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>> 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 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> 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 CROW WING COUNTY BOARD HELD AN EMERGENCY MEETING THIS MORNING TO DISCUSS THE FLANDERS FIRE THAT HAS AFFECTED THE CROSSLAKE AREA OVER THE PAST WEEK.

THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY SEVERAL FIRST RESPONDERS WHO SHARED UPDATES ON THE PROGRESS OF CONTAINING THE FIRE.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: AS OF WEDNESDAY MORNING, THE OVERALL CONTAINMENT OF THE FLANDERS FIRE IS AT 95%, WHICH IS UP FROM 60% TUESDAY MORNING.

CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF SAYS IT'S A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT HE ANTICIPATES SEEING DUE TO THE HARD WORK OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT TAMPERING THINGS BACK.

ON THURSDAY, IT WILL BE TURNED BACK OVER TO OUR LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS AND WE WILL MONITOR IT FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THAT, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT NOTHING ELSE SPEWS BACK UP.

>> Reporter: FIREFIGHTERS IN THE AREA ARE CURRENTLY MAKING SURE THAT THE OVER 1,600 ACRES OF BURNED LAND WILL NOT FLARE-UP, CAUSING MORE HOTSPOTS.

>> THEY'RE IDENTIFYING THOSE HOTSPOTS THAT ARE CLOSE TO THE PERIMETER AND GETTING THAT SET BACK FROM THE FIRE ITSELF TO ANY TYPE OF POTENTIAL FUEL THAT CAN REIGNITE.

THAT'S WHAT THE FIRE SERVICE IS WORKING ON, ENSURING THAT IS ESTABLISHED, AND ONCE THAT CONTAINMENT IS DONE AND THEY FEEL CONFIDENT THERE IS THAT SETBACK, LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND FORESTRY WILL ADDRESS THOSE WITHIN THE FIRE ZONES ITSELF.

>> Reporter: CROW WING COUNTY IS LOOKING TO HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE FIRE RECOVER FROM THIS UNPRECEDENTED SETBACK.

>> I THANK THE LOCAL COMMUNITY FOR THEIR OVERWHELMING SUPPORT, FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT SUPPORTED LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS AND ALL THE RESPONDING CREWS FROM FORESTRY SERVICE, AGAIN AS WE MOVE INTO THE RECOVERY THIS AFTERNOON, CROW WING COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITY SERVICES WILL BE GOING AROUND HOUSE TO HOUSE, CHECKING ON RESIDENTS THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THE DISASTER AND PROVIDE THEM THE SUPPORT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE COST OF THE FLANDERS FIRE IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED AT $1.6 MILLION.

>>> THAT FIRE IS NOW LISTED AT 100-PERCENT CONTAINED BY FIRE OFFICIALS WHO NOW SAY IT AFFECTED 1700 ACRES.

THOSE WORKING ON RECOVERY EFFORTS FOR THE FLANDERS FIRE AFTERMATH HAVE IDENTIFIED THE ORIGIN POINT.

MINNESOTA D.N.R.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THAT THE 1,600-PLUS ACRE FIRE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED AT A LOCATION NEAR THE NORTH SHORE OF FLANDERS LAKE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DOES CLASSIFY WILDFIRES AS NATURAL DISASTERS, MANY OF THEM ARE CAUSED BY HUMAN-RELATED EVENTS.

CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF BELIEVES THAT THE FLANDERS FIREFALLS UNDER THAT CATEGORY.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS I LOOKED AT WHEN I CAME OUT HERE IS OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE NO POWER LINES.

THERE IS NOTHING TO IGNITE IT.

ON SATURDAY, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

THERE WAS NO LIGHTNING.

SO THAT LEAVES ME TO BELIEVE IT WAS MANMADE.

WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS INTENTIONAL OR NOT, WE HAVE NO IDEA.

>> Reporter: SOME CULPRITS, A CAMPFIRE AND BURN SPOT.

>> I LOOKED AT THE MAP AND IT LOOKED LIKE THE ORIGIN WHERE IT STARTED.

WE CAME TO THAT POINT, WHETHER IT STARTED FROM THAT CAMPFIRE OR THIS CAMPFIRE, I MEAN I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE AT THIS POINT.

THEY'RE STILL DOING INVESTIGATIONS ON THAT.

WE HAVE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERTS IN ARSON THAT ARE WORKING THAT CASE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, WILDFIRES CAN BE CAUSED FROM CAMPFIRES BEING LEFT UNATTENDED, DIG CARDED CIGARETTES, ACTS OF ARSON, AND MORE.

>> IN THIS CASE, I THINK IT WAS NEGLIGENCE THAT THEY DIDN'T PUT THE FIRE OUT FULLY.

THE FIRE STARTED AT NOON.

YOU TYPICALLY WOULDN'T HAVE A CAMPFIRE AT NOON, I WOULDN'T THINK.

MAYBE IT HAPPENED THE NIGHT BEFORE TOO.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT INVESTIGATORS WILL BE LOOKING AT AND DETERMINING HOW THE FIRE STARTED.

>> Reporter: REGARDLESS OF THE REASON, HE HOPES THAT THE FIRE SERVED AS A LESSON TO THE ALLEGEDLY GUILTY PARTY OR PARTIES.

>> WE ARE IN A RED FLAG WARNING SO FIRES ARE ABLE TO GET AWAY FROM YOU.

JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THE FIRE IS OUT, DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN THAT IT'S OUT.

YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO PUT A FIRE OUT.

IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR BEING IN THE OUT WOODS, YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO KNOW HOW TO PUT THAT OUT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN CROSS LAKE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> KLANG SAYS THAT SUSPECTS HAVE NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET.

INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED TO ZERO IN ON PEOPLE OVER THE COMING DAYS.

>>> A 24-YEAR-OLD CLARISSA MAN WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON TODAY IN TODD COUNTY COURT FOR HIS ROLE IN A 2021 SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A JUVENILE.

LAVERN C. KAUFFMAN WAS SENTENCED TO THE THREE YEARS WITH EXECUTION OF THE SENTENCE STAYED FOR 15 YEARS, AND 30 DAYS' JAIL AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO THIRD-DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT.

ON SEPTEMBER 12TH OF 2021, KAUFFMAN, AN ADULT, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A JUVENILE AT HIS FAMILY HOME IN CLARISSA.

AT THE PLEA HEARING, KAUFFMAN ACKNOWLEDGED HE HAD A SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE JUVENILE.

>>> BELTRAMI COUNTY ESTIMATES THAT OVER THE NEXT TWO BIENNIUM.

THE COUNTY WILL BE REQUIRED TO ABSORB BETWEEN $3 MILLION TO $5 MILLION IN STATE COST SHIFTS AND UNFUNDED MANDATES.

SO, THE COUNTY BOARD WENT AHEAD AND SET ITS PRINCIPLES AND PRIORITIES FOR 2027'S BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.

THE COUNTY'S MANAGEMENT TEAM RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ADOPT THE SAME LIST OF PRINCIPLES AND PRIORITIES FROM LAST YEAR'S BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.

SOME MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TOOK ISSUE WITH THE LANGUAGE ON THAT LIST, PARTICULARLY WITH ONE SAYING TO FULLY FINANCE MISSION-FOCUSED OPERATIONS.

>> I SAW THIS WAS USED AS A POLITICAL TOOL LAST YEAR, SOMETHING TO HIDE BEHIND IN MY OPINION.

>> I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT NUMBER TWO, ESPECIALLY HEARING FROM TONY AND THEIR REQUEST AND WANTING TO HELP THEIR EMPLOYEES THERE.

IF THEY'RE NOT A MISSION CRITICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE COUNTY, THEN WHAT DO WE TELL THEM, NO?

THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN HELP.

>> I REMEMBER BEING ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND SEEING HOW HARD PEOPLE WORKED TO GET WITHIN THOSE.

I THINK THEY WILL DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO DO THAT AGAIN SO IT SEEMS REASONABLE THAT WE GO WITH THE SAME STANDARD.

>> THE BOARD VOTED 3-TO-2 LATER IN THE MEETING TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED PRINCIPLES AND PRIORITIES.

DISTRICT TWO COMMISSIONER JOE GOULD, AND DISTRICT FOUR COMMISSIONER TIM SUMNER, WERE THE TWO NO VOTES.

>>> THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HAS NAMED KIMBERLY LYNCH TO SERVE AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE.

THE APPOINTMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST.

LYNCH CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGIES AT MINNESOTA STATE.

A POSITION SHE HAS HELD SINCE 2014.

MINNESOTA STATE CHANCELLOR SCOTT OLSON SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE TODAY THAT LYNCH IS A STRATEGIC THINKER WITH A PASSION FOR HELPING FACULTY AND STAFF TO BRING INNOVATION TO THE FOREFRONT TO HELP STUDENTS SUCCEED.

>>> RED LAKE NATION BAND MEMBERS WENT TO THE POLLS TODAY TO VOTE ON SEVEN POSITIONS ON THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, ALTHOUGH VERNELLE LUSSIER IS RUNNING UNOPPOSED AS THE INCUMBENT TRIBAL TREASURER.

NOW THERE ARE FOUR CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT IN TRIBAL CHAIRMAN'S RACE, INCLUDING TWO WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN THAT ROLE.

INCUMBENT DARRELL SEKI SR., WHO WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2014, IS SEEKING RE-ELECTION AND A FOURTH TERM AS CHAIRMAN.

ALSO CERTIFIED IS FLOYD “BUCK” JOURDAIN, WHO SERVED AS CHAIRMAN FROM 2004 TO 2014.

SEKI TOPPED JOURDAIN BY ABOUT 100 VOTES IN THE LAST ELECTION BACK IN 2022.

TWO OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN RACE ARE GEORGE SPEARS JUNIOR AND TIM SUMNER, WHO IS CURRENTLY SERVING AS THE BELTRAMI COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT 4.

SUMNER LOST A CLOSE RACE FOR TRIBAL SECRETARY TO INCUMBENT SAM STRONG IN 2022.

THE TOP TWO VOTE-GETTERS IN A MAY 20 GENERAL ELECTION WILL MOVE ON TO THE RUN-OFF ELECTION UNLESS A CANDIDATE RECEIVES 50% OF THE VOTE OR GREATER.

>>> THREE SEATS ON THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR, WARD 2, WARD 4 AND AT-LARGE.

THE INCUMBENTS ARE JOSH PETERSON IN WARD 2, EMELIE RIVERA IN WARD 4, AND AUDREY THAYER IN THE AT-LARGE POSITION.

THE FILING PERIOD FOR CANDIDATES OPENED UP YESTERDAY AND RUN UNTIL JUNE 2.

SO FAR THREE CANDIDATES HAVE FILED FOR THOSE ELECTIONS.

PETERSON IN WARD 2, THAYER FOR THE AT-LARGE POSITION AND FORMER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER RON JOHNSON, ALSO FOR THE AT-LARGE POSITION.

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS SUING MINNESOTA OVER ITS NEW LAW BANNING PREDICTION MARKET PLATFORMS.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ SIGNED THE MEASURE THIS WEEK.

IT MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO OPERATE OR ADVERTISE SITES THAT ALLOW USERS TO BET ON FUTURE EVENTS LIKE THE PRICE OF OIL, SPORTING EVENTS AND ELECTIONS.

VIOLATORS COULD FACE FELONY CHARGES.

BUT THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION ARGUES THE STATE DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON PREDICTION MARKETS.

THE SITES HAVE ALSO SPARKED CONCERNS ABOUT INSIDER TRADING AND MINNESOTA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THEY ARE ADDICTIVE AND TARGET YOUNG PEOPLE AND THOSE WITH LOWER INCOMES.

MINNESOTA IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST STATE TO BAN PREDICTION MARKETS.

MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHER STATES HAVE REPORTEDLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION SEEKING TO TAKE SIMILAR ACTION.

MINNESOTA'S BAN, WHICH HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, IS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT THIS SUMMER.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE WILL HAVE SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW BUT WE DO HAVE MORE CHANCES OF RAIN BEGINNING ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING INTO SATURDAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE CITY OF BEMIDJI HAS BEEN AWARDED A GRANT AIMING TO HELP WITH TREE REPLANTING [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE CITY OF BEMIDJI HAS BEEN AWARDED THE 2026 D.N.R.

RELIEF GRANT, WHICH WILL FUND A CITYWIDE TREE INVENTORY, STUMP REMOVAL, AND, THE PLANTING OF UP TO 186-TREES THIS YEAR.

STUDENTS FROM SAINT PHILIPS CATHOLIC SCHOOL, GOT TO PLANT THE FIRST TREE EARLIER TODAY AT LIBRARY PARK AS A PART OF THAT GRANT.

THE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF JUST OVER $308,000 WILL SUPPORT REPLANTING EFFORTS WITHIN THE CITY.

AIMING TO RESTORE CANOPY COVERAGE AND IMPROVE NEIGHBORHOOD AESTHETICS IN THE AREA.

THE TREE INVENTORY WILL PROVIDE THE CITY WITH CRITICAL DATA TO GUIDE FUTURE MAINTENANCE AND PLANTING DECISIONS.

>> THAT'S JUST ON PUBLICLY OWNED TREES, SO RIGHT AWAY GREEN SPACES AND PARKS.

THERE ARE 180 STUMPS THAT NEED TO GET REMOVED AROUND THE CITY.

THAT'S A PART OF THAT.

>> A LOT ARE GETTING PLANTED IN MISSISSIPPI, BELTRAMI, BETWEEN 5th AND 20th.

THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF PLANTS GETTING PLANTED.

>> THE CITY OF BEMIDJI IS ALSO EXPLORING A PARTNERSHIP WITH GREAT RIVER GREENING, WHICH COULD ADD UP TO 400 ADDITIONAL TREES.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, WE BRING IN WEATHERCASTER STACY CHRISTENSON NOW AND A TURN FOR THE BETTER TODAY.

>> Stacy: TEMPERATURES WERE WARMER THAN WE HAVE SEEN THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS AND SHOULD BE WARMER TOMORROW AND WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

WE DO HAVE A CHANCE FOR SOME RAIN RETURNING TO THE AREA BEGINNING FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING THROUGH SATURDAY.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER WITH THE RAIN BUT A BIG WARM UP IN STORE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE FINALLY GOT TO SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES IN THE AREA.

WE GOT TO ENJOY SOME SUNSHINE ALONG WITH THE WARMER TEMPS.

WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS IN THE AREA TONIGHT, A LOT OF SUNSHINE AGAIN TOMORROW, AND TEMPS ARE WARMER THAN WE HAD TODAY.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, LATE FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY, WE DO HAVE MORE CHANCES OF SHOWERS, RAIN SHOWERS MOVING INTO THE AREA.

TEMPS WILL COOL OFF A LITTLE BIT WITH THE RAIN BUT WE ARE EXPECTING SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES NEXT WEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 52 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTH WIND, WITH A DEW POINT OF 33, HUMIDITY AT 47%.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 53, WITH A DEW POINT OF 31, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY, AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 5.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE TODAY, MAINLY CLEAR SKIES THIS EVENING, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA WHERE WE COULD CONTINUE TO HAVE SOME CLOUD COVER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

FOR THE REST OF US, WE ARE LOOKING AT CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE AREA-WIDE TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES SHOULD WARM INTO THE MID TO UPPER 60s IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, WE HAVE MORE CHANCES OF RAIN SHOWERS.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, A LITTLE BIT OF FOG THIS MORNING IN THE AREA.

ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO ON HER WAY OUT OF CASS LAKE TODAY.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, RALPH IN JENKINS, DEBRA ALSO AT LAKE ADA WITH SOME PICTURES OF THE SKIES THIS MORNING.

SONYA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF SOME BLUE SKIES OVER TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

SHAWN SPOTTING AN EAGLE IN THE TREE AT LIBRARY PARK IN BEMIDJI.

GARY, THE BEAR CROSSING THE ROAD IN DEERWOOD.

WE GOT FLOWERS IN BLOOM FROM CHRISSY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, RALPH IN JENKINS REPORTING 28 THIS MORNING, 29 THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 32 FROM DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, AND SONYA AT LITTLE TURTLE LAKE REPORTING 51 AND CALM LATE THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY AND 61, BOB IN BLUFFTON, 28 WAS OUR LOW.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, PLENTIFUL SUNSHINE TODAY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING A TEMPERATURE OF 30 THIS MORNING.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD WITH A HIGH OF 61, STILL COOLER THAN AVERAGE, BUT BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SO FAR THIS WEEK.

28, A CHILLY START THIS MORNING, SUNSET AT 8:50.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 62, 5 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE, 29 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNSET AT 8:56.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE TO START THE DAY AND WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, WE WILL BE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 60s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA, TO MID TO UPPER 60s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AS WELL.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOWS NEAR 39, SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, A HIGH OF 67, SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20, BUT THEY COULD BE A LITTLE BIT STRONGER IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, WE WILL START THE DAY WITH SOME SUNSHINE ON FRIDAY, BUT CLOUDS INCREASE, AND WE HAVE A CHANCE OF RAIN MOVING INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH HIGHS IN THE MID-60s.

A LITTLE BIT COOLER ON SATURDAY, 62, WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SOME RAIN SHOWERS AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN ON MEMORIAL DAY, HIGHS IN THE 80s ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WELL A NICE DAY FOR A TRACK MEET TODAY AND SYDNEY IS HERE WITH OUR LOCAL SPORTS IN FOR CHARLIE TONIGHT.

>> Sydney: IT WAS A GORGEOUS DAY FOR A TRACK MEET.

I WILL HAVE THE FULL DETAILS AFTER THE BREAK.

I WILL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS RIGHT AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>>> WELL, THE NICE WEATHER FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO THE TIME OF YEAR AND BEMIDJI WAS ABLE TO HOST THEIR ONLY TRACK MEET OF 2026, FINISHING OFF THE SEASON AT HOME.

GRAND RAPIDS, MOORHEAD, HIBBING GATHERED TO COMPETE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL INVITATIONAL.

STARTING OFF WITH THE BOYS DISCUS, BEMIDJI'S BRYCE ETHIER TOSSING 73 FEET, 2 INCHES, A PERSONAL BEST FOR HIM.

OVER ON THE TRACK, SENIOR TAYLEN SCHERMERHORN RUNNING AN 11.34 100-METER DASH, THE BEST TIME OF THE WHOLE MEET.

BEMIDJI'S VINNY NELSON AND HENRY MCCRADY GOT THE SECOND AND THIRD BESTS IN THE NEXT HEAT.

AND JACKS' LONG DISTANCE RUNNER WILLIAM AMES GOT ANOTHER P-B TODAY, WITH A FOUR-MINUTE AND 36-SECOND 1600-METER RUN.

# OVERALL THEY PLAYED THIRD ACROSS 17 DIFFERENT EVENTS, MOORHEAD TAKING FIRST PLACE.

>>> ON THE GIRLS SIDE OF THINGS, THE 100-METER DASH, LUMBERJACK KIERA STRODTMAN EARNING A PERSONAL BEST TIME OF 13.74 SECONDS, COMING IN 12TH OVERALL.

THEN, THE GIRLS FOUR-BY-TWO RAN A 155:59.

SECOND-PLACE FINISH, HANNAH QUINN CROSSING THE FINISH LINE THERE FOR THE JACKS.

AND THE GIRLS 1600 METER RUN HAD BEMIDJI'S ABIGAIL OLSON AS A TOP-TEN FINISHER, WITH A TIME OF 5 MINUTES AND 50 SECONDS.

AS A TEAM, THE GIRLS CAME IN SECOND PLACE, 67 POINTS ON THE DAY.

INDIVIDUALLY THE FEMALE LUMBERJACKS TOOK HOME 29 TOP TEN FINISHES.

>>> AND SOME MORE SCORES FOR YOU, THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GOLF CLC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP DAY ONE, BRAINERD TOOK HOME THE WIN AFTER DAY ONE WITH 276 POINTS.

OVER ON THE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SIDE OF THINGS, AITKIN AND PEQUOT LAKES COLLECTING BIG WINS TODAY.

RED LAKE COUNTY GETTING THE WIN OVER WARROAD AND MENAHGA FALL.

OVER IN THE MLB, THE MINNESOTA TWINS HAD A WIN OVER THE HOUSTON ASTROS TODAY AT HOME.

>>> THE END OF HIGH SCHOOL IS A BITTERSWEET TIME FOR MANY SENIORS, WITH SAYING GOODBYE TO OLD FRIENDS AND MOVING ONTO THE NEXT STEP IN LIFE.

AND FOR SEVERAL BEMIDJI STUDENT-ATHLETES, THE BITTERSWEET END OF HIGH SCHOOL DOESN'T MEAN THAT WORK CAN STOP, AS THEY MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR COLLEGE SPORTS TO START IN THE FALL.

FIVE STUDENTS CELEBRATED THEIR COMMITMENT TO PLAY COLLEGIATE SPORTS IN THE FINAL BEMIDJI SIGNING DAY OF THE YEAR.

RHYS SNEIDE, TREVOR LARSON, MILES GISH, CALEB KNOT, AND JAXON BOSCHEE HAD THEIR FAMILIES ALONGSIDE THEM REPRESENTING THEIR FUTURE SCHOOLS, AS THE ATHLETES PREPARE TO MAKE THE JUMP FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO NCAA PLAY.

>> KIND OF A FRESH START, SOMETHING NEW.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE, PLAYING COLLEGE BASKETBALL AND KIND OF SAD, ALTHOUGH YOUR BUDDY YOU PLAYED WITH, BUT IT DEFINITELY MEANS A LOT KNOWING I CAN COUNT ON THEM IF I NEED TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING, KNOWING THEY WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR ME AND I WILL BE DOWN THE ROAD PLAYING SO CLOSE TO HOME.

>> WITH A MIX OF D-1, 2, AND 3 SPORTS BEING PLAYED BY THE BOYS, FOUR DIFFERENT SPORTS ARE BEING REPRESENTED BY THE SOON-TO-BE FORMER LUMBERJACKS, AS THE ATHLETES TRAVEL THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE ANNOUNCED THE HIRING OF A NEW WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH EARLIER TODAY, WITH MADISON MCKEEVER TAKING OVER THE REIGNS.

THE REPORT COMES NEARLY TWO MONTHS AFTER FORMER HEAD COACH CHELSEA STOLTENBERG RESIGNED AFTER 11 YEARS AT THE HELM.

MCKEEVER HAS SPENT THE PAST FOUR YEARS IN THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS, AND WAS AN ASSISTANT COACH AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY SAINT PAUL PRIOR TO THAT.

DURING HER TENURE, THE TOMMIES EARNED THEIR BEST FINISH OF THEIR D-1 ERA AT FOURTH IN THE CONFERENCE.

THE MINNESOTA NATIVE WAS ALSO A BALLER HERSELF AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA, WHERE THE WOMEN'S PROGRAM WENT 110 AND 24 OVER THE COURSE OF HER FOUR YEARS THERE, AND JOINING THE BEAVERS WILL BE MCKEEVER'S FIRST HEAD COACHING JOB.

>> Dennis: GOOD TO GET HER ONBOARD.

I THINK SHE IS A LOCAL WIN-E-MAC ATHLETE AS WELL.

PRETTY GOOD SCORE THERE AS WELL.

THANKS A LOT SYDNEY.

>>> AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT CONTINUES TODAY TO CONTAIN AN EBOLA OUTBREAK IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND UGANDA.

TO DATE, THE C.D.C.

SAYS NO CASES OF THE DISEASE HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED IN THE U.S.

BECAUSE OF THIS OUTBREAK.

AND THE AGENCY SAYS THE OVERALL RISK TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND TRAVELERS REMAINS LOW.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE DISEASE.

>> Reporter: THIS OUTBREAK IS BEING CAUSED BY AN INFECTION WITH THE EBOLA VIRUS, IT'S PRIMARILY FOUND IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS, OFTEN DEADLY DISEASE, WITH AN ESTIMATED MORTALITY RATE OF 25% TO 40%.

THERE IS NO APPROVED VACCINE OR TREATMENT FOR THIS STRAIN.

>> MAY 17th WAS THIS DECLARATION OF A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN, WHICH BASICALLY MEANS THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS EVENT, A SUDDEN EVENT, AN UNEXPECTED EVENT, AND THERE ARE IMPLICATIONS BEYOND THE BORDERS YOU ARE SEEING THERE.

>> Reporter: THE OUTBREAK IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND UGANDA HAS KILLED MORE THAN 130 PEOPLE ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS AND AN INTERNATIONAL CHARITY CONFIRMS A MISSIONARY PHYSICIAN HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS WHILE WORKING AT DRC.

THE CHARITY SAYS HIS WIFE AND ANOTHER PHYSICIAN ARE NOW BEING MONITORED BUT ARE CURRENTLY ASYMPTOMATIC.

THE C.D.C.

SAYS EBOLA SYMPTOMS CAN START 2 TO 21 DAYS AFTER CONTACT WITH THE VIRUS AND MAY INCLUDE FEVER, ACHES, PAINS, AND FATIGUE, BUT AS THE PERSON GETS SICKER, THEY CAN EXPERIENCE DIARRHEA, VOMITING, AND UNEXPLAINED BLEEDING, AND SPREADS THROUGH CONTACT OF THE BODY FLUIDS OF AN INFECTED PERSON, INCLUDING THE HANDLING OF CONTAMINATED MATERIAL FROM SOMEONE THAT DIED FROM THE DISEASE.

>> SOME OF THE CUTS, IT'S NOT SURPRISING TO HAVE A SITUATION LIKE WE SEE UNFOLDING RIGHT NOW.

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

>>> WHILE THE C.D.C.

SAYS THE IMMEDIATE RISK TO THE U.S.

PUBLIC IS LOW.

THE AGENCY IS CONTINUING TO TRACK THE EVOLVING SITUATION.

>>> TIME FOR MORE ON OUR WEATHER, WE GO TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

LOWS ARE DOWN TO 39, SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, IT SHOULD BE A LITTLE BIT WARMER WITH HIGHS NEAR 67, SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 20, STRONGER IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

WE WILL START TO SEE RAIN CHANCES RETURN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, TEMPERATURES ARE A LITTLE BIT COOLER, AND THEN WE HAVE A BIG WARM UP EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>> Sydney: WELL, MINNESOTA BASKETBALL IS NOT DONE, THE LYNX ARE PLAYING AT HOME AGAINST THE TORONTO TEMPO.

>> Dennis: SOUNDS GOOD.

THANKS FOR WATCHING EVERYBODY.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE TOMORROW.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> Sydney: GOOD NIGHT.

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