>> 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.

>>> A FORMER NURSE AT THE BELTRAMI COUNTY JAIL WHO IS CHARGED WITH THREE FELONIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF AN INMATE THERE MADE HER FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT LAST FRIDAY.

37-YEAR-OLD MICHELLE SKROCH WHO WORKED FOR THE FORMER PROVIDER OF HEALTHCARE FOR THE BELTRAMI COUNTY JAIL HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF SECOND DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER AND TWO COUNTS OF CRIMINAL NEGLECT—FELONY DEPRIVATION FOR THE DEATH OF HARDEL SHERRELL.

BELTRAMI COUNTY DISTRICT COURT JUDGE JOHN MELBYE SET BAIL $200,000 WITHOUT CONDITION OR NOTHING WITH RESTRICTIONS THAT INCLUDE NOT CONTACTING WITNESSES OR THE VICTIM'S FAMILY AND REMAINING IN MINNESOTA WITHOUT COURT APPROVAL.

SKROCH'S NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS SET FOR MAY 17TH.

ACCORDING TO COURT RECORDS SKROCH IS ACCUSED OF FAILING TO PERFORM THE MOST BASIC NURSING CARE AND DID NOT TAKE SHERRELL'S VITALS FOR TWO DAYS, DESPITE OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE OF SHERRELL'S MEDICAL DISTRESS AFTER HE RETURNED FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

AS OUTLINED IN THE COMPLAINT, A CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE EXPERT'S REVIEW CONCLUDED THAT SKROCH'S ACTIONS DEMONSTRATED A TREMENDOUS BREACH IN THE STANDARD OF CARE AND CALLED IT WHOLLY INADEQUATE, DONE FROM A DISTANCE AND PROFESSIONALLY BENEATH THE STANDARD OF CARE.

AN AUTOPSY SHOWED SHERRELL DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS OF PROGRESSIVE NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER CONSISTENT WITH GUILLAIN-BAREE SYNDROME.

THE CORRECTIONAL HEALTH EXPERT SAID GUILLAIN-BAREE SYNDROME IS SERIOUS BUT TREATABLE AND THAT THE SURVIVAL RATE FROM THE DISEASE IS EXTREMELY HIGH WITH APPROPRIATE TREATMENT.

SKROCH WORKED FOR MEND CORRECTIONAL CARE, WHICH FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY FOLLOWING SHERRELL'S DEATH AND NO LONGER PROVIDES HEALTH CARE FOR INMATES.

SKROCH'S NURSING LICENSE WAS REVOKED IN 2023.

>>> IN A MEETING IN BACKUS EARLIER TODAY, THE CASS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED AGAINST BRINGING AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT HOWARD LAKE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON WHAT FUTURE BUILDING PLANS CAN MEAN TO THE LAKE AND HOW RESIDENTS FEEL ABOUT THE NO-VOTE ON THE E.I.S.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, CASS COUNTY RESIDENTS CALLED FOR AN E.I.S., AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT HOW BUILDING AN R.V.

PARK ON HOWARD LAKE COULD AFFECT LIVING ON THE LAKE.

AT THE END OF THE MEETING, THE COMMISSION HELD ONE OVERALL VOTE, WITH A VOTE NAY MEANING THEY WANTED TO GET AN E.I.S.

AND THE VOTE YEA MEANING NO E.I.S.

WAS NECESSARY.

SO THE COMMISSION FOUND THE E.I.S.

UNNECESSARY AND IT WILL NOT GO THROUGH AND THAT THE NEXT STEPS IN PLANNING AND BUILDING THE 44-UNIT PARK WILL COMMENCE.

>> THIS IS A FUNCTION OF THE E.I.S., NOT TO MAKE THE DECISION, BUT HELP MAKE A BETTER INFORMED DECISION.

THEIR ORDINANCES, EVEN THOUGH THEY COMPLY WITH STATE LAW AND THEY ARE WELL FOUNDED, ARE NOT PROTECTIVE OF THE WATER THAT THESE SHORE LANDS ACTUALLY PROTECT.

>> Reporter: BUT THOSE BUILDING THE PARK SAY THE OPPOSITE.

>> THIS CONCLUSION THAT NO IMPACTS WOULD OCCUR TIES BACK TO THE WETLAND CONSERVATION ACT OF MINNESOTA, WHICH HAS AVOIDANCE MINIMIZED AND MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IMPACTS BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE PROPERTY, WHAT YOU WOULD BE ASKING FOR.

THERE IS NO LEGAL MEANS BY WHICH HE COULD GET APPROVED.

>> Reporter: MANY RESIDENTS HAVE LIVED ON THE LAKE FOR DECADES.

>> IT'S A WONDERFUL PROPERTY, IT'S A WONDERFUL LAKE.

WE HOPE TO LEAVE IT FOR OUR KIDS SO WE'RE CONCERNED DEEPLY ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THIS PROJECT ON THIS ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LAKE.

>> Reporter: THE LAND USE ORDINANCES ARE ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO PROTECT THE LAKE FROM NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS BUT MANY RESIDENTS WERE LESS THAN THRILLED WITH THE DECISION.

>> OF COURSE I'M DISAPPOINTED TO THINK THAT THEY THINK THAT, BUT I THINK IT MIGHT BE COMING YOUR WAY.

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

>> THE NEXT STEP IN THE NEW PARK'S PLANNING WILL BE WORKING ON THE C.U.P.

AND OTHER PERMITTING AND LAND USE ORDINANCES.

>>> A LITTLE FALLS MAN WAS INJURED IN AN A.T.V.

CRASH NEAR SWANVILLE THIS PAST WEEKEND.

THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS 35-YEAR-OLD BRANDON JANEY WAS DRIVING A SIDE-BY-SIDE ON BADGER CREEK ROAD WHEN HE FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND DROVE OFF THE ROADWAY.

THE CRASH HAPPENED JUST BEFORE 10:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY.

JANEY WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST. GABRIEL'S HOSPITAL WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES.

>>> THE GIGAZONE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIP AND TECH EXPO WAS HELD AT THE SANFORD CENTER THIS LAST SATURDAY IN BEMIDJI FEATURING A NUMBER OF GAMING TOURNAMENTS, MANY DEMONSTRATIONS OF ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY, AS WELL AS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY AND NORTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF A BRAND NEW SPORTS PROGRAM COMING TO BOTH UNIVERSITIES.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WAS THERE FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT, AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE SPORTS INDUSTRY STARTED WITH LOCAL TOURNAMENTS FEATURING PACMAN OR MORTAL COMBAT IN THE 1980s.

NOW IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PAUL ONIAN COMMUNICATIONS, THEY ARE BRINGING A NEW E SPORTS PROGRAM TO BOTH UNIVERSITIES.

>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN THE LAST YEAR TO DEVELOP A PARTNERSHIP THAT WAS CENTERED AROUND THE WAY THEY WANTED TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

TECHNOLOGY, ART, AND DESIGN HAS BEEN THROWING THIS AROUND FOR A WHILE.

DR. SHANNON NORMAN WHO WORKS IN OUR P.E.

AND HEALTH AREA BROUGHT THIS UP.

WE HAD THIS IDEA AND WE FINALLY GOT TOGETHER IN A ROOM AND MADE IT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO ROLLING STONES MAGAZINE, 3.3 BILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD PLAY VIDEO GAMES ON A REGULAR BASIS.

THEY FEEL THIS WILL BOOST ENROLLMENT NUMBERS AND GIVE STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE.

>> IT BRINGS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A DIVERSE GROUP OF STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ESPORTS.

I THINK THAT BRING TOGETHER STUDENTS THAT MAY NOT NORMALLY ENGAGE WITH EACH OTHER ON CAMPUS, WE CAN GET BEHIND GAMES FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ATHLETES, NON-ATHLETES, SO IT WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO GATHER AND COMPETE.

IT WILL TRACK THE NEW DEMOGRAPHICS OF STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE A NEW SPACE TO PLAY VIDEO GAMES THANKS TO THE ESPORTS PROGRAM, AS THEY WILL CONVERT PART OF THE HALL INTO THE ESPORTS LOUNGE.

>> WE WENT AROUND AND LOOKED AT THE HOME OF THE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, ART, AND DESIGN AND SAID LET'S BUILD THAT SPACE OUT AND TRY TO CREATE ALMOST LIKE A COMMUNITY LEAGUE, ALMOST LIKE AN INTRAMURAL LEAGUE, A J.V.

TEAM AND A COMPETITIVE TEAM THAT WILL PLAY OTHER UNIVERSITIES.

>> Reporter: WHEN PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS WERE APPROACHED TO BE A PARTNER, THEY JUMPED AT THE CHANCE.

>> WE WANT TO PROVIDE NOT ONLY THE BEST BROADBAND SERVICES AVAILABLE BUT ALSO PROVIDING A BENEFIT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THAT IT FITS WITHIN OUR SCOPE AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> Reporter: WITH THE WIDE VARIETY OF GAMES INVOLVED, ESPORTS HAS REDEFINED ACCESSIBILITY IN SPORTS IN MANY WAYS.

THEY BELIEVE THIS PROGRAM WILL GROW FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> WE CAN PLAY AS MANY GAMES AND HAVE AS MANY FOLKS ON A ROSTER, AND THAT ALLOWS US TO SAY YOU BELONG.

IT'S ABOUT BELONGING.

THAT'S THE COOLEST OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE AND IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT YOU GET TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT HAS BASICALLY NO CEILING.

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

>> THE E-SPORTS PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO BE IMPLEMENTED INTO BOTH UNIVERSITIES BY 2026.

TOURS OF THE NEW E-SPORTS LOUNGE ARE SET FOR FALL OF 2025.

>>> RED LAKE NATION IS ONE OF THE ONLY TRIBES IN THE USA THAT MAINTAINS HEREDITARY CHIEFS ON THE TRIBAL COUNCIL.

AND LAST WEEK THE TRIBAL COUNCIL APPROVED A NEW HEREDITARY CHIEF.

CHIEF MIKE LOUD WAS NEXT IN LINE FOR THIS CHIEF SEAT AFTER THE TRIBE LOST CHIEF JIM LOUD WHO DIED IN LATE 2024.

HE BECOMES THE NEW CHIEF OF THE DESCENDENT OF CHIEF CROOKED ARM.

ACCORDING TO A POST ON THE RED LAKE NATION TRIBAL COLLEGE FACEBOOK PAGE.

CHIEF MIKE LOUD SPENT HIS FIRST 20-PLUS YEARS YEARS LIVING IN RED LAKE.

THEN HE MOVED TO MINNEAPOLIS AND WORKED AS A COUNSELOR, COMMUNITY LEADER AND ACTIVIST FOR OVER 40-PLUS YEARS.

THE FACEBOOK POST DESCRIBES HIM AS A POSITIVE, FAMILY-ORIENTED PERSON WITH STRONG PRIDE, KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF HIS TRIBAL CULTURE AND HISTORY.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE ALL THESE CLOUDS CLEAR OUT BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON, LEAVING US WITH SUNSHINE AND WARMING TEMPERATURES THROUGH MIDWEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, A CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE STUDENT IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN GETTING THEIR FELLOW CLASSMATES REGISTERED TO >> 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.

>>> VOTERS ARE GETTING READY FOR TOMORROW'S PRIMARY ELECTION FOR THE DISTRICT 6 SENATE SEAT AND AT CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE ONE STUDENT IN PARTICULAR IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR HELPING HER PEERS GET READY TO VOTE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HAS PLACED AN EMPHASIS ON MAKING SURE THEIR STUDENT BODY IS PROPERLY INFORMED AND READY TO VOTE.

>> IT'S PART OF OUR MISSION FOR STUDENTS TO BE CIVICALLY ENGAGED.

IT'S MORE SO OUR STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: ONE STUDENT IN PARTICULAR HAS HELPED HER FELLOW CLASSMATES GET REGISTERED TO VOTE MORE THAN ANY OTHER.

>> IT WAS CALLED THE VOTING HONOR ROLL.

I THINK THERE WAS QUITE A FEW CAMPUSES AROUND NATIONWIDE, WHERE THEY CHOSE ONE STUDENT TO BE HONORED FOR THIS AWARD FOR THE NON-PARTISAN WORK THEY DID DURING THE 2024 ELECTION.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS ONE OF THE STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR THIS AWARD FOR GETTING HER CLASSMATES READY TO VOTE.

>> I DID A SMALL PRESENTATION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING AND WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE, WHO CAN VOTE, ALL OF THAT.

WE HAD EVENTS HERE AT THE SCHOOL WHERE WE GAVE UP TREATS, WE LET PEOPLE KNOW HEY, ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

WE HAD PREREGISTRATION.

>> Reporter: FOR FAYE, THE HONOR WAS A SURPRISE.

>> I WAS CONFUSED.

I DON'T REMEMBER LIKE APPLYING FOR THIS BUT THEN ERIC, OUR STUDENT LIFE DIRECTOR HERE TOLD ME MORE ABOUT IT AND HOW HE WAS THE ONE THAT APPLIED FOR ME AND TOLD ME ALL ABOUT IT AND GOT ME MORE INFORMATION.

I WAS LIKE THAT'S SUPER COOL.

IT'S A BIG HONOR TO BE CHOSEN FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO ERIC, THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE AT CLC, NO ONE WAS MORE DESERVING.

>> I WOULD RANK HER HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS YEARS.

SHE DID AN AWESOME JOB, ESPECIALLY WITH GETTING INTO CLASSROOMS, GOING TO WHERE STUDENTS ARE AT, AND THAT'S NOT AN EASY THING TO DO.

FOR FAYE TO ENCOURAGE THAT MANY STUDENTS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT, THAT'S IMPORTANT AND COOL.

>> Reporter: I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THIS YEAR'S CLASS OF THE ALL IN STUDENT VOTING HONOR ROLL FEATURED 232 STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 100 STUDENTS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR'S CLASS.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

A LITTLE BIT OF A WINTERY DAY TODAY.

WE HAVE NICER WEATHER HEADED OUR WAY.

>> Stacy: YEAH, IT WAS A SHOCK TO SEE THE SNOWFLAKES EARLIER TODAY.

A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN, MORE AS WE MOVE INTO THE AFTERNOON.

WE STILL HAVE SOME LINGERING PRECIPITATION IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, THAT WILL BE CLEARING OUT.

WE'LL SEE SOME CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND AT LEAST THE START OF TODAY AND TOMORROW, BUT SUNSHINE IS IN STORE AND WE'LL SEE WARMING TEMPERATURES OVER TH >> 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 BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE SEEN SOME RAIN AND SOME SNOW TODAY AND WE HAVE LINGERING PRECIPITATION IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, BUT FOR OUR VIEWING AREA, THAT WILL CLEAR OUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.

WE'LL HAVE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND WE START OUT WITH VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, EXPECT TO SEE MORE SUNSHINE IN STORE ON WEDNESDAY AND WE WILL SEE WARMING TEMPERATURES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS WELL.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 36.

WINDS ARE AT THE WEST AT 10 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A DEW POINT OF 31 AND HUMIDITY AT 82%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 39 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 31.

WINDS ARE NORTHWEST AT 16 MILES PER HOUR WITH GUSTS UP TO 33.

NOW AS WE LOOK AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE CAN SEE WHERE WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING SOME OF THAT RAIN AND SNOW.

IT WILL BE MAINLY FOCUSED INTO THE ARROWHEAD REGION.

AS FAR AS CLOUD COVER, WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES FOR THE OVERNIGHT AND WE START OUT WITH VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW, BUT BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON, EXPECT TO SEE MORE SUNSHINE AND WE WILL START TO SEE SOME WARMING TEMPERATURES AND HIGHS SHOULD BE BACK AT LEAST IN THE 50s, MAYBE SOME LOW 60s AS WE HEAD INTO WEDNESDAY.

A COUPLE OF WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE MORNING SCENE IN MENAHGA.

A LOT OF CLOUDS OUT THERE IN CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING RAIN AND THUNDER OVERNIGHT.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND WINDY, TOPPING OUT AT 43.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY WITH SOME SNOW THIS MORNING, OTHERWISE RAIN THIS EVENING, WINDY CONDITIONS AND HIGHS NEAR 42.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 43 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BRAINERD, SO WE ARE MORE THAN 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, 37 WAS OUR LOW.

BEMIDJI TODAY, WE TOPPED OUT AT 40 DEGREES, MORE THAN 10 BELOW THE AVERAGE WITH A LOW TEMPERATURE OF 32.

HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING TOMORROW.

WE START WITH THE MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE IN THE AREA.

THAT WILL CONTINUE AT LEAST THROUGH THE MORNING, MAYBE INTO THE START OF THE AFTERNOON, BUT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, ALL THE CLOUDS CLEAR OUT AND WE'LL SEE SUNSHINE, CLEAR SKIES AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW NIGHT, AND IT LOOKS LIKE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ON WEDNESDAY, HIGHS TOMORROW WILL BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, UPPER 40s TO 50s.

NOW TONIGHT, BREEZY NORTHWEST WINDS AND SKIES BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

47 FOR THE HIGH, NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 20.

STILL PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY ON WEDNESDAY, WITH HIGHS NEAR 58, A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON THURSDAY.

THEN A FEW OF THOSE COULD LINGER INTO FRIDAY BUT BY THE WEEKEND, THINGS LOOK QUIETER AND WARMER, HIGHS NEAR 61 ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

NOW BSU FOOTBALL WRAPPED UP THEIR SPRING BALL.

>> Charlie: YES, THEY WENT DOWN TO CONCORDIA ST. PAUL AND PLAYED THEM IN A SCRIMMAGE.

THEY DIDN'T KEEP SCORE SO WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT TURNED OUT.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL.

WE DID OUR OFFENSIVE OVERLOOK, SO NOW IT'S THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL.

WE HAVE >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS POWERED BY THE GIGAZONE.

THE ALL FIBEROPTIC NETWORK THAT TRANSFORMED HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE BSU FOOTBALL SPRING SEASON HAS COME TO AN END AFTER SATURDAY'S SCRIMMAGE AT CONCORDIA-SAINT PAUL BUT BEFORE THE GAME WE HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL FOR THE SECOND PART OF OUR SPRING SERIES ON THE BEAVERS.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>>> THEY ARE MIGHTY, THEY ARE MEANING, THEY'RE THE GANGRENE.

BEMIDJI FOOTBALL HAS EARNED THAT MONIKER IN 1996.

DURING THEIR 2024 CAMPAIGN, THEY RANKED 9th IN THE NATION FOR TOTAL DEFENSE.

AND JOE FORD HAS THEM PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF.

>> WE BROUGHT IT ALMOST EVERY DAY.

THERE ARE HIGHS AND LOWS IN SPRING BALL BUT OVERALL, IT'S BEEN A GOOD ATTITUDE, LEARNING, AND GROWING AND I'M EXCITED.

EACH SEASON HAS THEIR OWN STORY BUT I DO KNOW THAT THEY'RE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS, THEY'RE PREPARING THE RIGHT WAY, THEY'RE CARRYING THEMSELVES THE RIGHT WAY AND IF WE CAN DO THAT, WE CAN CHIP AWAY AT IT, WE WILL WIND UP IN A GOOD SPOT.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUESTIONS WAS THE DEFENSIVE LINE.

THE BEAVERS GRADUATED FOUR STARTING SENIORS AND SAW MARCUS HANSON, THE NSIC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND THE 2024 ALL AMERICAN GRADUATE.

BUT THEY HAD PLENTY OF TALENT GETTING MEANINGFUL REPS TO FILL THE VOID.

>> HAVING THAT EXPERIENCE WITH COLORADO AND THE MANKATO GAME.

THAT IS A HUGE GAME.

THAT WAS THE MOST WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, ESPECIALLY BEING SO YOUNG.

NOW IT'S JUST FUN.

YOU GET TO GO OUT WITH THE GUYS AND HAVE FUN.

>> Reporter: AMONG THE LINEBACKERS, THEY LOST COLTON WHO LED THE TEAM IN TACKLES BUT RETAINED JACOB, WHO FINISHED THIRD IN THAT REGARD.

ALSO RETURNING IS SENIOR WHO PLAYS NICKEL A DEFENSIVE BACK HYBRID POSITION.

LAST YEAR HE LEAD THEM IN PAST BREAK UPS AND NOW HE'S LOOKING TO LEAD IN OTHER WAYS.

>> I'M STEPPING INTO A BIGGER ROLE AND MAKING MY TEAM BETTER.

JUST OVERALL, DOING THE RIGHT THING ALL THE TIME, PLAYING DEFENSE, YOU KNOW, BEING THE RIGHT COVERAGE, JUST KNOWING WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, AND KEEPING A GOOD MINDSET.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR'S BIGGEST QUESTION MARK WAS THE SECONDARY.

BEMIDJI STATE RANKED 17th IN THE NATION.

THEY RETURNED TWO SOLID VETERANS TO THE GROUP, JOHNSON WHO LED THE TEAM IN INTERCEPTIONS AND KAIDEN WHO FINISHED FOURTH IN TACKLES AND SECOND IN PAST BREAK UPS.

>> OUR GUYS HAD BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE LEAD.

YOU CAN SEE THE GROWTH FROM GAME ONE TO GAME NINE.

JUST FROM FOUR WEEKS AGO UNTIL NOW, THERE IS SO MUCH GROWTH THAT HAPPENS.

WE'RE DOGS SO WE BREAK DOWN D-DOGS OR SPR GANGRENE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF LEADERS THAT MESH WELL TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER.

>> Charlie: WHILE THE SPRING SEASON IS OVER, BSU FOOTBALL IS STILL TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO PLAY FOOTBALL.

THEY ARE HOLDING A YOUTH CAMP ON THE 26th AT CHET ANDERSON.

IT WILL BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE YOUNG KIDS TO PLAY FOOTBALL AS WELL.

>>> ALSO OVER THE WEEKEND, TWO WARROAD LOCALS BECAME NATIONAL CHAMPIONS IN COLLEGE HOCKEY.

BROTHERS GRANT AND HAMPTON SLUKYNSKY HELPED WESTERN MICHIGAN TO A 6-2 VICTORY OVER BOSTON UNIVERSITY IN SATURDAY'S NATIONAL TITLE GAME, GIVING THE BRONCOS THEIR FIRST EVER NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

AFTER THE GAME, HAMPTON, A.K.A.

HAMMER, SPOKE ABOUT THEIR UNEXPECTED JOURNEY TO THE TOP OF THE COLLEGE HOCKEY WORLD.

>> IT'S BEEN CRAZY LAST YEAR, FOR SURE.

THIS YEAR, ALL THREE COACHES, WE WERE ABLE TO OPEN UP OUR RECRUITMENT AND WE WERE OPEN TO GOING ANYWHERE AND FINDING A SPOT FOR BOTH OF US.

THE BEST SPOT WAS AT THE SAME SPOT.

I KNEW WE WERE GOING TO COME HERE AND MAKING THE TOURNEY, WE WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN.

IT WAS SPECIAL, WE'RE FORTUNATE TO BE PART OF THE TEAM.

>> Charlie: IF YOU'RE WONDERING HOW THEY CONTRIBUTED, GRANT HAD THE O.T.

GOAL AGAINST MINNESOTA STATE TO LIFT THEM ON WHERE THEY BEAT UMass.

HAMPTON ALLOWED SICK -- 6 GOALS.

AND THEN ALSO OVER THE WEEKEND, IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL, BEMIDJI WENT DOWN TO ST.

CLOUD STATE AND THEY SWEPT EVERYBODY.

THEN SOME OUTSTANDING STATS FOR THE LUMBERJACKS, ELIJAH WITH 27, GOOD JOB.

AND NOT SO GREAT JOB FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS WHO LOST -- ACTUALLY JUST ONE IN A ROW BUT NOW THEY'RE 5-11.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN PLAYING WELL.

TOUGH FOR THEM.

>> Dennis: TOUGH START.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> BRAINERD'S SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES IS HOSTING EVENTS ALL APRIL LONG IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.

A TIME DEDICATED TO COMING TOGETHER, RAISING AWARENESS, SHARING INFORMATION, AND MORE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER STOPPED BY THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: FROM.

>> SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS DATE, TO A FUNDRAISER AT THE COCO MOON COFFEE BAR AND BAXTER PIZZA RANCH, THEY'RE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

>> IT'S ALL ABOUT LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE HAVE THE 30th, WHICH IS DENIM DAY.

THERE WAS A FEMALE THAT WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND THE JUDGE SAID THAT THERE IS NO WAY SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING TIGHT JEANS.

DENIM DAY REPRESENTS IT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE WEARING.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE RAPE, ASSAULT, AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK, 1 OUT OF EVERY 6 WOMEN AND 1 OUT OF 33 MEN FALL VICTIM TO ATTEMPTED RAPE AND THAT'S JUST WHAT GETS REPORTED.

>> WE KNOW STATISTICALLY LESS THAN 20% OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS ARE EVER REPORTED.

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, EVEN LESS.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ASSUME THAT SEXUAL ASSAULT IS BY STRANGERS AND THEY'RE NOT.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> REALIZING HOW BIG SEXUAL ASSAULT IS TO HOW BIG IT'S TALKED ABOUT WAS WITH MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, JUST NAVIGATING THAT ALONE AND NOT HAVING THE GUIDANCE I COULD HAVE HAD.

THAT PUSHED ME TO WANT TO HELP OTHERS AND BE THERE AND SUPPORT THEM THROUGH THEIR JOURNEYS.

WE WANT OTHERS TO RELY ON.

WE CAN'T RELY ON OUR OWN BATTLES OURSELVES.

>> Reporter: IT'S A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT CREATES PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PAIN, LIMIT PEOPLE'S LIVES, IMPACT SOCIETY AND COMMUNITIES, ALL THE MORE REASON THAT BRAINERD SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES EXISTS, BRINGING EMPOWERMENT AND HOPE TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM SEXUAL ABUSE OR EXPLOITATION.

>> GIVING SOMEONE THEIR VOICE BACK IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN THEIR HEALING JOURNEY TO KNOW THEY HAVE A VOICE AND THERE IS SOMEONE TO LISTEN AND WALK BESIDE THEM.

>> Reporter: FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES WILL BE HOSTING PINTS FOR A PURPOSE AT THE JACK PINE BREWERY THIS WEEK.

IN ATTENDANCE FOR CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE'S WE-ARE HEALTH FAIR ON APRIL 23RD AND AT SHEP'S ON SIXTH FOR AN ALL-DAY FUNDRAISER ON THE 24TH.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE GO BACK OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER OVERNIGHT.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOWS NEAR 28, BREEZY NORTHWEST WINDS AT 10 TO 25.

TOMORROW, SKIES WILL BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, 47 FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE WITH NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

WE'LL SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES ON WEDNESDAY BUT BY THURSDAY, WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND, DRY WEATHER SHOULD RETURN.

>> Charlie: WELL, THE MINNESOTA LYNX TRADED THEIR FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK.

>> Dennis: THAT IS EXPECTED.

THANKS FOR WATCHING EVERYBODY.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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