YOUR SPORTS.

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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND EDUCATION.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL NEWS FOR BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪] >>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE IM JOSH PETERSON IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

AN EARLY MORNING GAS STATION ROBBERY IN BEMIDJI HAS RESULTED IN THE QUICK ARREST OF A LOCAL JUVENILE.

SHORTLY AFTER 3:00 THIS MORNING THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A ROBBERY AT THE HOLIDAY STATION STORE.

UPON ARRIVAL POLICE OFFICERS LEARNED THAT A MALE HAD TAKEN A DISPLAY OF VAPING PRODUCTS AND HAD DISPLAYED A FIREARM TO THE STORE EMPLOYEE.

A WITNESS IN THE STORE SAID THE MALE WAS TRYING TO LEAVE THE STORE WITH THE DISPLAY CASE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO BREAK OUT DOOR WINDOWS WITH A STOOL AND THREATENED TO SHOOT THE STORE EMPLOYEE IF THE DOOR WAS NOT OPENED.

AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 THIS MORNING POLICE IDENTIFIED A JUVENILE MALE WHO MATCHED THE INITIAL REPORTED DESCRIPTION AND CORROBORATED THIS INFORMATION WITH SEVERAL TIPS FROM THE PUBLIC.

OFFICERS LOCATED THE JUVENILE AT HIS RESIDENCE IN BEMIDJI WHERE HE WAS ARRESTED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

>>> WILDFIRE SEASON IN MINNESOTA IS HERE AND IT'S HERE A LOT EARLIER THAN USUAL.

WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES AND LITTLE SNOW THIS WINTER, THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SAYS THE POTENTIAL FOR WILDFIRES WILL BE QUITE HIGH THIS YEAR.

OUR MATHEW FREEMAN GOT A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH AN EXPERT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF WILDFIRE PREVENTION.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A LOT OF WILDFIRES IN MINNESOTA THIS SPRING.

IN 2023, MINNESOTA HAD 813 WILDFIRES COVERING APPROXIMATELY 8,663 ACRES.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE LOOKING LIKE THEY WILL INCREASE FOR THE 2024 SEASON.

>> IN THE LAST 2.5 WEEKS, WE'VE HAD 77 WILDFIRES ALREADY WITH OVER 4,000 ACRES AND THOSE ARE JUST THE WILDFIRES THAT THE D.N.R.

HAS RESPONDED TO SO FAR.

>> Reporter: IN MINNESOTA, THE WAY MOST WILDFIRES START IS WITH LARGE VEGETATIVE DEBRIS BURNING, BUT YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO HEAR HOW MOST WILDFIRES ARE CAUSED.

>> IN MINNESOTA, 90% OF WILDFIRES ARE CAUSED BY HUMANS.

OFTEN IT'S UNINTENTIONAL.

PEOPLE AREN'T WANTING TO CAUSE WILDFIRES, BUT WHEN PEOPLE CREATE A SPARK, WHEN WE HAVE THIS DRY VEGETATION ON THE GROUND, WHEN WE HAVE THOSE WARM WINDY DAYS, WILDFIRES CAN START EASILY AND SPREAD REALLY QUICKLY ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE.

>> Reporter: SO HOW CAN WE PREVENT ACCIDENTAL FOREST FIRE?

>> IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN YOU ARE BURNING, WHETHER IT'S A CAMPFIRE OR A LARGE VEGETATIVE DEBRIS BURN PILE THAT YOU CHECK AND MAKE SURE IT'S OUT COLD.

YOU WANT TO DROWN IT WITH WATER, STIR AND REPEAT UNTIL YOU DON'T FEEL ANY LINGERING HEAT WITH THE BACK OF YOUR HAND.

BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS KIND OF FLUFFY DRY GRASS AND VEGETATION ON THE GROUND, IT DIDN'T GET COMPACTED UNDER THE HEAVY SNOW THIS YEAR.

IT'S REALLY RIPE TO STARTING WILDFIRES AS WELL.

SO WHEN YOU ARE WORKING OUTSIDE OR RECREATING, DOING THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE A SPARK, THINGS LIKE METAL ON ROCKS, IF YOU'RE USING A CHAINSAW OR A MOWER, SO MAKE SURE YOU'RE USING CAUTION AND STAYING VIGILANT THIS SPRING SEASON.

>> Josh:.

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

>> THE D.N.R.

ALSO HAS A FIRE-WISE PROGRAM THAT HELPS HOMEOWNERS AND COMMUNITIES REDUCE RISK TO HOMES AND CABINS.

YOU CAN REQUEST THE FREE HOME-OWNERS KIT ON THE WEBSITE THAT IS ON THE SCREEN.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY HAS ANNOUNCED ITS NEW TRIBAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR.

IRENE FOLSTROM HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE NEW DIRECTOR AND HAS 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SERVING TRIBAL NATIONS AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.

A MEMBER OF THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE, SHE RECENTLY LED THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WORK FOR THE BAND.

SHE WILL HELP GUIDE EFFORTS TO LEARN FROM AND CONNECT WITH THE ELEVEN TRIBAL NATIONS IN MINNESOTA.

A GRADUATE OF CORNELL LAW SCHOOL AND STANFORD UNIVERSITY, FOLSTROM HAS ALSO SERVED AS A POLICY ADVISOR FOR THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS IN WASHINGTON D.C. >>> A BIPARTISAN FIX TO A LAW CHANGE LAST YEAR, CLARIFYING THE USE OF FORCE STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS HAS NOW BEEN SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ.

EARLIER TODAY THE SENATE APPROVED THE BILL ON A 61-3 VOTE ENDING A DEBATE THAT TOOK MONTHS OVER STATUTE LANGUAGE BURIED IN AN EDUCATION POLICY LAST YEAR.

THE BILL DIRECTS FUNDING FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER TRAINING, ESTABLISHES CLEAR DUTIES FOR OFFICERS AND REQUIRES THE POST BOARD TO DEVELOP A MODEL POLICY.

THIS EVENING GOVERNOR WALZ SIGNED THE BILL AND SAID THAT THIS BILL PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE AND CLARITY, ALLOWING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS TO CONTINUE TO DO THEIR JOBS EFFECTIVELY.

WALZ ALSO ADDED THAT HE WAS GRATEFUL TO LEGISLATORS, SCHOOL LEADERS, EDUCATION ADVOCATES, YOUTH VOICES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR WORKING TOGETHER TO GET THE BILL DONE.

>>> A FEDERAL GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED THE GIRLFRIEND OF SHANNON GOODEN OF THE MAN WHO FATALLY SHOT THREE BURNSVILLE FIRST RESPONDERS LAST MOTH BEFORE KILLING HIMSELF.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGE THAT 35 YEAR OLD, ASHLEY ANNE DYRDAHL, PURCHASED FIVE GUNS AS A STRAW BUYER FOR GOODEN, WHO WAS PROHIBITED FROM BUYING FIREARMS BECAUSE OF A 2008 FELONY ASSAULT CONVICTION.

DYRDAHL SURRENDERED TO FEDERAL MARSHALS THIS MORNING AND PLEADED NOT GUILTY DURING HER FIRST FEDERAL COURT HEARING, WHERE SHE ANSWERED THE JUDGES QUESTIONS QUIETLY AND ASKED FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

SHE WAS ALLOWED CONDITIONAL RELEASE.

DYRDAHL IS CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS DURING THE PURCHASE OF THE FIREARM.

SHE ALSO FACES FIVE COUNTS OF STRAW PURCHASING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A MAXIMUM TERM OF 15 YEARS IN PRISON.

>>> THE LATEST INFLATION NUMBERS WERE RELEASED EARLIER THIS WEEK AND WHILE PRICES TICKED UP SLIGHTLY IN FEBRUARY.

THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

JENN SULLIVAN BREAKS DOWN WHAT THE LATEST NUMBERS MEAN FOR YOUR WALLET.

>> Reporter: THE LATEST INFLATION NUMBERS SHOW CONSUMERS ARE STILL GRAPPLING WITH HIGHER PRICES.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, PRICES TICKED UP OF -- 0.4%.

IN THE LAST MONTH, THEY ROSE BY 3.4%, BUT THERE WAS GOOD AND BAD NEWS FOR CONSUMERS.

>> YOU CANNOT LOOK AT A SINGLE DATA POINT ALONE.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT A TREND.

>> Reporter: DR. BRIAN MARX WHO TEACHES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN SAYS THE PANDEMIC DROVE UP INFLATION BUT GLOBAL EVENTS ARE STILL IMPACTING PRICES LIKE THE WAR IN UKRAINE AFFECTING OIL AND TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST DIVERTING SHIPPING ROUTES.

>> SHIPPERS ARE PAYING HIGHER PREMIUMS FOR INSURANCE AND THEY ARE PASSING THAT ALONG TO THE EXTENT THEY CAN.

>> Reporter: WHILE THESE LATEST INFLATION NUMBERS ARE SLIGHTLY HIGHER, WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE LAST FEW YEARS, INFLATION IS MUCH LOWER THAN IT WAS IN FEBRUARY OF 2022.

HERE'S WHERE IT IS HITTING CONSUMERS MOST, HOUSING AND GAS, RENT IN FEBRUARY WAS ABOUT 30% ABOVE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS ACCORDING TO ZILLOW.

THE AFTERNOON COST OF A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS ON WEDNESDAY WAS $3.40, HERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS.

OVERALL, THE PRICE OF FOOD DID NOT RISE AND HOURLY WAGES ARE RISING.

>> WAGES ARE ACTUALLY INCREASING ABOVE THE RATE OF INFLATION, BUT NOT BY SO MUCH THAT IT'S PUTTING THAT UPWARD PRESSURE ON PRICING.

>> Reporter: FOR CONSUMER WATCH, I'M JENN SULLIVAN.

>> LAST WEEK THE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAID UNEMPLOYMENT STAYED BELOW 4 PERCENT FOR ITS 25TH STRAIGHT MONTH EVEN THOUGH IT ROSE LAST MONTH FROM THREE POINT SEVEN PERCENT TO 3.9 PERCENT.

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

>> Stacy: TOMORROW WILL BE THE START OF THE END OF OUR WARM SUNNY WEEK WE'VE HAD WITH COOLER TEMPS ON THE WAY.

I'LL HAVE MORE IN A COUPLE MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

BSU HOSTED THEIR ANNUAL HISTORY DAY.

[♪♪♪] >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> BRAINERD'S HISTORIC WATER TOWER HAS BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF RECEIVING MUCH-NEEDED REPAIRS.

A NEW ROOF WAS COMPLETED IN 2022 WHICH COMPLETED PHASE ONE OF THE PROJECT.

THE PROJECT COULD RECEIVE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: SENATORS AMY KLOBUCHAR AND TINA SMITH HAVE BEEN FIGHTING HARD TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC WATER TOWER IN BRAINERD.

THEY PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WILL INCLUDE $500,000 IN FUNDING FOR THE WATER TOWER.

THAT MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS THE TOWER'S EXTERIOR WITH PHASE TWO YET TO BE COMPLETED.

>> COMING THIS SUMMER, WE HAVE THE WINDOWS TO DO ON THE OUTSIDE HERE.

THEN WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL ON THE INSIDE.

THEN ONCE THAT IS COMPLETED, THEN WE HAVE THE STAIRS AND THEN WE HAVE THE EXTERIOR STUCCO AS THE LAST PHASE.

>> Reporter: THE COST TO REPAIR THE STUCCO COULD REACH OVER $3 MILLION.

THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY FOR MORE FEDERAL MONEY AND HAS AN IDEA OF WHEN THE PROJECT CAN BE COMPLETED.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY 3 TO 5 YEARS.

WE HAVE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THIS YEAR AND NOW THE SAME GRANT OPPORTUNITY IS COMING UP AGAIN IN FISCAL YEAR 2025.

SO I'M HOPING TO APPLY FOR MORE MONEY AND AS A COMMITTEE, WE CAN GET THAT MONEY AND HAVE IT GO TOWARDS THE EXTERIOR STUCCO.

I'M HOPING 3 TO 5 YEARS.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH IT MAY TAKE 3 TO 5 YEARS TO COMPLETE THIS RESTORATION PROJECT, IT IS VERY CLEAR ON WHAT THIS WATER TOWER MEANS TO THIS TOWN.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S CRAZY BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE GROWING UP HERE, YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT HOW OTHER PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A CASTLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR CITY.

IT'S REALLY SOMETHING TO ME THAT REPRESENTS WHO WE ARE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE A CITY THAT WAS BUILT ON THE BACK OF THE RAILROAD.

WE HAVE THE PAPER MILLS.

ALL THOSE INDUSTRIES HAVE MOVED ON BUT WE STILL REMAIN HERE.

IT'S A SYMBOL OF THAT.

IT'S A SYMBOL OF OUR DESIRE TO REMAIN AND OUR DESIRE TO BE HERE.

THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT BRAINERD AND I THINK THIS TOWER REPRESENTS ALL THAT.

>> IN MY OPINION, HISTORY MEANS A LOT.

I MEAN THAT'S OUR FAMILY.

OUR FAMILIES BUILT THIS TOWER AND IT IS UP TO US TO KEEP THEIR LEGACY GOING THROUGH HISTORY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> IT IS UNCLEAR HOW LONG THE RESTORATION OF THE WINDOWS AND ELECTRICAL WORK WILL TAKE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE YOU AS WE LEARN MORE.

>>> WELL, THE WARM WEATHER MAY BE FADING AWAY BUT A LITTLE BIT TASTE OF WINTER IN TIME FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

>> Stacy: THAT'S RIGHT, WE HAVE RAIN, WIND, SNOW, AND CLOUDS ALL POSSIBLE THIS WEEKE >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY 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, LAND SURVEYORS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy:.

>> HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I'M HERE WITH YOUR WEATHER.

TODAY WAS ANOTHER DAY WITH WARM TEMPERATURES AND SUNSHINE ACROSS THE STATE AS WE SEE HERE MID-40s, ALL THE WAY UP TO 50, ALMOST 60 IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT NICE AND WARM HERE.

LOOKING AT OUR CURRENT WEATHER, 37 DEGREES WITH A CALM WEST WIND AND HUMIDITY AT 67%.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS ARE IN BRAINERD, 46 DEGREES WITH A 26 DEGREE DEW POINT AND A RISING BAROMETER.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE CONDITIONS WE MAY HAVE HIGHER HUMIDITY RIGHT NOW, BUT IT WILL BE REDUCED HUMIDITY THROUGH TOMORROW ALONG WITH THE WIND, WHICH WILL HAVE AN INCREASED FIRE DANGER.

SO THAT'S JUST SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF AS WE CONTINUE ON INTO OUR WEEKEND.

HERE IS OUR RADAR CURRENTLY, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, CLEAR SKIES ACROSS THE REGION, WE DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MOVING IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE, BUT SHOULDN'T BE ANY CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

LOOKING TOWARDS TOMORROW, THERE IS THE MIXED PRECIPITATION I WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW DEPENDING ON MOST TEMPERATURES, IT WILL CONTINUE TO COOL DOWN AS THE DAY GOES ON TOMORROW, ALONG WITH INCREASED CLOUD COVER.

KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

THANK YOU TO OUR VIEWERS FOR SUBMITTING THESE PHOTOS.

ARLENE WITH THE SUNRISE THIS MORNING IN MENAHGA.

SAMROSE WITH AN EAGLE OVERLOOKING THE LAKE TODAY.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE SENDING IN A PICTURE OF THE SUNSET.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THOSE IN.

A FEW OF OUR EAGLE EYE WEATHER WATCHER FACEBOOK UPDATES.

PAUL IN BEMIDJI, HIGH OF 48 WITH SUNNY SKIES.

BOB IN BLUFFTON HAD SIMILAR CONDITIONS, HIGH OF 50, LOW OF 30.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A NORTH WIND AT 10 MILES PER HOUR TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 56.

MOVING ALONG HERE, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, LOW OF 28 WITH SUN AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE CURRENTLY 38 DEGREES, PARTLY CLOUDY TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 48.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THOSE IN EVERYBODY.

OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD, HIGH OF 56, LOW OF 32.

WE'RE STILL ABOVE AVERAGE AS WE HAVE BEEN THIS WEEK.

SUNRISE AND SUNSET ARE GETTING FURTHER APART, LONGER DAYS.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 47, LOW OF 23.

WE'RE STILL ABOVE THE AVERAGE AND WAY ABOVE THOSE RECORDS.

A LOOK TOWARDS TOMORROW, THERE IS THE CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW I WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, ALONG WITH THE SUNNY PARTLY CLOUDY SKY THAT WE WILL SEE MOVING TOWARDS TOMORROW AND THAT TREND CONTINUES INTO THE SOUTHERN VIEWING AREA.

PARTS TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TOMORROW WITH A LOW OF 26.

THEN TOMORROW, THOSE VARIABLE CLOUDS WILL CONTINUE AND BEGIN INCREASING INTO THE AFTERNOON ALONG WITH THE CHANCE FOR RAIN AND SNOW WITH A HIGH OF 48.

LOOKING TOWARDS YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST, THERE IS THE RAIN AND SNOW, WHICH WILL MOVE OUT TOMORROW, BUT THOSE COOLER TEMPS MOVE IN WITH A HIGH OF 33 AND 27 THIS WEEKEND.

WE WILL HAVE SOME SUN.

THAT TREND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE WEEK WHERE IT CONTINUES TO BE A LITTLE BIT ON THE COOLER SIDE ONCE AGAIN WE'RE GOING TO HOVER AROUND THE FREEZING TEMPERATURE AND WE COULD SEE WINDCHILLS BELOW 0 THIS WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH ELISSA.

THE WEATHER IS JUST IN TIME FOR TYPICAL MINNESOTA STATE TOURNAMENT TIME.

MARCH MADNESS AND CRAZY WEATHER.

>> Charlie: YEAH, AT LEAST THEY'RE IN SIGHT RIGHT?

>> Josh: EXACTLY.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE THE GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.

THE CLASS A QUARTER FINALS IS GOING ON.

WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM TWO OF THE GAMES, AS WELL AS AN UPDATE FROM BSU MEN'S HOCKEY.

THEY HAVE A BIG GAME COMING UP ON SATURDAY.

A COUPLE MORE STATE HOCKEY TOURNAMENTS AS WELL, COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, BRINGING NORTHERN MINNESOTA THE GIGAZONE.

INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGABITS PER SECONDS, BOTH UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD.

IT'S THE GIGAZONE FROM PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS AND IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> 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.

>> Charlie: THE GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENT CONTINUED TODAY WITH THE CLASS A QUARTER FINALS AND TWO AREA TEAMS WERE IN THE MIX.

HERE'S HOW IT WENT DOWN TODAY AT THE PAVILION, ON THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

WALKER HACKSENSACK, 2 MINUTES IN, AUBREY MORRISON GETS THE FRIENDLY BOUNCE.

SHE HAD 7 POINTS, CUTS THE LEAD TO 1.

A LITTLE LATER, HALLE HAS THE FEATHER TOUCH, SHE SCORED 10 POINTS.

THEY LED 9-4.

LATE IN THE HALF, RANGERS ON A 19-7 RUN.

AVA TRYING TO STOP THE BLEEDING.

THE RANGE ERS WOULD NOT BE STOPPED TONIGHT AS MOUNTAIN IRON BOOUL GETS THE WIN.

AFTER THE GAME, THE PLAYERS TALKED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY ON A BIG STAGE.

>> IT'S REALLY COOL, REALLY SPECIAL.

WE ALWAYS DREAMED OF IT.

>> IT'S AMAZING, THE ATMOSPHERE, THE ENVIRONMENT, IT'S JUST SO COOL.

IT'S A DREAM COME TRUE.

>> IT MEANS A LOT.

WE'VE BEEN WANTING THIS FOR SO LONG AND NOW THAT WE FINALLY GOT IT, IT'S GREAT.

>> WE HAVE GREAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

THEY HAVE BEEN HERE THROUGH THE PLAYOFFS, REGULAR SEASON, THEY COME WITH A GREAT FAN SECTION.

THEY'RE GREAT.

>> Charlie: THE WOLVES WILL PLAY TOMORROW IN THE CONSOLATION BRACKET AND TRY TO GET THEIR FIRST WIN AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

WHO THEY PLAY DEPENDS ON OUR NEXT GAME.

FOSSTON BACK AT THE TOURNEY TAKING ON BUFFALO.

IN EARLY GOINGS, SHE STARTS THINGS WITH A BANG.

HER SECOND TRIP WITH THE OPENING MINUTE, GIVING THE MUSTANGS A 6-0 LEAD.

AND NOW SHE SCORED 6 ON THE NIGHT AND THE HOUNDS TRAILED 10-4.

MIDWAY THROUGH THE HALF, FOSSTON STILL TRAILING, AND SHE FINISHED WITH A TEAM HIGH OF 13 POINTS.

GREYHOUNDS COULDN'T CATCH THE MUSTANGS AS BUFFALO BEATS FOSSTON.

DESPITE THE LOSS AFTER THE GAME, WE HEARD FROM THE PLAYERS ON WHAT MAKES PLAYING AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT SO GREAT.

>> IT MEANS A LOT.

MOST TEAMS DON'T GET TO COME TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT SO FOR US TO REPRESENT SECTION 8, THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

WE'RE JUST GLAD THAT WE GET ANOTHER GAME TOMORROW.

>> US GOING TO STATE FELT REAL WHEN WE WALKED INTO THE BUILDING KNOWING WE ARE GOING TO PLAY BASKETBALL IN THIS BIG GYM, IN THIS BIG ARENA.

>> I COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER TEAM.

FOR THESE THREE OTHER SENIORS TO PLAY BY MY SIDE, AND WE'RE A CLOSE-KNIT TEAM AND WE ALL GET ALONG.

>> Josh: SO THAT ANSWERS THAT QUESTION.

THE HOUNDS WILL FACE WALKER HACKENSACK TOMORROW AT 10 A.M. >>> BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY CONTINUED THEIR HOT STREAK INTO THE POST-SEASON, SWEEPING FERRIS STATE IN THE MASON CUP QUARTERFINALS LAST WEEKEND, ADVANCING TO THE SEMI-FINALS THIS SATURDAY AGAINST LAKE SUPERIOR STATE.

THE BEAVERS ARE UNBEATEN IN THEIR LAST 10 CONTESTS HEADING INTO THE NEXT ROUND AS THE CCHA PLAYOFFS NOW SHIFT FROM A 3-GAME SERIES TO A SINGLE WIN-OR-GO-HOME FORMAT.

ON TUESDAY THE TEAM SHARED HOW THEIR MINDSET CHANGES AT THIS JUNCTURE OF THE PLAYOFFS WHILE STILL STAYING TRUE TO THEIR STYLE OF PLAY IN THEIR MATCH-UP WITH THE LAKERS.

>> BOTH TEAMS WANT TO HAVE A GOOD START.

YOU HAVE TO PLAY A 60 MINUTE GAME.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE A 40 MINUTE TEAM OR 45 MINUTE TEAM, YOU WANT TO BE A 60 MINUTE TEAM.

THAT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE CONSISTENT PLAY.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE DIALED IN FOR THAT LONG.

NOW IT'S A SPRINT.

>> WE'RE EXPECTING A PRETTY GOOD GAME AND THOSE GUYS HAVE BEEN GOOD RECENTLY.

THEY HAVE A HIGH GOING OFFENSE.

THEY LIKE TO CHIP THE PUCK OUT AND GO.

WE WILL HAVE TO BE PREPARED AND READY FOR THAT.

>> Charlie: THIS IS THE GAME AGAINST LAKE SUPERIOR STATE AND IT'S A WIN OR GO HOME.

ALSO THE CCHA ANNOUNCED THEIR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR AND KYLE, THE FIFTH YEAR SENIOR CAPTAIN WINS CCHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR FOR BEMIDJI STATE AND GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR GOES TO MATIA, THE JUNIOR AND HE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY GREAT LAST COUPLE OF GAMES.

THEY BOTH HAVE.

>>> CONTINUING WITH HOCKEY, THE STATE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL MAY BE FINISHED BUT THE YOUTH HOCKEY TOURNAMENTS ARE JUST STARTING.

BEMIDJI'S TEAM WON THEIR NORTH REGION TOURNEY AND THEY LEFT ON A PARTY BUS ESCORTED BY THE BEMIDJI POLICE.

THE FIRST TIME NORTHERN LAKES HAS SENT TWO TEAMS IN THE SAME YEAR.

THE GIRLS WON THE NORTH REGION AND THE BANTAM BOYS WERE RUNNER UP IN THEIR REGION.

THE ROUTE THEY TOOK THROUGH CROSBY AND THEN AITKIN.

MOST OF THE PLAYERS LIVE ACROSS THE AREA.

WELL, THERE WAS THE LIST OF ALL THE OTHER TEAM FROM THE AREA THAT MADE IT AS WELL.

YOU CAN SEE FOR THE BOYS FIRST AND THEN THE GIRLS, GRAND RAPIDS, GREEN WAY GOT 2, WARROAD, AND ON THE BOYS SIDE.

>> Josh: AN EXCITING TIME, BUT BACK TO THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE ARENA IT'S AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE IN AND OF ITSELF.

>> Charlie: IT IS.

I HAD A CHANCE TO GO DOWN LAST YEAR AND WATCH THEM PLAY.

IT'S A REALLY COOL EXPERIENCE ALL THE WAY AROUND.

>> Josh: YEAH, CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE DOWN THERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE NORTHWEST REGION OF MINNESOTA RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THEIR HISTORY PROJECTS AT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY FOR HISTORY DAY.

REPORTER ZY'RIAH SIMMONS COVERED THE EVENT AND OBSERVED ALL THE HISTORY PROJECTS THAT WOULD BE PARTICIPATING IN THE STATE COMPETITION FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

>> Reporter: HISTORY DAY IS WHEN STUDENTS HAVE A CHANCE TO EITHER LEARN ABOUT HISTORICAL EVENTS THEY POSSIBLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT OR FURTHER THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE EVENTS.

THIS YEAR'S HISTORY DAY HAD A VARIETY OF PROJECTS RANGING FROM EXHIBITS TO PERFORMANCES THAT STUDENTS HAVE PUT ON FOR THE JUDGES.

>> STUDENTS REALLY GET A GREAT GRASP OF RESEARCH.

THIS IS OFTENTIMES THE FIRST RESEARCH PROJECT THEY EVER DO.

SO, THEY LEARN A LOT ABOUT FINDING PRIMARY SOURCES, SECONDARY SOURCES, AND GETTING A BIG DEPTH OF RESEARCH, BUT THEN ALSO COMING UP WITH A THESIS STATEMENT FOR SOME KIND OF ARGUMENT THAT THEY'RE MAKING ABOUT WHY THIS MOMENT IN TIME WAS A TURNING POINT IN HISTORY AND WHY IT HAD SIGNIFICANCE.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, HISTORY DAY HAD A LOT OF NEW FACES.

>> THIS IS OUR VERY FIRST TIME BEING IN HISTORY DAY AND I FELT LIKE IT WAS -- I WAS VERY NERVOUS ABOUT IT AND STUFF.

>> IT'S FUN.

IT'S A LOT OF RESEARCH AND I THINK THAT IS THE HARDEST PART ABOUT IT, ALL THE RESEARCH.

BUILDING THE BOARDS AND SEEING IT ALL TOGETHER, IT'S A GOOD FEELING.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN FIND MOST HISTORY EASILY ONLINE BUT SOME STUDENTS WILL SAY THAT FINDING RESOURCES FOR THEIR PROJECT WAS QUITE CHALLENGING.

>> IT'S HARD TO FIND STUFF ON THE INTERNET BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE ROPED BY A LOT OF WHITE PEOPLE, THAT NATIVE AMERICANS IT WAS ABOUT.

IT'S HARD TO FIND THE TRUTH.

>> WE HAD TO GET AN INTERVIEW WITH SOMEONE FROM THERE AND THERE IS NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE ALIVE FROM THAT TIME.

SO, IT'S HARD TO GET A FIRST POINT OF VIEW PERSPECTIVE AND OPINION.

>> Reporter: HISTORY DAY IS A DAY WHERE STUDENTS GET TO DIVE DEEPER INTO THE SKILLS THEY TYPICALLY DON'T USE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

>> SOMETIMES THEY DON'T DO A LOT OF THAT ARGUMENTATIVE WORK IN THEIR EVERYDAY SCHOOL WORK, ESPECIALLY WITH DEEP RESEARCH.

SO I THINK IT'S A REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GET SKILLS, ESPECIALLY FOR COLLEGE AND MOVING FORWARD.

>> IF A STUDENT CAN SHOW OFF WHAT THEY LEARNED, THAT IS EXCITING TO ME.

EVEN IF I HEARD ABOUT IT A MILLION TIMES, IF IT'S THE FIRST TIME THEY LEARNED ABOUT IT, IT'S A REALLY COOL LIGHT BULB MOMENT FOR THEM AND IT'S EXCITING FOR ME TOO.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M ZY'RIAH SIMMONS, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Josh: NOW THE QUALIFIERS OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE MOVING ON TO MINNESOTA'S STATE COMPETITION, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL.

>>> NOW A LAST LOOK AT WEATHER.

>> A LOW OF 26 AND TOMORROW THOSE VARIABLE CLOUDS WILL CONTINUE WITH A HIGH OF 48.

THEN LOOKING AT YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST, IT'S GOING TO START COOLING OFF AGAIN WITH THE RAIN AND SNOW TOMORROW AND THEN COOLING OFF AS THE SUN COMES OUT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Charlie: I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE FOLKS FROM THE NORTHERN LAKES THAT SENT IN THOSE VIDEOS.

I KNOW WE CAN'T GET TO EVERYTHING.

WE ARE SPREAD THIN.

>> Josh: IT'S GREAT TO HAVE THE VIEWERS INVOLVED.

>> Charlie: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Josh: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT EVERYONE.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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