>> 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 EVERYONE THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> VOTERS NARROWED DOWN THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES IN NUMEROUS ELECTIONS ACROSS THE STATE TODAY.

THE MINNESOTA'S PRIMARY ELECTION DETERMINES WHO WILL BE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE RESULTS WE HAVE IN SO FAR.

THE REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE PRIMARY INCLUDES EIGHT CANDIDATES: ROYCE WHITE, A FORMER NBA BASKETBALL PLAYER IS THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

HE HAS BEEN DECLARED THE WINNER WITH 38% OF THE VOTE.

JOE FRASER, IT WAS EXPECTED TO GIVE HIM A GOOD MATCH BUT IT GOES TO WHITE.

AMY KLOBUCHAR WAS CHALLENGED BY FOUR OTHER CHALLENGERS, BUT SHE WINS BIG, SHE REPRESENTS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

DISTRICT SEVEN REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT MICHELLE FISHBACH WAS CHALLENGED IN THE PRIMARY BY JOE BOYD AND SHE WINS THAT ELECTION WITH 64% OF THE VOTE.

IN DISTRICT EIGHT, REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT PETE STABUER IS THE BIG WINNER.

ON THE DFL SIDE, JEN SCHULTZ WINS BIG WITH 91% OF THE VOTE OVER JOHN MUNTER.

AND ONE OTHER STATE WIDE RACE OF NOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR DISTRICT FIVE, INCUMBENT ILHAN OMAR CHALLENGED AGAIN BY DON SAMUELS AS WELL AS TWO OTHERS.

OMAR SLIPS BY SAMUELS BY 2 PERCENTAGE POINTS IN 2022.

THIS YEAR SHE WINS AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH 56% COMPARED TO SAMUELS 43%.

ON THE STATE LEGISLATIVE SIDE, TWO REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES, JOSH HEINTZEMAN IS UP AGAINST CHALLENGER MATTHEW ZINDA IN DISTRICT 6B.

JOSH WINS WITH 91% OF THE VOTE THERE.

AND IN DISTRICT 10A, INCUMBENT RON KRESHA IS RUNNING AGAINST DIANE WEBB-SKILLINGS.

KRESHA WITH 94% OF THE REPORTS HOLDS A SMALL LEAD BUT THAT IS NOT CALLED AT THIS POINT.

SHE IS LEADING, BUT IT IS CLOSE.

ALSO SOME LOCAL RACES WITH PRMARIES TODAY, THESE ALL NARROW THE FIELD TO TWO CANDIDATES.

NO REPORTS IN FROM BEMIDJI AS WE HAVE THE MAYORS RACE AND THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL WARD 3 RACE WITH THREE CANDIDATES AND THE BEMIDJI WARD FIVE RACE.

WE'RE WAITING FOR NUMBERS FROM BEMIDJI TONIGHT.

IN DISTRICT FOUR, THERE ARE 68% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING IN BELTRAMI COUNTY FOR THAT DISTRICT.

FRANK DURESKY WAS THE LEADER THERE.

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

THAT ONE IS SPREAD PRETTY EVENLY TOO ACROSS THE BOARD.

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

WE'LL PROVIDE YOU A LINK TO THOSE RESULTS ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> SOME NATIVE AMERICAN ELECTIONS ARE ALREADY IN THE BOOKS AND RED LAKE BAND OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS RUN OFF ELECTION SWEARING IN CEREMONY WAS TODAY AT THE REGULAR TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING.

HERE YOU SEE ALLEN D. PEMBERTON WHO WAS RE-ELECTED REDBY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE BEING SWORN IN AND RECITING HIS 7TH OATH OF OFFICE, AS WELL AS THOMAS BARRETT THE NEWLY ELECTED LITTLE ROCK DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE ALSO BEING SWORN INTO OFFICE AND RECITING HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

>>> YESTERDAY WAS A MONUMENTAL DAY FOR RURAL HEALTHCARE IN MINNESOTA.

RIVERWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER IN AITKIN UNVEILED ITS NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART 72,000 SQUARE-FOOT SURGERY EXPANSION.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE ON WHAT THE EXPANSION MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: RIVER WOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER'S NEW 72,000 SQUARE FOOT SURGERY EXPANSION IS SET TO ENHANCE HEALTHCARE IN THE REGION.

THE ADDITION INCORPORATES STATE-OF-THE-ART ROBOTICS AND SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES.

THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT, RIVER WOOD LEADERSHIP CONSULTED WITH THEIR TEAM OF MEDICAL PROVIDERS SO THAT THE FACILITY COULD BE THE BEST IT COULD BE.

>> THEY'RE THE EXPERTS.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO LISTEN TO THEM AND IN A SMALLER INSTITUTION LIKE US, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO TOOLS.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROVIDING THE VERY BEST THINGS WE CAN FOR OUR PATIENTS AND FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

THEY COME TO US AND IF WE CAN MAKE IT WORK, WE WANT TO SUPPORT THAT.

THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT KIND OF COLLABORATION WITH OUR PROVIDERS.

>> Reporter: DURING THE PROGRAM, ONE DOCTOR LIKENED THE EXPANSION TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HOW HAVING THE BEST FACILITY CAN GET YOU THE BEST RECRUITS.

FOR RIVER WOOD, HAVING THIS FACILITY ALONG WITH OTHER COLLABORATIONS WILL MAKE SURE STANDARDS REMAIN HIGH.

>> WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST IN THE STATE AND FRANKLY IN THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE THE LEVEL OF PROVIDERS THAT WE DO HAVE HERE.

I HAVE TO SAY, A BIG PART OF OUR ABILITY TO DO THAT HAS ALSO BEEN OUR COLLABORATION WITH THE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.

THAT COLLABORATION HAS ALLOWED US TO HAVE ACCESS TO THESE SURGEONS AND NOW TO HAVE A STEP FURTHER, HAVING A FACILITY LIKE THAT REALLY ENSURES WE'LL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO RECRUIT THAT TALENT INTO THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: OVER 100 PEOPLE WERE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE CEREMONY AND PROGRAM.

MANY PEOPLE TOOK A TOUR OF THE NEW EXPANSION AND SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE SHOW THEIR SUPPORT, LEFT LEADERSHIP EXTREMELY GRATEFUL.

>> IT'S OVERWHELMING TO RECEIVE THE SUPPORT.

IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO US, TO ME.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE, OUR PATIENTS, OUR COMMUNITY.

TO HAVE THIS SUPPORT HERE, IT REALLY DOES MEAN EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: RIVER WOOD HEALTHCARE FORESEES THAT IT WILL NOT BE A 72,000 SQUARE FOOT EXPANSION BUT THE OPPORTUNITY WILL BE THERE TO GROW UP AND OUT.

>> WE REALLY DIFFERENTIATE OURSELVES ON PATIENT EXPERIENCE.

PEOPLE AREN'T A NUMBER HERE, THEY'RE A PERSON.

IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE.

THAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE FOR OUR PATIENTS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO HELP US TO GROW, ALONG WITH THE SURGICAL EXPERTISE, BUT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE FOR OUR PATIENTS, IT WILL HELP US GROW AND WE'LL NEED THAT SPACE INTO THE FUTURE.

SO THAT PLANNING TO GO, TO POTENTIALLY GO UP AND OUT IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE PLAN AT SOME POINT IN TIME, TO EXPAND AGAIN.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN AITKIN, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE SURGERY EXPANSION WILL BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BEGINNING ON AUGUST 26TH.

>>> GOOD SAMARITANS AT A LAKE NEAR MENAHGA ARE BEING CREDITED WITH HELPING TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A MAN WHO NEARLY DROWNED.

THE WADENA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS A 19-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS SWIMMING IN SPIRIT LAKE WHEN HE WENT UNDER THE WATER AND DID NOT RESURFACE FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES.

THE MAN WAS LOCATED AND TAKEN FROM THE WATER BY THE GOOD SAMARITANS WHO IMMEDIATELY STARTED C.P.R.

A SHORT TIME LATER THE MAN BEGAN BREATHING ON HIS OWN AND WAS TAKEN TO A PARK RAPIDS HOSPITAL TO BE TREATED.

>>> THE CROW WING COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS SEEING PROGRESS ON THE HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN COUNTY ROADS 3 AND 66 IN CROSSLAKE.

CONCRETE FLAT WORK ON THE SIDEWALKS, MEDIANS, TRUCK APRON, AND PEDESTRIAN RAMPS WRAPPED UP LAST WEEK, AS WELL AS GRAVEL SHAPING, INSTALLING A GUARDRAIL, AND COMPLETING THE UNDERGROUND STREET LIGHT WIRES AND FOUNDATIONS.

BUSINESSES IN THE AREA HAVE HAD TO ADJUST DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION THIS SUMMER.

>> WE REALLY HAVEN'T RECEIVED A LOT OF COMPLAINTS.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING OUR BEST TO BE REACTIVE TO THAT AND WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN.

THIS PARKING LOT IS FULL NOW WITH CUSTOMERS FOR THESE BUSINESSES WHO ARE MOST IMPACTED RIGHT NOW AND THAT'S GREAT TO SEE.

>> THE PROJECT IS IN PHASE ONE WITH PAVEMENT MARKINGS, ASPHALT PAVING, AND SIGNAGE AMONG THE REMAINING TASKS LEFT.

PHASE TWO FOR THE ROUNDABOUT IS CURRENTLY EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 2ND.

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

>> Stacy: SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL BEGIN TO MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE AREA TOMORROW WITH MORE WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY EXPECTED ON THURSDAY.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, SMOKEY THE BEAR CELEBRATES HIS 80th BIRTHDAY.

>> 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 STAGE NORTH THEATRE COMPANY IN BRAINERD RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ITS 2025 PLAY LINEUP.

NEXT YEAR WILL OPEN WITH AN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION CALLED FLUORIDE, THE MUSICAL IN LATE FEBRUARY.

THE FALL SHOW WILL BE "TEN NOVEMBER", WHICH WILL FOCUS ON THE SINKING OF THE S.S. EDMUND FITZGERALD AND THE SEASON WILL END WITH "A NUT CRACKER'S CHRISTMAS".

STAGE NORTH WILL BE ENTERING ITS 11TH SEASON AS WELL COME 2025 AND ITS MISSION IS TO STAY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A HIGH QUALITY THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE AND FOR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER GARY HIRSCH.

THAT'S WHAT STAGE NORTH IS ALL ABOUT.

>> WE HAVE NOT RAISED OUR PRICE IN 10 YEARS.

YOU WANT TO GO TO A SHOW, IT'S STILL $10.

I WOULD SAY THE BIGGEST REASON IS ACCESSIBILITY.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GET HERE AND AFFORD TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE AND BRING THEIR FAMILIES TO COME HERE.

>> STAGE NORTH IS STILL WRAPPING UP ITS 2024 SEASON WITH "GASLIGHT" SET TO RUN FROM OCTOBER 24 THROUGH THE 27TH AND "THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER" WILL BOOKEND THE YEAR FROM DECEMBER 12TH THROUGH THE 15TH.

>>> 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 JOINS US.

ANOTHER DAY LIKE YESTERDAY, VERY NICE, A LITTLE WARMER.

>> Stacy: YES, SIMILAR TO YESTERDAY.

WE ARE A FEW DEGREES WARMER TODAY.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE WARM TEMPERATURES AGAIN TOMORROW, BUT WE'LL START TO SEE MORE ACTIVE WEATHER RETURNING TO THE AREA WITH CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND THEN MORE WIDESPREAD SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ON >> 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, WE HAVE SEEN A GORGEOUS AUGUST DAY TODAY.

WE ENJOYED THAT SUNSHINE, WE HAD SEASONAL TEMPERATURES, AND NOT MUCH MORE WIND OUT THERE.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE CLOUDS INCREASING AND WE MAY SEE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING IN FROM THE WEST AND FROM THE SOUTH AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

SO ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, WE WILL SEE THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING AND WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY ON THURSDAY, AND THEN ACTIVE WEATHER CONTINUES ON INTO THE END OF THE WORKWEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, 68 AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTHEAST WIND OUT OF OUR STUDIO.

THE DEW POINT IS 55 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 63%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 66 DEGREES WITH A DEW POINT OF 60.

WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT IS QUIET IN MINNESOTA TONIGHT, WE ARE ACTUALLY EXPECTING TO SEE CONTINUED QUIET WEATHER THROUGHOUT NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE'RE NOT SEEING THE SYSTEM OFF IN THE DAKOTAS MOVING VERY MUCH.

THE STORY IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

WE WILL START TO SEE CLOUDS INCREASING AND ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD TO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, WE WILL SEE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

THIS AREA IN THE RED JUST TO THE SOUTH HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAIN.

THAT SHOULD STAY OUT OF OUR VIEWING AREA, BUT WE COULD SEE SOME SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL IN SOME LOCATIONS AS THE SYSTEM ROLLS THROUGH, WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY EXPECTED AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY, WITH UNSETTLED WEATHER LATER ON THIS WEEK.

SOME SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU, GORGEOUS SKIES WITH SAMROSE OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

THE FLOWERS WERE ENJOYING THE WEATHER IN LAPORTE.

RICK IN BEMIDJI, AARON AND LISA OVER LOWER RED LAKE WITH SOME SHOTS TONIGHT OF THE SUNSET.

AGAIN, ANOTHER GORGEOUS EVENING, A GREAT DAY TO ENJOY OUR WEATHER HERE IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 52 AND SUNSHINE AND FOG THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY A HIGH OF 78.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, SUNNY TOPPING OUT AT 78 AS WELL.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND 82.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A FEW CLOUDS THIS EVENING, HIGH WAS 81.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 81.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING 82 TODAY, A VERY SEASONAL HIGH IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

52 WAS OUR LOW, 8:28 THE SUNSET.

BEMIDJI HAD A HIGH OF 80, SO JUST TOPPING THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE BY A COUPLE OF DEGREES, LOW THIS MORNING OF 49.

FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL START TO SEE CLOUDS INCREASING AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS MOVING IN.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL AGAIN BE IN THE UPPER 70s TO 80.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, A BETTER CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY AGAIN AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENINGS.

HIGH TEMPERATURES UPPER 70s.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH LOWS NEAR 60.

TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON WITH HIGHS NEAR 78.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERSPREAD THE AREA AND BECOME WIDESPREAD ON THURSDAY WITH MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND HIGHS NEAR 70.

STILL SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON FRIDAY, A LITTLE BIT UNSETTLED AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

IT SHOULD BE MORE ISOLATED SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

OTHERWISE, WE ARE EXPECTING HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW STARTING OFF WITH NEWS FROM VIKINGS CAMP.

>> Charlie: YES, SAM DARNOLD IS THE STARTER BUT IT IS J.J. McCARTHY WHO HAD SOME KNEE SORENESS AFTER THE GAME WITH THE RAIDERS AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE HE WILL NEED KNEE SURGERY.

WE HEARD FROM THE HEAD COACH ON WHAT'S NEXT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, BRINGING NORTHERN MINNESOTA THE GIGAZONE.

INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGABITS PER SECONDS, BOTH UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD.

IT'S THE GIGAZONE FROM PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS AND IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> IT WAS BAD NEWS OUT OF VIKINGS CAMP TODAY WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT ROOKIE QUARTERBACK J.J. MCCARTHY WILL UNDERGO KNEE SURGERY FOR A TORN MENISCUS.

MCCARTHY, WHO WAS THE 10TH OVERALL PICK IN THIS YEAR'S NFL DRAFT, WAS REPORTEDLY DEALING WITH KNEE SORENESS AFTER HIS DEBUT APPEARANCE IN MINNESOTA'S PRESEASON WIN AGAINST THE OAKLAND RAIDERS LAST SATURDAY.

HEAD COACH KEVIN O'CONNELL SPOKE VIA A ZOOM PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY TO ADDRESS THE INJURY AND WHETHER OR NOT THE VIKINGS NEED TO GO SHOPPING FOR ANOTHER QUARTERBACK THIS SEASON.

>> YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT CAN BE A CLEAN UP OR POTENTIALLY A REPAIR, THAT WON'T BE ABLE TO BE DETERMINED UNTIL THAT PROCEDURE TAKES PLACE.

SO I REALLY, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE SPECULATING ON A TIMELINE FOR A RETURN AT THIS POINT.

WE'LL OBVIOUSLY HAVE SAM, NICK READY TO ROLL.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE LOOK AT THE PLANS FOR EITHER PRACTICE OR THE PRE-SEASON GAME, YOU KNOW, THAT MAY BE SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

>> J.J. MCCARTHY TOOK TO X AFTER THE NEWS DROPPED POSTING, “LOVE YOU VIKING NATION.

I'LL BE BACK IN NO TIME.

AMOR FATI”, A LATIN PHRASE THAT TRANSLATES TO “LOVE OF FATE”, PRETTY MUCH MEANS MAKE THE BEST OF THE SITUATION.

>>> HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS BEGAN PRACTICES YESTERDAY AND AT BEMIDJI THERE WILL BE NO QUICKER TURNAROUND FROM FIRST PRACTICE TO FIRST COMPETITION THAN FOR GIRLS TENNIS.

NEXT MONDAY THE LUMBERJACKS HEAD TO PINE CITY FOR A QUADRANGULAR.

THE FIRST MATCHES OF A SEASON THEY HOPE CULMINATES IN THEIR FIRST SECTION TITLE SINCE 2021.

THE JACKS RETURN THEIR TOP THREE SINGLES PLAYERS, LIZ PETERSON, BAILEY ROOP, AND LILLY CARON, ALL OF WHICH ARE ONLY ENTERING THEIR SOPHOMORE YEAR.

THE TEAM WILL MISS FORMER CAPTAINS MADI JENSEN AND KENDALL MIDBOE ON THE DOUBLES COURTS BUT THEIR PARTNERS ELENA PETERSON AND SAM WOOD RETURN AND ALSO TAKE OVER AS CAPTAINS.

>> IT'S REALLY NICE SEEING EVERYONE BACK ON THE COURT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FAMILIAR FACES.

I FEEL LIKE LAST YEAR WAS OUR REBUILDING YEAR BUT THIS YEAR, OUR TEAM IS SET FROM THE PREVIOUS SEASON.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK GOING ON OFF SEASON TOO SO I'M SUPER EXCITED.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY GOOD SEASON.

>> I THINK IT'S OPENING UP A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEWER GIRLS AND IT'S REALLY EXCITING THAT WE GET TO COME BACK STRONGER THAN WE DID LAST SEASON.

I FEEL LIKE LAST SEASON WAS REALLY WHAT BUILT US UP FOR SUCCESS FOR THIS SEASON BECAUSE EVERYONE DID JUMP AROUND A LOT.

I FEEL LIKE WE WILL BE REALLY SOLID.

I'M EXCITED.

>>> BEFORE THE LUMBERJACKS TAKE THE COURT AGAINST THEIR OPPONENTS, THEY WILL HAVE PLAYED PLENTY OF HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHES AGAINST EACH OTHER IN PRACTICE.

A WAY TO PREPARE FOR COMPETITION, ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE HEATED.

>> YOU KNOW, I LOVE THAT IT'S KIND OF NOT COMPETITIVE.

THAT'S WHAT I LIKE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE WE'RE ALL SO CLOSE THAT EVEN IF ONE OF US TOTALLY DEMOLISHES THE OTHER PERSON, IT'S LIKE YOU DID GOOD, YOU HAD A GOOD SHOT.

IT'S FRIENDLY FIRE.

IT'S A FRIENDLY COMPETITION.

>> IT REALLY CHALLENGES US.

I JUST PLAYED LIZ TODAY AND SHE'S MY BIGGEST COMPETITION ON THE COURT.

SHE MAKES ME THE MOST NERVOUS TOO.

I'M OLDER SO I EXPECT TO WIN, BUT SHE GIVES ME A RUN FOR MY MONEY.

SHE CHALLENGES ME AND I CHALLENGE HER.

THE ONLY WAY WE WILL GET BETTER IS PLAYING GIRLS BETTER THAN US AND PUSHING EACH OTHER.

I THINK THAT WILL HELP US THIS YEAR.

>> Charlie: WE TALKED ABOUT THEIR TRIANGULAR, BUT THEY WILL PLAY WITH DEEP RIVER FALLS.

>>> THE TWO TIME -- AND THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, MINNESOTA TWINS WIN 13-3 OVER THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS.

>> Dennis: VERY GOOD.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> “ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES” IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS AND MEMORABLE CATCHPHRASES TO EVER BE SAID.

ORIGINALLY COMING FROM SMOKEY BEAR IN 1947, WHO CELEBRATED HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY LAST WEEK, ALL OVER THE LAKE'S COUNTRY, BIRTHDAY PARTIES WERE HELD TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WENT TO THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR SMOKEY BEAR.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Reporter: FOR 80 YEARS NOW, SMOKEY BEAR HAS BEEN PROTECTING OUR FOREST AND TEACHING KIDS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY AND WILDFIRE PREVENTION.

TO CELEBRATE, PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER CAME TO THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST TO THROW AN 80th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR SMOKEY AT NORWAY BEACH.

>> WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE A BIG BIRTHDAY FOR SMOKEY BEAR.

HE IS TURNING 80 YEARS OLDS ON AUGUST 9TH.

HE WAS BORN IN 1944 AND HE LOOKS GREAT FOR HIS AGE.

>> Reporter: SINCE IT'S A BIRTHDAY PARTY AFTER ALL, HE PREPARED LOTS OF ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES TO ATTEND.

>> WE HAVE SMOKEY SWAG FOR THE KIDS, SOME CRAFTS, A FIRE ENGINE HERE, AND SMOKEY IS HERE FOR GOOD PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE SHOW UP AND MORE ON THEIR WAY.

WE HAVE CAKE, WE HAVE GAMES, WE HAVE PRIZES AND CRAFTS.

IT'S AN EXCITING DAY TO GET OUT HERE AND MEET SMOKEY AND LEARN ABOUT FIRE PREVENTION.

>> Reporter: EVEN AFTER 80 YEARS, MY FRIEND SMOKEY BEAR COULD STILL USE YOUR HOPE AS 9 OUT OF 10 WILDFIRES ARE CAUSED BY HUMANS.

THAT'S WHY THE CELEBRATION IS ALSO MEANT TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY.

>> THESE KIDS ARE HERE, MOSTLY STAYING IN THE CAMPGROUNDS AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO LEARN HOW TO ACT SAFE AROUND THE FIRE.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THE PEOPLE HERE HAVING AN AWESOME TIME AND WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM AND KEEP THEM SAFE.

>> TEACHING KIDS OF FIRE SAFETY, IT TEACHES THEM NOT TO PLAY WITH MATCHES, TELL PARENTS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: MULTIPLE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS WERE HELD AROUND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA AND SMOKEY IS THANKFUL THAT SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SHOWED UP AND WANT TO PROTECT THE FOREST.

>> IT'S HEARTWARMING THAT KIDS WANT TO COME AND MEET SMOKEY.

IT'S REALLY SWEET TO SEE THEM SINGING THE SONG AND SAYING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SMOKEY.

IT'S GREAT WE GET TOGETHER OUTSIDE TO CELEBRATE SMOKEY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: SMOKEY IS 80.

I PLAY TENNIS IN THE MORNING WITH SOME GUYS THAT ARE 80.

I DON'T KNOW IF SMOKEY COULD KEEP UP WITH THESE GUYS.

>> Charlie: I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL MAKE IT TO 80.

>> Dennis: WE HAVE MORE ELECTION RESULTS FOR YOU NOW.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CITY RESULTS FROM BEMIDJI.

TOP TWO VOTE GETTERS MOVE ON TO THE GENERAL ELECTION, SO THAT WILL BE GEORGE PRINCE, THE INCUMBENT, AND DANIEL JORDAN, THE TOP TWO VOTE GETTERS FOR BEMIDJI MAYOR.

WARD 2, KATIE AND MARK DICKINSON.

IN WARD 5, THE INCUMBENT MOVES ON WITH 126 VOTES AND BILL MOVES UP WITH 106, A VERY CLOSE RACE WITH MICHAEL, JUST MERE VOTES BEHIND.

IN CROW WING COUNTY DISTRICT 5, THE COMMISSIONERS RACE, DOUG, THE INCUMBENT WILL NOT GO ON TO THE GENERAL ELECTION AS JAMIE AND JOHNSON MOVE ON TO THAT GENERAL ELECTION.

>>> THAT IS GOING TO WRAP THINGS UP FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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