>> 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.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE 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, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE, THE ALL FIBEROPTIC NETWORK THAT HAS TRANSFORMED HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>> 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 BLANDIN FOUNDATION IS LOOKING TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM STORM RECOVERY EFFORTS IN THE BEMIDJI REGION WITH GRANT FUNDING.

THE FOUNDATION'S DIRECTOR OF RURAL GRANT MAKING SPOKE TO LAKELAND NEWS EARLIER TODAY AND OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON WHAT THEY HOPE THE FUNDS CAN DO TO THE AFFECTED AREAS.

>> Reporter: THE $100,000 GRANT THAT THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION AWARDED IN THE MIDST OF STORM RECOVERY IN THE BEMIDJI AREA WAS MADE LOOKING TO PROVIDE FLEXIBLE FUNDING FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO RESPOND AS NEEDS EVOLVE AND AGE, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE RECOVERY AFTER DISASTER IS NOT JUST A LINEAR LINE.

>> OBVIOUSLY, KEEP WATER FROM LEAKING INTO PEOPLE'S HOUSES, HELP PEOPLE NAVIGATE INSURANCE AND OTHER THINGS, BUT THINGS MAY APPEAR, EMERGE, OR EVOLVE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

SO THEY EMPHASIZE FLEXIBILITY SO LOCAL PEOPLE CLOSE TO THE GROUNDS, DEALING WITH THIS IN THE DAY-TO-DAY CAN RESPOND ACCORDING TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS ARE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTIES AND WHITE EARTH NATION ARE ALL AREAS THAT THE GRANT MONEY IS INTENDED TO GO TOWARDS.

>> WE REALLY TRY TO GET RESOURCES TO AREAS THAT MAYBE ARE TYPICALLY UNDERSERVED, DON'T HAVE AS MUCH ACCESS TO RESOURCES, AND KNOWING THAT THE TIME THE GRANT WAS MADE, THE AREA WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FEMA OR OTHER HIGH LEVEL PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

WE THOUGHT WELL, THIS IS A PRETTY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION TO BUILD SOME COMMUNITY RESILIENCY AND PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH.

>> Reporter: IT WILL GO TOWARDS MORE THINGS THAN JUST TREE REMOVAL, INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLES, MENTAL HEALTH HELP, AND FOCUSING ON THE COMMUNITY.

>> ONE THING WE TRY TO EMPHASIZE IS COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS.

YOU NEED THOSE IN THE WAKE OF A DISASTER AND THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION IS HAPPY TO SUPPORT THAT ATTITUDE.

>> ERICKSON ALSO SAID THAT THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES THAT THE RECOVERY FOR DAMAGE OF THIS MAGNITUDE WILL TAKE YEARS, SO THE GRANT IS GOING TOWARDS LOOKING AT FUTURE REBUILDING NEEDS JUST AS MUCH AS WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE AREA NOW.

>>> THE CROW WING COUNTY BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED KELSEY HOPPS AS THE NEXT CROW WING COUNTY ATTORNEY AT THEIR BOARD MEETING THIS MORNING.

HOPPS WILL BE REPLACING CURRENT COUNTY ATTORNEY DON RYAN WHO IS RETIRING FROM HIS POSITION AFTER HAVING SERVED THERE FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

HOPPS HAS BEEN WORKING AS AN ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR CROW WING COUNTY FOR SEVEN YEARS.

SHE WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH HER PREDECESSOR TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT ON SEPTEMBER 12TH.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO PUBLICLY SAY THANK YOU TO KELSEY FOR STEPPING UP AND WANTING TO DO THIS JOB.

I MEAN, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A CHANCE THAT NOBODY WANTED TO DO IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT -- IT'S A CHALLENGING JOB.

I AM JUST SO GLAD THAT YOU ACCEPTED THE POSITION.

>> HOPPS WILL SERVE THE REST OF RYAN'S TERM THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST OF 2026 AND AN ELECTION WILL BE HELD FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEAR TERM ON NOVEMBER 3RD OF THE SAME YEAR.

>>> CASS COUNTY AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THE GRAFTON NORTH DAKOTA MAN WHO IS BELIEVED TO HAVE DROWNED IN CASS LAKE SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, 41-YEAR-OLD JON KOEHMSTEDT GOT INTO THE WATER JUST BEFORE 6:00 P.M.

WITHOUT A LIFE JACKET TO WORK ON A BOAT MOTOR PROBLEM AND DIDN'T RESURFRACE.

HIGH WINDS CAUSED THE BOAT TO DRIFT AND IT WAS LATER INTERCEPTED BY OTHER BOATERS ON THE LAKE.

THE MANS BODY WAS LOCATED IN THE WATER JUST BEFORE 8:00 P.M. AN AUTOPSY IS SCHEDULED.

>>> A 69-YEAR-OLD BICYCLIST FROM GRAND RAPIDS WAS INJURED AFTER COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 2 YESTERDAY.

THE STATE PATROL REPORT SAYS AN SUV AND THE BICYCLE WERE TRAVELLING EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 2 NEAR ITASCA STREET IN GRAND RAPIDS WHEN THE BICYCLE CROSSED THE HIGHWAY AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE FORD EXPLORER.

THE BICYCLIST, STEVEN STORRS WAS TAKEN TO GRAND ITASCA HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

THE DRIVER OF THE SUV, 28-YEAR-OLD BRIANNA BARSTOW OF GRAND RAPIDS WAS NOT INJURED.

>>> AN EDINA MAN HAS DIED AFTER JUMPING OFF A WATERFALL ON THE NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR YESTERDAY.

THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS 54-YEAR-OLD GREGORY CORNIEA JUMPED OFF THE HIGH FALLS WITHIN THE TETTEGOUCHE STATE PARK AND DID NOT RESURFACE.

THE VICTIM WAS LOCATED AT THE BASE OF THE FALLS.

AUTHORITIES SAY IT APPEARS HE HIT HIS HEAD ON THE ROCKS NEAR THERE WHILE ENTERING THE WATER.

>>> NEW NUMBERS RELEASED TODAY BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SHOW OVERALL INFLATION HAS REMAINED STEADY, EVEN AS TARIFFS ARE BOOSTING SOME PRICES.

MICHAEL YOSHIDA BREAKS DOWN THE NUMBERS AND WHAT THEY MEAN FOR YOUR WALLET.

>> Reporter: INFLATION IN THE UNITED STATES DIDN'T RISE AS MUCH AS EXPECTED, DESPITE TARIFF ROLLOUT.

CONSUMER PRICES ROSE 0.2% IN JULY.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST PRICE INDEX OR C.P.I.

DATA FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

FALLING GAS PRICES IN JULY HELP KEEP INFLATION IN CHECK.

TARIFFS ARE BEGINNING TO BE PASSED ALONG TO CONSUMERS.

>> THIS COULD BE THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM.

THIS WAS MEASURING INFLATION FOR JULY, BUT THERE ARE A WHOLE SLEW OF TARIFFS THAT WENT INTO EFFECT AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST.

SO, IT MIGHT TAKE A FEW MORE MONTHS BEFORE THOSE MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE CONSUMER.

>> Reporter: TUESDAY'S DATA SHOWS THAT IT DID RISE 0.3% IN JUNE, BRINGING THE ANNUAL RATE TO 3.1%, THE HIGHEST IN FIVE MONTHS.

IT EXCLUDES ENERGY AND FOOD PRICES, WHICH IS MORE VOLATILE ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS, IS A GOOD MEASUREMENT OF UNDERLYING INFLATION TRENDS.

RENT, USED CARS AND TRUCKS INCREASED.

>> REGULAR HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES CONTINUE TO GO UP.

THAT PRESSURE THAT HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS FEEL IS UNRELENTING.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M MICHAEL YOSHIDA.

>> THE NEXT BIG PIECE OF INFLATION DATA IS DUE OUT THURSDAY WHEN THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS RELEASES THE PRODUCER PRICE INDEX, WHICH WILL PROVIDE A LOOK AT HOW PRICES ARE CHANGING UPSTREAM OF THE CONSUMER.

>>> ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON HIGHWAY TWO NEAR BEMIDJI WILL FORCE DETOURS FOR MOTORISTS IN THE COMING WEEKS.

BEGINNING AUGUST 18TH, HIGHWAY TWO WESTBOUND LANES CENTERLINE CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM WASHINGTON AVE SOUTHEAST TO DIVISION STREET.

THE DETOUR WILL BE WASHINGTON AVENUE SOUTHEAST ALSO KNOWN AS HIGHWAY 197 TO DIVISION STREET ALSO KNOWN AS FIFTH STREET.

THEN BEGINNING AUGUST 25TH, THE HIGHWAY TWO EASTBOUND LANES CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM WASHINGTON AVENUE SOUTHEAST TO HUBBARD COUNTY ROAD 36.

THE DETOUR WILL BE HIGHWAY 71 SOUTH TO BELTRAMI LINE ROAD TO HUBBARD COUNTY ROAD 36.

EACH PROJECT WILL BE DETOURED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 DAYS THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE LATE-AUGUST, WEATHER PERMITTING.

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

>> Stacy: AREAS OF SMOKE ARE STILL CREATING AIR QUALITY ISSUES IN THE AREA.

WE COULD SEE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURN LATE THIS WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, WE'LL GIVE YOU AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE POLES AND KN [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> RESIDENTS IN BRAINERD GATHERED AT GREGORY PARK THIS EVENING TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THIS YEAR'S BRAINERD NIGHT OUT.

THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT AND BRAINERD NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE A STRONG COMMUNITY AND POLICE FORCE PARTNERSHIP TO HELP PREVENT CRIMES WITHIN THE AREA EVENT GOERS WERE TREATED TO FREE HOT DOGS AND GOT THE CHANCE TO MEET AND TALK TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, AS WELL AS VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FROM AROUND BRAINERD.

>> WE HAVE A REALLY STRONG HISTORY OF SUPPORT WITH OUR BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND WE JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE LAW ENFORCEMENT, ALL THE WORK THEY DO.

WE WANT TO CELEBRATE THE COMMUNITY, KEEP IT SAFE, KEEP IT HEALTHY, AND JUST BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

>> THIS WAS THE SECOND YEAR OF THE BRAINERD NIGHT OUT EVENT WITH ORGANIZERS ESTIMATING OVER ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE COMING OUT TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT.

>>> IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS WE WILL FIND OUT WHO IS THE WINNER OF OUR LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY CONTESTIS.

THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER GETS A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUNS RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

ALL SUMMER LONG DURING EACH NEWSCAST WE DRAW FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS FOR A GRAND DRAWING THAT WILL HAPPEN ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH NEWSCAST.

SO TWO WEEKS FROM TONIGHT AND SOME MORE CHANCES TO QUALIFY FOR THAT DRAWING.

AND HERE ARE TONIGHTS POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

TO BE AN OFFICIAL QUALIFIER, IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL BE IN THAT GRAND DRAWING SLATED FOR LATER THIS MONTH.

>>> STACY JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

STACY.

>> Stacy: AND WE AGAIN HAVE THE AREAS OF SMOKE IMPACTING OUR AIR QUALITY AND AN AIR QUALITY ALERT IS OUT FOR MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA THROUGH TOMORROW.

WE SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD INTO THUR [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAD SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND SOME AREAS OF SMOKE HAVE CREATED AIR QUALITY ISSUES AND AN AIR QUALITY ALERT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TOMORROW.

WE SHOULD HAVE QUIET WEATHER TOMORROW, A LOT OF SUNSHINE OUT THERE, AND AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW NIGHT INTO THURSDAY ESPECIALLY, WE HAVE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURNING AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 63 DEGREES.

WINDS ARE AT THE NORTH AT 4 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DEW POINT IS 56 AND IN THE LAST 24 HOURS, WE HAVE PICKED UP ANOTHER THIRD OF AN INCH OF PRECIPITATION.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT, 70 DEGREES WITH A DEW POINT OF 56.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA IS UNDER AN AIR QUALITY ALERT.

THIS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 11:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY.

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

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, IT HAS BEEN QUIET OUT THERE, A FEW PUFFY CLOUDS HERE AND THERE, OTHERWISE MAINLY CLEAR SKIES, SOME AREAS OF SMOKE IN THE AIR.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, BUT AGAIN THERE MAY BE SOME AREAS OF SMOKE AND WE COULD ALSO SEE SOME PATCHY FOG DEVELOPING.

A LOT OF SUNSHINE AGAIN FOR US TOMORROW, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THURSDAY, WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE A CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE BEAUTIFUL SKIES OVER MENAHGA THIS MORNING.

STEPHANIE CAPTURING A PICTURE OF THE MONARCH ON THE TIGER LILIES IN BRAINERD.

JOAN SAYING IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A BIKE RIDE NEAR LAPORTE.

YOLANDA SENDING US A PHOTO OF THE SKIES OVER RED LAKE TODAY.

GARY WITH A PICTURE OF RAINBOW CREEK.

SARAH WITH A PHOTO OF TONIGHT'S SUNSET OVER LAKE EDWARD AND BEAUTIFUL EVENING SKIES OVER CASS LAKE FROM ANGELA.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

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

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A HIGH OF 76.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN AND CLOUDS, 0.5-INCH OF RAIN TO REPORT.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, 0.25-INCH OF RAIN AND SMOGGY CONDITIONS.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 77 WAS OUR HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, VERY CLOSE TO THAT AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

61 FOR THE LOW, SUNSET AT 8:29.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 76, CLOSE TO THE AVERAGE HIGH AND OUR LOW WAS 59.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE START OUT TOMORROW MORNING WITH A FEW AREAS OF CLOUDS, SOME AREAS OF SMOKE AND SOME PATCHY FOG, BUT OVERALL AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, CLEAR SKIES THROUGH MUCH OF THE AREA.

THERE IS A TRANSLATE IN THE EVENING AND INTO TOMORROW NIGHT, A FEW POP-UP SHOWERS COULD HAPPEN.

A BETTER CHANCE WILL BE ON THURSDAY.

HIGH TEMPERATURES TOMORROW RIGHT AND 70 IN THE FAR NORTH, BUT A LOT OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s.

AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS CLIMBING INTO THE UPPER 70s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, TONIGHT CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, SOME AREAS OF SMOKE, SOME PATCHY FOG IS POSSIBLE WITH LOWS NEAR 51.

THEN TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY, AREAS OF SMOKE, AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 74.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURN ON THURSDAY, AND AGAIN THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS, HIGHS NEAR 79.

WE'RE UP TO 80 ON FRIDAY.

SLIGHT CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, AND THERE COULD BE SOME ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS WEEKEND, HIGHS NEAR 77 ON SATURDAY, 73 ON SUNDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BRAINERD WARRIORS FOOTBALL.

>> Charlie: YES, THEY STARTED THEIR SEASON YESTERDAY.

THEY STARTED PRACTICES YESTERDAY AND WE HAD A CHANCE TO GO OUT TO PRACTICE AND SEE WHAT IT IS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HERE IN 2025 DOWN IN THEIR TURF FIELD AND THEY ALSO GOT SOMETHING SURPRISING THAT IS NEW.

WE'LL FIND OUT ABOUT THAT TOMORROW.

ANYWAY, TONIGHT WE WILL HEAR FROM THE TEAM ON THEIR OUTLOOK COMING UP AFTER T [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE BRAINERD WARRIORS LACED UP THEIR CLEATS AND STRAPPED ON THEIR HELMETS TO KICK OFF THEIR 2025 CAMPAIGN.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WARRIORS MINDSET AS THE BOYS PREP FOR THE UPCOMING GAUNTLET.

>> Reporter: WARRIORS FOOTBALL IS FRESH OFF AN UP AND DOWN 2024 SEASON, ENDING THE YEAR AT 500 AFTER FALLING TO MOORHEAD IN THE SEMIFINALS, WHICH IS MORE THAN AMPLE MOTIVATION AS THEY ACCLIMATE.

>> THESE GUYS ARE HUNGRY TO PLAYING GOOD FOOTBALL AND BEING CONSISTENT.

>> EVER SINCE THE LAST GAME, WE HAVE BEEN ITCHING TO COME BACK.

THE WHOLE TEAM AS A WHOLE, JUST HAS BEEN WANTING TO COME BACK AND GET OUR GET BACK.

WE NEED MORE AND I THINK WE ARE GOING TO PROVE IT THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: 24 SENIORS GRADUATED FROM THE WARRIORS ROSTER IN JUNE, WHICH CALLS FOR THE NEW LEADERS TO ESTABLISH THE STANDARD.

>> WE DON'T WANT FOLLOWERS, WE WANT TO BE LEADERS, AND BEING SENIOR CAPTAIN, IT'S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY.

WE'RE READY FOR IT.

HE REALLY FOCUSES ON US BEING ONE TYPE OF LEADER AND DOING BOTH LEADERSHIP WITH ACTIONS AND USING OUR VOICE.

>> Reporter: AND THE WARRIORS HOPE THAT DESIRE TO SET THE TONE IN THE TRENCHES WILL PAY DIVIDENDS AS THEY AIM TO IMPROVE AMONG THEIR -7 POINTS A GAME FROM 2024.

>> IF WE CAN'T FIRE OFF THE BALL AND GET THE D-LINE, RUNNING BACK CAN'T DO NOTHING.

Q.B.

DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO THROW.

WE MAKE OR BREAK OUR TEAM.

>> THAT PRESSURE PUTS THE OFFENSIVE LINE IN THAT POSITION WHERE WE NEED TO WORK.

NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT, WE NEED TO WORK.

>> Reporter: IT'S INHERENTLY A PHYSICALLY DEMANDING GAME TO PLAY AND THE LEGENDARY COACH ONCE SAID, THE ROAD TO EASY STREET GOES THROUGH THE SEWER AND ACCORDING TO THE WARRIORS, PUSHING THROUGH THE HURDLES WILL PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN WHAT COMES FROM THE 2025 REGULAR SEASON.

>> WE HAVE TO TURN IT ON WHEN GAME TIME ROLLS AROUND AND IT'S NOTHING SOMETHING YOU CAN TURN ON AND OFF.

YOU HAVE TO BE THE PREDATOR, NOT THE PREY.

>> IF YOU'RE ALWAYS THINKING AND WANTING MORE THAN HIM.

MAKES OR BREAKS OUR GAME.

WE HAVE THE MENTALITY TO GET BACK UP, NO MATTER WHAT.

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

>> Charlie: HERE'S THEIR SEASON NER OPENER AGAINST THE BUFFALO BISON, LAST YEAR WAS A 6A SQUAD.

THEY'RE HEADED TO 5A THIS YEAR AND THEY'RE GOING TO TRY THEIR LUCK AGAINST THEM TO OPEN THE SEASON.

>>> BSU WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL WAS PICKED TO FINISH 13TH IN THE 2025 PRE-SEASON NSIC COACHES POLL AND SOPHOMORE MIDDLE BLOCKER AVA ATHMAN WAS TABBED AS THE BEAVER'S PLAYER TO WATCH THIS YEAR.

IT WILL BE BEMIDJI STATE'S FIRST SEASON UNDER NEW HEAD COACH ERIKA BUTE, WHO SPENT LAST YEAR AS AN ASSISTANT FOR THE BEAVS.

AND BSU WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD WILL HAVE 10 FRESHMAN AS PART OF THIS YEAR'S INCOMING CLASS AND TWO OF THEM ARE FROM AREA SCHOOLS.

ONE IS NAILA MICKYLE, A CROSS COUNTRY AND LONG DISTANCE TRACK ATHLETE FROM STAPLES.MOTLEY WHO FINISHED 11TH IN THE 1,600.METER AT THE SECTION 6-A MEET.

AND CLEARBROOK-GONVICKS ALLISON LAVINE WHO IS A MULTI-EVENT ATHLETE AND THROWS DISC, THE LATTER OF WHICH SHE IS THE REIGNING BACK-TO-BACK CLASS-A STATE CHAMP.

SO SOME GOOD GETS FOR BSU.

>>> IT FELT LIKE MAYBE THE TWINS HAD FINALLY RIGHTED THE SHIP.

THEY'D WON FOUR OF THEIR LAST FIVE HEADING INTO YESTERDAY'S BATTLE IN THE BRONX, BUT THEY LOST THE WIND IN THEIR SAILS AND WERE SUNK 6-2 BY A SHIP FLYING A YANKEES FLAG.

MINNESOTA TWINS NEEDING A WIN TONIGHT TO FORM A RUBBER GAME TOMORROW AND HAVE A CHANCE AT WINNING THEIR THIRD SERIES IN A ROW.

TOP OF THE FIRST, ONE OUT, BASSES LOADED FOR ROYCE, AND HE IS GOING TO TRY TO BEAT OUT THIS DOUBLE PLAY.

HE DOES AND THE RUN SCORES.

IT'S 1-0 TWIN.

NOW AARON WITH A BLAST, BYRON CAN ONLY WATCH AS HE DEPOSITS HIS 38th HOMER OF THE SEASON.

ANTHONY IS GOING TO GIVE THE YANKEES THE LEAD, A 3-1 SHOT PUTS THE YANKEES UP FOR GOOD.

THE TWINS DROP THEIR SECOND IN A ROW.

THEY LOST 9 STRAIGHT TO NEW YORK, DATING BACK TO APRIL OF 2023.

THAT'S A LONG TIME.

>> Dennis: YEAH.

IT SURE IS.

THANKS A LOT CHARLIE.

THE LEECH LAKE TRIAL COLLEGE HAS BEEN HOSTING A FREE CLASS TEACHING ATTENDEES HOW TO MAKE RICING POLES AND KNOCKERS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN GIVES US AN INSIDE LOOK AT HOW TO CRAFT THE POLES AND KNOCKERS AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WILD RICE TO THE LEECH LAKE BAND.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERING FREE CLASSES TEACHING THOSE HOW TO MAKE POLES AND KNOCKERS.

>> YOU'RE ON A BOAT AND THERE ARE TWO TOOLS YOU NEED.

YOU PULL IN YOUR RICE, THE RICE JUST FALLS IN YOUR BOAT.

THEN YOU HAVE TO MATCH IT, SO YOU GET THE MOST.

>> Reporter: TO MAKE THE POLES AND KNOCKERS, ONLY A FEW TOOLS ARE NEEDED.

>> FIRST WITH THE KNOCKERS, WE TAKE A KNIFE AND GET IT DOWN TO SHAPE, THEN WE SAND IT DOWN.

FOR THE POLES, WE TAKE A PLANER, AND THEN WE SAND IT.

>> WE USE CEDAR WOOD FOR THE KNOCKERS BECAUSE IT'S LIGHT AND STRONG.

FOR THE POLES, YOU HAVE TO USE A LIGHT PINE.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY IS TEACHING THE CLASS, WHO HAVE BEEN HARVESTING WILD RICE SINCE A YOUNG AGE.

>> I STARTED MY BOYS WITH D.R.M.

TAKE A KID RISING EVENT.

THEY WERE RISING SINCE 6 OR 7, LEARNING THE SCOPE.

THEY WERE ABLE TO BRING IN A LOT OF RICE NOW.

>> Reporter: ANISHINAABE AREA SETTLED IN THE AREA BECAUSE OF WILD RICE.

>> OUR ANCESTORS A LONG TIME AGO TO GO TO WHERE THE FOOD GREW ON WATER AND WE LANDED IN MINNESOTA AND WE FOUND THE WILD RICE.

THIS IS WHY IT'S HOME.

>> Reporter: AND THE CLASSES SEEM TO BE PILING IN YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE TRADITION AS WELL.

>> THAT'S AWESOME.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ELDERS AND MIDDLE-AGED PEOPLE ON THE RICE BED, BUT NOW IT SEEMS THAT WE'RE SEEING YOUNGER PEOPLE ON THE RICE BED SO THAT'S AWESOME.

>> Reporter: SOME SAY THE TRADITION OF HARVESTING WILD RICE IS DYING, BUT SOME WANT TO KEEP IT ALIVE.

TEACHING CLASSES LIKE THIS IS A WAY OF DOING JUST THAT.

>> DEFINITELY, THAT'S THE REASON WHY I DO IT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN CASS LAKE FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THE LAST CLASS OF THIS SEASON IS FRIDAY, AUGUST 15TH AT THE LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE.

THE CLASS IS FREE TO ATTEND FOR ALL AGES.

>>> WELL, LET'S GO BACK TO STACY FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE ONCE AGAIN HAVE AN AIR QUALITY ALERT UNTIL 11:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY FOR MOST OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, THE AIR QUALITY INDEX.

TONIGHT, SOME AREAS OF SMOKE, PATCHY FOG, LOWS NEAR 51.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, SOME SMOKE IN THE AIR, HIGHS WILL BE NEAR 74.

>> Charlie: IF YOU WERE PAYING ATTENTION IN THAT BRAINERD FOOTBALL PACK, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED A NEW VIDEO SCOREBOARD IN THE BACKGROUND.

WE GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THAT TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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