE AREAS THAT THEY HAD BEEN ELECTED BY VOTERS.

RIGHT NOW WE KNOW THEY HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA FOR SKIPPING WORK TODAY, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO HERE IN MINNESOTA AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED.

>> SECRETARY OF STATE SIMON SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT HE INTENDS TO ASK THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT TO RULE THAT THE G.O.P.

MOVES TODAY WERE NOT LEGITIMATE.

>>> MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE MEMBERS GATHERED FOR THE 41ST ANNUAL STATE OF THE BAND ADDRESS THIS MORNING.

THE YEARLY EVENT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO COME TOGETHER, REFLECT ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND ALSO DISCUSS PATHS FORWARD FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE IS A SOVEREIGN, FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT, WHOSE MEMBERS HAVE INHABITED THE EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA REGION FOR MANY GENERATIONS AND IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING ITS CULTURE, LANGUAGE, RIGHTS, AND WAY OF LIFE, WHILE ALSO PROMOTING A FUTURE OF PROSPERITY.

>> IT IS GOING TO THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

IF WE CAN CHANGE THAT, WE WILL BE ON THE MOVE AGAIN.

>> WE WILL HAVE MORE FROM TRIBAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE VIRGIL WIND AT A LATER DATE.

>>> A $25 MILLION GRANT WILL HELP THE RED LAKE BAND OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY.

THE GRANT COMES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONS REBUILDING AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE WITH SUSTAINABILITY AND EQUITY PROGRAM.

MINNESOTA U.S.

SENATORS AMY KLOBUCHAR AND TINA SMITH ANNOUNCED THE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT YESTERDAY.

THE FUNDING WILL GO SPECIFICALLY TO RECONSTRUCT APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILES OF MINNESOTA STATE HIGHWAY 1, REHABILITATE 4 MILES OF EXISTING PAVEMENT ON WALKING SHIELD ROAD, AND EXTEND WALKING SHIELD ROAD 5.6 MILES TO THE EAST.

APPROXIMATELY 11 MILES OF SHARED USE PATHS WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED.

>>> HIGH WINDS INITIALLY FORECAST TO THREATEN THE FIRE ZONES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WERE LIGHTER THAN EXPECTED TODAY, ALLOWING TIRED BUT DETERMINED FIRE CREWS TO CONTINUE THEIR FORWARD ADVANCE ON SEVERAL FRONTS.

IN THE CASE OF THE TWO LARGEST FIRES, BOTH ARE STILL LESS THAN 40 PERCENT CONTAINED, ONE WEEK INTO THE NON-STOP BATTLE.

MARYBEL GONZALEZ HAS MORE AS FIRE OFFICIALS LAID OUT THEIR PLAN OF ATTACK GOING FORWARD.

>> EVERYBODY HERE URGES YOU TO REMAIN ALERT AS DANGER HAS NOT YET PASSED.

>> Reporter: THIS AS FIRE CREWS GAIN ADD FOOTHOLD ON TUESDAY.

THE HURST FIRE WAS AT 97% CONTAINED, EATON AT 35%, AND THE PALISADES AT 17%.

A FOURTH IGNITION, THE OTTO FIRE STARTED MONDAY NIGHT.

AT LAST CHECK, IT BURNED OVER 50 ACRES AS FIRE CREWS WORK TO CONTAIN IT.

>> WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 88,000 RESIDENTS THAT ARE STILL UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS.

>> Reporter: TWO OTHER CRITICAL ISSUES, POWER OUTAGES AND WATER ACCESS IN THE EATON FIRE AREA.

>> THE NECESSARY PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFFS ARE GOING TO PREVENT OUR NEXT FIRE FROM STARTING, IF WE HAVE DOWNED POWER LINES.

ADDITIONALLY WE HAVE CHECKED THE WATER SYSTEM IN THE EATON FIRE AREA AND IT IS OPERATIONAL.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS SLIGHTLY HOPEFUL NEWS TODAY FROM SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS IN BURN ZONES.

