>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND EDUCATION.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL NEWS FOR BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> SOME SHOCKING FINDINGS IN AN AUDIT AND COMPREHENSIVE REPORT FROM THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE INSPECTOR GENERAL ON MAIL DELIVERY ISSUES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THE AUDIT AND REPORT SHOWS THAT NEARLY 79,000 MAIL PIECES WERE DELAYED DURING THE INVESTIGATION FROM DECEMBER 12TH THROUGH DECEMBER 14TH OF LAST YEAR.

LAST NOVEMBER, UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE RURAL CARRIERS HELD A PICKET AND SYMBOLIC STRIKE OUTSIDE OF THE BEMIDJI POST OFFICE TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THEIR WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CONCERNS ABOUT DELIVERING MAIL TO THE COMMUNITY.

RURAL MAIL CARRIERS SAID THEY WERE SHORT-STAFFED AND UNABLE TO PERFORM THEIR JOBS.

THEY SAID THEY WERE BEING FORCED TO WORK 12-HOUR SHIFTS WHILE ALSO DELIVERING PACKAGES FOR AMAZON.

THE REPORT FROM THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHOWS THAT USPS HEADQUARTERS MANAGEMENT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY PLAN FOR, STAFF, RESOURCE, AND EVEN INFORM THE FACILITY ABOUT THE SUDDEN INCREASE IN PACKAGE VOLUME.

THE I.G.

REPORT STATES THAT HEADQUARTERS MANAGEMENT DID NOT HAVE A PROGRAM IN PLACE TO PROVIDE BEMIDJI POST OFFICE MANAGEMENT WITH TRAINING ON MAIL PROCESSING OPERATIONS.

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ALSO FOUND THAT FACILITY MANAGEMENT FAILED TO ACCURATELY REPORT THE DELAYED MAIL.

MINNESOTA DEMOCRATIC SENATORS TINA SMITH AND AMY KLOBUCHAR REQUESTED THE AUDIT.

A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TWO SAYS THE I.G.

FINDINGS DIRECTLY CONTRADICT THE POSTAL SERVICE'S RESPONSE TO THEIR CONCERNS WHEN THE POSTAL SERVICE STATED THAT IT “HAS WELL-ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES AND GUIDANCE TO HELP EVERY FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY PREPARE FOR THE BUSIEST TIME OF YEAR.

” THE SENATORS SAY THAT IT IS CLEAR FROM THE I.G.

'S FINDINGS THAT THOSE PROCEDURES AND GUIDANCE FAILED TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE SITUATION IN BEMIDJI.

SENATOR SMITH SAYS THIS ISN'T THE END OF THIS STORY AND THAT SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DISTRICT-WIDE REPORT THAT WILL BE RELEASED SOON, SO SHE CAN GET A FULL PICTURE SO THEY CAN HOLD THE POSTAL SERVICE ACCOUNTABLE FOR REAL SOLUTIONS.

>>> TWO PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE EXPLOSION OF A MOBILE HOME IN MILLE LACS COUNTY IN A BLAST HEARD MILES AWAY.

THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN PRINCETON JUST AFTER 4:00 A.M. TUESDAY.

AUTHORITIES IDENTIFIED THE VICTIMS AS 61-YEAR-OLD KATHERINE A. KREGER AND HER 60-YEAR-OLD HUSBAND, ROYCE E. KREGER JR. DEPUTIES WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE SAID THEY SAW A TANK SHOOTING PROPANE IN THE AIR.

THE CAUSE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE.

AUTHORITIES SAY A DOG ALSO DIED IN THE BLAST.

>>> THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR STOPPED BY PARK RAPIDS TO HOLD A CEREMONY FOR THE LAST CIVIL WAR VETERAN BURIED IN HUBBARD COUNTY.

