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MEMBER FDIC.

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; 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.

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.

[♪♪♪] >> Sydney: HI EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

I'M SYDNEY DICK IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION AND NEGOTIATION, THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD SETTLED ON A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE BEMIDJI EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS.

AT THEIR MONTHLY MEETING EARLIER TONIGHT, THE BOARD VOTED ON A NEW COMPENSATION PACKAGE, WHICH INCLUDES A ZERO PERCENT INCREASE PLUS A THREE DAY EQUIVALENT STIPEND IN YEAR ONE, AND A 2.72 PERCENT INCREASE IN YEAR TWO.

THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE IN LONGEVITY PAY, AND A $30 OR $40 HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASE PER MONTH, DEPENDENT ON WORKING HOURS.

>> THE TOTAL PACKAGE, WHICH IS WHAT WE GENERALLY PRESENT, A TOTAL PACKAGE OF 2.34% BASED ON THE MINNESOTA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION MODEL.

AGAIN, THERE ARE TWO MODELS WE GENERALLY BRING FORWARD.

ON THE TRADITIONAL, IT'S 3.7%.

THIS INCLUDES COSTS FOR SALARY STEPS, LONGEVITY STEPS, CONTRIBUTIONS, FICA AND OTHER BENEFITS.

>> THE NEW AGREEMENT WAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.

>>> A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH IN NISSWA LEFT TWO PEOPLE INJURED JUST AFTER 5:00 A.M.

THIS MORNING.

THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL REPORTS THAT.

A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 371 AT COUNTY ROAD 77 WHEN IT WAS REAR ENDED BY A CAR THAT WAS ALSO TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND.

THE DRIVER OF THE CAR, 53-YEAR-OLD EARL SIMMONS OF LITTLE FALLS WAS TRANSPORTED TO ESSENTIA HEALTH BRAINERD WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT, AND A PASSENGER, 59-YEAR-OLD DEAN GANGL OF MOTLEY, WAS TAKEN TO CENTRA-CARE SAINT CLOUD HOSPITAL WITH LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

THE DRIVER OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER, 51-YEAR-OLD AARON FENSTERMAKER OF PEQUOT LAKES, WAS NOT INJURED.

NEITHER OF THE MEN IN THE CAR WERE REPORTED TO BE WEARING SEATBELTS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE DISMISSED A LAWSUIT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGARDING MINNESOTA'S VOTER REGISTRATION LIST.

THE RULING CAME EARLIER TODAY.

AFTER THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2025 BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AGAINST THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR FAILING TO HAND OVER THE STATE'S VOTER ROLLS.

THE GOVERNMENT CLAIMED THAT IT IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A FULL, UNREDACTED COPY OF MINNESOTA'S VOTER INFORMATION, INCLUDING VOTER FULL NAME, ADDRESS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, AND DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER.

HOWEVER, THE JUDGE RULED THE D.O.J.

DID NOT GIVE AN APPROPRIATE BASIS FOR REQUESTING THE RECORDS, CALLING THE SUIT A FISHING EXPEDITION.

MINNESOTA IS NOW THE 22ND STATE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DENIED ACCESS TO FULL VOTER ROLLS.

SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THE PRIVATE DATA ENTRUSTED TO HIS OFFICE DOES NOT BELONG TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THAT HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE LAWSUIT DISMISSAL.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT DISAGREED WITH THE RULING AND IS ASSESSING ITS NEXT STEPS.

>>> A MOTLEY-BRED WORLD WAR TWO SOLDIERS' REMAINS ARE BEING RETURNED HOME AFTER AN 80-YEAR-PLUS SEARCH.

PRIVATE DUANE W PAYNE, WHO HAS BEEN LISTED AS MISSING IN ACTION SINCE 1944, WILL NOW BE COMING HOME, DUE IN LARGE PART TO THE EFFORTS OF HIS GRANDDAUGHTER.

REPORTER MILES WALKER SPOKE WITH ANNETTE BRIEGER FOR THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE SEARCH FOR THE FORMER WORLD WAR II SOLDIER REMAINS, BEGINNING WITH HIS WIFE'S EFFORT.

THEIR GRANDDAUGHTER HAS SINCE PICKED UP WHERE HER GRANDMOTHER LEFT OFF, SPENDING DECADES RESEARCHING HIS MILITARY JOURNEY.

>> FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO, FINALLY I GOT IN TOUCH WITH THE DOJ.

THEY WERE IN ACTIVE PURSUIT OF MY GRANDPA'S REMAINS, WHICH WAS AMAZING.

I WAS ABLE TO GET MY BROTHERS TO BOTH GIVE D.N.A.

AND IT'S BEEN A WAITING GAME UNTIL THIS YEAR.

I FOUND SO MANY DOCUMENTS ABOUT MY GRANDPA.

>> Reporter: AND THANKS TO THAT RESEARCH, HIS MILITARY JOURNEY CAN BE TRACED, EXCLUDING HIS FINAL MOMENTS.

THE MOTLEY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE ENLISTED IN THE ARMY ON FEBRUARY 11, 1944, EVENTUALLY SERVING AS A PART OF COMPANY L IN THE 3D BATTALION, 170th INFANTRY REGIMENT, 30th INFANTRY DIVISION.

>> JUST TO SEE THE PICTURES OF WHERE HE WAS AND HOW MUCH GROUND THEY COVERED.

JUST TO BE A SOLDIER AT THAT TIME, HE WAS PART OF A BIGGER PICTURE.

>> Reporter: OVER AN 8 MONTH PERIOD, THEY FOUGHT AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMY ON THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY FRANCE BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS AND GERMANY.

IT'S NOT UNTIL HE FOUGHT IN ALSDORF THAT HE MET HIS END, A TRUTH THAT MANY IN HIS FAMILY PASSED AWAY WITHOUT KNOWING.

>> I WOULD KEEP MY DAD ABREAST OF EVERYTHING I WAS DOING.

HE UNFORTUNATELY PASSED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019 AND HE DIDN'T GET TO SEE THIS.

MY GRANDPA'S SISTER ACTUALLY JUST PASSED AWAY TOO YEARS AGO AND SHE WAS 102.

THAT IS THE HARD PART.

>> Reporter: IN MARCH OF 2026, PAYNE WAS OFFICIALLY IDENTIFIED.

IN APRIL OF 2026, HIS GRANDCHILDREN RECEIVED THE CALL.

>> I REMEMBER GETTING THE CALL.

I WAS AT WORK AND MY BROTHER WAS CRYING AND I WAS LIKE OH MY GOD, WHO DIED?

HE SAID SAY FOUND HIM.

I WAS LIKE WHO?

WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

HE IS LIKE GRANDPA.

I'M LIKE OH MY GOD.

I ALMOST COLLAPSED AT WORK.

I WAS LIKE REALLY?

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME BECAUSE A LOT OF SHUT DOORS, A LOT OF NOES, A LOT OF WE CAN'T DO THIS OR THAT, AND SOMEONE WOULD PULL THROUGH AND GET ME WHAT I NEEDED.

I TRULY FEEL BLESSED.

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

>> BRIEGER SAYS THAT SHE IS STILL RESEARCHING ABOUT HER GRANDFATHER.

SHE IS NOW TRYING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PAYNE'S LIFE BEFORE HE JOINED THE MILITARY.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE CONCLUDED THEIR THREE YEAR FOR THE NORTH FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN ON JUNE 30TH AND RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE FINAL TOTAL OF WHAT BECAME THE LARGEST FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE IN BSU HISTORY.

OVERALL, NEARLY 3,800 DONORS COMPILED MORE THAN $38,024,000 OVER THE THREE YEARS, RAISING WAY MORE THAN THE $25 MILLION ANTICIPATED GOAL.

THE MONEY WILL CREATE 35 NEW ENDOWED FUNDS, 41 NEW DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, AND 62 NEW ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS.

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

>> Stacy: PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA REMAIN UNDER A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE SOME SUNSHINE WILL RETURN AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, ONE DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI BUSINESS IS BRINGING 50 VENDORS TOG [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE 37TH ANNUAL BRAINERD GOLF CLASSIC TOOK PLACE LAST THURSDAY AT CRAGUNS LEGACY GOLF COURSE IN EAST GULL LAKE.

THE EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER BUSINESSES AND CHAMBER MEMBERS FOR A HIGH-PACED, 27-HOLE GAME DAY FILLED WITH NETWORKING, CONVERSATION, AND A LITTLE FRIENDLY COMPETITION.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY WAS AT THE EVENT.

>> Reporter: WHETHER YOU ARE AN AMATEUR OR A PRO, THE 37th ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC PRESENTS YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR SWING.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> I THINK THAT THE CHAMBER DOES SO MUCH FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF ADVOCATING FOR BUSINESSES, BOTH SMALL AND LARGE, AND REALLY HELPS THE BRAINERD LAKES GROW.

SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CHAMBER, AND IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT, TO MEET WITH OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS, WITH OTHER FOLKS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE.

>> Reporter: HERE AT THE CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC, THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS TO WIN, INCLUDING THE BALL DROP WHERE THE PERSON CLOSEST TO THE HOLE WINS A CASH PRIZE.

>> THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA IS A GOLF DESTINATION.

WE HAVE MORE GOLF BALLS THAN LAKES.

WE HAVE A TON OF GOLFERS, SOME BETTER THAN OTHERS, BUT PEOPLE LOVE TO COME OUT AND PLAY GOLF.

THEY LOVE TO SUPPORT THE CHAMBER AND THAT IS WHAT THIS EVENT IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, TO CELEBRATE AMERICA'S 250th BIRTHDAY, THEY INCLUDED A RED, WHITE, AND BLUE THEME, WITH PRIZES THAT ARE CONSIDERED MOST PATRIOTIC.

[♪♪♪] >> YEAH, WE JUST THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN.

IT'S THE 250th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT LIKE I SAID BEFORE, THIS IS ABOUT A UNITED BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

WE BROUGHT THOSE TWO THINGS TOGETHER.

WE'RE HAVING A PATRIOTIC DAY.

>> Reporter: THE GOAL OF THE CHAMBER IS TO GIVE MEMBERS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER AND HAVE FUN.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST ATTRACTIONS IS A HAPPY GILMORE HOLE CHALLENGE, WHERE PEOPLE TRY TO USE A HOCKEY STICK TO HIT A GOLF BALL.

>> SO WE'RE HAVING FUN TODAY, JUST REPLICATING THE HAPPY GILMORE SWING, THE LEGENDARY SWING FROM THE MOVIE AND SEEING HOW FAR OR HOW FANCY WE CAN SWING IT TODAY.

>> IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WE DO ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

WE BELIEVE IN WHAT THE CHAMBER IS DOING AND SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS AND MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY STAYS A FANTASTIC PLACE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN EAST GULL LAKE, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THIS YEAR'S WINNER OF THE GOLF CLASSIC WAS T.L.D.

LOGISTICS.

WITH UNITED COMMUNITY BANK TAKING HOME SECOND PLACE.

>>> THERE'S JUST TWO WEEKS LEFT TO QUALIFY FOR THIS SUMMER'S LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY.

THE GRAND PRIZE THIS YEAR IS A FOUR-NIGHT STAY AT CHASE ON THE LAKE IN WALKER AND A $200 RESORT GIFT CARD.

HERE ARE TONIGHTS FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME TONIGHT, OR ANY NIGHT ON LAKELAND NEWS YOU CAN QUALIFY BY CALLING OUR VACATION GIVEAWAY HOTLINE NUMBER BEFORE 5 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.

THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER WE ANNOUNCE FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS EVERY WEEKNIGHT HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE DRAWING.

YOU CAN DO THAT BY SENDING US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ON IT.

THEN WATCH LAKELAND NEWS TO SEE IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN.

THOSE WHO CALL IN AND QUALIFY AFTER THEIR NAMES APPEAR GO IN TO THE POOL OF QUALIFIERS FOR THE GRAND DRAWING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE DURING A LIVE DRAWING ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST NEWSCAST.

>>> STACY HAS OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT.

IT WAS STORMING OUT THERE EARLIER.

>> Stacy: WE DID.

WE HAD SOME REPORTS OF 1 INCH HAIL IN OUR VIEWING AREA, SOME HEAVY RAINFALL.

I GOT TO EXPERIENCE THAT RUNNING THROUGH ONE OF THE PARKING LOTS IN TOWN TODAY.

WE DO STILL HAVE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUT FOR A PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.

IT LOOKS LIKE SUNSHINE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW AND IT SHOULD CONTINUE INTO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE DID HAVE SOME SUNSHINE TODAY IN THE AREA AND WE DID HAVE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOPED AS A COLD FRONT IS PASSING ALONG THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

WE DID HAVE SOME LARGER HAIL, ALONG WITH THE HEAVY RAINFALL.

NOW WE STILL HAVE THAT SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUT IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

IT LOOKS QUIETER OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND WE SHOULD ENJOY PLENTY OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW AND WEDNESDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 63 DEGREES.

AT THE AIRPORT.

WE PICKED UP 0.12-INCH OF RAINFALL TODAY.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES AND 66, 61 IS OUR DEW POINT, WINDS ARE OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST AT 13 MILES PER HOUR, BUT WE HAVE SEEN GUSTS UP TO 31.

A PART OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA REMAINS UNDER A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

THIS REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND INCLUDES TODD AND MORRISON COUNTIES.

WE COULD SEE HAIL UP TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER, AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 70 MILES PER HOUR WITH THE STORMS THAT DEVELOP.

NOW WE HAVE SEEN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA TODAY AND FOR THE MOST PART THIS EVENING, THEY HAVE MAINLY BEEN IN THE CENTRAL MINNESOTA AREA FOR US, A LITTLE BIT OF CLEAR SKIES RETURNING TO THE NORTH.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AT LEAST A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND EVEN INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

IT LOOKS LIKE SUNSHINE WILL RETURN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY TOMORROW WITH PLENTY OF SUNSHINE IN STORE FOR WEDNESDAY.

SO SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL MORNING SKIES TODAY FROM SAMROSE OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND DEBRA AT LAKE ADA.

WE HAVE SOME PRETTY FLOWERS FROM CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD AND SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

OMINOUS CLOUDS SPOTTED NEAR LITTLE FALLS.

ANGELA SENDING US THAT PHOTO.

CLOUDY SKIES FROM JOAN IN LAPORTE.

AFTER THE RAIN TODAY, BEAUTIFUL STARS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTING 0.75-INCH OF RAIN TODAY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, THUNDER AND LIGHT RAIN THIS EVENING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, MOSTLY SUNNY AND 81.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, SOME LATE AFTERNOON THUNDER AND SOME SPRINKLES.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, WINDY WITH 1.3 INCHES OF RAIN THIS EVENING.

SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE, CALM THIS EVENING.

BETTY IN SEBEKA, A LITTLE LESS THAN 0.3-INCH OF RAIN.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD REACHING 85 TODAY.

79 IS OUR AVERAGE, 51 FOR THE LOW, AND 6:18 WAS THE SUNRISE.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 80, 52 FOR THE LOW, AND 6:18 WAS OUR SUNRISE.

LOOKING AT THE FORECAST, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT SHOWERS COULD CONTINUE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

OTHER THAN THAT, IT DOES LOOK LIKE A QUIET DAY WITH PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA.

HIGHS WILL BE IN THE LOW TO MID-70s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF LAKELAND COUNTRY AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 80s.

SO OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS CONTINUING IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

LOWS NEAR 52.

SKIES BECOME MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, HIGHS NEAR 74.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, SUNNY AND 77 ON WEDNESDAY, WE HAVE SOME CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY AND IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA ON FRIDAY.

OTHERWISE, EXPECT TO SEE SUNNY SKIES IN THE WEEKEND, WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY.

CHARLIE YAEGER IS IN THE STUDIO WITH OUR SPORTS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE START OF FOOTBALL TODAY.

>> Charlie: YES, HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GOT UNDERWAY TODAY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE GOT TO OUR 2-5A SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.

WE WILL HEAR FROM THEM AS WE HEAD INTO THE START OF FOOTBALL SEASON.

THAT IS COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> TODAY WAS THE FIRST PRACTICE OF THE 2026 SEASON FOR BEMIDJI FOOTBALL.

IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST PRACTICE AS A HEAD COACH FOR KYLE MCMARTIN, THE LUMBERJACKS NEWEST HEAD MAN.

MARTIN EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS PLENTY TO LEARN FROM THAT FIRST PRACTICE AMID THE CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP, BUT THAT THE EXPECTATIONS AND THE ESSENCE OF FOOTBALL AT BEMIDJI REMAINS THE SAME AS ALWAYS.

>> WE'RE STILL TRYING TO BE INTENSE.

I MEAN NONE OF THAT STUFF GOES AWAY FROM LUMBERJACK FOOTBALL.

WE WANT TO BE ORGANIZED.

WE WANT TO STAY ON TEMPO.

WE WANT TO GIVE KIDS A LOT OF REPS.

WE HAVE A STRONG SENIOR CLASS.

THERE ARE BRIGHT SHINING SPOTS.

I TALKED TO THE GUYS THAT WE HAVE WHAT I CALL A DREADED WORD POTENTIAL.

WE COULD BE VERY GOOD.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE GOING TO BE IF WE DON'T DO THE LITTLE THINGS RIGHT AND WE DON'T COME TOGETHER AS A GROUP OR PLAY WELL.

THAT'S BEEN OUR MESSAGE.

>> THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGE ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL WITH O.C.

MITCH HENDRICKS TAKING OVER PLAY CALLING DUTIES, BUT THE JACKS RETURN OWEN VANDERMEER AT QUARTERBACK.

THE SENIOR BRINGS CONSISTENCY OFFENSIVELY HAVING TWO YEARS OF STARTING EXPERIENCE UNDER HIS BELT.

>> IT'S GREAT TO GET BACK OUT HERE.

IT'S STILL LUMBERJACK FOOTBALL.

WE'RE ALL MAKING THE SWITCH OVER AND IT'S BEEN A GOOD CHANGE SO FAR.

WE OPENED A LOT OF THINGS UP.

WE WERE RUN HEAVY TEAM AND NOW WE'RE PROBABLY 50/50.

SO YEAH, IT'S JUST A GOOD FEELING TO BE MORE VERSATILE IN L.A.

>> DEFENSIVELY THERE WERE SOME CHANGES TO THE FACES ON THE FIELD, BUT SENIOR LINEBACKER AND SAFETY JUDE NYHUSMOEN IS CONFIDENT THE BOYS WILL FILL THE GAPS.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE NEW LEADERS COMING IN.

EVERYONE IS STEPPING UP, BUT FOR DEFENSE, WE'RE ALL COACHING, COACHING STAFF HAS STAYED THE SAME.

I THINK WE'RE JUST ROLLING.

DEFENSIVELY, WE'RE GOING TO BE INTENSE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF STRONG WILLED KIDS, HARD HITTERS, AND KIDS READY TO GRIND OUT HERE WITH US.

IT'S A BROTHERHOOD.

>> Charlie: HERE'S A LOOK AT BEMIDJI FOOTBALL'S SCHEDULE.

THEY START ON THE ROAD FOR THE FIRST TWO GAMES, THEIR FIRST HOME GAME WILL BE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH VERSUS BUFFALO.

>>> IT WAS A TALE OF TWO SEASONS FOR THE BRAINERD FOOTBALL IN 2025.

AFTER OPENING THE SEASON 3-0 AND RANKED IN THE TOP 10 IN SECTION 8-5A, THE WARRIORS LOST THEIR FOOTING, FINISHING WINLESS IN THEIR FINAL SIX GAMES.

SPORTS REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS ON HAND FOR THE WARRIORS FIRST PRACTICE OF THE SEASON TODAY TO SEE HOW THEY ARE CHANGING THEIR APPROACH IN 2026.

>> Reporter: WORK INTO IT.

BRAINERD FEATURE IS FEATURING A NEW QUARTERBACK ON THEIR CENTER THIS SEASON, ONE THAT IS HOPING TO ADD MORE VERSATILITY TO THE OFFENSE.

>> I CAN RUN TOO.

I CAN RUN VERY WELL AS YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE TRACK SEASON.

I OFFER TO THROW AND RUN AT ANY ABILITY THEY NEED AND I CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT ME TO DO.

>> Reporter: HE IS COMING OFF A TRACK AND FIELD CLASS 3A STATE MEET APPEARANCE, WHERE HE WAS THE SECOND LEG ON THE 4 BY 100-METER RELAY TEAM.

WHEN THE SOPHOMORE IS NOT USING HIS LEGS, HE WILL HAVE WEAPONS LIKE BRADY AND LUKE TO SHARE THE PILL WITH.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE NEW WEAPONS THIS YEAR.

I THINK WE WILL MAKE AN IMPACT THIS YEAR.

I THINK WE HAVE A BIG THREAT OUTSIDE WITH LUKE.

I THINK WE CAN HAVE DIFFERENT GUYS STEP UP.

WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG GUYS.

I AM VERY EXCITED FOR WHAT THEY CAN DO AND I TRUST THEM WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE AND IF I THROW IT TO THEM, I KNOW THEY WILL CATCH IT.

>> Reporter: HE WILL TAKE AIM ON THE OFFENSIVE ATTACK, THE DEFENSE IS LOOKING TO IMPROVE FROM THE 20 POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME.

>> GOOD, RIGHT THERE, NICE JOB.

THERE WE GO.

>> I THINK WE'RE HUNGRY.

WE HAVE THREE RETURNING IN THE DB SPOT, JACOB IN THE D-LINE, NEW LINEBACKERS, BUT I THINK THEY'RE GOOD.

THEY'RE ENJOYING THE LEARNING PROCESS.

THE DBs ARE COMING IN GOOD.

WE'RE ALL COMING BACK FEELING GOOD.

WE KNOW WHAT WE WANT TO DO ON D.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE SEEN THEIR HIGHS AND LOWS THE LAST THREE YEARS, WITH SEASONS RANGING FROM AN 8-2 RECORD, WITH A CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE IN 2023, TO A 3-6 RECORD, WITH A A LOSS LAST YEAR.

>> OUR STANDARD IS JUST TO TRY AS HARD AS YOU CAN.

IF WE'RE LOSING, STAY AS YOU WERE AND STAY CONFIDENT THE WHOLE TIME.

DON'T GET DOWN ON YOURSELF.

JUST STAY UP AS LONG AS YOU CAN.

I WANT TO KEEP OUR CONFIDENCE UP, THAT WINNING MINDSET IN, DON'T DWELL ON THE LOSSES, KEEP PLAYING, KEEP DOING OUR THING, AND JUST KEEP DOMINATING.

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

>> TAKING A LOOK AT THE WARRIORS SCHEDULE.

THEY WILL BE ON THE ROAD TO OPEN THE SEASON AGAINST BUFFALO.

BRAINERD TOOK LAST YEAR'S MEETING VERSUS THE BISON IN A 28-27 THRILLER.

>>> WE ALSO HAVE THE TWINS SCORE, 4-2, JOSH BELL, 2 FOR 2 AND 2 R.B.I.s, HE IS THE TEAM LEADER WITH R.B.I.s WITH 74 NOW.

>> Sydney: AWESOME, THANK YOU CHARLIE.

GRANDMA'S ATTIC AND ANTIQUES HAS BECOME A DISTINCTIVE STOP IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI, BRINGING TOGETHER A WIDE VARIETY OF VENDORS AND UNIQUE FINDS UNDER ONE ROOF.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING TAKES US INSIDE FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: INSIDE -- GRANDMA'S ANTIQUES, EVERY ITEM TELLS A LOT OF STORIES.

>> IT BEGAN IN 1999.

WE STARTED OUT IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE BUILDING HERE, THREE YEARS AGO WE EXPANDED TO THE FRONT.

THERE IS ABOUT 48 VENDORS.

>> Reporter: PART OF WHAT KEEPS THIS BUSINESS EVOLVING ARE THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BOOTHS.

VENDORS COME FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS BUT THEY FIND PIECES THEY THINK SOMEONE ELSE WANT TO TAKE HOME.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF RETIRED TEACHERS, A LOT OF REALLY GOOD PEOPLE.

WE ALL ENJOY EACH OTHER.

WE ALL ENJOY HISTORY.

WE ALL ENJOY GOING OUT AND FINDING COOL THINGS AND BRINGING THEM IN AND PRICING THEM AND SELLING THEM.

>> Reporter: FROM FURNITURE AND VINTAGE DECOR, TO RECORDS, TOYS, GLASSWARE, AND COLLECTIBLES, THERE IS A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING PACKED INSIDE AND FOR SELLERS, PART OF THE FUN IS FINDING THE RIGHT PIECE FOR THE RIGHT PERSON.

>> DEFINITELY SEEING PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AND FINDING THINGS WE'RE INTERESTED IN, FOR OUR BOOTH AS WELL.

JUST THE VARIETY, SEEING WHAT IS OUT THERE, YOU CAN NEVER KNOW IT ALL.

>> Reporter: EVERY BOOTH BRINGS SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND EVERY AISLE OFFERS A NEW FIND.

A BIG PART OF THE APPEAL IS THAT THE EXPERIENCE CHANGES EVERY TIME YOU WALK THROUGH THE DOOR, WITH SO MANY BOOTHS AND FEW FINDS COMING IN, SHOPPERS CAN SPEND PLENTY OF TIME LOOKING AND FEEL LIKE THERE IS MORE TO DISCOVER.

>> IF YOU HAVE NOT TAKEN A MOMENT TO COME INTO THIS PLACE, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

THERE ARE SO MANY COOL TREASURES AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT IN LITTLE BITS AT FIRST WHEN YOU FIRST COME TO AN ANTIQUE STORE IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN.

AFTER THAT, I THINK YOU WILL SEE HOW QUICKLY IT IS VERY ADDICTING AND IT'S VERY -- IT'S LIKE THE TREASURE HUNT YOU ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR.

>> Reporter: THAT SENSE OF DISCOVERY IS WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE COMING BACK BECAUSE WITH NEW ITEMS MOVING THROUGH THE BOOTHS, NO TWO TRIPS THROUGH GRANDMA'S ATTIC AND ANTIQUES IS NEVER THE SAME.

REPORTING FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> GRANDMA'S ATTIC AND ANTIQUES IS OPEN YEAR-ROUND.

NOW BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE A PORTION OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA UNDER A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH, WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS BEING THE MAIN THREAT.

TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOWS NEAR 52.

>> Sydney: WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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