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.

[♪♪♪] >> Sydney: HI EVERYONE, I'M SYDNEY DICK FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> TWO MEN HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR THEIR ROLE THE FATAL STABBING OF A 18-YEAR-OLD MAN IN BEMIDJI IN JUNE OF 2023.

THE VICTIM, ANDREW FISHER, WAS LURED INTO A HOUSE BY THREE MEN.

THE MEN, ROBERT KEEZER, JAMES BURNETTE, AND DANIEL KEEZER ADMITTED IN COURT TO LURING FISHER INSIDE WITH THE INTENT TO ROB HIM.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, DANIEL KEEZER PLED GUILTY TO SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

ROBERT KEEZER AND BURNETTE INITIALLY PLEADED GUILTY TO AIDING AND ABETTING SECOND-DEGREE INTENTIONAL MURDER BUT ON TUESDAY THE CHARGES WERE AMENDED TO FIRST DEGREE AGGRAVATED ROBBERY.

EACH MAN TOOK A PLEA AGREEMENT TO SERVE 15 YEARS IN PRISON.

THE SENTENCES ARE NEARLY DOUBLE WHAT THE 8-YEAR STATE SENTENCING GUIDELINES CALL FOR BECAUSE THE JUDGE SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT JUST A TYPICAL AGGRAVATED ROBBERY, AS IT ENDED IN THE DEATH OF A YOUNG MAN.

>>> A BUS DRIVER SUFFERED A MEDICAL EMERGENCY SHORTLY AFTER 3:00 P.M.

YESTERDAY WHILE TRANSPORTING STUDENTS FROM RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY IN BRAINERD TO A TRANSFER STOP.

ACCORDING TO THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

SEVERAL STUDENTS NOTICED THAT THE 74-YEAR-OLD BUS DRIVER, WHOSE NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, WAS HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

ONE OF THE 30 CHILDREN ON BOARD USED THE BUS RADIO TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE.

THE BROADCAST WENT TO OTHER BUSES IN THE AREA, WHO THEN CALLED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND E.M.S.

THE DRIVER HAD PULLED OFF OF COUNTY ROAD 45 AND LET THE CHILDREN EXIT THE BUS AND THEN CONTINUED DRIVING ON HIS OWN.

>> HE WAS AT A STORE AND LOADING STUFF UP IN THE BACK OF HIS TRUCK AND FELL OUT OF HIS TRUCK AND HIT HIS HEAD ON THE GROUND.

THERE WAS SOME EMPLOYEES THAT CAME AROUND AND TRIED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE AND STUFF AND HE SAID NO, I'M FINE.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.

I'M OKAY.

AT THAT TIME, HE WENT TO PICK UP HIS BUS, AND THERE WAS PROBABLY A BRAIN BLEED THAT WAS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF HIM HITTING HIS HEAD AND ONCE WE MADE CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY APPARENT THAT HE WAS IN SOME TYPE OF MEDICAL CRISIS.

>> SHERIFF KLANG SAYS THE DRIVER WAS FLOWN OUT TO A TRAUMA CENTER AND ALTHOUGH FULL DETAILS HAVE YET TO BE RELEASED, HIS MEDICAL CONDITION IS SAID TO BE SERIOUS.

NO CHILDREN WERE HARMED DURING THE INCIDENT.

>>> FORMER MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR JUSTIN EICHORN, WHO WAS CHARGED WITH TRYING TO SOLICIT A MINOR FOR PROSTITUTION AND WHO HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTING TO OBSTRUCT THE F.B.I.

'S INVESTIGATION WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE RELEASED TO A HALFWAY HOUSE PENDING HIS TRIAL.

THE JUDGE RULED THAT EICHORN DOES NOT POSE A RISK TO THE COMMUNITY AND THAT THERE WERE REASONABLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE ACTIONS THAT FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ARGUED WARRANTED KEEPING HIM IN JAIL.

OVER THE WEEKEND, EICHORN TRIED TO GET A “ASSOCIATE” TO RETRIEVE A COMPUTER, CELL PHONE, AND GUN FROM HIS APARTMENT.

IT WAS REVEALED IN COURT TODAY THAT THE PERSON EICHORN HAD SPOKEN TO OVER THE PHONE WAS HIS WIFE, WHO FILED FOR DIVORCE ON MONDAY.

EICHORN WILL BE ALLOWED TO STAY AT A HALFWAY HOUSE IN DULUTH UNTIL HIS TRIAL BUT WILL STILL HAVE RESTRICTIONS.

HE WAS DEEMED NOT TO BE A FLIGHT RISK BUT WILL STILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH G.P.S.

MONITORING.

>>> THIS SATURDAY WILL MARK NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS DAY AND THE CROW WING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZED VIETNAM VETS IN THE COUNTY AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY.

NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS DAY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED SINCE 2017.

THE DATE MARCH 29TH WAS CHOSEN TO COMMEMORATE VETERANS AND THEIR SACRIFICES AS THAT WAS THE DAY THE FINAL UNITED STATES SERVICE MEMBER LEFT VIETNAM IN 1973.

THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ESTIMATES THAT THERE ARE BETWEEN SIX AND SEVEN MILLION VIETNAM VETERANS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD BUT THE COUNTY WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO RECOGNIZE THOSE CLOSER TO HOME.

>> FOR THOSE WHO SERVED, THE WAR DID NOT END WITH THEIR RETURN HOME.

TOO MANY CAME BACK TO A NATION DIVIDED, FACING NOT ONLY THE MEMORIES OF WAR, BUT ALSO THE REALITY OF BEING UNRECOGNIZED FOR THEIR SACRIFICES.

TODAY, AS A COUNTY, AS A NATION, WE HOPE THAT WE CORRECT THAT.

WELCOME HOME.

>> THE BRAINERD V.F.W.

WILL BE HOLDING AN EVENT THIS FRIDAY TO HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WAR.

>>> WE'RE STILL MORE THAN 18 MONTHS AWAY FROM NEXT YEAR'S MID-TERM ELECTIONS BUT THERE ARE OTHERS HAPPENING THAT COULD SERVE AS BAROMETERS OF WHAT VOTERS ARE THINKING.

ARLETTE SAENZ REPORTS ON A SUPREME COURT RACE IN WISCONSIN THAT'S DRAWING HUGE CAMPAIGN MONEY.

>> Reporter: THE BATTLE FOR A SINGLE SEAT ON WISCONSIN'S SUPREME COURT IS BOILING DOWN TO TWO NAMES NOT ON THE BALLOT.

>> WE GOT TO GET CONSERVATIVE VOTERS OUT AND NO ONE HAS EVER DONE THAT BETTER THAN PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> ELON MUSK IS HERE FOR A REASON.

>> Reporter: SUSAN CRAWFORD AND BRAD SHIMMEL MAY NOT BE HOUSEHOLD NAMES FOR WISCONSIN VOTERS, BUT THEIR CAMPAIGNS ARE BETTING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND ELON MUSK WILL MOBILIZE VOTERS IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> WE HAVE TO FIND AS MANY OF OUR VOTERS ON-AND-A-HALF -- ON NOVEMBER 5TH AS WE CAN.

>> Reporter: HE TALKS UP THE ENDORSEMENT IN A BATTLEGROUND STATE HE NARROWLY WON FIVE MONTHS AGO.

TRUMP'S CLOSE ALLY AND FINANCIAL BACKER MUSK HAS GONE ALL IN ON HIS CAMPAIGN, EVEN HOSTING THE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE ON HIS SOCIAL MEDIA SITE X.

>> DEMOCRATS WILL ATTEMPT TO REDRAW THE DISTRICT AND CAUSE WISCONSIN TO LOSE TWO REPUBLICAN SEATS.

IN MY OPINION, THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

>> Reporter: THE TECH BILLIONAIRE AND GROUPS ALIGNED WITH HIM HAVE POURED MORE THAN $20 MILLION INTO THE STATE, FUNDING FIELD OPERATIONS AND TV ADS SLAMMING CRAWFORD.

>> SHE IS JUST WRONG FOR WISCONSIN.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATIC MEGA-DONORS AND ILLINOIS GOVERNOR HAVE WRITTEN CHECKS FOR THE PARTY, IN A RACE THAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE JUDICIAL CONTEST IN THE COUNTRY.

>> HE KNOWS CORRUPT POLITICIANS ARE FOR SALE.

>> Reporter: IT'S A MESSAGE THAT CRAWFORD HOPES WILL RESONATE WITH VOTERS.

>> I THINK ALL VOTERS IN WISCONSIN SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, ABOUT SOMEBODY COMING IN AND TRYING TO BUY A SEAT ON THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT.

>> Reporter: WHILE SHIMMEL IS CRYING BIG MONEY FROM DEMOCRATS.

>> THEY HOPE THAT OTHERS STAY OUT.

>> Reporter: IT POSES A KEY TEST OF ENTHUSIASM FOR BOTH PARTIES AND WILL ALSO DETERMINE THE IDEOLOGICAL BALANCE OF THE COURT IN A KEY SWING STATE ON ISSUES LIKE ABORTION RIGHTS AND REDISTRICTING HAS EMERGED AS CAMPAIGN FLASH POINTS.

IN JANEVILLE, POLITICS IS USUALLY NOT THE FOCUS AT THIS WEEKLY BOWLING LEAGUE FOR SENIORS, BUT ONE VOTER TOLD US MUSK SHOULD STAY IN HIS LANE.

>> PEOPLE ARE INTERFERING WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T.

>> CRAWFORD SAID THEY HOPE THEIR VOTE WILL SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO WISCONSIN AND BEYOND.

>> TO REIGN IN A LOT OF THE DESTRUCTIVE POLICIES.

>> I THINK WHAT HAPPENS HERE WILL TELL US A LOT ABOUT HOW CLOSE WE ARE TO LOSING OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> Sydney: THIS ELECTION IS OFFICIALLY NON-PARTISAN BUT THAT'S REALLY IN NAME ONLY.

FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS EVEN GOTTEN INVOLVED.

HE TOOK TO SOCIAL MEDIA TO URGE WISCONSIN VOTERS TO SUPPORT CRAWFORD.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL ENJOY SOME SUNSHINE TOMORROW BUT A WINTER STORM WILL BE MOVING IN, BRINGING RAIN, SNOW, AND FREEZING RAIN LATER THIS WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE BEMIDJI PARKS AND RECS DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING A DOWNTOWN TREE REMOVAL PROJECT >> 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.

>>> A TREE REMOVAL PROJECT IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI WILL LEAD TO TEMPORARY DISRUPTIONS TO SIDEWALKS, STREETS, AND BUSINESSES IN THE AREA.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS ON THE PROJECT.

>> Reporter: WITH THE WARMER WEATHER STARTING TO ARRIVE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, PEDESTRIANS AND RESIDENTS WILL SOON FILL UP THE STREETS AN SIDEWALKS OF BEMIDJI.

THE LAST THING THEY WANT IS A TRIP HAZARD.

>> THAT IS WHY THE BEMIDJI PARKS AND RECS DEPARTMENT ARE PLANNING A DOWNTOWN TREE REMOVAL PROJECT.

>> IT'S SOLELY BASED ON THE SAFETY OF THE SIDEWALKS.

OVER THE YEARS, YOU HAVE SEEN THAT THE TREES HAVE BLOWN OFF THE CONCRETE AND PAVERS, AND THERE ARE TRIP HAZARDS DOWN THERE.

THEY HAVE OVERGROWN THEIR SPACE THAT WAS AVAILABLE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT SHOULD BE RELATIVELY SIMPLE, BUT IT CAN CAUSE SOME DISTURBANCES FOR BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS TRAVELING ON THE SIDEWALKS.

>> IT WILL CAUSE DISTURBANCES IN THE BUSINESS AREA, THERE WILL BE SIDEWALKS CLOSED, SOME STREETS CLOSED WHEN WE DO THE TREE REMOVALS.

THE ANTICIPATED DATE FOR THIS IS WEATHER PENDING, LATE APRIL, EARLY MAY IS WHAT WE'RE HOPING FOR.

>> Reporter: IN ORDER TO KEEP THINGS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA, THIS PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES.

>> I KNOW WE WILL REMOVE THE TREES ABOUT TWO TO THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE STUMP REMOVAL STARTS TO HAPPEN.

THEN WE WILL LEAVE 3 OR 4 FOOT STUMPS OUT THERE AND THEN WE WILL BE DONE WITH IT.

>> Reporter: AFTER REMOVING ALL 14 TREES, THE NEXT PHASE IS GETTING THE STUMPS OUT OF THE GROUND, WHICH COULD BE CHALLENGING DUE TO THE SIDEWALKS.

>> IT WOULDN'T BE A BIG PROJECT IF THERE WASN'T SO MUCH CONCRETE AROUND THE TREES.

IT HAS BECOME A BIG TASK TO REPLACE THE TREE AND PLANT A NEW TREE IN THERE, WE HAVE TO GET RID OF THE STUMP.

IN ORDER TO TO THAT, WE HAVE TO DO GET RID OF THE CONCRETE AND ASPHALT AROUND IT.

>> Reporter: THE STREETS DEPARTMENT WILL BE PARTNERING ON THE PROJECT.

>> THEY ARE DOING ALL THE CONCRETE REMOVAL ANDRES RENDON THE PARKS AND REC WILL BE DOING THE TREE REMOVALS.

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF CONTRACTORS WE'RE WORKING ON THE CONTRACT WITH.

>> Reporter: I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> HALF OF THE TREES THAT WILL BE REMOVED, 7 OF 14 TOTAL, WILL BE ON BELTRAMI AVENUE.

TREES ON 2ND AND 3RD STREET, AS WELL AS MINNESOTA AVENUE WILL ALSO BE TAKEN DOWN AS PART OF THE DOWNTOWN TREE REMOVAL PROJECT.

>>> THE PEQUOT LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MET THIS MORNING FOR THEIR MONTHLY MEETING TO SHARE IDEAS AMONGST EACH OTHER AND NETWORK IN THE COMMUNITY.

THIS MONTH THE GROUP MET TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LOCAL ROTARY CLUB AND DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THEIR BUSINESSES COULD MAKE IMPACTS ON THE COMMUNITY.

THE MONTHLY EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL BUSINESSES REGARDLESS OF CHAMBER STATUS.

>> IT'S JUST REALLY A NICE WAY TO START YOUR DAY, LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING, EVENTS THAT THEY ARE PLANNING, WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, AND IT'S REALLY REMARKABLE TO SIT BACK AND SEE WHAT EVERYBODY IS DOING AND WE LIVE IN A PRETTY GOOD PLACE AND THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO START YOUR DAY LEARNING ABOUT IT.

>> THE PEQUOT LAKES CHAMBER NEXT MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 30TH.

>>> NOW WE HAVE STACY COMING IN FOR WEATHER.

I THOUGHT WE WERE DONE WITH WINTERTIME.

>> Stacy: IT IS MARCH AND WE ARE IN MINNESOTA SO WE WILL BE SEEING BACK AND FORTH AS FAR AS OUR TEMPERATURES GO AND OUR WEATHER CONDITIONS.

WE WILL ENJOY SOME NICE SUNSHINE TOMORROW, BUT WE HAVE THE SPRING STORM MOVING IN AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND POSSIBLY SUNDAY, THAT COULD BE BRINGING RAIN, SNOW, AND FREEZING RAIN THROUGHOUT MINNESO >> 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 HAVE SEEN THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY, EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT RAIN AND SPRINKLES IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THAT WILL BE MOVING OUT QUICKLY.

WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS, A LOT OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW, SO A NICE DAY TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE WEATHER TOMORROW BECAUSE AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY, WE WILL BE SEEING A SPRING STORM MOVING IN, BRINGING US ANY TYPE OF PRECIPITATION POSSIBLE WITH THAT SYSTEM, RAIN, SNOW, AND FREEZING RAIN, AND IT LOOKS LIKE SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES AS WELL.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 36 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTH WIND AT OUR STUDIO WITH A DEW POINT OF 29 AND HUMIDITY AT 76%.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND 42, THE DEW POINT IS 29, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

AS WE LOOK AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME CLOUDS IN THE AREA, CLEAR SKIES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, CLOUDS IN THE RED LAKE AND BEMIDJI AREA, BUT THOSE ARE CLEARING OUT.

WE ALSO HAD A LITTLE OF PRECIPITATION IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WHICH IS ALSO GOING TO BE EXITING THE AREA QUICKLY.

WE HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, THE CLEARING TREND CONTINUES INTO TOMORROW WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, BUT AGAIN IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A REPRIEVE BECAUSE AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, WE WILL SEE THE NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM MOVING IN.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, THE BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE AT THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION, THE FOG IN THE DISTANCE AS WELL.

ARLENE WITH THE PICTURE OF THE MORNING SKIES IN MENAHGA.

WE HAVE THE FOG IN THE DISTANCE AND IT LOOKS LIKE BIG FOOT IS ALSO TAKING A GLIMPSE OF THE WEATHER.

SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE NARROWS.

YOU CAN SEE THE FOG THAT FORMED THERE.

CARRIE WITH THE CLOUDS OVER WALKER.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING CLOUDY AND CALM WITH A HIGH OF 48.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY TODAY, WITH A HIGH OF 48.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 50 TODAY, 5 DEGREES ABOVE OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD A LOW OF 25 AND SUNSET AT 738 CLOOISHG -- 7:38.

SUNRISE AT 7:08.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE STARTED OUT WITH A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING, WE WILL SEE THE CLOUDS CLEARING OUT, AND WE SHOULD ENJOY QUITE A BIT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS MOST OF THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, CLOUDS BEGINNING TO RETURN AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW NIGHT, AND AS I MENTIONED, THE SPRING STORM BEGINS TO MOVE IN ON FRIDAY.

AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, PRETTY BIG TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH.

WE'RE LOOKING TO TOP OUT AROUND 42 WITH A LOT OF 40s IN MINNESOTA, LOW TO MID-50s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

AGAIN, A LOT OF SUNSHINE FOR US TOMORROW AND THEN THE WEATHER PATTERN CHANGES AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS FOR TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 23, VARIABLE WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES FOR TOMORROW, WE'LL SAY HIGHS AROUND 48, COOLER TO THE NORTH, WARMER TO THE SOUTH, AND EAST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, THAT STORM BEGINS TO MOVE IN FRIDAY AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN, SNOW, AND FREEZING RAIN THROUGH SATURDAY, SHOULD BECOME ALL SNOW ON SUNDAY, AND THAT WILL BE MAINLY IN THE MORNING.

TEMPERATURES WILL START TO COOL OFF AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND WITH HIGHS IN THE 30s STARTING ON SATURDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

NOW WE'RE JOINED BY CHARLIE YAEGER WITH SPORTS.

WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON TONIGHT?

>> Charlie: WE HAVE SOME BSU SOFTBALL.

THEY'RE PLAYING IN MINNESOTA DULUTH, THEY'RE BACK HERE IN MINNESOTA PLAYING SOME GAMES.

SO WE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE HOT START TO THE SPRING GAMES.

IT'S TOUGH SINCE THEY STARTED NSIC PLAY.

MAYBE THEY COULD GRAB A COUPLE WINS AT UMD.

THAT AND MORE COMING U >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

[♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: AFTER STARTING THE SEASON 13-1, BSU SOFTBALL HAS HIT A ROUGH PATCH WITH THE START TO NSIC PLAY, LOSING 3 OUT OF 4 LAST WEEKEND AGAINST CONCORDIA ST. PAUL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE.

THEY ARE TRYING TO SNAG A COUPLE WINS WITH A MIDWEEK DOUBLE HEADER AT MINNESOTA DULUTH.

IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH, IT'S THE BULLDOGS, WITH THE 2-0 LEAD.

THE BASES ARE LOADED.

SHE SLASHES A 2 R.B.I.

SINGLE.

UMD WILL PLAY TWO MORE IN THE INNING AND LEAD 6-0 AFTER FOUR.

TOP FIVE NOW, BEAVERS WITH RUNNERS IN THE CORNER, AN R.B.I.

SINGLE TO PUT ONE ON THE BOARD.

LATER IN THE INNING, BASES LOADED FOR RICHARDS, SHE SLICES ONE INTO NO MAN'S LAND, TO PUSH ANOTHER RUN ACROSS, AND MARIAH, FIELDERS CHOICE WOULD CUT IT TO 6-3.

MOLLY WOULD COME TO THE PLATE BUT ALISON ENDS THE RALLY.

BSU UNABLE TO SCORE THE REST OF THE WAY.

THEY WOULD DROP GAME 2 AS WELL, 4-1.

BEAVERS HEAD TO SIOUX FALLS FOR ANOTHER CONFERENCE SERIES DOUBLE HEADER.

>>> PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S HOCKEY, MINNESOTA'S FIRST HOME GAME IN OVER A MONTH TRYING TO END A TWO GAME SKID.

WE PICK UP IN THE SECOND PERIOD, THEY'RE DOWN 1-0.

LAURA, JUST 24 SECONDS INTO THAT PERIOD, ABLE TO SCORE FOR MONTREAL, GIVING THEM A 2-0 LEAD.

LATER IN THE SECOND PERIOD, KELLY OUT FRONT, SLIDES ONE PAST ELAINE, TO BRING THEM WITHIN 1.

IN THE THIRD PERIOD, TRYING TO TIE IT UP, THEY THINK THEY GOT IT, BUT DENIED.

SHE HAD 19 SAVES ON THE EVENING AND MONTREAL WILL GO ON TO WIN 4-1 THE FINAL.

THEY HAVE LOST THREE STRAIGHT AND THEY'RE SITTING DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO FALLING OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS.

THEY ARE IN FOURTH PLACE RIGHT NOW.

>>> A MONTH INTO THE SEASON, CENTRAL LAKES SOFTBALL IS OFF TO A 9-5 START.

THEY ARE TRYING TO BUILD OFF LAST SEASON'S SUCCESSFUL RUN TO THE REGION CHAMPIONSHIP AND AS SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER TELLS US, IT'S A FAMILIAR FACE FROM THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA THAT IS LEADING THE CHARGE.

>> Reporter: CLC SOFTBALL HAS THE BEST TEAM IN THE MINNESOTA COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE AT 271, THANKS TO PEQUOT LAKES STRIKEOUT LEADER.

>> WHEN SHE GETS IN THE CIRCLE, SHE REFUSES TO LOSE.

I SAW THAT ALL THE WAY BACK HER SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY HAD TO BEAT PIERZ TWICE, AND SHE WASN'T GOING TO LOSE THAT DAY.

>> SHE IS LEADING THIS CONFERENCE.

[CHEERING].

>> BY FAR.

HER MOVEMENT, HER CHANGE UPS, YOU DON'T KNOW IT'S COMING.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR AS A FRESHMAN, SHE BURSTED INTO THE SOFTBALL SCENE, EARNING MCAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS, BECOMING THE FIRST CLC RAIDER TO WIN SECOND TEAM HONORS AS AN INFIELDER SINCE 2016.

>> BEING AGGRESSIVE.

IN HIGH SCHOOL, MY APPROACH WAS TO BE NOT AS AGGRESSIVE.

I TRIED TO GO FOR WALKS RATHER THAN HITS.

I AM ATTACKING IT NOW AND IT SEEMS TO BE A BETTER APPROACH THAN WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING IN THE PAST.

I JUST KEEP GOING WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: AND 14 GAMES INTO THE CAMPAIGN, SHE HAS A 6-3 RECORD WITH A 166CRA, WITH A 119%, SETTING THE STANDARD FOR RAIDERS SOFTBALL.

>> IF SHE GETS ON, THERE ARE PEOPLE TO HIT AROUND HER.

I KNOW I WILL BE MOVED AROUND SOMEHOW.

SO IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE THEM HANGING OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: RAIDER SOFTBALL CONTINUES TO FOLLOW SUIT, EXCELLING IN EVERY ASPECT WITH THE TEAM BATTING AVERAGE THREE POINTS SHY OF 300, BUT THE B2024 RUNNER UPS KNOW THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

>> LAST YEAR WE WERE SHORT ONE GAME.

>> I KNOW THIS YEAR, WE WILL WANT IT, ESPECIALLY THE RETURNING PLAYERS.

WE WANT IT.

>> THE GIRLS KEEPING THEIR SWAGGER THE WHOLE YEAR, I THINK THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR THIS GROUP.

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

>> Charlie: SHE WILL BE CONTINUING HER COLLEGIATE LEVEL AT BLACK HILL UNIVERSITY IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS, IT'S NEAR DEADWOOD.

>> Sydney: INTERESTING FACT.

>> Charlie: I'M FULL OF FUN FACTS.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH, A TIME TO SHED LIGHT ON A DISEASE THAT CAUSES THE TISSUE THAT TYPICALLY LINES THE UTERUS TO GROW ELSEWHERE.

IT CAN CAUSE DEBILITATING PAIN AND MAY MAKE IT HARDER TO GET PREGNANT.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS THE ENDOMETRIOSIS SIGNS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW AND TALKS TO A PATIENT ABOUT HOW SHE FINALLY FOUND RELIEF AFTER SUFFERING FOR YEARS.

>> EVERY MONTH FOR DAYS, I FELT LIKE I WAS GIVING CHILDBIRTH.

>> Reporter: FOR 16 YEARS, SHE LIVED WITH UNBEARABLE PERIOD PAIN, THINKING IT WAS JUST PART OF BEING A WOMAN.

>> IT GOT SO BAD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT LOCAL HOSPITALS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT WAS THE LAST STRAW.

AT AGE 31, DOCTORS AT NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE DISCOVERED SHE HAD SEVERE ENDOMETRIOSIS.

>> IT'S AROUND 10% OF ALL WOMEN IN THE U.S., THEY HAVE ENDOMETRIOSIS AND DON'T KNOW THEY HAVE IT.

>> Reporter: IT'S COMMON FOR WOMEN TO GET A DELAYED DIAGNOSIS AS THEY ARE TOLD IT'S NORMAL TO HAVE PAINFUL PERIODS.

THAT'S WHY HE SAID ADVOCATING FOR YOURSELF IS CRITICAL.

WHILE ENDO ME TRY OSIS COULD BE ASYMPTOMATIC, THERE ARE RED FLAGS SUCH AS EXTREME PAIN IN THE ABDOMEN, PAIN IN THE LOWER BACK BEFORE OR AFTER SEX.

OTHER SIGNS ARE BLEEDING OR SPOTTING BETWEEN PERIODS, INFERTILITY, AND STOMACH PROBLEMS.

>> I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO SEEK OUT CARE AND IF YOU'RE NOT HEARING THE ANSWERS THAT YOU ARE EXPECTING OR BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY, THEN SEEK OUT ANOTHER OPINION.

>> Reporter: HE HELPED PERFORM A COMPLICATED SURGERY AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, SHE IS LIVING PAIN-FREE.

>> I FEEL FANTASTIC.

IT WAS THE GREATEST DECISION.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> OFFICIALS AT NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE SAY ENDOMETRIOSIS IS A LEADING CAUSE OF INFERTILITY.

THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF TREATMENTS AVAILABLE THAT CAN BRING RELIEF FROM SYMPTOMS INCLUDING MEDICINE, SURGERY OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH.

>>> NOW WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME, SO BACK TO STACY WITH MORE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE'LL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE AREA TONIGHT, LOWS DOWN TO 23, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, HIGHS SHOULD REACH 48, AND THAT PRECIPITATION ROLLS IN ON FRIDAY.

>> Charlie: AND MINNESOTA VIKINGS HAVE SAID THEY WANT J.J. McCARTHY TO BE THEIR Q.B.

NUMBER ONE, BUT THEY ARE NOT RULING OUT TALKING TO AARON RODGERS.

>> Sydney: COULD BE SOME BIG NEWS.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR NIGHT GUYS.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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