>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

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

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

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

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED IN PART BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU WITH LOCAL NEWS FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>>> TENSIONS ARE HIGH IN MINNEAPOLIS AND CITY LEADERS ARE ASKING RESIDENTS TO REMAIN CALM AFTER A FEDERAL AGENT SHOT AND INJURED A MAN.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WARNED HE MIGHT INVOKE THE INSURRECTION ACT AND DEPLOY U.S.

TROOPS TO MINNESOTA AS STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS CLASH OVER TACTICS USED BY IMMIGRATION AGENTS.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTS ON THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: HEATED CLASHES BETWEEN FEDERAL OFFICIALS AND PROTESTERS ERUPTING IN MINNEAPOLIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT AFTER A FEDERAL AGENT SHOT AND INJURED AMANDAS AFTER ANOTHER PROTESTER WAS SHOT DEAD THERE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS AN IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENT TRIED TO CONDUCT THE TARGETED TRAFFIC STOP OF A VENEZUELAN NATIONAL THAT DROVE OFF, CRASHED, AND FLED ON FOOT.

WHEN THE OFFICER CAUGHT UP WITH HIM, THE MAN RESISTED ARREST AND BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY ASSAULT THE OFFICER.

>> OUR ICE AGENTS ARE FOLLOWING THE LAW AND RUNNING THEIR OPERATIONS ACCORDING TO TRAINING.

LAST NIGHT WE SAW THREE INDIVIDUALS WEAPONIZE SHOVELS AND BROOMS AGAINST AN I.C.E.

OFFICER WHO HAD TO DEFEND HIMSELF.

>> Reporter: SHE SUGGESTED THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP TO OFFICERS.

>> IF WE ARE ON A TARGET AND DOING AN OPERATION, THERE MAY BE INDIVIDUALS SURROUNDING THAT CRIMINAL THAT WE MAY BE ASKING WHO THEY ARE AND WHY THEY ARE THERE AND HAVING THEM VALIDATE THEIR IDENTITY.

>> Reporter: IN A TRUTH SOCIAL POST, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THREATENED TO DEPLOY FEDERAL TROOPS TO THE STATE.

>> THE INSURRECTION ACT IS A TOOL AT THE PRESIDENT'S DISPOSAL.

THE TRUTH SOCIAL POST SPOKE LOUD AND CLEAR.

>> Reporter: STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE CALLING FOR CALM.

>> I REALLY DO HOPE THAT THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT DO THAT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT OUR CITY NEEDS RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: AS SOME RESIDENTS FEAR WHAT COULD COME NEXT.

>> I AM VERY SCARED.

I'M WORRIED THAT I AM NOT ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL AND FEEL SAFE.

>> Reporter: I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>> PRESIDENTS HAVE INVOKED THE INSURRECTION ACT MORE THAN TWO DOZEN TIMES,, MOST RECENTLY IN 1992 BY PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W.

BUSH TO END UNREST IN LOS ANGELES.

IN THAT INSTANCE, LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAD ASKED FOR THE ASSISTANCE.

MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON RESPONDED THAT HE WOULD CHALLENGE ANY SUCH ACTION IN COURT.

>>> GOVERNOR WALZ RELEASED HIS 2026 INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN TODAY AND IT INCLUDES MAJOR FUNDING FOR PROJECTS IN BEMIDJI AND BRAINERD.

THE $907 MILLION BUDGET INCLUDES $47 MILLION FOR THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION'S BEMIDJI REGIONAL OFFICE AND LAB EXPANSION.

IT ALSO INCLUDES $5 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES' AVIATION FACILITIES AT THE BRAINERD REGIONAL AIRPORT THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE BUDGET WILL SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY, CLEAN WATER, TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE MINNESOTANS RELY ON.

LEGISLATORS WILL NOW REVIEW THE PLAN AND PROPOSE A BUDGET OF THEIR OWN.

ANY BUDGET PLAN WILL REQUIRE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM STATE LAWMAKERS.

