>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Josh: GOOD GOOD EVERYONE, I'M JOSH PETERSON IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>>> 20 YEARS IS A LONG TIME BUT EVEN OVER A PERIOD OF TWO DECADES A COMMUNITY IS STILL HEALING.

MARCH 21ST MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGIC SCHOOL SHOOTING IN RED LAKE WHERE A 16-YEAR-OLD GUNMAN KILLED SEVEN PEOPLE AND BEFORE TAKING HIS OWN LIFE.

PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS TO BUILD A MEMORIAL HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE SHOOTING.

THE 3-21-05 MEMORIAL ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN ACTIVELY FUNDRAISING FOR THE PROJECT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN VISIT THE 3-21-05 MEMORIAL FUND FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> IT'S BARELY BEEN 24 HOURS SINCE FORMER MINNESOTA SENATOR JUSTIN EICHORN RESIGNED FROM OFFICE AND ALREADY MULTIPLE HATS HAVE BEEN THROWN INTO THE RING.

EICHORN STEPPED DOWN FROM THE SENATE SEAT AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED AND ACCUSED OF SEEKING OUT SEX FROM A MINOR.

ALREADY THREE WOMEN HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY ARE VYING FOR THE VACANT SENATE SEAT, TWO REPUBLICANS AND ONE DEMOCRAT WHO ALL MADE THEIR ANNOUNCEMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

FORMER BREEZY POINT MAYOR ANGEL ZIERDEN AND RECREATIONAL RENTAL BUSINESS OWNER KERI HEINTZEMAN OF NISSWA, WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE WIFE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOSH HEINTZEMAN WILL BE VYING FOR THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSEMENT.

WHILE A FAMILIAR NAME WILL BE SEEKING THE D.F.L.

ENDORSEMENT.

LIFE-LONG BRAINERD RESIDENT EMILY LECLAIRE WHO WAS THE D.F.L.

ENDORSED CANDIDATE FOR HOUSE 6B LAST FALL WILL NOW LOOK TO TURN THE RED SENATE SEAT BLUE.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ IS EXPECTED TO MAKE THE OFFICIAL CALL FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE COMING DAYS.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED THE FIRST REVISION FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL BUDGET DURING LAST WEEK'S MEETING.

BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SERVICES MARCI LORD STATED THAT THE DISTRICT'S UNASSIGNED FUND REVENUES OR DEFICIT HAS NOW BEEN LOWERED FROM A 3.1 PERCENT DEFICIT TO NOW A 2.8 PERCENT DEFICIT OR ROUGHLY $2.8 MILLION.

THE REVISED BUDGET STILL HAS AN UNASSIGNED FUND TOTAL OF ABOUT $12 MILLION, AS LORD SAYS THOSE FUNDS CAN COVER ROUGHLY A MONTH-AND-A-HALF OF THE DISTRICT OPERATING SERVICES.

AS THE SCHOOL BOARD IS DOING ITS BEST NOT ONLY CHIP AWAY AT THE DEFICIT BUT ALSO ACCOUNT FOR BOTH UPTICKS IN EXPENDITURES AND TRENDS SUCH AS STUDENT ENROLLMENT RATE.

>> WHETHER THAT'S SHIFTING STAFF TO DIFFERENT AREAS OR WHATNOT, AND THEN ALSO WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW THAT'S GOING TO BE KIND OF HARD.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT MAGIC 8 BALL, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> WE ANTICIPATE A 1% INCREASE IN REVENUE FROM THE STATE EACH YEAR, BUT EXPENDITURE, WE ANTICIPATE GOING UP 3%.

UNFORTUNATELY OUR TREND IS THAT OUR STUDENT ENROLLMENT IS DROPPING.

>> THE SCHOOL BOARD IS ALSO LOOKING TO APPROVE A NEW COMPUTER LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE CURRENT LEASE SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF 2025.

THE PROPOSAL ENTAILS A 4-YEAR LEASE WORTH $890,000 FOR ROUGHLY 725 STAFF COMPUTERS.

