>> 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 SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WAS HELD EARLIER TODAY WITH THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS TO DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR BUDGET CUTS, RESULTING IN 13 TEACHERS POSSIBLY BEING TERMINATED.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN ATTENDED THE MEETING TO SEE WHICH OPTION THE SCHOOL BOARD CHOSE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL BOARD, STAFF ADJUSTMENTS ARE NECESSARY FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR DUE TO A BUDGETARY SHORTFALL, REDUCTIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDING, LICENSURE ISSUES AND SPECIAL ENROLLMENT.

HUNDREDS OF TEACHERS FLOODED THE MEETING TO SEE WHICH OPTION THEY WOULD CHOOSE FOR THE BUDGET CUTS.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT.

AT THE MEETING, THE BOARD DECIDED TO MATCH OUR STAFFING TO ENROLLMENT, JUST TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BEING RESPONSIBLE TO THE TAXPAYER FUNDS.

THAT WAS AN $850,000 WORTH OF SAVINGS.

>> Reporter: THESE CUTS ARE NECESSARY ACCORDING TO THE BOARD DUE TO COVID RELIEF FUNDS ENDING NEXT YEAR AND DECREASING ENROLLMENT SIZE OF KINDERGARTEN SIZES THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO BACK FILL WITH COVID DOLLARS.

WE WERE MAINTAINING SOME POSITIONS, HOPING ENROLLMENT WILL TURN AROUND.

COVID DOLLARS WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR.

WE HAVE TO FOCUS AND WORRY ABOUT OUR DEFICIT.

LUCKILY WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, PREPARING FOR THIS.

WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS AND I'M HAPPY ABOUT THAT, BUT WE STILL HAVE MORE TO GO.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE PRESENTED WITH THREE OPTIONS FOR REDUCTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO STAFFING.

>> OPTION A WAS THE MOST RESTRICTIVE.

THERE WAS A SITUATION WHICH WE WOULD NEED A COMBINATION CLASS IN ONE OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

OPTION B HAD A 0.5F.T.

REDUCTION IN TAX AND OPTION C WAS ADJUSTING OUR CURRENT STAFFING TO ENROLLMENT.

>> Reporter: THEY WENT WITH OPTION C, BUT SOME MEMBERS FELT THAT OTHER CUTS COULD HAVE BEEN MADE OR WANTED TO PUSH THE MEETING ENTIRELY TO DISCUSS DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE COULD DIG DEEPER AND MAKE CUTS IN OTHER AREAS.

WE COULD HAVE LOOKED AT SOME ADMINISTRATION, MAYBE EQUIPMENT, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN SIT DOWN AND HAVE A WORK SESSION AND GO THROUGH VERY THOROUGHLY OUR BUDGET AND DETERMINE WHERE WE CAN CUT SO WE CAN HAVE A LESS REDUCTION OF TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: 13 TEACHERS WILL ULTIMATELY LOSE THEIR CURRENT JOBS BECAUSE OF THESE CUTS BUT THE SUPER INTENTED WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR THAT CERTAIN OPPORTUNITIES WERE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

>> IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE PRESERVE THE JOBS OF ALL OF OUR TEACHERS.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

A COUPLE OF STAFF MEMBERS WERE OFFERED ASSIGNMENTS IN DIFFERENT FIELDS AND WE HAVE AN OUT OF FIELD LICENSE THAT WE WOULD ENCOURAGE STAFF MEMBERS TO LOOK AT.

WE HAVE OPENINGS IN THINGS LIKE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SOME OTHER AREAS THAT WE ENCOURAGE THOSE STAFF MEMBERS TO APPLY FOR.

OUR GOAL IS TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

>> Reporter: TEACHERS WEREN'T TOO HAPPY THAT 100% OF THE CUTS WERE SURROUNDING TEACHERS AND NONE TOWARDS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION.

>> I APPRECIATE THE SCHOOL MEMBERS THAT ARE WILLING TO DIG DEEPER IN THE BUDGET AND LOOK AT WHERE TO MAKE OTHER CUTS.

MAYBE IT'S PAPER CUTS AND NOT ALWAYS FOCUSING ON THE TEACHERS.

I HOPE WE CAN KEEP THE INDUSTRIAL TECH POSITION.

IT'S SAD TO SEE THAT IT'S JUST TEACHERS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK THIS GO AROUND.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ADMINISTRATION ALSO IMPLEMENTED REDUCTIONS IN NON-LICENSED STAFFING WITH A PROJECTED COST REDUCTION OF $70,000, WITH ADDITIONAL PROJECTED COST REDUCTIONS OF OVER $100,000 RELATED TO A LIGHTING PROJECT AND $25,000 ON A SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION.

>>> AT A SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TODAY, THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO HIRE AN INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR.

THE SCHOOL BOARD INTERVIEWED 2 FINAL CANDIDATES TODAY, ADRIAN NORMAN, THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF CHISOLM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND KRISTINE WEHRKAMP HERMAN, THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT OF ROYALTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BUT AFTER THE INTERVIEWS, BOARD MEMBERS COULD NOT FIND A MAJORITY VOTE FOR EITHER CANDIDATE AND OPTED TO GO WITH AN INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT AFTER CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT HEIDI HAHN RETIRES THIS SUMMER.

THE MINNESOTA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION WILL WORK WITH THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD TO IDENTIFY AND SELECT AN INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT TO BEGIN SERVING THE DISTRICT ON JULY 1ST.

>> WHAT WE FOUND WITH THIS PROCESS IS THAT WE HAD A NUMBER OF HIGH QUALITY CANDIDATES.

WHAT WE COULDN'T FIND WERE ENOUGH BOARD MEMBERS THAT FELT THEY WERE A GOOD FIT, SPECIFICALLY FROM A QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE PERSPECTIVE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE CANDIDATES WERE GOOD, THEY JUST WEREN'T A GOOD FIT.

IT'S OUR HOPE THAT BY REBOOTING THE PROCESS, THERE WILL BE MORE AVAILABLE CANDIDATES FOR US TO CHOOSE FROM OR THAT WILL APPLY FOR THE POSITION BECAUSE WE'RE OUT IN FRONT OF OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT BEFORE US HIRING THIS LAST TIME.

>> THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL RE-LAUNCH THEIR SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH NEXT FALL OR WINTER.

>>> LEECH LAKE TRIBAL OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A COMPLAINT IN THE AREA OF ALLEN'S BAY IN CASS LAKE ON TUESDAY.

WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY SAW A SAWED OFF SHOTGUN IN PLAIN VIEW AND AFTER TRYING TO DETAIN THE SUSPECTS ONE OF THEM FLED ON FOOT.

THE SCENE WAS SECURED AND AFTER SECURING A SEARCH WARRANT OFFICERS SEIZED THE SHOTGUN, 160 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION, AND 24 GRAMS OF AN UNKNOWN POWDER BELIEVED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALES OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES.

CHARGES ARE PENDING IN BELTRAMI COUNTY.

>>> A MINNESOTA SENATE ETHICS PANEL HAS DEFERRED FURTHER ACTION ON A COMPLAINT AGAINST A LAWMAKER WHO'S CHARGED WITH BURGLARY UNTIL AFTER HER NEXT COURT DATE.

PROSECUTORS SAY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL TOLD POLICE SHE BROKE INTO HER ESTRANGED STEPMOTHER'S HOUSE LAST MONTH BECAUSE HER STEPMOTHER REFUSED TO GIVE HER ITEMS OF SENTIMENTAL VALUE FROM HER LATE FATHER.

MITCHELL'S STATUS HAS POSED A DILEMMA FOR FELLOW DEMOCRATS BECAUSE THEY HOLD ONLY A ONE-SEAT MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

MITCHELL MAY ENTER A PLEA AT HER NEXT COURT APPEARANCE ON JUNE 10TH SO THE ETHICS PANEL DECIDED TUESDAY NIGHT TO RECONVENE JUNE 12TH.

>>> THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAS AWARDED A $1.2 MILLION GRANT TO BI-COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS, ALSO KNOWN AS BI-CAP IN BEMIDJI TO EMPOWER YOUNG WORKERS AND STRENGTHEN THE WORKFORCE IN THE REGION.

DEMOCRATIC U.S.

SENATOR TINA SMITH ANNOUNCED THE GRANT TODAY AND SAYS THIS FEDERAL FUNDING WILL BOOST BI-CAP'S ABILITY TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE, WORKERS AND DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH ACROSS BELTRAMI AND CASS COUNTIES.

BI-CAP WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1966 AS PART OF THE NATIONAL WAR ON POVERTY AND IS ONE OF APPROXIMATELY 1,000 COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE THAT MAKE UP THE SERVICE DELIVERY ARM OF THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THEY SERVE BELTRAMI AND CASS COUNTIES WITH THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, HOUSING, WEATHERIZATION, ENERGY ASSISTANCE, AND YOUTH EDUCATION/EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.

THE GRANT WILL SUPPORT THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE, AGES 16 TO 24, WHO ARE NEITHER ENROLLED IN SCHOOL NOR IN THE LABOR MARKET, FOR JOBS IN CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER HIGH-DEMAND INDUSTRIES.

>>> RETAILERS ACROSS THE U.S. ARE BEGINNING TO FEEL THE JITTERS AS CONSUMERS AREN'T SHOPPING LIKE THEY USED TO AND NOW STORES ARE DROPPING PRICES ON THOUSANDS OF PRODUCTS.

THESE MARKDOWNS COME AFTER INFLATION PUSHED PRICES HIGHER FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AND NOW STORES ARE HOPING TO INCENTIVIZE SHOPPERS TO PULL OUT THEIR WALLETS AGAIN.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ HAS THE LATEST ON THIS SUDDEN TURN.

>> Reporter: IN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, A SLEW OF RETAILERS ANNOUNCED PRICE CUTS TO TRY TO BRING SHOPPERS BACK INTO STORES.

>> THEY GRAB ATTENTION.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL'S WITH 1,300 STORES IN THE U.S. SAID THEY WERE DROPPING PRICES ON 5,000 PRODUCTS AND DURING THEIR RECENT EARNINGS CALL, H & M SAID THEY BELIEVE THEY WILL HAVE LOWER PRICES AT THE END OF THIS YEAR THAN AT THE BEGINNING.

THE MAJORITY OF THE ITEMS SEEING THE SLASH IN PRICES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE DISCRETIONARY PURCHASES, MEANING THINGS THAT ARE NICE TO HAVE BUT NOT A NECESSITY.

>> RETAILERS ARE HAVING TO CONVINCE CONSUMERS TO OPEN THEIR WALLETS AND SPEND.

>> Reporter: COSTS HAS RISEN 20% TO 30% HIGHER THAN THEY WERE THREE YEARS AGO.

NOT ONLY THAT, INCOMES ARE FAILING TO KEEP UP, RESULTING IN ALL TYPES OF SHOPPERS LOOKING FOR DEALS.

>> MIDDLE INCOME CONSUMERS HAVE ALSO BECOME MORE MINDFUL ABOUT WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW THEY SPEND.

>> ONE OF THE HURDLES FOR RETAILERS GETTING CONSUMERS OUT OF THE FRUGAL MINDSET.

SPENDING ON FURNITURE, CLOTHING, AND ELECTRONICS REMAINS WEAK.

>> THERE IS A REAL BATTLE TO CAPTURE CONSUMERS' ATTENTION.

BECAUSE CONSUMERS ARE THINKING TWICE ABOUT WHEN THEY SPEND.

>> Reporter: I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>> ACCORDING TO THE LATEST GOVERNMENT REPORT RETAIL SALES ROSE 0.7% IN MARCH FROM THE PRIOR MONTH, A SLOWER PACE THAN FEBRUARY'S UPWARDLY REVISED 0.9 PERCENT GAIN.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE SHOULD ENJOY PLENTY OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW, BUT CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ARE BACK AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE ANNUAL >> 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.

>>> SANFORD BEMIDJI'S ANNUAL DOC TALK INFORMATIONAL EVENT THIS YEAR WAS TITLED "IS WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY RIGHT FOR ME?"

DOC TALK IS A FREE EDUCATION SERIES WHERE SANFORD PHYSICIANS PRESENT AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: SANFORD BEMIDJI IS ALWAYS TRYING TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY INFORMED, WHETHER IT'S ABOUT HEART DISEASES, PROCEDURES, OR WEIGHT LOSS.

DR. MIKE GAVE LAKELAND NEWS INFORMATION ON WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY.

>> I FOUND OUT THAT THROUGH A LOT OF LITERATURE, THAT IT PROVIDES THE BEST OPTION FOR LONG-TERM WEIGHT LOSS.

SO THAT'S OUR MAIN GOAL, TO GIVE A BETTER IDEA AND EDUCATION OF WHAT WE DO AT SANFORD BEMIDJI MEDICAL CENTER, THE PRE-OP WORK UP, WHAT HAPPENS WHENCE -- WHEN PATIENTS ARE IN THE HOSPITAL AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS.

>> Reporter: LONG-TERM STAINED WEIGHT LESS OF THOSE WITH A B.M.I.

OF MORE THAN 35 FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS.

IT WILL IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> THERE IS NOT A WEIGHT YOU LOOK AT BUT A QUALITY OF LIFE.

IF YOU ARE ON BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS AND YOU WANT TO GET OFF AND THEY TOLD YOU IT'S DUE TO YOUR WEIGHT.

MAYBE IF YOU WANT TO RUN WITH YOUR KIDS AND YOU GET SHORT OF BREATH.

SO HAVING A GOAL IN MIND OF WHAT YOU WANT TO GET TO, TO PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS, TO ENJOY FAMILY ACTIVITIES WITHOUT BEING SHORT OF BREATH, GETTING OFF BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS, THOSE ARE THE MAIN FOCUSES.

>> Reporter: PREOPERATIVE PHASES, SURGERY ELIGIBILITY, POST-OP CARE, AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS.

>> WE HAVE GUEST SPEAKERS AND AT THE END, WE HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION, TIME FOR QUESTIONS AND I THINK THE BEST PART OF OUR SUPPORT GROUP IS THE PATIENTS NEEDING EACH OTHER AND OUR PRE-OP PATIENTS ASKING QUESTIONS TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH IT AND GETTING ANSWERS FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS LIVED THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS AND KIND OF GIVING TIPS AND TRICKS TO THOSE TO EASE THEIR ANXIETY.

>> Reporter: JUST BECAUSE THE PATIENT GETS THE SURGERY, DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT ALL ENDS THERE.

WITH THE AFTER CARE AND SUPPORT GROUP, MANY PATIENTS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT.

>> OH, VERY MOTIVATED AND DRIVEN PATIENTS.

THEY ARE DOING THIS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE AND BE HEALTHIER OVERALL.

SO THEY ARE VERY HANDS ON AND INVOLVED IN THEIR CARE, WHICH IS REALLY GREAT TO SEE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND THAT IS THE FINAL STORY THAT ZY'RIAH SIMMONS WILL BE PROVIDING FOR US HERE AT LAKELAND NEWS.

SHE IS LEAVING US TO PURSUED A DECISIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND WE WISH HER ALL THE BEST AND THANK HER FOR ALL THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO LAKELAND NEWS OVER THE LAST HALF YEAR OR SO.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER NOW, STACY JOINING US, WE SAW A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT.

>> Stacy: YES, GORGEOUS NIGHT.

A FEW CLOUDS HERE AND THERE MAKING FOR GREAT SUNSET SHOTS.

WE WILL SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW, CHANCES FOR SHOWERS AND A FEW >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter:.

>> Stacy: WELL, WE HAD A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

IT WILL FEATURE A LOT OF SUNSHINE, A REALLY GREAT DAY FOR US TOMORROW.

CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE BACK ON FRIDAY AND THEN THERE MAY BE A FEW SHOWERS AND EVEN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 62 AT THE AIRPORT, A LIGHT NORTHEAST WIND AT THE STUDIO AND HUMIDITY IS AT 49%.

IN BRAINERD, THE DEW POINT IS 42%, AND WINDS ARE EAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT IS QUIET ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

EXPECT TO SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT TOMORROW WE SHOULD BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, ALL IS QUIET ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA AND ANYTHING ACTIVE TO OUR SOUTH, SHOULD SEE SOME NICE TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, HIGHS IN THE 60s, BUT AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON FRIDAY.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GORGEOUS MORNING SKIES FROM BILL AND JUDY OVER UPPER RED LAKE AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL PICTURE, DARK CLOUDS ROLLING THROUGH THE UPPER RED LAKE AREA, SAMROSE SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

ASHLEY SENDING US A PICTURE OF SOME BUSY BIRDS IN THE HINCKLEY AREA.

DEAN WITH A PICTURE OF THE SUNSET OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

EMMA WITH SOME BEAUTIFUL SKIES IN BEMIDJI.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES TONIGHT.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 39 AND CALM WITH FOG THIS MORNING.

KAREN IN BEMIDJI, 65 AND PARTLY CLOUDY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A FEW CLOUDS, HIGH OF 69.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE, HIGH OF 70.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY AND 68.

DEAN AT RED LAKE, 57 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH TODAY OF 70.

WE'RE 5 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE, A NICE HIGH TEMPERATURE, 45 FOR THE LOW, SUNSET AT 8:36.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 67, SO 5 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, 44 WAS THE LOW, AND WE HAD SUNRISE AT 5:51.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THAT FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS ALL OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND SOME NICE TEMPERATURES.

WARROAD, A LITTLE BIT COOLER, BUT HIGHS SHOULD REACH THE UPPER 50s.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT SUNNY SKIES ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITH HIGHS IN THE MID-60s IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

SO A VERY NICE DAY TOMORROW, BUT AS I MENTIONED, THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS COULD BE BACK BY FRIDAY.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 42.

EAST TO NORTHEAST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES, NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE DO HAVE THE CHANCE FOR SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON FRIDAY AND MAYBE SOME ISOLATED RAIN IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA TO START THE WEEKEND.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND ON SATURDAY NEAR 68, WE COULD BE IN THE LOW 70s ON SUNDAY, AND NOW ANOTHER SMALL CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND AND INTO MONDAY, WHERE WE HAVE SOME ISOLATED RAIN SHOWERS POSSIBLE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, HIGHS IN THE LOW 70s.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

SOME SOFTBALL TODAY.

>> Charlie: SOFTBALL ACTION, WE HAD BEMIDJI PLAYING OUT THERE.

THEY HAD A TOUGH START TO THE SEASON, BUT THEY KIND OF FIGURED THINGS OUT.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND WE ALSO HEAR FROM THE BEMIDJI BOYS GOLF TEAM.

ALL OF THAT COMING UP 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.

>> 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: BEMIDJI IS SITTING AT 2-9 IN THE YEAR.

THEY WON A 5-4 VICTORY OVER MOORHEAD LAST TUESDAY.

LUMBERJACKS ARE FACING DULUTH EAST, WHO IS SEARCHING FOR THEIR FIRST WIN OF 2024.

TOP OF THE SECOND, HITTING WHAT SHOULD BE A GROUND OUT, BUT A THROW TO FIRST ALLOWS MAYA TO SCORE.

IT'S 1-0 JACKS.

NEXT, GREYHOUNDS TO SECOND ON THE STEAL, AND SHE SNEAKS HOME AND SHE'S SAFE.

BEMIDJI LEADS 2-0.

NOW SCHMIDT LAYS DOWN THE BUNT, AND THE LUMBERJACKS ARE ABLE TO COME HOME ON THE ERROR.

BEMIDJI GOES ON TO BEAT DULUTH EAST.

LUMBERJACKS HAVE WON TWO OF THEIR LAST THREE.

THEY HEAD TO SARTELL ON FRIDAY BEFORE FINISHING THE SEASON.

>>> SOME MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

IN LACROSSE, BRAINERD BEATS GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY, 9-3.

IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS, BEMIDJI WAS PLAYING SARTELL, THEY WON 5-2.

>>> THE TWINS WERE AT HOME TAKING ON THE MARINERS IN GAME 3 OF A 4 GAME SERIES.

MINNESOTA COMING OFF A LOSS LAST NIGHT.

THE TWINS ARE UP 1-0.

TWO PITCHES LATER, I'LL HAVE WHAT HE'S HAVING.

TREVOR, 400 FEET, HIS THIRD HOMER OF THE YEAR, JUST LIKE THAT IT'S 2-0.

BOTTOM OF THE 4th, 3-1.

WILLIE HAS A HOME RUN AND HE WILL ADD AN R.B.I.

TRIPLE HERE.

TWINS GO ON TO WIN 6-3 OVER THE MARINERS.

STELLAR PITCHING, HE HAD 10 STRIKEOUTS.

THE PWHL IN ITS INAUGURAL SEASON THEY BEGAN THEIR PLAYOFF TONIGHT.

MINNESOTA WAS IN TORONTO, THEY FELL 4-0 IN GAME NUMBER ONE.

>>> BEMIDJI BOYS GOLF IS OFF TO A HOT START, COLLECTING THEIR SECOND TOURNAMENT WIN OF THE SEASON ON MONDAY IN THEIR OWN INVITATIONAL AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB.

YESTERDAY WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH SOME OF THE GOLFERS ABOUT THIS YEAR'S SQUAD AND HOW THEY PLAN TO BUILD ON THEIR EARLY SEASON SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: A WARMER THAN USUAL WINTER MEANT LESS SNOW ON THE GROUND AND LESS SNOW ON THE GROUND MEANT MORE TIME ON THE GOLF COURSE.

>> NOTHING CAN REPLACE OUTDOOR PRACTICE.

YOU CAN HIT THOUSANDS OF BALLS IN THE SIMULATOR AND IT HELPS.

ACTUALLY BEING OUT HERE AND WATCH THE BALL FLY, IT'S JUST INVALUABLE.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, THE LUMBERJACKS WEREN'T ABLE TO HIT THE T-BOX UNTIL MAY.

THIS SEASON, THEY STARTED IN EARLY APRIL.

IT'S NOT JUST THE WARM WEATHER THAT HAS BEMIDJI PLAYING SO HOT THIS SPRING, IT'S WHAT THEY DID LAST SUMMER.

>> THEY PLAY IN PROBABLY 10 JUNIOR PGA TOURNAMENT.

UNTIL THEY'RE TOURNAMENT READY, THAT MAKE AS BIG DIFFERENCE HEADING INTO SPRING.

>> IT'S THE MANY ROUNDS THAT WE ALL PLAYED TOGETHER.

IT'S THE LONG RANGE SESSIONS, THE THOUSANDS OF BALLS WE HIT, TIME ON THE PUTTING GREEN.

>> Reporter: THE MAKE UP OF THIS YEAR'S SQUAD HAS LENT ITSELF TO THE JACKS' EARLY SEASON SUCCESS.

>> WE LOST THE PIECE, HE WAS IMPORTANT TO OUR TEAM AND A REALLY GOOD PLAYER.

THIS YEAR, OUR TEAM HAS BEEN ABLE TO MESH TOGETHER TO FILL THAT GAP.

I WOULD SAY THE TEAM CHEMISTRY IS THE BEST THAT IT'S EVER BEEN.

>> THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN PLAYING GOLF TOGETHER SINCE THEY WERE 6.

NOW FOUR OF THEM ARE SENIORS AND THEY ARE SUCH GOOD FRIENDS AND IT'S A TIGHT GROUP THAT THEY HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACKS.

IT'S FUN TO WATCH.

>> Reporter: AND LOOKING TO MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT TIME THEY HAVE LEFT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF HELP.

>> IT'S LIKE QUOTING MICHAEL JORDAN.

IT'S THE LAST DANCE.

IT'S OUR LAST YEAR TO REALLY MAKE A STATEMENT AND WE HAVE TWO OTHER GUYS, OTHER THAN THE FOUR SENIORS THAT HELP US ALMOST EVERY MEET.

WE SCORE AT LEAST ONE OF THEM EVERY MEET.

>> Reporter: THE RESULT, TWO TOURNAMENT WINS, ANOTHER TOP THREE FINISHES, AND ONE HEAD-TO-HEAD VICTORY.

THE TEAM STILL PREFERS TO KEEP A LOW PROFILE AS THEY EMBARK ON THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON.

>> THE LAST FOUR YEARS WE'VE BEEN THE YOUNGER TEAM, NO ONE REALLY KNOWS BEMIDJI AND KIND OF FLOWN UNDERNEATH THE RADAR THIS YEAR.

SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO KEEP GOING WITH THAT.

I THINK WE JUST KEEP STAYING HUMBLE AND PUT OUR HEADS DOWN AND WORK.

THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO IT I THINK.

THE LAST THREE SEASONS, PUTTING OURSELVES IN THIS POSITION, PRESSURE MAKES DIAMONDS AND WE'RE ABLE TO BUILD OFF THAT.

IT'S GETTING US IN THAT SPOT AND CAPITALIZING ON IT AND THEN YOU WILL SEE THE FRUIT BUT THE JOB IS NOT FINISHED YET.

>> Charlie: AND THERE WILL BE A PAIR OF TOURNAMENTS TOMORROW AND NORTHWEST CLASSIC ON THE 10th.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S THE MOST COMMON CANCER IN THE U.S.

BUT DESPITE ITS PREVALENCE EXPERTS SAY THERE ARE MANY MYTHS WHEN IT COMES TO SKIN CANCER.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER SEPARATES FACT FROM FICTION IN HONOR OF SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

>> Reporter: IT'S A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DISEASE THAT EXPERTS SAY SKIN CANCER MISCONCEPTIONS AREN'T RARE AND NEITHER IS THE CANCER ITSELF.

AN ESTIMATED 5 MILLION AMERICANS ARE DIAGNOSED WITH A FORM OF CANCER EVERY YEAR.

>> MOST SKIN CANCERS ARE NOT MELANOMA, BUT IT'S A LITTLE MORE THAN 100,000 NEW CASES OF MELANOMA THAT WILL BE DIAGNOSED IN 2024 ALONE.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SAYS MELANOMA IS THE DEADLIEST FORM OF THE DISEASE AND AWARENESS IS CRITICAL.

ONE MYTH IS THAT THE SUN IS THE ONLY CAUSE OF THIS DISEASE.

HARMFUL ULTRAVIOLET RAYS COME FROM THE SUN, PEOPLE CAN BE EXPOSED IN OTHER WAYS INCLUDING TANNING BEDS AND SUN LAMPS.

ALSO GETTING A BASE TAN DOESN'T PREVENT FUTURE SUNBURNS IS A MYTH.

>> THERE IS NO SAFE WAY TO TAN.

THERE ARE NO SAFE U.V.

RAYS.

>> Reporter: MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT SKIN CANCER CANNOT DEVELOP ON DARKER SKIN, BUT SHE SAYS ANYONE CAN GET THE DISEASE REGARDLESS OF THEIR SKIN TYPE OR COLOR.

SOME BELIEVE THAT SKIN CANCER IS EASY TO SPOT BUT THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY TRUE EITHER.

>> SKIN CANCER CAN SHOW UP IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS, COLORS, SHAPES, SIZES, AND THAT CAN BE RELATIVE TO THE TYPE OF SKIN OR COLORING OF YOUR SKIN.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF WHAT YOUR SKIN LOOKS LIKE AND INSPECT IT OFTEN AND TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU SEE ANY CHANGES.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SAYS ANOTHER MYTH IS WHEN PEOPLE WEAR SUNSCREEN AND THINK THEY CAN STAY IN THE SUN AS LONG AS THEY WANT.

EXPERTS SAY THAT WHILE SUNSCREEN DOES PROTECT SKIN IT'S NOT COMPLETE PROTECTION.

THEY RECOMMEND NOT GOING OUT AT MIDDAY WHEN THE SUN IS MOST DANGEROUS.

WEARING SUN PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND A HAT AND USING A PROPER AMOUNT OF BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN RATED 30 SPF OR HIGHER.

THE SUNSCREEN SHOULD BE REAPPLIED AT LEAST EVERY TWO HOURS.

GOOD ADVICE FOR TOMORROW, RIGHT STACY?

>> Stacy: IT IS AND WE WILL BE ENJOYING A LOT OF SUNSHINE OUT THERE.

TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOWS DOWN TO 42, AND THEN SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, HIGHS SHOULD REACH THE LOW TO MID-60s WITH NORTHEAST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM BSU TRACK AND FIELD STANDOUTS BEFORE THEY HEAD DOWN TO THE NSIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

>> Dennis: WE'RE DONE FOR TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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