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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND EDUCATION.

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.

>>> TOMORROW IS MINNESOTA'S PRIMARY ELECTION, AND RACES AROUND THE STATE WILL DETERMINE WHO WILL BE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE RACES ON THE PRIMARY BALLOT IN THE LAKELAND VIEWING AREA: IN BEMIDJI, INCUMBENT MAYOR JORGE PRINCE WILL BE FACING OFF AGAINST ADAM STEELE AND FORMER AT-LARGE CITY COUNCILOR DANIEL JOURDAIN.

ALSO IN BEMIDJI ARE THESE CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL: MARK DICKINSON, GREG KUHN, AND KATIE CARTER ARE RUNNING IN WARD THREE, WHILE BILL BATCHELDER AND FORMER CITY COUNCILOR MICHAEL MEEHLHAUSE WILL BE RUNNING AGAINST INCUMBENT LYNN EATON IN WARD FIVE.

FOR DISTRICT FOUR IN BELTRAMI COUNTY, CURRENT COMMISSIONER TIM SUMNER IS UP AGAINST JOHN WINNETT AND FRANK DURESKY.

CROW WING COUNTY DISTRICT FIVE COMMISSIONER DOUG HOUGE WILL FACE OFF AGAINST JOHNNA JOHNSON AND JAMIE LEE.

OTHER PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE TAKING PLACE FOR COMMISSIONERS IN CASS, CLEARWATER, MILLE LACS, AND MORRISON COUNTIES AS WELL.

THERE ARE ALSO A COUPLE OF REPUBLICAN STATE HOUSE PRIMARIES IN THE AREA.

INCUMBENT JOSH HEINTZEMAN IS UP AGAINST CHALLENGER MATTHEW ZINDA IN DISTRICT 6-B, AND IN DISTRICT 10-A, INCUMBENT RON KRESHA IS RUNNING AGAINST DIANE WEBB-SKILLINGS.

IN ADDITION, SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE MICHELLE FISCHBACH IS FACING STEVE BOYD AND ANNETTE WATSON, AND IN DISTRICT EIGHT, HARRY WELTY IS RUNNING AGAINST INCUMBENT PETE TO GET A SAMPLE BALLOT, OR TO FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE, YOU CAN VISIT THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE WEBSITE.

>>> THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL HELD A WORK SESSION EARLIER TODAY TO DISCUSS THE 2025 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN WITH A PROPOSED INCREASED LEVY OF 10.3 PERCENT.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF WHAT WILL BE MANY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL PLAN FOR THE CITY OF BEMIDJI.

THIS FIRST MEETING'S PURPOSE IS FOR THE COUNCIL TO SHARE WHAT THEY SEE AS MAIN PRIORITIES FOR THE 2025 BUDGET IN ORDER TO DEVELOP OPTIONS OF HOW TO FUND THE NEEDS OF 2025 AND BEYOND.

THE SHORT LIST THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED INCLUDED ABOUT $350,000 TOWARDS THE IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, APPROXIMATELY $400,000 TO IMPROVE BUILDING MAINTENANCE, AS WELL AS A 25-PERCENT INCREASE TO HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR THE CITY, AND MORE.

>> WE HAD A GOOD FIRST DISCUSSION.

WHEN WE ARE WORKING THROUGH OUR FINANCIAL PLAN, THERE ARE SO MANY NEEDS AND SO MANY PRIORITIES AND ULTIMATELY YOU ARE BALANCING THAT AGAINST WHAT PROPERTY TAXPAYERS CAN AFFORD TO PAY, ESPECIALLY WITH INFLATION AND EVERYTHING HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE SEVEN DIFFERENT PEOPLE, SEVEN DIFFERENT IDEAS AND SEVEN DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

IT'S A PROCESS TO GET TO A PLACE TO WHERE WE CAN ALL AGREE.

>> Dennis: AS THIS IS JUST A WORK SESSION, A DECISION FOR THE 2025 FINANCIAL PLAN HAS NOT BEEN MADE.

FIVE MORE MEETINGS ARE PLANNED IN THE FUTURE FOR THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE PLAN IN GREATER DETAIL.

THE FINAL LEVY FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR OF 2025 IS PLANNED TO BE SET AT THE DECEMBER 16TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

>>> THE HEADWATERS SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ARTS HAS BEEN PUTTING ON AN ANNUAL BEMIDJI SINGS VOCAL COMPETITION FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WENT OVER TO THE BSU TO LISTEN TO SEE WHAT MADE THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION SPECIAL.

>> Reporter: THE BEMIDJI SINGS VOCAL COMPETITION TOOK PLACE ON THE BSU CAMPUS.

THERE WERE 16 CONTESTANTS FROM AROUND THE BEMIDJI AREA COMPETING FOR BOTH GLORY, AS WELL AS CASH PRIZES.

THERE IS MORE TO THE NIGHT THAN JUST SINGING ON STAGE AND TRYING TO IMPRESS THE JUDGES.

>> IT IS CELEBRATING MUSIC IN BEMIDJI, SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL AMATEUR SINGERS, AND HAVING A REALLY GOOD ENTERTAINING EVENING FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN THE AUDIENCE.

>> Reporter: THE COMPETITION HELD THREE AGE RANGES.

THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND YEAR THAT THEY HAVE BROUGHT IN THE YOUNGEST AGE GROUP.

THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE NEW ALSO MAKING ITS DEBUT TONIGHT.

>> THIS YEAR, WE'RE DOING THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD.

SO, THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE HAVE THE NAMES OF EACH OF THE CONTESTANTS SO THEY ARE SELECTING THEIR FAVORITE FROM THE THREE AGE CATEGORIES.

SO AS SOON AS THE SINGERS ARE DONE SINGING, THEY ARE GOING TO TURN IN THEIR CARDS AND WE'LL TALLY THE SCORES AND TONIGHT ANNOUNCE WHO IS THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE IN EACH OF THOSE CATEGORIES.

>> Reporter: THE NIGHT GIVES AMATEUR SINGERS A CHANCE TO SING IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE OF OVER 200 PEOPLE.

ALONG WITH BEING ON STAGE AND PERFORMING, EVERY COMPETITOR HAS A DIFFERENT FAVORITE ASPECT OF THE COMPETITION.

>> I THINK IT'S TELLING A STORY TO THE AUDIENCE, JUST, YOU KNOW, PUTTING MY WORD OUT THERE AND GETTING FEEDBACK, BACK FROM PEOPLE WHICH IS REALLY NICE.

>> I LIKE TO THINK OF THE RIPPLES THAT THE EVENT CREATES WITH ME BEING A LITTLE BIT OUT THERE, MAYBE NOW SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS IN A WAY THEY DIDN'T ALREADY HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO.

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

>> THE WINNERS FROM TONIGHT'S COMPETITION WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STEP, THE MINNESOTA SINGS VOCAL COMPETITION, WHICH IS A STATEWIDE AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST.

WHILE THE WINNERS OF BEMIDJI SINGS WILL WIN $100, THE OCTOBER COMPETITION BOASTS A $10,000 PRIZE TO THE GRAND WINNER.

>>> A FUNDRAISER IS UNDERWAY TO HELP THE FAMILY WHO OWNED A GROCERY STORE IN NEVIS THAT WENT UP IN FLAMES LAST WEEK.

NORTHWOODS GROCERY AND CAFE HAS BEEN A PART OF THE COMMUNITY FOR AT LEAST 100 YEARS.

JOHN AND MARY CARRIER HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2017.

A FIRE SEVERELY DAMAGED THE BUSINESS ON AUGUST 6TH.

THE BLAZE CAUSED THE BUSINESS AND AREA RESIDENTS TO EVACUATE DUE TO THE LOCATION OF SOME PROPANE TANKS AND A GAS STATION ATTACHED TO THE BUILDING.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE STATE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE AND THE HUBBARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

A GOFUNDME FUNDRAISER AIMS TO RAISE $10,000 AND AS OF THIS EVENING HAD BROUGHT IN ABOUT A THIRD OF THAT TOTAL.

WE'RE INCLUDING A LINK TO THAT GOFUNDME SITE ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI AREA AND PAUL BUNYAN BROADCASTING ARE HOSTING STUFF A BUS, A K-12 SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE TO BENEFIT CHILDREN ATTENDING BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS.

DONATING TO UNITED WAY'S STUFF A BUS SCHOOL DRIVE IS ONE WAY YOU CAN HELP MEET THE NEEDS, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION OF OUR LOCAL STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND EMPOWER THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL.

COMMONLY NEEDED ITEMS INCLUDE BACKPACKS, NOTEBOOKS, FOLDERS, PENCILS, MARKERS, AS WELL AS ANY NEW SUPPLIES YOU FEEL KIDS COULD USE.

DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT BOTH LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS LOCATIONS AND THE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER.

>> THIS IS A NEED EVERY YEAR FOR FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT HAS TAKEN DIFFERENT FORMS AND DIFFERENT LOOKS, BUT WE'RE HOPING THE FORM MAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR WILL BE A GOOD ONE AND WILL HELP A LOT OF KIDS AND FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

LAST YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE OVER 100 FAMILIES THAT WERE IN NEED OF THE HELP.

>> SUPPLIES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS THE WEEK OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL ORIENTATION, WHICH IS AUGUST 26TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3RD.

THE LAST DAY YOU CAN DONATE TO STUFF A BUS IS AUGUST 20TH.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT AND PLENTY OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW BUT CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL RETURN MIDWEEK.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, A TASTE OF THE ISLAND LIFE >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>>> THE CENTER IN BRAINERD IS HOSTING PERFORMANCES IN THE PARK EVERY THURSDAY THIS SUMMER.

ARRANGED AT GREGORY PARK, THE WEEKLY CONCERTS ARE FREE TO THE COMMUNITY AND SHOWCASE A DIFFERENT MUSIC GROUP FOR EVERY PERFORMANCE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: PERFORMANCES IN THE PARK HAS BEEN A YEARLY TRADITION FOR OVER A DECADE AND CONTINUES TO FILL UP GREGORY PARK WITH EAGER MUSIC ENJOYERS.

>> IT WAS HALF A DOZEN YEARS AGO.

MY SISTER TOLD ME ABOUT IT AND THIS IS JUST A NICE WAY TO SPEND THE SUMMER EVENINGS.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Reporter: WHILE THE CENTER CHANGES THE MUSIC GENRE EVERY WEEK, THERE ARE REOCCURRING STYLES THAT BETTER APPEAL TO THE ELDERLY DEMOGRAPHIC IT MAINLY SERVES, WHICH IS WHY BLUEGRASS CONTINUES TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE SUMMER AFTER SUMMER.

>> THE MAJORITY OF OUR MEMBERS ARE PROBABLY IN THEIR LATE 70s AND EARLY 80s.

BLUEGRASS MUSIC IS WHAT THEY GREW UP LISTENING TO.

THE MESSAGE REACHES PEOPLE WITH BANJOS, FIDDLES AND MANDOLINS.

IT HAS AN INTERESTING SOUND TO IT THAT OTHER GENRES DON'T.

>> Reporter: MUSIC KNOWS NO AGE LIMIT WHICH IS WHY MANY REGULARS WILL BRING THEIR GRANDCHILDREN ALONG FOR THE RIDE, TO LISTEN TO THE FEATURED MUSIC GROUPS.

>> TO HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE AND TO SEE PEOPLE TOE TAPPING OR CLAPPING, SOMETIMES GET UP AND DANCE.

JUST TO SEE THOSE KIDS HAVE THAT INNER GENERATIONAL EXPERIENCE, THE DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS AND THE DIFFERENT SOUNDS THEY MAKE IS FUN FOR KIDS TO EXPERIENCE TOO.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER HAS BEEN HOSTING PERFORMANCES IN THE PARK SINCE 2009 WITH BLUEGRASS BEING ONE OF THE MANY RETURNING GENRES AND ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS IT DRAWS IN A CROWD IS THE RELAXING ATMOSPHERE IT SETS THAT TAKES ATTENDEES BACK IN TIME.

>> JUST RELAXING, BEING AT PEACE, AND THE WEATHER.

I FIND A SHADY SPOT AND IT'S JUST A NICE WAY TO ENJOY A SUMMER EVENING AND THE MUSIC.

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

>> THERE ARE THREE MORE PERFORMANCES IN THE PARK THIS SUMMER WITH THE MINNESOTA ADULT AND TEEN CHALLENGE CHOIR PERFORMING THIS THURSDAY, GUITARIST MICHAEL HOOVER ON AUGUST 22ND, AND THE MUSIC GROUP BLUES TRAIN WRAPPING THINGS UP ON THE 29TH.

>>> ALL SUMMER LONG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN QUALIFYING IN THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY.

THE WINNER OF OUR GRAND DRAWING WILL GET A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUN'S RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO ENTER THE DRAWING YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR MAIL US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER.

THEN WATCH LAKELAND NEWS AND IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME LISTED AS A POTENTIAL QUALIFIER.

CALL US BY 5:00 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY TO QUALIFY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TONIGHT'S POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL HAVE A SHOT AT BEING OUR 2024 CRAGUN'S VACATION GRAND PRIZE WINNER.

WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER LATER IN AUGUST.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

I KNOW EVERYBODY HAS THEIR DIFFERENT DEFINITION OF PERFECT SUMMER WEATHER.

TO ME, TODAY WAS THE DAY.

>> Stacy: IT WAS BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE.

THERE IS SOME NICE SUNSHINE, COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURES, NOT TOO HUMID.

WE HAVE MORE SUNSHINE IN STORE FOR US TOMORROW.

WE DO HAVE CHANCES FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, WHICH WILL RETURN STARTING AROUND >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH; HERE FOR ALL, HERE FOR GOOD.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA IS AVAILABLE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, LAND SURVEYORS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY THROUGHOUT ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE THE SUNSHINE OUT THERE, NICE COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURES, COMFORTABLE HUMIDITY, JUST A GREAT DAY TO GET OUT AND ENJOY OUR SUMMERTIME WEATHER.

NOW WE HAVE MORE SUNSHINE IN STORE FOR US TOMORROW.

WE WILL AGAIN BE SEEING THE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s TO LOW 80s.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEK, STARTING ON WEDNESDAY, WE DO HAVE CHANCES FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURNING TO THE FORECAST.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE TEMPERATURES WILL BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER AS WELL.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, 67 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE A LIGHTS EAST WIND, DEW POINT IS 57, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 69%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 65 DEGREES, DEW POINT IS 60.

WE HAVE A RISING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE AND WINDS ARE CALM.

NOW IF YOU WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN THE WEE HOURS THIS MORNING, YOU PROBABLY CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF SOME OF THE SPECTACULAR NORTHERN LIGHTS SPOTTED IN THE AREA.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PICTURES TO SHARE WITH YOU IN CASE YOU MISSED THOSE.

SHAWN IN BEMIDJI, KATIE AT CROW WING LAKE, AND BONNEY AT BEMIDJI WITH A SHOT OF THE SKY THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US.

ON THE RADAR TONIGHT, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING QUIET WEATHER, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THE SUNSHINE TODAY.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES OVERNIGHT AND IT WILL LEAD US INTO ANOTHER SUNNY DAY FOR TOMORROW.

HIGH PRESSURE IS STILL IN CONTROL, SO WE SHOULD HAVE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

HOWEVER, AS YOU CAN SEE TO OUR WEST, THINGS ARE LOOKING UNSETTLED.

WE HAVE CHANCES FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, WHICH WILL BE RETURNING STARTING ON WEDNESDAY.

SOME OTHER WEATHER SHOTS TO THEIR WITH YOU TONIGHT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND DEBRA FROM LAKE ADA, SENDING US PICTURES OF THE CLOUDS AND THE SUNSHINE THIS MORNING.

SAMROSE WITH A PHOTO OF THE SUNRISE OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

ANGELA SAID THE GRANDKIDS WERE CATCHING SOME SHADE THIS WEEKEND AT THE FAIR.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, A BEAR CATCHING A SNACK AROUND NOON TODAY.

KAREN WITH A PICTURE OF THE SKIES AT LONG LAKE.

SUNSET TONIGHT, NOT DISAPPOINTING, LINDA OVER LOWER RED LAKE AND SARAH OVER LAKE EDWARD WITH THOSE PICTURES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, SAMROSE REPORTING 57 WITH A LIGHT WIND.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 78.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY AND 74.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE, 80 DEGREES FOR THE HIGH, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTED A FEW CLOUDS THIS EVENING.

OTHERWISE THE HIGH WAS 80 TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLEAR SKIES, A HIGH OF 80.

BRAINERD IS REPORTING A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 81.

WE ARE ON TARGET FOR OUR AVERAGE HIGH.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 79.

WE ARE RIGHT ON TARGET, 1 DEGREE ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

OUR LOW THIS MORNING WAS ON THE CHILLY SIDE AT 48.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST.

FOR TOMORROW, A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND WE WILL AGAIN BE SEEING THOSE NICE TEMPERATURES, HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s TO RIGHT AROUND 80 DEGREES.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT SUNSHINE, UPPER 70s TO 80.

A REPEAT OF TODAY, JUST ANOTHER GREAT DAY BEFORE THE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURN TO END THE WEEK.

SO TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, LOWS INTO THE MIDDLE 50s.

FOR TOMORROW, WE EXPECT TO SEE SUNNY SKIES, HIGHS AROUND 79, AND SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, CHANCES FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURN ON WEDNESDAY BECOMING WIDESPREAD ON THURSDAY.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RIGHT ON THROUGH THE WEEKEND, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SEASON IS UNDERWAY.

>> Charlie: YEP AND YOU CAN TELL BY THE TIDE, FOOTBALL STARTING ALONG WITH SOME OTHER SPORTS.

WE GOT TO GO TO BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL TO SEE HOW THEY'RE DOING ON DAY ONE AND HOW THEY'RE GETTING PREPARED FOR THE SEASON.

WE'LL HAVE PLENTY MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE CENTER, OFFERING REPAIR SERVICES ON APPLE PRODUCTS AND P.C.S.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORT WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >>> HELMETS, CLEATS, SHOULDER PADS AND THE SMELL OF FRESH CUT GRASS, IT MUST BE FOOTBALL SEASON.

THIS MORNING THE BEMIDJI LUMBERJACKS HIT THE GRIDIRON FOR THEIR FIRST PRACTICE OF 2024.

ON OFFENSE THE JACKS RETURN A STRONG SENIOR GROUP, ONE THAT HAS SEEN A LOT OF PLAYING TIME OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THEY'VE ALSO SEEN A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT FROM WINNING ONLY TWO GAMES IN 2022 TO GOING 4-6 LAST SEASON WITH TWO OF THOSE LOSSES COMING DOWN TO THE FINAL POSSESSION.

IT'S A NEVER SAY QUIT GROUP, WHICH WAS MOST APPARENT WHEN SENIOR QUARTERBACK PEYTON NEADEAU WENT DOWN WITH A SEASON ENDING INJURY LAST YEAR AND THREE PLAYERS: TOMAH CANTY, OWEN FRAZER, AND KOBE BROWN, ALL STEPPED UP TO FILL IN THE GAP.

>> THOSE MINUTES IN THE SECTION QUARTER FELT GOOD.

JUST KNOWING I'M HERE NEXT YEAR, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, I HAVE ANOTHER YEAR.

KNOWING WHAT I CAN DO AND HOPEFULLY BUILD ON THAT.

>> THESE ARE KIDS THAT GOT PLAYING TIME SINCE THEY WERE SOPHOMORES AND NOW THEY'RE SENIORS.

WE'RE EXCITED WHEN THOSE WAVES SWEEP THROUGH.

>> I PLAY IN A LOT OF ADVERSE SITUATIONS AND THEY'RE ABLE TO RESPOND THE WAY YOU WANT THEM TO.

IT'S LIKE HAVING ANOTHER COACH ON THE FIELD.

>> Charlie: ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL, THE LUMBERJACKS LOST SEVERAL KEY SENIORS INCLUDING DEFENSIVE END LUCAS CARON WHO IS NOW A FRESHMAN AT BEMIDJI STATE BUT COACH STOFFEL IS CONFIDENT IN THE PLAYERS HE HAS RETURNING TO FILL THOSE ROLES AND BECOME LEADERS.

>> YOU HAVE GUYS UP FRONT THAT HAVE PLAYED SOME MINUTES AND HUDSON IS A RETURNER.

WE HAVE RETURNERS AND I LIKE WHERE THEY ARE AT RIGHT NOW.

IT WILL BE A MATTER OF EXECUTING AND PURSUIT ON DEFENSE.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT GOES.

>> IT IS A LOT OF PRESSURE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING UP TO YOU BUT I LIKE IT.

I LOVE BEING A LEADER TO EVERYONE ELSE.

IT'S A NEW WAVE OF LEADERSHIP, BEING NICE TO EVERYONE AND NOT GETTING DOWN ON ANYONE.

IF THE TEAM DOES GOOD, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I GET ALL THE REPS OR YARDS, IF WE'RE WINNING GAMES, THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.

>> BEMIDJI WILL KICK OFF THEIR SEASON ON THE ROAD, A THURSDAY NIGHT GAME AGAINST MONTICELLO.

LAST YEAR THE MAGIC HELD ON TO WIN 28-26 WITH THE JACKS FALLING SHORT OF A GO AHEAD SCORE ON THEIR FINAL FEW DRIVES.

>>> IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL THE AFCA RELEASED THEIR PRESEASON COACHES' POLL TODAY AND BEMIDJI STATE JUST MADE THE LIST, STARTING THE SEASON RANKED 25TH AMONG ALL OTHER DIVISION-TWO TEAMS.

THE BEAVERS ENDED THE SEASON RANKED 16TH IN THE SAME POLL AFTER CLIMBING AS HIGH AS 9TH DURING THE 2023 CAMPAIGN, THEIR HIGHEST RANK IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

THREE OTHER NSIC TEAMS WILL BEGIN 2024 IN THE TOP 25 WITH MINNESOTA STATE AT 13, AUGUSTANA AT 14, AND UMD AT 17.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE BEAVS POLLED AFTER RETURNING FROM COVID.

THEY STARTED 2021 UNRANKED BUT SINCE THEN HAVE STARTED AND ENDED EVERY SEASON RANKED IN THE COACHES POLL.

THIS YEAR'S THEY'LL PUT THAT RANKING TO THE TEST IN THEIR SEASON OPENER AGAINST MICHIGAN TECH.

THAT GAME IS AT HOME THURSDAY, AUGUST 29TH.

KICK-OFF AT 6:00 P.M. >>> THE TWINS ARE AT HOME TONIGHT, MINNESOTA COMING OFF A SERIES SPLIT WITH THE GUARDIANS.

THEY ARE ONLY A HALF GAME BACK FROM THE TWINS.

THEY TAKES A 1-0 LEAD ON A SOLO SHOT.

BOTTOM OF THE 2nd, TWINS TRAILING 2-1.

CASTRO, BACK, BACK, BACK, THREE RUN HOMERS, HIS NINTH PUTS MINNESOTA IN THE LEAD.

LEWIS EATING AT THE SAME BUFFET AS CASTRO.

HOMERED IN BOTH OF THEM.

TWINS WIN 8-3 OVER THE ROYALS AND GIVE THEMSELVES SOME BREATHING ROOM FOR SECOND PLACE IN THE AL CENTRAL.

>>> HERE ARE THE RESULTS FROM BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY ON SUNDAY.

ONE CHANGE SINCE YESTERDAY, NUMBER 57 AUSTIN GETS THE WIN AFTER KAY WAS DISQUALIFIED.

NEXT WEEKEND, FANS CAN PICK UP TICKETS FOR THEIR FAVORITE DRIVER AND TURN THEM IN AT THE GATE FOR A DISCOUNTED ENTRY.

>> Dennis: SO WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE IN STORE.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE BEMIDJI GIRLS TENNIS TOMORROW, BOYS FOOTBALL ON WEDNESDAY, AND WE'LL GO FROM THERE.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> WITH MORE AND MORE AMERICANS LOOKING FOR MORE HEALTHY SNACK OPTIONS, ACAI BOWLS HAVE GROWN IN POPULARITY.

NAUTICAL BOWLS IS A GROWING COMPANY THAT HAS OPENED MORE THAN 70 LOCATIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES SINCE 2018.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS, REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY SPOKE WITH THE OWNERS OF ONE OF THE NEWER OPENED LOCATIONS IN BAXTER.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL AND MARIAH OPENED THEIR NEW LOCATION EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH AFTER LIVING IN THE WEST COAST AND THROUGH THEIR TRAVELS, THEY ENJOYED SMOOTHIE BOWLS.

NOW THE COUPLE BECAME FRANCHISEES AND BROUGHT THEIR LOVE TO THE SUPER FOOD SNACK TO THE BRAINERD LAKES.

>> WE LOVED SMOOTHIE BOYS, ACAI, AND IN MY WEDDING VOWS TO MARIAH, I PROMISED TO MAKE A SMOOTHIE FOR HER EVERYDAY.

I HAVEN'T KEPT THAT UP NECESSARILY, BUT NOW WE HAVE A SMOOTHIE BUSINESS, SO THAT'S THE SAME THING.

IT SEEMED LIKE A NATURAL FIT.

>> Reporter: SMOOTHLY -- SMOOTHIE BOWLS HAVE GROWN IN POPULARITY.

THEY HAVE LOOKED FOR NATURAL SUGARS INSTEAD OF REFINED ONES.

>> ALL OUR PRODUCTS ARE ALLERGEN-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE, SO YOU'RE GETTING A WELL ROUNDED MEAL.

WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN ALL DAY.

YOU CAN GET IT AS A BREAKFAST, LUNCH, SNACK, DINNER, DESSERT, IF YOU WANT TO SUBSTITUTE YOUR ICE CREAM.

>> Reporter: THEY DO A LOT OF CATERING WITH NAUTICAL BOWLS, WHICH HELPS THEM GET MORE IMMERSED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

>> REALLY FUN TO GET OUT AND SPARK THAT, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE AND GET TO MEET PEOPLE AND SEE NEW FACES AND OLD FACES WHO WE HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE, AND YES, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO GET OUT AND GET INVOLVED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME INTO OUR STORE THAT HAVE SEEN US AT EVENTS, SO IT HELPS TO PULL PEOPLE INTO THE STORE.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD LAKES IS A COMMUNITY THAT CONSISTENTLY SHOWS SUPPORT FOR ITS NEIGHBORS AND THAT LOVE IS SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE FELT IN WAVES.

>> THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE A SMALL COMMUNITY BECAUSE PEOPLE REALLY DO RALLY TOGETHER AND YOU KNOW, JOINING THE CHAMBER AFTER BEING GONE FOR 15 YEARS, THERE WERE 3 PEOPLE ON THE BOARD WHOSE NAMES I RECOGNIZED.

IT'S THAT COMING HOME FEELING ALL THE TIME.

IT DOES FEEL LIKE A FAMILY WHEN YOU COME BACK INTO A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD AND PEOPLE EMBRACE YOU.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BAXTER WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND NAUTICAL BOWLS IN BAXTER OPENS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M. NOW WE HEAD OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT, LOW TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-50s, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, MORE SUNSHINE, JUST ANOTHER GORGEOUS DAY FOR US.

HIGHS WILL REACH ABOUT 79, WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 5 TO 15.

THINGS WILL BECOME MORE ACTIVE ON WEDNESDAY WHEN WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s.

IT IS GOING TO COOL DOWN ON THURSDAY AS THE SHOWERS BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AND WE COULD SEE A FEW THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MIX, THE UNSETTLED WEATHER CONTINUES THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK.

AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES GO, WE ARE LOOKING AT 73 FOR OUR HIGH ON FRIDAY AND THEN WE WARM UP AS WE START THE WEEKEND AND IT SHOULD BE FAIRLY WARM THIS WEEKEND WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s.

>> Charlie: GOING OUT THERE AS A FOOTBALL GUY, IT BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES.

THEY DON'T DO TWO-A-DAY ANYMORE.

>> Dennis: OR THREE-A-DAY.

THAT IS GOING WAY BACK.

THAT WILL DO IT FOR US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT H -- EVERYBODY, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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