>> 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: MY -- HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 24 YEARS, THE CITY OF BEMIDJI HAS A NEW CITY COUNCILOR REPRESENTING WARD 3.

AFTER SECURING 806 TOTAL VOTES, OR CLOSE TO 59-PERCENT OF THE VOTES THIS PAST TUESDAY, MARK DICKINSON, A LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF BEMIDJI, WILL TAKE OVER AS YOUR NEWEST CITY COUNCILOR AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN, SAT DOWN WITH DICKENSON TO SEE WHAT HIS PLANS ARE ONCE HE IS IN OFFICE.

>> Reporter: THE REDISTRICTING OF WARD 3 IN THE CITY OF BEMIDJI LED TO A NEW CITY COUNCILLOR FOR THAT WARD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS.

DICKENSON WITH A DEGREE IN BUSINESS, JUMPED AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILL THE OPEN SEAT.

>> I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF BEMIDJI.

I LOVE OUR TOWN.

I FEEL LIKE I'M HEAVILY INVESTED IN OUR TOWN AND OUR COMMUNITY AND I JUST FELT LIKE IT WAS MY TURN TO STEP UP AND HELP OUT.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH HE WILL BE THE REPRESENTATIVE OF WARD 3, HE SAYS HE WILL DO HIS BEST FOR ALL THE CITIZENS OF BEMIDJI.

>> I REALLY DON'T LOOK AT WARD 3 AS HAVING ANY SPECIAL DIFFERENCES FROM ANY OF THE OTHER WARDS.

I LOOK AT BEMIDJI AS A COMMUNITY AND NOTHING REALLY SPECIFIC TO THE WARD, BUT TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN FOR THE WHOLE TOWN AND REALLY THE WHOLE AREA.

I LOOK AT ALL OF OUR DECISIONS, HOW IT AFFECTS PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN NORTHERN TOWNSHIP, BEMIDJI TOWNSHIP, HUBBARD COUNTY, ANYONE THAT WORKS OR THEIR KIDS GO TO SCHOOL IN BEMIDJI, ALL THE DECISIONS WE MAKE ARE IMPORTANT TO EVERYBODY, NOT JUST PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN WARD 3 OR EVEN IN THE CITY.

>> Reporter: GIVEN HIS BACKGROUND AS A REAL ESTATE HE BELIEVES HE HAS A LOT TO OFFER TOWARDS THE HOUSING CRISIS THAT HAS PLAGUED THE CITY FOR SOME TIME.

>> I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS, I'M FAMILIAR WITH MULTI-FAMILY PROPERTY OWNERS.

I THINK I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES AND WHAT SOME OF THEIR HURDLES MAY HAVE BEEN AND ARE AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN MAKE THOSE A LITTLE EASIER TO OVERCOME AND BE ABLE TO HELP THE PRIVATE SECTOR CREATE MORE UNITS.

>> Reporter: HE WANTED TO SHOW SUPPORT TO EVERYONE THAT VOTED FOR HIM AND FEELS HE WILL HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REST OF CITY COUNCIL ONCE HE IS IN OFFICE.

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

>> DICKINSON WILL TAKE UP THE MANTLE OF WARD 3 BEMIDJI CITY COUNCILOR AT THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY, 2025.

>>> A 21-YEAR-OLD BRAINERD WOMAN IS FACING TWO FELONY CHARGES FOR A SOLICITING A CHILD SHE WAS COACHING ON A TRAVELING BASKETBALL TEAM.

ACCORDING TO THE COURT RECORDS, CLARA MEYER IS ACCUSED OF SENDING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TEXTS AND NUDE PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE GIRL WHO IS 15.

MEYER IS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF SOLICIT CHILD TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL CONDUCT AND ONE COUNT OF DISTRIBUTE VIA ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION MATERIAL THAT RELATES OR DESCRIBES SEXUAL CONDUCT.

MEYER HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM CUSTODY AFTER POSTING $20,000 BOND WITH CONDITIONS.

HER INITIAL APPEARANCE IN COURT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THIS PAST MONDAY AND AN OMNIBUS HEARING IS SET FOR DECEMBER 30TH.

THE GIRL TOLD INVESTIGATORS MEYER IS HER TRAVELING BASKETBALL COACH.

SHE SAYS THE TWO WERE ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER AND ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP BUT BOTH KNEW IT WAS ILLEGAL.

