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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND EDUCATION.

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.

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

>>> WE BEGIN WITH NEWS OF A STRUCTURE FIRE NEAR BEMIDJI.

THE BEMIDJI FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AROUND 3:30 THIS AFTERNOON TO THIS HOME IN LAKE HATTIE TOWNSHIP WHICH IS ABOUT 20 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BEMIDJI.

WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED, THEY FOUND A TWO STORY HOME FULLY INVOLVED.

THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

FURTHER DETAILS ARE EXPECTED TOMORROWS.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS FROM LAKE GEORGE, LAPORTE, AND ITASCA ALSO PROVIDED MUTUAL AID.

>>> FOR MANY YEARS, IT HAS BEEN A GOAL AMONG EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO REACH A 100-PERCENT GRADUATION RATE ACROSS ALL OF BELTRAMI COUNTY.

PROJECT GRADUATE 100-PERCENT HOSTED A COMMUNITY SUMMIT TO TRY TO BRING SOLUTIONS TO HELP REACH THAT GOAL.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL CAREER OUTSIDE OF HIGH SCHOOL?

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN BELTRAMI BELIEVE IT STARTS WITH A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

PROJECT GRADUATE 100 PERCENT HAS DETERMINED TO FINISH THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH A DIPLOMA IN EVERY STUDENTS' HAND.

>> SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO THAT SINCE WE HAD PUBLIC EDUCATION.

I BELIEVE WE CAN DO BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE CAPABLE OF GRADUATING AND PEOPLE WANT STUDENTS TO GRADUATE.

IF WE HAVE THOSE TWO THINGS IN MIND, WHY DON'T WE DO IT?

WE'RE HERE TO LOOK AT HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE MANY DISCUSSIONS INCLUDE WHAT LEADERS IN THE AREA THINK AS TO THE CAUSES ON WHY SOME STUDENTS AREN'T GRADUATING.

>> I'VE BEEN IN THIS LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THE MORE TESTING WE DO, THE MORE RIGOR WE THROW AT STUDENTS, DOESN'T END UP WITH RESULTING IN HIGHER GRADUATION RATES FOR STUDENTS FEELING MORE ENGAGED.

WHAT MAKES THEM FEEL ENGAGED IS MEANINGFUL WORK AND CONNECTIONS WITH EACH OTHER AND ADULTS IN SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY LEADERS BELIEVE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS NOT AT THE SCHOOL THEMSELVES, BUT CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE STUDENT'S HOME.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR KIDS THAT ARE IN A LIVING ENVIRONMENT THAT IS NOT SOBER.

WHEN THEY'RE BEING EXPOSED TO CHEMICALS AT A YOUNG AGE, THEY ARE LIVING IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW WHERE THEY'RE STAYING THAT NIGHT, WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO WAKE UP, WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO GET THEIR NEXT MEAL.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THESE CHILDREN'S BASIC NEEDS, HOUSING, CLOTHING, STABILITY.

>> Reporter: SOME THINK A 100% GRADUATION RATE IS AN AMBITIOUS GOAL TO HAVE, BUT THEY BELIEVE IT CAN BE DONE.

>> THE TASK IS HUGE BUT IT CAN BE DONE.

WE HAVE EDUCATORS THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE THAT WANT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

WE HAVE COMMUNITY LEADERS THAT CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

WE CAN DO IT IF WE GET TOGETHER AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.

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

>> PROJECT GRADUATE: 100-PERCENT ESTABLISHED A HOTLINE EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR ANYONE IN THE AREA STRUGGLING WITH STAYING IN SCHOOL.

IF YOU CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN, SOMEONE WILL BE THERE TO PROVIDE HELPFUL WAYS OF STAYING IN SCHOOL OR JUST SOMEONE TO TALK TO IF THAT IS ALL YOU NEED.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD HELD A SPECIAL MEETING YESTERDAY TO DISCUSS THE NEXT PHASE FOR THE SEARCH FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

INSTEAD, MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO KEEP PETER GRANT FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR.

GRANT EXPRESSED INTEREST PRIOR TO THE MEETING ABOUT REMAINING THE SUPERINTENDANT IF MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD WOULD BE OPEN TO THE IDEA.

GRANT HAS SERVED AS THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDANT SINCE JULY OF THIS YEAR.

THE ADMINISTRATION TEAM WAS A KEY FACTOR IN HIS DESIRE TO STAY ON.

>> THE GROUP OF PEOPLE AT THE END OF THE ROOM MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THEY'RE ALL TALENTED, THEY'RE ALL SUPPORTIVE, AND THE DIRECTORS, AND YOU KNOW, THE PERSON REALLY RUNNING THE DISTRICT BEHIND US MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT, I WOULDN'T STAY.

>> THE INTERIM TITLE WILL BE REMOVED FROM GRANT AND THE CONTRACT WILL BE OFFICIAL AT A LATER DATE.

>>> A BEMIDJI SCHOOL BUS CARRYING STUDENTS FROM BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL AND TREK NORTH WAS REAR-ENDED BY A CAR AT A RAILROAD CROSSING TODAY BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

THE CRASH INVOLVED BUS NUMBER 93 AND HAPPENED ON ADAMS AVENUE THIS MORNING.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS, ALL STUDENTS WERE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER BUS TO COMPLETE THEIR TRIP TO SCHOOL AND WERE SCREENED BY BUILDING HEALTH OFFICE STAFF WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT SCHOOL.

>>> MINNESOTA BUDGET OFFICIALS ARE PROJECTING A SURPLUS OF $616 MILLION FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS BUDGET CYCLE.

THAT IS ABOUT $1.1 BILLION LESS THAN PREVIOUS ESTIMATES AND OFFICIALS SAID THAT SLOWING WAGE GROWTH AND A COOLING LABOR MARKET ARE SIGNIFICANT FACTORS IN THEIR ESTIMATES.

THE FORECAST ALSO SHOWS A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT IN UPCOMING YEARS.

THE ECONOMIC FORECAST RELEASED BY MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET SHOWS A POTENTIAL $5.1 BILLION SHORTFALL FOR THE 2028-2029 BIENNIUM DUE IN PART TO COSTS FOR LONG-TERM CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.

REPUBLICANS LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAID TODAY THE STATE NEEDS TO STOP ITS SPENDING SPREE AND ARE CALLING FOR SPENDING CUTS.

WHEN ASKED IF INCREASING TAXES SHOULD BE ON THE TABLE, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ SAID THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE LOOKED AT.

>>> A MANHUNT IS UNDERWAY FOR THE GUNMAN WHO KILLED THE CEO OF MINNETONKA BASED UNITED HEALTHCARE TODAY IN NEW YORK.

BRIAN THOMPSON, WHO IS FROM MAPLE GROVE, WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON A MANHATTAN SIDEWALK ON THIS MORNING.

POLICE ARE CALLING IT A BRAZEN TARGETED ATTACK.

SHERRELL HUBBARD HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: UNITED HEALTHCARE CEO WAS KILLED IN NEW YORK CITY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

THE 50-YEAR-OLD EXECUTIVE WAS IN FRONT OF A MIDTOWN MANHATTAN HOTEL, ON THE WAY TO AN INVESTOR CONFERENCE WHEN A GUNMAN WALKS UP FROM BEHIND AND FIRES SEVERAL FATAL ROUNDS.

>> EVERY INDICATION IS THAT THIS WAS PREMEDITATED, PREPLANNED, TARGETED ATTACK.

>> Reporter: THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING TO PIECE TOGETHER WHO THE GUNMAN IS AND WHY THEY TARGETED THOMPSON.

THEY RELEASED THESE PHOTOS OF THE SUSPECT.

THE IMAGES SHOW HIM AT A NEARBY STARBUCKS JUST BEFORE THE SHOOTING.

THIS HAPPENED BLOCKS AWAY FROM ROCKEFELLER CENTER, WHERE DRONES OF PEOPLE ARE SET TO ATTEND THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GO ON AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ENJOY THE TREE LIGHTING TONIGHT.

>> Reporter: POLICE ARE REASSURING PEOPLE THAT THE CITY IS STILL SAFE AND THE LIGHTING WILL GO ON AS PLANNED.

THEY SEARCH FOR A MOTIVE.

THE SHOOTER RAN FROM THE SCENE, GRABBED AN ELECTRIC BIKE, AND HEADED INTO CENTRAL PARK.

>> THEY WANT TO KEEP EVERY PIECE OF EVENT AND IN A PLANNED TARGETED EVENT, THERE IS A LOT OF EVIDENCE.

THEY WANT TO COLLECT THAT.

>> Reporter: I'M SHERRELL HUBBARD, REPORTING.

>> THE POLICE DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A PLANNED ATTACK IS BECAUSE THEY SAY THE SUSPECT WAS LYING IN WAIT FOR THE VICTIM.

HE ALSO USED A SILENCER ON THE MURDER WEAPON, AND HE TOOK CARE TO HAVE HIS FACE MOSTLY COVERED.

POLICE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE CELL PHONE OR E-BIKE WILL GIVE THEM MORE CLUES.

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

>> Stacy: OUR STRONG WINDS WILL CONTINUE FOR A LITTLE WHILE INTO THE OVERNIGHT, BUT IT SHOULD BE CALMER TOMORROW.

WE COULD ALSO SEE A BIT OF SUNSHINE.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, AS TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO DROP, A PLAN FOR HOMEOWNERS TO PREVENT PROPERTY DAMAGE THIS YEAR.

>> 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 MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>>> THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS & HOME SAFETY RESEARCHES WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SEVERE WEATHER.

AS TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO DROP, HOMEOWNERS SHOULD HAVE THE PLAN TO PREVENT PROPERTY DAMAGE THIS WINTER SEASON.

COMMON CAUSES OF PROPERTY DAMAGE DURING THE WINTER INCLUDE LEAKY ROOFS AND INTERIOR WATER DAMAGE CAUSED BY FROZEN PIPES.

THE IBHS HAS GIVEN HOMEOWNERS SIMPLE WAYS TO PREVENT PROPERTY DAMAGE DURING TEMPERATURES THAT ARE BELOW FREEZING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

>> CHECK ON THE PIPES, ESPECIALLY IN THE HARD TO REACH PLACES LIKE BASEMENTS, ATTICS, CRAWL SPACES, EX -- EXTERIOR WALLS.

WE HAVE A STEP BY STEP CHECKLIST FOR HOMEOWNERS.

YOU CAN GO THERE AND SEE YOUR FULL WINTER READY GUIDE.

>> ACCORDING TO A STUDY CONDUCTED BY VALUEPENGUIN, WINTER WEATHER HAS CAUSED OVER $60 MILLION OF PROPERTY DAMAGE ALREADY IN 2024.

ZBL INT.

>>> SPEAKING OF THE WEATHER, LET'S BRING IN WEATHERCASTER STACY CHRISTENSON.

THE WIND COMBINE WITH THE COLD WAS PRETTY FIERCE.

>> Stacy: YES, WE HAD THE WINDCHILLS -20 IN OUR VIEWING AREA AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE STRONG WINDS, AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT FEW HOURS.

WE HAVE A WIND ADVISORY FOR PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

IT LOOKS CALMER TOMORROW, ALTHOUGH TEMPERA >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, IT HAS BEEN A COLD AND WINDY DAY ACROSS THE AREA, A LOT OF BLOWING SNOW EFFECTING ROAD CONDITIONS AND VISIBILITY.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE SOME STRONG WINDS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.

THE WINDS SHOULD DIMINISH OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE SHOULD HAVE SOME SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES ARE COLD TOMORROW, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE A WARM UP IN TIME FOR THE WEEKEND.

IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 0 DEGREES OUT THERE.

THE WINDS ARE OUT OF THE NORTHWEST AT 20 MILES PER HOUR.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 22, AND WE HAVE A CURRENT WINDCHILL OF -22.

IN BRAINERD, IT'S 5 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF -5, NORTHWEST WINDS AT 14, GUSTING TO 29 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A WINDCHILL OF -12.

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MINNESOTA UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE NORTHWEST WINDS, 15 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR, WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 TO 50.

SO AGAIN THAT WILL RESULT IN THE COLD WINDCHILLS, AND IT WILL RESULT IN AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, BUT THE GOOD NEWS WE SHOULD START TO SEE THE WINDS DIMINISHING AND THEY WILL LOOK CALMER.

ON THE RADAR, IT IS QUIET ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH IN SNOWFALL, AND THE SNOW HAS BEEN BLOWING AROUND TODAY.

QUIETER WEATHER TOMORROW, WE SHOULD HAVE SOME SUNSHINE, WARMER TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE BACK AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

A COUPLE OF WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ANGELA TAKING THIS PHOTO OF A BALD EAGLE IN THE TREE, ENJOYING THE BLOWING SNOW TODAY.

YOLANDA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE EVENING SKIES IN PEMBINA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING WINDY CONDITIONS TODAY, WINDCHILL AT -17.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY TODAY.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT EARLY TODAY AT 36, BUT AGAIN THOSE TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN FALLING THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE ARE SEEING OUR CURRENT TEMPERATURES, THE LOWEST TEMPS WE'VE SEEN IS A LOW IN BRAINERD OF 5.

BEMIDJI TODAY EARLY ON WITH A HIGH OF 20, THE LOW IS OUR CURRENT TEMPERATURE, WHICH IS AT 0, AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 4:29.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, IT LOOKS CALMER AND WE SHOULD SEE SOME SUNSHINE TOMORROW.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

CHILLY TEMPERATURES, COLD TEMPERATURES, WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS NEAR 9 IN FOSSTON, WITH SOME TEENS, LOW TO MID-TEENS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, AND AGAIN THOSE HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD RANGE FROM ABOUT 10 TO 15.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOOKING AT THE PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, LOWS NEAR 0.

THEN FOR TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, 13 FOR OUR HIGH, WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE START TO WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY WITH A BIG WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

WE WILL START TO SEE CLOUDS INCREASE AS WELL, SO EXPECT TO SEE PLENTY OF CLOUD COVER.

WE HAVE SMALL CHANCES OF PRECIPITATION EARLY NEXT WEEK, HIGHS IN THE 30s THROUGH THE WEEKEND, 28 ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

ON TO ROUND 3 FOR THE BSU FOOTBALL TEAM.

>> Charlie: YEAH, UNCHARTED TERRITORIES, THEY NEVER PLAY IN THE THIRD ROUND.

THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT WITH MINNESOTA STATE.

WE HAVE A STORY ABOUT THAT COMING UP AFTER >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE CENTER, OFFERING REPAIR SERVICES ON APPLE PRODUCTS AND P.C.S.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL HAS RE-WRITTEN THEIR POSTSEASON HISTORY BOOK OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

IN 2021, THEY WON THEIR FIRST PLAYOFF GAME.

IN 2022, THEY HOSTED THEIR FIRST PLAYOFF GAME.

LAST YEAR, THEY HOSTED THEIR FIRST EVER SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF GAME AND THIS SEASON, THEY HAVE MADE IT TO THE NATIONAL QUARTERFINAL ROUND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY, BUT THE ROAD TO GET THERE WAS A LITTLE BUMPY.

[CHEERING].

>> Reporter: FOOTBALL SEASON CAN HAVE ITS HIGHS.

[CHEERING].

>> Reporter: AND IT CAN HAVE ITS LOWS.

[CHEERING].

>> Reporter: BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL HAS SEEN PLENTY OF BOTH IN 2024.

[CHEERING].

>> I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE GUYS AND THE PROGRAM.

WHERE WE CAME FROM THIS YEAR, WE STRUGGLED TO MAKE PLAYOFFS.

HERE WE ARE FINDING WAYS TO WIN IN THE ELITE 8.

IT'S PRETTY AWESOME.

>> Reporter: FIVE WEEKS AGO, THE BEAVERS SUFFERED THEIR THIRD LOSS OF THE SEASON.

THEY WERE 5-3 AND THE OPPORTUNITY OF MAKING THEIR FOURTH STRAIGHT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE HAD ALL BUT VANISHED.

>> YEAH, ESPECIALLY AFTER THAT WINONA GAME, US AS A COLLECTIVE, AS A TEAM TO TUNE THAT OUT.

THAT'S ALL YOU HEAR.

THAT'S ALL THE OUTSIDE NOISE.

OH, THEY DROPPED THAT THIRD GAME.

WE ALL KNEW WHAT OUR POTENTIAL IS AND WHEN WE WENT OUT, WE ARE GOING TO GIVE OURSELVES A SHOT.

>> Reporter: THEY DID JUST THAT, RATTLING OFF THREE WINS IN A ROW, INCLUDING ONE OVER CONFERENCE CHAMPION AUGUSTANA IN THE FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON TO CLENCH A PLAYOFF BERTH.

THE WIN STREAK DIDN'T END THERE.

THEY KEPT ROLLING THROUGH THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NCAA PLAYOFFS WITH A CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY.

LAST YEAR THEY CAME UP SHORT IN THE SECOND ROUND, FALLING TO CENTRAL WASHINGTON AT HOME.

THIS YEAR, THEY DID NOT FALTER.

>> AFTER THAT COLORADO GAME, IT WAS A SUPER EMOTIONAL ONE.

EVERYONE WORKED SO HARD TO GET TO THIS POINT.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE IT COME OUT.

HONESTLY, IF WE WERE UNDEFEATED, I DON'T KNOW IF WE WOULD BE AT THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: THE BEAVERS ARE AT UNCHARTED TERRITORIES, THE QUARTER FINALS, AND THE BEAVERS ARE IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY, THE NCAA QUARTER FINALS, BUT IT WILL BE AGAINST A FAMILIAR FOE, MINNESOTA STATE.

>> IT'S A BLESSING.

EVERYTHING FROM HERE ON OUT IS A BLESSING.

THAT'S ALL WE CAN LOOK AT IT AS.

WE'RE SITE -- EXCITED.

>> Reporter: THEY MET FOR THE SECOND GAME IN THE REGULAR SEASON AND THE FIRST WEEK OF NSIC PLAY.

THE MAVS HIT A FIELD GOAL TO WIN, JUST ANOTHER IN A STRING OF HEARTBREAKING LOSSES TO THEIR IN-STATE RIVAL, WHO WON FIVE IN A ROW OVER THE BEAVERS, THE LAST THREE, ALL BY FOUR POINTS OR LESS.

>> WE WERE NOVICE AT THAT POINT, BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE COME A LONG WAYS.

OUR OFFENSE REALLY CONTROLLED THE GAME AND SADLY, WE JUST LET THEM DOWN THROUGH A DIFFERENT SERIES, LETTING THEM MARCH DOWN AND SCORE ON US.

>> WE BUILT UP OUR DEFENSE AND WE'RE ABLE TO HANDLE IT DIFFERENTLY.

>> Reporter: ON SATURDAY, BEMIDJI STATE WILL NOT ONLY HAVE THEIR SHOT AT REVENGE BUT ALSO TO CONTINUE MAPPING THEIR COURSE THROUGH UNCHARTED TERRITORY.

>> IT ADDS A LOT TO IT.

IT'S DIFFERENT THIS PAST COUPLE OF ROUNDS.

IT'S A NEW KIND OF JUICE.

WHEN WE LOST THE GAME, I THINK IT WAS WEEK TWO, A LOT OF GUYS HAD THE FEELING WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS TEAM AGAIN.

IT'S A LOT.

>>> THE GAME THIS WEEKEND WILL MARK JUST THE THIRD TIME BSU FOOTBALL HAS PLAYED IN DECEMBER, THE OTHER TWO BEING THE 2006 AND 2016 MINERAL WATER BOWL.

BUT THE DECEMBER 7TH KICKOFF WILL BE THE LATEST CALENDAR DATE THE BEAVERS HAVEVER PLAYED.

>>> NOW OFFICIALLY IN THE WIN COLUMN AFTER LAST NIGHT'S 6-3 VICTORY OVER RIVER LAKES, MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON HOW THE WARRIORS HOPE TO MAKE YESTERDAY'S VICTORY A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME.

>> Reporter: AFTER GRADUATING 10 SENIORS LAST YEAR, BRAINERD BOYS HOCKEY IS LOOKING TO BUILD UP SOME EXPERIENCE.

>> IT'S NEXT MAN UP.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STEPPING INTO BIGGER ROLES.

THE MORE THESE GUYS SEE THE ICE AT THE VARSITY LEVEL, THE BETTER WE'LL GET.

WE'RE A FEROCIOUS BUNCH.

WE JUST NEED MORE EXPERIENCE.

THEN WE WILL BE GOOD.

>> Reporter: AS EXPERIENCE CONTINUES TO MOUNT, CONFIDENCE WILL FOLLOW AND THE WARRIORS BELIEVE STAYING RELENTLESS, HUNGRY, AND REMAINING EVEN KEEL WILL NET THE BEST RESULTS.

>> GET OUR MINDSET RIGHT.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE, BUT NOT TOO MUCH BECAUSE THEY WILL THINK WE'RE THE BEST AND WE WILL GET WALKED ON.

>> WE NEED TO COMPARTMENTALIZE OUR VICTORIES SO WE CAN GET THE WINNING GOING.

WE CAN'T GET CAUGHT UP WITH ONE LOSS AND LET THAT SNOWBALL.

>> Reporter: WHILE THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE GATE HOT, STARTING 1-4 IN THE SEASON, WHERE THEY SEE THEMSELVES EXCELLING IS THEIR DEFENSIVE PROWLESS.

COACH IS TEACHING US TO PITCH THE OFFENSIVE ZONE.

I LOVE OUR BLUE LINE BOYS RIGHT NOW, DREW, AND MICHAEL, LOGAN, THEY'RE ALL YOUNG, BUT THEY HAVE A LOT OF POTENTIAL AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD LATER IN THE SEASON.

>> Reporter: WARRIORS BOYS HOCKEY IS OFF TO A SLOW START, MORALE IS STILL HIGH, AS EVERY GAME COMES MORE EXPERIENCE, AS WELL AS A BETTER KNOW HOW ON HOW TO PUT THE PUCK AT THE BACK OF THE NET.

>> WE NEED TO FIND THE OPEN GUY.

THERE IS A BETTER PASS THAT COULD BE MADE THAT COULD GIVE US THE GOAL.

WE NEED TO KEEP OUR HEADS UP AND FIND THE OPEN GUY.

>> IT'S OFTEN TO MAKE A BACKDOOR PASS TO YOUR BUDDY AND SLAM IT IN.

JUST GETTING THE SHOTS UP AND EVENTUALLY THEY WILL START GOING IN.

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

>> Dennis: WELL, THEY GOT A WIN OVER RIVER LAKES THE LAST GAME.

>> Charlie: YEAH.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING THEM THE REST OF THE SEASON.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S A COMMON ILLNESS THAT'S MORE LIKELY TO SPREAD IN THE FALL AND WINTER.

PNEUMONIA IS AN INFECTION OF THE LUNGS AND CAN RANGE FROM MILD TO SEVERE, DEPENDING ON A PERSON'S RISK FACTORS.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS WHO IS AT HIGHEST RISK AND WHAT EVERYONE CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT PNEUMONIA FROM SPREADING AS IT GETS COLDER.

>> Reporter: EVERY YEAR, IN THE U.S.

PNEUMONIA CAUSES MORE THAN 1 MILLION HOSPITALIZATIONS AND MORE THAN 50,000 DEATHS.

>> THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHERE RESPIRATORY VIRUSES START PICKING UP.

>> Reporter: PULMONARY DOCTOR SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF FEW -- PNEUMONIA, BUT THOSE AT RISK ARE 65 AND OLDER AND CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 5, THE YOUNGER THEY ARE, THE HIGHER THE RISK.

CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS CAN ALSO PUT A PERSON IN DANGER INCLUDING HEART DISEASE, LIVER DISEASE, LUNG DISEASE, DIABETES, AND THOSE WITH A WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM.

>> MINIMAL VENTILATION IS A PERFECT STORM FOR ANYTHING THAT SPREADS IN AN AERIAL WAY.

>> Reporter: COLDER MONTHS WHEN PEOPLE SPEND MORE TIME INDOORS MAKES IT EASIER FOR ALL GERMS TO SPREAD.

HE SAID THE KEY TO PROTECTING YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES IS VACCINATION.

>> THE BIG THREE THAT CAN GIVE US REALLY BAD VIRAL PNEUMONIA, LET ALONE BAD VIRAL ILLNESSES IS INFLUENZA, COVID, AND R.S.V.

THERE IS ONE VACCINE FOR THE COMMON AND DEADLIEST KIND OF BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA.

>> Reporter: GOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES CAN HELP SLOW THE SPREAD AS WELL, INCLUDING HAND WASHING, NOT TOUCHING YOUR FACE, AND COVERING YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE WHEN YOU COUGH OR SNEEZE.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: WITH MORE ON OUR WEATHER, WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE STRONG WINDS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

WINDS ARE 15 TO 30, GUSTING 45 TO 50.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, WITH LOWS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS ABOVE AND BELOW 0.

>> Charlie: I'M GOING TO BE OUTSIDE FOR THE BSU-MINNESOTA STATE GAME.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO GET UP TO 40 IN MANKATO, WHICH WOULD BE NICE.

IT'S TOUGH TO FIND THAT IN DECEMBER, ESPECIALLY FOR A FOOTBALL GAME.

>> Dennis: THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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