CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY AV CAPTIONING www.avcaptioning.com >> Announcer: PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI, CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

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

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CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS 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 WITH SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIG WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> 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.

OTTER TAIL COUNTY AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MAN WHO DIED IN A HOUSE FIRE NEAR WADENA MONDAY MORNING.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE VICTIM IS 66-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH THOMAS MILLER.

THEY SAY MILLER WAS THE OWNER AND SOLE RESIDENT AT THE HOME LOCATED ON THE 37000 BLOCK OF COUNTY HIGHWAY 75 THAT WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE.

MILLER'S CAUSE OF DEATH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

AUTHORITIES SAY AT THIS TIME, NO FOUL PLAY THE SUSPECTED.

THE STATE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING.

>>> DATA CENTERS ARE BEING BUILT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A TOPIC THAT WAS BROUGHT UP DURING LAST WEEK'S BEMIDJI DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

MINNESOTA HAS QUICKLY EMERGED AS A SIGNIFICANT DATA CENTER HUB WITH OVER A DOZEN DATA CENTER PROJECTS PROPOSED ACROSS THE STATE AS PART OF A BROADER EXPANSION OF AI-FOCUSED INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE MIDWEST.

THE REGION OFFERS A COOL CLIMATE FOR SERVER COOLING, ABUNDANT FIBER OPTICS, AND AVAILABLE POWER, MAKING IT ATTRACTIVE TO HYPERSCALE DEVELOPERS.

WHILE THESE PROJECTS HAVE PROMISED NUMEROUS JOBS AND MORE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE, COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE STARTED TO BECOME CONCERNED REGARDING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON ELECTRICAL GRIDS AND WATER SUPPLIES USED FOR COOLING.

>> THE PROBLEM THAT I SEE RIGHT NOW IS THERE ARE SO MANY PLANS FOR THESE THINGS, WE HAVEN'T LAD A CHANCE TO DISCUSS IT.

FOR ONE THING, WE CAN'T LET THEM PLUG INTO OUR GRID BECAUSE WITH THE GOVERNOR'S 2040 PLAN, WE'VE ALREADY STRETCHED THAT GRID TO THE LIMIT, SO THEY HAVE TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR THAT.

I WANT TO SEE THEIR SOLUTION FOR THE WATER, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THEM DUMPING TOXIC WATER, BUT IF THEY CLEAN IT UP AND DO THAT STUFF, WE'LL TALK TO THEM.

AT THE MOMENT, I DON'T THINK THERE'S BEEN ENOUGH.

THERE MIGHT BE PLANNING ON THEIR PART, BUT NOT DISCUSSION WITH US.

>> Dennis: BEMIDJI MAYOR JORGE PRINCE WAS ASKED ABOUT RECENT REPORTS SUGGESTING THE CITY OF BEMIDJI HAS BEEN APPROACHED FOR A POSSIBLE DATA CENTER, BUT MAYOR PRINCE SAID THE CITY HAS NOT BEEN APPROACHED BY ANYONE FOR THAT AND THE CITY HAS NOT SIGNED ANY NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS.

>>> THE RED LAKE BAND OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS HAS CERTIFIED CANDIDATES FOR AN UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTION.

THERE ARE FOUR CANDIDATES CERTIFIED FOR THE CHAIRMAN'S RACE, INCLUDING TWO WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN THAT ROLE.

INCUMBENT DARRELL SEKI SR.

IS SEEKING RE-ELECTION AND A FOURTH TERM AS CHAIRMAN.

SEKI WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2014.

ALSO CERTIFIED IS FLOYD "BUCK" JOURDAIN WHO SERVED AS CHAIRMAN FROM 2004 TO 2014.

SEKI SR.

TOPPED JOURDAIN BY ABOUT 100 VOTES IN THE LAST ELECTION BACK IN 2022.

TWO OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN RACE ARE GEORGE SPEARS JR.

AND TIM SUMNER.

SUMNER LOST A CLOSE RACE FOR TRIBAL SECRETARY TO INCUMBENT SAM STRONG IN 2022.

THE TOP TWO VOTE GETTERS IN A MAY 20th GENERAL ELECTION WILL MOVE ON TO THE RUN-OFF ELECTION UNLESS A CANDIDATE RECEIVES 50% OF THE VOTE OR GREATER.

IN WHICH CASE, THAT CANDIDATE WOULD BE DECLARED THE WINNER.

THE RED LAKE TRIBAL COUNCIL ALSO CERTIFIED NUMEROUS CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIONS FOR RED LAKE, REDBY, LITTLE ROCK, AND PONEMAH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES.

TWO CANDIDATES WERE CERTIFIED FOR TRIBAL SECRETARY, MARTINA MARIE BEAULIEU AND ROBERT L MAY.

ALSO, ONLY INCUMBENT VERNELLE LUSSIER WAS CERTIFIED IN THE TRIBAL TREASURER RACE.

HE WAS THE ONLY ONE CERTIFIED THERE.

>>> A LEAK IN A TRAIN CAR CARRYING CORN IS LEADING TO REPORTS OF A HIGHER THAN USUAL NUMBER OF DEAD DEER ALONG THE RAILROAD TRACKS IN KITTSON COUNTY.

THE FORMER KITTSON COUNTY SHERIFF STEVE PORTER HAS BEEN BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE SITUATION WITH VIDEOS ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE WHICH HAS MORE THAN 100,000 FOLLOWERS.

MATT HENSON HAS MORE.

>> THERE'S A DEAD DEER.

>> Matt: STEVE PORTER SAID HE'S RECEIVED DOZENS OF SIMILAR CALLS.

>> ONE GUY CALLED ME AND SAID THERE'S THREE DEAD DEER ON THE TRACKS.

I STARTED HEARING MORE AND MORE REPORTS OF DEER GETTING HIT BY THE TRAIN.

>> Matt: THE MINNESOTA DNR CONFIRMED THERE WAS AN ACCIDENTAL SPILLAGE OF CORN ALONG THE RAILWAY.

THE SPILL STRETCHES ROUGHLY 80 MILES FROM DEEP RIVER FALLS TO THE CANADIAN BORDER.

THE DNR SAID ACCIDENTS LIKE THIS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.

RATHER THAN JUMPING INTO THE DEEP SNOW ALONG THE TRACK, THE DEER TRIED TO OUTRUN THE TRAIN DOWN THE TRACK.

>> DEER GETS HIT BY THE TRAIN.

THEY DON'T TYPICALLY GET FED ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS.

>> Matt: IN HIS VIDEOS, PORTER CLAIMS THE NUMBER OF DEAD DEER IS IN THE DOZENS, IF NOT MORE THAN A 100.

WHEN ASKED IF THEY HAVE AN ESTIMATE, THE DNR SAID THEY HAVE NOT SEEN ANY MORE DEAD DEER THIS YEAR COMPARED TO THE FAST SEVERAL WINTERS.

PORTER ADMITS THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN REALLY BE DONE, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING PEOPLE IN THE REGION SHOULD BE AWARE OF.

>> PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN WHITETAIL DEER.

THEY LOVE THEM, RIGHT?

THEY LIKE FEEDING THEM, ENJOY IT, PLANT FOOD PLOTS.

IT'S KIND OF A SHAME.

>> Dennis: THE DNR ESTIMATES THE NUMBER OF INJURED DEER THEY PUT DOWN ALONG THE TRACKS IN THE AREA IS IN THE TEENS, AGAIN STRESSING THIS IS NOT AN UNIQUE SITUATION.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD HAS AGREED ON REACHING OUT TO THE MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE SO THAT A BILL CAN BE PASSED TO HELP WITH THE DISTRICT'S BUDGET DEFICIT NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

THE CONVERSATION AT LAST MONTH'S WORK SESSION BEGAN IN AN EFFORT TO MOVE EXPENSES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION FUND TO THE DISTRICT'S GENERAL FUND.

ACCORDING TO BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUSINESS SERVICES DIRECTOR MARCI LORD, THE CONSTRUCTION FUND SITS AT ROUGHLY $2.66 MILLION.

THE DISTRICT'S PROJECTED BUDGET DEFICIT FOR THE 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR IS $1.9 MILLION.

>> WE JUST FINISHED A BIG CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, BASICALLY ON ALL THE BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, AND WE HAD SOME MONEY SITTING IN THERE GATHERING INTEREST.

WE DON'T HAVE A BUILDING PROJECT IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

OUR DISCUSSION WAS TO MAKE SURE WE FELT LIKE THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SMART AND SUSTAINABLE FOR THE DISTRICT TO ASK OUR LEGISLATOR STOP DO THAT.

>> Dennis: THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD DOES NOT EXPECT TO HEAR A RESPONSE FROM THE MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION IN MAY.

>>> THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS WELCOMED ITS NEWEST K-9 TO THE FORCE.

K-9 BO WAS DONATED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND IS A 14-MONTH-OLD GERMAN SHEPHERD FROM GERMANY.

K-9 BO'S HANDLER IS DEPUTY TITAN ENGEN.

DEPUTY ENGEN AND K-9 BO WILL BE TRAINING AT THE McDONOUGH K-9 SCHOOL AND WILL TRAIN IN HANDLER PROTECTION, BUILDING SEARCHES, EVIDENCE SEARCHES, TRACKING FOR SUSPECTS AND/OR LOST PERSONS, SUSPECT APPREHENSION, AND NARCOTICS DETECTION.

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF JIM TADMAN SAYS THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS CONTINUING TO RAISE DONATIONS BECAUSE THE TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT IS COSTLY.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: A WINTER STORM WITH BRYNN RAIN AND SNOW AND POSSIBLY HEAVY SNOW TO PARTS OF THE AREA, AN I LONG WITH VI STRONG WINDS.

I'LL HAVE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Matthew: AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE VILLAGE OF HOPE IN BEMIDJI IS SPONSORING A MARCH FOR SHELTERS EVENT THIS WEEKEND CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AS A NONPROFIT.

>>> AND NOW, MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>> Dennis: TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF BEING A NONPROFIT, THE VILLAGE OF HOPE HOMELESS SHELTER IN BEMIDJI IS SPONSORING A MARCH FOR SHELTERS WALK THIS SATURDAY.

ORGANIZERS ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO BRING SIGNS TO THE PAUL AND BABE STATUES BY THE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER AT AROUND NOON WITH THE WALK STARTING SHORTLY AFTER AT 12:15.

STOPS WILL INCLUDE THE VILLAGE OF HOPE, EVERGREEN CRISIS SHELTER, PEOPLE'S CHURCH, AND THE WOLFE.

ORGANIZERS WANT TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY THAT SHELTER CARE MATTERS AND THAT EVERY FAMILY DESERVES SAFETY.

>> THE VILLAGE OF HOPE IS 40 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR.

IT BECAME A NONPROFIT ENTITY IN 1986 AND WE'RE DOING THIS MARCH TO RAISE AWARENESS, SHOW SUPPORT FOR UNHOUSED FRIENDS AND COLLECT RESOURCES.

>> Dennis: THE WALK WILL END AT THE WILD HARE COFFEE HOUSE AT AROUND ONE P.M.

FOR SOME CONNECTION AND CONVERSATION.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO WALK, ORGANIZERS SAY YOU CAN MEET EVERYONE AT THE WILD HARE AT ONE P.M.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER.

STACY IS HERE.

A WINTER STORM THAT COULD IMPACT THE AREA HERE PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> Stacy: YES, WE COULD SEE HEAVY SNOW AND PRETTY SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS, ESPECIALLY IN NORTH CENTRAL, OVER INTO NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, BUT IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW, WE'RE GOING TO SEE VERY STRONG WINDS IN THE AREA, SO EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW WILL BE BLOWING AROUND AND THAT COULD CREATE SOME TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES.

A LOT OF WARNINGS AND WATCH >>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WE HAD A PLEASANT AND QUIET WEATHER DAY TODAY AND IT LOOKS LIKE PRETTY QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT STOINTZ, BUT AS WE -- TONIGHT, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING SOME RAIN AND SNOW DEVELOPING IN THE AREA.

WE COULD SEE SOME HEAVY RAIN, AND SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT VERY STRONG WINDS WILL DEVELOP AS A WEATHER SYSTEM CROSSES THE AREA STARTING TOMORROW AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND HOOP HERE ARE CURRENT CONDITIONS.

IT'S 24 AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI.

THE WIND IS NORTHWEST AT OUR STUDIO AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

OUR DEWPOINT IS 16.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 31 WITH A DEWPOINT OF 18 AND WINDS OUT OF THE WEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MINNESOTA ARE UNDER A WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 1:00 P.M.

THURSDAY TO 1:00 P.M.

FRIDAY WITH HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW EXPECTED.

A WINTER STORM WITH WATCH FOR OTHER AREAS IN NORTHWEST OVER INTO EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH HEAVY SNOW IN AND AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW POSSIBLE.

WHERE WE ARE NOT SEEING THE SNOW, WE STILL HAVE HIGH WIND WARNINGS FOR A PORTION OF WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA, 1:00 P.M.

THURSDAY TO 7:00 A.M.

FRIDAY WITH WINDS GUSTING UP TO 60 MILES PER HOUR AND A HIGH WIND WATCH FOR OTHER PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING, AND AGAIN, WIND GUSTS FROM 60 TO 65 MILES PER HOUR.

AS FAR AS THE SNOW ACCUMULATIONS, WE CAN SEE THE HIGHER AMOUNTS IN NORTH CENTRAL OVER INTO NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

COULD SEE EIGHT INCHES OF SNOW IN BAUDETTE, 3 1/2 IN BEMIDJI WITH BARELY AN INCH IN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THAT'S THE MAIN DIFFERENCES IN WEATHER WHERE WE HAVE THE WINTER STORM WARNING OR THE HIGH WIND WARNING.

RIGHT NOW ON THE RADAR, IT IS FAIRLY QUIET OUT THERE.

A FEW SCATTERED CLOUDS.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

VARIABLE CLOUDS TO START THE DAY TOMORROW, MAYBE A FEW SNOW SHOWERS AND RAIN SHOWERS OUT THERE, BUT REALLY, WE ARE GOING TO SEE THIS WINTER STORM PICKING UP HEADING INTO THE ANNUAL AND THE WINDS START TO INCREASE AS WELL.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

BEAUTIFUL SKIES THIS MORNING FROM ANGELA IN CASS LAKE AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

STEPHANIE SENDING US A PHOTO OF THE FRESH SNOW IN HER YARD.

ICE OUTSTARTS IN DEERWOOD.

AGAIN, ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY OVER WILLMAR LAKE FROM ARLENE AND THE SUNSET TONIGHT OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

SANDY FROM BLACKDUCK LAKE AND AARON SPOTTING SOME SWANSON ON THE OPEN WATER NEAR BEMIDJI.

SO THANK YOU, EVERYWHERE, FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 17 AND BREEZY THIS MORNING, RALPH IN JENKINS, 19 THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE IN GRAIRNZ, A DUSTING OF SNOW THERE'S LIGHT AND ARLENE IN LONGVILLE WITH A HIGH OF 36.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 33 FOR THE HIGH, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH A HIGH OF 34, AND SANDY AM BLACKDUCK TOPPING OUT AT 35.

SEASONAL TEMPERATURES.

THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAIRP WAS 37.

THAT'S THE AVERAGE HIGH AND WE HAD A LOW OF 17.

BEMIDJI TODAY TOPPING OUT AT 34, SO AGAIN, VERY SEASONAL.

15 FOR THE LOWS A SUNSET AT 7:19.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW, WE DO HAVE A FEW CHANCES OF SOME PRECIPITATION IN THE MORNING.

THAT MOVES THROUGH, MUCH BETTER CHANCE AHEADING INTO THE AFTERNOON WITH THIS LARGE SWATH OF RAIN AND SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA ALONG, AGAIN, WITH THOSE STRONG WINDS.

HIGHS MAINLY IN THE 30s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE COULD SEE THE HIGHS RIGHT AROUND 40.

SO OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, LOWS FALLING TO ABOUT 13, AND THEN THAT SNOW STARTS TO DEVELOP, ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON TOMORROW WITH RAIN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THAT SNOW COULD BE HEAVY THE A TIMES.

HIGHS NEAR 36 AND WINDS PICKING UP AT 10 TO 5.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, SOME OF THAT SNOW WILL LINGER THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING, MAINLY EASTERN MINNESOTA.

QUIET ON SATURDAY AND THEN WE HAVE MORE CHANCES OF SOME SNOW ON SUNDAY.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE COOLER NEXT WEEK, HIGHS ON MONDAY NEAR 16.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WINTER RETURNS AND WINTER TOURNAMENTS CONTINUE ON.

>> Charlie: THEY DO.

>> Dennis: BOYS BABBLE NARROWING DOWN THE FIELD.

>> Charlie: YES, THE SECTION TOURNAMENTS STILL GOING ON.

WE HAVE THE SEMIFINALS FROM A COUPLE DIFFERENT AREAS ACROSS THE STATE, FROM WAD DENA, >>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: NEVIS BOYS BASKETBALL LOOKS POISED TO MAKE THEIR SEVENTH STRAIGHT SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND TRY FOR THEIR SIXTH STRAIGHT STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE, BUT STANDING IN THEIR WAY IS SEBEKA, A TEAM THAT HAS AMASSED 20 WINS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A SEASON SINCE 2011.

TIGERS TIPPING OFF WITH THE TROJANS IN THE SECTION 5-A SEMIFINALS TONIGHT AT WADENA-DEER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL, THEIR FIRST MEETING THIS YEAR.

PICKING UNIN THE SECOND HALF, NEVIS UP 34-29.

BESTLER STRING MUSIC.

22 POINTS TONIGHT, EXTENDS THE TIGER LEAD.

A COUPLE POSSESSIONS LATER, RIGHT DOWN THE CHUTE FOR THREE.

PART OF A 17-3 RUN FOR THE TIGERS, PUTS THEM UP 51-31.

TROJANS STILL FIGHTING, LAKE DEEP ON THE WING, NOTHING BUT NET.

HE HAD A GAME HIGH 23 POINTS.

SEBEKA STILL TRAILING 56-42.

NEVIS JUST TOO MUCH TONIGHT.

STILL IN THE LANE FOR PERFECTION.

14 POINTS FOR HIM AS THE TIGERS SECURE THEIR SEVENTH STRAIGHT SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCE, TAKING DOWN SEBEKA, 66-47.

THEY PLAY UPSULA ON FRIDAY.

AND DEER RIVER IN SECTION 7-A, IN THEIR SEMIFINAL MATCH WITH MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL, THEY FALL 86-57.

>>> IN SECTION 7-AA, 2-SEED PIERZ SQUARING OFF IN THE SEMIFINALS WITH THE TEAM WHO ENDED THEIR SEASON IN LAST YEAR'S SEMIS, 3-SEED ESKO.

EARLY ON, THE PIONEERS JUMP OUT TO A DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD.

SIMMONS WITH THE PASS.

12-2, PIERZ LEAD.

BUT LATER ESKO MAKING A PUSH.

S GRAHAM HARTLEY HEAD ALL SCORERS WITH 31.

LATE IN THE FIRST HALF, PIONEERS STILL TRAILING, DROPPED 20 POINTS TONIGHT.

PIERZ WOULD TRAIL AT THE HALF, BUT THEY WOULD PULL AWAY IN THE SECOND TO WIN 75-66.

THE PIONEERS ARE BACK IN THE SECTION FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020 WHERE THEY WILL TRY TO DETHRONE PEQUOT LAKES WHO BEAT MOORE TONIGHT.

THEY OWN THE LAST FOUR SECTION TITLES THERE IN 7-AA AND IN 8-AAA, STAPLE MOTLEY MOVING ON TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AFTER A TIGHT WIN OVER OSAKAS.

>>> SOME BIG TEN MEN'S TOURNAMENT SECOND ROUND ACTION.

11-SEED MINNESOTA TAKING ON 14-SEED RUTGERS IN CHICAGO.

GOPHERS BEAT THE SCARLET KNIGHTS BY 19 IN THEIR LONE MEETING.

DOWN THREE HERE.

THE KID FROM CHERRY TIES IT AT 11.

LATER, FINDING TYSON ON THE CUT.

SLOW IT DOWN, YOUNG MAN.

HE LED THE GOPHERS WITH 24 AND THE BOYS ON THE BENCH ARE LOVING IT.

IN THE SECOND HALF, CAME IN NEARLY SHOOT -- SHOOTING NEARLY 40% FROM DOWNTOWN.

HE'S FROM ILLINOIS, HOMETOWN BOY, GIVING THEM A SHOW.

HE HAD 15 POINTS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY RUTGERS PULLING AWAY IN THE SECOND HALF.

THEY GOT THE UPSET VICTORY, 72-67 OVER MINNESOTA, EFFECTIVELY ENDING THE GOPHERS SEASON.

THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO MAKE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

>>> WELL, THE HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY SEASON MAY BE OVER, BUT THIS WEEKEND IS THE YOUTH HOCKEY STATE TOURNAMENTS FOR BOTH THE BOYS AND GIRLS.

BEMIDJI'S BANTAM-B BLUE TEAM PUNCHED THEIR TICKET WITH A 5-1 WIN OVER EAST GRAND FORKS IN THE NORTH REGION FINALS BACK ON MARCH 1st, AND TONIGHT THEY HAD A SENDOFF FROM THE BCA.

THEY'RE HEADED TO WOODBURY WHERE THEIR STATE TOURNEY WILL BE HELD.

IT IS THE BEMIDJI BLUES TEAM'S SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON AT THE BANTAM B STATE TOURNAMENT.

THERE ARE A FEW OTHER YOUTH TEAMS IN THE VIEWING AREA THAT WILL BE PLAYING AT STATE TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK.

INCLUDING WARROAD AND A TEAM FROM BRAINERD LITTLE FALLS, GIRLS TEAM WILL BE HEADING DOWN THERE TOMORROW, LEAVING BETWEEN 9:00 AND 10:00 FROM THE ESSENTIA HEALTHCARE CENTER.

>> Dennis: SHOULD BE FUN.

THANKS, CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S STILL NOT FULLY CLEAR WHAT'S CAUSING THE RISE IN COLORECTAL CANCER AMONG YOUNGER ADULTS, BUT EMERGING EVIDENCE SUGGESTS WHAT WE EAT MAY PLAY A BIG ROLE.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER TALKS TO A DOCTOR ABOUT WHY A PERSON'S DIET IS NOW BEING LINKED TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

>> Mandy: IT REMAINS A CONCERNING TREND, MORE ADULTS YOUNGER THAN AGE 50 ARE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH COLORECTAL CANCER AND EARLY ONSET CASES ARE EXPECTED TO MORE THAN DOUBLE IN THE NEXT DECADE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN REALLY FOCUSED ON TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT CAUSES COLORECTAL CANCER FOR A NUMBER OF DECADES.

>> Mandy: DR.

SHAHNAZ SULTAN WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SAYS THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE RISING CASES IS STILL UNCLEAR.

SOME FACTORS THAT RAISE RISK CAN'T BE CHANGED, LIKE GENETICS, AGE, AND HAVING CERTAIN GENETIC CONDITIONS LIKE INFLAMMATORY BOWEL SYNDROME, BUT THERE ARE OTHER LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT CAN INCREASE CHANCES OF DEVELOPING THIS TYPE OF CANCER, INCLUDING HAVE BEEN OBESITY, LITTLE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SMOKING, EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL USE, AND A DIET HIGH IN RED MEAT AND LOW IN FIBER, FRUITS AND VEGGIES.

SULTAN SAYS CONSUMING A LOT OF TRAWL PROCESSED FOODS IS -- ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS IS ALSO EMERGING AS A RISK FACTOR.

>> FOOD PRODUCTS THAT ARE INDUSTRIALLY PRODUCED AND PROCESSED AND TEND TO BE HIGH IN SUGAR, HIGH IN LIPIDS, HIGH IN SALT, AND NUTRIENT POOR.

>> Mandy: SULTAN SAYS THESE CALORIE DENSE FOODS TASTE GOOD AND THEY'RE APPEALING, SO WE TEN TO OVEREAT AND OVERCONSUME THEM, INCREASING CHANCES OF DEVELOPING OBESITY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE RISK FACTORS.

SULTAN SAYS IT'S CRITICAL TO READ LABELS BEFORE BUYING FOOD AND FOCUS ON EATING WHOLE FOODS.

>> HOME COOKED MEALS ARE AN EASY WAY TO MINIMIZE THE INTAKE OF ULTRA PROCESSED FOOD BECAUSE YOU ARE CONTROL WHAT INGREDIENTS YOU'RE PUTTING INTO YOUR FOOD AND WHAT INGREDIENTS YOU'RE PUTTING INTO YOUR BODY.

>> Mandy: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: WE HAVE A WINTER STORM HEADING TO THE AREA.

>> Stacy: WE'RE REALLY GOING TO SEE THIS PICKING UP HEADING INTO THE AFTERNOON WITH POTENTIAL HEAVY SNOW ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE A WINTER STORM WARNING IN NORTHEAST AND NRT CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WINTER STORM WATCH FOR NORTHWEST AND EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND WHERE WE SARNT SEEING AS MUCH SNOW, HIGH WIND WATCHES AND WARNINGS OUT FOR THE VIEWING AREA.

POTENTIALLY IN OUR VIEWING AREA, WE'RE LOOKING AT ONE TO EIGHT INCHES OF ACCUMULATING SNOW, HIGHEST TOTALS IN NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

>> Charlie: THE KELLIHER GIRLS GAB AT STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WE'LL HAVE HIGHLIGHTS TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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