>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Sydney: HI EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT, I'M SYDNEY DICK IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> THE WHITEFISH AREA PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION IS PARTNERING WITH THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE TO TRY A NEW TECHNIQUE TO GET RID OF THE QUICKLY SPREADING ALGAE STARRY STONEWART.

THE AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES CAN FORM DENSE MATS THAT CHOKE OUT NATIVE VEGETATION.

IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024, THE WAPO ASSOCIATION DISCOVERED STARRY STONEWORT IN RUSH LAKE, AND THE SPECIES IS CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING CHEMICAL TREATMENTS AND PHYSICAL REMOVALS FROM THE WATER.

THE DISCOVERY WAS THE FIRST TIME STARRY STONEWORT WAS DETECTED IN THE WHITEFISH CHAIN OF LAKES.

DIVER-ASSISTED SUCTION HARVESTING, ALSO KNOWN AS DASH, IS A TECHNIQUE TO TRY AND RID THE LAKES OF THE ALGAE.

>> WE HAVE TWO DIVERS HERE NOW, THEY'RE STILL GETTING THEM OUT OF THE SEDIMENT AND THEN THEY PUT IT IN A SUCTION TUBE, WHICH IS SUCKED UP TO THEIR BOAT AND PUT INTO LARGE BAG, WHICH IS EMPTIED INTO THE TRAILER AND ONCE AGAIN, WE'LL TAKE IT TO BE PROPERLY DISPOSED OF.

>> STARRY STONEWORT WAS FIRST FOUND IN MINNESOTA IN 2015, AND HAS SINCE BEEN CONFIRMED IN 35 WATER BODIES IN THE STATE.

>>> A NON-PROFIT FOCUSED ON HELPING THOSE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH RECENTLY RECEIVED A DONATION OF MORE THAN $5,500.

THE ORGANIZATION SMILES FOR JAKE WAS THE RECIPIENT, WITH THE FUNDS BEING RAISED AT LAST WEEK'S LAKES JAM FEST.

THE DONATION WAS MADE AS PART OF CASH WISE LIQUOR'S STATEWIDE CUSTOMER ROUND-UP CAMPAIGN, WHERE GUESTS ACROSS MINNESOTA WERE ABLE TO ROUND UP THEIR PURCHASES WITH EVERY DOLLAR SPENT.

THE MONEY IS GOING TO HELP MENTAL WELLNESS PROGRAMMING, ONLINE PEER SUPPORT, AND SMILES FOR HEROES PARTNERSHIPS WITH E.M.T.

'S, FIRE RESCUE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO COMMUNITY FOR ROUND UP PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO PARTNER, ESPECIALLY FOR MAY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, IT MEANS NOT ONLY ARE THEY RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT OUR CAUSE, BUT SPREADING THE AWARENESS AND THE MISSION, THE MISSION TO PREVENT SUICIDE, TO EDUCATION, AND PROVIDING RESOURCES THROUGHOUT COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> THE ORGANIZATION'S #WEAREALLJAKE MOVEMENT AIMS TO WORK TOWARDS SUICIDE PREVENTION WITH THEIR SMILE ADVOCATE PROGRAM, WHICH STANDS FOR SUPPORTING, MENTORING, AND INSPIRING LIFE IN EVERYONE.

>>> OJIBWE AUTHOR BYRON GRAVES VISITED BEMIDJI EARLIER THIS SUMMER TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF HIS NEWEST NOVEL MEDICINE WHEELS.

GRAVES, ORIGINALLY FROM RED LAKE NATION, WROTE HIS FIRST BOOK TITLED REZ BALL ABOUT A YOUNG INDIGENOUS BASKTEBALL PLAYER FINDING HIS WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

THE AUTHOR RECENTLY RELEASED HIS SECOND YOUNG ADULT NOVEL, AND DID AN AUTHOR MEET-AND-GREET IN BEMIDJI.

THE STORY FOLLOWS ANOTHER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NAVIGATING TROUBLES, BUT THIS ONE FINDS AN OUTLET IN SKATEBOARDING INSTEAD OF BASKETBALL.

>> SKATEBOARDING CAN FEEL KIND OF LONELY SOMETIMES.

IT'S JUST YOU AT THE SKATE PARK.

NO ONE AT YOUR SCHOOL CARES YOU'RE A SKATEBOARDER THE WAY THEY DO WHEN YOU'RE A STAR ATHLETE.

I WANT TO SHOW WHEN YOU ARE PURSUING A PASSION OR HOBBY, MAKE IT ABOUT YOU, BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT, YOU CARE ABOUT IT, AND DON'T NEED VALIDATION FROM ANYONE ELSE.

I LOVED SPIDER-MAN BUT I NEVER SAW AN INDIGENOUS CHARACTER AS THE HERO.

IT WAS EXCITING TO KNOW THAT A TEENAGERS COULD PICK UP MEDICINE WHEELS AND BE INSPIRED AND SEE THEMSELVES IN THAT STORY AND IT'S CREATING A WINDOW FOR OTHER KIDS WHO ARE NOT INDIGENOUS TO GET A PERSPECTIVE AND EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT OUR LIVES ARE LIKE.

>> GRAVES NOW LIVES IN COLORADO, BUT FLEW TO BEMIDJI TO GET FACE-TO-FACE WITH HIS READERS.

HE ALSO WANTED TO GIVE THANKS TO THE FOUR PINES BOOKSTORE, WHICH HAD HIS FIRST NOVEL AS THEIR NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER OF 2025.

>> YOU SPEND A YEAR OR TWO WORKING REALLY, REALLY HARD, DEDICATING A LOT OF TIME, USING ALL THE LESSONS YOU LEARNED AS A WRITER.

WHEN YOUR BOOK COMES OUT, IT'S A CELEBRATION OF ALL THOSE THINGS AND YOUR MEANING AND PURPOSE OF WHAT THAT STORY IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT TO THE WORLD.

TO HAVE PEOPLE SHOW UP, IT SHOWS THAT IT MATTERS.

IT MEANS THE WORLD.

IT'S AN HONOR TO HAVE PEOPLE SPEND TIME HERE TODAY.

>> THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ONLINE OR AT THE FOUR PINES BOOKSTORE.

>>> MANY WITHIN THE TOWN OF CROSSLAKE GATHERED THE NATIONAL LOON CENTER'S THIRD ANNUAL LOONS & LAKES FESTIVAL.

THE TWO-DAY-LONG EVENT PROVIDES ALL THOSE INTERESTED WITH OPPORTUNITIES OUT OF THE LAKES, AS WELL AS IN THE CROSSLAKE TOWN SQUARE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THE LOONS AND LAKES FESTIVAL PROVIDED THE COMMUNITY WITH A WEEKEND FILLED WITH MANY EVENTS, INCLUDING LOON WATCHING PONTOON TOURS, GUIDED BIRD WALKS, AND CLEAN UPS FOR LAKE DAY.

>> WE HAD ALL KINDS OF ACTIVITIES OUT ON THE RIVER, INTENDED TO GET PEOPLE OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE NATURAL RESOURCES, WE HAD LOON WATCHING, AND A CLEAN UP EVENT.

WE HAD 25 VOLUNTEERS.

WE COLLECTED OVER 130 POUNDS OF TRASH.

>> Reporter: AND IT MERELY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE.

ON SATURDAY, THE FESTIVAL SHIFTED TO LOON DAY, AS TOWN SQUARE FILLED TO THE BRIM FOR THE LOON FAIR AND MORE.

>> TODAY IS ALL ABOUT OUR LOON DAY, WHICH IS CELEBRATING THE DIFFERENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN MINNESOTA.

YOU KNOW, MINNESOTANS, WE LOVE OUR ENVIRONMENT, WE LOVE OUR NATURE, WE LOVE ALL THINGS LOONS.

SO, WE GATHERED SOME OF OUR DIFFERENT PARTNERS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE REALLY CHERISH AND WE ARE JUST CELEBRATING ALL THEY DO, CELEBRATING WHAT WE DO.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL LOON CENTER'S MISSION IS TO BE AN INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL DESTINATION THAT TRANSFORMS VISITORS.

>> THE LOON IS NOT ONLY OUR STATE BIRD, BUT IT'S THE SYMBOL OF CULTURE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE LOON IS SAFE, ITS HABITAT IS SAFE, AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY THE LOON IS SO SPECIAL, AND WE WANT TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS TO KEEP THEIR HABITAT PROTECTED AND SAFE.

>> Reporter: IT AIMS TO BE A FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESTINATION THAT LEAVES A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, ECOSYSTEM, AND VISITORS ACROSS THE NATION.

THOSE WITH THE NON-PROFIT HOPES THE LOONS AND LAKES FESTIVAL OPENS THE COMMUNITY'S EYES TO THEIR VISION.

>> WE ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY.

IT'S SPREADING TO THE ST.

PAUL AREA.

THERE ARE FIVE BREEDS OF LOONS, NOT JUST THE ONE COMMONLY SEEN IN MINNESOTA.

WE'RE HERE TO RESEARCH AND LEARN ABOUT ALL FIVE OF THOSE LOONS AS WELL.

WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN CROSS LAKE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE NATIONAL LOON CENTER WILL BE IN SAINT PAUL AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA NEXT FOR CRITTER FEST ON JULY 11TH.

>>> COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO GATHER BEFORE THE ANNUAL BEMIDJI BLUE OX VERSUS BEMIDJI BUCKS BASEBALL GAME, DURING SANFORD HEALTH'S ANNUAL BLUE OX FAMILY NIGHT.

AFTER NOT HOLDING THE EVENT LAST YEAR DUE TO THE JUNE WIND STORM DAMAGE.

FAMILIES CAME OUT STRONGER THAN EVER TO ENJOY A NIGHT OF GAMES AND PRIZES AHEAD OF THE ANNUAL BEMIDJI BASEBALL RIVALRY GAME.

ACTIVITIES WERE AVAILABLE FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES TO GIVE FAMILIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER AND BE OUTSIDE.

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, PLANNING IT ALL AND THEN SEEING EVERYONE HAVE THE FUN IS SO REWARDING AND YOU GET TO HANG OUT WITH PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND SEE PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IN A WHILE.

IT'S GOOD TO GET THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

WE GOT SOME FREE FOOD, GAMES, A GOOD DUNK TANK GOING, AND A BASEBALL GAME AFTERWARDS.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE EVERYONE TOGETHER.

>> AND AFTER THE FAMILY FUN EVENTS CONCLUDED, THE TWO BASEBALL TEAMS TOOK THE FIELD.

SPORTS DIRECTOR CHARLIE YAEGER WILL HAVE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GAME ITSLEF DURING OUR SPORTS SEGMENT LATER TONIGHT.

FOR .

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'LL HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT, RIGHT THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE MAINLY HIGHS IN THE 80s, COULD BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER ON SATURDAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, GREAT RIVER GREENING AND THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM CAME TOGETHER TO HOST A FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLLINATOR EXPERIENCE EVENT.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> GREAT RIVER GREENING AND WONDERTREK CHILDREN'S MUSEUM HOSTED AN EVENT AT ROTARY RIVERSIDE PARK FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, FOCUSING ON POLLINATORS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS THE STORY.

>> GREAT RIVER GREENING AND WONDERTREK CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WANTS TO CONNECT THE COMMUNITY WITH HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND RESTORATION PROJECTS.

>> THEY'RE PARTNERING ON THIS REALLY EXCITING, FIRST OF ITS KIND EVENT IN THE BRAINERD AREA AND WE WANTED TO BRING THE JOY OF POLLINATORS TO EVERYBODY, KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE AND TALK ABOUT THE GREAT WORK THAT BOTH OF THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING TO PROMOTE HEALTHY POLLINATORS IN THE AREA.

>> Reporter: AT THIS EVENT, PARTICIPANTS CAN LEARN ABOUT POLLINATOR IDENTIFICATION, CREATE NATURE PAINTINGS, ENJOY HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, AND EXPERIENCE THE NATURE OF POLLINATORS.

>> WELL, POLLINATORS ARE A KEY PART OF ALL OF OUR FLOWERING SHRUBS AND FLOWERS, TO HAVE THEM GO TO SEED.

WITHOUT THEM, OUR PLANTS WOULD BE NOT BE PRODUCING.

WE NEED POLLINATORS FOR OUR FOOD SYSTEM.

IT'S A KEY PART OF OUR ECOSYSTEM.

>> Reporter: AT WONDERTREK, THEY FEEL THIS COLLABORATION FITS HAND IN HAND WITH THEIR INITIATIVE TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS TO GET OUTDOORS AND PLAY AND BUILD A CONNECTION WITH NATURE.

>> TODAY IS ALL ABOUT BEING OUTDOORS, LEARNING ABOUT NATURE, AND THAT IS RIGHT ON PAR WITH WONDERTREK'S OUTDOOR ADVENTURE.

WE HAVE WATER EXPLORATION, TREE CLIMBERS THEY CAN SAFELY CLIMB TREES, SO TODAY I HOPE THAT EVERYONE GETS TO HAVE A NEW EXPERIENCE AND HAVE THE BEST DAY EVER.

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

>> FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE HABITATION AND MONITORING OF POLLINATORS, GREAT RIVER GREENING HAS A POLLINATOR MONITORING PROGRAM ON THEIR WEBSITE.

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

THIS YEAR WE ARE GIVING AWAY A FOUR-NIGHT STAY AT CHASE ON THE LAKE IN WALKER ALONG WITH A $200 RESORT GIFT CARD.

TO REGISTER SEND US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ON IT AND THEN WATCH LAKELAND NEWS TO SEE IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN.

HERE ARE TONIGHTS FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME YOU CAN QUALIFY BY CALLING US ON THE VACATION GIVEAWAY HOTLINE NUMBER BEFORE 5:00 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.

EVERY WEEKNIGHT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, RIGHT HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS, WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS FOR THE 2026 LAKELAND PBS VACATION CONTEST.

WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER IN A LIVE DRAWING ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST NEWSCAST.

>>> STACY IS IN STUDIO WITH OUR WEATHER TONIGHT.

HOW ARE THINGS SHAPING UP FOR THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND?

>> Stacy: WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND A LITTLE BIT UNSETTLED.

WE HAVE OFF AND ON SHOWERS TOMORROW AND BETTER CHANCE ON SATURDAY WHERE TEMPERATURES MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER.

WE DO HAVE QUIET WEATHER IN STORE FOR US ON SUNDAY, BUT AGAIN WE HAVE SMALL CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY, ALTHOUGH A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DID POP-UP LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

WE DO HAVE UNSETTLED WEATHER OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, ETCH INTO THE START OF THE WEEKEND.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, LOOKING PRETTY SEASONAL, COULD BE A LITTLE COOLER ON THE 4TH OF JULY ON SATURDAY, BUT THEN EXPECT TO SEE HIGHS IN THE 80s AND 90s NEXT WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 70 AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS ARE CALM WITH A DEW POINT OF 63, AND HUMIDITY AT 77%.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY, 75 DEGREES, 70 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY, AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE SEEN MORE SUNSHINE AND CLOUD COVER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING, AND WE HAD SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY MAINLY IN THE EAST-CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE THIS EVENING.

NOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WE WILL HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA WITH OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND HEADING INTO TOMORROW, IT LOOKS UNSETTLED AS WELL, WITH CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

YOU MAY SEE SOME SUNSHINE AND HIGHS WILL BE WARM, MAINLY IN THE 80s.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, WE HAVE GORGEOUS PICTURES FROM THIS MORNING IN ARLENE IN MENAHGA, SAMROSE AT LOWER RED LAKE.

WE HAVE A HUMMINGBIRD FROM LINDA IN ONAMIA, SARAH SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE LOONS.

CLAY SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE MORNING CONDITIONS AT LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

LAURIE SPOTTING A DEER.

GARY WITH A BEER -- BEAR IN THE YARD IN DEERWOOD.

TONIGHT'S SUNSET WAS GORGEOUS, DEAN FROM LOWER RED LAKE AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH THOSE PHOTOS.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 59 THIS MORNING WITH FOG.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY TODAY.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD REPORTING A HIGH OF 87.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 84 FOR THE HIGH.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY HAZE TONIGHT.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, 0.02-INCH OF RAIN, HUMID TODAY.

DEAN AT LITTLE ROCK, HAZY THIS EVENING.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 86 TODAY, 5 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, AND OF COURSE IT WAS HUMID OUT THERE, FELT WARMER THAN THAT.

60 DEGREES WAS THE LOW, 9:12 WAS OUR SUNSET.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 81, SO ABOVE THAT AVERAGE HIGH.

SUNRISE AT 5:27.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST.

WE MAY START OUT WITH SOME CLOUD COVER.

THERE WILL BE SOME SPOTTY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

THEN WE WILL HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, A LITTLE COOLER IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, WARROAD TOPPING OUT AT 78, BUT A LOT OF MID TO UPPER 80s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND WE WILL SEE MID TO UPPER 80s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AS WELL.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT THE FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, AND LOWS NEAR 61.

STILL, SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, AND HIGHS NEAR 83.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, A BETTER CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ON SATURDAY, AND WITH THE WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY, WE WILL BE SEEING SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES.

MID-80s ON SUNDAY, A SMALL CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY, WITH VERY WARM CONDITIONS, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE UPPER 80s, CAN'T RULE OUT A FEW 90s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

NOW CHARLIE YAEGER IS JOINING US WITH SPORTS.

WE HAD SOME BEMIDJI BASEBALL HIGHLIGHTS.

>> Charlie: YES, YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT EARLIER, IT'S THE SANFORD FAMILY NIGHT.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT GAME.

WE HAVE THE FIRST PITCH AND EVERYTHING KIND OF IN BETWEEN.

WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHO WON THAT ONE IF YOU COULDN'T STAY UNTIL THE VERY END BUT HOPEFULLY YOU GOT A FREE HOT DOG OUT OF IT.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS COMING UP AFTER T [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> IN THE FIRST EDITION OF THE 2026 BATTLE FOR BEMIDJI, THE BLUE OX BEAT THE BUCKS IN 10-INNINGS.

TONIGHT, THE TWO AMATEUR BASEBALL TEAMS SQUARED OFF FOR THE 2ND TIME THIS SEASON, DURING THE ANNUAL SANDFORD FAMILY NIGHT AT THE BSU BASEBALL FIELD.

JOE HOOVER, THE HOST OF HIGH NOON THROWING OUT THE FIRST PITCH OF THE GAME.

HE WAS RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE.

CARRYING ON THE BLUE OX HOLD THE SERIES LEAD 5-2 OVER THE BUCKS.

RUNNER ON 1st AND SECOND FOR CAM, HE STROKES ONE TO LEFT CENTER, SCORING ETHAN, AND BEN TO THIRD.

IT WAS 1-0 BUCKS.

NOW DAN THROUGH AND SCORES.

AND HE DOUBLES TO LEFT FIELD, KNOCKS IN CALEB, AND CONNOR, BLUE OX WILL SCORE 3 IN THE FIRST, IN THE FIFTH, THE OX ARE STRAYING -- TRAILING.

THE BLUE OX GO ON TO WIN THIS ONE 8-6.

THE BATTLE OF BEMIDJI BELONGS TO THEM FOR THE FIRST TWO GAMES.

THEY ARE 2-0 AGAINST THEIR RIVAL THIS SEASON.

>>> A COUPLE WORLD CUP SCORES.

SPAIN PUT THE PAIN ON AUSTRIA, 3-0.

PORTUGAL CAME FROM BEHIND AFTER TRAILING 1-0 TO CROATIA.

SWITZERLAND IS UP ON ALGERIA IN THE 19th MINUTE.

>>> THE MINNESOTA WILD ACQUIRED FORWARD BLAKE COLEMAN AND DEFENSEMAN OLLI MAATTA IN A TRADE WITH CALGARY IN EXCHANGE FOR DEFENSEMAN JAKE MIDDLETON AND THREE DRAFT PICKS.

IT WAS A BIG SPLASH FOR WILD GENERAL MANAGER BILLY GUERIN, WHO SPENT THE OPENING DAY OF NHL FREE AGENCY SIGNING AND RE-SIGNING PLAYERS WHO COULD ADD DEPTH TO THE LINE-UP.

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAD A GOOD YEAR LAST YEAR.

WE MADE A BIG STEP.

WE ARE A VERY GOOD TEAM.

I JUST FELT LIKE IT WAS -- THIS WAS TIME TO MAYBE GET A LITTLE YOUNGER, GET A LITTLE FASTER, GET A LITTLE BIT OF CHANGE.

THAT'S GOOD TOO.

YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WANT TO JUST KEEP ROLLING OUT THE SAME THING YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AND EXPECT DIFFERENT RESULTS.

YOU JUST WANT A LITTLE BIT OF A TWEAK HERE AND THERE IS SOMETIMES GOOD AND I THINK IT'S HEALTHY FOR EVERYBODY.

>> COLEMAN IS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE TRADE FOR THE WILD.

HE'S BEEN WITH THE FLAMES FOR THE PAST 5-YEARS, BUT BEFORE THAT SPENT TWO-SEASONS WITH THE LIGHTNING, WINNING BACK-TO-BACK STANLEY CUPS, ONE OF THEM ALONGSIDE ANOTHER CURRENT MEMBER OF THE WILD, ZACH BOGOSIAN.

PROBABLY THE BEST FEATURE OF COLEMAN'S GAME IS HIS ABILITY ON THE PENALTY KILL, AND WHILE GUERIN SAID HE'D DEFER TO HEAD COACH JOHN HYNES ON HOW HE'S UTILIZED, HE EXPECTS COLEMAN WILL BE SLOTTED AT WING ON THE SECOND LINE WITH MATT BOLDY AND JOOL ERIKSSON-EK.

>> YOU KNOW, THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY WITH GREAT PLAYERS THAT MAKE PLAYS LIKE THEY DO AND YOU KNOW, HAVE A BIT OF SNARL ARE HARD TO PLAY AGAINST AND ARE COMPETITIVE.

IT REALLY EXCITES ME.

THOSE GUYS YOU WANT TO GO TO WAR WITH.

SO, I HATED PLAYING AGAINST THEM.

I'M EXCITED WE'RE ON THE SAME SIDE NOW.

I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO GO ON TWO CUP RUNS AND GET A TASTE OF WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I THINK I HAVE A LOT TO BRING COME PLAYOFF TIME.

I FEEL LIKE I REALLY THRIVE AS A PLAYER AND I ENJOY THAT ATMOSPHERE AND THAT PRESSURE AND YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY PLAY MEANINGFUL HOCKEY DOWN THE STRETCH.

>> Charlie: AND HERE'S HOW THAT TRADE BREAKS DOWN.

BLAKE IS A FORWARD, AND THE DEFENSEMAN.

THE FLAMES GET JAKE MIDDLETON IN RETURN AND A COUPLE OF DRAFT PICKS THERE.

ALSO OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS HERE WITH THE FREE AGENCY SIGNINGS, A COUPLE OF RESIGNINGS IN THERE AS WELL.

KEEPING NICK, ZACH, BUT ALSO PICKING UP CALVIN AND MAX.

THEN ALSO ON THE MOVE THROUGH NHL FREE AGENCY, COLE SMITH SIGNS WITH THE BLACKHAWKS, 3 YEARS, $9 MILLION.

HE IS ORIGINALLY FROM BRAINERD, BAXTER AREA, PLAYED FOR THE WARRIORS AND SPENT TIME WITH THE NATIONAL PREDATORS BEFORE HE WENT TO VEGAS THIS YEAR AND PLAYED FOR A STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> Sydney: AWESOME.

THANKS CHARLIE.

AND FOR THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF FISHING TIPS, RAY AND MANDY TEACH US ABOUT THEIR FAVORITE BOBBERS AND HOW TO USE THEM.

>> TODAY WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT BOBBERS AND IF YOU HAVE BEEN INTO A STORE LATELY, A FISHING SHOP, YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE JUST SO MANY BOBBERS AND WHAT DO YOU USE THEM FOR?

WHAT BOBBER SHOULD YOU USE IF YOU ARE FISHING PAN FISH?

WALLEYE?

MUSKY?

IN THE FALL, LOTS OF MUSKY FISHERMEN USE BOBBERS.

I'LL TALK ABOUT A COUPLE DIFFERENT STYLES.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO TRY TO SIZE THE BOBBER TO THE KINDS OF FISH THAT YOU ARE CATCHING.

YOU WOULDN'T USE A GREAT BIG BOBBER IF YOU ARE PAN FISHING SUNFISH, SO YOU WILL GO WITH A SMALLER BOBBER.

IF YOU ARE GOING AFTER WALLEYES, YOU WOULD USE A SLIP BOBBER BECAUSE THAT MEANS THEY CAN'T FEEL IT WHEN THEY GET THE BITE.

HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF A SLIP BOBBER THAT IS VERY POPULAR TODAY, LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE USING IT.

BECAUSE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE THROWING THEIR LINE AWAY FROM THE BOAT, SO THAT THE FISH CAN'T SEE THE BOAT.

THEN THEY CAN SEE THIS IS A SLIP BOBBER, YOU CAN SET IT FOR ANY DEPTH YOU WANT TO.

THEN THEY CAN JUST WATCH THAT AND IF YOU GET A BITE, YOU SET THE HOOK.

THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A SLIP BOBBER, YOU PROBABLY CAN'T SEE IT.

THERE IS A HOLE RIGHT THROUGH THIS.

YOU CAN PUT A STOP ON THAT AND USE THAT ALSO AS A SLIP BOBBER AND IT'S VERY LIGHT, THEY BOTH GO DOWN EASILY AND IT CAN FOOL FISH.

ANOTHER BOBBER THAT I REALLY LIKE IS CALLED THE WING IT.

THIS IS A WING IT BOBBER.

THIS BOBBER, YOU TAKE THE END OFF OF IT AND YOU PUT YOUR LINE RIGHT HERE AND IT'S VERY EASY TO CAST.

YOU CAN CAST IT IN THE WIND, YOU CAN CAST IT ON A STRAIGHT DAY, AND THEN WHEN IT GETS IN THE WATER, IT WILL STAND UP AND YOU CAN SEE WHEN THE FISH ARE BITING IT.

THOSE ARE THE THREE I'LL DO RIGHT NOW.

>> I'M GOING TO HANDLE THE SHALLOW WATER PORTION.

IF YOU GREW UP AT ALL, YOU KNOW WHAT THIS BOBBER IS.

THIS IS THE STANDARD WHAT YOU SEE, BUT THEY'RE GREAT.

THEY WORK FOR MULTIPLE SPECIES.

YOU CAN GET THEM BIG OR SMALL.

THEY'RE REALLY EASY TO USE.

YOU RUN THE LINE THROUGH THE HOOK ON THE ONE SIDE AND DOWN THROUGH THE HOOK ON THE OTHER SIDE AND RELEASE IT.

THE KEY WITH THESE ARE, THESE ARE FOR SHALLOW WATER.

IT'S NOT GOING TO MOVE UP AND DOWN THE LINE LIKE A SLIP BOBBER.

SO SHALLOW WATER APPLICATION ONLY.

ADJUSTED BUBBLES, I LOVE THEM FOR CRAP FISHING, AND WALLEYE FISHING, INSTEAD OF THE LINE GOING ON THE OUTSIDE, IT GOES THROUGH THE MIDDLE AND THEN TO MAKE IT STOP, YOU TWIST THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM TO MAKE THE BOBBER STAY ON THE LINE.

ALSO, THE COOL PART WITH THESE IS THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY PULL THE TOP AND DUNK THEM IN WATER AND HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF WATER SO IT ADDS SOME WEIGHT.

THE MORE WEIGHT YOU THROW IN HERE, THE FARTHER YOU CAN CAST IT IN WINDY SITUATIONS.

>> SO TRY TO LINE YOUR BOBBERS UP TO THE FISH THAT YOU ARE FISHING AND YOU'LL HAVE MUCH MORE SUCCESS.

FOR LAKELAND NEWS, I'M RAY GILDOW.

>> AND I'M MANDY UHRICH, THE BASS N' BIOLOGIST.

>> Sydney: AND STACY HAS A FINAL LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: A FEW SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT.

WE'LL SEE LOWS NEAR 61.

>> Sydney: THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] FOR THIS WEEKS EDITION OF FISHING TIPS, RAY AND MANDY