>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Matthew: HI EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING, MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> A JUDGE HAS BLOCKED THE RELEASE OF FORMER MINNESOTA SENATOR, JUSTIN EICHORN, WHO RESIGNED AFTER HE WAS CHARGED WITH SOLICITING A MINOR FOR PROSTITUTION, LEVELING FRESH ALLEGATIONS THAT HE TRIED TO OBSTRUCT THE F.B.I.

'S INVESTIGATION FROM JAIL AND LIED TO COURT PERSONNEL WHEN HE SAID HE DIDN'T HAVE A GUN AT HIS APARTMENT.

PROSECUTORS HAVE NOW LEARNED ABOUT SEVERAL PHONE CALLS THAT WERE MADE IN JAIL BETWEEN EICHORN AND A GRAND RAPIDS WOMAN WHO WAS ONLY DESCRIBED AS A CLOSE ASSOCIATE.

EICHORN ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO ARRANGE FOR THE WOMAN TO RETRIEVE A COMPUTER AND OTHER ITEMS FROM A SAINT PAUL APARTMENT WHERE HE LIVED ALONE DURING LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

BY THE TIME SHE GOT TO THE APARTMENT THOUGH, AUTHORITIES HAD ALREADY SECURED THE UNIT AND SHE COULD NOT GO INSIDE THE BUILDING.

SHE WOULD LATER DECLINE TO BE QUESTIONED BY FEDERAL AGENTS.

AFTER SECURING A SEARCH WARRANT FOR THE APARTMENT.

AGENTS FOUND $1,000 IN CASH, A LAPTOP COMPUTER WITH AN S.D.

MEMORY CARD, AN IPHONE THAT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RESET TO ITS FACTORY SETTINGS, AS WELL AS A HANDGUN AND AMMUNITION.

ONE OF THE CONDITIONS FOR EICHORN'S RELEASE TO A HALFWAY HOUSE WAS THAT HE NOT POSSESS FIREARMS BUT PROSECUTORS ALLEGE HE DELIBERATELY LIED WHEN HE TOLD A PRE-TRIAL SERVICES OFFICER THAT HE HAD NO FIREARM IN HIS APARTMENT.

PROSECUTORS ALSO ARGUED THAT EICHORN SHOULD REMAIN JAILED BECAUSE THE TEXT MESSAGES THAT HE EXCHANGED LEADING UP TO HIS ARREST DEMONSTRATED HIS, “CLEAR FAMILIARITY WITH SOLICITING COMMERCIAL SEX FROM MINORS”.

THE 40-YEAR-OLD FROM GRAND RAPIDS HAS NOT PUBLICLY COMMENTED SINCE HIS ARREST LAST MONDAY.

SINCE 2017, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HAS CATALOGED AT LEAST 147 STATE LAWMAKERS ACROSS 44 STATES WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.

>>> THE RACE TO FILL EICHORN'S RECENTLY VACATED SENATE SEAT IS GETTING MORE CROWDED, AS FIVE MORE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR CAMPAIGNS AHEAD OF THE DISTRICT SIX SPECIAL ELECTION.

AMONG THEM ARE: CURRENT NISSWA MAYOR, JENNIFER CARNAHAN, WHO WAS ELECTED FOR HER FIRST TERM AS MAYOR BACK IN NOVEMBER, AFTER SERVING AS CHAIRWOMAN OF THE G.O.P.

OF MINNESOTA FOR OVER FOUR YEARS.

ALSO RUNNING IS STEVE COTARIU, OF MERRIFIELD, WHO IS THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF ADVISORS FOR ALAKAI DEFENSE SYSTEMS, AND GRADUATED FROM THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT, EVENTUALLY RISING TO A MAJOR RANK IN THE U.S. ARMY.

ALSO THROWING THEIR HAT IN THE RING IS JOSH GAZELKA, THE SON OF FORMER G.O.P.

STATE SENATOR AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL GAZELKA.

THEN GRAND RAPIDS LOCAL, JOHN HOWE, IS ALSO TOSSING HIS NAME INTO THE MIX, WHO IS A RETIRED VETERINARIAN AND CURRENT BUSINESSMAN.

HE ALSO SERVES AS AN ELDER AT FULL GOSPEL CHURCH IN GRAND RAPIDS.

AND FINALLY DOUG KERN OF BRAINERD, WHO UNSUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED REPRESENTATIVE JOSH HEINTZEMAN BACK IN 2022 TO BE THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE DISTRICT 6B HOUSE SEAT.

LAST WEEK, REPUBLICANS KERI HEINTZEMAN AND ANGEL ZIERDEN AND DFL'ER EMILY LECLAIRE ANNOUNCED THEIR PLANS TO RUN FOR THE VACANT SEAT.

>>> BEMIDJI HAS SEEN A RISE IN ALL TYPES OF SCAMS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS INCLUDING PHONE CALLS, TEXT MESSAGES, AND EMAILS.

THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE HOSTING A SCAM AWARENESS PRESENTATION THIS THURSDAY TO TRY AND WARN THE PUBLIC OF SOME OF THESE DANGERS.

FROM THE GRANDPARENTS SCAM THAT SWEPT THROUGH BELTRAMI COUNTY EARLIER THIS YEAR TO THE NEWEST CRYPTO SCAM.

SOME RESIDENTS OF THE AREA HAVE LOST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN RECENT MONTHS.

AUTHORITIES SAY SCAM AWARENESS AND PREVENTION IS NOW AS IMPORTANT AS EVER.

>> THE PRESENTATION COVERS MANY TYPES OF SCAMS, A LOT OF STUFF WE HAVE SEEN IN OUR AREA HAS ACTUAL REAL WORLD TEXT MESSAGES AND PHONE CALLS EMBEDDED INTO THE PRESENTATION AND THEN WITH THE GRANDPARENTS SCAM, WE INTERVIEWED A BONDSMAN TO GET THEIR TAKE ON WHAT ACTUAL PROCESS IS.

>> LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THEY WILL NEVER ASK FOR MONEY OVER THE PHONE AND ARE TRYING TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A LEGITIMATE PHONE CALL AND A PHONY ONE.

>> WE WOULD RATHER YOU CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ASK US, TALK TO A POLICE OFFICER AND ASK THEM THAN TO ACTUAL BE SCAMMED AND THEN LATER HAVE TO REPORT TO US.

SO, AWARENESS, HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF, WHAT THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR, AND WE DO HAVE SOME RESOURCES TO GIVE THEM TO MAYBE DO SOME INVESTIGATION ON THEIR OWN.

>> THE FIRST PRESENTATION WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARD ROOM THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 27TH AT 6:00 P.M. A SECOND AWARENESS EVENT WILL BE HELD NEXT THURSDAY, APRIL 3RD AT THE BLACKDUCK HIGH SCHOOL.

BOTH EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF EMERALD ASH BORER IN THREE NEW LOCATIONS OVER THE WINTER SEASON.

SOME IN PINE AND SAINT LOUIS COUNTIES BUT ALSO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AITKIN COUNTY.

AN AITKIN COUNTY FORESTER FOUND EVIDENCE OF EMERALD ASH BORER AT A TIMBER SITE IN MALMO TOWNSHIP AND NOTIFIED STATE OFFICIALS FOR CONFORMATIONS.

THE M.D.A.

IS ENACTING EMERGENCY QUARANTINES IN NEW AREAS OF MILLE LACS, PINE AND SAINT LOUIS COUNTIES, INCLUDING ALL OF AITKIN COUNTY.

EXPANDED QUARANTINE BOUNDARIES IN MILLE LACS AND PINE COUNTIES WILL PUT EACH OF THE COUNTIES UNDER FULL QUARANTINE.

THE QUARANTINES LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF FIREWOOD AND ASH MATERIAL OUT OF THE AREA.

EMERALD ASH BORER WAS FIRST DISCOVERED IN MINNESOTA BACK IN 2009.

THE INSECT LARVAE KILL ASH TREES BY TUNNELING UNDER BARK AND FEEDING ON THE PART OF THE TREE THAT MOVES NUTRIENTS UP AND DOWN THE TRUNK, OFTEN SHOWING SEVERAL SIGNS OF INFESTATION BECAUSE OF THIS.

THE TUNNELING CAN CAUSE THE BARK TO SPLIT OPEN, REVEALING CHARACTERISTIC S-SHAPED GALLERIES UNDERNEATH.

EXPERTS FROM THE MINNESOTA AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT ARE HOLDING A VIRTUAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR RESIDENTS AND TREE CARE PROFESSIONALS ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 26TH FROM 10:00 TO 11:00 A.M. YOU CAN REGISTER TO ATTEND THAT MEETING ON THE LINK THAT WE PROVIDE ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ HAS TAKEN PART IN A MULTI-STATE TOWN HALL TOUR, MAINLY IN DISTRICTS HELD BY REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

THIS WEEKEND WALZ MADE HIS FIRST STOP IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IN THE CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA'S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, THE SAME SEAT ONCE HELD BY GOVERNOR WALZ.

REPORTER MAUREEN DUDLEY HAS MORE.

>> AT HIS FIRST TOWN HALL MANY ROCHESTER, TIM WALZ FACED A PACKED ROOM EAGER TO DISCUSS A RANGE OF CONCERNS FROM HEALTH CARE TO VETERANS RIGHTS, MANY ATTENDEES VOICED THEIR FRUSTRATIONS OVER THE ACTIONS FROM WASHINGTON, WITH SOME QUESTIONING THE REPRESENTATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY IS AT STAKE HERE.

I MEAN OUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE GROWING UP IN A WORLD WHERE THEY HAVE LESS RIGHTS THAN WE DID.

WE FOUGHT HARD FOR THOSE RIGHTS.

>> SO I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE BEING ARRESTED, DEPORTED FOR BEING OUTSPOKEN.

>> WE ARE SHOWING UP, WE'RE ASKING QUESTIONS, I THINK ALL PARTIES ARE JUST FED UP WITH WHAT IS GOING ON AND WE'RE USING OUR VOICES AND RISING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: TO EASE CONCERNS, GOVERNOR WALZ ASSURED THE CROWD HIS COMMITMENT TO PUSH BACK AGAINST FEDERAL OVERREACH.

>> MINNESOTA WILL DO OUR BEST TO FIREWALL THIS THING.

I WILL DO MY VERY BEST TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROTECTING AND WE'LL FOLLOW THE LAW.

>> Reporter: ALSO EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION OF BRAD.

>> THEY'RE ASKING HIM TO SHOW UP, WE HAVE THINGS WE WANT TO SAY.

WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE DISSOLVING OF IMPORTANT FEDERAL AGENCIES.

>> WHEN YOU START CLOING OFF YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THAT'S THE FIRST STEP TO LOSING RE-ELECTION.

>> Reporter: AMERICAN FOR PROSPERITY HAS CRITICIZED GOVERNOR WALZ FOR HOLDING THE TOWN HALL, SAYING IT'S MORE ABOUT POLITICS THAN ADDRESSING THE ISSUES.

HE WOULD RATHER HEAR HIMSELF TALK THAN DEAL WITH THE CRISIS THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION CAUSED.

>> I DON'T RUN FOR OFFICE TO GET POWER BUT TO GOVERN AND TO GET PEOPLE TOGETHER, TO LIFT THINGS UP.

THESE FOLKS UNDERSTOOD WHERE THE POWER WAS.

>> WALZ'S NEXT TOWN HALL WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, THIS TIME JUST OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON, TEXAS WITH DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN BETO O'ROURKE.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE MAY SEE SOME RAIN OR SNOW ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT, BUT A LARGER MORE WIDESPREAD SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPACTING US LATE THIS WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK ON THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, WE FEATURE A LOCAL FOOD CO-OP THAT HAS BEEN SERVING COMMUNITIES FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS.

[♪♪♪] >> 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.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >>> OVER 3,000 DANCERS HIT THE FLOOR FOR THE JUST FOR KIX DANCE COMPETITION AT BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL THIS PAST WEEKEND, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA TO CONTINUE THEIR PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: FROM LOCAL JITTERBUGS HAILING FROM THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, TO SMOOTH OPERATORS FROM WEST FARGO, KIDS KICKED OFF THE JUST FOR KIX29th YEAR.

>> WE DO 15 OF THEM A YEAR.

SOME OF THE KIDS WILL COMPETE 6 TIMES.

WHEN WE STARTED MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, I WANTED IT TO BE AFFORDABLE FOR ALL KIDS.

IT'S BEEN OVERWHELMING.

I FEEL LIKE AS I GOTTEN OLDER AND STARTED TO LOOK AT HOW HUGE IT'S GOTTEN.

WHEN YOU STAND HERE AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE AND HOW MANY KIDS' LIVES IT EFFECTS.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS THE SOLO, DUET COMPETITION, WITH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY BEING THE TEAM COMPETITION.

>> DANCING IS REALLY HARD.

IT'S AN ACROBATIC SKILL YOU NEED TO HAVE NOW ALONG WITH YOUR DANCE TECHNIQUE AND THE ENDURANCE FOR IT.

IT'S ONLY 2 MINUTES YOU'RE ON THE FLOOR, BUT IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU'RE OUT THERE FOR THOSE TWO MINUTES.

I MEAN THE PHYSICAL SIDE OF IT IS HUGE.

>> Reporter: WHILE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD PLACE AWARDS ARE GIVEN OUT, THE JUST FOR KIX COMPETITION GOES FAR BEYOND WINNING AND LOSING.

>> YOU SEE BOTH.

THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY WANTING TO WIN AND WHEN YOU GET TO THE ELITE LEVELS AND THEY ARE INVESTED, THE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT IS PRETTY WONDERFUL BECAUSE ALL OF OUR DIRECTORS, COACHES KNOW EACH OTHER.

YOU WILL HEAR THEM SAYING MY KIDS FORGOT THEIR SHOES.

IT'S GREAT COMPETITIVE SPIRIT.

>> Reporter: WHEN THEY FOUNDED IT 43 YEARS AGO TO TODAY, THEY WITNESSED THE GROWTH FROM HOSTING COMPETITIONS LASTING AN HOUR AND A HALF TO FILLING GYMS WITH 2,200 FAMILIES WITH 50 DIFFERENT TEAMS PARTICIPATING.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE REMAINS AT THE FOREFRONT OF JUST FOR KIX'S MISSION.

>> JUST GOING FOR IT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT.

LOVE THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> JUST FOR KIX WILL BE HOSTING TWO EVENTS NEXT WEEKEND, ONE IN EDEN PRAIRIE AND ANOTHER IN WAHPETON, NORTH DAKOTA.

>>> WELL STACY, WE HAVE A BIT OF A DILEMMA WITH THE WEATHER.

WE CAN'T DECIDE IF IT'S WINTER OR SPRING RIGHT NOW.

>> Stacy: THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES.

WE DO HAVE A CHANCE FOR RAIN OR SNOW IN THE AREA TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS QUIET UNTIL WE GET TO THE END OF THE WEEK AND THE START OF THE WEEKEND WHEN THERE COULD BE WIDESPREAD RAIN, SNOW, AND FREEZING R >> 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 SUNSHINE OUT THERE TODAY AS HIGHS CLIMBED INTO THE 30s AND 40s.

WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW AND ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW NIGHT.

IT LOOKS LIKE RAIN, SNOW, AND POSSIBLY SOME FREEZING RAIN MOVING ACROSS THE AREA.

OVERALL, THE WEEK LOOKS QUIET AND IT'S WARM UNTIL WE GET INTO THE END OF THE WEEK WHERE THE NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM COULD BE MOVING IN.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 29 DEGREES.

HUMIDITY IS AT 64%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 33 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 16, AND PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE, AND WINDS ARE NORTH AT 3.

LOOKING AT THE SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, IT'S BEEN PRETTY QUIET OUT THERE.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF SUNSHINE, STILL LOOKING AT MAINLY CLEAR SKIES AS WE MOVED INTO THE EVENING.

WE SHOULD SEE QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT, WITH CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND TOMORROW WE WILL SEE SOME SUNSHINE, HOWEVER THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE FOR RAIN OR SNOW IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AND WE COULD SEE SOME RAIN, SNOW, OR FREEZING RAIN ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW NIGHT.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS EVENING, SONYA SENDING US THE PICTURE OF THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKIES THIS EVENING OVER TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

ARLENE WITH A NUMBER OF VISITORS AT THE BIRD FEEDER.

JOAN IN LAPORTE SPOTTING A PURPLE FINCH.

A COUPLE OF DEER ENJOYING THE MORNING SUNSHINE, AND M.D.

IN RED LAKE WITH A SHOT OF THE SUNSET TONIGHT AND WE ALSO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET SHOT FROM SAMROSE OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 13 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, SUNSHINE TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 36.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 42.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE.

M.D.

AT RED LAKE, 36, SUNNY, AND A LIGHT WIND THIS EVENING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLEAR.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY AND 40.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 42, A SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURE, 1 DEGREE OFF OF THE AVERAGE.

18 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING.

THEN IN BEMIDJI, A LITTLE BIT COOLER THAN AVERAGE, BUT STILL NOT TOO FAR OFF.

WE TOPPED OUT AT 37.

CHILLY START, 8 DEGREES FOR THE LOW, AND SUNRISE AT 7:12.

SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE DO START OUT WITH MAINLY CLEAR SKIES, A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUDS IN NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA AS WE PUT THAT IN MOTION.

WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THERE WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN OR SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL TOMORROW NIGHT THAT MORE OF US COULD SEE RAIN, SNOW, OR FREEZING RAIN, SMALL CHANCES OUT THERE.

OVERALL, THE WEEK LOOKS QUIET.

HIGH TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW, SHOULD AGAIN REACH THE UPPER 30s TO LOW 40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, SOME MID TO POSSIBLY UPPER 40s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY, LOWS DOWN TO 20, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

THEN FOR TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, BUT WE DO HAVE THE CHANCE OF SOME RAIN OR SNOW MOVING INTO MAINLY WESTERN MINNESOTA AND THEN ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW NIGHT WHEN WE COULD SEE SOME FREEZING RAIN IN THE MIX, HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 42.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, OVERALL PRETTY QUIET FROM WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY, WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 40s.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO LATE THIS WEEK AND THIS WEEKEND, WE HAVE ANOTHER MESSY SPRING SYSTEM MOVING IN, BRINGING A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SOME RAIN, SNOW, OR FREEZING RAIN LATE THIS WEEK, HIGHS IN THE 40s THROUGH SATURDAY, AND THEN ON SUNDAY, HIGHS NEAR 38.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER WITH US.

I KNOW WE'RE IN THE LULL OF THE SPORTS SEASON.

SO WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US?

>> Charlie: IT'S A LULL FOR SOME PEOPLE BUT MARCH MADNESS IS GOING ON.

EVERYBODY IS WAITING FOR COACHES TO MOVE AROUND, TEAMS TO LOSE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, THEY GOT THEIR NEW COACH AFTER A TOUGH LOSS OVER THE WEEKEND BY HIM.

WE GOT WHO IT IS AND WHAT HAPPENED AND ALL THAT STUFF COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> WELL, MINNESOTA MEN'S BASKETBALL HAS A NEW HEAD COACH, NIKO MEDVED, WHO HAILS FROM ROSEVILLE, IS COMING HOME AFTER LEADING COLORADO STATE TO THREE NCAA TOURNAMENTS IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

THAT INCLUDES THIS YEAR'S TOURNEY WHERE THE 12-SEEDED RAMS UPSET 5-SEED MEMPHIS IN THE FIRST ROUND BEFORE BEING DEALT A TOUGH EXIT IN YESTERDAY'S UPSET BID VERSUS 4-SEED MARYLAND.

>> ON THE RIGHT SIDE.

>> HEARTBREAKER ENDS HIS TENURE AT COLORADO STATE BUT IT USHERS IN A NEW ERA FOR THE GOLDEN GOPHERS AND THEIR FANS, WHO HOPE THE MINNESOTA ALUMN CAN TAKE THEM BACK TO THE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019.

MEDVED BEGAN HIS COACHING CAREER AS A STUDENT MANAGER UNDER CLEM HASKINS AND THEN AS AN ASSISTANT AT MINNESOTA DURING THE 2006-2007 SEASON.

HE NOW HAS 12 YEARS OF HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE.

HE IS EXPECTED SIGN A 6-YEAR CONTRACT TO BECOME THE 19TH HEAD COACH IN PROGRAM HISTORY, TAKING OVER FOR BEN JOHNSON WHO WAS LET GO EARLIER THIS MONTH AFTER FOUR SEASONS AT THE HELM.

>>> WELL 241 DRIVERS, CREW MEMBERS, AND FANS CELEBRATED THE 2024 BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY YESTERDAY AT THEIR ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET AND WERE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT THE UPCOMING SEASON THAT IS SET TO OPEN SATURDAY MAY 17TH.

THAT WILL BE THE ANNUAL CAR SHOW AND “TEST AND TUNE” WITH ADDITIONAL TIME TO TEST THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE TRADITIONAL RACING OPENER WILL BE THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND ON SUNDAY AND MEMORIAL DAY WITH “CHICKEN SHACK NATIONALS AND JACK SPARBY MEMORIAL”.

THIS YEAR WILL ALSO SEE THE ADDITION WISSOTA STREETS ADDED TO THE SUMMER SCHEDULE ALONGSIDE THE OTHER USUALLY SCHEDULED CLASSES.

OTHER SPECIALS COMING TO THE TRACK INCLUDE THE WISSOTA LATE MODELS ON JUNE 22ND, PAUL AND BABES TRACTOR PULL ON JULY 26TH.

THEY ALSO GAVE OUT SOME HARDWARE AT THE BANQUET AND HONORED LAST YEAR'S TOP POINT GETTERS.

HERE'S A QUICK LOOK AT WHO FINISHED ATOP EACH CLASS IN 2024.

>>> WELL, THE WILD ARE IN DALLAS TONIGHT TAKING ON THE STARS.

MINNESOTA ARE TRYING TO WIN THEIR FOURTH IN A ROW, SITTING IN THE FIRST WILDCARD SPOT.

WE WILL PICK UP IN THE SECOND PERIOD, POWER PLAY FOR DALLAS, JOHNSTON ABLE TO PUT ONE PAST, HIS 26th OF THE YEAR.

MATT USE TO BE A WILD AND NOW HE'S A STAR.

HE SCORES HIS 27th OF THE YEAR, IT'S 2-0 HEADING INTO THE THIRD PERIOD.

JAKE, IT WAS HIS BOBBLE HEAD NIGHT AND HE PLAYED LIKE IT.

32 SAVES AND THEY WERE CLOSED FOR BUSINESS.

DALLAS GOES ON TO WIN 3-0, SNAPPING THE WILD'S THREE GAME WINNING STREAK.

>>> THE TIMBERWOLVES WERE IN MINNEAPOLIS TAKING ON THE SPACERS.

8-GAME WIN STREAK LAST MONDAY, WE'LL PICK UP IN THE SECOND QUARTER.

ANTHONY EDWARDS, TWO OF HIS 17 POINTS TONIGHT, HE WAS GOOD AROUND THE PAINT BUT HE WAS NOT GOOD OUTSIDE THE ARK.

1 FOR 11 FROM 3, THAT WAS THE ONE RIGHT THERE.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS GOOD FROM A THREE POINT LAND, HE HAD 24 POINTS, 11 ASSISTS, IT'S HIS 11th STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DOUBLE.

THE TIMBERWOLVES FALL TO THE INDIANA PACERS, THEY LOST THREE OF THEIR LAST FOUR.

ALSO A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU, AN UPDATE IN THE NSIC PREVIEW INVITATIONAL.

BEMIDJI STATE AT 1 UNDER SITTING AT 5th PLACE.

THEN IN THE INDIVIDUAL SIDE OF THINGS, TWO BEAVERS IN THAT TOP 4/5 AREA.

>> Matthew: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>> Charlie: YEP.

>> Matthew: CROSSING TO THE USDA OVER 11 MILLION AMERICANS EXPERIENCED FOOD INSECURITIES IN 2023.

ONE SMALL BUSINESS IN BRAINERD IS TRYING TO HELP PUT FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD ON THE TABLE WHILE PROVIDING A FIRST CLASS CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

>> IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE >> Reporter: SHOPPING LOCALLY CAN BRING UP TO THREE TIMES MORE MONEY BACK TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, COMPARED TO SHOPPING AT A CHAIN COMPETITOR.

>> BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY REGULAR LORES AND CO-OPS ARE MORE POPULAR NOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE COME IN WITH CERTAIN EXPECTATIONS AND QUESTIONS THEY KNOW WE CAN HELP THEM WITH.

IN A BOX STORE, YOU ARE JUST LOOKING AROUND AND SEEING WHAT'S THERE.

HERE THEY JUST WANT A PERSONAL INTERACTION.

>> Reporter: IT'S A MEMBER OWNED GROCERY STORE AND EVEN WITH OVER 2,000 MEMBERS, THEY STILL HAVE A CUSTOMER CENTERED APPROACH, HELPING EACH PERSON WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.

>> SO, IF YOU COME IN HERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING, WE'RE NOT JUST GOING TO POINT YOU AND SEND YOU DOWN AN AISLE.

WE'RE GOING TO REALLY HELP YOU OUT.

WE'RE EXPANDING OUR LINE, SO WE GET MORE AND MORE PRODUCTS IN EVERY WEEK.

>> Reporter: THE CROW WING FOOD CO-OP HAS BEEN SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1979, WITH ONE GOAL, BRINGING LOCAL AND FRESH PRODUCE TO YOUR TABLE.

>> THE PRODUCE IS A BIG DRAW FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE IT'S LOCAL, FRESH, EVERY WEEK.

WE CAN KNOW THE FARMER, TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT, ASK FOR SPECIFIC THINGS.

>> IF WE CAN GET THE PRODUCE AND THE MEATS FROM LOCAL GOODS THAT KEEP OUR LOCAL ECONOMY GOING.

THAT'S PART OF OUR MISSION HERE, SUSTAINING THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY AND PROVIDING HEALTHY FOODS TO ALL THE COMMUNITIES.

THERE IS A LOT OF FOOD DESERTS OUT THERE, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREA.

>> Reporter: WHILE SOME PEOPLE MAY SEE CO-OPS AS A PLACE TO GET NICHE FOOD, THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE FEEL THAT DESPITE THEIR SIZE, THEY WILL HAVE WHATEVER PRODUCT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF STUFF.

PEOPLE THINK IT MIGHT BE ONLY WEIRD STUFF OR HEALTHY STUFF, BUT IT'S HEALTHIER VERSIONS OF THE STUFF YOU EAT EVERY DAY.

IT'S THE SAME AS A GROCERY STORE.

IT IS A GROCERY STORE, IT'S JUST SMALLER.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Matthew: WE HAVE SOME EXTRA TIME SO WE'LL GO TO STACY FOR DETAILS ON THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, LOWS DOWN TO 20 WITH VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

FOR TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE FOR RAIN OR SNOW LATE TOMORROW, SOME FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLE TOMORROW NIGHT WITH HIGHS NEAR 42.

OVERALL, QUIET FOR MOST OF THE WEEK, BUT WE COULD BE SEEING RAIN, SNOW, AND FREEZING RAIN BY THE WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: BRAINERD GIRLS VOLLEYBALL HAS A NEW HEAD COACH.

WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE HOW SHE DOES NEXT YEAR.

>> Matthew: CONGRATULATIONS FOR HER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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