>> 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.

>>> A HOSPITAL IN RURAL MINNESOTA IS ONCE AGAIN SERVING AS A LEADER IN HEALTH CARE ACROSS THE STATE.

WHILE THIS WILL PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL MEDICINE FOR THEM TO STAY OPEN, OTHERS MAY SOON BE CALLING 9-1-1.

NEWS REPORTER MATT HENSON EXPLAINS HOW SLASHING SERVICES IS EXPECTED TO BETTER SERVICE THE COMMUNITY, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME STATE LEADERS SAY THIS POINTS OUT AN IMPENDING CRISIS.

>> Reporter: ALL 10 LICENSED IN-PATIENT BEDS ARE EMPTY AND THEY WILL LIKELY STAY THAT WAY.

THE HOSPITAL IS CEASING INPATIENT SERVICES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> WE WANT TO BE INNOVATIVE SO WE DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE AND SAY UH OH, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

>> Reporter: DALE SAYS IN RECENT YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A PUSH FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES AND MEDICARE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO GO WITH OUTPATIENT SERVICES.

IN 1999, MAHNOMEN HEALTH CENTER WAS THE FIRST CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL IN MINNESOTA.

IT WAS DESIGNATED AS A 20 YEAR PROGRAM.

NOW, THEY ARE THE FIRST RURAL EMERGENCY HOSPITAL IN MINNESOTA.

THE HOSPITAL WILL STILL HAVE OBSERVATION ROOMS.

>> WE CAN HAVE THE PATIENTS COME IN.

THEY WOULD HAVE A ROOM.

THEY WOULD GET SERVICES JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PATIENT.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 52 PEOPLE THAT RECEIVED INPATIENT CARE.

HE MADE IT CLEAR THIS WILL NOT IMPACT EMERGENCY ROOM SERVICES AND OTHER SERVICES AT MAHNOMEN HEALTH.

THIS MOVE IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE $1.5 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

THERE WILL BE NO LAYOFFS.

>> IF WE WANT TO GROW OUR SERVICES, IF WE WANT TO ADD SOME MORE SERVICES, THIS KIND OF GETS US THE JUMPING OFF SPOT THAT WE CAN ADD MORE SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS THE RESULT OF WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE STATE.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT OF THE MINNESOTA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

HE SAID IT'S A GOOD THING THAT THE MAHNOMEN AREA WILL CONTINUE TO BE SERVED.

HOWEVER, HE WORRIES VULNERABLE PATIENTS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY.

>> THIS IS NOT THE LAST OF THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE DRAIN AWAY FROM MINNESOTANS.

>> Reporter: HE BLAMES THE PROBLEM ON A LACK OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM LAWMAKERS IN ST. PAUL, SPECIFICALLY POINTING OUT MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES HAVE NOT CHANGED SINCE 2019, DESPITE DOUBLE DIGIT INCREASES IN HEALTHCARE COSTS.

>> THEY ARE STARVING AND THE MINNESOTANS IN THEIR CARE WILL SUFFER AS A RESULT.

>> A DATE FOR WHEN IN-PATIENT CARE WILL CEASE HERE AT THE MAHNOMEN HEALTH CENTER HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED BUT IT IS EXPECTED TO BE SOMETIME LATER THIS SPRING.

A PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS THE END OF INPATIENT CARE WILL BE HELD AT THE MAHNOMEN HEALTH CENTER TUESDAY APRIL 30TH AT 6:00 P.M. >>> THE CASS LAKE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ATTENDED THE CASS LAKE BENA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OVER THE TEACHERS' PAY.

SINCE LAST SUMMER, THE CASS LAKE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD ABOUT TEACHERS' PAY.

THE ASSOCIATION IS SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD NEGOTIATION TEAM ON MAY 8TH TO DISCUSS THE TEACHER CONTRACTS.

THEY HOPE TO NEGOTIATE A PAY RAISE TO SUPPORT THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF THE TEACHERS BETTER.

>> OUR MEMBERS VOTED DOWN THE INITIAL T.A., SO WE WILL BE MEETING WITH THE NEGOTIATING BOARD, THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO LOOK AT OUR CONTRACT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET OUR MEMBERS TO AGREE.

THERE WERE 9 TO 10 MEMBERS THAT DID VOTE THE CONTRACT DOWN.

ONE OF THE THINGS IS WAGES.

OUR FIRST YEAR CAME IN AT $2,800 AND SECOND YEAR 3.5%.

THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS AN 8.5% ALL AROUND IN BOTH YEARS.

THAT IS WHAT OUR MEMBERS WOULD LIKE.

I THINK THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LIVABLE WAGE THAT MEETS COST OF LIVING.

>> THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE ON APRIL 24TH, AT 5:00 P.M.

IN THE CASS LAKE HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER.

>>> FOUR FIREFIGHTERS FROM THE CITY OF BEMIDJI AND SIX FROM THE CITY OF SOLWAY CELEBRATED A BIG MILESTONE AT THE THIRD ANNUAL BEMIDJI FIRE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN GOT A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO SOME OF THE NEWEST FIREFIGHTERS, TO GET THEIR REACTIONS.

>> Reporter: AFTER A FULL YEAR OF DEDICATING THEIR SERVICES TO THE RESPECTIVE CITIES, THE BEMIDJI FIRE DEPARTMENT HELD THEIR BADGE PINNING CEREMONY, SWEARING IN 10 NEW FIREFIGHTERS.

>> WE JOIN TOGETHER IN CELEBRATION OF FIREFIGHTERS COMPLETING WHAT WE CALL THEIR PROBATIONARY PERIOD OR ONE YEAR OF SERVICE TO THE CITY WHILE COMPLETING THE STANDARD BENCH MARXES THAT WE LAID BEFORE THEM.

ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS HERE, 10 IN TOTAL, WE'RE CELEBRATING BECAUSE THEY COMPLETED FIREFIGHTER 1.

THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE A FANTASTIC FIT WITH OUR ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE CHIEF WANTED TO HAVE THIS CEREMONY FOR THE NEW RECRUITS BECAUSE FIREFIGHTERS OFTEN DON'T CELEBRATE THEIR VICTORIES.

>> FIREFIGHTERS ARE HUMBLE PEOPLE.

WE DON'T CELEBRATE OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OR THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE.

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT'S EVER HAPPENED.

IN A WORLD WHERE FIRE DEPARTMENTS, FIREFIGHTERS, FIRE CHIEFS HAVE TO PROMOTE THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND THE PEOPLE THAT SERVE THEM, THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO DO IT, ESPECIALLY IN FRONT OF THE FAMILIES.

WE KNOW THEY HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH.

>> Reporter: FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, THIS CEREMONY ONLY INVOLVED THE CITY OF BEMIDJI AND THE THIRD YEAR, THINGS WERE DONE DIFFERENT BY HAVING THE CITY OF SOLWAY JOIN THE CEREMONY.

>> WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS, SO WE WANTED TO COME TOGETHER AND UNITE AS ONE HERE.

>> Reporter: NOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SWORN IN, THE OFFICIAL FIREFIGHTERS CAN'T WAIT TO GET OUT ON THE ROAD.

>> I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS FOR A YEAR AND HEARING ABOUT IT FROM THE SENIOR MEMBERS, IT'S AN HONOR.

IT'S BEEN A DREAM.

I THINK EVERY KID DREAMS OF IT WHEN THEY SEE THE RED TRUCK WITH THE SHINING LIGHTS.

EVERY KID DREAMS OF WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO BE ON THAT.

IT'S SURREAL THAT IT HAS COME FULL CIRCLE AND NOW I'M ABLE TO DO IT.

I'M GOING TO ENJOY IT.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE CHIEF SAYS JUST BECAUSE THEY EARNED THEIR BADGE, DOESN'T MEAN THERE IS A LOT TO ACHIEVE FOR THE NEW RECRUITS.

