>> 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.

>>> MINNESOTA SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO TAKE THE TRAUMA OUT OF SCHOOL SHOOTER DRILLS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE, ON HOW A MORE SENSITIVE TRAINING PROTOCOL IS BECOMING THE MODEL FOR MORE DISTRICTS BY THE DAY.

>> Reporter: IN RECENT YEARS, MULTIPLE MINNESOTA SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INCLUDING BRAINERD, HAS IMPLEMENTED AN ACTIVE THREAT PROTOCOL FROM THE I LOVE YOU GUYS FOUNDATION, A FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO RESTORING AND PRESERVING THE JOY OF YOUTH.

>> MOVING TO THIS STANDARD PROTOCOL, IT'S TRULY STANDARD AND IT GIVES A COMMON TERMINAL FOR EVERYONE, BOTH IN THE SCHOOLS, PARENTS, BUT ALSO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> Reporter: SHOOTINGS ARE A REALITY IN THE COUNTRY.

ACCORDING TO THE K-12 SCHOOL SHOOTING DATABASE, SAYS 1966, THERE'S BEEN OVER 3,000 SUFFICIENT INCIDENTS.

PREPARATION IS A NECESSITY AND MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WISH TO TAKE THE TRAUMA OUT.

>> SCHOOLS ARE OPEN BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SCHOOLS BECAME MUCH MORE INTERESTED AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE BUILDING AND THE SAFETY OF THE KIDS INSIDE AND THE STAFF.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO EVERY TOWN RESEARCH, ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS IN SCHOOLS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASES IN DEPRESSION, STRESS, ANXIETY, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OVERALL, INCLUDING FROM CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 5 YEARS OLD, UP TO HIGH SCHOOL, THEIR PARENTS, AND THEIR TEACHERS.

>> I HAD TEACHERS SAY I WAS SCARED.

I KNEW THIS WASN'T REAL.

I KNEW THIS WASN'T AN ACTUAL THING, BUT I GOT SCARED.

SO YOU HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THESE ARE REAL FEELINGS AND PEOPLE MAY HAVE TRIGGERS THAT YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.

>> Reporter: THE I LOVE YOU GUYS FOUNDATION HAS LED AND SUPPORTED BY SURVIVORS, FAMILY MEMBERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS, ALL WITH A VESTED INTEREST IN SAFETY, PREPAREDNESS, AND REUNIFICATION IN SCHOOLS, OVER 40,000 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY UTILIZE STANDARD REUNIFICATION METHODS AND MINNESOTA'S EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS IT AS WELL.

>> IF WE DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED NEXT, THEN IT WILL BE THAT CHAOS.

>> THERE IS A STANDARD SCRIPT.

WE DON'T HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL.

SOME REALLY SMART PEOPLE HAVE THOUGHT THROUGH THE SPECIFIC 2-GAUGE PROCESS OF REUNIFYING PARENTS WITH STUDENTS AFTER AN ACTIVE EVENT.

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

>> THE PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE ATTENDING A TRAINING SESSION REGARDING THE STANDARD REUNIFICATION METHOD THIS UPCOMING FEBRUARY.

>>> THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY HAS AWARDED THE CITY OF CROSBY $309,000 TO REPLACE LEAD WATER SERVICE LINES IN THE CITY.

THE FUNDING WILL ALLOW CROSBY TO REPLACE 34 LEAD SERVICE LINES.

CROSBY WAS ONE OF FIFTEEN CITIES ACROSS THE STATE TO RECEIVE AWARDS TO REPLACE LEAD SERVICE LINES.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES HAVE RELEASED THE RESULT OF THE 2025 MINNESOTA STUDENT SURVEY THAT ASKS HEALTH AND WELL-BEING QUESTIONS TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AROUND THE STATE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO PROFESSIONALS ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THIS YEAR'S SURVEY, AND HOW PRESENT STUDENT ANSWERS COMPARE TO PRE-PANDEMIC ANSWERS.

>> Reporter: THE MINNESOTA STUDENT SURVEY IS ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING YOUTH SURVEYS IN THE NATION.

SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1989, IT HAS UNDERGONE MANY CHANGES, ONE OF WHICH AGE GROUPS WERE ASKED QUESTIONS, BUT SINCE 2013, IT'S BEEN THE SAME GRADE ASKED EVERY YEAR, STUDENTS ARE SURVEYED FROM 5th, 8th, 9th, AND 11th GRADE.

>> WE TALK ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES, OR PHYSICAL HEALTH OUTCOMES, JUST TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON AMONG OUR STUDENTS AND HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THEM.

>> Reporter: IT'S ADMINISTERED EVERY THREE YEARS AND THIS YEAR AROUND 60% RETURNED RESULTS.

THEN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL COMPARE RESULTS TO PREVIOUS ONES TO LOOK FOR TRENDS IN THE DATA.

>> THERE WAS A SPIKE IN POOR MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES DURING COVID THAT WE SAW IN THE 2022 DATA WHEN WE LOOKED AT IT.

WE ASKED ABOUT WHETHER THEY HAD EXPERIENCED LITTLE INTEREST OR PLEASURE IN DOING THINGS AND THAT JUMPED UP 10 PERCENTAGE POINTS IN 2022 COMPARED TO 2019.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN 2025 IS THAT NUMBER FALL BACK DOWN TO THE PRE-COVID LEVELS.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH TRACKING MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUTH, THEY ASK ABOUT PHYSICAL HEALTH, INCLUDING TOPICS LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

THE NUMBER OF NINTH GRADE STUDENTS THAT REPORTED DRINKING IN 1998 WAS 37%.

IN 2025, IT WAS 4%.

>> Reporter: 2025 AT THE LOWEST LEVEL OF TOBACCO USE AMONG STUDENTS THAT WE RECORDED SINCE THE MINNESOTA STUDENT SURVEY BEGAN.

ALCOHOL USE HAS CONTINUED TO DECLINE.

CANNABIS AND MARIJUANA USE HAS DECLINED.

>> Reporter: SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AND CONNECTING WITH TEACHERS AND PEERS WERE ALSO REPORTED AS MORE POSITIVE THIS YEAR THAN 2022.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT PROVIDES USEFUL CONTEXT THAT IS INFORMATIVE AND PERSUASIVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HOW WE CAN SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS.

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

>> ONE QUESTION ON THE STUDENT SURVEY THAT WAS NEW THIS YEAR WAS ASKING THE YOUTH ABOUT THEIR PHONE AND SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE AND ALTHOUGH OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSES WERE POSITIVE, 4 IN 10 STUDENTS REPORTED THAT THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA USE MAY BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTING BOTH THEIR PERSONAL AND SCHOOL LIVES.

>>> WINTER IS HERE AND SO IS THE COLD AND FLU SEASON HAS ALREADY STARTED.

AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE BEGIN TO FEEL SICK, SOME MAY NOT KNOW WHERE THE BEST PLACE TO GO FOR CARE IS, ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY THE TEXAS A AND M SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS ARE NOT ACTUAL MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.

OFFICIALS WITH ESSENTIA HEALTH SAY THAT THE BEST PLACE TO START FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE UNSURE OF WHERE TO GO FOR CARE CAN START WITH A PHONE CALL.

>> YOU HAVE GREAT OPTIONS LIKE URGENT CARE.

WE HAVE GREAT VIRTUAL OPTIONS IF YOU WANT TO STAY HOME, GET SOME CARE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOUSE.

YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER IS A GREAT OPTION AND WE HAVE URGENT CARE.

WE HAVE THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, BUT THE FOCUS IS ON EMERGENT CONDITIONS AND IF YOU'RE NOT SURE, CALL US.

WE HAVE A NURSE CAROLINE AND IT'S SUPPORTED BY A TEAM AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO BUT YOU THINK YOU NEED CARE, LET US HELP GUIDE YOU THERE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, REDUCING THE RISK OF CATCHING THE FLU CAN BE AS EASY AS WASHING YOUR HANDS AND STAYING HOME WHEN FEELING SICK.

>>> THE CITY OF PEQUOT LAKES WAS FOUNDED IN 1902, IN THE 123 YEARS SINCE THE CITY HAS SEEN A LOT OF CHANGE.

BUT ONE ORGANIZATION IS TRYING TO PRESERVE THE CITY'S HISTORY, ONE ARTIFACT AT A TIME, REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE PEQUOT LAKES HISTORICAL SOCIETY WORKS CONSTANTLY TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN THEY CALL HOME.

>> WE TRY TO KEEP THAT PEQUOT CONNECTION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, THE THEME IS BUILT AROUND THE AREA.

ALL THE DISPLAYS AND THINGS THAT YOU SEE HAVE EITHER BEEN MADE BY SOMEONE WHO IS LOCAL OR THEY ARE DONATED.

WE HAVEN'T BOUGHT ANY OF THE DISPLAY YOU SEE OR ITEMS IN HERE.

WE HAVE A GENEROUS COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY AND OTHER BENEFACTORS.

>> Reporter: THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S MUSEUM UNDERWENT RENOVATIONS TO SPRUCE UP SOME OF THE EXHIBITS AND BETTER TELL THE STORY OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> DISPLAYS WERE TIRED, DIRTY, AND NEEDED SOME CLEANING.

WE FOUND THINGS IN THE BACK ROOM THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD AND INTEGRATED THEM INTO THE DISPLAYS.

IT'S BEEN JUST ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.

>> Reporter: FOR OFFICIALS WITH THE ORGANIZATION, THE DISPLAYS ALLOW THEM TO CONNECT WITH THEIR PERSONAL HISTORIES.

>> BUT I BELIEVE WE LEARN SO MUCH FROM OUR PAST AND AS WE GROW OLDER, I FIND THAT PEOPLE WANT TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH THEIR ANCESTORS IN A WAY OF KNOWING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEM AND A LOT OF WHAT WE DO, WE DO SOME RESEARCH.

WE DON'T HAVE A PAID STAFF, IT'S ALL VOLUNTEERS.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE PRESERVE THE HISTORY, NOT ONLY TO HAVE THAT FOR US FOR OUR MEMORY, BUT ALSO WE LEARN FROM IT.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THERE IS MUCH WORK DONE RECENTLY TO REVIVE THE MUSEUM, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS SEEKING PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO PRESERVE THE TOWN'S LEGACY.

>> WE'RE ALL GETTING OLDER, AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, A LOT OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, IT'S A LOT OF TIMES AND I HATE THE WORD SENIORS, BUT IT'S THOSE WHO ARE OLDER ADOLESCENTS AND WE'RE GETTING OLDER.

WE'RE PASSING AWAY.

WE'RE GETTING TIRED.

SO, WE REALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS.

IT'S FASCINATING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> TO ATTEND THE MUSEUM, EMAIL PEQUOTHISTORTICALSOCIETY@GMAIL.

COM FOR A TOUR.

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

>> Stacy: WE MAY SEE SOME FLURRIES TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING IN EASTERN MINNESOTA AND SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION POSSIBLE BEGINNING CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE NIGHT.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, A BEMIDJI MAN RECENTLY WON AN AWARD FROM THE McKNIGHT FOUNDATION FOR HIS WORK WITH RED LAKE YOUTH.

>> AND IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, THE LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY AND BEYOND CAME TOGETHER FOR A BACKYARD BIRD FEEDER EVENT.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> ONE RED LAKE D.N.R.

WORKER HAS SPENT THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS BUILDING AN OUTDOOR WORK PROGRAM FOR YOUTH, AND WAS RECENTLY NAMED A 2025 VIRGINIA MCKNIGHT BINGER HEART OF COMMUNITY HONOREE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO JOSHUA JONES ON WHAT THE AWARD MEANS TO HIM, AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT TYPE OF WORK IS FOR THE RED LAKE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: BEMIDJI'S JOSHUA JONES UNDERSTANDS HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT GETTING OUT TO NATURE CAN HAVE ON SOMEONE'S LIFE, SO HE CREATED AN OUTDOOR YOUTH PROGRAM HELPING RED LAKE YOUTH FROM 15 TO 25.

>> YOU KNOW REALLY, IT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE WHEN THEY ARE JUST 18-YEAR-OLD KIDS.

THEY ARE IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND THEY GET THE FIRST PICK IF THEY WANT TO WORK IN THE PROGRAM, GETTING THE YOUTHS OUT AND BUILDING THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM DOESN'T HAVE AN OFFICIAL NAME YET BUT IT'S RUN BY THE RED LAKE D.N.R.

HE WAS NAME ADD 2025 VIRGINIA McKNIGHT HEART OF COMMUNITY HONOREE, ONLY 7 OF WHICH ARE HANDED OUT THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> THE AWARDS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 40 YEARS.

THEY RECOGNIZE INCREDIBLE EVERY DAY HEROES IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE IN MINNESOTA WHO ARE DOING REALLY TREMENDOUS WORK TO HELP THEIR NEIGHBORS, STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND OVERCOMEDY SIDES.

>> I LOVE THE WORK I DO AND I DON'T REALLY WANT OR NEED THE CREDIT.

I WOULDN'T BE GETTING THE AWARD IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE YOUTH I WORK WITH AND ALL THE DIFFERENT WORK WE DO.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAMS WORK WITH RED LAKE YOUTHS IN OUTDOOR BUILDINGS CREATING CULTURAL WORKSHOPS, AND WORKING WITH NATURE, AND GIVING KIDS JOBS, JOSHUA ALSO AIMS TO BE A MENTOR FOR THE YOUTHS IN THEIR PERSONAL LIFE AND PREPARE THEM FOR THE FUTURE.

>> HE'S INCREDIBLY GIVING OF HIMSELF AND DEEPLY CARES FOR HIS COMMUNITY AND THE NEXT GENERATION, SO THE NOMINATION OF JOSH REALLY SPOKE TO THAT.

>> THERE IS AN EASIER WAY THROUGH LIFE AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE ALL THESE BAD DECISIONS THAT JUST MAKE YOUR LIFE WAY MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT NEEDS TO BE.

THERE IS A HAPPIER LIFE OUT THERE AND WHATEVER I CAN DO TO HELP.

SOME OF THESE YOUTHS TO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES I DID AND HAVE A HAPPIER LIFE EARLIER THAN I DO.

THAT IS A BIG MOTIVATOR FOR ME.

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

>> JONES WAS AWARDED THE HONOR FOR THE NORTHWEST REGION OF THE STATE.

FIVE OF THE OTHER HONOREES NOTICED FOR THEIR WORK COME FROM ALL REGIONS OF GREATER MINNESOTA, AND ONE FROM THE TWIN CITIES.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TRAVEL PLANS COMING UP OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY HERE.

HOW DO THINGS LOOK AS FAR AS TRAVEL?

>> Stacy: GENERALLY SPEAKING, IT DOESN'T LOOK TOO BAD.

WE MAY HAVE A SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH BEGINNING THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND THURSDAY NIGHT, POSSIBLY A LITTLE BIT INTO FRIDAY MORNING THAT COULD BRING MIXED PRECIPITATION AND THAT COULD CAUSE SLICK ROADWAYS.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO CHRISTMAS AND THE START OF THE WEEKEND BEFORE A BIG COOL DOWN ON [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID HAVE A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE AREA TODAY.

CLOUDS HAVE BEEN INCREASING THIS EVENING AND MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

A FEW FLURRIES IN THE NORTHEAST TONIGHT, MOVING INTO EASTERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, IT LOOKS QUIET THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

HEADING INTO CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON IS THE BEGINNING AND INTO CHRISTMAS NIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, OR SNOW IN THE AREA, SO WE WILL HAVE SOME MILD TEMPERATURES.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 10 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE CALM, THE DEW POINT IS 5 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 81%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 14 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 10, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTHWEST WIND.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THE CLOUDS INCREASING AND WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT A FEW FLURRIES COULD DEVELOP IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THEN SPREAD THROUGHOUT PARTS OF EASTERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING.

THOSE SHOULD CLEAR OUT, LEAVING US WITH PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW AND OUR TEMPERATURES WILL START TO WARM UP ONCE AGAIN.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, WE HAD SOME SUNSHINE TODAY FROM CHRISSY SENDING US THIS PHOTO.

WE HAVE ANGELA SPOTTING AN EAGLE IN THE TREE NEAR CASS LAKE, GARY ALSO WITH SOME SUNSHINE AND OPEN WATER NEAR DEER WOOD AND WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THE EVENING SKIES FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 15 AND BREEZY WITH SOME LIGHT SNOW THIS MORNING.

CHRISSY IN DEER WOOD, HIGH OF 23.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, HIGH OF 25.

THOSE TEMPS HAVE BEEN FALLING THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE WITH A HIGH OF 27.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDS AND SUN, THE LOW CURRENTLY AT 12.

AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 28.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD WE REACHED A HIGH OF 29.

AGAIN, TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN FALLING, SO OUR LOW TEMPERATURE IS VERY CLOSE TO WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW AT 13.

SUNSET TONIGHT AT 4:34.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 30, AGAIN EARLY ON TODAY, THOSE FALLING TEMPERATURES.

WE HAD SUNRISE AT 8:05.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL HAVE A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE.

THERE IS A CHANCE WE COULD SEE SOME FLURRY ACTIVITY IN THE MORNING, BUT A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE AREA TOMORROW.

WE WILL START TO SEE THOSE TEMPERATURES WARMING UP WITH HIGHS IN THE 20s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE SOME UPPER 20s TO EVEN LOW 30s.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST.

TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF FLURRIES IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AND LOWS DOWN TO 7.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, FLURRIES COULD LINGER IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

HIGHS SHOULD REACH 25, WINDS VARIABLE, UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, ON CHRISTMAS, EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME SNOW, FREEZING RAIN, OR SLEET.

HIGHS WILL BE NEAR 28.

THAT WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT AND THEN AGAIN INTO EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

HIGHS WILL BE IN THE LOW TO MID-30s ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND ON SUNDAY, HIGHS NEAR 3.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE HAS TONIGHT OFF.

MATTHEW IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US TONIGHT?

>> Matthew: IT'S A BIT OF A RIVALRY WEEK WITH BRAINERD COMING INTO TOWN WITH BEMIDJI.

WE'LL HAVE ALL THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>>> WHAT'S A BETTER GIFT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON THAN A COUPLE OF RIVALRY GAMES?

THE BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM FOR THE BRAINERD WARRIORS MADE THE TRIP TO BEMIDJI TO FACE THE LUMBERJACKS, AS BOTH TEAMS ARE SITTING ONLY ONE GAME ABOVE A 500 RECORD, AND ARE LOOKING FOR SOME MUCH-NEEDED MOMENTUM.

WE WILL START EARLY IN THE FIRST HALF.

BEMIDJI UP BY 7.

HE COMES IN HOT WITH THE FAST BREAK, HITS THE SPIN MOVE, CONNECTS WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE NET.

THE JACKS ARE UP 16-7.

SIX MINUTES TO GO IN THE FIRST HALF, HE DRAINS THE SHOT TO SHORTEN THE LEAD TO 10.

JUST OVER A MINUTE, MILES GETS THE REBOUND, DRIVES IT HIMSELF ALL THE WAY, AND MAKES IT LAY UP.

MAKING IT 43-30 GOING INTO HALFTIME.

THE LUMBERJACKS WILL PUSH THE PEDAL TO THE METAL.

AND NOW THEY WILL SIT WITH A 4-2 RECORD GOING INTO THE NEW YEAR.

>>> SOME OTHER BASKETBALL SCORES, SEBEKA WAS ABLE TO GET THE WIN AND AITKIN.

GRAND RAPIDS GETS A WIN OVER PROCTOR.

ROYALTON GETS A WIN OVER LONG PRAIRIE.

PILLAGER ABLE TO WIN AGAINST BERTHA-HEWITT.

BLACKDUCK WITH A WIN.

ROSEAU WITH A VICTORY.

IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL, AND FOLEY GETS THE WIN OVER PEQUOT LAKES.

NORTHWOODS GETS THE WIN OVER McGREGOR AND SEE -- SEEBECA.

>>> AND NOW BOTH TEAMS ARE LOOKING FOR THE FIRST POINTS OF THE GAME.

RICHARD JUST MISSES THE GOAL AFTER THE PASS.

A FEW MINUTES LEFT IN THIRD, HE GETS THE PUCK AND IT'S 1 FOR THE GOALIE, KEEPING THE GAME AT 0-0.

WE'RE HEADED TO OVERTIME.

BOTH TEAMS ARE TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.

CHRISTIAN HILL WAS ABLE TO DEFECT THE PUCK.

THIS ENDS WITH EVERYONE'S FAVORITE SCORE, A 0-0 TIE IN OVERTIME.

THIS WOULD BE BOTH THE WARRIORS AND THE LUMBERJACKS FIRST TIE OF THE SEASON.

THE NEXT GAME WILL COME AFTER THE NEW YEAR.

>>> SOME OTHER SCORES FOR YOU, IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS HOCKEY, LITTLE FALLS LOSES TO MONTICELLO.

THE NEW YORK KNICKS TRAVEL TO THE TWIN CITIES.

STARTING EARLY IN THE FIRST, DANTE PASSES IT TO A WIDE OPENED ANTHONY EDWARDS WHO DRAIN IT IS THREE.

LATER IN THE FIRST, THE FORMER TIMBER WOLF HIMSELF MAKES THE LAY UP TO GIVE THE KNICKS THE 1-POINT LEAD.

THEY FINISH WITH 40 POINTS.

MIKE PASSES IT TO HIGHLAND FOR THE THREE AND NOW THEY ARE UP BY 9.

RANDALL DRIVES DOWN THE LANE AND MAKES THE LAY UP.

TIMBERWOLVES WOULD GO UP BY 15, AND RANDALL FISHES WITH 24 POINTS.

THEY GO ON TO WIN 115-104, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO ANTHONY EDWARD.

>>> ONE MORE SCORE TONIGHT, MINNESOTA WILD WOULD LOSE IN OVERTIME TO THE NATIONAL PREDATORS.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU VERY MUCH MATTHEW.

THE LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER FOR A BACKYARD BIRD FEEDER EVENT HOSTED AT THE CRANE MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE, IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD'S EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: THE REFUGE AND FRIENDS OF CRANE MEADOWS BROUGHT FAMILIES AND BIRD LOVERS TOGETHER TO BUILD BIRD FEEDERS.

>> WE MAKE KITS THAT ARE PREDRILLED, FAMILIES COME, WE HAVE STATIONS SET UP WITH DRILLS AND THE HARDWARE.

THEY CAN LEAVE WITH A KIT OR FULLY BUILT BIRD FEEDER.

>> Reporter: AND THEY CAN LEARN HOW TO KEEP THEIR BACKYARD BIRDIES HEALTHY DURING THE WINTER.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF BIRDS HERE EVEN THROUGH THE WINTER.

YOU WILL SEE BALD EAGLES, WE SEE A LOT OF CROWS AND WOODPECKERS.

SO SEVERAL SPECIES OF WOODPECKERS TOO.

>> Reporter: THEY ATTRACT OVER 200 DIFFERENT BIRD SPECIES.

CRANE MEADOWS IS AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S.

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICES, WHICH IS DEDICATED TO CONSERVING, PROTECTING, AND ENHANCING FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANTS ALONG WITH THEIR HABITATS.

>> WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS WITH MORRISON COUNTY, THE MINNESOTA D.N.R., AND LOCAL NGOs TO HELP CONSERVE THE WATERSHED WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE PLATTE RIVER AND OTHER RIVERS FEED THE MARSHES WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A NON-PROFIT GROUP SINCE 2006.

ITS PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ALL OF WHICH FALL IN LINE WITH WHAT THE BACKYARD BIRD FEEDER EVENT HAD TO OFFER THE COMMUNITY.

>> THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GET DONE.

OUR PURPOSE AS A FRIENDS GROUP IS TO SUPPORT THE REFUGE, WE RAISE MONEY.

THIS IS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE AND THE FRIENDS GROUP IS HERE TO HELP WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LITTLE FALLS WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

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

WE'RE OFF THE REST OF THE WEEK FOR CHRISTMAS.

HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Matthew: HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

[♪♪♪]