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

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; 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 MAN IS DEAD AFTER THE VEHICLE HE WAS DRIVING WENT INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TODAY.

EMERGENCY WORKERS RESPONDED AROUND 4:45 THIS AFTERNOON TO A REPORT OF A PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON SUNNYSIDE ROAD THAT ENTERED THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AFTER TRAVELING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL YARD.

BYSTANDERS ATTEMPTED TO ASSIST THE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT QUICKLY SANK.

ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO EXTRICATE THE DRIVER AND THE LAKES AREA DIVE TEAM WAS BROUGHT IN.

THE BODY OF THE MAN WHO WAS THE LONE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE WAS RECOVERED AT AROUND 6:30 THIS EVENING.

THE CAUSE OF WHY THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAYS IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION.

THE IDENTITY OF THE MAN IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION AND NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY.

>>> PEOPLES CHURCH IN BEMIDJI HAS BEEN PROVIDING MEALS, SHELTER, AND WORSHIP SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.

AND PEOPLE THERE HAVE SPENT THE PAST THREE MONTHS SETTLING INTO A NEWLY RENOVATED BUILDING.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK STOPPED BY THEIR OPEN HOUSE EARLIER TODAY, TO LEARN ABOUT THE EXPANSION, AND HOW STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HOPE THE NEW SPACE WILL BETTER SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: FROM SERVING FREE BREAKFAST 7 DAYS A WEEK TO 24 OVERNIGHT SHELTER BEDS, TO AN ACTIVITY CENTER, MANY SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE HOUSING IN THIS AREA AND DON'T EVEN HAVE HOUSING OPTIONS.

LIKE THERE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH HOUSING.

A LOT OF US ARE REALLY CLOSE TO BEING IN THAT SITUATION OURSELVES.

>> WE REALLY FOCUS ON SEEING PEOPLE AS A WHOLE PERSON, SO THE DIGNITY ASPECT OF BEING A HUMAN BEING, NOT JUST THE THINGS YOU NEED, NOT JUST SERVICE PROVIDERS GIVE YOU STUFF AND STEP AWAY, HOW DO WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND SEE WHAT YOUR VISION FOR YOUR LIFE IS.

>> Reporter: THE SHELTER RECEIVED A GRANT FOR MORE THAN $750,000 FROM THE STATE AND FUNDRAISING MATCHING GRANTS BROUGHT IN ANOTHER $75,000.

CONSTRUCTION WENT FROM MAY THROUGH DECEMBER OF 2025.

>> I USED TO SAY THAT WE'RE HELD TOGETHER WITH SPIT AND DUCT TAPE AND PRAYER AND NOW WE HAVE BUILDING MATERIALS THAT FUNCTION, SO WE WERE ABLE TO INSULATE THE WALLS, PUT SHEET ROCK UP, INCREASE OUR NUMBERS OF RESTROOMS AND SHOWERS.

WE WERE ABLE TO BUILD AN ADDITION THAT MEANS WE DIDN'T HAVE MULTIPURPOSE SPACE.

>> IT FEELS CLEAN, ALL THE BEDDING IS CLEAN, AND THEY FEEL WELCOMED.

THEY ARE WELCOMED TO BE HERE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE CHANGES THAT CAME TO PEOPLES CHURCH WAS THE ADDITION OF BED FRAMES FOR ALL OF THEIR MATTRESSES, WHICH PREVIOUSLY JUST STAYED ON THE FLOOR.

>> THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WALKED INTO THIS SPACE AND SEEN THE BEDS, AND HAVE STARTED TO CRY IS AMAZING.

THEIR HEARTS ARE WARMED BY SEEING THE SPACE THE WAY THAT IT IS.

THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DRASTICALLY BETTERED BY THE SIMPLE THINGS WE HAVE DONE.

IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT REFLECTS THE PERSON THAT THEY BELIEVE THEMSELVES TO BE AND WANT TO BE, INSTEAD OF BEING TREATED AS LESS THAN OR OUTSIDE OF SOCIETY.

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

>> THE NEW COMMUNITY ROOM OPENS UP FROM FIVE TO TENTHIRTY IN THE EVENINGS FOR BEADING CLASSES, RECOVERY GROUPS, WRITING SESSIONS, AND OTHER SESSIONS DEPENDING ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK.

THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE ALL BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE EXPANSION.

>>> LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES ACROSS THE STATE INCLUDING THE CLEARWATER COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE ARE WARNING MINNESOTANS ABOUT A NEW TEXT SCAM THAT CLAIMS YOU HAVE AN UNPAID PARKING TICKET OR TOLL VIOLATION.

THE SCAM TEXTS APPEAR TO COME FROM THE HENNEPIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, AND INCLUDE A FAKE JUDGE'S NAME AND A QR CODE FOR PAYMENT.

OFFICIALS STRESS THAT NEITHER THE MINNESOTA JUDICIAL BRANCH NOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL EVER CONTACT YOU VIA TEXT OR CALL TO DEMAND MONEY FOR A FINE.

AUTHORITIES SAYS IF YOU RECEIVE A SUSPICIOUS TEXT, DO NOT ENGAGE WITH IT AND THEY ADVISE RESIDENTS TO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS, SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION, OR SCAN THE QR CODE INCLUDED IN THESE MESSAGES.

RATHER, REPORT THE SCAM TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>>> A DRIVER CRASHED INTO A HOME IN ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA FRIDAY MORNING.

THE HOMEOWNER SAYS THE MINIVAN PLOWED STRAIGHT INTO A ROOM WHERE TWO PEOPLE WERE SLEEPING.

FOOTAGE FROM THE SCENE SHOWS THE CAR LODGED INTO THE HOUSE WITH HEAVY DAMAGE BOTH INSIDE AND OUT.

POLICE SAY THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INSIDE THE HOME, AND THE DRIVER, WERE ALL TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL WORKING TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH.

>>> 5-YEAR-OLD LIAM RAMOS AND HIS FATHER LOST THEIR IMMIGRATION CASE.

HE'S THE BOY WHO BECAME THE FACE OF ICE CRACKDOWNS WHEN AN IMAGE OF HIM WEARING HIS BUNNY HAT GAINED HEADLINES.

THAT WAS BACK IN JANUARY, AS ICE AGENTS DETAINED HIM AND HIS FATHER IN SUBURBAN MINNEAPOLIS.

A JUDGE RULED AGAINST THE FAMILY'S ASYLUM CASE ON FEBRUARY 19TH.

IT INCLUDES LIAM, HIS FATHER, HIS 13-YEAR-OLD BROTHER, AND HIS PREGNANT MOTHER.

>> I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THE DECISION WAS HEARTBREAKING FOR EVERYONE.

I THINK MOST OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS FOR THE PARENTS THE MOST.

THEY ARE DOING VERY WELL AS A UNIT.

THEY ARE TOGETHER AND OF COURSE THAT IS COMPLETE HAPPINESS.

>> THE FAMILY'S ATTORNEY SAID HE IS APPEALING THE VERDICT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS THE FAMILY ENTERED THE U.S.

ILLEGALLY.

>>> THE AITKIN SCHOOL BOARD HAS SELECTED 7 FINALISTS TO INTERVIEW FOR THE AITKIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT POSITION.

THE SEMI-FINALISTS WERE SELECTED FROM A POOL OF 12 APPLICANTS BASED ON CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD, AS WELL AS SURVEY INPUT PROVIDED BY AITKIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS STAFF AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

THE SEMI-FINALISTS ARE: TOM COOPER, HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AT HOLDINGFORD SCHOOLS DREW GOELDNER, C.F.O.

COUNTRY SERVICES INC IN LAKEVILLE, BRAD JOHNSON, SUPERINTENDENT OF RENVILLE COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS TARA LERE, SUPERINTENDENT OF PLUMMER-WORLEY SCHOOLS IN IDAHO MIKE MCNULTY, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS OF ROCKFORD SCHOOLS.

MARY MOREM, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN HOUSTON MINNESOTA AND GARY WEITZ, FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF DODSON MONTANA SCHOOLS.

THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS SCHEDULED INTERVIEWS FOR THE SEMI-FINALISTS BEGINNING AT 4:00 PM ON MARCH 24TH AND 25TH ALL INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD AT THE MEDIA CENTER AT AITKIN SCHOOL AND ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>>> PILLAGER HIGH SCHOOL HELD ITS INCLUSION AND ACCEPTANCE PEP FEST THIS PAST WEEK.

AND ALTHOUGH THE SCHOOL POSTPONED ITS POLAR PLUNGE DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, STUDENTS STILL HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS INCLUSION ACTIVITIES.

STUDENTS TOOK PART IN SPRAY PAINTING, VOLLEYBALL, AND MORE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

THE POLAR PLUNGE IS PRESENTED BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN, A MOVEMENT OF VOLUNTEERS DEDICATED TO INCREASING AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA ATHLETES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THEY'VE RAISED OVER $11,000 THUS FAR.

>> ACCEPTANCE IS A BIG THING AROUND HERE.

WE DON'T REALLY SINGLE EVERYONE OUT.

EVERYONE IS INCLUDED IN EVERYTHING WE DO.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT DAY.

EVERYONE SHOULD LEARN MORE ABOUT IT AND IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER MORE THAN PEOPLE THINK.

IT'S JUST A GREAT THING.

I THINK WE NEED TO DO IT MORE OFTEN.

>> OVER 100 INDIVIDUALS ARE CURRENTLY SIGNED UP FOR PILLAGER'S POLAR PLUNGE.

>>> A BIG HONOR FOR A RED LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER.

ELIZABETH GRAVES IS THE 2026 MINNESOTA INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR.

GRAVES HAS BEEN A SECOND GRADE TEACHER AT RED LAKE ELEMENTARY FOR 32 YEARS.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE PATCHY FOG ONCE AGAIN TONIGHT AND MIXED PRECIPITATION IS POSSIBLE IN THE FAR NORTH.

ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW TOMORROW NIGHT AS A COLD FRONT BRINGS COLDER AIR INTO THE STATE LATE THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA GATHERED FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF THE HOME EXPO SHOW.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE HOME SHOW AND EXPO BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 180 VENDORS GIVING THOSE IN ATTENDANCE TO MEET WITH CONTRACTORS REMODELERS, AND HOME TECH PROS OUR LOCAL REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD LAKES HOME SHOW AND EXPO GOES BEYOND HOME IMPROVEMENTS, CONNECTING WITH OTHERS ON IDEAS, SOLUTIONS, AND MORE, SERVES AS THE EVENT'S MAIN PURPOSE.

>> SO THE BRAINERD LAKES HOME SHOW AND EXPO, THERE WILL BE OVER 180 BUSINESSES BEING REPRESENTED DURING THE SHOW.

THIS ALLOWS THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE THEIR BUSINESS, INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC.

THERE WILL BE OVER 5,000 PEOPLE HERE IN ATTENDANCE SO IT'S A GREAT MARKETING SHOW FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THE HOME SHOW AND EXPO IS HOSTED THROUGH THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHICH WORKS TO BUILD PROFITABILITY FOR THEIR MEMBERS TODAY AND PROSPERITY FOR THEIR MEMBERS TOMORROW, VALUES EXEMPLIFIED THROUGH THE EVENT.

>> IT'S GREAT FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA FOR BUSINESSES AND THIS IS A REGIONAL TRADE SHOW.

WE HAVE BUSINESSES AS FAR AS GRAND RAPIDS, ST.

CLOUD, ALL OVER THE REGION THAT ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY LOVE GROWING THEIR BUSINESS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE EXHIBITERS AND FOOD VENDORS, THOSE IN ATTENDANCE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH THE CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA THROUGH A POP-UP BREWERY, SPONSORED BY JACK PINES BREWERY, AND ENJOY SOME LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.

>> WE HAVE WONDER TRACK HERE.

THEY HAVE THESE HUGE BLOCKS FOR KIDS TO PLAY WITH AND BUILD STUFF.

FACE PAINTING IS FREE SO KIDS CAN GET SOME FUN FACE PAINTING DONE.

THEY ARE DOING FIVE SHOWS, INCLUDED WITH YOUR ENTRANCE.

IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY COOL, SCIENCE, ALL KINDS OF CRAZINESS.

IT WILL BE FUN.

>> THIS IS THE FOURTH ANNUAL EXPO SHOW FEATURING ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS CROW WING POWER, CTC, BRIDGES OF HOPE, AND MORE.

THE EVENT'S GROWTH IS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> WITH THE CHAMBER AND THE MINNESOTA BUILDERS ASSOCIATION, IT GAVE THE SHOW AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING COMMUNITY.

WE APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE HOME SHOW AND EXPO WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW FROM 9:00 A.M.

UNTIL 5:00 P.M.

>>> NOW TO WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE A TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE, WITH HIGHS IN THE 30s AND 40s.

WE COULD BE CLOSE TO 70 DEGREES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE DO HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION AS WE SEE THE COLDER AIR SPREAD ACROSS THE VIEWIN >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, IT WAS ANOTHER MILD DAY FOR MANY OF US TODAY AND WITH THAT SUNSHINE, WE DID MELT A LOT OF SNOW.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE AREAS OF FOG DEVELOPING TONIGHT AND THERE MAY BE SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, A LITTLE BIT OF LINGERING MIXED PRECIP IN THE NORTH AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING SUNSHINE ACROSS THE VIEWING AREA WITH MOST OF US SEEING MILD TEMPERATURES BEFORE A COOL DOWN LATE THIS WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 43 DEGREES.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE CALM WITH A DEW POINT OF 34 AND HUMIDITY AT 69%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 48 DEGREES, OUR DEW POINT IS 37, AND PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING AN INCREASE IN CLOUDS THIS EVENING AND AS WE LOOK TO THE NORTH, WE CAN SEE THE PRECIPITATION MOVING INTO THE AREA.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF ABOUT A 20% TO 50% CHANCE OF SEEING SOME OF THE RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, OR SOME SNOW IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND THE REST OF US SHOULD SEE QUIET WEATHER.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES FOR MUCH OF THE AREA, BUT AGAIN SOME LINGERING MIXED PRECIP IN THE NORTH.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

A WALL OF FOG IN CASS LAKE, THAT PICTURE SENT TO US FROM ANGELA FROM EARLIER TODAY.

WE HAD BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKIES IN MENAHGA FROM ARLENE.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE SPOTTING SOME BALD EAGLES IN THE TREES THERE.

DEBRA WITH SOME MELT ON THE ICE ON LAKE ADA AND CHRISSY SAYING IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN DEERWOOD, SOME INTERESTING CLOUD FORMATIONS OUT THERE.

A COUPLE OF WILD TURKEYS IN THE YARD IN LAPORTE.

THAT PICTURE FROM JOAN.

GARY SENDING US A PICTURE OF THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER IN DEERWOOD, IT WAS A GREAT DAY TO GET OUTSIDE FROM BEMIDJI IN SHAWN, AND TONIGHT'S EVENING SKIES WERE BEAUTIFUL, PRETTY COLORS OUT THERE, SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM UPPER RED LAKE AND AARON WITH A PICTURE FROM BEMIDJI.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 33 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, HIGH OF 60.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, PARTLY CLOUDY AND 57.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, PARTLY SUNNY SKIES, A HIGH OF 60.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE SUNNY AND 58.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING FOG AND MIST THIS MORNING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH THE FOG THIS MORNING AND A HIGH OF 54.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TODAY TOPPING OUT AT 61, MISSING THE RECORD, TYING THE RECORD HIGH BY 1 DEGREE.

THAT RECORD WAS FROM 2012.

WE HAD SUNSET AT 7:30.

BEMIDJI VERY CLOSE TO A RECORD HIGH, MISSING IT BY 3 DEGREES.

SO WE TOPPED OUT AT 56.

34 WAS OUR LOW AND SUNRISE AT 7:22.

LOOKING AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE MAY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LINGERING RAIN OR FREEZING RAIN IN THE LAKE OF THE WOODS AREA OVER INTO NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

WE COULD SEE SOME CLOUDS IN THE MORNING, BUT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, SOME OF THE CLOUDS, SOME OF THE PATCHY FOG WILL LIFT, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THERE IS THE CHANCE FOR RAIN OR SNOW THAT WILL ARRIVE LATE TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT AS WE START TO SEE THE COLDER AIR FILTER INTO ALL OF LAKELAND COUNTRY.

FOR TOMORROW, THOSE COLD TEMPERATURES WILL BE CONFINED TO MAINLY NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WITH HIGHS NEAR 38 IN WARROAD, A LOT OF 50s IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, PARK RAPIDS POSSIBLY UP TO 63.

THEN EVEN WARMER AS WE HEAD FARTHER SOUTH WITH 65 TO NEAR 71 FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, OR SNOW IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

LOW TEMPERATURES NEAR 35.

VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW, SOME LINGERING MIXED PRECIPITATION IN THE FAR NORTH, HIGH TEMPERATURES AROUND 57, AGAIN, COLDER TO THE NORTH, WARMER TO THE SOUTH, AND VARIABLE WINDS 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND FORECAST, THAT CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW SATURDAY NIGHT, USHERING IN THE COLDER TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE VIEWING AREA, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND 37 ON SUNDAY.

SOME SLIGHT CHANCES OF RAIN OR SNOW IN OUR VIEWING AREA AS WE HEAD INTO THE EARLY PART OF NEXT WEEK, BUT HIGHS MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 40s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS AND SOME BIG NEWS ON A COUPLE FRONTS OUT OF BEMIDJI HIGH TODAY.

>> Charlie: YES, UNFORTUNATELY FOR BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL, THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOSING TWO PRETTY FANTASTIC COACHES, BUT ALSO TWO REALLY GREAT PEOPLE.

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH ON THE GIRL'S SIDE OF HOCKEY AND BASKETBALL AS WELL.

WE HAVE SOME INFORMATION ON THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL WILL HAVE TWO COACHING VACANCIES TO FILL, MIKE JOHNSON ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT AFTER COACHING FOR 8 YEARS FOR THE LUMBERJACKS.

JOHNSON ENDS HIS CAREER ON A HIGH NOTE, LEAVING THE JACKS TO THEIR FIRST SECTION TITLE AND STATE TOURNAMENT BERTH SINCE 2007.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT DARREN SCHULTZ WILL BE STEPPING DOWN.

HE COACHED FOUR SEASONS IN BEMIDJI, AND BEFORE THAT HE SPENT TWO YEARS AS THE BOYS HEAD COACH AT WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY.

>>> ALSO TODAY, KRISTEN McRAE ANNOUNCED THIS YEAR'S 2026 BEMIDJI HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES.

THEY WILL BE HONORED ON MAY 4th.

IT INCLUDES EARL AND JOE, AND MITCH WHO LED BOTH THE FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL TEAMS TO STATE, AND ALLEY, A THREE SPORT ATHLETE THAT WENT ON TO THROW FOR MINNESOTA TRACK AND FIELD.

>>> NO NOW BSU WOMEN'S TENNIS TEAM HAS BEEN BETTER THAN THIS YEAR'S SQUAD.

THEY WON BACK-TO-BACK MATCHES.

OVER ON DOUBLE'S COURT TWO, BEAVERS LEADING FOUR GAMES TO ONE, LAUREN RUTTEN WITH THE SLAM, THEY'D WIN THE MATCH THERE BUT EAGLES WON THE OTHER TWO TO TAKE THE POINT.

ON TO SINGLES, COURT TWO, IT'S THE FRESHMAN, PAULA GARCIA ACEBAL, FOREHAND WITH FINESSE, FORCES THE ERROR, SHE'D WIN HER MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

IN SINGLES NUMBER ONE, MIA LESHEM, DOWN 5-GAMES TO THREE, LINER WINS HER THE GAME TO PULL WITHIN ONE, BUT SHE'D END UP LOSING THE SET AND THE MATCH.

BEMIDJI SCRIP -- STATE HAD THE SCRIPT FLIPPED ON THEM AS THEY FALL TO CROOKSTON.

>>> SOFTBALL, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO START AT HOME TOMORROW BUT INSTEAD HAD TO MOVE DOWN SOUTH BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER, SO THEY TOOK ON AUGUSTANA.

THEY WERE SWEPT TODAY IN THOSE MATCHES.

>>> MINNESOTA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HOSTING THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

THEY ARE THE 4 SEED.

THEY MAYA HITTING ONE OF THEIR FOUR THREE-POINTERS.

IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, THEY WERE TIED, MINNESOTA WAS.

THEY WOULD GO TO SOPHIE HART DOWN LOW.

THEY DO IT TWO POSSESSIONS IN A ROW TO TAKE A 4-POINT LEAD.

SHE HAD 19 POINTS AND 6 REBOUNDS.

THEY'RE PULLING AWAY NOW.

AND 17 POINTS, McKINNEY LED THE WAY WITH 21 AS MINNESOTA ENDS UP WINNING 75-58.

THEY WILL MOVE ON TO PLAY OLE MISS ON SUNDAY, THAT ALSO AT THE BARN.

>>> WELL, TIMBERWOLVES AT HOME TRYING TO TAKE THEIR WINNING STREAK TO THREE.

THEY ARE HOSTING THE TRAILBLAZERS.

THEY ARE STILL WITHOUT ANTHONY EDWARDS.

THEY HAVE THIS GUY, RUDY, ANOTHER DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR HIM.

RANDALL 3-POINT PLAY HERE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.

HE NEEDS IT TO TIE IT.

HE WILL GET IT, HOOP AND THE HARM, HE HAD 19 POINTS.

THEN UNDER 30 SECONDS TO PLAY, WOLVES LEAD BY 1, BUT GERMANY GIVE IT IS BLAZERS THE LEAD.

HE LED ALL SCORES WITH 26 POINTS.

ON THE OTHER END, THE WOLVES CAN'T COME AWAY WITH ANYTHING.

THAT WILL BE YOUR BALL GAME.

THEY FALL TO THE TRAILBLAZERS 108-104.

>> Dennis: A TOUGH LOSS THERE.

THANKS CHARLIE.

THE WATERMARK ART CENTER IN BEMIDJI HAS UNVEILED ITS LATEST EXHIBIT, AND FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS, OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, GIVES US A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PIECES CREATED BY AN ARTIST FROM BAUDETTE.

>> Reporter: CINDY HAMILTON, ALSO KNOWN AS THE MOCCASIN LADY, IS THE ARTIST BEHIND THE WATERMARK ART CENTER'S EXHIBIT.

>> SHE HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE WATERMARK FOR YEARS.

SHE IS VERY ACTIVE WITH OUR CREATIVE CIRCLES AND SHE HAS TAUGHT LOTS OF WORKSHOPS AND SHE SHARES HER KNOWLEDGE OF BEADING WITH US.

>> Reporter: FULLY AWAKEN TO HER INDIGENOUS ROOTS AFTER HER ADULT YEARS AFTER SEEING A PHOTO OF HER GREAT GRANDMOTHER IN MOCCASINS, RESEARCHING AND PASSING ON THE ART OF MOCCASIN MAKING AND OTHER ARTISANSHIP.

>> SHE DOES MITTS, MOCCASINS, BEADED BAGS, A RIFLE CASE, MEDALLIONS.

THEN YES, LIKE LOTS OF PASTELS AND ACRITIC PAINTINGS.

>> Reporter: HAMILTON HOPES TO GIVE THOSE WHO VIEW HER WORK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE POWER OF INDIGENOUS ART AND EXPERIENCE THE DIVERSE WAYS IN WHICH CULTURE, HISTORY, AND INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSION INTERTWINE.

IT LOOKS AT PORTRAITURE, PAINTING ANIMALS TO WARRIORS TO CELEBRITIES.

>> I WAS VERY, VERY, VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY ALL OF HER PORTRAIT WORK, I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT.

SHE JUST KEEPS CONTINUING TO AMAZE.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT WILL BE ON DISPLAY UNTIL MAY 15th.

REPORTING IN BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> A RECEPTION WITH CINDY HAMILTON IS BEING HELD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH AT THE WATERMARK ART CENTER IN BEMIDJI FROM 2:00 TO 4:00 P.M.

ATTENDEES CAN LEARN ABOUT HER LIFE AND HOW SHE CREATES HER WORK.

THAT EVENT IS FREE TO ATTEND.

AND STACY HAS MORE ON WEATHER.

>> Stacy: PATCHY FOG AND PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

>> Dennis: HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYBODY, WE'RE BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]