>> 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.

>>> A PARK RAPIDS WOMAN HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO THE FELONY CHARGE OF BEING AN ACCOMPLICE OF A FIRST-DEGREE ASSAULT.

51-YEAR-OLD DANIELLE WESTPHAL'S HUSBAND, CHARLES JUSTUS IS FACING ASSAULT AND ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY STABBING A MAN 8 TO 10 TIMES IN FRONT OF HIS 5-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER LAST OCTOBER.

WESTPHAL ADMITTED TO THROWING HER HUSBANDS BLOODY JEANS OUT OF A VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 34 IN PARK RAPIDS AND THAT SHE KNEW SHE WAS HELPING HIM DISCARD HIS JEANS.

WESTPHAL IS SCHEDULED TO BE SENTENCED ON APRIL 20TH.

>>> THERESE HAUGEN, A WOMAN WHO LIVES WITHIN THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION, HAS SPENT THE LAST FEW YEARS BUILDING HER DREAM BUSINESS OF A CANNABIS CULTIVATION PLANT.

A FEW MONTHS AGO, HOWEVER, THE LEECH LAKE BAND TOLD HER THAT SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO GROW CANNABIS ON HER PROPERTY SINCE SHE IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE BAND.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, SPOKE WITH THERESE ABOUT HER DISPUTE WITH THE BAND AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> LET'S GO.

LET'S BUILD A BUSINESS.

LET'S BUILD A BRAND.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS TERESA'S REACTION WHEN IT BECAME LEGAL TO CULTIVATE CANNABIS IN 2023.

SHE HAS MADE 7-FIGURES BUILDING HER BRAND AT A FACILITY WHERE SHE PLANS TO SELL TO CANNABIS RETAILERS.

>> IT'S A 10,800 SQUARE FOOT BUSINESS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MICRO BUSINESSES.

MOST OF THEM REQUIRE A FLOWER CANOPY OF 5,000 SQUARE FEET.

WE HAVE THAT AND AN ADDITION THAT 5,000 TO DO WHAT WE WANT.

>> Reporter: SHE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWA SAYING SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO GROW CANNABIS ON THE RESERVATION.

>> THERE IS NO PATHWAY FOR ME AS A NON-MEMBER TO GROW HERE ON MY LAND.

IT SAID IF I WANTED TO FIND A PATHWAY, I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE 100% OF MY BUSINESS TO A BAND MEMBER.

>> Reporter: TERESA AND HER BUSINESS PARTNERS BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE RIGHT PROCEDURES TO BUILD THEIR CULTIVATION PLANT.

THEY ARGUE THAT SINCE THE PROPERTY IS NOT TRIBALLY REGULATED LAND, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROCEED WITH THEIR BUSINESS.

THEY ARGUE THAT SINCE THEY RECEIVED THEIR PRELIMINARY LICENSE BEFORE THE LEECH LAKE BAND SIGNED THE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE, THE BAND HAS NO JURISDICTION ON WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO WITH THEIR BUSINESS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP AND AS MUCH AS WE COULD AND EVERYONE THAT WE THOUGHT WE COULD REQUIRE PERMISSION FROM AND NEED ANYTHING FROM AND WE DID TRY TO REACH OUT TO THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION AS WELL AND WE HAVE BEEN OPEN WITH THEM.

SO, WE ARE JUST A LITTLE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THEY WERE TAKING SUCH ISSUE WITH OUR BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: THEY WENT TO THE STATE'S OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT TO ASK FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS BUT WAS INSTEAD ASKED IF THEY COULD MOVE THEIR BUSINESS OFF THE RESERVATION.

>> I SAID MOVE?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN MOVE?

YOU WANT ME TO TAKE MY BUILDING AND MOVE IT?

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IF SHE WANTS TO KEEP THE BUSINESS, SHE MAY HAVE TO GO THROUGH FEDERAL COURT.

>> I DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE RESERVATION.

I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO GROW ON MY PRIVATE LAND.

I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO GROW CANNABIS ON MY PRIVATE LAND.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM CASS LAKE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> WE REACHED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE LEECH LAKE BAND FOR A COMMENT ON THIS STORY, BUT WE DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

>>> A LONG PRAIRIE RENDERING FACILITY HAS BEEN FINED $3 MILLION FOR AIR QUALITY VIOLATIONS AND HAS AGREED TO SPEND MORE THAN $4 MILLION TO IMPROVE ITS WASTEWATER TREATMENT.

MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY OFFICIALS SAY CENTRAL BI-PRODUCTS EMITTED HIGHER LEVELS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE THAN IS ALLOWED, CAUSING ODOR COMPLAINTS IN THE COMMUNITY OF LONG PRAIRIE AND RESULTING IN THE $3 MILLION FINE THE TODD COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE $1.2 MILLION OF THAT FINE AND WILL USE IT TO FUND PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT AREA RESIDENTS.

THE VIOLATIONS TOOK PLACE FROM FALL 2023 THROUGH 2024.

CENTRAL BI-PRODUCTS HAS AGREED TO SPEND A MINIMUM OF $4.4 MILLION ON A SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE FACILITY SUFFICIENTLY TREATS ITS WASTEWATER AND CONTROLS HYDROGEN SULFIDE POLLUTION IN THE FUTURE.

>>> THE NONPROFIT GROUP SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS HAS PARTNERED WITH THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION AND RURAL RENEWABLE ENERGY ALLIANCE TO LAUNCH THE FIELDS AND FORESTS SOLAR CO-OP.

THE CO-OP IS FREE TO JOIN AND OPEN TO HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS IN CASS, CROW WING, MORRISON, TODD AND WADENA COUNTIES.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE FIELDS AND FOREST SOLAR CO-OP IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL HOMEOWNERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES TO LEARN ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY AND IF IT IS RIGHT FOR THEM.

AS WITH ENERGY COSTS CONTINUING TO CLIMB, SOLAR ENERGY REPRESENTS A WAY TO GET A HANDS ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL BY TAKING CONTROL OF WHERE YOUR ENERGY COMES FROM.

>> SOLAR ENERGY PROVIDES A MULTITUDE OF BENEFITS.

ONE, IT'S LOCAL ENERGY, SO IT MAKES OUR COMMUNITIES MORE RESILIENT TO EXTREME WEATHER.

SO IF WE HAVE A STORM THAT KNOCKS OUT OUR GRID AND WE HAVE A LOT OF HOMES AND COMMUNITY BUILDINGS WITH SOLAR ON THEM, WE CAN KEEP OUR SERVICES GOING.

>> Reporter: FOR THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION, WHICH AIMS TO REDUCE RISK AND COST THROUGH LOCAL CLEAN ENERGY AND BATTERY STORAGE, THE CO-OP FALLS IN LINE WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S EXAMPLE TO PROMOTE THAT MISSION IN SOLAR ARRAYS, WIND ENERGY, AND WASTE HEAT CAPTURE.

>> THE PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON CLEAN ENERGY AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCY IS NEW.

WE ESTABLISHED THAT LAST YEAR.

THAT'S TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES ADDRESS SOME OF THE IMPACTS THEY ARE FACING FROM THE CONSTANT RISING ENERGY COSTS, AS WELL AS GREATER DEMANDS ON OUR ENERGY GRIDS.

>> Reporter: THE RURAL ENERGY RENEWABLE ALLIANCE STRIVES TO MAKE RENEWABLE ENERGY MORE ACCESSIBLE, INSTALLING SOLAR ARRAYS AT THE HOSPITAL, AND AT THE OJIBWA RESERVATION.

IN ADDITION TO CONTROLLING ENERGY COSTS, THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES THAT SOLAR ENERGY CAN HELP CREATE JOBS.

>> WE DID HAVE CHANGES POST-COVID AND WE DON'T HAVE A SOLAR INSTALL PROGRAM, BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO REBUILD THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN JOBS THAT CAN BE APPLICABLE TO ANYONE, IN RURAL AREAS, IN THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.

>> Reporter: THEY HOSTED 29 DIFFERENT SOLAR CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA SINCE 2018 AND ACCORDING TO THE GROUP'S ESTIMATES, THE NEARLY 500 HOMES AND BUSINESSES THAT NOW HAVE SOLAR PANELS BECAUSE OF CO-OPS REPRESENT 4 MEGAWATTS OF SOLAR, $12 MILLION IN LOCAL SOLAR SPENDING, AND MORE THAN 98 MILLION POUNDS OF LIFE SOMETIME CARBON OFFSETS.

>> SO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE GOING TO USE THEM DON'T HAVE TO WORRY AS MUCH ABOUT AM I GETTING SOMEBODY DOING THIS WORK ON MY HOME THAT IS NOT VETTED.

SO IT'S A WIN-WIN ON BOTH SIDES.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS WILL BE HOSTING SEVERAL FREE INFORMATION SESSIONS TO EDUCATE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY AND THE CO-OP.

THE FIRST SESSION WILL TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY ON APRIL 9TH.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS INVITING THE PUBLIC TO A CONSTRUCTION KICK-OFF MEETING NEXT WEEKFOR THE UPCOMING TWO-YEAR $46 MILLION WASHINGTON STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN BRAINERD.

RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUTERS CAN ATTEND EITHER OF TWO DUPLICATE OPEN-HOUSE-STYLE SESSIONS FOCUSED ON 2026 ROADWORK ON WASHINGTON STREET BETWEEN PINE SHORES ROAD AND KINGWOOD STREET IN EAST BRAINERD.

IN MID-APRIL, CREWS WILL BEGIN PREPARING THE WORK ZONE ALONG HIGHWAY 210.

IN MID-MAY, CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN ON THE TWO ROUNDABOUTS BETWEEN TENTH AND FIFTH AVENUE NE NEAR THE EAST BRAINERD MALL.

THE PROJECT INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS ARE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 31ST FROM NOON TO 2:00 P.M.

AND FROM 4:00 P.M.

TO 6:00 P.M.

AT THE CROW WING COUNTY LAND SERVICES BUILDING LOCAL ACCESS WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT, BUT TRAVELERS SHOULD ANTICIPATE CHANGES AND MARKED DETOURS.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: TEMPERATURES WILL BE COOL TOMORROW BUT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE A WARM UP THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE AND BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY NURSING PROGRAMS ARE PARTNERING.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE JOINED BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY'S OPERATION LEAD INITIATIVE, WHICH HELPS MINNESOTA'S NURSES QUICKLY AND AFFORDABLY EARN DEGREES.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: NURSES FROM BEMIDJI STATE AND CLC CAN NOW EARN A FULL BACHELOR'S DEGREE WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE HOME, THANKS TO THE NEW PARTNERSHIP.

>> THIS IS TRULY STUDENT-CENTERED.

IT REALLY PROVIDES A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND IT EXPANDS THE HEALTH CARE FIELD.

SO, IT ALLOWS OUR STUDENTS TO SEAMLESSLY TRANSFER AND COMPLETE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE WITHIN A YEAR AFTER THEY COMPLETE THEIR ASSOCIATES.

>> Reporter: IT WAS DESIGNED TO HELP WORKING PROFESSIONALS PURSUE THESE CAREER EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES, BUILT AROUND A FLEXIBLE, ACCOMMODATING SCHEDULE.

STUDENTS HAVE FIVE CHANCES PER YEAR TO START COURSES, WHICH ONLY LASTS 8 WEEKS EACH AND ARE OFFERED 100% ONLINE.

>> WELL, WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN AN ONLINE SETTING.

THEY CAN STAY RIGHT HERE IN BRAINERD AND COMPLETE THEIR DEGREE AND CONTINUE TO INVEST IN HEALTH CARE RIGHT IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

SO, IT'S A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: CLC FEELS WITH THIS PARTNERSHIP, THEY'RE REMOVING BARRIERS, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES, AND INSURING THAT THE NURSES IN THE REGION ARE ADVANCING IN THEIR EDUCATION.

>> SO IT'S REALLY GREAT FOR BOTH OF OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY, AND IT IS ALSO REALLY BENEFICIAL FINANCIALLY FOR OUR STUDENTS.

OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH BEMIDJI STATE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND EXPAND TO MANY, MANY MORE PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE VERY SIMILAR TO THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: NURSING STUDENTS CAN BEGIN WORKING ON BACHELOR'S DEGREES BEFORE COMPLETING THEIR NCLEX, A NATIONAL LICENSE EXAMINATION FOR ENTRY-LEVEL NURSES.

HOWEVER, NURSES WHO HAVE PASSED THE EXAM WILL RECEIVE 15 UPPER DIVISION COURSE CREDITS THROUGH BSU'S RN ADVANTAGE PROGRAM.

REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> LEAD NURSING STUDENTS CAN APPLY FOR ONE OF 20 SCHOLARSHIPS, EITHER A $1,000 TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP, A $2,500 MINNESOTA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP, OR BOTH.

THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE RESERVED SPECIFICALLY FOR LEAD NURSING STUDENTS.

>>> TIME TO TALK SOME WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

WE'RE CLOSING IN ON THE WEEKEND.

HOW ARE WE LOOKING FORECAST-WISE?

>> Stacy: FORECAST-WISE, WE'RE LOOKING WARMER.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE COLDER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, A LOT OF HIGHS IN THE 20s AND 30s, BUT EXPECT TO SEE WARMER TEMPS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, COULD SEE SOME 50s IN THERE.

WE ARE WATCHING A POTENTIAL WINTER STORM OR ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM MOVING IN AROUND MIDWEEK NEXT WEEK.

SO ENJOY [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: IT WAS NICE TO SEE THE SUNSHINE TODAY, BUT TEMPERATURES STAYED A LITTLE BIT BELOW AVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE VIEWING AREA.

IT LOOKS LIKE MORE COOLER WEATHER IS IN STORE FOR US TOMORROW WITH HIGHS IN THE 20s AND 30s.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE A WARM UP FOR THE WEEKEND, BUT WE'LL ALSO BE SEEING VERY DRY CONDITIONS.

WE HAVE A POTENTIALLY STRONGER WINDS ON SATURDAY, SO PART OF THE VIEWING AREA IS UNDER A FIRE WEATHER WATCH ON SATURDAY.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 24 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE LIGHT FROM THE NORTHEAST.

8 IS OUR DEW POINT, HUMIDITY IS AT 51%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 28, A DEW POINT OF 15.

OUR BAROMETRIC PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE AND WINDS ARE NORTH AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW PARTS OF CENTRAL AND INTO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA ARE UNDER THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH.

IT BEGINS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUES THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

WE WILL BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES PROBABLY AROUND 60 DEGREES ON SATURDAY, BUT VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND WINDS GUSTING UP TO 40 MILES PER HOUR AND COMBINE THAT WITH THE DRY FIELDS AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TO DEVELOP.

AS FAR AS TONIGHT, IT'S PRETTY QUIET OUT THERE.

SO FAR, IT'S BEEN PRETTY CLEAR.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE CLOUDS INCREASE AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

WE MAY SEE A FEW FLURRIES DEVELOPING IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

THAT WILL MOVE THROUGH.

IT LOOKS LIKE A MAINLY QUIET AND COOL DAY FOR US TOMORROW, ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SEEING SOME LIGHT SNOW IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GARY SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE DAYTIME MOON IN DEERWOOD.

SOME PURPLE FINCHES AT THE FEEDER FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, CHRISSY SAYING THE GEESE WERE UP ON THE ICE AFTER A LITTLE SWIM IN THE OPEN WATER THERE IN DEERWOOD, AND RALPH SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF TONIGHT'S SUNSET IN JENKINS.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY AND 34 TODAY.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 36 THIS EVENING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND BREEZY TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 36.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, WE HAD A HIGH OF 37.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, THE HIGH WAS EARLIER TODAY AT 36, OUR LOW IS OUR CURRENT TEMPERATURE AT 31.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH TODAY OF 52, BUT AGAIN IT HAS BEEN COLDER THAN THAT MOST OF THE DAYTIME HOURS.

OUR LOW WAS 28.

WE HAD SUNSET AT 7:38.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 38, A LITTLE ON THE COOL SIDE IN BEMIDJI.

23 IS OUR LOW TEMPERATURE AND SUNRISE AT 7:10.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, SOME OF THAT PRECIPITATION MAYBE GOING TO REACH THE GROUND, MAYBE NOT.

IT'S GOING TO MOVE INTO EASTERN MINNESOTA.

WE WILL BE SEEING MORE POTENTIAL LIGHT SNOW AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, BUT OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE A QUIET AND COOL DAY FOR US TOMORROW.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 20s ACROSS MOST OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, COULD BE ABOUT 31 IN PARK RAPIDS.

THEN HEADING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD BE SEEING THE HIGHS MAINLY IN THE LOW 30s.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE OF FLURRIES MOVING INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

LOWS NEAR 15.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, WE HAVE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME LIGHT SNOW IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON.

HIGHS NEAR 28, WITH NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, AFTER TOMORROW'S COOL TEMPERATURES, WE START TO SEE A WARM UP AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

WE SHOULD SEE SUNSHINE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AND HIGHS ON SUNDAY IN THE MID-50s.

STILL LOOKING AT SOME UPPER 40s EARLY NEXT WEEK, THE POTENTIAL IS THERE FOR RAIN OR SNOW SHOWERS AS WE HEAD INTO TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE AND DO WE HAVE OUR FIRST SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR TONIGHT?

>> Charlie: WE DO A LITTLE BIT.

WE HAVE BOYS TENNIS AND WE HAVE OPENING DAY FOR BASEBALL.

WE HAD OPENING NIGHT LAST NIGHT.

IT WAS JUST ONE GAME BUT THE TWINS GOT THEIR SEASON UNDERWAY.

WE HAVE THE HEIGHTS FROM -- HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND MORE ACROSS THE AREA.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> IT'S TOUGH TO BEAT OPENING DAY IN BASEBALL.

EVERY TEAM STILL UNBURDENED BY THE EVENTUAL 162-GAME GRIND, FANS REKINDLING THE HOPE THIS WILL BE THERE SEASON, AND THE FEELING THAT SUMMER IS NEARLY HERE.

BUT FOR THE TWINS, IT'S SIMPLY A FRESH START FROM A YEAR AGO WHEN THEY WENT 70-92, FINISHING 4TH IN THE A-L CENTRAL.

THEY OPENED THE 2026 SEASON TAKING ON THE ORIOLES IN FRONT OF A PACKED HOUSE AT CAMDEN YARDS.

TWINS HAD PLENTY OF CHANCES TO SCORE EARLY, BUT TREVOR ROGERS WAS EXCELLENT, GETS RYAN JEFFERS TO HIT INTO A DOUBLE PLAY IN THE THIRD, ROGERS INDUCED 3-DOUBLE PLAYS AND THREW 7-SHUTOUT INNINGS.

JOE RYAN WAS EVERY BIT AS GOOD FOR MINNESOTA, HE STRIKES OUT SAM BASALLO TO END THE 4TH.

RYAN WENT 5 AND A THIRD WITH ONE HIT, 7Ks, AND NO RUNS.

BOTTOM 7TH, ORIOLES ALREADY SCORED ONE IN THE INNING, BLAZE ALEXANDER COMES UP WITH AN R.B.I.

SINGLE TO GIVE THE O'S A 2-0 LEAD.

TOP OF THE 8TH, TWINS NEEDING ANYTHING OFFENSIVELY, BYRON BUXTON, POWERS ONE DOWN THE LINE AND GETS THE RARE LEFT FIELD TRIPLE, HE'D SCORE THE NEXT AT BAT ON A LUKE KEASCHAL SAC FLY.

BUT THAT IS ALL THE TWINS COULD MUSTER ON OPENING DAY, FALLING 2-1 TO THE ORIOLES, THEY'LL TAKE TOMORROW OFF BEFORE RESUMING THEIR SERIES ON SATURDAY.

>>> THEN THE WILD, THEY GAVE UP A GOAL SUPER LATE, UNDER A MINUTE TO GO, AND THE SCORE WAS JUST 5 MINUTES TO GO.

THE HERO THERE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT THEIR GAMES HAVE BEEN WILD, MINNESOTA WILD.

>>> BEMIDJI BOYS' TENNIS WITH THEIR FIRST CONTEST OF THE SEASON, PLAYING INDOORS AT BSU TODAY AGAINST EAST GRAND FORKS.

STARTING AT NUMBER TWO DOUBLES, IT'S ETHAN FRANK AND LOGAN BERG, FRANK DRIVES ONE DOWN THE LINE FOR THE POINT, THE DUO WON THEIR MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

AT TWO SINGLES IT WAS JOSH AREL SERVING UP THE HEAT, FIRST ONE TOO HOT TO HANDLE, SECOND ONE AN ACE, HE WON HIS MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS AS WELL.

THEN, AT ONE SINGLES, OWEN LAPPINGA, MAKING EM GO RIGHT, THEN MAKING EM GO LEFT, HE'D WIN HIS MATCH 6-1, 6-2.

IN FACT, THE LUMBERJACKS DID NOT DROP A SINGLE SET TODAY, THEY SWEEP THE GREEN WAVE 7-0 FOR THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON.

>>> IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL, GRAND RAPIDS'S SEASON COMES TO AN END AS THEY FALL TO SARTELL IN THE CONSOLATION FINALS.

>>> THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND BEMIDJI FIGURE SKATING IS HOLDING THEIR 58TH ANNUAL FANTASY ICE SHOW.

AND WE HERE AT LAKELAND PBS WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO STOP BY THE B.C.A.

FOR THEIR FINAL PRACTICE AND GET A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT THIS YEAR'S SHOW, THEMED BORN TO SKATE.

>> Reporter: FIGURE SKATERS KNOW THERE ARE HIGHS, AND THERE ARE LOWS.

IT TAKES COURAGE TO LACE UP THEIR SKATES, STEP OUT ON THE ICE.

>> PERSEVERING AND HAVING THE GRIT TO KEEP GOING AND THAT IT'S A JOURNEY.

SOMETIMES IT'S HARD AND SOMETIMES YOU KNOW, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SOARING AND IT'S JUST KIND OF EVERYTHING THAT WRAPS UP INTO WHAT CULMINATES INTO YOUR SKATING CAREER.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHERE THE THEME BORN TO SKATE CAME FROM FOR BEMIDJI FIGURE SKATING 58th ANNUAL FANTASY ICE SHOW.

THEY ARE CELEBRATING THE IMPACT OF ICE SKATING ON THEIR LIVES.

>> IT'S ALWAYS JUST LIKE SOMETHING THAT IS CONSISTENT IN MY LIFE AND I CAN GET MY EMOTIONS OUT WHILE I'M SKATING AND SHOW WHO I AM THROUGH MY MOVEMENTS.

SO IT MEANS A LOT.

>> Reporter: THE PRODUCTION SHOWCASES OVER 100 SKATERS, AGES 8 TO 18, AND FROM BEGINNERS TO ADVANCE, ALL LEARNING THE ENTIRE SHOW IN JUST 6 TOTAL PRACTICES.

>> DEPENDING ON THE THEY'RE IN ALL THE NUMBERS OR SOME OF THE NUMBERS, ESPECIALLY THE LITTLES, THAT CAN BE A REAL CHALLENGE TO REMEMBER ALL THE CHOREOGRAPHY AND ORGANIZE IT AND TRY THEIR BEST TO SHOW IT OFF.

>> IT'S EXTRA SPECIAL TRYING TO HAVE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS COME, WHO DON'T NORMALLY GET TO SEE ME SKATE.

THAT'S REALLY SPECIAL AND I JUST FOCUS ON GETTING OUT THERE AND DOING MY BEST.

>> Reporter: UNLIKE MANY FIGURE SKATING EVENTS THAT SHOWCASE INDIVIDUALS, THIS PERFORMANCE SHINES A LIGHT ON THE GROUP AS A WHOLE.

FOR MANY OF THE SKATERS, THAT'S THEIR FAVORITE PART.

>> HAVING PRACTICES WHERE ME AND MY FRIENDS ARE WORKING ON THE SAME PROGRAM.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE DON'T NORMALLY GET TO DO.

>> ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO SKATE WITH MY FRIENDS BECAUSE SKATING ALONE, THAT'S SCARY.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT I AM GOING TO REMEMBER, PROBABLY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

>> Charlie: AND HERE IS THE TIMES FOR THE SHOWS ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, 6:00 AND 1:00 P.M.

FROM WHAT I SAW DENNIS, IT LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY GOOD SHOW TO WATCH THEM SKATING AROUND THE PLACE.

>> Dennis: ALWAYS A GOOD SHOW, IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A LOT OF YEARS.

>> Charlie: 58th ANNUAL.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

ONE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM HAS BEEN BUSY FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS CREATING FIRESTARTERS TO SELL TO THE COMMUNITY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK STOPPED BY TODAY FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, TO SEE HOW THEY ARE MADE, AND HOW THEY ARE GIVING STUDENTS INDEPENDENCE.

>> Reporter: DRIED FLORALS AND HAND PICKED PINE CONES ARE INDIVIDUALLY PLACED BY BEMIDJI SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS TO CREATE UNIQUE FIRE STARTERS.

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, STUDENTS HAVE CREATED MORE THAN 500 OF THE CUPCAKES WITH EVERYONE PUTTING THEIR OWN PERSONAL SPIN ON EACH FIRE STARTER.

>> YOU KNOW, IT JUST GIVES THEM A LOT OF SUCCESS.

I THINK PARENTS ARE SUPER EXCITED THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO HAVE SOME SUCCESS HERE AT SCHOOL WHEN SCHOOL HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

BEING ABLE TO HAVE SUCCESS, BE PROUD OF SOMETHING THAT THEY DO, AND THEY ENJOY IT.

IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS LITERALLY ONE STEP AT A TIME AND NOW WE KIND OF ACCOMPLISHED THE FINAL PRODUCT.

>> YOU CAN TELL THEIR PERSONALITIES BASED ON HOW THEY DO IT BECAUSE SOME ARE ALL THE SAME.

SOME ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN.

I THINK IT'S REALLY FUN INTERACTING WITH THE KIDS AND HELP THEM HANDS-ON.

>> Reporter: MAKING THE CUPCAKES IS NOT ONLY A GOOD LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE STUDENTS, BUT THEY'RE ALSO USING THEM AS A FUNDRAISER, SELLING THEM TO THE COMMUNITY THEY HOPE TO RAISE FUNDS TO GO ON A FIELD TRIP AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY AND PRACTICE GOING TO LUNCH AND DOING THOSE THINGS.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE STARTERS ARE MADE BY STUDENTS FULLY FROM SCRATCH, USING MANY DONATED MATERIALS TO PUT THEM TOGETHER.

>> WE TAKE SAWDUST THAT WE USE FROM OUR WOOD SHOP AND CANDLE WICK AND CINNAMON STICKS, AND ADD DRY FLOWERS THAT ARE DONATED TO US, AND THE KIDS DESIGN THEM HOW THEY WANT BY PUTTING DRIED FLOWERS, DRIED FRUIT, PINE CONES.

>> Reporter: EVERY STUDENT HAS THE CHANCE TO MAKE THE PIECE THEIR OWN AND THE INDEPENDENT AND UNIQUENESS THEY ARE ABLE TO SHOW OFF GOES FAR BEYOND TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE CLASSROOM.

>> WE'RE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE KIDS ARE ABLE TO HAVE A JOB, THEY HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH IT, AND IT GIVES THEM A SENSE OF PRIDE TO BE ABLE TO FINISH SOMETHING AND WE MODIFY IT, DEPENDING ON THEIR NEEDS AND THEY'RE ALL ABLE TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> TO PURCHASE THE FIRESTARTERS, WHICH COST $2 APIECE, ORDERS CAN BE CALLED IN DIRECTLY TO THE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE CLASSROOM IS ALSO ACCEPTING DONATED MATERIALS TO CONTINUE THEIR PROJECTS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, AS SUMMER AND CAMPFIRE SEASON STARTS.

>>> WELL THAT'S GOING TO WRAP UP OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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