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 COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE AND HOME PHONE.

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SOURCEWELL, BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

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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.

CROW WING COUNTY IS URGING RESIDENTS TO REMAIN WARY OF CONTRACTOR CLEANUP SCAMS.

FOLLOWING THE FLANDERS WILDFIRE, HOME REPAIR CONTRACTORS ARE OUT IN THE AREA.

LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS WANT RESIDENTS TO WATCH FOR AND REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.

SCAM ARTISTS AND IDENTITY THIEVES OFTEN TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE CLEANING UP AND NEEDING REPAIRS, INCLUDING TREE CLEANUP AND ROOF AND SIDING REPAIRS.

TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED, THE COUNTY IS ADVISING RESIDENTS TO NOT PAY IN CASH, ALWAYS ASK TO SEE A STATE LICENSE, RESEARCH THE COMPANY AND MORE.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO DISASTERS AND SCAMMERS, THEY GO HAND IN HAND.

THEY LOOK TO MONOPOLIZE ON FOLKS AS THEY TRY TO DO THE CLEANUP.

WORK WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANIES, TALK WITH THEM.

NEVER SIGN ANY CONTRACTS.

WE WANT FOLKS TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY VIGILANT AND THEY'RE DOING THEIR RESEARCH.

>> Dennis: IF YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF FRAUD, REPORT IT TO THE FEMA DISASTER FRAUD HOTLINE.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A SCAM, CONTACT THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>>> AN 82-YEAR-OLD BAUDETTE WOMAN HAS DIED FOLLOWING A TWO-VEHICLE COLLISION NEAR ROSEAU THIS AFTERNOON.

THE STATE PATROL SAYS BARBARA LEE WELBERG DIED AFTER THE SUV SHE WAS DRIVING COLLIDED WITH A PICKUP TRUCK ON HIGHWAY 11 JUST EAST OF ROSEAU AROUND 3:30 P.M.

THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP, 43-YEAR-OLD SHAUNA DOKKEN OF ROSEAU, WAS TAKEN TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

THE PATROL SAYS WELBERG'S SUV WAS HEADED WESTBOUND AND DOKKEN'S PICKUP WAS EASTBOUND WHEN THE TWO COLLIDED.

ALCOHOL IS NOT SUSPECTED IN THE CRASH.

>>> AN ICE AGENT CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING A MAN, A VENEZUELAN MAN DURING AN IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN IS NOW IN CUSTODY.

THE SHOOTING HAPPENED BACK IN JANUARY IN MINNEAPOLIS.

ICE AGENT CHRISTIAN CASTRO WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FRIDAY MORNING AFTER THE MINNESOTA BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION TRACKED HIM DOWN IN TEXAS.

HE'S FACING FOUR COUNTS OF ASSAULT AND ONE COUNT OF FALSELY REPORTING A CRIME.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND THE TEXAS RANGERS ALSO TOOK PART IN CASTRO'S ARREST.

>>> SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR, WHO IS HEAVILY FAVORED TO BE THE DFL CANDIDATE IN THIS FALL'S GOVERNOR'S ELECTION, ANNOUNCED HER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RUNNING MATE TODAY.

KLOBUCHAR NAMED FORMER FERGUS FALLS MAYOR BEN SCHIERER TO SERVE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN HER ADMINISTRATION IF SHE'S ELECTED GOVERNOR.

SCHIERER WAS ELECTED MAYOR IN 2016 AND RE-ELECTED IN 2020.

PRIOR TO THAT HE SERVED ON THE FERGUS FALLS CITY COUNCIL.

A FORMER SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, SCHIERER AND HIS WIFE TESSA, ALONG WITH THEIR FIVE CHILDREN, OWNED AND OPERATED UNION PIZZA AND BREWING COMPANY AND TOAST IN DOWNTOWN FERGUS FALLS.

SCHIERER CURRENTLY WORKS WITH THE WEST CENTRAL INITIATIVE, A REGIONAL NON-PROFIT DEDICATED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

KLOBUCHAR OFFICIALS SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE SCHIERER WOULD BE THE FIRST PERSON TO BE ELECTED TO STATEWIDE OFFICE FROM CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7 IN OVER 50 YEARS.

>>> ADAM SCHWARZE WON THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSEMENT FOR U.S.

SENATE TONIGHT.

SCHWARZE, A FORMER NAVY SEAL, PICKED UP 62.6% OF THE VOTE ON THE SIXTH BALLOT AT THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSING CONVENTION.

SPORTS BROADCASTER MICHELE TAFOYA WAS SECOND WITH 31.8%.

TAFOYA HAS ALREADY SAID SHE WILL CONTINUE CAMPAIGNING UNTIL THE AUGUST PRIMARY.

TOMORROW DEMOCRATS WILL ENDORSE A CANDIDATE FOR THAT SENATE SEAT AS WELL.

DELEGATES THERE ARE EXPECTED TO SELECT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN.

HER MAIN OPPONENT, U.S.

REPRESENTATIVE ANGIE CRAIG, SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK SHE WILL FORGO THE CONVENTION WITH HOPES OF WINNING THE PRIMARY.

THIS SENATE SEAT IS OPEN DUE TO THE RETIREMENT OF SENATOR TINA SMITH.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS ORDERED THE REMOVAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NAME FROM THE KENNEDY CENTER.

IN A 94-PAGE OPINION, THE JUDGE WROTE THE LAW THAT ESTABLISHED THE CENTER MADE IT CLEAR IT CAN ONLY BE NAMED FOR PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY.

HE WENT ON TO WRITE THAT ONLY CONGRESS CAN CHANGE THE NAME.

HE ORDERED ALL SIGNAGE ON THE BUILDING THAT INCLUDES TRUMP'S NAME TO BE REMOVED WITHIN TWO WEEKS.

THE CENTER'S WEBSITE MUST ALSO BE UPDATED TO REFLECT THE CHANGE.

THE JUDGE ALSO BLOCKED THE CENTER FROM TEMPORARILY CLOSING FOR A YEARS-LONG RENOVATION.

HE WROTE THE RENOVATIONS CAN MOVE FORWARD, BUT SAID A CLOSURE CAN ONLY HAPPEN AFTER ITS BOARD FULLY CONSIDERS THE IMPACT THE MOVE WOULD HAVE ON ITS OBLIGATIONS TO MAINTAIN SOME PROGRAMMING AT ALL TIMES.

>>> THE CITY OF AITKIN'S NEW WATER TOWER PROJECT IS CLOSE TO BEING COMPLETED.

CONSTRUCTION CREWS ARE CONTINUING FINAL PAINTING, ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, AND PREPARING THE TOWER FOR FILLING AND STARTUP.

TALKS SURROUNDING A NEW WATER TOWER STARTED BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024.

THE NEW DESIGN WILL FEATURE A WHITE BASE AND A BLACK TOP WITH THE CITY OF AITKIN'S LOGO ON TWO SIDES.

THE PREVIOUS WATER TOWER WAS CONSTRUCTED BACK IN 1958.

>> WE APPLIED FOR AN ETA GRANT AND WE WERE SELECTED.

THAT WAS LIKE 2.3 MILLION WE GOT FROM THE COMMUNITY GRANT.

WE DID RAISE THE HEIGHT OF IT FROM 130 TO 150-ISH, INCREASED WATER PRESSURE FROM 56 PSI TO ABOUT 68 PSI.

>> Dennis: THE WATER TOWER IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF JUNE.

>>> NORTHWOODS CAREGIVERS HAS BEEN PROVIDING ELDERLY CARE IN THE BEMIDJI AREA FOR 25 YEARS.

LAST YEAR, SEVERAL EMPLOYEES GOT TOGETHER TO START A "WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE" EVENT TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS.

FOR THE WALK, PEOPLE COULD COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASED WHILE ALSO LEARNING MORE INFORMATION ON HOW DEMENTIA AFFECTS PEOPLE, AS WELL AS HOW TO PROVIDE CAREGIVER HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED.

>> SO TODAY WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON IS JUST CREATING AWARENESS BECAUSE WE HAVE A LARGE POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO MAY BE LIVING WITH MEMORY LOSS OR THEY'RE SERVING SOMEONE OR THEY LOVE SOMEONE WITH MEMORY LOSS.

I THINK WE'RE ALL CONNECTED SOMEHOW TO DEMENTIA SOME WAY.

WE KNOW SOMEBODY WHO HAS IT, WE KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS A CAREGIVER, AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT IN THAT SITUATION, THEY'RE NOT ALONE.

AND ONE OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE HERE AT NORTHWOODS IS CAREGIVER CONSULTING.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SUPPORT GROUPS AND I REALLY WANT TO SAY THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTENDING A SUPPORT GROUP ALLOWS YOU TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO ARE EITHER IN THE SAME SITUATION YOU'RE IN OR THEY HAVE BEEN.

WE WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE THAT THERE IS HELP OUT THERE.

>> Dennis: THE WALK WAS HELD EARLIER TODAY AND IS AN ANNUAL EVENT, BUT CAREGIVER CLASSES ARE HELD YEAR-ROUND BY THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.

>>> THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA WOMEN OF TODAY HOSTED A LOCAL FUNDRAISER RECENTLY AT DUNMIRE'S BAR AND GRILL TO SUPPORT A NEW INCLUSIVE ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND BEING BUILT AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THE NEW PLAYGROUND IS EXPECTED TO COST A LITTLE MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS, AND THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE PROJECT.

THE GOAL IS A FULLY ACCESSIBLE PLAY STRUCTURE THAT WILL BE IN PLACES FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES.

>> SO WE ARE HELPING HOST THE EVENT SO WE CAN RAISE MONEY FOR THE PLAYGROUND.

MY KIDS THE ATTEND RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHICH GOT ME ON BOARD WITH IT.

RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY HAS THE MOST KIDS WITH HIGH NEEDS, SO THAT WAS AN INITIATIVE A COUPLE YEARS BACK.

THE FOURTH GRADERS HAD EXPRESSED CONCERNS NOT BEING ABLE TO PLAY WITH ALL THEIR FRIENDS ON THE PLAYGROUND AND THAT'S WHAT MOTIVATED US TO MOVE IN THIS DIRECTION.

>> Dennis: 50% OF DUNMIRE'S PROCEEDS PURCHASED BY GUESTS DURING THE EVENT WILL BE DONATED TO THE PLAYGROUND.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: WE'LL SEE PLENTY OF CLOUD COVER TOMORROW WITH MORE SUNSHINE ON SUNDAY.

AND HIGHS SHOULD REACH THE 80s THRITE THE WEEKEND.

WE'LL HAVE THE FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Matthew: AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS A MUSEUM IN PARK RAPIDS AIMS TO EDUCATE THE >> Announcer: AND NOW, MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>> Dennis: THE BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL KEY CLUB, A STUDENT-LED VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, HOSTED ITS FINAL AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THE BLOOD DRIVE HAD AROUND 15 VOLUNTEERS HELP OUT, AND DONORS WHO GAVE BLOOD RECEIVED A FREE BEACH TOWEL WITH THE BENEFITS OF HELPING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PURSUE A HIGHER EDUCATION AND SAVING LIVES IN THE PROCESS.

>> WE HAD A SPRING BLOOD DRIVE FOR THE BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL KEY CLUB.

IT HELPS COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

IT MAKES THE COMMUNITY MORE AWARE OF WHAT STUDENTS ARE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY AS THE WHOLE BLOOD DRIVES STUDENT-LED AND STUDENT-INVOLVED.

WE HAVE OUR KEY CLUB SHIRTS AS I'M WEARING TODAY AND IT HELPS THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING AND MAKES THEM MORE AWARE WHATEVER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE DOING -- OF WHAT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE DOING WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Dennis: BRATNEY AND OTHER SENIORS FROM THE KEY CLUB RECEIVED A RED CROSS SCHOLARSHIP.

BRATNEY SAYS SHE PLANS TO USE THAT TOWARDS A MAJOR IN NURSING.

>>> THE WILDCAT SANCTUARY IN SANDSTONE, MINNESOTA, SAYS THEY'RE CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF THE OLDEST LIVING OCELOT IN HUMAN CARE.

"RIO" TURNED 27 YEARS OLD ON THURSDAY.

THE SANCTUARY SAYS 27 YEARS OLD IS ALMOST UNHEARD OF FOR AN OCELOT BECAUSE THE SPECIES TYPICALLY LIVES FOR A MUCH SHORTER TIME IN CAPTIVITY.

RIO HAS BEEN AT THE SANCTUARY FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS, AFTER SPENDING MOST OF HER LIFE AT A SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN BREEDING FACILITY IN TEXAS THAT IS NOW CLOSED.

THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY SAYS THERE ARE LESS THAN 100 OCELOTS IN THE U.S.

BECAUSE OF HABITAT LOSS.

MOST ARE IN SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS AND SOUTHERN ARIZONA.

OCELOTS MOSTLY LIVE IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA AND SOME CARIBBEAN ISLANDS, AND ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR SPOTTED COATS AND NOCTURNAL BEHAVIOR.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER.

STACY IS HERE.

ANOTHER WARM DAY TODAY.

SEEMED LIKE WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF HUMIDITY TO THE AIR TODAY AS WELL.

>> Stacy: RIGHT.

YOU CAN COULD CERTAINLY PEOPLE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE AIR FROM YESTERDAY.

TEMPERATURES WERE VERY HOT ONCE AGAIN.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE HIGHS IN THE 80s AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, BUT WE HAVE MORE CLOUD COVER TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AND WE'LL >> Announcer: AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: OUR STRETCH OF HOT WEATHER CONTINUED TODAY WITH MANY OF US SEEING HIGHS IN THE UPPER 80s AND A LITTLE BIT MORE HUMIDITY IN THE AIR TO GO ALONG WITH THE HEAT.

NOW, WE'RE CONTINUING TO HAVE HIGHS IN THE 80s, LOOKING AT LOW TO MID 80s HEADING THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

A BIT MORE CLOUD COVER TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AND SEEING MORE SUNSHINE NEXT WEEK.

WE HAVE SMALL CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MONDAY AND TUESDAY, A BETTER CHANCE ON WEDNESDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, 79 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

A LIGHT SOUTH WIND AT THE STUDIOO WITH DEWPOINTS AT 58 AND HUMIDITY AT 48%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES AND 74.

THAT DEWPOINT IS UP THERE AT 62, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 3.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE ARE SEEING A BIT MORE CLOUD COVER ACROSS MOST THE AREA THIS EVENING.

STARTING TO SEE THAT BREAK UP A LITTLE BIT IN FAR NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, BUT WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERALL AS WE HEAD THROUGH TONIGHT.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA TOMORROW, BUT TEMPERATURE-WISE, WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID 80s.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

A GORGEOUS MORNING IN MENAHGA, ARLENE WITH THAT PHOTO AND A BEAUTIFUL SUN ROSE OVER LAKE ADA FROM DEBORAH.

GARY WITH THOSE GREAT BLUE SKIES OVER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN DEERWOOD.

JOAN SPOTTING THE LADY SLIPPERS STARTING TO BLOOM IN LAPORTE AND SOME OF THE CLOUDS THIS EVENING IN DEERWOOD.

A LOT MORE CLOUD COVER AGAIN THIS EVENING FOR MOST OF OUR EAGLES.

ANGELA SENDING THIS PICTURE FROM CASS LAKE, BEN WITH SUNSET AND BILL AND JUDY OVER UPPER RED LAKE WITH THOSE PICTURES.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAGHA, 60 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

DEBORAH AT FINE RIVER, 59 THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE AND 88.

CHRISTY IN DEERWOOD A LIGHT BREEZE TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 89.

JOAN IN LAP PORT, MOSTLY SUNNY AND 89.

BOB IN BLUFFTON IN A MIXTURE OF SUN AND CLOUDS.

ROS IN JENKINS, 89 FOR THE HIGH.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, HIGH AND HAZY CLOUDS TODAY.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR ALMANAC, WE TOPPED OUT IN BRAINERD AT 88.

STILL WARM OUT THERE, MUGGY TOO, SO IT FELT MORE LIKE SUMMER.

WE HAD LOWS OF 35U AND SUNRISE -- 55 AND SUNRISE AT 5:30.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT TODAY AT 89, JUST A FEW DEGREES SHY OF THAT RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR TODAY.

57 FOR THE LOW AND 9:06 THE SUNSET.

TOMORROW'S FORECAST, MORE CLOUD COVER IN THE AREA.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, A LOT OF US KEEPING THE CLOUDS ALL DAY LONG.

AS FAR AS HIGH TEMPERATURES GO, THOUGH, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE HOTTER THAN AVERAGE.

HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID 80s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND ALSO LOOK AT LOW TO MID 80s ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 61 INCORPORATE LOW WITH SOUTHEAST WIND -- FOR THE LOW WITH SOUTHEAST WINDS UP TO 10.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, HIGHS ABOUT 84 WITH WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTHEAST, PICKING UP A BIT AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, MORE SUNSHINE ON SUNDAY WITH PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AND HIGHS NEAR 83.

HIGHS JUMP UP TO 88 ON MONDAY WHERE WE'RE SEEING SUNSHINE, BUT THERE'S A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

STILL A SMALL CHANCE THROUGHOUT THE AREA ON WEDNESDAY AND A BETTER -- I SHOULD SAY ON TUESDAY AND A BETTER CHANCE BY WEDNESDAY.

HIGHS TUESDAY IN THE UPPER 80s, 83 ON WEDNESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: VERY NICE.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH SPORTS.

THIS IS THE FOURTH STRAIGHT DAY BEMIDJI AND BRAINERD HAVE PLAYED IN SOFTBALL, RIGHT?

>> Charlie: PART THREE OF FOUR DAYS IN A ROW.

THEY HAD ONE GAME SPLIT BETWEEN TWO DAYS, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

THEY PLAYED YESTERDAY AND I PROMISE YOU TODAY WAS IT, THIS IS THE FINAL.

WINNER TAKE ALL, NOTHING LET OUT THERE.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM BRAINERD-BEMIDJI SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP SOFTBALL GAME >> Announcer: AND NOW, YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: ALL GOOD STORIES MUST COME TO AN END, AND THE SAGA THAT HAS PLAYED OUT BETWEEN BEMIDJI AND BRAINERD SOFTBALL OVER THESE PAST FOUR DAYS FINALLY REACHED ITS CONCLUSION THIS MORNING.

THE LUMBERJACKS, WHO CAME OUT OF THE WINNERS BRACKET, COULD HAVE FINISHED THE STORY YESTERDAY WITH A WIN, BUT THE WARRIORS, WHO MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE ELIMINATION BRACKET, BEAT THE JACKS 6-1 TO FORCE A WINNER-TAKE-ALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

IT'S ONLY FITTING.

THE RIVALS SPLIT THEIR REGULAR SEASON DOUBLE-HEADER AND HAVE NOW BEAT EACH OTHER ONCE THIS POST-SEASON.

BRAINERD HOSTING THE RUBBER-MATCH, TRYING TO SECURE BACK-TO-BACK SECTION 8-AAAA TITLES.

BEMIDJI TRYING TO WIN JUST THEIR SECOND IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

WARRIORS HAD THE BATS GOING EARLY.

FIRST INNING, TWO ON FOR MADDIE O'GRADY.

SHE WENT TWO FOR FOUR WITH A DOUBLE.

SHE DOUBLES DOWN THE LINE, BRINGS HOME A PAIR.

BRAINERD JUMPS OUT TO A 2-0 LEAD.

BOTTOM SECOND, AFTER A RUTHIE OWEN RBI DOUBLE, HADLEY ERLANDSON PUSHES HER RUN ACROSS.

SHE WENT 3-4 FOR TODAY.

WARRIORS UP 4-0.

ON TO THE FOURTH, THE LEAD HAS SWELLED TO FIVE.

JAYCEE CARLSON JOINS THE RBI CLUB.

WARRIORS SCORE THREE IN THE INNING, EXTEND THE LEAD TO 8-0.

BUT THE LUMBERJACKS HAVE BEEN THE COMEBACK KIDS ALL POST-SEASON, AND IN THE FIFTH, CLARA SHERWOOD RIPS ONE TO THE WALL, SCORES THE RUNNERS FROM FIRST AND SECOND TO FINALLY GET ON THE BOARD.

THEN IN THE SEVENTH INNING, JACKS TRAILING 9-3, RUNNERS ON THE CORNERS.

KARLEY LAZELLA NOT DEEP ENOUGH TO LEAVE THE YARD, BUT DEEP ENOUGH TO SCORE LIV BIRT.

CUTS THE LEAD TO 5.

BUT THAT WOULD BRING BEMIDJI TO THEIR FINAL OUT.

O'GRADY LOOKING FOR ANOTHER COMPLETE GAME AND WHO ELSE BUT HER TO RECORD IT, MAKING IT BACK-TO-BACK SECTION TITLES FOR THE WARRIORS AND SENDING THEM ON A RETURN TRIP TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

9-4 THE FINAL.

THE TWO RIVALS PLAYED A THRILLING FIVE GAMES THIS SEASON, TRADING BLOWS BACK AND FORTH, BUT WHEN THE DUST SETTLED, IT WAS BRAINERD WHO WAS LEFT STANDING.

>> THEY'RE A GREAT RIVAL OF OURS.

THEY'RE A GOOD TEAM AND I THINK WE'RE PRETTY EQUAL.

I THINK WE'RE THE BETTER TEAM, BUT I FEEL LIKE THAT GAME ON WEDNESDAY WHERE WE LOST HELPED US GROW AS A TEAM AND SHOWED WE CAN BEAT THEM.

>> I THOUGHT GOING INTO THE SEASON, NOBODY THOUGHT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND WE JUST PROVED EVERYONE WRONG.

WE DID IT.

>> IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

I'M CRYING HAPPY TEARS.

I CAN'T BELIEVE WE DID IT.

WE HAD SUCH A GREAT DEFENSE AND IT WAS JUST ALL CLICKING AT THE RIGHT TIME.

IT WAS AMAZING.

>> LAST YEAR WAS SO MUCH FUN.

>> I'M SO EXCITED TO GO BACK.

>> Charlie: WELL, NOT LONG AFTER THE WIN, THE MSHSL RELEASED THE CLASS 4-A BRACKET, AND BRAINERD WAS GIVEN THE 8-SEED.

THEY WILL PLAY TOP SEED FOREST LAKE IN THE QUARTERFINALS, THE SAME TEAM THAT BEAT THE WARRIORS IN THE 2022 STATE TITLE GAME.

THEY DENIED THEM THAT PERFECT SEASON.

SEBEKA, THE SECTION 5-A CHAMPS, ALSO LEARNED THEIR FATE.

THEY TOO ARE SEEDED EIGHTH AND WILL TAKE ON THE REIGNING CLASS A STATE CHAMPS, UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL.

THERE WAS ONE OTHER WINNER-TAKE-ALL SECTION TITLE GAME.

THAT WAS IN 8-AA.

TOP-SEEDED ROSEAU FORCED IT WITH A 3-2 WIN OVER D-G-F YESTERDAY, BUT FELL SHORT TODAY 4-3.

A COUPLE OTHER SCORES FOR YOU.

MINNESOTA LYNX GET THE WIN OVER THE CHICAGO SKY.

COFFEY HAD 20 POINTS TONIGHT.

>>> AND IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, REYNOLDS WITH A WALK-OFF TWO-RUN HOME RUN FOR THE PIRATES, BEAT THEM 6-5.

>>> WELL, CHRIS HENNUM HAS BEEN NAMED THE NEW HEAD COACH OF BEMIDJI GIRLS HOCKEY.

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR KRISTEN McRAE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS AFTERNOON, NOTING HIS DEVELOPMENT OF ASPIRING GIRLS HOCKEY PLAYERS AND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME.

HENNUM HAS BEEN ACTIVE WITH THE BEMIDJI YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION AS BOTH A HEAD AND ASSISTANT COACH.

HE NOW TAKES OVER FOR MIKE JOHNSON, WHO RETIRED AFTER THE SEASON, AND INHERITS A TEAM COMING OFF THEIR FIRST SECTION TITLE AND STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE IN 19 YEARS.

>>> BSU MEN'S HOCKEY IS DOING SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR WITH THEIR LEADERSHIP GROUP.

THE TEAM ANNOUNCED FORWARD OLIVER PEER AND DEFENSEMAN LUKE ROELOFS AND HUDSON THORNTON WILL ALL SERVE AS CAPTAINS FOR THE BEAVERS NEXT YEAR, MARKING THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 2021-22 SEASON THAT THREE PLAYERS WILL WEAR THE "C" ON THEIR CHEST.

PEER, THE LONE SENIOR CAPTAIN, TRANSFERRED IN LAST SEASON FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK AND IMMEDIATELY MADE AN IMPACT, BECOMING THE TEAM'S LEADER IN POINTS WITH 36 AND GOALS WITH 20.

THORNTON, A JUNIOR THAT ALSO TRANSFERRED IN LAST SEASON, WAS ONE OF SEVEN BEAVERS TO SKATE IN ALL 36 GAMES, LEADING BSU DEFENDERS IN POINTS WITH 18 AND TIED FOR A TEAM-LEADING 13 POWER PLAY POINTS.

ROELOFS IS ALSO A JUNIOR AND HAS THE MOST COLLEGIATE GAMES OF THE GROUP WITH THE GREEN AND WHITE UNDER HIS BELT WITH 52 ACROSS HIS FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE SEASONS.

2007-08 WAS THE ONLY OTHER SEASON SINCE THE PROGRAM WENT D-1 THAT THEY HAD THREE CAPTAINS.

ASSISTANT COACH TRAVIS WINTERS WAS ONE OF THEM.

NO PLAYERS WILL SERVE AS ALTERNATE CAPTAINS IN 2026-27.

AND A FORMER BSU BEAVER SUFFERED A NON-CONTACT INJURY DURING OTA PRACTICE ON FRIDAY.

NEW YORK GIANTS RECEIVER, RETURNER, AND FORMER BSU BEAVER GUNNER OLSZEWSKI IS FEARED TO HAVE SUFFERED A TORN ACHILLES AND WILL UNDERGO FURTHER TESTING, PER ESPN.

THE VETERAN NFL WIDEOUT RE-SIGNED TO A ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH THE GIANTS THIS OFF-SEASON TO CONTINUE SERVING AS A PUNT RETURNER AND ADD DEPTH AT THE RECEIVER POSITION.

AND HE'S THE THIRD NEW YORK GIANT IN THE OFF-SEASON THIS YEAR TO HAVE TORN HIS ACHILLES.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY HAVE GOING ON IN THE GRASS OVER THERE T HOW THEY'RE MOWING IT OR WHATEVER, BUT -- >> Dennis: THAT'S UNFORTUNATE.

HE'S CARVED OUT A NICE NFL CAREER.

>> Charlie: AND REALLY UNDER HIS STOCK IN THE RECEIVER POSITION.

LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT HE COULD DO THIS YEAR.

>> Dennis: THANKS, CHARLIE.

>>> A MUSEUM IN PARK RAPIDS AIMS TO EDUCATE THOSE INTERESTED IN THE SURROUNDING AREA ABOUT TREATY RIGHTS AND THE OJIBWE CULTURE.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM TO SEE WHAT THE MUSEUM OFFERS.

>> Matthew: THE CULTURE MUSEUM AS YOUNG INSTITUTION CREATED TO DISCUSS THE PREMISE AND NEED FOR TREATIES, GOVERNANCE, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND THE STRUGGLE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT TO PROTECT LAND, WATER, AND THEIR TERRITORIES.

>> IT OFFERS OUR HISTORY COMING FROM -- AS OJIBWE PEOPLE COMING FROM THE EAST COAST ALL THE WAY UP TO OUR SITE TO PROTECT OUR WATERS AND PROTECT OUR LAND AND PROTECT OUR RIGHTS AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

AND THAT EXTENDS, OF COURSE, TO THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE OF THIS LAND, WHICH WAS THE DAKOTA.

ALL OF THIS EXHIBITS AND BUILDINGS AND INFORMATION AND ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT WORKS OF ART ARE ALL A MONUMENT TO OUR PRESENCE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Matthew: IT IS THE OJIBWE WORD FOR IN THE NORTH.

IT CAN ALSO REFER TO HOMECOMING TO THE OJIBWE PEOPLE.

THE MUSEUM WAS CREATED IN A FORMER CARNEGIE LIBRARY IN PARK RAPIDS.

WHEN THE MUSEUM FIRST OPENED IN 2023, YOU COULD SAY IT WAS A BIT OF A HOMECOMING NIGHT USED TO BE AN OFFICE BUILDING FOR THE END BRIDGE LINE THREE COMPANY THAT WAS COMING THROUGH AND VERY UPSETTING TO US AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BECAUSE OF ITS IMPACT AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON OUR WATER, OUR LAND, THINGS WE WERE FIGHTING FOR FOR GENERATIONS.

TO BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN THAT SOMETHING HISTORIC MEANING AND SHOWING OUR PRESENCE HERE AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IS IMPORTANT FOR US.

>> Matthew: A TEAM OF INDIGENOUS HISTORIANS, ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS HELPED GUIDE THE MUSEUM, ENSURING IT ACCURATELY REFLECTS THEIR PERSPECTIVES.

THE MUSEUM PARTNERS WITH VARIOUS CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO EXTEND ITS EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME THIS, THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT OJIBWE AND DAKOTA AND NATIVE AMERICANS IN GENERAL ARE STILL EXISTING.

I HOPE PEOPLE ARE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CONTINUED PRESENCE, THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL HERE AND ALIVE AND THRIVING DESPITE WHAT WE HAVE FACED THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY HERE AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

>> Matthew: REPORTING FROM PARK RAPIDS WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: MONROE, A LEECH LAKE BAND MEMBER, TOOK OVER THE ROLE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TREATY RIGHTS AND CULTURE MUSEUM LAST YEAR AT THE AGE OF 23.

>>> LET'S GO BACK TO STACY FOR A QUICK CHECK OF WATER.

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEEING MORE CLOUD COVER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 61.

TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

LOOK FOR HIGHS IN THE MID 80s.

>> Dennis: THAT'S GOING TO WRAP IT UP FOR US.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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