>> 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.

>>> MACY'S BILL, A PIECE OF LEGISLATION AUTHORED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOSH HEINTZEMAN OF NISSWA PASSED WITH STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE TODAY.

HEINTZEMAN HAS WORKED MANY YEARS ON THIS BILL AFTER MACY KUJAVA AND HER FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN 2015 WHEN A DRIVER WITH A REVOKED LICENSE CROSSED INTO HER LANE AND COLLIDED WITH HER ON A COUNTY ROAD NEAR BRAINERD.

THE LEGISLATION ENHANCES PENALTIES FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS OF DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID LICENSE.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

I WILL JUST SAY TO THOSE WATCHING AND TO THE BODY TODAY, THIS HAS BEEN 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT DAY IN THAT WE ARE FINALLY AT THAT POINT, I BELIEVE, WHERE WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN MAKING SURE THAT THIS GAP, I WOULD MAYBE CHARACTERIZE IT AS, IN TERMS OF THE PENALTIES THAT ARE ON THE TABLE, IN THE CASE OF CAUSING THIS KIND OF HARM.

I WANT TO MENTION THAT MACY'S MOTHER SUE IS IN THE GALLERY TODAY, ALONG WITH MACY'S GRANDMOTHER.

AS MEMBERS, IF WE COULD RECOGNIZE THEM.

[APPLAUSE] >> THE BILL PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 120 IN FAVOR AND 14 OPPOSED.

>>> A 41-YEAR-OLD PARK RAPIDS MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED FOR CRIMINAL SEX CONDUCT AND POSSESSION OF PORNOGRAPHIC WORK OF A MINOR.

PREVIOUSLY AARON ROSS PARKS PLEADED GUILTY TO: ONE COUNT OF CRIMINAL SEX CONDUCT 2ND DEGREE, SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIP VICTIM UNDER 16.

FOR PLEADING GUILTY, ANOTHER COUNT OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT IN THE SECOND DEGREE WAS DROPPED.

PARKS ALSO PLEADED GUILTY TO ONE COUNT OF POSSESS PORNOGRAPHIC WORK-MINOR UNDER 14.

FOR PLEADING GUILTY, FIVE OTHER COUNTS OF THE SAME CHARGE WERE DROPPED.

FOR THE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT CHARGE, PARKS RECEIVED THREE YEARS IN PRISON WITH THE SENTENCE STAYED FOR 25 YEARS AND 90 DAYS IN JAIL.

FOR THE POSSESS PORNOGRAPHIC WORK OF A MINOR UNDER 14, HE RECEIVED THREE YEARS IN PERSON WITH THE SENTENCE STAYED FOR 5 YEARS AND 90 DAYS IN JAIL.

ACCORDING TO THE PLEA AGREEMENT, THE SENTENCES WILL BE SERVED CONCURRENTLY AND PARKS IS BEING GIVEN CREDIT FOR FOUR DAYS TIME SERVED.

THE SENTENCING HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 18TH.

ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS IN THE CASE, THE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT CHARGES INVOLVE A VICTIM WHO WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN THE SUMMER OF 2021.

THE PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL INVOLVING MINORS WAS FOUND ON AN IPAD PARKS OWNED WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WERE INVESTIGATING THE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT CASE.

INVESTIGATORS FOUND 15 IMAGES OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND 87 CHILD EROTICA IMAGES WHICH ARE DESCRIBED AS NUDE PRE-PUBESCENT CHILDREN.

ACCORDING TO THE HUBBARD COUNTY JAIL IN-CUSTODY WEBSITE, PARKS WAS STILL IN CUSTODY AS OF THIS AFTERNOON.

>>> THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR TRAFFICKING FENTANYL TO BEMIDJI AND THE RED LAKE INDIAN RESERVATION.

38-YEAR OLD LA'VEAL ALLEN OF MINNEAPOLIS, 28-YEAR-OLD MARQUISE WALKER OF LAKEVILLE, AND 37-YEAR OLD MICHAELA MCKINNEY OF NEW HOPE ARE CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT WITH CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE FENTANYL AND WITH POSSESSING A FIREARM IN FURTHERANCE OF A DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME.

U.S. ATTORNEY LISA D. KIRKPATRICK SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THE TRIO OF DEFENDANTS HAS PLAGUED THE RED LAKE INDIAN RESERVATION AND BEMIDJI AREA FOR YEARS.

SHE SAYS THE HER OFFICE WILL QUOTE, "ENSURE THESE PURVEYORS OF POISON SEE FEDERAL JUSTICE".

