>> 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 UNICYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS IS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND IN BEMIDJI.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING UNICON 21 IN BEMIDJI THEN YOU HAVE SEEN SOME PRETTY UNIQUE THINGS LIKE BASKETBALL ON UNICYCLES, X-GAME-STYLE STUNTS, EVEN A MAN WHO CALLS HIMSELF THE UNICYCLING UNICORN ATTEMPTING TO RIDE A 44-FOOT TALL UNICYCLE.

BUT WHAT IS ARGUABLY THE MOST UNIQUE EVENT UNICON HAD TO OFFER THIS YEAR WAS SOMETHING CALLED FLAMING PUCK HOCKEY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: UP HERE IN MINNESOTA, WE ARE KNOWN AS THE STATE OF HOCKEY.

SO WHEN UNICON DECIDED TO STOP IN BEMIDJI FOR THEIR 21st BIANNUAL EVENT, THEY WANTED TO SHOWCASE WHAT BEING IN THE STATE OF HOCKEY REALLY MEANS.

FIRST GET EVERYONE IN THEIR UNICYCLES, ADD THE SPORT OF HOCKEY, AND THEN SET THE PUCK ON FIRE AND YOU HAVE FLAMING PUCK HOCKEY.

>> THERE AREN'T A LOT OF RULES.

YOU ARE JUST TRYING TO GET THE BALL INTO ONE OF THESE BASKETS BACK HERE WHILE IT'S ON FIRE.

I THINK SOMEBODY DECIDED THAT I REALLY LOVE UNICYCLING AND HOCKEY.

UNICYCLING HOCKEY ALREADY EXISTS, SO THEY DECIDED TO START IT ON FIRE.

>> I LOVE PLAYING HOCKEY.

I HAVE BEEN PLAYING IT FOR YEARS AND IT'S SO MUCH FUN AND EXCITING.

YOU HAVE FIRE, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WATCHING, AND IT'S JUST A GREAT TIME.

>> Reporter: WITH A COMBINATION OF HOCKEY, FIRE, AND THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE FLYING OVER THE FIELD, YOU CAN'T GET MORE AMERICAN THAN FLAMING PUCK HOCKEY.

>> AMERICANS LOVE HOCKEY AND THEY LIKE FIRE.

YOU MIX THE TWO AND YOU ADD UNICYCLING AND IT'S A WEIRD, FUN, UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.

>> THE FLAMES, THE AMERICAN FLAG, ALL THE PEOPLE AND THE COOKOUT.

IT COULDN'T BE MORE AMERICAN.

>> JUST FROM THE SUPPORT OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND YOU SEE THE AMERICAN FLAG FLYING UP AHEAD AND JUST THE MUSIC AND THE FOOD.

IT'S AWESOME.

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS OF BEMIDJIIANS, ALONG WITH THOSE FROM AROUND THE WORLD, CAME TO WITNESS FLAMING PUCK HOCKEY AND DIDN'T LEAVE DISAPPOINTED.

>> IT'S A LITTLE SCARY IN THE BEGINNING.

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW THE FLAME WILL REACT WHEN YOU GET CLOSE TO IT.

AS SOON AS YOU GET OVER THAT, IT'S ALL GOOD.

IT'S SO MUCH FUN.

>> I AM SO HAPPY HOW IT TURNED OUT.

EVERYONE IS HAVING FUN.

SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN HERE.

IT'S BEEN AMAZING.

>> Reporter: AS THE END OF UNICON 21 IS DRAWING NEAR, PARTICIPANTS KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING TRULY TO REMEMBER.

>> UNICON HAS BEEN AMAZING.

WATCHING ALL THE CHAMPIONS DO AMAZING TRICKS.

I HAVE BEEN TO A LOT OF THEM.

EVERY TIME I GO, I AM LIKE I'M NOT GOING TO SEE A NEW TRICK THIS YEAR.

NO, I SAW AT LEAST 20 NEW TRICKS THIS YEAR.

EVERY TIME, THE SPORT JUST GETS BIGGER AND BETTER.

IT'S JUST AMAZING.

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

>> UNICON HOCKEY FINALS ARE TAKING PLACE TOMORROW EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL GYM.

NO FLAMES INVOLVED IN THAT EVENT AND THE CONCLUSION CEREMONY FOR UNICON 21 WILL TAKE PLACE FRIDAY AT 8:00 P.M. AT THE SANFORD CENTER.

>>> WITH SO MANY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA, VOLUNTEERS ARE VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS.

SENIOR CITIZENS ACCOUNT FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS.

TODAY IN LUM PARK, SHERRI DE LA HUNT AND TOM SWANSON WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR VOLUNTEER WORK IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THE CROW WING COUNTY OUTSTANDING SENIOR CITIZEN AWARD.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR DISCONTINUED THEIR OUTSTANDING SENIOR CITIZEN AWARD PROGRAM IN 2022, LOCALS IN CROW WING COUNTY FELT THAT CONTINUING TO HONOR PILLARS IN THE COMMUNITY WAS IMPORTANT.

NOW ORGANIZED BY THE CENTER NON-PROFIT IN BRAINERD, SENIORS ARE NOMINATED IN SPRING AND SEVERAL FACTORS GO INTO CHOOSING A MALE AND FEMALE WINNER.

>> THE CRITERIA IS THAT YOU ARE OVER 70 AND THE NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS YOU VOLUNTEER FOR, THE NUMBER OF HOURS YOU VOLUNTEER IN YOUR COMMUNITY, HOW YOU GIVE BACK, AND THE SPECTRUM OF THE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION IS IMPORTANT AS WELL.

>> Reporter: FOR THE TWO RECIPIENTS, TO SAY THEY WERE HONORED TO RECEIVE SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD IS AN UNDER STATEMENT.

>> AMAZED, SURPRISED, HAPPY, HUMBLE AND HONORED TO DO THIS.

I'M SURE SHE HAS DONE A LOT MORE THAN ME LOOKING AT THE RESUMES.

>> Reporter: THEY VOLUNTEER FOR MORE THAN 10 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS.

THEY HAVE TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES AND THEY DO IT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT GAVE THEM SO MUCH.

>> I LOVE IT BECAUSE IT GIVES ME A PURPOSE.

IT GETS ME UP.

IT GETS ME MOVING.

IT GETS ME OUT OF MY HOUSE.

IT SERVES A PURPOSE FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO BE WITH OTHER PEOPLE, MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND TO PAY BACK TO THIS BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY THAT IS SO GENEROUS AND HAS AFFORDED ME MY LIVELIHOOD AND MUCH JOY IN MY LIFE.

>> Reporter: IT IS HARD TO MEASURE HOW MUCH THEY HAVE IMPACTED THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S PACKING MEALS FOR THE HUNGRY OR HONORING VETERANS, THESE TWO GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP ANYONE THEY CAN, SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS.

>> IF YOU GIVE IT A WHIRL, PICK SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND SEE IF YOU CAN PAY IT FORWARD BY BRINGING SOMEBODY ALONG, ENCOURAGING THEM TO VOLUNTEER, TO GET THE JOY THAT WE GET AND TO MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE.

IT'S A WONDERFUL FEELING THAT YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEBODY'S LIFE WHO CAN USE THAT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> SHERRI DE LA HUNT AND TOM SWANSON WERE ALSO TEACHERS IN THE BRAINERD AREA.

DE LA HUNT TAUGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SWANSON WAS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER.

BOTH WERE TEACHERS FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

>>> THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS ARRESTED A PERSON SUSPECTED OF STEALING FUEL FROM RETAILERS IN HACKENSACK AND BACKUS AND SUSPECTS ADDITIONAL FUEL THEFTS SIMILAR TO THESE HAVE HAPPENED IN THE REGION AND POSSIBLY NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

SHERIFF BRYAN WELK SAYS AN INDIVIDUAL FILLED BARRELS OR DRUMS IN THE BED OF PICKUP AND LEFT WITHOUT PAYING AND GOT AWAY WITH ABOUT $560 WORTH OF FUEL AT THE RETAILERS IN HACKSENACK AND BACKUS.

A PICKUP MATCHING THE DESCRIPTION OF SUSPECT VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON HIGHWAY 371 IN SHINGOBEE TOWNSHIP AND 28-YEAR-OLD SAPPHIRE TORRES, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA WAS ARRESTED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE CASS COUNTY DETENTION CENTER WITH FORMAL CHARGES PENDING.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ENCOURAGES RETAILERS WITH INFORMATION TO REPORT ANY THEFT TO THEIR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT JURISDICTION AND HAVE THEM CONTACT THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND SPEAK WITH INVESTIGATOR ROBISON FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND FOLLOW-UP.

>>> STATE ELECTION DIRECTORS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE VOICED SERIOUS CONCERNS TO A TOP U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE OFFICIAL THAT THE SYSTEM WON'T BE ABLE TO HANDLE AN EXPECTED CRUSH OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

THE MANAGER OF ELECTION AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE POSTAL SERVICE ATTEMPTED TO REASSURE THE DIRECTORS AT A MEETING IN MINNEAPOLIS ON TUESDAY THAT THE SYSTEM'S INSPECTOR GENERAL WILL PUBLISH AN ELECTION MAIL REPORT NEXT WEEK THAT WILL CONTAIN ENCOURAGING PERFORMANCE NUMBERS FOR THIS YEAR SO FAR.

STATE ELECTION DIRECTORS STRESSED THAT THEY'RE STILL WORRIED THAT TOO MANY BALLOTS WON'T BE DELIVERED IN TIME TO BE COUNTED.

>>> LIKE MANY COUNTY'S, CASS COUNTY HAS BEEN BATTLING AN OPIOID EPIDEMIC FOR YEARS.

NOW, FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE COUNTY AFTER A STATE SETTLEMENT WITH DRUG COMPANIES.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK VISITED WITH THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT COMMITTEE TO SEE THEIR FUTURE FUNDING PLANS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2016 TO 2019, CASS COUNTY HAD THE SECOND HIGHEST AMOUNT OF DEADLY DRUG OVERDOSES PER COUNTY IN THE WHOLE STATE.

OPIOIDS WERE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THOSE NUMBERS.

>> CASS COUNTY, LIKE MANY OTHER COUNTIES IN THE STATE, ENTERED INTO A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AS PART OF A BIGGER CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND WHAT THAT DID WAS THAT IT BROUGHT ALL KINDS OF FUNDING TO COUNTIES INDIVIDUALLY IN REGARDS TO OPIOID SETTLEMENTS.

THESE ARE FUNDS THAT WOULD HAVE CAME FROM PHARMACEUTICAL DISTRIBUTORS AND OPIOID MANUFACTURERS.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH THE LAWSUIT CAME THE CASS COUNTY OPIOID SETTLEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD, A COMMITTEE THAT MEETS MONTHLY TO DETERMINE WHERE THE FUNDS WILL BE GOING.

>> SO THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD IS TASK WITH MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO DESCRIBABLE LEADERSHIP REGARDING THE USE OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE SETTLEMENT IS NOT SMALL, $3.3 MILLION IN TOTAL.

THE MONEY IS NOT COMING IN ALL AT ONCE.

IT IS SPREAD OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS AND NOT EVEN THE COMMITTEE KNOWS EXACTLY WHEN THE NEXT CHECK IS COMING.

>> WE COULD GET ALL OF IT IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS OR IT COULD TAKE 18 YEARS TO GET THE ENTIRE 3.3 MILLION.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY A HALF MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE'VE COLLECTED TO DATE.

>> Reporter: THE COMMITTEE IS ALLOCATING A LARGE PORTION OF THE SETTLEMENT MONEY TO GO TOWARDS YOUTH DRUG PREVENTION.

>> WE CAN FIND A NUMBER OF THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY YOUTH IN OUR AREA ARE AWARE OF THE DANGERS AND ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S KILLING COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER THING THAT THE COMMITTEE DOES IS GIVE GRANTS TO PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE IDEAS ON HOW THE MONEY CAN BE USED TO HELP.

THEY ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO PITCH THEM ANY INSIGHT THAT THEY HAVE REGARDING WHERE THE SETTLEMENT MONEY CAN GO.

REPORTING FROM CASS LAKE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WHERE THEY ENCOURAGE ANYONE WITH HELPFUL IDEAS TO JOIN AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MEET MONTHLY UNTIL THE SETTLEMENT FUNDS HAVE ALL BEEN COLLECTED AND DISTRIBUTED.

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

>> Elissa: IT'S LOOKING LIKE OUR TEMPERATURES ARE ON THEIR WAY UP AGAIN.

I'LL HAVE MORE IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> THE >> 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 NORTH CENTRAL RESEARCH AND OUTREACH CENTER COLLABORATED WITH VARIOUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TO HOLD ITS ANNUAL VISITORS DAY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

THE NCROC IS AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE DISCOVERY AND SHARING OF KNOWLEDGE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MINNESOTANS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: VISITORS DAY IS NOT ONLY A DAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO LEARN MORE BUT HELP IT IS NORTH-CENTRAL RESEARCH AND OUTREACH CENTER DETERMINE FUTURE PLANS.

>> I AM NATURALLY A PEOPLE PERSON.

I LIKE INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE.

I LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN.

THAT CAN HELP DRIVE PROGRAMS IN THE AREA THAT I HAVE INFLUENCE OVER IN MY ROLE AS DIRECTOR.

SO THIS IS A REALLY BIG DAY FOR ME TO GAUGE WHERE THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS IN WHAT WE DO AND IT HELPS GUIDE WHERE WE GO.

>> Reporter: BUT VISITORS DAY IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDING INSIGHT ON THE ORGANIZATION ALONG WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND WHY THE WORK IS IMPORTANT TO MINNESOTA'S ECOSYSTEM.

>> WE LOOK AT DISEASES AND TRY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON WHETHER IT'S A PROBLEM OR NOT.

PESTICIDES ARE ORGANIC MEANS TO TREAT THOSE DISEASES.

IT'S LOOKING AT EACH SITUATION, ANALYZING IT, LOOKING UP THE INFORMATION, AND SHARING IT.

>> Reporter: WHETHER IT'S HORTICULTURE, FOREST GENETICS, THE NCROC AND U OF M ARE HAPPY TO SEE PEOPLE SHOWING INTEREST, WHICH THEY BOTH FEEL HAS BEGUN TO WANE OVER TIME.

>> THERE IS JUST VERY FEW PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURE.

WHAT REALLY DOES ALWAYS SURPRISE ME IS HOW INTERESTED PEOPLE ARE IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT IT, EVEN IF IT'S JUST ON A BASIC LEVEL.

THEY LIKE TO KNOW, WHAT DOES A COW EAT?

HOW MUCH DOES A COW EAT?

>> Reporter: VISITORS DAY GIVES THE COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND SUSTAINABILITY AS A WHOLE.

SOME SEEK GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND OTHERS ARE LOOKING TO START GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD.

>> THE FOOD PRICE, WE ALL GO TO THE SUPERMARKET.

IT'S HIGH.

IF PEOPLE CAN GROW FOOD FOR THEMSELVES, THEY CAN BECOME SUSTAINABLE, A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL LEARN AND TRY TO DO THAT.

I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO AND THE WAY THE WORLD IS CHANGING THAT WE MANAGE AND EVOLVE WOMEN AS WELL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN GRAND RAPIDS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE NEXT EVENT FOR THE NORTH CENTRAL RESEARCH AND OUTREACH CENTER WILL BE ITS ANNUAL CULTIVATED WILD RICE FIELD DAY AND BEEF, CROP, AND FORAGE FIELD DAY LATER THIS SUMMER.

>>> 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.

>>> WELL STACY HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

ELISSA IS IN AND A NICE STRETCH OF SUMMER WEATHER.

>> Elissa: YES, IT IS DENNIS.

WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE FOR WARMER TEMPERATURES AND RAIN ON THE WAY AS >> 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 ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Elissa: HI EVERYONE, I'M ELISSA BENSON AND I HAVE YOUR WEATHER TONIGHT.

WE HAVE THE MID-70s ACROSS THE BOARD FOR THE STATE.

LOOKING AT BEMIDJI CURRENTLY, 65 DEGREES WITH A 3 MILES PER HOUR WIND AND A PEAK WIND OF 10 TODAY.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN BRAINERD HERE, FAIR WITH CALM WINDS AND 67 DEGREES CURRENTLY IN BRAINERD.

LOOKING HERE AT OUR RADAR, CLEAR SKIES ACROSS THE REGION AND THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO TOMORROW AS WELL.

SO CONTINUING SUNNY SKIES.

LOOKING TOWARDS TOMORROW, ONCE AGAIN WE SEE THE CLEAR AREA OVER MINNESOTA.

WE DO HAVE SOME WEATHER THAT WILL BE MOVING IN LATER THIS WEEK INTO THE WEEKEND BUT FOR TOMORROW AND EARLIER ON FRIDAY, THAT SHOULD NOT BE ANY CAUSE OF CONCERN.

THANK YOU TO OUR VIEWERS FOR SUBMITTING THEIR PHOTOS.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA WITH THE FLOWERS.

ANGELA WITH THE SUNSET THIS EVENING.

SARAH AT LAKE EDWARD, ALSO.

CONTINUING ON, SAMROSE WITH THE SUNRISE AND JOAN IN LAPORTE WITH THE BUNNY.

MOVING ON HERE, MORE EAGLE EYE VIEWERS, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, HEAT INDEX OF 78 DEGREES TODAY, SIMILAR CONDITIONS FOR ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH A LOW OF 56 AND JOAN IN LAPORTE WITH A HIGH OF 76.

MOVING ALONG HERE, OR ALMANAC FOR BRAINERD, HIGH OF 77 TODAY ON THE COOLER SIDE WITH THE LOW OF 54 AND SUNSET AT 8:56.

BEMIDJI HAS SIMILAR CONDITIONS, HIGH OF 76 TODAY, A LOW OF 52, SUNRISE AT 5:48.

LOOKING TOWARDS TOMORROW, IT WILL BE WARMER THAN WE SAW TODAY, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ACROSS THE REGION AND IN THE LOW 80s.

THAT TREND WILL CONTINUE FOR THE SOUTHERN VIEWING AREA WITH A LITTLE LESS CLOUD COVER.

LOOKING AT TONIGHT, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A SLIGHT BREEZE MOVING IN, LOW OF 54 DEGREES.

THEN THAT TREND WILL CONTINUE INTO TOMORROW WITH MOSTLY SUNNY AND THE BREEZE CONTINUING, AVERAGING A HIGH OF 85 TOMORROW.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST HERE, WE WILL HAVE HOT AND BREEZY ON FRIDAY WITH 88.

SO THERE ARE THE WARMER TEMPERATURES I WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.

WE WILL STAY AROUND SOME AREAS MAY SEE THE 90s THIS WEEKEND, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, HIGHER 80s WITH THE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING IN ON SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY AS SEEN HERE WITH OUR EXTENDED FORECAST.

MOST OF THE CHANCE OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE ON SUNDAY.

JUST KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ALL THOSE POP-UP SHOWERS AND WE'LL CONTINUE IN THAT 80 DEGREE TREND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, SUMMER IS DEFINITELY HERE.

IT WON'T BE HERE LONGER BUT WE'LL ENJOY IT WHILE IT'S HERE.

YOU WERE ON THE GOLF COURSE TODAY.

>> Charlie: YES, THE 100th BIRCHMONT CONTINUES.

IT WAS MATCH PLAY TODAY, 32 FOR THE MEN, 16 FOR THE WOMEN AND WE CUT THEM IN HALF.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM TOD >> 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.

>>> THE 100TH BIRCHMONT CONTINUED TODAY WITH THE START OF MATCH-PLAY IN BOTH THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISIONS.

NO LONGER DO BIRDIES, BOGEYS, OR PARS MEAN ANYTHING.

NAH, IT'S JUST TWO GOLFERS HEAD-TO-HEAD, ONE HOLE AT A TIME TRYING TO ADVANCE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE BRACKET, AND WHEN YOU PLAY IT LIKE THAT, YOU GET SOME PRETTY COMPELLING GOLF.

IT WAS ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB.

WE'LL START THINGS OFF WITH THE MEN'S ROUND OF 32.

WE START OFF AT NINE.

TOBY PALMISCNO ALREADY 2 UP ON EVAN BOOTH, JUST NEEDS A GOOD CHIP AND A PUTT HERE TO WIN THE HOLE.

THERE'S A GOOD CHIP AND HERE COMES THE GOOD PUTT.

HE'D GO ON TO WIN 3-2.

AT 15, THERE WAS AN UPSET ALERT.

ALEX BARRETT, WHO QUALIFIED 29TH, HE'S 3-UP ON 4-SEED BRANDON NELSON WHEN HE LANDS THIS BEAUTIFUL SHOT FROM THE FAIRWAY AND FROM THERE HE'S WIN THE HOLE AND THE MATCH 4-3.

ON 16, TOP QUALIFIER IAN SIMONICH IS DORMIE WITH NICK YAVAROW A WIN OR A HALVE WILL DO IT FOR HIM BUT SIMONICH ISN'T ABOUT HALVES.

HE'D LIKE THE WHOLE THING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH WINS THE MATCH 4-2 WITH A FANTASTIC UP AND DOWN.

BACK AT 13.

JACK SOUTHARD WITH A CHANCE TO GO 2-UP ON WYATT BLOMSETH.

IT'S A DELICATE PUTT ON THAT GREEN BUT GETS IT TO DROP.

HE'D HOLD TO ADVANCE 2-UP.

AHEAD TO 18 WHERE MATTHEW GREGG NEEDS ONE PUTT TO PUT AWAY DANNY MENTON, BREATHES A SIGH OF RELIEF AS HE WINS THE MATCH 2-UP.

THE DUEL OF THE DAY THOUGH WAS BETWEEN LUCAS FETERL AND JON DUTOIT.

THINGS WERE EVEN THROUGH 12 BUT FETERL KNOCKS DOWN THIS PUTT ON 13 TO GO 1-UP.

THEN AT THE PAR-3 14TH, FROM THE TEE BOX, ABSOLUTELY STICKS THIS LANDING.

HE'D GO 2-UP AFTER THAT.

HOWEVER, JON DUTOIT WOULD RALLY BACK TO WITHIN ONE, IF HE CAN WIN THE 18TH HOLE HE'D FORCE A PLAYOFF, MAKES THE PUTT.

SO FETERL MUST MAKE HIS OR WE'RE PLAYING EXTRA ICE IN HIS VEINS.

HE WINS 1-UP AND ADVANCES TO THE ROUND OF 16.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WHO ELSE MADE IT THROUGH TO THE ROUND OF 16.

NICK SCHAEFER REIGNING CHAMP MOVES ON.

NATE DEZIEL, THE 2024 MINNESOTA STATE AMATUER CHAMPION ALSO MOVING ON.

AND LAST YEAR'S BIRCHMONT RUNNER UP JACOB SKARPERUD GETS THROUGH AS WELL.

MEN'S ROUND OF 16 EXPECTED TO TEE OFF SOMETIME AFTER 12:00 P.M. >>> WELL, THE WOMEN TEED OFF IN THE MORNING BEGINNING THEIR MATCH PLAY IN THE ROUND OF 6 TEAMS.

EMILY IS 7 UP ON ABBEY WITH A CHANCE TO PUT THINGS AWAY RIGHT HERE.

SHE MISSED THE PUTT BUT PICKED UP FOR THE WIN, ADVANCING 8-6 ON 16.

NOW THE LONG PUTT TO GO UP 2, THEN FROM THE 17th FAIR WAY, KNOCKS IT TO WITHIN 5 FEET, WINNING BACK TO BACK HOLES.

SHE WOULD TAKE THE MATCH, 3-1.

THE MATCH OF THE DAY WAS BETWEEN RILEY AND ANNA, MATCHING EACH OTHER SHOT FOR SHOT, THEY WERE EVEN THROUGH 11.

AT 12, SHE CHIPS IT CLOSE HERE AND THEN SHE WILL DO THE SAME THING, BUT THIS IS WHERE PUTTING BECOMES REALLY IMPORTANT.

ON HER PUTT, SHE MISSES BY THE SLIMMEST OF MARGINS.

SHE WOULD GET TO 2 UP THROUGH 15 ON TO 16th.

THE PUTTING GOES THE OTHER WAY.

NOW WITH THE MISS, THE MAKE, SHE WOULD WIN 17 AS WELL.

THEY WOULD HALF IT AND SHE CAN'T GET IT TO GO.

NOW SHE WINS IN 19 HOLES, ADVANCING TO TOMORROW'S QUARTER FINALS.

>>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHO ELSE MADE IT THROUGH.

MORGAN WON 5 AND 4.

FORMER CHAMP ABBEY MOVING ON AS WELL.

AVA OLSON, ALSO PUNCHING HER TICKET.

5 OF THE LAST 8 GOLFERS IN THE WOMEN'S DIVISION FORMERLY OR CURRENTLY PLAY AT NORTH DAKOTA.

GO FIGHTING HAWKS.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE THREAT TO HUMANS REMAINS LOW BUT U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE ON HIGH ALERT AFTER OUTBREAKS OF BIRD FLU IN POULTRY AND DAIRY COWS HAVE LED TO SEVERAL RECENT CASES IN FARM WORKERS.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE WITH AN INFECTIOUS DISEASES EXPERT ON WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS VIRUS.

>> Reporter: IT'S RARE FOR HUMANS TO CONTRACT BIRD FLU, SINCE 2022, 11 CASES HAD BEEN REPORTED, 7 DUE TO EXPOSURE TO POULTRY, THE REMAINING 4 WAS FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO DAIRY COWS.

>> IT'S BEING MORE WATCHFUL OPPOSED TO HITTING THE ALARM.

>> Reporter: BIRD FLU CAN SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD THROUGH FLOCK THAT ARE MIGRATING.

INFECTED BIRDS HAVE THE VIRUS IN THEIR MUCUS, SALIVA, AND DROPPINGS.

WHEN ENOUGH VIRUS GETS TO A PERSON'S EYES, NOSE, OR MOUTH OR IS INHALED.

MOST HUMAN CASES HAPPEN AFTER CLOSE PROLONGED AND UNPROTECTED CONTACT WITH INFECTED BIRDS OR CONTAMINATED SURFACES.

>> ALL THE CASES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN HUMANS SINCE 2022, MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN NOT RESPIRATORY ILLNESS BUT EYE INFECTIONINGS.

-- INFECTIONS.

IT HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY DEATH.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE SHOULD NOT EAT OR DRINK RAW MILK OR PRODUCTS MADE WITH IT, INSTEAD CHOOSE PASTEURIZED MILK.

AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH WILD BIRDS.

IF YOU FIND A DEAD BIRD, DON'T TOUCH THE ANIMAL AND REPORT IT TO YOUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

LET'S GO BACK TO ELISSA.

>> Elissa: HI EVERYONE, A RECAP, WE WILL SEE MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES UNTIL THIS WEEKEND AND THEN CHANCES OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL STAY AROUND THE MID 80 DEGREES MARK FOR HIGHS AND 60s FOR LOWS.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Charlie: TWINS BEAT THE PHILLIES 7-2.

TOMORROW WE HAVE A FEATURE PIECE ON THE GROUNDS CREW THAT WORKS THE BIRCHMONT AND WHAT IT TAKES TO GET IT GOING.

I WAS THERE AT 4:30 A.M.

YESTERDAY.

I WAS TIRED BUT IT WAS PRETTY FUN.

>> Dennis: I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT STORY TOMORROW.

WE'RE DONE FOR THE EVENING, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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