>>> CHILDCARE PROVIDERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ARGUED FOR CHANGES TO CHILDCARE LEGISLATION DURING A FORUM WITH STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS HELD YESTERDAY IN BEMIDJI.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, ATTENDED THE FORUM, AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: WE OFTEN HEAR ABOUT CHILDCARE SHORTAGES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE.

THE SHORTAGE IN BELTRAMI COUNTY IS NOT FOR PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN.

OUT OF 68 LICENSED CHILDCARE FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY, HALF HAVE OPENINGS.

>> THEY STARTED WITH JUST ONE CHILDCARE PROVIDER.

THEY NEEDED TO SECURE THEIR WORKERS TO COME FROM OUT OF TOWN.

THEY HAVE BEEN OPEN APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF AND ARE CLOSING.

WHY ARE THEY CLOSING?

MY PAST DAYCARE PARENT SAID IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME THING, WE CAN'T FILL THE SLOTS OF 2 AND ABOVE.

>> Reporter: CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARGUED FOR CHANGES IN FRONT OF STATE, COUNTY, AND CITY OFFICIALS.

>> WE NEED RATIO CHANGES.

WE NEED CAPACITY CHANGES.

>> Reporter: BELTRAMI COUNTY COMMISSIONER NOTED THE EMPLOYMENT TURNOVER RATE IS AROUND 10%.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A TURNOVER THAT HIGH, THAT MEANS YOU ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES FOR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND IF THEY CAN'T FIND CHILDCARE, THEY PROBABLY AREN'T GOING TO MOVE.

CHILDCARE IS CRITICAL IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, FROM BEING SUCH AN INFLUENTIAL PART OF RAISING THE FUTURE, IN ADDITION TO HELPING WORKFORCE BE AVAILABLE TO DO THE JOBS THAT ARE NEEDED TO BE DONE IN A COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR PROPOSED NEW IDEAS ARE NEEDED TO MAKE CHANGES HAPPEN IN FAMILY CHILDCARE, INCLUDING THINKING OF SOLUTIONS AS CHILDCARE AS INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> PLANNING AND ZONING, THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE CONTROL OVER AS A CITY.

HOW DO WE MAKE OUR REGULATIONS AND ORDINANCES AS FRIENDLY AS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT CHILDCARE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE AREA ARGUED FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN STATE AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ORDER TO MAKE THESE CHANGES A REALITY.

>> UNLESS WE HEAR FROM YOU GUYS, UNLESS WE TAKE THIS BACK TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE, WE'RE MAKING UP THINGS THAT WE BELIEVE.

WE'RE NOT CONNECTING WITH YOU GUYS AS MUCH AS WE SHOULD.

THAT COULD BE US.

THAT COULD BE OUR FAULT.

MAYBE WE NEED TO HAVE MORE OF THIS STUFF.

MAYBE WE NEED TO REACH OUT MORE OFTEN.

WE NEED TO COME UP WITH MORE AGREEMENTS ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO UP HERE AND START PUSHING THOSE VALUES.

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

>> MINNESOTA'S CHILD CARE LICENSING STANDARDS HAVEN'T SEEN MAJOR CHANGES OR UPDATES SINCE THE 1980'S.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TODAY AWARDED MORE THAN $1.6 MILLION IN WORKFORCE GRANTS TO 23 ORGANIZATIONS THAT ASSIST ADULTS FACING OBSTACLES TO FIND AND KEEP STEADY EMPLOYMENT.

THE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING AWARDS ARE EXPECTED TO SERVE 730 MINNESOTANS AND INCLUDE THE NORTHWEST INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN BEMIDJI WHICH WILL RECEIVE $75,000.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD HELD A CLOSED SESSION WITH A FACILITATOR LAST WEEK.

SUPERINTENDENT PETER GRANT SUGGESTED THE IDEA IN AN EFFORT FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD TO GET TOGETHER WITH PARTNER ED EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING AGAIN.

WHILE THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL NOT BE DISSEMINATING INFORMATION FROM THE MEETING, GRANT SAID THAT ITS PURPOSE WAS TO IMPROVE TRUST, RELATIONSHIPS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING.

NO INFORMATION RELATED TO THE OFFICIAL BUSINESS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS DISCUSSED, DECIDED, OR RECEIVED DURING THE SESSION.

>> I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA GOING INTO THE NEW YEAR, THAT WE GET TOGETHER AND WORK WITH PARTNER ED AGAIN TO CLARIFY WHAT THE ROLES ARE OF THE BOARD, WORK ON SOME ISSUES OF TRUST AND RESPECT, CONFIDENTIALITY.

FOR THEM TO REALIGN THEMSELVES AGAIN, BECAUSE IN THE NEXT 60 DAYS, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WILL CHANGE HERE.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH, THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD EXPECTS TO FINISH ITS BUDGET REDUCTION PLAN BY THE END OF FEBRUARY.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SOME LIGHT SNOW AND SOME VERY STRONG WINDS DEVELOPING OVERNIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW AND A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS OUT FOR A PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, BEMIDJI MIDDLE SCHOOL HELD THE DISTRICT-WIDE SPELLING BEE.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> LETSPLANTTREES.ORG IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION BASED IN LUTSEN, FOCUSED ON REFORESTING NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THEY BUY TREE SEEDLINGS FROM DIFFERENT NURSERIES FROM AROUND THE STATE AND DISTRIBUTE THEM TO SEVEN LOCATIONS.

EVERY SPRING SINCE 2022, RESIDENTS IN BEMIDJI, ELY, VIRGINIA, TWO HARBORS, LUTSEN, GRAND MORAY, AND GRAND RAPIDS HAVE RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF FREE TREES TO PLANT IN THEIR AREA.

FOR 2026, THE ORGANIZATION IS ON TRACK TO PLANT 50,000 SEEDLINGS.

>> WE LOVE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO REFOREST THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE.

IT'S A PASSION OF MY WIFE CARRIE AND I AND WE HAVE SOME GREAT VOLUNTEERS HELPING.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING.

EVERYBODY LOVES TREES AND ESPECIALLY FREE TREES.

EVERYBODY LOVES TO PLANT TREES.

WE LIVE IN A STATE WHERE WE TAKE THESE THINGS FOR GRANTED.

WE LOOK ALL AROUND US AND WE SEE TREES.

WHEN THEY'RE GONE, THAT'S WHEN THINGS ARE NOTICED.

>> BETWEEN PESTS, FOREST FIRES, AND NATURAL DISASTERS, NORTHERN MINNESOTA HAS LOST MILLIONS OF TREES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

LET'S PLANT TREES SPENDS SUMMER THROUGH WINTER RAISING AWARENESS FOR THE TREES AND ALLOCATING SEEDLINGS, AND THEN HOSTS PLANTING EVENTS IN SPRING TO GATHER COMMUNITIES AND PLANT SEVERAL THOUSAND SEEDLINGS AT ONCE.

>> WE ARE COMMUNITY DRIVEN AND COMMUNITY FUNDED.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS A LOT OF MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES DONATE TO US TO HELP SUBSIDIZE FOR THE TREE SEEDLINGS WE PURCHASE.

WE NEVER WANT ECONOMICS TO GET IN THE WAY, SO REGARDLESS IF PEOPLE CAN DONATE OR CANNOT, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

WE WANT TO GET THOSE FREE TREES INTO THE HANDS OF PROPERTY OWNERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO HELP CONTINUE REFORESTING THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE.

>> GRAND RAPIDS IS ONE LOCATION IN LAKELAND COUNTRY THAT WILL SEE A TREE PLANTING EVENT THIS SPRING, AND RESIDENTS HAVE ALREADY CLAIMED MORE THAN 5,200 TREE SEEDLINGS TO PLANT LATER THIS SPRING.

MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO RECEIVE TREES, OR THE PLANTING PROCESS, CAN BE FOUND AT LETSPLANTTREES.ORG.

>>> WELL, A MINNESOTA GROUP HAS RELEASED ITS ANNUAL PHILOSOPHY QUESTION THAT WILL LEAD TO ONE ENTRANT BEING NAMED AMERICA'S GREATEST THINKER FOR 2026.

THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE 33RD ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN THINK-OFF, A NATIONALLY RENOWNED PHILOSOPHY COMPETITION THAT INVITES PARTICIPANTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO WRESTLE WITH LIFE'S MOST PROFOUND QUESTIONS.

THIS YEAR'S DEBATE QUESTION IS, HAS THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS MADE AMERICANS UNHAPPY?

ANYONE CAN ENTER FREE BY SUBMITTING AN ESSAY OF 750 WORDS OR FEWER.

FOUR FINALISTS WILL DEBATE THE QUESTION IN NEW YORK MILLS ON SATURDAY JUNE 13TH BEFORE A LIVE AUDIENCE.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THINKOFF.ORG .

>>> THE 2025 GREAT AMERICAN THINK-OFF IS AN AMATEUR PHILOSOPHY CONTEST ORGANIZED BY THE NEW YORK MILLS REGIONAL CULTURAL CENTER IN MINNESOTA.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

WE HAD ANOTHER MILD DAY FOR THE MOST PART TODAY.

>> Stacy: RIGHT, TEMPERATURES WARMED UP AND IN FACT, WE'RE SEEING THE WARMEST TEMPERATURES OF THE DAY THIS EVENING.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME AREAS OF SNOW, EVEN SOME BRIEF SNOW SQUALLS IN THE AREA.

WE ARE GOING TO BE EXPECTING THE WINDS TO PICK UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT AND TOMORROW, SO WE DO HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY OUT IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS ON THAT AND WE'LL [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME MILD TEMPERATURES THIS EVENING.

WE'VE ALSO BEEN SEEING SOME SNOW MOVING ACROSS THE AREA AND SOME INSTANCES SOME BRIEF HEAVY SNOW AND WINDS CREATING SNOW SQUALLS IN THE AREA.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE MORE CHANCES OF SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW.

WINDS, SUSTAINED WINDS WILL BE PICKING UP.

SO WE COULD BE SEEING SOME AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIT BLTH -- VISIBILITY, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

IT'S 32 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT, AT THE STUDIO THE WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 30 AND WE PICKED UP 1.25 INCHES OF SNOW.

IN BRAINERD, WE'RE SEEING LIGHT SNOW THIS EVENING, ALONG WITH FOG, 29 DEGREES, DEW POINT IS 25, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

WESTERN MINNESOTA IS UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.

THIS WILL BEGIN AT MIDNIGHT AND CONTINUE UNTIL 6:00 P.M.

ON FRIDAY.

AS I MENTIONED, WE WILL BE SEEING THE WINDS PICK UP AND GUSTS FROM 45 TO 50 MILES PER HOUR, WE COULD ALSO SEE SOME PERIODS OF LIGHT SNOW, SO WHEN THOSE COMBINE, WE WILL SEE REDUCED VISIBILITY, SO THAT WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE SEEN AREAS OF SNOW TONIGHT.

AS I MENTIONED, SOME BRIEF PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOWFALL WITH WINDS.

SO WE DID HAVE SOME SNOW SQUALLS MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

MORE CHANCES OF SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE THE WINDS PICKING UP, REALLY PICKING UP AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW WITH MORE CHANCES OF SNOW, ABOUT 1 TO 3 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

WE'LL SEE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL MOON SPOTTED IN THE MORNING SKIES FROM SHERRY IN BEMIDJI AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

SOME NICE COLOR JUST BEFORE SUNRISE FROM CHER AND THIS IS THE MORNING SKIES IN DEERWOOD.

SAMROSE SAID IT WAS A SNOW SQUALL THAT MOVED OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

ANGELA SAID IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL EVENING FOR ICE SKATING BEFORE THE SNOW ARRIVED IN CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 8 AND WINDY THIS MORNING.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, 11 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 25.

STEPHANIE IN BRAY -- BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES AS WELL.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 29.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

IT IS ABOVE AVERAGE.

WE DID HAVE A LOW OF -2 EARLIER TODAY WITH SUNRISE AT 7:56.

BEMIDJI, 32 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE, SO AGAIN WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

WE DID HAVE A LOW OF 4 AND SUNSET AT 4:56.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING SOME PERIODS OF SNOW, BUT THE WINDS WILL BE PICKING UP, SO EXPECT TO SEE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN PARTS OF WESTERN MINNESOTA.

OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 20 IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD BE SEEING SOME UPPER TEENS TO LOW 20s, BUT EXPECT THOSE TEMPERATURES TO BE FALLING AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH SO WE SHOULD BE SEEING TEMPERATURES IN THE SINGLE DIGITS TO LOW TEENS IN OUR VIEWING AREA BY THE AFTERNOON.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, LIGHT SNOW LIKELY WITH AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, LOWS NEAR 16, AND WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS PICKING UP 10 TO 30.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TOMORROW, NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 30, SO AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, AND HIGHS NEAR 17.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING QUIET BUT COLD WEATHER TO START THE WEEKEND.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE OF SNOW ON SUNDAY, COLD TEMPERATURES MONDAY, 9 DEGREES ON TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE THESE BEMIDJI MOORHEAD BOYS BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHTS.

YOU CAME BACK FROM THE GAME AND SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES YOU HAVE BEEN AT.

>> Charlie: IT REALLY HAS BEEN, THAT'S THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH.

I CAN TELL YOU LAST YEAR, THIS GAME WENT TO A BUZZER BEATER.

THIS YEAR THE GAME BETWEEN BEMIDJI AND MOORHEAD, ANOTHER BUZZER BEATER.

WE'LL SHOW YOU EXACTLY HOW THE GAME FINISHED ON THE HIGHLIGHTS COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> IN THEIR GAME VERSUS BUFFALO ON JANUARY 3RD, JAXON BOSCHEE BROKE THE BEMIDJI BOYS' BASKETBALL ALL-TIME SCORING RECORD OF 1,763 POINTS SET BY JIM JENSEN IN 1978.

IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE, BOSCHEE HAS BEEN THE TEAMS LEADING SCORER THE PAST THREE SEASONS, HAS THE ABILITY TO HIT FROM ALMOST ANYWHERE ON THE COURT, AND ON OCCASION, HAS BEEN KNOWN TO LIGHT UP THE SCOREBOARD AND GIVE A TRULY SPECIAL PERFORMANCE.

THE LUMBERJACKS WERE GOING TO NEED SOMETHING LIKE THAT TONIGHT AGAINST RIVAL MOORHEAD, WHO IS RANKED 10TH IN THE STATE AT 11-1, AND A TEAM THIS SENIOR CLASS HAS NEVER BEAT.

SO, UNDER 3 -- EXCUSE ME, LUMBERJACKS WILL NEED SOME OF THAT EARLY AND JACKSON WAS UNCONSCIOUS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF PLAY, DOWN DOUBLE DIGITS.

HE SCORED 21 FIRST HALF POINTS AND BROUGHT THINGS CLOSER AT THE HALF.

THEN UNDER 3 TO PLAY, TRAILING BY 2, HE BANKS OPEN, TIES THE GAME AT 66, THEY TAKE A 3-POINT LEAD AFTER SOME FREE THROWS.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO LET THIS PLAY OUT.

CLOCK IS UNDER 15 SECONDS.

MOORHEAD NEEDS A TRIPLE TO TIE AND DALTON JONES WHO HAD FIVE OF THEM FOR 15 POINTS, SPLASHES ONE WITH 10 SECONDS TO GO.

WE'RE NOTED AT 71, NOW LAST CHANCE TO DANCE.

CURTAINS.

ICE COLD, MAYHEM ENSUES AT THE FIELD HOUSE, THE BUZZER BEATER SNAPS BEMIDJI'S 7-GAME LOSING STREAK TO MOORHEAD.

HE WAS RECOGNIZED FOR BECOMING THE ALL TIME LEADING SCORER IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

HERE'S HOW HE DESCRIBED THE WHOLE AFFAIR AFTER THE GAME.

>> FEELS GREAT.

THIS IS A BIG ONE FOR ME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS ONE.

I SAW THE CLOCK AND AUSTIN GAVE ME A GOOD INBOUND PASS, SO I KNEW I COULD GET DOWNHILL AND I SAW A COUPLE GUYS AND TRIED TO MAKE A PLAY AND IT WORKED OUT FOR US.

WE STAYED TOGETHER.

WHEN WE WERE DOWN, WE RALLIED TOGETHER AND FROM THERE, WE WERE ABLE TO GO ON A RUN AND IT REALLY HELPED US WIN THE GAME.

>> THE TEAM IS STILL UNDEFEATED IN SECTION PLAY.

THEY ARE LOOKING TO CONTINUE THAT RUN GOING FORWARD.

HERE ARE SOME MORE BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES FOR YOU.

PILLAGER DROPS SEBEKA.

WADENA DEER CREEK GETS THE WIN OVER MENAHGA.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE OF THINGS, ALEXANDRIA BEATS BEMIDJI 67-38.

MONTICELLO TOPS CROSBY-IRONTON 69-63.

>>> THE BRAINERD BOYS' AND GIRLS' ALPINE SKI TEAMS ARE ONCE AGAIN SHOWING THEIR PROWESS ON THE SLOPES THIS SEASON.

THE LADY WARRIORS ARE COMING OFF A 1ST PLACE FINISH AT POWDER RIDGE ON JANUARY 8TH, WITH THE BOYS FINISHING SECOND.

TODAY, BRAINERD WAS HOSTING THEIR ANNUAL INVITE AT MOUNT SKI GULL.

ON THE BOYS SIDE, BRAINERD'S JACOB HALBUR, ZIGGING AND ZAGGING DOWN THE SLOPE, HIS TOTAL TIME CAME OUT TO ONE-MINUTE AND ONE SECOND, GOOD FOR 15TH PLACE.

REEF SAMPSON WAS THE WARRIOR BOY'S TOP SCORER, HE FINISHED IN 46.17 SECONDS, HE TOOK HOME THIRD PLACE.

AND ON THE GIRLS SIDE, BRAINERD'S PIPER GRILLO, JUST A BLUR ON THE SNOW, SHE CLAIMED FIRST PLACE, SLIDING IN AT 46.75 SECONDS.

AS BRAINERD SWEPT THE CENTRAL LAKES CUP, GIRLS TAKING HOME FIRST PLACE, AND SO DID THE BOYS, JUST EDGING LAKES AREA.

130-129.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WITH THE SKIING THING EXCEPT WE'RE GOING TO NORDIC SKIING.

IN MADONIA, LATVIA.

YESTERDAY SHE RACE IN THE 7.5-KILOMETER SPRINT AND WAS THE FIRST U.S.

WOMAN TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE.

MOST IN HER AGE CLASS IS 21, BUT SHE IS ONLY 19.

SHE WILL HAVE ANOTHER 7.5K SPRINT RACE TOMORROW.

>>> IN GIRLS HOCKEY, BRAINERD-LITTLE FALLS LOOKING FOR THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT WIN, HOSTING CENTRAL LAKES CONFERENCE FOE WILLMAR.

IT'S STILL SCORELESS AS WE PICK UP MID SECOND PERIOD, LEXI BREAKS THE ICE FOR THE WARRIORS, PUTS THEM UP 1-0.

FINAL MINUTES OF THE SECOND, POWER PLAY FOR BRAINERD, IZZY JOHNSON FROM DOWNTOWN, GOES TOP SHELF, WARRIORS UP 2-0.

WILLMAR WOULD PUT ONE ON THE BOARD LATE, BUT BRAINERD GOES ON TO WIN 2-1.

WARRIORS OUTSHOT THE CARDINALS 42-5.

WOW.

>>> A COUPLE SCORES FOR YOU FROM BOYS HOCKEY.

WE'RE GOING TO START OFF WITH BRAINERD BEATING WILMER 4-1.

AND GREEN WAY GETS SLASHED BY I-FALLS.

THEN IN THE U18 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP, BAILEY DID NOT SCORE TODAY BUT THE U.S.

DID WIN BIG AND THEY PLAY SWEDEN ON SATURDAY IN THE SEMI-FINALS.

THE THIRD STRAIGHT LOSS FOR THE MINNESOTA WILD, THEY ARE 1-5 IN THEIR LAST 6.

THEY WILL NEED TO FIND SOMETHING HERE PRETTY QUICK.

>> Dennis: WHAT EXCITEMENT IN THAT BEMIDJI GAME.

>> Charlie: YEAH, TRYING TO KEEP THE CAMERA ROLLING THE WHOLE TIME AND CATCH ALL OF IT.

>> Dennis: GOOD WORK.

BEMIDJI'S 40TH ANNUAL DISTRICT SPELLING BEE TOOK PLACE EARLIER TONIGHT, WITH STUDENTS FROM 5TH THROUGH 8TH GRADE TAKING THE STAGE AT THE BEMIDJI MIDDLE SCHOOL.

13 STUDENTS STARTED, BUT ONLY FOUR WILL GO ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF COMPETITION.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS AT THE WORD-SPELLING COMPETITION FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

( .

>> SEQUENCE.

>> S-E-Q-U-E-N-C-E.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL DISTRICT'S SPELLING BEE.

IT'S OUR ANNUAL ONE, OUR 40th.

WE CALL IT THE SPELL-TAC-U-LAR.

>> Reporter: AT THE CLASSROOM LEVEL, THERE ARE A SERIES OF COMPETITIONS FOR CHILDREN FIFTH GRADE THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE.

ONE CHILD IS CHOSEN FROM EACH OF THOSE GRADES AND MOVED UP TO THE SPELL-TACULAR AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.

>> HAVING TO LOOK AT THE AUDIENCE IN FRONT OF A MICROPHONE AND DO WHAT THEY DO WELL.

NOT EVERY KID GETS THAT PLATFORM SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE THEM EXCEL IN SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE CONFIDENT.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS CAN HEAR THE WORD, ITS DEFINITION, HOW IT WOULD BE USE IN A SENTENCE, AND WHAT THE WORD'S ORIGINS ARE.

>> HAVING A SOLID SPELLING FOUNDATION IS GOOD BUT THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING AT ROOTS, SO MORPHOLOGY AND HOW A WORD MAY CHANGE BASED ON THE ENDING YOU ADD OR THE PLACE OR LANGUAGE THAT THE WORD CAME FROM.

THERE IS PHONETICS AS WELL THAT HOPEFULLY CARRY OVER TO LATTER PARTS OF THEIR LIFE.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT HAS HAD A HOME IN BEMIDJI FOR 40 YEARS AND AREA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHERS HOPE IT CAN TEACH STUDENTS MORE THAN JUST W-O-R-D-S.

>> WHEN THEY COME UP HERE, THEY THINK IT'S NERVE-RACKING BUT AFTERWARDS, MOST, NOT ALL, BUT MOST WILL BE GLAD TO HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE BECAUSE IT GAVE THEM A CONFIDENCE BOOST THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY HAD.

THEY SURVIVED PUBLIC SPEAKING, WHICH ADULT DON'T EVEN WANT TO DO.

IT'S A POSITIVE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE EVENT WAS STILL GOING ON LATE TONIGHT, BUT WHEN WE FIND OUT THE WINNERS, THEIR NAMES WILL BE POSTED.

>>> NOW LET'S GO TO STACY FOR A CHECK OF OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: STRONG WINDS DEVELOPING OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS OUT UNTIL 6:00 P.M.

BECAUSE THE BLOWING SNOW COULD BE REDUCING VISIBILITY AS YOU ARE ON AREA ROADS.

>> Dennis: THAT WILL WRAP IT UP FOR US.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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