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

MEMBER FDIC.

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

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

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

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU WITH LOCAL NEWS FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

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

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

>>> THREE LARGE WILDFIRES IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY HAVE BURNED MORE THAN 20,000 ACRES AND AT LEAST 100 BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.

THE CAMP HOUSE FIRE STARTED NEAR BRIMSON ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND AS OF THIS MORNING HAD GROWN TO NEARLY 12,000 ACRES AND WAS 0 PERCENT CONTAINED.

THE JENKINS CREEK FIRE WAS DISCOVERED SOUTHEAST OF HOYT LAKES AND HAS BURNED AROUND 7,000 ACRES.

THE MUNGER SHAW FIRE WAS REPORTED LATE IN THE AFTERNOON ON MONDAY AND HAS BURNED AROUND 1,300 ACRES.

>> OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THOSE IMPACTED.

THE AREA AROUND THE BRIMSON FIRE HIGHWAY 44 HAS BEEN DEVASTATED BY THIS FIRE, A LOT OF PROPERTY LOSS AND WHATNOT, AND OUR THOUGHTS GO OUT TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THIS.

>> GOVERNOR WALZ, WHO HAS CALLED IN THE NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP WITH THE CAMP HOUSE FIRE, SAID AT A PRESS BRIEFING TODAY THAT ALL THREE OF THE FIRES ARE 0 PERCENT CONTAINED.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY ADDITIONAL AIR SUPPORT WAS CALLED IN TODAY TO HELP AND HE'S URGING PEOPLE TO STAY AWAY FROM CLOSED AREA.

>> DO NOT CROSS ANY ROAD CLOSURE SIGNS.

THAT IS ILLEGAL AND WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE GOTTEN IN THE WAY OF FIRE FIGHTING BECAUSE THEY'RE SIMPLY GOING TO LOOK AT THE FIRE.

IF YOU ARE -- IF YOU GO AROUND ONE OF THOSE SIGNS, BE PREPARED TO GET A TICKET.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THESE FIREFIGHTERS ARE ALLOWED TO DO THEIR JOB WITHOUT HAVING PEOPLE GET IN THE WAY THAT ARE JUST INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> SHERIFF RAMSEY ALSO SAYS WOOD BRIDGES IN AREAS WITH THE FIRES HAVE BURNED AND ACCESS ON SOME ROADS HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY THAT AND ALSO BY TREES THAT HAVE BURNED AND HAVE FALLEN DOWN ACROSS THE ROADS.

>>> A 20-YEAR-OLD PEQUOT LAKES MAN WAS AIRLIFTED FROM THE SCENE IN SERIOUS CONDITION AFTER CRASHING HIS VEHICLE WHEN HE ACCELERATED AWAY FROM A WADENA COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY WHO WAS TRYING TO CONDUCT A TRAFFIC STOP.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM WADENA COUNTY, SHERIFF MICHAEL D CARR, THE DEPUTY WAS INVESTIGATING A DRIVING COMPLAINT OF VEHICLES RACING IN AN AREA NORTHEAST OF WADENA WHEN HE OBSERVED A VEHICLE IN THE AREA AND ESTABLISHED FACTS TO CONDUCT A TRAFFIC STOP.

AFTER THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AWAY FROM THE DEPUTY AND CRASHED THE DEPUTY EXTRICATED THE DRIVER JADEN ANDERSON AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN LIFE SAVING MEASURES.

ANDERSON WAS FLOWN TO A FARGO HOSPITAL WERE HE REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

CARR SAYS ANDERSON WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT AND ALCOHOL IS BELIEVED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

THE STATE PATROL IS INVESTIGATING THE CRASH ON BEHALF OF THE WADENA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>>> THE STATE OF MINNESOTA'S 2023 MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORE REPORT WAS RELEASED LAST MONTH.

BEMIDJI'S FINANCE DIRECTOR DONNA COE PRESENTED INFORMATION ABOUT BEMIDJI'S MUNICIPAL LIQUOR SALES TO THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL AND HOW THOSE NUMBERS COMPARE TO AROUND THE STATE.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE STATE OF MINNESOTA'S MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORE REPORT SHOWS 28 YEARS OF CONSECUTIVE GROWTH.

THE MARKET HAS EVOLVED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS.

THEY SAW A 15.3% INCREASE FROM 2022.

SOME MAY THINK THAT NUMBER MOSTLY COMES FROM THE METRO AREA, BUT THAT ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR 26% OF THE PROFIT.

THE REST CAME FROM GREATER MINNESOTA, WITH BEMIDJI BEING ONE OF THE TOP IN THE STATE.

>> BEMIDJI IS THE 8th OUT OF 176 CITY AND THE HIGHEST OPERATING REVENUES, WHICH IS THE AMOUNT OF SALES AT $8.4 MILLION.

WE'RE THE 7th OUT OF 176 CITIES IN THE HIGHEST GROSS PROFIT MARGIN.

BEMIDJI IS 9th OUT OF 176 CITIES AND THE HIGHEST OPERATING INCOME.

>> Reporter: A BIG REASON FOR THE INCREASED SALES IS THE ADDITION OF T.H.C.

PRODUCTS BUT WE WON'T SEE HOW MUCH PROFIT THOSE PRODUCTS GENERATE FOR A FEW YEARS.

>> STARTED IN THE END OF NOVEMBER, BEGINNING OF DECEMBER, SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE A BIG IMPACT THERE.

YOU WILL SEE A BIGGER IMPACT IN 2025.

>> Reporter: PROFITS GENERATED FROM MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES CAN BE USED TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAX LEVIES AND PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AND EXPENDITURES THAT CITIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO MAKE.

SOME ARGUE FOR THE MONEY TO BE USE IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> I REALLY FEEL THAT WE ARE MISSING THE BALL IN HELPING NON-PROFITS WHO ARE HELPING WITH THE SITUATION.

>> I ALSO PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT YOU KNOW, WE BECOME AN ENABLER IN OUR COMMUNITY WHERE WE HAVE STRONG ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES.

I FEEL THAT A PERCENTAGE OF THESE FUNDS SHOULD BE DEDICATED TO RECOVERY PROGRAMS AND THAT IS JUST MY PERSONAL FEELING.

>> Reporter: THE BUYING POWER OF THE MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES HAVE AND IT MAY BE BENEFICIAL TO ADD A THIRD MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORE IN THE AREA.

>> YOU CAN GET BETTER BUYING POWER, SO THE COST OF GOODS IS LOWER, AND THEN BASED ON THAT, OUR PROFITS WOULD BE HIGHER.

AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, LAKEVIEW LIQUOR STORE BUYS THEIRS AND THE CITY BUYS THEIRS.

>> Reporter: REDUCING THE STORES FROM TWO TO ONE WOULD BE THE BETTER OPTION.

>> YOU WILL LOOK AT THE OPERATING PROFIT CENTERS AND SEE WHAT THE EFFICIENCIES ARE AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BECOMING MORE EFFICIENT.

I WAS WONDERING WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IF WE HAD ONE.

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

LAKELAND NEWS.

>> WE WANT TO KNOW YOUR OPINION ON THE MATTER.

DO YOU BELIEVE THE CITY OF BEMIDJI SHOULD ADD ANOTHER MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORE, MAKING IT 3 TOTAL.

SHOULD THE CITY OWN JUST 1 LIQUOR STORE OR KEEP BOTH LOCATIONS THE WAY THEY CURRENTLY ARE?

TOMORROW, WE WILL HAVE A POLL UP ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE THAT YOU CAN VOTE AND LEAVE A COMMENT ON ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS THE SITUATION.

>>> THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL SELECTION IS RECOMMENDING THREE CANDIDATES FOR CONSIDERATION TO FILL A VACANCY IN MINNESOTA'S NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.

THE VACANCY WILL OCCUR UPON THE RETIREMENT OF THE HONORABLE ERIK J. ASKEGAARD AND THIS SEAT WILL BE CHAMBERED IN AITKIN IN AITKIN COUNTY.

THE THREE RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES ARE DANIEL HAWLEY, WHO IS A PARTNER AT GAMMELLO-PEARSON PLLC, WHERE HE PRACTICES FAMILY LAW, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, CIVIL LITIGATION, REAL ESTATE, CORPORATE AND BUSINESS LAW, ESTATE PLANNING, AND MUNICIPAL LAW.

CINDI HILLS WHO IS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF LABOR RELATIONS AT THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SYSTEM OFFICE, AND JORDAN OLSEN WHO IS A MANAGING ATTORNEY IN THE ITASCA COUNTY AND KOOCHICHING COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICES IN THE NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.

>>> A LEVEL 3 OFFENDER HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM INCARCERATION AND HAS MOVED TO THE PILLAGER AREA.

CASS COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE NOTIFYING THE PUBLIC OF THE MOVE.

43-YEAR-OLD DUSTIN GENE AYRES MOVED TO RURAL PILLAGER IN NORTHWEST SYLVAN TOWNSHIP ON ON MAY 5TH.

HE WAS INCARCERATED FOR ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT AGAINST A KNOWN FEMALE CHILD AND A KNOWN FEMALE TEEN ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, AYRES GAINED ACCESS TO THE TEEN VICTIM BY ENTERING HER RESIDENCE WITHOUT PERMISSION AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HER VULNERABLE STATE TO GAIN CONTROL.

HE USED HIS ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST TO ATTAIN AND EXPLOIT UNMONITORED CONTACT WITH CHILD VICTIM.

AYRES IS NOT WANTED BY AUTHORITIES AT THIS TIME.

AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE RELEASING INFORMATION ABOUT HIS MOVE TO THE AREA AS ALLOWED BY LAW TO RAISE AWARENESS AND KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, CONDITIONS WILL SLIGHTLY IMPROVE, WE WILL HAVE HIGH FIRE DANGER TOMORROW AND FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS OUT FOR A PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, CROSS LAKE PLAYED HOST TO THIS YEAR'S GOVERNOR FISHING OPENER.

[♪♪♪] >> 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 BEMIDJI ROTARY CLUB IS CELEBRATING THEIR 90TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.

THEY WILL BE CELEBRATING BY DOING DIFFERENT SERVICE PROJECTS AND HELPING DIFFERENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE MONTH.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS AT THEIR LAST REGULAR MEETING WHERE THEY PARTNERED WITH THE UNITED WAY TO MAKE FOOD AND HYGIENE PACKS TO GIVE TO THOSE IN NEED.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE WHO ARE A PART OF A ROTARY CLUB AND BEMIDJI'S ROTARY CLUB IS HOME TO 110 OF THOSE ROTARIANS.

THE CLUB'S FOCUS IS TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN SERVICES TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY.

>> ROTED -- ROTARY IS JUST ONE OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS, NON-DENOMINATIONAL, NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION, JUST BE A DECENT PERSON, A NICE PERSON, AND GIVE BACK BECAUSE THE WORLD OWES YOU A LOT.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, THE ROTARY CLUB IS CELEBRATING THEIR 90th ANNIVERSARY.

>> THE IMPACT OF CLUBS LIKE US HAVE HAD AROUND THE YEARS AND TO DO THAT FOR 90 YEARS, THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT STORIES, A LOT OF IMPACTS, A LOT OF EFFORTS OF ROTARIANS AROUND THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: AND THEN THEY GATHERED IN AN ASSEMBLY LINE FASHION TO PUT TOGETHER SNACK PACKS AND HYGIENE PACKS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> THAT'S WHAT ROTARY IS ALL ABOUT.

IT'S NOT ONE PERSON DOING A GOOD THING BUT IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE DOING A LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT TOGETHER AND COLLECTIVELY, YOU CAN HAVE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT.

>> TROUBLE SPOTS FROM THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, TO THE BATTERED WOMEN SHELTER, THE HOMELESS AREAS.

ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS THAT GETS ASKED IS IF YOU EATEN TODAY.

>> Reporter: PARTNERING WITH THE UNITED WAY, THE 700 SNACK PACKS AND 200 HYGIENE BAGS WILL GO TO A GREAT NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>> YOU CAN BE PART OF A LITTLE CLUB IN A SMALL COMMUNITY AND STILL HAVE IMPACT LOCALLY, WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT AND AROUND THE WORLD IN MANY, MANY COUNTRIES.

WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN AS WELL.

>> THE COMMUNITY GAVE ME A LOT.

I GOTTEN INTO ENOUGH TROUBLE TO LEARN SOME LESSONS SO I TRY TO WATCH OUT FOR TROUBLE.

BY GIVING BACK A LITTLE BIT THAT I OWE.

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

>> THE NEXT ROTARY CLUB EVENT FOR THEIR MONTH OF MAY 90TH CELEBRATIONS IS A MEALS ON WHEELS FOOD DELIVERY THIS FRIDAY, MAY 16TH.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

ANOTHER WARM, HOT DAY TODAY.

>> Stacy: AND WINDY ONCE AGAIN.

WE HAD THE EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, STILL PRETTY DRY OUT THERE, WE'RE STILL GOING TO SEE BREEZY CONDITIONS AND HOT TEMPERATURES, SO WE AGAIN HAVE THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR A PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA STARTING TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

WE WILL SEE A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEK WITH CHANCES OF RAIN AND MUCH COL >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED 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.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY WERE VERY HOT.

WE HAD VERY WINDY CONDITIONS AS WELL, SO THE FIRE DANGER WAS VERY HIGH TODAY.

WE'RE NOT QUITE THROUGH WITH IT YET.

WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF AN IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE WEATHER TOMORROW, BUT WE STILL HAVE A FIRE WEATHER WATCH OUT AND WE COULD SEE CRITICAL FIRE CONDITIONS ACROSS THE AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEK, THINGS WILL START TO CHANGE.

WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF RAINFALL AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AND THEN WE WILL SEE THE BIG COOL DOWN BEFORE WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 76 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS OUT OF THE STUDIO ARE FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 46, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 33%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 77 DEGREES, 51 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND WE HAVE A RISING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

WE HAVE A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FOR NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA FROM WEDNESDAY AFTER THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING.

NEAR CRITICAL TO CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER IS EXPECTED WITH SOUTH WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR, SOME GUSTS COULD REACH UP TO 40, AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY AS LOW AS 22%.

NOW AS WE LOOK AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND WE WILL HAVE CLEAR SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THIS CHANGE VERY MUCH.

OVERALL, WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW, A FEW SHOWERS, MAYBE SOME THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING MAINLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON AND THEN THE BIG CHANGE IN THE WEATHER WILL ARRIVE AS WE HEAD INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ANGELA SAYING ALL OF OUR PLUM TREES ARE IN BLOOM IN CASS LAKE.

JOAN SENDING US A PHOTO OF A SASSY SQUIRREL IN LAPORTE.

CARRIE IN WALKER WITH ONE OF THE BACKYARD BUNNIES, AND ARLENE WITH THIS PICTURESQUE PHOTO OF THE SUNSET IN MENAHGA.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 62 THIS MORNING, BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNSHINE AND WIND TODAY.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, SUNSHINE WITH A HIGH OF 90.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY AND WINDY.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE SUNNY AND WINDY AS WELL.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT, A HIGH OF 88.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 88 WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD, NOT SETTING A NEW RECORD, BUT WE DID HAVE A LOW OF 57.

BEMIDJI SETTING A NEW RECORD, TOPPING OUT AT 89, SO THAT BEATS THE OLD RECORD BY 5 DEGREES, 64 FOR THE LOW TEMPERATURE THIS MORNING, AND SUNSET AT 8:48.

NOW AS WE LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE'RE GOING TO START THE DAY AT 7:00 A.M., NOT MANY CLOUDS IN THE SKY ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA, WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE MUCH THROUGH MUCH OF THE DAY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND WE COULD SEE SOME INCREASE IN CLOUDS AND SOME SPRINKLES IN THE EASTERN VIEWING AREA TOMORROW, AND IT WILL BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD INTO THURSDAY.

LOOKING AT HOT TEMPS, HIGHS IN THE MID TO LOW 80s IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MID-80s WILL BE THE STORY.

SO HERE IS OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, WE'LL SEE THE LOWS DROPPING TO 60 WITH SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 25.

TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES, BUT WE DO HAVE THE CHANCE OF SOME AFTERNOON SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS, MAYBE SOME SPRINKLES MAINLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, 85 FOR THE HIGH, SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, THE SHOWERS BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD ON THURSDAY AND WE COULD SEE A FEW THUNDERSTORMS, HIGHS NEAR 77, BUT THOSE TEMPERATURES DROP PRETTY QUICKLY AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY, WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AGAIN ON FRIDAY, MORE SCATTERED ACTIVITY ON SATURDAY, SHOULD BE MAINLY QUIET BY SUNDAY, HIGH TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY ONLY NEAR 49 AND WE COULD SEE THE OVERNIGHT LOWS THIS WEEKEND DROPPING INTO THE MID-30s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE IS HERE NOW AND SPRING SPORTS SEASON FOR HIGH SCHOOL PLAYOFF TIME.

>> Charlie: YEAH, BOYS TENNIS IS STARTING THINGS OFF WITH THE SECTION TOURNAMENT.

IT'S CRAZY, IT FEELS LIKE IT WAS SUPER SHORT BUT IT'S WINDING DOWN ALREADY.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY, BRAINERD VERSUS GRAND RAPIDS AND A LITTLE BIT MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE, OFFERING THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS, FROM YOUR LOCAL BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY LVI SUPPLY.

PROVIDING THE BEMIDJI AREA WITH INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT SALES AND SERVICE.

MORE INFO AT 218-44-3930 OR LVISUPPLY.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> BOYS TENNIS IS THE FIRST SPRING SPORT TO START THEIR SECTION TOURNAMENT WITH FIRST ROUND ACTION BEGINNING TODAY.

IN CLASS 7-2A, BRAINERD EARNED THE 8-SEED AND THUS A HOME GAME, GETTING PAIRED WITH 9-SEED GRAND RAPIDS.

WINNER HEADS TO TOP-SEED ELK RIVER A WEEK FROM TODAY.

WE HEAD OUT TO BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST-ROUND ACTION BETWEEN THE WARRIORS IN BLUE AND THE THUNDERHAWKS IN ORANGE.

ON SINGLES COURT ONE, BEN SCHROEDER LOOKING FOR THE DROPSHOT BUT OWEN ROBERTSON CASHES THE LOB.

ROBERTSON WOULD TAKE THE MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

IN NUMBER TWO SINGLES, SAM MANECKE CHASES DOWN THE LINE SHOT BUT GRADY GIFFIN RESPONDS WITH THE SMASH.

HE WOULD WIN THE MATCH IN 3-SETS.

ON TO NUMBER ONE DOUBLES, CLARK HAGLIN AND SAWYER RIFFLE RECIEVEING.

HAGLIN FOOLS COOPER LONSON AND OWEN KASTENDECK WITH THE UNDERHAND.

WARRIORS WIN THERE IN STRAIGHT SETS AND AT TWO DOUBLES.

JACE ANDERSON AND SHAWN MARCUSSON ON THE SERVE RETURN BUT LUKE WEELOCK PIN POINT ACCURACY EARNS THE POINT.

HE AND ELLIOTT SPAHN GO 6-4, 7-5 TO WIN THE MATCH.

GRAND RAPIDS BEATS BRAINERD 5-2 TO MOVE ON TO THE 2ND ROUND IN THE TEAM BRACKET BUT ITS NOT THE END OF THE SEASON JUST YET FOR SOME OF THE WARRIORS.

THE INDIVIDUAL SECTION TOURNEY IS THURSDAY AT BLAINE HIGH SCHOOL.

>>> SOME MORE SCORES FOR YOU IN BASEBALL, BRAINERD SPLITS WITH SARTELL TODAY.

ALSO IN BASEBALL, GRAND RAPIDS FALLS TO DULUTH MARSHALL.

LITTLE FALLS GETS THE WIN OVER PEQUOT LAKES.

CROSBY-IRONTON GETS A WIN AND SO DOES AITKIN.

ROYALTON WINS.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY WINS, SO DOES PIERZ AND LAKE OF THE WOODS GETTING A WIN.

SEBEKA FALLING.

WADENA DEER CREEK GETTING A WIN.

ON THE SOFTBALL SIDE OF THINGS, BEMIDJI GETS SWEPT BY MOORHEAD.

GRAND RAPIDS BEATS DULUTH MAR SHELL BIG.

AITKIN GETTING THE WIN OVER PINE CITY.

PIERZ FALLS TO ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL.

PINE RIVER-BACKUS GETTING A WIN IN SOFTBALL AS WELL.

ROSEAU GETTING EDGED.

PEQUOT LAKES, THEY SWEEP THEIR DOUBLE HEADER TODAY.

ALSO STAPLES MOTLEY AND PARK RAPIDS SPLIT.

WADENA DEER CREEK BEATS SEBEKA IN BOTH OF THEIR GAMES.

IN BOYS LACROSSE, GRANDS RAPIDS GREEN WAY GETTING THE WIN BY A GOAL.

IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GOLF, BRAINERD FINISHES SECOND TODAY.

JACK FINISHED FIRST OVERALL FOR THE JACKS, 3 UNDER 69.

THEY RELEASED THEIR 2025-2026 SCHEDULE.

THEY WILL PLAY A 34-GAME REGULAR SEASON BUT AN EXHIBITION GAME AT THE SANFORD CENTER ON JANUARY 2ND AGAINST MINNESOTA.

THE BEAVS WILL START THE SEASON ON THE ROAD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE, BUT TAKING A LOOK AT THEIR HOME GAMES THIS SEASON, THEY WILL FOLLOW THAT UP WITH BACK TO BACK HOME SERIES AGAINST ST.

CLOUD STATE AND MINNESOTA DULUTH BEFORE STARTING NISC PLAY.

THEN WHEN THE CALENDAR FLIPS, THEY WILL HAVE THE HOME EXHIBITION GAME TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR.

THEY WILL GO TO CONFERENCE PLAY FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.

BEMIDJI STATE WILL NOT PLAY MINNESOTA STATE AT HOME FOR A SERIES NEXT YEAR.

THEY WILL PLAY THE MAVERICKS IN MANKATO THE SECOND TO LAST WEEKEND OF THE REGULAR SEASON.

>>> YOUR BEST PLAYERS PERFORM IN THE BIGGEST MOMENTS AND ANTHONY EDWARDS HAS CERTAINLY DONE THAT FOR THE TIMBERWOLVES THIS POST-SEASON, AVERAGING 27-POINTS-PER-GAME.

LAST NIGHT HE DROPPED 30-POINTS IN MINNESOTA'S 117-110 VICTORY AT GOLDEN STATE IN GAME FOUR, PULLING THEM TO WITHIN ONE WIN OF A REPEAT TRIP TO THE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS.

IT'S BECOME AN EXPECTATION FOR EDWARDS BUT HE ISN'T THE ONLY ONE LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD FOR THE WOLVES.

JULIUS RANDLE, WHO WAS PART OF THE POLARIZING TRADE THAT SAW THE DEPARTURE OF BELOVED KARL ANTHONY TOWNES, HAS STEPPED UP IN A BIG WAY.

HE AVERAGED OVER 22-POINTS A GAME IN THE FIRST ROUND VERSUS THE LAKERS.

THEN THIS SERIES, RANDLE DROPPED 20-PLUS POINTS IN MINNESOTA'S GAME 2 AND 3 WINS AGAINST THE WARRIORS AND LAST NIGHT HAD A PLAYOFF-CAREER-HIGH AND TEAM LEADING 31-POINT PERFORMANCE, HIS 6TH, 20-PLUS POINT GAME THIS POST-SEASON.

>> IT WAS MORE ABOUT LEARNING MY PERSONNEL AND THE PLAYERS I WAS PLAYING WITH, WHAT THEY LIKE TO DO, JUST TENDENCIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO IT TOOK ME A LITTLE BIT TO FIGURE IT OUT AND ADJUST MY GAME.

NOW, WE ARE JUST REAPING THE BENEFITS OF IT.

>> THE MORE WE PLAY TOGETHER, THE BETTER IT GOT.

WE'RE NOT GOING DOWNHILL, HE HAD IT GOING TONIGHT.

IT WAS EXCITING TO WATCH.

I TOLD HIM HE IS COLD.

>> Charlie: THEY BECOME THE THIRD DUO TO SCORE 30 OR MORE POINTS IN A GAME.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE TIMBERWOLVES COULD CLENCH THE SERIES TOMORROW AT HOME.

THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO DO IT.

>> Dennis: YEAH, ANOTHER LATE START.

>> Charlie: 8:30, BUT NOT AS BAD.

>> Dennis: EXACTLY, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE GOVERNOR'S FISHING OPENER HAS BEEN A YEARLY TRADITION IN MINNESOTA SINCE 1948.

THE EVENT SERVES AS A KICK OFF TO THE SUMMER TOURISM SEASON AND THIS YEAR SUMMER IS GETTING STARTED ON THE SHORES OF CROSSLAKE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE FILLED THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS CAMPGROUND IN CROSS LAKE SATURDAY MORNING TO LAUNCH FISHING SEASON IN MINNESOTA WITH THE GOVERNOR'S FISHING OPEN NER.

>> IT'S ABOUT MORE THAN JUST CATCHING FISH, IT'S ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING OUT ON THE WATER WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR COLLEAGUES.

I THINK PART OF WHAT THIS EVENT BRINGS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS, TO MEET NEW PEOPLE, TO EXPERIENCE NEW PLACES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Reporter: MINNESOTA HAS OVER 18,000 MILES OF FISHABLE RIVERS AND CREEKS AND 5,000 FISHABLE LAKES, MAKING IT ONE OF THE TOP FISHING DESTINATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THE BEAUTY IS YOU STRETCH FROM THE PLAINS TO THE NORTHWEST ANGLE OR RIGHT HERE IN CROSS LAKE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL VERY FAR TO HAVE WORLD CLASS OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO CROSS LAKE MAYOR JACKSON, THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE IN CROSS LAKE TO HOLD THE OPENER.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF ANGLERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE COME IN AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THE FISHING OPENER FOR 100 YEARS.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO IT.

CROSS LAKE IS IDEAL WITH THE 14 BEAUTIFUL PRISTINE LAKES WE HAVE, AS WELL AS BAIT, TACKLE, GAS, FOOD, LODGING, WE REALLY HAVE IT ALL IN CROSS LAKE.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR WALZ GOT IN ON THE ACTION.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS FUN AND ENTERTAINING.

THERE WERE PEOPLE OUT ON THE WATER AND WE CAUGHT SOME FISH AND IT WAS PERFECT.

>> Reporter: OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE WILL DROP A LINE INTO FISHERIES AROUND THE STATE THIS YEAR, LEADING TO THE FOURTH BIGGEST FISHING INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE ARE THE FOURTH LARGEST FISHING STATE AND OUR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES GENERATE ALMOST $14 BILLION OF ACTIVITY.

THAT'S ALL THE BUSINESS IS ASSOCIATED WITH, WHETHER YOU'RE SELLING PONTOONS, SERVICING THEM, PUTTING THE DOCKS IN, WHETHER YOU HAVE A FAMILY LODGE, OR ALL OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES WHERE YOU CAN SPEND MONEY THAT KEEPS US GOING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN CROSS LAKE WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ACCORDING TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, CROSSLAKE WAS CHOSEN TO HOST THE FISHING OPENER DUE TO ITS DIVERSE SPECIES OF FISH, AS WELL AS ITS NUMEROUS OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING THREE STATE PARKS AND 14 INTERCONNECTED LAKES.

>>> OKAY, LET'S GET ONE LAST LOOK AT OUR WE'RE.

WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: OUR FIRE DANGER REMAINS NEAR CRITICAL OR CRITICAL TOMORROW.

WE HAVE A FIRE WEATHER WATCH ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO WEDNESDAY EVENING DUE TO AGAIN THE DRY CONDITIONS OUT THERE AND GUSTY WINDS.

AS FAR AS OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLEAR SKIES, WE WILL SEE LOWS DROPPING TO 60.

TOMORROW, THERE MAY BE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

>> Charlie: MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SAID IF YOU PASSED AWAY, YOU ARE NO LONGER BANNED.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.

[♪♪♪]