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>> 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.

>>> THE BLACKDUCK CITY COUNCIL HEARD COMMENTS FROM RESIDENTS DURING A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER THIS WEEK, REGARDING THE POSSIBLE DISBANDMENT OF THE CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, ATTENDED THE HEARING AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF BLACKDUCK IS EXPERIENCING CHALLENGES IN RECRUITING PERSONNEL FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE CITY IS CONSIDERING ELIMINATING THE DEPARTMENT AND CONTRACTING WITH THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES.

ONE RESIDENT EXPRESSED CONCERNS DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF A SHERIFF DEPUTY, GIVEN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN BLACKDUCK AND BEMIDJI, WHERE THE BELTRAMI SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS LOCATED.

>> IT'S A BIG CONCERN TO NOT HAVE OFFICERS AND HOW LONG IT TAKES.

WE HAVE SEEN HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR AN OFFICER TO COME TO TOWN.

I AM DEFINITELY AGAINST NOT HAVING AN OFFICER.

>> Reporter: JASON RIGS CLAIMS THEIR DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE THE SAME AMOUNT OF SERVICE THAT THE CITY IS RECEIVING ALREADY FROM THE BLACKDUCK POLICE DEPARTMENT IF THEY DECIDE TO CONTRACT WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> WHEN THE OFFICER IS NOT WORKING, IT'S COVERED BY OUR NORTH END.

IF THEY'RE NOT WORKING, YOU'RE GETTING SERVICE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FROM THE SOUTH END.

WE DO NOT, NOT CONTROL BLACKDUCK, IT TAILORS TO WHERE THE CALLS FOR SERVICE ARE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS BLACKDUCK HAS A HARD TIME RETAINING OFFICERS DUE TO A LOWER PAY SCALE.

>> AVERAGE $22 AN HOUR VERSUS BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WHICH IS $37 AN HOUR.

THAT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT THE CITY CAN AFFORD TO PAY THEM.

IF THEY DO FIND SOMEBODY, IT'S TYPICALLY SOMEBODY THAT WILL MOVE ON WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF BLACKDUCK IS ASKING FOR AT LEAST 40 HOURS PER WEEK OF ONE OFFICER IN THE CITY AND A MINIMUM OF 8 HOURS A WEEK IN THE BLACKDUCK SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOMEONE THAT WILL BE UP HERE AND THAT WILL BE THE BLACKDUCK DEPUTY, RIGHT?

I CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING MORE ALONG THE LINES OF WE HAVE TO WORK IT OUT AND SOMEONE COMES HERE AND WORKS FOR A QUARTER AND WE CYCLE IT OUT EVERY QUARTER OR SIX MONTHS OR YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE BLACKDUCK CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT TAKE ACTION ON THIS DECISION UNTIL THE JUNE 8, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

REPORTING IN BLACKDUCK, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> IF THE CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO CONTRACT WITH THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, SERVICES MAY BEGIN AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER 2026 AND AS LATE AS JANUARY 2027.

>>> LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE WILL INTERVIEW THREE FINALISTS IN SEARCH OF THE COLLEGE'S NEXT PRESIDENT.

THE INTERVIEWS ARE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE MARCH 30TH THROUGH APRIL 1ST.

DOCTOR LANE AZURE WILL INTERVIEW ON MARCH 30TH WITH A PUBLIC FORUM SET FOR 1:30 P.M.

AZURE HAS SERVED IN LEADERSHIP ROLES ACROSS BOTH K-12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION WITH MUCH OF HIS CAREER CONNECTED TO TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

DOCTOR MARGARET ROSS WILL INTERVIEW ON MARCH 31ST WITH A PUBLIC FORUM AT 1:30 P.M.

ROSS CURRENTLY SERVES AS INTERIM PRESIDENT AT SINTE GLESKA UNIVERSITY ON THE ROSEBUD SIOUX RESERVATION, WHERE SHE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS DEAN OF STUDENTS.

AND DOCTOR BEATRICE BRIDGLALL WILL INTERVIEW ON APRIL 1ST WITH A FORUM SET FOR 1:30 P.M.

BRIGDLALL CURRENTLY SERVES IN A LEADERSHIP CAPACITY AT ILISAGVIK COLLEGE, IN ALASKA AS INTERIM DEAN, AND ASSOCIATE DEAN OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.

LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE OFFICIALS HOPE TO NAME A NEW PRESIDENT ON APRIL 15TH WITH THE NEW PRESIDENT SLATED TO START OF JULY 1ST.

>>> THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZED BID PACKAGE NUMBER ONE FOR THE INITIAL SOIL CLEAN-UP AND REMEDIATION OF THE BEMIDJI RAIL CORRIDOR BACK IN FEBRUARY OF 2025, AND AT THEIR MEETING ON MONDAY THEY LOOKED AT APPROVING BID PACKAGE NUMBER TWO FOR THE REMAINING CITY WORK IN THE CORRIDOR.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS IN ATTENDANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY THE NEXT STEP IN THE CORRIDOR PROJECT WILL BE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNCIL NEEDED TO VOTE ON APPROVING THE PROPOSAL TO START OFFICIALLY DESIGNING WHAT THE NEW AREA WILL LOOK LIKE AND ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR WORK ON THE SANITARY SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT.

THEY WERE CHOSEN AS THE CONSULTING ENGINEER FIRM TO DESIGN THIS PORTION OF THE CORRIDOR, WHICH MUST BE FINISHED BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE YMCA AND THE EVENT CENTER.

>> THE PLAN IS WHERE WE CROSS MINNESOTA AVENUE, THERE IS AN OLD SECTION OF CAST IRON PIPE THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE DEED REDEVELOPMENT GRANT.

SO THOSE DOLLARS CAN BE SPENT ON THAT.

SO WE WILL TRY TO ACCOMPLISH REPLACING THAT WHILE WE'RE ALREADY RIPPING UP THE ROADS.

WE'RE GOING TO RECROSS WITH THE SANITARY SEWER, SO WE'RE GOING TO TRIAGE AND FOCUS ON THAT.

>> Reporter: THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE BID PACKAGE NUMBER 2, WHICH INCLUDES REPLACING APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET OF EXISTING SANITARY SEWER LINE.

THE WHOLE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST AROUND $1 MILLION, WITH FUNDS COMING FROM LEFTOVER FUNDS FROM A DEED GRANT FROM PHASE ONE OF THE RECONSTRUCTION, AND UTILITY AND SANITARY SEWER FUNDS FROM BEMIDJI'S 2026 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

>> IT DOES NOT ONLY NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE AGE BUT THE SIZE IS UNDERSIZED.

THIS HAS BEEN BENEFITTING ALL OF BEMIDJI, AND EVERYTHING COMES THROUGH THIS.

SO EVERYTHING EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI COMES FROM THE EAST, IS PRETTY MUCH TAKING EVERYTHING WEST FROM THE MISSISSIPPI.

SO, THIS WILL BE A BIG LINE, IT'S 21 INCHES NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT 24 INCHES, WHICH IS A BIG REALM WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SANITARY SEWER.

>> Reporter: THE DESIGNING PHASE WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS WITH THE CITY NOT BEGINNING THE PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT UNTIL JULY.

REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> CITY OFFICIALS STATED THAT THE COMPLETION DATE FOR THIS PHASE OF THE PROJECT IS SET FOR SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER.

>>> OIL PRICES ARE SPIKING ONCE AGAIN, AFTER NEWS OF ATTACKS ON IRANIAN ENERGY FACILITIES.

THE COUNTRY'S NEWS AGENCIES REPORT U.S.

ISRAELI STRIKES HIT KEY OIL AND NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT'S BEHIND BRENT CRUDE TOPPING $109 A BARREL WEDNESDAY MORNING.

AAA REPORTS A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS AVERAGED 3.84, HOURS BEFORE NEWS OF THE STRIKES.

IT'S THE HIGHEST COST SINCE SEPTEMBER 2023.

THE U.S.

IS EXPERIENCING ONE OF THE FASTEST GAS PRICE INCREASES ON RECORD, ON PAR WITH AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA HIT.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT'S TEMPORARILY LIFTING CERTAIN OIL AND GAS SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS TO HELP WITH PRICES.

ACCORDING TO AAA THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF GAS IN MINNESOTA TODAY WAS $3.43.

>>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S PICK TO HEAD THE EMBATTLED DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FACED SCATHING QUESTIONS FROM SENATORS TODAY DURING HIS FIRST CONFIRMATION HEARING, WITH IMMIGRATION AGENTS' ACTIONS, GLOBAL THREATS AND A PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

BRIAN ABEL BRINGS US THE HIGHLIGHTS OF SENATOR MARK WAYNE MULLIN'S DAY ON CAPITOL HILL.

>> DO YOU THINK FIGHTING AS A RESOLUTION FOR POLITICAL DIFFERENCES IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN FOR ISAIAS -- I.C.E.

AND BORDER PATROL.

>> Reporter: LEADING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, A TENSE START AS SENATOR RAND PAUL QUESTIONED HIM OVER HIS TEMPERAMENT.

>> EXPLAIN TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WHY THEY SHOULD TRUST A MAN WITH ANGER ISSUES TO SET THE PROPER EXAMPLE FOR I.C.E.

AND BORDER PATROL AGENTS.

>> LET ME EARN THE RESPECT, LET ME EARN THE JOB.

I WON'T FAIL YOU AND I WON'T BACK DOWN FROM A CHALLENGE.

I ALSO WILL ADMIN WHEN I'M WRONG.

>> Reporter: IT COMES AFTER THE OUSTER OF KRISTI NOEM.

A SHUTDOWN OVER THE AGENCY'S IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, DEMANDING REFORMS AFTER THE KILLING OF RENEE GOOD AND ALEX PRETTI BY FEDERAL AGENTS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> SECRETARY NOEM HAS BROKEN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S TRUST IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

IF CONFIRMED TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT, HOW WILL YOU BE DIFFERENT FROM SECRETARY NOEM.

>> MY MANAGEMENT STYLE IS EMPOWERING PEOPLE.

AS I SAID IN MY OPENING STATEMENT, I WANT TO PROTECT HOMELAND, AND BRING PEACE AND CONFIDENCE IN THE CITY.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M BRIAN ABEL REPORTING.

>> REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE CHAIR SEN.

RAND PAUL OF KENTUCK SAID AFTER THE HEARING THAT HE DOES NOT PLAN TO SUPPORT MULLINS NOMINATION TO LEAD D.H.S, BUT HE SAID HE BELIEVES HE WILL BE THE ONLY REPUBLICAN TO VOTE AGAINST MULLIN'S CONFIRMATION.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: SOME OF US COULD SEE MIXED PRECIPITATION OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND AREAS OF FOG WILL BE PRESENT ACROSS LAKELAND COUNTRY.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE MILD TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP LATER ON IN THIS WEEK'S HEALTH MINUTE, WE'RE GOING TO LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> FRAUD AND SCAMS ARE SPECIFICALLY TARGETING OLDER ADULTS THESE DAYS AND BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO DETECT DUE TO THE ADVENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE GROUP MINNESOTA AGING PATHWAYS WILL OFFER HELP FOR BEMIDJI AREA SENIORS NEXT WEEK.

THE GROUP IS HOSTING A PRESENTATION ON FRAUD PREVENTION AND SCAMS FROM 1:00 TO 2:00 P.M.

ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25TH, AT THE BEMIDJI SENIOR CENTER, 216 THIRD ST.

NW.

THE PRESENTATION WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON FRAUD PREVENTION, AS WELL AS HOW TO DETECT AND REPORT FRAUD AND SCAMS.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THE WARM UP YOU PROMISED.

>> Stacy: YES, A BIG DIFFERENCE FROM YESTERDAY.

WE DO HAVE WARMER TEMPERATURES, SOME HIGHS IN THE 50s IN PARTS OF THE AREA TODAY.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MILD WEATHER, 40s AND 50s AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, BUT OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, THERE IS THE POET [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: MANY OF US WOKE UP TO FRESH SNOW THIS MORNING, BUT THAT DIDN'T LAST VERY LONG AS TEMPERATURES CLIMBED INTO THE 40s AND 50s.

OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR MIXED PRECIPITATION IN PARTS OF THE AREA AND TOMORROW, SOME FOG MAY LINGER IN THE MORNING, BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING A RETURN TO SOME MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE WITH MILD TEMPERATURES CONTINUING THROUGH MOST OF THE WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 36 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE NORTH AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, 36 IS OUR DEW POINT, HUMIDITY IS AT 100%.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY, 41, WITH A DEW POINT OF 32.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE SOUTHWEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME CLOUDS MOVING INTO THE AREA AND A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT PRECIPITATION STARTING TO MOVE ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL MAINLY IN EASTERN AND PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA OF SEEING SOME OF THE MIXED PRECIPITATION OVERNIGHT TONIGHT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME DRIZZLE, FREEZING DRIZZLE, POSSIBLY FREEZING RAIN, AND A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW.

AREA-WIDE, WE COULD SEE AREAS OF FOG AND FREEZING FOG THAT COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WILL CLEAR OUT AND WE HAVE HIGHS IN THE 40s TOMORROW.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE OVER THE FRESH SNOW FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

A BEAUTIFUL CARDINAL IN PARK RAPIDS.

RALPH WITH THE DEER IN THE YARD IN JENKINS.

CHRISSY WITH BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKIES OVER DEERWOOD.

STEPHANIE REPORTING THAT THE TREES ARE STARTING TO BUD IN THE BRAINERD AREA.

SKIES WERE JUST GORGEOUS, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE AND SAMROSE OVER LOWER RED LAKE WITH THOSE PICTURES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 14 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 46.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, VARIABLE BREEZE.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE TODAY, HIGH OF 51.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR, OTHERWISE WE DID HAVE SOME FOG THIS MORNING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 47.

A QUICK LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC.

IN BRAINERD, WE TOPPED OUT AT 48.

WE'RE ABOVE AVERAGE FOR A CHANGE THIS WEEK.

15 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING, WE HAD SUNSET AT 7:28.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 50 TODAY, SO WE ARE MORE THAN 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

13 IS THE LOW AND 7:30 FOR THE SUNSET.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE START OUT WITH A LOT OF AREAS OF FOG THAT WILL LIFT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF A LITTLE BIT MORE PRECIPITATION FROM THE LAKE OF THE WOODS AREA, INTO NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

OTHER THAN THAT, IT LOOKS QUIET AND HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA, CLOSE TO 50 IN BEMIDJI.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE THE HIGHS IN THE MID-40s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, COULD SEE A MIXED PRECIPITATION IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, OTHERWISE AREAS OF FOG AND LOWS NEAR 28.

VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW, PATCHICALLY FOG IN THE MORNING, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME AFTERNOON RAIN IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA WITH HIGHS NEAR 45.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS WITH HIGHS NEAR 50 ON FRIDAY, SIMILAR TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY, BEFORE A COLD FRONT BEGINS TO MOVE THROUGH, BRINGING A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW.

THEN IT IS A LITTLE BIT COOLER LATE THIS WEEKEND, BUT BY MONDAY, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 40s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH SPORTS AND PEQUOT LAKES SHOULD BE A TEAM TO RECKON WITH AT THE STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.

>> Charlie: YES, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THAT FIRST QUARTER FINAL WIN IN THAT SPAN.

WE GET TO HEAR FROM THE TEAM COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, ALONG WITH A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE AREA.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> GOPHER HOCKEY IS NOW LOOKING FOR A PAIR OF HEAD COACHES.

TODAY, MEN'S HEAD COACH BOB MOTZKO AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AGREED TO MUTUALLY PART WAYS, THIS COMES JUST 24-HOURS AFTER ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MARK COYLE ANNOUNCED A LEADERSHIP CHANGE FOR THE WOMEN'S TEAM, ALLOWING 19-YEAR HEAD COACH BRAD FROST'S CONTRACT TO RUN OUT.

MOTZKO WAS THE GOPHERS BENCH BOSS FOR 8-YEARS, IN THAT TIME HE WAS A 3-TIME BIG TEN COACH OF THE YEAR WHILE LEADING THE TEAM TO 4 BIG TEN TITLES, TWO FROZEN FOUR APPEARANCES, AND A NATIONAL RUNNER-UP FINISH IN 2023.

BUT MINNESOTA IS COMING OFF ITS WORST SEASON IN OVER 50-YEARS, FINISHING WITH AN 11-22-3 RECORD, IT'S FEWEST VICTORIES SINCE AN 8-WIN SEASON IN 1971-72.

MOTZKO SAID NOW WAS THE RIGHT TIME FOR NEW LEADERSHIP AND THAT IT WAS A TREMENDOUS HONOR TO BE PART OF THIS INCREDIBLE UNIVERSITY.

COYLE SAID THEY WOULD IMMEDIATELY BEGIN A NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR THEIR NEXT HEAD COACH.

>>> WELL, THE TIMBERWOLVES WERE TRYING TO WIN THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT GAME WITHOUT EDWARDS.

JULIUS WITH THE STEAL, JAYDEN JAMS IT HOME.

HE HAD 17.

THE WOLVES ARE UP.

NOW THEY SAY THE JAZZ HAVE BEEN TANKING, RANDALL FINISHES, HE DROPS 21.

BY THE END OF THE QUARTER, THEY WERE PULLING AWAY, I CAN FEEL IT IN MY BONES.

HE IS FEELING IT TOO.

HE HAD 18 POINTS.

HE LED WITH 23 FOR THE WOLVES AS THEY ROUTE THE JAZZ, 147-111.

THAT'S LIKE AN ALL-STAR GAME SCORE THERE.

>>> WELL HE'S STAYING HOME.

BEMIDJI BOYS' BASKETBALL STANDOUT JAXON BOSCHEE ANNOUNCED HIS COMMITMENT TO PLAY AT BSU NEXT SEASON ON X. THE SENIOR GUARD FINISHED HIS CAREER AS THE ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER AT BHS AND IS THE FIRST LUMBERJACK TO ECLIPSE THE 2,000-POINT MARK.

HE JOINS FELLOW TEAMMATE AUSTIN RIEWER WHO COMMITTED TO THE BEAVERS BEFORE BASKETBALL SEASON, AND WILL NOW BE PLAYING FOR HIS FATHER MIKE, WHO IS BEMIDJI STATE'S HEAD COACH.

WE'LL FROM BOSCHEE TOMORROW ON HIS DECISION.

>>> PEQUOT LAKES BOYS BASKETBALL HAS STOOD AT THE TOP OF SECTION 7-2A OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

HOWEVER THE STATE TOURNAMENT HAS BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY, AS THE PATRIOTS ARE YET TO HAVE NOTCHED THEIR FIRST TRIP TO THE CLASS 2A STATE SEMIFINALS SINCE 2007.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON WHY PEQUOT LAKES, BELIEVES THIS YEAR IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

>> Reporter: ALBANY, MINNETONKA, THE FOUR TEAMS THAT ENDED PEQUOT LAKE'S STATE TOURNAMENT RUN THE PAST FOUR SEASONS, WHO ALSO SERVED AS MOTIVATION.

>> THIS YEAR I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENT.

I FEEL LIKE WE'RE REALLY WELL CONNECTED.

YOU JUST NEED TO KNOW WE'RE CAPABLE OF WINNING AT THAT LEVEL.

>> Reporter: LAST SEASON'S CONTEST AGAINST THE RUNNER UP MAY HAVE LEFT THE BIGGEST STING TO THE PATRIOTS.

PEQUOT HELD A LEAD WITH JUST OVER 3 MINUTES LEFT TO PLAY BEFORE A LATE SURGE FROM THE BLUE JAYS HALTED THE PATRIOTS' HOPES.

>> BIG MOMENTS LIKE THIS, ALL THAT IS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND IS THAT IF YOU FAIL HERE, YOU'RE NOT MOVING ON.

>> YOU CAN'T LET OFF THE GAS AT ANY POINT.

IT HAS TO BECOME GO, GO, GO.

>> YOU CAN'T GIVE THEM AN INCH TO BREATHE.

>> Reporter: THE PATRIOTS HAVE RESPONDED TO THAT ADVERSITY THIS YEAR, HOLDING A 28-1 RECORD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2006, COLLECTING WINS OVER THE LIKES OF REIGNING CLASS 2-A CHAMPS ALBANY.

>> I THINK OUR SKILL LEVEL IS INCREDIBLE.

THE OTHER THING, IF YOU'RE NOT CONNECTED OR GUYS DON'T WANT TO LEAD OR DO THE RIGHT THING AND THEY WANT TO PLAY BY THEMSELVES, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

IT WILL BE HARD TO WIN.

OUR TEAM IS INCREDIBLY CONNECTED AND ALLOWS US TO PLAY TOGETHER AT A HIGH-LEVEL.

>> Reporter: NOW WITH LESS THAN A WEEK STANDING BETWEEN THE PATRIOTS AND THE STATE TOURNAMENT, THE BOYS ARE DOING WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING ALL YEAR LONG, STAYING IN THE GYM AND STAYING READY FOR THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE THEMSELVES.

>> I AM REALLY EXCITED.

I MEAN THE WORK WE PUT IN DURING PRACTICE, I FEEL LIKE IT SHOWS EVERY GAME.

AS LONG AS WE STICK TO WHAT WE KNOW, WE'LL BE ALRIGHT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES, I'M MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Charlie: HERE YOU CAN SEE HOW THEY FINISHED EVERY YEAR, THE ONLY YEAR THEY WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THAT FIRST ROUND, THIRD PLACE FINISH.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST SEEDING THEY EVER HAD GOING INTO THE TOURNAMENT.

>> Dennis: THIS IS THE SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR?

>> Charlie: FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR.

THEY MADE IT EIGHT TIMES TOTAL AND THEY WILL TAKE ON BLAKE NEXT WEDNESDAY.

>> Dennis: I WISH THEM THE BEST.

THEY HAVE A TEAM THAT CAN DO SOME DAMAGE.

>> Charlie: THEY ARE HOPING SO.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

PROTEIN IS A CRITICAL PART OF A PERSON'S DIET, IT HELPS BUILD MUSCLES, REPAIR CELLS AND CREATE NEW ONES, BUT EXPERTS SAY MANY PEOPLE DON'T CONSUME IT THE WAY THEY SHOULD, IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS WHY YOU NEED PROTEIN AT EVERY MEAL, AND HAS SIMPLE WAYS TO WORK IT INTO YOUR DIET THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

>> Reporter: IT SHOULD BE ON EVERY PLATE, PROTEIN IS A CRITICAL BUILDING BLOCK FOR YOUR BODY, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE PART OF EVERY MEAL.

>> SPREADING OUT YOUR PROTEIN INTAKE LEADS TO THE BEST OUTCOME WHEN IT COMES TO MUSCLE BUILDING AND SUSTAINING MUSCLE, AND UTILIZING THAT PROTEIN.

>> Reporter: ZUMPANO WITH CLEVELAND CLINIC SAYS YOUR DATA PROTEIN QUOTA SHOULD NOT BE FILLED IN ONE SITTING BUT WORK IT INTO SNACKS AND MEALS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND THERE ARE SIMPLE WAYS TO DO THAT.

>> FIRST OF ALL, YOU WANT TO PLAN AHEAD.

SO THE KEY TO OPTIMIZING NUTRITIONIST PLANNING.

>> Reporter: THAT STARTS AT THE GROCERY STORE.

ZUMPANO SAYS THINK ABOUT QUICK AND EASY PROTEIN OPTIONS FOR EACH MEAL.

FOR BREAKFAST, THAT COULD BE GREEK YOGURT, COTTAGE CHEESE, EGGS, SAUSAGE BACON OR CANADIAN BACON.

>> IT CAN BE A MEAL REPLACEMENT.

>> Reporter: FOR LUNCH AND DINNER, CONSIDER CHICKEN, TURKEY, FISH, LEAN RED MEAT, LENTILS, DRIED BEANS, PEAS, NUTS, SEEDS.

>> I CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HAVING A LARGE VARIETY OF PROTEIN SOURCES IS REALLY KEY AND I CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HAVING THEM AVAILABLE TO YOU, READILY AVAILABLE SO YOU CAN EASILY MEET YOUR NEEDS.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: AND LET'S GET A CHECK ON YOUR WEATHER ONCE AGAIN WITH STACY.

>> WE COULD BE SEEING SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, AREAS OF FOG WITH LOWS NEAR 28.

THEN TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, SOME PATCHY FOG MAINLY IN THE MORNING, HIGHS WILL REACH 45.

>> Charlie: WE TALKED ABOUT HIM YESTERDAY, BUT ERIC WAS NAMED AS ONE OF 10 FINALISTS, THE AWARD GIVEN TO THE BEST COLLEGE HOCKEY PLAYER.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S ALL OUR TIME.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]