>> 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.

>>> ESSENTIA HEALTH AND THE UNION REPRESENTING WORKERS ON STRIKE AT ESSENTIA-DEER RIVER ARE HEADED BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE.

AROUND 70 WORKERS FROM THE HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME WHO ARE PART OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE SINCE DECEMBER 9TH.

THE UNION PREVIOUSLY WENT ON A FIVE-DAY STRIKE IN NOVEMBER.

UNION REPRESENTATIVES NEGOTIATIONS ARE SET TO RESUME ON JANUARY 22ND AND 23RD.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UNION THESE WERE THE EARLIEST DATES THAT WORKED FOR THE PARTIES AND THE MEDIATOR FROM THE FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICES.

>>> A BEMIDJI WOMAN SUFFERED LIFE THREATENING INJURIES IN A ONE-VEHICLE CRASH NEAR HILL CITY ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL SAYS 53-YEAR-OLD TWILA PESOLA WAS DRIVING AN SUV WESTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 200 WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON AN ICY ROAD.

THE SUV WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE.

PESOLA WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL IN DULUTH WITH LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS SHE WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT AND ALCOHOL WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE CRASH.

>>> DEMOCRATS HAVE ASKED THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT TO INTERVENE IN A PARTISAN POWER STRUGGLE THAT HAS ROILED THE START OF THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

DEMOCRATIC SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON PETITIONED THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT TO DECLARE THAT HE LEGALLY REMAINS THE PRESIDING OFFICER IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE FOR NOW AND THAT TUESDAY'S ELECTION OF G.O.P.

LEADER LISA DAY-MOOTH AS SPEAKER WAS INVALID.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS FILED A SIMILAR PETITION.

THEY BOYCOTTED THE CHAMBER FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT DAY WEDNESDAY WHEN HOUSE REPUBLICANS CONVENED A FLOOR SESSION BY THEMSELVES.

DAY-MOOTH CALLED THE LAWSUITS AN ATTACK ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL SEPARATION OF POWERS BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES.

>>> JANUARY IS NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH, AN IMPORTANT TIME TO REFLECT ON THE RESILIENCE OF TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS AND RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THAT INCLUDES THE EFFORTS MADE BY TWO WOMEN UP HERE IN THE NORTHLAND WHO HELPED PROVIDE 100 RESCUE BAGS FOR SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SAT DOWN WITH BOTH WOMEN TO SEE WHY THEY WANTED TO HELP.

>> FROM HIGH PROFILE CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES TO THE RURAL NORTHLANDS OF MINNESOTA, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AN EPIDEMIC THAT IMPACTS COMMUNITIES EVERYWHERE.

SEX TRAFFICKING IS THE MOST COMMON TYPE.

>> SEX TRAFFICKING AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IS RUNNING RAMPANT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

IT'S A HEINOUS CRIME THAT IS DONE AGAINST MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: THE CITIZENS ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFER AS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES RESCUE BAGS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

>> I THOUGHT UP IN THE NORTHLAND, WE COULD OBTAIN THESE SO WE COULD HELP OTHER PROGRAMS OUT SO WE CAN PROVIDE THESE TO SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION.

>> WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THESE TO SEXUALLY EXPLOITED YOUTHS THAT WE COME IN CONTACT WITH OR ORGANIZATIONS.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ITEMS THE SURVIVOR OF A HUMAN TRAFFICKER MAY NEED.

>> THERE ARE CLOTHES, TOILETRIES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, TOOTHBRUSHES, TOOTHPASTE, SHAMPOO, A COLORING BOOK, MARKERS, A BLANKET, AND CARD JUST REMINDING PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE CARED FOR AND THEY ARE LOVED.

>> WE COME ACROSS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NEED OF BASIC NEEDS SOMETIMES, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE FLEEING UNSAFE SITUATIONS.

YOU DON'T THINK OF GRABBING THE ESSENTIALS.

IT'S A SENSE OF COMFORT.

>> Reporter: HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNFORTUNATELY WON'T BE GOING AWAY, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO HELP SURVIVORS IN ANY WAY THEY CAN.

>> THERE IS NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO, BUT IF WE CAN PROVIDE BAGS FOR PEOPLE, WE JUST WANT TO SHOW WE CARE.

>> THIS IS MY PASSION.

WE ARE ALL HUMAN AND SOMETIMES WE GO THROUGH A PRETTY TRAUMATIC THING.

I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE SUPPORT AND THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE CARED FOR AND THEY HAVE SOMEBODY THAT CAN BE THERE TO LISTEN TO THEM, ETC.

-- ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'RE GOING THROUGH SOMETHING SO HARD.

JUST BEING THERE FOR SOMEBODY IS THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO, JUST HELPING OTHERS.

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

>> IF YOU ARE OR KNOW SOMEONE THAT IS A VICTIM OR SURVIVOR OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL OR TEXT THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE THAT IS CURRENTLY SHOWING ON THE SCREEN.

>>> A BILL TO AWARD CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS TO THE 1980 MIRACLE ON ICE OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM HAS BEEN REINTRODUCED IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE.

FEBRUARY MARKS THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS BEATING THE HEAVILY FAVORED SOVIET UNION ON THE WAY TO THE GOLD MEDAL ON HOME ICE IN LAKE PLACID, NEW YORK.

THE ONGOING EFFORT THAT INCLUDED THE BILL BEING FIRST INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER NEEDED TO BE SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION AGAIN IN THE 119TH CONGRESS.

MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER AGAIN TOOK THE LEAD IN HOUSE AND MINNESOTA SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR IS A CO-SPONSOR IN THE SENATE.

THE BILL HAS ADDITIONAL BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS FROM MICHIGAN, MASSACHUSETTS, NORTH DAKOTA AND NEW YORK.

>>> A LONG SOUGHT AFTER TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE AND HOSTAGE DEAL BETWEEN HAMAS AND ISRAEL HAS BEEN REACHED.

HAMAS AGREEING TO THE DEAL THAT IS EXPECTED TO SEE AT LEAST 33 OCTOBER 7TH HOSTAGES RELEASED, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF PALESTINIAN PRISONERS.

BRIAN ABEL REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, WITH DETAILS OF THE DEAL AND WHEN IT WILL BEGIN.

>> AT LONG LAST, I CAN ANNOUNCE A CEASEFIRE AND A HOSTAGE DEAL HAS BEEN REACHED BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS.

>> Reporter: THE RELENTLESS FIGHTING IN GAZA BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS IS ABOUT TO CEASE, TEMPORARILY, FOLLOWING MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS, HAMAS AND THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT AGREEING TO A DEAL THAT WILL PAUSE THE FIGHTING AND SEE A PHASED RELEASE OF HOSTAGES SEIZED FROM ISRAEL DURING THE OCTOBER 7, 2023, ATTACK, THE CEASEFIRE COMING AT THE 466 DAY MARK SINCE THE ATTACK ON ISRAEL MAY BE THE LONGEST OF THE WAR SO FAR.

THE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR A 6 WEEKEND FOR THE BOMBING FOR ISRAELI TROOPS AND HAMAS MILITANTS TO LOWER THEIR WEAPONS AND FOR 33 ISRAELI HOSTAGES TO BE RELEASED DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PAUSE, 7 OF THE REMAINING HOSTAGES ARE AMERICAN, 4 OF WHOM ARE CONFIRMED DEAD.

SOME OF THE AMERICANS WILL BE RELEASED IN THE INITIAL PHASE.

HUNDREDS OF PALESTINIAN PRISONERS WILL BE RELEASED BY ISRAEL, INCLUDING THOSE CONVICTED OF KILLING ISRAELIS.

>> THIS DEAL WAS NEGOTIATED UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION BUT THE TERMS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION.

IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, WE'VE BEEN SPEAKING AS ONE TEAM.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP POSTING ON TRUTH SOCIAL, WE HAVE A DEAL IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY.

SOURCES FAMILIAR WITH THE MATTER ARE SAYING THE CEASEFIRE AND HOSTAGE RELEASE, THE FIRST SINCE LAST NOVEMBER COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS SUNDAY.

IN WASHINGTON, BRIAN ABEL REPORTING.

>> ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SAID LATE TODAY THAT DESPITE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES.

THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT WITH HAMAS IS STILL NOT COMPLETE AND THE FINAL DETAILS ARE BEING WORKED OUT.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE MILD TEMPERATURES THROUGH FRIDAY BUT WE WILL SEE A BIG COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, A GROUP OF PEOPLE BANDED TOGETHER TO REBUILD THE HOUSE OF A VETERAN AFTER HIS PASSING.

>> 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.

>>> AFTER A LOCAL VIETNAM VETERAN PASSED AWAY LAST SUMMER, FRIENDS AND FAMILY KNEW THAT ICE FISHING WAS THE BEST WAY TO FEEL CONNECTED TO HIM.

LOVED ONES OF 76-YEAR-OLD KEITH BARCUS KNEW HOW IMPORTANT THE SPORT WAS TO KEITH SO THEY THOUGHT THAT FIXING UP HIS FISH HOUSE AND GETTING IT BACK OUT ON THE LAKE WOULD BE A GOOD WAY TO HONOR HIM.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK VISITED HIS FISHING SPOT, AND HAS MORE ON ITS BACKSTORY.

>> Reporter: AFTER LOSING A LOVED ONE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO FIND THINGS TO DO THAT MAKE YOU FEEL CONNECTED TO THEM.

FOR THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF KEITH, A 76-YEAR-OLD VIETNAM VETERAN THAT PASSED AWAY LAST SUMMER, THAT MEANS ICE FISHING.

KEITH WAS AN ICE FISHING LOVER FOR YEARS AND IT BROUGHT MANY PEOPLE INTO HIS LIFE.

>> WHEN MY FATHER PASSED AWAY, I WAS 26.

KEITH WAS KIND OF LIKE A SECOND DAD, FRIEND TO ME.

>> HE IS THE GUY THAT DID MORE FOR OTHER PEOPLE THAN ANYBODY ELSE I EVER KNOWN.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE THAT SOMEBODY WOULD GO OUT OF THEIR WAY THAT MUCH TO DO THAT.

THAT'S THE IMPRESSION HE MADE ON PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: AFTER HIS PASSING, TWO OF HIS FRIENDS FIXED UP HIS FISH HOUSE.

>> HE PASSED AWAY FOUR DAYS LATER, SO WE THOUGHT WE HAVE TO FINISH IT.

>> THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, WE KEPT SAYING HOW MUCH KEITH WOULD HAVE ENJOYED BEING WITH US AND SEEING EVERYTHING DONE.

HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SO EXCITED.

>> IT WAS A GOOD HEALING, BUT A LOT OF TEARS.

>> Reporter: AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF WORK, THE HOUSE WAS READY TO GO BACK OUT ON THE ICE.

ONE SIDE BECAME A NEW MEMORIAL AND OTHER PERSONAL TOUCHES REALLY BROUGHT IT HOME.

>> IT WAS EMOTIONAL, BUT IT FELT LIKE HE WAS THERE WITH US, SO IT WAS NICE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF KEITH'S GOALS EVERY YEAR WAS TO BE THE FIRST PERSON OUT ON THE ICE AND HE NORMALLY WAS.

>> I THINK WE WERE THE FIRST ONES ON THE LAKE.

IT WAS PRETTY REWARDING.

WE DID THE FINISHING TOUCHES AND AWAY WE WENT AND FISHING WAS GOOD.

WE SAID MAYBE KEITH HELPED COAX THE FISH OUR WAY.

>> YOU CAN SIT THERE FOR TWO WEEKS AND NOT SEE A FISH AND HE WOULD TALK YOU INTO STAYING LONGER.

>> Reporter: WHAT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GETTING THE HOUSE ON THE ICE WAS MAKING IT AVAILABLE FOR ALL HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> SOMETHING THAT WAS SO NEAR AND DEAR TO HIM IS NOW BEING PAID FORWARD TO OTHER VETERANS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS SPORT.

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

>> ALTHOUGH KEITH'S VETERAN AND MOTORCYCLE GROUPS THAT HE WAS WITH FOR YEARS HAVE YET TO MAKE IT OUT ONTO THE ICE THIS YEAR, THEY HAVE PLANS TO GO OUT IN PAIRS TO DO SOME SPEARING AND BE CLOSE TO THEIR LATE FRIEND.

>>> GREAT STORY THERE FROM OUR SYDNEY DICK.

WE TURN TO WEATHER NOW.

STACY JOINS US AND THE WARM UP HAS STARTED.

>> Stacy: IT HAS.

TEMPERATURES ARE WARMING UP AND CONTINUING TO WARM AS WE MOVE INTO THIS EVENING.

WE HAVE ANOTHER MILDER DAY TOMORROW, AND AT LEAST TO START THE DAY ON FRIDAY, BUT WE WILL SEE THAT ARCTIC AIR RETURNING AND WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE COLDER TEMPERATURES THIS >> 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: WE'VE BEEN SEEING SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES MOVING BACK INTO THE AREA TODAY AND IT'S THE START OF A WARM UP.

WE HAVE AT LEAST A DAY, MAYBE A LITTLE MORE THAN A DAY WITH THE MILDER TEMPERATURES.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON FRIDAY, WE WILL START TO SEE COOLER AIR RETURNING TO OUR VIEWING AREA.

BY THE WEEKEND, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE COLDER TEMPERATURES AND IN FACT, WE'RE GOING TO STAY WELL BELOW 0, EVEN FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 31 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE WEST AT 12 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 27, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 85%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, AND A LITTLE BIT OF FOG.

IT IS 17 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 15, PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE SOUTHWEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE, BUT WE COULD SEE LINGERING FLURRIES AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

OTHERWISE, IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES THROUGH THE VIEWING AREA, EXCUSE ME, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, WITH MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES RETURNING AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET FOR US, BUT WE ARE GOING TO SEE MILD TEMPERATURES AGAIN TOMORROW, AND AT LEAST TO START THE DAY ON FRIDAY BEFORE THAT COLDER AIR BEGINS TO MAKE ITS RETURN.

A LOT OF WEATHER SHOTS SENT IN TONIGHT.

IT WAS A GORGEOUS DAY OUT THERE.

ARLENE FROM MENAHGA, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, ALICIA, DANNY FROM CROW WING, AND RALPH FROM JENKINS WITH PICTURES OF THE SKY.

GORGEOUS COLOR OUT THERE, A PINK SKY IN CASS LAKE TODAY.

WE HAVE A SHOT FROM DEBRA FROM LAKE ADA, SAMROSE WITH THE CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE TODAY, CARRIE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNSET OVER LEECH LAKE AND SARAH WITH THE GORGEOUS PICTURE OF THE SUNSET OVER LAKE EDWARD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, RALPH IN JENKINS REPORTING -6 THIS MORNING.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER WITH -4 THIS MORNING.

WE ALSO HEARD FROM STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, REPORTING CLEAR SKIES TODAY, THE HIGH UP TO 24, BOB IN BLUFFTON CLOUDS, FLURRIES, AND SUNSHINE TODAY.

23 WAS THE HIGH AND ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDS AND SUN, AND A LITTLE BIT BREEZY WITH A HIGH OF 26.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD WITH A HIGH TODAY OF 25, SO AGAIN WE ARE ABOVE AVERAGE.

WE'RE PRETTY CLOSE TO OUR AVERAGE, BUT A LITTLE BIT ABOVE THAT.

-15 FOR THE LOW AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 4:57.

BEMIDJI TODAY, SEEING OUR CURRENT TEMPERATURE IS OUR HIGH AT 31, SO WE ARE WELL ABOVE THE AVERAGE AND ONLY 6 DEGREES SHY OF THE RECORD HIGH TEMP, -8 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNRISE AT 8:02.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES ACROSS NORTH.

A WARMER DAY, HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE 20s ACROSS THE VIEWING AREA, AND 20s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AS WELL, COULD BE CLOSE TO 30 AROUND THE LITTLE FALLS AREA, OVERALL IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AROUND THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SOME FLURRIES IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, WE COULD ALSO SEE PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN THE NORTHWEST, LOWS NEAR 20.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, A CHANCE FOR SOME FLURRIES IN THE NORTHEAST IN THE MORNING, 26 FOR THE HIGH, AND WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, MILD, AT LEAST TO START THE DAY ON FRIDAY, HIGHS SHOULD BE NEAR 32, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SNOW SHOWERS IN PARTS OF NORTHEASTERN AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

CLOUDS THIS WEEKEND, BUT MUCH COLDER, -1 FOR THE HIGH ON SATURDAY, -12 FOR THE HIGH ON SUNDAY, -13 ON MONDAY, AND IT LOOKS LIKE OUR LOW TEMPERATURE SHOULD FALL INTO THE -20s, ADD WINDS, WE'RE LOOKING AT -30 WITH THE WINDCHILL.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THERE'S THE JANUARY WEATHER WE ALL LOVE AND ENJOY.

>> Charlie: ABSOLUTELY, I LOVE BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES.

>> Dennis: NOW BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM HAD A GOOD CLOSE.

>> Charlie: GOOD AND EXCITING.

WE ACTUALLY HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO TOM, ADAM AS WELL.

IT'S GOOD TO HEAR FROM WOMEN'S HEAD HOCKEY COACH.

SHE CAME BACK WITH A SILVER MEDAL FROM FINLAND.

WE TALKED ABOUT SOME CROSBY-IRONTON GIRLS BASKETBALL.

BOY ARE THEY PLAYING WELL THIS YEAR.

ALL THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

>> 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.

>>> BSU MEN'S HOCKEY IS BACK AT THE SANFORD CENTER THIS WEEKEND AND THEIR WELCOMING NORTHERN MICHIGAN TO TOWN.

THE WILDCATS COME IN CURRENTLY DEAD LAST IN THE CCHA STANDINGS WITH ONLY ONE WIN IN CONFERENCE PLAY BUT THAT WIN WAS JUST LAST FRIDAY AGAINST 12TH RANKED MINNESOTA STATE, GIVING THEM A BIT OF MOMENTUM HEADING INTO THE SERIES.

THE BEAVERS HOWEVER ARE RIDING SOME MOMENTUM OF THEIR OWN AFTER AN UNCONVENTIONAL SPLIT AT BOWLING GREEN THAT SAW BEMIDJI COME FROM BEHIND ON FRIDAY WITH A LATE 6-ON-5 GOAL TO FORCE OVERTIME.

THEN ON SATURDAY, ERASE A 3-GOAL DEFICIT WITH TWO 6-ON-5 GOALS TO FORCE O.T.

AGAIN, EVENTUALLY WINNING IN A SHOOTOUT.

>> I HAVE BEEN INVOLVE IN THIS GAME FOR 30 YEARS OF COLLEGE HOCKEY.

I DON'T EVER REMEMBER SCORING TWO 6-ON-5 GOALS, LET ALONE THREE.

IT WAS UNPREDICTABLE, BUT IT WENT OUR WAY.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A GOOD CONFIDENCE BOOSTER.

I NEVER PLAYED IN A SERIES WHERE WE HAD THREE GOALS LIKE THAT.

IT WAS SUPER FUN AND A HUGE POINT FOR US ON THE WEEKEND.

