>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED IN PART BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU WITH LOCAL NEWS FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

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

>>> A DAMAGED NATURAL GAS LINE FORCED THE EVACUATION OF AN AREA IN THE CITY OF WALKER TODAY.

AROUND 2:00 P.M.

THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECEIVED A REPORT THAT A UTILITY COMPANY WORKING IN THE CITY OF WALKER NEAR MICHIGAN AVENUE WEST AND SEVENTH STREET SOUTH STRUCK A THREE INCH NATURAL GAS LINE.

THE IMMEDIATE AREA INCLUDING BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS WAS EVACUATED.

BUT AS OF ABOUT AN HOUR AGO OFFICIALS ON SCENE REPORT THAT DAMAGED NATURAL GAS LINE HAS BEEN MITIGATED AND THAT THE AREA THAT WAS EVACUATED IS NOW BACK OPEN.

RESIDENTS ARE BEING ALLOWED TO RETURN, AND BUSINESS WILL EITHER OPEN THIS EVENING OR TOMORROW.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY CONTRACTORS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON SITE THIS EVENING AND TOMORROW BUT IMPACT SHOULD BE MINIMAL.

>>> LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONDED TO NORTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN BEMIDJI TODAY DUE TO A POSSIBLE GUN THREAT INVOLVING A STUDENT.

BEMIDJI POLICE CAPTAIN DAVID LAZELLA SAYS THERE WAS A REPORT OF AN UPSET STUDENT WHO STATED, "I NEED A GUN AND ORDERED AN UNKNOWN PERSON TO BRING A GUN WHILE ENTERING AN OCCUPIED CLASSROOM.

LAZELLA SAYS OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE SCHOOL AND QUICKLY LOCATED THE PERSON.

OFFICERS USED CRISIS INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES, AND WERE ABLE TO DE-ESCALATE THE PERSON OF INTEREST AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL THREAT.

OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO SECURE THE BUILDING AND HELPED RELEASE THE LOCK-DOWN WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.

THE SUBJECT OF THE INCIDENT WAS TAKEN TO SANFORD BEMIDJI MEDICAL CENTER FOR PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION.

THIS INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER ACTIVE INVESTIGATION AND NO FURTHER DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE.

>>> MINNESOTA'S SEVERE WEATHER SEASON IS NEARING AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO BE PREPARED.

THERE WAS ALREADY SEVERE WEATHER THIS WEEK WITH TORNADO AND HAIL BEING REPORTED IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA MONDAY NIGHT.

THE WEEK OF APRIL 13TH THROUGH THE 17TH IS MINNESOTA SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK, A TIME WHEN PREPAREDNESS PROFESSIONALS REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE HAZARDS SUMMER WEATHER CAN BRING AS MANY IN THE BEMIDJI AREA CAN ATTEST TO.

>> THE MAIN THING THAT WE WANT TO GET OUT OF SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IS PREPAREDNESS AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE PREPARED FOR THOSE WATCHES AND WARNINGS, AND KNOWING WHAT TO DO.

SO MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY HAS AN EMERGENCY PLAN ON WHAT THEY WOULD DO IF SEVERE WEATHER IS MOVING INTO THE AREA.

KNOW WHERE YOUR SHELTERS ARE AND KNOW WHERE TO GET THE ALERTS AND WARNINGS, SIGNING UP FOR THE SYSTEM IS THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT AND MAKING SURE YOU HAVE YOUR EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS ENABLED ON YOUR PHONE.

>> EACH DAY OF THE WEEK HAS A SPECIFIC HAZARD TOPIC OR THEME TO BRING AWARENESS AND PROMOTE KEEPING YOUR FAMILY SAFE, AND TOMORROW IS TORNADO DRILL DAY ACROSS THE STATE.

>> ONE OF THE FUN THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE IN BECAUSE YOU GET TO DO SOMETHING IS MINNESOTA WILL HAVE TWO TORNADO DRILLS.

ONE OF THEM WILL BE AT 1:45 AND THE OTHER AT 6:45 ON THURSDAY.

MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY KNOWS WHERE TO GO AND PRACTICE IT.

>> NEXT WEEK WE WILL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BELTRAMI COUNTY'S NEW EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM THAT IS OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT.

THE NEW SYSTEM IS CALLED EVERBRIDGE AND HAS REPLACED CODERED WHICH WAS THE OLD SYSTEM.

>>> VOTERS IN SEVERAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN LAKELAND COUNTRY CAST BALLOTS ON SCHOOL REFERENDUMS YESTERDAY.

IN LITTLE FALLS A TWO-QUESTION REFERENDUM TO REMODEL THE AGING LITTLE FALLS HIGH SCHOOL FAILED.

60-PERCENT OF VOTERS IN THE STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT VOTED TO APPROVE A $42.5 MILLION REFERENDUM FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS.

AND A REFERENDUM IN THE AITKIN SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT WOULD HAVE FUNDED A NEW PREK-6 SCHOOL TO REPLACE RIPPLESIDE ELEMENTARY FAILED.

>>> THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY CONDUCTED A SEMIANNUAL REVIEW OF BEMIDJI CITY MANAGER, RICH SPICZKA.

DURING THE RECOUNTING OF THE REVIEW, BEMIDJI MAYOR JORGE PRINCE SAID SPICZKA IS DOING AN EFFECTIVE JOB AND IS A GOOD FIT FOR THE CITY.

PRINCE WENT ON TO SAY THAT SPICZKA CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITIES OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO THE CITY.

ADDING THAT SPICZKA IS IMPROVING THE CULTURE WITHIN THE CITY'S ADMINISTRATION AND PROFICIENTLY HANDLES OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY.

SPICZKA AND THE COUNCIL DID SET THREE GOALS THAT THE COUNCIL WILL REVIEW AT HIS NEXT SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEW.

>> NUMBER ONE, TO CONTINUE TO LOOK OUTWARD TO BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY, SPECIFICALLY IN IMPROVING RESULTS IN THE SANFORD CENTER'S OPERATION.

NUMBER TWO, CONTINUE TO WORK TO ALIGN COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF WITH UNIFIED GOALS AND A UNIFIED MISSION WITH IMPROVEMENT WITH PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH CITY STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL.

NUMBER THREE, TO IMPROVE EFFECTIVE AND PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPLORING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR.

>> SPICZKA DID NOT SEEK A PAY RAISE DURING THIS REVIEW OR ANY MODIFICATION TO HIS CURRENT EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.

SPICZKA NEXT PERFORMANCE REVIEW WILL RUN FROM JANUARY 1, 2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026.

>>> AN 11TH MAN HAS ANNOUNCED A RUN FOR MINNESOTA'S EIGHT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT CURRENTLY HELD BY REPUBLICAN PETE STAUBER.

LUKE GULBRANSON IS A MODEL AND REALITY TV STAR WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN EVELETH.

HE SAYS HIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE GROUNDED IN HIS IRON RANGE UPBRINGING AND FOCUSED ON LOWERING COSTS, PROTECTING ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS, AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.

FOUR OTHER D.F.L.

CANDIDATES HAVE FILED FOR THAT ELECTION IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 8.

>>> LAKELAND PBS WAS RECENTLY HONORED WITH FOUR ERIC SEVAREID AWARDS FROM THE MIDWEST BROADCAST JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION, INCLUDING ONE FOR TOP NEWSCAST.

THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED AT THE MIDWEST JOURNALIST CONFERENCE IN ST.

PAUL ON APRIL 11.

A STORY BY LAKELAND NEWS REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN TITLED RED LAKE STUDENTS GET LEG UP ON LEARNING OJIBWE EARNED FIRST-PLACE HONORS IN THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION CATEGORY.

LAKELAND NEWS SPORTS DIRECTOR CHARLIE YEAGER EARNED FIRST PLACE HONORS IN THE SPORTS REPORTING COMPETITION FOR THE STORY LILY KNUTE KEEPS FAMILY LEGACY OF RACING ALIVE AT BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY.

YAEGER ALSO EARNED AN AWARD OF MERIT IN THE MULTI-MEDIA JOURNALIST/SOLO STORYTELLER COMPETITION FOR A COMPILATION OF STORIES HE PRODUCED DURING 2025.

AND THE 10:00 P.M.

LAKELAND NEWSCAST ON JUNE 23, 2025 WAS HONORED WITH AN AWARD OF MERIT FOR ITS COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE SEVERE STORM THAT STRUCK BEMIDJI.

LAKELAND NEWS COMPETED IN THE SMALL MARKET DIVISION ALONG WITH TELEVISION STATIONS FROM 13 DIFFERENT TELEVISION MARKETS IN MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, IOWA AND NEBRASKA.

>> A SPECIAL TUESDAY NIGHT TRADITION IN BREEZY POINT CONTINUES TO BRING TOGETHER THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: AT NORTH STAR ROADHOUSE, TUESDAY NIGHTS HAS BECOME MORE THAN A LOCAL GATHERING.

IT HAS BECOME A POWERFUL SHOW OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

EACH WEEK, HUNDREDS OF RALPH TICKETS ARE SOLD, DRAWING IN PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> WE SELL TICKETS BETWEEN 5:00 AND 6:00.

WE SELL THEM IN PACKS OF 10.

THOSE TICKETS ARE GOOD FOR ALL ROUNDS OF RAFFLE.

WHEN PEOPLE WIN, WE ASK THEM THEIR NAME AND WHERE THEY ARE FROM.

IT ADDS TO THE RAFFLE WHEN EVERYONE SEES THAT.

IT'S NOT JUST PEQUOT, BRAINERD, OR BREEZY POINT, SOMETIMES YOU GET PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT RIGHT HERE AT THE NORTH STAR ROADHOUSE IN BREEZY POINT, THE PLACE COMES ALIVE WITH A HIGH ENERGY MEAT RAFFLE, SERVING UP GREAT FOOD, LAUGHS, AND WINS, ALL IN SUPPORT OF THE BUSINESS AND YOUTH HOCKEY HERE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> EVERYBODY LOVES IT.

IT'S A WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S FOR THE LOCALS, FOR THE KIDS.

I ALWAYS SAY THAT, IT GOES TO A GOOD CAUSE SO THAT HELPS OUT TREMENDOUSLY.

>> Reporter: WHETHER YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THE RAFFLES FROM THE BEGINNING OR THIS IS YOUR FIRST TUESDAY, EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE GOAL OF THE RAFFLES AND THIS HAS A BIGGER PURPOSE THAN JUST WINNING A PRIZE.

[CHEERING].

>> IT'S GREAT TO NORTHERN LAKES YOUTH HOCKEY SUPPORTS THIS, IT'S GREAT THAT PEOPLE COME OUT TO SUPPORT NORTHERN LAKES YOUTH HOCKEY.

WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT, IT MAY LOOK DIFFERENT.

IT'S GREAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND HAVE A GREAT TIME DOING A RAFFLE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BREEZY POINT, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

[CHEERING] >> IN ADDITION TO HOSTING THE MEAT RAFFLE FOR THE NORTHERN LAKES HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

NORTH STAR ALSO HOSTS RAFFLES EACH THURSDAY SUPPORTING THE BREEZY POINT FIGURE SKATING CLUB.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE MORE SUNSHINE AND FOR MOST OF US, MILD TEMPERATURES TOMORROW BEFORE A COLD FRONT BRINGS RAIN, SNOW, AND THUNDERSTORMS TO THE AREA ON FRIDAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THIS WEEKEND THE BEMIDJI CHORALE WILL BE PUTTING ON THEIR SPRING PERFORMANCE.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE BEMIDJI CHORALE IS PREPARING FOR THEIR SPRING PERFORMANCE THAT WILL PREMIERE THIS SATURDAY, TITLED FOLK SONGS AND FRANZ.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK STOPPED BY THE DRESS REHEARSAL EARLIER THIS WEEK TO GET MORE DETAILS.

[♪♪♪] >> WE'RE FEELING PRETTY GOOD.

FOLK SONGS ARE WONDERFUL AND THE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA WILL BE PLAYING WITH US.

>> Reporter: THERE WILL BE A LOT OF FOLK SONGS PERFORMED AND IT'S TO BE ENERGETIC AND LIGHT IN AN EFFORT TO WELCOME SPRING.

>> SOME OF THE LYRICS ARE IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE, BUT IT WILL BE SO FUN THAT TOES WILL BE TAPPING AND WE'LL EXPLAIN WHAT ALL THE FOREIGN LANGUAGES ARE ABOUT.

WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 68 SINGERS THIS SEASON.

WE HAVE MUSIC THAT THIS GROUP HAS DEVELOPED AND ARE SHARING WITH EACH OTHER, BUILDING COMRADERY BETWEEN EACH OTHER, AND SHARING IT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: THEY HAVE TWO MAIN PERFORMANCES EVERY YEAR AND IS A GROUP OPEN FOR ALL AGES TO JOIN.

>> WE HAVE TWO SEASONS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE WHOLE YEAR.

SO SOME PEOPLE WILL DO THE FALL, THEN THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE SPRING SHOW, SO THEY WILL TAKE TIME OFF FOR THAT.

IT'S NICE SO IT'S ABOUT 10 WEEKS AND THEN WE'RE DONE.

>> Reporter: THE FOLK SONGS CONCERT WILL HAVE TWO SHOWINGS, THE APRIL 18 AND THE 19th.

BOTH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE BEMIDJI STATE CAMPUS.

REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

[♪♪♪] >> THERE IS NO SET ADMISSION PRICE TO ATTEND THE CONCERT, THE CHORALE SIMPLY ASKS FOR A FREE WILL DONATION TO GET A TICKET AT THE DOOR.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE, A PRETTY NICE DAY, IT COULD BE NICER TOMORROW.

>> Stacy: IT COULD BE WARMER FOR MOST OF THE AREA.

WE WILL SEE COOLER TEMPERATURES IN THE NORTH, BUT WE'LL ENJOY SOME SUNSHINE TOMORROW, ALL IN ADVANCE OF A COOL DOWN LATER THIS WEEK.

WE COULD BE SEEING RAIN, SNOW, OR THUNDERSTORMS AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH ON FRIDAY.

[♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE JUST HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT THERE TODAY WITH HIGHS MAINLY IN THE 60s ACROSS THE AREA.

MANY OF US WILL SEE THE HIGHS IN THE 70s TOMORROW, A LITTLE BIT WARMER FOR MOST OF US, COLDER IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT THAT WILL ALL BE CHANGING AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY WITH CHANCES OF RAIN, SNOW, AND SOME THUNDERSTORMS AND AGAIN A COOL DOWN ON FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 57 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS AT THE STUDIO ARE CALM WITH A DEW POINT OF 38, AND HUMIDITY AT 49%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 58 DEGREES, OUR DEW POINT IS 40, BAROMETRIC PRESSURE IS RISING, WITH A LIGHT SOUTHEAST WIND.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME NICE CLEAR SKIES THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE DAY, A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOUD COVER DEVELOPING IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, AND A LITTLE UPPER LEVEL MOISTURE.

I HAVEN'T SEEN REPORTS OF THIS REACHING THE GROUND, BUT IT IS OUT THERE.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, IT IS GOING TO BE PRETTY QUIET WITH CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN STORE FOR US TOMORROW, MOST OF US WILL SEE HIGHS IN THE 70s, THE EXCEPTION IS NORTHERN MINNESOTA WHERE WE WILL SEE HIGHS IN THE 40s AND 50s.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

IT WAS A FOGGY START TO THE DAY IN MENAHGA.

ARLENE IS SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

A COUPLE OF SWANS IN DEERWOOD.

SONYA SAYING THERE IS STILL ICE ON TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

WE HAVE SOME INTERESTING ICE FORMATIONS ON RABIDEAU LAKE SENT TO US FROM SANDY.

BEAUTIFUL SHOTS OF THE SUNSET FROM SAMROSE OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 39 WITH FOG THIS MORNING, 61 THIS EVENING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, FOG TODAY, BUT IT WAS SUNNY, 70 FOR THE HIGH.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, THE HIGH TEMPERATURE WAS 63, AND SANDY IN BLACKDUCK, FOG THIS MORNING, OTHERWISE SUNSHINE WITH A HIGH OF 69.

ON OUR ALMANAC, WE HAD A HIGH OF 68 IN BRAINERD, MILD TEMPERATURES OUT THERE.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

54 IS OUR AVERAGE FOR TODAY.

WE HAD A LOW OF 37, 8:05 WAS OUR SUNSET.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 69, SO WE ARE WELL ABOVE OUR 51 DEGREE AVERAGE.

34 WAS OUR LOW TEMPERATURE AND SUNSET AT 8:09.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE WILL START OUT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUDS IN THE AREA BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, SOME MILD TEMPERATURES.

IN THE FAR NORTH, WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES ONLY AROUND 46 IN WARROAD, INTERNATIONAL FALLS LOOKING AT 58.

GOING A LITTLE FARTHER SOUTH OF THAT, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s, LOW TO MID-70s, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, TEMPERATURES SHOULD TOP OUT IN THE MIDDLE 70s.

SO OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS NEAR 37 WITH VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, 70 FOR THE HIGH, VARIABLE WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

NOW AS WE LOOK AT THAT WEEKEND FORECAST, THE COLD FRONT WILL BEGIN TO MOVE THROUGH THE AREA ON FRIDAY.

IT'S GOING TO BRING US A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, SOME RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS, AND IN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA, A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS AS WELL.

IT'S GOING TO BRING A BIG TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE WITH HIGHS IN THE 30s TO THE NORTH OF IT, LOOKING AT 60s.

SOUTH OF THAT FRONT, ALL COLD ON SATURDAY, 35 FOR THE HIGH, A FEW CHANCES FOR SNOW SHOWERS IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, AND THEN WE START TO RECOVER THE TEMPERATURES, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE 60s ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, WELL IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR A HOME OPENER FOR A SOFTBALL TEAM IN BEMIDJI.

>> Charlie: ABSOLUTELY IT WAS.

FINALLY THEY GET TO OPEN AT HOME.

THE WEATHER WAS REALLY NICE OUTSIDE.

BEMIDJI GIRLS SOFTBALL TAKING ON THE HUNTERS FROM DULUTH DENFELD.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND MORE FROM AROUND THE AREA COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> RESPONSE TO ADVERSITY SEPARATES THE GOOD TEAMS FROM THE GREAT TEAMS.

SO AFTER DROPPING THEIR FIRST TWO-GAMES OF THE SEASON TO SAUK RAPIDS-RICE AND WAYZATA, BEMIDJI SOFTBALL RESPONDED BY GETTING A 11-4 WIN OVER SAINT CLOUD THIS PAST SATURDAY.

LUMBERJACKS HOPING TO CONTINUE THAT RESPONSE IN THEIR HOME OPENER THIS AFTERNOON, THEY'RE TAKING ON DULUTH DENFELD.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST, RUNNERS ON 2ND AND 3RD FOR KARLEY LAZELLA, YANKS ONE HIGH AND DEEP TO RIGHT, SHE GONE, HOME RUN GIVES THE JACKS A 3-0 LEAD.

THEY'D SCORE ANOTHER LATER ON A WILD PITCH, THEN HAYDEN DAHL, WITH A RUNNER ON 2ND, WOULD PUT ONE IN PLAY, HUNTERS THROW IT INTO YOUR LIVING ROOM AND RIDLEY HADRAVA SCORES ON THE ERROR.

STILL IN THE FIRST, 6-0 NOW, OLIVIA BIRT, IN HER SECOND AT BAT OF THE FRAME CASHES IN BROOKE SNOBL FROM 3RD TO CAP A 7-RUN INNING.

BEMIDJI WOULD GO ON TO WIN 9-0, LAZELLA ALSO GETTING IT DONE IN THE CIRCLE TOSSING A 2-HIT SHUTOUT.

>>> A COUPLE OF SOFTBALL SCORES, GREEN WAY BEATING SOUTH RIDGE, 4-0.

LITTLE FORK BIG FALLS GETS THE WIN OVER LAKE OF THE WOODS.

>>> IN BASEBALL, GRAND RAPIDS TOPPED ROCK RIDGE, ROSEAU GETS THE WIN OVER NORTHERN FREEZE, AND IN BASEBALL, SEBEKA BEATING OTTER TAIL BIG TIME.

>>> OVER ON THE COURTS, BEMIDJI BOYS' TENNIS HOSTING GRAND RAPIDS.

WE'LL START AT ONE DOUBLES, THUNDERHAWKS GRADY GIFFEN AND BEN SCHROEDER, TAKING ON PETER MATHEWS AND CHASE FAIRCHILD, BUT THIS POINT WAS ALL GIFFEN, GREAT RANGE KID, HE AND SCHROEDER WON THEIR MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

AT NUMBER ONE SINGLES, LUMBERJACKS OWEN LAPPINGA FACING WILL HAARKLAU, LAPPINGA BEATS HIM HERE WITH THE BACKHAND AND GOES ON TO WIN THE MATCH 6-1, 6-0.

NEXT DOOR AT TWO SINGLES, JAX COLTER WOULD GET THE WIN FOR THE T-HAWKS AGAINST JOSH AREL, IT'S BECAUSE OF SHOTS LIKE THIS ONE, CORNER POCKET, THIS MATCH MUCH CLOSER THOUGH, 7-5, 7-5.

WITH THAT WIN AND THEIR SWEEP OF THE DOUBLES MATCHES, GRAND RAPIDS EDGES BEMIDJI 4-3, IT'S THE JACKS FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON.

A FEW MORE SCORES, BRAINERD FINISHES THIRD, THEIR VARSITY MEET AND ON THE MLB SIDE OF THINGS, RED SOX TOP THE MINNESOTA TWINS, AND THE PWHL, TWO GAMES LEFT FOR THE MINNESOTA FROST.

THEY FALL TO BOSTON.

>>> THE COLD WEATHER HAS MADE FOR A HECTIC START TO THE SPRING SPORTS SEASON, HOWEVER, BRAINERD SOFTBALL HASN'T LET IT AFFECT THEM, STARTING THE YEAR OFF 2-1.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER CAUGHT UP WITH THE WARRIORS TO SEE HOW THEY STAYED WARM SO FAR IN 2026.

>> Reporter: SNOWSTORMS, TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS, AND EARLY INJURIES TO KEY PIECES AND SENIOR CAPTAIN.

BRAINERD SOFTBALL IS GETTING THROWN CURVEBALL AFTER CURVEBALL AND THE GIRLS ARE STAYING IN STRIDE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN GRINDING OUT, WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN, AND IT'S BEEN GOOD.

>> WE HAD ONE DAY WHERE WE WERE OUTSIDE AND WE HAD SCRIMMAGE.

OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S OUR FIRST GAME OUTSIDE AND WE DID WELL WITH IT.

>> Reporter: THE HEAD COACH AND THE CAPTAINS HAVE CONTINUED TO PREACH PREPARATION, CONSISTENCY, AND CHEMISTRY.

>> THE MAIN THING IS TO HAVE FUN.

WE TRY TO REMIND THEM TO HAVE FUN.

ALSO, BE A TEAM.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE BEEN BREAKING IT DOWN SAYING FAMILY, BECAUSE WE ALL CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER REALLY WELL.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS NECESSARY AS THE WARRIORS HAVE TAKEN ON A NEW LOOK THIS YEAR AFTER GRADUATING 7 SENIORS FROM LAST YEAR'S SECTION 8-4A TITLE WINNING TEAM.

>> THE ONLY BIG DIFFERENCE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IS A TOUGHER DEFENSE.

EVERYBODY HAS MOVED AROUND QUITE A LOT.

EVERYBODY IS FILLING IN THEIR ROLES REALLY GOOD.

>> EVERYBODY IS REALLY FAST ON OUR TEAM.

I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO STEAL A LOT OF BASES AND DO THINGS THAT WE PROBABLY COULDN'T LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE WARRIORS ARE LOOKING TOWARDS STANDOUTS, SUCH AS REVIEW -- RUTHIE WHO ANCHORED THE OFFENSE IN THE 3-HOLE THIS YEAR.

ON THE MOUND, THE TEAM IS CONFIDENT IN JUNIOR MADDIE, WHO HAS COLLECTED TWO WINS THIS SEASON, WITH 13 STRIKEOUTS.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOOD IN PUTTING THE BALL IN PLAY, ESPECIALLY SINCE LAST YEAR.

I THINK OUR TEAM CAN LAY BUNTS BETTER TOO.

>> MADDIE DID GREAT, SHE STRUCK OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE THE FIRST GAME.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW SHE DOES THE NEXT GAME.

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

>> AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT 7-YEARS THERE WONT BE ANYONE ON THE ROSTER NAMED TAUTGES.

>> Dennis: WOW.

>> Charlie: TWO SISTERS GRADUATING LAST YEAR.

>> Dennis: FINALLY DONE.

THANKS CHARLIE.

IT'S AN ESSENTIAL PART OF A HEALTHY DIET BUT FIBER HASN'T ALWAYS GOTTEN THE RECOGNITION THAT IT DESERVES HOWEVER, EXPERTS SAY THAT'S BEGINNING TO CHANGE AS MORE PEOPLE LEARN THE BENEFITS OF THIS INDIGESTIBLE CARBOHYDRATE.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS WHY ONE DIETITIAN IS CALLING FIBER THE IT NUTRIENT OF THE YEAR.

>> Reporter: IT'S PRIMARILY FOUND IN PLANT-BASED FOODS LIKE PLANTS, VEGETABLES, WHOLE GRAINS, AND LEGUMES.

FIBER AIDS DIGESTION BUT IT ALSO HAS OTHER BENEFITS.

>> IT PROVIDES PREBIOTICS AND IT FEED IT IS GOOD GUT BACTERIA IN OUR STOMACH TO HELP THEM GROW AND FLOURISH.

>> Reporter: JULIA WITH CLEVELAND CLINIC SAYS THAT GUT HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER AND FIBER IS A KEY COMPONENT OF THAT, WHICH IS WHY SHE CALLS IT THE IT NEW TREATMENT OF THE YEAR.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE YOUR FIBER INTAKE, TAKE IT SLOW, BEGIN BY BEING MINDFUL OF HOW MANY PLANT-BASED FOODS YOU ARE EATING IN A DAY.

>> TRY TO INCLUDE ONE TO TWO FIBER RICH FOODS WITH EACH MEAL.

>> Reporter: THAT COULD INCLUDE GREEK YOGURT WITH BERRIES TOPPED WITH NUTS AND FLAXSEED, OR EGGS WITH VEGGIES SCRAMBLED IN.

A FIBER-RICH LUNCH COULD INCLUDE A SALAD OR VEGGIE SOUP.

DINNER IS SOME PROTEIN WITH A WHOLE GRAIN AND WHATEVER VEGGIE SIDE YOU ENJOY.

THERE ARE FIBER SUPPLEMENTS THAT CAN PROVIDE SOME BENEFIT AS WELL, BUT ZUMPANO SAYS IT'S BEST TO GET IT THROUGH YOUR DIET IF POSSIBLE BECAUSE FIBER-RICH FOODS CAN HELP KEEP YOU FULL, SLOW DOWN THE ABSORPTION OF GLUCOSE AND MANAGE WEIGHT AND CHOLESTEROL.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY BENEFITS OF FIBER, SO IF YOU'RE AIMING TO MEET YOUR FIBER NEEDS THROUGH YOUR DIET, YOU ARE ONLY GOING TO MAXIMIZE THOSE BENEFITS.

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

>> Dennis: OKAY, LET'S GET ANOTHER CHECK OF OUR WEATHER WITH STACY.

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, LOWS DROPPING TO ABOUT 37, WITH VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW, ANOTHER NICE DAY FOR MOST OF US, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s, A LITTLE BIT COOLER NORTH, WINDS VARIABLE AT 5 TO 20.

>> Charlie: BSU BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL HAVE THEIR HOME OPENER TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, AT LEAST THEY WILL GET OUT THERE.

THAT WILL DO IT FOR US.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM