>> 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.

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 TONIGHT WITH AN UPDATE ON THE TWO ARRESTS INVOLVING FELONY ANIMAL MISTREATMENT IN HINES.

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS OVER 80 ANIMALS HAVE BEEN SEIZED FROM THE PROPERTY AND TAKEN TO PROPER HOUSING AND FOR MEDICAL CARE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE NOW WITH NEW INFORMATION FROM THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY.

>> Reporter: TWO INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED ON ANIMAL MALTREATMENT CHARGES.

THEIR RESIDENCE IN HINES WERE HOUSING ANIMALS IN UNSUITABLE LIVING CONDITIONS.

>> THAT'S WHAT OUR INITIAL COUNT WAS.

IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM WERE FAR -- FERAL.

WE DIDN'T GET ACCURATE COUNTS.

>> Reporter: THE INVESTIGATION STARTED IN MID-OCTOBER BUT DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF GETTING MEDICAL CARE AND SUITABLE HOUSING, THEY COULDN'T BEGIN THE SEIZURE UNTIL EARLY DECEMBER.

AFTER ANIMALS WERE REMOVED FROM THE PROPERTY, THE ONLY SHELTER EQUIP TO HANDLE THE VOLUME OF CARE WAS THE ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY IN GOLDEN VALLEY.

>> SO ULTIMATELY ON DECEMBER 6TH, OUR STAFF ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF WORKERS WENT UP THERE AND RECOVERED APPROXIMATELY 60 ANIMALS, A LITTLE BETTER THAN THAT, AND HERE AS OF THIS MESS ON MONDAY, WE WENT UP THERE, RECOVERED AN ADDITIONAL 16 HORSES.

>> THEY DIDN'T HAVE ADEQUATE FOOD, WATER, SHELTER, MEDICAL CARE FROM THE SITUATION THEY WERE LIVING IN.

MANY OF THEM HAD RESPIRATORY DISEASE, OTHER ILLNESSES THAT WEREN'T BEING TREATED.

THEY ALL HAD FLEAS, UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS, PAINFUL EYE INFECTIONS AND OTHER ISSUES THAT WEREN'T TREATED AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE HOUSE'S RESIDENTS WERE TAKEN TO THE COUNTY JAIL.

>> THEY DIDN'T GET BASIC CARE.

THERE WAS STANDARDS OF FOOD, HOUSING, WATER, SHELTER, AND THEY WERE BARELY GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT AND SURVIVE.

WE SAW THEM ACTUALLY, ONE OF THE EARLIER TIMES FIGHTING OVER A PIECE OF STOOL FOR THEM TO EAT.

THEY WERE THAT HUNGRY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION, SO HOW THE CONDITIONS GOT TO THIS POINT OR HOW LONG IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR IS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN.

OVER 250 ANIMALS WERE COUNTED ALIVE, BUT THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAID THEY FOUND TOO MANY BONES TO COUNT.

>> WE ARE EXAMINING THE BONES AND FRAGMENTS FOUND ON THE SCENE AT THE WOOD FURNACE ON THE PROPERTY.

>> Reporter: VERY FEW OF THE SHELTERS ARE ENCLOSED AND NONE OF WHICH HAVE HEAT.

>> INSIDE THE HOUSE ITSELF, INSTEAD THE SHELTER, THE FLOORS THEMSELVES ARE SWISH -- SQUISHY FROM THE EXCESS KRA MEANT BUILT UP.

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

>> DESPITE THE DIRE LIVING CONDITIONS, SOME OF THE RESCUED ANIMALS WILL BE WELL ENOUGH TO BE PUT UP FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK AND WHILE THE TOTAL PROCESS WILL TAKE MONTHS, THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS TRYING TO RE-HOME ALL OF THEM.

ANY INQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT THE ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY WEBSITE.

>>> FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE IDENTIFIED THE 18-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO DIED AFTER AN A.T.V.

WENT THROUGH THE ICE ON A LAKE NEAR LONGVILLE ON MONDAY.

THE VICTIM'S AUNT IDENTIFIED HIM AS BLAKE HERMAN, OF BRAINERD IN A GOFUNDME POST WHICH HOPES TO RAISE MONEY FOR HERMAN'S FAMILY.

WE'RE INCLUDING A LINK TO THAT FUNDRAISER FOR HERMANS FAMIY ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE LPTV.ORG.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON BLACKWATER LAKE IN CASS COUNTY.

HERMAN'S BODY WAS RECOVERED FROM THE LAKE AROUND ONE TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

ANOTHER PERSON ON THE A.T.V., 20-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS IN RESCUED FROM THE WATER AND WAS AIRLIFTED TO A ST.

CLOUD HOSPITAL.

HIS NAME AND CONDITION HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

>>> A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER FROM WADENA HAS BEEN CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT WITH ATTEMPTING TO SEXUALLY EXPLOIT A MINOR AND PERSUADE THAT MINOR TO ENGAGE IN SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONDUCT.

A GRAND JURY INDICTED 53-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW W. TOLKINEN ON THE CHARGES ON NOVEMBER 19TH.

TOLKINEN WAS INDICTED AFTER ENGAGING IN AN ONLINE CONVERSATION WITH AN UNDERCOVER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FROM WISCONSIN WHO WAS POSING AS A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

TOLKINEN IS ACCUSED OF REPEATEDLY DESCRIBING HIS DESIRE TO HAVE SEX WITH THE CHILD WHOM HE BELIEVED WAS IN SCHOOL WHILE DESCRIBING HIS PLAN IN GRAPHIC DETAIL.

TOLKINEN WAS ARRESTED IN MINNESOTA ON NOVEMBER 20TH.

HE APPEARED IN FEDERAL COURT IN WISCONSIN ON DECEMBER 5TH AND WAS ORDERED DETAINED.

A JURY TRIAL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 10TH.

IF CONVICTED OF THE CHARGES, TOLKINEN FACES A MANDATORY MINIMUM OF 25 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON.

>>> NO ONE WAS INJURED IN A FIRE AT A BUSINESS IN MENAHGA ON TUESDAY.

THE FIRE AT NOFFSINGER NORTH MANUFACTURING WAS REPORTED AROUND 4:30 P.M.

WHEN EMERGENCY WORKERS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, THEY OBSERVED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM A GARAGE-STYLE DOOR WITH VISIBLE FLAMES THROUGH AN EXHAUST VENT.

EMPLOYEES AT THE SCENE CONFIRMED ALL OCCUPANTS HAD EXITED SAFELY.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE PAINT ROOM OF THE FACILITY.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS FROM MENAHGA, SEBEKA AND PARK RAPIDS SUCCESSFULLY CONTAINED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, LIMITING DAMAGE TO THE PAINT ROOM.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDETERMINED AND REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> IF YOU LIVE IN THE BEMIDJI AREA, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THE MANY DIFFERENT TOY DRIVES THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

THOSE TOY DRIVES WERE ALL FOR UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI'S ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR KIDS EVENT.

THE UNITED WAY UNDERSTANDS THAT UNFORTUNATELY NOT EVERY CHILD IS ABLE TO RECEIVE A CHRISTMAS GIFT EVERY YEAR.

FAMILIES WHO REGISTERED FOR THE PROGRAM WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO CHOOSE A NEW AND UNWRAPPED GIFT FOR THEIR CHILDREN FROM AS OLD AS 17 TO NEWBORNS.

THE EVENT IS AT THE SANFORD CENTER TOMORROW, DECEMBER 12TH FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. AND PARENTS WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THEM WHEN THEY ARRIVE.

>> WE GET BIKE FROM THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

WE GET SO MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES BETWEEN THE DOLLS, THE CARS, AND GAMES FOR FAMILIES, AND SO YES, LOTS OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF THINGS.

I WOULD SAY MY FAVORITE IS PROBABLY THE BOARD GAMES.

WE HAVE OVER 400 FAMILIES SIGNED UP RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS OVER 1,000 KIDS THAT WE'RE PLANNING TO SERVE.

SO WE JUST GIVE A BIG THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE TO SUPPORT AND TO DONATE GIFTS.

>> JUST OVER 1,200 KIDS ARE SIGNED UP FOR THE EVENT AND JUST OF 1,400 GIFTS WERE DONATED THIS YEAR.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL HAVE SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES AND COLDER WINDCHILLS IN THE AREA TONIGHT, AND MANY OF US ARE UNDER A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE IS SHOWCASING A NEW INITIATIVE IN HEALTHCARE.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HAS A NEW INITIATIVE THAT IS INTRODUCING INDIVIDUALS TO THE MANY CAREER PATHWAYS HEALTHCARE PRESENTS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE PATH MN LEADERSHIP GRANT.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON HOW C.L.C.

'S MOBILE HEALTHCARE UNIT IS OPENING THE NEXT GENERATION'S EYES TO WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN HEALTHCARE.

>> Reporter: THANKS TO A $4.2 MILLION PATH MN GRANT OR PATHWAYS TO ACCESS TRAINING IN HEALTHCARE IN MINNESOTA, JENNIFER CHOCK IS EXPOSING STUDENTS TO WHAT A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE ENTAILS.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE REACHING STUDENTS IN RURAL AREAS, STUDENTS THAT ARE BIPOC, INDIGENOUS, STUDENTS THAT MAY NOT THINK THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO GO INTO HEALTHCARE.

>> Reporter: THE MOBILE HEALTHCARE UNIT HAS ALL THE WORKS, REAL NEEDLES DONATED FROM LAKEWOOD HEALTH, AND AFTER STOPPING AT BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL YESTERDAY, PART AT PEQUOT LAKES CAREER FAIR THIS MORNING.

>> THE STUDENTS WILL INSERT THE NEEDLE, POP THE TUBE ON, SEE THE BLOOD COME DOWN THE TUBE.

I HAVE AN INTERDERMAL TRAINER, ANYTHING HANDS-ON ENGAGING HAS BEEN REALLY ENJOYED BY STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH DISCUSSING DIFFERENT HEALTHCARE CAREERS, SUCH AS NURSING, SURGICAL TECH, AND RADIOLOGICAL TECH, CHOCK ANSWERED ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS THAT THE STUDENTS HAD.

>> MANY STUDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST, SO A LOT OF SCHOLARSHIP QUESTIONS, CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE THAT DON'T INVOLVE BLOOD, CODING, SCRIBES, DIFFERENT CAREERS THAT AREN'T AS HANDS-ON.

>> Reporter: GIVEN THE LACK OF NUMBERS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE STRIVES TO PLAY A PIVOTAL PART IN EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION ON THE MANY CAREER PATHWAYS THAT THEY OFFER ALL THE MORE REASON THEY STOPPED A THE HIGH SCHOOL TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH INSIGHT.

>> KIDS ARE LIKE I HAD IT ACADEMICALLY, HOW DOES THAT LOOK LIKE IN REALITY, AND HOW DO I USE IT WITH SKILLS, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION.

WE ARE ABLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, SO WE NEED THEIR PARTNERSHIP TO HELP WITH THAT.

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

>> CHOCK WILL BRING C.L.C.

'S MOBILE HEALTHCARE UNIT, ALONG WITH A VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET THAT SIMULATES TREATING A PATIENT BACK TO PEQUOT LAKES HIGH SCHOOL FOR AN ANATOMY CLASS IN JANUARY.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

WE HAVE RED LAKE TWO HOURS LATE BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY COLD.

>> Stacy: TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE VERY COLD.

YOU ADD THAT WIND AND IT WILL BE BRUTALLY COLD.

WE'RE LOOKING AT WINDCHILLS CLOSE TO -30 ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, SO WE HAVE A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE AREA.

WE WILL SEE COLD TEMPERATURES TOMORROW AND A WARM UP IS IN >> 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: IT WAS A SUNNY BUT COLD DAY ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA TODAY AND WE ARE SEEING SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES ALREADY TONIGHT, AND ADD THAT WIND CHILL, AND IT'S BRUTALLY COLD OUT THERE.

MANY OF US ARE UNDER A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING, BUT THERE IS SOME RELIEF IN STORE.

IT SHOULD BE ARRIVING STARTING ON FRIDAY.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S -17 FOR OUR ACTUAL TEMPERATURE AND OUR WINDCHILL IS AT -34.

WE HAVE A WEST WIND AT 7 MILES PER HOUR, AND OUR DEW POINT IS AT -23.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, -9 FOR THE CURRENT TEMPERATURE, AND WE HAVE NORTHWEST WINDS AT 8 MILES PER HOUR, AND THAT IS GIVING US A WINDCHILL OF -25.

MUCH OF OUR VIEWING AREA, ALL OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA UNDER A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 10:00 A.M. ON THURSDAY, WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE WINDCHILLS IN THE -30, AND WE ARE ALREADY THERE ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA.

ROSEAU IS DOWN TO -38 WITH THE WIND, IT FEELS LIKE -33 IN FOSSTON.

ON THE RADAR, IT IS QUIET, WE HAVE THAT SUNSHINE, A PRETTY SUNSHINE, BUT VERY COLD TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

IT IS GOING TO BE QUIET OVERNIGHT.

THERE MAY BE A HIT OR MISS SNOW SHOWER IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW, IT'S STILL GOING TO BE COLD, BUT WE WILL HAVE THE SUNSHINE OUT THERE.

WE START TO SEE SOME MODERATING TEMPERATURES LATE THIS WEEK AND HIGHS COULD BE IN THE 20s AND 30s THIS WEEKEND.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, A BEAUTIFUL MORNING OUT THERE, A NICE SUNRISE FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

IT WAS COLD IN JENKINS.

THIS IS THE MOON THIS AFTERNOON, AND ANGELA WITH SOME STEAM COMING OFF OF STEAMBOAT LAKE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE REPORTING -10 AND WINDY THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, THE LOW TEMPERATURE IS OUR CURRENT AT -13.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, AN INCH OF SNOW OVERNIGHT, AND TODAY WITH A TEMPERATURE OF -6.

ON OUR ALMANAC, WE TOPPED OUT AT 19 IN BRAINERD.

THAT WAS EARLY ON.

OUR LOW TEMPERATURE IS OUR CURRENT AT -9.

BEMIDJI TODAY, THE COLDER AIR MOVED IN EARLIER, -6 WAS OUR HIGH, AND THE LOW IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW AT -17.

SOME NICE SUNSHINE TOMORROW, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE COLD WITH HIGHS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS BOTH ABOVE AND BELOW 0 ONCE AGAIN.

THE TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE SINGLE DIGITS RIGHT AROUND 0.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, THERE IS THE SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SNOW IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, WITH LOWS -10 TO -20.

NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

SUNNY AND 12 ON FRIDAY, COULD SEE A BIT OF SNOW IN EASTERN MINNESOTA ON SATURDAY, BUT OUR WARMING TREND CONTINUES.

HIGHS COULD BE NEAR 32 ON SUNDAY, STILL 29 ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

THE BEMIDJI GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM, SOME REAL OPTIMISM AROUND THE SQUAD.

>> Charlie: YEAH, THEY'RE HAVING A GOOD START TO THE SEASON.

I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THEM AT PRACTICE.

WE'LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THEM.

ALSO, WE HAD A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM THE COACHES AND THE PLAYERS WITH BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY.

THEY HAVE A BIG WEEKEND SERIES AGAINST >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORT WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY IS STILL RECEIVING VOTES IN BOTH THE U.S.A. HOCKEY AND USCHO POLLS AFTER SPLITTING LAST WEEKEND'S ROAD SERIES AT LAKE SUPERIOR STATE.

THE BEAVERS WERE RIDING HIGH GOING INTO THE WEEKEND, WINNING 4-2 ON FRIDAY NIGHT TO EXTEND THEIR UNBEATEN STREAK TO 6-GAMES, BUT FELL 4-3 TO THE LAKERS ON SATURDAY.

THE SPLIT IS BECOMING A TREND FOR BSU IN CONFERENCE PLAY, HAVING SPLIT THREE OF THEIR FOUR CCHA SERIES THIS SEASON, THEIR LONE SERIES WIN COMING AT HOME IN A 5-POINT WEEKEND VERSUS SAINT THOMAS.

THAT'S SOMETHING BEAVS WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE WHEN THEY HOST MICHIGAN TECH THIS WEEKEND.

>> IT'S BEEN HARD FOR US TO GET TRACTION.

IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE SEPARATION IN OUR LEAGUE.

I WILL USE MANKATO.

THEY ARE AT A POINT RIGHT NOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH TO CATCH THEM.

MICHIGAN TECH HAS BEEN A TEAM THAT CREATED SOME SEPARATION IN THE FIRST HALF.

>> IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO PLAY MICHIGAN TECH.

IT'S A GREAT SERIES AND THEY ARE GOOD DEFENSIVELY.

THERE AREN'T GOING TO BE A LOT OF GOALS.

THEY PLAY HARD AND THEY'RE A GOOD TEAM.

I MEAN IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD ONE.

I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO BE READY FOR IT.

>> Charlie: HERE'S WHAT THE STANDINGS LOOK LIKE COMING INTO THIS WEEKEND.

YOU SEE BEMIDJI STATE IN FIFTH PLACE.

IT'S WEIRD THIS YEAR, THEY'RE DOING IT BY POINTS PERCENTAGE.

AUGUSTANA JOINED THE LEAGUE AND THEY DON'T HAVE MANY LEAGUE GAMES.

SO POINTS PERCENTAGE, BEMIDJI STATE FIFTH HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND.

>>> BEMIDJI GIRLS BASKETBALL CAME OUT OF THE GATES HOT THIS SEASON, CURRENTLY SITTING AT 5-AND-2.

IT MARKS THE LUMBERJACKS BEST START SINCE 2019 AND THEY IT OWE TO GREAT DEFENSE AND EVEN BETTER GUARD PLAY, LED BY A PAIR OF TEAM CAPTAINS THAT DON'T FILL YOUR TYPICAL BASKETBALL MOLD.

>> Reporter: BEMIDJI GIRLS BASKETBALL HAS SEEN EARLY SUCCESS IN 2024.

IT'S THANKS IN LARGE PART TO A PAIR THAT IS SMALL IN STATURE.

>> IT REALLY DOESN'T BOTHER ME.

I DON'T REALLY THINK ABOUT IT.

I CAN USE MY SPEED AND ABILITY ON THE DEFENSIVE END.

I CAN USE MY VERTICAL A LITTLE BIT.

>> Reporter: THEY STAND AT JUST 5'2" AND 5'1" RESPECTIVELY, UNDERSIZED BY MOST BASKETBALL STANDARDS.

DESPITE LACKING IN HEIGHT, THEY DON'T FEEL SHORTCHANGED.

>> WHEN YOU ARE IN THE GAME, IT DOESN'T.

IF YOU'RE MORE AGGRESSIVE, THERE ARE WAYS AROUND IT.

I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES THEY'RE TALLER, THEY'RE MORE SCARED OF US THAN WE'RE OF THEM.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE AN ADVANTAGE BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO STEAL THE BALL.

>> Reporter: THEY GET A LOT OF STEALS.

THE LUMBERJACKS FROM TIP OFF TO THE BUZZER, EXHAUSTING OPPONENTS EARLY AND TAKING ADVANTAGE LATE.

>> IN GAMES, THAT'S DEFINITELY OUR BIGGEST STRENGTH AND THAT'S WHERE OUR POINTS COME FROM, TRANSITION AND STEALS.

>> WE CAN BE UNDERSIZED AT TIMES BUT WE HAVE GIRLS THAT ARE SUPER QUICK.

A LOT OF THEM PLAY SOCCER SO THEIR ENDURANCE IS THROUGH THE ROOF.

>> Reporter: STILL, SOME TEAMS UNDERESTIMATE THE DUO, MEASURING THEM BY SIZE INSTEAD OF FIGHT, A LESSON THEY LEARN THE HARD WAY.

>> THEY DON'T REALIZE HOW BEASTLY THEY ARE.

THEY ARE FAST AND AGGRESSIVE, SO I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD THING THEY UNDERESTIMATE THEM, SO THEN THEY JUST SHOW UP AND THEY SHOW OFF, AND IT WORKS OUT GREAT FOR US.

>> Reporter: THAT'S BECAUSE THE TWO CAPTAINS LEAD THE TEAM IN STEALS, BE MANY TIMES THEY IMMEDIATELY FEED THEIR TEAMMATES, WHO ULTIMATELY SCORE.

>> IT JUST COMES DOWN TO WANTING TO GET THE BEST SHOT.

YOU MAY HAVE A GOOD SHOT, BUT THEN PASS TO A TEAMMATE THAT HAS A BETTER SHOT.

NO ONE IS SELFISH.

WE ALL WANT EACH OTHER TO GET BETTER AND IF SOMEONE ELSE IS A BETTER SHOT, THEY ARE WILLING TO GIVE UP THEIR SHOT TO SOMEONE ELSE.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE CLASSIC CASE OF LITTLE THINGS MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE, SOMETHING THAT HAS RUBBED OFF ON THE REST OF THE TEAM AS THEY CONTINUE INTO THE HEART OF THE SEASON.

>> WE ARE JUST GOING TO STAY FOCUSED ON BEING AGGRESSIVE AND WORKING OUR BUTTS OFF IN PRACTICE AND REALIZING IT'S A TEAM EVENT.

IT'S NOT A SELFISH THING.

IT'S ABOUT THE TEAM.

I THINK ALL OF US WANT THAT AND WE WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE AND WE WANT TO WIN.

>> Charlie: I RECOMMEND HIGHLY IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO GO OUT AND SEE THEM PLAY THIS SEASON, STOP BY BEMIDJI AT SOME POINT THIS YEAR.

I SEEN THEM PLAY TWICE AND IT'S FUN TO WATCH THEM RUN AROUND.

>> Dennis: IT SHOULD BE A FUN YEAR FOR THEM.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S BEEN A RELATIVELY SLOW START TO RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON BUT U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS FEAR THAT TREND IS ABOUT TO END AS VACCINATION RATES REMAIN LOW AND IT'S ALREADY PUTTING CHILDREN AND SOME MINORITY GROUPS AT INCREASED RISK.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS A LOOK AT WHERE VIRUS LEVELS STAND NOW AND WHY EXPERTS SAY VACCINATION IS A KEY TO PROTECTION.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE U.S., RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON IS RAMPING UP.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS FOR DIAGNOSED R.S.V.

IS MODERATE FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON, WITH A MAIN INCREASE IN THE ILLNESS AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN AND PRELIMINARY C.D.C.

DATA ESTIMATES UP TO 1.5 MILLION FLU CASES, UP TO 22,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND UP TO 2,100 FLU DEATHS BETWEEN OCTOBER 1ST AND NOVEMBER 30TH.

THESE VIRUSES, ALONG WITH COVID-19, ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE.

>> THE VACCINATION RATE IS SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT IT'S STILL RUNNING BELOW WHAT IT DID PRIOR TO COVID.

>> Reporter: THE C.D.C.

SAYS VACCINATION FOR FLU, COVID-19, AND R.S.V.

WILL BE KEY TO PREVENTING SEVERE ILLNESS.

THE AGENCY RECOMMENDS EVERYONE 6 MONTHS AND OLDER GETS THE FLU AND UPDATED COVID-19 SHOTS, THE ONE TIME R.S.V.

VACCINE IS RECOMMENDED FOR ADULTS 75 AND OLDER, AND THOSE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 60 AND 74 AT HIGH RISK OF SEVERE DISEASE.

THOSE PREGNANT CAN ALSO PROTECT AGAINST R.S.V.

WITH A SHOT BETWEEN 27 AND 36 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY, AND INFANTS UP TO 8 MONTHS OLD, BORN DURING THIS SEASON CAN RECEIVE ONE DOSE OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE LEADING CAUSE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS IN THE U.S. FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> ANOTHER RESPIRATORY DISEASE KNOWN AS WALKING PNEUMONIA, IS ALSO SPREADING RAPIDLY AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN .

THE C.D.C.

FIRST WARNED OF AN INCREASE IN THESE INFECTIONS IN OCTOBER, AND TRENDS HAVEN'T IMPROVED.

>>> WELL, WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT THE COLD FORECAST.

WE'LL GO BACK OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: MUCH OF THE AREA IS STILL UNDER THE COLD WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 10:00 A.M. ON THURSDAY.

WE'RE EXPECTING THE WINDCHILLS TO BE IN THE -30s TO -40s.

WE WILL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS, AND TEMPERATURES ARE DROPPING TO -10 TO -20.

TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR -2.

NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

BEYOND THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE WARMER TEMPERATURES IN TIME FOR THE WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: I HEARD THERE WERE RUMORS THAT THE VIKINGS WERE LOOKING TO KEEP SAM DARNOLD AROUND.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM KEEPING HIM AROUND?

>> Dennis: HE PLAYED WELL.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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