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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

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.

>>> AVIAN FLU HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AT A FARM IN CROW WING COUNTY.

OFFICIALLY NAMED HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA AND MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS BIRD FLU.

IT WAS FOUND IN POULTRY AT A FORT RIPLEY FARM.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S NATIONAL VETERINARY SERVICES LABORATORIES CONFIRMED A CASE THERE.

THE SITE WAS QUARANTINED AND THE 120 BIRDS ON THE PREMISES WERE DEPOPULATED TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.

THE FIRST MINNESOTA CASES OF AVIAN FLU WERE IDENTIFIED IN MARCH 2022.

THE LAST TIME THERE WAS A CASE IN CROW WING COUNTY WAS MAY 2022, WITH A RECENT CASE DETECTED IN WADENA COUNTY IN JANUARY OF 2025.

>>> JEREMY JOURDAIN WAS JUST 17 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WENT MISSING FROM A FAMILY MEMBER'S HOME IN BEMIDJI ON OCTOBER 31ST OF 2016.

THIS PAST FEBRUARY 2ND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A JOYFUL MILESTONE FOR JEREMY, HIS 26TH BIRTHDAY.

INSTEAD, IT WAS ANOTHER PAINFUL REMINDER FOR HIS MOTHER, THERESA JOURDAIN, WHO HAS SPENT NEARLY A DECADE SEARCHING FOR HER SON AND SAYS SHE IS NOT GIVING UP.

TO GENERATE FRESH LEADS IN HIS CASE, THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN AND ITS PARTNER GSTV, A NATIONAL DIGITAL VIDEO NETWORK, WILL DISPLAY JEREMY'S POSTER ON SCREENS AT MORE THAN 1,900 GAS STATIONS ACROSS MINNESOTA AND NEIGHBORING STATES OF IOWA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND WISCONSIN THROUGHOUT MARCH.

THIS INCREASED EXPOSURE AIMS TO RENEW ATTENTION ON HIS CASE AND HELP FINALLY BRING HIS FAMILY ANSWERS.

SINCE JULY, JEREMY HAS ALSO BEEN FEATURED ON BILLBOARDS ACROSS MINNESOTA THROUGH A CAMPAIGN BY THE STATE'S MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES OFFICE.

THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO ACTIVELY INVESTIGATE JEREMY'S DISAPPEARANCE AND URGES ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO COME FORWARD.

OFFICIALS FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN SAY THEY BELIEVE THAT ANSWERS ABOUT JOURDAIN'S DISAPPEARANCE ARE POSSIBLE AND IT ONLY TAKES ONE PERSON TO SPEAK UP.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT JEREMY OR HIS DISAPPEARANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THE NUMBERS ON YOUR SCREEN.

>>> DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TINA SMITH OF MINNESOTA HAS HANDED IN HER NOTICE.

THE LAWMAKER SAID SHE WILL NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2026, ACCORDING TO A SOCIAL MEDIA POST.

SMITH CALLED THE JOB, "THE HONOR OF A LIFETIME."

SMITH WAS MINNESOTA'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHEN GOVERNOR MARK DAYTON APPOINTED HER TO COMPLETE SENATOR AL FRANKEN'S TERM AFTER HE RESIGNED IN LATE 2017.

SHE TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY 2018 AND KEPT THE SEAT WHEN SHE WON THE GENERAL ELECTION THAT NOVEMBER.

SHE WENT ON TO WIN A FULL SIX-YEAR TERM IN 2020.

SMITH'S ANNOUNCEMENT SET OFF A SCRAMBLE BY POTENTIAL CANDIDATES IN BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES TO FILL THE SEAT.

WITHIN AN HOUR OF SMITH MAKING HER ANNOUNCEMENT, PEGGY FLANAGAN, THE STATE'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SAID SHE PLANS TO LAUNCH A SENATE CAMPAIGN.

