>> 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.

>>> LAST MONTH WE REPORTED THAT A 9th JUDICIAL DISTRICT JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF THE MAN WHO FILED A LAWSUIT CLAIMING THE CITY OF BEMIDJI VIOLATED OPEN MEETING LAWS DURING A MERIT HEARING BOARD MEETING WITH A FIREFIGHTER IN AUGUST OF 2022.

DURING LAST NIGHT'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING, A RESOLUTION WAS PASSED FOR THAT LAWSUIT BUT THE PLAINTIFFS WEREN'T HAPPY WITH HOW THE CITY HAS HANDLED IT.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE WITH THE ONES WHO FILED THE LAWSUIT TO GET MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: WILLIAM, A FORMER FIREFIGHTER FOR THE CITY OF BEMIDJI WAS ASKED TO BE THE SUBJECT AFTER A DISAGREEMENT REGARDING HIS FIREFIGHTER TRAINING.

THAT MEETING WAS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, BUT HE WANTED IT TO BE OPENED UP.

>> DURING THE OPENING SESSION OF THE MERIT HEARING, I PLEADED UNDER OATH THIS BE HELD IN AN OPEN SETTING.

I SAID SEVERAL TIMES AND IT'S RECORDED BY THE COURT REPORTER THAT IT WAS TO BE AN OPEN MEETING.

THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE TWO INDIVIDUALS ON THE HEARING SAID NO, THIS IS CLOSED.

>> Reporter: THE MINNESOTA STATUTE 13D05 SAID CLOSED MEETINGS CAN BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>> AT THE REQUEST OF THE INDIVIDUAL, THE MEETING MUST BE OPEN.

>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES THE CITY SHOULD HAVE ADMITTED THEIR MISTAKE INSTEAD OF FIGHTING THE SUIT FOR MULTIPLE YEARS.

>> THEY WOULD FIGHT AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ASK THEM HOW MUCH TAXPAYER MONEY THEY HAVE SPENT ON THIS, ON A CASE THEY KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO LOSE.

I THINK THEY JUST DELAYED AND HOPED I WOULD GO AWAY.

WHEN THEY REALIZED I WASN'T GOING AWAY, THEY ADMITTED THEIR ERROR.

>> Reporter: THEY COULD HAVE PURSUED THE SETTLEMENT AND ATTORNEY FEES BUT CHOSE NOT TO BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THAT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WERE GIVEN BAD LEGAL ADVICE.

NO DISCUSSION WAS HAD DURING THE OPEN MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK.

>> YOU'RE IN THIS PREDICAMENT FOR TWO YEARS BECAUSE YOU GOT BAD LEGAL ADVICE AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO LISTEN TO THE PERSON THAT GAVE YOU THAT ADVICE AND HIDE IT IN THE CONSENT AGENDA?

I DON'T GET IT.

>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES THIS SUIT WILL EXTEND FURTHER THAN THE CITY OF BEMIDJI.

>> THIS IS NOT JUST A BEMIDJI SITUATION.

THIS WILL BE STATEWIDE PRECEDENCE.

I AM VERY, VERY POSITIVE AND GLAD FOR THE POSITIVE OUTCOME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> MAYOR JORGE PRINCE WAS AWAY IN AUSTRALIA SO WE COULD NOT ASK FOR HIS COMMENT.

WE ALSO ASKED BEMIDJI CITY MANAGER RICH SPICZKA FOR A COMMENT OF THE SITUATION BUT HE DECLINED TO DO SO BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL MEETING IN 2022 WAS A CLOSED MEETING.

>>> A WHITE EARTH MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO A LITTLE MORE THAN 24 YEARS IN PRISON FOR PRODUCING AND ATTEMPTING TO PRODUCE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS IN DECEMBER 2020, 34-YEAR-OLD RYAN EDWARD THOMPSON A.K.A.

RYAN EDWARD WAYNE TOWNSEND, KNOWINGLY USED A MINOR IN SEXUALLY EXPLICIT ACTIVITY TO PRODUCE PORNOGRAPHY IMAGES.

THE 13-YEAR-OLD VICTIM USED HER SCHOOL-ISSUED LAPTOP TO MESSAGE THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AND DISCLOSED THAT THE DEFENDANT BEGAN SLEEPING IN HER ROOM AT NIGHT AND SEXUALLY ABUSING HER.

LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONDED AND LATER DISCOVERED PHOTOGRAPHS OF A SEXUAL NATURE HAD BEEN TAKEN WITH THE VICTIM'S OWN CELL PHONE.

ON FEBRUARY 1ST OF THIS YEAR, A FEDERAL JURY FOUND THOMPSON GUILTY OF TWO COUNTS OF PRODUCTION AND ATTEMPTED PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

HE WAS SENTENCED YESTERDAY IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT TO 292 MONTHS IN PRISON FOLLOWED BY 15 YEARS SUPERVISED PROBATION.

>>> NIELSEN PLACE LOCATED AT SANFORD HEALTH IN BEMIDJI CELEBRATED THEIR 20th BIRTHDAY TODAY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS ON HAND AND HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES A HOME A HOME?

NIELSEN PLACE AT SANFORD HEALTH BELIEVES THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO PROVIDING HEALTHCARE THAN JUST KEEPING THE PATIENTS ALIVE.

THEY WANT TO PROVIDE A HOME FOR THEM TO LIVE IN.

>> YOU'RE CREATING A LIFE WORTH LIVING.

THAT'S WHAT THE DOCTOR WOULD HAVE SAID.

SO PEOPLE ARE HAPPY HERE THAT THIS IS, THAT THEY DIRECT THEIR CARE, THEY CAN TELL US HOW THEY WANT TO LIVE AND WE FIGURE IT OUT.

YOU KNOW, WE HELP THEM FIGURE IT OUT SO THEY'RE ABLE TO DO THAT AND IT'S A HAPPY PLACE TO BE AND THE BEST THEY CAN HAVE.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE TAKEN CARE OF, THAT THEY'RE SAFE, SECURE, AND MOST OF ALL, HAPPY.

>> Reporter: THIS MINDSET IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY ARE CELEBRATING THEIR 20th YEAR.

ANOTHER REASON IS THE COMRADERY AMONG THE STAFF.

>> I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE TRULY A VILLAGE.

WE WORK TOGETHER.

WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

IT TAKES ALL OF US TO DO WHAT WE DO.

>> Reporter: THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS, RETIRED OR STILL WORKING, MANY OF THE STAFF HAD THE SAME FAVORITE ASPECT OF WORKING IN THE NIELSEN PLACE.

>> THE RESIDENTS DEFINITELY.

>> I JUST LOVE THE RESIDENTS.

>> THE SECRET ASPECT OF WORKING IS PROBABLY -- WELL, THE RESIDENTS WERE ALWAYS THE FOCUS OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> Reporter: THE ORIGINAL FACILITY, THE NORTH COUNTRY NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER WAS MOVED TO THE CURRENT BUILDING THEY ARE NOW IN, WHOSE NAMESAKE COMES FROM THE LARGE GRANT FROM THE NIELSEN FOUNDATION.

THERE WAS MORE TO THE MOVE THAN JUST SWITCHING BUILDINGS AND NAMES.

>> THAT WAS THE HUGE CHANGE BECAUSE IT WENT FROM FEELING INSTITUTIONALIZED TO FEELING LIKE HOME.

>> JUST THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE ABLE TO COME HERE AND REHABILITATE AND GO BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY IS WONDERFUL.

A LOT OF GREAT THINGS HAPPEN HERE.

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

>> Dennis: RESIDENTS AND STAFF SAY WHILE THEY'RE GRATEFUL THAT NIELSEN PLACE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL THESE PAST 20 YEARS, THEY'RE JUST AS EXCITED LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT 20.

NOW THEY CAN DO MORE IN THE FUTURE.

>>> AGRICULTURE ADVOCATES STOPPED BY PIERZ PARK FOR THE 43RD ANNUAL FARM PICNIC THIS PAST WEEKEND.

THE FARM PICNIC IS CENTRAL MINNESOTA'S ANNUAL OPPORTUNITY TO SHED LIGHT ON BOTH MAIN STREET BUSINESS AND FAMILY FARMS AS THE BACKBONE OF THE RURAL ECONOMY.

CO-SPONSORED THROUGH THE MORRISON COUNTY FARMERS UNION AND MINNESOTA COACT, ATTENDEES FIRST ENJOY A TRADITIONAL COUNTRY DINNER BEFORE ADDRESSING THE CURRENT STATE OF AGRICULTURE.

THEY SAY ONE OF THE MAIN ISSUES IS CORPORATIONS EXERTING CONTROL OVER BOTH FAMILY FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES, A CONCEPT THAT MAIN STREET PHARMACIES, ARE ALSO FACING FROM BIG PHARMA.

>> THEY SET PRICES.

THEY COULD BUY WHAT ACCESS TO THE MARKET YOU HAVE.

THEY CAN TELL YOU HOW MUCH YOU CAN SELL AND IT REALLY DOESN'T WORK OUT WELL FOR ANYBODY EXCEPT THE MAIN MAN.

>> MINNESOTA AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER THOM PETERSEN AND MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER LINDA LARSON ALSO SPOKE ON THE FINANCIAL OBSTACLES FAMILY FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE FACING.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HIGHWAY 10 IN SAINT CLOUD WILL BE CLOSING TO ALL TRAFFIC NEXT WEEK.

THE 52-HOUR CLOSURE IS NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE OLD EASTBOUND HIGHWAY 23 BRIDGE THAT SPANS HIGHWAY 10.

IT WILL FORCE HIGHWAY 10 TO CLOSE AT HIGHWAY 23 BETWEEN CLOSE AT HIGHWAY 23 BETWEEN 15TH AVENUE/SEVENTH STREET SOUTHEAST IN SAINT CLOUD AND BENTON DRIVE IN SAUK RAPIDS FROM 7:00 A.M. MONDAY AUGUST 26TH TO 11:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28TH, THROUGH TRAVELERS CAN USE HIGHWAY 15, INTERSTATE 94 AND HIGHWAY 24 AS AN ALTERNATE HIGHWAY 10 ROUTE BUT SHOULD EXPECT TO ENCOUNTER STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT TIMES.

HIGHWAY 23 WILL REMAIN OPEN TO HEAD-TO-HEAD TRAFFIC ON THE NEW BRIDGE OVER HIGHWAY 10.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SUNSHINE AGAIN TOMORROW BUT CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE BACK ON THURSDAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE SECOND ANNUAL PICKLE FEST IN PINE RIVER.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> LAST YEAR TO CELEBRATE PINE RIVER'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY, THE CITY'S HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY HOSTED A FESTIVAL TO HONOR THE WEFELMEYER PICKLE COMPANY.

THIS WEEKEND, THE FESTIVAL RETURNED TO GREAT SUCCESS.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY WAS ONE OF THE FEW HUNDRED PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE WHO RELISHED THE FESTIVITIES.

>> Reporter: IF PICKLES TICKLE YOUR FANCY, THEN PINE RIVER WAS THE PLACE TO BE THIS SATURDAY.

THEY CELEBRATED THEIR SECOND ANNUAL WEFELMEYER PICKLE FEST.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW FAST THE FESTIVAL WOULD GROW IN TWO YEARS BUT PEOPLE THINK IT'S A BIG DEAL.

>> WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW DESIRABLE THIS WOULD BE TO PEOPLE, THE HISTORY, HOW MANY PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORY OF WEFELMEYER AND IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.

PEOPLE LIKE PICKLES AND THEY LIKE THE HISTORY OF THE WEFELMEYER PICKLE COMPANY.

IT'S BEEN FABULOUS.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A BRINE AND DANDY DAY OUT, PERFECT FOR THE FAMILY TO COME OUT AND SEE NEW AND FAMILIAR FACES.

>> IT'S BEEN UNREAL.

I AM MEETING A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I AM SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW FROM OTHER PLACES.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE MANY VENDORS FROM OTHER FESTS.

HE HAD THE HOT TICKET AND PEOPLE WERE NOT ONLY THANKING HIM FOR HIS PRODUCT BUT HIS SERVICE AS WELL.

>> THAT'S WHAT I LIKE BECAUSE IT PROVES THAT THE PRODUCT IS GOOD.

YOU CAN'T BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT COME UP HERE AND THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE IN THAT, WHICH IS REALLY NICE.

>> Reporter: EVENTS LIKE THE PICKLE FEST NOT ONLY UPLIFT COMMUNITY PRIDE, BUT ALSO GIVE A SMALL BOOST TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

THE PICKLE TASK FORCE HAD 18 BUSINESSES PARTICIPATE, GIVING FESTIVAL GOERS DEALS AND PRIZES WHEN EXPLORING BUSINESSES WITHIN PINE RIVER.

>> IT'S REALLY DRIVING PEOPLE DOWN MAIN STREET.

THAT'S THE WHOLE PURPOSE OR ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE EVENT, COME AND SEE US IN PINE RIVER.

FRED WEFELMEYER WHEN HE CAME IN 1918, HE WAS HERE TO PUT PINE RIVER ON THE PICKLE MAP.

WELL, MAYBE THE PICKLE FEST WILL DO THAT FOR PINE RIVER AGAIN.

>> Reporter: OF COURSE AT PICKLE FEST, YOU NEED TO GET YOURSELF A TASTE AND IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT.

REPORTING IN PINE RIVER, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> BASED ON THE SUCCESS OF THIS YEAR'S AND LAST YEAR'S PICKLEFEST, EVENT ORGANIZERS ARE EAGER TO SEE HOW THE FESTIVAL CONTINUES TO GROW IN FUTURE YEARS.

>>> IT'S THE FINAL WEEK OF QUALIFYING IN THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY.

ONE WEEK FROM LAST NIGHT WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF OUR GRAND DRAWING WHICH IS A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUN'S RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO ENTER THE DRAWING, YOU STILL HAVE A LITTLE TIME.

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.

>> Charlie:.

>> Dennis: STACY JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

IT'S BEEN A BEAUTIFUL START TO THE WORKWEEK.

>> Stacy: YES, WE HAD SOME UPPER LEVEL SMOKE FROM THE WILDFIRES.

WE WILL SEE THAT AGAIN TOMORROW.

WE ARE EXPECTING PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, BUT WE HAVE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS STARTING TOMORROW NIGHT AND CONTINUING INTO THURSDAY.

>> 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 ANOTHER HAZY DAY OUT THERE ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

IN FACT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE UPPER LEVEL SMOKE CREATING THE HAZY CONDITIONS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AS WELL.

WE ARE LOOKING AT SUNNY SKIES FOR TOMORROW, SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW NIGHT AND THURSDAY, WE WILL SEE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURNING WITH A WARM UP EXPECTED AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 67.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE AN EAST WIND.

HUMIDITY IS AT 77%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND 67 WITH A DEW POINT OF 62.

PRESSURE IS RISING WITH A LIGHT SOUTHEAST WIND.

ALL IS QUIET ON THE RADAR ACROSS MOST OF THE AREA.

WE HAD A LITTLE BIT SHOWER ACTIVITY AROUND LAKE OF THE WOODS.

SOME OF OUR VIEWERS MAY HAVE SEEN A FEW SHOWERS OUT THERE.

THOSE SHOULD BE ENDING AND WE WILL HAVE QUIET WEATHER ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT, A MIX OF CLOUDS AND CLEAR SKIES, SO WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, THAT SHOULD BREAK UP AND WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

LOOKS LIKE ALL THE PRECIPITATION TOMORROW SHOULD STAY OUTSIDE OUR VIEWING AREA.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, SEASONAL, HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s, MAYBE SOME LOW 80s OUT THERE, AND TOMORROW NIGHT AND THURSDAY, WE DO HAVE AT LEAST SOME CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, SOME CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

JOAN SENDING US A PHOTO OF THE SWANS WITH HER BABIES IN LAPORTE.

JULIE WITH A PHOTO OF THE LOONS ON LOWER MISSION LAKE AND A PHOTO FROM SARAH OF A LOON ON LAKE EDWARD.

NOW OF COURSE WE HAVE THE GORGEOUS SUNSETS TONIGHT, AND THE SMOKE ENHANCING THOSE IN THE AREA.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 62 WITH A LIGHT BREEZE THIS MORNING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, PARTLY CLOUDY AND HAZY TODAY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, A HAZY SUN.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, HAZY SUNSHINE, HIGH OF 78.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, FAIR WITH A SMOKEY HAZE.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING CLOUDY SKIES WITH SOME SUNSHINE, THE HIGH WAS 79.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 78 WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD.

AN IS HIGH TEMPERATURE, 1 DEGREE SHY OF THE AVERAGE.

BEMIDJI HAD A HIGH OF 78, SO WE ARE RIGHT ON TARGET WITH THE AFTERNOON HIGH TEMPERATURES.

58 IS OUR LOW TEMP AND SUNSET AT 8:21.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW AND AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES GO, ANOTHER SEASONAL DAY, ANOTHER NICE DAY FOR US IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s, RIGHT AROUND 80, MAYBE SOME LOW 80s IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

HEADING INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, MORE SUNSHINE, WE WILL BE SEEING HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s, AND THEN AS I MENTIONED TOMORROW NIGHT AND THURSDAY IS OUR NEXT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS TONIGHT, 57 IS THE LOW WITH SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 15.

MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES FOR TOMORROW, 79 FOR OUR HIGH, AND SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, ON THURSDAY, WE DO HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE MID-70s, AND THEN WE WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND WITH HIGHS IN THE 80s STARTING ON FRIDAY AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW.

THEY HAD NICE WEATHER.

>> Charlie: YES, THEY STARTED LAST WEEK AND NOW THE FIRST HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2024 HIGH SCHOOL SEASON, THEY'RE COMING UP.

IT'S BRAINERD AND GRAND RAPIDS TENNIS, AND THEN WE ALSO GET TO HEAR FROM SOME OTHER TEAMS THAT HAVEN'T QUITE STARTED YET BUT WE WILL BE STARTING SHORTLY.

ALL THAT 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.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >>> HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS REGULAR SEASON MATCHES OFFICIALLY GOT UNDERWAY YESTERDAY.

GRAND RAPIDS STARTED THEIR SEASON WITH A CLOSE 4-3 LOSS AT HOME TO SUPERIOR.

BRAINERD WAS ABLE TO COME AWAY WITH A 4-3 VICTORY OVER MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST.

THE WARRIORS AND THUNDERHAWKS WERE ON THE COURT AGAIN TODAY, THIS TIME FACING OFF AGAINST ONE ANOTHER AS PART OF A TRIANGULAR IN BRAINERD.

IN SINGLES, BRAINERD'S KAMRYN KRAMER AND G.R.

'S EMMA MUHLLER IN THE FIRST SET, NICE RALLY ENDS WITH A KRAMER NET SHOT.

KRAMER WENT ON TO BEAT MULLER IN STRAIGHT SETS.

MORE IN SINGLES, CHARLOTTE MOSS DOWN 3-4 FIRST SET TO BROOKE MULHOLLAND SERVE FORCES THE ERROR.

MOSS TAKES THE POINT BUT MULHOLLAND WOULD TAKE THE MATCH.

ONTO DOUBLES, ERICAH FOLDEN AND LEAH SOUKUP FACING EMMA MORAN AND RYLEIGH SHERLOCK, MEAN FOREHAND GOES GRAND RAPIDS' WAY, BUT FOLDEN AND SOUCUP WIN THE MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

DOWN THE COURTS REBEKAH SOUKUP AND JESSICA COLE AGAINST ABBY ZIMMER AND ALYSSA OHMAN, CHANGE UP FROM COLE IS GOLD AS SOUKUP AND COLE WOULD WIN THE MATCH 6-1 6-0.

AS BRAINERD BEATS GRAND RAPIDS SIX MATCHES TO ONE.

HERE ARE THE RESULTS FROM THE OTHER TWO MATCHES.

WARRIORS GOT THE WIN 4-3 OVER FOLEY.

THUNDERHAWKS FALL TO FOLEY BY THE SAME SCORE.

>>> TWINS PLAYING IN SAN DIEGO TODAY.

>>> THE 2023 EDITION OF BEMIDJI BOYS SOCCER ENDED THE SAME WAY IT BEGAN, WITH A 2-1 LOSS TO SARTELL.

THE LATTER IN THE SECTION 8-3A SEMIFINALS.

IT WAS A HEARTBREAKING FINISH TO WHAT WAS AN OTHERWISE STELLAR SEASON THAT SAW THE LUMBERJACKS GO 12-3-3 WHILE OUTSCORING THEIR OPPONENTS 57 TO 13.

NOW THE TEAM IS USING IT AS FUEL HEADING INTO THIS SEASON.

>> I THINK THAT LOSING TO SARTELL IN A GAME WAS NOT EASY.

I MEAN IT WAS FRUSTRAING BUT IT BROUGHT FUEL INTO THE NEXT SEASON AND OVER THE SUMMER, WE HAVE BEEN LACKING IN PRACTICES, FOCUSING ON GAME-TYPE SITUATIONS, PASSING THE BALL HARDER, DOING EVERYTHING QUICKER IN PRACTICE BECAUSE THAT CORRELATES OVER TO THE GAME.

>> SUPER MOTIVATING AND WE KNOW WE ONLY HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE.

IT MOTIVATES US TO COME TO PRACTICE AND WORK AS HARD AS WE CAN.

WHEN WE'RE PLAYING TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY, NO ONE CAN BEAT US.

>> THE JACKS ARE A VETERAN HEAVY SQUAD WITH TEN SENIORS AND FIVE JUNIORS MAKING UP THE 16-MAN ROSTER, MOST OF WHICH SAW CONSISTENT PLAYING TIME LAST YEAR AND IT'S THIS EXPERIENCE THEY BELIEVE COULD EARN THEM A TRIP TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018.

>> YEAH, IT'S DEFINITELY NICE TO HAVE SO MANY GUYS WHO PLAYED FOR SO LONG.

I MEAN WE ALL KNEW THIS WAS COMING.

WE ALL HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR IT FOR OUR WHOLE HIGH SCHOOL CAREER AND SOCCER CAREER.

>> THEY'RE FEELING EXCITED ABOUT THIS YEAR, THE OPPORTUNITY THAT IT PRESENTS TO THEM, TO MAKE SOME NOISE IN SECTION 8 AND SO FAR THIS SEASON, THE FIRST WEEK, WE HAD A GOOD TRAINING WEEK, A GOOD TIME.

WE KEPT EVERYBODY HEALTHY AND NOW WE'RE WORKING ON TECHNICAL STUFF AS WE HEAD INTO THE GAME ON SATURDAY, WE WILL WORK ON TACTICAL STUFF.

>> THE LUMBERJACKS HIT THE PITCH FOR THE FIRST TIME AGAINST AN OPPONENT THIS SATURDAY.

THEY'LL BE HOSTING SAUK RAPIDS-RICE AT THE CHET.

KICK OFF IS 2:00 P.M. >>> WELL, BSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RELEASED THEIR 2024-2025 SCHEDULE AND THE SQUAD WILL START ON THE 15th WHERE THEY WILL PLAY.

THE BEAVERS ARE SET TO HAVE THEIR HOME OPENER AGAIN MINNESOTA MORRIS, AND THEN MINNESOTA CROOKSTON.

THEY WILL PLAY 26 GAMES THIS SEASON WITH A PERFECT SPLIT OF HOME AND AWAY.

>>> ALSO, D2FOOTBALL.COM RELEASED THEIR POLL, RANKING BEMIDJI STATE AT NUMBER 20.

THEY FINISHED LAST SEASON 12th IN THE SAME POLL.

THEY ARE ONE OF FOUR NSIC TEAMS RANKED IN THE TOP 25 WITH MINNESOTA STATE AT 11th, AND MINNESOTA DULUTH ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 25.

>> Dennis: HOME OPENER A WEEK AWAY.

>> Charlie: NEXT THURSDAY, THE 29th.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> AS IF DOING YOGA ISN'T PEACEFUL ENOUGH ON ITS OWN, THE BEMIDJI PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE EVEN BETTER OUT IN THE SUNSHINE AND SURROUNDED BY WATER.

FOR TONIGHT'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WENT OVER TO DIAMOND POINT PARK FOR THIS SUMMER'S YOGA ON THE BEACH.

>> Reporter: BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT.

WHILE ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF BEMIDJI'S DIAMOND POINT PARK.

IF YOU ARE A FAN OF MOVING YOUR BODY, YOGA ON THE BEACH IS FOR YOU.

>> I'VE BEEN DOING YOGA FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND IT GIVES ME GREAT JOY TO BRING IN MORE FLEXIBILITY, MY MENTAL HEALTH AND MY WELLNESS, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY HOW IT CAN HEEL -- HEAL THE BODY MIRACULOUSLY.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE ALSO HAS THEIR OWN FAVORITE ASPECT.

>> WATCHING MY STUDENTS COMING OUT AND SEE THEIR HAPPINESS COMING OUT IN TERMS OF RELEASE OF PAIN, BUT MOST IMPORTANT THE MENTAL SIDE OF THEMSELVES, LIKE JUST BEING BALANCED AND CENTERED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY ARE JUST HAPPY.

>> I FEEL GREAT, AS USUAL, AFTER EVERY SESSION.

SHE ALWAYS MAKES ME FEEL MUCH MORE RELAXED AND LESS TENSE THAN I USUALLY STARTED OUT WITH.

>> I FEEL INVIGORATED.

I AM NOT SORE YET.

>> I STARTED DOING YOGA ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO AND REALIZED IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE FITNESS TRIAD.

>> Reporter: THE STRENGTH, STRETCHING, STRESS RELIEF BRINGS STUDENTS BACK WEEK AFTER WEEK.

YOGA IS NORMALLY HELD INSIDE BUT HAVING IT IN GORGEOUS PLACES LIKE THIS HELPS PEOPLE CONNECT WITH NATURE.

>> ANY TIME I CAN DO OUTDOOR YOGA, THAT'S WHERE I WILL DO IT.

OUTSIDE YOGA ROCKS MORE THAN BEING IN A BUILDING.

WE GET SO MANY NICE DAYS TO BE ON THE PATIO, WITH THE FRESH AIR, THE LAKE IN THE BACKGROUND, IT'S AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR THE SUMMERTIME.

>> AND THAT IS WHAT YOGA USE TO BE.

IT WAS CONFOUNDED TO BE OUTSIDE.

THIS IS ONLY ONE TIME TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT OUTSIDE.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE PEOPLE OUT HERE.

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

>> THIS SESSION OF YOGA ON THE BEACH IS NOW FINISHED.

WEATHER DEPENDING, THEY MAY COME BACK FOR ANOTHER SESSION LATER THIS FALL FOR SOME MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RELAXING IN NATURE.

>>> WE HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT OUR WEATHER NOW AND HOW THE WEATHER WILL BE OUT IN NATURE.

STACY JOINS US.

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS QUIET THROUGH TOMORROW, SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES NEXT WEEK, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN BETWEEN.

TONIGHT, WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS, SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 15.

THE SUNSHINE IS BACK TOMORROW, HIGHS SHOULD REACH ABOUT 79 WITH SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 20.

WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON THURSDAY, BUT QUIET WEATHER RETURNS LATE THIS WEEK AND WE SHOULD SEE TEMPERATURES WARMING INTO THE 80s STARTING ON FRIDAY.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW WE GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM BRAINERD GIRLS TENNIS.

THEY'RE THE REIGNING SECTION CHAMPS AND THEY'RE 3-0.

>> Dennis: SWEET FORMING THE TRIANGULAR.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪♪♪]