>>> A PUBLIC LAND SALE AUCTION IS UNDERWAY IN CROW WING COUNTY, SLOTTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH APRIL 8TH.

THE COUNTY OFFERING ANY PARCELS OF LAND UP FOR BID WITH ITS SALES WEBSITE PRESENTING INTERESTED SUITORS WITH VARYING LOCATION, SIZE, AND STARTING PRICE.

PROPERTIES UP FOR PURCHASE ARE ALL LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND ANY INTERESTED PARTIES WILL NEED TO FOLLOW REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE CROW WING COUNTY PUBLIC SURPLUS WEBSITE.

THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THE COUNTY HAS MADE THE LAND SALE ONLINE IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY.

>> ONE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS BEING AN ONLINE AUCTION IS THAT IT EXPANDS AVAILABILITY TO A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE, SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT NECESSARILY AVAILABLE WHEN WE DID AN IN-PERSON AUCTION.

IF THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GET STARTED, THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO PURCHASE SOME PROPERTY WITHIN THE COUNTY, OR POTENTIALLY LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO BUILD AND START THEIR NEW HOME.

>> ANY PROPERTIES THAT DO NOT SELL WILL BE RE-OFFERED FOR A SECOND SALE BEGINNING APRIL 9TH AND RUNNING THROUGH APRIL 23RD.

>>> GRACEWIN COOPERATIVES, A SENIOR LIVING CO-OP WITH TWO LOCATIONS IN MINNESOTA HAS ANNOUNCED THEIR PLANS TO CREATE NEW BEMIDJI HOUSING WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS FOOTAGE FROM THE BAXTER FACILITY TO SHOWCASE ALL OF THE AMENITIES AS WELL AS THE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE BEMIDJI LOCATION.

>> Reporter: OVER 13,000 MINNESOTANS CALL THE COOPERATIVE A HOME.

A NOT-FOR-PROFIT LIVING COMMUNITY WHERE INSTEAD OF RENTING, THE RESIDENTS ACTUALLY OWNED THEIR UNITS.

GRACEWIN IS LOOKING TO MAKE BEMIDJI THEIR NEWEST HOME.

>> THAT OPENS UP HOUSES ON THE LAKE, WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

SOME OF THESE SENIORS, THEY RAISED THEIR FAMILY IN THESE HOUSES AND THEY ARE SUITABLE FOR RAISING NEW FAMILIES IN THESE HOUSES, BUT THE SENIORS ARE JUST REMAINING IN THEIR HOUSES BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE UNITS MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE SHAREHOLDER, WHO IS OVER THE AGE OF 55 AND THE BEMIDJI LOCATION WILL HAVE OVER 40 AVAILABLE LIVING SPACES.

THE CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO START THIS FALL.

>> IT'S ABOUT A 12 TO 14 MONTH BUILD OUT, SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THE END OF 2026 IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE REALISTIC OR CLOSE TO THE BUILDING BEING ACTUALLY OPENED AND FOR RESIDENTS TO ACTUALLY BE MOVING IN.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH GEARED TOWARDS SENIOR CITIZENS, THE COOPERATIVES ARE NOT NURSING HOMES OR ASSISTED LIVING.

>> BUT BY DOING THE AGE RESTRICTION ON THESE BUILDINGS, THEN WE ARE BUILDING THE ACTUAL STRUCTURE ITSELF TO BE A.D.A.

ACCESSIBLE.

SO IT OFFERS ALL THE ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS THAT PEOPLE HAVE AS THEY GET OLDER, BUT THEN THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE LIFESTYLE ITSELF THAT WE BUILD INTO THESE COMMUNITIES IS CENTERED AROUND ACTIVITY.

>> Reporter: RENTERS WILL PAY A DOWN PAYMENT WHEN MOVING IN AND HAVE MONTHLY FEES.

THIS IS STILL NOT RENTING.

MEMBERS WILL OWN THEIR UNITS BUT WILL NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MAINTENANCE.

