>> 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.

>>> IN EARLY JUNE, THE BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARD APPROVED THE OPIOID STEERING COMMITTEE TO RELEASE JUST OVER $70,000 IN STATE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO 5 COUNTY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

OUR REPORTER, MATTHEW FREEMAN, HAS MORE INFORMATION ON THE IMPACT THESE FUNDS HAVE ON THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE MEANT TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

>> ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE NUMBER OF DEATHS RELATED TO OPIOID OVERDOSES HAS BEEN ON A RISE SINCE 2018, JUMPING FROM UNDER 350 RESIDENTS TO OVER 1,000 DYING FROM OPIOID OVERDOSES IN 2022.

NEARLY QUADRUPLING THE NUMBER OF DEATHS RELATED TO COCAINE OVERDOSES.

>> IT'S STRESSFUL NOT ONLY FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BEING AFFECTED BY IT, BUT FOR OUR RESPONDERS.

WHILE IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME, THEY ARE SENSITIVE RESPONSES.

>> Reporter: BELTRAMI COUNTY RELEASED JUST OVER $70,000 TO FIVE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO COMBAT THE EPIDEMIC WITHIN THE COUNTY.

>> WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING BY OURSELVES IN THE COUNTY.

WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP WITH, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THE WAR ON OPIATES.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN AN EDUCATION CLASS FROM A LOCAL COLLEGE AND THEY'RE GOING TO INFORM, TEACH, AND EDUCATE OUR MEMBERS ON HOW TO BETTER RESPOND TO THOSE TYPES OF EMERGENCIES.

>> THE FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVED, WE USED TO SEND A FEW OF OUR INDIVIDUALS TO TRAINING.

>> Reporter: THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMING DON'T RECEIVE A LOT OF FUNDING.

>> I GET $3,000 OF MY OWN MONEY INTO THIS BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO DO ANYTHING.

WE'RE ABOUT $20,000 SHORT PER YEAR AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT NEXT YEAR IF WE DON'T GET ANY FUNDING.

>> Reporter: FUNDING FROM THE SETTLEMENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO THESE PROGRAMS AS FEDERAL CUTS THROW A BIG QUESTION MARK FOR THEIR FUTURE.

>> TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN MAINTAIN A FULL-STAFF AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE CHALLENGING FOR US.

THIS IS BEFORE ANY OF THE ASSUMED FEDERAL CUTS COME THROUGH.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT NOW WITH FEDERAL FUNDING BEING CUT AS WELL.

WE WERE REALLY HOPEFUL THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER GRANT COMING OUT.

WE'RE NOT REALLY SURE AT THIS POINT WHAT THE FUTURE IS GOING TO HOLD FOR OUR PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AFFECTS THE HOMELESS POPULATION WHO ARE TRYING TO START THEIR LIVES AT THE GROUND FLOOR.

FUNDING THESE PROGRAMS PREVENT THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ASSOCIATE WITH OPIOID MISUSE AND DEATHS.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS TRAINING TO GIVE PEOPLE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, SO THEY CAN APPROACH THESE EMERGENCIES FROM AN EPITHETIC POINT OF VIEW.

WE NEED TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT WHEN THEY'RE SUFFERING FROM AN ADDICTION.

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

>> THE BELTRAMI COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF THESE FUNDS, AND WORKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OPIOID STEERING COMMITTEE AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

>>> WITH MILES AND MILES OF WRECKAGE FROM THE JUNE 21ST WIND STORM THAT HIT NORTHERN MINNESOTA, BEMIDJI'S GREENWOOD CEMETERY WAS NO EXCEPTION TO RECEIVING MAJOR DAMAGE.

SOME GRAVES HAVE STOOD STRONG FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, BUT 100-PLUS MILE-PER-HOUR WINDS STILL BLEW THEM TO THE GROUND.

VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN COMING IN DAILY TO CLEAN UP THE DEBRIS, BUT GREENWOOD STARTED OFF WITH A LOT OF TREES AND GRAVES DOWN.

SEVERAL OF THE BIGGEST TREES HAVE BEEN BOUGHT BY A LUMBER MILL SO THEY CANNOT BE REMOVED YET, BUT THE REST OF THE FALLEN TREES AND BRUSH ARE FREE TO BE CLEARED.

A GROUP OF BEMIDJI CITIZENS IS GATHERING TOGETHER THIS WEEKEND IN AN EFFORT TO RESTORE THE CEMETERY.

>> I THINK IT'S LIKE DIGNITY THAT THE FAMILIES DON'T NEED TO COME HERE AND SEE A TOMBSTONE THAT IS STUCK IN THE ROOTS OF THE TREES AND THE DAMAGE DONE.

WE NEED PEOPLE WITH CHAINSAWS, RAKES, OR JUST THEIR HANDS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DRAG THE BRUSH AWAY SO WE CAN GET EACH SECTION KIND OF SQUARED AWAY.

>> THIS SATURDAY'S CLEANUP, ON AUGUST 16TH, WILL BEGIN AT 9:30 A.M. AND LAST ALL DAY.

THE CLEANUP IS OPEN TO ANYONE AND ANY TOOLS THAT PEOPLE HAVE ARE WELCOMED.

AND EVEN THOUGH THIS SATURDAY IS AN ORGANIZED GROUP, GREENWOOD CEMETERY IS STILL OPEN ANY DAY OF THE WEEK FOR VOLUNTEER CLEANUP.

>>> A HOUSE FIRE IN OUTING CLAIMED THE LIVES OF TWO PEOPLE THIS MORNING.

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WERE CALLED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE ON SHADY LANE NORTHEAST AROUND 2:45 A.M.

WHEN RESPONDERS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE THEY FOUND A RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE ENGULFED IN FIRE.

WHILE EFFORTS WERE UNDERWAY TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, THE REMAINS OF TWO DECEASED VICTIMS WERE LOCATED INSIDE THE HOME.

AUTOPSIES WILL BE SCHEDULED WITH THE RAMSEY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

THE NAMES OF THE VICTIMS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

>>> A 54-YEAR-OLD PINE RIVER MAN HAS DIED IN A MOTORCYCLE CRASH NEAR BACKUS.

THE CASS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS, THE CRASH WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 7:30 THIS MORNING ON PINE MOUNTAIN LAKE ROAD IN DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP.

RESPONDERS FOUND A HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE HAD LEFT THE ROADWAY, AND CRASHED INTO THE DITCH SOMETIME DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

THE VICTIM WAS DEAD AT THE SCENE.

AN AUTOPSY IS SCHEDULED WITH THE RAMSEY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE AND THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

THE NAME OF THE VICTIM IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS.

>>> THE UNITED WAY OF BEMIDJI AREA AND PAUL BUNYAN BROADCASTING ARE HOSTING THEIR STUFF-A-BUS CAMPAIGN ONCE AGAIN.

THE ANNUAL K-12 SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE BENEFITS STUDENTS ATTENDING BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS.

DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT BOTH LUEKEN'S VILLAGE FOODS LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS PAUL BUNYAN BROADCASTING, AND THE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER.

SUPPLIES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS THE WEEK OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL ORIENTATION.

>> WE DO HAVE A WISH LIST FROM WAL-MART, TARGET, AND AMAZON, BASED ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S LIST FOR THE DIFFERENT GRADES.

BLACK BACKPACKS ARE A BIG HIT WITH THE KIDS, A BIG REQUEST THEY HAVE.

>> WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR WHEN IT COMES TO STORM RECOVERY VERSUS THEIR REGULAR BILLS.

WE'RE ANTICIPATING AN INFLUX OF NEEDS FOR THE SUPPLIES AND WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THE COMMUNITY THAT CAN DONATE, WILL.

>> YOU CAN LOOK AT THE FULL LIST OF ACCEPTED SUPPLIES ON THE UNITED WAY'S WEBSITE.

DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED THROUGH TUESDAY, AUGUST 19TH.

>>> EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BREEZY POINT DEBUTED A NEW FEATURE AT THE SCHOOL THAT IS SURE TO GET STUDENTS EXCITED FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

>> IN TWO WEEKS, EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL WELCOME NEARLY 600 STUDENTS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR, BUT BEFORE THEY BREAK OUT THEIR BACKPACKS, STUDENTS GOT A CHANCE TO ENJOY THE SCHOOL'S BRAND NEW PLAYGROUND.

>> WE ARE OPENING OUR BRAND NEW EAGLE VIEW PLAYGROUND.

WE STARTED DESIGNING IT LAST SUMMER AND IT PASSED THIS PART OF THE REFERENDUM AND IT WAS COMPLETED THIS LAST WEEK.

>> Reporter: THE PREVIOUS PLAYGROUND HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED SINCE IT WAS BUILT IN 2003, THE NEW PLAYSET WAS CREATE IN COLLABORATION WITH CURRENT STUDENTS.

>> SO LAST SUMMER, I MET WITH THE KID CONNECTION STUDENTS AND ASKED WHAT THEY LOVED ABOUT THE PLAYGROUND, WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE, TOOK ALL THEIR IDEAS, LET THEM LOOK AT MAGAZINES, CATALOGS, AND I SENT IT TO THE DESIGNER AND HE SENT BACK THE SPECKS.

I MET WITH EACH GRADE LEVEL, JUST TO MAKE SURE IT WAS WHAT THEY WERE ASKING FOR.

>> THE NUMBER ONE THING THEY WANTED WAS A ZIP LINE.

>> Reporter: ONE ASPECT WAS ENSURING THAT ALL STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO ENJOY THE NEW PLAY AREA.

>> JUST LOOK BEHIND ME, THEY'RE PLAYING, HAVING FUN, DOING ALL THE GROSS MOTE SKILLS OUT THERE, BUT IT'S ALSO ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.

THOSE WHO NEED A WALKER, THEY CAN GET TO THE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT TO INTERACT.

>> Reporter: STAFF WANTED TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO USE THE PLAYGROUND YEAR ROUND, UTILIZING A FLOORING THAT CAN WITHSTAND ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF WEATHER.

>> THE SURFACE IS THE OTHER PART.

WHEN THE SNOW MELTS, IT WON'T PUDDLE.

SO WE WON'T HAVE THE SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL.

I KNOW THE KIDS ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WE GO OUTSIDE ALL THE TIME.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PLAY TIME.

ACCORDING TO AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, TIME SPENT CAN BUILD SOFT SKILLS LIKE CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

>> PLAY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF DEVELOPMENT, STARTING IN THE YOUNGEST AGES, KIDS LEARN HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, TO TALK TO EACH OTHER, TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEIR SOCIAL WELLBEING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BREEZY POINT, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> EAGLE VIEW WILL KICK OFF THE SCHOOL YEAR ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE PEQUOT LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT ON SEPTEMBER 2ND.

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

>> Stacy: WE HAVE NUMEROUS CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEK AND SOME OF THE STORMS COULD BE STRONG TO SEVERE WITH HEAVY RAINFALL.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, KIDS IN PEQUOT LAKE LEARN MORE ABOUT COOKING, NATURE, AND LIFE SKILLS DURING THE CAMP LAST >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> KIDS IN PEQUOT LAKES RECEIVED AN INTRODUCTORY CRASH COURSE ON COOKING, WILDLIFE IN THE WORLD AND MORE IN A CULINARY STEM CAMP LAST FRIDAY.

ARRANGED THROUGH PEQUOT LAKES COMMUNITY EDUCATION, REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE, TO SEE WHAT THE KIDS TOOK AWAY FROM THE EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: YOUNG CHEFS AND SCIENTISTS GATHERED TO EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF COOKING, SCIENCE, AND NATURE.

>> I LOVE TO COOK AND BAKE AND MICHELLE LEE HOUSE SMELL GOOD.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO HONE INTO THESE KIDS, THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE, COMBINING MEASUREMENT WITH HOW THE SMELL PERPETRATES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN.

HAVING THOSE KIDS LEARN THERE ARE CORRELATIONS WITH COOKING, WITH BAKING, AND SCIENCE.

I WANT THEM TO MAKE MISTAKES BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE LEARN.

>> Reporter: HE HAS OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE HELPING KIDS LEARN AND EXPAND THEIR HORIZONS BELIEVES THERE IS INFORMATION THAT THE YOUTH CAN BENEFIT FROM KNOWING.

>> LEARNING THE SCIENCE, LEARNING HOW TO BAKE A CAKE, DOING THE DISHES, THESE ARE EXPERIENCES THAT I THINK ALL KIDS NEED TO HAVE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE OUT ON THEIR OWN IN YEARS TO COME.

THE MORE EXPERIENCES THEY HAVE, THE MORE CONFIDENT THEY WILL BE, AND MAYBE BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR OR DOING HOUSEHOLD CHORES.

>> Reporter: AND THE PARENTS ARE ALL FULLY ONBOARD WITH THEIR CHILDREN RECEIVING SUCH EXPOSURE IN A METHOD THAT INVOLVES CREATIVITY AND FUN.

>> WE LIKE TO PARTNER WITH INSTRUCTORS FROM OTHER PLACES AND BRING IN CLASSES LIKE TODAY'S CLASS, WHICH IS A COOKING CLASS, BUT IT BRINGS IN ALL KINDS OF STEM COMPONENTS.

>> IT REALLY GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR KIDS TO BE WELL ROUNDED, JUST BY BEING EXPOSED TO A LOT OF INTERESTS.

>> Reporter: THE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY AND ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE LIFELONG LEARNING TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THE PEQUOT LAKES COMMUNITY, TOUCHING ON EVERYTHING FROM ZEBRAS IN SAVANNAH TO MAKING ZEBRA-STRIPED BREAD.

>> WE LIKE IT WHEN THE PROFESSORS BRING IN THE PERSPECTIVE, RATHER THAN DOING IT FOR THE KIDS.

TO EXPERIENCE THIS, WE'RE GOING TO BETTER ASSURE THEY'RE READY TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE SOME DAY.

>> REPORTING IN PEQUOT LAKES, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> BZDOK WILL BE BACK AT PEQUOT LAKES COMMUNITY EDUCATION TO HOST BOTH A JACK O LANTERN CLASS AND GHOST AND GOBLIN CAKE POP ON OCTOBER 25TH.

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

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 EIGHT MORE DAYS OF QUALIFYING CHANCES FOR THAT DRAWING AND HERE THEY ARE.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK HERE.

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.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

HOW IS THE FORECAST LOOKING RIGHT NOW?

>> Stacy: IT'S LOOKING A LITTLE BIT UNSETTLED NOW AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

WE HAVE SEVERAL CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AND A NUMBER OF SYSTEMS WILL BE MOVING THROUGH AND SOME OF THOSE COULD CONTAIN STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS OR HEAVY RAINFALL.

I'LL HAVE >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE ENJOYED SOME BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE AREA TODAY BUT AS WE LOOK AHEAD, THE WEATHER PICTURE IS LOOKING UNSETTLED.

WE'LL HAVE NUMEROUS ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WHICH WILL MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THIS WEEK AND INTO THE WEEKEND.

SOME OF THE STRONGEST COULD BE STRONG TO SEVERE.

WE HAVE A LEVEL 2 RISK FOR PARTS OF OUR VIEWING AREA TOMORROW.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE FORECAST IN A SECOND.

IT'S 65 AT THE AIRPORT, AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE OUT OF THE SOUTHEAST AT 4 MILES PER HOUR, DEW POINT IS 56, HUMIDITY IS AT 72%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 70 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 61, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY, WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE HAVE SEEN SUNSHINE TODAY, WE HAD A FEW CLOUDS AGAIN DEVELOPING AS THEY MOVED INTO THE EVENING.

WE DO HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE CAN SEE SOME OF THOSE JUST TO THE SOUTH AND WEST OF OUR VIEWING AREA, IN THE DAKOTAS.

WE WILL SEE THE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH THE AREA, SO THERE ARE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING AND ANOTHER ROUND WILL BE MOVING IN TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND TOMORROW EVENING, AND THAT'S WHEN WE DO HAVE THE SLIGHT THREAT OF SOME STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS IN OUR AREA.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE MOON OVER CASS LAKE LAST NIGHT.

DEBRA AT LAKE ADA WITH A BEAUTIFUL MORNING.

ARLENE WITH ALSO SOME BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKIES AND THE INSERT THERE IS JUPITER AND VENUS.

MARK SENDING US THIS PICTURE NEAR CROSBY OF THE FOGGY SUNRISE THIS MORNING.

SAMROSE, A BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKY OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

EAGLE EYES MAY SPOT A GOLDEN EAGLE IN THE TREE THERE.

GORGEOUS SKIES FROM ARLENE AND SONYA.

GARY SENDING US THIS PHOTO.

BUSY BEES IN LAPORTE.

AND SARAH SAYING IT WAS A PICTURE PERFECT EVENING OVER LAKE EDWARD.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, REPORTING 56 THIS MORNING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY AND 76.

SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE 68 AND CALM THIS EVENING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND 73.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, CLEAR SKIES AND A HIGH OF 74.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 77 IS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD, CLOSE TO THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE, AND 51 WAS OUR LOW.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 73, 5 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE.

IT WAS COOLER THIS MORNING, SUNRISE AT 6:15.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT OUR FORECAST, WE WILL HAVE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THEY WILL STILL BE IMPACTING PARTS OF THE AREA, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW MORNING.

PUT THAT IN MOTION, THAT'S WHERE THEY WILL BE FOR MOST OF THE MORNING BEFORE MOVING OUT.

HOWEVER, AS WE HEAD INTO THE EVENING AND THE OVERNIGHT, WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE OF SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES, SUNSHINE IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, BRINGING HIGHS IN THE 80s, BUT MOST OF US WILL SEE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA WITH UPPER 70s IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AS WELL.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST.

VARIABLE CLOUDS TONIGHT, A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WITH LOWS NEAR 59.

VARIABLE CLOUDS AGAIN TOMORROW, BUT AGAIN THERE IS THE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, A FEW IN THE MORNING AND AGAIN BEGINNING TO MOVE IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 79.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, AGAIN, NUMEROUS CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH BEGINNING FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT, MORE CHANCES THIS WEEKEND.

HIGHS WILL BE AROUND 81 ON FRIDAY, AND THEN IN THE 70s AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

WE STILL HAVE UNSETTLED WEATHER POSSIBLE ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

JUST WHEN TWIN FANS THOUGHT THEY COULDN'T BE MORE DISAPPOINTED, TODAY HAPPENED.

>> Charlie: YES, THE TWINS ARE NO LONGER FOR SALE AS THEY LET US KNOW EARLIER THIS MORNING, BUT WE GOT A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THE LOCAL FANS WHO WERE REALLY UPSET WITH WHAT WENT DOWN [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> FLURRIES ARE USUALLY RESERVED FOR THE WINTER MONTHS HERE IN MINNESOTA, BUT WHAT THE TWINS, AND THEIR FANS, HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST TWO AND A HALF WEEKS FEELS MORE LIKE A BLIZZARD.

IT GOT A WHOLE LOT COLDER TODAY WITH THE POHLAD FAMILY ANNOUNCING THEIR PLAN TO REMAIN THE PRINCIPAL OWNERS OF THE TWINS FRANCHISE, WHILE ADDING TWO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP GROUPS TO THE MIX.

A MOVE THAT HAS GARNERED STRONG REACTIONS FROM TWINS FANS.

>> DISAPPOINTED, MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

IT'S BEEN TUMULTUOUS 41 YEARS, EVEN WITH THE TWO WORLD SERIES, BUT I'M ONLY 29, SO I DIDN'T GET TO SEE THOSE.

I THINK PATIENCE WAS WEARING THIN, ESPECIALLY OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.

>> I THOUGHT AFTER THIS YEAR, THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT THEY COULD KEEP THE TEAM AND THEN TO HEAR THAT THEY ARE NOT SELLING, FEELS LIKE A SLAP IN THE FACE AND IT FEELS LIKE WE HAVE BEEN SLAPPED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> TWINS FANS WATCHED AS THE TEAM'S ROSTER WAS GUTTED AT THE TRADE DEADLINE, A MOVE SOME THOUGHT WAS TO SAVE MONEY AND MAKE THE SALE MORE APPEALING TO PONTENTIAL BUYERS.

THE TWINS HAVE BEEN ON THE MARKET SINCE OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR AND THEY HAD A PROMISING BUYER IN BILLIONAIRE JUSTIN ISHBIA BUT IN FEBRUARY HE CHOSE TO INCREASE HIS MINORITY STAKE IN THE WHITE SOX INSTEAD.

MLB COMMISSIONER ROB MANFRED HINTED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE DURING THE ALLSTAR BREAK THAT, THERE WILL BE A TRANSACTION THERE, HOWEVER IT APPEARS THIS PARTICULAR TRANSACTION IS NOT THE ONE FANS WERE HOPING FOR.

>> THE CLARITY IS THAT HE WAS REFERRING TO TWO MINORITY OWNER GROUP, THAT ULTIMATELY LEADS TO THEM STAYING IN CHARGE.

YEAH, I HAVE A SOUR TASTE IN MY MOUTH AND IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GO AWAY FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

>> TO KEEP HAVING YOUR HOPES UP AND THEY GET SHOT DOWN, AND WE'RE HERE, AGAIN, WITH THE POCKET PROTECTORS, WHO DON'T WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON THE TEAM.

WHY SHOULD I SPEND MONEY?

I'M NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO, I DON'T WANT TO WEAR MY TWINS GEAR, THAT'S HOW DISAPPOINTED I AM.

>> Charlie: WELL, IF THERE ARE TWINS FANS WATCHING, THEY LEAD THE YANKEES 4-1 AT THE END OF THE 8th INNING.

THEY CAN FINALLY ENDS THAT LOSING STREAK.

>> BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS WILL BE EXPERIENCING HOME GAMES IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LIGHT MOVING FORWARD, AFTER OFFICIALLY A BRAND-NEW -- REVEALING A BRAND NEW SCOREBOARD THIS AFTERNOON.

AND SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS STADIUM FOR THE GRAND UNVEILING.

>> Reporter: A NEW VIDEO BOARD TO THE SCHOOL BOARD IN DECEMBER 2024 BUT FOR JACK FREEMAN, TODAY'S UNVEILING HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> WE HAD A NEED TO ADDRESS IN OUR STADIUM.

WE DID A LOT OF RESEARCH AND IDENTIFIED ALEXANDRIA HAVING A QUALITY MODEL THAT DIDN'T JUST ADDRESS THE SCOREBOARD NEEDS BUT A REVENUE NEED ACROSS ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AROUND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THE NEXT QUESTION REVOLVED AROUND FUNDING THE $434,655 PROJECT AND BRAINERD NEEDED TO LOOK NO FURTHER THAN RIGHT AT HOME.

>> WHEN YOU'RE A BIG SCHOOL LIKE WE ARE HERE IN BRAINERD, YOU REALLY WANT TO SHOWCASE THAT.

>> WE HAVE GREAT SUPPORT HERE FOR OUR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, SO WE WERE SUPER EXCITED WHEN JACK BROUGHT THIS.

IT WAS A PROJECT WE WERE EXCITED TO GET BEHIND.

>> Reporter: AFTER MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION, THE RECEPTION IS ALL THAT FREEMAN COULD ASK FOR.

>> WE FEEL THAT SUPPORT FROM OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE FEEL THE PRIDE THEY HAVE IN OUR PROGRAMS, THEY STEPPED UP IN A BIG WAY TO GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

A LOT OF THE NAMES ON THE BOARD HAS CONNECTIONS AS PAST WARRIORS AND ALUMNI.

>> Reporter: FOR FREEMAN AND BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS, THE VIDEO BOARD IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, WITH THE HELP OF SPONSORSHIP PANELS THAT ARE EXPECTED TO BRING IN $162,000 WORTH OF REVENUE EACH YEAR, THE TOTAL COST WILL BE PAID OFF IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS, BRINGING IN MORE FUNDS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS.

>> WE HAVE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AT OUR LOWER SITE, SOME ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS WE NEED TO ADDRESS, AND THIS IS A SOLUTION NOT JUST FOR A SCOREBOARD, BUT FOR THE REVENUE STREAM TO GET ADDRESSED.

>> Charlie: I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE SCOREBOARDS IN COLLEGE, LET ALONE HIGH SCHOOL.

THAT'S COOL TO RUN A PLAY AND WATCH IT ON THE SCREEN AFTERWARDS YEAH.

>> Dennis: THEY HAVE DONE A NICE JOB.

THANKS CHARLIE.

DEMENTIA AFFECTS MORE THAN SIX MILLION AMERICANS AND LEADS TO LOSS OF MEMORY, LANGUAGE, PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND OTHER COGNITIVE ABILITIES, AND ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH IT ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN 100,000 DEATHS A YEAR.

WHILE NEW DEMENTIA CASES ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE RISING.

MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON RECENT RESEARCH WHICH SUGGESTS MANY CASES OF DEMENTIA ARE PREVENTABLE.

HERE'S TONIGHTS HEALTH MINUTE.

>> Reporter: IT'S A GROWING CONCERN, RESEARCHERS WITH THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH ESTIMATES 42% OF AMERICANS OVER AGE 55 WILL EVENTUALLY DEVELOP DEMENTIA AND BECAUSE OF THE AGING U.S. POPULATION, THE NUMBER OF NEW DEMENTIA CASES PER YEAR IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE BY 2060, BUT A NEW STUDY SUGGESTS MANY OF THOSE CASES DON'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

>> THE HEADLINE REALLY HAS BEEN THAT ABOUT 40%, SO CLOSE TO HALF OF CASES OF DEMENTIA ARE LIKELY PREVENTIBLE.

>> Reporter: DR. SANJAY SAYS MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THERE IS NOT MUCH ONE CAN DO TO REVERSE OR PREVENT DEMENTIA BUT RECENT RESEARCH IS SHOWING THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THE U.S. BASED STUDY LOOKED AT MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 60 AND 75 THAT WERE COGNITIVELY FINE BUT WERE NOT LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

AFTER BEING PUT IN A STRUCTURE PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDED REGULAR EXERCISE, A MEDITERRANEAN DIET RICH IN PLANT-BASED FOOD AND HEALTHY FATS, BRAIN TRAINING, HEALTH MONITORING, RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT ALL THESE CHANGES REDUCED THE OVERALL LIKELIHOOD THAT THE PARTICIPANTS WOULD DEVELOP DEMENTIA.

ANOTHER STUDY SHOWS THAT LIFESTYLE CHANGES IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT MAY BE ABLE TO IMPROVE SYMPTOMS.

>> DOING 20 WEEKS OF A VEGAN DIET, EMPLOYER -- EXERCISE, STRENGTH TRAINING, THEY SAW SYMPTOMS STOP, STALLED, OR EVEN REVERSED.

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

>> Dennis: AND WE HAVE THREATS OF MORE STORMS FOR THE AREA.

STACY HAS MORE ON THAT.

>> Stacy: THAT'S RIGHT, WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURNING TO THE AREA, ESPECIALLY IN WEST AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND VARIABLE CLOUDS.

LOWS NEAR 59.

SOME OF THE SHOWERS COULD LINGER TOMORROW MORNING, MORE MOVING IN TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND EVENING, 79 THE HIGH.

>> Charlie: TOMORROW WE GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM BEMIDJI BOYS SOCCER.

THEY ARE COMING OFF A SEASON WHERE THEY WENT TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> Dennis: OKAY, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE'RE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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