>> 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.

>>> AFTER THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD TOOK THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS CLOSING J.W.

SMITH ELEMENTARY IN AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE $3.5 MILLION PROJECTED DEFICIT FOR THE DISTRICT, THE COMMUNITY HAS HAD MANY CHANCES TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE CLOSURE.

EARLIER TONIGHT THE BOARD HELD AN OPEN Q&A SESSION TO HEAR MORE OF THOSE CONCERNS, AND OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE FROM THE BOARD AS THEY EXPLAINED MORE REASONING AS TO WHY THEY VOTED IN FAVOR OF CLOSING THE K-3 SCHOOL.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO INCREASE ENROLLMENT?

YOU HAVE CREATIVE PEOPLE IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

YOU HAVE WONDERFUL TEACHERS, WHY CAN'T YOU CREATE A SCHOOL THAT WILL ATTRACT THESE STUDENTS BACK?

>> YOU ARE GOING TO CLOSE A SCHOOL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE?

THESE KIDS THAT ARE MISSING THE BUS AREN'T GOING TO COME TO SCHOOL LATE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SHOW UP AT ALL.

>> I DON'T THINK WE'RE DENYING ANYBODY AN EDUCATION.

WE'RE PROVIDING EDUCATION IN GREAT SCHOOLS.

IT MAY BE MORE INCONVENIENT.

IT MAY NOT BE AN IDEAL SITUATION BUT WE'RE DOING THE BEST WITH WHAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH CONCERNS ON HOW STUDENTS WILL GET TO THEIR NEW SCHOOLS, MANY SPOKE ABOUT HOW THE CLOSURE WILL AFFECT THE 70% INDIGENOUS POPULATION.

>> HAVE YOU CALCULATED HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE GOING TO LEAVE?

HOW MANY GRANTS ARE LOST FOR J.W.

SMITH.

>> THERE ARE STATE LAWS THAT REQUIRE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE AMERICAN INDIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN ADDITION TO YOUR PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF YOUR SCHOOL.

WERE THEY CONSULTED?

WHAT DID THEY HAVE TO SAY?

>> I DON'T CONSULT WITH THE TRIBES.

>> ONE SUGGESTION WAS TO SELL OTHER BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES OWNED BY THE DISTRICT INSTEAD OF CLOSING THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> EVEN IF YOU WERE TO SELL $2 MILLION WORTH OF ASSETS, THE RESTRICTED DOLLARS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR BUILDING REPAIRS AND SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS.

THEY CAN'T BE USED FOR SALARIES, BENEFITS, INSTRUCTIONAL PAID THINGS.

>> Reporter: DECLINING BIRTH AND ENROLLMENT RATES ARE MAIN CONTRIBUTORS TO THE CLOSURE BUT THE DISTRICT SAYS THE MAJOR REASON FOR THE BUDGET DEFICIT COMES FROM IMPROPER FUNDING.

>> YOU HAVE $1.3 MILLION FOR NEXT YEAR, MANDATES AND PULLBACKS THAT WE HAD FROM THE STATE, THE STATE PULLING BACK REVENUE FOR THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AS WELL.

IT'S A CHALLENGE.

SINCE 2003, IF WE KEPT UP WITH INFLATION, WE WOULD HAVE $7 MILLION REVENUE, WITH A $5 MILLION DEFICIT, WE'RE IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED.

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

>> Dennis: A PUBLIC HEARING ON MARCH 24th WILL ALLOW PEOPLE ONE MORE CHANCE TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THE CLOSURE.

THAT PUBLIC HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 5:30 P.M.

IN THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL COMMONS.

>>> A 23-YEAR-OLD MOTLEY MAN IS NOW CHARGED WITH TWO FELONY COUNTS OF ASSAULT FOR STABBING ANOTHER MAN ON SUNDAY MORNING.

CHRISTIAN DENIO IS CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT, GREAT BODILY HARM AND SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT, DANGEROUS WEAPON, GREAT BODILY HARM.

AUTHORITIES WERE CALLED TO A HOME SIX MILES SOUTH OF MOTLEY AND FOUND A 53-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO HAD BEEN STABBED NUMEROUS TIMES ON HIS CHEST AND FACE.

THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAY THE VICTIM, DOUGLAS DENIO, SUFFERED LIFE THREATENING INJURIES IN THE STABBING.

HIS CURRENT CONDITION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

CHRISTIAN DENIO MADE HIS FIRST COURT APPERANCE TODAY AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE BACK IN COURT FOR A RULE 8 HEARING ON MARCH 23RD.

>>> A TRAFFIC STOP IN MORRISON COUNTY RESULTED IN AN ARREST FOR FIRST-DEGREE POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, A MORRISON COUNTY DEPUTY CONDUCTED A TRAFFIC STOP ON HIGHWAY 10 NEAR ROYALTON AND OBSERVED INDICATORS CONSISTENT WITH POSSIBLE DRUG ACTIVITY.

A K-9 TEAM WAS DEPLOYED AND SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF ABOUT 58-GRAMS OF SUSPECTED METHAMPHETAMINE.

48-YEAR-OLD THOMAS SAYERS OF RED LAKE WAS ARRESTED ON AN OUTSTANDING FELONY DRUG WARRANT AND IS ALSO FACING PENDING CHARGES FOR FIRST DEGREE POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

>>> THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS STILL UNDERWAY, AND STATE LEGISLATURES ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON COMMITTEE HEARINGS, BILL INTRODUCTIONS, AND POLICY PROPOSALS.

LAST WEEK, GOVERNOR WALZ PROPOSED MAJOR CHANGES TO THE STATE'S HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THAT INCLUDED GIVING MORE POWER TO THE STATE'S HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT OVER COUNTIES REGARDING ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAID WORK.

THIS WOULD NEED BUY-IN FROM THE LEGISLATURE, BUT G.O.P.

REPRESENTATIVES ARE CONCERNED WITH THE PROPOSALS.

>> OBVIOUSLY D.H.S.

IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE KIND OF IN THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW.

SO GIVING THEM MORE AUTHORITY AND CENTRALIZINGS THE -- CENTRALIZING IS CONCERNING.

IT'S THE LACK OF OVERSIGHT, BUT NOT ONLY THAT, THE PRICE TAG IS $72 MILLION AND A LOT MORE EMPLOYEES THAT THE STATE WILL HAVE TO HIRE TO HAVE THIS OVERSIGHT.

IT DOESN'T GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF IT.

LET'S START HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND GET MORE OVERSIGHT.

WHERE CAN WE HELP YOU ON THAT.

>> FRAUD IS STILL A MAJOR TOPIC OF DISCUSSION DURING THIS SESSION.

LAWMAKERS HEARD PROPOSALS FOR AN OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, AND THE FRAUD ISN'T FREE ACT, BOTH G.O.P.

LED PROPOSALS, AIMED TO PREVENT FRAUD WITHIN STATE DEPARTMENTS.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES HOWEVER, ARE SAYING THAT DEMOCRATS ARE NOT BEING COOPERATIVE.

>> WE WANT A SEPARATE ENTITY, A SEPARATE BILL PASSED THROUGH THE SENATE.

SO IT WAS HUGELY BIPARTISAN BILL THAT CAME FROM THE SENATE AND IT'S DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED.

SO THEY SENT IT TO THE HOUSE AND THEY DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE LIKE IT, BUT THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE DON'T LIKE IT.

WHERE ARE WE GOING HERE?

>> DEMOCRATS SAY THAT THESE PROPOSALS FROM THE G.O.P.

FOCUS MORE ON PUNISHMENT THAN PREVENTION, AND COULD HARM LEGITIMATE PROGRAM RECIPIENTS OR STATE WORKERS.

>>> IT IS SAINT PATRICKS DAY TODAY AND FOR PEOPLE IN THE BEMIDJI AREA THAT MEANS WHAT'S BILLED AS THE WORLDS SHORTEST PARADE.

IT'S ACTUALLY ABOUT 78 STEPS LONG, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO IRISH THEMED PUBS, BRIGID'S PUB AND KEG AND CORK.

IT STARTED YEARS AGO WHEN THE OWNERS OF THE TWO ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE TIME, MITCH RAUTIO AND ANNE HAYES DECIDED TO START UP TO BRING A LITTLE IRISH SPIRIT TO BEMIDJI ON ST.

PATTY'S DAY.

>> WE DON'T TAKE OURSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY.

WE WANT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND ENJOY IT.

RAIN, SNOW, SLEET, WE HAVE SEEN IT ALL.

WE HAVE SNOW TODAY, BUT WE'RE STILL OUT HERE AND WE'RE DOING IT.

>> SOME U.S.

AIR TRAVELERS HAD TO PACK THEIR PATIENCE TODAY, FACING LONG AIRPORT SECURITY LINES DURING PEAK TIMES AS TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION WORKERS MISSED THEIR FIRST FULL PAYCHECK SINCE THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN BEGAN IN MID-FEBRUARY.

THIS AFTER FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY LAPSED.

AND ON CAPITOL HILL, THE IMPASSE SHOWS NO SIGN OF BREAKING.

MARYBEL GONZALEZ HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter:.

>> IF THIS CONTINUES, IT'S NOT HYPERBOLE TO SUGGEST WE MAY NEED TO SHUT DOWN AIRPORTS.

>> Reporter: ADAM STALL TOLD FOX NEWS THAT WITH THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY FULLY STRETCHED, SOME SMALLER U.S.

AIRPORTS MAY BE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN AS THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON.

>> T.S.A.

EMPLOYEES WENT THROUGH THIS IN OCTOBER, 43-DAYS, THE LONGEST SHUT DOWN IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY AND NOW WE'RE 30 DAYS INTO THIS ONE.

>> Reporter: RICKY SMITH, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF HARTSVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ENCOURAGED TRAVELERS TO COME 3 HOURS BEFORE THEIR FLIGHT.

HE SAYS THE AIRPORT IS DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP.

>> WE'RE GIVING OUT FOOD VOUCHERS, WE HAVE AIR PARTNERS PROVIDING MEALS TO THEM, WE'RE PROVIDING FREE PARKING.

>> Reporter: A T.S.A.

OFFICER DESCRIBED THE SITUATION AS COMPLETE CHAOS.

>> A LOT OF THEM ARE NOT CALLING OUT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CALL OUT, BUT IT'S BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE GAS TO COME TO WORK.

SOME ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT AT THE AIRPORT SO THEY DON'T SPEND MONEY GOING HOME.

>> Reporter: THEY URGE LAWMAKERS TO DO THEIR JOBS SO THEY CAN DO THEIRS AND JOHN FETTERMAN AGREES.

>> AS FAR AS I KNOW, I'M THE ONLY DEMOCRAT THAT SAYS WE SHOULD REOPEN.

>> Reporter: I'M MARYBEL GONZALEZ REPORTING.

>> DEMOCRATS HAVE SO FAR REJECTED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S FUNDING OFFERS AS INADEQUATE, ARGUING THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE BROADER DEPARTMENTAL REFORMS FOLLOWING THE FATAL SHOOTINGS OF TWO U.S.

CITIZENS BY IMMIGRATION AGENTS IN MINNESOTA EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE IMPASSE HAS LARGELY SHUTTERED THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AFFECTING AGENCIES LIKE THE T.S.A., COAST GUARD AND THE LONG LAKE AND FEMA.

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

>> Stacy: SNOW AND LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, AND WARMER TS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S A COOK OFF BENEFITTING THE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE LONG LAKE CONSERVATION CENTER IS SET TO HOST ITS FIFTH ANNUAL NATURE ROCKS CONCERT FOR CONSERVATION THIS UPCOMING SUMMER.

THE CONCERT WILL BE PRESENTED THROUGH THE LONG LAKE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, WHICH EXISTS TO SUPPORT LONG LAKE'S MISSION OF INSPIRING A DEEP APPRECIATION OF NATURE, PROMOTING WISE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FOSTERING A LIFELONG STEWARDSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE AVERAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT SPENDS 10 HOURS OF SCREEN TIME EACH DAY, BUT LESS THAN TEN MINUTES OF TIME IN NATURE.

STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT OUTDOOR SCHOOL EXPERIENCES, LIKE THOSE AT LONG LAKE, GREATLY REDUCE ANXIETY, OTHER SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ISSUES, AS WELL AS IMPROVE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.

>> NOW YOU HAVE KIDS WHO HAVE REACHED 13 AND 14 YEARS OLD, THAT HAVE NEVER WALKED ON A LAKE BEFORE, WHICH GOES TO ILLUSTRATE WHY WHAT WE'RE DOING IS SO IMPORTANT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE MINNESOTA'S RICH OUTDOOR HERITAGE IS PASSED ON FROM OUR GENERATION TO THE NEXT.

>> MARTIN ZELLAR WILL BE THE OPENING PERFORMANCE BEFORE THE JAYHAWKS TAKE THE STAGE ON JULY 18TH.

PROCEEDS FROM THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISING CONCERT WILL GO TOWARDS ALLOWING KIDS TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMPS AND OUTDOOR SCHOOL AT THE LONG LAKE CONSERVATION CENTER.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US NOW.

A LITTLE SNOW COMING THROUGH THE AREA TODAY.

>> Stacy: YEAH, WE'VE BEEN SEEING SOME LIGHT SNOW THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

IT'S TAPERING OFF IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, COULD LADIES AND GENTLEMENINGER IN -- LINGER LONGER IN THE EAST.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, LOOK FOR WARMER TEMPERATURES AND WE DO HAVE A SMALL CHANCE OF RAIN AS WE HEAD INTO >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: AREAS OF LIGHT SNOW AND FLURRIES DEVELOPED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND NOW IT'S STARTING TO TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST, COULD LINGER IN EASTERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT AND SOME PERIODS OF FREEZING DRIZZLE.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE A WARMING TREND BEGIN, HIGHS IN THE 40s, AND THERE IS JUST A SMALL CHANCE OF SEEING SOME LIGHT RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 13 DEGREES.

WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 6 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 9 AND WE PICKED UP A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW, MEASURING ABOUT 0.75-INCH.

IN BRAINERD, LIGHT SNOW THIS EVENING, 12 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 7, WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, WITH GUSTS UP TO 22.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE CAN SEE THE AREAS OF SNOW AND A FEW SPOTS OF PINK, SO WE HAVE LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE OUT THERE.

MOST OF IT IS MOVING INTO EASTERN MINNESOTA.

THERE IS A CHANCE THAT LIGHT SNOW OR FREEZING DRIZZLE COULD LINGER IN THE EASTERN PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND IN THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

OTHERWISE, IT LOOKS QUIET TO START THE DAY.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON AS TEMPERATURES WARM INTO MAINLY THE 40s ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE PICTURES FROM ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, AND CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD.

GARY SPOTTING THE DEER IN DEERWOOD AND SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

YOLANDA SPOTTING A BEAR, THIS ONE FROM PONEMAH.

DAVE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE MOON THROUGH THE CLOUDS IN BAXTER.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, -8 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD STARTING OUT WITH -5.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY AND FLURRIES TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY WITH SOME SNOW THIS EVENING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, IT WAS SNOWING, NOT PICKING UP MUCH SNOW BUT THE HIGH IS 17.

ON THE ALMANAC, 15 IS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD.

AVERAGE HIGHS IN THE BRAINERD AREA, ABOUT 40 DEGREES.

-13 FOR THE LOW, SO THAT ACTUALLY IS JUST 5 DEGREES SHY OF THE RECORD LOW TEMPERATURE AND SUNSET AT 7:26.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 15, OUR AVERAGE IS 38, -11 FOR THE LOW, SUNSET AT 7:28.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE AROUND THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA TOMORROW MORNING, OTHERWISE WE START OUT WITH A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND WE STAY THAT WAY THROUGH MOST OF THE DAY.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, WE START TO SEE CHANCES OF RAIN RETURNING TO THE AREA.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT IS GOING TO BE WARMING UP.

HIGHS TOMORROW IN THE UPPER 30s IN THE FAR NORTHWEST, BUT A LOT OF MID TO UPPER 40s ACROSS THE REST OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH MID-40s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE FOR LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 13, BUT WE COULD SEE THE TEMPERATURES CLIMB OVERNIGHT.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF FREEZING DRIZZLE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

HIGHS NEAR 43 AND WEST WINDS 5 TO 15.

QUIET WEATHER ON THURSDAY, WITH A HIGH OF 44, AND THEN TEMPERATURES CLIMB EVEN MORE LATE THIS WEEK.

THERE ARE SOME VERY SMALL CHANCES OF SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN IN THE AREA FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, WITH HIGHS IN THE 50s ON SATURDAY, A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN ON SUNDAY, PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH HIGHS NEAR 38.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL BEGINS IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS BUT A BIG TOURNAMENT GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> Charlie: YEAH, STARTING NEXT WEEK ACTUALLY, ON THE 26th.

THE TWINS OPENING DAY, THEY WILL BE ON THE ROAD.

TONIGHT, THE FINAL OF THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSICS, THE UNITED STATES TAKING ON VENEZUELA FOR ALL THE MARBLES.

WE HAVE ALL HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> 13 DAYS AGO, 20-TEAMS IN 4-POOLS BEGAN THEIR JOURNEY TO TRY AND WIN THE 2026 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC.

YET IT WAS TWO TEAMS THAT FINISHED 2ND IN THEIR RESPECTIVE POOLS, THE UNITED STATES AND VENEZUELA, WHO WERE LEFT TO BATTLE FOR THE TROPHY TONIGHT IN MIAMI.

U.S.A.

TRYING TO WIN THEIR SECOND TITLE AFTER FALLING TO JAPAN IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP THREE YEARS AGO.

VENEZUELA PLAYING IN THEIR FIRST EVER WBC FINAL.

VENEZUELA UP 1-0.

NOW HOMER, MAKING IT 2-0.

IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 8th, U.S.A.

TRYING TO GET SOMETHING GOING.

BOBBY WALKS AND THAT BRINGS UP BRYCE HARPER, 2-RUN HAMMER, ABOUT TIME FOR HIM.

TIES THE GAME AT 2-2.

IN THE TOP OF THE 9th WITH A RUNNER ON SECOND, YANKING ONE TO THE GAP, IT'S A DOUBLE, GIVING VENEZUELA THE LEAD AND THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH BECAUSE IN THE 9th THEY STRIKEOUT ANTHONY.

VENEZUELA WINS THEIR FIRST EVER WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC.

THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN TO THE LAST THREE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES BUT THEY FALLEN IN THE LAST TWO.

THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER THREE YEARS TO GET ANOTHER ONE, 3-2 THE FINAL THERE.

>>> WILD IN CHICAGO TONIGHT PLAYING A BACK-TO-BACK HOME-AND-HOME WITH THE BLACKHAWKS, MINNESOTA TRYING HALT A 3-GAME SKID.

FIRST PERIOD NO SCORE.

LATER IN THE FIRST, WILD LEAD 2-1, TICK TACK, AND HE MAKES IT 3-1 ON THE POWER PLAY.

MINNESOTA GIVES ONE BACK IN THE SECOND PERIOD.

LATE IN THE THIRD, UH OH, CONNOR TO FRANK, AND EVENS THE SCORE, SENDS IT TO OVERTIME.

IT'S THE THIRD BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS AND LIKE THE OTHER TWO, THE WILD WIN IT.

MATT THE HERO, 4-3 THE FINAL IN THIS ONE.

IT ENDS MINNESOTA'S THREE GAME SKID.

THE TIMBERWOLVES, THEY GET A WIN DESPITE ANTHONY EDWARDS BEING OUT OF THE LINE UP.

>>> WITH THE GOLDEN GOPHERS HOSTING FIRST AND SECOND ROUND WOMEN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT GAMES AT WILLIAMS ARENA THIS WEEKEND, BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAMS ACROSS MINNESOTA HAVE A WEEK OFF BEFORE THEIR STATE TOURNAMENT BEGINS.

IT ALSO MEANS THE BRACKET SEEDING WAS PUSHED BACK FROM ITS USUAL SATURDAY MORNING RELEASE UNTIL TONIGHT.

IN CLASS 3-A, GRAND RAPIDS EARNED THE 7-SEED AND WILL TAKE ON 2-SEED DE-LA-SALLE.

THE THUNDERHAWKS WON THE SECTION 7-3A CHAMPIONSHIP LAST FRIDAY 60-53 OVER HIBBING TO PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO THE STATE TOURNEY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2017.

IN CLASS 2-A, PEQUOT LAKES WAS AWARDED THE 2-SEED AND WILL PLAY 7-SEED BLAKE AFTER BEATING PIERZ 73-34 TO WIN THEIR 5TH CONSECUTIVE SECTION 7-2A TITLE.

IN THAT SPAN THE PATRIOTS HAVE YET TO WIN A QUARTERFINAL GAME, BUT THIS IS THEIR BEST SEEDING TO DATE.

>>> HERE ARE THE DATES AND TIMES FOR THOSE QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS.

RAPIDS WILL PLAY 2:00 P.M.

ON WEDNESDAY AT WILLIAMS ARENA, IT'S THE T-HAWKS 14TH STATE APPEARANCE IN PROGRAM HISTORY, THEIR BEST FINISH WAS RUNNER-UP IN 2010.

PEQUOT WILL BE THE NEXT TIP-OFF AT WILLIAMS ARENA ON WEDNESDAY AT 6 P.M, IT'S THE PATS 8TH TOURNEY APPEARANCE WITH THEIR BEST FINISH COMING IN 2007 IN THEY GOT 3RD PLACE.

>>> IN HIS SECOND SEASON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER, ERIC POHLKAMP WAS NAMED THE NCHC OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR, AFTER EARNING 1ST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS AND THREE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARDS.

THE FORMER BRAINERD WARRIOR HAS 17-GOALS SO FAR, BREAKING THE NCHC SINGLE-SEASON RECORD FOR A DEFENSEMEN, WHILE TALLYING 34-POINTS.

AND, OH BY THE WAY, IS THE BEST THIS YEAR AMONG ALL NCAA BLUE LINERS IN BOTH THOSE CATEGORIES AS WELL.

THE 2023 SAN JOSE SHARKS 5TH ROUND DRAFT PICK, ALSO LEADS HIS OWN TEAM WITH 5-POWER PLAY GOALS, 3-GAME WINNING GOALS, AND 67-BLOCKS.

HE'S BEEN DOING PRETTY WELL.

>> Dennis: YEAH, AND THEY STILL HAVE SOME ACTION LEFT.

>> Charlie: YES, THEY HAVE A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

THEY WILL PLAY MINNESOTA DULUTH IN THE NCHC CHAMPIONSHIP.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE HE IS JUST RACKING UP STATS, THEY ARE WINNING GAMES AS WELL.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS CHARLIE.

THE WALKER PILOT INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER HOSTED A CHILI COOK OFF EARLIER THIS MONTH AT THE WALKER AREA COMMUNITY CENTER, TO BENEFIT THE WALKER AREA FOOD SHELF.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN ATTENDED THE EVENT TO SEE HOW MUCH WAS RAISED, FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A CHILLY DAY AT THE WALKER AREA COMMUNITY CENTER AS THEY HOSTED THE SECOND CHILI COOK-OFF WITH ALL THE PROCEEDS GOING TOWARDS THE WALKER AREA FOOD SHELF.

>> IT'S OUR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR AND IN THAT, WE HOPE TO GARNER THE MEANS IN WHICH WE CAN GET THROUGH MOST OF THE YEAR.

>> I KNOW THAT HUNGER IS UNIVERSAL.

I KNOW GROCERY PRICES ARE GOING UP.

THE PEOPLE I TALKED TO ARE SO GRATEFUL, THEY ARE SO GRACIOUS.

SO, THAT IS WHY WE'RE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR'S EVENT WAS HOSTED AT THE WALKER AMERICAN LEGION, FEATURING 10 DIFFERENT CHILI CHEFS AND RAISED OVER $6,000.

THEY WANTED TO STEP UP THIS EVENT.

18 CHILI CHEFS AND THEY HAVE SOME CRAZY NAMES.

>> WE HAVE SMOKED BACON AND SMOKED GROUND BEEF.

SO WE PREPARE THE CHILI AND THEN WE SMOKE THE BACON OVER IT AND THE GROUND BEEF IS DRIPPING.

WE SMOKED IT FOR 2.5 HOURS AND I'M PLEASED WITH IT.

>> IT'S GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY, RAISING MONEY FOR THE WALKER FOOD SHELF.

>> Reporter: TODAY, THE MARCH CAMPAIGN HAS DISTRIBUTED OVER $18.6 MILLION VIA THE FOOD FUND.

100% OF DONATIONS DESIGNATED TO THE CAMPAIGN GO INTO THE FOOD FUND AND IS DISTRIBUTED TO PARTICIPATING FOOD SHELVES.

>> WE HAVE A MATCHING GRANT IN MARCH, WHICH REALLY HELPS US BOLSTER AND ADD ON TO THE EFFECTS THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN PROVIDE.

>> YOU HEAR MORE AND MORE THAT THE FOOD INSECURITY IS RISING, SO THERE REALLY IS NOT MANY ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT, AND EVERYBODY NEEDS THAT AND IT'S NICE TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> Reporter: THE SECOND CHILI COOL OFF RAISED $12,499 FOR THE WALKER AREA FOOD SHELF.

REPORTING IN WALKER FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE WALKER LIONS CLUB RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES BY THE END OF THE EVENT FOR THE BEST CHILI, AND FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

THE WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SUPERINTENDENT, KEVIN WALLEN.

WON THE TOP FUNDRAISER AWARD FOR HIS DONATION OF $3,000.

GOOD CHILI, GOOD CAUSE, GOOD MONEY RAISED.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]