>> 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.

>> CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL NEWS FOR BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

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.

>>> THE 41ST FINLANDIA SKI MARATHON IN BEMIDJI HAS BEEN CANCELLED THIS YEAR DUE TO POOR SKIING CONDITIONS.

THE EVENT WAS TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 17TH, AT BUENA VISTA SKI AREA.

ORGANIZERS CITED LACK OF SNOW COVER AND WARM TEMPERATURES TO COME AS THE REASON FOR CANCELLING.

IN A MESSAGE POSTED TO THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE, ORGANIZERS SAID THAT THE MINNESOTA FINLANDIA ALWAYS STRIVES TO PROVIDE A QUALITY RACE THAT IS ENJOYABLE AND SAFE.

THE MESSAGE SAID THAT DECISIONS TO CANCEL ARE NEVER EASY TO MAKE AND COME WITH GREAT SADNESS AND THEY ARE TRULY SORRY TO MAKE THIS DECISION BUT HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE NEXT YEAR AT THE MINNESOTA FINLANDIA 2025.

>>> MINNESOTA SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR VISITED THE NEW BEMIDJI VETERANS HOME TODAY.

THE VETERANS HOME OPENED TWO WEEKS AGO, ALLOWING VETERANS TO COME IN AND GET A TOUR OF THEIR POSSIBLE NEW HOME.

SENATOR KLOBUCHAR ALSO HAD A TOUR TO SEE WHAT FUTURE VETERANS WILL BE LIVING LIKE IN THE NEW NORTHWEST MINNESOTA VETERANS HOME.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES GOING ON IN THE STATE AND COUNTRY, BUT WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YOU REALIZE THESE ARE VETERANS THAT HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY.

WHEN THEY SIGNED UP TO SERVE, THERE WAS NO WAITING LINE AND WHEN THEY ARE IN THEIR GOLDEN YEARS AND THEY NEED A PLACE TO LIVE, THEY SHOULD HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.

THERE SHOULDN'T BE A WAITING LINE FOR THEM.

I WAS JUST STUNNED AT HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS PLACE IS.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL NOT JUST BECAUSE WE GOT THE STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING, 30 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING, IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE INVESTMENT.

IT'S BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS PART OF IT.

HOW EACH OF THE CARE IN CHOOSING PHOTOGRAPHS AND PAINTINGS AND ALIKE.

WHEN THE VETERANS LOOK AT THEM, IT'S GOING TO REMIND THEM OF BEMIDJI, IT WILL REMIND THEM OF THE SMALL TOWN THEY GREW UP.

>> SENATOR KLOBUCHAR ALSO GAVE A STATEMENT ABOUT UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE OPERATIONS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

BEMIDJI, BLACKDUCK, AND OTHER RURAL AREAS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING POSTAL ISSUES SINCE EARLY NOVEMBER.

SENATOR KLOBUCHAR, SENATOR AMY SMITH, AND CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER WROTE A LETTER TO U.S. POSTMASTER GENERAL LOUIS DEJOY OUTLINING SEVERAL CONCERNS AFFECTING USPS OPERATIONS IN MINNESOTA, SUCH AS PURPORTEDLY UNJUST WORKING CONDITIONS FOR STAFF MEMBERS AND THE ALLEGED PREFERENCE FOR OUTSIDE PACKAGES OVER NECESSITIES.

>> THE BEMIDJI PIECE OF IT WILL COME THE NEXT FEW MONTHS BECAUSE THIS AUDIT WAS REQUESTED EARLIER, THREE BRANCHES NEAR ST. PAUL.

WHAT I FOUND IS GOING TO BE NO SURPRISE TO THE PEOPLE OF BEMIDJI OR THE REGION AND THAT IS THAT THEY FOUND OVER 50,000 DELAYED PIECES OF MAIL.

THEY JUST LOOKED AT THREE BRANCHES AND IN THREE DAYS, THAT'S WHAT THEY FOUND.

THEY ALSO FOUND THINGS THAT COULD BE CHANGED WITHOUT ADDING MORE EMPLOYEES.

THE SCHEDULING OF THE WAY THAT THEY'RE SCHEDULING EMPLOYEES, THEY FOUND CONGESTIONS AT THE DOCK AND THAT WOULD JUST HOLD UP MAIL.

THE MAIL WOULD JUST BE SITTING THERE BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE DELIVERED.

THEY'RE GOING TO DO THIS SAME IN-DEPTH REVIEW IN BEMIDJI AND BLACKDUCK AND OTHER AREAS ACROSS OUR STATE.

>> IN ADDITION TO EMPLOYEE INTERVIEWS AND OBSERVATIONS OF VARIOUS POST OFFICES AND MAIL PROCESSING FACILITIES, THE EVALUATION WILL LOOK AT THE POSTAL SERVICE'S PROCESSING, LOGISTICS, AND DELIVERY NETWORKS.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS EXPANDED A QUARANTINE DESIGNED TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF EMERALD ASH BORER.

ADDITIONAL INFESTATIONS OF THE INSECT HAVE BEEN FOUND NEAR HACKENSACK.

THE M.D.A.

WILL NOW QUARANTINE THE SOUTHERN TWO-THIRDS OF CASS COUNTY.

THE NORTHERN BORDER OF THE QUARANTINE WILL NOW EXTEND FROM THE WESTERN COUNTY LINE ALONG HIGHWAY 34 TO WALKER HIGHWAY 200 TO THE SOUTHERN EXTERIOR BORDER OF THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE NORTH TO HIGHWAY 200 AND EAST TO THE COUNTY BORDER.

A PORTION OF CASS COUNTY WAS FIRST QUARANTINED IN OCTOBER 2023.

QUARANTINES LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF FIREWOOD, MULCH, AND ALL ASH MATERIAL OUT OF THE QUARANTINED AREAS.

EMERALD ASH BORER WAS FIRST DISCOVERED IN MINNESOTA IN 2009 AND IS NOW CONFIRMED IN 47 COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

THE INSECT LARVAE KILL ASH TREES BY TUNNELING UNDER THE BARK AND FEEDING ON THE PART OF THE TREE THAT MOVES NUTRIENTS UP AND DOWN THE TRUNK.

>>> THE NATIVE SUN COMMUNITY POWER COMPANY HELD ITS ELECTRIC NATION PROJECT TODAY, WHICH HANDED OVER FIVE FORD F-150 LIGHTNINGS' AND 4 VOLKSWAGEN ID.4'S TO THE RED LAKE NATION.

THE GOAL IS FOR THE TRIBE TO PUT THE SAVINGS THEY EARN FROM THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITY.

THE NATIVE SUN POWER COMPANY IS A NATIVE-LED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROMOTES ENERGY EFFICIENCY, RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND EQUITABLE ENERGY TRANSITION THROUGH EDUCATION, WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEMONSTRATION.

THE ELECTRIC NATION PROJECT UTILIZES UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FUNDING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND THEIR CHARGING STATIONS, THUS PROVIDING NATIVE COMMUNITIES WITH EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CLEAN, AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION.

>> WE WANTED TO GET SOME REAL WORLD TESTING, SO WE WANTED TO GET THESE ELECTRIC VEHICLES OUT INTO THE PUBLIC AND REALLY TEST THEM SO WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO TEST THEM IN THE RED LAKE NATION, WHERE THEY WILL BE USED EVERYDAY.

THIS DATA WILL BE ON THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WEBSITE, WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE THEN FILTERED SO THE ENTIRE COUNTRY CAN SEE HOW THESE VEHICLES ARE STANDING AGAINST THE BRUTAL COLD OF THE NORTHLAND OF MINNESOTA.

>> THE GOAL OF THE NATIVE SUNS' ELECTRIC NATION PROJECT IS TO CONNECT TRIBES FROM ACROSS THE MIDWEST LIKE MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN THROUGH AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE NETWORK.

>>> THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS IT IS SEEING AN INCREASE OF SCAMS IN THE AREA.

THE GREATEST INFLUX IN RECENT SCAM ACTIVITY IS THE PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE AND OTHER SWEEPSTAKE SCAMS.

YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO SEND MONEY TO RECEIVE PRIZE MONEY.

ELSEWHERE IN MINNESOTA, AND PREVIOUSLY IN BELTRAMI COUNTY, SCAMMERS ARE IMPERSONATING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DEMANDING BAIL MONEY OR YOU WILL BE ARRESTED.

LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT CONDUCT CALLS OF THIS NATURE AND DO NOT ACCEPT BAIL OVER THE PHONE OR BY GIFT CARDS.

IF YOU RECEIVE AN UNSOLICITED PHONE CALL, DO NOT PROVIDE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION UNLESS YOU CAN WITH CERTAINTY VERIFY THE VALIDITY OF THE CALL AND ARE EXPECTING A CALL.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SAYS TO END THE CALL QUICKLY BECAUSE THE LONGER YOU ARE ON THE PHONE WITH A SCAMMER, THE MORE INFORMATION THEY ARE COLLECTING.

>>> THE BAXTER AND BRAINERD COMMUNITY FILED INTO THE LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH FOR ITS AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE TODAY.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO BLOOD DRIVES THE CHURCH HOLDS EVERY YEAR AND THE EVENT'S BEEN HOSTED FOR OVER FIFTEEN YEARS.

EVERY TWO SECONDS SOMEONE IN THE U.S.

NEEDS BLOOD AND OR PLATELETS.

APPROXIMATELY 29,000 UNITS OF RED BLOOD CELLS ARE NEEDED EVERY DAY IN THE U.S. NEARLY 5,000 UNITS OF PLATELETS AND 6,500 UNITS OF PLASMA ARE NEEDED DAILY IN THE U.S., WHICH IS WHY HOSTING BLOOD DRIVES IS SO CRUCIAL.

>> BLOOD IS THE ONE THING THAT WE CAN'T PRODUCE SOMEHOW AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S BEEN ISSUES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF BAD WEATHER, SO DRIVES HAVE BEEN CANCELED.

THERE'S BEEN COVID IN DIFFERENT PLACES, SO PEOPLE CAN'T GIVE.

WE FILL OUR DRIVES VERY QUICKLY AND HAVE HAD A GREAT TURNOUT TODAY.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY NO SHOWS, AND WE HOPE IT GOES WELL FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

>> THE LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH SUCCESSFULLY SURPASSED TODAY'S DONOR GOAL OF 39 PINTS OF BLOOD.

THE CHURCH WILL HOLD ITS SECOND BLOOD DRIVE OF THE YEAR IN JULY.

>>> TEN TEACHERS FROM THE IMMEDIATE LAKELAND VIEWING AREA ARE IN THE RUNNING FOR THE 2024 MINNESOTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

THIS YEARS WINNER WILL BE SELECTED FROM A FIELD OF 158 CANDIDATES.

CANDIDATES INCLUDE PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION TEACHERS, FROM PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

HERE ARE THE CANDIDATES.

SCOTT MILLER FROM THE AITKIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, JACQUELINE STOFFEL FROM BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS, KRISTA SAXTON FROM CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LYN GWOST FROM LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, CHAD KADDATZ FROM LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, ERIN SABYAN, ALSO FROM LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, CINDY ROOS FROM LONG PRAIRIE-GREY EAGLE SCHOOLS, MINDI BRILL FROM PEQUOT LAKES PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ISAAK ANDERSON FROM PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOLS, AND STEPHANIE FRISK FROM WINEMAC SCHOOLS.

THE 2024 MINNESOTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 5TH.

OVER THE COMING WEEKS, A PANEL OF COMMUNITY LEADERS WILL NAME A GROUP OF SEMIFINALISTS AND FINALISTS.

THIS YEARS WINNER WILL BE THE 60TH MINNESOTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'LL SEE WIDESPREAD FOG AND FREEZING FOG OVERNIGHT, ALONG WITH PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE AND FLURRIES.

I'LL HAVE MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK ON THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, A UNIQUE ART XISHT EXHIBIT IN BRAINERD.

[♪♪♪] >> 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 INVITED FOLKS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA TO TAKE PART IN THE INNOVATIVE AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE CONNECTEFFECT FROM JANUARY 23RD THROUGH YESTERDAY EVENING.

HOSTED BY TWO-TIME EMMY NOMINATED TELEVISION PRODUCER RIAZ PATEL.

CONNECTEFFECT TOOK A UNIQUE DEEP DIVE INTO THE REAL WORLD VERSUS THE SCREEN WORLD WHERE PARTICIPANTS WENT THROUGH EXERCISES, GROUP EXPERIENCES, AND CONVERSATIONS ALL GEARED TOWARDS BRIDGING GENERATIONS, CULTURES, AND EVEN BELIEFS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: CONNECT EFFECT'S MESSAGE IS A SIMPLE ONE, BREAK DOWN SOCIETAL BARRIERS BY HELPING PEOPLE ESTABLISH A DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHAT'S REAL AND WHAT'S FABRICATED.

>> I THINK THE SCREEN WORLD, EVERYTHING IS AN EDIT.

I THINK PEOPLE FORGET THAT.

THEY LOOK AT IT AND BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS THERE AND IT LOOKS LIKE IMAGE OFFENSE THE REAL WORLD, THEY THINK IT'S REAL.

BUT THERE IS AN EDIT AND BEHIND EVERY EDIT IS AN INTENTION.

IT'S NOT TO GIVE PEOPLE THE TRUTH.

SO PEOPLE ARE GETTING ONE SIDE OF THE STORY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BRING AN AUDIENCE OF STRANGERS TODAY AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE DISCONNECT THERE IS AND WE SPEND SO MUCH OF OUR LIVES ON SCREEN, GETTING INFORMATION FROM OUR DEVICES, AND LESS TIME ACTUALLY CONVERSING WITH EACH OTHER AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: AND AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE FEEL DISCOURAGED TO VOICE THEIR AUTHENTIC OPINIONS, HE BELIEVES THAT THEY NEED THE IDEAL CONDITIONS IN WHICH TO DO SO.

>> I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY HARD FOR PEOPLE TO LOWER THEIR GUARD.

WE ASK PEOPLE, ARE YOU AFRAID TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT YOU THINK AND FEEL?

ALMOST ALWAYS IT'S YES.

EVERYTHING I SEE IS GOOD, BAD, ANGRY, WE'RE JUDGING EVERYTHING.

EVERYONE FEELS THAT WAY.

THAT'S A POINT OF CONNECTION, THAT IF WE'RE ALL FEELING THAT WE'RE AFRAID OF BEING JUDGED, WE CAN CONNECT ON THAT AND LET THAT GO AND BE VULNERABLE AND HONEST WITH EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: CONNECT EFFECT IS ALL ABOUT PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS WITH AN EXPERIENCE CENTERED AROUND GLOBAL ISSUES IN TODAY'S DAY AND AGE, LONELINESS, SOCIAL ISOLATION, AND HOW TO BEST ATTACK THEM.

GIVING PEOPLE AN APPLICABLE AND COMFORTABLE PLACE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION IS THE FIRST STEP IN IMPROVING ONE'S MENTAL HEALTH.

>> TO ME, CONNECTION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT CONNECTION, IT LEADS TO OPEN CONVERSATION, AND THAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY, WHICH IS WHAT WE ALL WANT AS HUMANS.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE CREATE THAT CONNECTION, IT WILL LEAD TO THE CONVERSATION AND COMMUNITY.

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

>> Dennis: TIME NOW TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS MILD WEATHER WE'RE HAVING IN JANUARY AND THE WEATHERCASTER STACY CHRISTENSON IS HERE FOR THAT.

>> Stacy: YEAH, YOU HAVE TO QUESTION IF IT'S JANUARY WITH THESE TEMPERATURES.

IT'S BEEN MILD OUT THERE, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE MILD WEATHER TODAY, EVEN WARMER NEXT WEEK.

WE DO HAVE TO CONTEND WITH SOME FOG AND FREEZING FOG OVERNIGHT, ALONG WITH >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY 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, LAND SURVEYORS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID HAVE CLOUD COVER AGAIN TODAY, SOME PATCHY FOG OUT THERE, BUT TEMPERATURES VERY MILD, VERY PLEASANT OUT THERE.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE MILD TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME WIDESPREAD FOG, AS WELL AS SOME FREEZING FOG, AND WE COULD SEE PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE AND FLURRIES TOMORROW MORNING.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE COULD SEE A BIT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA.

RIGHT NOW BEMIDJI, 30 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT, WINDS FROM THE WEST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

OUR DEW POINT IS AT 30.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME AREAS OF FOG, 33 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 31, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE SOUTHWEST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT IS JUST QUIET OUT THERE, AND ONCE AGAIN, THERE MAY BE A FEW PATCHY AREAS OF SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE AS WELL, SOME FLURRIES, AND THAT WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

IT LOOKS LIKE CLOUDY SKIES WITH WIDESPREAD FOG AND FREEZING FOG THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

ALL OF THAT CARRIES OVER INTO TOMORROW MORNING, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING AT LEAST A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SUNSHINE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THROUGH THE AREA IN THE MORNING, SOME OF THAT MIXED PRECIPITATION COULD CONTINUE INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EASTERN MINNESOTA, BUT THIS IS A LIGHT CHANCE FOR LIGHT PRECIP.

IT LOOKS QUIET, MILD, AND WARMER TEMPERATURES ARE ON THE WAY FOR NEXT WEEK.

ONE WEATHER SHOT TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OUTSIDE OF WALKER.

A LOT OF CLOUDS OUT THERE, A LOT OF GRAY, BUT ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDS AND FOGGY TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 34.

ARLENE REPORTING A HIGH OF 34.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 36, 22 IS OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, SO WE ARE VERY WARM OUT THERE.

33 FOR THE LOW TEMPERATURE, SUNSET AT 5:12.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH TODAY OF 31, SO WELL ABOVE THE AVERAGE OF 18, 24 WAS OUR LOW TEMPERATURE THIS MORNING, AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 5:11.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE, AS WELL AS FLURRIES IN THE MORNING, BUT THAT CLEARS OUT ALONG WITH THE FOG AND CLOUDS, AND WE SHOULD HAVE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES IN THE AFTERNOON.

28 FOR THE HIGH IN WARROAD, BUT MOST OF MINNESOTA IS LOOKING AT LOW TO MID-30s, AND AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, IT LOOKS LIKE THE LOW TO MID-30s OUT THERE.

WE SHOULD SEE SOME SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WIDESPREAD FOG, AND FREEZING FOG, ALONG WITH SCATTERED FLURRIES, SPRINKLES AND PATCHY DRIZZLE, LOWS NEAR 22.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, THE MIXED PRECIPITATION COULD CONTINUE INTO THE MORNING, AS WELL AS SOME AREAS OF FOG AND FREEZING FOG.

OTHERWISE, MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES IN THE AFTERNOON, WITH HIGHS NEAR 32.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE REST OF OUR WEEKEND FORECAST.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

WE COULD SEE MIXED PRECIPITATION ON MONDAY, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 30s, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHERE WE STAY, UPPER 30s, LOW 40s TO MIDWEEK, WITH THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUN THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

A LOCAL STAR BASKETBALL PLAYER IS CLOSING IN ON A MILESTONE.

>> Charlie: YES, HE IS JUST 42 POINTS SHY OF 3,000.

HE WILL BE THE YOUNGEST PLAYER OR FASTEST PLAYER TO DO SO AND WE WENT TO THE GAME TONIGHT TO SEE IF SHE COULD SCORE ALL 42.

WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHT FROM THAT AFTER THE BREAK.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE GIGAZONE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIP AND TECH EXPO SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH WITH SPECIAL GUEST DANIELLE FEINBERG, PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS.

EXHIBITOR APPLICATIONS ONLINE AT GIGAZONETECHXPO.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: CURRENTLY SITUATED AT 6th, THAT'S THANKS IN LARGE PART TO THE RANGERS LEADING SCORER TORY, WHO IS AVERAGING OVER 37 POINTS PER GAME AND IS ONLY 42 POINTS SHY OF 3,000 CAREER POINTS.

TONIGHT, STAPLES MOTLEY WILL TRY THEIR BEST TO SHOOT DOWN THE PHENOM AND GET A WIN IN THE PROCESS.

THE FIRST OF TWO MEETINGS BETWEEN THE CONFERENCE FOES, LAUREN FINDS OLIVIA, LACES IT FROM DOWNTOWN, AND STAPLES MOTLEY TRYING TO CLOSE THE GAP.

26-40.

NOW 14 AWAY FROM HISTORY, THEY ARE UP 52-30.

FINAL MINUTE, SHE IS JUST 4 POINTS AWAY NOW, PULLS UP FROM THE PARKING LOT, SHE IS AT 2,999.

SHE WOULD NOT GET ANOTHER LOOK AND SHE FINISHES JUST ONE POINT SHORT OF 3 THOUSAND NUCHL.

THE CROSBY-IRONTON GETS THE WIN, BEATING STAPLES MOTLEY.

THE RANGERS ARE ON A FOUR GAME WINNING STREAK.

IF SHE CAN SYNC ONE BUCKET ON THE ROAD SHE WILL BE THE FASTEST IN MINNESOTA STATE HISTORY TO 3,000 POINTS IN GIRLS BASKETBALL.

>>> BRAINERD AND GRAND RAPIDS GET WINS.

FERGUS FALLS BEATS LITTLE FALLS.

AND NEVIS BEATS PINE RIVER-BACKUS.

>>> BEMIDJI BOYS HOCKEY PLAYING AGAINST CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON.

THINGS DID NOT LOOK GOOD EARLY.

JOEY ON A SHORTHANDED FAST BREAK, PUTS CLOQUET UP 2-0 IN THE FIRST PERIOD.

IN THE SECOND PERIOD, BEMIDJI WITH A POWER PLAY, DOMINIC FINDS HIS WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC AND THE JACKS CUT THE LEAD IN HALF.

A FEW MOMENTS LATER, SLIPPING INTO PEYTON AT THE BACKDOOR, AND THE GAME IS TIED AT 2-2.

THEY'RE NOT DONE YET, THEY GET THE LEAD FOR GOOD.

BEMIDJI CLIMBS OUT OF A HOLE TO BEAT CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON 4-2.

THEY HOST SARTELL TOMORROW.

A FEW OTHER TEAMS IN ACTION IN HOCKEY, LITTLE FALLS WINS IN OVERTIME, BAGGILY FOSSTON BEATS ELY, A BIG WIN FOR THEM.

GRAND RAPIDS OVER MAPLE GROVE.

ROSEAU GETS THE WIN OVER SARTELL.

GRAND RAPIDS GREENWAY, THEY TIE IN OVERTIME AGAINST ALEXANDRIA.

>>> NOW FIRST PERIOD, LOOKING STRONG IN THE NET, TOSSING IT ASIDE, SHE FINISHES WITH 29 SAVES.

NO SCORE AFTER 1.

IN THE SECOND PERIOD, BSU TRYING TO BREAKTHROUGH, ALYSSA FINDS KAYLA, SENDS IT HOME FOR HER FOURTH GOAL OF THE YEAR, GIVING THEM A 1-0 LEAD.

THEY WIN THE SHOOTOUT, 1-0.

A FEW OTHER BSU SCORES.

CONCORDIA ST. PAUL BEATS BEMIDJI STATE IN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL AND THEY DO SO ON THE MEN'S SIDE AS WELL.

>>> WELL HOCKEY DAY IN WARROAD IS FINALLY UPON US WITH A SLEW OF OUTDOOR HOCKEY GAMES AND A HOST OF HOCKEY RELATED FESTIVITIES RUNNING ALL DAY, BUT AMID ALL THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE, THE WARRIORS ARE JUST TRYING TO PREPARE FOR A HOCKEY GAME THAT ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE MARQUEE MATCHUP WITH RIVAL ROSEAU.

LAST YEAR THE BOYS WERE AN OVERTIME GOAL AWAY FROM A STATE TITLE AND PERFECT SEASON.

THIS YEAR THEY ARE 15-3 SO FAR, YET STILL FIND THEMSELVES IN A FAMILIAR SPOT ATOP THE STATE RANKINGS IN CLASS A AFTER KNOCKING OFF PREVIOUS NUMBER ONE HERMANTOWN A WEEK AGO.

A WIN THE SQUAD CREDITS TO THEIR EVOLUTION AS A TEAM AND ONE THE WARRIORS HOPE THEY CAN BUILD ON TOMORROW WHEN THEY TAKE ON THE RAMS.

>> WE'RE GETTING CLOSER AS A TEAM AND THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW GUYS.

I THINK WE'RE ALL GETTING BETTER.

WE HAD A TOUGH LOSS AGAINST ROSEAU BEFORE.

IT REALLY SHOWED US THAT WE NEED TO PICK IT UP AND DO BETTER.

>> OBVIOUSLY THAT GAME IS ALWAYS BIG, BUT WHEN YOU PUT IT ON A STAGE LIKE HOCKEY DAY, IT MAKES IT BIGGER.

OUR TOWN IS GOING TO HAVE FIVE TIMES MORE PEOPLE IN IT THAN IT USUALLY DOES WITH ALL THE PEOPLE COMING IN AND I'M SURE THE STANDS WILL BE PACKED OVER THERE.

IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME I THINK.

I'M REALLY EXCITED TO PLAY THEM.

>> AND HERE IS A LOOK AT TOMORROW'S SCHEDULE.

THE WARROAD GIRLS TAKING ON LAKEVILLE NORTH AT 9:30, FOLLOWED BY MOORHEAD-WAYZATA AT ONE, AND THEN THE BIGGEST RIVALRY IN THE STATE OF HOCKEY, WARROAD VERSUS ROSEAU AT 4:30.

WE WILL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM ALL THAT AND COVERAGE OF THAT ON MONDAY.

>> Dennis: YEAH, I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

>> Charlie: I'M EXCITED FOR IT.

>>> THE CROSSING ARTS ALLIANCE IN BRAINERD AIMS TO ALLOW LOCALS TO VIEW PROFOUND ART BY DISPLAYING EXHIBITIONS FROM VISITING ARTISTS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY PAID A VISIT TO THE ALLIANCE TO OBSERVE THE CURRENT EXHIBITION AND LEARN MORE.

>> Reporter: THE CROSSING ARTS ALLIANCE HOLDS WORKSHOPS AND EXHIBITIONS FROM ARTISTS AROUND THE WORLD TO EDUCATE AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE ART THAT LOCALS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES WOULD USUALLY HAVE TO TRAVEL MULTIPLE HOURS TO SEE.

>> ONE OF OUR CORE MISSIONS HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BRINGING NEW ART TO PEOPLE THAT IS BEYOND WHAT WE MIGHT SEE HERE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE INVITING VISITING ARTISTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE HERE IS NEW AND UNUSUAL AND BOUNDARY PUSHING TO SOME DEGREE.

NOT EVERYONE GETS TO VISIT, SO MINNEAPOLIS ART INSTITUTE OR THE WALKER IN THE TWIN CITIES.

>> Reporter: THE CURRENT EXHIBITION IS ANONYMOUS X, AN ARTIST THAT TRAVELED FROM ST. LOUIS EXPLORES THE IDENTITY IN THIS SERIES AND ADDRESSES A TEAM WHERE HE FEELS WE LOST COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

>> IT'S ABOUT THE DRIVE TO SEE PEOPLE BEYOND THEIR IDENTITY, AND TO LET PEOPLE SORT OF INTERACT AND NEUTRALIZE THAT.

IT ALSO IS A RESPONSE TO COVID AND HOW WE HAD TO COVER UP AND WE LOST PART OF OUR ABILITY TO BE DIRECT WITH PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: NOW IN THE SURFACE, YOU MIGHT ONLY SEE THE EYES AND THE MOUTH ON THESE PAINTINGS, BUT IF YOU LOOK DEEPER, YOU SEE MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

>> THE REASON BEHIND THAT IS TO NEUTRALIZE IDENTIFYING STATUS, ETHNICITY, AND CELEBRITY.

HOW WOULD A PERSON COMING UP RESPOND TO IT?

YOU WOULD HAVE A CONTRADICTING FEELING.

EVERY GROUP WANTS TO BE SEEN AND RESPECTED AND ACKNOWLEDGE.

WELL, THAT'S A CONTRADICTION TO WHAT I'M PUTTING UP, WHICH IS LIMITING SOME OF THAT AND I HAVE KIND OF MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT IT TOO, BUT THE WORK DROVE ME TO DO IT.

I WOULD HOPE THAT PEOPLE WHEN THEY LOOK AT IT, THEY GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SETTLE IN.

>> Reporter: IF YOU ASK 100 PEOPLE WHAT THEY SEE WHEN LOOKING AT A PAINTING, YOU COULD GET 100 DIFFERENT ANSWERS.

FOR ME, WHEN I LOOK INTO ONE OF THE SUBJECTS' EYES, I THINK HOW DID THEY GET HERE?

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

REPORTING WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE CROSSING ARTS ALLIANCE ROTATES ITS FEATURED EXHIBITIONS EVERY MONTH.

THE NEXT EXHIBITION COLOR IN THE COLD, WILL BE ON DISPLAY FROM FEBRUARY 14TH UNTIL MARCH 9TH.

NO GUARANTEE STACY THAT IT WILL BE COLD.

>> Stacy: NO GUARANTEES, CERTAINLY WE'RE NOT LEADING UP TO IT WITH ANY COLD WEATHER.

IT'S GOING TO BE VERY MILD RIGHT INTO FEBRUARY.

FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WIDESPREAD FOG AND SCATTERED FLURRIES, SPRINKLES, AND PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE OUT THERE, LOWS NEAR 22.

SOME OF THAT PRECIPITATION COULD CONTINUE INTO TOMORROW MORNING, ALONG WITH THE AREAS OF FOG, BUT OTHER VARIABLE CLOUDS, SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOON, HIGHS NEAR 32.

>> Charlie: I'M EXCITED FOR THE WARM WEATHER FOR TOMORROW.

THE LAST TIME WHEN IT WAS IN BEMIDJI, IT WAS -30.

>> Dennis: YEAH, IT WAS REALLY COLD.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THAT COLD BUT I THINK IT WAS -20 FOR THE FIRST GAME.

>> Charlie: I'M PLANNING BLUE JEANS TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK ON MONDAY.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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