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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

; KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE, AND HOME PHONE.

LEARN MORE AT AT GOCTC.COM.

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

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF 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 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00 WITH LOCAL NEW FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS AND STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER.

AND MILES WALKER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

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

>>> LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS UPDATED THE PUBLIC ON THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE SEPTEMBER 13TH SHOOTING MURDER OF 17-YEAR-OLD DYLON RAY OOTHOUDT OF WALKER.

FAMILY MEMBERS ALSO SPOKE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY IN CASS LAKE.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE.

>> SEPTEMBER 13, 2026, WILL BE THE WORST DAY FOR OUR FAMILY.

WHEN DILLON DIED, HE TOOK A PIECE OF US WITH HIM.

I REALLY HATE THAT I HAVE TO BE STANDING HERE TODAY PLEADING OUT JUSTICE FOR OUR BOY, BUT WE'RE HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR HIM.

WE'RE GOING TO GET THE JUSTICE WE NEED FOR HIM.

>> Reporter: THE RAMSEY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE DETERMINED THAT HE DIED OF HOMICIDE BY GUNSHOT WOUND.

INVESTIGATORS HAVE IDENTIFIED A GATHERING OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE IN THE AREA OF JOHN MOOSE DRIVE NORTHWEST AROUND THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THAT OTHERS MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN IN THE AREA, WHO ARE EITHER WITNESSES OR WERE INVOLVE IN THE INCIDENT.

INVESTIGATORS ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD WITH ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT, INCLUDING THE IDENTITY OF WITNESSES OR INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE MURDER.

WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

>> Reporter: THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE STATED THAT THEY'RE LOOKING INTO EVERY LEAD AND TIP THAT THEY RECEIVE AND HAVE INTERVIEWED CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS SEVERAL TIMES.

>> NO FIREARM ON THE SCENE THAT WAS RECOVERED.

THE BCA LAB TECHS, THE CRIME SCENE EVIDENCE TEAM WAS ON SCENE, COLLECTED EVERYTHING, AND THEY ARE PROCESSING EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW.

WE DON'T NOW EXACTLY WHY HE WAS THERE.

WE HAVE SOME THEORIES, BUT STILL WORKING THOSE BACK AND FORTH AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET PEOPLE TO COOPERATE.

>> Reporter: THE INVESTIGATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, PAUL BUNYAN DRUG TASK FORCE AND MINNESOTA B.C.A.

>> I'M VERY ANGRY.

OUR WHOLE FAMILY IS VERY ANGRY.

AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE TO START THE WHOLE WORLD ON FIRE, WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT ANGER AND WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR DYLON AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP UNTIL JUSTICE IS SERVED.

>> AND DYLON WILL REMAIN 11 FOREVER AS OUR YEARS SLOWLY GO BY.

I HOPE SOMEONE WILL HAVE THE KINDNESS IN THEIR HEARTS TO COME FORWARD AND GET THAT WEIGHT LIFTED OFF THEIR SHOULDERS.

MY BROTHER WOULD DO IT FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE IN A HEARTBEAT.

PLEASE REACH OUT AND SPEAK UP, NOT ONLY FOR OUR FAMILY BUT FOR DYLON CAN GET THE JUSTICE HE DESERVES.

>> WE KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE AND THERE IS SOMEONE THAT KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED AND THAT'S THE MESSAGE WE'RE TRYING TO CONVEY, TO JUST COME FORWARD.

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

>> ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT IS URGED TO CONTACT THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR CRIME STOPPERS OF MINNESOTA.

TIPS CAN BE SUBMITTED ANONYMOUSLY.

>>> A BEMIDJI MAN WAS SENTENCED TODAY TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDERING A WOMAN IN WISCONSIN IN 2021.

AUTHORITIES CHARGED MANLY MCDERMOTT IN 2024 IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF HIS GIRLFRIEND CARY ELKIN.

ELKIN HAS TIES TO BEMIDJI AS WELL AND WENT TO SCHOOL IN BEMIDJI.

IN A JURY TRIAL IN JULY EARLIER THIS YEAR, MCDERMOTT WAS FOUND GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE AND WAS ALSO CONVICTED ON TWO COUNTS OF BEING A FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM.

HE WAS SENTENCED TODAY TO LIFE IN PRISON, WITH NO ELIGIBILITY FOR EXTENDED SUPERVISION.

>>> AFTER THREE WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL, A MAN FROM POLK COUNTY HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE HEAD BY AN INTRUDER NEAR THE CITY OF MENTER.

BUT HIS ROAD TO RECOVERY IS FAR FROM OVER, AND HE WILL LIKELY NEVER FULLY RECOVER.

55-YEAR-OLD SHAWN QUALLEY WILL LIKELY SPEND AT LEAST THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AT A TWIN CITIES REHAB CENTER THAT SPECIALIZES IN TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES.

NEWS REPORTER MATT HENSON SPOKE WITH HIS DAUGHTER ABOUT HER DAD'S ROAD TO RECOVERY AND HOW CLOSE SHE WAS TO BEING SHOT.

>> WHEN WE WERE WALKING UP, WE NOTICED THAT THIS LOCK HERE HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF.

>> Reporter: ANDREA, ALONG WITH HER MOM AND DAD, WENT OUT TO THE FAMILY FARM AROUND 2:30 IN THE MORNING ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH AFTER THEIR TRAIL CAMERA CAUGHT SOMEONE TRESPASSING.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT CHANGED HER DAD'S LIFE FOREVER.

>> MY DAD GRABBED THE DOOR TO OPEN IT AND MY MOM AND I WERE STANDING JUST A FEW FEET BEHIND HIM WHEN HE HAD COME OUT AND I HAD YELLED GUN.

MY DAD TACKLED HIM.

THEY FELL ABOUT RIGHT HERE.

IT HAPPENED PRETTY FAST.

THEY WERE TRYING TO READJUST, BUT THE GUN WENT OFF.

MY DAD HIT THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: 55-YEAR-OLD SHAWN WAS SHOT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD.

ANDREA AND HER MOM FEARED FOR THEIR LIVES.

>> HE STARTED SHOOTING AT ME AND MY MOM.

I GRABBED MY MOM AND WE RAN AND WE GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 9-1-1.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN, 79-YEAR-OLD LESLIE ANDERSON FIRED TWO OR THREE SHOTS IN THEIR DIRECTION.

>> I BACKED THE CAR UP SO I COULD KEEP HIM IN MY HEAD LIGHTS WHILE HE WAS STANDING OVER MY FATHER.

I'M SORRY.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS STILL CLOSE ENOUGH TO HEAR WHAT ANDERSON WAS SAYING TO HER FATHER.

>> LISTEN TO HIM SAY I AM GOING TO GET ALL MY TOOLS BACK NOW.

>> Reporter: POLICE DO NOT ACCUSE SHAWN OF STEALING TOOLS IN THE COURT PAPERWORK.

ANDREA REMEMBERS HER DAD'S CRIES FOR HELP AFTER HE RAN AWAY.

>> Reporter: LESLIE ANDERSON PUT A BULLET IN ME.

HE TRIED TO KILL ME.

>> Reporter: ANDERSON WAS ARRESTED A SHORT TIME LATER AT HIS HOME IN BAGLEY.

>> HE WILL NEVER BE THE HUMAN HE WAS BEFORE.

>> Reporter: ANDREA SAID DOCTORS ARE STILL WORKING TO CONTROL HER DAD'S FREQUENT SEIZURES.

IT'S BELIEVED THAT HE WILL NEVER REGAIN FULL SIGHT IN HIS RIGHT EYE AND HIS LEFT EYE IS NOT MUCH BETTER.

DOCTORS ARE NOT SURE IF HE WILL BE ABLE TO WALK WITHOUT A WALKER AND HOW MUCH OF HIS MOTOR SKILLS HE WILL GET BACK.

>> OVER WHAT?

LIVES WERE LOST OVER WHAT?

>> Dennis: NOW ANDERSON WAS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, FOUR COUNTS OF ASSAULT AND TWO COUNTS OF BURGLARY.

HE WAS RELEASED FROM JAIL AFTER POSTING $300,000 BOND.

HE IS DUE BACK IN COURT NEXT MONTH.

>>> THE F.B.I.

