>> 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.

>>> ITS AN EVENT OVER TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

PHASE ONE GROUNDBREAKING TOOK PLACE THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE WONDERTREK CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IN BAXTER.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: BY SOURCE WELL'S LEADERSHIP, WONDERTREK CHILDREN'S MUSEUM HAS INCHED ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING A REALITY.

>> THE COMMUNITY REALLY SHOWED UP TO CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE OF FINALLY BREAKING GROUND AFTER SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE PUT SO MUCH INTENTION INTO MAKING SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF OUR ENTIRE REGION.

IT FEELS GREAT.

>> Reporter: WONDERTREK IS AN IN-DEMAND RESOURCE FOR LOCAL FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS, AND SEASONAL RESIDENTS AND TRAVELING FAMILIES, AND IT'S ACCESSIBLE TO THE REGION'S FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND SCHOOLS.

>> THIS SPOT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW IS THE CENTER POINT OF HITTING 60% OF THE KIDS THAT ARE AGE 8 AND UNDER THAT LIVE IN OUR REGION.

HAVING IT IN THE BAXTER AREA GETS TO BRAINERD, PEQUOT LAKES, AND THE SURROUNDING SCHOOLS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: PHASE ONE FOR THE WONDERTREK MUSEUM INCLUDES PLAY AND INTERACTIVE LEARNING, PROVIDING RESOURCES TO PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES.

>> WE'RE STARTING SMALL AND WE'RE LOOKING LONG-TERM, EXTENDING THE ROAD TO OUR SITE AND ALL THE UTILITIES, DOING ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE PARKING LOTS AND STORM WATER INFILTRATION AND BUILDING OUR ADVENTURE OUTFITTER STUDIO.

>> Reporter: THEY ENVISION A VIBRANT AND CONNECTED REGION BECAUSE ALL CHILDREN ENJOY THE RELATIONSHIPS, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE WELLBEING THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE REALIZING THAT VISION.

>> THE PARTNERSHIPS, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED, THE STAFF THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AND OUR MUSEUM LEADER, THERE IS NOTHING MORE GRATIFYING IN THE WORK WE PUT IN TO GET TO TODAY AND HAVE THIS MUSEUM DONE AND HAVE FAMILIES COMING IN.

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

[APPLAUSE] >> PHASE ONE OF THE WONDERTREK CHILDREN MUSEUM IS EXPECTED TO START IN EARLY 2026.

>>> THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED THE LATEST UPDATES LAST NIGHT REGARDING DAMAGE FROM THE DEVASTATING JUNE STORM AND HOW THE CLEANUP PROCESS IS PROGRESSING.

CITY MANAGER, RICH SPICZKA, SAYS THE CITY IS WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET CITY PARKS BACK OPEN BUT SOME LIKE DIAMOND POINT PARK ARE STILL CONSIDERED DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC.

SPICZKA SAID THAT ABOUT 80-PERCENT OF TRAILS WITHIN THE CITY HAVE NOW BEEN REOPENED.

AND HE REPORTS THE CITY IS WELL PAST THE HALFWAY POINT IN REGARDS TO CLEANUP, BUT SOME AREAS STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

SPICZKA IS ALSO ASKING THE PUBLIC FOR HELP, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE INCOMING FORECASTED HEAVY RAIN IN THE AREA.

>> ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC THAT CAN DO ANYTHING TO HELP KEEP STORM DRAINS OPEN, THAT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

WE HAVE SEEN FOLKS CLEANING THEM OUT, WHICH IS FANTASTIC.

WE HAVE ALSO SEEN FOLKS RAKING STUFF INTO THEM.

WE ASK THEY DO NOT DO THAT, THAT'S NOT HELPFUL.

IF YOU GO BY ONE AND SEE YOU DEBRIS, DO ANYTHING YOU CAN TO CLEAN IT OUT.

THE FIRST HEAVY RAINFALL, WE FOUND THE ONES THAT WERE PLUGGED VERY QUICKLY AND WE'LL HAVE MORE OF THOSE EVENTS AS WE GO THROUGH.

THERE IS DEBRIS ON THE CURB, DEBRIS ON THE ROAD, SO ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP KEEP THE STORM DRAINS CLEAN WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

>> AFTER HEARING THE UPDATED INFORMATION, THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL EXTENDED THE CITY'S LOCAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS.

>>> THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT IS RESUMING ENFORCEMENT OF PARKING REGULATIONS IN THE CITY.

THE WIND STORM ON JUNE 28TH CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CITY AND HARDSHIPS FOR MANY AS THEY TRIED TO CLEAN UP AND PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER.

AT THAT TIME THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT MADE AN IMMEDIATE DECISION TO CEASE ENFORCEMENT OF PARKING REGULATIONS CITYWIDE.

BEMIDJI POLICE CHIEF MIKE MASTIN SAYS THAT AS THE CLEAN UP HAS PROGRESSED THROUGHOUT THE CITY IT IS NOW TIME TO BEGIN ENFORCING PARKING REGULATIONS.

HE SAID POLICE WILL IMMEDIATELY BEGIN ENFORCING PARKING REGULATIONS THROUGH WRITTEN WARNINGS UNTIL JULY 31ST.

BEGINNING AUGUST 1ST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL RETURN TO ITS NORMAL PRACTICE OF PARKING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT.

>>> ESSENTIA HEALTH IS RESUMING SERVICES AT SEVERAL BRAINERD LAKES AREA LOCATIONS AFTER THE MINNESOTA NURSES ASSOCIATION WITHDREW ITS STRIKE NOTICE FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS.

SERVICES WERE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED AT ESSENTIAL CLINICS -- ESSENTIA CLINICS I SHOULD SAY IN DEERWOOD, EMILY AND HACKENSACK AND ALSO AT ESSENTIAL URGENT CARE IN STAPLES.

THE M.N.A.

IS CURRENTLY PROPOSING THAT 400-PLUS A.P.P.

'S ACROSS ESSENTIA'S ENTIRE EAST MARKET FORM A SINGLE BARGAINING UNIT.

ESSENTIA SAYS IT APPEALED THE COMPOSITION OF THIS UNIT DUE TO THE POTENTIALLY DAMAGING IMPACT TO PATIENT CARE IF MORE THAN 400 CLINICIANS WERE SUDDENLY UNAVAILABLE BECAUSE OF A STRIKE.

ESSENTIA OFFICIALS SAY THE M.N.A.

LEADERSHIP'S UNILATERAL MOVE TO WITHDRAW THE STRIKE NOTICE COMES DESPITE NO CHANGE IN POSITION FROM ESSENTIA REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LEGAL REVIEW PROCESS BEFORE THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

ESSENTIA SAYS NEARLY 70-PERCENT OF A.P.P.

'S CHOSE TO CONTINUE WORKING AND SEEING PATIENTS AMID THE STRIKE.

M.N.A.

OFFICIALS SAY ESSENTIA CONTINUES TO STONEWALL A.P.P.

'S THROUGH A STALLED LEGAL APPEAL.

THEY SAY THE APPEAL DOES NOT EXEMPT ESSENTIA FROM BARGAINING AND THAT THEY FORMED A LEGALLY CERTIFIED UNION, AND IGNORING THEIR VOICE IS UNLAWFUL AND SHORTSIGHTED.

>>> REPUBLICAN STATE CENTER BRUCE ANDERSON DIED UNEXPECTEDLY YESTERDAY.

HE WAS 75 YEARS OLD.

ANDERSON SERVED AT THE CAPITOL SINCE 1995, FIRST AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THEN UNTIL 2013, AND FROM 2013 UNTIL NOW AS A STATE SENATOR.

GOVERNOR WALZ WILL CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO FILL ANDERSON'S SEAT IN THE SENATE.

>>> THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL IS LOOKING TO EXTEND CITY WATER AND SANITARY SEWER TO THE NORTH SIDE OF LAKE BEMIDJI, AS THEY HAVE APPROVED THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR AN EXTENSION PROJECT ALONG COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAY 20.

THE BELTRAMI COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS PROPOSING TO RECONSTRUCT BIRCHMONT BEACH ROAD NORTHEAST IN THE 2026 CONSTRUCTION SEASON AND CITY STAFF HOPE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AND SAVE ON ROAD REPLACEMENT COSTS.

CITY ENGINEER, SAM ANDERSON, SAYS THE PROPOSED UTILITY EXTENSION WILL NOT REQUIRE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND WILL PROVIDE AN ALTERNATE SOLUTION TO THOSE PROPERTIES ALONG THE CORRIDOR THAT MAY HAVE CURRENT OR FUTURE SEPTIC ISSUES.

THE CITY WILL BE PARTNERING WITH BOLTON AND MENK INCORPORATED, LOCATED IN GRAND RAPIDS, TO >> THIS IS JUST DESIGN AND BIDDING SERVICES.

THE BREAKDOWN, ABOUT HALF OF IT WOULD BE SPENT UP THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER, WHICH IS WHERE WE EXPECT THE TRIAL DATE TO BE.

IF WE COMPLETE THROUGH BIDDING, IT WOULD BE THE 351,000.

AT THIS POINT, WE'RE NOT SURE IF WE WOULD HIRE THEM TO DO THE INSPECTION, IF WE GO FORWARD, OR IF OUR STAFF WOULD TAKE THAT UP, OR IF THIS IS THE DESIGN BIDDING.

>> THE CITY HOPES TO HAVE PRELIMINARY DESIGNS COMPLETED BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER, WITH FINAL DESIGNS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF THE YEAR TO MEET THE COUNTY'S ROAD DESIGN AND BIDDING TIMELINES.

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

>> Stacy: HEAVY RAINFALL COULD BRING SOME FLOODING CONCERNS TO NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AND WILDFIRE SMOKE WILL ONCE AGAIN IMPACT AIR QUALITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHWEST.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS ON WATCHES AND ADVISORIES IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, AARP AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TEAMED UP IN AN EVENT TO HELP [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, PEOPLE LOST OVER $12 BILLION TO SCAMS IN 2024, TO HELP PEOPLE BECOME MORE AWARE OF HOW TO PREVENT THEMSELVES FROM BEING SCAMMED, AARP AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TEAMED UP TO PUT ON WHAT THEY CALL A SCAM JAM.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

>> CAMS -- SCAMS ARE ON THE RISE, THERE WERE OVER 2.5 MILLION REPORTS OF FRAUD IN 2024.

1 IN 3 PEOPLE WHO REPORTED THE SCAM ALSO REPORTED LOSING MONEY.

AARP AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ARE HELPING LOOK OUT FOR PEOPLE BY HOSTING WHAT THEY DUB SCAM JAM.

>> WHEN WE HEAR FROM PEOPLE AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OUR MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE, WHEN WE ASK THEM ABOUT THEIR BIGGEST CONCERNS AND INTERESTS, STAYING SAFE FROM FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT IS ALWAYS RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

SO WE BROUGHT TOGETHER EXPERT FROM A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND WE'RE PROVIDING EDUCATION, SO THAT EVERYONE CAN STAY SAFER FROM FRAUD.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT HIGHLIGHTED HOW EASILY SOMEONE COULD BE SCAMMED.

IN THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TACTICS THAT SCAMMERS USE.

>> AS WE SPEAK, THEY'RE LEARNING HOW TO GET BETTER AND BETTER OF TRIPPING OUR EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS, THREATS ARE AMONG THE MOST POWERFUL WAYS FOR SOMEONE'S PSYCHOLOGY TO BE HOT WIRED, JUST THE FEAR FACTOR THAT A FAMILY MEMBER IS IN TROUBLE AND THEY NEED TO BE BAILED OUT BY YOU.

THE FEAR FACTOR, THE THREATS IS THE MOST POWERFUL TYPE OF SCAM.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT WAS SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TOWARDS OLDER ADULTS.

ACCORDING TO THE BBB, ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE AGE 65 AND UP WERE EXPOSED TO A SCAM IN 2023.

>> WE KNOW WHEN YOU'RE NOT IN A WORKPLACE, YOU'RE NOT NECESSARILY RECEIVING REAL-TIME INFORMATION ON TECHNOLOGY ISSUES AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HELPING SENIORS UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT LANDSCAPE LOOKS LIKE AND TO BE ABLE, AS WE WOULD SAY, STOP, SPOT, AND REPORT ANY SCAMS THAT THEY'RE SEEING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.

>> Reporter: THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND AARP ARE NOT STOPPING THEIR PURSUIT OF PREVENTING FRAUD AND ABUSE AT THE SCAM JAM.

THEY OFFER FREE TOOLS TO HELP PROTECT PEOPLE FROM SCAMS.

>> WE'RE THERE TO PROVIDE CONSUMER EDUCATION AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS THIS ENVIRONMENT WHERE BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS ETHICAL MARKETPLACE.

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

>> FOR MORE RESOURCES ON HOW TO PREVENT YOURSELF FROM GETTING SCAMMED, HEAD TO AARP.ORG SLASH FRAUD WATCH NETWORK OR THEFIRSTBBB.ORG.

>>> ALL RIGHT, ALL SUMMER LONG, VIEWERS HAVE BEEN ENTERING THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY.

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

EACH NEWSCAST WE DRAW FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS FOR THE GRAND DRAWING.

AND HERE THEY ARE FOR TONIGHT IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL BE IN THE GRAND DRAWING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE LIVE ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH NEWSCAST.

>>> STACY HERE NOW WITH OUR WEATHER.

LOOKING LIKE THE POSSIBILITY FOR HEAVY RAIN?

>> Stacy: YES, SEVERAL SHOWERS OF THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA.

SOME COULD CONTAIN HEAVY RAINFALL AND WE HAVE SATURATED SOIL.

IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING, A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THAT REGION.

WE WILL SEE IMPACTS FROM CANADIAN WILDFIRES ON OUR AIR QUALITY AND AN AIR QUALITY ALERT IS OUT FOR PART OF OUR [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, WE HAVE SEEN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA TODAY.

SOME OF US ARE RECEIVING A GOOD AMOUNT OF RAINFALL AND WE'RE EXPECTING MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

SOME OF THOSE COULD BE SEVERE AND WE COULD SEE HEAVY RAINFALL WITH THOSE.

WE DO HAVE FLOOD WATCHES AND AIR QUALITY ALERTS OUT FOR THE AREA AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

SOME MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, IT'S 74 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI.

AT OUR STUDIO, THE DEW POINT IS UP TO 69.

MUGGY OUT THERE.

WE PICKED UP OVER 0.25-INCH OF RAINFALL.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 79, WITH THE DEW POINT OF 72.

PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

A FLOOD WATCH IS OUT FOR PARTS OF NORTHEAST MINNESOTA THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.

WE'LL SEE MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF HEAVY RAINFALL, THAT IS IN THE FORECAST AND THAT HEAVY RAINFALL MAY FALL ON TOP OF ALREADY SATURATED SOIL SO WE COULD SEE EXCESSIVE RUN OFF AND FLASH FLOODING IS POSSIBLE AND AN AIR QUALITY ALERT IS OUT FOR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FROM 6:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY TO 11:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, THE AIR QUALITY INDEX IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE RED OR UNHEALTHY CATEGORY.

YOU MENTIONED RAINFALL, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING AND IN GENERAL OUTSIDE OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, WE'RE LOOKING AT HALF AN INCH TO MAYBE 1 AND THREE QUARTER INCH OF ADDITIONAL RAINFALL.

ON THE SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE HAVE BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS THIS EVENING, AND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAKING THEIR WAY ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA, PUSHING NOW INTO NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE WILL SEE MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR MOST OF US, A 2 OUT OF 5 RISK OF SEEING SEVERE STORMS WITHIN THAT, AND WE COULD SEE HEAVY RAINFALL WITHIN THOSE STORMS THROUGH TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

A LOT OF WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

ROBIN SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SKIES TODAY AND RAINBOW SPOTTED FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

RALPH SENDING US A PHOTO OF THE DARK CLOUDS THROUGH THE TREES IN JENKINS.

GARY WITH THE FLOWERS IN BLOOM.

AND A STINKER IN THE YARD IN BRAINERD.

BEAUTIFUL EVENING SKIES TONIGHT, GORGEOUS SUNSET FROM SONYA AT TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

SARAH AT LAKE EDWARD, AND BILL AND JUDY FROM UPPER RED LAKE.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, OFF AND ON RAIN TODAY, ABOUT 1 INCH OF TOTAL PRECIPITATION.

RALPH REPORTING 1.5 INCHES OF RAIN IN JENKINS.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 1.6 INCHES OF RAIN.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, 0.8-INCH OF RAIN.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A TRACE OF RAINFALL TODAY.

1 INCH OF RAIN FROM SARAH FROM MERRIFIELD.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, 1.25 INCHES OF RAIN.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME PRETTY GOOD RAINFALL TOTALS TODAY.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 82.

THE LOW WAS 68.

IN BEMIDJI, 82 WAS THE HIGH AND A LITTLE BIT ABOVE AVERAGE AND OUR LOW WAS 66.

SO TOMORROW'S FORECAST, OUTSIDE OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA WHERE WE MAY SEE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AND AGAIN THE POTENTIAL IS THERE FOR LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL.

HIGHS ACROSS THE NORTH SHOULD BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s, WITH HIGHS AROUND 80 DEGREES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, BUT AGAIN A CLOUDY DAY WITH GOOD CHANCES OF SEEING MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY TONIGHT, SOME SEVERE, AND SOME COULD PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL, LOWS NEAR 66.

TOMORROW, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY ACROSS MOST OF THE AREA, A SMALLER CHANCE IN THE NORTHWEST, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGH NEAR 78.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, ISOLATED RAIN SHOWERS HERE AND THERE.

TEMPERATURES ARE STARTING TO WARM UP AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE WEEKEND, SMALL CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-80s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE SPORTS FRONT?

>> Charlie: WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO SOME PODCASTERS.

BEER BELLY SPORTS IS THEIR NAME, THEY'RE LOCATED IN BEMIDJI AND THEY COVER SOME LOCAL SPORTS AND MINNESOTA SPORTS ABROAD AS WELL, UP TO THE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL.

WE GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM THEM COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: SINCE THE ALL-STAR BREAK, THE TWINS ARE 1-3 WITH TWO OF THE LOSSES COMING IN THE HANDS OF THE WORST TEAM IN BASEBALL.

THE OTHER IS THE NL WEST BEST DODGERS.

TONIGHT, THEY GOT OUT TO AN EARLY LEAD.

TWINS WERE ONLY 1 FOR 8 LAST NIGHT.

WELL, WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION AND HERE IN THE TOP OF THE 2nd, ROYCE LEWIS LOOKS LIKE HE MAY BE PUTTING AN OUT BUT NO.

TOUGH CHOPPER, AND HE SCORES.

A FEW BATTERS LATER, VASQUEZ DOUBLES TO THE ALLEY, HE IS GOING TO SCORE 2, AND THAT'S WHERE THE GAME IS NOW.

THE TWINS ARE LEADING 3-0 AT THE TOP OF THE FOURTH.

A COUPLE MORE SCORES FOR YOU.

THE MINNESOTA LYNX BEAT THE CHICAGO SKY.

IN THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THAT'S THE LEADERBOARD RIGHT NOW.

I WANT TO DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO TIED FOR FOURTH, JACOB, HIS HOME COURSE, BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB.

HE IS FROM GRAND FORKS BUT HE IS BATTLING IT OUT NEAR THE TOP, 3 SHOTS OFF THE LEAD.

YOU MAY SEE HIM NEXT WEEK AT THE BIRCHMONT AS WELL.

>>> ALSO, BSU WOMEN'S HOCKEY HIRED A GOALTENDING COACH, JESSICA.

SHE PLAYED PRO HOCKEY, SO A PRACTICE GOALIE IN THE PWHL.

>>> WELL, IT'S THE HOT NEW THING, PODCASTS.

EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE ONE BUT WHAT SETS APART THE GOOD FROM THE REALLY GOOD?

WHAT COMPELS LISTENERS TO TUNE IN?

WELL THE FOLKS AT BEER BELLY SPORTS, A LOCAL PODCAST THAT STARTED A DECADE AGO THINKS THEY HAVE THE ANSWER AND IT STARTS WITH BEING ONE OF THE GUYS.

>> GOOD MORNING, GOOD AFTERNOON, GOOD EVENING, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE, THIS IS BEER BELLY SPORTS FROM THE RUNWAY LOUNGE.

THIS IS SOUTH BEMIDJI.

>> Reporter: MATT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE GUYS.

HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF A MICROPHONE, A GOOD COMBINATION FOR A PODCASTER.

THE FOUNDER, OWNER, AND OPERATOR OF BEER BELLY SPORTS WAS AN ONLINE RADIO TALENT WHEN HE AND HIS COWORKER CAME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR A PODCAST IN 2016.

>> WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT SPORTS AND TALKING ABOUT BEER, AND TALKING ABOUT FOOD.

WE WENT AFTER WHATEVER WE WANT TO GO WITH.

IT WAS REALLY PODCASTING BEFORE PODCASTING STARTED.

>> Reporter: OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, THEY WOULD SEE THE DEPARTURE OF SEVERAL CO-HOSTS AND REBRANDING BEFORE SETTLING ON THEIR CURRENT FORM.

>> GUYS BEING GUYS AND HAVING A COUPLE DRINKS HERE AND THERE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: NOTHING COULD EVER GO WRONG.

>> HOW COULD THAT EVER GO WRONG?

IT WON'T GO WRONG.

>> Reporter: IT HAS GONE WRONG.

THAT'S WHERE CO-HOST AND FLOW MASTER DUSTIN COMES IN.

>> I DECIDED HEY, INSTEAD OF JUST TALKING ABOUT WILLY-NILLY EVERYTHING, LET'S COME UP WITH A 6-PACK, SIX THINGS WE TALK ABOUT, HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, AND MOVE IT TO THE NEXT THING TO KEEP IT FLOWING.

>> Reporter: BUT EVEN PATTEN IS NOT IMMUNE TO GUYS BEING GUYS.

>> I FALL INTO THE SHENANIGANS TOO.

>> Reporter: THEY DO LIVE PLAY-BY-PLAY FOR THE BLUE OX AND THE BUCKS, A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR BRUCE.

>> MY OLD LADY WAS NICE AND SAID YOU CAN CHASE A DREAM AND CALL A BASEBALL GAME.

I NEVER GOT TO DO THAT BEFORE.

I WAS A HARRY FAN GROWING UP, HI EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: BEER BELLY SPORTS HAS OVER 3,000 FOLLOWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WITH THOUSANDS LISTENING TO THEIR PLAY-BY-PLAY PODCASTS AND LIVESTREAMS.

WITH POPULARITY, COMES THE OCCASIONAL NEGATIVE COMMENT THAT CAN GET UNDER THE SKIN.

>> SOMETIMES A LITTLE BIT, YEAH.

NOT SO MUCH, I GUESS I DON'T CARE ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: HATERS GOING TO HATE, WHICH IS WHY THE GUYS AT BEER BELLY SPORTS FOCUS ON GROWING THE PODCAST FOR THE AUDIENCE THAT APPRECIATES THEM.

>> OVER IS OVER.

>> Reporter: THE GUYS JUST BEING GUYS.

>> I WANT TO MAKE IT BIG.

ANYBODY CAN HAVE A PODCAST, ANYBODY COULD HAVE A SPORTS PODCAST, BUT LET'S HAVE FUN.

LET'S KEEP IT ENTERTAINING.

WHO CARES.

IT'S FUN.

IT'S LIKE TALKING SPORTS WITH YOUR BUDDIES AT A BAR, THAT'S ALL IT IS.

>> Charlie: THE GUYS AT BEER BELLY SPORTS, THEY HAVE A WEBSITE.

YOU CAN CHECK IT DOWN BELOW.

AND IT HAS THE LINKS TO ALL OF THEIR PODCASTS.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

THE NATIONAL GOLF FOUNDATION REPORTED MORE THAN 47 MILLION AMERICANS PLAYED GOLF IN 2024 AND FOLKS AROUND THE BEMIDJI AREA WERE NO EXCEPTION TO THOSE NUMBERS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK VISITED THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB TO TALK WITH LOCAL YOUTH GOLFERS ABOUT THEIR UPCOMING MATCHES AND WHAT THE SPORT MEANS TO THEM.

>> Reporter: MANY STUDENTS LOOK FORWARD TO SPENDING THEIR SUMMER BREAK OUTSIDE, BUT FOR THIS GROUP OF BEMIDJI AND PARK RAPIDS MIDDLE SCHOOLERS, A NICE SUNNY DAY DOESN'T MEANTIME AT THE BEACH BUT TIME ON THE GOLF COURSE.

>> GOLF CAN GET REALLY TOUGH AND CAN BE REALLY HARD ON YOU, BUT GETTING TO PLAY IN A TEAM ATMOSPHERE GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY SOME OF THOSE THINGS YOU WOULD DO IN OTHER TEAM SPORTS.

>> Reporter: THESE KIDS ARE TAKING IT TO HEART WITH SOME OF THEM STARTING TO PLAY AS YOUNG AS 3 YEARS OLD.

>> I HAVE BEEN GOLFING FOR NINE YEARS.

>> PROBABLY SIX YEARS.

>> I'VE BEEN GOLFING FOR TEN YEARS NOW.

>> Reporter: HOW OLD ARE YOU?

>> 13.

>> Reporter: THE PGA 13-U TEAM IS PRACTICING AND PREPARING FOR THEIR SUMMER FULL OF COMPETITION.

>> I'M NERVOUS FOR OUR MATCHES, BUT YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF GOES AWAY WHEN YOU GET CLOSER.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU CAN KIND OF GET THE EXPERIENCE AND YOU CAN ALSO BE NOTICED, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO PLAY, LIKE I DO.

>> YOU DON'T REALLY NEED THE TALENT, JUST NEED THE MENTAL SIDE OF THE THING, WHICH IS AWESOME.

MY DAD HAS TAUGHT ME ABOUT IT.

SO I'M THANKFUL AND PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS TEAM.

>> Reporter: AND PLACING SECOND AT NATIONALS TAUGHT THEM BIGGER LESSONS THAN JUST BEING GOOD AT THE SPORT.

>> EVERYONE GIVES YOU A HIGH-FIVE AND SAYS GREAT JOB, THEN FIVE MINUTES LATER EVERYONE IS HEADED TO THEIR HOMES AND YOU ARE LEFT TO ENJOY IT.

>> IT'S NICE TO PLAY ON A TEAM BECAUSE YOU GET TO HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND IT'S ALSO A GOOD PRACTICE IN LIFE THAT IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU, IT'S ABOUT EVERYONE, THAT HELPS YOU GET ALL THE WAY THERE.

>> Reporter: WITH EVENTS LIKE THEIR TWO DAY MATCH AGAINST THE METRO ALL-STARS THAT STARTS TOMORROW, THE TEAM HAS TO TAKE IT DAY BY DAY.

>> IT WILL HELP US IMPROVE, FIRST DAY, REGIONALS, AND NATIONALS.

WHEN YOU MAKE IT TO NATIONALS, YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO PRACTICE.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE NORTHERN LIGHTS TEAM WILL BE HOSTING THE PRESTWICK METRO ALL STARS FROM THE TWIN CITIES IN A TWO-DAY EVENT STARTING TOMORROW AT 3:30 P.M. AT THE HEADWATERS GOLF COURSE IN PARK RAPIDS AND THEN HERE IN BEMIDJI AT THE TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB THIS THURSDAY, TEEING OFF AT 9:30 A.M. >>> THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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