>>> YESTERDAY PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCED FAR-REACHING NEW TARIFFS ON NEARLY ALL U.S. TRADE PARTNERS.

THE MOVE COMES AFTER PREVIOUS LEVIES AGAINST CHINA, CANADA AND MEXICO.

ONE PRODUCT YOU MAY NOT HAVE EXPECTED TO BE AFFECTED BY THE TARIFFS IS HOCKEY EQUIPMENT.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, HOCKEY IS NEARLY $1.2 BILLION INDUSTRY IN NORTH AMERICA.

OVER HALF A MILLION YOUTH PLAYERS ARE REGISTERED WITH U.S. HOCKEY, MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR YOUTH SPORTS IN THE COUNTRY.

GETTING ALL THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO PLAY ALSO MAKES IT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE SPORTS TO PLAY.

WITH THE NEW TARIFF, THE GAME MAY GET PRICIER.

>> YOU CAN SPEND AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU WANT.

IT SKA -- SKATES RANGE FROM $50 TO $1,000.

YOU CAN GET STICKS AT $100, THE COMPOSITE STICKS OR YOU CAN SPEND $400 ON A STICK NOWADAYS.

>> Reporter: THE 25% TARIFF WENT INTO EFFECT TODAY ON CARS AND AUTO PARTS, YOU MAY NOT SEE THE RISE ON SPORTING GOODS LIKE HOCKEY EQUIPMENT.

>> I DON'T THINK IT WILL AFFECT THEM TOO MUCH RIGHT NOW.

THE MAJOR MANUFACTURERS OF HOCKEY HAVEN'T ANNOUNCED PRICE INCREASES.

FROM WHAT I'M SEEING, MOST THINGS ARE NOT GOING UP MORE THAN $10.

YOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS SKATES WILL BE GOING UP MORE THAN THAT, BUT IT'S NOWHERE NEAR THE 25% OR 30% THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT THE PRICES WILL INCREASE BY.

>> Reporter: MIKE SAYS THAT A GREAT WAY TO GET MORE AFFORDABLE EQUIPMENT IS BUYING EQUIPMENT THAT IS USED OR REFURBISHED.

>> WE SELL QUALITY SPORTING GOODS THAT ARE STILL USABLE, THAT PLAYERS CAN RECYCLE AND UP CYCLE, FOR THE FRACTION OF WHAT A NEW PIECE WOULD COST.

>> Reporter: HE DOESN'T BELIEVE THESE TARIFFS WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE YOUTH HOCKEY SCENE IN MINNESOTA.

>> PERSONALLY I DON'T THINK IT WILL AFFECT IT TOO MUCH.

IT MAY PUSH A COUPLE PEOPLE OUT BUT I DON'T THINK IT WILL AFFECT ANYBODY THAT IS PLAYING HOCKEY CURRENTLY OR WANTS TO GET INTO HOCKEY.

I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD AFFECT THEM.

THAT'S WHY THIS COULD BE HELPFUL AS WELL.

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

>> OVER 50,000 KIDS PLAYED YOUTH HOCKEY IN MINNESOTA IN 2024, THAT'S THE MOST OF ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE RECEIVED THE VOTER FRIENDLY CAMPUS DESIGNATION FROM THE FAIR ELECTION CENTER.

C.L.C.

IS ONE OF JUST FOUR CAMPUSES IN THE STATE TO RECEIVE THE HONOR.

THE SCHOOL WAS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR VARIOUS VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTER INFORMATION EVENTS ON CAMPUS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING THEIR REGISTRATION DRIVES AT NEW STUDENT ORIENTATIONS AND THEIR DONUT FORGET TO VOTE EVENT ON ELECTION DAY.

#.

>> A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS ARE MORE TRADITIONAL AGE, 18 YEARS OLD TO 22.

IT'S THEIR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE WHEN WE GET TO THEM FOR THE MOST PART.

SO, WE KNOW THAT IF WE CAN TURN THEM INTO A VOTER WHILE THEY'RE WITH US, THEY WILL PROBABLY BE A LIFELONG VOTER.

>> C.L.C.

WAS PREVIOUSLY RECOGNIZED BY THE ALL IN CAMPUS DEMOCRACY CHALLENGE AS A GOLD CAMPUS FOR HAVING OVER 70 PERCENT OF THE STUDENT POPULATION VOTE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS ANNOUNCED ITS 2025 STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND THERE ARE COUPLE OF BIG ONES SLATED FOR THE LAKELAND VIEWING AREA.

A THREE YEAR PROJECT THAT WILL EXPAND HIGHWAY TEN THROUGH WADENA TO FOUR LANES BEGINS THIS YEAR.

WORK INCLUDES SIDEWALKS/TRAIL, SIGNALS, NEW ROUNDABOUTS, UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE, CITY UTILITIES AND NEW TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS, AND CREWS WILL RECONSTRUCT HIGHWAY 371 THROUGH HACKENSACK TO THREE LANES.

THE PROJECT WILL ADD A CENTER-TURN LANE AND INSTALL A ROUNDABOUT AT THE HIGHWAY 371-CASS COUNTY ROAD FIVE INTERSECTION.

>>> LEAD FOR INCLUSION IS PARTNERING WITH THE BEMIDJI PUBLIC LIBRARY TO HOST THE NON-PROFITS FIRST READ FOR INCLUSION EVENT.

LEAD FOR INCLUSION'S GOAL IS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

THIS EVENT WILL FEATURE AN INTERACTIVE STORY READING LED BY LEAD FOR INCLUSION'S YOUTH LEADERSHIP BOARD MEMBERS, AS WELL AS DISCUSSIONS ABOUT INCLUSION.

>> INCLUSION IS NOT JUST BASED ON THE BOOKS, IT'S BASED ON WHAT YOU HAVE READ, WHETHER IT BE WITH WORDS OR THROUGH PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL WAYS OF INCLUSION.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THEMSELVES AS ADULTS, AS LEADERS.

YOU'RE A PHENOMENAL LEADER, SO FOR PEOPLE TO SEE YOU READING AND HEARING THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TOO.

>> THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON SATURDAY APRIL 5TH FROM 2:00 TO 3:00 P.M. [♪♪♪] >> STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Stacy: ANOTHER WEATHER SYSTEM COULD BRING A BIT OF RAIN AND SNOW TO THE AREA TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN YOUR LOCATION FORECAST.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, JANE DILLON HELD THEIR ANNUAL FAMILY GAME NIGHT.

[♪♪♪ >> 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.

>>> THE MINNESOTA SLED-HOCKEY ASSOCIATION WILL BE HOSTING A MINNESOTA SLED SERIES OPEN-EVENT AT THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY ARENA.

THE MSHA PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE ICE-HOCKEY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL UNABLE TO PLAY STAND-UP HOCKEY DUE TO ANY CHALLENGES TO THEIR PERSONAL MOBILITY.

THE ORGANIZATION WANTS TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY OF INCLUSION, UNDERSTANDING, AS WELL AS PHYSICAL EXERCISE.

>> MY SON HAS BEEN PLAYING SLED HOCKEY FOR 15 YEARS.

HE WAS BORN WITH SPINA BIFIDA, SO WE USED THE WHEELCHAIR TO GET AROUND, BUT WHEN HE IS ON THE ICE, HE CAN FLY.

IT'S GREAT.

IT FEELS REALLY SATISFYING TO GET A NEW PERSON OUT AND SEE THAT THEY CAN PLAY A COMPETITIVE SPORT.

IT CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING, IT REALLY CAN.

>> A SLED HOCKEY DEMONSTRATION WILL BEGIN SATURDAY AT 1:00 P.M. AT THE BCA WITH THE OPEN TRY EVENT BEING FROM 2:00 TO 4:00 P.M. SLEDS AND STICKS WILL BE PROVIDED.

>>> THE BRAINERD COMMUNITY THEATER IS BACK WITH THEIR LATEST PRODUCTION, THIS TIME IT'S THE TONY AWARD WINNING ROCK OPERA “RENT”.

THE SHOW IS ABOUT A GROUP OF FRIENDS LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE 1980'S AS THEY DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES OF THE AIDS EPIDEMIC AND HOW IT AFFECTS THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THEM.

DIRECTOR AMY BORASH SAYS ALTHOUGH THE SHOW TAKES PLACE IN A BIG CITY, THE THEMES ARE RELATABLE TO RURAL AREAS AS WELL.

>> THE THEMES ARE ABOUT CHOSEN FAMILIES, ABOUT COMMUNITY, TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER.

I THINK THERE ARE STILL THE SAME LESSONS IN A SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY THAT YOU GET IN A LARGE COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE.

>> "RENT" WILL BE SHOWING AT THE CHALBERG THEATER ON THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 12TH AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

WE GOT SOME MUCH NEEDED PRECIPITATION OUT OF THIS LAST SNOWSTORM AT LEAST.

>> Stacy: WE DID HAVE THE HEAVY SNOW, AND IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR IT TO MELT AND WE HAD WARMER TEMPERATURES TODAY.

WE HAVE ANOTHER SYSTEM THAT COULD BRING SOME RAIN AND SNOW TO THE AREA TOMORROW.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A QUIET BUT A LITTLE BI >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

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

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE WOKE UP TO SEVERAL INCHES OF NEW SNOW ON THE GROUND, BUT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF THAT SNOW COMPACTING AND MELTING THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS THE HIGHS CLIMB INTO THE 30s AND 40s.

IT LOOKS LIKE QUIET WEATHER TONIGHT.

WE DO HAVE ANOTHER WEATHER SYSTEM THAT COULD BRING A CHANCE FOR RAIN OR SNOW THROUGH THE AREA TOMORROW.

THAT QUIET WEATHER IS BACK THIS WEEKEND BUT TEMPERATURES WILL BE A LITTLE BIT ON THE CHILLY SIDE, AT LEAST THROUGH MONDAY.

RIGHT NOW N BEMIDJI, 36 AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT EAST WIND AT THE STUDIO.

THE DEW POINT IS 28, HUMIDITY AT 74%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 38 DEGREES, 30 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS RISING, AND WINDS ARE CALM.

WE HAVE SEEN QUITE A BIT OF CLOUD COVER IN THE AREA.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STAY RELATIVELY QUIET OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, STILL LOOKING AT A LOT OF CLOUD COVER THROUGH MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA.

WE DO HAVE THE WEATHER SYSTEM, WHICH WILL BE MOVING THROUGH THE AREA TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT, BRINGING A CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW THROUGH NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

WE WOKE UP TO SOME VERY BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES OUT THERE THANKS TO THE NEW SNOW.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM MENAHGA, RALPH FROM JENKINS, AND YOLANDA WITH THOSE PHOTOS, ARLENE WITH A PICTURE THIS MORNING IN LONGVILLE, ALICIA AND DANNY IN NEVIS, ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE SUNSET TONIGHT UNDER THE CLOUDS IN CASS LAKE, AND A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET FROM M.D.

IN RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, KAREN IN BEMIDJI REPORTING 30 DEGREES THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA PICKING UP 10 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY SKIES TODAY, WE HAD A HIGH OF 43.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 9.5 INCHES OF TOTAL SNOWFALL.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING UNDER AN IFRNL OF -- INCH OF SNOWFALL.

IT WAS COOLER THAN AVERAGE, WE HAD A LOW OF 30, AND SUNSET AT 7:49.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 39, SO WE ARE FALLING SHORT OF THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

28 FOR THE LOW AND SUNRISE AT 6:52.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST, 7:00 TOMORROW MORNING, IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER.

WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION, MAINLY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA TO START THE DAY, BUT THAT WILL BE MOVING ACROSS THE AREA.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN AND SNOW AS THE SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH.

IT SHOULD BE MOVING OUT TOMORROW NIGHT AND BY SATURDAY, IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET, BUT TEMPERATURES WILL BE COOL THIS WEEKEND.

AS FAR AS HIGHS TOMORROW, LOOK FOR SOME UPPER 30s TO AROUND 40 DEGREES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH UPPER 30s AND LOW 40s IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF A FEW FLURRIES IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA WITH LOWS NEAR 25.

MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, WITH THE CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW.

A LITTLE BETTER CHANCE IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

40 DEGREES FOR THE HIGH WITH VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 5.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, MOST OF THAT PRECIPITATION WILL BE MOVING OUT FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING, ALTHOUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON A FEW SNOW SHOWERS COULD DEVELOP IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF SUNSHINE THIS WEEKEND, TEMPERATURES COOL WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30s, WE'RE LOOKING AT 33 ON MONDAY, SO AGAIN IT IS GOING TO BE CHILLY EARLY NEXT WEEK, TEMPS SHOULD START TO RECOVER ON TUESDAY, MOSTLY SUNNY WITH HIGHS NEAR 43.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

BIG CURLING COMPETITION.

>> Charlie: YES, GOING OUT IN BOWLING GREEN, OHIO RIGHT NOW.

IT'S THE U21 CURLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WE HAVE A TEAM THERE, THEY ARE TEAM BERG, CURLING OUT OF HERE IN BEMIDJI.

WE'LL GIVE YOU AN UPDATE OF HOW THEY'RE DOING, PASS THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE TOURNAMENT.

THAT'S >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

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.

>>> THE 2025 U21 JUNIOR WOMEN'S CURLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS GOT UNDERWAY TUESDAY AND TEAM BERG A MIX OF FOUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CURLERS FROM BEMIDJI HAVE A 3-AND-2 RECORD AFTER 3 DAYS OF PLAY.

IT ALL STARTED WITH TOUGH FIRST MATCH ON DAY ONE.

THE SQUAD COMING FROM BEHIND TO TIE THE MATCH AT 6-6 HEADING INTO THE 10TH AND FINAL END BEFORE FALLING 7-6.

THEN ON DAY TWO, THE GIRLS GOT A SPLIT, WINNING THE EARLY MATCH 7-4 BEFORE DROPPING THEIR SECOND OF THE DAY 8-7, SURRENDERING 2-POINTS IN THE 10TH END FOR ANOTHER CLOSE LOSS.

TODAY MARKED THEIR THIRD DAY OF ACTION AND THEY PULLED BACK TO .500 WITH A 10-6 WIN IN THE MORNING.

THEN THEY FINALLY GOT TO BRING THE HEARTBREAK, SCORING 2-POINTS TO COME FROM BEHIND IN THE 10TH END AND WIN 7-6.

HERE'S WHERE TEAM BERG SITS IN THE STANDINGS AT THE CONCLUSION OF DAY NUMBER THREE.

THEY HAVE TWO MORE MATCHES TOMORROW.

TOP 4 TEAMS MAKE KNOCK-OUT ROUND ON SUNDAY.

>>> IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES HAVE BEEN HOVERING AROUND THAT 6-7 SPOT IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS ALL SEASON LONG.

IT'S A FINE LINE TO TREAD BECAUSE FINISH IN 6TH PLACE AND YOU'RE IN THE POST-SEASON, FINISH IN 7TH AND YOU'VE GOT TO RUN THE GAUNTLET OF PLAY-IN GAMES.

BUT THE WOLVES HAVE BEEN PLAY WELL HERE DOWN THE STRETCH, WINNING THEIR LAST 3-IN-A-ROW WITH JUST 6-GAMES LEFT TO PLAY.

TONIGHT, TIMBERWOLVES IN NEW JERSEY TAKING ON THE NETS.

WOLVES SITTING IN THE 6TH SPOT, TIED WITH THE CLIPPERS AND THE GRIZZLIES COMING INTO THE GAME.

CLOSE GAME IN THE SECOND QUARTER, MIKE TO RUDY, AND THE FRENCHMAN HAD A DOUBLE-DOUBLE 21 POINTS, 18 REBOUNDS, KNOTS THINGS AT 24.

SCARY MOMENT FOR THE WOLVES, UP 5, ANTHONY EDWARDS WITH THE REBOUND AND THE THREE, BUT AFTER THE SHOT, GOES DOWN, AND STEPS ON THE HEAD COACH AND THEY WOULD END UP TAKING HIM TO THE LOCKER ROOM.

HE WOULD RETURN.

IN THE THIRD, WOLVES UP.

NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T.

THEY TAKE A 71-60 LEAD.

THEN IN THE FOURTH, DEFENSE TURNS TO OFFENSE.

ALEXANDER WITH THE STEAL, ANT WITH THE FINISH.

IT LOOKS FINE TO ME.

TIMBERWOLVES WIN 105-90.

THEY WIN FOUR STRAIGHT AND THEY FALL TO 7th IN THE STANDINGS BECAUSE THE GRIZZLIES WON, THE CLIPPERS DIDN'T, SO IT'S NO LONGER A THREE WAY TIE.

IT'S ALL CONVOLUTED BUT THERE ARE STILL FIVE MORE GAMES FOR IT TO SHAKE OUT.

>>> NOW THE TWINS HOSTING THE ASTROS.

MINNESOTA HAS WON TWO IN A ROW, AND THEY LOOKED GOOD EARLY.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST, A RUNNER ON THIRD, GETS THE FIELDERS CHOICE, AND NOW IT'S 1-0.

LATER IN THE INNING, TREVOR WITH A MAN ON SECOND, SPRAYS ONE OUT TO LEFT CENTER TO GIVE THE TWINS A 2-0 LEAD.

AFTER BACK TO BACK HOMERS IN THE TOP OF THE SECOND BY HOUSTON, THE ASTROS ARE LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAD.

RUNNERS ON SECOND AND THIRD, ROGERS SCORES TWO, ASTROS WINS 5-2 SPOILING MINNESOTA'S HOME OPENING DAY.

>>> WELL, WILLIAMS ARENA AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS “THE BARN”, IS ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE AND UNIQUE BUILDINGS IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS AND IT MAY HAVE A NEW NAME IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT HAS PARTNERED WITH INDEPENDENT SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT TO EXPLORE POTENTIAL NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE ARENA.

THE HISTORIC VENUE OPENED IT'S DOORS IN 1928 AND IS HOME TO BOTH MINNESOTA MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, WHILE ALSO HOSTING STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS, BIG TEN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND THE MINNESOTA LYNX DURING THEIR 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON.

THE MOVE IS EXPECTED TO HELP GENERATE REVENUE AMIDST THE HOUSE SETTLEMENT RULING THAT WOULD ALLOW NCAA INSTITUTIONS TO COMPENSATE STUDENT-ATHLETES WITH A SHARE OF UP TO $20.5 MILLION ANNUALLY.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT THEY'RE THINKING OF GIVING TO THOSE ATHLETES.

>> Dennis: THERE ARE NOT MANY ARENAS THAT ARE NOT NAMED ANYMORE, ARE THERE?

>> Charlie: NO, IT'S RARE TO SEE THAT.

IT'S INTERESTING HOW THEY GOT THAT NAME.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> SCHOOLS MAY BE A PLACE FOR LEARNING, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN STUDENTS CAN'T HAVE FUN TOO.

EVERY YEAR GENE DILLON ELEMENTARY IN BEMIDJI HOSTS A FAMILY FUN NIGHT FOR THEIR TITLE ONE STUDENTS TO SHOW PARENTS HOW THE KIDS INTEGRATE LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: PASS COLLECTING TO $200 HAS NEVER BEEN MORE INFORMATIONAL.

THE FAMILY FUN GAME NIGHT, WHERE THEY GOT TO BE THE TEACHERS FOR THE NIGHT FOR GAMES LIKE CHECKERS, MONOPOLY, OR CLUE.

>> IT'S LIKE A MURDER MYSTERY GAME.

YOU GET TO FIND OUT WHO MURDERED SOMEONE IN A ROOM AND WITH A WEAPON.

>> I AM PLAYING THE FIFTH GRADE PRINCIPAL AND THE FOURTH GRADE PRINCIPAL.

THEN MY MOM.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT IS HELD TO WORK ON FAMILY ENGAGEMENT.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT INVOLVES PARENTS AND THESE DAYS, PARENTS NEED TO BE INVOLVED WITH THEIR KIDS' LEARNING.

THE FAMILIES ARE SOMETIMES A LITTLE HESITANT COMING IN, BUT BY THE END OF THE NIGHT, THEY'RE ALWAYS HAVING A REALLY GOOD TIME AND HAVING FUN.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE LESS THAN IDEAL WEATHER CONDITIONS CREATING LOWER PARTICIPATION THAN USUAL, SEVERAL FAMILIES CAME TO PLAY.

>> AND THEY'RE PROUD, VERY PROUD OF THE THINGS THEY DO AND THE SCHOOL THEY GO TO.

SO, VERY, VERY POSITIVE.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILIES HAVE A MULTITUDE OF GAMES TO CHOOSE FROM AND ON TOP OF PLAYING THEM, AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, THEY WILL GET TO CHOOSE ONE TO TAKE HOME.

>> I AM TAKING BATTLESHIP AND MONOPOLY.

>> Reporter: ON TOP OF GETTING FREE GAMES TO PLAY AT HOME, PARENTS ALSO GET TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND SEE HOW THEY INTEGRATE THESE GAMES WITH TOPICS LIKE MATH, READING, AND WRITING.

>> A BIG PART IS JUST SPENDING TIME TOGETHER.

KIDS LOVER -- LOVE WHEN THE PARENTS SPEND TIME WITH THEM AND THE PARENTS LOVE WHEN THE KIDS WILL HANG OUT WITH THEM AND TURN OFF THE ELECTRONICS AND JUST HAVE CONVERSATIONS.

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

>> Dennis: BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: LOWS NEAR 25, AND TOMORROW MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WE DO HAVE A CHANCE OF SOME RAIN OR SNOW MOVING THROUGHOUT THE AREA, WE'LL BE SEEING HIGHS NEAR 40, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 5, IT LOOKS LIKE QUIET WEATHER AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, COOL, WARMING UP BY TUESDAY.

>> Charlie: TENNIS MOVES INSIDE TOMORROW SO WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF TENNIS AND MORE TOMORROW NIGHT.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]