>> I'M EXCITED.

THEY GAINED MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND THE DOOR IS OPEN FOR THEM TO ACHIEVE NEW TRAINING COMPONENTS SUCH AS DRIVING AND MAYBE ONE DAY BECOMING AN OFFICER.

SO IT OPENS THE FLOODGATES FOR THEM TO MOVE FORWARD AND IT VACATES SEATS FOR THE 10 NEW MEMBERS WE HIRED.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO FOSTERING THE NEW MEMBERS IN COOPERATION WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS AND WE HOPE NEXT YEAR IS BIGGER AND BETTER.

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

>> RETIRED BEMIDJI ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF BRUCE HEMSTAD WAS THE GUEST SPEAKER AT THE EVENT AND DISCUSSED THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RECRUITING PROCESS BEFORE HE RETIRED AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD WITHIN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>>> IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST RURAL GAMING EVENTS AROUND.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IS HOSTING THE GIGA ZONE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIP AND TECH EXPO THIS WEEKEND.

THE EVENT WILL FEATURE OVER A DOZEN FREE GAMING TOURNAMENTS, AS WELL AS EXHIBITS FROM TECH ENTREPRENEURS.

THERE IS NO COST TO ATTEND AND PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET DANIELLE FEINBERG, A SPECIAL GUEST FROM PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS.

SATURDAY WILL BE THE 7TH GAMING EVENT PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS HAS HELD IN THE CITY OF BEMIDJI.

THE TECH EXPO WILL EXPOSE A GROWING REGIONAL AUDIENCE TO TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND HELP THEM TURN THEIR TECHNICAL SKILLS AND ENTHUSIASM INTO SUCCESSFUL CAREERS HERE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> IT'S BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE GAMING EVENTS, AND ARCADE AND PINBALL MACHINES FOR PEOPLE TO WALK UP AND PLAY FOR FREE.

WE HAVE OVER 25 EXHIBITERS SHOWCASING TECHNOLOGY, WHETHER IT'S A SCHOOL, A COLLEGE, AND HOW THEY UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY AND CAREER PATHS FOR PEOPLE, AS WELL AS BUSINESSES WHO HAVE TECHNOLOGY EMBEDDED IN WHAT THEY DO AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES.

SO IT'S A GOOD CHANCE FOR STUDENTS AND POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES TO CONNECT WITH SCHOOLS AND EMPLOYERS.

>> THE SANFORD CENTER'S DOORS WILL OPEN FOR THE EVENT AT 10:00 SATURDAY MORNING, WITH EVENTS LASTING THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

>>> CITIES IN SEVERAL STATES SUDDENLY LOST 9-1-1 SERVICE LATE WEDNESDAY, FORCING MANY RESIDENTS TO RESORT TO TEXTING AND LANDLINES TO REACH 9-1-1.

WHILE THE SERVICE HAS BEEN LARGELY RESTORED BY THURSDAY MORNING, THE INCIDENT IS ANOTHER STARK REMINDER HOW VULNERABLE CRITICAL SYSTEMS ARE.

LAURA AGUIRRE BRINGS US MORE ON THE CAUSE OF THIS MOST RECENT HIGH PROFILE OUTAGE.

>> TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED AN OUTAGE OF THIS MAGNITUDE OR DURATION.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS IN SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA CONFIRM THEIR 9-1-1 SYSTEM SUDDENLY WENT OFFLINE FOR TWO HOURS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

THEY WEREN'T ALONE.

AUTHORITIES IN TEXAS, NEBRASKA, AND NEVADA ALSO ANNOUNCED SIMILAR OUTAGES IN MULTIPLE CITIES.

THE CULPRIT IS A FIBER CUT DURING THE INSTALLATION OF A LIGHT POLE SAID A NETWORKING COMPANY THAT PROVIDES ENHANCED 9-1-1 SERVICES TO SEVERAL U.S. STATES.

THE REP DECLINED TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THE HICCUP OR WHERE THE LIGHT POLE WAS LOCATED.

A POTENTIAL CAUSE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THIS CASE, WIDESPREAD OUTAGES LIKE THIS ACROSS INFRASTRUCTURE, HEALTHCARE, AND BUSINESSES NATIONWIDE ARE UNDER INCREASING SCRUTINY BY FEDERAL AGENCIES AND NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS.

JUST THIS WEEK, A CYBERSECURITY FIRM SAID RUSSIAN HACKERS ARE SUSPECTED TO HAVE TEMPORARILY TAKEN CONTROL OF A COMPUTER NETWORK IN THE SMALL TOWN IN TEXAS IN JANUARY.

A SIMILAR CYBER ATTACK HAPPENED IN PENNSYLVANIA LAST YEAR.

U.S. OFFICIALS BLAME IT ON IRANIAN HACKERS.

>> COMMAND AND CONTROL OF CRITICAL SYSTEMS HAS BEEN UNDER ATTACK BY HOSTILE FOREIGN POWERS.

>> Reporter: AS FOR THE MULTISTATE 9-1-1 OUTAGE, ONLY THREE OF THE FOUR STATES ARE SERVICED BY LUMENS.

THEY SAID IT WAS RELATED TO THE MOBILE PROVIDER IN THEIR AREA.

>> THE OUTAGES, IRONICALLY, OCCURRED IN THE MIDST OF NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK.

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

>> Stacy: IT'S GOING TO BE COLD AND WINDY TOMORROW AND WE COULD SEE SOME SNOW SHOWERS, BUT SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES WILL BE BACK FOR THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK ON THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GET A CHANCE TO OPERATE HEAVY EQUIPMENT AT CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE STAPLES >> 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.

>>> APRIL IS NATIONAL ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AND CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE IN BRAINERD CELEBRATED THE OCCASION BY HAVING 2012 GRADUATE IRSHAD HUSSAIN STOP BY TO SHARE HIS JOURNEY AND HIS CULTURE.

HUSSAIN WAS BORN AND RAISED IN PAKISTAN BEFORE FINDING HIS WAY TO THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA IN 2011.

ALTHOUGH NOW A CHICAGO RESIDENT, HE LOVES ANY OPPORTUNITY HE CAN GET TO COME BACK AND SHED SOME LIGHT ON HIS CULTURE.

>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE CULTURE, FOR OUR CULTURE, WHICH IS A VERY RICH CULTURE OF FAMILY, FOOD, LOVE.

THERE IS SO MANY MISCOMMUNICATIONS OR MISUNDERSTANDING AROUND THE WORLD.

WE VALUE OUR FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS AND BETTER COMMUNITY.

>> AFTER HUSSAIN'S TIME AT C.L.C., HE WENT ON TO GET HIS BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM THE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.

HE NOW WORKS AS BOTH AN I.T.

PROFESSIONAL AND A CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST FOR THE U.S. ARMY RESERVE.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US AND SOME SNOW PERHAPS?

>> Stacy: WE HAVE SEEN SOME FLURRIES, SOME SNOW SHOWERS.

MORE SNOW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AND WE COULD SEE ACCUMULATION IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

OTHER THAN THAT, CLOUDY AND WINDY TOMORROW BUT SUNSHINE >> 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 A CHILLY AND WINDY DAY OUT THERE AND WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME AREAS OF FLURRIES, SOME LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS IN THE AREA, AND IN FACT WE COULD SEE MORE LIGHT SNOW, ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW WHERE THERE MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF ACCUMULATION.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, ANOTHER COLD AND WINDY DAY FOR TOMORROW, SUNSHINE RETURNS THIS WEEKEND AND WE SHOULD START TO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 32 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE A WEST WIND, GUSTS UP TO 21 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT AT 24.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES AND 37 WITH A DEW POINT OF 18.

WE HAVE A RISING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH WINDS OUT OF THE WEST AT 14 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE SOME OF THOSE SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS AND FLURRIES MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGHOUT ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THAT WILL BE THE CASE AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

BEST CHANCE OF SEEING THAT SNOW WILL BE IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF MINNESOTA, WHERE THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF AN INCH OF ACCUMULATION, BUT WE MAY SEE LIGHT SNOW OR SCATTERED FLURRIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW.

THE AREA OF PURPLE SUGGESTING THERE IS RAIN OR SNOW MORE LIKELY TO SEE ALL SNOW IN THE AREA.

FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, THE BEST CHANCE OF SEEING THAT SNOW, AN INCH OR SO OF ACCUMULATION.

THE GOOD NEWS, THE SNOW WILL BE COMING TO AN END AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

WE'LL SEE MORE SUNSHINE AND WE SHOULD SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES.

SOME EAGLE EYE PICTURES, BEAUTIFUL SKIES THIS MORNING, GORGEOUS SUNRISES OUT THERE.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, AND KAREN AT LONG LAKE WITH THOSE PHOTOS.

WE HAVE WINDY CONDITIONS, AND SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PHOTO AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY SKIES AND SNOW FLURRIES THIS EVENING.

THEY ARE PRESENT IN THE PICTURE THERE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, WE HEARD FROM ARLENE, 34 AND BREEZY THIS MORNING.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 32 THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST TONIGHT, THE HIGH WAS 45.

PAUL IN BEMIDJI, CLOUDY WITH SOME FLURRIES.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING MOSTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY CONDITIONS AND A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW THIS EVENING.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 45.

WE ARE A LITTLE CHILLY, 56 IS OUR AVERAGE, 36 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING, SUNSET AT 8:09.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 36, WELL BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

THAT WILL CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THE LOW OF 33, SUNSET AT 8:14.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

IT WILL BE A CLOUDY DAY, ANOTHER BREEZY DAY, AND AGAIN WE'LL BE SEEING THOSE CHILLY TEMPERATURES WITH HIGHS IN THE MID-30s TO ABOUT 40 IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING LIGHT SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF ACCUMULATION IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE HAVE A CHANCE, 20% TO 50% CHANCE OF SEEING SNOW SHOWERS.

AGAIN, CHILLY TEMPERATURES, WINDY CONDITIONS, HIGHS AROUND 40.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, SNOW LIKELY IN FAR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, WITH A CHANCE OF SNOW ELSEWHERE.

LOWS ARE NEAR 28 AND AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WITH A CONTINUED CHANCE OF SNOW, ANOTHER INCH OF ACCUMULATION IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, HIGHS NEAR 38.

THE WEEKEND IS LOOKING BETTER, WE SHOULD BE SEEING MORE SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES.

HIGHS BY SUNDAY IN THE UPPER 50s, WE'RE STILL IN THE UPPER 50s ON MONDAY, BUT ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN MAYBE SOME RAIN AND SNOW EARLY ON TUESDAY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA AND ON TUESDAY, HIGHS WILL BE NEAR 50.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

EVERY NOW AND THEN WE GET A NEW HIGH SCHOOL SPORT.

WE HAD LACROSSE A COUPLE YEARS BACK.

WE HAD A TRIAL PERIOD FOR ANOTHER NEW SPORT.

>> Charlie: YES, BOYS VOLLEYBALL.

THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR A COUPLE OF SEASONS, BUT THIS IS THE LAST SEASON BEFORE THE INAUGURAL SEASON OF BOYS VOLLEYBALL.

BEMIDJI PLAYING THEIR FIRST EVER BOYS VOLLEYBALL GAME.

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

[♪♪♪] >> PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCING THE TECH EXPO ON APRIL 20TH.

MORE INFO AT GIGAZONEGAMING DOT COMET.

>> 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: HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL IS CURRENTLY IN ITS FINAL YEAR AS AN IMMERING SPORT.

MARCH 17, 2025 WILL BE THE OFFICIAL START DATE FOR THEIR INAUGURAL SEASON.

85 TEAMS WERE FORCED INTO SECTIONS WHICH COULD EQUATE INTO A TRIAL RUN.

TONIGHT, THE LUMBERJACKS SAW THEIR FIRST BOYS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM.

GREAT CROWD ON HAND.

IN THE FIRST SET, THE NORTH MEN COME OUT FIRING.

WILL GETS WAY UP THERE FOR A NASTY KILL.

PROCTOR HERMANTOWN TAKES IT 125-17.

NOW LOOKING TO GET SOME PAY BACK, HE HITS IT, AND BEMIDJI WINS IT 25-21.

LUMBERJACKS GETTING IT DONE ON DEFENSE.

BARRY AND SUTTON WIN THE SET AS WELL.

SETS 4 AND 5 BELONG TO THE NORTH MEN.

BEMIDJI FALLS.

THE LUMBERJACKS WERE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT BEMIDJI IN BOYS VOLLEYBALL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

>> I MEAN I PLAYED FOR GRAND RAPIDS THE LAST TWO SCHOOL SEASONS BUT PLAYING FOR BEMIDJI IS AMAZING.

IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE CAME OUT.

I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT MANY PEOPLE TO SHOW UP, BUT IT WAS AWESOME.

>> I WASN'T EXPECTING IT AT ALL.

MY WHOLE HIGH SCHOOL, I WAS TRYING TO GET ON THE TEAM HERE IN BEMIDJI.

I WAS PLAYING AT OTHER PLACES.

NOW THAT IT'S HERE AND I'M THE CAPTAIN, IT CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE SEASON.

>> Charlie: HERE'S THEIR SCHEDULE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.

THEY WILL PLAY PROCTOR HERMANTOWN, ALL FOUR TEAMS.

>>> NOW OVER IN GOLF, PEQUOT LAKES HOSTED THE INVITATIONAL.

JACK, A BEAUTIFUL CHIP SHOT, PUTS HIM WITHIN A FEW FEET.

HE FINISHES THE DAY TIED FOR 30th, SHOOTING AT 82.

OVER ON THE 9th, WILL SHERMAN FOR GRAND RAPIDS, DIGS HIMSELF OUT OF THE BUNKER, SETS HIMSELF UP FOR THE BIRDIE, HE SHOT AN 83 FOR THE DAY.

ON TO THE BACK 9, PEQUOT LAKE ETHAN THOMAS PLANTS THE SHOT ON THE GREEN, HE ENDED HIS MATCH, AND OVER ON THE 18th, BEMIDJI'S ELI, STICKS IT RIGHT NEXT AND GOES ON TO GET THE BIRDIE, FINISHING 20th ON THE DAY.

ROSEMONT SHOOTS A COLLECTIVE 3:02.

BEMIDJI AND STAPLES MOTLEY FINISHED IN THE TOP FIVE.

>>> OVER IN BOYS LACROSSE, BRAINERD COMING OFF A 10-6 VICTORY OVER SAINT CLOUD TUESDAY HOSTING SARTELL-SAUK RAPIDS.

FIRST QUARTER, SSR.

ALREADY UP 1-0 AND MASON ANDERSON UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL FOR THE SNIPE.

SSR UP 2-0.

SECOND QUARTER NOW 4-1 SSR BUT BRANDON MANECKE RATTLES IT IN FROM DOWNTOWN.

BRAINERD NOW DOWN 4-2.

MOMENTS LATER GAJE GERMUNDSON SENDS A MISSILE RIGHT PAST THE GOALIE.

BRAINERD CLOSES THE GAP.

BUT COULDN'T COMPLETE THE COMEBACK AS SARTELL-SAUK RAPIDS GO ON TO WIN 7-5.

BOTH MANECKE AND GERMUNDSON SCORED TWO GOALS FOR THE WARRIORS.

>>> GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY SEARCHING FOR WIN NUMBER ONE, TAKING ON DULUTH IN GIRLS LACROSSE.

THE LIGHTNING ONLY LED BY 2.

CHLOE PUTS A DIRECTIONAL ON LEFT AND THEY PUT THIS ONE IN.

LIGHTNING UP 7-4.

NOW GRACE HITS ELLA AND THE LIGHTNING EVENTUALLY TAKE OFF WITH THIS ONE.

MOLLY FROM THE X, FINDS RILEY WHO CONVERTS, AND GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY WINS BIG 16-5.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

LITTLE FALL SWEEPS IN THEIR DOUBLE HEADER IN BASEBALL.

ROYALTON SPLITTINGS THEIR DOUBLE HEADER.

LAPORTE SWANVILLE GETS WINS.

CROSBY-IRONTON FALLS.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY ALSO FALLS IN SOFTBALL.

IN BOYS TENNIS, THEY BLANK THEM 7-0.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS VERY MUCH CHARLIE.

>>> HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER MINNESOTA HAD A CHANCE TO OPERATE HEAVY EQUIPMENT AT CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE IN STAPLES ON SATURDAY.

THE HANDS-ON EVENT WAS PUT ON IN PARTNERSHIP WITH C.L.C.

AND THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 49.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: THE OPERATING ENGINEERS PATHWAY PROGRAM IS A CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM THAT OFFERS HIGH SCHOOL AND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MINNESOTA.

THE PROGRAM IS IN ITS FOURTH YEAR AND HAS ALREADY GIVEN STUDENTS A LEG UP.

>> IT DEFINITELY INTRODUCED ME TO A VARIETY OF OPTIONS.

IT TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT EQUIPMENT AND WHAT THEY DO AND THE MATH PORTION WAS GOOD BECAUSE IT OPENED UP READING BLUEPRINTS FOR ME.

I NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE.

THAT GAVE ME A HEAD START WITH THE BLUEPRINT AND SURVEYING CLASS HERE AT CLC.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE OPERATING EXCAVATORS AND LEARNING FROM PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY EAGER TO SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE WITH THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORKERS.

>> IT'S PRETTY FORTUNATE THAT ME AND EVERYBODY ELSE HERE GETS TO BE HERE AND LEARN AND SEE WHAT REALLY HAPPENS OUT IN THE FIELD.

I TRY TO TAKE IN AS MUCH AS I CAN.

THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION TO LISTEN TO AND PICK UP AND ACT UPON.

>> Reporter: MANY OF THESE STUDENTS KNOW THAT THIS ISN'T A PROGRAM THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THEY TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE KNOWING THAT THEY ARE GIFTED A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A HEAD START IN AN INDUSTRY THEY MIGHT WANT TO GET INTO.

>> WELL, YOU KIND OF JUST GET THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THE CONTROLS, LIKE HOW TO RUN STUFF AND THEN YOU GET FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE IN PROGRAMS OR OUT WORKING, LIKE WHAT TO DO, TIPS AND TRICKS.

IT'S JUST GREAT TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY DONE IT ARE DOING.

THEY HELP YOU FIGURE OUT IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO OR NOT.

>> Reporter: ALLOWING STUDENTS TO PURSUE A PATH WITH THE VISION THAT LOCAL 49 HAS WHILE STARTING THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM.

>> IT'S ONE THING TO FURTHER GROW THAT DREAM IN THE KIDS, YOU KNOW?

I MEAN, GROWING UP WHERE I AM FROM, WE DIDN'T HAVE STUFF LIKE THIS.

IF WE HAD PROGRAMS LIKE THESE WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WOULD HAVE GOT IN EARLIER.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN STAPLES WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND WITH MORE ON OUR WEATHER, WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE FOR SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA TONIGHT, BUT A CHANCE ELSEWHERE.

WE COULD SEE ACCUMULATION IN THE NORTHWEST, WITH LOWS NEAR 28.

MORE SNOW TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

THAT WILL DO IT FOR US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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