>> 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.

>>> THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT SIDED WITH DEMOCRATS ON FRIDAY IN A POWER STRUGGLE WITH REPUBLICANS THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID HAD LEFT THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMPLETELY DYSFUNCTIONAL.

THE JUSTICES AGREED WITH HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WHO ARGUED THAT A QUORUM IN THE HOUSE WAS 68 MEMBERS UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION, NOT THE 67 THAT REPUBLICANS CLAIMED.

THE HOUSE G.O.P.

HOLDS A 67-66 MAJORITY PENDING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL AN EMPTY SEAT THAT'S EXPECTED AROUND MARCH 11.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE STAYED AWAY FROM THE CAPITOL ALL SESSION TO TRY TO PREVENT REPUBLICANS FROM EXPLOITING THEIR ADVANTAGE.

FOLLOWING THE RULING D.F.L.

HOUSE LEADER MELISSA HORTMAN RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING, “NOW THAT IT IS CLEAR REPUBLICANS MUST WORK WITH DEMOCRATS FOR THE HOUSE TO OPERATE, I AM HOPEFUL WE WILL BE ABLE TO SHORTLY NEGOTIATE AN ACCEPTABLE PATH FORWARD.

WE'RE READY TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE IMMEDIATELY.” THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE FROM REPRESENTATIVE HARRY NISKA WHO SAYS, "UNFORTUNATELY OUR STATE SUPREME COURT HAS DECIDED TO ALLOW THE D.F.L.

MINORITY TO HOLD OUR STATE LEGISLATURE HOSTAGE, ABANDONING THE WISE VIEW OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMERS.

NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF THE DEMOCRATS TRULY INTEND TO WAIT UNTIL MARCH TO SHOW UP FOR WORK AND WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE."

THE COURT ISSUED A THREE-PAGE ORDER FRIDAY AND SAID IT WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH A DETAILED OPINION EXPLAINING ITS LEGAL REASONING LATER.

THE JUSTICES DID NOT DIRECTLY DECLARE THAT ALL THE ACTIONS THAT HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE TAKEN SO FAR ARE LEGALLY INVALID, AS DEMOCRATS HAD WANTED, BUT SAID THEY “ASSUME THAT THE PARTIES WILL NOW CONFORM TO THIS ORDER.” >>> ASTERA HEALTH IS ON THE VERGE OF QUITE THE MILESTONE WITH THE GRAND OPENING OF THE ORGANIZATION'S BRAND NEW CANCER CENTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS AWAY.

MANY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR THE BRAND NEW FACILITY THIS MORNING.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: WHILE THEIR INCOMING CANCER CENTER IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THOSE INVITED ON THE TOUR GOT TO SEE AND LEARN WHAT IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER IN HEALTHCARE FOR CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR WHEN WE TOUR IT.

OUR PATIENTS ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> BEING ABLE TO SHOWCASE HOW OUR VISIONS ARE COMING TO REALITY.

IT'S ABOUT THE PATIENTS, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE FAMILIES, HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ROUGHLY 26,000 CANCER CASES EMERGE IN THE CASE EVERY YEAR, PUSHING ASTERA TO MAXIMIZE ACCESS.

>> THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE SUFFERING A CANCER DIAGNOSIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT TIME IN THEIR LIVES.

THEY AVOID TRAVEL FROM 45 TO 90 MINUTES AWAY, TRAVERSING BIG COMMUNITIES AND BUILDINGS, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT IS CLOSER TO HOME AND HOPEFULLY MORE PERSONAL.

>> Reporter: WITH THEIR PARTNERSHIP, IT WILL PROVIDE PATIENTS A WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICES.

>> HAVING MORE COVERAGE OF PHYSICIANS AND PROVIDERS, FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC SIDE WITH THE SCANNER AND ON THE TREATMENT SIDE WITH THE RADIATION ONCOLOGY UNIT.

>> Reporter: CANCER HAS BEEN A PLAGUE TO MANKIND, DATING BACK TO BEFORE THE COMMON ERA.

FOR THE ASTERA HEALTH, PLAYING A PIVOTAL ROLE IN LAYING DOWN THE GROUND WORK FOR THE SUCCESS OF TOMORROW IS ALL THEY CAN ASK FOR.

>> I LOST SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.

RECENTLY I HAVE SEEN THE DEVASTATION IT HAS CAUSED.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THE BEST CARE FOR OUR PATIENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR CANCER JOURNEY.

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

>> ASTERA HEALTH'S NEW CANCER CENTER IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN JULY THIS YEAR.

>>> ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, IT'S ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE AS FEW AS 1,000 NATIVE SPEAKERS OF OJIBWE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

THANKS TO FUNDING FROM THE BUSH FOUNDATION, A NEW LONG-TERM INITIATIVE AIMS TO REVITALIZE THE OJIBWE LANGUAGE ACROSS THE STATE.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE MIDWEST INDIGENOUS NETWORK IS SET TO LAUNCH AN AMBITIOUS $8.2 MILLION INITIATIVE AIMED AT REVITALIZING THE OJIBWE LANGUAGE.

>> IT WILL BRING ABOUT $1 MILLION TO BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY.

WE WILL BE DEVELOPING KIND OF THE MECHANICS FOR AN OJIBWE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM HERE.

IT'S A LOT OF PAPERWORK, BUT WELL WORTH THE EFFORT.

>> Reporter: BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN STRUGGLING AS OF LATE, BUT HE BELIEVES THAT IT WILL TEACH THE OJIBWE LANGUAGE AND REVITALIZE THE SCHOOL.

>> I KNOW BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH A LOT OF STRESS.

WE HAVE FEWER 18-YEAR-OLDS NOW THAN 10 YEARS AGO AND IT HAS CAUSED A LOT OF STRESS RIPPLING THROUGH THE BUDGET.

WE WILL BE HIRING TWO PEOPLE, SO THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OJIBWE LANGUAGE PROFESSOR AND THERE WILL BE A RECRUITER WE HIRE TO RECRUIT STUDENTS INTO THE COHORT.

>> THEY SEEK TO MOVE FAR BEYOND THE OJIBWE RESERVATION.

>> THEY WILL BE IN FRONT OF NATIVE STUDENTS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OJIBWE IMMERSION SCHOOLS, AN ADULT IMMERSION PROGRAM, A LOT OF OUR BSU STUDENTS END UP GOING INTO THAT.

IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN RECRUITING PEOPLE INTO THE EFFORT, ONCE YOU LIGHT A FIRE IN SOMEONE, THEY FIND A WAY.

>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES IN THE OJIBWE LANGUAGE AND IS EXCITED TO BRING A BIGGER OJIBWE LANGUAGE PROGRAM TO BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY.

>> AN EFFORT LIKE THIS IS BIGGER THAN ANY ONE PERSON.

GENERATIONS FROM NOW, NO ONE WILL KNOW MY NAME, BUT IF OUR LANGUAGE LIVES, THEN ALL OUR STRIVINGS ARE WORTH IT.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE PART OF SOMETHING THAT CAN RIPPLE THROUGH GENERATIONS AND MAKE THE WORLD A DIFFERENT AND BETTER PLACE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> TREUER SAYS THERE IS NO EXACT TIMELINE ON WHEN THE NEW OJIBWE LANGUAGE PROFESSOR WILL BE BROUGHT INTO BSU, BUT IS VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPANDING THE OJIBWE PROGRAM.

>>> MINNESOTA IS SENDING A CREW OF WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS FROM THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

TO SUPPORT RESPONSE EFFORTS AMID ONGOING WILDFIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ ANNOUNCED TODAY THE D.N.R.

CREW DEPARTED FROM THE MINNESOTA INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER IN GRAND RAPIDS THIS MORNING.

THE CREW WILL RECEIVE THEIR ASSIGNMENT ONCE THEY ARRIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

WHILE THERE, THE 10-PERSON CREW MAY BE ASKED TO HELP SUPPORT ONGOING FIRE RESPONSE EFFORTS OR RESPOND TO NEW FIRE STARTS AS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CONTINUES TO FACE EXTREME FIRE CONDITIONS.

D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY MEMBERS OF THIS CREW ARE HIGHLY SKILLED AND SPECIALLY TRAINED IN ALL ASPECTS OF WILDLAND FIRE SUPPRESSION INCLUDING FIRE LINE CONSTRUCTION, PUMP OPERATIONS, AND CHAINSAW USE.

>>> THE CATASTROPHIC PALISADES AND EATON FIRES HAVE KILLED AT LEAST 28 PEOPLE AND STILL BURN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TODAY, SURROUNDED BY SEVERAL SMALLER FIRES IN BOTH L.A. AND SAN DIEGO COUNTIES.

MUCH NEEDED RAIN IS FORECAST FOR THIS WEEKEND BUT AS LAURA AGUIRRE EXPLAINS, WHAT BRINGS RELIEF ON THE FIRE LINES, COULD POTENTIALLY THREATEN COMMUNITIES IN OTHER WAYS.

>> Reporter: AS SEVERAL LOS ANGELES COUNTY PLACES STILL BURN, SOME FIREFIGHTERS ARE NOT MANNING HOSES BUT SHOVELS INSTEAD IN MASSIVE SANDBAG OPERATIONS.

>> THE ENTIRE WEST SIDE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY DECIMATED.

>> Reporter: FIRE SCARRED COMMUNITY, DEVASTATED BY THE EATON FIRE, LEFT NOW WITH MANY SCORCHED HILLSIDES AND A WEEKEND FORECAST OF POTENTIALLY MORE RAIN THAN THE REGION HAS SEEN SINCE LAST JUNE.

WITH IT, THE RISK OF FLASH FLOODING AND MUDSLIDES IN BURNED AREAS, FOR THE FEW WHOSE HOMES SURVIVED THE FLAMES, THEY HOPE SANDBAGS WILL SAVE WHAT THEY HAVE LEFT.

>> IT'S BETTER TO DO SOMETHING AHEAD OF TIME THAN WAIT UNTIL THE LAST SECOND.

>> Reporter: RACING TO CLEAN OUT DEBRIS BASINS IN THE DEBRIS AREAS, SEPARATING RAIN RUN OFF FROM VEGETATION THAT MAY FLOW DOWNHILL AND DIRECT THE WATER THROUGH DESIGNATED SPILL WAYS.

OFFICIALS WARN THAT ANYONE LIVING NEAR A BARREN SLOPE THAT IS 20 FEET OR HIGHER.

>> YOUR BEST BET IS NOT TO BE IN THE HOME WHILE IT RAINS.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE TRACKING NINE FIRES AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF CONTAINMENT.

THE TWO LARGEST, EATON AND PALISADES ARE OVER THREE-QUARTERS CONTAINED.

THEY DESTROYED MORE THAN 37,000 ACRES.

TWO FIRES IGNITE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ON THURSDAY.

THEY KNOCKED DOWN ONE AND ARE FIGHTING THE SECOND, WHICH HAS BURNED OVER 4,000 ACRES SO FAR.

I'M LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTING.

>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ARRIVED IN LOS ANGELES THIS EVENING TO TOUR THE FIRE DISASTER AREAS AND SPEAK WITH LOCAL LEADERS ABOUT RECOVERY EFFORTS AND FUTURE FEDERAL FUNDING.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL BE SEEING SOME MORE SNOW OVERNIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING AND AS WINDS PICK UP, WE COULD SEE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, THE CHOIR HELD THEIR 30t >> 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.

>>> ORGANIZERS OF THE BRAINERD JAYCEES 35TH ANNUAL ICE FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA HAVE GOTTEN THE GREEN LIGHT FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR THIS YEARS EVENT.

TODAY AN ICE CHECK BY THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONFIRMED OVER 24 INCHES OF ICE AT THE CONTEST SITE AND AN OFFICIAL EVENT PERMIT WS ISSUED.

THE BRAINERD JAYCEES, IN COLLABORATION WITH CROW WING COUNTY OFFICIALS, HAVE BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING THE LARGE ICE HEAVING WITHIN THE CONTEST SITE OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE HEAVE THE CONTEST SITE HAS BEEN MOVED TO A LOCATION INSIDE THE BAY, CLOSER TO SHORE, COMPLETELY AVOIDING THE HEAVE.

THE ICE FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA IS THE LARGEST CHARITABLE ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD, DRAWING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ANGLERS EACH YEAR TO COMPETE FOR PRIZES, ENJOY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, AND RAISE FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.

OVER $4.3 MILLION HAS BEEN DONATED SINCE THE TOURNAMENT'S CONCEPTION IN 1991.

>> THE 35TH ANNUAL ICE FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 12:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST.

TICKETS FOR THE EVENT ARE STILL AVAILABLE, AND THEY CAN BE PURCHASED AT BRAINERD-AREA OUTLETS AND ON THE ICE THE DAY OF THE CONTEST.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT, VISIT ICEFISHING.ORG.

>>> STACY IS HERE WITH THIS COLD WEATHER WE HAD THIS YEAR, WE MADE SOME GOOD ICE ON THE LAKE, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL FOR THE HEAVES.

>> Stacy: AND THEY SAY ICE IS NEVER COMPLETELY SAFE, SO THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING COLD TEMPERATURES AS OF LATE, WARMER TODAY, WE HAVE SEEN AREAS OF SNOW AND WE COULD SEE AREAS OF SNOW OVERNIGHT.

WINDS WILL PICK UP IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AND WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE.

WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER >> 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: WE HAVE BEEN SEEING LOWER TEMPERATURES TODAY.

WE HAVE ALSO SEEN SOME AREAS OF SNOW MOVE ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME ACCUMULATION SO FAR.

WE HAVE EXPECTING MORE SNOWFALL OVERNIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING, MORE ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE, AND AS WINDS PICK UP, WE'LL SEE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, WHERE WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 21 AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEW POINT IS 20 AND I HAVE MEASURED ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF OF NEW SNOW AT OUR STUDIO.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES.

IT'S 22.

18 IS OUR DEW POINT, STEADY BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 8 MILES PER HOUR.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF MINNESOTA FROM 3:00 A.M. ON SATURDAY TO NOON ON SATURDAY.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE SOME PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOWFALL AND BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AS THE WINDS PICK UP.

THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OVERNIGHT WITH TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS EXPECTED TO BE CLOSE TO 2 INCHES.

NOW ON THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE THE SNOW MOVING INTO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE.

WE WILL BE SEEING SOME AREAS OF SNOW MOVING ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND AS I MENTIONED, WE WILL START TO SEE THE WINDS PICKING UP ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AS THAT SNOW CONTINUES TOMORROW MORNING, WE WILL BE SEEING ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION.

SO AGAIN, WE XOUB SEEING JUST A TRACE OF ADDITIONAL SNOW IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MORE FURTHER TO THE NORTH, BUT THAT COULD PICK UP ANOTHER 1.7 INCHES OF SNOW.

SO, IT LOOKS LIKE TOTAL ACCUMULATION, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA COULD BE CLOSE TO 3 INCHES.

AS FAR AS OUR EAGLE EYES, THEY HAVE BEEN BUSY SENDING US PICTURES.

WE HAVE THE MORNING SKIES FROM ARLENE.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SNOWFALL IN CASS LAKE.

SAMROSE WITH THIS PICTURE OF LOWER RED LAKE.

WE ALSO HAVE A FEMALE PHEASANT VISITING THE FEEDER TODAY AND THE SUNSET IN WALKER.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 1 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, A HIGH OF 19.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY WITH AN INCH OF NEW SNOW.

AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING A HIGH OF 21.

WE TOPPED OUT AT 22, WHICH IS OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE STARTED OUT WITH -13 WITH OUR LOW AND SUNSET AT 10 MINUTES AFTER 5:00.

IN BEMIDJI, 21 IS THE HIGH TEMPERATURE, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

THE SUNRISE IS AT 7:54.

SO AS WE LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING AREAS OF SNOWFALL AS WE START THE DAY AT 7:00 A.M. WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SNOW MOVING ACROSS THE AREA THROUGH THE MORNING AND IT SHOULD TAPER OFF AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

THEN WE SHOULD START TO SEE THE CLOUDS BREAKING UP.

LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING QUIET WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

SO, AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES GO, WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE TEENS AND 20s, BUT WE WILL START TO SEE THE TEMPERATURES DROP AS THE SNOW SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT LOW 20s, BUT EXPECT TO SEE FALLING TEMPERATURES BEHIND THE SNOW.

TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES, AND AN INCH OF ACCUMULATION OVERNIGHT, LOWS NEAR 11, SNOWFALL CONTINUES IN THE MORNING TOMORROW, OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH HIGHS NEAR 20 AND WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 10 TO 25.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, OVERALL PRETTY QUIET ON SUNDAY WITH A HIGH OF 24, ON MONDAY WARMER WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW.

THEN ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA ON MONDAY, TEMPERATURES ARE STILL WARM, HIGHS ON WEDNESDAY NEAR 20.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

BUSY NIGHT ON THE LOCAL FRONT.

>> Charlie: YES, A LOT GOING ON.

A LOT OF BASKETBALL AND HOCKEY.

SNOW DIDN'T STOP ANY OF IT.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO STOP BY BSU, THEY WERE TAKING ON NUMBER 15 SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE, THE TOP TEAM IN THE NSIC AND THEY WERE BATTLING IT OUT, TRYING TO GET THE BID ON THE UPSET.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> IN FOCUS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> BSU MEN'S BASKETBALL RETURNS HOME AFTER A TOUGH FOUR GAME ROAD TRIP, ALL OF THEM ENDING IN LOSSES.

THE FINAL CONTEST A COMEBACK THAT FELL SHORT BY JUST 2-POINTS.

IT BRINGS THE BEAVERS AWAY RECORD TO 1-8 ON THE SEASON BUT LUCKY FOR THEM THEY RETURN HOME TONIGHT, WHERE THEY ARE 4-3 SO FAR THIS YEAR.

BEMIDJI STATE HOSTING THE TEAM ATOP THE NSIC STANDINGS 15TH RANKED SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE AND IN THE FIRST HALF, BEAVERS WERE PLAYING GREAT DEFENSE.

THEY HAD 5-STEALS.

THIS ONE LEADS TO A BREAKAWAY, JOHN SUTHERLAND ABLE TO FINISH TO GIVE BSU THE 32-31 LEAD HERE BUT THE MUSTANGS WOULD TAKE A 6-POINT LEAD INTO THE BREAK.

IN THE SECOND, RIGHT OUT THE GATES, TATE OLSEN FIRING FROM DOWNTOWN, CUTS THE LEAD TO THREE.

HE HAD 15-POINTS, BUT THE STANGS WERE TOO MUCH ON THE OFFENSIVE END.

JAKOB BRAATEN LEADING THE WAY FOR THE BROWN AND GOLD WITH 24.

BEMIDJI STATE DROPS THIS ONE TO SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE 83-66.

JOHN PECARICH LED THE BEAVERS IN SCORING WITH 16, SUTHERLAND ADDED 13.

ZBL.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

BEMIDJI STATE GETS THE WIN TONIGHT, BEATING A RANKED TEAM.

BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY FALLS TO NUMBER THREE MINNESOTA 4-1.

BEMIDJI HOCKEY, MATCH UP WITH PLENTY OF BIG SHOTS.

MATT JOHNSON'S FIRST ONE DOESN'T GO IN BUT HE GOES BACK.

LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, IT DOESN'T GET EASIER FOR GRADY, TYING IT AT 1-1.

BEMIDJI RESPONDS, CONNER PUTS THE MOVE ON AND GUIDES THIS IN, THEY TAKE A 2-1 LEAD INTO THE INTERMISSION.

CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON WILL SCORE 4 IN THE SECOND PERIOD.

THEY GO ON TO WIN THE BATTLE OF THE LUMBERJACKS, 6-4 OVER BEMIDJI.

>>> BAGLEY FOSSTON GETTING WINS TONIGHT.

THIEF RIVER FALLS BEATS GREEN WAY.

ON THE GIRLS SIDE, ROSEAU GETS A WIN AND INTERNATIONAL FALLS WINS.

>>> NOW NOW CASS LAKE-BENA, FIRST HALF, PANTHERS HAD THE EARLY LEAD.

TATE WORKING DOWNLOAD.

ALEX USING HIS HEIGHT OFF THE DRIBBLE, AND THEN TAKES THE LEAD.

HALFWAY THROUGH THE PERIOD, KINGSLY IS LOOKING TO TIE THINGS UP.

