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>> 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.

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.

>>> FORMER MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR JUSTIN EICHORN HAS BEEN SENTENCED IN FEDERAL COURT IN CONNECTION WITH A CHILD SEX STRING OPERATION IN 2025.

EICHORN, A REPUBLICAN FROM GRAND RAPIDS, RESIGNED FROM THE SENATE AFTER HIS ARREST IN MARCH 2025.

HE WAS ORIGINALLY CHARGED WITH COERCING A MINOR FOR SEX BUT PLEADED GUILTY TO THE LESSER CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN MAY OF THIS YEAR AS PART OF A PLEA AGREEMENT TODAY, EICHORN WAS SENTENCED TO 16 MONTHS PLUS FIVE YEARS SUPERVISED RELEASE.

PROSECUTORS WERE SEEKING A FIVE-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE AND DESCRIBED EICHORN AS A PREDATORY OFFENDER.

EICHORN ADMITTED DURING HIS PLEA HEARING THAT HE RESPONDED TO AN ONLINE AD SEEKING SEX FROM SOMEONE HE THOUGHT WAS A 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

IN A NEWS RELEASE EICHORN'S ATTORNEY SAID EICHORN TOLD THE JUDGE TODAY THAT, "WHAT I DID WAS BOTH MORALLY WRONG AND A SERIOUS CRIME, AND I HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME BUT MYSELF."

>>> A 49-YEAR-OLD MERRIFIELD MAN WHO WAS FOUND GUILTY IN 2024 OF MURDERING HIS DAUGHTERS BOYFRIEND WILL GET A NEW TRIAL.

THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT ISSUED A DECISION TODAY THAT REVERSED THE SECOND DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION OF MICHAEL LAFLEX AND ORDERED A NEW TRIAL.

LAFLEX HAD BEEN CONVICTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF 23-YEAR-OLD BRYCE BROGLE.

BROGLE HAD BEEN REPORTED MISSING AFTER GOING TO THE LAFLEX'S STORAGE UNIT ON OCTOBER 26TH.

THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT IN CASE ACCUSED LAFLEX OF SHOOTING BROGLE IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD FROM A DISTANCE AND THEN BURYING HIS BODY IN CROW WING COUNTY.

OFFICERS SEARCHED THE STORAGE UNIT AND LATER FOUND A GRAVE IN CROW WING COUNTY WHERE BROGLE'S BODY WAS DISCOVERED.

IN WRITING THE OPINION JUSTICE PAUL THISSEN CONCLUDED THAT THE DISTRICT COURTS JURY INSTRUCTION WAS PLAIN ERROR AND THE ERROR AFFECTED LAFLEX'S SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BECAUSE THERE IS A REASONABLE LIKELIHOOD THAT IT HAD A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE JURY'S VERDICT, AND THE ERROR MUST BE CORRECTED TO ENSURE THE FAIRNESS AND INTEGRITY OF THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS.

THE COURT HAD INSTRUCTED THAT THE JURY NOT CONSIDER THE LESSER-INCLUDED OFFENSE OF FIRST-DEGREE HEAT-OF-PASSION MANSLAUGHTER IF IT FOUND LEFLEX GUILTY OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.

A DATE FOR THE NEW TRIAL HAS NOT BEEN SET YET.

>>> THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE IS LOOKING TO CHANGE A BYLAW AMENDMENT THAT WOULD TIE SEX-SEPARATED SPORTS PARTICIPATION TO HAVING STUDENT ATHLETES PLAY FOR THE TEAM MATCHING THEIR ASSIGNED SEX AT BIRTH.

AT THEIR LATEST MEETING, BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS APPROVED SIGNING A LETTER TO SEND TO THE MSHSL SUPPORTING ALLOWING A MEMBER-SCHOOL REVIEW PROCESS.

BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAYS THEY WANT SCHOOLS TO BE HEARD REGARDING THE TOPIC OF TRANSGENDER ATHLETES PLAYING ON TEAMS MATCHING THEIR GENDER IDENTITY, AND WANT THERE TO BE A FAIR AND UNDERSTANDING PROCESS FOR EVERYONE MOVING FORWARD.

>> THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THE STATE OF HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HAS OPENED A REINTERPRETATION OF HOW THIS WORKS, THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE.

SO I THINK WHAT MY BOARD IS LOOKING AT IS ENCOURAGING THE STATE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE TO RELOOK AT HOW THEY HANDLE THIS.

WE WANT EVERY STUDENT ATHLETE TO HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE, BUT I THINK IT HAS TO BE FAIR.

WE NEED TO REVISIT THAT AND TRY TO GET IT RIGHT, FOR EVERYONE.

>> THERE ARE ALREADY FIVE MSHSL MEMBER SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE SUBMITTED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, MEETING THE THRESHOLD TO INITIATE A MEMBER-SCHOOL REVIEW PROCESS.

>>> A PAIR OF WHITE SHOES HAS BEEN INSTALLED NEAR VISTA NORTH TOWNHOMES IN BEMIDJI, BRINGING ARTIST LAURA MIGLIORINO'S STATEWIDE ICE GHOST SHOES 26 PROJECT TO THE AREA.

THE SHOES MARK THE SITE OF A JUNE 11TH ICE OPERATION, WHERE FEDERAL AGENTS DETAINED ROOFING WORKERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE PROJECT PLACES WHITE SHOES NEAR LOCATIONS TIED TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, USING TAGS WITH QR CODES TO CONNECT EACH SITE TO THE STORY BEHIND IT.

FOR THOSE WATCHING THE INSTALLATION, THE MEANING WAS PERSONAL.

>> I THINK IT'S A FABULOUS IDEA.

SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH ICE AND JUST THE LAWLESSNESS OF IT.

THEY DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THEIR LEGAL DOCUMENTATION, SHOWING THEY HAD A RIGHT, A LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK HERE.

THEY WERE TAKEN.

>> PEOPLE WERE ABDUCTED AND I THINK THAT IS THE INTENT OF THE WHOLE PROJECT WHEREVER THE SHOES ARE, PLACES THAT PEOPLE WERE HARMED.

>> THE PROJECT'S GOAL IS TO INSTALL 100 PAIRS OF WHITE SHOES ACROSS MINNESOTA, WITH MORE INSTALLATIONS CONTINUING TO BE ADDED IN COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE.

>>> CHINESE LEADER XI JINPING'S ARRIVAL IN WASHINGTON KICKS OFF A FLURRY OF MEETINGS AND DIPLOMACY.

AND THE CONVERSATIONS COULD IMPACT EVERY HOUSEHOLD BUDGET FROM GAS PRICES TO HOLIDAY WISH LISTS.

KARIN CAIFA HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: A WASHINGTON SUMMIT BETWEEN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND CHINESE LEADER XI COMES WITH MUCH AT STAKE.

>> THE PRESIDENT IS TAKING CHINA AS THE ROUTE TO A SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: DURING THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE IRAN WEAR, CHINA DECREASED THEIR OIL IMPORTS, RELYING ON RESERVES THAT TAMPED DOWN GLOBAL DEMAND IN PRICES.

AMERICANS SEE THE PRICE OF THE GALLON OF GAS, 40% HIGHER THAN 1 YEAR AGO AND DIESEL PRICES HAVE CLIMBED INTO RECORD TERRITORY, PUSHING GROCERY PRICES HIGHER.

>> THE PRICE OF DIESEL FUEL IS SOMETHING I CANNOT CONTROL BUT I'M FEELING IT IN MY POCKETBOOKS.

>> Reporter: IF CHINA WERE TO RAMP UP OIL IMPORTS, THE SITUATION FOR AMERICAN CONSUMERS COULD GET WORSE.

TRUMP AND XI REACHED A FRAGILE TRADE TRUCE, ALTHOUGH CHINA PRODUCTS STILL FACE A TARIFF HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER TRADING PARTNER.

TRUMP TALKS ABOUT WINNING THE A.I.

RACE AGAINST CHINA, SOME EXPERTS SAY THAT SOME COOPERATION IS NEEDED.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER IF ONE SIDE IS STEALING FROM ANOTHER ONE, IF A CHINESE MODEL SPINS OUT OF CONTROL, IT ESCAPES THE CONTROL OF THE LAB THAT BUILT IT, THAT IS A THREAT TO CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES.

THERE ARE STILL MUTUAL INTERESTS.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>> XI JINPING'S LAST FACE-TO-FACE VISIT WITH TRUMP HERE IN THE U.S.

WAS IN 2017.

TRUMP WAS WELCOMED IN BEIJING IN MAY.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SHOWERS THROUGHOUT THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK ON FRIDAY BEFORE ANOTHER ROUND OF RAIN SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ARRIVE TO START THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

LAPORTE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO PLAY ON THE NEW INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND THEY HELPED DESIGN.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE LAPORTE SCHOOL HELD A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY EARLIER THIS WEEK TO CELEBRATE A NEW ELEMENTARY PLAYGROUND.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON THE EQUIPMENT, AND WHAT THE DESIGN PROCESS WAS LIKE FOR THE 4TH GRADERS WHO CREATED THE LAYOUT.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, THE LAPORTE K-12 SCHOOL HAD LEFTOVER FUNDS.

THE STAFF DECIDED TO USE THE FUNDS TOWARDS A PROJECT THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE AND USE, WITH THE CREATION OF A NEW INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND.

>> THE WHOLE PROJECT JUST COST NORTH OF HALF A MILLION DOLLARS AND WAS COMPLETED OVER THE SUMMER.

LAST YEAR'S FOURTH GRADERS THAT HELPED DESIGN THE PLAYGROUND ARE NOW ABLE TO PLAY ON IT AS FIFTH GRADERS.

>> THEY HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE PLAYING AT THE OLD PLAYGROUND, BUT THEY WERE STILL GOING TO GET TO PLAY ON IT THIS YEAR IN FIFTH GRADE.

THEY'RE THE ONES THAT PLAY ON IT.

I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT THE CATALOGS AND DECIDE WHAT WE THINK LOOKS FUN.

THEY HAVE BEEN ON OTHER PLAYGROUNDS, AND A LOT OF THINGS THEY TRIED SOMEWHERE ELSE, THEY KNOW WHAT THEY LIKE.

>> WE GOT THE PAPERS BACK FOR THE BLUEPRINT AND WE DECIDED WHICH ONES WE LIKED AND IT TURNED INTO THIS.

>> Reporter: THE NEW OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE HAS A RUBBER GROUND SURFACE AND SEVERAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS ACCESSIBLE FOR STUDENTS WITH ALL DIFFERENT ABILITIES.

>> THE KIDS BROUGHT IT UP.

IF WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING NEW, LET'S DO SOMETHING THAT ANYBODY CAN PLAY ON REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY LEVEL.

SO THAT WAS NICE IT WAS SOMETHING THEY BROUGHT FORWARD.

>> WE WANT IT TO BE FAIR FOR ANY KID THAT HAS DIFFERENT DISABILITIES AND KIDS THAT DIDN'T.

IT WOULD BE FAIR FOR EVERYBODY AND HAVE FUN WITH A GOOD PLAYGROUND.

>> Reporter: AFTER A FULL YEAR OF PLANNING, BLUEPRINTING, THE STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO SEE AND PLAY WITH THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR.

>> I LIKE HOW WE GOT A LOT BIGGER PLAYGROUND AND THE ZIP LINE AND THE SPINNER.

MY FAVORITE PART WAS FEELING THAT WE MADE THIS AND THAT IT'S PRETTY COOL THAT WE GET TO PLAY ON SOMETHING THAT WE MADE.

NOT VERY MANY KIDS GET TO MAKE BIG THINGS LIKE THIS.

>> FOR THEM TO SEE IT COME TO LIFE, IT'S BEEN A REALLY SPECIAL THING TO GET TO SEE THEM PLAY ON IT THIS MORNING IS FULFILLING A LOT OF EFFORT THAT WE PUT IN THE LAST YEAR.

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

>> THE PLAYGROUND IS SPLIT INTO TWO SECTIONS WITH AN OLDER KIDS AND YOUNGER KIDS SECTION, AND OUTDOOR RECESS GOES FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 5TH GRADE.

>>> NOTHING LIKE RECESS BACK IN THE DAY.

>> Stacy: THAT'S RIGHT.

TODAY WAS A GREAT DAY, A LITTLE BIT ON THE BREEZY SIDE, BUT AGAIN WE HAD SOME NICE TEMPERATURES AND WE HAD SUNSHINE.

CLOUDS HAVE BEEN INCREASING, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SHOWERS MOVING INTO THE AREA AND IT LOOKS LIKE A RAINY NIGHT WITH RAIN CONTINUING TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE YOU [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAD A PRETTY NICE DAY TODAY, DESPITE A LITTLE BIT OF A BREEZE OUT THERE WITH SUNSHINE AND SEASONAL TEMPERATURES.

CLOUDS HAVE BEEN INCREASING, WE'RE SEEING SHOWERS MOVING INTO THE AREA, A THUNDERSTORM OR TWO POSSIBLE TONIGHT AND THE SHOWERS WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

IT LOOKS LIKE AN ACTIVE WEATHER DAY TOMORROW.

WE DO CATCH A BREAK, STILL CLOUDY, BUT QUIET ON FRIDAY BEFORE ANOTHER CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND EVEN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS AGAIN TO START THE WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 57 DEGREES.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTH WIND, THE DEW POINT IS 49 AND HUMIDITY IS AT 73%.

IN WAY -- BRAINERD, WE HAVE A DEW POINT OF 48.

PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE CAN SEE WHERE THE CLOUDS HAVE BEEN INCREASING AND WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA, SO FAR THIS EVENING.

THIS IS THE BEST CHANCE OF SEEING MORE RAIN OVERNIGHT.

WE WILL START TO SEE THAT SLOWLY SPREADING TO THE EAST AND INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA LATER ON TONIGHT AND THEN INTO TOMORROW WHEN IT WILL START TO MOVE OUT OF THE AREA AS WELL.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES ARE A LITTLE BIT COOLER WITH THE ADDITION OF THE CLOUDS AND THE RAIN.

IT SHOULD BE QUIET FOR US ON FRIDAY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, IT WAS A GORGEOUS MORNING, SUNRISE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL IN MENAHGA.

THAT PICTURE FROM ARLENE.

WE HAVE THE FALL COLORS POPPING UP ALL OVER THE AREA.

LAURIE SENDING US THIS PICTURE FROM TURTLE LAKE AND JOAN IN LAPORTE.

WE HAVE SOME FALL COLORS FROM CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, GARY WITH SOME OF THE CLOUDS IN DEERWOOD, AND ANGELA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE SUNSET SKIES OVER CASS LAKE.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE WITH A HIGH OF 63.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY, TOPPING OUT AT 65.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, SUNNY AND 67.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, CLEAR SKIES.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD REPORTING A HIGH OF 65.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 67 WAS OUR TEMPERATURE, OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BRAINERD.

THAT IS OUR AVERAGE HIGH FOR TODAY.

VERY CLOSE TO OUR AVERAGE LOW AT 42.

WE HAD SUNRISE AT 5 MINUTES AFTER 7:00.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 66, SO AGAIN VERY MUCH ON TARGET, 1 DEGREE ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

THE LOW WAS 46 AND SUNSET AT 7:15.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS LINE OF SHOWERS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

IT WILL MOVE MAINLY INTO EASTERN MINNESOTA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON, BUT WE COULD SEE A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES GO, IT WILL BE COOLER WITH THE CLOUDS AND WITH THE RAIN, WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50s TO LOW 60s, WITH VERY SIMILAR TEMPERATURES EXPECTED ACROSS THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP, THE BEST CHANCE WILL BE IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE OF SOME RAIN MOVING INTO OTHER AREAS OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

IT COULD ALSO SEE A THUNDERSTORMS OR TWO WITH LOWS NEAR 52.

TOMORROW, RAIN SHOWERS CONTINUE.

HIGHS NEAR 60 AND SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL SEE CLOUDY BUT DRY WEATHER ON FRIDAY AND THEN SHOWERS AND AGAIN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS RETURN ON SATURDAY.

HIGHS ON SATURDAY NEAR 63.

SOME OF US MAY LUCK OUT AND SEE A BIT OF SUNSHINE ON SUNDAY AND THAT WILL HELP TEMPERATURES INTO THE UPPER 60s, BUT ANOTHER CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND EVEN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS AGAIN ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH A LOOK AT OUR LOCAL SPORTS.

>> Charlie: IT'S HOMECOMING WEEK FOR A LOT OF SCHOOLS BUT CASS LAKE-BENA, HOMECOMING WEEK FOR THEM AND THEY WERE OUT IN FULL FORCE TODAY FOR AN ALL SCHOOLS BLOCK PARTY.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THEM AND COUPLE OTHER INTERESTING THINGS GOING ON AROUND THE AREA AS WELL.

THAT'S COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>>> BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR KRISTEN MCRAE IS RETIRING.

SHE SPENT THE LAST 5-YEARS AS THE A.D.

BUT BEGAN WORKING AS AN EDUCATOR IN 1992 AND ALSO CO-COACHED THE BEMIDJI BOYS AND GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVING PROGRAMS FOR 18-SEASONS.

HERE'S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE DECISION.

>> IT'S A BUSY JOB.

IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME.

I LOVE IT.

I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

THE CATALYST FOR MY DECISION WAS HAVING A GRANDSON THAT WAS BORN AT THE END OF MARCH AND LOOKING AT MY CALENDAR AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHEN CAN I GO VISIT THIS LITTLE GUY AND REALIZING THAT I AM BUSY.

I NEED TO TAKE MORE TIME FOR MY FAMILY AND ME BECAUSE I CAN'T GET THAT TIME BACK.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I THINK OF MY TIME AT BEMIDJI, THE FONDEST MEMORIES HAS TO BE WATCHING KIDS AXEL AT WHAT -- EXCEL AT WHAT THEY DO.

THE KIDS ARE AMAZING.

WHOEVER REPLACES ME WILL BE WORKING WITH SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE I KNOW.

>> MCRAE'S FINAL DAY AS ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR IS PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 18TH.

>>> WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME.

WELL THEY CERTAINLY AREN'T SAYING IT AT CASS LAKE-BENA HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE THEY WERE HOLDING THEIR SECOND ANNUAL HOMECOMING BLOCK PARTY, WHICH HAS REPLACED THE USUAL HOMECOMING WEEK PARADE.

THE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CAME TOGETHER IN THE PANTHER'S STADIUM WHERE THEY JOINED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY SOME FUN ACTIVITIES AHEAD OF THE HOMECOMING GAME ON FRIDAY.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT BRINGS US TOGETHER AND SHOWS OUR FUN SIDE.

SEEING THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A FUN TIME.

>> I LOVE SEEING ALL THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND STUFF COME OUT HERE AND JUST MAKING IT A FUN DAY FOR EVERYONE.

SUPPORT CASS LAKE-BENA SCHOOLS AND BE A PART OF OUR SCHOOL AND HAVE A GOOD SPIRIT.

>> THE BLOCK PARTY IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THE FOOTBALL TEAM, GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE SEEN BY THE YOUNGER STUDENTS, AND GENERATE INTEREST IN THEIR SPORT.

>> WE GET TO COME TOGETHER AS A TEAM AND ALSO IT MAKES US FEEL BETTER WHEN LITTLE KIDS ASK US HOW WE'RE DOING AND THEY'RE CHEERING FOR US AND SAYING YOU GUYS ARE COOL AND SAYING HI TO US.

IT MAKES US FEEL LIKE THEY'RE WITH US.

ON GAME DAY, IT MAKES US FEEL BETTER AND HELPS US PLAY BETTER.

>> CASS LAKE-BENA WILL HOST CROOKSTON THIS FRIDAY FOR THEIR HOMECOMING GAME, KICK-OFF SET FOR 5 P.M.

>>> THE WINS ARE ALREADY STACKING FOR BRAINERD CROSS COUNTRY, WITH BOTH THE BOYS AND THE GIRLS EARNING FIRST PLACE FINISHES IN TWO OF THEIR FIRST THREE MEETS.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON HOW THE WARRIORS ARE LOOKING TO CONTINUE UPPING THE ANTE AS THEY PROGRESS THROUGH THE SEASON.

>> Reporter: BRAINERD CROSS COUNTRY TRADITIONALLY STARTS EVERY SEASON HAVING THEIR ATHLETES RUN A TIMED MILE TO SET TRAINING GOALS MOVING FORWARD.

WHILE THIS YEAR, FOUR BOYS RAN A SUB-4 MINUTE AND 40 SECOND MILE, SOMETHING THAT THE HEAD COACH HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN OVER 30 YEARS COACHING THE WARRIORS.

>> IT CONFIRMS A LOT.

THEY PUT IN THE WORK THIS SUMMER.

OURS IS A SPORT WHERE IT'S TRAINING-BASED.

IF YOU'RE WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK, GOOD THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

THEY PUT IN THE WORK.

>> Reporter: TWO TIME CLASS 3A STATE CROSS COUNTRY MEET JONATHAN HEADLINE IT IS BOYS GROUP, WITH SIX WARRIORS EARNING TOP TEN FINISHES DURING THE TEAM'S FIRST THREE MEETS.

>> IT HELPS TO HAVE A LOT OF GUYS THAT GOES FAST.

THAT WAY BEFORE THE COMPETITION, IT'S BETTER THAN IF YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE RUNNING OUT FRONT, VERSUS YOU AND YOUR SIX BUDDIES ARE PUSHING EACH OTHER.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LET YOUR BEST FRIEND BEAT YOU.

>> Reporter: AND BREANNA IS THE LOAN LONE RETURNING ENTRANT AND MACY WHO RAN ON THE RELAY AT THE STATE TRACK AND FIELD MEET ARE BOTH PULLING DOUBLE DUTY BETWEEN GIRLS SOCCER AND CROSS COUNTRY, ROUNDING OUT A YOUNG AND UNIQUE LINE UP.

>> YOU HAVE GRIT AND DETERMINATION.

I LOVE SEEING ALL OF THEM TAKE THE WORKOUTS AND EVERYTHING SO SERIOUSLY.

IT'S AWESOME TO SEE BECAUSE IT SHOWS EVERYONE CARES.

>> Reporter: BRAINERD CROSS COUNTRY PLACED FIFTH AT THE SECTION 8-3A CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR AND THE BOYS FINISHED ONE POINT SHY OF A STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE FINISHING THIRD, WITH A MONTH TO GO BEFORE SECTIONS, THEY ARE LOCKED IN ON BUILDING THEMSELVES UP IN PREPARATION FOR THE HOME STRETCH.

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A COUPLE OF J.V.

GIRLS AND THEY'RE REALLY STARTING TO EVOLVE AND LEARN HOW TO RACE.

HONESTLY, I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW THEY PROGRESS THE NEXT MONTH AND SEE WHAT THAT MEANS BY SECTION TIME.

>> IF WE STAY STRONG, STICK TO OUR TRAINING, AND I THINK STAYING HEALTHY IS THE BIGGEST PART OF IT.

WE HAVE THE TALENT AND WE NEED TO GET UP TO FULL STRENGTH.

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

>> IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE BRAINERD BOYS CROSS COUNTRY WENT TO THE STATE MEET AS A TEAM, AND TWO YEARS FOR THE GIRLS, BUT THE WARRIORS HAVE HAD INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION AT THE STATE MEET EACH OF THE LAST FIVE SEASONS.

THEY'RE HOPING THIS SEASON IT CAN BE BOTH TEAMS GET TO GO.

>> Dennis: YEAH, LET'S HOPE SO.

SOME GOOD NUMBERS THERE.

>> Charlie: YES, SUB 4 MINUTE 40 IS PRETTY FAST.

I CAN HOPE JUST UNDER 8 MINUTES.

>> Dennis: YEAH, THAT'S REALLY FAST.

THANKS CHARLIE.

AUTUMN HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED AND WHILE YOU MAY LOOK FORWARD TO A BREAK FROM THE HEAT, FALL CAN COME AT A COST FOR THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO SUFFER SEASONAL ALLERGIES.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS THREE WAYS ALLERGY-SUFFERERS CAN PREPARE FOR AND MANAGE THOSE UNPLEASANT SYMPTOMS.

>> Reporter: IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN, THE CHANGING TREES, THE RAKING OF LEAVES, THE MILDER TEMPERATURES, FALL IS IN THE AIR, LITERALLY.

>> ABOUT ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE A RAGWEED ALLERGY.

SO IT'S A REALLY COMMON TIME FOR PEOPLE TO BE MISERABLE.

>> Reporter: DR.

SANDRA WITH CLEVELAND CLINIC SAYS TO EVADE THAT MISERY IN THREE WAYS.

FIRST, AVOIDANCE, KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED AND ALLERGENS OUT, USE AIR PURIFIERS WITH HEPA FILTERS, AND TAKE A SHOWER WHEN YOU COME INDOORS TO GET THE POLLEN OFF AND THEN CHANGE CLOTHES.

ALSO, DON'T DRY CLOTHING OUTDOORS AND IF YOU HAVE A PET, KEEP THEM OUT OF YOUR BED.

>> WHEN THEY GO OUTSIDE, THEY GET COVERED IN THAT POLLEN.

BASICALLY, YOU'RE BRINGING IT IN AND YOU'RE SLEEPING WITH THE RAGWEED.

>> Reporter: NEXT, TAKE ALLERGY MEDICATION.

THERE ARE SEVERAL HELPFUL OVER-THE-COUNTER OPTIONS IF YOU HAVE NASAL CONGESTION, DRIPPY NOSE, ANTIHISTAMINES CAN HELP.

IF YOU HAVE ITCHING OR SNEEZING, ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES CAN BRING SYMPTOM RELIEF.

>> IF YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE STILL THERE AND YOU'RE NOT FEELING SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER, I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY SEEING AN ALLERGIST CAN BE HELPFUL.

WE CAN IDENTIFY WHAT YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO.

>> Reporter: THAT'S HONG'S THIRD WAY TO FIND FULL RELIEF, DOCTORS CAN PROVIDE ALLERGY SHOTS OR IMMUNOTHERAPY.

>> WE CAN GET YOU PREPARED SO THAT NEXT YEAR YOU ARE NOT MISERABLE.

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

>> Dennis: WE HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH OUR WEATHER ONE MORE TIME AND GO OVER TO STACY FOR MORE ON THAT.

>> Stacy: WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THE SHOWERS MOVING INTO THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE COULD SEE A FEW THUNDERSTORMS.

52 FOR OUR LOW, WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

RAIN SHOWERS CONTINUE TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING, WE'LL SEE THEM SCATTERED IN THE AFTERNOON WITH HIGHS NEAR 60.

LOOKING AHEAD, CLOUDY BUT DRY ON FRIDAY WITH A HIGH OF 67.

THEN ANOTHER CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVES IN ON SATURDAYS, WITH ANOTHER ROUND SET FOR MONDAY.

>> Dennis: AND THAT IS GOING TO WRAP UP TONIGHT'S SHOW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM