
June 2, 2026 - Lakeland News Full Episode
Season 2026 Episode 108 | 30m 21sVideo has Closed Captions
Bringing North Central Minnesota local news, weather, and sports 5 days a week.
Lakeland News brings you local news, weather, and sports 5 days a week. Hosted by News Director Dennis Weimann, Weather Anchor Stacy Christenson, and Sports Director Charlie Yaeger. The Lakeland News Team serves Minnesota communities from as far south as Little Falls, as far north as the Canadian border, as far west as Fosston and east to Bovey and every community in between.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Lakeland News is a local public television program presented by Lakeland PBS

June 2, 2026 - Lakeland News Full Episode
Season 2026 Episode 108 | 30m 21sVideo has Closed Captions
Lakeland News brings you local news, weather, and sports 5 days a week. Hosted by News Director Dennis Weimann, Weather Anchor Stacy Christenson, and Sports Director Charlie Yaeger. The Lakeland News Team serves Minnesota communities from as far south as Little Falls, as far north as the Canadian border, as far west as Fosston and east to Bovey and every community in between.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Lakeland News
Lakeland News is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, LG TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipCAPTIONING PROVIDED BY AV CAPTIONING www.avcaptioning.com >> Announcer: PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI, CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
MEMBER, FDIC.
CTC, KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE AND HOME PHONE.
LEARN MORE 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 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 GIG WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.
>> Announcer: LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10.
WE'RE 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.
A PIECE OF BEMIDJI HISTORY IS POTENTIALLY COMING BACK AND COULD BE ADDED TO THE ONGOING RAIL CORRIDOR PROJECT.
OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS ON THE PROPOSED PROJECT.
>> Matthew: BEMIDJI'S RAIL CORRIDOR WILL CHANGE DRASTICALLY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
GROUNDBREAKINGS FOR A YMCA FACILITY AND A 98-ROOM MARRIOTT HOTEL SHOULD COME LATER THIS SURMENT AND SOMETHING CALLED GATEWAY PARK IS POTENTIALLY BEING DISCUSSED TO ADD TO THE VAIR.
>> IN PART OF THE CORRIDOR IS NOT DEVELOPABLE, NOT SUITABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT, SO WE KNEW WE WANTED TO BUILD SOMETHING IN THERE TO MAKE IT A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES CAN COME, GET EXCITED ABOUT, BE A PART OF THE DOWNTOWN AND SPILL INTO DOWNTOWN.
>> Matthew: OFFICIALS ARE NOW ASKING THE COMMUNITY FOR INPUT ON WHAT THE PARK SHOULD FEATURE.
>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DEMAND FOR A SPLASH PAD IN OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL AS A SHEET OF ICE FOR FAMILIES TO SKATE IN THE WINTER.
MAYBE A BAND SHELL, A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES CAN STAY, HANG OUT, ENJOY THEMSELVES, AND REALLY INTEGRATE WITH THE NEW RESTAURANT AND HOTEL SPACE AND THE NEW HOUSING SPACE AND, OF COURSE, THE YMCA AS WELL.
>> Matthew: WHILE THE PARK WILL BE PRIVATELY LOANED AND OPERATED BY THE YMCA, HE WANTED TO STRESS THIS WOULD LOOK AND FEEL LIKE ANY PART OF THE CITY.
>> THEY'LL OPERATE IT AND INSURE IT, BUT THAT WILL BE A PUBLIC PARK.
AS A RESIDENT OF THE CITY, YOU WON'T KNOW THAT'S NOT A CITY PARK.
>> Matthew: WHILE THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO DESIGN PLANS, THE NAME GATEWAY PARK AS PIECE OF BEMIDJI HISTORY TIED DIRECTLY TO THE RAIL CORRIDOR.
>> BACK IN THE 1920s, BETWEEN THE TWO DEPOTS, THEY WORKED TOGETHER TO BUILD A PARK, WHAT THEY CALLED GATEWAY PARK, SO AS VISITORS CAME IN ON THE TRAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE FIRST EXPERIENCE OF BEMIDJI WAS GATEWAY PARK.
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL PARK FOR A WHILE AND OVER TIME, GOT RUNDOWN TO WHERE IT IS NOW, AND SO WE'RE EXCITED TO BRING IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL 1920s CHARACTER.
>> Matthew: THIS PROJECT WILL BE FUNDED WITH THE HELP OF THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2026, PROVIDING $2.5 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION FUNDS TO GREATER BEMIDJI.
I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN REPORTING, LAKELAND NEWS.
>> Dennis: $1.5 MILLION OF THOSE FUNDS WILL GO TOWARD THE YMCA FACILITY, WHILE THE REMAINING ONE MILLION DOLLARS SHOULD FUND GATEWAY PARK.
>>> THE ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING A MISSING MAN.
47-YEAR-OLD RANDY DARLAND WAS LAST SEEN IN THE NASHWAUK-KEEWATIN AREA.
HE WAS LAST IN CONTACT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AROUND DECEMBER OF 2025 AND WAS REPORTING MISSING YESTERDAY.
BCA OFFICIALS SAY DARLAND IS KNOWN TO FREQUENT THE ITASCA COUNTY AREA, DULUTH, AND THE TWIN CITIES.
IF YOU HAVE SEEN OR KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF DARLAND, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR CALL 911.
>>> A WILDFIRE NEAR ELY HAS FORCED THE EVACUATION OF SEVERAL CABINS AND HOMES IN THE AREA.
THE BIRCH BAY FIRE WAS DETECTED YESTERDAY ABOUT EIGHT MILES NORTHWEST OF ELY NEAR BURNTSIDE LAKE.
IT HAS GROWN FROM FIVE ACRES TO AROUND 35 ACRES.
ACCORDING TO U.S.
FORESTRY OFFICIALS, FIRE ENGINES, TRACKED VEHICLES, AND WILDFIRE MODULES ARE ON THE SCENE.
HELICOPTERS WITH WATER BUCKETS AND CL-415 SUPER SCOOPER AIRPLANES -- >> THE AMOUNT OF AIRCRAFT WORKING ON THIS FIRE AND REALLY DUMPING A LOT OF WATER ON IT AND HOPEFULLY CONTAINING IT.
IT SOUNDS LIKE NOTHING HAS GROWN AS OF THIS MORNING AND THIS AFTERNOON.
FIRE OFFICIALS FROM THE U.S.
FOREST SERVICE ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT GIVEN THE LACK OF WIND AND AIR SUPPORT, THAT THEY CAN GET A GOOD HANDLE ON IT.
>> Dennis: THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN AND UNDER INVESTIGATION.
>>> MINNESOTA HOUSE SPEAKER LISA DEMUTH HAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO RUN IN THE AUGUST PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR.
KENDALL QUALLS RECEIVED THE GOP ENDORSEMENT FROM DELEGATES OVER THE WEEKEND AFTER TEN ROUNDS OF VOTING.
DEMUTH HAD PREVIOUSLY INDICATED SHE WOULD DROP OUT OF THE RACE IF SHE DID NOT GET THE ENDORSEMENT, BUT SAID THE VOTING COULD NOT BE TRUSTED AFTER GOP OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED ANOMALIES ON THE BALLOT WHICH MOVED QUALLS AHEAD OF DEMUTH IN THE ENDORSEMENT VOTING.
THE PRIMARY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WILL INCLUDE QUALLS, DEMUTH, AND MY PILLOW CEO MIKE LINDELL AND WILL TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 11th.
>>> THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED THE BUILDING OF A NEW SKATE PARK AT MEMORIAL PARK IN A MEETING YESTERDAY.
OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE DETAILS.
>> Xzayver: AT A PARK BOARD MEETING ON DECEMBER 19th, THE LAKES AREA SKATE PARK ASSOCIATION PRESENTED A PROPOSAL FOR A SKATE PARK AND MEMORIAL PARK.
AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING YESTERDAY, THE COUNCIL RENEWED THE AGENDA AND APPROVED THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE SKATE PARK.
>> THIS GROUP HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE FUNDRAISING GROUPS I'VE EVER SEEN.
THEY'RE OUT THERE DOING ALL SORTS OF THINGS FROM SKATE EVENTS TO HELPING BAG GROCERIES, ANYTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE, AND WE'RE FINALLY COMING TO THE END OF THIS PROJECT.
IT'S A REALLY COOL PROJECT.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR US OOS A CITY IS TO GET OUR YOUTH OUT AND EXCITED ABOUT BEING OUTDOORS AND BEING ACTIVE AND THIS IS ONE MORE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.
>> Xzayver: MEMBERS OF COUNCIL EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE OF THE SKATE PARK PAN THE FUNDING FOR IT.
>> THE NICE PART WITH THE SKATE PARK IS IT'S ALL CONCRETE AND THAT HAS A REALLY LONG LIFE.
COUNCIL MEMBER YEAGER IS ON THE PARK BOARD AND HAS IDEAS ABOUT TESTING OF THE CONCRETE TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE POUR IS SOLID TO START AND WE DON'T HAVE TO MAINTAIN AS DEEPLY AS SOME OF THE OTHER PLACES IN THE CITY.
IF WE SAVE UP A LITTLE BIT EACH YEAR, THAT HELPS US.
>> Xzayver: THE NEW SKATE PARK WILL BE BUILT RIGHT HERE IN THIS PARKING LOT AND CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO BEGIN IN 2027.
THE MAYOR SAYS HE'S EXCITED TO SEE THE COMPLETION OF A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPING FOR OVER FIVE-PLUS YEARS.
>> COULDN'T GET ANYTHING LIKE THIS DONE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, AND SPECIFICALLY YOU NEED A GROUP THAT IS WILLING TO TAKE ON THE HARD WORK, BUT THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN DEDICATED AND THEY COULDN'T GET IT DONE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.
>> THIS IS A PROCESS THAT'S GOING TO GO ON FOR A LITTLE BIT HERE TO FIGURE OUT THE FINAL PIECES, BUT ONCE WE GET THAT IN PLACE, THERE IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S PRETTY EXCITING AND IN COMMUNITY I THINK IS GOING TO FALL BEHIND IT.
>> Xzayver: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.
>> Dennis: THE SKATE PARK ASSOCIATION HAS NOW RAISED A LITTLE MORE THAN $119,000 THROUGH LOCAL DONATIONS AND EVENTS AND WILL CONTINUE FUNDRAISING FOR THE 15,000-SQUARE-FOOT REGIONAL SKATE PARK UNTIL THE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION BEGINS.
>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: OUR WEATHER PICTURE BECOMES A BIT MORE SETTLED NOW THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK WITH CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BEGINNING TOMORROW AND CONTINUING AT LEAST INTO SATURDAY.
I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.
>> Sydney: AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, THE BEMIDJI VETERANS HOME HELD THEIR FIRST EVER PINEWOOD DERBY.
>> Announcer: AND NOW, MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.
>> Dennis: KINDERGARTNERS FROM BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS GATHERED RECENTLY ON DON ADAMSON FOOTBALL FIELD FOR THE 39th ANNUAL KINDERFRIEND DAY.
THE CLASS OF 2038 HAD THE CHANCE TO WALK ON THE SAME FIELD THEY MAY ONE DAY CONCLUDE THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AT, WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN ATTENDANCE TO CHEER THEM ON.
THE KIDS HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEND THE DAY PARTICIPATING IN MANY DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING BEAN BAG RACES, OBSTACLE COURSE, AND MORE.
THE ANNUAL TRADITION IS INTENDED TO NOT ONLY CELEBRATE THE KIDS FOR REACHING THIS POINT IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL CAREERS, BUT TO ALSO SHOW THAT THE FUTURE IS NOT FAR AWAY.
>> A LOT OF OUR CONVERSATIONS ARE ABOUT WHAT DO THE CHILDREN WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP LOO, DO THEY WANT TO BE, WHERE THEY WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL AND WHAT THEY SEE THEMSELVES DOING THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES AND I THINK THE MORE THEY CAN SEE THEMSELVES AS GRADUATES AND THE SPACES THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN, THE MORE SPECIAL AND THE MORE POWERFUL IT IS.
>> Dennis: KIDS FROM LOWELL, BAXTER, NISSWA, GARFIELD, RIVERSIDE, HARRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AS WELL AS DISCOVERY WOODS ALL PARTICIPATED IN KINDERFRIEND DAY.
>>> 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 FOR THE DRAWING, YOU NEED TO 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.
IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME ANNOUNCED, YOU CAN QUALIFY BY CALLING US TO THE VACATION GIVEAWAY HOT LINE 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.
AND HERE ARE TONIGHT'S FINAL 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 2026 CHASE ON THE LAKE VACATION GRAND PRIZE WINNER.
WE ANNOUNCE THAT WINNER IN A LIVE DRAWING ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 31st, NEWSCAST.
>>> TIME FOR WEATHER.
STACY IS HERE WITH A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST.
>> Stacy: AND WE DO NEED TO SEE SOME RAIN IN THE AREA AND WE HAVE SEVERAL CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS STARTING IN WESTERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW AND ACROSS THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.
TEMPERATURES WILL COOL A LITTLE BIT WITH THE RAIN, BUT A WARMUP IS IN STORE AS WE >> Announcer: AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.
>> Stacy: WE HAD ANOTHER DRY DAY, A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE ACROSS LAKELAND CROWN COUNTRY, BUT WAS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK, OUR WEATHER PICTURE BECOMES A BIT MORE UNSETTLED.
WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BEGINNING IN WESTERN MINNESOTA LATER TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AND MOVING ACROSS THE AREA WITH EVEN MORE CHANCES LATE THIS WEEK.
WE'LL SEE SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES WITH THE RAIN.
WE'RE EXPECTING ANOTHER WARMUP AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEKEND.
RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 74 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT, AT OUR STUDIO WINDS SOUTH AT 4 MILES PER HOUR WITH A DEWPOINT OF 47.
IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY AND 74, 46 IS OUR DEWPOINT, AND WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTHEAST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.
ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING MAINLY CLEAR SKIES ACROSS THE AREA, BUT MORE CLOUD COVER TO THE WEST AND WE DO HAVE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AND SEVERE WEATHER OUT IN THE DAKOTAS.
WE ARE STARTING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT ACTIVITY CROSSING INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.
FAR WESTERN MINNESOTA, THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE THE CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LATER ON TONIGHT.
THOSE WILL MOVE INTO MUCH OF THE REST OF THE WESTERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA TOMORROW BEFORE MOVING INTO THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA TOMORROW NIGHT AND THEN WE DO HAVE MORE CHANCES FOR SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HEADING THROUGH THE REST OF THIS WEEK.
WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE FROM ARLENE IN MENAGHA.
WE'VE GOT THE FLOWERS IN BLOOM FROM CHRISTY IN DEERWOOD, JOAN IN LAPORTE AND GARY IN DEERWOOD.
LINDA AND RALPH IN JENKINS WITH DEER VISITING TODAY AND SOME CLOUDS ROLLING INTO THE AREA IN EVENING, EVENING SKIES FROM ANGELA, TAKING THIS PICTURE OVER BALL CLUB RIVER AND BILL AND JUDY OVER UPPER RED LAKE.
THANK YOU, EVERYWHERE, FOR SHARING THOSE.
FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAGHA, 53 WITH A LIGHT BREEZE.
RALPH IN JENKINS, A LOW OF 49.
BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY AND 82.
ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE, ALSO A HIGH OF 82.
CHRISTY IF DEERWOOD, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY, STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, 82 WITH HIGH HAZE.
JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY.
ON THE ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 83 TODAY, ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN.
WE HAD A LOW OF 48 AND SUNSET AT 9:03.
BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 82.
THAT'S TEN DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE, 50 FOR THE LOW, 9:10 FOR SUNSET.
SOME, WE'LL BE SEEING -- TOMORROW WE'LL BE SEEING CLEAR SKIES IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, CLOUD COVER AND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN THE WESTERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING.
EVEN INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE'LL SEE THE NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA TOMORROW NIGHT.
FOR HIGHS TOMORROW, LOOKS TO SEE THOSE IN THE 80s, ABOUT 80 TO NEAR 87 ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE THE HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID 80s.
OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE WESTERNMOST PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA.
LOWS NEAR 59 AND TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS WITH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEST AND HIGHS NEAR 84.
NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW NIGHT AND MORE CHANCES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK.
TEMPERATURES A LITTLE BIT COOLER THROUGH FRIDAY AND THEN AS THINGS START TO QUIET DOWN EARLY NEXT WEEK, WE'LL SEE TEMPS WARM WITH HIGHS NEAR 89 ON SUNDAY.
BACK TO YOU.
>> Dennis: THANKS, STACY.
CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS AND SPRING SPORTS SEASON FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE PRETTY CLOSE TO AN END NOW.
>> Charlie: WE'RE COMING UP, WE HAVE THE LAST WEEK OF SECTIONS FOR BASEBALL.
ALSO SCORES FROM THE SOFTBALL STATE TOURNAMENT AS WELL AS SOME GOLF AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.
>> Announcer: AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.
>> Charlie: AITKIN BASEBALL FINISHED THE 2026 REGULAR SEASON WITH ONLY TWO BLEMISHES ON THEIR RECORD, A LOSS AT PERHAM, WHO JUST WON THE SECTION 8-AA TITLE TODAY, AND AN 8-0 ROUT BY DULUTH MARSHALL.
SO FAR, THE GOBBLERS HANDLED BUSINESS THROUGH THE FIRST THREE ROUNDS OF THE 7-AA TOURNAMENT, AND THIS AFTERNOON THEY HAD THE CHANCE TO AVENGE THEIR EARLY SEASON LOSS TO THE HILLTOPPERS, THIS TIME IN THE SECTION SEMIFINALS WITH A TRIP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE LINE.
NOW, THE TOPPERS HAD YET TO GIVE UP A RUN IN THIS TOURNAMENT, BUT COLE TROTTER DELIVERS AN RBI SINGLE IN THE TOP OF THE FIRST, SCORES NOLAN DOTZLER FOR A 1-0 AITKIN LEAD.
LATER IN THE INNING, BRANDON KUNZ WITH THE BASES LOADED POKES ONE THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE TO PLATE BONIFACE SANFORD AND IT'S 2-0 GOBBLERS.
AHEAD TO THE FOURTH, IT'S 5-0 NOW, DOTZLER AT THE DISH, AND HE DOTS ONE DOWN THE RIGHT FIELD LINE.
TWO MORE GOBBLERS SCORE.
HE ENDS UP ON THIRD, AND AITKIN HAS BLOWN IT WIDE OPEN.
THEY GO ON TO RUN RULE MARSHALL 10-0 IN FIVE.
AITKIN HAS NOW SCORED 43 RUNS IN FOUR GAMES IN THIS TOURNAMENT AS THEY PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AND ARE JUST ONE WIN AWAY FROM THEIR FIRST TRIP TO STATE SINCE 2021.
>>> ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT BRACKET, PEQUOT LAKES HAD TO WIN TODAY.
THEY BEAT PROCTOR 6-2 AND TURNED AROUND AND PLAYED DULUTH MARSHALL AND LOST, SO DULUTH MARSHALL AND AITKIN WILL REMATCH.
>>> IN SECTION 8-AAA, IT'S WIN OR GO HOME THE REST OF THE WAY FOR LITTLE FALLS.
THEY'RE AT DICK PUTZ STADIUM TAKING ON WILLMAR.
PICKING UP IN THE FIFTH INNING, KNOTTED AT 2 APIECE, EVAN LEMIEUR ROPES ONE TO THE GAP.
THE DOUBLE PUTS THE FLYERS IN BUSINESS.
NEXT BATTER, NICK SPRANG COMES UP IN THE CLUTCH.
SINGLE BRINGS HOME LEMIEUR.
LITTLE FALLS TAKES THE 3-2 LEAD.
ON TO THE SEVENTH, WILLMAR'S TIED IT AT THREE.
THEN JORDAN ELLINGSON GETS EVERY BIT OF THAT BALL TO PUT THE CARDINALS IN FRONT.
THEY SCORE 3 IN THE INNING TO MAKE IT 6-3.
LAST LICKS FOR THE FLYERS, DOWN BY JUST TWO NOW, BASES LOADED, TWO OUTS.
PAYTON BARTOS GETS RUNG UP ON STRIKE THREE, AND THAT BRINGS LITTLE FALLS' SEASON TO AN END.
THEY FINISH WITH AN 18-6 RECORD.
>>> OTHER BASEBALL SCORES FROM TODAY: BEMIDJI, THEIR SEASON CAME TO AN END AGAINST ELK RIVER IN THEIR ELIMINATION GAME 4-0.
ALSO PLAYING TODAY IN 8-A, WIN NECESSITY MACK GOT THE WIN OVER -- WINNEMAC GOT THE WIN OVER WEST MARSHALL AND THEY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH BEGLEY AND THEY TAKE ON RED LAKE COUNTY ON THURSDAY.
SEBEKA GETS THE WIN AND THEY REMATCH WITH NEW YORK MILLS.
NEW YORK MILLS WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN NINE INNINGS.
IN SOFTBALL, FOREST LAKE BEAT BRAINERD 9-0 IN THE CLASS 4-A QUARTERFINALS, SO THEY MOVE TO THE CONSOLATION BRACKET.
SEBEKA GOT RUN-RULED AGAINST PARK CENTRAL.
>>> IN GOLF, PARK RAPIDS 8th GRADER NATALIE MARTIN WON THE SECTION 8-AA INDIVIDUAL GIRLS TITLE EARLIER TODAY.
SHE WAS IN SECOND PLACE AFTER SHOOTING 4-OVER ON DAY ONE AND TRAILED BY TWO STROKES HEADING INTO THE FINAL ROUND THIS MORNING.
MARTIN WOULD JUST MISS TWO EAGLE PUTTS AT 10 AND 15, SETTLING FOR BIRDIES, OF WHICH SHE HAD 3 ON THE DAY TO HELP HER CARD A 1-OVER 73 AND WIN THE SECTION TITLE BY ONE STROKE AND REDEEM HER SECOND-PLACE FINISH FROM A YEAR AGO.
AS JUST A 7th GRADER, SHE WOULD SHOOT A TWO-DAY 5-OVER 149.
>>> ANOTHER AREA GOLFER JOINING HER FROM SECTION 8-AA AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT IS ROSEAU'S MARYN BUFFLIN, WHO FINISHED 8th OVERALL, SHOOTING PLUS-20 OVER TWO ROUNDS FOR A 164.
>>> AND YOU CAN SEE THERE, DETROIT LAKES ENDED UP TAKING THE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE GIRLS.
ON THE BOYS SIDE, THEY DID AS WELL.
THEY HELD THE TOP FIVE SPOTS THERE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS ALSO.
ON 6-AA, ST.
CLOUD CATHEDRAL GETS WIN AS A TEAM.
A COUPLE HEADING TO STATE, PAYTON CARR FROM LITTLE FALLS AND NATHAN SECALLA AND JACKSON CAMACHO MAKING STATE TOURNAMENT AND ON THE GIRLS SIDE, ALBANY GETS THE WIN, KNOCKING OFF PEQUOT LAKES AFTER A TWO-YEAR REIGN AND TWO INDIVIDUALS.
>>> AND IN GIRLS LA CROSSE, BRAINERD'S SEASON COMES TO AN END IN THE SEMIFINALS.
THEY FALL TO BUFFALO AND MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, TWINS GET THE WIN 6-4.
>> Dennis: THANKS A LOT, CHARLIE.
>>> THE ANNUAL PINEWOOD DERBY HAS BEEN A TRADITION FOR THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA FOR 73 YEARS AND WILL SOON BE AN ANNUAL TRADITION FOR THE BEMIDJI VETERANS HOME AS WELL.
FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK STOPPED BY THE HOME, WHERE THE FRIENDLY COMPETITION WAS ALSO A HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITY.
>> Sydney: GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES.
FOR THE FIRST EVER PINE WOOD DERBY AT THE BEMIDJI VETERANS HOME.
>> OH, EVERYTHING IS JUST WONDERFUL HERE.
I'M LUCKY TO BE HERE, AND I GOT A GOOD PARTNER.
>> YEAH, HE'S A GOOD GUY.
I CAN'T BELIEVE HE BEAT ME.
YOU KNOW.
>> Sydney: EVERYBODY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A CAR AND THEY COULD PAINT IT AND DESIGN IT HOWEVER THEY WANTED TO.
19 TOTAL CARS WERE RACED ON RACE DAY, COMPETING TWO THE A TIME IN A DOUBLE ELIMINATION STYLE BRACKET.
>> DID A LITTLE SANDING AND PAINTING AND THE PROBLEM WAS -- THE HARDEST PART I GUESS IS PUTTING THE WHEELS ON.
>> BUT WE DID IT.
>> THEY LIKE TO WORK WITH WOOD AND THEY DO A LOT OF WOOD PROJECTS, SO I'VE BEEN TRYING TO THINK OF MORE WOOD PROJECTS ON A SMALLER SCALE SINCE WE DON'T HAVE A WOOD SHOP, SO I THINK THIS IS A GOOD BLEND OF BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH WOOD AND INCORPORATE SOME ART STUFF AS WELL.
I MEAN, EVERYTHING FROM ART ASK ILLS TO DRAWING.
THEY -- ART SKILLS TO DRAWING, THEY DREW ON THE CAR.
FINE MOTOR SKILLS, COGNITIVE SKILLS.
>> Sydney: THE PINE WOOD DERBY GAVE THE VETERANS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A HANDS-ON PROJECT AND THEY SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS PREPARING THEIR DERBY CARS FROM SCRATCH, AND ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A COMPETITIVE ATMOSPHERE ON RACE DAY, THE EVENT'S FOCUS WAS STILL ON JUST HAVING A GOOD TIME JUST EVERYBODY LAUGH AND SMILE AND JUST WONDERFUL.
GET TOGETHER.
>> A LOT OF GUYS CAME IN THAT DON'T SOMETIMES COME TO GROUPS OR LARGER GROUPS, SO IT WAS FUN TO SEE ALMOST EVERYBODY GET HERE.
AND AT LEAST WATCH, EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CAR.
WE GO HOME AND DO OUR THING, AND WE DON'T THINK TWICE ABOUT IT, BUT ONCE YOU'RE LIVING IN A FACILITY LIKE THIS, THESE GUYS DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY, BUT THEY STILL ENJOY GETTING OUT AND DOING THEIR OWN RECREATION THINGS.
THEY JUST NEED THE HELP AND SUPPORT AND IDEAS COMING FROM US.
>> Sydney: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.
>> Dennis: THE TRACK USED FOR THE RACES CAME FROM THE SAINT PHILIPS SCOUT TROOP, AND THE HOME WANTS TO MAKE THE DERBY AN ANNUAL EVENT.
>>> LET'S GO BACK TO STACY FOR MORE ON WEATHER.
>> Stacy: SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FAR WESTERN PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.
OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS NEAR 59.
MORE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA TOMORROW.
OTHERWISE VARIABLE CLOUDS WITH A HIGH AROUND 84.
>> Charlie: FIRST STANLEY CUP APPEARANCE, BRAINERD COLE SMITH HAS AN ASSIST IN THE WIN TONIGHT.
>> Dennis: GO FOR HIM.
WE'RE OUT OF TIME.
HAVE A GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY.
>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.
CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY AV CAPTIONING www.avcaptioning.com

- News and Public Affairs

Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.

- News and Public Affairs

Today's top journalists discuss Washington's current political events and public affairs.










New Season
Support for PBS provided by:
Lakeland News is a local public television program presented by Lakeland PBS