>> 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.

>>> A MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF BURGLARY FOR BREAKING INTO HER ESTRANGED STEPMOTHER'S HOME.

AFTER ABOUT THREE HOURS OF DELIBERATIONS, A JURY FOUND DEMOCRATIC 51-YEAR-OLD STATE SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL GUILTY OF FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY AND POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS.

MITCHELL DISPLAYED LITTLE EMOTION AS THE VERDICTS WERE READ.

BODYCAM VIDEO SHOWS MITCHELL TELLING POLICE WHEN THEY ARRESTED HER IN APRIL 2024, CLEARLY, I'M NOT GOOD AT THIS.

SHE TOLD POLICE RIGHT AFTER HER ARREST THAT SHE WENT THERE TO SEARCH FOR HER FATHER'S ASHES AND OTHER MEMENTOS, BUT TRIED TO BACK AWAY FROM THAT STORY ON THE WITNESS STAND.

MITCHELL FACES 6 MONTHS TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON WHEN SHE IS SENTENCED.

A SENTENCING DATE HAS NOT BEEN SET.

THE PROSECUTOR ASKED THAT MITCHELL BEGIN SERVING HER SENTENCE TODAY.

THE JUDGE REJECTED THAT SINCE SHE HAS COMPLIED WITH HER RELEASE REQUIREMENTS.

THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE DECLINED TO COMMENT ABOUT ANY POTENTIAL SENTENCES.

>> WE JUST PROCESSED THIS, IT'S A TOUGH CONVERSATION TO HAVE RIGHT AFTER A VERDICT.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE OPTIONS.

I'M PLEASED SHE GOT TO STAY OUT OF JAIL.

SHE WILL HELP US IN THAT AND WE'LL PRESENT THAT WHEN THE TIME COMES.

>> FOLLOWING THE COURTS DECISION DEMOCRATIC SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ERIN MURPHY WAS QUICK TO ISSUE A STATEMENT SAYING THAT MITCHELL HAS TOLD COLLEAGUES THAT SHE PLANNED TO RESIGN IF CONVICTED AND THAT SHE EXPECTS HER TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THAT PLEDGE.

REPUBLICAN SENATE MINORITY LEADER MARK JOHNSON REITERATED THE GOP'S LONG-STANDING DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OR FACE EXPULSION.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ'S OFFICE SAID HE EXPECTS HER TO RESIGN.

BUT ONE OF MITCHELL'S ATTORNEYS SAID IN TEXT MESSAGES TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW IF SHE WOULD HEED THE CALLS.

HE SAID THEY'RE EXPLORING THEIR OPTIONS FOR AN APPEAL.

>>> A MAN AND WOMAN WERE FOUND DEAD INSIDE A HOME IN PIERZ TODAY.

THE MINNESOTA BCA HAS BEEN CALLED IN TO ASSIST WITH THE INVESTIGATION BUT AT THIS TIME, AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND THERE IS NO KNOWN THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE BODIES WERE FOUND AROUND 10:30 THIS MORNING AFTER LAW ENFORCEMENT PERFORMED A WELFARE CHECK AT A RESIDENCE ON THE 600 BLOCK OF RIVER VALLEY ROAD.

AUTOPSIES ARE PENDING AND THE IDENTITIES OF THE DECEASED ARE BEING WITHHELD PENDING POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION AND NOTIFICATION OF NEXT OF KIN.

>>> AUTHORITIES CONFIRMED THAT THE MAN THEY FOUND DEAD ON A TOWER 240 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND TODAY.

THE WADENA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD ISSUED AN ALERT EARLIER LOOKING FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN FINDING 30-YEAR-OLD SAMUEL WALN.

THE ALERT SAID THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HIS SAFETY.

THE MIDWEST MEDICAL EXAMINERS OFFICE HAS CONFIRMED THE DECEASED IS WALN.

LAW ENFORCEMENT FOUND HIM AFTER A VEHICLE MATCHING THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ONE WALN WAS LAST SEEN DRIVING WAS LOCATED IN SECTION 28 OF ROCKWOOD TOWNSHIP IN BETWEEN WADENA AND SEBEKA.

DEPUTIES CONDUCTED A SEARCH OF THE AREA AND LOCATED THE VICTIM ON THE TOWER.

