>> 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.

>> CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL NEWS FOR BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

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

>>> SEVERE WEATHER HAS HIT THE NORTHLAND TONIGHT AND WE ARE GETTING SEVERAL REPORTS OF DAMAGE THROUGHOUT LAKELAND COUNTRY.

THIS IS VIDEO OF HAIL FROM NEAR GUTHRIE FROM EARLY TONIGHT.

A BIG LIGHTNING STRIKE IN THAT SAME AREA, AS YOU SEE IT RIGHT THERE.

OUR THANKS TO TRACI KNOWLTON FOR SHARING THAT CLIP WITH US TONIGHT.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME VIDEO HERE FROM NEAR CROSBY.

A STORM CHASER DOCUMENTED A TORNADO ON THE GROUND BETWEEN CROSBY AND AITKIN THIS EVENING.

THIS IS SOME OF THE DAMAGE OUR CAMERA'S CAUGHT AFTER THE STORM MOVED THROUGH.

>>> HI EVERYONE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

THE STORMS IMPACTED SEVERAL COMMUNITIES IN NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA TONIGHT.

THE CROSSLAKE AREA WAS ALSO HIT HARD TONIGHT.

CROW WING POWER SHOWED OVER 2,000 ACCOUNTS WITHOUT POWER EARLIER AND MANY ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER.

WE BRING IN WEATHERCASTER STACY CHRISTENSON NOW A LITTLE EARLY WITH THE LATEST ON THIS SEVERE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: THE GOOD NEWS, WE WILL SEE THE SEVERE THREAT WRAPPING UP.

WE HAD SOME SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCHES AND TORNADO WATCHES EARLIER TONIGHT.

THOSE ARE SET TO EXPIRE AT 10:00.

IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

WE HAVE A FLOOD ADVISORY IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA INTO AITKIN.

THAT WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL 10:45.

NOW AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE STORM REPORTS, YOU CAN SEE NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES REPORTING WIND DAMAGE OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

WE ALSO HAD LARGE HAIL, 2.5-INCH HAILSTONES NEAR BACKUS, 1.75 INCH NEAR WALKER.

SO LARGE HAIL IS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE STORMS.

ON THE RADAR, WE HAVE A STRONG CELL IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

IT WAS SEVERE EARLIER.

NOW IT HAS BEEN DIMINISHING, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THE SYSTEM MOVE ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, SOME LINGERING ACTIVITY IN THE NORTHEAST.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

WE WILL CHECK BACK IN FOR MORE WITH YOU IN A LITTLE BIT.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS TONIGHT, MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE BAND MEMBERS VOTED YESTERDAY IN ELECTIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND THE LEECH LAKE ELECTION BOARD HAS CERTIFIED THE RESULTS OF ITS 2024 GENERAL ELECTION.

TRIBAL CHAIRPERSON INCUMBENT FARON JACKSON SENIOR HAS WON ANOTHER TERM IN OFFICE.

JACKSON PICKED UP 63-PERCENT OF THE VOTE TO TOP GERALD WHITE WHO RECEIVED 37-PERCENT.

AND IN THE RACE FOR DISTRICT THREE REPRESENTATIVE, IT WAS LEON STAPLES JR.

EMERGING VICTORIOUS WITH ABOUT 62-PERCENT OF THE VOTE COMPARED TO GLEN “TUFFY” FISHER'S 38-PERCENT.

DETAILS FOR THE JULY 2024 INAUGURATION CEREMONY WILL BE RELEASED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>>> THE WHITE EARTH NATION ALSO RELEASED OFFICIAL RESULTS TODAY WITH MICHAEL FAIRBANKS WINNING THE TRIBAL CHAIRPERSON ELECTION.

FAIRBANKS TALLIED ABOUT 56-PERCENT OF THE VOTE TO TOP EUGENE “UMSY” TIBBERTS WHO GATHERED AROUND 44-PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

AND THE DISTRICT THREE COMMITTEE PERSON ELECTION WENT TO LAURA LEE THOMPSON ERICKSON.

SHE PICKED UP 57-PERCENT OF THE VOTE, WHILE CHERYL ANNIE JACKSON RECEIVED 43-PERCENT.

>>> AND THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE POSTED OFFICIAL CERTIFIED RESULTS TODAY AS WELL WITH CAROLYN MARIE BEAULIEU WINNING THE DISTRICT ONE REPRESENTATIVE RACE OVER VALERIE CHARISSA HARRINGTON WIND.

>>> A LEVEL 3 OFFENDER HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM PRISON AND IS NOW LIVING IN THE RURAL PINE RIVER AREA.

THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THAT 71-YEAR-OLD ROBERT ARTHUR LITZAU WHO WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON IN 2016 IS NOW LIVING IN MOOSE LAKE TOWNSHIP AS OF JUNE 4TH.

ACCORDING TO INFORMATION FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, LITZAU'S OFFENSES INCLUDED ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT AGAINST A KNOWN MALE TEEN.

CONTACT INCLUDED TOUCH.

LITZAU ACCESSED THE VICTIM THROUGH HIS ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST.

HE USED MANIPULATION AND COERCION IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL.

AUTHORITIES SAY LITZAU IS NOT WANTED BY POLICE, BUT THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION REGARDING HIS MOVE TO THE AREA IS MEANT TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED.

>>> LAW ENFORCEMENT RECENTLY CITED MORE THAN 1,900 UNBELTED MOTORISTS DURING A CLICK IT OR TICKET CAMPAIGN.

FROM MAY 20TH THROUGH JUNE 2ND OFFICERS, DEPUTIES, AND TROOPERS FROM 272 AGENCIES ISSUED 1,922 SEAT BELT CITATIONS AND 108 CHILD RESTRAINT CITATIONS.

THAT COMPARES TO 2,382 SEAT BELT CITATIONS AND 130 CHILD SEAT CITATIONS IN 2023.

IN ONE INSTANCE, HASTINGS POLICE PULLED OVER A WOMAN WEARING HER INFANT IN A CHEST BABY CARRIER.

SHE WAS ISSUED A CHILD RESTRAINT CITATION.

PRELIMINARY COUNTS SHOW 84 UNBELTED MOTORISTS DIED ON MINNESOTA ROADS IN 2023 COMPARED WITH 87 IN 2022 AND 110 IN 2021.

>>> U.S. STEEL RECENTLY CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF A NEW DR-GRADE PELLET PRODUCTION PLANT IN KEEWATIN.

THE $150 MILLION INVESTMENT ALLOWS THE COMPANY TO SUPPLY TO INCREASINGLY TIGHT DIRECT REDUCED GRADE PELLET MARKET WITH LOW COST IRON ORE. KAOMI LEE FROM TWIN CITIES PBS'S ALMANAC HAS MORE.

>> THE FUTURE IS NOW.

LOOK AT WHAT THEY CREATED.

>> Reporter: DAVID CELEBRATED A MILESTONE WEEKS AGO WITH STATE OFFICIALS ON THE IRON RANGE.

>> IT'S GREAT TO SEE THIS AS A WONDERFUL GREEN PROJECT.

IT'S GREEN, GREAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, GREAT FOR THE COMPANY, GREAT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.

>> Reporter: THE PITTSBURGH-BASED COMPANY PUMPED IN $150 MILLION INTO ITS KEETAC TACONITE ORE PLANT TO LAUNCH A NEW ERA OF GREEN ENERGY.

THE PELLETS FEED ELECTRIC FURNACES THAT CUT CO2 EMISSIONS BY 70%.

ON HAND TO HEAR ABOUT IT WERE SOME OVERSEAS GUESTS.

>> WE ALSO HAVE SOME OTHER PEOPLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE HERE FROM NIPPON.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS SURPRISING THAT WE ENDED UP IN THIS PLACE.

>> THE NEW PRODUCTION FACILITY WILL MAINTAIN OPTIMALITY AND WILL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE EITHER DR-GRADE IRON ORE PELLETS OR BLAST FURNACE IRON ORE PELLETS, ALLOWING THE COMPANY TO ADJUST TO CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS.

NOW TOMORROW NIGHT ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

KAOMI LEE WILL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT EFFORTS UNDERWAY BY JAPANESE STEEL MAKER TO ACQUIRE U.S. STEEL.

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

>> Stacy: SEVERE WEATHER IS WRAPPING UP ACROSS THE AREA.

WE COULD STILL SEE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST, AND WE DO HAVE SOME FLOODING CONCERNS IN PARTS OF THE AREA TONIGHT.

I'LL HAVE MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, KENT HAS MADE HIS WAY TO >> 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.

>>> BESTSELLING AUTHOR KENT KRUEGER HAS MADE HIS WAY TO HACKENSACK, NOT JUST TO PROMOTE HIS NEW BOOK, BUT TO TALK TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY.

OUR NEWEST REPORTER, SYDNEY DICK, HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: KENT, THE AUTHOR OF THE SERIES IS VISITING HACKENSACK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS.

NOW, HE HAS DECIDED TO STOP BY TO DISCUSS THE IMPACTS OF LITERACY ON OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.

>> EVERY YEAR THEY HAVE AN ARTS FESTIVAL AND I WAS HERE MANY, MANY YEARS AGO AS PART OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL.

IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG TIME.

IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> I LOVE HACKENSACK.

>> Reporter: KENT IS NOT ONLY HERE TO SIGN BOOKS AND TO PROMOTE HIS LATEST WORKS, BUT HE'S HERE BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BE.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT BOOKS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO US DURING THIS TIME OF CHAOS.

A LOT OF US AUTHORS SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT OUR WORK, OF THE IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY, OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BOOKS, AND THIS IS JUST A PART OF IT.

>> Reporter: HIS WHOLE LIFE, KENT HAD BEEN AND AVID READER AND SPENT THE BETTER PART OF 40 YEARS WRITING NOVELS.

HE BUILT A STRONG OPINION ON THE LITERARY ARTS.

>> LITERACY IS THE CORNERSTONE OF DEMOCRACY, HOW CAN YOU BE INFORMED AND REALLY KNOW HOW TO CAST A BALLOT IN AN INTELLIGENT WAY IF YOU CAN'T READ, IF YOU DON'T ALLOW YOURSELF ACCESS TO ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT IS OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: THE NORTHWOODS ARTS COUNCIL IS VERY EXCITED TO HOST "THE NEW YORK TIMES" BEST SELLING AUTHOR NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF HIS WRITING, BUT BECAUSE THEY ALSO SHARE SIMILAR OPINIONS ON ACCESS TO LITERARY WORKS.

>> HE LOVES IT UP NORTH.

HE IS FROM THE CITY, BUT HE REALLY LIKES THE BOOKS, A SUPPORTER OF INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES.

IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO LOOK AT OUR MISSION STATEMENT, WHICH IS TO MAKE THE LITERARY ARTS ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE FOR FREE.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH HE IS NOT A MINNESOTA NATIVE, THIS IS WHERE HE BASED MOST OF HIS BOOKS.

>> I DIDN'T MOVE HERE UNTIL I WAS ABOUT 30 YEARS OLD, AND BEFORE THEN, I WAS A NOMAD, LIVED ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I DIDN'T HAVE A PLACE WHERE I CALLED HOME, BUT THE MINUTE I SET FOOT IN MINNESOTA, I KNEW I HAD FOUND HOME.

I FELL MADLY IN LOVE WITH THIS PLACE.

SO, I ALWAYS KNEW THAT WHEN I GOT SERIOUS ABOUT MY WRITING, WHATEVER I DID WOULD BE IN SOME WAY SHAPE OR FORM AN HOMAGE TO THIS ADOPTIVE HOME OF MINE.

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

>> EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A FLEA MARKET IN HACKENSACK ON THE SAME DAY, 246 TICKETS WERE SOLD TO SEE KRUEGER'S TALK IN A TOWN OF LESS THAN 400 PEOPLE.

>>> 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 MORE ON OUR WEATHER AND AN EVENTFUL EVENING AND STACY HAS MORE.

>> Stacy: WE'RE SEEING THE SEVERE THREAT WRAP UP.

WE COULD SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA TONIGHT, BUT OVERALL IT LOOKS QUIET.

STILL LOOKING AT SOME FLOODING CONCERNS FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER IN EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA, SO WE'LL TAKE A LOOK >> 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 A DAY WHERE WE HAD SUNSHINE, IT'S A DAY WHERE WE HAD SEVERE STORMS AND DAMAGING STORMS IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE ARE SEEING THE SEVERE THREAT WRAP UP, STILL SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA YET TONIGHT, BUT OVERALL IT LOOKS QUIET.

WE COULD BE SEEING MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW, A DRY DAY ON FRIDAY, AND THEN SOME MORE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST FOR THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 72 AT THE AIRPORT, WITH A NORTHWEST WIND AT 3 MILES PER HOUR AT OUR STUDIO.

WE PICKED UP UNDER AN 0.1-INCH OF RAINFALL TODAY.

IN BRAINERD, IT'S 74, THE DEW POINT IS 58 AND WINDS ARE FROM THE SOUTH AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

H WE DO HAVE A FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT IN THE BRAINERD AREA INTO AITKIN UNTIL 10:45.

WE HAVE MINOR FLOODING IN LOW DRAINAGE AREAS.

SO THIS IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10:45 TONIGHT.

ON THE RADAR, THE LARGEST PART OF THE SYSTEM HAS MOVED OUT OF THE AREA.

WE HAVE ONE LITTLE CELL THAT EARLIER TODAY DID SPAWN A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

WE WILL BE SEEING THIS SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM CLUSTER MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA INTO NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, WHERE WE COULD STILL SEE SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, OTHER THAN THAT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, QUIETER WEATHER FOR THE OVERNIGHT.

HEADING INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ONCE AGAIN, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, THAT IS THE GREEN DOTTED AREA IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND THOSE SHOULD HOLD OFF UNTIL THE AFTERNOON AND QUIET WEATHER AND A DRY DAY, A LOT OF SUNSHINE ON SATURDAY.

NOW WE HAVE SOME VIDEO SENT TO US FROM OUR EAGLE EYES OF THE HAIL THAT FELL TODAY.

ANGELA AND ARLENE WITH THOSE VIDEOS.

WE SAW SOME STORM DAMAGE FROM THE CROSBY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

WE ALSO HAD HAIL AND WIND DAMAGE AT CROSS LAKE, STEVE SENDING US THOSE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE HE SEEN IN THAT AREA.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER EAGLE EYE PICTURES, BUT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU ON THE AIR.

YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR FACEBOOK GROUP IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, JOAN IN LAPORTE, THUNDERSTORMS RESULTING IN 0.6-INCH OF RAIN AND PEA-SIZED HAIL.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY, 0.2-INCH OF RAINFALL TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE REPORTING RAIN AND HAIL.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A FEW SCATTERED CLOUDS AND A HIGH OF 86.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, CLEAR AND SOME HAIL AS WELL.

SO VERY WARM TEMPERATURES OUT THERE, THE LOW WAS 53.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 87, THE LOW 57.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE SEEING PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, HIGHS IN THE 70s.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, UPPER 70s, CLOSE TO 80 FOR OUR HIGH TEMPS.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS LINGERING IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

LOWS NEAR 55.

THEN FOR TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, WE HAVE THE CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON WITH LOWS NEAR 74.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ON FRIDAY, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD INTO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AND TEMPERATURES ARE WARMING AGAIN.

WE SHOULD BE NEAR 82 ON SUNDAY, AND THEN ON MONDAY, A BETTER CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, WITH A HIGH NEAR 78.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: TIME FOR SPORTS, CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

>> Charlie: YES, WE HAVE A LOT OF SPORTS GOING ON.

WE HAVE A LOT OF STATE STUFF GOING ON TOO.

WE HAVE THE GOLF STATE TOURNAMENT GOING ON.

ALSO, LITTLE FALLS BOYS BASEBALL, THEY ARE GETTING READY FOR THEIR CLASS 3A STATE TOURNAMENT TOMORROW.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM THE TEAM BEFORE THEY GET DOWN THERE AND START COMPETING.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> LAST YEAR, LITTLE FALLS BASEBALL HAD TO BEAT ROCORI TWICE IN THE SECTION 8-3A CHAMPIONSHIP TO ADVANCE TO THE CLASS 3A STATE TOURNAMENT.

THIS YEAR THEY MET THE SAME OPPONENT IN BOTH THE SEMIFINALS AND CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE RESULT WAS THE SAME.

THE FLYERS WERE HEADED BACK TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT BUT THE FEELING AND MINDSET ARE A BIT DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND.

>> LAST YEAR, IT WAS ALL SHOTS.

EVERYONE WAS EXCITED.

THIS YEAR, IT'S A LITTLE MORE BUSINESS.

EVERYONE EXPECTED US TO GO DOWN THERE AND MAKE NOISE AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL GO FAR AND WIN IT ALL.

>> THEIR CONFIDENCE IS A PRODUCT OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.

BEGINNING WITH THEIR BATS AS THE FLYERS ARE AVERAGING SIX RUNS A GAME, WHILE THE PITCHING HAS BEEN THE BACKBONE WITH GUTSY PERFORMANCES BY SOME UNDERCLASSMEN.

>> IT'S BEEN HUGE FOR OUR YOUNGER PLAYERS TO STEP UP IN THE WAY THEY HAVE.

PETER COMING IN THIS YEAR, HE HASN'T PITCHED A SINGLE VARSITY GAME LAST YEAR AND SHOVING IN BIG GAMES THIS YEAR.

IT'S BEEN HUGE FOR THE TEAM.

>> THE BIGGEST THING IS GETTING THE BALL IN PLAY.

THE STRIKEOUTS KILL YOU.

WHEN YOU GET PLAY, THE OPPOSING TEAM HAS TO MAKE A PLAY AND GET THE OUT.

WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET THE BALL IN PLAY.

>> Charlie: THE LITTLE FALLS FLYERS WILL TAKE ON GRACE WITH THE 4 SEED, THAT GAME IS TOMORROW.

IT'S THE LATE GAME, 5:30 P.M. >>> WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY BOYS GOLF IS BACK AT THE TOURNAMENT FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR BUT WHAT ABOUT THE GIRLS TEAM?

THEY HAVE A GIRLS TEAM BUT RIGHT NOW THEY ONLY HAVE ONE VARSITY GOLFER.

SHE IS BLAZING THE TRAIL FOR THE FUTURE OF LADY WOLVES GOLF.

>> IF YOU WIN A GOLF TOURNAMENT ONCE, YOU ARE PROBABLY A DECENT GOLFER.

TWICE?

YOU'RE PROBABLY REALLY GOOD.

FOUR TIMES?

THEN YOUR NAME MAY BE JOHNSON.

THE GIRL GOLFER FROM WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY WHO HAS WON FOUR STRAIGHT TITLES.

>> IT FEELS LIKE BUSINESS AS USUAL, BUT THE THRILL OF IT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE AND IT WILL PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE.

>> Reporter: THAT'S BECAUSE THE GAME OF GOLF HAS ALWAYS PUT A SMILE ON JOHNSON'S FACE.

THE YOUNG GOLFER HAS BEEN ON THE COURSE AS FAR BACK AS SHE CAN REMEMBER.

>> MY PARENTS BOUGHT ME A PLASTIC SET OF GLOVES WHEN I WAS LITTLE.

I WOULD HANG AROUND MY DAD AND EVER SINCE THEN, I STUCK WITH IT.

I FINALLY GOT A REAL SET AND I WAS ALWAYS OUT HERE.

I BASICALLY LIVE OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE WOLVES DON'T HAVE A FULL GIRLS TEAM, JOHNSON BECAME PART OF THE BOYS PACK INSTEAD.

>> I PRACTICE WITH THEM AND PLAY WITH THEM.

IT'S FUN.

THEY KEEP IT ENTERTAINING.

>> IT WORKED OUT.

SHE FIT IN AND SHE IS DEFINITELY ONE OF US.

WE ARE PUSHING TO DO THE SAME, WE WANT TO BE THE SAME.

SHE WANTS US TO WIN AND WE WANT HER TO WIN.

WE'RE PUSHING EACH OTHER.

>> THEY PLAY WITH EACH OTHER, THEY ARE CHALLENGING WITH EACH OTHER, AND SHE CAN HANG WITH THEM.

NO ONE IS PUTTING HER ON THE BACK BURNER.

>> Reporter: ELEVATING HER GAME BY PRACTICING ALONGSIDE THE BOYS IS A POSITIVE, JOHNSON STILL FEELS LIKE A LONE WOLF ON OCCASION.

>> I CAN WEAR WHATEVER I WANT BUT THE CON IS THAT IT'S ALWAYS JUST ME AND COACH.

SO, THE COUPLE OF TIMES THAT WE BROUGHT ONE OF THE OVER GIRLS WITH, IT WAS GREAT.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TO TALK TO, ANOTHER GIRL OUT THERE, GETTING HER THE EXPERIENCE.

I LOVED IT.

>> Reporter: THE HOPE IS THAT ONE DAY THE LADY WOLVES WILL HAVE A PACK TO RUN WITH AS WELL.

>> THAT WOULD BE AWESOME TO SEE AND WITH THE GIRLS THAT WE HAVE NOW, I SEE A LOT OF POTENTIAL IN THEM.

SO I CAN SEE A GIRLS TEAM ACTUALLY MAKING IT ALL THE WAY TO STATE.

IT JUST A MATTER IF THEY PUT THE EFFORT IN.

>> Charlie: AND HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT THE BOYS DID TODAY.

JOHNSON FINISHED 12th.

THEY ARE 16 HOLES IN BECAUSE OF THE RAIN.

THE BOYS FINISHED IN SECOND PLACE.

PARKER LED THE WAY FOR THE WOLVES.

HE SUNK THIS IN FOR BIRDIE.

HE DIDN'T HAVE A SINGLE BOGEY TODAY.

HE FINISHES THE TOURNAMENT EN ROUTE TO THE INDIVIDUAL STATE TITLE AND THERE HE IS IN THE MIDDLE WITH THE BLUE RIBBON MEDAL WITH THE REST OF HIS TEAM.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM ON THEIR RUNNER UP FINISH.

>>> IN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL, STATE TOURNAMENT TODAY, BEMIDJI FELL IN BOTH OF THEIR GAMES, UNFORTUNATELY, BUT THEY DID HAVE CLOSE GAMES THERE.

IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, TWINS, 24 HITS, 17 RUNS, ALMOST DOUBLED UP THE ROCKIES.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

FINALLY TONIGHT, HERE'S MANDY GAITHER WITH THIS WEEK'S HEALTH MINUTE.

>> Reporter: MUCH OF OUR BODY IS MADE UP OF WATER.

WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE, WE HAVE TO REFILL IT AND CHILDREN CAN BE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO DEHYDRATION.

>> I ALWAYS GET ASKED HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD MY CHILD HAVE?

DEPENDING ON THEIR ACTIVITY LEVEL AND AGE, IT WILL BE DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: SIGNS INCLUDE DIZZINESS, DROWSINESS, DRY MOUTH, SUNKEN EYES, CRYING WITH LITTLE OR NO TEARS, URINAING LESS OFTEN, OR HAVING FEWER WET DIAPERS.

TO SUPPORT A CHILD'S HYDRATION, TAKE WATER EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

THE STRONG FOR LIFE DIETITIAN CATHERINE SHERRY.

>> LET THEM PICK OUT THEIR WATER BOTTLE AND DECORATE THEM SO THEY TAKE OWNERSHIP OF IT.

>> Reporter: ADD FRUITS, VEGGIES, AND HERBS TO THE WATER TO MAKE IT FULL OF FLAVOR WITHOUT ADDING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF SUGAR.

>> ONE THING I LOVE TO DO IS WHEN MY BERRIES HAVE SEEN BETTER DAYS IN THE FRIDGE, I WILL MASH THEM UP AND PUT THEM IN ICE CUBE TRAYS SO I WILL USE THAT AS ICE.

AS THE ICE MELTS, IT MAKES THE WATER MORE SWEET.

>> Reporter: SHERRY SAYS TO AVOID SPORTS DRINKS UNLESS THE CHILD IS ACTIVE IN THE HEAT.

FOOD AND WATER CAN REPLENISH ELECTROLYTES WITHOUT EXTRA SUGAR AND LIMIT JUICE AND OTHER HIGH SUGAR BEVERAGES.

>> THERE WAS AN META ANALYSIS PUBLISHED THAT JUICE CONTRIBUTES TO OBESITY IN CHILDREN.

SO WHEN THINKING OF OFFERING IT, WE WANT TO KEEP IT MINIMAL.

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

>> Dennis: THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

WE ARE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW NIGHT.

I HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM