>> 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 JOINING US.

>>> TODAY MARKS 49 DAYS SINCE A PILOT FROM ROSEAU HAD HIS PLANE SEIZED BY RED LAKE NATION AUTHORITIES AFTER MAKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING WITHIN THE RESERVATION.

THE PILOT IS NOW ARGUING FOR HIS PLANE BACK SINCE HE STILL HASN'T BEEN OFFICIALLY CHARGED WITH ANYTHING.

DARRIN SMEDSMO WAS FLYING FROM ROSEAU TO BEMIDJI, WHEN THE PLANE'S ENGINE FAILED AND FORCED SMEDSMO TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING NEAR THE WEST SIDE OF LOWER RED LAKE.

WHEN TRIBAL AUTHORITIES ARRIVED TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION.

THEY CITED A 1978 RESOLUTION PROHIBITING THE FLYING OF AIRPLANES LESS THAN 20,000 FEET OVER THE RED LAKE RESERVATION, AND THEN SEIZED AND IMPOUNDED THE AIRPLANE.

IN MINNESOTA, THERE IS A 45-DAY PROCEDURAL TIMELINE IN CERTAIN TYPES OF CASES.

SMEDSMO IS ARGUING FOR THE RETURN OF HIS PLANE SINCE THE 45-DAY BENCHMARK PASSED THIS LAST MONDAY.

>> THEY HAVE 45 DAYS TO CHARGE ME WITH SOMETHING AND NOW THAT HAS PASSED.

SO MY LAWYER HAS SUBMITTED SOMETHING AS OF MONDAY TO SAY HEY, YOU HAVEN'T CHARGED HIM WITH ANYTHING, YOU DON'T HAVE A COURT DATE OR ANYTHING, WHAT'S GOING ON?

SO THAT'S AS MUCH AS I REALLY KNOW.

>> IN A STATEMENT FROM RED LAKE NATION ON WHY THEY SEIZED THE PLANE, BAND OFFICIALS SAID THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON RESERVATION LAND WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, OR REQUIRED COORDINATION WITH TRIBAL AUTHORITIES.

AND THAT THE LANDING CREATED IMMEDIATE SAFETY, LIABILITY.

AND RESOURCE PROTECTION CONCERNS FOR THE TRIBE.

SMEDSMO WANTED TO EXTEND AN OLIVE BRANCH OF SORTS TO THE RED LAKE NATION, BY OFFERING FREE FLYING LESSONS TO KIDS WITHIN THE RESERVATION.

>> I FULLY INTEND TO MAKE THIS A YEARLY THING FOR AS LONG AS I CAN FLY.

I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THIS IN ANY OTHER WAY BUT I WANT TO OFFER THAT, NOT AS A WHITE FLAG, BUT AS A WAY TO BUILD A BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE, US AND THEM.

I JUST WANT TO BUILD A BRIDGE.

>> Dennis: HE IS OFFERING FREE FLYING LESSONS FOR KIDS IN THE RESERVATION.

WE REACHED OUT TO RED LAKE NATION EARLIER TODAY ON THE MATTER, BUT HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM.

>>> TWO SCHOOLS IN DULUTH WERE PUT ON SECURE STATUS TODAY AFTER A MOUNTAIN LION WAS LOCATED NEARBY.

STUDENTS AT ORDEAN EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL AND CONGDON ELEMENTARY WERE KEPT INSIDE DURING THE DAY AS CLASSES PROCEEDED AS USUAL AND WERE LATER CLEARED TO BE RELEASED FROM SCHOOL LATER IN THE DAY.

THE DULUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ANIMAL AND HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

THEY SAY THAT AT THIS TIME, THERE IS NO FURTHER ACTION THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL BE TAKING.

THE MOUNTAIN LION WAS WEARING A COLLAR, BUT IT WAS NOT A MINNESOTA D.N.R.

COLLAR, SO THEY THEY BELIEVE IT WANDERED IN FROM ANOTHER STATE.

