>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Matthew: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING, MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN, FILLING FOR FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> A BEMIDJI MAN WAS PLACED IN CUSTODY AFTER REPORTEDLY MAKING THREATS TO MEDICAL STAFF WORKERS, DOUSING HIMSELF WITH ACCELERANT, AND THREATENING TO LIGHT HIMSELF ON FIRE.

ACCORDING TO THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEIR OFFICE RECEIVED REPORTS AROUND 11:00 A.M.

THIS MORNING OF A MAN WHO HAD MADE SPECIFIC THREATS TOWARDS THE STAFF AT SANFORD-BEMIDJI MEDICAL CENTER.

AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

OFFICERS LOCATED THE SUBJECT AT HIS RESIDENCE IN THE 100TH BLOCK ON MINNESOTA AVENUE NORTHWEST, AND BEGAN NEGOTIATIONS TO ENTER THE RESIDENCE BUT WITHOUT INITIAL SUCCESS.

DURING THOSE NEGOTIATIONS, THE SUBJECT DOUSED HIMSELF IN ACCELERANT, THEN THREATENED TO IGNITE HIMSELF.

OFFICERS IMMEDIATELY GAINED ACCESS TO THE RESIDENCE WHERE A 34-YEAR-OLD MALE SUBJECT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INCIDENTS OR INJURIES.

THE SUBJECT WAS THEN RETURNED TO THE SANFORD MEDICAL CENTER IN BEMIDJI FOR EVALUATION.

NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

>>> A PEQUOT LAKES MAN WAS INJURED IN AN ALCOHOL RELATED CRASH ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN CROW WING COUNTY.

ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL, A 2005 PICKUP, DRIVEN BY 29-YEAR-OLD, DAKOTA CRANFILL OF PEQUOT LAKES, WAS HEADING NORTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 371, NEAR PAUL BUNYAN TRAIL ROAD, WHEN THE DRIVER LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A FEW TREES.

ONCE STATE PATROL OFFICERS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, THEY DISCOVERED CRANFILL HAD SUFFERED NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES AND HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ESSENTIA HEALTH SAINT JOSEPH'S MEDICAL CENTER IN BRAINERD.

THE STATE PATROL REPORTS THAT ALCOHOL WAS INVOLVED IN THE CRASH AND THAT CRANFILL WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT.

>>> GOVERNOR TIM WALZ ANNOUNCED EARLIER TODAY THAT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER HAS BEEN SIGNED, CREATING A LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE AIMED AT STOPPING FRAUD WITHIN THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS RELEASE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, BY SIGNING THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ HAS CREATED A CENTRALIZED STATEWIDE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS UNIT OPERATED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION.

THIS PACKAGE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A NET COST OF AROUND $39 MILLION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR AND AROUND $15 MILLION DURING THE 2028-2029 FISCAL YEAR.

THE NEW INVESTIGATIONS UNIT WILL BE, "COUPLING NEW TOOLS, LIKE A.I."

WITH OLD-FASHIONED POLICE WORK, ALL AIMED TO STRENGTHEN INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY, CREATE BETTER PROTECTION, AND OVERSIGHT AROUND FRAUD, AND INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR THOSE BEHIND THE CRIME.

GOVERNOR WALZ ALSO ANNOUNCED A NEW LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO PREVENT, DETECT, INVESTIGATE, AND PENALIZE FRAUD IN STATE PROGRAMS.

THESE MEASURES WOULD BUILD ON GOVERNOR WALZ'S PREVIOUS EFFORTS TO COMBAT FRAUD ENACTED IN THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>>> A MAN ACCUSED OF LONG HIDING A STOLEN PAIR OF SEQUINED RUBY SLIPPERS THAT JUDY GARLAND WORE IN “THE WIZARD OF OZ” PLANS TO PLEAD GUILTY, HIS ATTORNEY CONFIRMED EARLIER TODAY.

A CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT FRIDAY FOR 77-YEAR-OLD JERRY HAL SALITERMAN, OF CRYSTAL.

HE WAS CHARGED LAST YEAR WITH THEFT OF A MAJOR ARTWORK AND WITNESS TAMPERING.

THE SLIPPERS WERE STOLEN IN 2005 FROM THE JUDY GARLAND MUSEUM IN HER HOMETOWN OF GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA.

THEIR WHEREABOUTS REMAINED A MYSTERY FOR NEARLY 13 YEARS UNTIL THE F.B.I.

RECOVERED THEM IN 2018.

THEY FETCHED A RECORD PRICE FOR MOVIE MEMORABILIA WHEN THEY WERE AUCTIONED OFF FOR $32.5 MILLION LAST MONTH, ACCORDING TO HERITAGE AUCTIONS, WHICH CONDUCTED THE SALE.

THE BUYER STILL HAS NOT BEEN REVEALED.

THE MAN WHO STOLE THE SLIPPERS, TERRY JON MARTIN, NOW 77, PLEADED GUILTY IN 2023 TO THEFT OF A MAJOR ARTWORK.

HE WAS SENTENCED LAST JANUARY TO TIME SERVED BECAUSE OF HIS POOR HEALTH.

>>> REPUBLICAN MIKE JOHNSON NARROWLY WON REELECTION TODAY TO THE HOUSE SPEAKERSHIP ON A FIRST BALLOT, OVERCOMING HARD-RIGHT G.O.P.

HOLDOUTS AFTER A TENSE STANDOFF AND A BOOST OF SUPPORT FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP.

THE UNEASY SCENE BROUGHT AN OMINOUS START TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW CONGRESS.

A SMALL COLLECTION OF HARDLINE REPUBLICANS CONVENED IN THE BACK OF THE HOUSE CHAMBER, ONE BY ONE DECLINING TO VOTE OR CHOOSING ANOTHER LAWMAKER.

IN THE END, HOWEVER, JOHNSON WAS ABLE TO FLIP TWO REMAINING HOLDOUTS WHO SWITCHED TO SUPPORT HIM AND TRUMP CALLED ONE OF THE DISSENTING REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS FROM THE GOLF COURSE.

THE FINAL TALLY WAS 218-215.

A FLOP BY JOHNSON COULD HAVE THROWN MONDAY'S CONGRESSIONAL CERTIFICATION OF TRUMP'S 2024 ELECTION VICTORY INTO TURMOIL WITHOUT A HOUSE SPEAKER.

THE SPEAKER'S ELECTION DOMINATED THE OPENING OF THE NEW CONGRESS, WHICH BRINGS A ROSTER OF HISTORY-MAKING MEMBERS.

IN THE SENATE, TWO BLACK WOMEN, LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER OF DELAWARE AND ANGELA ALSOBROOKS OF MARYLAND, WERE BEING SWORN IN, THE FIRST TIME IN THE NATION'S HISTORY TWO BLACK WOMEN SENATORS WILL SERVE AT THE SAME TIME.

SENATOR ANDY KIM OF NEW JERSEY ALSO IS MAKING HISTORY AS THE FIRST KOREAN AMERICAN TO JOIN THE CHAMBER.

IN THE HOUSE, SARAH MCBRIDE OF DELAWARE IS NOW THE FIRST OPENLY TRANSGENDER PERSON IN THE CONGRESS.

>>> IN AN EXTRAORDINARY TURN, A JUDGE HAS SET PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S SENTENCING IN HIS HUSH MONEY CASE FOR JANUARY 10TH A LITTLE OVER A WEEK BEFORE HE'S DUE TO RETURN TO THE WHITE HOUSE BUT INDICATED HE WOULDN'T BE JAILED.

JUDGE JUAN M. MERCHAN ISSUED THE RULING EARLIER TODAY.

HE SIGNALED IN A WRITTEN DECISION THAT HE'D SENTENCE THE FORMER AND FUTURE PRESIDENT TO WHAT'S KNOWN AS A CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE, IN WHICH A CASE IS CLOSED WITHOUT JAIL TIME, A FINE OR PROBATION.

THE DEVELOPMENT NEVERTHELESS LEAVES TRUMP ON COURSE TO BE THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO TAKE OFFICE CONVICTED OF FELONY CRIMES.

MERCHAN REJECTED TRUMP'S PUSH TO DISMISS THE VERDICT AND THROW OUT THE CASE ON PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY GROUNDS AND BECAUSE OF HIS IMPENDING RETURN TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE JUDGE SAID HE FOUND "NO LEGAL IMPEDIMENT TO SENTENCING TRUMP" AND THAT IT WAS INCUMBENT ON HIM TO SENTENCE TRUMP PRIOR TO HIS SWEARING IN ON JANUARY 20TH.

MERCHAN RULED THAT TRUMP'S CURRENT STATUS AS PRESIDENT-ELECT DOES NOT AFFORD HIM THE SAME KIND OF IMMUNITY GRANTED TO A SITTING PRESIDENT AND DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT THE VERDICT BE SET ASIDE AND THE CASE DISMISSED, A NOTION THE JUDGE DESCRIBED AS “DRASTIC” AND “RARE.” [♪♪♪] >> STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES AND WINDCHILLS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING, AND THERE IS A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY OUT FOR A PART OF THE VIEWING AREA.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, THERE IS A COUPLE IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA LEAVING THEIR IMPRINT ON THE FILMMAKING INDUSTRY.

[♪♪♪] >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> BEMIDJI IS WELCOMING A NEW LOCATION FOR A FAMILIAR BUSINESS.

TRUE NORTH GOODWILL HAS OPENED A SECOND BEMIDJI STORE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK JOINED THE HUNDREDS OF SHOPPERS THAT THEY SAW EARLIER TODAY AT THEIR GRAND OPENING.

>> Reporter: AFTER 15 YEARS IN ONE SPOT, BEMIDJI'S GOODWILL IS NOW MOVING TO A NEW LOCATION.

IT'S DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THE OLD ONE AND WILL FEATURE MORE SHOPPING OPTIONS.

>> Reporter: IT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND THEN A LITTLE BIT OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

SO WE ARE 1 OUT OF 154 UNIQUE GOODWILL TERRITORIES.

WE HAVE 29 COUNTIES IN THE SERVICE AREA.

EACH GOODWILL OPERATES INDEPENDENTLY AND WE'RE 100% LOCAL AND 100% NON-PROFIT.

>> Reporter: THEY HELD THEIR GRAND OPENING TODAY AND WAS GREETED WITH TONS OF CUSTOMERS LOOKING FOR DEALS.

NO ONLY DO THEY PROVIDE AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO SHOP, BUT SUSTAINABLE AS WELL.

>> IT'S A SECOND CHANCE AND WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE JOBS TO THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WITHIN THE TERRITORY, OVER 280 LOCAL JOBS AND ALL THE DOLLARS THAT PEOPLE SPEND LOCALLY, ALL THE ITEMS THEY DONATE TO GENERATE THAT REVENUE GOES TO SUPPORTING MISSION SERVICES.

WE SERVE AROUND 600 PEOPLE AND THAT NUMBER WILL KEEP GROWING AS WE EXPAND SERVICES ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

>> Reporter: THE DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI GOODWILL WILL BECOME AN OUTLET TO FEATURE MORE DISCOUNTS ON ITEMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD FROM THE MAIN LOCATION.

THE COMPANY DECIDED THEY WANTED TO EXPAND WITHIN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>> WE HAVE THE DRIVE THRU CANOPIES.

