CAPTIONING 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.

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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 ROSEAU PILOT FINALLY HAS HIS PLANE BACK.

AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES, DARRIN SMEDSMO'S PLANE, WHICH THE RED LAKE NATION SEIZED, HAS BEEN RETURNED.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Matthew: OCTOBER 15th, 2025, THE WHEN DARRIN SMEDSMO WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON RED LAKE RESERVATION LAND DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE.

WHEN SMEDSMO CALLED TRIBAL AUTHORITIES FOR ASSISTANCE, THEY INSTEAD SEIZED HIS PLANE.

AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF LEGAL DISPUTES, RED LAKE NATION HAS NOW RETURN THE PLANE TO SMEDSMO.

>> IT'S A LONG TIME COMING, SEVEN AND A HALF MONTHS.

I'M HAPPY THAT IT'S BACK IN MY POSSESSION, AND NOW I GET TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT.

>> Matthew: RED LAKE INITIALLY OFFERED A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT TO SMEDSMO, BUT HE REJECTED THE BAND'S OFFER AND SOON AFTER, THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION DEMANDED THE TRIBE STOP ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR THEY WOULD INVOLVE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

IN A LETTER SENT TO SMEDSMO'S LAWYER, THE RED LAKE PROSECUTION TEAM HAS DECIDED NOT TO BRING TRESPASS OR OUR RELATED CHARGES -- OTHER RELATED CHARGES AGAINST SNOW SMEDSMO AND DETERMINE THAT IT WOULD BE FAIR TO RETURN THE PLANE.

>> THE WAY I SAW THAT, IT WASN'T A LEGAL PUNISHMENT AND I DIDN'T WANT TO ADMIT I DID ANYTHING ILLEGAL BECAUSE I DIDN'T, SO I DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

HONESTLY, THE FAA LETTER, THEY MUST HAVE SEEN THE WRITING ON THE WALL THAT, HEY, WE GOT TO COMPLY HERE.

>> Matthew: THE LETTER SMEDSMO RECEIVED ALSO STATES THE INCIDENT HAS CAUSED RED LAKE NATION TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE NATION'S POLICIES PERTAINING TO THE REGULATION OF AIRCRAFT OVER RED LAKE AIR SPACE.

>> I THINK THEY'VE LEARNED HOW AIR SPACE WORKS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND I HOPE THAT THEY MAKE ANOTHER GOOD DECISION.

I THINK BY RELEASING MY AIRCRAFT, THEY MADE A GOOD DECISION.

IT TOOK SEVEN AND A HALF MONTHS.

>> Matthew: SMEDSMO OFFERED TO GIVEth YOUTH OF RED LAKE A FREE PLANE RIDE WHETHER THE PLANE HAD BEEN RETURNED WHEN THE INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED.

>> I WANT TO DO A VENT WHERE I OFFER FREE RIDES TO KID OPT RESERVATION, THAT IF WE CAN SHOW KIDS THAT YOU CAN FLY, YOU CAN FIX AIRPLANES, THAT'S A GREAT JOB.

THAT'S PRETTY COOL.

>> Matthew: I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN REPORTING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: WE REACHED OUT TO THE RED LAKE PROSECUTION TEAM FOR A COMMENT ON THE STORY, BUT WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM.

>>> A WILDFIRE NEAR ELY THAT FORCED THE EVACUATION OF SEVERAL CABINS AND HOMES IN THE AREA REMAINS AT ABOUT 35 ACRES BUT IS NOW 10% CONTAINED.

THE BIRCH BAY FIRE WAS DETECTED ON MONDAY 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, 80 PEOPLE ARE ON THE SCENE WORKING TO CONTAIN THE FIRE.

FIREFIGHTERS WORKED ON BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING CONTAINMENT LINES AROUND THE FIRE USING ENGINES, CREWS, HEAVY EQUIPMENT, AND AVIATION RESOURCES.

CREWS MADE PROGRESS TODAY SECURING THE ANCHOR POINT AND PORTIONS OF THE FIRE PERIMETER.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN AND UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> THE ENDANGERED MISSING PERSON ALERT FOR AN ITASCA COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

47-YEAR-OLD RANDY DARLAND, WHO WAS LAST IN CONTACT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AROUND DECEMBER OF 2025, HAS BEEN LOCATED AND IS SAFE.

THE MINNESOTA BCA THANKS EVERYONE WHO ASSISTED IN LOCATING HIM AND SHARING THE INFORMATION.

>>> PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES NEAR THE CAMP RIPLEY TRAINING CENTER WILL BE HEARING SOME LOUD NOISE AND SEEING SMOKE TRAILS THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS ARE WORKING TO MEET TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS WITH LARGE CALIBER WEAPON SYSTEMS.

CAMP RIPLEY OFFICIALS SAY THIS REQUIRED TRAINING PERIOD WILL EQUIP THE SOLDIERS SHOULD THEY NEED TO DEFEND THE STATE AND NATION.

ALSO BEGINNING TOMORROW MORNING THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD WILL BE CONDUCTING FLIGHT EXERCISES FROM CAMP RIPLEY TO THE WALKER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AS PART OF THEIR REGULARLY SCHEDULED ANNUAL TRAINING.

THE EXERCISES WILL RUN UNTIL THE EARLY HOURS OF JUNE 5th.

FIVE BLACKHAWK AND CHINOOK HELICOPTERS FROM THE 34th COMBAT AVIATION BRIGADE WILL BE USED IN THE TRAINING.

>>> TWO MORE CANDIDATES HAVE FILED TO RUN FOR POSITIONS ON THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL.

KATE EGELHOF HAS FILED FOR THE WARD 2 ELECTION, AND MISTY BRAY HAS FILED FOR THE WARD 4 ELECTION.

OTHERS WHO HAVE FILED FOR THOSE ELECTIONS INCLUDE JOSH PETERSON, THE INCUMBENT IN WARD 2, AND EMELIE RIVERA, THE INCUMBENT IN WARD 4.

THE FILING PERIOD TO RUN IN CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS IS NOW CLOSED, BUT CANDIDATES CAN STILL WITHDRAW THEIR NAMES FROM THE BALLOT UNTIL 5 P.M.

ON THURSDAY, JUNE 4th.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT.

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT UNSETTLED IN PARTS OF THE AREA OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS, BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE SUNNY SKIES WILL BE BACK AND STAY WITH US THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Xzayver: AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2026 DIFFERENCE MAKER GRANTS.

>> Announcer: AND NOW, MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>> Dennis: THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED THE RECIPIENTS OF ITS 2026 DIFFERENCE MAKER GRANTS, AWARDING OVER $100,000 TO FIVE PROJECTS SERVING COMMUNITIES IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE.

>> Xzayver: THE GRANT RECIPIENTS INCLUDE MID MINNESOTA'S WOMEN'S STR, THE OUTREACH PROGRAM OF BRAINERD LAKES, NORTHERN PINES AND THE WONDER TREK CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HARRY FOSTER SPOKE ABOUT HOW THE DIFFERENCE MAKER GRANT HELPS MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE AREA.

>> GIVING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, THEY ARE HELPING US ALSO BUILD A RESOURCE FOR TOMORROW AND FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

AND SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO GIVE THROUGH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT THESE GREAT NONPROFITS THAT ARE FILLING A LOT OF GAPS IN NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES THRIVE NOW AND TOMORROW.

>> Xzayver: LAKES AREA FOOD SHELF RECEIVED THE SECOND LARGESSE AMOUNT AT 25 -- LARG GUEST AMOUNT AT 25,000, LOOKS TO USE THAT TO EXPAND ACCESS TO NUTRITION, HIGH QUALITY FOODS TO FAMILIES IN THE REGION.

>> WITH THAT MONEY, WE'RE ABLE TO BUY FOOD AND THE FIRST ASK FOR OPERATING DOLLARS FOR FOOD.

MOVING INTO THAT OPERATING COST WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

WE'VE BEEN OPEN SINCE APRIL 21st, SERVING BETWEEN 55 AND 85 FAMILIES A DAY, SO BRINGING NUTRIENT RICH FOOD TO THE FAMILIES IN SOUTHERN CROW WING COUNTY THAT NEED FOOD.

>> Xzayver: FOR WONDER TREK, THE $20,000 GRARCHES WILL GO -- GRANT WILL GO TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR ROOTS AND RIGGINGS EXHIBIT.

>> THE $25,000 GRANT IS THE REASON WE'LL HAVE ROOTS AND RIGGINGS WHEN WE OPEN.

IT WILL FUND ABOUT HALF THE EXHIBIT AND IT MEANS WE'RE ABLE TO START OUR YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM WHEN WE OPEN OUR DOORS AS WELL BECAUSE THAT WILL BE HOUSED WITH THE ROOTS AND RIGGINGS.

SO THERE WILL BE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ALL OVER LEARNING COLLABORATION AND ALSO LEARNING RE-LIFE SKILLS EXTRA REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AS FOR THE OTHER PROGRAMS, THE OUTREACH PROGRAM AND NORTHERN PINES RECEIVED 15,000 EACH, AND THE MID MINNESOTA WOMEN'S CENTER RECEIVED THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF $30,000.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS.

ACTUALLY, WE'RE GOING TO GET TO WERT IN A SECOND, BUT FIRST WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT OUR LAKELAND NEWS PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY.

IT'S 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, 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 THEN QUALIFY BY CALLING US ON THE VACATION GIVEAWAY HOTLINE NUMBER BEFORE 5 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 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 WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER IN A LIVE DRAWING ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 31st NEWSCAST.

>>> OKAY, NOW IT'S TIME FOR WEATHER.

STACY JOINS US.

WE DID SEE A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION TODAY, RIGHT?

>> Stacy: WE DID SEE A BRIEF SHOWER IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

WE'VE BEEN SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF ACTIVITY HERE AND THERE ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

THERE MAY BE SOME MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT MOVE ACROSS TONIGHT.

FINALLY SETTLING IN MORE EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA LATER TONIGHT AND MAYBE A FEW SMALL CHANCES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE SUNNY AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, A LITTLE COOLER THIS WEEK >> Announcer: AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WE'VE SEEN A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE TODAY AND WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ROLLING THROUGH THE AREA.

WE COULD CONTINUE TO HAVE SOME MORE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THEY'LL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA, SETTLING MORE INTO EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA LATER ON AND THERE ARE SMALL CHANCES MAINLY IN THE SAME AREAS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS OF SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY QUIET.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE, A LITTLE BIT COOLER, AND THEN A WARMUP FOR THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, 70 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIOO, WE HAVE A SOUTHEAST WIND AT 4 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEWPOINT IS 55 AND WE PICK UP .03 OF AN INCH OF RAIN TODAY.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND 73.

51 IS OUR DEWPOINT, PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE CALM.

ON THE SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING CLOUD COVER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND WE HAVE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WHICH ARE RIGHT NOW MAINLY IN THE WESTERN PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

THEY'LL CONTINUE WORKING THEIR WAY TO THE EAST AND LATER TONIGHT, WE SEE MOST OF THAT FOCUS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN MINNESOTA AND SOME COULD POP UP AND LINGER AGAIN TOMORROW IN THE SAME AREAS.

IT LIKES SUNNY SKIES WILL RETURN -- LOOKS LIKE SUNNY SKIES WILL RETURN TO THE WEST.

WE HAVE VIEWER SUBMITTED VIDEO OF A VERY DETERMINED BEAR AT THE FEEDER, NOT ONLY KNOCKING IT DOWN, BUT TAKING HIS MEAL TO GO.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE THAT WITH OUR VIEWERS TONIGHT.

FOR OUR OTHER EAGLE PHOTOS, WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL SKIES THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAGHA AND BARBARA AT LAKE ADA, GARY SPOTTING WILDFLOWERS IN DEERWOOD AND BILL AND JUDY SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNSET OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

GORGEOUS PICTURES THIS EVENING FROM ANGELA OVER STEAMBOAT LAKE, DEAN OVER LOWER RLT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAGHA, 61 AND BREEZY.

DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, CALM AND 60.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, RAIN TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE WITH A HIGH OF 77, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLOUDY AND 80.

RALPH IN JENKINS ALSO WITH A HIGH OF 80.

ON THE ALMANAC, 82 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD.

ANOTHER MILD DAY IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

58 INCORPORATE LOW, SUNSET -- FOR THE LOW, SUNSET AT 9:03.

CLOSER TO THE AFG AS WE TOPPED OUT -- AVERAGE AS WE TOPPED OUT AT 77 IN BEMIDJI.

54 FOR THE LOW, WITH 9:11 THE SUNSET.

TOMORROW, WE COULD STILL SEE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY AND THERE MAYBE A FEW POP-UP SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HEADING THROUGH THE DAY, MAINLY IN THE EASTERN PART OF OUR VYING AREA.

TEMPERATURE WISE, WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS IN THE MID 70s IN FAR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, LOW 80s ACROSS MUCH OF THE NORTH AND HEADING INTO STRL CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE LOW AND MID 80s.

TONIGHT, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITH LOWS NEAR 58.

SKIES BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW, A 20 TO 40% CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AND AGAIN, MAINLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA WITH HIGHS NEAR 80.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, A LITTLE BIT UNSETTLED IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN MINNESOTA ON FRIDAY, DUT A LOT OF -- BUT A LOT OF SUNSHINE HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND.

TEMPERATURES WARM UP AND WITH THE RETURN OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS EARLY NEXT WEEK, WE SHOULD BE SEEING HIGHS NEAR 83.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS, STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW AND GRAND RAPIDS BASEBALL TRYING TO GET TO STATE, HUH?

>> Charlie: I FEEL LIKE I'M SAYING THAT EVERY SINGLE YEAR, WE TALK ABOUT THAT THIS TIME OF WE'RE.

GRAND RAPIDS TRYING FOR -- TIME OF YEAR.

GRAND RAPIDS TRYING FOR THEIR SIXTH STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE, SIXTH SECTION TITLE IN A ROW.

KIND OF RIDICULOUS FOR THEM.

THEY WERE PLAYING CLOQUET >> Announcer: AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: NOT ONLY HAS GRAND RAPIDS BASEBALL HAD A VICE GRIP ON SECTION 7-AAA THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THEY HAVEN'T LOST A SECTION PLAYOFF GAME SINCE 2024, WINNING THEIR LAST TEN-STRAIGHT, BUT IN THE SEMIFINALS ON SATURDAY, THE TOP-SEEDED THUNDERHAWKS' STREAK ALMOST CAME TO AN END WHEN 2-SEED CLOQUET TOOK AN UPSET BID TO EXTRA INNINGS BEFORE RAPIDS ESCAPED WITH A 5-4 VICTORY, SECURING A SPOT IN TODAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP.

AT WADE STADIUM IN DULUTH, T-HAWKS HAD A REMATCH WITH THE LUMBERJACKS, NEEDING JUST ONE WIN TO CLINCH THEIR SIXTH CONSECUTIVE SECTION TITLE AND STATE TOURNAMENT BERTH.

THE JACKS WOULD START FAST, ALREADY UP 1-0.

ONE ON, FINDS THE OUTFIELD TURF.

SCORES TO GIVE THEM A TWO-RUN CUSHION.

RAPIDS GET ONE BACK AND IN THE THIRD, TWO-ON, THEY LOVE THE SMALL BALL.

SAFETY SQUEEZE, MORGAN ABLE TO SCORE AFTER AN ERRANT THROW.

THUNDERHAWKS TAKE THE LEAD.

STROKES ONE DOWN THE LINE, GETS THE GENEROUS POP AND IN COMES JOE DICK AND ON HIS HEELS, ANOTHER, MAKES IT 5-2 T-HAWKS AND THAT'S ALL THEY NEED.

8-4 THE FINAL AS GRAND RAPIDS' REIGN OVER SECTION 7-AAA CONTINUES.

THEY CONTINUE TO ADD TO THAT YOU ARE ALL-TIME RECORD STATE APPEARANCES IN BASEBALL, NOW AT 24.

>> BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THIS GROUP BECAUSE WE STRUGGLED EVERY GAME OF THE TOURNAMENT.

WE'VE BEEN DOWN RIGHT OFF THE BAT AND THEY'VE BATTLED BACK.

IT'S BEEN LIKE A ROLLER COASTER UP AND DOWN THE WHOLE TIME, AND TO WATCH HOW THEY BATTLE AND FIGHT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

>> MEANS A LOT.

IT'S ALMOST EXPECTED OUT OF OUR TEAM AND WE HELD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE TO FIGHT FOR THAT GOAL.

BUILDING OFF OUR LAST STATE RUN.

>> Charlie: THIS MAY BE THE THUNDERHAWKS' SIXTH CONSECUTIVE STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE, BUT DURING THIS RUN THEY ARE STILL CHASING A STATE TITLE.

RAPIDS TRY TO FIX THAT WHEN THE TOURNEY STARTS NEXT THURSDAY ON JUNE 11th.

THEY'LL BE PLAYING IN CHASKA WITH SEEDINGS AND TIME RELEASED SATURDAY.

A COUPLE MORE SCORES AROUND THE AREA: >>> THE WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY GOLF TEAM IS MAKING A RETURN TRIP TO THE CLASS A TOURNAMENT AFTER REPEATING AS THE SECTION 7-A CHAMPIONS.

LAST YEAR THE LADY WOLVES WERE YOUNG, BUT STILL HAD A LEADER IN SENIOR KIANNA JOHNSON.

THIS SEASON, HOWEVER, WALKER'S SIX-PERSON TEAM IS COMPRISED OF A FRESHMAN, FOUR 8th GRADERS AND ONE 7th GRADER, AND THEY STILL WENT OUT AND SHOT WELL ENOUGH WIN BACK-TO-BACK SECTION TITLES.

>> IT FELT GOOD.

LIKE GOING IN THERE, LIKE THE GOAL WAS TO GET THERE AGAIN.

JUST FELT GOOD TO GET IT OFF OUR CHEST AND NOW TRY TO GET A LITTLE HIGHER AT STATE.

>> AT SECTIONS, WE HAD OUR BEST ROUND, SO DEFINITELY GOING IN AND BEING CONFIDENT WITH IT.

I MEAN, LAST YEAR WE WERE KIND OF THERE JUST FOR THE EXPERIENCE, AND THEN THIS YEAR, WE'VE GOT TO ACTUALLY PLAY OUR HARDEST AND TRY TO GO HIGHER.

>> Charlie: IN FACT, FIVE OF THE WOLVES WERE ON THE STATE TOURNAMENT TEAM FROM A YEAR AGO AND THE EXPERIENCE THEY GAINED WASN'T JUST MENTAL BECAUSE THEY ARE ONCE AGAIN TEEING-OFF AT PEBBLE CREEK GOLF CLUB.

>> I THINK IT HELPS BECAUSE WE KNOW MORE WHAT TO EXPECT.

LIKE WE KNOW WHERE THE HAZARDS ARE AND WE KNOW HOW FAST THE GREENS ARE, WHICH WILL HELP.

AS A 7th GRADER GOING IN THERE LAST YEAR, IT'S MORE TO GET THE NERVES OUT, TO KNOW THE FEELING OF IT.

NOW WE'RE MORE SERIOUS.

>> I FEEL GOOD.

I FEEL LIKE WE CAN DO BETTER THAN LAST YEAR.

WE'RE READY TO COME BACK.

THE GREENS ARE FAST, SO WE'RE WORKING ON A LOT OF SHORT GAME, PUTTING AND STUFF, GETTING BETTER, PLAYING BETTER THAN LAST YEAR.

>> Charlie: AND HERE'S THE SCHEDULE FOR THAT.

LIKE I SAID, PEBBLE CREEK GOLF CLUB IN BECKER, MINNESOTA.

THAT TOURNAMENT RUNS TWO DAYS, JUNE 9th AND 10th, AND THE TEE TIME FOR SECTION 7 STARTS NOONISH AND THAT'S WHEN THEY'RE TEEING OFF.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU, CHARLIE.

>>> IT'S ONE OF THE DEADLIEST MALIGNANCIES.

PANCREATIC CANCER OFTEN SHOWS NO EARLY SYMPTOMS.

THAT'S ONE REASON ONLY ABOUT 13% OF THOSE WHO HAVE IT ARE ALIVE FIVE YEARS AFTER THEIR INITIAL DIAGNOSIS.

BUT AN EXPERIMENTAL PILL IS PROVIDING NEW HOPE FOR THESE PATIENTS.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON HOW THIS INVESTIGATIONAL DRUG WORKS AND HOW RESEARCHERS SAY IT'S HELPING SOME WITH ADVANCED PANCREATIC CANCER LIVE LONGER.

>> Mandy: IT'S CALLED DARAXONRASIB, AN EXPERIMENT CAL PILL THAT BLOCKS A MUTATED PROTEIN WHICH FUELS TUMOR GROWTH IN MOST PANCREATIC CANCER CASES.

UNTIL NOW, EXPERTS SAY IT WAS CONSIDERED UNDRUGGABLE.

>> DESPITE ALL THE ADVANCES WE HEAR ABOUT IN OTHER TUMOR TYPES, OUR POOR PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENTS WILL LEFT BEHIND.

>> Mandy: IN 2026 ALONE, THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ESTIMATES MORE THAN 67,000 PEOPLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATIC CANCER, AND NEARLY 53,000 WILL DIE FROM THE DISEASE.

EXPERTS SAY THE INVESTIGATIONAL MEDICATION ACTS LIKE A TROJAN HORSE, BINDING A PROTEIN THAT GOES TO A GENE WHICH IS MUTATED IN NEARLY ALL PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENT.

>> THIS IS JUST A HUGE AND WELCOME BREAKTHROUGH FOR OUR PATIENTS.

>> Mandy: IN THIS STUDY, ADVANCED PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENTS WHO WEREN'T FINDING SUCCESS WITH OTHER TREATMENT WERE GIVEN THE DRUG THROUGH A DAILY PILL.

RESEARCHERS SAY PARTICIPANTS WHO TOOK THE MEDICATION LIVED A MEDIAN OF 13.2 MONTHS COMPARED TO 6.6 MONTHS FOR THOSE ON CHEMOTHERAPY.

WHILE IT MAY SEEM LIKE A SMALL IMPROVEMENT, EXPERTS SAY IT'S THE FIRST DRUG TO SHOW SUBSTANTIAL ADVANTAGE OVER TRADITIONAL TREATMENT.

THE U.S.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT PLANS TO EXPEDITE REVIEW OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PILL WHILE ALLOWING FOR WHAT'S CALLED EXPANDED ACCESS FOR PATIENTS WHO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA.

>> WE'RE HOPEFUL, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS EXPEDITED REVIEW, IT WOULD GET TO THE CLINIC IN AS SOON AS THREE MONTHS.

>> Mandy: I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: EXPERTS SAY THIS RESEARCH WILL OPEN UP A WHOLE WORLD OF NEW OPPORTUNITY WITH MORE SCIENTISTS INVOLVED AND MORE CLINICAL TRIALS.

AND IT COULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR NEW TREATMENTS FOR OTHER CANCER TYPES IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.

>>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER, SO WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT, FINALLY SETTLING IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN MINNESOTA.

OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS NEAR 58 AND TOMORROW, SKIES BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY, BUT WE'LL SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

HIGHS SHOULD REACH 80.

>> Charlie: AND THE KNICKS BEAT THE SPURS TONIGHT.

>> Dennis: WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, EVERYBODY.