>> NO OTHER REMAINS WERE FOUND YESTERDAY.

>> Reporter: AND TALKS OF REOPENING NEIGHBORHOODS TO RESIDENTS ARE MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY.

>> REPOPULATION CONVERSATIONS ARE ABSOLUTELY ACTIVE AND ONGOING.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO START THINKING EVERYTHING IS OKAY NOW.

EVERYTHING IS NOT OKAY YET.

>> Reporter: IT'S THAT YET THAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE BATTLING TO GET CLOSER TO TODAY.

>> FIREFIGHTERS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TIRELESSLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO INCREASE CONTAINMENT LINES, PREVENT FURTHER SPREAD, AND ADDRESS ANY FLARE-UPS.

>> Reporter: I'M MARYBEL GONZALES REPORTING.

>> CLIMATE EXPERTS SAY WHAT LOS ANGELES NEEDS IS A FEW SOAKING RAINS, ENOUGH THAT PLANTS AND SOIL WILL SOAK UP THE MOISTURE SO THEY DON'T INSTANTLY CATCH FIRE AND SPREAD A BLAZE.

THERE IS NO RAIN OF THAT SCALE IN THE REGION'S FORECAST FOR THE NEXT 7 DAYS, NOR DOES IT LOOK POSSIBLE THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH.

BELOW-AVERAGE PRECIPITATION IS FORECAST TO PERSIST INTO AT LEAST THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY, WHICH SHOULD BE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S WETTEST MONTH.

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

>> Stacy: TEMPERATURES WILL START TO WARM UP OVERNIGHT AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE 20s AND 30s OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

I'LL HAVE MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, A LOOK AT THE SKI PATROL TRAINING AT >> 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.

>>> LOCAL BOY SCOUTS FROM THE NORTHERN LIGHTS COUNCIL DELIVERED POPCORN YESTERDAY TO STAFF AT SANFORD BEMIDJI MEDICAL CENTER AS A PART OF THEIR HEROES AND HELPERS POPCORN DONATION INITIATIVE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS THERE TO SEE HOW THEY WERE ABLE TO GIVE ALL OF THE BAGS AWAY FOR FREE AND WHY THE DONATIONS CAN TEACH IMPORTANT LESSONS TO THE KIDS.

>> Reporter: WORKERS AT SANFORD HEALTH'S EYE CLINIC AND WALK IN CLINIC WERE MET WITH A SWEET TREAT DURING THEIR SHIFTS ON MONDAY.

>> WE PICK A BENEFICIARY EVERY YEAR TO GIVE SOMETHING TO.

THIS YEAR IT WAS THE HOSPITAL.

WE HAVE DONE THE NATIONAL GUARD, SO IT'S JUST A GREAT WAY FOR THE KIDS TO SEE THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR, FOR THE FUNDRAISER THEY HAVE TO GIVE BACK TO OUR LOCAL HEROES.

>> Reporter: A CART FULL OF POPCORN THEY HANDED TO THE STAFF FOR FREE AS A THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THEY DO.

THEY COULD ALSO CHOOSE WHAT KIND THEY WANTED, SWEET AND SALTY, CARAMEL, S'MORES, AND WHITE CHEDDAR.

THIS ACT OF KINDNESS WAS PART OF THEIR HEROES AND HELPERS INITIATIVE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DO THIS BECAUSE OF A FUNDRAISER FROM LAST YEAR.

>> BECAUSE WE RAISED EXTRA MONEY AND WE BOUGHT MORE POPCORN WITH THE EXTRA MONEY TO HAND OUT TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DOING GOOD STUFF.

>> DURING OUR POPCORN FUNDRAISER IN THE FALL, DONATIONS WE GET FROM THE PUBLIC FROM OUR FUNDRAISER, WE USE THAT TO BUY POPCORN AND GIVE TO HOMETOWN HEROES.

WE WANT TO GIVE IT TO PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ALL OF OUR LIVES AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO US.

>> Reporter: NOT ONLY WAS THIS A GOOD TIME FOR THE WORKERS BUT THE KIDS AS WELL.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART?

>> HANDING OUT POPCORN AND SAYING HAVE A NICE DAY.

>> Reporter: THE HOPE OF DOING FUNDRAISERS LIKE THESE IS ON TOP OF GIVING BACK TO COMMUNITY WORKERS, THE YOUNG SCOUTS GET TO SEE THE POSITIVE THINGS COMING OUT OF THEIR WORK AND FUNDRAISING DOLLARS.

>> I THINK EVERYONE ENJOYED US GOING AROUND AND GIVING THEM POPCORN.

IT WAS A DONATION TO THEM AND IT WAS NICE TO DO THAT FOR THEM.

OUR FUNDRAISER TOTAL THIS LAST FALL, THEY SOLD ALMOST $9,000 THEMSELVES BETWEEN THE THREE OF THEM.

IT'S FUN TO SEE THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR, GIVING THE DONATIONS TO EVERYONE TODAY.

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

>> AFTER LEAVING SANFORD, THE BOY SCOUTS WENT OVER TO THE BEMIDJI SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO GIVE AWAY MORE POPCORN TO THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THEIR NEXT POPCORN FUNDRAISER WILL BE THIS COMING FALL, WHERE THEY HOPE TO TOP THE $9,000 THAT THEY RAISED THIS TIME.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

ONE MORE COLD NIGHT IN STORE FOR US.

>> Stacy: YES, WE'RE SEEING SOME COLD TEMPERATURES BUT TEMPERATURES START TO WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

A BIG WARM UP IS IN STORE FOR US TOMORROW.

HIGHS IN THE 20s AND 30s FOR US THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND THINGS WILL LOOK COLDER FOR THE WEEK >> 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, IT WAS A SUNNY BUT COLD DAY ACROSS THE AREA TODAY WITH HIGHS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS, BOTH ABOVE AND BELOW ZERO.

WE ARE GOING TO START OUT WITH SOME COLD TEMPERATURES TONIGHT, BUT TEMPS COULD START TO WARM AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

THAT BIG WARM UP TOMORROW WILL BRING TEMPERATURES IN THE 20s AND 30s, WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW IN PARTS OF THE AREA AND WE HAVE AT LEAST A COUPLE MORE DAYS OF THE MILDER TEMPS.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S -8 AT THE AIRPORTMENT AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTH WIND, HUMIDITY IS AT 83%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES.

IT IS -7, THE DEW POINT IS -13, THE PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 3.

LOOKING AT OUR RADAR, IT IS ALL QUIET.

WE AGAIN ENJOYED THAT NICE SUNSHINE TODAY BUT IT WAS COLD OUT THERE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY QUIET NIGHT OVERNIGHT TONIGHT WITH CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WINDS MAY PICK UP IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA, SO WE MAY SEE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

WE WILL SEE SNOW IN THE AREA TOMORROW AS TEMPERATURES WARM, HIGHS SHOULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 25 TO NEAR 35.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKIES WITH THE MOON OVER LOWER RED LAKE FROM YOLANDA.

CARRIE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE MORNING SKIES IN WALKER.

KAREN SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE NICE SUNNY SKY.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA WITH THE SUNSET AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH A SUNSET SHOT TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, -19 WITH A HIGH OF -1 THIS EVENING.

RALPH IN JENKINS, -15 THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, THE HIGH WAS 6.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE.

>> LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, WE'RE WELL BELOW OUR AVERAGE OF 21, -13 WAS OUR LOW, SUNSET AT 4:45.

IN BEMIDJI, A LITTLE BIT COLDER, THE AVERAGE HIGH IS 17.

-18 FOR OUR LOW TEMP AND SUNSET AT 4:55.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, PLENTY OF CLOUD COVER OUT THERE.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SNOWFALL WITH A POTENTIAL OF AN INCH OR SO OF ACCUMULATION IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

WE WILL BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES, HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20s TO LOW 30s.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW IN THE AREA, POSSIBLY SOME LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE IN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE WILL ENJOY THOSE MILDER TEMPERATURES, AGAIN HIGHS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, UPPER 20s TO LOW 30s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, TONIGHT, BUT WE MAY SEE SOME BLOWING OR DRIFTING SNOW IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR -8 WITH WARMING TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT.

MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES FOR US TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING THAT CHANCE OF SNOW UP TO MAYBE AN INCH OR SO OF ACCUMULATION IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, AS WELL AS SOME PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, HIGHS NEAR 30, WITH SOUTHWEST WINDS PICKING UP AT 10 TO 25.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, MORE CLOUD COVER THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, BUT TEMPERATURES STAY MILD THROUGH THE END OF THE WORKWEEK, MAYBE SOME ISOLATED SNOW IN FAR NORTHEAST MINNESOTA FRIDAY.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A BIG DROP IN TEMPERATURES, HIGHS ON SUNDAY NEAR -11 WITH -20 FOR THE LOW.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

A BUSY NIGHT WITH LOCAL SPORTS.

>> Charlie: YES, AND A RIVALRY GAME.

WE HAVE BEMIDJI, GIRLS BASKETBALL.

BRAINERD IS COMING IN, THEY ARE HOT AND THEY ARE RANKED NUMBER 9 IN THE STATE.

BEMIDJI GIRLS BASKETBALL ARE TRYING TO TAKE >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

OFFERING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY LVI SUPPLY.

218-444-3930 OR LVISUPPLY.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> BEMIDJI GIRLS BASKETBALL HAS RELIED HEAVILY ON THEIR BACKCOURT PLAY ALL YEAR LONG, FULL COURT PRESSING TEAMS INTO TURNOVERS FROM TIP-OFF TO FINAL BUZZER AND HOLDING OPPONENTS TO 45 POINTS PER GAME IN THE PROCESS.

BRAINERD IS SCORING NEARLY DOUBLE THAT, AVERAGING 69.3 POINTS PER GAME, AND USING THEIR LENGTH TO BRING DOWN 38 REBOUNDS PER CONTEST.

THE TWO RIVALS MET IN BEMIDJI TONIGHT FOR THE FIRST OF TWO REGULAR SEASON MATCHUPS.

EARLY ON, WARRIORS HANDLING THE PRESS BY JUST RUNNING THROUGH IT.

MACY CASTLE WITH THE N1, SHE FINISHED WITH 15.

BRD UP 5 TO 8.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE FLOOR, HANDLING THE LENGTH BY LOOKING OUTSIDE.

CLARA SPLASHES FROM DOWNTOWN, THE JACKS TRAIL 18-13.

LATER, BEMIDJI IS STARTING TO LOOK DOWN LOW TO THEIR LEADING SCORER.

SHE LED THE WAY WITH 14 POINTS, THE GAME WAS STARTING TO GET AWAY BECAUSE BRAINERD WAS WORKING IT DOWNLOAD.

ADDY LIVED IN THE PAINT ALL NIGHT.

SHE HAD 8 BUCKETS, AND 16 POINTS, AND WARRIORS LED IN THE HALF.

THEN IN THE SECOND, ALISON WAS MAKING IT RAIN FROM THREE.

SHE FINISHED WITH 19 POINTS, BRAINERD HITS ABOVE PAR ON THEIR SCORES, 76-43.

THEY BEAT THEIR RIVAL BEMIDJI.

SAM HAD ANOTHER 7 FOR THE JACKS.

SOME MORE GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES.

FERGUS FALLS BEATS LITTLE FALLS.

MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL BEATS GRAND RAPIDS.

WADENA DEER CREEK GETTING THE WIN OVER PILLAGER.

BERTHA HEWITT BEATS VERN DALE.

>>> AND ON THE BOYS SIDE, BRAINERD LOOKING FOR ITS SECOND STRAIGHT WIN, HOSTING CONFERENCE COUNTERPART FERGUS FALLS.

FIRST HALF, WARRIORS DOWN 12-6 AS LUKE MERSETH DRILLS ONE FROM DEEP, CUTS DOWN THE OTTER'S LEAD TO THREE.

LAST MINUTES OF THE HALF, TRE HENDRICKSON TRYING TO HELP BRAINERD CLIMB BACK AND MAYBE THEY NAMED HIM TRE BECAUSE HE'S MONEY FROM THREE, KEEPING THE GAME WITHIN REACH, BUT THE OTTERS WERE JUST TOO MUCH TONIGHT.

ISAAC ELLISON, WATER FROM BEYOND THE ARC.

HE LED ALL SCORING WITH 20 ON THE NIGHT.

AS FERGUS FALLS COME AWAY VICTORIOUS, BEATING BRAINERD 73-52.

ELI TAUTGES WAS THE WARRIORS TOP SCORER WITH 14 POINTS.

>>> ALSO IN BOYS BASKETBALL, BEMIDJI GOT A WIN OVER HERMANTOWN TONIGHT, DULUTH EAST BEAT GRAND RAPIDS.

PEQUOT LAKES GETTING A WIN.

NEVIS BEATS MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL.

A BIG WIN FOR THEM.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS GETS A WIN OVER CROSBY-IRONTON.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY ALMOST 20 POINTS OVER VERN DALE, AND STAPLES MOTLEY GOT WINS TONIGHT AS WELL.

>>> IN GIRLS HOCKEY, UNBEATEN ON THEIR ROAD AND THEY ARE RIDING A 10 GAME WINNING STREAK.

THEY HAVE MERCURY AND SHE IS GOOD FOR A FEW GOALS, HER 40th OF THE SEASON MAKES IT 1-0.

HAILEY PUTS THE PUCK ON NET AND THEY ARE ABLE TO PUNCH IT IN.

THEY LED 2-0.

LATER, HER SHOT BLOCKED AND THEY GO UP 3-0.

40 SECONDS AFTER THAT, OPAL ANDERSON WITH THE SNIPE, THE FLOODGATES OPEN, GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY WINS THIS ONE BIG, 10-1 OVER SUPERIOR.

THEY ARE STILL RANKED.

>>> GIRLS HOCKEY, BEMIDJI WAS DOWN 1-0 EARLY.

THEY WIN THAT ONE.

PROCTOR HERMANTOWN BLANKS BRAINERD LITTLE FALLS.

WARROAD, THEY WIN OVER THIEF RIVER.

SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE BEATS BRAINERD.

THEY HAVE A GOOD SQUAD IN EAST GRAND FORKS.

THEY BEAT ROSEAU.

LITTLE FALLS BEATS ALEXANDRIA 5-2.

BAGLEY FOSSTON GETS A BIG WIN AS WELL.

ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL GETS ONE.

>>> AND IN BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING, BEMIDJI HOSTING INTERNATIONAL FALLS.

STARTING IN THE 100-YARD BACKSTROKE.

IT WAS TANNER FOR THE LUMBERJACKS, OUT TOUCHING EVERYONE.

HE FINISHED IN ONE MINUTE AND 2 SECONDS.

THEN BRADEN HAND -- ANDERSON LED THE WAY.

BEMIDJI GOES ON TO WINCH JOSH FINISHED AS THE HIGH POINT, WINNING TWO RACES AND FINISHING SECOND IN TWO OTHERS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, SOUNDS GOOD.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> HUNDREDS OF SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD FLY TO THE NORTHLAND, JUST A LITTLE WAY NORTH OF THE CITY OF BEMIDJI TO ENJOY THE HILLS OF BUENA VISTA SKI AREA OVER THE WINTER SEASON.

WITH SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING THOUGH, INJURIES ARE BOUND TO HAPPEN AT SOME POINT.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE YOU WERE ON THE HILL?

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS THE ANSWER.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL SKI PATROL IS THE LARGEST RESCUE ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES, PROVIDING MEDICAL, RESCUE, AND HAZARD PREVENTION SERVICES FOR ANYONE WHO MAY RECEIVE INJURIES DURING A SKI SLOPE.

NOW THAT THE SEASON IS IN HIGH GEAR, THE SKI PATROLLERS FROM BUENA VISTA ARE HOLDING THEIR REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE IN CASE AN EMERGENCY HAPPENS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING OUR ON HILL TRAINING.

>> WE FOCUS ON SKILLS TRAINING WITH OUR PATROL.

IT'S A SHELF LIFE THING.

YOU HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS.

TODAY IS ONE OF THE SKILL REFRESHER DAYS.

OUR PATROL WILL COME PRACTICE THEIR SKI SKILLS, THEIR TOBOGGAN SKILLS.

>> Reporter: IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS, THE PATROLMEN HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF HELPING YOU DOWN.

>> TYPICALLY WE SEE IT OR WE'RE CALLED OVER THE RADIO FOR IT.

WE HAVE ALL THE MEDICAL SUPPLIES WE NEED ON US, AND WE MAKE THE JUDGMENT OF HOW TO GET THEM DOWN HERE TO THE MEDICAL AID ROOM, WHERE THE TOBOGGAN COMES INTO PLAY.

>> Reporter: FIRST YOU NEED TO GO ON THE SKI LIFT, WHICH CAN SOMETIMES GET STUCK WHICH LEAVES THOSE ON IT STRANDED.

IT USED TO TAKE FOUR PATROLLERS TO HELP ONE PERSON DOWN BUT OVER THE YEARS, THEY HAVE SIMPLIFIED THE PROCESS, SO NOW IT ONLY TAKES ONE PATROLLER.

>> IT'S BEEN THROUGH SOME CHANGES OVER THE YEARS.

IT'S PRETTY DYNAMIC.

WE'RE CONSTANTLY EVOLVING AND TRYING TO MAKE IT FASTER, BETTER, SAFER.

IF THE CHAIR DOES SHUT DOWN, THERE IS REALLY NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKE A BIG DEAL ABOUT THAT OR IF THEY SEE ROPES, THEY GET WORRIED BUT I WOULD SAY WE'RE PROFICIENT.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THESE PATROLLERS HAVE BEEN PART OF BUENA VISTA FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND SOME LEARNING HOW TO SKI AFTER BEING PART OF THE PATROL.

THEY SAY BEING PART OF THE GROUP IS HAVING A SECOND FAMILY.

>> IT'S A TIGHT-KNIT GROUP, A HIGH LEVEL OF PATIENT CARE FOR A SMALL SKI HILL.

I'M REALLY PROUD OF THIS PATROL AND THE WAY WE HAVE DONE PATIENT CARE AND HANDLED EMERGENCIES.

>> WE CONSIDER OURSELVES SKI PATROL FAMILY.

I HAVE BEEN PATROLLING FOR 25 OR 26 YEARS.

IT'S A GREAT ENVIRONMENT TO BE IN.

IT'S A WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

THIS IS A VOLUNTEER POSITION AND WE GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND OUR KIDS GROW UP TOGETHER.

IT'S LIKE ONE BIG FAMILY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND WE HAD SOME GOOD WEATHER FOR MAKING SNOW AND IT'S GOING TO STAY COLD TONIGHT RIGHT STACY?

>> Stacy: YES, IT WILL START COLD.

WE WILL SEE WARMING TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WE MAY SEE PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING KNOW?

NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR -8, BUT TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING UP OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE HAVE A BIG WARM UP FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW, WE MAY SEE A LITTLE SNOW, AN INCH OF ACCUMULATION IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, HIGHS NEAR 30, WITH SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 25.

>> Charlie: BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY HEAD COACH RETURNED TODAY FROM FINLAND.

SHE WAS COACHING THE WOMEN'S JUNIOR TEAM.

THEY WON THE SILVER MEDAL AND I TALKED TO HER TODAY ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, HAVE A GOOD DAY EVERYONE, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

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