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>> Announcer: LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10.

WE'RE 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 BLACKDUCK POLICE DEPARTMENT COULD SOON BE SHUTTING ITS DOORS FOLLOWING A PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MONDAY, MARCH 16th AT BLACKDUCK CITY HALL.

THE BLACKDUCK CITY COUNCIL WILL BE TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THIS HEARING REGARDING THE ELIMINATION OF THE CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CONTRACTING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES WITH THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

DURING A PREVIOUS MEETING, COUNCIL MEMBERS DISCUSSED HOW METHODS TO RECRUIT MORE OFFICERS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE FAILED, WHICH HAS LED THE CITY TO CONSIDER DISBANDING THE DEPARTMENT.

>> THE NEW FACILITY, NEW SQUAD, THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DRAWING POINTS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO ATTRACT THAT OFFICER.

AND IT'S NOT WORKING.

>> ESSENTIALLY, YOU COULD SAY WE DON'T HAVE -- REALLY HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT NOW, SO WE'RE NOT REPLACING IT.

WE DON'T HAVE AN OFFICER.

WE'VE HAD A POSITION LISTED FOR QUITE SOME TIME, YEARS I BELIEVE, AND WE HAVE NO -- >> NO ONE VIABLE AT THIS POINT.

>> NO ONE VIABLE, NO ONE INTERESTED.

>> Dennis: SINCE 2022, AT LEAST ONE POLICE DEPARTMENT PER YEAR HAS SHUT DOWN IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THE CITY OF MOTLEY PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED POTENTIAL DISBANDMENT BACK IN 2023, AND THE CITY OF BAGLEY IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING ITS DEPARTMENT FOR POSSIBLE DISBANDMENT.

>>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BELTRAMI COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HAS ANNOUNCED SHE IS RUNNING FOR A SPOT IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

EMILY THABES WILL SEEK THE DISTRICT 2-B STATE REPRESENTATIVE SEAT CURRENTLY HELD BY REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT MATT BLISS.

SHE WILL SEEK THE DFL ENDORSEMENT FOR 2-B.

A RESIDENT OF CLEARWATER COUNTY, THABES HAS SERVED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BELTRAMI COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SINCE 2021 AND SAYS SHE HAS MANAGED DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS, STAFF, AND A SIX-FIGURE EXHIBITION RENOVATION WHILE WRITING AND ADMINISTERING STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS.

DISTRICT 2-B INCLUDES PORTIONS OF BECKER, BELTRAMI, CASS, CLEARWATER, HUBBARD, ITASCA, AND MAHNOMEN COUNTIES.

THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 3rd.

>>> BELTRAMI COUNTY'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS WORKING TO UPDATE ITS HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN AND IS LOOKING FOR PUBLIC INPUT TO SHARE IDEAS ON HOW TO REDUCE LOCAL IMPACTS IN THE FUTURE.

THE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN ASSESSES THE NATURAL HAZARDS THAT POSE RISK TO THE COUNTY AND FURTHER IDENTIFIES LOCAL VULNERABILITIES AND WAYS TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE FROM FUTURE EVENTS.

AS THE COUNTY WORKS TO UPDATE THE PLAN, IT WANTS TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.

YOU CAN PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK AT THE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEBSITE.

>> JUNE 21st, 2025, I HAVE AN INCLINATION THAT SEVERE WEATHER AND HIGH WIND EVENTS ARE GOING TO BE A LITTLE SKEWED THIS YEAR.

OTHERS THAT PEOPLE DON'T GIVE A LOT OF THOUGHT TO ARE DROUGHT AND FLOODING BECAUSE WE DO EXPERIENCE DROUGHT AND FLOODING, SOMETIMES WITHIN THE SAME YEAR, AND WE'RE SEEING THAT WHIPLASH BACK AND FORTH.

AND SO TRYING TO ADAPT TO THOSE CHANGING IMPACTS THAT WE HAVE VERY LITTLE CONTROL OVER IS REALLY WHAT HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING IS, IS LOOKING AT THOSE HAZARDS AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO REDUCE THOSE IMPACTS FOR WHEN THEY DO HAPPEN.

>> Dennis: WHEN COMPLETED, THE PLAN WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND FEMA FOR APPROVAL.

>>> IN THE YEARS SINCE THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS, HOMEBUILDING HAS LAGGED BEHIND DEMAND, CONTRIBUTING TO A NATIONWIDE HOUSING SHORTAGE THAT HAS PUSHED PRICES HIGHER ACROSS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY, PUTTING THE AMERICAN DREAM OUT OF REACH FOR MILLIONS.

BUT THE SENATE PASSED NEW LEGISLATION THURSDAY THAT TACKLES THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING HOMEOWNERSHIP MORE ACHIEVABLE.

AMANDA SANSONE IS IN WASHINGTON WITH A LOOK AT HOW THIS BILL COULD GIVE SOME HOPE FOR HOMEBUYERS.

>> Amanda: A RARE BIPARTISAN BREAKTHROUGH THURSDAY.

>> IS YEAS ARE 89, THE NAYS ARE 10.

THE BILL IS PASSED.

>> THE SENATE PASSING THE LARGEST PIECE OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY LEGISLATION IN A GENERATION.

>> THIS IS THE BIGGEST PACKAGE OF GILS TO MAKE HUTION AFFORDABLE IN 30 YEARS.

>> Amanda: THE 21st STENCH ROAD TO HOUSING ACT INCLUDES DOZENS OF PROVISIONS TO INCREASE HOUSING SUPPLY AND LOWER PRICES.

>> THIS LANDMARK, BIPARTISAN BILL WILL HELP TACKLE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS CRISIS BY GETTING MORE HOMES BUILT IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

>> Amanda: LAWMAKERS SAY THE PACKAGE AIMS TO SPUR MORE CONSTRUCTION BYS COURAGING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO EXPAND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND EASE ZONING RESTRICTIONS.

REMOVING FEDERAL REGULATORY BARRIERS, BANNING LARGE INVESTORS AND WALL STREET FIRMS FROM BUYING HOUSES, AND EXPANDING MANUFACTURED HOUSING, WHICH CAN OFTEN BE BUILT FASTER AND AT LOWER COST THAN TRADITIONAL HOMES.

>> TAKEN TOGETHER, THESE REFORMS REPRESENT A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO HOUSING POLICY.

>> Amanda: THE BILL STILL FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AS IT NOW NEEDS TO BE RECONCILED WITH A SIMILAR, FORMER PACKAGE PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LAST MONTH.

WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SIGNALED SUPPORT FOR THE LEGISLATION, HE ALSO SAID THIS WEEK HE WON'T SIGN ANY NEW LAWS UNTIL CONGRESS PASSES VOTER ID REFORM.

>> Dennis: BOTH MINNESOTA SENATORS, DEMOCRATS AMY KLOBUCHAR AND TINA SMITH, VOTED FOR THE BILL.

>>> A NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE IS IN DANGER OF VANISHING FOREVER.

ONLY ABOUT 65 PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO SPEAK HIDATSA, BUT AS JODY KERZMAN REPORTS, THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT.

>> Jody: ROLLIE KNIGHT IS LEARNING TO SPEAK HIDATSA IT'S PART OF WHO I AM.

WE HAVE A HISTORY WITH THEIR LANGUAGE AND I FEEL THAT CONNECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Jody: IT IS THE LANGUAGE OF HIS CHILDHOOD.

AND OF HIS FAMILY.

>> I GREW UP WITH SOME OF THE BAND SPOKE BY MY MOTHER, SO SHE WAS -- SHE'S PRETTY FLUENT.

>> Jody: HE NEVER LEARN HIDATSA UNTIL NOW.

HE IS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF STUDENTS AT UNITED TRIBES TECHNICAL COLLEGE LEARNING THE HIDATSA LANGUAGE.

>> I'M HAPPY AND PROUD TO BE LEARNING.

>> Jody: THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEEN TAUGHT HERE.

AMBER GWIN IS THE INSTRUCTOR.

SHE ADMITS SHE'S LEARNING RIGHT ALONGSIDE HER STUDENTS.

>> I GREW UP HEARING IT AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FIRST LANGUAGE, BUT BEING INUNDATED IN ENGLISH, IT WAS QUICKLY GONE.

I'M DEFINITELY NOT FLUENT.

>> Jody: HER ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO BECOME FLUENT.

BUT SHE SAYS PRESERVING THE LANGUAGE MATTERS MOST.

>> IT'S UP TO ALL OF US TO KEEP IT ALIVE, EVEN IF IT'S JUST ONE WORD.

THAT MAKES MY HEART HAPPY.

>> Dennis: RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE NINE PEOPLE IN GWIN'S CLASS.

SHE SAYS SHE'LL TEACH IT AGAIN IN THE FALL IF THERE'S ENOUGH INTEREST.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: ANOTHER WINTER STORM WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO PARTS OF THE AREA THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE THE LATEST IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>> Sydney: AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS, PROFESSOR IKE LOVE DAL EXPLAINS HOW HE >>> AND NOW, MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>> Dennis: CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA WOMEN OF TODAY ORGANIZATION.

THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO A NON-TRADITIONAL CLC STUDENT WHO IS EITHER A WOMAN OR A SINGLE PARENT.

THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA WOMEN OF TODAY IS A PART OF THE LARGER GROUP MINNESOTA WOMEN OF TODAY.

THE NONPROFIT GROUP FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON COMMUNITY SERVICE, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, AND FELLOWSHIP.

CLC HOPES THAT ITS NEW SCHOLARSHIP WITH THE ORGANIZATION WILL HELP FURTHER ITS MISSION TO CONTINUE BUILDING FUTURES.

>> WHEN WORKING WITH WOMEN OF TODAY, IT WAS A MATTER OF WHAT TYPE OF STUDENT ARE YOU LOOKING TO SUPPORT, HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A STUDENT THAT REPRESENTS WHAT THE WOMEN OF TODAY WANT TO SUPPORT.

>> THAT IS OUR MISSION, TO HELP OTHERS, AND WE FEEL THAT THE SCHOLARSHIP IS GOING TO BETTER SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE.

WE HOPE TO CONTINUE SO THAT WE'VE IMPACTED MORE THAN JUST ONE STUDENT.

>> Dennis: THIS YEAR'S SCHOLARSHIP HAS BEEN AWARDED TO JAIMIE JOHNSON, WHO IS PURSUING HER PRE-SOCIAL WORK TRANSFER PATHWAY A.S.

DEGREE.

>>> TODAY IS "NATIONAL LOON DAY."

IT'S ACTUALLY THE FIRST TIME IT HAS BEEN CELEBRATED.

MARCH 13th MARKS THE 65th ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMON LOON BECOMING MINNESOTA'S STATE BIRD.

MINNESOTA HAS THE LARGEST POPULATION OF LOONS IN THE LOWER 48 STATES, AND WHEN SAINT PAUL JEWELER LARISSA LODEN REALIZED THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL LOON DAY DESIGNATED, SHE APPROACHED THE NATIONAL DAY ARCHIVES, WHICH APPROVED IT FOR MARCH 13th.

THE INAUGURAL FESTIVITIES INCLUDED A FESTIVAL IN SAINT PAUL WHICH INCLUDED LOON CALL CONTESTS AND A BEST LOON OUTFIT COMPETITION.

WELL, THE LOONS ARE OUT THERE TODAY.

IT'S GOING TO BE COLD.

>> Stacy: YEAH, WE ARE SEEING COLDER TEMPERATURES.

WE SAW QUITE A BIT OF SNOW IN MUCH OF THE AREA YESTERDAY, AND MORE SNOW ON THE WAY, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE WARNINGS, ADVISORIES, AND WATCHES IN EFFECT AS WE HEAD INTO MAINLY THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEKEND.

SO WE'LL TAKE A >>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WE DID WAKE UP TO QUITE A BIT OF NEW SNOW IN MUCH OF THE AREA THIS MORNING.

OVERALL, THE DAY HAS PRETTY QUIET, A LOT OF NICE SUNSHINE MELTING THE SNOW AWAY, BUT MORE ON THE WAY, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA WHERE WATCHES, ADVISORIES AND WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE A LOOK AT THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS.

IN BEMIDJI, 10I7S DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT WITH -- 10 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT WITH LIGHT WEST WIND AT THE STUDIO.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY AND 17.

THE DEWPOINT IS 5 AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW, MUCH MAINLY CENTRAL MINNESOTA INTO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA IS UNDER A WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 7:00 P.M.

SATURDAY TO 7:00 P.M.

SUNDAY WITH HEAVY SNOW IN AREAS WITH BLOWING SNOW EXPECTED.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR MUCH OF THAT SAME TIME PERIOD AND A WINTER STORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN MINNESOTA FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT TO SUNDAY NIGHT.

HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE IN THAT AREA ALONG WITH GUSTY WINDS.

AS FAR AS SNOWFALL TOTALS, WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO SEE MORE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS THE FARTHER SOUTH WE GOOD.

LITTLE FALLS LOOKING AT ABOUT 9.2 INCHES OF SNOW BY THE TIME WE HIT SUNDAY EVENING, 6.6 IN WADENA, 7.2 IN BRAINERD AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IT TAPERS OFF PRETTY QUICKLY FROM THERE AS WE MOVE FARTHER NORTH.

ON THE SATELLITE AND RADAR TONIGHT, IT HAS BEEN A QUIET DAY, GOING TO BE A QUIET NIGHT FOR US I WANT TO WITH PARTLY -- TOIVENT WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

WE'LL SEE THE SNOW MOVING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

ARLENE WITH THE MORNING SKIES IN MENAHGA, FRESH SNOW FROM ARLENE IN LONGVILLE AND JOE IN LAP PORT WITH QUITE A BIT OF NEW SNOW THERE.

CHRISTY ENJOYING BLUE SKIES TODAY IN DEERWOOD.

AGAIN THE NEW SNOW FROM RALPH A JENKINS AND THE SUNSET TONIGHT OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE.

FOR EAGLE EYES, RALPH IN JENKINS REPORTING SNOW THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, THREE INCHES OF SNOW, TOTALS OVER THE LAKE RECORDING SIX INCHES OF SNOW.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, AN INCH OF ICY SNOW IN MORNING, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, EIGHT TO NINE INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, 14 INCHES OF SNOW.

WE SAW THAT PICTURE FROM JOAN.

AND ANGELA SENDING US THIS REPORT OUT OF CASS LAKE, THREE TO SIX INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

A QUICK LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC.

32 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE, A LITTLE BIT ON THE COOL SIDE WITH A LOW OF 17.

AND BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 25, ABOUT 10 DEGREES WLO BELOW THE AVERAGE AND OUR LOW TODAY WAS 12.

TOMORROW'S FORECAST, PRETTY QUIET TO START THE DAY.

AS WE HEAD MORE INTO THE AFTERNOON, CLOUDS WILL INCREASE AND THE SNOW WILL BEGIN TO MOVE INTO MAINLY CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE ABOUT 25 TO LOW 30s IN THE NORTH WITH LOW TO MID 30s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

OUR FORECAST, TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS DOWN TO 6 AND FOR TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS.

THE SNOW BEGINS TO DEVELOP MAINLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON WITH HIGHS NEAR 32.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, THE SNOW CONTINUES SATURDAY NIGHT AND INTO SUNDAY.

AGAIN, MOST LIKELY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE QUITE A BIT COOLER AS WE START THE WORK WEEK.

MINUS-7 FOR THE LOW ON TUESDAY, BUT UP TO 41 BY WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS, STACY.

PEQUOT LAKES BOYS BASKETBALL HAD A GREAT SEASON.

TRYING TO KEEP IT GOING AGAINST ANOTHER LAKES LOCAL TEAM.

>> Charlie: TRYING TO KEEP IT GOING AGAINST PIERZ WHO IS ALSO HAVING A FANTASTIC SEASON.

THEY WENT INTO THE SECTION 2-A PLAYOFFS AS THE 1 AND 2 SEED RESPECTIVELY, SO NATURALLY IT'S AWESOME THAT THEY GET TO PLAY AS THE 1 AND 2 SEED IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND FROM GRAND RAPIDS WHO IS TAKING ON HIBBING AS WELL.

THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

>>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: IN THE SECTION 7-AA BOYS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, IT WAS A CLASSIC CASE OF BEEN-THERE/DONE-THAT VERSUS MAKING PROGRAM HISTORY.

TOP SEED PEQUOT LAKES IS PLAYING IN THEIR FIFTH STRAIGHT SECTION TITLE GAME AND HAVE WON THE LAST FOUR IN A ROW.

CONVERSELY, PIERZ IS A SECTION FINALIST FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020, BUT BECAUSE THAT GAME WAS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID, THEY HAVE NOT ACTUALLY PLAYED IN A SECTION FINALS SINCE 1997 AND HAVE NEVER WON ONE.

THE PATRIOTS AND PIONEERS MET AT CROSBY-IRONTON HIGH SCHOOL TONIGHT WITH A STATE TOURNAMENT BERTH ON THE LINE.

FIRST HALF, PIERZ GOT OUT TO A GOOD START.

JAXSON HARDY KNOCKS DOWN THE CORNER THREE, GIVES THE PIONEERS A 9-7 LEAD.

HOWEVER, THE PATRIOTS FOUND THEIR GROOVE.

TOLLEF BIRKELAND STRAIGHT TO THE RACK.

HE HAD 12 FOR PEQUOT.

PEQUOT UP 15-9.

A FEW POSSESSIONS LATER, SAMUEL AFAGWU, A LITTLE JELLY OFF THE GLASS.

HE PUT UP 13 POINTS, THREE THE HARD WAY, MAKES IT 20-9.

REALLY, THE PATS WERE GETTING OFFENSE FROM EVERYWHERE.

ROCK HOLUBAR ADDED 16 AS THEY CLOSED THE HALF ON A 29-5 RUN.

THEN IN THE SECOND HALF, PEQUOT IN CRUISE CONTROL.

BLAKE SPICZKA LED ALL SCORING WITH 19 POINTS TONIGHT AS THE PATRIOTS ROLL TO THEIR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE SECTION TITLE.

73-35 THE FINAL OVER PIERZ.

PEQUOT LAKES SET THE TONE ON THE DEFENSIVE END, HELPING FUEL THIER EMPHATIC VICTORY.

>> JUST DO WHAT WE DO ALL YEAR, JUST STAY SOUND, PLAY TOGETHER, TALK A LOT AND JUST CAME INTO IT KNOWING WE WANTED TO WIN THE NEXT FOUR MINUTES.

WE TOOK IT POSSESSION BY POSSESSION.

>> I THINK IT COMES WITH ALL THE CAMARADERIE AND HOW WE PLAY TOGETHER.

>> I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO FOUR YEARS IN A ROW IN MY HIGH SCHOOL YEAR.

THIS IS DEFINITELY SPECIAL BEING OUR LAST.

>> Charlie: THE PATRIOTS ARE HOPING THE FIFTH TIME IS A CHARM AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

IN THEIR PAST FOUR TRIPS THERE, THEY BEEN UNABLE TO WIN THAT FIRST GAME IN THE QUARTERFINALS, BUT THEY HAVE TAKEN HOME TWO CONSOLATION TROPHIES.

>>> WELL, 2017 WAS THE LAST TIME GRAND RAPIDS BOYS BASKETBALL WON A SECTION TITLE, AND THEY HAVE ONLY WON TWO GAMES IN THE POST-SEASON SINCE UNTIL THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT.

THE THUNDERHAWKS ENTERED THE 7-AAA PLAYOFFS AS THE TOP-SEED AND WON BOTH THEIR QUARTER AND SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS BY OVER 30 POINTS.

BUT IN THE FINALS, RAPIDS TAKING ON 3-SEED HIBBING, WHO THEY ONLY BEAT BY 16 POINTS COMBINED IN THEIR TWO REGULAR SEASON MEETINGS.

PICKING UP IN THE SECOND HALF, T-HAWKS LEAD BY JUST 4 POINTS.

GRABBING THE REBOUND BEFORE FINDING JOEY SOUTHERLAND.

HE'S GOING TO GET THE DEUCE, EXTENDING THE LEAD TO 6.

ON THE OTHER END, FINDING AN ARMY OF DEFENDERS BEFORE HE FINDS ADAM, MAKES THE MOVE FOR THE TRIPLE AND SINKS IT, BUT RAPIDS ABLE TO STAVE OFF ANY LATE RUN.

THE STEAL AND THE LAY-UP.

THEY HOLD ON TO WIN 60-53 AND THEY PUNCHED TICKET TO STATE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS.

BASKETBALL FOR GRAND RAPIDS IS NOW THE FIFTH TEAM SPORT TO MAKE THE STATE TOURNAMENT BETWEEN THE FALL AND WINTER SEASONS, ALONG WITH NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS IN SWIMMING, NORDIC SKI AND WRESTLING.

NOT TOO SHABBY FOR THE THAU, COMMUNITY.

>>> STAPLES-MOTLEY TRYING TO END A 25-YEAR DROUGHT AT STATE FOR BOYS BASKETBALL, TAKING ON PERHAM IN THE SECTION 8-AA CHAMPIONSHIP.

IN A HUGE UPSET, KNOCKING OFF NEVIS WHO WON THE LAST FIVE SECTION TITLES, INCLUDING LAST YEAR.

THE GIRLS BASKETBALL SEASON CAME TO END A TODAY.

THEY FINISHED THE SEASON WITH A PROGRAM BEST 29-3 RECORD AND THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES TRYING TO SNAP A THREE-GAME SKID, LEADING THE GOLD DENY STATE WARRIORS BY 21 AT THE HALF.

>> Dennis: THEY APPEAR INTERESTED IN PLAYING TONIGHT?

>> Charlie: YEAH, IT'S WEIRD, THEY GO TO THE WEST COAST AND PLAY A LITTLE BIT.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU, CHARLIE.

>>> THE ANNUAL BSU SINGS DAY TOOK PLACE LAST WEEK, WHERE MORE THAN 200 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS VISITED THE CAMPUS TO SING AND LEARN ALONGSIDE THE COLLEGE CHOIR.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS AT THAT CONCERT AND HAS MORE IN THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

♪ [ SINGING ] ♪ >> Sydney: CHOIR CONCERTS CAN BE AWESOME INSPIRING AS THE AUDIENCE LISTENS TO VOICES COMING TOGETHER AS ONE.

THE PELL LOD I DID, HARMONY AND RHYTHM ARE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE SHOW, BUT THE THOUGHT BEHIND THE WORDS BEING SUNG MAY NOT BE AS MUCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS THE VOICES SINGING THEM.

>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET IT IN FRONT OF AN ENSEMBLE IF A PIECE IS REALLY GOING TO WORK OR NOT.

I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW AM I GOING TO SERVE THEM PRACTICALLY AND HOW AM I GOING TO SERVE THEM FROM AN EMOTIONAL PERSPECTIVE BY PROGRAMMING AND WRITING MUSIC THAT'S GOING TO BE MEANINGFUL FOR THEM.

>> Sydney: BEMIDJI STATE PROFESSOR ISAAC LOVDAHL HAS COMPOSING AND CONDUCTING FOR MANY YEARS, INCLUDING CREATING ORIGINAL PIECES FOR EVENTS LIKE BSU SINGS WHEN HE NEEDED A PIECE THAT WOULD WORK WITH MORE THAN 200 VOICES.

>> I WRITE IT DOWN WITH MY OWN HANDS BECAUSE I FIND THAT WHEN I'M WORKING WITH THE TEXT IN A REALLY TANGIBLE WAY, IT TENDS TO SORT OF SEEP INTO MY BEING A LITTLE BIT MORE.

YOU START REALLY ZOOMED IN ON ONE SPECIFIC ELEMENT OF THE WORDS, AND THEN AS YOU COMPOSE, THE IMAGE BECOMES WIDER AND LARGER AND MORE HOLISTIC UNTIL YOU HAVE THE ENTIRE PIECE.

>> Sydney: ONE OF THE COMPOSITIONS THAT THE BSU CHOIR WILL BE PERFORMING AT EACH STOP ON THEIR NEXT TOUR WAS CREATED USING POETRY WRITTEN BY TWO OF THE STUDENTS ABOUT A CHOIR RETREAT PERSONAL TO THEM.

>> THE FINAL LINE OF THE POEM FROM HANNA SAYS, WHAT A MARVEL THAT I AM BUT A MINUTE BLIP IN TIME AND SPACE AND YET THE UNIVERSE LOVES ME LIKE THIS.

AND IT'S BEEN A REALLY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE TO COLLABORATE ON A CREATIVE PROJECT LIKE THAT WITH TWO OF MY STUDENTS.

AND TO GET TO SUPPORT SOME OF THEIR UNIQUE TALENTS AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO THROUGH THIS COLLABORATION.

>> Sydney: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THE CHOIR WILL BE TOURING AROUND THE REGION PERFORMING THE NEW PIECE WRITTEN BY STUDENTS.

CONCERTS WILL BE HELD IN FARGO, DULUTH, ROCHESTER, STILLWATER, AND ENDING IN BEMIDJI FROM MARCH 25th THROUGH THE 29th.

>>> LET'S HEAD BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON WEATHER.

>> Stacy: A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT WEATHER SYSTEM WILL IMPACT MAINLY CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS WEEKEND.

WE DO HAVE WINTER STORM WARNINGS, WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES AND A WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 7 P.M.

SATURDAY TO 7 P.M.

SUNDAY.

WE COULD SEA ANYWHERE FROM FOUR TO -- SEE ANYWHERE FROM FOUR TO TEN INCHES OF ACCUMULATING SNOW WITH HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW ANTICIPATED.

>> Dennis: WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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