>> 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.

>> 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.

>>> DUE TO THEIR STRUGGLING FINANCES AND DECREASED ENROLLMENT NUMBERS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HAS HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL LAYOFFS.

BECAUSE OF THESE, SOME TEACHERS ARE CONCERNED THAT THEIR ENTIRE PROGRAM MAY HAVE TO BE CUT, SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE PANDEMIC, BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HAS STRUGGLED WITH LOW ENROLLMENT.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THEY HAD TO MAKE PROGRAM CUTS IN AN EFFORT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

WITHIN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THERE HAVE BEEN SIX LAYOFFS.

>> THERE IS SOME COMPLEXITY IN TEACHER EDUCATION WHERE THERE ARE RULES ABOUT WHAT CREDENTIALS YOU HAVE TO HAVE AND WHAT EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE TO HAVE IN ORDER TO TEACH PARTICULAR THINGS.

THE PEOPLE REMAINING WON'T BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OR THE CREDENTIALS.

>> Reporter: THE PROFESSORS ARE MORE CONCERN THAN JUST THE CURRENT TEACHING JOBS HERE AT BSU.

THEY ARE FOCUSED ON THE BROADER IMPACTS THAT THE CUTS COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE.

>> IF YOU GO TO ANY OF THE SMALL TOWNS AROUND HERE, MOST OF THE TEACHERS HAVE COME FROM BEMIDJI STATE.

IF WE STOP PRODUCING TEACHERS, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES?

>> Reporter: SO FAR, THERE'S ONLY BEEN REDUCTION TO STAFF AND NOT PROGRAMS BUT TEACHERS ARE STILL VOICING THEIR CONCERNS.

>> WE APPRECIATE AND RESPECT THE FACT THAT THE UNIVERSITY HAS GONE INTO THIS WITH THE INTENTION OF NOT CUTTING ANY PROGRAMS, BUT IT'S NOT THE REALITY.

LOSING THIS PROGRAM WOULD BE PRETTY DETRIMENTAL TO THE REGION.

>> YEAH, IF WE HAD 400 ELEMENTARY MAJORS WITH ONE ON CAMPUS PERSON AND TWO ONLINE PEOPLE, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

>> I THINK THE LIVELIHOOD OF EVERY COMMUNITY IS RELIANT ON HOW GOOD THEIR SCHOOLS ARE.

IF THERE ARE NO TEACHERS FOR THE SCHOOL, AWKWARD.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL SAID THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> WE WILL NOT ELIMINATE PROFESSIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION AT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY, PERIOD.

PROFESSIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION IS THE HISTORY OF OUR INSTITUTION AND IT IS THE FUTURE OF OUR INSTITUTION.

TEACHER EDUCATION IS NOT GOING AWAY.

IT IS ONE OF OUR CORE PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: ONE EFFECT CAUSED BY STAFF REDUCTIONS IS THE NEED TO COMBINE MORE STUDENTS INTO FEWER CLASSES.

THESE BIGGER CLASSES HAVE CAUSED SOME CONCERN AMONG TEACHERS, BUT ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL.

>> THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM IS ACTUALLY SMALLER NOW THAN IT WAS IN 2018 BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

WE STILL HAVE SOME ROOM TO FILL SOME SEATS.

>> Reporter: BUT DESPITE ALL OF THESE PROMISES FROM THE SCHOOL AND THE ADMINISTRATION, SOME BSU PROFESSORS ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE WIDESPREAD IMPACT THESE CUTS COULD MAKE.

>> IT'S NOT ME, IT'S THE STUDENTS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA THAT ARE ABSOLUTELY GOING TO SUFFER FROM THESE CUTS.

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

>> IN AN EFFORT TO TRY AND BALANCE THE SCHOOL'S OVERALL BUDGET, BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY LAID OFF 14 FACULTY AND CUT TWO MAJORS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE PROFESSORS WILL BE ABLE TO FINISH OUT THEIR CONTRACTS THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR AND WILL NOT RETURN IN THE FALL.

>>> THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE TRIBAL COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A 2024 TAX REBATE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000 FOR ALL ENROLLED LEECH LAKE BAND.

THE $1,000 REBATE IS DOUBLE THE $500 REBATES THE BAND GAVE OUT THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS.

TO QUALIFY FOR A REBATE RECIPIENTS MUST BE ENROLLED AS OF OCTOBER 18TH OF THIS YEAR AND MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE BY DECEMBER 4TH OF THIS YEAR FOR THOSE TURNING 18 ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 5TH OF THIS YEAR $500 WILL BE DEPOSITED INTO MINOR'S TRUST.

ALL PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE VIA RAPID PAYCARDS EXCEPT FOR INCARCERATED BAND MEMBERS WHO CANNOT RECEIVE FUNDS THROUGH A RAPID PAYCARD.

FOR THOSE, A CHECK WILL BE SENT TO THEIR FACILITY.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI AREA RECOGNIZED 5 OUTSTANDING WOMEN AT THEIR 8TH ANNUAL WOMEN UNITED TRIBUTE AWARDS.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN ATTENDED THE CEREMONY AND GOT THE REACTIONS OF THE RECIPIENTS WHO WERE HONORED.

>> Reporter: 8 YEARS AGO, UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI LAUNCHED WOMEN UNITED BY RECOGNIZING WOMEN WHO ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY WOMEN WHO LEAD, CHANGE, AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE AND WE ARE ALL THRILLED TO BRING AWARENESS OF THEIR GREAT WORK TO LIGHT.

>> Reporter: UNITED WAY HAS RECOGNIZED FIVE WOMEN ANNUALLY IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO WOMEN WHO WERE NOMINATED BY THEIR PEERS BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THESE WOMEN DEMONSTRATE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO VARIOUS CAUSES FROM EDUCATION TO HEALTHCARE TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE FOR THE THINGS THEY DO, SO THAT IT INSPIRES OTHER PEOPLE TO MAYBE TRY TO MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE AS WELL AND REALIZE THAT EVEN IF YOU DO ONE THING, IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN JUST ONE PERSON'S LIFE.

>> Reporter: THE TRIBUTE AWARD RECIPIENTS INCLUDED LINDSAY, CHELSEA, SALLY, MARY, AND SUE.

>> A BIG REASON WHY THESE WOMEN ARE BEING HONORED IS NOT ONLY THE COUNTLESS HOURS THEY DEDICATED TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT THEY ALWAYS WANT TO LEND A HELPING HAND.

>> I'M HUMBLED.

I'M HONORED TO JOIN THIS GROUP OF WOMEN THAT ARE HELPING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK THE IDEA OF UNITING PEOPLE, WOMEN AND MEN, WHO HELP PEOPLE IS REALLY WHAT IT IS TO BE HUMAN.

>> WELL, I WAS BLOWN AWAY.

I AM COMPLETELY HONORED.

I VOLUNTEER FOR THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE I TRULY, TRULY LOVE MENTORING.

I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT.

WHEN I WAS WORKING FOR THE UNIVERSITY, I FLEW ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES TO SEEK DONATIONS TO SUPPORT OUR UNIVERSITY AND THE STUDENTS.

I SAID THE BEST PART FOR ME WAS BEING AT MY GATE, ON TIME, READY TO FLY BACK TO BEMIDJI.

I AM SO VERY PROUD OF THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: VOLUNTEERING IS OFTEN SEEN AS A SELFLESS ACT, BUT THOSE AT UNITED WAY ALWAYS BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING TO GAIN WHEN HELPING THE COMMUNITY.

>> NOTHING RUNS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OTHER PEOPLE.

UNFORTUNATELY OR FORTUNATELY, IT TAKES VOLUNTEERISM.

VOLUNTEERISM, YOU GET MORE FROM IT THAN YOU GIVE TO IT.

THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF BEING A VOLUNTEER AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHY MOST OF THESE WOMEN ARE HERE.

IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING PAID, IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS JUST AS REWARDING FOR THEM AS IT IS FOR THE PERSON THEY'RE HELPING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> DURING THE AWARDS, OFFICIALS AT UNITED WAY HIGHLIGHTED AND GAVE AN UPDATE TOWARDS THE WORK BEING DONE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTHWOODS BATTERED WOMEN'S SHELTER.

IF EVERYTHING GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN, THE SHELTER SHOULD BE OPENING ITS DOORS IN SPRING OF NEXT YEAR.

>>> THE MINNESOTA STATE FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED THAT GARRISON FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN JEN ELLERAAS WON THE FIRE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD.

EACH YEAR, THE MSFCA PRESENTS TWO FIRE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARDS, WITH ONE FROM A CITY WITH A POPULATION UNDER 10,000 AND ANOTHER FROM A CITY WITH A POPULATION OVER 10,000.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE AWARD EMPHASIZES LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRITY, SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIRE SERVICE.

ELLERAAS FIRST JOINED GARRISON'S FIRE DEPARTMENT AS A MEDICAL RESPONDER BUT IT ONLY TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR HER TO MOVE TO FIREFIGHTER AND ULTIMATELY FALL IN LOVE WITH IT.

>> FIREFIGHTERS ARE AMAZING PEOPLE.

THEY LEAVE THEIR FAMILIES, THEY LEAVE THEIR HOMES, THEY LEAVE THEIR JOBS, THEY LEAVE WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE.

DOING THE THINGS WE DO TOGETHER, I MET SOME OF THE GREATEST PEOPLE I EVER MET WHO ARE JUST CARING, SERVANT LEADERS, AND I'M SUPER BLESSED AND GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

>> THE MSFCA RECOGNIZED ELLERAAS FOR HER ACHIEVEMENT LAST FRIDAY AT THE DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTER.

>>> WITH EARLY VOTING WELL UNDERWAY IN MANY STATES, OFFICIALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE WORKING TO MAINTAIN THE SECURITY OF THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WHILE COMBATING MISINFORMATION, AND FOREIGN ADVISORIES ATTEMPTING TO MEDDLE.

REPORTER BRIAN ABEL IS IN WASHINGTON WITH THE LATEST EFFORTS TO ENSURE YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED.

>> WE HAVE MULTIPLE LAYERS OF SECURITY AROUND SEVERAL SYSTEMS.

>> Reporter: REVEALING WEDNESDAY THEY SUCCESSFULLY FENDED OFF A CYBER ATTACK THIS MONTH FROM WHAT OFFICIALS BELIEVE TO BE A FOREIGN ENTITY WHO TARGETED THE STATE'S ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST WEBSITE.

OFFICIALS HAVE NOT CONFIRMED ITS ORIGIN, IT WOULD BE THE LATEST IN A SLEW OF ATTEMPTS BY FOREIGN ADVERSAIES TO MEDDLE IN THE 2024 ELECTION.

MICROSOFT SAID THEY DETECTED PROBING OF ELECTION RELATED WEBSITES BY IRANIAN LINKED HACKERS IN AN EFFORT TO DISCOVER VULNERABILITIES.

IRAN DENIES THE ASSESSMENT.

RUSSIA WAS AT THE FOREFRONT, ATTEMPTING TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTION.

JUST THIS WEEK, U.S. INTELLIGENCE ASSESSED THAT RUSSIAN OPERATIVES CREATED AND AMPLIFIED FALSE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT, MEANT TO SMEAR VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TIM WALZ.

THERE IS ALSO HOMEGROWN MISINFORMATION, STOKING FEARS THAT THE ELECTION IS NOT SECURE, INCLUDING FALSE CLAIMS THAT VOTING MACHINES WERE FLIPPING VOTES IN STATES LIKE NEVADA AND GEORGIA.

A GEORGIA ELECTION OFFICIAL EXPLAINED HOW AN INACCURATE ONE STARTED.

>> THERE WAS A VOTER THAT PRINTED HER BALLOT AND SAID THIS IS NOT WHO I CHOSE.

THEY WENT TO THE POLL MANAGER AND WE WILL SPOIL THIS BALLOT.

WE'LL LET YOU VOTE AGAIN.

SHE TOLD A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND IT TURNED INTO A POST.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS ADDED THERE IS ZERO EVIDENCE OF MACHINES FLIPPING VOTES.

IN WASHINGTON, BRIAN ABEL.

>> MEANWHILE, THE U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE IS BATTLING CLAIMS OF WIDESPREAD FRAUD IN MAIL-IN BALLOTS, AND SAYING IT IS TAKING EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SECURE AND TIMELY DELIVERY OF ALL 2024 ELECTION MAIL.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy:.

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

>> Stacy: ANY LINGERING RAIN WILL WRAP UP OVERNIGHT.

WE SHOULD HAVE SUNSHINE AND COOLER TEMPERATURES TOMORROW WITH A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT WARM UP NEXT WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL'S >> 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.

>>> LAST WINTER WAS ONE THAT MOST MINNESOTANS WON'T SOON FORGET.

EL NIÑO WAS THE REASON FOR THE MILD WINTER THIS LAST TIME AROUND THE SUN.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY CAUGHT UP WITH A METEOROLOGIST FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TO LEARN WHAT MINNESOTANS CAN EXPECT FROM THIS WINTER.

>> Reporter: LAST WINTER WAS A MEMORABLE ONE FOR MINNESOTANS.

THE EL NINO PHENOMENON CAUSED MILD TEMPERATURES AND LOWER PRECIPITATION, BUT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THAT OSCILLATION CYCLE IS EXPECTED THIS WINTER.

>> FOR OUR REGION, LA NINA, WHICH IS WHAT WE EXPECT TO SEE THIS YEAR, WHICH IS THE TEMPERATURES ALONG THE EQUATOR, THE WATER TEMPERATURE IS LOOKING TO BE A LITTLE BIT COLDER THAN NORMAL.

TYPICALLY FOR THE UPPER MIDWEST, THAT MEANS BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION.

>> Reporter: WITH A MILD FALL AS WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF, IT COULD LEAD TO A MILD START OF WINTER.

A COLD SNAP IS EXPECTED, BUT IT IS HARD TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL COME.

>> THE EARLY PARTS OF THE WINTER ARE LOOKING MILD AND SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE A MILD FALL AND EARLY WINTER AND THEN IN THE WINTER IT CUTS OFF AND IT GOES TO VERY COLD.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS LOOKING LIKE WE MAY SEE THIS WINTER.

WHETHER THAT HAPPENS IN LATE DECEMBER OR THAT COLD SNAP DOESN'T HAPPEN UNTIL FEBRUARY IS UNKNOWN.

IT'S NOT A PERFECT SCIENCE.

AT THIS POINT, THE TEMPERATURE OUTLOOK IS A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO EQUAL CHANCES.

>> Reporter: ABOVE AVERAGE PRECIPITATION WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO INFER THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR WINTER RECREATION ACTIVITIES LIKE SNOWMOBILE RIDING, BUT WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE ON THE LAKE?

I EXPECT THIS WINTER WILL LOOK CLOSER TO NORMAL ON OUR LAKES.

THE LAKE ICE DEVELOPMENT IS COMPLICATED BECAUSE YOU HAVE A HEAVY SNOWFALL AND IT RUINS THE ICE AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR A NICE DEEP, COLD, CLEAR NIGHT TO FIX IT AGAIN, TO REFREEZE IT SOLID.

GENERALLY I WOULD EXPECT THIS TO BE A TYPICAL WINTER FOR GETTING OUT ON THE ICE ON THE LAKE TO GO ICE FISHING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: FOR MORE INFORMATION AND UP-TO-DATE SEASONAL OUTLOOKS, YOU CAN VISIT THE WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER'S WEBSITE, IT CAN BE NAVIGATED FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEBSITE.

>>> HARD TO BELIEVE BUT WINTER IS NOT THAT FAR OFF.

>> Stacy: WE'RE CLOSING IN ON THE END OF OCTOBER ALREADY AND IT CERTAINLY HAS NOT FELT VERY OCTOBER-LIKE THIS MONTH.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES IN THE AREA THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT AGAIN IT LOOKS LIKE A WARM UP IS IN STORE EARLY >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DEAF, DEAF/BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING STATE SERVICES DIVISION.

>> 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, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE SEEN SOME CLOUDS THIS AFTERNOON, EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF RAINFALL AND SOME OF THE RAIN IS CONTINUING THIS EVENING, BUT SKIES ARE STARTING TO CLEAR OUT IN PARTS OF WESTERN MINNESOTA.

WE SHOULD HAVE A RETURN TO CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW, A LITTLE BIT COOLER TEMPERATURES THAN WE HAD TODAY, BUT WE WILL SEE A WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 43 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A WEST WIND AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, 38 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 82%.

IN BRAINERD, WE'RE SEEING LIGHT RAIN, 49 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 45, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WE HAVE A LIGHT WEST WIND.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE STILL HAVE SOME AREAS OF SHOWERS EFFECTING MAINLY THE EASTERN PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, THAT IS CONTINUING TO MOVE TO THE EAST AND IT LOOKS LIKE LINGERING PRECIPITATION SHOULD TAPER OFF AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THE CLOUDS CLEAR OUT, SO WE SHOULD HAVE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA FOR THE OVERNIGHT.

THAT IS LEADING US TO MORE SUNSHINE TOMORROW, TEMPERATURE-WISE, A LITTLE BIT COOLER, AGAIN THAT COLD FRONT MOVES ACROSS THE STATE, SO IT WILL BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER TOMORROW, EVEN AS WE START THE WEEKEND, BUT WE SHOULD BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE 60s AND MAYBE SOME 70s EARLY NEXT WEEK.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT AND THIS MORNING WAS BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE.

JULIE SENT US THIS PHOTO FROM OVER LOWER MISSION LAKE.

ARLENE WITH THE SUNRISE IN MENAHGA.

LAURIE WITH THE FALL BIRDS IN HER YARD NEAR LITTLE TURTLE LAKE AND THE EVENING SKIES.

JUST GORGEOUS, A LOT OF COLOR OUT THERE.

PAT OVER AT LAKE BELTRAMI AND ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH THOSE PICTURES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 48 AND CALM THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY SKIES, SOME DRIZZLE.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY, PICKING UP 0.25-INCH OF RAINFALL.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING THE SLOW STEADY RAIN.

THE HIGH WAS 58.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 58 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, A LITTLE BIT ABOVE OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND OUR LOW THIS MORNING WAS AT 48.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 55, SO AGAIN, A MILD DAY TEMPERATURE-WISE, 39 WAS OUR LOW TEMP THIS MORNING AND SUNSET AT 6:14.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THE CLOUDS BREAKING UP OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THAT IS GOING TO LEAD TO PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, JUST A LITTLE BIT COOLER, UPPER 40s TO MAYBE SOME MID-50s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE WILL BE ENJOYING THAT SUNSHINE WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW TO MID-50s, A LITTLE BIT MORE SEASONAL, AGAIN TEMPERATURES AVERAGE-WISE ARE COOLER THIS TIME OF YEAR.

WE WILL BE SEEING EVEN WARMER TEMPERATURES NEXT WEEK.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 32, WEST WINDS ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES, 52 FOR OUR HIGH TEMP, AND WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, STILL LOW TO MID-50s ON SATURDAY, BUT WE SHOULD SEE THE HIGHS CLIMBING INTO THE LOW 60s ON SUNDAY.

IT COULD BE CLOSE TO 70 ON MONDAY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO TUESDAY, MORE CLOUD COVER AND ANOTHER CHANCE OF RAIN WITH HIGHS NEAR 55.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE TONIGHT.

BEMIDJI MEN'S HOCKEY CAME THURSDAY NIGHT.

>> Charlie: WOMEN'S HOCKEY WAS A THURSDAY NIGHT GAME.

THE MEN, THEY PLAY TOMORROW.

BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, MORE SECTION TOURNAMENT.

THIS ONE IS THE CROSS COUNTRY MEET DOWN IN BRAINERD.

WE HAVE THE >> 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.

>> THE GOLDEN APPLE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY CROW WING POWER.

DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELIABLE ELECTRICITY AND A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING STAFF TO ASSIST YOU WITH ENERGY-SAVING PROGRAMS AND TIPS MORE AT CWPOWER.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> IT'S BEEN SECTION TOURNAMENTS ALL WEEK AND IT'S FINALLY TIME FOR CROSS COUNTRY TO THROW IT'S HAT IN THE RING.

TODAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 24 YEARS, BRAINERD HOSTED THE BOYS AND GIRLS SECTION 8-3A CHAMPIONSHIPS AT FORREST VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL IN BAXTER.

BOTH TEAM AND STATE INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS WERE ON THE LINE AND WE'LL SHOW YOU RIGHT NOW WHO MADE THE CUT.

THE GIRLS TOOK THE COURSE FIRST.

BEMIDJI IN THE COOL WHITES.

BRAINERD ROCKING THE HOME BLUES.

AND JUST LIKE THAT, WE'RE UNDERWAY.

CHLOE DERBY WAS BEMIDJI'S TOP SCORER.

SHE PLACED 7TH IN 19-MINUTES AND 19-SECONDS.

FINISHING ONE PLACE AHEAD OF HER.

ON THE LEFT HERE IS BRAINERD'S BROOKE WENZ.

SHE CROSSED 19-MINUTES AND 9-SECONDS.

AND MADI MILLER WAS THE WARRIORS TOP RUNNER.

SHE PLACED 3RD OVERALL IN 19-MINUTES AND 3-SECONDS.

MOVING ON TO THE BOYS, WARRIORS AND THE JACKS GEARING UP FOR THE GAUNTLET.

THEY TOOK OFF NOT LONG AFTER BEN STADUM WAS BRAINERD'S TOP PERFORMER.

HE NABS 3RD PLACE OVERALL IN A TIME OF 16-MINUTES 13-SECONDS.

BEMIDJI'S TOP FINISHER WAS CALEB KNOTT IN 16-MINUTES AND 53-SECONDS.

CROSSING JUST ONE SECOND BEHIND HIM WAS TEAMMATE TANNER JOHNSON.

THEY RESPECTIVELY TOOK 12TH AND 14TH PLACE OVERALL.

ALL OF THEM STATE QUALIFIERS, BRAINERD'S JONATHON COWELL ALSO QUALIFIED FOR STATE INDIVIDUALLY.

HE FINISHED 6TH OVERALL.

THE WARRIOR BOYS FINISHED JUST SHORT OF QUALIFYING AS A TEAM.

BEMIDJI ROUNDED OUT THE TOP 5.

ON THE GIRLS SIDE, FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, BRAINERD QUALIFIES AS A TEAM FOR THE STATE MEET.

LUMBERJACKS TOOK 6TH ON THE AFTERNOON.

>>> THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR GIRLS TENNIS CONTINUED TODAY WITH THE START OF INDIVIDUAL SINGLES AND DOUBLES PLAY.

IN CLASS 2A, THE BEMIDJI DUO OF SENIOR ELENA PETERSON AND JUNIOR MEGAN BERG BEGAN THE DAY BY WINNING THEIR FIRST-ROUND MATCH-UP AGAINST A PAIR FROM EDEN PRAIRIE.

THIS VIDEO FROM RIGHT AFTER THAT MATCH.

BERG AND PETERSON THEN MOVED ON TO FACE TOP SEEDED TEAM FROM ROCHESTER MAYO IN THE 2ND ROUND WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO WIN A FEW GAMES BUT ULTIMATELY THE TEAM MUHLEA DEEN AND KEELY RYDER WOULD PREVAIL IN STRAIGHT SETS.

STILL A GREAT SHOWING BY THE LUMBERJACKS TO TOP OFF A VERY SPECIAL SEASON.

>>> A COUPLE MORE SCORES FROM THERE.

THE TEAM FROM PEQUOT LAKES AND WADENA DEER CREEK FELL IN TWO SETS.

IN CLASS A SINGLE INDIVIDUALS, TORY GOT A WIN IN HER FIRST MATCH, BUT FELL IN THE SECOND ONE.

RYAN ALSO FROM STAPLES MOTLEY, SHE FELL IN HER FIRST ROUND.

>>> WOMEN'S HOCKEY TAKING ON.

THEIR LAST WIN WAS 2015.

LEYLA EDWARDS OPENS THE SCORING WITH THE GOAL.

HER 100th CAREER POINT.

THE SECOND PERIOD, CAITLIN DOING ALL SHE CAN TO KEEP THE PUCK OUT OF THE NET.

THE BADGERS ARE PERSISTENT AND IT PAYS OFF.

MARIANNE CREDITED WITH THE GOAL.

OUT SHOT 37-13, THEY FALL TO THE NUMBER ONE TEAM IN THE COUNTRY.

WISCONSIN REMAINS UNDEFEATED.

>>> THE WILD GET THEIR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN.

VIKINGS FALL IN LOS ANGELES ON THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.

THEY'RE NOW ON A TWO GAME SKID.

THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE IN SACRAMENTO, TRAILING BY 4 AT THE HALF.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON.

>>> BSU MEN'S HOCKEY RETURNS TO ACTION THIS WEEKEND AFTER A BYE-WEEK.

THE BEAVERS WILL HIT THE ROAD TO OPEN CCHA PLAY.

THEY'RE HEADED TO BIG RAPIDS MICHIGAN TO TAKE ON FERRIS STATE.

AND THEY'LL BE PLAYING AT THE EWIGLEBEN ICE ARENA, AN INTIMATE ARENA WITH A ONE OF THE MORE NOTORIOUS SHEETS OF ICE IN COLLEGE HOCKEY.

THE BULLDOGS ATHLETIC WEBSITE LISTS THE RINK SIZE AS 200-FEET LONG BY 85-FEET WIDE.

THE STANDARD SIZE USED IN THE NHL AND FOR MOST RINKS IN NORTH AMERICA.

HOWEVER, IT'S SMALLER WITH PLACEMENT CLOSER TO 190 BY 75, PRESENTING A NUMBER OF ISSUES THAT COULD BE DIFFICULT TO PREPARE FOR.

>> I TRIED TO SIMULATE WHAT WE WOULD BE SEEING DURING PRACTICE.

IT COULD BE CHAOTIC THERE.

NO LEAD IS SAFE BOTH WAYS.

IT'S A CRAZY GAME.

A LOT OF IT IS CREATING A MINDSET.

THAT'S WHAT I TRY TO DO IN PRACTICE, CREATE A MINDSET.

>> I DIDN'T PLAY IN THE GAME LAST YEAR BUT I HEARD IT'S A SMALL RINK.

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO FAST, PHYSICAL.

SO WE JUST HAVE TO BE READY FOR IT AND KNOW WHAT WE'RE COMING TO.

I THINK IT WILL BE FINE.

>> FOR A TEAM ASPECT ON THE ICE, WE KNOW FERRIS IS A PHYSICAL TEAM.

THEIR RINK IS PRETTY SMALL.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FUNNEL EVERYTHING TO THE NET, THAT'S A BIG THING WE FOCUS ON THIS WEEK AND THE OFFENSE.

COMING OUT OF THE WEEKEND WITH AS MANY POINTS AS POSSIBLE IS OBVIOUSLY THE BIGGEST GOAL FOR US.

>> THEY WON FOUR STRAIGHT AGAINST THE FERRIS STATE.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, THE A.P.

GOVERNMENT CLASS AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL IS RUNNING A FORUM FOR THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES TO ASK THEM QUESTIONS AHEAD OF THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

THAT FORUM TOOK PLACE EARLIER TONIGHT, BUT OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO THE CLASS AHEAD OF TIME TO TAKE A LOOK INTO THEIR PREPARATION.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT EVERYDAY THAT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GET THE CHANCE TO ACTUALLY BE INVOLVED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUT THAT EXACT OPPORTUNITY CAME TO BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL'S A.P.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS CLASS AS THEY HELD A FORUM FOR THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES.

>> IT'S COMPLETELY STUDENT GENERATED, STUDENT RUN.

THE STUDENTS WILL BE THE MODERATORS, TIME KEEPERS, GREETERS, QUESTION CARD RUNNERS, THEY WILL DO ALL OF IT.

>> Reporter: THE FORUM WAS COMPOSED OF FIVE OF THE SIX CANDIDATES.

>> THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE OPENING STATEMENTS AND THEN WE THE STUDENTS THROUGH THE MODERATORS WILL ASK TEN QUESTIONS AND THEN THEY WILL GET A MINUTE TO ANSWER EACH OF THOSE QUESTIONS.

IF WE HAVE ANY TIME LEFT, THEN THERE WILL BE QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT GETS THE CANDIDATES OUT AND IT BRINGS LIGHT TO WHAT THEY WANT.

SO IT CAN HELP OUT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: AND NOT ONLY THIS KIND OF EVENT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO GET THEIR INFORMATION OUT TO THE PUBLIC, BUT FOR THE STUDENTS TO DO SOMETHING THAT INVOLVES REAL LIFE.

>> I KNOW THAT IT'S GOOD TO LEARN FOR DECISIONS I WANT TO MAKE LATER IN LIFE AND THAT'S WHAT I'M EDUCATED AND SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT TYPE OF EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: THE STUDENTS HAVE SPENT THE PAST WEEK NARROWING DOWN THEIR QUESTIONS, HOLDING PRACTICE FORUMS, AND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING RUNS SMOOTHLY.

THE THINGS THEY ARE LEARNING GO FURTHER THAN THIS ONE EVENT.

>> FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THE MECHANICS OF WHAT GOES INTO GOVERNMENT AND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, I THINK THAT'S GOOD TO UNDERSTAND TOO.

WHAT DOES A SCHOOL BOARD DO?

I THINK THE OTHER PART OF THAT IS HOW DO WE FIND OUT WHAT THESE POSITIONS ARE?

WHERE DO WE FIND OUR INFORMATION?

HOW DO WE SOURCE IT, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE GOOD TOO.

>> Reporter: THE STUDENTS ALSO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING THESE SUBJECTS OUTSIDE A CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT.

>> I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE OUR AGE.

WE'RE VERY LUCKY.

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL VERY GRATEFUL AND I'M EXCITED I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THESE THINGS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: STACY HAS A LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING THE RAINFALL COMING TO AN END AND A RETURN TO CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT NEAR 52.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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