>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> 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.

>>> OVER 60 PEOPLE FROM BEMIDJI, RANGING FROM GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO CONCERNED CITIZENS, TRAVELED TO SAINT PAUL TODAY FOR BEMIDJI'S 18TH ANNUAL DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

THIS DAY GIVES REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS IN SAINT PAUL A CHANCE TO LISTEN TO THE CONCERNS OF THE CITIZENS OF BEMIDJI AND LOBBY FOR POTENTIAL FUNDING FOR CITY PROJECTS.

WHEN THIS TRADITION WAS STARTED BACK IN 2005.

MANY OF THE LEGISLATORS AT THE CAPITOL DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHY BEMIDJI WANTED TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OUTSIDE OF THE AREA BUT NOW THOSE SAME OFFICIALS LOOK FORWARD TO THE TOWN OF PLAID'S VISIT EVERY YEAR.

>> SOME PEOPLE TODAY HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE CAPITAL BEFORE, HAVEN'T LEARNED THE PROCESS, DON'T REALIZE YOU CAN MEET WITH LEGISLATORS THAT ARE NOT IN OUR TERRITORY.

THEY WANT TO HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON IN BEMIDJI.

THOSE ARE GREAT THINGS AND THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE COME DOWN AND TRY TO MAKE IMPACTS WITH A BILL THAT IS TRYING TO BE PASSED OR SOMETHING ELSE WE CAN LEAVE SOME SPORT TO.

THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD FEEDBACK, SO IT'S BEEN FUN.

>> WE WILL HAVE A MORE DETAILED LOOK ON WHAT EXACTLY WAS DISCUSSED DURING BEMIDJI'S DAY AT THE CAPITOL TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

>>> AN EDUCATION POLICY PANEL HAS APPROVED A BILL TO LET SCHOOLS OPT OUT OF MANDATES.

REPRESENTATIVE RON KRESHA FROM LITTLE FALLS IS THE BILLS SPONSOR IN THE HOUSE.

IT WOULD ALLOW A SCHOOL BOARD TO OPT OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS ENACTED IN 2023 OR 2024 RELATING TO EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME, PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, EDUCATION POLICY, EDUCATION FINANCE, AND CHILDREN.

>> WE NEED TO ALLOW FOR FLEXIBILITY FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR WE WILL CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE BUDGET REDUCTIONS ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS.

>> HOW IS THIS CONSTITUTIONAL.

SCHOOLS HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO HAVE A UNIFORM.

IT'S IN OUR MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION TO HAVE A UNIFORMED STANDARD OF EDUCATION.

THEY ARE DECIDING WHICH LAWS TO FOLLOW AND WHICH LAWS NOT TO FOLLOW.

HOW IS THAT CONSTITUTIONAL?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENCES IN PROGRAMING OPTIONS AND DIFFERENT IMPLEMENTATION CURRICULUM.

THERE IS A WIDE VARIETY OF LOCAL CONTROL THAT DISTRICTS ALREADY HAVE.

THIS ALLOWS DISTRICTS TO IMPLEMENT THE DIFFERENT MANDATES THAT WERE PASSED, OVER 65 DIFFERENT MANDATES PASSED IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT FRANKLY ARE HAMSTRINGING DISTRICTS.

SO THE CONSISTENT PIECE I HEARD AND I LOOKED INTO YOUR QUESTION REPRESENTATIVE JORDAN, WE HAVE UNITY, BUT WE DON'T HAVE UNIFORMITY OVER WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

SO THERE IS SOME CONSISTENCY THAT HAPPENS BUT IT IS NOT EXACTLY DIFFERENT IN EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> THE BILL WAS APPROVED ON A SPLIT-VOICE VOTE BY THE HOUSE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE TUESDAY AND SENT TO THE HOUSE EDUCATION FINANCE COMMITTEE.

>>> AS WE FIRST TOLD YOU LAST WEEK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING TO TERMINATE THE LEASE OF BEMIDJI'S INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE OFFICE.

IT'S IS LISTED ON ELON MUSK'S DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY WEBSITE AS ONE OF THE LEASES BEING TARGETED FOR TERMINATION.

U.S.

SENATORS TINA SMITH AND AMY KLOBOUCHAR SAY THE CLOSURE COULD DISRUPT CRITICAL HEALTH CARE FOR TRIBAL NATIONS AND NATIVE COMMUNITIES.

THE BEMIDJI AREA OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR 34 TRIBAL NATIONS AND 4 URBAN INDIAN HEALTH PROGRAMS IN 5 STATES.

THE SENATORS HAVE CO-WRITTEN A LETTER TO TO GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATOR STEPHEN EHIKIAN AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY, ROBERT F. KENNEDY JUNIOR DEMANDING ANSWERS.

IN THE LETTER THEY HIGHLIGHTED THE DEVASTATING IMPACT THE DECISION COULD HAVE ON THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THOUSANDS OF NATIVE AMERICANS ACROSS THE REGION.

IN THE LETTER, SENATORS SMITH AND KLOBUCHAR UNDERSCORED THAT I.H.S.

SERVICES ARE PROVIDED UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S TRUST AND TREATY OBLIGATIONS TO TRIBAL NATIONS AND THAT ANY DISRUPTION IN OPERATIONS COULD JEOPARDIZE ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SERVICES.

>>> IT APPEARS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PLANNING TO FIRE MORE THAN 70,000 EMPLOYEES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

DEPARTMENT CHIEF CHRISTOPHER SYREK ISSUED A MEMO TUESDAY SAYING HE WAS WORKING WITH ELON MUSK'S DOGE TO "AGGRESSIVELY" RESTRUCTURE THE V.A.

AS PART OF THAT, THE DEPARTMENT WILL AIM TO REVERT BACK TO ITS 2019-ERA STAFFING LEVELS.

THE V.A.

GREW SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THAT WAS TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE PACT ACT, WHICH EXPANDS COVERAGE AND ELIGIBILITY TO MILLIONS OF VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXINS AND HAZARDS LIKE BURN PITS.

>>> ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES ARE UNDERWAY AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING IN VATICAN CITY, WHERE POPE FRANCIS REMAINS HOSPITALIZED.

IN ROME, CARDINAL ANGELO DE DONATIS DELIVERED A SPECIAL ASH WEDNESDAY REFLECTION WRITTEN BY THE POPE, WHO IS BATTLING DOUBLE PNEUMONIA.

THE 88 YEAR OLD PONTIFF'S MESSAGE TO CATHOLICS, DEATH IS A REALITY AND SOMETHING WE HAVE TO RECKON WITH.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FRANCIS HAS MISSED THE ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE SINCE BEING ELECTED POPE.

TUESDAY, THE VATICAN SAID THE POPE IS IN STABLE CONDITION AFTER SUFFERING EPISODES OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY FAILURE ON MONDAY.

>>> WITH WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH NOW IN FULL SWING, ORGANIZATIONS ARE ONCE AGAIN BEGINNING TO HOLD EVENTS TO UPLIFT AND SUPPORT WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL WAS AT ONE OF THESE EVENTS THAT WENT OVER HOW TO BETTER DEAL WITH WORK LIFE BALANCE.

HERE HE IS WITH MORE.

>> Reporter: MARCH 1st SIGNIFIED THE BEGINNING OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

TO HIGHLIGHT WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE, THE WOMEN LEADING THE WAY PANEL, WHERE WOMEN OF ALL AGES COULD COME AND LEARN HOW TO ACT AS ROLE MODELS AND PURSUE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THEIR INDUSTRY.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HEAR HOW WOMEN PARTICULARLY ARE FITTING INTO THE WORKFORCE.

IT'S DEFINITELY DIFFERENT THAN WHEN I STARTED OUT IN THE WORKFORCE.

I THINK THERE IS STILL A FEELING OR THE REALITY THAT THERE ARE STILL ROADBLOCKS GETTING INTO EXECUTIVE POSITIONS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

>> Reporter: PROCEEDS WENT TO BIOGIRLS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT BUILDS SELF-CONFIDENCE IN YOUNG GIRLS.

>> THERE IS A SELF-ESTEEM STRUGGLE AND A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG GIRLS.

WE'RE TRYING TO CATCH THEM BEFORE THAT ADOLESCENT AREA WHERE THEY MIGHT NOT FEEL GREAT ABOUT THEMSELVES AND JUST HAVE MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES.

BASICALLY WE FOCUS ON DIFFERENT WAYS TO NAVIGATE BEING A GIRL GROWING UP AND ALSO NAVIGATING FRIENDSHIPS AND JUST RELATIONSHIPS.

>> Reporter: EVENTS LIKE WOMEN LEADING THE WAY ALLOW WOMEN TO LEARN SIMILAR SKILLS AS THE ONES THAT BIO GIRLS TEACHES.

>> THE MORE YOU CAN CONNECT WITH PEOPLE, WHETHER IT'S INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WORK, THERE IS AN ADVANTAGE TO THAT.

I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR PEOPLE TO GET TOGETHER, MAKE CONNECTIONS, BECAUSE YOU MAY BE SO BUSY AT WORK AND HOME THAT YOU CAN'T MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU IN YOUR CAREER OR PERSONAL LIFE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN AITKIN, I'M DANIEL PURCELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BIOGIRLS AND WOMEN LEADING THE WAY, YOU CAN HEAD TO BIOGIRLS.ORG.

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

>> Stacy: WE WILL HAVE CLOUDS MOVING INTO THE AREA OVERNIGHT AND SOME LINGERING TOMORROW MORNING, BUT WE WILL HAVE SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOON AND A WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, BEMIDJI STATE IS OFFERING FREE HELP WITH FILING TAXES NOW >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE'S ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING FREE TAX PREPARATION AND E-FILING ASSISTANCE NOW THROUGH APRIL 9TH.

THIS OPPORTUNITY IS FROM THE I.R.S.

VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE OR VITA PROGRAM.

BSU STUDENTS WHO HAVE PASSED THE I.R.S.

CERTIFICATION TEST AND THE TAX ONE COURSE ARE OFFERING ASSISTANCE TO TAXPAYERS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MONTH AND EVERYTHING IS FOR FREE.

>> FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, TAX IS LIKE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO THEM, WHERE THEY MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 1040 AND FOUR OTHER RANDOM NUMBERS.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS IS PROFOUND.

THEY ARE AT A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN EXPLAIN THINGS TO THEM IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> THE PROGRAM IS AIMED TOWARD TAXPAYERS WHO EARN LESS THAN $57,000 A YEAR, THOSE WHO ARE ELDERLY OR HAVE DISABILITIES, OR PEOPLE WHO SPEAK LIMITED ENGLISH.

THE SERVICE IS JUST AS MUCH HELP FOR THE ACCOUNTING STUDENTS AS IT IS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF PREPARATION FOR POST-COLLEGE LIFE.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THAT BSU PROVIDES FOR THE STUDENTS TO HAVE A FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE OF WHAT TAXES ARE AND HOW PREPARING THEM FOR INDIVIDUALS REALLY IS.

WE'RE PRETTY WILLING AND ABLE TO TAKE ON ANY CHALLENGE THAT COMES OUR WAY.

WE WANT TO GET THROUGH 100 RETURNS AND HELP OUT 100 DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

I IN OTHER -- KNOW WE'RE WELL ON TRACK.

>> VITA ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 4:00 TO 6:00 P.M. AT BSU'S MEMORIAL HALL, ROOM 250.

THE LAST DAY TO BRING IN TAXES FOR HELP WILL BE ON APRIL 9TH.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

BOY, THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE GOT HIT WITH SOME GOOD SNOW THE LAST DAY OR SO.

>> Stacy: I HAVE SEEN REPORTS OF UP TO A FOOT OF SNOW IN SOME LOCATIONS.

WE DIDN'T SEE SO MUCH.

WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF ACCUMULATION IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

IT LOOKS LIKE AN INCH TO 2.5 INCHES IN THAT REGION, BUT IT LOOKS QUIET AS WE HEAD INTO THE REST OF THE WEEK.

WE WILL BE SEEING SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES, >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DEAF, DEAF/BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING STATE SERVICES DIVISION.

>> SANFORD HEALTH; HERE FOR ALL, HERE FOR GOOD.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA IS AVAILABLE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, MANY OF US STARTED OUT THE DAY WITH CLOUDY SKIES AND A FEW LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS OR A FEW SNOWFLAKES FALLING THIS MORNING.

