>> 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.

; KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE, AND HOME PHONE.

LEARN MORE AT 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 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.

>>> IT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY THAT THE FAMILY OF NEVAEH KINGBIRD LAST SAW HER.

THE TEEN WAS LAST SEEN AROUND 2 A.M.

ON OCTOBER 22ND OF 2021 AFTER ATTENDING A PARTY IN BEMIDJI.

SHE WAS 15 AT THE TIME.

SINCE THEN AUTHORITIES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE CONDUCTED NUMEROUS SEARCHES.

LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF TIPS AND PURSUED NUMEROUS LEADS BUT SO FAR NOTHING HAS LED TO NEVAEH.

BEMIDJI POLICE CHIEF MIKE MASTIN SAYS THAT THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH THEIR PARTNER AGENCIES CONTINUES TO WORK DILIGENTLY TO FIND NAVEAH.

WITH THE FALL SEASON UPON US, AND WITH THE MINNESOTA STATE DEER SEASON APPROACHING, THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT REMINDS EVERYONE TO REMAIN WATCHFUL AND VIGILANT WHILE OUTDOORS AND TO REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY OR PROPERTY IMMEDIATELY.

IT IS BELIEVED NEVAEH WAS WEARING EITHER A BLACK ZIP UP HOODY, OR A RED SWEATSHIRT WITH THE BULL LOGO AS SHOWN IN THE ABOVE IMAGES.

SHE WAS ALSO BELIEVED TO BE WEARING BLUE SKINNY STYLE JEANS, A WHITE UNDERSHIRT, AND BLACK AND RED NIKE SANDALS AS SHOWN HERE.

THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS PARTNERED WITH MINNESOTA'S MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES OFFICE TO OFFER A REWARD OF UP TO $10,000 FOR INFORMATION IN THIS CASE.

THIS REWARD IS PART OF A HISTORIC STATE INITIATIVE TO OFFER CASH INCENTIVES FOR TIPS IN ELIGIBLE MMIR INVESTIGATIONS INCLUDING LONG-TERM MISSING PERSONS, SUSPICIOUS DEATH AND HOMICIDE CASES.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REWARD, TIPS MUST PROVIDE SPECIFIC AND ACTIONABLE INFORMATION THAT ADVANCES THE INVESTIGATION.

ANONYMOUS TIPS ARE ACCEPTED.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MISSING PERSON CASE YOU CAN REPORT IT AND STAY ANONYMOUS BY CONTACTING CRIME STOPPERS OF MINNESOTA AT THEIR WEBSITE WWW.CRIMESTOPPERSMN.ORG, BY CALLING THE TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBER 1-800-222-TIPS; OR BY USING THE P3 TIP SUBMIT APP INSTALLABLE ON ALL SMARTPHONES.

AND THIS SATURDAY, MINNESOTA'S MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES 218 IS SPONSORING A COMMUNITY VIGIL FOR KINGBIRD AS WELL AS JEREMY JOURDAIN WHO WENT MISSING ON OCTOBER 31ST OF 2016.

THE VIGIL IS 6:00 TO 7:00 P.M.

BY PAUL AND BABE IN BEMIDJI.

CANDLES AND FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED.

>>> A WHITE EARTH MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR POSSESSION AND INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE 900 GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE.

51-YEAR-OLD DOMINIC LAFRINIERE WAS SENTENCED IN U.S.

DISTRICT COURT TODAY WITH CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE METHAMPHETAMINE AND COCAINE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT BEGAN INVESTIGATING LAFRINIERE'S CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES IN 2022.

IN APRIL OF 2024 LAW ENFORCEMENT TRACKED THE DEFENDANT AND OBSERVED HIM TRAVELING TO MINNEAPOLIS.

WHITE EARTH TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS STOPPED LAFRINIERE AS HE RETURNED TO THE WHITE EARTH INDIAN RESERVATION FROM MINNEAPOLIS AND SEIZED HIS TRUCK.

INVESTIGATORS SEARCHED THE TRUCK AND FOUND 900 GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE HIDDEN INSIDE A HOLLOWED-OUT LOG AND 60 GRAMS OF COCAINE HIDDEN INSIDE OF A ROLLED-UP CARPET.

>>> THE COMMISSIONER OF THE MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION WAS IN BEMIDJI EARLIER TODAY TO SPEAK WITH COLLEGE STAFF AND STUDENTS, ABOUT INVESTMENTS MADE IN HIGHER EDUCATION OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK ATTENDED THE MEETING AT BEMIDJI STATE.

>> STUDENTS AND LEADERS FROM BEMIDJI STATE, NTC, WHITE EARTH TRIBAL, AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE, LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE, AND RED LAKE NATION COLLEGE GATHERED AT THE AMERICAN INDIAN RESOURCE CENTER AT BSU TO SPEAK WITH MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE CURRENT COLLEGIATE EXPERIENCE FOR NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS.

>> IT'S ONE THING FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT BUT TO BE ABLE TO HEAR IT DIRECTLY FROM STUDENTS, FROM THOSE HERE ON CAMPUS, ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AND IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM DIRECTLY TO THE STUDENTS, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO THEN BE ABLE TO RELAY THAT INFORMATION BACK TO AREA LEGISLATORS, TO REAL EXPERIENCE THAT.

SO WE CAN HEAR, WE CAN SHARE, REITERATE, AND OF COURSE IMPROVE ON.

>> IT REALLY OPENED THE DOOR FOR ME TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF AND BUILD THE GOALS AND STRUCTURES OF MY EDUCATION JOURNEY.

I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THESE TWO SCHOLARSHIPS THAT HAS BEEN CARRYING ME THROUGH MY EDUCATION.

IT'S GIVEN ME A LOT OF RELIEF TO START MY EDUCATION JOURNEY.

>> THE MINNESOTA INDIAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH IS ONE OF THE OLDEST INDIAN AMERICAN FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS IN THE STATE, APPLIES TO TWO YEAR INSTITUTIONS AND THE AMERICAN INDIAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2023.

AS A FEE-FREE PATHWAY FOR STUDENTS FOR FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE MAIN PIECES FOR US IS HIGHLIGHTING OUR STUDENTS' OWN EXPERIENCE AND HOW IT OPENED THE DOORS FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS IN EDUCATION.

SO WE HAVE SEEN ENROLLMENT INCREASE WITH THE ADDITION OF AIST, WE HAVE SEEN IT INCREASE HIGHER.

>> ONE OF THE MAJOR POINTS OF EMPHASIS WITH ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS IS NOT ONLY TO ASSIST STUDENTS WHO ARE COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, BUT STUDENTS OF ALL AGES.

>> SOME OF THE FINANCIAL AID AWARD INFORMATION IS SOMETIMES CONFUSING TO STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS, THOSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE A STRONG UNDERSTANDING OF HOW IT WORKS.

IT'S CONFUSING AT TIMES.

SO WAYS TO IMPROVE HOW FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION IS SHARED AND DESCRIBED, YOU KNOW, IT CAN BE MORE EASILY UNDERSTOOD.

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

>> THE BEMIDJI STOP CAME AS A PART OF THE COMMISSIONER'S STATEWIDE TOUR TO ADDRESS AMERICAN INDIAN FINANCIAL AID IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

BSU WAS ADDED TO THE LIST WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF AMERICAN INDIAN STUDENTS THIS YEAR, THAN ALL OF THE OTHER MINNESOTA STATE INSTITUTIONS COMBINED.

>>> DEER HUNTERS IN MINNESOTA WILL SOME MAJOR CHANGES TO CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE SAMPLING THIS SEASON.

C.W.D.

IS A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE THAT AFFECTS THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM OF MEMBERS OF THE DEER FAMILY INCLUDING DEER, ELK, MOOSE AND REINDEER.

THERE IS NO PROVEN EVIDENCE THAT CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CAN INFECT HUMANS, THOUGH PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES STILL RECOMMEND AVOIDING MEAT FROM INFECTED ANIMALS.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE MANAGEMENT AND SURVEILLANCE IN MINNESOTA OFFICIALLY BEGAN IN 2002, FOLLOWING THE DETECTION OF THE DISEASE IN A FARMED ELK IN AITKIN COUNTY ON AUGUST 30TH OF 2002.

FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, THEY USED A LOCALIZED REACTIVE MODE FOR.

TESTING THAT WAS ONLY TARGETED OR MANDATORY IN SPECIFIC, ISOLATED CORRIDORS WHERE A LOCALIZED THREAT EMERGED, LIKE AREAS DIRECTLY SURROUNDING A NEWLY DISCOVERED CWD-POSITIVE CAPTIVE DEER OR ELK FARM OR SPECIFIC BORDERS OR MANAGEMENT ZONES WHERE WILD DEER TESTED POSITIVE.

HOWEVER, NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE STATE HASN'T HAD A TARGETED SURVEILLANCE EFFORT IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

IN RESPONSE TO EVOLVING CWD MANAGEMENT NEEDS, THE DNR HAS MOVED TO A FOUR-YEAR STATEWIDE ROTATIONAL SURVEILLANCE PLAN.

TO ACCOMPLISH THIS PLAN, THE STATE HAS BEEN DIVIDED INTO FOUR SURVEILLANCE BLOCKS, EACH MAKING UP ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE STATE.

EACH YEAR, HUNTERS IN ONE BLOCK WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE ALL DEER THEY HARVEST DURING FIREARMS OPENING WEEKEND THAT ARE ONE YEAR OLD OR OLDER TESTED FOR C.W.D.

MANDATORY SAMPLING BEGINS IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA IN 2026, WITH THE NORTHWEST IN 2027, NORTHEAST IN 2028 AND THE SOUTHEAST IN 2029.

>>> U.S.

REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR SAYS SHE WILL MOVE OUT OF HER WASHINGTON, D.C., HOME THAT FEDERAL AGENTS SEARCHED LAST WEEK.

THE MINNESOTA DEMOCRAT TOLD MS NOW THAT THE ATTENTION BROUGHT ON BY THE RAID HAS MADE HER FEEL UNSAFE THERE.

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL FRAUD IN HER FAMILY'S IMMIGRATION PAPERWORK.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A PERSON BRIEFED ON THE INVESTIGATION WHO SPOKE TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AUTHORIZED TO DISCUSS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION.

OMAR WAS BORN IN SOMALIA AND IS A NATURALIZED U.S.

CITIZEN.

SHE SAID WEDNESDAY IN HER FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE THE SEARCH THAT SHE IS CONFIDENT IN THE FACT THAT I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG.

>>> PEOPLE WHO GET HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR WORKPLACES MIGHT SEE HIGHER COSTS DURING THIS YEAR'S OPEN ENROLLMENT.

INDUSTRY GROUPS SAYS EMPLOYER HEALTHCARE EXPENSES COULD RISE ABOUT NINE PERCENT.

EXPERTS SAY EMPLOYERS COULD TRY TO OFFSET SOME OF THAT INCREASE BUT IT'S LIKELY TO RESULT IN HIGHER PREMIUMS.

KFF'S EMPLOYER HEALTH BENEFITS SURVEY OUT THURSDAY SAYS PAY RAISES AREN'T KEEPING UP WITH COSTS.

THAT MEANS HEALTHCARE COULD FEEL LESS AFFORDABLE TO COUNTLESS WORKERS.

ANALYSTS ATTRIBUTE THE COST BUMPS TO INCREASED USE OF HEALTH SERVICES.

THEY ALSO CITE EXPENSIVE TREATMENTS FOR CONDITIONS LIKE CANCER AND THE GROWTH OF OBESITY MEDICATIONS.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: TEMPERATURES WILL BE MILD ONCE AGAIN TOMORROW, BUT WE COULD START TO SEE SOME SHOWERS AND MAYBE A FEW THUNDERSTORMS MOVING IN, IN THE AFTERNOON.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, MORE THAN THREE DECADES IN THE CLASSROOM AND NOW THIS MINNESOTA TEACHER IS EARNING NATIONAL RECOGNITION.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANNFUL [♪♪♪] >>> AND HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA IS NOW ONLY 100 DAYS AWAY FROM STOPPING BY THE CITY OF BRAINERD FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AND IN HONOR OF THE SPECIAL OCCASION, THE HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA BRAINERD 2027 COMMITTEE BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR A FREE TAILGATE AT THE ESSENTIA SPORTS CENTER THIS EVENING.

THE EVENT OFFERED HOCKEY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS, FOOD, HOCKEY DAY MERCHANDISE, AS WELL AS THE CHANCE TO SKATE ALONGSIDE THE BRAINERD WARRIOR & FLYER HOCKEY TEAMS FOR ALL THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

EVENT COORDINATOR AARON BASEMAN EXPRESSED HIS EXCITEMENT AS THE CITY OF BRAINERD INCHES CLOSER TO THE EVENT.

NOW IT'S 100 DAYS AWAY.

>> THE COMMUNITY IS BACKING US, HELPING US, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S FOR THE KIDS.

WE'RE TRYING TO IMPROVE THE HOCKEY EXPERIENCE FOR THE KIDS IN TOWN HERE.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING IT.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

IT'S A LOT OF THINGS TO PUT TOGETHER.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE DOING DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT WHEN WE'RE DONE.

IT'S GOING TO IMPROVE HOCKEY HERE LIKE CRAZY.

>> BASEMAN ALSO STATED THAT ADDITIONAL HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA GAMES WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON A LATER DATE.

>>> WELL LOOK AT WHAT A FARMER IN MINNESOTA FOUND IN HIS CORNFIELD.

THE METALLIC OBJECT IS 11 FEET IN DIAMETER AND AN INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED IT MIGHT HAVE CAME FROM SPACE, BUT NOT ORIGINALLY.

EXPERTS THINK IT'S PART OF A CHINESE ROCKET.

THE FIRST STAGE FELL TO EARTH OVER THE UPPER MIDWEST.

THE OBJECT MATCH IT IS DIAMETER OF THAT PART OF THE ROCKET AND COULD HAVE SAT IN THE FIELD UNNOTICED FOR SIX WEEKS.

DEBRIS FALLING FROM SPACE IS BECOMING A BIGGER CONCERN AS THE NUMBER OF ROCKET LAUNCHES AND SATELLITES KEEPS GOING UP.

>>> YES STACY, I THINK THAT IS A BIT OF A CONCERN, SOMETHING LIKE THAT FALLING DOWN.

LUCKILY IT DID NOT HIT ANYBODY.

>> Stacy: RIGHT, AND WE'RE SEEING GREAT WEATHER OUT THERE ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS WEEK.

THINGS ARE GOING TO START TO CHANGE AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK AND ESPECIALLY INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

WE COULD BE SEEING SOME RAIN SHOWERS AND POSSIBLY A FEW THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA BEGINNING TOMORROW AF [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, JUST ANOTHER REPEAT FROM WHAT WE'VE BEEN SAYING MOST OF THIS WEEK.

IT WAS GORGEOUS OUT THERE, AGAIN TODAY WAS SUNSHINE AND MILD.

WHILE THE MILD TEMPS WILL STICK AROUND TOMORROW, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 60s AND 70s.

WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A CHANGE, SOME SHOWERS COULD DEVELOP IN THE AFTERNOON.

WE MAY SEE A FEW THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MIX AS WELL, THOSE CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY.

AS A COLD FRONT BEGINS TO MOVE THROUGH AND WE WILL SEE A BIG CHANGE IN OUR TEMPERATURES STARTING NEXT WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 57 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A DEW POINT OF 48, AND HUMIDITY AT 71%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES AND 54.

49 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 5.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, QUIET OUT THERE, A FEW SPRINKLES THAT COULD BE MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, EXPECT TO SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL START TO SEE SOME INCREASE IN CLOUDS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY AND ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON, WE MAY SEE SOME RAIN SHOWERS DEVELOP WITH A FEW ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MIX.

THAT CONTINUES INTO SATURDAY WHEN THAT COLD FRONT ROLLS THROUGH AND THAT IS GOING TO BRING SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES AND HIGHS COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO 20 DEGREES COOLER BY THE TIME WE HIT SUNDAY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

IT WAS A FOGGY MORNING IN CASS LAKE.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO.

THIS IS THE MORNING SUNRISE FROM ARLENE.

WE HAVE THE SUNSHINE THROUGH THE FALL LEAVES IN DEERWOOD FROM CHRISSY.

DEBBIE SENDING US THIS PICTURE FROM SYLVAN LAKE.

GARY WITH THE MUSHROOMS SPROUTING UP IN DEERWOOD.

SHEILA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF A BALD EAGLE SPOTTED IN THE TREE.

WE HAVE A GOOSE AT LITTLE TURTLE LAKE FROM LORRIE.

WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET FROM BILL AND JUDY AND SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR OUR WEATHER SHOTS TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 31 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD WITH A HIGH OF 69.

SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE, 60 THIS EVENING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE WITH A HIGH OF 72.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLEAR SKIES, A FOGGY START, AND WE TOPPED OUT AT 69.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A HIGH OF 72.

ON OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD TODAY, 73 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE.

THAT IS 20 DEGREES ABOVE OUR AVERAGE, JUST EXTREMELY WARM TEMPERATURES OUT THERE.

35 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING, SO THAT WAS A PRETTY SEASONAL TEMP TO START THE DAY, AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 6:18.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 72, OUR AVERAGE IS 49.

SO WE ARE WELL ABOVE THAT, ONLY 5 DEGREES SHY OF THE RECORD HIGH, 27 FOR THE LOW, AND 7:49 FOR THE SUNRISE.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST.

WE WILL BE SEEING A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, ESPECIALLY EARLY ON AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE MAY START TO SEE SOME SHOWERS AND EVEN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

TEMPS ARE STILL VERY MILD, WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE LOW 70s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND WE WILL BE SEEING SOME 60s AND 70s, UPPER 60s AND LOW 70s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY, A CHANCE FOR SPRINKLES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 51, AND VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW, WITH SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

IT'S GOING TO BE BREEZY WITH HIGHS NEAR 71.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, SHOWERS AND AGAIN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ON SATURDAY AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH AND LOOK AT THAT TEMPERATURE CHANGE AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY: HIGHS ARE IN THE MID TO UPPER 40s, LOW 50s EARLY NEXT WEEK, AND WE MAY SEE PRECIPITATION MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

MILES IS HERE.

BSU MEN'S HOCKEY HAS A BIG WEEKEND SERIES WITH UMD COMING UP.

>> Miles: YEAH, THEY HAD TO TAKE A BYE WEEK, THEY WILL BE UP IN ACTION THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND.

WE'LL HAVE MORE AFTER THE BREAK AND PEQUOT LAKES GIRLS TENNIS.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> LAST YEAR, AFTER A SEMIFINALS EXIT IN THE SECTION 7-1A TOURNAMENT, THE PEQUOT LAKES GIRLS TENNIS TEAM SET OUT ON A MISSION TO MAKE IT BACK AND GO EVEN FURTHER.

NOW THE PATRIOTS ARE STATE-BOUND.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE DETAILS ON THE TEAM'S MISSION GOING INTO STATE TOURNAMENT SEASON.

>> Reporter: AFTER A NAIL BITING 4-3 WIN IN THE SECTION 7-1A TEAM FINALS, PEQUOT LAKES HAS CLENCHED A SPOT IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020, THE THIRD TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

>> I THINK JUST A LOT OF DEEP BREATHS BETWEEN POINTS.

ME AND MY PARTNER'S MATCH WAS THE FOURTH ONE.

SO A LOT OF PRESSURE THERE.

IT WAS A CLOSE MATCH BUT IT WAS A GOOD ONE.

I JUST THINK WITH DOUBLES, A LOT OF COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR PARTNER, JUST REMINDING THEM DEEP BREATHS BETWEEN EVERY POINT, WE GOT IT.

JUST A LOT OF COMMUNICATION AND REMEMBERING TAKE OUR TIME.

THAT'S ALL YOU CAN DO, REALLY.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH THE TEAM MAKING IT TO STATE, TWO QUALIFIED AS WELL, CLAIRE AND EMMY, THE TEAM BELIEVES NO MATTER IF YOU ARE A SINGLES OR DOUBLES, THEY ARE ALL WORKING TO ACCOMPLISH ONE GOAL.

>> I THINK JUST A LOT OF OUR HARD WORK THROUGHOUT THE SEASON WAS A BIG FACTOR AND JUST A LOT OF TEAMWORK, LIKE EVEN IF YOU PLAY SINGLES OR DOUBLES, WE'RE ALL A TEAM.

I THINK ALL OF OUR COMBINED EFFORTS ALL TOGETHER HELPED THIS ONE.

>> WE'RE SO EXCITED TO BE HERE AND WE'RE SO HAPPY TO GET TO THE SPOT WE'RE IN.

>> Reporter: SOFIA SAYS THE TEAM HAS BEEN LOCKED IN AND HAS BEEN MORE TOGETHER THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

>> I THINK WE HAD A LOT OF TEAMWORK THIS YEAR AND OUR TEAM HAS BEEN REALLY CLOSE, RATHER THAN THE PAST YEARS.

SO I THINK JUST THAT CLOSENESS HAS HELPED US.

>> I THINK EVERYONE IS PRACTICING REALLY HARD AND I THINK THEY ARE PUTTING IN A LOT OF EFFORT JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE SOMETHING SO HIGH AT STAKE.

>> Reporter: WHEN STRATEGY, TEAMWORK, AND CONFIDENCE LEADING THE WAY, THE PATRIOTS HAVE THEIR SIGHTS SET ON WINNING THEIR FIRST STATE TITLE.

>> WE HAVEN'T MADE IT TO STATE FOR A LONG TIME.

THIS IS HUGE FOR US.

I AM EXCITED TO BE WHERE WE ARE.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY EXCITING BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T GONE IN SO LONG.

SO I THINK WE WORKED REALLY HARD TO MAKE THAT GOAL HAPPEN.

>> I HOPE WE CAN GO AS FAR AS WE CAN, BUT IF NOT, I THINK IT'S A GOOD ACCOMPLISHMENT TO MAKE IT TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> TAKING A LOOK AHEAD, THEY WILL BE TAKING ON LITCHFIELD IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE TOURNAMENT.

>>> AND BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY WILL BE BACK ON THE ICE AFTER A TWELVE DAY HIATUS TOMORROW, FOR A HOME-AND-HOME SERIES AGAINST NINTH-RANKED MINNESOTA DULUTH.

BEFORE THE BYE WEEK, THE BEAVERS SHOWED PROMISE AGAINST THIRD NORTH DAKOTA IN A HOME AND HOME SERIES BACK ON OCTOBER 9TH AND 10TH, PLAYING THEM TO A TIE GAME IN THE THIRD PERIOD AMIDST BOTH CONTESTS.

HOWEVER THEY COULD NOT CLOSE OUT THE FIGHTING HAWKS IN THE WANING MINUTES, DROPPING BOTH MATCHUPS 3-2 AND 4-3 RESPECTIVELY.

HEAD COACH TOM SERRATORE EXPRESSED THAT WHILE SPECIAL TEAMS STANDS AS A MAIN FOCUS IMPROVEMENT-WISE FOR THE BEAVERS, HE BELIEVES THE SQUAD IS FURTHER AHEAD OF THE GAME, THAN HE EXPECTED ENTERING WEEK THREE.

>> WE'RE QUICKER THAN WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE.

USUALLY IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET UP TO SPEED.

IT'S NOT LIKE THESE GUYS DON'T HAVE LEG, BUT THEY THINK FIRST AND REACT SECOND.

THAT'S NOT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THESE GUYS, THE LEVEL OF HOCKEY THEY PLAYED IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS.

MOST OF THEM ARE COMING OUT OF THE CHL.

THEY'RE BATTLE TESTED AND THEY KNOW THEIR WAY AROUND THE RINK.

>> Miles: YOU SEE HOW THEY FAIRED AGAINST THE BULLDOGS OVER THE YEAR.

THEY HAVE NOT HANDLED UMD THE PAST TWO YEARS.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY WILL BE ON THE ROAD THIS WEEKEND FOR A TWO-GAME SERIES AGAINST NINTH RANKED SAINT CLOUD STATE, RESUMING A TEN-CONSECUTIVE-GAME STRETCH SEEING WCHA PLAY.

BSU DROPPED A TWO-GAME SET AGAINST MINNESOTA DULUTH LAST WEEKEND BY A SCORE OF 3-0 LAST FRIDAY, AND 5-0 LAST SATURDAY.

THE BEAVERS WILL HAVE ANOTHER TALL TASK THIS WEEKEND AGAINST THE HUSKIES, WHO CURRENTLY HAVE TWO OF THE NATION'S TOP 25 GOAL SCORERS IN MARIA MIKAELYAN AND SOFIANNA SUNDELIN HEADLINING A FORMIDABLE TOP LINE.

>> I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO CONTINUE TO LEAN INTO THE THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE DANGEROUS.

WE KNOW THEY CAN SCORE.

I THINK TAKING AWAY THEIR TIME AND SPACE.

DEFENSIVELY, WE HAVE TO DO A GOOD JOB DEFENDING THE RUSH.

TRYING TO SLOW THEM DOWN SO THE NEUTRAL ZONE WILL BE IMPORTANT AND WINNING, AND MAKING SURE THEY DON'T GET OPPORTUNITIES IN FRONT OF OUR NET.

>> Miles: PUCK DROP WILL BE TOMORROW AT 6:00 P.M.

AT ST.

CLOUD STATE.

>>> BRAINERD AND PEQUOT LAKES EARNED SOME W'S IN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL.

PARK RAPIDS AND WARROAD DROPPED.

CROSBY-IRONTON GOT A W TODAY.

STAPLES MOTLEY FELL AND FOSSTON FELL IN FIVE SETS.

>> Dennis: THANKS MILES.

A PARK RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER IS EARNING NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR A CAREER SPENT SHAPING YOUNG LIVES.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING HIGHLIGHTS THE EDUCATOR BEHIND THE AWARD FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: FOR 33 YEARS, DR.

TANYA MILLER HAS HELPED STUDENTS FIND THEIR VOICE THROUGH THE POWER OF ENGLISH AND SPEECH.

NOW SHE IS REPRESENTING MINNESOTA WITH THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION FOUNDATIONS AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY REALLY FANTASTIC TEACHERS THAT I KNOW PERSONALLY HERE AT THIS SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHOOLS TOO.

SO, IT'S REALLY HUMBLING, I GUESS TO REPRESENT ALL OF THESE FANTASTIC TEACHERS I KNOW.

>> MILLER'S IMPACT IS NOT CONFINED TO TEXTBOOKS AND CLASSROOM WALLS.

IT BRINGS LEARNING TO THE REAL WORLD, WHICH MAKES HER TEACHING STAND OUT.

>> EVERY GREAT STORY HAS SOMEONE THAT LEAVES THEIR MARK.

ONE TEACHER IS PROVING HER GREATEST WORK IS NOT JUST ON PAPER BUT IN THE LIVES SHE HELPED SHAPE.

>> TANYA BELIEVES IN HAVING KIDS GO OUT AND LEARN KIND OF ON THE GO AND I THINK THAT MAKES IT MUCH MORE MEANINGFUL FOR HER KIDS.

>> ONE OF JUST 43 EDUCATORS HONORED NATIONWIDE.

SHE REPRESENTS MINNESOTA AT A FEBRUARY CEREMONY IN WASHINGTON D.C.

FOR THIS AWARD-WINNING TEACHER, THE REAL MEASURE OF SUCCESS IS NOT A TROPHY, IT'S WHAT STUDENTS TAKE WITH THEM.

>> I HOPE THAT MY STUDENTS LEARN TO TRUST THEIR VOICE, WHETHER THEY ARE WRITING OR SPEAKING, BUT TO TRUST THAT THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY AND THAT THEY HAVE SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO SAY, AND THAT THEIR VOICE MATTERS.

>> AGAIN WITH A PASSION FOR TEACHING HAS GROWN INTO A LEGACY REACHING WELL BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

NOW, THAT NATIONAL RECOGNITION IS PUTTING MORE THAN ONE DESERVING EDUCATOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

IT'S PUTTING PARK RAPIDS ON THE MAP.

>> IT'S AMAZING.

WHEREVER TEACHERS GET RECOGNIZED, IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS FROM THE CITIES.

IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS FROM BIG SCHOOLS, BIG AREAS, SO TO HAVE SOMEBODY FROM PARK RAPIDS RECOGNIZED AND HAVING THE WORD PARK RAPIDS IN THE MOUTHS OF PEOPLE, IT'S JUST GREAT FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> REPORTING IN PARK RAPIDS FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, VERY NICE.

CONGRATU