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Lakeland PBS is proud to present Lakeland News at ten.

We are here for you with local news from Bemidji, Brainerd and all of the Lakes Country.

Dennis Weimann with the news.

Stacy Christiansen with the weather and Charlie Yaeger with your sports.

Hi, everyone.

Thanks for watching tonight.

25 years ag today, on February 27th, 2001, a 50 year old Pine River woman disappeared after finishing her shif at a liquor store in Pine River.

Six weeks later, Rachel Anthony's body was found, but her killer never was.

Our reporter, Sydney Dick, spoke to the Cass County Sheriff's Office and investigators at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for an update on the case and what the public can d to help find Anthony's killer.

In the spring of 2001, 50 year old Rachel Anthony of Pine River was found dead in a ravine near Breezy Point in Cass County after she disappeared from he place of work six weeks earlier.

Three hours after her shift at Ultimate Liquors in Pine River on Februar 27th, 2001, was supposed to end a Pine River police office found the abandoned store's back door, unlocked, Rachel's purse and coat inside, and Rachel herself missing.

Well, we know that somebody made a last purchase at 9:57 p.m., and they purchased a bottle of Mickey's Malt Liquor and Kool cigarettes.

That was the brand o the cigaret back at that time.

It's important to us because we know our car was idling at the time and it had been started, and that was the last person likely to see her alive.

Could be the perpetrato might have key information to us that would help us identify who actually abducted he and then ultimately killed her.

The individual who made that purchase has not been identified, but is considered a perso of interest in Rachel's murder.

Her cause of death was strangulation.

And we have, leads that have come in just this last week.

We're hoping for more with media coverage.

That's the hopes to get someone that is ready to talk now.

Maybe they have, chang in their life, their situation, and they're ready to come forward.

The Bca's spotlight on crime i still offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Rachel Anthony's death.

While Rachel deserves justice, and in the case like this we want to keep her memory alive and make sure that people are thinking about it.

Sometimes people, or as time goes on, allegiances change.

Or they might have informatio they never thought was important until they hear something like this.

And to think about this agai and we want every detail, small or large, that might help us to be able to bring that justice for her, for her family and the people that care about her.

We are not going to stop until we have a solution and a resolution.

We need the public.

We need someone that knows something.

I just really want to ge the message out that it's time.

It's time to come forwar with information that you have.

It's time to get a resolution.

In this case, the family deserves it.

Rachel deserves it.

We are not going to stop till we have what we need.

Reporting for Lakeland News.

I'm Sydney Dick.

Any information relating to the case can be called into the Minnesota BCA Tip Lin or Crime Stoppers of Minnesota.

Tips can also go throug the Cass County Sheriff's Office or to the main BCA phone number.

Any tips called or emailed into any organizations listed can be anonymous.

Well, Northern Township has filed its response to the city of Bemidji's recent in a motion asking the cour to reconsider a judge's decision ruling in favor of the township incorporation petition.

Following the court's decision, the township reached out to the city with a letter proposin a wastewater service connection to the city's existing wastewater facility.

The township says it did thi because it believes a connection is the best path forward for everyone involved.

The city has rejected the township's offer and submitted the letter as evidence, claiming the letter shows doubts about the township following through on its plans to construct a wastewater facility.

The township says it's prepared to move forward with its currently planned wastewater system.

We're generally disappointed that if, from the city's perspective that if our letter came across as anything as far as gloating or that an admission that we think our, our plan to to sewer the lake is not feasible.

We're very confident in our plans with moving forward with our own plan.

We do realize this is a decades long investment for our community an this is a huge decision to make.

And we just felt after the trial was over, after that finality had been had been completed, that it was one more chance to sit down and talk.

We were looking for to see if there was a path that we could somehow work forward together to make something that would be mutually beneficial to both the city and to the to the to now city of Northern.

I'm never willing to give up.

I never want to give up and say that there's not that will not sit down, but we are going to just move forward.

Meanwhile, Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince told Lakeland News that a reconsideration request is a legal process that should not be confused with a full legal appeal.

The legal costs of a reconsideration actio are therefore nominal, relative to the legal costs incurred at a trial.

Well, 30 more peopl have been indicted in connection to the January protest at a Minnesota church.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the charges Friday against the group accused of interrupting a Sunday servic at Cities Church in Saint Paul.

According to the Justice Department, protesters entered the building allegin that the pastor worked for Ice.

Bondi said federal agents have arrested 25 of the newly indicte defendants, with more to come.

This expands a cas that already includes journalist Don lemon, who has pleade not guilty to federal charges.

Lemon maintains he was present as a journalist, not an activist.

New budget projections have Minnesota in the black for the near future.

State budget officials say ther will be a $3.7 billion surplus at the end of the current two year budget cycle, and a $377 million surplus in the cycle after that.

State leader had mixed reactions to the news.

Democratic Governor Tim Walz says disciplined, responsible budgetin has helped protect Minnesotans.

And he looks forward to releasing a thoughtful, measured supplemental budge to keep the state on that path.

Republican House Speake Lisa Demuth said tax increases on Minnesota families and more government spending should be off the table, and the focus should remain on lowering costs on family budgets.

While new data released today o measles cases shows an already concerning trend is worsening after an onslaught of new confirmed cases were reported over the past week in the US.

Mandy Gaither has a look at the latest numbers and why experts fear further spread of the virus.

As of Thursday in the U.S.

more than 1100 confirmed measles cases have now been reported in 27 states in just the first two months of 2026.

That's already six times more than it's typically expected for an entire year.

Doctors are afraid of measles.

Measles is incredibly scary in the sense that it is so contagious.

With spring break travel on the horizon, experts fear further spread of this highly contagious virus.

Most of the confirmed cases this year are in those ages 5 to 19, with children under five being the age group with the next highest number of cases.

The CDC say 92% of those measles infections were in those who were unvaccinated, or thei vaccination status was unknown.

At first, it can look like a cold.

You can get a fever and a cough.

Red eyes, runny nose.

But as you get more sick, 1 in 4 individuals children who get measles will end up hospitalized.

Doctor Sarah Nosel with the American Academy of Family Physicians says people exposed to measles can still catc the extremely contagious virus, even if they're fully vaccinated against the disease.

However, she says getting both doses of the vaccine significantly lower risk of being infected.

And if you do get sick, she says, the illness isn't likely to be as severe as it could be in an unvaccinated person.

It's so critical that you get it because measles is actually so much more contagious than flu or Covid.

The CDC says most people who are vaccinated with the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella, or the one that protects against those viruses as well as chickenpox, will be protected for life.

It's recommended that children receive one dos between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose when they're between 4 and 6 years old.

For older children and adults who don't have any evidence of immunity, the agency says 1 or 2 doses of the MMR vaccine are needed, and those doses should be given at least 28 days apart.

Still to come on Lakeland News at ten.

We're going to see some cold temperatures across the area this weekend, but a warm up is in store early next week.

I'll have your forecast in a few minutes.

And coming up after the break with this week's in focus, the Watermark Arts Center in Bemidji is hosting an emerging artist showcase at Fozzie's Barbecue.

And now, more news with Dennis Weimann.

Those within the Brainer Lakes Area had the opportunity to learn more about the future of energy in Minnesota during a Rosenmeier forum at Central Lakes College.

Reporte Miles Walker was in attendance for the details on Minnesota's nuclear energy future.

Those involved in energy discussed opportunities and challenges surrounding nuclear energy, including grid reliability, emerging technologies, Minnesota's readiness for expansion, and much more.

Nuclear generally runs in about that low 90% capacity factor.

What that means is it's runnin 90% of the time, and that's an industry average across all 9 some reactors across the U.S., whereas wind is 30%, maybe 40.

If you're lucky, you got a windy winter.

Minnesota Rural Electric Association President Darrick Moe shared his thoughts on the topics including the impact affordable and reliable electricity has on every Minnesotan.

Essentially, if you want to talk about producing electricity without carbon in bulk for everybody's needs and you want to have a resource that's there under all weather conditions, nuclear is really the only option that it's a critical part of our energy mix.

And, well, it's produced 40 to 50% of our carbon free energy today.

Our energy needs also continue to grow into the future.

From fission to fusion.

Nuclear power harnesse incredible energy within atoms.

Minnesota has three nuclear power plants, one in Monticello and two at Prairie Island.

Chief operating officer of Deep Fission Michael Brasel and nuclear engineer Philip Hult gave their perspectives on the trend nuclea power is showing in Minnesota, but it's really undeniably one of the most reliable energy sources out there.

It's a great issue, really.

Once again, if we look at what is goin to be the most cost effective, stable, reliable system by 2040, that is also carbon free.

Such a system would nuclear power plants have existed in Minnesota since the 1970s?

The question at hand during the Rosenmeier Forum concerned how much nuclear energy will support future electricity needs.

It needs to be part of the resource mix that's available as soon as possible in order to continue to meet those challenges in a wa that respects carbon concerns.

You cannot get there by saying, we're only going to build wind and solar, and then maybe supplement that with some batteries.

That's not a practical wa to meet the electricity needs.

Reporting in Brainerd, Miles Walker, Lakeland News.

And more local news now.

Heavy winds cause travel issues in mor across northern Minnesota today.

Winds were strongest in the western part of the state, but Bemidji saw some impact as well.

You can see the damage to the roof at the downtown Bemidji business 218 Yellow Umbrella.

Meanwhile, the flag at Boardwalk Mini Golf was torn apart from those high winds today.

And Stacy is here to tell us mor about this extremely windy day.

It was.

We spent most of the day under a wind advisory in the Bemidji area, but northwest Minnesota had high wind warning earlier today.

Very strong winds, gusts over 50mph.

Now we are going to be seeing those winds diminishing overnight tonight.

Temperatures though will continue to fall.

So it is going to be a pretty cold start to the weekend.

And in fact probably see the coldest temperatures tomorrow night.

But a warm up is in store next week.

I'll have your forecast in a few minutes.

And now the weather with Stacy Christiansen.

Well, winds are finally starting to diminish as we've now headed into the evening.

And now the overnight and temperatures are continuing to fall.

Many of us will see lows drop below zero.

Once again tonight, a cold start to the weekend.

Even colder temperatures expected tomorrow night.

But those temps should moderate as we head into next week.

And highs will be back in the 30s and maybe even some 40s right now.

At the airport in Bemidji, it is eight degrees at our studio.

Winds are northwest at nine miles per hour.

The dew point is one.

Humidity is at 75%.

In Brainerd, we have partly cloudy skies.

15 degrees for is the dew point.

Pressure is on the rise and we have northwest winds at 16mph with gusts up to 24.

On the satellite and radar we have been seeing some clouds moving into the area.

Overall, though, it's been a fairly quiet nigh other than the winds overnight.

Tonigh we will see those temperatures drop into the for most of us, single digits below zero.

A few locations could still be a little bit warmer in parts of far northwest Minnesota.

Actuall may see some teens below zero.

Temps will continue to be cold tomorrow, and there is a chance of some snow moving into mainly central Minnesota.

Could pick up a little bit of accumulation with that and then past tomorrow night.

Expec to see some warmer temperatures weather chance to share with you beautiful morning skies from our Arlene in Menahga.

Arlene sending us this phot of the sunshine over Women Lake and Sandy spotting a couple of swans on Rabideau Lake.

Gary with the sun shining through the trees in Deerwood and Angela wit tonight's sunset over Cass Lake.

So thank you all for sharing those tonight for our Eagle Eye reports.

Arlene from Menahga, 26 and calm this morning Bob in Bluffton.

The high was 3824 for the low but temps were in freefall tonight.

Stephanie in Brainerd.

Partly cloudy, topping out at 45.

Arlene in Longville.

Sunny and windy today with a high of 43.

Sandy at Blackduck, high winds.

The low temperature is what we're seeing right no at 12 and Angela at Cass Lake.

Partly cloudy, with a high of 41 on our Almanac.

Brainerd topping out at 40 today.

So again, very mild temperatures at least early on today.

Agai those temps have been falling.

Our low is 15.

Sunset tonight at 6:00.

Bemidji reaching a high of 38.

So agai that is well above the average.

But that was earlier today.

So temps have again been falling in Bemidji.

The low eight and sunrise at 703.

So here's a look at our forecast for tomorrow.

We'll start to see some snow showers moving into parts of west central Minnesot as we head through the morning.

And they'll continue to mov through mainly central Minnesota as we head through the afternoon.

Maybe an inch or two of accumulation.

Quieter weather to the north, but temperatures are going to be cold.

Highs only near four and Warroad and Fosston some low teens in other areas of northern Minnesota in central Minnesota look for highs in the mid to upper teens, but again, very cold temperatures expected tomorrow night.

Partly to mostly cloudy skies overnight tonight.

Lows near minus seven with north to northwest winds at 5 to 20 and partly to mostly cloudy tomorrow.

Snow is likely in central Minnesota and there is a smaller chance farther north.

Ten for the high with nort to northwest winds at 5 to 15.

We start the day on Sunday with a low of -13, but temps do start to moderate as we head into the workweek.

Highs will be in the 30s Monday and Tuesday and up to 41 on Wednesday.

Back to you.

Thanks, Stacy.

Charlie is here with our local sports.

You had a good tidbit for me in the newsroom tonight regarding Saint Thomas and Bemidji State playing in Bemidji.

Yeah, well, we're going to save that for the weekend, but there is something to know about that.

Of course they were playing tonight and Bemidji trying to Bemidj State trying to play the spoiler because Saint Thomas they got a chance to win a MacNaughton Cup here.

So you know could BSU be that spoiler.

Well we got the highlights coming up after the break.

And now your local sports with Charlie Yaeger.

BSU men's hockey may not be trying to play the role of spoiler, but the opportunity is there as they host Saint Thomas, a team needing just two win to clinch the conference title.

The Tommy swep the Beavers back in mid-January and have won three of their last four games against Bemidji State, but those games were in Saint Paul tonight.

The boys are at home where they have never lost to Saint Thomas since the Tommies joined the cage.

First period.

No score.

BSU on the penalty kill.

And that's where the cat Kirkland I agree with.

Believe it or not, his first goal of the season and it's a shorty.

They led on nothing after one in the second.

Kasper Magnussen feeds.

Oliver Peer, he lights the lamp to give Bemidji a two goal advantage.

Later, it's the Tommies on the PK.

They come away with the score.

Bauer Berry, like the son of former NHL player and UMD head coach Brad Berry, Yes, one in the same.

That goal would cut the lead in half, but a goal by Reilly Funk in the third would seal it.

BSU remains unbeaten at hom against Saint Thomas since 2021.

Now a quick look at the CCHA standings.

You'll see why we're no closer to knowing who Bemidji State will play in the quarterfinal round next week of the Mason Cup playoffs.

That's because there's five potential teams tha could win the MacNaughton Cup.

And then there's Bemidji State sitting there securely in the sixth spot.

So we'll find all that out tomorrow night.

Once all those teams play well.

Women' hockey played tonight as well.

They were at number one Wisconsin in the quarterfinals the WCHA playoffs.

And they fell seven.

Nothing.

Wisconsin leads that series one zero.

Also tonight we got some of the boys wrestling updates for you from the individual state.

Easton Dircks of Brainerd will be wrestling for a state championship tomorrow, as well as Christian Jelle from Grand Rapids.

He's going to be going for another state title.

And Ivan Petrich from Little Falls in class two A, and then in class A, you can kind of see why Staples Motley was able to do so well in the team wrestling.

They got four wrestlers that are going to be wrestling for individual state titles and a couple others in there as well.

And then for the girls, Elora Wagner from Bertha Hewitt, Verndale.

Parkers Prairie will have a chance to win a state title as well.

Quite a few others will be wrestling for third and fifth place trophies.

Well, Brainerd led 61 to 52 with three minutes left in this one.

Elk River finished on an 11 zero run to end Brainerd season.

They've got a bucket with 3.4 seconds left to win that one 6361.

So basketball scores on the boys side.

Brainerd gets the win over Thief River Falls.

And moving on Little falls lose the Albany.

Grand Rapids gets the win.

Also playing tonight Pierz and Pequot Lakes they both pick up wins.

Pillager and Greenway Nashwauk Keewatin both fall, Deer River and Pine River Backus both getting wins.

Sebeka wins and Nevis drops a game to Park Christian, Red Lake County and Staples Motley getting wins as well.

And then the Minnesota Wild trailing the mammoths in the third period.

Well, the college basketball season has come to an end for Bemidji State.

But before their final game, the women's team got to be a part of one little girl's Make-A-Wish.

Jane, who has a rare spinal degenerative disease, comes to every BSU women's home game to support the team.

Due to her critical illness, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted he wish of going to Disney World.

And since Jane has been such a big supporter of the Lady Beavers, they wanted to give back to he by being in on the big reveal.

I involved.

I mean, I think it just shows that basketball is bigger than basketbal and I mean all of us in there.

After everyone left, we're like, oh my gosh, we're about to cry.

It's just so special and kind of like adds like a little frosting on our season.

How did it feel to have the team tell you, the team that you show u and support every single game?

And it's hard.

All right, well, what are you looking forward to most when you go to Disney World?

Honestly, I don't know.

All right, all right.

You gonna find out when you get there.

All right.

Well, Jane's cousin, who you saw pushing around in the wheelchair, gets to go with her as well.

Jane's mom sai they're like two peas in a pod.

Just making the most out of life.

Yeah, hopefully they have a great time.

I imagine they will.

It's pretty cool down there.

Yeah.

Thanks a lot, Charlie.

Well, the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji has been hosting an emerging artists workshop teaching those who are interested in a deeper knowledg and skill level with spoken word and performance.

For this week's In Focus, our reporter Matthew Freeman attended the showcase performance for the class to see what they learned.

The one thing all poetry has in common is the presence of rhythm.

Some follow a strict meter, while others follo the natural rhythms of speech.

The Watermark Art Center in Bemidji hosted a few classes throughout the month of February, teaching the art of spoken word and performance, led by a local poet.

I wanted it t just be an open space for folks who are interested in expressing themselves through the written and spoken word.

I've always been a writer and a reader my whole life, but poetry came to me and some really tough times in my life, and it's always been a really cathartic and meaningful way to express my emotions when I maybe didn't kno how to express them otherwise.

Poets don't ofte refer to themselves as writers, since poetry require a lot of emotion and intensity, they often call themselves performers.

Poetry has been really important as just like a form, almost of like self-expression and self-care for me.

And I love being abl to share that with other people.

After the workshop sessions at The Watermark, the poets took part in a public performance, giving participants the opportunity to develop and showcase their work in front of a live audience.

Even just being in a space where they felt comfortable being vulnerable helps.

Like maybe open the door further for them to take their creative acts further.

Be open to being more vulnerable, whether it's just on the page or, you know, up here on the mic, maybe at Slam later maybe performing at a concert.

I just wanted to kind of be a little baby step on the way towards whatever these artists are going for.

Mica hopes that her students learn that poetry not only allows for creative expression, but can also serve as a powerful tool to boost self-confidence and combat self-doubt.

Sometimes, what people need to hear is that, whatever the story i that they have is worth telling.

Be confident.

Like lift your head.

Be be proud of what you've written.

And it will come across to other people your authenticity and your vulnerability.

Reporting in Bemidji for this week's In Focus, I' Matthew Freeman, Lakeland News.

On March 26th, the Watermark Art Center will be hosting a poetry slam even at Fozzie's Barbeque in Bemidji.

Those who place in the top three will win a cash prize, and you need to cal the Watermark prior to the event in order to register.

And Charlie, I know you're going to register for that, right?

Yeah, well, they did it phase and they got some good barbecue over there.

We're out of time for tonight.

Have a great weekend, everybody.

We'll see you back here on Monday.

Night tonight.