>> 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.

>>> THE PAUL BUNYAN PLAYHOUSE IN BEMIDJI MADE THE SHOCKING ANNOUNCEMENT ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE ON SATURDAY THAT THEY WERE SUSPENDING THEIR UPCOMING SEASON, LEAVING THE COMMUNITY WONDERING WHY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SAT DUNE AND HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION TO MAKE.

>> AFTER MANY MEETINGS AND LOTS OF TALK AND DIFFERENT OPTIONS CONSIDERED.

WE DID EVENTUALLY DECIDE IT WAS THE ONLY OPTION WE HAD MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE, STRUCTURAL AND FINANCIAL STRUGGLES ARE THREATENING THE FOUNDATION OF THE THEATER.

THE CURRENT PATH THAT THE PLAYHOUSE WAS ON WAS UNSUSTAINABLE.

>> IT'S 90-PLUS YEARS OLD.

IT'S AN AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAVE SYSTEMS ON THE VERGE OF FAILURE, THINGS HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED OVER THE YEARS, NOT DUE TO ANY PARTICULAR REASON OTHER THAN THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE SYSTEMS WERE FAILING OR ABOUT TO FAIL.

THE PLUMBING, THE ELECTRICAL, THE LIGHTING, LOTS OF THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR UPGRADED.

I BELIEVE WHEN THE PLAYHOUSE MOVED IN, THE PLUMBING WAS UPDATED, THE ELECTRICAL, AND EVERYTHING WAS UP TO CODE THEN BUT THERE IS MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW.

>> Reporter: THEY ONLY CAME TO THE DECISION BASED ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF THE BUILDING.

EACH PRODUCTION THAT COMES TO THE HISTORIC THEATER COSTS $250,000.

THE BOARD FEELS THIS MONEY IS BETTER SPENT ON THE MUCH NEEDED UPGRADES TO THE BUILDING, THEREFORE LEADING TO THE SUSPENSION OF THE UPCOMING SEASON.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A LACK OF AUDIENCE OR ATTENDANCE.

WE HAVE A HUGE GROUP OF SUPPORTERS AMONG THE COMMUNITY AND ELSEWHERE AS WELL.

IT'S REALLY INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: INSTEAD OF HAVING TO AS YOU -- SUSPEND IT HALFWAY THROUGH, THEY WANTED A STRONG ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR INSTEAD.

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

>> THE PAUL BUNYAN PLAYHOUSE SAYS THEY WILL PUT OUT A MORE DETAILED RELEASE ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS ON THE EXACT DETAILS OF EVERYTHING THAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO UPGRADE.

THE SUSPENSION IS ONLY FOR THE PRODUCTIONS THE PLAYHOUSE HOLDS DURING THE SUMMER, NOT THE OTHER LIVE EVENTS THAT HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE PLAYHOUSE IS ACCEPTING DONATIONS, AND WE WILL HAVE A LINK TO WHERE YOU CAN DO THAT ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION TONIGHT ON THE ATTEMPTED THEFT OF AN A.T.M.

FROM A BANK IN PIERZ.

MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS THE SUSPECTS REMAIN AT LARGE AND INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THEY COULD BE CONNECTED TO SIMILAR INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED WITHIN THE LAST WEEK IN CROOKSTON AND PELICAN RAPIDS.

THE INCIDENT IN PIERZ HAPPENED AROUND 11:15 MONDAY NIGHT AT THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS STATE BANK.

THE SUSPECTS, WHO YOU SEE HERE DRESSED IN BLACK HOOKED A CHAIN TO THE ATM AND PULLED IT WITH A TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN REPORTED STOLEN FROM FERGUS FALLS.

THE SUSPECTS NEVER GOT THE ATM LOADED AND LEFT THE SCENE IN A LIGHT COLORED SUV.

THIS IS A PHOTO OF THAT VEHICLE.

IT'S A LIGHT-COLORED, NEWER STYLE SUV WITH L.E.D.

HEADLIGHTS.

THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DANGER TO PUBLIC.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ASKING PIERZ RESIDENTS TO REVIEW THEIR OWN SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS IF THEY HAVE THEM.

THE TIMEFRAME THEY ARE LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE IS FROM 10:30 TO 11:30 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 24TH IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ATTEMPTED THEFT, YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY IS SEEING AN INCREASE IN CYBERCRIME AROUND THIS AREA, AS COUNTY SHERIFF ERIC KLANG NOTIFIED THE COUNTY BOARD ABOUT THE RECENT RISE IN SCAMMING DURING A MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH.

KLANG DETAILED A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT METHODS SCAMMERS ARE USING, FROM ROMANCE SCAMS, TO I.R.S.

SCAMS, TO PACKAGE AND TOLL-FEE SCAMS.

HOWEVER KLANG ALSO DISCUSSED TELLTALE SIGNS THOSE AT RISK SHOULD LOOK FOR TO AVOID FALLING VICTIM TO THE ELABORATE PLOYS.

>> ANY TIME SOMEONE ASKS YOU FOR MONEY THAT YOU NEVER MET OR YOU DON'T KNOW, THAT'S GOING TO BE A SCAM.

IF THEY'RE ASKING YOU FOR MONEY TO GET SOMETHING IN RETURN, THAT'S GOING TO BE A SCAM.

IF YOU EVER TRIED TO CALL THE I.R.S., YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH, AND IF YOU MAKE IT THROUGH, YOU'RE ON THE PHONE FOR AT LEAST THREE HOURS.

THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO CALL YOU.

THEY'RE NEVER GOING TO CALL YOU.

>> ANYONE THAT HAS BEEN SCAMMED CAN REPORT IT TO THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS REPORT IT TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AT THE LINK BELOW.

>>> THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS PUT MINNESOTA ON NOTICE FOR ITS STANCE ON ALLOWING TRANSGENDER STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON FEBRUARY 5TH BANNING TRANSGENDER WOMEN FROM COMPETING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS, BUT MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON HAS SINCE ISSUED A LEGAL OPINION SAYING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER VIOLATES THE MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS ACT.

ELLISON SAID THAT BECAUSE IT LACKED CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY OR A STATUTORY MANDATE, IT DID NOT TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER STATE LAW.

U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI RESPONDED WITH A LETTER TO ELLISON DATED YESTERDAY THAT SAYS REQUIRING GIRLS TO COMPETE AGAINST BOYS IN SPORTS AND ATHLETIC EVENTS VIOLATES TITLE NINE OF THE EDUCATIONAL AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1972.

SHE SAYS IT DOES NOT MATTER IF MINNESOTA STATE LAW ALLOWS OR EVEN REQUIRES GIRLS TO COMPETE AGAINST BOYS.

SHE SAYS WHEN FEDERAL AND STATE LAW CONFLICT, STATES ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW FEDERAL LAW.

SHE SAYS MINNESOTA SHOULD BE ON NOTICE AND A TITLE NINE INVESTIGATION INTO THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE IS UNDERWAY.

MEANWHILE, A SPOKESPERSON FOR ELLISON SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE GUIDANCE ISSUED BY THE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE STANDS.

>>> GOVERNOR TIM WALZ WON'T SEEK MINNESOTA'S OPEN U.S. SENATE SEAT NEXT YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNOR SAID IN A STATEMENT WEDNESDAY THAT WALZ INSTEAD IS CONSIDERING A RUN FOR A THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR.

THE NEWS COMES NEARLY TWO WEEKS AFTER U.S.

SENATOR TINA SMITH, A DEMOCRAT FROM MINNESOTA, ANNOUNCED SHE WOULD NOT SEEK REELECTION IN 2026.

WALZ WAS AMONG A FLURRY OF THOSE FROM BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES CONSIDERING RUNS TO FILL THE SEAT.

WALZ'S OFFICE INDICATES HE DOES NOT PLAN TO ENDORSE ANY CANDIDATE IN A PRIMARY RACE.

IT WILL BE MINNESOTA'S FIRST OPEN U.S. SENATE SEAT SINCE 2006.

CANDIDATES WHO HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY ARE RUNNING FOR THAT SEAT INCLUDE LIEUTENANT.

GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND REPUBLICAN ROYCE WHITE, A CONSERVATIVE CRITIC OF THE PARTY ESTABLISHMENT AND FORMER NBA PLAYER WHO LOST TO U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR IN 2024, AS WELL AS RETIRED NAVY SEAL AND FORMER CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE ADAM SCHWARZE, REPUBLICAN SENATOR JUSTIN EICHORN FROM GRAND RAPIDS HAS BEEN ELECTED CHAIR OF THE IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARD.

EICHORN WHO HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE IRRRB SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE IN 2017, WAS ELECTED CHAIR ON A UNANIMOUS VOTE LAST NIGHT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION SERVES AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOCUSED ON REINVESTING LOCAL TACONITE PRODUCTION TAXES TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES, COMMUNITIES, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THE IRRRB CONSISTS OF STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES WHO WERE ELECTED FROM DISTRICTS WHERE AT LEAST ONE-THIRD OF THE PEOPLE LIVE WITHIN THE AREA THE AGENCY SERVES.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: SOME LIGHT SNOW IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, OTHERWISE CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW, WITH ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW LATE TOMORROW YOUR FRIDAY MORNING.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, BEMIDJI STATE HAS BEEN AWARDED A $1.26 MILLION GRANT TO ADDRESS THE >> 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.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE HAS BEEN AWARDED A $1.26 MILLION GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TO TRY AND HELP ADDRESS MINNESOTA'S STEM TEACHER SHORTAGES.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO SEVERAL PROFESSORS ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THIS GRANT CAN BE FOR TRAINING FUTURE TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: EARLIER THIS MONTH, BEMIDJI STATE WAS AWARDED A TEACHER TRAINING GRANT FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE DOUBLE MAJORING IN A STEM PROGRAM, AS WELL AS K-12 EDUCATION.

>> THIS SCHOLARSHIP INCLUDES EVERYTHING THAT IT COSTS TO GO TO SCHOOL, TUITION, BOOKS, ROOM, AND A LIVING STIPEND FOR THEM.

>> STUDENTS SAID IT MADE THEM BETTER STUDENTS BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THEIR COURSES AND BE MORE SUCCESSFUL AND GOING INTO TEACHING, IT'S A TOUGH JOB TRANSITIONING FROM A COLLEGE STUDENT TO A TEACHER.

>> Reporter: ON TOP OF PAYING FOR STUDENTS' FINAL TWO YEARS OF EDUCATION, THE $1.26 MILLION GRANT PROVIDES A LEARNING COMMUNITY BOTH WHILE THE STUDENT IS IN SCHOOL, AS WELL AS MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS AFTER GRADUATING.

>> MOST TEACHERS END THEIR CAREERS WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS OUT IN THE FIELD BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT AND IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT.

SO, UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE'RE ASKING OF TEACHERS AND MEETING THEM THERE WITH THIS LEVEL OF SUPPORT IS CRITICAL, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> Reporter: RURAL MINNESOTA HAS BEEN BATTLING A SEVERE STEM TEACHER SHORTAGE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> WE HAVE A SCHOOL DISTRICT IN OUR COUNTY THAT HAS PUT OUT FOR A CHEMISTRY TEACHER FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYONE APPLY.

>> Reporter: THEY RECEIVED A GRANT SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND OUT OF THE 20 STUDENTS THAT WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM, 18 ARE CURRENTLY TEACHING IN ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN MINNESOTA.

>> I HAVE KIDS IN OUR K-12 SCHOOLS AND I WANT THEM TO HAVE EXCELLENT TEACHERS.

IT'S TOUGH FOR US TO FIND GOOD TEACHERS SO IF WE CAN GROW THEM IN BEMIDJI, THAT'S A GOOD SERVICE TO PROVIDE TO THE AREA.

>> IF YOU HAVE A STUDENT THAT DON'T HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT THE FUTURE, THINK ABOUT TEACHING IN THE STEM FIELD.

THERE IS A HUGE DEMAND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WITH THE DEMAND AND GROWTH RATE, IT'S A GUARANTEED JOB OPPORTUNITY.

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

>> IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE GRANT SCHOLARSHIP MONEY, STUDENTS MUST TEACH IN A HIGH-NEED SCHOOL FOR ONE YEAR PER EVERY SEMESTER THAT IS PAID FOR.

SO IF THEY RECEIVE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR THEIR ENTIRE LAST TWO YEARS OF SCHOOLING THEN THEY MUST TEACH FOR AT LEAST FOUR YEARS AFTER GRADUATING.

>>> A TEACHER FROM ROSEAU AND A TEACHER FROM GRYGLA ARE AMONG THE SEMIFINALISTS NAMED FOR THE 2025 MINNESOTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD AN INITIAL FIELD OF 142 CANDIDATES WAS NARROWED TO 31 TODAY.

MAKING THE CUT ARE SOREN OLESEN FROM ROSEAU HIGH SCHOOL AND ANDREW SUNDBERG FROM GRYGLA PUBLIC SCHOOL A PANEL WILL REVIEW THE SEMIFINALISTS PORTFOLIOS AGAIN, ALONG WITH SEMIFINALIST VIDEO SUBMISSIONS, IN MID-MARCH.

THE PANEL WILL THEN SELECT ABOUT 10 FINALISTS FROM AMONG THE GROUP.

THE 2025 MINNESOTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 4TH.

CANDIDATES FOR THE AWARD INCLUDE PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH-GRADE, EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION, AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION TEACHERS FROM PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US NOW.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, I GOT THE BIKE OUT READY.

IT'S NICE WEATHER AND THE ROADS ARE DRIED OFF.

WHY NOT GET STARTED A LITTLE EARLY IS WHAT I'M THINKING.

>> MIGHT AS WELL.

TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN VERY NICE AND WE WILL HAVE MILDER TEMPERATURES AGAIN THROUGH MOST OF THE WEEK.

WE ARE EXPECTING A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN TO START THE WEEKEND.

THERE IS ALSO GOING TO BE A CHANCE OF SNOW IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA TONIGHT AND ANOTHER ROUND ACROSS THE AREA AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY NIGHT AND >> 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, WE DID HAVE SOME MORE CLOUD COVER IN THE AREA AGAIN TODAY.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT WAS VERY NICE OUT THERE.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW MOVING ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA THIS EVENING, AND SOME OF THOSE COULD LINGER IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, IT LOOKS LIKE CLOUDY SKIES AGAIN TOMORROW, WITH ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW STARTING TOMORROW NIGHT.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 31 DEGREES.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 29, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 94%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES AND 36 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 32.

PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

SO ON THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CLOUD COVER ACROSS THE AREA.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS AND FOR EMOTION -- MOST OF US, IT WILL TAPER OFF.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF LIGHT SNOW CONTINUING IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND THAT WILL MOVE OUT TOMORROW IN THE MORNING.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A LOT OF CLOUD COVER AND THERE IS A CHANCE FOR RAIN OR SNOW TOMORROW NIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SKIES IN CASS LAKE.

WE HAVE GORGEOUS MORNING SKIES FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND JULIE OVER LOWER MISSION LAKE.

THE BEAUTIFUL SKIES IN RED LAKE AND SONYA WITH A PICTURE FROM TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

AGAIN, A LOT OF CLOUD COVER TODAY.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, JULIE OVER LOWER MISSION LAKE REPORTING 33 DEGREES THIS MORNING, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 33 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

SONYA REPORTING 35 THIS AFTERNOON.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 41.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, WINDY TODAY, 38 WAS THE HIGH.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 48.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, MILD TEMPERATURES OUT THERE ONCE AGAIN, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 49, SO AGAIN WELL ABOVE THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD A LOW THIS MORNING OF 30.

A LITTLE BIT COOLER IN BEMIDJI, WE TOPPED OUT AT 34, BUT THAT IS STILL ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

28 WAS OUR LOW AND WE HAD SUNSET AT 6:02.

SO AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER.

THAT IS WHERE WE START THE DAY, 7:00 A.M., PRETTY MUCH CLOUDY SKIES, MAYBE A LINGERING SNOW SHOWER, AND AGAIN IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, BUT THAT WILL BE MOVING OUT.

WE WILL BE SEEING THE CLOUDS REMAINING IN THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE WE GO, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO GET THIS TO MOVE, BUT A LOT OF CLOUD COVER ALL DAY LONG AS WE HEAD INTO THE EVENING AND INTO THE OVERNIGHT, WE START TO SEE THAT CHANCE OF SOME SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA AND THE CHANCE OF SNOW WILL LINGER IN THE AREA THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING, OR FRIDAY MORNING.

TEMPERATURES TOMORROW SHOULD BE IN THE 30s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND THEN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, A LITTLE BIT WARMER, HIGHS SHOULD REACH THE LOW 40s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE FOR SNOW CONTINUING IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, POSSIBLY AN INCH OF ACCUMULATION.

LOWS NEAR 28, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, STILL LOOKING AT A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR 38 WITH NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, HEADING INTO TOMORROW NIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING, WE HAVE A DECENT CHANCE OF SEEING SOME RAIN OR SNOW MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

IT SHOULD TAPER OFF AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

WINDY CONDITIONS AS THE COLDER AIR SPILLS IN.

IT'S GOING TO BE 23 AND SUNNY ON SATURDAY, BUT TEMPS ARE BACK IN THE 30s AND 40s AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, LOOK FOR A LOT OF SUNSHINE ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

BEMIDJI BOYS HOCKEY TEAM LOOKING TO PUNCH A TICKET TO STATE, BUT A FORMABLE FOE.

>> Charlie: YES, THEY HAVE MOORHEAD IN THAT GAME.

THEY ARE ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE STATE.

THEY ARE RANKED SECOND IN CLASS 2A AND THEY HAVE A PRETTY GOOD SQUAD.

LAST TIME THEY PLAYED, IT WAS 3-1.

WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[ >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> THUS FAR IN THE SECTION 8-2A TOURNEY, BEMIDJI BOYS' HOCKEY HAS DOMINATED THEIR OPPONENTS, BEATING BUFFALO 10-1 IN THE QUARTERFINALS, THEN TOPPLING ROSEAU 5-1 IN THE SEMIS, BUT TONIGHT, THE LUMBERJACKS WILL FACE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE, SECOND RANKED MOORHEAD, WHO AREN'T JUST THE FAVORITES TO WIN THE SECTION, BUT ALSO ONE OF THE FAVORITES TO WIN STATE.

BEMIDJI VERSUS MOORHEAD FROM THE MINI-RALPH IN THIEF RIVER FALLS, A REMATCH OF THE 2016 SECTION TITLE GAME WHICH THE JACKS WON 4-3 IN OVERTIME.

THIS ONE STARTED MORE LIKE THEIR GAME AGAINST THE SPUDS FROM EARLIER THIS SEASON.

THE SPUDS SCORED 25 SECONDS IN.

EVAN SCORES IN JUST 8 SECONDS.

THE FIRST OF 2 FOR HIM IN THE PERIOD.

THEN AT THE 5:40 MARK, METCALF WITH THE INITIAL SAVE, ZACH MAKES HIM PAY.

THEY LED 3-0 AFTER 1.

THEN BEMIDJI SHOWS SOME LIFE, CATCHES CHARLIE OFF GUARD WITH THE REBOUND MAKING IT 3-1.

BEMIDJI COULD NOT OVERCOME THE EARLY DEFICIT AS THEIR SEASON ENDS TO MOORHEAD, 8-1.

THE SECTION 8-2A RUNNER UP IS NOTHING TO SCOFF AT.

>>> IN GIRLS BASKETBALL, WITH BRAINERD HOSTING MOORHEAD.

WARRIORS TOOK BOTH REGULAR SEASON MATCH UPS AGAINST THE SPUDS.

SECOND HALF, BRAINERD UP 2.

ALISON STRAIGHT TO THE RACK.

FINAL FIVE MINUTES, WARRIORS STILL UP, JUST 2.

BETHANY LACES THE TRIPLE.

SHE HAD 12 ON THE NIGHT.

BRAINERD UP 53-48.

THEN MAYA BRINGS THE DAGGER FOR NUMBER 25 TONIGHT.

BRAINERD OUTLASTS MOORHEAD IN A 67-53 VICTORY.

THEY WILL FACE ELK RIVER THIS SATURDAY FOR A SPOT IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

>>> SOME MORE SCORES FOR YOU, SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE BEATS BEMIDJI IN THE QUARTER FINALS GAME.

THAT BRINGS BEMIDJI'S SEASON TO AN END.

CLOQUET BEATS GRAND RAPIDS, ENDING THEIR SEASON.

IN THE NSIC TOURNAMENT IN THE FIRST ROUND, ST.

CLOUD STATE DROPS BEMIDJI STATE, ENDING THEIR SEASON.

IN BASEBALL TODAY, BEMIDJI STATE THEY GET THE SPLIT WITH UW PARK SIDE.

>>> CASS LAKE-BENA GIRLS BASKETBALL QUEST TO GET BACK TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS BEGINS TOMORROW AND THEY'LL BE LEANING ON THEIR PROLIFIC SCORING SENIOR GABBY FINEDAY TO HELP GET THEM THERE.

THE PANTHERS FINISHED THE REGULAR SEASON ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO WITH A 19-7 RECORD AND HAVE BEEN PRACTICING EVERY DAY SINCE, ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE START OF THE POST-SEASON.

>> IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM AT CASS LAKE-BENA, THE PANTHERS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM PREPS FOR THE START OF THE SECTION 8-A TOURNAMENT, LED BY THE GREATEST SCORER IN SCHOOL HISTORY, GABBY FINEDAY.

>> WHEN I PLAY MY BEST IS WHEN I'M IN RHYTHM AND I LET IT COME TO ME.

IT'S DEFINITELY ON MY MIND, BUT NOT TO THE POINT WHERE I NEED TO DO THIS.

I WANT TO WIN BEFORE I SCORE, YOU KNOW?

>> Reporter: THE HUMBLE SENIOR BROKE THE RECORD ON JANUARY 9TH.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> Reporter: THE VERY NEXT NIGHT, SHE BROKE THE BOY'S RECORD, A RECORD SET BY HER HEAD COACH, WHO STILL HAPPENS TO KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT SCORING.

>> I THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO BREAK IT AND THEN SHE BROKE MY RECORD.

SHE DESERVED IT.

EVERYONE ASKS ME IF I FEEL BAD BUT RECORDS ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN.

I GOT TO COACH HER AND WATCH HER SCORE ALL THE POINTS WHEN SHE BROKE IT.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT THE ONLY THING THAT SHE IS GOOD AT, AT LEAST NOT ACCORDING TO HER TEAMMATES.

>> SHE IS A THREAT ON DEFENSE.

WHOEVER SHE IS GUARDING, SHE WILL GET AT LEAST ONE STEAL A GAME.

SHE'S THE MAIN THREAT FOR OUR OFFENSE RIGHT NOW.

SHE WILL BRING ALL THOSE PLAYERS UP ON HER AND THEN SHE WILL GET IT EVERY TIME SHE DOESN'T SCORE.

>> IT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO BETTER.

SHE TELLS ME TO DO MORE.

SHE KNOWS THE DEFENDERS ARE AROUND HERE.

SHE CAN'T DO IT ALL.

>> Reporter: IT CREATED A TEAM MENTALITY THAT LED TO SUCCESS FOR OTHERS ON THE COURT, INCLUDING SENIOR ALEXIA, WHO BROKE THE 1,000 POINT MILESTONE.

>> IT WASN'T IN MY GOAL SET SO I DIDN'T THINK THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE AT FIRST, SO IT WAS REALLY COOL GETTING TO DO THAT.

>> HER 1,000 POINTS DOES NOT SHOW WHAT SHE MEANS TO THIS TEAM.

SHE IS THE HEART AND SOUL.

EVERYTHING SHE DOES IS WAY MORE.

>> Reporter: AND THE COACH IS HAPPY TO MAKE ONE MORE PUSH FOR STATE WITH FINEDAY WHO HAS BEEN THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN HERE, THIS IS MY SIXTH YEAR AND THIS IS THEIR SIXTH YEAR.

SO IT'S BEEN GREAT TO HAVE BOTH OF THEM.

BEING A SENIOR IS TOUGH AND THEY NEVER GIVE UP.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING, THEY NEVER GIVE UP.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW'S GAME IS AGAINST CLEAR BROOK GONVICK.

SHE WOULD BE THE FIRST TO EVER DO SO AT CASS LAKE-BENA, NEXT YEAR SHE WILL BE PLAYING FOR BEMIDJI STATE.

>> Dennis: WHO'S THE ONE SEED?

>> Charlie: NORTHOME-KELLIHER TOOK THE ONE SEED ON THAT SIDE OF THE BRACKET.

SACRED HEART IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE 8A BRACKET.

A LOT OF GOOD TEAMS.

>> Dennis: DEFINITELY, THANKS CHARLIE.

IT'S THE LAST WEEK OF FEBRUARY AND BEFORE AMERICAN HEART MONTH ENDS, EXPERTS WANT TO BRING AWARENESS TO A CONDITION THAT MANY PEOPLE MAY HAVE WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY, THE MOST COMMON GENETIC HEART CONDITION IN THE U.S. >> Reporter: IT'S OFTEN CALLED A SILENT KILLER, HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY IS OFTEN A GENETIC CONDITION, AFFECTING 1 IN 500 PEOPLE IN THE U.S.

IT CAUSES A HEART MUSCLE TO THICKEN, MAKING IT HARDER TO PUMP BLOOD.

>> THE THICK HEART MUSCLE ITSELF CREATES RHYTHM ISSUES.

SO THESE PATIENTS CAN GO OUT OF RHYTHM INTO A HARD RHYTHM SOMETIMES AND CREDIT CARDIAC DEATH.

>> Reporter: ONLY A FRACTION OF PEOPLE WITH THIS CONDITION ARE DIAGNOSED.

SYMPTOMS COULD INCLUDE SHORTNESS OF BREATH, CHEST PAIN, LIGHT HEADEDNESS, DIZZINESS, OR PASSING OUT, ESPECIALLY DURING EXERCISE OR OTHER EXERTIONS.

IN MANY CASES, HE SAYS THERE ARE NO SIGNS UNTIL A SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.

>> UNFORTUNATELY WE KEEP SEEING PEOPLE NOT SEEKING ATTENTION, THEY'RE NOT DIAGNOSING IT ON TIME, OR NOT RECOGNIZING THE DIAGNOSIS.

>> Reporter: IF YOU HAVE A FIRST DEGREE RELATIVE LIKE A PARENT WITH THIS CONDITION, THAT RAISES THE RISK YOU WILL ALSO HAVE IT, SO HE SAYS GENETIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT.

>> NOW THE CHALLENGE IS THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HAVE THE CONDITION.

THEY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.

HOW DO WE KNOW SOMEONE HAS IT?

THIS IS A BIG AREA NOW OF INVESTIGATION.

>> Reporter: WHILE THAT RESEARCH CONTINUES, HE SAYS THAT PATIENTS SHOULD ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES AND IF SYMPTOMS ARE PRESENT, SEEK MEDICAL HELP.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> IF DIAGNOSED, THERE'S TREATMENT FOR HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY THAT CAN ALLOW THE PATIENT TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE THAT INCLUDES MEDICATIONS, SURGERY AND IN SEVERE CASES, HEART TRANSPLANTATION.

>>> TIME FOR ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

LET'S GO OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE LINGERING SNOW SHOWERS IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH LOWS NEAR 28, STILL LOOKING AT A LOT OF CLOUD COVER THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE AREA TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURES STILL PRETTY NICE, WITH HIGHS NEAR 38, AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW TOMORROW NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

>> Charlie: MINNESOTA VIKINGS HIRED AN ASSISTANT OFFENSIVE LINE COACH.

HE WAS MY OFFENSIVE LINE COACH MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF COLLEGE.

>> Dennis: GOT TO BE A GOOD COACH.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIG