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

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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.

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

>>> WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION NOW ON A FIRE-TURNED-EXPLOSION THAT DESTROYED MULTIPLE STRUCTURES IN BEMIDJI YESTERDAY.

IT HAPPENED IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR THE BEMIDJI STATE CAMPUS.

MORE THAN 50 FIRST RESPONDERS WERE ON SCENE TO BATTLE THE BLAZE, WHICH EVACUATED AN ENTIRE BLOCK.

NO ONE WAS HOME AT THE TIME IT BEGAN AND FIREFIGHTERS GOT THE FLAMES UNDER CONTROL IN AROUND 40 MINUTES WITH NO CIVILIANS OR FIRST RESPONDERS REPORTED TO BE INJURED.

IN ALL, TWO STANDALONE STRUCTURES, ONE VEHICLE, AND THE OUTSIDE OF ONE HOUSE, SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE.

REPORTS AT THE SCENE ORIGINALLY STATED HOME RENOVATION OR FAULTY WIRING MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE TO START, BUT FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS PROVED THOSE CLAIMS INCORRECT.

THE BEMIDJI FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE CAUSE WAS ACCIDENTAL BUT PREVENTABLE.

>> THERE WERE A SERIES OF SMALL EXPLOSIONS.

AFTER THE INVESTIGATION, THOSE ACCREDITED TO 20-POUND PROPANE CYLINDERS ON THE SCENE.

WE CALL THAT A BLOWING VAPOR EXPLOSION.

SHORTLY AFTER, THE LARGE EXPLOSION THAT MOST OF THE CITY SEEMED TO HEAR BECAUSE BECAUSE OF A 100-POUND PROPANE TANK, WHICH IGNITED A NEIGHBORING STRUCTURE, AND THEN DAMAGED A HOME AND A VEHICLE.

WE'RE STILL CALLING IT UNDER INVESTIGATION, HOWEVER IT APPEARS THAT THE FIRE STARTED DUE TO AN UNATTENDED CAMPFIRE.

REPORTS INITIALLY SHOW THAT THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOME HAD A SMALL CAMPFIRE THE NIGHT BEFORE AND DIDN'T COMPLETELY EXTINGUISH IT.

AS THE WINDS PICKED UP YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, THE FIRE SPREAD ACROSS THE YARD AND OTHER DEBRIS AND EVENTUALLY LIT THE STRUCTURE ON FIRE, WHICH LED TO THE MULTIPLE EXPLOSIONS AND THE DEVASTATION WE HAD IN THE AREA.

THE FIRE CREPT UNDERNEATH THE BUILDING, BURNING INSIDE OF IT AND AS SOON AS IT GENERATE AS LARGE AMOUNT OF HEAT, THAT'S WHEN THE FIRST EXPLOSION HAPPENED.

THE BIG ONE WAS THE 100-POUND CYLINDER, WHICH THROUGH DEBRIS NEARLY A BLOCK.

>> Dennis: ONE OF THE MAJOR BILLS IN THE OVERALL HOUSING REFORM EFFORT, THE STARTER HOME ACT, AUTHORED BY DISTRICT 7-A REPRESENTATIVE SPENCER IGO, STALLED IN COMMITTEE LAST MONTH.

THERE IS A CHANCE, THOUGH, THAT PIECES OF THE BILL MAY SHOW UP LATER THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE IGO TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE POSSIBLE FUTURES OF THIS BILL.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE THIRD PUSH AT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE FOR HOUSE FILE 3895, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE STARTER HOME ACT.

REPRESENTATIVE IGO SAYS THERE ARE 30 DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE BILL AS A RESULT OF WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH CITY OFFICIALS AND OTHER LAWMAKERS.

>> THIS BILL HAS TAKEN 3 YEARS TO GET TO THIS POINT.

IT STARTED OUT AT 44 PAGES AND NOW IT'S DOWN TO 8 PAGES.

IT'S PICKING THINGS THAT OTHER STATE VSZ -- STATES HAVE DONE EFFECTIVELY, BUILDING MORE DIVERSE HOUSING, WHICH MEANS HOUSING IS MORE AFFORDABLE, AND YOU CAN CREATE A STABLE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: IT ADDRESSES SEVERAL REFORMS, INCLUDING THE ZONING AUTHORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, INCENTIVIZING MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING, AND STREAMLINING ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS.

>> THE MEDIAN AGE OF BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME IN MINNESOTA IS 40 YEARS OLD AND THE AVERAGE MORTGAGE IS OVER $2,600 A MONTH.

SO, WHAT HAS TO GIVE?

WELL, THE THING THAT HAS TO GIVE IS WE NEED MORE SUPPLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOOKED AT IN THE BILL IS GETTING RID OF THE RED TAPE AND MANDATES THAT EXIST IN BUILDING HOMES.

>> Reporter: THE BILL STALLED IN COMMITTEE ON MARCH 23rd.

>> IT'S ALWAYS DISAPPOINTING WHEN A BILL DOESN'T MOVE ON, RIGHT?

BUT IT'S BECAUSE AT A VERY UNIQUE CROSSROADS.

>> SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL SAY IT MAKES HOME OWNERSHIP MORE ACCESSIBLE.

OPPONENTS EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT IT REMOVES LOCAL CONTROL OVER INFRASTRUCTURE, UTILITY CAPACITY, AND DENSITY PLANNING.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, YOU BELIEVE IN LOCAL CONTROL.

YOU HAVE TO NAVIGATE THAT PERFECT LINE WHERE IF THINGS ARE BROKEN AND YOU NEED TO STEP IN TO STATE GOVERNMENT AND SAY LET'S STREAMLINE THIS A LITTLE BIT.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE IGO AND THE BIPARTISAN GROUP ARE HOPEFUL THAT SMALLER PIECES WILL BE PASSED DURING THIS SESSION AND REVISIONS CAN BE MADE FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE.

LET THIS BE SOMETHING WE GET DONE THIS LEGISLATURE THAT IS GOING TO HELP EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE STATE.

IT'S NOT A PARTISAN-BASED BILL.

THAT'S WHY IT'S SO FUN TO WORK ON.

IT'S POLITICALLY IN THE MIDDLE WHERE YOU HAVE REPUBLICANS THAT LOVE IT, YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS THAT LOVE IT, AND YOU HAVE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS THAT HATE IT.

IT'S THAT EDUCATION BIT THAT MAKES IT FEEL LIKE A GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

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

>> A NATIONAL HOUSING REPORT RELEASED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

SHOWED THAT MINNESOTA LACKS OVER 100,000 AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE RENTAL AND STARTER HOMES.

>>> A BEMIDJI MAN HAS ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR THE MINNESOTA SENATE DISTRICT TWO SEAT.

ACCORDING TO A CAMPAIGN PRESS RELEASE.

DAN R. ROGERS IS A LONGTIME TEACHER, FARMER, AND COMMUNITY LEADER, AND SAYS HE'S IS STEPPING FORWARD TO CHAMPION AFFORDABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

ROGERS WHO IS CURRENTLY A DIRECTOR WITH THE HUBBARD COUNTY D.F.L.

SAYS HIS CAMPAIGN IS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING KEY CONCERNS IMPACTING FAMILIES IN DISTRICT 2, SUCH AS CHILDCARE, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, AND THE ESCALATING COST OF LIVING.

REPUBLICAN STEVE GREEN CURRENTLY IS THE CURRENT DISTRICT TWO SENATOR AND IS IN HIS FIRST TERM.

PREVIOUSLY HE SERVED IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR TEN YEARS.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY IS LOOKING TO IMPROVE ITS WARNING SIREN NETWORK.

BOARD MEMBERS AGREED UPON DRAFTING A PROPOSAL CATERED TOWARDS ADDRESSING THE MATTER AFTER THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT CAME FORWARD WITH ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: CROW WING COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR EXPRESSED HIS CONCERNS WITH THE SIREN'S CURRENT STATE, STATING MANY OF THEM HAVE WENT DECADES WITHOUT RECEIVING SERVICE.

>> WE HAVE 52 WARNING SIRENS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

SOME OF THE SIRENS THEMSELVES ON THE TOP OF THE TOWERS ARE NOT MAINTAINED TO THE LEVEL THEY SHOULD BE.

SO WANTING TO REALLY GET THE SIREN SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, ALL TO THE SAME LEVEL OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION, MANY TOWNS WITH THE COUNTY HAVE MULTIPLE WARNING SIRENS AND DUE TO THEIR CURRENT SYSTEM LAYOUT, THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE THE EMERGENCY DISPATCH CENTER CANNOT DETERMINE IF EVERY SIREN IS GOING OFF OR NOT.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO INSTALL A TWO WAY CELLULAR SYSTEM.

THE SIRENS ARE SET OFF ON THE RADIO VHF SYSTEM.

CURRENTLY WE DON'T HAVE A SYSTEM OR METHOD IN PLACE TO SEE IF THEY ARE ENGAGED, IF IT'S ROTATING, IF THE TONE GOT TO THE SIRENS.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY WOULD NEED TO WAIT ON THE STATE TO APPROVE THE FUNDS.

HE SUGGESTS THAT THE UNIFIED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FOR THE TIME BEING.

>> REACHING OUT TO THE CITIES AND TOWNSHIPS, OUTLYING WHAT WE LIKE TO DO IN TERMS OF STANDARDIZED APPROACH FOR OUR COUNTY SIRENS AND EVERYTHING BROUGHT TO A SET STANDARD SO WHEN WE SET THE SIRENS OFF, WE KNOW EVERYTHING IS BEING MAINTAINED.

>> Reporter: GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT'S MAIN GOAL CENTERS AROUND PRIORITIZING PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, RECOVERY, AND MITIGATION, ALL THOSE AT THE DEPARTMENT ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL FURTHER SUPPORT THOSE VALUES.

>> WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS AN ANNUAL, EVERY TWO YEARS, SO WE KNOW THAT EVERYTHING IS MAINTAINED TO A SET STANDARD.

IF SOME OF THOSE SIRENS DON'T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS WORKING WITH THE CITIES, WORKING WITH THE TOWNSHIPS, FINDING GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THOSE REPLACED OR REPAIRED.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE CROW WING COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS MEETING WITH CITIES AND TOWNSHIPS REGARDING THE SIREN NETWORK.

>>> LONG TIME WADENA-DEER CREEK PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT LEE WESTRUM HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL BE RESIGNING HIS POST.

WESTRUM, WHO HAS BEEN THE SUPERINTENDENT SINCE 2013, WILL SERVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT UNTIL JUNE 30TH, AFTER WHICH HE WILL START A NEW JOB IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

HE SAYS HE PLANS TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN WADENA AND BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

IN A LETTER TO THE WADENA SCHOOL BOARD ANNOUNCING HIS PLANS WESTRUM SAID HE'S BEEN PRIVILEGED TO SERVE THE DISTRICT OVER THE PAST 13 YEARS, AND THAT HE'S GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL ACCEPT WESTRUM'S RESIGNATION AT ITS NEXT MEETING ON MONDAY, APRIL 20TH, AFTER WHICH THE PROCESS FOR RECRUITING AND SELECTING THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT OF WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOLS WILL BEGIN.

>>> IRAN SAYS THE VITAL TRADE CHOKEPOINT, THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS NOW OPEN TO ALL COMMERCIAL VESSELS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CEASEFIRE WITH THE U.S., WHICH IS DUE TO END ON TUESDAY.

THE MOVE COMES AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS A PEACE AGREEMENT MAY BE REACHED WITHIN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE THE START OF THE WAR, IS NOW COMPLETELY OPEN ACCORDING TO IRAN.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HERALDED THE MOVE BUT SAID THE U.S.

BLOCKADE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE.

IRAN SAYS THE CONTINUATION OF THE BLOCKADE WOULD VIOLATE THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT AND FORCE THEM TO RECLOSE THE CRITICAL PASSAGE.

TRUMP AND HIS ALLIES APPEAR OPTIMISTIC AN AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED.

>> BOTH SIDES ARE SAYING THE STRAIT IS OPEN, THAT'S A GOOD SIGN FOR ALL OF US AND A GOOD SIGN THAT THE MARKET SLIDES.

>> Reporter: U.S.

STOCKS SURGED AND OIL PRICES DROPPED SHARPLY, TRADING AT THEIR LOWEST LEVEL SINCE EARLY MARCH, BUT STILL REMAIN HIGHER THAN THE PRE-WAR LEVELS.

EVEN IF THE WAR ENDS NOW, IT COULD TAKE MONTHS TO YEARS FOR OIL PRODUCTION IN THE REGION TO RECOVER.

>> RESTARTING PRODUCTION COULD TAKE SEVERAL MOMS.

RESTARTING REFINING CAPACITY WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS.

>> Reporter: AS A 10 DAY TRUCE IN LEBANON AND HEZBOLLAH IS HOLDING, DESPITE THEM ACCUSING OF VIOLATION.

THERE IS HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE AN END TO A RECENT SPIKE IN VIOLENCE.

>> WE WANT THE CEASEFIRE TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR GOOD.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE NEGOTIATORS SHOULD LISTEN TO EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>> FOLLOWING THE NEWS OF THE STRAIT'S REOPENING, BRENT CRUDE, THE GLOBAL BENCHMARK, FELL 13-PERCENT TO $86.30 PER BARREL.

AND THE W.T.I., THE U.S.

BENCHMARK, SANK 13-PERCENT TO $79.20 PER BARREL.

THE DOW, NASDAQ, AND S&P 500 ALL RALLIED TODAY WITH THE NASDAQ AND S&P 500 REACHING NEW RECORD HIGHS AS TREASURY YIELDS FELL SHARPLY AMID HOPES THE WORST OF THE OIL SHOCK MIGHT BE OVER.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: THE COLD TEMPERATURES THAT WE FELT THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY FOR MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND BUT IT WILL WARM UP AS WE GET INTO NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE MORE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THOUSANDS OF BOOKS, GAMES, AND MORE ARE UP FOR GRABS HERE AT THE WEST GATE MALL.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE USA TODAY 10 BEST READERS' CHOICE AWARD HAS NOMINATED GOOSEBERRY FALLS STATE PARK FOR ITS BEST STATE PARK CATEGORY.

FANS OF THE PARK CAN VOTE DAILY THROUGH MONDAY, MAY 11TH AT NOON.

GOOSEBERRY WAS SELECTED BY A PANEL OF USA TODAY EDITORS AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WHO CHOOSE THE BEST OF THE BEST IN NATIONWIDE OUTDOOR RECREATION ATTRACTIONS.

LOCATED JUST A FEW MILES NORTHEAST OF TWO HARBORS, AND ESTABLISHED IN 1937, GOOSEBERRY FALLS STATE PARK HAS BEEN THE MOST-VISITED STATE PARK IN MINNESOTA FOR SEVEN OF THE LAST 10 YEARS AND HAS AVERAGED MORE THAN 760,000 VISITORS PER YEAR IN THAT TIME.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO VOTE FOR GOOSEBERRY FALLS STATE PARK IN THE COMPETITION, WE'LL INCLUDE A LINK WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> ALL RIGHT, TIME FOR WEATHER.

BOY, THINGS HAVE CHANGED QUICKLY.

STACY HAS TONIGHT OFF AND SYDNEY IS HERE.

DEFINITELY A BIG CHANGE IN THE WEATHER PATTERN TODAY.

>> Sydney: YES, THAT CHANGE WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

WE'LL HAVE LOTS OF WINDS THAT WILL BE BRINGING THE TEMPERATURES DOWN, GUSTS UP TO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Sydney: THIS MORNING, WE SAW SOME WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS CONTINUING THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN AND THEN SNOWFALL AND THE TEMPERATURES REMAIN CHILLY.

IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 30 DEGREES WITH A NORTHWEST WIND OF 16 MILES PER HOUR.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE WINDY OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

THE PEAK WAS 25 MILES PER HOUR TODAY.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN BRAINERD, IT'S 35 DEGREES CURRENTLY.

WINDS ARE NORTHWEST.

21 MILES PER HOUR.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY, WE HAD THAT CLOUD COVER COMING THROUGH A LITTLE BIT OF THAT SNOW AND THAT WINTER WEATHER MIX STILL COMING UP FROM THE SOUTH.

MOST OF THE DAY WAS PRETTY CLEAR TODAY, PRETTY CLOUDY FOR MOST OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

A COUPLE OF EAGLE EYE REPORTS COMING IN.

ARLENE SHOWING US SOME NORTHERN LIGHT FROM MENAHGA, CHRISSY SOME FROST AND COLD WEATHER.

GARY IN DEERWOOD SHOWING US THAT THE ICE IS MELTING AND THE WATER IS COMING OUT.

THE SAME THING FOR LAKE ADA FROM DEBRA.

ANGELA SHOWING US CLOUDY SKIES OVER CASS LAKE.

NICE BALD EAGLE SHOWING UP AGAINST THE BRIGHT BLUE SKY TODAY, SONYA IN TURTLE RIVER SHOWING US SOME BIRDS.

LOTS OF SIGNS OF SPRING ALL AROUND WITH STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, SOME SPRING FLOWERS POKING THROUGH AND SANDY IN RABIDEAU LAKE, SAME THING, CLEAR SKIES, AND THE WATER IS OPEN.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS TODAY, THE LAKE IS COMING OUT TO THE WARM WATER, THE TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE.

SONYA TURTLE RIVER, 31 AND WINDY.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 51 THIS MORNING, DROPPING DOWN TO 30.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, REPORTING 37 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON WITH A HIGH OF 41.

CHRISSY IN BAY LAKE SAID THERE WERE TWO ROUNDS OF HAIL THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTS SUNNY AND WINDY CONDITIONS.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, MOSTLY CLOUDY, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN OUT THERE.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, HIGH OF 32.

AND SANDY IN RABIDEAU LAKE, SUNNY AND BREEZY, WITH A HIGH OF 37.

FOR OUR ALMANAC, THE HIGH IN BRAINERD TODAY WAS 53 DEGREES, JUST A LITTLE BIT BELOW THAT AVERAGE, LOW OF 23, SUNSET AT 8:08 P.M.

IN BEMIDJI, THE HIGH WAS 37 DEGREES, LOW WAS PRETTY CHILLY, 19 DEGREES, SUNRISE AT 6:27 A.M.

AS WE GO IN THROUGH THE DAY TOMORROW, STARTING OFF THE WEEKEND, WE WILL HAVE SOME CLOUD COVER AND FOG TO START THE DAY.

AS WE GET THROUGH THE MORNING AND INTO THE AFTERNOON, MOST OF THAT WILL CLEAR UP AND IT WILL BE PARTLY SUNNY SKIES BY THE END OF THE DAY.

WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY SUNNY, PARTLY CLOUDS ACROSS MOST OF OUR VIEWING AREA, TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 30s AND DOWN INTO THE LOW 40s TOMORROW.

TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY, WE WILL SEE 10 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR WINDS, UP TO 30 MILES PER HOUR GUSTS, SO IT WILL BE PRETTY WINDY AND THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TOMORROW.

MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES IN THE MORNING BECOMING PARTLY SUNNY THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

ONCE AGAIN, 15 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR WINDS FOR MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA.

ON TO OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, IT WILL BE GETTING A LITTLE BIT WARMER THROUGHOUT THE DAY, 30s AND 40s UP TO 58 ON MONDAY.

THE NIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL STILL BE DOWN IN THE 20s AS WE GET THROUGH THE WEEKEND, BUT WE WILL SEE MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AND GETTING NICE AND WARM AS WE GET THROUGH TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL THERE.

>> Charlie: YEAH, NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE COLD WEATHER TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: YEAH.

ME EITHER.

THE PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY FOR THE WILD AND THE TIMBERWOLVES TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: YES THEY DO.

IN FACT, WE HAD A BURNING QUESTION SINCE YESTERDAY, WHO IS GOING TO BE PLAYING END GOAL FOR THE WILD.

WE GOT THAT ANSWER TODAY.

THE COACH LET US KNOW AT HIS PRESS CONFERENCE.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BR [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> IN THE NHL, YOU NEED A GREAT GOALTENDER TO MAKE A RUN IN THE POST-SEASON AND THE MINNESOTA WILD HAVE TWO OF THEM.

IT'S A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE, BUT ALSO MAKES FOR A TOUGH DECISION COME TIME TO NAME A STARTER, SOMETHING THE FRANCHISE HELD OFF DOING AHEAD OF THEIR FIRST ROUND SERIES AGAINST THE DALLAS STARS UNTIL EARLIER TODAY.

DURING HIS PRESS CONFERENCE HEAD COACH JOHN HYNES REVEALED ROOKIE JESPER WALLSTEDT WOULD GET THE NOD OVER VETERAN FILIP GUSTAVSSON FOR GAME ONE TOMORROW NIGHT, BUT ALSO INDICATED THAT IT WAS ONLY FOR GAME ONE AND THAT NOTHING HAD BEEN DECIDED PAST THAT.

SINCE THE MARCH 6TH TRADE DEADLINE, GUSTAVSSON'S SAVE PERCENTAGE IS .875 WHILE WALLSTEDT'S IS .930, BUT THAT WASN'T THE ONLY DECIDING FACTOR.

>> IT'S LOOKING AT BOTH GUYS AND THEN WHERE ARE THEY AT?

WHERE IS THEIR GAME AT RIGHT NOW?

WHAT IS THE OVERALL PICTURE OF THEIR SEASON, HOW HAVE THEY DONE AGAINST TOP TEAMS AND ON THE ROAD AT HOME.

WHAT IS THE PSYCHE OF EACH GOALIE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE JUST MAKING THE DECISION.

>> I'M VERY CONFIDENT, I FEEL LIKE THE LAST COUPLE GAMES HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD.

I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO KEEP DOING MY THING, I WILL HELP THE TEAM AS MUCH AS I CAN.

>> HERE'S A COMPARISON.

HE MADE HIS NHL DEBUT IN 2024.

BUT THAT'S THE ONLY TIME HE FACED THE STARS AND NOW HE WILL MAKE HIS PLAYOFF DEBUT VERSUS THEM.

>>> THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES ALSO BEGIN THEIR POST-SEASON TOMORROW, AND THEY'LL BE ON THE ROAD IN DENVER TO FACE THE NUGGETS IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS, A REMATCH OF THE 2024 WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS.

THE WOLVES LOST 3 OUT OF 4 DURING THE REGULAR SEASON TO THE NUGGETS BUT WON THEIR MOST RECENT MATCH-UP IN EARLY MARCH.

REGARDLESS OF HEAD-TO-HEAD, THE T-WOLVES WON 3 OF THEIR LAST 4 DOWN THE STRETCH, GIVING EVERYONE ON THE TEAM CONFIDENCE HEADING INTO GAME ONE.

>> ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I FEEL REALLY READY TO PLAY.

WE KNOW OUR OPPONENT WELL, THEY KNOW US WELL.

WE HAD A LOT OF WILD GAMES HERE AND WITH THEM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SO YOU KNOW, WE EXPECT A REALLY LONG HARD SERIES.

I FEEL LIKE WE'RE READY RIGHT NOW.

>> STILL KIND OF THE SAME.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT PLAYERS BUT THEY PLAY THE SAME WAY.

THEY HAVE SHOOTERS, PEOPLE THAT CUT WELL.

SO IT'S THE SAME THING, JUST DIFFERENT BODIES ON THE COURT.

>> Charlie: MINNESOTA AND DENVER HAVE PLAYED FOUR TIMES IN THE PLAYOFFS AND THE TIMBERWOLVES HAVE THE 2-1 LEAD THERE, MOST RECENTLY THE WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIS THAT WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

THEY HAD THE COMEBACK IN GAME 7 TO INK OUT THAT SERIES.

>>> NOW INDICATE WILL COMMIT TO PLAY BASKETBALL IN THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE.

SHE EXCELS ON THE HARDWOOD, SCORING OVER 3,000 CAREER POINTS, WITH 1,000 CAREER REBOUNDS AND STEALS, MAKING HER 1 OF 3 GIRLS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO HAVE A TRIPLE QUADRUPLE.

SHE IS THE ONLY GIRL TO RECORD OVER 1,000 AND THIS SEASON, THE SENIOR CAPTAIN HELPED LEAD NORTHOME-KELLIHER TO THEIR SECTION TITLE AND STATE TOURNAMENT.

>>> AND BAXTER'S ERIC SIGNED AN ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT WITH THE SAN JOSE SHARKS.

HE WAS DRAFTED BY SAN JOSE SAY.

HE LED THE GROUP IN GOALS AND ASSISTS THIS YEAR.

HE WAS A HOBEY BAKER FINALIST AS WELL AND WON THE NATIONAL TITLE.

>>> A COUPLE MORE THINGS REAL QUICK, WE GOT THE NSIC CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEMIDJI STATE SECOND PLACE AS A TEAM.

ON THE INDIVIDUAL'S SIDE, TWO BEMIDJI STATE FOLKS IN THE TOP FIVE.

THEN BASEBALL, NEVIS BEATS CLEARBROOK-GONVICK.

IN LACROSSE, BRAINERD GETS THE WIN.

THEN THE REDS TOP THE TWINS 2-1 AFTER A GREAT PERFORMANCE FOR A LOCAL MINNESOTAN.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS, BRAINERD LIBRARY HAS DONE A YEARLY BOOK SALE.

FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS, THEY HAVE BEEN AT THE WESTGATE MALL, BUT AFTER THIS YEAR, THEY WILL NEED TO FIND A NEW DESTINATION FOR THE PUBLIC EVENT.

>> Reporter: FRIENDS OF THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTED ITS SPRING BOOK SALE.

ALL OF THE BOOK SALE'S EARNINGS GOES TO PROVIDING THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH BOOKS, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES.

WITH ADULT BOOKS ONLY $.50, AND KIDS BOOKS HALF OF THAT, FRIENDS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY ARE LOOKING TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH GREAT LITERATURE AT A GREAT PRICE.

>> WE HAVE A WHOLE SECTION OF MINNESOTA BOOKS, SO BOOKS WRITTEN BY MINNESOTA AUTHORS OR ANYTHING ABOUT MINNESOTA.

HISTORY, WAR, POLITICS, D.V.D.s, WE GET BOOKS THAT PEOPLE DONATE BUT THE BOOK SALE IS FOR EVERYBODY.

THE PRICES ARE CHEAPEST IN THE AREA.

WE JUST WANT TO GET THE BOOKS OUT TO THE PEOPLE THAT WANT THEM.

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF BOOKS, GAMES, AND MORE ARE UP FOR GRABS AT THE FRIENDS OF THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK SALE HERE AT THE WESTGATE MALL.

AFTER THIS WEEKEND, THEY WILL TURN THE PAGE AND LOOK FOR A NEW HOME TO HELP SUPPORT LITERACY GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A SITE THAT WE COULD SET UP FOR A BOOK SALE LIKE THE WESTGATE MALL FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT REALISTICALLY, IF WE COULD HAVE A SPACE THAT WE COULD ACCEPT DONATIONS AND THEN BOX THEM UP AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE OUR TWO ANNUAL SALES A YEAR.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE BOOK SALE LOOKS FOR A PERMANENT HOME, FRIENDS OF THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT KIDS HAVE A HOME FOR REAL PHYSICAL BOOKS TO EXPLORE AND DISCOVER THE BEAUTIFUL WORLD OF READING.

>> YOU GET THE BOOKS INTO THE HANDS OF LITTLE KIDS AND GET THEM INTERESTED IN READING.

YES, YOU CAN READ ON A TABLET, BUT WHERE YOU CAN HANG ON TO HEM AND LOOK AT THE BOOK AND CHEW ON THEM A LITTLE IF IT'S A BOARD BOOK, BUT GET ENGAGED IN THE STORY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: LET'S GET ANOTHER CHECK OF OUR WEATHER WITH SYDNEY.

>> Sydney: WE WILL BE SEEING SOME WINDS, 10 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTS UP TO 30, AND IT WILL DROP DOWN TO 22 DEGREES.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THAT IS IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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