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

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; 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 WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> A DECADE AGO, BRAINERD'S KATIE MCCORMICK WAS CONVICTED OF A FELONY, AND AFTER LEAVING PRISON, SHE LOOKED TO TURN HER LIFE AROUND.

NOW, AFTER YEARS OF HARD WORK AND GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, MCCORMICK HAS BEEN PARDONED BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: McCORMICK IS NOT NEW TO FACING ADVERSITY AFTER FACING STRUGGLES WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SHE WOUND UP IN JAIL AFTER STEALING A FIREARM, SOMETHING IN RESPONSE TO A MAN STEALING TO HER BELONGINGS.

SHE WAS GIVEN A 41-MONTH SENTENCE, BUT LANDING ANOTHER SENTENCE OF ASSAULT IN JAIL.

>> YOU'RE SITTING IN JAIL, THERE IS NO HOPE.

THERE ARE FEELINGS OF SHAME AND ON TOP OF IT, YOU ARE COMING OFF DRUGS.

I WAS LONELY, I WAS TOO ASHAMED TO TELL MY STORY.

I WAS TOO GUILTY TO CALL MY FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: HAVING A FELONY RECORD CREATES HURDLES AT TIMES WHEN APPLYING FOR JOBS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND MORE.

FOLLOWING HER TIME IN JAIL, McCORMICK EXPERIENCED THE IMPACT OF THE ROADBLOCK FIRSTHAND.

>> IT WAS TERRIBLE.

IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO HAVE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF AND TRY TO EXPLAIN THAT I AM NOT THIS PERSON THAT MY CRIMINAL RECORD SHOWS THAT I AM.

HOUSING IS NEVER BEEN AN OPTION FOR ME.

10 YEARS, I STILL LIVE WITH MY FATHER.

>> Reporter: SHE OVERCAME HER ADDICTION AND HAS SPENT YEARS VOLUNTEERING WITH THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROJECT AND CURRENTLY WORKS AT THE LOCAL BRANCH OF THE TWIN CITIES NON-PROFIT DIRECT RECOVERY SUPPORT.

>> HOW DO I SEE KATIE?

DETERMINED, DRIVEN, THE EXAMPLE OF WHAT A COMMUNITY MEMBER LOOKS LIKE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BEING PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

>> CONTRITION AND THE COMPASSION SHE HELD FOR OTHERS.

I SAW THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

SHE WAS ALWAYS ASKING HOW OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING.

>> Reporter: HE INITIATED THE PARDON PROGRAM OVER A YEAR AGO AND ON DECEMBER 17, 2025, SHE CRIED TEARS OF JOY AFTER BEING GRANTED THE PARDON.

NOW SHE HOPES THAT THE STORY CAN SERVE AS HOPE FOR OTHERS FACING SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> HARD WORK DOES PAY OFF.

LET'S WORK TOWARDS REPAIRING THE HARM AND GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

WHEN PEOPLE HAVE SENIOR FAILURES, TRY THEM TRIUMPHS.

WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR FUTURE TO LOOK LIKE?

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

>> MCCORMICK SAYS SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN THE SENTENCING GUIDELINES FOR MINNESOTA.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE APPROVED AN ORDINANCE REGARDING LAKESIDE BUFFERS.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES MANAGER CHRIS PENCE INITIATED THE CONVERSATION DURING A COUNTY MEETING LAST MONTH, IN AN EFFORT TO HAVE THOSE SEEKING SHORELINE RECREATIONAL USE PERMITS IMPLEMENT A BUFFER.

ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA D.N.R, A SHORELINE BUFFER CAN HELP REDUCE EROSION, INCREASE FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND FILTER POLLUTANTS.

PENCE SUGGESTED ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO CREATE BEACHES OR WATER ACCESSORY STRUCTURES ON 30 PERCENT OF THE SHORELINE, WHILE HAVING THE REMAINING 70 PERCENT SERVE AS A BUFFER.

>> SOME OF THESE AREAS WHERE THERE IS NOT THAT BEACH AREA, THAT'S WHERE THE PERMIT COMES IN PLACE SO THEY CAN CREATE A SMALL BEACH IN FRONT SO THE KIDS CAN ENJOY THE WATER'S EDGE.

THOSE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO SAY YES, WE CAN CREATE THAT BEACH AREA ON 3% OF YOUR SHORELINE, BUT THE 70% OF YOUR SHORELINE, THAT IS WHERE THE BUFFER SHOULD BE IN PLACE.

>> CROW WING COUNTY WANTS THAT 70 PERCENT OF THE BEACH SERVING AS A BUFFER TO HAVE AT LEAST EIGHT INCHES OF NATIVE VEGETATION AND GRASS GROWING.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE HOSTED GUEST SPEAKER EARL BROWN EARLIER TODAY, TO PRESENT ABOUT DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR ON HIS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO THE YOUTH ADVOCATE ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES AFFECTING PEOPLE IN THE AREA TODAY, AND HOW WE CAN STILL USE DR.

KING'S TEACHINGS IN 2026.

>> Reporter: IF YOU CAN'T FLY, THEN RUN.

IF YOU CAN'T RUN, THEN WALK.

IF YOU CAN'T WALK, THEN CRAWL BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, YOU HAVE TO KEEP MOVING.

DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

SAID THIS AND THE PHILOSOPHY IS SOMETHING THAT PUBLIC SPEAKER EARL BROWN LOVES TO BRING INTO HIS PRESENTATIONS.

>> I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON MLK DAY EVENT AND THE THEME, YOU CAN DISASSOCIATE YOURSELF WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING THAT IS NOT IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOU WILL SORT IT OUT.

BY COMING HERE, I WANTED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE EVERYONE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

>> Reporter: BROWN, A YOUTH ADVOCATE FROM GEORGIA, VISITED BEMIDJI FOR BEMIDJI STATE'S ANNUAL MLK DAY RECOGNITION TO SPEAK ABOUT ECONOMIC INEQUALITY, RACIAL INJUSTICE, COLLABORATION, AND SERVICE AND SEVERAL EVENTS INVOLVING THESE THEMES WITHIN MINNESOTA.

>> FOUR YEARS AGO, WE HAD AN INCIDENT IN MINNESOTA WITH GEORGE FLOYD AND WE'RE BACK WITH A LOT OF TURMOIL GOING ON.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE VAST CHANGE BACK THEN AND WE LET IT FIZZLE OUT.

IF THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COME BACK AND PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF FOUR YEARS AGO AND MAKE SURE WE'RE STRONGER AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

DAY IS NOT ONLY A DAY TO COMMEMORATE ONE MAN, BUT TO BRING LONGER LASTING ATTENTION TO OTHER SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES STILL AROUND TODAY.

>> I'M ABLE TO SHARE ALL OF MY EXPERIENCES WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND JUST ALLOW EVERYONE TO SEE THAT WE'RE ALL THE SAME.

WE COULD ALL BENEFIT FROM EACH OTHER AND THAT'S BEEN MY MISSION AND FOCUS.

I THINK IT OPENS UP PEOPLE'S MINDS TO NEW IDEAS AND ALLOWS PEOPLE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS TO SEE THAT WE'RE ALL FEELING THE SAME PRESSURES OF SOCIETY.

I WANTED TO SEE THAT DESPITE WHAT'S GOING ON, WE WILL STILL BE HERE TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

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

>> BROWN'S BIGGEST CALL TO ACTION TO THE PUBLIC IS TO MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS AND SHARE THEIR OWN KNOWLEDGE AND PHILOSOPHIES, AND THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE CHANGE IS BY COMING TOGETHER AND FOCUSING ON OUR SIMILARITIES RATHER THAN OUR DIFFERENCES.

>>> THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING ANTI-I.C.E.

PROTESTERS WHO INTERRUPTED A CHURCH SERVICE.

THIS VIDEO IS FROM CITIES CHURCH IN SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, OVER THE WEEKEND.

IT APPEARS TO SHOW DEMONSTRATORS AMONG A GROUP OF WORSHIPPERS.

