>> 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.

>>> GOVERNOR TIM WALZ IS URGING LAWMAKERS TO END A POWER STRUGGLE THAT HAS DISRUPTED THE FIRST WEEK OF MINNESOTA'S 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WALZ EXPRESSED SUPPORT TODAY FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS' BOYCOTT OF THE CHAMBER TO BLOCK REPUBLICANS FROM WIELDING POWER.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS HOLD A TEMPORARY 67-66 MAJORITY UNTIL A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL A VACANT SEAT CAN TAKE PLACE LATER THIS MONTH.

DEMOCRATS, WHO HAVE REFUSED TO ATTEND THE SESSION SINCE IT OPENED TUESDAY, CONTEND A QUORUM UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES 68 MEMBERS TO BE PRESENT.

DEMOCRATS SAY THE HOUSE CANNOT CONDUCT ANY BUSINESS WITHOUT A QUORUM.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY THEY NEED ONLY 67 MEMBERS TO BE PRESENT BECAUSE OF THE EMPTY SEAT.

IN THE DEMOCRATS' ABSENCE, THEY HAVE ELECTED THEIR TOP LEADER AS SPEAKER AND APPOINTED COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND OTHER OFFICERS.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS NEXT THURSDAY ON WHETHER THE G.O.P.

'S MOVES ARE LEGAL.

>>> THE GOVERNOR ALSO UNVEILED HIS FIRST BUDGET PLAN TODAY.

THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED $65.9 BILLION, TWO-YEAR BUDGET INCLUDES A MODEST SALES TAX CUT, FROM 6.875 PERCENT TO 6.8 PERCENT WHICH WOULD MEAN A $0.075 SAVINGS ON A $100 PURCHASE.

THE LOST REVENUE WOULD BE OFFSET BY EXTENDING THE SALES TAX TO SOME SERVICES THAT AREN'T CURRENTLY TAXED, AND THE CLOSURE OF VARIOUS LOOPHOLES.

HIS PLAN WOULD SLOW THE GROWTH OF SOME PROGRAMS AFFECTING SENIORS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.

IT CONTAINS MEASURES TO COMBAT FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, BUT FEW NEW INITIATIVES.

HOUSE G.O.P.

LEADER LISA DAY-MOOTH, OF COLD SPRING, SLAMMED THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, SAYING REPUBLICANS WON'T SUPPORT ANY TAX INCREASES OR CUTS AFFECTING SENIORS IN NURSING HOMES, AND SIGNALED THE G.O.P.

WOULD KEEP FIGHTING.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD HAS A NEW BOARD CHAIR FOR 2025 AFTER ELECTING SARA SPEER DURING THIS WEEK'S MEETING.

BOARD MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO APPOINT SPEER AS BOARD CHAIR AS PART OF THE BOARD'S ANNUAL NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS FOR 2025 OFFICERS.

THE BOARD ALSO ELECTED RANDY HEIDMANN AS VICE CHAIR, WHO WILL ACT AS BOARD CHAIR IN SPEER'S ABSENCE IF NEED BE.

>> THIS POWER PUTS YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD IN THE POSITION OF BEING MORALLY AND LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR EQUITABLE, QUALITY, EDUCATION OF EVERY STUDENT IN THE DISTRICT.

IN CARING OUT THIS RESPONSIBILITY, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO FULFILL THE ROLES OF VISION, STRUCTURE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND ADVOCACY.

>> BOARD MEMBERS ALSO APPOINTED JOHN WARD AS TREASURER AND REAPPOINTED D.J.

DONDELINGER AS CLERK FOR 2025.

>>> THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE AND WHITE EARTH NATION WILL AIM TO IMPROVE INDIGENOUS EDUCATION IN MINNESOTA WITH COMMUNITY INNOVATION GRANT FROM THE BUSH FOUNDATION.

WITH THE $7.7 MILLION INVESTMENT, THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE AND THE WHITE EARTH NATION WILL COLLABORATE TO IMPROVE INDIGENOUS EDUCATION IN MINNESOTA BY SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEANINGFULLY IMPLEMENT INDIGENOUS EDUCATION FOR ALL LEGISLATION, WHICH MANDATES THAT SCHOOLS USE TRIBALLY ENDORSED CURRICULUM.

THIS FIVE-YEAR PROJECT AIMS TO STRENGTHEN TRIBAL-STATE SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT CHANGE AT MULTIPLE LEVELS, ULTIMATELY ADDRESSING LONG-STANDING EDUCATION DISPARITIES AND PROMOTING INDIGENOUS SELF-DETERMINATION.

>>> A MINNESOTA GROUP HAS RELEASED ITS ANNUAL PHILOSOPHY QUESTION THAT WILL LEAD TO ONE ENTRANT BEING NAMED "AMERICA'S GREATEST THINKER FOR 2025."

THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE 32ND 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, "IS THERE ONLY ONE TRUTH OR ARE THERE MANY TRUTHS?"

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 14TH BEFORE A LIVE AUDIENCE.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THINK-OFF.ORG.

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

>>> EXTREME WINDS AND DANGEROUS FIRE CONDITIONS HAVE EASED A BIT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, GIVING FIRE TEAMS AN ADVANTAGE IN CONTAINING MULTIPLE FIRES STILL BURNING.

THE DEATH TOLL REMAINS AT AT LEAST 25 PEOPLE, WITH THE SEARCH THROUGH FIRE-DECIMATED AREAS STILL ONGOING.

MARYBEL GONZALEZ IS IN ALTADENA WHERE SOME RESIDENTS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND A HOME BASE TO BEGIN THEIR RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: THIS HISTORICALLY DESTRUCTIVE PALISADES FIRE NEARLY A QUARTER CONTAINED DURING MIDDAY, WITH FIRE CREWS MAKING GROUND AS MONITORED BY CAL FIRE.

NOT AS CONTAINED, RISING FRUSTRATIONS AMONG MANY FIRE VICTIMS THAT WANT ACCESS INTO THEIR DEVASTATED COMMUNITIES.

>> THE REPOPULATION OF RESIDENTS IN THE EVACUATION ORDER AREAS WILL NOT OCCUR FOR AT LEAST ONE MORE WEEK.

FOR THE AREAS THAT ARE DEEMED SAFE.

>> THE U.S. E.P.A.

HAS BEEN TASKED BY CONDUCTING PHASE ONE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REMOVAL VALUE IN THE BURNED FOOTPRINTS.

WE'RE BEGINNING THE WORK TODAY.

SOME HAVE MADE IT BACK TO THE ASHES OF THEIR HOMES.

>> IT'S JUST GONE.

EVERYTHING IS JUST GONE.

>> Reporter: THIS FAMILY, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, SCRAMBLING TO FIND AFFORDABLE TEMPORARY HOUSING.

>> THESE RENTALS LITERALLY COST TWICE AS MORE THAN MY MORTGAGE.

WHAT?

>> Reporter: AirBNB AND A NUMBER OF HOTEL CHAINS ARE OFFERING DISPLACED RESIDENTS LOW OR NO COST ACCOMMODATIONS.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ALLOWING MOBILE AND MANUFACTURED HOMES AND R.V.s TO BE USED AS HOUSING DURING REBUILDING, A POTENTIAL PATH FORWARD FOR THOSE LEFT WITH NOTHING BUT HOPE.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY, YOU KNOW?

MOMMY AND DADDY DID IT ONCE, WE CAN DO IT AGAIN.

>> Reporter: I'M MARYBEL GONZALEZ REPORTING.

>> A NUMBER OF INSURANCE COMPANIES PULLED OUT OF THE L.A. AREA BEFORE THE FIRES, BUT STATE FARM HAS COMMITTED TO STAY WITH A ONE-YEAR PAUSE ON CANCELLATIONS OR NON-RENEWALS AND A PLEDGE TO OFFER NEW POLICIES IN THE FUTURE.

IMPACTED RESIDENTS CAN ALSO APPLY FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FROM FEMA UNTIL MARCH 10TH.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE A FEW SNOW SHOWERS AND VERY STRONG WINDS TOMORROW AND WE DO HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY OUT FOR A PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, A LOOK AT WHY AUDREY CONTINUES TO TEACH AT THE LEECH LAKE >> 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.

>>> UNIFIED ATHLETICS ARE NO STRANGER TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND THIS TIME, THEY HAVE MADE THEIR WAY TO GRAND RAPIDS.

SEVERAL SCHOOLS TEAMED UP TO PUT ON A UNIFIED BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AT THE GRAND RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO THE ATHLETES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSION.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE DESERVES A CHANCE TO PLAY SPORTS.

THE CHANCE TO FEEL THE ENERGETIC ATMOSPHERE, THE CHANCE TO BE ON A TEAM.

THAT IS WHY UNIFIED SPORTS GIVES THE CHANCE TO KIDS AND TEENS OF ALL ABOUTS TO GET OUT ON THE FIELD OR IN THIS CASE, ON TO THE COURT.

>> IT'S A COMBINATION OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS AND STUDENTS WHO DON'T.

SO IT'S NOT JUST LIKE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WHERE IT'S JUST THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, IT'S A COMBINATION WHERE EVERYBODY IS PLAYING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: GRAND RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL HOSTED A UNIFIED BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WITH STUDENTS FROM BEMIDJI, CLOQUET, PROCTOR, AND RED LAKE.

EVERYONE HAD A DIFFERENT AMOUNT OF UNIFIED SPORTS EXPERIENCE.

>> HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED BEFORE?

>> NO.

>> YOU DECIDED TO PLAY TODAY?

>> YEAH.

>> HOW HAS IT BEEN GOING SO FAR?

>> AWESOME.

>> I HOPE MY TEAM DOES PRETTY GOOD TODAY.

>> I NEVER GOTTEN AROUND TO IT UNTIL NOW AND THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME.

I TOOK IT AND I REALLY LIKE IT.

>> Reporter: ALL THREE COURTS IN THE GRAND RAPIDS GYM WAS FULL OF ACTIVITY AND FRIENDLY COMPETITION.

>> THE ENERGY IS HERE AND THE ATMOSPHERE IS SO POSITIVE.

THERE ARE SMILING FACES EVERYWHERE AND EVERYONE IS HAPPY TO BE HERE SHOOTING HOOPS AND BEING PART OF A TEAM.

>> SEEING EVERYONE PLAY LIKE THAT AND NO NEGATIVITY AND ALL THAT.

>> YEAH, I AM HAVING FUN TODAY.

MY FAVORITE PART IS PLAYING BASKETBALL, IT'S SHOOTING HOOPS.

LIKE I HAVE BEEN DOING A FEW OF THOSE ALREADY AND IT MAKES THINGS FUN.

>> Reporter: AND THERE WERE SO MANY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE ATHLETES FROM THE EVENT OTHER THAN JUST DRIBBLING AND SHOOTING.

>> I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD COMPETE AND HAVE FUN AND LEARN LIFE LESSONS AND SKILLS.

IT'S GREAT THAT WE CAN DO IT ALL TOGETHER.

>> HELP EVERYBODY ELSE LEARN BETTER.

TEACH ABOUT SPORTS AND EVERYTHING, THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD SPORTS OUT THERE.

>> GET OUTSIDE YOUR BOUNDARY AND TRY NEW THINGS.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU'RE TRYING SOMETHING.

>> MY OPINION, IT'S TO SHOW OFF THAT EVEN DISABLED PEOPLE CAN STILL PLAY BASKETBALL.

THEY'RE STILL GOOD AT GAMES.

>> JUST GETTING PEOPLE GOING AND HAVE FUN.

SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST EMBARRASSED TO PLAY SPORTS, THEN JUST GET THEM MOVING.

>> Reporter: WHAT MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON OF THE DAY, HOW TO BE ON A TEAM.

>> I HAVE AUTISM AND I USED TO GET REALLY FRUSTRATED WHEN I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BUT RIGHT NOW WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE ENCOURAGING ME, IT'S REALLY IMPROVING MY AWARENESS.

>> I ALWAYS DO STUFF ALONE.

NOW IT'S COOL BEING ON A TEAM.

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

>> THE TOURNAMENT SAW A PACKED GYM, WITH PARENTS AND FAMILIES CHEERING ON THEIR ATHLETES AND EVEN SOME GRAND RAPIDS STUDENTS GETTING TIME OFF OF CLASS TO SEE THE GAMES.

>>> LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE HAD A LOT OF FUN OUT IN THAT GYM TODAY STACY.

WE HAD SOME NICE WEATHER IN THE AREA, BUT THAT WILL BE CHANGING SOON, WON'T IT?

>> Stacy: IT IS DEFINITELY COMING TO AN END.

WE'RE GOING TO START OUT WITH MILD TEMPERATURES BUT THE TEMPS WILL BE COOLING THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THE BIG THING WILL BE THE WIND, IT WILL BE WINDY OUT THERE.

WE COULD SEE A FEW SNOW SHOWERS AND AS A RESULT, WE COULD SEE SNOW SQUALLS IN THE AREA.

WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY OUT FOR PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA, SO WE'LL >> 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 HAD SOME MILD TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE AREA TODAY, BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING WINTER MAKING A REALLY STRONG RETURN AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

WE'LL START TO SEE FALLING TEMPERATURES, WE'LL SEE VERY STRONG WINDS, WHICH COULD CREATE SOME AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

SOME SNOW SQUALLS POSSIBLE, SO THAT COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY, AND ONCE THIS SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH, WE WILL SEE THE COLD AIR MOVE INTO NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND IN FACT, TEMPERATURES ARE PROBABLY GOING TO STAY BELOW 0 AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 28 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, 22 IS OUR DEW POINT, HUMIDITY IS AT 77%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 29 DEGREES, 22 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 12 MILES PER HOUR.

PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA UNDER THAT WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 9:00 A.M. UNTIL 9:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, AGAIN WE WILL BE SEEING VERY STRONG WINDS ALONG WITH SOME SNOW SHOWERS AND THAT COULD RESIDENCE -- REDUCE VISIBILITY IN THE AREA.

IT WILL VARY A LOT AND DEPEND ON A FEW FACTORS, BUT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE A FEW AREAS OF NEAR WHITEOUT CONDITIONS WITH THESE WEATHER CONDITIONS MOVING IN.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW ACTIVITY IN THE AREA TONIGHT.

WE WILL BE SEEING FAIRLY MILD WEATHER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME SNOW SHOWERS CONTINUING IN THE AREA, BUT WINDS ARE GOING TO BE PICKING UP ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR.

SO WE COULD BE SEEING SOME SNOW SQUALLS, WHICH AGAIN ARE THOSE SHORT INTENSE PERIODS OF SNOW ALONG WITH THE WINDS, AND THAT WILL REDUCE VISIBILITY WITH THE AREA AS WELL.

A LOT OF WEATHER SHOTS SENT TO US.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PICTURE FROM MENAHGA.

NOW THE SUNSET TONIGHT WAS JUST BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE AND IF YOU DIDN'T HAPPEN TO GET OUTSIDE TO CATCH IT, OUR EAGLE EYES HAVE YOU COVERED.

THIS PHOTO IS FROM BEMIDJI, DAVE FROM BAXTER, RACHEL FROM LAKE MILLE LACS, SAMROSE TAKING THIS PHOTO FROM OVER LOWER RED LAKE, AND SARAH OVER LAKE EDWARD AND YOLANDA IN PEMBINA WITH THOSE PICTURES.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THOSE PHOTOS, THEY'RE AVAILABLE ON FACEBOOK.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 30 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN BUT BREEZY TODAY, THE HIGH WAS 37.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY AND 32.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR AND 29.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY SKIES, TOPPING OUT AT 25.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH TODAY OF 35, SO VERY MILD AIR OUT THERE TODAY, 27 WAS THE LOW, SUNRISE AT 7:55.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 30, WELL ABOVE THE AVERAGE, IT'S CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THE LOW IS 28 AND SUNSET AT 4:58.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, CLOUDY SKIES, SOME AREAS OF SNOW SHOWERS AND STRONG WINDS OUT THERE.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURES EARLY ON WILL BE IN THE UPPER 20s TO LOW 30s, BUT EXPECT THE TEMPS TO FALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY, SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITH STRONG WINDS AND SCATTERED SNOWFALL.

WE WILL BE SEEING EARLY HIGHS IN THE 30s, BUT AGAIN EXPECT THE TEMPERATURES TO DROP ALL DAY LONG.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED FLURRIES IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, AND PATCHY AND BLOWING SNOW IN THE NORTHWEST, LOWS NEAR 23.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY WITH THOSE SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS AND BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

32 FOR THE HIGH, AGAIN FALLING TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE DAY WITH WEST WINDS AT 15 TO 30.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, IT IS A LITTLE QUIETER BUT COLDER.

HIGHS ON SUNDAY NEAR -12 AND -22 FOR THE LOW.

NOT GOING TO IMPROVE MUCH AS WE HEAD INTO MONDAY, -13 AND -24 FOR OUR TEMPERATURES, BUT WE COULD SEE WIND CHILLS AT -40 IN THE EARLY HOURS, WARMER AS WE HEAD INTO TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, COMING UP NEXT IN SPORTS, BIG HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS MATCH UP TONIGHT IN CROSBY.

CHARLIE WILL BE HERE WITH YOUR HIGHLIGHTS NEXT.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>> THE GOLDEN APPLE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY CROW WING POWER.

DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELIABLE ELECTRICITY AND A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF TO ASSIST YOU WITH ENERGY-SAVING PROGRAMS AND TIPS MORE AT CWPOWER.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> FOR THE PAST TWO SEASONS, CROSBY-IRONTON AND PEQUOT LAKES GIRLS BASKETBALL CLASHED IN THE SECTION 8-2A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

IN 2023, THE RANGERS UPSET THE REIGNING SECTION CHAMPION PATRIOTS.

IN 2024, C.I.

WON AGAIN BUT THAT TIME AS THE FAVORITE, SPARKING A DE-FACTO RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS.

TONIGHT, 11-AND-2 PEQUOT LAKES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY SPOILER.

THEY'RE ON THE ROAD AT 2ND RANKED CROSBY-IRONTON WHO COMES IN A PERFECT 14-0.

FIRST HALF.

9-3 C.I., TORI OEHRLEIN ON THE FAST BREAK, HITS SAMMIE HACHEY IN STRIDE, EASY DEUCE, RANGERS OPEN THE GAME ON A 20-3 RUN.

PATRIOTS TRYING TO PULL BACK IN, GOOD BALL MOVEMENT, FINDS JUNE RUUD FOR THE TREY BALL.

SHE HAD 14 IN THE FIRST HALF.

PATRIOTS CHIPPING AWAY BUT CROSBY WAS HAVING NONE OF IT.

REGAN JEUNEMANN GETS THE PICK, DUMP OFF TO OEHRLEIN FOR THE LAY.

OEHRLEIN LED ALL SCORING FOR C.I.

WITH 34 POINTS.

THE RANGERS CONTINUE THEIR WINNING WAY, TOPPING PEQUOT LAKES IN A 72-35 VICTORY.

AND THE BRAINERD GIRLS WERE ACTIVE TONIGHT AS WELL, HOSTING SAINT CLOUD CRUSH, AND THE WARRIORS WERE ROCKING AND ROLLING ALL NIGHT LONG AS ALLISON THOMAS, CASH MONEY FROM DEEP, SHE HAD 10 POINTS.

WARRIORS EXTEND THE LEAD, ENSUING POSSESSION.

MACY CASTLE FINDS ADDISON BJORKLUND, CONVERTS OFF THE GLASS.

SHE HAD 14 ON THE NIGHT.

AS THE WARRIORS DROP SAINT CLOUD IN A 76-25 VICTORY, MYA TAUTGES LED THE WAY FOR BRAINERD WITH 17 POINTS.

>>> MORES -- MORE IN GIRLS BASKETBALL.

BEMIDJI CONTESTED UNTIL THE VERY END AGAINST DETROIT LAKES.

FOLEY DROPS LITTLE FALLS BY 3.

AITKIN GETS THE WIN AND ROYALTON REMAINS UNDEFEATED FOR THE SEASON, WITH THEIR WIN.

FOSSTON, THEY BEAT CLEAR BROOK GONVICK.

AND NOW WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY OFF TO A SNEAKY 9-1 START.

THE MUSTANG HAD THEM TRAILING AT HALF.

AND THIS GETS IT TO BILLY, WHO BURIED THE TRAY.

A GOOD SEQUENCE BY THEM.

THEY HAD A FEW GOOD SEQUENCES THEMSELVES.

THEY BLOCKED OFF THE FEED, MAKES IT SPLASH, AND THEN THE BIG MAN, JOSEPH TAKING THE ROCK, AND GETS THE AND ONE AND MAKES GOOD ON THE FREE THROW.

THEY SCORED 83 POINTS TONIGHT BUT WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY HAD 119.

THERE'S THE DIFFERENCE THERE ON THE OFFENSIVE END.

THEY GET THE WIN.

>>> IN CLASS A BOYS BASKETBALL, NEVIS HOSTING RED LAKE.

EARLY ON, THE TIGERS HAD A PLAN, GET THE BALL DOWN LOW.

DEVON FINDS A.J., LEADING WITH 23 POINTS.

THEY JUMPED OUT TO A 13-5 LEAD.

AUSTIN COUNTS THE BASKET, HE MADE THE FREE THROW AS WELL, FINISHED WITH 8 FOR THE WARRIORS.

NOW TICKLES THE TWINE, BRINGS RED LAKE TO WITHIN 3, AND TIGERS WILL GET BACK TO WORK IN THE PAINT, THIS TIME WITH ALEX LESTER WHO HAS FIVE WARRIORS AROUND HIM.

HE STILL GETS THE BUCKET.

HE HAD 19.

NEVIS WENT ON TO WIN 78-35 OVER RED LAKE, HOLDING THE WARRIORS TO JUST 9 POINTS IN THE SECOND HALF.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

HIB -- HIBBING BEATS GRAND RAPIDS.

CLEAR BROOK GONVICK FALLS.

WADENA DEER CREEK WINS TONIGHT.

VERNDALE FALLS.

AND ROSEAU AND MOREHEAD, A BIG TIME MATCH UP IN GIRLS HOCKEY.

NORTHERN LAKES BEATS CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON.

ON THE BOY'S SIDE OF THINGS, BRAINERD AND DETROIT LAKES BATTLE TO A FINAL OF 0-0.

NORTHERN LAKES GETS A 1-GOAL WIN.

WADENA DEER CREEK FALLS, PARK RAPIDS GETS A WIN, INTERNATIONAL FALLS WINS.

>> Dennis: SOME DEFENSIVE HOCKEY.

>> Charlie: YEAH, AFTER OFFENSIVE BASKETBALL.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> COUNCILWOMAN AT-LARGE FOR THE CITY OF BEMIDJI, AUDREY THAYER HAS CONTINUED TO TEACH AT LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE WHILE SITTING ON THE COUNCIL FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SAT DOWN WITH AUDREY TO LEARN WHY SHE CONTINUES TO DO SO.

>> Reporter: FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AUDRY SAT IN THIS CHAIR EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAY TO SERVE AS COUNCILWOMAN AT-LARGE.

SOME KNOW HER HAS A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST OR A FRIEND OR NEIGHBOR, BUT HER STUDENTS HERE AT LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE KNOW HER HAS PROFESSOR.

>> I TAUGHT HERE FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS IN ARTS AND HUMANITIES.

THE FOCUS IS INDIGENOUS AMERICAN LEADERSHIP.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS BEEN IN THE WORLD OF EDUCATION FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS, BEING A FACULTY MEMBER AT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY IN THE '90s AND WORKING AT WHITE EARTH TRIBAL COLLEGE IN 2010.

AFTER THEY GAVE HER AN OFFER TO BE A PROFESSOR AT THEIR SCHOOL, THERE WAS SOMETHING TELLING HER TO ACCEPT THE JOB.

>> THERE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN CATCHING A RIDE WITH HER CHILD, AN INFANT.

IT WAS 15 OR 20 DEGREES.

I GAVE HER A RIDE AND I SAID WHERE ARE YOU HEADING?

SHE SAID MY CAR BROKE DOWN, WHICH I SAW.

I ASSUMED SHE WAS GOING TO CASS LAKE BUT SHE STARTED TO HEAD TO THE TRIBAL COLLEGE.

YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS.

I CANNOT MISS CLASS.

WHEN I SAW THE HOPE IN HER EYES, I KNEW WHEN I CAME TO THIS COLLEGE, IF THEY OFTENED ME -- OFFERED ME A JOB, I WOULD TAKE IT.

>> Reporter: IT LED TO HER RUNNING FOR A SEAT ON THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL.

>> I'M TEACHING LEADERSHIP, SO OBVIOUSLY I AM GOING TO RUN FOR OFFICE TO SHOW THEM THAT WHY NOT PUSH YOURSELF LOCALLY.

>> Reporter: SHE KNOWS THAT SHE COULD QUIT TEACHING AT ANY TIME TO FOCUS MORE ON HER REMAINING YEARS BUT CONTINUES TO COME BACK TO THE COLLEGE YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE SHE LOVES SEEING HER STUDENTS' ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> THE FACT THAT I HAD TO RUN AGAINST ONE OF THE PAST STUDENTS.

ANYONE FROM THE ACADEMIC WORLD FROM PRESCHOOL UP.

YOU HOPE AND PRAY THAT THINGS WILL GO WELL IN THEIR LIVES TO BECOME A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN, NO MATTER HOW YOU DEFINE THAT.

I FIND JOY IN SEEING OUR STUDENTS SUCCEEDING AND HOW THEY DEFINE SUCCESSION.

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

>> Dennis: WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

STACY JOINS US WITH THE NEWS OF THE 50 MILES PER HOUR WINDS POSSIBLY.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE WIND GUSTS UP TO 55 MILES PER HOUR, AND THAT'S THE AREA UNDER THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.

THIS IS IN EFFECT FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 9:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, WITH THE STRONG WINDS, WE WILL ALSO SEE AREAS OF SNOW AND IT COULD CREATE SOME PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY.

OTHERWISE, FOR TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE A FEW SCATTERED FLURRIES IN THE NORTHEAST, BUT EXPECT STRONG WINDS, 15 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'RE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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