>> 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.

>>> NINE CANDIDATES HAVE FILED FOR THE REPUBLICAN SENATE DISTRICT SIX SPECIAL ELECTION.

DENISE SLIPY IS THE SENATE DISTRICT 6 D.F.L.

'S ENDORSED CANDIDATE AND THE ONLY DEMOCRAT WHO FILED SO SHE WILL BE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE D.F.L.

REPUBLICANS MEANWHILE HAVE SEVERAL CANDIDATES AND A PRIMARY ELECTION IS SET FOR APRIL 15TH.

EIGHT REPUBLICANS HAVE OFFICIALLY FILED AS CANDIDATES AND WILL BE COMPETING TO EARN THE REPUBLICAN SPOT IN THE GENERAL ELECTION WHICH IS SET FOR APRIL 29TH.

TO GIVE VOTERS A BETTER LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS HOSTING A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY CANDIDATE FORUM NEXT WEEK.

THE EVENT IS SCHEDULED FOR 7:00 TO 8:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8TH AT THE FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA.

ALL EIGHT CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.

THE EVENT WILL ALSO BE LIVESTEAMED ON THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER FACEBOOK PAGE.

THE FORUM IS BEING PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BRAINERD DISPATCH AND LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND WITH SUPPORT FROM THE ROSENMEIR CENTER FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ALL AREA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

>>> AN EFFORT TO SECURE EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR AROUND HUNDREDS OF MINERS WHO ARE BEING LAID OFF ON THE IRON RANGE ADVANCED AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK.

IN MARCH CLEVELAND-CLIFFS ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD BE IDLING OR PARTIALLY IDLING MINES THIS SPRING.

ON WEDNESDAY, ITASCA COUNTY REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE SPENCER IGO INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD EXTEND BENEFITS FOR 26 WEEKS PAST THEIR CURRENT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BUT IT ALSO INCLUDED MODIFICATIONS TO SULFATE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND MINE WASTE STORAGE THAT IGO SAYS WOULD SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF THE MINING INDUSTRY.

>> WHEN WE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE STEELWORKERS AND OUR COMMUNITY, WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO.

THE CONVERSATION THAT CAME FORWARD IS THAT WE NEEDED TO LOOK AT THE SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FUTURE OF JOBS FOR THE IRON RANGE.

INSIDE THE BUILDERS, TWO DIFFERENT PROVISIONS, ONE FOR THE SAFE STORAGE OF ACTIVE MINE WASTE AND THE OTHER IS FOR -- EXCUSE ME, THE OTHER IS GOING TO BE FOR A SITE SPECIFIC STANDARD FOR SULFITES.

THESE TWO IMPORTANT PROVISIONS ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF NOT JUST TACONITE MINING BUT COPPER-NICKEL MINING AS WELL.

>> REPRESENTATIVE IGO'S AMENDED BILL DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT TO PASS ON WEDNESDAY BUT A BENEFITS ONLY BILL OFFERED BY D.F.L.

REPRESENTATIVE PETE JOHNSON OF DULUTH PASSED IN THE HOUSE WORKFORCE, LABOR AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE ON A 14-0 VOTE.

>>> IF YOU'RE FEELING UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE ECONOMY, YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY.

THE ONGOING GLOBAL TRADE WAR AND FEARS OF A RECESSION ARE ROCKING THE STOCK MARKET.

THE MARCH JOBS REPORT IS STRONGER THAN EXPECTED BUT COULD IT BE THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM?

SHERRELL HUBBARD HAS MORE ON THE LATEST ECONOMIC INSIGHTS.

[APPLAUSE].

>> Reporter: U.S. STOCKS PLUNGED AGAIN ON FRIDAY AFTER CHINA RETALIATED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES FOR PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S LATEST TARIFFS.

>> THIS WEEK, DONALD TRUMP MADE ONE OF THE DUMBEST DECISIONS HE HAS EVER MADE AS PRESIDENT AND THAT IS SAYING A WHOLE LOT.

>> Reporter: IN RESPONSE TO TRUMP'S NEWEST 34% TARIFF ON CHINESE IMPORTS, CHINA SAID THEY WILL IMPOSE A RECIPROCAL, 34% TARIFF ON ALL IMPORTS FROM THE U.S., STARTING APRIL 10TH.

THIS IS THE SECOND DAY THAT U.S. MARKETS HAVE TUMBLED SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE HIS APRIL 2ND ANNOUNCEMENT OF SWEEPING TARIFFS ON PRACTICEICALLY ALL U.S. IMPORTS, VOWING TO MAKE AMERICA WEALTHY AGAIN.

>> NOW IS OUR TURN TO PROSPER.

>> Reporter: THE LATEST REPORT ON FRIDAY SHOWED THE U.S. JOB MARKET DID DO BETTER THAN EXPECTED LAST MONTH BUT ANALYSTS SAY THINGS COULD CHANGE SOON, CITING ECONOMIC DATA THAT SUGGESTS LAYOFFS AND OVERALL UNCERTAINTY COULD RISE DUE TO TRUMP'S POLICIES.

FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIR JEROME POWELL WARNED THAT INFLATION WILL LIKELY PICK UP AS WELL.

>> WE FACE A HIGHLY UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK WITH HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT AND HIGHER INFLATION.

>> Reporter: CONSUMERS ARE ALREADY FEELING IT.

>> THEY'RE FEELING IT IN THEIR 401-K'S, THEY'RE FEELING IT IN THEIR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT.

>> Reporter: SOME ARE QUESTIONING THE END GAME OF THE GLOBAL TIT FOR TAT.

>> HOW LONG IS THIS SHORT-TERM GAIN GOING TO BE?

I'M WORRIED WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT.

>> J.P. MORGAN'S CHIEF ECONOMIST SAID THAT IF PRESIDENT TRUMP MAINTAINS THE TARIFFS AS ANNOUNCED.

THE U.S. WILL LIKELY PLUNGE INTO RECESSION THIS YEAR.

TRUMP HAS VOWED TO CONTINUE HIS ECONOMIC POLICIES IN THE MIDST OF THE DOW JONES POSTING ITS WORST BACK-TO-BACK LOSSES SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC.

>>> AFTER PUMPING OUT MORE THAN 4.7 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER FROM THE CANISTEO MINE PIT IN ITASCA COUNTY TO MANAGE THE PIT'S WATER LEVELS, THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION, IS BUILDING A PERMANENT WATER OUTLET STRUCTURE.

THE CANISTEO IS A MINE PIT THAT HAS NATURALLY FILLED WITH WATER OVER THE YEARS SINCE MINING HAS STOPPED AND NO COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DE-WATERING THE PIT.

OVER TIME, THE WATER LEVELS IN CANISTEO ROSE DUE TO GROUNDWATER AND PRECIPITATION.

ONCE PERMANENT WATER OUTLET STRUCTURE IS UP AND RUNNING, THE OUTLET WILL ALLOW WATER TO FLOW FROM THE CANISTEO WITHOUT RELYING ON SEASONAL PUMPING.

>> CON STRUCKING THE OUTLET ON THE PIT WILL ALLOW THEM TO USE GRAVITY SO THE D.N.R.

WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO PUMP.

>> IT WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A SAND FILTRATION SYSTEM WHICH WILL REMOVE ANY INVASIVE SPECIES, ZEBRA MUSSELS FOR EXAMPLE, AS THE WATER MAKES IT TO THE DISCHARGE LOCATION, ULTIMATELY PREVENTING INVASIVE SPECIES FROM ENTERING THE PRAIRIE RIVER.

THE WHOLE PROJECT STARTED CONSTRUCTION THE END OF FEBRUARY FOR THE FULL DESIGN, WITH A POTENTIAL COMPLETION DATE FOR THE END OF AUGUST, FIRST PART OF SEPTEMBER.

>> Dennis: THE STATE LEGISLATURE APPROVED THE D.N.R.

'S $8.875 MILLION IN 2023 TO CONSTRUCT THE OUTLET.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HAS THE OLDEST DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM IN THE STATE AND NOW THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO GET EVEN BIGGER.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: SINCE 1964, CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HAS BEEN EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DENTAL ASSISTANTS, BUT TODAY -- [CHEERING].

>> Reporter: THAT PROGRAM IS GETTING A MASSIVE ADDITION.

>> WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, STARTING A DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM.

IT'S BEEN AN INTENSIVE PROCESS WITH MANY STEPS AND GETTING ACCREDITED AND OF COURSE REMODELING AND FUNDRAISING.

SO, WE'RE FULLY READY TO GO FOR THE FALL.

>> Reporter: CONSTRUCTION BEGINS IN JULY WHEN THE CLINIC WILL NEARLY DOUBLE IN SIZE.

>> WE HAVE A $1.4 MILLION REMODEL PROJECT, SO WE WILL BE ADDING SPACE.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE 8 DENTAL UNITS THAT ARE USABLE FOR CLEANING TEETH AND NOW WE WILL BE EXPANDING INTO 15.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION, ONE IN THREE DENTISTS STRUGGLE TO HIRE ASSISTING AND DENTAL HYGIENIST POSITIONS.

HALF OF ALL PRACTICES IN 2024 WERE HIRING, LEADING TO A HUGE DEMAND FOR THE POSITION.

>> IN OUR REGION, IT'S HARDER TO DRAW HYGIENISTS TO THIS AREA.

DENTAL OFFICES WILL POST A JOB FOR TWO YEARS AND NOT GET ANY APPLICANTS.

SO IT'S NOT JUST OUR AREA, IT'S THE WHOLE STATE AND THE NATION, THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS.

SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO EXPAND AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO CARE AND PROVIDE THOSE PROFESSIONALS TO GO OUT TO PRACTICES AND MEET THE NEED.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL IS NOT JUST EXPANDING THE WALLS OF THE PROGRAM, THE RENOVATIONS WILL ALLOW FOR MORE STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMS.

>> WE ACCEPT 24 STUDENTS IN THE DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM BUT WE WILL BE GOING UP TO 30 STUDENTS.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO EXPAND.

WE HAVE A WAIT LIST OF STUDENTS.

WE'RE ALWAYS FULL, WE ARE BLESSED THAT WAY AND WE HAVE 40 OR 50 ON OUR WAIT LIST.

WE'RE EXCITED TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.

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

>> THE DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM WILL WELCOME ITS INAUGURAL CLASS OF STUDENTS IN THE FALL SEMESTER.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Josh: OUR WINTER WONDERLAND IS FADING AWAY FAST, BUT WE HAVE MUCH MORE SEASONAL TEMPERATURES ON THE HORIZON.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS COMING UP IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, A PREVIEW INTO THE COMMUNITY THEATER'S LATEST >> 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.

>>> A NEW PRODUCTION, “WATER FROM SNOW,” WILL MAKE ITS DEBUT AT THE RAIL RIVER FOLK SCHOOL IN BEMIDJI NEXT WEEK.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON THE ORIGINAL MUSICAL SET IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> Reporter: MOST SMALL TOWN CAFES SEE THEIR FAIR SHARE OF SECRETS AND DRAMA AND THE CAFE IN THE WATER FROM SNOW PRODUCTION IS NO DIFFERENT.

BASED IN RURAL MINNESOTA, THE MUSICAL FOLLOWS AROUND A SINGLE MOM AND HER OLD HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS TRYING TO FIND THEIR WAY THROUGH LIFE AND TACKLE MANY REAL LIFE PROBLEMS.

>> BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE IT'S SHAMEFUL TO TALK ABOUT THINGS, ONE OF THE SCENARIOS IN THE STORY IS THAT CASSIE DOESN'T CHOOSE GOOD MEN IN HER LIFE AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SOCIETY DOESN'T TALK ABOUT A LOT.

THAT IS UNFORTUNATE IT HAPPENS BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE TALKED ABOUT SO PEOPLE CAN HEAL FROM IT AND THEN THEY CAN GET HELP FROM IT AND IT SHOULDN'T BE SOMETHING THAT IS SHAMEFUL.

IT'S COOL TO WRITE THAT INTO A MUSICAL.

>> TACKLE SOME EMOTIONAL ABUSE AND RACISM AGAINST INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, SO IT TACKLES SOME HARD THINGS AND ALLOWS US TO WORK THROUGH THEM AND BE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THE SHOW COVERS SOME SERIOUS TOPICS, THOSE ARE NOT MEANT TO BE THE MAIN TAKEAWAYS.

THE INTENTION IS TO HAVE THE AUDIENCE SEE THE UPLIFTING THEMES AND POSITIVE MESSAGES THROUGHOUT THE SHOW.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF HUMOR TOO.

THAT'S EVERY DAY LIFE.

IT HAS AN OVERARCHING, SERIOUS, ARCH I THINK.

THE STORY IS REALLY MORE ABOUT REDEMPTION AND MOVING BEYOND IT AND PULLING TOGETHER AND SAYING YES, YOU CAN START OVER.

YOU CAN MAKE A NEW LIFE FOR YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: THE PRODUCTION WILL BE AT THE RAIL RIVER FOLK SCHOOL WHERE ACTORS WILL NOT JUST BE USING A TRADITIONAL STAGE.

>> THE ENTIRE SPACE IS ACTING AREA, SO IT GOES ON ALL AROUND THE AUDIENCE.

THEY ARE NOT -- I WOULD SAY IT'S AN INTIMATE SHOW, BUT THEY'RE NOT EXPECTED TO BE INVOLVED.

WE DON'T ENGAGE THEM IN THAT WAY.

THEY CAN SIT THERE AND BE COMFORTABLE.

IT DOES, WE DO USE THE WHOLE SPACE.

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

>> THE FIRST SHOWING OF "WATER FROM SNOW" WILL BE NEXT FRIDAY, THE 11TH AT 7:00 P.M.

THERE WILL BE A SECOND SHOW ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 AND THEN A MATINEE ON SUNDAY AT 3:00 P.M. TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE OR AT THE DOOR.

>>> STACY HAS TONIGHT OFF BUT JOSH IS HERE WITH OUR WEATHER.

I AM HOPING YOU ARE BRINGING SPRING-LIKE WEATHER.

>> Josh: WHAT A SEGWAY, WATER FROM SNOW AND NOW SNOW TO WATER.

WE'RE GOING TO REVERSE THE PROCESS.

WE'RE GOING TO DO A LOT OF MELTING IN THE COMING DAYS AND WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE NEXT WEEKEND'S FORECAST.

WE HAVE TO GET >> 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.

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 ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Josh: WELL, WITH THE ANGLE THE SUN IS RIGHT NOW, WE'RE DOING A LOT OF MELTING AND THAT SNOW THAT WE GOT YESTERDAY, IT'S MELTING AND FADING AWAY VERY FAST.

WE HAVE MUCH WARMER CONDITIONS COMING NEXT WEEK, BUT FIRST WE GOT TO GET THROUGH A LITTLE BIT COOLER TEMPERATURES, MORE SEASONAL TEMPERATURES BEFORE THAT.

STARTING OFF FIRST, CURRENTLY HERE IN BEMIDJI, TEMPERATURE IS AROUND 30 DEGREES, WINDS OUT OF THE NORTHWEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR, DEW POINT AT 29.

HUMIDITY IS AT 87% AND THE BAROMETER IS RISING AT 30.33.

THE PEAK WIND AT 30 MILES PER HOUR.

CLOUDY SKIES, DEW POINT AT 34, HUMIDITY AT 92, BAROMETER FALLING AT 30.26 WITH WINDS OUT OF THE NORTHWEST AT 4 MILES PER HOUR.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE RADAR, YOU CAN SEE THE WISPY LINES OF PRECIP IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA TO THE NORTHEAST.

THEY'RE PRECIPITATING REALLY FAST AS IT MEETS THAT DRIER AIR.

THAT WILL MAKE WAY FOR A DRIER FORECAST OVER THE NEXT FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS.

YOU WILL SEE THAT COMING UP HERE.

THIS IS NOT REALLY A LOT OF MOISTURE MAKING IT INTO THE GROUND, MAINLY FIZZLING OUT AS THE TIME GOES, BUT BEFORE WE GET TO THAT WARMER FORECAST, WE HAVE A LITTLE FUZZY CRITTER GREETING US THANKS TO CARRIE IN WALKER WITH THAT.

KATHLEEN SHARING HER SNOWY SCENE OFF A DECK IN RED LAKE.

DEBRA AND ARLENE SHARING A BEAUTIFUL MORNING SUNRISE FROM THIS MORNING AND SANDY WITH A SUNSET OVER BLACKDUCK LAKE.

TAKING A LOOK AT REPORTS FROM OUR EAGLE EYES.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE REPORTING CLOUDY AND DRIZZLE.

A LOW OF 23, WITH A HIGH OF 43.

DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 25 EARLIER THIS MORNING, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 25, CALM AND FRIEND OF HERSING AT -- AND FOGGY AT TIMES.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE ALMANAC, HIGH OF 41, THE AVERAGE IS 47 SO NOT TOO FAR OFF, BUT NOTICE DOWN HERE.

THAT TIMELINE, WE'RE ADDING ABOUT 3 MINUTES PER DAY OF SUNLIGHT.

SO YOU WILL SEE OUR DAYS GETTING MUCH LONGER.

SAME STORY IN BEMIDJI, HIGH OF 35, OUR AVERAGE IS 46, SO BELOW AVERAGE, BUT THAT TEMPERATURE, YOU'RE GOING TO START NOTICING THE DAYLIGHT GETTING LONGER AND LONGER AS THE DAY PROGRESSES.

YOU CAN SEE WISPY CLOUDS MAKING IT THROUGH THE DAY, TOMORROW, A LITTLE BIT OF MOISTURE, A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIP, NOTHING MAJOR.

YOU WILL SEE THAT CARRY INTO SUNDAY AND MONDAY, BUT YOU WILL SEE THE SUN GRADUALLY TAKE OVER AND BE MORE DOMINANT IN THE COMING HOURS AND DAYS.

TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 30s, LOWER 40s, SUNNY SKIES MAINLY ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE STATE, PUSHING THEIR WAY FORWARD, SO YOU WILL SEE MORE SUN AS YOU HEAD EASTWARD, GRADUALLY OVER THE WEEKEND, AND TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 30s, LOWER 40s, SUNNY ON THE WESTERN SIDE, PARTLY CLOUDY ON THE CENTRAL MINNESOTA SIDE, AND TEMPERATURES ARE RIGHT AROUND 40 AND 41.

TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY, MAINLY CLEARING OVERNIGHT, YOU CAN SEE THE SUNSHINE TOMORROW MORNING, LOW OF 18, WINDS, NORTHWEST 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

TOMORROW, PARTLY CLOUDY, INTERVALS OF CLOUD AND SUNSHINE MAKING THEIR WAY BACK AND FORTH, WINDS ARE VARIABLE, WINDS NORTHWEST AT 10 TO 15 MILES PER HOUR.

TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST, SATURDAY, PARTLY SUNNY, HIGH OF 39.

SUNDAY, PARTLY CLOUDY, TEMPERATURE OF 41.

WE KIND OF PLUMMET A LITTLE ON MONDAY WITH WITH PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, TEMPERATURE OF 34.

HERE'S YOUR EXTENDED FORECAST, DRY AS ALL CAN BE.

SUNNY SKIES AND CLOUDS ROLLING IN, TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER 40s, UPPER 30s, MAKING WAY FOR 50s BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

DENNIS BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS JOSH, THAT'S THE SPRING FORECAST WE'RE WAITING FOR.

>> Charlie: EXACTLY.

THAT WAS THE REASON WE WERE INSIDE TODAY FOR TENNIS, BOTH BOYS TENNIS FROM BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS AND WOMEN'S TENNIS FOR BSU OVER THE GILLETT WELLNESS CENTER.

WE HAVE THOSE HIGHLIGHTS AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE, THE ALL FIBEROPTIC NETWORK THAT TRANSFORMS HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THEY HAD TO WAIT ONE EXTRA DAY DUE TO THE WEATHER BUT BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS BOYS TENNIS WERE ABLE TO HOLD THEIR SEASON OPENER AGAINST ONE ANOTHER EARLY THIS MORNING, PART OF A TRIANGULAR WITH CROOKSTON AND TO ESCAPE THE SNOW THE MATCHES WERE MOVED INSIDE THE GILLETT WELLNESS CENTER AT BEMIDJI STATE.

AT DOUBLES COURT ONE, JACK MCNALLAN AND CHASE FAIRCHILD FOR BEMIDJI TAKING ON COOPER LONSON AND OWEN KASTENDICK FOR GRAND RAPIDS.

THE THUNDERHAWKS DUO LOOKED GOOD EARLY.

KASTENDICK WITH THE SOLID FRONTCOURT PLAY, LEADS TO THE SLAM.

THEY'D GO ON TO WIN IN 3-SETS.

OVER TO SINGLES, ON COURT ONE, GRADY GIFFEN SERVING OWEN LAPPINGGUH.

LAPPINGGUH USING EVERY PART OF THE COURT, NASTY DROP SHOT EARNS HIM THE POINT.

HE WINS IN STRAIGHT SETS.

THEN ON SINGLES COURT TWO, BROOKS JOHNSON SERVING BEN SCHROEDER.

JOHNSON DROPPED SET ONE BUT RALLIED BACK TO WIN SETS TWO AND THREE.

BEMIDJI EDGES GRAND RAPIDS 4-3 TO WIN THEIR FIRST MATCH OF THE SEASON.

