>> 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.

>>> MINNESOTA HAS A NEW TIP PROGRAM FOR MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES CASES.

THE TIP REWARD PROGRAM COMES FROM THE STATE'S MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES OFFICE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT WAS UNVEILED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY.

THE REWARDS ARE SET IN TIERS.

$1,000 UP $2,500 FOR TIPS FOR THE IDENTITY OF PERSONS OF INTEREST.

$5,000 FOR TIPS THAT LEAD TO AN ARREST OR SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND UP TO $10,000 FOR LOCATING REMAINS OR CLOSING OUT LONG-TERM UNSOLVED CASES.

THE GOAL IS TO HELP SOLVE CASES AND BRING JUSTICE AND CLOSURE TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE EPIDEMIC OF MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES.

THERE ARE 16 MMIR CASES CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE FOR REWARDS INCLUDING TWO IN THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>> WITHIN OUR OWN COMMUNITY, THE BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT, UNLIKE MANY OTHERS ACROSS THE STATE, WE INVESTIGATED THOUSANDS OF MISSING PERSON CASES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

THANKFULLY, BECAUSE OF THE DILIGENT WORK OF OFFICERS AND DETECTIVES, IN OUR COMMUNITY, ONLY 2 REMAIN MISSING.

THOSE TWO HAVE BEEN MISSING FOR FAR TOO LONG.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS, I AM HOPEFUL THIS REWARD PROGRAM ENCOURAGES PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HOLDING ON TO INFORMATION FOR FAR TOO LONG TO COME FORWARD.

IT'S TIME TO GIVE THESE FAMILIES CLOSURE.

>> ANONYMOUS TIPS ARE ACCEPTED.

HOWEVER, ELIGIBILITY FOR A MONETARY REWARD MAY REQUIRE FOLLOW-UP VERIFICATION OR DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OR THE MMIR OFFICE.

THE HOPE IS THERE WILL BE MORE TRUST FROM POSSIBLE TIPSTERS WITH THIS NEW REWARD PROGRAM >> IT'S DIFFICULT TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE THAT YOU DON'T TRUST.

YOU HAVE TO -- WE HAVE TO GET OVER THAT SOMEHOW AND I'M HOPEFUL THIS DOES IT.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE QUESTION LEADING TO WHY IS THIS ONE DIFFERENT THAN CRIME STOPPERS.

I HAVE BEEN ASKED THAT.

THIS IS TIED TO THE MMIR OFFICE.

PERHAPS THAT CREATES A NEW LEVEL OF TRUST THAT YOU KNOW, A BELIEVE THAT THIS ORGANIZATION CAN KEEP MY IDENTITY SAFE, CAN KEEP ME ANONYMOUS, RATHER THAN ANOTHER ORGANIZATION THAT I MAY NOT ALREADY TRUST.

>> THE MISSING PERSONS CASE OF ELEANORE HALVERSON IS ONE OTHER LOCAL CASE THAT IS REWARD ELIGIBLE.

HALVERSON WAS LAST SEEN IN NORTHOME ON NOVEMBER 4TH OF 2023 THE PROCEDURE TO SUBMIT A TIP CAN VARY FROM CASE TO CASE.

TIPS MAY BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE CASE OR THROUGH A DESIGNATED THIRD PARTY LIKE CRIME STOPPERS.

>>> WITH CLEANUP EFFORTS STILL UNDERWAY FROM THE JUNE 21ST STORM, STATE D.N.R.

OFFICIALS WANT TO REMIND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO USE CAUTION WHEN TENDING TO THEIR WOOD LOTS.

HAVING A STORM OF THIS MAGNITUDE HAPPEN ON A RESIDENT'S WOODLOT CAN BE OVERWHELMING AND SOME MAY NOT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN.

THE INITIAL FOCUS MIGHT BE TO TEND TO THE DOWN TREES.

BUT WOODLOTS MAY HAVE BROKEN BRANCHES, TREES THAT COULD POTENTIALLY STILL FALL, AS WELL AS HAZARDOUS DEBRIS THAT REQUIRES CAREFUL CLEANUP AND ASSESSMENT.

>> SO WHEN YOU ARE ASSESSING A WOOD LOT, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE DOING IT IN A SAFE WAY.

REMEMBER TO WEAR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE SITE.

A LOT OF THESE TREES ARE DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS.

WHEN YOU'RE APPROACHING YOUR WOOD LOT, DO SO IN A SAFE MANNER.

THERE ARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR WOOD LOT OWNERS TO REPLANT.

>> SALVAGING USABLE WOOD, COMPOSTING SMALLER DEBRIS, AND CAREFULLY PRUNING DAMAGED TREES ARE ALL POTENTIAL ACTIONS TO TAKE AFTER A STORM OF THIS CALIBER.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE YOUR WOODLOT.

OFFICIALS URGE YOU TO CALL THE D.N.R.

'S OFFICE AND ASK FOR THE PRIVATE LANDS FORESTER OF THE BEMIDJI AREA.

>>> THE BELTRAMI COUNTY HISTORY CENTER HAS BEEN SHOWING OFF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS AND TEACHING ABOUT PAST EVENTS SINCE 1962 AND IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN ACTIVELY LIVING THROUGH A TIME THAT WILL ONE DAY BE READ ABOUT IN HISTORY ARCHIVES, THE JUNE 21ST STORM.

SINCE THIS DISASTER IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AND PERMANENTLY CHANGED THE BEMIDJI AREA LANDSCAPE, THEN HISTORY CENTER IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP WITH DOCUMENTING THE STORM.

ANY PICTURES OR VIDEOS OF STORM DAMAGE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE WELCOME, AS THEY ARE TRYING TO GET A PIECE OF A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PEOPLES' EXPERIENCES AND PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER FOR FUTURE USE.

>> IF WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A HAVE -- VERY LARGE ARCHIVE.

SO THOSE RESEARCHING THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAVE, IF THEY WANT TO WRITE A DOCUMENTARY, WRITE A BOOK, A RESEARCH REPORT FOR THEIR HIGH SCHOOL, THAT WE HAVE A GREAT RESOURCE OF PHOTOS, VIDEOS, DOCUMENTS, AND ORAL HISTORIES.

>> EVERYONE HAD A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE WHEN THE STORM RAN THROUGH BELTRAMI COUNTY, SO THE HISTORY CENTER IS LOOKING TO HEAR FROM A VARIETY OF THEM.

FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHOSE HOMES WERE DAMAGED, TO FIRST RESPONDERS OR THOSE INVOLVED IN CLEANUP EFFORTS, TO CITY OR PARK OFFICIALS.

ALL ARE WELCOME TO SHARE THEIR STORY, PHOTOS, AND VIDEOS.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS STILL A REALLY PAINFUL EXPERIENCE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE, THE DAMAGES THAT PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED AND THE PAIN THAT PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING.

IT'S VERY REAL.

IT'S STILL VERY MUCH PRESENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO BE DISMISSIVE OF THAT, BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT MEMORY CHANGES VERY QUICKLY.

IT CAN BE VERY SHORT LIVED WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF STRESSORS AND A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.

SO WE WANT TO CAPTURE THESE EXPERIENCES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> TO ELECTRONICALLY SEND PICTURES, VIDEOS, OR STORIES FROM THE STORM, PEOPLE CAN GO ONTO THE BELTRAMI COUNTY HISTORY CENTER WEBSITE AND THERE WILL BE A SUBMISSION TAB.

THEY WILL ACCEPT FILES UP TO 15 MEGABYTES AND IF YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH UPLOADING OR HAVE MORE FOOTAGE THAN THE MAXIMUM SUBMISSION ALLOWED.

THE HISTORY CENTER WILL ALSO ACCEPT IN-PERSON ARTIFACT DROP-OFFS.

>>> THE MINNESOTA MILITARY AND VETERANS MUSEUM CELEBRATES MINNESOTANS WHO HAVE SERVED THE COUNTRY FROM AS FAR BACK AS THE CIVIL WAR UP TO THE POST 9/11 ERA.

THE MUSEUM WILL BE MOVING TO A NEW 40,000 SQUARE FOOT SPACE NEXT SUMMER.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL GOT A SNEAK PEAK AT THEIR NEW FACILITY AND HE BRINGS US THIS REPORT.

>> Reporter: THE MINNESOTA MILITARY AND VETERANS MUSEUM HAS BEEN OPEN SINCE 1976.

SINCE THEN, THEY CHAMPIONED ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAILED FROM THE TOWN OF TEN THOUSAND LAKES THAT HAS SERVED THEIR COUNTRY.

>> IT HAS BEEN HERE FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS.

DURING 50 YEARS, VETERANS HAVE VOTED WITH THEIR FEET, MEANING THEY COME TO US WITH THEIR ARTIFACTS AND TRUST THOSE ARTIFACTS TO US.

WE TRY TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE STORIES THAT THOSE ARTIFACTS REPRESENT.

>> Reporter: DURING THEIR 50-YEAR HISTORY, THE MUSEUM HAS RUN OUT OF SPACE FOR THEIR EXHIBITS, LEADING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BRAND NEW FACILITY.

>> WE USE EVERY INCH OF OUR MUSEUM AND RAN OUT OF SPACE, ESPECIALLY FOR POST 9/11 VETERANS AND THEIR STORY.

THE EFFORT WAS STARTED 10 YEARS AGO, TO DEVELOP A NEW BUILDING THAT IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

>> Reporter: THE MUSEUM IS CURRENTLY BUILDING THEIR $32 MILLION, 40,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY, ON A 30 ACRE LOT OUTSIDE THE GATES OF CAMP RIPLEY.

>> WE WERE ASKING FOR SUPPORT TO BUILD THE MUSEUM DEDICATED TO VETERANS.

BEYOND THE $32 MILLION, OUR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN RAISING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO OUTFIT THIS BUILDING WITH CLASSROOMS, COLLECTION SPACES WITHIN IT.

>> Reporter: THE NEW FACILITY WILL INCLUDE INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS TO GIVE PEOPLE A LOOK THROUGH THE EYES OF MINNESOTANS.

>> A COUPLE OF SIGNATURE AREAS WITHIN THE NEW MUSEUM ARE IMMERSIVE THEATER SPACES THAT WILL TRANSFORM VISITORS, GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN AND HEAR AND EXPERIENCE IN SOME WAYS IF -- THE STORIES OF MINNESOTAS ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, AND ANOTHER THEATER SPACE THAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.

MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN IN THE FRONT LINES OF HISTORY SINCE STATE HOOD.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM CAMP RIPLEY, I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE MUSEUM'S NEW FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO OPEN SUMMER OF 2026.

>>> SANFORD HEALTH IN BEMIDJI WILL BE TRANSITIONING TO A NEW LEADER AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

KARLA EISCHENS WHO HAS BEEN PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

SINCE 2022 HAS ANNOUNCED HER RETIREMENT AFTER 21 YEARS IN ALL WITH SANFORD.

UNDER HER LEADERSHIP, SANFORD BEMIDJI EXPANDED THE HEART AND VASCULAR CENTER AND THE PEAK CENTER WHILE EXPANDING ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WITH THE REGION'S FIRST CRISIS CENTER.

LONG TIME ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON JASON CARON HAS BEEN TABBED TO TAKE OVER AS THE NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SANFORD BEMIDJI.

THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, CARON HAS HELD SEVERAL LEADERSHIP ROLES, INCLUDING ORTHOPEDIC DEPARTMENT CHAIR, SURGERY SERVICE LINE CHAIR AND CHAIR OF THE SANFORD HEALTH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

CARON WILL GRADUALLY REDUCE HIS PATIENT LOAD DURING THE TRANSITION BUT WILL CONTINUE TO SEE PATIENTS AND SAYS HE PLANS TO REMAIN ACTIVE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE AFTER ASSUMING HIS NEW ROLE.

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

>> Stacy: WE WILL SEE AREAS OF SMOKE THROUGHOUT NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND OUR ENTIRE VIEWING AREA IS UNDER AN AIR QUALITY ALERT.

WE'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, HER MAN BRADLEY RECEIVED THE SERTOMA SERVICE TO MANKIND AWARD EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> HERMAN BRADLEY RECEIVED THE 2025 SERTOMA SERVICE TO MANKIND AWARD EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON.

