>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Matthew: HI EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING, MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN.

>>> AFTER KICKING AND LATER STEALING HER MOTHER'S CAR, A SOLWAY WOMAN IS FACING THEFT AND ASSAULT CHARGES IN BEMIDJI.

>> ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT, THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO AN APARTMENT FOR A REPORT OF A DOMESTIC ASSAULT TAKING PLACE IN ONE OF THE APARTMENTS.

ONCE THE OFFICER ARRIVED, HE OBSERVED A FRESH CUT ON THE VICTIM'S NOSE AND NOTICED IT APPEARED SHE HAD BEEN CRYING.

SHE WAS PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED IN THE FACE, TIPPED OVER THE RECLINER AND KICKED IN THE SIDE WHEN SHE WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR.

WHEN THE OFFICER STEPPED INTO THE APARTMENT, HE NOTICED THE RECLINER WAS TIPPED OVER AND SAW A PAIR OF GLASSES ON THE FLOOR THAT BELONGED TO THE MOTHER.

HER CAR KEYS WAS MISSING AND SHE BELIEVED SHE WAS TRAVELING TO HER FORMER RESIDENCE.

THEY REQUESTED BETRAMI AUTHORITIES TO CHECK WHERE SHE WAS ARRESTED FOR THE VEHICLE THEFT AND TRANSPORTED TO THE JAIL.

SHE SAID SHE GOTTEN INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH HER MOTHER AND ADMITTED TO KICKING HER WHILE SHE WAS ON THE GROUND.

SHE ADDED THAT TENSIONS BETWEEN HER AND HER MOTHER HAD BEEN RISING AND SHE WANTED TO STAB AND KILL HER MOTHER BUT COULD NOT BRING HERSELF TO DO SO.

>> STRANDLIEN WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF FELONY THEFT, AND ONE COUNT OF MISDEMEANOR DOMESTIC ASSAULT.

SHE NOW FACES A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF FIVE-YEARS IN PRISON, AND HER BAIL IS SET AT $10,000.

>>> MINNESOTA OFFICIALS ARE RUSHING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, ABOUT CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND PARENTS RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDS.

THIS FOLLOWS ALLEGATIONS OF WIDESPREAD ABUSE.

ACCORDING TO AN EMAIL SENT TO RECIPIENTS, MINNESOTA'S DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES, HAS UNTIL JANUARY 9TH TO VERIFY RECIPIENTS, AFTER FUNDS WERE FROZEN DUE TO FRAUD SCHEMES AT DAYCARE CENTERS, MANY RUN BY SOMALI RESIDENTS.

ALL 50 STATES MUST NOW PROVIDE ADDITIONAL VERIFICATION BEFORE RECEIVING MORE FUNDS.

MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS ACCUSE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OF PLAYING POLITICS, AND HURTING MINNESOTA FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AS A RESULT.

THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, A DIVISION OF THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, PROVIDES $185 MILLION IN CHILD CARE FUNDS ANNUALLY TO MINNESOTA.

ACCORDING TO STATE OFFICIALS, EACH MONTH ON AVERAGE, AROUND 23,000 CHILDREN AND 12,000 FAMILIES RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE TARGETED CHILD CARE PROGRAM.

>>> TWO BRANCHES OF OLD NATIONAL BANK IN THE BRAINERD-BAXTER AREA, WERE FORCED TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE THEIR DOORS LAST MONTH, FOLLOWING THE ABRUPT DEPARTURE OF SEVERAL SENIOR OFFICIALS WHO QUICKLY ACCEPTED POSITIONS AT A NEW BANK.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: OLD NATIONAL BANK IS SUING BELL BANK AND EIGHT FORMER EMPLOYEES FOR WHAT OLD NATIONAL BANK IS CALLING A COUP D'ÉTAT.

ON DECEMBER 7TH AND 8th, SENIOR BANKING OFFICIALS WITH OLD NATIONAL BANK ABRUPTLY RESIGNED AND NEARLY IMMEDIATELY ACCEPTED JOBS WITH THEIR COMPETITOR BELL BANK.

