>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

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>> C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

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

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> 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.

>>> A BEMIDJI MAN IS FACING 15 FELONY AND GROSS MISDEMEANOR CHARGES FOR TAKING HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS OF YOUNG FEMALES AT TWO BEMIDJI MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL GAMES AND ALSO AT WALMART.

42-YEAR-OLD ADAM JOSEPH SKOOG OF BEMIDJI IS CHARGED IN THREE SEPARATE CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS WITH FOUR FELONY COUNTS OF HARASSMENT AND SIX FELONY COUNTS OF STALKING AS WELL AS FIVE GROSS MISDEMEANORS CHARGES OF INTERFERE WITH PRIVACY.

BEMIDJI POLICE DETECTIVES AND MINNESOTA B.C.A.

AGENTS BEGAN INVESTIGATING SKOOG WHEN THEY LEARNED HE WAS TRAVELING ACROSS THE STATE TAKING PHOTOS OF YOUNG FEMALES WHO DID NOT KNOW THEY WERE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED.

THE PHOTOS FOCUSED ON THE CLOTHING COVERING THEIR BUTTOCKS AND GENITALS AS WELL AS THEIR BARE LEGS.

THE INVESTIGATION FOUND SKOOG IS IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN 100 PHOTOS OF FEMALE CHILDREN FROM A 7TH GRADE VOLLEYBALL GAME AT BEMIDJI MIDDLE SCHOOL AGAINST PARK RAPIDS ON SEPTEMBER 23RD.

DETECTIVES ALSO FOUND OVER 100 SIMILAR PHOTOS FROM A BEMIDJI 7TH GRADE VOLLEYBALL GAME VERSUS THIEF RIVER FALLS FROM SEPTEMBER 30TH, AS WELL AS A SERIES OF PHOTOS OF FEMALES AT WALMART ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 28TH.

ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE PHOTOS DID NOT APPEAR TO KNOW THEY WERE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED.

SECURITY VIDEO CAMERAS AT WALMART SHOWED SKOOG IN WALMART FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.

SKOOG'S NEXT COURT APPERANCE IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 9TH.

>>> TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN A STRUCTURE FIRE NORTH OF BEMIDJI LAST FRIDAY.

BEMIDJI FIRE CHIEF JUSTIN SHERWOOD SAYS ONE FIRE FIGHTER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A CIVILIAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR BURN INJURIES AFTER THE FIRE BROKE OUT LAST FRIDAY ON THE 16,000 BLOCK OF BIG TURTLE DRIVE, ABOUT 12 MILES NORTH OF BEMIDJI.

WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED THEY FOUND A LARGE POLE-TYPE BUILDING WITH HEAVY SMOKE AND FIRE VISIBLE THROUGHOUT.

28-FIREFIGHTER AND 10 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT WERE ON THE SCENE FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS BUT THE BUILDING AND ITS CONTENT WERE A TOTAL LOSS.

THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT SHERWOOD SAYS IT APPEARS TO BE ACCIDENTAL.

>>> AN 87-YEAR-OLD SEBEKA MAN HAS DIED IN A TWO VEHICLE CRASH SOUTH OF SEBEKA.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS JEROME BENSON MILLER WAS DRIVING A CAR SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 71 WHEN THE CAR VEERED INTO THE NORTHBOUND LANE AND COLLIDED WITH A PICKUP TRUCK.

MILLER DIED AT THE SCENE.

THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP, 60-YEAR-OLD BENJAMIN SWAIN WAS ALSO INJURED AND TAKEN TO AN AREA HOSPITAL.

THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 6:45 MONDAY MORNING AND ROAD CONDITIONS INCLUDED ICE AND SNOW AT THE TIME.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS ALCOHOL WAS NOT INVOLVED AND BOTH DRIVERS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS.

>>> MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ TODAY BLASTED THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SURGE IN MINNESOTA, CALLING IT A SHOW FOR CAMERA'S.

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM IS SEEN IN ONE VIDEO POSTED TO X WHERE AGENTS ARRESTED A MAN IN ST.

PAUL.

NOEM TOLD THE HANDCUFFED MAN IN THE VIDEO THAT, "YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR CRIMES."

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAID IN A NEWS RELEASE THAT THE MAN WAS FROM ECUADOR AND WAS WANTED IN HIS HOMELAND AND CONNECTICUT ON CHARGES INCLUDING MURDER AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.

IT SAID AGENTS ARRESTED 150 PEOPLE MONDAY IN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS FREEZING MORE BENEFITS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN FIVE DEMOCRAT-LED STATES INCLUDING MINNESOTA.

THE FREEZE APPLIES TO ABOUT $7 BILLION FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES, ALSO KNOWN AS WELFARE.

IT ALSO AFFECTS MORE THAN $2 BILLION FOR THE CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT FUND AND MILLIONS FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT.

IN ADDITION TO MINNESOTA, THE AFFECTED STATES ARE CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, ILLINOIS, AND NEW YORK.

FEDERAL CHILDCARE FUNDING IS ALREADY FROZEN FOR MINNESOTA AMID INVESTIGATIONS INTO CENTERS THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE BENEFIT.

>>> THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL WAS PRESENTED A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT A NEW PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE BETWEEN FARGO AND ST PAUL AT THEIR FIRST CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE YEAR.

THE RESOLUTION IS A PART OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S STATE RAIL PLAN THAT AIMS TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT, COST EFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL MINNESOTANS.

ACCORDING TO A MINN-DOT STUDY, THE ROUTE COULD SEE AS MANY AS A QUARTER MILLION PEOPLE UTILIZE THE LINE, BUT THE COUNCIL WAS HESITANT TO PUT THEIR SUPPORT BEHIND THE PROJECT BEFORE LEARNING MORE.

>> THIS IS ALL BRAND NEW.

I DON'T SEE ANYBODY AS FAR AS ANY STATE LEGISLATORS SIGNING ON TO THIS OR ANYTHING.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THE COUNCIL WOULD CONSIDER HOLDING OFF UNLESS THERE IS TIME SENSITIVITY I AM NOT AWARE OF.

MAYBE THEY CAN LET US KNOW IF THAT IS THE CASE.

I WOULD BE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE KNOWING MORE ABOUT THIS.

>> THE COUNCIL WILL REVISIT THE RESOLUTION AT ITS REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING NEXT MONTH.

>>> THIEF RIVER FALLS BASED ARCTIC CAT HAS PURCHASED A CANADIAN BASED SNOWMOBILE MANUFACTURER.

ARCTIC CAT TODAY PURCHASED WIDESCAPE, A COMPANY BEST KNOW FOR INTRODUCING STANDUP SNOWMOBILES.

THE PURCHASE INCLUDES THE WIDESCAPE NAME, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND EXISTING PRODUCT INVENTORY FROM THE PREVIOUS QUEBEC COMPANY.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, IN THE NINE MONTHS SINCE IT WAS ACQUIRED BY ITS NEW OWNERSHIP GROUP, ARCTIC CAT HAS LAUNCHED NEW PRODUCTS IN A.T.V.

AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MARKETS, RESTARTED PRODUCTION, RE-ENTERED RACING, AND CONTINUES TO GROW ITS DEALER BASE ACROSS NORTH AMERICAN AND BEYOND.

>>> THE BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARD UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

THE USDA HAS LONG MANAGED POPULATIONS OF WILDLIFE WHEN THEY ARE CREATING A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, OR CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO PRIVATE LAND, LIVESTOCK, OR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS FIVE-YEAR WILDLIFE CONTROL AGREEMENT ALLOWS THE USDA AND ITS CONTRACTORS TO USE WILDLIFE CONTROL TECHNIQUES ON COUNTY-ADMINISTERED LAND.

>> THE DECISION -- DISAGREEMENT IS SIMPLY WE'RE A LANDOWNER.

ANY LANDOWNER THEY WORK WITH OR UPON THEIR LAND, THEY WANT THESE AGREEMENTS IN PLACE.

THESE ARE A LOT OF TIMES USED MORE SO FOR PRIVATE LAND OWNERS THAT ARE GRANTING PERMISSION.

ALL OF OUR LAND IS PUBLIC, SO IF THEY WANTED TO TRAP ON OUR LAND, THEY COULD ANY WAY.

I DON'T THINK IT'S OPENING US UP TO ANYTHING TOO NEW AND CRAZY.

>> THIS AGREEMENT COMES AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE AREAS OF FOG TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING, BUT HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE MORE SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW.

IT LOOKS LIKE TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMER.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, THE MEMORIAL CUP WENT UNDERWAY THIS PAST WEEKEND IN THE BRAINERD [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF JOE DASOVICH ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT HE WILL SEEK RE-ELECTION THIS FALL.

DASOVICH, THE FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE IN NASHWAUK WAS FIRST ELECTED SHERIFF IN 2022.

IN A PRESS RELEASE HE SAYS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, HIS OFFICE HAS FOCUSED ON PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS, RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP, AND STRONG PARTNERSHIPS TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, STRENGTHEN TRUST, AND ENSURE GOVERNMENT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE.

DASOVICH SAYS HE'S RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION TO QUOTE, KEEP BUILDING ON THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE AND TO KEEP PUTTING THE PEOPLE OF ITASCA FIRST.

>>> HUNTERS HARVESTED MORE DEER THIS YEAR COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE.

THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

SAYS THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE WAS 9 PERCENT HIGHER THAN IN 2024 AND 5 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE.

OFFICIALS SAY THE MILD WINTERS OF 2023-24 AS WELL AS 2024-25 HELPED BOLSTER LOCAL POPULATIONS IN MANY PARTS OF THE STATE.

ONE OF THE AREAS WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE IN DEER HARVEST WAS THE NORTHEAST, WHERE HARVEST WAS UP 14-PERCENT COMPARED TO 2024, AND UP 4-PERCENT COMPARED TO THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE.

NORTHWEST MINNESOTA ALSO SAW A JUMP IN HARVEST WITH A 9-PERCENT INCREASE FROM 2024, AND A 5-PERCENT INCREASE FROM THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE.

THE REGION COMPRISING THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST AREAS OF THE STATE ALSO SAW SUCCESS, WITH AN 8-PERCENT INCREASE IN HARVEST FROM 2024 AND AN 11-PERCENT INCREASE COMPARED TO THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

BOY, THE FIRST FULL WEEK OF JANUARY HAS BEEN A MILD ONE SO FAR.

>> Stacy: IT HAS BEEN AND IT'S GOING TO BE MILD TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURES SHOULD CLIMB INTO THE 30s ACROSS THE AREA AND WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE COULD SEE AREAS OF FOG TONIGHT AND THAT COULD LINGER IN THE AREA TOMO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID START OUT WITH A LOT OF FOG ACROSS THE AREA THIS MORNING AND WE HELD ON TO THE CLOUD COVER THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WE WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE SOME AREAS OF FOG AND THAT COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE MANY OF US SHOULD SEE SOME SUNSHINE TOMORROW AS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES CLIMB BACK INTO THE 30s.

WE HAVE OUR GRAPHICS LOCKED UP FOR A SECOND, BUT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT OUR CURRENT CONDITIONS.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN OUR TEMPERATURES VERY MUCH THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 22 DEGREES.

100% HUMIDITY, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, WE HAVE A BIT OF FOG OUT THERE AS WELL.

25 DEGREES, 24 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS RISING, AND WINDS ARE SOUTHWEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, IT HAS BEEN A CLOUDY DAY, A LOT OF LOW CLOUDS OUT THERE, AND SOME AREAS OF FOG, MOSTLY IN THE MORNING, BUT A LITTLE BIT OF FOG IN THE AFTERNOON.

OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WE WILL ONCE AGAIN SEE AREAS OF FOG, A LOT OF CLOUD COVER ACROSS THE AREA.

SOME OF THAT FOG COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW, BUT WE SHOULD START TO SEE THE CLOUD BANK BREAKING UP AND MANY OF US WILL SEE SOME SUNSHINE TOMORROW AND TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE WARMER WITH HIGHS IN THE 30s.

WE'RE LOCKED UP AGAIN, IF WE COULD GET THAT RESET ONCE MORE, BUT WE HAVE SOME PHOTOS TO SHARE WITH YOU FROM OUR EAGLE EYES.

WE HAVE THE FOG IN THE AREA, SO FROSTY TREES OUT THERE.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM MENAHGA OF THE FROST COVERED TREES.

WE HAD A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, SOME FOG-LIKE MIST OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

WE ALSO HAVE CLOUDS FROM CHRISSY IN DEER WOOD, RALPH CATCHING A COUPLE OF DEER IN JENKINS, AND GARY WITH A RECENT PICTURE OF THE MOON AND JUPITER IN THE SKY OVER DEER WOOD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 24 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE, 21 AND CALM THIS AFTERNOON.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, FOGGY, FROSTY, AND CLOUDY TODAY.

WE TOPPED OUT AT 27.

WE HEARD FROM CHRISSY AT DEER WOOD, CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 29.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 26.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND 30.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY WITH FOG, AND THE HIGH EARLIER TODAY WAS 27.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD, 27 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD.

WE DID TOP THE AVERAGE BY 6 DEGREES.

25 WAS OUR LOW.

WE JUST REALLY HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH TEMPERATURE VARIATION THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND SUNRISE THIS MORNING AT 8:00.

IN BEMIDJI, WE TOPPED OUT AT 25, SO MILDER THAN WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE, BUT ONLY 4 DEGREES WARMER THAN THE LOW TEMPERATURE.

SUNSET TONIGHT AT 4:45.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL START OUT WITH A LOT OF PATCHY FOG OUT THERE, SOME CLOUD COVER, AND THEN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WE SHOULD START TO SEE THAT CLOUD BANK BREAKING UP, MANY OF US WILL SEE SOME SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMER WITH HIGHS IN THE 30s.

31 IN WARROAD, BUT A LOT OF MID TO UPPER 30s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA, WITH MID-30s FOR HIGHS IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLOUDY, AREAS OF FOG TONIGHT.

WE WILL HAVE LOWS NEAR 15 WITH SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

TOMORROW, WE'RE LOOKING AT VARIABLE CLOUDS, SOME OF THE PATCHY FOG COULD LINGER IN THE MORNING, LOOK FOR HIGHS NEAR 34.

ON THE EXTENDED FORECAST, QUIET WEATHER ON THURSDAY, COOLER, HIGHS NEAR 30, TEMPS COOL OFF AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK WITH HIGHS IN THE TEENS AS WE HEAD INTO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, BUT AGAIN IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PRETTY QUIET WEATHER THIS WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

SOME GOOD LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY GIRLS TEAMS IN ACTION TONIGHT.

>> Charlie: YEAH, TWO RANKED TEAMS, BEMIDJI AND GREEN RAPIDS GREEN WAY.

WE ALSO HAD SOME OTHER STUFF FROM AROUND THE AREA AS WELL.

BRAINERD LITTLE FALLS TAKING ON MOORHEAD, THAT IS A BIG HOCKEY GAME AS WELL AND BRAINERD GIRLS BASKETBALL.

WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTS FROM ALL THAT, SCORES AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, WHEN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS-GREENWAY MET IN GIRLS HOCKEY, WE GOT A SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TWO OF THE STATES BRIGHTEST, UP AND COMING, STARS IN BAILEY ROOP AND MERCURY BISCHOFF.

THE GAMES ALWAYS FELT LIKE AN EVEN SPLIT WITH THOSE TWO ON THE ICE, BUT WITH THE GRADUATION OF BISCHOFF, THE SCALES TIPPED IN FAVOR OF THE LUMBERJACKS THIS SEASON, AND THEY WON THEIR FIRST MEETING 3-1.

TONIGHT HOWEVER, THE SCALES WERE EVENED WITH ROOP GONE THE NEXT FIVE GAMES TO PLAY FOR TEAM U.S.A.

AT THE U-18 WOMENS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

RAPIDS TOOK ADVANTAGE EARLY IN THE FIRST, OFF OF A TURNOVER.

IT'S KATE, WRISTER BREAKS THE ICE, GIVING THE LIGHTNING A 1-0 ADVANTAGE.

AND NOW KYLIE, BACKDOOR, LIGHTS THE LAMP, AND THE LIGHTNING LED 3-0 AFTER ONE.

THEN OFF THE REBOUND FROM SOPHIE, SHE FINISHES WITH A HAT-TRICK AS THE LIGHTNING TOOK A COMMANDING LEAD.

NOT LONG AFTER, BEMIDJI ABLE TO FIND SOME OFFENSE, CLEANING UP THE TRASH FOR THE LUMBERJACKS TO PUT THEM ON THE BOARD, BUT TONIGHT BELONGED TO GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY.

THEY SPLIT THE SERIES WITH BEMIDJI.

>>> ALSO IN GIRLS HOCKEY, BRAINERD-LITTLE FALLS TRYING TO SNAP AN 8-GAME LOSING STREAK, THEY'RE HOSTING 13TH RANKED MOORHEAD.

KYLIE IS THERE FOR THE EQUALIZER, KNOTTING THINGS AT 1-1.

SAME SCORE, AND BANK SHOT, GIVES THE WARRIORS THE LEAD.

THEY TIE IT WITH 2 IN THE THIRD, BUT SYDNEY STOOD ON HER HEAD FOR BRAINERD.

TALLYING 45 SAVES TONIGHT AND HELPED BRAINERD LITTLE FALLS TO THE 2-2 TIE WITH MOREHEAD ENDING THAT LOSING STREAK FOR THEM.

>>> MORE IN THE AREA IN GIRLS HOCKEY, WARROAD BEATS ROSEAU.

NORTHERN LAKES KNOCKS OFF PRAIRIE CENTER, 5-0.

ON THE BOY'S SIDE, WARROAD GETTING THE WIN.

THEY SWEEP TONIGHT THERE.

BEMIDJI FALLS TO DULUTH EAST, 2-1 IN O.T.

WADENA DEER CREEK FALLS.

>>> IT'S BEEN A ROLLER COASTER RIDE SO FAR FOR THE REIGNING 8-4A CHAMPS.

BUT ON SATURDAY, BRAINERD GIRLS' BASKETBALL STARTED THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT HALTING A TWO-GAME SKID WHILE NOTCHING THEIR FIRST SECTION WIN OF THE SEASON AGAINST BUFFALO.

THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD ON THAT MOMENTUM TONIGHT, HOSTING ANOTHER SECTION FOE IN ALEXANDRIA.

EARLY SECOND HALF, BRAINERD DOWN 1.

ELLIE, WATER FROM DEEP, SHE HAD 11 POINTS.

THE WARRIORS WERE UP.

A FEW POSSESSIONS LATER, LACING THE TRAY, SHE HAD 18 POINTS, EXTENDING THE LEAD TO 6.

FINAL THREE MINUTES, MAKING A PUSH, AND MACY GETS THE HOOP AND THE HARM AND EXTENDS THE WARRIORS LEAD TO 7.

BRAINERD CAME OUT ON TOP, 77-71 THE FINAL.

THIS IS THE FIRST WIN FOR THE WARRIORS OVER THE CARDS SINCE 2022.

>>> MORE IN GIRLS BASKETBALL.

LITTLE FALLS BEATS PEQUOT LAKES.

PIERZ GETS THE WIN.

FOSSTON AND CROSS -- CROSS BY IRON TON GETTING A WIN.

AND IN BOYS BASKETBALL, CASS LAKE-BENA MAKING THE TRIP UP TO BLACKDUCK.

WE'RE GOING TO START IN THE FIRST HALF.

DRAKES OUT TO AN EARLY LEAD.

24 ON THE NIGHT, MAKING IT 9-5.

PANTHERS ARE TRYING TO ANSWER ON THE OTHER END WITH SOME GOOD BALL MOVEMENT.

JOSEPH, TWO OF HIS 13 TIES THE GAME AT 11-11.

THEY WILL TAKE A DOUBLE DIGIT LEAD, AIDEN TRYING TO CUT INTO IT.

HE HAD A GAME HIGH 33, JUST 1 POINT MORE THAN THE PANTHERS DOUG CLOUD, BUT IT WAS CASS LAKE-BENA AND THE PANTHERS THAT GET THE WIN, 87-74.

THEY COLLECT THEIR SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON.

GRAND RAPIDS BEATS BEMIDJI.

A BIG WIN FOR GRAND RAPIDS THERE.

BERTHA-HEWITT GETS THE WIN.

HIBBING DROPS DEER RIVER.

AND SEBEKA FALLS TO HENNING.

IN THE NBA, TIMBERWOLVES GET THE WIN OVER THE MIAMI HEAT.

>> Dennis: A FULL NIGHT OF SPORTS.

>> Charlie: VERY FULL NIGHT OF SPORTS.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE 7TH ANNUAL JAKE HAAPAJOKI MEMORIAL CUP WENT UNDERWAY THROUGHOUT THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA THIS PAST WEEKEND.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE WHAT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE BIGGEST BACKYARD POND HOCKEY TOURNAMENTS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA, IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD'S EXPERIENCE.

OO-XZ LARZ.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, OVER 30 TEAMS PARTICIPATE IN THE TOURNAMENT AND NOW IT HAS GROWN SO MUCH THAT THE FOUNDER, ALONG WITH SMILES FOR JAKE, HAD TO BREAK THE TOURNAMENT UP INTO THREE DIFFERENT RINKS.

>> IT'S OUR FAMILY'S FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR.

IT'S SO MUCH FUN AND WE HAVE FRIENDS THAT SUPPORT US AND PLAY AND TRY TO WIN THE CUP.

THEY TELL US IT'S ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE WEEKENDS TOO.

IT STARTED WITH MY BROTHER JAKE PLAYING IN THE BACKYARD TO 40 TEAMS.

>> Reporter: 40 DIFFERENT TEAMS COMPETED FROM 8:00 A.M.

ONWARD THIS PAST SATURDAY, WHILE MANY WERE FIRST TIME PLAYERS IN THE TOURNEY, THERE WERE MANY RETURNERS MARVELING AT WHAT THE CUP HAS BECOME.

>> I KNOW THE GUY THAT RUNS THE SHOW.

IT SEEMS THAT EVERY YEAR THE PRODUCTION VALUE INCREASES.

PEOPLE GET COMPETITIVE ABOUT THIS, WHICH IS FUN.

NORMALLY, YOU KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN TIMES WHERE PEOPLE GET TOO COMPETITIVE BUT MOST OF THE TIME, IT'S GOOD FUN.

>> Reporter: THE CUP IS BROKEN INTO FOUR DIFFERENT DIVISIONS IN HOCKEY, AND THE TOURNAMENT HAS TAKEN ON A LARGER SCALE, THE PEOPLE RANGE FROM BRAINERD HOCKEY PLAYERS TO THOSE FROM RIVAL TOWN MOORHEAD.

>> SOME OF THE KIDS I GREW UP PLAYING HOCKEY AND BASEBALL AGAINST, YOU GROW UP DESPISING THEM A LITTLE BIT.

THEN I PLAYED THEM IN COLLEGE BASEBALL AND NOW THEY'RE HERE SUPPORTING US.

IT'S MORE THAN SPORTS.

>> Reporter: THEY RAISE MONEY FOR THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION SMILES FOR JAKE, WHICH HONORS THE LIFE OF ALEX'S LATE BROTHER JAKE WHO DIED FROM SUICIDE.

ALEX CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT HIS BROTHER WOULD THINK SEEING WHAT THE MEMORIAL CUP AND THE ORGANIZATION HAS EVOLVED TO OVER THE YEARS.

>> I THINK HE WOULD LOVE IT.

JAKE WAS A PEOPLE PERSON.

HE LOVED BEING GOOFY.

HE WAS A BASKETBALL PLAYER, HE WAS NOT A GOOD SKATER, BUT HE WOULD BE HOLLERING AND IF HE SCORES, THE CROWD WOULD GO NUTS.

I THINK HE WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE INCREDIBLE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BAXTER WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE STRUGGLING WITH THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, YOU CAN CALL OR TEXT THE SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE AT 9-8-8.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER, WE GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE AREAS OF FOG OVERNIGHT, WITH OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS AROUND 15.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, YOU SHOULD SEE MORE SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, STILL COULD SEE PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING, BUT HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 30s.

>> Dennis: WHAT A GREAT OUTDOOR RINK.

>> Charlie: YEAH, IT WAS LOOKING GREAT.

>> Dennis: WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM [♪♪♪]