DUE TO THE HEIGHT OF THE TOWER, AN URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM WAS CALLED IN TO BRING THE MANS BODY DOWN FROM THE TOWER.

THE WADENA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE BELIEVES THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND THERE IS NO DANGER TO THE PUBLIC AND ALSO NO FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED.

>>> A PEDESTRIAN WAS HIT AND KILLED BY A CAR NEAR MAHNOMEN THIS MORNING.

THE MAHNOMEN COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT HAS NOT RELEASED ANY NAMES BUT SAYS THE PEDESTRIAN WAS A MALE AND WAS FOUND LYING IN THE DITCH NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 59 AND 160TH AVENUE, ABOUT TWO MILES SOUTH OF MAHNOMEN.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SHERIFFS OFFICE THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND IS IN CUSTODY.

THE MORNING AFTER THE JUNE 21ST STORM SWEPT THROUGH BEMIDJI, THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION, AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

RESIDENTS WERE MET WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOWNED OR DESTROYED TREES WITHIN THE REGION.

MANY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY HAVE SAID THAT THE AREA WILL NEVER LOOK THE SAME AGAIN.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI WANTS TO PLANT SOME HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY BY LAUNCHING A TREE REPLANTING FUND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION CALLED PROJECT CANOPY.

THE FUND IS DESIGNED TO RESTORE THE TREES THAT HAVE LONG DEFINED THE NORTHWOODS LANDSCAPE.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI IS STARTING THE FUND WITH A $25,000 DONATION.

>> THE $25,000 THAT WE'RE COMMITTING ISN'T GOING TO GO VERY FAR AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT, SO WE'RE REALLY JUST TRYING TO CREATE THE GROUND SWELL OF MOMENTUM TO RAISE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

IT WILL TAKE A BIG LIFT AND IF WE CAN DO IT ON A LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND ON A NATIONAL BASIS, HOPEFULLY WE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT AND DIFFERENCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST FOR OURS, BUT OUR KIDS, AND THEIR KIDS, AND THE YEARS TO COME.

>> DONATION DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE WEBSITE CURRENTLY ON THE SCREEN BY SEARCHING FOR BEMIDJI AREA COMMUNITY FUND AND/OR PROJECT CANOPY.

YOU CAN ALSO DONATE BY MAILING A CHECK TO FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI OR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION.

CHECKS CAN BE MADE PAYABLE TO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION.

>>> THE TEMPORARY DEBRIS COLLECTION SITE BEHIND TARGET IN BEMIDJI WILL BE CLOSING THIS SUNDAY, JULY 20TH.

THE SITE WAS ORIGINALLY OPENED FOLLOWING JUNE'S STORM TO GIVE AREA RESIDENTS AN ADDITIONAL LOCATION FOR TREE DEBRIS DISPOSAL.

TREE DEBRIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED AT THE DEMOLITION LANDFILL LOCATED SOUTH OF BEMIDJI BUT THAT LANDFILL WILL BE RETURNING TO NORMAL HOURS ON MONDAY WHICH MEANS IT WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAYS.

EXTENDED HOURS FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR SATURDAYS.

FREE MULCH IS AVAILABLE AT THE TARGET DISPOSAL SITE ANDTHE SITE WILL REMAIN ACCESSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO PICK UP MULCH.

>>> THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE TRIBAL COUNCIL HAS UNANIMOUSLY GRANTED CONSENT FOR GRAND RAPIDS AND DEER RIVER SCHOOLS TO CONTINUE TO USE THEIR MASCOTS.

A 2023 STATE LAW BANNED AMERICAN INDIAN MASCOTS UNLESS ALL ELEVEN OF THE STATES FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES AND THE TRIBAL NATIONS EDUCATION COMMITTEE GAVE THEIR APPROVAL.

THAT LAW WAS MODIFIED THIS YEAR AND NOW ONLY THE CLOSEST TRIBAL NATION HAS TO GIVE PERMISSION.

