>> 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 IF -- FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT DEER RIVER ESSENTIA HEALTH SAY AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES STRIKE COULD BEGIN NEXT WEEK IF A LABOR AGREEMENT IS NOT REACHED BY THEN.

THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION HAS SENT ESSENTIA HEALTH A 10-DAY STRIKE NOTICE THAT IT INTENDS TO INITIATE A WORK STOPPAGE BEGINNING AT 7:00 A.M. ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 4TH AND RUNNING UNTIL 7:00 A.M. ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9TH.

THE WORK STOPPAGE WOULD INVOLVE AROUND SEVENTY WORKERS FROM THE HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME.

>> THE UNION SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT THE TWO SIDES HAVE BEEN BARGAINING SINCE AUGUST BUT HAVE BEEN STUCK ON WAGES, SHIFT BONUSES, AND ENSURING THAT HOSPITAL WORKERS GET THE SAME HOSPITAL PAY THAT NURSING HOMEWORKERS WILL NOW GET AS PART OF RECENT CHANGES MADE BY THE NURSING HOMEWORK FORCE STANDARDS BOARD.

ESSENTIA HEALTH RELEASED A STATEMENT REGARDING THE POSSIBLE WORK STOPPAGE AS WELL.

THEY SAID THEY ARE NEGOTIATING A THREE YEAR CONTRACT AFTER THE PREVIOUS ONE EXPIRED ON SEPTEMBER 30TH.

ESSENTIA SAYS THE UNION'S WAGE DEMAND OF A 55% INCREASE OVER THREE YEARS IS NOT FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE IN TODAY'S HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT.

ESSENTIA SAYS THE STRIKE NOTICE COMES UNUSUALLY EARLY IN THE BARGAINING PROCESS AFTER ONLY TWO NEGOTIATING SESSIONS AND MEDIATION SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MONTH.

THEY FEEL THE STRIKE NOTICE IS PREMATURE.

THEY SHOULD INSTEAD FOCUS ON MAKING PROGRESS AT THE BARGAINING TABLE.

THE UNION SAYS THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO BARGAINING SESSIONS SCHEDULED BEFORE THE STRIKE WOULD AGAIN BUT WORKERS REMAIN READY TO GET BACK TO THE TABLE.

THERE IS A MEDIATION SESSION SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 13TH.

ESSENTIA SAYS GIVEN THE NEGOTIATION SESSION WITH THE FEDERAL MEDIATOR IS SCHEDULED FOR THE 13th, THAT THEY ARE URGING THE UNION BARGAINING TEAM TO FOCUS ON MAKING PROGRESS WITH THEM DURING BARGAINING, RATHER THAN GOING OUT ON STRIKE.

>> ESSENTIA SAYS THAT IN THE EVENT OF A WORK STOPPAGE, EMERGENCY SERVICES, SURGICAL CARE, OUTPATIENT CLINIC CARE AND LONG-TERM CARE AT ESSENTIA HEALTH-HOMESTEAD WOULD REMAIN AVAILABLE BUT, ASPECTS OF HOSPITAL INPATIENT SERVICES WOULD BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DURING A WORK STOPPAGE.

THAT WOULD INVOLVE TRANSFERRING SOME CURRENT HOSPITAL PATIENTS TO OTHER ESSENTIA FACILITIES AND NOT ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS FOR HOSPITAL ADMISSION.

>>> ELECTION DAY IS NEXT TUESDAY, AND BEMIDJI VOTERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

AT LAST WEEK'S HIGH SCHOOL FORUM, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO FIVE OUT OF THE SIX CANDIDATES ABOUT THEIR POTENTIAL PLANS.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE SIX CANDIDATES COMPETING FOR THE THREE OPEN POSITIONS ON THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THE FIVE CANDIDATES WHO WERE AT THE OPEN FORUM MADE THEIR CASE ON WHY THEY BELONG ON THE BOARD.

>> I HAVE 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND I BELIEVE EXPERIENCE IS INVALUABLE.

I REALLY DO.

I JUST SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION?

WE OFFER, YOU KNOW, JUST A TREMENDOUS CURRICULUM AND THE ARTS AND ATHLETICS AND EVERYTHING.

SO, FOR ME PERSONALLY, I BRING THE EXPERIENCE AND I BRING THE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT I BELIEVE IS SO NEEDED.

>> I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT HAS ACTUAL EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION.

I WAS A TEACHER FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS, I HOLD A MASTER'S DEGREE ON EDUCATION.

I SAT ON COMMITTEES RELEVANT TO MANY ISSUES ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THAT EXPERIENCE AND PERSPECTIVE TO THE DECISIONS MADE ON THE BOARD AND ALIGN THE PRIORITIES OF THE BOARD WITH THOSE OF BEMIDJI PARENTS.

I CAN BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND BRING AN INFORMED PERSPECTIVE THAT REALLY HELPS TO HOPEFULLY REACH A RESOLUTION TO SOME OF THE ISSUES FACING THE DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: EACH OF THE CANDIDATES HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION ON WHAT THOSE ISSUES ARE.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON OUR BUDGET FIRST AND FOREMOST.

WE HAVE A $2.3 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT.

SO WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO FIX THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WE'RE ERODING INTO OUR FUND BALANCE, OUR GENERATING OPERATING FUND BALANCE AND WE CAN'T DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THAT FUND.

WE WILL COVER THE DEFICIT, BUT WE NEED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE BUDGET.

SO, THAT HAS TO COME WITH PRUDENT SPENDING AND THE LACK THERE OF AND ALSO TRYING TO INCREASE OUR ENROLLMENT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I REALLY LOVE TO DO, BUT THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

>> WE NEED TO BE ADVOCATES AND CONSISTENT IN GATHERING PARTNERS THAT ARE ALSO ADVOCATES FOR TRANSPORTATION, FULL FUNDING, FOR SPECIAL ED FULL FUNDING, AND POSSIBLY UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE SUMMER, AND ALSO FOR RECOGNIZING OUR STUDENTS NOW ARE GETTING 15% LESS PER STUDENT THAN THEY WERE TWO DECADES AGO, DUE TO THE FACT THAT FUNDING HAS NOT KEPT UP WITH INFLATION.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE ALSO HAS A UNIQUE WAY THAT THEY WANT TO TACKLE THOSE PROBLEMS.

>> WE WERE IN A $4.9 MILLION DEFICIT.

NOW WE'RE IN A $2.4 MILLION DEFICIT.

IN ORDER TO GET DEFICITS DOWN, IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT THAT IS ON THE BALL WITH FINANCES AND REALLY WANTS TO WORK HARD TO GET THAT BUDGET DOWN WITHOUT IT EFFECTING TEACHERS JOBS OR CUT PROGRAMS AND STUFF.

SO IT'S REALLY GETTING CREATIVE WITH HOW TO MOVE MONEY AROUND.

SO WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO KEEP THAT DOWN.

WE'RE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I THINK IF WE STAY THE COURSE, WE TRUST OUR SUPERINTENDENT, WE WILL GET THERE.

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

>> THE SIXTH AND FINAL CANDIDATE IS NICOLE JARANSON, WHO WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE FORUM.

THE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES WILL BE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE NOVEMBER FIFTH GENERAL ELECTION TAKING PLACE NEXT TUESDAY.

>>> MINNESOTA U.S.

SENATORS TINA SMITH AND AMY KLOBUCHAR WHO ARE BOTH MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE HAVE ANNOUNCED FUNDING AWARDS FOR 76 FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS RURAL AND GREATER MINNESOTA TO INSTALL CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY.

THIS ROUND OF FUNDING FOR MINNESOTA TOTALS $7.89 MILLION AND INCLUDES OVER 250 CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS IN SMALL TOWNS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES.

IT INCLUDES PROJECTS NEAR SEVERAL CITIES IN THE LAKELAND VIEWING AREA INCLUDING GULLY TRAIL, PARK RAPIDS, BOWLUS, BRAINERD, BERTHA, PIERZ, SWANVILLE, AND LONG PRAIRIE.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, THE PROJECTS ARE POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM, WHICH SENATOR SMITH CHAMPIONED AND STRENGTHENED IN THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, WHICH BOTH SENATORS SUPPORTED.

>>> THOSE IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S CULTURE AS CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HOSTED POETS SHERWIN BITSUI AND LAYLI LONG SOLIDER FOR ITS VISITING POET PROGRAM VERSE LIKE WATER.

BITSUI, A MEMBER OF THE NAVAJO, ALSO KNOWN AS DINÉ RESERVATION, AND LONG SOLIDER, WHO IDENTIFIES WITH THE OGLALA LAKOTA NATION, EACH PRIMARILY CURATE POETRY >> A LONG DEEP HISTORY WITH THE LAND AND TO HAVE HISTORY ALSO OF REMOVAL, GENOCIDE, WE ARE SURVIVORS.

OUR STORY IS ABOUT SURVIVAL.

>> FOLLOWING THE MORNING READING SESSION AT C.L.C., LONG SOLDIER AND BITSUI HELD AN ADDITIONAL POETRY READING AT THE GRAND CASINO MILLE LACS.

>>> LAKELAND PBS HOSTED A SPECIAL SCREENING AT CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE IN BRAINERD FOR OUR LATEST DOCUMENTARY IN LAKELAND PBS'S INITIATIVE TO HIGHLIGHT MINNESOTA MILITARY STORIES.

THE BOYS OF BATAAN TELLS THE STORY OF THE YOUNG MEN FROM BRAINERD WHO SERVED IN THE 194TH TANK BATTALION, COMPANY A IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING WORLD WAR 2.

THE STORY OF THE MEN WHO SERVED IN BATAAN IS ONE THAT IS WELL KNOWN IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

HOPES FOR THE DOCUMENTARY IS THAT IT WILL HELP PRESERVE THE LEGACY OF THESE MEN FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> I THINK THAT THEY'RE ALREADY IS A FOUNDATION FOR THAT, GIVEN THE WORK OF MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS.

THIS WILL BE A CAPSTONE FOR THE MOMENT.

IT WILL BE KEPT IN WAYS THAT CAN BE PRESERVED FOR LATER USE AS WELL.

>> THE BOYS OF BATAAN WILL PREMIERE ON LAKELAND PBS ON VETERAN'S DAY AT 8:00 P.M., FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER SHOWING AT 9:00 P.M. YOU CAN ALSO WATCH ON OUR WEBSITE AND THE PBS APP.

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

>> Stacy: RAIN SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TOMORROW MORNING AND THEN WE WILL HAVE A BREAK BEFORE CHANCES OF RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS RETURN TOMORROW NIGHT.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, BEMIDJI HELD A FREAKY FIELD DAY AHEAD OF HALLOWEEN.

[♪♪♪ >> 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.

[♪♪♪] >>> IT WAS A RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR THE BEMIDJI BLUE OX MARATHON.

ORGANIZERS SAY THE 12TH ANNUAL BEMIDJI BLUE OX MARATHON REACHED NEW HEIGHTS THIS YEAR WITH 1,500 PARTICIPANTS REPRESENTING 32 STATES AND 4 PROVINCES.

RACE OFFICIALS SAY LAST YEAR'S EVENT BROUGHT AN ESTIMATED $1.2 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT TO BEMIDJI, AND THIS YEAR'S NUMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE EVEN HIGHER WITH THE ADDITION OF 200 MORE PARTICIPANTS, ALONG WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

THE BLUE OX MARATHON IS PLANNED AND ORGANIZED BY ONLY A FEW PEOPLE, PHILIP KNUTSON, ALONG WITH HIS WIFE AND FAMILY, AND ANGIE CLARK.

AS THE EVENT CONTINUES TO GROW, THEY ARE EAGER TO EXPAND THE TEAM.

>>> HALLOWEEN IS STILL A FEW DAYS AWAY, BUT DOWNTOWN BRAINERD WAS THE PLACE TO BE FOR THE ANNUAL HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR WHICH TOOK PLACE ON SATURDAY.

THE FREE EVENT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE BRAINERD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, BRAINERD COMMUNITY ACTION, AND THE BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD.

MORE THAN TWO DOZEN STORE FRONTS PARTICIPATED IN HANDING OUT CANDY TO TRICK-OR-TREATERS.

SOME BUSINESSES HAD SOME EXTRA ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES TO HAVE SOME SPOOKY FUN.

EVERY YEAR, THERE IS PLENTY OF FOOT TRAFFIC, BUT THIS YEAR, BUSINESS OWNERS ARE NOTICING HOW DOWNTOWN CONTINUES TO GROW.

>> IT'S A GREAT THING FOR THE CITY DOWNTOWN HERE, TO GET MORE ACTION.

IT'S REALLY STARTING TO COME ALIVE.

I'VE BEEN HERE SIX MONTHS AND I HAVE SEEN A GROWTH IN THE TRAFFIC, IN THE PEOPLE HERE.

I AM JUST REALLY PROUD TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> IF YOU MISSED OUT ON THE FESTIVITIES, THERE IS STILL A CHANCE TO ENJOY SOME COMMUNITY HALLOWEEN FUN IN BRAINERD.

ON HALLOWEEN, PEOPLE IN BRAINERD CAN MAKE THEIR WAY OUT TO GREGORY PARK FOR THE FOURTH ANNUAL DANGEROUSLY THRILLING DECIBELS EVENT FROM 3:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M. >>> WELL STACY, HALLOWEEN IS STILL A FEW DAYS AWAY.

WEATHER-WISE, OUR WEATHER IS DEFINITELY CHANGING TO A MORE FALL OR EARLY WINTER PATTERN.

>> Stacy: IT IS, WE'RE SEEING THE RAIN MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT, A FEW THUNDERSTORMS, AND THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

WE HAVE A BREAK IN THE ACTION TOMORROW AFTERNOON, BUT THE TIME PRECIPITATION DEVELOPS TOMORROW NIGHT AND THURSDAY, WE COULD SEE RAIN OR SNOW SHOWERS.

I'LL HAVE >> 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: WE'VE SEEN SOME SHOWERS MOVE INTO THE AREA THIS EVENING AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN SHOWERS AND SOME EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.

THE SHOWERS WILL TAPER OFF AND WE WILL HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

WITH THE COOLER TEMPERATURES IN PLACE, WE COULD BE SEEING RAIN OR SNOW SHOWERS AND SOME OF US MAY SEE LIGHT ACCUMULATION.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, 44 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT, AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE A NORTH WIND AT 8 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEW POINT IS 44 AND WE HAVE SO FAR RECEIVED JUST UNDER 0.2-INCH OF RAINFALL.

PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE NORTH AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE THERE IS A LARGE SWATH OF PRECIPITATION EFFECTING MAINLY NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME SHOWERS, MAYBE A FEW EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WITHIN THAT.

HEADING INTO THE OVERNIGHT, WE WILL HAVE THIS SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS, PRETTY GOOD CHANCE IN THE NORTH, SMALLER CHANCE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT THERE MAY BE A FEW EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS.

THAT CONTINUES INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

PRECIPITATION SHOULD TAPER OFF AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND WE WILL SEE SOME VARIABLE CLOUDS.

AS WE HEAD INTO LATE TOMORROW, MORE PRECIPITATION IS ON THE WAY AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS PURPLE AREA HERE IS SHOWING WE CAN SEE SOME RAIN OR SNOW SHOWERS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN OR SNOW AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY.

A FEW WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL SKIES THIS MORNING, A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE TRYING TO PEEK THROUGH THE CLOUDS IN CASS LAKE.

ANGELA SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

DEBRA WITH A PICTURE OF THE MORNING SKIES OVER LAKE ADA.

ARLENE CAPTURING THIS PICTURE IN MENAHGA, A CURIOUS LITTLE DEER THERE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, DEBRA IN PINE RIVER, 51 AND CLOUDY THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING A HIGH OF 62.

BOB IN BLUFFTON CLOUDY TODAY WITH A HIGH OF 55.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, SOME DRIZZLE THIS EVENING, THE HIGH WAS 57.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, REPORTING CLOUDY SKIES WITH A BIT OF DRIZZLE AND A HIGH OF 57.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 62.

SO VERY MILD TEMPERATURES TODAY IN BRAINERD.

OUR LOW THIS MORNING, 53 AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 6 MINUTES AFTER 6:00.

IN BEMIDJI, 54 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE, SO AGAIN WE ARE STILL WELL ABOVE THAT AVERAGE HIGH.

42 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING AND SUNSET ALSO AT 6:06.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND A FEW SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE MORNING, AND THEN VARIABLE CLOUDS AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, IT IS GOING TO BE COOLER WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-40s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE CLOUD COVER THROUGHOUT THE DAY, BUT AGAIN WE HAVE THAT GOOD CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE MORNING, HIGH TEMPS ANYWHERE FROM 45 TO EVEN INTO THE LOW 50s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, SHOWERS ARE LIKELY THROUGH MOST OF THE AREA TONIGHT, A FEW SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ALSO POSSIBLE, OTHERWISE CLOUDY WITH LOWS NEAR 40.

TOMORROW, SHOWERS AND AGAIN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE IN THE MORNING, BEST CHANCE WILL BE IN NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

VARIABLE CLOUDS IN THE AFTERNOON WITH HIGHS NEAR 46.

LOOKING AHEAD, SHOWERS MOVE BACK IN WEDNESDAY NIGHT, TEMPERATURES WILL BE COLD ENOUGH THAT WE COULD SEE SOME SNOW SHOWERS MIXED IN THERE.

THAT CONTINUES THROUGH THE DAY ON THURSDAY.

QUIET WEATHER THERE ON FRIDAY, THERE ARE SOME CHANCES OF SHOWERS AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

AS FAR AS OUR TEMPERATURES GO, LOOK FOR HIGHS IN THE MID-50s ON SATURDAY, JUST A LITTLE BIT COOLER ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE, VOLLEYBALL SECTIONS CONTINUE.

>> Charlie: YES, WE HAVE SOME SOUTH SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS TONIGHT, GOT TO CROSBY-IRONTON, WHERE THEY HAD A DOUBLE HEADER GOING BY SOME LOCAL SCHOOLS, ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO ONE LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM TODAY ABOUT THEM HEADING INTO THE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

WE HAVE THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪ >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE CENTER, OFFERING REPAIR SERVICES ON APPLE PRODUCTS AND P.C.S.

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

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> BY WEEKS END ALL OF THE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL SECTION CHAMPIONS WILL BE CROWNED BUT IN SOME OF THE LARGER SECTIONS, WE HAD THE CROWNING OF SUBSECTION CHAMPIONS TONIGHT.

LIKE SECTION 5A, WHO HELD A DOUBLE-HEADER AT NEUTRAL SITE CROSBY-IRONTON HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOTH THE EAST AND WEST SIDE OF THE BRACKET.

WE START OUT WITH THE WEST, TOP SEED SEBEKA TAKING ON 2-SEED BROWERVILLE.

THE TROJANS SWEPT THE TIGERS IN THEIR SOLE MEETING OF THE SEASON.

FIRST SET, TIGERS UP 12-11.

ASHLEY BRINGS OUT THE SLAUGHTERS A THEY EXTEND THEIR LEAD.

TROJANS TRAILING 21-20.

JALIN TO SAMANTHA, WHO PAINTS THE CORNER, IS BECAN -- SEBEKA TAKES IT.

THEN VIOLET GOES UP AND BRINGS THE HAMMER DOWN.

SEBEKA KEPT ROLLING ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SECTION TITLE GAME.

IT WILL BE THEIR FIRST IN 2016 WHEN THEY PLAYED.

THEY WILL EXTEND THEIR WIN STREAK TO 13.

>>> ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BRACKET, THE REIGNING SECTION CHAMPS, 3-SEED PINE RIVER-BACKUS TRYING TO UPSET TOP SEED SWANVILLE AND GET TO THEIR 4TH STRAIGHT TITLE GAME.

FIRST SET, PINE RIVER DOWN.

BURNS RIPS IT TO THE FRONT LINE.

TIGERS PULL WITHIN 1.

LATER, STILL A ONE POINT SET, KAYLIE JOHNSON, WORKS THE SIDELINE FOR THE POINT, AND A FEW POINTS LATER, WE'RE NOTED AT 20 POINTS APIECE.

IN THE MIDDLE, FIRES IT HOME, TIGERS TAKE IT HOME AND THE SET.

THEY PULL THE UPSET AGAINST SWANVILLE, BUT WAS IT AN UPSET?

TIGERS WILL PLAY AGAINST SEBEKA ON THURSDAY.

>>> ELSEWHERE IN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL, WADENA DEER CREEK FALLS TO RIVAL HOLLY IN FIVE SETS.

THE MINNESOTA WILD NOW WON FIVE OF THEIR LAST SIX GAMES AND IN THE NBA, TIMBERWOLVESES FALL TO 2-2 FOR THE SEASON.

>> TWO SEASONS AGO FOSSTON FOOTBALL WENT OHAND-9, PART OF A 28-GAME LOSING STREAK THAT DATED BACK TO 2018.

LAST YEAR AFTER MAKING THE MOVE FROM 11-MAN TO 9-PLAYER, THE GREYHOUNDS ENDED THE STREAK WITH A WEEK ONE WIN OVER HILLCREST LUTHERAN ACADEMY, PAVING THE WAY TO A 5 AND 4 RECORD, THEIR FIRST OVER .500 SINCE 2015, AND NOW IN 2024, THE HOUNDS ARE UNDEFEATED.

>> IT WAS REALLY REBUILDING AND IT TOOK ALL OF US TO COME TOGETHER, WORK HARD, AND TRY TO GET TOWARDS OUR GOAL.

WE'RE ACHIEVING THAT NOW.

SO IT FEELS REALLY GOOD.

THERE IS DEFINITELY BUSINESS TO BE DONE.

WE SHOULD ENJOY THE SEASON AND THE WIN, BUT THE NEXT DAY, WE ARE 0-0.

WE'RE STARTING A NEW SEASON.

>> EVERYONE WAS GETTING THE FEEL FOR A 9-MAN.

A LOT OF US WERE BECOMING MORE OF A BROTHERHOOD.

IT FELL AMAZING, IT FELT AWESOME TO LEAVE MY SENIOR SEASON UNDEFEATED.

>> IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN.

THOSE KIDS LAST YEAR BOUGHT INTO WHAT I CAME IN AND STARTED TALKING ABOUT, AND WHAT THE COACHES TALKED ABOUT, THEY BOUGHT INTO EVERYTHING WE WERE SAYING IT TAKES TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> AFTER A WIN OVER CLEARBROOK-GONVICK THIS PAST SATURDAY IN THE SECTION 6 SEMIFINALS, FOSSTON PUNCHED THEIR TICKET TO THEIR FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SINCE 2014 AND THE EXCITEMENT OF PLAYING FOR A STATE TOURNAMENT BERTH MIGHT ONLY BE SECOND TO PLAYING IN THE FARGODOME.

>> I THINK THAT'S -- I DON'T KNOW, IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN.

IT'S AWESOME.

IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.

>> THAT'S WHY YOU DO ALL OF THESE THINGS.

YOU PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION TO COMPETE.

I PLAYED THERE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND IT'S DRY.

IT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT FOR US AND ALL THE LIGHTS, THE DRY AIR, THE TURF, I HOPE OUR KIDS CAN ENJOY THE MOMENT, BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT NOW WE HAVE TO PLAY FOOTBALL.

THAT'S WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO, WHETHER YOU'RE PLAYING IN FARGODOME, AT THE WAL-MART PARK, YOU HAVE TO PLAY FOOTBALL.

IT'S BLOCKING AND TACKLING AND DOING ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THE RIGHT WAY.

>> IT WILL DEFINITELY BE DIFFERENT.

WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH CRAMPING, SO HOPEFULLY THAT DOESN'T AFFECT US TOO MUCH.

IT WILL BE A FUN EXPERIENCE FOR SURE.

>>> GREYHOUNDS TRYING FOR THE THEIR THIRD EVER SECTION TITLE IN FOOTBALL BUT THEY'LL HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM ON THURSDAY WITH THE 3-TIME REIGNING SECTION CHAMPS IN FERTILE-BELTRAMI.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> HALLOWEEN HAS MOSTLY BECOME AN AMERICAN TRADITION THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND IS FULL OF PARTIES, COSTUMES, DECORATIONS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, TRICK-OR-TREATING, BUT WHAT IF WE WERE TO ADD AMERICA'S FAVORITE PASTIME INTO THAT MIX.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN STOPPED BY THE MARK EVERSON MEMORIAL FIELDS OVER THE WEEKEND TO CHECK OUT BEMIDJI'S YOUTH LEAGUE BASEBALL'S FREAKY FIELD DAY.

>> Reporter: HALLOWEEN IS OFFICIALLY JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY.

IT'S A DAY FULL OF COSTUMES, CANDY, AND DINGERS?

>> OH, THAT IS GONE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS BEMIDJI YOUTH BASEBALL'S FREAKY FIELD DAY, A DIFFERENT WAY TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN.

>> WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE A LOT OF THE IMPROVEMENTS WE MADE TO OUR FACILITY OUT HERE AND INVITE THE COMMUNITY OUT TO JUST TAKE PART IN A HALLOWEEN FUN DAY, A SAFE WAY TO TRICK-OR-TREAT, DO A BUNCH OF FUN FALL ACTIVITIES AND GET OUR FAMILIES TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: IT OFFERS A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES LIKE BROOM BALL.

>> PUMPKIN PITCH.

THERE IS A HAY RIDE, RING TOSS, AND LOTS MORE.

>> THERE ARE RAFFLES FOR BASEBALL BATS, TRICK-OR-TREATING AROUND THE BASES AND A LOT OF WAYS FOR KIDS TO WIN PRIZES AND DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> Reporter: AND OF COURSE WITH IT BEING A HALLOWEEN EVENT, COSTUMES WERE VERY MUCH ENCOURAGED.

>> I'M LOVING THE SONIC ONES.

THOSE ARE COOL.

THE BASEBALL ONES, THOSE ARE COOL.

>> I LOVE ALL THE COSTUMES.

>> I THINK THEY LOOK GOOD.

I LOVE THEM AS MUCH AS I COULD SAY IN MY HEART.

>> Reporter: TO END THE DAY'S FESTIVITIES, A GAME OF WHIFFLE BALL BETWEEN THE COACHES.

WITH THE YOUTH PLAYERS ON COMMENTARY TO PROVIDE VERY IMPORTANT STATS.

>> A SWING AND A MISS.

>> WE PUSHED IT OUT THROUGH OUR BASEBALL FACEBOOK PAGE AND ALL THOSE AVENUES BUT WANTED THE COMMUNITY TO COME AND PARTAKE.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF THE KIDS GOT THE MESSAGE AND WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER THAT MADE IT EASIER.

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

>> Dennis: THAT WHIFFLE BALL GAME WAS WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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