>> 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.

>>> A MINNESOTA WOMAN, HER DAUGHTER AND THEIR THREE HUSKIES WERE VISITING FAMILY IN BAUDETTE OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON, A TRIP SHE HAS TAKEN MANY TIMES WITH HER DOGS.

BUT ON CHRISTMAS EVE AS THEY WERE WALKING THE HUSKIES IN ZIPPEL BAY STATE PARK.

TWO OF THE THREE HUSKIES GOT LOOSE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE RELOCATED.

AFTER FIVE DAYS OF NON-STOP SEARCHING THOUGH, THOSE TWO HUSKIES WERE FOUND FATALLY SHOT AND DISPOSED OF IN A DITCH JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CITY, LEAVING RESIDENTS WONDERING WHY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> HE'S GOING TO LIVE WITH ME FOREVER.

WE WERE A PACK.

>> Reporter: AFTER TWO OF THE THREE HUSKIES WENT MISSING, SHE WAS DOING WHATEVER SHE COULD TO GET THE DOGS BACK.

>> I SPENT DAYS CALLING FOR THEM.

I WENT HOME AND GOT MY CAMPING GEAR AND I SPENT EVERYDAY THERE LOOKING FOR MY FAMILY, LOOKING FOR MY DOGS.

>> WE HAD AN ALL OUT CAMPAIGN OF SIGNS, POSTERS.

THE RETRIEVERS, LOST DOGS MINNESOTA, AND THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

>> Reporter: ON ONE OF THE LAST DAYS OF THE FAMILY'S SEARCH -- >> I HEARD GUNSHOTS.

>> IN HER HEART, SHE KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: AFTER FIVE DAYS OF NON-STOP SEARCHING, THIS FAMILY RECEIVED A CALL.

>> IT'S LIKE WHEN THE MILITARY COMES TO YOUR DOOR.

YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S ABOUT, IT'S HEARTBREAKING.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE LAKE OF THE WOODS SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FIVE DAYS AFTER THE HUSKIES WENT MISSING, THEY WERE FOUND DECEASED IN A DITCH LESS THAN TWO MILES FROM WHERE THEY WERE FIRST MISSING.

A VOLUNTEER ON THE SEARCH TEAM CAME TO RETRIEVE THEIR BODIES.

>> WE GOT OUT TO WHERE THEY WERE DUMPED.

I RAN DOWN TO THEM AND REALIZED THAT THEY HAD BEEN THERE FOR AT LEAST A DAY OR TWO.

THEY WERE FROZEN IN THE DITCH AND SO I GOT BACK UP TO THE CAR AND GOT MY TRAILER HITCH.

ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS HAD A BROOM AND WE BOTH JUST STARTED CHIPPING AWAY AT THE HUSKIES, TRYING AS CAREFULLY AS WE COULD TO GET THEM OUT.

>> Reporter: EMOTIONS STARTED POURING IN AFTER THE BODIES WERE RETURNED TO THE OWNER.

>> IT HURTS TO SEE THE MOM, BOTH HER BABIES DOG.

I COULD JUST HUG HER AND APOLOGIZE ABOUT HER TWO BABIES.

INSTEAD, SHE WAS GIVING ME KISSES AND COMFORTING ME WHEN I TRIED TO COMFORT HER.

>> I WAS SO DISTRAUGHT.

>> Reporter: THIS FAMILY WILL NOT BE LEFT ALONE.

NOT ONLY IS THE MOM STILL AROUND, BUT OTHER HUSKIES REMAIN PART OF THE FAMILY AS WELL.

THAT DOESN'T MAKE THE LOSS ANY EASIER.

>> I STILL HAVE HER MATE AND COUSIN.

I STILL HAVE A HUSKY PACK FAMILY TO HANG OUT WITH, BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER DIED.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BAUDETTE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS INCIDENT REMAINS UNKNOWN.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE IDENTITY OF THIS PERSON, OR ANY ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.

>>> HEALTH CARE WORKERS AT DEER RIVER ESSENTIA HEALTH HAVE BEEN ON THE PICKET LINES FOR A MONTH NOW AS PART OF AN OPEN-ENDED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES STRIKE.

THE WORK STOPPAGE INVOLVES AROUND SEVENTY WORKERS FROM THE HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME WHO ARE PART OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION.

THE UNION PREVIOUSLY WENT ON A FIVE-DAY STRIKE IN NOVEMBER.

TODAY THE UNION RELEASED A STATEMENT THAT SAID COMPANY LEADERS REMAIN UNWILLING TO REACH A FAIR DEAL TO END THE IMPASSE.

THE UNION HELD ANOTHER VOTE ON TUESDAY THAT SAW 90-PERCENT OF WORKERS REJECT ESSENTIA'S CURRENT OFFER THAT THEY SAY WOULD RESULT IN RAISES OF ONLY EIGHT CENTS FOR MANY WORKERS, KEEPING THEIR PAY WELL BELOW COMPARABLE HEALTHCARE JOBS IN MINNESOTA.

UNION REPRESENTATIVES SAY WHILE WORKERS HAVE BEEN READY TO BARGAIN THROUGHOUT THE STRIKE, ESSENTIA HAS REFUSED TO ENGAGE AND SET BARGAINING DATES WITH THE MEDIATOR.

WE REACHED OUT TO ESSENTIA HEALTH FOR A RESPONSE AND THEY SAID THE UNIONS CLAIM THAT THE LATEST OFFER WOULD MEAN A RELEASE OF ONLY EIGHT CENTS FOR MOST WORKERS IS UNTRUE.

THEY SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT IN THEIR LAST PROPOSAL THE AVERAGE WAGE INCREASE IN THE FIRST YEAR IS EQUIVALENT TO 3.5 PERCENT AND THAT THEIR OFFERS HAVE BEEN MARKET COMPETITIVE AND CONSISTENT WITH MORE THAN 20 AGREEMENTS RATIFIED LAST YEAR WITH OTHER UNION GROUPS AT ESSENTIA HEALTH THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE FIRST TIME THE UNION FORMALLY REACHED OUT TO THEM WITH POTENTIAL BARGAINING DATES WAS LAST WEEK AND THAT THEY DID RESPOND BY SAYING THEY WERE WILLING TO MEET AND HEAR NEW PROPOSALS.

ESSENTIA SAYS THEY REMAIN COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING A CONTRACT WITH THE UNION THAT RECOGNIZES THEIR IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS WHILE ALSO ENSURING CONTINUED ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR OUR PATIENTS IN DEER RIVER AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

>>> RED LAKE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SERVICES HAS A WALK-IN MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC WHICH IS THE FIRST OF FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE AREA.

AFTER FIRST OPENING A YEAR AGO, THEY HELD THEIR GRAND OPENING JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO TO GET THE NEWS ABOUT THEIR SERVICES OUT TO THE PUBLIC.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON WHAT MAKES THE SUPPORT CENTER SO UNIQUE.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SEVERAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THERAPISTS IN RED LAKE, TWO MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS REALIZED THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IMMEDIATE DESTINATION FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO.

>> IT THINK IT FILL IT IS GAPS AND THE BARRIERS WE NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN INDIAN COUNTRY.

>> WHEN TRYING TO DETERMINE TO COME HERE, LIKE WHAT IS A CRISIS.

IT'S SO HARD TO DEFINE.

WE REALLY ULTIMATELY MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT, FOR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

>> Reporter: THE TWO SPECIALISTS HAVE BEEN HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND REDID THEIR BUILDING TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR SERVICE NEEDS.

WHEN DOING RENOVATIONS AND FINISHING THE BUILDING, ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS IS TO CREATE A NICE, WELCOMING, AND HOMEY ATMOSPHERE.

>> WE HAVE NEW SIDING, A BRAND NEW ROOF, THE WHOLE ENTIRE INSIDE, WHICH WE FIND VERY IMPORTANT WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN A TIME OF CRISIS.

YOU WANT TO BE AS COMFORTABLE AS YOU CAN BE.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER DOES NOT PROVIDE THERAPY, BUT HELPS PEOPLE IN CRISIS SITUATIONS.

>> WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IS YOU COME IN, WE DO OUR INTAKE, DO THE CRISIS ASSESSMENT, FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON, SAFETY PLANNING, THE TREATMENT PLAN, AND THEN WE MEET FOR UP TO 10 SESSIONS.

RIGHT NOW IT IS JUST FOR THE COMMUNITY, BUT WE DO HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT "ENROLLED" OR FROM RED LAKE, BUT WE'RE BIG ON INCLUSIVITY AND WE WOULDN'T TURN ANYONE AWAY IF THEY DIDN'T MEET THE CRITERIA.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE OPEN FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

>> I WANTED TO BE THE PERSON THAT I NEEDED TO BE WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.

SO IF I CAN BE THAT SUPPORTIVE PERSON, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY THAT I NEEDED WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER OR WHEN I WAS 18 OR 20 YEARS OLD, IT'S SO HARD TO ADMIT THAT HEY, MAYBE I NEED HELP.

WE'RE TOTALLY HERE AND NON-JUDGMENTAL.

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

>> THE CRISIS SUPPORT CENTER IS OPEN TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF ALL AGES, AND PEOPLE CAN EITHER CALL AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AHEAD OF TIME, OR JUST WALK IN AT ANY POINT DURING BUSINESS HOURS.

IN THE FUTURE, THEY WILL ALSO HAVE A 24-HOUR WARM LINE WHERE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES CAN CALL IN FOR OVER-THE-PHONE HELP.

>>> A HEARING WHERE A MINNESOTA MAN WAS EXPECTED TO PLEAD GUILTY TO HIDING A STOLEN PAIR OF RUBY SLIPPERS THAT JUDY GARLAND WORE IN “THE WIZARD OF OZ” HAS BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY BECAUSE HE'S HOSPITALIZED.

FEDERAL JUDGE PATRICK SCHILTZ GRANTED THE CONTINUANCE WEDNESDAY AT THE REQUEST OF THE ATTORNEY FOR 77-YEAR-OLD JERRY HAL SALITERMAN OF CRYSTAL.

SALITERMAN WAS PLANNING TO CHANGE HIS PLEA TO GUILTY AT A HEARING THAT WAS SET FOR THIS COMING FRIDAY, BUT DEFENSE LAWYER JOHN BRINK TOLD THE COURT THAT SALITERMAN IS HOSPITALIZED.

BRINK DOESN'T KNOW WHEN HE WILL BE AVAILABLE.

>>> OFFICIALS ARE WORKING TO GET LOS ANGELES RESIDENTS OUT OF THE WAY AS FIVE WILDFIRES BURN OUT OF CONTROL, ALL ARE ZERO-PERCENT CONTAINED.

AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE ARE REPORTED DEAD SO FAR.

HIGH WINDS AND TINDER DRY CONDITIONS ARE MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD FOR STRETCHED THIN CREWS BATTLING THE FIRES, AS THEY CONTINUE TO SPREAD RAPIDLY.

LEIGH WALDMAN IS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH THE BREAKING DEVELOPMENTS.

[SIRENS].

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR THE FIRE BURNING ARE WORRIED THEIR HOMES ARE GONE.

THE DEADLY BLAZE BALLOONED MORE THAN 10,000 ACRES OVERNIGHT AND IS NOW THREATENING ABOUT 13,000 BUILDINGS.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVING THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.

I CAME BACK THIS MORNING AND THE FIRE AND THE WIND IS MOVING.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE IS NOW OVER 15,800 ACRES AND DESTROYED OVER 1,000 STRUCTURES.

>> MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS ENTIRELY BURNT DOWN.

MY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS PROBABLY BURNT DOWN.

MY HIGH SCHOOL JUST BURNT DOWN.

MY MIDDLE SCHOOL MIGHT BURN DOWN.

>> Reporter: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS.

>> THE FIRST THING IS RESCUE OPERATIONS.

WE WANT YOU OUT.

HOUSES CAN BE REPLACED, ALL THAT, LIVES CANNOT.

>> Reporter: THURSDAY IS EXPECTED TO SEE CRITICAL FIRE DANGER FROM SANTA BARBARA TO SAN DIEGO.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS OFFICIALLY APPROVED A MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR CALIFORNIA, UNLOCKING FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS.

>> IT IS HEARTBREAKING.

WE LOST EVERYTHING AND NOT ONLY US, EVERYWHERE -- EVERYONE AROUND US.

WHEN I WAS STANDING IN THE FRONT YARD, I WAS LOOKING AT THIS GIANT RED GLOWING FIRE THAT WAS JUST ENVELOPING EVERYTHING.

IT WAS JUST HEART-WRENCHING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, I'M LEIGH WALDMAN.

>> MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION HOMES, BUSINESSES AND OTHER POWER CUSTOMERS HAD NO ELECTRICITY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, ACCORDING TO POWEROUTAGE.US.

MOST OF THE OUTAGES ARE IN HARD-HIT VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES.

MANY OF THE CUSTOMERS HAD THEIR ELECTRICITY CUT ON PURPOSE TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SYSTEMS FROM IGNITING.

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

>> WE COULD SEE SOME SNOW DEVELOPING IN THE AREA TONIGHT.

SNOW IS LIKELY TOMORROW AND WE COULD SEE LIGHT ACCUMULATION.

I'LL HAVE MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE HAS REACHED THE ENDEMIC STAGE, WE'LL TELL YOU WHAT THAT MEANS FOR D.N.R.

EFF >> 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 MINNESOTA D.N.R.

IS ADJUSTING ITS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AFTER THE DISEASE REACHED ENDEMIC STAGE IN THREE SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA DEER PERMIT AREAS.

THE D.N.R.

WILL DISCONTINUE TARGETED CULLING IN DEER PERMIT AREAS 646, 647, AND 648 IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE STATE, WHERE CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE HAS REACHED A POINT IN WHICH SOME OF THE CURRENT METHODS OF MANAGEMENT ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE.

WHEN C.W.D.

PREVALENCE REACHES 5-PERCENT OR GREATER, THE DISEASE HAS REACHED A THRESHOLD WHERE RESEARCH SHOWS CULLING IS NOT EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING DISEASE PREVALENCE OR CONTROLLING THE SPREAD.

THE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WILL SHIFT EMPHASIS TOWARD OTHER C.W.D.

MANAGEMENT TOOLS WITHIN THE ENDEMIC ZONE WHILE WORKING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE BEYOND THESE AREAS.

LOCAL LANDOWNERS AND HUNTERS CAN STILL HELP MANAGE C.W.D.

IN THESE AREAS BY ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE ANTLERLESS DEER HARVEST, ABIDING BY CARCASS MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS, OBEYING FEEDING, AND ATTRACTANT BANS AND BY PARTICIPATING IN ADDITIONAL HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES.

D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY THAT WHILE IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT C.W.D.

PREVALENCE HAS BEEN INCREASING IN THESE AREAS.

IT STILL REMAINS RELATIVELY LOW COMPARED TO NEIGHBORING STATES, AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN UP EFFORTS TO MINIMIZE ITS IMPACT.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE NOW.

WE HAVEN'T HAD SNOW IN A WHILE, HAVE WE?

>> Stacy: NO, WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT A MAJOR SNOW MAKER MOVING IN, BUT WE COULD PICK UP A FEW INCHES OF SNOW IN THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE DAY TOMORROW AND WE'RE GOING TO >> 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, WE DID SEE SOME SUNSHINE EARLIER TODAY, BUT THE CLOUDS HAVE BEEN INCREASING AND NOW AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, WE COULD SEE SOME SNOW DEVELOPING IN PARTS OF THE AREA.

SNOW BECOMES LIKELY ACROSS ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW, AND WE COULD RECEIVE A COUPLE INCHES OF SNOW.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMER TOMORROW, BUT START TO COOL OFF AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 11 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE A SOUTHEAST WIND AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 6, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 77%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 17 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 6, PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT HAS BEEN QUIET SO FAR TODAY, CLOUDS HAVE BEEN INCREASING THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING, AND WE'LL SEE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE COULD START TO SEE SOME OF THE SNOW PUSHING INTO PARTS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA LATER ON TONIGHT, STARTING AFTER MIDNIGHT AND TOWARDS MORNING, SNOW BECOMES LIKELY THROUGHOUT MOST OF OUR VIEWING AREA TOMORROW, WE COULD SEE SOME LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS, ANYWHERE FROM 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW POSSIBLE AS THIS SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH.

WE SHOULD HAVE QUIETER WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, WHERE WE WILL SEE A COOL DOWN.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE IN MENAHGA.

SAMROSE WITH A PICTURE OF THE SUNSET OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING SUNSHINE WITH A SOUTHEAST WIND, THE HIGH TODAY WAS 12.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE TODAY, LOW IS -1, WITH A HIGH OF 14.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 17, SO WE ARE STILL FALLING A LITTLE SHY OF OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

THE LOW THIS MORNING, -2, SUNSET AT 4:49.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 15, SO PRETTY SEASONAL, BUT WE STILL FALL A FEW DEGREES SHY OF THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

0 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING, SUNRISE AT 8:06.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SNOWFALL ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, ANYWHERE FROM 1 TO 3 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE.

WE WILL SEE WINDS PICKING UP IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, SO WE COULD SEE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING IN THAT REGION.

AS FAR AS HIGH TEMPERATURES, IT'S GOING TO BE WARMER, 20 TO 26 FOR OUR HIGH TEMPS ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MORE CLOUD COVER AGAIN, 70% TO 80% CHANCE OF SNOW, WITH LIGHT ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AGAIN, LOW TO MID-20s, SO MUCH MORE SEASONAL, EVEN A LITTLE BIT ABOVE AVERAGE.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE FOR SNOW DEVELOPING IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, 12 FOR THE LOW, SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

TOMORROW, SNOW IS LIKELY, AND WE COULD SEE 1 TO 3 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION, OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH HIGHS NEAR 23, AND WEST WINDS 5 TO 20.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE REST OF OUR FORECAST, OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS ON FRIDAY WITH A HIGH OF 13, 14 ON SATURDAY, AND WE HAVE ANOTHER SMALL CHANCE OF SNOW THAT COULD CONTINUE IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA ON SUNDAY.

TEMPERATURES COOL ONCE AGAIN AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, 7 FOR THE HIGH ON SUNDAY, IT LOOKS LIKE VARIABLE CLOUDS WITH A HIGH OF 2 ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

BSU HOCKEY TEAMS, MEN AND WOMEN BOTH BACK TO THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE THIS WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: THIS WEEKEND.

IT IS THIS WEEKEND, IT STARTS THE LONG STRETCH OF CONFERENCE GAMES ALL THE WAY TO THE CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS AND SOME SAY IT'S A SPRINT.

IT'S LOOKING LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO BE BUT WE WILL HEAR FROM THEM AS THEY HEAD INTO THE CONFERENCE PLAY FROM BOTH TEAMS, THE MEN AND WOMEN COMING UP AFTER THE >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORT WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: BSU MEN'S HOCKEY RETURNS TO LEAD PLAY THIS WEEKEND.

IT'S THE FIRST OF 7CCHA SERIES LEFT FOR THE BEAVERS BEFORE THE CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS BEGIN.

BEMIDJI STATE WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE STANDINGS, BUT NOW THEY'RE AT 6, WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE SOME CLIMBING TO DO IF THEY WANT TO HOST A POST-SEASON SERIES.

THE BEAVERS HAVE NOT FAIRED WELL IN OHIO, WINNING 3 TIMES IN THEIR LAST 11 GAMES AT BOWLING GREEN, INCLUDING BEING SWEPT THERE LAST YEAR.

>> THEY ARE PLAYING GOOD HOCKEY.

I MEAN THEY HAVE A GOOD FEELING AND TOUGH BUILDING, ALWAYS A TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHERE THERE IS A LOT ON THE LINE.

WE RECOGNIZE WHERE EVERYBODY IS AT.

>> IT'S A FUN ENVIRONMENT, SMALL RINK, THE CROWD GETS LOUD, AND I GOT TO GIVE IT TO THEM, THEIR STUDENT SECTION IS ONE OF THE BEST ONES IN OUR LEAGUE.

IT'S GOING TO BE FUN.

I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OURSELVES, NOT LOOKING AT THE STANDINGS TOO MUCH, TAKE IT GAME BY GAME.

>> Charlie: HERE'S A LOOK AT THE WEEKEND SERIES, 6:00 P.M. FOR BOTH THOSE GAMES.

LAST YEAR, ALTHOUGH BEMIDJI STATE GOT SWEPT ON THE ROAD, THEY DID SWEEP BOWLING GREEN AT HOME LAST YEAR.

SO, HOPEFULLY THEY CAN CHANNEL THAT ENERGY.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY IS COMING OFF THE BIGGEST COME BACK WIN IN PROGRAM HISTORY, ERASING A 3-GOAL DEFICIT IN THEIR GAME AGAINST BROWN TO BEAT THE BEARS 5-4.

THE CONFIDENCE BOOSTER FOR A TEAM THAT HAS BEEN STRUGGLING, HAVING LOSS SIX STRAIGHT HEADING INTO THAT MATCH UP.

IT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE BEAVERS AS THEY HEAD BACK TO THE HORNET'S NEST TO A ROAD TRIP TO OHIO STATE.

>> THEY'RE A REALLY GOOD TEAM.

DEFINITELY ONE OF THE TOP FIVE.

SO WE WILL TAKE THAT WIN AGAINST OHIO.

WE KNOW WE CAN SCORE.

WE KNOW WE CAN COME BACK FROM BEING DOWN THREE GOALS.

I THINK WE HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE GOING INTO THE NEXT GAME.

>> A LOT OF GOOD CAME FROM LAST WEEK, PLAYED THREE GAMES, PLAYED TOUGH OPPONENTS TOO.

A LOT OF GROWTH, IT WAS AWESOME TO SEE OUR OFFENSIVE ABILITY, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR YOUNG PLAYERS.

OUR POWER PLAY WAS ROCKING, SO THAT WAS AWESOME TO SEE.

WE HAD SOME GREAT POWER PLAY GOALS AND A THREAT EVERY TIME ON THE POWER PLAY.

WE HAD A LOT OF GOOD STUFF AND NOW WE WANT TO BUILD FROM IT.

>> Charlie: THEY'RE HOPING TO BUILD A WIN AGAINST OHIO STATE.

THEY LOST TO THE BUCKEYES AND THE LAST TIME THEY WON WAS ON FEBRUARY 8, 2019.

>>> BRAINERD GIRLS BASKETBALL IS FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS THUS FAR, RUNNING OUT TO AN 11-AND-2 START THIS SEASON, RANKING 9TH IN CLASS 4A.

NOW ENTERING THE BACK HALF OF THE REGULAR SEASON.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON WHAT IS CLICKING FOR THE WARRIORS.

>> Reporter: LIKE UN -- UNCLE DREW SAID, BASKETBALL IS ABOUT GETTING THE BUCKETS, AND 13 GAMES INTO THE 2024-2025 SEASON, THE WARRIOR GIRLS HAVE UPPED THE ANTE, GOING FROM 58 POINTS LAST YEAR, TO 70 POINTS.

>> WITH LAST YEAR, I THINK NOT LOSING AS MANY PEOPLE WAS KIND OF NICE STICKING WITH OUR SAME GROUP.

THE PLACE THAT WE RUN WORKED WELL FOR OUR TEAM.

EVERYONE ISN'T VERY SELFISH.

THEY CARE A LOT ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE, GETTING GOOD LOOKS, AND SHOOTING SMART.

>> Reporter: AND THE UPTICK ON OFFENSE IS A BYPRODUCT OF SHARING THE WEALTH, LEADING TO HALF THE ROSTER SHOWCASES CAREER HIGHS AND POINTS.

>> MOVING THE BALL A LOT.

IT'S NOT MUCH OF A ONE PERSON GAME.

WE WORKED AS A TEAM AND GOT AN INSIDE LOOK AND KICK OUTS, WHICH REALLY HELPED US.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COURT THAT IS FUELING THE BRAINERD GIRLS TO THEIR BEST START IN OVER A DECADE AND A HALF.

>> A LOT OF TEAMS HAVE SCORED LESS ON US THIS YEAR.

>> WE REALLY FOCUSED ON ANTICIPATING INSTEAD OF REACTING, ESPECIALLY ON DEFENSE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE BETTER TEAMS.

IT CAN BE REALLY NICE TO GET THOSE STEALS FROM PASSES, TO THOSE BUCKETS ON DEFENSE.

>> Reporter: THE SAYING DOES GO DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.

SO FAR IN THE 2024-2025 SEASON, THEY HAVE BEEN HOLDING TEAMS TO UNDER 27 POINTS PER GAME, PRIORITIZING TO STICKING TO THEIR ASSIGNMENT.

>> WE CHOSEN TO STAY WITH OUR SCREENS AND ALSO EVERYONE BEING VOCAL, WE CAN LOOK AT SWITCHING AND STAYING.

>> NOT SWITCHING UNLESS WE NEED TO.

IF WE SWITCH, THEY GUARD TO BIG, SWITCH BACK TO GUARD TO GUARD, BIG TO BIG, BUT AT THE MOST OPPORTUNE TIME.

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

>> Charlie: SHE IS AVERAGING 16 POINTS A GAME AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN USE HER AGAINST THE DETROIT LAKES WHEN THEY PLAY.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S A RESPIRATORY ILLNESS THAT MAY START OUT LIKE A COLD, BUT THE COUGH THAT ACCOMPANIES PERTUSSIS, ALSO KNOWN AS WHOOPING COUGH, CAN LAST FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS.

AND THIS DISEASE CONTINUES TO SURGE WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CASES THE U.S. HAS SEEN IN YEARS.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON THE LATEST DATA AND HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST THIS DISEASE.

>> Reporter: IT'S A DISEASE THAT HAS BEEN SURGING FOR MONTHS, NOW THE C.D.C.

SAYS WHOOPING COUGH CASES ARE THE HIGHEST THEY HAVE BEEN IN A DECADE IN THE U.S., WITH NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN.

>> WHAT THIS BACTERIA DOES IS THAT IT ATTACHES TO THE CELLS THAT LINE THE AIRWAYS, THEY'RE CALLED CILIA, THEIR HAIR-LIKE CELLS AND DAMAGES THOSE CELLS, AND CREATES A TREMENDOUS COUGH.

>> Reporter: THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 33,400 CASES REPORTED THIS YEAR THROUGH DECEMBER 21ST, ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY C.D.C.

DATA.

EARLY TREATMENT WITH ANTIBIOTICS MAY LESSEN THE SEVERITY OF THE INFECTION, BUT EXPERTS SAY THIS DISEASE IS PREVENTABLE THROUGH VACCINATION.

>> PRIOR TO THE 1940s WHEN VACCINATIONS WERE NOT THAT COMMON IN THE UNITED STATES, ABOUT 9,000 KIDS WOULD DIE PER YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: IN THE U.S., THE VACCINE COVERAGE RATE THAT PROTECTS AGAINST WHOOPING COUGH WAS JUST 92% FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, A DECREASE FROM THE YEAR BEFORE, AND COVERAGE FOR ALL VACCINES DECREASED IN ALL STATES.

>> AS THIS RATE DROPS, THE LEVEL OF INFECTION IN THE COMMUNITY RISES.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, WE HAVE SEEN ABOUT SIX TIMES MORE WHOOPING COUGH THAN WE DID LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK OF GETTING SEVERELY SICK INCLUDE YOUNG CHILDREN, THOSE WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS LIKE ASTHMA, AND ANYONE WITH A WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM.

>> WE CAN VACCINATE CHILDREN AND WE REALLY NEED TO GET BACK TO THE SAME ENVIRONMENT WHERE PARENTS ARE REALLY TAUGHT THAT THESE CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES ARE UNNECESSARY.

>> Reporter: I'M MANDY UHRICH.

>> WHOOPING COUGH IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS AND CAN SPREAD FOR WEEKS AFTER THE COUGH DEVELOPS, BUT SOME INFECTIONS CAN MILD ENOUGH FOR SOME THAT THEY CAN SPREAD THE ILLNESS WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING THEY HAVE IT.

>>> LET'S GO BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS NEAR 12.

TOMORROW, SNOW IS LIKELY THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND WE COULD SEE 1 TO 3 INCHES OF ACCUMULATIONS, HIGHS IN THE 20s.

>> Dennis: THAT DOES IT FOR US.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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