>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> ON MARCH 11TH, A BILL WAS INTRODUCED THAT WOULD TRANSFER STATE-OWNED LAND AND REAL PROPERTY AROUND UPPER RED LAKE AND WITHIN RED LAKE STATE FOREST, BACK TO RED LAKE NATION.

LAST WEEK WE SPOKE WITH AN UPPER RED LAKE ASSOCIATE WHO WAS OPPOSED TO THE LAND TRANSFER BILL.

TONIGHT OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE SYDNEY JORDAN, ONE OF THE MAIN AUTHORS OF THE BILL TO DISCUSS WHY THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED INTO STATE LEGISLATURE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR RED LAKE TRIBAL LEADERS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO RESTORE TRIBAL BOUNDARIES IN ACCORDANCE TO TREATY NEGOTIATIONS IN 1889.

A BILL WAS INTRODUCED TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAT WOULD HELP WITH THE NATION'S GOAL.

>> THIS BILL IS A BILL WRITTEN WITH THE RED LAKE NATION AND IT'S TO START THE PROCESS OF RETURNING LAND THAT THE RED LAKE LEADERS NEGOTIATED FOR AND DID NOT AGREE TO CEDE IN 1889.

IT IS BEING PROPOSED NOW BECAUSE THE RED LAKE NATION ASKED ME TO DRAFT AND CARRY THIS BILL.

THIS CAME ABOUT AFTER A CONVERSATION I HAD WHILE AT RED LAKE, WORKING WITH THOSE TRIBAL LEADERS AND WE'RE IN SESSION NOW.

SO NOW IS THE TIME.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE JORDAN BELIEVES THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A LONG TIME AGO.

>> I WOULD ARGUE THAT THIS BILL IS OVERDUE.

THIS IS WHAT WAS NEGOTIATED FOR BY THE RED LAKE NATION.

SO THIS BILL NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY BECAUSE THIS LAND SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN TAKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE A FEW CONCERNS FROM RESIDENTS IN THE AREA, LIKE POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO FUNDING TO SCHOOLS IN THAT STATE OWNED PROPERTY.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT THE LAND PARCELS IN THE AREA AND MAKING SURE THERE WILL NOT BE NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS WITH SCHOOL TRUST LANDS.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE PARCELS THAT ARE PART OF THIS, WHAT IS STATE OWNED, WHAT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY, AND THEN LOOKING AT THESE LAND IN THE AREA TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ACCOUNTING FOR ANY REVENUE GENERATED FOR SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE WORRIES ABOUT FISHING AND LAKE ACCESS TO NON-TRIBAL OWNERS AND PROPERTY THAT IS IN THE STATE OWNED LAND THAT IS BEING RETURNED.

>> THEY DON'T ANTICIPATE CHANGES TO FISHING OR LAKE ACCESS.

NON-TRIBAL MEMBERS CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE UPPER RED LAKE AND THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO MINNESOTA FISHING REGULATION.

THE BILL ONLY PERTAINS TO STATE OWNED LAND AND NOT PRIVATE PROPERTY.

ANYONE WITH PRIVATE PROPERTY SHOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THIS BILL.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE JORDAN SAYS MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THE BILL TO PASS.

>> WE NEED HEARINGS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

THEY HAVE TO BE PASSED BY BOTH CHAMBERS AND SIGNED INTO LAW.

>> Reporter: I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN REPORTING FOR LAKELAND NEWS.

>> RED LAKE NATION HAS HELD MULTIPLE COMMUNITY MEETINGS REGARDING THE LAND TRANSFER BILL, DISCUSSING THE HISTORY OF THE TREATY OF 1889, AND THE RETURN OF UPPER RED LAKE LAND AND ITS IMPACTS TO THE COMMUNITY.

RED LAKE DID NOT PERMIT ANY MEDIA AT THOSE MEETINGS.

WE REACHED OUT FOR COMMENT FROM TRIBAL LEADERS BUT HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM THEM.

>>> WILDFIRE DANGER IN THE STATE HAD BEEN HIGH RECENTLY UNTIL SNOW ARRIVED EARLIER THIS PAST WEEK.

WILDFIRES ARE USUALLY CAUSED BY PEOPLE.

THE SNOW THIS WEEK SHOULD HELP WITH THE DRY CONDITIONS AND PREVENT FUTURE WILDFIRES IN THE NORTHERN MINNESOTA AREA.

THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

PREDICTIVE SERVICE COORDINATOR GAVE US A DEEPER DIVE INTO WHAT CAN BE EXPECT TO RESULT FROM THE SNOW.

>> SHORT TERM, THE SNOW HELPS.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE OUR FIRE ACTIVITY DROP OFF IN THE STATE DRAMATICALLY WHERE WE HAVE SNOW.

SO IT WOULD SUPPORT FIRES THAT WILL SPREAD ARE NOT GOING TO BE AVAILABLE TO BURN.

WE HAVE SOME AREAS WE'RE K50E7ING AN EYE ON IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE STATE WHERE WE DIDN'T GET A WHOLE LOT OF SNOW, IF ANY AT ALL.

IN THAT LONG-TERM OUTLOOK, IT'S GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL IN TERMS OF THE DROUGHT DEVELOPMENT THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING ACROSS THE STATE.

HOWEVER, IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN JUST ONE EVENT FOR US TO REALLY SEE THINGS REALLY TURN AROUND.

>> Dennis: FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WILDFIRE UPDATES, YOU CAN VISIT THE LINK LISTED BELOW.

>>> THE CROW WING COUNTY BOARD HAD A LENGTHY DISCUSSION ABOUT MASSAGE BUSINESSES AND THEIR PLACE IN THE COUNTY DURING LAST WEEK'S BOARD MEETING.

ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY STEPHANIE SHOOK AND LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER KATE LEPAGE RAISED THE QUESTION STATING 67 PERCENT OF ROCHESTER'S MASSAGE PARLORS ARE INVOLVED IN SOME FORM OF ILLICIT ACTIVITY AND THAT 1.5 PERCENT OF ADOLESCENTS IN EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FORM OF VICTIMIZATION AS RECENT AS 2019.

LEPAGE STATED POTENTIAL MITIGATION SOLUTIONS WOULD INVOLVE MAKING CROW WING COUNTY THE FIRST COUNTY IN MINNESOTA TO ENACT A PUBLIC HEALTH ORDINANCE BUT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TIM HOULE PUSHED BACK, STATING THIS MAY BE MORE OF A HUMAN TRAFFICKING CONCERN RATHER THAN ABOUT MASSAGE BUSINESSES.

>> IF THIS IS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THEN LET'S MAKE SURE THE EFFORTS WE TAKE ARE AS CLOSELY RELATED TO THAT PROBLEM AS POSSIBLE AND IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CLEANLINESS STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE TO DRAFT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THAT PROBLEM.

I DOUBT ONE ORDINANCE WILL TAKE CARE OF BOTH.

>> HOULE COMMISSIONER STEVE BARROWS AND BOARD CHAIR JON LUBKE ALL SAID THEY'D NEED MORE INFORMATION ON THE MATTER BEFORE TAKING FURTHER ACTION.

>>> THE OWNERSHIP TRANSFER OF THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES HAS SLAMMED TO A HALT.

GLEN TAYLOR DECLARED HE WON'T TAKE THE FINAL STEP OF HIS DRAWN-OUT $1.5 BILLION DEAL TO HAND MARC LORE AND ALEX RODRIGUEZ THE MAJORITY STAKE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T MEET ALL OF THE DEADLINES IN THE SALE CONDITIONS.

LORE AND RODRIGUEZ, A FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STAR AGREED TO THE PURCHASE NEARLY THREE YEARS AGO.

THEY STRONGLY DISPUTED TAYLOR'S STANCE AND SAID HE SIMPLY HAD COLD FEET ABOUT LETTING GO.

THE PAIR ALREADY OWNS A 40-PERCENT STAKE.

THIS FINAL STAGE WAS TO SELL THEM ANOTHER 40-PERCENT.

>>> IT WAS PERHAPS CHEATING DEATH FOR THREE PEOPLE INSIDE A HOT AIR BALLOON IN MINNESOTA.

POLICE SAY THEIR BALLOON GOT CARRIED AWAY BY THE WIND LAST WEEK RIGHT INTO SOME NEARBY POWER LINES.

FIRE OFFICIALS SAY ITS A MIRACLE THEY SURVIVED.

AND NOW WE'RE HEARING FROM TWO OF THE PASSENGERS ABOUT THEIR ORDEAL.

MEGAN ZEMPLE REPORTS.

>> THE NOISE OF THE ELECTRICITY, I MEAN IT'S JUST A HORRIFYING NOISE.

I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT NOISE.

IT'S LIKE BEING IN A LIGHTNING BOLT.

>> Reporter: MARK SCHAFFER SAYS HE AND HIS STEPSON WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO RIDING IN A HOT AIR BALLOON ON WEDNESDAY, IT'S TO MARK HIS SON BEN WHO DIED UNEXPECTEDLY.

A PHOTO OF BEN WAS PUT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BASKET IN HIS HONOR.

AFTER A HALF HOUR INTO THE RIDE, THINGS TOOK A TURN.

A WIND GUST BLEW THE BASKET TOWARDS POWER LINES ALONG HIGHWAY 63.

>> I TOOK MY HANDS AND DID A HUG LIKE THIS AND I THOUGHT WELL, WHATEVER IS GOING TO HAPPEN, I HOPE IT ENDS QUICK.

I KNEW I WASN'T GOING TO LIVE THROUGH IT.

THERE WAS NO WAY.

I HAD A SENSE OF PEACE LIKE IT'S OKAY.

>> A LOT WAS GOING THROUGH MY MIND.

I JUST WANTED TO SIT BACK AND EXPECT IT.

I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH.

WE DID.

>> Reporter: SCHAFFER SAYS ONCE THE BALLOON DETACHED FROM THE BASKET, THEY BRACED FOR A 30-FOOT FALL TO THE HARD GROUND.

>> FIREWORKS WENT AWAY AND I THOUGHT MAN, MADE IT THROUGH THAT.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THE FALL.

I KNEW THAT WAS COMING.

THAT WAS THE WORST PART OF IT.

>> Reporter: SCHAFFER SAYS ONCE ON THE GROUND, THEY REALIZED SOMEHOW THEY WERE ALL ALIVE AND THEN THE FIRE BROKE OUT.

RUNNING ON PURE ADRENALINE, THEY RAN TO THE ROAD FOR HELP.

>> EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO TALK TO US, ARE YOU OKAY?

YEAH, I JUST WANT TO GO HOME.

I WANT TO TAKE A HOT SHOWER AND RELAX.

>> Reporter: SCHAFFER SAYS HE BELIEVES BEN PROTECTED THEM FROM HARM.

>> FIREFIGHTERS SAID THERE WERE FOUR PEOPLE IN THE BASKET.

THERE WERE THREE, BUT BEN MAY HAVE BEEN BESIDE US.

I'M A FIRM BELIEVER WHETHER IT'S BEN OR A HIGHER POWER, WHATEVER, SOMEONE WAS DEFINITELY WATCHING OVER US.

>> SCHAFER ALSO SAYS THE GROUP PLANS TO GO UP FOR ANOTHER RIDE, IN PART BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT BEN WOULD WANT.

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

>> Stacy: A SYSTEM COULD BRING LIGHT ACCUMULATION AND ICE ACCUMULATION TO THE AREA TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP ON THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, THE AVID CAREER SHOWCASE AT >> 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.

>>> THE CROW WING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT IS HOLDING ITS ANNUAL TREE AND PLANT SALE FOR THE COUNTY.

ORDERS WILL BE TAKEN UNTIL MARCH 31ST AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP ON MAY SECOND AND THIRD AT THE CROW WING COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS CURLING BUILDING.

TREES AND SHRUBS AVAILABLE ARE BUR OAK, CRABAPPLE, RED SPLENDOR, JACK PINE, MOUNTAIN ASH, AND MORE OPTIONS THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THE CROW WING SWCD WEBSITE AND WHILE THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE A LACK OF GREENERY, IT COULD BENEFIT FROM MORE VARIETY.

>> WE'VE SEEN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WITH THE DIFFERENT DROUGHTS AND THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT HAS COME AT DIFFERENT PERIODS OF TIME, THAT IT HAS BECOME TRICKY FOR THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS OR TREES HAVE GOTTEN DISEASES.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO RETHINK WHAT THEIR LANDSCAPE LOOKS LIKE.

>> YOU CAN ORDER TREES, SHRUBS, FLOWERS, OR SEEDS BY VISITING THE WEBSITE LISTED BELOW.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, WON'T BE LONG BEFORE WE'RE PLANTING FOR THE SPRING, BUT RIGHT NOW IT SEEMS A LITTLE FURTHER OUT THAN IT DID IN FEBRUARY.

>> Stacy: RIGHT, IT'S ALMOST LIKE WE'RE A LITTLE BACKWARDS.

WE HAD WARMER WEATHER IN THE WINTER AND NOW WE HAVE THE WINTER WEATHER.

WE HAD SOME NICE WEATHER TODAY, A LOT OF SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES ARE STILL COOL FOR THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, BUT IT WAS NICE TO SEE THAT SUN.

WE COULD SEE SOME SNOW TOMORROW AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR FREEZING DRIZZLE IN PARTS OF THE >> 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, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY OUT THERE, BUT OUR BRIEF TRIP INTO THE SUNSHINE IS GOING TO BE PRETTY SHORT LIVED.

WE WILL START TO SEE THE CLOUDS INCREASING TONIGHT.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SNOW, POSSIBLY SOME RAIN OR FREEZING RAIN IN THE AREA, AND LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS WITH THAT.

IT LOOKS LIKE QUIETER WEATHER WILL BE BACK FOR THE WEEKEND WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND THE TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE UPSWING WITH HIGHS IN THE 40s AS WE HEAD INTO LATE THIS WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 24 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT, WINDS ARE CALM, THE DEW POINT IS 14, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 67%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES AND 25 DEGREES.

15 IS OUR DEW POINT.

PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE AND WINDS ARE SOUTHWEST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

ALL IS QUIET ON THE RADAR ACROSS MINNESOTA TONIGHT.

WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE A LITTLE BIT CHILLY.

WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME LOW TEENS FOR OUR LOW TEMPERATURES IN THE AREA TONIGHT.

HEADING INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL HAVE THAT CHANCE OF SOME SNOW SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT PICK UP.

THERE COULD BE SOME RAIN IN THE MIX AND POSSIBLY SOME FREEZING RAIN.

THE PURPLE AREA IS WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT MIXED PRECIPITATION WITH THIS YELLOW, OR THIS PINK AREA IS THE POTENTIAL FOR FREEZING RAIN.

THERE MAY BE ICE ACCUMULATION TOMORROW AS WELL, LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATION, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE SHOULD SEE QUIETER WEATHER AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMING UP AS WELL.

A FEW WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE CAPTURED BY ANGELA AT CASS LAKE.

A BLUE SKY OVER LAKE ADA, DEBRA SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNSET.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING SUNNY SKIES AND MELTING SNOW.

A CHILLY START, THE LOW WAS 2 THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 39.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLEAR SKIES, A LOT OF MELTING SNOW, TOPPING OUT AT 35.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH TODAY OF 37, SO WARMER THAN WE HAVE BEEN.

WE'RE SEEING BELOW AVERAGE TEMPERATURES, A CHILLY START AT 10 DEGREES, AND SUNSET AT 7:41.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 33, 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE.

10 DEGREES FOR THE LOW AS WE STARTED THE DAY AND SUNRISE AT 7:05.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE SEEING SKIES BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY AS WE HEAD THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THERE IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF SEEING SOME SNOW SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AND THERE MAY BE SOME RAIN IN THE MIX, POSSIBLY SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE IN THERE.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE IN THE 30s, SOME LOW TO MID-30s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AGAIN, SKIES ARE BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

THERE IS THE CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SNOW SHOWERS, POSSIBLY MIXED WITH RAIN OR FREEZING RAIN.

HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE UPPER 30s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS FOR TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 11, VARIABLE WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

THEN TOMORROW, SKIES BECOME MOSTLY CLOUDY, WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SNOW, POSSIBLY MIXED WITH DRIZZLE OR FREEZING DRIZZLE, BEST CHANCE IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, HIGHS NEAR 36, EAST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

MOST OF THE RAIN AND SNOW IS TAPERING OFF TOMORROW NIGHT, MAYBE SOME LINGERING ISOLATED SNOW SHOWERS IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA ON SATURDAY MORNING.

OTHERWISE, 38 WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES ON SATURDAY, EASTER SUNDAY, VARIABLE CLOUDS, HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 40.

AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE WARMING TREND WITH HIGHS IN THE MID-40s BY TUESDAY, STILL LOOKING AT PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: YEAH, A SNOW MELT WILL CONTINUE INTO NEXT WEEK.

WE'LL SEE HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

BSU FOOTBALL TEAM GOT OUT TODAY.

>> Charlie: YES, THERE WAS SNOW ON THE FIELD, THEY DIDN'T SEE ANY IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER, BUT THERE WAS SOME TODAY.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH THEM AS THEY GET READY FOR A SKIM IMAGINE AGAINST MINNESOTA DULUTH.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, BRINGING 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.

>>> IT MAY BE THE OFF-SEASON BUT THE BOYS OF FALL ARE IN FULL PRACTICE MODE FOR SPRING AS BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL PREPARES FOR THEIR SCRIMMAGE AGAINST MINNESOTA DULUTH IN THREE WEEKS.

THE BEAVERS ARE COMING OFF THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON REACHING THE SECOND ROUND OF THE NCAA PLAYOFFS BUT MANY OF PLAYERS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THAT SUCCESS HAVE GRADUATED, VACATING KEY POSITIONS.

SO THIS YEAR'S SPRING PRACTICE HAS SERVED AS OPPORTUNITY FOR BSU PLAYERS TO COMPETE FOR THOSE OPEN SPOTS, AS WELL AS PROVE THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD.

>> IT'S BEEN INTERESTING SOME DIFFERENT FACES, BUT IT'S EXCITING WHEN YOU HAVE A CHAPTER END WITH SUCH A HISTORIC RUN THAT THOSE SENIORS WERE ON.

THESE GUYS THAT'S WERE UNDER CLASSMEN, THEY WERE WAITING IN THE WINGS.

THEY ARE HUNGRY TO GET OUT THERE AND GO AFTER IT.

>> THERE ARE GROWING PAINS BUT A LOT OF GUYS ARE STEPPING UP.

EVEN LIKE YOUNG GUYS TOO, BECAUSE HE PREACHES THIS IS A PLAYER LED TEAM.

I FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY IS DOING THEIR PART.

FOR ME, I STEPPED UP AS A LEADER, BEING MORE VOCAL.

WE LOST A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP, BUT I THINK BECAUSE THAT, GUYS ARE REALIZING THEY HAVE TO STEP UP.

PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO TAKING OVER THOSE ROLES AND I LOVE THE DIRECTION THAT EVERYONE IS GOING IN.

>> WE CAN'T BE COMPLACENT.

>> HERE ARE A COUPLE IMPORTANT DATES FOR BSU FOOTBALL THIS SPRING.

FIRST THE GREEN AND WHITE GAME ON APRIL 6TH AND THEN THE SCRIMMAGE VERSUS THE BULLDOGS ON APRIL 17TH.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR THE NCAA HAS ALLOWED TEAMS TO SCRIMMAGE SOMEONE OTHER THAN THEMSELVES IN THE SPRING.

>>> THE MEN'S ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT BEGAN TODAY.

WE PICK UP IN THE THIRD PERIOD, SCORE TIED AT 2-2.

MUELLER GOES PAST THE BACKDOOR AND GIVE IT IS MAVERICKS A 2-1 LEAD.

GOLDEN GOPHERS PICK UP THE LOOSE PUCK, A TURNOVER AND THE CAPTAIN NELSON MAKES YOU PAY, NOT THE GAME AT 2.

THEN FIVE MINUTES TO GO, A MAVERICK TURNOVER LEADS TO A NELSON GOAL, HIS 18th OF THE SEASON.

THE GOPHERS SURVIVE.

OMAHA BEATS THEM, AND THEY WILL BATTLE IT OUT WITH BOSTON UNIVERSITY FOR A SPOT IN THE FROZEN FOUR ON SATURDAY.

>>> LAST YEAR THE TWINS GOT THE MONKEY OFF THEIR BACK AND NOT ONLY WON A PLAYOFF GAME.

THEY WON A PLAYOFF SERIES BEFORE FALLING IN NLCS TO THE HOUSTON ASTROS.

EXCUSE ME, THE DIVISION SERIES.

BUT IT ALL STARTED WITH AN OPENING DAY WIN ON THE ROAD AT KANSAS CITY, WHICH WOULDN'T YA KNOW, IS EXACTLY WHERE THEY OPENED THEIR 2024 SEASON.

TWINS TAKING ON THE ROYALS AT KAUFMANN STADIUM AMID LOTS OF OPENING DAY FESTIVITIES BUT MINNESOTA WASTED LITTLE TIME GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS.

ROYCE LEWIS IN THE FIRST AT BAT OF THE YEAR, GIVES IT A RIDE INTO THE WATERFALL, PUTS THE TWINS UP 1-0 IN THE FIRST.

TOP THREE NOW, TIED AT 1-1.

HE YANKS ONE DOWN THE LINE, LEWIS PULLS UP AT THIRD.

HE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THE GAME.

THEY WILL CHECK ON HIM TOMORROW.

AND THEN HE WAS GOING TO TAKE OUT LOPEZ, HE SAYS NO, LET ME GO.

HE STRIKES OUT TO END THE INNING, HE WENT 7 INNINGS, 4 HITS, 7 STRIKEOUTS AND THE TWINS WIN OVER THE ROYALS ON OPENING DAY.

>>> IN THE NHL, THE WILD HOSTING THE SHARKS.

THE WILD ARE TRYING TO SNAP A TWO GAME LOSING STREAK.

ERICKSON GIVE IT IS WILD A 1-0 LEAD.

THEN HIS 11th GOAL OF THE SEASON, TYING THE GAME AT 1-1.

IN THE THIRD PERIOD, JUST 18 SECONDS IN.

MATT, HIS 25th OF THE SEASON FROM THE BACKDOOR, CLEANS UP THE MESS THERE.

RYAN ADDS AN EMPTY NETTER AND THEY WIN 3-1.

THEY BEAT THE LAST PLACE SAN JOSE SHARKS.

THEY ARE LAST PLACE IN THE NHL.

>> Dennis: STILL AN UPHILL CLIMB TO GET INTO THE PLAYOFFS.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THERE ARE MANY PATHS A STUDENT CAN TAKE AFTER COMPLETING HIGH SCHOOL.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY ATTENDED WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY HIGH SCHOOL'S FIRST AVID CAREER SHOWCASE WHERE STUDENTS HEARD FROM W.H.A.

ALUMNI SPEAK ABOUT THE CAREER PATHS THEY TOOK AFTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: AVID OR ADVANCEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION HELPS MAKE LEARNING MORE MEANINGFUL AND ENGAGING.

THE AVID PROGRAM AT WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY HIGH SCHOOL IS STILL IN ITS INFANCY.

THIS IS THE SECOND SCHOOL YEAR THE ELECTIVE CLASS HAS BEEN OFFERED AND THE PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO PUT STUDENTS ON A PATH TO SUCCEED.

>> IT EXPOSES STUDENTS TO ALL THE THINGS, THE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS THEY NEED WHEN THEY LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY LOOK AT JOB SHADOWING, BUILDING RESUMES, WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE AVID PROGRAM HOSTED THE AVID CAREER SHOWCASE.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT GRADUATED FROM W.H.A.

HIGH SCHOOL SPOKE TO STUDENTS TO DISCUSS THE DIFFERENT PATHS THEY TOOK AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

>> THEY ARE SHARING WITH THE STUDENTS THEIR JOURNEY FROM HIGH SCHOOL INTO THEIR CAREER, ALONG THE WAY, WHAT COLLEGES THEY MAY HAVE GONE TO, IF THEY DIDN'T GO TO COLLEGE, IF THEY WISH THEY WENT TO COLLEGE, AND WHAT OTHER THINGS HELPED ALONG THE WAY AND JUST SHARING THAT JOURNEY WITH OUR STUDENTS SO THAT STUDENTS HAVE A MORE TANGIBLE IDEA OF WHAT LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL IS.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS WERE EAGER TO LEARN FROM AS MANY SPEAKERS AS POSSIBLE.

>> I WAS REALLY INTERESTED WHEN I HEARD ABOUT IT.

I REALLY WANTED TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THE CAREERS MOSTLY, BUT I WAS ONLY ALLOWED TO TAKE FOUR.

SO I'M REALLY HYPED UP.

>> Reporter: SEEING SO MANY PEOPLE TAKE TIME OUT OF THEIR DAYS TO TELL STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR CAREERS, LIFE EXPERIENCES, AND GIVE ADVICE IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF THE STUDENTS HERE TODAY APPRECIATE.

>> I'M VERY GRATEFUL BECAUSE A LOT OF KIDS DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

SO HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK INTO OTHER CAREERS LIKE WHAT ALL OUR SPEAKERS ARE COMING HERE FOR A PURPOSE AND JUST TO GIVE THE STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN WALKER WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> A TOTAL OF 24 SPEAKERS HELD AN INTERACTIVE DEMONSTRATION FOR THE AVID CAREER SHOWCASE.

>>> TIME FOR ONE LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL START TO SEE THE CLOUDS INCREASING IN THE AREA TONIGHT.

WE WILL HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOWS NEAR 11, VARIABLE WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

TOMORROW, WE WILL START TO SEE THE LIGHT SNOW DEVELOPING, ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, AND THERE MAY BE SOME DRIZZLE OR FREEZING DRIZZLE IN THE MIX, LIGHT ACCUMULATION, 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS NEAR 36, HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, THINGS QUIET DOWN AND WE START TO WARM UP.

HIGHS WILL BE IN THE LOW 40s ON SUNDAY AND THEN MID-40s BY TUESDAY.

>> Charlie: BSU FOOTBALL WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THEIR HOME OPENER, BUT THEY DECIDED TO MOVE IT TO SIOUX FALLS WHERE THEY WILL DO A SERIES SWAP.

THEY WILL PLAY LATER IN THE YEAR.

>> Dennis: THAT WILL DO IT FOR US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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