>> 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: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN OPERATING IN A SEVERE DEFICIT SINCE 2018.

LAST WEEK SUPERINTENDENT JEREMY OLSON PROPOSED A $1.6 MILLION REDUCTION FOR THE 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR.

EARLIER THIS EVENING THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED ON SEVERAL OF THESE IDEAS INCLUDING THE REDUCTION OF NINE POSITIONS WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND MOVING MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS BETWEEN THE HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY ED.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS THE FINAL RESULTS FROM THE MEETING.

>> Reporter: THE MEETING TO DETERMINE THE 2026-27 BEMIDJI SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET STARTED WITH SEVERAL OUTSPOKEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS, EXPLAINING HOW IF PASSED, EACH PROPOSED REDUCTION WOULD AFFECT THE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT MAY SEEM LIKE A REDUCTION OF COST ON PAPER, BUT THE REAL LOSS IS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY STANDS TO GAIN.

>> THE COST IS NOT THIS MEASURE IN STAFFING NUMBERS, IT'S MEASURED IN WHETHER STUDENTS WILL READ, WHAT QUESTIONS THEY WON'T KNOW TO ASK AND THE MYRIAD POSSIBILITIES THEY MAY NEVER IMAGINE FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: AFTER HEARING EVERYONE OUT, THE BOARD MADE THEIR VOTE.

>> I DO SEE A VALUE IN EVERY STAFF MEMBER AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR EVERY PERSON THAT WORKS HARD TO HELP OUR STUDENTS SUCCEED.

THIS LEADS US WITH A DIFFICULT TASK, THESE MEASURES MUST BE IMPROVED TO MAINTAIN OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH.

IF IT WEREN'T FOR THIS FACT, I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THEM.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSAL OF REDUCING THESE FULL TIME EMPLOYEE POSITIONS WOULD TOTAL $1.4 MILLION WITHIN THE DISTRICT.

>> IN THE PROPOSAL HERE, WE HAVE TWO ELEMENTARY SECTIONS, TWO POSITIONS AT JEAN DILLON, TWO MIDDLE SCHOOL POSITIONS, TWO HIGH SCHOOL POSITIONS.

>> Reporter: AND A SUPPLY BUDGE REDUCTION OF $35,000, AS WELL AS THE COMBINATION OF SECOND AND THIRD GRADE AT THE ELEMENTARY.

THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT MADE TO THE PROPOSAL TO TAKE OUT THE SECOND AND THIRD GRADE ASPECT, BUT THE REST OF THE PROPOSAL DID PASS UNANIMOUSLY.

>> I HAVE BEEN ON A ROLLER COASTER OF EMOTIONS.

I GUARANTEE, I WILL BE CRYING ON THE WAY HOME.

THE FACT REMAINS, WE'RE HURTING RIGHT NOW AND WE HAVE TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET.

TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION BOARD SPOKE ON HOW NONE OF THESE DECISIONS CAME EASY AND WHILE THESE REDUCTIONS CAN HELP A LOT, THERE IS STILL A SHORT-TERM RELEASE FROM DEEPER SCHOOL FUNDING NEEDS.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE ARE HERE AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR SO VERY OFTEN.

I HOPE IN THE FUTURE, I WILL WORK WITH LEGISLATORS FEDERALLY AND STATE AND PARTICIPATING IN ANY OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WITH THE REFERENDUM FUNT.

>> Reporter: -- OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING, SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THEY WANT TO GIVE THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY TIME ONE MORE TIME TO FIND A NEW WAY OF FUNDING FOR THE FUTURE.

>>> A FIRE SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED A BAR AND RESTAURANT IN REMER, MINNESOTA ON SUNDAY.

EMERGENCY WORKERS RESPONDED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE AT THE PUB AROUND 5:30 IN THE MORNING AND FOUND THE ESTABLISHMENT ENGULFED IN FIRE.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS FROM REMER AND LONGVILLE WORKED TO CONTROL THE FIRE, WHICH RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT LOSS.

THE FIRE AND ITS CAUSE REMAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE.

>>> TOMORROW IS THE SENATE DISTRICT 6 SPECIAL ELECTION.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL MET WITH BOTH OF THE CANDIDATES TO LEARN A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THEM.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT 6 SPECIAL ELECTION IS HAPPENING UNDER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOLLOWING THE SCANDAL AND SUBSEQUENT RESIGNATION OF SENATOR ICON.

HOWEVER, TWO CANDIDATES HAVE EMERGED TO TAKE HIS SPOT.

REPUBLICAN SELECTED HEINTZEMAN IS THE CANDIDATE.

SHE HAS SERVED ON MULTIPLE COMMITTEES IN HER AREA.

>> IN CROW WING COUNTY, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE APPOINTED TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.

AT THE FIRST MEETING, THEY ELECTED HIM TO BE THE CHAIR AND ME AS THE SECRETARY.

WE WERE ABLE TO LOOK INTO THE ORGANIZATION, FIND OUT THAT IT WAS NUMBER ONE DUPLICATIVE AND NUMBER TWO, THERE WAS FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY HAPPENING, BROUGHT IT TO THE COUNTY BOARD, KIND OF GOT OUT OF OUR SHELL AND INTERESTED IN POLITICS.

>> Reporter: AS FOR THE D.F.L., THEY SELECTED SLIPY, AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROFESSIONAL TO REPRESENT THEM IN THE RACE.

>> I DON'T TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR.

I DON'T TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO THINK.

I WANT TO LISTEN, I WANT TO BE THEIR VOICE.

MY VOICE ISN'T WHAT MATTERS AT THIS TIME, IT'S WHAT OUR SENATE DISTRICT NEEDS AND I WANT TO BE THEIR VOICE IN ST. PAUL.

>> Reporter: SHE IS RUNNING ON A CONSERVATIVE PLATFORM, ONE SHE SAYS IS BACKED BY MUCH OF THE DISTRICT.

>> MY CONSERVATIVE VALUES ARE APPEALING TO THE VOTERS AT THEIR DOORS.

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS DISTRICT STAYS RED AND THE SENATOR THEY ELECT WILL HAVE THE SAME VALUES THEY DO.

>> Reporter: SLIPY IS RUNNING TO PROTECT EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE, BOTH OF WHICH SHE CLAIMS HAS COME URN FIRE.

>> THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IS UNDER ATTACK.

THE HEALTH CARE, WITH MEDICARE AND MEDICAID BEING CUT, A LOT OF OUR RURAL HOSPITALS SOLELY DEPEND ON THAT.

SO HAVING THOSE DOLLARS AND RESOURCES TAKEN AWAY FROM BOTH IS REALLY GOING TO IMPACT OUR AREA.

>> Reporter: BOTH CANDIDATES ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL SHOW UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN.

>> I BELIEVE THAT I AM THE MOST CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE.

I BELIEVE THIS DISTRICT IS RED, LOVES DONALD TRUMP, AND LOVES A SENATOR THAT HAS THOSE VALUES.

>> I AM GOING TO FIGHT FOR YOU BECAUSE I AM ONE OF YOU.

I HEAR AND I UNDERSTAND.

WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME BOAT.

IT MAY BE DIFFERENT BATTLES THAT WE'RE FIGHTING, BUT I UNDERSTAND AND I WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: POLLS WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR POLLING PLACE IS HEAD TO THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE.

>>> THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SAYS CONSUMERS ACROSS THE U.S. WILL STILL BE ABLE TO BUY CHEAPER E15 GASOLINE THIS SUMMER.

THE E.P.A ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT HAS ISSUED AN EMERGENCY WAIVER TO ALLOW SALES OF THE HIGHER-ETHANOL BLEND GASOLINE IN ALL STATES AFTER MAY 1ST.

E.P.A ADMINISTRATOR LEE ZELDIN SIGNALED THAT HE PLANS TO KEEP A WAIVER IN EFFECT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15TH, WHEN E15 SALES WOULD TYPICALLY BE ALLOWED IN ALL STATES AGAIN.

MOST GASOLINE SOLD ACROSS THE U.S. IS BLENDED WITH 10-PERCENT ETHANOL, BUT 15-PERCENT BLENDS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMMON, PARTICULARLY IN THE MIDWEST WHERE MOST OF THE NATION'S CORN IS GROWN.

E15 GASOLINE GENERALLY COSTS AT LEAST 10 CENTS LESS A GALLON THAN E10 GASOLINE, BUT THE E.P.A HAD PREVIOUSLY PROHIBITED ITS SALE DURING THE SUMMER OVER CONCERNS THAT ITS USE DURING THE SUMMER DRIVING SEASON COULD INCREASE SMOG.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARGUE THAT ALLOWING E15 SALES YEAR-ROUND COULD POTENTIALLY DAMAGE THE AIR AND WATER.

>>> WALMART PLANS TO REMODEL MORE THAN 650 STORES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES IN AN EFFORT TO MODERNIZE THEM.

22 STORES ACROSS MINNESOTA WILL BE REMODELED THIS YEAR INCLUDING TWO IN THE IMMEDIATE LAKELAND NEWS VIEWING AREA.

STORES IN PARK RAPIDS AND LITTLE FALLS ARE AMONG THOSE THAT WILL BE UPDATED WITH WHAT THE COMPANY TERMS BIG BOLD SIGNAGE AND NEW DISPLAYS TO BETTER SHOWCASE MERCHANDISE.

WALMART SAYS THE UPDATES WILL ALSO INCLUDE MORE SELECTION, WITH EXPANDED DEPARTMENTS AND NEW ITEMS.

EXPANDING ONLINE PICKUP AND DELIVERY TO FULFILL THE RISING NUMBER OF ONLINE CUSTOMER ORDERS, AND RETHINKING ITS PHARMACIES WITH WIDER AISLES, NEW PRIVATE SCREENING ROOMS, AND PRIVACY CHECKOUT AREAS.

THE COMPANY DID NOT SAY WHEN IT EXPECTS THE REMODELING TO BEGIN.

>>> THE VATICAN SAYS THE CONCLAVE TO ELECT A NEW POPE WILL BEGIN ON MAY 7TH.

THE DATE WAS DECIDED ON MONDAY AFTER CARDINALS MET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE FUNERAL OF POPE FRANCIS.

THE CONCLAVE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL AND ONLY CARDINALS UNDER THE AGE OF 80 ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE.

IF A CANDIDATE RECEIVES TWO-THIRDS OF THE TOTAL VOTE.

HE WILL BECOME THE NEXT POPE THE LATE PONTIFF DIED OF A STROKE AND HEART FAILURE ON EASTER MONDAY.

HE WAS LAID TO REST IN A SIMPLE TOMB SATURDAY FOLLOWING A FUNERAL MASS ON THE STEPS OF THE ST. PETER'S BASILICA.

ONCE CONCLAVE BEGINS, ALL EYES WILL BE ON THE CHIMNEY ABOVE THE SISTINE CHAPEL.

THE BALLOTS ARE BURNED AFTER EVERY SESSION.

WHITE SMOKE MEANS A NEW POPE HAS BEEN ELECTED.

THE LAST TWO CONCLAVES LASTED TWO DAYS.

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

>> Stacy: A WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT THE WINDS SHOULD DIMINISH OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND WE SHOULD SEE QUIETER WEATHER ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, J.C.

KICK >> 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.

>>> HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN PIERZ HELD A GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE BUILDING'S ONGOING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN THIS PAST WEEK AFTER SURPASSING ITS PHASE ONE FUNDRAISING GOAL, REACHING OVER 84-PERCENT OF THE TOTAL NECESSARY FUNDS FOR THE SCHOOL'S RENOVATION AND ADDITIONS.

HOLY TRINITY'S ONGOING PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE A RENOVATED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CLASSROOM, GYM RENOVATIONS, A THREE STORY ELEVATOR, AND MORE.

AS THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL LOOKS FORWARD TO PROVIDING THE MOST OPTIMAL SPACE TO FOSTER LEARNING FOR NOT ONLY TODAY'S STUDENTS BUT MANY GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS THAT HAPPEN INSIDE OF OUR BUILDING EVERY DAY AND WE DON'T WANT OUR BUILDING TO BE A DETERRENT FOR FUTURE FAMILIES.

THIS BUILDING IS AROUND 80 YEARS OLD, AT OUR BEST GUESS, ABOUT 70 YEARS OLD.

IT REALLY HASN'T HAD AN UPDATE OR RENOVATION IN THOSE YEARS.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO UPDATE OUR BUILDING A LITTLE BIT, SO THAT'S NOT A BARRIER FOR ANYONE.

>> HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL'S ON GOING RENOVATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO FINISH UP IN TIME FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR NEXT FALL.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, WE SAW SOME THUNDER AND LIGHTNING AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE THREATS FURTHER SOUTH.

>> Stacy: YES, THERE HAVE BEEN STRONGER STORMS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND ONE IN PRINCETON, CLOSE TO OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE HAVE STRONG WINDS TONIGHT BUT THE SEVERE THREAT IS OVER AND THE WIND ADVISORY WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MIDNIGHT FOR WESTERN MINNESOTA.

I'LL HAVE 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: WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND CONTINUE TO HAVE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA TONIGHT.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE STRONG WINDS AND A WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES IN PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE WILL STILL HAVE THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, TOMORROW LOOKS QUIETER.

WE SHOULD HAVE SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES BELOW AVERAGE, BUT WE SHOULD WARM UP BY MIDWEEK.

IT'S 40 AT THE AIRPORT.

NORTHWEST WINDS AT 14 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTING UP TO 26.

WE HAVE PICKED UP NEARLY 0.75-INCH OF RAINFALL AND OUR DEW POINT IS AT 40.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES AND 53 DEGREES.

50 IS OUR DEW POINT.

WINDS ARE OUT OF THE NORTH AT 13 MILES PER HOUR, WITH GUSTS UP TO 22.

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, INCLUDING ROSEAU COUNTY, WHERE THIS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MIDNIGHT.

WE WILL BE SEEING THE WINDS AT 25 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR, WITH POTENTIAL GUSTS UP TO 55.

ON THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE ALL OF THE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY, WHICH HAS BEEN MOVING ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING.

YOU CAN SEE THE STRONGER CELL IN THE BRAINERD AND AITKIN AREAS.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

THIS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE TO THE EAST.

SO AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, SHOWERS ARE LIKELY IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, A LITTLE BIT SMALLER CHANCE IN OTHER AREAS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT OTHERWISE IT LOOKS LIKE THE RAIN WILL TAPER OFF, THE WINDS WILL DIMINISH, AND TOMORROW WE WILL SEE A RETURN TO SUNNY SKIES.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, OMINOUS CLOUDS THIS MORNING FROM ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PHOTO.

SARAH WITH THE THUNDERSTORM CLOUDS OVER LAKE EDWARD AND JOAN SENDING US THIS PHOTO, IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, THE PUDDLES LOOK LIKE UPPER AND LOWER RED LAKE.

HE SPOTTED THOSE IN HIS BROTHER'S DRIVE WAY TODAY.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PHOTOS OF THE DEER, WHICH HAVE BEEN WANDERING THE AREA, RALPH IN JENKINS WITH A COUPLE OF VISITORS TO THE YARD AND A WOODPECKER MAKING A TRIP TO THE FEEDER.

JOAN SENT US THAT PHOTO.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING 0.7-INCH OF RAIN TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, AN INCH OF RAIN WITH A HIGH OF 58.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 1.35 INCHES OF RAIN.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, LIGHT RAIN OFF AND ON TODAY, BUT AGAIN PRETTY STRONG GUSTY WINDS.

70 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, ABOVE THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD A LOW OF 53.

IT WAS COOLER IN BEMIDJI, WE TOPPED OUT AT 54, JUST A FEW DEGREES SHY OF THE AVERAGE AND THE LOW THIS MORNING WAS AT 39.

TOMORROW MORNING, WE SEE A LOT OF CLEAR SKIES IN THE WESTERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA, SOME CLOUD COVER IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, BUT THAT WILL BE MOVING OUT QUICKLY.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE VIEWING AREA.

TEMPERATURES ARE COOL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR, BUT WE SHOULD ENJOY SOME SUNSHINE AND THE TEMPERATURES WILL WARM UP ON WEDNESDAY, HIGHS TOMORROW WILL BE IN THE UPPER 40s, A LOW OF LOW TO MID-50s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS TONIGHT, STILL LIKELY TO SEE SOME RAIN AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, SMALLER CHANCE ELSEWHERE IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, WITH LOWS NEAR 28.

THEN TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR 52.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, WE COULD BE SEEING A FEW MORE SCATTERED SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THUNDERSTORMS, HIGHS WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN THE 50s LATE THIS WEEK, ALTHOUGH WE WILL TOP OUT NEAR 65 ON WEDNESDAY, AND THEN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES, HIGHS ON SUNDAY NEAR 76.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THAT LOOKS GREAT.

>> Charlie: IT DOES.

>> Dennis: A COUPLE OF BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES HONORED?

>> Charlie: YES, THEY HAD THEIR ALL SPORTS BANQUET WHERE THEY HONORED SOME OF THE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES AS WELL.

WE'LL TELL YOU WHO GOT IN AND WHO WON FEMALErd >>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

THE FIBEROPTIC NETWORK THAT HAS TRANSFORMED HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL HELD THEIR 50TH ANNUAL ALL-SPORTS BANQUET TONIGHT AT THE GICHI-ZIIBI CENTER FOR THE ARTS TO ANNOUNCE THE MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, AS WELL AS HONOR THOSE INDUCTED INTO THE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME.

TONIGHT'S INDUCTEE'S INCLUDED ALISON KOSOBUD, JASON HOWARD, JIM RUTTGER, MITCH FEIERABEND, ANN STENGLEIN AND MICHELLE HILBORN.

TY NELSON WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE 2025 BRAINERD WARRIOR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.

HE IS A TWO-SPORT ATHLETE IN FOOTBALL AND TRACK AND FIELD AND IS THE REIGNING CLASS 3A STATE CHAMP IN THE TRIPLE JUMP.

MYA TAUTGES WAS NAMED THE FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.

SHE IS A THREE-SPORT ATHLETE COMPETING IN SWIMMING, WHERE SHE WON THE STATE TITLE IN THE 50-YARD FREESTYLE AND ALSO PLAYING BASKETBALL AND SOFTBALL.

>> YEAH, IT MEANS A LOT, KNOWING THAT MY HARD WORK HAS PAID OFF, EXCELLING IN MORE THAN ONE SPORT.

IT JUST MEANS A LOT TO KNOW MY PARENTS AND MY COACHES AND MY TEAMMATES HAVE HELPED ME.

THEY HAVE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE AND I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THEM.

>> I MEAN IT MEANS A LOT.

THERE ARE A BUNCH OF GOOD FEMALE ATHLETES LIKE MADDIE, AND ERICA, AND IT WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT MY TEAMMATES PUSHING ME THROUGH AND MY COACHES AND EVERYBODY.

WE'VE BEEN PRETTY SUCCESSFUL, SO THAT'S ALWAYS GOOD.

>> NEXT YEAR NELSON WILL BE ATTENDING SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY TO COMPETE IN TRACK AND FIELD AND MYA TAUTGES WILL BE PLAYING SOFTBALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS.

>>> THE BEMIDJI BOYS GOLF TEAM OPENED THE 2025 SEASON WITH A 3RD PLACE FINISH AT THE MONTICELLO INVITE, FOLLOWED BY A 1ST PLACE FINISH AT THE GRAND RAPIDS BEST BALL MATCH AT POKEGAMA.

IT'S AN EXCITING START TO THE YEAR MADE EVEN MORE EXCITING BY THE FACT THAT THE LUMBERJACKS ARE SEEING PRODUCTION FROM A NUMBER OF UNDERCLASSMEN AS WELL AS ONE SENIOR, ALL OF WHOM ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR OPPORTUNITIES THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN.

>> Reporter: AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR THE LUMBERJACK BOYS GOLFER.

>> WE HAVE EIGHT GUYS THAT CAN ALL MAKE VARSITY AND WE CAN ALL GO OUT THERE AND SHOOT 80 OR BETTER EVERY TIME.

>> Reporter: EXCITING NEWS FOR A SQUAD THAT GRADUATED FOUR SENIORS LAST YEAR.

THIS SEASON, THE JACKS ONLY HAVE ONE UPPERCLASSMAN WHO HAS SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A LEADER.

>> A LITTLE CHANGES, BUT NOT MUCH BEING THE SENIOR.

IT'S MORE BEING THE ROLE MODEL FOR THE YOUNGER 7th AND EIGHTH GRADERS.

>> Reporter: YES, THEY BOTH MADE THE SIX MAN VARSITY ROSTER FOR THE FIRST TWO MATCHES, ALONG WITH THE FRESHMEN AND TWO SOPHOMORES.

>> WE HAD THE OCCASIONAL EIGHTH GRADERS BUT NOT THIS MANY.

WE BROUGHT THEM TO TRY OUT THIS YEAR AND THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO GET THEIR OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: JACKSON IS JUST ONE OF THOSE UNDER CLASSMEN.

>> IT FEELS PRETTY AWESOME.

I'M PRETTY HONORED TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GIVE ME THE CHANCE.

>> Reporter: HE MADE THE MOST OF HIS OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE 16th AND 3rd PLACE INDIVIDUAL FINISH IN HIS FIRST TWO VARSITY MATCHES, BUT THE EXPECTATIONS CONTINUED TO GROW.

>> I FEEL LIKE I GOT TO SHOOT A 72 OR SHOOT AMAZING OR ELSE I WILL FEEL I'M NOT INCLUDED, YOU KNOW.

>> Reporter: BACK AT GRAND, A FRESHMAN IN HIS SECOND SEASON ON THE VARSZTY -- VARSITY SAYS THAT PRESSURE FADES.

>> I JUST GO OUT THERE AND PLAY AND WHATEVER HAPPENS, HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: DON'T CONFUSE THAT ATTITUDE WITH LAZINESS.

THE UNDER CLASSMEN STILL PUT IN THE WORK.

>> THEY REALLY LOVE TO GRIND SO THAT REALLY HELPS.

WE HAVE BEEN GRINDING EVERY SEASON AND IT SHOWS.

>> Reporter: THE LUMBERJACKS HAVE A THIRD AND FIRST PLACE TEAM FINISH, THE LATTER OF WHICH THEY SHOT A SUB-300 ROUND, SOMETHING THEY HAVEN'T DONE IN A LONG TIME.

>> THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN DOING IT, IT'S FANTASTIC TO GO OUT AND GRIND.

WITH THIS YOUNG TEAM, YOU HAVE IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND WHAT MIGHT BE AN EXPECTATION AND THEN THEY BLOW IT OUT OF THE WATER.

>> Reporter: THE EARLY SEASON OPPORTUNITIES HAVE TURNED INTO EXPECTATIONS ALTHOUGH SOME REMAIN A CONSTANT.

>> I THINK OUR GOALS ARE CHANGING AFTER WE SHOT 10 OVER.

THAT WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

I THINK OUR GOAL ULTIMATELY IS MAKE IT TO STATE, TEAM AND INDIVIDUALLY.

>> Charlie: WELL, THEY HAVE A MATCH ON WEDNESDAY, DEPENDING HOW THE RAIN GOES.

IT WILL BE THE BRAINERD INVITATIONAL, AND THEIR HOME MATCH WILL BE THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

THE TWINS WON FIVE OUT OF SIX AFTER BEATING THE GUARDIANS TODAY.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> J-Z KICKBOXING HAS BEEN LOCATED IN HIBBING FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS BUT THE OWNER, JARED ZAHALKA OF GRAND RAPIDS, RECENTLY MADE THE MOVE BACK TO HIS HOMETOWN AND IS CURRENTLY TEACHING HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS' SELF-DEFENSE FROM HIS OWN GARAGE.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, TELLS US WHY ZAHALKA MADE THE MOVE, FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

OOSHGS JARED HAS HAD A LOVE FOR MARTIAL ARTS HIS ENTIRE LIVE, AND HE WENT ON TO FIGHT IN SIX PROFESSIONAL FIGHTS BEFORE LEARNING HIS TRUE PASSION IS TEACHING SELF DEFENSE TO OTHERS.

>> I JUST GOT OBSESSED WITH IT.

I TRAIN WITH THE BEST TRAINERS IN THE WORLD AND THEN JUST BRING EVERYTHING BACK.

IT'S A GREAT FEELING.

I MEAN NOT ONLY ARE YOU GETTING IN SHAPE, BUT YOU'RE LEARNING A SKILL THAT YOU WILL KEEP WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

>> Reporter: HE RAN A SUCCESSFUL GYM IN HIB WITH HUNDREDS OF CLIENTS COMING THROUGH EVERY DAY.

NO AMOUNT OF SUCCESS COULD CLOSE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

>> MY PARENTS ARE GETTING OLDER AND IT'S FAMILY.

I HAD TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO MOVE CLOSER TO THEM TO HELP THEM OUT OR BE IN THE CITY.

I DECIDED TO MOVE BACK AND BE CLOSER TO THE FAMILY.

IT HAS OBVIOUSLY WORKED OUT.

THINGS ARE GOING WELL.

>> Reporter: J.Z.

KICK BOXING WAS TEACHING STUDENTS ABOUT SELF DEFENSE.

HE HAD ALMOST 100 NEW MEMBERS SIGN UP AND HIS CLIENTS KEEP COMING BACK.

>> I WAS TIRED OF BEING FAT AND LAZY.

AS MUCH AS I HATE EXERCISE, JARED HAS A WAY OF MAKING IT FUN.

I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DOES IT BUT HIS PERSONALITY IS AWESOME.

HE MAKES ME LAUGH AND MAKES ME WANT TO EXERCISE AND BE BETTER BASICALLY.

>> AS A MOM, HAVING THAT SECURITY OF KNOWING HEY, I'M STRONG,KY -- I CAN DO IT.

>> Reporter: ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PARTS IS GETTING STUDENTS PASSIONATE ABOUT FIGHTING AND SEEING THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS STUDENTS GROW AFTER EACH CLASS THEY TAKE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF AMAZING BENEFITS TO IT.

I HAD MULTIPLE PEOPLE COME TO ME LATER ON IN LIFE AND HAD LIKE REALLY AMAZING STORIES ABOUT HOW THEY GOT THEIR SELF OUT OF A STICKY SITUATION AND THAT'S A GOOD FEELING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN.

LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ZAHALKA TOLD LAKELAND NEWS THAT J-Z KICKBOXING WILL BE MOVING OUT OF THE GARAGE AND INTO ITS OWN COMMERCIAL SPACE, COMPLETE WITH MULTIPLE MATS, BAGS ALONG WITH FULL SIZE RINGS AND CAGES, AND OTHER GYM EQUIPMENT.

ZAHALKA HOPES THE MOVE WILL HAPPEN SOMETIME THIS YEAR.

>>> WELL, WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE WIND ADVISORY FOR WESTERN MINNESOTA UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE WILL BE SEEING WINDS BETWEEN 25 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR, SOME GUSTS UP TO 55 MILES PER HOUR.

AS FAR AS OUR FORECAST, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE RAIN SHOWERS LIKELY, A FEW ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, SCATTERED RAINFALL ELSEWHERE, OTHERWISE VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOWS NEAR 28.

>> Charlie: BRAINERD'S ALL SPORTS BANQUET WAS TONIGHT AND BEMIDJI'S WILL BE NEXT MONDAY.

I'LL HAVE THAT FOR YOU NEXT MONDAY.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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