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LEARN MORE AT 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.

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

I'M SYDNEY DICK IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> TOMORROW IS MINNESOTA'S 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION, WHERE VOTERS WILL NARROW DOWN WHICH CANDIDATES ARE ON THE BALLOT IN THIS NOVEMBER'S GENERAL ELECTION.

RACES FOR GOVERNOR AND U.S.

SENATE HAVE RECEIVED ATTENTION FROM AROUND THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.

WITH GOVERNOR TIM WALZ NOT SEEKING A THIRD TERM IN OFFICE, MULTIPLE CANDIDATES FILED TO RUN FOR THE POSITION.

U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR IS CONSIDERED THE FRONTRUNNER ON THE D.F.L.

SIDE AND IS FACING OFF AGAINST FIVE OTHER CANDIDATES.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE BALLOT, BUSINESSMAN KENDALL QUALLS HAS THE STATE G.O.P.

ENDORSEMENT, BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ENDORSED MYPILLOW FOUNDER MIKE LINDELL.

AMONG THE OTHER CANDIDATES IS LISA DAYMUTH, THE CURRENT MINNESOTA HOUSE SPEAKER.

AND WITH CURRENT U.S.

SENATOR TINA SMITH RETIRING AT THE END OF THE YEAR, MULTIPLE CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING FOR HER SEAT.

AMONG THOSE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE ARE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN AND CONGRESSWOMAN ANGIE CRAIG.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE ARE SEVEN CANDIDATES.

ADAM SCHWARZEE, WHO HAS THE STATE PARTY ENDORSEMENT, FORMER SPORTS BROADCASTER MICHELE TAFOYA, AND ROYCE WHITE, WHO RAN FOR THE SENATE IN 2024, ARE RECEIVING THE MOST ATTENTION THERE.

IN THE PRIMARIES FOR STATE OFFICES, REPUBLICANS NATE GEORGE AND SCOTT JENSEN ARE RUNNING FOR AUDITOR.

JENSEN UNSUCCESSFULLY RAN FOR GOVERNOR IN 2022.

REPUBLICANS TAD JUDE AND WENDY PHILLIPS ARE RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, AND ON THE D.F.L.

SIDE, INCUMBENT ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON IS IN A CONTEST WITH MINNEAPOLIS LAWYER DAVID MADGETT.

IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR THE 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, BOTH STEVE CARLSON AND ERIK OSBERG ARE LOOKING TO FACE REPUBLICAN MICHELLE FISCHBACH THIS FALL.

AND FOR THE 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, TRINA SWANSON, LUKE GULBRANSON, AND JOHN MUNTER ARE LOOKING FOR A SPOT ON THE BALLOT AGAINST INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN PETE STAUBER THIS FALL.

STAUBER HIMSELF HAS A PRIMARY OPPONENT IN ANTHONY HAMILITON.

IN G.O.P.

PRIMARIES FOR STATE SENATE, INCUMBENT PAUL UTKEY IS RUNNING AGAINST CURRENT STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WIENER IN DISTRICT FIVE.

WHILE IN DISTRICT 10, INCUMBENT NATHAN WESENBERG IS UP AGAINST DEB HOLTHAUS.

IN REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES FOR STATE HOUSE, CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE JOSH HEINTZEMAN FACES MATTHEW ERIC ZINDA IN DISTRICT 6-B, AND BRIAN LINDQUIST AND MARK STRIEMER ARE RUNNING IN DISTRICT 10-A AFTER RON KREESHUH DECIDED NOT TO RUN AGAIN THIS YEAR.

AND HERE ARE A FEW OF THE CITY AND COUNTY PRIMARY RACES.

FOR BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE, INCUMBENT AUDREY THAYER IS RUNNING ALONGSIDE GRACE WILDER AND FORMER CITY COUNCILOR RON JOHNSON.

THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES WILL MOVE ON TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

FOR CROW WING COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT FOUR, THE CANDIDATES ARE INCUMBENT ROSEMARY FRANZEN, DAWN ESPE, AND TROY SCHEFFLER.

AND RUNNING FOR CLEARWATER COUNTY SHERIFF ARE BAGLEY POLICE CHIEF ADAM GUNDERSON, LARRY JOHNSON, DEPUTY CLARENCE LACROIX, AND CHIEF DEPUTY VERN WITTENBERG.

CURRENT SHERIFF DARIN HALVERSON IS RETIRING.

POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7 A.M.

UNTIL 8 P.M.

ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH.

TO FIND YOUR LOCAL POLLING PLACE AND SEE WHAT'S ON YOUR BALLOT, YOU CAN VISIT THE WEBSITE ON THE SCREEN.

>>> AND AHEAD OF TOMORROW'S PRIMARY, THE OFFICE OF MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON HAS ANNOUNCED THAT MINNESOTA BROKE A RECORD FOR HIGHEST NUMBER OF ABSENTEE AND MAIL BALLOTS CAST BEFORE A PRIMARY IN A NON-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR.

AS OF 9 A.M.

TODAY, LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS HAVE ACCEPTED MORE THAN 206,000 ABSENTEE AND MAIL BALLOTS FOR THE AUGUST 11 PRIMARY.

OVER 99,000 OF THEM WERE RETURNED BY MAIL AND ABOUT 107,000 WERE CAST IN PERSON.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SAYS ABOUT 2,013 BALLOTS HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED.

MINNESOTANS WITH ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO RETURN THEM IN PERSON AT THEIR LOCAL ELECTION OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, OR THEY CAN INSTEAD VOTE IN PERSON AT THE LOCAL POLLING PLACE.

ABSENTEE AND MAIL BALLOTS MUST BE RETURNED BY 5:00 P.M.

TOMORROW TO BE COUNTED.

>>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT HAS RETAINED AN ATTORNEY TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT'S BULLYING POLICIES AND PRACTICES.

THE MOVE COMES AFTER RECENT DISCUSSION OF THOSE POLICIES AFTER THE SUICIDES OF TWO FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS THIS SUMMER.

JAMES K. MARTIN OF MARTIN LAW FIRM WILL CONDUCT THE THIRD-PARTY REVIEW.

MARTIN HAS PRACTICED SCHOOL AND PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYMENT LAW SINCE 1989 AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR FOR SAINT LOUIS PARK SCHOOLS AND BLOOMINGTON SCHOOLS.

A PRESS RELEASE SAYS THE REVIEW WILL FOCUS ON IDENTIFYING ANY GAPS IN HOW THE DISTRICT HANDLES BULLYING, WITH EFFORTS CENTERED ON FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL.

IT WILL EXAMINE HOW DISTRICT STAFF UNDERSTAND AND APPLY BULLYING PRACTICES, WHAT TRAINING THEY'VE RECEIVED, AND HOW COMPLAINTS OF BULLYING ARE RECEIVED, DOCUMENTED, AND ACTED UPON.

MARTIN WILL ALSO REACH OUT DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE REPORTED BULLYING CONCERNS TO THE DISTRICT.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH THE INVESTIGATOR CAN CONTACT THE OFFICE OF FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SHEILA ELLER AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.

THE REVIEW IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY OCTOBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR.

IF YOU ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE OR NEED MENTAL SUPPORT, YOU CAN CALL OR TEXT THE SUICIDE CRISIS LIFELINE AT 9-8-8.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HAS A NEW DISPLAY OUTSIDE THEIR BRAINERD CAMPUS ON THE SOUTH ENTRANCE.

RECENTLY THE COLLEGE REVEALED A SCULPTURE CALLED METAMORPHOSIS, DESIGNED BY ARTIST JAMES LUNDBERG AND HIS WIFE REBEKAH GLASSMAN.

JAMES AND REBEKAH, WHO RESIDE IN SAINT CLOUD, HAVE BEEN DESIGNING AND CREATING PIECES FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS.

THE PAIR EVEN HAVE DISPLAYS AT THE U.S.

BANK STADIUM IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THE ACORN PIECE IS SUPPOSED TO SYMBOLIZE GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION, AND REMIND EVERYONE THAT SMALL BEGINNINGS CAN LEAD TO BIGGER THINGS, SOMETHING THOSE AT CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE WANT BOTH THEIR STAFF AND STUDENTS TO REPRESENT.

>> THE MESSAGE OF THE ACORN IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE IT REMINDS THEM THAT EVERY ACHIEVEMENT BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP.

WHAT MAY SEEM LIKE A SMALL BEGINNING TODAY CAN BECOME A LIFE-CHANGING SUCCESS TOMORROW.

IT SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT GROWTH TAKES TIME, BUT WITH DEDICATION, RESILIENCE, AND BELIEF IN THEMSELVES, REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATION IS POSSIBLE.

>> LUNDBERG HAS A DEGREE IN PAINTING FROM SAINT CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY AND HIS WORK CAN BE FOUND ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

>>> THE AMERICAN RED CROSS DECLARED A NATIONAL BLOOD CRISIS IN JULY, AS SOME CRITICAL BLOOD TYPES HAVE FALLEN BELOW A ONE-DAY SUPPLY.

THOUSANDS HAVE STEPPED UP IN RECENT WEEKS TO DONATE BLOOD, BUT THE SUPPLY REMAINS UNDER SEVERE PRESSURE.

THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN RED CROSS HISTORY THAT THEY HAVE ISSUED A BLOOD CRISIS, AND THIS SUMMER'S DONOR NUMBERS HAVE BEEN AT A FOUR-YEAR LOW.

OFFICIALS SAID THAT JUST THREE EXTRA DONORS AT EVERY BLOOD DRIVE WOULD HELP STABILIZE THE BLOOD SUPPLY, THAT IS NOT ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH HOSPITAL DEMAND.

AS WE APPROACH THE END OF SUMMER AND BACK-TO-SCHOOL, THE NUMBER OF DONORS IS ON THE DECLINE.

THE RED CROSS SAYS THAT DONORS ARE NEEDED IMMEDIATELY IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES.

RED CROSS OFFICIALS SAY THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY TO COMBAT THE SHORTAGE IS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GIVE BLOOD.

BY USING THE BLOOD DONOR APP.

VISITING RED CROSS BLOOD DOT ORG, OR CALLING 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

THE BEMIDJI SENIOR CENTER WILL BE HOSTING AN AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST, FROM 10:00 A.M.

TO 4:00 P.M.

DONOR APPOINTMENTS CAN BE BOOKED AT ANY OF THE APPLICATIONS LISTED.

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

>> Stacy: WE HAVE SOME CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING COOLER TEMPERATURES LATER THIS WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, THE BARN DINER HERE IN BRAINERD.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> HEADING TOWARD FALL MEANS GOING BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, AND A NEW SCHOOL YEAR CAN BE BOTH EXCITING, AND STRESSFUL FOR SOME STUDENTS.

MANDY GAITHER SPOKE TO A LICENSED THERAPIST ABOUT HOW TO HELP EASE THE ANXIETY OF A NEW YEAR.

>> Reporter: A NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH NEW SUPPLIES, NEW TEACHERS, NEW CLASSMATES, AND A LOT OF UNKNOWNS.

IF YOUR STUDENT IS FEELING SOME ANXIETY, THAT IS NORMAL.

>> THERE IS A SWEET SPOT WHERE WE CAN FEEL SOME AND NOT BE OVERWHELMED AND CONSUMED BY IT.

>> Reporter: JODY SAYS THAT STARTING SOMETHING NEW CAN BE STRESSFUL FOR ANY STUDENT, WHETHER THEY ARE HEADING TO SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME, OR GOING OFF TO COLLEGE.

PARENTS CAN HELP EASE THEIR CHILDREN INTO THE NEW YEAR.

>> ONE THING THAT IS REALLY HELPFUL IS PRACTICING COPING SKILLS BEFORE THE CHILD NEEDS IT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS TO TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO SLOW THEIR BODY DOWN, CLOSING THEIR EYES, COUNTING TO 10, PLANTING THEIR FEET ON THE FLOOR, AND TAKING DEEP BREATHS CAN ALL HELP.

SHE SAYS TO ALSO FOCUS ON BREATHING BY HAVING A CHILD PUT A HAND ON THEIR STOMACH TO FEEL IT GO UP AND DOWN OR FOR A YOUNG CHILD, HAVE THEM LIE ON THE FLOOR WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL ON THEIR ABDOMEN, WATCHING IT RISE AND FALL WITH EACH BREATH.

>> WE WANT THEM TO HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS IN THEIR TOOLKIT SO WHEN THEY FEEL OVERWHELMED AT SCHOOL, THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE YOU ALREADY PRACTICED.

>> Reporter: PERHAPS IT IS BEST WAY TO TEACH CHILDREN THESE SKILLS IS TO LET THEM SEE HOW YOU DEAL WITH ANXIETY WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING STRESSFUL COME UP, TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT.

>> EXPLAIN WHAT YOU ARE FEELING AND WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO WITH THAT FEELING TO PREPARE.

THAT'S HOW THEY LEARN.

>> Reporter: I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> AND THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON CAN BE STRESSFUL FOR PARENTS AS WELL, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PURCHASING THE NECESSARY SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR STUDENT SUCCESS AT ALL AGES.

THE UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI AREA RUNS AN ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE IN AN EFFORT TO TRY AND RELIEVE SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT KEEP AREA KIDS FROM GETTING ALL OF THE REQUESTED SCHOOL SUPPLIES EVERY YEAR.

FAMILIES IN NEED OF THAT EXTRA SUPPORT AHEAD OF THE START OF SCHOOL CAN REGISTER TO RECEIVE SUPPLIES FROM THE STUFF A BUS DRIVE BY CALLING COMMUNITY RESOURCE CONNECTIONS.

DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT LEUKEN'S VILLAGE NORTH AND SOUTH, PAUL BUNYAN BROADCASTING, TRUSTAR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, FOUR PINES BOOKSTORE, VISIT BEMIDJI, OR DIRECTLY AT THE UNITED WAY.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES ARE WELCOME FOR STUDENTS FROM GRADES K THROUGH 12.

>> THE UNITED WAY IS COLLECTING THE SUPPLIES AND WE WILL BE PUTTING THE BACKPACKS TOGETHER WITH THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES IN IT AND GETTING TO EACH STUDENT'S ORIENTATION PRIOR TO SCHOOL STARTING.

>> LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE WE HAD OVER 60 KIDS THAT REGISTERED FOR THE PROGRAM THAT RECEIVED A BACKPACK.

IT ALSO HELPS SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS AS TEACHERS ARE LOOKING FOR CERTAIN SUPPLIES AND OTHER WAYS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THOSE THINGS.

WE GET SPECIFIC WITH WHICH KID, WHERE KIDS GO TO SCHOOL, WHAT THE EXACT LIST IS FOR THEIR POD OR THEIR TEACHER.

WE TRY TO BE AS SPECIFIC AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

>> REGISTRATION IS OPEN THROUGH NEXT MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH AND DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH NEXT TUESDAY THE 18th.

>>> THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY IS BACK THIS SUMMER.

THE GRAND PRIZE THIS YEAR IS A FOUR-NIGHT STAY AT CHASE ON THE LAKE IN WALKER AND A $200 RESORT GIFT CARD.

HERE ARE TONIGHTS FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME TONIGHT, OR ANY NIGHT ON LAKELAND NEWS YOU CAN QUALIFY BY CALLING OUR VACATION GIVEAWAY HOTLINE NUMBER BEFORE 5 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.

THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER WE ANNOUNCE FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS EVERY WEEKNIGHT HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE DRAWING.

YOU CAN DO THAT BY SENDING US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ON IT.

THEN WATCH LAKELAND NEWS TO SEE IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN.

THOSE WHO CALL IN AND QUALIFY AFTER THEIR NAMES APPEAR GO IN TO THE POOL OF QUALIFIERS FOR THE GRAND DRAWING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE DURING A LIVE DRAWING ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST NEWSCAST.

>>> AND NOW IT'S TIME FOR WEATHER.

STACY IS IN STUDIO FOR OUR FORECAST FOR THE WEEK.

>> Stacy: AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE SOME CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK.

STILL SOME WARM TEMPERATURES THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT WE WILL SEE A COOL DOWN LATER ON THIS [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND MAYBE A THUNDERSTORM OR TWO THIS EVENING IN PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE DO HAVE MORE CHANCES OF SEEING THAT ACTIVITY OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND EVEN INTO TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s AND 80s, BUT EXPECT A COOL DOWN LATER ON THIS WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 63 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE CALM.

OUR DEW POINT IS 63, SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT MUGGY, OUR HUMIDITY IS AT 100%.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY, 67 DEGREES, DEW POINT IS 59, WE HAVE A RISING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH WINDS OUT OF THE NORTHEAST AT 5.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE SEEN MORE CLOUD COVER THIS EVENING AND A FEW SHOWERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE BEEN MAKING THEIR WAY ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

LOOKING AT TONIGHT, WE DO HAVE MORE CHANCES OF MAINLY RAIN SHOWERS, AN ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM OR TWO IN PARTS OF THE AREA, AND WE COULD CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT TOMORROW.

MORE CLOUD COVER TONIGHT, SUNSHINE RETURNS FOR MOST OF US TOMORROW, WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES AROUND THE 80 DEGREE MARK.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, A FAWN ENJOYING A SIP FROM THE BIRD FEEDER AT LAKE JULIA.

RALPH SPOTTING A COUPLE OF FAWNS IN HIS YARD.

AARON WITH A YOUNG EAGLET IN BEMIDJI.

GARY SPOTTING A SEAGULL.

THE FLOWERS ARE IN BLOOM FROM JOAN IN LAPORTE, ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUN RAYS BEHIND THE CLOUDS THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 50 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN WITH SOME SMOKE.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, HAZY SUNNY TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 73.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE AND 75.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGH OF 79.

RALPH IN JENKINS REPORTING A HIGH OF 77.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 79, 1 DEGREE BELOW THE AVERAGE, 50 FOR THE LOW, SUNRISE THIS MORNING AT 6:09.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 75, SO AGAIN VERY CLOSE TO THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 78.

49 THIS MORNING, SO A LITTLE BIT OF A CHILLY START AND SUNSET AT 8:40.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE MAY SEE A FEW SHOWERS, MAYBE AN ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, AND THERE ARE A FEW CHANCES IN THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, JUST SOME SPOTTY SHOWERS, A THUNDERSTORM OR TWO.

AS FAR AS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE GOES, HIGHS WILL BE RANGING FROM THE MID-70s INTO THE LOW 80s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE IN THE LOW TO MID-80s.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

LOWS NEAR 57.

THEN TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, A FEW CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, HIGHS NEAR 80, AND NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS UP TO 10.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, AND THERE ARE SOME CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE BEST CHANCE IS WEDNESDAY AND THEN AGAIN ON SATURDAY.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, WE WILL BE SEEING A COOL DOWN, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s, BUT ON SATURDAY, WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS RANGING FROM 65 TO 75, WITH A PRETTY DECENT CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, AND THEN ON SUNDAY, ISOLATED RAIN IN THE FAR NORTH, OTHERWISE IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET WITH HIGHS NEAR 73.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

CHARLIE HAS THE NIGHT OFF SO I WILL HAVE THE SPORTS FOR YOU.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO THE BSU VOLLEYBALL TEAM AS THEY STARTED THEIR FIRST PRACTICE OF THE SEASON TODAY AND INTRODUCED THEIR NEW HEAD COACH.

I'LL HAVE THE FULL DETAILS IN A MINUTE.

[♪♪♪ [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>>> SOCRATES ONCE SAID, THAT THE SECRET TO CHANGE IS TO FOCUS ALL YOUR ENERGY NOT ON FIGHTING THE OLD, BUT ON BUILDING THE NEW.

THIS SENTIMENT IS BEMIDJI STATE VOLLEYBALL HOPES TO EMBODY THIS UPCOMING SEASON, AS HAHNI JOHNSON COMPLETES HER MOVE FROM ASSISTANT, TO INTERIM, TO HEAD COACH.

>> I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HAHNI BEING OUR HEAD COACH.

WE'RE VERY CLOSE.

I JUST THINK THE TEAM LISTENING TO WHAT SHE SAID, HELPING HER OUT WHEN SHE NEEDS HELP, AND TAKING IT STEP BY STEP.

SHE'S DOING VERY WELL.

>> Reporter: SHE HELD HER FIRST OFFICIAL PRACTICE AHEAD OF THE 2026 SEASON AS PLAYERS ADAPT TO THE NEW COACHING STYLE.

>> SHE GIVES YOU MORE CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK INSTEAD OF NOT NECESSARILY YELLING AT YOU, BUT SHE IS MORE GENTLE AND LETS YOU FIGURE IT OUT YOURSELF INSTEAD OF TELLING YOU EVERY SINGLE MISTAKE.

WE CAN REALIZE WHAT WE'RE DOING WRONG AND THEN WE CAN BE MORE PLAYER-LED THAN COACH-LED.

SO WE CAN TELL OUR TEAM WHAT WE NEED TO WORK ON INSTEAD OF OUR CORPS -- COACH TELLING US WHAT WE NEED TO WORK ON.

>> WE'RE WORKING ON THE KEY FACTORS AND DIFFERENT MOVES, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE PLAY A LOT MORE AND WE CAN PUT THOSE IN OUR GAME AND IMPLEMENT THAT.

>> Reporter: THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM WILL BE SEEING A NEW FACE AT THE HELM, THERE IS A LOT OF FAMILIARITY ON THE COURT.

AFTER LOSING ONLY 5 MEMBERS OF THE YOUNG TEAM FROM LAST YEAR, THE MAJORITY OF THE ATHLETES ARE STARTING THE SEASON ALREADY HAVING PLAYED TOGETHER.

>> OUR COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS HAVE GROWN.

I THINK THEY WILL THIS NEXT YEAR AND THE FOLLOWING.

IT'S NICE THAT IT'S A BIG GROUP AND WE HAVE A LOT OF CONNECTION.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE ALREADY HAVE A LOT OF CHEMISTRY.

WE WORKED HARD TOGETHER IN THE SPRING AND WORKED TO BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

I THINK IT'S EASY TO CARRY OVER INTO THE FALL NOW.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE FIRST FEW PRACTICES ARE FOCUSED ON POSITIONING AND SHAKING OFF ANY SUMMER RUST, ATHLETES ARE ALSO GETTING INTO THE SEASON MENTALITY.

>> IT'S VERY HARD FOR US SOMETIMES IF WE LOSE A SET, WE GET DOWN ON OURSELVES AND EVERYBODY SHUTS DOWN.

I THINK WE WORKED ON THAT REALLY WELL WITH ERICA AND TRYING TO GET BETTER AT THAT.

I THINK THIS LAST TIME WE SHOWED IT THAT WE CAN DO IT AND IF WE LOSE A COUPLE SETS, IT IS WHAT IT IS.

WE HAVE 3 MORE.

KEEP UP WITH THE ENERGY.

>> Reporter: THE TEAM WILL BE HEADED TO U-MARY IN LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AND THEN TO CALIFORNIA FOR THE FALL COUGAR CLASSICS BEFORE THEIR REGULAR SEASON KICKS OFF ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH.

>>> THE TWINS WERE AT HOME TONIGHT AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD.

THEY BEAT THE ORIOLES EARLIER TONIGHT.

>>> AND THAT IS IT FOR TONIGHT'S SPORTS.

I WILL BE >>> FOR OVER 75 YEARS, THE BARN DINER IN BRAINERD HAS BEEN SERVING THE COMMUNITY WITH THEIR COZY OLD-FASHIONED ATMOSPHERE AND THEIR HOME-COOKED COMFORT MEALS.

THAT LONG-TIME DEDICATION GOT THEM PLACED ON AMERICA'S BEST RESTAURANTS.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY WAS AT THE LOCATION AND HAS THE STORY FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: WHETHER YOU ARE STOPPING BY AFTER A DAY OF FISHING, CAMPING, OR SIMPLY ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL LAKES OF THE AREA, THE BARN OFFERS A WARM AND INVITING SPOT TO RELAX AND ENJOY A DELICIOUS COMFORT MEAL.

>> WE'RE HOPING TO BRING NEW PEOPLE INTO THE BARN AND NEW PEOPLE INTO BRAINERD THAT DON'T KNOW WE'RE HERE.

WE'RE A BIG TOURIST SPOT BUT IT'S NICE WHEN YOU CAN BRING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S A TEAM BECAUSE IT TAKES A TEAM EFFORT IN ORDER TO MAKE A BUSINESS CONTINUE TO SUCCEED AND GROW.

I'VE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY SINCE I WAS 14 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN THE KITCHEN.

I HAVE BEEN AT THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

SO WHEN WE NEEDED A COOK, I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO DO THAT.

NOW I JUST KNOW ALL OF IT.

>> Reporter: BEN AND TAMMY PURCHASED THE PLACE IN 2024 AND HAVE SINCE TRIED THEIR BEST TO KEEP THE HISTORY OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS ALIVE, WHILE ADDING A LITTLE BIT OF THEIR OWN TOUCH TO THE PLACE.

>> WE HAD A REALLY GREAT TRANSITION WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER.

WE TRAINED WITH HER BEFORE WE TOOK OVER, YOU KNOW, TO KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE, WE HAVE ALL THE SAME PIE RECIPES WHEN WE PURCHASED THE BARN.

WE HAVE THE SAME HOMEMADE PIES, EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY LOVED WE KEEP ON THERE.

WE TRY TO KEEP THE CHARM ALIVE.

>> Reporter: HERE TO HELP THEM IS A FOOD ROAD SHOW CUSTOM MADE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES GET MORE CUSTOMER ATTENTION.

>> THE MISSION IS TO TELL STORIES OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AS FAR AS WHEN IT COMES TO RESTAURANTS.

AS WE HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, MARKETING IS CHANGING, AND IF YOU ARE A BIG BUSINESS, A BIG CONGLOMERATE, YOU HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY TO THROW AT MARKETING.

PLACES LIKE THIS DON'T.

WE TRY TO TEACH THEM A SKILL SET WITH SOCIAL MEDIA TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR MARKETING.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE NOT JUST CAPTURING THE HOMEMADE PIES AND THE SIGNATURE BARBECUES, THEY'RE TELLING THE STORY OF A FAMILY--OWNED BUSINESS AND BRAY FLERD TRADITION THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR GENERATIONS.

REPORTING IN BRAINERD FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BARN IS LOCATED AT 7-11 WASHINGTON STREET IN BRAINERD AND IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

>>> BACK TO STACY FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER FOR THIS WEEK.

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKE WE COULD SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS NEAR 57, AND VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, BUT WE MAY SEE SOME SPOTTY SHOWERS AND MAYBE A THUNDERSTORM OR TWO IN THE AREA.

HIGHS WILL BE RIGHT AROUND 80 DEGREES, NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AHEAD, ANOTHER CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON WEDNESDAY, WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT SEASONAL TEMPERATURES WITH HIGHS NEAR 78.

QUIET ON THURSDAY, A FEW CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS WEEK.

THE BIG DIFFERENCE WILL BE THE COOLER TEMPERATURES, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE MID-70s ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, BUT EXPECT TO SEE A DROP AS WE START THE WEEKEND WITH TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM THE MID-60s TO THE MIDDLE 70s, LOWS MAINLY IN THE 50s.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

THAT WILL WRAP UP OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

DENNIS AND CHARLIE SHOULD BE BACK AT THE DESK TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW AT 10:00.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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