>> 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.

>> 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.

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

>>> FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE RICK NOLAN, A DEMOCRAT WHO REPRESENTED TWO DIFFERENT MINNESOTA DISTRICTS DURING TWO SEPARATE STINTS IN OFFICE THREE DECADES APART, HAS DIED.

HE WAS 80.

HIS WIFE, MARY, SAID HE DIED EARLY FRIDAY AT THEIR HOME IN NISSWA.

SHE SAID HER HUSBAND HAD HEART ISSUES, BUT THAT HE HAD BEEN ACTIVE UNTIL THE END AND THAT HE CAMPAIGNED FOR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES ON THE IRON RANGE JUST LAST WEEK.

NOLAN WAS FIRST ELECTED TO CONGRESS IN 1974 AND REPRESENTED THE 6TH DISTRICT FOR THREE TERMS UNTIL 1980 WHEN HE DIDN'T SEEK RE-ELECTION.

HE MADE HIS POLITICAL COMEBACK IN THE 2012 ELECTION WHEN HE UNSEATED REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT CHIP CRAVAACK IN THE 8TH DISTRICT.

HE THEN SERVED THREE TERMS BEFORE RETIRING IN 2020.

MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS ARE CALLING NOLAN A CHAMPION OF THE NORTHLAND.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE PENDING.

>>> A COMPLAINT ALLEGING DISTRICT 6B STATE REP JOSH HEINTZEMAN VIOLATED THE FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES ACT HAS BEEN DISMISSED BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE.

TROY SHEFFLER WHO IS RUNNING AS A THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE IN THE DISTRICT 6B RACE ALLEGED THAT HEINTZEMAN PRESSURED PEQOUT LAKES POLICE CHIEF MIKE DAVIS INTO SUPPORTING HIM.

DAVIS SAID THAT HE FELT INTIMIDATED BY HEINTZEMAN AFTER THE LAWMAKER MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO HIM, AS WELL AS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND THE MAYOR AFTER DAVIS SIGNED A PETITION FOR SHEFFLER TO ENTER THE 6B RACE AS A THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE.

SHEFFLER ALLEGED IN HIS COMPLAINT THAT HEINTZEMAN VIOLATED LAWS BY INDIRECTLY THREATENING DAVIS WITH A LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT.

JUDGE MEGAN MCKENZIE HEARD TESTIMONY ON THE MATTER EARLIER THIS WEEK AND ISSUED AN ORDER FOR DISMISSAL TODAY.

SHE SAID THE EVIDENCE DOES NOT ESTABLISH A LINK BETWEEN HEINTZEMAN'S PHONE CALLS AND COMPELLING DAVIS TO CAST HIS BALLOT IN A CERTAIN WAY.

MCKENZIE SAID IN HER DECISION THAT IN HIS OWN TESTIMONY DAVIS SAID HE WAS NEVER TOLD BY ANYONE TO VOTE A CERTAIN WAY OR GIVEN THE IMPRESSION HE WOULD BE FIRED IF HE DID NOT VOTE FOR HEINTZMAN.

WE SPOKE WITH SHEFFLER TODAY WHO SENT US A LENGTHY EMAIL WHERE AS PART OF IT HE SAYS HE IS PLANNING TO APPEAL THE DECISION.

HE ALSO NOTES IN THAT EMAIL THAT WHILE THE JUDGE STATED DAVIS'S TESTIMONY SAID HE WAS NEVER TOLD TO VOTE A CERTAIN WAY OR GIVEN THE IMPRESSION HE WOULD BE FIRED BY NOT VOTING FOR HEINTZEMAN.

SHEFFLER CONTENDS THAT THE SWORN AFFIDAVIT BY DAVIS ASSERTS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE.

LAKELAND NEWS ALSO SPOKE WITH JOSH HEINTZEMAN TODAY AND HE RELEASED THIS STATEMENT SAYING HE IS THANKFUL THAT THE COURT WAS VERY THOROUGH AND DELIBERATE AND RECOGNIZED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT SUPPORT SCHEFFLER'S ARGUMENT FOR FURTHER ACTION AND DISMISSED ANOTHER FRIVOLOUS CAMPAIGN LAWSUIT ATTACK.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HAS SEEN ITS HIGHEST ENROLLMENT NUMBERS THIS YEAR SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

THE MINNESOTA STATE SYSTEM OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HAS RELEASED ITS 2024-2025 CENSUS ENROLLMENT RESULTS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS THE OFFICIAL NUMBERS.

>> Reporter: BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN SEEING LOW ENROLLMENT NUMBERS FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, BUT THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR HAS STARTED TO SEE A RISE.

>> WE'RE ABOUT 4% AT UNIVERSITY, OVER 8.5% AT THE TECH COLLEGE.

WE'RE UP IN ALL CATEGORIES.

GRADUATE STUDENTS, UNDERGRAD STUDENTS, ONLINE STUDENTS, IN-PERSON STUDENTS, AND NO MATTER HOW WE SLICE IT, WE'RE SEEING INCREASES.

>> OUR RECRUITMENT ACROSS THE BOARD, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY, WORD OF MOUTH, STUDENT TO STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND THE FACULTY HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB.

>> Reporter: THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TOOK THEIR CENSUS HEAD COUNT.

THIS SHOWED 4,076 STUDENTS AT BSU AND 932 AT THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE WHO HAVE SEEN SO MANY MAJOR CHANGE THIS YEAR.

>> WE'RE UP A THIRD OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT ADAPTATION OF OUR NURSING PROGRAM, THE COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM, CHANGES WE MADE IN AUTOMOTIVE AND SOME OF THE TRADES PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, THEY CREDIT THEIR NEW POLARIS PARTNERSHIP AND NORTH STAR PROMISE, WHICH GRANTS FREE TUITION TO STUDENTS COMING FROM FAMILIES THAT MAKE UNDER $80,000 A YEAR.

>> THIS FALL IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT OF THE NORTH STAR PROMISE ON OUR ENROLLMENT.

WE HAVE 444 STUDENTS AT BSU WHO ARE BENEFITTING FROM THIS PUBLIC POLICY.

>> POLARIS WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF STUDENTS COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, WORKING AT POLARIS, WHILE TAKING CLASSES THAT POLARIS IS FUNDING, AND THEY WILL BE EARNING CREDITS TOWARDS THEIR DEGREE WHILE THEY'RE WORKING AND WHEN THEY'RE COMPLETED, THEY CAN CONTINUE ON TO THEIR BACHELOR'S DEGREE.

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

>> BSU IS NOT THE ONLY SCHOOL CREDITING THE NORTH STAR PROMISE FOR BOOSTING ENROLLMENT NUMBERS.

CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE IS ALSO PARTIALLY THANKING THE PROMISE FOR THEIR 11.8 PERCENT INCREASE IN THEIR ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2024 SCHOOL YEAR.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT CLC HAS SEEN A DOUBLE-DIGIT ENROLLMENT INCREASE IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

>>> A LONG PRAIRIE MAN WAS INJURED YESTERDAY IN AN A.T.V.

CRASH NEAR LITTLE FALLS.

THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS 57-YEAR-OLD JODY MUELLER WAS DRIVING A SIDE-BY-SIDE PERFORMING WORK DUTIES AT THE MORRISON COUNTY LANDFILL AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, MUELLER WAS GOING DOWN A HILL AT AN ANGLE AND ROLLED.

MUELLER FELL OUT OF THE ATV AND WAS PINNED UNDER THE MACHINE.

HE WAS TAKEN FROM THE SCENE BY AMBULANCE TO AN AREA HOSPITAL WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES.

>>> THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY ANNOUNCED THE DESIGNATION OF BELTRAMI COUNTY AS A HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA JUST LAST MONTH.

TWO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS BRIEFED THE BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS EARLIER THIS WEEK ON WHAT THIS DESIGNATION MEANS.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE DESIGNATION OF A HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA, A COUNTY MUST SUBMIT A PETITION OUTLINING THEY MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA.

STATISTICS FROM THE PAUL BUNYAN TASK FORCE SHOWED HISTORIC NUMBERS LIKE AN INCREASE IN METHAMPHETAMINE SEIZURES, AND AN INCREASE IN OPIOID SEIZURES OVER THE LAST DECADE.

THESE NUMBERS IN THE EYES OF THE BELTRAMI SHERIFF'S OFFICE PROVES THAT THEY EASILY MEET THAT CRITERIA.

>> IT'S A HUB CITY FOR DRUGS AND ECONOMICS, MEDICAL, AND EDUCATION.

PEOPLE COME HERE TO GET CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

IT'S A DESTINATION FOR TRAFFICKERS.

WE'RE ABLE TO SHOW SOME UPWARD TRENDS AND SEIZURES AND ARRESTS TO SHOW THAT THE DRUG PROBLEM HAS BEEN GROWING OVER THE YEARS.

WE ARE SEEING LARGE SEIZURES IN THIS AREA.

PEOPLE ARE COMING UP HERE WITH LARGE AMOUNTS AND IF THEY ARE COMING UP WITH THAT MUCH, THEY ARE SELLING THAT MUCH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS AIMED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, OPERATING IN AREAS DETERMINED TO BE CRITICAL DRUG TRAFFICKING REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> IT'S MONEY SET ASIDE OR PROVIDED TO GO AFTER PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING HERE TO POISON OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS NOT MONEY FOR PATROL OFFICERS TO CONDUCT ADDITIONAL SEIZURES, BUT THESE ARE PEOPLE POISONING OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE CONCERNS OF A POSSIBLE INCREASE IN RANDOM TRAFFIC STOPS IN THE AREA DUE TO THE DESTINATION.

THE SERGEANT ASSURED THE BOARD THAT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE THE CASE.

>> THAT'S NOT THE OBJECTIVE AND NONE OF THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFICKING, ESPECIALLY RANDOM TRAFFIC STOPS ON 89, 15, OR ANY OF THOSE.

>> Reporter: THOSE FROM NEIGHBORING DEPARTMENTS WILL FORM A COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS INITIATIVES TO PURSUE EXTRA FUNDING FOR.

REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WILL BE SITTING DOWN WITH BOTH CAPTAIN KLESZYK AND SARGENT HART AT A LATER DATE TO GIVE EVEN MORE DETAILS ON HOW THIS DESIGNATION WILL HELP BRING ADDITIONAL ATTENTION AND RESOURCES TO THE AREA TO COMBAT THE HIGH RATES OF DRUG TRAFFICKING.

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

>> Stacy: RAIN SHOWERS WILL TAPER OFF TOMORROW, STILL COOLER TOMORROW, BUT WE WILL HAVE HIGHS IN THE 70s NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, CROW WING COUNTY NOW HAS SELF SERVE KIOSKS AND PEQUOT LAKES I >> 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.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES NOW HAS TWO SELF-SERVE KIOSKS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE KIOSKS ARE A NEW WAY TO HELP RESIDENTS APPLY FOR BENEFITS, UPLOAD CASE FILE DOCUMENTATION, AND EASILY ACCESS COMMUNITY RESOURCES WITHOUT THE NEED OF TRAVELING TO THE COUNTY BUILDING.

CROW WING COUNTY IS THE 21ST LARGEST COUNTY 7 IN THE STATE AND THE KIOSKS WILL HELP MINIMIZE BARRIERS AND ENABLE MORE RESIDENTS TO ACCESS CROW WING COUNTY SERVICES IN LOCATIONS THAT ARE CONVENIENT TO THEM AND THAT ALIGNS WITH THE COUNTY'S VALUES OF HELPING BUILD A BETTER FUTURE.

( >> THERE IS A LACK OF AFFORDABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THIS WILL REALLY SAVE US TIME AND MONEY AND ELIMINATE THE NEED TO UPDATE THE BUILDING AND IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF PROCESSING CASES AND A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

>> KIOSKS CAN BE FOUND AT BOTH THE LAKES AREA FOOD SHELF IN PEQUOT LAKES, AS WELL AS AT CROSBY CITY HALL.

>>> STACY IS HERE NOW FOR OUR WEATHER.

I LOOKED IN AMAZEMENT AS THE RAIN CAME DOWN IN THE PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF THE STATION.

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME IT RAINED DURING THE DAY.

IT HAD TO BE AUGUST, MAYBE?

>> Stacy: IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY DRY.

YOU HAVE THE WARM TEMPERATURES, BUT IT HAS BEEN A DRY STRETCH OF WEATHER.

WE HAVE THE RAIN TODAY.

WE WILL HAVE MORE RAIN TONIGHT.

IT SHOULD TAPER OFF TOMORROW, DRIER AND WARMER WEATHER IS IN STORE FOR US AS WE START NEXT >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DEAF, DEAF/BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING STATE SERVICES DIVISION.

>> 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, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID SEE SOME MUCH NEEDED RAIN IN THE AREA TODAY AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF RAINFALL TONIGHT AND IN EASTERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING.

BEYOND THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE THE SUNSHINE WILL RETURN AND STILL A LITTLE BIT COOLER TOMORROW, 50s AND 60s FOR OUR HIGHS, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY AND MONDAY, OUR TEMPERATURES SHOULD CLIMB BACK INTO THE 70s.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 47 DEGREES.

AT THE AIRPORT, WE HAVE A LIGHT EAST WIND.

THE DEW POINT IS 47 AND WE HAVE PICKED UP JUST OVER 0.25-INCH OF RAIN TODAY.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 57 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 50.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE NORTHEAST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE HAVE SEEN RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AREA TODAY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AS THIS SYSTEM CONTINUES TO PUSH TO THE NORTH AND EAST.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW MORNING, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT SOME RAIN SHOWERS COULD LINGER, MAINLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, OTHERWISE WE WILL BE SEEING DECREASING CLOUDS, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES IN THE AFTERNOON.

HIGH TEMPERATURES TOMORROW IN THE 50s AND 60s, BUT EXPECT TO SEE A WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GORGEOUS SKIES THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

SAMROSE IS MAKING A TRIP TO DULUTH AND SHARING THIS PHOTO WITH US.

LAURA SNAPPING A PICTURE OF THE DEER SHE SPOTTED ON LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

SARAH WITH A GORGEOUS FALL COLOR OVER PERCH LAKE.

YOU CAN SEE CLOUDS AND THE SUN RAYS SHINING OUT.

CLOUDY AND A BIT RAINY OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD RECORDING A HIGH OF 69.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SOME SUNSHINE, THEN CLOUDS AND SOME AFTERNOON DRIZZLE, THE HIGH WAS 70.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY WITH A LITTLE RAIN, ALSO SEEING SOME WIND TODAY, WITH A HIGH OF 67.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 71 IN BRAINERD.

SO MILD TEMPERATURES IN PARTS OF THE VIEWING AREA.

55 FOR THE LOW AND SUNSET AT 6:24.

IN BEMIDJI, WE REACHED A HIGH OF 62, WHICH IS MORE THAN 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

48 FOR OUR LOW THIS MORNING, SO WE'RE SEEING TEMPERATURES FALLING BELOW THAT TONIGHT.

SUNRISE AT 7:43.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL START TO SEE THE CLOUDS CLEARING OUT FROM WEST TO EAST, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE OF SOME RAIN SHOWERS LINGERING IN THE MORNING, IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

TEMPERATURES SHOULD TOP OUT IN THE UPPER 50s TO LOW 60s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME LOW TO MID-60s, AGAIN WE'RE SEEING THE CLEARING TREND AS WE HEAD THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND INTO THE AFTERNOON.

THERE ARE STILL LINGERING RAIN SHOWERS IN THE MORNING.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS, LOWS NEAR 43 AND VARIABLE WINDS.

FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE THE VARIABLE CLOUDS, DECREASING CLOUDS FROM WEST TO EAST AS WE HEAD THROUGHOUT THE DAY, LINGERING SHOWERS IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, AND HIGHS NEAR 60.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, SUNSHINE AND WARMTH IS BACK AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

SUNDAY AND MONDAY FEATURING A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND HIGHS IN THE 70s, WE COULD SEE SOME MID-70s, POSSIBLY UPPER 70s IN PARTS OF THE VIEWING AREA ON MONDAY.

WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS, MAYBE A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ON TUESDAY, A COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH.

THEN WEDNESDAY, HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40s.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

BSU WOMEN HOCKEY AT HOME.

>> Charlie: AND SOCCER.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTH OF THEM.

BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY TRYING TO GET THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON.

THEY'RE PLAYING LINDENWOOD.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS, COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> IT'S BEEN A ROUGH START FOR BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY.

THEY ARE 0-6 AND HAVE BEEN SHUT OUT IN ALL BUT 2 OF THEIR CONTESTS.

AMBER WAS CONFIDENT IN THE TEAM'S PROGRESS, REINFORCING THEY WERE FOCUSING ON THE PROCESS AND CELEBRATING THE SMALL WINS AND THE BIG WIN WOULD EVENTUALLY COME.

THEY ARE HOSTING LINDENWOOD, WHO ARE SEARCHING FOR THEIR FIRST W FOR THE SEASON.

ALYSSA WATKINS, THE CAPTAIN OPENS THE SCORING IN THE FIRST PERIOD.

NOW THE FRESHMAN FROM MANITOBA, MORGAN SCORES HER FIRST COLLEGIATE GOAL.

THEY LEAD 2-0.

SHELBY FINDS THE LOOSE PUCK AND SENDS IT TOWARDS THE NET, ANOTHER FIRST COLLEGIATE GOAL PUTS THE BEAVERS UP 3-0 AT THE END OF 1.

THE FIRST TIME BEMIDJI STATE HAS LED BY 3 AFTER THE FIRST PERIOD SINCE 2019 WHEN THEY LED UNION.

AFTER THE GAME, THE HEAD COACH TOLD US HOW IT FELT FOR HER TO GET THAT FIRST CAREER VICTORY.

>> IT'S AWESOME.

REALLY, IT'S OUR TEAM'S WIN, OUR STAFF'S WIN.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS GAME AND WE TALKED ABOUT OUR PROCESS, OUR HABITS, AND THE DETAILS.

IN THE FIRST PERIOD, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT A LOT.

CERTAINLY, FUN TO SEE THEM REWARDED FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND I'M PROUD OF EVERYONE TODAY.

>> TO PUT YOUR HEART AND SOUL INTO THE GAME, SHE SUPPORTS US AND GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS.

SO I THINK IT'S AWESOME THAT SHE GOT HER FIRST WIN IN AND I HOPE WE CAN BE A PART OF MANY MORE FOR HER.

I THINK IT WAS GOOD.

>> Charlie: WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO START MANY MORE TOMORROW NIGHT, THAT GAME IS 3:00 P.M.

IN THE AFTERNOON.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S SOCCER HAS QUIETLY PIECED TOGETHER A 5-GAME WINNING STREAK OVER THE PAST 3-WEEKS, ALLOWING ONLY ONE GOAL TO THEIR NINE.

THE BEAVERS ARE 6-1 IN NSIC PLAY AND SIT SQUARELY IN SECOND PLACE, ONE GAME BACK OF MINNESOTA STATE IN THE CONFERENCE STANDINGS.

TODAY BEMIDJI STATE HOSTING MINOT STATE ON A RAINY AFTERNOON.

BSU HAS WON THE LAST THREE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS.

>>> IN THE FIRST HALF, NO SCORE.

THE GOALIE OUT OF PLACE, KENZIE STEALS THE BALL AND HAS A CHANCE, BUT THEY'RE ABLE TO MAKE THE SAVE.

LATER, GOING TO GET A CROSSER AND PUT IT IN THE BACK OF THE NET TO GIVE MINOT STATE THE 1-0 LEAD.

THEN KATRINA, THE TEAM'S LEADING SCORER, THAT'S WHO YOU WANT TAKING THE SHOT.

ABLE TO COME AWAY.

SHE ONLY HAD TWO SAVES AND THOSE WERE IT.

MINOT STATE COMES AWAY WITH A 1-0 VICTORY.

THE WNBA, THE MINNESOTA LYNX WIN TONIGHT AFTER BRIDGET CARLTON FOULED WITH 2 SECONDS TO GO.

GAME FIVE WILL BE ON SUNDAY FOR ALL THE MARBLES IN THE WNBA.

>>> WADENA-DEER CREEK VOLLEYBALL IS COOKING ONCE AGAIN IN 2024, OWNING A PERFECT RECORD IN CONFERENCE PLAY WHILE OUTPACING ALL OPPONENTS IN SET COUNT 50 TO 25.

NOW A WEEK AWAY FROM SECTION 8-2A PLAYOFFS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON HOW THE WOLVERINES PREPPING FOR POTENTIALLY A SECOND STRAIGHT RUN TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> Reporter: WADENA DEER CREEK VOLLEYBALL BULLDOZED THEIR WAY TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT LAST YEAR, DROPPING ONE SET IN SECTION PLAY, BUT THINGS CAME TO A HALT IN THE TWIN CITIES, TAKING AWAY THREE OF NINE TOTAL SETS PLAYED.

>> I THINK WE WENT TO THAT TOURNAMENT AND STRUGGLED, LOOKING AT DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVERS.

AS CITY GIRLS, WE DON'T EXPERIENCE THAT AND BEING AGGRESSIVE ON OUR HITTING.

>> Reporter: AND UPPER THE AGGRESSION IS TRANSLATING TO A HIGHER TEAM HITTING PERCENTAGE, WITH SOPHOMORES WHO TALLIED 362 KILLS IN 2023, LEADING THE CHARGE.

>> IF THEY HAVE A GOOD BLOCK, I'M GOING TO HIT THROUGH IT.

THAT'S MY MAIN THING.

I WORK HARD IN TRANSITION TO GET READY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A LOT EASIER TO BE EFFICIENT ON OFFENSE WHEN YOU HAVE PEYTON'S SISTER ADDISON, WHO SURPASSED THE 3,000 ASSIST MARK EARLIER THIS SEASON.

>> PASSING AND HITTING, WE GOT INTO A LULL.

WE REALLY FOCUSED ON THAT THE NEXT PRACTICE, TO REALLY MAKE SURE WE KNEW WHAT WE WERE DOING TO EXECUTE EACH ONE.

>> Reporter: AND THE WOLVERINES ARE STOUT AS WELL, WHO RECORDED HER 1,000 DIG THIS SEASON.

>> JUST TALKING A LOT AND TELLING PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO BE IF THEY'RE OUT OF PLACE OR HELP THEM WHEN THEY NEED PLACE AND DIRECTING EVERYTHING AND REALLY WORKING ON MY PASSING TO THE BEST I CAN GET IT.

>> Reporter: WITH SECTION 8-2A LOOMING, THEY HAVE THEIR SIGHTS SET ON CLENCHING THE NINTH TRIP TO STATE AND SECOND IN AS MANY YEARS AND THEY BELIEVE THE MENTALITY WILL BE THE CENTRAL PIECE IN BREAKING OR MAKING THEIR RUN.

>> EVERYBODY IS ON THEIR A-GAME, ALWAYS HITTING HARD, NEVER SCARED OF THE BALL.

>> JUST CONFIDENCE AND BEING READY.

SOME GAMES WERE LAID BACK AND SOME WE ATTACK RIGHT AWAY.

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

>> Charlie: LIKE I SAID, NEXT WEEK STARTS VOLLEYBALL SECTION TOURNAMENT.

THEY'RE ALL GETTING UNDERWAY IN THE FALL.

>> Dennis: AWESOME.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> MUSIC MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE.

FOR ABRAHAM BENSON, A YOUNG MUSICIAN IN BRAINERD, MUSIC IS EVERYTHING.

THE 17-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HAS ALREADY RELEASED THREE ORIGINAL ALBUMS.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY SAT DOWN WITH BENSON TO DISCUSS HIS MUSIC FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

>> Reporter: ABRAHAM IS A YOUNG MUSICIAN IN BRAINERD.

WHAT INSTRUMENT DOES HE PLAY?

A BETTER QUESTION WOULD BE WHAT INSTRUMENT DOESN'T HE PLAY?

>> I PLAY 12 INSTRUMENTS IN TOTAL, GUITAR AND BANJO BEING MY MAIN.

>> Reporter: HOW DOES A SOON-TO-BE 18-YEAR-OLD LEARN 12 INSTRUMENTS AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE?

>> I SIMPLY TAUGHT MYSELF.

I WOULD LOOK AT VIDEOS OF OTHER GUYS KIND OF PLAYING IT AND I WOULD LOOK CLOSELY AT THEIR FINGERS, WHERE THEIR FINGERS ARE AND I SAID I BET I CAN DO THAT.

EVENTUALLY I JUST KEEP GOING AT IT UNTIL IT SOUNDS ALREADY.

>> Reporter: BENSON HAS ALREADY RELEASED THREE ORIGINAL ALBUMS, HE RECORDED ALL THREE ALBUMS HIMSELF IN HIS OWN HOME.

>> ALL THE MUSIC WAS RECORDED IN MY BEDROOM BECAUSE I CAN'T REALLY AFFORD TO GO INTO A REAL STUDIO.

THEY WILL CHARGE SOMETHING CRAZY LIKE $80 AN HOUR AND I KNOW HOW LONG A PRODUCTION WOULD TAKE.

I WAS BORN NON-VERBAL AUTISTIC, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO TALK UNTIL I WAS 6.

THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY -- THAT WAS 100% GOD'S WORK.

IT DOESN'T AFFECT ME TOO MUCH.

I THINK I HAVE GONE A LONG WAY WITH IT.

IF YOU TALKED TO ME 10 YEARS AGO, I WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE PAYING ATTENTION AT ALL OR MAKING ANY FORM OF EYE CONTACT.

THE ONLY DIFFICULTIES AS OF NOW IS THAT I GET BULLIED FOR BEING AUTISTIC AND BEING A CHRISTIAN.

SO, MUSIC IS A WAY TO COPE WITH THE BULLYING.

MUSIC IS ONE OF THE WAYS TO KEEP ME CALM AND HAPPY.

>> Reporter: BENSON WAS BORN DIFFERENT, BUT HE DOESN'T LET THAT DEFINE HIM.

HE HOPES THAT HIS MUSIC CAN FIND PEOPLE, INSPIRE THEM TO DO WHAT THEY LOVE.

>> MUSIC IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE ENJOY MY MUSIC AS MUCH AS I DO.

MY MESSAGE IS JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE DIFFERENT, DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T DO THE THINGS THAT YOU REALLY LOVE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

[♪♪♪] >> BENSON'S MUSIC CAN BE FOUND SPOTIFY, APPLE, AMAZON AND YOUTUBE MUSIC.

BENSON WILL ALSO PERFORM LIVE AT YA SURE KOMBUCHA IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD ON NOVEMBER 2ND FROM 7:00 TO 8:00 P.M. >>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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