DEER RIVER SUPERINTENDENT PAT RENDLE AND GRAND RAPIDS SUPERINTENDENT MATT GROSE SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THEIR MASCOTS AND THE COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO GIVE CONSENT FOR THEIR CONTINUED USE.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AND GOOD TO NOTE THAT BOTH MASCOTS COME WITH SUPPORT OF OUR AMERICAN INDIAN PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, BOTH OF THOSE GROUPS HAVE TAKEN ACTION IN SUPPORT OF STAYING WITH THE MASCOTS WE HAVE.

ANY QUESTIONS?

>> PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

I MEAN I THINK I MYSELF, YOU KNOW, IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT WE KEEP THE NAMES THAT HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR THESE YEARS AND YEAH, I DON'T HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT IT.

APPRECIATE YOU CONSULTING WITH LEECH LAKE OR KEEPING US ALL IN THE LOOP ABOUT THAT.

YEAH, I'M ALL GOOD WITH THAT.

>> THE APPROVAL BY THE LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL ALLOW DEER RIVER TO REMAIN THE WARRIORS AND USE THE SAME SPEAR AND FEATHER LOGO.

GRAND RAPIDS WILL BE ALLOWED THE CONTINUED USE OF THE THUNDERHAWK MASCOT.

>>> BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS ANNOUNCED HIRINGS FOR THREE ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR.

DOCTOR KARRIE A. BOSER HAS BEEN NAMED PRINCIPAL OF BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL.

BOSER HAS SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING AT SAUK RAPIDS-RICE AND AS HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN PIERZ AND LONG PRAIRIE-GREY EAGLE.

HER CAREER BEGAN IN BRAINERD AS A DEAN OF STUDENTS.

TAYLOR DEMUTH HAS BEEN APPOINTED PRINCIPAL OF BAXTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

DEMUTH HAS MORE THAN 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION, INCLUDING ROLES AS A PRINCIPAL, CLASSROOM TEACHER, LITERACY COACH, AND CURRICULUM COORDINATOR.

AND JASON OLSON HAS BEEN NAMED DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

OLSON BRINGS OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCE LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PRIVATE SECTORS.

MOST RECENTLY, HE SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT PMA.

FINANCIAL SERVICES.

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

>> Elissa: MILD TEMPS AND MORE RAIN ARE ON THE WAY FOR THIS WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE MORE IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY HELD THE LATEST EDITION OF THEIR BROWN BAG SUMMER AUTHOR SERIES.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE WATERMARK ART FESTIVAL IS THIS WEEKEND AT LIBRARY PARK IN BEMIDJI.

IT'S THE 57TH YEAR OF THE EVENT THAT FORMERLY KNOWN AS “ART IN THE PARK”.

MORE THAN 100 PLUS ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS WERE SETTING UP TODAY AND WILL BE ON HAND SELLING THEIR WORK AND GIVING DEMONSTRATIONS.

SOME OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS THIS YEAR INCLUDE ONE ON GLASS BLOWING AND ANOTHER ON INDIGENOUS ARTS AS WELL.

>> WE HOPE PEOPLE COME DOWN, THE PARK IS DIFFERENT DUE TO THE STORMS, BUT THE PARKS AND REC REALLY JUMPED IN AND GOT THE PARK CLEANED UP.

WE HAVE SOME AREAS WE CORDON OFF.

SO IT'S A DIFFERENT LOOK, BUT A LOT OF THE SAME ARTISTS, WE HAVE NEW ARTISTS TOO, SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT I HOPE PEOPLE COME DOWN, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE GORGEOUS.

>> THE EVENT RUNS FROM 10:00 TO 5:00 ON SATUDAY AND 10:00 TO 4:00 ON SUNDAY.

THE WATERMARK ART CENTER WILL ALSO BE OPEN WITH FOUR GALLERIES ON DISPLAY.

>>> THE SALT SPA IN BEMIDJI OFFERS DIFFERENT HEALTH AND SKINCARE SERVICES AND NOW THEY OFFER ARTWORK AS WELL.

ENTERPRISE DESIGNS, NORTHERN LIQUORS, JOHN CARR, BSU, AND MORE LOCAL GROUPS JOINED TOGETHER TO PUT ON AN EVENT TO SPOTLIGHT THEIR NEW ART EXHIBIT.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON THE GRAND OPENING EVENT AND ON THE ART ITSELF.

>> Reporter: PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS THAT HAVE THEIR UNIQUE STORY IS NOW BEING SHOWN OFF IN THE SALT SPA IN BEMIDJI, WHO IS USUALLY KNOWN FOR OTHER THINGS.

>> IT IS A PLACE THAT HELPS RESPIRATORY HEALTH, SKIN HEALTH, ANXIETY, FATIGUE, SO MANY THINGS WE SEE NOW IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH, THEY HELD A DIFFERENT NON-HEALTH RELATED EVENT.

>> WE'RE HAVING AN ART EXHIBITION FOR A FRIEND NAMED MARIA.

SHE IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND BECOMING, YOU KNOW, WOMEN TO EMPOWER EACH OTHER.

WE WANTED TO HELP ONE ANOTHER AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON IS VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART AND I'M FORTUNATE.

I HAVE BEEN SEEING HER DO ALL THESE PAINTINGS AND IT'S LIKE YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

LITTLE BY LITTLE, WE DID.

>> Reporter: NOW THE WALLS OF THE SALT SPA IS LINED WITH MORE THAN 50 ORIGINAL PIECES.

MARIA ROSA HAS TAUGHT SOME CLASSES BEFORE AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SHE HAS HAD THIS MANY PIECES ALL TOGETHER OR PUT ON HER OWN EXHIBIT.

>> SOME ARE COLORFUL, SOME ARE SIMPLE, BUT ALL SHOW EMOTION, BEAUTY, AND A STORY ABOUT PEOPLE, FREEDOM, AND CULTURE.

>> IT'S HONESTLY SO SURREAL, I FEEL LIKE.

THERE ARE SO MANY INTERESTING ARTWORK I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH THE WORKS OF ART IS ALL FOR SALE, THERE IS MORE TO THE EXHIBIT THAN JUST THE PIECES THEMSELVES.

>> WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME FIRST OF ALL IS THAT AS A COMMUNITY, THAT WE SHOULD BE STRONG AN UNITED.

WITH EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD BEING CHAOTIC, TO SAY THE LEAST, I THINK WE SHOULD POWER OUR FAMILIES, HELP EACH OTHER, AND BE AS ONE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR.

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

>> ALONG WITH BRINGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TOGETHER TO ENJOY THE ARTWORK, TEN PERCENT OF ALL THE SALE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE ‘COLORS OF CANCER' NONPROFIT GROUP, WHO RAISE MONEY FOR LOCAL FAMILIES TO HELP FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THEM AS THEY GO THROUGH CANCER TREATMENTS.

>> THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVE-AWAY IS BACK AGAIN THIS SUMMER.

THIS YEAR ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE GIVING AWAY A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUNS RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

AND HERE ARE TONIGHTS FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL HAVE A SHOT AT BEING OUR 2025 CRAGUNS VACATION GRAND PRIZE WINNER, WHICH WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING IN A LIVE DRAWING ON THE MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH NEWSCAST.

>>> STACY HAS TONIGHT OFF, BUT ELISSA IS HERE WITH OUR WEATHER.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> Elissa: GOOD, IT LOOKS LIKE A SUNNY AND COMFORTABLE WEEKEND FOR THE >> AND NOW THE WEATHER ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Elissa: HI EVERYONE, I'M ELISSA BENSON WITH YOUR WEATHER.

STARTING OFF, WE HAVE AN AIR QUALITY ALERT STARTING TOMORROW AT 1:00 P.M. TO 9:00 A.M. ON MONDAY.

THE AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA IS GOING TO REACH THE VERY UNHEALTHY CATEGORY, SO BE CAREFUL THIS WEEKEND AND LIMIT YOUR OUTDOOR TIME WHEN POSSIBLE.

CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW, IT'S PRETTY COMFORTABLE OUTSIDE.

MID-60s TO HIGH 50s OUT, VERY HUMID.

LOOKING AT BEMIDJI CURRENTLY 59 DEGREES, A SOUTHEAST WIND AT 5 MILES PER HOUR, AND 100% HUMIDITY.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN BRAINERD, 65 DEGREES, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 62 DEGREE DEW POINT.

LOOKING AT OUR RADAR RIGHT NOW, WE DO HAVE THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WE SAW EARLIER TODAY MOVING OUT OF THE AREA AND STARTING TO JUST BE CLOUDY TONIGHT, WHICH WILL LEAD TO SOME PATCHY FOG AS WE MOVE INTO AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

THANK YOU TO OUR EAGLE EYE VIEWERS FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA THIS MORNING, GARY HANSON, AND LAURIE IN LITTLE TURTLE WITH A BALD EAGLE.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE WITH THE SKY, AND SAMROSE WITH THE SUNSET THIS MORNING -- SUNRISE, EXCUSE ME.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 56 AND CALM TODAY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, HIGH OF 69 WITH SPRINKLES.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS FOR ARLENE IN LONGVILLE.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, OVER AN 1 INCH OF RAIN TODAY.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, NO RAIN.

SO ACROSS THE BOARD TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING THOSE.

IN BRAINERD TODAY, A HIGH OF 69 DEGREES WITH A LOW OF 51.

5:43 A.M. IS THE SUNRISE.

BEMIDJI COOLER TODAY, HIGH OF 59, WITH A LOW OF 56, AND A 5:41 A.M. SUNRISE.

LOOKING FOR OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE SEE THE CLEAR SKIES TOMORROW AND AS THE DAY MOVES ON, THOSE CLOUDS WILL ALSO BE MOVING OUT OF THE AREA AND THEN AS WE MOVE TOWARDS SUNDAY, WE SEE THE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT WE WILL START TO SEE SUNDAY AFTERNOON INTO SUNDAY EVENING, MOVING INTO THE AREA.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, MID-70s.

IT'S GOING TO BE VERY NICE, A LITTLE BREEZE TOMORROW, AND SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN THE SOUTHERN VIEWING AREA.

TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY, SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH THAT FOG, LOW OF 52.

TOMORROW, AGAIN, CLEARING CLOUDS, A.M. FOG, BUT THEN SMOKE WILL BE MOVING IN TOMORROW AFTERNOON THROUGH THE WEEKEND, HIGH OF 74.

YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST IS LOOKING VERY NICE, FOR THE MOST PART, BESIDES THAT SMOKE THAT WILL BE MOVING IN, NICE MILD TEMPERATURES, AND THEN RAIN MOVING IN ON SUNDAY WITH MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY GOING TO CONTINUE THAT CHANCE OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS AND THEN STARTING TO CLEAR UP ONCE WE REACH THURSDAY.

IT'S GOING TO BE A NICE WEEK.

>> Dennis: THANKS ELISSA.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

AN IMPORTANT FUNDRAISER FOR BSU HOCKEY.

>> Charlie: YES, BSU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GOALIE WHO LOST HIS LIFE TO CANCER IN 1996, BUT IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR A LOT OF FORMER PLAYERS TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE SOME FUN, EVEN WITH THE RAIN OUT THERE.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE COMING UP [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> THE LEADERBOARD COMING INTO FRIDAY AT THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP WAS A BIT MUDDLED, WITH FIVE GOLFERS TIED FOR THE LEAD AT 4-UNDER, AND ANOTHER 12 WITHIN 2-STROKES, BUT ROUND TWO AT THE ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB MADE THINGS A BIT CLEARER.

THE WEATHER COULDN'T MAKE UP IT'S MIND TODAY IN NORTHERN IRELAND, CHANGING BETWEEN MISTY AND SUNNY AS THE GOLFERS TRIED TO MAKE THE CUT.

2023 OPEN CHAMP BRIAN HARMAN LED THE FIELD EARLY, BIRDIE HERE AT 18 GIVES HIM A 2ND ROUND 65, ENDS THE DAY AT 8-UNDER PAR, TIED FOR 3RD, WITH LI HAOTONG WHO CONTINUED HIS STRONG PLAY TODAY.

HE LED THE TOURNAMENT AFTER ROUND ONE, AT THE PAR THREE 6TH, ALMOST HAS THE ACE, HE FINISHED WITH A 67.

ANOTHER OF YESTERDAY'S LEADERS, MATT FITZPATRICK, HE HAD FOUR STRAIGHT BIRDIES ON THE BACK NINE INCLUDING THIS ONE AT 13, HE CARDED A 66, CURRENTLY SITS IN 2ND AT 9-UNDER.

BECAUSE WORLD NUMBER ONE SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER HAD HIMSELF A DAY ON THE GREENS, NONE OF HIS EIGHT BIRDIE PUTTS WERE WITHIN 7-FEET, THAT ONE AT HOLE 6 WAS HIS LONGEST AT 35.

HE'D TAKE THE LEAD WITH BACK-TO-BACK BIRDIES ON 16 AND HERE AT 17, SHOOTING A 64, THE LOWEST SINGLE DAY MAJOR SCORE OF HIS CAREER.

AND HE NOW SITS ATOP THE LEADERBOARD AT 10-UNDER, AMERICAN CHRIS GOTTERUP CRACKING THE TOP 5 AFTER A 6-UNDER SECOND ROUND.

HE WASN'T EVEN EXPECTING TO PLAY IN THE OPEN UNTIL HE QUALIFIED AFTER WINNING THE SCOTTISH OPEN THIS PAST SUNDAY.

IT'S COOL FOR HIM.

>>> THE ALL-STAR BREAK IS OVER AND THE TWINS BEGIN THEIR 2ND HALF OF THE SEASON AT THE BASE OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AT COORS FIELD, WHERE THE ROCKIES ARE HAVING A HISTORICALLY BAD SEASON, BUT TONIGHT THEY STARTED THINGS OFF ABOUT AS WELL AS YOU CAN HOPE, BACK-TO-BACK DOUBLES, A TRIPLE, AND THEN A TWO-RUN HOME RUN BY RYAN MCMAHON TO PUT THEM UP 4-0 BEFORE MINNESOTA EVEN RECORDED AN OUT.

TOP OF THE 5TH, 5-0, THEY SAY THE HOME RUN DERBY CAN MESS WITH YOUR SWING, BYRON BUXTON MUST NOT HAVE HEARD, A MILE HIGH BUCK TRUCK PUTS THE TWINS ON THE BOARD.

IN THE 7th, WILLIE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE THIN AIR IN DENVER, 3-RUN HOMER, HIS 10th OF THE SEASON.

THEY TRAILED 6-4 AND THAT WOULD END UP BEING THE FINAL SCORE, NOT THE SECOND HALF START THAT THE TWINS HOPED FOR, ESPECIALLY AGAINST THE WORST TEAM IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

>>> WELL BEMIDJI STATE MEN'S HOCKEY TRADED IN THE HOCKEY STICKS FOR GOLF CLUBS TODAY, FOR THE 28TH ANNUAL GALEN NAGLE MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT HELD AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB.

THE FUNDRAISER IS NAMED FOR FORMER BSU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GOALIE GALEN NAGLE WHO PASSED AWAY FROM CANCER IN 1996.

IT WASN'T NECESSARILY AN IDEAL DAY FOR GOLF, FEELING A BIT LIKE THE BRITISH OPEN WHEN THE RAIN CAME IN, BUT NONTHELESS, 185 BEAVER HOCKEY FANS AND ALUMNI TEED OFF FOR THE EVENT.

THAT'S BECAUSE IN ADDITION TO BEING A FUNDRAISING TOURNAMENT, IT'S CHANCE FOR GENERATIONS OF BSU ALUMNI TO TALK HOCKEY WITH EACH OTHER AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> BEAVER HOCKEY IS SPECIAL.

IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM, WHEN YOU HAVE SUCCESS AS A PROGRAM LIKE WE'VE HAD, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY RESONATES WITH THE PLAYERS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT'S NOT ONLY THE PLAYERS, IT'S THE COMMUNITY.

SO I THINK FOR BOTH PARTIES, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE EVERYBODY GET TOGETHER, HAVE A GOOD TIME, AND IT'S ONE TIME IN THE SUMMER WHERE WE CAN THINK OF BEAVER HOCKEY.

IT'S RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

>> YOU GET TO KNOW PEOPLE THAT YOU PLAY WITH AND THOSE WHO PLAYED BEFORE YOU.

I SAW ONE FROM SUMMER AND I DIDN'T PLAY ANY GAMES WITH THEM, BUT WHAT TOM HAS BUILT HERE IS PRETTY AWESOME.

>> THE TOURNAMENT TYPICALLY RAISES BETWEEN $35,000 TO $45,000 A YEAR.

>> Dennis: TOO BAD THE WEATHER WASN'T BETTER BUT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAD A GREAT TIME.

THANKS CHARLIE.

DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THE BRAINERD PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS THE BROWN BAG SUMMER AUTHOR SERIES, FOR RESIDENTS TO COME AND HEAR FROM THEIR FAVORITE LOCAL AUTHORS.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL WAS AT THE LATEST INSTALLMENT FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY PFIZER, 87 ERS PERCENT OF AMERICANS FEAR AGING.

THAT WAS THE CASE WHEN SHE WOKE UP DAYS BEFORE HER 75th BIRTHDAY.

>> I WOKE UP ONE ORDINARY MORNING AND I HAD WHAT I NOW THINK OF AS A LEAP OF CONSCIOUSNESS.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT DAWNED ON ME THAT WHEN I HIT MY 75th BIRTHDAY IN ONLY WEEKS, I WOULD NO LONGER BE AN OLDER PERSON.

I WOULD BE AN OLD PERSON.

THAT REALLY GOT ME.

>> Reporter: GROWING OLD IN AN AGE OF LONGEVITY, GUIDING PEOPLE THROUGH AGING THROUGH HER EXPERIENCES.

>> I THINK PEOPLE DON'T TALK ABOUT THE PLEASURES AND BENEFITS OF OLD AGE ENOUGH.

THAT IS ONE REASON WHY I WROTE THE BOOK BECAUSE THERE IS NO REASON, FOR ONE THING, WE'RE LIVING LONGER, MANY OF US.

SO, THIS PART OF LIFE WILL LAST LONGER.

SO, WE HAVE A CHANCE THEN TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

>> Reporter: SHE SHARED EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK AND FIELDED QUESTIONS AT THE BROWN BAG SUMMER AUTHOR SERIES, AN EVENT WHERE MINNESOTA AUTHORS COME TO SHARE THEIR BOOKS AND DISCUSS THE THEMES WITHIN THEM.

>> PEOPLE LOVE TO HEAR AN AUTHOR READ FROM THEIR WORK.

WE KNOW THAT CHILDREN LOVE TO BE READ TO, AUTHORS ALSO LOVE TO BE READ TO, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S THE AUTHOR READING.

IT'S REALLY SPECIAL.

THEY GET, AS ONE OF OUR REGULAR ATTENDEES SAID, COULD YOU READ TO US SO THAT I CAN GET THE FLAVOR OF YOUR BOOK?

>> Reporter: AFTER ALL THE QUESTIONS WERE ASKED AND ANSWERED, SHE HOPES THAT PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER FEAR AGING BUT EMBRACE IT.

>> I HOPE THEY TAKE AWAY FROM IT, THAT OLD AGE IS, FOR ONE THING, JUST ANOTHER TIME OF LIFE.

IT IS A TIME WHERE WE CAN BE HAPPY, WHERE WE CAN ENGAGE IN WHAT I CALL THE ADVENTURES OF LIFE, WHATEVER THAT MAY BE FOR US.

I HOPE PEOPLE WILL TAKE AWAY THAT YES, A NECESSARY DOSE OF REALISM AND HEALTHY DOSE OF OPTIMISM.

>> Reporter: WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE NEXT BRAINERD LIBRARY BROWN BAG SUMMER AUTHOR SERIES WILL BE ON JULY 21ST AT NOON, FEATURING JOSH MOELING AND HIS BOOK “A LONG TIME GONE”.

>>> WE HAVE TIME FOR A LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

BACK TO ELISSA WE GO.

>> Elissa: HI EVERYONE, STILL LOOKING AT OUR WEATHER MOVING IN.

SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH SOME FOG, LOW OF 52.

TOMORROW, DECREASING CLOUDS, BUT THE SMOKE IS GOING TO MOVE IN, HIGH OF 74.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST HERE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME NICE MILD TEMPERATURES WITH SOME CHANCES OF RAIN, ESPECIALLY AS WE MOVE INTO NEXT WEEK.

WE'RE GOING TO STAY AT THAT UPPER 70s, LOWER 80s MARK SO A NICE MILD COMFORTABLE WEEK.

>> Dennis: THANKS ELISSA AND THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

WE'RE BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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