>> 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.

>>> DONALD TRUMP RETURNED TO THE OVAL OFFICE TODAY.

HIS INAUGURATION DAY WAS DIFFERENT THAN THOSE IN RECENT DECADES DUE TO BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES IN D.C. IVAN RODRIGUEZ IS IN WASHINGTON WITH DETAILS ON THE DAY'S EVENTS AND THE MANY EXECUTIVE ORDERS THE PRESIDENT PLANS TO MAKE DURING HIS FIRST WEEK.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TAKING THE OVAL OFFICE MONDAY.

>> I DONALD J. TRUMP DO SOME -- SOLEMNLY SWEAR -- >> I RETURNED TO THE PRESIDENCY CONFIDENT AND OPTIMISTIC THAT WE'RE AT THE START OF A THRILLING NEW ERA OF NATIONAL SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: MONDAY'S EVENTS WERE HELD INSIDE THE CAPITOL DUE TO EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER.

REPORTERS, CABINET MINISTERS, AND POLITICAL LEADERS PACKED INSIDE THE ROTUNDA TO WATCH TRUMP BECOME THE 47th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> OUR POWER WILL STOP ALL WARS AND BRING A NEW SPIRIT OF UNITY TO A WORLD THAT HAS BEEN ANGRY, VIOLENT AND UNPREDICTABLE.

>> Reporter: CELEBRATORY EVENTS, INCLUDING CELEBRATING ALL BRANCHES OF THE U.S. MILITARY.

TRUMP LAID OUT AN AMBITIOUS AGENDA TO TACKLE AN IMMIGRATION CRISIS, INCLUDING DECLARING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AT THE SOUTHER EARN BORDER.

>> WE WILL BEGIN THE PROCESS OF RETURNING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF CRIMINAL ALIENS BACK TO THE PLACES IN WHICH THEY CAME.

>> Reporter: THE NEWLY SWORN IN PRESIDENT SAID HE WOULD DECLARE A NATIONAL ENERGY EMERGENCY WHICH WOULD OPEN UP DRILLING IN PARTS OF THE U.S.

HE IS EXPECTED TO SIGN A SLEW OF ARCS ON MONDAY.

I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO PARDONED U.S. CAPITOL RIOTERS TODAY SAYING THE PARDON WOULD COVER 1,500 PEOPLE WHICH WOULD APPEAR TO COVER NEARLY EVERYONE CHARGED SINCE THE ATTACK ON JANUARY 6TH OF 2021.

>>> IN A LAST MINUTE MOVE BEFORE LEAVING OFFICE TODAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN COMMUTED HE SENTENCE OF 80-YEAR-OLD LEONARD PELTIER, THE FORMER PROMINENT NATIVE AMERICAN ACTIVIST.

PELTIER WAS CONVICTED OF MURDERING TWO F.B.I.

AGENTS IN 1975 ON SOUTH DAKOTA'S PINE RIDGE RESERVATION.

HE HAS SPENT THE LAST 50-YEARS IN PRISON, ALL WHILE MAINTAINING HIS INNOCENCE.

PELTIER'S ATTORNEY HAS CLAIMED THAT EVIDENCE AGAINST PELTIER HAD BEEN FALSIFIED AND THAT IF THE CASE WAS TRIED TODAY PELTIER WOULD NOT GET CONVICTED.

BIDEN RELEASED A STATEMENT AS NEW PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S INAUGURATION WAS GETTING UNDERWAY THAT SAID "THIS COMMUTATION WILL ENABLE MISTER PELTIER TO SPEND HIS REMAINING DAYS IN HOME CONFINEMENT BUT WILL NOT PARDON HIM FOR HIS UNDERLYING CRIMES."

ACCORDING TO THE RELEASE, PELTIER SUFFERS FROM SIGNIFICANT HEALTH ISSUES.

PELTIER WAS FOUND GUILTY KILLING F.B.I.

AGENTS JACK COLER AND RONALD WILLIAMS IN A SHOOTOUT ON JUNE 26TH OF 1975.

