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

MEMBER FDIC.

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>> 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 >>> THE BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL APPROVED SETTING THE PRELIMINARY LEVY FOR THE BRAINERD LAKES REGIONAL AIRPORT AT $1,000 MONDAY NIGHT THE COUNCIL TABLED A VOTE ON SETTING THE AIRPORT'S 2025 LEVY AT $150,000 FROM THE SEPTEMBER 3RD COUNCIL MEETING.

THAT VOTE WAS A 3-3 TIE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER KARA TERRY ABSENT MONDAY NIGHT.

MAYOR DAVE BADEAUX IS THE DECIDING VOTE IN TIES AND VOTED AGAINST THE $150,000 LEVY.

COUNCIL MEMBER JEFF CZECZOK THEN MADE THE MOTION TO SET THE AIRPORT LEVY AT $1,000.

THE AIRPORT IS CURRENTLY JOINT-OWNED BY THE CITY AND CROW WING COUNTY.

COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE PAST HAVE STATED THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD TAKE FULL OWNERSHIP OF THE AIRPORT AND ADMINISTER THE ENTIRE LEVY AND REITERATED THOSE STANCES ON MONDAY NIGHT.

>> THERE IS NO RATIONAL EXPLANATION WHY THE COUNTY CANNOT ADMINISTER THIS ENTIRE LEVY IT'S BASED ON ONE THING AND THAT'S FAIRNESS WHEN YOU ARE TAXING PEOPLE TWICE, THERE IS NO OTHER EXPLANATION FOR THAT THERE IS NO OTHER EXAMPLE OF UNFAIRNESS THAT I EVER HEARD OF IF YOU SPREAD THIS LEVY OUT AGAINST THE WHOLE ENTIRE COUNTY TAX BASE, IT'S A MUCH EASIER PILL TO SWALLOW FOR EVERYBODY >> I THINK WE NEED TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR TAXPAYERS AND OUR TAXPAYERS ARE STILL PAYING $1,000 MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN THE COUNTY >> IF THE COUNCIL DECIDES LATER TO INCREASE THE LEVY FOR THE AIRPORT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO CUT THE OVERALL OPERATING LEVY BY THAT AMOUNT.

THE CROW WING COUNTY BOARD IS EXPECTED TO SET ITS PRELIMINARY LEVY ON SEPTEMBER 24TH.

>>> THE MAYOR OF BREEZY POINT SAYS SHE WILL NOT SEEN ANOTHER TERM IN OFFICE.

ANGEL ZEERDEN TELLS LAKELAND NEWS THAT ALTHOUGH IT IS TOO LATE TO REMOVE HER NAME FROM THE BALLOT IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, THAT SHE DOES NOT PLAN ON SERVING A SECOND TERM.

ZEERDEN SAYS SHE'S PREGNANT WITH HER FIFTH BABY AND WISHES TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY HER LAST PREGNANCY.

SHE ALSO SAY THERE IS A LOT OF HOSTILITY IN THE WORKPLACE WITH ONE COUNCIL MEMBER CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SHOWS BLATANT DISRESPECT FOR OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THE BREEZY POINT CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND ASSISTANT CITY ADMINISTRATOR BOTH RESIGNED RECENTLY AND ALSO CITED HOSTILITY IN THE WORK PLACE AT THE REASON FOR THEIR RESIGNATIONS.

ZEERDEN ALSO SAYS THAT OTHER POLITICAL OPPORTUNITIES HAVE COME UP FOR HER AROUND THE STATE RECENTLY AND THAT SHE BELIEVES FORMER BREEZY POINT MAYOR TOM ROGGENKAMP WHO IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR AGAIN HAS THE INTEGRITY NEEDED TO DO THE JOB AND WILL BE ABLE TO DO A BETTER JOB MANAGING THE WORKPLACE HOSTILITY.

>>> A MAJOR BRIDGE IN BRAINERD WILL BE CLOSED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS SO IT CAN BE REPAIRED.

BRAINERD CITY OFFICIALS SAY THE LAUREL STREET BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FOR BRIDGE JOINT REPAIR FROM MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD UNTIL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4TH.

