>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE, AND HOME PHONE.

LEARN MORE AT AT GOCTC.COM.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART 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.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> 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.

>>> STATE LEGISLATORS RECENTLY UPDATED A LAW THAT REQUIRES DRIVERS TO STOP WHEN A SCHOOL BUS'S STOP ARM IS OUT, CLOSING A DANGEROUS LOOPHOLE.

PREVIOUSLY, THE LAW REQUIRED DRIVERS TO STOP FOR A BUS WHEN ITS RED FLASHING LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE STOP ARM WAS EXTENDED.

THIS CREATED A SITUATION IN WHICH SOME DRIVERS.

MIGHT PASS THE BUS WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING BUT THE STOP ARM WASN'T FULLY EXTENDED.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THE UPDATED LAW CLOSES THE LOOPHOLE AND IMPROVES THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN ACROSS MINNESOTA.

WHEN RED LIGHTS ARE FLASHING, A VEHICLE MUST STOP 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL BUS WHETHER THE STOP ARM IS EXTENDED OR NOT.

>> LET ME BE CLEAR WHAT THIS LAW CHANGE MEANS FOR DRIVERS.

THERE IS NO LONGER ANY GRAY AREA.

WHEN A SCHOOL BUS HAS THEIR FLASHING RED LIGHTS ON, YOU STOP, NOT WHEN THE STOP ARM COMES OUT, NOT WHEN YOU THINK IT'S SAFE, BUT WHEN THE RED LIGHTS START FLASHING, THAT'S WHEN YOU NEED TO STOP.

THIS IMPORTANT LAW CHANGE REMOVES THE MOMENT OF HESITATION FROM DRIVERS.

THE LAST SECOND DECISION TO SPEED PAST THE BUS BEFORE EVERYTHING IS FULLY DEPLOYED, THAT'S EXACTLY WHERE THE DANGER LIVES.

FROM THE ENFORCEMENT STANDPOINT, WE TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY.

THE FINE IS $500, AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE CITATION, IT'S ABOUT KEEPING THE STUDENTS SAFE, PREVENTING TRAGEDY BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG AT THE SCHOOL BUS STOP, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT BACK.

>> THE OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY STOP ARM CAMERA GRANTS EQUIPPED AROUND 8,000 SCHOOL BUSES IN MINNESOTA WITH CAMERAS TO HOLD DRIVERS WHO JEOPARDIZE CHILDREN'S LIVES ACCOUNTABLE, THANKS IN PART TO THESE CAMERAS, INITIAL RESULTS SHOWED MORE THAN 2,000 CITATIONS WERE ISSUED TO DANGEROUS DRIVERS IN 2025.

>>> AN AMBULANCE WITH A PATIENT IN BANK COLLIDED WITH A MOOSE NEAR ELY MONDAY NIGHT.

THE DRIVER HIT THE COW MOOSE AT AROUND 45-MILES PER HOUR WHICH HURLED THE MOOSE INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE AMBULANCE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DEEP DITCH.

ELY AREA AMBULANCE SERVICE OFFICIALS SAY THE DRIVER IS AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATOR COURSE TRAINER WITH 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND WAS ABLE TO PREVENT THE AMBULANCE FROM ROLLING OVER AS IT DESCENDED SIX FEET INTO THE DITCH.

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND EXTRACTED THE PATIENT WITH A BACKBOARD OUT OF THE DITCH.

OFFICIALS SAY THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF SERIOUS INJURIES TO CREW OR THE PATIENT.

>>> FEDERAL AGENTS CONDUCTED RAIDS IN THE MINNEAPOLIS AREA TUESDAY MORNING AS PART OF AN ONGOING FRAUD INVESTIGATION.

A FEDERAL OFFICIAL SAYS 22 SEARCH WARRANTS WERE EXECUTED BY THE F.B.I.

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

SOURCES SAY MOST OF THE LOCATIONS BEING SEARCHED APPEAR TO BE RECIPIENTS OF MEDICARE FUNDING, INCLUDING CHILD CARE CENTERS.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS ALLEGED FRAUDULENT USE OF FEDERAL FUNDING BY SOMALI BUSINESSES IN THE MINNEAPOLIS AREA, LEADING TO A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.

A FEDERAL OFFICIAL SAYS THE RAIDS AREN'T CONNECTED TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

HOWEVER, AN IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT UNIT CALLED HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS SAYS IT IS INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION.

>>> MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ DELIVERED WHAT IS LIKELY HIS FINAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TONIGHT.

WALZ DECIDED TO NOT SEEK A THIRD TERM IN OFFICE THIS PAST JANUARY DURING NATIONAL FRAUD INVESTIGATION IN MINNESOTA.

TONIGHT, AMONG OTHER TOPICS, HE REFLECTED BACK TO HIS START AS GOVERNOR.

>> HERE IN MINNESOTA, I ARGUED IN MY FIRST STATE OF THE STATE AS WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

I WASN'T NAIVE.

I DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD AGREE ON EVERYTHING.

ONE MINNESOTA WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO MEAN ONE POINT OF VIEW.

I BELIEVED THAT WE COULD ARGUE BOTH PASSIONATELY AND IN GOOD FAITH.

I HOPE THAT EVEN IF WE DIDN'T SHARE AN IDEOLOGY, WE COULD SHARE A VISION OF MAKING MINNESOTA THE NATION'S BEST PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.

AGREEING ON THE WHAT -- [APPLAUSE].

>> I THINK WE CAN AGREE ON THE WHAT, IT'S THE HOW THAT WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE ON.

>> Dennis: MINNESOTA'S STATE CONSTITUTION MANDATE IT IS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS EACH YEAR.

>>> APRIL IS RECOGNIZED AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH, AND THE SUPPORT WITHIN REACH ORGANIZATION HOLDS AN ANNUAL TAKE BACK THE NIGHT EVENT IN BEMIDJI TO BRING RESOURCES TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS THE DETAILS.

>> BECAUSE IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN PEOPLE REALIZE AND PEOPLE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE TALKING ABOUT IT.

IT NEEDS TO BE TALKED ABOUT IN ORDER TO BE SOLVED, IN ORDER FOR PREVENTION TO HAPPEN, PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

>> Reporter: IN MINNESOTA, AN ESTIMATED 1 IN 3 WOMEN AND 1 IN 6 MEN WILL EXPERIENCE SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIME.

SUPPORT WITHIN REACH AND BEMIDJI STATES IT'S ON US ORGANIZATION TEAM UP WITH OTHER SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESOURCE PROVIDERS FOR TAKE BACK THE NIGHT EVERY APRIL, BRINGING THE DIFFICULT CONVERSATION AROUND THE SUBJECT TO LIGHT AND STANDING UP AND SUPPORTING VICTIMS.

>> THERE'S NOT A COLLECTIVE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND THIS GIVES THEM THAT PLACE.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT HELPS PROVIDE RESOURCES BUT JUST COMING TO THE EVENT, BEING AROUND PEOPLE, AND CREATING THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY PROVIDES SUPPORT ON ITS OWN.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THOSE EVENTS THAT YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO HAPPEN.

I THINK IT'S CRUCIAL FOR US TO BE WITH SUPPORTING PEOPLE BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH US SAY OR WORSE, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE ANYONE TO COME OUT TO.

ALL THE ENTITIES ARE HERE.

WE'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE YOU STAY SAFE, OUR COMMUNITY STAYS SAFE, AND THE COMMUNITIES BEYOND.

>> IT'S ON US AS A COMMUNITY TO LIFT EACH OTHER UP AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

IT'S ON US AS AMERICANS TO STAY UNITED AND NOT DIVIDED.

>> Reporter: TAKE BACK THE NIGHT IS MEANT TO BE AN EMPOWERING EVENT TO GIVE VICTIMS BACK THEIR OWN VOICE.

SUPPORT WITHIN REACH AND THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PRESENT INTEND TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE THAT EXTENDS FAR BEYOND JUST THE ONE NIGHT AND TO TEACH PEOPLE HOW THEY CAN SHOW SUPPORT FOR ONE ANOTHER IN THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES.

>> MAKING SURE TO CHECK YOUR OWN BIASES.

WHAT WERE YOU WEARING DISPLAY IS HERE, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS YOU WERE DRESSED A CERTAIN WAY SO THAT'S WHY THIS HAPPENED TO YOU AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

PEOPLE REALLY CHECKING THEIR OWN BIASES AND STEREOTYPE SO THEY CAN TREAT SURVIVORS BETTER.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, SUPPORT WITHIN REACH HAS A 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN, OR RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE, WHICH WILL BE LINKED ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR LAKELAND PBS WEBSITE.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SUNSHINE ALONG WITH SOME COOL TEMPERATURES THROUGH MOST OF THE WEEK WITH A WARM UP IN STORE FOR US THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, SMOKEY THE BEAR VISITS PAUL BUNYAN PARK IN BEMIDJI TO SPREAD HIS MESSAGE ABOUT WILDFIRE PREVENTION.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> AS MINNESOTA PREPARES TO HOST THE 2026 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES.

THE AFFINITY PLUS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA AND THE 2026 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES, HOSTED A RECOGNITION CEREMONY IN BAXTER THIS PAST THURSDAY FOR THE RESIT I WENTS OF THE 26 WEEKS OF GIVING CAMPAIGN.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> AS PART OF THE LEAD UP TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS GAMES, THE 26 WEEKS OF GIVING CAMPAIGN RECOGNIZES ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA THAT ARE ADVANCING INCLUSION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND HIGHLIGHTING HOW THEIR WORK CONTINUES TO SHAPE MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES ACROSS MINNESOTA.

>> WE CELEBRATED THREE ORGANIZATIONS FROM CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BRAINERD LAKES FISHING HAS NO BOUNDARIES, CARDINAL KITCHEN, EVERYONE WANTS TO FEEL EMPOWERED TO BE THEMSELVES.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES STRUGGLE IN A LOT OF WAYS SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, THEY HELP THEM WITH JOB TRAINING AND COACHING IN THAT MATTER.

OTHERS GIVE THEM LIFE SKILLS, OTHERS JUST GIVE THEM OUTDOORS, BUT IT'S EXCITING THAT WE CAN ALL GATHER AND WORK TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE $29,000 IN GRANTS GIVEN OUT AT THE CEREMONY.

CARDINAL KITCHEN, THE RECIPIENT OF THE LARGEST GRANT OF $20,000 IS A NON-PROFIT THAT AIMS TO TEACH THOSE IN THE 18 TO 22 YEAR AGE RANGE WITH DISABILITIES HOW TO WORK IN THE RESTAURANT SPACE SO THAT WHEN THEY FINISH A PROGRAM, THEY WILL HAVE REAL EXPERIENCE TO PUT ON THEIR RESUME.

>> OUR PROGRAM IS REALLY DESIGNED TO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH OUR TRANSITION PROGRAM AT OUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL.

EACH ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH 6 TO 7 DIFFERENT JOBS SO THEY CAN HAVE IDENTIFIABLE WORK SKILLS FOR A RESUME WHEN THEY'RE DONE WITH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAM WANTS TO HELP THESE BUSINESSES, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES WAY BEYOND JUST THIS SPECIAL OLYMPICS YEAR.

THESE GRANTS WERE ESTABLISHED TO LEAVE AN IMPACT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

REPORTING IN BAXTER, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE 2026 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES TAKE PLACE JUNE 20TH THROUGH THE 26TH AND WILL BRING NEARLY 3,000 ATHLETES FROM ALL 50 STATES.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IS THE OFFICIAL HOST VENUE FOR THE GAMES.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

YOU MENTIONED A WARM UP FOR THE WEEKEND.

THAT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR.

>> Stacy: YES IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE CHILLY SIDE FOR MOST OF THE WEEK BUT WE SHOULD HAVE SOME SUNSHINE, SOME PRECIPITATION IS POSSIBLE IN PARTS OF THE AREA TOMORROW, BUT OVERALL, IT LOO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING CHILLY TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE AREA TODAY WITH A LOT OF SUNSHINE OUT THERE, SOME INCREASING CLOUDS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING, BUT THOSE ARE STARTING TO CLEAR OUT.

WE SHOULD OVERALL HAVE SOME SUNSHINE THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK, BUT AGAIN TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO STAY BELOW AVERAGE UNTIL AT LEAST THE WEEKEND WHEN WE DO START TO SEE A WARMING UP.

WE COULD SEE HIGHS IN THE 60s.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 43 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE NORTH AT 6 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 24, PEAK WIND GUSTS AT 13.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY, 46 DEGREES WITH A DEW POINT OF 21, WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 17 MILES PER HOUR, WITH GUSTS UP TO 23.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOUD COVER THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING, BUT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK UP IN THAT CLOUD COVER IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT WITH SKIES BECOMING CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE WE WILL HAVE SUNSHINE THROUGH MUCH OF THE AREA TOMORROW, HOWEVER IS THERE IS AT LEAST A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SEEING SOME LIGHT RAIN OR SOME SPRINKLES, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, AND IN THE NORTHEAST, WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GORGEOUS MOON THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND THE SUNRISE JUST BEAUTIFUL OVER LAKE ADA.

THAT PICTURE FROM DEBRA.

JOAN IN LAPORTE AND CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD WITH SOME OF THE FLOWERS IN BLOOM IN THE AREA AND LINDA ALSO SPOTTING THE MARIGOLDS EMERGING IN ONAMIA.

ANGELA SPOTTING A BALD EAGLE IN THE TREES IN CASS LAKE.

WE HAVE A SANDHILL CRANE FROM RALPH IN JENKINS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 32 THIS MORNING.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 33.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 53.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, BOUNTIFUL SUNSHINE TODAY, LOW OF 36.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 46.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY AND BREEZY.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY AND BREEZY.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 52 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BRAINERD TODAY.

WE'RE NEARLY 10 DEGREES BELOW OUR AVERAGE HIGH.

35 WAS OUR LOW, WE HAD SUNRISE AT 7 MINUTES AFTER 6.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 47, SO AGAIN VERY CLOSE TO THAT 10 DEGREES BELOW AVERAGE MARK.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, OVERALL IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE CLEAR.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MOISTURE IN THE UPPER LEVEL, MAY OR MAY NOT REACH THE GROUND FOR MUCH OF THE AREA, HOWEVER IN THE AFTERNOON, IT COULD START TO REACH THE GROUND, MAINLY IN THE FORM OF LIGHT RAIN OR SPRINKLES IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, ALTHOUGH THERE MAY BE SOME SNOWFLAKES IN THE NORTHEAST.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT IS ANOTHER CHILLY DAY WITH HIGHS IN THE 40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING SOME LOW 50s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 28, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

THEN TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, BUT THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME RAIN, SPRINKLES, OR SOME LIGHT SNOW IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON AND HIGHS SHOULD REACH 48.

LOOKING AT THE EXTENDED FORECAST, PRETTY QUIET FORECAST, BUT IT STAYS A BIT COOL THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, WE DO START TO SEE A WARM UP, HIGHS NEAR 60 ON SATURDAY, 62 ON SUNDAY, WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THIS WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE, A BIG GAME FOR THE MINNESOTA WILD TONIGHT ON THE ROAD IN DALLAS.

>> Charlie: THEY HAVE A GAME 5.

THE SERIES IS TIED AT 2-2, BUT MINNESOTA HAS NOT BEEN GREAT IN GAME 5 WITH A 7-GAME SERIES TIED.

ONLY 2-5 COMING INTO THIS ONE.

A BIG GAME TONIGHT, COULD FINISH UP ON THURSDAY.

WE HAVE MORE AFTER THE BRE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> WHEN IT COMES TO WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP, STAYING HEALTHY IS HALF THE BATTLE.

THE WILD GOT BANGED UP THROUGH THEIR FIRST 4-GAMES OF THE POST-SEASON, LOSING TOP LINE FORWARD MATS ZUCUARELLO AND FOURTH LINER YAKOV TRENIN.

BUT BOTH PRACTICED YESTERDAY IN DALLAS, FORESHADOWING BOTH THEIR RETURNS TONIGHT IN GAME FIVE.

WILD AND STARS TIED AT 2-GAMES APIECE IN THIS FIRST ROUND SERIES.

ZUCUARELLO MAKING HIS PRESENCE FELT.

NOW NETTING HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE PLAYOFFS GIVING THE WILD A 1-0 LEAD.

STARS CAME IN 8th FOR 19 ON THE POWER PLAY.

THEY EVEN THE SCORE AT 1-1.

WILD WERE 3 FOR 19 ON THE POWER PLAY BUT MAT GIVES THEM A POWER PLAY GOAL.

MICHAEL EXTENDS THE LEAD, BEATS JAKE, MAKES IT 3-1.

THE WILD HOLD ON TO WIN GAME 5, 4-2 AND TAKE A 3-2 SERIES LEAD.

MINNESOTA WAS JUST 2-5 IN GAME 5 WHEN THE SERIES WAS TIED AT 2-2.

THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO CLOSE OUT THE SERIES AT HOME ON THURSDAY.

TWINS ALSO PLAY TONIGHT, THEY FELL TO THE MARINERS 7-1.

