>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Sydney: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT, I'M SYDNEY DICK IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> WELL, CHRISTMAS MAY BE FOUR MONTHS AWAY, BUT WHO SAYS IT'S TOO EARLY TO SETTLE IN FOR A HALLMARK MOVIE?

FOR 25 YEARS THE COMPANY HAS BEEN BRINGING CHRISTMAS MAGIC ONTO THE SCREEN WITH PICTURESQUE SKI RESORTS AND SMALL TOWNS, AND HALLMARK THEMSELVES HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT VIBE IN BEMIDJI.

BEMIDJI HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 25 MERRIEST CHRISTMAS TOWNS IN AMERICA BY HALLMARK, AND IS THE ONLY LOCATION IN ALL OF MINNESOTA TO RECEIVE THE RECOGNITION.

WITH THE DECORATED DOWNTOWN AND ANNUAL EVENTS LIKE THE NIGHT WE LIGHT CELEBRATION, BEMIDJI HAS BECOME KNOWN FOR THEIR CHRISTMASTIME TRADITIONS.

>> AT -- I AM AT A LOSS FOR WORDS.

THERE ARE AMAZING CHRISTMAS CITIES ACROSS MINNESOTA AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

SO, BEING SELECTED AS ONE OF THAT IS AN INCREDIBLE HONOR AND WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE WHAT I FELT AND WHAT I THOUGHT WENT WE FIRST FOUND OUT.

IT'S JUST, IT'S NOT A SHOCK, BUT IT'S SUCH A SURPRISE AND A DEEP HONOR TO HAVE THAT CONSIDERATION AND RECOMMENDATION FROM HALLMARK CHANNEL SAYING YOUR TOWN FITS OUR CRITERIA OF WHAT MAKES A HALLMARK CHRISTMAS TOWN.

>> BEING NAMED ON THE TOP 25 LIST ALSO COMES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO POTENTIALLY HAVE A HALLMARK MOVIE FILMED IN BEMIDJI.

A VOTING PROCESS WILL GO FROM NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 4TH, AND THE NUMBER ONE MERRIEST CHRISTMAS TOWN WILL BECOME THE LOCATION THAT HALLMARK WILL SHOOT ONE OF THEIR SIGNATURE CHRISTMAS MOVIES AT.

>> OUR SUBMISSION, VIDEO, AND OUR WRITE UP THAT WE PRODUCED REALLY KIND OF HIGHLIGHTED THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT GIVE BEMIDJI THAT HALLMARK FEEL, LIKE BUENA VISTA SKI RESORT, THE DOWNTOWN SHOPS, THE RESTAURANTS, EVERYTHING THAT GIVES BEMIDJI THAT COZY HALLMARK CHARM, WE ADDED IN OUR SUBMISSION.

NOW WE'RE REACHING OUT TO THE PUBLIC TO VOTE FOR BEMIDJI AND BRING THIS TOP HONOR HOME TO MINNESOTA.

VOTING IS NOW LIVE AND YOU CAN VOTE DAILY PER E-MAIL ADDRESS.

SO ONE VOTE PER E-MAIL ADDRESS PER DAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 4th.

>> THE LINK TO VOTE FOR BEMIDJI CAN BE FOUND ON THE VISIT BEMIDJI OR HALLMARK CHANNEL WEBSITES, OR POSTED ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON THE LAKELAND PBS SITE.

>>> CONSTRUCTION ON HIGHWAY 197 IN BEMIDJI IS CONTINUING, AS CREWS WILL SPEND THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS POURING CONCRETE, IN PREPARATION FOR THE START OF STAGE 1-D.

TRAFFIC WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN A SINGLE LANE IN SOME AREAS HEADING BOTH DIRECTIONS, AS CONCRETE IS BEING POURED FOR THE NEW 197 LANES.

UPON COMPLETION, TRAFFIC WILL MOVE ONTO THE NEW DRIVING LANES OF HIGHWAY 197, AND CREWS WILL CONSTRUCT THE NORTH LEG OF THE ROUNDABOUT AND EXTEND GILLETTE DRIVE.

THE NEXT PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION, STAGE 1-D, IS SET TO RUN FROM MID TO LATE AUGUST TO MID SEPTEMBER.

>>> THE 2026 WILD RICE SEASON IS OPENING TOMORROW, AND THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

IS REMINDING HARVESTERS THAT EVEN THOUGH AUGUST 15TH IS THE EARLIEST WILD RICING DATE, IT IS ILLEGAL TO HARVEST RICE STANDS UNTIL THEY ARE FULLY RIPE.