SAYS IT THWARTED AN ATTACK ON THE MALL OF AMERICA BY A TEENAGER AFTER AGENTS SUPPLIED HIM WITH AN ASSAULT RIFLE.

AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT THE 18-YEAR-OLD HAD BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS, TRADING MESSAGES WITH A CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT.

SHEIKHDOON ABDULLAHI MOHAMUD MADE HIS INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE TODAY.

A FEDERAL COMPLAINT SAYS HE WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY IN A PUBLIC PARK AFTER HE PAID $600 TO AN UNDERCOVER F.B.I.

EMPLOYEE POSING AS A MEMBER OF THE ISLAMIC STATE GROUP FOR AN AK-47 AND 200 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION.

IT ACCUSES MOHAMUD OF REPEATEDLY TELLING THE INFORMANT THAT HE WANTED TO KILL NON-MUSLIMS.

>> THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA SHOULD KNOW FROM YESTERDAY'S ARREST, WHICH WAS THE CULMINATION OF AN OUTSTANDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE OPERATION, THAT FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS STANDING UP TO THEIR CALLING TO PROTECT US.

HERE, BECAUSE OF THEIR VIGILANCE AND DILIGENCE, THEY WERE ABLE TO DETECT A THREAT AND DISRUPT IT BEFORE THE DEFENDANT CARRIED OUT HIS INTENTION TO KILL IN HIS WORDS, MAYBE 30 TO 60 PEOPLE.

>> OVER THE COURSE OF THIS INVESTIGATION, MOHAMMED EXPRESSED SUPPORT OF FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.

HE FELT LIKE HE COULD NOT TRAVEL ABROAD TO FIGHT FOR THESE ORGANIZATIONS, HE EXPRESSED HIS INTENT TO COMMIT AN ATTACK HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, IN MINNESOTA.

>> MOHAMMED WAS REPRESENTED AT HIS INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE WEDNESDAY BY A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

THE LAWYER AND MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY DECLINED TO COMMENT.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'LL SEE HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-60s, BUT A WARM UP IS IN STORE LATE THIS WEEK AND WE COULD TOP OUT AT 80 ON SATURDAY.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AFTER THE BREAK, WE'RE GOING INSIDE THE WALLS OF BELTRAMI'S NEW JAIL AS WE TAKE A LO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> BELTRAMI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS GOT A FIRSTHAND LOOK INSIDE THE COUNTY'S NEW JAIL AS CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES IN BEMIDJI.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING TAKES US BEHIND THESE WALLS TO SEE HOW THE FACILITY IS COMING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: FROM EXPANDED HOUSING AREAS, TO A MODERN LAYOUT, EVERY PART OF THE NEW BELTRAMI COUNTY ADULT CORRECTION CENTER IS BEING BUILT WITH A PURPOSE, BUT SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN INMATES FIRST ARRIVE.

>> THE FACILITY HAS THE ABILITY TO MONITOR 30-SOMETHING BEDS AS IT PERTAINS TO RESPIRATIONS, HEART RATES, SOMEONE COMING IN WITH ANY MEDICAL NEED OR DETOXIFICATION, IT'S GOING TO BE A MORE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: SPANNING MORE THAN 96,000 SQUARE FEET, THE NEW CORRECTION CENTER IS A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING.

WHILE THE CORRIDORS ARE EASY TO SEE, SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES ARE HAPPENING OUT OF SIGHT.

>> IT'S THE BRAINS OF THE OPERATION.

THERE ARE 20 MILES OF UNDERGROUND CONDUIT, JUST FOR SECURITY WIRING ALONE THAT ALL GO INTO THIS ROOM.

IT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

THERE ARE 500 CAMERAS.

>> Reporter: BEYOND THE TECHNOLOGY, THIS PROJECT IS ALSO ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE INSIDE.

FOR BELTRAMI COUNTY, THE NEW FACILITY COULD MEAN KEEPING INMATES CLOSER TO HOME AND GIVING CORRECTION STAFF THE SPACE AND RESOURCES TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE.

WHEN THE WORK HERE IS FINISHED, WHAT IS TAKING SHAPE WILL CHANGE HOW BELTRAMI COUNTY HOUSES AND WORKS WITH ITS INMATES.

>> IT'S GOING TO GIVE US A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH WHERE WE PUT PEOPLE, HOW THOSE PEOPLE ARE HOUSED, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THEY CAN BE HOUSED TOGETHER, OR IN DIFFERENT GROUPS.

CURRENTLY, ALL OF OUR FEMALES ARE HOUSE IN PENNINGTON COUNTY.

>> Reporter: AFTER YEARS OF PLANNING, VOTERS APPROVED THE SALES TAX IN 2023 TO HELP FUND THE 80-MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT, NOW TWO YEARS AFTER BREAKING GROUND, THE 243-BED FACILITY IS TAKING SHAPE.

>> PERSONALLY, IN MY 35 YEARS OF BUILDING BUILDINGS, THIS IS THE BEST CONTRACTOR CREW I EVER HAD.

THESE GUYS ARE PHENOMENAL.

THE BUILDING WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT ALL THESE FOREMEN I HAVE HERE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE COUNTY'S GOAL IS TO BEGIN TRANSFERRING INMATES TO THE NEW FACILITY BY LATE APRIL OF 2027, MARKING THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER FOR CORRECTIONS IN BELTRAMI COUNTY.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS SEEKING PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON ITS RECENTLY DRAFTED STATEWIDE BICYCLE PLUS SYSTEM PLAN.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS OPEN THROUGH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23RD.

MINN-DOT HAS NOT UPDATED ITS BIKE SYSTEM PLAN SINCE 2016, AND THE NEW PLAN HAS A GOAL OF IDENTIFYING MINN-DOT'S ROLE IN IMPROVING BIKEWAYS ON TRUNK HIGHWAYS AND ROUTES THAT CROSS THEM.

COMMENTS FROM ALL AROUND THE STATE ARE BEING ACCEPTED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WEBSITE, TO HELP IMPROVE THE VISION, GOALS, AND STRATEGIES, OF CREATING SAFE BIKING PATHWAYS IN MINNESOTA.

>>> WELL, WE ARE INTO OCTOBER AND IT'S STILL GOOD BIKING WEATHER WITH THIS NICE MILD FALL WE HAD SO FAR.

>> Stacy: YEAH, IT'S BEEN MILD SO FAR THIS MONTH.

IT'S GOING TO BE MILD LOOKING FOR THE REST OF THIS WEEK.

WE'LL BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-60s TOMORROW, SO WE'RE A LITTLE CLOSER TO OUR AVERAGE, STILL ABOVE AVERAGE, BUT WE'RE CLOSER.

BY THE TIME THE WEEKEND STARTS, WE COULD SEE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE ENJOYED SOME SEASONAL TEMPERATURES YESTERDAY.

WE ARE STILL AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

WE HAVE THE SAME IN STORE TOMORROW.

HIGHS WILL REACH THE LOW TO MID-60s, SO A LITTLE BELOW THE AVERAGES, A LITTLE SUNSHINE TOMORROW HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND WE WILL SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES WITH HIGHS IN THE MID-70s TO MID-80s AS WE HEAD INTO SATURDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 49 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT WEST WIND AT OUR STUDIO WITH A DEW POINT OF 36.

HUMIDITY IS AT 61%.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, 56 DEGREES, OUR DEW POINT IS 36, BAROMETRIC PRESSURE IS RISING, AND WE HAVE WEST WINDS AT 8 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAD SOME SHOWER ACTIVITY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, MAINLY IN THE ARROWHEAD REGION.

IT'S BEEN A QUIET EVENING OUT THERE, WE'RE GOING TO SEE QUIET WEATHER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH TEMPERATURES AGAIN IN THE 40s TONIGHT.

WE SHOULD HAVE THE HIGHS IN THE MID TO -- SORRY, LOW TO MID-60s TOMORROW AND A LOT OF SUNSHINE, BUT WE WILL SEE WARMER TEMPS AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, AND WE HAD JUST A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE WITH THE CLEAR SKIES THIS MORNING.

SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PICTURE FROM OVER THE BLACKDUCK RIVER, ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

CHRISSY SAYING THE WIND IS BRINGING A LOT OF THE PINE NEEDLES INTO THE LAKE IN DEERWOOD TODAY.

WE GOT A FAMILY OF TRUMPETER SWANS ON LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

JOAN SPOTTING THE PELICANS IN LAPORTE.

AND THIS IS THE LOVELY SUNSET.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 46 AND BREEZY THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND BREEZY TODAY.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY AND BREEZY, THE HIGH WAS 70.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, CLEAR SKIES, A HIGH OF 66.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, OUR HIGH WAS 65.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT TODAY AT 68, SO COOLER THAN WE HAD YESTERDAY, BUT WE ARE STILL WELL ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH OF 60.

41 IS THE LOW TEMP THIS MORNING, AND WE HAD SUNRISE AT 7:23.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 64, SO AGAIN A LITTLE BIT ABOVE THAT AVERAGE, 44 FOR THE LOW T -- TEMPERATURE.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, PARTLY SUNNY SKIES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY AND THAT WILL BE THE CASE UNTIL WE HEAD MORE INTO THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS.

AS FAR AS HIGH TEMPERATURES GO, A LITTLE CLOSER TO AVERAGE, BUT AGAIN STILL A LITTLE BIT WARMER THAN WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT.

HIGHS IN THE MID TO LOW 60s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND AS WE HEAD INTO ZRAL -- CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT 63 TO 65.

OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 41 FOR THE LOW, NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

PARTLY SUNNY TOMORROW, HIGHS NEAR 62, AND WEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE'RE GOING TO SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS ON FRIDAY, WITH HIGHS NEAR 67, AND THEN ON SATURDAY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A BREEZY DAY, BUT HIGH TEMPERATURES ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA WILL RANGE ANYWHERE FROM THE MID-70s TO THE MIDDLE 80s.

IT WILL BE WARM ON SATURDAY.

WE HAVE A CHANCE OF SHOWERS ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY, AND TEMPERATURES DROP PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY, SO ON MONDAY WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGHS NEAR 51.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

MILES IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

WE'RE GETTING TOWARDS THE END OF THE FALL, SO GETTING CLOSE TO THE PLAYOFF.

LITTLE FALLS SOCCER HAD A GREAT YEAR.

>> Miles: YES, SITTING AT 10-5 WITH SECTION 8-2A PLAYOFFS NEXT WEEK.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THEM AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH MILES WALKER.

>>> AFTER MAKING IT TO THE SECTION EIGHT CLASS 2-A SEMIFINALS THREE STRAIGHT YEARS IN A ROW, LITTLE FALLS GIRLS SOCCER IS LOOKING TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING NEVER DONE IN THE SCHOOL'S HISTORY AND BRING HOME THAT SECTION 8-AA CHAMPIONSHIP.

OUR SPORTS REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY CAUGHT UP WITH THE TEAM AND HAS MORE ON HOW THE FLYERS LOOK TO FINISH THE SEASON STRONG.

>> Reporter: AT THE START OF THE SEASON, THE LITTLE FALLS FLYERS MADE TWO GOALS FOR THEMSELVES, SCORE A GOAL IN EVERY GAME THIS SEASON AND MAKE IT TO THE SECTION 8 FINALS.

>> I THINK WE HAD REALLY GOOD LEADERSHIP AND POSITIVITY AS A TEAM.

WE HAVE ALL BEEN WORKING TOGETHER AND JUST OVERALL ON THE FIELD, JUST TO SPEND A FUN SEASON, YOU KNOW, PLAY OUR HARDEST, WORK OUR HARDEST, BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TO GET TO THIS POINT.

I THINK WE'RE ALL PRETTY EXCITED AND EVERYONE IS WORKING HARD.

>> Reporter: AFTER MAKING IT TO THE SEMIFINALS OF THE SECTION 8 PLAYOFFS LAST SEASON, THE FLYERS ARE LOOKING TO MAKE A DEEP PLAYOFF PUSH THIS SEASON, WITH ONE GAME LEFT AGAINST ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL, THE TEAM BELIEVES THIS IS A REAL TEST FOR THEIR PLAYOFF READINESS.

>> FOR MANY YEARS, IT'S BEEN A RIVALRY AGAINST THEM.

WE KNOW THAT THEY HAVE ALWAYS HAD A STRONG MIDDLE AND A FEW FAST FORWARDS AND I FEEL LIKE WE ARE COMING BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE WE HAD A FEW GIRLS OUT FOR A FEW GAMES AND NOW THEY'RE COMING BACK AND WE'RE READY TO GO AS A UNIT.

WE HAD SOME CLOSE GAMES AND WE'RE EXCITED TO PLAY THEM AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY END THE REGULAR SEASON ON A STRONG NOTE.

>> Reporter: THEY SIT AT 71 GOALS SCORED, WHICH IS 1 SHY OF BREAKING THE ALL TIME RECORD OF GOALS SCORED IN A SEASON.

THE HEAD COACH SAYS THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS BEING AGGRESSIVE AND DICTATING THE PACE OF THE GAME, SOMETHING THEY ARE HOPING TO CONTINUE TO DO THE REST OF THE SEASON.

>> WE KNEW THE OFFENSE WAS GOING TO BE BETTER.

WE DIDN'T GRADUATE ANY KIDS OFFENSIVELY, SO IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT OUR DEFENSE AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE STARTING TO GEL IN THE BACK.

KNOWING THAT WE NEED TO MOVE QUICKLY, WE WANT TO DICTATE PLAY.

SO THE MORE PRESSURE WE CAN PUT ON OTHER TEAMS, THE BETTER OUR DEFENSE IS GOING TO LOOK AND PLAY AS WELL.

>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES THAT THE TEAM IS READY FOR ST.

CLOUD AND THE PLAYOFFS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY WITH THAT FIRE THEY HAD ALL SEASON.

>> I THINK WE ARE PLAYOFF READY.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAD SOME UPS AND DOWNS, BUT WE'RE STAYING COMPETITIVE, MORE THAN WE HAVE PREVIOUS YEARS, AND I FEEL LIKE THAT ELEVATED OUR SKILL LEVEL AND HOW WE PLAY AGAINST OTHER OPPONENTS.

WE HAVE GREAT INTENSITY, COME OUT STRONG AND AGGRESSIVE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LITTLE FALLS, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Miles: TAKING A LOOK AT THE SECTION 8-2A STANDINGS, BECKER SITS SECOND IN GOALS WITH 16 WITH FORWARD THOMPSON BEING FIRST.

>>> THERE IS A SAYING THAT IF YOU ARE AIMING AT THE TOP, CONSISTENCY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME.

MAHNOMEN/WAUBUN FOOTBALL HAS BEEN THE VERY EMBODIMENT OF THAT, OPENING THE 2026 SEASON 5-0 FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR.

THUNDERBIRDS HEAD COACH AND MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER JOHN CLARK SAY'S THAT SHORING UP THE OFFENSIVE LINE IS FRONT OF MIND.

THE SQUAD CURRENTLY TOTES THREE SOPHOMORES ON THE O-LINE, TWO OF WHICH HAD NEVER PLAYED THE POSITION COMING INTO THE SEASON.

THE BOYS BELIEVE THAT IMPROVING THEIR APPROACH IN THE TRENCHES, WILL ULTIMATELY PAY DIVIDENDS.

>> PRACTICE EVERY WEEK HELPS AND THE GUYS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE, HELPING THEM OUT, WILL HELP THEM TOO.

TEAMWORK IS A BIG THING.

LAST WEEK, WE HAD A TOUGH GAME.

NOW WE'RE JUST TRYING TO CLEAN UP SOME STUFF.

IT'S STUFF WE HAVE TO WORK ON FOR THE UPCOMING GAMES AND PLAYOFFS.

>> IT'S THAT HARD WORK WE PUT INTO IT.

I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE GOING INTO IT.

WE ARE WORKING ON OUR LINE AND GIVING THAT RUNNING BACK EXTRA SECURITY, JUST REALLY RUN UP THAT GAP.

>> DO YOUR PART, TRUST YOUR OTHER GUY TO DO THEIR PART AND IT WILL WORK OUT.

>> Miles: AND THEY WILL LOOK TO MAKE IT 6 IN A ROW ON FRIDAY WHEN THEY HOST POLK COUNTY WEST.

THE THUNDERBIRDS LOST THE LAST 8 MEETINGS AGAINST THE THUNDER.

>> Dennis: ANOTHER STRONG YEAR.

>> Miles: HOPEFULLY GETTING TO THE 6-STRAIGHT STATE APPEARANCE.

>> Dennis: SOUNDS GOOD, THANKS MILES.

WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERNATIONAL PLASMA AWARENESS WEEK.

PLASMA-DERIVED MEDICINES ARE USED TO TREAT A VARIETY OF SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING RARE, CHRONIC AND LIFE-THREATENING DISEASES.

AND A NEW GLOBAL POLL FROM THE PLASMA PROTEIN THERAPEUTICS ASSOCIATION REVEALS MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF 1,100 PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS SURVEYED, SAW A CHANGE IN THEIR HEALTH OR THE HEALTH OF SOMEONE THEY CARE FOR WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF STARTING THIS MEDICINE.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS ONE WOMAN'S STORY OF SURVIVAL THANKS TO PLASMA DONORS AND WHY PLASMA DONATIONS ARE CRITICAL FOR HER AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS WHO RECEIVE MEDICATIONS DERIVED FROM THEM.

>> Reporter: FOR 27 YEARS, CHRISTY WAS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL BUT NO ONE COULD TELL HER WHY.

>> IT WAS JUST BEING TOLD IN A MILLION DIFFERENT WAYS, YOU ARE FINE.

IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD.

>> Reporter: IT WASN'T UNTIL THE BIRTH OF HER SECOND CHILD, WHICH LANDED HER IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT WITH A LIFE-THREATENING INFECTION THAT DOCTORS WERE ABLE TO GIVE HER SOMETHING THAT SHE NEVER HAD BEFORE, A DIAGNOSIS OF COMMON VARIABLE IMMUNE DEFICIENCY, A RARE DISORDER OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WHERE THE BODY FAILS TO PRODUCE ENOUGH PROTECTIVE ANTIBODIES.

SHE WAS GIVEN PLASMA DERIVED MEDICINE.

>> AFTER A LIFETIME OF ILLNESSES, I HAD SOMETHING IN THAT MOMENT I HAD NEVER HAD BEFORE.

THAT WAS HOPE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT MEDICINE IS THE ONLY REASON SHE MADE IT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND HOME TO HER FAMILY BACK THEN AND NOW AT AGE 44, SHE RECEIVES PLASMA INFUSIONS EVERY FOUR WEEKS, JUST LIKE SHE HAS FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS.

>> PLASMA POWERS EVERY POSSIBILITY AND LITERALLY THAT'S WHY I BREATHE TODAY.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY SHE AND MILLIONS OF OTHER PATIENTS THAT BENEFIT FROM THOSE INFUSIONS DEPEND ON PLASMA DONATIONS.

>> THE COMMITMENT DONORS MAKE TO GIVE US THIS ABILITY TO LIVE A QUALITY OF LIFE THAT SOME PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED IS JUST INCREDIBLE TO US.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> THE PLASMA PROTEIN THERAPEUTICS ASSOCIATION SAYS IT HAS MORE THAN 1,000 PLASMA COLLECTION CENTERS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE AND PRODUCES APPROXIMATELY 80-PERCENT OF PLASMA PROTEIN THERAPIES USED IN THE U.S.

>>> OKAY, WE HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE GO BACK OVER TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT VENLG -- LOWS NEAR 41.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW, HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-60s, WITH WEST WINDS AGAIN AT 5 TO 15.

THEN THAT WARM UP ARRIVES AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE WEEKEND AND BY SATURDAY, WE COULD BE SEEING HIGHS RANGING FROM THE MID-70s TO POSSIBLY THE MID-80s.

>> Miles: A LOT OF VOLLEYBALL COMING UP TOMORROW.

WE'LL HAVE GAMES FOR THREE OF THEM, INCLUDING WADENA DEER CREEK AGAINST BERTHA-HEWITT.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, SOUNDS GOOD.

THANKS FOR WATCHING EVERYBODY.

WE ARE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW.

SEE YOU THEN.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.

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