>> 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.

>>> WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH BREAKING NEWS INVOLVING RUBY'S PANTRY, THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT DISTRIBUTED CORPORATE SURPLUS FOOD TO COMBAT HUNGER.

ACCORDING TO A MESSAGE POSTED ON THEIR WEBSITE, RUBY'S PANTRY IS ENDING OPERATIONS IMMEDIATELY.

RUBY'S PANTRY OFFERED A LARGE QUANTITY OF FOOD TO PEOPLE FOR A $25 DONATION.

IT SERVED COMMUNITIES IN MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN AND NORTH DAKOTA FOR OVER 20YEARS AND OPERATED THROUGH POP-UP LOCATION WITH VOLUNTEERS DISTRIBUTING THE FOOD DIRECTLY TO CARS.

THE WEBSITE MESSAGE SAYS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THEY HAVE BEEN THOUGHTFULLY REALIGNING THE WORK, STRUCTURE, AND FOCUS OF RUBY'S PANTRY TO ENSURE THEIR MISSION REMAINS AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING WE DO.

AND AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, THEY HAVE WORKED TO BETTER ALIGN COMMUNITY NEEDS WITH THEIR GOAL OF OPERATING IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND SEAMLESS WAY POSSIBLE.

AS A RESULT, THEY HAVE DECIDED TO END THE OPERATIONS OF RUBY'S PANTRY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

THE MESSAGE SAYS THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS DIFFICULT NEWS TO RECEIVE AND DO NOT TAKE THIS DECISION LIGHTLY.

THIS NEWS BROKE WITHIN THE LAST FEW HOURS AND THERE WAS NO FURTHER EXPLANATION FOR THE CEASE OF OPERATIONS.

EFFORTS TO REACH REPRESENTATIVES FROM RUBY'S PANTRY FOR ADDITIONAL COMMENT HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

>>> A BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER HAS RECEIVED A SPECIAL HONOR FROM THE DISTRICT.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: DAVE IS BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL'S 2026 TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

HE DESERVED THE AWARD AND WAS NOMINATED BY HIS STUDENTS, HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN THE RUNNING BECAUSE IN HIS HUMBLE WORDS, THERE ARE OTHER GREAT TEACHERS THAT DESERVE THIS AWARD TOO.

>> I'M THRILLED, I'M EXCITED.

I THINK THAT I AM NOT HERE ABOUT ME, I'M HERE REPRESENTING AMAZING, AMAZING TEACHERS IN OUR DISTRICT.

THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW THAT.

WE'RE GIVING IT OUR ALL.

WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR THESE KIDS AND WE HOPE WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING AND IN THE END, THEY CAN WALK OUT OF OUR CLASSROOM WITH THEIR HEADS HELD HIGH AND THEY BECOME GREAT SUCCESSES IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEEN TEACHING FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND HAS BEEN AT BHS SINCE 2000.

HIS FATHER WAS ALSO A TEACHER AT BHS AND HIS MOTHER WORKED IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, SO I GUESS YOU CAN SAY TEACHING IS IN HIS BLOOD.

>> I JUST SAW SO MANY THINGS THAT THEY DID THAT I ADMIRED AND I WANTED TO KIND OF CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATH AND GEOGRAPHY, I GUESS THAT WAS THE TRACK I WANTED TO GO INTO BECAUSE I LOVE SOCIAL STUDIES, THE HISTORY, THE STORIES, EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS WITH IT AND THE IMPACT OF IT ALL.

>> Reporter: MR.

BOARSH WORKS EFFORTLESSLY DAY AND NIGHT.

>> DO YOUR WORK, BE EXPECTED, DO WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

A LOT OF WHAT WE DO ARE SOFT SKILLS, SOME OF THAT.

A LOT OF THINGS WE DO IN THE CLASS, PUT THE EFFORT INTO IT.

THAT WAS ENGRAINED IN ME AS A KID, JUST MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR WORK, MAKE SURE YOU ARE NICE, YOU TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT, AND IN THE SAME SENSE, PEOPLE WILL TURN AROUND AND SHOW THAT BACK TO YOU.

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

[APPLAUSE] >> THIS IS NOT BOARSH FIRST TIME BEING RECOGNIZED.

HE WAS BRAINERD TEACHER OF THE YEAR IN 2011, AND A TOP 10 FINALIST FOR THE MINNESOTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD IN 2012.

>>> NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO AND THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE SCORED A WIN IN COURT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ON TUESDAY.

JUDGE RANDOLPH MOSS SAID A KEY PART OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER TARGETING THE MEDIA ENTITIES WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THE RULING BLOCKS THE ADMINISTRATION FROM DENYING FUNDS BASED ON EDITORIAL VIEWPOINT.

MOSS SAID TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER CROSSED A FIRST AMENDMENT LINE.

CONGRESS LAST SUMMER HAD ALREADY RESCINDED FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR NPR AND PBS.

BUT THIS RULING NOW OPENS THE DOOR FOR PUBLIC MEDIA ENTITIES TO REGAIN SOME FUNDS IN THE FUTURE.

THAT'S BECAUSE PUBLIC BROADCASTERS COULD STILL DRAW GRANTS FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES GIVEN THE JUDGE'S RULING.

IN A STATEMENT PBS SAID IT WAS THRILLED WITH THE DECISION.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT PLANS TO APPEAL.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S 2026 ROAD CONSTRUCTION SEASON INCLUDES MORE THAN 200 PROJECTS THAT AIM TO IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN MINNESOTA'S ROADS, BRIDGES AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

MN-DOT OFFICIALS SAY TRAVELERS ACROSS MINNESOTA SHOULD BE PREPARED TO SLOW DOWN AS ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SCALE UP ACROSS THE STATE.

THE MAJOR PROJECTS IN LAKELAND COUNTRY INCLUDE: IMPROVING HIGHWAYS 10, 71, AND 29 IN WADENA.

RECONSTRUCTING HIGHWAY 210 IN BRAINERD.

RECONSTRUCTING HIGHWAY 197 IN BEMIDJI.

AND COMPLETING A MULTI-YEAR PROJECT ON HIGHWAY 11 IN WARROAD.

THE 2026 CONSTRUCTION SEASON ALSO INCLUDES 51 PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPROVE AIRPORTS, WATER PORTS, RAILROAD CROSSINGS AND TRANSIT.

A NEW VACCINE FOR LYME DISEASE COULD BECOME AVAILABLE.

LAST WEEK, PFIZER SAID IT PLANS TO SEEK REGULATORY APPROVAL OF A NEW SHOT IT HAS DEVELOPED.

BUT VACCINES FOR LYME DISEASE HAVE HAD A TROUBLED PAST.

ONE WAS APPROVED IN 1998.

ITS MANUFACTURER PULLED IT FROM THE MARKET JUST A FEW YEARS LATER IN 2002 DUE TO SOFT DEMAND.

THAT WAS BASED LARGELY ON FEARS IT CAUSED ARTHRITIS, EVEN THOUGH THE F.D.A.

CONCLUDED IT DIDN'T.

NEARLY HALF A MILLION PEOPLE ARE DIAGNOSED AND TREATED FOR LYME DISEASE IN THE U.S.

EVERY YEAR.

THE DISEASE IS CAUSED BY A BACTERIA FOUND IN BLACKLEGGED TICKS.

IF IT ISN'T TREATED THE INFECTION CAN SPREAD TO THE JOINTS, HEART, AND NERVOUS SYSTEM.

>>> BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CROW WING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE DISCUSSED AN ANNEXATION PROPOSAL REGARDING MULTIPLE UNORGANIZED TERRITORIES OUTSIDE THE CITY OF BRAINERD RECENTLY.

REPORTER MILES WALKER MET WITH THE CITY'S DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND ENGINEER TO LEARN MORE.

>> Reporter: TALKS REGARDING ANNEXATION FOR RIVERSIDE DRIVE AND OTHER UNDESIGNATED AREAS IN CROW WING COUNTY ENTERED THE CITY OF BRAINERD INITIATED LAST YEAR.

>> WE HAD ONE PROPERTY OWNER THAT RAN INTO ISSUES WITH THE SEPTIC SYSTEM AND THAT TRIGGERED STAFF TO REALIZE THERE ARE GAPS ALONG RIVERSIDE FROM THAT PROJECT.

WE FELT THIS IS SOMETHING WE WANTED TO BRING FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO LOOK INTO FURTHER.

>> Reporter: THE AGENDA ITEM APPEARED BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL LAST MONTH WHERE MEMBERS DENIED THE MOTION IN A 4-3 VOTE.

RESIDENTS IN THE IMPACTED AREA GAVE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER.

>> AT THE FEBRUARY 17TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THEY REVIEWED WHAT STAFF HAD PROVIDED TO THEM.

THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON HOW MUCH TAXES WOULD GO UP, IF THEY WOULD CONNECT IF THEY WERE FURTHER AWAY FROM MUNICIPAL UTILITIES, ZONING COULD BE DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: AFTER CITY STAFF PROVIDED ANSWERS TO WHAT CITY RESIDENTS ASKED, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAW THE ANNEXATION MATTER BROUGHT BEFORE THEM ON MARCH 2nd, THIS TIME THE MOVE TO ASSIGN PROPERTIES ALONG RIVERSIDE DRIVE, RIVER ARCHES, AS WELL AS ASHMOND ROAD RECEIVED APPROVAL.

>> YOU WOULD BE SUBJECT TO BRAINERD CITY TAXES.

THAT WAS A FOCAL POINT BY RESIDENTS.

I ELABORATED ON THE ZONING CHANGES THAT MAY GO INTO EFFECT, AS WELL AS THE MUNICIPALITIES COULD BE DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: NONE OF THE AREAS IN CROW WING COUNTY COULD BE ANNEXED INTO THE CITY OF BRAINERD WITHOUT THE GO AHEAD FROM THE COUNTY AND A JUDGE.

IF APPROVED, THEY COULD BEGIN THE ANNEXATION PROCESS, BARRING CONDITIONS.

LAST TUESDAY, CROW WING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OPTED TO DENY THE PROPOSAL.

>> THEY ITERATED THE CONCERN THEY HAD ABOUT THE RESIDENTS NOT WANTING TO BEGIN.

A COUPLE OF PEOPLE CAME UP TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS DURING THAT PERIOD.

MOST OF THE COMMENTS FROM THE COUNTY BOARD WERE RELATED TO THE DESIRE.

AND THAT WAS THE REASONING GIVEN DURING THE DISCUSSION.

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

>> DEHN SAY'S CITY STAFF WILL MOST LIKELY BRING THE ANNEXATION MATTER BACK BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS NEXT STEPS.

>>> NASA IS GEARING UP TO SEND HUMANS INTO DEEP SPACE ON WEDNESDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

THE AUDACIOUS MISSION, CALLED ARTEMIS II, WILL LAUNCH FROM KENNEDY SPACE CENTER IN FLORIDA AND CARRY THE CREW ON AN UNPRECEDENTED PATH BEYOND LOW EARTH ORBIT.

SHERRELL HUBBARD HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR A HISTORIC SPACE MISSION SLATED TO LIFT OFF FROM KENNEDY SPACE CENTER IN FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, AT 6:24 P.M.

LOCAL TIME.

THERE IS A TWO HOUR LAUNCH WINDOW TO DEAL WITH ANY ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE.

>> THE ROCKET IS HEALTHY, THE SPACECRAFT ON TOP OF IT IS HEALTHY, THE CREW IS HERE AND READY TO GO, AND THE WEATHER, THE WEATHER IS LOOKING GOOD.

>> Reporter: NASA'S ARTEMIS II VOYAGE, THE ROCKET WILL LAUNCH THE CREW IN THE ORION CAPSULE.

>> LIFT OFF OF ARTIMIS LAUNCHED IN 2022.

IT IS A 10-DAY SLINGSHOT AROUND THE MOON AND THE FIRST CREW FLIGHT TEST IN THE PROGRAM.

>> THE OPPORTUNITY IS IMMENSE FOR US TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEND OUR CREW FARTHER THAN ANYONE HAS GONE BEFORE.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE MOMENT FOR THE ARTEMIS GENERATION.

>> Reporter: FOUR ASTRONAUTS WILL STEP ABOARD THE SPACECRAFT, THREE OF THEM WILL MAKE HISTORY, THE FIRST WOMAN, BLACK MAN, AND CANADIAN TO GO TO THE MOON, ASSUMING ALL GOES AS PLANNED.

THE LAST CREWED LUNAR MISSION TOOK PLACE DURING THE APOLLO PROGRAM ON APOLLO 17, IN DECEMBER OF 1972.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE SENT PEOPLE TO THE MOON IN OVER 50 YEARS.

THAT'S A LONG TIME.

>> Reporter: I'M SHERRELL HUBBARD REPORTING.

>> THE ASTRONAUTS WILL HAVE A THREE-HOUR FLYOVER OF THE MOON'S FAR SIDE AND WILL CAPTURE IMAGES OF IMPACT CRATERS AND ANCIENT LAVA FLOWS AS WELL AS DESCRIBE WHAT THEY SEE TO SCIENTISTS AT NASA'S JOHNSON SPACE CENTER IN HOUSTON.

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

>> Stacy: THE FIRST OF TWO WINTER STORMS WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND THURSDAY.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, ONE LAPORTE WRITER'S GROUP IS ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO SHARE STORIES ABOUT THE AREA TO PRESERVE HISTORY.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION ISSUED NEW DIET GUIDANCE TUESDAY.

IT URGES AMERICANS TO GET MORE PROTEIN FROM PLANTS INSTEAD OF MEAT AND CHOOSE LOW-FAT OR FAT-FREE DAIRY.

IT RECOMMENDS USING OLIVE AND SOYBEAN OILS OVER BUTTER AND BEEF TALLOW.

THE GROUP ALSO POINTS TO DIETS RICH IN BEANS AND LENTILS AS HEART HEALTHY.

THE A.H.A.

SAYS ITS ADVICE PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL CIRCULATION IS BASED ON DECADES OF SCIENCE.

THE A.H.A.

'S NEW GUIDANCE HIGHLIGHTS GROWING DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN FEDERAL OFFICIALS AND MEDICAL GROUPS.

EARLIER THIS YEAR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RELEASED NEW DIETARY GUIDELINES FEATURING AN UPSIDE DOWN PYRAMID WITH MEAT, CHEESE, AND VEGETABLES AT THE TOP.

AN H.H.S.

SPOKESPERSON SAID IT IS ALIGNED WITH THE A.H.A.

ON MAJOR ISSUES LIKE AVOIDING HIGHLY-PROCESSED FOODS AND LIMITING REFINED GRAINS AND ADDED SUGAR.

>>> ALL RIGHT, TIME TO TALK SOME WEATHER ABOUT THIS EARLY APRIL SNOWSTORM THAT WE'RE IN STORE FOR.

>> Stacy: RIGHT, THAT IS ONE OF TWO.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A COUPLE OF WEATHER SYSTEMS MOVING THROUGH.

THE FIRST ONE WILL START TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY AND ANOTHER ONE FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY.

THIS FIRST ONE HAS ALREADY BROUGHT ABOUT SOME WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES AND WINTER STORM WATCHES.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID SEE SOME CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE IN THE AREA TODAY.

TEMPERATURES ARE A LITTLE BIT COOLER THAN WE HAVE BEEN SEEING AS OF LATE, BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE HIGHS IN THE 30s AS WE LOOK AHEAD, BUT MORE WINTERY WEATHER IS ON THE WAY.

WE'LL START TO SEE SOME SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA AND POSSIBLY SOME RAIN SHOWERS STARTING TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING INTO THURSDAY, A SECOND ROUND OF WINTER WEATHER WILL BE ARRIVING LATER THIS WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 27 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE NORTH AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A DEW POINT OF 17.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY AND 30 WITH A DEW POINT OF 16, PRESSURE IS RISING, AND WINDS ARE NORTH AT 8 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW WE HAVE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR PARTS OF NORTH-CENTRAL AND THEN INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

FOR CENTRAL MINNESOTA, THIS ADVISORY BEGINS AT 1:00 P.M.

ON WEDNESDAY AND CONTINUES UNTIL 7:00 P.M.

ON THURSDAY, AND FOR NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, IT BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.

WEDNESDAY, CONTINUES UNTIL 1:00 A.M.

ON FRIDAY.

WE WILL BE SEEING SOME SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW IN THE NORTH WITH MIXED PRECIPITATION AND ICE ACCUMULATION IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

IN ADDITION, A WINTER STORM WATCH IS OUT FOR MAINLY EASTERN LAKELAND COUNTRY, FROM WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH LATE THURSDAY, WITH HEAVY SNOW POSSIBLE.

AS FAR AS SNOWFALL TOTALS WITH THIS FIRST ROUND, YOU CAN SEE IT RIGHT THERE.

SOME OF THE HEAVIEST SNOW MAY FALL IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA WITH 7.5 INCHES OF SNOW POSSIBLE, A LITTLE MORE THAN 6 IN THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA, BEMIDJI LOOKING AT 4 INCHES OF SNOW.

NOW FOR TONIGHT, THINGS ARE PRETTY QUIET.

WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO START OUT WITH TOMORROW.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE WILL SEE SOME OF THE SNOW AND RAIN MOVING INTO OUR VIEWING AREA.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, THE SNOW GEESE WERE OUT.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO.

WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKIES AND A FEW CLOUDS IN THE AREA -- AIR AS WELL.

THE SKIES TONIGHT AND THE SUNSET WERE BEAUTIFUL ACROSS LAKELAND COUNTRY, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM MENAHGA, SAMROSE FROM UPPER RED LAKE, AND TERRANCE FROM LOWER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 33 AND GLOOMY THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY TODAY BUT IT WAS A COLD WIND BLOWING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND BREEZY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 39.

AND RALPH IN JENKINS, REPORTING A HIGH OF 38.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 39 TODAY, SO WE'RE SEEING CHILLY TEMPERATURES.

OUR AVERAGE IS 47.

30 DEGREES IS THE LOW, SUNSET AT 7:44.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 32, SO AGAIN A LITTLE BIT ON THE CHILLY SIDE, OUR AVERAGE IS 44.

WE HAD 27 FOR THE LOW AND SUNSET AT 7:48.

SO TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE START OUT WITH THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL SEE FOR MOST OF THE MORNING.

HEADING INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE'LL SEE THE WEATHER SYSTEM MOVING IN, MAINLY IN THE FORM OF SNOW, BUT WE COULD SEE MIXED RAIN IN THERE AS WELL.

HIGH TEMPERATURES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA SHOULD BE MAINLY IN THE MID TO UPPER 30s, AND THEN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE THE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30s, POSSIBLY CLOSE TO 40.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 19, WITH NORTH WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, THEN WE HAVE THAT CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW MOVING INTO THE AREA IN THE AFTERNOON, WITH HIGHS NEAR 37.

THE RAIN AND SNOW CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY, THAT IS THE FIRST ROUND OF SNOW, HIGHS NEAR 30 ON THURSDAY.

ROUND TWO ARRIVES ON FRIDAY AND CONTINUES INTO SATURDAY.

WE COULD SEE SOME ACCUMULATION WITH THAT, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 30s AND EASTER SUNDAY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, WITH A HIGH NEAR 42.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, WE DO NEED THE MOISTURE.

MATTHEW FREEMAN IS IN FOR CHARLIE YAEGER TONIGHT WITH OUR SPORTS AND SOME TRUCK ACTION INDOORS.

>> YES, WE HAVE WARMER WEATHER BUT IT'S STILL INDOORS.

IT'S A FUN EVENT, THE BEMIDJI LION'S INVITE.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT AND BEMIDJI BOYS VOLLEYBALL.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> SPRING SPORTS ARE IN FULL SWING, AS BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL INVITED SEVERAL SCHOOLS FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA TO COMPETE IN THE 2026 BEMIDJI LIONS INVITE, AN ANNUAL EARLY-SEASON HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD MEET THAT SERVES AS A MAJOR OPENING EVENT FOR TEAMS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

HUNDREDS OF ATHLETES FROM 22 VARYING SCHOOLS PACKED BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY'S GILLETTE REC CENTER FOR THE INDOOR MEET, WHICH WAS KICKED OFF BY GIRLS' 4 BY 800 RACE, WHERE BEMIDJI HIGH WAS ABLE TO TAKE FIRST WITH A TIME OF 10 MINUTES AND 34 SECONDS.

MEANWHILE AT THE SHOT PUT, BAGLEY-FOSSTON'S NORAH MARQUIS WAS ABLE TO GRAB SECOND PLACE FOR A PUT REACHING 9.79 METERS.

THEN WE WILL JUMP OVER TO THE GIRLS' 60-METER HURDLE RACE.

WHERE NORTHOME-KELLIHER-BLACKDUCK'S TAYLOR HENRY TAKES FIRST WITH A TIME OF 10.39 SECONDS, WHICH WAS A NEW PERSONAL BEST FOR HENRY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE TOTAL TEAM SCORES FOR THE EVENT ON THE GIRLS SIDE.

LITTLE FALLS GRABS FIRST, PILLAGER, BAGLEY FOSSTON, WERE ABLE TO GRAB A SPOT IN THE TOP FIVE AND BEMIDJI PLACES EIGHTH.

>>> FLIPPING OVER TO THE BOYS' SIDE OF THE LIONS INVITE, WE WILL START AT THE 400-METER RACE, WHICH ENDED WITH A PHOTO FINISH BETWEEN CALEB KNOTT OF BEMIDJI AND NATHAN BITZ OF LONG PRAIRIE-GREY EAGLE.

LET'S RUN THAT BACK, KNOTT WOULD OVERTAKE BITZ AT THE VERY LAST SECOND, TAKING FIRST BY A MERE .04 SECONDS, WITH A TIME OF 52.55 SECONDS.

THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER CLOSE FINISH IN THE BOYS' 60-METER RACE.

UNITED NORTH CENTRAL'S NOLAN MCGOWAN TOOK FIRST WITH A TIME OF 7.13 SECONDS, WHILE BEMIDJI'S TAYLEN SCHEMERHORN SNAGGED SECOND.

FALLING .02 SECONDS BEHIND WITH 7.15 SECONDS.

HERE'S WHAT THE FINAL RESULTS FOR THE BOYS LOOK LIKE.

BEMIDJI TAKES FIRST WITH A TRIPLE DIGIT SCORE.

LITTLE FALLS, GRAND RAPIDS, PILLAGER, AND WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY WERE ABLE TO GRAB A SPOT IN THE TOP FIVE.

>>> THE BEMIDJI BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM HAS SEEN TREMENDOUS SUCCESS IN JUST THE TWO YEARS THAT THE PROGRAM HAS EXISTED, MAKING THE STATE TOURNAMENT IN THEIR INAUGURAL YEAR.

THE LUMBERJACKS NOW HOPE TO CREATE THE SAME SUCCESS THAT THEY HAVE HAD, BUT WITH ALMOST AN ENTIRELY NEW TEAM.

10 SENIORS GRADUATED FROM LAST YEAR'S SQUAD, LEAVING SENIOR WEISS SUTTON AS THE SOLE RETURNING PLAYER FROM LAST YEAR, WHO ACTUALLY DIDN'T SEE THE COURT AT ALL LAST YEAR DUE TO AN INJURY.

HEAD COACH ERIKA BAILEY-JOHNSON SAYS, THAT SHE HAS BEEN IMPRESSED WITH SUTTON AND HOW HE IS HELPING THE YOUNGER PLAYERS IMPROVE AND BE MORE INVOLVED WITH THE TEAM.

>> HE FELL IN LOVE WITH VOLLEYBALL WHEN WE STARTED AS A CLUB TEAM TWO YEARS AGO.

WE NOMINATED HIM AS CAPTAIN AT THE END OF LAST SEASON AND HE CERTAINLY STEPPED UP.

HE LED CAPTAIN PRACTICES ALL SUMMER.

WE HAD VARIOUS THINGS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND HE IS ALWAYS PRESENT.

>> HE HAS HELPED ME A LOT, THE CAPTAIN.

HE HELPED ME A LOT OVER THE WINTER.

JUST A LOT OF WORKING OUT AT THE REC WITH HIM AND PLAYING VOLLEYBALL WITH HIM IN GENERAL.

SO ALL THANKS TO HIM.

>> THE SEASON OPENER DID NOT GO AS THEY HOPED AS THEY LOST THE MATCH 3-0.

COACHES AND PLAYERS TOOK AWAY A LOT OF POSITIVES FROM THAT LOSS.

>> IT'S REALLY NEW FOR A LOT OF THESE GUYS.

THEY HAVEN'T PLAYED VOLLEYBALL BEFORE.

GOING FORWARD, WE'RE HOPING TO GET BETTER.

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS.

>> WE'RE ALL FAMILY HERE, SO LETTING THEM KNOW THAT VOLLEYBALL, YOU PLAY AS A TEAM.

IT'S A VERY CONNECTED SPORT.

YOU CAN'T WIN ALONE.

YOU HAVE TO PLAY THE TEAM.

>> THEY WANT TO PASS, RECEIVE, AND DEFENSE.

IT'S PROBABLY OUR WEAK POINT RIGHT NOW, SO WE'RE CONSTANTLY WORKING ON THOSE THINGS, IT'S A TWO-WAY STREET WHERE THE COACHES NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE DRILLS WE NEED TO RUN TO HELP US ADVANCE THE QUICKEST.

THE PLAYERS HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY TOO, GIVING IT THEIR ALL TO BE BETTER.

>> THEIR NEXT GAME IS ON APRIL 10TH, AS THEY TAKE ON SPRING LAKE PARK BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT STARTS.

>> Dennis: VERY GOOD, THANKS SO MUCH MATTHEW.

THE NORTHWOODS WRITERS GROUP OF LAPORTE HELD A KICKOFF MEETING EARLIER TONIGHT FOR THEIR NEW COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT, FOCUSED ON NORTHERN MINNESOTA LIVING.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE SHARING OUR LAPORTE AREA STORIES INITIATIVE.

>> WE COLLECT STORIES OF PEOPLE IN THE AREA BECAUSE IF WE DON'T GET THE STORIES RECORDED, THEY GET LOST WHEN THE PEOPLE GET OLD AND DIE.

>> Reporter: COUNTLESS STORIES HAVE BEEN LOST THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES, BUT COUNTLESS OTHERS HAVE BEEN SHARED BY WORD OF MOUTH THROUGH GENERATIONS.

THE NORTHWOODS WRITERS GROUP OF LAPORTE IS TRYING TO GATHER STORIES TOGETHER FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT STORIES FROM THE AREA CAN BE PUT INTO WRITTEN WORD AND BE SAVED FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> STORIES WE NEVER HEARD BEFORE.

>> Reporter: THE MAIN GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO HIGHLIGHT MEMORY FROM THE WOODS, LAKES, AND RIVERS AROUND THE AREA, AND SHOW OFF WHAT LIVE LOOKS LIKE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> THAT'S WHY WE LIVE HERE, BECAUSE OF NATURE.

IT WAS VERY COMFORTABLE.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF ANYTHING.

A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS A GENERATION OLDER THAN ME, SHE PICKED HER UP AND THEY HIKED ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE LAKE, GO FISHING, AND AS THE SUN WAS SETTING IN THE EVENING, THEY WOULD HEAD HOME AND NOBODY WORRIED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY.

>> Reporter: BY PUTTING TOGETHER STORIES ABOUT THE AREA FROM GENERATIONS AND GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE NOW OR USE TO LIVE HERE IN THE PAST, THE HOPE IS THAT THE STORIES CAN BE PASSED DOWN FOR MORE GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> I WORRY TODAY THAT THE CHILDREN ARE GOING TO HAVE A HISTORY.

>> Reporter: THE WRITERS GROUP IS COLLECTING STORY FROM THE LAPORTE AREA, WHICH THEY DESCRIBE AS SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 2, WEST OF HIGHWAY 371, NORTH OF HIGHWAY 34, AND EAST OF HIGHWAY 71.

LAKE GEORGE AND ITASCA PARK RESIDENTS ARE ALSO INVITED TO COLLABORATE.

>> WE HAVE SOME SKETCHES THAT NICKOLET HE DREW WHERE THE RIVERS AND LAKES WERE AT.

AFTER HE FINISHED THAT, THE GOVERNMENT SENT HIM TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA TO DO THE SOURCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM LAPORTE WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ANYONE WHO WISHES TO CONTRIBUTE STORIES OR NATURE PHOTOS FROM THE LAPORTE AREA TO THE PROJECT, CAN DO SO AT THE LAKEPORT TOWNSHIP HALL ON TUESDAYS IN APRIL AND MAY.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE WRITERS GROUP WILL BE THERE FROM 3:00 TO 5:00 P.M.

TO RECORD AND TRANSCRIBE THE STORIES.

>>> LET'S HEAD BACK TO STACY NOW FOR ANOTHER CHECK ON THIS WINTER WEATHER.

>> Stacy: YES, AND ROUND ONE WILL BE MOVING IN TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

WE HAVE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES AND A WINTER STORM WATCH OUT WITH REGARDS TO THIS SYSTEM WE COULD BE SEEING ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 7 OR 8 INCHES OF SNOW AS A RESULT OF THE SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY SOME ICE ACCUMULATION IN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

NOW FOR TONIGHT, PRETTY QUIET.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS DOWN TO 19.

WE START OUT WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW, BUT WE'LL START TO SEE THE RAIN OR SNOW MOVING IN THE AFTERNOON, IT WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT TOMORROW NIGHT AND INTO THURSDAY.

HIGHS TOMORROW SHOULD REACH 37.

>> ACTUALLY, THE BEMIDJI BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM WAS ABLE TO ADD A B TEAM DUE TO THE POLL -- POPULARITY OF THE TEAM.

>> Dennis: THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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