THE GROUP IS A CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED ORGANIZATION FORMED ON 1881 BY THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

ITS PURPOSE IS PERPETUATING THE MEMORY OF THE MEN WHO SAVED THE UNION AND HONORING ALL WHO HAVE SERVED OUR NATION.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN STOPPED BY THE CEREMONY TO SEE WHY THE ORGANIZATION HONORS THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND FALLEN FOR OUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR OBSERVED THE CURRENT UPKEEP OF CIVIL WAR MEMORIALS AND HOLDS CEREMONIES.

>> WE DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH TO FIND ALL THESE CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS WE COULD FOR HUBBARD COUNTY.

THEN WE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES WITH THE INTERNET TODAY WHO THE LAST UNION VETERAN WAS BURIED IN THE COUNTY.

>> Reporter: THAT VETERAN BEING PRIVATE FRANK CHRISTIAN, A MAN WHO WAS JUST 19 YEARS OLD WHEN HE ENLISTED IN THE REGIMENT SERVING AS SECURITY AGAINST GUERRILLA ATTACKS ON THE RAILROADS.

IT IS THEIR MISSION TO MARK THE UNION VETS ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA.

>> IT'S A NATIONAL EFFORT WITH THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS TO DO EVERY COUNTY, A LARGE EFFORT OF WHAT WE DO WHEN WE LOCATE ALL THESE SOLDIERS IN ALL THESE COUNTIES, WE FIND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM IN THE STATE WITHOUT HEAD STONES.

SO OUR GOAL THIS YEAR IS TO RECEIVE 250 HEAD STONES FOR CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS.

>> Reporter: THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS DO THEIR BEST TO HOLD AN AUTHENTIC CEREMONY, ONE SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY DID FOR FALLEN SOLDIERS OF THE UNION DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

>> THE CEREMONY WAS BASED OFF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC'S FUNERAL RIGHTS.

WE MODERNIZED IT A LITTLE BIT.

IT'S A TRADITION FOR A VETERAN.

WE WEREN'T ALIVE WHEN THIS GENTLEMAN PASSED AWAY, BUT SINCE WE'RE MARKING HIS GRAVE AS THE LAST UNION VETERAN OF THE COUNTY, IT SEEMED LIKE THE HONORABLE THING TO DO TO PLAY TAPS FOR HIM AGAIN.

I SEE A NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE FIRST VETERANS, SO THAT IS WHAT I'M DOING.

>> Reporter: THESE CEREMONIES BRING CLOSURE TO FAMILIES RELATED TO THE CIVIL WAR VETERANS, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE A WAY TO BRING A FAMILY TOGETHER.

>> THERE ARE TWO CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS BURY IN COOKE COUNTY.

WHEN WE WERE DONE WITH THE CEREMONY, WE ASKED EVERYBODY WHO WAS A DESCENDANT TO GATHER AROUND SO WE COULD TAKE A PICTURE.

ALL THE PEOPLE STARTED GATHERING AROUND.

ALL THESE PEOPLE WERE RELATED AND NONE OF THEM KNEW EACH OTHER, SO WE HAD A FAMILY REUNION.

IT WAS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM PARK RAPIDS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR WILL BE MAKING A STOP IN CROOKSTON ON MAY 18TH TO HONOR ANOTHER TWO UNION VETERANS, WITH ONE BEING A MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT, AND A SECOND STOP LATER THAT SAME DAY IN HALSTAD TO HOLD A CEREMONY FOR A THIRD UNION VETERAN.

>>> ST.

CLOUD STATE HAS ANNOUNCED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO DRASTICALLY CUT EXPENSES AT THE SCHOOL.

AMONG THE RECOMMENDATIONS, CUTTING 46 DEGREE PROGRAMS AND ELIMINATING 57 FACULTY POSITIONS.

ST.

CLOUD STATE SUFFERED AN $18 MILLION OPERATING LOSS IN 2023 AND IS PROJECTED TO LOSE $15 MILLION YEAR.

