>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> A BEMIDJI AREA HOME AND ITS CONTENTS SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AFTER AN EARLY MORNING FIRE NORTH OF BEMIDJI.

FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED TO THE HOUSE ON SOUTH BAY COURT ABOUT TEN MILES NORTH OF BEMIDJI NEAR LAKE BELTRAMI JUST BEFORE 5:30 THIS MORNING.

THE SINGLE STORY STRUCTURE HAD HEAVY FIRE FROM THE ATTACHED GARAGE EXTENDING INTO THE ATTIC SPACE WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED.

31-FIREFIGHTERS USED 11-PIECES OF EQUIPMENT TO BATTLE THE BLAZE AND WERE ON THE SCENE FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS.

THE ONLY INJURY REPORTED WAS A MINOR ONE TO A FIREFIGHTER.

THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS ONGOING BUT BEMIDJI FIRE CHIEF JUSTIN SHERWOOD SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT IT APPEARS TO BE ACCIDENTAL.

>>> THE CO-OWNER OF A BAR LOCATED NEAR OUTING AND THAT MAN'S SON HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING ON SEPTEMBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR.

TRIG AND ROBERT BAGAN WERE CHARGED IN CASS COUNTY COURT ON FRIDAY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING OF A 35-YEAR-OLD ISANTI MAN.

THE 54-YEAR-OLD TRIG IS CHARGED WITH AIDING AND ABETTING A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING OF A PERSON, AIDING AND ABETTING A SECOND-DEGREE ASSAULT AND SECOND-DEGREE ASSAULT.

THE 26-YEAR-OLD ROBERT IS CHARGED WITH DRIVE-BY SHOOTING OF A PERSON AND SECOND-DEGREE ASSAULT.

ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT IN THE CASE, THE TWO MEN ARE ACCUSED OF USING A VEHICLE TO CHASE AFTER SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE ON ATV'S OUTSIDE TRIG BAGAN'S CHANNEL BAR AND GRILL AFTER THE PEOPLE ON THE ATV'S WERE REPORTED TO BE DRIVING RECKLESSLY IN THE PARKING LOT IN LARGE CIRCLES, SPRAYING ROCKS THAT HIT PEOPLE AND VEHICLES.

ROBERT BAGAN IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING ONE OF THE ATV OPERATORS IN THE BUTTOCKS.

THE DRIVER HAD TO HAVE THE BULLET SURGICALLY REMOVED AND SURVIVED.

THE TRIGS DENIED SHOOTING THE VICTIM, BUT AFTER A TIP, A DIVE TEAM LOCATED A HANDGUN IN A LAKE ABOUT 77 FEET FROM A DOCK BELONGING TO THE CHANNEL BAR AND GRILL.

THE GUN WAS THE SAME CALIBER AS THE GUN THAT THE VICTIM WAS SHOT WITH AND WAS FOUND ONE CARTRIDGE SHY OF ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF EIGHT CARTRIDGES.

SAMPLES FROM THE HANDGUN DETERMINED THEY MATCHED THE D.N.A.

PROFILE OF ROBERT BAGAN.

THE BULLET TAKEN FROM THE VICTIM WAS ALSO COMPARED TO THE GUN BUT IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED THAT IT FIRED THE BULLET.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, THE EXAMINATION SHOWED DISAGREEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS BUT INSUFFICIENT FOR ELIMINATION.

TRIG BAGAN HAS POSTED $1,000 BAIL AND WILL NEXT APPEAR IN COURT ON JANUARY 13TH FOR A RULE 8 HEARING.

ROBERT BAGAN POSTED $1,500 BAIL AND HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS ALSO A RULE 8 HEARING SET FOR JANUARY 21ST.

>>> A LEVEL THREE OFFENDER HAS RELOCATED TO THE CASS LAKE AREA AND CASS COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE NOTIFYING THE PUBLIC OF THE MOVE.

42-YEAR-OLD GERALD LEE JONES MOVED TO CASS LAKE ON DECEMBER 23RD AND IS CURRENTLY LISTED AS HOMELESS.

HE WAS INCARCERATED FOR ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A KNOWN WOMAN WHO HE KNEW AND HELD AGAINST HER WILL.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS JONES HAS A HISTORY OF PHYSICALLY ASSAULTING KNOWN ADULT FEMALES AND HOLDING THEM AGAINST THEIR WILL.

FORCE, THREATS, AND WEAPONS HAVE BEEN USED TO GAIN COMPLIANCE.

JONES WAS RELEASED FROM INCARCERATION IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR AND IS NOT WANTED BY AUTHORITIES AT THIS TIME.

AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE RELEASING INFORMATION ABOUT HIS MOVE TO THE AREA AS ALLOWED BY LAW TO RAISE AWARENESS AND KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED.

>>> AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW RELEASED THE NAME OF THE 6O-YEAR-OLD ONAMIA MAN WHO DIED IN A ONE-VEHICLE CRASH IN CROW WING COUNTY LAST WEEK.

THE SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS JAMES NICKABOINE WAS DRIVING A PICKUP ON COUNTY ROAD 23 SOUTHEAST OF BRAINERD IN MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP ON DECEMBER 29TH WHEN THE PICKUP LEFT THE ROADWAY AND CRASHED INTO THE DITCH.

NICKABOINE DIED AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 4:30 P.M. AND REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> WITH ELECTION RESULTS ALL TALLIED UP AND THE YEAR OF 2025 FINALLY UPON US, NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE BEING SWORN IN INTO THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL.

AT THE START OF THEIR FIRST MEETING EARLIER TODAY, INCUMBENTS MAYOR JORGE PRINCE, WARD ONE COUNCILOR GWENIA FISKEVOLD GOULD, WARD FIVE COUNCILOR LYNN EATON, AND WARD THREE'S NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILOR MARK DICKENSON, ALL TOOK THEIR OATH OF OFFICE.

MAYOR PRINCE HAS SEEN QUITE A FEW FACES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS BUT AFTER THEIR FIRST MEETING IS FULLY CONFIDENT IN THE NEW COUNCIL.

>> I THINK IT WENT REALLY WELL.

MARK LOOKED READY TO GO, WELL PREPARED.

THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN A GOOD COUNCIL MEMBER, SO A GOOD START.

NOW COMPLETED FOUR YEARS AND BEGINNING MY FIFTH, I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND COUNCILS AND EACH ONE HAS THEIR OWN FLAVOR.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ACCOMPLISHING GREAT THINGS HERE IN 2025.

>> I THINK IT'S WHAT I EXPECTED.

I'VE BEEN COMING TO MEETINGS FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

IT WAS INTERESTING, IT WAS FUN, AND I ENJOYED THE CONVERSATION.

IT WAS A VERY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE.

>> DURING THE ACTUAL MEETING, THE COUNCIL SET TWO SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR A STREET RENEWAL PROJECT AND A STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

THE RENEWAL PROJECT PLANS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO MULTIPLE HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS, RECONSTRUCTING THE PAVEMENT IN THOSE AREAS ALONG WITH ADDING SIDEWALKS AND LIGHTING TO CERTAIN AREAS.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOCUSES SOLELY ON PARK AVENUE NORTH WEST WITH A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS BEING MADE FROM 15TH STREET NORTH WEST TO PAUL BUNYAN DRIVE.

>> IT'S A HALF MILE STREET, A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED, SANITARY SEWER, WATER MAIN.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT A SLIGHT NARROWING, ENTERTAINING A SIDEWALK, ADDING AN ADDITION THAT GOES FROM 15th STREET UP NORTH, TO THE HIGHWAY ON PAUL BUNYAN DRIVE.

SO THAT'S THE SCOPE OF THAT PROJECT.

>> BOTH PUBLIC HEARINGS WERE SET FOR THE FEBRUARY 3RD BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

IF APPROVED, CONSTRUCTION SHOULD BEGIN IN MAY OF THIS YEAR AND IS ANTICIPATED TO BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 2025.

