>> 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 NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT JUDGE HAS ACCEPTED A NEW REDISTRICTING PLAN FROM BELTRAMI COUNTY.

LAST OCTOBER A JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIM LUCACHICK AND 30 OTHER PLAINTIFFS WHO SUED THE COUNTY ABOUT THE WAY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SELECTED ITS REDISTRICTING PLAN IN APRIL OF 2022.

JUDGE CHRISTOPHER J. STRANDLIE RULED THE BOARD DID NOT FOLLOW STATE STATUTES REGARDING MINIMIZING THE POPULATION SHIFT BETWEEN DISTRICTS.

STRANDLIE ORDERED A COMMISSION OF FIVE PEOPLE TO FORMULATE AND CERTIFY A NEW REDISTRICTING PLAN FOR BELTRAMI COUNTY.

THE PLAINTIFFS AND THE COUNTY AGREED UPON A FIVE-PERSON COMMISSION.

THE COMMISSION HELD FOUR WORK SESSIONS AND THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR THE NEW DISTRICTS ON MARCH 14TH THAT COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE AND CERTIFY A REDISTRICTING PLAN TO BE DELIVERED TO THE COURT AND YESTERDAY THE COURT APPROVED THAT PLAN.

THE COURT ORDERED BELTRAMI COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER JODEE TREAT TO IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN.

WHAT THAT MEANS AS FAR AS FUTURE ELECTIONS HAS NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED AND WE WERE UNABLE TO REACH TREAT LATE THIS AFTERNOON FOR COMMENT.

>>> A LAW WAS PASSED EARLY LAST YEAR BY THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE THAT SAID ANY PUBLIC-SCHOOL MUST NOT HAVE OR ADOPT A NAME, SYMBOL, OR IMAGE THAT DEPICTS AN AMERICAN TRIBE, INDIVIDUAL, CUSTOM OR TRADITION.

THIS PUT THE GRAND RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL MASCOT KNOWN AS THE “THUNDERHAWKS ” IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE IT IS TOO CLOSELY CONNECTED TO CHIEF THUNDERHAWK, A COMPANION TO SITTING BULL IN THE 1870'S.

INITIALLY, THE SCHOOL WAS FORCED TO CHANGE THEIR BRANDING BY THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN 2025.

HOWEVER, A PROVISION IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE'S EDUCATION POLICY BILL WOULD MAKE THAT DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 2026 INSTEAD.

WE CONTACTED GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT MATT GROSE ABOUT THE EXTENSION, WHO HAD THIS TO SAY.

>> I THINK IT IS A POSITIVE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE STATE THAT IS AFFECTED BY THE ORIGINAL LEGISLATION.

I THINK THAT RECOGNIZES THAT THE LAW WAS FLAWED IN HOW IT WAS ORIGINALLY DRAFTED AND APPROVED, RECOGNIZING THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED AROUND FUNDING AND AROUND PROCESS AND COMPLIANCE.

SO I THINK THE EXTENSION GIVES SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE LEGISLATURE ANOTHER YEAR TO FIGURE OUT A BETTER WAY FORWARD.

>>> FOR 50 YEARS, VOLUNTEERS HAVE GATHERED CRITICAL DATA ON MINNESOTA LAKES AND STREAMS FOR THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY CAUGHT UP WITH AN EMPLOYEE OF THE MPCA TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR VOLUNTEER WATER MONITORING PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY'S VOLUNTEER WATER MONITORING PROGRAM PROVIDES ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE AGENCY THAT GOES INTO DECISIONS ON WATERSHED PROTECTION AND RESTORATION.

THE PROGRAM ALSO ENCOURAGES MINNESOTANS TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THEIR LOCAL BODIES OF WATER.

>> TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE OUTDOORS AND WATER BODIES NEAR THEM AND YOU KNOW, CREATE A COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEER SCIENTISTS ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Reporter: LATE VOLUNTEERS THAT SIGN UP CAN MONITOR ANY MINNESOTA LAKE.

THEY WOULD NEED ACCESS TO WATER CRAFTS TO GET TO THE DEEPEST AREA OF THE LAKE SAFETILY AND TWICE A MONTH FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER, VOLUNTEERS USE A DISK ATTACHED TO A CALIBRATED ROPE, WHICH IS PROVIDED BY THE MPCA TO MEASURE WATER CLARITY.

VOLUNTEERS HAVE SIMILAR RESPONSIBILITIES WITH AN EXTRA MONTH OF DATA COLLECTION.

>> FOR STREAM VOLUNTEERS, YOU ARE ABLE TO COLLECT WATER FROM A BRIDGE OVER THE STREAM OR FROM A SHORE TO FILL UP THE TUBE, WHICH IS WHAT YOU USE TO FIND WATER CLARITY.

IT'S FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER, TWICE A MONTH.

WE PROVIDE ALL THE TRAINING ONLINE AND EVERYTHING IS FREE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS DONE WITH THIS DATA?

IT IS USED TO DETERMINE THE HEALTH OF A LAKE OR STREAM.

FOR STREAMS, LOW CLARITY REFLECTS EXCESSIVE SEDIMENT.

FOR A LAKE, IT REFLECTS EXCESSIVE ALGAE, ALL OF WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO THE HEALTH OF THE ECOSYSTEM.

>> ONE OF THE MAIN DATA PRODUCTS ON THIS REPORT IS WATER CLARITY TREND, SO WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE TREND GRAPHS SHOWING THE INCREASES OR DECREASES OF WATER CLARITY OVERTIME AND THOSE INCREASES OR DECREASES CAN INDICATE CHANGES IN WATER CLARITY ON LAKES OR STREAMS.

>> Reporter: WITH OVER 10,000 LAKES AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STREAMS IN MINNESOTA, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NEEDED TO GATHER THE DATA.

NONE OF IT COULD BE DONE WITHOUT THE VOLUNTEERS OF THIS PROGRAM.

>> THEY ARE COMPLETELY INVALUABLE.

WE RELY ON THEM TO COLLECT DATA ACROSS THE STATE.

ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS IS THEY EXTEND OUR MONITORING STAFF CAPACITY WAY BEYOND WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH.

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

>> THE MPCA HAS OVER 1,400 VOLUNTEERS IN THE VOLUNTEER WATER MONITORING PROGRAM, BUT THEY ARE ALWAYS GLAD TO ACCEPT MORE.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN BECOME A VOLUNTEER, A LINK WILL BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> BELTRAMI COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH HAS TEAMED UP WITH THE DIAPER BANK OF MINNESOTA TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES FACING DIAPER NEEDS.

MONICA THUL, THE PROGRAM MANAGER OF BELTRAMI COUNTY'S PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM, APPLIED TO BECOME ONE OF THE GREATER MN LOCATIONS TO STORE AND DISTRIBUTE 75,000 DIAPERS AND 57,600 WIPES ANNUALLY.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE DIAPER BANK OF MINNESOTA OFFERING GRANTS TO RURAL MINNESOTA, MONICA APPLIED TO HELP BETTER SUPPORT BELTRAMI COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS WITH DIAPERS AND WIPES.

>> WE ARE ONE OF, I BELIEVE IT WAS 12 PARTNERS, THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR THIS GRANT.

WE WERE AWARDED AND WE DECIDED TO BE A HYBRID AGENCY, JUST BECAUSE WE'RE SO RURAL AND TRYING TO GET THE DIAPERS OUT INTO THE COMMUNITIES THAT AREN'T AROUND THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL LOCAL PARTNERS INVOLVED IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF DIAPERS AND WIPES TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING NORTHWOODS PREGNANCY CENTER, HEAD START, RED LAKE HEALTH, NORTHWEST INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, AND BEMIDJI COMMUNITY FOOD SHELF.

EACH AGENCY HAS THEIR OWN STRATEGY FOR GIVING OUT THESE ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO THOSE IN NEED.

>> WE WERE AWARDED 100,000 DIAPERS FOR THE YEAR AND 76,800 WIPES FOR THE YEAR.

SO BASICALLY WE GET SHIPMENTS QUARTERLY, 25,000 DIAPERS EVERY QUARTER SO WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS TODAY.

WE WORKED TO GET THOSE DISTRIBUTED TO OUR PARTNERS SO THEY CAN GET THEM OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: IT WILL GREATLY BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY, ACCORDING TO SOME OF THE AGENCIES.

>> WE DON'T PURCHASE ITEMS LIKE THIS SO THESE KINDS OF DONATIONS HELP US.

WE HAD A LOT OF FAMILIES, WE HAD 12,000 FAMILIES COME THROUGH THE FOOD SHELF LAST YEAR AND DIAPERS ARE SOMETHING THAT WE GET NOW AND THEN AND THEY'RE ALWAYS A FAST ITEM TO GO.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A REAL HELP TO US.

>> Reporter: MONICA'S TOP PRIORITY IS TO GET THE DIAPERS AND WIPES OUT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

>> THERE IS NO POINT IN REINVENTING THE WHEEL OF US TRYING TO GET ALL OF THESE DIAPERS OUT.

THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE WORKING WITH VARIOUS AGENCIES, SO IF WE CAN SHARE THE WEALTH AND SHARE THE DIAPERS AND THE SUPPLIES AND GET THEM TO THE PEOPLE, THEN THAT'S OUR GOAL.

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

>> IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SERVICE FOR DIAPERS AND WIPES.

YOU CAN VISIT THE BELTRAMI COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER FOR MORE INFORMATION.

>>> NO NOTABLE RELIEF IN PRICES FOR CONSUMERS HEADING INTO THE GRADUATION AND EARLY SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON.

A KEY INFLATION GAUGE SHOWS IT REMAINS STUBBORNLY HIGH, WITH PRICES HITTING A PLATEAU.

LAURA AGUIRRE HAS MORE ON THE LATEST NUMBERS THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS TRACKING THE >> THE LATEST KEY INFLATION GAUGE WATCHED CLOSELY BY THE FED IS OUT.

THE PERSONAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE INDEX TICKED UP TO 2.7% IN MARCH, EDGING PAST FEBRUARY'S RATE AND HIGHER THAN MANY ECONOMISTS PREDICTED.

>> HIGH PRICES ARE TO SOME DEGREE REFLECTING THE STRONG DEMAND FOR ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH A ROBUST ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: ON A MONTHLY BASIS, PRICES WERE UP SLIGHTLY, 0.3%, UNCHANGED FROM FEBRUARY'S PACE, STILL NOT THE STEP DOWN MANY PEOPLE WERE HOPING TO SEE.

>> WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO RETURNING INFLATION TO OUR 2% GOAL.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS FED CHAIR LAST MONTH, AFFIRMING WHERE INFLATION NEEDS TO LAND BEFORE THE CENTRAL BANK CAN OFFER BUYERS MORE RELIEF.

>> AS WE LOOK AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S PREFERRED GAUGE OF INFLATION, THAT IS NOT EXPECTED TO GIVE US AN ALL CLEAR FOR INTEREST RATE CUTS ANY TIME SOON.

>> Reporter: BACK TO THAT ROBUST ECONOMY, CONSUMER SPENDING REMAINS STRONG LAST MONTH, RISING 0.8%, BETTER THAN THE HALF POINT THAT MANY ANALYSTS INSPECTED.

PROGRESS HAS SLOWED SINCE LAST YEAR, MOSTLY DUE TO ELEVATED HOUSING AND SERVICES COSTS, WHICH EXPERTS CALL MORE STICKY AND SLOWER TO EASE.

THE FED MEETS AGAIN NEXT WEEK, BUT WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE FOR CONSUMERS?

>> INFLATION IS STICKING AROUND LONGER, A LITTLE LIKE AN UNWANTED GUEST, AND WE MAY HAVE TO SORT OF REMAIN PATIENT FOR SOME TIME TO COME.

>> Reporter: I'M LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTING.

>> THE INFLATION GAUGE PEAKED IN 2022 WHEN IT HIT 7.1 PERCENT.

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

>> Stacy: RAIN SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING, AND THEN ANOTHER ROUND OF SHOWERS NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN >> 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.

>>> GREAT RIVER RESCUE ANNOUNCED ITS ANNUAL 2024 FURR BOWL THIS WEEKEND.

GREAT RIVER RESCUE ORGANIZES AN ANNUAL EVENT CALLED THE FURR BOWL, WHICH IS AIMED AT RAISING FUNDS FOR THE SHELTER.

THE EVENT INVITES INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS TO REGISTER FOR TWO HOURS OF BOWLING WHILE THEY CONDUCT THEIR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.

THIS YEAR, THE SHELTER HOPES TO RAISE $15,000 TO SUPPORT ITS NEEDS.

>> THIS IS ONE OF OUR BIG FUNDRAISERS OF THE YEAR.

OUR GOAL THIS YEAR IS $15,000.

THAT MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS RUNNING THE SHELTER, PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE FOR THE DOGS AND CATS THAT WE HAVE HERE, PAYING OUR BILLS.

EACH TEAM OF SIX RAISES FUNDS FOR THE SHELTER BEFORE THE EVENT AND THEN THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF OTHER WAYS TO SPONSOR THE EVENT, ALSO LIKE BUSINESSES CAN SPONSOR A LANE IF THEY DON'T HAVE A TEAM THAT CAN PLAY.

>> THE 2024 FURR BOWL IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 28TH, FROM 1:00 TO 3:00 P.M. AT BEMIDJI BOWL.

>> Miles:.

>> Dennis: TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

WE'RE GOING TO GET MUCH NEEDED RAIN.

>> Stacy: YES, RAIN CONTINUES TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING.

A LITTLE BIT OF A LULL TOMORROW AFTERNOON BUT MORE RAIN SHOWERS ARE EXPECTED EARLY NEXT WEEK.

ALONG WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING TO SEE COOLER >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH; HERE FOR ALL, HERE FOR GOOD.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA IS AVAILABLE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, LAND SURVEYORS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THAT MUCH NEEDED RAINFALL MOVING INTO THE AREA TODAY AND WE ARE GOING TO SEE SEVERAL DAYSES WITH RAIN SHOWERS AND MAYBE EVEN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS, POSSIBLY EVEN A FEW SNOW SHOWERS EARLY NEXT WEEK.

AGAIN, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING SEVERAL DAYS OF UNSETTLED WEATHER, COOLER TEMPERATURES FOR THE WEEKEND, BUT WE SHOULD WARM UP NEXT WEEK STARTING ON TUESDAY.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 43 AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS OUT OF OUR STUDIO FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 10 MILES PER HOUR, 43 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND WE PICKED UP 0.07-INCH OF RAINFALL SO FAR.

IN BRAINERD, WE'RE SEEING LIGHT RAIN TONIGHT, 46 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 43, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE NORTHEAST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE THE WIDESPREAD SHOWER ACTIVITY ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA, AND AGAIN THERE ARE SOME EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WITHIN THIS.

ALL OF THIS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, WE COULD SEE IT TAPER OFF A LITTLE BIT AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

THIS AREA OF GREEN IS THE RAIN SHOWERS, WE COULD SEE A FEW EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AS WELL.

WE WILL BE SEEING COOLER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW AND SUNDAY WHEN THE POTENTIAL IS THERE FOR SOME OF THE EARLIER HOURS AND OVERNIGHT HOURS, THERE COULD BE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW MIXED IN WITH THE RAIN.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL SKIES, A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE AND SUNRISE THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND KAREN SENDING THOSE IN.

BILL TAKING THIS PHOTO OVER UPPER RED LAKE, A LOT OF CLOUD COVER AND SOME RAINFALL MOVING IN.

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE REPORTING 53 AND WINDY THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY WITH SOME AFTERNOON RAINFALL.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST AND SEEING A BIT OF RAIN AS WELL.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY WITH 0.12-INCH OF RAIN.

PAUL IN BEMIDJI, CLOUDY WITH NEARLY 0.03-INCH OF RAIN SO FAR, AND THE HIGH WAS 56.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING 55 TODAY, A LITTLE BELOW AVERAGE.

WE HAVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 60.

45 FOR THE LOW, WE HAD SUNSET AT 8:20.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 52, A LITTLE BIT BELOW THE AVERAGE ONCE AGAIN.

OUR LOW TEMPERATURE WAS 43 THIS MORNING, 6:10 WAS THE SUNRISE.

TOMORROW, CLOUDY AND AREAS OF RAIN AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, COULD TAPER OFF AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE COOL, 46 IN BEMIDJI, UPPER 40s TO AROUND 50, SOME LOW 50s AROUND NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOW TO MID-50s FOR OUR HIGHS, BUT CLOUD COVER, AND A FEW EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS, THE BEST CHANCE WILL BE TOMORROW MORNING.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, RAIN SHOWERS FOR TONIGHT, SOME SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS AS WELL, LOWS NEAR 43, WITH EAST WINDS AT 10 TO 25.

RAIN SHOWERS CONTINUE TOMORROW THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS, SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WITH HIGHS NEAR 51.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, MORE RAIN SHOWERS WILL BE MOVING IN ON SUNDAY AND POSSIBLY SOME ISOLATED FLURRIES SUNDAY MORNING IN FAR NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

THEN ON MONDAY, AGAIN, THOSE COOL TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT AND IN THE MORNING, COULD MEAN A FEW SNOW SHOWERS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA MONDAY MORNING, BUT RAIN SHOWERS CONTINUE, 47 FOR THE HIGH, COULD SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

WE COULD SEE SOME SUNSHINE, BUT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU STACY.

MILES IS HERE FOR CHARLIE TONIGHT.

BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S SOFTBALL IS TRYING TO EARN A BIRTH INTO THE PLAYOFFS.

>> Miles: YES, THE WEATHER GOT IN THE WAY OF A LOT OF ACTIVITIES, BUT IT DIDN'T STOP BSU FROM THE DOUBLE HEADER.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT STORY COMING UP NEXT.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Miles: HISTORY WENT DOWN DURING DAY ONE OF THE NFL DRAFT.

WITH 14 OFFENSIVE PROSPECTS TAKEN OFF THE BOARD TO KICK THINGS OFF.

A TWIST TOOK PLACE AS WELL.

FALCONS DRAFTED MICHAEL, LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER SIGNING CURT COUSINS TO A LONG-TERM DEAL.

THE VIKINGS REMAINED IDLE UNTIL ROUND FOUR.

THE BUFFALO BILLS DID THEIR BEST TO FILL THE VOID, DRAFTING COLEMAN 33rd OVERALL.

HE LED IN TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS WITH 11 LAST YEAR.

ELSEWHERE, THE CHARGERS ADDRESSED THE WIDE OUT ROOM, DRAFTING 34th OVERALL.

QUITE THE SHOES TO FILL.

>>> IN BASEBALL, THE TWINS FACE THE ANGELS.

SECOND INNING, INTO THE ROCKS, HIS SECOND OF THE YEAR, MINNESOTA IS UP 1-0.

TOP OF THE THIRD, 1 OUT FOR WILLIE, AND HE SEE AS SINGLE RIGHT UP THE MIDDLE TO GET A MAN ON FIRST.

TWO BATTERS LATER, BYRON RIPS IT DOWN THE LINE, ADVANCING ON THE THROW, TWINS WOULD EXTEND THEIR LEAD TO 2-0.

GAME IS UNDERWAY IN THE 6th WITH THE TWINS UP 4-0.

>>> AND IN COLLEGE SOFTBALL, BEMIDJI STATE LOOKING TO END A TWO-GAME LOSING STREAK HOSTING MINNESOTA STATE MOORHEAD IN A DOUBLEHEADER.

TOP SECOND, MOORHEAD ALREADY UP 3-0.

BASES JUICED FOR MACK GALLAGHER WHO ABSOLUTELY OBLITERATES THAT GRAND SLAM GIVES MOORHEAD A 7-0 LEAD.

BOTTOM FRAME, BSU'S GRACE GUMIELA RIPS ONE TO THE WALL FOR A DOUBLE BUT THAT'S ALL AZALYA LOPEZ GAVE UP TODAY, GETS STEPHANIE FERGUSON TO GROUND OUT ENDING THE INNING.

LOPEZ WENT FIVE SCORELESS INNINGS, ALLOWING THAT LONE HIT AS MSU MOORHEAD GO ON TO TAKE THE GAME 8-0 OVER BSU AND THE DOUBLEHEADER EDGING THE BEAVERS 13-10 IN THE FIRST GAME.

>>> ON THE HIGH SCHOOL SIDE, THE COUNTRY CLUB HOSTED THE BEMIDJI GIRLS GOLF INVITE.

ON HOLE TWO, LUMBERJACK'S BRINN MEYER SENDS A GORGEOUS CHIP SHOT UP THE GREEN.

SHE WOULD NET PAR FOR THE HOLE AND A 94 ON THE DAY.

OVER ON HOLE FIVE, MALLORY USELMAN FROM STAPLES-MOTLEY, JUST A TAD WIDE LEFT ON THE PUTT.

SHE SANK THE NEXT ONE FOR PAR AND FINISHED THE DAY SHOOTING 82 OVERALL, FIFTH BEST SCORE AMONG ALL GOLFERS BUT THE BEST SCORE BELONGED TO DETROIT LAKES TATUM GATHERIDGE.

SHE PLANTED THE CHIP BEFORE BIRDIE-ING ON HOLE TEN AND POSTED A 75 FOR THE INVITE.

DETROIT LAKES WENT ON TO TAKE THE BEMIDJI GIRLS GOLF INVITE.

GRAND RAPIDS EARNED A TOP THREE FINISH AND BEMIDJI ROUNDED OUT THE TOP FIVE.

>>> AND SOME OTHER SCORES FOR YOU.

WARROAD FALLS TO DULUTH MARSHALL.

>>> AND THERE'S A NEW DANCER SLATED TO JOIN THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA THIS FALL AS BEMIDJI'S ELLA LEINDECKER OFFICIALLY INKED HER NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT THIS PAST TUESDAY.

LEINDECKER COMPETED ON BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL'S BLUE ANGELS' JAZZ AND HIGH KICK TEAMS DURING HER ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL CAREER.

SHE PUT A BOW ON HER BLUE ANGELS' CHAPTER ON FEBRUARY 2nd AT SAINT MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, THINKING IT WOULD BE HER LAST DANCE MEET.

FAST FORWARD A MONTH LATER AND LEINDECKER WAS AT THE UND'S CAMPUS LOOKING TO SECURE A SPOT ON THE DANCE TEAM.

LEINDECKER WENT THROUGH THE TRYOUT PROCESS STILL UNSURE WHERE THE NEXT STEP IN HER JOURNEY LIES BUT ONCE THE FIGHTING HAWKS GAVE HER THE OFFER.

EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE.

LEINDECKER INTENDS TO STUDY PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY AT UND.

>> Dennis: GOOD FOR HER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH MILES.

>>> FOR THIS WEEKS IN-FOCUS, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN STOPPED BY THE FIRST DAY OF THE “TATTOO YOU MIDWEST ” THE 5TH ANNUAL TATTOO CONVENTION HOSTED BY THE NORTHERN LIGHTS CASINO IN WALKER, AND WAS ABLE TO GIVE US A PREVIEW INTO THE WEEKEND'S FESTIVITIES.

>> Reporter: WELCOME TO THE TATTOO YOU CONVENTION HOSTED BY NORTHERN LIGHTS CONVENTION IN WALKER, INVITING ARTISTS TO MEET NEW CLIENTS AND SHOW OFF THEIR ARTISTIC ABILITIES.

>> I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 35 YEARS AND STARTED OUT AS A REASON FOR ME TO PARTY, BUT WE GOT INTO IT.

I REALLY MADE A COMMITMENT FOR THIS TO BE WELL INTENDED, VERY HYGIENIC, AND VERY REPUTABLE.

>> Reporter: ARTISTS ARE INVITED TO BE PART OF THE CONVENTION TO HOPEFULLY MEET NEW CLIENTS BUT TO ALSO MEET FELLOW ARTISTS.

>> THIS IS A CONVENTION WHERE ARTISTS COME TOGETHER, THEY SHOW OFF THROUGH ARTWORK AND DO NEW TATTOOS FOR PEOPLE.

THEY MEET THEIR FRIENDS HERE AND OVER THE YEARS, WE BECOME A TATTOO YOU FAMILY.

>> THE BIG PART OF IT IS NETWORKING AND GETTING TO MEET ALL THE DIFFERENT ARTISTS AROUND THE AREA.

ALL OF THESE ARTISTS I WORKED WITH AT THE PREVIOUS CONVENTIONS AND SOME OF THEM ARE NEW ONES THAT ARE STARTING TO COME.

>> AS AN ARTIST, IT'S CRUCIAL TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WAYS THAT YOU CAN DO THAT.

THERE IS A LOT OF FOOT TRAFFIC.

THERE IS A LOT OF ONE-ON-ONE FACE-TO-FACE WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTELE.

IT WORKS OUT WELL.

>> Reporter: IF YOU HAVE AN ITCH TO GET A TATTOO AND LIKE THE DESIGNS, YOU CAN STEP ON IN AND GET ONE FROM ONE OF THE ARTISTS.

>> YOU CAN COME INTO OUR SHOW AND PICK YOUR OWN ART ITSELF.

YOU CAN SEE THE ARTWORK LAID OUT IN FRONT OF THEM AND FIND ONE YOU VIBE WITH.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF ARTISTS, AT LEAST 70 ARTISTS TATTOOING THIS WEEKEND.

I THINK BY THE TIME THIS IS OVER, WE WILL PROBABLY DO 400 NEW TATTOOS.

>> Reporter: THE ARTISTS ARE PUT INTO A SMALL COMPETITION OVER THE WEEKEND WITH AWARDS FOR WHO HAS THE BEST TATTOO.

>> WE HAVE A PANEL OF JUDGES THAT THESE CONTESTANTS WILL GO IN FRONT OF AND WE HAVE 27 DIFFERENT CATEGORIES WHERE WE BREAK IT UP.

LIKE YOU MAY HAVE A SMALL COLOR TATTOO, YOU MIGHT HAVE A BIG MYTHOLOGICAL PIECE, BUT WE HAVE DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATIONS AND CATEGORIES THAT YOU GO IN FRONT OF A JUDGE WHEN YOUR CATEGORY IS CALLED.

WE COMPETE FOR PRIZES AND NICE TROPHIES.

>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF PIECES THAT I GOT DONE ON ME THAT I'M ENTERING AS WELL.

IT'S A FUN COMPETITION.

>> Reporter: AND EVEN THOUGH WALKER IS A SMALLER TOWN, WALKER IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR THE CONVENTION TO BE HELD.

>> WITH WALKER, WE ALWAYS LIKE COMING UP TO THIS CASINO TO DO OUR CONVENTION HERE.

IT'S VERY PERSONABLE TOWN.

WE DO ST.

CLOUD, WE DID ONE IN MORTON, AND THEY ARE BIG SHOWS, BUT YOU ARE GETTING SO MANY PEOPLE, YOU DON'T GET A LOT OF FAMILY TIME WITH EVERYONE THAT COMES TO THE SHOW.

SO WALKER IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

WE LIKE IT THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM WALKER WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> “COREY MEDINA AND BROTHERS ”, A LOCAL BLUES BAND FROM BEMIDJI WILL BE AT THE CONVENTION ON SATURDAY AS WELL TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR THOSE WHO ATTEND.

>>> TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST.

HERE'S STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING QUITE A BIT OF RAINFALL AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

RAIN SHOWERS CONTINUE, AND THERE ARE SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS EMBEDDED IN THE RAIN, LOWS NEAR 43, EAST WINDS 10 TO 25.

TOMORROW, RAIN SHOWERS CONTINUE, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, TAPERING OFF IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THERE MAY BE SOME SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS, HIGHS NEAR 51, NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AHEAD, WE PICK UP MORE RAINFALL ON SUNDAY, COULD BE SOME COOL ENOUGH TEMPERATURES AND A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW SHOWER ACTIVITY COULD MIX IN WITH THE RAIN ON MONDAY AND PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

OTHERWISE, CLOUDY, RAIN, HIGHS IN THE 40s, WE START TO WARM UP AS WE HEAD TO THE MIDWEEK AND WE STILL HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN.

>> Miles: WE WILL SEE HOW THE BSU WOMEN ARE DOING OUT OF THE NSIC CHAMPIONSHIP.

DOWN IN BRAINERD AREA, THEY WILL HAVE THEIR ALL SPORTS BLITZ.

>> Dennis: AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GOLF?

>> Miles: GOLF.

>> Dennis: GOT YA.

WELL, THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US.

WE'RE BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN, GOOD NIGHT.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.

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