>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Matthew: HI EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> THE ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ASKING FOR THE HELP OF THE PUBLIC IN LOCATING A MISSING TEENAGER.

16-YEAR-OLD ALISSA PLIESEIS REPORTEDLY LEFT HER RESIDENCE IN BIGFORK MINNESOTA ON SATURDAY AROUND 6:30 P.M. AND HAS YET TO RETURN HOME.

SHE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A CAMOUFLAGE HOODED SWEATSHIRT AND BLUE JEANS.

HER HAIR COLOR IS CURRENTLY RED.

IF YOU HAVE SEEN OR KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF ALISSA PLIESEIS, PLEASE CONTACT THE ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT THE NUMBER THAT IS PROVIDED ON THE SCREEN.

>>> THE RELATIONSHIP SAFETY ALLIANCE WILL BE HOLDING TWO FUNDRAISERS IN THE NEXT 7 DAYS.

THE RSA IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS ANYONE EXPOSED TO RELATIONSHIP ABUSE.

THE RSA HOLDS SEVERAL FUNDRAISERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE MONEY RAISED WILL GO TOWARDS THE NUMEROUS SERVICES THAT HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUPPORT AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT ENDING RELATIONSHIP ABUSE.

>> IT JUST HELPS US TO THROW A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY TOWARDS OUR PROGRAMS, ANY OF THE DONATED MONEY THAT WE RAISE ACTUALLY 100% GOES DIRECTLY INTO OUR PROGRAMS.

SO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE FLAPJACK FUNDRAISER WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 16TH FROM 8:00 TO 10:00 A.M. AT THE APPLEBEE'S IN BAXTER.

THE TACO ‘BOUT A FUNDRAISER WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 18TH FROM 4:00 TO 8:00 P.M. AT THE TACO JOHN'S IN BRAINERD.

>>> BIPARTISAN BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED AT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE, WHICH WOULD MANDATE AN OPEN WOLF SEASON ONCE THE GRAY WOLF IS FEDERALLY DELISTED.

D.F.L.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVE LISLEGARD OF AURORA INTRODUCED THE BILL ON FEBRUARY 19 WITH CO-AUTHORS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE ROGER SKRABA AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MARK JOHNSON.

A SENATE COMPANION BILL WAS WRITTEN BY SENATOR GRANT HAUSCHILD OF HERMANTOWN AND INTRODUCED ON FEBRUARY 20.

THE TWO SAY IT WILL PROVIDE A COMMONSENSE SOLUTION TO ONE OF MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DECLINE IN THE DEER POPULATION.

>> THE HOPE IS TO INCREASE THE DEER POPULATION.

IT'S NOT STRICTLY THROUGH WOLF MANAGEMENT.

IT'S THROUGH STUDYING ALL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING TO OUR DECLINING DEER HERD.

SO WINTER SEVERITY IS A BIG ONE.

THERE IS NOT A LOT WE CAN DO ABOUT CLIMATE AND WEATHER OTHER THAN RESTORE ESTABLISH GOOD QUALITY HABITATS FOR THE WILDLIFE SPECIESES TO BETTER SURVIVE THOSE HARSH WINTERS AND THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE LOSS AND DEGRADATION OF OUR HABITAT AS ANOTHER FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE DECLINING DEER HERD.

IT'S NOT ESTABLISHING A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT, BUT A TASK FORCE OF A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS THAT WILL BE STUDYING THESE FACTORS AND PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE D.N.R.

>> THE CURRENT ESTIMATE ON THE MINNESOTA WOLF POPULATION IS 2,700 TO 2,900 WOLVES, BUT THE D.N.R.

EXPANDED THAT GOAL TO 1,600 WOLVES.

>>> DESPITE THE LACK OF SNOWFALL THIS WINTER, CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST OFFICIALS ARE CAUTIONING VISITORS THAT MANY FOREST ROADS MAY NOT BE ACCESSIBLE DUE TO WET AND MUDDY CONDITIONS.

TRAVELING ON THESE ROADS CAN RESULT IN RESOURCE DAMAGE AND PRESENT SAFETY CONCERNS TO VISITORS WHO ARE NOT PREPARED.

CHIPPEWA FOREST ROADS WILL FOLLOW RESTRICTION DATES AS DESIGNATED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, BEGINNING ON MARCH 6TH FOR THE NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE, AND ON MARCH 11TH FOR THE NORTH ZONE.

ADDITIONALLY, OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE USE IS PROHIBITED FROM MARCH 15TH TO MAY 1ST, IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE TO FOREST RESOURCES.

TO ENSURE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE TIME, VISITORS ARE URGED TO CHECK THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FORREST WEBSITE THAT IS CURRENTLY ON THE SCREEN, FOR ANY ROAD OR TRAIL CLOSURES AND OTHER SAFETY RELATED UPDATES.

>>> A BEMIDJI AREA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE IS INVITING THE PUBLIC TO AN EVENT “EMPOWER YOUR HOME: LEARN, EARN, AND SHARE, IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY!

” THE EVENT LET HOMEOWNERS LEARN MORE ABOUT WAYS THEY CAN IMPLEMENT ENERGY-SAVING STRATEGIES.

THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY EXPO WILL BE A COLLABORATION WITH OTTER TAIL POWER, CITIZEN'S CLIMATE LOBBY, CLEAN ENERGY RESOURCE TEAM, AND SUSTAINABLE BEMIDJI.

HOMEOWNERS CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT ENERGY-SAVING STRATEGIES AND EXPLORE THE LATEST IN HOME ELECTRIFICATION.

>> THE EVENT IS LEARN, EARN, AND SHARE.

YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT AND WHAT INCENTIVES AND REBATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ELECTRIFICATION IN YOUR HOME AND EFFICIENCY UPGRADES.

THE EARN IS GOING TO BE WHAT YOU CAN EARN WITH PROGRAMS AND REBATES FROM YOUR UTILITY, LIKE BELTRAMI ELECTRIC AND OTTER TAIL POWER.

SHARE IS GOING TO BE A GREAT FEATURE WHERE WE HAVE DIFFERENT HOMEOWNERS WHO WILL SHARE "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT" AND WHAT THEY LEARNED FROM THE PROCESS.

>> THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE BELTRAMI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC. ON MARCH 21ST FROM 4:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M. >>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THEY HAVE AWARDED OVER $53 MILLION IN GRANTS THROUGH THEIR BORDER-TO-BORDER BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM.

THERE WERE SEVERAL RECIPIENTS IN THE LAKELAND VIEWING AREA.

CONSOLIDATED TELEPHONE COMPANY RECEIVED $2.29 MILLION IN FUNDING.

THAT WILL BE COMBINED WITH AN EQUAL AMOUNT IN MATCHING FUNDS FROM CTC, IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARD, AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY.

THE FUNDING WILL GO TOWARDS A $4.6 MILLION PROJECT THAT WILL PROVIDE INTERNET SERVICES WITH SPEEDS OF UP TO 1 GIG TO OVER 300 HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN PORTIONS OF ST. LOUIS, MORRISON, AND CROW WING COUNTIES.

OTHER RECIPIENTS IN LAKELAND COUNTRY INCLUDE 4.88 MILLION FOR EAST CENTRAL ENERGY IN MILLE LACS AND ISANTI COUNTIES.

$326,000 FOR ARVIG IN MAHNOMEN COUNTY 3.56 MILLION FOR SAVAGE COMMUNICATIONS IN PINE AND AITKIN COUNTIES AND 3.68 MILLION FOR UPSALA COOPERATIVE TELEPHONE IN MORRISON COUNTY.

>>> THE 50TH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE AND CELEBRATION IN CROSSLAKE IS SET TO TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 16.

THE DAY IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST REVENUE-GENERATING DAYS FOR THE CITY OF CROSSLAKE WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.

THE FESTIVITIES WILL BEGIN AT 8:30 A.M. WITH THE CLOVER DASH 5K RUN AND THE PARADE WILL BEGIN AT 2:00 P.M.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY THERE WILL BE PARTIES AND LIVE MUSIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

THIS YEAR, THE MILD WINTER IS EXPECTED TO BOOST THE ALREADY WELL-ATTENDED EVENT.

>> IT'S EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GET AROUND.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO SPEND THE DAY IF YOU ARE A LOCAL, YOU LIVE IN THE AREA, COME ON OVER FOR THE DAY.

WHEN WE HAVE A WARM WEATHER YEAR LIKE THIS, IT LITERALLY DOUBLES THE ATTENDANCE WE WILL HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF ATTENDEES AT THIS YEAR'S PARADE.

>> THERE WILL ALSO BE THE HUNT FOR THE SAINT PADDY'S POT O'GOLD WHICH WILL BE HIDDEN WITHIN CROSSLAKE CITY LIMITS.

THE POT HAS A PRIZE PACKAGE VALUED AT OVER $2,500.

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

>> Stacy: IT'S GOING TO BE SUNNY AND MILD AGAIN TOMORROW, BUT WE WILL START TO SEE COOLER TEMPERATURES AND MORE ACTIVE WEATHER AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK.

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

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, HOW THE RENOVATION OF THE THEATER IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE REVITALIZATION OF LITTLE FALLS.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> IN LATE SEPTEMBER OF 2022, THE HISTORIC FALLS THEATRE IN LITTLE FALLS BEGAN A MUCH-NEEDED RENOVATION PROJECT.

THAT PROJECT WAS COMPLETED IN LATE SEPTEMBER OF 2023.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY STOPPED BY TO SEE THE IMPACT THE RENOVATION HAS HAD ON LITTLE FALLS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE THEM, THEIR GOAL WAS ABOUT PRESERVING ONE OF LITTLE FALL'S MOST HISTORIC BUILDINGS, THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK.

>> WE GET COMMENT FROM PEOPLE WE DON'T KNOW ALL THE TIME ABOUT HOW GRATEFUL, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT WORD, THAT WE RESTORED THESE TWO BUILDINGS BACK TO THEIR GLORY AND MANY PEOPLE WHO LIVED HERE FOR MANY YEARS WILL SAY I REMEMBER THIS, AND I REMEMBER THE WAY IT USED TO LOOK, OR NOW IT LOOKS LIKE HOW IT WAS IN 1950.

>> Reporter: THE BUILDING REPLACED A BUILDING BEFORE IT BURNED DOWN.

THE INSPIRATION OF THE COLOR SCHEME IN THE LATEST RENOVATION.

>> IT DESCRIBED EVERYTHING, THE COLORS OF THE WALL, WHAT THE BLACK CHEVRON LOOKED LIKE, THE SHAN'T DA LEER, WHAT THE LIGHTS LOOKED LIKE.

THAT'S THE ONLY THING WE HAD TO GO BY.

THERE WERE NO PICTURES ANYWHERE.

WE COULDN'T FIND ANY HERE AT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

WE DID THE BEST WE COULD OFF THE ARTICLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE BACK THEN.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE RENOVATIONS WERE FINISHED, THE OWNERS HAVE SEEN A BIG IMPROVEMENT IN DOWNTOWN LITTLE FALLS.

>> ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS, WE NOTICE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE COMING DOWNTOWN THAT WOULDN'T FOR ANY OTHER REASON COME AND NOW ALL THE OTHER RESTAURANTS, BARS, THEY'RE ALL SEEING MORE AND MORE CUSTOMERS, THE STREETS ARE BUSIER, THERE ARE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND EVEN ON THE WEEKNIGHTS.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE SPENT OVER THREE DECADES IN THE SMALL TOWN.

THIS PROJECT WAS ABOUT GIVING BACK TO A PLACE THAT GAVE THEIR FAMILY SO MUCH.

>> THIS TOWN HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD TO ME.

WE RAISED OUR CHILDREN HERE.

THEY DID VERY WELL FOR THEMSELVES AND ARE CONTINUING TO DO THAT.

THIS IS JUST A WAY OF GIVING BACK.

THAT'S HOW WE BOTH FEEL, THAT WE'RE GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT HELPED US ESTABLISH CAREERS, RAISED OUR CHILDREN, AND THE SMALL TOWNS RAISE YOUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LITTLE FALLS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE FALLS THEATRE IS STOP EIGHT IN A HISTORIC TOUR DEVELOPED BY THE LITTLE FALLS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FALLS THEATRE, YOU CAN VISIT THEIR WEBSITE ON THE SCREEN.

>>> NOW IT'S TIME FOR WEATHER WITH STACY.

I ALWAYS JOKE AROUND AND SAY I BROUGHT THE FLORIDA WEATHER HERE BUT TODAY, IT REALLY FELT LIKE THAT.

>> Stacy: IT DID, VERY MILD OUT THERE.

A LOT OF US HAVE HIGHS IN THE 60s.

EXTREMELY MILD AND TOMORROW IS LOOKING MILD, NOT QUITE LIKE TODAY BUT A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND HIGHS IN THE 50s.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, WE WILL START TO SEE COOLING TEMPERATURES AND CHANCES OF RAIN AND SNOW IS BACK LATER THIS WEEK >> 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, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT THERE WITH VERY MILD TEMPERATURES, HIGHS IN THE 60s ACROSS MOST OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

NOW WHILE TOMORROW IS STILL LOOKING SUNNY AND MILD, IT WILL PROBABLY BE COOLER WITH HIGHS IN THE 50s, CLOSE TO 60 DEGREES, AND WE WILL SEE COOLING TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK AND CHANCES OF RAIN AND SNOW ARE BACK LATER ON THIS WEEK AS WELL.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR CURRENT CONDITIONS, IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 45 DEGREES.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A SOUTHEAST WIND AT 4 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEW POINT IS 23 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 42%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 51.

THE DEW POINT IS 20, 29% HUMIDITY WITH SOUTHEAST WINDS AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW IF YOU LOOK AT THE RADAR, IT IS ALL QUIET OUT THERE.

WE HAVE ENJOYED SOME SUNSHINE TODAY.

WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF AN INCREASE IN CLOUDS THIS EVENING.

HEADING INTO TONIGHT, STILL VERY QUIET AND QUIET TOMORROW, WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ACROSS THE AREA, AND STILL VERY MILD, MIGHT NOT SEE THE 60s, BUT THE HIGHS SHOULD REACH THE 50s.

HOWEVER, IT IS VERY DRY SO WE WILL HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THE ELEVATED FIRE DANGER WITH THE DRY CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN MINNESOTA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE.

DAN SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUN THROUGH SOME THIN CLOUDS OVER BIG BASS LAKE AND ANGELA WITH THE SUNSET THROUGH THE CLOUDS.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, WE HEARD FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 25 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 62.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE REPORTING A HIGH OF 64 WITH SUNSHINE TODAY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, HIGH OF 64.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKES, CLOUDY SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 61.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 65, BEATING THE OLD RECORD OF 60 WHICH WAS SET BACK IN 2012.

THE LOW IS 26 AND SUNSET AT 7:18.

IN BEMIDJI, WE REACHED A HIGH OF 64, SO NOT A NEW RECORD BUT VERY CLOSE.

22 WAS OUR LOW TEMP TODAY AND SUNSET WAS AT 7:20.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE, A LITTLE BIT COOLER IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA WHERE HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 40s, BUT MANY OF US IN THE NORTH SHOULD SEE 50 OR 53, BEMIDJI IS UP TO 57, AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MORE SUNSHINE AND EVEN WARMER.

A LOT OF LOCATIONS AROUND THE 60 DEGREE MARK IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

NOT AS WARM AS TODAY BUT VERY MILD.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOW OF 30.

FOR TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT NEAR 53 AND WINDS FROM THE WEST AT 5 TO 15.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST.

A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOUD COVER AROUND MIDWEEK AND THEN WE WILL SEE SOME SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK.

HOWEVER, YOU CAN SEE TEMPERATURES GENERALLY TAKING A DOWNWARD TREND, HIGHS NEAR 42 ON TUESDAY, 44 ON FRIDAY, AND THEN WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA FRIDAY AND ACROSS THE AREA ON SATURDAY.

TEMPERATURES ON SUNDAY, 33 FOR THE HIGH, WITH A LITTLE BIT OF PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

NOW IT'S TIME FOR SPORTS.

WE HAVE CHARLIE WITH US.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE A RECAP FROM THE WEEKEND.

BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ROUND.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS ON HOW IT HAPPENED.

THE STATE TOURNAMENT FINISHED UP AND SOME BIG NEWS COMING OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS ON THE NFL FRONT.

WE HAVE THAT COMING UP 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.

>>> IT'S TWO YEARS SINCE BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY HAD ADVANCED TO THE CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS AND THREE YEARS SINCE THE TEAM HAD SWEPT THE QUARTERFINAL ROUND TO DO SO.

BUT AFTER A 5-4 OVERTIME WIN ON FRIDAY NIGHT, THE BEAVERS BEAT FERRIS STATE ON SATURDAY IN GAME TWO OF THE MASON CUP QUARTERFINAL, AVOIDING A WINNER TAKE ALL GAME THREE ON SUNDAY.

HERE'S HOW IT ALL WENT DOWN FROM THE SANFORD CENTER.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE WAS RIDING A 9-GAME UNBEATEN STREAK INTO THE GAME, THREE OF THOSE AGAINST FERRIS STATE.

WE PICK UP IN THE SECOND PERIOD.

TIED AT ZERO, CARTER JONES WITH HIS 6TH GOAL OF THE SEASON PUTS THE BEAVS ON THE BOARD.

IT'S 1-0.

LATER BSU ON A POWER PLAY.

KYLE LOHFT TO ERIC POHLKAMP TO THE BACK OF THE NET AND THE BEAVERS TAKE A 2-0 LEAD.

NOW IF THIS NEXT HIGHLIGHT LOOKS LIKE A REPLAY, I ASSURE YOU IT'S NOT, BUT THE RESULT IS THE SAME.

POHLKAMP WITH HIS THIRD GOAL IN TWO GAMES.

BSU UP 3-0.

ON TO THE THIRD.

JAKE MCLANE ONE TIMES IT FROM CLOSE RANGE, OFF THE FEED FROM DANTE LAWSON, HIS FIFTH OF THE SEASON MAKES IT 4-0.

AND THAT WOULD BE THE FINAL AS BEMIDJI STATE OUSTS FERRIS STATE.

BEAVERS MUHTEAS SCHOLL, WELL HIS NET WAS CLOSED FOR BUSINESS.

HE HAD 25 SAVES AND EARNED HIS THIRD SHUTOUT OF THE SEASON, SECOND IN THREE GAMES.

HERE'S WHAT THE BEAVS HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT AFTER THE GAME.

>> YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR GOALIE A SHUTOUT.

WITH A 4-GOAL LEAD, IT'S EASY TO LET YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS AND OUR GUYS DID IT.

THEY'RE PLAYING FOR THEIR GOALTENDER.

>> YOU WOULD NEVER SAY A SHUTOUT IN THE LOCKER ROOM.

THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO THOSE GOALIES.

NEVER GIVE UP A GOAL.

THAT WAS NICE FOR HIM.

>> LAST NIGHT WAS A LITTLE BIT TOUGH FOR MYSELF.

I DIDN'T REALLY LIKE THE WAY I PLAYED.

I LEARNED A FEW THINGS AND I JUST GOT BACK IN THERE.

IT FELT GOOD TO GET THE SHUTOUT.

THE BOYS PLAYED GREAT.

>> Charlie: BEMIDJI STATE WILL NOW HOST LAKE SUPERIOR STATE IN THE SEMIFINAL ROUND.

THE LAKERS UPSET SAINT THOMAS IN THREE GAMES IN THEIR QUARTERFINAL MATCHUP OVER THE WEEKEND.

BEAVERS WERE ONLY 1-3 AGAINST THEM DURING THE REGULAR SEASON.

THE FIRST STEAM TEAM SELECTION WAS ANNOUNCED.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FINISH IN FIRST PLACE IN THE MASON CUP.

YOU GET THE MOST IN PROGRAM HISTORY ON THE ALL TEAM SELECTION.

>>> ALSO ON SATURDAY, WARROAD BEAT THEM 7-6 IN OVERTIME.

THE WARRIORS ARE MAKING THEIR CASE IN THE FIRST PERIOD.

THE POWER PLAY GOAL IS 28th OF THE YEAR, MIDWAY THROUGH THE PERIOD, CARSON CONNECTS WITH JAMES AND HE GOES DOWN FOR THE SECOND GOAL OF THE TOURNEY.

IT'S 2-0 WARRIORS.

CARSON THINKING ABOUT IT, PULLS THE TRIGGER AND LIGHTS THE LAMP.

WARROAD GOES ON TO WIN 4-1 AND ENDS THEIR SEASON WITH A VICTORY, FINISHING IN THIRD PLACE IN CLASS A.

GRAND RAPIDS BOYS HOCKEY PLAYING IN THE 2A GAME.

THUNDER HAWKS FOUND THEMSELVES DOWN 1-0 IN THE FIRST PERIOD.

IN THE SECOND PERIOD, STILL KNOTTED AT 1, COLLECTS HIS OWN REBOUND AND MAKES HIM PAY.

T-HAWKS HAVE A 2-1 LEAD.

LESS THAN TWO MINUTES LATER, YOU TAKE IT, NO YOU TAKE IT, OKAY, I GOT IT.

THEY TIE IT UP FOR THE RAIDERS.

THEY SCORE FIVE UNANSWERED GOALS.

FINAL SCORE 6-3.

TOUGH FINISH BUT IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T TAKE AWAY FROM THE SEASON THE THUNDER HAWKS HAD.

THE TOURNAMENT GAME WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY.

>>> WELL, KIRK COUSINS TIME AS A MINNESOTA VIKING HAS COME TO AN END AFTER THE FREE AGENT Q.B.

AND VIKINGS WERE UNABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.

THE VETERAN QUARTERBACK HAS AGREED 4 YEAR, $180 MILLION CONTRACT WITH THE ATLANTA FALCONS, $100 MILLION OF WHICH IS GUARANTEED.

COUSIN'S WAS A CAPTAIN ALL SIX YEARS HE SPENT IN MINNESOTA WITH A RECORD A RECORD OF 50-37-1 IN ALL 88 GAMES HE PLAYED AND FINISHES THIRD IN CAREER PASSING YARDS AND SECOND IN PASSING TOUCHDOWNS AND COMPLETIONS FOR THE VIKINGS.

THIS PAST SEASON THE 35-YEAR-OLD SUFFERED A TORN ACHILLIES IN WEEK 8 WIN AT GREEN BAY, NOW PROVING TO BE HIS FINAL GAME AS A VIKING.

TODAY VIKINGS GENERAL MANAGER KWESI ADOFO-MENSAH RELEASED A STATEMENT REGARDING KIRK COUSINS SAYING, “AFTER SIGNIFICANT AND POSITIVE DIALOGUE WITH KIRK AND HIS REPRESENTATIVES.

WE WERE UNABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON A CONTRACT THAT FITS THE SHORT AND LONG-TERM VISIONS FOR BOTH KIRK AND THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS.

KIRK HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN VIKINGS HISTORY AND WE APPRECIATE HIS LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TEAM AND THE MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL COMMUNITY OVER THE PAST SIX SEASONS.

WE WISH HIM, HIS WIFE JULIE, AND THEIR CHILDREN ALL THE BEST.

” >>> WELL AS A VIKINGS FAN, I HATE TO SEE HIM GO BUT I WOULD LIKE TO WATCH HIM LEAVE IF THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE HIM 100 MILLION GUARANTEED.

>> Charlie: YEAH, THAT'S TOUGH FOR SOMEONE THAT WON ONE PLAYOFF GAME.

HE WAS A GREAT DUDE IN THE AREA.

IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE HIM AROUND.

>> Matthew: THEY WILL PLAY THE FALCONS IN THIS NEXT SEASON.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> IN REMOTE, TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, ACCESS TO COST-EFFECTIVE HEAT FOR THE HOME IS QUITE A CHALLENGE.

A DILEMMA THAT OFTEN POPS UP IS, “DO WE WANT HEAT OR DO WE WANT TO EAT?

”.

WELL, A COMPANY CALLED AKIING 8TH FIRE SOLAR, LOCATED NEAR WHITE EARTH, PLANS TO CHANGE THAT.

WE WILL TAKE A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE AKIING 8TH FIRE SOLAR, FOR THIS WEEKS IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: SOLAR TECHNOLOGY HAS TRANSFORMED QUALITY OF LIFE IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD.

A NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY PLANS TO PRODUCE AND INSTALL THERMAL SOLAR PANELS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PROVIDING CLEAN ENERGY TO THE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.

>> WE HAVE DONE WORK IN RED LAKE, LEECH LAKE, NEW MEXICO, PUEBLO, I MEAN IT'S REALLY ABOUT WORKING TO INCREASE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IN TRAVEL COMMUNITIES AND WORK THROUGH THE ENERGY POVERTY AND DISPARITY WE FACE AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL PROVIDE JOBS TO THE PEOPLE INSIDE THE COMMUNITIES.

>> THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUNG NATIVE PEOPLE.

IT'S KIND OF THIS SINK OR SWIM MENTALITY THAT IS BASED ON THE A YOUNG INDIGENOUS PERSON GOES TO A COLLEGE IN A MORE POPULATED SECTION OF THE STATE.

AROUND HERE THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES AND WE'RE LOOKING TO CHANGE THAT ANY WAY WE CAN.

IT'S NOT JUST HERE, WHATEVER COMMUNITY WE WORK IN.

WE LIKE TO ESTABLISH THE SAME KIND OF BENEFITS.

>> Reporter: THEY REFLECT A GROWING COMMITMENT TO THERMAL AT A HOUSEHOLD AND COMMUNITY LEVEL AND REDUCE THE RELIANCE AND COSTS OF USING FOSSIL FUELS.

>> I THINK WE'RE IN A PARADIGM SHIFT AS WE LOOK THROUGH THE STATE AND WHAT'S HAPPENING WORLDWIDE.

I THINK THERE IS A BIGGER PUSH FOR RENEWABLES AND THEN COMES A GREATER NEED FOR SOLAR THERMAL.

IT'S UNDERUTILIZED, CREATING THAT PUSH, GETTING THAT MOMENTUM AND STRIDE FOR MORE RENEWABLES HERE TO REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AS A NATION, AS A PEOPLE AND THEN ALSO FOR TRAVEL COMMUNITIES TO INCREASE OUR INDEPENDENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY TO REDUCE OUR ALLIANCE ON FOSSIL FUELS.

>> Reporter: ALSO KEEPING THE ECONOMY ON THE RESERVATION.

>> FOR TRAVEL COMMUNITIES, I WILL SAY A LOT OF OUR MONEY GOES OFF RESERVATION.

IT'S UTILITIES, GROCERIES OFF RESERVATION.

SO THERE IS A TRIBAL COMMUNITY THAT IS BLEEDING.

WE CAN PATCH THAT BLEED A LITTLE BIT AND BRING IN AN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

>> THE NON-PROFIT ENTERPRISE HAS HELPED INSTALL SOLAR PANELS ON APPROXIMATELY 20 LOW-INCOME HOMES OWNED BY WHITE EARTH TRIBAL HOUSING SO FAR IN RECENT YEARS.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR A LAST LOOK AT THE WEATHER WITH STACY.

>> Stacy: IT'S QUIET WEATHER FOR US, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE BACK IN THE 50s WITH COOLER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK.

>> Matthew: THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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