>>> NIPPON STEEL AND U.S. STEEL FILED A FEDERAL LAWSUIT TODAY CHALLENGING A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DECISION TO BLOCK NIPPON'S PROPOSED $15 BILLION ACQUISITION OF THE PITTSBURGH COMPANY.

U.S. STEEL IS HEADQUARTER IN PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA AND HAS SEVERAL LOCATIONS ON THE IRON RANGE IN MINNESOTA.

IN SEPARATE LAWSUITS FILED MONDAY IN THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF THE STEELMAKERS ALLEGE BIDENS DECISION WAS A POLITICAL DECISION THAT HAD NO RATIONAL LEGAL BASIS.

U.S. STEEL HAS WARNED THAT, WITHOUT NIPPON STEEL'S CASH, IT WILL SHIFT PRODUCTION AWAY FROM THE BLAST FURNACES TO CHEAPER NON-UNION ELECTRIC ARC FURNACES AND MOVE ITS HEADQUARTERS OUT OF PITTSBURGH.

NIPPON STEEL HAD PROMISED TO INVEST $2.7 BILLION IN U.S. STEEL'S AGING BLAST FURNACE OPERATIONS AND HAD SAID IT IS BEST POSITIONED TO HELP THE U.S.

COMPETE IN AN INDUSTRY DOMINATED BY THE CHINESE.

BIDEN SAID HE HALTED THE TAKEOVER BECAUSE A STRONG DOMESTICALLY OWNED AND OPERATED STEEL INDUSTRY REPRESENTS AN ESSENTIAL NATIONAL SECURITY PRIORITY, HE SAID WITHOUT DOMESTIC STEEL PRODUCTION AND DOMESTIC STEEL WORKERS, THE NATION IS LESS STRONG AND LESS SECURE.

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

>> Stacy: THE WEATHER PICTURE LOOKS PRETTY QUIET, BUT STILL COLD THROUGH TOMORROW.

WE SHOULD HAVE SOME MODERATING TEMPERATURES AND A FEW CHANCES OF SNOW AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, CROW WING COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE LOOKING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN LIBRARY FUNDING.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE SEEKING MORE FUNDING FOR THE KITCHIGAMI REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM.

THE PUBLIC SHOWED FACE AT THE LAST COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF 2024 IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE SOME LATE GAME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2025 BUDGET, BUT AFTER BEING DECLINED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THIS YEAR.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR BOOK ENTHUSIASTS.

>> Reporter: CROW WING COUNTY FUNDS THE KITCHIGAMI REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM $509,127 AND HAS KEPT THE AMOUNT THE SAME SINCE 2014.

>> IT'S REALLY A QUESTION TO ME ON WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

WHY WOULD IT BE OKAY FOR THIS PART OF THE COUNTY SERVICES TO ITS RESIDENTS TO GROW AT THIS RATE, WHILE ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE COUNTY SERVICES TO ITS RESIDENTS ARE NOT GROWING AT THAT SAME RATE.

IT REALLY IS A QUESTION OF, WHY THE DIFFERENCE?

>> Reporter: KITCHIGAMI REQUESTED A 5.9% INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR 2025, STATING HALF OF CROW WING COUNTY'S POPULATION ARE REGISTERED LIBRARY USERS.

>> IT SHOULD BE A REFLECTION OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES.

I DON'T HAVE BOOKS HERE BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE THE IMPORTANT BOOKS, I HAVE BOOKS HERE BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY THINKS THEY'RE THE IMPORTANT BOOKS.

THEY SHOWN THROUGH THEIR REQUEST ON WHAT MATERIALS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDED TO THE LIBRARY.

WE REASSESS OURSELVES EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: FOR THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY, EVERYBODY REVOLVING AROUND KITCHIGAMI'S MISSION AND VALUES, ESTABLISHING PUBLIC TRUST, ACCESS, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, EXCELLENCE, AND INNOVATION.

>> JUST PROVIDING THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS NEEDED IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE ARE NEEDING TO ACCESS THINGS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCESS FROM HOME NECESSARILY AND HAVING A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER.

OUR MEETING ROOMS ARE USED A TON.

HAVING MEETING ROOM SPACE AND THE STAFF TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: FOR THE GIVEN GAP -- KITCHIGAMI BRANCH LOCATION, THE INCOMING ADVOCATION FOR UPPING FUNDS STEM FROM ACCESS, INFORMATION, AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY TO THE BEST OF THEIR CAPABILITIES.

>> IT DEFINITELY HAD TEARS BROUGHT TO MY EYES BY THE COMMENTS FROM THE YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY TALKING ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THE BOOKS ARE TO THEM.

IT'S VITAL TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES AND HAVE FRIENDLY FACES GREET YOU WHEN YOU WALK IN AND WE VALUE BEING THAT PLACE.

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

>> KITCHIGAMI REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM WILL BE SUPPLEMENTING THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM THEIR RESERVES IN ORDER TO MAKE DO FOR THE TIME BEING, KITCHIGAMI ALSO PLANS ON HAVING MONTHLY BUDGETARY CHECK IN MEETINGS WITH CROW WING COUNTY IN THE HOPES OF FINDING A NEW RESOLUTION FOR THE 2026 BUDGET.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

COMING OFF A PRETTY COLD WEEKEND.

>> Stacy: IT WAS PRETTY COAL -- COLD AND PRETTY COLD TODAY.

TOMORROW IS LOOKING ON THE CHILLY SIDE, BUT WE WILL SEE MODERATING TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK AND THERE ARE A FEW CHANCES OF SNOW IN THE >> 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 ENJOYED SOME NICE SUNSHINE TODAY, BUT TEMPERATURES WERE STILL A LITTLE BIT BELOW THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMP.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE COLD TEMPERATURES TOMORROW AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF SLIGHT SNOW TOMORROW NIGHT AND THEN MODERATING TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEK.

THERE ARE A FEW SMALL CHANCES OF SNOW IN THE FORECAST.

IT LOOKS LIKE AT THIS POINT, IT WON'T AMOUNT TO MUCH BUT EXPECT TO SEE MORE SEASONAL TEMPERATURES LATER ON THIS WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S -1 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE CALM.

THE DEW POINT IS -8 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 72%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, IT IS 4.

-4 IS THE DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT IS QUIET ACROSS MINNESOTA TODAY, ALL THE PRECIPITATION STAYING OUTSIDE OF OUR STATE.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE QUIET WEATHER AGAIN TONIGHT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, EXPECT TO SEE MORE SUNSHINE ONCE AGAIN.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE THOSE COLD TEMPERATURES CONTINUING THROUGH TOMORROW, HIGHS SINGLE DIGITS, MAYBE LOW TEENS FOR TOMORROW, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEK, WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A WARM UP.

TEMPERATURES ARE MORE SEASONAL, WITH A FEW MORE SHOTS OF SNOWFALL IN THERE.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

YOLANDA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE GORGEOUS SKIES THIS MORNING ON HER WAY TO WORK.

SONYA SENDING US THE PICTURE OF THE CLEAR SKIES AND SUNSHINE OVER TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

DEBRA WITH A PHOTO FROM PINE RIVER AND IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, YOU CAN SEE AN OWL THERE SITTING IN THE TREE.

WE ALSO HAVE THIS GREAT SHOT OF SOME COLOR, A SPOT OF COLOR IN THE SKIES OVER MENAHGA FROM ARLENE AND THE PICTURE OF THE EVENING SKIES RIGHT AT SUNSET OVER CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, -9.

DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, 13 THIS AFTERNOON AND ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE TODAY, WE HAD A HIGH OF 15.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 13 FOR THE HIGH.

AND STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING A LOW OF -4 AND A HIGH OF 18.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 19, STILL A LITTLE BIT BELOW THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, -4 FOR THE LOW AND SUNRISE AT 8:00 THIS MORNING.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 14, THAT'S JUST 4 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE, SO A LITTLE CLOSER THAN WE HAVE THIS WEEKEND.

-16, A REALLY COLD START THIS MORNING AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 4:45.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE ARE ONCE AGAIN GOING TO ENJOY SUNSHINE, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE TEMPERATURES WILL BE COLDER.

WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS AROUND 2 IN FOSSTON AND WARROAD UP TO 8.

IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, WE COULD SEE THE HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-TEENS, BUT SOME NICE SUNSHINE, SO IT'S NOT ALL BAD.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME MODERATING TEMPERATURES, SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES LATER ON THIS WEEK.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR -6, VARIABLE WINDS 5 TO 10.

THEN LOOKING AT TOMORROW, SKIES ARE BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY, HIGHS NEAR 6, WITH NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW POSSIBLY TOMORROW NIGHT, BUT QUIET WEATHER RETURNS ON WEDNESDAY WITH HIGHS NEAR 11.

YOU CAN SEE THOSE WARMER TEMPERATURES LATER THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE A SMALL CHANCE OF SNOW ON THURSDAY AND AGAIN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, SMALL CHANCES AT THIS POINT, MORE CLOUD COVER LATER ON THIS WEEK, BUT HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE UPPER TEENS TO NEAR 20.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

BSU FOOTBALL IN A FAMILIAR SPOT, PLAYING FOR A NATIONAL TITLE TONIGHT.

>> Charlie: YES, MUCH LATER THAN NORMALLY.

NORMALLY WE WOULD BE DONE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AND THEY HAVE NINE NATIONAL TITLES, TRYING FOR THEIR TENTH, AND THEY WERE OUT IN FRISCO, TEXAS AGAINST MONTANA STATE.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT GAME, WHO WILL COME AWAY AS YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS?

ALL THAT AFTER THE BR >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING THE FIBEROPTIC NETWORK THAT TRANSFORMED HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS SINCE THEY WON A NATIONAL TITLE.

WHILE MOST TEAMS AND FAN BASES WOULD BE ELATED ON BEING CLOSE TO A CHAMPIONSHIP, IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SATISFY THE BISON WHO DOMINATED FOR THE LAST DECADE AND A HALF, WINNING 9 TOTAL TITLES FROM 2011 THROUGH 2019.

IN FRISCO, TEXAS, THEY ARE BATTLING FOR ALL THE MARBLES IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

FIRST DRIVE OF THE GAME, BISON DRIVE TO THE 2.

IT'S THIRD AND GOAL AND CAM MILLER, THE QUARTERBACK PUTS HIS BODY ON THE LINE.

HE WAS OKAY AND THEY STRIKE FIRST, MAKING IT 7-0.

ON THE NEXT POSSESSION, SAME SCORE, BISON CALLED HIS NUMBER AGAIN, COMES UP BIG.

A HOUSE CALL AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT COVER THE DEFENSE WAS IN.

HE RAN IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

HE HAD 121 YARDS.

THEY LED AT THE HALF.

BOBCATS TRYING TO MOUNT THE COMEBACK AND IT BECAME A BATTLE OF THE QUARTERS.

HE LED MONTANA STATE ON THE GROUND WITH 135 YARDS.

THE BISON HAVE BEEN THERE BEFORE.

CAPPING OFF A 9 PLAY, 66-YARD IN NORTH DAKOTA STATE.

THEY WIN 35-32 OVER MONTANA STATE.

CAM MILLER, HE BOOKENDS HIS CAREER WITH A NATIONAL TITLE.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE GRADUATE CENTER JAKE GANNON WILL NEED TO MAKE A LITTLE MORE ROOM ON HIS TROPHY SHELF AFTER BEING NAMED THE RIMINGTON AWARD WINNER FOR DIVISION TWO.

THE RIMINGTON AWARD IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO THE TOP CENTER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN EACH DIVISION OF THE NCAA AND THE NAIA.

IT ADDS TO A GROWING LIST OF ACCOLADES FOR THE OFFENSIVE CAPTAIN INCLUDING BEING NAMED TO THE AP ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM AND BEING A FINALIST FOR THE GENE UPSHAW D2 LINEMAN OF THE YEAR.

GANNON, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE HONOREES, WILL BE RECOGNIZED AT THE RIMINGTON TROPHY PRESENTATION ON JANUARY 25TH IN LINCOLN NEBRASKA.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY BEGAN THE NEW YEAR WITH THEIR TOUGHEST FOUR DAY STRETCH OF THE SEASON, PLAYING THREE GAMES IN THAT SPAN, THE FIRST TWO AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS.

WELL, THE BEAVERS LOST TO 3RD RANKED MINNESOTA ON WEDNESDAY AND 12TH RANKED PENN STATE ON FRIDAY DESPITE SCORING FIRST IN BOTH THOSE MATCHUPS, THE LATTER OF WHICH THEY LED 3-1 HALFWAY THROUGH THE GAME BEFORE FALLING SHORT OF THE UPSET BID.

SO ON SATURDAY, BEMIDJI STATE SKATED INTO THEIR CONTEST AGAINST BROWN WITH A 3-16-AND-1 RECORD, TRYING HALT A NOW 6-GAME LOSING STREAK.

A TOUGH ASK FOR A TIRED TEAM, WHICH IS MAYBE WHY THEY TRAILED 4-1 MIDWAY THROUGH THE SECOND PERIOD BUT MORGAN SMITH ABLE TO NET THE POWER PLAY GOAL AND CUT THE LEAD IN HALF.

LATER ANOTHER POWER PLAY FOR BSU AND ANOTHER GOAL.

ISA GOETTL NETS THEIR 5TH IN TWO GAMES.

THEY'D ONLY HAD 5 POWER PLAY GOALS PRIOR TO THE WEEKEND.

THEY PULL WITHIN ONE.

THEN EARLY THIRD PERIOD, HALEY ARMSTRONG KNOTS THE GAME AT FOUR, HER 7TH OF THE SEASON TIES SMITH FOR MOST ON THE TEAM BUT NOT FOR LONG BECAUSE WITH JUST 43-TICKS LEFT ON THE CLOCK.

SHE GOES BAR DOWN TO COMPLETE THE COMEBACK.

BEMIDJI STATE OVERCAME A 3-GOAL DEFICIT IN 34-MINUTES TO STUN BROWN.

5-4 THE FINAL.

IT MARKS THE LARGEST COMEBACK IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

ARMSTRONG HAD A TEAM HIGH 3 POINTS ON THE DAY.

ISA GOETLL AND GENO HENDRICKSON EACH HAD 2-POINTS.

AND SO DID FRESHMAN MORGAN SMITH WHO EARNED HER SECOND CONSECUTIVE WCHA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK HONORS.

SMITH ALSO HAD 3-POINTS ON FRIDAY VERSUS PENN STATE FOR A TOTAL OF 5 ON THE WEEKEND AND HAS 8 OVER HER LAST 4-GAMES.

SHE NOW LEADS THE TEAM IN POINTS WITH 13 AND IS SECOND ON THE TEAM IN GOALS WITH 7.

A FEW OTHER BSU SCORES FROM THE WEEKEND.

BEMIDJI STATE WIN WOMEN GET THE WIN.

LATER THAT NIGHT, MEN FELL 98-66.

THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES GETS A WIN OVER THE LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS.

IN BOYS HOCKEY, CROOKSTON BEATS PARK RAPIDS.

IN BOYS BASKETBALL, BUFF HE -- BUFFALO GETS A WIN.

ALSO IN BOYS BASKETBALL, AITKIN AND FOSSTON BOTH LOSING THEIR GAMES AS WELL.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE OF THINGS, NEVIS GETS A WIN.

WADENA DEER CREEK SUFFERS THEIR THIRD LOSS OF THE SEASON.

BLACKDUCK COLLECTING A WIN TONIGHT.

KATE JOINS THE 2,000 POINT CLUB, CONGRATULATIONS TO HER.

SHE HIT 27 POINTS, GOT 32 TONIGHT VERSUS LAKE OF THE WOODS IN THAT BIG WIN.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, QUITE AN HONOR.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE FOURTH STREET LODGE IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI IS NEARING ITS OFFICIAL OPENING DATE AFTER MONTHS OF RENOVATIONS.

FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE BEMIDJI ELK'S LODGE, THE BUILDING WAS SOLD AND RENOVATED INTO A NEW RESTAURANT, HOTEL, AND EVENT VENUE.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WENT TO THE NEW RESTAURANT, THE BLUE OYSTER, WHICH WILL BE OPENING WITHIN THE MONTH.

>> Reporter: DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI MAY ALREADY HAVE A THAI RESTAURANT BUT THEY WANTED SOMETHING NEW.

>> I HAVE AN IDEA OF DOING SOME OF MY ORIGINAL THAI CUISINE, NOT LIMITED TO NOODLES.

WE HAVE SOMETHING ELSE WE WANT TO OFFER AND IT'S GOING WELL WITH OTHER CUISINES, SO THIS WOULD COMBINE ALL THE CULTURES TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE NEW RESTAURANT COMBINING AMERICAN AND THAI CUISINE IS CALLED THE BLUE OYSTER, NAMED AFTER A MUSHROOM THAT THEY USE IN SOME DISTURBS, SOME THAT KANG GROWS HIMSELF.

>> THEN THAT IS THE IDEA.

I SHOULD HAVE A PLACE THAT CAN SUPPLY THE MUSHROOM TOO.

I HAD THE IDEA OF HAVING THE RESTAURANT, THAT WE CAN USE THAT LOCAL GROWN MUSHROOM.

>> A LARGE VARIETY OF MUSHROOMS, SPECIFICALLY PINK OYSTER MUSHROOMS, LION, MANE MUSHROOMS.

MUSHROOMS ARE GREAT FOR YOU, THEY'RE SUPER HEALTHY.

I THINK IT'S EXCITING THAT WE'RE BRINGING THE KNOWLEDGE OF MUSHROOMS TO THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>> Reporter: ONE IMPORTANT THING TO THE BLUE OYSTER IS TO KEEP EVERYTHING AS LOCAL AS POSSIBLE, NOT JUST WITH THE FOODS BUT ALSO THE DECOR, LIKE THIS WALL WHICH WAS PAINTED BY A LOCAL ARTIST.

>> I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A VIBRANT COLOR OF IT, AND IT HAS THE CHARM OF THE OLD THING, AND THE NEW THING TOGETHER.

ONE WORD THAT I CAN THINK ABOUT IT AND COMBINE ALL OF THIS TOGETHER IS THE CULTURE, SO THE CUISINE, THE FARM, THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: AND THE BLUE OYSTER WANTED TO BE AS AUTHENTIC AS POSSIBLE.

>> OUR CHEFS ARE FROM THAILAND.

IT WILL BE THE BEST THAI FOOD WE CAN GET AND ACCOMMODATING THE AMERICAN SIDE OF THINGS, HAVING THE FUSION WILL BE EXCITING.

>> Reporter: KANG IS THE OWNER OF SEVERAL RESTAURANTS AND LIVES BY ONE SIMPLE RULE.

>> IF WE MAKE GOOD FOODS, AFFORDABLE PRICE, AND GOOD SERVICE, PEOPLE WILL COME.

THAT'S AN EXCITING MOMENT FOR ME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BLUE OYSTER IS ALREADY CATERING EVENTS AT THE EVENT VENUE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE LODGE BUT IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN AS A FULL RESTAURANT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE HEAD OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN TOMORROW.

FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WE SHOULD SEE LOWS NEAR -6 WITH VARIABLE WINDS AT 5 TO 10.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, SKIES WILL BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY, SO WE HAVE THAT BUT IT WILL BE CHILLY WITH HIGHS NEAR 6 AND NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

>> Charlie: WE'LL HAVE A BUNCH OF THE HIGHLIGHTS TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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