>> 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.

>>> HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING, MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN, FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> A CORRECTIONS OFFICER IN THE HUBBARD COUNTY JAIL WAS ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTED BY AN INMATE ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE HUBBARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THE RELEASE STATES THAT ON AUGUST 7TH AT 5:30 P.M., THE CORRECTIONS OFFICER WAS SITTING AT A DESK, MONITORING INMATES IN A HOUSING UNIT WHEN 23-YEAR-OLD INMATE, COLE PIGEON OF BAYPORT, REPORTEDLY EXITED HIS CELL AND ATTACKED THE OFFICER.

PIGEON STABBED THE OFFICER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH A SHARP PIECE OF METAL COMMONLY KNOWN AS A “SHANK” CAUSING CUTS TO HIS HEAD AND FACE.

THE OFFICER WAS ABLE TO FEND HIS ATTACKER OFF LONG ENOUGH BEFORE OTHER CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.

THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT PIGEON MADE THE WEAPON FROM A BRACKET THAT HE HAD REMOVED FROM A TABLE IN THE RECREATION ROOM.

PIGEON MADE THE STATEMENT THAT HE STALKED THE OFFICER BEFORE STABBING HIM AND THAT HE WILL STAB MORE OFFICERS EVERY CHANCE HE GETS.

ALSO STATING THAT THE OFFICERS SIGNED UP FOR THIS.

PIGEON WAS IN THE HUBBARD COUNTY JAIL DUE TO FELONY LEVEL CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY CHARGE AND ASSAULTING A PEACE OFFICER.

NEW CHARGES INCLUDE 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, AND 4TH DEGREE ASSAULT.

THE CORRECTIONS OFFICER WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL IN PARK RAPIDS WHERE HE WAS TREATED FOR STAB WOUNDS.

>>> A MOTORCYCLIST IN MORRISON COUNTY HAS REPORTEDLY STRUCK A DEER RESULTING IN UNKNOWN INJURIES.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FORM THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

ON AUGUST 16TH AT AROUND 5:59 A.M., THEIR OFFICE RECEIVED A REPORT OF A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES ON PARTRIDGE ROAD SOUTH OF 153RD STREET, APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES EAST OF PIERZ IN HILLMAN TOWNSHIP.

ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THE DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE, 33-YEAR-OLD, CODY KEELER OF OAK PARK WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON PARTRIDGE ROAD, WHEN HE STRUCK A DEER WITH HIS MOTORCYCLE.

KEELER WAS NOT WEARING A HELMET.

KEELER WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST. GABRIEL'S HOSPITAL WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES.

>>> LAST NIGHT AT GREGORY PARK IN BRAINERD, THE BRAINERD NIGHT OUT BROUGHT AREA FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

THE EVENT PROMOTED NEIGHBORHOOD UNITY, SAFETY, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD NIGHT OUT WAS A ROARING SUCCESS, HOW COULD IT NOT BE WITH GOOD MUSIC, CHANCES FOR THE KIDS TO PLAY, DOGS MEETING ROBOT DOGS, PEOPLE EATING FREE HOT DOGS AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO MEET THE FIRST RESPONDERS THAT KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

>> BEING INVOLVED BENEFITS IN SO MANY WAYS.

IT ALLOW IT IS COMMUNITY TO MEET US, SEE US, AND GET TO KNOW US AS A PERSON, NOT NECESSARILY JUST AS A POLICE OFFICER.

IT ALLOWS FOR TRANSPARENCY, WHICH I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT, BUT REALLY THE ULTIMATE THING FOR ME IS TRUST.

>> Reporter: BUILDING THAT'S TRUST STARTS WITH GOING OUT AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE.

IT'S HARD WORK BEING A POLICE OFFICER OR FIREFIGHTER, BUT THEY WEAR IT AS A BADGE OF HONOR.

>> YOU KNOW, BEING PART OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS AN HONOR AND LIKE YOU SAID, IT IS HARD WORK, BUT IT IS ALSO REWARDING.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SHOW, YOU KNOW, WE'RE OUT HERE FOR EVENTS LIKE THIS BUT WE'RE ALSO THERE WHEN AN EMERGENCY HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER ASPECT THAT IS ESSENTIAL DURING THE NIGHT OUT IS EDUCATION AND HOW LOCALS CAN LEARN ABOUT WHAT OUR LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE TO DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

>> I THINK ALL OF US HERE WOULD RATHER DO THIS EVERYDAY THAN GO TO THE EMERGENCIES THAT WE GO TO.

SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE CHANGING THE BATTERIES IN THEIR SMOKE DETECTORS OR WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS, ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO EDUCATE THE YOUNGER KIDS ABOUT THE HAZARDS AND THE PREVENTION THAT THEY CAN TAKE IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK HAND IN HAND WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WERE ALSO IN ATTENDANCE, WHICH GAVE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> PEOPLE CAN LEARN ABOUT THEM AS AN ORGANIZATION, BUT THEN ALSO LEARN HOW ON A DAILY BASIS, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING AND REALLY DEPENDING ON THOSE ORGANIZATIONS FOR, YOU KNOW, SUPPORT AND OUR OPERATIONS.

SO, IT'S NICE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SEE THE WHOLE PACKAGE, IF YOU WILL.

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

>> LOCALS WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A FUN NIGHT WITH THE BRAINERD POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS NEXT WEEK.

THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE TAKING ON THE BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT IN A SOFTBALL GAME NEXT THURSDAY AT STEWART C. MILLS FIELD BEGINNING AT 6:00 P.M. >>> THE BELTRAMI COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HELD ONE OF ITS BROWN BAG HISTORY SESSIONS ON THURSDAY DISCUSSING THE HISTORY OF MUSIC OF BELTRAMI COUNTY.

THE PROGRAM OFFERED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FIRSTHAND FROM THOSE WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO FOSTERING MUSICAL TALENT AND EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY.

THIS YEAR, THE HISTORY CENTER WANTED TO FOCUS ON THE RICH HISTORY OF MUSIC OF BELTRAMI COUNTY THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE HISTORY CENTER HAS HAD BAG-PIPERS, NATIVE-AMERICAN MUSICIANS, AND A VARIETY OF OTHERS TEACHING THEIR HISTORY OF MUSIC.

THIS MONTH HOWEVER, THE HISTORY CENTER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO HEAR FROM A PANEL OF DIFFERENT RETIRED AND CURRENT MUSIC EDUCATORS.

>> I THOUGHT WHO IS TEACHING MUSIC HERE?

LET'S HAVE SOME MUSIC EDUCATORS TALK ABOUT TEACHING MUSIC AND HOW THE WHOLE ART OF TEACHING MUSIC HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS.

SO, WE HAVE ONE GENTLEMAN WHO STARTS BACK IN THE 1960s AS A TEACHER AND THEN WE HAVE A COUPLE OF YOUNG TEACHERS WHO ARE JUST IN THEIR SECOND OR THIRD YEAR.

IT'S GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN FOR THEM TO INTERACT AND SHARE INFORMATION.

>> THE BELTRAMI COUNTY HISTORY CENTER HOLDS BROWN BAG PROGRAMS EVERY THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH.

THE NEXT BROWN BAG SESSION WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 19TH STARTING AT NOON AT THE HISTORY CENTER.

ALL BROWN BAGS ARE COMPLETELY FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

>>> THE 42ND ANNUAL LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS WENT UNDERWAY YESTERDAY AT THE BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY WITH THE 2024 NHRA SEASON APPROACHING THE PLAYOFFS RACING FANS TRAVEL FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO SEE THE DRIVERS BURN SOME RUBBER ON THE BIGGEST STAGE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THE CARS ARE THE NUMBER ONE ATTRACTION.

THE BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY OFFERS MORE THAN THAT FOR NATIONALS.

>> WE HAVE MULTIPLE VENDORS, PROBABLY 20 VENDORS.

THE PIT AREA THAT YOU CAN ACCESS, THERE ARE A.T.V.

MUD PITTING THAT YOU CAN ENJOY.

THERE ARE HELICOPTER RIDES, THE FIREWORKS SHOW WILL BE SATURDAY EVENING, JUST EVERYTHING FOR ANYONE.

>> Reporter: AND OF COURSE THERE IS THE ZOO, WHICH HAS BEEN A STAPLE FOR B.I.R.

AND THE FANS FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

>> JUST OPEN AREA, ABOUT 300 ACRES WHERE PEOPLE COME AND ENJOY THE WEEKEND.

WE HAVE PEOPLE STARTING TO LINE UP AT THE GATE OPENING HERE, THREE WEEKS IN ADVANCE.

THEY GET HERE EARLY, WE OPEN CAMPING UP EARLY AND GO UNTIL MONDAY.

>> Reporter: THEN YOU CAN FIND THE RACERS TAKING TIME OUT OF THEIR BUSY SCHEDULES TO VISIT THE ZOO THEMSELVES AND GET SOME MUCH NEEDED FACETIME IN WITH THE MANY FANS IN ATTENDANCE.

>> I SEE SOMEHOW -- THOUSANDS OF FANS AT THE RACEWAY BUT IT TAKES ONE TIME WHERE YOU AREN'T IN THAT BEST MOOD AND YOU SPEND THAT CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS A LITTLE KID AND I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

THE FANS ARE THE REASON WE'RE OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: AND THE PIT STOP IS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES COMMUNITY BUT ALSO THE RACERS AS IT LEADS INTO THE BACK HALF OF THEIR SCHEDULE WITH A TRIP TO INDIANAPOLIS LOOMING.

>> THE BRAINERD RACE IS WHERE YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR ACT TOGETHER AS A TEAM.

YOU NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE YOUR TEAM FIRING ON 8 CYLINDERS BUT THEY CAN HOLD ANY RECORD AND WHEN YOU GET CLOUD COVERLIKE WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS WEEKEND, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE TRACK RECORDS FALL AND A WORLD RECORD FALL.

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

M M >> NHRA NATIONALS WILL BE UNDERWAY THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND FANS CAN STILL PURCHASE A TICKET FOR THE EVENT AT THE BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY'S MAIN ENTRANCE.

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

>> Stacy: WILDFIRE SMOKE WILL MAKE AN APPEARANCE THIS WEEKEND AND WE HAVE AN AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A MINUTE.

>> Reporter: COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, THE NORTHWEST INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER IS PAINTING A MURAL ON THEIR >> 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 LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >>> A TOWN NEAR DETROIT LAKES IS GOING TO THE DOGS YET AGAIN.

VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN AND HAVE ELECTED A FOUR LEGGED PYRENEES AS THEIR CEREMONIAL MAYOR.

KEVIN WALLEVAND HAS MORE.

>> HE JUST IMMEDIATELY LOVED HER.

JUST A SWEET DOG.

>> Reporter: IT IS YET ANOTHER PERFECT LAZY SUMMER DAY AND THE GREAT PYRENEES SEEMS TO BE CAMPAIGNING FOR MAYOR.

EAR SCRATCHES, PUPPY LOVE, BUT SHE SHOULD RELAX AFTER A HARD FOUGHT CAMPAIGN, INCLUDING BILLBOARDS, KHALEESI HAS BEEN ELECTED MAYOR.

A TOWN SO SMALL THAT THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT.

>> SHE HAD SOME COMPETITION.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A DOG IN THE FIGHT.

MEET ONE OF THE SEA BOYS.

>> YEAH, IT WAS ME AND THREE DOGS UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE SEA BOYS HAVE NEARLY 4 MILLION YOUTUBE FOLLOWERS, PEOPLE THAT LOVE THEIR SHENANIGANS, A WORLDWIDE FAN CLUB, SO WHEN KEN KIND OF THROUGH HIS HAT IN THE RING -- >> KEN DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS GOING TO RUN FOR MAYOR.

WE JUST SIGNED HIM UP.

HE FOUND OUT ONCE THE LOCAL PAPER CAME OUT.

>> Reporter: KEN WENT ALL IN, BILLBOARDS FROM HERE TO MINNEAPOLIS.

>> IN THE STREETS, KISSING BABIES, SECURING VOTES.

I'M SURPRISED HE DIDN'T WIN.

>> Reporter: PARADES, A CAMPAIGN TEAM, BUT KHALEESI BEAT HIM.

>> YEAH, YOU ALWAYS WANT TO SEE FULL TRANSPARENCY WITH EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: NOW WITH THE CORONATION SET FOR THIS WEEKEND, THERE IS TALK OF DISCONTENT.

>> WE MIGHT BE PROTESTING.

>> Reporter: KHALEESI HAS COME A LONG WAY.

LIKE A LOT OF POLITICIANS, SHE HAD A ROUGH START IN LIFE, A POPULAR PUP AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN IDAHO.

>> SHE WOULD GO TO EVERY PERSON.

SHE NEVER SHOWED FAVORITES.

>> Reporter: LONG STORY SHORT, KHALEESI MADE HER WAY FROM IDAHO, READY TO LEAD A LAKES COMMUNITY AS MAYOR WHOSE PLATFORM MAY JUST BE MAKE SHEDDING GREAT AGAIN.

>> KHALEESI ISN'T THE FIRST DOG ELECTED MAYOR OF CORMORANT VILLAGE.

ANOTHER ONE NAMED DUKE HELD THE OFFICE FROM 2014 TO 2019.

>>> 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.

>> Charlie:.

>> Matthew: STACY, TODAY SEEMED ON AND OFF.

LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, IT ALL WENT AWAY.

>> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME LIGHT SHOWERS IN THE AREA TODAY AND SOME OF THOSE COULD LINGER IN EASTERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT.

THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE FOR SHOWERS TOMORROW, OTHERWISE IT LOOKS LIKE SUNSHINE WILL BE BACK THIS WEEKEND.

WHAT IS ALSO BACK IS WILDFIRE SMOKE AND THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT THE AIR QUALITY ACROSS MUCH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS ON THAT >> 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 BEEN SEEING SOME OFF AND ON SHOWERS ACROSS THE AREA TODAY, NOT AMOUNTING TO A LOT, BUT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME AND A FEW COULD LINGER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW, BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE SUNNY SKIES WILL BE BACK FOR THE WEEKEND.

WE WILL ALSO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES AND SOME WILDFIRE SMOKE.

SO AGAIN, WE HAVE THAT AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR MUCH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI.

IT'S 67 AT THE AIRPORT, AT OUR STUDIO, WEST WINDS ARE AT 4 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEW POINT IS 64 AND WE PICKED UP 0.02-INCH OF RAINFALL.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, 70 DEGREES, 64 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE, AND WINDS ARE NORTH AT 12 MILES PER HOUR.

NORTHERN MINNESOTA IS UNDER AN AIR QUALITY ALERT AND THIS WILL LAST UNTIL NOON ON MONDAY.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE SMOKE FROM THE WILDFIRES IMPACTING OUR AIR QUALITY AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT OUR AIR QUALITY INDEX WILL REACH THE ORANGE LEVEL, MEANING THE AIR WILL BE UNHEALTHY FOR PEOPLE IN SENSITIVE GROUPS.

ON THE RADAR TONIGHT, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING ON AND OFF SHOWERS.

FOR THE MOST PART, THAT ACTIVITY IS NOW GOING TO BE MAINLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

AS THE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO MOVE THROUGH THE AREA, THERE IS AT LEAST A SMALL CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

THAT IS WHERE THE GREEN DOTTED AREA IS SHOWING US.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, WE SHOULD BE SEEING PLENTY OF SUNSHINE AND WE WILL START TO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES, HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s AND LOW 80s.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING A LOT OF 80s NEXT WEEK.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE WEATHER SHOTS SENT TO US FROM OUR EAGLE EYES.

WE HAVE SOME RAIN DROPS ON THE PLANTS THERE IN MENAHGA.

ARLENE SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

DARK CLOUDS OVER LOWER RED LAKE FROM SAMROSE.

JOAN SAYING THAT THE WOOD DUCKS WERE ENJOYING A SWIM ON THE LAKE IN LAPORTE.

LAURIE WITH SOME VISITORS AT THE BIRD FEEDER.

DAVE SENDING US A PICTURE OF THE SUNSET, AND ANGELA WITH A SUNSET SHOT.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 65, CALM, OVERCAST AND MISTY THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, PICKING UP 0.7-INCH OF RAINFALL SINCE LAST NIGHT.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH 0.25-INCH OF RAIN.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST AND 75 FOR THE HIGH.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY AND A HIGH OF 70.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 76 IS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD TODAY.

WE ARE A FEW DEGREES SHY OF THE AVERAGE.

64 FOR THE LOW AND SUNSET AT 8:23.

BEMIDJI HAD A HIGH OF 70.

OUR AVERAGE IS 77.

OUR LOW IS 64.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS OUT THERE, A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE.

WE DO HAVE A SMALL CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE UPPER 70s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AGAIN, VARIABLE CLOUDS IN THE AREA WITH A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

YOU CAN SEE IN THE BRAINERD, AITKIN, AND LITTLE FALLS AREA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE UPPER 70s.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA AND LOWS NEAR 62.

VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW WITH A SMALL CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AND HIGHS NEAR 78.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, SUNSHINE IS IN STORE AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK AND WE WILL SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES, 80 ON SUNDAY, 82 ON MONDAY, AND THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA TUESDAY AND INTO WEDNESDAY.

HIGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD STILL REACH THE UPPER 70s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY.

SAY HIS NAME AND HE APPEARS.

CHARLIE YAEGER IS HERE TO GIVE US THE NEWS ON SPORTS.

>> Charlie: YEP, TONIGHT WE HAD A CHANCE TO RUN OUT TO GRAND RAPIDS AND TALK TO THEIR VOLLEYBALL TEAM.

THEY HAVE BEEN TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT THREE YEARS IN A ROW.

WE HEARD HOW THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO MAKE IT A FOURTH.

ALL THAT AND 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 SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> WINNING HAS BECOME A TRADITION AS OF LATE FOR GRAND RAPIDS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL, HAVING WON THREE CONSECUTIVE SECTION 7-3A TITLES AND FIVE TOTAL IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.

THE THUNDERHAWKS GRADUATED SEVEN SENIORS FROM LAST YEAR'S ROSTER BUT NONETHELESS HAVE SET THE BAR HIGH FOR THE 2024 SEASON, READY TO PROVE THAT THEY HAVE BUILT A WINNING PROGRAM OVER THE PAST DECADE AND ONE THAT WON'T CRUMBLE EASILY.

>> WE RELOAD EVERY YEAR, RIGHT?

IT'S NOT A BIG SHIFT.

IT'S OUR CULTURE.

OUR CULTURE IS IF YOU'RE THERE, YOU WORK HARD, AND HOPEFULLY YOU KNOW, I GET TIRED.

YOU LOST A LOT OF PEOPLE LAST YEAR OR MAYBE THAT.

WE'RE NEVER GOING TO BE BAD, RIGHT?

THAT'S THE GOAL, TO HAVE A CULTURE OF VOLLEYBALL WITH GIRLS THAT KEEP SHOWING UP AND WORK THE HARDEST.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW GIRLS COMING FROM J.V.

I THINK WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER REALLY WELL.

WE PLAYED IN THE OFF SEASON.

WE WERE ON THE SAME TEAM, SO IT IS A LITTLE BIT EASIER, BUT JUST FOR SURE GETTING TO KNOW EVERYBODY AND BONDING TOGETHER IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> THE T-HAWKS RETURN 5-PLAYERS FROM LAST SEASON'S VARSITY ROSTER, JUST TWO OF THEM SENIORS.

BUT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE READY TO LEAD AND POSITIVE THE UNDERCLASSMEN HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE THEIR 4TH STRAIGHT STATE APPEARANCE.

>> I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHERE THIS BRINGS US.

I KNOW WE HAVE THE TALENT TO GET THERE.

SOMETIMES IT'S INTIMIDATING, BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR SHOULDERS BACK AND PUSH FORWARD.

A COUPLE OF US HAVE BEEN PLAYING TOGETHER FOR A WHILE SO WE KNOW HOW WE WORK.

WITH THE NEW PLAYERS COMING IN, WE ARE JUST WELCOMING THEM AND REALLY HELPING THEM EARN THEIR SPOT.

>> WE ARE DEFINITELY LIKE A NEW TEAM.

THIS IS LIKE A NEW GROUP OF GIRLS AND WE'RE DEFINITELY LEARNING EACH OTHER.

I DO THINK IT'S A LITTLE SCARY JUST BECAUSE I'M SAD IT'S MY LAST YEAR, BUT I KNOW WE AS SENIORS CAN STEP UP AND TAKE THE ROLE.

WE HAVE BEEN THERE.

WE CAN SHOW THE OTHER GIRLS THAT YOU CAN DO IT.

>> RAPIDS OPENS THEIR SEASON ON THE ROAD AGAINST FAMILIAR FOR NORTH BRANCH.

THEY'RE FIRST HOME GAME WILL BE THE ENSUING THURSDAY AGAINST SUPERIOR.

>>> WELL, ONE LOCAL MINNESOTA DRAGSTER MADE THEIR WAY BACK TO THE NORTHLAND FOR THE LUCAS OIL NATIONALS AT BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY.

GREG ANDERSON, THE WINNINGEST PRO STOCK DRIVER IN NHRA HISTORY, IS ORIGINALLY FROM DULUTH AND HE RETURNS HOME TO COMPETE FOR HIS THIRD WIN OF THE SEASON AND 4TH CAREER WIN AT B.I.R.

BEFORE HE BECAME A GREAT RACER, ANDERSON CUT HIS TEETH WORKING AS A MECHANIC AT LOCAL TRACKS ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA BEFORE MOVING TO GEORGIA WHERE HE WORKED FOR ANOTHER MINNESOTAN.

WARREN JOHNSON, WHO GAVE HIM HIS FIRST BREAK AS A DRIVER, FAST FORWARD TO TODAY AND THE 105-TIME WINNER CURRENTLY SITS SECOND IN POINTS BEHIND HIS K.B.

TITAN TEAMMATE DALLAS GLENN, WHO WON LAST YEAR AT BRAINERD.

SO WITH ONLY TWO RACES LEFT BEFORE THE NHRA COUNTDOWN BEGINS.

ANDERSON KNOWS HOW IMPORTANT A GOOD SHOWING THIS WEEKEND WOULD BE.

( .

>> WE'RE SEATED FAIRLY WELL RIGHT NOW BUT I RATHER HAVE THAT NUMBER ONE GOING INTO THE PLAYOFFS.

IT'S WORTH BONUS POINTS.

I WOULD DO MY BEST TO GET PAST GLEN IN THE NEXT TWO RACES.

I EXPECT US TO HAVE GREAT RACE CARS THERE AND WE HAD A GREAT WEEK OF WORK HERE AT THE SHOP AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING A GREAT CHANCE TO WIN.

THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE, FINDING A WAY TO THE WINNER'S CIRCLE AND MOVE UP IN THE SEATING FOR THE PLAYOFFS, AND YOU KNOW, RUN FOR THAT SIXTH CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> Charlie: ANDERSON WAS RIGHT ABOUT HAVING A GOOD CAR COMING UP TO BRAINERD.

THAT WAS HIS QUALIFYING RACE FROM TODAY, WHICH PUT HIM AT THE TOP OF THE STANDINGS AFTER DAY ONE.

YOU SEE HIM THERE.

A FEW MORE STANDINGS FOR YOU.

IN THE FUNNY CAR, BLAKE SITS ATOP OF THE STANDINGS AFTER DAY ONE QUALIFYING.

IN THE TOP, STEVE IS ALSO IN FIRST PLACE.

THE MINNESOTA TWINS GET A WIN OVER THE TEXAS RANGERS, THEY WON TWO IN A ROW AND THEY ARE THREE BACK OF THE GUARDIANS.

>> Charlie: HE WAS ABLE TO FINISH HIS WINNING STREAK.

SO ELIMINATIONS WILL BE ON SUNDAY.

>> Matthew: WE'LL SEE HOW HE DOES.

HOPEFULLY HE CAN CONTINUE THAT WINNING STREAK.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

>>> THE NORTHWEST INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER LOCATED ON BEMIDJI AVENUE HAS STARTED A COMMUNITY-BASED ART PROJECT.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WENT OVER TO SEE THE PROGRESS ON THEIR NEW MURAL.

>> Reporter: THE NORTHWEST INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER IS PAINTING THE WHOLE ROAD FACING WALL WITH A MURAL.

THE CENTER IS A NATIVE OWNED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN SERVING THE NATIVE POPULATION OF THE GREATER BEMIDJI AREA FOR THE PAST 35 YEARS.

>> WE'RE LOCATED BETWEEN THE THREE LARGEST OJIBWA RESERVATIONS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THEN WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NATIVE POPULATION, BUT YOU DON'T REALLY SEE THAT EXPRESSION VERY PROMINENT IN THIS COMMUNITY, SO I WANT THIS CENTER TO BE A PLACE THAT HELPS TELL THAT OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY AND THE RICHNESS OF THE CULTURE AND THE STRENGTH AND BEAUTY OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION, WHICH ORIGINALLY CALLED THIS AREA THEIR HOMELAND.

>> Reporter: THE NWICDC DOESN'T JUST WANT TO BE A FOREFRONT INSIDE BUT OUTSIDE AS WELL.

>> I WANT THIS BUILDING TO BE A LANDMARK, A PLACE OF VISIBILITY, PRIDE, THE INDIGENOUS VALUES THAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: THE MURAL PROJECT IS TO INSPIRE APPRECIATION AND BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER THROUGH SHARING CULTURE.

CULTURE IS MEANT TO BE SHARED.

>> Reporter: SO FAR, THE BACKGROUND AND FIRST LAYER HAS BEEN PAINTED AND THIS WEEKEND, THE ARTISTS WILL GET TOGETHER TO START PAINTING THE PEOPLE.

>> THERE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS PARTICIPATING IN THE DIFFERENT RACES, IDENTITIES, BUT THE MAIN THING IS TO HAVE INDIGENOUS RELATIVES IN MODERN TIMES DOING TRADITIONAL PRACTICES.

>> Reporter: SYLVIA WAS BROUGHT IN AS THE LEAD ARTIST AND SHE IS MENTORING A GROUP OF TEENAGERS CONNECTED WITH THE NWICDC WHO ARE VOLUNTEERING TO HELP WITH THE PROJECT.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE TECHNICALLY SKILLED AT IT FROM THE GATE, YOU KNOW?

I ENCOURAGE THEM TO LEARN TO HAVE FUN WITH IT, LEARN TO PLAY.

EVEN IF IT'S JUST GETTING YOUR HANDS ALL COVERED IN PAINT AND JUST SMEARING IT ON THE WALL.

THAT IS WHERE IT STARTS, IT'S JUST LEARNING HOW TO BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ALTHOUGH SYLVIA WAS THE ONLY ONE PAINTING TODAY DUE TO THE RAINY WEATHER, YOU CAN DRIVE BY THE CENTER AT ANY POINT THIS WEEKEND OR NEXT WEEK TO SEE THE GROUP OF ARTISTS ALL AT WORK.

THEY APPRECIATE A WAVE OR HELLO AS THEY CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH IS SET TO BE FINISHED WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK AND A HALF.

>>> WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA TIME SO WE ARE GOING TO HEAD BACK TO STACY FOR MORE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE THE WILDFIRE SMOKE MAKING AN APPEARANCE IN THE AREA THIS WEEKEND AND AN AIR QUALITY ALERT THROUGH MONDAY AT NOON FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> Charlie: WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NATIONALS ON MONDAY FROM SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP AND WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE CHAMPION AS WELL.

>> Matthew: AWESOME, I HOPE YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING, WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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