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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE, AND HOME PHONE.

LEARN MORE AT AT GOCTC.COM.

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

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> 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.

>>> TODAY IS THE DAY THAT VOTERS NARROW DOWN WHICH CANDIDATES WILL BE ON THE BALLOT IN THIS NOVEMBER'S GENERAL ELECTION.

ITS MINNESOTA'S 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION.

VOTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE ARE CASTING BALLOTS IN PRIMARIES FOR GOVERNOR, U.S.

SENATE, STATE AUDITOR, SECRETARY OF STATE, ATTORNEY GENERAL, CONGRESS, STATE SENATE, STATE HOUSE AS WELL AS SOME CITY AND COUNTY ELECTIONS.

POLLS WERE OPEN FROM SEVEN THIS MORNING UNTIL EIGHT THIS EVENING.

AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE FOR RESULTS AT THIS POINT.

FOR THE GOVERNOR'S SIDE ON THE DFL, AMY KLOBUCHAR THE BIG WINNER TONIGHT.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, IT'S LISA WITH 45% OF THE VOTE NOW, WITH ALMOST 50% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING.

MIKE IS THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

KENDALL IS THE PARTY'S ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

AND FORMER BRAINERD LAKES AREA SENATOR AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL IS BACKING DAYMOUTH.

U.S.

SENATE, IT'S PEGGY FLANAGAN LEADING IN THAT ONE OVER ANGIE CRAIG, THE FORMER U.S.

REPRESENTATIVE.

FLANAGAN IS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

RIGHT NOW, FLANAGAN HAS THE LEAD.

U.S.

SENATE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, MICHELLE HAS BEEN DECLARED THE WINNER.

THE FORMER NFL TV COMMENTATOR TOPS THE PARTY'S ENDORSED CANDIDATE ADAM.

STATE AUDITOR, REPUBLICAN SIDE, 62.27 GOING TO SCOTT, WHO PREVIOUSLY RUN FOR GOVERN.

JULIE FROM THE DFL IS NOT RUNNING, SO ZACH WILL BE THE DFL CANDIDATE.

SECRETARY OF STATE, REPUBLICAN SIDE, TAD HAS THE LEAD THERE WITH 47% OF THE VOTE IN.

STEVE SIMON IS THE DFL INCUMBENT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON FACED A CHALLENGE TONIGHT AND IT WASN'T MUCH OF A CHALLENGE AS HE WILL MOVE ON AND HE IS OF COURSE THE INCUMBENT.

RONALD IS THE G.O.P.

CANDIDATE.

7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, ERIC WINS THAT TONIGHT OVER STEVE CARELL -- CARLSON.

8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, TRY NAH, -- TRINA WINS THAT RACE.

INCUMBENT PETE STAUBER WITH NO PROBLEM WITH ANTHONY HAMILTON'S BID TO WIN THAT.

STAUBER WINS THAT EASILY.

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 5, THIS IS AN INTERESTING RACE.

PAUL IS THE INCUMBENT, MIKE IS THE CURRENT 5B REPRESENTATIVE.

IT'S A CLOSE RACE RIGHT NOW, WITH ABOUT 25% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING.

MIKE HAS THE SLIGHT LEAD.

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 10, NATHAN IS THE INCUMBENT.

HE WINS THAT BIG TONIGHT.

ALSO STATEHOUSE 6B, REPUBLICAN JOSH AGAIN, WINNING BIG THERE WITH 90% OF THE VOTE, AND 64% OF PRECINCTS IN.

STATEHOUSE DISTRICT 6B OR I SHOULD SAY 10A REPUBLICAN, IT'S BRIAN AND MARK AND MARK HAS THE LEAD THERE.

DOUBLING UP ON BRIAN WITH 34% OF THE VOTE IN.

ALSO, RON IS NOT RUNNING IN THAT ONE AFTER 7 TERMS IN THE OFFICE FOR THE REPUBLICANS IN 10A.

BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL, THE TOP TWO MOVE ON AND IT'S INCUMBENT AUDREY THAYER AND THE FORMER CITY COUNCILMAN RON JOHNSON, WITH THE MOST VOTES TONIGHT.

THOSE TWO MOVE ON NOW TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

CROW WING COUNTY COMMISSIONER ROSEMARY IS THE INCUMBENT.

SHE WILL MOVE ON.

IT LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW A CLOSE RACE BETWEEN ESPE FOR THAT SECOND SPOT.

CLEAR WATER COUNTY SHERIFF, NO RESULTS YET.

WE'LL UPDATE THOSE FOR YOU TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

>>> ONE PERSON HAS FILED TO BECOME THE MAYOR OF THE NEW CITY OF NORTHERN AND EIGHT OTHERS HAVE FILED FOR TWO COUNCIL MEMBER SEATS.

NORTHERN TOWNSHIP INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY OF NORTHERN EARLIER THIS YEAR AND VOTERS WILL ELECT A MAYOR AND TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

THE FILING PERIOD FOR CANDIDATES INTERESTED IN THOSE ROLES CLOSED ON JULY 28TH.

JESS FRENZEL, THE CURRENT SUPERVISOR OF THE TOWNSHIP BOARD, IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO IS SEEKING THE POSITION OF MAYOR.

MICHAEL KELLY AND GARY BARNARD ARE THE CANDIDATES FOR THE TWO-YEAR COUNCIL SEAT AND THERE ARE SIX CANDIDATES FOR THE FOUR-YEAR SEAT.

WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY.

>>> ONE MAN DIED AND ANOTHER SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES IN A TWO VEHICLE CRASH IN BRAINERD YESTERDAY.

THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS 79-YEAR-OLD RODNEY KNOWLES OF BRAINERD WAS SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 371 AND TURNING EAST ONTO GREENWOOD STREET WHEN HIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE HEADED NORTHBOUND.

A PASSENGER IN THE NORTHBOUND VEHICLE, 70-YEAR-OLD PAUL DOLAN OF BRAINERD, DIED AT THE SCENE.

KNOWLES WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH SIGNIFICANT INJURIES.

THE DRIVER OF THE NORTHBOUND VEHICLE, 33-YEAR-OLD JESSE LOUGHLIN OF BRAINERD SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.

THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 7:15 P.M.

AND REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE CRASH IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>>> A WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER FROM ALASKA, WHO WAS WORKING ON THE FIRES IN THE SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST, DIED TODAY FROM A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED AROUND 10:40 IN THE ELY AREA.

THE FIREFIGHTER WAS TAKEN TO A MEDICAL FACILITY, BUT PASSED AWAY.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS ESCORTED THE FIREFIGHTER'S BODY FROM ELY TO SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN.

>>> BEMIDJI BREWING IS BEING ACQUIRED BY FULTON BREWING.

THE TRANSACTION WILL BE BECOME OFFICIAL AT THE END OF OCTOBER.

THE CARVE-OUT ACQUISITION COMES AS A PART OF A LARGER COLLECTIVE BY FULTON BREWING CALLED TRUE NORTH BEVERAGE, WHICH GATHERS CRAFT BEVERAGE BRANDS AND SHARES RESOURCES FOR GROWTH ACROSS MINNESOTA.

THE TAPROOM AT BEMIDJI BREWING WILL REMAIN THE SAME, AND BREWING FOR THOSE SELECT BEERS WILL REMAIN IN BEMIDJI.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMPANY SAY THAT THE NEW PARTNERSHIP IS BECAUSE THEY'VE OUTGROWING THEIR CURRENT BREWING LOCATION AND WANT TO FURTHER EXPANDING THEIR REACH.

>> THEY ARE GOING TO HOLD THE BEMIDJI BREWING WHOLESALE DIVISION, SO THEY WILL OWN THAT, PRODUCE THAT, BRING IT TO MARKET.

BEMIDJI BREWING HERE IN BEMIDJI IS GOING TO BE THE TAP ROOM AND THAT WILL BE THE PRODUCTION THERE.

THE BRANDS WILL BE SHARED ACROSS THE TWO COMPANIES.

IT'S GOING TO BE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO BASICALLY DEVELOP NEW BRANDS, NEW PRODUCTS, TO EXPAND ON WHAT THAT COULD MEAN FOR THE GREATER PORTFOLIO THAT WE PRODUCE, AND IT'S JUST GOING TO BE MORE HEADS COMING TOGETHER TO CREATE EXCELLENT PRODUCTS.

WHEN WE THINK OF HOW THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED US IN THE PAST, WE HOPE THEY WILL SUPPORT US IN THE FUTURE.

WE'RE STILL HERE AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP, AND WE HOPE FOLKS SEE THE VALUE IN THAT TOO.

>> OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK ALSO HAS THE CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FULTON BREWING REGARDING THE ACQUISITION, AND WE WILL HAVE THE FULL STORY TOMORROW.

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

>> Stacy: WE COULD SEE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

STILL VERY WARM AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK, BUT A COOL DOWN IS EXPECTED TO START THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, THE VACATION LAND FIGURE SKATING CLUB HAD ATHLETES COMPETE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL OVER THE PAS [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE CROW WING COUNTY FAIR, A YEARLY ATTRACTION TO THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, TOOK PLACE LAST WEEK.

THE FAIR, WHICH ORIGINATED IN 1884, WAS HELD IN BRAINERD, PEQUOT LAKES, AND CROSBY BEFORE PERMANENTLY SETTLING IN BRAINERD IN 1937.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY WAS AT THE FAIR TO EXPERIENCE ONE OF BRAINERD'S OLDEST TRADITIONS.

>> Reporter: BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR, THE CROW WING COUNTY FAIR HOSTS A BUNCH OF GAMES, RIDES, AND OF COURSE THE MAIN ATTRACTION, THE FOOD.

>> SHE BROUGHT ME.

IT'S HER FAULT AND FOOD.

BIG BELLY.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME COMING OUT BUT SHE COMES OUT ALMOST EVERY YEAR.

I LIKE FAIRS, I FIGURED I WOULD CHECK IT OUT.

>> THIS IS WHERE I GREW UP.

I'VE BEEN COMING HERE ANY WHOLE LIFE.

>> THERE IS A HECK OF A LOT MORE GAMES THIS YEAR, WHICH IS PRETTY COOL.

YOU HAVE TO BE A KID WHEN YOU'RE HERE TOO.

>> IT'S MY FAVORITE RIDE AND BEING HERE.

IT'S FUN, BEING HERE, EVERYBODY IS HAVING FUN.

>> Reporter: THE CROW WING COUNTY FAIR IS AMONG THE FIVE LARGEST FAIRS IN MINNESOTA, WITH ANNUAL EXHIBITS NUMBERING OVER 6,000 AND ANNUAL ATTENDANCE ESTIMATED AT 100,000.

>> THERE ARE A LOT MORE PEOPLE THIS YEAR.

I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE MORE HAPPY THIS YEAR.

>> COME OUT, BRING YOUR FAMILY, JUST YOU KNOW, HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> Reporter: THIS TYPE OF EVENT DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN, IT IS PUT ON THROUGH MONTHS OF PLANNING AND DEDICATION FROM VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF PLANNING THAT GOES INTO PLANNING FOR THE COUNTY FAIR.

WE HAVE ATTRACTIONS, THE CARNIVAL RIDES, OUR CARNIVAL ALWAYS HAS GREAT RIDES, BAJA RACES, AND ALL KINDS OF FOOD VENDORS TO CHECK OUT.

JUST BOOKING THESE EVENTS, IT TAKES A LOT OF VOLUNTEER HOURS TO PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: FOR OVER A CENTURY, THE CROW WING COUNTY FAIR HAS BEEN A PLACE TO SHOWCASE THE BEST OF THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

TODAY, IT'S A PLACE FOR FAMILIES TO LEARN, COMPETE, AND CREATE NEW TRADITIONS.

>> I HAVE BEEN COMING HERE SINCE I WAS PROBABLY LITTLE.

MY DAUGHTER IS ON THE RIDE AND WE KEEP COMING BACK, GOOD FOOD AND GOOD TIMES.

>> Stacy: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, THE CROW WING COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS IS THERE TO HOST ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FARMER'S MARKETS, CAR SHOWS, CONCERTS, AND WEDDINGS.

>>> 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.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

ANOTHER REALLY NICE DAY IN THE NORTHLAND TODAY.

>> Stacy: IT WAS.

A LITTLE BIT HAZY OUT THERE, WE GOT SOME SMOKE IN THE AIR, BUT TEMPERATURE-WISE, VERY COMFORTABLE, WE HAVE SEASONAL HIGHS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, MAYBE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ESPECIALLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND TOMORROW EVENING.

THEN IT DOES LOOK LIKE WE HAVE A COOL DOWN TO START THE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE DID HAVE SOME HAZY SUNSHINE OUT THERE TODAY AND PRETTY SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURES.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, AGAIN IT LOOKS PRETTY SEASONAL.

WE'LL SEE SOME SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA, BUT WE DO HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURNING TO THE AREA, ESPECIALLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

IT LOOKS LIKE PRETTY SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURES.

WE'RE LOOKING AT 70s AND LOW 80s AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WORKWEEK, BUT A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON SATURDAY, AND IT DOES LOOK LIKE COOLER TEMPERATURES TO START THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 67 AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHTS SOUTHEAST WIND AT OUR STUDIO, DEW POINT IS 60, HUMIDITY IS AT 77%.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 70 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 61, AND 73% HUMIDITY, EAST WINDS AT 5.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THAT HAZY SKY OUT THERE TODAY, BUT THE SUNSHINE WAS OUT AHEAD OF THAT.

WE WILL BE SEEING INCREASING CLOUDS IN PARTS OF THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

SO LOOK FOR VARIABLE CLOUDS, A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD COVER, SOME CLEAR SKIES, AND THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT A FEW RAIN SHOWERS COULD MOVE INTO THE WESTERN PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AGAIN TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

AGAIN, IT LOOKS LIKE SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURES TOMORROW AND AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

SO, SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

WE DID HAVE THE HAZY SUNSHINE FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND SAM ROYCE CAPTURING THE SUNRISE JUST UNDERNEATH THE CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE THIS MORNING.

CHRIS SENDING US THIS PHOTO A HUNT ON RED LAKE, AND TURKEYS CROSSING THE ROAD IN LAPORTE.

CHRISSY AND GARY SENDING US THESE PHOTOS OF THE SKIES OVER DEERWOOD TODAY.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE HAZY SUNSET OVER CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, HIGH OF 82.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, HAZY SUN.

THE HIGH WAS 82.

82 FROM JOAN IN LAPORTE, ALSO REPORTING HAZY SUN.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, HAZY SUNSHINE THIS EVENING, TOPPING OUT AT 82, A POPULAR HIGH TEMPERATURE OUT THERE TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, HIGH OF 81.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD WITH A HIGH OF 83, SEASONAL, A FEW DEGREES ABOVE OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, 58 FOR THE LOW TEMP, AND SUNSET AT 8:32.

NOW 55 WAS OUR LOW AND SUNRISE AT 6:11.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE MAY SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN PARTS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW.

THEN IN THE AFTERNOON, WE HAVE MORE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY AND THAT CONTINUES AS WE HEAD INTO THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT.

TEMPERATURES TOMORROW WILL RANGE FROM ABOUT 73 IN WARROAD, TO 81 IN PARK RAPIDS, SO THOSE ARE THE RANGE ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, RIGHT AROUND THE 80 DEGREE MARK FOR MOST OF US.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE LOW TO MID-80s.

SO OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS MOVING INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA, WITH LOWS NEAR 58.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW, WE DO HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA, HIGHS NEAR 80, WITH NORTH WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ON THURSDAY, HIGHS NEAR 78, AND 77 WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD COVER MOVING BACK INTO THE FORECAST ON FRIDAY.

NOW THINGS CHANGE QUITE A BIT ON SATURDAY.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BECOME LIKELY ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE COOLER WITH HIGHS RANGING FROM THE UPPER 60s TO MID-70s.

ON SUNDAY, VARIABLE CLOUDS, HIGHS SHOULD BE NEAR 76.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, CHARLIE IS BACK NOW WITH A LOOK AT OUR SPORTS.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US?

>> Charlie: IF YOU'RE A VIKINGS FAN, IT'S THE NEWS YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

WHO IS GOING TO BE THE QUARTERBACK COME GAME ONE?

WELL, WE HAVE THAT ANSWER FROM KEVIN O'CONNELL EARLIER TODAY.

WE'LL HAVE THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE BIGGEST QUESTION HEADING INTO VIKINGS TRAINING CAMP THIS SEASON HAS BEEN ANSWERED.

HEAD COACH KEVIN O'CONNELL ANNOUNCED KYLER MURRAY WILL BE THE STARTING Q-B COME WEEK ONE OF THE REGULAR SEASON.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AFTER TWO WEEKS OF SPLIT REPS BETWEEN THE FORMER CARDINAL AND 2024 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK JJ MCCARTHY.

MURRAY WAS AS THE FAVORITE TO TAKE THE JOB AFTER SIGNING A 1-YEAR, $1.3 MILLION CONTRACT WITH THE VIKINGS THIS OFF-SEASON.

THE DECISION NOW GIVES THE 7-YEAR VETERAN A FULL MONTH OF STARTING REPS AT THE QUARTERBACK POSITION BEFORE MINNESOTA'S SEASON OPENER SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, WHEN THEY HOST THEIR DIVISION RIVAL THE GREEN BAY PACKERS.

>> IT'S BEEN A TRUE COMPETITION AND WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE AT A PLACE WHERE WE MADE A COMPLETE EVALUATION.

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST THE APPROPRIATE TIME NOW TO ALLOW, YOU KNOW, OUR TEAM AND EVERYBODY CLARITY FOR EXACTLY THE DIRECTION WE'RE MOVING GOING FORWARD.

THERE IS COMFORT IN THE SCHEME.

HE HAD HIGH COMPLETION DAYS WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO SHOW SOME REALLY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF PUTTING THE BALL IN PLAY, PLAYING WITH GOOD TIMING AND RHYTHM.

YOU HAVE SEEN THEM BEING EXPLOSIVE AND YOU HAVE SEEN HIM PUT THE BALL IN PLAY AND GET US FROM A 1st IN 10 TO A 2nd IN 3.

AS YOU LOOK AT THE BODY OF WORK IN THE 10 DAYS, WHAT JUMPED OUT IS WHAT COULD BE.

>> BUT THE ANSWER OF MURRAY GETTING THE NOD RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MCCARTHY, ESPECIALLY AS BACKUP QUARTERBACKS CARSON WENTZ AND MAX BROSMER REMAIN ROSTERED.

>> HE IS A YOUNG PLAYER WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF OUTSTANDING THINGS IN HIS FUTURE.

JUST BECAUSE THE IMMEDIATE TEMPORARY RESULT WASN'T EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED, I KNOW HE IS GOING TO BE READY TO GO.

I KNOW HE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE IN THE LONG-TERM MINDSET OF HIM AS A MINNESOTA VIKING AND ALL THE THINGS HE BROUGHT HERE IS ABSOLUTELY PART OF THE LONG-TERM VISION FOR SURE.

>>> THE LAST TIME THEY HAD A LONG TERM VISION AT THE Q-B POSITION WAS WITH KIRK COUSINS.

IN THE SIX YEARS FROM 2018 TO 2022, COUSINS STARTED 64 OF 66 POSSIBLE GAMES FOR THE VIKINGS, ALTHOUGH ONLY MADE THE PLAYOFFS TWICE.

SINCE THEN, 8 DIFFERENT QUARTERBACKS HAVE BEEN UNDER CENTER FOR MINNESOTA, AND THAT INCLUDES THE 17 GAMES BY SAM DARNOLD IN 2024, WHO WENT ON TO WIN A SUPER BOWL IN SEATTLE THE VERY NEXT YEAR.

OCONNELL SAID MURRAY AND MCCARTHY WILL BOTH PLAY IN SATURDAYS PRE-SEASON ROAD GAME AGAINST THE NEW YORK GIANTS.

>>> SOME OF MINNESOTA'S BIGGEST SPORTS STARS WILL BE TRADING THEIR JERSEY'S FOR GOLF CLUBS AT THIS YEAR'S CRMC CHAMPIONSHIP, WHICH IS A PGA TOUR AMERICA'S GOLF TOURNAMENT HOSTED ANNUALLY AT THE CRAGUN'S LEGACY COURSES IN BRAINERD.

FORMER NFL WIDE RECEIVER ADAM THIELEN, AS WELL AS MINNESOTA WILD FORWARDS MATT BOLDY AND RYAN HARTMAN RECEIVED SPONSOR EXEMPTIONS TO PLAY IN THE UPCOMING TOURNAMENT.

ALSO RECEIVING AN EXEMPTION IS LOCAL PGA PROFESSIONAL AND STAPLES NATIVE ANDREW ISRAELSON, WHO CARDED A 16-UNDER LAST YEAR AT THE CRMC, FINISHING 26TH OVERALL AMONG THE FIELD OF WORLD CLASS GOLFERS.

THE TOURNAMENT RUNS AUGUST 26TH THROUGH AUGUST 30TH, WITH A PRO-AM ON WEDNESDAY AND ROUND ONE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP TEEING OFF THURSDAY.

>>> TWINS COMING OFF A WIN AT HOME AGAINST THE ORIOLES LAST NIGHT, TRYING TO MAKE IT 2-IN-ROW.

NOW PETE PARKS IT AT THE CHEAP SEATS, GIVING THEM A 2-0 LEAD.

THEY HEAD TO THE THIRD, TWINS TRAILING 5-1.

AN R.B.I.

DOUBLE, HIS 18th DOUBLE OF THE SEASON CUTS THE LEAD TO 3.

BOTTOM OF THE 8th, SAME SCORE.

TRYING FOR HIS THIRD HIT OF THE GAME, SHALLOW RIGHT, ROBBED BY TYLER O'NEILL, IT'S JUST HOW THINGS ARE GOING TONIGHT FOR THE TWINKIES, WHO LOST 3 OF THEIR LAST 4.

5-2 THE FINAL FOR THIS ONE, 2 GAMES OUT OF THE WILDCARD SPOT AND 3.5 BACK OF THE DIVISION RIGHT NOW.

>> Dennis: SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING STRETCH.

>> Charlie: YES, THEY HAVE A CHANCE.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THREE DIFFERENT VACATIONLAND FIGURE SKATING CLUB ATHLETES COMPETED AT THE STATE GAMES OF AMERICA IN PENN STATE LAST MONTH, BRINGING HOME SIX NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES, AND TEN MEDALS OVERALL.

FOLLOWING THAT, VACATIONLAND SENT ONE SKATER TO THE 2026 NATIONAL SHOWCASE IN COLORADO SPRINGS LAST WEEK.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON THE SKATERS' ACHIEVEMENTS IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD'S EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: VACATION LAND'S FIRST BUSINESS TRIP BROUGHT JUNIOR SKATER COURTNEY AND SENIOR SKATER MARLIN IN FRONT OF THE NATIONAL STAGE OF THE STATE GAMES OF AMERICA, AN OLYMPIC-STYLE COMPETITION OVER 40 DIFFERENT SPORTS.

>> IT WAS REALLY COOL TO SEE.

I DON'T THINK OTHER THAN THE NATIONALS, I HAVE NEVER BEEN AT THIS BIG OF A COMPETITION WHERE THERE ARE GROUPS RANGING FROM BASIC SKILLS TO SENIOR.

IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE THE RANGES OF SKILL LEVELS AND THE DIFFERENT TYPE OF COMPETITION THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE COMPETED IN FIVE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES, EARNING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS FOR SHOW CARE CHARACTER, LYRICAL POP, AND DUO.

SHE PLACED FOURTH AND FIFTH IN FREE SKATES.

SHE TOOK HOME HARDWARE AS WELL.

>> WHEN I GOT MY FIRST PLACE, I WAS SO SURPRISED.

I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO DO THAT WELL THERE.

IT WAS LIKE THE HARDEST SKATERS I EVER COMPETED AGAINST.

>> I WAS WORKING ON A LOT, ESPECIALLY LIKE BALANCE.

I WAS TRYING TO FOCUS MORE ON MY SKILLS.

>> Reporter: SHE FIRST COMPETED AT THE STATE GAMES, WHERE SHE EARNED FIRST PLACE, SHOWCASE CHARACTER AND COMEDIC, AND SECOND FOR LYRICAL POP, QUALIFYING HER FOR HER THIRD NATIONAL SHOWCASE AND SHE TOOK FOURTH PLACE IN EMOTIONAL PERFORMANCE, TOP 15 IN THE 80s AND 90s DIVA SCENE, AND TOP 20 IN LYRICAL POP.

>> THIS IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE ONE BECAUSE I PODIUMED AFTER THREE YEARS.

THE QUALIFICATIONS WERE WAY MORE HARDER.

YOU HAD TO GET A CERTAIN SCORE AND GET INTO THE TOP FOUR TO QUALIFY FOR NATIONALS.

I COMPETED AGAINST THE BEST OF THE BEST.

>> AND MEGAN IS NOT ONLY HAPPY TO SEE HER KIDS REPRESENTING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA ON THE NATIONAL STAGE, BUT ALSO HOPES TO SEE MORE GETTING INVOLVED WITH VACATION LAND.

>> I WANT KIDS TO HAVE THE SAME PASSION FOR SKATING THAT I HAD.

TO HAVE THAT FEELING WHEN YOU STEP ON THE ICE, GO TO THE COMPETITIONS, AND TO BE A PART OF IT IS SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER CHECK OF OUR WEATHER.

LET'S GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING A FEW RAIN SHOWERS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOWS NEAR 58.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, WE DO HAVE SOME CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD REACH ABOUT 80.

>> Dennis: THAT WILL DO IT FOR US.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM