>> 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.

>>> ESSENTIA HEALTH AND THE UNION REPRESENTING ABOUT 70 HEALTH CARE WORKERS AT DEER RIVER ESSENTIA HEALTH HAVE AGREED ON A NEW CONTACT.

THE WORKERS WHO ARE PART OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION WENT ON A FIVE-DAY STRIKE LAST NOVEMBER AND THEN WALKED OUT AGAIN ON DECEMBER 8TH.

THE UNION AND ESSENTIA SAY THAT 92-PERCENT OF UNION MEMBERSHIP VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE AGREEMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE UNION, THE TWO SIDES AGREED TO A 12-PERCENT ACROSS-THE-BOARD WAGE INCREASE OVER THREE YEARS THAT APPLIES TO ALL MEMBERS, PLUS ADDITIONAL MARKET ADJUSTMENTS FOR PHARMACY TECHS AND COOKS.

WAGES WILL INCREASE 3.5-PERCENT IN YEAR ONE, 3.75-PERCENT IN YEAR TWO, AND 4.75-PERCENT IN YEAR THREE.

ESSENTIA SAYS THE AGREEMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH MORE THAN 20 CONTRACTS ESSENTIA NEGOTIATED WITH UNION GROUPS IN 2024 AND RETAINS A KEY STAFFING PROVISION KNOWN AS CROSS-FACILITY FLOATING, WHICH PROVIDES ESSENTIA WITH THE FLEXIBILITY TO SCHEDULE TEAM MEMBERS WHERE AND WHEN PATIENTS NEED THEM MOST.

SO WITH THE AGREEMENT THE STRIKE ENDS AT 49-DAYS WHICH THE UNIONS SAYS IS THE LONGEST STRIKE BY ANY OF ITS MEMBERS IN 40-YEARS.

>>> THE START OF THE THIRD WEEK OF THE STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION RESULTED IN NO CHANGE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE ARGUED ABOUT WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM AND LAST FRIDAY THE STATE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT 68 MEMBERS MUST BE PRESENT TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

REPUBLICANS HOLD A CURRENT 67-66 EDGE PENDING A SPECIAL ELECTION IN MARCH IN A DISTRICT THAT HAS VOTED STRONGLY FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE PAST.

ALL ELECTED DFL REPRESENTATIVES CONTINUED BOYCOTTING HOUSE PROCEEDINGS TODAY.

DFL AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING THE PAST THREE DAYS BUT REMAIN APART ON WHO SHOULD HOLD POWER IN THE HOUSE.

REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THEIR ONE SEAT CURRENT MAJORITY SHOULD PROVIDE THEM LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND THAT DEMOCRATS SHOULD RETURN UNDER THAT ARRANGEMENT.

DEMOCRATS HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW.

>> THEY THINK IT'S SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD, WE JUST MATCH THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

WE SEAT PEOPLE THAT WON ELECTIONS AND WE OPERATE AS A SHARED GOVERNING BODY WHEN WE'RE TIED.

DURING THE TIME BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE ARE TIED AGAIN, IF WE'RE TIED AGAIN, OUR PROPOSAL IS THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD RUN THE CHAMBER.

OUR PROPOSAL IS THAT THE REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE ELECTED SPEAKER, THAT REPUBLICANS WILL CHAIR COMMITTEES, THEY WILL HAVE A MAJORITY ON EACH OF THE VOTES IN THE COMMITTEE, AND IN NEGOTIATIONS OFFER TO HELP GET THE BILLS TO THE THRESHOLD THEY WOULD NEED TO PASS OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR TO BE SENT TO THE SENATE.

>> YOU CAN SEE THAT HOUSE REPUBLICANS ON WEEK THREE ARE HERE TO DO THE WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO DO BY THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

QUESTION WILL CONTINUE DOING THAT.

WE ARE HEARING FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE STATE THAT OUR TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR MEMBERS, DEMOCRAT MEMBERS, NOT TO SHOW UP FOR WORK.

WE'RE HEARING ACROSS THE STATE THAT THE BEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN IS THAT DEMOCRATS WOULD ACTUALLY SHOW UP FOR WORK, GET TO WORK WITH THEIR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES AND FIND A PATHWAY THROUGH.

>> MEANWHILE IN THE STATE SENATE WHERE THERE ARE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF SENATORS FROM BOTH PARTIES.

REPUBLICANS ATTEMPTED TO EXPEL DFL SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL WHO IS FACING A FELONY BURGLARY CHARGE, BUT ALL DEMOCRATS VOTED TO NOT TAKE UP THE MOTION.

>>> NATCOM BANCSHARES, INC., AND ITS WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE HAS ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THEIR ACQUISITION OF GREAT RIVER HOLDING COMPANY AND ITS WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY RIVERWOOD BANK.

RIVERWOOD BAND HAS 11 LOCATIONS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA INCLUDING TWO IN BEMIDJI.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE SAYS THIS ACQUISITION HELPS ENSURE LOCAL DOLLARS REMAIN IN THE REGION AND THAT THIS WAS A STRATEGIC MOVE THAT ALIGNS WITH THEIR LONG-TERM VISION FOR GROWTH AND EXPANSION.

AFTER ACQUIRING RIVERWOOD, NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE HAS 21 LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN AND CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND ROUGHLY $2 BILLION IN ASSETS.

>>> THE HIGHWAY 197 PROJECT HAS BEEN A BIG TOPIC OF DISCUSSION FOR THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, DATING BACK TO 2018 IN FACT.

TONIGHT THOUGH, THE COUNCIL HELD A WORK SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FINAL LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR THE PROJECT SO THAT THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CAN FINISH THEIR DESIGN PLANS.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: AFTER MUNICIPAL CONSENT WAS APPROVED BY THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL, THE PROJECT IS UNDERWAY.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S DESIGN IS SAID TO BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

TO KEEP ON SCHEDULE, THE CITY COUNCIL NEEDED TO DISCUSS THE LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR THE HIGHWAY 197 CORRIDOR, ALONG WITH THE CITY STREETS.

>> ESSENTIALLY THESE ARE VERY LOW MAINTENANCE TYPE SHRUBS, BUSHES, IT WOULD BE MULCH AROUND THAT WITHIN THE ROUNDABOUT CIRCLES, INCLUDING TWO SIGNIFICANT ENHANCED LANDSCAPES ISLANDS.

WE'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SECTIONS OF THE WIDER MEDIANS ON THE CORRIDOR.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE COUNCIL FIRST SAW THE DESIGN PLAN, THEY WANTED A CLEAR PICTURE REGARDING THE COST OF CLEAN UP ON THE HIGHWAY.

>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT ALMOST $20,000 THAT FIRST YEAR AND THE GOAL IS THAT THOSE SUBSEQUENT YEARS ARE GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT LESS.

THE PLANTS MATURE, THEY WILL GROW BIGGER, THERE WILL BE LESS MULCH THAT NEEDS TO BE FRESHENED UP, SO THAT THERE IS SOME WEEDING AND WINTER KILL TYPE STUFF EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS CONCERN REGARDING THE ESTIMATED COST.

>> I SEE THE MAINTENANCE COSTS, TRYING TO KEEP THE PLANTS ALIVE ALONG THE HIGHWAY.

PERSONALLY I THINK CONCRETE OR SOMETHING CUTS DOWN ON THE LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE, IN MY OPINION.

>> Reporter: MnDOT CURRENTLY ANTICIPATING PLANTING OVER 200 NEW TREES ALONG THE 197 CORRIDOR, WHICH DREW QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL.

>> HOW MANY TREES ARE CURRENTLY ARE AT THE BALLPARK?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THERE ARE ANY.

>> I DIDN'T COUNT ANY OR WENT LOOKING FOR TREES BUT I FELT LIKE WE ARE GOING FROM NOT MANY TREES TO 100.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DRAMATICALLY REMAKING THAT BASED ON BUSINESSES AND OTHER FOLKS THAT BOUGHT PROPERTY THERE, WITH THE CURRENT LANDSCAPING.

I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT CHANGING IT TO THAT.

>> Reporter: HE ADDED THAT HE IS WORKING WITH THE BUSINESSES ALONG THE CORRIDOR SO IF THEY WANT TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF TREES IN FRONT OF THEIR BUSINESS, THEY ARE FREE TO DO SO.

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

>> MN-DOT HOPES TO HAVE THEIR DESIGN PLANS 90-PERCENT COMPLETE BY MARCH LATER THIS YEAR.

THOSE DESIGNS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL ONCE THEY ARE COMPLETE.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DNR SAYS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN WILD DEER IN TWO NEW MINNESOTA DEER PERMIT AREAS.

TWO ADULT MALE DEER TESTED POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN TWO DEER PERMIT AREAS WITHOUT PREVIOUS CONFIRMED CASES OF THE DISEASE.

ONE ADULT DEER WAS HARVESTED IN DEER PERMIT AREA 266 NEAR HAWLEY IN CLAY COUNTY AND THE OTHER ADULT DEER WAS HARVESTED IN DEER PERMIT AREA 701 NEAR GREENFIELD IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

BOTH DEER WERE HARVESTED DURING THE FIREARMS DEER SEASON.

THE HUNTERS SUBMITTED TISSUE SAMPLES VIA THE DNR'S PARTNER SAMPLING PROGRAM WHICH CONSISTS MOSTLY OF TAXIDERMISTS.

DNR OFFICIALS SAYS THIS FINDING IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT INDICATES POSSIBLE NEW AREAS OF CWD PREVALENCE IN WILD DEER WHERE IT HASN'T PREVIOUSLY BEEN DETECTED.

THE CLOSEST CWD POSITIVE WILD DEER TO THE ONE DETECTED NEAR GREENFIELD IS 31 MILES AND THE CWD POSITIVE WILD DEER NEAR HAWLEY IS ROUGHLY 54 MILES FROM THE NEAREST CONFIRMED POSITIVE NEAR CLIMAX.

FOLLOWING THESE DETECTIONS THE MINNESOTA DNR WILL IMPLEMENT MEASURES OUTLINED IN ITS CWD RESPONSE PLAN WHICH CALLS FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF TESTING TO HELP DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL PREVALENCE OF THE DISEASE NEAR THE DETECTIONS.

>>> THE MONTEVIDEO SCHOOL BOARD HAS SELECTED CURRENT CROSBY-IRONTON SUPERINTENDENT DOCTOR JAMIE SKJEVELAND TO SERVE AS THEIR NEXT SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADER.

THE MONTEVIDEO SCHOOL BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY LAST THURSDAY TO OFFER THEIR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT POSITION TO SKJEVELAND AND TO BEGIN NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT.

MONTEVIDEO SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE BOARD BELIEVES SKJEVELAND HAS THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS TO MOVE THE DISTRICT FORWARD.

SKJEVELAND HAS BEEN CROSBY-IRONTON'S SUPERINTENDENT FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS.

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

>> Stacy: SOME OF US COULD SEE SOME SNOW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AND IT LOOKS LIKE WINDS ARE GOING TO PICK UP TOMORROW AS CONDITIONS OF TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO STAY MILD.

I WILL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, MRS. SIPPI, A NON-ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR STORE HAS OPENED >> 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 CITY OF BRAINERD IS OFFICIALLY HOSTING HOCKEY DAY 2027, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE MINNESOTA WILD, FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK NORTH, AND MINNESOTA HOCKEY.

THE ANNUAL ODE TO MINNESOTA WILL BE TAKING PLACE AT THE BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY.

THAT ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE EVENT WILL BE PART OF A DAY-LONG TELEVISION EVENT BROADCAST ON FANDUEL, DESIGNED AS A CELEBRATION OF THE SPORT FROM PEEWEES TO PROS.

HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA HAS BEEN A STATE STAPLE SINCE 2007 AND THE CITY OF BRAINERD KNOWS WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY MEANS FOR THE GROWTH OF THE TOWN.

>> WELL, WE ALL KNOW THAT BRAINERD IS THE PLACE TO COME IN THE SUMMERTIME.

A LOT OF THESE SMALL BUSINESSES MAKE THEIR MONEY OVER THE SUMMER.

TO FIND OTHER REASONS TO BRING PEOPLE HERE, THIS WAS A GREAT REASON.

WE WANT THIS TO BE THE GREATEST HOCKEY DAY EVER AND PUT A SHOT IN THE ARM OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE THEIR GOODS AND SERVICES TO GUESTS COMING TO CELEBRATE THE GAME OF HOCKEY.

>> ADDITIONAL DETAILS SUCH AS DATES, PARTICIPATING TEAMS, AND THE SCHEDULE FOR HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA 2027 WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.

THOSE INTERESTED IN HELPING MAKE THE ANNUAL HOCKEY CELEBRATION HAPPEN, CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THE BRAINERD LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT COMING UP IN SPORTS.

>>> FIRST THE WEATHER WITH STACY.

A WARMING TREND THIS WEEK.

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, HIGHS WILL BOUNCE BETWEEN THE 20s AND 30s, CLOSE TO 40 IN SOME LOCATIONS.

SOME OF US COULD SEE SNOW OVERNIGHT, SOME DRIZZLE AND FREEZING DRIZZLE, NOT A LOT OF SNOW, BUT SOME IN PARTS OF THE AREA.

WINDS ARE ALSO GOING TO PICK UP AND IT'S GOING TO BE A BREEZY DAY ACRO >> 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, THE TEMPERATURES HAVE WARMED UP ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.

WE DID HAVE TO COME TEND WITH BREEZY CONDITIONS AS WELL.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, SOME OF US COULD SEE LIGHT SNOW RETURN TO THE AREA AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA OF SEEING SOME AREAS OF FREEZING DRIZZLE.

THAT WILL CONTINUE AGAIN TOMORROW, ANOTHER ROUND TOMORROW, NOT A LOT OF SNOW, BUT THERE COULD BE SOME ACCUMULATION, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, WINDS ARE GOING TO PICK UP ONCE AGAIN TOMORROW, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL SEE ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 29 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE NORTHWEST WINDS AT 8 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 21.

OUR HUMIDITY IS AT 74%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 34 DEGREES, 21 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE, AND WE HAVE NORTHWEST WINDS AT 13 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE HAVE SOME CLOUDS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA, WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY REPORTS OF ANY PRECIPITATION REACHING THE GROUND OUT OF THAT.

SO EXPECT TO SEE THAT MIX OF CLOUDS ACROSS THE AREA, SOME CLEAR SKIES, SOME CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

LATER ON TONIGHT, AFTER MIDNIGHT, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW MOVING INTO PARTS OF NORTHERN INTO NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, ANOTHER ROUND WILL MOVE INTO THAT AREA TOMORROW.

WE COULD SEE SOME LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS, PARTS OF NORTHEAST MINNESOTA COULD SEE AN INCH OR 2 INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

IF WE SEE SNOW ELSEWHERE, IT'S GOING TO BE A TRACE OR LESS.

THIS CONTINUES THROUGH THE DAY TOMORROW AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE COULD SEE SOME BLOWING SNOW AS THE WINDS WILL BE PICKING UP ONCE AGAIN.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BRANDON SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM SATURDAY, WE CAN SEE THE WINDS RIPPING THE SNOW ACROSS THE ROAD, BUT HE SAID IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE THE CLOUDS WERE AT GROUND LEVEL.

SONYA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE SUNSHINE THROUGH THE CLOUDS THIS AFTERNOON.

SAMROSE CAPTURING THE SUNSET JUST UNDERNEATH THE CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

CARRIE SHARING THIS PHOTO OF THE EVENING SKIES WITH NICE COLOR FROM THE SUNSET.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUN, BUT IT WAS WINDY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN AND CLOUDS, WINDY AS WELL, HIGH OF 32.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY, A HIGH OF 33.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 39.

WE'RE WELL ABOVE OUR AVERAGE OF 22.

WE ACTUALLY HAD A LOW OF 19 THIS MORNING AND SUNSET AT 5:14.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 32, SO AGAIN, WELL ABOVE THAT AVERAGE OF 18.

WE ACTUALLY HAD OUR LOW TEMPERATURE WARMER THAN THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, WHICH WAS 19.

HERE'S WHERE WE ARE GOING TO START THE DAY TOMORROW.

THE FIRST ROUND OF SNOW WILL MOVE TO THE EAST, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA, WE'LL PUT THIS IN MOTION AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, ANOTHER CHANCE OF SNOW MOVES INTO MAINLY NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, SOME OF THAT COULD VENTURE TO THE SOUTH AND WEST AS WE HEAD INTO THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS.

AGAIN, WE'RE NOT EXPECTING TO SEE MUCH IN THE WAY OF ACCUMULATION OUT OF THAT SYSTEM.

AS FAR AS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES, A MILD DAY.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT UPPER 30s, MAYBE EVEN CLOSE TO 40 DEGREES.

NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE OF SNOW IN NORTHERN, NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE IN THE NORTHEAST, WITH LOWS NEAR 13.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, A CHANCE OF SNOW, MAINLY IN THE NORTH.

WE COULD SEE SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, HIGHS NEAR 36, AND THE WEST WINDS WILL PICK UP 10 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, MAINLY QUIET AND IT CONTINUES TO BE MILD AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, HIGHS NEAR 35 ON THURSDAY, 24 ON FRIDAY, AND HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, THERE ARE SOME CHANCES OF SNOW SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA, WITH OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGHS ON SUNDAY NEAR 22, BUT EXPECT COOLER AIR TO ARRIVE AND A COOL DOWN EARLY NEXT WEEK.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU, SYDNEY IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS AND CHARLIE IS ON ASSIGNMENT TONIGHT.

HE HAD A LONG DRIVE TO WARROAD TO COVER A COUPLE STORIES THERE.

A BIG DAY FOR BRAINERD REGARDING HOCKEY DAY.

>> Sydney: IT WAS A BIG DAY FOR BRAINERD OVER HOCKEY DAY WEEKEND.

WE HAVE MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM HOCKEY DAY, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BSU WOMEN AND WE'LL HAVE THAT, AS WELL AS MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

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

>>> AFTER THE FINAL BUZZER HAD SOUNDED AT HOCKEY DAY IN SHAKOPEE, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT BRAINERD WOULD HOST HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA IN 2027 AT THE BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY.

THIS YEAR, THE BRAINERD-LITTLE FALLS GIRLS WERE THE FIRST HOCKEY TEAM FROM THE BRAINERD AND LITTLE FALLS AREA TO PLAY IN A HOCKEY DAY GAME, BUT NOW THE BOYS WILL FINALLY GET THE CHANCE TO PLAY IN ONE AND THEY'LL GET TO DO IT AS THE HOST.

>> WE'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS EVENT OUR ENTIRE LIFE AND TO COME TO BRAINERD, IT'S A DREAM.

IT'S AWESOME TO GO OUT THERE WITH THE BOYS AND PLAY THE GAME OF HOCKEY.

IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW WHAT BRAINERD HAS.

>> MY DAUGHTER PLAYED ON THE GIRLS TEAM LAST WEEK AND AFTER SHE WAS THERE FOR THE FIRST DAY, SHE WAS LIKE HOW CAN I COME BACK AND HELP IN TWO YEARS BECAUSE THIS IS AMAZING.

I HAD NOT BEEN TO ONE MYSELF AND I HAD TO WITNESS IT.

ALL OUR YOUTH KIDS WILL BE PART OF IT AT ONE POINT AND SKATE OUT THERE, AND THEIR HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS WILL TOO.

>> IT'LL MARK THE 4TH TIME HOCKEY DAY HAS BEEN IN THE LAKELAND PBS VIEWING AREA, GRAND RAPIDS BEING THE FIRST IN 2013, FOLLOWED BY BEMIDJI IN 2019 AND THEN IN WARROAD, A.K.A.

HOCKEY TOWN U.S.A. LAST YEAR.

>>> ALSO THIS WEEKEND, AFTER THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT LOSS ON SATURDAY, BEMIDJI STATE TRIED TO FOR THEIR SPECIAL GAME AGAINST THIRD RANKED MINNESOTA.

FIRST PERIOD, MINNESOTA GETTING AFTER IT.

EMMA NETTING ONE IN 7 MINUTES INTO PLAY, RIGHT IN BETWEEN THE BEAVERS LEG.

NOW GROVER'S GRACIE, KEEPING THEM ON THE TOP SHELF.

BEMIDJI BATTLING BACK.

NOW THAT WOULD BE BEMIDJI STAY'S LONE GOAL OF THE GAME.

THE BEAVERS ARE LOOKING TO BREAK THEIR SIX GAME LOSING STREAK WITH THEIR FIRST HOME GAME SINCE NOVEMBER 16TH AGAINST MANKATO NEXT WEEKEND.

>>> ALSO THIS WEEKEND, AFTER THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT LOSS ON SATURDAY, BEMIDJI STATE TRIED TO REBOUND ON SUNDAY AGAINST CCHA FOE SAINT THOMAS.

JUST OVER THE HALFWAY POINT IN THE FIRST PERIOD, SCORE TIED AT ZIP.

KASPER MAGNUSSEN, HIS ONE-TIMER FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET, HIS THIRD GOAL OF THE SEASON.

BEMIDJI UP 1-0.

AFTER A SCORELESS SECOND, THIRD PERIOD TOMMIES' CHASE CHESLOCK FROM THE BLUE LINE, THROUGH BEAVERS' DEFENSE HE FINDS HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON, TIE GAME 1-1.

LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, BEAVERS' ERIC MARTIN LIGHTS THE LAMP FOR HIS EIGHTH TIME THIS YEAR.

HELPING BRING BEMIDJI STATE TO VICTORY 2-1.

THE VICTORY AGAINST SAINT THOMAS SNAPPED A NINE GAME WINLESS STREAK AND WAS THE BEAVERS' FIRST WIN SINCE DECEMBER 6TH.

>>> AND SOME OTHER SCORES FOR YOU.

IN BASKETBALL, THE MEN'S GAME SNAP ADD SIX GAME LOSING STREAK.

THE WOMEN DIDN'T FAIR AS WELL.

THEN WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD COMPETED AT THE OPEN IN MOORHEAD, THEY HAD 12 TOP FIVE FINISHES, INCLUDING A ONE MILE RUN.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL, RED LAKE BEAT OUT CASS LAKE-BENA, 90 TO 87.

>>> AT SAINT MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ON SATURDAY, A DUAL MEET STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR GIRLS TEAM WRESTLING WAS HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

BEMIDJI AND BRAINERD BOTH COMPETED IN THE TOURNAMENT AND SPORTS DIRECTOR CHARLIE YAEGER WAS ON HAND TO GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON THE HISTORIC EVENT.

>> Reporter: EVERY TEAM BEGINS THEIR SEASON WITH THE GOAL OF WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP, BUT WHAT IF THERE WAS NO CHAMPIONSHIP TO WIN?

THE GIRLS WRESTLING TEAMS IN MINNESOTA, THERE WASN'T.

>> COMING UP, COMING UP.

>> Reporter: UNTIL NOW.

>> HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO WRESTLE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

TO HAVE ALL THESE SUPPORTERS WATCH US, IT MAKES US FEEL GOOD.

>> Reporter: PUT ON BY THE MINNESOTA WRESTLING COACHES ASSOCIATION, 16 TEAMS COMPETED ON 8 MATS IN THE SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE FINANCE CENTER FOR A DUAL MEET STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, THE FIRST EVER HELD IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY COOL AND THAT THERE ARE SO MANY TEAMS AND TEAMS WE HAVEN'T SAW BEFORE.

SO I THINK THAT'S REALLY COOL THAT IT'S GROWN SO MUCH, EVEN FROM MY FIRST YEAR OF WRESTLING.

>> Reporter: THEY SANCTIONED WRESTLING AS A SPORT, HOLDING A STOIT TOURNAMENT FOR THEM, BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY 20 FULL TEAMS IN THE STATE, THEY LACK THE 32 TEAM MINIMUM REQUIRED BY BYLAWS TO HOLD A FOUR TEAM STATE TOURNAMENT.

THE COACHES ASSOCIATION DECIDED TO GET A HEAD START.

>> THERE ARE OVER 1,500 GIRLS OUT THERE NOW.

WITH THE GIRLS GROWING, I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY NEEDS TO GROW AS WELL.

>> Reporter: WITH THE TOURNAMENT A SUCCESS, CERTAINLY EXCITEMENT IN THE DIRECTION IN WHICH GIRLS WRESTLING IS HEADED IN MINNESOTA.

>> THIS IS THE START OF WHERE WE'RE GOING.

WE HAD 16 DUELS THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR THERE WERE 2.

THERE IS MORE COMPETITION TO BE HAD AND IT'S A MATTER OF THEM GIVING US MORE OPPORTUNITY.

>> THEY'RE ENJOYING THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY HAVE NOW AS THEY PAVE THE WAY FOR THE NEXT WAVE OF GIRLS WRESTLERS.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKING MORE FRIENDS IN THE SPORT AND IT GROWING BIGGER.

>> WE GOT THIS OPPORTUNITY AND KNOWING ONE DAY THEY CAN HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY, IT'S AWESOME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM SAINT MICHAEL, CHARLIE YAEGER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Sydney: AND HERE ARE THE FINAL STANDINGS FOR YOU.

BRAINERD FINISHED AT FOURTH.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU VERY MUCH SYDNEY.

>>> A NEW, NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE STORE OPENED UP IN LAPORTE JUST BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS.

“MRS.

SIPPI” CALLS ITSELF A NON-ALCOHOLIC BOTTLE SHOP, >> Reporter: MISSISSIPPI MAY SEEM LIKE YOUR AVERAGE LIQUOR STORE.

THERE ARE RACKS FULL OF WINE, COOLERS OF BEER, AND MIXED DRINKS.

WHEN YOU TAKE A SECOND LOOK, YOU WILL REALIZE THAT EVERYTHING IN THE STORE IS NON-ALCOHOLIC.

>> CHOOSING TO BE ALCOHOL-FREE, I WILL BE COMING UP ON TWO YEARS IN MAY, AND I JUST WANTED A SAFE PLACE WITH LOTS OF VARIETY.

THERE IS A SHIFT IN SOCIETY AND I FEEL IN OUR AREA MORE THAN EVER, WE NEEDED SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: AND MRS. SIPPI WAS BORN.

>> NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR SOBRIETY JOURNEY OR JUST IN YOUR TASTE LIFE, YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME PLACE CATER TO YOU SO YOU HAVE OPTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE OWNER STARTED HER JOURNEY NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO.

SHE SAID THAT SHE NEVER HIT ROCK BOTTOM, BUT WANTED TO TRY OUT A SOBER LIFESTYLE FOR A LITTLE BIT AND THEN IT STUCK.

SINCE QUITTING DRINKING, THE MISSISSIPPI OWNER REALIZED JUST HOW BIG OF A ROLE ALCOHOL PLAYS IN SOCIETY TODAY.

>> I FEEL AS AN ADULT WE STILL WANT THAT EXPERIENCE OR THAT ADULT BEVERAGE, SOMETHING SPECIAL, SOMETHING THAT LOOKS NICE, TASTES GREAT, IS HEALTHY, WITHOUT ALL THE CONSEQUENCES THAT CAN COME WITH ALCOHOL.

YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WANT TO NECESSARILY BE THE PERSON THAT IS NURSING THAT CAN OF SODA OVER IN THE CORNER, AND JUST BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE ALCOHOL IN IT, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S A COMPLEX AND REALLY DELICIOUS BEVERAGE.

>> Reporter: THE STORE IS FULL OF NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES, BEER, LIQUOR, AND MOCKTAIL SETS.

>> I HAD PEOPLE WALK IN WITH TEARS THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY ARE SO FORTUNATE.

SO, AGAIN, TO BE ABLE TO TOUCH PEOPLE THAT WAY, IT'S UNEXPLAINABLE SOMETIMES.

THERE IS SUCH A SHIFT IN PEOPLE WANTING DIFFERENT, NOT BETTER, DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM LAPORTE WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Sydney: GOOD NIGHT.