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LEARN MORE AT AT GOCTC.COM.

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>> 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.

>>> FORMER STATE SENATOR JUSTIN EICHORN OF GRAND RAPIDS PLEADED GUILTY TO A CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED POSSESION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE POSSESSION OF CHILD SECOND WALL ABUSE MATERIAL TODAY IN FEDERAL COURT.

THAT WAS AFTER A PLEA AGREEMENT WAS MADE WITH FEDERAL PROSECUTORS.

HE WAS ORIGINALLY CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR PROSECUTORS SAY THEY EXPECT TO CALL FOR A SENTENCE OF 15-TO-21 MONTHS.

A SENTENCING DATE HAS NOT BEEN SET.

EICHORN RESIGNED FROM HIS SENATE SEAT AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED IN MARCH OF 2025 DURING AN UNDERAGE SEX STING OPERATION IN BLOOMINGTON.

>>> THE PARK RAPIDS FIRE DEPARTMENT IS FUNDRAISING FOR A NEW SEARCH AND RESCUE TOOL THAT WILL AID IN EMERGENCY SERVICES THROUGHOUT HUBBARD COUNTY.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: DRONES ARE NO LONGER JUST A HOBBY FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

THEY HAVE BECOME A USEFUL TOOL FOR SURVEYING, INDUSTRIAL INSPECTIONS, AND FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

>> IT'S KIND OF AN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY IN THE FIRE SERVICE.

WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE OF A NEED FROM AN INCIDENT COMMANDER PERSPECTIVE.

I GET SOME EYES IN THE SKY, FIRE SCENES, AND THEN SEARCHING FOR VICTIMS IS A BIG DEAL.

IN MY PART OF THE WORLD, SLIPS AND FALLS ARE HOW PEOPLE GET HURT, AND FLYING TO PEOPLE IS A REALLY BIG DEAL.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RAISED JUST OVER $2,700 WITH A GOAL OF $30,000.

>> A DRONE IN THE FIRE SERVICE NEEDS TO BE A ROBUST MACHINE AND GRASS FIRE SEASON, THE WINDS ARE 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN YOU HAVE A BAD GRASS FIRE.

SO WE NEED A ROBUST MACHINE THAT IS WEATHER RESISTANT AND CAN TAKE THOSE WIND SPEEDS.

>> Reporter: THEY WANT A DRONE THAT IS USEFUL IN THE WINTER SEASON.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GET ONE WITH A HOOK ON IT SO WE CAN FLY OUT TO AN ICE RESCUE VICTIM AND DROP IT.

IT'S AN INVOLVED PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU WILL GO TO BEST BUY AND PICK UP.

>> Reporter: A CAR FIRE IN APRIL EARLIER THIS YEAR LED FOR THEM TO ASK FOR A DRONE FROM HUBBARD COUNTY BUT THE COUNTY WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE IT.

>> WE HAD A CAR ACCIDENT NORTH OF TOWN, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

THE CAR HAD HIT THE TREE REALLY HARD.

IT STARTED ON FIRE AND A PASSERBY SAW IT AND WE SHOWED UP TO A CAR FIRE AND NO ONE WAS AROUND.

WE SPENT A BUNCH OF TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON A STEEP BANK, TRYING TO FIND IF ANYONE WAS AROUND.

WE COULD HAVE FLEW THE WHOLE AREA IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND RULED IT OUT.

>> Reporter: THE VICTIM OF THE CRASH CAME FORWARD TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES TO NOTIFY THEM THEY WERE UNINJURED.

REPORTING FROM PARK RAPIDS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> WE WILL PROVIDE A LINK TO THE GO FUND ME PAGE ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> THE RED LAKE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS IN ATTENDANCE THIS WEEK AT THE NATIONAL POLICE OFFICER WEEK EVENT IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THANKS TO DONATIONS RECEIVED FROM VARIOUS DONORS THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO SEND SIX RED LAKE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES TO HONOR THEIR FALLEN OFFICER, JESSE A. BRANCH.

