>> 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.

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 SEARCH CONTINUES FOR A SUSPECT IN A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED IN THE CITY OF MAHNOMEN LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, AND AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW INCREASED THE REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST.

THE REWARD IS UP TO $5,000.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM WHITE EARTH POLICE.

THE SHOOTING WAS A TARGETED INCIDENT, AND INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THERE IS NO ONGOING THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.

TWO VICTIMS WERE INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT, AND ALL PARTIES INVOLVED HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.

THE WHITE EARTH POLICE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING TO APPREHEND, RYAN PACHECO, A 24-YEAR-OLD NATIVE AMERICAN MAN PACHECHO IS 5 FEET 11 INCHES TALL AND WEIGHS ABOUT 155 POUNDS HE HAS BROWN HAIR AND BROWN EYES PACHECHO IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS AND OFFICIALS SAY THAT IF YOU SEE HIM YOU SHOULD NOT APPROACH HIM BUT RATHER CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING HIS WHEREABOUTS, PLEASE CONTACT WHITE EARTH POLICE DEPARTMENT.

POLICE OFFICIALS SAY THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THE AREA AS INVESTIGATORS CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS TO LOCATE AND APPREHEND RYAN PACHECO.

RESIDENTS SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE ADDITIONAL PATROLS AND INVESTIGATIVE ACTIVITY.

>>> BEMIDJI CITY COUNCILORS VOTED LAST NIGHT TO REVOKE THE LICENSE OF A MASSAGE AND WELLNESS SPA IN THE CITY.

THE COUNCIL VOTED 7-0 TO REVOKE THE LICENSE OF SIAM MASSAGE AND WELLNESS SPA LOCATED AT 423 BELTRAMI AVENUE IN BEMIDJI.

OFFICER TABITHA CARRIGAN TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT AFTER UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR A COMPLIANCE CHECK WITH THE BUSINESS SHE CONDUCTED AN UNANNOUNCED VISIT ON JUNE 11TH.

CARRIGAN FOUND A MASSAGE SESSION TAKING PLACE WHEN SHE ARRIVED.

SHE ALSO FOUND THAT SIAM CURRENTLY HAS NO LICENSED MESSAGE THERAPISTS WITH THE CITY AND HASN'T SINCE 2023 IN ADDITION, SHE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER VIOLATIONS SUCH AS NOT HAVING LICENSES POSTED IN A MASSAGE THERAPISTS WORK AREA AND NOT HAVING THE FACILITY LICENSE DISPLAYED IN A PROMINENT PLACE.

SIAM REPRESENTATIVES WERE NOT AT LAST NIGHTS COUNCIL MEETING BUT AN EMAIL RESPONSE TO LAKELAND NEWS SAID THE BUSINESS WAS CLOSED DUE TO A CURRENT STAFF SHORTAGE.

>>> A MEMBER OF THE BRAINERD SKI LOONS WATER SKI SHOW TEAM HAS BEEN CROWNED A NATIONAL CHAMPION.

ANNIKA SINGH FIRST WON FIRST PLACE AT THE SOUTHERN REGIONALS IN WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA AT THE END OF JUNE.

HER NEXT STOP WAS THE D-2 NATIONALS IN ROCKFORD ILLINOIS ON AUGUST 1ST.

ANNIKA COMPETED WITH 16 OTHER 180 SWIVELERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND RECEIVED FIRST PLACE AS THE NATIONAL CHAMP 180 SWIVEL SKIER IN THE NATION.

>>> LOCAL ART, MUSIC AND COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER IN BEMIDJI THIS PAST WEEKEND.

KEN K. THOMPSON JEWELRY HELD ITS ANNUAL ART DAY FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, WHILE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL'S VOCALMOTIVE TEAM RAISED MONEY WITH A BRAT FEED.

OUR INTERN HANNAH KAHLSTORF HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE ANNUAL ART DAY FESTIVAL GIVES LOCAL ARTISTS A CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND SHOWCASE THEIR WORK.