TRAFFIC ON SOUTHWEST 4TH STREET AND EAST RIVER ROAD SHOULD BE DIRECTED EITHER NORTH TO WASHINGTON STREET OR SOUTH TO COLLEGE DRIVE.

DRIVERS SHOULD UTILIZE THE WASHINGTON STREET AND COLLEGE DRIVE BRIDGES AS ALTERNATIVE ROUTES DURING THIS TIME.

OFFICIALS ASK THAT DRIVERS DO NOT TRAVEL AROUND BARRICADES AND CONES INTO CLOSED AREAS AS THIS CAN CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR BOTH DRIVERS AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

>>> THE CROW WING COUNTY LAND SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE COUNTY'S UPDATED SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE.

THE COUNTY'S 10-YEAR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN WAS RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY.

A REQUIREMENT OF THE PLAN IS THE SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE NEEDS TO BE UPDATED, AS THE CURRENT ORDINANCE WAS LAST UPDATED IN 1994.

UPDATES TO THE ORDINANCE WILL INCLUDE UPDATED DEFINITIONS, SOLID WASTE STORAGE REQUIREMENTS, FEES AND SERVICE CHARGES, INSPECTIONS, VIOLATIONS, AND ENFORCEMENT AMONG OTHER THINGS.

THE COUNTY BELIEVES THAT PUBLIC INPUT IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT SERVES THE TAXPAYERS, BUT MIGHT ALSO RESULT IN AN IDEA THAT WASN'T THOUGHT OF.

>> THE REALITY IS THAT THOSE OF US THAT WORK AT THE COUNTY HAVE WHAT WE THINK ARE GREAT IDEAS BUT THE PUBLIC HAS GOOD IDEAS TOO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T MISS ANYTHING WE WANT TO BRING IN IDEAS FROM THE PUBLIC TO SEE IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT, AS WAYS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AN ORDINANCE SOLVES PROBLEMS YOU KNOW, WE ONLY NEED RULES WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES IF EVERYONE IS GETTING ALONG, THEN YOU DON'T NEED THAT WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR CROW WING COUNTY >> THE LAND SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED REVISIONS UNTIL OCTOBER 11TH.

THE BEST WAY TO SUBMIT COMMENTS WOULD BE VIA EMAIL OR MAILING IN WRITTEN COMMENTS TO THE LAND SERVICES BUILDING WITH LETTERS MARKED ATTENTION TO SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE.

LAND SERVICES CAN ALSO BE REACHED AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

>>> IT'S THE MOMENT MILLIONS OF AMERICAN CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR, THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS ANNOUNCED ITS FIRST INTEREST RATE CUT SINCE MARCH 2020.

KARIN CAIFA IS IN WASHINGTON WITH THE DETAILS AND WHAT'S NEXT.

>> THE FEDERAL OPEN MARKET COMMITTEE DECIDED TO REDUCE THE POLICY RESTRAINT BY LOWERING OUR POLICY INTEREST RATE BY A HALF PERCENTAGE POINT >> Reporter: PIVOTAL MOMENT AGAINST THE POST PANDEMIC INFLATION AND FOR U.S. CONSUMERS SQUEEZED BY BOTH HIGHER PRICES AND HIGHER INTEREST RATES THE FEDS ARE STARTING TO PEEL ITS KEY INTEREST RATE OFF OF A 23 YEAR HIGH, SETTING THE WHEELS IN MOTION FOR CONSUMERS TO EVENTUALLY SEE RELIEF ON DEBT PAYMENT FROM CREDIT CARDS, TO AUTO LOANING -- LOANS, TO MORTGAGES THE FED KEEPS AN EYE ON INFLATION AND THE SLOWING MARKET TO GUIDE FUTURE DECISIONS >> THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS JOB MARKET AND FIGURE OUT IS THIS A RETURN TO NORMAL OR IS THIS A SLOW DOWN WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH?

I THINK THOSE CALL FOR DIFFERENT POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS AND THAT'S THE TRICKY BALANCE THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO STRIKE AT THE MOMENT >> Reporter: DESPITE THE COOLING JOB MARKET, DATA RELEASED BY THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SHOWS CONSUMER SPENDING HOLDING UP MOST ECONOMISTS VIEWING THE MEETING IS NOT THE END OF AN ERA FOR INTEREST RATES BUT THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ONE >> I THINK EVERYONE AGREES RIGHT NOW THAT -- INCLUDING THE FED OFFICIALS, THAT INTEREST RATES ARE GOING TO HEAD MUCH LOWER BECAUSE THAT'S ULTIMATELY NEEDED TO SUSTAIN A HEALTHY RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH >> Reporter: THE FEDERAL RESERVE HIKING INTEREST RATES 11 TIMES STARTING IN MARCH 2022, THE CENTRAL BANK'S LAST INCREASE WAS IN JULY 2023 >> THE POLICYMAKERS SIGNALED THAT THEY EXPECT TO CUT THEIR KEY RATE BY AN ADDITIONAL HALF-POINT IN THEIR FINAL TWO MEETINGS THIS YEAR, IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

AND THEY ENVISION FOUR MORE RATE CUTS IN 2025 AND TWO IN 2026.

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

>> Stacy: MANY OF US HAVE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TOMORROW AND SOME OF US DO HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF SEEING SOME SEVERE WEATHER TOMORROW I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES >> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, A LOST WALLET RETURNED TO ITS OWNER 47 YEARS LATER BRINGS BACK MORE THAN YOU THINK [♪♪♪♪♪] >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

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

>> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>>> A NORTH DAKOTA WOMAN RECENTLY TOOK A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE AND IT'S ALL THANKS TO A WALLET.

IT WAS STOLEN FROM A SALON IN THE TOWN OF MINOT IN 1977 AND WAS RECENTLY FOUND.

AS JODY KERZMAN EXPLAINS, THE WALLET WAS SOMETHING OF A TIME CAPSULE BY SHOWING JUST HOW MUCH THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN THE PAST 47 YEARS.

>> I HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF IT IN YEARS.

>> Reporter: NOW THIS WALLET -- >> YEAH, IT'S CRAZY.

>> Reporter: IS ALL DARLENE CAN THINK OF.

>> IT'S AMAZING.

>> Reporter: THE LAST TIME SHE SAW IT WAS IN 1977 WHEN IT WAS STOLEN FROM THE SALON WHERE SHE WORKED.

>> I BELIEVE IT WAS TOO MUCH TEMPTATION FOR SOMEBODY.

>> Reporter: DARLENE NEVER FILED A POLICE REPORT.

SHE DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO GET INTO TROUBLE.

>> IT WASN'T THAT BIG OF A DEAL BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY IN IT OR ANYTHING, I DON'T THINK.

MAYBE THEY GOT $10 OR $12 IF THEY WERE LUCKY.

>> Reporter: NOW DARLENE IS THE LUCKY ONE.

>> IT'S AMAZING.

>> Reporter: AFTER 47 YEARS, HER LOST WALLET WAS FOUND.

A PLUMBING CREW FOUND IT IN THE CEILING OF THE BUILDING WHERE DARLENE WORKED IN 1977.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF MEMORIES.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE ABLE TO TRACK HER DOWN BECAUSE DARLENE STILL LIVES AT THE SAME ADDRESS LISTED ON HER 1977 DRIVER'S LICENSE.

>> I REMEMBER THE SHIRT EVEN THAT I WORE.

I MEAN I WORE IT FOR YEARS.

IT WAS A GREAT SHIRT.

>> Reporter: MINUS A FEW DOLLARS IN CASH, DARLENE IS PRETTY SURE ALL THE WALLET'S CONTENTS ARE STILL INTACT.

>> MY LIBRARY CARD, OBVIOUSLY EXPIRED.

A COUPON FOR $.07.

>> Reporter: LOYALTY CARDS, CREDIT CARDS.

>> AN EXXON CARD.

>> Reporter: BUSINESS CARD.

>> AND THIS IS MY BUSINESS CARD.

>> Reporter: APPOINTMENT REMINDERS.

>> I HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. McDONALD.

>> Reporter: AND A CHECK SHE NEVER GOT TO CASH.

>> $9.58.

>> Reporter: OF ALL THE ITEMS IN THIS WALLET TURNED TIME CAPSULE, DARLENE SAYS THESE PHOTOS -- >> THAT'S MY MOM AND NIECE AND NEPHEW.

>> Reporter: ARE THE MOST VALUABLE.

>> THEY WERE IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> Reporter: PHOTOS OF NIECES, OF NEPHEWS, OF DARLENE'S PARENTS, AND HER DAUGHTER.

>> HER NAME WAS JESSICA.

>> Reporter: JESSICA PASSED AWAY JUST MONTHS BEFORE DARLENE'S WALLET WAS TAKEN.

>> IT'S LIKE WALKING THROUGH HISTORY, YOU KNOW?

LOOKING AT MY WALLET, MY PICTURES, MY OLD CARDS, YEAH.

IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

>> Reporter: AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE AND A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.

>> STAMPS.

>> Reporter: THAT GOT DARLENE SMILING LIKE IT'S 1977.

>> DARLENE SAYS SHE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO TOOK HER WALLET BUT SHE SAYS SHE WON'T PRESS CHARGES.

INSTEAD, SHE WANTS TO THANK THEM FOR GIVING HER THIS TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.

QUITE THE STORY STACY.

MY FIRST JOB WAS FINDING CARTS IN THE PARKING LOT AND BRINGING THEM IN.

>> WE DO HAVE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH PARTS OF THE AREA TONIGHT.

WE COULD SEE MORE TOMORROW AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF SEEING STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.

WE'LL >> 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, IT WAS ANOTHER WARM DAY TODAY, ALTHOUGH WE DID SEE MORE CLOUDS THAN WE HAD THE PAST FEW DAYS AND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON.

WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA TONIGHT AND AGAIN TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE EASTERN HALF OF THE VIEWING AREA WHERE SOME OF THE STORMS COULD BECOME STRONG OR SEVERE AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON.

IVES -- TEMPERATURES WILL BE COOLER TOMORROW BUT WE WILL SEE A BIG COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 70.

AT THE STUDIO WE HAVE A SOUTHEAST WIND AT 6 MILES PER HOUR, 64 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 81%.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 71 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 65, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE SOME OF THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS STILL IN MINNESOTA THIS EVENING.

WE CAN SEE A LARGER AREA IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, A FEW TRAILING BEHIND THAT.

WE DO HAVE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THE BEST CHANCES ARE IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, BUT WE COULD STILL SEE A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO THE WEST, PROBABLY THROUGH THE BELTRAMI COUNTY AND CLEAR WATER COUNTY AREAS, LIKELY GOING TO STAY QUIET IN THE FAR WEST.

TOMORROW, THOSE AREAS COULD SEE LINGERING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING, A BETTER CHANCE ARRIVES IN THE AFTERNOON, MAINLY IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN MINNESOTA.

THIS AREA HERE IN THE YELLOW STRIPE, THAT IS WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT A LEVEL 2 OUT OF 5 THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER, LOOKS LIKE THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS, LARGE HAIL, AND HEAVY RAINFALL, ALTHOUGH WE CANNOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A TORNADO OR TWO.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GORGEOUS SKIES FROM ANGELA AT CASS LAKE AND ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

JOAN WITH A SUNFLOWER IN FULL BLOOM IN LAPORTE.

SAMROSE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SKIES OVER THE NARROWS BETWEEN UPPER AND LOWER RED LAKE.

AND KERRY WITH A SHOT OF THE GORGEOUS SUNSET IN WALKER.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, BOB IN BLUFFTON, MOSTLY CLOUDY TODAY, DID REPORT SOME DRIZZLE.

THE HIGH WAS 77.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE WITH 0.012-INCH OF RAINFALL.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, A SPRINKLE THIS AFTERNOON.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 82.

WE'RE WELL ABOVE OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 70.

THAT WAS THE LOW TEMP THIS MORNING.

SUNSET IS AT 7:21.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 81 TODAY, SO JUST FALLING A FEW DEGREES SHY OF THE RECORD HIGH TEMP FOR TODAY, 68 WAS OUR LOW THIS MORNING, AND SUNSET AT 7:24.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, AS I MENTIONED, MANY OF US HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, A BETTER CHANCE OF SEEING THE ACTIVITY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA, THE POTENTIAL IN THE EAST OF SOME STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS, HIGHS WILL RANGE FROM THE MID-70s IN THE NORTHWEST TO LOW 80s IN GRAND RAPIDS, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AGAIN SOME LINGERING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING, BUT A BETTER CHANCE IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON.

AGAIN, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS.

HIGHS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA WILL BE IN THE LOW TO MID-80s.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE FOR MUCH OF THE AREA, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES ELSEWHERE WITH LOWS NEAR 65.

THEN AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW, WE STILL HAVE THE CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN MINNESOTA IN THE AFTERNOON WHERE SOME COULD BE STRONG TO SEVERE.

OTHERWISE, VARIABLE CLOUDS, WITH HIGHS NEAR 79, AND SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 10 TO 25.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, SUNNY BUT COOLER ON FRIDAY, WITH A HIGH OF 74.

STILL IN THE 70s ON SATURDAY, WITH A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

WE COULD SEE A FEW SHOWERS SUNDAY AND MONDAY, BUT TEMPERATURES ARE LOOKING MUCH MORE FALL-LIKE NEXT WEEK WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-60s.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH A LOOK AT BRAINERD CROSS COUNTRY.

>> Charlie: YEAH, THEY'RE HAVING A PRETTY GOOD SEASON SO FAR.

THE GIRLS ARE RANKED AND THEY'RE FINISHING IN THE TOP THREE IN EVERY MEET THEY RUN SO FAR THIS SEASON.

WE GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM THEM AND WHAT THEIR NEXT STEPS ARE.

WE HAVE THAT >> 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.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >>> WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH THE NEWS OF THE PASSING OF KEVIN ULMER.

THE HEAD COACH OF BEMIDJI STATE VOLLEYBALL WHO, AFTER A THREE YEAR BATTLE WITH CANCER, DIED TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE AGE OF 41 SURROUNDED BY FAMILY.

COACH ULMER TOOK THE REINS OF THE BEAVERS VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM IN 2016 AND BEGAN A REBUILDING PROCESS THAT LAST YEAR RESULTED IN THE TEAM'S MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON OF HIS TENURE WITH THE BEAVS FINISHING 10-16, THE SQUADS BEST FINISH SINCE 2010.

THE LATE COACH WAS ALSO SUCCESSFUL IN DEVELOPING STUDENT-ATHLETES THAT EXCELLED IN THE CLASSROOM WITH 30 PLAYERS GARNERING FALL NSIC ACADEMIC HONORS AND WINNING MULTIPLE AVCA TEAM ACADEMIC AWARDS.

BSU ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BRITT LAURITSEN ISSUED A STATEMENT EARLIER TODAY MOURNING THE LOSS OF COACH ULMER SAYING.

WE ARE HEARTBROKEN TO LOSE OUR COLLEAGUE, OUR COACH, AND OUR FRIEND KEVIN ULMER.

KEVIN WAS A MAN OF DEEP FAITH OF PURE LOVE FOR HIS FAMILY OF WHOLEHEARTED DEDICATION TO HIS TEAM AND TO BEMIDJI STATE VOLLEYBALL, THE MANNER IN WHICH HE LIVED WILL CARRY ON IN THE LIVES OF THE WOMEN HE HAS COACHED AND IN ALL OF US IN THE DEPARTMENT, THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND, WHO LOVE AND CARE ABOUT KEVIN.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF OUR GRIEF, TO CARRY ON THE LIGHT THAT BURNED SO BRIGHTLY IN KEVIN EVERY DAY.

KEVIN ULMER IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE KATE, HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, AND HUNDREDS OF VOLLEYBALL ATHLETES, FAMILIES, CO-WORKERS, AND FRIENDS WHOM HE IMPACTED AS A COACH.

A GOFUNDME IN SUPPORT OF KEVIN AND FAMILY HAS RAISED NEARLY $60,000.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO DONATE, JUST VISIT GOFUNDME.COM AND SEARCH KEVIN ULMER.

ALSO, BOTH BSU VOLLEYBALL GAMES THIS WEEK AGAINST MINNESOTA STATE AND MINNESOTA CROOKSTON HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.

THE BEAVERS HOME OPENER IS STILL SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 25TH AT 6:00 P.M. AGAINST MINNESOTA DULUTH.

>>> AFTER A CONVINCING 35-21, WEEK THREE WIN ON THE ROAD AT SARTELL.

BRAINERD FOOTBALL IS NOW 2-1 ON THE YEAR AND LOOK TO CONTINUE PLAYING THEIR HOT HAND THIS FRIDAY WHEN THEY HOST MOORHEAD FOR HOMECOMING.

THE WARRIORS WON BOTH MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS IN 2023 INCLUDING IN THE SECTION SEMI-FINALS WHEN THEY ENDED THE SPUDS SEASON, ADDING SOME EXTRA MOTIVATION FOR THE BLACK AND ORANGE.

MOORHEAD ALSO COMES IN UNDEFEATED WITH A HIGH-POWERED OFFENSE AVERAGING 51 POINTS A GAME BUT BRAINERD ISN'T AFRAID OF THE FIGHT BECAUSE THEY'RE WARRIORS AND THEY PLAN TO DO WHAT WARRIORS DO BEST.

[CHEERING].

>> BATTLING AND PLAYING TOUGH THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE GAME.

THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS, OUR OFFENSE WAS NOT ABLE TO SCORE.

LAST WEEK, THAT WAS ONE OF OUR MAIN GOALS AND WE WERE ABLE TO COMPLETE THAT.

I THINK THAT REALLY HELPS TO GIVE US MOMENTUM.

>> WE HAVE TO BE DISCIPLINED.

WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE A TOUGH GAME AND WE DID PRETTY GOOD.

THEN WE WENT TO ELK RIVER AND WE WEREN'T PREPARED.

WE HAVE TO COME OUT FIRING.

THEY ARE DISCIPLINED ON DEFENSE.

WE HAVE TO KEEP FIGHTING AND CAN'T GIVE UP.

>> Charlie: WE'LL FIND OUT IF THEY CAN MAKE IT 4 WINS.

IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT, DON'T WORRY, WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS ON FRIDAY.

>>> BRAINERD CROSS COUNTRY IS ALREADY WELL IN STRIDE WITH BOTH THE GIRLS AND BOYS, CONSISTENTLY PLACING TOP THREE COME MEET DAY AND THE GIRLS EARNING A TOP 12TH RANKING IN CLASS 3A BUT MILES WALKER TELLS US HOW THE WARRIORS ARE LOOKING TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP.

>> Reporter: WE BRAINERD CROSS COUNTRY'S SEASON IN THE BACK HALF, THE COACH IS LOOKING TO MAXIMIZE HIS ATHLETES' STAMINA.

>> IT'S YOUR BODY'S ABILITY TO USE OXYGEN IN YOUR BLOODSTREAM AND INCREASE THAT.

THEY ALWAYS GET A LITTLE FASTER AND THEN WE ADD SOMETHING NEW, AND THEN THEY DROP BACK A LITTLE BIT.

THEIR BODIES ARE GETTING USE TO THAT.

BY THE END OF THE SEASON, IT USUALLY COMES TOGETHER AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING FOR.

>> Reporter: HARRIS IS LOOKING FOR WAYS HIS RUNNERS CAN IMPROVE, THE WARRIORS HAVE A SOUND FOUNDATION, RETURNING 2023 STATE PARTICIPANT FOR THE BOYS AND SIX STATE RUNNERS FOR THE GIRLS, ALL WITH PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE.

>> RUNNING IS A HUGE MENTAL GAME AND EVERYONE KNOWS THAT.

GETTING IN THE RIGHT HEAD SPACE AND BEING REALLY CONNECTED WITH YOUR TEAM, IT'S A FUN TRIP FOR US TO BOND TOGETHER AND KNOWING THAT WE CAN DO IT.

IT'S A BIG RACE, BUT WE CAN DO IT.

WE DESERVE TO BE THERE IF WE MAKE IT.

>> Reporter: AND WHAT COULD FUEL ANOTHER TRIFOR STATE FOR WARRIORS CROSS COUNTRY IS THEIR DEPTH, NETTING BIG RETURNS AT MEET, AND THEY'RE DOING IT BY STICKING TO THEIR OWN RACES.

>> IT'S COMMON FOR GIRLS TO GO OUT FAST THE FIRST 800 AND THEN JUST DIE BECAUSE THEY WENT SO FAST.

COACH HARRIS TELLS US WHERE THE 800 IS AND THE MILE.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO STICK TO OUR PACE AND NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT THE GIRLS ARE RUNNING.

WE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT OUR RACE AND DO THE BEST WE CAN.

>> Reporter: DEPTH IS EMPOWERING THE GIRLS AND BOYS TO EXCEPTIONAL SHOWINGS, EACH HAVING A TALLY.

IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH THE LIKES OF MOORHEAD, SAINT MICHAEL'S AND BUFFALO, THEY HAVE TO RAISE THEIR COMPETITIVE INTENSITY.

>> I HOPE THAT COMPETITIVE SPIRIT TRICKLES DOWN.

RUNNING IS COMPETING AND IT'S JUST LIKE IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

THAT'S HOW WE PUSH OURSELVES TO BE BETTER, SO FOR SURE, I'M TRYING TO GET THE COMPETITIVENESS FLOWING THROUGH THE TEAM.

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

>> WARRIORS WILL PUT THAT NEWFOUND ENDURANCE TO THE TEST THIS FRIDAY AS NEXT UP IS THE ROY GRIAK INVITATIONAL DOWN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

>> ALL RIGHT, VERY GOOD.

THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> COVID-19 CASES ARE HIGH IN MANY PARTS OF THE U.S. AND THEY'RE CONTINUING TO RISE AND WITH FLU SEASON COMING UP AND R.S.V.

LEVELS ALREADY STARTING TO TICK UP, EXPERTS SAY NOW IS THE TIME TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS HOW TO GET READY FOR RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON.

>> Reporter: IT'S ABOUT THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN, THE C.D.C.

FORECAST SUGGESTS IT'S RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON WILL BE SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR'S WHICH BROUGHT MORE THAN 20 HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR EVERY 100,000 PEOPLE IN ONE WEEK AT ITS PEAK.

THAT'S FAR WORSE THAN IN PRE-PANDEMIC YEARS.

>> GETTING OUR VACCINATION NUMBERS UP IS STILL AN ONGOING BATTLE.

>> Reporter: DR. JARED WITH NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH SAYS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU IS BY GETTING VACCINATED.

LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THE U.S. HAD VACCINES AVAILABLE TO PROTECT AGAINST ALL THREE RESPIRATORY VIRUSES, FLU, R.S.V., AND COVID-19.

>> YOU ARE ABLE TO GET VACCINES AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO COVID-19, THE C.D.C.

RECOMMENDS EVERYONE AGES 6 MONTHS AND OLDER RECEIVE AN UPDATED VACCINE THIS SEASON.

IF YOU'RE AT HIGHER RISK, INCLUDING SENIORS OR PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO RECEIVE IT SINCE COVID-19 CASES ARE HIGH.

OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE NATURAL IMMUNITY FROM A RECENT INFECTION MAY DECIDE TO WAIT.

THE SEASONAL FLU VACCINE IS ALSO RECOMMENDED FOR EVERYONE 6 MONTHS AND OLDER, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER ARE THE BEST TIMES TO GET THOSE.

AS FOR R.S.V., THE VACCINE IS RECOMMENDED FOR ALL ADULTS 75 AND OLDER, ALONG WITH THOSE 60 AND OLDER AT HIGHER RISK BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR IF THEY LIVE IN A NURSING HOME OR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> THE R.S.V.

VACCINE IS A ONE-TIME DOSE SO OLDER ADULTS WHO GOT THE SHOT LAST YEAR WON'T NEED ANOTHER THIS YEAR.

THE C.D.C.

SAYS PREGNANT PEOPLE CAN ALSO RECEIVE THE R.S.V.

VACCINE TO PROTECT A NEWBORN OR ANTIBODIES CAN BE GIVEN TO AN INFANT AFTER BIRTH.

>>> TIME FOR ONE LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE GO BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING AT LEAST A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, LOWS NEAR 65.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AGAIN, ESPECIALLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON IN EASTERN MINNESOTA WHERE WE COULD SEE SEVERE STORMS, HIGHS NEAR 79 WITH VARIABLE CLOUDS.

>> Charlie: TWINS HAD A 2-RUN LEAD AT THE TOP OF THE 10th, GOING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE 10th AND THEY LOST.

NOW THEY HAVE A HALF POINT LEAD FOR THE WILDCARD SPOT.

HOLDING ON BY A THREAD.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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