THEY SHOUT I.C.E.

OUT AND THE NAME RENEE GOOD.

SHE'S THE WOMAN AN I.C.E.

AGENT SHOT AND KILLED EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE DEMONSTRATION FOLLOWS ONLINE CLAIMS THE CHURCH'S PASTOR WORKS FOR I.C.E.. >> IT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME WHETHER HE WAS PRESENT OR NOT.

THE REALITY IS THAT IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE FOR SOMEONE TO CLAIM TO SERVE AS A PASTOR WHILE ALSO BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR A LOT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY AS A RESULT OF THOUSANDS OF ICE AGENTS DESCENDING UPON THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THE TWIN CITIES IN PARTICULAR.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS IT WILL NOT COMMENT ON WHETHER ITS TRUE THAT THE CHURCH'S PASTOR WORKS FOR I.C.E.. >>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS LINKED HIS AGGRESSIVE PUSH TO ACQUIRE GREENLAND TO A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE SNUB.

THE REVELATION CAME IN A TEXT MESSAGE TO NORWAY'S PRIME MINISTER AND AS TRUMP ESCALATES A TRADE WAR WITH EUROPE.

KARIN CAIFA REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TYING HIS PURSUIT OF GREENLAND TO A SNUB BY NORWAY'S NOBEL PRIZE COMMITTEE.

IN A TEXT MESSAGE TO NORWAY'S PRIME MINISTER HE SAID CONSIDERING YOUR COUNTRY DECIDED NOT TO GIVE ME THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR HAVING STOPPED 8 WARS-PLUS, I DON'T FEEL AN OBLIGATION TO THINK PURELY OF PEACE.

HIS THREAT SHAKING NATO ALLIES, INCLUDING DENMARK IN WHICH GREENLAND IS AN AUTONOMOUS PART.

>> WE'RE NOT WILLING TO GIVE UP THE SOVEREIGNTY AND HAND OVER THE CITIZENS TO THE AMERICANS AGAINST THEIR WILL.

>> Reporter: AND HE THREATENED TARIFFS ON GOODS ON COUNTRIES THAT OPPOSE HIS PLAN.

KEIR STARMER CALLED FOR TENSIONS TO COOL.

>> THE USE OF TARIFFS AGAINST ALLIES IS COMPLETELY WRONG.

IT IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AN ALLIANCE.

>> Reporter: MALONY ALSO CALLED IT A MISTAKE.

>> [VOICE OF TRANSLATOR] I WANTED TO SAY THE PREDICTION OF AN INCREASE IN TARIFFS AGAINST THOSE NATIONS THAT CHOOSE TO CONTRIBUTE TO GREENLAND IS A MISTAKE.

>> Reporter: A TRADE BAZOOKA THAT WOULD CUT OFF ACCESS TO OTHER EUROPEAN MARKETS.

TRUMP PREVIOUSLY SAID THAT IT'S KEY TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND KEEPING RUSSIAN AND CHINESE SHIPS OUT OF THE REGION.

GREENLAND SAID WE STAND FIRM ON DIALOG, RESPECT, AND INTERNATIONAL LAW.

IN WASHINGTON, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>> THE WHITE HOUSE HAS NOT RULED TAKING CONTROL OF THE STRATEGIC ARCTIC ISLAND BY FORCE.

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

>> Stacy: EXPECT TO SEE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES AND WIND CHILLS IN THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, FIND OUT HOW BELTRAMI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CAME TO BE.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THERE ARE OVER 600 LIONS CLUBS WITH MORE THAN 20,000 MEMBERS SERVING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE LAND OF TEN THOUSAND LAKES.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL CAUGHT UP WITH ONE BRANCH THAT IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE NOT ONLY IN THEIR COMMUNITY, BUT THEIR MEMBERS' LIVES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: CAMP CONFIDENCE HAS BEEN HELPING PEOPLE BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE AND BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY FOR NEARLY 60 YEARS.