THE SCHOOL'S ACTING PRESIDENT LARRY LEE SAYS THE SCHOOL WOULD HAVE 90 PROGRAMS REMAINING FOLLOWING THE CUTS AND THAT 91-PERCENT OF THEIR STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN THOSE 90 PROGRAMS.

THE 57 FACULTY JOBS REPRESENTS ABOUT 13 PERCENT OF FULL-TIME FACULTY AT ST.

CLOUD STATE.

THOSE JOBS THAT WOULD BE ELIMINATED WOULD COME FROM PROGRAMS BEING ELIMINATED BUT ALSO FROM SOME OF THE 90 PROGRAMS BEING KEPT.

ST.

CLOUD STATE OFFICIALS SAY DROPPING ENROLLMENT NUMBER HAVE LED TO THEIR BUDGET ISSUES.

ENROLLMENT AT THE SCHOOL PEAKED IN 2010 AT A LITTLE MORE THAN 18,000 STUDENTS.

IT NOW HAS AROUND 10,000 STUDENTS.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS PLANNING ON IMPROVEMENT TO HIGHWAY 210 FROM MOTELY TO PILLAGER.

THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY IN THE DESIGN PHASE AND SCHEDULED FOR CONSTRUCTION IN 2027.

AND MN-DOT IS HOSTING AN OPEN HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 22ND WHERE PEOPLE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THOSE PLANS.

THE OPEN HOUSE WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 P.M. AT THE PILLAGER COMMUNITY CENTER.

GUESTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH PROJECT STAFF, VIEW DESIGN LAYOUTS AND ASK QUESTIONS.

TO BETTER FIT INDIVIDUAL SCHEDULES, THE EVENT IS DROP-IN STYLE —GUESTS MAY ARRIVE AND LEAVE AT THEIR CONVENIENCE.

MN-DOT WILL RESURFACE AND IMPROVE NEARLY NINE MILES OF HIGHWAY 210 FROM HIGHWAY 10 IN MOTLEY TO EAST OF SOUTH JUNCTION CASS COUNTY ROAD 1 IN PILLAGER.

THE PROJECT INCLUDES A ROUNDABOUT ON HIGHWAY 210 AT SOUTH JUNCTION CASS COUNTY ROAD ONE AND 37TH AVENUE IN PILLAGER.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE SHOULD SEE MOST OF THE SHOWERS TAPERING OFF IN THE AREA TONIGHT.

WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TOMORROW BEFORE A SUNNY DAY IS IN STORE FOR THURSDAY.

I'LL HAVE MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK ON THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, THE NEW BIKING TRAILS AT THE CLEAR WATER FOREST CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER.

[♪♪♪] >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>>> A FAMILY FROM LUVERNE, MINNESOTA IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE STATE HAS BEEN THROUGH QUITE AN ORDEAL.

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, THE FAMILY'S BELOVED CAT VENTURED OUTSIDE AND DID NOT RETURN HOME BUT AS PARKER BROWN EXPLAINS, THIS STORY DOES HAVE A HAPPY ENDING.

HE SPOKE WITH THE FAMILY ABOUT THE CAT'S ESCAPADE AND HOW THE FELINE WAS REUNITED WITH ITS FAMILY.

>> Reporter: THERE IS AN OLD SAYING, CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT.

FOR A WHILE, HEATHER JOHNSON FELT THAT CHARLES' FATE WOULD HAVE A SIMILAR END.

ON APRIL 21ST, CHARLES' CURIOSITY GOT THE BEST OF HIM.

HE VENTURED OUTSIDE, WHICH WAS NOT UNUSUAL, BUT WHAT WAS IS THAT HE DIDN'T RETURN.

>> THE NEXT DAY, STILL NO SIGN OF HIM.

I WAS GETTING A LITTLE BIT MORE WORRIED.

I DON'T THINK HE WAS EVER GONE FOR MORE THAN A DAY.

>> Reporter: THE SEARCH WAS ON FOR THEIR FRIEND, POSTERS MADE AND DRIVES AROUND TOWN.

SHE FELT TERRIBLE THAT SHE WASN'T THERE TO HELP.

>> AS THE WEEK WENT ON, I WAS FEELING WORSE AND WORSE ABOUT THE SITUATION.

I THOUGHT THIS TIME HE WON'T COME BACK.

>> Reporter: CHARLES WAS CAUGHT IN A RABBIT TRAP BUT CHARLES HAD LOST HIS COLLAR AND LOOKED LIKE A STRAY.

>> HE SAID I TOOK HIM 3 MILES OUT OF TOWN AND RELEASED HIM.

HE SHOWED ME ON THE MAP WHERE HE TOOK HIM.

THAT WAS REALLY HEARTBREAKING BECAUSE I WAS LIKE HOW IS HE GOING TO DO?

NOW WE KNEW WHERE TO LOOK.

>> Reporter: THIS IS WHERE THE STORY ENDS, RIGHT?

THERE IS NO WAY THIS CAT SURVIVES IN THE MINNESOTA COUNTRYSIDE.

>> HE WAS DROPPED OFF NEAR THE STATE PARK AND THERE ARE COYOTES AND ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS.

I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT HIM.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE MOVING ASHLAND AND HER BROTHER OUT OF COLLEGE AND THEN THEY GOT WORD THAT CHARLES WAS SPOTTED.

>> I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM A MAN AND HE SAID I AM ALMOST POSITIVE I SAW YOUR CAT.

>> Reporter: IT INDEED WAS CHARLES.

HE SPENT 10 DAYS ON HIS OWN AND OTHER THAN SOME SCRATCHES ON HIS NOSE, HE MADE IT BACK HOME UNSCATHED.

IT COULD HAVE ENDED IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT THE MISSING CAT WAS NOW FOUND.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF CHARLES THE CAT IS A STORY THE JOHNSONS WILL CONTINUE TO TELL.

>> IT IS SUCH A HAPPY AND RELIEVING FEELING TO KNOW THAT HE WAS BACK.

>> Dennis: THE JOHNSONS SAY THEY ARE GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HELPED THEM LOOK FOR THEIR MISSING CAT, INCLUDING STRANGERS WHO HAD ONLY SEEN THE POSTERS.

THEY SAY THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THEY WILL BE KEEPING CHARLES INDOORS FROM NOW ON.

AND THEIR MESSAGE TO ANYONE WHO FINDS A CAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE A STRAY IS TO BRING IT TO A LOCAL VET OR SHELTER FIRST.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

A NICE AMOUNT OF RAIN TODAY.

>> Stacy: WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT, MANY OF US REPORTING AROUND THAT HALF INCH OF RAIN, SOME A LITTLE MORE, SOME A LITTLE LESS.

MOST OF THE SHOWERS ARE TAPERING OFF AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE FOR RAIN TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES ON THURSDAY, A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS BY THE >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH; HERE FOR ALL, HERE FOR GOOD.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA IS AVAILABLE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, LAND SURVEYORS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAD SOME SHOWERS AND STRONG THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA TODAY, BUT MOST OF THE ACTIVITY IS STARTING TO WRAP UP AS WE MOVE INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

WE COULD SEE AT LEAST A CHANCE FOR SOME RAIN SHOWERS AGAIN TOMORROW.

THURSDAY LOOKS PRETTY QUIET.

WE SHOULD HAVE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, BUT WE HAVE MORE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 51 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WINDS ARE EAST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

WE RECEIVED 0.45-INCH OF RAIN, SO JUST UNDER 0.5-INCH OF RAIN IN OUR STUDIO TODAY.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 56 DEGREES, DEW POINT OF 51, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE EAST AT 3 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE STILL HAVE SOME LINGERING SHOWERS AND SOME THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE THIS EVENING.

FOR MOST OF US, IT WILL WRAP UP AT MIDNIGHT AND THERE ARE SOME AREAS OF DRIZZLE COULD CONTINUE IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, INCLUDING NORTHEASTERN PARTS OF LAKE COUNTRY.

HEADING INTO TOMORROW, WE AT LEAST HAVE A SMALL CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS, MAYBE A THUNDERSTORM OR TWO IN THE AREA, BEST CHANCES WILL BE AGAIN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND INTO THAT NORTHEAST CORNER, JUST A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR MOST OF US HOWEVER.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW.

WINDS WILL BE LIGHTER AND AS I MENTIONED, A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN STORE FOR US ON THURSDAY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKIES OVER RED LAKE, DIANE SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

WE HAVE SOME STORMS THAT ROLLED THROUGH THE AREA, SOME OF THOSE FROM LAKE MILLE LACS.

WINDY TODAY AND OMINOUS CLOUDS OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

BILL WITH THAT PICTURE.

THIS EVENING FEATURED A FEW BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS.

WE HAD SOME SUNSHINE LATE TODAY FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, ANGELA AT CASS LAKE CAPTURING SOME SUN PEEKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS.

AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDS TODAY, 0.5-INCH OF RAIN.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDS, RAIN, AND WIND.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 72 THIS EVENING.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLOUDY SKIES, 0.52-INCH OF RAIN.

LONGVILLE, ABOUT 0.75-INCH OF RAINFALL.

FOR OUR ALMANAC, WE DID HAVE VERY SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURES TODAY, 64 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, 1 DEGREE SHY OF THE AVERAGE, 52 WAS OUR LOW.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 58, SO A LITTLE BIT COOLER THAN AVERAGE.

51 FOR THE LOW, WE HAD SUNSET AT # -- 8:40.

WE WILL BE SEEING VARIABLE CLOUDS IN MINNESOTA AND THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR RAIN OR DRIZZLE, A BETTER CHANCE AROUND THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 50s AND LOW 60s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, VARIABLE CLOUDS, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AREA, HIGH TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE IN THE LOW TO MID-60s.

SO HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS LINGERING OVERNIGHT IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, LOWS NEAR 45.

THEN TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, A CHANCE OF SOME RAIN SHOWERS AND DRIZZLE.

62 FOR THE HIGH AND EAST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

MOSTLY SUNNY ON THURSDAY, HIGHS NEAR 63, BUT CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL RETURN AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY.

JUST A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN ON SATURDAY, OTHERWISE WE'RE SEEING A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, HIGHS IN THE 60s, BUT WE COULD BE UP TO 71 ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US?

>> Charlie: WE HAD A FEW OF THE BSU TEAMS RELEASE THEIR SCHEDULE.

IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT SEASON AS THE COLLEGE SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE HERE.

WE'LL GIVE YOU THOSE SCHEDULES AND A COUPLE HIGHLIGHTS COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; BRINGING NORTHERN MINNESOTA THE GIGAZONE.

INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGABITS PER SECONDS, BOTH UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD.

IT'S THE GIGAZONE FROM PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS AND IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: FEELS LIKE THE COLLEGE HOCKEY SEASON JUST ENDED BUT IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START THINKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR.

TODAY THE CCHA AND BY VIRTUE, BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY RELEASED THEIR 2024-2025 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE.

THE BEAVERS WILL BEGIN ITS 69TH CAMPAIGN ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 5TH ON THE ROAD AGAINST HIGHWAY TWO RIVAL MINNESOTA DULUTH WITH THE SECOND GAME OF THAT SERIES TO BE PLAYED ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE SANFORD CENTER.

THE BEAVS HOME OPENER IS FRIDAY OCTOBER 11TH AGAINST SAINT CLOUD, PART OF A HOME AND HOME WEEKEND WITH THE HUSKIES.

THEY WILL ALSO PLAY A HOME AND HOME SERIES WITH NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA IN NOVEMBER.

BSU WILL OPEN CCHA PLAY WITH A ROAD SERIES AT FERRIS STATE BEGINNING OCTOBER 25TH, THEN RETURN HOME NOVEMBER 1ST FOR THE CONFERENCE HOME OPENER SERIES AGAINST MINNESOTA STATE.

>>> ALL TOLD, BEMIDJI STATE WILL PLAY 34 TOTAL GAMES WITH A FULL SLATE OF 26 CONFERENCE GAMES.

BEAVERS WILL PLAY TWO SERIES AGAINST EACH CCHA OPPONENT EXCEPT FOR LAKE SUPERIOR STATE AND NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

THEY'LL FINISH THE SEASON ON THE ROAD AT MINNESOTA.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL ALSO ANNOUNCED THEIR 2024 SCHEDULE TODAY.

THE CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF AT HOME ON THURSDAY AUGUST 29TH VERSUS MICHIGAN TECH, A TEAM THEY HAVEN'T PLAYED SINCE 1993 AND HAVE NOT BEATEN SINCE 1989.

THEY GET RIGHT INTO CONFERENCE PLAY THE NEXT WEEK ON THE ROAD AT RIVAL MINNESOTA STATE AND CONTINUE NSIC PLAY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.

BEGINNING WITH SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE AT HOME, FOLLOWED BY SIOUX FALLS ON THE ROAD, U-MARY FOR HOMECOMING, NORTHERN STATE AWAY, MINOT STATE AT HOME, WINONA STATE ON THE ROAD.

THEY'LL HOST WAYNE STATE, THEN BE AT MSU-MOORHEAD BEFORE FINALLY FINISHING AT HOME WITH AUGUSTANA.

>>> FUN FACT, THE GAME AGAINST MICHIGAN TECH WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THE BEAVERS HAVE PLAYED A NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENT SINCE 2011.

THAT WAS AGAINST MINOT STATE WHO IS NOW IN THE NSIC, THEIR LAST NON-CONFERENCE GAME AGAINST AN OPPONENT NOT CURRENTLY IN THE NSIC, 2005 VERSUS WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS.

>>> THE TIMBERWOLVES RANKED FIRST IN DEFENSE THIS SEASON, THANKS TO RUDY, WHO WAS NAMED DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

HE WON THE AWARD SOUNDLY AFTER RECEIVING 72 OF THE 99 FIRST PLACE VOTES.

THE NEXT IS VICTOR OF THE SPURS WITH 19.

THE VETERAN RANKS SECOND IN THE NBA IN REBOUNDS PER GAME.

IT'S HIS FOURTH TIME WINNING THE AWARD IN HIS 11-YEAR CAREER.

HE WON THE PREVIOUS THREE TIMES WITH THE UTAH JAZZ.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HIS SEASON STATS.

THE IRONY IS THAT THE T WOLVES DISMANTLED THE NUGGETS LAST NIGHT.

THEY DID IT WITHOUT GOBER, HE IS EXPECTED TO RETURN FOR GAME 3.

>>> TWINS WERE IN ACTION TONIGHT, THEIR 12-GAME WIN STREAK MAY BE OVER BUT THEY STARTED A NEW ONE.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD, TWINS TRAIL BY 2.

THEY CUT THE LEAD IN HALF.

VERY NEXT PITCH, KYLE LEADS THE LEAGUE AND GOES UPPER DECK AND THE TWINS LEAD IT 4-2.

TOP 7 NOW.

BASES LOADED FOR CAL, AND HE HITS A MOON SHOT, MARINERS TAKE A 6-4 LEAD.

THEY WOULD GO ON TO WIN THE GAME, 10-6.

THE TWINS ARE 2.5 BACK IN THE ARK L CENTRAL.

MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

LITTLE FALLS FALLS TO ALBANY 8-1.

IN SOFTBALL, PEQUOT LAKES ACTUALLY GOT SWEPT BY MILLE LACS.

THE SECOND SCORE IS INCORRECT.

WADENA DEER CREEK GETS A SWEEP.

LITTLE FALLS FALLS TO ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL 5-1.

IN BOYS TENNIS, BRAINERD BEATS WILLMAR.

THAT WILL DO IT.

>> Dennis: BOY, THE TIMBERWOLVES PUT A DEFENSIVE MASTERPIECE ON THE NUGGETS LAST NIGHT AND THEY GET COLBERT BACK.

>> Charlie: I DON'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING, YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> Dennis: A LONG SERIESES TO GO.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> MOUNTAIN BIKING HAS BEEN GROWING IN POPULARITY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA SINCE THE COMPLETION OF THE CUYUNA LAKES MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS.

THE DESIGNER OF THOSE TRAILS WAS RECRUITED TO DESIGN TRAILS AT THE CLEARWATER FOREST CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: FOR OVER SIX YEARS, CLEAR WATER FOREST RETREAT CENTER HAS WORKED WITH TIM WAGNER, A LEGEND IN THE MOUNTAIN BIKING COMMUNITY.

CLEAR WATER FOREST IS EXCITED TO UNVEIL THE NEW TRAIL AND GIVE PUBLIC AND THEIR CAMPERS ACCESS.

>> WE'RE AT A HIDDEN GEM HERE.

TO BE ABLE TO INVITE A NEW GENRE OF PEOPLE IN MOUNTAIN BIKING AND STUFF OUT HERE, WE HAVE 1,000 ACRES, 9 MILES OF TRAILS, CAMPSITES, LODGES, CABINS.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE A NEW CLIENTELE COME HERE AND BE ABLE TO VIEW THE SITE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.

>> Reporter: NUMEROUS STUDIES SHOW THAT SPENDING TIME OUTSIDE BENEFITS ONE'S WELLBEING.

GIVING EVERYONE ACCESS TO THOSE BENEFITS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE GOAL.

>> BEING OUT IN NATURE IS RIDICULOUSLY GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH, HEART RATE, BLOOD PRESSURE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND IT'S REALLY SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DON'T DO A LOT THESE DAYS.

SO, WE WANT TO PROVIDE A SPACE WHERE WE CAN BE OUT IN NATURE, EVERYBODY IS WELCOME, AND REALIZE THOSE AMAZING BENEFITS BOTH PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY, AND WE WOULD ADD SPIRITUALLY.

>> Reporter: WHAT THESE TRAILS OFFER IS NOT JUST A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND GET AWAY, BUT IT OFFERS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN FALL IN LOVE WITH MOUNTAIN BIKING AND TURN IT INTO A LIFETIME HOBBY.

>> IT'S NOT JUST A TRAIL TO RIDE, IT'S A LIFE EXPERIENCE.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME BACK TO THIS AND THEY'RE GOING TO SAY YOU KNOW, I STARTED RIDING AT CLEAR WATER FOREST.

THAT'S WHERE I TOOK ONE OF MY FIRST RIDES.

I WAS OUT THERE AND I SAW THEY HAD TRAILS SO I BORROWED A BIKE THEY HAVE AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN THAT I KEPT ONGOING.

I BOUGHT MY OWN BIKE.

WHO KNOWS WHERE IT MAY LEAD.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM DEER WOOD WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE TRAILS ARE FREE TO RIDE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

CLEARWATER FOREST DOES REQUIRE THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO RIDE ON THE TRAILS CHECK IN AT THEIR OFFICE BEFORE BEGINNING TO RIDE.

>>> TIME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER, WE HEAD OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES ACROSS THE AREA, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SOME SHOWERS AND DRIZZLE IN PARTS OF NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, LOWS AROUND 45.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, VARIABLE CLOUDS, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SOME RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AREA, SOME AREAS OF DRIZZLE, HIGHS NEAR 62, WITH EAST WINDS 5 TO 20.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM BEMIDJI BOYS GOLF.

THEY HAVE A HOT START TO THE SEASON.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THEM.

>> Dennis: THAT'S IT FOR US, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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