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

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

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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.

[♪♪♪] >> HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> HUBBARD BROADCASTING'S KB 101 WAS RECENTLY NAMED A RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTING'S CRYSTAL AWARD.

IT'S AN AWARD THAT RECOGNIZES EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE.

EARLIER TODAY U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR PERSONALLY PRESENTED THE BEMIDJI RADIO STATION WITH THE AWARD, WHICH HIGHLIGHTED THEIR WORK DURING THE JUNE WIND STORM OF LAST YEAR.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE FROM THE AWARD CEREMONY.

>> WHEN A CATASTROPHE LIKE THIS HITS YOUR COMMUNITY, YOU GO TO THE PLACE THAT IS TRUSTED.

YOU GO TO THE PLACE THAT WILL GIVE YOU FACTS AND INFORMATION YOU CAN COUNT ON.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT KEV AND DAVE AND THESE TYPES OF FOLKS, IT'S ON A FIRST NAME BASIS.

THE COMMUNITY KNOWS THEM BY THEIR FIRST NAME.

WHY?

BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUSTED.

>> AT A TIME WHEN THE POWER GRID WAS DOWN, IMPORTANT AND LIFESAVING INFORMATION WAS CHANGING BY THE MINUTE AND THE COMMUNITY NEEDED A TRUSTED AND RELIABLE VOICE FOR NEWS, FOR INFORMATION.

>> LOCAL RADIO STEPPED UP TO MEET THE SMOKES.

>> Reporter: THE ANNUAL STUFF A TRUCK RADIOTHON TO END CHILD ABUSE AND OTHER WORK HELPED THEM EARN THE CRYSTAL AWARD, WHICH IS GIVEN TO 10 STATIONS IN THE COUNTRY TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY IMPACT.

THIS IS THE STATION'S 7th CRYSTAL AWARD, MEANING THEY WON MORE OF THE AWARDS THAN ANY OTHER RADIO STATION.

>> FOR HELPING PEOPLE IN THE HARDEST OF TIMES, IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THEM BUT ALSO A TESTAMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY AND IT IS KBHP THAT BELIEVES THAT BEMIDJI STRONG IS NOT JUST A SLOGAN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> I THINK 7 CRYSTALS SAYS BEMIDJI AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES ARE OUT MAKING LIFE BETTER AND WE'RE JUST HELPING THEM.

>> YOU'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT THE IMPACT YOU'RE MAKING AND IT'S JUST AMAZING TO ME HOW MANY TIMES AS THINGS HAVE SLOWED DOWN AND I RUN INTO PEOPLE, EVEN MONTHS LATER SAYING IT WAS REALLY GREAT WHAT YOU DID WITH THE STORM.

WOW, I GUESS WE DID MAKE AN IMPACT.

>> Reporter: THE 10 PERSON STATION WORKED NON-STOP TO UPDATE PEOPLE DURING THE STORM AND FOR MONTHS AFTER DURING RECOVERY AND HAS BEEN TO WHAT MANY REFER TO AS A SMALL AND MIGHTY FORCE.

>> A U.S.

SENATOR WAS WILLING TO DO THIS AND SHE WAS WILLING TO TAKE TIME TODAY AND MAKE THAT PART OF HER STAY AND I'LL FOREVER BE THANKFUL FOR THAT.

I AM HONORED THAT SHE WAS WILLING TO DO THAT.

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

>> SENATOR KLOBUCHAR WAS ALSO IN BEMIDJI TODAY TO GET AN UPDATE ON THE AREAS RECOVERY FROM LAST SUMMERS SEVERE WINDSTORM THAT TOPPLES AN ESTIMATED NINE MILLION TREES IN AND AROUND BEMIDJI.

THE TREES THAT ARE DOWN NOW REPRESENT A FIRE DANGER THIS SPRING AND CONSERVATION CORP WORKERS ARE ALREADY HARD AT WORK REMOVING AND BURNING DEBRIS.

KLOBUCHAR SAYS THE AREA HAS CHANGED QUITE A BIT SINCE SHE WAS HERE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE STORM BUT SAYS MORE WORK IS AHEAD.

>> IT'S PHENOMENAL THE CHANGE AND I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE RESILIENCE OF THE COMMUNITY AND IT LOOKS A LOT DIFFERENT.

AGAIN, THERE ARE STILL CHALLENGES.

I'M GLAD THAT INSURANCE COVERED SOME OF THE SANFORD CENTER AND SOME OF THE PLACES.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S STILL BEEN A LOT OF WORK GOING ON TO TRY TO GET THE FUNDING ON THE STATE LEVEL AND I KNOW SOME OF THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET AS MUCH FUNDING TO BEMIDJI AS WE CAN.

>> TOMORROW NIGHT WELL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE WORK BEING DONE BY THE CONSERVATION CORP AND THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE INCREASED FIRE DANGER THIS SPRING.

>>> THE 2026 MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS CURRENTLY AT THE MIDWAY MARK, WHICH HAS SEEN MANY HOURS OF FLOOR DEBATES AND HEARINGS, BUT NOT MUCH AGREEMENT BETWEEN AN EVENLY SPLIT LEGISLATURE.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, HAS MORE DETAILS ON WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR THIS SESSION, AS WELL AS WHAT LIES AHEAD.

>> Reporter: THE COMBINATION OF A TIGHT HOUSE, NO BUDGET DEADLINE, AND A TUMULTUOUS INTERIM.

THE LAST HOUSE FLOOR SESSION ON FRIDAY SAW SIX HOURS OF FLOOR DEBATE WITH ZERO BILLS ADVANCING.

THE G.O.P.

AND DFL HAVE HELD SEVERAL HEARINGS THAT ENDED WITH A SPLIT VOTE THAT FALLS ALONG PARTY LINES AND FAIL TO ADVANCE OUT OF COMMITTEE.

>> WE'RE WASTING TIME.

THERE IS NO WORK BEHIND THE SCENES.

WE CAN CALL OUT DEMOCRATS, THEY CAN TRY TO CALL OUT US.

WE GO BACK AND FORTH.

IT'S JUST STIRRING UP TENSIONS, STIRRING UP FIGHTS FOR THE CAMERA.

REALISTICALLY IT DOESN'T DO MUCH.

>> Reporter: THE HOUSE BEING SPLIT EVEN AT 67-67 HAS FOUR STATE LAWMAKERS ADVANCING ON DATA CENTERS, FRAUD, AND CHILDCARE SAFETY, AMONG OTHER POLICIES.

>> WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND KIND OF PUT ASIDE THE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS AND JUST BE LIKE WHAT IS GOING TO WORK FOR US?

WHAT IS GOING TO WORK FOR OUR COMMUNITY?

YOU KNOW, AS SOON AS WE GET THROUGH TO THAT, WE'RE GOING TO BE SO MUCH BETTER OFF.

>> Reporter: BILLS AIMED AT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND RESTRICTIONS ON IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SEEM UNLIKELY TO PASS.

A BONDING BILL TO PAY FOR PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE AND AN ANTI-FRAUD BILL HAVE A BIT MORE MOMENTUM TO PASS.

>> IT'S GOING TO COST MONEY.

SO, THAT IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE, I THINK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE MONEY AND REPUBLICANS DO HAVE SOME IDEAS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PULL SOME MONEY FROM DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT WE CUT OR THERE IS A SURPLUS HERE THAT IF WE DO END UP SPENDING THAT SURPLUS, IT WILL GO TOWARDS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THE BILL IS SOMETHING I BELIEVE IS NECESSARY BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUE OVERSIGHT RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: WITH THE ADVANCEMENTS HAPPENING IN THE LATER PARTY OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LAWMAKERS ARE REMAINING OPTIMISTIC THAT THE SAME MOMENTUM CAN CONTINUE THROUGH THE SECOND HALF OF THE SESSION.

>> WE HAVE TO BRING BILLS THAT BOTH PARTIES LIKE IN ORDER TO GET SOMETHING PASSED.

SO, IF THEY WANT TO KEEP BRINGING UP GUNS, THEY ARE GOING TO FAIL.

YOU KNOW, IF WE KEEP BRINGING UP THINGS THAT THE DEMOCRATS DON'T LIKE, THEY'RE GOING TO FAIL.

IF WE WANT TO PUT THAT STUFF ASIDE AND PASS SOME LEGISLATION, THAT'S GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL TO EVERYBODY.

I THINK WE CAN WORK THAT OUT.

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

>> MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS ARE CURRENTLY ON THEIR ANNUAL SPRING BREAK AND ARE SET TO RETURN TO THE CAPITOL ON APRIL 7TH.

THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS ON MAY 18TH.

>>> A ROSEAU COUNTY DARE OFFICER HAS BEEN CLEARED OF ANY WRONGDOING AFTER ALLEGATIONS SURFACED AGAINST HIM.

ROSEAU COUNTY SHERIFF STEVEN GUST SAYS THE ROSEAU COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REQUESTED A SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO DARE OFFICER LOGAN BENDER AFTER THE ALLEGATIONS SURFACED.

HE SAYS BENDER VOLUNTARILY COOPERATED WITH INVESTIGATORS AND PEMBERTON LAW OF FERGUS FALLS AND THE MARSHALL COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE INVESTIGATED THE MATTER EXTENSIVELY AND THAT NO PROBABLE CAUSE EXISTS FOR ANY CRIMINAL CHARGES NOR WERE THERE ANY POLICY VIOLATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE.

GUST SAYS THE MATTER IS NOW CLOSED.

AGAIN, THOSE ALLEGATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC.

>>> HIGHWAY 210 IN BRAINERD IS SET TO UNDERGO CONSTRUCTION IN MID-MAY, BUT FIRST, THEY HAD A LITTLE PRE-PROJECT KICKOFF.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAD AN OPEN HOUSE-STYLE MEETING FOR THE UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ON HIGHWAY 210 AND WASHINGTON STREET.

THE $46 MILLION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WILL NOT ONLY ADD TWO ROUNDABOUTS BETWEEN 10th AND 5th AVENUE NORTHEAST, NEAR THE EAST BRAINERD MALL, BUT ALSO REBUILD ROAD SEGMENTS AND IMPROVE SIDEWALKS, AND UPDATE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE.

>> 210 DOESN'T FUNCTION VERY WELL, IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES TO GO THROUGH A CYCLE.

THESE ROUNDABOUTS CAN DECREASE THOSE TIMES.

PEOPLE CAN GET ALONG THE INTERSECTIONS QUICKER.

ROUNDABOUTS IMPROVE THE SAFETY BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF RIGHT ANGLE CRASHES, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE'RE DOING THIS TO IMPROVE SAFETY DOWN THROUGH THE CORRIDOR.

>> Reporter: STREETS UP AND DOWN HIGHWAY 210 WILL BE EFFECTED BY THE PROJECT, FROM 10th AVENUE NORTHEAST AND PINE SHORES ROAD, ALL THE WAY TO BAXTER DRIVE AND 4th STREET NORTHWEST.

THE CONTRACTORS UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS IT MIGHT CAUSE FOR THE LOCALS THAT USE THESE ROADS EVERY DAY BUT PROMISE TO HELP NAVIGATE THE CONGESTION.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF CHANGES TO ACCESS AND A COUPLE DIFFERENT ROUTES DURING CONSTRUCTION.

THERE ARE SOMETIMES WHERE THEY HAVE TO TAKE A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO GET TO THESE BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE CHAMBER TO ALLEVIATE THAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND WE HAVE A PUBLIC LIAISON THROUGH THE CONTRACTOR TO REACH OUT TO BUSINESSES THAT WILL BE AFFECTED DURING TIMES OF CONSTRUCTION.

>> Reporter: THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SAYS THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOT ONLY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROAD, BUT TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

THEY SAID THAT THE CHANGES THAT ARE MADE NOW WILL STILL BE IN EFFECT 20 YEARS FROM NOW.

>> ALL NEW SIGNALS ALONG THE CORRIDOR, SO IT WILL BE IMPROVED.

FLASHING YELLOW SIGNALS FOR LEFT TURN YIELDS, AND THERE WILL BE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE, NEW PAVEMENT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DODGE POTHOLES AND HAVING THAT NEW PRODUCT WHEN IT'S DONE.

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

>> R.L.

EXCAVATING IS THE PRIME CONTRACTOR FOR THE TWO-YEAR PROJECT.

AND SAYS THAT WHEN COMPLETE, IT WILL DELIVER SAFER TRAVEL, SMOOTHER TRAFFIC FLOW, AND HAVE MORE DEPENDABLE ACCESS FOR ALL USERS.

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

>> Stacy: ROUND ONE OF TWO WINTER STORMS WILL BEGIN MOVING OUT OF THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, BUT ROUND TWO IS SET TO MOVE IN TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY MINNESOTA'S MOOSE POPULATION REMAINS RELATIVELY STABLE.

ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

'S 2026 POPULATION SURVEY, THE MOST RECENT MINNESOTA MOOSE POPULATION ESTIMATE IS APPROXIMATELY 4,470 ANIMALS, D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY RESULTS SUGGEST THAT AFTER A STEEP DECLINE FROM A POPULATION ESTIMATE OF 8,000 IN 2009, MINNESOTA'S MOOSE POPULATION APPEARS TO HAVE SOMEWHAT LEVELED, FLUCTUATING AROUND 3,700 ANIMALS IN RECENT YEARS.

DESPITE RECENT ESTIMATES SUGGESTING RELATIVE STABILITY IN THE POPULATION AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS, MINNESOTA DNR RESEARCHERS POINT OUT THAT MINNESOTA MOOSE REMAIN AT RISK.

CLIMATE CHANGE, PARASITES, HABITAT LOSS AND PREDATOR IMPACTS ON CALF SURVIVAL ALL PLAY A PART IN THE LONG-TERM SURVIVAL OF THE MOOSE POPULATION.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

EVERYBODY LIKES A WHITE CHRISTMAS STACY, A WHITE EASTER, THERE IS A LITTLE LESS ENTHUSIASM.

>> Stacy: I'M NOT SURPRISED.

USUALLY WE'RE STARTING TO LOOK FORWARD TO SPRING, BUT WE DEFINITELY HAVE MORE WINTERY WEATHER TODAY, TOMORROW, INTO THE START OF THE WEEKEND, AND THEN SOME COOL TEMPERATURES BEFORE WE GET INTO MIDWEEK NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE ALL THE DETAILS ON ROUND TWO OF OUR NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM, WHICH WILL BE IMPACTING OUR AREA TOMORROW AND SATURDAY.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE SEEN SNOW AND SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION AS THE FIRST OF TWO WINTER STORMS HAVE BEEN MOVING ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.

WE STILL COULD SEE SOME SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

THAT DOES MOVE OUT BY TOMORROW MORNING.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK BEFORE ROUND TWO STARTS MAINLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 30 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE AN EAST WIND AT 6 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A DEW POINT OF 30.

I MEASURED IN OUR PARKING LOT TWO AND THREE QUARTER INCHES OF SNOW THIS EVENING.

IN BRAINERD, LIGHT SNOW.

29 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 27.

PRESSURE IS RISING, WINDS ARE NORTHEAST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW FOR THIS FIRST ROUND OF SNOW, WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHWEST INTO EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA UNTIL 1:00 A.M.

ON FRIDAY AND IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA UNTIL 7:00 A.M.

ON FRIDAY.

WE AGAIN COULD SEE SOME SNOW AND THERE MAY BE SOME MIXED PRECIPITATION FARTHER INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

NOW AS ROUND TWO MOVES IN TOMORROW, WE HAVE A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR WESTERN LAKELAND COUNTRY FROM 4:00 P.M.

FRIDAY TO 1:00 A.M.

SATURDAY, WITH HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL MINNESOTA, 4:00 P.M.

FRIDAY TO 10:00 P.M.

SATURDAY, WITH MIXED PRECIPITATION AND POSSIBLY UP TO TWO TENTHS OF AN INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATION AND THERE IS A WINTER STORM WATCH WITH HEAVY SNOW POSSIBLE AND MIXED PRECIPITATION AND ICE ACCUMULATION WITH THAT.

AS FAR AS SNOW TOTALS, THIS INCLUDES THIS EVENING, THROUGH 7:00 P.M.

ON SATURDAY, AND WE HAVE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT TOTALS IN THERE.

THAT COULD PICK UP MORE THAN 14 EVENINGS OF -- INCHINGS -- INCHES OF SNOW.

BRAINERD IS LOOKING AT 5.8 INCHES.

SO VERY SIGNIFICANT SNOW TOTALS POSSIBLE WITH THIS SYSTEM.

FOR TONIGHT, WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT THAT FIRST ROUND OF SNOW AND WE COULD CONTINUE TO HAVE SNOW ACROSS MUCH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

THAT WILL CLEAR OUT BY TOMORROW MORNING.

WE HAVE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK BEFORE THAT NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM MOVES IN.

IT LOOKS LIKE POSSIBLY IN THE MORNING IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT SPREADING NORTH.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TONIGHT, AND WE HAVE A LOOK AT THE NEW SNOW IN THE AREA THIS EVENING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, SAMROSE FROM UPPER RED LAKE, CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, GARY IN DEERWOOD, AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 26 AND BREEZY WITH SNOW THIS MORNING.

3 INCHES OF SNOW FROM BOB IN BLUFFTON.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, REPORTING SNOW WITH FREEZING FOG THIS EVENING.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, 2 PINCHES OF SNOW AND MIXED PRECIPITATION THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, REPORTING 6 INCHES OF SNOW.

SO SOME COOL TEMPERATURES, 27 WAS OUR LOW, 7:47 WAS THE SUNSET, BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 30, AND OUR LOW TODAY WAS 25.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, THAT SNOW MOVES OUT IN THE MORNING, WE GET A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK FROM THE SNOW AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

SOME SNOW COULD START TO PUSH INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, POSSIBLY MIXED PRECIPITATION IN THE AFTERNOON AND THAT WILL SPREAD NORTHWARD AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE MID-30s TO LOW 40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA WITH MID TO UPPER 30s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, A CHANCE OF SNOW CONTINUING IN NORTH-CENTRAL, NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

LOWS NEAR 23.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, BUT WE'LL SEE THE MIXED PRECIPITATION MOVE IN, IN THE AFTERNOON AND SPREAD NORTH.

WE WILL BE SEEING THE HIGHS NEAR 39.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, THE CHANCE OF SNOW CONTINUES INTO SATURDAY, WITH AGAIN SOME ACCUMULATION, A LITTLE QUIETER NEXT WEEK, 40 FOR THE HIGH ON SUNDAY, BUT COOL TEMPERATURES TO START THE WEEK, 31 ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

MILES IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

CHARLIE HAS THE NIGHT OFF AND GOOD THING WE HAVE AN INDOOR TENNIS FACILITY IN THE BRAINERD AREA BECAUSE THEY GOT SOME MATCHES.

>> Miles: YES, THE BOYS STILL GOT ON THE COURT.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT AFTER THE BREAK.

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

>>> WELL THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS SEASON BEGAN LAST WEEK, AND BEMIDJI BOYS' TENNIS SHOT OUT THE GATES LOOKING LIKE THEY ARE ALREADY IN MIDSEASON FORM, SKUNKING EAST GRAND FORKS 7-0 LAST THURSDAY.

THIS MORNING, THE LUMBERJACKS HIT THE GILLETT WELLNESS CENTER ONCE AGAIN, WELCOMING THE CROOKSTON PIRATES INTO THEIR FRIENDLY CONFINES.

BEMIDJI LOOKING TO STAY HOT ON A COOL THURSDAY MORNING, HOSTING CROOKSTON.

ON THE NUMBER ONE SINGLES COURT, OWEN LAPPINGA, UP 4-0 IN THE FIRST SET, PURE ASSAULT IN THE FRONT COURT, HE'D GO ON AND TAKE THE MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

IN NUMBER THREE SINGLES, BLAKE FRIESE, DOWN IN THE FIRST SET, DROPS A CHANGEUP, FRIESE LOST THE FIRST SET BUT WOULD EARN THE W IN THREE SETS.

OVER TO NUMBER ONE DOUBLES, PETER MATTHEWS AND CHASE FAIRCHILD, ALREADY UP ONE SET TO NONE, MATTHEWS WITH THE HULK SMASH, THEY'D GO ON TO WIN IN STRAIGHT SETS.

AND IN NUMBER TWO DOUBLES, ETHAN FRANK AND LOGAN BERG, UP 3-2 IN THE FIRST SET, BERG RIPS ONE DOWN THE LINE, THEY TAKE THE MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

AND BEMIDJI, KEEPS FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS, AS THEY GET THE BEST OF CROOKSTON IN A 5-2 VICTORY.

BEMIDJI WILL BE BACK IN ACTION NEXT WEDNESDAY FOR A TRIANGULAR AGAINST MORA AND FERGUS FALLS, THE FIRST OF THREE CONTESTS IN FIVE DAYS FOR THE LUMBERJACKS.

>>> WELL HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA IS NOW LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY FROM COMING TO CITY OF BRAINERD.

THE 21ST EDITION FOR THE STATE OF HOCKEY'S CELEBRATION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, AND THOSE ON THE LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE ARE CURRENTLY HARD AT WORK TRYING TO FUND THE EVENT.

COMMITTEE CHAIR BRAD PIEPER HOPES THE TOWN SEES BETWEEN 15,000 AND 25,000 PEOPLE COMING THROUGH BRAINERD.

WHETHER THE CONDITIONS MIMIC THIS YEAR'S SCENES, WHERE HASTINGS SAW -26 DEGREES, OR 2015, WHEN SAINT PAUL ENJOYED A MILD 38 DEGREES B.I.R.

IS EXPECTED TO BE PACKED TO THE BRIM WITH HOCKEY ENTHUSIASTS READY TO EMBRACE THE CULTURE.

>> THIS EVENT HAS GROWN EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

I MEAN PEOPLE KNOW HOCKEY DAY.

THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I THINK THE FACT THAT IT'S COMING TO THE HOME OF HOSPITALITY WILL DRIVE ATTENDANCE.

SO OUR GOAL AS A COMMUNITY IS TO HOLD THE LARGEST HOCKEY DAY EVER.

>> THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA HAS PRODUCED NUMEROUS PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY PLAYERS, INCLUDING 2017 STANLEY CUP TROPHY WINNER JOSH ARCHIBALD, AND 2023 SAN JOSE SHARKS FIFTH ROUND DRAFT PICK ERIC POHLKAMP.

THE HIGH SCHOOL IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ITS KIDS SHOWCASE WHAT THE CITY'S TALENT HAS TO OFFER.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE AN EXPERIENCE THAT THEY WILL REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

IF YOU ASK OUR GIRLS TEAM, WHO GOT TO PARTICIPATE, IT'S A HIGHLIGHT OF THEIR CAREER.

I'M SURE THEY ARE EXCITED FOR THAT SAME TYPE OF MEMORY, TO SHOWCASE OUR HOCKEY COMMUNITY, TO BRING IT TO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND SHOWCASE THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA WILL BE SPECIAL.

>> Miles: THEY WILL BE HOLDING AN AFTER HOURS EVENT FROM 4:30 P.M.

TO 6:00 P.M.

AT B.I.R.

YOU CAN DONATE FUNDS VIA THE HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA WEBSITE.

>>> THE WILD AT THE GRAND CASINO ARENA HOSTING THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS.

FIRST PERIOD, STILL SCORELESS.

MATT GOES TOP SHELF TO BREAK THE ICE, GIVING THE WILD THE LEAD.

OVER TO THE SECOND PERIOD, WILD TRAILING 2-1.

HE GETS ON THE BREAK AWAY, GOAL NUMBER 2 OF THE NIGHT, NUMBER 40 OF THE YEAR, THE WILD KNOT THINGS UP.

THEN HE JUST HAD TO GET HIS 40th GOAL OF THE SEASON AS WELL, THE WILD REGAIN THE LEAD AND THE WILD COAST TO A 5-2 VICTORY.

HE ALSO TALLIED TWO GOALS FOR THE WILD.

MORE ON THE POST SCENE AS THE MINNESOTA TWINS SHAVED OFF THE SWEEP FROM THE ROYALS TONIGHT.

THE TIMBERWOLVES DROPPED ON THE ROAD AGAINST THE PISTONS.

>> Dennis: GOOD WIN FOR THE WILD.

>> Miles: LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE GETTING READY FOR THE PLAYOFFS.

>> Dennis: RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

THANKS MILES.

LEAD FOR INCLUSION, AN ORGANIZATION AIMED TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE IN BEMIDJI, HOSTED ITS 2ND YOUTH SUMMIT LAST WEEK AT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY.

FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN ATTENDED THE EVENT AND HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: AROUND 150 STUDENT FROM SIX AREA SCHOOLS AND TWO ORGANIZATIONS ATTENDED THE LEAD FOR INCLUSION SECOND ANNUAL YOUTH SUMMIT, TAKING PART IN SEVERAL ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BSU CAMPUS.

>> THEIR MISSION FOCUSES ON JOB AND LEADERSHIP SKILL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY ADVOCACY, AND INCLUSIVE SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT, ALL GROUNDED IN YOUTH-DRIVEN INNOVATION.

>> Reporter: IT WAS ORIGINALLY FOUNDED IN 2024 BY SHANNON MURRAY.

HER GOAL AS THE FOUNDER WAS TO EVENTUALLY STEP ASIDE AND LET THE ORGANIZATION'S YOUTH BOARD TAKE THE LEADING ROLE.

THE 10 MEMBERS ON THE BOARD SPENT THE DAY HOSTING INCLUSIVE BASED ACTIVITIES A LEADERSHIP GAMES.

>> IT'S ABOUT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP, SO WE HAVE 10 YOUNG PEOPLE THAT MAKE DECISIONS ON EVERYTHING.

SO REALLY THIS IS A SPACE, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT PICK THE EVENTS WE DO HERE, THEY'RE LEADING THE SESSION, IT'S THEIR SHOW AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> LEAD FOR INCLUSION'S WORK IS NOT JUST VISIONARY BUT NECESSARY.

MEMBERS OF THIS ORGANIZATION SPOKE ABOUT BRIDGING THE GAP THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES EXPERIENCE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL AND ENSURING INCLUSION BECOMES AN COMMUNITY-WIDE STANDARD, NOT AN EXCEPTION.

>> Reporter: THEY LEAD JOB SKILL AND COOKING CLASSES AND THEY ESTABLISHED A NEW PROGRAM WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE YOUTH BOARD'S GOAL IS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO BELONGING AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCLUSIVE WORK AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE.

>> WE HAVE MONTHLY MEETINGS WHERE WE PLAN EVENTS LIKE THIS YOUTH SUMMIT AND COME UP WITH IDEAS.

IN DECEMBER, WE HAVE STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR OUR ORGANIZATION, TO SET PRIORITIES AND GOALS FOR THIS YEAR AND THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS.

YOUTH ARE IN CHARGE.

>> WE WANT OUR COMMUNITIES TO BE PLACES WHERE EVERYONE FEELS SAFE AND WHERE THEY BELONG.

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

>> THE EVENT WAS CO-HOSTED BY BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY'S ONLINE DEVELOPMENTAL ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION, OR THE DAPE PROGRAM.

WHICH TEACHES STUDENTS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

>> Dennis: WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER QUICK CHECK OF OUR WEATHER.

WE GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, WE REMAIN UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY INTO TONIGHT AS THE FIRST ROUND OF SNOW CONTINUES IN THIS AREA AND ANOTHER ROUND TOMORROW WITH WARNINGS, ADVISORIES, AND WATCHES TOMORROW AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY.

>> Miles: AND WE'LL HEAR MORE FROM RICK TOMORROW AS HE TALKS ABOUT THE NEXT STEP IN HIS JOURNEY SOUNDS GOOD.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'RE BACK TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.

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