>> 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.

>>> A MAN WAS SHOT BY POLICE OFFICERS IN CROOKSTON TODAY AFTER ADVANCING ON OFFICERS WITH A HATCHETT.

AUTHORITIES SAY THE INCIDENT HAPPENED JUST BEFORE ONE THIS MORNING NEAR EAST SEVENTH STREET IN CROOKSTON.

OFFICERS SAW THE MAN SWINGING A HATCHET AROUND AND AFTER THE MAN RAPIDLY ADVANCED ON THEM THEY DEPLOYED LESS LETHAL MEANS.

THE CROOKSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT WHEN THE MAN CONTINUED TO ADVANCE HE WAS SHOT BY OFFICERS.

OFFICERS THEN PROVIDED LIFE-SAVING CARE BUT THE MAN LATER DIED AT AN AREA HOSPITAL.

THE MANS NAME OR THE NAMES OF THE OFFICERS INVOLVED HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

POLICE BLOCKED OFF A PORTION OF NORTH BROADWAY NEAR THE POLK COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUILDING FOR AN INVESTIGATION FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING.

THE MINNESOTA B.C.A.

WAS ON THE SCENE AT 6:45 THIS MORNING.

>>> FIREFIGHTERS ARE BATTLING A WILDFIRE IN THE SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST TODAY.

THE FRY FIRE WAS 209 ACRES THIS AFTERNOON AND WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTAINED.

ITS LOCATED NEAR FISH FRY LAKE JUST WEST OF THE CITY OF ISABELLA.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE OFFICIALS SAY THE FRY FIRE WAS DECLARED A WILDFIRE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

THEY SAY A SPOT FIRE STARTED WITHIN A PRESCRIBED BURN AREA AND WENT BEYOND THE PLANNED BURNED AREA.

WATER DROPPING AIRCRAFT WERE CALLED IN YESTERDAY AFTERNOON TO SUPPRESS THE FIRE AND WERE EFFECTIVE IN SLOWING THE IMMEDIATE FIRE SPREAD.

CLOUD COVER MOVED OVER THE FIRE AREA LATER IN THE AFTERNOON AND HUMIDITY LEVELS INCREASED WHICH HELPED EASE FIRE ACTIVITY.

GROUND CREWS WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE ON THE FIRE IN THE EVENING AND WORKED LATE INTO THE NIGHT.

LIGHT RAIN HAS FALLEN OVER THE FIRE AREA TODAY.

CREWS AND ENGINES RETURNED THIS MORNING AND ARE ENGAGING TO SECURE THE FIRE EDGE.

>>> ESSENTIA HEALTH IN FOSSTON DECIDED TO PAUSE OBSTETRIC SERVICES IN JUNE OF 2022, CITING A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL NURSING STAFF.

FOSSTON CITY OFFICIALS TRIED TO WORK WITH ESSENTIA TO FIND A SOLUTION, BUT AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, FOSSTON FELT ESSENTIA HAD NO INTENTION OF RESTORING O.B.

SERVICES TO THAT HOSPITAL, WHICH WOULD BREAK AN AGREEMENT THE TWO MADE TO CONTINUE CORE HEALTHCARE SERVICES AT THAT HOSPITAL.

YESTERDAY ESSENTIA HEALTH DECIDED TO HOLD A PUBLIC LISTENING SESSION WITH MEMBERS OF THE FOSSTON COMMUNITY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: FOLLOWING MONTHS OF BACK AND FORTH REGARDING O.B.

SERVICES BEING TAKEN AWAY, REPRESENTATIVES FROM ESSENTIA HELD A LISTENING SESSION WITH RESIDENTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY THINK OF THE SITUATION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ARBITRATION.

>> I THINK WE WANTED TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE SITUATION AND ARBITRATION AND ESSENTIA'S POINT OF VIEW AND THE CITY'S POINT OF VIEW.

>> WE WANTED TO LISTEN TO THEM, AND REALLY GIVE THEM AN OUTLET TO GET CLARITY OVER AN UNCERTAIN SITUATION.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS OF FOSSTON WERE NOT TOO HAPPY WITH HOW THE DISCUSSION TURNED OUT.

>> I THINK IT WAS A POINTLESS MEETING.

ESSENTIA CAME IN WITH THEIR INTENTIONS AND I THINK IT WAS TO SCARE OUR COMMUNITY.

I DON'T THINK THEY THOUGHT WE WERE STRONGER THAN ANTICIPATED AND WILLING TO FIGHT BACK.

>> I THOUGHT THEY WERE PLACATING THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK THEY DID THIS TO CHECK A BOX, MAKING AN ATTEMPT TO TALK TO THE COMMUNITY.

WHEN THEY ARE REACHING OUT TO US, IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THEY TRULY CARE ABOUT US.

THEY DON'T SEEM GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT RETURNING O.B.

SERVICES TO FOSSTON.

>> Reporter: CLOSE TO 100 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SHOWED UP TO THE LISTENING SESSION SO THEY DECIDED TO SPLIT THE CROWD INTO SMALLER GROUPS SO EVERYONE COULD HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK THEIR MINDS.

>> THE LOUDEST PEOPLE IN THE ROOM ARE THE ONES THAT GET HURT.

ME PERSONALLY, IF I'M IN THAT ENVIRONMENT, I AM NOT GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION.

IT WOULD GIVE OTHERS A CHANCE TO BE HEARD.

>> Reporter: THEY SAW THIS AS A TACTIC.

>> THAT WAS A TACTIC TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER.

I THINK THEY WERE AFRAID OF MOB MENTALITY.

THE COMMUNITY IS NOT UNREASONABLE.

WE JUST WANT ANSWERS.

THEY ARE DEALING WITH GOOD HEARTED PEOPLE THAT JUST WANT TO BE TOLD THE TRUTH AND WHAT WE HEARD TONIGHT IS THAT THEY FEEL LIED TO.

THEY FEEL MISLED.

THEY FEEL THAT ESSENTIA HAS NOT BEEN HONEST WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: ESSENTIA ASKED QUESTIONS THAT THE COMMUNITY DIDN'T FEEL WERE THE RIGHT QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED.

>> THEY WERE CERTAINLY MANUFACTURED AND LOOKING FOR ANNOUNCERS THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE.

I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF THE MATERIAL WAS MANUFACTURED TO SCARE PEOPLE.

>> I THINK THE QUESTIONS BEING ASKED HAVE A TONE OF FEAR, TRYING TO GENERATE NERVOUSNESS, GENERATE FALSE PREMISE OF WHO AND HOW THE TRANSITION WOULD TAKE PLACE TO AN INDEPENDENT HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: NO MATTER THE END RESULT, THE CITY WILL FIGHT FOR ITS COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK THEY TOOK THIS COMMUNITY FOR GRANTED AND I KEEP THINKING THEY WILL COME TO THEIR SENSES AND REALIZE THAT WE ARE FOR REAL.

WE'RE LEGITIMATE.

WE WILL GET WHAT WE DESERVE AND WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET, SO THAT'S WHY ARBITRATION IS SCHEDULED.

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

>> ARBITRATION IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 8TH THROUGH THE 11TH AT THE POLK COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ALTHOUGH THAT DATE MAY CHANGE.

>>> NORTECH SYSTEMS INCORPORATED ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT WILL BE CLOSING ITS BLUE EARTH FACILITY AND WILL BE CONSOLIDATING THE WORK DONE THERE TO THEIR FACILITY IN BEMIDJI.

NORTECH OFFICIALS SAY THE MOVE TO CONSOLIDATE PRODUCTION OF THEIR WIRE AND CABLE PRODUCTS FOR THE AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE INDUSTRY TO BEMIDJI SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

NORTECH PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

JAY D. MILLER SAYS THE MOVE IS BEING MADE TO OPTIMIZE THEIR EXPENSE STRUCTURE AND PLANT CAPACITY UTILIZATION.

ALL BLUE EARTH EMPLOYEES WILL BE EXTENDED JOB OFFERS AT THE COMPANY'S OTHER MINNESOTA FACILITIES.

NORTECH IS BASED OUT OF MAPLE GROVE AND MAKES WIRE AND CABLE ASSEMBLIES, PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS AND READY-TO-USE BOX BUILD ASSEMBLIES.

>>> THE CONFIDENCE LEARNING CENTER'S BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS TOGETHER PROGRAM WAS STARTED IN 2022.

THE PROGRAM WAS STARTED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND COGNITIVE DISABILITIES LEARN BASIC EMPLOYMENT SKILLS.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS PROGRAM IS A 22-WEEK PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM IS SPLIT INTO TWO COURSES.

THE FIRST COURSE TEACHES SOFT SKILLS.

THE SECOND COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR THE HARDER SKILLS NEEDED IN THE WORKPLACE.

STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB, FOLLOW ROUTINES, AS WELL AS OTHER ESSENTIAL SKILLS NEEDED TO JOIN THE WORKFORCE.

>> THIS IS EXTREMELY VALUABLE TO THESE INDIVIDUALS AND KIND OF HELPS GET THEM OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

THEY CREATE FRIENDSHIPS, NETWORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE LIKE THEM.

IT HELPS GIVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE.

>> Reporter: THE CLASSES INCORPORATE ACTIVITIES AND THE STUDENTS IN THE CLASS HELP EACH OTHER OUT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

THIS CREATE AS VIBE THAT MAKES STUDENTS WANT TO COME BACK EACH WEEK.

>> I AM LEARNING A LOT OF THINGS AND I LIKE TO LEARN HOW MONEY IS AND I LIKE THIS CLASS A LOT.

>> Reporter: WHAT THIS PROGRAM OFFERS IS SOMETHING THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS SEEK OUT, A LITTLE INDEPENDENCE AND ABLE TO DO THINGS ON THEIR OWN.

>> MY PARENTS WON'T ALWAYS BE AROUND.

I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BE THAT INDEPENDENT PERSON.

>> HOPEFULLY TO FIND A JOB THAT I CAN EASILY DO SO I CAN MAKE MY OWN MONEY AND GET MY OWN THINGS.

>> Reporter: ABOVE ALL ELSE, THESE STUDENTS WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

THEY WANT TO HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITIES.

SEEING THEM WORK HARD TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS IS WHY THE PROGRAM WAS STARTED.

>> IT'S SO AMAZING TO WATCH THE STUDENTS FLOURISH FROM YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY START DURING THE FIRST CLASS THROUGH THEIR GRADUATION, WHETHER THEY'RE APPLYING FOR A JOB OR GETTING CALLED BACK TO INTERVIEWS.

JUST A SENSE OF PRIDE THEY GET JUST TO FEEL LIKE THEY'RE A PART OF SOMETHING AND CONTRIBUTING TO SOCIETY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN EAST GULL LAKE, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> SINCE THE START OF THE BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS TOGETHER PROGRAM, OVER 150 STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED THE PROGRAM.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE OFF AND ON RAIN CHANCES AND SOME THUNDERSTORMS AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

SOME OF THEM COULD BE STRONG TO SEVERE, TEMPERATURES WILL CLIMB INTO THE 70s AND 80s.

MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT AT FOREST VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL THIS WEEK IS SPRE >> 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.

>>> RED LAKE NATION VOTERS CAST BALLOTS IN FOUR TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBER ELECTIONS THIS WEEK.

THE GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS HAVE NOW BEEN POSTED AS OFFICIAL AND HERE ARE THE RESULTS.

INCUMBENT ROBERT BOB SMITH WON THE RED LAKE REPRESENTATIVE ELECTION BY TAKING IN MORE THAN 65 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

AND INCUMBENT GLENDA J. MARTIN WON THE PONEMAH REPRESENTATIVE RACE WITH A LITTLE MORE THAN 51 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

ANY CANDIDATES THAT GATHER MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE VOTE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION AUTOMATICALLY WIN.

THE OTHER TWO ELECTIONS ARE HEADED TO RUN-OFF ELECTIONS.

THE REDBY REPRESENTATIVE ELECTION SAW INCUMBENT ALLEN D. PEMBERTON GAIN 48 PERCENT OF THE VOTE AND HERMAN DONNELL 36 PERCENT.

THOSE TWO WILL NOW COMPETE IN THE RUN-OFF ELECTION.

AND IN THE LITTLE ROCK REPRESENTATIVE RACE THOMAS BARRETT WAS THE TOP VOTE GETTER WITH 41 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

INCUMBENT MICHELLE BARRETT-COBENAIS WAS SUPPORTED BY 35 PERCENT OF THE VOTERS.

THOSE TWO WILL ALSO NOW HEAD TO A RUN-OFF ELECTION.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IT'S WARMING UP TOMORROW.

>> Stacy: YES, WE WILL SEE THE TEMPERATURES CLIMB INTO THE 70s AND 80s IN THE VIEWING AREA BUT IT WILL BE UNSETTLED WITH THE WEATHER PATTERN, STILL SOME SUNSHINE, BUT MAYBE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE AND SOME OF THE STRONGEST COULD BE ON THE STRONG TO SEVERE SI >> 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: AFTER A FEW RAIN SHOWERS, WE ENJOYED A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BEGIN TO MOVE INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA WITH CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW.

SOME OF THOSE COULD BE STRONG OR EVEN SEVERE AS TEMPERATURES CLIMB INTO THE 70s AND 80s ACROSS THE AREA.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 53 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE AN EAST WIND AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, HUMIDITY IS AT 82%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES AND 56 DEGREES.

49 IS OUR DEW POINT.

PRESSURE IS RISING.

WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT HAS BEEN QUIET IN THE AREA SO FAR THIS EVENING.

WE ARE SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA AND AGAIN SOME SEVERE WEATHER IS JUST ACROSS THE BORDER IN NORTH DAKOTA.

NOW WE WILL START TO SEE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUING TO DEVELOP EASTWARD INTO THE VIEWING AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO TOMORROW.

WE ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT A 20% TO 50% CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS AND WITH THE WARM TEMPERATURES, HIGHS IN THE 70s AND 80s, WE COULD BE SEEING ENOUGH INSTABILITY THAT SOME OF THE STORMS COULD BE STRONG TO SEVERE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THAT WILL BE THE CASE ACROSS MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA.

WE ARE IN A VERY UNSETTLED WEATHER PATTERN, SO WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, VICTORIA SENDING US A PHOTO OF A BEAR AND HER CUB MAKING THEIR WAY ACROSS THE ROAD.

ARLENE WITH AN INDIGO BUNTING IN MENAHGA.

JOAN WITH A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER IN THE LAPORTE AREA.

WE HAVE THE MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE TODAY.

WE HAVE BLUE SKIES AND CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE FROM SAMROSE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 46, CALM, LIGHT DRIZZLE THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY SKIES, A HIGH OF 67.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A HIGH OF 66.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, MOSTLY CLOUDY, 63 FOR THE HIGH.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY CLOUDY BUT SOME HINTS OF SUNSHINE THIS AFTERNOON.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLOUDY THIS EVENING, A HIGH TODAY OF 62.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 67.

WE ARE JUST 1 DEGREE SHY OF THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMP.

47 WAS OUR LOW, 8:45 IS THE SUNSET.

BEMIDJI TODAY, A LITTLE BIT COOLER, 60 DEGREES FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE ARE 6 DEGREES BELOW THAT AVERAGE, 45 FOR THE LOW AND SUNRISE AT 5:41.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE WILL HAVE THAT 20% TO 50% CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY AND TEMPERATURE-WISE, LOOKING FAIRLY WARM.

THE EXCEPTION WILL BE THE FAR NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW 70s.

UPPER 70s AND LOW 80s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND THAT COULD HELP FUEL SOME OF THE THUNDERSTORMS.

SO AGAIN THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A FEW OF THOSE COULD BECOME STRONG OR SEVERE.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AGAIN WE WILL BE SEEING THE SKIES BECOMING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE 80s.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS TONIGHT, A CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING MAINLY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA WITH LOWS NEAR 48.

TOMORROW, SKIES WILL BECOME PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, WITH THE HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 79.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, AS I MENTIONED, OFF AND ON SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE WEEKEND, BEST CHANCE IN NORTHERN AND WESTERN MINNESOTA ON SATURDAY AND SMALLER CHANCES ON SUNDAY.

HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 70s AND COOLER EARLY NEXT WEEK, MID TO UPPER 60s MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

THERE MAY BE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

TIMBERWOLVES, BIG GAME SIX TONIGHT AT THE TARGET CENTER.

>> Charlie: IF YOU WANT TO MOVE ON, YOU HAVE TO WIN TONIGHT.

THEY HAD STRUGGLES ON DEFENSE BUT TONIGHT, THEY MIGHT HAVERING IFFED THINGS OUT.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS 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.

>> Charlie: AFTER TAKING A 2-0 SERIES LEAD, THE TIMBERWOLVES RELINQUISHED THREE STRAIGHT TO DENVER.

IT WAS THE TIMBERWOLVES' DEFENSE THAT DISAPPEARED, HOLDING THEM TO UNDER 100 POINTS IN GAME ONE AND TWO.

THEY WILL SURRENDER OVER 110 IN THE NEXT THREE MEETINGS.

FROM THE SELL OUT CROWD TONIGHT AT THE TARGET CENTER, MINNESOTA WILL NEED TO TURN IT AROUND TO FORCE A GAME 7 IN DENVER.

FIRST QUARTER, NO SCORE.

THAT WILL GET HIM GOING, HE WILL STRIKE FIRST.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE COURT, NUGGETS WITH SIX STRAIGHT POINTS, MAKE IT 9.

AND NOW THIS IS WHEN MINNESOTA WOULD WAKE UP, THEY TAKE THE LEAD, GETTING EVERYBODY ON THEIR FEET.

PART OF A 20-0 RUN BY THE WOLVES.

LATER, ANTHONY EDWARDS THAT HAD 14 IN THE FIRST, THE EXCLAMATION POINT, TIMBERWOLVES FINISH THE FIRST QUARTER 29-4 RUN, EDWARDS HAD 27, McDANIELS, 21.

AND THE TIM WE ARE -- TIMBERWOLVES BEAT THE NUGGETS, THE SECOND MOST IN AN ELIMINATION GAME IN NBA HISTORY.

IT FORCES A WINNER TAKE ALL GAME ON SUNDAY WITH THE TIME TO BE DETERMINED.

>>> TWINS WERE IN ACTION TODAY.

THEY HAVE NOT SCORED A RUN IN 27 INNINGS.

WELL ROUND ONE OF THE 2024 PGA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS.

TONY WITH THE BIRDIE PUTT.

HE SINKS IT TO GO 4-UNDER.

NOW HE IS ABLE TO CHIP IT IN FOR BIRDIE.

A SHORT PUTT HERE, GETS IT TO GO, FINISHING UNDER 900 FOR THE DAY.

THE SHOT OF THE DAY BELONGS TO SCOTTY, DROPS IT IN THE CUP.

I MEAN COME ON FOLKS.

HE FINISHED 5-UNDER, TIED FOR 12th.

HERE'S A LOOK AT YOUR LEADERBOARD WITH ROY McILROY TIE WITH SIX OTHER FOLKS AT 5-UNDER-PAR.

>>> THE BOYS TENNIS SECTION PLAYOFFS CONTINUED TODAY WITH SECTION 7-2A BEGINNING THEIR FIRST ROUND OF PLAY.

BRAINERD FINISHED THE REGULAR SEASON WITH A 10-7 OVERALL RECORD, EARNING THEM THE 5-SEED HEADING INTO THE TOURNAMENT, ONE SEED SHY OF GETTING BYE.

>>> SO TODAY IN THE FIRST-ROUND, THEY'RE HOSTING ST. FRANCIS, WINNER MOVES ON TO THE QUARTERFINALS TO FACE DULUTH EAST.

MORGAN TOOK THE GAME AND MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

OVER TO DOUBLES COURTS.

DOWN 1-2 IN SET 1, HAGAN WIN IT IS RALLY, HIM AND ROBERTSON WOULD TAKE THE MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

SAWYER, RIPPLE, AND GEORGE TO ONE SET, THEY WENT ON TO WIN IN STRAIGHT SETS.

BRAINERD WIN IT IS MATCH 7-0 OVER ST. FRANCIS.

THEY WILL PLAY THE GREYHOUNDS IN THE QUARTER FINALS.

THAT MATCH IS NEXT TUESDAY AT 3:30 P.M. >> ALSO IN SECTION 7-2A, GRAND RAPIDS WAS AT FOREST LAKE, THUNDERHAWKS FALL 7-0.

IN SECTION 8-2A, BEMIDJI WAS DOWN IN SARTELL.

THEY BEAT SAUK RAPIDS-RICE IN THE FIRST ROUND BUT IN THE QUARTERS, SARTELL FLIPPED THE SCRIPT AND THE SCORE.

THEY NOW AWAIT SEEDING FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECTION TOURNEY.

THOSE WILL COME OUT THIS SUNDAY NIGHT OR MONDAY MORNING.

>>> BEMIDJI HOSTING GRAND RAPIDS IN SOFTBALL TODAY, BOTH TEAMS COMING OFF LOSSES TRYING TO GET BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN.

TOP OF THE 1ST, TWO OUTS, RUNNER ON THIRD FOR ABBY SKELLY.

SAMMY NISTLER MAKES A GREAT PLAY AT SHORT BUT THE THROW NOT IN TIME.

ADRIENNE VENDITTO ABLE TO SCORE.

RAPIDS LEADS 1-0.

TOP OF THE 3RD, CASEY CLEVELAND WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION, POKES ONE INTO CENTER FIELD, R.B.I.

SINGLE.

IT'S 2-0 T-HAWKS.

NEXT BATTER, ROSE RUZYNSKI PUTS THE BALL IN PLAY.

AUDREY NEADEAU GOES HOME TO SAVE A RUN FROM SCORING.

IT PAYS OFF FOR THE JACK'S BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BALL.

THUNDERHAWKS ADDISON LINDER WAS IN TOTAL CONTROL IN THE CIRCLE, TOSSES A 2-HIT SHUTOUT WITH 7K'S, NO WALKS, AND A HIT BATTER.

GRAND RAPIDS WOULD GO ON TO BEAT BEMIDJI 5-0.

T-HAWKS NEED A WIN AT CHISAGO LAKES TOMORROW TO FINISH .500 ON THE YEAR.

LUMBERJACKS WILL ROUND OUT THEIR REGULAR SEASON TOMORROW AT HOME AGAINST CLOQUET.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS AND LAPORTE ARE GETTING WINS IN SOFTBALL.

BLACKDUCK AND AITKIN, ALSO GETTING WINS.

LONG PRAIRIE GREY EAGLE BEATS STAPLES MOTLEY.

WADENA DEER CREEK BEATS SWANVILLE.

MENAHGA GETS A WIN OVER PARK RAPIDS.

IN BASEBALL, BRAINERD BEATS WILMER.

GREEN WAY GETS A WIN.

PARK RAPIDS BEATS MENAHGA IN BASEBALL.

WADENA DEER CREEK FALLS TO ALBANY.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY BEATS PINE RIVER-BACKUS AND BLACKDUCK GETS A WIN OVER NEVIS.

IN BOYS LACROSSE, FOREST LAKES GETS THE WIN.

>> Dennis: A GOOD WIN FOR THE WOLVES TONIGHT.

>> Charlie: I LOVE TO SEE IT.

THE CROWD WAS AMAZING AND A 45-POINT WIN.

>> Dennis: HOPEFULLY THEY DIDN'T USE UP ALL THE POINTS IN THIS ONE.

>> Charlie: YEAH, SAVE A FEW.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INVOLVED IN THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT, ARE HOLDING PRESENTATIONS FOR THE KIDS AT FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL THIS WEEK.

THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT IS A STUDENT-LED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO FOCUSING ON AND IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE IN THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE MAIN MESSAGES THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT CONVEYS IS THAT IT'S OKAY TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS ASKING FOR HELP.

I THINK REALLY KEEPING ALL THE THINGS IN, LIKE THAT CAN REALLY IMPACT SOMEBODY'S MENTAL HEALTH AND I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS TO KNOW THEY CAN TALK TO SOMEONE.

THERE ARE ALWAYS THOSE PEOPLE YOU CAN TALK TO, WHETHER IT'S AN ADULT, PARENT, TEACHER, FRIENDS, JUST DON'T KEEP IT IN.

>> Reporter: YOUNG KIDS CAN FIND DIFFICULTY IN INTERPRETING THAT MESSAGE FROM AUTHORITATIVE FIGURES, WHICH IS WHERE THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN STEP IN.

>> A LOT OF THE TIMES THEY LOOK UP TO US AND THEY WANT TO BE US IN A WAY, WE'RE THEIR ROLE MODELS.

IT'S GOOD TO HEAR THAT WE ALSO SUFFER FROM MENTAL HEALTH, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER KID.

IT'S A NORMAL THING.

>> Reporter: ON TOP OF STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF CARE, MAINTAINING HEALTHY MINES, OR SUPPORTING PEERS, THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT IS THERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> USUALLY WHO CAN I TALK TO OR HOW CAN I FIND HELP.

THAT'S WHEN WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES LIKE THE 9-8-8 NUMBER AND USING OUR BRAINERD LAKES AREA GRANT FOR KIDS, OFFERING $500 FOR THERAPY SESSIONS.

WE GO TOWARDS THAT IF THEY'RE WONDERING WHERE THEY CAN GET HELP FROM.

>> Reporter: FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT, THE MESSAGE IS ALL ABOUT COMBATING AND DEBUNKING THE NEGATIVE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH.

>> I WOULD REALLY SAY RIGHT AWAY I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW AS SOON AS YOU CAN BECAUSE SAME AS PHYSICAL HEALTH, HOW YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE PHYSICAL HEALTH, YOU HAVE MENTAL HEALTH.

IT'S JUST AS IMPORTANT.

IT AFFECTS WHO YOU ARE AND HOW YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE.

>> Reporter: IN THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT, THEY HOPE THE NEXT GENERATION LEFT THE PRESENTATION KNOWING THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

>> I HOPE THEY WALK AWAY WITH THE FACT THAT EVERYBODY EXPERIENCES IT AND IT'S OKAY TO FEEL THE WAY THAT YOU ARE FEELING AND IT'S OKAY TO REACH OUT TO THOSE THAT YOU LOVE.

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

>> THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT WILL BE HOSTING ITS ANNUAL FAMILY EVENT AT FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL TOMORROW AT 3:00 P.M. >>> WELL STACY, WE COULD SEE 80 TOMORROW?

>> Stacy: IN MANY LOCATIONS, WE PROBABLY WILL AND WARMER THAN 80.

THAT COULD FUEL THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

TONIGHT, WE WILL HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS MOVING INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 48.

WE HAVE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

AGAIN THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT SOME COULD BE STRONG OR SEVERE.

HIGHS NEAR 79 WITH SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AHEAD, OFF AND ON CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEK, HIGHS IN THE 70s OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW WE GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM PIERZ STANDOUT, HE WAS A STANDOUT FIVE YEARS AGO IN FOOTBALL AND TRACK AND FIELD.

HE FINISHED THE DECATHLON.

IT'S A GOOD CHANCE TO SEE HOW HIS CAREER HAS GONE.

>> Dennis: WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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