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>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED IN PART BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

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>> 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.

>>> EMBATTLED MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ ENDED HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ON MONDAY.

IT'S AMID PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S RELENTLESS FOCUS ON A FRAUD INVESTIGATION INTO CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN THE STATE.

IN ANNOUNCING HIS PLANS TO NOT SEEK A THIRD TERM, WALZ SAID HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GIVE THE CAMPAIGN HIS ALL.

>> IN SEPTEMBER, I ANNOUNCED THAT I WOULD SEEK A HISTORIC THIRD TERM AS MINNESOTA'S GOVERNOR AND I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT IF I GAVE IT MY ALL, WE WOULD WIN THE RACE.

AS I REFLECT ON THIS MOMENT WITH MY FAMILY AND THE TEAM OVER THE HOLIDAYS, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT I CANNOT GIVE A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MY ALL.

EVERY MINUTE I SPEND DEFENDING MY OWN POLITICAL INTEREST IS A MINUTE I CAN'T SPEND DEFENDING THE INTEREST OF MINNESOTA, AGAINST THE CRIMINALS THAT PREY ON OUR GENEROSITY.

>> WITH WALZ NOW OUT OF THE RACE SEVERAL DEMOCRATS ARE EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCED PLANS TO RUN FOR THE GOVERNORS SEAT.

AMONG THEM POSSIBLY LONGTIME U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR.

KLOBUCHAR HAS SERVED IN WASHINGTON FOR TWO DECADES AND A PERSON CLOSE TO THE SENATOR TOLD CNN SHE IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A GUBERNATORIAL RUN AFTER GETTING A LOT OF OUTREACH ENCOURAGING HER TO RUN.

THE SOURCE TOLD CNN THAT KLOBUCHAR HAS NOT MAKE UP HER MIND OR OFFERED A TIMELINE FOR WHEN SHE WILL.

MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON HAS ALSO EXPRESSED INTEREST IN RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IN THE PAST BUT THE STAR TRIBUNE REPORTS HE LIKELY WOULDN'T BE INTERESTED IN RUNNING IF KLOBUCHAR ENTERED THE RACE.

THE STAR TRIBUNE ALSO NOTED THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON MAY CONSIDER RUNNING IN THE GOVERNORS RACE NOW THAT WALZ HAS DECIDED NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION.

>>> THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL IS LOOKING TO CREATE A BUDGET COMMITTEE, WITH THE GOAL OF GETTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS MORE INVOLVED WITH SETTING EACH YEAR'S BUDGET.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL WAS SETTING THE LEVY FOR 2026, THE MAYOR SAID HE WANT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO BE MORE INVOLVE IN SETTING THE BUDGET.

>> WHEN YOU ARE WORKING WITH A TIGHT BUDGET, THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

IT'S THE PRINCIPAL OF OFFSET.

YOU ARE THE ONLY TWO, SO THEN IT MAKES ME FEEL THAT POTENTIALLY YOU ARE SETTING UP A SITUATION WHERE YOU CAN BE OFFSET AGAINST ONE ANOTHER AND THAT DOESN'T SEEM PRODUCTIVE.

NOW, I REALIZE YOU ARE PROFESSIONALS AND YOU ARE WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM, SO I DON'T WANT YOU TO READ INTO THAT, BUT IF EVERY DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON THEIR OWN BUDGET AND YOU ARE THE ONE THAT DIDN'T DECIDE WHICH DEPARTMENT GETS WHAT AND WHICH DOESN'T, THAT COMES TO US, THEN THAT SEEMS LIKE IT'S POTENTIALLY A PLACE FOR FRICTION.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR ADDED THAT THE BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARD AND OTHER NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES HAVE A BUDGET ALREADY.

THE COUNCIL MET TO CREATE THE CITY'S FIRST COUNCIL BUDGET COMMITTEE WITH THREE MEMBERS ROTATING IN AND OUT EVERY YEAR.

>> WE'RE A DIRECT LINE FOR THE PUBLIC'S OPINION.

WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGETS AND SETTING LEVIES, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE BRING THEIR VOICES TO THE BUDGET TABLE.

I THINK WE UTILIZE WHO SITS ON THIS PARTICULAR COMMITTEE, PEOPLE WHO HAVE STRENGTHS IN THIS CATEGORY.

I THINK WE UTILIZE SOME OF THE TALENT WE HAVE TO HELP CREATE THAT COMMITTEE.

>> Reporter: GIVEN THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS RECEIVING DUE TO FRAUD AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES, HE WANTS TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE WITH CITY RESTS.

>> -- RESIDENTS.

>> CERTAINLY THE CITY IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT THERE IS ANYTHING UNTOWARD OR ANYTHING THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING, BUT IN A WORLD SEEKING MORE AND MORE TRANSPARENCY, THIS IS A GOOD MECHANISM, ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME TO BE EFFICIENT AND TO DEMONSTRATE TO OTHERS OUR EFFICIENCY IN A TRANSPARENT WAY SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN SEE THAT.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR ADDED THAT HE HOPES THE CITY BUDGET COMMITTEE CAN BE OPERATING BY MARCH OF THIS YEAR.

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

>> BECAUSE THE COUNCIL WANTED MORE CLARIFICATION ON THE SPECIFICS OF HOW THE CITY'S BUDGET COMMITTEE WOULD OPERATE, THE VOTE TO FORM THE COMMITTEE WAS TABLED FOR A LATER MEETING.

>>> THE BRAINERD LAKES REGIONAL AIRPORT'S SEARCH FOR A NEW DIRECTOR APPEARS TO BE REACHING ITS FINAL STAGE.

LAST MONTH, AIRPORT COMMISSION MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED ON OFFERING CURRENT CATERPILLAR INCORPORATED CHIEF OF STAFF JENNIFER ROACH THE POSITION.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: AFTER 28 CANDIDATES SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES REGIONAL AIRPORT'S DIRECTOR ROLE, COMMISSION MEMBERS WHITTLED IT DOWN TO TWO FINALISTS.

>> WE FIRST LOOKED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD EXPERIENCE IN THE TWO KEY PARTS, AVIATION AND THE AIRPORT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT JENNIFER'S BACKGROUND, PERSONALITY WAS COMFORTABLE.

WE ALL THOUGHT SHE CAME ACROSS AS CARING, UNDERSTANDING, AND EXTREMELY SMART.

THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA IS HER HOME.

>> Reporter: WHILE HER TIES TO CENTRAL MINNESOTA PLAYED A ROLE IN THE COMMISSIONER SIDING WITH HER, SHE COMPILED THE RESUME OVER THE YEARS.

>> SHE'S A 25-YEAR ARMY COMMISSIONED HELICOPTER PILOT.

SO, SHE UNDERSTANDS AVIATION.

SHE COMES ACROSS AS VERY SMART, VERY GENTLE.

NO ONE DID THE JOB SHE DID AS A WARRIOR IN THE ARMY UNLESS YOU HAVE SOME STEEL IN THAT SPINE.

SHE DOESN'T KNOW AIRPORT MANAGEMENT, BUT WILL LEARN IT QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: THEY MET TO DISCUSS THE OFFICE IN MID-DECEMBER.

SHE SHARED HER THOUGHTS ON THE POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY.

>> I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE BRAINERD AIRPORT HAS GOING ON AND BRINGING MY EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND TO FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND HOW WE CAN WORK TO BRING AVIATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND REALLY TO OUR YOUNG ADULTS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE INTERESTED IN AVIATION.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO HER AVIATION BACKGROUND AND CONNECTION TO THE AREA, COMMISSION MEMBERS HOST IT BOASTS RELATIONSHIPS FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES REGIONAL AIRPORT.

>> BEING CONNECTED TO THE AREA, I HAVE A SENSE OF DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO THE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, THAT RELY ON THE AIRPORT, BRINGING THAT AND CONNECTING BOTH TRAVELERS THAT ORIGINATE FROM THIS LOCATION, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO VISIT THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, CONNECTING THOSE FOLKS TO THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE IS REALLY EXCITING TO ME AS WELL.

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

>> BRAINERD LAKES REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION MEMBERS WILL MEET THIS THURSDAY MORNING TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT TO APPROVE ROACH'S APPOINTMENT AS THE NEXT DIRECTOR.

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DEPLOYING AROUND 2,000 FEDERAL AGENTS TO MINNEAPOLIS.

THAT INCLUDES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENTS.

TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY THE MOVE IS PART OF AN IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN.

SENIOR TRUMP OFFICIALS HAVE RECENTLY FIXATED ON MINNESOTA AND ITS SOMALI COMMUNITY AFTER ACCUSATIONS OF ALLEGED WELFARE FRAUD.

HOMELAND SECURITY ASSISTANT SECRETARY TRICIA MCLAUGHLIN DECLINED TO OFFER DETAILS ABOUT THE DEPLOYMENT.

BUT SHE SAID OFFICERS HAVE ALREADY MADE MORE THAN 1,000 ARRESTS OF WHAT SHE REFERRED TO AS MURDERERS, PEDOPHILES, AND GANG MEMBERS.

>>> VENEZUELA'S DEPOSED PRESIDENT NICOLÁS MADURO PLEADED NOT GUILTY MONDAY TO FOUR FELONY DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES.

THE WORLD LEADER SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE U.S.

MILITARY OPERATION THAT LED TO HIS CAPTURE DURING HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN FEDERAL COURT.

LEIGH WALDMAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: OUSTED VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT FLANKED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS MAKES HIS WAY TO A COURTHOUSE.

THEY PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO FELONY DRUG AND WEAPON CHARGES FOLLOWING A U.S.

MILITARY RAID.

>> I PROMISE YOU THAT THE DEFENSE LAWYERS WILL SAY THIS ARREST VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE VOID.

IT'S UNLIKELY THAT A FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGE IS GOING TO SAY I TAKE ISSUE WITH THE WAY THIS ARREST HAPPENED AND THEREFORE I DISMISS THE CHARGES.

>> Reporter: OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE, CLASHING PROTEST AS SOME CELEBRATE THE END OF THE MADURO REGIME AND OTHERS CONDEMN THE U.S.

MILITARY ACTION THAT LED TO HIS ARREST, A DEBATE ECHOED IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS.

>> THERE HAS BEEN NO CONSULTATION WITH CONGRESS.

>> Reporter: AT A MEETING WITH THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL.

>> THERE IS NO WAR AGAINST VENEZUELA OR ITS PEOPLE.

WE ARE NOT OCCUPYING A COUNTRY.

THIS WAS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATION.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE IN VENEZUELA, PEOPLE FACE AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

>> WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT OUR FATE WILL BE NOW WITH THIS NEW SITUATION.

>> Reporter: VENEZUELA'S NEW LEADER DELCY RODRIGUEZ.

THEY ARE WORKING TO PRIORITIZE ADMINISTRATIVE STABILITY AND REPAIRING OIL INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> WE WANT VENEZUELA TO MOVE IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION BECAUSE IT'S GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA AND IT'S IN OUR NATIONAL INTEREST.

>> Dennis: THE NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 17TH.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: THE AREA OF DENSE FOG ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING, I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> THE MAIN STREET MARKET IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD MOVED INDOORS FOR THE WINTER [♪♪♪] >> MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL BOARD HELD ITS FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR EARLIER TODAY, WITH A SPECIAL MEETING TO ELECT THE BOARD OFFICIALS FOR 2026.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS IN ATTENDANCE AND HAS MORE ON THE NEW ORGANIZATION OF BOARD MEMBERS, SCHEDULING PLANS FOR THIS YEAR, AND BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION CHANGES DISCUSSED DURING THE MEETING.

>> Reporter: AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY CALENDAR YEAR, THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL BOARD VOTES ONBOARD ORGANIZATION AND THE ROLE OF EACH MEMBER.

DAVE STEPPED DOWN AND THE NEW BOARD CHAIR OF 2026.

BOTH JACK AND JENNY WERE NOMINATED TO BECOME VICE CHAIR.

>> THOSE WHO WOULD BE IN FAVOR, VICE CHAIR RAISE YOUR HAND PLEASE.

>> Reporter: IN A 4-2 VOTE.

HE WAS CHOSEN TO REMAIN IN THE SAME CLERK POSITION SHE WAS IN LAST YEAR.

FINALLY, ANNA BECAME THE NEW TREASURER IN PLACE OF ANN.

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

[AYES EXPRESSED] >> OPPOSED?

>> Reporter: BOARD MEMBERS DISCUSSED A $25 RAISE TO EACH OF THEIR PAYCHECKS.

EACH BOARD MEMBER HAD TIME TO DISCUSS THEIR OPINION ON THE MATTER.

>> YES.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD FEEL BAD ON ADJUSTING IT.

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO BE THE LEADERS AND THE LEADERS TO ME SHOULD SAY, WE'RE IN A TIGHT SPOT.

SO I DON'T DISAGREE THAT BOARD MEMBERS DESERVE A RAISE.

I JUST DON'T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT ONE.

>> Reporter: A UNANIMOUS VOTE FROM BOARD MEMBERS KEPT THE COMPENSATION FOR 2026 THE SAME AND NO RAISE WAS ACCEPTED.

BOARD MEMBER LONG ALSO VOICED CONCERNS ABOUT NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO SPEAK ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE PUBLIC.

AFTER DISCUSSION AND FINAL VOTE BY THE BOARD, THEY DECIDED TO MOVE THEIR LISTENING SESSIONS TO START 15 MINUTES EARLIER, ADDING A COUPLE MORE MINUTES FOR BOTH THE LISTENING SESSION AND FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT THEIR REGULAR MEETINGS.

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

>> THE LAST ITEM OF THE NIGHT WAS TO DECIDE ON BOARD MEETING SCHEDULES, WHICH WILL REMAIN ON THE THIRD MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

THE FIRST REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF 2026 IS SET FOR 6:30 P.M.

ON MONDAY, JANUARY 19TH.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

SOME MORE ICE IN THE AREA?

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING SOME.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE AREAS OF DENSE FOG AND FREEZING FOG AND SOME PATCHY DRIZZLE.

THAT COULD CREATE SOME SLICK ROADWAYS THROUGH NOON TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE THE FOG [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'VE BEEN SEEING SOME AREAS OF FOG DEVELOPING THIS EVENING AND SOME DENSE FOG OUT THERE THAT WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

SOME FREEZING FOG IS ALSO POSSIBLE AND THERE MAY BE SOME MIDST OR SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE THAT COULD CREATE SOME SLICK ROADWAYS TONIGHT THROUGH NOON TOMORROW.

BEYOND THAT, IT DOES LOOK QUIETER, IT DOES LOOK MILD AS WE HEAD THROUGH MOST OF THE WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 25 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTH WIND OUT OF -- AND YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF FOG IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, FOG IN BRAINERD, 28 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 27, PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 16 MILES PER HOUR.

OUR ENTIRE VIEWING AREA IS UNDER A DENSE FOG ADVISORY.

THIS IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON ON TUESDAY.

VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED TO A QUARTER MILE OR LESS IN SOME OF THE DENSE FOG AND IN ADDITION TO THE FOG, WE MAY SEE PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE AND THE FREEZING FOG WHICH COULD CREATE SOME SLICK ROADWAYS THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, A LOT OF CLOUD COVER.

WE HAVE SOME PRECIPITATION, SOME AREAS OF FREEZING DRIZZLE, SOME FLURRIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE THE FOG THAT WILL CREATE THE BIGGEST CONCERNS AND AREAS OF FREEZING FOG AS WELL THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING BEFORE IT LIFTS.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A LOT OF CLOUD COVER TOMORROW, AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING MILD TEMPERATURES, TOMORROW THROUGH MOST OF THE WEEK.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE FROST IN MENAHGA THIS MORNING.

GARY SPOTTING THE ORION CONSTELLATION IN DEER WOOD.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 27 AND BREEZY THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 29.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY WITH SOME DENSE FOG TONIGHT, THE HIGH TEMPERATURE 29 DEGREES.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD HAD A HIGH OF 28.

OUR AVERAGE IS 22.

22 IS OUR LOW TEMP EARLIER TODAY.

WE HAD SUNRISE THIS MORNING AT 8:00.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 26, SO AGAIN, MILD TEMPERATURES OUT THERE.

19 WAS OUR LOW.

SUNSET THIS EVENING AT 4:44.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, AGAIN WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING A LOT OF CLOUD COVER WITH A DENSE FOG AND FREEZING FOG AND POSSIBLY SOME PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE TOMORROW MORNING.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WE ARE REALLY GOING TO SEE THE CLOUD COVER STICKING AROUND, ALTHOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE THE FOG SHOULD LIFT AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

AS FAR AS OUR TEMPERATURES ARE CONCERNED, HIGHS ARE IN THE UPPER TEENS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT MID TO UPPER 20s ACROSS THE REST OF THE NORTH.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOOK FOR THE HIGH TEMPERATURES TO REACH THE MID-20s TO POSSIBLY CLOSE TO 30 DEGREES.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, AREAS OF FOG AND FREEZING FOG, THERE IS THAT SLIGHT CHANCE OF FREEZING DRIZZLE AND FLURRIES.

BOTH TEMPERATURES ARE RIGHT AROUND 18 AND TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH THAT FOG AND FREEZING FOG IN THE MORNING, AND THERE IS AT LEAST A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE AND SNOW IN PARTS OF EASTERN MINNESOTA, HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 25.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, VERY MILD BUT QUIET ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, WITH HIGHS ABOUT 30 TO 35.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME SNOW ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND EXITING TO THE EAST ON SATURDAY.

OTHERWISE, IT'S QUIET THROUGH THE REST OF THE FORECAST PERIOD.

HIGH TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND WILL BE MAINLY IN THE 20s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

BSU FOOTBALL SEASON HAS ENDED A MONTH AGO, BUT YOU HAVE A COOL STORY ON ONE OF THEIR PLAYERS.

>> Charlie: YES, THEY TALK ABOUT THE NCAA GOING PROFESSIONAL IN SOMETHING OTHER THAN SPORTS.

HE IS DEFINITELY DOING THAT AND HE IS DOING SOMETHING COOL IN THE CLASSROOM ON TOP OF WHAT HE IS ABLE TO DO ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

WE HAVE THE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> THE GARFIELD ICE RACES RETURN THIS SUNDAY TO GARFIELD LAKE IN LAPORTE.

THE GARFIELD LAKE ICE RACERS CLUB WERE TOLD THE ICE IS SAFE.

AND GIVEN THE GO AHEAD TO BEGIN THE 2026 RACING SEASON.

FANS CAN DRIVE OUT ONTO THE LAKE AND SIT IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR VEHICLES TO WATCH THE RACES AT NO CHARGE.

THE CLUB HAS DONATED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OVER THE YEARS TO LOCAL AREA VETERANS GROUPS AND VARIOUS SCHOOLS IN THE AREA, WITH LAST YEAR'S DONATIONS TOTALING NEARLY $90,000.

RACES WILL BE HELD SUNDAY'S AT NOON UNTIL THE SEASON ENDS, WHICH DEPENDS WEATHER AND ICE-OUT.

STARTING IN THE FALL OF 2026, BSU, ALONG WITH THE OTHER 15 INSTITUTIONS AND 18 SPORTS THAT ARE A PART OF THE NSIC, WILL NOW ALL BE STREAMED ON MIDCO SPORTS PLUS.

THROUGH A MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE NSIC NETWORK WILL BROADCAST ALL HOME REGULAR-SEASON CONFERENCE AND NON-CONFERENCE CONTESTS ON MIDCO SPORTS PLUS.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL ALSO BE STREAMED THROUGH THE SERVICE, WHICH CAN BE WATCHED ON MOBILE AND TABLET APPS, CONNECTED TV DEVICE APPS, AND A BROWSER-BASED WEB PLATFORM.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICES AND DETAILS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, BUT STREAMING REMAINS FREE ON THE NSIC NETWORK'S CURRENT WEBSITE UNTIL NEXT FALL.

>>> WHERE HE WILL -- WELL, THERE IS THAT ONE KID GROWING UP THAT EVERYONE SAYS, THEY'RE GOING TO CURE CANCER ONE DAY.

WELL, BSU FOOTBALL PLAYER BILL KETOLA ISN'T QUITE CURING CANCER, BUT A DISCOVERY HE MADE IN THE FIELD OF MICROBIOLOGY COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE LIVES IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE NCAA COINED THE TERM STUDENT ATHLETE, HE IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAD IN MIND.

>> YOU CAN TELL WITH GUYS THAT HAVE THAT IT, AND YOU KNEW BILL WAS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS SOON AS YOU STARTED TALKING TO HIM.

>> Reporter: HE'S A FOOTBALL PLAYER WITH A 4.0 GPA AND A FASHION FOR DISCOVERY.

>> GETTING TO KNOW THE CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND HOW YOUR BODY TAKES SUGAR AND TURNS THEM INTO ENERGY.

>> Reporter: HIS EMPHASIS WAS ON CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND HIS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE WAS IN SYNC WITH HIS RESEARCH ON BACTERIOPHAGE S.

>> WE LEAVE FOR OUR FOOTBALL GAME ON FRIDAY MORNING, WE GET HOME SATURDAY NIGHT AND THEN SUNDAY MORNING I WOULD GO INTO THE LAB AND GET IT OUT OF THE INCUBATOR.

>> Reporter: ON A BIWEEK DURING THE 2024 FOOTBALL SEASON WHILE VISITING HIS FIANCÉE AT HER HOUSE IN RICHMOND, HE TOOK A SOIL SAMPLE.

HE WOULD LATER USE IT IN A LAB EXPERIMENT AND HE DISCOVERED A VIRUS, THE GOOD KIND THAT KILLS THE BIO FILM THAT KILLS INFECTIONS LIKE TUBERCULOSIS, HELPING ANTIBIOTICS WORK FASTER.

>> WHEN I GOT MY FIRST TEST RESULT BACK WHERE THEY KILLED THE BACTERIA THAT FORMED THE BIO FILM, I WAS VERY HAPPY AND THINKING THAT IT HAD A LOT OF REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS.

>> Reporter: AS IT TURNS OUT, DISCOVERIES LIKE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY DAY.

>> THAT'S WHAT MY LAB DOES AND SO WHAT BILL DID WAS KIND OF AN OFFSHOOT OF THAT.

HE WAS ABLE TO TEST IT AGAINST BIO FILM.

I NEVER HAD A STUDENT GET THAT FAR, NOT NEARLY THAT FAR.

>> Reporter: HE PRESENTED HIS FINDINGS AT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY ASM MICROBE CONFERENCE IN LOS ANGELES AND WILL START WORKING ON WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER FOR PUBLICATION.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO PUBLISH A PAPER AS AN UNDERGRAD.

SO GETTING TO DO THAT AS AN UNDERGRAD AND THE AMAZING SUPPORT I HAD FROM THE PROFESSORS HERE HAS BEEN AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE.

>> Charlie: IT'S COOL TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT THAT.

$2 BILLION DON'T KNOW THEY HAVE IT IN THE WORLD AND 10.7 MILLION WHO SUFFER FROM TUBERCULOSIS.

SO SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOWN THE ROAD COULD REALLY BE HELPFUL FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Dennis: WOW, WHAT A GREAT STORY.

>> Charlie: IT'S AWESOME HE IS DOING THAT.

>> Dennis: IT REALLY IS.

THANKS CHARLIE.

THERE ARE MANY SEASONAL BUSINESSES IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

AND ONE BRAINERD-BASED ORGANIZATION IS ADAPTING TO HELP CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE WITH THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: DURING THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS, FARMER'S MARKETS ARE A STAPLE FOR THE BRAINERD COMMUNITY BUT AT THE MAIN STREET MARKET IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD, JUST BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE HAS DROPPED DOESN'T MEAN THE SHOPPING HAS TO STOP.

>> WE WERE SUPPORTED ENOUGH THAT WE WERE URGED A LITTLE BIT TO TRY TO CONTINUE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS AND SO, THIS WAS JUST AN INDOOR LOCATION THAT WE FOUND THAT KIND OF KEPT US RIGHT IN THE HEART OF BRAINERD DOWNTOWN AREA, WHICH IS WHAT OUR MARKET IS ABOUT, AND SO IT WAS JUST A NICE ONCE A MONTH MARKET TO KEEP ALL OF VENDORS IN ONE SPOT.

>> Reporter: THEY OPERATE IN THE PARKING LOT AT BRAINERD CITY HALL BUT JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO BRING THE MARKET INDOORS.

>> THERE IS NOT ALWAYS A POP-UP BOOTH LIKE THIS AND IT'S INSIDE.

IT'S NICE AND WARM IN HERE AND PEOPLE LOVE TO DO THINGS AND GET OUT.

IT'S WINTER, SO THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO HAVE FUN THINGS TO DO AND KIND OF SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING, YOU KNOW, YOU GET TO HOP AROUND EVERYONE AND EVERYONE HAS A VARIETY OF THINGS TO DO AND SEE.

>> Reporter: THE SPACE IS OVER 30,000 SQUARE FEET AND FEATURES OVER 40 VENDORS EACH MONTH, SELLING EVERYTHING FROM BAKED GOODS TO JEWELRY MADE RIGHT HERE IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

>> WE'RE HOMEGROWN AND HOMEMADE.

SO EVERYTHING IS MADE BY US.

WE DON'T RESELL ANY PRODUCTS.

SO I THINK THIS IS GOING TO A FARMER'S MARKET, YOU ARE SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES AND I THINK IT'S JUST VERY IMPORTANT TO GET THAT HOMEGROWN AND HOMEMADE STUFF.

>> Reporter: WHILE VENDORS ARE SELLING THEIR GOODS AND INTERACTING WITH PATRONS, THEY'RE NOT ONLY PROMOTING THEIR INDIVIDUAL BRANDS BUT WHAT THE TOWN HAS TO OFFER AS WELL.

>> WELL, I THINK THE MAIN STREET MARKET DOWNTOWN BRAINERD HAS BEEN SPECIAL BECAUSE WE'RE A PART OF DOWNTOWN BRAINERD.

IT'S SUCH A HISTORIC MAJESTIC PLACE TO BE AND SO, WE HAD FOUND OTHER LOCATIONS AROUND BRAINERD AND WE JUST DECIDED THAT WHEN WE FOUND THIS LOCATION, IT WAS THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN BRAINERD, WHICH IS KIND OF WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND THE MAIN STREET MARKET IS OPEN EVERY SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH AND THAT GOES THROUGH APRIL.

>>> WELL, THAT'S GOING TO WRAP UP OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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