>> 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.

>>> ESSENTIA HEALTH WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE HOSPITAL, CLINIC, ASSISTED-LIVING, AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES IN FOSSTON, PLUS CLINICS IN BAGLEY AND OKLEE FOLLOWING AN ARBITRATION RULING IN FAVOR OF ESSENTIA.

AN ARBITRATION PANEL VOTED 2-1 IN FAVOR OF ESSENTIA IN THEIR DISPUTE WITH THE CITY OF FOSSTON.

THE MEDICAL CENTER IS LOCAL NON-PROFIT THAT ESSENTIA HAS OPERATED FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS UNDER AND AFFILIATION AGREEMENT.

FOSSTON LEADERS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY BACK AFTER ESSENTIA RELOCATED LABOR AND DELIVERY SERVICES FROM ESSENTIA FOSSTON TO ABOUT 60 MILES AWAY AT ESSENTIA DETROIT LAKES.

>> WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY RULED 2-1 IN ESSENTIA'S FAVOR.

THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT UNANIMOUS INDICATES THAT THE CITY'S POSITION HAS BEEN VALIDATED, ALTHOUGH THE RULING FAVORS ESSENTIA, ALLOWING THEM TO CONTINUE TO NO LONGER DELIVER BABIES AT THE FOSSTON HOSPITAL.

>> THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MET THIS MORNING AND WE DISCUSSED WHAT THE IMPACT OF THE DECISION MEANS AT THIS TIME.

WE WILL HAVE FURTHER INFORMATION AFTER DISCUSSIONS NEXT WEEK WITH OUR CONSULTANTS AND LEGAL TEAM ON WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS WILL BE.

I WILL SAY THAT THE TASK FORCE IS COMMITTED TO RESTORING LOCAL DECISION MAKING AT THE FOSSTON HOSPITAL.

>> ESSENTIA HEATH OFFICIALS SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT NOW THAT THE ARBITRATION PROCESS IS OVER, ESSENTIA IS FOCUSED ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE OUR PATIENTS, COLLEAGUES, AND THE COMMUNITY IN BUILDING A SHARED VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE IN FOSSTON.

>>> THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL WAS PRESENTED WITH AN UPDATE ON THE SANFORD CENTER'S FINANCIAL SITUATION BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, A.S.M.

GLOBAL, WHO MANAGE THE SANFORD CENTER DURING A WORK SESSION EARLIER THIS WEEK.

DUE TO A CONTROVERSIAL REQUEST FROM A.S.M.

GLOBAL, A NUMBER OF COUNCILORS VOICE THEIR CONCERNS OVER THE REQUEST.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: DUE TO SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS AT THE CENTER IN BEMIDJI, THE CENTER WILL REQUIRE AROUND $350,000 IN CASH INFLUX TO MEET ITS CURRENT AND PROJECTED CASH REQUIREMENT.

THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ASM GLOBAL ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT EVERYONE -- EVERYTHING WILL BE PAID BY THE END OF 2024.

THEY WERE HOPING THE CITY WOULD ELIMINATE THE TERMINATION CLAUSE THAT ALLOWS THE CITY TO END THEIR CONTRACT IF THE SANFORD CENTER WAS NOT SUCCEEDING FINANCIALLY.

>> THE NUMBERS WERE RIGHT UP THERE IF YOU GOT THOSE CASH INJECTIONS, THEY COULD HAVE COME NATURALLY FROM WEDDINGS OR WHATEVER.

THOSE DIDN'T HAPPEN, SO THAT CAUSED THEM TO BE SHORT.

WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST SAY TERMINATE THE CONTRACT, BUT AT YEAR-END, GIVE US BACK THE MONEY THAT WE LOANED YOU TO GET THROUGH THIS DEFICIT.

WHY WOULDN'T THAT BE AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION OPPOSED TO WE'RE NOT GOING TO TERMINATE.

>> Reporter: IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET BIGGER ACTS TO COME TO SMALL TOWN BEMIDJI, WHICH LED TO THE CASH SHORTAGE.

CASH FLOW SHORTAGE AND OPERATING LOSS IS NOT THE SAME THING.

>> AS A FINANCE PERSON, THE ONLY REASON YOU'RE SITTING AT A SHORTAGE IS BECAUSE YOU USED TOO MUCH CASH TO FUND RECEIVABLES AND INVENTORY AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS TO COVER SOME OF THAT LOSS.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE CURRENT IN THIS SITUATION.

>> Reporter: COUNCIL WAS NOT TOO PLEASED WITH THE PAST PROMISES THAT ASM MADE.

>> THEY HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF EATING UP MONEY SINCE IT WAS BUILT.

WE WORKED WITH THE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES TO TRY TO COME OUT OF IT WITHOUT THE CITY HOLDING DOWN THE MONEY TO PAY BACK.

>> LAST YEAR WAS DEVASTATING.

YOU'RE TALKING THIS YEAR ABOUT BEING 100,000 OVER.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MONEY WE TERMINATED IN THE LAST COMPANY.

YOU'RE DOING WORSE AND YOU SOLD US ON DOING BETTER.

>> Reporter: AFTER TWO HOURS OF DEBATE, THE CITY MANAGER PROPOSED AN OPTION TO REVISIT THE DECISION IN THE FUTURE.

>> IF THEY PUT IN THE MONEY, THE TERMINATION CLAUSE STAYS IN PLACE, BUT THEY WERE GOING TO GET THEIR MONEY BACK AND THEY WERE AGREEABLE WITH THAT.

>> THE COUNCIL AGREED TO MOVE THE DISCUSSION TO A LATER DATE, BUT NO DECISION WAS MADE DURING THE MEETING ON A.S.M.

GLOBAL.

THE COUNCIL HOPES THAT LATER DOWN THE LINE, THEY CAN FIND WAYS TO FUND THE SANFORD CENTER'S SHORTFALL AND TO ADD MORE REQUIREMENTS FOR A.S.M.

GLOBAL FOR THE FUTURE.

>>> A MAHNOMEN WOMAN IS BEHIND BARS TONIGHT.

SHE'S ACCUSED OF PROVIDING ALCOHOL TO A GROUP OF KIDS, ONE OF THEM WHO ENDED UP DEAD.

NEWS REPORTER MATT HENSON WAS IN THE COURTROOM WHERE THE JUDGE ADDED MORE JAIL TIME TO THE PLEA AGREEMENT.

>> THE MORNING OF MARCH 5, 2023 WILL FOREVER AND ALWAYS BE THE WORST DAY OF OUR FAMILY'S LIVES.

>> Reporter: THE MORNING 15-YEAR-OLD DENNIS GOODWIN WAS FOUND DEAD AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING.

THE TEEN WHO TURNED 15 THE DAY BEFORE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD HOURS LATER.

GOODWIN'S CAUSE OF DEATH, ALCOHOL POISONING.

HIS B.A.C.

WAS 0.31.

>> WHEN HE TOLD HIM TO TURN THE MACHINE OFF, THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE HE COULD DO.

I HIT THE FLOOR.

I SCREAMED.

IT WAS FINAL.

MY SON WAS GONE.

MY LIFE WAS SHATTERED.

>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS SAY THIS WOMAN, 27-YEAR-OLD RAINY THOMPSON SUPPLIED A BIG BOTTLE OF BRANDY THAT WAS SHARED BY A GROUP OF KIDS AT THE HOME.

SHE PLED GUILTY TO ONE CHARGE OF CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR.

>> IT CONTRIBUTINGS -- CONTRIBUTES TO A NUMBER OF INJURIES AND DEATHS.

>> Reporter: THE PLEA DEAL CALLED FOR HER TO SPEND 60 DAYS IN JAIL BUT THE JUDGE INCREASED IT TO 90 DAYS AND ORDERED RAINY TO WRITE A LETTER OF APOLOGY TO THE FAMILY.

>> I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT I DONE AND I AM SORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED.

>> Dennis: THE HOMEOWNER, 41-YEAR-OLD LUCILLE THOMPSON, WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR.

PROSECUTORS SAY SHE TOO PROVIDED ALCOHOL AND ALLOWED KIDS TO SMOKE MARIJUANA IN THE HOME.

HER CASE IS STILL OPEN.

>>> LEECH LAKE RESERVATION RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AREA AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE HOW SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS IMPACT THEIR PROPERTY AND LIVES.

THERE IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR IDEAS ON HOW TO REDUCE LOCAL IMPACTS IN THE FUTURE.

THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS WORKING WITH U-SPATIAL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH TO UPDATE THE TRIBE'S HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN.

THE PLAN ASSESSES THE NATURAL HAZARDS THAT POSE RISK TO THE RESERVATION, AND IDENTIFIES WAYS TO MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE OF FUTURE EVENTS.

AS THE TRIBE WORKS TO UPDATE THE PLAN, IT WANTS TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.

THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN IS A PLAN THAT COVERS ALL OF THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION, AND INCLUDES CONSIDERATIONS FOR OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE TRIBAL PLANNING AREA.

COMMENTS, CONCERNS, OR QUESTIONS REGARDING NATURAL DISASTERS AND YOUR IDEAS FOR MITIGATION PROJECTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO LEECH LAKE RESERVATION EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BY PHONE, EMAIL, OR IN PERSON.

THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC FEEDBACK THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING PROCESS.

>>> TODAY OUR NATION MARKS THE 23RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 TERROR ATTACKS.

BOTH VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP PAUSED THEIR OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNING TO ATTEND TRIBUTES TO THE THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS.

OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT JULIA BENBROOK SHOWS US HOW THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SPENT THE DAY.

>> Reporter: HOURS AFTER MEETING ON THE DEBATE STAGE, FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS MEET AGAIN.

THIS TIME, FOR A SOMBER MOMENT, THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 TERROR ATTACKS.

SURROUNDED BY OTHER LEADERS INCLUDING PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND OHIO SENATOR J.D.

VANCE, THE TWO CANDIDATES SHOOK HANDS BEFORE THE CEREMONY AT GROUND ZERO IN NEW YORK.

PUTTING HOSTILITIES ASIDE FOR A MOMENT AS THE NATION REMEMBERS THE TRAGEDY.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF US ARE FEELING STRONG EMOTIONS AND IT'S A POLITICAL TIME.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS SERVICE FOR OUR BELOVED FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE WERE KILLED WHEN TERRORISTS HIJACKED FOUR COMMERCIAL AIRLINERS ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.

TWO PLANES CRASHED INTO THE TWIN TOWERS IN LOWER MANHATTAN, ANOTHER PLANE, WHICH CRASHED INTO THE PENTAGON, AND THE FOURTH CRASHED INTO A FIELD IN RURAL PENNSYLVANIA AFTER PASSENGERS TRIED TO THWART THE HIJACKING.

>> THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE WAR ON TERROR EVERYDAY.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE STILL SUFFERING AND FAMILIES LEFT WITH A VOID.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND UNITED WE STAND.

>> Reporter: HARRIS AND TRUMP MADE OTHER VISITS TO MARK THE 23rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACKS.

REPORTING IN WASHINGTON, I'M JULIA BENBROOK.

>> BIDEN AND HARRIS LATER LAID WREATHS AT THE FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE PENTAGON, AND TRUMP SEPARATELY LAID WREATHS AT THE FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL.

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

>> Stacy: WILDFIRE SMOKE WILL BE IMPACTING THE AIR QUALITY IN OUR AREA AND AN AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, MnDOT WANTED TO GET THE PUBLIC'S INPUT ON AN >> 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.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HELD AN OPEN HOUSE MEETING YESTERDAY IN BAXTER TO DISCUSS AN INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR HIGHWAYS 371 AND 210.

OVER 40 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE PUBLIC MEETING AND GOT TO PUT IN THEIR INPUT FOR THE UPCOMING PROJECT.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY WAS ALSO AT THE MEETING TO LEARN MORE.

>> Reporter: CITIZENS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA GOT A CHANCE TO GIVE THEIR UNPUT ON A PROJECT THAT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUTE.

IT WAS THE OPEN HOUSE FOR HIGHWAY 371 AND 210, WHICH WAS WELL ATTENDED.

SOME RESIDENTS FELT A PROJECT LIKE THIS WAS NEEDED.

>> WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE HIGHWAY CONGESTION.

THE ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN AT THIS INTERSECTION HERE, A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT, AND HOPEFULLY WORKING WITH MnDOT AND THEM COMING UP WITH SOME GOOD IDEAS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT, BYPASSING THE RAILROAD, ALL THESE INTERSECTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT IS STILL A WAYS OUT FROM BEING STARTED, LET ALONE COMPLETED.

PLANNING AND DESIGN IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH 2027, WITH CONSTRUCTION EXPECTED TO START IN 2028.

EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A LOT OF TIME TO BE PUT IN, MnDOT WANTS TO ENSURE THE PUBLIC GETS TO PUT IN THEIR INPUT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

>> WE'RE GETTING OUT EARLY ON THIS ONE.

WE'RE GETTING THE DESIGN TEAM OUT, INTERACTING WITH FOLKS THAT LIVE HERE, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT.

WE WILL BE WORKING HARD THE NEXT YEAR AND DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVES THAT SOLVE THE NEEDS WE IDENTIFIED HERE.

TODAY IT WAS REALLY FUN TO GET SOME SKETCHING GOING ON, REALLY JUST LET THE PUBLIC WORK THROUGH AND THINK THROUGH THEIR IDEAS ON HOW THEY SOLVE AND ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS.

>> Reporter: THESE OPEN HOUSE MEETINGS ARE KEY FOR MnDOT.

THIS PROJECT WILL DIRECTLY AFFECT PEOPLE.

FROM THE RAILROAD TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF TRAFFIC THAT GOES THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, TO THE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES ALONG THE HIGHWAY, MnDOT WANTS TO HEAR FROM AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> THAT'S THE GOAL.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE INTERACTING AND THAT WE'RE GETTING PARTICIPATION.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE.

WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST.

HAVING EVERYBODY ALONG AND HELPING DEFINE THE PROBLEM AND BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, YOU KNOW, THAT'S BEEN CRITICAL.

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

>> MNDOT EXPECTS TO HOST ANOTHER OPEN HOUSE ON THIS PROJECT THIS WINTER.

AT THAT MEETING, MNDOT HOPES TO GO OVER CONCEPT DESIGNS FOR THE PROJECT WITH THE PUBLIC.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER.

STACY JOINS US NOW.

IT'S BEEN A HOT START TO SEPTEMBER.

>> Stacy: IT HAS AND OUR HOT WEATHER WILL BE CONTINUING FOR SOME TIME.

WE HAVE SOME AIR QUALITY ISSUES.

THE WILDFIRE SMOKE IS IMPACTING AIR QUALITY AND THAT IS IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE'LL TAKE A >> 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 DID START OUT WITH SOME FOG EARLY THIS MORNING.

IT TOOK A WHILE FOR THE FOG AND THE LOW CLOUDS TO LIFT, BUT ONCE IT DID, THE SUNSHINE WAS OUT AND SKIES WERE HAZY ONCE AGAIN.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE IMPACT FROM WILDFIRES IN CANADA AND THAT IS IMPACTING OUR AIR QUALITY IN PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA TONIGHT.

WE HAVE AN AIR QUALITY ALERT WE WILL LOOK AT IN A FEW SECONDS.

THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 64 AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT NORTHWEST WIND.

PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES AND 71 WITH A DEW POINT OF 66.

HUMIDITY IS AT 84%.

WINDS ARE CALM.

EXCUSE ME.

WE HAVE AN AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA UNTIL 10:00 A.M.

TOMORROW MORNING ON THURSDAY.

AIR QUALITY INDEX IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE ORANGE CATEGORY, WHICH MEANS THE AIR IS UNHEALTHY FOR PEOPLE IN SENSITIVE GROUPS.

NOW ON THE RADAR, IT HAS BEEN QUIET TODAY.

IT'S GOING TO BE QUIET AGAIN TONIGHT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

AGAIN WE COULD BE SEEING AREAS OF FOG, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA AND AGAIN AREAS OF SMOKE IN THE NORTHWEST.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, WE COULD SEE LINGERING FOG IN THE MORNING.

THE AREAS OF SMOKE IS STILL IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE SUNNY SKIES WILL BE BACK.

TEMPERATURES ARE WARM WITH HIGHS IN THE 80s TOMORROW, WITH A LOT OF 80s AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF THE WEEK.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

A LOT OF FOG IN THE AREA.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE FOGGY CONDITIONS IN MENAHGA.

KAREN WITH THE PICTURE OF THE EVENING CONDITIONS NEAR GALLAGHER LAKE.

WE HAVE GORGEOUS SKIES FROM SARAH AT LAKE EDWARD AND ANGELA SAYING THE FOG WAS BEGINNING TO ROLL BACK IN AT CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE WITH THE SMOKE HAZE THIS EVENING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SMOKEY SUNSHINE, TOPPING OUT AT 80.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND HAZY TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE WITH SOME FOG AND A HIGH OF 79.

NOW LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 84.

WE ARE SEEING VERY WARM TEMPERATURES.

53 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING.

WE HAD SUNRISE AT 6:51.

BEMIDJI TODAY, TOPPING OUT AT 74, SO A LITTLE CLOSER TO OUR AVERAGE, BUT STILL ABOVE THAT.

51 THIS MORNING WAS OUR LOW TEMPERATURE AND SUNSET AT 7:39.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE SEEING SUNSHINE ONCE AGAIN AND WE SHOULD HAVE THE HIGH TEMPERATURES BACK IN THE LOW TO EVEN MID-80s.

A LOT OF MID-80s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MORE SUNSHINE, MID-80s FOR OUR HIGHS, SO AGAIN VERY SUMMER-LIKE AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

IN FACT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE WARM TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

SO OUR FORECAST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AREAS OF SMOKE, AS WELL AS SOME PATCHY FOG, LOWS NEAR 59.

FOR TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY, HIGHS NEAR 84, SOUTHEAST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST.

WE WILL HAVE SUNNY SKIES ON FRIDAY WITH A HIGH OF 82.

WE WILL SEE MORE SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, BUT WE DO HAVE CHANCES FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, JUST A SMALL CHANCE MOVING THROUGH THIS WEEKEND.

WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-80s EARLY NEXT WEEK.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL BACK HOME THIS WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: YES, AGAINST SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE AND WE HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK TO A COUPLE OF THE PLAYERS TO SEE HOW THEY'RE FAIRING AFTER THE HEARTBREAKING LOSS TO MINNESOTA STATE AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO GET READY FOR SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE.

ALL THAT AND MORE 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.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>> HEALTH MINUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY EMPLOYEE-OWNED LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS, FEATURING THE AREA'S LARGEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD AND HIGHEST QUALITY MEATS.

MORE INFO AT LUEKENS.COM.

>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> BSU FOOTBALL IS COMING OFF ANOTHER HEART-BREAKING LOSS TO RIVAL MINNESOTA STATE THAT SAW THE MAVERICKS MAKE A FIELD GOAL AS TIME EXPIRED TO BEAT THE BEAVERS BY TWO.

DESPITE THE “L”, THERE WERE SOME POSITIVE TAKEAWAYS.

ON OFFENSE, BEMIDJI STATE IMPROVED IN THE RUSHING GAME, NETTING OVER 300 YARDS RUSHING, 130 MORE YARDS THAN THE WEEK PRIOR AND AVERAGE ALMOST 7 YARDS PER CARRY.

ON DEFENSE, THE BEAVS HELD THE MAVS TO JUST 5 OF 13 ON THIRD DOWN BUT WERE UNABLE TO GET OFF THE FIELD IN A FEW CRITICAL MOMENTS.

KNOWING WHERE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE.

BSU IS NOW LOOKING AHEAD TO SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE.

>> FIRST WEEK, THEY PLAYED MINOT, WHICH IS A DIFFERENT OFFENSE.

THEY HAVE SOME ATHLETES, THEY ARE FAST AND PHYSICAL.

I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS MATCHING THEIR PHYSICALITY.

THEY ARE JUST NOT CONVERTING TO POINTS, SO GET POINTS ON THE BOARD EARLY AND GET THE GAME ROLLING.

>> JUST GOOD TECHNIQUE THE ENTIRE GAME.

THEY WILL DO SOME GOOD THINGS SCHEMATICALLY, MAKE YOU THINK.

WE JUST NEED TO PLAY FAST, PLAY PHYSICAL, AND IT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE CURRENTLY OWNS A 5-GAME WIN STREAK OVER SMSU.

BEAVS HAVE ALSO WON 19 OF THEIR LAST 21 AGAINST THE BRONCOS.

GAME IS SATURDAY.

KICK-OFF SET FOR 2:00 P.M. >>> BRAINERD GIRLS SOCCER ENDED AN INJURY-RIDDLED 2023 SHOWING PROMISE, TAKING OUT SECTION EIGHT-THREE-A'S THREE SEED SARTELL BEFORE FALLING IN THE SEMIFNALS TO BUFFALO.

THIS YEAR, THE GIRLS ARE COOKING EARLY, WINNING FIVE OF THEIR FIRST SEVEN CONTESTS.

AS MILES WALKER TELLS US WHAT IS FUELING THE TEAM'S HOT START.

>> Reporter: THEY ENTERED UNDERESTIMATE IN 2023, BUT LEFT THEM WITH NOT ONLY PEAK MOTIVATION, BUT A NEWFOUND BELIEF IN EACH OTHER.

>> LAST YEAR, OUR SARTELL GAME, WE CAME IN AS THE UNDERDOG AND WE UPSET SARTELL AND IT GAVE EVERYONE A SHOCK THAT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

THAT CARRIED INTO THIS SEASON AS WELL, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE WINNING OR LOSING.

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THE GIRLS' COLLECTIVE BELIEF IS SHOWING, ALLOWING 10 GOALS WITH THEIR FIRST 7 GAMES.

>> OUR DEFENSE IS NOT AFRAID TO COME UP AND TAKE THAT BALL FROM THE OPPOSING TEAM'S ATTACKER.

THEY KNOW THEY HAVE OTHER PEOPLE BEHIND THEM IF THEY DO MESS UP OR SOMEBODY IS COMING TO DOUBLE.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE PEOPLE -- IF THEY MESS UP, THEY HAVE PEOPLE TO TAKE THEIR FALL FOR IT.

>> Reporter: THE GIRLS ARE CONSISTENTLY FINDING THE BACK OF THE NET, WITH 10 DIFFERENT PLAYERS CONTRIBUTING TO THE TALLY.

>> FOCUSING ON GROUND BALLS MORE THAN THROUGH BALLS.

WE NOTICE WE GET A LOT MORE CONTROLLED SHOTS AND MORE PLAYS HAPPEN WHEN WE ARE CONTROLLED AND ABLE TO PASS ON THE GROUND.

>> WE HAVE THE 9 GOAL GAME AGAINST FERGUS AND 7 DIFFERENT PEOPLE SCORED.

WE PLAY TO EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY FAST ATHLETIC KIDS AND IT'S FUN TO WATCH THEM RUN SOMETIMES, BUT IT'S NOT WHEN WE'RE AT OUR BEST.

>> Reporter: THE WARRIORS ARE AT THEIR BEST WHEN THEY EXHIBIT PATIENCE.

>> DON'T LET YOUR STRESS BUILD UP BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO SEND IT DOWN FIELD OR JUST PLAY BY OURSELVES.

IF WE PLAY AS A TEAM, IT HELPS EVERYBODY RELAX AND US PLAY A BETTER GAME IN GENERAL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Charlie: BRAINERD HAS 8 DIFFERENT PLAYERS WITH MULTIPLE GOALS.

THEY HOPE TO PUT TOGETHER ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL TEAM PERFORMANCE AGAINST ST.

CLOUD TECH.

>>> IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THE TWINS WIN.

>> Dennis: 2-0.

>> Charlie: YEP.

>> Dennis: SO WHEN IT COMES TO TOBACCO USE AND YOUTH THERE'S GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS.

RECENTLY RELEASED SURVEY DATA SHOWS E-CIGARETTE USE HAS DECLINED IN THIS AGE GROUP BUT THERE'S A GROWING CONCERN FOR ANOTHER FORM OF NICOTINE THAT'S SEEING RISING SALES.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON THE CONCERN AND WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP CHILDREN AVOID TOBACCO.

>> Reporter: IT'S A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

NICOTINE CAN BE FOUND IN ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

>> IT CAN HARM THE DEVELOPING BRAIN AND PRIME THE BRAIN FOR ADDICTION TO OTHER DRUGS.

IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOUTH AREN'T EXPOSED TO THESE PRODUCTS.

>> Reporter: DATA SHOWS A NEARLY 25% DROP IN STUDENTS REPORTING E-CIGARETTE USE THE PAST YEAR, THAT'S HALF A MILLION FEWER YOUTHS USING THE DEVICES, BRINGING THE RATE DOWN TO THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN IN A DECADE.

>> WE STILL HAVE 1.6 MILLION KIDS WHO ARE USING THESE PRODUCTS, BUT IT'S STILL AN IMPORTANT ONE.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A GROWING CONCERN ABOUT NICOTINE POUCHES, WHICH ARE SMALL AND DISSOLVABLE AND PLACED BETWEEN THE LIP AND GUM.

EXPERTS SAY SALES HAVE BEEN RISING SINCE 2016.

>> WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR USE AND DO EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T SEE ANY FURTHER RISES WITH REGARDS TO THESE PRODUCTS IN FUTURE YEARS.

>> THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION SAYS PARENTS SHOULD TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT THE HEALTH DANGERS AND THE UNPLEASANT PHYSICAL ASPECTS LIKE BAD BREATH, DISCOLORED TEETH AND NAILS, AND GIVE THEM CLEAR CONSISTENT MESSAGES ABOUT THE RISKS, MAKING THEM AWARE OF ALL THE PRODUCTS THIS INCLUDES, AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY NOT SMOKING OR USING TOBACCO IN ANY FORM.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: AND BACK OVER TO STACY FOR MORE ON WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE THE AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 10:00 A.M. THURSDAY.

WE ARE EXPECTING THE AIR QUALITY INK -- INDEX TO REACH THE ORANGE CATEGORY.

TONIGHT, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH AREAS OF SMOKE, AND PATCHY FOG WITH LOWS NEAR 59.

SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, LOOK FOR HIGHS NEAR 84.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW, BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY WILL BE HONORING BOB PETERS, WE'LL HAVE THAT TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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