IN THE LAWSUIT, OMB SAID THAT BELL BANK HAD BEEN POACHING EMPLOYEES AHEAD OF OPENING THEIR FIRST LOCATION IN THE AREA.

OMB SAID THE MANEUVER IS A SHORTCUT BY OLD NATIONAL'S PREDECESSOR.

THEY HIGHLIGHTED EFFORTS FROM OMB'S FORMER EMPLOYEES TO POACH CLIENTS TO THE NEW BANK, INCLUDING ONE EFFORT ON THE DAY OF THE MASS RESIGNATION, WHERE A CLIENT WAS TOLD THAT OMB NO LONGERED THAT A BRANCH PRESENT IN THE BRAINERD BAXTER AREA AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THEIR NEEDS.

IN A STATEMENT, BELL BANK DISPUTED ANY WRONGDOING AND SAID THEY LOOK FORWARD TO DEMONSTRATING WHY THESE EMPLOYEES LEFT OLD NATIONAL AND JOINED BELL BANK.

REPORTING IN BRAINERD, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> OLD NATIONAL BANK IS ASKING THE COURT FOR AN INJUNCTION.

THAT WOULD PROHIBIT BELL BANK FROM EMPLOYING ITS FORMER WORKERS, SOLICITING CUSTOMERS, AND RETAINING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND TRADE SECRETS.

>>> AN OTTER TAIL COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY WAS ON A ROUTINE PATROL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, WHEN HE CAME ACROSS A STRUCTURE FIRE JUST A LITTLE SOUTH OF FERGUS FALLS.

ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, DEPUTY KEITH LOCATED THE FIRE ON 170TH STREET.

AROUND 4 MILES SOUTH OF FERGUS FALLS.

DEPUTY NOTICED THE FIRE WAS BUILDING IN A LARGE POLE SHED, AND REQUESTED FIRE ASSISTANCE.

THE OWNERS WERE ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FIRE SOON AFTER.

THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF DAMAGE IS UNKNOWN, HOWEVER, THE SHED IS CONSIDERED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS.

THE SHED CONTAINED EQUIPMENT, BALES, ANIMAL FEED, AND OTHER ITEMS, ALTHOUGH NO PERSONS OR LIVESTOCK WERE INJURED DURING THIS FIRE.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT THE OTTER TAIL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE BELIEVES THIS INCIDENT TO BE NON-SUSPICIOUS IN NATURE.

>>> AN ELDERLY MAN FROM SOLWAY WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER INCIDENT EARLIER TODAY.

ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL, 72-YEAR-OLD, EDWARD KANZIG OF SOLWAY, WAS TRAVELING IN HIS PICKUP TRUCK, HEADING EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 2 IN WILTON, WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED INTO THE MEDIAN.

THE STATE PATROL REPORTS THAT KANZIG SUFFERED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH, AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO A HOSPITAL IN BEMIDJI.

NO ALCOHOL IS REPORTED TO BE INVOLVED, BUT ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SNOWY AND ICY AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH.

>>> BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF, JASON RIGGS, ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL SEEK RE-ELECTION AS THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF IN 2026.

A PRESS RELEASE FROM SHERIFF RIGGS NOTES THAT HE HAS OVER 24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN MINNESOTA LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND HAS WORKED WITHIN THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR THE LAST 21 YEARS.

RIGGS SAYS IN THE PRESS RELEASE THAT HE HAS QUOTE, WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR THE COMMUNITIES OF BELTRAMI COUNTY, BY FOSTERING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS, BETTER TRANSPARENCY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

SHERIFF RIGGS HAS SERVED THE PAST THREE YEARS AS THE ELECTED BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF.

RIGGS WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2022, AFTER A LANDSLIDE VICTORY OVER THEN CHIEF DEPUTY, JARRETT WALTON.

>>> BELTRAMI COUNTY WANTS TO REDUCE, AND ULTIMATELY ELIMINATE SERIOUS INJURIES AND FATALITIES ON LOCAL ROADWAYS.

IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE COUNTY IS LAUNCHING A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ACTION PLAN.

BELTRAMI COUNTY WAS AWARDED PLANNING FUNDS THROUGH THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S, SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL PROGRAM.

WHICH SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES IN IMPLEMENTING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY PROJECTS WITH A LONG-TERM GOAL OF ZERO ROADWAY FATALITIES.

BELTRAMI COUNTY'S PLAN WILL BE ROOTED IN THE SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH, A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK THAT EMPHASIZES SAFETY, AND BETTER POST-CRASH CARE.

THE PLAN WILL COMBINE CRASH DATA, TECHNICAL ANALYSIS, AND COMMUNITY INPUT, TO IDENTIFY LOCAL SAFETY CHALLENGES AND DEVELOP PRIORITIZED STRATEGIES TO MAKE ROADS SAFER FOR ALL USERS.

A RELEASE FROM THE COUNTY NOTES THAT DEVELOPING A SAFETY ACTION PLAN ALSO POSITIONS THE COUNTY, TO PURSUE FUTURE FUNDING FROM THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL PROGRAM, TO MAKE THOSE RECOMMENDED SAFETY PROJECTS A REALITY.

BELTRAMI COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN SHARE EXPERIENCES, IDENTIFY CONCERNS, AND HELP SHAPE LOCAL SAFETY PRIORITIES, THROUGH AN ONLINE SURVEY AND FEEDBACK MAP ON THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE, THAT WILL HELP GUIDE THE COUNTY'S PLAN.

WE WILL PROVIDE A LINK TO THE SURVEY AND MAP, ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE A BIT OF SNOW TONIGHT AND POSSIBLY MIXED PRECIPITATION ON SUNDAY.

WE ARE EXPECTING SOME MILDER TEMPERATURES NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND RESIDENTS AT WIND SONG IN BEMIDJI SHARED SONGS OF WISDOM FOR STARTING OFF THE NEW YEAR.

WE'LL HAVE THAT STORY ALONG WITH YOUR LOCAL NEWS, WEATHER, AND SPORTS COMING UP ON LAKELAND NEWS.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> KICKING OFF A NEW YEAR LOOKS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHAT GENERATION YOU ASK.

TO YOUNGER PEOPLE IT MAY MEAN GOING OUT TO A PARTY WITH FRIENDS, AND TO OLDER, IT MAY MEAN STAYING IN WITH THEIR FAMILY AND WATCHING THE BALL DROP FROM THEIR LIVING ROOM, AND IT CONTINUES TO DIFFER AS WE AGE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK RESIDENTS AT SANFORD HEALTH WINDSONG SENIOR LIVING, TO SEE HOW THEIR NEW YEARS' PLANS AND RESOLUTIONS LOOK DIFFERENT TODAY THAN IN DECADES PAST.

>> Reporter: FOR SOME PEOPLE, NEW YEAR'S MEANS WATCHING A BALL DROP AT MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE OR WRITING DOWN RESOLUTIONS, BUT IT MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO EVERYBODY.

>> TWO OF MY DAUGHTERS WERE HERE AND THEIR CHILDREN WERE HERE, AND THEIR CHILDREN.

SO, WE HAVE A FEW GENERATIONS TOGETHER.

IT WAS FUN.

>> Reporter: FOR SOME SENIOR RESIDENTS, THE TURN OF 2025 INTO 2026 MEANT TIME SPENT WITH FAMILIES, BUT FOR SOME, IT MEANT MORE TIME SPENT WITH ONE ANOTHER.

>> I JUST THINK OF ONE DAY AT A TIME THAT I AM OPEN TO WHERE GOD LEADS ME AND WHO I TALK TO.

I ENJOY SPENDING TIME WITH RON.

>> WE KIND OF ENDED UP HERE TOGETHER, SAME THING WITH MY WIFE, SHE PASSED AWAY AROUND THE SAME TIME HER HUSBAND DID.