FOR VENDORS, IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH NEW CUSTOMERS AND SHARE THEIR CREATIVITY WITH PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

>> EVENTS LIKE THIS ARE UNIQUE BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE BIG BOX STORES CAN'T DUPLICATE.

IT GETS LOCAL ARTISTS A FREE VENUE TO SHOW OFF THEIR WORK.

IT DOESN'T COST MANY THINGS TO COME HERE AND WE SUPPORT THEM IN THAT RESPECT.

IT'S NICE.

>> STARTING WITH A FEW VENDORS, GROWING UP TO 24 HAS BEEN AWESOME.

I'VE BEEN STUCK INSIDE, BEING BUSY WITH CUSTOMERS, BUT SEEING AS MANY PEOPLE WITH WHAT WE GOT.

IT'S AMAZING, WE LOVE IT.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT IS MORE THAN A CHANCE TO SHOP.

IT GIVES PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER LOCAL BUSINESSES AND CONNECT WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US TO LET OUR CUSTOMERS KNOW ABOUT ALL THE OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES HERE IN TOWN, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SELLING OUT HERE IN OUR PARKING LOT.

IT REALLY IS GREAT HAVING THE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER IN ONE LOCATION TO REALLY HIGHLIGHT A LOT OF THE THINGS YOU CAN BUY HERE LOCALLY FROM LOCAL PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE ORGANIZERS OF THE ART DAY FESTIVAL SAY THEY HOPE TO CONTINUE GROWING THE EVENT AND BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> IT'S EXCITING TO SEE ALL THE NEW VENDORS AND THE CREATIVITY THAT IS IN OUR LOCAL AREA.

SOMETIMES YOU THINK OF THE RURAL BEMIDJI AREA THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIND THE TYPE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP WE SEE IN OUR EVENT.

EVERY YEAR, IT JUST BLOWS ME AWAY, THE TALENT THAT PEOPLE HAVE, THAT I PERSONALLY DON'T.

>> IT JUST GETS BUSIER AND WE LOVE THE AWARENESS AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO SHOW UP AND BE ABLE TO ASSOCIATE ART DAY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M HANNAH KAHLSTORF, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE ANNUAL EVENT WILL RETURN NEXT AUGUST FOR ITS SEVENTH YEAR, BRINGING LOCAL ARTISTS AND THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN.

>>> THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

HAS SELECTED THE WINNING ARTISTS FOR THE 2027 TROUT AND SALMON STAMP AND WALLEYE STAMP CONTESTS.

MINNEAPOLIS ARTIST MELISSA MICKELSON HAS WON THE MINNESOTA 2027 TROUT AND SALMON STAMP CONTEST WITH AN ACRYLIC PAINTING OF A LAKE TROUT.

THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

USES REVENUE FROM VOLUNTARY PURCHASES OF WALLEYE STAMPS TO FUND WALLEYE STOCKING IN MINNESOTA'S LAKES AND VIRGINIA ARTIST JOHN BARNARD IS THE WINNER OF THE 2027 WALLEYE STAMP CONTEST WITH AN OIL PAINTING OF A WALLEYE.

REVENUE FROM TROUT AND SALMON STAMPS, WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR ANGLERS AGES 18 TO 64 WHO FISH IN DESIGNATED TROUT WATERS OR POSSESS TROUT, IS DEDICATED TO TROUT AND SALMON MANAGEMENT AND HABITAT WORK.

JUDGING FOR BOTH CONTESTS WAS HELD ON JULY 30TH.

>>> BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING IS UNDERWAY—AND DESPITE YEARS OF INFLATION, FAMILIES MAY NOT BE SPENDING MUCH MORE THAN THEY DID BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

NEW ANALYSIS FINDS LOWER ELECTRONICS COSTS ARE HELPING OFFSET HIGHER PRICES FOR CLOTHING, SHOES AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ EXPLAINS WHAT'S BEHIND THE NUMBERS—AND HOW PARENTS CAN STRETCH THEIR BACK TO SCHOOL BUDGETS.

>> Reporter: FROM NEW BACKPACKS AND SHOES, NOTEBOOKS, CALCULATORS, AND COMPUTERS, THE BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING LIST CAN ADD UP QUICKLY.

TOTAL K-12 BACK TO SCHOOL SPENDING HAS REMAINED ALMOST FLAT SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE BIGGEST REASON, ELECTRONICS.

>> ELECTRONIC PRICES HAVE FALLEN A LITTLE BIT OVER THE PAST 6 OR 7 YEARS.

>> Reporter: ESTIMATED SPENDING ON DEVICES FELL FROM $338 IN 2019 TO $296 IN 2025.

PRICES FOR COMMON SCHOOL ELECTRONICS HAVE ALSO FALLEN MORE THAN 12%.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY QUESTION THAT SOME FAMILIES ARE SPENDING LESS AND DIALING BACK THEIR SPENDING A LITTLE BIT AND MAYBE LETTING THAT LAPTOP OR THAT TABLET LAST ANOTHER YEAR OR TWO RATHER THAN INVESTING IN A NEWER ONE.

>> Reporter: THE REST OF THE SHOPPING LIST IS GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE.

CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES, SHOES, AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES INCREASED.

THE NUMBERS REFLECT A K-SHAPED ECONOMY.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT GROUP OF AMERICANS WHO ARE SPENDING FREELY AND ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT GROUP OF AMERICANS WHO ARE DIALING THINGS BACK, YOU ADD IT ALL UP AND IT COMES OUT TO BASICALLY FLAT SPENDING, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> Reporter: I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>> BECAUSE LABOR DAY IS LATE THIS YEAR SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE AREA LIKE BEMIDJI AND BRAINERD WON'T START CLASSES UNTIL TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH, THE DAY AFTER LABOR DAY, WHILE OTHERS LIKE GRAND RAPIDS AND WADENA WILL BEGIN THE WEEK PRIOR TO THAT.

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

>> WE'LL BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE A LITTLE BIT WARMER AS WELL.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, DRAGON BOAT TEAMS PUT THEIR SPEED AND TEAMWORK TO THE TEST ON LAKE BEMIDJI.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> FOR SOME CAR LOVERS, THE PERFECT SATURDAY MORNING STARTS WITH POLISHED CHROME, POWERFUL ENGINES AND A FRESH CUP OF COFFEE.

CARS & CAFFEINE BROUGHT ENTHUSIASTS TOGETHER AT THE BEMIDJI EAGLES CLUB ON SATURDAY.

DURING THE WARMER MONTHS, CARS AND CAFFEINE GIVES OWNERS A CHANCE TO PULL THEIR FAVORITE RIDE OUT OF THE GARAGE AND PUT IT BACK ON THE ROAD.

HELD ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH, THE FREE GATHERING OFFERS A CASUAL MORNING OF COFFEE, CONVERSATION, AND COMMUNITY.

>> WE SEE AS MANY CARS AS WE CAN IN THE LOCAL AREA AND IT'S SOMETHING FUN WE CAN DO.

IT'S A FREE THING, FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

WE DON'T MAKE ANY MONEY OFF OF IT OF ANY KIND.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND HANG OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME, EVEN IF IT'S JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>> Dennis: THE GATHERINGS CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER.

>>> TIME NOW FOR A LOOK AT OUR LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVE AWAY CONTEST CONTESTANTS FOR TONIGHT.

THE GRAND PRIZE 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 5:00 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.

WE ANNOUNCE FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS EVERY WEEKNIGHT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.

TO REGISTER FOR THE DRAWING, SEND US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ON IT AND THEN WATCH LAKELAND NEWS TO SEE IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN WE WILL SELECT THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER OUT OF ALL THE QUALIFIERS DURING A LIVE DRAWING ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST NEWSCAST.

>>> OKAY, NOW THAT WE GOT THAT STRAIGHTENED AWAY, STACY IS HERE WITH OUR WEATHER.

I WANTED TO JUMP TO WEATHER A LITTLE EARLY AND WE STILL HAD THE VACATION GIVEAWAYS TO GET TO.

>> Stacy: WHAT A DAY TO TALK ABOUT, JUST ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

WE ENJOYED SOME SUNSHINE, SOME CLOUDS HERE AND THERE.

LOOKING AHEAD, IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK, TEMPERATURES ARE A LITTLE BIT WARMER.

MID-70s TO MID-80s AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE REST OF THIS WEEK, A FEW [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, AFTER SOME MUCH NEEDED RAIN FOR MANY OF US LAST NIGHT, WE DID HAVE SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE AREA TODAY, ALONG WITH A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE.

LOOKING AHEAD, A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN THE FORECAST, A FEW CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WELL.

IT LOOKS LIKE OUR TEMPERATURES WILL BE FAIRLY SEASONAL WITH HIGHS RANGING FROM THE MID-70s TO THE MID-80s.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 61 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT AND VARIABLE WIND AT OUR STUDIO.

THE DEW POINT IS 48.

IN THE LAST 24 HOURS, WE HAVE PICKED UP 0.48-INCH OF RAIN, WHICH AMOUNTS TO JUST OVER 0.6-INCH OF RAIN TOTAL OUT OF LAST NIGHT'S RAINFALL.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY, 66 DEGREES, 46 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE WEST AT 5 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAD THAT MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT, MOST OF THOSE CLOUDS WILL CLEAR OUT.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN STORE FOR US TOMORROW, AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE A LITTLE WARMER THAN WE HAD TODAY WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s FOR MOST OF US.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, IT WAS A GORGEOUS MORNING SKY OVER MENAHGA FROM ARLENE AND SAMROSE SAYING IT WAS FOGGY AROUND SUNRISE.

CHRISSY SPOTTING A FROG ENJOYING THE COOLER TEMPERATURES IN DEERWOOD, A BEAR SPOTTED ON THE TRAIL CAM FROM JOAN IN LAPORTE, AND GARY WITH A LINE OF TURKEYS NEAR THE ROAD IN DEERWOOD.

SONYA WITH THIS PICTURE FROM TURTLE RIVER LAKE, AND THEN WE HAVE CLOUDS FROM ANGELA IN CASS LAKE AND A GORGEOUS SUNSET FROM BILL AND JUDY OVER UPPER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 0.5-INCH OF RAIN OVERNIGHT.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, NO MEASURABLE RAIN.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD TOPPING OUT AT 75.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 1.2 INCHES OF RAIN LAST NIGHT.

SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER, AN INCH OF RAIN OVERNIGHT.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, 2 INCHES OF RAINFALL.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, AN INCH OF RAIN.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE REPORTING MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES WITH A HIGH OF 70.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, IN BRAINERD WE TOPPED OUT AT 73, SO COOLER TEMPERATURES, OUR AVERAGE IS 81.

WE'RE QUITE A BIT COOLER THAN THAT.

55 IS THE LOW, SUNRISE AT 2 MINUTES AFTER 6:00.

WE ARE MORE THAN 10 DEGREES BELOW THE AVERAGE.

53 WAS THE LOW AND SUNRISE AT 6:01.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, THOSE CLOUDS WILL BE CLEARING OUT OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, A FEW PASSING CLOUDS, AND OTHER THAN THAT, IT LOOKS QUIET.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL RANGE FROM THE MID TO UPPER 70s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

THEN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE WILL BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70s, MAYBE A FEW 80 DEGREE READINGS IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY, 47 FOR THE LOW, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

THEN MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW, 77 FOR OUR HIGH, AND WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE EXTENDED FORECAST, WE HAVE A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN THAT FORECAST.

THERE MAY BE A FEW PASSING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN THE NORTH ON THURSDAY, AND THEN IN EASTERN MINNESOTA LATE THIS WEEK, 82 THERE ON THURSDAY FOR THE HIGH, BUT AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, LOOK FOR THE HIGH TEMPERATURES TO BE MAINLY IN THE UPPER 70s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.

MILES IS HERE.

FOOTBALL IS UNDERWAY.

>> Miles: I'M SURE THEY'RE HAPPY TEMPERATURES ARE NOT IN THE 90s.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THEIR OFFENSE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> WELL BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL KICKED OFF PRACTICE THIS WEEK, SO WE WILL FIRST BE TAKING A LOOK AT THE BEAVER'S OFFENSE.

B.S.U.

GOT OUT THE GATES SLOW ON THAT SIDE OF THE GRIDIRON, AVERAGING UNDER 20 POINTS THROUGH THE TEAM'S FIRST FIVE GAMES, HOWEVER, THE BOYS ARE HOPING TO FEATURE MORE FIREPOWER EARLY AND OFTEN IN 2026.

AT QUARTERBACK, COACH BRENT BOLTE IS PLANNING ON GIVING JUNIOR CAPTAIN CONNOR CARVER, FRESHMAN BART MCANINCH, AS WELL AS AUGUSTANA TRANSFER MACK MOLANDER EACH SOME RUN UNDER CENTER.

CARVER RUSHED FOR 80 YARDS A GAME LAST YEAR, AND ALSO SAW TIME IN OTHER SKILL POSITIONS FOR THE BEAVERS, A DYNAMIC BOLTE BELIEVES CAN FURTHER OPEN UP B.S.U.

'S OFFENSE.

>> I THOUGHT HE TOOK A NICE STEP.

HE IS THE GUY THAT HAS EMERGED AND WE HAVE TWO UNIQUE BOYS.

IT'S GOING TO BE FUN, YOU WILL SEE DIFFERENT GUYS WITH DIFFERENT STYLES.

>> PEOPLE ASK ME WHAT I'M DOING, BUT IT'S REALLY FUN BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE A LITTLE KID AGAIN.

IT'S EASIER TO COMMUNICATE SOMETIMES.

THERE ARE TWO QUARTERBACKS ON THE FIELD.

IT'S A LOT EASIER TO COMMUNICATE.

>> ANOTHER POINT OF INTEREST FOR THE BEAVERS IS THE OFFENSIVE LINE, WHICH CONSISTS OF SIX UNDERCLASSMEN.

B.S.U.

AVERAGED ROUGHLY 180 TOTAL RUSHING YARDS A GAME AND 207 PASSING YARDS A GAME, HOWEVER WINNING THE BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES, IS WHAT CAN HELP BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL BELIEVES CAN PROPEL THEM TO NEW HEIGHTS.

>> WHEN YOU RUSH FOR 180, 5 YARDS A POP, YOU HAVE TO HANG ON THE BALL AND NOT TURN IT OVER AND THAT'S WHAT IT CAME DOWN TO LAST YEAR.

>> PREVIOUS YEARS, WE HAD A GREAT CULTURE.

THE OLDER GUYS HAVE HELPED LEAD THE YOUNGER GUYS.

MAINTAINING OUR STANDARDS, WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND GO INTO THE TRENCHES EACH AND EVERY DAY.

>> AND MORE ON BEMIDJI STATE FOOTBALL.

THE NORTHERN SUN INTERCOLLEGIATE CONFERENCE PRESEASON COACHES POLL HAVE THE BEAVERS RANKED SEVENTH COMING INTO THE 2026 SEASON.

LAST YEAR, THE BEAVERS FINISHED NINTH IN THE NSIC WITH A 4-7 OVERALL RECORD AND A 4-6 CONFERENCE RECORD, THE PROGRAM'S FIRST LOSING SEASON SINCE 2014.

SENIOR DEFENSIVE BACK CADEN BOLTE AND JUNIOR QB CONNOR CARVER WERE SELECTED AS THE BEAVERS PRESEASON DEFENSIVE & OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH.

BOLTE LED THE BEAVER DEFENSE LAST YEAR, GRABBING A FIRST TEAM ALL-NSIC NOD WHILE AMASSING 65 TOTAL TACKLES, ONE INTERCEPTION, AND EIGHT PASS BREAKUPS, WHILE CARVER RACKED UP THE SEVENTH-MOST RUSHING YARDS PER CARRY IN THE NCAA LAST YEAR.

B.S.U.

WILL OPEN THE 2026 REGULAR SEASON AT HOME ON AUGUST 26TH AGAINST MICHIGAN TECH.

THE BEAVERS HAVE SPLIT THE LAST TWO MEETING WITH THE HUSKIES.

>>> AND TAKING A LOOK AT THE SCORES TONIGHT, THE TWINS FELL TO THE ROYALS TONIGHT 8-2.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, SO THE BEAVERS, SOME GOOD WEATHER FOR AT LEAST THE START OF CAMP.

>> Miles: GOOD WEATHER, GOOD VIBES, IT'S LOOKING GOOD FOR THEM.

>> Dennis: SOUNDS GOOD.

THANKS MILES.

A PHOTO FINISH ON LAKE BEMIDJI CAPPED OFF THE FINAL RACES AT THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL, WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING STOPPED BY FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

[CHEERING].

>> Reporter: AT THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL, EVERY RACE WAS DECIDED BY A FRACTION OF A SECOND.

BEFORE THE FINISH, ONE FAMILIAR FACE REFLECTED ON HOW THE EVENT GREW INTO UNIQUE TRADITION IN BEMIDJI.

>> WHAT A UNIQUE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL.

WE HAD THIS, THIS IS THE 20th YEAR.

WHO KNEW 20 YEARS AGO IT WOULD CATCH ON LIKE THIS.

THERE IS NOT A FESTIVAL LIKE IT ANYWHERE IN THE STATE AND EVEN IN THE UNITED STATES, IT'S A COMMUNITY DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL.

>> THE BEMIDJI DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL COMES DOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP TODAY AND THESE PADDLES ARE GOING TO GET A LOT OF WORK PUT IN THIS WATER.

>> FROM PACKED SHORE LINES TO TEAMS CHEERING EACH OTHER ON WHO TRAVELED FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, THE FESTIVAL FILLED THE WATERFRONT WITH ENERGY AND THE VETERAN ANNOUNCER SAYS COMMUNITY SPIRIT IS WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE COMING BACK.

>> IF YOU COME HERE, PEOPLE WANT TO DO THEIR BEST AND WIN.

THEY'RE COMPETITIVE, BUT IT'S MORE ABOUT COMING TOGETHER AND HAVING A GREAT TIME AND RAISING MONEY AND DOING IT IN A VERY UNIQUE WAY.

SO, YOU KNOW, THIS HAS BECOME PART OF THE FABRIC OF BEMIDJI AND THE REGION EVERY SUMMER FOR SATURDAY AND AUGUST, WE KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE AND IT'S BEEN SO COOL TO SEE THE REGION EMBRACE IT.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE HIT THE FINAL STRETCH, THE NORDIC WHITE CAPS AND HYDRO HEADS WERE SIDE BY SIDE.

ONE WHITE CAPS PADDLER SAID SHE KNEW THERE WAS NO ROOM TO LET UP, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS BEING HER FINAL YEAR ON THE TEAM.

>> IT'S GREAT BECAUSE I JUST GRADUATED, SO THIS WILL BE MY LAST YEAR ON THE TEAM.

IT'S REALLY FUN WAY TO END IT.

I LOOKED OVER AND WE WERE NECK AND NECK.

I WAS SCARED THEY WERE GOING TO BEAT US, BUT I KNEW WE WERE STILL IN THE RACE.

I WAS STILL PUSHING REALLY HARD.

>> Reporter: THE NORDIC WHITE CAPS FINISHED JUST 16th OF A SECOND AHEAD OF THE HYDRO HEAD, GIVING ONE GRADUATING PADDLER AND THE TEAM A FINISH THEY WON'T FORGET.

REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BEMIDJI DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN NEXT YEAR FROM AUGUST 4TH THROUGH AUGUST 7TH.

>>> WE HEAD BACK TO STACY FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE SEE PARTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW, SEASONAL TEMPERATURES, HIGHS NEAR 77, SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AHEAD, WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE, A FEW CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BEGINNING ON THURSDAY, WITH HIGHS IN THE 70s AND LOW 80s.

>> Miles: THE TWINS WILL BE HOPING TO BREAK A THREE GAME SKID TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S GOING TO WRAP IT UP FOR US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]