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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 WITH LOCAL NEW FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER, AND MILES WALKER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> A 38-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IS RECOVERING AFTER SHE WAS SHOT IN THE CITY OF CASS LAKE YESTERDAY MORNING.

THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS THE WOMAN WAS STRUCK BY A GUNSHOT FROM A VEHICLE THAT HAD LEFT THE SCENE AROUND 5:30 ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED IN THE 300 BLOCK OF BALSAM AVENUE IN CASS LAKE.

THE WOMAN WAS TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR SERIOUS BUT NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND TRANSPORTED TO BEMIDJI SANFORD FOR FURTHER CARE.

THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE ALONG WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LEECH LAKE TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE SHOOTING.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD WILL HAVE A NEW MEMBER AFTER THE RESULTS OF TUESDAYS ELECTION.

MARK LELWICA FINISHED SECOND IN THE BALLOTING AND WILL JOIN THE BOARD FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE OTHER TWO SEATS ON THE BOARD THAT WERE OPEN WERE RETAINED TWO INCUMBENTS.

DJ DONDELINGER RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES WITH 10,610, AND RANDY HEIDMANN FINISHED THIRD IN THE BALLOTING AND GETS THE THIRD OPEN SEAT.

>> I AM HONORED THAT, THAT MANY PEOPLE WOULD CHOOSE ME.

THEY BELIEVE IN ME AND WHO I AM AND WHAT I STAND FOR.

I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HONORING THE POSITION AND DOING JUSTICE AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE NEED TO GET OUR KIDS' TEST SCORES UP.

WE NEED TO BE -- WE OWE IT TO THE PUBLIC AND THIS NEXT GENERATION OF KIDS THAT THEIR READING, MATH, AND SCIENCE SCORES GO UP.

WITHOUT THAT FRAMEWORK OR FOUNDATION, THEY WILL STRUGGLE IN LIFE IF WE CAN'T DO A BETTER JOB.

I KNOW WE CAN AND WE NEED TO START CONCENTRATING ON THAT.

>> INCUMBENT BOARD CHAIR SARAH SPEER FINISHED 58 VOTES BEHIND HEIDMANN IN THE FOURTH POSITION.

>>> AND FOLLOWING THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION, DISTRICT 31 WILL HAVE ONE INCUMBENT RETURNING FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS, ONE NEW MEMBER, AND THE THIRD SEAT WILL BE FILLED BY A FORMER BOARD MEMBER COMING BACK AFTER A FOUR-YEAR HIATUS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO THIS YEAR'S WINNERS.

>> Reporter: THE 2026 BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD RACE FEATURED FIVE CANDIDATES VYING FOR OPEN SEATS.

SHE WILL BE SERVING HER SECOND CONSECUTIVE TERM AFTER RECEIVING 29.4% OF THE ELECTION VOTES.

>> THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN AMAZING, SO I AM JUST FEELING VERY HONORED TO BE ABLE TO SERVE ANOTHER FOUR YEARS.

I LIKE TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS SO I LIKE TO GATHER INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNITY, FROM STAFF, FROM STUDENTS, FROM THE FACTS, FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND THEN MAKE AN INFORMED.

THAT'S SOMETHING I WILL CONTINUE TO DO.

>> Reporter: CAROL SERVED ON THE BOARD FOR 18 YEARS WITH HER LAST TERM ENDING IN 2022.

SHE WILL BE RE-JOINING THE DISTRICT AFTER THE 2026 ELECTION BROUGHT IN 21.62% OR 7,831 VOTES FOR HER RETURN.

>> I AM APPRECIATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.

I HAVE PROVEN LOYALTY TO THE DISTRICT, I AM PROTECTIVE OF THE DISTRICT, AND I TAKE THIS POSITION VERY SERIOUSLY.

I SERVED WITH COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION IN THE PAST.

I WILL DO SO IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: THE CANDIDATE WITH THE THIRD MOST VOTES WAS HARMONY FOODS CO-OP COLLEEN, WHO RECEIVED 7,183 VOTES, 19.83%, AND WILL BE SERVING HER FIRST TERM ON THE BOARD.

>> I AM JUST SO KIND OF MOVED AND I LOVE GROWING, I LOVE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES WHERE GROWTH CAN HAPPEN.

WHERE DO YOU GET MORE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY THAN IN SERVING SCHOOLS, AND THE STAFF THAT SERVE THE STUDENTS, AND THE FAMILIES THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF THE WELL-BEING OF THEIR CHILDREN.

WE GOT AN AMAZING SCHOOL SYSTEM AND TO THINK OF AND IMAGINE WHERE WE CAN GO WITH THAT, THAT IS EXCITING.

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

>> THE THREE BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE SWORN IN AND START THEIR FOUR-YEAR TERMS IN JANUARY.

>>> DEMOCRATS' SWEEPING VICTORIES IN THIS WEEK'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE RIPPLING THROUGH THE NATION.

REPUBLICANS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES WRESTLING WITH A NEW REALITY.

AND ALL OF IT IS SPARKING A FRESH BLAME GAME WITHIN THE G.O.P.

MADDIE GANNON HAS THE LATEST FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> ANY TIME WE HAVE SEEN EITHER OF THE MAJOR PARTIES SUFFER A BIG DEFEAT, THERE IS A PERIOD OF RECKONING.

POLITICIANS TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT WENT WRONG AND FIND OUT HOW TO STOP IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN IN THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE.

WE'RE SEEING THAT PLAY OUT WITH THE G.O.P.

THE DUST IS SETTLING ON THE 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS AND REPUBLICANS ARE LESS SOUL SEARCHING.

>> THE PROBLEM WAS NOT TURNOUT, INSTEAD, OUR VOTERS SHOWED UP AND VOTED AND REJECTED OUR CANDIDATES.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS' SWEEPING VICTORIES FROM RUBY RED TERRITORIES HAS THE BLAME GAME IN FULL SWING.

>> I CRITICIZED SOME OF OUR REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN AND SENATE CANDIDATES TRYING TO BLAME THE HIGH GAS PRICES ON BIDEN.

>> Reporter: MANY ARE CITING A LACK OF FOCUS ON THE COST-OF-LIVING.

SOME ARE ECHOING VICE PRESIDENT J.D.

VANCE AND PUTTING BLAME ON THE WAR IN IRAN THAT WAS LAUNCHED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT IN DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH.

>> SOMEONE WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT AND I SUSPECT IT'S THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF WAR.

HE WILL BE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG.

>> HE IS NOT THE RIGHT GUY FOR THE JOB.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS DEFENDED PETE HEGSETH AS SOME TURNED THEIR EYE ON HIM.

ONE CONGRESSMAN POINTED OUT STEPHEN MILLER FOR CRITICISM ON POLICIES THAT CENTERED ON DEPORTATION.

>> AN EFFORT IN THE HOUSE TO IMPEACH HEGSETH WAS IN MOTION BEFORE THE ELECTION.

OUTGOING REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS MASSIE OF KENTUCKY SAYS HE'S GOING TO PUSH FOR A VOTE ON IMPEACHING SECRETARY HEGSETH WHEN CONGRESS RETURNS TO WORK NEXT WEEK.

>>> A PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE TRAIL ON THE NORTH END OF LAKE BEMIDJI WAS ON THE AGENDA AT WEDNESDAY'S BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARD MEETING, WITH FEDERAL FUNDING POTENTIALLY HELPING TO MAKE IT A REALITY.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING EXPLAINS WHAT COUNTY LEADERS ARE CONSIDERING AND WHAT COMES NEXT.

>> Reporter: BELTRAMI COUNTY IS LOOKING TO CONNECT TO EXISTING TRAIL SYSTEMS WITH A NEW BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PATH ALONG COUNTY ROAD 21.

THE PROPOSED ROUTE WOULD OFFER ANOTHER WAY TO TRAVEL AROUND LAKE BEMIDJI, WITH SAFETY A KEY PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

>> LIKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK, AND THIS ROAD SEGMENT RIGHT NOW HAS A WIDE SHOULDER, BUT THE BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS HAVE TO BE ON THE PROPER SIDE OF THE ROAD.

IT'S A HIGHLY TRAVELED ROAD.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSED TRAIL COMES WITH A $1.1 MILLION PRICE TAG BUT COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING TO LOCAL FUNDING TO COVER THE COSTS AND SECURING THAT SUPPORT COULD BE KEY TO GETTING THE PROJECT OFF THE GROUND.

>> WHILE WE'RE APPLYING FOR A GRANT THAT WOULD COVER 80% OF THAT AND THEN THE REST OF THE DOLLARS ARE COUNTY, STATE, AND HIGHWAY DOLLARS, OUR LOCAL DOLLARS TOWARDS THAT.

SO IF WE CAN GET A GRANT THAT HELPS US MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD.

>> Reporter: BELTRAMI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT TO MOVE FORWARD FOR THE GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE NEW TRAIL.

IT WOULD FILL A MISSING PIECE OF THE LOOP, GIVING WALKERS AND CYCLISTS A BETTER WAY TO CONNECT.

NOW BELTRAMI COUNTY IS LOOKING AT A NEW CONNECTION THAT COULD MAKE THE TRIP SAFER.

>> WE DO HAVE THE TRAIL SYSTEM AROUND A BIG PORTION OF THE LAKE.

THIS WOULD BE THAT FINAL SEGMENT OF TRAIL THAT WE WOULD HAVE AND USE AND YEAH, GETTING THOSE USERS OFF THE ROAD IS SAFE AND THEN AGAIN, COMPLETING THAT TRAIL SYSTEM IS A BIG PART OF IT.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE COUNTY HAS CLEARED THE FIRST HURDLE, THERE IS A LONG ROAD AHEAD.

THE GRANT APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AND FUNDING SECURED BEFORE THE TRAIL COULD MOVE CLOSER TO CONSTRUCTION.

REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> IF THE GRANT IS AWARDED, CONSTRUCTION COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS 2031, POTENTIALLY BRINGING THE FINAL PIECE OF THE LAKE BEMIDJI TRAIL LOOP ONE STEP CLOSER TO COMPLETION.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE MORE SUNSHINE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS, STILL CHILLY TOMORROW, BUT WE SHOULD SEE WARMING TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, BEMIDJI MIDDLE SCHOOL'S UPLIFT >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> SEVERAL YEARS AGO, FIVE BEMIDJI AREA WOMEN CAME TOGETHER TO CREATE THE COMMITTEE FOR COLORS OF CANCER, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT RAISES MONEY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH CANCER DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT.

THE GROUP'S BIGGEST FUNDRAISER EVERY YEAR IS THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS GALA.

THIS YEAR'S GALA IS COMING UP ON SATURDAY, AND GATHERS UP TO 300 AREA WOMEN FOR A NIGHT OF GAMES, RAFFLES, DINNER, AND HEARING SURVIVOR STORIES.

THIS IS THE 12TH YEAR OF THE L.B.D.

EVENT, WHICH HAS RAISED AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN $40,000 A YEAR.

>> SOMETHING THAT GIRLFRIENDS CAN GET TOGETHER, FAMILY MEMBERS, DRESS UP IN A BLACK OUTFIT AND GO OUT AND HAVE A NICE EVENING AND DO IT FOR A GOOD PURPOSE.

IT'S FUN AND ENGAGING, AND IT'S A GOOD PURPOSE FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, YOUR FRIENDS, AND YOUR FAMILY.

SO IT HAS A GOOD IMPACT SO PEOPLE KEEP COMING BACK HERE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> IT'S AWE INSPIRING THAT EVERYBODY THERE IS THERE FOR A REASON.

THEY'RE THERE FOR A PERSONAL IMPACT, TO SUPPORT A FRIEND, TO SUPPORT A FAMILY MEMBER, TO SUPPORT US, TO SUPPORT OUR XHU -- COMMITTEE, IT'S NEAT TO SEE.

EACH AND EVERY DOLLAR RAISED GOES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE STRUGGLING AND PEOPLE IN NEED.

>> Dennis: THIS YEAR'S GALA IS SATURDAY AT THE SOUTH SHORE HOTEL ON LAKE BEMIDJI.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE COLORS OF CANCER WEBSITE.

>>> NOW STACY IS HERE, YOU MENTIONED A WARM UP THIS WEEKEND.

>> Stacy: YES, INTO THE 50s FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEKEND AND THE START OF THE WORKWEEK NEXT WEEK.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN CONTRAST TO THE DREARY CONDITIONS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE FINALLY GOT TO EXPERIENCE SOME DRY WEATHER THIS WEEKEND, MANY OF US DID SEE SOME SUNSHINE OUT THERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SUNSHINE IN THE FORECAST THROUGH THE REST OF THIS WEEK AND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

A LITTLE CHILLY TOMORROW, HIGHS IN THE LOW 40s, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, LOOK FOR SOME 50s WITH MID TO UPPER 50s NEXT WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 26 DEGREES.

THE DEW POINT IS 26 AND SINCE LAST NIGHT AT THIS TIME, WE ADDED 0.01-INCH OF RAINFALL.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, IT IS ALL UNEVENTFUL OUT THERE, MAINLY CLEAR SKIES SO FAR TONIGHT, BUT WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF AN INCREASE IN CLOUDS IN SOME LOCATIONS, SO EXPECT TO SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE VIEWING AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

MOST OF THE CLOUDS WILL MOVE OUT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, TEMPERATURES SHOULD STILL BE IN THE LOW 40s, NOT TOO BAD FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR, BUT WE WILL SEE A WARM UP HEADING INTO THIS WEEKEND.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, WE DID HAVE SOME SUNSHINE.

GARY WITH A SERPENT AND THE GEESE.

BILL AND JUDY WITH THE SUNSET OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

MORE SHOTS FROM THIS EVENING FROM LORRIE AT LITTLE TURTLE LAKE, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, AND SONYA AT LITTLE TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 39 AND BREEZY AT NOON.

38 THIS EVENING.

SONYA AT LITTLE TURTLE RIVER LAKE, CALM THIS EVENING.

3.5 INCHES OF RAIN IN BRAINERD, BOB IN BLUFFTON, 42 WAS OUR HIGH.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE WITH A BREEZE.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, SUNSHINE AND CLOUDS MIXED TOGETHER, A LITTLE BIT ON THE BREEZY SIDE.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TODAY TOPPING OUT AT 47, A COUPLE DEGREES ABOVE OUR AVERAGE.

THE LOW IS RIGHT NOW AT 33.

SUNRISE WAS AT 7:04.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 41, THAT'S THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMP FOR THIS DATE, 25 IS THE LOW, THE AVERAGE LOW TEMP FOR THE DATE, SO A TYPICAL DAY TEMPERATURE-WISE IN BEMIDJI.

OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, ANY LINGERING CLOUDS SHOULD BE BREAKING UP, STILL SEEING THE COOLER TEMPERATURES, HIGHS IN THE MID-40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW 40s.

SO OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOWS NEAR 24, AND VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

PARTLY SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT AT 42, WITH SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AND WARMER TEMPERATURES, SUNDAY, UP TO 52, THEY GET WARMER ON MONDAY, WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, 57 FOR THE HIGH, WE DO DROP BACK INTO THE UPPER 40s BY TUESDAY, BUT WE CONTINUE TO HOLD ON TO THAT SUNSHINE.

IT LOOKS LIKE OUR LOWS HEADING INTO NEXT WEEK SHOULD BE MAINLY IN THE 30s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

MILES IS HERE NOW.

A LOT OF LOCAL TEAMS PLAYING FOR STATE BERTHS IN FOOTBALL TONIGHT.

>> Miles: TODAY WAS CHRISTMAS FOR ANY FOOTBALL FAN.

WE HAVE FIVE DIFFERENT GAMES AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH MILES WALKER.

[♪♪♪] >>> PIERZ AND PEQUOT LAKES FOOTBALL HAVE BOTH COME DOWN WITH SOMETHING, AND NO IT'S NOT THE FLU, BUT RATHER DEJA VU.

THE TWO TOWNS DOMINATED THEIR COMPETITION ENROUTE TO A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME CLASH LAST SEASON, WHERE THE PIONEERS HELD THE PATRIOTS TO JUST 40 TOTAL YARDS IN A 35-0 VICTORY.

THIS YEAR, THE TWO TEAMS ONCE AGAIN FLEXED THEIR MUSCLE IN THE SECTION PLAYOFFS, SETTING UP ANOTHER BOUT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP BELT.

THE LAST TWO SECTION 7-3A CHAMPIONS BACK AT BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL, WITH PIERZ AND PEQUOT LAKES, FIGHTING FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS.

PICKING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SECOND QUARTER, ON THE 17-YARD LINE, PIONEERS ARE UP 14-0.

BRADEN TURNS ON THE TURBO, SHOWING OFF THAT SPEED, AND TAKES AN 83-YARD TO THE CRIB AND PIONEERS GO UP 21-0.

LATER IN THE SECOND QUARTER, PIONEERS BACK IN THE RED ZONE, PAUL DRAGGING HIS WAY IN, GIVING PIERZ A BIG 28-0 LEAD AS THE PIONEERS PILE IT ON TONIGHT, SNATCHING THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT SECTION TITLE AND 18th IN PROGRAM HISTORY IN A 54-15 VICTORY.

>>> THE SECTION 6 9-PLAYER FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURES TWO TEAMS IN CLEARBROOK-GONVICK AND BLACKDUCK THAT HAVE BEEN KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.

THE BEARS REACHED THE SECTION SEMIFINALS FIVE OF THE LAST SIX YEARS, INCLUDING A CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE IN 2023.

WHILE THE DRAKES HAS PLAYED IN THE SEMIS FOUR OF THE LAST SIX YEARS, INCLUDING A CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE IN 2022.

HOWEVER ONLY ONE TEAM CAN BREAK THROUGH, AS OVER AT THE FARGODOME, SECOND-SEEDED BLACKDUCK, TAKING ON FOURTH-SEEDED CLEARBROOK-GONVICK, THE BEARS TOOK THE LAST PLAYOFF MEETUP 30-0 BACK IN 2021.

THEY GOT RIGHT DOWN TO BUSINESS, RYAN GETS A COUPLE OF BLOCKS, HITS THE SIDELINES, 75-YARDS.

AND NOW THEY'RE 6-0.

FOLLOWING, BREAKING TACKLES AND EGOS, CLEARBROOK-GONVICK JUST GOT STARTED, FIRST PLAY IN THE SECOND QUARTER, CARTER TO GRANT, GOODBYE, BEARS WOULD HANG 54 FIRST HALF POINTS ON THE BOARD AND PARTY LIKE IT'S 1995, YOU ARE GOING BACK TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT AS THEY GO ON TO DOWN BLACKDUCK.

ESTABLISHING THEMSELVES EARLY AND OFTEN.

>> IT'S MORE MY LINEMEN THAN IT IS ME.

I MEAN THEY BLOCK WITH THEIR WHOLE LIFE AND THEY PUT EVERY PIECE OF STRENGTH IN THEM TO MOVE THOSE GUYS OUT OF THE WAY SO I AM ABLE TO GO DOWN THE FIELD.

IT'S NOTHING BETTER TO SEE A WIDE OPEN HOLE FROM OUR LINEMEN.

>> IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

IT'S A GOOD FEELING TO DO THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS TEAM.

IT SHOW IT IS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION WE PUT IN THE OFF SEASON.

I'M JUST EXCITED TO WATCH THE FIRE WE HAD AND THE CONFIDENCE, ALL THE HYPE THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

WE COULD BE SCARY GOING INTO THE STATE TOURNAMENT AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT IS IN STORE FOR US.

>> Miles: THEY MADE IT ONCE WHEN THEY WERE AT CLEARBROOK AND AGAIN IN 1992 AND 1995.

>>> AND IN THE SECTION 8 9-PLAYER FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE FARGODOME, NINTH-RANKED GOODRIDGE/GRYGLA-GATZKE, FACING KITTSON COUNTY CENTRAL, THE CHARGERS FELL TO THE BEARCATS 2014 BACK IN WEEK FOUR AND IN SECTION 5 9-PLAYER FOOTBALL, SEBEKA SHOOTING FOR THEIR FIRST EVER STATE TOURNAMENT THEN GOOD RICH RIDGE -- GOODRIDGE/GRYGLA-GATZKE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, AND THEY TAKE A 6-0 LEAGUE.

THE CHAMP SHOWED THEIR POISE IN THE SECOND QUARTER, ELI DROPS TO JOHNSON, AND THE BEARCATS WOULD NEVER LOOK BACK AS GOODRIDGE/GRYGLA-GATZKE'S SEASON FALLS SHORT IN A 27-12 FINISH.

THEY END THE YEAR WITH A 9-2 RECORD.

>>> IN SECTION 5-9 FOOTBALL, SEBEKA SHOOTING FOR THEIR STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE.

FACING PERENNIAL POWERHOUSE CROMWELL WRIGHT, CARDINALS BEAT THE TROJANS 15-12 BACK IN WEEK TWO.

TROE TAKE -- TROJANS TAKE A 6-0 LEAD, AND NOW WITH THE EXTRA EFFORT, BARELY GETS IN, CROMWELL WOULD TAKE THE EXTRA POINT AND THAT WOULD BE YOUR FINAL TONIGHT AS SEBEKA COMES WITHIN DISTANCE OF THEIR FIRST SECTION TITLE BUT CAN'T CLOSE THE DEAL AS THEY FALL TO CROMWELL WRIGHT 7-6.

>>> IN SECTION 7-2A, AITKIN LOOKING TO WIN A 44-YEAR STATE TOURNAMENT DROUGHT, HOSTING THE SESSION CHAMPS MOOSE LAKE WILLOW RIVER.

AITKIN IN THE RED ZONE, PARKER TAKES THE HAND OFF, POWERS PASS THEM, A SCORELESS STALEMATE.

NOW AITKIN ON THE DOORSTEP AGAIN, TO ELI AND HE GETS AND THE LEFT EDGE AND DIVES TOWARDS THE PYLON.

THE REBELS ARE TRYING TO ANSWER LATE, GOING UP TOP TO THE END ZONE AND THAT'S PICKED OFF TO SEAL THE DEAL AND AITKIN WINS A 15-0 TO SNAP THEIR FIVE YEAR RUN TO STATE.

THEY'RE GOING BACK FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1982.

MOOSE LAKE WILLOW RIVER ENDS THE SEASON WITH A 9-2 RECORD.

>>> MAHNOMEN-WAUBUN FALLS TO PARK CHRISTIAN IN FOOTBALL.

PINE RIVER CABBING CAN YOUS -- BACKUS IS BACK.

>> Dennis: AND TOMORROW WE HAVE SOME MORE FOOTBALL GAMES.

>> Miles: MORE FROM GRAND RAPIDS AND ROYALTON.

>> Dennis: AND BRAINERD.

SO FAR WE HAD A GOOD NIGHT WITH THE LOCAL TEAMS.

>> Miles: HOPEFULLY THEY CAN KEEP THIS STRETCH GOING TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: THANKS A LOT MILES.

THE UPLIFT PROGRAM AT BEMIDJI MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE SUBSTANCE USE AMONG STUDENTS AND PROVIDE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT, AND IS NOW ENTERING ITS SECOND YEAR AS AN INITIATIVE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO SEVERAL STUDENT UPLIFT MEMBERS ABOUT WHY THEY JOINED, FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: BED -- BEMIDJI MIDDLE SCHOOL'S UPLIFT PROGRAM, BRINGS UP THE TOPIC OF SUBSTANCE USE AMONG YOUNG TEENS.

>> WE FOUND THAT A LOT OF YOUTH TURN TO SUBSTANCES BECAUSE OF MENTAL HEALTH REASONS, MAYBE THEY ARE FEELING ANXIOUS, DEPRESSION, STRESS, AND THE REALITY IS THOSE SUBSTANCES CAN HIGHLIGHT AND MAKE THOSE TOUGH FEELINGS EVEN WORSE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE STARTING TO BECOME THEMSELVES, GROWING UP, AND BECOMING THEIR OWN PERSON.

I FEEL LIKE GETTING TO KNOW ALL THIS STUFF AHEAD OF TIME, PREVENTING THAT IN THE FUTURE AND HELPING THEM INTO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

>> Reporter: UPLIFT IS PRIMARILY RUN BY THE STUDENTS THAT ARE INVOLVE IN THE PROGRAM, NOT ONLY TO HELP THEM GET THEIR IDEAS OUT TO THE STUDENTS BUT FOR THE STUDENTS TO HEAR THESE MESSAGES FROM THEIR PEERS, RATHER THAN FROM ADULTS.

>> I THINK THEY ARE ACTING LIKE IT'S ADVICE FOR THEM SO THEY DON'T DO THESE THINGS.

BECAUSE WE'RE THEIR AGE AND THEY USUALLY DON'T LISTEN TO ADULTS, SO THEY WOULD LISTEN TO US.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS THAT ARE IN THE UPLIFT PROGRAM START IN SEVENTH GRADE AND CAN CONTINUE INTO EIGHTH GRADE, LEAVING POSITIVE NOTES ON LOCKERS, HAVING DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND HOSTING EVENTS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

>> ONE REASON THAT I WANTED TO JOIN UPLIFT IS BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN MY PEERS STRUGGLE THROUGH ADDICTION WITH DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES.

>> I REALLY VALUE MY FRIENDS AND I DON'T REALLY WANT THEM DOING DRUGS OR VAPING OR ANY OF THAT STUFF.

SO I WANTED TO JOIN SO THEN I COULD HELP PREVENT THEM AN EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S GIVING ME A LOT OF PURPOSE AND I AM GLAD THAT THE MESSAGE WE'RE DOING IS GOING AGAINST ALL, EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED BECAUSE MY CULTURE HAS GOING THROUGH A LOT OF THAT STUFF.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE RED LAKE JAIL, IT'S MOSTLY PEOPLE DOING THAT STUFF.

I WANTED TO JOIN BECAUSE I WANTED TO SIGN UP FOR MY CULTURE AND SHOW THAT WE CAN BE DIFFERENT.

WE DON'T HAVE TO BE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

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

>> 167-SEVENTH GRADERS WERE SURVEYED ABOUT THE UPLIFT PROGRAM AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.

85-PERCENT SAID THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES, AND ANOTHER 82 PERCENT REPORTED FEELING CONFIDENT STANDING UP FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS, DUE TO THE HELP OF THE PROGRAM.

>>> OKAY, WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER CHECK OF OUR WEATHER.

LET'S GO OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, LOWS SHOULD FALL IN THE MID-20s AND VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, STILL A LITTLE BIT COOLER, 42 FOR THE HIGH, SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20, BUT WE WILL SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES STARTING THIS WEEKEND.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF SUNSHINE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW 50s, WE GET WARMER ON MONDAY WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, AND THEN COOL INTO THE 40s ON TUESDAY, LOW TEMPERATURES IN THE 20s THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, THE LOW TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT COULD BE WARMER, THE LOWS NEAR 39 MONDAY MORNING.

>> Miles: THREE REMATCHES TOMORROW, GRAND RAPIDS TOOK DOWN HERMANTOWN, ROYALTON BEAT THEIR OPPONENT 36-34.

>> Dennis: YOU KNOW ALL OF THAT ON TOP OF YOUR HEAD, VERY IMPRESSIVE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME TONIGHT, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.

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