>> 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.

>>> THE PRIMARY ELECTION FOR THE WARD 5 COUNCIL-MEMBER SEAT IN THE CITY OF BEMIDJI WAS AN EXTREMELY CLOSE RACE.

SO CLOSE IN FACT THAT A RECOUNT WAS GRANTED FOR ONE OF THE CANDIDATES.

THAT RECOUNT WAS HELD EARLIER TODAY AT THE BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARDROOM AND OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WAS PRESENT TO SEE THE RESULTS.

>> Reporter: INCUMBENT INITIALLY WON THE ELECTION WITH EATON SECURING 126 VOTES.

MICHAEL WHO WAS ALSO ON THE BALLOT RECEIVED 99 VOTES.

HE REQUESTED A RECOUNT AND BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENCE IS 10 VOTES OR LESS AND THE TOTAL VOTES CAST WAS NO MORE THAN 400, THE RECOUNT MUST BE GRANTED, TO NO COST.

>> AFTER THE PRIMARY NIGHT, I WAS LOOKING AT HOW CLOSE IT WAS.

ONE OF THE THINGS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE OTHER CANDIDATE WAS 7 VOTES.

A WHILE LATER, IT UPDATED AND IT WAS ONLY 5.

THEN THERE WAS SOME LOCAL REPORTING THAT USED THAT NUMBER.

WHEN THE CANVASSING BOARD MET, IT WENT BACK TO 7.

THAT WAS AN INKLING OF I MAY MAKE SURE AND LOOKING AT THE STATE STATUTE AND THAT FELL INTO THE CATEGORY WHERE I COULD REQUEST A RECOUNT.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK.

>> Reporter: THE RECOUNT HASN'T TAKEN PLACE SINCE 2018.

SOME CITY OFFICIALS WERE PRESENT FOR THE RECOUNT BECAUSE OF CURIOSITY.

>> I HAVE NEVER BEEN PART OF A RECOUNT.

I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, HOW IT WORKS, WHAT IS DONE.

I THINK THE OTHER THING IS THAT I REALIZE THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF CITIZENS THAT WILL TAKE TIME OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY TO DO A RECOUNT.

AS A REPRESENTATIVE, I FELT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE LENGTHY PROCESS OF COUNTING EVERY ONE OF THE VOTES, 3 COUNTS SHOWED THE SAME RESULT, 106-99.

>> PERSONALLY, I'M BUMMED FOR THE OVERALL RESULTS BUT IN TERMS OF THE RECOUNT, I'M GLAD THERE WEREN'T ANY DISREPRESENTATIVE -- DISCREPANCIES, SO IT WAS APPROVED BY THE CANVASSING BOARD.

THAT SAYS A LOT BY THE VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE SURE OUR LOCAL ELECTIONS ARE SECURE AND ACCURATE.

>> Reporter: SEEING THIS PLAY OUT IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC PUTS FAITH IN THE VOTING SYSTEM.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS WELL LAID OUT AND WELL COMMUNICATED.

I THOUGHT IT WAS REASSURING TO SEE THAT THE RESULTS TIED OUT WITH WHAT WAS REPORTED.

WE WANT TO BELIEVE IN THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION SO IT'S GOOD WHEN YOU SEE THAT CONFIRMED.

>> I'M GLAD THAT THE NUMBERS DIDN'T CHANGE BECAUSE THAT SHOWS THEY DID EVERYTHING ACCURATELY AND THERE WEREN'T MISTAKES MADE.

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

>> BILL BATCHELDER COULD NOT ATTEND THE RECOUNT TODAY BUT TOLD US IN AN EMAIL THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EVERY VOTE COUNTS AND HE EXTENDED THANKS TO LYNN EATON AND MICHAEL MEELHAUSE FOR THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE.

>>> AFTER EMERALD ASH BORER WAS DISCOVERED IN BRAINERD EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE CITY BEGAN LOOKING TO PROTECT ASH TREES IN CITY PARKS.

NINE TREES IN KIWANIS PARK AND FIVE IN BANE PARK WERE IDENTIFIED FOR TREATMENT.

IF LEFT UNTREATED, THE CITY ANTICIPATED THAT THE TREES WOULD DIE IN SEVEN TO TEN YEARS.

CHEMICALS ARE INJECTED INTO THE TREE TO PROTECT IT FROM THE INVASIVE INSECT AND WITH CONTINUED TREATMENT CAN BE PROTECTED FROM EMERALD ASH BORER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TREE'S LIFE CYCLE.

>> THE INJECTION IS GOOD FOR TWO YEARS.

I'VE HEARD IT COULD BE POTENTIALLY STRETCHED TO THREE, BUT THEY'RE UNDER WARRANTY FOR TWO YEARS WITH THE CITY TREES.

AS LONG AS YOU TREAT THEM INDEFINITELY, THE TREE CAN LIVE INDEFINITELY WITHOUT EMERALD ASH BORER.

THERE ARE OTHER CAUSES, BUT IT WOULD BE PROTECTED FROM EMERALD ASH BORER.

>> THE TREES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED WILL BE RE-INJECTED EVERY TWO YEARS.

THE CITY IS ALSO LOOKING TO IDENTIFY MORE TREES IN OTHER CITY PARKS TO BE TREATED.

>>> THE LITTLE FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS A SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING AN ATTEMPTED ROBBERY AT GUNPOINT IN THE PARKING LOT OF A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT IN THE CITY.

OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE BURGER KING NEAR HIGHWAY 371 AROUND 9:00 P.M. ON MONDAY NIGHT.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM LITTLE FALLS POLICE OFFICERS GATHERED CRITICAL EVIDENCE, IDENTIFIED A SUSPECT AND TOOK THAT SUSPECT INTO CUSTODY.

THE SUSPECT WHO HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IS CURRENTLY AWAITING FORMAL CHARGES.

THE LITTLE FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND THERE IS NO ONGOING THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

>>> THE FAMILY OF A TEENAGER WHO DIED IN A CRASH INVOLVING A STATE TROOPER IS SPEAKING OUT.

THE DEADLY INCIDENT HAPPENED IN MAY AND THE ACCUSED OFFICER WILL BE IN COURT THIS WEEK.

OLIVIA PRONDZINSKI HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: CARLOS AND STEPHANIE FLORES FLIPPED THROUGH PHOTO ALBUMS, THINKING OF WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

>> BECAUSE OF YOU, WE PLANNED A FUNERAL INSTEAD OF HER GRADUATION PARTY.

>> Reporter: MAY 18th STARTED OUT LIKE ANY OTHER UNTIL -- >> A CRASH HAD BEEN DETECTED.

>> WE WERE YELLING OLIVIA, PICK UP YOUR PHONE.

>> Reporter: THEY TOOK A CALL, LETTING THEM KNOW THEIR DAUGHTER OLIVIA FLORES WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH OTHER CARS.

>> IT'S UNFATHOMABLE.

>> Reporter: HER INJURIES WERE SEVERE AND HER FAMILY WAS TASKED WITH THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO TAKE HER OFF LIFE SUPPORT.

>> OLIVIA WOULD NOT WANT THIS AT ALL.

>> Reporter: IT WAS TWO MONTHS LATER WHEN SHANE ROPER WAS CHARGED IN HER DEATH.

>> BECAUSE OF YOUR CHOICE, I DON'T GET TO DANCE WITH MY DAUGHTER AT HER WEDDING.

>> Reporter: THE TROOPER WAS RECORDED DRIVING 83 MILES PER HOUR IN A 40 MILES PER HOUR ZONE WITHOUT HIS EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON.

A DIVE INTO ROPER'S HISTORY REVEALS THIS ISN'T HIS FIRST OFFENSE.

>> HOW SOMEONE WITH THAT HISTORY, WITH THE SAME ISSUES, IS STILL ABLE TO DRIVE AND BE OUT ON THE ROADS AND BE SOMEBODY WHO IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT AND SERVE.

YOU TOOK ALL OF YOUR TRAINING AND FLIPPED IT.

>> Reporter: GRAPPLING WITH A WAVE OF EMOTIONS.

>> IT BLOWS MY MIND THAT SOMEBODY THOUGHT YEP, THIS PERSON WITH FOUR PAST ISSUES WITH THE SAME THING WILL BE FINE IN A CAR.

>> Reporter: THE ABSENCE OF THE ABILITY TO WRAP THEIR ARMS AND THEIR DAUGHTER.

FAMILY MEMBERS WEAR BRACELETS TO KEEP HER CLOSE.

>> LOVE LIVE OLIVIA, LLO.

SHE WAS PRETTY AWESOME.

>> TROOPER ROPER IS SCHEDULED TO MAKE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT TOMORROW.

>>> A MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO BURGLARIZING THE DETROIT LAKES HOME OF HER ESTRANGED STEPMOTHER AFTER HER FATHER'S DEATH.

DEFENSE AND PROSECUTION ATTORNEYS SAID IN A JOINT COURT FILING TUESDAY THAT SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL WAS PLEADING NOT GUILTY, AND ASKED THE COURT TO SCHEDULE BOTH A SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE AND JURY TRIAL.

THE DEMOCRAT FROM THE ST. PAUL SUBURB OF WOODBURY WAS CHARGED IN APRIL.

A FELONY CRIMINAL COMPLAINT SAID SHE TOLD POLICE AT THE TIME THAT SHE BROKE INTO THE HOME BECAUSE HER STEPMOTHER REFUSED TO GIVE HER ITEMS OF SENTIMENTAL VALUE FROM HER LATE FATHER, INCLUDING HIS ASHES.

>>> GET READY FOR ONE MORE BLOCKBUSTER SUMMER WEEKEND AT THE NATION'S AIRPORTS.

THE TSA IS GEARING UP FOR A BIG FINALE TO A RECORD BREAKING SUMMER.

KARIN CAIFA IS IN WASHINGTON WITH A LOOK AT WHEN LABOR DAY TRAVEL WILL HIT ITS PEAK.

>> Reporter: THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION SAYS THEY'RE GEARING UP FOR THEIR BUSIEST LABOR DAY TRAVEL PERIOD EVER.

THEY EXPECT TO SCREEN MORE THAN 17 MILLION PASSENGERS BETWEEN THIS THURSDAY AND NEXT WEDNESDAY.

THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND SETS TO CAP OFF ANOTHER BUSY SUMMER.

>> WE CERTAINLY SAW A LOT OF TRAVEL IN 2023, THE SAME HAS HAPPENED IN 2024.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND IS NOT AS BIG OF A TRAVEL WEEKEND AS JULY 4TH OR THANKSGIVING IN THE FALL, BUT IT'S A TIME FOR PEOPLE TO CLOSE OUT THEIR SUMMER.

>> Reporter: AIRFARES WERE DOWN NEARLY 3% IN JULY FROM THE YEAR PRIOR, ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

TRAVELERS CAN FIND END OF SUMMER DEALS.

>> WE'RE SEEING GREAT LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY FOR SPECIFIC AREAS, ESPECIALLY DOMESTICALLY, AS PEOPLE TEND TO TRAVEL LESS.

YOU KNOW, KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL.

FAMILIES ARE NOT TRAVELING NEARLY AS MUCH AS THEY DO IN THE HEIGHT OF SUMMER.

>> Reporter: DRIVERS WILL SEE SAVINGS TOO.

>> GAS PRICES HAVE BEEN COMING DOWN CONSIDERABLY.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS $.50 BELOW WHAT IT WAS LAST LABOR DAY WEEKEND AND WE HAVE SEEN PRICES COME DOWN $.15 IN THE LAST MONTH.

>> Reporter: TUESDAY'S NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR A GALLON OF GAS WAS $3.75.

BARRING ANY STORM IMPACT, PRICES SHOULD CONTINUE TO FALL INTO SEPTEMBER.

IN WASHINGTON, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>> Dennis: LABOR DAY TRAVEL WEEKEND OFFICIALLY BEGINS ON FRIDAY.

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

>> Stacy: SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL RETURN TO THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

WE COULD HAVE SOME SEVERE STORMS AND POSSIBLY SOME HEAVY RAINFALL.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL DISTRICT HELD >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>>> THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL DISTRICT HELD ITS ALL-EMPLOYEE BACK-TO-SCHOOL GATHERING EARLIER TODAY.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WAS THERE TO SEE THE PRESENTATION OF THE BEMIDJI EDUCATION ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL AWARDS FOR THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR.

>> Reporter: EVERY YEAR, THE BEMIDJI EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PRESENTS MAJOR AWARDS TO THREE OF THEIR EDUCATION STAFF IN FRONT OF A CROWD OF SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE, THE 2024 TEACHER OF THE YEAR, SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR, AND LAY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS WERE HANDED OUT.

WHILE THESE AWARDS ARE A BIG ENOUGH DEAL ON THEIR OWN, IT IS MORE OF AN HONOR CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THERE ARE OVER 400 TEACHERS IN THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> JUST REALLY AN HONOR BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE SO MANY AMAZING TEACHERS AND STAFF JUST THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT AND I GET TO SEE ALL OF OUR TEACHERS WORK SO HARD AT FORMING OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR KIDS AND DOING AMAZING THINGS IN THE CLASSROOMS.

I AM REALLY HONORED TO BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THAT AND THEY THOUGHT OF ME BECAUSE I KNOW I SEE SO MANY TEACHERS WORKING SO HARD EVERYDAY.

>> I'M VERY GRATEFUL.

IT IS NICE TO BE RECOGNIZED.

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE, EVERYONE WHO WORKS HERE.

I AM VERY PROUD OF IT.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE MANY TEACHERS NOMINATED BY OTHER FACULTY AND THEN THE VOTING CONTINUED TO NARROW THE RECIPIENTS DOWN TO 1 NOMINEE FOR EACH CATEGORY.

WINNING THE AWARD MEANS SO MUCH MORE THAN WINNING A PLAQUE ON THE WALL.

>> IT MEANS EVERYTHING.

I AM STILL SMILING.

I JUST MAKES ME HAPPY THAT MAYBE I HELPED A CHILD ALONG THE WAY.

>> Reporter: DURING THE CEREMONY, DIFFERENT SPEAKERS STRESSED THE IMPACT THAT TEACHERS CAN MAKE ON KIDS' LIVES.

>> MY FAVORITE PART IS JUST BEING ABLE TO BE WITH THE KIDS.

I THINK I HAVE THE LUXURY OF BEING ABLE TO GO AROUND AND TALK TO ALL THE KIDS AND GO IN ALL THE CLASSROOMS AND SEE SOME AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN OUR CLASSROOMS AT SCHOOL.

>> JUST GETTING TO KNOW THE KIDS AND LEARNING ABOUT THEM AND HELPING THEM, ESPECIALLY WITH THEIR READING.

TO ME, READING IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT'S A PART OF GOING TO SCHOOL AND A PART OF LIFE.

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

>> AFTER ALL OF THE B.E.A.

AWARDS WERE PRESENTED, TEACHERS FROM ALL AROUND THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL DISTRICT WENT BACK TO THEIR CLASSROOMS TO DO PRE-SCHOOL PREPARATIONS.

CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEXT TUESDAY.

>>> STACY IS HERE.

WE HAVE THE BIG LABOR DAY WEEKEND AHEAD OF US, BUT FIRST OFF A STORMY DAY TOMORROW.

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKE IT.

WE WILL HAVE THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA TONIGHT AND SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS, AS WELL >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ACCESS OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES STATE SERVICES DIVISION.

>> 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 DID HAVE THE MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND IT WAS A LITTLE BIT BREEZY AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, EXPECT TO SEE SKIES BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY.

WE WILL SEE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

THEN THEY WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA.

AND THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SEVERE IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND WE MAY SEE HEAVY RAINFALL.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 65 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, EAST WINDS ARE AT 9 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 57 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 75%.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY AND 64 WITH A DEW POINT OF 58.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW AS WE LOOK AT THE RADAR, IT HAS SO FAR BEEN QUIET ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND TONIGHT, BUT AGAIN WE HAVE THIS LARGE SYSTEM OFF IN THE DAKOTAS NOW BEGINNING TO PUSH ITS WAY INTO MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE HAD SOME SEVERE WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH THESE STORMS IN THE DAKOTAS.

NOW WE WILL START TO SEE THOSE STORMS MOVING INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA TONIGHT, BUT THEY WILL SPREAD OVER THE AREA TOMORROW AND THAT IS WHAT THE GREEN DOTTED AREA IS.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE ACROSS THE AREA, THE RED LINED AREA IS WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAINFALL AND THE YELLOW LINED AREA IS WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT A CHANCE OF SOME SEVERE WEATHER, WITH THE MAIN THREATS BEING DAMAGING WIND, LARGE HAIL, AND AN ISOLATED TORNADO WITH THESE STORMS, THEY WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW.

THEY SHOULD EXIT, SO QUIETER WEATHER WILL BE BACK TO END THE WEEK.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

FOGGY THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

SAMROSE CAPTURING THE SUNRISE IN.

LINDA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF LEECH LAKE.

THE DAHLIAS ARE IN BLOOM.

LAURIE SENT US THIS PICTURE OF THE SUNSET OVER LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 58 AND A LIGHT BREEZE THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY, BUT IT WAS BREEZY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, PARTLY SUNNY, HIGH WAS 72.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY AND 71.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 73.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD WITH A HIGH OF 73 TODAY, A FEW DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE.

60 DEGREES WAS OUR LOW AND SUNSET 8:02.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 72, CLOSE TO THE AVERAGE, JUST SHY OF THAT.

57 FOR THE LOW.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA AND AGAIN THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS, MAINLY IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT AGAIN IT COULD EXTEND NORTH TO THE BEMIDJI, PARK RAPIDS, AND WADENA AREA, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAINFALL.

HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE 70s, SOME LOW 70s, UPPER 70s IN THE MIX.

THEN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, UPPER 70s, MID-70s TO 80 DEGREES FOR OUR HIGH, BUT MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLY SOME SEVERE WEATHER AND HEAVY RAINFALL.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 58.

TOMORROW, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE WEATHER, ALONG WITH HEAVY RAINFALL, HIGHS WILL BE NEAR 77.

LOOKING AT THE EXTENDED FORECAST, THINGS LOOK PRETTY QUIET AS WE HEAD INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND WITH PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s THROUGH FRIDAY, COULD EXTEND TO 80 AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY.

ON LABOR DAY, MONDAY, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR 72.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

WE COULD SEE SOME RAIN AT THE BSU FOOTBALL GAME.

>> Charlie: DON'T SAY THAT.

HOPEFULLY IT COOLS OFF BY THEN.

SPEAKING OF THE FOOTBALL GAME, I HAD A CHANCE TO GO OUT AND TALK WITH A COUPLE OF THE CAPTAINS TODAY ABOUT TOMORROW'S FOOTBALL GAME, JUST TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE UP AGAINST AND THEIR THOUGHTS ON IT.

THAT AND MORE COMING UP A >> 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.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> JUST OVER THREE WEEKS AGO WHILE EVERYONE ELSE WAS STILL ENJOYING THEIR SUMMER VACATION, THE 2024 EDITION OF BSU FOOTBALL TOOK THE PRACTICE FIELD FOR THE FIRST TIME AS A TEAM.

TOMORROW, BEMIDJI STATE WILL TAKE THE FIELD AT CHET ANDERSON STADIUM FOR THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE 2024 SEASON, A ZERO-WEEK GAME AGAINST A NOT SO FAMILIAR OPPONENT IN MICHIGAN TECH BUT THE BEAVERS ARE LESS CONCERNED WITH WHO THEY ARE PLAYING AND MORE CONCERNED WITH HOW THEY ARE PLAYING, BELIEVING THAT IS THE KEY TO VICTORY.

>> I THINK HONESTLY WE HAVE THE BEST DEFENSIVE LINE IN THE NATION.

IT'S JUST US DOING OUR JOB, LOCKING IN, FOCUSING, WE HAVE A BUNCH OF OLDER GUYS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE TWO, THREE, FOUR YEARS NOW.

IT'S TIME FOR US TO SHOW UP AND SHOW WHAT WE CAN DO.

YOU KNOW, HANDLE THAT ASPECT OF THE GAME.

I KNOW OUR LINEBACKERS ARE GOING TO DO THEIR THINGS, BUT FOR ME, IT'S THE D-LINE.

I THINK WE CAN CONTROL THE WHOLE GAME.

>> WE JUST NEED TO PLAY OUR GAME, PLAY PHYSICAL AND FAST, NOT MAKE MISTAKES, MAKE SURE WE KEEP OUR COMPOSURE WHEN THINGS AREN'T GOING OUR WAY.

WE NEED TO PLAY BALL.

YOU CAN FEEL THE EXCITEMENT STARTING TO BUILD.

EVERYONE IS READY TO GO.

JUST GETTING EVERYONE BACK OUT HERE, HAVING EVERYONE ON OUR SIDE, IT SHOULD BE AN EXCITING ONE.

>> WE MENTIONED MICHIGAN TECH WAS AN UNFAMILIAR OPPONENT.

THEY WILL BE THE BEAVS FIRST NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENT SINCE PLAYING A STILL INDEPENDENT MINOT STATE TO OPEN THE 2011 SEASON.

THEY HAVE NOT PLAYED THE HUSKIES SINCE '93 AND HAVEN'T BEATEN THEM SINCE '89.

TECH HOLDS THE ALL-TIME SERIES LEAD 21-10.

>>> KEEPING WITH BSU FOOTBALL, FORMER BEAVER CORNERBACK GUNNER OLSZEWSKI MADE THE NEW YORK GIANTS 53-MAN ROSTER.

THE NOW WIDE RECEIVER HAS MADE HIS MARK AS A PUNT RETURNER IN THE NFL, AVERAGING 11.9 YARDS PER RETURN SO FAR IN HIS CAREER, THE BEST AVERAGE AMONG ACTIVE PLAYERS.

HE ALSO HAS TWO RETURNS FOR A T.D., ONE WITH THE PATRIOTS IN 2020 AND A 94-YARD RETURN LAST YEAR FOR THE GIANTS.

THIS WILL BE OLSZWEKSI'S 6TH YEAR IN THE LEAGUE.

HE SPENT HIS FIRST THREE WITH THE PATRIOTS BEFORE SPENDING A SEASON IN PITTSBURGH WHERE HE WAS RELEASED IN 2023 BUT HE WAS SIGNED JUST TWO DAYS LATER BY HIS CURRENT TEAM, THE NEW YORK GIANTS.

>>> BEMIDJI WAS HOSTING GRAND RAPIDS, PART OF A TRIANGULAR WITH EAST GRAND FORKS.

KAREN AND MEGAN GOING WITH THE 1-2 PUNCH AGAINST ABBEY AND NATALIE.

THEY WON THE MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.

OVER TO SINGLES, COURT 2, THE LIGHTNING'S CAPTAIN, UP ONE SET TO NONE.

SHE IS ABLE TO DROP ONE IN FOR THE POINT.

PETERSON WINS IN THREE SETS.

THEN BAILEY UP AGAINST CHARLOTTE, SNEAKING ONE BY.

BEMIDJI BEATS GRAND RAPIDS GREEN WAY, 7-0.

A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU, GRAND RAPIDS IS 3-0 IN GIRLS SOCCER.

ST.

CLOUD BEAT LITTLE FALLS 1-0.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THE BRAVES SWEEP THE TWINS 5-1 THE FINAL TODAY.

>>> BRAINERD BOYS SOCCER IS USHERING IN A NEW ERA THIS SEASON FOLLOWING LONG-TIME HEAD COACH TOM GRAUSAM'S RETIREMENT.

THE TEAM IS UNDER NEW BUT FAMILIAR MANAGEMENT WITH FORMER ASSISTANT COACH NICK WEEKS TAKING OVER THE REIGNS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE WAYS COACH GETS THE BOYS READY FOR THE SEASON AND ACCUSTOMED TO HIS CULTURE WAS TAKING THE TEAM DOWN TO U.S. BANK STADIUM FOR A TOUR THIS SUMMER AND TOLD THEM, THIS IS WHERE THEY WILL WALK OUT WHEN THEY GO TO STATE.

>> THESE YOUNG KIDS, THEY HAVE TO HAVE STANDARDS.

WHEN THEY DO A JOB OR THEY GO TO SCHOOL, THERE ARE STANDARDS THEY HAVE TO MEET.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN HERE.

IT'S MAKING A GOAL DAILY, IT'S MAKING A GOAL WEEKLY.

IT'S WHERE WE WANT TO BE.

>> Reporter: THEY GOTTEN OUT OF THE GATES SLOW TO START 2024, DROPPING THEIR FIRST TWO CONTESTS TO ROGERS AND WILLMAR, AS THEY ARE YET TO SCORE A GOAL.

>> WE ARE JUST TRYING TO BOOT IT THE FIELD, DRIBBLE THROUGH THREE OR FOUR GUYS IN THE BACK.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE SET PLAYS, PASS IT AROUND TO GET THE BALL IN THE BACK OF THE NET.

>> Reporter: WHILE OFFENSE TRANSLATES TO WINS, ANOTHER KEY COMPONENT IS FITNESS, WHICH HE MADE SURE THEY STAYED ON TOP OF, PUTTING THE BOYS THROUGH A GRUELING BOOT CAMP.

>> TOWARDS THE END OF THE GAME, OUR CONDITIONING WAS NOT THERE.

THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE LAST GOAL.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY TO PUT OUT.

SO THAT COST US THE GAME.

OUR CONDITIONING WILL GET BETTER AS THE SEASON PROGRESSES.

>> Reporter: WHILE THEY KNOW BETTER CONDITIONING WILL HELP THEM OUTLAST THEIR COMPETITION DOWN THE LINE, THE MAIN TAKEAWAY FROM LAST YEAR'S SECTION 8-3A QUARTER FINALS LOSS TO BEMIDJI IS THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAYING TOGETHER.

>> BELIEVING IN EACH OTHER AND THE COACHES.

THAT'S AN ISSUE WE HAD IN THE PAST, NOT BELIEVING IN OUR TEAMMATES AND THE CHEMISTRY.

THIS YEAR SPECIFICALLY WITH OUR HEAD COACH AND TEAMMATES, WE'RE GETTING ALONG VERY WELL AND I THINK THAT WILL SHOW ONCE WE GET THE WINS RACKING UP.

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

>> Charlie: TOMORROW NIGHT THEY WILL PLAY DETROIT LAKES.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC LED TO A DIP IN ROUTINE CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS.

ACCORDING TO THE C.D.C.

OVERALL VACCINATION COVERAGE AMONG TEENS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE SHOTS HAS STABILIZED, BUT A NEW REPORT FROM THE AGENCY SHOWS A TROUBLING TREND FOR THE VACCINE THAT PROTECTS AGAINST H.P.V.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS A LOOK AT THE DATA AND EXPLAINS WHY EXPERTS ARE CONCERNED.

>> Reporter: EVERY YEAR IN THE U.S., NEARLY 37,000 PEOPLE ARE ESTIMATED TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH A CANCER CAUSED BY AN H.P.V.

INFECTION.

>> IN SOME CASES, THIS VIRUS -- THE BODY CLEARS IT ON ITS OWN, BUT NOT ALWAYS.

>> Reporter: IT CAN CAUSE ANAL, CERVICAL, THROAT, PENILE, AND CANCER OF THE VULVA.

H.P.V.

VACCINATIONS COULD PREVENT MORE THAN 90% OF THESE CANCERS FROM EVER DEVELOPING.

>> AS PEDIATRICIANS, WE'RE WORKING TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO VACCINATE THEIR CHILDREN AGAINST H.P.V.

WE KNOW THIS IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THEIR FUTURES.

>> Reporter: DR. CAROLINE WITH NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAYS CHILDREN'S BODIES RESPOND BEST TO THE VACCINE.

IT'S RECOMMENDED FOR PRE-TEENS AND 11-YEAR-OLDS, AND CAN BE STARTED AS EARLY AS AGE 9.

H.P.V.

VACCINATION COVERAGE HAS NOT IMPROVED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

OF THOSE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THIS RECOMMENDED VACCINE AT NO COST, CHILDREN BORN IN 2010 WERE MORE THAN 10 PERCENTAGE POINTS LOWER THAN THOSE BORN IN 2007 WHEN IT COMES TO BEING UP TO DATE WITH H.P.V.

VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: PARENTS CAN SCHEDULE WELL CHECKS WITH THEIR PEDIATRICIAN OR FAMILY DOCTOR AND THEY CAN ASK THEIR DOCTOR ABOUT ANY RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS THAT THEIR CHILD MAY NEED AND GET THEIR CHILDREN CAUGHT UP IF THEY ARE IN NEED OF ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: AND WE HAVE ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

LET'S GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE SEE THE SHOWERS MOVING IN OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 58, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW, SOME COULD BE SEVERE.

WE MAY SEE SOME HEAVY RAINFALL, HIGHS NEAR 77.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US.

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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