>> 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.

>>> PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND RESIDENTS OF THE BEMIDJI AREA VOICED THEIR CONCERNS DURING A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY REGARDING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S PROPOSED CLOSURE OF J.W.

SMITH ELEMENTARY, AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT FOR THE DISTRICT.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, ATTENDED THE HEARING AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> PLEASE DON'T CLOSE MY BROTHER'S SCHOOL BECAUSE IT MEANS SO MUCH TO US AND LIKE, OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: PLEAS SIMILAR TO THIS WERE CONSISTENTLY HEARD THROUGHOUT THE HEARING AS THEY EXPRESSED THEIR FRUSTRATION WITH THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL BOARD ABOUT THEIR LACK OF NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE SCHOOL.

>> DR.

OLSON HAD REPEATEDLY TALKED ABOUT BALANCING THE BUDGET OR THE BOARD'S THREE YEAR PLAN OR TO DO SO WITH THIS YEAR BEING THE BIGGEST OF THE CUTS.

NOT ONCE IN ALL THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE 3-YEAR PLAN ABOUT J.W.

SMITH'S CLOSURE HAS BEEN PUBLICLY STATED UNTIL RECENTLY.

>> ASKING THE COMMUNITY TO SHOW UP NEXT MONDAY WITH A MILLION DOLLARS IN HAND OR A PLAN TO SECURE A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE IS UNREASONABLE.

>> Reporter: THEY ADDRESSED CONCERNS FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THEY BUILT WITH FELLOW STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS AND HOW THE CLOSURE WILL AFFECT SOME OF THE MOST MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

25% ARE SPECIAL NEEDS AND 8% ARE HOMELESS.

>> STUDENTS KNOW THE ADULTS THAT KNOW THEM BEST.

RESEARCH HAS CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THAT WHEN SCHOOLS CLOSE, IT INCREASES ABSENTEEISM, AND STUDIES HAVE FOUND AN INCREASE OF BEHAVIOR AND DECLINE IN TEST SCORES.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE FINAL COMMENTS OF THE NIGHT CAME FROM THE J.W.

SMITH PRINCIPAL, WHICH WAS JOINED BY STAFF AND PARENTS AT THE SCHOOL AS HE WAS FIRST HAVING TROUBLE GETTING HIS WORDS OUT.

>> WE NEED TIME TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER ANSWER.

OPERATING AT OR BELOW THE FUND BALANCE FOR ONE MORE YEAR IS ACCEPTABLE IF IT MEANS WE HAVE A REAL CHANCE TO FIND ANOTHER WAY.

ADDITIONAL REVENUE STREAMS, LAND SALES, RETHINKING OPERATIONS, OR SOMETHING ELSE REPRESENTS ANOTHER WAY.

>> Reporter: 21 COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN TOTAL GAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THE HEARING.

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

>> THE NEXT MEETING IS WHEN THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL BOARD WILL VOTE ON THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF J.W.

SMITH ELEMENTARY.

THAT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 30TH, AT 5:00 P.M.

AT THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE.

>>> LAKES AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS ANNOUNCED THE CLOSURE OF ITS RESTORE.

OFFICIALS SAY AFTER 22 YEARS OF SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES COMMUNITY, SUSTAINED FINANCIAL LOSSES AND OTHER FACTORS LED TO THE DECISION TO CLOSE.

THEY ANNOUNCED THE NEWS WITH A VIDEO TODAY.

>> THIS IS NOT A DECISION WE CAME TO QUICKLY AND I KNOW IT WILL BE HARD NEWS FOR MANY OF YOU TO HEAR.

FOR THAT, I AM TRULY SORRY.

>> ULTIMATELY THIS COMES DOWN TO DOLLARS AND CENTS.

WE HAVE A FIDUCIARY OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF THIS ORGANIZATION AND OUR MISSION, PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO FAMILIES RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE DID NOT ARRIVE AT THIS DECISION LIGHTLY.

WE EXPLORED EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE TO US.

WHEN WE WEIGHED THE ONGOING FINANCIAL LOSSES AGAINST THE VERY REAL NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES WE EXIST TO SERVE, THE PATH BECAME CLEAR.

WE MUST PROTECT OUR CORE MISSION.

>> THE RESTORE HAS OFFERED SHOPPERS AFFORDABLY PRICED FURNITURE, APPLIANCES, AND HOME GOODS WHILE PROVIDING VOLUNTEERS WITH MEANINGFUL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, AND GIVING DONORS A TRUSTED OUTLET FOR QUALITY ITEMS.

PROCEEDS FROM THE STORE HAVE DIRECTLY SUPPORTED HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING WORK IN THE REGION.

THE STORE WILL CLOSE FOR REGULAR SALES AT THE END OF THE DAY ON FRIDAY, MARCH 27, DUE TO THE NUMBER OF STAFF LOST AS THEY EXPLORE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

IT DOES NOT LEAVE THEM WITH ENOUGH STAFF TO OPERATE SAFELY.

THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO WORK WITH BUILDING OWNERSHIP ON A WIND-DOWN TIMELINE.

I SHOULD SAY A WIND DOWN TIMELINE.

A LIQUIDATION SALE IS PLANNED, AND THE COMMUNITY IS ENCOURAGED TO STAY TUNED FOR DATES AND DETAILS.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS APPROVED A REQUEST FOR VARIANCE AT 5043 CROW WING LAKE ROAD DURING A PUBLIC MEETING LAST WEEK.

THE REQUEST ALLOWS HAROLD AND BRENDA WHIRLEY TO BUILD A 3304 SQUARE-FOOT HOUSE ON A LAKE LOT WITHIN THE FORT RIPLEY TOWNSHIP WITH THE CONDITION THAT THEY RECEIVE PERMITS FROM THE LAND SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

MANY CITIZENS WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP ATTENDED THE MEETING, WITH HOPES THAT COMMISSION MEMBERS WOULD NOT APPROVE THE PROJECT.

>> I GUESS IN CONCLUSION, MY OPPOSITION BOILS DOWN TO NOT SO MUCH THIS DEBATE AS FAR AS THERE IS A 48-FOOT SET BACK FOR THE SCREEN AND PORCH.

IT SHOULD BE 75 FEET.

IT IS MORE OF A QUESTION OF HOW DO WE RESPECT THE AIR, THE WATER, THE LAND WE CURRENTLY OCCUPY AND WHAT SORT OF FUTURE ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE LEAVING FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS?

>> THE NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 16TH.

>>> THE DEADLINE IS APPROACHING TO SUBMIT AN ESSAY FOR THIS YEARS GREAT AMERICAN THINK-OFF.

EVERY YEAR A MINNESOTA GROUP RELEASES ITS ANNUAL PHILOSOPHY QUESTION THAT LEADS TO ONE ENTRANT BEING NAMED AMERICA'S GREATEST THINKER.

THIS IS THE 33RD ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN THINK-OFF, A NATIONALLY RENOWNED PHILOSOPHY COMPETITION THAT INVITES PARTICIPANTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO WRESTLE WITH LIFE'S MOST PROFOUND QUESTIONS.

THIS YEAR'S DEBATE QUESTION IS, HAS THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS MADE AMERICANS UNHAPPY?

ANYONE CAN ENTER FREE BY SUBMITTING AN ESSAY OF 750 WORDS OR FEWER BY APRIL FIRST.

FOUR FINALISTS WILL DEBATE THE QUESTION IN NEW YORK MILLS ON SATURDAY JUNE 13TH BEFORE A LIVE AUDIENCE.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THINKOFF.ORG THE 2026 GREAT AMERICAN THINK-OFF IS AN AMATEUR PHILOSOPHY CONTEST ORGANIZED BY THE NEW YORK MILLS REGIONAL CULTURAL CENTER IN MINNESOTA.

>>> MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, OR AFSCME, GATHERED OUTSIDE BRAINERD CITY HALL LAST WEEK TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE RISING COST OF LIVING AND THE GROWING PRESSURE WORKING FAMILIES FACE TRYING TO AFFORD EVERYDAY NECESSITIES LIKE HEALTHCARE, GROCERIES, AND CHILDCARE.

AFSCME MEMBERS ALSO SHARED PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT HOW PROPOSED CUTS TO PROGRAMS LIKE MEDICAID, SNAP, AND CHILDCARE ARE AFFECTING THEIR FAMILIES, COWORKERS, AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE EVERYDAY.

THE TRADE UNION SAYS IT ADVOCATES FOR FAIRNESS IN THE WORKPLACE, EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICES AND PROSPERITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL WORKING FAMILIES.

>> WE ALL DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST REASON, WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

>> WE'RE ALL FACING DIFFERENT PROBLEMS, DIFFERENT THINGS IN LIFE AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THERE SHOULDN'T BE FAIRNESS IN THE WORKPLACE.

>> THERE WERE AT LEAST 15 AFSCME MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE EVENT.

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

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION TONIGHT AND EVEN INTO TOMORROW MORNING WITH SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES SETTLING IN FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

I WILL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

>> Reporter: COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, BEMIDJI STATE IS RUNNING A FREE TAX PREPARATION AND FILING PROGRAM FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY IS ONCE AGAIN OFFERING FREE TAX PREPARATION AND FILING SERVICES TO HELP THOSE WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO FILE THEIR TAXES ON THEIR OWN.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE DETAILS ON HOW THE I.R.S.

VITA PROGRAM WORKS.

>> Reporter: THE I.R.S.

'S VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OFFERS FREE TAX HELP FOR QUALIFYING PEOPLE FOR ASSISTANCE PREPARING AND FILING STATE AND FEDERAL TAXES.

BEMIDJI AREA RESIDENTS CAN ACCESS THE VITA PROGRAM ON THE BEMIDJI STATE CAMPUS WITH IRS AND STUDENT VOLUNTEERS.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GRATEFUL THAT THERE IS A SPOT HERE IN TOWN THAT WE'RE ABLE TO HELP AND GET IT DONE QUICKLY, GET THEM IN AND OUT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY WITH TAX SEASON RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

IT HAS ALREADY STARTED.

IF YOU GO TO ANOTHER FIRM, THEY HAVE SO MANY RETURNS AND THINGS TO GET DONE.

YOU MAY NOT BE DONE UNTIL TWO DAYS BEFORE IT'S DUE.

IT'S GOOD TO GET IT DONE IN ONE SITTING.

>> Reporter: IT'S LOCATE IN ROOM 250 OF THE MEMORIAL HALL BUILDING.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES THAT DO IT, BUT IT DOES COST A LOT IF YOU DO WANT TO GET YOUR TAXES DONE.

SO IT'S VERY HELPFUL TO HAVE A SPOT FOR PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

THIS IS A GREAT SPOT TO HAVE PEOPLE COME IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO REACH OUT TO OR DON'T KNOW A FIRM THAT THEY HAVE AND IN WITH.

>> Reporter: THEY OFFER HELP TO THOSE WHO MAKE LESS THAN $67,000 A YEAR, SENIOR CITIZENS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND LIMITED ENGLISH SPEAKING TAXPAYERS, ALONG WITH PROVIDES SERVICE TO THE BEMIDJI AREA COMMUNITY, IT ALLOWS STUDENTS WHO ARE STUDYING ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS A CHANCE TO GET REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.

>> IT'S VERY COOL BECAUSE YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO GET THE SAME RETURN TWICE AND IT'S VERY COOL TO SEE THE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS AND USING DIFFERENT SOFTWARE AS WELL.

THIS IS ONE I HADN'T USED BEFORE BEFORE I GOT HERE AND IT WAS COOL TO PICK IT UP SO FAST.

>> Reporter: A LIST OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS THAT TAXPAYERS SHOULD BRING WITH THEM TO THEIR SESSION CAN BE FOUND ON THE B.S.U.

WEBSITE.

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

>> QUALIFYING TAXPAYERS CAN GET TAX HELP ON WEDNESDAYS FROM 4:00 TO 6:00 P.M, BUT FILERS MUST ARRIVE BEFORE 5:30 P.M.

FOR ASSISTANCE.

THE SESSIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH APRIL 15TH.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY WE HAD TODAY STACY.

>> Stacy: OH, WE DID.

WE HAD GREAT WEATHER, GREAT TEMPERATURES.

WE SET A RECORD HIGH IN BRAINERD TODAY.

WE HAD THAT WARM TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, A LITTLE BIT COOLER IN THE NORTH.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A COLD FRONT MOVE ACROSS THE STATE STARTING TONIGHT, WE COULD SEE MIXED PRECIPITATION THAT LINGERS INTO TOMORROW MORNING, AND THE COOLER TEMPERATURES ARE BACK FOR THE NEXT [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAD JUST A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT THERE TODAY AND SOME VERY WARM TEMPERATURES ACROSS MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA.

WE WILL BE SEEING A COLD FRONT MOVING INTO THE AREA TONIGHT, CROSSINGS THE AREA OVERNIGHT.

IT WILL BRING US A CHANCE FOR MIXED PRECIPITATION THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING AND THEN WE WILL SEE COOLER TEMPERATURES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE ANOTHER WARM UP THIS WEEKEND.

RIGHT NO IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 44 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE NORTHEAST AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, 33 IS OUR DEW POINT, HUMIDITY AT 65%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, STILL 59, DEW POINT IS 37, PRESSURE IS FALLING, WINDS ARE WEST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE ARE SEEING SOME CLOUDS THIS EVENING AND WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE PRECIPITATION BUILDING IN.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS, SNOW SHOWERS, AND EVEN SOME FREEZING RAIN AND THE BEST CHANCE OF SEEING THE RAIN WILL BE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, SMALLER CHANCE TO THE NORTH, BUT THAT IS WHERE WE COULD SEE THE MIXED PRECIPITATION.

SOME OF THAT LINGERS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING, BUT WE WILL BE SEEING SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES AS MORE SUNSHINE RETURNS HEADING INTO THE AFTERNOON.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, IT WAS A GREAT DAY TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE SUNSHINE.

DEBRA SENDING US THAT PHOTO FROM PINE RIVER.

SONYA WITH THE BIRCH TREE REFLECTED IN THE PUDDLE.

GARY SAYING THE GEESE ARE BACK IN DEERWOOD.

THE EVENING SKIES, NOT DISAPPOINTING TONIGHT, CHRISSY SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM DEERWOOD, RALPH IN JENKINS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 58 THIS EVENING.

SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE, 54 AND CALM THIS AFTERNOON.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE WITH A HIGH OF 62.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD REPORTING A HIGH OF 62.

62 FROM JOAN IN LAPORTE.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, A HIGH OF 60.

67 FROM RALPH IN JENKINS.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, A FEW CLOUDS TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 62.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 68.

THAT SETS A NEW RECORD BY 1 DEGREE FOR TODAY, 67 WAS SET BACK IN 1963, 38 FOR THE LOW, 7:36 WAS OUR SUNSET.

NOT A RECORD BUT MILD IN BEMIDJI, TOPPING OUT AT 60, 32 WAS OUR LOW TEMP AND SUNSET AT 7:40.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST.

WE MAY SEE LINGERING MIXED PRECIPITATION, RAIN SHOWERS ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE CENTRAL PART OF THE VIEWING AREA, EVEN INTO PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST.

THOSE WILL BE CLEARING OUT AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING MORE SUNSHINE RETURN AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, BUT TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY COOLER FOR MANY OF US, 28 FOR THE HIGH IN WARROAD, SOME LOW TO MID-30s ACROSS THE REST OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, LOOK FOR HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30s TO POSSIBLY MID-40s.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT THAT FORECAST FOR YOU.

MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, RAIN IS LIKELY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND WE COULD SEE THE MIXED PRECIPITATION FURTHER NORTH.

LOWS NEAR 28.

TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS AND WE DO HAVE RAIN SHOWERS LIKELY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, BUT THEN AGAIN WE WILL BE SEEING THAT MIXED PRECIPITATION, JUST A LITTLE BIT FURTHER NORTH, HIGHS NEAR 34 WITH NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING COOL TEMPERATURES CONTINUES ON FRIDAY BUT WARMING UP AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, 55 ON SUNDAY, AND THEN WE SCALE BACK A LITTLE BIT ON MONDAY, BUT STILL THE HIGHS SHOULD REACH THE UPPER 40s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS VERY MUCH STACY.

I KNOW SPRING SPORTS ARE HAPPY ABOUT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, BUT WE'RE STILL WRAPPING UP WINTER SPORTS.

>> Charlie: THE LAST OF THE WINTER SPORTS, BOYS BASKETBALL.

THE STATE TOURNAMENT STARTED YESTERDAY, BUT TWO OF THE LOCAL AREA TEAMS PLAYING TODAY.

PEQUOT LAKES AND GRAND RAPIDS, BOTH AT WILLIAMS ARENA PLAYING THEIR QUARTER FINAL MATCHES.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> LAST YEAR IN THE CLASS 2-A QUARTERFINAL, PEQUOT LAKES ENTERED AS THE 7-SEED WITH AN UPSET ON THEIR MIND.

THEY LED 2-SEED WASECA LATE INTO THE GAME BUT WERE UNABLE TO HANG ON AFTER A SLEW OF TURNOVERS IN THE FINAL MINUTE, FALLING 49-45.

IT MARKED THEIR 4TH STRAIGHT QUARTERFINAL LOSS IN THEIR 4TH STRAIGHT STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE, A HUMP THE 2-SEED PATRIOTS WERE HOPING TO GET OVER THIS EVENING.

IN THEIR QUARTERFINAL MATCH AT WILLIAMS ARENA, BUT THIS TIME IT WAS PEQUOT LAKES WHO WAS TRYING TO FEND OFF AN UPSET MINDED 7-SEED, THE BLAKE BEARS.

IN THE FIRST HALF, THE BEARS WERE HUNGRY AND THEY WERE EATING.

WHITE NOTHING BUT NYLON, GAME HIGH 21 POINTS FOR HIM.

THE PATS CLIMBED BACK WITHIN 2, BLAKE LED 8 POINTS, TURN IT IS CORNER TO KNOT THINGS AT 29.

AND NOW SHOOTING PRACTICE FOR THE JUNIOR, PART OF A 7-0 RUN THAT GAVE PEQUOT THEIR FIRST LEAD SINCE IT WAS 2-0.

THEY LED 31-32 AT THE HALF.

THEN BROCK, HE HAD 14 AS PEQUOT OPENS UP THE HALF ON A 19-9 RUN.

THE BEARS DIDN'T QUIT.

THE PATS UP 4 WITH A MINUTE LEFT TO PLAY.

SAM, THE NAIL IN BLAKE'S COFFIN, HE MAKES THE FREE THROW AND PEQUOT LAKES ENDS THEIR QUARTER FINALS FUTILITY AND MAKES IT THROUGH TO THE SEMIS ON THEIR FIFTH TRY WITH A VICTORY OVER BLAKE.

AFTER THE GAME, THE PLAYERS SHARED WHAT IT MEANT TO FINALLY BREAKTHROUGH TO THE NEXT ROUND.

>> ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOST THE WAY YOU HAD IN THE QUARTER FINALS MATCH.

LAST YEAR, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SLEPT WELL SINCE THAT ONE.

IT'S TOUGH TO PUT THAT ONE PAST, BUT I THINK IT WAS JUST TRUSTING EVERYBODY AND IT IS DEFINITELY A FEELING YOU CAN'T DESCRIBE.

>> WE HAD THREE 40-POINT WINS LEADING UP TO THIS GAME.

I LOVE HOW WE WERE DOWN IN THE FIRST HALF, YOU DIDN'T SEE US YELL AT EACH OTHER, YOU DIDN'T SEE US PANIC, YOU SAW OUR PLAYERS COME TOGETHER, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, AND KEEP WORKING AT IT, KEEP TALKING, I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF THE LEADERSHIP ON THIS TIME.

>> Charlie: THE PATRIOTS WILL PLAY ON FRIDAY.

IT'S THEIR SECOND TIME IN THEIR EIGHT STATE APPEARANCES THEY MADE IT TO THE SEMIFINALS.

THE OTHER TIME WAS IN 2007.

THE PATS HAVE NEVER MADE IT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

>>> WELL, IT'S BEEN A SEASON OF RUNS FOR GRAND RAPIDS BOYS BASKETBALL AFTER PUTTING TOGETHER AN 11-GAME WIN STREAK THAT MADE THE THUNDER HAWKS BELIEVE THE STATE RUN WAS POSSIBLE.

THEY ENTERED THE CLASS 3-A QUARTER FINALS RIDING AN 8-GAME WIN STREAK.

NOW GRAND RAPIDS PLAYING SPOILER.

THE THUNDER HAWKS TRAILED 15-0, FIVE MINUTES INTO THE GAME, NOT A GOOD RECIPE FOR AN UPSET.

ETHAN MAKES IT BACK-TO-BACK DEUCES, TRYING TO LIGHT A SPARK ON THEIR GOLD SPARK.

NOW RAPIDS NEEDING MORE OFFENSE.

GRADY STRAIGHT TO THE HOLE, T-HAWKS STILL FIGHTING, BUT TRAIL.

LEADING WAS JOEY SUTHERLAND WITH 12 HERE ON THE LEFT-HANDED FINISH, HOWEVER IT WASN'T GOING TO BE ENOUGH.

THIS IS HIS 15th STRAIT TOURNEY APPEARANCE.

IT SHOWED.

THE ISLANDERS RUN AWAY WITH THIS ONE, GRAND RAPIDS FALLS, 87-37 IN THEIR FIRST STATE TOURNEY APPEARANCE SINCE 2017.

DESPITE THE LOSS, THE T-HAWKS WERE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY ON A BIG STAGE AND ARE READY TO PUT THIS GAME BEHIND THEM AS THEY TRY FOR A BETTER SHOWING TOMORROW.

>> IT'S SUPER BRIGHT ON THE COURT.

I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT.

YEAH, IT'S COOL.

I BEEN IN HERE WATCHING GAMES BEFORE BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN ON THE COURT.

THAT WAS A COOL EXPERIENCE.

OUR FANS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING US ALL YEAR, SORRY WE COULDN'T GET THE WIN.

I LOVE GRAND RAPIDS.

>> RESILIENCE IS THE WORD WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE BOUNCE BACK AFTER TOUGH LOSSES, THEY SHOWED UP AND WANTED TO PLAY AGAIN TOGETHER.

>> Charlie: RAPIDS PLAY SARTELL IN THE CONSOLATION SEMI FINALS TOMORROW.

TIMBERWOLVES ALSO IN ACTION TONIGHT.

THEY -- WELL, WE WILL GET YOU THE SCORE ON THAT ONE AFTERWARDS.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO BEMIDJI CURLING.

THEY HOST FREE TO CURL EVENT, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN CURL.

THE BEMIDJI CURLING CLUB KNOWS YOU CAN AND THEY'RE HOSTING A FREE COMMUNITY NIGHT TO PROVE IT.

IT WILL BE FREE TO CURL FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TRY THEIR HAND AT CURLING.

ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.

THEY ASK THAT YOU SHOW UP WITH CLEAN SHOES AND STRETCHY PANTS FOR MOBILITY.

BEMIDJI WILL HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT.

THIS IS ALL THE INFO, DATE, TIME, LOCATION.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL THEM AT THE E-MAIL ON THE GRAPHIC.

>> Dennis: CAN'T BEAT A FREE OPPORTUNITY LIKE THAT.

>> Charlie: I AM PROBABLY GOING TO STOP BY IF I CAN.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

TRAVEL WOES REMAIN AT AIRPORTS ACROSS THE U.S.

PASSENGERS FACE SIGNIFICANT SECURITY WAIT TIMES, AND EXTREMELY LONG LINES AS THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CONTINUES.

SINCE THERE'S NO IMMEDIATE END IN SIGHT SPRING TRAVELERS ARE ALSO FACED WITH ADDED STRESS, WORRY, EVEN ANGER, IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER TALKS TO A PSYCHOLOGIST ABOUT HOW TO KEEP YOUR COOL AND FIND STRESS RELIEF WHILE WAITING TO FLY.

>> Reporter: AS IF TAKING OFF WASN'T ALREADY TAXING ENOUGH, NOW TRAVELERS ARE FACING HOURS-LONG WAIT TIMES AS SECURITY LINES STRETCH ON, SOME EVEN EXTENDING OUTSIDE.

>> TRAVEL IS A RECIPE FOR INCREASING YOUR STRESS LEVEL.

>> Reporter: PSYCHOLOGIST SUSAN ALBERS SAYS THIS RELEASES CORTISOL IN THE BODY CREATING IRRITABILITY.

WHILE THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT THE LINE, YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR COMPOSURE.

>> THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF FEELING STRESSED IS FEELING RUSHED OR LATE.

BUILDING SOME EXTRA CUSHION TIME WILL HELP YOU TO FEEL CALMER AND AVOID THE STRESS THAT COMES WITH FEELING BEHIND.

>> Reporter: NEXT, ALBORS SAYS PACK SOME PEACE, PODCAST, MUSIC, MOVIES, ANYTHING THAT CAN HELP YOU COPE, AND COMFORT ITEMS LIKE PILLOWS, BLANKETS.

>> IT WILL HELP REDUCE YOUR BRAIN FROM FEELING OVERWHELMED AND MORE AT EASE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: BRING HEALTHY SNACKS AND STAY HYDRATED TO AVOID EXTRA STRESS ON THE BODY AND HELP KEEP UP YOUR ENERGY AND CONSIDER DOWNLOADING APPS THAT CALM YOUR NERVES LIKE BREATHING EXERCISES, MINDFULNESS, OR MEDITATION.

FINALLY, SET EXPECTATIONS, KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE BUMPS AND DELAYS ALONG THE WAY.

>> KNOWING THIS AHEAD OF TIME AND BEING EMOTIONALLY PREPARED IS GOING TO HELP YOU TO FEEL LESS STRESSED OVERALL.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> ALBERS ALSO RECOMMENDS PLANNING AHEAD, BY CREATING A CHECK LIST OF THINGS YOU NEED TO BRING, SO YOU CAN CHECK OFF HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT FORGETTING A TRAVEL ESSENTIAL.

>> Charlie: -7 70-68, THEY LEAD EVEN WITHOUT ANTHONY EDWARDS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.