>> 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.

>> CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL NEWS FOR BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

>> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANNIGAN STOPPED IN BEMIDJI TODAY AND TOURED SOME OF THE LOCAL FACILITIES THAT WERE AFFECTED BY STATE LEGISLATION.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN FOLLOWED THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ACROSS BEMIDJI AND HE HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: TODAY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DECIDED TO DROP BY A FEW PLACES ACROSS BEMIDJI, STARTING WITH CITY HALL TO MEET WITH TRIBAL MEMBERS TO ENCOURAGE MINNESOTA FAMILIES TO FILE FOR THE TAX CREDIT BEFORE TAX DAY ON APRIL 15TH.

>> $458 MILLION HAVE GONE OUT TO FAMILIES, THAT'S 366,000 KIDS AND ROUGHLY $2,500 PER FAMILY.

THERE ARE OVER 300,000 MINNESOTA FAMILIES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS TAX CUT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT 100% OF FAMILIES TAKE ADVANTAGE.

EVEN IF YOU AREN'T LEGALLY REQUIRED TO FILE TAXES, YOU CAN STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.

THIS IS THE YEAR TO START.

WE DON'T FAMILIES TO LEAVE THIS MONEY ON THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: AND ONCE FLANAGAN WAS FINISH WITH HER SPEECH AT CITY HALL, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DECIDED TO DROP BY BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY TO CHECK OUT THE CAMPUS.

SHE WAS GIVEN A TOUR OF THE SCHOOL WHERE SHE TOOK AN INTEREST IN THE ART DISPLAYED AROUND THE CAMPUS.

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE STUDENT.

WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE ART COMMUNITY HERE.

IT COULD BE PAINTING, BUT IT CAN BE DIGITAL ART, ALL OF THE THINGS YOU SAW TODAY THAT THE STUDENTS WERE PUTTING TOGETHER.

I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY WHAT I SAW TODAY AT BSU AND JUST KNOWING THEY ARE DOING INCREDIBLY INNOVATIVE WORK THERE THAT IS NOT HAPPENING ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT BSU AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF BEMIDJI SHOULD BE PROUD OF.

>> Reporter: FLANAGAN WAS NOT DONE AS SHE LOOKED AT THE WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFTS, TO SEE HOW THEY WERE BENEFITTING FROM THE GRANTS.

>> I THINK THAT THE WORK THEY'RE DOING HERE IS INCREDIBLE.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT AS AN AGENCY AND THE INVESTMENTS WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE ADDRESS -- AS A STATE.

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE EXAMPLE OF WHAT THOSE INVESTMENTS MEAN TO BEMIDJI AND THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THE WORK THEY DO HERE IS INCREDIBLE.

I AM REALLY HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS COMPANY, BUT ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY IT PROVIDES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OR FOLKS WHO ARE LOOKING TO GET INTO MANUFACTURING AND WORKING WITH THEIR HANDS AND BEING ABLE TO SEE SOMETHING THEY BUILT OR RESTORED.

IT'S A GREAT INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: AT THE END OF HER VISIT, SHE COULDN'T HELP BE BE -- BUT BE INSPIRED BY WHAT SHE SAW.

>> I THINK OF ALL THE THINGS I'M DOING TODAY AND IT'S THE EMBODIMENT OF WHO BEMIDJI IS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE CHILD TAX CREDIT THIS MORNING WITH LOCAL CITY COUNCIL LEADERS, AS WELL AS TRIBAL LEADERS.

GOING TO BSU, WHICH IS REALLY THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WHAT I'M LEARNING TODAY IS THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO BE HERE.

THEY ARE DOING INNOVATIVE WORK.

BEMIDJI HAS SO MUCH TO BE PROUD OF.

IT'S A REALLY BRIGHT SPOT IN OUR STATE AND MY JOB IS TO HELP CONTINUE TO LIFT UP THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND HELP TO TELL THE STORY BECAUSE IT'S A STORY WORTH TELLING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR STOPPED BY MULTIPLE CITIES ACROSS THE STATE INCLUDING DETROIT LAKES AND ALEXANDRIA BEFORE STOPPING AT BEMIDJI TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO APPLY FOR THE CHILD TAX CREDIT BEFORE TAX DAY ON MONDAY, APRIL 15TH.

>>> A CROW WING COUNTY JURY HAS FOUND A MERRIFIELD MAN GUILTY OF PREMEDITATED FIRST DEGREE MURDER.

46-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL LAFLEX HAD PLEADED INNOCENT ON THE CHARGE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OCTOBER 2022 DEATH OF 23-YEAR-OLD BRYCE BROGLE.

LAFLEX TESTIFIED DURING THE TRIAL IN HIS OWN DEFENSE.

THE JURY RETURNED ITS VERDICT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND CONVICTED LAFLEX OF SHOOTING BROGLE IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD FROM A DISTANCE AND THEN BURYING HIS BODY IN A GRAVE THAT HE HAD DUG IN CROW WING COUNTY.

SENTENCING FOR LAFLEX IS SLATED FOR JUNE 10TH.

>>> THE AITKIN-ITASCA-MILLE LACS VIOLENT CRIMES ENFORCEMENT TEAM RECENTLY EXECUTED SEARCH WARRANTS IN PINE AND ST. LOUIS COUNTIES AND SEIZED MORE THAN FOUR POUNDS OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND ONE POUND OF MARIJUANA.

37-YEAR-OLD NICHOLE ANN MAKI OF CULVER MINNESOTA WAS ARRESTED AND IS BEING HELD IN THE PINE COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF FIRST DEGREE POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

ADDITIONAL SEARCH WARRANTS WERE EXECUTED AT MAKI'S RESIDENCE, WHERE A HANDGUN AND AMMUNITION WERE RECOVERED.

>>> THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL HAS A NEW LEADER.

INTERIM COLONEL CHRISTINA BOGOJEVIC HAS BEEN NAMED THE PATROLS NEXT COLONEL.

BOGOJEVIC HAS BEEN WITH THE STATE PATROL FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS AND HAS SERVED AS SECOND IN COMMAND SINCE DECEMBER 2022.

BOGOJEVIC SAID SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO COLLABORATING ON NEW IDEAS AND EFFORTS TO LOWER MINNESOTA'S TRAFFIC FATALITY RATE, WHICH IS UP THIS YEAR WHEN COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

SHE'S ALSO PASSIONATE ABOUT DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE WAYS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TROOPERS.

SHE WILL OFFICIALLY TAKE OVER AS COLONEL ON MAY 2nd.

>>> NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN SAY THEY WORKED IN ONE PLACE FOR TWO DECADES.

AFTER 22 YEARS AS THE CITY CLERK IN LAKE SHORE, PATTI MCDONALD HAS RETIRED.

THE CITY OF LAKE SHORE HOSTED AN OPEN HOUSE IN HONOR OF HER RETIREMENT LAST WEEK.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: McDONALD SPENT THE LAST 22 YEARS OF HER LIFE SERVING LAKESHORE AS THE CITY CLERK.

SHE WAS PROUD OF THE WORK SHE PUT IN.

>> IT'S A RELIEF, IT'S A LOT OF HARD WORK, BUT IT'S WORTH IT.

THE RESIDENTS OF LAKESHORE THOROUGHLY RESPECT MY POSITION.

I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: WORKING WITH RESIDENTS AND CITY STAFF CAME EASILY TO McDONALD BECAUSE OF THE FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

>> IT'S FORTUNATE THAT WE ALL LIKE EACH OTHER.

WE'RE ALL FRIENDS.

IT'S WHAT MAKES IT EASY.

RESIDENTS ARE WONDERFUL.

YOU MAKE FRIENDS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CITY.

I DON'T LIVE WITHIN LAKESHORE, BUT THEY TREAT ME LIKE I AM FROM LAKESHORE.

>> Reporter: NOW AS SHE ENTERS RETIREMENT WITH HER HUSBAND, THE COUPLE PLANS TO SEE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

>> MY HUSBAND AND I LIKE CAMPING, SO WE'RE GOING TO TRAVEL THE LOWER 48.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES IN MINNESOTA WE HAVEN'T SEEN YET.

WE'RE GOING TO TRAVEL.

>> Reporter: 22 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO SPEND AT ONE PLACE AND FOR CITY STAFF WHO HAD SPENT NEARLY EVERY DAY WITH PATTI OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DECADES, IT'S HARD TO NARROW DOWN WHAT THEY WILL MISS MOST.

>> HER CHEERFUL SMILE.

SHE ALWAYS HAS A SMILE ON HER FACE, WHICH HELPS LIGHTEN EVERYBODY'S DAY.

>> WEIRD AS IT MAY SOUND, HER INTEGRITY AND NOT WORRYING ABOUT THINGS GETTING DONE, THAT SORT OF THING.

>> JUST HOW I GOTTEN TO KNOW HER AND HER FAMILY AND HER KIDS.

SHE KNOWS ABOUT MY FAMILY AND MY KIDS.

WE ALL KNOW OUR PERSONAL LIVES A LOT.

>> IT'S SOMETHING CRAZY WHERE LIKE I NEED TO TELL PATTI AND SHE'S NOT GOING TO BE HERE ANYMORE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE HARD.

YEAH.

SHE'S MY RIGHT HAND MAN.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LAKESHORE, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> MCDONALD HAD BEEN TRAINING HER SUCCESSOR FOR THE PAST MONTH.

LAURA FUSSY IS NOW THE LAKE SHORE CITY CLERK AND MCDONALD IS CONFIDENT SHE WILL SERVE THE CITY WELL.

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

>> Stacy: WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE SUNSHINE TOMORROW AND TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE WARMING UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, LEARNING ABOUT WHAT A LIBRARY MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY DURING NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.

THE ORIGINS OF LIBRARIES CAN BE TRACED BACK 5,000 YEARS TO THE WORLD'S FIRST CIVILIZATION, MESOPOTAMIA.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY STOPPED BY THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY TO LEARN ABOUT HOW LIBRARIES HAVE CONTINUED TO BE A PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE THE DAWN OF CIVILIZATION.

>> Reporter: WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK OF A LIBRARY, THEY THINK ABOUT BOOKS, BUT THAT DOES NOT PAINT THE WHOLE PICTURE OF WHAT A LIBRARY PROVIDES TO A COMMUNITY.

>> SO BEYOND BOOKS, WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO DO LIFELONG LEARNING OF ALL KINDS FROM BABIES ALL THE WAY THROUGH RETIREMENT.

SO, WE LIKE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THINGS LIKE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND THINGS WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME IN AND EXPERIENCE WHAT IT IS TO BE IN A COMMUNITY AND WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND LEARN TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: MOST PEOPLE THINK AT A LIBRARY, IT IS A PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE TO BE QUIET.

THERE ARE PEOPLE READING.

HERE AT THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY, THERE IS A MUCH MORE LIVELY ENVIRONMENT.

>> IT'S A VERY CREATIVE SPACE AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS LIBRARY IS WE ARE NOT ONE OF THOSE QUIET LIBRARIES, WE'RE A VERY LIVELY LIBRARY WITH KIDS RUNNING AROUND AND KIDS TALKING AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER ON COMPUTERS START A CONVERSATION AND IT'S LIKE OKAY, THIS IS WHERE TODAY IS GOING.

>> Reporter: MOST LIBRARIES WANT TO PROVIDE A WELCOMING PLACE WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS CAN LEARN AND GET INVOLVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE LIBRARY IS WHERE EVERYONE CAN COME AND IS WELCOME.

THERE ISN'T AN EXPECTATION FOR YOU TO SPEND MONEY TO BE THERE.

YOU CAN JUST BE HERE AND DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT THINGS AND LEARN DIFFERENT THINGS, ALL FOR FREE.

>> EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

THAT IS TRULY SOMETHING THAT THE STAFF HERE APPRECIATE AND EMBED IN THEIR DAILY LIVES AND JUST HAVING THAT WELCOMING FACE.

>> Reporter: FOR YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY MEANS A LOT TO YOU, LIBRARY OFFICIALS URGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD.

>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT THE LIBRARY AS A PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IS IMPORTANT AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THEIR VICIOUS CITY AND COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES AND EXPRESS THAT IMPORTANCE TO THEM.

>> Reporter: SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY WAS ESTABLISHED OVER A CENTURY AGO IN 1904.

THAT IS RELATIVELY NEW WHEN COMPARED TO THE SAINT CATHERINE'S MONASTERY LIBRARY WHICH SITS AT THE FOOT OF MOUNT SINAI IN EGYPT, WHICH WAS BUILT IN THE SIXTH CENTURY AND IS STILL IN OPERATION TODAY.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

THE WEEKEND IS STILL LOOKING PRETTY NICE.

>> Stacy: IT STILL IS.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT FAIRLY QUIET AND TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE WARMER.

HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE UPPER 60s AND YOU CAN'T RULE OUT THE >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

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

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, IT WAS ANOTHER DAY WHERE WE ENJOYED THE MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE AND WE DID HAVE SOME RAIN SHOWERS POPPING UP HERE AND THERE, AND SOME THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO SEE THAT SYSTEM MOVING OUT.

WE SHOULD SEE QUIETER WEATHER RETURNING AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN STORE FOR FRIDAY AND EVEN INTO THE WEEKEND.

WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA ON SATURDAY.

TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND SHOULD BE VERY WARM.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 42 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT, AT OUR STUDIO WE HAVE A NORTHWEST WIND AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, 32 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND WE PICKED UP 0.05-INCH OF RAINFALL TODAY.

IN BRAINERD, 33 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS RISING, WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 8 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE RADAR, THINGS ARE LOOKING PRETTY QUIET ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA TONIGHT.

IF WE HAVE LINGERING FRING SPRINKLES, THEY WILL BE COMING TO AN END VERY QUICKLY.

WE SHOULD HAVE QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW.

WE'RE LOOKING TO SEE SKIES BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY.

TEMPERATURES ARE LOOKING NICE TOMORROW, BUT EXPECT WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND AS THE HIGHS CLIMB INTO THE UPPER 60s FOR MANY OF US, BUT AGAIN WE COULD SEE SOME LOCATIONS WITH THE HIGHS IN THE 70s.

A VIDEO SENT TO US TODAY OF ONE OF THE CLOUD BURSTS OF RAIN AT LAKE BELTRAMI.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

WE ALSO HAVE A NUMBER OF PICTURES SENT TO US.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE MORNING SKIES IN MENAHGA.

DAN WITH A LITTLE FRIEND HELPING HIMSELF TO SOME SEEDS ON HIS HAND THERE.

THAT WAS TAKEN IN BEMIDJI.

WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF THE SUNSET AROUND OUR AREA.

SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM LOWER RED LAKE, ANGELA FROM CASS LAKE AND BILL FROM UPPER RED LAKE.

THANKS FOR SHARING THOSE.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE TODAY, A HIGH OF 54.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN BUT A BIT BREEZY, 60 FOR THE HIGH.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 52.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 58 TODAY.

A LITTLE BIT ABOVE OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD A LOW OF 36 AND SUNSET AT 8:00.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 54, SO AGAIN ABOVE AVERAGE OUT THERE.

32 IS OUR LOW AND SUNRISE AT 6:37.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE SKIES BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY ACROSS THE AREA ONCE AGAIN, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AROUND 49 ON THE FAR NORTHERN PART OF THE VIEWING AREA, BUT A LOT OF US SHOULD SEE LOW TO MID-50s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

HEADED INTO CENTRAL MINS -- MINNESOTA, LOW TO UPPER 50s, A LOT OF SUNSHINE FOR TOMORROW.

EXPECT TEMPERATURES TO WARM EVEN MORE THIS WEEKEND.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS, 33 FOR THE LOW, NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

FOR TOMORROW, SKIES ARE BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY, HIGHS NEAR 54 AND NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, AS I MENTIONED, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA ON SATURDAY, BUT QUIET WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND AND A LOT OF US WILL SEE SUNSHINE.

HIGHS ARE IN THE UPPER 60s, WE COULD SEE SOME LOCATIONS IN THE 70s, BUT STILL MILD ON MONDAY.

WE SEE TEMPERATURES COOLING OFF AS THE WEATHER SYSTEM MOVES IN BRINGING A GOOD CHANCE OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS ON TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE.

WE HAVE GONE YEARS INTO JUNE BEFORE WE HAVE A WEEKEND LIKE ONE HERE.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

>> Charlie: WE GOT SOME SUN YESTERDAY AND I WAS IN THE SUN TODAY, BUT IT DID RAIN A LITTLE BIT.

IT DIDN'T EFFECT BEMIDJI TENNIS AND BRAINERD BEMIDJI SOFTBALL.

THEIR DOUBLE HEADER TODAY, THE ONLY TIME THE TWO TEAMS WILL MEET THIS SEASON.

WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪ >> PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS INTRODUCING THE GIGA ZONE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> 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.

>>> BRAINERD SOFTBALL IS OFF TO A GREAT START FOR THE 2024 SEASON AFTER TAKING DOWN ST.

CLOUD TECH 9-0 LAST WEEK.

FRESH OFF AN 18-5 SEASON IN 2023, THE WARRIORS ARE HOPEFUL THIS SEASON WILL NET SIMILAR RESULTS BUT THEIR LATEST TEST IS LONG-TIME RIVAL BEMIDJI, WHO'S STILL LOOKING TO TALLY THEIR FIRST WIN ON THE BOARD FOR 2024.

BRAINERD HOSTING BEMIDJI.

BOTTOM FIRST, GROUNDS IT TO THIRD, DRIVES IN MAYA, BRAINERD TAKES A 1-0 LEAD.

HEAD TO THE BOTTOM OF THE THIRD, BASES LOADED, BALL GETS BY OLIVIA.

AND SHE SCORES HER SECOND OF THE GAME, BRAINERD HAS A 2-0 LEAD.

NOW ALIYAH CAN'T DRIVE HER IN AS MAYA WAS JUST DEALING TODAY, ALLOWING ONLY ONE HIT, STRIKING OUT 13 FOR THE SHUTOUT.

BRAINERD TAKES THE DOUBLE HEADER OVER BEMIDJI 2-0 AND 10-6.

WARRIORS ARE 3-0 TO OPEN THE SEASON FOR THE SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE SEASON.

>>> AND SOME OTHER SCORES FOR YOU.

STAPLES MOTLEY BEATS PINE RIVER-BACKUS.

WDC, THEY GET THE WIN THERE.

LAPORTE BEATS WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY.

OVER IN BASEBALL, BRAINERD GETS A 1-0 WIN OVER SARTELL.

SEBEKA AND MENAHGA PLAY, SEBEKA GETS THE WIN THERE.

ROCK RIDGE BEATS GREEN WAY BEATS KEEWATIN.

>>> OVER ON THE TRACK, IT WAS THE BRAINERD QUADS TODAY IN THE FIELD EVENT, SEBASTIAN IMPRESSED IN THE POLE VAULT, CLEARING THE 9 FOOT MARK.

THEN TO THE TRACK, BRAINERD'S TEAM OF CHARLIE, JAKE, KYLE, AND BRANDON TOOK SECOND PLACE, CLOSING IT OUT IN ONE MINUTE AND 35 SECONDS.

IN THE 4 BY 100, THE TEAM OF TRAVIS, HENRY, AUSTIN, AND CHARLIE GOT THIRD PLACE IN 4503 SECONDS.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE OFFICIAL RESULTS FOR TRACK AND FIELD FOR THE TEAMS.

THEY ARE STILL TALLYING THOSE.

WE'RE AWAITING THOSE AS WELL.

>>> BEMIDJI BOYS TENNIS IS 2-0 FOR THE SEASON.

THEY HAD ALEXANDRIA ON DOUBLES COURT THREE.

THEY ARE TRYING TO RALLY DOWN A SET.

HE GETS THE DENIAL AT THE NET TO TAKE THE GAME.

THEY GO TO A THIRD SET BUT FALL 11-9.

>>> OVER TO SINGLES ON COURT 4, JOSH DOWN A SET, NEEDING TO MAKE GROUND.

HE ENDS UP WINNING THAT GAME BUT FALLS IN STRAIGHT SETS.

ON SINGLES COURT 1, A SWEET VOLLEY AT THE NET.

IT'S THE GAME POINT, TYING THINGS AT 1 IN THE SECOND.

IT'S A TOUGH ONE FOR THE LUMBERJACKS, ALEXANDRIA BEATING THEM 6-1.

THEIR MATCH AGAINST CROOKSTON GOT RAINED OUT SO IT WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL A LATER DATE.

>>> MASTERS ROUND ONE GOT UNDERWAY TODAY.

MAN DID WE SEE GOOD GOLF ON 12.

GIVE HIM ANOTHER, HIS FIRST TIME AT THE MASTERS, HE BEAT 500 AFTER 15.

NOW A 30-FOOTER FOR BIRDIE, HE HOLDS IT.

HE FINISHES AT 7 UNDER AND IS THE CURRENT LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE.

SCOTTY IS HAVING A GREAT DAY AS WELL ON 16, AND HE TAPS IT IN FOR A BIRDIE AND FINISHES AT 6-UNDER.

THEY SUSPENDED PLAY EARLY DUE TO DARKNESS.

PLAY WILL RESUME TOMORROW AT 8:00 A.M. EASTERN, 7:00 A.M. CENTRAL.

>> Dennis: HE IS DOWN AND WAITING.

>> Charlie: HE USE TO BE BIGGER.

NOW HE'S A LITTLE SLIMMER, AND EVEN THE MASTERS RIGHT NOW.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> BEMIDJI EARLY CHILDHOOD COLLABORATIVE PARTNERED WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN TO BRING “THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD.

” REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS WAS ON THE SCENE TO CAPTURE THE EARLY CHILD PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR THIS WEEKS GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN BEMIDJI EARLY CHILDHOOD COLLABORATIVE, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, AND BEMIDJI PARKS AND REC HAS BROUGHT A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO THE CITY OF BEMIDJI TODDLERS.

>> I HIGHLIGHT DIFFERENT PROGRAMS PUT ON FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT THEMES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

SO, WE HAD TWO DIFFERENT PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT WERE HAPPENING.

WE PARTNERED UP WITH THEM.

THEY HIGHLIGHTED THEM.

WE JUST MADE SURE THAT IS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE YOUNGER FAMILIES TO GET INVOLVED AND HAVE SOMETHING TO DO.

>> Reporter: FROM APRIL 6TH TO APRIL 12TH, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN IS FOCUSED ON BRINGING PUBLIC ATTENTION TO TODDLERS AND THEIR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

THE MANY MUSICIANS PROGRAM IS ONE OF SEVERAL INITIATIVES AIMED ATTEN -- AT ENCOURAGING TODDLERS TO LEARN ABOUT RHYTHM.

>> TO START AT A YOUNG AGE, IT'S SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE CAN COME TOGETHER AND ENJOY.

IT BRINGS THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY FOR THE YOUNGER FAMILIES, A CHANCE TO WORK TOGETHER, AND ENJOY ART IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE MANY MUSICIAN INSTRUCTORS EXPLAINED HOW CHILDREN LEARN FROM THE PROGRAM.

>> THEY'RE LEARNING HOW THEIR BODIES WORK, HOW THEY RELATE TO TIME, SOME STEADY BEATS, ENJOYMENT WITH THEIR FRIENDS, HOW TO INTERACT IN STRUCTURED WAYS AND THEN SOME UNSTRUCTURED WAYS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: WITH THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES, THE GOAL WAS TO GET THE YOUNGER CHILDREN OUT TO EXPLORE THE MANY TALENTS THEY MIGHT HAVE.

>> A REALLY FUN WAY FOR THE YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO GET TOGETHER, MAKE MUSIC, EXPLORE HOW THEIR BODY WORKS, HOW THEIR VOICES WORK.

>> Reporter: IT PROVIDES CLASSES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN BUT WANTED TO MAKE AN EXTRA EFFORT TO INCLUDE TODDLERS AS WELL.

>> AND WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER A PRESCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM BECAUSE WE SAW THAT IT WASN'T SOMETHING BEING OFFERED RECENTLY IN THE AREA.

IT'S BEEN POPULAR AND WE HAD A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT ARE INTERESTED AND HAPPY WE'RE OFFERING IT.

IT'S GREAT TO SEE SO MANY FAMILIES COMING OUT AND PARTICIPATING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> APRIL 12TH WILL BE THE LAST DAY OF “WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD ”, CELEBRATING FAMILY FRIDAY AS THE LAST EVENT OF THE WEEK.

>>> ALL RIGHT STACY, TELL US ABOUT THE NICE FORECAST WE HAVE.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING SUNSHINE TOMORROW.

FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS OUT THERE, 33 FOR THE LOW WITH NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

SKIES WILL BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-50s, NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

IT'S OVERALL QUIET AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS ON SATURDAY BUT EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND WARM TEMPERATURES, HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60s.

>> Charlie: NCAA FROZEN FOUR IS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

DENVER BEAT BOSTON IN OVERTIME.

SO THEY WILL BE PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL TITLE SATURDAY.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]