HE DOESN'T CARE WHO IS IN HIS FACE, JUST KNOCKS HIM DOWN AND MAKES IT 17-ALL.

NEAR THE END OF THE HALF, TIGERS PULL AWAY.

DEVON SPLASHES THE TRAY HERE.

NEVIS WOULD KEEP CASS LAKE-BENA AT ARM'S LENGTH.

PANTHERS ARE NOW 9-6.

TIGERS STRETCHED THEIR WIN STREAK TO 6.

>>> BRAINERD'S BOY BASKETBALL ON THE ROAD.

THEY HAD AN EARLY 7 POINT LEAD HERE, TURNING DEFENSE INTO MORE OFFENSE.

ELI FINDS CORDE WHO SEALS THE DEAL.

THE SPUDS MOUND A COMEBACK.

THEY GET A RESPONSE FROM DAVID, GETTING THE SHOOTER'S TOUCH.

HE EDGES BRAINERD.

WARRIORS ARE STILL DOING THAT THING WHERE THEY WIN AND LOSE EVERY OTHER GAME.

THEY ARE 8-8 ON THE SEASON.

>>> CROSBY-IRONTON GETS A WIN TONIGHT.

GREEN WAY BEATS KEEWATIN.

AND LITTLE FALLS DROPS ONE TO ALBANY.

PEQUOT LAKES ON THE GIRL'S SIDE GETS THE WIN.

ROYALTON AND MENAHGA STAY UNDEFEATED.

WADENA DEER CREEK LOSES.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY BEATS PINE RIVER-BACKUS.

BELTRAMI GETS THE WIN OVER FOSSTON.

IN BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING, MELROSE BEATS BEMIDJI HERE AT HOME.

>>> BSU MEN'S HOCKEY IS COMING OFF A TOUGH HOME SERIES WHERE THEY WERE SWEPT BY LAST PLACE CCHA OPPONENT NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

IT WAS NOT THE IDEAL SCENARIO FOR A TEAM TRYING TO MAKE A CLIMB UP THE STANDINGS AND EARN A HOME PLAYOFF GAME OR FOR A TEAM THAT NOW HAS TO GO ON THE ROAD TO PLAY A RED-HOT SAINT THOMAS, WHO ARE UNBEATEN IN THEIR LAST SIX GAMES.

>> TOUGH LOSSES THIS WEEKEND.

WE SIT THERE AND SAY WHAT'S ON OUR MIND AND YOU FLUSH IT, YOU CAN SAY ALL THOSE THINGS BUT IT'S IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND.

IT HURT BUT YOU HAVE TO MOVE ON.

YOU HAVE TO RESET.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU GO THROUGH AND YOU HAVE TO TRY TO FIX IT.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, FIX IT.

>> LAST YEAR WAS NOT PERFECT, WE HAD A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS.

IT WAS AROUND THIS TIME THAT WE STARTED TO FIGURE IT OUT.

WE HAVE THAT HOPE AND BELIEF IN OUR LOCKER ROOM THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET THIS DONE.

THERE IS NO ONE IN THE LOCKER ROOM THAT IS THROWING IN THE TOWEL OR SAYING WE'RE DONE.

WE KNOW WE CAN DO IT AND YOU JUST HAVE TO TURN THE PAGE AND IT'S A NEW WEEK, A NEW OPPORTUNITY, AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN TURN THIS THING ON.

>> Charlie: IT'S A RARE SATURDAY-SUNDAY SERIES FOR BEMIDJI STATE THIS WEEKEND AND AS HOT AS THE TOMMIES ARE COMING INTO IT.

THEY'RE STILL ONLY IN 6TH PLACE IN THE CONFERENCE STANDINGS, JUST ONE POINT AHEAD OF THE BEAVERS.

ALSO WORTH NOTING, BSU TOOK 5-POINTS AGAINST SAINT THOMAS AT HOME BACK IN NOVEMBER AND ARE 11-1-AND-2 AGAINST THEM SINCE 2021.

>> Dennis: HOPEFULLY IT CONTINUES ON.

>> Charlie: THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO TURN IT AROUND THIS WEEKEND.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL'S VARSITY SHOW CHOIR PROGRAM VOCALMOTIVE HELD THEIR LARGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR EARLIER THIS EVENING.

ALONG WITH DINNER AND OTHER INDIVIDUAL TALENT PERFORMANCES, THE BIGGEST SHOW OF THE NIGHT WAS THE CHOIR'S FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO SOME OF THE MEMBERS AHEAD OF TIME TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT WHAT SHOW CHOIR IS ACTUALLY ABOUT.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: SINGING, DANCING, AND TILLING A STORY, THE CHOIR HAS BEEN PRACTICING FOR FOUR MONTHS IN PREPARATION FOR TONIGHT.

>> THIS IS ALMOST A PREVIEW, SO TO SPEAK.

THIS IS KIND OF OUR FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE OF THE SHOW, WHICH IS A REALLY SPECIAL THING, HAVING THOSE FIRST SHOWS BE FOR THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY AS WE HAVE GOTTEN SO MUCH SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: WHILE SHOW CHOIR IS ABOUT, WELL, THE SHOW, THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO BEING ON THE TEAM THAN JUST BEING ABLE TO SING.

>> I THINK IT'S MORE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, HONESTLY.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING FRIENDS AND LIKE THESE ARE THE CLOSEST FRIENDS I GOT.

>> IT'S BIGGER THAN ANY ONE STUDENT.

WE HAVE A BAND THAT BACKS US UP.

IT'S THE BAND, THE SINGERS, THE CHOREOGRAPHER.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE'RE VERY MUCH LIKE A FAMILY.

EVERYBODY IS JUST REALLY FUN TO BE AROUND.

I FEEL LIKE WELL, WITH ANY TEAM, THERE COULD BE HICCUPS, BUT WE COME TOGETHER IN THE END AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP.

>> Reporter: THE THEME IS A MASQUERADE PROM AND EVERYONE ON STAGE HAS THEIR COSTUME AND MASK, BUT NO TWO ARE THE SAME AND EACH ASPECT OF THE COSTUME HAS A DEEPER MEANING.

>> EVERYONE IS HIDING BEHIND SOMETHING AND TRYING TO PRETEND.

AT THE END OF THE SHOW, YOU HAVE TO BE WHO YOU ARE, BECAUSE IF YOU'RE THE SAME, WHAT'S FUN ABOUT THE WORLD?

>> A LOT OF THE TIME PEOPLE TRY TO BE LIKE WHO IS NEXT TO THEM SO THEY DON'T STAND OUT OR DON'T GET BULLIED AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

THEY WANT TO FIT IN WITH SOCIETY AND THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS MAKE YOU THE HAPPIEST.

IT'S GOOD TO EMBRACE WHO YOU ARE AND SHOW THE WORLD THAT.

>> AT THE END OF THE SHOW, WE BREAK OUT OF THAT AND TAKE OUR MASKS OFF SO TO SAY AND COME INTO OUR TRUE SELVES.

>> WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER SO IT'S A SPECIAL MOMENT TO LOOK AT THE STAGE AND SEE WE ALL HELPED TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND I CAN'T GIVE ENOUGH CREDIT TO THESE KIDS BECAUSE THEY WORKED SO ASTRO HARD.

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

>> THE DINNER SHOW KICKED OFF VOCALMOTIVE'S COMPETITION SEASON, AND THEY HAVE SEVERAL MORE SHOWS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS.

THEY WILL KEEP THE SAME MASQUERADE SHOW THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE SEASON.

>>> STACY JOINS US NOW WITH A LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING AREAS OF SNOW AND BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE A WINTER WE'RE ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3:00 A.M. TO NOON TOMORROW, DUE TO POTENTIAL HEAVY SNOW AND THE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

OTHERWISE TONIGHT, EXPECT TO SEE MORE SNOW MOVING THROUGH THE AREA THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING, LOWS NEAR 11.

>> Charlie: FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, GIRLS WRESTLING WILL HOLD A DUAL MEET CHAMPIONSHIP TOMORROW PUT ON BY THE COACHES AND WE'LL HAVE THE STORY ON THAT ON MONDAY.

>> Dennis: ALRIGHT, HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU MONDAY.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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