>> 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 JOINING US.

>>> TONIGHT WAS THE FINAL VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF J.W.

SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BEMIDJI.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, ATTENDED THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, ALONG WITH AN ANXIOUS ROOM FULL OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS, TO SEE WHAT THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED FOR.

>> Reporter: OVER 100 PARTICIPATES, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS PACKED THE DOWNTOWN EDUCATION CENTER IN BEMIDJI ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE SCHOOL BOARD'S DECISION ON THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF J.W.

SMITH ELEMENTARY.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PROPOSING THE CLOSURE DUE TO A $3.5 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL NEXT YEAR AND BELIEVES CONSOLIDATING THE K-3 SITES WILL HELP WITH CHALLENGES.

>> WE'RE DOWN 18% OF WHERE WE SHOULD BE HAD WE KEPT UP WITH INFLATION OVER THE LAST DECADE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT OBJECTIVE INFORMATION HERE THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS IN A FINANCIAL SITUATION THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO BE IN.

>> Reporter: OVER THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF, SEVERAL FRUSTRATED PARENTS AND STAFF AT J.W.

SMITH VOICED THEIR OPINIONS ON THE PROPOSED CLOSURE.

SOME OFFERED SOLUTIONS INCLUDING CUTTING ADMINISTRATIVE COST.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SAY THE POSSIBILITIES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED BUT IS NOT AN OPTION.

>> THESE OPTIONS FACE LEGAL AND PRACTICAL LIMITS.

THEY'RE UNLIKELY TO SOLVE A LONG-TERM STRUCTURAL BUDGE CHALLENGE.

>> Reporter: SOME SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS NOTE ONE REQUEST THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE ASKED THROUGHOUT THESE LAST FEW WEEKS AND NOW TO KEEP THE SCHOOL OPEN FOR AT LEAST ONE MORE YEAR TO GIVE THE DISTRICT AND SCHOOL MORE TIME.

>> TO PURSUE ADDITIONAL FUNDING, TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS, AND TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT THIS SCHOOL MEANS THROUGH ACTION.

I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT GRANTING THIS TIME WOULD HELP TO REBUILD TRUST.

I BELIEVE THAT IS A REASONABLE REQUEST.

>> STRUGGLE IS BECAUSE I REALLY BELIEVE IN BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR DISTRICT ON SOLID GROUND.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT I WANT THIS SCHOOL TO STAY OPEN.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT CAME TIME TO VOTE, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS VOTED TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL WHILE BOARD CHAIR AND TWO BOARD MEMBERS VOTED TO KEEP THE SCHOOL OPEN, RESULTING IN A 3-3 TIE.

>> THE QUESTION FAILS.

THE SCHOOL STAYS OPEN.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

>> I'M KIND OF SPEECHLESS RIGHT NOW BUT I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I WOULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED.

OUR SCHOOL BOARD HAS GIVEN US ONE MORE YEAR TO FIGURE OUT A PLAN TO KEEP THE BEAUTIFUL DOORS OPEN FOR J.W.

SMITH IN BEMIDJI.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

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

>> DURING THE MEETING, SUPERINTENDENT JEREMY OLSON, NOTED THAT SIX TEACHERS MAY HAVE TO BE CUT TO MATCH WHAT DOLLARS WOULD HAVE BEEN SAVED FROM THE CLOSURE OF J.W.

SMITH.

HE SAID IN HIS COMMENTS AT THE MEETING THAT HE WAS VOTING TO KEEP J.W.

SMITH OPEN FOR ONE MORE YEAR BUT STRESSED THIS WAS NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION AND THAT THIS YEAR THE COMMUNITY MUST COME TOGETHER, SEEK FUNDING, ADVOCATE, AND PROVE WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

>>> TWO PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND TWO OTHERS ARE INJURED FOLLOWING A HEAD-ON CRASH NEAR PARK RAPIDS ON SUNDAY NIGHT.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS A MAN DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 71 NEAR ALBERT AVENUE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND STRUCK AN SUV HEAD-ON THE OTHER DIRECTION.

THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP, 45-YEAR-OLD BRADLEY JAMES HAYES AND THE DRIVER OF THE SUV KIMBERLY RIFE BOTH DIED FOLLOWING THE COLLISION.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS ALCOHOL USE IS SUSPECTED FOR HAYES WHO COURT RECORDS SHOW HAS FOUR PRIOR D.W.I.

CONVICTIONS.

ALSO INJURED IN THE CRASH WERE 5-YEAR WYATT HAYES, A PASSENGER IN BRADLEY HAYE'S PICKUP AND 13-YEAR OLD BAILEE RIFE, A PASSENGER IS KIMBERLY RIFE'S SUV.

WYATT HAYES SUFFERED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND BAILEE RIFE SUFFERED LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

>>> TRAIN TRAFFIC HAS RESUMED NEAR WARROAD AFTER A LARGE TRAIN DERAILMENT OVER THE WEEKEND.

IT PROMPTED HALF A DOZEN FAMILIES TO BE EVACUATED.

NEWS REPORTER MATT HENSON HAS NEW VIDEO OF THE DERAILMENT AND WHAT RAIL LEADERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE CLEANUP AND INVESTIGATION.

>> Reporter: PRETTY MUCH BACK TO NORMAL.

JIM AND HID FAMILY -- HIS FAMILY WERE ONE OF HALF A DOZEN HOMES THAT WERE FORCED TO EVACUATE SATURDAY MORNING.

THE EVACUATIONS WERE PRECAUTIONARY.

HE SAID HIS FAMILY SLEPT THROUGH THE DERAILMENT.

>> YOU GET USE TO THE TRAIN NOISE, WHEN THE TRAIN TRACKS ARE 100 YARDS OUTSIDE MY FRONT DOOR.

THEY'RE GOING BY EVERY HOUR.

>> Reporter: HE SHOT THIS VIDEO AS THEY WERE LEAVING THEIR HOME.

>> I WAS BLOWN AWAY WHEN I SAW THE TRACKS IN THE AIR.

I WAS FLATTENED BY HOW FAR AWAY FROM THE TRACKS THEY WERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACK AND THERE WERE TREES KNOCKED OVER.

>> Reporter: ROSEAU COUNTY EMERGENCY LEADERS ARE ASKING THE PUBLIC TO STAY AWAY FROM THE AREA SO THE CLEAN UP AND CONSTRUCTION CAN CONTINUE.

HIGHWAY 313 IS STILL IN A SOFT CLOSURE FROM 400th STREET TO COUNTY ROAD 137.

>> I AM GOING TO TAKE A COUPLE EXTRA MINUTES ON THE TRIP TO WORK AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE A COUPLE EXTRA MINUTES ON THE WAY HOME.

>> CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY OFFICIALS SAY THE CAUSE OF THE DERAILMENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL ESTIMATED 100,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE NO KINGS RALLY IN ST.

PAUL ON SATURDAY.

IT WAS DESIGNATED THE FLAGSHIP OF THE NO KINGS PROTEST MOVEMENT WITH BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN PERFORMED AS PART OF IT.

MEANWHILE THERE WERE NUMEROUS NO KINGS RALLIES IN LAKELAND COUNTRY AND OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTINGSS -- RESIDENTS ACROSS MINNESOTA JOINED A DAY OF PROTEST AS THE NO KINGS RALLY REACHED DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

WITH HACKENSACK, A TOWN OF LESS THAN 300 PEOPLE, EVEN REPORTEDLY HAVING ABOUT 200 PROTESTERS IN ATTENDANCE.

THERE WERE MORE THAN 3,000 COORDINATED EVENTS HELD ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

>> WE'RE STANDING UP FOR WHAT WE REALLY BELIEVE IN, VALUES OF EQUITY AND JUSTICE, PROTECTING THE TENANTS OF DEMOCRACY THAT SERVE US WHILE DISMANTLING THE ONES THAT DON'T, AND COMMUNITY CARE IS IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

WE REALLY WANT TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE EVERYONE FEELS WELCOMED AND REPRESENTED AND OF COURSE ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE WANT TO HOLD THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR BEST INTEREST.

>> Reporter: THEY GATHERED OVER THE LAKE BEMIDJI WATERFRONT IN DOWNTOWN PLAZA.

IN BRAINERD, 1,800 PEOPLE GATHERED ALONG WASHINGTON STREET FROM THE OLD WATER TOWER TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE.

WITH PARTICIPANTS STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER IN WHAT ORGANIZERS CALL THE LARGEST SINGLE DAY PROTEST IN U.S.

HISTORY.

>> MINNESOTA HAS A LONG HISTORY OF BEING, YOU KNOW, AT THE CENTER OF PROTESTS.

I THINK ABOUT THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, WE HAD A LOT OF GROUND ZERO MOMENTS.

MINNESOTA, WE'RE REALLY A STATE THAT HAS A LOT OF SISTER CITIES AND IMMIGRANT SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: THE NO KINGS RALLY PROMOTES LOVE OVER HATE, UNITY OVER DIVISION, AND PEACE OVER WAR, SOMETHING THAT THE PEOPLE HERE FEEL THAT THE LAWMAKERS AND OFFICIALS DO NOT PRIORITIZE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY.

>> YELLING AT EACH OTHER IS NOT GETTING US ANYWHERE.

SO, THE REASON I'M HERE TODAY IS TO ENGAGE IN THAT BROADER CONTEXT OF HEALING AND LOVING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING AND COMING BACK TO EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: WHILE SMALLER COMMUNITIES LIKE BRAINERD, BEMIDJI, AND GRAND RAPIDS HELD THEIR OWN RALLIES, ST.

PAUL STOOD AS THE CENTER HUB FOR MINNESOTA'S PARTICIPATION.

>> A PROTEST IN A SMALL COMMUNITY LIKE A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE IN HACKENSACK, TO A GIANT RALLY IN ST.

PAUL THAT IS EXPECTED TO DRAW TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO THE STREET.

WE'RE ALL COMING TOGETHER, NO MATTER WHERE WE STAND, TO STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.

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

>> SATURDAYS NO KINGS RALLY INCLUDED MORE THAN 3,000 EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS IN 16 OTHER COUNTRIES.

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS CARRIED OUT ON A THREAT TO SUE THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND ITS SCHOOL ATHLETICS GOVERNING BODY FOR ALLOWING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES TO COMPETE IN GIRLS SPORTS.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ALLEGES IN A LAWSUIT FILED MONDAY THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE ARE VIOLATING TITLE NINE, A FEDERAL LAW AGAINST SEX DISCRIMINATION IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL MONEY.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS FILED SIMILAR LAWSUITS AGAINST MAINE AND CALIFORNIA, AND THREATENED THE FEDERAL FUNDING OF SOME UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING SAN JOSE STATE IN CALIFORNIA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ATTORNEY GENERAL PAMELA BONDI SAID IN A STATEMENT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT TOLERATE FLAWED STATE POLICIES THAT IGNORE BIOLOGICAL REALITY AND UNFAIRLY UNDERMINE GIRLS ON THE PLAYING FIELD.

DEMOCRATIC MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON CALLED THE LAWSUIT A SAD ATTEMPT TO GET ATTENTION OVER AN ISSUE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN IN LITIGATION FOR MONTHS.

HE SAID HE'LL KEEP FIGHTING.

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

>> Stacy: WE HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, OR SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND A GOOD PORTION OF THE VIEWING AREA IS UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, THERE IS A HOME IMPROVEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS IN PILLAGER THAT HAS SERVED THIS COMMUNITY FOR ROUGHLY 30 YEARS.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE AITKIN SCHOOL BOARD HAS SELECTED MARY MOREM AS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S NEXT SUPERINTENDENT.

MOREM IS CURRENTLY THE SUPERINTENDENT IN HOUSTON, MINNESOTA.

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

MOREM IS EXPECTED TO START ON THE JOB ON JULY 1ST.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO EASTER WEEKEND.

WE COULD SEE A WINTER-TYPE WEEKEND.

>> WE HAVE SEVERAL CHANCES OF SNOW, MIXED PRECIPITATION IN THE FORECAST, SOME ACCUMULATING SNOW AND ACTIVE WEATHER PATTERN FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

THE FIRST CHANCE OF SEEING THAT FREEZING RAIN IS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

MANY OF US ARE UNDER A [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID GET TO ENJOY SOME SUNSHINE TODAY, ALONG WITH A FEW PERIODS OF CLOUD COVER AND TEMPERATURES WERE NOT TOO BAD.

WE HAD THE HIGHS BACK UP IN THE 40s AND 50s.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK AND SEVERAL CHANCES OF SNOW, POSSIBLY SOME RAIN OR FREEZING RAIN IN THE MIX, ESPECIALLY LATER ON THIS WEEK, BUT WE HAVE ONE THAT COULD CAUSE SOME TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES TOMORROW MORNING.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

FIRST, HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS.

IT'S 37 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE NORTHEAST AT 3 MILES PER HOUR, 21 IS OUR DEW POINT, HUMIDITY IS AT 53%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, IT'S 38 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 20.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE NORTHEAST AT 12 MILES PER HOUR.

NORTHERN AND OVER INTO NORTHEASTERN AND PARTS OF EASTERN MINNESOTA, THESE AREAS ARE UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.

IT'S EFFECT IN THE FAR NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE.

WE'LL SEE THIS BEGINNING AT 1:00 A.M.

TUESDAY AND IT CONTINUES UNTIL 1:00 P.M.

ON TUESDAY FOR ALL BUT KOOCHICHING COUNTY WILL SEE IT EXTEND TO 7:00 P.M.

TOMORROW.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AND MAYBE 1 TO 2 INCHES AND MAYBE 0.1-INCH OF ICE.

WE COULD SEE SLICK ROADWAYS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, AT LEAST THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, CLEAR SKIES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT MORE CLOUD COVER AND SOME PRECIPITATION BEGINNING TO MOVE INTO THE NORTH.

WE DO HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING MORE RAIN, SNOW, AND FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AGAINST SOME ICE ACCUMULATION IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN MINNESOTA THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING, A LITTLE BIT QUIETER, WE WILL SEE THE WINDS PICKING UP.

NO PRECIPITATION EXPECT IN THE AFTERNOON.

WE DO HOWEVER HAVE MORE SYSTEMS ON THE WAY LATER THIS WEEK.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, A BEAUTIFUL SKY FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND JOAN SPOTTING A VIOLET IN BLOOM IN HER GARDEN IN LAPORTE.

MAX SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A BEAR IN THE AREA THIS WEEKEND AND CHRISSY WITH THE CLOUDS AND THE BLUE SKIES OVER DEERWOOD.

GARY SPOTTING A BEAVERDAM IN DEERWOOD.

WE HAVE SUNSET PICTURES FROM ANGELA IN CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE FOR MOST OF THE DAY, MOSTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 50.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, 51 WITH PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, THE HIGHWAY WAS 56.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY AND 54.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 56 WAS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD, SO 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

7:43 WAS OUR SUNSET.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 48, 4 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE, 27 FOR THE LOW, AND 7:02 WAS OUR SUNRISE.

SO LOOKING AT OUR FORECAST, SOME LINGERING SNOW, FREEZING RAIN, AND RAIN TOMORROW MORNING THAT WILL BEGIN TO MOVE OFF TO THE EAST THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS AND BY THE AFTERNOON, OTHER THAN SOME BREEZY CONDITIONS, IT LOOKS LIKE QUIETER WEATHER IS IN STORE FOR US.

WE WILL BE SEEING THE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE 30s ACROSS MUCH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, MAYBE UP TO 41 IN GRAND RAPIDS, WITH TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT IN THE LOW TO MID-40s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, MIXED PRECIPITATION IS LIKELY TONIGHT, UP TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW, TO 0.1-INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATION.

THAT MIXED PRECIPITATION CONTINUES TOMORROW MORNING, WITH OTHERWISE VARIABLE CLOUDS, WEST WINDS PICKING UP AT 10 TO 25.

A PRETTY ACTIVE WEATHER PATTERN SETTING UP, QUIET ON WEDNESDAY, BUT THEN THE START OF THE WEEKEND, WE'LL HAVE SEVERAL CHANCES OF SNOW, RAIN, ACCUMULATING SNOW.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 30s, BUT EASTER SUNDAY TEMPS SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 40s.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU STACY.

NOW SYDNEY DICK HAS OUR SPORTS.

>> Sydney: WE'RE HEADED OVER TO RED LAKE FOR A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.

WE HAVE THE ANNUAL TOURNAMENT, SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM IT, I GOT A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO SOME COACHES AND SOME PLAYERS.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪ [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>>> A MONTH AGO, BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL'S TANNER JOHNSON WON THE BOYS TRIPLE A AWARD FOR REGION 8, BUT AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT OVER THE WEEKEND HE WAS NAMED ONE OF FOUR WINNERS IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

THE AWARD IS CENTERED AROUND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO EXCEED IN ACADEMICS, ARTS, AND ATHLETICS, SOMETHING JOHNSON HAS WORKED TOWARDS FOR YEARS.

HE HAS MAINTAINED OVER A 4.0 G.P.A.

WHILE ALSO HOLDING TEAM CAPTAIN ROLES IN THREE SPORTS.

THE SENIOR IS NOW THE FIRST STUDENT IN BEMIDJI HISTORY TO EARN THE AWARD AT THE STATE LEVEL, KEEPING HIS SCHEDULE BUSY WITH SEVEN EXTRACURRICULARS.

JOHNSON PLANS TO CONTINUE HIS PERSONAL GROWTH BY STUDYING PRE-MED, SINGING IN CHOIR, AND STARTING COLLEGIATE SWIMMING IN THE FALL.

AND ALSO IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT, PEQUOT LAKES BEAT FIFTH-SEEDED ALBANY FOR THIRD PLACE, TIED FOR THEIR BEST FINISH SINCE 2007.

SOPHOMORE GUS MCKENNA LED THE WAY FOR THE PATRIOTS WITH 15 POINTS, INCLUDING A THREE WITH A-MINUTE FORTY-FIVE LEFT IN THE GAME, TO GIVE THEM ONLY THEIR SECOND LEAD OF THE DAY, WHICH THEY HELD ONTO FOR THE DUB.

THAT ALSO HELPED HIM EARN A SPOT ON THE 2A ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM, ALONG WITH TEAMMATE, JUNIOR SAM AFAGWU.

>>> WELL, MIKE LYNCH HAS STEPPED DOWN AS THE BSU TRACK AND FIELD AND CROSS COUNTRY HEAD COACH.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE INDOOR SEASON, AND THE START OF OUTDOOR.

HE WAS IN HIS FOURTH SEASON AT THE HELM, BUT BEFORE THAT HAS BEEN AN ASSISTANT WITH THE TEAM SINCE 2018.

UNDER LYNCH, THE CROSS COUNTRY TEAM BECAME THE FASTEST TO DATE IN PROGRAM HISTORY, IMPROVING THEIR AVERAGE COURSE TIME BY A FULL MINUTE.

THROWING COACH BENJAMIN BAIRD HAS TAKEN OVER AS THE INTERIM HEAD COACH FOR THE UPCOMING OUTDOOR TRACK SEASON.

>>> MOTIVATION COMES IN ALL DIFFERENT FORMS IN YOUR CAREER, LIFE, OR ON THE COURT.

EVERY PLAYER WHO COMPETED IN THE ANNUAL RED LAKE NATION WARRIOR CHALLENGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT OVER THE WEEKEND, TOOK TO THE COURT WITH THEIR OWN MOTIVATION IN MIND.

WHETHER IT BE THE SEVERAL-THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF PRIZE MONEY, OR SIMPLY TAKING EVERY OPPORTUNITY THEY CAN TO STAY IN THE GAME.

>> Reporter: BASKETBALL HAS BEEN A MAJOR HUB IN RED LAKE FOR DECADES AND THEIR ANNUAL ALL NATIVE TOURNAMENT HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER PLAYER FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, SOME ATHLETES TRAVELING THOUSANDS OF MILES JUST FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME.

>> IT'S REALLY BASKETBALL OVERLOAD FOR EVERYBODY WHO APPRECIATES THE GAME AS MUCH AS I DO.

>> EVER SINCE I WAS A KID, EVER SINCE I WAS YOUNGER, I HAD LOVE FOR THE GAME AND I WAS ALWAYS COMPETITIVE, LOOKING TO PLAY AS MANY TIMES AS I COULD.

>> HONESTLY, JUST TRYING TO KEEP MY HEALTH AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, YOU KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG I WILL BE ABLE TO PLAY BUT AS LONG AS I CAN GO AND TEACH, I JUST WANT TO HELP THE YOUNGER GENERATION GET A GRASP ON HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED.

>> Reporter: THEY SHOWED OFF D1, D2, AND OTHER HIGH-LEVEL ATHLETES THAT MAY NOT PLAY TOGETHER OUTSIDE OF THESE TOURNAMENTS.

>> I MET SOME OF THE BEST FRIENDS I HAVE IN MY LIFE PLAYING THESE TOURNAMENTS.

>> I CAN SEE IT UP IN THE STANDS, YOU SEE A LOT OF HANDSHAKES.

THERE IS A BROTHERHOOD AROUND THIS GAME.

BASKETBALL IS THE ONE THING THAT BROUGHT OUR COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: 6 OUT OF 8 OF THE WARRIOR CHALLENGE OFFICIALS WERE REFEREES IN THE HIGH SCHOOL STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> IT'S FOR THE JOY OF THE GAME AND FOR THE KIDS TOO, GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IN A POSITIVE WAY.

SO, WE TRIED TO INCORPORATE EVERY GAME, WE TALKED TO THEM AND JUST TRIED TO BE FAIR.

>> Reporter: WITH MORE THAN $4,000 ON THE LINE, THE MULTIPLE GENERATIONS OF ATHLETES ALSO TAKE THE TOURNAMENT AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

>> YOU GET TO SEE HOW PEOPLE PREPARE IN THE GAME, HOW HARD THEY PLAY, DIFFERENT COMPETITIONS BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE PLAYERS ARE REALLY, REALLY GOOD PLAYERS.

>> I HAVE BEEN AROUND THIS GAME FOR 21 YEARS NOW AND I SEE THESE ONES THAT STARTED WHEN I STARTED WAY BACK THERE, AND NOW THEY'RE THIS AGE WHERE THEY'RE PARTICIPATING IN IT.

>> A DOUBLE-ELIMINATION STYLE BRACKET BROUGHT THE SOTA BOYS AND REAPERZ TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

WHERE A LAYUP FROM RANCE HARRISON WITH ONLY FIVE SECONDS LEFT, BROUGHT THE REAPERZ TO VICTORY, AND WON HIM THE TOURNAMENT MVP AWARD.

>>> AND OVER ON THE MLB SIDE OF THINGS, THE MINNESOTA TWINS FELL ON THE ROAD IN KANSAS CITY ROYALS HOME OPENER 3-1.

BACK ON THE BASKETBALL COURT, THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, A BIG WIN OVER THE DALLAS MAVERICKS TODAY.

THAT WAS ANTHONY EDWARDS'S FIRST GAME BACK AND HE DROPPED 17 TONIGHT.

>> Dennis: GOOD TO HEAR.

THANKS SYDNEY.

THERE IS A HOME IMPROVEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS IN PILLAGER THAT HAS SERVED ITS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS AGO.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, REPORTER MILES WALKER STOPPED BY A2Z HOME SOLUTIONS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE LONG-TIME BRAINERD LAKES AREA STAPLE HAS ADJUSTED TO NEW OWNERSHIP OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> Reporter: BACK IN 2020, AFTER OWNING LAKES AREA ADVERTISING FOR 20 YEARS, NICKI AND TOM MADE THE DECISION TO SEARCH FOR A NEW OCCUPATION, FORMER OWNERS RELEASED A2Z, THE COUPLE LOOKED TO TAKING THE CHALLENGE.

>> WE MUST HAVE SEEN THE HISTORY OF IT AND THE REPUTATION OF IT, SO IT WAS DEFINITELY A BUSINESS WE WERE INTERESTED IN.

DUE TO OUR REALM OF BUSINESSES THAT WE OWNED BEFORE OR RAN BEFORE, BUT DEFINITELY INTERESTING BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY, THE BACKGROUND.

>> Reporter: THEY TOOK OVER A2Z HOME SOLUTIONS AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AN OBSTACLE THAT PROVED TUMULTUOUS AT TIMES.

>> NAVIGATING THE SHORTAGE AND TIMELINE WAS UNHEARD OF.

OUR LONGEST WAIT TIME ON WINDOWS WAS BETWEEN 6 TO 9 MONTHS THAT WE WOULD TRY TO ORDER AND THEN YOU GET IT ALL AT ONCE.

YOU'RE SITTING ON ALL THIS INVENTORY AND MANAGING THE CASH FLOW OF ALL THAT, IT'S A CHALLENGE FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS FOUNDED ON A SIMPLE YET POWERFUL VISION, CREATING A LASTING LEGACY FOR ITS FAMILY WHILE PROVIDING IMPROVEMENT SERVICES TO THE LAKES AREA.

>> WE HAVE THREE KIDS AND WHAT WE WERE DOING, WE DIDN'T THINK WAS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT MAYBE THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN AND THE LONGEVITY OF IT.

WHAT'S CHANGING IN THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY, WE WERE IN THE BRAINERD INDUSTRIAL PARK WHEN WE TOOK OVER AND WE JUST MOVED HERE.

WE WANTED MORE SPACE, TO BE MORE EFFICIENT, ALL THE THINGS.

>> Reporter: THEIR MISSION IS TO POSITIVELY IMPACT ITS CLIENTS' LIVES BY TRANSFORMING THEIR HOMES WITH HIGH-QUALITY SIDING, ROOFING, REPLACEMENT WINDOWS, AND SEAMLESS GUTTER SYSTEMS.

ALL THOSE INVOLVED ARE COMMITTED TO CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IN BRAINERD OUR WHOLE LIVES.

WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

YOU'RE PART OF THE FAMILY.

WE LIVE OFF REFERRALS AND REPEAT AND TAKING CARE OF CUSTOMERS.

WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A MISSION LIKE THAT, SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN PILLAGER WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND LET'S CHECK BACK IN ON THE WEATHER WITH STACY.

>> WE COULD BE SEEING SOME RAIN, SNOW, FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, NORTHERN MINNESOTA UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 1:00 TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

WE COULD SEE 2 INCHES OF SNOW AND SOME ICE.

>> Dennis: WE ARE DONE FOR TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Sydney: HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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