>> 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.

>>> BACK IN EARLY DECEMBER, THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL APPROVED PLANS FOR RECONSTRUCTING HIGHWAY 197 ALONG WITH OTHER MAJOR CITY STREETS, THANKS TO HELP FROM A RAISE GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

THOSE PLANS ARE NOW ON HOLD DUE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FEDERAL GRANT FREEZE.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS ON HOW THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL PLANS ON NAVIGATING THE SITUATION.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE APPROVAL OF THE RAISE GRANT FUND 197 PROJECT IN DECEMBER, THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTING PLANS FOR THIS YEAR.

>> AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THE RAISE GRANT, WHICH IS ALLOCATED TO US, IS CURRENTLY FROZEN AND IN REVIEW.

THIS KIND OF COME FROM THE STUFF WE HEARD FROM THE RADIO.

I DON'T KNOW SPECIFICALLY IF ELON MUSK IS HOLDING IT AT GUNPOINT BUT IT JUST STUCK.

>> Reporter: SOME SHOWED FRUSTRATION WITH THE FEDERAL GRANT FREEZE.

>> I HAVE TO SAY IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING TO HEAR ABOUT AN UNELECTED BILLIONAIRE MAKING DECISIONS THAT AFFECTS OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAY 197 AND THE CITY WILL PAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROUNDABOUTS.

THAT MEANS MnDOT CAN'T CONTINUE THEIR PART OF THE PROJECT UNTIL THE FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE, LEAVING THEM WITH TWO OPTIONS.

>> DELAYING THE PROJECT ONE YEAR, WHICH IS US MOVING BACK FROM 25 TO 26 AND MnDOT MOVING FROM 26 TO 27.

>> Reporter: THERE IS RISK WITH THAT OPTION.

>> THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE RAISE GRANT COULD DISAPPEAR.

>> MEANING THE PROJECT GOES AWAY ENTIRELY.

>> THERE IS A THEORY THAT IF THAT STATE MONEY WOULD STICK WITH THE PROJECT, IF MnDOT CAN FUND A BULK OF IT THEMSELVES, WE COULD USE THAT STATE MONEY TO PAY FOR OUR LOCAL MATCH.

>> Reporter: COUNCIL MEMBER JOSH PETERSON SAID IT WASN'T INITIALLY PART OF THE PLAN AS A WHOLE.

>> WE WERE TO WAIT AND LET'S SAY WE DO LOSE THE RAISE GRANT, WE'RE NOT OUT ANYTHING.

WE'RE NOT INHIBITING ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY OR ANYTHING.

THIS IS NOT ANYTHING THAT WE HAD OUR PLANS PRESET ON.

>> Reporter: BY THE END OF THE MEETING, THEY WERE IN AGREEMENT TO START THE ADDITION OF A ROUNDABOUT DURING THE BREAK.

>> I PROBABLY AGREE WITH THE MAJORITY OF COUNCIL.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST ALTERNATIVE OUT OF NOT THE BEST ALTERNATIVES.

SO I WOULD SUPPORT THAT OPTION AS WELL.

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

>> MAYOR JORGE PRINCE ALSO ADDED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE COUNCIL MEMBERS REACH OUT TO REPRESENTATIVES DOWN IN SAINT PAUL TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION TO SEE WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE.

>>> THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF MET FOR AN OFFSITE MEETING ON MONDAY TO HELP ADDRESS THE CITY'S FUTURE NEEDS.

THE MEETING DETAILED THE CITY'S PLANS FOR POTENTIAL SUCCESSORS FOR CITY OFFICIALS, NEW GOALS FOR EACH DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS POTENTIAL NEW POSITIONS THAT THE CITY MAY NEED, BUT CITY ADMINISTRATOR NICK BROYLES SAYS THAT HEARING THE PUBLIC'S WANTS AND NEEDS IS A TOP PRIORITY.

>> WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.

WE CAN'T SERVE THE PUBLIC UNLESS WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR OBJECTIVES ARE, WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE, SO THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.

A LOT OF MY JOB IS A THREE LEGGED STOOL.

I HAVE TO STAY CLOSE WITH THE COUNCIL, THE STAFF, AND THE PUBLIC.

I'M TRYING TO BALANCE THOSE COMPETING INTEREST SOMETIMES, BUT YEAH, WE CAN'T BE PUBLIC SERVANTS IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS.

>> Dennis: THE CITY COUNCIL'S NEXT PUBLIC MEETING WILL BE ON MARCH 17th.

>>> A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR A MINNESOTA HOUSE SEAT IS DECIDING CONTROL OF THE CHAMBER.

REPUBLICANS CURRENTLY HAVE A 67-66 ADVANTAGE IN THE HOUSE BUT THE SPECIAL ELECTION TODAY WAS IN DISTRICT 40B IN SUBURBAN ROSEVILLE AND SHOREVIEW, A DISTRICT WHERE VOTERS HAVE HISTORICALLY VOTED FOR D.F.L.

CANDIDATES.

THE SPECIAL ELECTION PITS DEMOCRAT DAVID GOTTFRIED AGAINST REPUBLICAN PAUL WIKSTROM AND AS EXPECTED, GOTTFRIED IS THE WINNER WITH OVER 70% OF THE VOTE.

THAT TIES UP THE HOUSE FROM 67-67 FOR THE REST OF THE SESSION.

>>> PROTESTS HAVE BEEN POPPING UP ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH CONSTITUENTS DEMANDING THAT THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TAKE ACTION AGAINST WHAT THEY CLAIM ARE ANTI-DEMOCRATIC PROCEEDINGS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

NOW THOSE SAME PROTESTS HAVE POPPED UP HERE IN MINNESOTA, INCLUDING ONE TODAY AT BRAINERD CITY HALL.

RESIDENTS ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS FROM REPRESENTATIVE PETE STAUBER, WHO THEY CLAIM IS NOT STEPPING UP AND ADDRESSING HIS CONSTITUENTS CONCERNS OVER ACTIONS TAKEN BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

RESIDENTS ALSO CLAIMED THAT HE HAD CANCELLED A PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED TOWN HALL AIMED AT ADDRESSING THESE CONCERNS.

>> WE'RE GATHERING TO ASK AROUND, WHERE THE PETE STAUBER?

HE HAS BEEN OVERLY SILENT, GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING.

PEOPLE ARE AFRAID.

THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY, THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR REPRESENTATIVES TO STAND UP FOR US, THEIR CONSTITUENTS BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR JOB.

>> THIS IS THE FIFTH PROTEST THIS WEEK IN MINNESOTA INCLUDING THOSE IN ST.

CLOUD, GRAND RAPIDS, AND DULUTH.

WE REACHED OUT TO CONGRESSMAN STAUBER'S OFFICE FOR REACTION TO TODAYS PROTEST BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.

>>> THE FEDERAL AGENCY INVESTIGATING THE DEADLIEST AVIATION DISASTER IN THE U.S.

IN TWO DECADES, WARNS OF POSSIBLE FUTURE DISASTERS AT THE WASHINGTON AIRPORT WHERE THE CRASH OCCURRED WITHOUT NEW RESTRICTIONS.

KARIN CAIFA HAS THE LATEST DETAILS FROM THE NTSB, ON AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 5342.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD WARNED OF THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE MIDAIR COLLISIONS ALONG HELICOPTER ROUTES NEAR WASHINGTON'S REAGAN AIRPORT.

>> LET ME REPEAT THAT, THEY POSE AN INTOLERABLE RISK TO AVIATION SAFETY.

>> Reporter: NTSB CHAIR SAYS THAT THE AGENCY RECOMMENDS THAT THE F.A.A.

BAR HELICOPTERS FROM A FOUR MILE STRETCH OVER THE POET TOE MAC RIVER WHEN FLIGHTS ARE LANDING.

THAT'S WHEN THE FLIGHT WAS APPROACHING WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH AN ARMY HELICOPTER ON JANUARY 29TH, LEAVING 67 PEOPLE DEAD.

AS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION, THE NTSB UNCOVERED DATA ON NEAR MISSES AT THE WASHINGTON AIRPORT IN RECENT YEARS.

>> IT ALSO MAKES ME -- IT MAKES ME FEEL INCREDIBLY DEVASTATED FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE GRIEVING BECAUSE THEY LOST LOVED ONES.

IT SHOULDN'T TAKE A TRAGEDY LIKE THIS TO OCCUR.

UNFORTUNATELY, ONE DID.

>> Reporter: THEIR INVESTIGATION MAY LOOK AT THE NUMBERS ON NEAR MISSES AT OTHER U.S.

AIRPORTS AND THEY ARE STILL COLLECTING FACTS ON WHETHER MORE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STAFFING COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE COLLISION.

SHE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE IN THE NATION'S OVERALL AVIATION SAFETY.

>> I SAY OFTEN THAT YOUR BIGGEST RISK IS IN YOUR PERSONAL VEHICLE WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT.

AVIATION IS SAFE.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE FACT FINDING PHASE, THE NTSB WILL ANALYZE WHAT THEY LEARNED ABOUT THE JANUARY CRASH BEFORE ISSUING A FINAL REPORT AND DETERMINING PROBABLE CAUSE.

IN WASHINGTON, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>> TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SEAN DUFFY SAID TUESDAY AFTERNOON THAT RESTRICTIONS PUT IN PLACE IN THE DAYS AFTER THAT CRASH, ON THAT KEY HELICOPTER ROUTE NEAR WASHINGTON'S NATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE MAINTAINED.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE A BIT OF SNOW MOVING ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT, BUT SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE BACK TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, THE 35th ANNUAL >> 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.

>>> A MULTI-AGENCY EMERGENCY RESCUE EXERCISE IS SET FOR THIS SATURDAY ON THE ICE AND IN THE WATERS OF CASS LAKE.

THIS IS THE 22ND YEAR OF THIS ANNUAL EXERCISE WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CASS LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE HACKENSACK FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE GOAL IS TO BRING AREA AND STATEWIDE AGENCIES TOGETHER TO WORK WITH EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES, VIEW NEW PURCHASES OF EQUIPMENT, AND DEVELOP A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP SHOULD AN EMERGENCY ARISE IN A DEPARTMENT'S AREA.

IT RUNS FROM 9:00 IN THE MORNING UNTIL 1:00 P.M.

THE FIRST GROUP BRIEFING WILL TAKE PLACE JUST AFTER 9:00 AT THE ACCESS OF CASS LAKE, NEAR THE REST AREA ON HIGHWAY 2 JUST EAST OF CASS LAKE.

>>> STACY, THERE IS A CHANCE WE COULD SEE SNOW ON THAT DAY.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE SNOW ON SATURDAY, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT LINGERING IN PARTS OF THE AREA ON SUNDAY, BUT TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO TAKE A BIG DOWNTURN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING WARMING TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, MAYBE A LITTLE BI >> 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'RE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW MOVING ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT AND ANY ACCUMULATION SHOULD BE PRETTY LIGHT.

MOST OF IT WILL BE MOVING OUT AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

SUNSHINE WILL RETURN, TEMPERATURES WILL START TO WARM UP, AND WE'LL HAVE THAT WARMING TREND AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, 50s AND 60s FOR OUR HIGHS BY FRIDAY.

NOW THE NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM IS SET TO MOVE IN ON FRIDAY, STARTING AS RAIN, EVENTUALLY CHANGING TO SNOW AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

IT'S 27 AT THE AIRPORT.

A LIGHT SOUTHEAST WIND AT THE STUDIO, HUMIDITY IS AT 51%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 33 DEGREES, 14 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE A LITTLE LINE OF SNOW, IT'S BEEN MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS EVENING.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE AT LEAST A CHANCE OF SOME SNOW AS THIS LITTLE SYSTEM MOVES ACROSS THE STATE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHER THAN THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE CLOUD COVER FOR US.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE THE CLOUDS WILL BE MOVING OUT BY TOMORROW, A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN STORE FOR US AND WE WILL SEE EVEN WARMER TEMPERATURES.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, KAREN SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM LONG LAKE, SAYING TEMPERATURES ARE COLD ENOUGH THAT THE LAKE WAS MAKES ICE THIS MORNING.

A GORGEOUS SUNRISE IN MENAHGA.

THERE IS A HALO AROUND THE SUN OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, KAREN IN BEMIDJI REPORTING 7 THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 11 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 35.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, TOPPING OUT AT 38.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY SKIES AND THE HIGH WAS 30.

ON OUR ALMANAC, THE HIGH WAS 35 IN BRAINERD.

IT SOUNDS COOL, BUT IT'S CLOSE, 1 DEGREE ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, 18 FOR THE LOW, 7:18 WAS OUR SUNSET.

IN BEMIDJI, REACHING A HIGH OF 28, SO WE DID FALL SHORT OF THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, 6 DEGREES FOR THE LOW, PRETTY CHILLY THIS MORNING, AND SUNRISE AT 7:38.

SO AS WE START THE DAY TOMORROW, MOST OF THE PRECIPITATION WILL HAVE TO MOVED OUT OF THE VIEWING AREA.

WE WILL START TO SEE MORE SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY TOMORROW, AND SUNNY WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, WE WILL SEE A WARMING TREND, WITH HIGHS AROUND THE 30s AND 40s, BUT A LOT OF MID TO UPPER 40s IN MINNESOTA.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW, LOWS NEAR 21, WITH SOUTHWEST WINDS UP TO 10, TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY, 47 FOR OUR HIGH, SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS, UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, JUST A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SOME SNOW THURSDAY MORNING IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT AGAIN WE'RE CONTINUING TO HAVE WARMING TEMPERATURES, HEADING INTO FRIDAY, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 60s, BUT WE WILL START TO SEE THAT RAIN ACTIVITY MOVING IN.

THE RAIN WILL MIX AND CHANGE OVER TO SNOW ON SATURDAY, STILL A LOT OF DETAILS TO WORK OUT WITH THAT SYSTEM, BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE A BIG COOL DOWN TO END THE WEEKEND, 22 FOR THE HIGH ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE.

SOME BIG NEWS OUT OF THE WORLD OF HOCKEY.

>> Charlie: YES, NORTHERN LAKES JUST WENT TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT IN CLASS A.

THEIR HEAD COACH MIKE RANDOLPH SAYING THAT HE IS RESIGNING AS OF NOW FROM HOCKEY.

WE GOT MORE ON THAT AND COUPLE OF THE TEAMS THAT ARE HEADED TO THE GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT FOR BASKETBALL.

WE WILL >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

OFFERING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE IS SPONSORED BY LVI.

MORE INFO AT 218-444-3930 OR LVISUPPLY.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORT WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> MIKE RANDOLPH, HEAD COACH OF THE NORTHERN LAKES BOYS HOCKEY TEAM HAS RESIGNED AFTER JUST ONE SEASON AT THE HELM.

RANDOLPH BEGAN HIS YEAR WITH THE LIGHTNING BY WINNING HIS FIRST GAME AS BENCH BOSS AND BECOMING THE WINNINGEST HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY COACH IN STATE HISTORY WITH 708 WINS.

HE FINISHED BY TAKING THEM TO THEIR 2ND CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

PRIOR TO NORTHERN LAKES, THE LEGENDARY HEAD COACH IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS 32 YEARS SPENT AS SKIPPER AT DULUTH EAST, FOLLOWED BY A THREE YEAR STINT AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY.

WHEN ASKED IF HE WOULD BE RETIRING FROM COACHING, RANDOLPH TOLD LAKELAND NEWS, “THIS MIGHT BE THE END OF MY COACHING.

I'M GOING TO BE VERY SELECTIVE ON MY NEXT OPPORTUNITY.

THE MAIN REASON I STEPPED DOWN IS BECAUSE THE LOCATION IS NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY FOR ME, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE CLOSER TO HOME OR CLOSER TO MY APARTMENT IN EAGAN WHICH IS CLOSER TO MY DAUGHTERS AND OUR GRANDKIDS.” >>> WELL, IT'S BEEN AN HISTORIC SEASON FOR CROSBY-IRONTON GIRLS' BASKETBALL.

THE RANGERS ARE A PERFECT 30-0 AND HEADED BACK TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT AFTER WINNING THE SECTION 7-2A CHAMPIONSHIP LAST FRIDAY FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

THE HISTORY DOESN'T END THERE THOUGH.

C.I.

IS LED BY JUNIOR GUARD TORI OERHLEIN WHO BECAME THE FASTEST GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER IN THE STATE TO REACH 4,000 CAREER POINTS AND IS ON PACE TO BREAK THE ALL-TIME RECORD NEXT SEASON.

LAST YEAR, THE RANGERS MADE HISTORY BY GETTING THEIR FIRST EVER WIN AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT AND THIS TIME AROUND.

THEY'RE READY TO MAKE HISTORY ONCE MORE BY GETTING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

>> I BELIEVE WE ARE, I BELIEVE WE CAN GET THERE, IF WE JUST TRUST EACH OTHER, PLAY OUR STYLE OF BASKETBALL, I THINK WE WILL GET THERE.

THIS TEAM, WE KEEP MAKING HISTORY AND IT'S GREAT FOR US.

>> WE HAVE A NICE ASSET TO OUR TEAM AND WE'VE ALREADY BEEN THERE TWICE, SO WE DON'T JUST WANT TO GET FOURTH PLACE, WE WANT TO GET FARTHER.

>> Charlie: THEY WILL BE TAKING ON BARNESVILLE, THAT GAME AT 6:00 P.M. AND WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS AND HEAR FROM THEM AFTER THE GAME TOMORROW NIGHT.

>>> WELL, IT'S DEJA VU, AS THEY WON THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE 5A TITLE, PUNCHING THEIR TICKET TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

WHILE THE ROAD TO GET BACK WASN'T EASY, IT WAS CERTAINLY WORTH THE FIGHT AND THE OPPORTUNITY THAT COMES WITH IT.

>> WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY'S DREAM OF A RETURN TRIP TO THE CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT WAS IN PERIL.

>> IT'S A 12-0 RUN.

>> Reporter: AFTER TRAILING BY 14 POINTS, THEY HAD PULLED TO WITHIN 3.

>> IN THE CORNER, SHE IS OPEN, FOR THREE AND SHE BURIES IT AND WE'RE TIED.

>> Reporter: THE SHOT WOULD SEND THE GAME TO OVERTIME, WHERE THE TEAMS WOULD BE TIED WITH JUST UNDER 10 SECONDS TO PLAY.

THAT'S WHEN AUBREY MORRISON WOULD COME UP CLUTCH.

>> AND WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY REPEATS THEIR SECTION 5 CHAMPS.

>> I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD SCORE HONESTLY, IT'S NICE TO HAVE A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM.

THEY BELIEVE IN ME SO I CAN BELIEVE IN MYSELF.

SO I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT WITHOUT MY COACHES, MY TEAMMATES, EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: IT'S A MICROCOSM OF WHO THE WOLVES ARE.

>> THEY HANG IN THERE, AND MAYBE THEY'RE BETTER THAN US, BUT THEY PLAY HARD THE WHOLE GAME.

THAT'S A RESULT.

SUCCESS IS THERE.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THAT SUCCESS, THEY ARE HOPING THE EXPERIENCE FROM LAST YEAR'S TRIP WILL CARRY OVER WHEN THEY TRY TO WIN THEIR FIRST EVER GAME AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> IT WILL HELP OUR NERVES OUT FOR SURE.

WE KNOW THE DEAL AND WHAT TO EXPECT.

I THINK WE WILL BE READY THIS YEAR.

>> OBVIOUSLY IT'S VERY COOL PLAYING THERE AT WILLIAMS ARENA BUT NOW WE KNOW THE GYM AND WE ALL WANT IT.

>> Reporter: THE WOLVES WILL HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM.

WHA WAS GIVEN THE 8 SEED AND WILL PLAY TOP SEED IN REIGNING CHAMP IN THE QUARTER FINALS.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE, EVERYBODY'S GOAL IS TO WIN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A GOOD MATCH UP AND OF COURSE WE WILL BE RESTED, THEY WILL BE RESTED, SO WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT EVERYTHING WE GOT AND LET IT PLAY OUT.

>> Charlie: WELL, CLASSES 1, 2, AND 3A ALL PLAY TOMORROW.

THE CLASS A QUARTER FINALS DOESN'T START UNTIL THURSDAY.

WE WILL HAVE COVERAGE OF THAT FOR YOU AS WELL ON THURSDAY.

>>> THEN WE HAVE A COUPLE SCORES FOR YOU.

BENTLEY BEATS BEMIDJI STATE.

THEN IN THE OTTAWA CHARGE, THEY WIN 3-2.

IN THE NHL, MINNESOTA GET THE WIN OVER THE COLORADO AVALANCHE.

>> Dennis: VERY GOOD, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GATHERED FOR THE 35TH ANNUAL SERTOMA LIFTATHON LAST WEEK.

THE TWO-DAY EVENT GIVES KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SET NEW P.R.

'S, SPEND TIME WITH FELLOW CLASSMATES, AND HELP GIVE BACK TO THE BRAINERD LAKES COMMUNITY.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS' EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: OVER 80 BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FILLED THE WEIGHT ROOM FOR THE LIFT-A-THON, SOME OF WHICH TO HONOR A FAMILY TRADITION.

>> ALL MY SISTERS HAVE RUN IT SO IT'S A FAMILY TRADITION FOR ME TO DO IT AS WELL ONCE I GOT TO EIGHTH GRADE, SO I DID IT EVER SINCE AND NOW HERE I AM AS A SENIOR.

>> Reporter: SOME ARE LOOKING TO SET NEW PERSONAL RECORDS.

>> I KNEW SOME UPPERCLASSMEN THAT DID IT AND I LIFTED AFTER SCHOOL.

I DON'T DO MAXES, BUT I DO THE LIFT-A-THON TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MY P.R., ARE.

>> SOME OTHERS JUST WANT TO THROW SOME WEIGHT AROUND.

>> I HAD AN INTERESTED IN LIFTING.

I HAD BEEN POWER LIFTING FOR FOUR YEARS.

THIS IS MY ELEMENT.

I THINK I THRIVE IN IT.

>> Reporter: YOU MIGHT AS WELL GO FOR A SCHOOL RECORD IN THE PROCESS.

>> I HIT 555 BEFORE, SO I THOUGHT 575 WOULDN'T BE TOO BAD.

SO I BUMPED MY MUSIC, WALKED AROUND, CLEAR MY MIND, AND AS SOON AS I STEPPED UP, I SAY LET'S GO, WE GOT TO DO THIS.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> Reporter: AND WHILE LIFTING CAN BE INHERENTLY COMPETITIVE, THAT DOESN'T STOP THE BRAINERD FAITHFUL FROM CHEERING ON THEIR OWN.

>> IT'S JUST FUN TO THROW YOUR WEIGHT AROUND AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU HYPING YOU UP IS VERY FUN.

HEARING EVERYONE YELL AND CHEER.

>> ALL THE COACHES AND EVERYONE THAT HELPS OUT WANTS TO SEE YOU SUCCEED.

IT'S A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE.

>> Reporter: AND ONE CONSTANT FOR EVERY LIFT-A-THON IS ITS TRUE ESSENCE AS HALF A MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN RAISED, GOING TOWARDS CHARITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, SOMETHING THAT THE KIDS CAN ALWAYS GET BEHIND AND SUPPORT.

>> I HAVE BEEN PART OF VOLUNTEERING AND I KNOW A LOT OF THE LOCAL CHARITIES, AND IT'S BEEN GREAT TO GO TO THE LOCAL CHARITIES.

THEY DO A LOT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S GREAT TO HELP THEM IN A WAY.

>> YOU JUST HAVE TO WRITE DOWN SOME NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS AND THEY DO THE REST AND YOU HAVE FUN.

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

>> Dennis: AND IT WAS MAVERICK AND AUTUMN WHO EMERGED AS THE TOP MALE AND FEMALE LIFTERS FOR THAT LIFT-A-THON.

>>> NOW WE GO BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND LOWS NEAR 21.

SUNSHINE IS BACK TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES STARTING TO WARM UP, HIGHS NEAR 47 WITH WEST TO SOUTHWEST WINDS UP TO 10.

EVEN WARMER ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME CHANCES OF RAIN TURNING INTO SNOW LATE THIS WEEK.

>> Charlie: YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO GO THROUGH AND GET TO THE MARCH MADNESS TIME, YOU LOOK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL STATE TOURNAMENTS.

CLASS A, THAT'S A TOSS UP.

IT'S TOUGH TO PICK WHO WILL BE THE WINNER.

>> Dennis: DON'T PLAY A LOT OF COMMON OPPONENTS.

IT'S HARD TO GAUGE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

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

[♪♪♪]