>> 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 BRAINERD MAN IS CHARGED WITH SIX COUNTS OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT AFTER A WOMAN REPORTED BEING RAPED AT A BRAINERD AREA HOTEL WHERE SHE WAS STAYING.

JOSEP CHIRISTOPER MENDEZ-MACIAS WORKS AT THE HOTEL AND IS ACCUSED OF DRUGGING THE WOMAN AND THEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HER ON APRIL 15TH.

THE TWO HAD BEEN DRINKING TOGETHER IN THE WOMAN'S ROOM AND THE WOMAN REPORTED BLACKING OUT AND THEN WAKING UP IN AN UNKNOWN BED WHERE SHE WAS BEING SEXUALLY ASSAULTED.

MENDEZ-MACIUS TOLD INVESTIGATORS HE HAD SEX WITH THE WOMAN BUT THAT IT WAS CONSENSUAL.

MENDEZ-MACIUS WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND IS BEING HELD IN THE CROW WING COUNTY JAIL WITH BAIL SET AT $500,000 WITH NO CONDITIONS AND $350,000 WITH CONDITIONS.

HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 14TH.

>>> A MOTORCYCLIST FROM PINE RIVER WHO WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CRASH ON SUNDAY HAS NOW DIED.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE PATROL, 63-YEAR-OLD GENE WALTERS DIED AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE HE WAS ON SIDESWIPED ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE ON HIGHWAY 84 NEAR PINE RIVER.

THE PATROL SAYS BOTH MOTORCYCLES WERE EASTBOUND ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE OTHER MOTORCYCLE SLOWED TO TURN SOUTH ON KENT STREET.

THAT'S WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE DRIVEN BY WALTERS SIDESWIPED THE MOTORCYCLE LOOKING TO TURN.

THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER MOTORCYCLE 62-YEAR-OLD BRIAN EKSTRAND OF PINE RIVER AND A PASSENGER 59-YEAR-OLD TAMERA SMITH OF PINE RIVER SUFFERED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES IN THE CRASH.

THE STATE PATROL REPORT SAYS ALCOHOL WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE CRASH AND NONE OF THE THREE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WERE WEARING HELMETS.

>>> A BEMIDJI MAN HAS STILL NOT BEEN CHARGED NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER HE WAS NAMED BY POLICE IN WISCONSIN AS A SUSPECT IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A WOMAN.

MANLY MCDERMOTT IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED IN THE MOOSE LAKE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN MOOSE LAKE MINNESOTA WHERE HE HAS BEEN SERVING A FIVE-YEAR SENTENCE ON A DIFFERENT FIREARMS CONVICTION.

IN MAY 2022, THE SAWYER COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED THAT FIRST-DEGREE HOMICIDE CHARGES BE FILED AGAINST MCDERMOTT IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF 42-YEAR-OLD CARY ELKIN.

AUTHORITIES SAY EVIDENCE OBTAINED THROUGH SEARCH WARRANTS, INTERVIEWS AND FORENSIC ANALYSIS LED THEM TO IDENTIFY MCDERMOTT AS A SUSPECT IN HER SHOOTING DEATH.

BUT TWO YEARS HAVE PASSED, NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AND NOW FAMILY MEMBERS SAY MCDERMOTT IS SCHEDULED TO BE RELEASED FROM HIS SENTENCE IN MOOSE LAKE THIS SEPTEMBER.

IN AN EMAIL TO THE SAWYER COUNTY RECORD, ELKIN'S SISTER, CAROL MISSY DANHA CALLED THE LACK OF TIMELY DISPOSITION OF THE CASE GROSSLY NEGLIGENT ON THE PART OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY BRUCE POQUETTE AND PAINFUL TO ENDURE.

POQUETTE TOLD THE SAWYER COUNTY RECORD THAT FOR STRATEGIC REASONS AND ABSENT SOME UNFORESEEN COMPLICATION, HE EXPECTS CHARGES TO BE FILED IN LATER THIS SUMMER.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY HAS ROUGHLY $18 MILLION WORTH OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SCHEDULED FOR 2024.

THE PROJECTS VARY FROM COUNTY HIGHWAY AND ROADWORK TO UNORGANIZED TERRITORY ROADS IN BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS.

WHILE SOME ROAD PROJECTS LIKE COUNTY ROAD 142 AND HIGHWAY 210 WILL INVOLVE RECONSTRUCTION, OTHERS WILL BE ABOUT REHABILITATION.

>> TYPICALLY YOU RESURFACE THE ROAD, YOU GET 20 YEARS OF LIFE OUT OF THAT.

WE TRY TO EXTEND IT AND IF NOT, WE TRY TO MAKE THOSE 20 YEARS MORE USABLE AND DRIVABLE FOR THE PUBLIC.

>> THE CROW WING COUNTY BOARD ALSO ADOPTED THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT'S FIVE-YEAR PLAN LAST WEEK WHICH HAS ABOUT $88 MILLION WORTH OF FUNDING.

>>> EVERY YEAR, DENTAL PROFESSIONALS ACROSS MINNESOTA PARTICIPATE IN GIVE KIDS A SMILE, PROVIDING FREE DENTAL CARE TO CHILDREN.

THE CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM AND A FEW LOCAL DENTAL PROFESSIONALS DID THEIR PART IN BRAINERD TODAY.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: TODAY THE CLC DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM PARTICIPATED IN GIVE KIDS A SMILE.

LOCAL CHILDREN WERE GIVEN A FREE TRIP TO THE DENTIST, THIS NOT ONLY BENEFITTED THE CHILDREN RECEIVING THE CARE, BUT THE STUDENTS IN THE DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM GOT SOME VALUABLE EXPERIENCE.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR US BECAUSE IT'S LIKE A REAL OFFICE SPACE.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AT TWO HOUR TIMEFRAMES AND NOW IT'S CONDENSED TO ONE, WHICH IS MORE LIKE REAL LIFE.

IT'S GOOD EXPERIENCE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ADULTS AND TO HAVE ALL THESE KIDS IN, IT'S GOOD TO SEE HOW THAT WORKS FOR STUDENTS THAT WANT TO WORK IN A PEDIATRIC OFFICE.

>> Reporter: IT PROVIDED A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE CHILDREN, TEACHING THE YOUNG ONES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER ORAL HYGIENE.

>> JUST KNOWING YOUR PATIENTS GO OUT WITH CARE MAKES US REALLY HAPPY AND FOR US TO LEARN ALSO HELPS US FEEL BETTER AND JUST TEACH THE YOUNGER CHILDREN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR TEETH.

>> Reporter: GIVE KIDS A SMILE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO DECADES AND FOR THOSE WHO PROVIDE THE FREE DENTAL CARE, IT IS ALWAYS A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE.

>> IT IS SO COOL TO SEE THESE KIDS THAT OBVIOUSLY COULDN'T GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, TO SEE THEM COME IN AND JUST HAVE THEIR SMILES BRIGHTER, TO FIX THEIR TEETH.

WE HAVE MANY VOLUNTEERS TODAY.

WE HAVE DENTISTS, HYGIENISTS, AND THEY JUST WANT TO MAKE THESE KIDS HAVE AWESOME SMILES AND KEEP THEIR GUMS PERFECT.

>> Reporter: THE GOAL WAS TO MAKE THIS DENTAL EXPERIENCE AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN TO ENCOURAGE THEM THAT THE DENTAL OFFICE IS NO PLACE TO BE SCARED OF.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE IT A FUN ENVIRONMENT AND AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE SO THAT THEY WANT TO COME BACK TO THE DENTIST AND YOU KNOW, CONTINUE THAT IN THE FUTURE.

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

>> 25 CHILDREN WERE GIVEN FREE DENTAL CARE TODAY AT C.L.C.

OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, MINNESOTA DENTISTS HAVE PROVIDED FREE CARE TO OVER 84,000 CHILDREN THROUGH GIVE KIDS A SMILE.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL DISTRICT IS EXPANDING ITS ONLINE LEARNING OPTIONS.

THE BRAINERD ONLINE SCHOOL NOW ALLOWS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO EARN THEIR DIPLOMA ENTIRELY THROUGH ONLINE LEARNING.

31 CLASSES WERE OFFERED ONLINE TO STUDENTS DURING THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR AND THAT NUMBER WILL JUMP TO 50 NEXT YEAR.

AND THE BIGGEST THING DRAWING STUDENTS IS THE FLEXIBILITY GOING VIRTUAL PRESENTS AND IT'S NOT ONLY THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPLORING ONLINE LEARNING.

>> WE HAVE STUDENTS INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS.

IF THEY HAVE ONE CLASS IN THE ONLINE SCHOOL, THEY HAVE AN OPEN HOUR.

THAT MEANS THEY COULD MAKE IT THEIR 7th HOUR.

IF THEY ARE LEAVING AT 2:30, THEY'RE NOT MISSING SCHOOL.

>> Dennis: IT'S NOT JUST THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPLORING ONLINE LEARNING AS CHRISTINA LUNDGREN SAID THAT THE NEXT STE IS IMPLEMENTING VIRTUAL LEARNING AT FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL, BUT THE OPTIONS THERE WOULD BE IN SYNC WITH IN-PERSON LEARNING.

>>> THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS ALLOWING THE SALE OF GASOLINE CONTAINING A HIGHER BLEND OF ETHANOL FOR THE THIRD SUMMER IN A ROW.

THE EMERGENCY WAIVER ISSUED FRIDAY WILL EXEMPT GASOLINE BLENDED WITH 15-PERCENT ETHANOL FROM THE EXISTING SUMMERTIME BAN GASOLINE WITH 10-PERCENT ETHANOL IS ALREADY SOLD NATIONWIDE, BUT THE HIGHER BLEND HAS BEEN PROHIBITED IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE OF CONCERNS IT COULD WORSEN SMOG DURING WARM WEATHER.

E.P.A.

ADMINISTRATOR MICHAEL REGAN SAID THE WAIVER WAS WARRANTED BECAUSE THE WAR IN UKRAINE AND THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST ARE PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE GLOBAL FUEL SUPPLY.

ETHANOL TRADE GROUPS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE MIDWESTERN STATES WHERE THE FUEL IS PRODUCED FROM CORN PRAISED THE DECISION.

>>> ISRAEL HAS CARRIED OUT A MILITARY STRIKE ON IRAN, A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ESCALATION IN A FAST-WIDENING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT.

AND IT PUTS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IN A CHALLENGING POSITION AS IT WEIGHS AN ELECTION YEAR RESPONSE.

KARIN CAIFA HAS THE DETAILS FROM WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE FRIDAY AIMING TO KEEP ITS DISTANCE FROM ISRAEL'S RETALIATORY STRIKE AGAINST IRAN.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE ANY COMMENT ON THE REPORTS AT THIS TIME.

>> Reporter: ISRAEL'S COUNTER STRIKE, A RESPONSE TO LAST WEEKEND'S STRIKE BY IRAN, MOST OF WHICH WAS INTERCEPTED.

IN A PHONE CALL LAST WEEKEND WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRESIDENT BIDEN URGED RESTRAINT.

ON THURSDAY, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR LED VIRTUAL TALKS ABOUT THE ATTACK BY IRAN AND EFFORTS TO BOLSTER ISRAELI SECURITY.

THEY RECEIVED WARNINGS FROM ISRAEL OF THEIR PLANS BUT NEITHER ENDORSED OR CONDEMNED THE COUNTER STRIKE.

ANTONY BLINKEN SAID THE U.S. FOCUS IS DEESCALATION.

>> WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON, WHAT THE G7 IS FOCUSED ON, AND AGAIN IT'S REFLECTED IN OUR STATEMENT AND CONVERSATION IS OUR WORK TO DEESCALATE TENSIONS.

>> Reporter: TENSIONS ABROAD CREATING TENSIONS AT HOME.

THE DEMOCRATICS PARTY IS DIVIDED ON THEIR SUPPORT OF THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT.

MANY ARE THREATENING THE SUPPORT THAT BIDEN NEEDS FOR HIS RE-ELECTION BITrd -- BID IN SOME KEY SWING STATES.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>> ISRAEL HAD NO COMMENT ON THE APPARENT ATTACK.

IRANIAN OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGED THE ATTACK BUT MADE NO MENTION OF POSSIBLE ISRAELI INVOLVEMENT.

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

>> Josh: WELL, WE HAVE WARMER SPRING TEMPERATURES ON THE HORIZON.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS COMING UP IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

[♪♪♪] >> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

THE CENTER WILL WELCOME THEIR FIRST ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> MOTORISTS WHO TRAVEL ON HIGHWAY 10 THROUGH LITTLE FALLS WILL ENCOUNTER LANE CLOSURES AND DELAYS AS ROADWORK BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 22ND.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS REPLACING GUARDRAILS, RE-ESTABLISHING GRAVEL SHOULDERS, AND RESURFACING BOTH DIRECTIONS OF MAINLINE, SHOULDERS AND ACCESSES TO AND FROM HIGHWAY 10 BETWEEN EAST OF LITTLE FALLS AT COUNTY ROAD 35 TO WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT COUNTY ROAD 52.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO LAST INTO EARLY JULY AND WILL INCLUDE SINGLE-LANE CLOSURES ON BOTH DIRECTIONS WITH LANE SHIFTS AND REDUCED SPEEDS.

WHEN FINISHED THE $5.5 MILLION PROJECT WILL PROVIDE SMOOTHER ROAD SURFACES, REDUCE MAINTENANCE COSTS AND IMPROVE MOTORIST SAFETY.

>>> WELL IT MIGHT NOT HAVE SEEMED LIKE IT TODAY WITH SNOW COMING DOWN BUT SPRING IS DEFINITELY IN THE AIR.

AT LEAST FOR THIS FAMILY BEARS IT WHO AWOKE SOUTH OF BEMIDJI NEAR LAKE PLANTAGENET WHERE THEY DECIDED HIBERNATION TIME IS OVER, WHILE THEY DEMONSTRATED THAT THE SQUIRREL-PROOF BIRD FEEDER ISN'T BEAR-PROOF.

>>> CUTE BEARS.

JOSH IS IN FOR STACY TONIGHT.

>> Josh: WHERE WAS GOLDILOCKS?

YOU HAVE THE THREE BEARS THERE.

THOSE BEARS WILL WANT TO STAY IN AND WONDER WHY THEY ARE NOT HIBERNATING WITH THE TEMPERATURES WE HAVE TONIGHT.

WE WILL BE GETTING TO THE LOW TO MID-20s.

WE HAVEN'T HAD TEMPERATURES LIKE THAT FOR A WHILE BUT WE HAVE WARMER TRENDS ON THE HORIZON AS I MENTIONED EARLIER.

WE'LL HAVE 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 ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Josh: WELL, IT WAS ONE OF THOSE GARDEN VARIETY TYPES OF DAYS WHEN IT COMES TO THE WEATHER, A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW, A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN, AND A LITTLE BIT OF SUN AS YOU CAN SEE FROM OUR LAKELAND TOWER CAM.

THE SUN BREAKING THROUGH THIS EVENING, BUT IN BEMIDJI RIGHT NOW, 27 DEGREES.

WINDS NORTHWEST, THE BAROMETER IS RISING AT 30.03.

WE HAD A PEAK WIND GUST OF 28 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW IN BRAINERD, AS YOU CAN SEE, 30 DEGREES UNDER MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, DUE POINT -- DEW POINT AT 23, WINDS AT 11 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW, LOOKING AT THE RADAR YOU SEE SOME OF THAT MOISTURE THAT WE HAD EARLIER TODAY, MOVING ON OUT, BUT NOW WE'RE BRINGING IN ONE MORE BAND OF THAT SYSTEM COMING IN OVERNIGHT, OVER THE MIDNIGHT HOURS, 1:00, BRINGING IN LIGHT SNOW SQUALLS, RAIN MIXED WITH SNOW MOVING IN THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.

THAT WILL BRING A HIGHER PRESSURE SYSTEM WHICH WILL MOSTLY BRING IN THE MOSTLY SUNNY TO FULL SUNNY SKIES ON SUNDAY AND MUCH WARMER TEMPERATURES, MORE IN LINE WITH SPRINGTIME WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

FIRST, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME PHOTO FROM OUR LAKELAND EAGLE EYES.

A VERY CONFUSED ROBIN STARING OF THE SNOW WONDERING WHY DID I FLY NORTH?

WE HAVE DEBRA SHOWING SOME OF THE SNOWFALLS THAT WE HAD EARLIER TODAY.

WE ALSO HAVE ARLENE IN LONGVILLE WITH ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A CHRISTMAS CARD WITH THE TREES FLOCKED WITH SNOW.

LOOKING AT OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, BOTH ARLENES REPORTING IN, 26 AND LIGHT SNOW IN MENAHGA, BOB IN BLUFFTON, WINDY, LOW OF 25, HIGH OF 37.

STEPHANIE DOWN IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST SKIES WITH A LOW OF 31 AND HIGH OF 34.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD HAD A TEMPERATURE OF 36.

OUR AVERAGE HIGH THIS TIME OF THE YEAR FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA IS AROUND 55 OR 56.

WE'RE BELOW THAT TODAY, LOW TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 30, BUT THAT'S RIGHT ABOUT ON PAR WITH OUR AVERAGE TEMPERATURE.

SAME STORY IN BEMIDJI.

WE HAD A HIGH TODAY OF 34, BUT OUR AVERAGE NORMALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR IS AROUND 53.

NOWHERE NEAR OUR RECORD THAT WE HAD IN 1987.

I REMEMBER THAT BIRTHDAY PARTY THAT DAY.

NO WHERE ARE NEAR THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE, WE SHOULD BE AROUND 31.

LOOKING AT THE FORECAST, SUNNY SKIES CLAIMING MOST OF THE NORTHWEST.

THAT WILL BE MOVING ACROSS THE STATE THROUGHOUT THE DAY TOMORROW, LATE AFTERNOON, IT SHOULD BE MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ACROSS MONTH OF THE NORTHERN REGION.

NOW, IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, SAME STORY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, BRINGING THE TEMPERATURES INTO THE UPPER 50s, AND NOW TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, BUT WE WILL GET THAT LAST BAND OF SNOW FLURRIES COMING THROUGH, LOW OF 25, WINDS WEST, 10 TO 15 MILES PER HOUR.

TOMORROW, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY BY THE AFTERNOON, HIGH OF 48, WINDS OUT OF THE NORTHWEST AT 10 TO 15 MILES PER HOUR.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE EXTENDED FORECAST.

SUNNY SKIES ON SUNDAY, THE BEST DAY TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE OUTSIDE WITH THE HIGH OF 57.

THE NEXT CHANCE OF PRECIP MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING, KIND OF RAIN CHANGING INTO SNOW, NOTHING ACCUMULATIVE, SUNNY SKIES, COME BACK ON WEDNESDAY WITH A HIGH OF 58.

DENNIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS JOSH.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

>> Charlie: YEAH, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE TRANCE FORPORTAL FRONT.

IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT IS GOING TO KEEP POPPING UP AS THE NEWLAND ESCAPE OF COLLEGE SPORTS.

WE WILL SEE WHO'S IN AND WHO IS OUT OF THE TRANSFER PORTALS AND UPDATES TON TIMBERWOLVES.

THEY'RE GETTING READY FOR THEIR PLAYOFF GAMES TO >> PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCING THE EXPO ON APRIL 20TH.

MORE INFO AT www.gigazonegaming.com.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE COLLEGE HOCKEY SEASON MAY BE FINISHED BUT THE REVOLVING DOOR THAT IS THE TRANSFER PORTAL CONTINUES TO ROTATE.

THIS WEEK SAW SOME MORE MOVEMENT FOR BOTH THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TEAMS AT BEMIDJI STATE.

ON MONDAY LOGAN AHCHESON ENTERED THE TRANSFER PORTAL.

THE SOPHOMORE DEFENSEMAN APPEARED IN 28 GAMES THIS SEASON FOR THE BEAVS, AMASSING FOUR TOTAL POINTS ON TWO GOALS AND TWO ASSISTS.

LATER IN THE WEEK, JUNIOR GOALTENDER ABBIE THOMPSON WOULD ENTER THE PORTAL AS WELL.

SHE SAW ICE TIME IN 20 GAMES THIS YEAR, ALLOWING JUST OVER 5 GOALS PER GAME WITH A SAVE PERCENTAGE OF 0.867.

HERE IS THE MOST UP TO DATE LIST FOR THE BSU MEN.

ACHESON THE FOURTH BEAVER TO BE LEAVING BUT THEY HAVE ADDED TWO PLAYERS FROM THE PORTAL INCLUDING THE LEADING SCORER FROM NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, SENIOR FORWARD CARTER RANDKLEV.

ON THE WOMEN'S SIDE, THOMPSON IS THE THIRD PLAYER HEADED IN FOR THE LADY BEAVERS.

THE SECOND GOALIE TO DO SO.

ON THE FLIP SIDE, SENIOR GOALTENDER JOSIE BOTHUN FROM PENN STATE IS STILL THE ONLY PLAYER ON THEIR WAY FROM THE PORTAL.

TWINS RETURN HOME AFTER BEING SWEPT BY BALTIMORE.

TONIGHT THEY'RE TRYING TO SNAP A FOUR GAME LOSING STREAK AS THEY HOST THE TIGERS.

THE TWINS BATS WERE HOT EARLY.

THE TWINS LEAD 2-1.

AFTER TYING THE GAME, THE TIGERS GET THE LEAD ON AN EXCUSE ME SWING.

THEY ADD ANOTHER MAKING IT 4-2.

BOTTOM OF THE 6th, HE THINKS HE HAS A HOMER, JUST SHORT, AND IT SCORES RUNNERS FROM SECOND AND THIRD, TIES THE BALL GAME.

TIGERS GO ON TO WIN THANKS TO A RUN AT THE TOP OF THE 9th.

THEY BEAT THE TWINS 5-4.

THAT IS FIVE LOSSES IN A ROW FOR THE TWINS.

THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO STOP THAT SKID.

>>> WELL, THE NBA PLAYOFFS BEGIN TOMORROW AND THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES WILL BE HOSTING A PLAYOFF SERIES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS.

THE T-WOLVES FINISHED THE REGULAR SEASON THIRD IN THE ULTRA-COMPETITIVE WESTERN CONFERENCE, JUST ONE GAME BACK OF OKLAHOMA CITY AND DENVER.

THE REASON, A LOSS IN THE FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON TO THE PHOENIX SUNS AND AS IS THE WAY OF THE UNIVERSE, THE SAME TEAM THEY WILL BE PLAYING IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS.

PHOENIX IS ACTUALLY SLIGHTLY FAVORED TO WIN THE SERIES, BEATING MINNESOTA HANDILY IN THEIR THREE MEETINGS THIS SEASON AND FLEXING THE STAR POWER OF KEVIN DURANT, DEVIN BOOKER AND BRADLEY BEAL, BUT THE WOLVES FEELS THEY CAN FLIP THE SCRIPT IF THEY CAN MINIMIZE TURNOVERS, SOMETHING THEY DID 24 TIMES IN THEIR LOSS TO THE SUNS THIS PAST SUNDAY.

>> ANY TIME WE DON'T TURN IT OVER, WE ARE RIGHT THERE NECK AND NECK WITH THEM.

WHEN WE GIVE THEM A BIG LEAD IN THE FIRST QUARTER, IT'S HARD TO BRING THEM DOWN.

>> MAKING MISTAKES, MAKING THE PASS, ONE BEAT LATER, PLAYING THE CROWD.

THEY PUT THREE PEOPLE ON IT SO I HAVE TO MAKE THE RIGHT REASON AND TRUST MY TEAMMATES.

THE TEAMMATES HIT THE SHOTS.

>> THE THING IS THE COACH, THE PLAYERS, THE TEAM IN GENERAL, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SO MANY UPS AND DOWNS AND REACTIONS AND OVERREACTIONS.

YOU HAVE TO STAY AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A LONG SERIES.

>> WE FEEL VERY PREPARED RIGHT NOW.

>> TIMBERWOLVES HAVE NOT WON A PLAYOFF SERIES SINCE 2004.

THAT YEAR THEY MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE CONFERENCE FINALS WHERE THEY LOST IN 6-GAMES TO THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THEIR POST-SEASON SCHEDULE.

FIRST GAME OF THE OPENING ROUND IS TOMORROW AT THE TARGET CENTER.

TIP-OFF IS 2:30 P.M. >>> THE MINNESOTA WILD SUFFERED A LOSS TO THE KRAKEN YESTERDAY IN THEIR FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON, CAPPING OFF A YEAR THAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS UNDERWHELMING, ONE WHICH THEY MISSED THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019.

THEY HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THEIR INABILITY TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS OR MAKE THE SERIES, THIS IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE FOR 25 YEARS.

I AM NOT AS CRAZY ABOUT IT AS YOU GUYS ARE.

I HAVEN'T GONE THROUGH IT.

I'M DOING WHAT I FEEL IS RIGHT AS A GENERAL MANAGER IN BUILDING A TEAM, BUILDING A TEAM THAT IS GOING TO BE BUILT FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS.

I COULD CARE LESS WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST HERE.

I WASN'T HERE.

MOST OF THESE PLAYERS WEREN'T HERE.

WE DON'T CARE.

WE DON'T CARE.

I AM DISAPPOINTED.

THE PLAYERS ARE DISAPPOINTED.

I MEAN NO ONE IS HAPPY WITH THE WAY THIS YEAR WENT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT DID GO ON THAT WERE GOOD.

>> Dennis: IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO LISTEN TO.

RIGHT FROM THE HEART.

>> Charlie: YOU HAVE TO LOVE A COACH THAT IS DIRECT AND TO THE POINT.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE CITY OF BIG FORK WELCOMED ITS FIRST-EVER ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL.

THE FESTIVAL WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY OF PLAYS DIRECTED BY 4 DIFFERENT DIRECTORS FROM THE COMMUNITY.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH A GLANCE BEHIND THE SCENES FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS.

>> Reporter: BIG FORK WELCOMED ITS FIRST ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL.

THE FESTIVAL FEATURED FOUR SHORT PLAYS.

THE EVER AFTER, MONOLOGUE, JERRY GIRLS, AND WAITING FOR THE END OF THE WORLD.

EACH WAS DIRECTED BY A DIFFERENT COMMUNITY MEMBER.

>> THE COMMUNITY WASN'T READY FOR THE PLAYS TO BE DONE SO PATTY AGREED TO TEACH NEW PEOPLE HOW TO DIRECT PLAYS BECAUSE SHE WON'T BE WITH US FOREVER AND WE CAN KEEP COMMUNITY THEATER ALIVE IN BIG FORK.

SO IT WAS A WAY TO TEACH MULTIPLE PEOPLE HOW TO DIRECT SHORT LITTLE SHOWS, A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ONES.

WE HAVE THE COMEDY, THE SATIRE, THE MUSICAL, SO IT'S A REALLY GOOD MIX FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY.

TYPICALLY WHEN YOU COME TO A THEATER, YOU SEE ONE GENRE OR TYPE OF PLAY, BUT YOU GET A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES IN THE SAME EVENING.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BROUGHT A VARIETY OF ACTORS AND ACTRESSES OF ALL AGES AND DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS TO PROVIDE A SHOW FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE INVOLVE ALL KINDS OF AGES, WE HAVE CHILDREN THAT ARE 6 AND ACTORS THAT ARE 60-PLUS.

YOU HAVE AN OLDER CAST OR YOUNGER CAST AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF A MIX, BUT THIS IS A FULL-FLEDGE MIX OF AGES.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO INVOLVING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, THIS EVENT ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE TOGETHER.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

MY SON DOMINIC IS IN THE MUSICAL, THE ONE THAT PETE IS DIRECTING.

SO FOR HIM AND I TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS TOGETHER, IT'S EXCITING.

>> Reporter: DURING SOME OF THE PRACTICES, SOME ACTORS AND ACTRESSES FORMED FRIENDSHIPS WHILE WORKING ON THE PLAYS.

>> I WAS REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE I LIKE WORKING WITH PEOPLE AND I LOVE HOW MUCH FUN WE HAVE AND COMING IN AND SEEING EVERYBODY ALL THE TIME.

I REALLY LIKE THAT PART OF IT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN TOGETHER I FEEL LIKE.

EVERYBODY IS JUST EXCITED TO BE THERE OR HAPPY TO BE THERE.

>> I LIKE IT BECAUSE I GET TO HANG OUT WITH MY COUSIN AND MY BEST FRIEND ABBEY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BIG FORK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE FESTIVAL OF ONE-ACTS WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 19 AND 20, AT 6:30 P.M., AND ON APRIL 21, AT 2:00 P.M., AT THE EDGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN BIGFORK.

>>> ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE GO BACK TO JOSH.

>> Josh: ALL RIGHT, AGAIN TONIGHT, CLOUDY SKIES, LOW OF 25, WINDS OUT OF THE WEST, 10 TO 15 MILES PER HOUR.

TOMORROW PARTLY CLOUDY, MOSTLY SUNNY BY THE AFTERNOON, HIGH OF 48.

AGAIN HERE IS THAT EXTENDED FORECAST.

SUNDAY HAS SUNNY SKIES AT 57, RAIN RETURNS MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY.

DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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