>> 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.

>>> THE BOBBER WATER TOWER HAS BEEN A STAPLE OF THE PEQUOT LAKES COMMUNITY SINCE THE TOWER WAS PAINTED INTO A BOBBER IN 1987.

MINNESOTA'S HARSH ELEMENTS HAVE SINCE WORN DOWN THE BOBBER TOWER.

A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IS IN FULL SWING TO RESTORE THE TOWER.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE PEQUOT LAKES BOBBER WATER TOWER IS NOT IN THE BEST SHAPE IT'S BEEN IN.

THERE IS A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR WITH THE TOWER'S PAINT.

TO RESTORE, THEY SET A GOAL OF $90,000 TO BE RAISED.

THE MONEY IS NEEDED TO SECURE THE BEST QUALITY WORK POSSIBLE.

>> WE WANT IT TO LOOK A LOT BETTER THAN IT IS AND NOT JUST PUT LIPSTICK ON A PEG, BUT WE WANT TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY AND USE THE RIGHT MATERIALS AND THE RIGHT COMPANY AND PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO GET THIS GOING.

>> Reporter: THIS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN MEANS A LOT TO MANY PEOPLE WHO CALL PEQUOT LAKES HOMES BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE THAT THE WATER TOWER HOLDS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> WHEN YOU SEE THE BOBBER, YOU KNOW YOU'RE HOME.

I KNOW I'M HOME WHEN I SEE IT.

WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING UP TO THE CABIN, THEY WILL SEE THE WATER TOWER AND THEY'RE HAPPY BECAUSE THEY ARE AT HOME OR THEY ARE AT THEIR CABIN AND THEY CAN FEEL THE RELAXATION.

THE BOBBER IS A HUGE SYMBOL OF PEQUOT LAKES.

WHEN YOU SEE PEQUOT LAKES, YOU THINK THE BOBBER.

>> Reporter: IT CAN BE FOUND ON JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN THE CITY FROM SHOPPING TO CITY SIGNAGE.

IT'S PART OF THE HERITAGE OF THE CITY, WHICH IS WHY MANY WANT TO MAINTAIN A PRESTIGE LOOK FOR THE TOWER.

>> WE COME FROM AN AMAZING PLACE SO WE WANT TO KEEP THIS AS GOOD AS WE CAN, AND LET'S GET THIS DONE SO THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A BEACON FOR EVERYONE THAT IS COMING UP TO THE AREA OR LIVE HERE.

>> Reporter: $90,000 IS NO SMALL ASK.

THE PAINT THE BOBBER COMMITTEE UNDERSTANDS THAT BUT CONSIDERING THE LOVE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE LANDMARK, THEY FEEL THAT THEY'RE WELL ON THEIR WAY TO ACHIEVING THE GOAL.

>> WE HAVE A VERY LARGE TASK IN FRONT OF US, BUT I KNOW AS A COMMUNITY AND I KNOW THAT AS PEOPLE THAT COME UP HERE, WE CAN ALL DO THIS AND ACCOMPLISH OUR GOAL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> SO FAR APPROXIMATELY $49,000 HAVE BEEN RAISED TOWARDS THE CAMPAIGN.

$67,500 NEEDS TO BE SECURED BY MAY 31ST.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION, YOU CAN VISIT THE PEQUOT LAKES WEBSITE WHICH IS ON THE SCREEN.

>>> GOVERNOR TIM WALZ HAS NAMED TWO WOMEN TO THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT, WHICH WILL GIVE THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT ITS FIRST FEMALE MAJORITY IN THREE DECADES.

WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR SEATS IN THE COMING MONTHS, ALL SEVEN JUSTICES WILL HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS.

WALZ ELEVATED MINNESOTA COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE THEODORA GAITAS TO REPLACE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE MARGARET CHUTICH.

SEVENTH DISTRICT CHIEF JUDGE SARAH HENNESY WILL REPLACE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE G. BARRY ANDERSON.

BOTH CHUTICH AND ANDERSON ANNOUNCED THEIR RETIREMENTS IN JANUARY.

JUDICIAL APPOINTEES IN MINNESOTA DO NOT NEED CONFIRMATION, BUT GAITAS AND HENNESY WILL HAVE TO STAND FOR ELECTION IN 2026.

>>> PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS HOSTED THEIR ANNUAL GIGAZONE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIP AND TECHXPO.

MORE THAN 4,000 PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER CAME TO ENJOY THE RURAL AREA OF GAMING AND TECHNOLOGY AND EVEN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM DANIELLE FEINBERG, A SPECIAL GUEST FROM PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THIS PAST WEEKEND WAS THE TECH GENIUSES, COSPLAYIERS, AND FAMILIES.

IT WAS FLOODED WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER TO SEE WHAT THE 2024 GIGAZONE GAMING XPO BRINGS TO THE AREA.

>> OUR FIRST YEAR, WE ONLY TOOK UP A SMALL BALLROOM HERE AT THE CENTER AND NOW IF YOU LOOK AROUND, WE HAVE THE WHOLE BUILDING FULL OF GAMES, THINGS GOING ON, PEOPLE COMING AND LOCAL TECH FACING JOBS TO SHOWCASE WHAT THEY'RE DOING HERE.

>> IT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER, NOT JUST TO SHOW -- SHOWCASE WHAT IS DONE IN OUR AREA, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR HIGH SPEED INTERNET AND IT GIVES PEOPLE A CHANCE THAT MAY NOT HAVE GOTTEN TO THE BIGGER TOURNAMENTS ONLINE AND ON TV, AND IT MAKES IT IN A RURAL ENVIRONMENT, USING OUR TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE LOCALLY.

>> A LOT MORE ADVERSITY.

COMING FROM TEXAS, I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

SO IT WAS DEFINITELY OUT OF THE BLUE.

SEEING A COMMUNITY LIKE THIS, IT'S GOING TO GO FROM HERE BIGGER.

>> Reporter: THE 2024 GIGAZONE TECHXPO FILLED UP THE ENTIRE ARENA AND BANQUET ROOM WHERE YOU COULD TALK TO THE EXHIBITERS AND LEARN ABOUT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

>> AS SOMEONE LOOKING FOR A JOB IN TECH GROWING UP, I AM VERY FOND OF THE AREA.

IT'S MY HOME.

WHEN YOU ARE GROWING UP AND YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO WITH YOUR TECH DEGREE, YOU HAVE OPTIONS WHERE YOU CAN STAY HOME AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MOVE TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY TO FOLLOW YOUR PASSION.

PUTTING THOSE IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND LETTING THEM KNOW YOU HAVE OPTIONS IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> YOU LOOK AT THE TECH STUFF.

IT'S LIKE PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE WITH MATH OR SOMETHING.

YOU LOOK AT IT AND YOU SAY I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

YOU SAY OH, I'M NOT GOOD AT THIS.

I THINK WE GET SOLD THAT A LOT.

YOU HAVE A TALENT FOR THIS AND NOT THAT.

A LOT OF THIS STUFF IS TECH, IT'S REALLY ABOUT PUTTING THE TIME IN TO UNDERSTAND IT.

>> Reporter: THE 2024 GIGAZONE EVENT HAS EXPANDED GREATLY WITHIN THE YEAR, WELCOMING NEW GAMES, ACTIVITIES, AND PROGRAMS.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR WE HAVE STREAMED IT ON TWITCH.

WE HAVE IT GOING ON ALL THE SCREENS AND THE JUMBO TRON AND THE PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT HERE IN PERSON, THEY CAN WATCH THAT ON OUR TWITCH SCREEN AND THEY CAN INTERACT ON THE CHAT, ON THE SIDE.

>> THE LAYOUT HAS CHANGED.

IT LOOKS A LOT MORE ORGANIZED THAN LAST YEAR.

>> IT'S WAY MORE ORGANIZED AND IT'S A BETTER ATMOSPHERE.

>> I THINK THE SAME THING.

LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE SAID, IT'S A LOT MORE ORGANIZED AND NOT AS CHAOTIC AS LAST YEAR.

>> IF YOU ARE A GAMER OR NOT, THE 2024 GIGAZONE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIP AND TECHXPO WAS THE PLACE TO BE.

IT HAD JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE.

REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE 2024 GIGAZONE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIP HAS ALL THE TOURNAMENT WINNERS ON THEIR WEBSITE PAGE.

>>> POLICE SAY A MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR AND FORMER BROADCAST METEOROLOGIST HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN THE CITY OF DETROIT LAKES.

49-YEAR-OLD DEMOCRATIC SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL OF WOODBURY WAS BEING HELD MONDAY IN THE BECKER COUNTY JAIL ON SUSPICION OF FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY.

DETROIT LAKES POLICE CHIEF STEVE TODD SAYS FORMAL CHARGES ARE STILL PENDING.

MITCHELL'S ARREST COMES AT AN AWKWARD TIME FOR SENATE DEMOCRATS, WHO HOLD JUST A ONE-SEAT MAJORITY WITH FOUR WEEKS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

HER ABSENCE WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO PASS ANY LEGISLATION THAT LACKS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MARKING EARTH DAY BY UNVEILING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN NEW GRANT FUNDING FOR SOLAR ENERGY.

THIS IS THE LATEST IN A STRING OF CLIMATE AND CONSERVATION ANNOUNCEMENTS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE IN RECENT DAYS WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL YOSHIDA GIVES US A LOOK AT HOW THESE CLIMATE POLICIES COULD PLAY A FACTOR IN THE 2024 ELECTION.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN CELEBRATING EARTH DAY BY ANNOUNCING $7 BILLION IN GRANT FUNDING FOR SOLAR POWER.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYING THE MONEY WILL ALLOW NEARLY 1 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS AND LOW INCOME AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES TO BENEFIT FROM SOLAR POWER, SAVING $350 MILLION IN ELECTRIC COSTS ANNUALLY AND $8 BILLION OVER THE LIFE OF THE PROGRAM.

>> IT'S A BIG DEAL, THIS NEW SOLAR FOR ALL PROGRAM MEANS THAT 900,000 HOUSEHOLDS WILL HAVE SOLAR ON THEIR ROOFTOPS FOR THE FIRST TIME AND SOON.

>> Reporter: BIDEN'S ANNOUNCEMENT COMES DAYS AFTER THEY BARRED OIL DRILLING IN NEARLY HALF OF THE PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA, SETTING UP A CONTRAST WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> I WANT TO DRILL, DRILL, DRILL.

>> Reporter: DURING HIS PUSH FOR SECOND TERM, HE SPOKE ABOUT CLIMATE AND CONSERVATION POLICIES.

>> I WILL REPEAL BIDEN'S INDUSTRY KILLING AMENDMENT.

>> THERE IS A CLEAR CONTRAST IN THIS RACE.

>> Reporter: BIDEN SUPPORTERS HIGHLIGHTING HIS CLIMATE STANCE TO REGAIN ENTHUSIASM WITH YOUNG VOTERS.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS UNDERSTAND THAT AND HEAR THAT.

THAT'S WHY YOU RUN A CAMPAIGN.

THAT'S WHY YOU WILL SEE STARK DIFFERENCES WHEN IT COMES TO COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE BETWEEN THE POLICIES OF PRESIDENT BIDEN AND WHAT DONALD TRUMP HAS DONE IN THE PAST AND WANTS TO DO IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M MICHAEL YOSHIDA REPORTING.

>> THE PRESIDENT HAS OFTEN USED EARTH DAY AS A BACKDROP TO FURTHER HIS ADMINISTRATION'S CLIMATE INITIATIVES.

LAST YEAR, HE SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, MEANT TO HELP ENSURE THAT POVERTY, RACE AND ETHNIC STATUS DO NOT LEAD TO WORSE EXPOSURE TO POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HARM.

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

>> WE'LL HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, A LOCAL PSYCHOLOGIST RECEIVED A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR HIS OUTSTANDING >> 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 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION AWARDED FRANK WEBER OF PIERZ, MINNESOTA THE SUSAN T. RYDELL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PSYCHOLOGY.

OUR REPORTER, SAMMY HOLLADAY SAT DOWN WITH WEBER TO DISCUSS WHAT THE AWARD MEANS TO HIM.

>> Reporter: FRANK WEBER HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO PSYCHOLOGY.

HE STARTED AT 25 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN A FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST.

THIS HAS EARNED HIM THE MINNESOTA PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION'S SUSAN T.RYDELL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

HE IS PROUD OF HIS CORE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THAT HE STARTED WITH HIS WIFE.

>> WHEN WE STARTED IT, PEOPLE SAID YOU'RE CRAZY TO START A MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC AND YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO MAKE IT.

IT WAS HELPING PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING OUT OF INCARCERATION AND NEEDED GUIDANCE.

IT WAS A RISK, BUT I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THE WORLD BETTER.

>> Reporter: WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO SPENT TIME IN PRISON, THE PROGRAM CORE IS CENTERED ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO ENSURE THEIR GRADUATES NEVER GO BACK TO JAIL.

>> FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, WE TAKEN A LOOK AT OUR GRADUATES AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THEIR LIVES AFTERWARDS.

AFTER 29 YEARS, AT THIS POINT, WE FOUND 97% OF THE GRADUATES WERE NEVER CONVICTED OF AN OFFENSE AGAIN.

>> Reporter: HE WON THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

HE WAS HUMBLED TO BE CHOSEN.

>> IT WAS AN HONOR.

THEY GIVE ONE AWARD A YEAR IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO IT WAS A VERY BIG DEAL TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PROGRAMS, SO IT WAS VERY EXCITING.

>> Reporter: WEBER BEGAN TO WRITE MURDER MYSTERY NOVELS.

FOR OVER A DECADE, HE KEPT THE STORIES TO HIMSELF BEFORE FINALLY SEEKING A PUBLISHER'S OPINION.

>> FINALLY I THOUGHT, I FEEL LIKE I'M GETTING PRETTY GOOD AT THIS.

THEN YOU WONDER IF IT'S SELF DELUSION BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SHARED IT TO ANYONE.

I THOUGHT I NEED TO SEND IT TO A PUBLISHER AND THEY CAN GIVE ME THEIR THOUGHTS.

THEY CONTACTED ME AND SAID THIS WILL SELL, YOU NEED TO DO A SEQUEL.

I DO ONE BOOK A YEAR.

>> Reporter: SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> WEBER HAS WON SEVERAL AWARDS FOR HIS NOVELS AND TO DISCUSS HIS NEWEST NOVEL AS WELL AS THE LATEST IN FORENSIC TOOLS, WEBER WILL BE AT JACK PINE BREWERY IN BAXTER ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH FROM 3:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M. >>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US NOW.

MILDER WEATHER HIT US YESTERDAY AND CONTINUES TODAY.

>> Stacy: YES, WE HAD SOME HIGHS IN THE 60s ACROSS THE AREA, A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND SOME RUMBLES OF THUNDER.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN THROUGH TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING AND MAYBE SOME SNOW IN PARTS OF THE AREA.

>> 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: WE DO HAVE MILD TEMPERATURES OUT THERE TODAY BUT WE ALSO HAD A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY HERE AND THERE AND CHANCES OF RAIN WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING WHEN WE COULD HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOWFALL ACTIVITY IN PARTS OF THE AREA ONCE AGAIN.

THIS IS WHEN IT TAPERS OFF AND WE HAVE MORE CHANCES OF RAIN LATER THIS WEEK AND ANOTHER COOL DOWN.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 53 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS AT THE WEST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

28 IS OUR DEW POINT, PEAK WIND GUSTS AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 53, WITH A DEW POINT OF 38.

WE HAVE A RISING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE THE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE, SOME RUMBLES OF THUNDER REPORTED ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA TODAY AND THIS SYSTEM WILL BRING A CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS THROUGHOUT THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THE CHANCES OF RAIN WILL CONTINUE INTO TOMORROW MORNING IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WE MAY SEE ISOLATED SNOW SHOWERS.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, THAT WILL BEGIN TO TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST, SEEING SOME RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY LINGERING INTO THE AFTERNOON IN PARTS OF EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE COLDER.

WE HAVE A COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH, SO EXPECT TO SEE COOLER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW AND THE WINDS MAY PICK UP ONCE AGAIN.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, BEAUTIFUL SKIES IN MENAHGA, ARLENE SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

AM ROSE REPORTED SOME THUNDER OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

CARRY SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF A BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW OVER LEECH LAKE AND THE EVENING SKIES, WE HAVE THE MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, MAKING FOR SOME PRETTY SUNSETS.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE SHARING THAT PHOTO.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE AND SOME CLOUDS.

BREEZY WITH 0.01-INCH OF RAIN.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, MOSTLY CLOUDY, HIGH OF 60.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING 66, OUR AVERAGE IS 58.

WE HAD SUNSET AT 8:15.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 61, SO AGAIN VERY MILD OUT THERE, WELL ABOVE THAT AVERAGE.

39 WAS OUR LOW TEMP AND SUNRISE THIS MORNING AT 6:17.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE WILL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME RAIN SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING.

WE MAY ALSO SEE SNOW SHOWERS OUT THERE.

THIS WILL ALL TAPER OFF AS WE HEAD TO THE AFTERNOON.

HIGH TEMPERATURES AROUND 44 IN WARROAD, 50 FOR A LOT OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE ARE LOOKING AT VARIABLE CLOUDS, BUT THAT LINGER RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY IN THE MORNING, LINGERING INTO THE AFTERNOON IN PARTS OF EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE LOW TO MID-50s.

VARIABLE CLOUDS TONIGHT WITH A CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS, LOWS NEAR 38.

TOMORROW, WE ARE LOOKING AT VARIABLE CLOUDS.

THERE IS A CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS IN THE MORNING, SOME ISOLATED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING AS WELL.

HIGHS NEAR 50 WITH NORTH WINDS 5 TO 20.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AS TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN CLIMB BACK INTO THE MID-60s.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, CHANCES OF RAINFALL AND EVEN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS RETURN TO THE AREA AND WE WILL START TO SEE THE TEMPERATURES COOL ONCE AGAIN WITH HIGHS ON SUNDAY NEAR 49.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE HAS THE NIGHT OFF AND MILES IS HERE.

A NICE MORNING ON THE COURSE TODAY.

>> Miles: ABSOLUTELY, WE'LL HAVE >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE CENTER, OFFERING REPAIR SERVICES ON APPLE PRODUCTS AND P.C.S.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S GOLF ROLLED INTO LAST WEEKEND'S NORTHERN SUN INTERCOLLEGIATE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP AS THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS AND SECOND ALL-TIME IN NSIC MEN'S GOLF TITLES WITH 16, ONLY TRAILING MINNESOTA STATE-MANKATO.

BUT THEIR START TO THE WEEKEND DID NOT REFLECT THAT AS THE BEAVERS ENDED DAY ONE OF THE THREE-DAY TOURNEY IN SIXTH PLACE.

WHILE THEY COULDN'T CATCH MANKATO, THE BEAVERS DID FIND THEIR FOOTING, MAKING UP 13 SHOTS FROM THE FIRST ROUND TO SHARE A TIE FOR THIRD PLACE WITH CONCORDIA-SAINT PAUL, POSTING A 294 FOR THE TOURNEY.

LOGAN SCHOEPP LED THE CHARGE FOR BSU, SHOOTING A 221 ON THE WEEKEND, TYING WINONA STATE'S ALESSANDRO TRENT FOR THE 9TH-BEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE.

>>> AND BSU WOMEN'S TENNIS CAPPED OFF THEIR REGULAR SEASON THIS PAST WEEKEND WITH A DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS AND NORTHWESTERN DOWN IN SAINT PAUL.

THE BEAVERS HAVE BEEN SKIDDING RECENTLY, FALLING IN EACH OF THEIR PREVIOUS FOUR MATCHES.

BUT THE LADIES BOOKENDED THEIR 2024 CAMPAIGN ON A HIGH NOTE, TAKING DOWN WRF 8-1 BEFORE FOLLOWING THAT UP WITH YET ANOTHER 8-1 VICTORY OVER UNW.

KATE TAYLOR, VALESCA RODRIGUEZ, EMILIA SAND, ANA LUCIA IBANEZ, LAURA BURGER, AND SOPHIA GROEN ALL PICKED UP W'S IN SINGLES.

THE DOUBLES TEAMS OF TAYLOR AND SAND, RODRIGUEZ AND REAGEN SCHWARTZER, AND IBANEZ AND MARY GOOCHEY, EACH ADDING TO THE TALLY.

BSU FINISHED THEIR 2024 SEASON WITH A 3-10 RECORD.

>>> BSU ANNOUNCED A NEW ADDITION AS SHE IS TRANSFERRING FROM THE GOLDEN GOPHERS AND JOINING THE BEAVERS.

SHE WAS A TWO TIME MSHSL CHAMPION AND A MEMBER OF THE ALL CONFERENCE, ALL STATE, AND ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM.

SHE AMASSED 56 POINTS IN 29 GAMES AS A SENIOR AND WILL BE QUITE THE ADDITION TO BSU.

>>> ESKO SOFTBALL HAS HAD A BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER OF A SEASON THUS FAR, THREE STRAIGHT WINS FOLLOWED BY THREE STRAIGHT LOSSES.

GRAND RAPIDS ON THE OTHER HAND STILL TRYING TO GATHER SOME WINS, SO WHICH WOULD IT BE TODAY?

THIS BEGINS A THREE GAME IN FOUR DAY STRETCH FOR ESKO, GRAND RAPIDS FIRST OF FOUR GAMES IN FIVE DAYS.

PICK THINGS UP WITH ESKO ALREADY UP 5-0 IN THE SECOND, HANNAH SWANSON GROUNDS ONE TO ROSE RUZYNSKI BUT SHE THROWS THIS ONE WIDE LEFT AND EMMA ADKINS WITH THE HEADS UP BASE RUNNING.

SHE COMES IN TO SCORE AND IT'S 6-0.

LATER, BROOKLYN MCKIBBON POPS ONE INTO THE OUTFIELD, THIS ALLOWS SWANSON TO SCORE AND THE MERRY GO ROUND WOULD CONTINUE.

ESKO TAKES A 7-0 LEAD.

AMBER LAWRY NOW GETTING IN ON THE FUN.

SHE SPLITS THE MIDDLE INFIELD FOR THE RBI SINGLE.

ESKOS BEATS GRAND RAPIDS 13-3.

>>> OVER IN BOYS' GOLF.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY HOSTED THEIR WOLF PACK INVITE AT THE TIANNA COUNTRY CLUB.

ON HOLE ONE, WALKER'S PARKER BROCK, GORGEOUS CHIP SHOT, SETS HIMSELF UP FOR PAR.

HE'D SHOOT A 71 ON THE DAY.

GOOD ENOUGH FOR SECOND PLACE BUT NOT FIRST PLACE, WHICH BELONGED TO CARTER WHITE FROM STAPLES-MOTLEY.

HE BIRDIES ON THE SAME HOLE AND POSTS A 70 FOR THE DAY.

ON HOLE 18, CROSBY-IRONTON'S LOUIE MEYER, NICE APPROACH FROM THE FRINGE.

HE'D SINK THAT FOR PAR, PLACED NINTH, SHOOTING AN 83.

AS STAPLES-MOTLEY TAKES THE INVITATIONAL, SHOOTING A 318 ON THE DAY.

WALKER ONLY ONE STROKE SHY, FINISHES IN SECOND PLACE AND C.I.

WALKS AWAY WITH THIRD.

>>> SOME OTHER SCORES FOR YOU.

IN BOYS TENNIS, NEVIS EDGED UP LAPORTE 4-3.

GIRLS LACROSSE, GRAND RAPIDS GOT THE BETTER OF BRAINERD.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, A FULL DAY ON THE GOLF COURSE AND NOT A BAD DAY TO BE OUT THERE.

>>> NOT A BAD DAY AND NOT WINDY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE.

>> Dennis: THANKS MILES.

>>> THE ORIGINS OF BOARD GAMES CAN BE TRACED BACK OVER FIVE THOUSAND YEARS TO ANCIENT EGYPT.

BOARD GAMES HAVE BEEN ENJOYED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS EVER SINCE.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS, REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY STOPPED BY DRAGON FORGE GAMES, A LOCAL SHOP IN BRAINERD THAT FOCUSES ON BOARD GAMES AS WELL AS OTHER TABLETOP GAMES.

>> Reporter: DRAGON FORGE GAMES SELLS TABLE TOP GAMES INCLUING BOARD GAMES AND COLLECTIBLE TRAING CARDS.

IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING TO DIVE INTO.

DRAGON FORGE GAMES HAS DONE THEIR BEST TO FIND SOMETHING THAT BEST SUITS ITS CUSTOMERS.

>> IT'S A PRETTY HUGE, HUGE WORLD ONCE YOU DIVE INTO IT.

BEING ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH PEOPLE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THEIR INTERESTS ARE AND WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AND BEING ABLE TO DIVE IN AND LOOK AT SOME THINGS IS REALLY JUST A COOL ASPECT OF WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE RETAIL SPACE, THEY HAVE SEVERAL SPACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME IN AND HAVE A GOOD TIME WHILE ENJOYING THEIR FAVORITE GAMES.

>> WE ALSO HAVE A VERY LARGE GAMING ROOM FULL OF TABLES, WHERE PEOPLE ARE WELCOMED TO COME IN AND PLAY ALL VARIETIES OF GAMES.

THEY CAN BRING GAMES FROM HOME.

WE ALSO HAVE A PRETTY EXTENSIVE LIBRARY OF BOARD GAMES THAT PEOPLE CAN CHOOSE FROM GAMES HERE TO PLAY, AND IN ADDITION, WE HAVE A PRIVATE ROOM THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR MORE R.P.G.

GROUPS, SO THAT IS THINGS LIKE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO COME IN WITH THEIR GROUPS AND PLAY THAT TOO.

>> Reporter: IT HELPS YOU MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN THE PART OF THE LIVES OF SO MANY IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> WE'VE BEEN OPEN LONG ENOUGH NOW WHERE I'VE WATCHED SOME OF OUR CUSTOMERS' KIDS GROW UP FROM REALLY YOUNG AGE TO NOW HIGH SCHOOL OR BEYOND, WHICH IS A REALLY COOL THING TO BE A PART OF.

WE HAVE SOME REGULAR CUSTOMERS, REGULAR FAMILIES THAT AT A CERTAIN POINT, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE PART OF THE FAMILY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S THE STORY WE ORIGINALLY AIRED IN JANUARY.

WE WANTED TO SHOW IT AGAIN TO YOU TONIGHT.

NOW A LOOK AT OUR WEATHER WITH STACY.

>> WE WILL BE SEEING SCATTERED SHOWERS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH VARIABLE CLOUDS AND LOWS DOWN TO 38.

THE CHANCES FOR RAIN SHOWERS CONTINUE TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, LINGERING INTO THE AFTERNOON IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, NORTH WINDS 5 TO 15.

QUIETER WEATHER AS WE HEAD TO THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WEEK, BUT WE WILL SEE CHANCES OF RAIN SHOWERS RETURNING AS WE HEAD INTO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AS TEMPERATURES COOL HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, YOU SAID YOU HAD SOME BEMIDJI TENNIS RESULTS?

>> Miles: YES, BEMIDJI TOOK THEIR DOUBLE HITTER, 7-0 AND 4-3.

>> Dennis: SOUNDS GOOD.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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