>> THIS BUILDING THAT THEY OWN, THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS THEY OWN STAY VERY, VERY WELL KEPT, WELL MAINTAINED, BEAUTIFUL FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

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

>> THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE APPLYING FOR HOUSING THAN THERE ARE AVAILABLE UNITS, SO THE BEST CHANCE OF SECURING ONE OF THE BEMIDJI LIVING SPACES IS TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST.

GRACEWIN WILL BE ACCEPTING APPLICANTS FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AVAILABLE AT THE GRACEWIN LIVING COOPERATIVES WEBSITE.

>>> IN AUGUST OF 2024 THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO BAN ENCAMPMENTS IN PUBLIC AREAS, LEAVING THE UNHOUSED POPULATION OF THE CITY NOWHERE TO GO.

BRIDGES OF HOPE IS A SHELTER FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN BRAINERD BUT UP UNTIL NOW HAS ONLY BEEN ALLOWED TO OPERATE FROM SEPTEMBER TO MAY, LEAVING PEOPLE WITHOUT AN OPTION DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.

THIS ISSUE CAME UP AT A PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IN BRAINERD THIS WEEK WITH BRIDGES OF HOPE ASKING TO BE ABLE TO RUN THEIR SEASONAL SHELTER YEAR ROUND.

THE VOTE ULTIMATELY PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 3-2, WITH COMMISSION MEMBER DONALD GORHAM EXPLAINING THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF THE COUNTY'S INTEREST BUT TO SET THE TONE FOR HOW OTHER MUNICIPALITIES MAY HANDLE HOMELESSNESS.

>> IT'S NOT JUST THE CITY OF BRAINERD, YOU KNOW, HAVING SOMETHING DUMPED ON OUR LAP.

THIS IS A COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT, THIS IS THE COUNTY, THIS IS NON-PROFITS, THESE ARE CHURCHES, THESE ARE CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT BRAINERD CAN DO IS BE THE LEADER.

WE CAN STEP UP AND WE CAN LEAD ON THIS ISSUE AND WE CAN, YOU KNOW, HELP PROVIDE A SOLUTION.

>> ALTHOUGH THE VOTE PASSED THROUGH THE COMMITTEE, CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON THE MATTER AT THEIR NEXT MEETING ON APRIL 7TH.

>>> THE DISMANTLING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN.

THURSDAY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTING THE EDUCATION SECRETARY TO TAKE STEPS TOWARDS THE DEPARTMENTS CLOSURE.

LEIGH WALDMAN HAS THE DETAILS ON THE NEXT STEPS.

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

>> Reporter: WHILE IT WOULD TAKE AN ACT OF CONGRESS TO ELIMINATE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS FULFILLING A CAMPAIGN PROMISE BY BEGINNING TO DISMANTLE IT.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL BE MUCH SMALLER THAN IT IS TODAY.

AS YOU KNOW, THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTED LINDA McMAN TO GREATLY MINIMIZE THE AGENCY.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WAS CREATED BY THEN PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER IN 1979.

IT OVERSEES NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTERS GRANT PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WORRY THAT CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL SUFFER IF IT IS DISMANTLED.

>> THIS WILL IMPACT EVERY STUDENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE REACH OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND FEDERAL FUNDS THAT PROVIDE THE RESOURCES THAT STUDENTS NEED TO THRIVE.

>> Reporter: THURSDAY, TRUMP MADE ASSURANCES THAT TWO OF THE D.O.E.

'S KEY PROGRAMS, TITLE 1 AND THE IDEA PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES SCHOOLS WITH MONEY FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES WILL NOT BE IMPACTED.

>> THERE IS NO WAY THAT WHEN YOU CUT FUNDING THAT YOU CAN HAVE THE SMALL CLASS SIZES TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS GET THE ATTENTION THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: SHORTLY AFTER TRUMP SIGNED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, BILL CASSIDY SAID HE WILL INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO SHUT DOWN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, YOU WILL REMEMBER, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCED IT WAS CUTTING ITS WORKFORCE BY NEARLY 50%.

IN NEW YORK, I'M LEIGH WALDMAN.

>> ELIMINATING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WOULD REQUIRE AN ACT OF CONGRESS, A SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL HURDLE GIVEN THAT MOST SENATE LEGISLATION REQUIRES A FILIBUSTER-PROOF 60 VOTES TO PASS.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE'LL START THE WEEKEND ON A COLD BUT QUIET NOTE, BUT SNOW COULD MOVE IN SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY.

THERE COULD BE SEVERAL INCHES OF ACCUMULATION.

>> A LOCAL ELEMENTARY COOL TEAMED UP TO RAISE MONEY FOR VETERANS.

WE'LL HAVE THAT STORY AND LOCAL NEWS, WEATHER, AND SPORTS TONIGHT ON LAKELAND NEWS.

>> 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 MOST PEOPLE, THE HISS OF A CAN OPENING MEANS THAT THEY'LL SOON BE ENJOYING THEIR BEVERAGE OF CHOICE.

FOR OTHERS HOWEVER, THAT SOUND MEANS RELIEF WHILE GOING THROUGH SOME OF LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGES.

STUDENTS FROM PIONEER ELEMENTARY HAVE BEEN COLLECTING ALUMINIUM CAN TABS TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THE POLYTRAUMA UNIT AT A VETERANS HOSPITAL.

THE MONEY RAISED WILL GO TOWARDS HELPING VETS GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND GET A BREAK FROM TREATMENT.

ORGANIZER GREG TOMBERLIN, A VETERAN HIMSELF, HAS BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THIS FUNDRAISER FOR OVER A DECADE.

>> IT STARTED OUT 10 OR 12 YEARS AGO WITH AN ICE CREAM BUCKET-FULL.

WE MADE 10 BARRELS LAST YEAR AND WE'RE LOOKING TO FILL 11 BARRELS THIS YEAR.

HERE IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE DONATION BY QUITE A BIT.

>> EACH BARRELL FILLED WITH TABS WILL CONTAIN OVER 250,000 TABS AND WEIGH NEARLY 150 POUNDS.

>>> WELL, STACY JOINS US NOW AND IF WE COULD TURN BACK TIME, IT SEEMED LIKE SPRING THIS MORNING BUT HEADING INTO THE EVENING, IT FEELS LIKE IT'S WINTER AGAIN.

>> Stacy: YEAH, TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN FALLING BEHIND A COLD FRONT THAT MOVED ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.

SOME OF US COULD SEE LOWS BELOW 0 OVERNIGHT.

WE WILL HAVE QUIET WEATHER TOMORROW AND A LOT OF SUNSHINE, AND THEN TOMORROW NIGHT AND SUNDAY, THE NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM WILL MOVE IN WITH RAIN AND SNOW AN >> 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 WEREN'T ABLE TO ENJOY SOME SUNSHINE TODAY, BUT TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN GETTING COLDER AFTER THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT AND LOWS TONIGHT WILL BE IN THE SINGLE DIGITS FOR MOST OF US, BUT WE COULD BE BELOW 0 IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW, BUT TOMORROW NIGHT, THE NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM WILL MOVE IN WITH RAIN AND SNOW BEGINNING TOMORROW NIGHT, BECOMING ALL SNOW ON SUNDAY.

AGAIN, WE COULD BE SEEING SEVERAL INCHES OF ACCUMULATION.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, IT'S 15 AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI.

THE WINDS ARE OUT OF THE NORTHWEST AT 8 MILES PER HOUR.

AT THE STUDIO THE DEW POINT IS 1.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES AND 24, A DEW POINT OF 2.

WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 15 MILES PER HOUR, AND WE ARE STILL SEEING GUSTS UP TO 31.

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, THIS BEGINS LATE SATURDAY EVENING AND CONTINUES THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT.

HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE AND TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS COULD BE AROUND 6 INCHES THROUGH AT LEAST TOMORROW EVENING, I MEAN SUNDAY EVENING.

THIS IS THE POTENTIAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATION, LOOKING AT 1 TO 2, TO POSSIBLY 4, BUT AGAIN A LITTLE BIT OF THE SNOW WILL CONTINUE BEYOND THE 7:00 P.M. SUNDAY MARK.

WE COULD BE SEEING MORE SNOW THAN THE TOTALS REFLECT.

AS FAR AS TONIGHT, ALL CLEAR OUT THERE, AND THAT IS GOING TO ALLOW OUR CHILLY TEMPERATURES TO DROP.

MANY OF US WILL BE SEEING THE LOWS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS, BUT ACROSS FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, YOU COULD DROP BELOW 0 ONCE AGAIN, SO A COLD START TOMORROW MORNING, BUT WE SHOULD ENJOY A LOT OF SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKIES.

SAMROSE WITH THE SUNRISE.

AND RACHEL WITH THE END OF THE DAY PICTURE OF THE SUNSET THERE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY AND THE NORTHWEST WIND WAS ANYWHERE FROM 18 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY AND WINDY WITH A HIGH OF 35.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY AND WINDY, TOPPING OUT AT 28.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 41, A SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURE, BUT THAT WAS EARLY ON.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING COLDER TEMPERATURES, FALLING TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THE LOW IS THE CURRENT AT 24 AND SUNRISE AT 7:15.

BEMIDJI TODAY, SEEING A SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURE, WE CAN GET THAT GRAPHIC TO GO FOR YOU, 38 WAS THE HIGH TEMP, 2 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE, BUT AGAIN FALLING TEMPERATURES, LOW IS CLOSE TO WHAT WE HAVE NOW, A LOW OF 14, AND SUNSET AT 7:36.

SO AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

WE'LL PUT THIS IN MOTION AND IT LOOKS LIKE SOME LOCATIONS COULD SEE A FEW SPRINKLES OR FLURRIES MOVING THROUGH, MAYBE A LOT OF THAT WON'T REACH THE GROUND, BUT WE WILL SEE INCREASING CLOUDS LATE IN THE DAY AND TOMORROW NIGHT, RAIN BEGINS TO MOVE IN, MIXED PRECIPITATION, BECOMING ALL SNOW AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY ON SUNDAY, AND AGAIN WE COULD BE SEEING SEVERAL INCHES OF ACCUMULATION, ETC.

-- ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE LOW TO MID-40s IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE BUT WE SHOULD ENJOY A LOT OF SUNSHINE AT LEAST THROUGH THE DAYTIME HOURS.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS DROPPING TO 3 WITH VARIABLE WINDS.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, HIGH OF 37, SOUTHEAST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

HERE'S THE WEEKEND FORECAST, RAIN AND SNOW MOVES IN SATURDAY NIGHT, CONTINUING INTO SUNDAY MORNING, BEFORE BECOMING SNOW ON SUNDAY.

QUIETER WEATHER ON MONDAY, OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE NEAR 40, AND THEN WE CLIMB INTO THE MID-40s BY MIDWEEK, AND IT LOOKS LIKE A QUIET FORECAST FOR THE WORKWEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH STACY.

WINTER-LIKE WEATHER FOR THE WRAP UP OF WINTER-LIKE SPORTS.

>> Charlie: YEAH, WE HAD THE NCAA TOURNAMENT GOING ON OUTSIDE THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, BUT INSIDE THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WE WERE FINISHING UP A LITTLE BIT OF OUR CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT FOR BOYS BASKETBALL.

NEVIS IN THE SEMIFINALS TODAY, A REMATCH AGAINST CHERRY.

COULD THEY GET OVER THE HUMP AND MAKE IT TO THEIR FIRST EVER TITLE GAME?

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THIS.

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

>>> IN FOCUS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> NEVIS BOYS' BASKETBALL WERE STYMIED BY CHERRY IN LAST YEAR'S CLASS A SEMIFINAL, 76-58, A REMINDER OF HOW FAR THEY HAD COME OVER THEIR PREVIOUS THREE TRIPS TO STATE, BUT ALSO WHAT IT WAS GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE A REAL RUN AT A TITLE.

AFTER YESTERDAY'S WIN OVER HENNING IN THE QUARTERFINALS, THE TIGERS ARE BACK IN THE SEMIFINALS FOR THE 2ND SEASON IN A ROW AND HAVE A REMATCH WITH TOP SEED AND UNDEFEATED REIGNING STATE CHAMP CHERRY.

FROM WILLIAMS ARENA, IT'S THE BATTLE OF THE TIGERS ROUND TWO.

NEVIS VERSUS CHERRY FOR A SPOT IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

EARLY ON, NEVIS DOWN TWO BUT AJ BESSLER IS ABOUT TO GET TO WORK.

HE HAD 24-POINTS IN JUST THE FIRST HALF, TIES THE GAME AT 7.

CHERRY THOUGH, WERE FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS OFFENSIVELY AS WELL.

THEY HIT THEIR FIRST 5-THREE POINTERS.

NOAH ASUMA PUTS THEM UP 11, THEIR BIGGEST LEAD OF THE GAME BUT NEVIS WOULD ANSWER WITH A 12-POINT RUN NEAR THE END OF THE HALF.

FIRST ISAAC BESSLER HITS FROM DEEP TO PULL WITHIN FOUR.

THEN A FEW MOMENTS LATER, DEVAN LINDOW SPLASHES FROM DOWNTOWN TO PUT NEVIS AHEAD AND THEY WOULD TAKE A ONE-POINT LEAD INTO THE BREAK.

MIDWAY INTO THE SECOND HALF, STILL A TIGHT GAME.

ALEX LESTER SHOWING OFF HIS FOOTWORK.

HE HAD 22-POINTS AND 12-REBOUNDS.

WE'RE TIED AT 47.

LATER CHERRY WOULD GO ON ANOTHER RUN.

NOAH SUNDQUIST LEADING THE CHARGE.

HE HAD A DOUBLE-DOUBLE, EXTENDS THE LEAD TO SEVEN.

NOW UNDER A TWO MINUTES TO PLAY, JUST A 4-POINT GAME.

AJ BESSLER WORKING THROUGH THE DOUBLE TEAM TO PULL WITHIN TWO.

HE HAD A CAREER HIGH 39 POINTS BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH BECAUSE ON THE NEXT POSSESSION.

NOAH ASUMA, DAGGER, CHERRY WOULD HOLD NEVIS OFF THE BOARD THE REST OF THE WAY.

AS THEY WIN THE BATTLE OF THE TIGERS ONCE AGAIN.

THE FINAL SCORE IS A LITTLE UNFAIR, MUCH CLOSER THAN 9-POINTS.

NEVIS WILL NOW PLAY RED LAKE COUNTY IN THE 3RD PLACE GAME TOMORROW AT 10:00 A.M., A CHANCE TO MATCH LAST YEAR'S FINISH, THEIR BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

>>> IN PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL, TIMBERWOLVES AT HOME, BACK TO BACK CONTEST WITH THE PELICANS.

THEY LOST TO NEW ORLEANS IN THEIR FIRST GAME.

THEN JULIUS NAILS THE TRAY.

PART OF A 6-0 RUN.

T WOLVES LED.

MINNESOTA DOWN ONE, JALIN TURNING DEFENSE INTO OFFENSE, GETS IT UP AHEAD, AND THEY PUT THE TIMBERWOLVES BACK ON TOP.

THEY LEAD 62-48 AT THE HALF.

IN THE THIRD, JAYDEN McDANIELS SLIM SLAM, USING ALL 185 POUNDS ON THE 6'9" FRAME AHEAD TO THE FOURTH.

JALIN CLARK, EXCLAMATION POINT, SHAKING THE WHOLE ARENA.

TIMBERWOLVES DISMANTLE THE PELICANS TONIGHT.

A BIG TURN AROUND FROM TWO DAYS AGO, THEY SNAP A TWO GAME SKID.

THEY WON NINE OF THEIR LAST 11, AND THEY ARE ONE GAME BACK FOR THE 6th SPOT IN THE WEST.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE GETS SWEPT BY CONCORDIA ST. PAUL.

>>> WELL, ANOTHER DAY AND ANOTHER BSU MEN'S HOCKEY PLAYER SIGNING A PRO-CONTRACT, THIS TIME DEFENSEMAN TONY FOLLMER, WHO IS INKING A STANDARD PLAYER CONTRACT WITH THE ORLANDO SOLAR BEARS OF THE ECHL.

THE MISSOURI NATIVE PLAYED FOUR YEARS AT BEMIDJI STATE, APPEARING IN 129 GAMES WHILE AMASSING 12 TOTAL POINTS ON 3-GOALS AND 9-ASSISTS.

FOLLMER IS A 3-TIME CCHA SCHOLAR ATHLETE, CCHA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM SELECTION AND AN AHCA ALL-AMERICAN SCHOLAR.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH CHARLIE.

>>> THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL A CAPPELLA CHOIR COLLABORATED WITH CONCORDIA COLLEGE MOORHEAD'S CHAPEL CHOIR FOR THE KICK-OFF OF THE COLLEGE'S 2025 TOUR ENTITLED INCARCERATED VOICES.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN STOPPED BY THE CONCERT FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> Reporter: TO KICK OFF THEIR 2025 TOUR, CONCORDIA'S CHAPEL CHOIR REACHED OUT FOR A COLLABORATION.

>> WE LIKE EXCHANGES AND INTERACTIONS WITH DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.

WE LOVE TO WORK WITH FORMER COBBERS, GRADUATE OF 2022.

WE ARE THINKING OF WHERE ARE PLACES WITH AMAZING HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

WE THOUGHT OF GUNNER AND WE THOUGHT OF BEMIDJI RIGHT AWAY.

>> IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO ME TO HAVE MY ALMA MATER COME TO MY ALMA MATER AND TO COLLABORATE WITH MUSICIANS AND THE CHAPEL CHOIR FROM CONCORDIA IS FABULOUS.

>> Reporter: THEY EXPLORE THE EXPERIENCE OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGH POETRY AND MUSIC, SHEDDING THE LIGHT ON THOSE BEHIND BARS IN AMERICA.

>> UPLIFTING POETRY BY INCARCERATED POETS.

THE CORE MESSAGE IS TO HUMANIZE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED.

>> YOU SEE THESE PEOPLE FOR NOT WHAT THEY DID OR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, BUT WHO THEY ARE AT THE MOMENT.

JUST CONSIDER THE HUMIDITY OF ALL PEOPLE AROUND YOU.

>> Reporter: SOME EVEN TEACH MUSIC TO INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> WE GET TO GO OVER TO THE JAIL AND MAKE MUSIC WITH THE CLAY COUNTY PARTICIPANTS.

WE STAY TOGETHER IN THE GYM OR WE PLAY GAMES.

IT'S SUPER FUN BECAUSE WE'RE BRINGING THE JOY AND WE'RE UNCOVERING THE JOY THAT IS ALREADY THERE.

IT'S FUN TO SEE THE MOOD IN THE ROOM AND IT'S AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE.

WE'RE HUMAN FIRST.

>> IT'S CHANGING MY VIEWPOINT OF COMMUNITY AND ON INCARCERATION IN GENERAL AND THE ROOTS OF IT.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE LOOKING TO COLLABORATE WITH THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE CITIES THEY STOP IN.

>> IT'S A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COLLABORATE WITH COLLEGIATE MUSICIANS, ESPECIALLY SOME LOOKING TO PURSUE MUSIC AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL.

>> WE'RE GOING TO MY OLD HIGH SCHOOL SO I GET TO SEE MY OLD FRIENDS AND TO COLLABORATE WITH MUSICIANS OF ALL KINDS.

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

>> Josh: ALL RIGHT, THAT DOES IT HERE FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

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