HE WAS KILLED IN A VEHICLE CRASH WHILE RESPONDING TO A CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2024.

>>> DURING THE APRIL DISTRACTED DRIVING CAMPAIGN, IT RAN FROM APRIL 1ST THROUGH APRIL 30TH AND WAS COORDINATED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY'S OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE NOTABLE INCIDENTS OF DISTRACTED DRIVING DURING THIS CAMPAIGN.

IN ST.

CLOUD, POLICE STOPPED A DRIVER FOR TYPING ON A LAPTOP WHILE ALSO HOLDING A CELL PHONE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.

ELK RIVER POLICE STOPPED A DRIVER WHO WAS HOLDING TWO PHONES WHILE DRIVING.

AND THE FILLMORE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAID ONE SEMI DRIVER WAS SO DISTRACTED THEY DID NOT NOTICE THE DEPUTY TRYING TO PULL THEM OVER UNTIL THE NEXT COUNTY.

WHEN THE DEPUTY FINALLY GOT THE DRIVER TO STOP, THEY CITED THEM FOR USE OF A PHONE WHILE DRIVING.

>>> MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHERED AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL GROUNDS IN CASS LAKE TODAY, FOR THE ANNUAL LEECH LAKE HEAD START POWWOW.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON THE YOUTH-FOCUSED CELEBRATION THAT KICKED OFF THE POWWOW SEASON EARLIER TODAY.

>> Reporter: A NEW BRAVE AND PRINCESS WAS CROWNED AMONG ANISHINAABE REGALIA AND DRUMS AS THEY CELEBRATED THEIR ANNUAL POWWOW TO CELEBRATE CHILDREN GRADUATING FROM THE EARLY HEAD START AND HEAD START PROGRAMS.

THE CHILDREN GET READY TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEYS WHILE STILL LEARNING MORE ABOUT THEIR CULTURE.

>> JUST SEEING MY LITTLE COUSIN AND SIBLINGS.

THEY SEE OTHER PEOPLE BEING BRAVE AND THEY PROBABLY THINK IT'S COOL THAT THEY WANT TO DO IT.

>> IT PROMOTES, YOU KNOW, THE REVITALIZATION OF THE SONG AND DANCE CULTURE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT PROMOTES THE REVITALIZATION OF OUR LANGUAGE.

IT'S A GOOD WAY TO CELEBRATE LIFE TOGETHER.

OUR CULTURE IS ALIVE.

WE COME TOGETHER AND HAVE FUN.

>> Reporter: THE HEAD START POWWOW HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL DECADES, WITH SOME FAMILIES COMING BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS WORTH OF CHILDREN.

>> SEEING IT GROW AND MORE FAMILIES ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GREAT PREVENTION ACTIVITY FOR FAMILIES, MOMS AND DADS FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO COME IN AND ENJOY SOMETHING TOGETHER WHERE THEY CAN ALL PARTICIPATE.

IT'S DIFFERENT THAN SPORT WHERE IS THE CHILD PARTICIPATES AND THE PARENT IS JUST SUPPORTING.

HERE THE FAMILY ENJOYS.

>> Reporter: HAVING A CHILDREN-FOCUSED EVENT, THE HOPE IS TO GET YOUTH INVOLVED AS YOUNG AS POSSIBLE, SO THEY CAN LEARN TO LOVE POWWOWS AND CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE AS THEY GET OLDER.

>> LET LOOSE AND SHOWING THEM WHAT THEY GOT AND MAYBE THEY WILL CONTINUE.

>> IT REFLECTS A LOT ON THEIR CULTURE, TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR CULTURE, AND TO GET A LITTLE PIECE OF EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW, AND HOPEFULLY THEY CONTINUE TO GROW WITH THEIR CULTURE AND CONTINUE ON THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF POWWOWS GOING ON DURING THE SUMMER.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM CASS LAKE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE VETERANS MEMORIAL POWWOW GROUNDS WILL HOST ANOTHER MAJOR CEREMONY LATER THIS MONTH, WITH A MEMORIAL DAY TRADITIONAL POWWOW, FROM MAY 22ND THROUGH MAY 24TH.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF ERIC KLAND ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT HE PLANS TO SEEK RE-ELECTION AS SHERIFF NEXT FALL.

KLANG HAS THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH 8 YEARS AS CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF.

IN ADDITION TO HIS CURRENT TERM HE WAS ALSO SHERIFF FROM 2003-TO-2006 WHEN HE WAS ONE OF THE YOUNGEST SHERIFFS ELECTED IN THE STATE.

KLANG SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING HIS PLANS THAT HIS CAMPAIGN WILL FOCUS ON HIGH LEVEL PRIORITIES SUCH AS TRANSPARENCY, COLLABORATION, AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

>>> CASS COUNTY SHERIFF BRYAN WELK ALSO ANNOUNCED RE-ELECTION PLANS TODAY.

WELK WHO WAS ELECTED IN 2022 WILL BE SEEKING A SECOND TERM AS SHERIFF.

WELK AS BEEN WITH THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE FOR 28 YEARS.

PRIOR TO BEING VOTED SHERIFF WELK SERVED AS CHIEF DEPUTY FOR THE DEPARTMENT FROM NOVEMBER OF 2021 UNTIL HE TOOK OVER AS SHERIFF IN 2023.

WELK SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT HIS COMMITMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, ABOUT PROTECTING FAMILIES, SUPPORTING VICTIMS, RESPONDING IN TIMES OF CRISIS, HOLDING OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE, AND ENSURING CASS COUNTY REMAINS A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, VISIT, AND RAISE A FAMILY.

WELK WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE OPPONENT IN THE SHERIFFS RACE.

EARLIER THIS WEEK AARON AMMERMAN CASS COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF ANNOUNCED HE RUN FOR THE SHERIFF POSITION.

AMMERMAN SERVED FOR 22 YEARS AS A DEPUTY SHERIFF.

IN A PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING HIS CANDIDACY AMMERMAN SAYS THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER HE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN MANY ROLES, INCLUDING THE BOAT AND WATER DIVISION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE UNIT, ROAD PATROL SHIFTS, AND COURT SECURITY.

AND FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, HAS SERVED IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE AND PUBLIC SERVICE ROLE WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

AMMERMAN SAYS IF ELECTED SHERIFF HE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE STRONG FOUNDATION OF PROFESSIONALISM, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND SERVICE THAT THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPRESENTS.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE VERY STRONG WINDS ONCE AGAIN TOMORROW AND OUR ENTIRE VIEWING AREA IS UNDER A RED FLAG WARNING.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

CENTRAL MINNESOTA YOUTH ORCHESTRA HAD A COLLABORATIVE CONCERT HERE AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, FEATURING ITS CURRENT STUDENTS AND ITS ALUMNI.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE CENTRAL MINNESOTA YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND LISTEN FOR LIFE JOINED FORCES LAST WEEKEND FOR A SPECIAL ALUMNI AND CURRENT STUDENT COLLABORATION CONCERT IN SARTELL.

IT FEATURED STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: CENTRAL MINNESOTA YOUTH ORCHESTRA WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2013 AND ITS GOAL IS TO GIVE OPPORTUNIIES TO RURAL COMMUNITIES IN MINNESOTA THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE CHANCE TO BE EXPOSED TO THE MUSIC.

THE DIRECTOR IS EXCITED TO DO JUST THAT WITH THIS CONCERT AND PERFORM WITH HIS ALUMNI STUDENTS ONCE AGAIN.

>> IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL TO CATCH UP WITH THEM, HEARING THEIR GROWTH, AND THE THINGS THEY EXPERIENCED, IT'S LOVELY TO HEAR.

IT'S FUN TO SEE THE PREVIOUS STUDENTS, HOW THEY DEVELOPED AS PLAYERS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE HEADLINE PERFORMANCES WAS ARYAN THAT A YOUTH ALUM WHO PERFORMED.

SHE IS THE VICE CHAIR FOR LISTEN FOR LIFE AND SHE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE PROGRAM BECAUSE SHE SAYS IT LEFT AN IMPACT NOT ONLY ON HER MUSICAL JOURNEY BUT ALSO ON HER LIFE.

>> IT'S REALLY SPECIAL TO ME.

I WAS HOMESCHOOLED, CAME FROM A RURAL AREA.

HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS WAS SO BENEFICIAL FOR ME TO GAIN THE SKILL I NEEDED AS A MUSICIAN.

THEY ONLY REQUIRE FAMILIES TO PAY WHAT THEY CAN FINANCIALLY AFFORD.

THAT WAS REALLY HELPFUL FOR ME AS A STUDENT.

I REALLY HOPE TO SUSTAIN THAT.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A BENEFIT CONCERT, RAISING FUNDS FOR CENTRAL MINNESOTA YOUTH ORCHESTRA TO HELP THEM COMPENSATE FOR RECENT REDUCTIONS IN STATE FUNDING FOR THE ARTS, WHICH THEY FEEL WILL HELP THEM INSPIRE THE COMMUNITY WITH MUSIC.

>> I HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYS IT.

I THINK THE KIDS HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD AND IT'S GREAT WORKING ON THIS PROGRAM.

I HOPE EVERYONE IS REMINDED OF WHAT A POWERFUL TOOL MUSIC IS FOR HUMAN CONNECTION AND BRINGING US TOGETHER, NO MATTER WHAT WALK OF LIFE OR AGE WE ARE.

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

[APPLAUSE] >> THE SHOW ALSO INCLUDED A GUEST PERFORMANCE FROM INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN VIOLINIST ERIN NOLAN.

EACH WEEK, THE INTER-MEZZO AND ENCORE ENSEMBLES JOIN IN A DISCOVERY CLASS THAT FEATURES A MIX OF MUSIC HISTORY, MUSIC THEORY & EAR TRAINING.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER STACY, WE HAD SOME DANGEROUS FIRE CONDITIONS TODAY AND AGAIN TOMORROW.

>> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE VERY STRONG WINDS ONCE AGAIN.

WE HAVE WIND ADVISORIES, AIR QUALITY ALERTS DUE TO BLOWING DUST, AND OUR ENTIRE VIEWING AREA IS UNDER A RED FLAG WARNING TOMORROW.

SO I'LL HAVE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, IT WAS A VERY WINDY DAY OUT THERE TODAY BUT WE DID HAVE A FEW RAIN SHOWERS HERE AND THERE.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT'S STILL VERY MILD.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE WARM TEMPERATURES, WARMER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE VERY WINDY.

WE DO HAVE WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES INCLUDING A RED FLAG WARNING FOR THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI.

IT'S 63 AT THE AIRPORT, WITH A SOUTH WIND AT 18, GUSTING UP TO 28 MILES PER HOUR.

OUR DEW POINT IS AT 45.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 63 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 46, SOUTH WINDS ARE AT 21 MILES PER HOUR, WE HAVE GUSTS UP TO 33.

NOW PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA ARE UNDER A WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 9:00 P.M.

ON FRIDAY.

SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 15 TO 35, GUSTING UP TO 45 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW THIS SAME AREA, ALONG WITH THE COUNTIES IN GRAY ARE UNDER AN AIR QUALITY ALERT ENEMY 9:00 P.M.

ON FRIDAY DUE TO AREAS OF BLOWING DUST.

PARTICLES ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE RED CATEGORY, CONSIDERED UNHEALTHY FOR EVERYONE.

THIS AREA IS UNDER A RED FLAG WARNING AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA IS ALREADY IN EFFECT, IT WILL TAKE EFFECT AT 11:00 A.M.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, NOON IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, WITH ALL OF THAT EXPIRING AT 9:00 P.M.

TOMORROW.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME RAIN SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.

THOSE ARE MOVING OUT AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE CLEARING SKIES.

WE WILL HAVE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, BUT OUR STRONG WINDS WILL STAY WITH US, AGAIN CREATING ALL OF THAT FIRE DANGER.

NOW WE DID HAVE VERY GUSTY WINDS TODAY, ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE WINDS IN CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU ANGELA FOR SHARING THAT WITH US.

SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE RAIN SHOWERS OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

WE HAVE NEW KIDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD FROM CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD.

JOAN IS SPOTTING HER FIRST BUTTERFLY OF THE SEASON IN LAPORTE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

EAGLE EYES REPORTS, 46 FROM DEBRA IN PINE RIVER.

DEAN IN RED LAKE, 45 THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING SOME RAIN SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 0.6-INCH OF RAIN.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A LITTLE BIT OF DRIZZLY WITH CLOUDY AND WINDY CONDITIONS.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, ISOLATED SHOWERS, ALONG WITH THE STRONG WINDS TODAY.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 77 WAS OUR HIGH IN BRAINERD, 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD A LOW OF 38, 8:42 WAS OUR SUNSET.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 76, SO AGAIN MORE THAN 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE, 39 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNRISE AT 5:44.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, ALL CLEAR TOMORROW MORNING AND THEY PRETTY MUCH ARE GOING TO STAY CLEAR AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

STILL VERY STRONG WINDS OUT THERE, VERY WARM TEMPERATURES, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE 70s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

HEADING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE LOW 80s.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY, LOWS NEAR 53, AND SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 10 TO 30.

MOSTLY SUNNY, VERY WINDY AGAIN TOMORROW, WEST WINDS AT 15 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR, SO WE COULD SEE PATCHY BLOWING DUST IN THE NORTHWEST, WITH HIGHS NEAR 77.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, SUNNY AND 70 ON SATURDAY, WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON SUNDAY, AND THAT BRINGS IN SOME COOLER AIR EARLY NEXT WEEK.

BY TUESDAY, WE ARE LOOKING AT CHANCES OF RAIN SHOWERS BUT NORTHWEST MINNESOTA COULD ALSO SEE A BIT OF SNOW.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: WELL, BIG CHANGE THERE.

>> Charlie: YEAH, IT WAS NICE TODAY AND THEN NOW WE'RE BACK.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, YOU'RE OUTSIDE SHOOTING BASEBALL.

>> Charlie: YEAH, I HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE SINCE 9:00 A.M.

SHOOTING SOME SOFTBALLS, SHOOTING SOME BASEBALLS.

THE DRAKES AND THE MUSTANGS RIVALRY, WE HAVE ALL THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: THE BATS EXPLODED FOR BEMIDJI GIRLS SOFTBALL ON TUESDAY, SCORING 23-RUNS ON 29-HITS IN THEIR DOUBLE-HEADER VERSUS MOORHEAD.

DESPITE THE OFFENSIVE SHOWING, THE LUMBERJACKS SPLIT WITH THEIR RIVAL AFTER LOSING GAME NUMBER 2 IN 8-INNINGS.

TODAY WAS THEIR FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND IT CARRIED OVER WITH THEIR MATCH WITH DETROIT LAKES.

BOTTOM OF THE 2nd, STILL SCORELESS.

SHE STROKES ONE TO RIGHT TO SCORE BOTH RUNNERS.

IT WAS 2-0 BEMIDJI LIKE THAT.

NOW LIV FOR AN R.B.I.

DOUBLE.

JACKS WOULD PLATE 6 BEFORE THE INNING WAS DONE.

LATER IN THE 6th, 7-0 NOW, BASES LOADED FOR AUBREY.

THIS WILL CLEAR THEM ALL.

ALSO IT ENDS THE GAME BECAUSE THE 10-RUN RULE OF WALK OFF OF SORTS.

BEMIDJI PLAYED FERGUS FALLS AFTER.

12-0 THERE.

THEY STILL HAVE THREE MORE GAMES LEFT TO PLAY OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS.

>>> ON THE THURSDAY OF GAME MAKE-UP-WEEK IN MAY, THE NORTHLAND CONFERENCE HOLDS THEIR ANNUAL GAMEDAY AT B-S-U FOR SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL.

IT'S 10-GAMES SPLIT BETWEEN THE TWO SPORTS, PLAYED ALL DAY AT THE BEMIDJI STATE SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL FIELDS, AND TODAY WE GOT OUT TO A FEW OF THOSE MATCH-UPS.

WHAT BETTER WAY TO START THINGS OFF THAN WITH A 9:00 A.M.

RIVALRY GAME BETWEEN BLACKDUCK AND NORTHOME-KELLIHER IN GIRLS SOFTBALL.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST, DRAKES GET THE SCORING GOING.

ANDERSON SLAPS ONE TO LEFT.

R.B.I.

SINGLE FOR HER AND HER 100th CAREER HIT.

BLACKDUCK LED 3-0 AFTER 1.

THEN AT THE TOP OF THE THIRD, MUSTANGS FIND SOME OFFENSE.

BELLA BARRELS THIS TO THE GAP.

THEY CUT INTO THE LEAD.

NOW DRAKES LEADING 4-1.

THEY ARE ABOUT TO HAVE ANOTHER BIG INNING.

TATTOOING IT ALL THE WAY TO THE WALL, TWO R.B.I.

DOUBLE, BLACKDUCK PLATES FOUR.

THEY BEAT NORTHOME-KELLIHER FOR A SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, THIS TIME BY A SCORE OF 8-2.

>>> WE HAVE OTHER SOFTBALL SCORES, WALKER BEATS LAKE OF THE WOODS.

NEVIS BEATS LAKE OF THE WOODS.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS TOPS RED LAKE.

ALSO IN SOFTBALL, BRAINERD GETS THE WIN OVER SPRING LAKE PARK.

SEBEKA EDGES WADENA DEER CREEK.

PARK RAPIDS SWEEPS IN THEIR DOUBLE HEADER.

>>> ON THE BASEBALL SIDE OF THE NORTHLAND CONFERENCE GAME DAY, WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY TAKING ON LAKE OF THE WOODS.

WOLVES ARE LEADING 1-0 IN THE SECOND.

TRISTAN WITH A FLARE OVER THE INFIELD, MAKING IT 2-0.

NOW IT'S GOING TO EXTEND THE LEAD TO 3.

TOP FOUR, SAME SCORE, DUCKS IN THE POND, BACK UP THE MIDDLE FOR THE TWO R.B.I.

SINGLE.

THE WOLVES GO ON TO WIN 7-4 AFTER A LATE COMEBACK ATTEMPT BY THE BEARS.

>>> IN THE NEXT BASEBALL GAME, NEVIS WAS TAKING ON CASS LAKE-BENA AND CARTER WAS DEALING ON THE BUMP FOR THE TIGERS, STRUCK OUT 8 OF THE FIRST 9 BATTERS HE FACED, BUT ADRIAN BROWN FINDS HIS WAY TO SECOND BASE FOR THE PANTHERS AND DANNY WILL DRIVE HIM HOME TO STRIKE FIRST.

TIGERS LOOKING TO ANSWER IN THE FOURTH, ELLIOT LEADS THINGS OFF WITH A DOUBLE, EVENTUALLY SCORES TO TIE IT.

LATER, TWO IN SCORING POSITION, AND HE DELIVERS.

BOTH RUNNERS SCORE TO GIVE NEVIS THE LEAD AND THEY WOULD NOT LOOK BACK.

THEY WIN 14-1 IN SIX.

NORTHOME-KELLIHER ALSO PICKING UP A WIN TODAY VERSUS BLACKDUCK.

BAGLEY TOPPED LAPORTE 14-1 IN FIVE INNINGS AND PINE RIVER-BACKUS AND RED LAKE WERE STILL PLAYING INTO THE NIGHT TONIGHT.

BRAINERD FALLS TO ST.

CLOUD TECH IN BASEBALL TODAY.

GRAND RAPIDS GETTING THE WIN OVER PROCTOR.

LITTLE FALLS TOPS PIERZ.

WADENA DEER CREEK BEATS MENAHGA.

SEBEKA, A BIG WIN OVER PILLAGER.

GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY, THEY GET THE WIN OVER SUPERIOR IN WISCONSIN, AND BRAINERD GETS THE WIN.

>>> LOOKING AT BOYS GOLF, THEY TIE FOR FIRST.

WNBA, THE MINNESOTA LYNX GOT THE WIN TONIGHT, 90 TO 86.

THE MINNESOTA TWINS, THEY ALSO GET A WIN 9-1.

NICE TO SEE A COUPLE PRO-MINNESOTA TEAMS WINNING.

WE HAVE A BIG WIN TOMORROW WITH THE TIMBERWOLVES.

>> Dennis: THEY ARE BACK HOME.

>> Charlie: THEY ARE FOR GAME SIX, THEY ARE ON THE BRINK AS WELL.

>> Dennis: SOUNDS GOOD.

BRAINERD LAKES AREA KIDS AND FAMILIES SPENT THEIR WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS TOGETHER AT BAXTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR FAMILY FUN NIGHT.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON HOW THE SCHOOL IS MAKING SURE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ARE BALANCING WORK AND PLAY IN THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: BAXTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS HOME TO A COMMUNITY OF MORE THAN 600 STUDENTS.

THEY WANTED TO FIND A WAY TO INJECT SOME POSITIVE VIBES INTO BOTH THE KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS.

>> IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR US TO SEE OUR FAMILY, THEIR STUDENTS IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT AND SHARE THAT POSITIVITY.

>> WE'RE SO BUSY WITH OUR LIVES.

WE'RE DROPPING KIDS OFF, PICKING THEM UP, WE NEVER GET TIME TO ENJOY THE EVENING, MINGLE WITH EACH OTHER, AND A LOT OF THE STAFF ARE HERE AS WELL TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THE VIBES WERE PLENTY YESTERDAY AS INFLATABLES AND ICE CREAM TRUCKS, PAINTING ROCKS BY THE TRAIL, AND ALL WERE OFFERED TO THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

>> WE GOT THE SPRING CLASSIC BOOK FAIR, WE HAVE THE PLAYGROUND, INFLATABLE BOUNCE HOUSES, BALLOON ARTISTS, ICE CREAM TRUCKS, PIZZA, POPCORN.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A WELCOMING, SUPPORTIVE, AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERY CHILD TO THRIVE.

WITH KIDS GETTING THEIR WORK DONE IN THE CLASSROOM, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES FUN DESERVES A PLACE AS WELL.

>> I WORK ALONGSIDE THE MOST DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS.

WE'RE LOOKING TO CONNECT WITH OUR KIDS, TO BUILD ON THE POSITIVES, TO HELP THEM SEE THEMSELVES AS LEARNERS.

IT'S A BALANCE OF WORK AND PLAY AND HELPING THEM BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO GROW AND MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

>> Reporter: THEY AIM TO EDUCATE MINDS, INSPIRE HEARTS, AND CULTIVATE FUTURE LEADERS.

GOOD STATES OF MIND IN MANY CASES ARE SHAPED AT HOME AND BAXTER ELEMENTARY ARE GLAD TO PROVIDE TO ANY OPPORTUNITY LEADING TO THEIR KIDS FORMING STRONGER BONDS WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

>> MY SISTER REALLY WANTED TO GO AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO COME AND SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY.

I THINK IT'S JUST FUN AND IT CAN HELP YOU BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.

>> IF YOU HAVE CONFLICTS WITH YOUR FAMILY, THEN THAT IS NOT HEALTHY.

IT'S NOT A COMPLETE NETWORK AND DOESN'T HAVE AS MUCH IMPACT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BAXTER WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ROUGHLY 800 KIDS, PARENTS, GUARDIANS, SIBLINGS AND VOLUNTEERS ATTENDED FAMILY FUN NIGHT.

>>> BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: IT WILL BE HOT AND WINDY.

WE HAVE A WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 9:00 P.M.

FRIDAY IN THAT AREA AND THE AREAS IN GRAY UNDER AN AIR QUALITY ALERT DUE TO THE BLOWING DUST IN OUR ENTIRE VIEWING AREA UNDER A RED FLAG WARNING.

>> Dennis: THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US.

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

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