>> 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.

>>> AS WE FIRST TOLD YOU LAST NIGHT AT 10:00, REPUBLICAN KERI HEINTZEMAN HAS WON THE SENATE DISTRICT SIX SPECIAL ELECTION.

HEINTZEMAN TOPPED DEMOCRAT DENISE SLIPY BY ALMOST 21-PERCENTAGE POINTS.

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

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

HEINTZEMAN WILL NOW JOIN THE LEGISLATURE WITH LESS THAN THREE WEEKS TO GO BEFORE SESSION IS SLATED TO END ON MAY 19TH.

WE HAVE A REPORTER HEADED DOWN TO THE CAPITOL TOMORROW TO TALK TO HEINTZEMAN FOR A STORY TOMORROW NIGHT BUT SHE DID RELEASE A STATEMENT TO US TODAY THAT SAYS IN PART.

I EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE RESIDENTS OF SENATE DISTRICT 6 FOR THEIR TRUST AND SUPPORT TO REPRESENT THEM IN ST. PAUL.

I AM DEEPLY HONORED BY THEIR CONFIDENCE.

I PLEDGE TO SERVE SENATE DISTRICT 6 WITH INTEGRITY, DEFENDING THE VALUES AND WAY OF LIFE CHERISHED BY OUR COMMUNITY.

AFTER HEINTZEMAN'S WIN THE D.F.L.

WILL HOLD A ONE VOTE MARGIN IN THE HOUSE FOR THE REST OF THE SESSION.

>>> AFTER NORTHERN TOWNSHIP ISSUED THEIR NOTICE OF INTENT TO INCORPORATE INTO A CITY, THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL QUICKLY PASSED A RESOLUTION ASKING NORTHERN TOWNSHIP TO RESCIND THAT NOTICE, AND TO RE-ENTER WASTEWATER NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE TOWNSHIP.

AT THEIR LATEST BOARD MEETING, NORTHERN TOWNSHIP ANNOUNCED THEY WILL BE SENDING THEIR OWN LETTER IN RESPONSE TO THE CITY'S RESOLUTION.

THE LETTER OUTLINES THE HISTORY OF DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE CITY AND TOWNSHIP REGARDING ANNEXATION, AS WELL AS THE REASONS WHY THE TOWNSHIP, “MUST DECLINE FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS PREDICATED ON ANNEXATION.” >> THIS SHOULD INCLUDE PAST AND PRESENT PERTINENT INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THE POSITION TO CONTINUE TO MOVE AHEAD WITH INCORPORATION PROCEDURES AS WE ARE SUPPORTED BY OUR RESIDENTS.

>> WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY ON IT AND WE HAD A LOT OF PREVIOUS DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY AND TRIED TO WORK SOME ARRANGEMENTS THAT FELL THROUGH.

I THINK WE'RE WELL DOWN THE ROAD ON THIS PROCESS AND WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO PROTECT THE TOWNSHIP.

>> THE CITY OFFERED TO EXTEND THEIR WASTEWATER SERVICES TO NORTHERN TOWNSHIP IN 2022, BUT REQUIRED ANNEXATION TO DO SO.

THE TOWNSHIP THEN LEFT THOSE NEGOTIATIONS TO DO THE PROJECT ON THEIR OWN BUT THAT HAS BEEN MET WITH OPPOSITION FROM SOME OF THE RESIDENTS THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT.

>> THE TOWNSHIP BOARD IS SAYING, THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS ARE CAUSING THE FORCE FRUS IN THE LAKES.

MINE SAYS IT'S FINE.

IT'S NOT THE BEST STEWARDSHIP OF MY MONEY.

I'M NOT GOING TO BENEFIT FROM HAVING THIS SYSTEM.

THAT'S A BULLET POINT THAT THE TOWNSHIP BOARD HAS, THAT THIS WILL INCREASE YOUR PROPERTY VALUES.

LAKE PROPERTY IS FINITE.

THE PROPERTY VALUES WILL ALWAYS GOING UP.

HAVING A CENTRALIZED WASTE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM ON A PROPERTY IS NOT A SELLING POINT.

>> NORTHERN TOWNSHIP WILL BE HOLDING AN INFORMATION MEETING REGARDING THIS SITUATION AT THE 4H BUILDING AT THE BELTRAMI COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS ON MAY 7TH AT 6:30 P.M. >>> A MAN WHO WAS ARRESTED IN HUBBARD COUNTY IN JANUARY WITH MORE THAN THREE THOUSAND GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE IN HIS POSSESSION WAS CHARGED IN HUBBARD COUNTY COURT YESTERDAY.

39-YEAR-OLD “ACTION JACK ALLEN SIMON” IS FACING ONE COUNT OF FIRST DEGREE POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND ONE COUNT OF FELON IN POSSESSION OF AMMO.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ATTEMPTED TO STOP A VEHICLE SIMON WAS IN ON JANUARY 25TH BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP.

EVENTUALLY A PURSUIT INTERVENTION TECHNIQUE MANEUVER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP MOVING AND SIMON WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY DUE TO AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT.

AFTER OBTAINING A SEARCH WARRANT INVESTIGATORS SEARCH THE VEHICLE SIMON WAS IN AND FOUND 2,979 GRAMS OF SUSPECTED METHAMPHETAMINE IN 7 VACUUM SEALED PACKAGES, AS WELL AS A GUN AND 200 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION.

AUTHORITIES TESTED SOME OF THE SUSPECTED METH AND IT TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE DRUG.

ANOTHER 60 GRAMS OF CONFIRMED METH WAS LOCATED ON SIMON WHEN HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE HUBBARD COUNTY JAIL.

BAIL OR BOND FOR SIMON HAS BEEN SET AT $1 MILLION WITH NO CONDITIONS OR $750,000 WITH CONDITIONS.

HIS NEXT COURT HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 13TH.

>>> THE RECLAIMING AND ADVANCING LEECH LAKE YOUTH OR RALLY COALITION IS A GROUP FOCUSED ON YOUTH SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION IN THE WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY AREA.

JUST LAST WEEK, GROUP ORGANIZERS PUT TOGETHER A COMMUNITY DRIVEN CONVERSATION FOCUSED ON CHANGING THE NARRATIVE SURROUNDING TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE, ESPECIALLY IN YOUTH.

THE INITIATIVE IS FUNDED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO TRY AND HELP NORMALIZE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THESE DIFFICULT TOPICS SO PEOPLE KNOW WHEN THEY HAVE SUPPORT.

>> I THINK WE'RE ALL STRUGGLING AND SOMETIMES WE STRUGGLE IN SILENCE.

SO HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS BRINGS LIGHT TO IT AND NORMALIZES IT, AND MAKES US MORE COMFORTABLE AND REMINDS THAT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

IF WE CAN BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER, WE WILL ALL BENEFIT FROM THAT.

>> THE CHANGING THE NARRATIVE CONVERSATION WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TALKED ABOUT HOW TO RECOGNIZE DIFFERENT SIGNS OF STRUGGLE IN YOUNG PEOPLE.

EVERYTHING FROM NOTICING SMALL CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR TO A COMPLETE CHANGE IN PERSONALITY CAN BE SIGNS THAT THE PERSON IS GOING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES.

IN RURAL AREAS, THERE ALSO MAY BE FEWER AVAILABLE RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN A CRISIS.

>> WE ARE LACKING THOSE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES, SO MY GOAL IS TO TRAIN MYSELF UP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND SHARE THAT OUT WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS SO WE'RE ALL A RESOURCE FOR EACH OTHER.

THESE TRAININGS ARE FREE AND THE MORE PEOPLE THAT COME, THE MORE WE CAN SEND OUT THAT MESSAGE OF HOPE AND THERE IS HELP.

>> THE RALLY COALITION'S NEXT EVENT WILL BE HELD ON MAY 19TH.

A DAY FULL OF PRESENTERS AND EXHIBITORS HELPING W.H.A.

STUDENTS FROM GRADES 6 TO 12 MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR WELLBEING.

AFTER THE SCHOOL DAY, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CONVERSATION THAT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT 5:30 IN THE W.H.A.

GYM.

>>> CONSUMERS' UNEASY FEELINGS ABOUT THE ECONOMY, TARIFFS AND THEIR JOBS WERE UNDERSCORED BY TWO REPORTS RELEASED WEDNESDAY MORNING.

KARIN CAIFA HAS THE DETAILS FROM WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP DENYING THE IMPACT OF HIS TARIFFS AFTER THE U.S. ECONOMY POSTED ITS WORSE QUARTER SINCE 2022.

>> I HAVE TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT'S BIDEN, THAT'S NOT TRUMP.

WE CAME IN ON JANUARY -- THESE ARE QUARTERLY NUMBERS.

>> ANALYSTS SEE IT DIFFERENTLY.

>> THE ANTICIPATION OF TARIFFS WAS DRIVING THE DROP IN GDP.

>> Reporter: THE GDP, THE TOTAL VALUE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SHRANK DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2025.

IT'S SHARPER THAN THE 2% GROWTH DURING THE FINAL THREE MONTHS OF 2024.

BUSINESSES STEPPED UP IMPORTS LIKELY TO GET AHEAD OF TRUMP'S TARIFFS AND WHEN IMPORTS EXCEED EXPORTS, THAT DRIVES DOWN GROWTH.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE ECONOMY IS SLOWING, CONSUMERS ARE NOT SPENDING AS MUCH AS THEY USED TO, AND THAT'S REALLY TAKING AWAY SOME OF THE POWER FROM THE ECONOMY.

AT THE TIME WHEN TARIFFS AND FEARS OF RECESSIONS ARE STARTING TO INCREASE.

>> Reporter: A SEPARATE REPORT FROM PAYROLL PROFITS OR A.D.P.

SHOWS PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS ADDED 62,000 JOBS IN APRIL, A DROP OFF FROM MARCH, PARTICULARLY CONCERNING TO SOME ECONOMISTS, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE PULLING BACK.

>> THOSE ARE BUSINESSES THAT REALLY HAVE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MARGINS TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH TARIFFS AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT GOING FORWARD, THAT WE COULD SEE RED INK IN THE EMPLOYMENT DATA AS WE GET INTO MAY AND JUNE.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>> THE U.S. DID ANNOUNCE AN ECONOMIC AGREEMENT WITH UKRAINE TODAY AFTER A WEEKS-LONG PRESS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP ON UKRAINE TO COMPENSATE WASHINGTON FOR BILLIONS IN MILITARY AND ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO HELP UKRAINE REPEL THE RUSSIAN INVASION.

THE TWO SIDES OFFERED ONLY BARE BONE DETAILS ABOUT THE STRUCTURE OF THE DEAL, BUT UKRAINE IS EXPECTED TO GIVE THE U.S. ACCESS TO ITS VALUABLE RARE MINERALS IN THE HOPES OF ENSURING CONTINUED AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR ITS WAR WITH RUSSIA.

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

>> Stacy: A LINE OF SHOWERS WILL MAKE ITS WAY ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW WITH DRY WEATHER TO END THE WEEK AND A BIG WARM UP FOR THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE WE ARE HEALTH FAIR WENT UNDERWAY AT CENTRAL LAKES >> 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.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE STUDENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK OUT VENDORS, TAKE HOME PRIZES, AND RECEIVE FREE S.T.I.

TESTING DURING C.L.C.

'S SEVENTH ANNUAL WEARE HEALTH FAIR LAST WEEK.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: FOR THE WE ARE HEALTH CLINIC IN BRAINERD, THE WE ARE HEALTH FAIR IS ALL ABOUT EDUCATION.

>> THIS HEALTH FAIR IS ABOUT EMPOWERING STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR HEALTH AND THEIR OVERALL WELLBEING AND TO EDUCATE THEM ON THE SERVICES THAT THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY HAS FOR THEM.

>> GETTING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO OUR STUDENTS, WHETHER THAT BE ABOUT SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, PHYSICAL HEALTH, MENTAL WELLBEING.

>> AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE NEED OF REPRODUCTIVE EDUCATION ALL TOO WELL.

ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, AGE 15 THROUGH 24 MADE UP 48.2% OF CASES.

>> AS A PERSON THAT IS PART OF THAT AGE GROUP, IT'S BECAUSE A LOT OF SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS THAT ARE TEACHING THEIR SEX ED IS THAT SEX EQUAL PREGNANCY.

BEYOND THAT, THERE ISN'T A LOT OF TALK ABOUT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS, WAYS TO PREVENT THEM, WHAT BIRTH CONTROL LOOKS LIKE.

>> Reporter: IN CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE, THEY KNOW THERE IS A LACKING IN REPRODUCTIVE EDUCATION IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

>> C.L.C.

IS WORKING WITH A SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NON-PROFIT TO PROVIDE FREE SERVICES TO THEIR STUDENTS.

>> TO HAVE SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES ON CAMPUS IS A BIG DEAL AND IT'S SO HELPFUL FOR THESE STUDENTS TO HAVE A PLACE TO GO WITH QUESTIONS AND EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT HEALTH TO CHASTISE THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE EDUCATION.

IT'S INTENDED TO EMBODY WE ARE VALUES, PROVIDING SERVICE, INTEGRITY, AND COMMUNITY, EMPOWERING THOSE WHO SEEK TO KNOW MORE.

>> IT IS SO RELIEVING TO BE PART OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT NO MATTER WHAT RACE, GENDER, SEXUALITY, INCOME, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS YOU ARE, WE CARE ABOUT YOU, WE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU, WE SUPPORT YOU.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE WEARE HEALTH CLINIC IS LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL, THE RELATIONSHIP SAFETY ALLIANCE, BRAINERD YMCA, AND ALL COUNTY SERVICE BUILDINGS.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

MORE RAIN OR PRECIPITATION IN THE AIR?

>> Stacy: YES, WE HAVE MORE RAIN IN THE AREA TONIGHT, THIS LINE OF SHOWERS WILL MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH MINNESOTA TONIGHT THROUGH TOMORROW.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO HAVE A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF RAIN TOMORROW, DRIER WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, AND WE HAVE THE NICE WARM UP I >> 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, IT WAS A BIT BREEZY TODAY BUT WE DID ENJOY SOME MILD TEMPERATURES.

WE STARTED TO SEE RAIN SHOWERS MOVING INTO PARTS OF THE AREA TONIGHT, AND THIS LINE OF SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE ITS WAY ACROSS LAKELAND COUNTRY TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURES ARE A LITTLE BIT COOLER AS THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE HAVE A NICE WARM UP IN STORE AND WE WILL BE SEEING SUNSHINE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 55 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE A NORTHWEST WIND AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 44, AND OUR HUMIDITY IS AT 66%.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 61 DEGREES, 34 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE, AND SOUTH WINDS ARE AT 8 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW AS YOU LOOK AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA, A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A CLEAR SKY BREAK HERE IN THE WADENA THROUGH BRAINERD AREA.

WE DO HAVE RAIN SHOWERS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA TONIGHT AND THIS LINE OF SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE IN OUR VIEWING AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AS THE FRONT MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH.

WE WILL SEE COOLER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW AND THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY, BUT WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES BY THE TIME WE HIT THE WEEKEND.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, GARY SENDING US THIS PHOTO, A FLASHBACK OF THE STORM CLOUDS ON MONDAY.

ARLENE WITH A PHOTO OF THIS CLOUD OVER MENAHGA THIS MORNING, BEAUTIFUL SUNRISES FROM LINDA AND THIS PHOTO FROM DEER RIVER.

JOAN WITH A PICTURE ON THE TRAIL OF A BEAR SPOTTED NEAR LAPORTE.

CARE RI IN WALKER WITH A FUNNY FACE OF THE DEER.

AND A LOT OF CLOUD COVER THIS EVENING, WE HAVE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, JOAN IN LAPORTE, WINDY AND CLOUDY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, TOPPING OUT AT 68.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING CLOUDY SKIES WITH A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 68.

IN BRAINERD, 71 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR TODAY, THAT IS 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH AND THE LOW IS THE AVERAGE LOW TEMPERATURE AT 36.

SUNRISE THIS MORNING AT 2 MINUTES AFTER 6:00.

IN BEMIDJI, 69 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE, SO WE'RE 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE, 34 FOR THE LOW, SEASONAL LOW TEMPERATURE THIS MORNING, AND WE HAD SUNSET AT 8:30.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW, WE ARE GOING TO START THE DAY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE LINE OF SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE EASTWARD AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING AND INTO THE AFTERNOON, A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS COULD REDEVELOP BEHIND THE FRONT.

IT LOOKS FOR THE MOST PART IT SHOULD EXIT BY TOMORROW NIGHT AND WE SHOULD START TO SEE CLEARING SKIES AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER, 50 FOR THE HIGH IN WARROAD, A LOT OF MID TO UPPER 50s FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF LAKELAND COUNTRY, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD BE SEEING THE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50s, MAYBE GETTING CLOSE TO 60 DEGREES.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, RAIN IS LIKELY FOR MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA, A LITTLE BIT SMALLER CHANCE IN NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 42.

AGAIN AS THE LINE MAKES ITS WAY ACROSS THE AREA, MOST OF US WILL LIKELY SEE RAINFALL TOMORROW, SMALLER CHANCE IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 57.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, A LITTLE BIT ON THE COOL SIDE ON FRIDAY, BUT WE SHOULD SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE THIS WEEKEND, AND WARMER TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY, UP TO 77 ON SUNDAY, AND THE MILD TEMPERATURES CONTINUE INTO MONDAY WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

TIMBERWOLVESES ARE TRYING TO CLOSE OFF THE LAKERS.

>> Charlie: YES, THEY WERE THE UNDERDOGS GOING IN BECAUSE THEY WERE THE 6 SEED AND LAKERS WERE THE 3 SEED.

THEY ARE LOOKING GOOD LATELY.

HOW WOULD THEY LOOK TONIGHT?

WE HAVE THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK AND MORE.

[ >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE TIMBERWOLVES PLAY ENTERING THE PLAYOFFS COULD HAVE BEEN A CRYSTAL BALL OF SORTS SHOWING US WHAT'S TO COME.

THE UNDERDOGS HEADING INTO THE FIRST ROUND SERIES WITH THE LAKERS, THEY HAVE 17-4 OVER THEIR FINAL 21 GAMES AND THAT HAS CARRIED OVER, HELPING THEM BUILD A 3-1 SERIES LEAD.

TONIGHT IN LOS ANGELES, MINNESOTA HAS A CHANCE TO CLOSE THINGS OUT AND MOVE TO THE WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI FINALS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

EARLY FIRST QUARTER, JULIUS HAS BEEN HAVING HIMSELF A FIRST ROUND, COUNT IT, AND PUTS THE WOLVES UP 9-5 EARLY.

LATER, DANTE HAS BEEN SHOOTING 21% FROM 3 THIS SERIES, SHOOTERS SHOOT THEIR WAY OUT AND MINNESOTA IS UP 15-9.

NOW WITH THE SMOOTH BUCKET, TIMBERWOLVES LED 31-22 AT THE END OF THE FIRST.

THEY LEAD THE LAKERS 55-47, THAT'S EVER-CHANGING NEAR THE END OF THE HALF HERE, AND LOOKING LIKE IT MIGHT BE ANOTHER TIGHT FINISH.

WE HAVE SOME LOCAL SCORES FOR YOU NOW, LITTLE FALLS BEATS MILLE LACS.

ALSO IN HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL, PIERZ FALLS TO ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS GETS A WIN OVER BAGLEY.

GRAND RAPIDS AND PIERZ GET WINS TODAY.

CROSBY-IRONTON AND BAGLEY ALSO GETTING WINS.

IN LACROSSE, GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY DOMINATES CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON.

IN BOYS GOLF TODAY, THE BRAINERD INVITATIONAL, PEQUOT LAKES FINISHING 6th.

ON THE GIRLS SIDE, BEMIDJI IN 11th.

>>> THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THEIR MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR FOR 2025, AND THE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, AND SHE WAS ALSO THE CONFERENCE SCORING CHAMPION WITH 11 GOALS AND A TEAM HIGH 25 POINTS.

FOOTBALL PLAYER JAKE WAS NAMED THE MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.

THE SENIOR CENTER WON THE REMINGTON TROPHY AWARDED TO THE BEST CENTER IN COLLEGE AND NAMED THE AP FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICAN, AMONG MANY OTHER AWARDS HE CLAIMED.

THEY ALSO ANNOUNCED THE 2025 NEWCOMERS OF THE YEAR, A PAIR OF ICE SKATERS, HOCKEY PLAYERS TO BE EXACT.

MORGAN SMITH AND THE DEFENSEMAN FOR MEN'S HOCKEY.

CONGRATULATIONS DO ALL OF THEM.

>>> LEARNING FROM YOUR LOSSES IS KEY FOR ANY SUCCESSFUL TEAM AND FEW TEAMS HAVE BEEN AS SUCCESSFUL AS GRAND RAPIDS BASEBALL.

LAST YEAR THEY MADE THEIR 4TH CONSECUTIVE STATE TOURNAMENT AND IN DOING SO BECAME THE ALL-TIME LEADER IN STATE TOURNEY APPEARANCES WITH 22.

BUT 2025 OPENING DAY TURNED OUT TO BE A REALITY CHECK FOR THIS YEAR'S THUNDERHAWKS, WITH THE TEAM BLOWING A 5-0 LEAD TO SUPERIOR IN THE LATE INNINGS, EVENTUALLY FALLING 6-5.

THE T-HAWKS DID LEARN FROM THE LOSS HOWEVER, WITH THE SQUAD RATTLING OFF 6-STRAIGHT WINS SINCE AND PLAYING SOME OF THEIR BEST BALL HEADING INTO THE HEART OF THEIR SCHEDULE.

>> COACH TOLD US THAT'S NOT OUR GAME.

WE DIDN'T PLAY OUR GAME AND THEY CAME BACK AND WE HAD A LITTLE PROBLEM AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE.

IT WAS EYE OPENING AND WE DIDN'T LIKE IT.

EVER SINCE THEN, WE HAD BEEN BEATEN.

>> WE WORKED A LOT ON OUR BATS, WE SWING A LOT AND WORKED ON FUNDAMENTALS LIKE THAT.

ONCE WE STARTED SCORING AND GETTING THE BATS GOING, EVERYTHING WAS CLICKING.

DEFENSE HAS BEEN SOLID AND OUR PITCHING HAS BEEN GOOD.

>> Charlie: THE REIGNING SECTION 7-3A CHAMPS WILL NEED ALL OF THAT AND MAYBE MORE TO HOIST THE TROPHY ONCE AGAIN.

THEY ARE VIEWING IT AS A POSITIVE.

>> I THINK THE LEGACY PAST PLAYERS HAVE LEFT BEHIND, IT SHOWS HOW STRONG OF A PROGRAM WE HAVE HERE AND IT'S OUR JOB TO CONTINUE THAT.

>> WE'RE THE TOP DOGS IN THE SECTION AND WE WILL TRY TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE PLAY OUR GAME, NO ONE WILL BEAT US.

WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT MUCH, WE GO DAY BY DAY AND TRY TO GET A WIN EVERY DAY.

>> Charlie: THEY WILL TRY TO GO DAY BY DAY HERE.

THIS IS THEIR UPCOMING SCHEDULE.

THEY WILL PLAY SOME OF THE TOP TEAMS AND EVENTUALLY THEY WILL HEAD TO BEMIDJI PLAYING A DOUBLE HEADER TO SEE IF THEY CAN MEASURE UP AGAIN.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, SOUNDS GOOD.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> IT HELPS TO PREVENT CAVITIES AND GUM DISEASE BUT CARING FOR THE HEALTH OF YOUR MOUTH IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR YOUR OVERALL HEALTH.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON THE IMPACT BAD ORAL HEALTH HAS ON YOUR ENTIRE BODY.

>> Reporter: IT ALLOWS YOU TO EAT AND TO SPEAK, BUT YOUR MOUTH NEEDS CARE AND THAT STARTS WITH YOUR TEETH.

>> THEY SAY ONLY TAKE CARE OF THE ONES YOU WANT TO KEEP.

>> Reporter: PER PERIODONTIST SAYS IT MAY NOT CAUSE PAIN AND IT'S NOT TREATED UNTIL AT A SERIOUS STAGE.

SOME OF THE COMMON STAGES ARE CAVITIES, WHICH IS TOOTH DECAY, GUM DISEASE, ORAL CANCER, AND TOOTH LOSS.

IT CAN ALSO IMPACT OVERALL HEALTH.

>> THERE ARE MANY, MANY STUDIES THAT LINK YOUR ORAL HEALTH TO CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DIABETES, STROKE, LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABIES.

>> Reporter: IN THE U.S., 57% OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGE 12 THROUGH 19 HAVE HAD CAVITIES IN THEIR PERMANENT TEETH.

AS FOR ADULTS, 90% HAVE HAD A CAVITY.

EXPERTS SAY THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT DECAY AND PROTECT THE HEALTH OF YOUR MOUTH IS BY BRUSHING TEETH AT LEAST TWICE DAILY, FLOSSING EVERYDAY, LIMITING FOODS AND DRINKS HIGH IN ADDED SUGAR, AND GETTING A CHECK UP AND PROFESSIONAL CLEANING AT LEAST YEARLY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO FIND A DENTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST YOU WORK WELL WITH AND NOT BE AFRAID TO GO IN AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOUTH.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> TO GET MOUTHS CLEAN DOCTOR ROSS RECOMMENDS USING A MOUTH RINSE EACH DAY AND INVESTING IN AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH WITH A SOFT OR EXTRA SOFT TOOTHBRUSH HEAD AND AIMING IT NEAR YOUR GUM LINE, NOT JUST YOUR TEETH.

>>> ALL RIGHT STACY, TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE LINE OF RAIN SHOWERS MAKING ITS WAY ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT, A SMALLER CHANCE OF SEEING THE RAINFALL IN NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOW TEMPERATURES NEAR 42.

THEN AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW, MOST OF US WILL LIKELY SEE SOME RAIN, AGAIN THAT SMALLER CHANCE IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WITH HIGHS NEAR 57.

STILL A LITTLE BIT COOL ON FRIDAY, BUT WE'LL START TO SEE MORE SUNSHINE AND HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, WITH HIGH TEMPS NEAR 77 TO END THE WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: IT'S OFFICIALLY OVER FOR MINNESOTA AND THE LAKERS.

EDWARDS AND WALKER BOTH HAVE 10 POINTS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, HOPEFULLY THEY CAN PULL IT OFF.

THANKS FOR WATCHING EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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