WE MET HERE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL TIMES WE NOTICED THINGS WE HAVE IN COMMON.

>> THOSE AT WIND SONG GATHER SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK FOR EXERCISE AND COFFEE, TALKING ABOUT LIFE, GRATITUDE, AND IMPARTING WISDOM UPON OTHERS.

>> I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT I HAVE A SON AND A DAUGHTER AND A SON LIVING HERE AND ANOTHER ONE THAT CALLS EVERY EVENING.

I HAVE BEEN THANKFUL.

>> JUST TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH AND KEEPING MOVING AND EATING HEALTHY FOOD IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> I HAVE DONE THINGS IN MY LIFE THAT I LOOK BACK ON.

I WISH I HAD MORE PATIENCE WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES AND PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES AND JUST BE PATIENT IN THE THINGS YOU DO AND THE THINGS YOU DECIDE AND THE THINGS YOU SAY.

IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

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

>> SEVERAL OF THE OTHER RESIDENTS ALSO SPOKE ABOUT HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT SIMPLY STAYING GRATEFUL FOR ANOTHER YEAR HAS HAD ON THEIR LIFE.

>>> HERE WE ARE IN ANOTHER MINNESOTA WINTER.

STACY WILL TELL US HOW IT LOOKS FOR THE WEEKEND.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING SOME SNOW TO START THE WEEKEND, MAYBE INTO TOMORROW MORNING, AND MIXED PRECIPITATION AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY, AND WE WILL BE SEEING MILD TEMPERATURES, HIGHS FOR A LOT OF US IN THE 30s AS WE HEAD INTO T [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME SUNSHINE TODAY, A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOUD COVER AS THE DAY AS WORN ON AND WE'RE SEEING SNOW PUSH INTO THE AREA.

WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SNOW CONTINUING OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES OVERNIGHT, BEST CHANCE IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, LINGERING INTO TOMORROW MORNING BEFORE IT COMES TO AN END.

HEADING INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEKEND, TEMPERATURES MAY BE WARM ENOUGH FOR MIXED PRECIPITATION, BUT WE SHOULD SEE DRIER WEATHER AND WARMER TEMPERATURES BY MONDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 7 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, A DEW POINT OF 1, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 77%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 10 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 0, PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE SEEN CLOUDS INCREASE AND WE'RE SEEING SOME AREAS OF SNOW BEGINNING TO PUSH IN FROM THE NORTHWEST.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, THE BEST CHANCE IS GOING TO BE ALONG THE FAR NORTHERN PART OF MINNESOTA, WHERE WE COULD SEE SOME LIGHT ACCUMULATION, BUT THERE ARE CHANCES OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES ACROSS THE REST OF THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND EVEN INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

WE HAVE A CHANCE OF MIXED PRECIPITATION LATE THIS WEEKEND AND AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, EXPECT A BIT OF A WARM UP.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL MOON THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND RALPH IN JENKINS, YOLANDA WITH A GORGEOUS SUNRISE IN PEMBINA THIS MORNING, AND JOAN WITH THE FROST IN THE TREES IN LAPORTE, AND CHRISSY WITH THE MOONRISING IN DEER WOOD TONIGHT.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE PHOTOS WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, -5 THIS MORNING.

RALPH IN JENKINS, ALSO -5 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS WITH A HIGH OF 9.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, PARTLY SUNNY AND 19.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND 14.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, REPORTING CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, THE HIGH WAS 10.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 10 WAS THE HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BRAINERD, WE ARE SEEING COOLER THAN AVERAGE TEMPERATURES, NORMALLY WE WOULD EXPECT THE HIGHS IN THE LOW 20s.

-7 FOR THE LOW AND WE HAD SUNSET AT 4:42.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 7, SO WE'RE MORE THAN 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH.

-12 FOR THE LOW AND WE HAD SUNSET AT 4:40.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE COULD BE SEEING SOME LINGERING LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE IN THE MORNING.

THAT WILL BEGIN TO MOVE OUT AND TAPER OFF AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE DAY.

HIGH TEMPERATURES, A LITTLE BIT MILDER.

WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE LOW TEENS ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT MID TO UPPER TEENS.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, SNOW IS LIKELY IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT, BUT AGAIN THERE IS THE CHANCE OF SNOW ELSEWHERE.

OTHERWISE, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS NEAR 4.

TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, SOME SNOW LIKELY IN THE NORTHEAST, AND THE CHANCE OF SCATTERED SNOW IN THE MORNING ELSEWHERE, A FEW FLURRIES IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON, BUT HIGHS SHOULD REACH 14.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE MAY SEE SOME SNOW POSSIBLY MIXED WITH SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE AND SLEET ON SUNDAY.

HIGHS WILL BE NEAR 19 AND THEN THAT WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE WORKWEEK, WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-30s MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY, A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, COULD BE SEEING A FEW PEEKS OF SUNSHINE BY MIDWEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Charlie: IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE LAST SAW THEM, BUT THEY BROUGHT THEMSELVES BACK TO THE SANFORD CENTER TONIGHT WHERE THEY WERE TAKING ON MINNESOTA IN AN EXHIBITION GAME, TRYING TO KNOCK SOME OF THE RUST OFF.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: IT'S BEEN 26 DAYS SINCE BSU MEN'S HOCKEY LAST TOOK THE ICE AGAINST ANOTHER OPPONENT, SO THEIR EXHIBITION GAME TONIGHT WAS THE PERFECT WAY TO KNOCK OFF THE RUST AHEAD OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON.

BUT WHEN IT'S AGAINST A TEAM LIKE MINNESOTA, IT DOESN'T MATTER REALLY MATTER WHETHER OR NOT ANYTHING CHANGES IN THE WIN-LOSS COLUMN, YOU WANT TO WIN.

BEAVERS HOSTING THE GOLDEN GOPHERS AT THE SANFORD CENTER, THE TWO TEAMS SPLIT THEIR SERIES LAST YEAR.

MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST, IT'S THE GOPHERS THAT STRIKE FIRST.

SILKY MITTS, TAKING A 2-0 LEAD A FEW MOMENTS LATER.

NEAR THE END OF THE PERIOD, BEMIDJI STATE ANSWERS, THEY CUT THE LEAD IN HALF 2-1.

RYAN HENDERSON IS GOING TO WHIFF ON HIS PASS, CORRALS IT BETWEEN FOUR DEFENDERS AND BURIES IT TO TIE THINGS AT 2-2.

WITH 10 SECONDS LEFT TO PLAY IN THE PERIOD, SOME TEAMS MAY RUN THE CLOCK OUT.

MATT GIVES THEM THE LEAD WITH 5 TICKS LEFT IN THE SECOND PERIOD.

MINNESOTA SCORES THE LONE GOAL IN THE THIRD.

THE EXHIBITION WOULD END IN A 3-3 TIE.

BEAVERS WON THE SHOOT OUT, NEVER HURTS TO CELEBRATE A LITTLE BIT THERE.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY ALSO GETS BACK TO ACTION THIS WEEKEND IN MASSACHUSETTS WITH A NON-CONFERENCE SERIES AT MERRIMACK COLLEGE.

IT WILL BE THE BEAVERS FIRST GAME IN 27-DAYS, A LONG WAIT FOR A TEAM COMING OFF A 4-GAME WINLESS STREAK TO END THEIR FIRST HALF OF PLAY.

>> I HAD A REALLY GREAT TEAM MEETING.

WE TALKED ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON AND I GOT SOME GOOD PRACTICE THIS WEEK AND GOOD ENERGY AND I'M EXCITED TO START THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.

A HUGE AREA FOR US IS CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON DEFENSIVE PLAY AND HOW WE NEED TO BE DEFENSIVE AND SCORING GOALS AND GETTING MORE PUCKS IN THE NET.

SO THOSE ARE TWO BIG AREAS OF FOCUS FOR US AND FOCUSING ON REFLECTING ON OUR FIRST HALF, THINGS GOING WELL, AND THINGS WE NEED TO IMPROVE ON, AND HOW WE PLAY AND SHOW UP CONSISTENTLY FOR 60 MINUTES ON BOTH GAMES.

>> THE BEAVS COMES INTO THE SERIES WITH A 4-12-2 RECORD, THE WARRIORS ARE 3-14-1, AND IT WILL BE THE FIRST EVER MEETING IN THE TWO PROGRAMS HISTORY.

>>> THE WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ENTERED THE KNOCK OFF ROUND.

U.S.A.

TAKING ON FINLAND, WHO THEY BEAT 4-3 IN OVERTIME.

IN THE SECOND, THE AMERICANS WITH THE ICEBREAKER, COLE LIGHTS THE LAMP, THEY TOOK A 2-1 LEAD IN THE THIRD.

THEN THEY TIE IT UP, GETTING THE GOLD, GIVES THEM THE 3-2 LEAD.

U.S.A.

LAST GASP, NOTING THE GAME AT THREE AND THEY ARE SENT TO JOVR -- OVERTIME.

THE FINS GET THEIR REVENGE, A GAME WINNER TO LIFT FINLAND OVER THE UNITED STATES BY THE EXACT SAME SCORE THAT THE UNITED STATES BEAT THEM LAST YEAR IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TO WIN THEIR GOLD METAL.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES, GRAND RAPIDS GETTING THE WIN OVER DULUTH EAST.

ALSO PLAYING TONIGHT, SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE TOPS ROSEAU.

NORTHERN LAKES GETS THE WIN.

LITTLE FALLS BEATS PRAIRIE CENTER GREEN WAY.

BOYS BASKETBALL, PILLAGER GETS THE WIN OVER LITTLE FALLS.

CALEDONIA TOPS PEQUOT LAKES.

WARROAD BEATS WADENA DEER CREEK.

ROSEAU GETS THE WIN OVER MENAHGA.

BAGLEY FALLS.

SACRED HEART WINS.

ROSEAU 40 POINT WIN OVER MENAHGA.

AITKIN TOPS WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY.

ALSO IN GIRLS BASKETBALL, DEER RIVER BEATING TWO HARBORS.

STAPLES MOTLEY BEATING SWANVILLE.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE, BAGLEY LOSES.

>>> THE 25-MAN ROSTER FOR TEAM U.S.A.

WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY AND WARROAD'S BROCK NELSON MADE THE FINAL CUT.

THE FORMER WARRIOR PLAYED COLLEGE HOCKEY AT NORTH DAKOTA, THEN PLAYED 11-SEASONS WITH THE NHL'S NEW YORK ISLANDERS BEFORE BEING TRADED TO THE COLORADO AVALANCHE LAST SEASON.

NELSON HAS PLENTY OF TIES TO TEAM U.S.A.

AND THE OLYMPICS, HIS GRANDFATHER BILLY CHRISTIAN WON A GOLD MEDAL FOR THE UNITED STATES AT 1960 WINTER OLYMPICS AND HIS UNCLE DAVE CHRISTIAN WAS A MEMBER OF THE MIRACLE ON ICE TEAM THAT WON GOLD AT LAKE PLACID IN 1980, THE LAST TIME THE U.S.

MEN WON GOLD AT THE OLYMPICS.

NELSON HAS DONNED THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE SEVERAL TIMES IN HIS CAREER, MOST RECENTLY DURING THE NHL FOUR-NATIONS FACE-OFF, HE ALSO PLAYED AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND MADE THE WORLD JUNIORS TEAM IN 2011.

THREE PLAYERS FROM THE MINNESOTA WILD WILL PLAY FOR TEAM U.S.A.

AT THE MILANO-CORTINA WINTER OLYMPICS THIS FEBRUARY.

IN FACT, 8-MEMBERS OF THE WILD WILL REPRESENT THEIR COUNTRY, FOUR OF THEM FROM SWEDEN, THE OTHER FROM GERMANY.

SO, PRETTY COOL, A LOT OF LOCAL PEOPLE AND SOME FROM THE WILD AND EVERYONE IS GOING TO GET TO PLAY IN THE OLYMPICS.

>> Matthew: ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE SOME LOCAL REPRESENTATION, ESPECIALLY AT THE OLYMPICS.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> THOSE WITHIN THE CITY OF STAPLES AND BEYOND ENJOYED SOME HOLIDAY CHEER AT THE 5TH ANNUAL CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE POLAR XPRESS HOLIDAY FESTIVAL.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS.

>> Reporter: AS THE CONDUCTOR FROM THE MOVIE THE POLAR EXPRESS SAID, ONE THING ABOUT TRAINS, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE THEY ARE GOING, WHAT MATTERS IS DECIDING TO GET ON AND YEAR AFTER YEAR, THE STAPLES COMMUNITY AND BEYOND SHOWS UP FOR THE HOLIDAY ADVENTURE.

>> IT'S A GOOD MATCH OF OLDER AND YOUNGER GENERATION, AND THEY HAVE JUST DONE A GOOD JOB OF PRESERVING HISTORY FOR THE COMMUNITY OF STAPLES.

THEY NEED A LITTLE BIT OF THAT YOUNG ENERGY, THAT ENTHUSIASM THAT IS COMING FROM OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO DRAG IT OUT AND SHOW IT OFF EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: THEY STOOD TALL SINCE 1889 IS THE MASTERMIND ORCHESTRATING THE TRAIN MODELS.

>> WE THINK THERE IS SOME MAGIC TO THIS EVENT, LIKE A CHRISTMAS MAGIC AND IT'S A GREAT FAMILY EVENT.

SO IT BRINGS OUT TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS OF ALL AGES TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THAT, THOSE IN ATTENDANCE GOT TO ENJOY REFRESHMENTS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND GOT A PICTURE WITH SANTA CLAUS.

>> I LOVE SEEING HOW EXCITED THEY GET FOR ALL THIS STUFF, LIKE THE TRAINS AND THE COLORING CONTEST AND THE FACE PAINTING, AND IT'S JUST A GREAT WAY TO GET KIDS OUT AND ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT AND JUST KIND OF GET BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS TRADITIONALLY A TIME FOR GIVING, SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY, AND ENJOYING THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT, HOWEVER THE STRESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOLIDAYS FOR SOME FAMILIES IS A REAL THING.

THE STUDENT BODY ARE GLAD THAT THE POLAR EXPRESS FESTIVAL CAN PLAY A SMALL ROLE IN ALLEVIATING THE STRESS.

>> WE BELIEVE THE BEST WAY TO ALEVE THE STRESSORS OF THE HOLIDAY IS TO GET TOGETHER WITH THOSE YOU LOVE.

THAT'S WHAT THE EVENT IS ALL ABOUT.

>> A LOT OF TIMES, THE BIGGEST FACTOR IS MONEY.

YOU CAN GO TO YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY FOR A FREE EVENT, HAVING THAT DAY TO RELAX AND ENJOY THE DAY.

I THINK IT'S AMAZING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN STAPLES WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ROUGHLY 1,700 PEOPLE WERE IN ATTENDANCE FOR CLC'S POLAR XPRESS HOLIDAY FESTIVAL.

>>> WE HAVE SOME TIME FOR MORE WEATHER, STACY, HOW IS IT LOOKING THIS WEEKEND?

>> Stacy: WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE, ANOTHER CHANCE OF SNOW FOR EVERYONE ELSE, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A LOW NEAR 4.

THE SNOW COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW MORNING, OTHERWISE VARIABLE CLOUDS WITH HIGHS NEAR 14, SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION ON SUNDAY.

>> Matthew: THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK ON MONDAY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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