>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> ONE PERSON IS DEAD AND TWO OTHERS SUFFERED LIFE THREATENING INJURIES IN A HEAD ON CRASH NEAR GRAND RAPIDS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS A PICKUP DRIVEN BY 38-YEAR-OLD KERRI HART OF DEER RIVER WAS WESTBOUND ON HIGHWAY TWO AND A CAR DRIVEN BY 42-YEAR-OLD JANELLE SWENSON OF COHASSET WAS EASTBOUND WHEN THE TWO VEHICLES COLLIDED IN THE EASTBOUND LANE NEAR 17TH AVENUE NORTHWEST.

SWENSON DIED AT THE SCENE.

SHE WAS WEARING A SEATBELT.

HART SUFFERED LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

A PERSON THE STATE PATROL REPORT LISTS AS A PASSENGER IN HARTS VEHICLE, 41-YEAR-OLD JACK DRUMBEATER OF COHASSET, ALSO SUFFERED LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

HE WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT.

HART AND DRUMBEATER WERE NOT WEARING SEATBELTS.

THE PATROL REPORT SAYS ALCOHOL IS NOT SUSPECTED IN ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH BUT DRUMBEATER HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR CRIMINAL VEHICULAR OPERATION, GREAT BODILY HARM, UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

DRUMBEATER HAS NOT YET BEEN FORMALLY CHARGED IN COURT BUT IS EXPECTED TO BE.

MORE DETAILS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AFTER CHARGES ARE MADE OFFICIAL.

>>> A 4-YEAR-OLD CHILD SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE INJURIES ON FRIDAY AFTER FALLING OFF A RIDING LAWN MOWER NEAR UPSALA AFTER FALLING OFF THE CHILD WAS PARTIALLY RUN OVER BY THE MOWER WHILE THE BLADES WERE ENGAGED.

THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 1:30 P.M.

AT A HOME ABOUT THREE MILES NORTHWEST OF UPSALA.

ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, A 33-YEAR-OLD SWANVILLE MAN WAS OPERATING A ZERO-TURN LAWN MOWER WITH A 4-YEAR-OLD CHILD FROM LAKE ORION, MICHIGAN, RIDING ON THE FRONT PLATFORM OF THE MOWER.

THE CHILD FELL FROM THE PLATFORM AND WAS PARTIALLY RUN OVER BY THE MOWER WHILE THE BLADES WERE ENGAGED.

THE CHILD SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE INJURIES AND WAS TREATED AT THE SCENE BY FAMILY MEMBERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND THEN AIRLIFTED TO CHILDREN'S MINNESOTA MINNEAPOLIS HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER TREATMENT.

THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THIS INCIDENT REMAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS LOCATED A MISSING TEENAGE GIRL.

THE SHERIFFS OFFICE REQUESTED THE PUBLIC'S ASSISTANCE ON FRIDAY IN LOCATING 17-YEAR-OLD ZARIAH PETERSON AFTER SHE LEFT HER RESIDENCE IN BRAINERD ON AUGUST 12TH.

THE SHERIFFS OFFICE REPORTS PETERSON HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE AND THANKS THOSE WHO ASSISTED IN LOCATING HER AND SHARING INFORMATION.

>>> MINNESOTA REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING AHEAD TO NOVEMBER, AND REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE LISA DEMUTH MADE A STOP IN BEMIDJI LAST WEEK FOR THE BELTRAMI COUNTY G-O-P'S ANNUAL LINCOLN-REAGAN DINNER.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING TAKES US INSIDE THE EVENT AND THE MESSAGE SURROUNDING HER VISIT.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY GATHERED AT THE SANFORD CENTER WITH CANDIDATES AND SUPPORTERS, USING THE ANNUAL EVENT TO TALK PRIORITIES AND RAISE MONEY FOR LOCAL CAMPAIGNS AND FUTURE OUTREACH EFFORTS.

>> SOME OF THEM WILL GO TO CANDIDATE DONATIONS WE GIVE TO OUR LOCAL CANDIDATES TO BEEF UP THEIR CAMPAIGN.

SO WE WILL RUN SIX RADIO STATIONS IN THE LAST CAMPAIGN WE DID.

WE DID PRINT ADS, WE DID A LOT OF DIGITALS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN THE ROOM WAS MINNESOTA REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE LISA DEMUTH WHO USED THE STOP IN BEMIDJI TO CONNECT WITH REPORTERS AND TALKED ABOUT THE MESSAGE SHE HOPES EVERYONE WILL CARRY.

>> I AM A GUEST HERE TONIGHT AND YOU WILL HEAR ENCOURAGEMENT FOR REPUBLICANS, ENCOURAGEMENT THAT YOU CAN BRING FORWARD TO YOUR WIDER AUDIENCE, THAT MESSAGE OF COMMON SENSE AND BRINGING BACK THE IDEA THAT THOSE IN GOVERNMENT CAN SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Reporter: THE DINNER SERVES AS A FUNDRAISER FOR THE BELTRAMI REPUBLICAN PARTY IN A CHANCE TO RALLY SUPPORTER, WITH LISA'S VISITED AING MORE ATTENTION AS RESIDENTS LOOK AHEAD TO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

THE DINNER IS BRINGING LOCAL REPUBLICANS TOGETHER AND PUTTING THE ROAD TO NOVEMBER FRONT AND CENTER.

>> SO WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND THE ROOM, SITTING BEHIND ME ARE CONSERVATIVES, REPUBLICANS, BUT PEOPLE THAT JUST WANT TO BE A PART OF THE CHANGE, THAT MINNESOTA SO DESPERATELY NEEDS.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A FRESH START AND WHEN YOU SEE A GREAT TURNOUT FROM BEMIDJI AND BEYOND, THIS IS AN EXCELLENT SIGN OF PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS AND READY TO GO.

>> Reporter: LISA SAYS THE NEXT STRETCH OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TAKING THE MOMENTUM ON THE ROAD AND MAKING SURE VOTERS IN MINNESOTA HEAR DIRECTLY WHAT SHE BELIEVES NEEDS TO CHANGE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> SO MY MESSAGE TO REPUBLICANS HERE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IS THE SAME ALL OVER, EVEN IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IT IS ENDING FRAUD ONCE AND FOR ALL, RESPECTING OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS, MAKING MINNESOTA MORE AFFORDABLE, BRINGING DOWN THE PROPERTY TAXES, BRINGING DOWN CAR TAB FEES, THE WASTE THAT YOU SEE IN GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO END, AND WE NEED TO IMPROVE OUR KIDS' EDUCATION SO THEY'RE READY FOR WHATEVER IS NEXT.

>> Reporter: THE FUNDRAISER DINNER ALSO FEATURED A SILENT AUCTION, GIVING ATTENDEES A WAY TO SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AS LOCAL PARTY LEADERS LOVE TO CARRY THE TRACTION INTO THE MONTHS AHEAD.

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

>> THE GENERAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, WITH VOTERS DECIDING RACES AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS.

>>> INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN EDUCATION HAD A CHANCE TO EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITH BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS JOB FAIR RECENTLY OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: WITH THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR GEARING UP AND HAPPENING IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS TRYING TO LOAD UP ON EDUCATORS IN THE DISTRICT.

>> YEAH, I MEAN IT'S REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET THE WORD OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR.

OUR TEAMS HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD IN THE BUILDINGS AND AT THE HR, WE FILLED 214 POSITIONS SINCE JANUARY 1ST, BUT WE STILL HAVE THE LAST MILE, SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT TO GET THE LAST FEW POSITIONS FILLED.

>> WHETHER YOU ARE AN EXPERIENCED EDUCATOR, RECENT GRADUATE, OR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF STUDENTS, BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFER A VARIETY OF WAYS TO JOIN THE DISTRICT'S TEAM.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO HELP PEOPLE WHEREVER THEY ARE AT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PATHWAYS TO SUPPORT STAFF AS THEIR JOURNEY GOES ON TO GETTING A COLLEGE EDUCATION, GETTING A DIFFERENT CAREER, OR HELPING THEM ALONG THE WAY.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT MENTOR PROGRAMS AND WE WOULD BE EXCITED TO HAVE PARTNERED WITH THEM AND HAVE THEM SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE PEOPLE START AND WE CAN GROW TOGETHER WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT IS CURRENTLY SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR A VARIETY OF POSITIONS INCLUDING SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS, ASL INTERPRETERS, CUSTODIANS, COOKS, SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, AND MORE.

>> WE GOT A TON OF VACANCIES FOR OUR SPECIAL ED AREAS.

THEN ALSO, OUR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, AND SUBSTITUTE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS.

SO IT'S A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU CAN WORK A SCHEDULE THAT WORKS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

YOU CAN DECIDE WHEN TO WORK, WHERE TO WORK, THAT SORT OF THING.

IT'S A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY AND IT'S REALLY A NEAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR KIDS.

>> Reporter: BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS BELIEVES THAT HAVING A FULL-STAFF IS THE BEST WAY FOR KIDS TO LEARN AND EXPERIENCE A GOOD EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

>> KIDS NEED TO BE SUPERVISED, THEY NEED TO BE SAFE BEFORE THEY CAN LEARN.

THAT'S OUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE, ALWAYS.

WE ALWAYS DO THAT, BUT IT'S HOW WE HAVE TO DO THAT WHEN WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF OUR POSITIONS FILLED.

THAT MAKES IT CHALLENGING.

SOMETIMES IT TAKES AWAY FROM THE THINGS WE WANT TO DO FOR INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> ON SEPTEMBER 2ND, ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, THE LINCOLN EDUCATION CENTER, FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AND BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL WILL HAVE THEIR BACK-TO-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE THROUGH THE AREA TONIGHT AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME SEVERE WEATHER, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, A NEW BOOKS AND PLANTS STORE RECENTLY OPENED THEIR DOORS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> SPECIAL OLYMPICS BEMIDJI HELD ITS ANNUAL CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT LAST FRIDAY, WITH ATHLETES FROM THE BEMIDJI REGION COMPETING.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK TELLS US HOW THE EVENT IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST CORNHOLE, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THE ATHLETES TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF A TEAM.

>> IT REALLY FEELS LIKE I'M CREATING A COMMUNITY THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF ME AND JUST IT'S REALLY FUN TO GET TO EXPERIENCE THIS FOR OUR PERSONAL LEVEL FOR ME, JUST TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS THERE FOR ME AND IS WILLING TO HELP.

>> IT'S ALL OF THOSE EMOTIONS, EXCITEMENT, HAPPY, FRIENDS, ALL ROLLED INTO ONE.

>> LET ME WIN.

IF I CANNOT WIN, LET ME BE BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT.

THE MODEL OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS MEANS SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TO EVERYONE INVOLVED.

>> WINNING IS GOOD, BUT IF WE CANNOT WIN, BE BRAVE IN OURSELVES THAT WE TRIED OUR HARDEST.

>> MY FAVORITE PART IS WINNING BUT THAT IS NOT THE IMPORTANT THING.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS HAVING FUN, DOING YOUR BEST, AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS.

>> WELL, THAT'S WHY I HAVE DONE THIS FOR 42 YEARS.

I STARTED SPECIAL OLYMPICS WHEN IT STARTED HERE IN BEMIDJI, SO I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH IT EVER SINCE, AND I KEEP COMING BACK BECAUSE OF THE SMILES.

I LOVE THE COMRADERY, EVERYBODY GETTING TOGETHER, AND ALL THE THINGS WE CAN DO.

SO IT'S THE SMILES.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN HAVING AN EXCUSE TO GET ACTIVE AND GET OUTSIDE, THE CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT ALLOWS ALL TO BE PART OF A TEAM AND A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THEMSELVES.

>> I WANT TO WIN FOR MY FAMILY, FOR MY NIECE AND MY NEPHEW, AND MY MOM, AND MY MOM'S BOYFRIEND, AND TO HONOR MY DAD AND COUSIN.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH PLAYING FOR THOSE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND, ATHLETES WERE ABLE TO PLAY FOR THOSE THERE, WITH THE CHANCE TO COMPETE IN FRONT OF LOVED ONES AND IN SOME CASES, WITH LOVED ONES.

>> MY PARTNER IS MY DAD.

SO I ENJOY IT.

IT'S GREAT COMPETITION.

>> IT'S KIND OF A CALM ATMOSPHERE, THE WINDS ARE KIND OF HELPING NOW, A LITTLE AT TIMES, BUT NOT AT OTHER TIMES.

I CAN BLAME THE WIND IF I NEED TO.

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

>>> THE BEMIDJI CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT HAS GROWN FROM JUST THREE BOARD SETS A FEW YEARS AGO TO HAVING 17 SETS THIS YEAR, AND MORE ATHLETES THAN IT HAS EVER SEEN BEFORE.

>>> WELL, THERE IS JUST ONE WEEK LEFT TO QUALIFY FOR THIS SUMMER'S LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY.

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.

ALL SUMMER LONG WE ANNOUNCE FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS EVERY WEEKNIGHT HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS.

THOSE WHO CALL IN AND QUALIFY AFTER THEIR NAMES APPEAR GO IN TO THE POOL OF FINAL QUALIFIERS FOR THE GRAND DRAWING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE LIVE ON NEWSCAST ON MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST.

>>> STACY HAS TYPICALLY DONE THAT DRAWING.

YOU HAVE SOME VACATION TIME COMING UP, BUT YOU ARE BACK ON MONDAY, RIGHT?

>> Stacy: I WILL BE HERE FOR THAT.

>> Dennis: LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> Stacy: IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT WILL BE MAKING THEIR WAY ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME SEVERE WEATHER, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA AND WE HAVE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUT FOR THAT AREA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS ON TH [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE ARE SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS NOW BEGINNING TO MOVE INTO PARTS OF THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF MINNESOTA TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE THOSE MOVING ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT.

NOW, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOR SOME SEVERE WEATHER, SO WE DO HAVE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUT UNTIL 1:00 A.M.

ON TUESDAY IN THAT AREA.

WE COULD SEE MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM REDEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW AFTERNOON, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING QUITE A BIT OF SUNSHINE THIS WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 67 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEW POINT IS 60.

HUMIDITY IS AT 78%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, IT'S 68 DEGREES, A DEW POINT OF 63.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

WE DO HAVE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

THIS IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1:00 A.M.

ON TUESDAY.

IT DOES ENCOMPASS PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE'RE LOOKING AT ROSEAU AND POLK COUNTY SPECIFICALLY.

AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING, COULD BE SEEING SOME LARGE HAIL, COULD BE SEEING SOME DAMAGING WINDS.

THOSE ARE THE MAIN THREATS WITH THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

NO ACTIVE WARNINGS IN THE VIEWING AREA, BUT WE CAN SEE THE STRONGER STORMS AS THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE DAKOTAS AND NOW INTO PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

WE WILL BE SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND EXIT TOMORROW MORNING, BUT WE COULD SEE SOME MORE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM REDEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, WE HAVE SOME GORGEOUS COLORS IN THE SKY FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND SAMROSE OVER LOWER RED LAKE THIS MORNING.

THE LOONS ARE OUT, AARON SPOTTING SOME IN BEMIDJI AND LAURIE WITH THIS ONE ON LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

WE ALSO GOT A COYOTE SPOTTED IN DEERWOOD FROM GARY.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A COLOR CHANGE IN THE TREES THERE IN DEERWOOD AS WELL.

CHRISSY SENDING US THIS PHOTO AND SOME PRETTY SKIES THIS EVENING, RIGHT AROUND SUNSET, ANGELA FROM CASS LAKE WITH THAT PICTURE AND BILL AND JUDY OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, BOB IN BLUFFTON, A HIGH OF 80.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND 74.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, A HIGH OF 78.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY, THE HIGH OF 77.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 78.

THAT IS ON TARGET, OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR THIS DATE.

51 IS THE LOW AND 8:10 THE SUNSET.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 73, A COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE, VERY CLOSE TO OUR AVERAGE OF 76.

54 IS THE LOW AND 6:28 FOR THE SUNRISE.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, AS I MENTIONED, WE MAY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LINGERING SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IN EASTERN, REALLY EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING.

THAT MOVES OUT BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, WE COULD SEE SOME REDEVELOPMENT OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 70s, MID-70s IN FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, INTO THE LOW 80s ACROSS A GOOD PORTION OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND THEN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN MAINLY THE MIDDLE 80s.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY, A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

AGAIN, SOME MAY BE SEVERE IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, WITH LOWS NEAR 62.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, STILL THAT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA, WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 82.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

OTHERWISE, WE WILL BE SEEING PLENTY OF SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MIDDLE PART AND THE END OF THE WEEK.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE UPPER 70s TO LOW 80s, THAT TREND CONTINUES THROUGH THE WEEKEND, ALTHOUGH WE COULD BE SEEING A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

NICE WEATHER, WE CONCLUDED THE NATIONALS YESTERDAY.

>> Charlie: GREAT WEATHER, A LOT OF FUN DOWN AT THE B.I.R.

AND LOTS OF PEOPLE THERE IN THE CROWD TO CHECK OUT THE CHAMPIONS.

WE LET YOU KNOW WHO WON THE THREE BIG RACES THERE AND WE GET TO HEAR FROM BEMIDJI'S BOYS SOCCER TEAM COMING UP SHORTLY.

THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> BETWEEN PARTYING IN THE ZOO, LOUD NOISES, AND REALLY FAST CARS, FANS WERE ONCE AGAIN TREATED TO A FANTASTIC WEEKEND OF DRAG RACING AT THE 44TH ANNUAL NHRA BRAINERD NATIONALS.

AND IT ALL CAME TO A HEAD ON SUNDAY AT THE BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY.

STARTING WITH THE FUNNY CARS, MATT HAGEN IN THE LEFT CLOCKING 3.946-SECONDS FOR THE WIN, HIS 2ND AT BRAINERD, 3RD OF THE SEASON GIVING HIM THE POINTS LEAD HEADING TO NATIONALS AT INDY NEXT WEEKEND.

IN TOP FUEL, SOME DÉJÀ VU, REIGNING WORLD CHAMP DOUG KUHLETTA ON THE LEFT, WINNING FOR THE 2ND YEAR IN A ROW AT B.I.R., TOPPING MADDI GORDON, 3.743 SECONDS AT NEARLY 334 MILES PER HOUR.

AND IN THE PRO-STOCK, MORE DÉJÀ VU, DULUTH NATIVE GREG ANDERSON, ALSO IN THE LEFT LANE, WINS BACK-TO-BACK AT BRAINED, IT'S ALSO HIS SECOND STRAIGHT VICTORY, GIVING HIM A MASSIVE 85-POINT LEAD.

HEADING TO INDY AS HE TRIES TO CLAIM HIS 7TH WORLD TITLE.

ANDERSON, WHO HAS MOST VICTORIES IN NHRA PRO-STOCK HISTORY WITH 116, IS NOW ALSO THE WINNINGEST PRO-STOCK DRIVER AT B.I.R.

WITH SIX >> PRETTY DAMN COOL.

PRETTY COOL.

I THINK I STRUGGLED A LOT OF YEARS HERE TO WIN.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

I HAD EXERCISED A FEW DEMONS I GUESS.

THE WORLD KNOWS, THIS IS THE PLACE THAT IT ALL STARTED FOR ME.

I WOULDN'T BE A PRO-STOCK RACER IF IT WEREN'T FOR THIS PLACE AND THE PEOPLE AROUND HERE, MY FATHER, AND THE LATE JOHN HAGAN.

THEY GAVE ME MY START.

I CAN'T THANK THEM ENOUGH.

I LOVE THIS PLACE EVER SINCE THE FIRST TIME.

I PRAY THIS NEVER GOES AWAY.

IT IS CERTAINLY AT THE TOP OF MY LIST AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE ON THE TOP OF MANY PEOPLE'S LIST.

FOR THE FANS AND RACERS, IT'S SECOND TO NONE.

IT'S SPECIAL.

I HOPE IT'S NOT THE LAST BUT I'M GOING TO ENJOY THE HELL OUT OF THIS ONE TONIGHT.

THIS IS PRETTY COOL.

>> Charlie: SOME OTHER RESULTS, GIRL TENNIS, THEY GOT THEIR SEASON STARTED.

THEY DEFEATED PINE CITY 6-1.

IN THE WNBA, LYNX FALL TO THE CAL -- VALKYRIES THIS SEASON.

>>> THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE MIGHT BE THAT THERE IS A LOT OF CHANGE GOING ON WITH BEMIDJI BOYS SOCCER.

I MEAN THE NEW HEAD COACH, THEY GRADUATED FIVE SENIORS AND HAVE THREE SENIORS ON THIS YEAR'S ROSTER.

JEFF MITCHELL, WELL, HE IS NOT SO NEW, HAVING BEEN THE ASSISTANT COACH NEXT TO FORMER SKIPPER RICK FOR THE LAST 14 SEASONS.

LAST YEAR THEY CARRIED 11 SOPHOMORES ON THEIR SQUAD, 8 WHICH SAW SIGNIFICANT PLAY TIME, GIVING THIS SQUAD PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE.

>> WE DON'T HAVE MANY SENIORS, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENTED JUNIORS THIS YEAR.

I PLAYED WITH THEM FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND THEY ARE JUST GREAT PLAYERS AND LOVE TO BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH THEM AT THIS LEVEL.

OVERALL, THE LACK OF SENIORS, WE HAVE A GOOD VIBE GOING.

I'M EXCITED FOR THIS SEASON.

>> WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOR SO MANY YEARS.

WE ARE COMMUNICATING EASIER.

SOME TEAMS DON'T HAVE THAT.

SINCE I'VE BEEN A FRESHMAN, I LOOK UP AT THE SENIORS AND TAKE IN ALL WHAT THEY TAUGHT ME.

SO I AM TRYING TO BE LIKE THEM.

>> Charlie: IN 2025, THEY WENT 7-8-2.

THEIR SEASON COMING TO AN END AT THE HANDS OF SAINT MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE.

THEY COULD HAVE ENDED THAT LOSS IN THEIR OPENING MATCH BUT THE JACKS ARE LESS WORRIED ABOUT THE WIN AND MORE WORRIED ABOUT THE AREAS THEY WOULD LIKE TO IMPROVE.

>> I'M DEFINITELY TRYING TO SCORE MORE.

LAST YEAR WITH THE FIVE SENIORS WE HAD, WE DID NOT SCORE AS MUCH AS WE WANTED TO.

THAT'S DEFINITELY A GOAL OF MINE.

WE ARE LIKE AN EFFORT GROUP.

WE TRY OUR BEST AND PUT IT ALL ON THE FIELD AND WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO WIN.

>> WE ARE GOOD AT PASSING AND SHOOTING THE BALL, AND NO ONE IS TRYING TO DRIBBLE TOO MUCH OR ANYTHING.

I THINK WE NEED TO WORK ON OUR MOVEMENT OFF THE BALL AND STUFF.

I AM EXCITED TO SEE HOW WE DO.

I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF EXPECTATIONS AND WE CAN LIVE UP TO THEM.

>> Charlie: THERE IS THE SEASON OPENER THURSDAY, AUGUST 27TH.

THAT GAME IS AT 5:00 P.M.

AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> Dennis: GETTING UNDERWAY HERE WITH SOME EVENTS.

>> Charlie: IT'S STARTING, EXACTLY.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

THERE IS A NEW BOOK AND PLANTS STORE IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA BUILT ON THE BELIEF THAT THE BEST DISCOVERIES OFTEN HAPPEN WHEN WE SLOW DOWN.

BOOKS AND BOTANICALS OFFICIALLY OPENED ITS DOORS ON AUGUST 8TH THIS MONTH, AND THE COMMUNITY RESPONDED SO WELL, THAT THE STORE IS NEARLY OUT OF STOCK AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: BOOKS AND BOTANICALS IS AIMING TO BE A PLACE WHERE GUESTS CAN TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND REDISCOVER SIMPLE JOYS THAT ARE OFTEN LOST IN OUR BUSY LIVES.

>> WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, I ALWAYS LOVED BOOKS.

I ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE A BOOKSTORE.

30 YEARS AGO, I ASKED MY HUSBAND IF WE COULD OPEN UP A BOOKSTORE AND HE SAID, WELL, IT'S NOT TIME YET.

LET'S GET A REAL JOB.

SO I DID AND DECADES LATER, IT'S TIME NOW.

>> Reporter: BOOKS AND BOTANICALS OWNER LOVE FOR LITERATURE BEGAN AT A YOUNG AGE, AND SHE WORKED IN EDUCATION FOR OVER TWO DECADES.

>> IT HELPS SUPPORT IT.

I HAVE SEEN WHAT CHILDREN LOVE TO READ.

I KNOW THAT WHEN I WAS A CHILD, IT HELPED ME TO KIND OF ESCAPE REALITY AND SUPPORT ME IN WAYS THAT I NEEDED TO BE SUPPORTED AS A CHILD, AND ALSO JUST SEEING THAT WE NEED TO HAVE CONNECTION.

>> Reporter: ERICA'S BOOK COLLECTION AT BOOKS AND BOTANICALS IS INTENDED TO SPARK CURIOSITY, INSPIRE CONVERSATION, TELL MEANINGFUL STORIES, OR HELP PEOPLE LEARN SOMETHING NEW.

>> I WAS VERY HAPPY FOR HER BECAUSE I KNEW THAT SHE REALLY LIKED THE IDEA OF HAVING A BOOKSTORE AND SHE REALLY MISSED THE IDEA OF A BOOKSTORE HERE IN BRAINERD.

IT'S KIND OF A REALLY GOOD ADD ON BECAUSE YOU CAN JUST COME HERE, SIT DOWN AND READ BOOKS.

>> Reporter: THE PLANT CATALOG FOCUSES ON VARIETIES THAT BRING BEAUTY, JOY, AND CONFIDENCE TO PLANT LOVERS OF ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS.

>> I DECIDED TO ADD THEM BECAUSE I LOVE THEM.

I AM NOT A PERSON WHO IS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE WITH HOUSE PLANTS, I JUST LOVE THEM.

.

>> Reporter: THE MISSION AT BOOKS AND BOTANICALS IS SIMPLE, TO READ MORE AND GROW MORE.

FOR ERICA, THAT MEANS GROWING INTELLECTUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, AND SOMETIMES JUST GROWING A REALLY BEAUTIFUL PLANT, WHICH SHE BELIEVES THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA COULD ULTIMATELY BENEFIT FROM.

>> IT'S CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY.

WHEN YOU READ, YOU UNDERSTAND PEOPLE BETTER.

UNDERSTANDING EACH OVER A LITTLE BIT BETTER, LOVING EACH OTHER FOR WHO YOU ARE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO ALL MATCH.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THE SAME.

YOU LEARN THAT THROUGH BOOKS, I BELIEVE, THROUGH STORIES.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND BOOKS AND BOTANICALS WILL BE HOSTING A CELEBRATION FOR ITS GRAND OPENING THAT WILL TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER 26TH FROM 10:00 A.M.

TO 5:00 P.M.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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