EARLIER THIS MONTH FORMER F.B.I.

DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER WRAY WROTE BIDEN A LETTER URGING HIM TO NOT COMMUTE PELTIER'S SENTENCE.

AND TODAY NATALIE BARA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE F.B.I.

AGENTS ASSOCIATION SAID IN STATEMENT, "THIS LAST-SECOND DISGRACEFUL ACT BY THEN PRESIDENT BIDEN, WHICH DOES NOT CHANGE PELTIER'S GUILT BUT DOES RELEASE HIM FROM PRISON IS COWARDLY AND LACKS ACCOUNTABILITY."

SHE SAYS IT IS A CRUEL BETRAYAL TO THE FAMILIES AND COLLEAGUES OF THESE FALLEN AGENTS AND IS A SLAP IN THE FACE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MEANWHILE THE GROUP AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, WHICH HAS CAMPAIGNED FOR PELTIER'S RELEASE SAID TODAY THAT BIDEN WAS RIGHT TO COMMUTE THE LIFE SENTENCE GIVEN THE SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS ABOUT THE FAIRNESS OF PELTIER'S TRIAL.

>>> A 37-YEAR-OLD BRAINERD MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED ON TWO FELONY CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY EXPOSING HIMSELF TO AND SEXUALLY TOUCHING MINOR FEMALES IN TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS AT WALGREENS IN BRAINERD IN MARCH OF 2023 WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER KOUNKEL PREVIOUSLY PLEADED GUILTY TO ONE COUNT OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT IN THE SECOND DEGREE FOR WHICH HE REVIVED A SENTENCE OF FIVE YEARS AND 10-MONTHS IN PRISON AND ONE COUNT OF HARASSMENT WITH SEXUAL OR AGGRESSIVE INTENT FOR WHICH HE WAS SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS IN PRISON.

KOUNKEL WAS GIVEN CREDIT FOR 340 DAYS OF TIME SERVED AND THE SENTENCES WILL RUN CONCURRENTLY.

ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT IN THE CASE KOUNKEL WAS ACCUSED IN TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED AT THE STORE ON MARCH 25TH OF 2023 HE IS ACCUSED OF GRABBING A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN THE VAGINAL AND BUTTOCKS AREA IN ONE INCIDENT AND EXPOSING HIMSELF TO A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN THE OTHER INCIDENT.

>>> SAINT PHILIP'S CHURCH IN BEMIDJI'S SAINT GIANNA'S PRO-LIFE GROUP HELD ITS ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE EVENT THIS PAST SATURDAY.

EVERY YEAR THE MARCH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND THEY START IN FRONT OF THE BELTRAMI COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND MAKE THEIR WAY AROUND DOWNTOWN.

THE GROUP GATHERS AND STARTS OFF WITH AN OPENING SPEECH, AND THEN TAKES OFF, RAISING MANY DIFFERENT PRO-LIFE SIGNS.

THE SEVERAL-BLOCK MARCH TAKES PLACE EVERY JANUARY AND USUALLY HAS OVER ONE HUNDRED ATTENDEES.

DUE TO THE SUBZERO TEMPERATURES, THERE WERE FEWER MARCHERS THAN AVERAGE, BUT WELL OVER 70 PEOPLE BRAVED THE COLD TO SUPPORT THEIR CAUSE.

>> ON A DAY LIKE THIS, DOESN'T IT WARM YOUR HEART THAT PEOPLE CARE ENOUGH ABOUT YOUR LIFE TO COME OUT ANY TIME.

>> IT'S A PUBLIC AWARENESS THING TO KEEP IN EVERYONE'S MINDS THAT ABORTION IS STILL NO OUR SOCIETY AND WE'RE TRYING TO PROTECT INNOCENT LIVES FROM CONCEPTION UNTIL NATURAL DEATH.

>> FOR FAR TOO LONG IN OUR SOCIETY, IT'S BEEN A COMMON PLACE IDEA THAT ABORTION IS OKAY.

GENERATIONS HAVE BEEN RAISED WITH THAT FACT AND WE JUST NEED TO KEEP IT IN PEOPLE'S MINDS AND GET THEM TO THINK ABOUT THE REALITY OF WHAT ABORTION ACTUALLY IS.

>> DIFFERENT "MARCH FOR LIFE" EVENTS ARE HELD ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THEY OCCUR EVERY JANUARY, WHICH IS THE ANNIVERSARY MONTH OF THE SUPREME COURT'S ROE V. WADE DECISION, WHICH LEGALIZED ABORTION IN ALL 50 STATES.

>>> BRAINERD LAKES AREA RESIDENTS GATHERED FOR THE PEOPLE'S MARCH THIS PAST WEEKEND.

THE PEOPLE'S MARCH IS A NATIONAL MOVEMENT, ORGANIZED THROUGH A COALITION OF GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS, ACTIVISTS, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING COLLECTIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES FACING THE COUNTRY TODAY.

THE BRAINERD LAKES MARCH BEGAN AT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UCC FELLOWSHIP HALL.

BEFORE PARTICIPANTS WALKED ALONGSIDE WASHINGTON STREET TO THE BRAINERD DFL OFFICES, MANY CARRYING SIGNS SUPPORTING THEIR COMMITMENTS TO JUSTICE, EQUALITY, AND PROGRESS, ALL WHILE CALLING FOR A MORE INCLUSIVE FUTURE.

>> THE ANTIDOTE TO DESPAIR IS ACTION.

WE'RE BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER TO DO THE MOST GOOD FOR THE MOST PEOPLE AS LONG AS WE CAN.

YOU CANNOT SIT HOME ANYMORE.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

>> ROUGHLY 60 INDIVIDUALS TOOK PART IN SATURDAY'S MARCH.

>>> THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

HOSTED ITS FIRST FREE PARK DAY OF 2025, WAIVING VEHICLE PERMIT FEES AT ALL 73 STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS TODAY.

FREE PARK DAY IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE MINNESOTANS TO SPEND SOME TIME OUT IN NATURE.

RESEARCH SHOWS MANY HEALTH AND WELLNESS BENEFITS TO GETTING ACTIVE.

AS ACCORDING TO PARK-RX, CONTACT WITH NATURE CAN IMPROVE ONE'S PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH.

>> THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY ALSO HAS SHARED THAT EXPOSURE TO NATURE IS LINKED TO BENEFITS, INCLUDING IMPROVED ATTENTION, LOWERED STRESS, REDUCED RISK OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS, AND AND INCREASE IN EMPATHY AND COOPERATION.

>> THE NEXT MINNESOTA FREE PARK DAY WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 26TH.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE COLD TEMPERATURES AND DANGEROUS WINDCHILLS THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING, BUT WE SHOULD SEE SOME RELIEF FROM THE COLD STARTING TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, A LOOK TO HOW THE BACK THE HACK IMPACTS LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE FISHING SEASON FOR STREAM TROUT IN LAKES OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS OPENED THIS PAST SATURDAY.

THIS OPENER TYPICALLY FEATURES ANGLERS FLOCKING TO TROUT FISHING LAKES.

D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SPENT LAST WEEK RAINBOW TROUT STOCKING IN MINE LAKES IN CUYUNA.

>> IT BRINGS A LOT OF TOURISM AND MONEY INTO THE AREA.

IT'S THE TROUT OPENER, THE WINTER TROUT OPENER HERE IS A BIG DEAL.

THERE WILL BE DOESENINGS OF -- DOZENS OF CARS AND EACH PERSON LIKES AN OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH DIFFERENT FISH SOUTH THERE INSTEAD OF WALLEYE OR CRAPPY.

>> THE LOCATIONS OF TROUT FISHING LAKES AND OTHER TOOLS TO FIND TROUT FISHING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE DNR'S TROUT FISHING WEBSITE.

>> Dennis: TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

A VERY COLD DAY TODAY.

IT'S PROBABLY THE COLDEST I CAN REMEMBER IN SEVERAL DAYS.

>> Stacy: IT'S COLD, AND WE HAVE SOME WIND, SO WE HAVE THE WINDCHILL TO CONTEND WITH AS WELL.

WE'LL HAVE THE DANGEROUS WINDCHILLS TONIGHT THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING, WE SHOULD START TO SEE SOME RELIEF FROM THE COLD BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON, BUT WE WILL ALSO SEE A FEW SNOW SHOWERS MOVING BACK INTO THE AREA.

TH.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: THE EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER WE'VE BEEN SEEING THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, IT CONTINUED TODAY, IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TONIGHT, AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING BEFORE WE FINALLY SEE SOME RELIEF FROM THE BITTER COLD.

WE HAVE AN EXTREME COLD WARNING THROUGH NOON TOMORROW, AGAIN AS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE COLD WINDCHILLS.

WE HAVE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND THE REST OF THE WEEK, BUT WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SNOW AND ONE AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S -26 AT THE AIRPORT.

THE WINDCHILL IS -42.

THE WIND IS OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

OUR DEW POINT IS -31.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, -22.

THE DEW POINT IS -33, THE WEST WIND IS AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, AND THAT'S ENOUGH TO BRING OUR WINDCHILLS DOWN TO -36.

THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA AND THE ENTIRE STATE AND REGION UNDER EXTREME COLD WARNING TONIGHT THROUGH NOON ON TUESDAY.

WE'RE ANTICIPATING WINDCHILLS TO BE -35 TO -50 BY TOMORROW MORNING, WE WILL SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES.

WE HAVE THE VERY COLD AIR TEMPERATURES, COLD WINDCHILLS, A LOT OF US IN THAT -45 FOR OUR WINDCHILLS.

ON THE RADAR, IT HAS QUIETED DOWN, NO PRECIPITATION TO TALK ABOUT, NOT A LOT OF WIND, BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO BRING THE WINDCHILLS DOWN.

QUIET OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WE WILL HAVE THE CONTINUED COLD AND AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE'RE GOING TO START OUT WITH SOME SUNSHINE, STILL COLD, STILL THE COLD WINDCHILLS.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE'RE GOING TO START TO SEE SNOW SHOWERS DEVELOPING AND FLURRIES MOVING INTO THE AREA.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S GOING TO AMOUNT TO MUCH, MAYBE AN INCH OF ACCUMULATION, BUT WINDS COULD PICK UP TO CREATE SOME BLOWING SNOW IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, BUT THE BIGGER DIFFERENCE OF COURSE IS THE WARMER TEMPERATURES THAT WILL ARRIVE TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

A FEW WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, SOME NICE CLEAR SKIES FROM ANGELA AT CASS LAKE AND SONYA WITH A VIEW OF THE SUNRISE THROUGH TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO IN MENAHGA.

VERY BEAUTIFUL PICTURES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

ARLENE IN IN -- MENAHGA REPORTED -28 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN TODAY, A HIGH OF -20.

WE ALSO HEARD FROM STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, THE CURRENT WINDCHILL AT -31.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY SKIES WITH THAT CURRENT WIND CHILL ALSO AT -31.

REAL QUICK LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, -12 IS ALL WE COULD MANAGE IN BRAINERD.

COLDER IN BEMIDJI, -21 WAS OUR HIGH, -30 WAS OUR LOW.

THE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE START OUT WITH VARIABLE CLOUDS, THE SKY SHOULD BECOME MOSTLY CLOUDY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

THAT'S WHEN WE HAVE THE CHANCE FOR SNOW OR FLURRIES DEVELOPING ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

MOST OF US COULD SEE NEGATIVE HIGHS IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT 0 TO 10 FOR OUR EYES.

WE WILL BE SEEING INCREASING CLOUDS AND SOME SNOW SHOWERS AND FLURRIES AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, OUR TEMPERATURES DROPPING TO -27, VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW, COULD SEE SOME SNOW OR FLURRIES IN THE AFTERNOON, HIGHS NEAR 5, AND SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

QUIETER AND WARMER WEATHER ON WEDNESDAY WITH A HIGH OF 16.

A LITTLE BIT COOLER ON THURSDAY, BUT WE WILL HAVE WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK AND THE START OF THE WEEKEND WITH HIGHS NEAR 20.

A LITTLE LIGHT SNOW POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY BUT CLOUDS RETURN FOR THE WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE HAS THE NIGHT OFF AND SYDNEY DICK HAS OUR SPORTS.

IT WAS A TOUGH WEEKEND FOR MEN'S HOCKEY.

>> Sydney: WE WILL HAVE THE BEAVERS HIGHLIGHTS AND THE WOMEN'S HIGHLIGHTS AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

IT HAS TRANGS FORMED HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> BSU MEN'S HOCKEY SUFFERED A DISAPPOINTING CCHA LOSS TO LAST PLACE NORTHERN MICHIGAN ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

THE BEAVERS NEEDED A WIN ON SATURDAY TO SPLIT THE WEEKEND SERIES AND SALVAGE AT LEAST THREE OF THE SIX AVAILABLE POINTS.

BEMIDJI STATE HOSTING NORTHERN MICHIGAN BUT NEITHER TEAM ABLE TO SCORE IN THE FIRST.

START OF THE SECOND PERIOD, NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S YAKUB TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE POWER PLAY, FINDS FRESHMAN RYAN DUNGUAY DOWNSTREAM FOR HIS SIXTH GOAL OF THE SEASON.

LATER HE HADN'T SCORED ALL SEASON UNTIL FRIDAY, WHERE HE HAD TWO AND HERE'S ANOTHER ONE.

FOUR POINT WEEKEND FOR THE FRESHMAN.

THEY LED 3-0 AFTER TWO.

IN THE THIRD PERIOD, BEAVERS IN DESPERATION MODE ON THE POWER PLAY.

PATRICK SAT-O-SORRY SHOT.

NO GOOD BUT REILLY FUNK ABLE TO SCORE AGAINST HIS FORMER TEAM BUT THAT'S ALL THEY COULD MUSTER.

THAT WAS THEIR LONE GOAL OF THE NIGHT.

BEMIDJI STATE LOSES 3-1, DROPPING TO 7TH IN THE CCHA STANDINGS.

>>> WOMEN'S HOCKEY, BEAVERS LOST THEIR LAST 11 MEETINGS WITH THE HUSKIES.

HERE IN THE FIRST PERIOD, FINALLY ABLE TO BREAK OFF THE STICK OF IZZY, HER FIRST OF THE YEAR.

NOW THEY GET THE 2-0 LEAD.

ST.

CLOUD ABLE TO TIE IT UP, HEARTBREAK CENTRAL FOR THE BEAVERS.

SOPHIE PUTS THE HUSKIES ON TOP.

BEMIDJI STATE LOST 3-2.

THEY'RE HEADED TO MINNESOTA NEXT WEEKEND BUT SATURDAY'S GAME IS SPECIAL.

THEY WILL BE PLAYING AT HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA.

>>> A FEW OTHER SCORES FOR YOU.

CONCORDIA BEATING BEMIDJI STATE IN WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL.

DEER RIVER COMING OUT KRON -- CROMWELL WRIGHT.

THE MINNESOTA WILD BREAK A THREE GAME LOSING STREAK AGAINST THE COLORADO AVALANCHE.

IN THE NBA, THE GRIZZLIES WIN BY 2.

>>> IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, BEMIDJI BOYS HOCKEY HAS ONLY SEEN TWO SEASONS OF MORE THAN TEN WINS.

THEY WON 14 IN THE 2017-2018 SEASON AND WON JUST 11-GAMES TWO YEARS AGO.

THIS SEASON THE LUMBERJACKS ALREADY HAVE 11 THROUGH THEIR FIRST 15-GAMES AND ARE CURRENTLY RANKED 17TH IN CLASS 2A.

NOW SPORTS DIRECTOR CHARLIE YAEGER TELLS HOW THE TEAM IS PUTTING TOGETHER THEIR MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN NEARLY A DECADE.

>> THERE'S A BUZZ OVER AT THE BCA.

THE BEMIDJI BOYS ARE HAVING THEIR BEST SEASON IN EIGHT YEARS.

IN HIS SECOND YEAR AS HEAD COACH, HAS THE LUMBERJACKS BOUGHT INTO HIS BRAND OF HOCKEY.

>> THIS GOES BACK TO LAST YEAR, RIGHT?

IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO ADJUST AND FOR THE PLAYERS TO GET USE TO, PLAYING HARD ALL THE TIME.

IT'S BECOME A STAPLE FOR OUR TEAM THIS YEAR, THEY'RE COMPETITIVE AND THEY WORKED HARD AND IT HAS SHOWN IN WINS AND LOSSES.

>> THE BOYS IN BLUE ONLY MUSTERED NINE WINS AND A FIRST ROUND EXIT IN THE SECTION TOURNAMENT.

THE CHANGE STARTED LONG BEFORE THE FIRST PUCK DROPPED THIS WINTER.

>> I THINK OUR SUCCESS HAS BEEN FROM THE DEDICATION WE HAVE DONE IN THE SUMMER.

EVERYONE IS PUTTING IN THE TIME AND IT'S HELPING US OUT THROUGH THE SEASON.

NOW THAT WE HAVE THEM DOWN, WE'RE STARTING TO EXECUTE.

>> Reporter: THAT EXECUTION HAS LED TO BETTER OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE PRODUCTION THIS SEASON.

THE JACKS ARE SCORING 2.5 MORE GOALS A GAME, WHILE ALSO HOLDING OPPONENTS TO NEARLY ONE LESS GOAL PER CONTEST.

MIX IN A SENIOR LAID ROSTER THAT INCLUDE UPPERCLASSMEN AND YOU HAVE YOURSELF A WINNING RECIPE.

>> THIS GROUP OF SENIORS HAS BEEN TOGETHER THE WHOLE TIME, JUST WORKING, GROWING TOGETHER.

WE JUST GOT TO KEEP UP THE ENERGY.

WE HAVE TO KEEP DOING THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE ALL YEAR.

EVERY LINE FROM THE THIRD TO FIRST, WE HAVE TO KEEP WORKING TOGETHER AND GETTING WINS.

>> THIS GROUP OF LUMBERJACKS HAVE A CHANCE TO WRITE THEIR OWN CHAPTER IN THE BEMIDJI HISTORY BOOKS AND HOST THEIR FIRST SECTION PLAYOFF GAME SINCE THE 2015-2016 SEASON, THE SAME YEAR THEY LAST MADE THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> MAKING THE STATE TOURNAMENT, THAT'S THE GOAL OF EVERY KID THAT PLAYS MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY.

YOU WANT TO PLAY AT THE XCEL ENERGY CENTER, ALL THOSE THINGS.

IT'S ONE GAME AT A TIME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, CHARLIE YAEGER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> BEMIDJI IS COMING OFF A 3-1 WIN OVER ROSEAU ON SATURDAY.

THE LUMBERJACKS NOW HAVE 10-GAMES REMAINING IN THE REGULAR SEASON, SEVEN OF WHICH ARE AT HOME AND FIVE ARE AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, SOME BIG GAMES COMING UP.

THANKS SYDNEY.

>>> THE BACK-TO-HACK CELEBRATION IN HACKENSACK IS AN EVENT WE USUALLY COVER HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS, TYPICALLY DISCUSSING THE ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE WINTER CELEBRATION THAT DRAWS IN HUNDREDS FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA, BUT FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN STOPPED BY A FEW OF THE SHOPS IN THE AREA TO SEE HOW AN EVENT LIKE THIS HELPS THROUGH THE WINTER SEASON.

>> Reporter: THE BACKPACK CELEBRATION IS AN ANNUAL EVENT THAT THE TOWN OF HACKENSACK HOLDS.

>> IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER, WHERE IT'S ALWAYS COLD.

>> IT STARTED AS A SNOWMOBILE EVENT, TO HELP GET PEOPLE INTO TOWN.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE ICE FISHING CONTESTS, SNOW GOLFING, AND A PLUNGE IN THE LAKE.

ALTHOUGH THIS YEAR'S PLUNGE WAS MOVED INDOORS DUE TO THE EXTREME LOW TEMPERATURES.

THAT WOULD BRING MORE BUSINESSES INTO THE AREA.

>> IN THE FRONT ROOM, PEOPLE ARE ALREADY CAMPING OUT.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS HUGE IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE LAST TWO YEARS WITHOUT SNOW, IT BRINGS IN SOME NEEDED INCOME THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A SMALL TOWN, YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO COME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER.

>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE IN THE AREAS DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THESE EVENTS.

THIS YEAR'S BREW IS CALLED JUMP IN THE LAKE.

>> IT'S A HACKENSACK PALE ALE, PEOPLE LOVE IT.

ANY REASON TO BREW BEER, WE'RE GOING TO JUMP ON THAT.

>> WE DO MUSIC BINGO.

IT'S LIKE THE KICK OFF.

EVERYBODY HAS SUCH A GOOD TIME.

THEY ALL SING ALONG TO THE SONGS.

WE JUST PACK THEM IN.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHO YOU WILL SIT BY BUT BY THE END OF THE NIGHT, EVERYBODY IS A FRIEND.

>> Reporter: THEY SAW RECORD NUMBERS FOR A LOT OF THE BUSINESSES INVOLVED.

>> WE HAD THE MOST TEAMS WE HAD FOR TRIVIA, 18 TEAMS AND 80 PEOPLE PLAYING TRIVIA.

IT WAS SUPER FUN.

>> WE SOLD ALMOST A KEG AND A HALF LAST NIGHT, SO WE'RE EXPECTING TO SELL A LOT MORE TODAY TOO.

>> WE HAD ABOUT 140 PEOPLE.

THIS TOWN DOES KNOW HOW TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN.

>> THERE ARE TONS AND TONS OF BUSINESSES IN THE AREA THAT ALL CONTRIBUTE TO MAKE THIS EVENT GO OFF WITHOUT A HITCH EVERY YEAR.

IT'S REALLY A WONDERFUL CAUSE.

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

>> EACH YEAR, BACK-TO-HACK ACCEPTS DONATIONS FOR THE ‘PENGUIN PLUNGE' EVENT, WHICH IS THEN DONATED TO NON-PROFITS IN THE HACKENSACK AREA.

LAST YEAR'S EVENT RAISED $2,800, WHICH IS IMPRESSIVE BUT THERE MUST'VE BEEN SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE NEGATIVE TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND BECAUSE THIS YEAR'S CELEBRATION RAISED OVER $4,700.

GOOD JOB THERE.

>>> FUN EVENT DESPITE THE WEATHER STACY.

>> Stacy: AND GETTING THAT COLD CONTINUING TODAY AND TONIGHT THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING, WE HAVE THE EXTREME COLD WARNING OUT FOR OUR ENTIRE STATE THROUGH NOON TOMORROW, WE'RE LOOKING AT WINDCHILLS BETWEEN -35 AND -50.

TONIGHT, VERY COLD, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND LOWS NEAR -27.

>> Sydney: SO IT LOOKS LIKE THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS DEFENSIVE CORNER, HE IS STAYING ANOTHER YEAR, UNLESS THE JETS PICK HIM UP.

IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAS ANOTHER SEASON HERE.

>> Dennis: THE VIKINGS SHOULD BE PLEASED WITH THAT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Sydney: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]