>>> A CANNABIS DISPENSARY WENT UP IN SMOKE ON THE WHITE EARTH INDIAN RESERVATION ON TUESDAY.

FIRE SWEPT THROUGH THE DISPENSARY IN MAHNOMEN.

TWO PEOPLE WERE INSIDE AND ONE PERSON SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT TRIGGERED THE FIRE.

THE FLAMES CREATED A CHEMICAL RISK INSIDE THE BUILDING.

THAT FORCED THE EVACUATION OF RESIDENTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.

THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO ONE AREA OF THE BUILDING, BUT FIREFIGHTERS COULD NOT ENTER BECAUSE OF THE CHEMICALS INSIDE.

THAT LEFT THE FIRE TO BURN FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

>>> FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE PREPARING A TARGETED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATION IN MINNESOTA THAT WOULD PRIMARILY FOCUS ON SOMALI IMMIGRANTS LIVING UNLAWFULLY IN THE U.S, ACCORDING TO A PERSON FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANNING.

THE MOVE COMES AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AGAIN ON TUESDAY ESCALATED RHETORIC ABOUT MINNESOTA'S SIZABLE SOMALI COMMUNITY, SAYING HE DID NOT WANT IMMIGRANTS FROM THE EAST AFRICAN COUNTRY IN THE U.S.

BECAUSE THEY CONTRIBUTE NOTHING.

TODAY MINNESOTA OFFICIALS REACTED TO THE PRESIDENTS COMMENTS AND PLANS.

>> HE'S WRONG AND WE WANT THEM HERE.

SOMALI PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARY BENEFIT.

I WILL SAY IT AGAIN, SOMALI PEOPLE HAVE BEEN A BENEFIT TO OUR CITY FOR LONGER THAN I HAVE BEEN IN OUR CITY.

>> THE LAST THING WE NEED IS FEDERAL ANCIENTS -- AGENTS COMING HERE, PRETENDING WE SHOULD BE AFRAID OF SOMEBODY JUST BASED ON THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN, BASED ON WHAT THAT I LOOK LIKE, BASED ON WHAT COUNTRY THEIR ANCESTORS CLAIMED AS THEIR MOTHER LAND.

THE LAST THING WE NEED IS FEDERAL AGENTS COMING TO TOWN, ATTEMPTING TO TURN US AGAINST EACH OTHER, TO TURN US AGAINST OURSELVES.

THE LAST THING WE NEED IS FEDERAL AGENTS COMING INTO TOWN TO CREATE CHAOS.

>> THE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION COULD BEGIN IN THE COMING DAYS AND IS EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST.

PAUL AREA AND PEOPLE WITH FINAL ORDERS OF DEPORTATION.

MAYOR FREY VOWED THAT THE CITY'S POLICE OFFICERS, SOME OF WHOM ARE SOMALI, WILL NOT WORK WITH ANY FEDERAL AGENTS DOING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

>>> MY-PILLOW FOUNDER, MIKE LINDELL, IS TAKING FORMAL STEPS TOWARD A POSSIBLE RUN FOR MINNESOTA GOVERNOR IN 2026.

STATE RECORDS SHOW PAPERWORK HAS BEEN FILED INDICATING HE MAY SOON LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN.

LINDELL SAID HE PLANS TO DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL RUN NEXT WEEK.

IF HE ENTERS THE RACE, HE'D RUN AS A REPUBLICAN AND FACE, FOR NOW, NINE OTHER CONTENDERS IN THE PRIMARY.

LINDELL HAS BEEN AT THE CENTER OF SEVERAL LEGAL BATTLES OVER FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT ELECTION INTERFERENCE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, A JUDGE RULED HE DEFAMED AN ELECTION TECHNOLOGY COMPANY.

STILL, HE'S VOWED TO MAKE SECURING ELECTIONS CENTRAL TO HIS PLATFORM.

ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ PLANS ON SEEKING A THIRD TERM.

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

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND WHILE WE DO HAVE WARMER TEMPERATURES IN STORE FOR US TOMORROW, WE COULD ALSO BE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW MOVING BACK INTO THE AREA.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE 10th ANNUAL HEROES AND HELPERS CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENT TOOK PLACE AT THE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> SHOP WITH A COP IS A NATIONWIDE EFFORT THAT BRINGS KIDS ON A PAID CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SPREE WITH LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS.

THE BEMIDJI AREA HAS BEEN PARTICIPATING IN A SIMILAR EVENT FOR TEN YEARS, BUT INSTEAD OF JUST COPS, THEIR HEROES AND HELPERS DAY PAIRS KIDS WITH ALL DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE FROM EARLIER TODAY, AT THIS YEAR'S EVENT.

>> Reporter: SINCE 2016, BEMIDJI AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE BEMIDJI LIONS, AND FIRST CITY LIONS HAVE MADE AN ANNUAL EFFORT TO GIVE CHRISTMAS KIDS A SHOPPING SPREE WITH THEIR DAY OF HEROES AND HELPERS AT THE BEMIDJI WAL-MART.

>> THEY'RE NERVOUS.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

THE BADGES ARE INTIMIDATING AND IT'S FUN TO GIVE THEM THAT PIECE OF MIND, TO TAKE SOME OF THE FEAR AWAY.

PEOPLE, THEY GET SCARED OF THE BADGE AND THEY DON'T KNOW.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THOSE RELATIONSHIPS TO FORM AND TO DEVELOP AND IT'S ALSO FUN TO SEE THE YOUNG PEOPLE BE ABLE TO BUY GIFTS FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND ENJOY THIS FESTIVE SEASON IN A WAY THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO OTHERWISE.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 44 KIDS WHO WERE CHOSEN TO BE THE HELPERS AND EACH OF THEM HAD A BUDGET OF $125 TO SPEND.

>> I WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PICK KIDS, SO THEY'RE FROM ALL OVER OUR COMMUNITY.

JUST SEEING THEM GET EXCITED ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY GET TO SPEND, NO RESTRICTIONS, THAT JOY ON THEIR FACE KNOWING THEY CAN PICK WHAT SHALL -- WHATEVER THEY WANT OFF THE SHELF, IT'S GREAT.

>> I GET TO BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT AND I FEEL BLESSED TO BE PART OF THIS EVERY YEAR.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO OPEN THEIR WALLETS, HEARTS, AND TIME TO DO THIS FOR US.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE FREE REIGN TO BUY THINGS FOR THEMSELVES, AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS, SIBLINGS, OR ANYONE ELSE IN THEIR LIFE, AND ALONG WITH SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER, HEROES AND HELPERS WANT TO SPREAD INFORMATION AND FORM CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE KIDS AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> SOMETIMES WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES, YOU ARE SEEING THEM IN CRISIS SITUATIONS.

THOSE ARE SCARY FOR KIDS.

WE NEED THEM TO TRUST US AND KNOW THAT WE ARE JUST PEOPLE TOO AND YOU CAN HAVE A GREAT TIME.

>> WE'RE DADS, BROTHERS, SISTERS, AND MOMS TOO.

SO WE'RE JUST REGULAR PEOPLE AND WE JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE A BADGE.

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

>> ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BEMIDJI AREA, THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST TIME THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND STUDENTS FROM BLACKDUCK HAVE ALSO BEEN INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL SHOPPING SPREE.

>>> THE CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IS GETTING READY FOR ITS FINAL TWO SHOWS OF THE YEAR, AND THEY ARE SURE TO PUT THE BRAINERD LAKES COMMUNITY INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT.

THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WILL FIRST PUT ON THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC “RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER” BASED ON THE ANIMATED TV SPECIAL FROM DECEMBER 4TH THROUGH 7TH, FEATURING A CAST OF ALL AGES FROM ACROSS THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

THEN ON DECEMBER 13TH THE ROCK AND ROLL CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR WILL GRACE THE STAGE.

THE SHOW PRESENTS CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SONGS WITH A REIMAGINED ROCK TWIST TO HELP SET THE TONE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

>> BY DOING SO, THAT SPANS A BREATH OF AUDIENCE INTEREST AND AGES.

WE'RE ALLOWING OURSELVES TO NOT ONLY SUPPORT THE KIND OF TRADITIONS THAT WE ESTABLISHED WITH SOME OF OUR SHOWS, THE MUSICAL TASTE OF A LOT OF OUR AUDIENCE, BUT WE'RE ABLE TO BRING UP THE YOUNGER AUDIENCE MEMBERS AND PERFORMERS TO SEE THIS AS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO SPEND THEIR TIME DOING.

>> TICKETS FOR BOTH SHOWS ARE AVAILABLE AT CLCPERFORMINGARTS.COM.

>>> TIME IN -- TO BRING IN WEATHERCASTER STACY CHRISTENSON.

SO AFTER TONIGHT, WE MAY SEE SOME FULL ICE BEING COVERED.

>> Stacy: YES, WE'RE GOING TO SEE VERY COOL TEMPERATURES, SO GOOD ICE MAKING TEMPERATURES.

TEMPS WILL FALL TO -5 TO -15 OVERNIGHT.

TEMPS SHOULD BE WARMER TOMORRO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME VERY COLD TEMPERATURES OUT THERE, DESPITE THE BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE WE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY TODAY.

AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, -5 TO -15 ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE COULD SEE A BIT OF SNOW MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S -5 THIS EVENING AT THE AIRPORT.

AND OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE NORTHWEST WINDS AT 6 MILES PER HOUR, THAT IS GIVING US A WINDCHILL OF -18, THE DEW POINT IS -10.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES AND 1.

THE DEW POINT IS -7.

NORTHWEST WINDS AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, GIVING US A WINDCHILL OF -14.

ON THE SATELLITE AND RADAR, IT IS ACTUALLY CLEAR OUT THERE TONIGHT.

WE RESPECT SEEING CLOUD COVER ACROSS THE AREA, SO SOME NICE VIEWS OF THE NIGHTTIME SKY.

HEADING INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE THE CLOUDS INCREASE.

WE DO HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME SNOW TOMORROW, AND VERY COOL TEMPERATURES TONIGHT, BUT WE WILL SEE A WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GORGEOUS SKIES THIS MORNING FROM ANGELA AT CASS LAKE.

PRETTY COLORS IN THE SKY FROM JAMIE.

BEAUTIFUL WINTER SCENE, A LOT OF SUNSHINE FROM GARY.

AND SANDY SAYING THAT THE LAKE WAS MAKING A LOT OF ICE TODAY, VERY NOISY OUT THERE.

ARLENE, BILL, CHRISTY, SENDING IN THOSE PHOTOS.

WE ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF VIDEOS WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR ON THE AIR BUT THEY ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR FACEBOOK GROUP.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 0 AND WINDY THIS MORNING.

SANDY IN BLACKDUCK, CURRENTLY -2.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, A LOW OF 0.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, A CLOUDY START, OTHERWISE CLEAR SKIES.

CHRISTY IN DEER WOOD, 7 THIS EVENING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 18.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 20 WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD BUT THE TEMPS HAVE BEEN FALLING.

OUR TEMPERATURE RIGHT NOW IS 1 AND SUNSET AT 4:31.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 14.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THE FALLING TEMPERATURES, OUR LOW IS -6, SUNRISE AT 7:49.

SO TOMORROW'S FORECAST, SOME OF US COULD START OUT WITH SOME SUNSHINE, BUT WE WILL SEE CLOUDS INCREASING.

WE DO HAVE SOME SNOW, WHICH WILL BEGIN TO MOVE INTO THE AREA IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, BUT MORE SO THAT WILL DEVELOP AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT SHOULD BE WARMER THAN TODAY WITH HIGHS IN THE TEENS TO 20 IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH HIGHS RIGHT AROUND THAT 20 DEGREE MARK.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, LOWS DOWN TO -10, WITH WEST WINDS UP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

TOMORROW, SKIES WILL BECOME MOSTLY CLOUDY, SNOW IS LIKELY AROUND LAKE OF THE WOODS, ABOUT A 70% CHANCE, A SMALLER CHANCE ELSEWHERE, HIGHS WILL BE NEAR 19, SOUTH WINDS PICKING UP, SO WE COULD SEE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

THOSE WILL BE AT 10 TO 25.

THE LOW SUNDAY MORNING WILL BE NEAR -13.

WE'RE BACK UP TO 8 ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, APOLOGIZE FOR THE MIC ISSUES THERE TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEATHER SEGMENT BUT CHARLIE'S MIC IS WORKING TONIGHT AS FAR AS WE KNOW.

HE IS HERE WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

>> Charlie: YEAH, TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT BSU MEN'S AND WOMEN'S HOCKEY.

THEY HAVE TWO BIG SERIES COMING UP THIS WEEKEND BECAUSE THE LAST SERIES BEFORE THE MONTH-LONG BREAK OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK.

WE GOT TO HEAR FROM THEM.

MORE COMIN [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> BSU MEN'S HOCKEY RETURNS TO CCHA PLAY THIS WEEKEND FOR THEIR SECOND SERIES OF THE SEASON WITH AUGUSTANA.

THE TWO TEAMS MET FOR THE FIRST WEEKEND OF CONFERENCE PLAY IN BEMIDJI, WITH THE BEAVERS TAKING FIVE OF THE SIX POINTS FROM THE VIKINGS WITH AN OVERTIME AND REGULATION WIN.

THIS WEEKEND'S SERIES WILL BE PLAYED AT AUGIE, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAYING WELL CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED, WITH THESE BEING THE FINAL TWO GAMES BEFORE THE BEAVS HIT THE MONTH-LONG, MID-SEASON HOLIDAY BREAK.

>> YOU WANT TO BE EXCITED GOING INTO BREAK.

WE HAD A GOOD FIRST HALF SO FAR AND THIS WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD FIRST HALF.

YOU GOT TO GET POINTS.

YOU NEED POINTS EVERY WEEKEND.

IF YOU WANT TO BE HOME AND WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP, YOU HAVE TO GET POINTS EVERY WEEKEND.

SO IT MAKES IT EASIER, THAT'S FOR SURE.

>> IT WILL BE NICE TO RELAX A LITTLE BIT AND GET EVERYONE HEALTHY AND STUFF.

IT'S DEFINITELY FUN WHEN YOU'RE RIDING HIGH AND YOU WANT TO KEEP THAT GOING.

IMPORTANT TO END UP ON A HIGH NOTE AND PICK IT UP ONCE YOU COME BACK.

>> HERE ARE THE TOP-5 TEAMS IN THE CCHA STANDINGS, MINNESOTA STATE MADE UP GROUND AND TOOK A 1-POINT LEAD OVER THE FIELD BY SWEEPING NORTHERN MICHIGAN WHILE BEMIDJI STATE DID NOT MOVE SINCE THEY PLAYED OUT OF CONFERENCE.

THE LAST TIME BSU ENTERED THE WINTER BREAK FIRST IN THE STANDINGS WAS 2023-24 WHEN THEY WON THE MCNAUGHTON CUP, THE CCHA'S REGULAR SEASON TITLE.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY ALSO RETURNS TO CONFERENCE PLAY, THEY'LL BE HOSTING WCHA RIVAL MINNESOTA DULUTH FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.

THE BULLDOGS COME INTO THE SERIES RANKED 6TH IN THE COUNTRY, BUT THE BEAVERS ARE NO STRANGERS TO RANKED OPPONENTS IN THEIR HOUSE, HAVING KNOCKED OFF TWO ALREADY THIS SEASON.

>> I THINK AFTER THOSE TWO UPSETS, WE DEFINITELY HAVE SOME MOTIVATION IN HOPE THAT WE CAN BEAT MORE RANKED TEAMS.

WE JUST HAVE TO COME TO PLAY EVERY WEEKEND, WHETHER TEAMS ARE RANKED OR NOT RANKED.

IF WE DO, WE CAN COME OUT WITH WINS.

>> USING THE WINS AS A CONFIDENCE AND LEARNING FROM THE EXPERIENCE CARRIES INTO EVERY WEEKEND.

THAT'S OUR GOAL, TO PLAY OUR BEST AND AGAIN FOCUS ON OUR CONTROLLABLES AND FOCUSING ON THE CONTROLLABLES LEAD TO THE OUTCOME WE WANT.

>> HERE ARE FEW OUTCOMES THAT LOOKED PRETTY GOOD, BSU'S RANKED WINS OVER THE PAST 7-YEARS, TWO OF THEM THIS YEAR.

THE LAST TIME BEMIDJI STATE BEAT MULTIPLE RANKED OPPONENTS IN A SEASON?

2019, 2020, DEFEATING UMD THREE TIMES AND TOPPLING NUMBER ONE RANKED WISCONSIN.

>>> WELL, HOW DO YOU FOLLOW UP THE BEST PROGRAM -- OR THE BEST SEASON A PROGRAM HAS SEEN IN 28 YEARS?

THAT'S THE QUESTION BRAINERD GIRLS BASKETBALL IS TRYING TO ANSWER.

ALL BY FOUR PLAYERS RETURNING FROM LAST YEAR'S ROSTER.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER TELLS US HOW THE REIGNING CHAMPS ARE LOOKING FOR AN ENCORE.

>> Reporter: NO TWO YEARS ARE EVER THE SAME AND FOR TROY NELSON, AN EARLY SEASON OBJECTIVE CENTERS AROUND LEARNING THE GIRLS' STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES.

>> THAT'S IT.

GOOD.

GOOD.

>> THE PROCESS HAS JUST BEEN WHAT DO WE DO BEST AND HOW CAN WE GET BETTER AT WHAT WE DO BEST?

KNOWING THAT IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE TEAM WE ARE WHEN IT COMES TO PLAYOFF TIME.

>> Reporter: THE WARRIORS HAVE A CLEAR GAP TO FILL FOLLOWING MAYA'S DEPARTURE, WHO AVERAGES 10 REBOUNDS A GAME LAST SEASON.

SHE IS LOOKING AT ADDISON TO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP.

>> I'M TRYING TO GET BETTER ON MY OUTSIDE GAME, DEFINITELY.

>> CIRCLES PROBABLY.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO LIE, JUST NOT UP HIGH.

>> OKAY.

>> ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO GET BETTER AT MY ASSISTS AND DOING BACKDOOR CUTS.

>> Reporter: WITH THE WARRIORS ADDING ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL TRANSFER, THE TEAM NOW HAS FIVE 6-FOOTERS, 2025 MACY CASTLE, THEY BOAST HEIGHT, LENGTH, ATHLETICISM, AND VERSATILITY.

>> IF WE ARE THAT TALL, WE'RE A DEFENSIVE THREAT, ESPECIALLY IN THE ZONE FOR SO LONG AND IT'S HARD FOR TEAMS TO MAKE THE PASSES.

>> Reporter: BRAINERD GIRLS BASKETBALL IS NOT THE ONLY THING DIFFERENT.

WITH 2024 SECTION CHAMPS, EACH JOINING 8-4A THIS YEAR, THE WARRIORS KNOW THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY WILL NOT BE EASY.

>> MONTICELLO WILL BE HARD.

ALEXANDRIA, THEY'RE A REALLY GOOD TEAM, REALLY FAST.

DEFENSE WILL BE THE BIGGEST THING THIS YEAR AND OBVIOUSLY WE CAN SCORE.

SO, I FEEL LIKE ALL AROUND WE ARE GOOD.

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

>> Charlie: WARRIORS TAKE TO THE ROAD TOMORROW, TIGERS ARE RANKED 9th IN 3-A, SO IT WILL BE A GOOD MATCH UP FOR THEM.

>> Dennis: FIVE 6-FOOTERS.

>> Charlie: YEAH, YOU DON'T SEE THAT OFTEN.

ANYWAY, THEY GOT A PRETTY GOOD TEAM.

WE'LL SEE HOW THEY DO.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

THE U.S.

MAY BE HEADING TOWARD ANOTHER SEVERE FLU SEASON, DRIVEN BY LAGGING VACCINATIONS AND A NEW STRAIN OF THE VIRUS THAT'S CAUSING EARLY SURGES IN PLACES LIKE THE UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA AND JAPAN.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER TALKS TO AN INFECTIOUS DISEASES EXPERT ABOUT HOW THIS STRAIN IS DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: IT'S CALLED SUB K, A MUTATED STRAIN OF INFLUENZA THAT IS CAUSING CONCERN FOR THE WEEKS AHEAD AS FLU SEASON RAMPS UP.

>> THOSE FEW MEDICATIONS MAY HAVE SOME INFLUENCE IN JUST HOW EFFECTIVE THE FLU VACCINE IS GOING TO BE FOR THE CURRENT SEASON.

>> Reporter: DR.

DANIEL WITH THE WOMEN'S HOSPITAL SAYS IT'S STILL IMPORTANT TO GET THE FLU SHOT THIS YEAR BECAUSE HE SAYS THE LATEST STRAIN IS JUST ONE OF THREE THAT TYPICALLY CIRCULATE IN THE SEASON AND BEING VACCINATED WILL PROVIDE SOME PROTECTION.

>> AND IT WILL LIKELY MAKE ANY INFLUENZA YOU MIGHT ACQUIRE MUCH LESS SEVERE THAN IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> Reporter: BUT IT APPEARS MANY AMERICANS ARE SKIPPING THEIR FLU VACCINES THIS YEAR.

LAST WINTER'S FLU SEASON WAS SEVERE.

THE U.S.

HAD ITS HIGHEST RATES OF FLU HOSPITALIZATIONS IN NEARLY 15 YEARS.

AT LEAST 280 CHILDREN DIED OF INFLUENZA AND WITH THE COMBINATION OF A NEW STRAIN, AN UPCOMING HOLIDAY TRAVEL, EXPERTS FEAR THIS SEASON COULD BE JUST AS BAD.

>> WE'RE JUST SEEING THE FIRST SIGNS OF INCREAING INFLUENZA ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO KEEP UP THOSE PERSONAL CARE MEASURES TO PROTECT AGAINST FLU-LIKE GOOD HAND WASHING AND HE SAYS IF YOU DO GET THE FLU, THERE ARE TREATMENTS AVAILABLE.

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL ANTI-VIRAL MEDICATIONS THAT ARE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST INFLUENZA BUT NEED TO BE STARTED EARLY IN THE COURSE OF DISEASE.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> THE DOCTOR SAYS IF YOU FEEL SICK, IT'S IMPORTANT TO TEST FOR FLU, SO THAT IT CAN BE TREATED EARLY AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ILLNESS ISN'T ANOTHER KIND OF RESPIRATORY INFECTION.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER CHECK OF OUR WEATHER, WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE'RE IN FOR SOME COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH THE LOWS FALLING TO -5 TO -15.

CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY, WEST WINDS UP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

SKIES WILL BE MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, SNOW AROUND LAKE OF THE WOODS, BUT WE HAVE CHANCES OF SNOW EVERYWHERE ELSE.

HIGHS NEAR 19, SOUTH WINDS PICKING UP 10 TO 25.

>> Dennis: WE'RE OUT OF TIME TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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