>> 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 ALL OF THE LAKE'S COUNTRIES.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

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

>>> A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY AND POLARIS INDUSTRIES WILL OPEN A NEW MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT BSU.

A SIGNING CEREMONY WAS HELD EARLIER TODAY IN ROSEAU, AND OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN WAS THERE AND HE BRINGS US THIS STORY.

>> Reporter: THIS MORNING, OFFICIALS TOOK A TRIP OVER TO THE CITY OF ROSEAU, THE BIRTHPLACE OF POLARIS, BRINGING A NEW MANUFACTURING PROGRAM TO BSU.

>> ONE OF THE OBSTACLES WE HAVE IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA IS CREATING TALENTED INDIVIDUALS FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION OF WORKERS.

WHAT THIS OPPORTUNITY DOES IS THAT IT GIVES STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET EXPOSED AND IMMERSED INTO WORLD CLASS MANUFACTURING WHILE ALSO PURSUING A HIGHER EDUCATION FROM BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY.

>> AT BEMIDJI STATE, WE HAVE TO SERVE A REGION 300 EAST TO WEST, WE CANNOT DO THAT WITHOUT PARTNERSHIPS.

DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS IN COMMUNITIES LIKE ROSEAU IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO TO SERVE THE REGION.

I'M GRATEFUL WE ARE ABLE TO PUT THIS PARTNERSHIP TOGETHER WITH POLARIS.

>> Reporter: THEY BELIEVE THAT IT'S VITAL TO THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS STUDENTS.

>> IT'S CRITICAL BECAUSE OF THE ADVANCE MANUFACTURING THAT POLARIS IS DOING IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HAS TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

POLARIS IS INVESTED IN THE HEALTH OF THE REGION.

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY IS AS WELL.

IT'S DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND THE UNIVERSITY.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF HOW WE SERVE THE PUBLIC.

>> IT'S A GREAT ENVIRONMENT, THEY MEET A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS, WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN BUILDING THE PRODUCT FOR A LONG TIME.

TO BRING IN A NEW GENERATION OF WORKFORCE, IT'S TEACHING FROM THE MENTORS, OUT ON THE SHOP FLOOR, AND IN ADDITION THEY WILL GET EXPOSURE TO TECHNOLOGIES THAT PERHAPS COULD BE LIMITED OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF POLARIS.

>> Reporter: AND THEY BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL BENEFIT STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THIS LINE OF WORK AND THOSE WHO AREN'T SURE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO QUITE YET.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE REGION THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

DO I GO TO COLLEGE?

DO I GO TO WORK?

WE THOUGHT WHY DON'T WE COME TOGETHER AND DO A BETTER JOB OF TAKING CARE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?

SO THE PROGRAM TODAY AND WHAT IT DOES, IT ALLOWS RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES TO COME HERE TO POLARIS TO GET A GREAT JOB, TO GET A GREAT CAREER EXPERIENCE AND THEY HAVE HOUSING TAKEN CARE OF, A COMPETITIVE WAGE AND BENEFITS AS WELL.

THEY CAN JUMP ONLINE AND GO TO SCHOOL, SO IT'S THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

IT WORKS OUT GREAT FOR EVERYONE IN THE REGION.

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

>> THE MANUFACTURING PROGRAM SHOULD BE OFFICIAL FOR THE UPCOMING FALL SEMESTER AT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY.

>>> A MINNESOTA STATE TROOPER IS FACING CHARGES FOR A CRASH THAT KILLED A TEENAGER AND INJURED FIVE PEOPLE.

TROOPER SHANE ROPER HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SECOND-DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER, CRIMINAL VEHICULAR HOMICIDE, AND OTHER COUNTS STEMMING FROM THE CRASH ON MAY 18TH THAT KILLED AN 18-YEAR-OLD WOMAN.

A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT SAID ROPER WAS DRIVING WITHOUT HIS EMERGENCY LIGHTS OR SIREN ACTIVATED AND REACHED A SPEED OF 83 MILES PER HOUR ON A STREET WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS FORTY MILES PER HOUR.

THE COMPLAINT SAID ROPER WAS TRYING TO CATCH WHAT IT CALLED A TRAFFIC VIOLATOR BUT DIDN'T PROVIDE DETAILS.

HIS VEHICLE STRUCK A CAR MAKING A LEFT TURN BY THE APACHE MALL IN ROCHESTER.

OLIVIA FLORES WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR AND DIED FROM BLUNT FORCE INJURIES.

FLORES WAS A STUDENT AND CHEERLEADER AT OWATTONA HIGH SCHOOL AND WOULD HAVE GRADUATED ON JUNE 7TH.

A GOFUNDME FOR THE FLORES FAMILY HAS BEEN SET UP AND A LINK WILL BE INCLUDED WITH THIS STORY ONLINE.

>>> FIVE OTHERS SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES FOLLOWING THE CRASH.

ROPER HAD MINOR INJURIES.

THE MINNESOTA B.C.A.

HAS IDENTIFIED THE OFFICERS WHO USED FORCE IN AN INCIDENT IN CROOKSTON LAST MONTH WHERE A MAN DIED FROM MULTIPLE GUN SHOT WOUNDS.

THE SHOOTING HAPPENED DURING A CONFRONTATION AT A HOMELESS SHELTER.

POLICE CHIEF DARIN SELZER SAYS OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE CARE AND SHARE SHELTER ON JUNE 30TH ON A REPORT OF A FIGHT IN PROGRESS.

HE SAYS THEY CONFRONTED A MAN WHO WAS BEING COMBATIVE TOWARD OFFICERS AND THAT LESS LETHAL MEANS WERE TRIED BEFORE AN OFFICER FIRED HIS HANDGUN, STRIKING THE SUSPECT.

THE B.C.A.

HAS IDENTIFIED THE MAN WHO DIED AS 44-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER RYAN JUNKIN.

THE B.C.A.

ALSO SAYS CROOKSTON POLICE OFFICER NICK FLADLAND DEPLOYED HIS TASER AND FIRED HIS DEPARTMENT HANDGUN.

HE HAS FIVE YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE.

HE IS ON CRITICAL INCIDENT LEAVE.

CROOKSTON POLICE OFFICER COREY RICH DEPLOYED HIS TASER IN THE INCIDENT AND POLK COUNTY DEPUTY APRIL HANSEN DEPLOYED A CHEMICAL IRRITANT AND HER TASER.

THE OFFICERS AND DEPUTIES WERE WEARING BODY CAMERAS THAT CAPTURED PORTIONS OF THE INCIDENT.

B.C.A.

AGENTS ARE REVIEWING ALL AVAILABLE VIDEO AS PART OF THE ACTIVE INVESTIGATION.

>>> THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE HELD ITS 2024 INAUGURATION AT GRAND CASINO MILLE LACS TODAY.

FIVE ELECTED OFFICIALS WERE SWORN IN TODAY.

SEMIRA KIMPSON AND SAMI THOMAS WERE SWORN IN AS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

LEANN BENJAMIN WAS SWORN IN AS THE SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRPERSON.

CAROLYN BEAULIEU WAS SWORN IN AS THE DISTRICT ONE REPRESENTATIVE.

AND VIRGIL WIND WAS SWORN IN AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SUCCEEDING PREVIOUS CHIEF EXECUTIVE MELANIE BENJAMIN, WHO SERVED SIX TERMS AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

WE WILL HAVE FULL COVERAGE OF THE INAUGURATION TOMORROW NIGHT ON LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL HELD A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING WITH THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION YESTERDAY.

AT THE MEETING, A RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED IN THE EVENT A STRIKE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL NUMBER 31 TAKES PLACE.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY SAT DOWN WITH BRAINERD CITY ADMINISTRATOR NICK BROYLES TO LEARN MORE.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO BE PREPARED IF PUBLIC UTILITY WORKERS GO ON STRIKE.

THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION IMPLEMENTING A STRIKE PLAN.

IN THE RESOLUTION, THERE WERE TWO BIG COMPONENTS.

>> THE FIRST WAS SO OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE OUR BARGAINING UNITS.

THAT IS POTENTIALLY GOING ON STRIKE AND IN ADDITION TO THE NON-EXEMPT BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES, WE HAVE SIX NON-UNION MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS.

SO THERE ARE SOME LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT OVERTIME PAY FOR THEM.

TOWARDS THE END, THERE WAS ONE SECTION THAT GRANTED ME, FRANKLY, A GOOD BIT OF AUTHORITY TO SIGN CONTRACTS WITH CONSULTANTS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS, THEY WOULD LIKELY HAVE TO PERFORM ADDITIONAL DUTIES IF A STRIKE OCCURS.

SALARY EMPLOYEES WOULD NOT BE PAID OVERTIME FOR THEIR SERVICES, BUT THIS IS NOT A TRADITIONAL SITUATION.

>> THIS IS A UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE, SO THERE IS SOME LENGTHY DISCUSSION AROUND THAT TOPIC AND THE COUNCIL ENDED UP DECIDING THAT THE FIRST 60 HOURS WOULD BE STRAIGHT TIME AND ANYTHING OVER AND ABOVE THAT, THIS IS PER WEEK, WOULD BE TIME AND A HALF.

>> Reporter: THE LOGIC BEHIND GIVING ADMINISTRATOR THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE CONTRACTS IS SHOULD A STRIKE OCCUR, ESPECIALLY ON A WEEKEND, THE CITY NEEDS TO ACT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR A CYCLE OF MEETINGS TO GET THOSE APPROVED.

THEY GRANT AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE WAGES AND CONTRACTS AND THEN THE COUNCIL WILL SUBSEQUENTLY RATIFY THOSE AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING.

>> Reporter: THE CITY'S GOAL WITH THIS RESOLUTION IS SIMPLE, ENSURE THE CITIZENS OF BRAINERD DO NOT SEE ANY DISRUPTION IN SERVICE.

>> EVERYBODY FROM THE ELECTED OFFICIALS ON DOWN TO THE STAFF WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE AS RESPONSIVE AS POSSIBLE IN DELIVERING SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS.

SO THIS IS AN EFFORT TO SPEED UP THAT PROCESS AND MAKE US MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF CITIZENS.

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

>> THE RESOLUTION ALSO INCLUDED PICKETING GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEES.

THE STRIKE WINDOW OPENS THIS SATURDAY, JULY 13TH.

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

>> Stacy: HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL BE ON THE RISE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIONS IS PUTTING ON THEIR FAMILY FIRST PICNIC EVENT.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> RESIDENTS OF THE CONIFER ESTATES IN BEMIDJI COULD SEE A PICNIC ON THEIR FRONT LAWN EARLIER TODAY BUT THERE WAS MORE TO IT THAN JUST THE PIZZA.

IT WAS HOSTED BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS WHO WERE JOINING TOGETHER TO COLLECT SURVEYS REGARDING WOMEN'S DIFFERENT BIRTHING EXPERIENCES AND HOW WELL THEIR CULTURAL BIRTHING REQUESTS WERE MET.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: RED LAKE STRONG FOUNDATION FAMILY SPIRIT PROGRAM HAS JOINED WITH THE FAMILIES FIRST PROGRAM AT A PICNIC AT CONFER ESTATES.

THEY MET DUE TO THE LACK OF CULTURAL RECOGNITION DURING CHILDBIRTH AND OTHER MATERNAL MEDICAL SERVICES.

>> TODAY WE ARE GATHERING SURVEYS AT THIS PICNIC THAT IS HELD IN THE CONFER ESTATES AND WE ARE ASKING MOMS WHO DELIVERED BABIES OR RECEIVED THEIR MATERNAL HEALTHCARE AT SANFORD I.H.S.

TO FILL OUT A SURVEY TO SHARE WITH US THEIR MATERNAL HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCES.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT HELD PIZZA, SNACKS, AND SPACE FOR THE KIDS TO RUN AROUND.

WOMEN WERE ASKED TO TAKE SURVEYS DESCRIBING BOTH THE POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL BIRTHING EXPERIENCES.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO REALLY BECOME MUCH MORE AWARE OF THE CULTURES AND TO BE ABLE TO REALLY HONOR AND RESPECT THOSE CULTURAL TEACHINGS WHEN WE'RE PROVIDING MATERNAL HEALTHCARE.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY SPIRIT PROGRAM ALSO HAS FUNDING TO HELP 50 FAMILIES WITH EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITS TO PROVIDE MATERNAL CARE FROM BIRTH UP TO 3 YEARS OLD.

>> SO IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE EDUCATING OUR STAFF.

A WOMAN MIGHT SAY I WASN'T GIVEN ANY OPTIONS ON CULTURAL PRACTICES, SO RATHER THAN ASKING AN INDIVIDUAL, DO YOU HAVE ANY CULTURAL PRACTICES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE US TO BE AWARE OF, WE MAY OFFER SPECIFIC CULTURAL PRACTICES LIKE DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC NAMING CEREMONY YOU WANT TO DO WHILE YOU'RE HERE AT THE HOSPITAL?

DO YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN SMUDGING?

OFFERING THOSE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES INSTEAD OF MAKING IT A BROAD STATEMENT.

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

>> THE PICNIC TODAY WAS THE FIRST EVENT OF ITS KIND, BUT THE ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED HAVE SAID THAT THEY PLAN ON DOING MORE IN THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE HIGH RESPONSIVENESS TODAY.

>>> 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.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US NOW AND STACY, WE SPENT ALL WINTER THINKS OF NICE SUMMER DAYS, JUST LIKE TODAY.

I'M GLAD WE FINALLY GOT TO ONE HERE ON JULY 9TH.

>> Stacy: RIGHT, WE HAVE MORE SUMMER WEATHER ON THE WAY AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

EXPECT TO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY AND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY AND THE >> 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 DEFINITELY FEELS LIKE SUMMER OUT THERE WITH THE WARMER TEMPERATURES, WE HAVE THE HUMIDITY CREEPING UP, DEW POINTS ARE GETTING HIGHER, AND WE ARE SEEING A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POPPING UP HERE AND THERE.

WE PRETTY MUCH HAVE THE SAME AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, DRIER AS WE HEAD THROUGH THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, BUT WE HAVE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 69 AT THE AIRPORT.

THE DEW POINT IS AT 60 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 72%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S STILL 73 DEGREES, AND THE DEW POINT IS UP TO 64.

PRESSURE IS RISING, WINDS ARE LIGHT OUT OF THE WEST.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN SUNNY TODAY AND IT'S BEEN FAIRLY QUIET, BUT WITH THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY, WE HAVE SEEN SOME POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA.

WE COULD CONTINUE TO HAVE A FEW OF THOSE THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS BUT THINGS WILL QUIET DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

HOWEVER, TOMORROW, DESPITE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN BETWEEN, WE WILL AGAIN BE SEEING A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POPPING UP, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, PROBABLY THE ONLY AREA THAT MIGHT AVOID THAT IS FAR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT AGAIN IT'S NOT ANYTHING WIDESPREAD, JUST A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT POP-UP, HIGHS AGAIN WILL BE IN THE 80s AND IT WILL BE HUMID WITH MORE OF THE SAME AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, A LITTLE BIT FOGGY THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE.

SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A PASSING ON OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD, WE TOPPED OUT AT 84, A SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURE, A COUPLE DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

57 WAS OUR LOW.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 82, AGAIN A BIT ABOVE THAT AVERAGE.

57 FOR THE LOW TEMP AND SUNSET AT 9:17.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE, BUT WE COULD SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POPPING UP HERE AND THERE, PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE EXCEPT FAR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES RIGHT AROUND 80 IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT AGAIN LOW 80s ACROSS THE REST OF THE NORTH.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE WITH THAT SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE LOW TO MID-80s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST.

TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AGAIN WE DO HAVE THE CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEXT FEW HOURS AND A FEW LINGERING OVERNIGHT.

LOWS NEAR 60.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGHS NEAR 83, NORTH WINDS UP TO 5.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, MOSTLY SUNNY AND 84 ON THURSDAY, AND IN FACT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, BUT STARTING LATE FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT, WE SEE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURNING, NOT LARGE CHANCES BUT THE ONES THAT DEVELOP COULD BE ON THE STRONG SIDE.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 80s OVER THE WEEKEND AND IT WILL BE ON THE HUMID SIDE.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

YOU HAVE QUITE THE STORY FOR US ON A BEMIDJI RACING FAMILY.

>> Charlie: YEAH, GORDY LANCASTER IS PRETTY WELL-KNOWN IN THE RACING AREA.

HE'S RETIRED BUT HIS LEGACY IS NOT.

HE HAS THE REST OF HIS FAMILY OUT THERE RACING AND A FOURTH GENERATION OF THE FAMILY MADE IT TO THE TRACK ON SUNDAY.

WE HAVE THAT STORY 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.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY HAS ITS FAIR SHARE OF RACING FAMILIES AND ON SUNDAY NIGHT.

ONE FAMILY SAW ITS FOURTH GENERATION OF RACER TAKE THE TRACK TO CONTINUE A LEGACY THAT STARTED OVER 60 YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: IF YOU VISIT BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY AND FIND YOURSELF WANDERING PIT ROW, YOU MIGHT JUST CROSS PATHS WITH A LEGEND.

>> IN MY HEYDAY, WE USED TO RACE FOUR NIGHTS A WEEK.

>> Reporter: GORDY LANCASTER, A MEMBER OF THREE DIFFERENT RACING HALL OF FAMES, INCLUDING BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY, IS AT THE TRACK EVERY SUNDAY TO ENJOY THE RACES WITH HIS FAMILY AND MAYBE EVEN INPART SOME WISDOM.

>> I DON'T WORK ON THE CARS BUT I'M ALWAYS THERE.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM, I WILL GIVE THEM WHAT I THINK AND USUALLY IT WORKS.

>> Reporter: GORDY FIRST SHARED HIS KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE OF RACING WITH HIS DAUGHTER WANDA, WHO IS KEEN TO SHARE IT WITH A LOVE OF HER OWN, KEVIN BAR.

>> I MET HER IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I WANTED TO FOLLOW HER AND FOUND OUT HER DAD RACED.

SO I HUNG OUT AT THE RACETRACK A LITTLE BIT AND SHE CAME UP TO ME IN SCHOOL, MY SENIOR YEAR SHE SAID HEY, YOU WANT TO HELP MY DAD ON THE RACE CAR?

>> HE DIDN'T KNOW THE SCREWDRIVERS BUT NOW HE CAN BUILD HIS OWN CAR.

>> Reporter: THEY WATCHED GRANDPA RACE DURING THE SUMMER AND WAS ANXIOUS TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL.

>> I JUST KEPT WAITING FOR MY TURN AND WHEN I WAS FINALLY OLD ENOUGH TO GET IT, I JUMPED IN.

I WAS OUT IN THE GARAGE ALL THE TIME WATCHING DAD WORK ON CARS, AND SLEEPING IN THEM SOMETIMES.

IT WAS TOUGH TO GET OUT OF IT.

>> Reporter: AFTER GORDY RETIRED, HE BEGAN RACING HIS GRANDFATHER'S SUPER STOCK WITH THE SIGNATURE ON THE SIDE, ABSORBING THE CHAMPION PEDIGREE THAT CAME WITH IT.

>> HE IS A BETTER DRIVER THAN ME.

HE HAS WON SEVERAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND BRANDON HAS WON ONE, BUT TO HAVE HIM FOLLOW IN OUR FOOTSTEPS, THAT WAS HUGE.

>> Reporter: NOW BRANDON'S SON JAYDEN HAS DEVELOPED HIS OWN PASSION FOR RACING.

THIS PAST TUESDAY, HE TURNED 14, THE MINIMUM AGE TO RACE AND ON SUNDAY, WHILE SPORTING A PIECE OF HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER'S CAR, HE BECAME THE FOURTH GENERATION RACER TO TAKE THE TRACK.

>> I ENJOY COMING OUT HERE EVERY SUNDAY, COMING TO RACE.

I AM JUST GLAD I GET TO RACE WITH GRANDPA.

HE HAS BEEN AN IDOL OF MINE FOR A LONG TIME.

>> TYPICALLY I WOULD RUN AN A-MOD, AND SUPER STOCK, BUT I BUILT THIS SO I COULD RUN WITH HIM.

IT WILL BE AWESOME.

WE MAY TRADE SOME PAINT, WHO KNOWS.

>> Reporter: THERE IS ONE THING THAT THE FAMILY WON'T TRADE, THAT'S THE TIME THEY SPEND TOGETHER DOING WHAT THEY LOVE.

>> I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY OUT HERE EVERY WEEKEND AND ALL THE NEW PEOPLE YOU IMMEDIATE -- MEET AND MAKING FRIENDS.

>> WE BUILD OUR CARS AND THEN RACE DAY, WE'RE CHEERING EACH OTHER ON, TRYING TO MAKE EACH OTHER BETTER AND HAVING FUN.

>> Charlie: WELL, BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY COACH ANNOUNCED THE RETURN OF EMMA.

SHE PLAYED FOR THE BEAVERS FROM 2014 TO 2018, AMASSING 48 POINTS AND 145 CONSECUTIVE GAMES, AND SERVING AS TEAM CAPTAIN HER SENIOR YEAR.

SHE HUNG UP HER SKATES BEFORE COACHING AT MINNESOTA DULUTH.

SHE WILL RETURN NEXT YEAR AS AN ASSISTANT.

THE TWINS DON'T PLAY TONIGHT, THEY WILL HAVE A DOUBLE HEADER TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THAT WAS A HECK OF A STORY ON THAT FAMILY.

>> Charlie: YEAH, KEVIN AND JAYDEN DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SWAP PAINT BUT SOME OTHER PEOPLE KNOCKED THEM AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

I SAID NOW IT LOOKS LIKE A REAL RACE CAR.

>> Dennis: VERY COOL.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE BRAINERD SKI LOONS ARE PUTTING ON FREE WATER SKI SHOWS FOR ALL TO SEE, HELD AT THE RUTTGER'S BAY LAKE RESORT.

EACH SHOW IS ITS OWN EXPERIENCE FEATURING TANDEM SKIING, FREESTYLE SKIING, AND EVEN HUMAN PYRAMIDS.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE IN THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: BRAINERD SKI LOONS FIRST CAME TO BE 10 YEARS AGO IN A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DORM ROOM.

THEY WERE MEMBERS OF THE WATER SKI TEAM, BRAINSTORMED BRINGING THE SPORT BACK HOME TO BRAINERD.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS COME OUT WITH A PASSION FOR WATER SKIING AND LOVED PUTTING SMILES ON FACES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, THE BRAINERD SKI LOONS IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, TEAMWORK, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH WATER SPORTS.

>> WE ARE HERE TO BE AN ASSET FOR THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE PEOPLE APPROACHING US SAYING THEY WOULD LOVE TO WATER SKI, OR THAT WOULD BE COOL DOING PYRAMIDS, I WOULD LOVE TO GET MY KIDS IN THIS OR I WANT TO GET MY MOM AND DAD INTO THIS.

WE WILL GET YOU ALL THE THINGS YOU NEED AND GET YOU TO BE PART OF THE TEAM.

>> Reporter: AND HIS FAVORITE ASPECT OF WATER SKIING IS A MULTIGENERATIONAL COMPONENT TO IT, THAT YOU SIMPLY CANNOT GET FROM PLAYING OTHER SPORTS.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF SPORTS OUT THERE THAT YOU GET THE 10-YEAR-OLDS AND THEN THE 14-YEAR-OLDS.

SKIING IS SO UNIQUE THAT YOU HAVE PARENTS AND KIDS AND GRANDPARENTS THAT CAN ALL BE ON THE SAME TEAM, DOING THINGS TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD SKI LOONS HAVE BEEN PUTTING TOGETHER SHOWS FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW AS FAMILIES WHO FIRST LEARNED ABOUT THE NON-PROFIT AFTER WATCHING THE WATER SKI SHOWS, NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THEM FROM A DIFFERENT LENS AND A LOT LESS TERRAIN.

>> THE PEOPLE ARE REALLY NICE AND THAT MAKES SKIING MORE FUN.

WHEN YOU'RE STANDING DOWN ON THE DOCK AND YOU GET THE JITTERS, THEY'RE THERE TO HELP YOU.

EVERYBODY IS SO NICE.

IT'S LIKE, THEY JUST HELP YOU THROUGH IT.

IT'S JUST EASY TO KEEP THE JITTERS AWAY WHEN OTHER PEOPLE ARE THERE FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN DEER WOOD WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BRAINERD SKI LOONS WILL HOST ONE MORE SHOW AT THE RUTTGER'S BAY LAKE RESORT ON JULY 24TH.

THEY WILL ALSO HOST THEIR FIRST OF FOUR HOME SHOWS THIS SUMMER ON THE 14TH AT LUM PARK.

>>> TIME FOR ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER, WE GO BACK OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE A FEW CHANCES OF THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT, LOWS DOWN TO 60.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, WE WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA.

IT WILL BE HUMID, HIGH TEMPERATURES AROUND 83.

THEN AS WE LOOK AHEAD, MORE HEAT AND HUMIDITY THROUGH THE WEEK.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE A COUPLE AREA GIRLS LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS HEADED TO THE RODEO FINALS.

WE'LL HAVE A STORY ON THEM TOMORROW.

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

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

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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