>> 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.

>>> ARCTIC CAT HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO LAY OFF HUNDRED OF EMPLOYEES AT ITS THIEF RIVER FALLS FACILITY.

IN A LETTER TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TEXTRON, WHICH OWNS THE POWERSPORTS MANUFACTURER, SAID ABOUT 385 EMPLOYEES WILL BE LAID OFF, STARTING MAY 8TH.

COMPANY OFFICIALS CITED CHANGING BUSINESS NEEDS AS THE REASON FOR THE LAYOFFS WHICH WILL BE PERMANENT.

THE CUTS INCLUDE A VARIETY OF POSITIONS, INCLUDING ENGINEERS, TECHNICIANS, ASSEMBLERS, PROCUREMENT SPECIALISTS, FORKLIFT OPERATORS, AND MAINTENANCE STAFF.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES JUST MONTHS AFTER OPERATIONS WERE SUSPENDED AT FACILITIES IN THIEF RIVER FALLS AND ST.

CLOUD.

ARCTIC CAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN MINNESOTA AS A SNOWMOBILE MANUFACTURER IN 1962 BUT HAS ADDED ATV'S AND SIDE-BY-SIDE UTV'S TO THE LINEUP IN MORE RECENT YEARS.

>>> A POTENTIAL REFERENDUM MAY BE ON THE HORIZON FOR THE PEQUOT LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROVIDING A FAVORABLE REVIEW FOR THE PROPOSAL.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY ON WHAT COULD COME TO PASS FOR THE PEQUOT LAKES COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: EXPANSION AND RENOVATION, AMONG OTHER MATTERS, COULD BE IN THE PEQUOT LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT'S NEW FUTURE, WHICH HAS BEEN A TALKING POINT ON THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

>> BACK IN JANUARY OF 2022, THIS DISTRICT STARTED TO DEVELOP A VERY DETAILED LONG-TERM FACILITY, MAINTENANCE PLAN, AND ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR FUTURE OF WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSAL WILL POSE TWO QUESTIONS TO ELIGIBLE VOTERS, THE FIRST OF BEING A $55 MILLION BOND REFERENDUM TAILORED TOWARDS EXPANDING INSTRUCTIONAL SPACES, COMPLETING MAINTENANCE, BOLSTERING SAFETY AND SECURITY, AND ADDING NEW SPACE FOR CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND TRADES EDUCATION.

>> MAKING SURE THAT A CLASS LIKE FOOD SCIENCE CAN BE TAUGHT IN A SCIENCE CLASSROOM OR CULINARY SPACE.

THAT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE THAN ONE WITHOUT RUNNING WATER AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO NAVIGATE ON A DAILY BASIS AND IT'S BECOME THE NORM.

>> Reporter: THE SECOND PIECE IS A 10 YEAR ANNUAL CAPITAL PROJECTS LEVY SUPPORTING TEXTBOOKS, STRUCTURAL MATERIAL AND TECHNOLOGY.

>> WE PRESENTED IT TO STUDENTS.

STUDENTS HAVE SOME CONCERNS, MAYBE CALLED THEM COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CURRENT FACILITY AND THE NEEDS OR THE LACK OF FACILITY NEEDS.

ONE OF THE AREAS THAT THE PEOPLE WILL TALK ABOUT IS THE LUNCHROOM.

A CONGESTED CAFETERIA LEADS TO KIDS STRESSED.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN 2023 AND TODAY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS HELD OVER 20 SCHOOL COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND ALSO SERVING HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS ALL IN AN EFFORT TO REFINE AND CREATE THE BEST POSSIBLE PROPOSAL.

HOWEVER, NEITHER OF THOSE SURVEYS NOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S FAVORABLE REVIEW WILL SERVE AS THE FINAL VERDICT.

>> THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR VOTERS TO HAVE INPUT ON THIS REFERENDUM AND CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING THEIR OPINIONS.

>> CLICK AROUND IN THE DISTRICT WEB PAGE AND PICK UP THE PHONE AND REQUEST A TOUR.

GET OUT AND VOTE AND BE INFORMED WHEN YOU MAKE THE VOTE.

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

>> VOTERS IN THE PEQUOT LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN VOTE ON THE PROPOSED REFERENDUM ON APRIL EIGHTH OR SUBMIT AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FROM NOW THROUGH APRIL 7TH.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE HELD A PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION EARLIER THIS EVENING TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY AND HERITAGE DURING THE CLOSING DAYS OF FEBRUARY AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER, DOCTOR GABRIEL WARREN, HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A CHAMPION OF CHANGE, AND SPOKE ABOUT HOW SMALL DECISIONS CAN MAKE BIG SOCIAL IMPACTS.

SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS MENTIONED WERE BEING COURAGEOUS AND INTENTIONAL, WILLING TO LISTEN TO OTHERS, AND NEVER BEING AFRAID TO FAIL.

THE PROFESSOR ALSO SPOKE ABOUT BLACK HISTORY.

>> HOPEFULLY IT HELPS US TO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES.

IT HELPS US TO LEARN LIKE WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT WE CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THERE?

HOW CAN WE BUILD UPON THOSE THINGS?

A LOT OF TIMES, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUTH TODAY, WE DON'T ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE LESSONS OF THOSE WHO GONE BEFORE US ARE ABLE TO TEACH US.

FOR ME, I THINK THE PATIENT CAN BE INFORMED THROUGH SCHOOL AND INFORMALLY, WE CAN LEARN FROM THOSE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WENT THROUGH A LOT OF EXPERIENCES.

>> DR. WARREN ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHILE BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS IMPORTANT, THERE IS STILL BLACK HISTORY HAPPENING EVERY DAY AND THAT ADVOCACY IS IMPORTANT YEAR-ROUND, NOT ONLY IN FEBRUARY.

>>> CROWDS OF WELL-WISHERS WHO TRAVELLED FROM MEXICO PRAYED FOR POPE FRANCIS' SPEEDY RECOVERY OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL HE IS AT IN ROME ON THURSDAY.

THEY GATHERED TO SING SONGS AND PLACE FLORAL TRIBUTES OUTSIDE A MEMORIAL TO THE LATE POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND.

THOUGH HIS PNEUMONIA SYMPTOMS HAVE NOT CHANGED SINCE WEDNESDAY.

THE VATICAN SAID TODAY THAT POPE FRANCIS' CONDITION IS IMPROVING, BUT HIS PROGNOSIS IS STILL UNCLEAR FOR NOW.

DOCTORS WILL NEED MORE DAYS OF CLINICAL STABILITY TO GIVE A PROGNOSIS.

THE MEDICAL UPDATE ON THE PONTIFF DESCRIBED HIS CONDITION AS COMPLEX RATHER THAN CRITICAL.

>>> HEALTH OFFICIALS IN TEXAS SAY THE FIRST DEATH FROM A GROWING MEASLES OUTBREAK IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE WAS AN UNVACCINATED SCHOOL-AGE CHILD.

SO FAR, MORE THAN 120 CONFIRMED MEASLES CASES HAVE BEEN LINKED TO THE OUTBREAK SINCE LAST MONTH.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ BREAKS DOWN THE LATEST ON THE ILLNESS AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE COMING DAYS.

>> Reporter: SINCE 2015, THERE HAD BEEN 0 MEASLES DEATHS IN THE U.S., BUT THAT CHANGED THIS WEEK.

DURING WEDNESDAY'S CABINET MEETING, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP DEFERRED THE QUESTION ABOUT THE MEASLES OUTBREAK IN TEXAS TO ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. >> WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE MEASLES EPIDEMIC EVERY DAY, I THINK THERE ARE 124 PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONTRACTED MEASLES.

>> Reporter: HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE 18 HOSPITALIZATIONS SO FAR WERE MAINLY FOR QUARANTINE, BUT LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS TELL CNN THAT MOST PATIENTS WERE ADMITTED WERE RESPIRATORY ISSUES.

>> QUARANTINE, CERTAINLY IF YOU HAD AN EXPOSURE, THERE ARE INDICATIONS OF QUARANTINING, BUT THAT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AT A HEALTH CARE FACILITY.

>> Reporter: THE BEST WAY TO STAY PROTECTED IS TO GET VACCINATED ACCORDING TO EXPERTS.

>> WHEN WE THINK OF VACCINE PREVENTABLE ILLNESSES, THEY ARE ONLY PREVENTABLE IF WE HAVE ADEQUATE VACCINATION RATES.

IF WE SEE THOSE RATES START TO DECLINE ACROSS THE NATION AND THEN WE'LL SEE MORE OUTBREAKS.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE MEASLES IS SO CONTAGIOUS, CASES MAY CONTINUE RISING IN WEST TEXAS.

>> THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT ARE RISING STEEPLY.

WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT SEVERAL HUNDRED KIDS MOST LIKELY INFECTED WITH MEASLES.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THEM SPARKING CONCERN IS THE UPCOMING RODEO IN HOUSTON, WHICH CLAIMS TO BE THE WORLD'S LARGEST RODEO EVENT AND DRAWS FAMILIES FROM WEST TEXAS.

I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>> HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY MOST KIDS WILL RECOVER FROM MEASLES, BUT INFECTION CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS COMPLICATIONS SUCH AS PNEUMONIA, BLINDNESS, BRAIN SWELLING, AND DEATH.

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

>> Stacy: THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO THE EARLY HOURS OF TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING SOME SNOW AND FROZEN RAIN THROUGHOUT THE VIEWING AREA AND SOME FAST WINDS COMING IN FROM THE NORTHWEST.

I'LL HAVE THE COMPLETE WEATHER DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PLANETARIUM WILL BE RUNNING LASER SHOWS THRO >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: IN BAXTER THE FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PLANETARIUM IS SHOWCASING LASER LIGHT SHOWS FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES COMMUNITY THIS WEEK.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN A 50-MINUTE-LONG EXPERIENCE FEATURING VARYING LASER DESIGNS, GRAPHICS, AND EVEN A COLLECTION OF CROWD-PLEASING SONGS SERVING AS A BACKDROP, RANGING FROM THE BEATLES, ALL THE WAY TO TAYLOR SWIFT.

>> IF YOU THINK BACK ABOUT AN EVEN A SKETCH, YOU COMBINE THAT WITH FIREWORKS, THAT'S WHAT A LASER LIGHT SHOW IS LIKE.

SET THE MUSIC THAT THE PEOPLE GET TO CHOOSE FROM WHAT THEY LIKE.

IT MAKES IT FUN.

I CAN SEE HEADS BOBBING AND THE VISUALS ARE REALLY AMAZING.

>> THE SHOWS WILL RUN AT 5:30 P.M., 6:45 P.M., AND 9:00 P.M.

THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT.

RESERVATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PLANETARIUM'S WEBSITE.

>>> WELL, TIME FOR WEATHER.

STACY IS OFF TONIGHT BUT SYDNEY DICK IS HERE WITH OUR WEATHER TONIGHT.

>> Sydney: THANKS, TONIGHT ONCE AGAIN WE WILL BE SEEING SOME PRETTY HIGH WINDS COMING IN FROM THE NORTHWEST.

THERE WILL BE A WIND ADVISORY FOR MUCH OF THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

I' >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DEAF, DEAF/BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING STATE SERVICES DIVISION.

>> 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, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

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

>> Sydney: THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, WE WILL HAVE SOME FREEZING RAIN AND RAIN THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE STATE AND A LOT OF WIND COMING IN FROM THE NORTHWEST.

THERE WILL BE A WIND ADVISORY, BUT WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT IN JUST A MOMENT.

RIGHT NOW LET'S LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY.

AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 34 DEGREES.

HERE AT OUR STATION, WE HAVE A DEW POINT OF 29 AND HUMIDITY OF ABOUT 80%.

OVER IN BRAINERD, WE STILL HAVE SOME CLOUDY CONDITIONS, IT'S CURRENTLY 37 DEGREES WITH A 30 DEGREE DEW POINT, AND SOUTHERN WINDS OF ABOUT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

THEN LIKE I WAS TALKING A SECOND AGO.

WE HAVE A WIND ADVISORY FOR MUCH OF THE WESTERN, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE STATE, HIGH WIND CLOSE TO THE FARGO AREA, GUSTS UP TO OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT TONIGHT.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY, WE HAD MUCH CLOUD COVER, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW COMING IN, AS YOU GUYS CAN SEE UP IN THE SOUTHERN REGION AND NONE OF IT REALLY STUCK.

THERE WAS NOT TOO MUCH ACCUMULATION.

TONIGHT, WE HAVE SOME GREAT PICTURES FROM OUR EAGLE EYES.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, NOT TOO MUCH SUN COMING IN THROUGH THE TREES, BUT ARLENE IN MENAHGA SHOWS US A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE FROM THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THOSE PICTURES TODAY.