# THE JACKS WILL BLANK CROOKSTON IN THEIR LATER MATCH AS WELL.

>>> LATER IN THE DAY BSU WOMEN'S TENNIS ALSO IN THE GILLETTE WELLNESS CENTER.

THEY'RE WINNERS OF THEIR LAST TWO MATCHES, TRYING TO MAKE IT THREE IN-A-ROW AGAINST MINNESOTA STATE.

STARTING OFF IN DOUBLES ON COURT THREE, IT'S JULIA LINDSETH WITH ANA LUCIA IBANEZ WHO ABSOLUTELY SMOKES ONE, TOO HOT FOR THE MAVS TO HANDLE.

THEY WIN THEIR MATCH 6-4, BUT MANKATO TOOK CARE OF BUSINESS IN THE OTHER TWO DOUBLES MATCHES TO WIN THE DOUBLES POINT 2-1.

THEN IN SINGLES, AT COURT ONE, THE DUTCH DESTROYER SOPHIE GROEN, DOING JUST THAT AFTER BEING DOWN 2-GAMES TO ONE, SHE RALLIES BACK TO WIN IN STRAIGHT SETS.

HOWEVER, THE MAVERICKS TOO MUCH ACROSS THE OTHER SINGLES MATCHES.

BEMIDJI STATE FALLS TO MINNESOTA STATE 5-2 TODAY.

BEAVERS ARE NOW 2-4 IN CONFERENCE PLAY, 6-7 OVERALL.

THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO HOP BACK IN THE WIN TRAIN TOMORROW WITH A HOME MATCH AGAINST WINONA STATE.

>>> THE WILD WERE 26-4 OVERALL.

AT THE TIME, THEY WERE FIGHTING FOR NOT JUST THE TOP SPOT IN THE DIVISION, BUT THE TOP SPOT IN THE LEAGUE.

SINCE THEN, MINNESOTA HAS GONE 21-22-3, INCLUDING LOSING THEIR LAST THREE GAMES AND ARE NOW CLINGING TO THE WILDCARD SPOT BY JUST FIVE POINTS WITH SIX GAMES LEFT TO PLAY.

TONIGHT THEY WERE IN NEW YORK TAKING ON THE ISLANDERS WHO WERE FIGHTING TO GET BACK IN A WILDCARD SPOT.

THE WILD NEVER LOST IT, AND SECOND PERIOD, STILL NO SCORE, MATT, BLINK AND YOU WILL MISS IT, THROWS IT OFF THE BACK OF THE HELMET, 18th OF THE SEASON, THE WILD LED 1-0.

CASEY SCORES OFF THE DEFLECTION, HIS 7th OF THE SEASON AND WELL THE ISLANDERS TIED IT UP.

THEN THE ISLANDERS GET THE LEAD, AND THEY WILL GO ON TO WIN 3-1.

MINNESOTA HAS NOW LOST FOUR GAMES IN THIS ONE WAS NOT IN OVERTIME.

THEY DID NOT GET THE POINT.

THEY ARE IN THE LAST WILDCARD SPOT CURRENTLY JUST DOING ANYTHING THEY CAN TO HOLD ON TO IT, 5 GAMES LEFT.

MAN, IT'S GOING TO BE A CLOSE ONE DOWN THE STRETCH THERE.

>>> ELSEWHERE IN THE NHL, SOMETHING BIG KIND OF HAPPENED TONIGHT.

ALEX OF THE CAPS TIED WAYNE GRETZKY WITH THE RECORD 893rd AND 894th GOALS OF HIS CAREER.

HE HAS DONE IT IN ONE LESS GAME THAN THE GREAT ONE WAS ABLE TO DO IT.

JUST AN UNBELIEVABLE, UNBELIEVABLE THING FOR HOCKEY TO BE SEEN GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

HE MAY BREAK IT IN THE NEXT ONE.

>> Dennis: HE HAS DONE IT IN ONE LESS GAME.

>> Charlie: YES, BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT HE HAS DONE IT WITH LIKE 1,200 LESS ASSISTS THAN THE GREAT ONE HAD.

SO THERE IS, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU LOOK AT.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT SCORING GOALS BUT BEING A TEAM PLAYER AS WELL.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN GIVES US A SNEAK PEEK INTO THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY THEATER'S LATEST PRODUCTION "THE LITTLE MERMAID JUNIOR".

THAT JUNIOR PART IS WHAT MAKES THIS RENDITION OF PRINCESS ARIEL'S TALE DIFFERENT AS THIS CAST IS ALL 18 YEARS OLD AND YOUNGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: DISNEY'S A LITTLE MERMAID IS FULL OF ICONIC SONGS AND CHARACTERS THAT YOUNG ACTORS AND ACTRESSES IMAGINE THEMSELVES PLAYING.

>> IT'S A DREAM TO BE PLAYING A PRINCESS.

I THINK THAT IS EVERY LITTLE GIRL'S DREAM.

>> I WAS SO HAPPY ABOUT IT.

I WAS HANGING OUT WITH MY OLDER BROTHER AND HE WAS HOPING I GOT THIS ROLE TOO AND WE BOTH JUST KIND OF SCREAMED AND HAD SO MUCH FUN.

>> Reporter: IT COULD BE A BIT NERVE-RACKING FOR SOME OF THE PERFORMERS.

>> I WAS EXCITED AND THEN THE STRESS KICKED IN.

I HAVE TO SING THESE ICONIC DISNEY SONGS.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU HAVE A STAGE LIKE THIS CAST IS WORKING WITH, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE A PART OF THE LITTLE MERMAID'S WORLD.

>> THIS STAGE IS WONDERFUL.

EVERY YEAR, THEY OUTDO THEMSELVES.

IT FITS TOGETHER PERFECTLY AND IT'S SO ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE.

I LOVE THAT ASPECT OF COMMUNITY THEATER.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE PERFORMERS LENT A HAND IN THE DESIGN PROCESS BY PAINTING CREATURES OF THE SEA.

>> IT'S MY MANTA RAY, RIGHT HERE.

HE'S MY FAVORITE PART.

>> THEY NEED ANOTHER PERSON TO PAINT SAND DOLLARS RIGHT HERE AND THAT WAS FUN.

WE GOT TO MAP IT OUT.

>> THIS JELLY FISH AND HERMIT CRAB, I HAD A LOT OF FUN PAINTING THEM.

>> Reporter: WORKING WITH A CAST FULL OF CHILDREN, WELL IT CAN BE A LITTLE CHAOTIC AT TIMES.

>> I CAN'T LIE, BUT IT'S A GOOD EXPERIENCE TO WATCH YOUNGER GENERATIONS OF FEEDER KIDS GROW UP AND YOU SEE THEM ENJOY FEEDER THE WAY I DID WHEN I WAS THEIR AGE.

IT MEANS A LOT.

>> SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO TALK TO ADULTS AND GET A VIEW ON THEIR LIFE, BUT HERE YOU CAN JUST RELATE TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON BECAUSE THEY ARE MOSTLY AROUND YOUR AGE.

>> Reporter: SOME WOULD SAY WORKING WITH CHILDREN IS SIMILAR TO WORKING WITH ADULTS.

>> IT'S REALLY NOT ALL THAT DIFFERENT.

ADULTS ARE OFTEN CHILD-LIKE, IT'S AN IMAGINATIVE SPACE, IT'S A FUN SPACE.

THEY ARE SO CREATIVE AND ADULTS GET STUCK IN THEIR WAYS AND KIDS DON'T DO THAT.

KIDS ARE JUST FULL OF ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT AND FUN.

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

>> THE LITTLE MERMAID JUNIOR WILL HAVE MULTIPLE SHOWINGS OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKENDS, STARTING AT 7:00 P.M. ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, AS WELL AS 2:00 P.M. ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS UNTIL APRIL 13TH.

>>> OKAY WE HAVE A CHANCE TO GET ANOTHER LOOK AT THIS IMPROVING FORECAST.

WE GO BACK OVER TO JOSH.

>> Josh: PRACTICALLY IMPROVING FORECAST, A LOT OF MELTING, PARTLY CLOUDY, INTERVALS OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, HIGH OF 39 TOMORROW.

AND THE WEEKEND FORECAST, HIGH OF 39, LOW OF 24.

PARTLY CLOUDY ON SUNDAY, 41 AND HIGH OF 34 AND LOW OF 13.

BUT THIS IS THE FORECAST EVERYONE IS LOOKING AT, SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE WEEK, BRINGING IN THE SPRING TEMPERATURES DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS JOSH AND THANKS EVERYBODY FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

THAT WILL DO IT FOR US, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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