>> 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.

>> Sydney: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT, I'M SYDNEY DICK IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> AN ELECTION JUDGE IN HUBBARD COUNTY HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO A FELONY FOR ALLOWING 11 UNREGISTERED PEOPLE TO VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER 2024 ELECTION.

IN 2024, TIMOTHY SCOUTON OF NEVIS WAS CHARGED WITH ACCEPTING BALLOTS FROM UNREGISTERED VOTERS, AND NEGLECT OF DUTY IN HIS POSTING AT THE BADOURA TOWNSHIP PRECINCT, WHICH IS LOCATED JUST EAST OF PARK RAPIDS.

BY PLEADING GUILTY TO THE COUNT OF ALLOWING UNREGISTERED VOTERS TO CAST BALLOTS, THE NEGLECT OF DUTY CHARGE WILL BE DISMISSED.

THE GUILTY PLEA CAME YESTERDAY ON MARCH 23RD.

THE ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION BEGAN AFTER HUBBARD COUNTY AUDITOR, KAY RAVE WAS UNABLE TO FIND COMPLETED VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS FROM 11 VOTERS, IN THE BALLOTS AND OTHER VOTING MATERIALS RETURNED TO HER BY SCOUTON.

ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT, SCOUTON CLAIMED THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANY REGISTRATION FORMS ON NOVEMBER 4TH, SO HE INSTRUCTED THE OTHER ELECTION JUDGES TO WRITE DOWN THE VOTERS NAMES, DATES OF BIRTH, AND ADDRESSES INSTEAD OF USING THE PROPER MANDATED FORMS.

IN A STATEMENT GIVEN TO THE MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE, THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE EMPHASIZED THAT SCOUTON WAS CAUGHT RIGHT AWAY AND THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY OTHER ACTIONS LIKE THIS FROM AN ELECTION JUDGE.

THEY SAID QUOTE ELECTION CRIMES ARE EXTREMELY RARE.

ELECTION-RELATED CRIMES BY ELECTION WORKERS ARE NEARLY UNPRECEDENTED.

SCOUTON'S SENTENCING HEARING IS SET FOR MAY 18TH, WHERE THE FELONY OFFENSE COULD BE PUNISHABLE BY UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON AND A $10,000 FINE.

HE HAS ALSO BEEN PROHIBITED FROM SERVING IN THE ROLE OF AN ELECTION JUDGE AGAIN.

>>> A WADENA MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER METHAMPHETAMINE WAS ALLEGEDLY FOUND ON HIS PERSON DURING A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP ON SUNDAY, JUST NORTH OF ROYALTON IN BELLEVUE TOWNSHIP.

THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THAT JUST AFTER 1:00 A.M.

ON MARCH 22ND.

A DEPUTY PULLED OVER 40-YEAR-OLD BRADLEY WEHMAS AFTER HE WAS OBSERVED CROSSING OVER THE CENTER LINE ON THE ROAD.

WEHMAS REPORTEDLY DID NOT HAVE A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE, AND AFTER THE DEPUTY OBSERVED INDICATORS CONSISTENT WITH POSSIBLE DRUG ACTIVITY, WEHMAS ADMITTED TO POSESSING METHAMPHETAMINE ON HIS PERSON.

IN TOTAL, APPROXIMATELY 101 GRAMS, OR OVER 3.5 OUNCES, OF THE SUSPECTED DRUG WAS SEIZED.

WEHMAS WAS ARRESTED AND IS BEING HELD IN THE MORRISON COUNTY JAIL PENDING FORMAL CHARGES, THAT INCLUDE FIRST DEGREE POSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, DRIVING AFTER CANCELLATION INIMICAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY, AND INTRODUCTION OF CONTRABAND INTO A JAIL.

COUNTY SHERIFF SHAWN LARSEN CONGRATULATED THE INVOLVED DEPUTIES FOR THE SUCCESSFUL DRUG INTERDICTION STOP, AND GETTING THE ILLEGAL NARCOTICS OFF LOCAL STREETS.

>>> A CRASH IN CLEARWATER COUNTY INJURED TWO AROUND 7:45 THIS MORNING.

THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL REPORTS, A VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS WAS HEADED EAST BOUND ON HIGHWAY 2 IN SHEVLIN, AND A TOYOTA RAV 4 WAS GOING SOUTH ON CLEARWATER COUNTY ROAD 23, WHEN THE TWO VEHICLES COLLIDED.

46-YEAR-OLD JESSICA CAMPBELL OF FOSSTON, AND 83-YEAR-OLD JUNE REICHERT OF LEONARD, WERE THE TWO DRIVERS AND SOLE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLES AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH.

BOTH VICTIMS WERE TRANSPORTED TO SANFORD HEALTH IN THIEF RIVER FALLS WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

>>> A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ACTS AS A LONG-TERM BLUEPRINT FOR A CITY'S GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND POLICY.

THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED WHAT SHOULD BE ON THEIR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DURING YESTERDAY'S WORK SESSION, AND OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS ON WHAT WAS DISCUSSED.

>> Reporter: THE HEADWATERS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECEIVED 770 RESPONSES TO SURVEYS SENT OUT ASKING FOR THE COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES, PERCEPTIONS, AND VISION FOR BEMIDJI'S FUTURE.

IN THOSE SURVEYS, RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND HOUSING PROFESSIONALS ALL IDENTIFIED HOUSING AVAILABILITY AS A CHALLENGE FOR THE CITY.

>> THEY EMPHASIZED THAT INCREASING SUPPLY IS ESSENTIAL IF WE WANT THE CITY OF BEMIDJI TO GROW AND THIS WILL BRING ENHANCED TAX REVENUE AS A RESULT OF THAT EFFORT.

>> Reporter: COUNCIL MEMBER MARK DICKENSON BELIEVES IT HAS TO DO WITH THE HOUSING AVAILABILITY CHALLENGE.

>> I AMOUNT OF THE FIRM BELIEVE THAT PROPERTY OWNERS CAN AND SHOULD MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS AS TO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

EVERY TIME WE PASS AN ORDINANCE, WE TAKE AWAY A RIGHT.

>> Reporter: OTHER CONCERNS FOR THE HRDC INCLUDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE BUSINESS CLIMATE WITHIN CITY LIMITS.

GREATER BEMIDJI EXECUTIVES WERE REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW RESIDENTS RESPONDED WHEN ASKED HOW BUSINESS FRIENDLY THEY THINK THE CITY OF BEMIDJI IS.

>> 62% SAY EITHER UNFRIENDLY OR VERY UNFRIENDLY.

THIS IS NOT A RECENT ISSUE.

THIS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, CERTAINLY A DECADE LONG.

THAT'S A HIGH NUMBER, RIGHT?

SO, ULTIMATELY THAT IS IF I AM NOT ELECTED AND IT'S MY JOB TO CHALLENGE YOU ON THIS, THAT WOULD MAKE ME CONCERNED.

>> Reporter: THEY PROVIDED FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING BUSINESS ORDINANCE CHANGES, CALLS FOR THE CITY TO BE MORE OPEN TO BUSINESS RECOMMENDATIONS, AND TO APPROVE A BUSINESS AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE ACTIONS THE CITY CAN CONSIDER TO IMPROVE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS.

>> WE DO HAVE INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS WHO ALREADY VOLUNTEERED TO DO THAT AND BE PRETTY SPECIFIC ON WHAT THEY DECIDE TO BRING TO THE CITY AS A WHOLE, ALTHOUGH WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION OPEN BECAUSE THE MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE TALKING, THE MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE LISTENING, THE MORE IDEAS YOU GET.

WE MAY NOT HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA RIGHT NOW, BUT IT MAY COME.

>> Reporter: THEY SUPPORTED IT AS LONG AS BUSINESS COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS WERE INCLUDED.

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

>> OVER THE NEXT 3 TO 4 MONTHS, THE HRDC WILL BE DISTRIBUTING AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL SURVEY ON TRANSPORTATION TO CITY RESIDENTS TO GENERATE THE FINAL PIECES OF CONTENT FOR THE NEXT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE.

>>> A BILL ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TO PREVENT AND INVESTIGATE FRAUD PASSED THE MINNESOTA HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE EARLIER TODAY.

THE BILL HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE HOUSE FOR A MONTH, AND THE MARCH 24TH MEETING BROUGHT ABOUT SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL BEFORE PASSING.

THE OFFICE WOULD OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY OF OTHER EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES AND REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR.

SOME OF THE GOALS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS POSITION ARE SETTING STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES RELATED TO THE OPERATION, INVESTIGATION, AND FRAUD PREVENTION PROCESSES.

FACILITATING INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES AND TO EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS TO CURRENT AGENCY-BASED INSPECTOR GENERALS BASED ON THEIR PERFORMANCE.

>> THE OFFICE AMENDMENT I AM BRINGING FORWARD TODAY DOES SEVERAL THINGS.

FIRST, IT ADDRESSES THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS LANGUAGE IN THE BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE AND BRINGS THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS IN LINE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

SECOND, IT ADDS TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE OIG TO ALLOW IT TO PREVENT FRAUD FROM OCCURRING IN THE FIRST PLACE, RATHER THAN JUST INVESTIGATE IT AFTER THE FACT.

THE AMENDMENT DOES REPRESENT AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND DEMONSTRATES THE COMMITMENT OF MY COLLEAGUES AND ME TO CONTINUE WORKING IN GOOD FAITH WITH MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES TO GET TO A SOLUTION WE CAN ALL SUPPORT.

>> AT THE END OF A MEETING A 13-1 YES VOTE BRINGS THE BILL PAST THE HOUSE COMMITTEE AND ONTO THE NEXT STEP TO THE HOUSE JUDICIARY FINANCE AND CIVIL LAW COMMITTEE.

>>> EARLIER TODAY, MINNESOTA OFFICIALS SUED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR ACCESS TO EVIDENCE THEY SAY IS NEEDED TO INDEPENDENTLY INVESTIGATE THREE SHOOTINGS BY FEDERAL OFFICERS.

TWO OF THESE SHOOTINGS INCLUDE THE KILLINGS OF ALEX PRETTI AND RENEE GOOD, WHICH HAPPENED DURING OPERATION METRO SURGE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S LARGEST IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATION EVER.

THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON ITS PROMISE TO COOPERATE WITH STATE INVESTIGATIONS AFTER THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SURGE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THE STATE CLAIMS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT PERMITTED TO WITHHOLD INVESTIGATIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SHIELDING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM SCRUTINY.

D.H.S.

SAID THAT CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL IS CONDUCTING ITS OWN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE PRETTI AND GOOD CASES.

THE THIRD INSTANCE THAT MINNESOTA IS REQUESTING FEDERAL INFORMATION FROM IS THAT OF JULIO CESAR SOSA-CELIS, WHO WAS SHOT IN THE LEG BY A FEDERAL AGENT IN JANUARY.

THE LAWSUIT IS FOLLOWING FORMAL DEMANDS FOR EVIDENCE AFTER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALLEGEDLY BLOCKED MINNESOTA INVESTIGATORS FROM ACCESSING EVIDENCE RELATED TO THE SHOOTINGS.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS SAID THAT STATE OFFICIALS DON'T HAVE THE JURISDICTION TO INVESTIGATE, BUT MINNESOTA OFFICIALS INSIST THAT THEY NEED TO CONDUCT THEIR OWN PROBES.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE MAY SEE SOME RAIN, SNOW, AND FREEZING RAIN IN PARTS OF THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH SCATTERED RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS TOMORROW NIGHT AS A COLD FRONT BRINGS COLDER TEMPERATURES TO THE AREA LATE THIS WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, DANCERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY GATHERED FOR DANCE COMPETITION [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PARTNERED WITH LAKELAND PBS FOR ITS BI-WEEKLY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS THIS EVENING.

THE EVENT GIVES CHAMBER MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT, EXCHANGE INFORMATION, AND DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE HAD THE CHANCE TO SIT IN FOR A LIVE, CASUAL INTERVIEW BETWEEN LAKELAND C.E.O.

JEFF HANKS, AND BRAINERD LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT MATT KILIAN.

THE CONVERSATION INVOLVED THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS TO THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, THE FUTURE OF LOCAL TELEVISION, AND MORE.

>> WE ENTERED OUR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WITH 37% REDUCTION IN OUR OVERALL OPERATING BUDGET, BUT WE'RE FACING IT HEAD ON.

WE ALWAYS RECEIVED A LOT OF SUPPORT.

YOU STICK TO YOUR MISSION, PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THE VALUE, THEY'RE GOING TO SUPPORT IT AND THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

>> Sydney: OVER 70 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS TONIGHT.

>>> BRAINERD AREA STUDENTS AT FORESTVIEW'S SIXTH ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE LAST WEEK.

POLAR PLUNGE IS A STATEWIDE EVENT, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA ATHLETES ACROSS THE STATE.

ALL FUNDS RAISED HELP SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND TRAINING AND SERVICES TO THOUSANDS OF ATHLETES WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO HELP CREATE A WORLD THAT ACCEPTS AND WELCOMES EVERY SINGLE PERSON REGARDLESS OF ABILITY OR DISABILITY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN A PART OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA FOR ABOUT 20-PLUS YEARS AND WHEN THEY CAME TO US ABOUT THE POLAR PLUNGE, WE LITERALLY JUMPED ON THE IDEA AND WE STARTED UP AT BREEZY POINT AND JUMPED IN THE LAKE FOR TWO YEARS AND NOW THIS IS OUR SIXTH YEAR JUMPING AT FORESTVIEW BECAUSE WE BELIEVE SPORTS ARE FOR ALL ABILITIES.

>> OVER $21,000 HAVE BEEN RAISED FROM FORESTVIEW'S POLAR PLUNGE.

>>> AND NOW STACY JOINS US FOR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE MIXED PRECIPITATION OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TOMORROW AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES ACROSS THE AREA, WHICH IS ALSO GOING TO MOVE COLDER TEMPERATURES TO END THE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE DID HAVE SUNSHINE EARLIER TODAY AND WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME CLOUDS INCREASING.

IT COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW MORNING, AND THEN ANOTHER PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY DAY, MILD TEMPERATURES FOR MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA, AND THEN A COLD FRONT TOMORROW NIGHT WILL USHER IN SOME COLDER TEMPERATURES TO END THE WORKWEEK.

IT'S 41 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS OUT OF THE STUDIO ARE FROM THE SOUTH AT 7 MILES PER HOUR, 25 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 52%.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY AND 44.

27 IS OUR DEW POINT, WE HAVE A STEADY BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH CALM WINDS.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING MORE CLOUDS THIS EVENING, AND WE ARE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION TRYING TO MAKE ITS WAY INTO THE AREA.

NO REPORTS OF ANY OF THIS REACHING THE GROUND.

THERE IS A CHANCE WE COULD SEE RAIN, SNOW, OR FREEZING RAIN PARTICULARLY ACROSS THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE, INTO NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

SOME PARTS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA COULD SEE SOME RAIN AND SNOW TOMORROW MORNING, BUT ONCE THAT CLEARS OUT, WE SHOULD SO PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, WITH MOST OF THE AREA LOOKING AT MILD TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE THIS MORNING FROM ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, AND DEBRA OVER LAKE ADA.

WE HAVE A RAINBOW IN THE SKY OVER DEERWOOD.

CHRISSY SENDING US THIS PHOTO.

JOAN WITH A FLOCK OF TURKEYS MAKING A VISIT TO HER YARD IN LAPORTE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 28 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, 30 THIS MORNING.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, BREEZY WITH A HIGH OF 49.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, HAZY SUNSHINE, TOPPING OUT AT 48.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND 50.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY, A LOW OF 28.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A HIGH OF 48.

ON OUR ALMANAC, IN BRAINERD WE TOPPED OUT AT 50.

WE'RE SEEING MILD TEMPERATURES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THE AVERAGE HIGH IS 44.

28 WAS OUR LOW AND WE HAD SUNSET AT 7:35.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 46, 5 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

27 WAS OUR LOW TEMPERATURE, SUNRISE THIS MORNING AT 7:14.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE COULD BE SEEING ONLY LINGERING RAIN, SNOW, OR FREEZING RAIN, ESPECIALLY IN PARTS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA THAT WILL BASICALLY BE MOVING OUT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING.

WE WILL SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND THAT TEMPERATURE-DIFFERENCE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH.

HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE LOW TO MID-40s, BUT A LOT OF 50s, SOME LOW 60s IN THE REST OF THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA, WE'RE LOOKING AT MID TO UPPER 60s, CLOSE TO 70 DEGREES AS WE HEAD TOWARDS LITTLE FALLS.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY, A CHANCE FOR RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, OR SNOW ACROSS NORTHERN, INTO NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 32.

TOMORROW, SKIES BECOME PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, SOME CLOUDS IN THE MORNING, AND A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, AND SNOW IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, HIGHS NEAR 55.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, SCATTERED RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS TOMORROW NIGHT AND LINGERING INTO THURSDAY MORNING, AS A COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH.

SO WE WILL SEE COLDER TEMPERATURES TO END THE WORKWEEK WITH HIGHS IN THE 20s AND LOW 30s.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES RETURN, AND SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES ARE BACK, HIGHS SHOULD BE BACK IN THE MID-50s BY SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER JOINING US FOR SPORTS.

LOOKS LIKE TRACK TONIGHT?

>> Charlie: YES, BUT IT'S STILL INDOORS BECAUSE IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.

SPRING SPORTS ARE GETTING UNDERWAY AND THAT STARTS WITH THE CRAIG HOGAN RELAYS AND THERE IS THE MAN RIGHT THERE.

HE WAS IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL CRAIG HOUGEN RELAY AT BSU.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> NAMED FOR BEMIDJI STATE HALL OF FAME TRACK AND FIELD COACH CRAIG HOUGEN, THE HOUGEN RELAYS HAVE BECOME AN EARLY SEASON MAIN STAY HERE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE, GIVING TRACK TEAMS A CHANCE TO RUN, JUMP, AND THROW INDOORS WHILE THE SNOW IS STILL MELTING OUTSIDE.

THIS YEAR MARKED THE 3RD ANNUAL CRAIG HOUGEN RELAYS HOSTED BY BSU AT THE GILLETTE WELLNESS CENTER, THE HALL OF FAMER HIMSELF IN ATTENDANCE TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE EVENT WINNERS.

WE START OFF WITH THE BOYS, IN THE 1600-METER RUN BEMIDJI'S WILL AMES, DIDN'T LEAD THE WHOLE WAY, BUT HE FINISHED FIRST IN 4-MINUTES 54-SECONDS.

BEMIDJI GOT IT DONE IN THE SHORT DISTANCES AS WELL, TAYLEN SCHERMERHORN WINNING THE 60-METER DASH IN A PHOTO FINISH, 7.15-SECONDS, A PERSONAL BEST.

BUT THE LUMBERJACKS WEREN'T DONE YET, IN THE 4X200 IT WAS SCHERMERHORN ANCHORING THE TEAM OF NOAH WILSON, RHYS SNEIDE, AND VINNY NELSON TO THE WIN IN A MINUTE AND 36-SECONDS.

ON THE FIELD SIDE OF THINGS, NEVIS'S ETHAN BUCKHOLTZ, FINISHED THIRD AT STATE LAST SEASON IN THE HIGH JUMP, WON TODAY AT A HEIGHT OF 6'4", HE'S GOING TO JUMP FOR UMD NEXT YEAR.

AND FINALLY, OVER AT THE SHOT RING, BRANDON BRULA FROM GRAND RAPIDS TAKES GOLD THROWING 44-FEET 5 AND 3/4 INCHES, 3 INCHES FURTHER THAN TEAMMATE MASON JOHNSON WHO FINISHED 2ND.

FROM A TEAM PERSPECTIVE IT WAS BEMIDJI WHO WON THE CRAIG HOUGEN RELAYS FOR A SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, PLACING FIRST IN 5 EVENTS, RAPIDS FINISHED IN 2ND AGAIN WHILE VIEWING AREA SCHOOLS ACCOUNTED FOR THE TOP 8-SPOTS.

>>> ON THE GIRLS SIDE OF THINGS WE'LL START OFF WITH THE 1,600-METER SPRINT MEDLEY, IT'S A FOUR LEG RELAY MADE UP OF TWO-200, A 400, AND AN 800-METER RUN.

BAGLEY-FOSSTON'S TEAM OF CLAIRE KLINKHAMMER, EMILEE RUDY, TAY-LUH HALLVERSON, AND HANNAH FONDER WON THEIR HEAT AND FINISHED 2ND OVERALL BY LESS THAN A SECOND, FONDER WOULD WIN THE 400 LATER.

IN THE 1600-METER RUN, ADELINE BJORKLUND FROM NEVIS TOOK SECOND AND RIGHT BEHIND HER WAS BEMIDJI'S CHLOE DERBY, BUT TAKING TOP PRIZE WAS THE THUNDERHAWKS' LAINIE JACKSON, 5-MINUTES AND 34-SECONDS THE TIME FOR HER.

IN THE GIRLS 60-METER DASH, PILLAGER'S VIOLETTE METZ, WHO HAD ALREADY WON THE 400-METER RUN AND 4X2 RELAY, COLLECTS HER THIRD WIN IN 8.1-SECONDS, AND IT EARNED HER A SHIRT AND SOME TIME WITH COACH HOUGEN.

>>> OVER AT THE SAND PIT, SHE'S ONLY A 7TH GRADER, BUT AZARIAH OGUNDEJI JUMPS HERSELF TO A 2ND PLACE FINISH, 16-FEET 2-INCHES, A P.R.

FOR THE NEVIS TIGER, THE FIRST OF MANY I'M SURE.

AND FINALLY, LUCY LEWANDOWSKI FROM CROSBY-IRONTON TOPS THE PODIUM IN THE POLE VAULT, CLEARING 9-FEET FLAT, IT'S HER SECOND WIN IN THAT EVENT, SHE WON IT THE FIRST YEAR OF THE RELAYS AS WELL.

IT WAS FRAZEE THAT FINISHED ATOP THE TEAM LEADERBOARD WHEN ALL WAS SAID AND DONE FOLLOWED BY PILLAGER WHO PLACED FIRST IN 6-EVENTS, BEMIDJI WOULD FINISH 10TH.

>>> FINISHING UP TODAY AT THE MEN'S -- THE NSIC MEN'S GOLF, BEMIDJI STATE FINISHED FIFTH.

THE NHL, THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING TOPPED THE MINNESOTA WILD 6-3.

>>> THE CAPTAIN, HE IS GOING PRO.

BSU MEN'S HOCKEY FORWARD SIGNED A STANDARD PLAYER CONTRACT WITH THE ATLANTA GLADIATORS.

HE POSTED 10 POINTS OFF 9 ASSIST AND A GOAL IN 36 GAMES.

HE PLAY IN 134 GAMES IN HIS CAREER, HE NOW JOINS A TEAM THAT HAS CLENCHED A SPOT IN THE PLAYOFFS AND WE'LL JOIN THE TEAM AS THEY HEAD BACK TO GEORGIA FOR A TWO GAME HOMESTAND.

>>> IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR THAT COACHES HATE THE MOST, THE TIME AFTER THE SEASON ENDS AND THE TRANSFER PORTAL OPENS UP.

IT OPENED UP YESTERDAY FOR WOMEN'S HOCKEY.

IT HAPPENS TO MOST TEAMS, BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY IS NO EXCEPTION.

THEY'RE DEALING WITH IT AS WELL.

LISA AND YEBA BOTH ENTERED THE TRANSFER PORTAL.

SHE TRANSFERRED AFTER RED SHIRTING HER FRESHMAN YEAR IN MINNESOTA.

SHE SCORED 12 GOALS AND HAD 32 POINTS WHILE PLAYING IN 72 GAMES.

NOW SHE DID NOT PLAY IN A SINGLE GAME THIS SEASON.

HER GAMES WERE CUT IN HALF FROM A FRESHMAN TO SOPHOMORE YEAR, AVERAGING A 0.866 SAVE PERCENTAGE.

THE DREADED TRANSFER PORTAL, THAT IS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN COLLEGE SPORTS.

>> Sydney: IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

WELL, WHAT'S BETTER THAN AN EVENT WITH FOOD, DRINKS, AND MUSIC?

WELL, MAYBE ONE WITH A DANCE-OFF.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE DETAILS FROM JUST FOR KIX ON THEIR MOST RECENT DANCE-OFF FOR THIS WEEKS NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: JUST FOR KIX HOSTED THEIR TOGETHER WE DANCE COMPETITION AT BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL.

IT IS A TEAM COMPETITION THAT PRIORITIZES FOCUSING ON PERFORMING TOGETHER AS ONE.

>> WELL, IT IS AN EVENT WHERE ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS FROM ALL OVER COME TOGETHER TO COMPETE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER BUT WITH EACH OTHER.

WE CALL IT TOGETHER WE DANCE.

EVERYTHING JUST KEEPS GROWING.

IT'S AMAZING.

I FEEL THE LEVEL OF DANCE KEEPS GOING UP.

SO THAT IS THE NEAT THING ABOUT COMPETING, IT CREATES EXCELLENCE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL TRYING TO ONE UP THE OTHER TEAM.

>> Reporter: IT'S SYDNEY CLOUDS'S BABY THAT SHE HAS NURSED SINCE THE BEGINNING BUT HER OWN CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING CLOUD'S BRAINCHILD.

>> IT'S GREAT TO SEE HER TEACH NOW AND TAKE THE REINS IN SO MANY WAYS.

I HAVE STEPPED BACK.

IT'S REWARDING.

MY ONE SON IS ANNOUNCING TODAY AND MY OTHER SON IS OUT AT A NATIONAL THING IN VEGAS WITH HIS DAUGHTER DANCING.

SO IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: JUST FOR KIX STARTED HERE IN BRAINERD, MINNESOTA IN 1981 AT CINDY CLOUD'S BASEMENT AND HAS GROWN TO 200 DIFFERENT DANCE PROGRAMS ACROSS 10 DIFFERENT STATES.

>> JUST FOR KIX JUST APPRECIATES ALL THE PARENTS THAT DRIVE THEIR KIDS ALL OVER AND FIX THEIR HAIR AND GET THEM READY AND BE SUCH A BIG PART OF OUR ORGANIZATION BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PARENTS THAT COULDN'T DO IT.

I FEEL THAT WAY ABOUT OUR DIRECTORS.

>> Reporter: CLOUD'S ONLY DAUGHTER GREW UP DANCING AND NOW HAS TAKEN OVER AS THE ASSISTANT COACH OF THE BRAINERD WARRIOR DANCE TEAM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE KIXSTERS.

>> I LOVE TEACHING, I LOVE KIDS, WATCHING THEM GROW AND I FELT LIKE IT WAS WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO.

I TRAVELED AND DID STUFF AND IT JUST HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: SHE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO PERFORM WITH MULTIPLE BIG NAME ARTISTS, EVERYONE DOING A FEW SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOWS, GAINING EXPERIENCE AND LEARNING FROM THE BEST, WHICH SHE NOW TEACHES TO THE YOUNG DANCERS.

>> ONE OF THE SUPER BOWLS WITH BEYONCE, SHE WAS SO INCREDIBLE IN TERMS OF HER WORK ETHIC.

I AM LIKE YOU GUYS, IT'S BEYONCE.

WE CAN DO IT TOO.

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

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> Sydney: WELL, THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR WATCHING AND DENNIS WILL BE BACK HERE AT THE DESK TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: AND A SPECIAL GOOD NIGHT TO CRAIG HOUGEN.

I KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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