>> 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.

>>> VOTERS IN DISTRICT 6 WENT TO THE POLLS TODAY TO ELECT A NEW STATE SENATOR FOR THE DISTRICT.

THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT INCLUDE REPUBLICAN KERI HEINTZEMAN AND D.F.L.ER DENISE SLIPY.

THE WINNER WILL FILL THE SEAT THAT OPENED UP WHEN JUSTIN EICHORN RESIGNED LAST MONTH.

EICHORN GAVE UP HIS SEAT AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED COERCION AND ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR AFTER HIS ARREST IN AN UNDERAGE PROSTITUTION STING.

THE WINNER OF TODAYS ELECTION WILL JOIN THE LEGISLATURE WITH ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO GO BEFORE SESSION IS SLATED TO END ON MAY 19TH.

DEMOCRATS WILL RETAIN CONTROL OF THE SENATE REGARDLESS OF WHO WINS THE SPECIAL ELECTION BUT A WIN FOR HEINTZEMAN WOULD NARROW THE D.F.L.

MARGIN TO ONE VOTE.

SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE RESULTS.

THESE ARE FINAL, 100% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING AND YOUR NEW DISTRICT 6 STATE SENATOR IS KERRY HEINZMAN.

SHE HAS 60% OF THE VOTE TONIGHT, TOPS DENISE SLIPY AND WILL TAKE OVER THE SENATE DISTRICT 6 SEAT.

>>> U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ANGIE CRAIG IS THE LATEST MINNESOTA DEMOCRAT TO ENTER AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE RACE FOR THE U.S. SENATE SEAT HELD BY THE RETIRING SENATOR TINA SMITH.

IN HER LAUNCH VIDEO UNVEILED TUESDAY, CRAIG VOWS TO BREAK THROUGH THE CHAOS.

SHE SAYS SHE'LL FIGHT BACK AGAINST, “A PRESIDENT TRAMPLING OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS AS HE PROFITS FOR PERSONAL GAIN, AND A COWARDLY REPUBLICAN PARTY ROLLING OVER AND LETTING IT ALL HAPPEN.” CRAIG IS ENTERING THE SENATE RACE AFTER HOLDING RECENT TOWN HALL MEETINGS IN ALL FOUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS HELD BY MINNESOTA REPUBLICANS.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN AND FORMER STATE SENATOR MELISA LOPEZ FRANSON HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED INTENTIONS TO SEEK THAT SENATE SEAT.

SMITH ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY THAT SHE WOULDN'T RUN AGAIN.

>>> ON THIS 100TH DAY OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, VARIOUS SURVEYS AND POLLS SHOW GROWING PESSIMISM AMONG U.S. CONSUMERS.

MUCH OF IT CENTERED ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S CHAOTIC TARIFF POLICY THAT HAS RATTLED BOTH WALL STREET AND MAIN STREET WITH NEAR-DAILY CHANGES IN COURSE.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, HIS TREASURY SECRETARY WORKED TO CURB AMERICANS' UNEASE ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTS.

>> Reporter: TREASURY SECRETARY AT THE WHITE HOUSE THIS MORNING, HOPING TO REASSURE AN ANXIOUS AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT TARIFF THREATS ARE UNDERWAY.

>> WE HAVE 18 IMPORTANT TRADING RELATIONSHIPS, WE WILL BE SPEAKING TO ALL OF THOSE PARTNERS OR AT LEAST 17 OF THEM OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> Reporter: IT WASN'T REVEALED IF ONE OF THOSE WAS CHINA.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHO IS TALKING TO WHO.

>> Reporter: WHEN ASKED THIS MORNING, SAYING AMAZON MAY SOON DISPLAY TARIFF UP CHARGES.

CAROLINE LEAVITT QUICKLY STEPPED IN.

>> I GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH THE PRESIDENT ABOUT AMAZON'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

THIS IS A HOSTILE AND POLITICAL ACT.

>> Reporter: AMAZON SAID THEY NEVER PLANNED TO POST TARIFF INCREASES ON THEIR RETAIL SITE BUT WAS CONSIDERING IT ON HALL, BUT ADDED THAT CHANGE IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

HE PRAISED THE TAX BILL THAT WOULD MAKE PERMANENT TRUMP'S 2017 TAX CUT AND PROMISES.

>> NO TAX ON TIPS, ON SECURITY, ON OVERTIME, AND FOR AMERICAN MADE AUTOS.

>> Reporter: TO GET THAT BILL THROUGH CONGRESS, COULD PUT TINS OF BILLIONS IN MEDICAID DOLLARS AT RISK, WHICH SOME DEMOCRATS SEE AS A POLITICAL OPENING.

>> I THINK IF WE CAN MOUNT A SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE HERE IN CONGRESS, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL BE REASSURED THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO COURSE OF WHAT HAPPENS HERE IN CONGRESS IN TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY.

>> Reporter: I'M LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTING.

>> AND TODAY PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO RELAX SOME OF HIS 25-PERCENT TARIFFS ON AUTOS AND AUTO PARTS.

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT REVERSAL AS THE IMPORT TAXES THREATENED TO HURT DOMESTIC MANUFACTURERS.

>>> BRITISH PROSECUTORS SAY A MAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF MANSLAUGHTER FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF HOCKEY PLAYER ADAM JOHNSON HAS BEEN TOLD HE WILL NOT FACE ANY CHARGES.

JOHNSON WAS FROM HIBBING PLAYED IN COLLEGE FOR THE MINNESOTA DULUTH BULLDOGS.

HE WAS PLAYING OVERSEAS FOR THE NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS AND DIED SHORTLY AFTER HIS NECK WAS SLICED IN A COLLISION WITH THE OPPOSING TEAMS MATT PETGRAVE DURING A GAME ON OCTOBER 28TH OF 2023.

A MAN WAS ARRESTED TWO WEEKS LATER AND THOUGH SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE HAS NOT PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED HIM, PETGRAVE HIMSELF SAID IN A CROWDFUNDING APPEAL FOR LEGAL FEES THAT HE WAS THE SUBJECT OF A POLICE INVESTIGATION.

THE CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE SAYS IT DECIDED IT WOULD NOT BRING CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THE MAN ARRESTED BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A REALISTIC PROSPECT OF CONVICTION FOR ANY CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

>>> A FEW WEEKS AGO, BEMIDJI FIRE CHIEF, JUSTIN SHERWOOD, APPROACHED THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL ABOUT WHAT HE FEELS ARE CRITICAL STAFFING NEEDS FOR THE BEMIDJI FIRE STATION.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SAT DOWN WITH CHIEF SHERWOOD TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIS CONCERNS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO BEMIDJI FIRE CHIEF, THE CURRENT STAFFING MODEL AT THE FIRE STATION HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 2004, WHICH LED TO OPERATIONAL STRAIN AND FIREFIGHTER FATIGUE.

>> YEAR-TO-DATE, OUR MEMBERS HAVE GONE OUT TO CALL 64 TIMES WITH 2 OR LESS FIRES.

>> Reporter: THEY OPERATE WITH 9 CAREER FIREFIGHTERS ACROSS FOUR FIRE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

DESPITE THE NATIONAL STANDARD, THE BEMIDJI FIRE STATION CAN ONLY GUARANTEE ONE CAREER FIREFIGHTER ON THE PRIMARY RESPONSE ENGINE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR GOOD ENOUGH IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR FAR TOO LONG.

WE WANT TO PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE, BUT HOW CAN YOU DO THAT WHEN NO ONE IS TAKING CARE OF YOU?

HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH THAT?

>> Reporter: THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS SEEN A GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF CALLS THEY RESPOND TO EACH YEAR, RESPONDING TO 950 IN 2020, AND THEN 1,400 IN 2024, ALL WITHOUT SEEING AN INCREASE IN STAFFING.

>> WHEN YOU'RE GOING ON THESE CALLS BY YOURSELF, AND YOU'RE HAVING TO PROCESS THIS BY YOURSELF, IT TAKES A TOLL.

I HAVE BEEN SERVING THIS CITY SINCE 2002.

I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THINGS, A LOT OF BAD.

AFTER A WHILE, YOU BECOME CONSUMED WITH THE NEGATIVE.

THE MENTAL TOLL IS VERY REAL AND IT EATS AT YOU A LITTLE BIT OVERTIME.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU THERE, YOU'RE GOING DOWN A DARK HOLE.

>> Reporter: A FREEZE ON FEDERAL FUNDING HAS PUT A QUESTION MARK ON THE GRANT THAT THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THEM TO APPLY FOR, THERE IS A CONSENSUS ON THE STAFFING ISSUES AT THE FIRE STATION.

>> MOVING FORWARD WITH THE STAFFING IN SOME FORM OR FASHION NEXT YEAR AND I WAS EXCITED FOR THAT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT I WAS THERE LOOKING FOR, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE CAN ALWAYS HOPE FOR, THAT PLAN A IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE A BACK UP PLAN AND IN ALL THINGS WE DO, ESPECIALLY IN MY JOB, THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO GO.

I WAS APPRECIATIVE OF THOSE MEMBERS THAT VOICED APPROVAL OF THAT.

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

>> Dennis: AND WE WANT TO NOTE, CHIEF SHERWOOD WILL BE RECEIVING THE INAUGURAL N.T.C.

IMPACT AWARD FOR HIS ROLE AS BEMIDJI FIRE CHIEF SINCE 2021, AND HIS OVER 20-YEAR CAREER IN FIRE SERVICES.

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

>>> EACH MONTH THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS THEIR BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES TO HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES NETWORK AND COLLABORATE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL WAS AT THIS MORNING'S MEETING AND HAS MORE.

>> MEMBERS OF THE BRAINERD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MET TODAY TO LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING AND SOME TIPS ON THE BEST WAY TO DO SO.

>> TODAY'S EVENT WAS ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE NETWORK MORE COMFORTABLY, THAT THEY CAN MASTER THEMSELVES AND NOT BE AS NERVOUS WHEN THEY WALK INTO A ROOM TO REALLY WORK ON DEVELOPING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL HELP BUILD THEIR BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: THE MEETING WAS A PART OF THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S MONTHLY WORKSHOP PROGRAM, THE BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES.

>> WE HAD A SOLD OUT EVENT TODAY, SO ALL OF THE CHAIRS WERE FULL AND PEOPLE WERE REALLY EXCITED TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO COLLABORATE, GET TO KNOW PEOPLE, AND JUST LEARN HOW TO MAKE THOSE ELEVATOR PITCHES.

IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.

>> Reporter: THE CHAMBER STARTED UTILIZING CHAMBER MEMBERS TO LEAD THE WORKSHOPS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING BUSINESS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS SERIES THAT HAPPENED AND WE HAVE OUR BUSINESS OWNERS TEACHING OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS AND KEY BUSINESS ROLES, ALL ABOUT KIND OF WHAT'S GOING ON AND KEY THINGS.

OUR MAIN GOAL ALWAYS AT THE CHAMBER IS JUST TO CONNECT BUSINESSES TOGETHER AND TO SHOW THAT YOU KNOW, WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER AND WE CAN ACCOMPLISH A LOT OF THINGS.

>> Reporter: NICOLE, THE DIRECTOR OF TOURISM FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAID HAVING THESE WORKSHOPS RUN BY LOCAL BUSINESSES STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE BEST PART ABOUT IT IS THAT PEOPLE KNOW THEY GET TO MEET PEOPLE THEY WILL INTERACT WITH THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREER.

IT'S A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO MEET ONE ANOTHER AND ALSO TO GATHER INFORMATION ABOUT EACH OTHER SO THEY CAN SHARE THAT AND JUST MAKE THE COMMUNITY EVEN BETTER.

>> Reporter: THE BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES ALLOWS MEMBERS TO GAIN EXPERT KNOWLEDGE FROM PEERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THESE MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE, THEY ARE ABLE TO TEACH EVERYONE HOW TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE BUSINESSES, BUT NOT JUST THE BUSINESS THEMSELVES, BUT GIVE THEM TIPS BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE THESE PEOPLE BUSINESS OWNERS, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE REALLY GREAT KNOWLEDGE IN CERTAIN AREAS THAT OTHERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

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

>> Dennis: THE NEXT BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES WILL BE BASED AROUND ESTATE PLANNING.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO ATTEND YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WEBSITE.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A WARMER WEEKEND YOU SAID, BUT UNTIL THEN, NOT SO NICE?

>> Stacy: WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE SOME CHANCES OF RAIN AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA.

OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, TEMPERATURE-WISE, A LITTLE BIT WARMER TOMORROW, COOLING DOWN JUST A BIT AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY BUT FOR THE WEEKEND, WE ARE LOOKING AT A BIG WARM UP, HIGHS IN THE 60s TO MID-70s ON SATURDAY AND POSSIBLY 75 TO 80 ON SUNDAY.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE FOR 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: WELL, WE DID ENJOY A NICE SUNNY DAY TODAY, ALTHOUGH TEMPERATURES WERE A LITTLE BIT ON THE COOL SIDE FOR US.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS.

THERE IS A CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, AND THOSE WILL ACROSS THE AREA ON THURSDAY, COOLING OFF THURSDAY.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE WILL SEE A BIG WARM UP AND A LOT OF SUNSHINE FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 41 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE FROM THE EAST AT 3 MILES PER HOUR, 23 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND OVERNIGHT LAST NIGHT, WE PICKED UP 0.07-INCH OF RAIN.

IN BRAINERD, 44 WITH A DEW POINT OF 27, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEAD DID AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, NO RAIN.

WE HAD A FEW CLOUDS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA TODAY, BUT THAT IS ABOUT IT.

LOOKING AT THE OVERNIGHT, IT LOOKS FAIRLY CLEAR FOR MOST OF US, HOWEVER AS WE LOOK TO THE NORTHWEST, WE CAN SEE SOME CLOUDS BEGINNING TO MOVE IN OUR DIRECTION.

WE WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN CLOUDS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, AND THAT IS WHERE WE COULD BE SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO THAT REGION OF THE STATE FOR TOMORROW.

THIS WILL ACROSS THE AREA ON THURSDAY, BUT OTHERWISE IT LOOKS LIKE QUIET AND WARMER WEATHER WILL BE BACK BY THE TIME WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, WE HAVE A GLIMPSE OF THE SUNRISE IN CASS LAKE FROM ANGELA WITH GORGEOUS SKIES FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, AND DEBRA WITH A SUNRISE OVER LAKE ADA.

SONYA SENDING US THE PHOTO OF AN EARLY MORNING VISIT TO BE AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

JOAN SPOTTING ANOTHER VISITOR IN LAPORTE LAST NIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER REPORTING 32 THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE BUT BREEZY, WE HAD A LOW OF 31.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 25 WAS THE LOW BUT ENJOYING SUNNY SKIES TODAY.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, PARTLY SUNNY BUT BRISK.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, THE LOW WAS 29 THIS MORNING.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 54, SO COOLER THAN AVERAGE TEMPERATURES.

AVERAGE HIGH IS AROUND 61.

33 IS THE LOW AND SUNSET AT 8:24.

IN BEMIDJI, WE REACHED A HIGH OF 49, SO AGAIN WE ARE NEARLY 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, 25 IS THE COLD START THIS MORNING AND SUNSET AT 8:29.

AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING A FEW CLOUDS HERE AND THERE AND UPPER LEVEL MOISTURE.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WE WILL SEE THE RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO MAINLY NORTHWEST MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON, THE SAME SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW NIGHT AND CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH MINNESOTA ON THURSDAY, AS FAR AS HIGH TEMPERATURES GO, WE'RE LOOKING AT 69 IN WARROAD, BUT A LOT OF MID TO UPPER 60s AROUND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND A LOT OF SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLEAR TONIGHT, AN INCREASE IN CLOUDS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 33.

TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, 66 FOR THE HIGH, AND THE SOUTH WINDS PICKING UP 10 TO 25.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, THAT LINE OF SHOWERS WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA ON THURSDAY, BUT QUIET WEATHER RETURNS AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, TEMPS ARE COOLER THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, BUT A WARM UP ON THE WEEKEND, 70 ON SATURDAY, 77 ON SUNDAY, A LOT OF SUNSHINE THIS WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

THE MINNESOTA WILD ARE GOING BACK IN FRONT WITH WITH THEIR SERIES WITH VEGAS.

>> Charlie: YES, IT'S BEEN BACK AND FORTH FOR BOTH TEAMS.

THE WILD WERE UP 2-1 IN THE SERIES AND THEN IT GOT TIED OVER THE WEEKEND.

WE HAVE A PIVOTAL GAME FIVE OUT IN VEGAS TONIGHT.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT GAME AND MORE >> 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.

>> NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY LVI SUPPLY.

MORE INFO AT 218-44-3930 OR LVISUPPLY.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORT WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> IT'S BEEN A BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR SO FAR BETWEEN THE WILD AND THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS.

AFTER TAKING A 2-1 SERIES LEAD WITH A GAME-3 WIN ON HOME ICE, MINNESOTA WOULD SURRENDERED GAME-4 AT HOME ON SUNDAY TO VEGAS, 4-3 IN OVERTIME, TO EVEN THE FIRST ROUND AT TWO GAMES APIECE.

THE SERIES SHIFTED BACK TO LAS VEGAS TONIGHT.

WINNER PULLS TO WITHIN ONE GAME OF MOVING ON TO THE WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS.

A LOT AT STAKE.

WILD ON THE POWER PLAY BUT JACK STEALS THE PUCK.

MATT GOALIE AT THE POINT, CAN'T STOP HIM.

A SHORT AND A GOAL, IT'S 1-0 VEGAS.

SAME POWER PLAY, JUST 13 SECONDS LATER.

ONE TIMER FROM MATT, FIFTH OF THE POST-SEASON, DEADLOCKS THE GAME AT 1-1.

AND NOW THE GOLDEN NIGHTS ARE BACK IN FRONT.

2-1 IS THE SCORE RIGHT NOW NEARING THE END OF THE SECOND PERIOD, A TEAM THAT SCORED FIRST HAS WON EVERY GAME SO FAR THIS SERIES, WHICH DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR THE WILD THIS EVENING.

>>> IN THE TWINS GAME RIGHT NOW, THAT GAME WAS DELAYED DUE TO RAIN, IT'S TIED 1-1 TOP OF THE 8th.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE BASEBALL WITH A DOUBLE-HEADER TODAY AT MINOT STATE.

IN GAME ONE, STILL SCORELESS IN THE TOP OF THE 4TH.

TWO ON, ADRIAN FALCON GONNA BREAK THE TIE, CHOPPER IS GOOD FOR AN R.B.I.

SINGLE.

BSU WOULD LEAD 2-0 AFTER FOUR.

THEN IN THE 5TH, MATT FILLIPI WITH A MAN ON, GET OUT BALL.

THAT'S THE 3RD HOME RUN IN 5-GAMES FOR THE SOPHOMORE, HIS 5-TH OVERALL THIS SEASON.

FILLIPI WAS ALSO THE STARTING PITCHER, THROWING 5-SCORELSS INNINGS TO HELP LIFT BEMIDJI STATE TO A 5-1 WIN IN GAME.

THEY WOULD LOSE GAME TWO THOUGH TO SPLIT THE DOUBLE HEADER IN THE BATTLE OF THE BEAVERS.

>>> AFTER LOSING THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON, THEY ARE NOW SEEKING THEIR 6th WITHIN.

OLIVER AT THE DISH FOR THE THUNDER HAWKS.

CALEB IS ABLE TO COME HOME, THEY DRAW FIRST BLOOD, IT'S 1-0.

JOE MAKES THE EASY PLAY AT FIRST BUT SCORING FOR THE 2-0 LEAD.

T HAWKS WINS, KEEPING THE STREAK ALIVE.

A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU, BEMIDJI FALLS TO DULUTH MARSHALL, SAME TO BRAINERD AND ST.

CLOUD.

LITTLE FALLS DROPPING ONE TO ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL.

CROSBY-IRONTON BLANKED BY RUSS CITY.

PEQUOT LAKES, THEY DROP THEIR FIRST GAME TO SWANVILLE, BUT RALLY BACK TO BEAT ME LACK CAN IN THE SECOND ONE.

IN THE SOFTBALL SIDE OF THINGS, RUSH CITY GETS THE BETTER OF CROSBY-IRONTON.

BLACKDUCK WIN OVER DEER RIVER.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS BEATS NO LAND.

WADENA DEER CREEK SWEEPING THE DOUBLE HEADER.

PEQUOT LAKES SWEEPING THEIR DOUBLE HEADER.

SEBEKA DROPS BOTH GAMES.

BRAINERD GETTING THE WIN AND GREEN WAY FALLS.

BRAINERD GETTING THE WINS ON THE GIRL'S SIDE BUT GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY, THEY WIN THEIR TWO IN BOYS TENNIS.

BRAINERD FALLS TO ALEXANDRIA, 7-0.

>>> AND THE TIMBERWOLVES COULD CLOSE OUT THEIR FIRST ROUND SERIES WITH THE LAKERS TOMORROW NIGHT WITH A VICTORY IN LOS ANGELES.

MINNESOTA TOOK A COMMANDING 3-1 SERIES LEAD AFTER A 4TH QUARTER COME FROM VICTORY ON SUNDAY AT THE TARGET CENTER.

AFTER TODAY'S PRACTICE, MIKE CONLEY REVEALED THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THEIR PLAY THIS POST-SEASON.

>> MY MOTIVATION IS OUTSIDE OF OUR TEAM, WE WILL LINE UP THERE TOMORROW, WE WILL THINK ABOUT THAT.

IT'S NOT EASY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO CLOSE OUT LeBRON, LUCCA, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH TASK.

SO IT IS THE HARDEST GAME WE'LL HAVE TO PLAY AND OUR MINDSET HAS TO KEEP IT THERE.

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME.

>> THE TIMBERWOLVES SCORED 116 OR MORE POINTS, AVERAGING JUST OVER 47-PERCENT SHOOTING FROM THE FIELD IN ALL THREE WINS THIS SERIES.

IN THEIR LONE LOSS, THE LAKERS HELD THEM TO A SEASON LOW 85-POINTS ON JUST 38-PERCENT SHOOTING.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> TURKEY HUNTING SEASON STARTED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

IS PARTNERING WITH PHEASANTS FOREVER IN AN ATTEMPT TO BRING MORE ATTENTION TO THE SPORT AND ENTICE NEW HUNTERS TO GET OUT IN THE FIELD.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE HUNTER MENTOR PLEDGE AND ALSO GOT SOME HELP FROM LAKELAND PBS VIEWERS FOR THIS WEEK'S TURKEY THEMED NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: MINNESOTA NATURE IS FULL OF DIFFERENT BIRDS BUT CERTAIN MINNESOTANS ARE LISTENING FOR A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BIRD CALL.

>> WE HAVE ROUGHLY 60,000 SPRING TURKEY HUNTERS THAT WILL BE HITTING THE WOODS.

THE LAST TWO SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REALLY, REALLY PRODUCTIVE.

>> Reporter: SPRING TURKEY HUNTING SEASON HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR TWO WEEKS NOW AND THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

IS JOINING FORCES WITH THE PHEASANTS FOREVER FORCES TO TRY TO GET NEW AND OLD HUNTERS OUT TO GET THEIR OWN GOBBLER.

OVER 2,500 HUNTERS HAVE TAKEN THE PLEDGE WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

>> MENTORSHIP IS THIS SILVER BULLET TO OUR DECLINING HUNTER NUMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

RECOGNIZES THAT AND WANTS TO HELP PROMOTE THE PLEDGE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE REASONS THAT TURKEY HUNTING IS SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE OF THE WILDLIFE.

ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE IT AT FIRST GLANCE, HUNTING COULD BRING BACK SPECIES POPULATIONS.

>> ALMOST ALL OF OUR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT THAT OCCURS ON STATE LANDS IN THIS COUNTRY IS FUNDED THROUGH HUNTER LICENSE SALES.

SO PEOPLE BUYING THOSE LICENSES IS WHAT PAYS THE SALARIES OF PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE ON THE LANDSCAPE.

>> Reporter: BOWS AND CROSS BOWS CAN BE USED ALL OF TURKEY HUNTING SEASON, WHICH ENDS ON MAY 31st AND FIREARMS CAN BE USED WITHIN A ONE WEEK SPAN, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE SPECIFIC REGISTRATION ALLOWS.

THE D.N.R.

ALLOWS THE SEIZURE OF ONE TURKEY, BUT THIS MEANS SO MUCH MORE THAN FIRING AN ARROW.

>> THE COMMUNITY BASICALLY IS THE BACKBONE OF PEOPLE'S SUCCESS WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO LEARN SOMETHING THAT HAS SO MANY DIFFERENT ELEMENTS TO IT.

IT'S NOT THE THING YOU JUST PICK UP FROM YOUTUBE.

>> IT ALLOWS PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPRECIATE NATURE, GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY WHAT MINNESOTA HAS TO OFFER IN TERMS OF OUR NATURE RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> AND THE HUNTER MENTOR PLEDGE IS MORE THAN JUST A METAPHORICAL MOVEMENT.

HUNTERS CAN SEND PHOTOS AND DESCRIBE THEIR EXPERIENCE IN TO THE PHEASANTS FOREVER WEB PAGE FOR THE CHANCE TO EARN A PRIZE HUNTING TRIP FOR TWO, SO THE MENTOR CAN TEACH EVEN MORE TO THEIR MENTEE.

>>> BACK TO WEATHER WE GO AND STACY.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT, ALTHOUGH WE WILL START TO SEE THE CLOUDS INCREASING IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, 33 FOR OUR LOW OVERNIGHT.

TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, 66 WILL BE OUR TIE TEMPERATURE, THE SOUTH WINDS WILL PICK UP 10 TO 25.

QUIET WEATHER RETURNS FOR THE WEEKEND, A BIG WARM UP, HIGHS IN THE 70s ON SATURDAY, AND 77 ON SUNDAY.

>> Charlie: WE WILL LET YOU KNOW THE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS FOR WATCHING EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

[♪♪♪]