INVESTIGATORS DISCOVERED NUDE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM BOTH THE GIRL AND THE COACH WERE EXCHANGED ELECTRONICALLY.

THE GIRL IS A RESIDENT OF HUBBARD COUNTY BUT THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT DOES NOT SPECIFY WHERE MEYER WAS COACHING AT.

MIGHT -- MEYER DECLINED TO SPEAK TO INVESTIGATORS.

>>> THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST AND THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE HAVE RENEWED AN AGREEMENT RELATED TO FOREST MANAGEMENT DECISIONS THE SIGNING BUILDS ON A RECENTLY EXPIRED 2019 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST AND THE BAND.

THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN THE FOREST SERVICE AND THE LEECH LAKE BAND FOR NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND EDUCATION, MAINTAINING OJIBWE CULTURAL LIFEWAYS, AND REGULATORY JURISDICTION ON NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM AND TRUST LANDS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION.

CONGRESS CREATED THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY FROM LANDS THAT HAD BEEN SET ASIDE TO SERVE AS A TREATY-GUARANTEED RESERVATION FOR THE BAND.

TODAY, ABOUT 90-PERCENT OF THE RESERVATION LIES WITHIN FOREST BOUNDARIES WHILE 45-PERCENT OF THE FOREST LIES WITHIN THE RESERVATION.

>>> THE RED LAKE TRIBAL COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE DISTRIBUTION OF $200 TO ALL DULY ENROLLED BAND MEMBERS.

BAND MEMBERS FROM LITTLE ROCK, RED LAKE AND REDBY CAN PICK UP A CHECK FOR THAT AMOUNT AT THE OSHKII WELLNESS CENTER IN REDBY ON NOVEMBER 23RD BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 8:00 P.M.

BAND MEMBERS FROM PONEMAH CAN PICK UP THE CHECKS FROM THE PONEMAH BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB DURING THOSE SAME HOURS.

CHECKS WILL GO IN THE MAIL ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND TO THOSE LIVING OFF THE RESERVATION.

>>> BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EXPRESSED OPPOSITION REGARDING INCOMING CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL'S CELL PHONE POLICY DURING A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

PRINCIPAL ANDREA RUSK SURVEYED THE STUDENTS ABOUT KEEPING THE POLICY THE SAME OR PROHIBITING CELL PHONE USE DURING SCHOOL HOURS WITH 98.7 PERCENT OF STUDENTS SIDING TOWARDS LEAVING THE POLICY AS IS.

STUDENTS NOTED THAT THE CURRENT POLICY HAS BEEN FOLLOWED BETTER SO FAR THIS YEAR WITH TEACHERS EXHIBITING MORE ENFORCEMENT, BUT THE STUDENTS ALSO BELIEVE THAT A BAN COULD TAKE AWAY FROM THEIR COLLECTIVE INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM AND POTENTIALLY PUSH MORE STUDENTS TO EXPLORE ONLINE COURSES.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR SCHOOL BOARD HEARS FROM THE STUDENTS AND FROM ANY GRADE IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IT WILL HELP THEM MAKE THEIR DECISION, KNOWING THAT THE STUDENTS SUPPORT THE CURRENT POLICY AND THAT HOPEFULLY THAT WILL WEIGH IN THEIR DECISION MAKING FOR THEIR DECISION TO CREATE POLICY MOVING FORWARD.

>> SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR KEVIN BOYLES STATED THAT THE BOARD PLANS TO DISCUSS THE MATTER FURTHER THIS MONTH AND DECIDE WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE REGARDING THE POLICY.

THE BOARD'S NEXT MEETING WILL BE NOVEMBER 12TH.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ADDRESSED THE NATION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN TODAY FOLLOWING VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS' LOSS TO PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP.

BIDEN PROMISED AN ORDERLY TRANSFER OF POWER.

OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT JULIA BENBROOK REPORTS ON THE KEY TAKEAWAYS.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SPEAKING PUBLICLY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE COUNTRY VOTED TO SEND DONALD TRUMP BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> CAMPAIGNS ARE CONTESTS OF COMPETING VISIONS, A COUNTRY CHOOSES ONE OR THE OTHER.

WE ACCEPT THE CHOICE THE COUNTRY MADE.

>> Reporter: HE PROMISED A PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER AND REPURPOSED THE LINE HE USED OFTEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> YOU CAN'T LOVE YOUR COUNTRY ONLY WHEN YOU WIN.

>> Reporter: BIDEN EMPHASIZED THE INTEGRITY OF THE AMERICAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM, SOMETHING THAT TRUMP REPEATEDLY QUESTIONED IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE 2020 ELECTION, SPREADING FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT VOTER FRAUD AND LAUNCHING A SERIES OF LEGAL CHALLENGES IN SWING STATES.

>> IT IS HONEST, IT IS FAIR, AND IT IS TRANSPARENT.

IT CAN BE TRUSTED, WIN OR LOSE.

>> Reporter: DURING THE REMARKS, BIDEN TOOK A MOMENT TO SPEAK TO MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET AND SENIOR STAFF AND THE AUDIENCE AND PROMISED TO STAY COMMITTED IN THE FINAL DAYS OF HIS PRESIDENCY.

>> NOW WE HAVE 74 DAYS TO FINISH THE TERM, OUR TERM.

LET'S MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT.

THAT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY WE HAVE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT SPOKE WITH THE PRESIDENT-ELECT WEDNESDAY TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS VICTORY AND INVITE HIM TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

TRUMP'S TEAM IS IN DISCUSSIONS ON WHEN HE SHOULD VISIT.

IT COULD HAPPEN AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

REPORTING AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I'M JULIA BENBROOK.

>> ALSO TODAY, PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP ANNOUNCED THAT HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER SUSIE WILES WILL BE HIS NEW WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF.

WILES WAS WIDELY CREDITED WITH RUNNING WHAT WAS SEEN AS TRUMP'S MOST SOPHISTICATED AND DISCIPLINED CAMPAIGN.

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

>> Stacy: WE SHOULD SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, WITH CHANCES OF RAIN RETURNING FOR THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL PREMIERS THEIR MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL >> 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.

>>> THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

HAS CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF ZEBRA MUSSELS IN TURTLE RIVER LAKE, NEAR THE TOWN OF TURTLE RIVER JUST NORTH OF BEMIDJI.

A LAKE PROPERTY OWNER CONTACTED THE D.N.R.

AFTER FINDING SEVERAL DOZEN ZEBRA MUSSELS ON EQUIPMENT THEY WERE REMOVING FROM TURTLE RIVER LAKE FOR THE SEASON.

A BELTRAMI COUNTY INVASIVE SPECIES SPECIALIST FOUND ZEBRA MUSSELS ON A PUBLIC ACCESS DOCK AND A SETTLEMENT SAMPLER IN TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

A D.N.R.

INVASIVE SPECIES SPECIALIST FOUND ZEBRA MUSSELS ATTACHED TO DOCKS AT TWO TURTLE RIVER LAKE PUBLIC ACCESSES.

SETTLEMENT SAMPLERS ARE SOLID SURFACES TEMPORARILY PLACED IN THE WATER THAT PEOPLE CAN REGULARLY CHECK FOR ATTACHED ZEBRA MUSSELS, TO AID IN DETECTING THE INVASIVE MUSSELS.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE NOW AS WE CLOSE IN ON THE WEEKEND.

HOW ARE WE LOOKING?

>> Stacy: WELL, WE ARE GOING TO ENJOY A LOT OF NICE SUNSHINE TO WRAP UP THE WORKWEEK.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, WE WILL SEE A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUN AND A CHANCE FOR RAIN TO RETURN SATURDAY AFTERNOON INTO SUNDAY >> 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, IT WAS NICE TO SEE SUNSHINE AGAIN TODAY, TEMPERATURE-WISE, WE HAVE SEEN THE HIGHS IN THE 40s AND MOST OF US WILL BE IN THE UPPER 40s AND 50s TOMORROW AS WE CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE NICE SUNNY WEATHER.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, WE'LL SEE A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, BUT WE ALSO HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN RETURNING TO THE AREA, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO LATE TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 44 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE WEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

30 IS OUR DEW POINT AND HUMIDITY IS AT 58%.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 41 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 30, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY, AND WE HAVE SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

IT IS QUIET ON THE RADAR THIS EVENING.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD INCREASE TONIGHT.

WE SHOULD SEE QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WINDS WILL START TO DIMINISH AND IT LOOKS CALM TOMORROW.

WE'RE GOING TO ENJOY SOME NICE SUNSHINE AND HIGH PRESSURE IS STILL INFLUENCING OUR WEATHER CONDITIONS.

TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE A LITTLE BIT WARMER, MOST OF US SHOULD HAVE HIGHS IN THE 50s, MAYBE SOME UPPER 40s IN SOME LOCATIONS.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE WILL START WITH MAINLY QUIET WEATHER, BUT CHANCES OF RAIN WILL RETURN STARTING ON SATURDAY, MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOON.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE PURPLE IN THE SKY EARLY THIS MORNING IN CASS LAKE.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA ANDCARE -- AND CARRIE WITH SOME SUNSET SHOTS, AND LINDA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SLIVER OF THE MOON THERE IN WALKER.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDS TODAY AND SOME SUNSHINE, WE HAD A HIGH OF 47.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, THE HIGH WAS 48.

WE HEARD FROM ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDS AND SUN, ALSO A BIT BREEZY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT AND A HIGH OF 49.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD, WE TOPPED OUT AT 49, 5 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, THE LOW THIS MORNING AT 38, AND SUNRISE AT 8 MINUTES AFTER 7:00.

IN BEMIDJI, WE TOPPED OUT AT 49, SO WE'RE 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE, 37 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNSET AT 4:53.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, THE HIGH PRESSURE IN PLACE WILL PROVIDE A NICE SUNNY DAY FOR US.

TEMPERATURES, AS I MENTIONED, WILL BE MAINLY IN THE UPPER 40s TO RIGHT AROUND 50, SOME LOW 50s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE SUNNY SKIES, WE WILL SEE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW TO MID-50s, SO SOME WARM TEMPERATURES, NICE SUNSHINE AS WE END THE WORKWEEK AND HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, WE WILL HAVE SOME CHANCES OF RAINFALL.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST.

MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES FOR TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 31, WITH WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

THEN FOR TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES, 51 FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE, AND WINDS VARIABLE UP TO 5.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, WE WILL HAVE SOME CLOUDS AND SUN, A LITTLE MIX OF BOTH, BUT CHANCES OF RAINFALL WILL RETURN, ESPECIALLY STARTING SATURDAY AFTERNOON INTO SATURDAY NIGHT AND STARTING TO EXIT MOST OF THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY ON SUNDAY.

HIGHS WILL CONTINUE TO REACH THE 50s THROUGH SATURDAY, A LITTLE BIT COOLER THERE ON SUNDAY, AND THEN ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY, IT LOOKS MAINLY QUIET, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE 40s, LOOKS LIKE THE COOLEST DAY IS MONDAY WITH A HIGH OF 43.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

WHICHERLY IS HERE NOW.

WHAT AN EXCITING GAME FOR STAPLES MOTLEY.

>> Charlie: YES, I'M JEALOUS THAT MILES GOT TO GO TO THE GAME.

WE GET TO GIVE YOU THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GAME.

AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC, GREAT WAY TO START THE FOOTBALL QUARTER FINALS THIS WEEKEND.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, BRINGING NORTHERN MINNESOTA THE GIGAZONE.

INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGABITS PER SECONDS, BOTH UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD.

IT'S THE GIGAZONE FROM PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS AND IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> THE GOLDEN APPLE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY CROW WING POWER.

DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELIABLE ELECTRICITY AND A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF TO ASSIST YOU WITH ENERGY-SAVING PROGRAMS AND TIPS MORE AT CWPOWER.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: AFTER A WEEK OF WAITING, IT'S FINALLY HERE.

THE FOOTBALL STATE TOURNAMENT BEGINS TONIGHT.

NOT EVERY TEAM WAS IN ACTION TONIGHT, CLASS A STAPLES MOTLEY WAS MAKING THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE SINCE 2004 AND WHAT AN APPEARANCE IT WAS.

CARDINALS, THE 3-SEED TAKING ON BARNESVILLE AT ST.

CLOUD TECH HIGH SCHOOL.

BOTH TEAMS ARE COMING IN UNDEFEATED.

WE PICK UP IN THE THIRD QUARTER, CARDINALS TRAIL, BUT THE COMEBACK STARTS NOW.

COBY 4 YARDS FOR THE SCORE, STAPLES IS NOW WITHIN A SCORE.

ENSUING DRIVE, AND 37-YARD RECEPTION, SETS UP HIS THIRD T.D.

THEY TIE IT AFTER A TWO POINT CONVERSION.

NOW YOU MAY WANT TO SALUTE A MAJOR NET, PUNCHING IT IN, AND PUTTING THE TROJANS ON TOP.

LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, CARDS ARE TRYING TO KEEP THEIR SEASON ALIVE.

ALEX COMES DOWN WITH IT, AND 50 YARDS, TYING THE GAME AT 30-30, AND THEN IT GOES TO OVERTIME.

THE CAMERA HAD TO LEAVE, BUT THEY ARE ABLE TO SCORE IN DOUBLE OVERTIME TO SCORE IT.

>> QUARTERBACK POWER, BALL GAME.

>> Charlie: AND THAT'S HOW IT ENDED IN DOUBLE OVERTIME.

A TWO POINT CONVERSION IS THE DIFFERENCE THERE AS STAPLES MOTLEY COMES UP WITH THE UPSET WIN OVER BARNESVILLE.

HE HAD 5 TOUCHDOWNS FOR THE CARDINALS.

WHAT A WAY TO START THE QUARTER FINALS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>>> WELL, IT'S OPENING NIGHT FOR GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY HERE IN MINNESOTA AND GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY FACING OFF AGAINST CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON.

EMMA FIRES AND THEN TIPPED.

THEN SHE SWIPES IT BACK AND JAYLA SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT.

THEN IT TURNED INTO THE MERCURY SHOW, FROM DISTANCE, SHE GOES BAR DOWN TO AN EQUALIZER.

THEN RIGHT CIRCLE, KISSES THE PIPE AGAIN FOR THE 2-1 LEAD.

THEY WIN 4-1 OVER CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON.

THAT'S A BAKERS HAT-TRICK, I JUST CAME UP WITH THAT, 3 + 1, WHAT A WAY TO START THE SEASON.

>>> ALSO IN GIRLS HOCKEY, BUFFALO GETS A WIN OVER BRAINERD LITTLE FALLS TONIGHT.

IN THE CLASS A GIRLS VOLLEYBALL, THEY WILL PLAY IN THE CONSOLATION BRACKET STARTING TOMORROW.

>>> IN COLLEGE SOCCER, BEMIDJI STATE GETS A 3-0 WIN OVER MINNESOTA DULUTH BEFORE THEY HEAD TO THE NSIC TOURNAMENT.

TIMBERWOLVES BEAT THE BULLS ON THE ROAD.

RIGHT NOW, MINNESOTA WILD UP ON THE SHARKS.

>>> WELL, IN ITS 100th SEASON, DEER RIVER FOOTBALL IS BACK IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT AFTER A ONE YEAR HIATUS.

WE GOT A CHANCE TO STOP BY PRACTICE TO SEE WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE PLAYERS TO SHOWCASE A CENTURY OF TRADITION AS THEY HEAD INTO THE CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> Reporter: 100 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO KEEP A PROGRAM RUNNING, EVEN LONGER TO CARRY A TRADITION OF WINNING, SOMETHING THAT DEER RIVER FOOTBALL HAS MASTERED WITH THEIR WARRIOR CULTURE.

>> I THINK IT GENERALLY BEING A WARRIOR IS MAX EFFORT.

ONCE YOU ARE DONE, THERE IS NO QUITTING.

THERE IS NO LEVEL AFTER YOU THINK YOU ARE TIRED.

IT'S MENTAL MOTIVATION.

>> Reporter: IN THEIR CENTENNIAL SEASON, DEER RIVER IS BACK IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY, THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

16 TIMES THE WARRIORS HAVE ENTERED THAT ARENA, BUT IT'S NOT ONE THEY TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

>> IT'S A BIG DEAL, IT'S AN HONOR.

EVERYONE CAME BEFORE US, WE HAVE TO DO IT FOR THEM AND CONTINUE THE LEGACY.

PLAY HARD, TOUGH, AND WIN.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP, AS THEY TRAILED 6-0 LATE AND THEY HANDLED THE ADVERSITY AND WIN, WITH SECONDS REMAINING, CONVERTING THE TWO POINT CONVERSION TO SEAL THE VICTORY.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE DEER RIVER WAY.

IT'S A LONG STRUGGLE, TO GET BACK TO THE SECTION FINALS, IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

IT'S SATISFYING TO COME THROUGH THAT AND THEN SEE THE KIDS' HARD WORK COME TO FRUITION IN THE END.

>> Reporter: THE PRESSURE OF HOLDING A CENTURY-LONG LEGACY CAN WEIGH ON THE MIGHTIEST WARRIOR, BUT THEY WERE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE, ESPECIALLY AFTER FALLING SHORT OF THE STATE TOURNAMENT A YEAR AGO.

>> I THOUGHT WE LET PEOPLE DOWN LAST YEAR AND WE NEEDED TO BRING IT BACK.

SO EVERYBODY IS ON OUR BACK, WE DID IT AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.

>> THESE KIDS CAME OUT IN JUNE.

WE DID 4 OR 5 DAYS OF ALIGNMENT WORK IN THE SUMMER AND LEARNING THINGS AND THEY DONE A GOOD JOB WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: WITH A CENTURY OF HISTORY BEHIND THEM, THE WARRIORS LOOK TO THE FUTURE, A STATE QUARTER FINAL MATCH UP WITH A PERENNIAL POWERHOUSE, MAHNOMEN.

>> THAT WILL BE OUR MENTAL CHALLENGE, KEEP GOING, NO MATTER THE SCORE OR THE QUARTER OR TIME, JUST DO YOUR JOB AND GET IT DONE.

>>> WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THAT WHEN THEY PLAY TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE SPENT FIVE DAYS A WEEK SINCE THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER REHEARSING AND PREPARING FOR THEIR PRODUCTION OF “MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL.” TONIGHT WAS OPENING NIGHT AND FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK GOT TO SEE ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK PUT INTO ACTION.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: ON WEDNESDAYS, WE WEAR PAINT.

ON THURSDAYS, WE PREMIER MEAN GIRL THE MUSICAL AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL.

STUDENTS HAVE SPENT THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS GETTING THE MUSIC, CHOREOGRAPHY, AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE TOGETHER.

AS WITH THE CASE FOR ANY PERFORMANCE, THE STUDENTS ARE FEELING A BUNCH OF EMOTIONS.

>> AT FIRST, I WAS REALLY NERVOUS.

NOW I'M REALLY CONFIDENT.

>> I'M NERVOUS, I'M REALLY EXCITED.

>> Reporter: THE BASIS OF THE STORY IS A GIRL TRYING TO NAVIGATE HER WAY THROUGH THE AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE, BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE THAN JUST HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA.

>> SHE LEARNS TO OVERCOME THE BATTLES OF SOCIALIZATION AND THE PRESSURE THAT IS ON WOMEN IN SOCIETY.

>> IF YOU KEEP GOING ALONG WITH THAT AND CHANGING YOURSELF TO BE WHO PEOPLE WANT YOU TO BE, IT PUTS YOU IN A VERY, VERY DARK PLACE.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH LEARNING THE LINES AND DANCE MOVES, PERFORMERS UNDERSTAND THE BIGGER ROLE THEY CAN PLAY IN SPREADING POSITIVE MESSAGES.

>> IT SHOWS YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE WHO YOU ARE TO FIT IN WITH PEOPLE AND YOU CAN JUST BE YOURSELF.

YOU CAN FIND YOUR GROUP AND IF PEOPLE ARE BEING RUDE OR BEING LIKE MEAN ABOUT THINGS, THEN THAT'S JUST NOT THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE TO BE AROUND.

>> Reporter: THEATER CREATES PERFORMANCES BUT ALSO MAKES A CREATIVE OUTLET FOR STUDENTS TO THRIVE OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM, WHERE THEY CAN LEARN SO MANY MORE LIFE SKILLS.

>> ALL STUDENTS GO THROUGH THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND WANT TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES DIFFERENTLY.

MUSIC IS SOMEONE'S OUTLET, ACTING IS SOMEONE'S OUTLET, TO HAVE ALL THESE OPTIONS, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

>> HONESTLY, I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT STUDENTS AND ANYONE LEARNS FROM THEATER IS HOW TO WORK WITH A GROUP, HOW TO COLLABORATE TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

EVERYONE HAS TO SAY THEIR LINES, SING THE RIGHT NOTES, PLAY THE RIGHT INSTRUMENT FOR EVERYTHING TO COME TOGETHER AND SOUND AND WORK AS ONE.

I REALLY THINK THAT COLLABORATION THEY LEARNED IN THIS PROCESS IS INVALUABLE AND WILL FOLLOW THEM THROUGH THEIR WHOLE LIVES.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE “MEAN GIRLS” FIRST PERFORMANCE WAS TONIGHT BUT THEY WILL ONCE AGAIN BE AT THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM TOMORROW AND SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M.

THE INTENDED AUDIENCE IS AGES THIRTEEN AND UP DUE TO SOME ADULT LANGUAGE AND REFERENCES.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