>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS QUARANTINING LOCATIONS NEAR GRAND RAPIDS AND TWO OTHER CITIES IN THE STATE DUE TO SPONGY MOTH INFESTATIONS IN THOSE AREAS.

THE AREA NEAR GRAND RAPIDS IS LOCATED NORTH OF THE CITY JUST NORTH OF MCKINNEY LAKE.

THE OTHER CITIES WITH QUARANTINES ARE COON RAPIDS AND WINONA.

SPONGY MOTHS ARE RANKED AMONG AMERICA'S MOST DESTRUCTIVE TREE PESTS AND CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS.

SPONGY MOTH IS A LEAF-EATING INSECT THAT HAS CAUSED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO FORESTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

HIGH LEVELS OF SPONGY MOTHS WERE DISCOVERED IN GRAND RAPIDS DURING THE M.D.A.

'S 2024 ANNUAL SPONGY MOTH SURVEY.

THE QUARANTINE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF TREES, BRANCHES, AND WOODY MATERIAL, INCLUDING FIREWOOD, OUT OF THE AREA.

TREES MAY BE PRUNED, BUT ALL BRANCHES AND WOODY MATERIAL MUST STAY ON THE PROPERTY.

THE QUARANTINE REQUIRES SELF-INSPECTION OF ANY EQUIPMENT, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, OR VEHICLES THAT ARE SITTING OUTSIDE IN THE QUARANTINED AREA AND ARE BEING MOVED OUT OF THE QUARANTINE.

THIS INCLUDES ITEMS SUCH AS WOOD PALLETS, PATIO FURNITURE, GRILLS, AS WELL AS, CAMPERS, AND BOATS.

RESIDENTS SHOULD LOOK FOR SPONGY MOTH EGG MASSES WHICH ARE TAN, FUZZY MASSES THE SIZE OF A QUARTER.

THEY SHOULD SCRAPE THE EGG MASSES OFF THE ITEM OR LEAVE THE ITEM WHERE IT IS.

>>> FORMER ARCTIC CAT EXECUTIVE, BRAD DARLING, AND AN INVESTMENT GROUP HAS ACQUIRED ARCTIC CAT, THE THIEF RIVER FALLS-BASED MANUFACTURER OF SNOWMOBILES, ATVS AND SIDE-BY-SIDES.

DARLING, THE NEWLY APPOINTED C.E.O.

AND PRESIDENT OF ARCTIC CAT SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT HE IS EAGER TO START MOVING THE BRAND FORWARD AND THAT, ”TODAY IS THE START OF A NEW CHAPTER, ONE WHERE ARCTIC CAT RETURNS TO THE RACE, BUT WITH A POWERFUL UNDERSTANDING: THIS RACE IS NEVER-ENDING, AND WE INTEND TO LEAD.” THE SALE WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY.

TEXTRON HAD OWNED ARCTIC CAT SINCE 2017 AND LATE LAST YEAR ANNOUNCED IT WAS SUSPENDING MANUFACTURING OF SNOWMOBILES AND LAYING OFF 65 WORKERS.

IN FEBRUARY, TEXTRON ANNOUNCED ANOTHER 385 WORKERS WOULD BE LAID OFF THIS COMING MAY AS IT EXPLORED STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES.

ARCTIC CATS MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN BASED IN THIEF RIVER FALLS FOR 63 YEARS.

>>> THE CROW WING COUNTY COURT HOUSE BEGAN ACCEPTING ABSENTEE BALLOTS ON WEDNESDAY FOR NEXT WEEK'S SPECIAL ELECTION.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS WERE MAILED OUT TO THOSE WHO REQUESTED THEM EARLIER THIS WEEK.

THESE BALLOTS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL 8:00 P.M. ON ELECTION NIGHT AT THE CROW WING COUNTY COURT HOUSE.

CROW WING COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR JORY DANIELSON WARNS THAT THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME TO SUBMIT ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

>> ONE THING THAT WE'RE REMINDING VOTERS THAT IT IS A VERY SHORT TIMEFRAME WITH ABSENTEE VOTING STARTING ON WEDNESDAY, THE 23rd.

THERE ARE REALLY ONLY FIVE DAYS OF ABSENTEE VOTING AVAILABLE.

WE'RE REALLY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO TURN THOSE BALLOTS IN, TO MAKE SURE THEY GET COUNTED.

>> THE CROW WING COUNTY COURT HOUSE WILL ALSO BE OPENED FOR EXTENDED VOTING HOURS ON SATURDAY THE 26TH FROM 9:00 TO 3:00 TO VOTE IN PERSON OR DROP OFF YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT, AS WELL AS ON MONDAY THE 28TH UNTIL 5:00 P.M. FOR RESIDENTS TO DROP OFF THEIR BALLOTS.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS MADE UP APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL BALLOTS IN LAST WEEK'S PRIMARY ELECTION.

>>> CANNABIS WAS LEGALIZED FOR RECREATIONAL USE IN MINNESOTA IN 2023 ALTHOUGH RESIDENTS IN BRAINERD AND MANY OTHER CITES HAVE NOT YET HAD ACCESS TO PURCHASE IT BUT A RULING AT BRAINERD'S LATEST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY CHANGE THAT IN BRAINERD.

THE COUNCIL VOTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW DISPENSARIES TO APPLY FOR A RETAIL LICENSE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.

THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH A MERIT BASED SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING THE LICENSES BUT CITY FINANCE DIRECTOR CONNIE HILLMAN SAYS THE STATE MAY BEGIN THE DISTRIBUTION OF LICENSES BEFORE ALL OF THE NECESSARY INFORMATION IS COLLECTED.

>> WHY STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE IS BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING IN OUR ORDINANCES BEFORE WE HAVE TO START ISSUING THESE REGISTRATIONS AND THAT COULD BE IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

>> THE ORDINANCES SECOND READING AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL WILL HAPPEN AT THE COUNCIL'S NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING ON MAY 5TH.

IT'S STILL NOT CLEAR WHEN THE STATE WILL ALLOW DISPENSARIES TO OPEN IN CITIES IN MINNESOTA.

CURRENTLY ONLY TRIBAL OWNED DISPENSARIES ARE OPEN.

>>> A GROUP OF PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS IS ORGANIZING A RESPONSE TO CONCERNS ABOUT U.S.

VACCINE MISINFORMATION AND ACCESS.

THE INITIATIVE IS CALLED THE VACCINE INTEGRITY PROJECT.

IT WILL BE FUNDED BY A FOUNDATION BACKED BY WALMART HEIRESS CHRISTY WALTON.

SPEARHEADED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

THE VACCINE INTEGRITY PROJECT WILL CONSIDER WHAT'S NEEDED TO SAFEGUARD VACCINE POLICY AND USE IN THE U.S.

THIS COMES AMID CONCERN THE NATION'S HEALTH LEADERSHIP IS CASTING UNFOUNDED DOUBT ON THE SAFETY OF WELL-STUDIED VACCINES AND MAY TAKE ACTION TO CURB THEIR USE.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY ROBERT F. KENNEDY JUNIOR HAS SPREAD MIXED MESSAGES ABOUT THE MEASLES VACCINE AMID A DEADLY OUTBREAK.

HE ALSO PLEDGED TO START A MAJOR AUTISM STUDY THAT EXPERTS FEAR WILL FALSELY TIE THE CONDITION TO VACCINES.

>>> ADDITIONAL TARIFFS ON SOME U.S. TRADING PARTNERS COULD BE MAKING A COMEBACK.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAID WEDNESDAY EVENING FROM THE OVAL OFFICE THAT SUCH TARIFFS COULD HIT SOME COUNTRIES WITHIN THREE WEEKS, THIS WHILE ALSO SAYING HE'S CONFIDENT HE'LL MAKE "GREAT DEALS" WITH A NUMBER OF THEM.

AN ECONOMIC EXPERT FROM YALE SAYS THIS SEESAW APPROACH TO POLICY COULD COST AMERICAN CONSUMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR.

LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTS.

>> MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN SEEING IS NOT THE DIRECT EFFECT OF TARIFFS AFFECTING MARKETS.

>> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMICS AT YALE'S BUDGET LAB SAYS WHAT IS ROYALING U.S. MARKETS RIGHT NOW AND DINGING YOUR 401-K RETIREMENT FUND IS HARDER TO GET A HANDLE ON.

>> IT'S THE UNCERTAINTY OF WHERE TARIFFS WILL END UP.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT BUSINESSES AN CONSUMERS DON'T KNOW.

>> Reporter: IT CAN BE POWERFUL AND COSTLY.

THE FINANCIAL MARKET HAS SHED $6.5 TRILLION SINCE FEBRUARY, ACCORDING TO AN INDEX ANALYST.

DAILY TRADING SESSIONS TANKING OR SOARING, HINGING ON EVERY WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT, LIKE THESE THIS AFTERNOON AS HE HOSTED THE PRIME MINISTER OF NORWAY.

>> HE HAD A MEETING THIS MORNING.

I CAN'T TELL YOU, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO THAT IS.

WE MAY REVEAL IT LATER, BUT THEY HAD MEETINGS THIS MORNING AND WE HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH CHINA.

>> Reporter: DEAL MAKING WITHOUT DETAILS ONLY FUELS COSTLY UNCERTAINTY.

>> WE ESTIMATE THAT THESE TARIFFS TO DATE WILL COST THE AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY $4,900 A YEAR.

>> Reporter: POTENTIALLY HARD NEWS TO DIGEST AMID OTHER ECONOMIC REPORTS OUT TODAY.

THE ADVANCE FIGURE FOR INITIAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS HIT 222,000 FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 19TH, 6,000 OVER THE PREVIOUS WEEKS, HOME SALES DROPPED NEARLY 6% FROM MARCH, THE WEAKEST MARCH PACE SINCE 2009 AND THE MEDIAN COST OF THE HOMES ROSE TO $403,000 LAST MONTH, A MARCH RECORD SAYS THE NAR.

I'M LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTING.

>> CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED THEY ARE ENGAGED IN DIRECT TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES, CALLING SUGGESTIONS OTHERWISE, “FAKE NEWS.” [♪♪♪] >> STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, SOME WARM TEMPERATURES OUT THERE, AND WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, A STUDENT WAS JUST ELECTED TO A STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP POSITION.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> SANFORD HEALTH IN BEMIDJI HAS BEEN ACCREDITED AS A COMPREHENSIVE CENTER UNDER THE METABOLIC AND BARIATRIC SURGERY PROGRAM.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS ON WHAT THIS ACCREDITATION MEANS FOR THE HOSPITAL AND THE PATIENTS IN THE WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: BACK IN 2022, SANFORD HEALTH IN BEMIDJI WAS ACUTED AS A LOW ACUTIE BARE AT TRICK CENTER.

THIS WOULD FORCE THEM TO TURN AWAY A GOOD NUMBER OF THEIR PATIENTS.

>> WE WERE TRANSFERRING ABOUT 10 PEOPLE A MONTH TO EITHER FARGO, THE TWIN CITIES, OR MAYO CLINIC BECAUSE WE HAD NOT REACHED THIS ACCREDITATION.

>> Reporter: BEING ACCREDITED ALLOWS THEM TO DO REVISION BARIATRICS, WHICH WILL BRING A NUMBER OF BENEFITS TO THE PROGRAM.

>> A BIG THING IS THAT SOMEONE HAD WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY IN THE PAST, AND NOW THEY'RE LOOKING TO DO SOMETHING TO LOSE MORE WEIGHT, A GASTRIC BYPASS OR A BAND PLACED, WE CAN TAKE THE BAND OUT AND CONVERT THEM TO ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS THAT IS MORE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO WORK WITH MORE HIGH RISK PATIENTS.

>> IF YOUR BODY MASS INDEX WAS ABOUT 60, WE NORMALLY COULDN'T DO THAT OPERATION BEFORE.

NOW WE REACHED THIS ACCREDITATION, WE CAN DO IT FOR PATIENTS WITH A BMI OVER 60, OR THOSE WITH KIDNEY FAILURE ISSUES.

>> Reporter: SANFORD BEMIDJI BELIEVES THE BIGGEST BENEFIT IS THE ABILITY TO CLOSELY FOLLOW THEIR PATIENTS AFTER THE INITIAL SURGERY AND HELP WITH ANY ADDITIONAL SURGERY NEEDED.

>> IF SOMEONE TRAVELS SOMEWHERE ELSE, THEY ARE BACK IN OUR COMMUNITY, THEN I'M TRYING TO PIECE TOGETHER WHAT THEY DID AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OTHER SURGEONS DID.

NOW WE CAN KEEP THAT IN THE COMMUNITY AND I KNOW WHAT'S DONE.

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

>> THE BARIATRIC PROGRAM AT SANFORD-BEMIDJI IS A SELF-REFERRAL PROGRAM, MEANING YOU DON'T NEED A PRIMARY DOCTOR'S REFERRAL.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE AND NEWS OF SOME PRETTY NICE TEMPERATURES, RIGHT?

>> Stacy: WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING WARMER TEMPS.

WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE 60s AND WE SHOULD ENJOY SUNSHINE TOMORROW AND SATURDAY.

THINGS LOOK DIFFERENT AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, WITH SEVERAL DAYS OF CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND EVEN SOME THUNDERSTORMS.

>> 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: WE DID HAVE THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND SOME RAIN SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND THOSE COULD CONTINUE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

IT LOOKS LIKE HEADING INTO TOMORROW, SKIES WILL BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY, WE'LL HAVE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TO START THE WEEKEND WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE 50s AND 60s.

WE DO HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, IT LOOKS LIKE THE BEST CHANCE WILL BE ON MONDAY WHEN WE COULD SEE SEVERAL THUNDERSTORMS AND THERE IS AT LEAST THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS IN PARTS OF OUR AREA.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 48 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

A LIGHT NORTH WIND AT OUR STUDIO, THE DEW POINT IS 29, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 47%.

IN BRAINERD, 52 DEGREES, 38 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE CALM.

AS WE LOOK AT THE RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF CLOUD COVER IN THE AREA TONIGHT.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION MOVING IN ACROSS MAINLY CENTRAL MINNESOTA, IT'S EXTENDING FURTHER NORTH THIS EVENING.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, THIS LINE WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA, MAINLY GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THAT THREAT OF RAINFALL IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES ELSEWHERE, ALTHOUGH CLOUDS WILL START TO CLEAR OUT AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, SO EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, AND HIGHS IN THE 50s AND LOW 60s, WITH 60s EXPECTED TO START THE WEEKEND.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND SAMROSE OVER UPPER RED LAKE SENDING US PHOTOS.

WE DID HAVE SOME FOG IN THE AREA EARLY THIS MORNING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, SPOTTING A FLOCK OF TURKEYS IN THE AREA AND ARLENE IN LONGVILLE WITH A GOOSE MAKING A VISIT TO THE YARD.

JIM WAITING FOR THAT ICE OUT OVER UPPER RED LAKE AND SANDY ALSO EXPECTING TO SEE MORE CLEAR WATER AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND AND NOT MUCH ICE LEFT ON RABIDEAU LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

>>> FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 29 AND CALM.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, PARTLY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 65.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY AND 54 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, MOSTLY CLOUDY, 57 FOR THE HIGH.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND 55.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 54, THE LOW TEMP WAS 42.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 56, PRETTY SEASONAL, 1 DEGREE ABOVE THE AVERAGE, OUR LOW THIS MORNING WAS A CHILLY 26.

SO AS YOU LOOK AT TOMORROW, WE DO START OUT WITH THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, A LITTLE BIT OF MOISTURE IN THE AIR, PROBABLY NOT GOING TO SEE ANY PRECIPITATION REACH THE GROUND.

ALL OF THAT CLEARS OUT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, EXPECT TO SEE SUNNY SKIES RETURN, HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE 50s TO LOW 60s, MID-50s TO LOW 60s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND AS WE HEAD INTO STLAL -- CENTRAL MINNESOTA, EXPECT HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60s.

SO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE OF RAIN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOW TEMPERATURES NEAR 37, AND TOMORROW SKIES WILL BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY, 59 FOR THE HIGH, AND NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON SATURDAY, TEMPERATURES CLIMBING TO 63, STILL IN THE 60s ON SUNDAY, BUT MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAINFALL.

RAIN EXPECTED WITH SOME SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ON MONDAY AND AGAIN SOME OF THOSE STORMS HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF BECOMING STRONG TO SEVERE, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, HIGHS NEAR 67 AND THEN WE COOL OFF AGAIN ON TUESDAY, MAINLY EXPECTING SOME SCATTERED RAINFALL, BUT THERE ARE A FEW SNOWFLAKES IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 50.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: AND CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

THE MINNESOTA WILD, HOME IN THEIR PLAYOFF SERIES WITH VEGAS TONIGHT.

>> Charlie: FINALLY HOME, THEY'RE SPLIT 1-1 IN THE SERIES AND NOTHING LIKE PLAYING ON HOME ICE.

MAYBE THAT WILL PROPEL THEM TO A 2-1 SERIES LEAD.

WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE, OFFERING THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS, FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> 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.

>>> ON THE ROAD IN GAME ONE OF THEIR FIRST ROUND SERIES AGAINST THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS, THE WILD KEPT THINGS CLOSE BUT WHERE ULTIMATELY OUTSKATED IN THE 3RD PERIOD, FALLING 4-2.

IN GAME TWO HOWEVER, MINNESOTA WAS THE AGGRESSOR, TAKING A 4-0 LEAD AND THEN HOLDING ON DOWN THE STRETCH TO BEAT VEGAS 5-2 AND TIE THE SERIES AT A GAME APIECE.

TONIGHT THE SERIES SHIFTED TO THE EXCEL ENERGY CENTER IN SAINT PAUL, A CHANCE FOR THE WILD TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE SERIES AND KEEP HOME ICE IN THEIR FAVOR.

AS FROM DEEP, HIS THIRD GOAL FROM THE POST-SEASON, FINDS HIS WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC, GIVING HIM A 1-0 LEAD.

THEN MARCO NETS HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON, AND THE WILD TAKE A 2-1 LEAD INTO THE BREAK.

WE JUMP TO THE SECOND PERIOD, VEGAS THINKS THEY HAVE AN ICING, AND IT'S WAVED OFF, AND MATT IS THE BENEFICIARY.

AND JUST 2 SECONDS LEFT IN THE SECOND PERIOD, THE WILD LEADING THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4-1 AT THE SECOND INTERMISSION.

MINNESOTA HAS NOT LOST A GAME THIS SEASON WHEN LEADING AFTER TWO PERIODS.

>>> THE TWINS TODAY, THEY FELL 3-0 TO CHICAGO.

WELL, JUST MOMENTS BEFORE WE CAME ON THE AIR, THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFTED JACKSON WITH THE 24th PICK IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THIS NFL DRAFT.

THEY HAVE BEEN STOCKPILING TALENT UP FRONT WITH WILL.

JACKSON IS EXPECTED TO FILL IN AT THE OTHER GUARD POSITION.

HERE'S WHO THE VIKINGS HAVE DRAFTED SINCE 2020, JUSTIN BEING THE BIGGEST NAME, J.J. MCCARTHY LAST YEAR, EXPECTED TO BE QB1 THIS SEASON.

AND HERE'S WHAT THE VIKINGS HAVE LEFT FOR THE 2025 DRAFT, PENDING ANY TRADES THEY'LL JUST HAVE 3-MORE PICKS OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS, A 3RD, 5TH, AND 6TH ROUNDER.

>>> ON THE LOCAL FRONT, BEMIDJI HOSTING SAUK RAPIDS-RICE IN SOFTBALL.

LUMBERJACKS TRYING TO HALT A TWO-GAME SKID.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST, RUNNERS ON SECOND AND THIRD FOR THE JACKS WHO TRAIL BY A RUN.

LIV BERT SKIPS ONE THROUGH THE INFIELD TO BRING THEM HOME.

BEMIDJI GOES AHEAD 3-2.

NEXT BATTER, RIDLEY HADRAVA DRIVES ONE UP THE MIDDLE, SCORES BERT.

BEMIDJI WOULD BUILD A 6-2 LEAD BUT THE STORM WOULD CLAW BACK TO TIE THE GAME IN THE SEVENTH.

SETTING THE STAGE FOR KARLEY LAZELLA, HOW BOUT IT KID, WALK OFF HOME RUN FOR THE SOPHOMORE.

SHE HAD A DAY AT THE PLATE.

3-FOR-4 WITH 3 RBI'S.

MOBBED AT HOME PLATE, 7-6 THE FINAL SCORE.

BEMIDJI ENDS THE SKID AND IMPROVES TO 4-2 AND TWO ON THE SEASON, COLLECTING A SECTION WIN IN THE PROCESS.

>>> BRAINERD SOFTBALL HOSTING SARTELL FOR A DOUBLE HEADER.

GAME ONE, 5TH INNING, NO SCORE.

LAYS DOWN A BUNT, SABERS THROW IT AWAY, KEIRA SCORES AND IT'S 1-0 WARRIORS.

SAME INNING NOW, 3-0, BASES LOADED FOR OWEN, MAKING IT 5-0 WARRIORS.

MAYA TOOK CARE OF THE REST.

NO EARNED RUNS ALLOWED.

BRAINERD WINS GAME 1, 5-3.

SPLIT THE DOUBLEHEADER AS THE SABRES TOOK THE SECOND GAME 5-4.

MORE IN SOFTBALL.

MENAHGA WIN OVER WADENA DEER, SEBEKA GETS A WIN.

IN BASEBALL, BRAINERD HOSTING CENTRAL LAKES.

WE PICK UP IN GAME NUMBER TWO.

RUNNER ON SECOND FOR NOLAN FETTIG, GROUNDS IT RIGHT DOWN THE CHALK, BRINGS HOME LAWTON KETTELSON.

CARDINALS UP 1-0.

TOP FOURTH, STILL 1-0 ALEX, TWO RUNNERS ON FOR TRISTON WILSON, PITCHER CAN'T GET CORRAL IT.

BRAXTON TAUTGES SCORES.

WARRIORS TIE THINGS UP.

BRAINERD UNABLE TO EVER GET THE LEAD, THEY FALL 4-2 TO ALEXANDRIA AND DROP GAME 1.

>>> SOME BASEBALL SCORES, GRAND RAPIDS GETS A WIN AGAINST ST.

CLOUD.

THEY BEAT LITTLE FALLS.

PILLAGER BEATING BERTHA HEWITT.

STAPLES MOTLEY, THEY DROP ONE.

SEBEKA AND CROSBY-IRONTON PICKING UP WINS TODAY.

IN BOYS LACROSSE, BRAINERD BEATS ST.

CLOUD, 11-7.

IN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS LACROSSE, MOORHEAD GETS THE WIN OVER BRAINERD, GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY GETS THE WIN OVER SUPERIOR.

IN BOYS TENNIS, BEMIDJI AND BRAINERD BOTH DROPPING CLOSE ONES TODAY.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, A FULL NIGHT OF SPORTS.

>> Charlie: IT WAS A VERY FULL NIGHT OF SPORTS.

ALWAYS FUN.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE ARE SWORN INTO THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCILS BUT THE HIGH SCHOOLS OF RURAL NORTHERN MINNESOTA ARE USUALLY LESS REPRESENTED THAN SOUTHERN, BIGGER CITIES.

ONE JUNIOR FROM BEMIDJI'S TREK NORTH HIGH SCHOOL HAS SET OUT TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE.

FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO THE NEWLY ELECTED BOARD SECRETARY, WHO ALSO BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO EVER BE ELECTED FROM HER SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: OUT OF THE 5.8 MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN MINNESOTA, ONLY ABOUT 10 TO 15 PERCENT LIVE IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE.

ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE IS NAMED DIDI, AND HER GOAL IS TO BECOME A VOICE AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR SMALL TOWN UNDERREPRESENTED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> I WAS ABLE TO REALLY GET THE VOICE OF US RURAL DIVISIONS OUT THERE, BECAUSE ESPECIALLY A LOT OF THE SCHOOLS THAT ATTEND THESE CONFERENCES ARE MORE THE SOUTHERN SCHOOLS AND THE CITIES.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS WHY SHE SET OUT TO BE A PART OF THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCIL'S EXECUTIVE BOARD AFTER CAMPAIGNING FOR HER SPOT IN THE TWIN CITIES, DIDI WAS ELECTED AS BOARD SECRETARY.

>> I JUST LOVE DOING LEADERSHIP STUFF.

IT'S JUST BEEN SOMETHING THAT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO.

I HAVE ALSO HAD SUCH A DEEP CONNECTION WITH OTHERS ALL THROUGHOUT MY LIFE.

SO IT REALLY IMPACTS ME TO KNOW WHEN OTHER PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE AND SUPPORTED AND REPRESENTED.

>> Reporter: ON TOP OF IT ALREADY BEING A BIG DEAL FOR DIDI TO BE ELECTED FROM A SMALL RURAL SCHOOL, SHE IS ALSO THE FIRST ONE TO EVER BE ELECTED FROM TREK NORTH.

>> FOR A SCHOOL OUR SIZE AND BEING IN A RURAL AREA IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, IT'S A HUGE DEAL, EVEN JUST FOR THE NORTHWEST DIVISION.

SOMEONE FROM TREK NORTH, TO BE ELECTED TO SOMETHING THIS BIG IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL FOR US.

>> I THINK THAT REALLY ENCOURAGED ME TO CONTINUE THAT LEGACY OF JUST TRYING AT LEAST, TO GET THAT VOICE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE WILL ATTEND LEADERSHIP FORUMS AND OVERNIGHT CONFERENCES AND WILL WORK WITH OTHER STUDENT COUNCILS FROM ACROSS THE WHOLE NATION.

>> ONE OF THE BIG THINGS I ALWAYS WANTED TO COVER IS REPRESENTATION AND THAT BE REPRESENTATION OF ALL THE DELEGATES WITHIN THE MASC, BUT ALSO REPRESENTATION OF US UP HERE WHO OFTEN GET PUSHED OFF TO THE SIDELINES AT THESE REALLY BIG CONFERENCES.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, THERE CONTINUES TO BE A CHANCE OF RAIN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WITH LOWS NEAR 37.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, SKIES WILL BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 50s TO LOW 60s, AND WE'LL SEE NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 15, GREAT START TO THE WEEKEND, RAIN NEXT WEEK.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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