OUR EAGLE EYE WEATHER WATCHERS HAD PLENTY OF WEATHER FOR US TONIGHT.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTS 33 TODAY AND WINDY AND CALM THIS EVENING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE SAYS IT WAS A LOW OF 33 DEGREES.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD SAID OVERCAST SKIES AND 45 DEGREES FOR THE HIGH.

BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTS A LOW OF 30 DEGREES AND SOME SUN AND CLOUDS.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE SAYS THERE WAS A LOW OF 31 DEGREES, CLOUDY AND SOME EASTERN WINDS IN THERE AS WELL.

ON TO OUR ALMANAC FOR BRAINERD, WE HAD A HIGH OF 45 DEGREES TODAY, SO PRETTY WARM OUT THERE.

LOW OF 33, ALSO ONCE AGAIN PRETTY WARM.

WE'RE WAY ABOVE THAT AVERAGE FOR OVER IN BRAINERD WITH THE SUNSET AT 6:01 P.M. TONIGHT.

OVER HERE IN BEMIDJI, WE HAD A HIGH OF 37 DEGREES, SO ONCE AGAIN, PRETTY TOASTY, LOW OF 29, AND OUR SUNSET WAS AT 6:04 P.M. TONIGHT.

A LITTLE BIT TROUBLE WITH THE CLICKER BUT WE GOT IT NOW.

THE FORECAST SHOWING TOMORROW STARTING AT AROUND 7:00 A.M., WE SEE THE CLOUDY SKIES.

ONCE AGAIN.

THAT WIND ADVISORY WHERE THAT WAS TOWARDS THE GRAND FORKS AREA, WE WILL SEE SOME SNOW, A LITTLE BIT OF ACCUMULATION, BUT NOT TOO MUCH.

TOMORROW, THE TEMPERATURES WILL BE UP IN THE 30s, WE WILL STILL SEE THE SNOW COMING IN THROUGH THE STATE, BUT MID-30s FOR THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE, PRETTY MUCH THE SAME STORY DOWN TOWARDS CENTRAL.

WE WILL BE GETTING UP INTO THE 40s AS WE GO THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THEN FOR TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, THAT 20 TO 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF THAT FROZEN MIX, SOME SNOW, SOME FREEZING RAIN, AND THEN A LOW OF 24 DEGREES.

WE WILL SEE THE WIND STARTING TONIGHT ABOUT 10 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR, SOUTHERN TO WESTERN WINDS, AND THEN TOMORROW, ONCE AGAIN, MOSTLY CLOUDY, 40% TO 50% CHANCE OF RAIN, HIGH OF 34 DEGREES.

MOVING ON TO OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, THAT SLUSHY MIX WILL BE GONE AROUND SATURDAY AS THE SUN WILL BE COMING OUT, ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURES ARE DROPPING, AND THEN TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE THROUGH SUNDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU GUYS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS SYDNEY.

NICE JOB, VERY MILD END OF FEBRUARY AND START OF MARCH.

>> Charlie: I LOVE IT.

ALL THE SNOW IS MELTING.

>> Dennis: BIG NEWS ON THE WRESTLING FRONT.

>> Charlie: YES, WE STILL HAVE WINTER SPORTS AND TEAM WRESTLING STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND THEY CROWNED THE CHAMPION TONIGHT.

STAPLES MOTLEY WAS VYING FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE REVENGE AGAINST CHATFIELD THAT BEAT THEM LAST YEAR IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH.

WE GOT THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM ALL THREE CLASSES AT STATE AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS.

>> 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.

>>> AFTER FALLING ONE MATCH SHY OF A STATE TITLE LAST YEAR, STAPLES-MOTLEY BOYS WRESTLING IS BACK AT THE CLASS A STATE TEAM TOURNAMENT TO TRY AGAIN, AND MUCH LIKE THEIR LAST TRIP, THEY EASILY WON THEIR FIRST TWO DUALS, BEATING UNITED NORTH CENTRAL 51-11 AND JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL 64-0 TO ONCE AGAIN SQUARE OFF WITH CHATFIELD IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT.

FROM THE EXCEL ENERGY CENTER, THE 2-SEED CARDINALS TRYING TO KNOCK OFF THE TOP SEEDED AND REIGNING STATE CHAMPION GOLDEN GOPHERS.

EARLY IN THE DUEL AT 1:21, RANKED NUMBER TWO IN THE STATE WITH A HUGE TAKE DOWN.

HE WOULD WIN BY A 7-1 DECISION, GIVING THE CARDINAL AS 9-0 LEAD.

LATER AT 133, ELI RANKED FIFTH IN THE STATE, TAKES CARE OF BUSINESS WITH A TECHNICAL FALL.

CARDINALS WON THEIR FIRST SIX MATCHES.

THEN AT 172, DUSTIN CAN SOLIDIFY THE WIN, TIED AT 2, HUGE REVERSAL, HE GETS THE DECISION 5-2, STEALS THE VICTORY FOR STAPLES MOTLEY.

THEY WIN THEIR NINTH STATE TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY, THEIR FIRST IN 40 YEARS.

IT'S NOT REVENGE, IT'S A RECKONING.

STAPLES MOTLEY BACK ON TOP OF THE WRESTLING SCENE IN CLASS A.

WE HEARD FROM A FEW OF THE WRESTLERS WHO TOLD US HOW IT FEELS TO BE CROWNED CHAMPIONS.

>> IT'S AWESOME.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BE HERE AND NOW WE'RE HERE AND WE JUST DID THE DEAL.

IT'S REALLY AWESOME.

IT'S SURREAL.

NO BETTER FEELING BEING ON TOP WITH YOUR BOYS.

>> IT'S GREAT, TO BRING THIS CITY, THIS COMMUNITY AFTER 40 YEARS, IT'S GREAT.

THEY HAVE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE AND THEY REALLY HELPED US ALONG THIS PATH AND I THINK IT'S GREAT TO NOT ONLY BRING THIS HOME FOR US, BUT FOR THEM.

>> Charlie: AND HERE YOU CAN SEE ALL THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS THEY HAVE.

IT WAS A BIG GAP BETWEEN 885 AND 2025.

AND BOTHS IN NORTH-CENTRAL, THEY LOST IN THE CONCILIATION 5th PLACE.

>>> BEMIDJI BOYS WRESTLING BACK AT THE STATE TOURNEY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020.

THEY'RE DUELLING ALBERT LEA IN THE CLASS 3A QUARTERFINAL 4-5 MATCHUP.

FIRST AT 139 POUNDS, GAVIN OSBORN WITH THE WITH THE REVERSE THERE.

THE SENIOR CAPTAIN WOULD WIN BY DECISION, 15-8.

NEXT UP FOR THE JACKS, NICK STRAND AT 145, GIVE THE MAN 6-POINTS.

HE WAS ABLE GET THE PIN IN JUST 41-SECONDS.

LATER AT 172, SENIOR CAPTAIN ALEC NEWBY WITH THE TAKEDOWN.

HE'D COME OUT ON TOP OF A TIGHT ONE BY A 9-4 DECISION.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH AS BEMIDJI FALLS TO ALBERT LEA 33-26.

THE LUMBERJACKS WOULD HOWEVER WIN BOTH THE CONSOLATION SEMIFINAL AND FINAL, TAKING 5TH PLACE OVERALL.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM.

>>> AND IN CLASS 2A, UNSEEDED GRAND RAPIDS BOYS WRESTLING MAKING THEIR 14TH STATE APPEARANCE, FIRST IN 8-YEARS.

THEY'RE BATTLING 3-SEED AND REIGNING CHAMP SIMLEY.

FIRST AT 127 POUNDS, ASHER BRENDEN GETS A WIN BY FALL AT THE 4-MINUTE 26-SECOND MARK.

THEN LATER AT 139, CHRISTIAN JELLY WAS PUTTING ON A MASTERCLASS IN TECHNIQUE, COMES OUT ON TOP WITH A 24-8 TECHNICAL FALL.

GRAND RAPIDS WOULD TIE SIMLEY 33-33, BUT THE SPARTANS WOULD TAKE THE DUAL OVER THE THUNDERHAWKS BASED ON TIEBREAKER CRITERIA, WINNING 7 OF THE 13 MATCHES.

T-HAWKS WOULD HOWEVER WIN THE CONSOLATION BRACKET AND TAKE 5TH PLACE.

>>> NORTHERN LAKES BOYS HOCKEY HAS MADE ONE STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE IN THE PROGRAMS HISTORY.

LAST YEAR THEY WERE ONE WIN AWAY FROM A RETURN TRIP BUT WERE STYMIED BY SECTION 6A POWER ALEXANDRIA.

THIS SEASON, THE LIGHTNING BROUGHT IN HEAD COACH MIKE RANDOLPH.

THE WINNINGEST HEAD COACH IN MINNEOSTA HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY HISTORY TO HELP THEM TAKE THAT NEXT STEP AND GET BACK TO THE EX.

TONIGHT AT THE MAC IN SAINT CLOUD, TOP SEED NORTHERN LAKES TAKING ON 2-SEED ALEXANDRIA IN THE SECTION 6A CHAMPIONSHIP.

THE LIGHTNING BEAT THE CARDINALS IN BOTH MEETINGS THIS SEASON.

EARLY ON, IN THE FIRST PERIOD, GRIFFIN ABLE TO GIVE NORTHERN LAKES A 1-0 LEAD.

THEY GO UP 2-1 AFTER 1.

IN THE SECOND, WILLIAM IS ABLE TO TIE IT AT 2 FOR THE CARDINALS.

THEN PEOPLE ARE BITING THEIR NAILS A LITTLE BIT.

A FEW MOMENTS LATER, DREW AND HIS FIRST OF TWO GOALS IN THE PERIOD, GAVE HIM A 4-2 LEAD.

THEY WOULD HANG ON IN THE THIRD AFTER GIVING UP ANOTHER TO MAKE IT TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

THEIR SECOND STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE IN PROGRAM HISTORY, KNOCKING OFF ALEXANDRIA.

4-3 THE FINAL THERE IN NORTHERN LAKES.

ALSO IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS HOCKEY, EAST GRAND FORKS GETS REVENGE ON WARROAD AFTER A DOUBLE OVERTIME LOSS IN THE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP.

THEY WIN 3-2 THERE.

>>> IN SECTION GIRLS BASKETBALL, THEY CONTINUED TONIGHT.

FIRST ROUND OF THE 8A TOURNAMENT, IN THE FIRST HALF, THEY ARE TRYING TO STAY WITH THE PANTHERS, KNOCKING DOWN THE TRADE, BUT CLB LED 39-13 AT THE BREAK.

THEN FAIRBANKS DROPS FOUR THREES, AND THEN EXTENDED THE PANTHERS' LEAD.

THEN THIS ONE OUT-OF-BOUNDS, PANTHERS HELD THEM TO 29 POINTS TONIGHT.

LATER, THE PART OF THE SHOW THAT EVERYONE CAME TO SEE, GABBY FINE DAY GOING FOR 3,000 CAREER POINTS, SHE NEEDED 27, SHE GOT 27.

SHE CELEBRATES WITH HER TEAM AND HEADS TO THE FAMILY, A HUGE TURNOUT.

SHE IS THE FIRST IN CASS LAKE-BENA HISTORY TO SCORE 3,000 POINTS.

CONGRATULATIONS TO HER AND THE REST OF THE PANTHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE MOVING ON, 79-29 OVER CLEAR BROOK GONVICK.

THEY WILL PLAY THE QUARTER FINALS ON FRIDAY.

NORTHOME-KELLIHER, THEY WIN THEIR SIDE OF THINGS ON THE BRACKET, SO THEY MOVE ON.

MAHNOMEN-WAUBUN GETS THE WIN OVER BLACKDUCK.

LITTLE FALLS IN 8-3A BEATS DETROIT LAKES.

MENAHGA GETS THE WIN IN THE FIRST ROUND OVER ROSEAU.

IN 8-2A AS WELL, HOLLY UPSETS -- I MEAN THEY BEAT WADENA DEER CREEK.

AND 7A, HILL CITY NORTHLAND BEATS DEER RIVER.

BIG FORK AND WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY PICKING UP A WIN AS WELL.

BERTHA HEWITT WINS, AND PINE RIVER-BACKUS GETS THE BIN.

ON THE BOY'S SIDE OF THINGS, BEMIDJI GETS THE WIN.

BIG ONE FOR THEM.

BRAINERD DROPS ONE TO DETROIT LAKES.

IN BOY'S BASKETBALL, LITTLE FORK BIG FALLS GETS A WIN OVER I-FALLS.

VERNDALE AND CROSBY-IRONTON PICKING UP WINS TONIGHT.

THE MINNESOTA WILD DOWN RIGHT NOW IN THE THIRD PERIOD IN THE UTAH HOCKEY CLUB.

IN THE NBA, THAT GAME JUST STARTED, LAKERS WITH THEIR NEWLY ACQUIRED DELUCA BEATING UP ON MINNESOTA.

>> Dennis: TOUGH TIME FOR THE WILD RIGHT NOW.

>> Charlie: YES, IT IS VERY TOUGH.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> USUALLY BETWEEN VALENTINE'S DAY AND DR. SUESS'S BIRTHDAY, MARCH 2ND, SCHOOLS AROUND THE NATION CELEBRATE I LOVE TO READ WEEK, AS A WAY TO GET KIDS ENCOURAGED TO READ MORE AND ENGAGE WITH STORIES.

FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN STOPPED BY HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY IN BEMIDJI TO SEE HOW THEY ARE CELEBRATING THE OCCASION.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO A RECENT REPORT FROM COMMON SENSE MEDIA, A GROUP THAT SURVEYS THEIR PARENTS ABOUT THEIR MEDIA CONSUMPTION, CHILDREN 8 AND YOUNGER ARE SPENDING AS MUCH TIME GLUED TO THEIR SCREENS THAN DURING COVID.

THAT MEANS 2 TO 4 HOURS A DAY WITH SCREEN MEDIA.

>> THE PURPOSE OF I LOVE TO READ BOOK IS TO GET MORE KIDS ENCOURAGED TO READ AND ENGAGE WITH BOOKS.

THEY GOT TO SPEND TIME WITH SOME OF THE LOCAL ATHLETES.

>> WE ORGANIZED MANY PEOPLE TO READ TO OUR STUDENTS.

THE FACES I HAVE SEEN FROM OUR OWN KIDS HERE HAVE BEEN UNEXPLAINABLE, THEY ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE THESE READERS HERE.

>> Reporter: ON TUESDAY, MEMBER FROM THE WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM READ TO SOME OF THE STUDENTS.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE ENTIRE TEAM WOULD BE THERE IF THEY COULD HAVE BEEN.

>> THEY ASKED IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO COME READ AND 25 HANDS SHOT UP IN THE ROOM.

ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE CLASS, IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONFLICT.

SO EVERYONE WAS EXCITED TO DO THAT.

>> THEN IT WAS THE MEN'S TURN.

>> IT WAS SUPER FUN.

IT WAS NICE TO GO IN THERE AND READ A STORY TO THEM AND I THINK THEY ENJOYED IT.

>> Reporter: ON THURSDAY, THE STUDENTS WERE TREATED WITH NOT JUST ONE BUT TWO SPECIAL GUESTS.

>> AREN'T WE LUCKY THAT WE GOT HORACE AND BUCKY HERE TODAY?

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> Reporter: THE FUN WAS NOT JUST FOR THE STUDENTS, THE PRINCIPAL IS A HUGE BSU BEAVER FAN, SO THE STAFF AT HORACE MAY WORKED WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM TO SURPRISE THE PRINCIPAL WHILE BUCKY WAS THERE.

>> WOW, THAT IS REALLY LUCKY.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT IS VERY NICE.

I LOVE IT.

>> I WAS A BIT SURPRISED.

I WASN'T EXPECTING THE WHOLE CROWD THERE, BUT IT'S SO FUN TO HAVE BUCKY AND HORACE TOGETHER.

THEY ARE A VERY LOVING AND CARING STAFF AND THEY KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE THE BEAVERS HOCKEY.

I THINK IT WAS APPROPRIATE.

IT'S ALL GOOD.

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

>> I LOVE TO READ WEEK IS NOT OVER YET FOR STUDENTS AT HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY.

TOMORROW STUDENTS FROM BOTH THE BOY'S AND GIRL'S HOCKEY TEAMS FROM BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE READING TO THE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

SO THEY HAVE THAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

>>> WEATHER-WISE, WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO SYDNEY?

>> Stacy: SO WEATHER-WISE, WE HAVE THE WIND ADVISORY, SORRY, IT TOOK A MINUTE TO GO THROUGH.

WE WILL BE SEEING GUSTS UP TO 55 MILES PER HOUR THROUGH 6:00 P.M.

TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT.

>> Charlie: AND I WANTED TO GIVE OUT A SHOUT-OUT TO JAMES, HE SENT ME THIS TIE.

GOOD LOOKING.

THANK YOU JAMES.

>> Dennis: GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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