>> 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.

>>> A U.S. BORDER PATROL AGENT WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN VERMONT ON MONDAY WAS FROM MINNESOTA.

DAVID CHRIS MAYLEND WAS A NATIVE OF BLUE EARTH AND GRADUATED FROM FAIRMONT HIGH SCHOOL.

HE WAS SHOT FOLLOWING A TRAFFIC STOP NEAR THE VERMONT AND CANADIAN BORDER.

A U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION SPOKESPERSON SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT A GERMAN NATIONAL IN THE COUNTRY ON WHAT THE F.B.I.

CALLED A CURRENT VISA, WAS KILLED, AND AN INJURED SUSPECT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND IS BEING TREATED AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL.

MAYLEND'S COUSIN, REPRESENTATIVE KRISTA KNUDSEN FROM WHO IS FROM LAKE SHORE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MAYLEND, WHO WENT BY CHRIS, ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WEDNESDAY BEFORE LAWMAKERS OBSERVED A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

>> CHRIS IS THE FIRST BORDER PATROL AGENT TO BE MURDERED IN OVER A DECADE.

CHRIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE MAN AND WILL BE MISSED DEARLY.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR HIS SERVICE AND I KNOW HE WAS VERY PROUD OF IT.

OUR FAMILY IS HEARTBROKEN.

HE DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, SERVING TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY.

WE WILL CHERISH HIS MEMORIES AND MOURN HIS SACRIFICE.

>> MAYLEND'S FAMILY SAID HIS CAREER SPANNED NINE YEARS IN THE MILITARY AND 15 IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>>> THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS TOMORROW ON WHETHER IT SHOULD WADE INTO A PARTISAN POWER STRUGGLE THAT HAS ROILED THE STATE HOUSE FOR MORE THAN A WEEK.

DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE BOYCOTTING THE STATE CAPITOL AS THEIR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES CLAIM THEIR TEMPORARY ONE-SEAT MAJORITY IS A QUORUM.

THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT WILL HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS THURSDAY ON PETITIONS BY DEMOCRATS TO DECLARE THAT A QUORUM UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER RULES IS 68 MEMBERS PRESENT, A MAJORITY OF THE SEATS, AND THAT EVERYTHING THE G.O.P.

HAS DONE SINCE CONVENING LAST WEEK IS LEGALLY INVALID.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARGUE THAT THE REQUIRED QUORUM FOR THE HOUSE TO ORGANIZE ITSELF, ELECT A SPEAKER AND APPOINT COMMITTEES IS JUST 67, A MAJORITY OF CURRENT MEMBERS.

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAID IN A FILING TUESDAY THAT THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD RESPECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL SEPARATION OF POWERS AND LEAVE IT TO LAWMAKERS TO FIND A SOLUTION.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS NO DEADLINE TO ISSUE A RULING BUT DUE TO THE TIMELINESS OF THE MATTER A DECISION IS EXPECTED WITHIN DAYS IF NOT SOONER.

>>> SANFORD HEALTH IN BEMIDJI STARTED ENFORCING THEIR SEASONAL VISITOR RESTRICTIONS EARLIER THIS MONTH DUE TO AN INCREASE IN RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS AN UPDATE FOR US ON THE RATE OF THESE ILLNESSES AS WELL AS WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS FLU SEASON.

>> Reporter: THE 2024-2025 RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SEASON IS WORSE THAN WE HAVE SEEN IN YEARS ACCORDING TO SANFORD DR. MATTHEW, WHO SAID ALTHOUGH THEY SEEN PATIENTS WITH ILLNESSES LIKE COVID AND PNEUMONIA, THE MOST COMMON AND DANGEROUS ONE THEY SEEN THIS YEAR IS INFLUENZA A.

>> THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS IS CONGESTION AND RUNNY NOSE AND COUGH.

USUALLY IT'S A DRY COUGH.

PEOPLE OFTEN HAVE HEADACHES, BODY ACHES, JUST GENERAL FATIGUE, AND LOSS OF APPETITE TOO.

THE MAIN WARNING SIGNS IS SHORTNESS OF BREATH WHEN YOU'RE EXERTING YOURSELF.

IF IT HAPPENS AND YOU'RE STILL SHORT OF BREATH WHEN YOU ARE JUST SITTING DOWN AND YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO CATCH YOUR BREATH, THAT WOULD BE A WARNING SIGN.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 2,700 HOSPITALIZATIONS THIS SEASON DUE TO INFLUENZA A.

THOSE MOST AT RISK ARE THE VERY YOUNG, VERY OLD, OR THOSE WITH OTHER LONG HEALTH ISSUES.

>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLISHES NUMBERS EVERY WEEK.

THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS FROM THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 11TH AND COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS, THIS IS WORSE THAN ANY OF THE FLU SEASONS THAT WE HAD SINCE BEFORE COVID.

SUBJECTIVELY, THE PATIENTS THAT I HAVE SEEN HAVE BEEN SICKER AND SEEM TO HAVE LONGER ILLNESSES.

SO WE HAVE SEEN MORE PEOPLE SEEK TREATMENT FOR IT BECAUSE THEY JUST NOTICED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SICK FOR A WEEK OR MORE THAN A WEEK.

>> Reporter: TAMIFLU IS THE ONLY KNOWN MEDICATION TO HELP TREAT INFLUENZA, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO, IS HYDRATE, GET REST, AND TAKE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS TO HELP WITH CONGESTION OR COUGHING AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AS WELL.

ON TOP OF GETTING THE FLU VACCINE.

>> MAKE SURE YOU WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU TOUCH YOUR FACE AND EAT, AND LIMIT THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH CONTACTS WITH COMMON SURFACES.

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

>> THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY FLU-RELATED DEATHS IN THE BEMIDJI AREA THIS SEASON BUT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THERE HAVE BEEN 50 DEATHS SO FAR.

THE AVERAGE AGE OF THOSE FOR WHO DIED IS 81.

>>> THE ORGANIZATION PRESS FORWARD MINNESOTA ANNOUNCED EARLIER TODAY THAT THEY ARE AWARDING OVER $500,000 TO 13 DIFFERENT NEWS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING US HERE AT LAKELAND NEWS.

THESE GRANTS SUPPORT SMALLER NEWS ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE ORIGINAL, LOCAL REPORTING TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE WITH A FOCUS ON MEETING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE OF COLOR, LOW-WEALTH RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND OTHERS THAT ARE NOT ADEQUATELY SERVED, REACHED, OR REPRESENTED.

THESE GRANTS AIM TO HELP STATIONS LIKE OURS EXPAND OUR REACH, INNOVATE OUR REPORTING, AND BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

>> IT MEANS WE ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT PARTICULARLY OUR STAFF.

PART OF THE FUNDS GO TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS NOT NECESSARILY ACCESSIBLE FOR SMALLER NEWS STATIONS LIKE OURSELVES, BUT REALLY IT'S MEANTS TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THAT FOR A YEAR.

WE COVER 7,500 SQUARE MILES.

THAT'S LOT TO COVER.

FOR US TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT IN A WAY THAT REALLY INVOLVES THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE, IT'S HERE TO STRENGTHEN US AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Dennis: EACH GRANTEE WILL RECEIVE A ONE YEAR, $40,000 GRANT.

>>> PRELIMINARY NUMBERS SHOW THE 2024 DEER HARVEST IN MINNESOTA WAS HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR.

HUNTERS HARVESTED MORE THAN 170,000 DEER DURING THE 2024 HUNTING SEASON, UP 7 PERCENT STATEWIDE FROM THE 2023 HUNTING SEASON.

THE STATEWIDE HARVEST WAS 3 PERCENT LOWER THAN THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE.

MINNESOTA D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY WEATHER DURING PEAK HUNTING TIMES SUCH AS WEEKENDS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN HUNTER SUCCESS AND PROVIDED OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR HUNTING DURING FIREARMS SEASON IN MUCH OF THE STATE AND ANECDOTAL REPORTS TO WILDLIFE MANAGERS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT OPENING WEEKEND OF 2024 FIREARMS OPENER LINED UP WELL WITH DEER ACTIVITY DURING THE PEAK OF THEIR MATING SEASON.

ONE OF THE AREAS THAT SAW THE MOST INCREASE IN DEER HARVEST WAS THE NORTHEAST, WHERE HARVEST WAS UP 9 PERCENT COMPARED TO 2023.

NORTHWEST MINNESOTA ALSO SAW A JUMP IN HARVEST WITH AN 8 PERCENT INCREASE WHILE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST REGIONS OF THE STATE SAW A 9 PERCENT INCREASE.

D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY THE MILD WINTER IN 2023-2024 HELPED BOLSTER LOCAL DEER POPULATIONS.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME COLD TEMPERATURES AGAIN TONIGHT AND A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY FOR PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND THE WINDCHILL SHOULD BE IN THE -35 RANGE.

I'LL HAVE MORE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROVIDED A GRANT FOR A PROJECT IN THE CITY OF >> 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 MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OR DEED, HAS ANNOUNCED A CONTAMINATION CLEANUP GRANT WORTH OVER $900,000 FOR THE CITY OF BEMIDJI.

TO HELP FUND THE HISTORIC RAIL CORRIDOR PROJECT, DEED AWARDED THE CITY FOR THIS 19.1 ACRE SITE CONTAMINATED WITH PETROLEUM AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS.

THE RAILROAD COORIDOR SITE WILL BE REDEVELOPED AS A 60,000-FOOT COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER OPERATED BY THE YMCA AS PART OF A LARGER REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT WITH THE AIM OF REVITALIZING THE CITY.

>> THE GRANT IS MATCHED DOLLARS TO CLEAN UP THE RAIL CORRIDOR SITE.

IT'S RELATED TO THE YMCA PROJECT.

IT'S NOT BEEN GREEN LIGHTED OR FULLY APPROVED BUT IT'S IN CORROBORATION WITH THAT PROJECT.

THAT'S THE PURPOSE THAT THE YMCA WOULD SERVE AND THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS USED FOR.

>> IT IS ANTICIPATED THIS PROJECT WILL CREATE 77 JOBS, INCREASE THE TAX BASE BY $30,000 THROUGH PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES OR PILOT PAYMENTS AND LEVERAGE $35 MILLION OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT.

>>> MUCH OF THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. IS GRAPPLING WITH THE EFFECTS OF A MAJOR WINTER STORM THAT BLANKETED THE REGION STATES LARGELY UNACCUSTOMED TO EXTREME COLD AND RECORD-BREAKING SNOWFALL.

MILLIONS ARE DIGGING OUT OF DRIVEWAYS, NAVIGATING SNOWY COMMUTES, AND DEALING WITH A SLEW OF CLOSURES AND TRAVEL DELAYS.

AT LEAST TEN DEATHS ARE BEING BLAMED ON THE SEVERE CONDITIONS.

LAURA AGUIRRE IS IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, JUST ONE OF MANY MAJOR SOUTHERN CITIES THAT WOKE UP TO A RARE SNOWFALL.

>> Reporter: STREET MUSICIANS ARE AMONG THE FEW VENTURING OUT IN THE BIG EASY.

NEW ORLEANS WAS AMONG SEVERAL SOUTHEASTERN CITIES IN THE PATH OF A MASSIVE WINTER STORM THIS WEEK.

MORE SNOW HAS NOW FALLEN HERE THIS MONTH THAN IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA.

AROUND 8 INCHES, SHATTERING THEIR DAILY RECORD.

THE PARALYZING STORM PUT A SNOWY DEEP FREEZE OVER 1,500 MILE FROM THE TEXAS GULF TO THE ATLANTIC COAST AND UP THROUGH THE CAROLINAS.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO BE DRIVING ON ICE RINKS.

>> Reporter: MOTORISTS WERE FORCED TO TRADE HORSEPOWER FOR PEOPLE POWER.

>> WE HAVE STORMS IN DALLAS, BUT NOT LIKE THIS.

>> PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROADWAYS AND THE OVERPASSES.

>> Reporter: IT WAS ADVICE THAT NOT EVERYONE WOULD HEED.

>> WE DECIDED TO PULL OFF HERE AT THE FIRST EXIT WE SAW.

>> Reporter: IN ALABAMA, THIS AXE THROWING RANGE BECAME A REFUGE FOR DOZENS SHELTERING IN PLACE, AMONG THE SEVERAL SNOWFALL RECORDS BREAKING, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA SAW 7.6 INCHES OFFICIALLY AND BACKYARD RULERS RECORDING HIGHER, DEPTHS NOT SEEN HERE'S SINCE 1954.

THE DANGERS NOW WILL BE THE ONGOING BITTER COLD, CAUSING SNOW MELT TO REFREEZE THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, I'M LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTING.

>> AT ONE POINT TUESDAY, THERE WAS MORE SNOW ON THE GROUND IN FLORIDA THAN IN IOWA AND NEBRASKA COMBINED.

>>> PRETTY CRAZY STACY.

WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN A LOT OF SNOW BUT MORE COLD WEATHER IN STORE.

>> Stacy: TONIGHT WILL BE COLD.

WE WILL SEE THE TEMPERATURES DROPPING BELOW 0 AND WE HAVE NUMBER WINDCHILLS THAT A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA FOR PARTS OF TOMORROW MORNING.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER COLD DAY, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE >> 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 STARTED OUT WITH SOME SNOW AND WARMER TEMPERATURES THIS MORNING, BUT AS THE CLOUDS CLEARED OUT, OUR TEMPERATURES HAVE DROPPED AND WE'RE SEEING THE COLDEST TEMPERATURES OF THE DAY RIGHT NOW.

THOSE TEMPS WILL CONTINUE TO FALL AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOME TIME TOMORROW MORNING.

IT LOOKS LIKE A CHILLY DAY TOMORROW, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE WARMER TEMPERATURES AND ANOTHER CHANCE OF SNOW ON FRIDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S -5 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE A NORTHWEST WIND AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, GIVING US A WINDCHILL OF -21.

WE HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF OF ACCUMULATION.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 4 DEGREES, DEW POINT IS -5, WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 13 MILES PER HOUR, AND THE WINDCHILL IS AT -13.

A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IS OUT FOR A GOOD PORTION OF NORTH-CENTRAL INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

THIS IS IN EFFECT FROM 3:00 A.M. TO 9:00 A.M. ON THURSDAY, WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE THE WINDCHILLS ANYWHERE FROM 30 TO 35 BELOW ZERO.

ON THE RADAR, WE HAVE PATCHY CLOUD COVER, WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT, PASSING CLOUDS AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, BUT WE WILL SEE COLD TEMPERATURES WITH LOWS DROPPING FROM -10 TO -20 AND COLD WINDCHILLS.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, SAMROSE SENDING US A PHOTO OF THE BLOWING SNOW THIS MORNING.

THE SNOW DID MANAGE TO CREATE SOME FUN IN THE AREA.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF A SNOW ANGEL HER GRANDDAUGHTER MADE.

ARLENE WITH A BEAUTIFUL SHOT OF THE SUNSET IN MENAHGA, AND THE EVENING SKIES JUST AFTER SUNSET, VERY BEAUTIFUL.

CAREY IN WALKER WITH THOSE PICTURES.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 21.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH A CHASE OF SNOW.

BOB IN BUFF -- BLUFFTON, REPORTING COLD AND SUNNY.

AND AN LA AT CASS LAKE, CLEAR SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 17, THE WINDCHILL TONIGHT AT -11.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 26, WHICH WAS EARLIER TODAY.

TEMPS HAVE BEEN FALLING THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

THE LOW IS THE CURRENT AT 4.

BEMIDJI, A SIMILAR STORY, HIGH TEMPERATURE 16, BUT THE CURRENT IS OUR LOW AT -5, SUNSET AT 5:08.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING TOMORROW MORNING, 7:00 A.M.

TOMORROW, IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET OUT THERE, NOT A LOT OF CLOUDS FOR US, MAYBE A FEW PASSING CLOUDS AS WE SET THIS IN MOTION THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE SHOULD ENJOY A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

TEMPERATURES ARE STILL GOING TO BE COLD AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY TOMORROW, HIGHS ONLY ABOUT 0 TO 5 ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND 5 TO 10 IN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

AGAIN, WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS NEAR -16, WITH NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE START TO SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A CHANCE OF SNOW FRIDAY AND INTO SATURDAY, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, HIGHS AROUND 20.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE WARMER TEMPERATURES LATE THIS WEEKEND AND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK AND ON MONDAY, HIGH TEMPERATURES COULD RANGE FROM 25 TO NEAR 30.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

THAT IS ABOUT A 60 DEGREE DIFFERENCE FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HERE ON MONDAY NIGHT.

>> Charlie: A LITTLE COLD.

>> Dennis: SO HOCKEY MINNESOTA, WE HAVE A COUPLE LOCAL TEAMS PLAYING.

>> Charlie: YES, BRAINERD WILL GET TO PARTICIPATE IN A HOCKEY DAY GAME AND THEY'RE PLAYING TOMORROW.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE TEAM AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS TO PLAY IN AN EVENT JUST LIKE THIS.

THAT'S COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THIS THURSDAY, BRAINERD-LITTLE FALLS GIRLS HOCKEY WILL BECOME THE FIRST HOCKEY TEAM FROM BRAINERD TO TAKE PART IN HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA.

REPORTER MILES WALKER CAUGHT UP WITH THE GIRLS BEFORE THEY MADE THE TRIP DOWN TO THE VALLEYFAIR AMUSEMENT PARK IN SHAKOPEE TO FIND OUT HOW THEY'RE PREPPING FOR ONE OF MINNESOTA HOCKEY'S PREMIERE EVENTS.

>> Reporter: HOMEWORK -- HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA HAS BEEN A STAPLE IN THE STATE SINCE 2007 AND TOMORROW, THE GIRLS DON'T HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOME TVs.

>> WHEN YOU TELL PEOPLE, YOU TELL FRIENDS AND FAMILY I'M A PART OF THIS, YOU ALWAYS ADD IN THAT IT'S A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.

>> IT'S A REALLY COOL WAY TO HIGHLIGHT HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY, ESPECIALLY IN MINNESOTA, THE SKILL PEOPLE HAVE AND THE CULTURE SURROUNDING HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY.

IT'S REALLY COOL.

>> Reporter: WITH THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE SITTING AT 12 DEGREES, IT WILL FEEL LIKE SINGLE DIGITS TOMORROW NIGHT, THE GIRLS KNEW THAT PREP WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THEIR FIRST EVER OUTDOOR GAME.

>> THE GIRLS HAVE THE HAND WARMERS, AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIND A FINE LINE ON WHAT WILL HELP KEEP US WARM WITHOUT IMPEDING ON OUR PLAY.

>> Reporter: WITH THE FRIGID WEATHER, THE GIRLS CAN'T HELP BUT BE EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THE CITY OF BRAINERD ON DISPLAY FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.

>> JUST TO GET THAT RECOGNITION.

COMING FROM LITTLE FALLS, A SMALLER TOWN, GETTING TO BE WITH BRAINERD AND EXPERIENCING THIS AND HAVING PEOPLE SEE US IS REALLY COOL.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE GIRLS OPEN THE 2024-2025 SEASON 5-1-1, THEY HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO FIND CONSISTENCY SINCE.

NOW THEY HOPE TOMORROW'S GAME WILL BE THE JUMP START THEY NEED.

>> MY FRESHMAN YEAR WE MADE IT TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

I WAS ABLE TO SEE WHAT IT TAKES AND WATCHED THE GIRLS COME TOGETHER AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING EVERYONE'S STRENGTH AND COVERING FOR EACH OTHER'S WEAKNESSES.

BEING A TEAM AND BEING THERE FOR EACH OTHER WILL BE HUGE FOR THE SECTIONS.

>> Reporter: MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Charlie: THE LIGHTS WILL BE ON FOR THE GAME TOMORROW, 7:30 P.M.

IT WILL BE CHILLY AND OUTSIDE THEY ARE TAKING ON HOST SHAKOPEE.

>>> WHEN YOU HEAR WARROAD YOU PROBABLY THINK HOCKEY.

I MEAN, THE TOWN IS LITERALLY NICKNAMED HOCKEY TOWN U.S.A. AND THE WATER TOWER BOASTS A PAIR OF HOCKEY STICKS.

SO, IF I TOLD YOU THERE'S A TEAM AT WARROAD HIGH SCHOOL THAT IS UNDEFEATED THIS WINTER, YOU PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE GUESSED BOY'S BASKETBALL, BUT AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE WARRIORS ARE NOW 15-0 AND RANKED 8TH IN CLASS 2A AND PERHAPS MORE SURPRISINGLY THEIR SUCCESS AS A PROGRAM ISN'T LIMITED TO THIS SEASON.

>> Reporter: FOLKS OUTSIDE OF TOWN MAY NOT BE PRIVY TO THE GOINGS ON OF WARROADS BOYS BASKETBALL, BUT THAT DOESN'T BOTHER THE WARRIORS.

>> THEY MIGHT OVERLOOK US A LITTLE BIT, BUT YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS JUST PLAY OUR GAME.

AS LONG AS WE PLAY OUR GAME, THEY'LL SEE.

>> Reporter: THIS SEASON, 15 TEAMS HAVE SEEN WHAT WARROAD IS CAPABLE OF ON THE HARDWOOD AND ALL 15 HAVE LOST.

OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS, THEY HAD FIVE WINNING SEASONS, BUT NONE OF THEM HAVE STARTED PERFECT AS THIS ONE HAD.

EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH, WHICH CAN ADD PRESSURE.

>> IN A WAY, THERE IS.

WE STILL TRY TO FORGET IT AND PLAY LIKE IT'S OUR FIRST GAME, LOOKING FOR THE FIRST WIN AND PLAYING LIKE IT'S OUR LAST.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO PUT IN THE WORK EVERYDAY, GET BETTER EVERYDAY.

>> Reporter: THE SENIORS PICKED THREE WORDS THEY WANT TO DESCRIBE THE TEAM, WORDS THEY WANT TO LIVE BY AND HOLD THEMSELVES ACCOUNTABLE.

>> WE WANTED TO BE AN AGGRESSIVE TEAM AND THEN WE HAVE THE ENERGY, AND WE JUST LIKE TO PICK EACH OTHER UP.

BUY IN, WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE WE LISTEN TO THE COACHES AND BUY IN WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY FOR US, MAKE US SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: STARTING PRACTICE WITH CONDITIONING BEFORE MOVING TO DEFENSIVE DRILL, WHERE THE WARRIORS PRIDE THEMSELVES, HOLDING OPPONENTS TO UNDER 50 POINTS PER GAME.

>> WE HAVE TO BE.

WE'RE NOT DEEP BENCH-WISE, BUT WE HAVE TO HOLD OUR OWN DEFENSIVELY.

WE HAVE TO BE THERE FOR DEFENSE, UNTIL WE HAVE THE POSSESSION OF THE BALL.

>> Reporter: IT'S A PROMISING SEASON FOR WARROAD, WHO HAS NEVER MADE IT TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT IN BOYS BASKETBALL.

THE WARRIORS ARE NOT GETTING AHEAD OF THEMSELVES.

>> IT'S A LONG GOAL OF OURS, SO WE'RE JUST LOOKING AT ONE GAME AT A TIME AND THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT.

>> Charlie: WELL, WARROAD WILL BE ON A ROAD NEXT MONDAY, BATTLING 16 TEAMS, EAST GRAND FORKS AND LITTLE FALLS IS PLAYING AS WELL.

A TOUGH TEST FOR THEM.

ALSO TONIGHT, A COUPLE GAMES.

CASS LAKE-BENA CAME SHORT OF NUMBER 4.

THEY HAVE A GOOD SQUAD THIS YEAR.

GRAND RAPIDS FALLS TO DULUTH EAST.

IN THE NBA, THE TIMBERWOLVES GET A 1-POINT WIN OVER THE MAVERICKS.

>> Dennis: A CLOSE ONE.

>>> THEY'RE KNOWN TO AID IN BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL AND NOW WEIGHT LOSS, BUT ACCORDING TO A SWEEPING NEW STUDY THE POPULAR GLP1 MEDICATIONS MAY HAVE OTHER SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS AND RISKS.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER TALKS TO THE STUDY'S LEAD AUTHOR ABOUT THE RESEARCH AND WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THESE DRUGS.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE A CLASS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT ARE INCREASINGLY POPULAR, 1 IN 8 U.S.

ADULTS REPORTED USING THE GLP1 MEDICATION AT ONE POINT IN THEIR LIFE.

>> IT WAS CONCEIVED AS A TREATMENT FOR DIABETES, BUT PEOPLE DISCOVERED THAT THESE DRUGS ARE VERY EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING WEIGHT.

>> Reporter: IN A STUDY PUBLISHED IN NATURE MEDICINE, DR. ALI AND A TEAM OF RESEARCHERS LOOKED AT WHAT BENEFITS THIS CLASS OF DRUGS COULD BRING, AFTER ANALYZING DATA ON 2,000 PATIENTS, FOR AN AVERAGE OF 4 YEARS, COMPARING THEM TO THOSE NOT ON THE DRUGS.

RESEARCHERS SAID IT REDUCED RISK OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND PSYCHOTIC PRA -- LIVER CANCER, AND PSYCHOTIC, AND NEURO COGNITIVE DISORDERS AS WELL.

>> ALZHEIMER DISEASE AND DEMENTIA.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE TREATMENT NOWADAYS FOR ALZHEIMER DISEASE AND DEMENTIA.

>> Reporter: RESEARCHERS ALSO FOUND INCREASED RISKS INCLUDING GASTRO INTESTINAL ISSUES, NAUSEA, PARALYSIS OF THE STOMACH, LOW BLOOD PRESSURE, KIDNEY STONES, KIDNEY INFLAMMATION AND ACUTE PANCREATITIS.

>> IT'S A CONVERSATION BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR PROVIDER ON THE THESE MEDICATIONS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: WITH HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY UHRICH.

>> Dennis: AND FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER, WE GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WINDCHILLS AT -30 TO -35 AND A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> Dennis: THAT WILL DO IT FOR US, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]