>> 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., KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE, AND HOME PHONE.

LEARN MORE 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 MOTORCYCLIST WAS AIRLIFTED FROM THE SCENE NEAR LITTLE FALLS YESTERDAY AFTER CRASHING INTO A TRACTOR PULLING A MANURE SPREADER.

THE CRASH HAPPENED ABOUT TWO MILES SOUTH OF LITTLE FALLS JUST BEFORE 3:30 YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS 48-YEAR-OLD JAMES PENDROY OF SAUK RAPIDS, WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS THE TRACTOR AS THE TRACTOR WAS BEGINNING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE COLLISION HAPPENED.

PENDROY WAS NOT WEARING A HELMET AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY NORTH AIR CARE TO ST.

CLOUD HOSPITAL WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES.

THE DRIVER OF THE TRACTOR WAS NOT INJURED.

>>> A PROJECT CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI COULD CAUSE SOME TEMPORARY DISRUPTIONS IN THE AREA.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF BEMIDJI BEGAN THEIR DOWNTOWN STUMP REMOVAL PROJECT ON APRIL 20TH, WITH WORK EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR TWO TO THREE WEEKS WITH WEATHER PENDING.

IT'S PART OF ONGOING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY, IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SUPPORT LANDSCAPING THROUGHOUT THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

>> OBVIOUSLY FROM THE STORM LAST YEAR, THERE WERE SEVERAL TREES THAT WERE UPROOTED DOWNTOWN AND TO BE EXACT, THERE WERE 22.

A LOT OF WHERE THESE TREES WERE ALREADY ARE FAILED AND COMPROMISED AREAS DUE TO THE CONCRETE BLOWING OUT, THE SIDEWALKS GETTING RAISED UP, THE ROOTS GROWING THROUGH THEM.

>> THERE ARE THREE PHASES, NORTH OF FIFTH STREET, FROM FIFTH TO THIRD IS A PHASE, AND THEN SECOND ALL THE WAY DOWN TO GIOVANNI IS ANOTHER PHASE.

>> Reporter: IF YOU REMEMBER LAST YEAR'S TREE REMOVAL PROJECT IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI, THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THAT PROJECT.

>> THERE WOULD BE A DOWNTOWN TREE REMOVAL PROJECT THIS YEAR.

WITH THE STORM, WE CAN'T HAVE A BUNCH OF STUMPS HANGING AROUND.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR DUE TO LOW FUNDING.

THERE WERE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY, ALLOWING THE PROJECT TO HAPPEN WAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

>> WE WEREN'T ABLE TO REMOVE ANY TREE THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS AND ALL OF THAT.

SO NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO PICK BACK UP, REMOVING SOME OF THE TROUBLESOME TREES.

IN ALL HONESTY, IT WAS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE BECAUSE WE HAVE THE FUNDING TO GET RID OF IT.

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

>> THE CITY OF BEMIDJI WILL BEGIN AN ELECTRICAL WORK PROJECT AT LIBRARY PARK, DURING THE WEEK OF MAY 4TH.

THE PROJECT WILL REPLACE THE AGING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE PARK, TO REDUCE RECURRING ISSUES.

>>> BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL GRAD BRANELLE RODRIGUEZ WAS A PART OF THE ARTEMIS TWO MISSION THAT CAPTIVATED THE COUNTRY.

RODRIGUEZ WAS AN ENGINEER ON THE SPACECRAFT THAT CARRIED FOUR ASTRONAUTS TO THE MOON.

FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS, RODRIGUEZ HAS BEEN WORKING FOR NASA, MOVING HER WAY UP TO BEING THE VEHICLE MANAGER FOR ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST TALKED ABOUT SPACE MISSIONS IN OVER 50 YEARS.

IN 2015 RODRIGUEZ WAS INDUCTED INTO THE BRAINERD SCHOOLS DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT HALL OF FAME, ANOTHER ACHIEVEMENT THIS ONE FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT RAISED HER.

>> THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS, AS LONG AS YOU PUT FORTH THE WORK TO GET THERE.

GROWING UP IN BRAINERD, I DON'T THINK MANY THOUGHT I WOULD BE HERE IN NASA BUT I ALWAYS KNEW THAT'S WHERE I WANTED TO BE AND I DROVE MYSELF TO WORK HARD.

I THINK BRAINERD IS AN EXCELLENT SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THERE ARE ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES.

>> RODRIGUEZ SAYS NASA PLANS ON USING PARTS FROM ARTEMIS TWO FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE ARTEMIS PROGRAMS.

>>> THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA DRUG EDUCATION COALITION IS COLLABORATING WITH THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ITS BI-ANNUAL DRUG TAKE BACK DAY THIS UPCOMING SATURDAY.

THE EVENT OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF ANY UNNEEDED OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS, PRESCRIPTIONS, AND NARCOTICS FREE OF CHARGE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DRUG ABUSE STATISTICS, 13.8 MILLION PEOPLE MISUSE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN A YEAR, AND 7.6 MILLION PEOPLE ARE ADDICTED TO THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THEY MISUSE.

BLADE HOPES ITS DRUG TAKE BACK DAY CAN HELP POSITIVELY IMPACT THE COMMUNITY.

>> AFTER SURVEYING AND RESEARCHING DATA, WE REALIZE THAT 70% OF PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS REPORTED GETTING THEIR FIRST PRESCRIPTIONS OR ACCESS TO MEDICATIONS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

BY REDUCING THE ACCESS IN OUR HOME, HOPEFULLY IN TURN WE REDUCE THE USE OF SUBSTANCES.

>> DRUG TAKE BACK DAY IS FROM 10:00 A.M.

TO 2:00 P.M.

ON SATURDAY AT THE SUPER ONE FOODS IN BRAINERD.

>>> THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

IS INVITING ANYONE INTERESTED IN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT OF MILLE LACS LAKE TO AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON THE THURSDAY EVENING BEFORE FISHING OPENER.

THE IN-PERSON MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS THE STATUS OF THE FISHERY, BACKGROUND ON THE CREEL SURVEY PROGRAM AND 2026 RESULTS, SPECIES POPULATION MODELING, AND THE PROCESS OF SETTING REGULATIONS.

THE PUBLIC CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE INPUT AT THE MEETING TO HELP GUIDE THE MINNESOTA DNR IN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT.

THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, MAY 7, FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 P.M.

AT HAZELTON TOWN HALL IN AITKIN.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE D.N.R.

'S WEBSITE.

>>> EIGHT WEEKS OF THE YEAR,, C.L.C.

'S BRAINERD CAMPUS HOSTS ITS CULTURAL THURSDAY EVENTS, WHICH BRING DIFFERENT PERFORMANCES, PRESENTATIONS, AND SHOWS TO THE CAMPUS.

THE MOST RECENT EDITION HIGHLIGHTING PROFESSOR GARY PAYNE'S DISPLAY OF ARGENTINA, A PARADISE LOST AND FOUND.

IT FOCUSES ON ARGENTINA AND THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUGGLES, WHILE ALSO SHOWING THE INSPIRING PARTS OF THE COUNTRY LIKE ITS LANDSCAPE AND PEOPLE.

PAYNE FEELS THAT CULTURAL THURSDAY IS A GREAT WAY TO SHOW NOT JUST HIS STUDENTS BUT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY THAT WE AS A PEOPLE NEED TO CONNECT.

# .

>> THE EARTHLINGS ARE NOT DOING WELL WITH EACH OTHER RIGHT NOW.

IF WE DON'T GET SOME UNDERSTANDING, THEN WE'RE GOING TO SELL EVERYTHING THROUGH DRONES AND MISSION -- MISSILES.

THE BEST THING IS TO LEARN WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THESE OTHER COUNTRIES AND GET A FEEL FOR WHAT THEY'RE LIKE AND WHAT THEY CAN OFFER YOU AND WHAT YOU CAN OFFER THEM.

EXCHANGE OF CULTURE IS A WONDERFUL THING.

>> C.L.C.

HAS NOT ANNOUNCED ITS NEXT CULTURAL THURSDAY EVENT YET.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, BUT TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE COOLER WITH HIGHS MAINLY IN THE 50s TO END THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, STUDENTS AT J.W.

SMITH WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUGAR BUSH LEARNING CAMP.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> AS SPRING ARRIVES, THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE AS WATER MONITORS FOR 12,000-PLUS LAKES AND 92,000 MILES OF RIVERS AND STREAMS.

VOLUNTEERS WILL MONITOR A LOCATION TWO TIMES A MONTH FROM APRIL THROUGH SEPTEMBER AND THEN SUBMIT THE DATA TO THE MPCA FOR ANALYSIS.

THE MPCA PROVIDES TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT, SO NO EXPERIENCE IS NEEDED.

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT THE MPCA WEBSITE AND SEARCH FOR WATER MONITORS.

>>> PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT MINNESOTA STATE PARKS WITHOUT PAYING A VEHICLE FEE IN FOR ONE DAY LATER THIS MONTH.

THE FREE PARK DAY IS SET FOR THIS COMING SATURDAY APRIL 25TH AND APPLIES TO ALL 73 MINNESOTA STATE PARK AND RECREATION AREAS.

THIS DAY IS ONE OF FOUR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT PEOPLE CAN VISIT WITHOUT PAYING A VEHICLE FEE AND THE DAYS ARE SPREAD OUT OVER THE YEAR TO GIVE PEOPLE THE CHANCE TO VISIT A PARK FOR FREE DURING EACH SEASON OF THE YEAR.

EACH SPRING, FREE PARK DAY IS HELD ON THE SATURDAY AFTER EARTH DAY.

WHILE A VEHICLE PERMIT IS NOT NEEDED FOR PARK ADMISSION ON FREE PARK DAYS, ADDITIONAL FEES FOR THINGS LIKE CAMPING RESERVATIONS AND EQUIPMENT RENTALS STILL APPLY.

THE D.N.R.

'S GOAL FOR THIS DAY IS TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO SPEND TIME IN THE OUTDOORS AND PROMOTE EXERCISE.

>>> WELL, HOW ARE THINGS LOOKING FOR THAT FREE PARK DAY STACY?

THAT WOULD BE SATURDAY.

>> Stacy: SATURDAY IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE PRETTY SEASONAL TEMPERATURES, VERY WARM TEMPS, THEY WILL BE COOLER THAN WE HAVE BEEN SEEING ON SATURDAY, BUT WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE 50s AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE ENJOYING SOME SUNSHINE TO START THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE M [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID ENJOY SOME SUNSHINE, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS ACROSS THE AREA, WITH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT MOVED THROUGH AND BROUGHT A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION TO THE AREA.

WINDS HAVE BEEN PICKING UP AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH.

WE ARE SEEING THE COLDER AIR MOVE INTO NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE EXPECT TO SEE SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES THAN WE HAVE SEEN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, SO PRETTY SEASONAL TO END THE WEEK.

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT SUNSHINE WILL BE BACK FOR US AS WELL.

IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 49 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 16 MILES PER HOUR, BUT WE ARE SEEING GUSTS UP TO 33.

WE DID PICK UP 0.02-INCH OF RAINFALL.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 61 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 41.

WINDS ARE OUT OF THE WEST AT 15 MILES PER HOUR, WITH GUSTS UP TO 26.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE SEEN SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS AND EVEN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE TODAY, AND WE COULD SEE A FEW, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA YET TONIGHT.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES ACROSS THE AREA AND WE SHOULD SEE MORE SUNSHINE AGAIN TOMORROW.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE WE COULD PICK UP A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, BUT OVERALL, IT LOOKS DRY.

TEMPERATURE-RISE, IT WILL BE COOLER THAN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, HIGHS MAINLY IN THE 50s.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE BE YOU, WE HAVE GORGEOUS SKIES OVER RABIDEAU LAKE.

ANGELA TAKING THIS PICTURE ON HER WAY TO GRAND RAPIDS.

KAREN WITH A PHOTO OF A BALD EAGLE ON THE BLUEBERRY RIVER.

RALPH IN JENKINS SPOTTING SOME DEER IN THE AREA.

JOAN CAPTURING THE BOBCAT IN LAPORTE.

WE HAVE THE RAIN MOVING IN OVER FROM LOWER RED LAKE FROM SAMROSE AND THE BEAUTIFUL SKIES AFTER THE RAIN FROM CHRISSY AND ALEX IN DEERWOOD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 61.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, WINDY AND RAIN LATER ON.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, BREEZY AND CLOUDY, TOPPING OUT AT 70.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, 64 WITH AN INCH OF RAIN.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND WINDY TODAY.

A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN AS WELL.

RALPH IN JENKINS WITH A HIGH OF 69.

ALEX IN DEERWOOD, AN EVENING THUNDERSTORM.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, WINDY TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 69.

ON OUR ALMANAC, WE TOPPED OUT AT 70 TODAY IN BRAINERD, STILL MILD.

THE AVERAGE IS 58.

61 WAS OUR LOW, AND WE HAD SUNRISE AT 6:16.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 75.

THAT IS 20 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

47 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 8:20.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST.

A LOT OF THE CLOUDS WILL BE MOVING OUT, WE'LL SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW IN THOSE EVENING HOURS.

HIGHS TOMORROW 50 TO 55 ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA, WITH MID TO UPPER 50s, CLOSE TO 60 IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

WE SHOULD SEE BREEZY CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE WEST.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY FOR TOMORROW, THERE IS THE SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE WEST IN THE AFTERNOON, WITH HIGHS NEAR 55.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON SATURDAY WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN ON SUNDAY.

AGAIN, PRETTY SEASONAL, 57 ON SATURDAY, WE'RE BACK TO 60 ON SUNDAY, AND EARLY NEXT WEEK, THINGS COOL DOWN WITH SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

A BIG NIGHT FOR NFL FANS AND VIKINGS.

>> Charlie: YEAH, THEY HAD THE 18th PICK TONIGHT.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHO IT WAS THAT THEY ENDED UP PICKING AT THE 18th PICK.

IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A HEAD SCRATCHER FOR SOME VIKINGS FANS OUT THERE.

WE'LL EXPLAIN MAYBE WHY THEY TOOK HIM AND A LITTLE FROM THE T-WOLVES.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >> WITH THE FIRST PICK IN THE 2026 NFL DRAFT, THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS CHOOSE -- >> Charlie: WELL, THAT WAS HOW THE 2026 NFL DRAFT KICKED OFF TONIGHT, PRETTY MUCH WHAT EVERYONE EXPECTED, BUT IT WAS 17-PICKS LATER THAT HAD VIKINGS FANS TUNED IN.

MINNESOTA'S ACTING G.M.

ROB BRZEZINSKI, SAID THE DRAFT IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF WHAT WE DO, AND WANTED TO ENSURE THEY TOOK AN IMPACT PLAYER.

SO WITH THE 18TH PICK, THE VIKINGS TOOK A SWING AND DRAFTED CALEB BANKS, A DEFENSIVE TACKLE OUT OF FLORIDA.

MINNESOTA DID LOSE JAVON HARGRAVE AND JONATHON ALLEN UPFRONT THIS OFF-SEASON, AND THE 6'6", 327-POUND RUSHER HELPS BOLSTER A DEFENSE THAT RANKED 21ST IN THE LEAGUE IN RUSH YARDS ALLOWED, WHILE ALSO RANKING 4TH IN SACKS WITH 49.

BANKS, HOWEVER, WAS EXPECTED TO GO SOMETIME IN THE 2ND ROUND, PARTLY BECAUSE HE ONLY PLAYED IN 3-GAMES LAST SEASON AFTER BREAKING BONES IN HIS FOOT MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THEN REQUIRING SURGERY AFTER BREAKING ONE AGAIN AT THE NFL COMBINE.

THAT WAS THE ONLY PICK THAT THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS HAD IN THE FIRST ROUND, BUT THEY HAVE 8 MORE OVER THE NEXT SIX ROUNDS, INCLUDING 2 IN THE THIRD AND 3 IN THE SEVENTH.

>>> THEY'RE ALL BAD DEFENDERS.

AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT JADEN MCDANIELS SAID ABOUT THE NUGGETS AFTER THE TIMBERWOLVES COME FROM BEHIND VICTORY IN GAME NUMBER TWO.

WITH THE SERIES NOW BACK IN MINNESOTA, AND TIED AT A GAME APIECE, WE'LL FIND OUT IF THAT'S TRULY THE CASE, OR JUST BULLETIN BOARD MATERIAL FOR DENVER.

GAME THREE BETWEEN THE WOLVES AND NUGGETS.

RUDY, BIG PART OF SHUTTING DOWN IN GAME TWO, NOT IN THIS HOUSE TONIGHT.

SETTING THE TONE EARLY ON THE DEFENSIVE END, THEN MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST, HE FINDS JULIUS THROUGH THE CONTACT, NO FOUL CALLED, STRONG MAN MOVE.

THEY WERE LEADING THERE.

IN THE SECOND QUARTER, ANTHONY EDWARDS, GETS IT TO ROLL, AND THEY EXTEND THE LEAD.

THEN RIGHT BEFORE THE HALF, DANTE HAD 10 POINTS WITH HIS THREE POINTER THERE.

THEY LED AT THE HALF, JUST STARTING UP THE THIRD QUARTER RIGHT NOW IN THE NBA, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

DEFINITELY A BIG LEAD THERE FOR THEM.

LOOKING GOOD.

THE NEW YORK METS, THEY END UP TAKING THE SERIES FROM THE MINNESOTA TWINS AFTER THAT CRAZY TWEET THAT THE TWINS SENT OUT.

>>> ON THE DIAMOND, BRAINERD TRYING TO TALLY WIN NUMBER ONE ON THE SEASON, HOSTING 2-3 ROCORI.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD, BRAINERD DOWN 1-0, 2 ON 2 OUT, BODIE PIEPKORN, COMES THROUGH FOR THE WARRIORS, BRINGS HOME RYLAN AMUNDSON, TIES THINGS AT ONE.

FAST FORWARD TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH, 2-2 GAME, ONE ON FOR TYDAN GUIDA, FINDS THE GAP, GUS LUND SCORES, BRAINERD TAKES THE LEAD.

LAST LICKS FOR ROCORI, TWO OUTS, ONE ON, MICHAEL HAGELIE .TRYING TO GO THE DISTANCE, GETS GRADY RICHARDS TO POP OUT.

AND THAT'S YOUR BALLGAME, 3-2 THE FINAL AS BRAINERD COLLECTS THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON.

>>> MORE IN BASEBALL, PILLAGER WINS.

LAPORTE GETS THE WIN OVER CLEARBROOK-GONVICK.

STAPLES MOTLEY WINS.

NORMAN COUNTY EAST BEATS MAHNOMEN-WAUBUN.

PARK RAPIDS SWEEPING THEIR DOUBLE HEADER.

OVER TO SOFTBALL, BAGLEY FALLS.

EAST POLK GETS THE WIN.

HOLLY BEATS PARK RAPIDS IN BOTH OF THEIR GAMES.

IN LACROSSE, ST.

CLOUD TOPS BRAINERD.

IN GIRLS LACROSSE, BRAINERD BEATS ST.

CLOUD.

IN GOLF, RIGHT NOW AFTER DAY ONE OF THE CARDINAL INVITE, BEMIDJI IS LEADING THE WAY.

>>> SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO BE LUCKY, OTHER TIMES IT'S BETTER TO BE GOOD, BUT MOST TIMES IT'S NICE TO BE BOTH.

BSU WOMEN'S TENNIS IS THE NSIC TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2021 AFTER PUTTING TOGETHER THEIR BEST START TO A SEASON IN PROGRAM HISTORY WHILE ALSO CATCHING A FEW BREAKS.

FIRST, BEMIDJI STATE WON A PROTESTED MATCH THEY ORIGINALLY LOST TO WINONA STATE IN WHICH THE WARRIORS USED A PLAYER ILLEGALLY.

THAT WIN HELPED BUMP THEM TO A 7TH PLACE FINISH IN CONFERENCE, AND BECAUSE JAMESTOWN, WHO FINISHED 5TH, IS STILL IN THEIR PROBATIONARY PERIOD, THE BEAVERS SNUCK INTO THE 6TH AND FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT.

BUT REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY GOT THERE, THE BEAVS ARE EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP GROWING THE PROGRAM.

>> IT FEELS GREAT.

I MEAN IT DEFINITELY COMES WITH CHALLENGES OF MOVING UP A SPOT AND HAVING TO BE IN THE PLAYOFFS, HAVING THE TEAM.

IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TWO NEW FRESHMEN, GETTING THAT EXPERIENCE.

THE PLAYOFFS IS A NEW EXPERIENCE SO I'M SUPER EXCITED.

>> IT'S VERY GOOD.

I'M PROUD BUT WE NEED TO FEEL THIS GOOD THIS WEEKEND.

IT'S GOING TO BE HARD, BUT WE DO SO GOOD IN ALL THE SEASONS, BUT I'M SO HAPPY TO HELP THIS TEAM.

>> BEMIDJI STATE WON 10-MATCHES THIS YEAR, THE MOST SINCE 2018 WHEN THEY WENT 11-7, THEY WILL PLAY SIOUX FALLS IN THE NSIC TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS TOMORROW, THE COUGARS BEAT THE BEAVERS 7-0 DURING THE REGULAR SEASON.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

>> Charlie: YEP.

>> Dennis: WELL, J.W.

SMITH ELEMENTARY HELD ITS ANNUAL SUGARBUSH CAMP TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO MAKE MAPLE SYRUP FROM TREE SAP.

FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, OUR REPORTER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THEY GOT A CHANCE TO GET OUT OF THE CLASSROOM FOR A DAY TO LEARN IN AND OUT DOOR ENVIRONMENT TO ENJOY.

>> PANCAKES AND SYRUP.

>> Reporter: WITH THEIR SUGAR BUSH CAMP.

>> I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAN OUTSIDE.

FOR ME, WHEN I WAS A STUDENT IN SCHOOL, THE THINGS I LEARNED BY DOING ARE THE THINGS THAT STUCK WITH ME THE LONGEST.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO SEE THE PHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION FROM SAP TO SYRUP.

THEY CAN TAKE THAT LEARNING INTO THE CLASSROOM AND OTHER SUBJECTS AS WELL.

>> THAT'S CHEMISTRY.

SO THOSE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE CHEMISTRY, FOR WHEN THEY GET TO THE HIGHER GRADES AND THEY CAN RECALL, AND SAY OH YEAH, I CAN RELATE IT TO THAT.

>> LEARNING HOW TO PROCESS AND MAKE MAPLE SYRUP IS ALL ABOUT MATH AND SCIENCE.

THE ENVIRONMENT THAT THE MAPLE TREES GROW IN, THE AMOUNT OF SYRUP OR SAP IT TAKES TO BOIL DOWN TO MAKE SYRUP, THESE ARE ALL MATH AND SCIENCE THINGS.

THE STORIES, TRADITIONAL STORIES, CONTEMPORARY STORIES, LANGUAGE ARTS, IT ALL GOES TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: CREATING MAPLE SYRUP AND SUGAR HAS NOT ONLY BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR MINNESOTA YOUTH FOR MANY YEARS, BUT AN IMPORTANT CULTURAL EXPERIENCE AS WELL.

>> ANISHINAABE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LIVED IN THIS REGION FOR EONS LEARNED TO REDUCE SAP TO SUGAR FOR THEIR SEASONAL ACTIVITIES, TO MAKE IT THROUGH HARD WINTERS, AND IT'S JUST A CONNECTION TO THE LAND THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE NATIVE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HERE AND IT'S REALLY COOL TO BRING THAT ALIVE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> THE STUDENTS ARE SEEING THEMSELVES REPRESENTED IN THEIR SCHOOL, WHICH BRINGS THAT VALIDATION, WHICH BRINGS THAT WOW, I AM BEING SEEN.

MY CULTURE IS IMPORTANT.

IT REALLY BRINGS SOMETHING GOOD TO OUR STUDENTS WHICH IN TURN IS GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: A FINAL CHECK OF OUR WEATHER WITH STACY.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE A FEW RAIN SHOWERS IN PARTS OF EASTERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, A CHANCE FOR RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.

HIGHS IN THE MID-50s.

>> Dennis: THAT'S GOING TO WRAP UP TONIGHT'S SHOW.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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