I THINK IT'S BELIEF IN OUR TEAM AND OUR GUYS THAT WE CAN COME BACK, AND LITTLE THINGS WE CAN CHIP AWAY AND COME BACK IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

>> Charlie: BEMIDJI IS SITTING IN 6th PLACE.

IF YOU WONDER HOW THESE NUMBERS WORK, STANDINGS ARE BASED ON POINT PERCENTAGE AND THAT DIVIDES TOTAL POINTS BY THREE TIMES THE NUMBER OF GAMES PLAY IN CONFERENCE.

HOPEFULLY YOU GOT ALL THAT AND THAT'S THE SIMPLE MATH OF IT.

THAT'S WHERE BEMIDJI STATE IS RIGHT NOW.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY MAY NOT RETURN HOME FOR ANOTHER TWO WEEKS BUT HEAD COACH AMBER FRYKLUND RETURNED TO THE TEAM YESTERDAY WITH A SILVER MEDAL IN HAND.

THE FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH WAS ASSISTING THE WOMEN'S U-18 NATIONAL TEAM AT THE WORLD JUNIORS TOURNAMENT IN FINLAND THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

STILL, SHE MANAGED TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE BEAVS IN HER ABSENCE.

>> I WATCH ALL OUR GAMES, AGAIN WITH THE TIME DIFFERENCE, AND MAKING SURE WE'RE CONNECTED WITH OUR PLAYERS AND OUR STAFF, TALKING TO THEM EVERYDAY AS WELL AND KEEPING TABS ON EVERYTHING.

IT WORKED OUT PRETTY WELL.

WATCHING ONLINE IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN BEING ON THE BENCH.

IT WAS A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

>> WE'RE SO EXCITED TO HAVE HER BACK.

WE MISSED HER.

IT HASN'T BEEN TOO DIFFERENT.

I MEAN SARAH AND EMMA HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB.

SHE LOVES BEMIDJI.

SHE LOVES US.

WHEN SHE WAS LEAVING THE AMOUNT OF TIMES SHE TALKED ABOUT IT, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO MISS OUT.

>> Charlie: THEY HEAD SOUTH TO ST.

CLOUD STATE.

THEY HELD THE HUSKIES TO TWO GOALS IN THREE GAMES, BUT THEY COULDN'T SCORE THEMSELVES AND THEY'RE HOPING TO GET THAT PART OF THE GAME GOING.

>>> CROSBY-IRONTON GIRLS BASKETBALL IS PUTTING ON A CLINIC TO OPEN THE 2024-25 SEASON.

HEADLINED BY JUNIOR STANDOUT AND UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA COMMIT TORI OEHRLEIN.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: GIRLS BASKETBALL IS TO THEIR BEST START IN OVER 15 YEARS AND IT'S TORI LEADING THE PACK ONCE AGAIN, AVERAGING 30 POINTS, 17 REPOUNDS, 10 ASSISTS.

>> POINTS DO MATTER, BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I SCORE IT OR MY TEAMMATES SCORE IT.

WHOEVER GETS IT GETS THE JOB DONE.

I FEEL LIKE A BIG GOAL FOR ME THIS YEAR WAS BEING MORE AGGRESSIVE ON DEFENSE, WHICH HAS HELPED A LOT.

YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE STATS.

>> Reporter: THE FASTEST HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER EVER TO 3,000 POINTS IS NOW ONLY 141 POINTS AWAY FROM ECLIING THE 4,000 POINT MARK AND IT BARELY SCRATCHES THE SURFACE OF THEIR IMPACT ON THE COURT.

>> THE GIRLS HAVE DEVELOPED A LOT.

SO MY STATS ARE GOING UP THIS YEAR.

I THINK MY MAIN GOAL IS JUST PLAYING THE WAY I ALWAYS PLAYED AND PLAY UNSELFISHLY AND GET THE JOB DONE.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU HAVE A PLAYER GARNERING THE ATTENTION, IT'S NO SURPRISE TO SEE THE ENTIRE ROSTER THRIVING, AVERAGING 80 POINTS A GAME, ALLOWING 46 POINTS A GAME, DOWN FROM LAST YEAR'S AVERAGE OF 58.