>>> BEMIDJI SOFTBALL IS 2-3 TO START THE SEASON AND COMING OFF A TOUGH 5-2 LOSS TO CLOQUET ON SATURDAY, A GAME IN WHICH THEY HAD THE WINNING RUN ON THIRD IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH, BUT COULDN'T COME UP WITH THE CLUTCH HIT.

GRAND RAPIDS IS 4-4 AFTER WINNING 2-OF-3 IN THEIR IRC TOURNAMENT LAST FRIDAY.

LUMBERJACKS HOSTING THE THUNDERHAWKS TODAY, THE TWO TEAMS 3-3 IN THEIR LAST 6-MEETINGS.

PICK UP THE TOP OF THE 2nd, NO SCORE, RUNNER ON 3rd FOR EMMA.

SHE RIDES THE CHALK FOR AN R.B.I.

DOUBLE.

SHE FINISHES WITH FOUR RIBBYES.

AND THEN KYLIE SENDS IT TO THE PARKING LOT, 2-RUN SHOT.

IT WAS 7-0 AFTER THREE.

NOW RAPIDS WITH RUNNERS ON THE CORNER, ELLA STROKES ONE TO RIGHT CENTER.

EMILY TRIES TO SCORE FROM FIRST BUT IS CALLED OUT TO END THE INNING.

THAT'S HOW THE T-HAWKS WENT, AS BEMIDJI WINS 12-1 IN FIVE.

NO PROBLEM GETTING THE BATS GOING HERE.

THE WINNER FOR THE LUMBERJACKS, SHE HAD 4K'S ALSO A HOME RUN.

>>> MORE SCORES FOR YOU, SARTELL BEATS BRAINERD.

SEBEKA SPLITS WITH PARKERS PRAIRIE.

IN DOUBLE HEADERS, WADENA DEER CREEK GETTING BOTH WINS OVER BERTHA-HEWITT.

AITKIN WINS.

BLACKDUCK HANDLES DEER RIVER.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS AND ROSEAU BOTH COLLECTING WINS AS WELL.

LITTLE FALLS DROPS A GAME TO ALBANY.

NEVIS AND EAST POLK PICKING UP WINS.

BASEBALL, ALEXANDRIA SWEEPS THERE.

LITTLE FALLS GETS THE WIN.

CROSBY-IRONTON GETS ONE ON OVER RUSH CITY.

FOSSTON AND WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY BOTH GETTING WINS TODAY.

CHERRY BEATS BLACKDUCK.

NORTHOME-KELLIHER HANDLES CASS LAKE-BENA.

WADENA DEER CREEK GETS THE WIN.

MENAHGA EDGES OTTER TAIL CENTRAL.

WARROAD BEATS ROSEAU 13-3.

SEBEKA FALLS TO PARKERS PRAIRIE.

>>> WELL IN GIRLS LACROSSE, GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY ON THE ROAD.

MIDWAY THROUGH THE SECOND QUARTER, DISHING TO HER SISTER WHO FIRES 5 TO TIE THE GAME AT 1-1.

LIGHTNING STRIKE BACK WITH A SISTER PAIR OF THEIR OWN, KATE TO SOPHIE, WHO GOES UP AND OVER EVERYONE TO TAKE BACK THE LEAD.

LATER TIED AT 2-2, BURIES IT AS TIME EXPIRES ON THE HALF.

G.R.G.

GOES ON TO WIN A NAIL BITER, IMPROVING TO 2-4 FOR THE SEASON.

>>> A FEW MORE SCORES AS WELL, BRAINERD BEATS BECKER.

ON THE BOY'S SIDE, BRAINERD TOPS BECKER.

IN BOYS TENNIS, GRAND RAPIDS BEATS BEMIDJI.

SARTELL EDGES BRAINERD 4-3.

SOMETHING PRETTY COOL THAT HAPPENED TODAY, THE CO DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, THE QUARTERBACK COACH AT BSU GETS TO ATTEND THE MINI-CAMP FOR THE BUCCANEERS NATIONAL COACHING ACADEMY.

THAT IS ONLY 25 COACHES GET SELECTED SO IT'S A PRETTY NEAT GROUP, SMALL GROUP OF GUYS AND SELECT GROUP.

HE GETS TO LEARN FROM THE BIG GUYS IN THE NFL.

>> Dennis: 25 OUT OF 3,000.

>> Charlie: OVER 3,000.

EVERY YEAR, THAT'S WHAT THEY GET.

>> Dennis: WOW.

>> Charlie: PRETTY COOL.

>> Dennis: GOOD FOR HIM.

THANKS CHARLIE.

SMOKEY BEAR HAS BEEN TEACHING GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS FOR OVER 80 YEARS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WILDFIRE PREVENTION.

SMOKEY VISITED PAUL BUNYAN PARK IN BEMIDJI LAST FRIDAY.

BECAUSE HE BELIEVES THE AREA IS AT HIGH RISK OF WILDFIRES HAPPENING THIS SPRING AND SUMMER.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD'S EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, HAS MORE ON WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT WILDFIRES.

>> Reporter: AS WE APPROACH THE SPRING AND SUMMER SEASONS, RESIDENTS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE BEMIDJI AREA BETTER GET USE TO SEEING THEIR SMOKEY BEAR SIGNS AT HIGH AND SOMETIMES EXTREME RISK OF WILDFIRES.

>> IT'S DUE TO THE CONDITIONS THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING.

YOU WENT INTO A DROUGHT LAST YEAR AND IT REALLY HASN'T IMPROVED AND THEN COMPOUNDED BY THE DERECHO LAST YEAR.

THAT BLOW DOWN BROUGHT ALL THESE TREES AND BRUSH AND EVERYTHING DOWN.

THAT MAKES LIGHTER FUEL FOR FIRES.

>> Reporter: SMOKEY BEAR WAS CREATED IN 1944, HIS FAMOUS CATCH PHRASE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1947.

SMOKE WE VISITED PAUL BUNYAN PARK IN BEMIDJI TO SPREAD THAT VERY SAME MESSAGE, WHICH REMAINS JUST AS RELEVANT AND URGENT TODAY AS IT HAS EVER BEEN.

>> THIS IS AN EVENT WE HOPE TO HAVE RESIDENTS BE AWARE AND INFORMED OF THE SITUATION SO THEY CAN MAKE THAT GREAT DECISION AND THAT GREAT CHOICE AS WE GET INTO THE HIGHTOWERIST -- HIGH TOURIST SEASON.

>> WE HOPE THEY UNDERSTAND AND ARE AWARE OF THEIR ACTIONS.

IF THEY'RE VISITING THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST, IF THEY ARE HIKING, HUNTING, BOATING, THAT THEY'RE CAREFUL WITH THINGS THAT MIGHT START A FIRE BECAUSE IT CAN BE VERY DRY AND THE EFFECTS OF WILDFIRE CAN BE INCREDIBLY DAMAGING.

>> Reporter: SMOKEY HOPES THAT THE BEMIDJI AREA RESIDENTS PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR CAMPFIRES AND DEBRIS BURN PILES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ABUNDANCE OF FUEL SUPPLIED BY THE JUNE 21ST STORM.

>> MAKE SURE THAT ANY KIND OF CAMPFIRES YOU MAY SET DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, DURING THE FISHING AND THE COOKOUTS ARE OUT BEFORE YOU LEAVE IT AND WITH ANY KIND OF MATERIAL THAT IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO BE FIRE-WISE.

>> MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LEAVE ANY OF THE DEBRIS BURNS BURNING.

IT NEEDS TO BE AS COLD AS YOUR CAMPFIRE.

YOU NEED TO HAVE WATER, A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, A SHOVEL, ALL THOSE THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT THAT OUT AND BASICALLY BE CAREFUL.

IF YOU SEE SMOKE, REPORT IT.

CALL 9-1-1.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

[♪♪♪] >> THE RED LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE EVENT TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF WILDFIRE PREVENTION.

>>> OF COURSE, SMOKEY THE BEAR, NO ONE DOES IT BETTER THAN HIM AS FAR AS WILDFIRE PREVENTION.

BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS DROPPING INTO THE 20s, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME RAIN OR SPRINKLES OR POSSIBLY SOME SNOW IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON.

LOOK FOR HIGHS NEAR 48.

THEN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK, IT WILL BE DRY.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE, BUT TEMPERATURES REMAIN PRETTY COOL THROUGH AT LEAST FRIDAY AND WE START TO SEE A WARM UP THIS WEEKEND, HIGHS COULD BE NEAR 62 ON SUNDAY.

>> Dennis: I THINK I SAID SMOKEY THE BEAR, I THINK IT'S SMOKEY BEAR NOW.

WHEN I WAS A KID, THERE WAS A THE IN THERE.

I GUESS I TOOK AWAY YOUR TIME.

THAT'S GOING TO WRAP UP OUR SHOW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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