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

MEMBER FDIC.

>> C.T.C.

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

LEARN MORE AT AT GOCTC.COM.

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

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH WITH PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST.

SANFORD HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CARE CLOSE TO HOME.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED IN PART BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, LAND SURVEYORS, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

WITH LOCAL NEW FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

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

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

>>> REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS VISITED BEMIDJI ON MONDAY TO HOST A WILDLIFE TABLETOP EXERCISE TO EDUCATE COMMUNITY AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK ATTENDED THE EXERCISE, AND SPOKE TO INSTRUCTORS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PREPARED.

>> Reporter: NASA REPORTED MORE THAN 13 MILLION ACRES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE BURNED BY WILDFIRES BETWEEN 2024 AND 2025.

>> A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE THINK THAT THERE IS A WILDFIRE, THAT IS A FIRE DEPARTMENT PROBLEM, BUT REALLY IT'S A COMMUNITY PROBLEM.

WE NEED EVERYBODY THERE, EVERYBODY FROM PUBLIC HEALTH, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, SCHOOLS, UTILITIES, STATE FIRE MARSHAL, BECAUSE THEY ALL HAVE A ROLE IN MAKING THAT EVENT GO SUCCESSFUL AND BE THE LEAST IMPACTFUL POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THIS WAS BROUGHT TO BEMIDJI HAS TO DO WITH THE JUNE 2025 WIND STORM THAT DOWNED MANY TREES IN THE AREA.

NOT ONLY DOES IT POSE A RISK FOR WILDFIRES TO START, IT SHOW WHAT IS THE CURRENT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ARE AND WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T WORK.

>> SO WHEN WE PLAN FORWARD, IT'S LIKE OKAY, WHERE DO WE HAVE THOSE BLIND SPOTS?

SO THAT'S WHY I APPLIED AND REACHED OUT TO MY STATE CONTACTS TO SAY HEY, HOW CAN I GET THIS MOVING?

I WANTED TO BUILD A PLAN THAT BETTER SERVES OUR COMMUNITY TODAY AND NOT OPERATE OFF OF ONE THAT IS SO OUTDATED.

>> Reporter: THE TABLETOP EXERCISE WAS PUT ON BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS, THE USDA GRANT THAT JUSTIN SHERWOOD APPLIED FOR TO BETTER PREPARE THE COMMUNITY ON HOW TO ACT IN THE CASE OF NATURAL DISASTERS.

>> TODAY WE ARE TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WILDFIRE BUT A LOT OF THE PROCESS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TODAY WOULD BE NOTIFIED FOR ANY TYPE OF LARGE EMERGENCY.

SO IT'S A BIG COLLABORATION OF LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM TOGETHER.

>> WE TALK A LOT IN THIS EXERCISE ABOUT EVACUATION AND MAKING SURE THE POPULATION KNOWS HOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE NOTIFIED, WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, AND ALL THOSE FACTORS, REALLY DETERMINING WHETHER AN EVACUATION IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WILDFIRE, THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE SUCCESSFUL EVACUATION CAN LITERALLY MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

>> AND WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, JUST THE OVERALL PROCESS OF WHAT EACH ORGANIZATION IS GOING TO BE BRINGING TO THE TABLE AND HOW THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL TOGETHER AS PARTNERS, AND WE'RE JUST FACILITATING A GOOD DISCUSSION.

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

>> CHIEF SHERWOOD ADDED THAT THE PROGRAM HELPS COMMUNITY OUTLETS BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE, IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

>>> THE MISSING MAN THE WHITE EARTH TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD REQUESTED THE PUBLIC'S ASSISTANCE IN FINDING HAS BEEN LOCATED AND IS SAFE.

AUTHORITIES HAD BEEN ASKING FOR HELP IN FINDING 50-YEAR RYAN LEE STEVENS WHO IS FROM RICE LAKE.

THE WHITE EARTH TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS STEVENS WAS FOUND SAFE THIS AFTERNOON.

>>> HEALTHPARTNERS AND ESSENTIA HEALTH TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT THEIR BOARDS OF DIRECTORS HAVE APPROVED AN AFFILIATION AGREEMENT TO COMBINE THEIR ORGANIZATIONS.

THE COMBINED ORGANIZATION WILL BE CALLED HEALTHPARTNERS AND WOULD EMPLOY 45,000 PEOPLE.

IT WOULD INCLUDE 22 HOSPITALS AND 135 CLINICS SPANNING THE TWIN CITIES, NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND PARTS OF NORTH DAKOTA AND WISCONSIN.

ESSENTIA FACILITIES WILL RETAIN THE ESSENTIA HEALTH NAME WHILE OPERATIONS ARE INTEGRATED.

PENDING CUSTOMARY REGULATORY APPROVALS, THE ORGANIZATIONS ANTICIPATE THE COMBINATION WILL BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY FIRST OF 2027.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM BOTH ORGANIZATIONS, PATIENTS AND MEMBERS SHOULD NOT EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGES OR INTERRUPTION TO THEIR CARE OR COVERAGE.

CURRENT HEALTHPARTNERS PRESIDENT AND CEO ANDREA WALSH WILL LEAD THE NEW ORGANIZATION.

DAVID HERMAN WHO HAS BEEN C.E.O.

OF ESSENTIA HEALTH SINCE 2015, WILL SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF COMBINED CLINICAL CARE GROUP OPERATIONS.

>>> THE STARBUCKS LOCATED AT 202 SHEVLIN AVENUE ON THE SOUTHSIDE OF BEMIDJI OPENED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024.

IT WAS ONE OF TWO FREESTANDING STARBUCKS LOCATIONS IN BEMIDJI AT THE TIME.

THE OTHER LOCATION ON PAUL BUNYAN DRIVE REMAINS OPEN AS DOES A LOCATION INSIDE TARGET.

STARBUCKS OFFICIALS SAY THE 250 COFFEEHOUSES THAT ARE CLOSING REPRESENT ABOUT ONE-PERCENT OF STARBUCKS MORE THAN 18,000 COFFEEHOUSES IN NORTH AMERICA.

>>> THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE CROSS IN NISSWA RAISED A RECORD $80,000 THROUGH ITS ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE BENEFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND EVERYTHING AT THE SALE HAS BEEN DONATED BY DIFFERENT COMMUNITY GROUPS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THE RUMMAGE SALE IS AN ANNUAL STAPLE IN NISSWA, AS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, ARE KNOWN TO WAIT AT THE DOORS IN HOPES OF FINDING A GREAT DEAL.

ITEMS UP FOR GRABS AT THE SALE INCLUDED FURNITURE, SHOES, KID TOYS, AND MORE.

>> PEOPLE JUST SEE IT AS A WAY THAT THEY CAN SERVE THEIR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF FUN DOING IT TOO.

THEY GET TO KNOW OTHER PEOPLE.

THEY GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

AND THE PEOPLE AND THE CONGREGATION WHO MAYBE WOULDN'T GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER GENERALLY DO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

>> THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE CROSS HAS HELD ITS RUMMAGE SALE FOR OVER SIXTY YEARS.

>>> THE CUYUNA IRON RANGE HERITAGE NETWORK IS DOING THEIR PART TO PERSEVERE LOCAL GRAVE SITES AT LAKEWOOD CEMETERY IN IRONTON.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE DETAILS ON HOW THE NETWORK CONTINUES TO RESTORE THE AREA'S HISTORY.

>> Reporter: THE NETWORK IS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED IN 1989.

FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS, THE CUYUNA IRON RANGE HERITAGE NETWORK HAS PRESERVED THE AREA'S HISTORY.

NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE SOME OF THE HISTORY AND STORIES THAT LAY INSIDE OF LAKEWOOD CEMETERY.

>> WELL, IF WE DON'T MAINTAIN IT, NOBODY IS GOING TO.

A LOT OF THESE GRAVE SITES, THERE ARE NO RELATIVES AROUND TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE GRAVE SITES.

WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT WE NEED TO SHOW THAT WE CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT PASSED AWAY HERE.

>> Reporter: FOR SOME VOLUNTEERS, THEY SEE IT AS A WAY TO PAY RESPECT TO THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN.

>> I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME IN AND HONOR OUR VETERANS AND MAKE SURE THEIR TOMBSTONES ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SEE THEM.

WE CLEAN IT OFF AND THEN CLEANING THE OVERBURDENED GRASS AND MADE THEM DIFFICULT TO READ AND CLEAN UP THE LETTERING FOR FAMILY AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO SEE.

>> Reporter: FOR OTHER VOLUNTEERS, IT'S A LITTLE MORE PERSONAL.

>> WE TALKED A LOT TODAY ABOUT THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE.

FOR ME PERSONALLY, I GOT QUITE A FEW FAMILY HERE AND I WAS A TEACHER FOR 33 YEARS, SO THERE ARE A FEW FORMER STUDENTS HERE.

I THINK IT'S A VERY NEAT THING TO DO.

AS JEFF MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE.

>> Reporter: THE HERITAGE NETWORK BELIEVES THAT DOING WORK LIKE THIS IS THEIR MISSION TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> OUR MISSION IS TO PRESERVE THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE.

WE RUN PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY TO HELP PROMOTE HISTORY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN IRONTON, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BLUE RIBBON MINER POLES WERE FROM THE MILFORD MINE DISASTER IN 1924.

THE CUYUNA IRON RANGE HERITAGE NETWORK HELPED ESTABLISH THE GRAVESITES OF SOME OF THE MINERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES.

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

>> WE'LL SEE SOME AREAS OF FOG OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THAT COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW, BUT ONCE THAT LIFTS, EXPECT TO SEE SUNNY SKIES FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, MILD TOMORROW, COOLER ON THURSDAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, TEAMS ARE TAKING AIM FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS IN A BIGGER PURPOSE.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> BEMIDJI'S CURLING COMMUNITY IS GETTING NATIONAL RECOGNITION.

ONE LONGTIME VOLUNTEER IS BEING HONORED FOR YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE SPORT.

THE BEMIDJI CURLING CLUB HAS BEEN A PART OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1935, BUILDING A TRADITION THAT'S EVEN REACHED THE OLYMPIC STAGE.

DAVE WILLFORD HAS HELPED CARRY THAT LEGACY FORWARD, AND USA CURLING IS NOW HONORING THAT WORK WITH IT'S 2026 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD, SOMETHING WILLFORD SAYS BELONGS TO FAR MORE THAN JUST ONE PERSON.

>> IT MEANS A LOT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HELPED ME, SUPPORTED ME, WORKED WITH ME.

IT'S WHAT CURLING HAS GIVEN TO ME THAT DRIVES ME TO BE THE VOLUNTEER I AM.

THE CLUB HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL, MY FAMILY, MY WIFE, AND MY DAUGHTER.

I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE WORKING WITH SO MANY PEOPLE AND HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE SUPPORT ME.

IT'S HARD TO GIVE THIS AWARD TO JUST ONE PERSON.

I COULDN'T IMAGINE.

>> WILLFORD WILL BE FORMALLY HONORED BY U.S.

CURLING NEXT MONTH IN COLORADO.

THE AWARD RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEER SERVICE THAT HAS HELPED STRENGTHEN THE SPORT AT MULTIPLE LEVELS.

>>> THE CROW WING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT IS TEAMING UP WITH CROW WING COUNTY TO HOST A BUS TOUR SHOWCASING RECENTLY COMPLETED CONSERVATION PROJECTS.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND OTHER PROJECT PARTNERS WILL BE ATTENDANCE TO SPEAK ABOUT EACH PROJECT.

THE BUS TOUR WILL HIGHLIGHT AGRICULTURE, SHORELINE, AND FORESTRY PROJECTS.

THE TOUR WILL ALSO INCLUDE STOPS AT BREEZY POINT RESORT, THE PAUL THIEDE FIRE TOWER PARK, AND THE SITE OF THE FLANDERS LAKE AREA WILDFIRE, AMONG OTHERS.

>> IT'S ALSO JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LANDOWNERS TO CONNECT WITH THESE OTHER PEOPLE, HEAR THEIR STORIES, AND BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THEY PHYSICALLY DID.

A LOT OF THE WORK WE DO IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND TO THE PUBLIC AND THIS IS THE BEST WAY FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY GO OUT AND SEE, BE ABLE TO HEAR THE EXACT STORY FROM THE LANDOWNERS IN THE PROCESS THEY WENT THROUGH.

>> THE CONSERVATION TOUR IS ON OCTOBER SECOND AND BEGINS AT 8:30 A.M.

AT BREEZY POINT RESORT AND GOES UNTIL 3:30 P.M.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US.

THE RAIN HAS MOVED OUT AND THE SUN IS HEADED OUR WAY.

>> Stacy: WE ACTUALLY DID HAVE SUNSHINE IN THE VIEWING AREA LATE TODAY.

IT LOOKS LIKE SUNNY SKIES ARE IN STORE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

WE WILL BE SEEING SOME AREAS OF FOG TONIGHT, WHICH COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

ONCE THAT LIFTS, THE SUNNY SKIES WILL BE OUT, WE'LL HAVE MILD TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, BUT THEN A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN ON [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: AFTER RAINY WEATHER LAST NIGHT AND THROUGH MUCH OF THIS MORNING, WE HAVE STARTED TO SEE QUIETER WEATHER RETURN.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME SUNSHINE IN PARTS OF THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND IT LOOKS LIKE VARIABLE CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, COULD SEE SOME AREAS OF FOG, AND THAT COULD LINGER INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

ONCE THAT LIFTS, EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINEFUL -- SUNSHINE.

WE WILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN ON THURSDAY, ALTHOUGH WE DO KEEP THE SUNSHINE.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 63 DEGREES.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTHEAST WIND, DEW POINT OF 63, AND THAT IS GIVING US HUMIDITY AT 100%.

PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE SOUTHWEST AT 9 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE CAN SEE THE RAIN HAS MOVED OUT OF THE AREA.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING CLEARING SKIES IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, WE'LL HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT WITH SOME FOG DEVELOPING, ESPECIALLY IN THE EASTERN PARTS OF MINNESOTA, EASTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA LOOKS LIKE THEY WILL BE SEEING A LITTLE BIT MORE FOG.

THE FOG LINGERS INTO TOMORROW MORNING, WE WILL SEE THAT BREAKING UP AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE MORNING, SUNNY SKIES RETURN, AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING THE WARM TEMPERATURES, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 70s ACROSS MOST OF LAKELAND COUNTRY.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, WE HAVE GORGEOUS COLORS, SO IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GET OUTSIDE ON THIS NICE DAY TOMORROW, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY ALL OF THE FALL COLOR.

RALPH SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM JENKINS, LAURIE FROM LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, AND ARLENE IN LONGVILLE.

ARLENE FROM MENAHGA SENDING US THIS PICTURE OF THE CLOUDY SKIES THIS MORNING, CLOUDY SKIES IN DEERWOOD FROM GARY AS WELL.

ANGELA SPOTTING A COUPLE OF BALD EAGLES IN THE TREE IN CASS LAKE AND TONIGHT WITH THE CLEARING SKIES, WITH THE SUNSET, IT WAS GORGEOUS OUT THERE.

DEAN SENDING US THIS PICTURE FROM RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTOS WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 62, BREEZY, AND DAMP THIS MORNING.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD REPORTING 1 INCH OF RAIN WITH A HIGH OF 64.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY WITH 0.4-INCH OF RAIN, TOPPING OUT AT 63.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY.

THE HIGH WAS 67.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A HIGH OF 63, THE LOW IS THE CURRENT AT 62.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, 0.04-INCH OF RAIN THIS MORNING, LATE AFTERNOON SUNSHINE, AND THAT HELPED TEMPERATURES CLIMB TO THE UPPER 60s.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 64.

THAT'S OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR LATE SEPTEMBER.

60 DEGREES FOR THE LOW.

WE REALLY HAVEN'T SEEN THE TEMPERATURES VERY MUCH THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

SUNSET TONIGHT AT 7:00.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 71, SO WE DID HAVE THAT SUNSHINE RETURNING THIS AFTERNOON, THAT REALLY DID HELP TEMPERATURES.

THAT IS QUITE A BIT ABOVE OUR AVERAGE OF 62.

60 WAS OUR LOW AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 3 MINUTES AFTER 7:00.

SO LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE WILL START OUT WITH AREAS OF FOG BUT EVENTUALLY IT WILL LIFT AND SUNRISE WILL RETURN TO THE AREA AND THEN WE WILL SEE MILD TEMPERATURES.

COOLER IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE.

WARROAD SHOULD TOP OUT AT 66, BUT NORTHERN MINNESOTA SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE LOW 70s AND AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, TEMPERATURES ARE TOPPING OUT IN THE LOW TO EVEN MID-70s.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, VARIABLE CLOUDS WITH SOME AREAS OF FOG, LOWS NEAR 53 AND SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

TOMORROW, SKIES WILL BE MOSTLY SUNNY, BUT WE COULD SEE AREAS OF FOG IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 72, AND WEST TO SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 15.

STILL, SUNNY ON THURSDAY BUT TEMPS WILL BE COOLER, HIGHS NEAR 59, AND WE'LL SEE THE LOWS DROPPING INTO THE 30s ON FRIDAY MORNING, SO WE COULD SEE AREAS OF FROST, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SUNSHINE.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, MAINLY QUIET, WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS ON SATURDAY, BUT WE SHOULD BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS STACY.

MILES IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US?

>> Miles: BEMIDJI GIRLS SOCCER IS LOOKING TO IMPROVE UPON THEIR RECORD THIS AFTERNOON.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE FROM THAT HIGHLIGHT RIGHT AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> BEMIDJI GIRLS SOCCER OPENED 2026 ON FIRE, WINNING EIGHT OF THEIR FIRST NINE GAMES, WHILE AVERAGING OVER FIVE AND A HALF GOALS A GAME.

HOWEVER THE LUMBERJACKS' OFFENSE HAS BEEN QUIET OVER THE PAST WEEK, GOING 0-2-2 OVER THEIR LAST FOUR, WHILE PUTTING UP ONLY THREE GOALS OVER THAT TIMESPAN.

TONIGHT, BEMIDJI WAS BACK HOME LOOKING TO GET BACK ON TRACK, HOSTING 7-3-1 DULUTH EAST.

PICKING UP IN THE 45th MINUTE, STILL SCORELESS.

A FEW MINUTES LATER, FREE KICK TO THE LUMBERJACKS, TOP POST, BEMIDJI HAD THEIR CHANCE BUT COULDN'T CAPITALIZE.

DULUTH EAST PUSHING PACE, THE GREYHOUNDS ADDS ANOTHER GOAL IN THE 56th MINUTE AS BEMIDJI FALLS WITH A SCORE OF 2-0.

>>> SOME MORE SCORES LATER TODAY AS BRAINERD KNOTS UP WITH 11-0.

PELICAN RAPIDS TAKES DOWN WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY, AND CLOQUET GETS THE W OVER GRAND RAPIDS.

>>> OVER TO BOYS SOCCER, BEMIDJI TRYING TO GET INTO THE WIN COLUMN HOSTING DETROIT LAKES.

DETROIT LAKES CAME OUT FIRING TODAY, 10th MINUTE, GRAYSON LOOKING LIKE CALVIN WITH THE CROSS OVERS, AND THE LAKERS GO UP 1-0.

NOW STILL 0-1, PENALTY KICK, EQUALIZER, TYING THINGS AT 1-1.

NOW STILL 1-1, LANDON SQUARES UP, SENDS A MISSILE, BUT LAYING OUT FOR THE SAVE, KEEPS THINGS LOCKED AT 1-1 AND THAT IS THE FINAL SCORE AS THEY END UP TYING.

LUMBERJACKS WON THE TIME OF POSSESSION BATTLE BUT THEY COULDN'T TAKE CONTROL OF THE GAME.

>>> BRAINERD FALLS TO RECORY 2-1.

LITTLE FALLS FALLS TO ALBANY.

AND OVER IN SWIMMING AND DIVE, BEMIDJI GETS THE WIN OVER PARK RAPIDS 111-75.

IN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL, BRAINERD GETS THE WIN OVER DETROIT LAKES.

NEVIS GETS A WIN AGAINST NORTHOME-KELLIHER AND CLEARBROOK-GONVICK GETS THE WIN OVER CASS LAKE-BENA.

BLACKDUCK BLANKS RED LAKE.

CROSBY-IRONTON GETS THE WIN OVER PROCTOR.

LITTLE FALLS FALLS TO ALBANY.

PEQUOT LAKES GETS THE WIN OVER PIERZ, AND ROSEAU BLANKS WARROAD.

IN THE WNBA IN A REMAY I APPROACH OF THE FINALS, THE LYNX'S SEASON ENDS TODAY.

IN HOCKEY, MINNESOTA WILD DEFENSEMAN IS OUT INDEFINITELY AFTER HAVING SURGERY FOR A SKULL FRACTURE.

IT HAPPENED DURING THE PRE-SEASON FINALE AGAINST THE DALLAS STARS AFTER BEING HIT IN THE HEAD BY SAM STEEL.

FOLLOWING THE INJURY, HE STAYED DOWN ON THE ICE BRIEFLY BEFORE SKATING TO THE BENCH.

HE WOULD RETURN FOR THE NEXT SHIFT AND PLAY IN THE REST OF THE PERIOD, HOWEVER HE DID NOT RETURN FOR THE THIRD PERIOD AGAINST DALLAS.

HE IS CURRENTLY ENTERING HIS FOURTH SEASON WITH THE WILE THIS -- WILD THIS YEAR.

HE HELPED THE WILD REACH THE SECOND ROUND OF THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS.

WHILE THE COACH SAYS THEY WILL SPLIT THE PENALTY KILL TIME.

THERE IS CURRENTLY NO TIMETABLE ON HIS RETURN AND THE WILD WILL OPEN THEIR SEASON ON THE ROAD AGAINST THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS THIS THURSDAY.

>> Dennis: A SCARY INJURY.

>> Miles: VERY SCARY.

I WONDER HOW MUCH ADRENALINE HE HAD TO KEEP GOING.

>> Dennis: THANKS MILES.

THE ANNUAL UNITED WAY TRAP TOURNAMENT IN BEMIDJI CONNECTS COMPETITION WITH COMMUNITY ON THE RANGE.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING SHOWS US HOW THE EVENT BRINGS BOTH TOGETHER FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: ON THE RANGE AT THE BEMIDJI TRACK AND SKI CLUB, EVERY POOL BRINGS ANOTHER SHOT AT THE TARGET.

THIS TOURNAMENT IS HELPING TO SUPPORT SOMETHING BIGGER ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

>> SO THIS IS OUR 10th ANNUAL TRAP TOURNAMENT FOR THE UNITED WAY AND IT IS PART OF OUR ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SO, WE RAISE FUNDS EVERY YEAR FOR OUR AREA AND THEN ALLOCATE THOSE DOLLARS OUT TO LOCAL NON-PROFITS IN THE SPRING.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN THE CALLS OF POOL, THE BURST OF GUNFIRE, AND PLENTY OF FRIENDLY TEAM COMPETITION, THE RANGE TURNS MORE THAN A PLACE TO KEEP SCORE.

FOR MANY OF THESE SHOOTERS, IT'S A CHANCE TO RECONNECT, HAVE SOME FUN, AND BE PART OF SOMETHING OUTDOORS, YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> OUT HERE, SUCCESS IS MEASURED ONE CLAY AT A TIME BUT AFTER 10 YEARS, THIS TOURNAMENT HAS BECOME ABOUT MORE THAN WHAT BREAKS IN THE SKY.

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S JUST A WAY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

IT GETS PEOPLE OUT AND YOU KNOW, WE GET TO SHOOT A LITTLE TRAP AND THEN WE GET TO GO TO LAZY JACKS AND HAVE SUPPER.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE TOURNAMENT BRINGS TEAMS TOGETHER FOR A BIGGER CAUSE, EACH SHOOTER HAS TO LOCK IN ONCE THE CLAY LEAVES THE HOUSE.

FOR SOME, THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS KEEPING EVERYTHING ELSE OUT OF THEIR HEAD.

>> IT'S MAINLY MORE OF A MENTAL THING FOR ME.

I FOCUS ON MY OWN THING, JUST FOCUS ON HITTING THAT BIRD AND EXECUTING.

>> Reporter: 23 TEAMS CAME LOOKING FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS, WITH COMBINED TEAMS, LAKE COUNTY ELECTRIC AND THE CONSTRUCTION EDGING OUT ROUND LAKE KENNELS FOR THE TOP SPOT, BUT THE PAY OFF REACHES BEYOND THE LEADERBOARD.

>> IT'S A UNIQUE EVENT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A DIFFERENT GROUP OF PEOPLE COME TO, WHICH IS ALSO REALLY FUN.

WE'RE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

IT MAKES SENSE.

IT IS ALSO OUR BIGGEST EVENT FUNDRAISER IN OUR CAMPAIGN.

SO IT'S A PRETTY SPECIAL EVENT.

WE'RE SO GRATEFUL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: AND THEY RAISED OVER $20,000 THIS YEAR.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.