>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, I'M JOSH PETERSON IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>>> STATE SENATOR JUSTIN EICHORN HAS NOW RESIGNED FROM THE MINNESOTA SENATE AFTER FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES WHICH ACCUSE HIM OF SOLICITING SEX FROM SOMEONE HE THOUGHT WAS A MINOR BUT TURNED OUT TO BE AN UNDERCOVER OFFICER.

THE RESIGNATION COMES AFTER HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS STATED THAT THEY WOULD VOTE TO EXPEL HIM FROM THE SENATE IF HE DID NOT RESIGN.

THE STATE SENATOR FROM GRAND RAPIDS WAS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED COERCION OR ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR.

A LETTER SIGNED BY EICHORN WAS SENT TO GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ANNOUNCING HIS DEPARTURE FROM PUBLIC OFFICE.

THE LETTER WAS READ TODAY ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> THE SECRETARY WILL REPORT THE COMMUNICATION.

>> GOVERNOR WALZ, I'M RESIGNING MY SEAT IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE FOR DISTRICT 6 EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

I MUST FOCUS ON PERSONAL MATTERS AT THIS TIME.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE, SINCERELY JUSTIN EICHORN.

>> GOVERNOR WALZ WILL NOW HAVE TO CALL FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE VACANCY.

>>> SENATOR TINA SMITH IS TOURING MINNESOTA TO BETTER LEARN THE NEEDS OF HER CONSTITUENTS.

ONE OF HER STOPS ON THE TOUR WAS AT A PEQUOT LAKES FOOD SHELF WHERE SHE SPOKE TO RESIDENTS, FARMERS, AND VOLUNTEERS ABOUT MAKING SURE EVERY PERSON HAS FOOD ON THE TABLE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO FEEDING AMERICA, NEARLY 50 MILLION PEOPLE EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY IN THE UNITED STATES EVERY YEAR.

FOOD SHELVES LIKE THE LAKES AREA FOOD SHELF ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THAT.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST BENEFIT OF THIS FOOD SHELF IS THAT WE'RE THERE FOR THOSE FAMILIES WITH SOME TYPE OF EVENT THAT HAPPENS IN THEIR FAMILY, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE NUMBERS ARE NOT MAKING IT.

THEY DO NOT HAVE MONEY FOR FOOD AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR BUDGET PRIORITIES, THEY WILL REVIEW A BUDGET RESOLUTION THAT WILL CUT $200 BILLION FROM THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE, MAINLY FROM SNAP BENEFITS.

ACCORDING TO SENATOR TINA SMITH, CUTTING SNAP BENEFITS WILL HAVE A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

>> SNAP, FOR SOMEONE THAT IS RELYING ON THAT, IS ALMOST ABOUT $6 A DAY.

SO YOU ARE NOT LIVING HIGH WHEN YOU ARE GETTING $6 A DAY TO PAY FOR YOUR GROCERIES.

THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN BUY AT THE GROCERY STORE FOR $6 A DAY.

IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD MEAN TO SEE THOSE BENEFITS CUT.

>> Reporter: TO PROVIDE AS MUCH ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED AS POSSIBLE.

LAKES AREA FOOD SHELF IS PARTNERING WITH LOCAL FARMERS TO BRING FRESH PRODUCE TO THEIR TABLES.

>> WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP IN WHICH WE CALL THE FARMS TO FOOD SHELF PROGRAM.

WE HAVE 13 LOCAL FARMERS THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY BUYING PRODUCE FROM.

SO MANY OF OUR SHOPPERS, ESPECIALLY OUR NEW SHOPPERS ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE HEALTHY FOOD BROUGHT TO THE FOOD SHELF FOR THEM TO EAT.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE A SOURCE OF NUTRIENTS FOR ANYONE IN NEED, NO MATTER THE SITUATION.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD TODAY THAT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO COME INTO THIS FOOD SHELF AND FOOD SHELVES ALL OVER THE STATE ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY ARE SENIORS LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME OR BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING FAMILIES THAT HAVE SOME SORT OF A BACK ECONOMIC EVENT OR HEALTH EVENT THAT THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.

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

>> THAT WASNT SENATOR SMITH'S ONLY STOP IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

EARLIER TODAY, SMITH STOPPED BY AITKIN COUNTY TO MEET WITH LEADERS FROM RIVERWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER AND THE MINNESOTA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

RIVERWOOD IS AN INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AND CLINIC NETWORK IN AITKIN COUNTY AND THE SENATOR BELIEVES THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATIONS POTENTIAL CUTS ON MEDICAID DEEPLY IMPACT RURAL HOSPITALS THAT ALREADY FACE MANY CHALLENGES.

>> AFTER THIS CONVERSATION, THE CUTS THAT ARE CONTEMPLATED BY REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS WOULD HAVE A DESPERATE IMPACT ON THE BOTTOM LINE OF HOSPITALS LIKE THIS.

MANY OF THE PATIENTS THAT COME TO THIS HOSPITAL GET THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH MEDICARE OR MEDICAID.

IF THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE, THE WAY THAT THE HOSPITALS ARE REIMBURSED TO PROVIDING CARE TO THOSE FOLKS, IF THE RATES COME DOWN OR THE PEOPLE THAT ONCE WERE COVERED ARE NO LONGER COVERED BY THE HEALTH INSURANCE, IT WILL HAVE A DESPERATE IMPACT ON THE BOTTOM LINE HERE.

IT WILL MAKE IT HARDER FOR THEM TO PROVIDE THE CARE THAT PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY REALLY RELY ON.

>> RIVERWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER HAD 25 BEDS IN THEIR HOSPITAL BUT THERE ARE SOME HEALTHCARE FACILITIES WITH AS LITTLE AS 12 IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

SENATOR SMITH FEELS THOSE HOSPITALS IN PARTICULAR WILL BE THE ONES MOST IMPACTED BY THE CUTS TO MEDICAID.

>> THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY CARE FOR THE PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

IT'S ALSO REALLY HARD FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY, YOU KNOW, E.M.S., AMBULANCE THAT COMES WHEN YOU DIAL 9-1-1.

THAT AGAIN HAS TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT LIVES UP TO WHAT I BELIEVE SHOULD BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REIMBURSE THOSE EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND THE PROVIDERS THAT ARE IN THEM TO HELP KEEP PEOPLE VISIT TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

>>> THE LAKE SHORE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE NEW BODY CAMERAS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS APPROVED THE PURCHASE FOR MOTOROLA V700 BODY WORN CAMERAS DURING THEIR MEETING LAST MONTH.

THE FOUR CAMERAS, WITH A TOTAL QUOTED COST OF $20,200 WILL BE REPLACING LAKE SHORES CURRENT DECADE-OLD EQUIPMENT.

ITS SOMETHING INCOMING POLICE CHIEF MIKE HELDT IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN HE OFFICIALLY TAKES OVER ON APRIL 1ST.

>> THE OLDER CAMERAS ARE A LITTLE MORE GRAINY, WHERE THE NEWER TECHNOLOGY GETS MORE CLEAR AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT FOR DAY VERSUS NIGHT ALSO.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE THOSE AND I KNOW THAT CACHE COUNTY HAS IMPLEMENTED THEM AND THEY ARE USING THEM RIGHT NOW AND IT SEEMS TO BE GREAT TECHNOLOGY.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> THE NEW BODY CAMERAS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE LAKE SHORE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITHIN A COUPLE MONTHS.

>>> THE INK IS DRYING ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER TO DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

HE SIGNED IT THIS AFTERNOON IN A CEREMONY AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

WHILE ENTIRELY SHUTTERING THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES AN ACT OF CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENT HAS DIRECTED THE EDUCATION SECRETARY TO TAKE STEPS TOWARD ITS CLOSURE, LEAVING MILLIONS OF TEACHERS, FAMILIES, AND STUDENTS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF CRITICAL SERVICES FOR CLASSROOMS.

LAURA AGUIRRE HAS THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS.

>> MY ADMINISTRATION WILL TAKE ALL LAWFUL STEPS TO SHUT DOWN THE DEPARTMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO SHUT IT DOWN AND SHUT IT DOWN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS NEVER MINCED WORDS ABOUT HIS PLAN TO DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

TODAY, HE MOVED EVEN CLOSER TO THAT GOAL BY SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO THAT EFFECT.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE RETURNING EDUCATION VERY SIMPLY BACK TO THE STATE WHERE IT BELONGS.

>> Reporter: LINDA McMAN CONFIRMING ON FOX NEWS THAT SHE IS COMPLETELY ONBOARD.

>> THAT WAS THE PRESIDENT'S MANDATE, DIRECTED TO ME.

CLEARLY TO SHUT DOWN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHICH WE KNOW, WE WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH CONGRESS TO GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.

>> Reporter: THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY HAD TO CLARIFY BETWEEN A TOTAL SERVICE SHUT DOWN AND SERVICES REDUCTION.

>> THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTED LINDA McMAN TO MINIMIZE THE AGENCY.

WHEN IT COMES TO STUDENT LOANS AND PELL GRANTS, THOSE WILL STILL BE RUN OUT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: FUNDING FOR TITLE I FOR LOW INCOME SCHOOLS WOULD NOT BE IMPACTED.

>> ANY CRITICAL DEPARTMENT WILL REMAIN.

>> Reporter: THERE HAS BEEN A WAVE OF PROTESTS AGAINST THE CLOSING OF THE DEPARTMENT AND SOME FEEL THEIR VOICES AREN'T BEING HEARD.

>> I'M SURPRISED THAT THE PRESIDENT IS NOT WORKING WITH THE TEACHERS IN CLASSROOMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AS REPRESENTED BY THEIR UNION TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS EXPECTED TO SPARK A LITANY OF LEGAL OPPOSITION.

I'M LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTING.

>> NEARLY TWO DOZEN DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEY GENERALS LAST WEEK FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO HALT ITS EFFORTS TO SLASH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS WORKFORCE, CALLING IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

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

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE A FEW SPRINKLES AND FLURRIES TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING AS A COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH BUT A LARGER SYSTEM WILL HAVE A GREATER IMPACT AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL SCENE PLACES HIGHER THAN >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> FOR THOSE THAT LOVE THE BIRDS EYE VIEW OF THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

'S EAGLE CAM, YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT TO BE ABLE TO GET AN UP CLOSE LOOK.

THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SAYS THE EAGLE CAM NEST IS CURRENTLY OUT OF RANGE.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE HIGH WINDS MIGHT HAVE IMPACTED THE CAMERA, AND THE VIEW OF THE NEST HAS BEEN OBSTRUCTED BY THE TREE TRUNK WHERE THE CAMERA IS MOUNTED.

THE D.N.R.

SAYS THE EAGLES ARE INCUBATING THEIR EGGS AND FOR THAT REASON THEY HAVE DECIDED TO NOT RELOCATE OR ADJUST THE CAMERA.

FOR THOSE WANTING TO ENJOY SOME WILDLIFE THERE IS THE FALCON CAM AVAILABLE ON THE D.N.R.

WEBSITE.

>>> A GREAT DAY TO BE OUTSIDE.

IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING, SO BIRDS ARE CHIRPING, FLYING AROUND, LAYING EGGS, AND HOPEFULLY NOT GETTING COVERED IN SNOW.

>> Stacy: NOT TODAY.

WE AGAIN, WE HAVE THE NICE SUNSHINE AND NICE TEMPERATURES, HIGHS IN THE 40s.

IT FELT LIKE SPRING.

THINGS ARE GOING TO BE CHANGING.

A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT AND WE COULD SEE SOME SPRINKLES OR FLURRIES, BUT TEMPERATURES WILL BE COOLER AS WE HEAD TO THE END OF THE WEEK.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, WE HAVE A >> 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 WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE ENJOYED SOME BEAUTIFUL WEATHER FOR THIS FIRST DAY OF SPRING, WITH NICE SUNSHINE AND TEMPERATURES IN THE 40s.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A COLD FRONT BEGIN TO MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

THAT COULD TRIGGER A FEW SPRINKLES OR FLURRIES.

IT'S ALSO GOING TO BRING US COLDER TEMPERATURES AND WE WILL BE SEEING THE FALLING TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE DAY TOMORROW.

PRETTY QUIET AS WE HEAD INTO SATURDAY, BUT SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY, WE COULD BE SEEING THE NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM BRINGING SOME WINTERY IMPACTS TO THE AREA.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 41 AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS OUT OF THE STUDIO ARE FROM THE SOUTH AT 6 MILES PER HOUR, 23 IS OUR DEW POINT, HUMIDITY IS AT 49%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, STILL 39 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 24, PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

SO AS WE LOOK AT THE RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING QUITE A BIT OF CLOUD COVER NOW AS WE MOVED INTO THE AREA.

WE ARE STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THE SPRINKLES AND FLURRIES ALONG THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER, A FEW OF THOSE POPPING UP HERE AND THERE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGHOUT THE AREA, WE WILL SEE SCATTERED SPRINKLES AND FLURRIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING, BEFORE THEY CLEAR OUT AND SUNSHINE RETURN, AND WE WILL SEE THE COLDER TEMPERATURES AS THE COLDER AIR MOVES IN.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A HAZY MORNING IN MENAHGA.

DEBRA WITH A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE OVER LAKE ADA.

ANGELA CATCHING THE END OF THE DAY, THAT SUNSET IN THE CASS LAKE AREA.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 18 WITH A LIGHT BREEZE AND SUNSHINE.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH A HIGH OF 46.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, PARTLY SUNNY AND BREEZY, TOPPING OUT AT 48.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, WITH THE SOUTH WIND AT 30 MILES PER HOUR, HIGH TODAY WAS 47.

ON THE ALMANAC, 47 IN BRAINERD.

41 IS OUR AVERAGE.

18 FOR THE LOW, WE HAD SUNSET AT 7:30 TONIGHT.

IN BEMIDJI, ACTUALLY A SIMILAR HIGH TEMPERATURE, WE TOPPED OUT AT 46, SO ABOVE THAT AVERAGE HIGH, 17 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNRISE AT 7:20.

SO AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A FEW SPRINKLES AND FLURRIES LINGERING IN THE AREA, THE COLD FRONT SLOWLY MOVES THROUGHOUT NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT THOSE WILL BE MOVING THROUGH THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE WILL BE SEEING SUNNY SKIES RETURN.

AS FAR AS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES, WE'RE LOOKING AT 20 TO 30 IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, MID-30s, EXPECT THE TEMPERATURES TO BE FALLING WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE COLD FRONT.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 30s, TO LOW 40s.

THE FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH, SO WE WILL SEE COLDER AIR AND COLDER TEMPERATURES AS WE START THE WEEKEND.

SO RIGHT NOW, FOR OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, SOME SCATTERED SPRINKLES AND FLURRIES, LOWS NEAR 24.

THEN FOR TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, SOME SPRIPGSS AND FLURRIES MOVING THROUGH THE AREA IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 30, NORTH WINDS AT 10 TO 25.

FOR OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, PRETTY QUIET THERE ON SATURDAY, BUT BY SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY, THE NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM MOVES IN WITH RAIN AND SNOW LIKELY BECOMING MORE SNOW ON SUNDAY, AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME ACCUMULATING SNOW AS WELL.

VERY COLD TEMPERATURES STARTS SATURDAY, HIGHS THIS WEEKEND SHOULD BE IN THE 30s, AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE WORKWEEK, WE WARM UP ONCE AGAIN BUT THERE ARE CHANCES OF RAIN OR SNOW.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH STACY.

THAT FORECAST IS PURE MADNESS.

MADNESS ON ALL LEVELS FROM THE WEATHER TO NATIONAL LEVEL FOR BASKETBALL, AND LOCAL LEVEL.

>> Charlie: THERE IS LOCAL LEVEL.

THE START OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT TODAY BUT WE HAVE OUR OWN HERE AT HOME MARCH MADNESS GOING ON, THE CLASS A QUARTER FINALS TAKING ON TODAY.

THEY WERE PLAYING AT THE TARGET CENTER.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

OFFERING THE LATEST 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.

>>> LAST YEAR IN THEIR 4TH STRAIGHT STATE APPEARANCE, NEVIS BOYS' BASKETBALL WON THEIR FIRST EVER QUARTERFINAL GAME BEFORE FALLING TO TOP SEED CHERRY IN THE SEMIS.

THE TIGERS ARE BACK FOR THE 5TH TIME IN A ROW, TRYING TO ONCE AGAIN GET A WIN IN THE QUARTERFINAL ROUND AND MAKE IT BACK-TO-BACK TRIPS TO THE SEMIFINALS.

FROM THE TARGET CENTER, 4-SEED NEVIS TAKING ON 5-SEED HENNING.

THE TIGERS BEAT THE HORNETS 63-57 BACK IN JANUARY BUT IT CAN BE TOUGH TO BEAT A TEAM TWICE.

FIRST HALF, TIGERS GOT OUT THE GATES HOT.

ALEX LESTER, SHOWING OFF THE FOOTWORK.

BIG FELLA HAD 21 POINTS.

NEVIS OPEN ON AN 11-2 RUN.

LATER IN THE HALF, IT'S THE SIXTH MAN ETHAN BUCHOLTZ.

NOTHING BUT NET ON THE TREY.

HE ADDED 15.

NEVIS WITH A 23-15 LEAD.

A FEW POSSESSIONS LATER, A.J.

BESSLER FINISHING AT THE RACK, 2 OF HIS 13 POINTS.

TIGERS UP 29-16.

SECOND HALF, TIGERS STILL ROARING.

ISAAC BESSLER PULLS UP TICKLES THE TWINE.

NEVIS LED BY AS MANY AS 19.

HENNING WOULD MAKE A RUN LATE BUT NEVIS WOULD HOLD ON FOR THE 58-52 VICTORY.

LESTER AND BESSLER DOMINATED THE PAINT AGAIN, BOTH WITH A DOUBLE-DOUBLE.

THE TIGERS ARE NOW BACK IN THE SEMIFINALS FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR, SETTING UP A REMATCH THERE WITH TOP-RANKED CHERRY.

>> OUR BIG GAME PLAN IS DEFENSE AND REBOUNDING.

IF WE DO THAT, WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING EVERY GAME.

WE NEED TO KEEP THE LEAD AS FAR AS WE CAN GO.

>> WE HAVE TO PLAY OUR GAME.

WE PROBABLY HAVE THE TWO BEST BIGS IN THE TOURNAMENT AND THEY MAY HAVE THE FOUR BEST PERIMETER PLAYERS IN THE TOURNAMENT, ARGUABLY.

WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ADVANTAGE WE HAVE.

THEY'RE A TOUGH TEAM TO STOP AND THEY CAN GET TO THE BASKET WITH MULTIPLE GUYS.

>> Charlie: THE RAINING STATE CHAMPS, THE CLASS A SEMIFINAL GAMES TOMORROW TIPS OFF AT NOON.

YOU CAN WATCH IT ON 45 TV AND WE'LL ALSO HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS TOMORROW NIGHT.

>>> BSU MEN'S HOCKEY GOALTENDER MATTIAS SHOLL INKED A PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT WITH THE ECHL'S GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS.

THE SENIORS COLLEGIATE CAREER CAME TO A CLOSE WITH SATURDAY'S LOSS AT MINNESOTA STATE IN THE MASON CUP SEMIFINALS.

IN HIS FOUR-YEAR CAREER WITH THE BEAVERS, THE NATIVE CALIFORNIAN APPEARED IN 117 GAMES, FINISHING 2ND IN PROGRAM HISTORY IN WINS AND SAVES IN THE DIVISION ONE ERA AND SECOND IN MINUTES PLAYED AMONG ALL GOALIES TO WEAR THE GREEN AND WHITE.

IN HIS JUNIOR SEASON, SHOLL WAS NAMED CCHA GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR.

>>> WELL, MARCH MADNESS STARTED TODAY WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE MEN'S TOURNAMENT.

THE WOMEN'S WILL GET UNDERWAY TOMORROW.

NOW ASIDE FROM THE UPSETS AND BUZZER BEATERS, ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF THE TOURNEY IS FILLING OUT A BRACKET AND TRYING TO PICK THE WINNER, BUT WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF PICKING A PERFECT BRACKET?

WE'LL BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE ACCORDING TO THE NCAA, PICKING A PERFECT BRACKET.

THINK YOU CAN BUST THAT STATISTIC THIS YEAR?

THE ODDS OF PICKING ALL 64 TEAMS CORRECTLY IS 1 IN -- YEAH, THAT'S A LOT OF NUMBERS, 9.2 QUINTILLION.

IF YOU KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BASKETBALL, YOUR ODDS ARE BETTER, 1 IN 122 BILLION, ACCORDING TO THE NCAA.

THE NCAA SAYS 60 TO 100 MILLION BRACKETS ARE FILLED OUT EVERY YEAR AND TYPICALLY THEY'RE FREE SO ANYONE CAN DO IT, MAKING IT EVEN MORE FUN TO PARTICIPATE.

>> IT'S THE UNDERDOGS THAT WILL WIN THE GAMES, IT'S THE UNKNOWNS, IT'S THE PACE OF THE GAMES, IT'S AN ACTION-PACKED THREE WEEKS.

>> Reporter: LAURIE WITH DRAFT KINGS SAYS THEY SEE A SURGE IN BUSINESS DURING MARCH MADNESS.

>> IT'S AN EXTREMELY BUSY TIME OF YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE AMERICAN GAMING ASSOCIATION ESTIMATES AMERICANS WILL LEGALLY WAGER 3.1 BILLION ON THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR, THAT'S UP FROM $2.7 BILLION LAST YEAR.

SPORTS BETTING IS NOW LEGAL IN 39 STATES.

IT'S BECOME A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY AND CONTINUES TO GROW.

>> CERTAINLY THE SMARTPHONES HAVE MADE EVERYTHING MORE ACCESSIBLE, BUT WITH TECHNOLOGY HAS COME GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO REALLY PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

>> Reporter: MARCH IS ALSO NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH, A REMINDER TO GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY.

>> ONLY 36-PERCENT OF BRACKETS REMAINED PERFECT AFTER CREIGHTON TOOK DOWN LOUISVILLE IN THE FIRST GAME OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

MINE WAS PERFECT THROUGH 4-GAMES BUT CLEMSON BUSTED MY BRACKET AND THIS IS WHAT MINE LOOKS LIKE.

I PREFER TO FILMY BRACKET OUT ON PAPER AND NOT ON THE PHONE.

I'M OLD SCHOOL.

>> Josh: I HAVE DONE BRACKET CHALLENGES, I HAD FRIENDS THAT BASE IT OFF MASCOTS, COLORS OF UNIFORMS, DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF PLAYERS ON THE TEAM AND I NEVER HAD MUCH LUCK BUT MY DAD IS SUCCESSFUL AT IT.

>> Charlie: NEITHER HAVE I.

>> Josh: IT'S A GAMBLE.

>> Charlie: UH-HUH.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH CHARLIE.

>>> THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIALS YEAR HAS COME TO AN END AND THEY FINISHED THE SEASON RANKED HIGHER THAN THEY HAVE IN THE PAST.

FOR THIS WEEKS GOLDEN APPLE, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON HOW THE STUDENTS SEASON WENT AND WHY THEY JOINED MOCK TRIAL IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Reporter: DID YOU KNOW YOU HAVE RIGHTS?

THE BEMIDJI MOCK TRIAL TEAM SAYS YOU DO.

HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A REAL LIFE TRIAL.

THIS SEASON HAS ENDED FOR ALL MINNESOTA TEAMS, INCLUDING BEMIDJI, WHO PLACED BETTER THAN THEY EVER HAD BEFORE.

>> AS A WHOLE, WE TOOK 7th IN STATE, WHICH WAS SUPER EXCITING.

A BEMIDJI TEAM HAS NEVER PLACED IN THE TOP HALF, WHICH IS 16 AT STATE.

OUR PREVIOUS HIGH WAS 9th, SO IT WAS SUPER EXCITING TO BREAK TOP HALF.

>> Reporter: THE 2024-25 SEASON ENDED WITH BEMIDJI HAVING A 5-0 IN-TRIAL RECORD AND WINNING THE REGION.

FOR MANY, MOCK TRIAL IS JUST ANOTHER HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT.

BUT THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A REAL LIFE TRIAL CAN BE HUGE, EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT CONSIDERING A POTENTIAL CAREER IN LAW.

>> IT'S NOT JUST THE AMAZING TEAMMATES AND THE QUALITY OF THE CASE ITSELF, BUT IT'S ALSO THE COACHES AND THE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS US.

HAVING PEOPLE OVERALL SUPPORT THE IDEA OF BEMIDJI MOCK TRIAL AND US GOING ALL THE WAY TO COMPETE AGAINST TEAMS THAT COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME IS A BIG THING.

>> Reporter: EVERY TEAM ACROSS THE STATE RECEIVES THE SAME AFFIDAVIT AND THEN HAS TO COME UP WITH INDIVIDUAL DEFENSE AND PROSECUTION ARGUMENTS.

>> WE TRY HARD TO MAKE IT A REALISTIC OPENING, A REALISTIC CLOSING, A REALISTIC DIRECT AND CROSS.

WE'RE PROUD OF THAT, THAT OUR LAWYERS PLAY THOSE PARTS, JUST LIKE A REAL LAWYER WOULD.

>> AFTER WATCHING OUR ATTORNEYS ON OUR MOCK TRIAL TEAM, IT GAVE ME AN UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE AN ATTORNEY, ESPECIALLY A PROSECUTOR OR A DEFENSE ATTORNEY.

>> Reporter: MOCK TRIAL GIVES THE STUDENTS SEVERAL MONTHS OF HANDS-ON REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE.

>> IT REALLY HELPS ME THINK ON MY FEET AND ALONG WITH BEING AN ATTORNEY THAT DOES THE CLOSING ARGUMENTS, I AM ABLE TO UNDERSTAND MORE LEGAL JARGON AND KNOW ABOUT PARTS OF THE LAW.

>> WHICH IS REALLY FUN, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING MY DREAM JOB IS BEING A PATENT LAWYER FOR A BIG I.T.

COMPANY.

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

>> THE B.H.S.

TEAM WAS HONORED BY THE BELTRAMI DISTRICT COURT JUDGES TO CELEBRATE THEIR ADVANCEMENTS TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT AND FOR FINISHING IN THE TOP TEN IN MINNESOTA.

>>> THAT WRAPS IT UP FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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