THE SKIES HAVE CLEARED OUT THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

A FEW MORE CLOUDS WILL ROLL IN OVERNIGHT, AND MANY OF US WILL START WITH CLOUDY SKIES TOMORROW, BUT SUNSHINE IS BACK IN THE AFTERNOON AND WE WILL START TO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 19 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

HUMIDITY IS AT 76%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 25, WITH A DEW POINT OF 11, PRESSURE IS RISING, AND WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW AS WE LOOK AT THE RADAR, IT IS FAIRLY CLEAR OUT THERE.

AGAIN, WE ENJOYED THE SUNSHINE TODAY, STILL STRONG WINDS, THOSE ARE DIMINISHING NOW AS WE HEAD INTO THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT.

WE COULD SEE SOME CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, SO VARIABLE CLOUDS TONIGHT, SO WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE CLOUDS TOMORROW, BUT SUNSHINE SHOULD BE BACK BY THE AFTERNOON.

A FEW WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE GRAINY SNOWFLAKES THAT FELL IN THE MENAHGA AREA THIS MORNING.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE FROM CASS LAKE.

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, YOU CAN SPOT A BALD EAGLE IN THE TREE AND SAMROSE WITH A SHOT OF THE BEAUTIFUL SUNSET OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE REPORTING 19 IN MENAHGA.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A MIX OF CLOUD AND SUN WITH WINDY CONDITIONS.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNSHINE WITH A NORTH WIND AND A HIGH OF 28.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, 30 DEGREES IS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, A LITTLE BIT SHY OF THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 35.

WE HAD A LOW OF 23 AND SUNSET AT 6:11.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 30, A COUPLE DEGREES OFF OF THE AVERAGE.

19 IS OUR LOW AND SUNRISE AT 6:50 THIS MORNING.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL START OUT THE DAY WITH CLOUDS ACROSS NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, SOME MODELS SUGGESTING A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT SNOW OR FLURRY ACTIVITY.

A GOOD CHANCE WE WON'T SEE THAT REACH THE GROUND.

AS WE PUT THIS IN MOTION, WE WILL SEE THE CLOUDS ROLLING THROUGH THE AREA IN THE MORNING, BY THE AFTERNOON, SUNSHINE IS BACK, TEMPERATURE-WISE, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE MID-20s TO MID-30s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE ARE LOOKING AT WARMER TEMPERATURES, HIGHS FROM ABOUT 35 TO 40.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THAT FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOWS NEAR 15, AND WEST WINDS DIMINISHING TO 5 TO 15.

EXPECT TO SEE MORE SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOON, WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE ON FRIDAY WITH HIGHS NEAR 33.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW ON SATURDAY, BUT OTHERWISE EXPECT TO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, HIGHS NEAR 50 ON SUNDAY, AND MONDAY 52 FOR THE HIGH AND THE LOW TEMPERATURE OF 24.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH SPORTS.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE A LOOK AT BSU HOCKEY HOME SERIES.

IT'S WIN OR GO HOME.

WE'LL HEAR >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] BSU MEN'S HOCKEY FINISHED THE REGULAR SEASON ON A BIT OF A HOT STREAK, GOING 4-1-1 OVER THEIR FINAL SIX GAMES.

UNFORTUNATELY IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THE 1-6-1 STRETCH THEY HAD WHEN THE CALENDAR FLIPPED TO 2025, RESULTING IN A 7TH PLACE FINISH IN THE FINAL CCHA STANDINGS.

THE BEAVERS WILL NOW HIT THE ROAD FOR THE QUARTERFINAL ROUND OF THE MASON CUP PLAYOFFS, A 3-GAME SERIES VERSUS FIRST YEAR CONFERENCE MEMBER AND NUMBER 2-SEED AUGUSTANA.

BEMIDJI STATE PLAYED AT AUGIE IN EARLY NOVEMBER, SPLITTING THE SERIES WITH A 4-3 OVERTIME WIN FOLLOWED BY A 1-5 LOSS, BUT THE WIN OR GO HOME REALITY OF THE POST-SEASON AMPLIFIES THE MOMENTS, SOMETHING THE BEAVS ARE FAMILIAR WITH AFTER LAST SEASONS PLAYOFF RUN.

>> THEY KNOW IT'S DO-OR-DIE.

THEY KNOW HOW TO PLAY.

THE MISTAKES ARE MAGNIFIED RIGHT NOW, WHICH YOU CAN'T TOTALLY WORRY ABOUT THE MISTAKES, BUT THE RISK IS MONUMENTAL AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE IN FOR.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S THE PLAYOFFS, IT'S EXCITING, IT'S A NEW SEASON, AND FRIDAY CAN'T COME QUICK ENOUGH.

>> THEY'RE A GOOD TEAM, THEY PLAY HARD, THEY PLAY FAST.

WE JUST NEED TO GET INSIDE AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

WE JUST HAVE TO DO THE LITTLE THINGS AND KEEP DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING.

I LIKE OUR CHANCES.

IT'S SUPER EXCITING.

YOU LOOK FOR THESE MOMENTS ALL YEAR AND NOW IT'S DO-OR-DIE.

WE'RE EXCITED AND READY TO GO.

>> THE 3-GAME QUARTERFINAL SERIES WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY.

WINNER MOVES ON TO THE SEMIFINAL ROUND IN WHICH ALL FOUR REMAINING TEAMS ARE RESEEDED WITH THE HIGH SEED HOSTING.

THE SEMIFINALS AND CHAMPIONSHIP ARE SINGLE ELIMINATION GAMES.

LAST YEAR BEMIDJI STATE MADE IT TO THE MASON CUP FINALS BEFORE FALLING TO MICHIGAN TECH 2-1.

>>> WELL THE BRAINERD ADAPTED FLOOR HOCKEY TEAM IS BACK AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE 28TH TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY AFTER DEFEATING REIGNING STATE CHAMP DAKOTA UNITED 5-1 IN THE CONFERENCE TITLE GAME.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER STOPPED BY PRACTICE TODAY TO SEE HOW THE TEAM IS PREPARING FOR THEIR RUN AT A 7TH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> Reporter: AFTER TAKING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BACK IN 2023, BRAINERD ADAPTED FLOOR HOCKEY JUST FELL SHORT TO GOING BACK LAST YEAR, SETTLING FOR THIRD PLACE.

THIS SEASON, THE SQUAD'S ENTERING STATE PLAY A PERFECT 9-0.

>> THE KIDS ARE EXCITED.

WE ALWAYS SET GOALS AT THE START OF THE YEAR, INDIVIDUALLY AND TEAM-WISE.

AFTER THE TOUGH LOSS WE HAD LAST YEAR WITH THE DOUBLE OVERTIME, THEY WANTED TO HAVE A SHOT AT WINNING THE TITLE AGAIN.

>> Reporter: AND IT HELPS HAVING THEIR STAR GOALIE BACK, WHO MISSED THE ENTIRE 2023-24 SEASON DUE TO SURGERY AND THE JUNIOR FIT BACK INTO THE LINE UP LIKE A GLOVE, ALLOWING THEM ONLY 8 GOALS SO FAR.

>> I WAS VERY RUSTY, BUT NOW I'M STARTING TO FEEL I'M TRULY BACK.

IT TOOK A FEW WEEKS.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DOES IT.

HE IS SO COLLECTED IN THE NET.

HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE TO PUT HIS HANDS TO CATCH THE PUCK.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT JUST THE DEFENSE STANDING OUT AS THE WARRIORS HAVE PUT THE BISCUIT IN THE BASKET 67 TIMES SO FAR, SHOWCASING PERFORMANCES LIKE AGAINST ROCHESTER LAST MONTH.

>> WE WORK ON OUR POSITIONING SO MUCH.

IF WE CAN, WE WILL HAVE OUR CENTER AND DEFENSEMAN MOVE UP ALONG THE BLUE LINE SO WE CAN HAVE DOUBLE THE SHOOTERS UP THERE.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR OPEN PASSES AND COMMUNICATION.

>> Reporter: IT MADE LEAVING THE STATE TOURNAMENT WITH HARDWARE A HABIT, HAVING 6 TO 8 TOURNAMENTS WITH 4 RUNNER UPS.

THE TEAM KNOWS IT WILL REQUIRE LASER FOCUS.

>> STAYING FOCUSED.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MOVING AS HARD AS WE CAN.

>> SMART PLAYS LIKE, TIME AND SPACE IS WHAT OUR COACHES SAY A LOT OF THE TIMES, GOOD PASSES.

IF WE COMBINE ALL OF THAT, WE WILL BE GOOD.

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

>> Charlie: THE STATE TOURNAMENT RUN WILL TAKE OFF FRIDAY WHEN THEY PLAY AGAINST SOUTH SUBURBAN.

>>> THEN WE HAVE SOME SCORES FOR YOU, GIRLS BASKETBALL, CROSBY-IRONTON BEATS PEQUOT LAKES, THEY ARE HEADED TO THE 7-2A FINALS.

IN BOYS BASKETBALL, BRAINERD GETS A WIN OVER SAUK RAPIDS RICE.

BEMIDJI, THEY FALL AND END THEIR SEASON AT BUFFALO.

IN BOYS BASKETBALL, IN 3A, ALEXANDRIA GETS THE WIN.

GRAND RAPIDS MOVES ON TO THE SEMIS.

LITTLE FORK BIG FALLS BEATS CHISHOLM.

IN THE QUARTER FINAL GAME, EAST GRAND FORKS IS LEADING LATE IN THE THIRD PERIOD.

THE TIMBERWOLVES GOT A WIN, AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE THEM PLAYING WELL.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> MORE THAN 2 MILLION NEW CANCER CASES ARE EXPECTED THIS YEAR ALONE IN THE U.S.

ACCORDING TO PROJECTIONS FROM THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, BUT CANCER DEATH RATES CONTINUE TO DECLINE THANKS IN PART TO THE EARLIER DETECTION OF SOME CANCERS.

BUT A NEW STUDY PUBLISHED TODAY FINDS RATES OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENINGS REMAIN LOW ACROSS THE U.S.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER TALKS TO THE SENIOR AUTHOR ABOUT THIS TROUBLING TREND.

>> Reporter: FIRST, THE GOOD NEWS, NEWLY RELEASED RESEARCH SHOWS SCREENING FOR COLORECTAL AND BREAST CANCER HAS REBOUNDED FROM DECLINES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

RESEARCHERS SAY THAT IS NOT THE CASE FOR ANOTHER CANCER.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T SEE THAT FOR CERVICAL CANCER, THEY ARE STILL BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

>> Reporter: THEY SAW THAT SCREENING IN 2023 REMAINED AT 14%, WHICH IS BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

>> WE WANT TO DETECT CANCER EARLY WHEN THEY ARE MORE TREATABLE.

>> Reporter: SO RESEARCHERS SAY IT'S A TROUBLING TREND, ONE VIEWED AS A LONG-TERM PROBLEM AS CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING STARTED TO DECLINE IN THE EARLY 2000s.

IT IS STILL NOT FULLY CLEAR WHY THESE SPECIFIC SCREENING HAVEN'T BOUNCED BACK LIKE OTHERS.

>> SOME REDUCE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEED FOR CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AND FEWER RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE SCREENED BY PHYSICIANS.

>> Reporter: RECOMMENDATIONS VARY BASED ON AGE AND HEALTH BUT THE TASK FORCE SAYS IF YOU ARE AGES 21 TO 49, GET YOUR FIRST PAP TEST AT 21 AND EVERY 3 YEARS AFTER.

IF YOUR AGE IS 30 TO 65, GET TESTED FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS, WHICH CAN CAUSE CERVICAL CANCER EVERY FIVE YEARS OR AN HPV/PAP TEST EVERY THREE YEARS.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: AND THOSE WEEKEND TEMPERATURES LOOK PRETTY NICE.

>> Stacy: IT WILL BE WARMING UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

WE WILL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 15, WEST WINDS 5 TO 15.

TOMORROW, EXPECT TO SEE MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

HIGHS NEAR 32, WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW ON SATURDAY, BUT WARMER TEMPERATURES EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>> Charlie: BRAINERD GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYING TOMORROW, WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS AND MILES WILL BE ON SCENE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM