>> 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.

; KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE, AND HOME PHONE.

LEARN MORE AT 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 WITH LOCAL NEW FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER, AND MILES WALKER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

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

>>> MINNESOTA STATE IS CONSIDERING REALLOCATING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM ITS COLLEGES TO SUPPORT TWO FINANCIALLY UNSTABLE UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS SET TO VOTE WEDNESDAY ON THE PLAN FOR THE 27O,000STUDENT SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES 26 COLLEGES AND SEVEN UNIVERSITIES.

IT WHICH WOULD ALLOW UP TO $25 MILLION TO BE REALLOCATED ANNUALLY FOR FOUR YEARS, PRIMARILY FROM TWO-YEAR SCHOOLS.

TOGETHER, ST.

CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY AND BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY WOULD RECEIVE ABOUT $15 MILLION.

BSU WOULD RECEIVE $4.8 MILLION OF THAT.

OFFICIALS DESCRIBE THE PROPOSAL AS A STOPGAP UNTIL THEY FIX A SYSTEMWIDE $31.5 MILLION DEFICIT.

CRITICS ARGUE IT RISKS CREATING FINANCIAL PRESSURES FOR OTHER INSTITUTIONS SERVING STUDENTS EFFECTIVELY.

>>> A 30-YEAR-OLD LAKEVILLE MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO FIVE-YEARS IN PRISON FOR CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE FENTANYL TO BEMIDJI AND THE RED LAKE INDIAN RESERVATION.

MARQUISE JAVON WALKER WAS SENTENCED IN U.S.

DISTRICT COURT TODAY.

HE HAD PLEADED GUILTY ON APRIL 3RD.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, STARTING NO LATER THAN MARCH 31ST OF, 2024, AND CONTINUING THROUGH AT LEAST SEPTEMBER 10TH OF THAT YEAR, WALKER ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING WITH OTHERS TO DISTRIBUTE FENTANYL AND OTHER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

ON MARCH 31ST OF 2024, THE DEFENDANT DROVE FROM THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA TO BEMIDJI, TO ASSIST A CO-CONSPIRATOR'S DRUG DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES.

ON APRIL 13TH OF 2024, THE DEFENDANT'S CO-CONSPIRATOR SOLD APPROXIMATELY 48 GRAMS OF FENTANYL TO A BUYER.

IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS, LAW ENFORCEMENT SEIZED AN ADDITIONAL APPROXIMATELY 267 GRAMS OF FENTANYL AS WELL AS 29.5 GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE FROM THE DEFENDANT'S CO-CONSPIRATOR THROUGH A SERIES OF CONTROLLED PURCHASES.

WALKER'S CO-DEFENDANTS, 40-YEAR-OLD LA'VEAL O. ALLEN OF MINNEAPOLIS, AND 38-YEAR-OLD MICHAELA K. MCKINNEY OF NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA, ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING SENTENCING.

>>> THE BEMIDJI AREA ARTS ENDOWMENT HOSTS ONE MAJOR EVENT EVERY YEAR TO FUNDRAISE MONEY TO KEEP THE ENDOWMENT RUNNING, AND BE ABLE TO GIVE ART GRANTS TO THE COMMUNITY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO BOARD MEMBERS AHEAD OF THIS YEAR'S EVENT, WHICH WILL BE AN ART AUCTION.

>> WORKING OURND UNDER THE NORTHWEST FOUNDATION UMBRELLA, THE ARTS ENDOWMENT HAS GIVEN NEARLY $240,000 IN GRANTS TO LOCAL ART ORGANIZATIONS TO FUND ARTS PROGRAMS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1998.

>> THIS PAST SPRING, WE GAVE $22,000 TO ART ORGANIZATIONS TO FUND PROJECTS SUCH AS THEATER PRODUCTION, MUSIC RESIDENCIES, YOUTH ART CAMPS, PUBLIC ART INITIATIVES, POETRY PROGRAMS, AND CULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, THE NON-PROFIT'S FIRST EVER ONLINE ART AUCTION WILL BE THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT, STARTING UP A NEW PROGRAM THROUGH THE ART LEGACY PROJECT.

>> THE INTENTION OF THE ART LEGACY PROJECT IS TO CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF LOCAL ART AND TO HELP BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE ARTS PROGRAMS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE 20 PIECES THAT WERE DONATED BY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF SOME VERY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS FROM OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING MARLEY, JOHN, PAT, PAM, MARLIN, AND DON, AND JOAN.

>> THE ONLINE AUCTION WENT LIVE ON OCTOBER 10TH ON BEMIDJI ART.

IT WILL END ON AN IN-PERSON EVENT ON THE 24th.

>> THE EVENT THIS YEAR WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 24TH AT THE LOFT IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI.

IT WILL INCLUDE A PERFORMANCE, LIKE I SAID, AND LIVE AUCTION TO HELP US EXPAND THE ENDOWMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> TICKETS FOR THE IN-PERSON AUCTION IS ALSO BEING SOLD ONLINE, BUT THERE ARE ONLY 100 PLACES TO BE SOLD AND TICKET SALES WILL CLOSE ONCE CAPACITY IS REACHED.

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

>> THE IN-PERSON AUCTION EVENT AT THE LOFT EVENT CENTER WILL BEGIN AT 5:30 P.M.

ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH.

BIDDING FOR THE PIECES WILL CLOSE AT 7:30 IN THE EVENING, AND THE ARTWORKS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE HIGHEST BIDDERS.

>>> THE VATICAN SAYS POPE LEO HAS LUNG CANCER AND HAD THE LOWER LOBE OF HIS RIGHT LUNG REMOVED.

THE SURGERY TUESDAY CONFIRMED THE CANCER.

THE 71-YEAR-OLD WAS IN THE OPERATING ROOM FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS, WITH THE SURGERY LASTING 90 MINUTES.

THE VATICAN STATED THE SURGERY WAS SUCCESSFUL WITH NO COMPLICATIONS.

LEO RETURNED TO HIS HOSPITAL ROOM IN ROME AFTER THE PROCEDURE.

THE AMERICAN PONTIFF HAD REVEALED THE DISCOVERY OF A NODULE DURING HIS SUNDAY PRAYER AND ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR ITS REMOVAL.

ONCOLOGISTS SAY HIS PROGNOSIS IS EXCELLENT SINCE IT WAS REMOVED EARLY.

>>> VOTING IS RAMPING UP AROUND THE COUNTRY AS NOVEMBER'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS QUICKLY APPROACH.

TEN MORE STATES ARE ALLOWING IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING TO BEGIN THIS WEEK.

AND IT COMES AS CAMPAIGN CASH IS SHEDDING LIGHT ON WHERE THINGS STAND.

MADDIE GANNON HAS THE LATEST FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: TUESDAY MARKS EXACTLY THREE WEEKS UNTIL VOTING DAY.

CNN'S EARLY VOTING TRACKER SHOWS 3.5 MILLION BALLOTS HAVE BEEN CAST IN THIS ELECTION AND SEVERAL MORE STATES KICK THINGS OFF THIS WEEK.

SOME VOTERS IN DECATUR LINING UP TO MARK THE FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING IN THE PEACH STATE.

>> BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES GOING ON IN OUR COUNTRY, I FEEL LIKE EVERY VOTE COUNTS.

>> EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT, FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: GEORGIA IS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST CLOSELY WATCHED SENATE RACES AND IT'S ONE OF 10 STATES ALLOWING IN-PERSON VOTING IN THIS YEAR'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS TO GET UNDERWAY THIS WEEK, INCLUDING SEVERAL STATES WITH THIS YEAR'S MOST COMPETITIVE RACES, KANSAS BEGINS WEDNESDAY, AND NORTH CAROLINA ON THURSDAY.

>> RIGHT NOW, IT IS SO VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA HAVE A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS.

>> Reporter: MANY DEMOCRATS ARE FEELING OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THEIR CHANCES IN PURPLE AND IN SOME TRADITIONALLY RED STATES.

THE TOP DEMOCRATIC SUPER PACK IN SENATE RACES SAID THEY WOULD NOT SPEND MONEY ON ADS, CITING CONFIDENCE WHERE JOHN OFF SOFT STANDS IN THE RACE AGAINST MIKE COLLINS.

>> I THINK WE HAVE AS GOOD OF A CHANCE AS I HAVE SEEN TO DEFY THE HISTORICAL TRENDS.

>> Reporter: THE WHITE HOUSE IS CONTINUING THEIR RED STATE TOUR.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS VISITING ALASKA WHILE VICE PRESIDENT JD ADVANCE IS IN TEXAS, TWO HISTORICALLY RED STATES WITH COMPETITIVE SENATE RACES THIS ELECTION.

EARLY VOTE HAS BECOME MORE COMMON IN RECENT ELECTIONS.

IN GEORGIA, 71% OF ALL THE VOTES CAST IN THE STATE IN 2024 WERE CAST BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I'M MADDIE GANNON.

>> EARLY VOTING WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MINNESOTA FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.

THIS IS MORE SIMILAR TO VOTING IN A POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY, AND STARTS 18 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

FOR ALL STATEWIDE ELECTIONS, EVERY COUNTY WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE LOCATION WHERE EARLY VOTING IS OFFERED.

THERE IS ALSO IS ALSO IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO GETTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT MAILED TO YOU, EXCEPT DONE IN PERSON.

[♪♪♪] S.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE HIGHS IN THE 50s THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS ON THURSDAY, AND THEN WE HAVE A BIT OF A WARM UP THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, A CANOE IS TAKING SHAPE IN BEMIDJI, BUT IT'S WHAT IS PASSED DOWN ALONG THE WAY THAT MAK [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> NISSWA CELEBRATED THE GRAND OPENING OF A NEW KINDNESS ROCK GARDEN IN POCKET PARK RECENTLY?

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY SHOWS US THE IDEA BEHIND THE GARDEN AND ITS ABILITY TO SPREAD POSITIVITY IN A POWERFUL AND CREATIVE WAY.

>> Reporter: HOPE, PEACE, AND LOVE.

THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE MESSAGES THAT PEOPLE IN THE NISSWA COMMUNITY ARE TRYING TO SPREAD WITH THE NEW KINDNESS ROCK GARDEN.

>> WELL, THE IDEA BEHIND THE KINDNESS ROCK GARDEN IS TO HAVE A DESIGNATED PLACE IN YOUR TOWN WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO TO FOR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.

SO FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT'S JUST TO SEE A ROCK THAT IS SMILEY AND CUTE AND MAKES THEM FEEL BETTER THAT DAY.

>> PART OF THE GARDEN IS A TAKE AND LEAVE AREA WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN GRAB AN UNCUSTOMIZED ROCK, BRING IT HOME, AND BRING IT BACK TO THE GARDEN.

>> YOU'RE EITHER BRINGING ROCKS IN TO SHARE WITH SOMEONE OR YOU'RE COMING TO IT TO FIND A ROCK THAT HELPS YOU THROUGH YOUR DAY OR YOUR WEEK.

WE JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO PAINT THE ROCK HOWEVER YOU WISH.

>> Reporter: FOR KIDS, IT CAN BE A FUN WAY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES OR SIMPLY TO SIT AND PAINT SOME ROCKS WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

>> THE REASON I CAME OUT HERE IS BECAUSE IT SOUNDS NICE.

IT MAKES YOU BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY.

IT IS KIND OF FUN AND IT IS REALLY NICE.

THIS IS THE ROCK I PAINTED.

>> Reporter: AS MUCH AS IT CAN BE A FUN AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY FOR KIDS, IT CAN ALSO BE A GREAT WAY TO HELP INSPIRE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A LITTLE MOTIVATION IN THEIR DAY.

>> WE FEEL IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE STRUGGLING.

WE HAVE A LOT OF ROCKS WITH MESSAGES LIKE YOU ARE ENOUGH OR YOU ARE LOVED, OR YOU MATTER.

THOSE THINGS WE REALLY HOPE PEOPLE COME ALSO TO SIT IN THE GARDEN AND PICK A ROCK THAT SPEAKS TO THEIR HEART AND TO TAKE IT HOME WITH THEM.

IT'S WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT WE CAN ALL USE RIGHT NOW.

>> REPORTING IN NISSWA, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> MUELLER AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE TRYING TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE AND HOPE TO HAVE A KINDNESS GARDEN IN EVERY TOWN ACROSS THE STATE.

IF YOU WANT ONE IN YOUR TOWN TO CONTACT HOPEAROUNDYOU@GMAIL.COM.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US NOW, A WARM UP TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEK.

>> Stacy: YES, IT LOOKS LIKE TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING INTO THE 60s AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

UNTIL THEN, OUR TEMPERATURES AT THE SEASONAL LEVEL, SO A LITTLE BIT BELOW AVERAGE, WE'RE GOING TO SEE A BIT OF A COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: IT WAS A BIT OF A GLOOMY DAY OUT THERE TODAY, A LITTLE MISTY, SOME CLOUD COVER AND TEMPERATURES WERE COOL.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE TEMPERATURES AT AVERAGE OR A LITTLE BELOW AVERAGE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WORKWEEK.

WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY, A LITTLE BIT BREEZY ON FRIDAY, AND THEN WE SHOULD SEE WARMER TEMPS THIS WEEKEND.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 44 DEGREES.

WE HAVE NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, 42 IS OUR DEW POINT, HUMIDITY IS AT 92%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 49 DEGREES, 42 IS OUR DEW POINT, WE HAVE A RISING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH NORTHWEST WINDS AT 8 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, ONCE AGAIN IT HAS BEEN A CLOUDY, DREARY DAY OUT THERE.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER TONIGHT, AND WE WILL HAVE CLOUDS OVERNIGHT AS WELL.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF A FEW SHOWERS DEVELOPING IN PARTS OF NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, MAYBE SOME SPRINKLES ACROSS THE EAST.

SOME OF THE SHOWERS COULD LINGER IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, BUT OTHERWISE VARIABLE CLOUDS, WE WILL SEE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE 50s TOMORROW, A LOT OF 50s THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE WEEK, BUT AGAIN WE HAVE THE CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, IT WAS A BIT OF A GLOOMY START THIS MORNING.

IN FACT, IT WAS GLOOMY THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE DAY, BUT THE FALL COLOR IS HELPING TO BRIGHTEN THE MOOD.

DEBRA TAKING THIS PHOTO THIS MORNING, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, AND WE HAVE FALL COLORS ON THE SHORES OF LITTLE TURTLE LAKE FROM LORRIE AND A BRIGHT LEAF ON THE GROUND IN DEERWOOD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 54 AND WINDY, OVERCAST AND DAMP THIS MORNING.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, MISTY THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 51.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING A HIGH OF 52.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, MOSTLY CLOUDY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A LOW OF 34.

ON OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD, WE TOPPED OUT AT 52, BELOW OUR AVERAGE, 5 DEGREES BELOW OUR AVERAGE HIGH, 47 WAS OUR LOW TEMP.

SUNRISE WAS AT 7:32.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 47, OUR LOW WAS 42, SO AGAIN VERY SIMILAR, JUST A 5 DEGREE DIFFERENCE FROM OUR HIGH TO LOW TEMP.

SUNSET TONIGHT AT 6:35.

LOOKING AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL START WITH A LOT OF CLOUD COVER AND THEN WE WILL SEE SUNSHINE RETURNING TO OUR SKIES, SO VARIABLE CLOUDS IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES GO, HIGHS IN THE MID-50s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE WILL ALSO SEE HIGHS IN THE MIDDLE 50s.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY, A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND SPRINKLES IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, 36 FOR OUR LOW, AND THEN TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, WE DO HAVE THE CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS IN FAR NORTHEAST MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, HIGHS IN THE MIDDLE 50s, WITH VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST.

WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS IN EASTERN MINNESOTA THURSDAY MORNING, AND IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA LATER IN THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT, HIGHS NEAR 55.

WE WILL SEE A DROP OFF IN OUR TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY, IT COULD BE BREEZY, BUT SUNSHINE RETURNS AND WE WILL HAVE SUNSHINE THROUGH THE WEEKEND WITH MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES SATURDAY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY ON SUNDAY, AND HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE 60s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

MILES IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER PLAYOFFS ARE UNDERWAY.

>> Miles: FOR SECTION 8-3A, BEMIDJI WAS IN ACTION.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE ON THAT AFTER THE BREAK, AS WELL AS A HEAR AHEAD OF THE DOUBLE HEADER AGAINST UMD.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH MILES WALKER.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY IS COMING OFF POSTING A 1-1 RECORD IN THE MINNESOTA EAST/WEST SHOWCASE LAST WEEKEND, TOPPING MAINE 4-1 BEFORE DROPPING ITS THIRD MATCHUP OF THE SEASON WITH MINNESOTA 4-2.

THIS WEEKEND, THE BEAVERS WILL BE BACK IN WCHA PLAY, REIGNITING THEIR LONGSTANDING RIVALRY WITH MINNESOTA DULUTH FOR A HOME DOUBLEHEADER.

THE BULLDOGS COME INTO THE MATCHUP RANKED FOURTH IN THE COUNTRY, HOWEVER THE BEAVERS ARE NO STRANGERS TO RANKED OPPONENTS COMPETITION, HAVING FACED 7TH-RANKED U-OF-M IN THREE OUT OF THEIR FIRST FOUR GAMES.

BOTH COACH FRYKLUND AS WELL AS THE PLAYERS HAVE SEEN IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR ABILITY TO COMPETE WITH THE BEST, AND BELIEVE THAT NOTCHING THEIR FIRST RANKED WIN ON THE YEAR, IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.

>> I THINK IT DEFINITELY FEELS GOOD STARTING OFF WITH A WIN ON SATURDAY.

EVEN JUST THE LAST THREE GAMES AGAINST THE GOPHERS, WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING A LOT AND IT'S BEEN REALLY GOOD.

I THINK THE TEAM IS FEELING PRETTY CONFIDENT AND WE'RE EXCITED TO GET TO THIS WEEKEND.

>> WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON OUR PUCK MANAGEMENT, PUTTING IT IN GOOD PLACES, NOT JUST THROWING IT, KEEPING IT ON OUR STICKS WHEN WE NEED TO.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO BE HARD TO PLACE AGAINST.

THEY ARE A PHYSICAL TEAM AND HAVE GOOD PLAYERS AND ARE WELL COACHED.

IT WILL BE A CHALLENGING WEEKEND AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GET PUCKS IN SO OFFENSIVELY GETTING PUCKS IN THE NET, FINDING REBOUNDS, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, AND WINNING OUR BATTLES WILL BE REALLY CRITICAL.

>> AND UP AHEAD FOR BSU, THEY WILL TAKE THE ICE FRIDAY AT 6:00 P.M.

VERSUS UMD.

15 DIFFERENT BEAVERS HAVE RECORDED A POINT THROUGH THE FIRST FOUR GAMES.

>>> IN GIRLS SOCCER, SECTION 8-3 QUARTERFINALS TIME, WITH THIRD SEEDED BEMIDJI, HOSTING 4-10-2 ELK RIVER.

FAST FORWARD TO THE 10th MINUTE, STILL SCORELESS, LOOKING LIKE A GISELLE ON THE PITCH, TO NYLON, LUMBERJACKS UP 1-0.

17th MINUTE, SAME SCORE, AND CUTTING UP, AND AGAIN FOR THE BRACE, THE JACKS GO UP 2-0.

23rd MINUTE, JUST LOOK AT THIS.

BEMIDJI LOOKING LIKE THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS WITH THAT PASS, AND UNCONSCIOUS TONIGHT, GETS THE HAT-TRICK AS BEMIDJI ROLLS PASTELING RIVER WITH A 3-0 VICTORY.

THEY WILL BE BACK ON THE ROAD FOR THE SEMIFINALS.

>>> AND LITTLE FALLS DROPS TO SAUK RAPIDS RICE, AND WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY'S SEASON ENDS AGAINST EAST GRAND FORKS.

ON THE BOY'S SIDE, BEMIDJI FALLS TO MONTICELLO AND BRAINERD FALLS TO BUFFALO.

LITTLE FALLS DROPS TO ST.

CLOUD AND LONG PRAIRIE GREY EAGLE FALLS TO ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL.

>>> AND OVER IN THE POOL, A COUPLE OF FAMILIAR OPPONENTS FACING OFF WITH BEMIDJI HOSTING BRAINERD.

PICKING UP IN THE 50-YARD FREESTYLE, KIARA FOR THE LUMBERJACKS, SHE TAKES FIRST PLACE.

OVER IN DIVING, MONEY FOR THE WARRIORS TONIGHT, EARNING FIRST PLACE WITH A SCORE OF 240.35.

BRAINERD COMES OUT ON TOP TONIGHT OVER BEMIDJI IN A 102-84 TEAM VICTORY.

>>> MORE AROUND THE AREA, IN PEQUOT LAKES, THEY GET THEIR SECTION 7-A CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

IN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL, BEMIDJI FALLS TO 2-15 WITH A LOSS AGAINST FERGUS FALLS.

BRAINERD DROPS TO ALEXANDRIA.

PEQUOT LAKES IMPROVES TO 18-9 FOR THE SEASON AND WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY TAKES DOWN RED LAKE.

WADENA DEER CREEK IMPROVES FOR THE SEASON AND ROSEAU DROPS TO 12-8.

MENAHGA GETS THE W OVER BETTER SHA -- BERTHA-HEWITT TONIGHT.

ROYALTON DROPS.

MILLE LACS DROPS TODAY TO RUSH CITY AND FOSSTON IMPROVES TO 14-6.

LAKE OF THE WOODS IS NOW 14-6.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS IMPROVES TO 15-8.

BIG FORK DROPS TO HILL CITY NORTHLAND.

LONG PRAYER GREY EAGLE FALLS TO 5-17.

IN BOYS CROSS COUNTRY, BRAINERD AND BEMIDJI PLACE SECOND AND THIRD RESPECTIVELY.

ON THE GIRLS SIDE, CROSBY FINISHES IN 6th.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU MILES.

IN BEMIDJI, A TRADITIONAL CANOE BUILD IS HELPING KEEP ANISHINAABE CULTURE ALIVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING SHOWS US HOW THIS WOMEN-LED EFFORT IS PRESERVING A CENTURIES-OLD TRADITION FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: NO POWER TOOLS, NO SHORTCUTS, JUST TRADITIONAL HAND TOOLS, MATERIALS GATHERED FROM NATURE, AND TECHNIQUES ROOTED BY TRADITION.

FROM CARVING CEDAR, TO BIRCH BARK, STUDENT FROM VOYAGER SCHOOL IS LEARNING BY DOING.

>> THESE ARE SKILLS THAT WILL CARRY THEM THROUGH THEIR ADULT YEARS.

LIKE THESE ARE THINGS THAT WILL NEVER BE IRRELEVANT TO KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY A PLANT OR A TREE AND HOW TO PROCESS SOMETHING AND WORK WITH YOUR HANDS.

>> Reporter: THROUGH BEMIDJI-BASED NON-PROFIT, THIS EFFORT IS PUTTING CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE INTO YOUNG HANDS.

FOR ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THAT WAS ADOPTED AND MARRIED INTO A NATIVE FAMILY, HELPING PRESERVE THESE TRADITIONS HAS BECOME DEEPLY PERSONAL.

>> WE HAVE WORKED WITH OUR ANISHINAABE YOUTH, AND WE HAVE SOME YOUTH APPRENTICES FROM RED LAKE WHO ARE WORKING WITH US TO LEARN DIFFERENT SKILLS, LAND-BASE SKILLS, AND TRADITIONAL SKILLS.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE COLD DRIZZLE, A CRACKLING FIRE KEEPS THE CHILL AT BAY AS ROOTS ARE PREPARED.

THE REAL CRAFTSMANSHIP GOES BEYOND THE FINISHED PRODUCTS, IT'S UNCOVERING SKILLS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GO UNTAPPED.

SOME TRADITIONS ARE NOT FOUND IN BOOKS OR CLASSROOMS.

THEY ARE PASSED DOWN THROUGH SKILLED HANDS AND KNOWLEDGE, AND YOUTH WILLING TO LEARN.

>> A SCHOOL SETTING, TO BEING ABLE TO COME OUT HERE AND REALLY -- LIKE YOU SEE SOME OF THEIR EYES LIGHT UP AND THEY PICK THINGS UP.

THEY BECOME NATURALLY GOOD AT THINGS THAT EVEN SOME ADULTS STRUGGLE TO DO.

>> THIS CANOE WILL EVENTUALLY TAKE THE WATER FOR WILD RICE HARVESTING BUT THE KNOWLEDGE BEHIND IT WILL TRAVEL MUCH FURTHER.

FOR THOSE LEADING THE EFFORT, IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE BUILDING, BUT WHAT THEY ARE PASSING ON.

>> Reporter: WE WILL GO RISING IN IT AFTER WE FINISH IT AND I HELPED WITH ABOUT 6 CANOES, I THINK SO FAR.

SO THIS IS ACTUALLY THE 6th ONE.

IT'S JUST A REAL HONOR TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY ON THESE PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD EXPERIENCE, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THAT PROJECT IS BEING DONE WITH NO MODERN MACHINERY TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS.

ALL RIGHT, ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER, WE GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, THEN AGAIN WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY, COOLER TEMPERATURES LATE THIS WEEK, A LITTLE BIT BREEZY ON FRIDAY, BUT SUNSHINE SHOULD RETURN LATER ON THIS WEEK AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL HAVE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES TO ENJOY AS WELL.

MOSTLY SUNNY AND 61 ON SATURDAY, AND THEN ON SUNDAY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, WE COULD BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE MID-60s.

>> AND WE'LL SEE IF BRAINERD FOOTBALL CAN REBOUND IN ALEXANDRIA TOMORROW NIGHT.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE OUT OF TIME EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM