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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND EDUCATION.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL NEWS FOR BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> NEW FINDINGS FROM THE MINNESOTA HEALTH ACCESS SURVEY, OR MNHA, SHOW MIXED RESULTS REGARDING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE WITHIN THE STATE DURING 2023.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE WITH SOMEONE FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO UNRAVEL THIS MIXED BAG.

>> Reporter: THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S HEALTH ECONOMICS PROGRAM SHARED A NEW BRIEF SAYING THE AMOUNT OF MINNESOTANS WITHOUT INSURANCE IN 2023 FELL TO 3.8%, 11,000 FEWER THAN 2021.

THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR BELIEVES THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FACTORS THAT AFFECT MINNESOTA'S HISTORIC HIGH COVERAGE RATES.

>> I THINK WE HAVE A FAIRLY STRONG EMPLOYER BASED SYSTEM, IT HAS BEEN ERODING OVERTIME SOMEWHAT, BUT IT'S THE FOUNDATION FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE IN THE STATE.

FREE OR SUBSIDIZED INSURANCE COVERAGE IS THE SECOND FACTOR.

THE THIRD MIGHT BE THAT WE'RE JUST IN A FAIRLY STRONG ECONOMY AND LABOR MARKET WHERE EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING TO ATTRACT STAFF THROUGH WAGE BENEFITS AND NON-WAGE BENEFITS, SUCH AS HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SOME COVID RELATED CARE WAS FREE AND CERTAIN PROTECTIONS WERE IN PLACE FOR INDIVIDUALS.

WITH A NEW NORMAL EMERGING AND MANY PROTECTIONS LAPSING, YOU WOULD IMAGINE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE WOULD DROP BUT IN MINNESOTA, THAT WASN'T THE CASE.

THEY BELIEVE THAT PREVENTING MINNESOTANS FROM LOSING COVERAGE WITH WAS THE MAIN REASON WHY.

>> MAINTAINING MEDICAID WAS THE SINGLE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

AT THE END OF 2023, THERE HASN'T BEEN MUCH CHANGE TO THAT PICTURE IN THAT DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY HAS BEGUN, BUT THE PROCESS HAS REALLY SUCCEEDED IN MAKING SURE THAT MOST PEOPLE WHO REMAIN ELIGIBLE CAN STAY ON THE PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: THERE MAY BE A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MINNESOTANS WITHOUT HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, BUT THOSE WHO WENT WITHOUT HEALTHCARE IN 2023 DUE TO COSTS INCREASED QUITE A BIT FROM JUST OVER 20% IN 2021 TO 24% IN 2023, AND A QUARTER OF -- MINNESOTANS NOT SATISFIED.

>> IT'S COSTLY AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL AND ALSO AT THE SYSTEM LEVEL, SO WE HAVE HIGH HEALTHCARE COSTS AND A RISING HEALTHCARE COST.

THAT AFFECTS INDIVIDUALS' AX -- ACCESS TO INSURANCE.

IT COULD BE BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND, IT'S HARD TO PREDICT, OR THE COST THAT INDIVIDUALS PAY AT THE POINT OF SERVICE, WHERE THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR DEDUCTIBLES OR THE COST SHARING IS PROHIBITIVE IN PEOPLE'S INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> Reporter: SO CONCLUSION FROM THE 2023 SURVEY SHOWS PROMISING SIGNS BUT ALSO SOME CAUTIONS FOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

>> MEDICAID COVERAGE IS PRETTY STRONG BUT WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE CASES WHERE PEOPLE CYCLE OFF THE PROGRAM AND MAYBE ARE NOT READY TO FIND FULL TIME EMPLOYER COVERAGE OR MARKET COVERAGE.

PEOPLE EXPERIENCE DISRUPTIONS IN INSURANCE COVERAGE AND THERE IS THE COMPONENT OF ACCESS TO CARE AND THE DISPARITIES THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE IN THE STATE.

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

>> THE MNHA IS CONDUCTED AS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S STATE HEALTH ACCESS DATA ASSISTANCE CENTER.

>>> THE BEMIDJI AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL SOON BE LOOKING FOR A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

ABBY RANDALL WHO TOOK OVER THE POSITION IN 2020 IS RESIGNING TO ACCEPT A NEW ROLE WITH THE BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AND FOUNDATION.

CHAMBER BOARD PRESIDENT BRAD OLSON SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE BOARD APPRECIATES THE LEADERSHIP, HARD WORK, AND PROFESSIONALISM RANDALL HAS PROVIDED AS OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

RANDALL WILL RESIGN IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR SO SHE CAN BEGIN HER NEW POSITION AT BSU AS DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE RELATIONS AND GIVING FOR THE BSU ALUMNI AND FOUNDATION.

>>> NO ONE WAS HURT IN A HOUSE FIRE IN FOSSTON TODAY.

EMERGENCY WORKERS RESPONDED TO THE FIRE.

AT 7:18 FIRST STREET EAST IN FOSSTON AROUND 9:40 THIS MORNING.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE FOSSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT THE TENANT AND ONLY OCCUPANT WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE HOME WITHOUT INJURY.

THE FOSSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.

THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE MN STATE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE IN BRAINERD HAS CANCELLED A DRAG SHOW SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT DUE TO WHAT SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY IS A CREDIBLE THREAT MADE TOWARDS THEIR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

THE RAINBOW COALITION CLUB DRAG SHOW HAS BEEN HELD ON THE CAMPUS IN PREVIOUS YEARS BUT CLC OFFICIALS SAY BECAUSE OF THE THREAT IT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

CLC SAYS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS INVESTIGATING AND THE BRAINERD DISPATCH REPORTS A SUSPECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY BRAINERD POLICE AND THE CASE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE CROW WING COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR CONSIDERATION OF A THREAT OF VIOLENCE CRIMINAL CHARGE.

>>> THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING THE THEFT OF $10,000 WORTH OF COPPER WIRE THAT WAS TAKEN FROM ROYAL FARMS NEAR ROYALTON.

INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE THEFT HAPPENED ABOUT ONE WEEK AGO AROUND MARCH 28TH.

THE SUSPECT OR SUSPECTS DROVE A VEHICLE INTO THE FIELD NEXT TO AN IRRIGATION PIVOT TO COMMIT THE THEFT.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THIS THEFT OR IF YOU SAW ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS, YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT 320-632-9233.

>>> WIGGLE YOUR TOES, A BLOOMINGTON-BASED NONPROFIT IS SPONSORING AN ADAPTIVE SWIMMING EVENT FOR AMPUTEES AT BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL ON APRIL 27TH.

THIS IS THE FIRST EVENT OF ITS KIND TO BE HELD IN NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THE NONPROFIT HOSTS MANY EVENTS IN THE METRO AREA, BUT ORGANIZERS HAVE NOTICED THAT ONCE YOU GET OUT OF THESE CITIES, IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT FOR AMPUTEES TO HAVE THIS OUTLET.

THE MISSION OF WIGGLE YOUR TOES IS TO EMPOWER THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LIMB TO MOVE FORWARD, TAKE ACTION, AND GET BACK TO THE LIFE THEY WANT.

>> IT'S OF UNPARALLELED IMPORTANCE.

IT'S BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS TO ALLOW YOU TO DO WHAT YOU HAD DONE PRE-INJURY, OR MAYBE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY.

IT JUST BREAKS DOWN THE BARRIERS AND ALLOWS YOU TO DO THAT.

>> THE EVENT IS FREE TO ATTEND, BUT SPACE IS LIMITED.

TO SIGN UP AS A PARTICIPANT OR VOLUNTEER FOR THE EVENT, THERE WILL BE A LINK POSTED ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

>> Josh: IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO BE OUTSIDE, BUT THAT STRETCH OF NICE WEATHER WILL BE COMING TO AN END FOR SOME MUCH NEEDED MOISTURE COMING UP IN THE FORECAST.

I'LL HAVE THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

>> THE CROW WING COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS WEEKS AWAY FROM THEIR 97th ANNIVERSARY.

WE'LL HAVE THAT STORY COMING UP >> 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.

>>> WE'RE NOW JUST THREE DAYS AWAY FROM THE SOLAR ECLIPSE.

MILLIONS WILL LIKELY BE LOOKING UP MONDAY AS THE MOON CASTS A SHADOW ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY.

IT'S NOT JUST A FUN EVENT BUT A RARE CHANCE FOR SCIENTISTS TO TRY AND BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW SUN ACTIVITY CAN HAVE MAJOR IMPACTS ON EARTH COMMUNICATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

REPORTER MICHAEL YOSHIDA SPOKE WITH NASA ABOUT WHAT MAKES THIS SUCH A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: AS MILLIONS WATCHED THE MOON BLOCK OUT THE SUN, SCIENTISTS ACROSS THE GLOBE WILL BE KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH TOO.

THIS ECLIPSE ALLOWS RESEARCHERS TO STUDY THE OUTER EDGES OF THE SUN IN A WAY THEY NORMALLY CAN'T.

>> IF YOU TALK TO THE SCIENCE COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS, THEY CALL THE MOON THE PERFECT CORONA GRAPH BECAUSE IT BLOCKS OUT MOST OF THE SUN IN JUST A WAY THAT ALLOWS US TO LOOK AT THE CORONA.

>> Reporter: THE OUTER ATMOSPHERE OF THE SUN, WHERE SOLAR WINDS AND STORMS COME FROM, WHICH WHEN AIMED AT EARTH CAN AFFECT OUR UPPER ATMOSPHERE.

>> SOMETIMES IN GREAT WAYS, LIKE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, AND SOMETIMES IN NOT SO GOOD WAYS LIKE DISRUPTING COMMUNICATIONS.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL BE USING ROCKETS AND HIGH ALTITUDE PLANES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SOLAR ACTIVITY.

IN THE PAST, G.

P.S., ELECTRICAL GRIDS AND MORE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY SOLAR STORMS.

PETER IS WORKING WITH THE NAVY AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW SOLAR ACTIVITIES IMPACT SYSTEMS ON EARTH, INCLUDING THE INTERNET.

HE SAYS A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED TO PREVENT AN INTERNET APOCALYPSE.

>> IF YOU TAKE THE INTERNET DOWN FOR A DAY, IT'S $10 MILLION OF ECONOMIC DAMAGE PER DAY IN THE U.S. ALONE.

>> Reporter: I'M MICHAEL YOSHIDA REPORTING.

>> THE SOLAR ECLIPSE WILL HAPPEN ON APRIL 8TH BEGINNING IN MINNESOTA AROUND 1:00 P.M. AND ENDING BY ABOUT 3:15 P.M. >>> THE FRIENDS OF THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY'S BROWN BAG LUNCH AUTHOR SERIES HOSTS AUTHORS TO SPEAK AT THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY ON THE FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

THIS MONDAY FEATURED MINNESOTA AUTHOR, CANDACE SYEMAR, TO DISCUSS HER NEW NOVEL, SISTER LUMBERJACK.

SYEMAR LIKES TO EXPLORE WHAT LIFE MIGHT HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR HER SCANDINAVIAN ANCESTORS WHO SETTLED IN MINNESOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA THROUGH HER NOVELS.

SISTER LUMBERJACK HAS SETTINGS THAT MANY MINNESOTANS WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH.

>> PEOPLE LOVE TO READ BOOKS SET IN THE PLACE WHERE THEY LIVE.

SISTER LUMBERJACK HAS CHARACTERS AND SCENES IN WILTON COUNTY, OTTERTAIL COUNTY, AITKIN COUNTY, DULUTH AS WELL.

IT'S BEEN FUN TO DIG UP THE RESEARCH AND I KNOW HOW HAPPY PEOPLE WILL BE READING IT.

>> THESE PRESENTATIONS ARE SPONSORED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY THROUGH VOLUNTEER AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY, YOU CAN CONTACT THE LIBRARY OR VISIT THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY HAS TONIGHT OFF BUT JOSH PETERSON IS HERE TO GIVE US A LOOK AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST.

HOW ARE THINGS LOOKING?

>> Josh: THINGS ARE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.

TALKING ABOUT THE SOLAR ECLIPSE AND THE PATH OF TOTALITY, WE WON'T SEE THAT BECAUSE WE'RE NOWHERE NEAR IT AND WE ARE GOING TO SEE CLOUDY SKIES AND MUCH NEEDED MOISTURE COMING UP IN THE FORECAST.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH; HERE FOR ALL, HERE FOR GOOD.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA IS AVAILABLE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

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

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >> Josh: WELL, IT WAS A GREAT DAY TO BE OUTSIDE AND GO FOR A STROLL ON THE PARK OR A JOG AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

JUST A GREAT DAY BUT THOSE GREAT DAYS WILL BE COMING TO AN END HERE.

IF YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, THE SNOW IS STARTING TO FADE AWAY AND IT'S GETTING VERY DRY OUT THERE.

WE HAVE SOME MUCH NEEDED MOISTURE COMING INTO THE FORECAST HERE, BUT BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, LET'S LOOK AT THE CURRENT CONDITIONS.

SO RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, TEMPERATURES AT 41.

WINDS ARE EAST, SOUTHEAST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

DEW POINT IS 24.

HUMIDITY IS AT 45%.

THE BAROMETER IS FALLING RIGHT NOW AT 30.09, WITH A PEAK WIND EARLIER TODAY AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES AT 42 DEGREES.

DEW POINT IS 25, HUMIDITY IS AT 42%, BAROMETER IS RISING AT 30.17, AND WINDS ARE OUT OF THE EAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE RADAR, HECK, THERE IS NOT MUCH TO SEE THERE.

IT'S BEEN A GORGEOUS DAY AND WE HAD A NICE TREND OF DECENT WEATHER TO ENJOY SPRINGTIME.

NORMALLY WE DON'T GET THAT LUXURY.

THAT WILL BE CHANGING, HERE'S WHY.

IF YOU LOOK AT MONTANA AND WYOMING, THERE IS A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE DAKOTAS.

THAT WILL BRING THE MOISTURE WE HAVE BEEN NEEDING AND THAT WILL BE BRINGING IN A MIXTURE OF RAIN AND SNOW INTO OUR SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY AND THEN LINGERING INTO EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

FIRST, BEFORE WE GET INTO ALL THE DETAILS FOR THE FORECAST, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE LAKELAND EAGLE EYE WATCHERS.

SAMROSE WITH ICE FADING AWAY ON LOWER RED LAKE.

DEBRA IS DOWN WITH LAKE ADA, SHOWING OFF THE BEAUTIFUL CLEAR SKIES WE HAD EARLIER TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE SHOWING OFF THE CLEAR SKIES WITH SOME BIRDS IN THE TREES THERE.

TAKING REPORTS FROM OUR LAKELAND WEATHER WATCHER GROUP, ANGELA REPORTING A CURRENT TEMPERATURE OF 44 WITH A HIGH OF 52.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN WITH A LIGHT BREEZE, HIGH OF 55.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY SKIES TODAY, LOW OF 22, HIGH OF 55.

STEPHANIE DOWN IN BRAINERD WITH CLEAR SKIES, WINDS SOUTHEAST AT 3, WITH A LOW OF 25 AND HIGH OF 56.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD, OUR HIGH TODAY WAS 56, OUR AVERAGE IS AROUND 49.

SO IT'S NOT TOO BAD THERE.

OUR RECORD WAS SET BACK IN 1991 AND 2021 AT 82 DEGREES, NOWHERE NEAR THAT.

OUR SUNRISE, IF YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED HERE, WE ARE STARTING TO INCH TOWARDS THE 8:00 HOUR.

SO WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THE SUNLIGHT LINGER LONGER INTO THE DAY, WHICH IS RATHER ENJOYABLE.

LOOKING AT BEMIDJI, HIGH OF 54 TODAY, THE AVERAGE IS 47.

OUR LOW WAS 20, AVERAGE IS AND 25.

SO, PRETTY ON PAR WITH WHERE WE SHOULD BE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE FORECAST.

TOMORROW, YOU SEE PARTLY SUNNY SKIES, TEMPERATURES RIGHT AROUND 50 TO 55 DEGREES.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE TAKING A LOOK AT WADENA, BRAINERD, AITKIN, ALL COMING IN THE MID-50s FOR TOMORROW.

TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, LOW OF 30, WINDS SOUTHEAST 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

THEN AGAIN TOMORROW, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGH OF 55, WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTHEAST, 10 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR.

TAKING A LOOK AT THAT EXTENDED FORECAST, THERE IS THAT RAIN MIXED WITH SNOW, THE SNOW CHANCE LIKELY, MOST LIKELY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT IT WILL MOVE ON OUT TUESDAY MORNING FOR SOME DREARY WEATHER THERE BUT WEDNESDAY, THE SUN RETURNS.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS JOSH.

NOW SOMETIMES WE DON'T GET THE SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL TEAMS PLAYING OUTDOORS UNTIL THE END OF APRIL AND MAY.

THEY'RE GETTING OUT EARLY THIS YEAR.

>> Charlie: I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT I WAS DOING LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME BUT I KNOW I WASN'T OUTSIDE IN SHORTS WATCHING SOFTBALL.

I HAD THE PLEASURE TO DO THAT.

THE FOSSTON WIN-E-MAC, I HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCING THE TECH EXPO ON SATURDAY APRIL 20TH.

MORE INKNOW AT GIGAZONEGAMING.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THERE STILL MIGHT BE A LITTLE SNOW ON THE GROUND AND THE GRASS MIGHT NOT BE GREEN QUITE YET BUT HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL IS ALREADY IN FULL SWING.

THE FOSSTON WIN-E-MAC CO-OP KNOWN AS THE EAST POLK NORTH STARS STARTED THEIR SEASON YESTERDAY AT HOME WITH AN 11-1 WIN OVER BAGLEY.

TODAY THEY WERE ONCE AGAIN IN ER-SKIN TAKING ON THIEF RIVER FALLS, TRYING TO START THE SEASON 2-0 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019.

NOW WITH THE BASES LOADED, SINGLE UP, SCORING TWO RUNS AND THEY CUT THE LEAD TO 1.

NEXT BATTER, ALYSSA FLIES ONE TO LEFT, BRAYLY MISPLACES IT, AND THE GAME IS TIED AT 4-4.

THEN ALYSSA WITH TWO OUTS, TO CHARLIE, OPTING TO GO HOME, NOT IN TIME AND THE NORTH STAR TAKE THE LEAD.

IT WILL STAY THAT WAY UNTIL THE TOP OF THE 7th.

RUNNERS ON SECOND, VANESSA JOHNSON CAN'T FIELD IT CLEANLY, SOFIA TRYING TO TIE IT, BUT IS GUNNED DOWN AND THAT ENDS THE GAME.

WILD FINISH OUT IN ER-SKIN.

FINAL SCORE 5-4.

THE NORTH STAR IMPROVE 2-0 OF THE YEAR.

>>> SOME OTHER SCORES FOR YOU.

ROGERS BEATS BEMIDJI 1-0.

IN BASEBALL, BROWERVILLE FALLS.

LITTLE FALLS GETS A BIG WIN.

IN COLLEGE SOFTBALL, BEMIDJI STATE GETS SWEPT IN GAME ONE AND GAME TWO.

IN BASEBALL, BEMIDJI GETS SWEPT BY SIOUX FALLS.

IN THE NBA, THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE TRAILING THE PHOENIX.

IF THEY PULL A WIN, THEY WILL BE IN SOLE POSSESSION OF FIRST PLACE.

>>> EARLIER TODAY, BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL SAID THEY WILL BE INDUCTING 5 INTO THE 2024 HALL OF FAME.

THE LIST INCLUDES COACHES AND ATHLETES FROM SEVEN DIFFERENT DECADES.

THEY WILL BE INDUCTED ON MAY 6th, THE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL COME LATER FOR WHEN TICKETS FOR THE EVENT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE.

>>> THERE'S A SAYING THAT GOOD GENES RUN IN THE FAMILY AND THAT'S DEFINITELY THE CASE FOR MARTINIS.

THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF THE MARTINI CLAN, DARCI, IS FOLLOWING IN THE BASKETBALL FOOTSTEPS OF SISTERS MACI AND KELSI WHO BOTH PLAYED BASKETBALL FOR PEQUOT LAKES HIGH SCHOOL.

DARCI QUALIFIED FOR THE ELKS HOOP SHOOT NATIONAL TOURNAMENT IN CHICAGO EARLIER THIS MONTH AND WAS THE FIRST BRAINERD ELK TO DO SO SINCE HER SISTER KELSI QUALIFIED NINE YEARS AGO AND REPORTER MILES WALKER TELLS US HOW SHE'S ALREADY LIVING UP TO THE STANDARD HER FAMILY CONTINUES TO SET.

>> FREE THROW SHOOTING HAS BECOME A PART OF DARCI'S MORNING ROUTINE.

>> IN THE MORNING BEFORE I GO TO BREAKFAST, I PRACTICE IN THE GYM AND AFTER SCHOOL.

THAT HAS HELPED ME A LOT.

PROBABLY AROUND 50.

>> Reporter: WHAT HAS HAD AN EQUAL PART IN HER IMPROVEMENT ON THE COURT IS GROWING UP WITH BALLERS AS SISTERS.

>> SHE'S BEEN WATCHING US PLAY AS SHE'S GROWN UP AND BEING ABLE BASKETBALL HAS HELPED HER BUILD HER COMPETITIVENESS AND WANT TO SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: AND HER WILL SHINES THROUGH WHEN THEY NEEDED IT MOST IN IOWA CITY LAST MONTH.

>> EVERY CONTEST WE WENT TO, DARCI KEPT IMPROVING.

WHEN WE WERE IN IOWA TO GO TO NATIONALS, SHE SHOT THE BEST SHE'S EVER SHOT, WHICH WAS PERFECT TIMING.

WE WERE SO EXCITED, SO EXCITED FOR HER.

>> Reporter: AND NOW KELSI CAN SEE THINGS COME FULL CIRCLE, EVEN IF BEING IN THE CROWD IS MORE STRESSFUL THAN BEING ON THE COURT.

>> WATCHING HONESTLY, JUST WATCHING HER SHOOT OUT THERE.

SHE HANDLES IT AWESOME.

I WOULD SAY I GOT MORE NERVOUS WATCHING HER THAN I DID SHOOTING IT IN THE CONTEST.

>> Reporter: BUT SHE WAS FAR FROM SHAKEN AT THE FREE THROW LINE AS SHE GOTTEN PLENTY OF SIBLING ADVICE TO FALL BACK ON.

>> I LEARNED TO TAKE YOUR TIME AND TO JUST HAVE FUN.

>> Reporter: DARCI IS MAKING NOISE BEFORE REACHING HER 10th BIRTHDAY.

AFTER LACING 20 OF HER 25 FREE THROWS OF THE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT IN IOWA CITY.

HER FAMILY BELIEVES THE BIGGEST FACTOR IN HER PROWLNESS ON THE COURT IS HER CALM DEMEANOR.

>> SHE DEFINITELY STAYS CALM.

SHE SAYS SHE GETS A LITTLE NERVOUS.

WE DON'T REALLY SEE IT, BUT SHE GOES INTO OTHER THINGS.

>> Reporter: AND THOSE ATTRIBUTES REIGN TRUE FOR ALL OF LISA AND JOHN'S KIDS.

>> THEY ARE CALM AND THEIR DEMEANOR ON THE COURT AND HIGH PRESSURE SITUATIONS, YOU CAN'T TELL THEIR HIGHS AND LOWS.

THAT'S BEEN THE SAME WITH ALL OUR KIDS.

>> Reporter: AND AS FOR THE TOURNAMENT, DARCI HAS SOME AMBITIOUS GOALS.

>> IN THE TOP FIVE AND MAYBE IN THE 20s FOR SHOOTING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE MARTINIS ALSO WANTED TO GOVE A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO THE BRAINERD ELKS FOR ALL THE PROGRAM HAS DONE FOR DARCI AND THE MARTINI FAMILY.

YOU TOLD ME YOUR DAUGHTER GOT TO COMPETE IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT AS WELL.

>> Dennis: YEAH, I WAS THINKING IT'S THE SAME THING BUT THIS IS ONE STEP FURTHER.

MY DAUGHTER WENT TO THE IOWA CITY ONE.

YOU HAVE TO WIN THE LOCAL, CITY, AND STATE, AND NOW SHE'S IN THE NATIONALS.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

THEY REALLY MAKE IT A BIG DEAL WHEN YOU GO TO THAT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO HER.

GOOD LUCK.

SHE GOT TO SHOOT.

>> Charlie: WERE YOU NERVOUS WATCHING?

>> Dennis: PROBABLY MORE NERVOUS THAN SHE WAS.

SHE WAS IN EIGHTH GRADE AT THAT TIME.

I THINK SHE HAD 23 AND 25 AND TOOK THIRD.

GOOD LUCK TO HER.

>>> THE CROW WING COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM AND LIBRARY IS WEEKS AWAY FROM CELEBRATING ITS 97TH ANNIVERSARY.

ORIGINALLY THE CROW WING COUNTY JAIL FROM 1917 UNTIL THE LATE 60'S, THE MUSEUM TELLS THE TIMELESS HISTORY OF BOTH CROW WING COUNTY AND BRAINERD AS A WHOLE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE IN THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS.

>> Reporter: THE CROW WING COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM AND LIBRARY HAS BEEN COLLECTING PIECES OF HISTORY SINCE 1927.

>> WE'VE HAVE COLLECTIONS THAT GO VERY FAR BACK, BUT WE CONTINUE TO COLLECT TODAY.

WE GET DONATIONS PROBABLY ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

PEOPLE ARE BRINGING IN OLD FAMILY ITEMS, PHOTOGRAPHS.

>> Reporter: AND ONE OF THE MUSEUM'S MANY CONTRIBUTORS ONE OF THE MANY CURATORS WHO GIFTED HER ENTIRE CATALOG, INCLUDING SOME OF HER FATHER'S WORK.

>> SHE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY AND ACTUALLY WORKED HERE ALSO.

SHE IS JUST A NEAT HISTORIC CHARACTER.

JUST REALLY APPRECIATE WALKING THROUGH THE HALL AND SEEING WHAT SHE LEFT HERE.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO IMPACT ON CROW WING COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BRAINERD, FEW EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHT THAT BETTER THAN THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD SINCE LITTLE OLD BRAINERD SERVED AS THE RAILROAD'S INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS.

>> WITH THAT, THEY BUILT HUGE MANUFACTURING FACILITIES HERE THAT BASICALLY WERE THE BASE OF OUR ECONOMY FOR DECADES, ALL THE WAY FROM THE 1870s, UP INTO THE 1970s.

>> Reporter: THE CROW WING COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM AND LIBRARY CONTAINS A RICH TAPESTRY ILLUSTRATING THE COUNTY'S HISTORY, ONE OF THEM BEING THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S RESIDENCE, WHEN THERE WAS ONCE A TIME THAT THE SHERIFF'S ENTIRE FAMILY LIVED RIGHT NEXT TO THE COUNTY JAIL.

>> AT ONE TIME, IT WAS A COMMON PLACE THAT THE SHERIFF WOULD LIVE ONSITE WITH THE JAIL.

YOU WERE A WALL AWAY AND YOUR MOTHER WOULD BE COOKING FOOD FOR YOU AND FOR PEOPLE IN THE JAIL.

IT'S AN INTERESTING THING FOR PEOPLE TO SEE.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS WHY HILLARY HOPES MORE RESIDENTS IN THE COUNTY STOP BY THE MUSEUM FOR A TRIP BACK IN TIME.

>> WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE SUPPORT THAT WE GET FROM THE COMMUNITY AND WE JUST LOVE TO SEE MORE LOCAL PEOPLE COMING IN TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE MUSEUM WILL HOLD ITS 97TH ANNUAL MEETING AT GATHER ON THREE ON APRIL 23RD.

>>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM