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.

MEMBER, FDIC.

CTC, KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES 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.

THE BEMIDJI FIRE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY NAMED CAPTAIN GORDY BEIGHLEY THE 2025 FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR AND RECOGNIZED HIM AT THEIR ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK STOPPED BY THIS YEAR'S "CELEBRATING A LEGACY OF SERVICE" EVENT THAT SHOWED OFF LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS' WORK.

>> Sydney: FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE BEMIDJI FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS HELD A CELEBRATION OF LEGACY EVENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE YEAR'S WORTH OF FIRST RESPONDER EFFORTS, PROMOTIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, AND HIGHLIGHT THOSE WHO ARE RETIRING.

>> RETIRING FIREFIGHTERS REPRESENT FAR MORE THAN RELATIONSHIPS.

THEY REPRESENT COUNTLESS CALL ANSWERS, RELATIONSHIPS AND IMPACTS.

>> RECOGNIZING PEOPLE WHO -- TRUTH IS, THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE CALLED TO HELP PEOPLE.

IT'S ABOUT TRUST.

IT'S ABOUT SHOWING UP HOW THEY ARE ON THEIR BEST DAYS AND WORST DAYS AND KNOWING -- WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER.

BUT EVEN MORE PROUD OF THE PEOPLE THAT I'VE WORKED WITH.

FIREFIGHTERS WHOSE CAREERS ARE INVOLVED, OFFICERS, LEADERSHIP WHO MADE THIS FAMILY.

>> Sydney: FIREFIGHTERS JOINED IN RETIREMENTS.

THE BANQUET ALSO RECOGNIZED MANY OTHER FIREFIGHTERS FOR THEIR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD WITH 12 LIFE-SAVE AWARDS, EACH OF WHICH CAME WITH A STORY HOW FIRST RESPONDERS HANDLED THE OTHERWISE FATAL SITUATIONS.

>> ON APRIL 1st, 2025, FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A CARDIAC ARREST EMERGENCY AND UPON ARRIVAL, INITIATED CPR, WORKING TOGETHER IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER THROUGH THEIR RAPID ACTIONS, THE TECHNICAL TEAM -- >> Sydney: FOUR OTHER PLAQUES BR PRESENTED, INCLUDING A UNIT CITATION AWARD TO RECOGNIZE TEAMWORK AND ANOTHER WENT TO WIVES, SPOUSES AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE FIREFIGHTERS FOR STICKING BY THEIR LOVED ONES' SIDES DURING THE TOUGH TIMES.

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

>> Dennis: THIS AWARD CEREMONY WAS HELD TO HONOR THOSE FOR THEIR SERVICE IN 2025, AND THERE WILL BE ANOTHER BANQUET HELD AT THE END OF THIS YEAR TO HONOR THE WORK AND RETIREMENTS OF 2026 FIREFIGHTERS.

>>> BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AGREED ON HOLDING FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING AN OPERATING LEVY AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

THE CONVERSATION SPURRED DURING A WORK SESSION THIS MONTH WHEN INCOMING SUPERINTENDENT CHIP RANKIN EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR AN OPERATING LEVY WHILE DISCUSSING HIS STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE DISTRICT.

RANKIN ALSO SAID THAT IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT AN OPERATING LEVY, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS NEED TO HAVE TALKS ON IT NOW IN PREPARATION FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

RANKIN ALSO MENTIONED ESTABLISHING FISCAL STABILITY, WHICH HE BELIEVES CAN BE ATTAINED THROUGH CONSOLIDATING BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL'S SIX ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS INTO FOUR.

>> THIS BOARD WILL COMMIT TO A LEVY AND LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE IN NOVEMBER TO MAKE APPROPRIATE BUDGET REDUCTIONS TO COINCIDE WITH THE RIGHT-SIZING OF THE DISTRICT BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF STUDENTS.

IT COULD BE A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A VERY FUN WIN.

>> Dennis: BOARD MEMBERS HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 11th TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO PUT A LEVY ON THE BALLOT FOR THIS UPCOMING NOVEMBER.

>>> ANOTHER INCUMBENT ON THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL HAS FILED TO SEEK RE-ELECTION.

WARD 4 COUNCILOR EMELIE RIVERA FILED WITH THE CITY LAST THURSDAY.

RIVERA WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE COUNCIL IN 2018 AND WON A SECOND TERM IN 2022 WHEN SHE EARNED 54% OF THE VOTE.

NO OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE FILED PAPERWORK TO RUN IN THE WARD 4 ELECTION.

JOSH PETERSON IN WARD 2 AND AUDREY THAYER IN THE AT-LARGE SEAT ARE THE OTHER INCUMBENTS WHO HAVE ALSO FILED TO RUN IN THIS FALL'S ELECTION.

THE FILING PERIOD FOR CANDIDATES OPENED UP ON MAY 19th AND RUNS UNTIL JUNE 2nd.

>>> A PERSON RIDING ON AN ATV SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES NEAR HILLMAN ON SATURDAY AFTER FALLING OFF THE ATV WHILE IT WAS MOVING.

19-YEAR-OLD IZABELLA ROFFE OF MILACA FELL OUT OF THE SIDE-BY-SIDE WHILE IT WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR.

ROFFE WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT OR HELMET AND SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO NORTH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED AROUND 1:20 P.M.

ON SAGE ROAD ABOUT FIVE MILES SOUTHEAST OF HILLMAN IN MOUNT MORRIS TOWNSHIP.

ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, 19-YEAR-OLD DYLAN BATIEN OF MILACA WAS DRIVING THE SIDE-BY-SIDE ON SAGE ROAD WHEN ROFFE FELL OFF.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DNR IS LAUNCHING A MODERNIZED ELECTRONIC LICENSING SYSTEM AND MOBILE APP THAT WILL ALLOW HUNTERS, ANGLERS, AND BOATERS TO PURCHASE, STORE, AND DISPLAY LICENSES DIGITALLY.

THE NEW SYSTEM NOW HAS AN OFFICIAL LAUNCH DATE OF JUNE 9th.

THE E.L.S.

REPLACES THE PREVIOUS 25-YEAR-OLD PLATFORM AND ENABLES LINKING FAMILY ACCOUNTS, AND PERMITS ELECTRONIC HARVEST REGISTRATION.

THE NEW SYSTEM WILL ALSO ALLOW MINNESOTANS THREE WAYS TO BUY A LICENSE BY USING A MOBILE APP, ONLINE, OR IN PERSON, AS WELL AS THREE WAYS TO STORE THEIR LICENSES: ON PAPER AS A PDF, THROUGH E-MAIL, OR WITHIN THE MOBILE APP.

SOME OF THE NEW FEATURES INCLUDE THE ABILITY TO LINK LICENSES BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND SPOUSES TO MAKE PURCHASES EASIER FOR GROUPS.

THE EXISTING LICENSING SYSTEM WILL BE IN USE UNTIL 11:59 P.M.

MONDAY, JUNE 1st, WHEN INFORMATION FROM THE OLD SYSTEM BEGINS MOVING TO THE NEW SYSTEM, INCLUDING LICENSES PURCHASED THROUGH JUNE 1st.

AS THE DNR TRANSITIONS DATA TO THE NEW E.L.S., FISHING LICENSE SALES WILL BE PAUSED AND ANGLERS MAY FISH WITHOUT A LICENSE FROM 12 A.M.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2nd, THROUGH 11:59 P.M.

MONDAY, JUNE 8th.

ALL OTHER FISHING SEASON REGULATIONS AND BAG LIMITS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT.

AT 12 A.M.

JUNE 9th, THE NEW E.L.S.

WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ANGLERS AND HUNTERS.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: WE HAVE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF STEEG A FEW MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, VERY QUIET WEATHER.

SUNSHINE AND HOT THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE THE FAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Matthew: AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, SIX COUNTIES KROOT NORTHWEST MINNESOTA COME TOGETHER TO FORM ONE MASSIVE PROGRAM.

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

>> Dennis: BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AS A PART OF THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT, HOSTED A MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS EVENT FOR STUDENTS AT FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL IN MAY.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE ON THE STORY.

>> Xzayver: MAY IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, AND EACH YEAR, THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT, A STUDENT-LED ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON MENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, PUTS ON THE MAIN EVENT, A MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS EVENT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS.

S.

>> I JOINED WHEN I WAS A SOPHOMORE AND I COULD HELP THEM AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY A LITTLE BIT.

>> IT INSPIRED ME HOW MUCH CHANGE I COULD DO WITH THE ORGANIZATION.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN STRUGGLES AND PROBLEMS.

REALIZE THEY GO THROUGH STUFF AND PROBLEMS THIS THEIR OWN LIFE AND I THINK THAT KIDS SHOULD KNOW IT'S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY AND THEY NEED TO KNOW HOW THEY CAN HANDLE THE THINGS.

>> Xzayver: THE EVENT FEATURES GAMES, ACTIVITIES, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND TRY TO DISMISS THE STIGMA AROUND ASKING OTHERS FOR HELP.

>> THERE'S RECENTLY THIS STIGMA AROUND ASKING FOR HELP AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THEY'RE ALONE IN THE SITUATION THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, BUT WE'RE HERE TO SPEAK TO THEM HOW THEY'RE NEVER ALONE AND GIVE THEM RESOURCES THEY CAN REACH OUT TO IF THEY NEED HELP.

I THINK REACHING OUT TO TRUSTED PEOPLE, SCHOOL COUNCILORS, A GREAT WAY TO SUPPORT THEY WILL.

>> Xzayver: ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF MENTAL ILLNESSES, MORE THAN ONE IN SEVEN KIDS IN THE U.S.

EXPERIENCE A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER EACH YEAR.

MORE THAN 50% OF ALL LIFETIME DISORDERS START BY THE AGE OF 14.

LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT BELIEVES THAT KINDNESS IS THE KEY TO HELPING THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES.

>> I'M JUST SO HAPPY THAT I WAS ABLE TO JOIN THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT AND BEING KIND TO EVERYONE AND JUST KNOWING THAT, YEAH, ASKING FOR HELP IS TOTALLY OKAY.

>> EVERYONE JUST CARES FOR EVERYONE.

>> WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE AND SO WE JUST HOPE THAT WHAT WE DO IS KNOWN AND PEOPLE USE WHAT WE HAVE FOR THEM.

>> Xzayver: REPORTING IN BAXTER, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: IN 2024, THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT CREATED A YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY GRANT TO HELP PROVIDE THERAPY SESSIONS TO KIDS AND PARENTS IN NEED.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER.

IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, STACY, WE STARTED OFF THIS MONTH WITH MORE LIKE MARCH WEATHER AND NOW WE'LL END IT WITH JULY-LIKE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO, HIGHS WERE ONLY IN THE 40s AND 50s.

WE HAVE 80s AND 90s IN THE AREA TODAY AND THE TEMPERATURES WILL STAY VERY WARM THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE WEEK.

A LOT OF HIGHS IN THE 80s.

WE'LL SEE SOME 90s OUT THERE AS WELL AND LOOKS LIKE OTHER THAN A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT, THINGS ARE LOOKING PRETTY QUIET THE REST OF THIS >> Announcer: AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WE ONCE AGAIN HAD HEAT AND SUNSHINE IN THE AREA TODAY.

SOME OF THAT DID HELP FUEL A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT MOVED ACROSS MAINLY CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

STILL A SLIGHT CHANCE WE'LL SEE A FEW MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THAT REGION OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET.

CLEAR SKIES IN THE NORTH AND PLENTY OF SUNSHINE THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

RIGHT NOW, BEMIDJI, IT IS 76 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIOO, WINDS CALM, THE DEWPOINT IS 54, HUMIDITY IS AT 46%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 66 WITH A DEWPOINT OF 57.

PRESSURE IS FALLING, WINDS VARIABLE AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE CAN SEE WHERE THE CLOUDS AND AGAIN THE SPOTTY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TR LOCATED THIS EVENING ACROSS MAINLY CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THERE'S STILL A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT A FEW MORE COULD POP UP IN THIS REGION OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET.

WE'LL BE SEEING CLEAR SKIES IN THE NORTH, MAYBE A BIT MORE CLOUD COVER MOVING MORE INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SPZ IS BACK TOMORROW AND IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER HOT DAY, MOST OF US WITH HIGHS IN THE 80s AND A FEW LOCATIONS WITH HIGHS IN THE 90s AS WELL.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

WE HAVE THAT BRIGHT MOON THIS MORNING FROM JERRY AND GORGEOUS SKIES FROM RALPH IN JENKINS, DEBORAH AT LAKE ADA AND ARLENE IN MENAGHA.

JULIE WITH SOME OF THE RAIN CLOUDS MOVING ACROSS LOWER MISSION LAKE TODAY.

STEPHANIE SAYING WE HAVE CLOUDS AND THUNDER, NOT MUCH FOR RAIN IN BRAINERD.

MORE RAIN CLOUDS FROM CHRISTY IN DEERWOOD AND ANGELA WITH THE SUN BEHIND THE CLOUDS IN CASS LAKE AND THE FLOWERS ARE IN BLOOM ACROSS THE AREA.

LINDA, SONIA AND JERRY IN DEERWOOD WITH THOSE PHOTOS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THAIRG THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, RALPH IN JENKINS, 51 THIS MORNING, ARLENE IN MENAGHA 52 THIS MORNING AND DEBORAH AT PINE RIVER, 57 THIS MORNING.

JULIE REPORTING TEMPERATURES AS HIGH AS 88 TODAY, BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN AND 88.

CHRISTY IN DEERWOOD, A LITTLE BIT OF THUNDER AND SPRINKLES THIS AFTERNOON.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE REPORTING JUST A TRACE OF RAIN LATE TODAY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, OVERCAST SKIES AND 84 THIS EVENING, AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLEAR WITH A HIGH OF 87.

ON THE ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING A HIGH OF 89 STILL, WELL ABOVE AVERAGE THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

53 WAS THE LOW, WE HAD SUNSET AT 8:56.

BEMIDJI TODAY ACTUALLY SETTING A NEW RECORD AT THE.

THAT TOPS THE OLD RECORD BY ONE DEGREE SET BACK IN 2018.

45 FOR THE LOW, 9:03 WAS THE SUNSET.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, IT IS GOING TO BE MAINLY SUNNY ACROSS THE AREA AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE MAINLY SUNNY SKIES THROUGH MOST OF THE DAY IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE HOT.

A LITTLE BIT COOLER NEAR THE BORDER.

WE'RE LOOKING AT MID TO UPPER 70s ACROSS THE FAR NORTH, BUT OTHERWISE, 80s FOR THE REST OF THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA, UP TO 87 IN PARK RAPIDS, MID 80s, CLOSE TO 90 DEGREES ONCE AGAIN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THE FORECAST TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND LOWS NEAR 56.

AND FOR TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, 84 THE HIGH, EAST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN THERE AND TEMPERATURES STAY PRETTY HOT AS WELL.

WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT MOSTLY MID 80s ON THURSDAY, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, WE COULD BE SEEING HIGHS NEAR 91 WITH UPPER 80s TO START THE WEEKEND AND 82 ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: COULD WAY TO WRAP UP THE MONTH OF MAY.

WE SAW THE STORMS PASSING THROUGH BRAINERD ON OUR RADAR, AND THAT CAUSED SOME PROBLEMS WITH OUR SPORTS.

>> Charlie: YES, IT DID.

CAUSED A LITTLE BIT OF PROBLEMS WITH STORTS AND OBVIOUSLY WITH THE -- SPORTS AND OBVIOUSLY WITH THE GAME, WE'RE WAITING FOR GREAT WEATHER ALL STRING LONG AND WE'LL SHOW YOU EXACTLY HOW IT AFFECT THE GAME TODAY.

WE SPOT THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT SEMIFINAL AND SOME OTHER SOFTBALL SEMIFINALS AROUND THE AREA AS WELL AS BASEBALL COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

>> Announcer: AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: FOR BEMIDJI, IT'S BEEN LATE GAME HEROICS.

FOR BRAINERD, IT'S BEEN BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THE 8-AAAA SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS.

THE TWO TEAMS SPLIT THEIR DOUBLE-HEADER EARLIER THIS SEASON WITH THE LUMBERJACKS WINNING 2-1 IN GAME ONE AND THE WARRIORS TAKING GAME TWO 16-2.

SOME MIGHT SAY IT PARALLELS EACH TEAM'S OWN PLAYOFF RUN, BUT REALLY, IT JUST TELLS US WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEIR MEETING TODAY MIGHT GO.

WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY YOU PLAY THE GAME.

IN THE SECTION SEMIFINALS, TOP SEED BRAINERD HOSTING 2-SEED BEMIDJI.

WE START IN THES TO OF THE FIRST, TWO OUTS, RUNNERS ON SCORING POSITION FOR THE JACKS, AND CLAIRE SHERWOOD PUTS ONE IN THE GAP.

BROOKS NOBLE SCORES, BEMIDJI STRIKES FIRST, 1-0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST, BRAINERD LOOKING TO RESPOND.

TWO ON, ONE OUT, JC CARLSON SINGLED A RIGHT, DRIVERS ONE ACROSS AND KNOTS THINGS AT ONE.

NEXT BATTER, STILL TWO ON, SHOOTING ONE UP THE MIDDLE.

BRINGS HOME ANOTHER AND THE WARRIORS GO OUT IN FRONT 2-1.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND, SAME SCORE, ONE ON, RUTH THINK OWEN, THAT'S HER THIRD HOME RUN OF THE SEASON.

THE WARRIORS TAKE A 4-1 LEAD AND THEN THE WEATHER REARS ITS UGLY HEAD.

LIGHTNING DELAYS STOPPING THE GAIL ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND ALL THE GIRLS CAN DO IS WATCH FROM THE DUGOUT UNTIL THEY FINALLY DECIDED TO POSTPONE THE GAME UNTIL TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

THEY'LL ROOM WHERE THEY LEFT OFF AT -- RESUME WHERE THEY LEFT UP AT 4:30 UP WITH BRAINERD UP 4-1 ON BEMIDJI IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH INNING.

WE'LL SHOW YOU THE FINISH OF THAT ONE TOMORROW NIGHT.

>>> TOP SEED SEBEKA AND 2-SEED BLACKDUCK MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR AND IT'S IN THE SECTION 5-A SEMIFINALS.

THE PITCHING IN THIS ONE WAS PHENOMENAL, ESPECIALLY FROM BLACKDUCK'S ANNA SWEDBERG WHO HAD 16 K'S AND STRUCK OUT THE SIDE FOUR TIMES TODAY, INCLUDING HERE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 5th TO PROTECT A ONE-RUN LEAD.

IN THE DRAKES NEXT AT-BAT, SHE'D GET SOME RUN SUPPORT.

TWO ON FOR BAILEE NORD, SHOOTS IT BACK UP THE MIDDLE.

PLATES TWO.

SHE'D LATER SCORE ON A WILD PITCH TO MAKE IT 4-0.

BUT IN THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE INNING, SEBEKA WOULD GET A RUN BACK.

THEN ZOE KISER DELIVERS A BASES-LOADED HIT THAT CLEARS 'EM ALL.

THE TROJANS, THEY ARE GOING NUTS BECAUSE THIS THING IS ALL KNOTTED AT 4.

BOTTOM 7 NOW, STILL TIED, AND MADISON FUNK COMES WITH THE KNOCKOUT BLOW.

SCORES TAYLOR JOHNSON FROM FIRST TO WALK IT OFF 5-4 AND THE TROJANS ARE CELEBRATING ALL THE WAY TO THEIR SECOND SECTION TITLE GAME APPEARANCE IN THREE YEARS.

WHO WILL THEY PLAY THERE?

WELL, BLACKDUCK NORTHOME-KELLIHER WON THEIR FIRST ELIMINATION GAME.

THEN DRAKES BEAT THEM, SO IT'S A REMATCH ON THURSDAY.

SEBEKA JUST NEEDS ONE WIN.

HOWEVER, BLACKDUCK WOULD NEED TO WIN TWICE IF THEY WANT TO REPEAT AS SECTION CHAMPS.

>>> MORE SOFTBALL SCORES FOR YOU AROUND THE AREA.

AN ELIMINATION GAME.

ALSO PLAYING 8-AA, WADENA DEER CREEK FALLS.

ROSEAU BEATS HOLLY AND BEATS WARROAD.

WARROAD'S SEASON COMES TO AN END THERE.

YOU CAN SEE HOW THE ELIMINATION GAMES PLAYED OUT APPROXIMATELY 7-AA, GREENWAY MAKING THEIR WAY BACK TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP NATURAL.

THEY TAKE ON ESKO, BUT THEY HAVE TO WON TWICE ON THURSDAY.

6-AA, FALLING TO MELROSE AREA.

IN 8-A, TOPPING THE ELIMINATION GAME.

>>> WHEN BEMIDJI AND MOORHEAD SPLIT THEIR DOUBLE-HEADER DURING THE REGULAR SEASON, THERE WAS SCORING APLENTY WITH 49 RUNS PLATED BETWEEN THE TWO RIVALS.

IT WAS ONLY FITTING THAT THE TWO DYNAMIC BASEBALL TEAMS GET PAIRED IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE SECTION 8-AAAA TOURNAMENT, AND IT MAY NOT SURPRISE YOU AT ALL TO FIND OUT THERE WAS PLENTY OF OFFENSE.

THE 5-SEEDED LUMBERJACKS AT THE 4-SEEDED SPUDS, AND IT WAS THE TATERS WHO GRABBED THE EARLY LEAD IN THIS ONE.

JONAH WITH A MAN ON GETS THE SCORING GOING.

MADE IT 1-0.

MOORHEAD IN THE BOTTOM THE FIRST.

THEN IN THE SECOND, MASON GRAUSCH PLAYSES ANOTHER.

SPUDS PILE ON SOME RUNS DURING THE COURSE OF THIS ONE, BUT SO WOULD THE JACKS.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH, BEMIDJI TRAILING 8-6, STRIKES AT 8-7.

JACKS HAD TWO TODAY, THE OTHER BAY LAWSON BURG IN THE 5th.

TWO BATTERS LATER, DOWN TO THE LAST OUT, KEEPING THE LUMBERJACKS ALIVE WITH AN RBI SINGLE TO TIE IT.

BOTTOM OF THE 7th, THE NINE-HITTER BREAKS THE HEARTS OF BEMIDJI FANS.

WALK-OFF THREE-RUN HOME RUN SENDS THE LUMBERJACKS TO THE ELIMINATION BRACKET.

THE ONLY SILVER LINING, THE JACKS GET AT LEAST ONE MORE HOME GAME THIS YEAR.

THEY ARE IN LINE TO HOST RIVAL BRAINERD ON THURSDAY BECAUSE BRAINERD DID FALL TO ST.

MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE, ALTHOUGH THE BRACKETS HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED YET.

THEY MAY SWITCH THAT AROUND, BUT RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE BRAINERD COMING HERE TO PLAY BEMIDJI ON THURSDAY.

FERGUS FALLS UPSET LITTLE FALLS.

MOVING ON TO 8-AA, DEEP RIVER FALLS UPSETS ROSEAU.

MENAHGA A WIN OVER BARNESVILLE AND IN THE 7-AA FIRST ROUNDING PECK QUOUT LAKES GETS THE WIN OVER TWO HARBORS.

AITKIN GETTING THE WIN OVER GREENWAY.

FOLEY BEATING STAPLES MOTLEY AND IN THE SUBSECTION 8-A, NORTH OLM KELLER GOT THE WIN OVER RED LAKE.

BLACKDUCK TOPS LAKE OF THE WOODS, BEGLY BEATS -- AND A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

BEMIDJI BOYS VOLLEYBALL GETS THEIR FIRST EVER SECTION TOURNAMENT WIN, 3-1 OVER OSSOE.

BOYS LA CROSSE, BRAINERD'S SEASON COMES TO AN END, GRAND RAPIDS GREENWAY BEATS ANDOVER AND IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THE TWINS BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN IN 11 INNINGS OVER THE SOX.

>> Dennis: THANKS, CHARLIE.

>>> SIX COUNTIES ACROSS NORTHWEST MINNESOTA HAVE PARTNERED UP TO PROVIDE AN ORGANICS PROGRAM FOR THEIR RESIDENTS, AIMING TO TRANSFORM ORGANIC WASTE INTO A VALUABLE RESOURCE.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND HOW YOU CAN HELP KEEP THE WORLD ENVIRONMENTALLY CLEAN.

>> Matthew: THE AVERAGE AMERICAN GENERATES CLOSE TO FIVE POUNDS OF SOLID WASTE EVERY DAY.

OVER 20% OF HOUSEHOLD TRASH IS FOOD SCRAPS LIKE FRUIT PEALS, EGGSHELLS, COFFEE GROUNDS, BONES AND MORE, WHICH CAN BE TROUBLESOME FOR SOLID WASTE FACILITIES TO DEAL WITH.

>> ORGANIC MATERIAL AS IT BREAKS DOWN IN THE LANDFILL CREATES GASES LIKE METHANE, WHICH CREATE PROBLEMS.

ONCE THAT MATERIAL GETS CONTAMINATED IN THE LANDFILL STREAM, IT'S UNRECOVERABLE.

>> Matthew: TO CREATE A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, SIX COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA ARE PARTNERING TOGETHER TO CREATE A SYSTEM WHERE WASTE IS TRANSFORMED INTO A VALUABLE PRODUCT THAT GOES BACK INTO THE ECOSYSTEM.

AND IT ALL STARTS WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED COMPOSTABLE BAG.

>> THROW A BANANA PEAL IN THERE AND SITS THERE UNTIL THERE'S ENOUGH OR ONION CORES, TIE OFF THE BAG AND PUT IT IN YOUR NORMAL TRASH.

THE UNIQUE THING ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP IT SEPARATE.

JUST GO IN YOUR NORMAL TRASH.

THE BAGS ARE STINED TO WITHSTAND THE COLLECTION PROCESS.

>> THE OLD METHOD OF PUTTING ALL THE TRASH IN ONE BIN DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE.

WE HAVE TO SEPARATE OUR WASTE INTO DIFFERENT STREAMS.

>> Matthew: ALL THAT WASTE FROM THE SIX DIFFERENT COUNTIES ENDS UP HERE AT THE POLK COUNTY SOLID WASTE FACILITY WHERE THE COUNTIES SORT TO PULL THE ORGANICS FROM REGULAR TRASH FOR COMPOSTING.

>> WE USE THE AI TO IDENTIFY THOSE SPECIALIZED, DURABLE COMPOSTABLE BAGS OF ORGANICS.

WHEN THAT IDENTIFIES ONE OF THOSE BAGS FULL OF ORGANICS AS IT'S GOING BY THE LINE, IT TIMES WHERE WE HAVE ONE OF TWO ROBOTS DOWNSTREAM THAT WILL BE TASKED WITH FINDING THAT BAG ON THE BELT AS IT'S GOING BY, EXTRACTING IT AND THROWING STWOIT IT INTO A BIN WHERE WE AGGREGATE AND HAUL IT OUT TO THE COMPOST FACILITY.

WHEN WE START OUT, WE WERE IN THAT 20 TO 30% EFFICIENCY RANGE.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE HITTING THE 80% MARK AND THE GOAL WOULD BE WELL OVER 90%.

>> Matthew: OF THE 33,000 TONS OF WASTE RECEIVED AT THE FACILITY EACH YEAR, ABOUT 8,000 TONS ARE REMOVED FOR REUSE OR RECYCLING PRIOR TO DISPOSAL.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN REPORTING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT ARE ACCEPTABLE ITEMS FOR THIS PROGRAM AS WELL AS HOW TO GET INVOLVED, WE WILL PROVIDE A LINK ALONG WITH THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> WE HAVE TIME TO CHECK IN ON WEATHER ONE MORE TIME.

WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: THERE'S A SLIGHT CHANCE WE COULD SEE A FEW MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, VARIABLE CLOUDS, LOW OF 56, HOT AND SUNNY AGAIN TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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