D.N.R.

OFFICIALS RELEASED A STATEMENT REGARDING.

HOW TRYING TO HARVEST RICE BEFORE IT IS RIPE CAN DAMAGE THE PLANTS NOT ONLY FOR THIS YEAR, BUT FOR YEARS TO COME.

HARVESTERS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE WILD RICE DURING THE HARVESTING SEASON FROM AUGUST 15TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, BUT MINNESOTA'S GREEN RICE LAW PROHIBITS THE TAKING OF UNRIPE OR GREEN RICE.

WILD RICE HARVESTERS MUST BE LICENSED UNLESS THEY ARE RESIDENTS UNDER 18 WHO ARE ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER LICENSED HARVESTER, OR IF TRIBAL MEMBER HAVE VALID TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION THEY DO NOT NEED A STATE WILD RICE HARVESTING LICENSE.

THE FULL LIST OF RULES AND REGULATIONS CAN BE FOUND ON THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

WEBSITE, ALONG WITH MORE TIPS TO CHECK HOW RIPE KERNELS ARE, AND A WILD RICE HARVESTING OUTLOOK REPORT WILL BE UPDATED ONCE THE OFFICIAL SEASON STARTS.

>>> THE U.S.

SENATE PASSED A BIPARTISAN BILL ON SATURDAY THAT INCLUDES A PROVISION FROM SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR TO DELAY THE FEDERAL HEMP BAN.

ORIGINALLY SLATED TO TAKE EFFECT IN NOVEMBER.

THE BILL WILL DELAY THE FEDERAL BAN THROUGH DECEMBER 11TH OF THIS YEAR.

THE PLANNED LEGISLATURE WOULD BAN ALL INTOXICATING HEMP-DERIVED T-H-C PRODUCTS.

THE VOTE ON SATURDAY PASSED THE BILL THROUGH THE SENATE IN A 61 TO 32 MARGIN.

KLOBUCHAR ASKED FOR MORE TIME TO REACH A MIDDLE GROUND RATHER THAN BANNING ALL SYNTHETIC HEMP DERIVATIVES, WHICH SHE SAYS WOULD WIPE OUT A THRIVING INDUSTRY IN MINNESOTA.

LEGISLATION NOW NEEDS TO PASS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, BEFORE THE DELAY WOULD BECOME OFFICIAL.

>>> MINNESOTA AUTHOR RECENTLY PUBLISHED HIS FIFTH NOVEL.

HE VISITED BEMIDJI IN LATE JULY TO MEET WITH THE PUBLIC TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW BOOK, WHICH REACHED NUMBER ONE ON AMAZON'S HOT NEW RELEASES LIST JUST ONE WEEK AFTER ITS RELEASE.

THE STORY FOLLOWS A DYING PHYSICIST WHO IS THINKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SOUL UPON DEATH.

IT'S BASED IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND BLURS THE LINE BETWEEN FANTASY AND REALITY, BLENDING REAL EVENTS WITH HYPOTHETICAL ONES.

>> AS OUR VISION, YOU CAN LOOK INTO THE SURFACE AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS BENEATH THE SURFACE, BUT YOU CANNOT GO THERE AND LIVE.

THEY CAN SEE YOU, BUT THEY CAN'T CROSS OVER THE BARRIER.

WELL, WHAT OTTO PROPOSED, IF HIS WORK IS COMPLETED, IT MIGHT OPEN A PORTAL AND THERE ARE FORCES OF GOOD AND EVIL THAT WANT OR DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.

THAT'S THE STORY.

WELL, I ALWAYS LIKED MEETING WITH SMALL GROUPS LIKE THIS BECAUSE IF IT'S A SMALL ENOUGH GROUP, PEOPLE ARE PRETTY COMFORTABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS.

THAT'S ALWAYS KIND OF WHEN THE FUN BEGINS.

>> Sydney: THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT LOCAL BOOKSTORES AROUND THE AREA OR ONLINE.

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

>> WE'LL SEE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW WITH SUNSHINE RETURNING ON SUNDAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, FRIENDS OF GREGORY PARK AND BRAINERD COMMUNITY ACTION HOSTED A FREE SUMMER CONCERT AT GREGORY PARK, FEATURING TRENT.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> LOCAL FLAVORS WERE ON FULL DISPLAY AT BEMIDJI YESTERDAY AS THE UNITED WAY HOSTED THEIR BEER AND WINE TASTING SOCIAL.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING STOPPED BY TO SEE HOW A NIGHT OF FOOD, DRINKS, AND ENTERTAINMENT IS HELPING SUPPORT PROGRAMS ACROSS THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>> Reporter: AROUND 200 PEOPLE PACKED THE SANFORD CENTER, SAMPLING MANY FLAVORS AND SUPPORTING UNITED WAY'S WORK ACROSS THE AREA.

FOR MANY WHO COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR, IT'S BECOME AS MUCH ABOUT THE PEOPLE AS THE CAUSE.

>> IT'S A REALLY FUN EVENT.

YOU SEE SOME OF THE SAME PEOPLE YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE IT'S SOCIAL AND IT'S FUN, AND ALL OF THE MONEY GOES TO SUCH A GREAT CAUSE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME BACK AGAIN.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT HAS GROWN OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS BECOME A PLACE WHERE LOCAL BUSINESSES CAN JUMP IN AND BE PART OF THE CAUSE.

FOR SOME VENDORS, ONE GOOD EXPERIENCE IS ALL IT TOOK TO COME BACK FOR ANOTHER ROUND.

>> WE ARE BACK FOR A SECOND YEAR.

LAST YEAR WAS OUR FIRST GREAT EXPOSURE, GREAT TURNOUT, LOVELY PEOPLE.

IT'S A GREAT CAUSE, GREAT PEOPLE, YEAR TWO.

>> Reporter: YEAR ONE AND FOOD IS WHAT GETS PEOPLE THROUGH THE DOOR, BUT AFTER 24 YEARS, THIS EVENT IS ABOUT BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO GIVE BACK.

TICKETS PRICED AT $25 ONLINE AND 30 AT THE DOOR, IT GAVE PEOPLE AN EASY WAY TO ENJOY THE NIGHT OUT WHILE GIVING BACK.

EVERY DOLLAR RAISED STAYS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WHEN ALL THESE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER, THAT MAKES THE POT SO MUCH BIGGER TO GO BACK TO OUR KIDS, OUR FAMILY IN NEED, PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH MEDICAL ISSUES.

ALL OF THE DOLLARS THAT OUR COMMUNITY GIVES TO THE UNITED WAY STAYS LOCAL.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THESE LOCAL PEOPLE HERE HELPING SUPPORT ALL THE NON-PROFITS THAT THE UNITED WAY PARTNERS WITH IS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: BY THE END OF THE EVENING, THE EVENT HAD ALREADY RAISED CLOSE TO $13,000 AND THAT TOTAL COULD STILL GROW.

ORGANIZERS SAY PROCEEDS FROM A SILENT AUCTION HAVE YET TO BE ADDED TO THE FINAL NUMBER.

REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Sydney: THE TWO HOUR EVENT WRAPPED UP ON THURSDAY NIGHT, BUT FOR THE UNITED WAY, THE WORK CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>>> 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 5:00 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 STACY IS IN STUDIO FOR OUR WEATHER TONIGHT.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT THIS WEEKEND?

>> Stacy: WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE WE COULD START OFF WITH SOME WET WEATHER.

WE HAVE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, WHICH WILL BE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE AREA TONIGHT AND CONTINUING INTO TOMORROW.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, AND IT COULD BE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE GOT TO SEE SOME SUNSHINE TODAY, SEASONAL TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE AREA, BUT NOW AS WE MOVED INTO THE EVENING AND INTO THE OVERNIGHT, WE DO HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS RETURNING AND THOSE COULD CONTINUE INTO TOMORROW.

NOW, AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON, PARTS OF WESTERN MINNESOTA MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF CLEARING.

IT LOOKS LIKE SUNNY SKIES ON SUNDAY, BUT EARLY IN THE WORKWEEK, WE COULD AGAIN SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 74 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE SOUTHWEST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, OUR DEW POINT IS 54, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 48%.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND 75, 57 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE VARIABLE AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE SEEN THE CLOUDS RETURNING TO, ESPECIALLY NORTHERN MINNESOTA THIS EVENING, A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION TRYING TO MAKE ITS WAY ACROSS THE NORTH.

AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, EXPECT TO SEE A VERY GOOD CHANCE, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA OF THE SHOWERS AND MAYBE A FEW ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE, BUT THE UNSETTLED WEATHER SHOULD CONTINUE TO START THE WEEKEND, PLENTY OF CLOUD COVER EARLY TOMORROW, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ONCE AGAIN LIKELY, COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF CLEARING IN PARTS OF WESTERN MINNESOTA AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SKY JUST BEFORE SUNRISE OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

SAMROSE SENDING US THAT PHOTO AND ARLENE CAPTURING THE SUNRISE IN MENAHGA.

WE HAVE CRANES FROM GARY IN DEERWOOD AND A SHY DEER FROM JOAN IN LAPORTE.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE CLOUDS AND THE BLUE SKY IN BEMIDJI.

CHRISSY WITH DEERWOOD, AND THE CLOUDS ARE MOVING IN OVER UPPER RED LAKE THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, BOB IN BLUFFTON, PARTLY SUNNY AND 83.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, THE HIGH WAS 83.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, SOME HIGH CLOUDS WITH SMOKE HAZE TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND 83.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, THE HIGH WAS 79.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY CLOUDY, A HIGH OF 81.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 83 BUZZ OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BRAINERD.

SO JUST ANOTHER SEASONAL TEMPERATURE, CLOSE TO OUR AVERAGE OF 80, AND SUNRISE AT 6 6:14.

WE HAD A LOW TEMPERATURE OF 49, SO IT WAS A LITTLE BIT CHILLY THIS MORNING AND SUNSET AT 8:33.

SO LOOKING AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, AGAIN WE WILL BE SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA.

IN THE MORNING, THOSE CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS, WE HAVE ANOTHER LITTLE BIT THAT IS EXPECTED TO MOVE IN TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND TOMORROW EVENING.

AS FAR AS OUR TEMPERATURES GO, WE WILL BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE 70s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, 72 IN WARROAD, UP TO 79 IN PARK RAPIDS, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, TEMPERATURES SHOULD TOP OUT IN THE UPPER 70s TO LOW 80s.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY WITH OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND LOWS NEAR 61.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TOMORROW BUT WE WILL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS AND HIGHS IN THE MID-70s, SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 10.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, 77 ON SUNDAY, OVERALL PRETTY QUIET ON MONDAY, BUT WE START TO SEE SOME SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY RETURNING MONDAY AND THEN AGAIN ON TUESDAY.

HIGHS AS WE HEAD INTO THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WEEK IN THE MID-70s, WITH QUIET WEATHER AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

CHARLIE YAEGER IS IN STUDIO WITH OUR SPORTS.

LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE FALL SPORTS KICKING OFF.

>> Charlie: WE DO.

THAT WILL START NEXT WEEK BUT TODAY THE LAST THING BEFORE THE SPORTS KICK OFF, THE LUMBERJACKS SCRAMBLE BUT ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO STOP BY BSU WOMEN'S SOCCER PRACTICE.

WE HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM THEM AHEAD OF THEIR SEASON AS WELL, COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> IT MIGHT SEEM LIKE ANY OTHER FRIDAY IN AUGUST, BUT TODAY'S LUMBERJACK SCRAMBLE SERVES AS A MARKER FOR THE START OF FALL ACTIVITIES AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL.

THE GOLF FUNDRAISER, HELD ANNUALLY AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB, IS IN ITS 32ND YEAR AND HAS RAISED OVER $1.1 MILLION FOR LUMBERJACKS ACTIVITIES, BRINGING IN NEARLY $70,000 LAST YEAR ALONE.

>> ATHLETICS ARE EXPENSIVE.

BUSES ARE EXPENSIVE.

UNIFORMS ARE EXPENSIVE.

THE WAY THE COMMUNITY BACKS OUR ATHLETIC TEAMS, IT'S COMMENDABLE.

WITHOUT THEM AND THEIR SUPPORT, WE WOULD STRUGGLE.

WE ARE A BIG SCHOOL, AND EVENTS LIKE THIS ALLOW US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THE KIDS THE THINGS THEY NEED SO THEY CAN UP THEIR GAME.

IT'S TRULY A HIGHLIGHT FOR THE SUMMER.

I KNOW PEOPLE PLAN THEIR SUMMER VACATIONS AROUND THE EVENT BECAUSE IT'S WELL RUN, BUT TRULY IT IS A KICK OFF BECAUSE MONDAY WE START FALL SPORTS.

EVERYBODY IS HERE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND YOU CAN FEEL THE EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

IT'S GREAT.

[CHEERING].

>> THAT'S MY PARTNER.

>> Charlie: PRACTICES START NEXT MONDAY.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE HOME OPENERS FOR ALL THE FALL SPORTS.

THAT'S ACTUALLY -- HERE WE GO.

THE LUMBERJACKS HOME OPENER IS THERE.

THEY WILL BE THE PLAYING GRAND RAPIDS, GIRLS TENNIS, VOLLEYBALL, SWIM, FOOTBALL, AND CROSS COUNTRY IN OCTOBER.

>>> WELL, THERE'S SOMETHING NEW COMING TO THE SANFORD CENTER THIS OCTOBER.

THE BATTLE OF THE BADGES HOCKEY GAME, WHICH WILL PIT LOCAL FIRE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AGAINST ONE ANOTHER IN THE ICE.

THE EVENT, WHICH IS FREE TO ATTEND, WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BY LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS AND WILL DOUBLE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR THE UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI AREA.

>>> PRACTICE GOT UNDERWAY THIS WEEK FOR THE 31ST SEASON OF BSU WOMEN'S SOCCER, AND WE STOPPED BY PRACTICE THIS TO GET THE SCOOP ON HOW THE NEW GROUP IS COMING TOGETHER AS THEY READY TO TAKE THE PITCH 2-WEEKS FROM TODAY.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A HEARTBREAKING FINISH FOR THE 30th EDITION OF BSU WOMEN'S SOCCER.

TEAM 31 IS READY TO KICK OFF THE NEXT 30 YEARS FOR THE BEAVERS.

>> IT'S A NEW SEASON, A NEW START.

I THINK IT MAKES US HUNGRY FOR MORE.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND BE BETTER.

>> Reporter: THEY GRADUATED 8 SENIORS, INCLUDING TWO TIME OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN 2025 CENTRAL REGION PLAYER OF THE YEAR, WHO ACCOUNTED FOR 13 OF THE TEAM'S 38 GOALS LAST SEASON.

>> WE HAVE A LOT TO BUILD OFF OF HER, LIKE TAKE WHAT WE KNOW FROM HER, AND JUST LIKE WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, WE HAVE A GREAT FORWARD LINE UP THAT WE ALL JUST PUSH EACH OTHER TO BE BETTER.

I THINK THAT WE'RE ALL CAPABLE OF BEING ABLE TO SCORE GOALS.

>> IT WILL PROBABLY BE MORE SCORING BY COMMITTEE.

I THINK THE COMMITTEE CAN BE REALLY GOOD.

I THINK MADDIE WILL BE A HUGE PIECE OF THAT.

[CHEERING].

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE KATRINA, SHE CAN BE MADDIE AND IF SHE DOES IT WELL, IT WILL DO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS FOR US.

SHE IS A HIGH-LEVEL PLAYER.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THE OFFENSE IS COUNTERINTUITIVELY IS DEFENSIVE MID FIELDER ELLA, WHO HAD TWO GOALS AND FIVE ASSISTS, SEVERAL OF WHICH CAME FROM SET PIECES.

>> WE WERE REALLY GOOD WITH CORNERS LAST YEAR, FREE KICKS, WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND STEP UP BUT THOSE ARE MOMENTS WHERE YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY BE ABLE TO CAPITALIZE AND GET GOALS AND ASSIST IN THOSE MOMENTS.

>> Reporter: BUT COACH ALSO LIKES HER DEFENSIVE ABILITY.

>> SHE IS REALLY GOOD ON THE BALL AND SHE IS GOOD OFF IT.

SHE HAS GREAT ANTICIPATION AND SHE GETS BETTER EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

SHE IS PLAYING AT A HIGH-LEVEL RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: SHE WILL HELP ANCHOR A DEFENSE THAT ONLY ALLOWED 11 GOALS AND HAD 12 SHUTOUTS LAST YEAR.

WHILE BEMIDJI STATE DID GRADUATE SONYA, THEY RETURNED JUNIOR ROSLYN, WHO OWNS TWO OF THE SHUTOUTS IN HER THREE MATCHES STARTED.

>> I THINK THE CONFIDENCE HAS GROWN THROUGH THE EXPERIENCES AND I THINK ROZ HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AND SHE IS READY FOR SOME BIG MOMENTS RIGHT NOW.

>> IT'S ABOUT YOUNGER PLAYERS STEPPING INTO BIGGER SHOES BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THIS YEAR, MORE THAN ANY OTHER YEAR I'VE BEEN HERE, WE HAVE A LOT MORE SHOES TO FILL.

I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF PLAYERS THAT CAN STEP UP.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THOSE PLAYERS ARE RISING UNDER CLASSMEN, BUT SOME WILL COME FROM THE BEAVERS' CLASS OF 13 INCOMING FRESHMEN, WHO ACCOUNT FOR OVER A THIRD OF THE ROSTER.

>> THEY'RE VERY TALENTED.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM, BUT I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE A REALLY GOOD ADDITION TO THE TEAM.

>> WE HAVE BEEN REALLY PLEASED WITH THE FRESH MAN CLASS.

IT'S ONE THAT PUTS THEIR STAMP INTO THE PROGRAM, THIS YEAR AND INTO THE FUTURE.

>> Charlie: COACH STONE DESCRIBED THIS TEAM AS UNIFIED AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THAT PLAYS OUT ON THE PITCH.

THE BEAVERS HAVE THREE EXHIBITIONS BEFORE OPENING THE SEASON AT HOME AUGUST 28TH AGAINST MISSOURI WESTERN STATE.

>> Sydney: ALL RIGHT, AWESOME.

I CAN'T WAIT.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

FRIENDS OF GREGORY PARK AND BRAINERD COMMUNITY ACTION HAVE REVIVED THE CONCERTS IN THE PARK SERIES AT GREGORY PARK IN BRAINERD.

THEIR MOST RECENT PERFORMANCE WAS LOCAL MUSICIAN TRENT BERGERON.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY WAS IN ATTENDANCE AND HAS MORE FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS.

>> Reporter: GRAB A CHAIR, A BLANKET, KICK YOUR FEET UP, AND ENJOY A FREE SUMMERTIME EVENING EVENT AT GREGORY PARK.

[♪♪♪] >> YOU KNOW, I AM JUST HERE TO BRING A POSITIVE VIBE AND SOME ENERGY TO EVERYBODY, MAYBE PRAISE THE LORD A LITTLE BIT, AND IT'S AN HONOR TO COME AND GIVE TO THE BRAINERD COMMUNITY.

I THINK MUSIC IS IMPORTANT, IT'S GOOD FOR THE SOUL, AND IT TENDS TO UNIFY PEOPLE.

SO HOPEFULLY WE GET A LOT OF GOOD VIBES AND A NICE FELLOWSHIP ENVIRONMENT AROUND HERE.

>> Reporter: BERGERON HAS LIVED IN MINNESOTA FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

HE PERFORMED ALL OVER THE STATE AND ENJOYS PERFORMING IN CROWDS OF ALL SIZES AND HE HAS A SPECIAL CONNECTION TO THE SMALL TOWN FEEL.

>> WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF COUNTRY, WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF BLUES, SOME 50s AND 60s, AND WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO PRAISE THE LORD A LITTLE BIT.

I COME FROM A SMALL TOWN IN LOUISIANA WHERE I AM ORIGINALLY FROM.

I LOVE THE SMALL AREA AND COMMUNITY SETTING.

I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING SOME GREAT ENERGY HERE TONIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE CONCERTS USE TO BE PUT ON BY THE BRAINERD CENTER BEFORE FRIENDS OF GREGORY PARK TOOK OVER THE EVENT THIS SUMMER.

>> CONCERTS IN THE PARK IS SOMETHING THAT THE CENTER PUT ON, A WAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER, HAVE GREAT MUSIC, A FREE CONCERT, A FREEWAY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

GREGORY PARK HERE IN BRAINERD, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR IDEAS ON WAYS WE CAN GIVE BACK AND IDEAS FOR MUSICIANS WE CAN BRING BACK NEXT YEAR.

>> Reporter: FRIENDS OF GREGORY PARK WANT TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE LOCAL ARTISTS IN THE AREA.

>> IT'S REALLY OUR GOAL TO SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS IN DOING THIS AND FOR TRENT, HE WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT SAID HE WOULD LOVE TO DO IT AND WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE HIM.

WE JUST REALLY MISS IT AND IT WAS A GREAT THING THAT HAPPENED EVERY THURSDAY AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE MISSED IT.

WE REALLY HOPE THEY ARE HERE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME, LISTEN TO SOME GOOD MUSIC, MAKE A FRIEND, AND THAT THEY COME BACK.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

[♪♪♪] >> FRIENDS OF GREGORY PARK'S FINAL CONCERT IN THE PARK OF THE SUMMER WILL BE WITH SETH DOUD ON AUGUST 27TH.

>>> STACY HAS ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOWS NEAR 61.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TOMORROW WITH SOME VARIABLE CLOUDS, HIGHS NEAR 76, WITH SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 10.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

WE WILL BE BACK AGAIN ON MONDAY.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

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