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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> 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.

>>> THE BECKER COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING AT THE HOME OF ENVIRONMENTALIST AND WRITER WINONA LADUKE.

LADUKE WHO RAN AS VICE PRESIDENT ON THE RALPH NADER GREEN PARTY TICKET IN 1996 AND 2000 WAS NOT HOME AT THE TIME.

SHE TOLD THE DETROIT LAKES TRIBUNE THAT THREE TEENAGE BOYS WERE INSIDE BUT WERE NOT INJURED.

THE SHOOTING WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 6:00 ON TUESDAY EVENING.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP IN IDENTIFYING A SUSPECT.

IF YOU WERE IN THIS AREA ON NOVEMBER 18TH, AT AROUND 6:00 P.M., AND NOTICED ANY SUSPICIOUS OR UNUSUAL ACTIVITY, PLEASE CONTACT THE BECKER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>>> A MINNEAPOLIS MAN WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY AFTER A FAMILY DISPUTE ENDED WITH HIM FIRING A GUN AT A MAN WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE.

CASS COUNTY SHERIFF BRYAN WELK SAYS OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A SHOOTING AROUND 11:15 A.M.

AT THE SHELL GAS STATION IN CASS LAKE.

WELK SAYS A FAMILY WAS TRAVELLING IN A PASSENGER VEHICLE FROM THE BEMIDJI AREA TO THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA WHEN A DISPUTE OCCURRED.

THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE GAS STATION, PASSENGERS EXITED THE VEHICLE AND A WEAPON WAS FIRED AT AN ADULT MALE PASSENGER.

A GAS PUMP AT THE BUSINESS WAS STRUCK BY WEAPON FIRE.

20-YEAR-OLD JOSE PINEDA JUNIOR WAS ARRESTED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE CASS COUNTY DETENTION CENTER.

CHARGES INCLUDING RECKLESS DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM, SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT, AND DOMESTIC ASSAULT ARE PENDING.

THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES REPORTED FROM THE DISPUTE.

>>> SOME YOUNG BOYS FROM LAKES COUNTRY HAVE A FISH STORY TO TELL, AND IT JUST MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.

A 14-YEAR-OLD, AND HIS YOUNGER BROTHER, FELL THROUGH THE ICE A LAKE NEAR PARK RAPIDS.

NEWS REPORTER MATT HENSON EXPLAINS WHY, EVEN THOUGH THEY MADE A BAD CHOICE, FIRST RESPONDERS CREDIT THEM FOR BEING READY TO SAVE THEIR OWN LIVES.

>> WE'RE RIGHT THERE, THAT LITTLE BUBBLE-TYPE AREA, THAT'S WHERE WE FELL THROUGH.

>> Reporter: 14-YEAR-OLD GABE POINTS TO THE AREA ON STRAIGHT LATE WHERE GABE AND HIS 13-YEAR-OLD BROTHER HAD TO BE RESCUED ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

>> JUST ITCHING TO FISH, JUST ITCHING TO GET OUT ON EARLY ICE.

>> Reporter: GABE SAID HE SURVEYED THE ICE BEFORE GOING OUT AND THE ICE APPEARED TO BE THIN.

THAT'S WHY THEY DID NOT WALK ON THE ICE, BUT USED THEIR OTTER SLED TO SLIDE ACROSS WITH AN ICE PICK.

IT TURNED OUT THE ICE WAS ONLY AN INCH THICK.

>> WE JUST PUSHED OURSELVES OUT THERE AND USED THAT TO MAKE OUR HOLES AND STUFF AND THEN AFTER THAT, IT KIND OF JUST -- THE WATER STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOLES.

THEN IT CAVED IN.

>> Reporter: A NEIGHBOR THAT WAS WATCHING THE BOYS NOTICE WHAT HAPPENED 100 YARDS FROM SHORE AND CALLED 9-1-1.

THIS IS DRONE VIDEO OF THE CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE RESCUE.

THE WATER AND ICE COMBO MADE IT DIFFICULT TO RESCUE THE BOYS.

IT TOOK ABOUT 25 MINUTES TO REACH THEM.

>> YOU COULD FEEL THE ICE VIBRATING AND STUFF AND I JUST KIND OF HAD THE IDEA IN MY MIND THAT WE COULD CAPSIZE, BUT I'M SO THANKFUL WE DIDN'T.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE BOYS MAY HAVE MADE A BAD CHOICE TO GO OUT ON THE THIN ICE, THEY ARE GIVEN CREDIT FOR MAKING A GOOD DECISION.

>> MY ONE SON HAD A LIFE JACKET ON AND ANOTHER HAD A SUIT WITH FLOTATION DEVICES BUILT INTO THE SUIT ITSELF, ICE FISHING SUIT.

>> Reporter: THE USE OF THE OTTER SLED WAS CRITICAL IN KEEPING THEM ABOVE WATER AND DRY UNTIL HELP ARRIVED.

>> I AM SO GLAD THAT I DIDN'T DRONE OR GET HYPOTHERMIA.

I COULD STILL BE IN THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW OR WHO KNOWS.

>> Reporter: GABE ADMITS SHARING HIS STORY IS EMBARRASSING BUT HIS MESSAGE COULD SAVE OTHERS FROM MAKING THE SAME CHOICE.

>> I WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO REALIZE THEY SHOULD JUST WAIT AND HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO BE OUT ON THE ICE THIS EARLY AND WHEN IT'S THIS THIN, JUST NOT A SMART IDEA.

I SHOULD HAVE REALIZED THAT YESTERDAY.

>> Reporter: A FISH TALE THESE BROTHERS WILL TELL FOR YEARS TO COME ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THIN ICE.

>> MOM AND DAD PLAN ON MAKING THE BOYS WRITE A REPORT, ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THIN ICE.

>>> ST.

CLOUD STATE HAS A NEW PRESIDENT.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HAS NAMED GREGORY TOMSO TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF ST.

CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE APPOINTMENT WILL BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 5, 2026.

MOST RECENTLY, DR.

TOMSO SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT AND STUDENT AFFAIRS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA BETWEEN 2021 AND 2025.

SCOTT OLSON, THE CHANCELLOR OF MINNESOTA STATE SAYS TOMSO HAS THE VISION, EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO LEAD ST.

CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY INTO A BRIGHT FUTURE.

TOMSO WILL SUCCEED DR.

LARRY DIETZ, WHO HAS SERVED AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF ST.

CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE JULY FIRST OF 2024.

>>> GIVE TO THE MAX DAY RETURNS FOR ITS 17TH YEAR TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 20TH, AN ANNUAL GIVING HOLIDAY IN MINNESOTA, WHERE PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD DONATE TO SUPPORT LOCAL NON-PROFITS.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, HAS MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE IMPACT GIVE TO THE MAX DAY HAS ON THE NORTHERN HALF OF MINNESOTA.

>> Reporter: WHAT WAS INITIALLY A ONE TIME CAMPAIGN BACK IN 2009 ENDED UP RAISING $14 MILLION IN JUST 24 HOURS.

BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS, IT BECAME A YEARLY MINNESOTA TRADITION AND ONE OF THE NATION'S FIRST ONLINE GIVING DAYS.

>> THIS YEAR'S THEME IS GIVING THAT GATHERS US.

IT'S A CELEBRATION OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE COME TOGETHER ACROSS GEOGRAPHIES AND ZIP CODESES AND ALL THE THINGS WE SUPPORT AS DIFFERENT AND A CARE FOR COMMUNITY HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Reporter: IN THE 16 YEAR HISTORY OF GIVE TO THE MAX DAY, 1 MILLION DONORS HAVE GIVEN MORE THAN $355 MILLION TO 14,000 NON-PROFITS AND SCHOOLS WITHIN THE STATE.

>> GIVE TO THE MAX IS PHENOMENAL WHEN IT GOES STRAIGHT FROM THE DONOR INTO THE ORGANIZATION'S HANDS.

>> IT'S A HUGE DAY FOR US AND EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: ONE IN THREE ORGANIZATIONS HAD FEDERAL FUNDING DISRUPTIONS THIS YEAR.

>> THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON THEIR ABILITY TO GIVE TO THEIR MISSION.

>> Reporter: TIGHTER BUDGETS, A CHANCE TO GET RECOGNIZED WHILE RECEIVING DONATIONS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

>> WHEN WE THINK OF THE CAUSES THAT ARE SUPPORTED DURING THE CAMPAIGN, IT'S THINGS LIKE FOOD SECURITY, HOUSING SECURITY, STRONG SCHOOLS, STRONG ENVIRONMENT, ARTS AND CULTURE, ALL THE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN MINNESOTA ARE GIVEN BACK TO US TENFOLD WHEN WE MAKE A GIFT DURING GIVE TO THE MAX DAY.

>> Reporter: WHILE ATTENTION MAY GO TO BIG DOLLAR DONATIONS, SMALL DOLLAR DONATIONS STILL PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE ALWAYS NEED HATS, GLOVES, SOCKS, ALWAYS.

HERE WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO WHERE THE TEMPS ARE STARTING TO DROP, SO WINTER JACKETS, ANY KIND OF WINTER CLOTHING, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S, FEMALE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

>> IT ADDS UP.

>> STARTING AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, GIVE TO THE MAX DAY WILL ACCEPT DONATIONS FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

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

>> AGAIN, GIVE TO THE MAX DAY IS TOMORROW, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH.

WE WILL PROVIDE A LINK TO THE WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN DONATE TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE COULD SEE SOME AREAS OF DRIZZLE, FREEZING DRIZZLE, AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW IN THE AREA TONIGHT, AND EVEN INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

BEYOND THAT, IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET WITH SOME MILD TEMPERATURES RETURNING FOR THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

[♪♪♪] >> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, VOLUNTEERS PUT TOGETHER THIS YEAR'S NEWEST CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAY IN PAUL BUNYAN PARK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> EVERY YEAR, THE FIRST CITY OF LIGHTS FOUNDATION ADDS A NEW CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAY TO THEIR NIGHT WE LIGHT CELEBRATION IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI, AND THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT.

EARLIER TODAY OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK STOPPED BY PAUL BUNYAN PARK TO SEE THE BUILDING OF THIS YEAR'S NEWEST LIGHT INSTALLATION, AN INTERACTIVE DISPLAY CALLED THE CUP OF CHEER.

>> THE CITY OF BEMIDJI IS KNOWN AS PAUL BUNYAN'S HOMETOWN SO WHEN THE FIRST CITY OF LIGHTS FOUNDATION TEAMED UP WITH BEMIDJI 7 BREW COFFEE FOR A NEW CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAY, IT WAS ONLY FITTING THAT PAUL BUNYAN ENJOY IT TOO WITH A GIANT HOT CHOCOLATE MUG DISPLAY.

>> WE ANNOUNCED THIS DISPLAY IN JULY.

HERE WE ARE ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF OUT FROM NIGHT WE LIGHT, AND THE COCOA MUG IS HERE, THE CUP OF CHEER.

>> I'M SO EXCITED TO BE A PART OF IT THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY DURING A YEAR THAT WE NEED MORE LIGHT THAN EVER.

>> HE CAME UP WITH SOME IDEAS AND THIS WAS JUST THE ONE THAT WE ALL AGREED WAS THE CUTEST AND THE BEST AND IT ALLOWED US AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND GREET THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON, WHICH IS WHAT WE PLANNED TO DO.

>> Reporter: IN TOTAL, THE DISPLAY IS OVER 22-FEET TALL AND 15-FEET WIDE, AND CONTAINS THOUSANDS OF LIGHTS, IT IS ALSO INTERACTIVE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO SERVE HOT CHOCOLATE OUT OF IT, I THINK FOR 2-HOUR INCREMENTS ON THE WEEKEND.

IT'S SO PRETTY TO HAVE THESE LIGHTS TOGETHER AND ENJOY AND DRIVE BY, NICE GIRLS NIGHT OUT, COME LOOK AT THE LIGHTS.

IT'S BEEN SUPER NICE TO BE A PART OF THIS.

>> THIS IS OUR FIRST OFFICIAL HOLIDAY SEASON HERE.

WE OPENED AT THE END OF JANUARY.

IT'S OUR FIRST CHANCE TO BE A PART OF THIS CHRISTMAS TOWN, WHICH BEMIDJI REALLY IS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WHERE 7 BREW TEAM MEMBERS ARE FIGHTING ON WHO CAN TAKE UP THE SPOTS ON THE SCHEDULE TO WORK IN THE CUP OF CHEER, IT CAN BE MUCH MORE THAN JUST HANDING OUT HOT CHOCOLATE.

>> THE WHOLE IDEA IS TO CREATE AND BUILD AN EXPERIENCE FOR THE VISITOR, FOR THE GUESTS COMING DOWN TO PAUL BUNYAN PARK, MAKING IT AN ALL OUT EXPERIENCE, AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE, WALK THE TRAIL, EXPLORE THE PARK, SEE THE DISPLAYS, BUT MAKING IT BEMIDJI.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE LIKE THE OTHER DISPLAYS.

WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING PAUL BUNYAN SIZED.

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

>> THE GIANT CUP OF CHEER DISPLAY WILL BE OPEN AND SERVING UP MINI CUPS OF CHEER TO GUESTS IN PAUL BUNYAN PARK STARTING NEXT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH, AT THE ANNUAL NIGHT WE LIGHT CELEBRATION.

>>> STACY IS HERE WITH OUR WEATHER.

WE HOPE WE HAVE NICE WEATHER BEFORE THAT CELEBRATION.

>> Stacy: WELL, WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME WARM TEMPERATURES, ESPECIALLY THIS WEEKEND.

IT LOOKS LIKE THINGS WILL BE TAKING A DOWNTURN MIDWEEK NEXT WEEK, BUT WE CAN ENJOY THE NICE WEATHER, ENJOY SOME PRECIPITATION TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING, OTHERWISE IT LOOKS QUIET, [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WELL, IT HAS BEEN A WET AND GLOOMY DAY ACROSS THE AREA, WITH SOME AREAS OF RAIN MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

OVERNIGHT, WE STILL COULD SEE SOME AREAS OF DRIZZLE AND AS TEMPERATURES FALL, SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE, POSSIBLY SOME LIGHT SNOW IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

SOME OF THAT COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW MORNING, BUT THE WE PICTURE LOOKS QUIET AND WE COULD SEE SOME MILD TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

IT'S 38 AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI, LIGHT EAST WIND WITH A DEW POINT OF 38.

SO FAR, WE HAVE PICKED UP 0.03-INCH OF RAINFALL.

IN BRAINERD, LIGHT RAIN, 41 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 38.

A FALLING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, THERE IS STILL SOME AREAS OF RAIN IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND AS I MENTIONED, WE COULD SEE AREAS OF DRIZZLE OR FREEZING DRIZZLE OVERNIGHT AND IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT RAIN.

OTHERWISE, A CLOUDY NIGHT FOR US TONIGHT.

WE WILL START OUT WITH CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW, AND WE COULD SEE SOME LINGERING PRECIPITATION IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

BEYOND THAT, IT LOOKS QUIET, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON, WITH QUIET WEATHER CONTINUING THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE WEEK.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

IT WAS THAT GLOOMY START FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

WE ALSO HAVE THIS PHOTO OF SOME SWANS ON THE LAKE FROM GARY, JOAN WITH A BIRD AT THE FEEDER IN LAPORTE, AND ANGELA WITH THE GRAY SKIES IN CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 34, CLOUDY, AND BREEZY THIS MORNING.

DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, 33 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY, WINDY, AND MISTY TODAY, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST AND 41.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, A FEW SPRINKLES TO REPORT AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED RAIN BURSTS, HIGH OF 40.

IN BRAINERD WE TOPPED OUT AT 41 SO WE'RE ABOVE OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD A LOW TODAY OF 22.

SUNRISE AT 7:24.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT TODAY AT 38, SO WE ARE A LITTLE BIT ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH.

32 WAS THE LOW AND SUNSET AT 4:39.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST.

THERE IS SOME PRECIPITATION IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

THAT MOVES OUT, IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, SOME BREAKS IN THE CLOUD THROUGHOUT THE DAY BEFORE THE CLOUD BANK CLEARS OUT LATE TOMORROW.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE UPPER 30s TO LOW 40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE THE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MIDDLE 40s.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF DRIZZLE, FREEZING DRIZZLE, POSSIBLY SOME LIGHT SNOW.

LOWS NEAR 33.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SOME LINGERING PRECIPITATION IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, HIGHS NEAR 40, AND WE WILL BE SEEING WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ON FRIDAY, A BIT MORE CLOUD COVER ON SATURDAY, AND THEN PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON SUNDAY.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING INTO THE MID TO UPPER 40s AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, SO VERY MILD TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND.

HEADING INTO NEXT WEEK, STILL PRETTY QUIET, HIGHS NEAR 41 ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

SOME LOCAL ATHLETES SIGNING FOR COLLEGE.

>> Charlie: YEAH, THE FINAL DAY OF THE EARLY SIGNING PERIOD WAS TODAY AND SO WE ACCUMULATED EVERYBODY, TOOK EVERYBODY THAT IS ALL OVER THE VIEWING AREA AND HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHO IS GOING WHERE AND WE GET TO HEAR FROM A COUPLE OF THEM.

BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL, BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL, AND ALL THE OTHER AREA HIGH SCHOOLS COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE EARLY SIGNING PERIOD FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETES OFFICIALLY CLOSED TODAY, AND SEVERAL OF OUR AREA ATHLETES ARE MAKING THEIR WAY TO PLAY AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL NEXT SEASON.

AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL, NINE LUMBERJACKS COMMITTED TO CONTINUE THEIR ATHLETIC CAREERS AT NINE SEPARATE UNIVERSITIES IN SEVEN DIFFERENT SPORTS, ACROSS DIVISIONS 1-2-AND-3.

THAT INCLUDES AUSTIN RIEWER, WHO CHOSE TO STAY CLOSE TO HOME AND PLAY BASKETBALL AT BEMIDJI STATE, AND NICK STRAND, WHO WILL COMPETE FOR NORTHERN ILLINOIS AS A D-1 WRESTLER.

>> I MEAN I'M A THIRD GENERATION WRESTLER.

MY DAD AND GRANDPA WERE QUITE GOOD.

I LIKE TO SET THE BAR HIGHER AND HIGHER.

THE COACHES WERE AWESOME, EVEN FROM THE START WHEN I HADN'T BEEN THERE.

IT FELT LIKE SOMEWHERE WHERE I COULD SPEND FOUR YEARS OF MY LIFE AND WRESTLE EVERY DAY.

>> JUST TO PLAY IN FRONT OF MY FAMILY AND MY HOMETOWN, I CAN PLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY I GREW UP IN.

JUST TO HAVE IT OFF MY SHOULDERS AND PLAY THE GAME MEANS A LOT.

>> Charlie: HERE'S THE LIST OF ALL NINE THAT WERE SIGNING EARLY PERIOD COMMITMENTS AND IT'S BEEN REALLY COOL THE LAST THREE YEARS TO WATCH THEM GROW AND GET TO THIS POINT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM FOR GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>>> AND BRAINERD HAD THREE EARLY SIGNERS THIS YEAR AS WELL, INCLUDING NORTHERN IOWA COMMIT AVERY DUERR, WHO WILL SWIM FOR THE PANTHERS NEXT SEASON.

SHE'S A 5-YEAR LETTER WINNER THAT REPRESENTED THE WARRIORS 4-TIMES AT THE CLASS 2-A STATE MEET, AND WILL CONTINUE A SWIMMING CAREER THAT INCLUDES NUMEROUS HONORS AND SCHOOL RECORDS.

>> IT FEELS REALLY GREAT TO NOT STRESS.

NOW I'M LOOKING AT COLLEGES AND I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING.

SO IT'S A HUGE PRESSURE OFF OF ME ALREADY.

I OBVIOUSLY HAVE AN EXPERIENCE BUT THERE IS A WHOLE ANOTHER LEVEL OF TRAINING AND I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHERE I CAN GO WITH THAT.

>> Charlie: AND HERE ARE THE OTHER SIGNERS AS WELL FOR BRAINERD.

LILY GOING IN SOCCER, NATALIE FOLLOWING HER PARENTS AT MINNESOTA STATE, AND THEN SOME OTHER D1 EARLY SIGNERS INCLUDE CROSBY-IRONTON TORY, WHO PLAYED BASKETBALL AT MINNESOTA.

AND WARROAD GIRLS HOCKEY GOAL TENDER PEYTON, AND AUDREY FROM STAPLES MOTLEY WILL RUN CROSS COUNTRY IN OKLAHOMA.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER AREA SIGNEES FROM THIS WEEK.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR CAREERS AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>>> BRAINERD BOYS HOCKEY IS LOOKING TO TURN THE PAGE ON A LACKLUSTER 2024-25 CAMPAIGN.

WITH THEIR SEASON SET TO GET UNDERWAY TOMORROW NIGHT, SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER TELLS US HOW THE WARRIORS ARE PREPARING TO GET OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

>> Reporter: WARRIORS BOYS HOCKEY OPENED LAST YEAR 1 IN 9 AND DROPPING THEIR FIRST SECTION 4-2SHGS A MATCH UP.

THIS YEAR THEY ARE DEAD SET ON GETTING OUT THE GATES HIGH.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET OFF TO A HOT START, JUST FOR OUR CONFIDENCE.

ONCE WE WIN A COUPLE GAMES, IT BECOMES EASY.

AND GOING IN WITH THE MINDSET THAT WE'RE GOING TO WIN IS IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: 10 WARRIORS GRADUATED FROM LAST YEAR'S ROSTER, WHICH CALL FOR NEW LEADERS TO EMERGE AND OTHER PLAYERS TO FILL THE GAPS.

>> THE BIGGEST THING IS THE LEADERS.

WE HAVE FOUR GUYS, AND THEY ARE GOING TO DO A GOOD JOB.

>> I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE A VERY STRONG GROUP, A SENIOR CLASS COME IN, A LOT OF GOOD CAPTAINS, A LOT OF GOOD ROLE MODELS.

WE PUT TOGETHER SOME GUYS THAT CAN FILL THEIR SPOTS.

>> Reporter: THEY KNOW THEIR OFFENSE WILL NEED TO FEATURE MORE FIRE POWER, DEFENSE IS WHERE THE MOST IMPROVEMENT IS NEEDED.

THEY ALLOWED 4.4 GOALS PER GAME LAST YEAR AND THEY ARE HOPING TO SET A BETTER TEMPO THIS SEASON.

>> WE NEED TO GET OUR PUCKS OUT.

WE CAN'T STAY IN OUR ZONE BECAUSE THEN IT TIRES OUT OUR GUYS.

HIGH OFF THE GLASS AND WORK DOWN DEEP, THEN JUST GO TO WORK, GET PUCKS IN THE BACK OF THE NET.

>> Reporter: FROM 2009 TO THE 2018-19 SEASON, THEY HAD 176 WINS, 87 LOSSES, AND 5 TIES.

FROM 2019 TO 2024, THEY POSTED 48 WINS, 94 LOSSES, AND 11 TIES.

THE BAR -- WARRIORS HOPE TOMORROW IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER.

>> WE WANT TO GET ABOVE THE 500 COLUMN.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE A GOOD COMPETITION.

I THINK AS LONG AS OUR MINDS ARE STRAIGHT, WE'RE BATTLING, WE'RE HUSTLING.

WE NEED A CULTURE CHANGE AND I BELIEVE THIS IS THE YEAR WE DO IT.

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

>> BRAINERD WILL OPEN THEIR SEASON TOMORROW ON THE ROAD VERSUS ROCK RIDGE.

WARRIORS DROPPED LAST YEAR'S MATCHUP AGAINST THE WOLVERINES 7-3.

>>> THEN A COUPLE SCORES FOR YOU, THE TIMBERWOLVES BEAT THE WIZARDS TONIGHT.

THEY DON'T SCORE BELOW 100 A LOT AND THEY DON'T GIVE UP POINTS AS WELL.

MINNESOTA WILD RIGHT NOW LEADING THE CAROLINA HURRICANES, 2-1 SECOND PERIOD.

>> Dennis: THANKS A LOT CHARLIE.

IT REMAINS THE LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATHS IN THE U.S.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY LUNG CANCER KILLS MORE PEOPLE EVERY YEAR THAN COLON, BREAST AND PROSTATE CANCERS COMBINED.

WHEN THE DISEASE IS CAUGHT EARLY, THE CHANCES OF SURVIVAL GO WAY UP.

HOWEVER, A NEW STUDY PUBLISHED TODAY SHOWS MANY ADULTS ELIGIBLE FOR LUNG CANCER SCREENING ARE SKIPPING IT.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS A LOOK AT THE DATA AND WHAT THE STUDY'S LEAD AUTHOR SAYS MAY BE STOPPING PEOPLE FROM GETTING THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVING SCREENING.

OURS -- >> Reporter: FIRST, SOME GOOD NEWS, THE NUMBER OF LUNG CANCER AND DEATHS CONTINUES TO GO DOWN APART FROM FEWER PEOPLE SMOKING, BUT THE BAD NEWS, LUNG CANCER IS STILL THE DEADLIEST CANCER IN THE U.S.

THIS YEAR ALONE, THE DISEASE IS EXPECTED TO KILL CLOSE TO 125,000 PEOPLE, ACCORDING TO ESTIMATE FROM THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.

>> SCREENING FOR LUNG CANCER IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO PREVENT CANCER DEATH.

>> Reporter: THE LEAD AUTHOR OF A NEW STUDY RESEARCHING HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE GETTING LUNG CANCER SCREENING ARE ACTUALLY GETTING IT.

THE DATA ESTIMATES THAT IN 2024, ONLY ABOUT 1 IN 5 U.S.

ADULTS ELIGIBLE FOR LUNG CANCER SCREENING WERE SCREENED.

THE RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT ROUGHLY 62,000 LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED OVER 5 YEARS IF ALL WHO WERE ELIGIBLE GOT THE SCREENING.

>> IT'S A SOBERING FINDING THAT THE LACK OF UPDATED TRANSLATING INTO A MISSED OPPORTUNITY, REALLY AGAIN IN TERMS OF THE LIFE THAT CAN BE SAVED.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE SELF -- SEVERAL BARRIERS IN STOPPING SOMEONE FROM GETTING THE SCREENING, INCLUDING AWARENESS THAT LUNG CANCER SCREENING EXISTS, ACCESS TO SCREENING IN RURAL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, AND THE LACK OF NO COST INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THIS CARE.

>> TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU EVER SMOKED AND YOU ARE BETWEEN 50 AND 80 YEARS.

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

>> THE STUDY'S LEAD AUTHOR SAYS THAT LUNG CANCER SCREENING IS NOT INVASIVE.

SHE SAYS MOST HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMEND A YEARLY TEST USING A LOW-DOSE C.T.

SCAN.

THE C.D.C.

SAYS DURING THE SCAN, THE PATIENT LIES ON A TABLE AND AN X-RAY MACHINE USES A LOW AMOUNT OF RADIATION TO MAKE DETAILED IMAGES OF THEIR LUNGS.

THEY SAY THE SCAN ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES AND IS NOT PAINFUL.

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

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT PRECIPITATION, FREEZING DRIZZLE, AND SOME SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS NEAR 33.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME OF THE PRECIPITATION LINGERING IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR 40 WITH NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15.

TEMPS ARE 38 FOR OUR LOW ON FRIDAY, MILD TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND, VARIABLE CLOUDS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AND HIGHS IN THE MID TO EVEN SOME UPPER 40s, AND THEN ON MONDAY WE ARE LOOKING AT PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 40s.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, FINALLY TONIGHT, HIGHLY PLACED SOURCES CLOSE TO THE YEAGER FAMILY TELL US THAT IT'S A BIG DAY FOR CHARLIE YAEGER HERE.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHARLIE.

WE ARE NOT SAYING HOW OLD WE ARE?

>> Charlie: I'M DOUBLE THE AGE I WISH I WAS, WHICH IS 18.

THAT'S WHERE I AM AT RIGHT NOW.

>> Dennis: THERE YOU GO.

>> Charlie: GOING ON 36.

>> Dennis: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 36.

SOME OF US WISH WE COULD GO BACK TO THAT AGE WHERE YOU ARE STILL IN YOUR PRIME.

WE ALL HERE AT THE STATION WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

>> Charlie: THANKS, I AM GOING TO GO HOME AND GO TO BED.

>> Dennis: THAT'S THE AGE I'M AT.

>> Charlie: THAT'S THE EXCITEMENT AT 36.

>> Dennis: THANKS FOR WATCHING EVERYBODY, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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