>> 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.

>>> DURING BEMIDJI'S 18TH ANNUAL DAY AT THE CAPITOL YESTERDAY, CITY OFFICIALS BROUGHT A NUMBER OF FUNDING REQUESTS FORWARD TO STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS, BUT THOSE STATE OFFICIALS WEREN'T JUMPING TO SAY YES FOR ONE SPECIFIC REASON.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: BEMIDJI IS A GROWING CITY WITH GROWING REGIONAL PRESSURES.

WITH JUST UNDER 16,000 PEOPLE, BEMIDJI HAS AN EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, AND TOURISM DESTINATION FOR NEARLY 100,000 PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA.

THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTED BEMIDJI FOR SOME TIME.

>> IT'S HAPPENING TO OUR CITY, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, OUR COUNTY, AS YOU HEARD UNFUNDED MANDATE, WHICH MEANS THE STATE ASKS YOU TO DO SOMETHING OR CHANGE THE WAY YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING, BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT.

>> Reporter: THEY VISITED WITH MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS ASKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE UNFUNDED MANDATES.

>> WHAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH IN THE METRO IN REGARDS TO DENSITY AND THOSE ISSUES RELATIVE TO US.

>> SO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.

OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE'RE DESPERATELY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE 50-YEAR-OLD BUILDINGS.

WE'RE TRYING TO USE THE MONEY TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY, BUT IT'S NEVER ENOUGH AS YOU KNOW.

>> Reporter: THEY ARGUE THE COST IS TOO HIGH FOR TRANSPORTATION AND SPECIAL EDUCATION THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA.

>> WE FALL BEHIND BY OVER $1 MILLION.

WE DON'T WANT TO NOT DO IT, BUT WE LOSE A LOT OF MONEY ON THAT AS WELL.

WE FALL BEHIND ON SOME OF THESE MANDATES, ESPECIALLY WITH TRANSPORTATION.

THE FORMULA IS BASED ON ENROLLMENT NUMBERS AND NOT ON GEOGRAPHIC SIZE, BUT WE HAVE TO DRIVE THESE LONG ROUTES AND IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY.

>> Reporter: STATE REPS AND SENATORS SAY THE BUDGET WON'T ALLOW THEM TO HELP WITH MANY OF THESE REQUESTS.

>> THAT'S JUST MY OPINION, THE BUDGET.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THE STATE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP OUT, GIVEN THE FISCAL SITUATION AND THE POTENTIAL FEDERAL SITUATION.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM ST. PAUL, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> TOMORROW WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER DETAILED LOOK INTO BEMIDJI'S DAY AT THE CAPITOL, FOCUSING ON WHAT BELTRAMI COUNTY OFFICIALS WERE LOBBYING FOR DURING THEIR VISITS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

>>> STATE BUDGET OFFICIALS RELEASED MINNESOTA'S LATEST ECONOMIC FORECAST ON THURSDAY.

THE FORECAST PROJECTS A SURPLUS OF ABOUT $160 MILLION LESS THAN PREVIOUS ESTIMATES.

THE PROJECTED SURPLUS IS NOW $456 MILLION FOR THE NEXT TWO-YEAR BUDGET CYCLE.

IN DECEMBER IT WAS PROJECTED AT $616 MILLION.

ALSO THE PROJECTED DEFICIT IN THE 2028-2029 BIENNIUM HAS GROWN FROM THE 5.1 BILLION ESTIMATE RELEASED IN DECEMBER TO ABOUT 6 BILLION.

STATE REPUBLICAN LEADERS PLACED THE BLAME FOR THE WEAKER FORECAST ON THE D.F.L.

FOR SPENDING MOST OF A PREVIOUS $17.6 BILLION SURPLUS.

D.F.L.

LEADERS MEANWHILE ARE BLAMING IT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>>> THE ORGANIZATION BRIDGES OF HOPE AND LOCAL PARTNERS HAVE ANNOUNCED A NEW INITIATIVE TO INCREASE FOOD ACCESS AND CRITICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT INCLUDES KEY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE, LAKES AREA FOOD SHELF, SECOND HARVEST, AND MANY MORE.

THE FOOD SHELF AND RESOURCE HUB WILL PROVIDE HOLISTIC AND COORDINATED SUPPORT, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO BETTER SERVE FAMILIES IN CRISIS, WHILE ALSO ELIMINATING LONG TRAVEL DISTANCES.

MANY IN THE BRAINERD LAKES CURRENTLY MAKE A 30-MINUTE DRIVE TO THE NEAREST FOOD SHELF IN PEQUOT LAKES.

>> AS WE KNOW, GROCERY PRICES ARE GOING UP AND IT'S AFFECTING EVERYONE, BUT IT'S REALLY AFFECTING PEOPLE OF THE LOWEST INCOME THE MOST.

787 INDIVIDUALS IN 2024 WERE COMING TO THEIR FOOD SHELF FROM BRAINERD AND BAXTER.

WE HAVE TO THINK THAT MAYBE WE'RE EXPERIENCING SOME KIND OF A GAP IN OUR AREA AND WE WANT TO ADDRESS THAT GAP.

>> THE COALITION OF ORGANIZATION IS ACTIVELY WORKING TO SECURE A LOCATION, SUPPORTED BY SEED FUNDING FROM PARTNER ORGANIZATION, A PRIVATE DONOR, AND THOUGH GRANT APPLICATIONS.

THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THE CENTER OPERATIONAL BY EARLY 2026.

>>> SINCE MARIJUANA BECAME LEGAL IN MINNESOTA IN AUGUST OF 2023, TAXES ON SALES OF T.H.C.

OR HEMP DERIVED PRODUCTS HAVE BROUGHT THE STATE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS PER MONTH ON AVERAGE.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

THIS WEEK, THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL VOTED ON WHETHER THEY WOULD APPLY TO OBTAIN A MUNICIPAL CANNABIS LICENSE.

THE LICENSE WOULD ALLOW A PRIVATE BUSINESS TO OPERATE A DISPENSARY IN THE CITY BUT SHARE PROFITS WITH THE MUNICIPALITY.

THE TOPIC FIRST CAME BEFORE THE CITY BACK IN FEBRUARY WHEN MULTIPLE PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS APPROACHED THE CITY ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY, BUT IN THE VOTE CAST THIS MONDAY, THE COMMISSION DECIDED TO NOT PURSUE A LICENSE BY A VOTE OF 4-3, WITH SOME CITY COMMISSIONERS CITING POTENTIAL CONFLICTS WITH FEDERAL LAW.

>> IS THERE A RISK INVOLVED WITH THE CITY GETTING INTO THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS VENTURE, IF YOU WILL, WITH THE H.U.D.

BACKED BUILDINGS IN BRAINERD.

ANY OF US LIVING IN YOUR OWN HOME OR A RENTAL UNIT, THAT THE LANDLORD WILL ALLOW IT, YOU CAN GROW IT, YOU CAN SMOKE IT.

IN H.U.D.

APPROVED LOCATIONS HERE IN BRAINERD, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO HAVE THAT ON YOUR PROPERTY AT ALL.

>> A SIMILAR PROPOSAL PASSED IN THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, WHICH PARTNERED WITH VOYAGEUR CANNABIS SERVICES.

VOYAGUER CURRENTLY ESTIMATES THAT THEY WILL BRING IN OVER A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ARE PROPOSING TO MANAGE SPONGY MOTH INFESTATIONS THIS SUMMER IN NINE COUNTIES ACROSS EASTERN MINNESOTA.

SPONGY MOTHS ARE RANKED AMONG AMERICA'S MOST DESTRUCTIVE TREE PESTS AND CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS.

SPONGY MOTH IS A LEAF-EATING INSECT THAT HAS CAUSED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO FORESTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

THIS PEST IS FOUND IN MOST OF WISCONSIN AND IS NOW ESTABLISHING ITSELF IN NORTHEASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

THE M.D.A.

MONITORS FOR SPONGY MOTH EACH YEAR, SURVEYING FOR EMERGING INFESTATIONS.

WHEN AN INFESTATION IS FOUND, THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS AERIAL MANAGEMENT AND TARGETS THE INFESTATION BEFORE IT CAN SPREAD.

THE NUMBER OF SPONGY MOTHS DETECTED IN MINNESOTA IN RECENT YEARS HAS INCREASED, AND POPULATIONS CONTINUE TO PUSH WESTWARD.

43 TREATMENT AREAS TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 115,000 ACRES ARE PROPOSED IN AITKIN, ANOKA, CARLTON, FILLMORE, HOUSTON, ITASCA, PINE, ST. LOUIS, AND WINONA COUNTIES.

MANAGEMENT WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM MAY THROUGH JULY, DEPENDING ON INSECT DEVELOPMENT AND WEATHER.

RESIDENTS IN PROPOSED TREATMENT AREAS AND THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INSECT AND THE TREATMENT METHODS.

TO REGISTER FOR THOSE YOU CAN GO TO THE M.D.A.

WEBSITE.

YOU CAN ALSO SEE IF YOU ARE LOCATED WITHIN ANY OF THE PROPOSED MANAGEMENT AREAS ON THAT WEBSITE.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Elissa: I'LL HAVE YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST AND MORE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, THE 72nd ANNUAL NORTHERN REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR TOOK PLACE >> 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.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >>> WASHINGTON STREET IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD IS ABOUT TO UNDERGO A MAJOR FACELIFT, RECONSTRUCTING PARTS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN TOUCHED IN NEARLY 50 YEARS.

BUSINESS OWNERS FROM AROUND BRAINERD GATHERED AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON THURSDAY TO MEET ABOUT THE WASHINGTON STREET RECONSTRUCTION PLANS.

THE RENOVATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE OVER TWO YEARS AND WILL HAVE A DRASTIC IMPACT ON BUSINESSES IN THE AREA, BUT OFFICIALS ON THE PROJECT HOPE THAT THEIR PLANS WILL NOT STOP RESIDENTS FROM ACCESSING BUSINESSES AND OTHER AREAS IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD.

>> WELL, THE LAST TIME THIS WAS RECONSTRUCTED WAS EARLY 1980s, THE STORM SEWERS ARE GETTING OLD, THE PAVEMENT IS TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN'T PATCH IT UP.

THE SIDEWALKS ARE OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE A.D.A., ESSENTIALLY DOING IT ALL AT ONCE.

WE'RE MAKING A LOT OF ROADS CLOSE TO THE BUSINESS OPEN FOR TRAFFIC, EVERYTHING WILL BE OPEN DOWNTOWN, AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Dennis: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT, CITY OFFICIALS ARE HOLDING ANOTHER PUBLIC TOWN HALL ON MARCH 25TH AT THE CROW WING COUNTY LAND SERVICES BUILDING.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY HAS THE NIGHT YOU HAVE BUT ELISSA IS HERE.

NOT A LOT GOING ON WITH THE FORECAST.

>> Elissa: NOT A LOT RIGHT NOW BUT WE MAY BE >> 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 ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Elissa: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING, I'M ELISSA BENSON WITH YOUR WEATHER.

>>> CURRENTLY IT IS MID-20s OUT, ABOUT AVERAGE OF WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

MOVING ALONG, CURRENTLY IN BEMIDJI, 23 WITH A SOUTHWEST WIND, PEAK WINDS AT 20 MILES PER HOUR.

SO IT'S CALM OUT THERE TODAY.

IN BRAINERD, SIMILAR CONDITIONS, A NORTHWEST WIND AT 3 MILES PER HOUR.

EXCUSE ME, LOOKING AT OUR RADAR HERE, PRETTY CLEAR SKIES, WE DO HAVE SOME MIXED CLOUDS MOVING THROUGH, VARIABLE PASSING AND THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO TONIGHT AS WE MOVE TOWARDS TOMORROW MORNING.

THANK YOU TO OUR VIEWERS FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOS, BOB IN CHAMBERLAIN WITH THAT BEAUTIFUL PICTURE.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THOSE IN.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A HIGH OF 28 TODAY, WITH SUN.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SIMILAR CONDITIONS, LOW OF 15.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, BREEZY THIS MORNING AT 7:00 A.M., SAME AS ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, FEELS LIKE 18 WITH THE WIND.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, HIGH OF 37 TODAY, LOW OF 11, ABOUT ON PAR FOR WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, A LITTLE BIT COOLER, 32 DEGREES WITH A LOW OF 17, AND THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER.

6:12 P.M. SUNSET.

LOOKING AT OUR FORECAST, IT WILL BE PRETTY CLEAR TONIGHT, BUT MOVING INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL BE HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF SCATTERED FLURRIES MOVING ACROSS THE AREA.

MORE THAN LIKELY NOT GOING TO SEE ANYTHING FROM THAT AND THEN MOVING TOWARDS SATURDAY NIGHT, WE DO SEE SOME WEATHER MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

AGAIN, SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, CLEAR SKIES MOVING INTO SUNDAY, WHICH REMINDER IS DAYLIGHT SAVING THIS WEEKEND.

LOOKING TOWARDS TOMORROW, WE'RE GOING TO SEE ABOUT THE SAME TEMPERATURE, MID-30s FOR MOST OF THE AREA, CHANCE OF SNOW UP NORTH, AND THEN MOVING ALONG TO SOUTHERN VIEWING AREA, MAY EVEN SEE THE 40s TOMORROW.

NICE AND WARM.

TONIGHT, CLEAR WITH PASSING CLOUDS, LOW OF 16, AND TOMORROW, GOING TO START BEING WARMER THERE, MOSTLY SUNNY, MAYBE SOME FLURRIES IN THE MORNING, HIGH OF 37.

THAT TREND CONTINUES INTO THIS WEEKEND, SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW ON SATURDAY, WITH 43 DEGREES, 53 DEGREES POSSIBLE ON SUNDAY, AND MOSTLY SUNNY.

THAT TREND WILL CONTINUE INTO MONDAY WHERE SOME AREAS ARE GOING TO SEE 60 DEGREES ON MONDAY.

THEN IT'S GOING TO COOL OFF WITH CLOUDS AND POSSIBLE CHANCE OF MIXED PRECIPITATION STORMS LATER NEXT WEEK, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: LOOKS THAT WAY.

THANKS ELISSA.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW AND BIG DAY FOR BRAINERD GIRLS BASKETBALL.

>> Charlie: THEY'RE PLAYING FOR A SECTION TITLE TONIGHT AND IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THEY WON ONE.

1997 WAS THE LAST TIME THEY GOT TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT AND WON A SECTION TITLE.

WE WERE THERE FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS.

THEY WERE TAKING ON SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE.

WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW IT WENT DOWN COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪ >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

OFFERING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> THE GOLDEN APPLE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY CROW WING POWER.

DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELIABLE ELECTRICITY AND A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF TO ASSIST YOU WITH ENERGY-SAVING PROGRAMS AND TIPS MORE AT CWPOWER.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> THE YEAR IS 1997, BILL CLINTON WAS IN HIS FIRST TERM AS PRESIDENT, PRINCESS DIANA WAS KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, HONG KONG WAS RETURNED TO CHINESE RULE, AND IT WAS THE LAST TIME BRAINED GIRLS' BASKETBALL WERE CROWNED SECTION CHAMPIONS.

AFTER UPSETTING 2-SEED ELK RIVER IN SATURDAY'S SECTION 8-4A SEMIFINAL, THE WARRIORS NOW HAVE THE CHANCE TO END THEIR 28-YEAR DROUGHT.

WE HEAD OUT TO SARTELL FOR THE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

BRAINERD VYING FOR JUST THEIR 4TH SECTION TITLE IN PROGRAM HISTORY, TAKING ON TOP SEED SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE, A 13-TIME SECTION CHAMP AND WINNER OF THE LAST THREE IN 8-4A.

FIRST HALF, WAR NOR -- WARRIORS KEEPING IT CLOSE.

BRAINERD TRAILING 24-18.

SAINT MICHAEL KEPT THE PRESSURE ON ABBEY, UP AND UNDER.

SHE HAD 17, AND IN THE SECOND HALF, WARRIORS KICKED IT INTO HIGH GEAR.

CASH MONEY FROM 3, BRAINERD UP.

LATER IN THE HALF, WARRIORS UP 13, MAYA HITS FROM DOWNTOWN AND A FEW MOMENTS LATER, HITS THE BRAKES AND THEY GO ON BY.

SHE HAD 23 ON THE NIGHT AND THEY'RE PARTYING LIKE IT'S 1997 BECAUSE BRAINERD GIRLS BASKETBALL, OUR SECTION CHAMPS ONCE AGAIN.

THEY SINK THE POWERHOUSE SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE.

AFTER THE GAME, WE HEARD THE GIRLS' THOUGHTS ABOUT THEIR FIRST SECTION SHIP SINCE 28 YEARS.

>> WE WERE LIKE IT'S ACHIEVABLE, BUT GREAT COMPETITION.

ELK RIVER BEAT US THREE YEARS IN A ROW PRIOR.

TO BEAT THOSE AND HAVE THE CHANCE TO GO TO STATE, IT'S JUST AMAZING.

>> I THINK ALL OF US HAD A POSITIVE MINDSET AND GOING IN, THIS WAS THE GAME WE WERE GOING TO WIN AND WE WERE GOING TO PLAY TOGETHER AS A TEAM AND IT WORKS OUT.

>> I'M EXCITED TO SPEND TIME WITH MY AMAZING TEAMMATES AND GET CLOSER WITH EVERYONE.

>> Charlie: AS YOU CAN SEE, IT WASN'T A LONG WEIGHT FOR THEIR FIRST TWO SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS AFTER THEY GOT ONE, BUT THE 28 YEARS, BRAINERD WILL PLAY WEDNESDAY AT WILLIAMS ARENA, BUT THE SEATING WILL COME OUT THIS SATURDAY, SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME YET, BUT THAT'S WHERE THEY WILL PLAY, THE TOURNAMENT STARTING ON WEDNESDAY.

>>> WELL, IN BOYS SECTION HOOPS, THE NUMBER ONE SEED IN THE EAST, CASS LAKE-BENA HOSTING BAGLEY IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE TOURNAMENT.

THANKS TO JACKSON, WHO HAD A TEAM HIGH 33 POINTS, GIVING THEM THE LEAD.

PANTHERS TRAILING BY 1, KATE WHO LED ALL SCORERS BY 35 POINTS, NOW IT'S 20-19.

UNDER SIX MINUTES, FINISHING WITH 10 POINTS, THEN JAYDEN WET FROM DOWNTOWN, HE ADDED 15 FOR CASS LAKE-BENA.

THEY WENT 98-69.

THEY WILL PLAY IN THIEF RIVER FALLS, TIP OFFSET FOR 3:00 P.M. >>> SOME MORE SCORES FOR YOU IN BOYS BASKETBALL.

RED LAKE KNOCKS OFF WINAMAC.

RED LAKE COUNTY GETS GOODRICH.

PELICAN RAPIDS DROPS MENAHGA.

MORA BEATS ROYALTON.

NEVIS GETS THE WIN ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE QUARTER FINALS.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS AND BROWERVILLE PICKING UP THE WINS.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY GETTING A WIN TONIGHT AS WELL.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SOFTBALL SCORES, BEMIDJI STATE GETTING TWO WINS.

THEY ARE OFF TO A GOOD START THIS SEASON.

>>> BRAINERD BOYS' SWIMMING AND DIVING FINISHED THE REGULAR SEASON A PERFECT 7-0 IN DUAL MEETS AND LAST WEEKEND AT THE SECTION 8-2A MEET THE WARRIORS FINISHED AS RUNNER-UP TO SARTELL, WHILE QUALIFYING 5 SWIMMERS AND ONE DIVER.

OF THE SIX WHO QUALIFIED, THREE OF THEM ARE SOPHOMORES AND ONLY SENIOR NATHAN CHAUSSEE HAS BEEN TO STATE BEFORE BUT THE BLUE AND WHITE ARE STILL LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKING A SPLASH AT THE STATE MEET.

>> I'M PRETTY HAPPY.

I'M GLAD TO GO BACK DOWN.

IT WAS FUN.

THERE ARE YOUNGER GUYS COMING UP SO IT WILL BE FUN TO PASS DOWN SOME MEMORIES TO THEM.

I BET IT WILL BE A FUN TIME.

>> WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM GOING DOWN.

THERE ARE SOME YOUNG KIDS, HE IS AN EIGHTH GRADER WHICH IS IMPRESSIVE.

DREW, HENRY, BROOKS, THEY'RE ALL SOPHOMORES.

GREAT SOPHOMORE CLASS AND THERE ARE MORE THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE STATE TEAM.

THEY WILL BE REALLY GOOD COMING UP.

>> IT'S A 4.5 HOUR MEET WHERE YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS TO PERFORM YOUR BEST AND GET JUDGED BY PEOPLE.

GOING INTO STATE, JUST TRYING TO ENJOY IT.

I SEE A LOT OF COMMITS, BUT THEY ALSO GET TO SEE ME.

I'M EXCITED TO GET MYSELF OUT THERE AND SHOW MYSELF.

>> AND HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THEY'RE DOING SO FAR.

THIS IS THE DIVING PRELIMS WERE TODAY, DAVID IN 14th PLACE AND THE THREE GRAND RAPIDS BOYS.

THE SWIMMING MEET WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW WITH SWIMMING PRELIMS NOON FOR CLASS A AND 6:00 P.M. FOR 2A, AND EVERYTHING WILL FINISH ON SATURDAY AT THE AQUATIC CENTER.

>> Dennis: THE SECTION TITLE WAS A LONG TIME AGO, THE YEAR BEFORE WE STARTED LAKELAND NEWS.

WE WON'T HAVE A FILE OF THAT.

NO ONE WILL.

>> Charlie: NO ONE WAS SHOOTING LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AT THAT TIME.

>> Dennis: THE NEXT YEAR IS WHEN WE DID.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, BEMIDJI STATE HOSTED THE 72ND ANNUAL MINNESOTA REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR LAST FRIDAY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SAW MUCH MORE THAN THE OLD-SCHOOL BAKING SODA VOLCANOES.

80 STUDENTS GATHERED TO SHOW OFF THEIR PROJECTS, FROM PETRI DISHES TO URANIUM TESTING.

SHE HAS MORE.

>> FROM CLIPPING THROUGH PICTURES FROM THE CASE STUDY, TO SHOWING THE EXPERIMENT, DOING THE EXPERIMENT, AND SHOWING PEOPLE HOW EVERYTHING WORKS, EVERY STUDENT HAS A PHYSICAL ASPECT OF THEIR PROJECT.

>> THIS IS A GREAT OUTLET FOR STUDENTS BECAUSE THEY GET HANDS-ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH SCIENCE.

IT'S GREAT THEY CAN LEARN THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, TRY IT THEMSELVES, AND BE SCIENTISTS THEMSELVES AND TAKE THAT INTO THEIR ADULTHOOD.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR'S FAIR SHOWCASED 62 PROJECTS FROM MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS REPRESENTED ACROSS 18 DIFFERENT NORTHERN MINNESOTA COUNTIES.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES AND THEY ALL INCLUDE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WHERE YOU HAVE TO USE YOUR IMAGINATION.

>> IT'S SO COOL.

I GET TO SEE ALL THESE DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTS AND THEIR POINT OF VIEW, AND JUST TO SEE ALL THE PROJECTS.

>> I FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE IS REALLY CREATIVE AND I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

I AM LEARNING SO MUCH FROM THE SCIENCE FAIR.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS CHOSE A TOPIC THAT THEY WERE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND THEN CONDUCTED AND DOCUMENTED THEIR EXPERIMENT.

MANY OF THOSE INCLUDED RESEARCH THAT THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS WANT TO USE TO HELP OTHERS.

>> I WANT TO HELP OUT WITH EVERYTHING I CAN TO HELP.

I WOULD LIKE TO HELP EVERYBODY TO NOT HAVE SO MUCH SOAKED INTO THEIR FACE.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL OF THE STUDENTS SHOWED OFF WORK WITH REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS.

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT URANIUM AND RADIUM, HOW TO BE SAFE AROUND IT AND PRECAUTIONS, AND WHEN TO KNOW YOU ARE IN DANGER.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE PRESENTATIONS WERE DONE, EVERY STUDENT WAS JUDGED AND OVER $1,300 WORTH OF PRIZES WERE HANDED OUT THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

>> IT'S INVIGORATING TO SEE THE STUDENTS TALK ABOUT THE PROJECT AND SHOW THEIR PASSION.

WE GET TO LEARN FROM THEM.

IT'S REALLY AWESOME TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS IS BRINGING.

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

>> ANY OF THE SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS THAT WON A PURPLE RIBBON WILL BE MOVING ON TO THE STATE COMPETITION, WHICH WILL BE TAKING PLACE IN SAINT PAUL ON MARCH 28TH.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

LET'S GO OVER TO ELISSA.

>> Elissa: A WARMER WEEKEND AND CHANCE OF FLURRIES SATURDAY MORNING.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: I ASSUME WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE BRAINERD GIRLS NEXT WEEK.

>> Charlie: YES, WE'LL HEAR FROM THEM NEXT WEEK.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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