>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED IN PART BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> 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.

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

>>> A SHOOTING ON SUNDAY EVENING LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD AND A CASS COUNTY DEPUTY INJURED.

ACCORDING TO THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE.

A CALL WAS MADE TO THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF AFTER THERE WERE REPORTS OF GUNFIRE IN TURTLE LAKE TOWNSHIP, A FEW MILES EAST OF WALKER, AROUND 4:30 P.M.

WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED ON SCENE THEY APPROACHED THE SUSPECT WHO FLED ON FOOT.

AFTER A BRIEF CHASE, GUNFIRE WAS EXCHANGED BETWEEN DEPUTIES AND THE SUSPECT, KILLING THE SUSPECT AND INJURING ONE DEPUTY WHO WAS AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL WITH A WOUND TO HIS UPPER THIGH.

THE DEPUTY HAS SINCE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL AND IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY.

ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON CRITICAL INCIDENT LEAVE AS THE MINNESOTA BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION INVESTIGATES.

>>> BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS SEEKING COMMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD WITH POTENTIAL BUDGET CUTS.

THE DISTRICT CREATED A SHORT SURVEY TO GAUGE THE PUBLIC'S DESIRES ON POTENTIAL CHANGES COMING TO NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

THE DISTRICT IS CURRENTLY FACING A 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS DEFICIT THAT COULD CLIMB AS HIGH AS $5 MILLION IN THE NEXT YEAR.

BUT THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A GAUGE ON HOW THE COMMUNITY FEELS BEFORE MAKING ANY SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM CUTS OR CHANGES.

>> SO WE WANT TO USE THAT DATA SO WE HAVE A GUIDANCE FROM THE PUBLIC SIDE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT VERY MUCH.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME ON OUR SIDE, SO WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE THE QUICKEST WAY TO GET A PULSE FROM THE COMMUNITY OF WHAT THEY VALUE, WHAT THEY DON'T VALUE.

>> THE DEADLINE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY IS THIS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST, TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY, HEAD TO THE WEB ADDRESS YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN.

>>> THE PATHS TO DIGNITY PROJECT BRINGS MUSICAL PERFORMANCES TO DIFFERENT HOMELESS COMMUNITIES, AND OVER THE PAST WEEK ORGANIZERS TEAMED UP WITH THE BEMIDJI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PUT ON A PERFORMANCE FOR LOCAL PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS, TO BRING SOME LIGHT TO THEIR DAY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK ATTENDED ONE PERFORMANCE, AND SPOKE TO PROJECT FOUNDERS ABOUT THEIR MISSION.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: THE PATH TO DIGNITY PROJECT WAS FORMULATED SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO BRING MUSIC TO HOMELESS COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY, WITH THE MISSION TO SHARE THEIR STORIES AND RESTORE HOPE IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY WITH HOMELESSNESS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

>> AND THE PEACE THAT IS FEATURED IS A CONCERTO WRITE BY MY DEAR FRIEND LUCAS RICHMOND, AND THE SYMPHONY AS AN ORGANIZATION INTO THE COMMUNITY, IT'S BENEFITTING BOTH.

MUSIC JUST DOES SO MUCH GOOD FOR EVERYBODY AND THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY NEEDS, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL ABOUT STORYTELLING AND THEY NEED THEIR STORIES TOLD AND UNDERSTOOD AND HEARD.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP HAD SEVERAL BEMIDJI PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING AT THE COMMUNITY TABLE, THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, AND THE DAY CENTER.

THE CONCERTO WAS PLAYED WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SHARING MORE THAN JUST SONGING.

[♪♪♪] >> THE FIRST MOVEMENT IS CALLED OUR STORIES.

SO IT'S NOT JUST THE HOMELESS STORIES, BUT OUR STORIES, ONES THAT ARE UNIVERSAL AND SOME SPECIFIC.

THE SECOND IS MOVE, A JAZZY MOVEMENT, BUT THAT'S WHAT HOMELESS PEOPLE HEAR TOO OFTEN, MOVE, GET OUT OF HERE.

>> Reporter: EVEN WITH RESPONSES LIKE THIS IS MY STORY, THEN I HEAR YOU, I SEE YOU.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: THE PATH TO DIGNITY HOPES TO HAVE A LONGER LASTING EFFECT THAN JUST A ONE TIME CONCERT.

>> IT GIVES ME HOPE, YOU KNOW?

I THINK IT BRINGS HOPE.

THE CONCERTO ITSELF ENDS VERY HOPEFUL.

>> PEOPLE SAY I THINK I'M READY FOR THERAPY AND TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN MY LIFE.

ALL FOR MUSIC.

MUSIC DOES A LOT OF GOOD.

IT SAYS WHAT WE CAN'T SAY WITH WORDS.

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

>> ALONG WITH PLAYING THEIR SHOWS, THE ORCHESTRA ALSO COLLECTED WINTER HATS, SCARVES, AND MITTENS TO DISTRIBUTE TO THOSE IN NEED IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>>> THANKSGIVING IS IN TEN DAYS AND TRAVELERS ALREADY HAVE A REASON TO BE THANKFUL.

THE F.A.A.

'S FLIGHT CUTS ENDED THIS MORNING.

AMY KILEY REPORTS, THEY AFFECTED AT LEAST FOUR PERCENT OF AIR TRAFFIC AT 40 MAJOR AIRPORTS.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SMOOTH, HOPEFULLY THANKSGIVING TRAVEL SEASON.

>> Reporter: AIRLINES ARE RESUMING THEIR NORMAL SCHEDULES IN THE U.S.

TODAY.

THE F.A.A.

SAYS THEY'RE LIFTING FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS THAT AFFECTED 40 MAJOR AIRPORTS DURING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

A JOINT STATEMENT FROM THAT AGENCY AND THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY CITES "SAFETY TRENDS AND THE STEADY DECLINE OF TRAFFIC TRIGGER EVENTS".

IT DOES APPEAR THAT THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ARE WORKING AND THEY ARE GETTING BONUSES IF THEY CAME TO WORK.

SO THE MORALE IS UP.

>> Reporter: UNION LEADERS SAY IT WAS HARD FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS TO WORK FULL TIME WITHOUT PAY DURING THE SHUTDOWN.

>> THE STRESS, THE PRESSURE, THE FATIGUE IS SETTING IN.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ARE TEXTING I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR TO GO TO WORK.

>> Reporter: AND THANKSGIVING WEEKEND IS THE BUSIEST TRAVEL WEEKEND OF THE YEAR.

PASSENGERS STILL CHECK AIRLINE APPS FOR DELAYS OR CANCELATIONS.

>> THE THINGS WE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR ARE WEATHER-RELATED INCIDENTS THAT COULD THROW THE SYSTEM OUT OF WHACK OR OUTAGES, BUT OVERALL, I THINK THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD.

>> Reporter: I'M AMY KILEY REPORTING.

>> ACCORDING TO THE WEBSITE FLIGHT AWARE ONE FLIGHT WAS CANCELLED AT THE MINNEAPOLIS ST.

PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TODAY AND 70 WERE DELAYED.

>>> IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO ON BLACK FRIDAY THIS YEAR REMEMBER THAT ENTRANCE TO ALL MINNESOTA STATE PARKS IS FREE THAT DAY.

THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

OFFERS FOUR FREE PARK DAYS EACH SEASON AND THE ONE FOR THIS QUARTER ALWAYS COMES THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING.

D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY THE FREE PARK DAYS ARE TO ENSURE EVERYONE HAS THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE PEACE AND BEAUTY OF MINNESOTAS STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS.

ALL 75 STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS IN THE STATE ARE WAIVING THEIR ENTRANCE FEES ON NOVEMBER 28TH, ALTHOUGH THE PARKS WILL BE MINIMALLY STAFFED THAT DAY.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO HAVE QUIET WEATHER THROUGH TOMORROW, BUT WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN AND POSSIBLY SOME SNOW SHOWERS AROUND MIDWEEK.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, ONE BEMIDJI FAMILY HAS HOPES OF REVITALIZING THE PAUL BUNYAN MALL, STARTING WITH TWO NEW BU [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN, [♪♪♪] >>> THE KITCHIGAMI REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM HOSTED AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR MARY CASANOVA THROUGHOUT EACH OF ITS LOCATIONS EARLIER THIS MONTH.

REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE FOR HER STOP AT THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE STORY.

>> Reporter: FROM NOVEMBER 3RD THROUGH THE 15th, CASANOVA HELD INTERACTIVE DECISIONS ABOUT HER WRITING PROCESS AND THE POWER OF STORYTELLING.

>> IT'S A NEW PROGRAM, IT'S REALLY EXCITING.

IT'S CALLED BEYOND THE MARGINS THEY ARE LAUNCHING.

IT'S IDEALLY AIMED AT TEENS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BOOKS, WRITING, AND WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM, WHETHER SOMEONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR OR A BETTER WRITER, THIS IS FOR THAT WIDE RANGE.

>> Reporter: CASANOVA HAS MINNESOTA BLOOD THROUGH AND THROUGH, FROM BEING BORN IN DULUTH, GROWING UP IN ST.

PAUL, AND NOW LIVING IN THE MINNESOTA-CANADA BORDER, AN AREA WHERE SHE DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM HER WORK.

>> WRITERS HAVE TO BLOOM WHERE THEY ARE PLANTED.

I HEARD OF AN ISLAND THAT BROUGHT IN AN ARTS GROUP.

I INVITED A FEW OF MY FRIENDS AND WHAT CAN I START.

THAT BECAME A WRITERS GROUP FOR ME.

IT HAS PROFOUNDLY IMPACTED MY WRITING, KEPT ME GOING THROUGH REALLY HARD TIMES.

>> Reporter: CASANOVA COMPOSED OVER 40 BOOKS, INCLUDING PICTURE BOOKS, CHAPTER BOOKS, MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS, YOUNG ADULT NOVELS, AND AMERICAN GIRL NOVELS.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE DRAWS FOR MARY, SHE IS SUCH A GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKER AND SHE HAS THE CAPABILITY OF REACHING OUT TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT PATRONS AND SHE WRITTEN A LOT OF BOOKS WITH DIFFERENT TOPICS.

>> WRITING IS MYSTERIOUS TO ME, WHY EACH OF US WRITES WHAT WE WRITE, WHY I FEEL COMPELLED TO WRITE THE STORIES.

>> Reporter: CASANOVA NOTES THAT IT'S THE WRITER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO WRITE SOMETHING FROM THE HEART AND GIVE SOMETHING OF LASTING VALUE TO THE READER, SOMETHING THAT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM'S MISSION IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE CAN RELATE TO.

>> IF IT DOESN'T COME FROM THE HEART, I DON'T HAVE THE ENERGY TO PUT INTO IT.

>> SHE IS A REPRESENTATION OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND SHE HAS GONE OUT, SO A LIBRARY SYSTEM WANTS TO BE A GREAT REPRESENTATION AND A GREAT PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO I THINK THEY BOTH ALIGN WELL.

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

>> CASANOVA WILL BE JOINING KITCHIGAMI'S BEYOND THE MARGINS PROGRAM ONCE AGAIN IN THE SPRING.

SHE WILL BE CONDUCTING A WRITING WORKSHOP AND A BOOK CLUB ON HER PIECE ICE OUT.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, WE'RE ABOUT ICED IN PRETTY SOON.

>> Stacy: IT'S BEEN COLD ENOUGH.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME ICE FORMING ON THE LAKE, BUT NOTHING THAT LASTED FOR THE MOST PART, BUT WE ARE SEEING SOME COOLER AIR BEGINNING TO MOVE INTO THE STATE.

STILL LOOKING AT ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES AND CHILLY TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT AND THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CHANCE FOR PRECIPITATION AROUND MIDWEEK.

I' [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE GOT TO ENJOY SOME BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE AREA TODAY AND IT LOOKS LIKE QUIET WEATHER IS STICKING AROUND FOR TOMORROW.

AS WE HEAD INTO MIDWEEK, WE HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN AND SOME SNOW SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

THEN IT WILL BE MOVING OUT AND QUIET WEATHER IS BACK TO END THE WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 21 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT WEST WIND AND HUMIDITY AT 73%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 32 DEGREES.

14 IS OUR DEW POINT, WE HAVE A RISING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE AND WINDS ARE OUT OF THE NORTHEAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING CLEAR SKIES ACROSS MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA, A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOUD COVER IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND IN FACT, THERE MAY BE SOME WINTERY MIX OF PRECIPITATION IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE.

FOR US, IT LOOKS LIKE QUIET WEATHER, ANOTHER QUIET DAY TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE AVERAGE, HIGHS IN THE 40s, AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WEEK, WE HAVE SOME CHANCES OF RAIN AND SOME SNOW SHOWERS.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

THE AURORA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG FROM GARY TODAY.

WE HAVE THIS PICTURE OF THE MORNING SKIES FROM MENAHGA FROM ARLENE AND SAMROSE CAPTURING THE BLUE SKIES WITH A FEW CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE AROUND NOON TODAY.

RALPH SPOTTING AN EAGLE IN THE TREES.

GORGEOUS EVENING SKIES, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 16 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

RALPH IN JENKINS WITH A HIGH OF 40.

SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE, 30 AND CALM THIS EVENING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT WITH A HIGH OF 40.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS, LOW OF 20.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, 20 WITH A HIGH OF 39.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 39.

THAT IS THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR THE STATE.

WE STARTED OUT WITH A LOW OF 18, THE SUNRISE WAS AT 7:22.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 39, A BIT ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH, 10 DEGREES FOR THE LOW, AND SUNSET AT 4:41.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE A QUIET DAY, A LOT OF SUNSHINE EARLY ON IN THE DAY, A LOT OF CLEAR SKIES, GATHERING CLOUDS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE QUIET THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

AS FAR AS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES GO, UPPER 30s IN THAT FAR NORTHWEST CORNER, BUT A LOT OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA WILL BE SEEING THOSE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW TO MAYBE EVEN PUSHING INTO THE MID-40s.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE ARE IN FACT LOOKING AT MID-40s FOR OUR HIGHS, A LOT OF TEMPERATURES AROUND THE 44 DEGREE MARK.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, WE'LL SEE LOWS DROPPING TO 21, WITH VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW, HIGHS NEAR 42, AND SOUTHEAST WINDS UP TO 10.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, WE DO HAVE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW ON WEDNESDAY, BUT A BETTER CHANCE OF SEEING SOME PRECIPITATION, MAINLY IN THE FORM OF RAIN, COULD SEE A MIX OF SNOW IN THERE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

A FEW COULD LINGER INTO THURSDAY MORNING.

HIGH TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE TIME PERIOD LOOK TO BE AROUND THE 40 DEGREE MARK.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, QUIETER WEATHER RETURNS, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON FRIDAY, STARTING TO SEE MORE CLOUD COVER AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING A LITTLE BIT THIS WEEKEND AS WELL WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-40s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

BSU WOMEN'S SOCCER GOT A LOOK AT WHAT THEIR PLAYOFF FATE IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Charlie: YES, THEY HAD THE SELECTION SHOW AND THEY WEREN'T SURE HOW THINGS WERE GOING TO HAPPEN FOR THEM, ESPECIALLY NOT ADVANCING TO THE FINALS ON SUNDAY.

TONIGHT, THEY WERE SITTING AND AWAITING THEIR FATE.

WE WERE THERE WITH A FIRST LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS ON WHERE THEY WILL BE PLAYING COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> NOTHING IS EVER A FOREGONE CONCLUSION, BUT BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S SOCCER WAS PRETTY SURE THEY WERE MAKING THIS YEAR'S NCAA TOURNAMENT.

THEY WERE RANKED 2ND IN THE CENTRAL REGION HEADING LAST FRIDAY'S NSIC SEMIFINAL MATCH WITH SAINT CLOUD STATE, HOWEVER.

THEY WOULD PLAY THE HUSKIES TO A DRAW AND DID NOT ADVANCE ON P.K.

'S, CASTING DOUBT ON WHETHER THEY WOULD REMAIN AS ONE OF THE TOP TWO TEAMS AND WITH IT, EARN A BID TO HOST.

WELL, THIS WAS THE SCENE JUST A FEW HOURS AGO WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED THE BEAVERS WERE LOCKED IN FOR THE 2-SEED AND WOULD HOST THE FIRST AND SECOND ROUND GAMES AT CHET ANDERSON STADIUM.

IT'S THE THIRD TIME IN THE PROGRAM'S 30-YEAR HISTORY THAT THEY HAVE DONE SO, FIRST SINCE 2022, AND THEIR SIXTH OVERALL NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE.

>> WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE GOING TO BE LIKE.

IT WAS SO EXCITING.

I MEAN LITERALLY, IT WAS ON CAMERA.

WE HAD HAPPY TEARS.

WE'RE SO HAPPY TO PLAY ANOTHER GAME AT THE CHET AND TAKE OUR SEASON FARTHER AND KEEP GOING.

>> IT WAS SUPER SPECIAL.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DREAM OF THIS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TEAMS GO TO THE TOURNAMENT, SO BEING ONE OF THEM AND HOSTING, IT'S AN INCREDIBLE FEELING.

>> BSU WILL PLAY 7-SEED CENTRAL MISSOURI IN THE FIRST ROUND ON FRIDAY AT 1:00 P.M, WINNER WILL TAKE ON THE WINNER OF THE OTHER REGIONAL GAME BETWEEN 3-SEED SAINT CLOUD STATE AND 6-SEED PITTSBURG STATE, THE MULES HAVE DEFEATED THE BEAVERS IN ALL THREE OF THEIR MEETINGS.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WITH THEIR FIRST HOME GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON TONIGHT TAKING ON MINNESOTA MORRIS.

NOW THIS WAS NOT CLOSE FOR MOST OF THE GAME.

RIGHT BEFORE THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER, OFF THE STEEL, KENDRA WITH 2 OF HER 10 POINTS OF THE NIGHT.

3-POINTER, THE BEAVERS MADE 18 OF THEM AND NO SURPRISE FOR FOLKS FROM CASS LAKE.

GABBY HAD THREE OF THEM, 16 POINTS, 5 REBOUNDS, 5 ASSISTS FROM THE JUNIOR GUARD FROM WISCONSIN.

BSU GOES ON TO WIN 85-53.

THEY SHOT 42% FROM THE FIELD AND A 45% FROM THREE, BUT TURNOVERS, THEY HAD 18 OF THEM.

REGARDLESS, THEY ARE 2-0 TO START THE YEAR.

>>> THE TIMBERWOLVES WIN THEIR GAME, 120-96.

ON SATURDAY, BSU MEN'S HOCKEY TRYING TO MAKE IT A 5-POINT WEEKEND AFTER WINNING THE EXTRA POINT.

FIRST PERIOD, NO SCORE, RILEY FROM THE RED LINE, THINKS HE HAS HIS FIFTH GOAL OF THE SEASON, THE REF SAID HE HAS A GOAL, BUT A RAZOR THIN MARGIN.

IT'S 1-0 BEAVS AFTER 1.

NOW KNOTS THE GAME AT 1-1 AND IT WILL STAY THAT WAY UNTIL OVERTIME.

BEMIDJI STATE PLAYED IN FIVE OVERTIME GAMES, ALL CCHA GAMES, BUT THEY FINALLY GET MAX NETTING THE GAME WINNER.

IT'S A THREE POINT WEEKEND FOR THE BEAVS.

THEY REMAIN FIRST PLACE IN THE STANDINGS, ALTHOUGH NOW TIED WITH BOWLING GREEN, THEY RETURN HOME WITH A SERIES AGAINST NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

IN WOMEN'S COLLEGE HOCKEY, MINNESOTA BEATS BEMIDJI STATE 9-2.

ON SATURDAY, BSU HOSTING U-MARY FOR THEIR FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON, BEAVERS COME IN WITH A 10-GAME WIN STREAK ON THE MAURADERS.

FIRST QUARTER, NO SCORE, BEMIDJI STATE BANGED UP AT THE RUNNING BACK POSITION, SO ISAIAH TISDALE STEPPING UP, RUMBLES INTO THE ENDZONE, IT'S 7-0 BEAVS.

AHEAD TO THE SECOND, SAME SCORE, AFTER A U-MARY TURNOVER, IT'S TISDALE AGAIN, THIS TIME FROM 13-YARDS OUT, HIS SECOND SCORE OF THE DAY MAKES IT 14-0.

ON THEIR NEXT DRIVE, BART MACANINCH 31-YARD STRIKE TO ELLIOT LOWNEY, IT'S JUST THE REDSHIRT JUNIORS THIRD CATCH OF THE SEASON, FIRST TOUCHDOWN OF HIS COLLEGIATE CAREER, HAS THE BEAVERS UP 21-0 AT THE HALF.

THEY'D GO ON TO WIN 34-21, IMPROVING THEIR FINAL RECORD TO 4-7.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES, WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL, 3-0.

MEN'S BASKETBALL, THEY FALL TO SOUTHERN ARKANSAS.

YESTERDAY, FORMER BSU FOOTBALL WIDOUT WON THE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S GRAY CUP WITH THE SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS.

HE PLAYED AT BEMIDJI STATE FROM 2019 THROUGH 2023 BEFORE BEING DRAFTED BY THE CFL, BY THE ROUGHRIDERS.

IT WAS HIS BEST SEASON WITH THE FRANCHISE.

NOT A BAD WAY TO FINISH THAT YEAR, COOL TO SEE HIM DO THAT.

HE'S THE FIRST PLAYER TO EVER WIN, FROM BSU TO WIN A GRAY CUP.

>> Dennis: AWESOME.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE PAUL BUNYAN MALL IN BEMIDJI HAS BEEN A STAPLE OF THE COMMUNITY FOR NEARLY HALF A CENTURY.

THE MALL HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS COMPARED TO ITS HEYDAY.

BUT FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE TO ONE FAMILY WHO HOPES TO CHANGE THE OUTLOOK OF THE MALL WITH A FEW NEW SHOPS, WITH ONE OF THEM GEARED TOWARD THE NEURODIVERGENT COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: WHAT WAS ONCE A POPULAR HANG OUT SPOT IN THE '80s, '90s, AND THE 2000s, MALLS HAVE BECOME QUIETER OVER THE YEARS.

>> ONE LOOK AT THE RELATIVELY EMPTY HALLWAY OF THE PAUL BUNYAN MALL IN BEMIDJI AND YOU MAY ASSUME THIS MALL IS ON THEIR LAST LEG.

ONE FAMILY IS HOPING TO BRING CUSTOMERS BACK, STARTING WITH TWO NEW BUSINESSES.

>> I WANTED TO PROVIDE SPACE TO HAVE FUN.

>> Reporter: A NEW STORE GEARED TOWARDS THE NEURODIVERGENT COMMUNITY, A SPACE FOR KIDS ON THE SPECTRUM TO PLAY TOO.

>> THERE'S NOT REALLY ANYWHERE IN TOWN YOU CAN GET THAT.

SO WE WANT TO INCLUDE THAT HERE AND MAKE A WELCOMING SPACE FOR ANYONE TO COME IN AND JUST PLAY.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO HOME WITH ANYTHING, THEY CAN JUST COME PLAY.

>> THE STUFF ON THE SHELVES IS TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES I LIKE TO DO IN HERE AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IN THE MALL.

>> Reporter: THE NEWEST EATERY WITH A UNIQUE WAY OF MAKING ICE CREAM.

>> IT'S A PROCESS, IT'S TIME CONSUMING, BUT PEOPLE LOVE IT.

IT'S GOING OVER REAL GOOD.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE ORDERED ANOTHER ONE.

IT'S A BIG HIT AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN KEEP IT THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: BOTH OF THEM ARE OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SAME FAMILY.

THE GRANDPARENTS RUN THE CAFE.

7 GRANDCHILDREN IN TOTAL, SOME WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISABILITIES ARE HOPING TO MAKE THESE BUSINESSES A SUCCESS AND MAKING THE PAUL BUNYAN MALL A DESTINATION ONCE AGAIN.

>> IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK FOR EVERYBODY, BUT IT WILL WORK FOR US.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS OWNERSHIP HAS BEEN IN MY FAMILY.

MY MOM HAS BEEN A BUSINESS OWNER HER WHOLE LIFE.

THEY OWN ADD COFFEE SHOP WHEN I WAS LITTLE.

I SEE IT IN MY KIDS, THEY HAVE THE SAME DRIVE, PASSION, AND CREATIVITY.

>> WE HAVE THE FAMILY HELP AND GET THIS PAINTED UP AND CLEANED UP AND WE'RE PROUD OF THE FAMILY.

WE'RE VERY PROUD.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> SENSORIES ALSO HAS PLANS TO EXTEND PART OF THEIR STORE INTO A SENSORY SAFE BIRTHDAY AND EVENT CENTER.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE LAST CHECK OF OUR WEATHER.

WE GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING QUIET WEATHER TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS IN THE AREA TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 21.

THEN LOOKING AT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR 42, SOUTHEAST WINDS UP TO 10.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]