>> 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.

>>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, IM JOSH PETERSON IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

IT WAS A VERY BUSY DAY FOR THE BEMIDJI FIRE DEPARTMENT AS THEY GOT CALLED TO TWO FIRES EARLIER TODAY.

SHORTLY AFTER 1:30 THIS AFTERNOON, BEMIDJI FIRE RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A GRASS FIRE ON THE 1200 BLOCK OF BIRCHMONT DRIVE.

BEMIDJI FIRE AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WERE PRESENT AS THE FIRE GREW TO INCLUDE STRUCTURES AND THREATENED NEIGHBORING STRUCTURES.

FIRE FIGHTERS WERE ON SCENE FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS.

AS UNITS WERE CLEARING THIS FIRE, A SECOND FIRE WAS REPORTED ON ELLIOT DRIVE.

A GRASS FIRE FEATURING A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, WHICH WERE ALSO THREATENING PERMANENT STRUCTURES.

FIRE FIGHTERS QUICKLY RESPONDED, AND WERE ABLE TO PROTECT A HOUSE AND A LARGE SHOP.

AT THE CONCLUSION OF BOTH FIRES, THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF PROPERTY LOSS TO BOTH PARTIES, HOWEVER THE RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES WERE BOTH SAVED.

THE BEMIDJI FIRE CHIEF WARNS TO USE CAUTION WHEN BURNING DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR AND WITH THE WINTER WE HAD, THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF WILDFIRE AND HOW WE'RE USING FIRES.

USE COMMON SENSE AND WHEN WE'RE BURNING, PAY ATTENTION TO THE D.N.R.

WEBSITE, WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE WEATHER, AND THE BEMIDJI FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE MESSAGES WE'RE SENDING OUT THERE AS OUR ENVIRONMENT IS VERY DRY.

USE COMMON SENSE AND DON'T BURN WHEN YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO.

>> Josh: NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED FROM EITHER FIRES.

>>> TRIBAL CHAIRMAN FARON JACKSON SENIOR OF THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE, ANNOUNCED HIS PLAN TO HELP BOOST THE ECONOMY FOR THE AREA WITH HIS ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR THE BAND.

THAT WAS ONE OF MANY DIFFERENT TOPICS OF DISCUSSION FROM THE STATE OF THE BAND ADDRESS HELD EARLIER TODAY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WAS AT THE ADDRESS, TO TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT THE BAND IS PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A DAY OF CELEBRATION FOR THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWA.

HUNDREDS FROM ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA CAME TO HEAR THE CHAIRMAN STATE OF THE BAND ADDRESS.

>> WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT UNITY IS BECAUSE WE CAN GET MORE ACCOMPLISHED AND DONE IF WE WORK TOGETHER AS WE COLLABORATE ON A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT WE KIND OF HAVE IN COMMON WITH NATURAL RESOURCES, FOREST MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.

WE ALL FEEL THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US HERE IN THE NORTHERN MINNESOTA AREA.

>> Reporter: THE CHAIRMAN DISCUSSED A VARIETY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING WHAT HE HOPES WILL BOOST THE ECONOMY FOR THE AREA.

>> WE HAD ADDITIONAL MONEY WE PUT INTO A TRIBAL RESERVE.

40 MILLION, AS WELL AS 18 MILLION WE HAVE IN OUR REGULAR GENERAL FUND.

I PROPOSE $1,500 FOR ALL THE ADULTS.

>> Reporter: WITH OVER 50% OF THE POPULATION BEEN 50-PLUS OLD, THEY WANTED TO PUT A STRONG EMPHASIS ON THE YOUTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> A LOT OF TIMES WE DON'T CONSIDER THE YOUTHS LEADERS OF TOMORROW, BUT WE CONSIDER THEM LEADERS OF TODAY.

SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO APPROACH THEM WITH PUTTING ADDITIONAL MONEY IN FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.

>> Reporter: THE CHAIRMAN ALSO HOPES TO PUT A DENT IN THE HOUSING CRISIS WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM THE RESERVATION RESTORATION ACT.

>> HOUSING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG ISSUE HERE.

WE HAD 500 OR 600 MEMBERS ON THE WAITING LIST TO RECEIVE HOUSING.

THAT NUMBER DOESN'T GO DOWN MUCH BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PUT ANYBODY, ANY FAMILIES INTO NEW HOMES.

NOW THAT WE'RE GETTING 11,000 ACRES OF LAND BACK ON MAY 1st HERE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE LAND AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON BUILDING MORE HOUSES HERE ON LEECH LAKE FOR OUR BAND MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: CHAIRMAN JACKSON ENDED THE ADDRESS WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAD MANY MORE SUCCESSES IN COUNTLESS HARD FOUGHT BATTLES.

WE REGROUPED THE NEXT DAY AS A COUNCIL.

PAST AND PRESENT LEADERS HAD AN IDEA ON HOW TO MAKE HOUR TRIBAL NATIONS THE BEST WE CAN BY MOVING FORWARD AND MAINTAINING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK THAT FACES US EVERYDAY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM WALKER, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> CHAIRMAN JACKSON ALSO ADDRESSED THE AGREEMENT THAT HAD BEEN REACHED FROM THE LAWSUIT AGAINST PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES FOR THE HIGH LEVELS OF ADDICTION FACING THE AREA, SAYING THE $3.6 MILLION THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE, WILL ALL GO TOWARDS RECOVERY EFFORTS.

>>> AFTER MANY MONTHS, THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD FINALLY SETTLED ON A NEW POLICY FOR CHALLENGED LIBRARY MATERIAL.

THE DISCUSSION INITIATED BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2023 WHEN MULTIPLE PARENTS CHALLENGED SARAH J. MAAS' BOOK, EMPIRE OF STORMS AND ITS PLACE IN THE LIBRARY.

AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION, THE BOARDS OUTCOME RESULTED IN A POLICY WHERE THE COMPLAINANT IS EXPECTED TO HAVE READ OR LISTENED TO THE BOOK IN QUESTION.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE HAPPY IT WAS DONE.

THE S.B.A.

WAS SUPPORTIVE AS THEY WERE NAVIGATING THIS FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE RELIED ON OUR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO GUIDE US THROUGH THIS PROCESS TOO.

>> Josh: NOW THE ENTIRE POLICY NUMBER 631 ON LIBRARY MATERIALS CAN BE FOUND ON THE BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEBSITE.

>>> ON THE STATE LEVEL, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN VISITED A ST PAUL SCHOOL TO HIGHLIGHT LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO PREVENT BOOK BANS BASED ON IDEOLOGY.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 1,400 INSTANCES OF BOOKS BANNED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR ACROSS THE NATION.

SENATE FILE 35-67 WOULD PROHIBIT BOOK BANS IN PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES BASED ON CONTENT OR IDEOLOGICAL OBJECTIONS.

IT WOULD REQUIRE THE BOOK AND MATERIAL COLLECTION DECISIONS OF A LIBRARY TO BE MADE OR OVERSEEN BY A LICENSED LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST, AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A MASTERS DEGREE IN LIBRARY OR LIBRARY INFORMATION SCIENCES, OR A PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIAN OR PERSON WITH EXTENSIVE LIBRARY COLLECTION MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE.

THE GOVERNORS OFFICE SAYS THIS LEGISLATION WILL ENSURE THAT BOOKS REMAIN ACCESSIBLE TO TEACH AND ALL CHILDREN TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ FREELY.

>>> DOZENS OF VIETNAM VETERANS GATHERED AT THE BRAINERD VFW TO HONOR THEIR SERVICE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY STOPPED BY AND SPOKE WITH SEVERAL VETERANS TO LEARN MORE.

>> Reporter: MANY VIETNAM VETERANS WANTED RECOGNITION FOR THEIR SERVICE AT THE VIETNAM WAR.

THAT'S WHY WHEN THE ACT WAS PASSED IN 2017, DESIGNATING MARCH 29th AS VIETNAM VETERANS DAY, THEY WERE GIVEN A HUGE SENSE OF RELIEF.

>> IT WAS VERY POIGNANT FOR ME, BEING A VIETNAM VET.

I THOUGHT THAT WOW, FINALLY.

WE'RE GOING TO BE RECOGNIZED.

SO THAT WAS A GOOD THING.

>> I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS ABOUT TIME BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

I AM HOPING THEY DO THE SAME THING FOR IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS LATER ON.

>> Reporter: EVENTS LIKE TONIGHT'S BRAINERD V.F.W.

IS IMPORTANT FOR VETERANS, BEING ABLE TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES OF THE WAR WITH FELLOW VETERANS IS SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T DO WHEN THEY FIRST CAME BACK.

>> IT'S GOOD TO GET TOGETHER BECAUSE WE CAN RECONNECT AND TELL SOME OF THOSE STORIES, BUDDY TO BUDDY, THAT WE CAN'T NECESSARILY TELL.

IT HAS TO DO WITH SITUATIONS WE FACED DURING THE WAR.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT INTERCHANGE WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE.

>> WHEN WE CAME BACK, WE NEVER EVER DISCUSSED BEING A VIETNAM VET.

YOU CAN WORK WITH PEOPLE FOR YEARS AND NOT KNOW THAT THEY WERE VETERANS.

>> I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND REMINISCE.

HERE'S A GOOD REASON WHY A LOT OF THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT BENEFITS THAT THEY EARNED AND WE AS THE V.F.W.

CAN STEER THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN ORDER TO GET THAT DONE.

>> Reporter: WHETHER IT'S PROBLEMS WITH PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH OR FINANCIAL ISSUES, THE VETERANS THAT GATHERED TODAY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL VETERANS ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> SINCE I RETIRED, THAT'S MY GOAL.

WE TRY TO DO IT AS MUCH AS I CAN.

IT'S SURPRISING THAT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF VETERANS OUT THERE THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR, THEIR BENEFITS, AND WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET THE HELP THAT THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THIS YEAR, THE BRAINERD V.F.W.

CHOSE TO HOST THE GATHERING FOR VIETNAM VETERANS DAY A WEEK EARLY IN OBSERVANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY.

>>> CATHERINE, PRINCESS OF WALES, REVEALED TODAY SHES BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, ADDING SHE IS NOW IN THE EARLY STAGES OF CHEMOTHERAPY.

MIKE VALERIO SHOWS US THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PRINCESS.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A DEEPLY PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE, PRINCESS OF WALES, IN LINE TO BE BRITAIN'S QUEEN.

>> IN JANUARY, I UNDERWENT MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY IN LONDON.

AT THE TIME, IT WAS THOUGHT THAT MY CONDITION WAS NON-CANCEROUS.

THE SURGERY WAS SUCCESSFUL BUT TESTS AFTER THE OPERATION FOUND THAT CANCER HAD BEEN PRESENT.

>> Reporter: THE BOMBSHELL AFTER WEEKS OF SPECULATION ABOUT THE PRINCESS'S HEALTH, BUT NOT REVEALED IN THE MESSAGE WHICH TYPE OF CANCER WAS FOUND AND AT WHAT STAGE.

AFTER TESTS REVEALED THE CANCER, CATHERINE SAID -- >> MY MEDICAL TEAM ADVISED I SHOULD UNDERGO A COURSE OF PREVENTATIVE CHEMOTHERAPY.

>> THE DIAGNOSIS IS A BLOW TO THE MONARCHY AS KING CHARLES III IS UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR AN UNSPECIFIED CANCER.

HIS DIAGNOSE WAS ANNOUNCED IN EARLY FEBRUARY.

>> NOT ONLY WOULD IT DEPEND ON THE PARTICULAR TYPE OF CANCER DISCOVERED, IT WOULD LIKELY DEPEND ON THE EXTENT OF SPREAD.

>> Reporter: CATHERINE SPOKE OF HER CHILDREN SAYING IT'S TAKEN TIME TO EXPLAIN GEORGE, CHARLOTTE, AND LOUIE, AND TO REASSURE THEM THAT SHE IS GOING TO BE OKAY.

SHE SPOKE ABOUT THE COMFORT OF HAVING PRINCE WILLIAM BY HER SIDE AND SHE SPOKE ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CANCER.

>> AT THIS TIME, I AM ALSO THINKING OF ALL THOSE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY CANCER.

FOR EVERYONE FACING THIS DISEASE, PLEASE DO NOT LOSE FAITH OR HOPE.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

>> Reporter: I AM MIKE VALERIO REPORTING.

>> PRINCESS KATE MARRIED PRINCE WILLIAM BACK IN 2011.

THEY HAVE THREE CHILDREN, 10-YEAR-OLD PRINCE GEORGE, 8-YEAR-OLD PRINCESS CHARLOTTE, AND 5-YEAR-OLD PRINCE LOUIS.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL HAVE QUIET WEATHER FOR YOU TOMORROW BUT THEN A WINTER STORM WILL BE MOVING IN ON SUNDAY AND COULD BRING SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOWFALL OVER A FEW DAYS.

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

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

NORTHERN ARTIST ASSOCIATION HOST CLASSES EVERY SATURDAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND ENJOY.

[♪♪♪] >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>>> THE RELATIONSHIP SAFETY ALLIANCE SPENT LAST SATURDAY SERVING BREAKFAST TO BRAINERD LAKES AREA RESIDENTS AS THE ORGANIZATION HELD A FLAPJACKS FOR SAFETY FUNDRAISER.

HELD AT THE APPLEBEES IN BAXTER FOR $15, R.S.A.

AFFILIATES SERVED PATRONS A HEARTY PLATE INCLUDING PANCAKES, SCRAMBLED EGGS, AND BACON.

BUT MORE THAN THAT, THE FUNDRAISER GAVE THE R.S.A.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER CONNECT WITH ITS COMMUNITY.

>> IF WE CAN HELP PEOPLE TO BECOME EMPOWERED TO GET OUT OF THEIR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION, TO GET THEM SOME HELP, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR.

SO AGAIN, CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND WHAT WE LOVE TO DO.

>> ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE FLAPJACKS FOR SAFETY FUNDRAISER WENT TOWARD THE R.S.A., AS WELL AS THE LOUISE SELISKI SHELTER, ALEX & BRANDON CHILD SAFETY CENTER, AND MORE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE www.relationshipsafety.org.

>>> AND NOW THE FORECAST MAKES ME WANT TO BREAK INTO SONG.

I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE EASTER.

IT LOOKS MORE LIKE CHRISTMAS THAN CHRISTMAS.

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE SNOW OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS WE HEAD THROUGH SUNDAY AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

WE HAVE A WINTER STORM WATCH FOR THE ENTIRE STATE AS THIS SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT US FOR AT LEAST A FEW DAYS.

>> 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, SOME OF US DID HAVE SOME LIGHT SNOW OVERNIGHT LAST NIGHT, BUT IT HAS BEEN QUIET TODAY.

IT'S GOING TO BE QUIET TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

HOWEVER, OUR FOCUS IS ON A LARGE WINTER STORM, WHICH WILL BE MOVING IN LATE TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT AND THEN CONTINUING FOR SEVERAL DAYS ACROSS THE AREA.

WE COULD PICK UP SOME SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL.

WE WILL SEE SOME STRONG WINDS, SO BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IS POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THIS SYSTEM.

IT'S GOING TO LAST FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

SO MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, 16 AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI.

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

OUR DEW POINT IS 0.

BRAINERD REPORTING CLEAR SKIES, 25 DEGREES, 0 IS THE DEW POINT, NORTH WINDS AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS OUT FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE STATE AND FOR US IT'S IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING AND TUESDAY MORNING.

SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 45 MILES PER HOUR WILL CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AND POSSIBLY SOME BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

AS FAR AS SNOWFALL TOTALS, THE HEAVIEST IS IMPACTING MAINLY CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BRAINERD LOOKING AT 8 TO 13 INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

WE COULD BE SEEING 15 TO 18 FURTHER SOUTH OF THAT.

HEADING MORE TO THE NORTH, 2 TO 7 INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

AGAIN, ADDING TO THAT, WE WILL HAVE THE STRONG WINDS OUT THERE AND EVEN SMALLER SNOWFALL AMOUNTS COULD STILL CAUSE SOME PROBLEMS.

IT IS QUIET TONIGHT, WE WILL BE SEEING MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES.

IT WILL BE COLD, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE LOWS DROPPING TO PARTS OF THE AREA, CLOSE TO 0, SOME TEENS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE AREA AND THEN WE START OUT WITH SUNSHINE TOMORROW, AND THEN WE SEE THE CLOUDS INCREASE IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON AND WE'LL START TO SEE THE SNOW DEVELOPING TOMORROWndING AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

THAT WILL PUSH IN AND OF COURSE MOVING ACROSS THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA ON SUNDAY MORNING.

TAKING A LOOK AT SOME WEATHER SHOTS SENT TO US, BEAUTIFUL SKIES THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND SAMROSE OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

DAN SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE CLOUDS OVER BRAINERD.

ANGELA CAPTURING A BALD EAGLE IN FLIGHT WITH A BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKY BACKGROUND IN CASS LAKE.

SANDY WITH A COUPLE OF SWANS ON THE OPEN WATER.

CHUCK SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A SPECTACULAR SUNSET.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING A LIGHT BREEZE.

SANDY IN BLACKDUCK, MOSTLY CLEAR, TOPPING OUT AT 29.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE TODAY, BUT WOKE UP TO ABOUT HALF AN INCH OF SNOW.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING CLEAR SKIES THIS EVENING.

ON OUR ALMANAC, IT WAS CHILLY, THE HIGH WAS 32 IN BRAINERD WITH A LOW OF 17 THIS MORNING.

BEMIDJI CLIMBING TO 28, 12 DEGREES WAS OUR LOW.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, CALM BEFORE THE SNOW, VARIABLE CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

WE START OUT WITH SUNSHINE AND THEN WE SEE THE CLOUDS INCREASING.

HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE 20s ACROSS MOST OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, ABOUT 31 IN PARK RAPIDS, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AGAIN, THE SUNSHINE STARTS THE DAY WITH INCREASING CLOUDS IN THE AFTERNOON AND HIGHS IN THE LOW 30s.

OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLEAR, LOWS DOWN TO 2 WITH NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, 28 FOR THE HIGH, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

SNOW BEGINS TO MOVE IN LATE TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT AND WE COULD BE SEEING LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCUMULATION WITH PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOWFALL ON SUNDAY, HEAVY ACCUMULATION ON MONDAY, PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS CREATING BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

THAT SNOW CONTINUES INTO TUESDAY AND THEN A SMALLER CHANCE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA ON WEDNESDAY.

SO SEVERAL DAYS OF SNOWFALL, HIGHS NEXT WEEK IN THE 20s.

BACK TO YOU JOSH.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH STACY.

WE GO FROM A CHANCE OF WHITEOUT CONDITIONS TO A COMPLETE WHITEOUT AT THE SANFORD CENTER.

>> Charlie: YOU WERE THERE.

>> Josh: YES, HIGH ENERGY, EXCITEMENT, SOLD OUTHOUSE.

I ONLY GOT TO SEE UP TO THE HALFWAY OF THE SECOND PERIOD.

>> Charlie: I STAYED UNTIL THE END SO I COULD GET YOU HIGHLIGHTS.

IT WAS AN ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE.

THE TOWELS, THE SEATS, NOT AN EMPTY SEAT IN THE HOUSE, BEEN SOLD OUT SINCE TUESDAY.

I HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT GAME AND WE'LL SEE WHO WINS THE MASON CUP AND PUNCHES THEIR TICKET TO THE NCAA >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE CENTER, OFFERING REPAIR SERVICES ON APPLE PRODUCTS AND P.C.S.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE LAST TIME BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY HOSTED A CONFERENCE TITLE GAME THEY WERE STILL IN THE C.H.A.

AND PLAYING AT THE JOHN GLASS FIELD HOUSE.

THAT WAS IN 2009, THE SAME YEAR THE THEY MADE THEIR CINDERELLA RUN TO THE FROZEN FOUR.

TONIGHT THE BEAVERS WERE ONCE AGAIN HOSTING A CONFERENCE TITLE GAME WITH A CHANCE TO CAPTURE BOTH THE REGULAR SEASON AND CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE SAME YEAR FOR JUST THE FIFTH TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY AND IF YOU'RE NOT SURE HOW A BIG A DEAL THAT IS.

WELL THE SANFORD CENTER HAS BEEN SOLD OUT SINCE TUESDAY FOR THE CCHA MASON CUP CHAMPIONSHIP BETWEEN BEMIDJI STATE AND MICHIGAN TECH.

WINNER HOISTS TO THE CUP AND GETS THE AUTO-BID TO THE NCAA TOURNEY.

IN THE FIRST PERIOD, BLINK AND YOU'LL MISS IT.

THE BEAVERS STRIKE FIRST BEHIND THE GOAL BY KASPER MAGNUSSEN, HIS SEVENTH OF THE SEASON.

IT'S 1-0, BUT LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER HUSKIES WOULD ANSWER THE BELL.

THE FRESHMAN DEFENSEMAN CHASE PIETALA CLEANING UP IN FRONT FOR HIS THIRD GOAL THIS YEAR.

ALL KNOTTED AT ONE.

AHEAD TO THE SECOND PERIOD, TECH PUSHING UP FOR A TWO ON ONE.

RYLAND MOSELEY PUTS A MOVE ON AND SENDS IT HOME, HIS 18TH.

THE HUSKIES TAKE THE LEAD.

IN THE THIRD, BEAVERS NEEDING SOME OFFENSE.

NOW HE IS AWESOME ALL NIGHT KICKS IT AWAY AND A SHOT BLOCKED AS WELL.

BSU WITH THE CHAMPS THERE, BUT HE CAN'T GET IT TO GO.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE FEBRUARY 3RD, BEMIDJI STATE SUFFER AS LOSS.

MICHIGAN TECH WIN IT IS MASON CUP BY A FINAL OF 2-1.

A HEARTBREAKING WAY TO FINISH THE SEASON BUT A LOT TO BE PROUD OF THE YOU'RE A BEAVER WINNING THE CUP, BEING THE REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS, AND THE CCHA UNBEATEN STRETCH THAT EXTEND SINCE JANUARY 19.

THE LAST TEAM TO BEAT THE BOOEFS WAS MICHIGAN TECH WITH A SCORE OF 2-1.

>>> WELL, THE BOYS STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT CONTINUED TODAY.

WE KICK OFF IN CLASS-A WHERE AFTER FIVE ATTEMPTS, NEVIS FINALLY BROKE THROUGH AND WON THEIR FIRST STATE QUARTERFINAL GAME BY BEATING MOUNTAIN LAKE AREA-COMFREY YESTERDAY 78-54 AT THE TARGET CENTER.

TODAY THE TIGER'S CONTINUED THE QUEST FOR THEIR PROGRAMS FIRST EVER STATE TITLE IN THE SEMIFINALS BUT WHILE THE TERRITORY MAY BE UNFAMILIAR, THEIR OPPONENT IS NOT.

NEVIS TIPPING OFF WITH CHERRY AT WILLIAMS ARENA.

THE TEAMS SECOND CLASH OF THE SEASON WITH CHERRY WINNING THE FIRST MEETING 73-57.

EARLY IN THE FIRST HALF, ISAAC AHSOOMUH FINDS HIS BROTHER NOAH, KNOCKS DOWN ONE OF HIS FOUR THREES.

HE FINISHED WITH 20 POINTS.

CHERRY LEADS 5-0.

LATER NEVIS TRAILING 19-8, DOES THE POPE WEAR A FUNNY HAT?

NO.

HE KNOCKS DOWN TREY'S.

JOHN PAUL BENSON, 12 POINTS, 4 FOR 9 FROM THREE, CUTS THE LEAD TO 8.

A FEW MINUTES LATER, BENSON'S SHOT OFF THE MARK BUT ALEX LESTER, RIGHT PLACE RIGHT TIME.

HE LED NEVIS WITH 18 POINTS.

LEAD IS BACK WITHIN SINGLE DIGITS.

NEXT POSSESSION, CHRISTIAN MOE TAKES IT TO BE THE PAINT.

HE ADDED 8 POINTS.

IT'S 26-19.

NEVIS WOULD BRING IT TO WITHIN FIVE BUT THEY COULD NOT STOP ISAAC AHSOOMUH ON THE OTHER END.

HE TIED HIS BROTHER WITH 20 POINTS AND BOLSTERED CHERRY TO A 76-58 WIN OVER NEVIS, SNAPPING THE GREEN AND GOLD'S SIX GAME WIN STREAK.

NEVIS WILL NOW PLAY WEST CENTRAL AREA SCHOOL FOR THIRD PLACE TOMORROW AT GANGELHOFF CENTER.

TIP OFF IS 10:00 A.M.

IN CLASS 2A, PEQUOT LAKES BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYING IN THEIR THIRD CONSECUTIVE CONSOLATION FINAL TAKING ON JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL.

WE PICK UP MIDWAY THROUGH THE SECOND HALF.

CARSON WITH THE PUT BACK, GETS THE AND ONE AND JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL LEADS IT 41-36.

BLAKE PLOWS HIS WAY TO THE RACK, HE HAD 6, BRINGING THE PATRIOTS WITHIN 3.

AFTER A STOP ON THE OTHER END, HE IS LEFT ALONE FROM BEHIND THE ARK, TYING THINGS AT 41-41.

THEN PEQUOT LAKES WITH A CHANCE TO TAKE THE LEAD.

COUNT THE BASKET, HE MAKES THE FREE THROW, PUTS THEM UP BY 3 AND PEQUOT LAKES GOES ON TO WIN FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, 51-44 OVER JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL.

>>> ALSO IN THE NBA, THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES GET A WIN OVER THE CAVALIERS TONIGHT.

>> Josh: BACK TO THE BEAVERS HOCKEY GAME, A GREAT SEASON AND NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT.

HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH.

>> Charlie: IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME WATCHING THEM AND THEY GAVE THE TOWN A LOT TO -- >> Josh: BROUGHT OUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

>> Charlie: EXACTLY.

>> Josh: THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> FOR THIS WEEK IN FOCUS REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS VISITED THE NORTHERN ARTIST ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY ARISITC ADVENTURE FREE CLASS.

>> Reporter: NORTHERN ARTIST ASSOCIATION WAS FOUNDED IN 1970 BY A GROUP OF LOCAL ARTISTS.

THIS GROUP WANTED TO SPREAD THE KNOWLEDGE OF ART AND PROVIDE ART ACTIVITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING AREA.

>> WE SPONSOR ART EDUCATION THROUGH FREE CLASSES, SPEAKERS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND WE EXHIBIT AT THE BEMIDJI PUBLIC LIBRARY.

>> Reporter: AFTER RECEIVING AN ART GRANT, THE NORTHERN ARTIST ASSOCIATION PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF BEMIDJI IN OFFERING THE COMMUNITY ARTIST ADVENTURE FREE CLASSES.

EVER SINCE THE CLASSES STARTED, THERE'S BEEN A FULL HOUSE AND MORE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ART.

>> THE CLASS WE DID TODAY WAS CALLED CAPTURING THE SIGN WITH ACRYLICS.

WE DID A LAKEVIEW WITH THE SUNRISE OVER THE WATER.

WE HAD 12 DIFFERENT STUDENTS AND 12 VERY, VERY DIFFERENT SUNRISES HAPPENED.

YEAH, IT'S BEEN FUN.

>> Reporter: IN EVERY CLASS, THE ARTIST IS NOT JUST TEACHING, BUT THEY ARE LEARNING FROM THEIR STUDENTS.

>> I LOVE BEING ABLE TO TEACH AND I LEARNED A LOT TOO WHEN I AM TEACHING.

I LEARNED MORE PATIENCE THAN -- YOU HAVE TO HAVE PATIENCE TO TEACH.

>> Reporter: EACH CLASS PROVIDES A DIFFERENT ART EXPERIENCE.

IT GIVES COMMUNITY MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY NEW THINGS AND LEARN FROM THEM.

>> THESE CLASSES BRING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY TO TRY SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVEN'T TRIED BEFORE AT NO COST TO THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS RECEIVED SUPPLIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES AND CAN TAKE THEM HOME WITH THEM AFTER COMPLETING THEIR PROJECT.

>> ALSO, THE GIFT INCLUDES BRUSHES, PAINT, AND MY RULES FOR PAINTING CHEAT SHEET, SO HOPEFULLY IT WILL HELP THEM LEARN TO APPRECIATE PAINTING AND PAINT MORE AND THE TAKE HOME KIT IS POSSIBLE BY THE GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED.

THAT'S PRETTY AWESOME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Josh: THAT WRAPS IT UP FOR US HERE TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK MONDAY NIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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