>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

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

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.

[♪♪♪] >>> HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, I'M SYDNEY DICK FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN FOR YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> THE GRASS FIRE THAT WAS REPORTED IN MORRISON COUNTY WEDNESDAY MORNING HAS NOW BEEN 95 PERCENT CONTAINED, ACCORDING TO THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THE PIERZ FIRE DEPARTMENT AND MINNESOTA D.N.R.

HAVE BEEN FIGHTING TO CONTAIN THE, “RUNNING SWAMP FIRE” FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS.

YESTERDAY, HILLMAN TOWNSHIP AREA RESIDENTS WERE URGED TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND REMAIN AWARE THAT THE FIRE WAS ENDANGERING BUILDINGS BETWEEN PARTRIGE ROAD AND 355TH AVENUE.

NO BUILDINGS ENDED UP GETTING CAUGHT IN THE BLAZE AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED STRUCTURAL DAMAGES OR INJURIES.

AS OF NOW, THE FIRE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CONTAINED AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAID THAT THERE IS NO ANTICIPATED FURTHER THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.

EARLIER THIS MORNING IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE FIRE BURNED APPROXIMATELY 2,300 ACRES OF LAND.

SEVERAL D.N.R.

RESOURCES ARE STILL ON THE LOOKOUT FOR REMAINING SPOT FIRES BUT THE MAIN DANGER HAS BEEN EXTINGUISHED.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> DOWNTOWNS AND MAIN STREETS CAN BE ESSENTIAL TO SMALL TOWNS AND ARE OFTEN THE HEART OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS WHY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS AWARDED A $500,000 GRANT TO THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION AS A PART OF THEIR MAIN STREET ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION PROJECT.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CENTRAL MINNESOTA NONPROFIT, THE GRANT FUNDS ARE TO SUPPORT MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN BRAME, CASS LAKE, ISANTI, LITTLE FALLS, AND WALKER.

BUSINESSES IN THOSE AREAS CAN APPLY FOR FUNDING FOR PROPERTY REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS, LANDSCAPING, DEMOLITION, ENGINEERING, AND MORE.

THE $500,000 WILL BE ALLOCATED BY THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION BUT EACH COMMUNITY WILL MANAGE THEIR OWN APPLICATIONS AND DECISIONS.

THE GRANT WAS ONLY ONE PART OF THE $6.2 MILLION THAT DEED WILL BE AWARDING TO DIFFERENT NONPROFIT INTERMEDIARY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS MINNESOTA IN ORDER TO TRY AND REVIVE MAIN STREET BUSINESSES AROUND THE STATE.

AND SOME OF THE TOWNS HAVE WORKED THROUGH SOME REVITALIZATION GRANTS ALREADY AND ARE LOOKING AHEAD.

SOME TOWNS, SUCH AS CASS LAKE AND WALKER.

THE CASS COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BROUGHT IN THE ROUND THREE MAIN STREET GRANT FOR BOTH CITIES.

THE GRANT PROVIDES $96,000 TO UP TO THREE BUSINESSES IN EACH CITY, WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING LOCAL BUILDINGS ON THE CITY'S MAIN STREETS.

THE BUSINESSES THAT WILL RECEIVE THE GRANT WILL BE DECIDED BY A LOCAL SELECTION COMMITTEE.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPROVEMENT TO BUILDINGS, THE POINT OF THIS IS TO INCREASE THE TAX BASE, SO THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION PUTS IT, IF YOU CAN SHAKE THE BUILDING AND IT DOESN'T FALL OUT, IT SHOULD BE AN ELIGIBLE USE FOR THE GRANT FUNDS.

>> INTERESTED BUSINESSES MUST FIT ZONING CRITERIA AND CAN APPLY THROUGH EITHER THE CASS LAKE OR WALKER CITY HALL.

THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACTIVE THROUGH THE END OF MAY.

>>> WELL, MINNESOTA'S FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT HAS A NEW DISTRICT COURT JUDGE.

EARLIER TODAY GOVERNOR TIM WALZ ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF KELLY STAPLES TO THE POSITION.

STAPLES WILL BE REPLACING CURRENT DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DAVID L. KNUDSON AND SHE WILL BE CHAMBERED IN HASTINGS IN DAKOTA COUNTY.

STAPLES IS A COURT-APPOINTED COUNCIL IN PATERNITY, CHILD SUPPORT, AND CIVIL COMMITMENT MATTERS.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, WALZ SAID THAT STAPLES' FAMILY LAW EXPERIENCE ALONG WITH HER ABILITY TO, “HELP CLIENTS NAVIGATE THEIR MOST CHALLENGING MOMENTS” WILL HELP HER BECOME A GREAT JUDGE.

MINNESOTA'S CURRENT FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, DAVID L. KNUTSON, HAS HELD THE POSITION SINCE JUNE OF 2004.

>>> A MEMBER OF THE BEMIDJI STATE STAFF WAS HONORED AT A STATEWIDE CEREMONY EARLIER THIS WEEK AFTER SHE WAS NAMED THE 2025 SERVICE FACULTY OF THE YEAR BY THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

NINA JOHNSON, THE DIRECTOR OF THE BSU HOBSON MEMORIAL UNION, HAS SERVED THE SCHOOL WITH MANY YEARS OF STUDENT-FOCUSED LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION, AND DEDICATION TO SERVICE.

THE AWARD IS MINNESOTA STATE'S MOST HIGHLY RECOGNIZED ACHIEVEMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE FACULTY.

JOHNSON HAS DONE THINGS FOR THE SCHOOL LIKE LAUNCH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED WAY TO CREATE A CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY, CREATED A HUNGER-FREE TASKFORCE, AND WORK TO CHANGE THE MEMORIAL UNION INTO A MORE INCLUSIVE, STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT.

BSU'S PRESIDENT JOHN HOFFMAN SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT JOHNSON EMBODIES THE SCHOOL'S CORE VALUES OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN MANY WAYS AND THAT SHE EXCELLED EVERY CRITERIA THAT THE BOARD WAS LOOKING FOR WHEN NAMING HER FACULTY MEMBER OF THE YEAR.

>>> RISEN CHURCH IN BRAINERD HAS BEEN SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 2022 AT THE NORTHLAND ARBORETUM AND NOW THEY HAVE TAKEN THE NEXT STEP IN GAINING A NEW HOME.

THE CHURCH PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED THE BASEMENT OF THE ARBORETUM BUT WAS NEARING THE END OF THEIR LEASE.

THEY APPLIED TO MOVE TO A SPACE IN THE NORTHERN PACIFIC CENTER THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED BY THE SMOKESTACK BARBECUE SUPPLY STORE.

THE PLANS PASSED THROUGH THE BRAINERD PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY.

>> I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA.

IT FOLLOWS THE IDEA OF INFILL AND DEVELOPING SITES THAT ARE ALREADY BUILT OUT AS OPPOSED TO BUILDING NEW GROUND.

I'M IN FAVOR OF IT AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

>> THE PLANS WILL NOW MOVE TO BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

>>> BRIDGES OF HOPE IS SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS FOLLOWING THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION TO DENY THE NONPROFIT'S REQUEST TO ALLOW THE BRIDGE ON 7TH SHELTER TO OPERATE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, AS WELL AS SHORTENING THE SHELTER'S INTERIM USE PERMIT FROM THREE YEARS TO ONE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: BRIDGES OF HOPE'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET THREE DAYS, STATING THE OUTCOME HINDERS THE STABILITY AND THE CONSISTENCY THAT THE OVERNIGHT SHELTER'S GUEST RELY ON.

>> THESE ARE PEOPLE'S LIVES.

AT WHAT POINT WOULD IT BE HARD FOR US TO RETAIN STAFF?

WE HAVE GOOD PEOPLE.

AT WHAT POINT WILL THEY KEEP COMING BACK EVERY YEAR, KNOWING THEY WILL BE UNEMPLOYED EVERY SUMMER.

>> WE HAVE OPERATIONAL ISSUES TO LOOK AFTER.

>> WE HAVE TO NEGOTIATE A LEASE.

>> NOT A LOT OF LANDLORDS WANT A TENANT THAT IS ONE YEAR AT A TIME.

>> Reporter: IT DRAWS TOO MANY PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA, HOWEVER DATA FROM THE PAST THREE YEARS AND A QUARTER SHOWS OTHERWISE.

>> WE KNOW THAT 76% OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE STAYED WITH US HAVE STAYED WITH US FROM CROW WING COUNTY.

THEN YOU HAVE FOLKS FROM SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE OUTSIDE PEOPLE COMING IN SO TO SPEAK, IT'S 8.5% OF OUR POPULATION SINCE WE OPENED.

>> Reporter: THE BRIDGE ON 7th SYMBOLIZES A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

THE SHELTER WILL NOT BE THE ONLY ENTITY AFFECTED.

>> THIS DECISION MAKES IT HARDER FOR THE OUTREACH PROGRAM, THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS WE WORK WITH EVERY SINGLE DAY, TO GET THE PEOPLE WE SERVE THE RESOURCES.

TRANSPORTATION IS A HUGE ISSUE.

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE VEHICLES TO GET WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

>> THIS WILL PUT A GREATER STRAIN ON COUNTY RESOURCES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT HELP.

>> Reporter: WITH THE SHELTER SET TO CLOSE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, UNCERTAINTY WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION IS APPARENT, HOWEVER THE COMMUNITY HAS RESPONDED IN FULL FORCE, EXHIBITING NOTHING BUT COMPASSION AS BRIDGES OF HOPE CONTINUES TO SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVES.

>> IT'S BEEN OVERPOURING WITH SUPPORT.

I HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS OF WHAT CAN I DO, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

WHAT CAN I DONATE TO OUR GUESTS?

IT'S UNFORTUNATELY THAT THE MAIN ANSWER I HAVE IS I DON'T KNOW.

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

>> BRIDGES OF HOPE'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HELD ANOTHER MEETING EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON AS THEY CONTINUE STRATEGIZING ON OTHER ROUTES TO TAKE.

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

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO ENJOY A LOT OF SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE EASTER WEEKEND AND ON SUNDAY, WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50s AND LOW 60s.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, A LOOK AT THE D.A.C.

'S PRODUCTION OF >> 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.

>>> PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT MINNESOTA STATE PARKS WITHOUT PAYING A VEHICLE FEE FOR ONE DAY LATER THIS MONTH.

THE FREE PARK DAY IS SET FOR NEXT SATURDAY APRIL 26TH AND APPLIES TO ALL 73 MINNESOTA STATE PARK AND RECREATION AREAS.

THIS DAY IS ONE OF FOUR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT PEOPLE CAN VISIT WITHOUT PAYING A VEHICLE FEE AND THE DAYS ARE SPREAD OUT OVER THE YEAR TO GIVE PEOPLE THE CHANCE TO VISIT A PARK FOR FREE DURING EACH SEASON.

EVERY SPRING, FREE PARK DAY IS HELD ON THE SATURDAY AFTER EARTH DAY.

WHILE A VEHICLE PERMIT IS NOT NEEDED FOR PARK ADMISSION ON FREE PARK DAYS, ADDITIONAL FEES FOR THINGS LIKE CAMPING RESERVATIONS AND EQUIPMENT RENTALS STILL APPLY.

THE D.N.R.

'S GOAL FOR THIS DAY IS TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO SPEND TIME IN THE OUTDOORS AND PROMOTE EXERCISE.

>>> THERE'S A SCAM MAKING ITS WAY AROUND.

YOU'VE LIKELY GOTTEN A MESSAGE ABOUT AN OVERDUE TOLL PAYMENT OR OTHER VIOLATION.

THESE MESSAGES ARE JUST ONE OF THE LATEST ATTEMPTS TO TAKE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND ARE NOT LEGITIMATE.

REPORTER LEIGH WALDMAN HAS MORE ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE WHAT IS NOT REAL AND HOW TO BETTER PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THESE TYPES OF SCAMS.

>> IT'S DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE, THE SCAM AND IT'S EASY TO FALL FOR.

>> Reporter: YOU LIKELY GOTTEN A FEW OF THESE MESSAGES TO YOUR PHONE RECENTLY, ALERTING YOU TO UNPAID TOLLS OR AN EASY PASS BALANCE.

THESE ARE CALLED SMISHING SCAMS.

>> THEY'RE LOOKING TO STEAL YOUR INFORMATION, YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION, AND FINALLY THEY WILL HAVE A MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION BYPASS.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THESE SCAMS SINCE 2023.

TO PROTECT YOURSELF, PAY ATTENTION TO THE SENDER.

>> LOOKING AT THE SENDER ADDRESS, IT WILL BE A STRANGE NUMBER YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE OR AN E-MAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE, ALTHOUGH IT'S A TEXT MESSAGE.

>> Reporter: OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK STATE AUTHORITY AGREES, AGENCIES LIKE HIS WILL NEVER TRY TO COLLECT PAYMENT OVER TEXT OR E-MAIL.

>> THEY WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO PAY A BILL IN THIS WAY.

YOU EITHER HAVE AN ACCOUNT OR A FORMAL PROCESS TO PAY YOUR TOLL BY MAIL.

>> Reporter: HIS AGENCY IS WORKING WITH KATHY'S OFFICE ON WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET ONE OF THESE SCAMS.

>> A RED FLAG SHOULD GO OFF WHETHER THIS IS LEGITIMATE OR REAL, AND THEY SHOULD NOT ENGAGE, IF IT'S AN E-MAIL OR TEXT, THEY SHOULD DELETE IT RIGHT AWAY.

>> THESE TOLL SCAMS ARE BEING SEEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND THE F.B.I.

IS REPORTEDLY TAKING THEM SERIOUSLY.

ACCORDING TO ITS DATA, IN 2024 THE INTERNET CRIME COMPLAINT CENTER RECEIVED MORE THAN 60 THOUSAND UNPAID TOLL SCAM COMPLAINTS.

ZBL.

>>> NOW IT'S TIME FOR WEATHER WITH STACY.

I WENT FOR A WALK THIS MORNING AND IT WAS FREEZING COLD.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO ENJOY SOME NICE SUNSHINE.

SUNDAY, HIGHS WILL BE IN 50s AND LOW 60s, SIMILAR CONDITIONS AS WE START THE >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF 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.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: IT WAS A CLOUDY DAY TODAY, A LITTLE BIT ON THE BREEZY SIDE, AND SOME COOL TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN.

WE WILL START TO SEE THE CLOUDS BREAKING UP OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, BUT THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SOME FREEZING RAIN IN FAR NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND, A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

WE WILL SEE A LOT OF WARMER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE HIGH 50s AND LOW 60s.

OUR DEW POINT RIGHT NOW IS 25 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 64%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 41 DEGREES.

THE DEW POINT IS 26, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 17 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE ALL THAT CLOUD COVER THAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

WE WILL HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT THE FREEZING RAIN IN CANADA COULD DROP FAR ENOUGH SOUTH TO AFFECT PARTS OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, LOOKING AT POSSIBLY KOOCHICHING COUNTY IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

EXPECT TO SEE SOME NICE SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE EASTER WEEKEND WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

ANGELA SENDING THIS PHOTO OF THE CLOUDS SHE SPOTTED IN FARGO THIS MORNING.

PHILLIP IN EAST GULL LAKE.

AND THESE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS OF THE SUNSET TONIGHT.

IT'S GORGEOUS OUT THERE.

IF YOU DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO ENJOY IT, AT LEAST WE CAN SEE THESE PICTURES.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THOSE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 45.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, TOPPING OUT AT 41.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT TODAY AT 51.

WE DID FALL SHY OF OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, EXPECT TO SEE THE TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-50s.

40 FOR THE LOW AND BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 43, AND THAT IS 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE.

35 WAS OUR LOW AND SUNRISE THIS MORNING AT 6:23.

SO AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW, THERE MAY BE A FEW LINGERING CLOUDS IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, PROBABLY JUST OUTSIDE OUR VIEWING AREA.

AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE DAY, THE CLOUD COVER WILL BECOME MOVING OUT, WE WILL BE SEEING SUNSHINE IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND TEMPERATURES WILL START TO WARM AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THAT WARMING TREND AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE 50s AND 60s, BUT FOR TOMORROW, IT IS A START.

WE WILL BE SEEING 47 IN WARROAD, 50 IN BEMIDJI, 51 IN PARK RAPIDS.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOW 50s AS WELL, 53 IN LITTLE FALLS.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, WE HAVE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF FREEZING RAIN IN THE FAR NORTHEASTERN PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

TEMPERATURES ARE DOWN TO 27.

MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, HIGHS NEAR 50, AND WEST WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON SUNDAY, WITH TEMPERATURES UP TO 59.

VARIABLE CLOUDS ON MONDAY, 61 FOR THE HIGH, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, AND ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AREA ON TUESDAY, BUT FAIRLY QUIET FOR MOST OF US, ETC.

-- EXCEPT ON WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

NOW WE'RE JOINED BY CHARLIE YAEGER WITH SPORTS.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE WARM WEATHER AND THAT'S BRINGING OUT SPRING SPORTS.

>> Charlie: WELL, IT WASN'T WARM OUT TODAY WHEN WE WERE AT THE GAMES.

IT WAS ACTUALLY BELOW 40, BUT THEY STILL PLAYED THEM.

BSU PLAYING TWO DOUBLE HEADERS TODAY IN SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL.

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

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

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> HOME GAMES COME FEW AND FAR BETWEEN FOR BSU SOFTBALL.

THE BEAVERS FINALLY HAD THEIR FIRST HOME SERIES OF THE SEASON LAST WEDNESDAY, HOSTING MINNESOTA-CROOKSTON AT THE CHET AND SPLITTING THEIR DOUBLE-HEADER WITH THE GOLDEN EAGLES.

NOW THIS WEEKEND WOULD BE THEIR LAST AT HOMESTAND, HOSTING TWO SERIES AT THE BEMIDJI STATE SOFTBALL FIELD.

THIS AFTERNOON WAS THE FIRST BSU TAKING ON RIVAL MINOT STATE IN GAME ONE OF THEIR ANNUAL BATTLE OF THE BEAVERS DOUBLE-HEADER.

WE PICK UP IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 5TH, STILL SCORELESS.

MARIAH STEVENSON WITH A RUNNER ON SECOND.

SHE WENT 3-FOR-4.

THIS WAS HER LONE R.B.I.

AND IT GIVES BEMIDJI STATE A 1-0 LEAD.

TO THE TOP OF THE 7TH, MINOT STATE DOWN TO THEIR LAST OUT.

TAYLOR SMITH WITH A RUNNER ON SECOND, SKIES ONE TO SHALLOW RIGHT.

MOLLY HOWTZ CAN'T GET THERE AND THE GAME IS TIED.

SO WE HEAD TO THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE INNING.

HOWTZ AT THE PLATE WITH THE WINNING RUN ON THIRD, REDEMPTION.

THE WALK OFF SINGLE THE FIRST OF THE SEASON FOR BSU AS THEY MOB HOWTZ ON THE BASE PATH.

ENDS A 4-GAME LOSING STREAK FOR BEMIDJI STATE.

THEY WOULD SPLIT THE DOUBLE-HEADER HOWEVER, FALLING 5-3 TO MINOT STATE IN GAME 2.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE BASEBALL ALSO AT HOME TODAY WITH A DOUBLE HEADER AGAINST NORTHERN STATE.

WE PICK UP IN GAME ONE.

BOTTOM OF THE 6TH.

BEAVERS TRAILING 5-2 BUT THEY'VE GOT THE BASES LOADED WITH TWO OUTS, A CHANCE TO PUT A DENT IN THE LEAD.

NO, BRAXTON KUSLER WITH HIS 6TH STRIKE OUT OF THE GAME, KEEPS THE LEAD AT THREE.

BOTTOM OF THE 7TH, SAME SCORE, MAN ON SECOND FOR HUNTER HYDEN.

IT'S OFF THE PITCHERS FOOT AND SQUIRTS INTO THE OUTFIELD, SCORES A RUN TO MAKE IT 5-3.

LATER IN THE INNING.

BASES LOADED ONCE AGAIN FOR THE BEAVS.

JACK FELDMAN TRIES TO LEG OUT THE INFIELD SINGLE.

IT'S CLOSE BUT HE'S CALLED OUT AND THE WOLVES ESCAPE.

5-3 THE FINAL IN SEVEN INNINGS IN GAME ONE.

IN GAME TWO, BEMIDJI STATE TOOK A 6-2 LEAD INTO THE TOP OF THE 9TH BUT SURRENDERED 6 RUNS TO FALL 8-6.

THE BEAVERS HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE TO GET NORTHERN TOMORROW IN THE FINAL GAME OF THE SERIES AT NOON.

>>> SOME MORE SCORES FOR YOU, IN MEN'S GOLF, BEMIDJI STATE FALLS TO THIRD PLACE.

THEY ARE AT PLUS-8, ONE SHOT BACK.

IN THE MEN'S INDIVIDUAL PART OF IT, LOGAN REMAINS IN FIRST PLACE.

HE IS FOUR STROKES AHEAD OF THE TWO MEN TIED FOR SECOND PLACE AND HE SHOT A ONE UNDER TODAY.

ALSO ANOTHER SCORE FOR YOU, MSU MOORHEAD BLANKS BEMIDJI STATE ON THE TENNIS COURTS.

AND IN SOFTBALL, BRAINERD GETS THE WIN AGAINST ANOKA.

THE TWINS ARE SQUARING UP WITH THE BRAVES FOR A THREE GAME SERIES.

HIS FAMILY IS ECSTATIC, THEY'RE AT THE GAME TO SEE HIM.

IT WASN'T DONE YET AND NEITHER WERE THE TWINS.

HE FINDS HIS WAY TO THIRD, THEN ABLE TO COME HOME ON THE SAC FLY BY EDWARD AND HE ALSO HAD A STEAL.

WHAT A DEBUT FOR HIM.

TWINS LED 4-0.

IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 8th, DOWN TWO WITH THE BASES LOADED, TWO R.B.I.

SINGLES, KNOTS THINGS AT 4.

THEN THE WHEELS FALL OFF FOR THE TWINS, DRAKE BALDWIN KNOCKS IN TWO MORE.

THEY SCORE SIX UNANSWERED TO BEAT MINNESOTA 6-4.

>>> WELL, THE NBA PLAYOFFS ARE FINALLY UPON US AND THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES ARE BACK IN THE FIELD FOR A 4TH STRAIGHT SEASON.

THEY DID JUST ENOUGH TO FINISH 6TH IN THE WEST AND AVOID A PLAY-IN GAME AND THEIR REWARD WILL BE A MATCHUP WITH THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS IN THE FIRST ROUND.

THE WOLVES HAVE ONLY PLAYED THE LAKERS TWICE IN THE POST-SEASON.

THE LAST TIME BEING IN 2004 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS BUT ONE PART OF THE SERIES THAT WILL BE FAMILIAR FOR MINNESOTA IS LUKA DONCIC, WHO BURNED THE WOLVES IN LAST YEAR'S CONFERENCE FINALS WITH THE MAVERICKS, AVERAGING NEARLY A TRIPLE DOUBLE AND WINNING SERIES MVP IN THE PROCESS.

THIS YEAR HOWEVER, ANTHONY EDWARDS FEELS BETTER ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES CHANCES AGAINST THE SLOVENIAN AND HIS NEW TEAM.

>> I JUST WASN'T READY TOPLAY LAST YEAR, BUT I WILL BE READY.

I USED TO HANDLE THE BALL ALL DAY, TRYING TO MAKE SHOTS MYSELF.

NOW I HAVE BEEN MOVING THE BALL, AND GET OTHER GUYS OPEN.

IT SHOULD BE FUN.

>> IT'S THIS TIME OF THE SEASON, TEAMS WILL SET UP SHOP TO TAKE CERTAIN THINGS AWAY.

YOU GOT TO SOMETIMES LEAN INTO THAT AND YOU GOT TO MAKE YOUR TEAMMATES BETTER AND YOU HAVE TO TRUST THAT THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO WORK OUT IN THE LONG RUN.

>> TIMBERWOLVES OPENED THE SEASON BY PLAYING THE LAKERS.

THAT GAME WAS A LOSS.

THEY'RE HOPING THE SEASON DOESN'T END THAT WAY BUT THEY DID SPLIT THE REGULAR SEASON SERIES 2-2.

WILD ALSO BEGIN THEIR PLAYOFF JOURNEY THIS WEEKEND.

THEY'LL BE ON THE ROAD IN VEGAS TAKING ON THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS SUNDAY AFTER SECURING THE FIRST WILD CARD SPOT IN THE FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON.

VEGAS FINISHED FIRST IN THE PACIFIC DIVISION.

SO, YEAH, THAT'S HOW THAT MATCHED UP.

>> Sydney: EXCITING STUFF.

IT'S PLAYOFF SEASON.

>> Charlie: YOU HAVE TO LOVE THE PLAYOFFS AND HOCKEY PLAYOFFS ARE AWESOME TO WATCH.

IT WILL BE GREAT TO HAVE THE WILD AND TIMBERWOLVES PLAYING IN THE PLAYOFFS, I GET TO WATCH THEM BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Sydney: ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU SO MUCH CHARLIE.

>>> THE HUBBARD COUNTY DEVELOPMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT CENTER OR D.A.C.

HOSTED IT'S THIRD THEATRICAL PRODUCTION LAST WEEK OF DISNEY'S "WINNIE THE POOH", PERFORMED BY CLIENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS OF THE D.A.C.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN TELLS US HOW THE PRODUCTION CAME TO BE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THE CLIENTS OF THE D.A.C.

♪ WINNIE-THE-POOH ♪ >> Reporter: IT'S THE HUBBARD COUNTY'S D.A.C.

TO MAXIMIZE INDEPENDENCE THROUGH NORMALIZATION.

ONE WAY IS THROUGH THE ARTS.

SPECIFICALLY THROUGH THEATRICAL PRODUCTION, LIKE WINNIE-THE-POOH.

>> IT INVOLVES PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT THIS MAY BE THEIR FIRST PERFORMANCE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE LIFELONG THEATER BUFFS, LIKE MYSELF.

>> IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN.

THIS IS A GROUP OF CREATIVE PEOPLE, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CAST, THEY HAVE A RANGE OF TALENTS AND ABILITIES.

>> IT'S FUN COACHING EVERYBODY TO BE THEIR BEST AND TO PROJECT THEIR VOICE AND TO HAVE FUN DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> THIS STAGE IN PARTICULAR WAS DESIGNED BY THE D.A.C.

'S CLIENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS.

>> WE CAN'T REALLY DO ANY SET MOVING, SO WE CREATED THREE DIFFERENT AREAS, ONE IS ALICE'S HOUSE, AND THE CHRISTOPHER RABBIT'S DOOR.

WE TOOK IDEAS AND SKETCHED THEM, AND WE WENT WITH PAINT AND STARTED PAINTING.

>> MY FAVORITE PART IS RABBIT'S HOUSE.

I THINK IT LOOKS LIKE THE STORYBOOK.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE?

>> OWL'S HOUSE.

>> WHEN ASKED THEIR FAVORITE PART, IT WAS HARD FOR THEM TO CHOOSE ONE PART.

>> FOR ME, IT'S THE WHOLE PROCESS FROM ADDITIONS TO MEMORIZING ALL THE LINES.

IT'S ALL REALLY ENJOYABLE FOR ME.

>> Reporter: AND IT'S JUST AS REWARDING FOR THE STAFF MEMBERS OF THE D.A.C.

>> TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY GRASPED ON TO WHAT IS A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GET READY, HOW DO YOU EXECUTE IT?

>> ART IS SO THERAPEUTIC AND IT HELPS US GET OUT OF OUR SHELL A LITTLE BIT.

SO I'M GLAD TO PROVIDE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PARK RAPIDS FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> OVER 300 PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY ATTENDED THE PERFORMANCE AT THE ARMORY ARTS AND EVENT CENTER IN PARK RAPIDS LAST FRIDAY.

>>> NOW WE HAVE MORE WEATHER WITH STACY.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THE CLOUDS BREAKING UP, SO EXPECT TO SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR FREEZING RAIN IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA, LOW TEMPS SHOULD DROP TO 27.

MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, WE START OUR WARM UP WITH HIGHS NEAR 50, AND WEST WINDS UP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

FOR EASTER SUNDAY, HIGHS NEAR 59, AND THE WARMER TEMPERATURES WILL STAY WITH US INTO NEXT WEEK.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT, HAPPY EASTER.

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