OTHER DEMOCRATS WHO ARE BELIEVED TO BE CONSIDERING A CAMPAIGN ARE GOVERNOR TIM WALZ.

REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR AND SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT POPULIST ROYCE WHITE IS ALREADY IN THE RACE.

SOME NAMES ALSO CIRCULATING AS POTENTIAL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES INCLUDE STATE REP. KRISTIN ROBBINS, STATE SENS.

KARIN HOUSLEY AND JULIA COLEMAN, FORMER STATE AUDITOR CANDIDATE RYAN WILSON AND ATTORNEY CHRIS MADEL.

WHILE NO REPUBLICAN HAS WON STATEWIDE OFFICE IN MINNESOTA SINCE 2006, A COUPLE CAME CLOSE IN 2022, AND THE TRADITIONALLY DEMOCRATIC STATE HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE IN RECENT YEARS.

>>> ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. HAS BEEN SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S HEALTH SECRETARY.

THE SENATE ON THURSDAY CONFIRMED HIM, VOTING 52 TO 48.

IT PUTS THE PROMINENT VACCINE SKEPTIC IN CONTROL OF $1.7 TRILLION IN FEDERAL SPENDING, VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS, FOOD SAFETY, AND HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS FOR ROUGHLY HALF THE COUNTRY.

REPUBLICANS FELL IN LINE BEHIND TRUMP DESPITE HESITANCY OVER KENNEDY'S VIEWS ON VACCINES.

KENTUCKY SENATOR MITCH MCCONNEL WHO HAD POLIO AS A CHILD WAS THE ONLY NO VOTE AMONG REPUBLICANS.

THE G.O.P.

HAS LARGELY EMBRACED KENNEDY'S VISION TO MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN BY DIRECTING THE NATION'S PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES TO FOCUS ON CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS OBESITY.

>>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND ELON MUSK'S VOW TO CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING HAS ENTERED A DRAMATIC NEW PHASE.

A FEDERAL JUDGE GAVE THE GREENLIGHT WEDNESDAY FOR THEIR DEFERRED RESIGNATION PROGRAM TO MOVE FORWARD FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FEDERAL WORKERS BUT NOW, AN ADDITIONAL WAVE OF MASS TERMINATIONS IS CATCHING A NUMBER OF FEDERAL WORKERS BY SURPRISE.

LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTS.

>> WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A CHAOTIC ENVIRONMENT.

>> IT'S JUST COMPLETE CHAOS AND FRANKLY A WHOLE BUNCH OF CRUELTY.

>> Reporter: THAT'S HOW MANY THAT WORK WITH OR INSIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARE DESCRIBING A WAVE OF MASS FIRINGS UNDERWAY.

>> JUST A PHONE CALL, THEY CAN'T GET INTO THEIR COMPUTER.

WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY DOCUMENTARY.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL STAFFERS WERE NOTIFIED THIS WAY OR WOKE UP TO THIS E-MAIL, OBTAINED BY CNN, TELLING EMPLOYEES THAT THEY WERE BEING LET GO OVER POOR PERFORMANCE.

WORKERS AT THE SMALL BUSINESS AT ADMINISTRATION ALSO RECEIVED SIMILAR E-MAILS.

THE TOTAL NUMBER AT BOTH AGENCIES UNKNOWN.

ELON MUSK SPOKE AT A GLOBAL LEADERS SUMMIT ABOUT A LARGER SCALE FIRING TO COME.

>> WE DO NEED TO DELETE ENTIRE AGENCIES AS OPPOSED TO LEAVE PART OF THEM BEHIND.

>> Reporter: ON CAPITOL HILL TODAY, EDUCATION SECRETARY NOMINEE FACED D.O.E.

CLOSURE QUESTIONS.

>> DO YOU AGREE THAT SINCE THE DEPARTMENT WAS CREATED BY CONGRESS, IT WOULD NEED AN ACT OF CONGRESS TO CLOSE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION?

>> CERTAINLY PRESIDENT TRUMP UNDERSTANDS THAT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH CONGRESS BUT CERTAINLY DOES REQUIRE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO TOGETHER.

DON'T PULL THE RUG FROM OUT UNDER KIDS.

>> WE'RE RECEIVING MESSAGES FROM UNIVERSITIES WHOSE FUNDING HAS BEEN CUT.

WHAT WE HAVE IS CHAOS AND IT'S GOING TO BE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT BEAR THE BRUNT OF THIS.

>> Reporter: I'M LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTING.

>> AS FOR THE DEFERRED RESIGNATION BUYOUTS, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYS ABOUT 75,000 FEDERAL WORKERS TOOK THE DEAL AND AFTER A TEMPORARY BLOCK, A JUDGE CLEARED THE WAY WEDNESDAY FOR THOSE DEFERRED RESIGNATIONS TO MOVE FORWARD.

SHERIA SMITH SAYS SOME OF HER CLIENTS HAD ACCEPTED THE BUYOUTS, ONLY TO STILL RECEIVE A TERMINATION EMAIL, LEAVING THEM CONFUSED ON THEIR ACTUAL STATUS AND UNABLE TO GET CLEAR ANSWERS FROM TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS, AT THIS POINT.

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

>> Stacy: MANY OF US WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW AS WE HEAD THROUGH TOMORROW, ALTHOUGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE A LITTLE BIT WARMER AND THEN THESE CLEAR AND COLD WEATHER WILL RETURN FOR THE WEEKEND.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, 2015 PULITZER PRIZE WINNER SHARED HIS P >> 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.

>>> 2015 PULITZER PRIZE WINNER GREGORY PARDLO TOOK THE TIME TO SHARE HIS POETRY AND LIFE EXPERIENCES AT CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, ARRANGED THROUGH CLC'S VISITING POET PROGRAM VERSE LIKE WATER.

PARDLO JOINED CLC STUDENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE, AN HOUR-LONG POETRY READING BEFORE HOLDING A BOOK SIGNING SESSION AS WELL AS AN IMPROMPTU Q&A.

PARDLO'S WORK AS A POET INVOKES MANY OVERARCHING CONCEPTS INCLUDING SOCIAL ACTIVISM, POP CULTURE, AND THE HUMAN CONDITION, WHICH HE OFTEN PENS THROUGH HIS OWN LIFE EXPERIENCES, ALL OF WHICH HE HOPES THIS GENERATION AND THOSE TO FOLLOW, SEES VALUE IN DISCUSSING THROUGH THEIR OWN POETIC CREATIONS.

>> WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE CULTURAL DNA IS THAT UNITES US, THAT WILL PROVIDE FOR A USEFUL LITERARY CULTURE FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> PARDLO IS ALSO A VISITING ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE AND CREATIVE WRITING AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, WHERE HE STRESSES THE VALUE IN TESTING YOUR LIMITS TO HIS STUDENTS.

>>> ICE FEST IS SET TO GET ROLLING FOR ITS EIGHTH STRAIGHT YEAR THIS WEEKEND, HOSTED THROUGH THE PAY IT FORWARD FOUNDATION.

ICE FEST OFFERING THE WORKS ACTIVITIES-WISE, FROM HUMAN BOWLING AND FINNISH SLEDDING, HUMAN FOOSBALL AND A HOT AIR BALLOON EXPERIENCE.

A GIANT ICE CAROUSEL WILL ONCE AGAIN HEADLINE THE ICE FEST.

AFTER MILD WINTER CONDITIONS PREVENTED YET ANOTHER WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT FOR THE LARGEST ICE CAROUSEL IN 2024.

AS THE EVENT AIMS TO CREATE A FAMILY-FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE, WHILE ALSO RAISING FUNDS FOR A GREAT CAUSE.

>> WE CALL IT A FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY WEEKEND OF EVENTS CENTERED AROUND RAISING MONEY FOR KIDS THAT RUN THE RISK OF NOT EATING OVER THE WEEKEND.

OVER THE YEARS, THROUGH GREAT SPONSORS AND DONATIONS, DONATED $137,000 THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS.

I ABSOLUTELY DID NOT KNOW HOW IT IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU CANNOT BELIEVE THE STORIES UNTIL YOU HEAR THEM.

>> ICE FEST WILL GO UNDERWAY FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. SATURDAY AND 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. SUNDAY AT GREEN PRAIRIE FISH LAKE.

>>> STACY JOINS US NOW, SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA AND MORE COLD.

>> Stacy: THAT SUMS IT UP RIGHT THERE.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT WARMER FOR SOME OF US TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE SEEING ACCUMULATING SNOW FOR NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, QUIET WEATHER RETURNS BUT TEMPERATURES WILL BE >> 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, ONCE AGAIN IT WAS SUNNY BUT IT WAS COLD ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE DID START OUT WITH THE TEMPERATURES IN THE -20s TO -30s.

WE HAD MAINLY SINGLE DIGITS AS FAR AS HIGHS TODAY.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD, A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK FROM THE COLD FOR MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA, BUT WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW AND SOME LIGHT ACCUMULATION THROUGHOUT THE DAY TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, IT LOOKS LIKE OUR QUIET AND COLD WEATHER WILL BE BACK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 2 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

SOUTH WINDS ARE AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS -9.

THE CURRENT WINTER CHILL IS AT -13.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, -3, THE DEW POINT IS -12, WINDS SOUTH AT 7 MILES PER HOUR, AND THE WINDCHILL IS AT -16.

NOW WE DID HAVE SOME SUNSHINE THROUGH MOST OF THE DAY.

WE HAVE A BIT OF CLOUD COVER MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA THIS EVENING, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

HEADING INTO TOMORROW MORNING, THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE OF SOME SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, BUT THE SNOW BECOMES MORE WIDESPREAD AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND WE COULD SEE SOME LIGHT ACCUMULATION AS WE HEAD THROUGH TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND INTO TOMORROW NIGHT, AND BIG SNOW MAKER, BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT 1 TO 3 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION, BEMIDJI 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW, AND BRAINERD LOOKING AT 2.5 INCHES.

WE COULD SEE LIGHT ACCUMULATION OUT OF THIS SYSTEM.

IT WILL MOVE OUT QUICKLY.

QUIET WEATHER IS BACK FOR THE WEEKEND AND SO ARE THE COLD TEMPERATURES.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNRISE ON A COLD MORNING IN MENAHGA.

SARAH WITH THE PICTURE OF THE SUNSET OVER LAKE EDWARD AND AN LA WITH A PICTURE OF THE SUNSET AND THE CLOUDS ROLLING IN CASS LAKE THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, -29 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY SKIES, LOW WAS -21.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY BUT A BIT OF A BREEZE.

AGAIN, THAT LOW TEMPERATURE IS -30.

SARAH IN MERRIFIELD REPORTING SUNNY AND 0 DEGREES THIS EVENING.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 6, A FULL 20 DEGREES BELOW OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE STARTED OUT WITH A LOW OF -20, SUNRISE AT 7:21.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 6, AGAIN VERY COLD OUT THERE, OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE IS 23.

-28 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING, SO VERY COLD TO START THE DAY AND SUNSET AT 5:42.

SO TOMORROW, WE START OUT WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES ACROSS THE AREA.

WE'LL PUT THIS IN MOTION, THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE OF SNOW IN PARTS OF THE AREA TOMORROW MORNING, BUT BECOMING MUCH MORE WIDESPREAD TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

IT SHOULD START TO EXIT TOMORROW NIGHT, AGAIN WE'RE LOOKING AT IN GENERAL 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOWFALL ACCUMULATION OUT OF THAT SYSTEM.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT'S GOING TO STAY PRETTY COLD IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, 4 FOR THE HIGH IN WARROAD, BUT A LOT OF TEENS ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH HIGHS GENERALLY 15 TO EVEN CLOSE TO 20 DEGREES AS WE HEAD INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOWS NEAR -10, SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 15.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, SNOW, AND 1 TO 3 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION, AND HIGHS NEAR 13.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, QUIET WEATHER RETURNS, COLD TEMPERATURES RETURN, HIGHS NEAR 0 ON SUNDAY, -4 ON MONDAY, AND -3 ON TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

THE STATE GIRLS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT IS NEXT WEEKEND.

THE TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS OR THE FIELD IS STARTING TO GET SET.

>> Charlie: YEAH, WE SET ABOUT FOUR OF THE GIRLS LAST NIGHT AND THEN WE GOT FOUR MORE OR AT LEAST FIVE MORE TONIGHT, BUT TWO IN OUR VIEWING AREA PLANNED FOR SECTION TITLES.

I HAVE A CHANCE TO SHOW YOU THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THOSE GAMES AND OTHER GAMES AROUND THE AREA COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

OFFERING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> THE GOLDEN APPLE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY CROW WING POWER.

DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELIABLE ELECTRICITY AND A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF TO ASSIST YOU WITH ENERGY-SAVING PROGRAMS AND TIPS MORE AT CWPOWER.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> GRAND RAPIDS-GREENWAY GIRLS HOCKEY LAST MADE THE STATE TOURNAMENT IN 2012.

FOR THE PAST TWO SEASONS AND THREE OF THE LAST FOUR, THEY HAVE FALLEN ONE WIN SHORT OF A SECTION TITLE, AND IN ALL THREE ATTEMPTS, THEY'VE BEEN BEATEN BY ANDOVER, WHO HAS HAD A VICE GRIP ON SECTION 7-2A, WINNING THE TOURNAMENT THE LAST 7-STRAIGHT YEARS.

THE LIGHTING LOST 4-1 TO THE HUSKIES BACK IN JANUARY, THEIR NARROWEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT TO THEM SINCE 2018.

AND TONIGHT, GRG FACES-OFF WITH ANDOVER FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE SEASON IN THE SECTION 7-2A CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.

FIRST PERIOD, THE LIGHTNING DOWN 1-0.

SHE FINDS TAPE AND THIS ONE IS TIED AT 1-1.

LATER OFF THE DRAW, COURTNEY SNIPES IN A LONG RANGE MISSILE, FINDING NYLON FOR THE HUSKIES.

THE LIGHTNING KEEPS STRIKING, AND RIPPING ONE FROM BETWEEN THE CIRCLES TO TIE THE GAME.

LATER, HUSKIES ON THE POWER PLAY.

PIPER SHOOTS AND ANOVER WOULD SCORE TWO IN THE SECOND.

GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY WOULD EVENTUALLY FALL 7-3, ENDING WITH ANOTHER SECTION RUNNER UP FINISH, A TOUGH END TO WHAT WAS OTHERWISE A STELLAR CAMPAIGN.

>>> TOP RANKED WARROAD GIRLS HOCKEY TRYING TO WIN THEIR 10TH CONSECUTIVE SECTION TITLE.

THEY TAKE ON CROOKSTON FOR THE 4TH TIME IN A ROW IN THE 8A CHAMPIONSHIP.

NOW FIRST PERIOD, SHE GIVES THEM A 1-0 LEAD.

JUMP AHEAD TO THE THIRD, IT'S 2-1 NOW.

ADDISON FOR THE PIRATES, ABLE TO TIE THE GAME LATE AT 2, BUT JUST 50 SECONDS LATER, CHARLIE SCORES TO PUT THE WARRIORS AHEAD FOR GOOD.

IT'S A DECADE OF DOMINANCE BY WARROAD WHO SECURES THEIR 10th STRAIGHT SECTION TITLE WITH A 4-2 WIN OVER CROOKSTON.

THEY KNOW THEIR PLAN NEXT WEDNESDAY, THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME.

IT ALL DEPENDS.

THEY WERE THE NUMBER ONE TEAM HEADING INTO THE TOURNAMENT, PROBABLY THE NUMBER ONE TEAM SEEDED IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT AS WELL.

>>> BEMIDJI AND BRAINERD BOYS HOCKEY WILL FINISH THEIR SEASONS ON OPPOSITE SIDES SECTION STANDINGS.

THE LUMBERJACKS AS THE SECOND-BEST TEAM IN 8-2A.

THE WARRIORS, SECOND TO LAST, BUT WITH PLAYOFF SEEDINGS ALREADY RELEASED, AND NOTHING ON THE LINE OTHER THAN PRIDE OF BEATING YOUR RIVAL.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

BEMIDJI HOSTING BRAINERD IN THE FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON.

THE JACKS BEAT THE WARRIORS 6-3 BACK IN DECEMBER.

IT DIDN'T PHASE BRAINERD.

FIRST PERIOD, NO SCORE.

DREW FINDS WESTEN, BURIES THE ONE TIMER, AND THE WARRIORS STRIKE FIRST, 1-0.

LATER IN THE PERIOD, LUMBERJACKS WILL RESPOND.

BACKDOOR TO KYLE, AND IT SQUEEZES THROUGH.

WE'RE TIED AT 1-1.

JACKS WILL BEGIN TO PULL AWAY, LEADING 2-1 NOW.

JOEY THREADS THE NEEDLE TO EXTEND THE LEAD.

JACKS ARE NOW UNBEATEN IN THEIR LAST 7 AS THEY HEAD INTO THE SECTION TOURNAMENT.

WARRIORS ENTER ON A 4-GAME SKID.

>>> A COUPLE MORE BOYS HOCKEY SCORES FOR YOU.

ROSEAU GETS THE WIN TONIGHT.

WADENA DEER CREEK FALLS.

I-FALLS GETS THE BETTER OF LAKE OF THE WOODS.

IN GIRLS BASKETBALL, BRAINERD LOOKING FOR ITS SIXTH STRAIGHT WIN HOSTING BEMIDJI.

WARRIORS TOOK THE FIRST MATCH UP LAST MONTH.

LUMBERJACKS DOWN 4, AND SHE HAD 14 POINTS ON THE NIGHT, BEMIDJI CUT IT TO 25-23.

A FEW POSSESSIONS LATER, ADDISON FROM DEEP, AND NOW IT WAS ALL WARRIORS IN THE SECOND HALF AS MAYA DRAINS THE JUMPER.

HERE SHE HAD A GAME HIGH OF 24 POINTS AND NOTCHED ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE PROCESS, RECORDING HER 1,000th CAREER POINT.

SHE CELEBRATES WITH HER TEAM.

BRAINERD GETS THE WIN OVER BEMIDJI.

THEY SWEEP THE REGULAR SEASON SERIES AGAINST THE JACKS.

CROSBY-IRONTON BEATS PROCTOR.

THAT WAS A CLOSE GAME FOR CROSBY.

AND FOSSTON FALLS.

ALSO IN GIRLS BASKETBALL, ROYALTON STAYS UNDEFEATED.

LITTLE FALLS GETS THE WIN OVER PIERZ.

IN BOYS BASKETBALL, BEMIDJI WELCOMING GRAND RAPIDS INTO THE FIELD HOUSE, JACKS LOOKING TO BUILD OFF THE WIN, AND IT WAS A HOTLY CONTESTED MATCH FROM THE GET GOING, THANKS IN PART BY BRENDAN.

HE DROPS 22 POINTS, AND THEN BACK TO BACK POSSESSION, JACKSON ANSWERS FOR THE JACKS FROM DEEP, 6 POINT SWING PUTS THEM IN FRONT.

HE FINISHES WITH 21.

LATER, LUMBERJACKS ARE DOWN.

TWO OF HIS FIRST 7.5 POINTS, TIES THE GAME.

BEMIDJI IS ABLE TO PULL AWAY FROM GRAND RAPIDS IN THE END AND IT'S A FINAL OF 70-62.

PIERZ BEATS LITTLE FALLS ON THE BOYS SIDE AND WARROAD LOSES TO EAST GRAND FORKS.

DEER RIVER GETS A WIN OVER GREEN WAY.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY 30 POINTS OVER NORTHOME-KELLIHER.

NEVIS GETS THE WIN OVER RED LAKE.

BRAINERD FINISHED 5th OVERALL ON THE BOY'S SIDE OF THINGS AND THE RELAY RESULTS, 11th PLACE AND THE TEAM FROM BRAINERD 12th PLACE, AND ANNA FINISHED 8th AND 7th PLACE.

THEN THE FACE OFF STARTED AND U.S.A. GOT A 6-1 WIN OVER FINLAND.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL UNIFIED BASKETBALL GAME DRAWS A CROWD OF HUNDREDS EVERY YEAR.

LAST WEEK, THEIR GAME AGAINST MENHAGA WAS NO DIFFERENT.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO SOME OF THE ATHLETES ABOUT WHAT THE GAME MEANS TO THEM FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

[CHEERING].

>> Reporter: BASKETBALL.

[CHEERING], INCLUSIVITY AND A PACKED GYM.

[CHEERING].

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS SHOWED UP TO SUPPORT THE BASKETBALL GAME VERSUS MENAHGA.

>> OH MAN, TOO MANY TO COUNT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE ENERGY IN THE BUILDING IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND THERE IS SUCH POSITIVITY COMING FROM EVERYWHERE.

[CHEERING].

>> Reporter: IT TRULY IS A EWE -- UNIFYING EVENT.

>> IT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND IT INCLUDES EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: THE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES FROM THE TWO SCHOOLS PUT THEIR BALL HANDLING, SHOOTING, AND DUNKING SKILLS ON DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

[CHEERING].

>> I ENJOY IT BECAUSE I GET TO SHOW THEM, YOU KNOW, MY SKILLS AND THIN MY FRIENDS GET TO SHOW THEM THEIR SKILLS TOO.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE I FEEL THAT EVERYONE DESERVES TO PLAY SPORTS TOGETHER AND ENJOY THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: UNIFIED SPORTS GIVES STUDENT ATHLETES A CHANCE TO GET ON THE FIELD OR THE HARDWOOD, FEEL THE COMRADERY, AND GET THE WHOLE GAME EXPERIENCE, THE T-SHIRT THROWING, HALFTIME PERFORMANCE, POSTERS WITH THEIR NAMES, AND ON TOP OF THE ATMOSPHERE, ATHLETES HAVE A CHANCE TO BE A PART OF A TEAM.

>> MY FAVORITE PART IS GETTING EVERYONE INCLUDED AND EVERYONE HAVING FUN.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

EVERYONE WAS GETTING IN THERE, LIKE ALL THE VIBES WERE GOOD, EVERYONE IS HAPPY.

IT'S A GOOD THING.

>> IT'S A LOT OF FUN BECAUSE I GET TO NOT JUST MAKE NEW FRIENDS, BUT I GET TO HANG OUT WITH THE FRIENDS THAT I HAVE, GOING TO DIFFERENT PLACES I HAVEN'T BEEN TO AND YOU KNOW, JUST HAVING FUN.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND THE UNIFIED BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WAS HELD DOWN IN THE TWIN CITIES THIS WEEK AS WELL.

BACK TO STACY FOR A LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR -10 AND THEN THE SNOW MOVES IN AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON, WE COULD SEE 1 TO 3 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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