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SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, >> Announcer: LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10.

WE'RE 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, EVERYBODY.

THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL BOARD TOOK THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE CLOSING OF J.W.

SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EARLIER TONIGHT TO TRY AND BALANCE THE DISTRICT'S $3.5 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORSI ONE OF THE MAIN CONCERNS FROM SCHOOL REPRESENTS IS HOW MANY STUDENTS WALK TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY AND BY TAKING AWAY THAT OPTION, HIGH ATTENDANCE RATES MAY FALL.

80% OF J.W.

SMITHS CURRENT ENROLLED STOONDS EQUAL FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCHES.

8% EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS.

BY CLOSING THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS TRANSPORTATION FOR THE WHOLE DISTRICT WOULD CHANGE, INCLUDING NEEDING TO FIND COMPLETELY KNEW BUS ROUTES.

>> OUR HOPE AND DREAM THAT IS WE PUSH THE PAUSE BUTTON.

WE GIVE THIS A YEAR.

IF AT THE END OF THE YEAR WE'RE ON THE STRUGGLE BUS AND WE'VE DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN, THEN A DECISION WILL BE MADE AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE FUN.

BUT AT LEAST WE CAN SWALLOW THAT DECISION A LITTLE BIT BETTER KNOWING WE'VE DONE THE WORK AROUND KEEPING THE DOORS OPEN.

>> THE DISTRICT IS NOT AN OPTION TO BE CONSIDERING.

I THINK THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE ENTIRE DISTRICT AND ALL THE SCHOOLS SHOULD BE IN CONSIDERATION.

NOT ONLY ONE SCHOOL AND ONE COMMUNITY.

>> Sydney: ONE POINT OF BUDGET CONCERN WAS HOW MUCH MAINTENANCE NEEDS TO BE DONE AT THE BUILDING WHICH WAS BUILT IN THE 1950s.

>> RIGHT NOW, THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WE'RE LOOKING AT $1.5 MILLION IN WORK.

THOSE ARE REAL NUMBERS.

WE CAN PUSH THOSE OFF FOR A COUPLE YEARS, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE, BUT YOU CAN'T PUSH IT OFF INDEFINITELY.

>> Sydney: THE BOARD CITED DECLINING BIRTH RATES, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND STATE FUNDING NOT KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION AS THE MAIN REASON FOR THEIR DEFICIT.

>> I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BLAME ANYBODY OTHER THAN THE STATE WHICH IS NOT REACHING THE LEVEL THAT IT SHOULD REACH.

>> Sydney: TWO OPTIONS WERE PROPOSED TO THE BOARD WITH DIFFERENT COURSES OF ACTION.

ONE INCLUDED J.W.

SMITH'S CLOSURE AND THE OTHER HAD SEVERAL OTHER CHANGES SUCH AS INCREASING ALL K-3 CLASS SIZES IN THE DISTRICT.

ULTIMATELY, A UNANIMOUS VOTE IN FAVOR OF CLOSING THE ELEMENTARY WAS CAST.

>> YES.

>> YES.

>> YES.

>> YES.

>> YES.

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

>> Dennis: THE BOARD MUST GIVE THE AREA AT LEAST TWO WEEKS' NOTICE BEFORE HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING WHERE IT WILL BE OPEN TO ANYBODY TO BRING SUGGESTIONS TO THE BOARD ABOUT OTHER MONEY-SAVING ROUTES THEY CAN GO INSTEAD OF CLOSING J.W.

SMITH.

THE EXACT DATE OF THE HEARING IS NOT SET, BUT THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL HOLD ONE FINAL VOTE AFTER HEARING PUBLIC INPUT TO MAKE THE FINAL CHOICE OF WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL.

>>> THE CONFLICT SPIRALING ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST APPEARS SET TO ESCALATE TONIGHT, AND THE U.S.

IS URGING AMERICANS TO LEAVE THE REGION NOW.

THE SAUDI DEFENSE MINISTRY HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE U.S.

EMBASSY IN SAUDI ARABIA WAS HIT BY TWO SUSPECTED IRANIAN DRONES.

U.S.

CENTRAL COMMAND SAID AN ATTACK ON U.S.

TROOPS IN KUWAIT ON SUNDAY HAS NOW CLAIMED THE LIVES OF AT LEAST SIX SERVICE MEMBERS.

18 MORE ARE SAID TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

SHERRELL HUBBARD HAS THE LATEST ON THE DEEPENING CONFLICT AND HOW AMERICANS ARE RESPONDING.

>> Sherrell: EXPECT A MAJOR UPTICK IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS IN OPERATION EPIC FURY, THE MASSIVE COORDINATED AIR AND MISSILE ATTACK IN IRAN.

THE U.S.

SECRETARY OF STATE TELLING REPORTERS MONDAY THE HARDEST HITS ARE YET TO COME.

>> THIS OPERATION NEEDED TO HAPPEN.

>> Sherrell: THREE U.S.

FIGHTER JETTS WERE SLOT DOWN OVER KUWAIT.

THE CONFLICT HAS SAVED THE LIVES OF SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE IN IRAN ACCORDING TO THE RES CRESCENT SOCIETY.

>> WE'RE AWARE OF REPORTS FROM IRAN ABOUT THE DEATHS OF POSSIBLY DOZENS OF CHILDREN AS A RESULT OF A STRIKE.

>> Sherrell: AT A UNITED NATIONS MEETING ON CHILDREN AND EDUCATION LED BY FIRST LADY MILAN YEAH TRUMP, SHE DID NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTION IRAN, BUT OFFERED CONDOLENCES.

>> I HOPE SOON PEACE WILL BE YOURS.

>> Sherrell: SECRETARY RUBIO SAYING THE U.S.

WOULD NEVER DELIBERATELY TARGET A SCHOOL.

ACCORDING TO A NEW CNN POLL, NEAR SIX IN TEN AMERICANS DISAPPROVE OF THE DECISION TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION IN IRAN AS MOST SAY A LONG-TERM CONFLICT IS LIKELY.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE SEEKING TO LIMIT THE PRESIDENT'S WAR POWERS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO FORCE A VOTE ON THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION AND MAKE SURE WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO CONSTRAIN HIM.

>> Sherrell: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP PREDICTS THE WAR WILL LAST FOUR ON FIVE WEEKS, BUT IRAN'S POSTED, SAYING IRAN, UNLIKE THE UNITED STATES, HAS PREPARED ITSELF FOR A LONG WAR.

SHERRELL HUBBARD REPORTING.

>> Dennis: MONDAY EVENING, THE U.S.

STATE DEPARTMENT URGED U.S.

CITIZENS TO DEPART IMMEDIATELY FROM 14 COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY RISKS.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BRIEFED THE SO-CALLED "GANG OF EIGHT" AND OTHER TOP U.S.

LAWMAKERS ON KEY COMMITTEES ABOUT THE LATEST IRAN DEVELOPMENTS TODAY.

THE FULL SENATE IS EXPECTED TO BE BRIEFED ON TUESDAY.

>>> MORE LOCAL NEWS NOW.

A THIEF RIVER FALLS MAN HAS DIED IN A SNOWMOBILE CRASH IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

ACCORDING TO THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, 33-YEAR-OLD CODY TEIE CRASHED NEAR GENTILLY ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND DIED AT THE SCENE.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE OFFICIALS SAY TEIE WAS WEARING A HELMET AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND ALCOHOL IS NOT BELIEVED TO BE A FACTOR.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ALSO KNOWN AS DEED, HAS AWARDED $1.9 MILLION TO 12 ORGANIZATIONS STATEWIDE THAT PROVIDE JOB TRAINING AND WRAP-AROUND SERVICES TO YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS AND EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

AMONG THOSE RECEIVING THE YOUTHBUILD GRANTS ARE ARROWHEAD ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AGENCY IN GRAND RAPIDS WHICH WILL RECEIVE $180,000 OVER TWO YEARS, AS WELL AS BI-COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS IN BELTRAMI AND CASS COUNTIES WILL GET 190,000 OVER TWO YEARS.

HALF OF THE MINNESOTA YOUTHBUILD GRANTS WERE ALLOCATED TO ORGANIZATIONS IN THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA AND HALF WERE ALLOCATED TO GREATER MINNESOTA.

IN ALL, THE GRANTS ARE ANTICIPATED TO SERVE OVER 600 YOUNG PEOPLE.

>>> A RECENT ASSESSMENT BY THE NORTH AMERICAN ELECTRIC RELIABILITY CORPORATION IS SHOWING A HIGH RISK FOR FUTURE POWER SHORTAGES IN MINNESOTA.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Miles: THE LATEST LONG-TERM RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN ELECTRIC RELIABILITY CORPORATION SHOWS THAT THE MID-CONTINENT INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR REGION FACES HEIGHTENED RELIABILITY RISK AS THE ELECTRICITY DEMAND GROPE AND EXISTING POWER PLANTS RETIRE.

>> WE THINK THE REPORT IS A SERIOUS INDICATION THAT WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE WAY THE GRID CONTINUES TO EVOLVE.

AS EARLY AS 2028, WE COULD BE SEEING PROBLEMS WITH MEETING OUR NEEDS FOR ELECTRICITY.

>> Miles: ACCORDING TO THE U.S.

ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, RENEWABLE RESOURCES GENERATED THE LARGEST SHARE OF MINNESOTA'S ELECTRICITY, ACCOUNTING FOR 33% OF IN-STATE GENERATION IN 2024.

NATURAL GAS FUELED 26%.

NUCLEAR POWER SUPPLIED 20%, AND COAL CONTRIBUTED 19%.

>> THERE'S BEEN A RAPID BUILD-UP IN WIND AND SOLE LORE FOR 10, 15, 20 YEARS NOW.

>> THAT RAPID SHIFT TO THOSE RESOURCES THAT ARE WEATHER-DEPENDENT IN THE FACE OF OTHER RESOURCES RETIRING INSTEAD OF BEING ADDED TO, THAT COMBINATION OF THAT RAPID SHIFT IS CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS AND THESE SHORTFALLS.

>> Miles: THE MREA RECOGNIZES THE POTENTIAL THE FUTURE THE STATE COULD FACE, WHICH IS WHITE ORGANIZATION KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE ASPECTS SUCH AS MOVING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE GRID AND PROMOTING CHARGING VEHICLES HOLD.

>> OVER TIME, YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY DO THINGS THAT ARE MORE ELECTRICITY INSTEAD OF LESS ELECTRIC.

>> WE'VE INTRODUCED POLICIES AS THE CO-OP TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS ABOUT ALL ENERGY.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE ALSO A GOOD EXAMPLE OF, EVEN THOUGH THEY USE MORE ELECTRICITY, THEY USE LET TOTAL ENERGY.

>> Miles: THE MINNESOTA RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION IS ADVOCATING FOR A ALL-TECH ONDECK APPROACH WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTAINING ELECTRICITY'S RELIABILITY, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

>> GAS AND NUCLEAR ARE REALLY THE ONLY TWO TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE THAT'S GOING TO BALANCE THE WIND AND SOLAR ON THE GRID.

>> GAS REDUCES CARBON, SO WHEN YOU HAVE STATE POLICY THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T HAVE CARBON ON THE GRID IN 14 YEARS, IT REALLY MEANS YOU NEED TO HAVE NUCLEAR AS PART OF THAT ENERGY MIXNY REPORTING IN BRAINERD, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NORTH AMERICAN ELECTRIC RELIABILITY CORPORATION'S FULL ASSESSMENT ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: WE'LL SEE MILD TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW ON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Matthew: AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, OWNERS OF THE >>> AND NOW, MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>> Dennis: THE PILLAGER SCHOOL BOARD HAS SELECTED THE DISTRICT'S NEXT SUPERINTENDENT.

THE BOARD HAS ANNOUNCED THAT RYAN KROMINGA HAS BEEN CHOSEN FOR THAT ROLE AND WILL BEGIN DUTIES ON JULY 1st OF THIS YEAR.

KROMINGA IS CURRENTLY THE DIRECTOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING IN PILLAGER.

HE WAS ONE OF TWO FINALISTS AND WAS SELECTED FROM AN ORIGINAL POOL OF 20 APPLICANTS.

KROMINGA WILL REPLACE LONGTIME SUPERINTENDENT MIKE MALMBERG WHO IS RETIRING.

MALMBERG WAS ORIGINALLY HIRED BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2014.

>>> SOMETIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE VERY MILD TEMPERATURES CONTINUING ACROSS MOST THE AREA FOR THIS WEEK.

OUR NEXT >>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WE ENJOYED SUNSHINE AND MILD TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.

THOSE MILD TEMPS ARE GOING TO STICK AROUND.

WE'LL BE SEEING PRETTY VAST TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE IN NORTH TO SOUTH IN OUR VIEWING AREA, BUT OVERALL IT LOOKS MILD, PRETTY QUOIRT FOR MOST OF THE WEEK.

RIGHT NOW BEMIDJI IS 27 DEGREES WITH THE AT THE AIRT.

STUDIO, WINDS ARE CALM WITH A DEWPOINT OF 23 AND HUMIDITY AT 85%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 34 WITH A DCHT 29.

PRESSURE IS FALLING, WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 12 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE'VE BEEN SEEING CLOUDS MOVE INTO THE AREA.

SOME THICKER CLOUDS PRESENT IN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THERE'S A POTENTIAL WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF PATCHY FOG GOPG POINT AND THAT -- DEVELOPING TONIGHT AND THAT COULD STICK AROUND TWO INTO TOMORROW, BUT EVENTUALLY HEADING INTO THE DAY, SKIES ONCE AGAIN BECOME PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY AND TEMPERATURES ON THE MILD SIDE.

WE HAVE PICTURES OF THE EVENING SKIES THIS WEEK FROM ANGELA IN CASS LAKE AND RED LAKE.

ARLENE CAPTURING THE SUNRISE IN MON GNAWING GA.

CHRISTY WITH NICE SUNSHINE AND BLUE SKIES OVER DEERWOOD.

RALPH SPOTTING SOME DEER IN THE JENKINS AREA.

WE HAVE TO LOOK PRETTY CLOSE TO SEE THEM THERE IN THE WOODS AND GARY WITH A PICTURE OF A BARKLESS TREE IN DEERWOOD.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MON GNAWING GA, 12 AND CALM THIS MORNING, CHRISTY IN BEER WOOD WITH A HIGH -- DEERWOOD WITH A HIGH OF 38, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE WITH A HIGH OF 42.

ON THE ALMANAC, 39 WAS THE HIGH TEMPERATURE TODAY IF BRAINERD, SO WE ARE A LITTLE BIT ABOVE OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPS.

WE DID HAVE LOW OF 16 AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 6:05.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 450.

THAT'S 9 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

15 FOR THE LOW TEMP AND SUNRISE AT 6:58.

LOOKING AT THE MILD FORECAST, WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF PATCHY FOG OUT THERE IN THE MORNING, BUT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WE'LL START TO SEE SKIES BECOMING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY.

AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES GO ON, IT'S KIND OF A BIG TEMP DIFFERENCE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH.

WE'RE LOOKING TO TOP OUT AROUND 29 WITH A LOT OF 30s IN THE NORTHWEST AND 40s AS WE MOVE MORE INTO OTHER AREAS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, LOOK FOR HIGHS IN THE 40s, MAYBE EVEN SOME LOW 50s AROUND THE LITTLE FALLS AREA.

OUR FORECAST LOOKING LIKE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH PATCHY FOG AND LOWS OF 22.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW WITH PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 40 WITH SOUTHWEST TO SOUTHWEST WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT THE EXTENDED FORECAST, OVERALL PRETTY QUIET AND AGAIN, WE HAVE A LARGE TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE NORTH TO SOUTH HEADING THROUGH THE WEEK.

ON FRIDAY, THERE'S A CHANCE OF MAINLY RAIN SHOWERS IN THE DAY AND RAIN OR SNOW AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY NIGHT AND THEN SUNNY SKIES ARE BACK ON SATURDAY WITH A HIGH OF 42, 45 ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT.

CHARLIE HAS TONIGHT THE BSU SPORTS CLOSING OFF THE REGULAR SEASON ON A GOOD NIGHT.

>> THEY PLAYED ST.

THOMAS OVER THE WEEKEND AS >>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10.

>> Sydney: BSU MEN'S HOCKEY HAS NOT LOST TO SAINT THOMAS AT HOME SINCE THE TOMMIES JOINED THE CCHA IN 2021.

WITH SAINT THOMAS LEAVING NEXT SEASON TO JOIN THE NCHC, THE BEAVERS JUST NEEDED TO GO ONE MORE GAME WITHOUT LOSING TO THE TOMMIES TO MAKE IT A CLEAN SWEEP.

BEMIDJI STATE CELEBRATING SENIOR NIGHT BEFORE SATURDAY'S GAME, MORE THAN LIKELY THE BEAVS' FINAL HOME GAME OF THE YEAR.

JUMPING AHEAD TO THE SECOND, BSU DOWN 1-0.

MAXON VIG LIGHTS THE LAMP ON THE POWER PLAY TO TIE THE GAME AT ONE.

INITIALLY THE GOAL WAS WAIVED OFF, BUT WOULD REVERSE THE CALL ON THE REVIEW.

END OF THE PERIOD NOW, VAN YUHAS PICKING UP THE TRASH.

HIS SECOND GOAL OF THE SEASON GIVES THE BEAVERS THE LEAD.

EARLY THIRD PERIOD, TOMMIES CAIGE STERZER PUTS A MOVE ON MAX HILDEBRAND TO TIE THE GAME ONCE AGAIN.

AND THAT IS HOW THIS ONE WOULD END, A 2-2 TIE.

SAINT THOMAS WOULD GET THE EXTRA POINT IN THE SHOOTOUT, BUT BSU NEVER LET THE TOMMIES WIN AT THE SANFORD CENTER THEIR ENTIRE TIME IN THE CCHA.

NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE STANDINGS.

THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE COMING INTO SATURDAY'S SLATE OF GAMES.

THREE TEAMS ALL JUST NEEDING A REGULATION WIN TO MAKE A CLAIM AS REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS.

WELL, MINNESOTA STATE WAS THE ONLY TEAM ABLE TO COME AWAY WITH REGULATION VICTORY, GIVING THEM THE 3 POINTS NEEDED TO WIN THE McNAUGHTON CUP FOR THE SECOND SEASON IN A ROW.

AND NOW WE ALSO KNOW THE BEAVERS WILL PLAY AT AUGUSTANA NEXT WEEKEND IN THE MASON CUP QUARTERFINALS.

LAST YEAR THEY BEAT THE VIKINGS IN THREE GAMES IN THE QUARTERS.

>>> ALSO ON SATURDAY, BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY TAKING ON WISCONSIN IN GAME TWO OF THE WCHA QUARTERFINALS, A MUST WIN FOR THE BEAVERS OR THEIR SEASON IS OVER.

2nd PERIOD, STILL NO SCORE.

HAILEY ARMSTRONG TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE MISCUE BY THE BADGERS TO GIVE BEMIDJI STATE A 1-0 LEAD.

LATER, AFTER TYING THINGS AT ONE, WISCONSIN TAKES THEIR FIRST LEAD OF THE GAME ON THE POWER PLAY.

IT WOULD STAY THAT WAY UNTIL THE THIRD PERIOD.

THEN, WITH UNDER 30 SECONDS TO PLAY, MORGAN SMITH PUTS ONE ON NET AND IT DEFLECTS IN OFF A BADGER DEFENDER, EXTENDING THE BEAVERS SEASON JUST A LITTLE LONGER.

BUT IN THE EXTRA FRAME -- SHE JUST WON A GOLD MEDAL IN MILAN -- LAILA EDWARDS ENDS IT.

3-2 THE FINAL IN OVERTIME.

BSU FINISHES THE SEASON 6-27-3 WITH THREE OF THOSE WINS COMING AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS.

>>> AND BEMIDJI STATE WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD WON AN INDIVIDUAL EVENT AT THE NSIC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2021.

SOPHOMORE SOPHIE RYLANCE WON THE 1,000-METER RUN WITH A PERSONAL BEST TIME OF 2:55.85, BECOMING THE FIRST BEAVER IN PROGRAM HISTORY TO WIN THE EVENT.

BSU FINISHED 12th PLACE OVERALL AS A TEAM.

>>> HEADING INTO CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY AT THE GRAND CASINO ARENA, THERE WERE TEN AREA WRESTLERS STILL VYING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL STATE TITLE, BUT BY THE TIME THE DUST SETTLED, ONLY FIVE STOOD TALL.

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THOSE DUELS.

IN CLASS-A, COLBE TAPPE FROM STAPLES-MOTLEY DEFENDING HIS TITLE AT 160, ENDS IT HERE WITH A TECH FALL.

20-4 THE FINAL AS TAPPE GOES BACK-TO-BACK.

IN CLASS 2A, IVAN PETRICH OF LITTLE FALLS FINISHED AS RUNNER-UP LAST YEAR AT 215.

REDEMPTION THIS SEASON, WINS THE TITLE BY A 12-3 MAJOR DECISION.

AND ALSO IN CLASS 2-A, AT 139 POUNDS, GRAND RAPIDS' CHRISTIAN JELLE COMPLETES THE 3-PEAT WITH AN 18-5 MAJOR DECISION, THE FIRST THUNDERHAWK TO WIN THREE INDIVIDUAL STATE WRESTLING TITLES.

DEFINITELY DESERVING OF A BACK FLIP.

HERE'S HOW SOME OF OUR OTHER AREA WRESTLERS FINISHED.

IN CLASS 3-A, EASTON DIRCKS FINISHING AS A RUNNER-UP FOR BRAINERD.

THEN IN CLASS 2-A AND A, YOUR FIVE STATE CHAMPIONS, GARRET AND GAGE BJERGA, THE OTHER TWO STATE CHAMPS FROM SATURDAY, ADDING MORE HARDWARE TO THE STAPLES-MOTLEY TROPHY CASE.

AND THEN A FEW RUNNERS-UP AND SEVERAL THIRD PLACE FINISHERS ALSO IN CLASS-A, AND THEN ELORA WAGNER FINISHING 2nd, THE HIGHEST FINISHER AMONG OUR AREA GIRLS.

>> Dennis: GOOD RESULTS FOR THE LOCAL ATHLETES.

>> Sydney: IT WAS AWESOME.

>> Dennis: THANKS, SYDNEY.

>>> THE OWNERS OF THE EMMAVILLE STORE, LOCATED IN EMMAVILLE, OR WHAT IS CALLED THE BIGGEST LITTLE TOWN IN THE WORLD, RECENTLY CELEBRATED THEIR ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OWNING THE ONE LOCAL BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT IN THE AREA.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE WITH THE OWNERS OF THE STORE TO LEARN HOW THEY ATTRACT CUSTOMERS TO THEIR SMALL COMMUNITY HUB.

>> Matthew: LOCATED A FEW MILES BETWEEN PARK RAPIDS AND LAKE GEORGE, ROB, DANA AND THEIR DOG MAKE UNDER THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF MIAMIVILLE, MINNESOTA.

THEY FOUND THE STORE FOR SALE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, ORIGINALLY LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO RETIRE.

AFTER THE PURCHASE, THEY MADE THE MOVE FROM THE ST.

CLOUD AREA AND ARE NOW CELEBRATING ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OF THE EMMAVILLE INN AND KAFR STAI, ALSO KNOWN AS -- CAFE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE BIGGEST THE TOWN IN THE WORLD.

>> LAST JANUARY, WE THOUGHT WE WOULD START RESEARCHING PROPERTY TO INVEST IN FOR RETIREMENT, AND WE CAME UPON EMMAVILLE.

>> DAYNA HAD LIVED IN THIS, UP-NORTH LIVING BEFORE AND I SAID, I'LL GO ANYWHERE WITH YOU.

>> Matthew: IT STARTED AS A LOGGING SETTLEMENT IN THE LATE 19th AND 250th CENTURY.

CURRENTLY THE I DIDN'T KNOW AND CAFE SERVES AS A MULTIFACETED LANDMARK OFFERING GROCERIES, BAIT, FUEL, HOMESTYLE COOKING, HOTEL ROOMS AND MORE.

>> THERE'S 65 LAKES, WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF EMMAVILLE.

WE'RE A MAJOR HUB OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY, SNOWMOBILING, WE HAVE THE TRAIL THAT RUNS RIGHT UP TO OUR GAS PUMP, BRINGS IN BUSINESS FOR THE CAFE, STORE, OUR MINI BAR.

>> Matthew: EMMAVILLE CLOSED ABRUPTLY IN 2009 AFTER THE DEATH THE OWNER AT THE TIME AND WAS A DE FACTO GHOST TOWN FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, FORCING LOCALS TO TRAVEL FURTHER FOR SESH NEEDS.

AFTER A HANDFUL OF OWNERSHIP CHANGES, ROB AND DAYN A COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO SERVE A ROLE AS A COMMUNITY LUB.

>> LOT OF LOCALS THROUGHOUT THE WINTER, ELDERLY COUPLES AND WHATNOT RELY ON OUR STORE TO SHOP.

IT'S THAT ONE PLACE THAT I FORGOT ONE THING, SO I CAN RUN UP THERE AND GRAB.

>> WE DIDN'T MAKE A TON OF CHANGES, JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT OUR OWN AND LOVE THE FACT WE CAN BE PART OF HISTORY.

>> Matthew: REPORTING IN EMMAVILLE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN.

>> Dennis: THE EMMAVILLE INN & CAFÉ WAS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SPRY FAMILY FROM 2010 UNTIL IT WAS SOLD TO ROD AND DAYNA IN EARLY 2025.

I'VE GONE BY THAT WAY, STACY, BEFORE, BUT I THINK I'VE MISSED EMMAVILLE.

>> Stacy: IS IT YOU BLINK, YOU MIGHT MISS IT.

WE ALWAYS JOKE WHEN WE DROVE THROUGH, WE DOUBLED OR TRIPLED THE POPULATION OF THAT LITTLE TOWN.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, PATCHY FOG OUT THERE WITH LOWS NEAR 22.

THE FOG COULD LINGER TOMORROW MORNING AND EVENTUALLY SKIES BECOME PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY.

HIGHS NEAR 40, LOOKING AHEAD, QUIET AND MILD WEATHER CONTINUES.

OUR NEXT CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO ARRIVE MAINLY IN THE FORM OF RAIN, BUT WE COULD SEE RAIN OR SNOW ESPECIALLY FRIDAY NIGHT AND SUNNY SKIES ARE BACK ON SUNDAY WITH A HIGH OF 41.

>> Dennis: IF YOU'VE BEEN OUT BY MENOMONIEVILLE, YOU -- EMMAVILLE, YOU GET A SIGN AS YOU DRIVE BY, OOPS, YOU MISSED EMMAVILLE.

>> Sydney: I HAVE LOOKED, BUT I'VE NEVER STOPPED.

WE HAVE A BEMIDJI BOYS BASKETBALL GAME AGAINST ROGERS AT HOME TOMORROW.

THEY ARE PLAYING IN THE QUARTERFINALS.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, EVERYBODY.

>> Sydney: GOOD NIGHT.

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