>> 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.

>>> THE NEW BELTRAMI COUNTY JAIL MARKED TODAY AS THE FIRST DAY OF CONSTRUCTION WITH A CEREMONIAL GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE NEW JAIL ON PIONEER STREET IN BEMIDJI.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS REQUIRED BELTRAMI COUNTY TO INVEST IN UPGRADES TO THE COUNTY'S CURRENT JAIL IN 2019, BUT BECAUSE OF PANDEMIC-RELATED DELAYS, THE DECISION FOR A NEW COUNTY JAIL DIDN'T COME UNTIL 2022.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN ATTENDED THE GROUNDBREAKING TO SEE HOW THIS NEW FACILITY THAT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING WILL IMPACT THE COUNTY.

>> Reporter: TODAY MARKED THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE NEW BELTRAMI COUNTY JAIL AS THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY WAS HELD FOR THE NEW $80 MILLION FACILITY.

THE NEW JAIL WILL BE ONE OF THE LARGEST, MOST COMPLEX, AND MOST EXPENSIVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT BELTRAMI COUNTY HAS UNDERTAKEN.

WITH NEW BEGINNINGS, COMES NEW COMMITMENTS.

>> IT'S WHAT LEADS TO PEOPLE GETTING INCARCERATED AND THEN STUDYING WHAT WE CAN DO AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ON IMPROVING RECIDIVISM, WHICH IS PEOPLE BEING REINCARCERATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

WE WANT TO INTRODUCE NEW PROGRAMS, EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMS TO DRIVE DOWN THE NUMBERS, AND CHANGE THE NARRATIVE AROUND INCARCERATION IN GENERAL.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD INCLUDE EXPANDED PROGRAMS FOR INMATES, FOCUSED ON REDUCING AND CHANGING THE STATISTICS AROUND INCARCERATION.

>> WE'RE HOPING TO ADD TO THE PROGRAM WHERE WE HAVE MORE SPACE, MORE RESOURCES, MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED.

THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER PROGRAM WHICH WILL TRANSLATE TO ADDITIONAL HEALTH, CULTURAL PROGRAMING, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SPACE FOR THAT VERY THING.

SO WE'RE HOPING THAT ALL OF THESE SERVICES COMBINED WILL HELP WITH THE REDUCTION OF PEOPLE MIGRATING BACK AND FORTH INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: SPEAKERS AT THE CEREMONY ALSO WANTED TO RECOGNIZE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, WHO ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRAMS COMING INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT HOPE, COMMUNITY, AND BUILDING GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS, AND THAT ENTAILS ALL THAT WAS SAID TODAY, TO PROVIDE SOME OF THESE SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO KEEP OUR MEN AND WOMEN FROM RE-OFFENDING AND COMING BACK WITH ALL THE SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDED WITH THIS NEW JAIL, WE THINK THERE IS A GOOD LIKELIHOOD THAT COULD EASILY HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE SOME CONTROVERSIES INITIALLY WITH THE LOCATION OF THIS NEW JAIL.

COUNTY OFFICIALS ARGUE THAT CONSTRUCTING A NEW FACILITY WILL BE EASIER ON THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAD TO CLEAR ABOUT FOUR CITY BLOCKS.

THAT WASN'T GOING TO BE COST EFFECTIVE.

IT WOULD DISLODGE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND WE ARE IN A HOUSING CRISIS.

MOST OF THE HEARING ARE DONE VIA ZOOM, SO THEY DO IT RIGHT FROM JAIL.

WE DON'T NEED TO BE TAKING PRISONERS OUT AND BACK AND OUT AND BACK.

SO THAT'S WHAT REALLY HELPED THAT SITUATION.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS FROM COVID THAT IS A GOOD THING.

>> Reporter: ALL THE SPEAKERS AT THE EVENT SAID THE FOCUS OF THE NEW FACILITY IS BREAKING THE CYCLES OF CONFINEMENT.

REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> LAST NOVEMBER, BELTRAMI COUNTY VOTERS APPROVED A FIVE-EIGHTHS PERCENT LOCAL SALES OPTION TAX TO FUND THE $80 MILLION PROJECT.

COUNTY OFFICIALS HOPE TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR THE STAFF AND INMATES.

>>> A SEMI-TRAILER CAUGHT FIRE TODAY ON WASHINGTON STREET IN BRAINERD CAUSING TRAFFIC TO SHUT DOWN.

THE CLOSED LAUREL STREET BRIDGE FORCED ALL TRAFFIC TO COLLEGE ROAD.

THE BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON THE SCENE AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND GET TRAFFIC FLOWING AGAIN.

>>> U.S. DEMOCRATIC SENATORS AMY KLOBUCHAR AND TINA SMITH HAVE ANNOUNCED BELTRAMI COUNTY WILL RECEIVE FEDERAL RESOURCES TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT CRACK DOWN ON ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ADDRESS THE OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC THROUGH THE HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREAS PROGRAM.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE THIS NEW DESIGNATION WILL ALLOW CRITICAL RESOURCES TO BE DEPLOYED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN BELTRAMI COUNTY WORKING TO SEIZE ILLICIT DRUGS LIKE FENTANYL, PREVENT AND REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE AND OTHER VIOLENT CRIME ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING, IMPROVE INTERDICTION EFFORTS THROUGH ENHANCED DATA SHARING AND TARGETING, AND DISMANTLE ILLICIT FINANCE OPERATIONS.

THE HIDTA PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY AND COORDINATES AND ASSISTS FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND TERRITORIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO ADDRESS REGIONAL DRUG THREATS AND REDUCE ILLICIT DRUG PRODUCTION AND TRAFFICKING.

>>> THE U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE IS CONSIDERING PLANS TO ALLOW SLOWER MAIL DELIVERY IN THE COMING MONTHS FOR LONG-DISTANCE AND RURAL SERVICES TO CUT COSTS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A STORY IN THE WASHINGTON POST THAT WAS PUBLISHED AUGUST 22ND.

MINNESOTA REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER IS DEMANDING AN IMMEDIATE REASSESSMENT OF THE PLAN AND CALLS FOR SOLUTIONS THAT DO NOT COMPROMISE SERVICE QUALITY FOR RURAL AREAS.

STAUBER SENT A LETTER TODAY TO POSTMASTER GENERAL LOUIS DEJOY ABOUT THE POSTAL SERVICE CONSIDERING THE SLOWER MAIL DELIVERY PLAN.

STAUBER SAID IN THE LETTER, THAT THE POSTAL SERVICE ARBITRARILY DETERMINING THAT A SENIOR LIVING IN A RURAL AREA CAN WAIT TO RECEIVE THEIR LIFE-SAVING MEDICATION OR A VETERAN CAN WAIT TO RECEIVE THEIR BENEFITS CHECK IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THE LETTER GOES ON TO DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE REASSESSMENT OF THE PLAN AND CALLS FOR SOLUTIONS THAT DO NOT COMPROMISE SERVICE QUALITY FOR RURAL AREAS.

>>> CONGRESS HAS PASSED A BILL TO AVERT A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE BOTH APPROVED THE BILL WEDNESDAY THAT WILL KEEP THE GOVERNMENT FUNDED THROUGH LATE DECEMBER.

IN THE HOUSE, SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON DIDN'T HAVE THE NECESSARY REPUBLICAN VOTES TO MOVE THE BILL OVER THE FINISH LINE BUT HE GOT SUPPORT FROM DEMOCRATS, WHICH WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO GET 341 VOTES TO APPROVE.

82 REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST THE BILL.

>> TODAY, THE HOUSE DID THE NECESSARY THING.

WE TOOK THE INITIATIVE AND PASSED A CLEAN, NARROW, 3-MONTH C.R.

TO PREVENT THE SENATE FROM JAMMING US WITH ANOTHER BLOATED BILL.

WHILE CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS IS NEVER IDEAL, NONE OF US LIKE THEM, IT'S NOT THE WAY TO RUN A RAILROAD, IT ALLOWS CONGRESS TO SERVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THROUGH THE ELECTION.

>> THE BILL WOULD FUND THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH DECEMBER 20TH.

IT INCLUDES $231 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE SECRET SERVICE.

THE BILL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SAVE ACT, A CONTROVERSIAL MEASURE TARGETED AT STOPPING NON-CITIZENS FROM VOTING.

>>> HURRICANE HELENE IS GETTING STRONGER.

THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER HAS NOW UPPED ITS FORECAST FOR THE STORM, PREDICTING HELENE WILL BE A CATEGORY FOUR BEFORE IT MAKES LANDFALL THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

EXPERTS SAY IT WILL LIKELY BE STRONGEST HURRICANE TO HIT THE U.S.

IN A YEAR.

HELENE IS EXPECTED TO HIT NEAR APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA BUT MUCH OF FLORIDA AND PARTS OF GEORGIA WILL EXPERIENCE STRONG WINDS AND SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN.

>>> ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION ORGANIZES THE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S.

THE 2024 WALK IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA TOOK PLACE OVER THE WEEKEND AT FORESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL IN BAXTER.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: SINCE 2009, THE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER HAS HAD STRONG SUPPORT IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

JUST ABOUT EVERYONE KNOWS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER OR OTHER FORMS OF DEMENTIA.

THIS SATURDAY, HUNDREDS FLOCKED TO FOREST VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL IN BAXTER TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT.

>> IN MINNESOTA, WE KNOW THERE ARE 164,000 PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER DISEASE AND THEY'RE CARED FOR BY 100,000 CAREGIVERS.

EVERYBODY KNOWS SOMEBODY THAT KNOWS SOMEBODY.

YOU CAN SEE THE SUPPORT TODAY.

I THINK WE COUNTED AND WE HAD 375 WALKERS, NOT TO MENTION OUR VOLUNTEERS, THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, IT'S INCREDIBLE.

>> Reporter: AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE WALK IS THE GARDEN OF HOPE.

PEOPLE AT THE WALK GOT TO PLANT THEIR FLOWERS AT THE GARDEN.

EACH FLOWER HAS A SPECIAL COLOR REPRESENTING HOW ALZHEIMER EFFECTS EACH PERSON.

>> PURPLE REPRESENTS SOMEONE THAT LOST SOMEONE TO ALZHEIMER DISEASE.

BLUE IS SOMEONE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA OVER ALZHEIMER DISEASE.

ORANGE IS A SUPPORTER OF THE CAUSE.

YELLOW IS SOMEONE THAT IS ACTIVELY CAREGIVING.

OF COURSE YOU SAW THE WHITE FLOWER, WHICH REPRESENTS THE COLOR THAT WE WANT TO ADD TO THE GARDEN OF HOPE AND HOPE FOR A CURE.

>> Reporter: HOPE, THAT WAS THE THEME OF THE WALK.

SO MANY GATHERED WITH ONE GOAL, TO FIND A CURE.

RAISING MONEY IS CRITICAL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMER AND ONE PERSON WHO WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND IN RAISING MONEY WAS YOUNG LOLA CHASE.

THE REASON SHE HELPED RAISE OVER $1,600 WAS SIMPLE.

>> MY GRANDMOTHER WAS DIAGNOSED LAST YEAR AND I THOUGHT I WANTED TO TRY TO HELP HER GET A CURE SO SHE WOULD BE HEALTHIER AND BETTER.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE COUNTRY THESE WALKS TAKE PLACE AND THEY SERVE AS THE LARGEST SUPPORT GROUP FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER AND THE FEELING FOR THOSE ATTENDING ANY WALK IS CLEAR, KNOWING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE UNITED TO FIND A CURE FOR A DISEASE THAT EFFECTS SO MANY.

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL AMAZING BECAUSE IT JUST MAKES ME THINK THAT ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE SUPPORTING ALL THESE OTHER PEOPLE THEY KNOW OR DON'T KNOW, SO THEY ARE OUT HERE SUPPORTING ALL OF THEM.

I KNOW THAT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE, I CAN TRUST THEM AND LIKE KNOW THAT THEY CAN HELP OUT WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP WITH THIS CAUSE.

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

>> TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S OR HOW YOU CAN DONATE OR GET INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE DISEASE, YOU CAN VISIT THE MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA CHAPTER OF THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION'S WEBSITE, WHICH IS ON THE SCREEN.

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

>> Stacy: OUR SUNNY AND MILD TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATION GIGA ZONE IS CELEBRATING THEIR 10th ANNIVERSARY.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> 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.

>>> PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, THE LARGEST COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE IN MINNESOTA, IS CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THEIR GIGABIT INTERNET SPEEDS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, A BROADBAND COOPERATIVE LOCATE IN BEMIDJI, WAS FORMED BACK IN THE 1950s, WITH THE INTENTION OF BRINGING RURAL AREAS LANDLINE TELEPHONE SERVICES.

AS TECHNOLOGY HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS, THEY MOVED UP TO DIAL UP INTERNET.

>> BY 2014, 10 YEARS AGO, WE WERE ABLE TO DELIVER GIGA BIT INTERNET SPEED WITH OUR ALL FIBEROPTIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

FROM WHAT WAS A LANDLINE TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE, TO WHAT IS MINNESOTA'S LARGEST BROADBAND COOPERATIVE.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, THEY ARE CELEBRATING GIGA ZONE'S TENTH ANNIVERSARY.

>> GIGA ZONE IS A NAME WE BRANDED OUR GIGA BIT INTERNET SERVICE.

IT WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE RANGE OF 40 MEGABITS PER SECOND AND INSTEAD OF DOING AN INCREMENTAL SMALL INCREASE IN SPEED, WE DECIDED TO JUMP TO A FULL GIG.

PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO IMPLEMENT THIS TECHNOLOGY, BUT WHEN WE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT 10 YEARS, I THINK MOST OF THE INDUSTRY THOUGHT WE WERE CRAZY.

THESE INTERPRET SPEEDS WERE NOT OFFERED YET AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO THAT?

NOW IT'S CERTAINLY BECOME THE TREND.

>> Reporter: HIGH SPEED INTERNET HAS BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF MODERN EVERYDAY LIFE AND WORK.

IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS HAS FOLLOWED THE TRANSITION AND HAS JUMPED FROM 1 TO 10.

>> IT'S A TEN TIMES SPEED INCREASE.

THAT MEANS SOMETHING BEFORE TOOK YOU AN HOUR TO DOWNLOAD ON THE INTERNET, IF YOU HAVE A 10 GIG SERVICE, IT WILL DROP TO 6 MINUTES.

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

>> PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IS NOT ONLY A BROADBAND PROVIDER, BUT THEY ARE ALSO A COOPERATIVE, MEANING THAT THEY ARE MEMBER-OWNED.

THEY SAY THAT PROFIT IS NOT THEIR MOTIVATOR, BUT IT IS TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE AND THAT THE MONEY COMING FROM MEMBERS GOES TOWARDS CONTINUING THE EVOLUTION OF THEIR TECHNOLOGIES.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, LET'S HEAR ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL WEATHER FORECAST WE HAVE STACY.

>> Stacy: YEAH, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE WE'RE CLOSING IN ON THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

TEMPERATURES ARE NOT FEELING THAT WAY.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE HOT TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS MAYBE A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SOME RAIN ON MONDAY AND THAT'S WHEN WE COULD SEE COOLER TEMPERATU >> 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 MAY BE LATE SEPTEMBER, BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO FEEL IT AS WE HAVE VERY WARM TEMPERATURES EXPECTED THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND IN FACT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s, EVEN LOW 80s OUT THERE, THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

IT COULD BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER ON MONDAY AND THAT IS OUR NEXT CHANCE AT SEEING SOME RAINFALL, ALTHOUGH IT IS A VERY SMALL CHANCE IN OUR AREA.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT IS 65 AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE CALM, DEW POINT IS 55.

HUMIDITY IS AT 69%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, IT'S 61 WITH A DEW POINT OF 55.

PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE AND WINDS ARE ALSO CALM.

LOOKING AT THE RADAR, IT IS ALL QUIET OUT THERE.

IT'S HARD TO SEE ANY MOVEMENT ON THIS PICTURE.

IT IS GOING TO STAY VERY QUIET OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES.

WE WILL BE SEEING TEMPERATURES DROPPING TO THE 50s FOR OUR LOWS.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, A LOT OF SUNSHINE ONCE AGAIN.

IT WILL BE A MILD DAY, HIGHS IN THE 70s AND 80s ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

IT LOOKS LIKE LOW 80s FOR NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

AGAIN, WE EXPECT TO SEE ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES HEADING THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK AND THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND, MAYBE STARTING TO FEEL A LITTLE MORE LIKE FALL ONCE AGAIN AS WE HEAD INTO MONDAY.

TAKING A LOOK AT SOME PHOTOS SENT TO US FROM OUR EAGLE EYES TONIGHT, SPOTTING A LITTLE BIT OF FOG THIS MORNING.

SAMROSE WITH THIS PICTURE OF THE CLEAR SKIES AND SOME WAVES ON LOWER RED LAKE TODAY.

WE HAVE GORGEOUS CLEAR SKIES OVER LOWER MISSION LAKE FROM JULIE.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, FEELING LIKE SUMMER, LOOKING LIKE FALL.

SHE DID SPOT A LITTLE BIT OF FOG COLOR OUT THERE.

LAURIE SENDING US THE PHOTO OF THE SUNSET OVER LITTLE TURTLE LAKE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, JULIE IN MERRIFIELD REPORTING 77 AND SUNNY TODAY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, TOPPING OUT AT 80.

JOAN IN LAPORTE WITH A HIGH OF 80, LOW OF 54.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY SKIES TODAY, HIGH IN THE MID-70s.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY AND 80 FOR THE HIGH.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, SOME FOG THIS MORNING, OTHERWISE CLEAR SKIES AND THE HIGH WAS 80.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT TODAY AT 80.

NOT A NEW RECORD, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE 5 DEGREES OFF, WELL ABOVE OUR AVERAGE OF 66.

SUNSET TONIGHT AT 7:07.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 81.

THAT TIES THE RECORD HIGH SET BACK IN THE MID-80s.

THE LOW TODAY WAS 46 AND SUNRISE AT 7:11.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE OUT THERE, VERY WARM TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 80s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, A LOT OF SUNSHINE, LOW 80s FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE, COULD BE A LITTLE BIT ON THE BREEZY SIDE, ESPECIALLY AS WE MOVE TOWARDS WESTERN MINNESOTA, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, IT LOOKS UNEVENTFUL FOR TOMORROW AND AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST, CLEAR SKIES FOR TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 52, VARIABLE WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES ONCE AGAIN, HIGHS NEAR 82, SOUTH WINDS AT 5 TO 20, BUT WE COULD SEE WIND SPEEDS UP TO 25 IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST.

SUNNY, SUNNY, AND SUNNY THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

WE COULD BE SEEING HIGHS AROUND 79 ON FRIDAY, WITH LOW 80s ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

AS I MENTIONED, MONDAY LOOKS LIKE OUR NEXT CHANCE OF SEEING MORE FALL-LIKE CONDITIONS.

WE HAVE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAINFALL IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES WITH HIGHS NEAR 68.

>> Dennis: IT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT HOMECOMING WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: WITH THE WARM WEATHER, IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE FOOTBALL TEAM WANTS TO DO, WHICH IS HOP IN THE LAKE AFTERWARDS.

THEY CAN DO THAT WITH A WIN OVER U MARY.

WE WILL HEAR ABOUT THEIR TRADITION AND THEIR PLANS FOR U >> 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.

>>> IT'S HOMECOMING WEEK FOR BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL AND THIS SEASON THEY'LL WELCOME A 1-AND-3 U-MARY TO TOWN, A TEAM THEY BEAT 41-10 LAST YEAR IN BISMARCK.

THE BEAVERS HAVE WON 9-STRAIGHT GAMES AGAINST THE MARAUDERS AND CURRENTLY HAVE A TWO-GAME WIN STREAK HEADING INTO THIS WEEKENDS MATCHUP BUT IF KEEPING WIN STREAKS ALIVE ISN'T ENOUGH MOTIVATION TO COME OUT WITH A VICTORY.

A HOCO WIN ALSO MEANS A DIP IN LAKE BEMIDJI FOR THE BEAVS.

BSU WAS DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY LAST YEAR AT THE HANDS OF MINNESOTA STATE AND THEY'D LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN TO END SATURDAY SOAKING WET.

>> THE LAST TIME I JUMPED INTO THE LAKE WAS 2022 WITH WINONA.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND IMAGINE EVERYBODY ELSE IS RUNNING TO THE LAKE AS WELL, WAITING FOR US TO JUMP INTO THE LAKE.

SOME PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE IN THE LAKE AS WELL.

>> IT'S A REALLY EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU KNOW THE WIN IS COMING AND YOU SEE EVERYBODY LINING UP ON THE FENCE, GETTING READY, GETTING THEIR SPOTS.

THERE IS A NICE LITTLE TUNNEL OF PEOPLE YOU HAVE TO RUN THROUGH TO JUMP IN THERE.

EVERYBODY IS SPLASHING EACH OTHER, IT'S A GREAT TIME.

>> IT'S PRETTY SPECIAL, ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF LAST YEAR, WE LET THAT ONE GET AWAY.

THEY WANT TO ERASE THAT MEMORY OF OUR HOMECOMING LAST YEAR, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST ENVIRONMENTS.

THE FAN BASE IS AWESOME.

HOPEFULLY WE GET THE SAME THIS WEEK.

IT'S FUN, IT'S A UNIQUE TRADITION.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET IN THERE AFTER A YEAR HIATUS.

>> Charlie: THEY WILL BE PLAYING U MARY AT THE CHET.

NONE OF THE CLAIMS HAD BEEN CLOSE THE LAST NINE YEARS EXCEPT IN 2014.

THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE.

>>> LAST YEAR BRAINERD GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVING, SENT SIX SWIMMERS TO THE TWIN CITIES, PLACING TENTH OVERALL AT THE CLASS 2A STATE MEET.

THIS YEAR THE GIRLS HAVE PICKED UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF, OPENING THE YEAR 6-0 AND RANKED TENTH IN CLASS-2A.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR'S TRIP TO STATE WAS STRICTLY BUSINESS FOR THE WARRIORS.

THIS YEAR THEY'RE FINDING A HAPPY MEDIUM.

>> TO LOOSEN UP A LITTLE BIT.

>> THIS YEAR COACH ANDERSON IS TELLING US -- YOU KNOW, IT'S SCARY.

WE'RE A SMALL TEAM FROM BRAINERD AND STUFF.

IT WAS NERVE-RACKING BECAUSE OF ALL THE SWIMMERS THERE.

TO SEE WHAT THE CITY PEOPLE SEE, MOST OF THE TIME, ALL THE TIME, WAS REALLY BIG FOR US.

>> Reporter: IT'S EASIER TO TELL A TEAM TO HAVE MORE FUN WHEN THEY ALREADY EXHIBIT A STRONG FOUNDATION AND DESIRE TO PERFECT THEIR CRAFT.

>> I DON'T HAVE TO TEACH THESE GIRLS A WORK ETHIC.

I DON'T HAVE TO TEACH THEM.

THIS IS WHAT YOU DO, WHEN YOU GET TIRED, YOU DON'T STOP.

YOU KEEP GOING.

I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE IS PROBABLY PRESSURE BECAUSE THERE IS EXPECTATIONS.

STAY ON TOP OF THE NEWEST TRAINING AND TRY NOT TO FALL BEHIND THE OTHER COACHES AND TRUST THAT YOU KNOW IT WORKS.

>> Reporter: AND SO FAR EVERYTHING IS WORKING FOR THE WARRIORS, AS AVERY FOR THE BREAST STROKE HIGHLIGHT A DEEP AND VERSATILE LINE UP.

>> IT'S CRAZY ON OUR TEAM.

MOST PLACE 1, 2, 3 AND THE 100.

ALL OF THOSE GIRLS COULD BE STARTERS ON OTHER TEAMS.

THEY'RE DREAM SWIMMERS.

>> Reporter: WARRIORS GIRL SWIMMING AND DIVING HAS SET THE PACE IN SECTION A-2A.

NOW THEY'RE FOCUSED ON LOCKING IN ON BETTER STARTS AND BETTER TURNS.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO GET A LOT MORE PUSH OFF BY LIFTING.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT MORE VERTICAL JUMPS AND ALL THAT.

SO, GETTING A REALLY GOOD PUSH OFF AND START, GETTING OFF THE BLOCK FAST, THAT ALWAYS HELPS.

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

>> Charlie: THE WARRIORS WILL PUT IT TO THE TEST TOMORROW AS THEY HIT THE ROAD TO FACE ALEXANDRIA.

THE MINNESOTA TWINS WIN 8-3, STILL BACK IN THE WILDCAT RACE.

THE LYNX LEADING THE MERCURY.

IF THEY WIN TONIGHT, THEY WILL TAKE THE SERIES AND PLAY THE CONNECTICUT SUN.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THERE'S A NEW WEAPON AGAINST THE FLU THAT'S NOW APPROVED BY THE F.D.A.

THE AGENCY GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT TO AN AT-HOME VERSION OF THE FLU VACCINE AND WHILE IT WON'T BE AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THIS RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON, SOME EXPERTS HOPE NOT HAVING TO GET A SHOT AT A DOCTOR'S OFFICE OR PHARMACY WILL ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO GET PROTECTED.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON HOW THIS NEWLY APPROVED VACCINE WORKS.

>> Reporter: IT'S A FIRST IN THE FIGHT AGAINST FLU.

ON FRIDAY, THE FDA APPROVED THE FIRST NEEDLE-FREE INFLUENZA VACCINE THAT CAN BE ADMINISTERED AT HOME.

>> I HAVE THE GOOD NEWS.

THE IDEA IS TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED AND TO GET THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM UP.

>> Reporter: FLU MIST IS A NASAL SPRAY THAT HAS BEEN USED SINCE 2003.

IT'S CURRENTLY AVAILABLE WITH A PRESCRIPTION AT PHARMACIES AND OTHER HEALTHCARE SETTINGS FOR PEOPLE AGES 2 TO 49 WHO AREN'T PREGNANT.

THE MANUFACTURER PLANS TO MAKE THE VACCINE AVAILABLE FOR SELF ADMINISTRATION THROUGH A THIRD PARTY ONLINE PHARMACY, WHICH WILL PRESCRIBE AND SHIFT THE VACCINE AFTER REVIEWING A SCREENING AND ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT.

THIS OPTION IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN TIME FOR THE START OF NEXT YEAR'S RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON.

>> IT'S VERY SIMPLE.

IT'S ONE PER NOSTRIL TO GET THE FULL DOSE FOR AN ADULT.

>> Reporter: DR. JESSE SAYS THIS APPROVAL WILL HELP MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT TO PROTECT AGAINST FLU, BUT HE SAYS THE VACCINE CONTAINS A LIVE BUT WEAKENED VERSION OF THE VIRUS, SO IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY.

>> SO THERE ARE CERTAIN CONDITIONS THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE FLU MIST, SUCH AS IF YOU'RE ON IMMUNE SUPPRESSING MEDICATION, YOU HAVE H.I.V., AND THERE ARE SOME IMMUNE RELATED ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE TO TALK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CLINICIAN TO MAKE SURE THE VACCINE IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

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

>> THE C.D.C.

SAYS GETTING VACCINATED AGAINST THE FLU IS THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT GETTING SEVERELY SICK FROM THE VIRUS.

IN THE 2023-2024 SEASON, THE C.D.C.

ESTIMATES THERE WERE AT LEAST 35-MILLION FLU-RELATED ILLNESSES, 400,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND 25,000 DEATHS.

>>> WE GO BACK TO STACY FOR A LAST CHECK OF THE WEATHER.

>> Stacy: IT'S A PRETTY QUIET FORECAST OUT THERE.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 52, VARIABLE WINDS 5 TO 15.

IT COULD BE BREEZY IN THE WEST.

>> Dennis: AND THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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