>> 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.

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

>>> FINDINGS IN AN AUDIT AND COMPREHENSIVE REPORT FROM THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHOWS SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MAIL DELIVERY ISSUES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA OVER A THREE-DAY PERIOD LAST DECEMBER.

THE AUDIT REPORT WAS REQUESTED BY U.S.

SENATORS TINA SMITH AND AMY KLOBUCHAR AND WAS RELEASED ON TUESDAY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE WITH SENATOR SMITH TO DISCUSS EXACTLY WHAT WAS FOUND FROM THAT REPORT.

>> Reporter: THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT OF THE BEMIDJI POST OFFICE REVEALED 79,000 PIECES OF THE LATE MAIL AT THE OFFICE.

>> MY OFFICE HAS BEEN HEARING ABOUT PEOPLE NOT GETTING THEIR MAIL AND THE CHALLENGES OF BEMIDJI STAFF AND THE POST OFFICE FOR MONTHS, REALLY STARTING FROM BEFORE CHRISTMAS TIME AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED US TO ASK FOR THIS INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

THERE ARE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MAIL DELIVERY BECAUSE OF MISMANAGEMENT.

WE HAD DELAYED PACKAGES AND DELAYED MAIL, POSTAL SERVICE WORKERS NOT IN A POSITION TO BE READY FOR THE ONSLAUGHT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, THAT RESULTED IN AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF ALMOST 2,500 PIECES OF MAIL PER DAY, A 131% INCREASE COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE HEADQUARTERS GAVE THE OFFICE ONLY EIGHT DAYS NOTICE OF HOW MANY EXTRA PACKAGES THEY WOULD BE HANDLING.

>> THAT WAS A HUGE INCREASE IN THE WORKLOAD WITHOUT ADEQUATE WORK ON THE PART OF MANAGEMENT TO PREPARE PEOPLE OF THAT ONSLAUGHT OF PACKAGES AND HAVE THE PROCEDURES AND TRAINING IN PLACE AND PEOPLE IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH IT AND WHO PAID THE PRICE FOR THAT WAS THE HARD WORKING POSTAL SERVICE WORKERS WHO WERE TRYING TO GET ALL THE PACKAGES DELIVERED AND THE FOLKS IN THE REGION THAT WERE EXPECTING THEIR MAIL IN PACKAGES TO ARRIVE.

THOSE ARE PACKAGES THAT PEOPLE NEED TO GET ON TIME.

>> Reporter: THE POST OFFICE WAS SHORT STAFFED BY SIX MAIL CARRIERS.

WHEN THEY STARTED ARRIVING, THEY WEREN'T -- WERE FORCED TO WORK OVER 12-HOUR SHIFTS.

15 CARRIERS RESIGNED OR RETIRED.

>> I THINK THE REPORT SHOWS THAT THE LOCAL STAFF WERE NOT ADEQUATELY PREPARED OR WARNED ABOUT THIS.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE TRAINING THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MANPOWER, THE PEOPLE POWER THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD.

I DON'T BLAME THAT ON THE FOLKS IN THE BEMIDJI POST OFFICE THAT WERE DOING EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED TO DO TO GET THOSE PACKAGES OUT THE DOOR SO THEY WERE READY TO TAKE THE NEXT ONSLAUGHT ON THE NEXT DAY.

I DO THINK IT'S A PROBLEM OF UPPER MANAGEMENT FOR NOT HAVING SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO TRACK WHAT'S HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: SENATOR SMITH SAYS SHE EXPECTS THE RESULT FROM THE REPORT WILL SHOW IT'S NOT JUST NORTHERN MINNESOTA EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH DELAYED MAIL.

>> I'M EXPECTING TO SEE CONFIRMATION THAT ACROSS THE BOARD, WE'RE NOT SEEING THE POST OFFICE MEETING EXPECTATIONS FOR MINNESOTANS.

I KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF THE MANY MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS WE HAD AROUND THE STATE, HEARING MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN BEMIDJI BE REPEATED ELSEWHERE AROUND THE STATE.

SO WHEN WE GET THAT REPORT, WE WILL TAKE A HARD LOOK AT IT AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THE POST OFFICE TO ACCOUNT FOR DELIVERING THE SERVICE THAT PEOPLE EXPECT.

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

>> THE U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE AGREED THE INCREASED VOLUME OF MAIL IMPACTED OPERATIONS, BUT DISAGREED THAT HEADQUARTERS MANAGEMENT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

IT WASN'T UNTIL THE STAFFING PROBLEMS AROSE IN NOVEMBER THAT THIS BECAME AN ISSUE.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE USPS HEADQUARTERS OFFICE AND THE BEMIDJI POST OFFICE FOR THEIR RESPONSE ON THE SITUATION, BUT BOTH DECLINED TO COMMENT.

>>> A MONTH LONG DISTRACTED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN IN APRIL RESULTED IN OFFICERS HANDING OUT MORE THAN 5,000 CITATIONS, THAT IS NEARLY 2,000 MORE THAN LAST YEAR'S CAMPAIGN.

278 AGENCIES PARTICIPATED IN THE CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR AND A TOTAL OF 5,380 HANDS-FREE CELL PHONE CITATIONS WERE GIVEN OUT.

TRAFFIC SAFETY OFFICIALS CALL THE NUMBER OF CITATIONS DISTURBING, UNACCEPTABLE AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING.

PRELIMINARY FIGURES FOR MINNESOTA SHOW THAT DISTRACTED DRIVING CONTRIBUTED TO 1 IN 11 CRASHES FROM 2019 TO 2023.

AND THAT DISTRACTED DRIVING CONTRIBUTED TO AN AVERAGE OF 29 DEATHS AND 146 LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES A YEAR FROM 2019 TO 2023.

>>> TWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR RE-ELECTION PLANS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

ON THURSDAY, BELTRAMI COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOE GOULD SAID HE WILL SEEK RE-ELECTION FOR THE DISTRICT TWO SEAT ON THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

GOULD WHO HAS SERVED ON THE BOARD FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT HIS GOALS IF RE-ELECTED WOULD INCLUDE AMONG OTHER THINGS: EXPANDING CHILDCARE, HOUSING, AND KEEPING PROPERTY TAXES AS LOW AS POSSIBLE WHILE PROVIDING MORE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>>> AND TODAY, BEMIDJI MAYOR JORGE PRINCE ANNOUNCED HIS PLANS TO SEEK RE-ELECTION.

PRINCE SAID IN A RELEASE THAT OVER THE PAST 3.5 YEARS HE HAS BEEN PLEASED WITH ALL THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL HAS ACHIEVED.

AMONG THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS HE CITED WERE EXPANDING THE CITY'S WATER TREATMENT PLANT TO ELIMINATE HARMFUL PFAS CHEMICALS FROM THE WATER SUPPLY SECURING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OUTSIDE FUNDING FOR THE CITY AND LAUNCHING THE CITY'S FIRST SOLAR PROJECTS.

PRINCE SAYS HE LOOKS FORWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN WHERE HE CAN SHARE HIS THOUGHTS AND PLANS FOR HOW TO MOVE THE CITY FORWARD, LEAVING NO-ONE BEHIND.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY IS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE ITS E-911 SYSTEM CONTINUES TO WORK EFFECTIVELY BY ALLOWING EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TO QUICKLY LOCATE THOSE IN NEED OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.

CROW WING COUNTY GOVERNMENT SERVES MORE THAN 65,000 FULL TIME RESIDENTS IN AN AREA COVERING NEARLY 1,000 SQUARE MILES, WHICH IS WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT IT STAYS IN OPTIMAL CONDITION.

>> OUR FIRE DEPARTMENTS, POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AMBULANCE SERVICES, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON, BIKING TRAILS, A LOT OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND WE NEED OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO GET THERE QUICK AND THIS ASSISTS THEM.

>> THERE ARE OVER 80,000 PARCELS WITH OVER 27,000 E-911 ADDRESS SIGNS.

IF YOU HAVE A BLUE 9-1-1 SIGN ON YOUR PROPERTY, LAND SERVICES ASKS THAT YOU PLEASE ALWAYS KEEP THE SIGN VISIBLE BY REMOVING VEGETATION, DEBRIS, AND OTHER INTRUSIONS.

>>> IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON FLYING AROUND THE COUNTRY NEXT YEAR YOU MAY NEED TO HEAR THIS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS ITS 2025 REAL ID DEADLINE FOR NEW LICENSES IS REAL THIS TIME.

ORIGINALLY THE DEADLINE WAS IN 2020 BUT THAT WAS PUSHED BACK.

YOU HAVE UNTIL MAY 7, 2025 TO MAKE YOUR STATE ISSUED DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION REAL ID COMPLIANT.

IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO BOARD FLIGHTS OR ACCESS FEDERAL FACILITIES.

ENHANCED DRIVER'S LICENSES ONLY ISSUED BY WASHINGTON, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW YORK, AND VERMONT ARE CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVES TO REAL ID COMPLIANT CARDS.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS ANNOUNCED THE CITY OF LITTLE FALLS WILL RECEIVE MORE THAN A HALF-A-MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FOR A RAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN THE CITY.

THE $613,000 WILL BE USED TO RECONSTRUCT AND UPDATE AN EXISTING SIGNAL TO AN ACTIVE WARNING RAILROAD CROSSING, INSTALL ADA-COMPLIANT PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS, AND CLOSE AN EXISTING ROAD CROSSING OF THE SPUR LINE TO ENHANCE SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY.

THAT PROJECT WAS ONE OF ELEVEN FREIGHT RAIL PROJECTS THAT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF $9.6 MILLION IN FUNDING TO IMPROVE FREIGHT RAIL SERVICE THAT SUPPORTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE STATE.

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

>> Stacy: AREAS OF RAIN COULD MOVE IN TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, BUT THIS WEEKEND IT LOOKS LIKE YOU SHOULD SEE MAINLY QUIET WEATHER.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK ON THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, A SENIOR AT LAPORTE PUBLIC SCHOOL WHO IS THE YOUNGEST OF FOUR SIBLINGS, ALL OF WHICH TO BE NAMED >> 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.

>>> THE MINNESOTA FISHING OPENER THIS WEEKEND AND MANY TOWNS AND CITIES IN LAKELAND COUNTRY WILL BE NOTICING THE IMPACT.

THAT'S BECAUSE FISHING IS BIG BUSINESS NOT JUST HERE BUT AROUND THE STATE.

A 2023 REPORT BY AMERICAN SPORT FISHING ASSOCIATION SHOWED FISHING GENERATED MORE THAN $4 BILLION AND HELPED SUPPORT 28,210 JOBS.

>> FISHING IS HUGE IN MINNESOTA FOR BUSINESS.

OUTDOOR RECREATION IS ABOUT AN $11 BILLION INDUSTRY.

FISHING ALONE IS $4.4 BILLION IN MINNESOTA.

WHEN YOU THINK OF THE BOAT MANUFACTURERS AND THE TACKLE MANUFACTURERS HERE.

WHEN YOU'RE OUT ON THE WATER, REMEMBER THE FUN YOU ARE HAVING AND YOU ARE DOING GOOD FOR MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY.

>> ABOUT A HALF A MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO FISH ON THE MINNESOTA FISHING OPENER.

>>> HERE TO TELL US HOW THE WEATHER IS LOOKING IS WEATHERCASTER STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: THE WEEKEND IS LOOKING VERY NICE.

IT SHOULD BE MAINLY QUIET, A HIT OR MISS SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM, BUT OVERALL IT'S SUNNY AND MILD TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE >> 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: WELL, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT THERE TODAY.

WE ENJOYED A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

WE HAD SOME NICE TEMPERATURES OUT THERE.

THE WINDS WEREN'T TOO BAD AS A WHOLE.

NOW AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL RETURN, BEST CHANCE WILL BE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, EXPECT QUIETER WEATHER.

THERE MAY BE A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE.

OVERALL, SUNSHINE ONCE AGAIN AND MILD TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 57.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE CALM, HUMIDITY IS AT 39%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 58 DEGREES, DEW POINT OF 35.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT IS QUIET ACROSS ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS EVENING AND FOR MOST OF US, IT IS GOING TO STAY QUIET OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

EXPECT TO SEE MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA ALL THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.

HOWEVER, IN THAT FAR NORTHERN TIER OF COUNTIES, WE MAY SEE CLOUDS INCREASING LATER ON TONIGHT, BECOMING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, AND THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE VIEWING AREA.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS.

THE BEST CHANCE IS GOING TO BE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

THERE IS A SMALLER CHANCE TO THE WEST.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, WE SHOULD SEE SOME SUNSHINE ONCE AGAIN AND TEMPERATURES ARE LOOKING PRETTY NICE TOMORROW AS WELL.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKY OVER LAKE ADA FROM DEBRA.

MONTE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A FIELD OF TULIPS IN BLOOM NEAR BEMIDJI.

ARLENE WITH A PHOTO OF MENAHGA.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE SPOTTING HER FIRST HUMMINGBIRD OF THE SEASON.

DAN SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF A COUPLE OF GEESE ON LAKE BEMIDJI.

BILL AND JULIE WITH THE SUNSET OVER UPPER RED LAKE AND ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNSET ON CASS LAKE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 43 AND BREEZY THIS EVENING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE WITH A HIGH OF 69.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A FEW CLOUDS TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 67.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 68 FOR THE HIGH.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLEAR WITH A HIGH OF 66.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 68.

IT'S VERY SEASONAL.

WE'RE 2 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

44 FOR THE LOW TEMP AND SUNRISE AT 10 MINUTES BEFORE 6:00.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 65, SO AGAIN VERY SEASONAL.

WE'RE ABOVE THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

42 FOR THE LOW, 8:43 IS THE SUNSET.

TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING SOME SUNSHINE IN THE AREA, EXPECT PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MIX.

CHANCES OF SEEING THOSE INCREASE AS WE MOVE TO THE EAST.

HIGH TEMPERATURES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE MID TO UPPER 60s.

HEADING INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, PRETTY MUCH THE SAME STORY, WE HAVE A DECENT CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS, AND THE BEST CHANCE AROUND THE AITKIN AREA.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST.

SKIES TONIGHT WILL BE MOSTLY CLEAR FOR MOST OF US, BECOMING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND AN ISOLATED RAIN SHOWER DEVELOPING IN THE FAR NORTHWEST, LOWS NEAR 41.

FOR TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN, BEST CHANCE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, AND POSSIBLY SOME AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS.

HIGHS NEAR 44, WEST WIND 10 TO 25.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, OTHER THAN A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE VIEWING AREA, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE AND HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-70s.

A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN AS WE START THE WORKWEEK, BUT STILL PLEASANT, AND ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS ON TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW AND THE PROFILE TONIGHT ON A TRACK STAR AT BEMIDJI STATE.

>> Charlie: YES, A COUPLE OF THEM.

THEY HAD QUITE THE CAREERS FOR BSU TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRACK.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM THEM AND THEIR COACH ABOUT ALL THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THEY HAVE DONE AND WHAT BEMIDJI STATE HAS GIVEN TO THEM.

WE GOT THAT 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES ARE JUST TWO WINS AWAY FROM MAKING IT BACK TO THE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS.

IN FACT, 2004 WAS THE ONLY TIME THE T-WOLVES MADE IT THEIR MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN FRANCHISE HISTORY TO DATE, LED BY A STAR-STUDDED CAST INCLUDING KEVIN GARNETT, SAM CASSELL, AND LATRELL SPREEWELL.

BUT THIS YEAR'S TEAM HAS STARS OF ITS OWN IN ANTHONY EDWARDS, KARL ANTHONY-TOWNES, AND RUDY GOBERT.

THEY RANKED FIRST IN THE REGULAR SEASON, SOMETHING THEY LEANED OFF THE NUGGETS IN THE SEMIFINALS, HOLDING DENVER FOR UNDER 90 POINTS A GAME.

THE TIMBERWOLVES UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S FAR FROM OVER.

>> COME AND EXPECT THEIR BEST, THEIR BEST PHYSICAL EFFORT, THEIR BEST MENTAL EFFORT.

I EXPECT THEIR BEST EFFORT FOR THE SEASON.

THERE ARE NBA CHAMPIONS, WITH A LOT OF PRIDE, A LOT OF GREAT PLAYERS, A GREAT COACHING STAFF.

THEY WILL SHUFFLE THE DECK UNTIL THEY FEEL THEY HAVE SOMETHING THEY CAN GIVE TO US AND COME OUT OF THE GATE STRONG.

IT'S NOT ABOUT ONE OR TWO PLAYERS, IT'S ABOUT ALL GUYS COMING TOGETHER AND WANTING TO SACRIFICE FOR THE SAME GOAL.

THAT'S WHY OUR TEAM HAS BEEN SPECIAL ALL YEAR.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT DURING TRAINING CAMP.

THE UNITY THESE GUYS HAVE AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE FOR EACH OTHER IS WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL.

>> Charlie: THEY WILL RETURN HOME FOR GAME NUMBER THREE.

THE TIMBERWOLVES HAVE NOT LOST YET THIS YEAR IN THE 2024 PLAYOFFS AND THEY WILL PUT IT ON THE LINE AGAIN TOMORROW AT 8:30.

>>> THE TWINS ARE TRYING TO ADD TO THEIR STREAK WITH THE MARINERS.

MAX KEPLER HAS A BASE HIT R.B.I.

AND IT'S 1-0.

LATER IN THE INNING, SOMEONE PUT A QUARTER IN THE MERRY-GO-ROUND.

5 R.B.I.S ON THE DAY AND THE TWINS LED 4-0.

THEY WERE STILL ATTACKING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST.

SANTANA SCORES ONE MORE RUN AND THE MINNESOTA TWINS GO ON TO WIN 11-1 OVER THE MARINERS.

THEY ARE A GAME AND A HALF BACK OF THE CLEVELAND GUARDIANS IN THE AL CENTRAL.

>>> SOME MORE SCORES, GRAND RAPIDS, TWO WALK OFF WINS AGAINST BEMIDJI TODAY.

THEY SWEEP IN THEIR DOUBLE HEADER.

NEVIS GETS A WIN OVER PINE RIVER-BACKUS.

IN BASEBALL, PARK RAPIDS FALLS.

IN SOFTBALL, PEQUOT LAKES SPLIT THEIR DOUBLE HEADER AGAINST ALBANY.

WADENA DEER CREEK PUTTING ONE IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN.

BEMIDJI DROPPED THEIR MATCH AGAINST MOORHEAD.

IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL, BEMIDJI WINS IN THREE SETS OVER PROCTOR HER -- HERMANTOWN.

>>> IT'S NOT UNCOMMON EVERY NOW AND AGAIN FOR AN ATHLETE TO JOIN THE BSU WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD TEAM WHO WILL RE-WRITE THE RECORD BOOKS.

WHAT'S NOT AS COMMON IS HAVING TWO DOING IT AT THE SAME TIME, YET THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT MARY GOODWIN AND LEXI ERICKSON HAVE DONE SINCE JOINING THE BEAVERS.

BUT AS IT TURNS OUT, THEIR RECORD-BREAKING CAREERS ALMOST NEVER HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: MARY WAS NOT SURE SHE HAD WHAT IT TOOK TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> I WAS NOT PLANNING TO RUN IN COLLEGE AT ALL.

IN HIGH SCHOOL, I WAS OKAY.

I WASN'T LIKE REALLY THINKING ABOUT RUNNING IN COLLEGE.

I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO RUN IN COLLEGE AT ALL.

MY COACH KNEW AND IT JUST HAPPENED AND I'M SO HAPPY I'M HERE.

IT'S BEEN A GOOD DECISION FOR ME IN THE END.

>> Reporter: LEXI RAN CROSS COUNTRY AT SAINT SCHOLASTICA AND THEN SHE DECIDED TO CHANGE HER PLAN.

>> I DIDN'T WANT TO BE A PHYSICAL THERAPIST.

SO I RAN A 10K IN OCTOBER AND I DIDN'T RUN A WHOLE LOT.

I JUST KIND OF TAUGHT AND TRIED TO GET THROUGH THE YEAR.

I NEEDED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT AND I DECIDED TO BE A FULL TIME STUDENT.

I HAD THE ELIGIBILITY LEFT AND I WANTED TO GIVE RUNNING ONE MORE SHOT AND BEMIDJI WAS WHERE IT WAS.

>> Reporter: SINCE ARRIVING AT BSU, THEY BOTH HAVE SET AND RESET THE RECORD BOOKS IN CROSS COUNTRY IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD.

GOODWIN HOLDS THE RECORD IN EIGHT DIFFERENT DISTANCE RUNS AND THEY OWE THAT SUCCESS TO HOW THEY TRAIN.

>> WE HAVE THE HIGHEST MILEAGE ON THE TEAM SO WE DO OUR WARM UPS AND COOL DOWNS.

WE ARE LIKE SO BONDED AND CLOSE-KNIT TO EACH OTHER.

EACH DAY, WE CAN REALLY WORK OFF EACH OTHER, WHICH I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE.

>> THEY WANT TO SEE THE OTHER ONE SUCCEED, WHETHER IT'S PRACTICE OR SCHOOL OR LIFE.

THEY ARE ALWAYS A VERY GOOD TEAMMATE, NOT JUST EACH OTHER BUT THE REST OF THE TEAM.

THEY ARE SOME OF THE MOST SUPPORTIVE ATHLETES I HAVE ON THE SQUAD.

>> Reporter: NOW IS THE SEASON AND THEIR CAREERS WIND TO A CLOSE, THEY CAN REFLECT ON WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH AT THEIR TIME IN BEMIDJI STATE.

>> COMING BACK HERE, I REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE A TEAM AND HAVE PEOPLE AROUND YOU GOING FOR THE SAME GOALS.

IT'S ALL SHOCKING AND STILL SOMETHING I AM STILL GETTING USE TO THE FACT THAT THAT'S MY NAME UP THERE.

>> SEEING THE SUCCESS I HAD, FRESHMEN MARY WOULD SAY OH MY GOSH, I'M RUNNING THESE TIMES RIGHT NOW?

IT'S BEEN A SHOCK TO ME.

I HAVE BEEN REALLY GRATEFUL.

>> Charlie: BSU'S WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD TEAM IS DOWN AT MINNESOTA STATE STARTING TODAY, ALTHOUGH THEY WON'T HAVE ANYONE RUNNING OR COMPETING UNTIL TOMORROW.

THE NSIC OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE GOING ON DOWN THERE AT THE TRACK AND FIELD COMPLEX.

WE'RE WISHING THEM THE BEST.

HOPEFULLY THEY COME HOME WITH SOME HARDWARE.

>> Dennis: GOOD LUCK TO THEM BOTH.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> ONE OF THE PROUDEST MOMENTS A FAMILY HAS IS SEEING A CHILD GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

SEEING THAT CHILD AS THE VALEDICTORIAN RAISES THE AMOUNT OF PRIDE.

WELL, HOW ABOUT 4 CHILDREN AS VALEDICTORIANS?

FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY TELLS US ABOUT THE YOUNGEST SIBLING OF THE LAHR FAMILY WHO IS SET TO JOIN HIS THREE SIBLINGS AS VALEDICTORIAN OF THEIR CLASS.

>> Reporter: AT LAPORTE PUBLIC SCHOOL, THE LAHR SIBLINGS HAVE LEFT A LEGACY OF SUCCESS.

THE FOUR KIDS WERE HONORED AS THE VALEDICTORIANS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES.

IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR WYATT.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY NEAT CHANCE AND I REALLY WANTED TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND DO MY BEST THIS YEAR.

I BELIEVE I'VE DONE THAT.

>> Reporter: AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THE FAMILY IS PROUD OF THE BABY OF THE FAMILY.

>> WE'RE VERY PROUD OF HIM.

HE HAS WORKED VERY HARD AND WE'VE KIND OF -- LIKE WHEN HARLEY GRADUATED VAVALEDICTORIA WE ARE LIKE YOU HAVE TO KEEP THIS UP.

IT'S YOUR TURN.

WE WERE KIDDING, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT HE IS A VERY INTELLIGENT YOUNG MAN.

>> Reporter: THE PRESSURE TO BE NAMED VALEDICTORIAN OF THE CLASS IS FOLLOWING THE STANDARD OF ALL THE LAHR SIBLINGS TO WORK HARD EVERYDAY AND THE REST WILL COME NATURALLY.

>> IN MY FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEAR, I WASN'T THINKING OF VALEDICTORIAN, BUT DOING MY BEST, WORKING HARD, AND GETTING GOOD GRADES.

THEN JUNIOR YEAR CAME AND I THOUGHT MORE ABOUT IT AND I'M LIKE WOW, THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN DO.

SO YEAH, I JUST KEPT MY NOSE DOWN AND KEPT WORKING.

>> Reporter: SO WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE YOUNG WYATT?

>> I WANT TO DO SOMETHING LIKE NATURAL RESOURCES OR FORESTRY OR WILDLIFE BIOLOGY MAYBE, SOMETHIN IN THAT AREA.

I WANT TO WORK WITH THE D.N.R.

OR THE MINNESOTA FORESTRY.

>> Reporter: LEARNING ABOUT THE WONDERS THAT MINNESOTA OFFERS, PRESERVING THAT FUTURE IS IMPORTANT FOR HIM.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS GET TO EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS LIKE I DID WHEN I WAS A KID, SO THEY CAN ENJOY THE WONDER OF IT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LAPORTE WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> LAPORTE PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADUATION DAY IS ON MAY 24TH.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, WE ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THE LAKES AND WOODS SURROUND US.

EVERY DAY NATURE GOES ABOUT ITS SEASONAL ROUTINE.

SIGNS OF SPRING IN THE NORTHERN WOODS INCLUDE THE SOUNDS OF THIS MALE RUFFED GROUSE AS HE SPENDS TIME ON HIS DRUMMING LOG.

HE'LL GET GOING HERE SHORTLY.

THE PURPOSE OF HIS DRUMMING IS TO ATTRACT FEMALES, WHILE ANNOUNCING HIS TERRITORY TO OTHER MALE GROUSE IN THE WOODS.

THE VIDEO CLIP WAS SHOT BY STEVE MAHNUM ON A LATE APRIL MORNING NORTH OF ITASCA STATE PARK.

OUR THANKS TO STEVE FOR THAT CONTRIBUTION TO WONDERFUL CONTRIBUTION TO TONIGHT'S SHOW.

>>> THAT IS GOING TO WRAP IT UP FOR US TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

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