ONE WAY THEY ARE ACCOMPLISHING THIS GOAL IS THROUGH THEIR LION'S CLUB CHAPTER.

>> WE HAVE MENTORS SO THOSE WITH COGNITIVE OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES HOLD POSITION IN OUR CLUB.

SO, ANYWHERE FROM TREASURER, ALL THE WAY UP TO SOCIAL SERVICE STUFF, AND THEY HAVE A MENTOR THAT COMES ALONGSIDE THEM TO HELP THEM COMPLETE THEIR TASKS.

>> Reporter: FORM IN APRIL OF 2022, THE CLUB HAS RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH BINGO NIGHTS AND BAGGING GROCERIES AT LOCAL STORES.

>> LAST YEAR WE DONATED $13,000 TO DIFFERENT CAUSES IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

SO, THAT COULD BE DONATIONS TO AGAIN THE SOUP KITCHEN, THE FOOD SHELF, GROUP HOMES, SAFETY ALLIANCE, JUST GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IS REALLY WHAT OUR MEMBERS ENJOY DOING.

>> Reporter: FOR MEMBERS OF THE CLUB, THEY FEEL AN INCREASED SENSE OF BELONGING AS THEY HELP THE COMMUNITY.

>> MY GRANDPA USE TO BE ONE IN AITKIN, SO I FELT LIKE KEEPING THE TRADITION IN THE FAMILY TO BE PART OF ANOTHER CLUB THAT I CAN DO STUFF WITH, AND GET TO MEET NEW PEOPLE.

>> I JUST FEEL HAPPY THAT I CAN DO SOMETHING FUN AND NOT HAVE TO BE, NOT DOING ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: THE HAPPY FEELINGS CONTINUE ON TO THEIR MENTORS, WHO ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR CLUB MEMBERS THRIVE.

>> IT'S ALWAYS INCREDIBLE TO SEE THEM AND JUST THEIR ATTITUDE AND I HONESTLY GET TO SEE ALL OF OUR CAMP MEMBERS AND OUR MENTORS GET OUT OF THEIR SHELLS AND REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S AWESOME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN EAST GULL LAKE, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE CAMP CONFIDENCE LIONS CLUB MEETS EVERY THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH AT 6:00 P.M., WITH THEIR NEXT MEETING COMING ON FEBRUARY 19TH.

>>> THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY RECENTLY OPENED ITS NEWEST DISPLAY OF LOCAL ART, THIS TIME HIGHLIGHTING ARTIST RENEE SAUNDERS.

THE EXHIBIT IS IN COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE BRAINERD AREA ART GUILD AND THE LIBRARY AS THEY CELEBRATE THE CREATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA.

SAUNDERS' WORK INCLUDES WATER COLOR PAINTINGS, ACRYLICS, AND WORKS CREATED WITH A UNIQUE PAINTING TECHNIQUE CALLED JELLYPLATING.

>> Reporter:.

>> BASICALLY THAT'S JUST USING A PIECE OF SILICONE THAT YOU HAVE IT LAID FLAT ON YOUR TABLE.

YOU ADD PAINT TO IT.

THEN YOU PRESS THE PIECE OF PAPER OVER THE TOP AND PULL IT OFF AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME AND SEE WHAT YOU GOT.

>> THE EXHIBIT WILL BE ON DISPLAY UNTIL MARCH, WHEN THE ARTIST'S WORK WILL BE REPLACED BY THE WORK ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE BRAINERD AREA ART GUILD.

COMBL.

>>> WELL, WE HAVE STACY HERE NOW WITH A LOOK AT OUR WEATHER AS IT IS GOING TO BE COLD HERE FOR THE NEXT WEEK OR SO, RIGHT?

>> Stacy: WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND AGAIN LATER THIS WEEK.

IT SHOULD GET ABOVE 0 OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT WE DO HAVE CHANCES OF SNOW RETURNING TO THE AREA.

IN THE MEANTIME, AS I MENTIONED, COLD WINDCHILLS ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT, SO I'LL HAVE MORE ON [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID ENJOY SUNSHINE TODAY BUT AGAIN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES ALL DAY LONG.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE COLD TEMPS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT WITH VERY COLD WINDCHILLS, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEASTERN AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THAT CONTINUES INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

TEMPERATURES TOMORROW SHOULD CLIMB BACK INTO THE ABOVE 0 NUMBERS, BUT WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE CHANCES OF SNOW RETURN TO THE AREA BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S -13 AT THE AIRPORT, WINDS ARE WEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR, GIVING US A WINDCHILL OF -28, WITH A DEW POINT OF -17.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, -9, THE DEW POINT IS -16, WINDS ARE OUT THE WEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A WINDCHILL OF -22.

A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IS OUT FOR A GOOD PORTION OF OUR AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND IT WILL EXPIRE AT 10:00 A.M.

IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AND NOON IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

WE CAN EXPECT WINDCHILLS FROM -35 TO -39.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, IT'S BEEN CLEAR OUT THERE, A FEW PATCHES OF CLOUD COVER IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, IN THAT AREA.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

AS I MENTIONED, WE WILL BE SEEING THE LOWS AROUND -20, BUT NOT A LOT OF WIND, BUT ENOUGH TO BRING THE WINDCHILLS INTO THE -30s ACROSS MOST OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL SKIES THIS MORNING BUT A COLD MORNING.

THIS IS THE SUNRISE IN MENAHGA AND TODAY'S SUNRISE IN CASS LAKE.

LINDSEY HAS A PICTURE OF THE SUN DOGS SPOTTED THIS MORNING WITH SOME NICE BLUE SKIES FROM LINDA NEAR MILLE LACS LAKE.

CHRISSY SPOTTING A CHICKADEE IN DEERWOOD AND NORTHERN LIGHTS VISIBLE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, -14 THIS MORNING.

CHRISSY, THE LOW TEMPERATURE WAS -14.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE AND THE LOW WAS -19.

PAUL IN BEMIDJI, A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, -20 FOR THE LOW.

ON OUR ALMANAC, -2 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD.

WE'RE SEEING SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES AND AGAIN THAT LOW TEMP ALL THE WAY DOWN TO -15.

WE HAD SUNSET TONIGHT AT 5:03.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF -5, SO WE'RE WELL BELOW AVERAGE, -19 WAS OUR LOW, AND SUNRISE AT 1 MINUTE BEFORE 8:00.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE START OUT WITH A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN THE AREA.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, CLOUDS WILL INCREASE.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING LIGHT SNOW MOVE INTO THE AREA, ANY ACCUMULATION SHOULD BE LIGHT, POSSIBLY AN INCH OR LESS.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, A LITTLE WARMER THAN TODAY, HIGHS SHOULD CLIMB INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS ABOVE 0, TO CLOSE TO 10 DEGREES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, A CHANCE FOR FLURRIES IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, LOWS DROPPING TO -20, WITH WINDCHILLS IN THE -30s.

A CHANCE FOR SNOW OR FLURRIES IN THE AFTERNOON WITH HIGHS NEAR 5.

LOOKING AT THE EXTENDED FORECAST, A CHANCE FOR LIGHT SNOW ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT NEAR 13.

THEN THE BOTTOM FALLS OUT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND WITH HIGHS NEAR -16 ON FRIDAY, A LOT OF SUNSHINE LATE THIS WEEK, AND IN FACT IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE SUNDAY BEFORE TEMPS CLIMB ABOVE 0 ONCE AGAIN.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, IT'S THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY, RIGHT?

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS AND A BIG CURLING WEEK IN BEMIDJI THIS WEEK.

>> Charlie: YEAH, EXCUSE ME, I HAVE TO REMEMBER IT, THE 2026 U.S.

MIXED DOUBLES NATIONALS.

IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME AND NOT THE LAST, BUT AN AWESOME THING FOR THEM TO HAVE AT THE BEMIDJI CURLING CLUB.

WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION FOR YOU COMING UP RIGHT AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >>> THE WINTER OLYMPICS BEGIN IN LESS THAN THREE WEEKS, BUT IF YOU CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THEN TO GET YOU'RE CURLING FIX, WELL THEN THE BEMIDJI CURLING CLUB MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP.

BEGINNING THE TOMORROW, THEY ARE HOSTING THE 2026 U.S.A.

CURLING MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

THE ANNUAL 6-DAY EVENT WILL DETERMINE THE NATION'S TOP MIXED DOUBLES TEAM, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE CURLER, WITH THE WINNER MOVING ON TO REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES AT THE 2026 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.

THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME THE CURLING CLUB HAS HOSTED THE EVENT, IN FACT, THEY HELD THE FIRST EVER MIXED DOUBLES U.S.

CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2008, WHEN BEMIDJI'S VERY OWN JAMIE AND NATE HASKELL TOOK HOME THE GOLD, AND THEN AGAIN IN 2020 WHEN CASS LAKE'S JOE POLO WON.

>> TRAVELING AND WITH MY DAUGHTER'S COMPETITIVE TEAM, I SEE OTHER TEAMS THAT HANG THEIR BANNERS FOR NATIONAL EVENTS AND I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT HERE.

ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE HOSTING IS BEMIDJI WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO U.S.A.

CURLING AND HOST THIS EVENT FOR THEM.

CLUBS HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF U.S.A.

CURLING AND PUT AN APPLICATION TO HOST ONE OF THESE EVENTS.

WE TRY TO DO IT ASSOFF -- AS OFTEN AS WE CAN, AND IT SPREADS THE CURLING ACROSS THE NATION.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CURLERS COMING FROM ALL ACROSS THE NATION TO CURL IN THIS EVENT THIS WEEK.

>> Charlie: HERE IS THE ROUGH SCHEDULE FOR IT, IT BEGINS ON JANUARY 20TH WHEN THEY HAVE THE OPENING CEREMONIES.

IT RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY WHEN THEY HAVE THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES.

THEY WILL BE SELLING TICKETS, THOSE TICKETS ARE A FUNDRAISER FOR THE BEMIDJI CURLING CLUB.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT SOME OF THE ACTION ON YOUTUBE AT BEMIDJI CURLING CLUB THERE.

>>> WELL, THIS YEAR'S HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA IS IN HASTINGS AND THEY'RE KICKING OFF THE WEEK-LONG EVENT WITH A SHAKEDOWN BETWEEN 15th RANKED GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY AND ALEXANDRIA.

DURING THE POWER PLAY, UNABLE TO BEAT VICTORIA MIRES IN THE NET.

THE CARDINALS WILL PROCEED TO GO ON A 4-0 SCORING RUN IN THE SECOND PERIOD THAT PUT THE LIGHTNING IN A MASSIVE HOLE.

EARLY THIRD PERIOD, CARLSON FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET TO PREVENT THE SHUT OUT, THE LIGHTNING NOW ARE 14-5-3 FOR THE SEASON.

>>> BAILEY BECAME A GOLD MEDALIST TO WIN THE WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.

SHE MADE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT IN HER FIRST GAME ON THE ICE WITH A GOAL AND ASSIST, IN THE 14-0 WIN OVER FINLAND.

THE JUNIOR FORWARD WAS SUPPOSED TO RETURN FOR THE LUMBERJACK'S HOME GAME AGAINST MOORHEAD BUT THE WEATHER DID NOT COOPERATE.

THE JACKS WILL BE WITHOUT HER FOR THAT ONE.

FOR TEAM U.S.A., THEY NEVER TRAILED THE WHOLE TOURNY, GOING 5-0.

>>> BAXTER'S NATE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL PLAY FOR THE WOLVERINES.

THE WARRIOR FOOTBALL PLAYER SIGN WITH NORTH DAKOTA STATE, HIS SENIOR YEAR IN 2021 AND SPENT 4 SEASONS PLAYING MIDDLE LINEBACKER FOR THE BISON, ONE OF THEM IN 2022 AND A MEDICAL RED SHIRT IN 2024, WHICH MEANS HE WILL HAVE TWO MORE SEASONS OF ELIGIBILITY IN MICHIGAN WHERE HE WILL PLAY FOR KYLE WHITINGHAM.

SO A WHOLE NEW PROGRAM, NEW CULTURE, BUT GOOD FOR HIM.

>> Dennis: AND A GOOD CAREER ALREADY.

>> Charlie: YEAH, GOT SOME RINGS THERE, MAYBE HE'LL GET SOME AT THE U OF M AS WELL.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

BELTRAMI ELECTRIC PARTICIPATED IN THE BEMIDJI AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S ‘BUSINESS AFTER HOURS' EVENT LAST WEEK, TO LET ATTENDEES LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BUSINESS AND THEIR BEGINNINGS.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, ATTENDED THE EVENT, AND HAS MORE WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: BELTRAMI ELECTRIC IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMMUNITY-FOCUSED ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE THAT SERVICES MORE THAN 18,000 HOMES, BUSINESSES, FARMS, AND SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA FOR THE LAST 85 YEARS.

THEY WERE ESTABLISHED IN 1940 WHEN BUSINESS OWNERS AND FARMERS GOT TOGETHER TO ESTABLISH AN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE.

>> THE GOAL WAS TO BRING ELECTRICITY TO THE RURAL AREAS THAT THE LOCAL UTILITY DIDN'T WANT TO SERVE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AFFORDABLE.

WE'RE PROVIDING A SERVICE AT A LOW COST AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO SERVE MEMBERS IN CASS, CLEAR WATER, HUBBARD, ITASCA, AND KOOCHICHING COUNTY.

POWER COME FROM THE WHOLESALE SUPPLIER THAT SITS RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF NORTH DAKOTA.

>> WE HAVE A COAL FIRE POWER PLANT THAT PROVIDES 56% OF OUR GENERATION CAPACITY AND 34% COMES FROM WIND AND THEN WE HAVE AN 8% ALLOCATION OF HYDRO OFF THE MISSOURI RIVER.

THEN WE HAVE 2% FROM SMALLER GENERATION SOURCES.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR BELTRAMI ELECTRIC HAS BEEN THE 20/40 CARBON-FREE LEGISLATION.

THEY WANT TO BALANCE DEMAND WITH POUR GENERATION THAT IS THERE ALL THE TIME.

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT BALANCING THAT DEMAND FROM GROWING INFRASTRUCTURE WITH NOT ONLY DATA CENTERS BUT BUSINESSES AND COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY COMING BACK TO THE UNITED STATES.

THEN WITH THAT, IT WILL PROVIDE POWER 24/7.

REMOVING THE NUCLEAR MORATORIUM IN MINNESOTA, LOOKING AT CARBON CAPTURE RESOURCES IN OUR COAL POWER PLANT, SO REALLY TRYING TO FIND OPTIONS TO MEET THAT BUT STILL PROVIDE THAT RELIABLE POWER.

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

>> BELTRAMI ELECTRIC WAS ALSO HIGHLIGHTED DURING THE EVENT FOR THEIR EFFORTS DURING THE JUNE 21ST STORM THAT LEFT OVER 50,000 RESIDENTS IN THE IMPACTED AREA WITHOUT POWER.

THE COOPERATIVE WAS ABLE TO FULLY RESTORE THE AREA IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

>>> WE GO BACK TO STACY FOR ANOTHER CHECK ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: I SEE COLD TEMPERATURES AND VERY COLD WINDCHILLS AND -30 OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IS OUT FOR MOST OF OUR VIEWING AREA THROUGHOUT TOMORROW MORNING.

FOR TONIGHT, WE'LL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR FLURRIES IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

OUR ACTUAL TEMPERATURES FALL TO -20.

>> Charlie: WE'RE GOING TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE BEMIDJI CURLING CLUB.

THEY HAD A TEAM GO TO THE U-18 NATIONALS IN DENVER.

WE HAVE DONE A COUPLE STORIES ON THEM.

THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE U-21 AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEM AS WELL.

THEY WON'T BE CURLING THIS WEEK THOUGH.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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