>> 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.

>>> AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED A SUSPECT IN AN ARMED ROBBERY THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON IN ALEXANDRIA.

ALEXANDRIA POLICE CHIEF SCOTT KENT SAYS VICTOR WALLACE WAS APPREHENDED TODAY IN WEST FARGO.

THE ROBBERY HAPPENED AT BREMER BANK IN DOWNTOWN ALEXANDRIA.

THE SUSPECT IN THIS PHOTO REPORTEDLY HAD A HANDGUN AND GOT AWAY WITH AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH.

KENT SAYS CONTINUED LEADS FROM THE PUBLIC AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN MULTIPLE AGENCIES LED TO THE IDENTIFICATION AND ARREST OF WALLACE.

HE ALSO SAYS VIDEO SURVEILLANCE PROVIDED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PERSONAL RESIDENCES PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN IDENTIFYING AND LOCATING THE SUSPECT AND THE VEHICLE USED.

>>> THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A 42-YEAR-OLD BRAINERD MAN.

OFFICERS RESPONDED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON TO A REPORT OF A POSSIBLE DRUG OVERDOSE OCCURRING IN A WOODED AREA ADJACENT TO EVERGREEN AVENUE IN BRAINERD.

SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS INTO THE WOODS THEY FOUND JACOB SELLERS AND A WOODEN STRUCTURE THAT WAS BEING USED AS A SHELTER BY SELLERS.

BRAINERD POLICE CHIEF JOHN DAVIS SAYS THE CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED AND THIS IS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION.

>>> A 22-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO NOW LIVES IN FARGO HAS BEEN SENTENCED AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BAXTER IN 2019.

MICHAEL JAMES VANCE LINEHAN WAS 17 WHEN HE ASSAULTED THE GIRL.

LINEHAN WAS A FRIEND OF THE VICTIM'S BROTHER AND LIVING WITH THE GIRLS FAMILY AT THE TIME HE PLEADED GUILTY IN CROW WING COUNTY COURT TO THIRD DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT AND ON WEDNESDAY WAS SENTENCED TO A STAY OF ADJUDICATION INCLUDING 90 DAYS IN JAIL AND TEN YEARS SUPERVISED PROBATION.

IF LINEHAN PROVES HE IS ACTIVELY ENROLLED IN A SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM, THE 90 DAYS IN JAIL CAN BE VACATED.

A STAY OF ADJUDICATION IS A TYPE OF SENTENCE THAT ALLOWS A PERSON TO AVOID A CRIMINAL CONVICTION ON THEIR RECORD.

>>> IT'S A PARENT'S NIGHTMARE, THE LOSS OF A CHILD.

13 YEAR OLD ABCDEE RICH'S DEATH HAS HAUNTED HER PARENTS EVERY DAY SINCE SHE DIED BY DROWNING NEAR BEMIDJI LAST SUMMER.

BUT NOW THE FAMILY IS FINDING A PLACE TO PUT THEIR GRIEF.

BY TRYING TO SAVE THE NEXT YOUNG PERSON FROM TRAGEDY.

REPORTER MIKE MCGURRAN TALKED WITH THE RICH FAMILY TODAY AND LEARNED WHY THEIR HEARTBREAK HAS BECOME THEIR CALL TO ACTION.

>> Reporter: THE RICH FAMILY HOME IN MOORHEAD IS NOW A MONUMENT.

HER MOTHER IS WEARING A NECKLACE NIGHT AND DAY IN HER HONOR.

>> IT REPRESENTS THE WATER WITH MY DAUGHTER'S ASHES.

WE TOOK THE SHELLS FROM THE BEACH WHERE WE SPREAD MY DAD'S ASHES AT TO HELP BLESS HER WAY HOME.

MY HEART NOW.

>> Reporter: THAT HEART WAS BROKEN IN JULY OF 2023.

ABCDEE WAS AT LAKE MINNESOTA, JUST A KID ENJOYING LAKE LIFE.

THAT CHANGED WHEN THE POLICE CAME TO THEIR DOOR.

>> POLICE TOLD US THAT THE FAMILY THAT OUR DAUGHTER WAS WITH LOST HER IN THE LAKE.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY DROVE STRAIGHT TO BEMIDJI, READY TO SEARCH.

THEN THE WORST MOMENT OF THEIR LIVES.

>> THEY LET US KNOW THEY FOUND OUR DAUGHTER'S BODY AND THEY WANTED US TO VIEW HER BODY TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS HER.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS JUST 13 YEARS OLD.

ABCDEE WAS A SELFLESS KID WHO PUT THE PEOPLE SHE CARED ABOUT FIRST.

SHE LOVED DANCING ON TIKTOK.

>> SHE COULD DANCE WHILE SHE WAS SITTING DOWN.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS CLOSE WITH HER FAMILY, ESPECIALLY HER TWIN BROTHER ANTHONY.

ABCDEE WAS OLDER THAN HIM.

>> WE WOULD WALK TO EACH OTHER AND HUG EACH OTHER, YOU KNOW.

EVERY SINGLE DAY WE WOULD DO THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE NEVER HEARD FROM THE FAMILY AFTER ABCDEE'S DEATH, WHICH WAS RULED AN ACCIDENTAL DROWNING.

THEY NEVER GOT THE CLOSURE THEY LONGED FOR.

NOW THEY'RE USING THEIR PAIN TO MAKE CHANGE.

THEY'RE HEADED TO ST. PAUL THIS WEEKEND TO CALL FOR WHAT THEY SAY ARE NEEDED REFORMS.

>> MINNESOTA LAW, IT'S ONLY REQUIRED UP TO THE AGE OF 10.

OUR DAUGHTER WAS 13.

WE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THAT TO ALL MINORS 18 AND BELOW.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE CALLING FOR REFORMS ON HOW ACCIDENTS ARE CLASSIFIED, ARGUING THAT THE LAW DOESN'T ADEQUATELY ADDRESS SITUATIONS WHERE NEGLIGENCE MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN THE ACCIDENT.

>> I'M NOT TRYING TO GET RICH.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GET POPULAR OR FAMOUS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE YEARS AGO.

IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT IT TOOK THIS FOR SOMEONE TO OPEN THE EYES AND MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.

>> THE FAMILY WILL BE OUTSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL IN ST. MINNESOTA FROM NOON TO 3:00 ON SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR FATALITY REVIEW AND PREVENTION, NEARLY 3,000 CHILDREN DIE ANNUALLY FROM PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY SELECTED TWO FINALISTS TO RETURN FOR A SECOND INTERVIEW FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S SUPERINTENDENT POSITION.

THE FINALISTS ARE: DR. KRISTINE WEHRKAMP HERMAN, WHO IS CURRENTLY SUPERINTENDENT OF ROYALTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ADRIAN NORMAN, THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT FOR CHISHOLM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

FOUR APPLICANTS WERE INTERVIEWED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD YESTERDAY.

THE FINALISTS WERE SELECTED FROM A POOL OF APPLICANTS BASED ON CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD AND INPUT PROVIDED THROUGH THE STAKEHOLDER SURVEY.

THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS SCHEDULED INTERVIEWS FOR THE FINALISTS BEGINNING AT NOON ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 8TH.

ALL INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD AT THE WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL SERVICES BUILDING AND ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>>> THE V.C.V.

CRYPTO MINING AGREEMENT WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE BRAINERD PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING ON TUESDAY.

COMMISSION MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO RATIFY AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CRYPTO MINERS.

V.C.V.

HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE B.P.U.

COMMISSION FOR TWO YEARS AND THE LATEST AGREEMENT WILL HOPEFULLY BENEFIT BOTH PARTIES.

>> THE AGREEMENT THEY JUST RATIFIED TODAY IS AN EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT THAT ESSENTIALLY EXPIRED.

SO WE'RE SEEING THAT HOPEFULLY THEY CAN ACQUIRE THE LAND FROM THE CITY COUNCIL AND THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO SELL THEM SOME ELECTRICITY.

THEY'RE BUYING EXCESS POWER THAT WE HAVE AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS.

IT SHOULD WORK OUT GOOD FOR THE CRYPTO MINERS.

>> AND WITH TUESDAY BEING THE LAST B.P.U.

COMMISSION MEETING BEFORE CURRENT PUBLIC UTILITIES DIRECTOR TODD WICKLUND OFFICIALLY RETIRES EFFECTIVE TODAY.

COMMISSION MEMBERS HONORED WICKLUND, PRESENTING HIM THE TOWER AWARD FOR HIS 23 YEARS SPENT SERVING THE B.P.U.

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

OORJS -- >> Stacy: WE MAY SEE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK ON THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, A SPECIAL TRAVELING EXHIBIT AT THE INDIAN MUSEUM, A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT >> 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.

>>> IT'S A DAY THAT MOST KIDS ONE DAY DREAM OF DOING, BUT FEEL MAY NEVER COME, WALKING ACROSS THE STAGE IN A CAP AND GOWN, GRABBING YOUR COLLEGE DEGREE, AND FINALLY BEING ABLE TO SAY YOU GRADUATED COLLEGE.

WELL, TODAY WAS THE 104TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FOR STUDENTS AT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY AND OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WAS THERE TO CAPTURE THIS SPECIAL MOMENT.

>> Reporter: WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY IT IS FOR THESE NEW GRADUATES AT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY.

WITH IT BEING THE CLASS OF 2024, THAT MEANS MOST OF THESE NEW GRADS STARTED BSU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> IT'S AN AMAZING DAY.

I'M SO GLAD WE'RE DOING THIS RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.

IT IS THEIR DAY.

MOST OF THESE STUDENTS CAME HERE DURING THE PANDEMIC, SO THESE ARE RESILIENT STUDENTS.

THEY HAVE GOT A LOT OF GRIT.

>> FOR ME, IT STARTED WHEN COVID WAS STILL HAPPENING AND IT WAS VERY ISOLATED, CAMPUS WAS, VERY LONELY.

WE ALL PUSHED THROUGH THAT, MADE A LOT OF GREAT FRIENDS, MET NEW PEOPLE AND GOT THROUGH IT WANTING TO BE A TEACHER AND I HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS, TEACHERS, PROFESSORS.

>> Reporter: DURING HER TIME AT BSU, SARAH KESSLER SAYS SHE ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT AND IS THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING SHE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY.

>> A LOT OF CONNECTIONS, AND IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL TO MEET STUDENTS.

THEY WOULD SAY HEY, HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT FIXING THIS PROBLEM OR TELL ME HOW THIS IS GOING?

IT'S BEEN REALLY WONDERFUL TO LEARN, AS I'VE LEARNED IN THIS ROLE, MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY AND THE COMPLICATIONS OF HIGHER ED, TO HELP STUDENTS MORE AND MORE AND ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS BETTER.

>> Reporter: NOW THEY CAN FINALLY CALL THEMSELVES GRADUATES, IT IS A FEELING UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

>> IT FEELS AMAZING, RELIEF, EXCITEMENT, JUST PURE BLISS.

>> IT FEELS GREAT.

I FEEL REALLY GREAT.

>> I FEEL GREAT, BUT IT'S BITTERSWEET, SAD TO SEE EVERYONE GO.

A NEW JOURNEY WILL BEGIN.

>> IT'S PRETTY CRAZY.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO SETTLE IN.

>> I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE OF BEMIDJI STATE AND THE FUTURE OF ALL OF OUR GRAD IT -- GRADUATES.

THIS IS A STELLAR CLASS AND I'M HONORED TO BE HERE.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THEY COULD ENJOY SOME FREE TIME AWAY FROM SCHOOL, THEY CAN'T WAIT TO JUMP INTO THE JOB FORCE.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> BEING A TEACHER WILL BE EXCITING.

I WILL LOVE TO INSPIRE THE LITTLE KIDS.

>> THEY ARE THE BEST OF BEMIDJI STATE AND WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT.

I AM JUST SO PROUD AND HONORED TO BE PART OF THEIR JOURNEY AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO IN THEIR LIVES AND THEIR CAREERS.

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

>> ALONG WITH BSU, NORTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE ALSO HELD THEIR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY EARLIER TODAY WITH OAK HILLS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE HOLDING THEIR CEREMONY ON SATURDAY.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL GRADUATES.

AND AN EXTRA CONGRATULATIONS GOES OUT TO LAKELAND NEWS INTERNS LOGAN VEO AND TREVOR LEPPANEN ON THEIR GRADUATIONS.

BOTH MAJORED IN INTEGRATED MEDIA, WITH LOGAN GETTING STUDENT OF THE YEAR IN THAT DEPARTMENT.

BOTH WERE FANTASTIC INTERNS THIS PAST SEMESTER.

WE WISH THEM THE BEST.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

SOUNDS LIKE ONE DAY THIS WEEKEND WILL BE DECENT.

>> Stacy: SUNDAY IS SHAPING UP TO BE NICE AND TOMORROW IS NOT TOO BAD.

THERE MAY BE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING, BUT AGAIN WE SHOULD BE SEEING SOME SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES, >> 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, WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE SOME SUNSHINE IN THE AREA TODAY, BUT WE ARE SEEING MORE CLOUDS AND WE HAVE SOME RAIN SHOWERS MOVING THROUGH PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA THIS EVENING.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND A FEW ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MIX OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, ESPECIALLY INTO TOMORROW MORNING, ESPECIALLY IN THE EAST-CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

SUNDAY IS LOOKING VERY NICE.

YOU SHOULD HAVE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE WITH HIGHS IN AT LEAST THE MID-60s.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 51 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A SOUTHWEST WIND AT 7 MILES PER HOUR, 35 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 55%.

IN BRAINERD, WE ARE SEEING SOME LIGHT RAIN THIS EVENING, 50 DEGREES, 43 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE THE LARGE AREA OF SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS, WHICH IS IMPACTING SOUTHWEST INTO PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS EVENING, A FEW SHOWERS AS WELL IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

HEADING INTO THE OVERNIGHT, AGAIN SHOWERS ARE LIKELY ACROSS THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, BUT THERE MAY BE A FEW THAT ROAM ABOUT IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AS WELL.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, WE DO CONTINUE TO HAVE AT LEAST A CHANCE FOR SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY IN THE EAST-CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE AND ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING HOURS.

WE COULD SEE A FEW IN THE AFTERNOON.

OTHERWISE, WE SHOULD BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS IN THE EVEN AREA, WITH A LOT MORE SUNSHINE ON SUNDAY.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, SOME SUNSHINE PEAKING OUT IN CASS LAKE THIS MORNING.

A LITTLE BREEZY WITH SOME INCOMING RAIN OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

SAMROSE WITH THAT PICTURE.

TONIGHT, SUNSET WAS JUST BRILLIANT IN MANY LOCATIONS IN OUR VIEWING AREA, WE HAVE SOME PHOTOS TO PROVE IT.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, SARAH OVER LAKE EDWARD WITH SOME SHOTS OF THE GORGEOUS SUNSET.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE REPORTING 41 DEGREES THIS MORNING, BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN AND CLOUDS MOVING IN.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST TODAY, REPORTING 0.8 OF RAIN.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY AND WINDY TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 58.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, IN BRAINERD WE REACHED A HIGH OF 64.

IT IS A VERY SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURE, WE'RE 1 DEGREE ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

42 IS THE LOW, 8:29 WAS OUR SUNSET.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 57, SO IT'S CLOSE TO THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, JUST A FEW DEGREES OFF OF THAT.

40 FOR THE LOW TEMP AND SUNRISE AT 1 MINUTE BEFORE 6:00 THIS MORNING.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND THERE IS A CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS AND WE WILL SEE THOSE CHANCES MORE OR LESS INCREASE AS WE HEAD TOWARDS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE 50s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

HEADING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE HAVE THE BETTER CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT THERE IS A FEW IN THE AFTERNOON, OTHERWISE VARIABLE CLOUDS, HIGH TEMPERATURES AROUND 60, MAYBE INTO THE LOW 60s.

MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

LOWS NEAR 41.

THEN FOR TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS WITH THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS STILL POSSIBLE, BEST CHANCE IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 57.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, SUNDAY IS REALLY SHAPING UP VERY NICELY WITH MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AND HIGHS NEAR 65.

NOW IT COULD BE WARMER ON MONDAY, BUT WE WILL SEE CLOUDS INCREASE AND THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR RAIN MOVING IN.

OUR NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BE ARRIVING LATE MONDAY INTO TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, BRINGING CHANCES FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGHS IN THE MID-60s.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU STACY, CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

THE RED HOT TWINS ARE TRYING TO GET THEIR STREAK GOING.

>> Charlie: YES, AND THEY'RE DOING IT BEHIND A SAUSAGE OF ALL THINGS.

WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND ALSO BRAINERD SOFTBALL OFF TO ANOTHER HOT START THIS SEASON.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THEM AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE CENTER, OFFERING REPAIR SERVICES ON APPLE PRODUCTS AND P.C.S.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> AFTER A 7-13 START TO THE SEASON, THE MINNESOTA TWINS ARE NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN BASEBALL, WINNING 10 STRAIGHT GAMES AND ARE NOW JUST 2.5 GAMES BACK OF THE AL CENTRAL LEADING CLEVELAND GUARDIANS.

NOT SINCE 2008 HAVE THE TWINS PUT TOGETHER A RUN THIS LONG AND THEY OWE IT ALL TO A SAUSAGE?

YES, A CLOVERDALE SUMMER TANGY SAUSAGE TO BE EXACT.

TWINS THIRD BASEMAN KYLE FARMER RECEIVED IT FROM A SPONSOR AND HAS BEEN USING IT AS A RALLY OBJECT WITH PLAYERS TOUCHING IT BEFORE PLATE APPEARANCES FOR GOOD LUCK.

HERE'S A LOOK AT IT FROM EARLIER IN THE DAY.

TWINS ARE HOPING IT WILL HELP THEM WIN THEIR 11th GAME IN A ROW TONIGHT.

THEY'RE AT HOME AGAINST THE BOSTON RED SOX.

A MAN ON THIRD, THE TWINS STRIKE FIRST.

THEY'RE LEADING 1-0.

NOW RUNNER ON 1st AND 2nd.

WILLIE TRYING TO MOVE THEM OVER AND THE SOX THROW IT AWAY.

AUSTIN ABLE TO SCORE AND IT'S 2-0.

3RD INNING, NOW THE BASES LOADED, DROPPING AN R.B.I.

SINGLE TO THE LEFT.

THAT MAKES IT 5-0.

WELL, THE TWINS WIN 5-2 OVER THE RED SOX.

THEY NOW WON 11 STRAIGHT, THE LONGEST STREAK SINCE 2006 AND THE THIRD LONGEST SINCE BECOMING THE MINNESOTA TWINS.

>>> NOW A RARE UNDER THE LIGHT MATCH, TIED AT 6-6.

BROOKS JOHNSTON FORCES THE AIR, BENEFITS OFF ANOTHER ERROR, HE TAKES THE SET AND THE MATCH AND HE IS PUMPED ABOUT IT.

TO DOUBLES COURT, DOWN 1-0, BATTLING BACK HERE IN THE SECOND, HE MAKE AS GREAT SHOT TO EARN THE ADVANTAGE.

HE FINISHES WITH A GREAT SHOT DOWN THE LINE.

UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS JUST NOT BEMIDJI'S NIGHT.

THEY FALL 5-2.

LUMBERJACKS ARE NOW 8-3 ON THE SEASON.

>>> MORE SCORES FOR YOU IN BOYS TENNIS.

BRAINERD BLANKS FERGUS FALLS.

IN BASEBALL, BEMIDJI BEATS ELK RIVER BUT FALLS TO ST. ALBERTVILLE.

NEVIS GETS A WIN.

GRAND RAPIDS FALLS.

FOSSTON BEATS BLACKDUCK.

IN SOFTBALL, RED LAKE FALLS WINS.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY AND NEVIS SPLIT THEIR DOUBLE HEADER TODAY.

LITTLE FALLS GETS BOTH GAMES OVER PEQUOT LAKES.

IN BOYS LACROSSE, GREEN RAPIDS WINS.

PEQUOT LAKES ROUNDING THINGS OUT.

ST.

CLOUD STATE BEATS BEMIDJI STATE IN BASEBALL.

>>> WELL, IN 2022, BRAINERD SOFTBALL FELL ONE GAME SHORT OF A PERFECT SEASON AND A CLASS 4A STATE TITLE.

LAST YEAR THEY FELL JUST SHORT OF THEIR GOAL OF MAKING IT BACK TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT BUT THE WARRIORS HAVE NOT LET OF THE GAS, WINNING 11 OF THE FIRST 12 GAMES FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON IN PURSUIT OF WINNING THAT ELUSIVE STATE TITLE.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER MET WITH THE TEAM EARLIER THIS WEEK AND TELLS US HOW THEY ARE SETTING THE TABLE FOR SUCCESS AS THEY ENTER THE BACK HALF OF THEIR SCHEDULE.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE MAIN CAUSE OF SOFTBALL'S HOT START HAS BEEN THE LITTLE THINGS, WHICH IGNITED THE WALK OFF WIN OVER ST.

CLOUD.

[CHEERING] >> ONE OF OUR POWER HITTERS, EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

THAT'S HOW WE WIN GAMES, DOING THE LITTLE THINGS.

>> Reporter: GOOD COMMUNICATION, WHICH IS TRANSLATING TO IMPROVED DEFENSE.

>> JUST BEING LIKE WE NEED TO TURN TO DOUBLE PLAY OR GOING TO THIS STAGE, JUST TALKING TO EACH OTHER AND HYPING EACH OTHER UP.

IF YOU MESS UP, IT'S OKAY.

THERE IS STILL GAME LEFT TO PLAY.

>> Reporter: AND THE TABLE SETTER FOR THE WARRIORS, AMASSING 105 STRIKEOUTS ON THE MOUND AND A 500 BATTING AVERAGE ON THE DISH.

>> HER SKILLS ARE INCREDIBLE.

YOU CAN TRUST HER ON WHERE SHE'S GOING WITH HER PITCH AND SHE IS GOOD AT COMMUNICATING WITH EVERYONE, JUST IN CASE SHE SEES ANYTHING CHANGE.

WITH HER HITTING, SHE CAN SLAP, BUNT, HOME RUNS, SHE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I'M GLAD SHE IS OUR LEAD OFF.

>> Reporter: AND THEY FOLLOW HER EXAMPLE AS WELL, POSTING SEVERAL RUNS ON THE BOARD.

HOWEVER, THE GIRLS STILL FEEL THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, ESPECIALLY AT THE PLATE.

>> WE JUST NEED TO WORK ON CONTACT.

WE CAN'T BE SCARED OF THE BALL, ESPECIALLY WITH THE BUNT.

SOME GIRLS GET TOO SCARED AND PULL BACK.

HAVING MORE CONTACT WITH THE BALL WILL MAKE US A LOT MORE POWERFUL AND STRONG.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, THE GIRLS KNOW IT WILL TAKE TIME AND ARE COMMITTED TO PUTTING IN THE WORK.

>> WE'RE GETTING THERE.

WE'RE TRYING TO LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES IN THE FIRST SEASON, WHAT PITCHES TO SWING AT, WHAT PITCHES WE HAVE TO SEE, WHAT PITCHES YOU WANT TO HIT.

WE KNOW WE CAN MAKE THE PLAYS, WE JUST HAVE TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO DO SO.

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

>>> AFTER COLLECTING WIN NUMBER TWELVE EARLIER THIS EVENING AGAINST THE ANOKA, BRAINERD WILL GET RIGHT IT ON MONDAY PLAYING BLAINE AT THE COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT.

WARRIORS ARE CURRENTLY RANKED 9TH IN THE STATE IN CLASS 4A.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THEY'RE OFF TO A GOOD START THERE.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> "SPIRITS DANCING: PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE NIGHT SKY" IS A TRAVELING EXHIBIT OF PHOTOGRAPHS BY TAVIS NOVITSKY FEATURED IN THE BOOK WITH THE SAME TITLE BY ANNETTE LEE.

THE EXHIBIT IS CURRENTLY AT THE MILLE LACS INDIAN MUSEUM AND TEACHES ABOUT INDIGENOUS STAR KNOWLEDGE AND NATIVE AMERICANS' RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NIGHT SKY.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE INSPIRATION FOR THE TRAVELING EXHIBIT WAS FROM THE BOOK OF THE SAME NAME PUBLISHED BY THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY ASTRO PHYSICIST AND ARTIST ANNETTE LEE AND FEATURES THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TRAVIS, BOTH OF WHOM ARE OF NATIVE AMERICAN DISSENT.

THEY EXPLAIN OUR INDIGENOUS BROTHERS AND SISTERS' RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE NIGHT SKY.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS, LIKE THE MILKY WAY IS WHERE THEY SAY WE GO AND PASS ON.

IT'S REALLY A PATH THAT THE ANCESTORS FOLLOW.

A LOT OF OJIBWA BELIEVE WE COME FROM THE STARS, WE COME FROM THE SKY, FROM THE NIGHT SKY, FROM THE STARS AND FROM THE HEAVENS.

>> Reporter: THE VIEWS OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS WHEN UP CLOSE ARE BREATHTAKING.

MANY MUSEUM GOERS HAVE SIMILAR FEELINGS AFTER VIEWING THE EXHIBIT.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY HOW BEAUTIFUL, IT JUST TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY.

YOU JUST GET IMMERSED INTO THE PHOTO.

WE HAD PEOPLE COME SPECIFICALLY ONCE THEY HEARD THIS EXHIBIT WAS UP, YOU KNOW, THEY CAME THE FIRST DAY.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN SPEND HOURS GAZING UPON THE NIGHT SKY, TRYING TO COUNT THE STARS, SHARING STORIES OF THE CONSTELLATIONS, BUT THE NAME SPIRIT DANCING IS A REFERENCE TO ONE OF THE NATURE'S FASCINATING DISPLAYS.

>> THE VIBRANT COLORS OF THE NIGHT SKY, I KNOW SOME OF THAT IS THROUGH FILTERS WITH CAMERAS AND EXPOSURES, BUT THAT'S WHAT GETS ME, THE BEAUTY OF THE COLORS OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS.

EVEN THE NORTHERN LIGHTS HAVE A STORY AND THEY SAY THOSE ARE DANCERS.

WHEN YOU SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, THAT'S OUR ANCESTORS DANCING AND YOU CAN SEE THE WAY THE NORTHERN LIGHTS FLICKER AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE DANCING.

>> Reporter: THE CAMERA DOES NOT DO THIS JUSTICE.

YOU HAVE TO COME DOWN HERE AND SEE THIS.

REPORTING FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE EXHIBIT WILL BE AT THE MUSEUM UNTIL MAY 31ST.

THAT NIGHT, THE MUSEUM WILL ALSO HAVE A FREE EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO CLOSE THE EXHIBIT FEATURING THE AUTHOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE BOOK.

THE EXHIBIT'S NEXT LOCATION WILL BE AT THE SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE ON THE NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR.

>>> TIME FOR ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE GO BACK OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE MAY SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LINGERING IN THE AREA OVERNIGHT.

BEST CHANCES ARE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 41.

A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

OTHER THAN THAT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, HIGH OF 57, SUNDAY SHAPING UP NICELY WITH HIGHS IN THE MID-60s.

MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MIDWEEK.

>> Charlie: T-WOLVES START THE FINALS WITH THE DENVER NUGGETS.

AFTER 20 YEARS, THEY'RE BACK IN IT.

>> Dennis: SHOULD BE A GREAT SERIES.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE, WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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