>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Matthew: HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

I AM MATTHEW FREEMAN FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES LIKE KELLIHER AND WASKISH NEAR UPPER RED LAKE SAY THEY'RE ALARMED ABOUT PROPOSED STATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD TRANSFER LAND AROUND THE LAKE BACK TO RED LAKE NATION.

THE BILLS IN BOTH THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AND SENATE WOULD TRANSFER ALL STATE-OWNED LAND AND REAL PROPERTY WITHIN ONE MILE FROM THE LAKESHORE OF UPPER RED LAKE FROM THE STATE TO THE RED LAKE BAND.

CURRENTLY, ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE LAKE IS EXCLUDED FROM THE BOUNDARIES OF THE RESERVATION.

THE ONE-MILE BUFFER ZONE AROUND THE LAKE WOULD ENCOMPASS THE TOWN OF WASKISH, AS WELL AS RECREATION AREAS AND PUBLIC ACCESS POINTS TO THE LAKE.

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL EARLIER THIS MONTH HAS LEFT AREA RESIDENTS STUNNED.

>> WE HAD NO IDEA THIS WOULD BE BROUGHT FORWARD.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE LANGUAGE, WE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND IT, LET ALONE DEAL WITH IT.

WE PUT A COALITION TOGETHER TO CONSIDER HOW WE WOULD OPPOSE WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE DIVISIVE, VERY DESTRUCTIVE, UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND MOST DEFINITELY ILLEGAL.

>> RED LAKE HAS SAID IN AN 1889 TREATY, BAND LEADERS HAD ALWAYS INTENDED TO RETAIN ALL OF UPPER AND LOWER RED LAKE, AND THAT RETURNING THE LAND TO THE TRIBE WOULD RIGHT AN HISTORICAL WRONG.

FOR RESORT AND BUSINESS OWNERS ALONG UPPER RED LAKE, IF THE LAND WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE BAND, IT WOULD HAVE A SIZEABLE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE AREA.

>> THERE IS A FINANCIAL LOSS.

THIS IS NOT JUST AN IMPACT IN THOSE AREAS, BUT THE TOURISM DOLLARS.

WE HAD OVER 80,000 VISITS TO UPPER RED LAKE IN THREE MONTHS AND THEY BRING A LOT OF DOLLARS INTO OUR COUNTY.

IT WOULD HURT THE ENTIRE FISHING INDUSTRY BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THERE ARE WHEELHOUSES INVOLVED, THERE ARE FISHING GEARS INVOLVED, BOATS INVOLVED, ALL OF THAT.

SO THIS IS A WIDE RANGING IMPACT THAT I DON'T THINK WAS THOUGHT OUT WHEN THIS BILL WAS DRAFTED.

>> YESTERDAY, THE KELLIHER CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OPPOSING BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE VERSIONS OF THE BILL.

THE CITY PLANS TO MEET ON APRIL 20TH TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE LEGISLATION.

WE REACHED OUT FOR COMMENT WITH BILL AUTHORS BUT HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE.

>>> THE BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARD HAS APPROVED A LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX FOR THE NEW COUNTY JAIL.

AFTER THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOUND THAT THE CURRENT FACILITY WAS NO LONGER MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS TO CONTINUE OPERATION, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW JAIL WAS SOON DISCUSSED.

COUNTY RESIDENTS VOTED HEAVILY IN FAVOR FOR A SALES TAX OF 0.625 PERCENT, WHICH WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON JULY 1, 2024.

THE ORDINANCE FOR THAT TAX WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD.

THE COUNTY ALSO APPROVED THE SALE OF $38,195,000 IN BONDS TO FUND THE JAIL PROJECT.

THE PROJECT HAS A BUDGET OF $80 MILLION.

PIPER SANDLER AND CO., A MINNEAPOLIS-BASED INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM, HAD THE WINNING BID OF A 3.8037 INTEREST RATE TO THE COUNTY.

THE COUNTY BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE BOND SALE, AND WILL PAY CLOSE TO $64 MILLION WHEN YOU INCLUDE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

>>> TEACHERS IN THE BRAINERD SCHOOL DISTRICT FINALLY HAVE A NEW CONTRACT.

BRAINERD TEACHERS HAD BEEN SEEKING A NEW CONTRACT SINCE THEIR LAST ONE EXPIRED IN JUNE 2023.

THE SCHOOL BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE NEW CONTRACT FOR 2023 THROUGH 2025 DURING A SPECIAL MEETING LAST MONTH.

SUPERINTENDENT HEIDI HAHN'S KNOWS THE BURDEN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS BE EXHAUSTING AND IS GLAD THE SITUATION'S NOW BEHIND THEM.

>> WHEN CONTRACTS AREN'T SETTLED AND THE LONGER THEY GO UNSETTLED, IT CREATES ANGST, IT CREATES UNCERTAINTY.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE, THEY'RE CHOOSING TO SERVE KIDS AND HOPEFULLY THIS TAKES AWAY SOME OF THE ANGST AND CONCERN AND GIVES THEM THE STABILITY THEY DESERVE.

>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD ALSO APPROVED THE FOOD SERVICES CONTRACT AS WELL AS THE 2024-2025 CALENDAR DURING THAT MEETING.

>>> FOR MANY MINNESOTANS, AN OLD CONVICTION CAN MAKE IT HARDER TO FIND A JOB, OBTAIN HOUSING, OR GET CERTAIN JOB-RELATED PROFESSIONAL LICENSES.

WELL, MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON HOPES TO CHANGE THAT, AS TODAY HE HAS ANNOUNCED HIS 2024 “CLEAN SLATE TOUR ” OF MINNESOTA.

OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, HIS OFFICE WILL HOLD FIVE EXPUNGEMENT CLINICS ACROSS MINNESOTA WHERE PEOPLE WITH OLD CONVICTIONS CAN HAVE THEIR RECORDS SEALED, INCLUDING STOPS IN WHITE EARTH NATION AND BEMIDJI.

THIS COMES AT NO COST, AND AT EACH STOP OF THE TOUR, STAFF FROM THE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND OTHER PARTNERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO REVIEW MINNESOTANS' RECORDS, DETERMINE IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT.

AND IF THEY ARE, WORK WITH THEM AND WITH THE PROSECUTORS TO FILE THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK TO HAVE THEIR RECORDS SEALED.

THE “CLEAN SLATE TOUR ” STOPS BY WHITE EARTH NATION ON MAY 8TH, WHILE THE TOUR STOPS BY BEMIDJI THE NEXT DAY, ON MAY 9TH.

YOU CAN SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR EXPUNGEMENT BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION TO THE WEBSITE THAT IS ON THE SCREEN.

>>> ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON JOINED THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND 15 OTHER STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST APPLE FOR THE MONOPOLIZATION OR ATTEMPTED MONOPOLIZATION OF SMART-PHONE MARKETS, IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 2 OF THE SHERMAN ACT.

THE COMPLAINT, FILED IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY, ALLEGES THAT APPLE ILLEGALLY MAINTAINS A MONOPOLY OVER SMARTPHONES BY SELECTIVELY IMPOSING CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTIONS ON, AND WITHHOLDING CRITICAL ACCESS POINTS, FROM DEVELOPERS.

THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT APPLE'S ANTI-COMPETITIVE COURSE OF CONDUCT HAS TAKEN SEVERAL FORMS, MANY OF WHICH CONTINUE TO EVOLVE TODAY, INCLUDING BLOCKING INNOVATIVE SUPER APPS, SUPPRESSING MOBILE CLOUD STREAMING SERVICES, EXCLUDING CROSS-PLATFORM MESSAGING APPS, DIMINISHING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF NON-APPLE SMART-WATCHES, AND LIMITING THIRD PARTY DIGITAL WALLETS.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON ALSO HAS ACTIVE ANTI-TRUST LITIGATION ALLEGING MONOPOLIZATION IN CERTAIN MARKETS AGAINST GOOGLE AND AMAZON, AND JUST RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A SETTLEMENT WITH GOOGLE, RESOLVING HIS LAWSUIT OVER ABUSIVE PRACTICES IN GOOGLE'S PLAY STORE.

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

>> Stacy: A WINTER STORM COULD BRING 1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW TO PARTS OF THE AREA TONIGHT AND A LARGER SYSTEM COULD IMPACT THE AREA EARLY NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP ON THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, SENIORS AT LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL LOOK BACK AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AND FORWARD TO THE FUTURE.

>> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, RESIDENTS OF THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN GETTING ON A BUS AND HEADING TO SAINT PAUL TO SEE DAY-TO-DAY LIFE AT THE CAPITOL.

THE GROUP INTERACTS WITH STATE LEGISLATORS TO SHARE IDEAS AND INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IMPACTS THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAD THE CHANCE TO BE ONE OF MANY RESIDENTS TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Reporter: TODAY MARKED THE FIRST YEAR BACK AT THE MINNESOTA CAPITOL SINCE THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> WE ARE VERY POPULAR AT THE CAPITOL.

WE ALL COORDINATE WITH OUR PLAID.

WE'RE VERY RECOGNIZABLE, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING THE LAST 15 YEARS.

>> Reporter: THE MAIN FOCUS WAS FOR THE BEMIDJI DAY AT THE CAPITOL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CITY AND HOW IT IS MORE THAN JUST A SMALL TOWN.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WE ALWAYS WANT TO REMIND THE CAPITOL IS THAT EVEN THOUGH BEMIDJI IS 15,000 PEOPLE INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS, WE'RE A REGIONAL CENTER.

BECAUSE WE'RE A REGIONAL CENTER, WE HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON US TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO ALL OF THOSE OTHER FOLKS.

THERE COULD BE AS MANY AS 60,000 PEOPLE.

THAT CREATES A DYNAMIC THAT MAKES US A UNIQUE COMMUNITY AND REQUIRES US TO HAVE ADDITIONAL HELP TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.

>> SHOWING WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE CARE ABOUT, SHOWS WE ARE RELATABLE.

BEMIDJI IS A LOT LIKE MOST MINNESOTANS.

WE WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITIZENS.

WE WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR SCHOOLS, OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES.

>> IT'S REALLY BIG, IN THE FUTURE, IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG BUSINESS CENTER.

THE COLLEGES ARE GREAT.

BSU MATCHING UP WITH NTC, YOU HAVE GREAT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN IN WORKS FOR FOUR YEARS WHERE BEMIDJI RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN GATHERING INFORMATION TO PRESENT TO LAWMAKERS ON WHAT BILLS AND POLICIES WOULD BENEFIT THE AREA.

>> WHEN WE ORGANIZE BEMIDJI DAY AT THE CAPITOL, WE BRING ALL SORTS OF MATERIALS FOR OUR ATTENDEES TO PRESENT TO ELECTED LEGISLATORS AND WHAT WE TALK ABOUT IS SCHOOL FUNDING, WE TALK ABOUT PAST PROJECTS THAT HAVE MADE BEMIDJI SUCCESSFUL, WE TALK ABOUT POTENTIAL PROJECTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE BONDING BILL, AND THEN WE TALK ABOUT OTHER BILLS THAT AFFECT OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR VETERANS HOMES.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERYDAY DO YOU GET TO VISIT THE CAPITAL FROM BEMIDJI.

RESIDENTS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE THE LAWS AND GIVE THEIR INPUT ON THE LAWS THAT COULD BE AFFECTING THEM.

>> I THINK IT'S GREAT FOR EVERYBODY THAT IS INVOLVED BECAUSE FIRST OFF, YOU GET TO REPRESENT YOUR COMMUNITY, WHICH IS OUTSTANDING AND AN AWESOME THING TO DO.

WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO SIT IN WHEN BILLS ARE BEING READ, YOU GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WORKS AND YOU GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROS AND CONS AND THE DEBATES THAT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN ST. PAUL, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> BEMIDJI IS A FAST AND GROWING CITY, SO COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANTED TO MAINLY FOCUS ON ALL ACTIVE BILLS THAT COULD BETTER SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY.

>>> NOW IT'S TIME TO HEAD TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE ARE LOOKING AT A WINTER STORM WHICH WILL BE BRINGING SNOW TO THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, ETC.

ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE COULD SEE SEVERAL INCHES OF ACCUMULATION.

THEN EARLY NEXT WEEK ANOTHER SPRING STORM WILL BE MOVING >> 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 WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE TODAY, BUT THE CLOUDS ARE INCREASING.

TONIGHT WE'RE SEEING LIGHT SNOW DEVELOPING, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THAT'S ACTUALLY WHERE WE LIKELY TO SEE MORE SNOW TONIGHT.

WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THAT PORTION OF THE VIEWING AREA.

ONCE IT DOES, OUR FOCUS WILL BE EARLY NEXT WEEK WHEN A LARGER SYSTEM COULD BE MOVING INTO THE AREA.

IT'S 22 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI, A LIGHT NORTH WIND, AND THE DEW POINT IS AT -3.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 27.

THE DEW POINT IS 10 AND WE HAVE SOUTHEAST WINDS AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL INTO SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA UNTIL 10:00 A.M. ON FRIDAY.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE SNOW AND WITHIN THAT ADVISORY AREA, WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 1 TO 6 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION.

NOW FOR THE PORTION OF THAT WITHIN OUR VIEWING AREA, MORE LIKELY TO SEE ABOUT 1 TO 4 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION.

YOU CAN SEE HOW QUICKLY THE SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS WILL DROP OFF AS WE HEAD FURTHER TO THE NORTH AND IT LOOKS LIKE FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA MIGHT MISS OUT ON THIS SYSTEM.

WE DO HAVE SOME MOISTURE IN THE AIR AND WE ARE SEEING LIGHT SNOW AND MIXED PRECIPITATION IN CENTRAL, TOWARDS NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, LOOKING AT THE MOORHEAD AREA.

WE WILL BE SEEING THIS SYSTEM CONTINUING TO MOVE TO THE EAST AND AGAIN THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE SNOW WILL BE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, PROBABLY TAPERING OFF FURTHER TO THE NORTH.

SOME OF THAT COULD LINGER IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING.

IT SHOULD BE MOVING OUT QUICKLY, SO WE DO HAVE SOME QUIETER WEATHER TOMORROW AFTERNOON, A QUIET START TO THE WEEKEND BEFORE THE NEXT SYSTEM ARRIVES ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, THE SUNSHINE CLUE THE CLOUDS.

THERE IS SOME OF THE BUDS FORMING ON THE TREES IN BRAINERD.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF GEESE ENJOYING THE OPEN WATER ON LEECH LAKE.

ROBIN WITH A PICTURE OF THE ICE STILL LINGERING AND WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE OPEN WATER OUT THERE.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, 28 AND SUNNY THIS AFTERNOON.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN AND CLOUDS, TOPPING OUT AT 32.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, 34 FOR THE HIGH WITH A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUN.

ANGELA REPORTING CLOUDY SKIES AND A HIGH OF 28 IN CASS LAKE.

ON OUR ALMANAC, THAT'S 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, A LOW THIS MORNING OF 14.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 26, SO WE ARE WELL BELOW THE AVERAGE OF A COLD START THIS MORNING WITH A LOW OF 4, AND SUNSET AT 7:35.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, THE SYSTEM WILL BE MOVING OUT BY TOMORROW MORNING, BUT THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME LINGERING SNOW AROUND THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA.

OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA WITH HIGHS IN THE 20s TO NEAR 30, AND AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, THE CHANCE OF SEEING SOME LINGERING SNOW IN THE MORNING, THAT WILL BE MOVING OUT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES ABOUT 30 TO 35.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST.

SNOW IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA TONIGHT, WE COULD SEE 1 TO 4 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION, A SMALLER CHANCE FURTHER TO THE NORTH, LOWS NEAR 13.

FOR TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, STILL SOME LINGERING SNOW IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, A CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE MORNING WITH A HIGH OF 27.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, FAIRLY QUIET ON SATURDAY, BUT BY SATURDAY NIGHT, WE COULD START TO SEE THAT SNOW MOVING IN WITH SNOW CONTINUING ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY AND EVEN INTO TUESDAY, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING.

WE COULD BE SEEING SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

IT'S A FEW DAYS AWAY SO NOT QUITE CONFIDENT IN PREDICTING THAT.

WE COULD SEE 6 TO 12, MAYBE EVEN MORE SNOWFALL.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE WITH US.

IT'S THE START OF MARCH MADNESS.

HOW IS YOUR BRACKET?

>> Charlie: MY BRACKET IS BUSTED.

WE'RE GOING TO GET RID OF THAT.

I'M GOING TO KEEP TO REPORTING SPORTS INSTEAD OF PREDICTING THEM.

WE WILL REPORT ABOUT A MINI MARCH MADNESS GOING ON IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THE CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT PICKING UP, NEVIS IS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THEY NEVER DONE BEFORE IN THE TOURNAMENT.

WE ALSO HAVE A PREVIEW OF THE MASON CUP FINALS FOR BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY TOMORROW.

ALL THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN NORTHERN MINNESOTA THE GIGAZONE.

INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGABITS PER SECONDS, BOTH UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD.

IT'S THE GIGAZONE FROM PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS AND IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> 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.

>>> NEVIS BOYS BASKETBALL'S SENIORS HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE STATE TOURNEY AND THEY SECURED THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP IN A TRIP BACK TO MINNEAPOLIS.

THERE IS SOMETHING THEY HAVEN'T DONE, WIN IN THE QUARTER FINALS.

TODAY THEY TRIED TO CHANGE THAT FROM THE TARGET CENTER.

NEVIS FACING MOUNTAIN LAKE AREA.

PICKING IT UP IN THE SECOND HALF, ELI LEWIS WITH 10 POINTS FOR THE TIGERS, NOTHING BUT NET, NEVIS IS UP 61-51.

A COUPLE MINUTES LATER, CARTER OLSON STEAL AND THE BUCKET.

MOUNTAIN LAKE AREA-COMFREY CUT IT TO 63-54.

LATER ALEX LESTER GONNA DOUBLE DIP ON THE MISS BY AUSTIN AHRENDT, A REBOUND AND THE DEUCE.

HE HAD A DOUBLE-DOUBLE.

21 POINTS AND 15 BOARDS, NEVIS UP 67-54.

THEY SAY SHARING IS CARING.

LEWIS TO LESTER TO A.J.

BESSLER, WHO FINISHED WITH EIGHT.

AS NEVIS PULLS AWAY LATE TO BEAT MOUNTAIN LAKE AREA-COMFREY 78-54, CLINCHING ITS FIRST EVER WIN IN THE STATE QUARTERFINALS.

WHAT GOT THE TIGERS OVER THE HUMP?

THEIR WORK ON THE GLASS.

THEY OUT-REBOUNDED THE WOLVERINES 45 TO 29.

HERE'S WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT AFTER THE GAME.

>> WE HAD TO MAKE SURE WE HAD THE REBOUNDS BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO RUN UP AND DOWN THE FLOOR.

BY US BEING ABLE TO BE EFFICIENT ON OFFENSE, THAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE THAT SLOWED THEM DOWN IN THEIR TRANSITION.

>> WE HAD A BIG GAME FROM OUR BENCH.

THEY WERE HITTING SHOTS.

WHEN LESTER IS DOWN THERE, HE HAS TWO GUYS YOU CAN KICK OUT.

IT WAS GOOD.

THIS YEAR WAS BIG.

WE JUST NEED TO PLAY OUR GAME.

WE KNEW WE COULD COME OUT.

WE HAVE THE ENERGY.

>> NEVIS WILL BE AT THE BARN FACING TOP-SEEDED CHERRY TOMORROW, SHOOTING FOR ITS SEVENTH-STRAIGHT W AND FIRST EVER CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE.

THE GAME WILL BE AT NOON.

>>> IN THE CONCILIATION SEMIFINALS, THIS ONE HAD A TOUCH OF MARCH MADNESS FOR IT.

PEQUOT LAKES DOWN 4.

THEY GET IT, ONE OF SEVEN BLOCKS.

CLAY PULLING UP FROM DOWNTOWN, SPLASH CITY, PULLS THE PASS WITHIN 1.

NEXT POSSESSION, THEY CAN TAKE THE LEAD.

YES, ETHAN HITS HIS ONLY BUCKET OF THE GAME WHEN THEY NEEDED IT MOST AFTER SOME FREE THROWS.

LAST CHANCE BUT THEY CAN'T GET IT TO DROP.

PEQUOT LAKES WINS A THRILLER IN THE FINAL MINUTE.

THEY WIN 51-48 AND WILL NOW PLAY IN TOMORROW'S CONSTELLATION FINAL AT 2:00 P.M. >>> WELL, LESS THAN 24 HOURS FROM NOW A CCHA CHAMPION WILL BE CROWNED AT THE SANFORD CENTER AND EITHER MICHIGAN TECH OR BEMIDJI STATE WILL HOIST THE MASON CUP AND PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

THE TWO TEAMS SPLIT THEIR FIRST SERIES IN BEMIDJI BACK IN NOVEMBER.

THEN IN JANUARY, THE HUSKIES WON THE FIRST GAME OF THE SERIES IN HOTEN AND BSU HAS NOT LOST A CONTEST IN THE CCHA SINCE, INCLUDING THE TIE THAT WRAPPED UP THE SERIES WITH MICHIGAN TECH.

THE BEAVERS HAVE GONE UNBEATEN IN THEIR LAST 12 CONFERENCE GAMES, THREE OF WHICH WERE IN THE PLAYOFFS.

AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE BEAVS EXPLAINED WHAT HAS HELPED FUEL THIS RUN.

>> I MEAN I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING PLAYOFFS FOR A WHILE NOW, GOING BACK TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

IT FELT LIKE WHEN I CAME BACK FROM INJURY, WE WERE TALKING AFTER THE FIRST GAME, IT FELT LIKE A PLAYOFF GAME.

WE WERE BATTLING FOR THE CUP.

IT FEELS LIKE ANY OTHER GAME.

THERE IS A TROPHY ON THE LINE ON FRIDAY, BUT THE PREPARATION IS THE SAME.

>> GOING BACK TWO MONTHS FROM NOW, I FEEL LIKE EVERY GAME IS MEANINGFUL TO US.

WE HANDLE IT THE SAME.

IT'S A BIGGER STAGE AND WE HAVE TO HANDLE THE NERVES WEEK BY WEEK.

I THINK WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB ON THAT.

>> NOW THIS YEAR'S HOT STREAK HAS DRAWN PARALLELS TO A BEMIDJI STATE TEAM FROM THE PAST.

THE 2009 SQUAD THAT MADE THE FROZEN FOUR IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND AS IT HAPPENS.

THAT WAS ALSO THE LAST BSU MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM TO WIN A REGULAR SEASON AND CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> THAT '09 RUN WE HAD, WE WENT TO THE FROZEN FOUR.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR RECORD WAS THE LAST 12 GAMES OR 13 GAMES.

I KNOW WE WERE HOTTER THAN A PISTOL.

I DID LOOK BACK, THE ONE CHARACTERISTIC THAT IS THE SAME IN ALL THOSE TEAMS IS LEADERSHIP.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE GUYS WEARING THE LETTERS.

IT'S A COLLECTIVE GROUP.

YOU JUST CAN'T WIN WITH GREAT LEADERSHIP, YOU NEED A GREAT CORE AND YOU NEED A GREAT GROUP AND GROUP THAT IS UNSELFISH, THAT THEIR MIND SET IS THEY WILL SACRIFICE OFFENSE.

THEY WILL BLOCK A SHOT.

THEY WILL DO WHATEVER THEY NEED TO DO TO WIN.

WHEN THAT BECOMES MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR PERSONAL GOAL, YOU ARE IN GOOD SHAPE.

>> Charlie: THE HUSKIES WON SIX OF THEIR LAST SEVEN.

THERE IS A LOOK AT TOMORROW'S GAME.

MICHIGAN TECH RECEIVING VOTES, FOR ALL THE MARBLES TO GO TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

THAT GAME STARTS AT 7:00 AND IT'S SOLD OUT.

>> Matthew: THAT'S IMPRESSIVE AND GOOD LUCK TO BEMIDJI STATE.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> MANY STUDENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE ENTERING THEIR FINAL MONTHS AS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY SAT DOWN WITH SEVERAL SENIORS AT LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AND THEIR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: THE FINISH LINE IS IN SIGHT FOR THE SENIORS AT LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL AS THEY ENTIRE THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND GRADUATION IS TWO MONTHS AWAY.

MANY LOOK BACK AT THEIR TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL FONDLY.

>> I LOVED IT HERE IN LITTLE FALLS.

YOU HAVE A GREAT STUDENT BODY.

YOUR TEACHERS ARE VERY HELPFUL.

IT'S NICE TO BE AROUND YOUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTS YOU AND EVERYTHING.

>> MY EXPERIENCE HERE THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAS BEEN PRETTY AMAZING.

I MEAN I GOT TO FIND OUT WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO DO AFTER HIGH SCHOOL THE PAST FEW YEARS.

I THINK I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THAT HELP WITHOUT THE TEACHERS AND STAFF HERE.

>> DEFINITELY A GOOD ONE, THROUGH ALL THE ACTIVITIES, SPORTS, AND HANGING OUT WITH MY FRIENDS FIVE DAYS A WEEK, IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: FRIENDS, SPORTS, CLUBS, AND A SUPPORTIVE FACULTY IS THE KEY FACTORS FOR THEIR ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE.

FOR THE FUTURE, MANY OF THESE SENIORS ARE LOOKING TO CONTINUE THEIR ACADEMIC CAREERS IN DIFFERENT FIELDS.

>> I'M GOING TO COLLEGE FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT.

THEN JUST GOING FROM THERE.

>> I'M PLANNING TO MAJOR ON BIO CHEMISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IN THE TWIN CITIES AND MOST LIKELY GOING TO PURSUE MEDICINE.

>> I'M GOING TO COLLEGE IN RIDGE WATER COLLEGE, TWO YEAR PROGRAM FOR AG.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE THINGS THEY LOOK BACK ON IS HAVING THE FLEXIBILITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THEMSELVES BY TAKING WHATEVER PATH SUITS THEM BEST.

>> IT'S JUST A GOOD OVERALL OPPORTUNITY IF YOU ARE IN ART CLASSES, YOU CAN TAKE AS MANY ART CLASSES YOU WANT.

IF YOU ARE IN BAND, YOU CAN TAKE BAND.

IF YOU'RE INTO THE WOOD SHOP OR AUTO, TECH, MANUFACTURING, YOU CAN TAKE ANY CLASS AND BUILD WHAT YOU WANT AND LEARN PRETTY MUCH JUST THE STEPS ON HOW TO DO THAT.

I THINK IT'S JUST A REALLY GREAT -- IT'S A GREAT VARIETY WE HAVE HERE.

>> I'M ACTUALLY VERY THANKFUL THEY HAVE ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY GIVE AT THIS SCHOOL BECAUSE I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE FIGURED OUT WHAT I WANTED TO DO IF I DIDN'T HAVE EVERYTHING AVAILABLE TO ME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LITTLE FALLS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE HOLDING ITS GRADUATION CEREMONY ON MAY 24TH.

>> YOU KNOW, I ADMITTED MY BRACKET WAS BAD.

HOW ABOUT YOURS.

>> Matthew: MINE WAS TERRIBLE.

HOPEFULLY YOURS WERE BETTER.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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