>> 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.

>>> ABOUT A YEAR AFTER SANFORD HEALTH'S HOPES FOR A MERGER WITH FAIRVIEW HEALTH SERVICES ENDED, SANFORD HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR A DIFFERENT MERGER.

THIS TIME SANFORD IS PROPOSING A MERGER WITH MARSHFIELD CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM WHICH SERVES 45 COMMUNITIES ACROSS RURAL WISCONSIN AND THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN.

SANFORD HEALTH SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT THE COMBINED SYSTEM WILL BRING TOGETHER NEARLY 56,000 EMPLOYEES, 56 HOSPITALS, 4,300 PROVIDERS, 2 FULLY INTEGRATED HEALTH PLANS, SPECIALTY PHARMACIES AND NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS.

THE MERGER, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO REGULATORY APPROVAL AND CLOSING CONDITIONS, COULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

SANFORD SAYS THE COMBINED NONPROFIT SYSTEM WILL ENABLE VITAL INVESTMENT IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE RURAL MIDWEST TO MEET HEALTH CARE NEEDS TODAY AND INTO THE FUTURE.

>>> ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IN RURAL MINNESOTA COULD BE IMPROVED THANKS TO THE HEADWATERS NETWORK.

19 INDEPENDENT RURAL HOSPITALS LAUNCHED THE HEADWATERS NETWORK TO HELP STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY SPOKE WITH TWO C.E.O.

'S OF HOSPITALS WHO ALSO SERVE ON THE HEADWATERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO LEARN MORE.

>> Reporter: THE 19 RURAL HOSPITALS THAT HAVE JOINED HEAD WATERS NETWORK SERVES MORE THAN 750,000 MINNESOTANS.

IT'S A CLINICALLY INTEGRATED NETWORK.

>> GROUPS LIKE US, THE 19 HOSPITALS THAT ARE IN THIS BAND TOGETHER TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE CARE WE DELIVER AND REALLY ENHANCE THE CARE, QUALITY, SERVICE, WHILE WE ATTEMPT TO REDUCE COSTS OR LOWER THE INFLATION RATE ON COSTS.

>> Reporter: ON THEIR OWN, EACH HOSPITAL BECOMES EASY FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES TO IGNORE BUT THIS COLLABORATION PROVIDES A STRENGTH IN NUMBERS WHILE EACH HOSPITAL CAN REMAIN INDEPENDENT.

>> BEING SO SMALL, WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VOLUME FOR THEM TO REALLY GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO MAKE SOME SPECIAL CONTRACTS HAPPEN.

WITH THE 19 MEMBERS OF THE NETWORK, WE START TO LOOK SIMILAR IN SIZE TO SOME OF THE HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE STATE AND IN TURN, COMPANIES SEE THERE IS VALUE WE CAN BRING THEM AND THE GREAT WORK WE CAN DO TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE NETWORK WILL HELP MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE HOSPITALS TO DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT WILL HELP THEM PROVIDE BETTER CARE FOR THEIR PATIENTS.

>> WE ALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE DATA, SO IT'S NOT JUST WHEN PATIENTS COME INTO OUR OWN FACILITIES, WE WILL HAVE ACCESS TO WHAT IS IT COSTING FOR OUR PATIENTS TO GO TO THIS PARTICULAR SYSTEM OR HOSPITAL VERSUS THIS ONE.

HOW DOES THE QUALITY COMPARE?

PATIENTS WILL HAVE CHOICE TO GO WHEREVER THEY WANT.

THERE COULD BE SOME INCENTIVES TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE WE'RE SEEING A HIGHER VALUE, MAYBE LESS COST WE EQUAL OR BETTER QUALITY.

>> Reporter: THE LANDSCAPE OF HEALTHCARE IS ALWAYS CHANGING.

MEMBERS OF THE HEADWATERS NETWORK BELIEVE THEY WILL CHANGE IT FOR THE BETTER.

>> I BELIEVE IT'S TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR RURAL HEALTHCARE AND REALLY BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY AND HELPING US MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY.

THAT STARTS WITH ONE PATIENT AT A TIME.

EVERY PATIENT MATTERS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FOR LAKELAND NEWS, I'M SAMMY HOLLADAY.

>> 5 OF THE 19 HOSPITALS IN THE HEADWATERS NETWORK ARE IN THE LAKELAND VIEWING AREA.

THEY ARE: RIVERWOOD HEALTH CARE IN AITKIN, ASTERA HEALTH IN WADENA, MILLE LACS HEALTH SYSTEM IN ONAMIA, LIFE CARE MEDICAL CENTER IN ROSEAU, AND RAINY LAKE MEDICAL CENTER IN INTERNATIONAL FALLS.

>>> THE RED LAKE BAND OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS HAS POSTED OFFICIAL RESULTS FROM THE BANDS RUN-OFF ELECTION THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

INCUMBENT ALLEN D-PEMBERTON WINS THE REDBY REPRESENTATIVE POSITION WITH A LITTLE MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF THE VOTE BUT LITTLE ROCK VOTERS HAVE CHOSEN A NEW REPRESENTATIVE FOR THEIR DISTRICT AS THOMAS BARRET DEFEATS INCUMBENT MICHELLE BARRETT-COBENAIS BY 12 VOTES IN A CLOSE RACE.

>>> THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY FOOD SHELF HAS REPORTED RECORD DEMAND ACROSS MULTIPLE CATEGORIES FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE ON WHAT SPECIFIC RECORDS WERE BROKEN, AND WHY THEY ARE SO SIGNIFICANT.

>> Reporter: THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY FOOD SHELF REPORTED VISITS IN JUNE TO EXCEED 1,000 FAMILIES SEEKING FOOD SUPPORT.

THIS IS THE 15th STRAIGHT MONTH OF RECORD USAGE.

>> SINCE APRIL OF 2023, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING OVER 1,000 FAMILIES A MONTH COME IN.

THAT IS A RECORD NUMBER FOR A MONTH.

WE DON'T SEE A DECLINE IN THAT.

WE HAD TO DEAL WITH INCREASED COSTS OF FOOD AND OPERATIONS.

>> Reporter: WITH SUCH AN INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR THE FOOD SHELF, DWINDLING DONATIONS DON'T SOLVE THE NEED.

>> IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE TO KEEP UP WITH IT.

WE PURCHASED ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE FOOD WE GIVE OUT TO THE CLIENTS.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE COME INTO THE SUMMER MONTHS NOW AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM WHERE DONATIONS START TO DROP OFF.

IT'S A CIRCULAR PART.

THE DEMAND IS THERE.

IT'S NOT DECREASING.

WE RELY ON INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS TO OPERATE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS THE AMOUNT OF FOOD GOING IN AND OUT OF THE BUILDING AS 73,000 POUNDS OF FOOD WAS DISTRIBUTED TO OVER 1,100 FAMILIES.

THAT WAS JUST THE MONTH OF JUNE.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD, $1.4 MILLION THAT GOES BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

WE REALLY DON'T SEE A DECLINE AT THIS POINT IN THIS NUMBER.

IT SEEMS TO BE HOLDING STEADY, WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBER OF FIRST TIME USERS CONTINUES TO GROW.

68 FAMILIES CAME TO THE FOOD SHELF FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN JUNE.

THERE ARE ALSO SENIORS, 418 SERVED IN JUNE.

>> IT'S HOLDING STEADY BUT IT'S AT A LEVEL THAT IS MORE THAN WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST.

BEMIDJI IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE REST OF THE FOOD SHELVES IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY'RE ALL UP.

IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IT DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GOING TO FOOD SHELVES THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT CAN BE DONOR FATIGUE CAN SET IN FOR PEOPLE.

IT WON'T GO AWAY.

WE STILL NEED PEOPLE TO STAY ENGAGED.

IT'S CRITICAL FOR ALL FOOD SHELVES.

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

>> IF YOU WISH TO DONATE TO THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY FOOD SHELF, THEY ARE OPEN MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS, AND PREFER TO TAKE DONATIONS IN THE MORNING.

>>> THE BAXTER CITY COUNCIL IS FIELDING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK FOLLOWING ITS ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING FOR THE MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM OR MS4 PERMIT.

THE PERMIT FOCUSES ON REDUCING THE SEDIMENT AND OTHER POLLUTANTS THAT ENTER STATE WATERS.

THERE ARE 5 LAKES, 256 STORM PONDS, AND 22 WETLANDS IN BAXTER AND AS A MISSISSIPPI RIVER CITY.

HOW THE CITY ADDRESSES STORMWATER AND POLLUTANTS IS CRUCIAL FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.

>> THE STORM WATER HAS A BIG EFFECT ON THE FISH, ON THE VEGETATION, TRYING TO PREVENT ALGAE BLOOMS.

THE MORE WE PREVENT IT, THE LESS WE REQUIRE ON THE TREATMENT DISCHARGING INTO THE WATER.

>> BAXTER RESIDENTS CAN REPORT ANY STORMWATER ISSUES TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

>>> AMERICANS BOGGED DOWN BY YEARS OF RISING INFLATION MAY HAVE FINALLY GOTTEN SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS.

FUELED PARTLY BY FALLING FUEL COSTS, CONSUMER PRICES DROPPED IN JUNE AS THE FEDERAL RESERVE WEIGHS WHETHER TO CUT INTEREST RATES CURRENTLY SITTING AT A 23-YEAR-HIGH.

BRIAN ABLE BREAKS DOWN WHAT THE LATEST PRICE INDEX REPORT MEANS FOR YOU.

>> THIS IS CERTAINLY GOOD NEWS ON THE INFLATION FRONT.

>> Reporter: OVERALL INFLATION, BEATING ECONOMISTS EXPECTATIONS WHEN A SLOW DOWN IN JUNE TO 3% FROM MAY'S 3.3%.

>> ONE IN A ROW IS NOT A STREAK.

WE NEED TO SEE MORE OF THAT IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

WE'RE HOPEFUL NOW.

JUST BECAUSE WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SIGNS NOW THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> Reporter: THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SHOWING FROM MONTH TO MONTH, SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN FOUR YEARS, A DROP IN CONSUMER PRICES BY 0.1%.

IT'S A SMALL BUT POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT SWING.

THE CHANGE, FUELED IN PART BY FALLING GAS, AS WELL AS NEW AND USED CAR PRICES.

WHILE HOUSING, FOOD, AND MEDICAL SERVICE COSTS STILL RISE.

>> THIS IS COUPLED WITH THE REPORT ON THE JOBS MARKET, ALIGNING FOR THE FEDERAL RESERVE TO BEGIN CUTS INTEREST RATES AS SOON AS SEPTEMBER.

>> Reporter: THOSE CUTS WOULD BE WELCOMED AS INTEREST RATES CURRENTLY SIT AT A 23 YEAR HIGH WHILE THE FED TRIES TO COMBAT INFLATION, MAKING IT MORE EXPENSIVE TO BORROW FOR HOME, AUTO, AND OTHER LOANS.

>> THE STRAIN IS REAL, ALTHOUGH PRICES AREN'T GOING UP AS FAST AS THEY WERE.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M BRIAN ABLE REPORTING.

>> WE'LL GET OUR NEXT LOOK AT THE STATE OF INFLATION ON AUGUST 14TH.

THAT'S WHEN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR JULY WILL BE RELEASED.

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

>> Stacy: HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD INTO THE AREA LATE THIS WEEK AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG OR SEVERE STORMS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ENCOURAGING SLOW NO WAKE SPEED >> 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 CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ENCOURAGING BOATERS TO OPERATE THEIR VEHICLES WITH CAUTION AND USE SLOW NO WAKE SPEEDS OUT ON THE LAKES.

GIVEN A RECENT UPTICK IN RAINFALL, BRAINERD AREA LAKES ARE EXPERIENCING HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL WATER LEVELS.

THE CURRENT CONDITIONS INCREASE RISKS TO SHORELINES, DOCKS, LIFTS, AND OTHER LAKESIDE AMENITIES, WHICH IS WHY THE D.N.R.

RECOMMENDS THE ZONE WITHIN 200 FEET OF THE SHORELINES.

>> WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BE MINDFUL WHEN THEY'RE DRIVING THEIR BOATS AROUND THE AREA AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT DOING DAMAGE TO THE SHORELINE.

I MEAN OBVIOUSLY WE CAN HAVE EROSION THAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAVE BIG WAVES GOING UP ON TO THE SHORELINE.

THAT CAN POSE A PROBLEM TO DAMAGING THE SHORELINE FOR SOMEBODY.

>> CROW WING COUNTY'S BOAT AND WATER DIVISION WILL CONTINUE MONITORING THE WATER LEVELS IN THE AREA AND ENFORCE CAUTIOUS SPEEDS ON THE WATER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

>>> THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY IS BACK THIS SUMMER.

THIS YEAR ONCE AGAIN.

WE ARE GIVING AWAY A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUN'S RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

TO ENTER THE DRAWING YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR MAIL US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER.

THEN YOU JUST NEED TO WATCH LAKELAND NEWS AND CALL US BY 5:00 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY TO QUALIFY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TONIGHT'S FIVE 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.

>>> STACY JOINS US NOW.

IN MY ESTIMATION, IT HAS TO BE THE NICEST SUMMER WEEK OF THE YEAR SO FAR.

>> Stacy: WE'RE SEEING FAIRLY DRY WEATHER SO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ENJOY THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY AS IT'S BUILDING INTO THE AREA.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD IN.

WE'RE LOOKING AT SUNSHINE TOMORROW, HOT AND HUMID, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO LATE TOMORROW, TOMORROW NIGHT, INTO SATURDAY, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AND SOME OF THOSE COULD BE STRONG OR SEVERE.

>> 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 SUNNY, HOT, AND HUMID DAY IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

IF YOU ENJOYED IT, YOU ARE IN LUCK.

WE HAVE MORE OF THE SAME HEADED INTO TOMORROW.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND IT SHOULD BE DRY WITH THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY.

AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW NIGHT, THERE IS THE CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING BACK INTO THE AREA.

THAT CONTINUES THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND WITH ALL OF THE UNSTABLE CONDITIONS, INSTABILITY WE HAVE OUT THERE, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOME OF THOSE STORMS COULD BE STRONG OR SEVERE WHEN THEY DO FORM.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 76 AT THE AIRPORT, WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTHEAST WIND OUT OF OUR STUDIO, THE DEW POINT IS 60 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 56%.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 75 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 64.

WE HAVE A STEADY BAROMETRIC PRESSURE WITH WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTH AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

ALL IS QUIET ON THE RADAR TONIGHT.

WE HAD QUIET WEATHER THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO STAY PRETTY WARM OVERNIGHT WITH MANY OF US SEEING LOWS IN THE 60s AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, ACTUALLY THROUGH MOST OF THE DAY, IT IS GOING TO BE QUIET.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE SUNSHINE.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE HEAT, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE HUMIDITY.

TOMORROW EVENING AND TOMORROW NIGHT, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF SEEING SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT, THAT IS WHAT THE GREEN DOTTED AREA IS DEMONSTRATING.

AS WE SEE THOSE DEVELOPING, IF THEY DO START TO FORM, WE CAN SEE THOSE BECOMING STRONG OR SEVERE, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO SATURDAY.

TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE WEATHER SHOTS SUBMITTED BY OUR EAGLE EYES TONIGHT, WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE THIS MORNING, A LITTLE BIT OF FOG AS WELL FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

SAMROSE TAKING A PHOTO OF THE SUNRISE OVER LOWER RED LAKE, SAYING SHE COULD FEEL THE HEAT INCREASE AS THE SUN CAME UP.

DEBRA WITH A PICTURE OF A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE AT LAKE ADA.

ARLENE SAID IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR A WALK IN THE NORTH COUNTRY, DESPITE THE MOSQUITOS.

THE SUNSET TONIGHT, BOTH OF THEM FROM MILLE LACS LAKE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING CALM SKIES, 59 WITH CALM CONDITIONS AND FOG THIS MORNING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY, BUT IT WAS A BIT HUMID, 87 FOR THE HIGH.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, IT WAS HUMID AS WELL, 88 THE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 85.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPED OUT AT 85.

THE LOW WAS 61.

THE SUNSET WAS AT 9:08.

BEMIDJI WITH A HIGH OF 85, SO A BIT ABOVE THE AVERAGE WITH A LOW OF 53.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, EXPECT TO SEE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE HOT AND HUMID WITH HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MID-80s AND SUNSHINE, AND IT WILL BE HUMID WITH THE POTENTIAL OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT TOMORROW EVENING AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

HERE'S THE FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES FOR TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 62, SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 15.

MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, 86 FOR THE HIGH, SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL SEE THE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT TOMORROW NIGHT AND THAT CONTINUES THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND AGAIN POTENTIAL IS THERE FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS.

THE HIGH ON SATURDAY COULD BE CLOSE TO 90.

WE'RE IN THE MID-80s ON SUNDAY, 83 ON MONDAY, WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, A LITTLE BIT QUIETER AND COOLER ON TUESDAY WITH HIGHS IN THE MID-70s.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

YOU BROUGHT US SOME GREAT STORIES THIS WEEK, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TONIGHT?

>> Charlie: HOPEFULLY ANOTHER GREAT STORY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MIA HOFFMAN.

SHE IS RUNNING HER WAY TO NORTH DAKOTA STATE NEXT YEAR.

WE HAVE AN ATHLETE PROFILE ON HER, ONE OF THE MOST DECORATED TO GO THROUGH BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL IN TERMS OF ALL THE ACCOLADES SHE HAS WON AND RECORDS THAT SHE SET.

THAT IS 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.

>> FISHING TIPS SPONSORED IN PART BY CROW WING POWER, DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELIABLE ELECTRICITY AND A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF TO ASSIST YOU WITH ENERGY SAVING PROGRAMS AND TIPS.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: THE NAME MIA HOFFMAN SOUNDS FAMILIAR, WE MENTIONED HER A LOT ON LAKELAND NEWS.

SHE IS A STANDOUT ATHLETE WINNING REWARDS.

AFTER GRADUATES AS ONE OF THE DECORATED LUMBERJACKS IN SCHOOL HISTORY, HER ATHLETIC JOURNEY IS NOT OVER YET.

>> Reporter: RUNNING CAN TAKE YOU A LOT OF PLACES, FROM THE TRACK, TO SNOW COVERED TRAILS, EVEN TO THE WATER AND WHILE IT'S TAKING MIA HOFFMAN TO PLACES SHE NEVER IMAGINED, SHE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW IT STARTED.

>> IF MY FRIEND DIDN'T JOIN CROSS COUNTRY IN SIXTH GRADE, I WOULD NOT BE RUNNING.

SHE QUIT THE SECOND DAY OF PRACTICE BUT MY PARENTS MADE ME STICK WITH IT.

IT TAUGHT ME TO KEEP GOING WITH IT.

>> Reporter: KEEP GOING SHE DID.

SHE BECAME A THREE SPORT ATHLETE AT BEMIDJI.

IN HER TIME AS A LUMBERJACK, SHE QUALIFIED FOR NINE STATE MEETS, WON FOUR INDIVIDUAL SECTION TITLES AND WAS NAMED THE 2024BHS FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T SURPRISE CROSS COUNTRY COACH.

>> I KNEW RIGHT AWAY SHE WAS SOMEONE THAT WOULD BE DEDICATED AND WOULD PUT IN THE WORK BUT IT DIDN'T ALWAYS COME EASY TO HER.

SHE HAD UPS AND DOWNS IN HER CAREER, BUT THE REALLY COOL THING IS THAT SHE HAD THE PERSEVERANCE TO GO THROUGH THE LOW TIMES AND ATTENTION TO THE THINGS THAT MATTERED TO IMPROVE HERSELF AND STICK WITH IT OVERTIME.

>> I WAS NOT THE STAR RUNNER ON THE TEAM AT ALL.

I WAS HAPPY TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK, YOU KNOW, AND I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE ANYWHERE NEAR WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW.

IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE THE PROGRESSION.

>> Reporter: THAT LED MIA TO WHAT SHE CONSIDERS TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS HER CAREER THUS FAR.

>> WHEN I PLACED SECOND AT THE STATE MEET, I HAVE BEEN MOVING UP MY WHOLE HIGH SCHOOL CAREER.

IT WAS SOMETHING I WANTED.

I WAS PROUD OF ALL THE WORK I PUT IN AND THE SEASON AND THE STATE MEET.

>> Reporter: SHE FINISHED HER SENIOR SEASON AS THE SCHOOL RECORD HOLDER IN THE 5K, BUT IT'S MORE THAN JUST INDIVIDUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, SHE IS ALSO A GREAT TEAMMATE.

>> SHE BECAME A CAPTAIN AS A JUNIOR AND SHE TOOK ON THE CHALLENGE.

SHE GETS DONE WITH HER RACE, SHE IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE STANDING THERE IN THE LINES, YOU KNOW, AND CHEERING ON HER TEAMMATES.

>> Reporter: NEXT FALL, SHE WILL HAVE NEW TEAMMATES, ALL OF THE HARD WORK PUT IN RESULTED IN A SCHOLARSHIP TO RUN FOR NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY.

>> IT WASN'T UNTIL PROBABLY MY JUNIOR YEAR I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE RUNNING IN COLLEGE IS SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO EXPLORE SO THEN MY SENIOR YEAR, I STARTED LOOKING INTO IT.

OFFERS CAME IN.

THE COACHES HAD A PLAN THAT I WAS WILLING TO BUY INTO AND THEY SAW A FUTURE FOR ME.

I'M JUST REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO WITH THE SUPPORT OF MY TEAMMATES AND COACHES AND THE FACILITIES THAT WILL HELP ME IN MY JOURNEY.

>> Reporter: MIA HAD ONE MORE MARK TO LEAVE AS A LUMBERJACK.

SHE QUALIFIED TO RUN AT THE NIKE FIELD, AND SHE BROKE HER OWN RECORD IN THE 3,200 METER RUN, FINISHING 10th OVERALL.

>> RUNNING IN OREGON WAS SOMETHING ON ANOTHER LEVEL.

THEIR FACILITY IS WORLD CLASS.

THEY'RE HOLDING THE TRIALS THERE FOR THE OLYMPICS.

JUST TO RUN ON THAT, LIKE, YOU'RE AUTOMATICALLY GOING TO GO FASTER.

IT WAS SUPER COOL, TO EXPERIENCE THAT LEVEL OF COMPETITION WITH GIRLS FROM ALL AROUND THE NATION.

>> Reporter: NOW AS SHE PREPARES FOR THE MILES OF RUNNING AHEAD, SHE REFLECTS ON THE PATH SHE TOOK TO GET TO THE PLACE SHE NEVER IMAGINED.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD MAKE IT THIS FAR AND ACCOMPLISH ALL THAT I DID HERE.

I NEVER DOUBTED IT, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD ACCUMULATE TO THIS MUCH SUCCESS.

I AM REALLY THANKFUL AND BLESSED.

>> Charlie: SHE IS QUITE THE YOUNG LADY, QUITE ACCOMPLISHED IN A LOT OF THINGS.

SHE WAS AN ALL ACADEMIC LETTER WINNER AS WELL AND SHE VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH NORDIC SKI.

I WISH I COULD HAVE GONE LONGER, THERE IS A LOT SHE HAS DONE.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> FOR WEEK'S EDITION OF FISHING TIPS RAY AND MANDY TEACH US ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FISH HOOKS AND WHICH ONES WORK BEST FOR THE TYPE OF FISH YOU WANT TO CATCH.

>> HELLO, I'M RAY GILDOW WITH LAKELAND NEWS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FISHING TIPS TONIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT BASIC HOOKS.

THERE HAVE SO MANY KINDS OF HOOKS OUT THERE AND THESE HIGH QUALITY HOOKS ARE BECOMING VERY EXPENSIVE.

YOU WANT TO KNOW YOU HAVE THE RIGHT HOOK.

WE HAVE SHORT HOOKS THAT COME WITH, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE IT'S CLOSE TO THE CURB OF THE HOOK ITSELF.

WE HAVE STINGER HOOKS THAT ARE PUT IN THE BACK OF JIGS, THEY CAN BE PUT ON CRANK BAITS, AND IT INCREASES YOUR ODDS OF SETTING THE HOOK ON THE FISH.

THERE IS AN EXTRA SET OF HOOKS TO GO TO.

WE ALSO HAVE WHAT WE CALL A SLOW DEPTH, WHICH IS A GRUESOME NAME.

IT'S FOR WALLEYE FISHING AND YOU CAN SEE THE BEND IN IT.

IT'S FOR WORMS AND WHEN WE PUT A WORM ON THAT, IT GOES CRAZY AND FISH HAVE A HARD TIME RESISTING THAT.

IT'S CALLED SLOW DEATH AND IT'S MADE MOSTLY FOR NIGHT CRAWLERS.

THEN WE ALSO HAVE A CIRCLE HOOK.

THE CIRCLE HOOK, YOU DON'T SET THE HOOK HARD, YOU SET IT SOFTLY.

IT'S A HOOK THAT DOES NOT GO INTO THE FISH'S THROAT AS OFTEN AS A STANDARD HOOK, EASIER TO RELEASE, SAFER TO RELEASE FOR THE FISH, AND THEY ARE BECOMING REALLY POPULAR.

IT TAKES A DIFFERENT TECHNIQUE TO GET THE HOOK FEEL WITH THE FISH ON THE CIRCLE HOOK.

MANDY WILL TALK ABOUT ANOTHER KIND.

>> SO I HAVE A COUPLE OF MY FAVORITES THAT I USE QUITE OFTEN.

I LOVE TO BASS FISH, SO THIS WOULD BE A SIZE 3.

THESE COME IN DIFFERENT SIZES, A 1 THROUGH A 5, MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.

FOR THIS ONE, I LIKE THE TEXAS RIG, WITH A BEAVER OR A SWIM BAIT BEHIND IT.

THIS ONE, IF YOU WILL SEE THE DIFFERENCE, THERE IS A LONG SHANK HERE WITH A TIGHTER HOOK.

SO THIS WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD APPLICATION IF YOU'RE THROWING LARGE WORMS, YOU CAN SLIDE THEM STRAIGHT ON, YOU CAN PEG THEM, YOU CAN TEXAS RIG THEM, BUT EACH ONE HAS THEIR OWN APPLICATION FOR WHAT YOU WILL BE USING IT FOR.

YOU SEE THE THICKNESS OF THIS ONE COMPARED TO THIS ONE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY GOOD IN HEAVY COVER AND IT'S LESS LIKELY TO BEND OR BREAK.

>> FOR FISHING TIPS, I'M RAY GILDOW.

>> AND I'M MANDY UHRICH.

>> Dennis: NOW ANOTHER LOOK AT WEATHER.

>> Stacy: IT WILL BE HOT AND HUMID AS WE HEAD TO THE WEEKEND.

LOWS DOWN TO 62 TONIGHT.

TOMORROW, SUNSHINE IS BACK, HIGHS IN THE MID-80s WITH SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 15, CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURN BEGINNING LATE TOMORROW AND THEY CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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