>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING, MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN, FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> BARS AND RESTAURANTS ACROSS MINNESOTA WILL BE WELCOMING CUSTOMERS READY TO CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL WANTS TO REMIND PEOPLE TO KEEP THE FESTIVITIES FUN AND SAFE.

THE STATE PATROL WILL BE COORDINATING EXTRA D.W.I.

ENFORCEMENT ON MINNESOTA ROADS FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, 51 MINNESOTANS HAVE DIED IN TRAFFIC CRASHES, AND ALCOHOL WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN AT LEAST 7 OF THOSE DEATHS.

THE EXTRA UNITS ON MINNESOTA ROADS THIS WEEKEND AIM TO HELP SAVE LIVES, OFFICERS, DEPUTIES AND TROOPERS.

>> LAST YEAR DURING THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY HOLIDAY, THERE WERE 438 IMPAIRED DRIVING ARRESTS IN THAT RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THERE'S BEEN 10 FATAL CRASHES THAT HAVE OCCURRED ON THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY HOLIDAY.

WE WANT TO ELIMINATE THAT THIS YEAR.

MAKE A PLAN AHEAD OF TIME, STICK TO THAT PLAN, AND HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO GET HOME IF YOU ARE IMPAIRED.

A POCKET FULL OF FOUR LEAF CLOVERS ARE NOT YOUR GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD.

A BUSHEL OF FOUR LEAF CLOVERS WILL NOT KEEP YOU OUT OF THE MORGUE IF YOU ARE INVOLVE IN A CRASH.

>> DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE, OFFICERS CAME FORWARD WITH THEIR STORIES OF DEALING WITH IMPAIRED DRIVERS WITH ONE SHARING HIS EXPERIENCE AFTER BEING HIT BY A PICK-UP-TRUCK AT 60-MILES-AN-HOUR, DRIVEN BY SOMEONE THREE-TIMES OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT.

>> THE FIRST MONTH AFTER THE CRASH, I HAD TO SPEND THE MONTH IN A DARKROOM BECAUSE LIGHT AND NOISE WAS TOO PAINFUL FOR MY HEAD.

I WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK AFTER FOUR MONTHS BUT I STILL HAVE THE EFFECTS FROM THE BRAIN INJURY I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AS A RESULT OF THAT CRASH.

>> IN MINNESOTA, THERE WERE JUST UNDER 27,000 D.W.I ARRESTS MADE WITHIN THE STATE, AS WELL AS 478 FATAL CRASHES, AT LEAST 124 WERE ALCOHOL RELATED.

>>> BRIDGES OF HOPE IS LOOKING TO PILOT YEAR-ROUND OPERATIONS AT THE BRIDGE ON 7TH OVERNIGHT SHELTER THIS YEAR.

THE DECISION COMES IN RESPONSE TO BRAINERD'S PROPOSED ORDINANCE AND BAXTER'S ORDINANCE, BOTH OF WHICH PROHIBIT UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AREAS.

ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED AS A WINTER SHELTER, BRIDGE ON 7TH IS NOW POISED TO EXPAND ITS SERVICES TO MEET EVOLVING COMMUNITY NEEDS.

AS WITH THE HOMELESSNESS RATE INCREASING 10 PERCENT FROM 2023 TO 2024 IN MINNESOTA, BRIDGES OF HOPE KNOWS THE VITAL ROLE ITS SHELTER PLAYS.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THE STATISTICS AT THE END OF EACH NIGHT, EACH WEEK, EACH MONTH, I CAN TELL YOU THAT 71 DIFFERENT PEOPLE STAYED AT OUR SHELTER IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.

WE HAVE THE CAPACITY FOR 30.

I THINK THE WORD HAS GOTTEN OUT AMONG THAT POPULATION THAT WE'RE A SAFE PLACE TO BE, NO STRINGS ATTACHED BESIDES COME IN AND BE A GOOD PERSON.

>> THE BRIDGE ON 7TH'S OVERNIGHT SHELTER'S CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT EXPIRES THIS MAY AND IS AWAITING APPROVAL FROM THE CITY BEFORE OFFICIALLY BECOMING YEAR-ROUND.

>>> MORE THAN 50 UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, ARE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR ALLEGED RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AS PART OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN TO END DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS HIS OFFICIALS SAY EXCLUDE WHITE AND ASIAN AMERICAN STUDENTS.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCED THE NEW INVESTIGATION JUST ONE MONTH AFTER ISSUING A MEMO WARNING SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, THEY COULD LOSE FEDERAL MONEY OVER, "RACE-BASED PREFERENCES" IN ADMISSIONS, SCHOLARSHIPS OR ANY ASPECT OF STUDENT LIFE.

MOST OF THE INQUIRIES FOCUS ON COLLEGE'S PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE PHD PROJECT, A NON-PROFIT THAT HELPS STUDENTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS GET DEGREES IN BUSINESS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONS SAYS THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR ALLEGEDLY OPERATING A PROGRAM THAT SEGREGATES STUDENTS ON THE BASIS OF RACE.

>>> A GROUP OF SENATE DEMOCRATS VOTED TO ADVANCE A REPUBLICAN BILL TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OPEN AND AVERT A POTENTIALLY COSTLY SHUTDOWN.

KARIN CAIFA IS IN WASHINGTON WITH THE LATEST.

>> THE BILL HAS PASSED.

>> Reporter: EXTENDING GOVERNMENT FUNDING THROUGH SEPTEMBER AND AVERTS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

PRESIDENT TRUMP PRAISING THE VOTE OF A POLITICAL FOE.

>> I HAVE GREAT RESPECT, BY THE WAY FOR WHAT SCHUMER DID TODAY.

HE WENT OUT AND SAID WE HAVE TO VOTE WITH THE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I HEARD.

>> Reporter: IT TAMPED DOWN ON THURSDAY WHEN CHUCK SCHUMER SAID HE WOULD VOTE IN FAVOR FOR A HOUSE REPUBLICAN BACKED BILL THAT EXTENDS GOVERNMENT FUNDING THROUGH SEPTEMBER.

>> A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN GIVES DONALD TRUMP, ELON MUSK, AND DOGE ALMOST COMPLETE POWER ON WHAT TO SHUT DOWN BECAUSE THEY CAN DECIDE WHAT IS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE.

>> Reporter: THAT DREW THE IRE OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO PUT A UNITED FRONT ON THE BILL.

>> WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE MIDST OF A HOSTILE ADMINISTRATION THAT IS TAKING A WRECKING BALL TO ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO PEOPLE'S LIVES.

PEOPLE WILL BE POORER, SICKER, AND HUNGRIER AND WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING TO STOP THAT.

>> Reporter: THOSE THAT VOTED NO SAID THEY NEED TO COUNTER DONALD TRUMP'S POLICIES AND PLANS.

>> IF WE STAND UP TO HIM AT THIS MOMENT, IT GIVES US A LOT OF LEVERAGE GOING FORWARD TO GET THE OBJECTIVES WE HAVE.

THE REPUBLICAN PLAN IS ABOUT FAMILIES LOSE AND BILLIONAIRES WIN.

>> Reporter: NINE SENATE DEMOCRATS VOTED WITH THE REPUBLICANS TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE BILL, DESPITE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS PUTTING PRESSURE ON THEIR SENATE COLLEAGUES.

>> IT WILL HURT EVERY DAY AMERICANS IN OUR OPINION.

AS DONALD TRUMP AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>>> THE MIDWEST AND SOUTH ARE BRACING FOR A RARE, SEVERE STORM THREAT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

ANTICIPATING A SIGNIFICANT TORNADO AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORM OUTBREAK, THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER INCREASED THE RISK FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

IT'S VERY RARE TO SEE A LEVEL FOUR OF FIVE RISK THREE DAYS IN ADVANCE, ESPECIALLY IN MARCH.

THE OUTLOOK IS REMINISCENT OF PREVIOUS DEADLY STORMS.

THE 2011 SUPER OUTBREAK CENTERED IN ALABAMA KILLED MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE.

THE 2020 EASTER SUNDAY OUTBREAK PRODUCED ROUGHLY 150 TORNADOES AND KILLED 35 PEOPLE.

THE THREAT BEGINS FRIDAY FROM MINNESOTA TO MISSISSIPPI, DAMAGING WINDS ARE THE GREATEST CONCERN TO THE NORTH.

TORNADOES ARE MORE LIKELY IN THE SOUTH.

ON SATURDAY, THE THREAT STRETCHES FROM PENNSYLVANIA TO THE GULF COAST, WITH THE GREATEST TORNADO THREAT STRETCHING FROM LOUISIANA TO GEORGIA.

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

>> Elissa: A MESSY WINTER STORM WILL EFFECT MUCH OF THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, WITH A NUMBER OF ADVISORIES AND WARNINGS OUT IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, A MINNESOTA CELTIC BAND HELD A SPECIAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE BEMIDJI YOUTH HOCKEY TEAM BOARDED A BUS YESTERDAY HEADED TO WAYZETA FOR THE 2025 DRIVE TO STATE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT.

THE PEE WEE B-1 AND BANTAM B-1 TEAMS WILL BE REPRESENTING BEMIDJI DURING THE TOURNAMENT.

THE TEAM DECIDED TO TAKE SOME PICTURES BY PAUL AND BABE BEFORE THEIR BIG SEND-OFF.

THE B-1 TEAM BEAT DULUTH-EAST EARLIER TODAY 5-1 AND ARE SET TO FACE PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE TOMORROW AT 6:30 P.M.

THE BEMIDJI BOYS FINISHED SECOND IN THE BANTAM-B WEST BRACKET IN LAST YEARS STATE TOURNAMENT.

>>> WELL STACY, THEY COULDN'T HAVE CHOSEN A BETTER TIME TO DRIVE DOWN TO THAT AREA.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THEY WANT TO DO THAT TONIGHT.

>> Stacy: TONIGHT MIGHT NOT BE TOO BAD, IN THE MORNING WE'RE GOING TO SEE HEAVY MIXED PRECIPITATION MOVING INTO THE AREA, CHANGING TO SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON, BUT WE WILL ALSO SEE STRONG WINDS.

IT'S A MESSY WINTER STORM MOVING INTO THE AREA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS ON THAT AND THE WARNINGS >> 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.

MOOUGS [♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING WINDS PICK UP TODAY, BUT OVERALL IT WAS QUIET.

WE HAD A FEW SHOWERS EARLIER TODAY, BUT SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ALONG WITH FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, MIXED PRECIPITATION TOMORROW MORNING, CHANGING TO SNOW.

A MESSY WINTER STORM MOVING INTO THE AREA, THAT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR MOST OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE'LL HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT THAT IN A SECOND.

THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, IT'S 48 AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI, AND IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND 56, 61 IS THE HUMIDITY WITH NORTHEAST WINDS AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW THIS MESSY WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL BE MOVING IN TONIGHT AND A NUMBER OF WARNINGS, ADVISORIES AND WATCHES ARE OUT FOR THE STATE.

THE ONES THAT CONCERN US ARE THE BLIZZARD WARNINGS, THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY, IN EFFECT FROM 4:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY.

WE WILL SEE THE PRECIPITATION BEGINNING TONIGHT, MAINLY WITH RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, SLEET, AND THUNDERSTORMS, AND MIXED PRECIPITATION, SNOW IN THE MIX TOMORROW MORNING, CHANGING TO ALL SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON.

WE'LL ALSO SEE VERY STRONG WINDS DEVELOPING, COULD BE SEEING GUSTS FROM ABOUT 45 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR, THAT WILL CREATE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT ALSO REDUCE VISIBILITY IN AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW FOR THE REST OF THE AREAS, FREEZING RAIN TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING COULD RULE IN A TRACE TO 0.1-INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATION FOR NORTH-CENTRAL TO WESTERN MINNESOTA AND SNOW ACCUMULATION IS HARDER TO PIN DOWN.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A GENERAL 1 TO 6 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION, BUT A BAND OF HEAVIER SNOWFALL COULD SET UP THROUGH THE CENTER OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A FOOT OF SNOW IN SOME LOCALIZED AREAS.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME RAINFALL ALREADY TODAY, MOST OF THIS PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN TO MOVE IN AND WE CAN SEE IT JUST ENTERING CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

FOR MOST OF US, IT WILL BE ENTERING AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, AND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, SLEET, AND THUNDERSTORMS, BUT AGAIN MIXED PRECIPITATION, HEAVY MIXED PRECIPITATION TOMORROW MORNING, BECOMING SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON.

A QUICK LOOK AT OUR PICTURES FROM OUR EAGLE EYES TONIGHT WITH THE BLOOD MOON FROM COURTNEY.

GORGEOUS CLOUDS FROM NATALIA, AND SAMROSE WITH A PICTURE FROM LOWER RED LAKE.

THE EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE REPORTING 44 THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE IS REPORTING 69 FOR THE HIGH.

ARLENE AT 65, AND ANGELA AT 61.

ON THE ALMANAC, BRAINERD BREAKING A RECORD HIGH AT 69.

AND BEMIDJI SETTING A NEW RECORD AT 62, 39 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST.

WE START WITH THE MIXED PRECIPITATION IN THE MORNING.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, THIS WILL BECOME ALL SNOW, STRONG WINDS AS THE SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, 20s TO NEAR 40 FOR OUR HIGHS, BUT EXPECT THE TEMPS TO FALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND SIMILAR STORY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITH 30s TO LOW 40s.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, SLEET, AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH LOWS NEAR 25 AND THE WIND PICKING UP AND THE MIXED PRECIPITATION AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING, BECOMING ALL SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NORTHWEST WINDS, 15 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR.

THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEKEND, QUIETER, WE HAVE SOME CHANCES OF LIGHT SNOW AS WE HEAD THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK, HIGHS MAINLY IN THE 30s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER WITH US AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE A ONCE IN A LIFETIME MATCH UP FOR THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> Charlie: YOU WOULD THINK BUT THERE ARE THREE, 4,000 POINT PLAYERS.

WHOEVER WINS WILL BE PLAYING THE 4,000 POINT PLAYER.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE FROM ACROSS THE AREA COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

THE ALL FIBEROPTIC NETWORK THAT HAS TRANSFORMED HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>>> IN FOCUS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> ONLY FOUR PLAYERS IN THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA GIRLS' BASKETBALL HAVE SCORED OVER 4,000 CAREER POINTS, THREE OF THEM ARE PLAYING IN THIS YEAR'S CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT AND TWO OF THEM ARE FACING OFF TONIGHT.

JUNIOR TORI OEHRLEIN WAS THE FASTEST TO SCORE 4,000 POINTS IN THE STATE AND HAS LED CROSBY-IRONTON BACK TO THE TOURNEY FOR THE 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR AND SECOND STRAIGHT SEMIFINAL APPEARANCE.

THEIR OPPONENT, MINNEHAHA IS LED BY THE OTHER 4K SCORER, SENIOR ADDIE MACK.

THE 2-SEED RANGERS PUTTING THEIR PERFECT 31-0 RECORD ON THE LINE AGAINST THE 3-SEED RED HAWKS.

C.I.

WON THEIR REGULAR SEASON MATCHUP BY 20 BUT MINNEHAHA WAS WITHOUT MACK IN THAT GAME.

CROSBY-IRONTON OUT EARLY, AND HE CAN'T HIT FROM THERE, OH MY.

LATER, TORI IS MAKING HER MARK ON THE GAME.

NOW NINE STRAIGHT POINTS, THE RANGERS FINISH WITH 27.

NEARING THE END OF THE HALF, KEEPING MINNEHAHA IN THE GAME, BUT THEY TRAIL 40-24 AT THE BREAK.

THEN IN THE SECOND HALF, HAWKS ARE TRYING TO SUBDUE TORI AND SHE LACES IT AND EXTENDS THE LEAD TO 20.

CROSBY-IRONTON GO ON TO WIN 85-72.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LADY RANGER HISTORY, THEY WILL BE PLAYING FOR THE STATE TITLE AGAINST REIGNING STATE CHAMP PROVIDENCE ACADEMY, WHO ALSO HAVE A 4,000 POINT SCORER.

THAT GAME IS TIPPING OFF AT 6:00 P.M. >>> IN THE GIRLS BASKETBALL CONSOLATION FINAL, WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY BEATS CROMWELL WRIGHT AND MOVES ON TO THE FINAL TOMORROW.

>>> FOR THE LAST 3-YEARS IN A ROW, PEQUOT LAKES AND ESKO BOYS' BASKETBALL HAVE MET IN THE SECTION 7-2A TITLE GAME AND EACH TIME THE PATRIOTS HAVE COME OUT ON TOP.

BACK IN FEBRUARY, THE PATS DROPPED A 58-50 THRILLER TO ESKO BUT THEY ALSO DID THE SAME THING MID-SEASON LAST YEAR, ONLY TO WIN WHEN IT MATTERED MOST.

2-SEED PEQUOT LAKES TRYING TO REPLICATE LAST YEAR'S SCRIPT AND ONCE AGAIN PLAY SPOILER TO TOP SEEDED ESKO IN THE 7-2A CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROMANO GYM AT UMD.

UP 31-27 AFTER THE FIRST HALF.

NOW THEY GET A 6 POINT LEAD AND JACKSON TAKES HIS TURN FROM BEHIND THE ARK, NAILS IT.

NOW PEQUOT'S HUNTER JACOBSON ANSWERS WITH A THREE OF HIS OWN TO PUT THE PATRIOTS IN FRONT.

LATER, NATHAN KEEPS THE FIRE GOING, USING HIS HEIGHT TO HIS ADVANTAGE.

THEY TAKE A 10-POINT LEAD, KEEPING ESKO AT ARM'S LENGTH AND THEY WIN THEIR FOURTH STRAIGHT CONSECUTIVE 7-2A CHAMPIONSHIP AND IT'S OVER.

IT'S ALMOST BY THE REVERSE SCORE OF WHAT THEY PLAYED EARLIER.

THEY WILL START THE 7-2A BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP ON TUESDAY AND IF THEY WIN, THEY WILL TAKE A DAY OFF AND THEN THEY WILL PLAY AGAIN THURSDAY OR FRIDAY, JUST DEPENDING ON HOW THINGS GO.

>>> OVER IN SECTION 5A BOYS BASKETBALL, THE TOP TWO SEED MEETING IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

TIGERS ARE TRYING TO WIN THEIR FIFTH TITLE IN AS MANY YEARS.

TIGERS ARE DOWN TO 2.

ALEX FLUSHES IT HOME, BIG DOG HAD 27 ON THE NIGHT, KNOTTING THINGS AT 4.

DEVIN OFF THE WINDOW, MAKING IT 33-12.

NOW CLEANING THE GLASS, HE ADDED 20 FOR THE TIGERS.

THEY HOIST THE SECTION 5-A TROPHY FOR THE FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR.

NEVIS MOVES ON TO THE CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT, THANKS TO THE LESTER BESTLER SHOW.

THE QUARTER FINALS GAME WILL BE THURSDAY.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU, BEMIDJI STATE GETS SWEPT AFTER SWEEPING YESTERDAY.

THEN IN BASEBALL, WAYNE STATE FINISHES A FOUR GAME SWEEP OF BEMIDJI STATE.

IN THE NBA, THE TIMBERWOLVES GET A WIN OVER THE ORLANDO MAGIC BY 7.

>>> BSU MEN'S HOCKEY IS BACK IN THE MASON CUP SEMIFINALS FOR THE 2ND STRAIGHT SEASON AFTER UPSETTING 2-SEED AUGUSTANA IN THE QUARTERFINAL ROUND.

THE BEAVERS HAD THEIR BACKS AGAINST THE WALL AFTER LOSING TO AUGUSTANA ON FRIDAY BUT AS DUG THEMSELVES OUT OF THE HOLE BY WINNING SATURDAY AND SUNDAY TO TAKE THE SERIES.

>> IT FEELS AMAZING.

LIKE YOU SAID, WE'VE BEEN UP AND DOWN THIS PAST WEEKEND.

WE WERE ALSO UP AND DOWN TO BE HONEST BUT WE FOUND A WAY TO GET IT DONE GOING INTO THIS WEEKEND, WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A HUGE CHALLENGE.

AUGUSTANA IS A GREAT TEAM.

FOR US TO GET IT DONE, GIVES US A LOT OF CONFIDENCE FOR SURE, GOING INTO NEXT WEEKEND AND THE WEEKEND AFTER.

>> BEMIDJI STATE WILL NOW FACE TOP SEED MINNESOTA STATE IN THE SEMIS.

THE BEAVS ARE 1-2-1 AGAINST THE 15TH RANKED MAVERICKS THIS SEASON AND HAVE ONLY MANAGED TO SCORE ONE GOAL IN EACH OF THE FOUR GAMES AGAINST THEIR RIVALS FROM THE SOUTH, BUT THE 3-GAME SERIES NOW CHANGE TO SINGLE-ELIMINATION GAMES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE POST-SEASON, WHICH COULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU'RE TRYING TO PLAY SPOILER.

>> HEY, WHO IS KIDDING.

THE TWO OUT OF THREES ARE DIFFERENT THAN ELIMINATION GAMES, NO QUESTION.

THERE IS NO TOMORROW IN ELIMINATION GAMES.

EVERY GAME HAS A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY I WANT THIS OR THAT, WE'LL JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THESE GAMES, THEY TYPICALLY TAKE ON A LIFE OF THEIR OWN.

WE DON'T CREATE THAT LIFE AND WE HAVE TO ADAPT TO THAT LIFE.

THAT'S WHERE I'M GETTING AT.

ARE WE GOING TO BE PITCHING OR CATCHING FOR A WHILE?

I DON'T KNOW.

YOU JUST HAVE TO STICK WITH IT BECAUSE THERE ARE GOING TO BE SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL BUT THERE ARE MORE THINGS YOU CAN'T CONTROL AND TRY TO CONTROL THE THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL.

>> Charlie: AND BEMIDJI STATE IS PLAYING NUMBER ONE MINNESOTA STATE, THAT GAME TOMORROW AT 7:00 P.M. NOW INTERESTING THING ABOUT THAT, BEMIDJI STATE, EXCUSE ME, THE GAME BEFORE IS ST. THOMAS AND BOWLING GREEN, IF THEY WERE TO HAPPEN TO BEAT, IF ST. THOMAS WINS, THE WINNER OF THIS GAME WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE NCAA TOURNAMENT BECAUSE ST. THOMAS IS IN THEIR PROBATIONARY PERIOD.

>> Matthew: WELL, GOOD LUCK TO BEMIDJI STATE THEN.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> WHILE SOME MAY BE CELEBRATING SAINT PATRICK'S DAY THIS WEEKEND AND THROUGH MONDAY, SOME BEMIDJI RESIDENTS HAVE ALREADY STARTED THE FESTIVITIES.

A KELTIC WOMEN'S BAND NAMED KAY-LEE PUT ON A SPECIAL "LUCK OF THE IRISH CONCERT” TO START THEIR SAINT PATRICK'S DAY WEEKEND EARLY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

>> DRUMS, VIOLINS, GUITARS, A HARP AND CORDIAN?

THIS THREE WOMEN BAND HAS TO TAKE THREE SEPARATE CARS TO GET TO THEIR GIG.

>> WE WERE ALL MUSIC TEACHERS AT ONE TIME.

WE MET AT THE MINNESOTA MUSIC ASSOCIATION.

WE HAD NOTHING TO DO AND NO MONEY, SO WE WENT TO A CHEAP PLACE TO EAT AND WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT MUSIC WE LIKED.

>> Reporter: AND THAT ONE CONVERSATION TURNED INTO THE FORMING OF KAY-LEE.

>> WE STARTED OUT WITH CELTIC MUSIC AND THEN WE CHANGED OVER TO -- BECAUSE WE ACQUIRED SO MANY INSTRUMENTS, WE CHANGED TO WORLD MUSIC, SO NOW WE WILL DO SWEDISH, WE'LL DO ITALIAN, WE'LL DO FINISHED SONGS.

>> Reporter: THE BAND HAD BEEN PLAYING TOGETHER FOR 30 YEARS NOW AND BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THEY WILL BE GOING ON TOUR, HOPING TO PLAY 29 SHOWS WITHIN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

>> TO BE ABLE TO BRING THOSE STORIES TO SO MANY PEOPLE FOR 29 CONCERTS, I THINK IT'S PRETTY AWESOME.

SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE INTERESTING, INTERESTING LIFE STORIES AND SO WE'RE EXCITED TO MEET PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THE MUSIC OF DIFFERENT ETHNICITY.

>> THEIR MOST RESENT CONCERT WAS HELD AS A CONCERT AT THE CENTER, AND IT WAS THE LUCK OF THE IRISH THEME, BUT LAUGHING AND JOKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE PERFORMANCE, THE THREE WOMEN BAND TREATS EVERY PIECE LIKE IT'S MORE THAN JUST A SONG.

>> PERFORMING, I THINK THE BEST PART IS JUST PLAYING MUSIC TOGETHER AND BEING ABLE TO GET TOGETHER AND JUST SHARE EACH OTHER'S LIVES.

>> AND TO HAVE THE COMMUNITY FEEL GOOD AND FEEL TOGETHER AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW, FEELING CLOSE AND FEELING NEEDED, AN FEELING COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Matthew: WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA TIME SO WE WILL HEAD TO STACY FOR MORE UPDATES ON THE STORM.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE THE MESSY WINTER STORM MOVING IN TONIGHT.

WE WILL START WITH THE FREEZING RAIN TONIGHT, MIXED PRECIPITATION TOMORROW MORNING, BECOMING ALL SNOW AND STRONG WINDS CREATING BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

BE SAFE OUT THERE THIS WEEKEND, GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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