OUR DONORS CAN COME THROUGH THE DRIVE THRU AND COME THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC DOOR OR THEY WILL PICK UP THE DONATION FOR THEM.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IN BEMIDJI FOR 15 YEARS AND WE WANTED TO EXPAND OUR FOOTPRINT TO PROVIDE A BETTER SHOPPING EXPERIENCE, WITH A DONOR DRIVE THRU, AND WE'RE BRINGING CURTAIN NAVIGATION SERVICES WHERE WE CAN PROVIDE THOSE FRONT LINE SUPPORTS, SEEKING JOBS, UPSCALING, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

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

>> THOSE JOB RESOURCES AND OTHER EXPANSIONS WILL BE COMING TO GOODWILL IN THE FUTURE, BUT FOR NOW IT IS OPEN FOR SHOPPING.

>>> WELL STACY, I WOULD SAY TODAY IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR SHOPPING, BEING OUT COLD IT IS, BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE OUT THERE FOR ONE SECOND.

>> Stacy: IT IS COLD AND IT WILL STAY COLD AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME SUNSHINE, THAT WILL BE NICE.

THE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES WILL BE STICKING AROUND WITH THOSE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES AND COLD WINDCHILLS OVERNIGHT.

WE DO HAVE A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY FOR A PART OF THE VIEWING AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING.

SO I'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT AND >> 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, IT WAS SUNNY BUT IT WAS COLD OUT THERE TODAY AND OUR TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN FALLING AS WE HAVE BEEN MOVING INTO THE EVENING.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH VERY COLD WINDCHILLS, ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WHERE A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE COLD TEMPERATURES WITH SUNNY SKIES THIS WEEKEND, A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOUD COVER WILL RETURN ON MONDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS -8 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR, GIVING US A WINDCHILL OF -22.

OUR DEW POINT IS -12 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 80%.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, IT IS 3 ABOVE, AND THE DEW POINT IS -12, WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 12 MILES PER HOUR, AND THE WINDCHILL IS IN AT -13.

A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IS OUT FOR MUCH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA UNTIL NOON TOMORROW.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE VERY COLD WINDCHILLS BETWEEN 32 TO NEAR 40 BELOW ZERO IN THAT AREA.

SO IT IS GOING TO BE VERY COLD AND YOU WANT TO TAKE THOSE PRECAUTIONS.

WIND CHILLS TONIGHT ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA, MORE OR LESS IN THE 20s, TO CLOSE TO -30 ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA, FOSSTON AT -22, -22 IN DULUTH, AND -24 IN ROSEAU.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT IS QUIET OUT THERE.

WE HAD THE SUNSHINE TODAY.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THAT'S GOING TO ALLOW THE TEMPERATURES TO DROP WELL BELOW 0 AND THE WINDCHILLS FOR MANY OF US ANYWHERE FROM -15 TO -40 WITH THAT ADVISORY AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, NOT MUCH WEATHER-WISE HAPPENING OTHER THAN THE COLD.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, WITH MORE SUNSHINE IN STORE FOR US TO END THE WEEKEND.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SKY THIS MORNING FROM JULIE OVER LOWER MISSION LAKE AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

LAURIE SAYING IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY AT LITTLE TURTLE LAKE TODAY.

ANGELA SENT US THIS PICTURE OF THE MOON IN THE NIGHT SKY OVER CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA,-3 AND BREEZY THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, THE HIGH WAS 11.

SARAH IN MERRIFIELD REPORTING 5 THIS EVENING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING CLEAR SKIES, HIGH TEMPERATURE IS 4, THE WINDCHILL AT -14.

A REAL QUICK LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, IN BRAINERD, WE TOPPED OUT AT 12, A FULL 10 DEGREES BELOW OUR AVERAGE AND OUR LOW AT 3.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT -1, AND -8 WAS THE LOW.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE'RE GOING TO ENJOY THE SUNSHINE, BUT IF YOU'RE HEADED OUT, YOU NEED TO BUNDLE UP.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE SINGLE DIGITS BELOW 0.

SINGLE DIGITS ON THE PLUS SIDE, SO COLD WEATHER CONTINUES AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW AND EVEN THROUGH THE EARLY PART OF NEXT WEEK.

OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY, LOWS DOWN TO -15, WITH NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15.

SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, -1 FOR THE HIGH, NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

MORE SUNSHINE AND COLD STILL ON SUNDAY, MONDAY WITH THE CLOUDS ROLLING IN, TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT AROUND 7, SO IT STAYS CHILLY, AND HIGHS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS THROUGH THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK, AND LOW TEMPERATURES TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING WILL BE -12.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER WITH US AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BASKETBALL GAMES YOU WENT TO.

>> Charlie: I WENT TO THREE, ALL HERE IN BEMIDJI.

ONE OF THEM STARTED OUT AT THE BOYS, HONORING JACKSON, THEY GOT TO HONOR HIM BEFORE THE GAME.

WE'LL GET INTO THAT 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.

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

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> BEMIDJI BOYS BASKETBALL ARE 4-AND-2 TO START THE SEASON AFTER A SWEEP IN THE DELANO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT LAST WEEKEND.

THE LUMBERJACKS HAD A CHANCE TO BUILD ON THAT MOMENTUM TONIGHT IN THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE NEW YEAR.

THEY ARE HOSTING BUFFALO BUT BEFORE THE GAME STARTED, THE TEAM RECOGNIZED JUNIOR JACKSON BOSCHEE FOR BECOMING THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE 1,000 POINT CLUB AT BEMIDJI.

HE BROKE THE RECORD LAST FRIDAY AGAINST MONTICELLO, BECOMING THE 10TH LUMBERJACK TO DO SO.

THAT MADE IT NO SURPRISE THAT HE STARTED FIRING FROM DOWNTOWN.

I MEAN IT WAS SNOWING OUTSIDE BUT IT WAS RAINING THREE'S IN THE GYMNASIUM.

HE HAD FIVE THREES IN THE FIRST HALF AND 19 OF THE TEAM'S 29 POINTS.

TWO OF THE OTHER 10 CAME FROM CHARLIE, WHO GETS OPEN ON THE CUT FOR THE FEED FROM AUSTIN.

JACKS KEPT IT CLOSE AND THEY TRAILED THE BISON BY 7.

IN THE SECOND, IT WAS ALL BISON.

COOPER, A BIG REASON WITH HIS 10 AND THAT WAS THE N1 THERE, AND BEMIDJI COULDN'T KEEP UP.

IT'S NOT THE WAY THEY HOPED TO START 2025, BUT STILL PLENTY OF BASKETBALL LEFT THIS SEASON.

>>> ELSEWHERE IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS, IN BOYS BASKETBALL, BRAINERD AND DEER RIVER BOTH GETTING WINS TONIGHT.

CROSBY-IRONTON GETTING A WIN AND ROYALTON DROPPING THEIR SECOND GAME OF THE SEASON.

LITTLE FORK, BIG FALLS GETTING THE WIN OVER GREEN WAY.

IN THE GIRL'S SIDE OF THINGS, CROSBY-IRONTON COLLECTING A WIN.

LITTLE FALLS OVER, MENAHGA BEATS WARROAD.

ROYALTON ON THE GIRL'S SIDE STAY UNDEFEATED.

DULUTH MARSHALL, THEY BEAT PEQUOT LAKES.

WADENA DEER CREEK AND WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY ARE ALSO GETTING WINS.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS AND CASS LAKE-BENA GETTING WINS AS WELL.

ROSEAU FALLS TO SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE.

NORTHERN LAKES BLANKS MORRIS.

BAGLEY FOSSTON GETS A WIN OVER ELY.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY PLAYING THEIR SECOND OF THE THREE GAMES IN FOUR DAYS.

THEY'RE TAKING 12TH RANKED PENN STATE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SHOWCASE.

UNDER 10-SECONDS TO GO IN THE FIRST, TIED AT ONE, BSU ON THE POWER PLAY AND ISA GOETTL, BACKDOOR GOAL, HER 4TH OF SEASON GIVES THE BEAVERS A 2-1 LEAD.

IN THE SECOND PERIOD, BEAVS WITH A CHANCE TO EXTEND THEIR LEAD.

GENO HENDRICKSON OFF THE REBOUND FROM MORGAN SMITH MADE IT 3-1 AND IT WAS LOOKING LIKE AN UPSET WAS BREWING BUT PENN STATE WOULD TIE THINGS UP BEFORE THE PERIOD ENDED.

THEN IN THE THIRD, TESSA JANECKE WOULD PUT THE NITTANY LIONS AHEAD.

BEMIDJI STATE WAS OUT SCORED 4-1 IN THE FINAL FRAME TO LOSE 6-4 TO PENN STATE.

MORGAN SMITH, WHO WAS THE WCHA ROOKIE OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER, STOOD OUT AGAIN WITH A THREE POINT AFTERNOON, 1-GOAL AND 2-ASSISTS.

>>> AND ON THE MEN'S SIDE OF THINGS, THEY HAD AN EXHIBITION GAME TONIGHT HERE AT THE SANFORD CENTER.

THEY BEAT MANITOBA IN THAT.

BSU MEN'S BASKETBALL RETURNS.

THEY ARE HOSTING WAYNE STATE.

MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST HALF, BEAVERS TRAILING BY 4.

THERE IS THE HOT HAND ALL NIGHT FOR THE BEAVERS.

24 POINTS.

LATER, BEMIDJI STATE BUILT THE LEAD AND JONATHAN WILL TACK ON SOME MORE.

BSU GOES UP 25-21.

WHAT REALLY STOOD OUT TONIGHT FOR THE BEAVERS WAS THIS GUY, FINALLY GETTING THE WORK AFTER MISSING THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON.

HE HAD 19 POINTS AS BEMIDJI STATE GOES ON TO WIN OVER WAYNE STATE, MARKING THEIR SECOND WIN IN A ROW.

>>> AND BEFORE THE MEN TOOK THE COURT, THE BSU WOMEN WERE HOSTING AS WELL.

THE WILDCATS 6-5.

BEAVERS TRAIL BY 5, AND CROSSING THE DEFENSE ON THE WAY TO THE HOLE.

LESS THAN A MINUTE, BSU STILL TRAILING, AND THEY DRAIN THE FIRST OF THE TWO THREE'S OF THE NIGHT TO CLOSE THE GAP FURTHER.

WANING SECONDS IN THE HALF, SHE HAD 14.

CATS LED AT THE HALF, AND IT WAS CLOSE ALL THE WAY.

BEAVERS WERE ABLE TO FORCE TWO OVERTIMES BUT COULD NOT PULL OUT THE WIN AS BEMIDJI STATE LOSES TO WAYNE STATE.

>>> A FEW MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

WELL, ONE MORE SCORE FOR YOU, MINNESOTA BEATS VIRGINIA TECH IN THE DUKE'S MAYO BOWL.

I WAS WATCHING A LITTLE BIT OF THAT BEFORE THE GAME STARTED AND PEOPLE WERE TAKING MAYONNAISE AND EATING IT RAW, NOT OUT OF THE TUB BUT THE SQUIRT THING.

I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD DO THAT.

IT WAS MAKING MANY -- ME GAG A LITTLE BIT.

ALL THE MINNESOTA FANS WERE DOING IT.

>> Matthew: AS A FLORIDA STATE FAN MYSELF, IT'S GOOD TO SEE VIRGINIA TECH LOSE.

>> Charlie: YACHT GOT -- YOU GOT YOUR WISH.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU.

>>> A COUPLE LIVING IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA IS LEAVING ITS IMPRINT ON THE FILMMAKING INDUSTRY.

LEAH RATHE AND MITCHELL MCCALLSON ARE SEEING THEIR WORK NET ACHIEVEMENT AFTER ACHIEVEMENT AT FILM FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND EVEN OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT IN THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS DETAILS ON HOW THE DUO IS AMPLIFYING RURAL STORYTELLING.

>> Reporter: THEY JUST CELEBRATED THEIR 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY YESTERDAY AND THEIR JOURNEY TOGETHER ALL STARTED FROM A PHOTOSHOPPED TINDER PICTURE, SPARKING CONVERSATION ON THE COUPLE'S JOINT LOVE FOR STORYTELLING.

>> HIS PROFILE REALLY STUCK OUT TO ME BECAUSE PHOTOSHOP, HE SEEMS TO BE FUNNY, AND I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T THINK I HAVE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS AREA WHO KNOW HOW TO PHOTOSHOP OR USE FILM AND MEDIA.

I REALLY ENJOYED THAT ASPECT OF IT.

>> Reporter: THE HUSBAND AND WIFE POWER TEAM COVERS ALL THE BASES.

WHILE HE GENERALLY TAKES ON STORIES WITH A SERIOUS UNDERTONE, SHE HAS AN AFFINITY FOR COMEDIES.

>> WE HAVE ANIMATED, DOCUMENTARIES, AND THESE SHORTS.

THEY'RE SHOT DIFFERENTLY.

DOCUMENTARIES, YOU HAVE TO PUT MORE LEG WORK BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ANTICIPATE WHEN ACTION HAPPENS.

IF IT'S AN EASY SHOT, IT'S PROBABLY NOT AN INTERESTING ONE.

>> Reporter: WHAT KEEPS IT FRESH ARE THE VISCERAL REACTIONS THAT THEY'RE FILMS GARNER FROM VIEWERS.

>> AS WE GET OLD, IT'S THE BEST PART.

IT BRINGS YOU BACK TO THE FIRST TIME YOU WATCHED IT WITH AN AUDIENCE EVERY TIME.

IT'S IMMEDIATELY CATHARTIC.

>> IT'S MEANINGFUL FOR ME TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE INDIVIDUALLY, AND THAT WILL NEVER GET OLD.

>> Reporter: THEIR STORIES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN OVER 30 FILM FESTIVALS.

SEEING THEIR CREATIONS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN DESTINATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD, FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA, TO DUBLIN, IRELAND.

WHILE THE ACCLAIM NEVER GOES UNNOTICED, THEIR REAL LOVE LIFE IN RURAL STORYTELLING.

>> THE MESSAGE THAT I WANT TO GIVE TO RURAL COMMUNITIES IS THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS OR ACCLAIM, DOESN'T MEAN YOUR STORY DOESN'T MATTER AND IT'S NOT WORTH TELLING.

I WANT TO BE SOMEBODY TO HELP ELEVATE AND TELL THOSE STORIES AND GIVE VOICES TO PEOPLE THAT FELT THEY NEVER HAD A VOICE BEFORE.

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

>> Matthew: HE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT A LOCAL JAPANESE TRANS RACIAL ADOPTEE.

>>> WE HAVE SOME EXTRA TIME SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAD TO STACY FOR THE DETAILS ON THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: IT'S GOING TO BE COLD.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE WINDCHILLS -30 TO -40.

SO A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IS OUT.

OVERNIGHT TOMORROW, LOWS DOWN TO -15, WITH NORTH WEST WINDS 5 TO 15.

TOMORROW, SUNNY BUT STILL COLD, HIGHS AT -1.

STILL MORE SUNSHINE AND COLD TEMPERATURES ON SUNDAY, BUT MORE CLOUD COVER ON MONDAY.

>> Charlie: YOU KNOW, I NOTICED YOUR GET UP.

YOU HAVE SOME PURPLE AND YELLOW, IS THAT FOR THE GAME THIS WEEKEND?

>> Matthew: YES, IT'S BEEN PURPLE AND GOLD ALL WEEK.

>> Charlie: THE VIKINGS HAVE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY THIS WEEKEND AND I'M SURE OTHER PEOPLE WILL BE WATCHING AND WE'RE EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT IT ON MONDAY.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND WE'LL BE BACK ON MONDAY.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]