>> I JUST RUN THE COURT AND TORI THROWS IT DOWN THE COURT AND I CATCH IT.

NO OTHER TEAM IS EXPECTING US TO BE THAT FAST.

EVERYONE ON THE TEAM IS ATHLETIC SO THEY KNOW HOW TO PRESSURE THE GIRLS.

OUR OUTSIDE GIRLS ARE HEATING UP, THAT PUTS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON OFFENSE.

>> Reporter: THE RANGERS PICKED UP THEIR STATE TOURNAMENT WIN IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

THE SAME TEAM CURRENTLY TOPPING THIS YEAR'S 2A RANKINGS, AND THE GIRLS HOPE TO SUMMON.

>> IT'S A GOAL TO BRING STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND KEEP MAKING HISTORY FOR CROSBY.

CROSBY IS ON THE MAP NOW, AND IT'S BEEN A GOAL OF MINE EVER SINCE I WAS LITTLE.

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

>> Charlie: WELL, TOMORROW IT'S A REMATCH OF THE LAST TWO SECTION 82A GAMES.

A COUPLE SCORES FOR YOU, MINNESOTA LOST TO THE SIRENS.

IN THE NHL RIGHT NOW EDMONTON IS BEATING THE MINNESOTA WILD AND IN THE NBA, THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE LOSING TO THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> SWEET OR SAVORY?

WHICH KIND OF FOOD DO YOU TURN TO WHEN YOU'RE FEELING STRESSED?

MANY TIMES, WE LIKE TO EAT INDULGENTLY IN HARD TIMES, BUT EXPERTS SAY THOSE FOODS OVER TIME MAY ACTUALLY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD TO NOT ONLY OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH BUT MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS HOW COMFORT FOODS IMPACT OUR BRAIN AND HOW YOU CAN TRICK YOURSELF INTO EATING HEALTHIER.

>> Reporter: IT'S WHAT WE TEND TO TURN TO IN TIMES OF TURMOIL, COMFORT FOOD, BRINGING QUICK AND TEMPORARY RELIEF DURING A BAD DAY, BUT IT CAN ALSO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON YOUR BRAIN.

>> THE THING THAT HAPPENS IS YOU'RE NOT SATIATED, SO YOU TAP INTO YOUR CRAVING CYCLE.

THE OTHER REASON IS THESE FOODS THEN BECOME QUITE ADDICTIVE.

>> Reporter: RESEARCH SHOWS THAT FOODS THAT ARE HIGH IN SUGAR, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN ALSO TAP INTO THE SAME REWARD PATHWAYS IN THE BRAIN AS SUBSTANCES AS STREET DRUGS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE THESE FOODS CAUSE HIGH BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS OVERTIME, THIS OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE CAN ACTUALLY IMPACT YOUR BRAIN AND LEAD TO THINGS LIKE ATROPHY OR BRAIN ATROPHY.

SO IT IS ACTUALLY DAMAGING TO YOUR BRAIN.

>> Reporter: AVOIDING THESE FOODS CAN BE HARD.

THE MOMENT SOMETHING IS OFF LIMITS, YOUR BRAIN WANTS IT MORE, BUT SHE SAID YOU CAN TRICK YOUR MIND INTO DEVELOPING HEALTIER HABITS.

>> WHAT ABOUT SOME FRUIT IN YOUR FRIDGE?

A CLEMENTINE WITH DARK CHOCOLATE DOES PHENOMENAL.

>> Reporter: INSTEAD OF GIVING UP AN ENTIRE FOOD GROUP, YOUR BRAIN WILL DO BETTER WITH THE 80/20 RULE.

>> 80% OF THE TIME EAT THOSE HEALTHY FOODS AND 20% OF THE TIME IT'S THE HOLIDAYS, LIFE HAPPENS, OR IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY OR YOU ARE TRAVELING.

>> Reporter: FOR