BRADLEY IS INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA INCLUDING THE LAKES AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATION, CROW WING COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, AND THE MASONIC LODGE IN BRAINERD.

EACH YEAR, THE BRAINERD AREA NOON SERTOMA CLUB HONORS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, WHO DOES NOT BELONG TO THE CLUB, BUT EPITOMIZES THE TYPE OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, THAT THEY THEMSELVES HOLD DEARLY, BUT FOR BRADLEY, HIS SERVICE IS ABOUT FAR MORE THAN RECEIVING AWARDS.

>> I'M NOT LOOKING FOR ACCOLADES OR ANYTHING.

I AM ENJOYING LIVE TO THE FULLEST.

I'M 82 YEARS OLD.

I GOT ADVENTURES EVERY DAY.

AS LONG AS MY HEALTH, I LOVE THE PLACE.

I LOVE THE CREATION.

I BELIEVE IN GOD.

HE TELLS US TO PASS THE LOVE AROUND THAT WE GET FROM HIM AND THAT'S THE WAY I PLAY IT.

>> BRADLEY IS ALSO A CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE ALUM.

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

THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER GETS A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUN'S 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 IS HERE WITH OUR WEATHER AND HEAVY RAIN PREDICTED.

>> Stacy: YES, HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLASH FLOODING AS A RESULT OF THAT.

WE'RE SEEING THE PRECIPITATION MOVE OUT OF THE AREA, BUT QUIETER WEATHER WILL SETTLE IN, AND WE'RE SEEING AREAS OF SMOKE ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND MOST OF THE STATE IS UNDER AN AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF [♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE'RE SEEN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA TODAY AND WE DID HAVE SOME VERY HEAVY RAINFALL WITH REPORTS OF 3 INCHES OR MORE IN SOME LOCATIONS.

SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WILL BE TAPERING OFF OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND IT SHOULD BE QUIET OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT SMOKE FROM THE CANADIAN WILDFIRES IS GOING TO BE MOVING INTO THE AREA.

IT'S ALREADY HERE, IT'S GOING TO STAY IN THE AREA, AND IT'S GOING TO IMPACT OUR AIR QUALITY AT LEAST THROUGH FRIDAY.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

IT'S 68 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT, AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE A LIGHT NORTHWEST WIND, THE DEW POINT IS THE MUGGY 65.

WE PICKED UP SINCE LAST NIGHT, 2.81 INCHES OF RAINFALL.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, 72 DEGREES, A DEW POINT UP TO 68, PRESSURE IS HOLDING STEADY, AND WE HAVE A LIGHT NORTHWEST WIND.

OUR VIEWING AREA IS UNDER AN AIR QUALITY ALERT.

THIS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 11:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY.

THE AIR QUALITY INDEX IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE RED CATEGORY, MEANING THE AIR WILL BE UNHEALTHY ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

AS WE LOOK AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF CLOUD COVER, SOME SHOWERS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA THIS EVENING.

MOST OF THAT IS GOING TO BE TAPERING OFF AND MOVING OUT.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, BUT ONCE AGAIN, WE SHOULD HAVE AREAS OF SMOKE, ALONG WITH SOME PATCHY FOG THROUGHOUT THE AREA, THAT WILL LINGER INTO TOMORROW MORNING.

WE ARE LOOKING AT MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, BUT AGAIN WE ARE LOOKING AT ALSO AREAS OF SMOKE CONTINUING ACROSS OUR AREA TOMORROW.

NOW WE HAVE A VIDEO TO SHARE WITH YOU, THIS WAS POSTED BY THE GREAT LAKES AQUARIUM, THE LARGE LIGHTNING STRIKE IN DULUTH.

IT'S AMAZING TO SEE THAT VIDEO.

A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME, EAGLE EYE WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

STORM CLOUDS FROM SAMROSE WITH THE CLOUDS IN CASS LAKE FROM ANGELA.

GARY WITH SOME BEETLES ON THE FLOWERS, AND JOAN SPOTTING A TURKEY IN HER YARD IN LAPORTE.

LAURIE ENJOYING A LOON FAMILY ON LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

BEAUTIFUL EVENING SKIES FROM ARLENE FROM MENAHGA.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 72 AND CALM THIS EVENING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 1.8 INCHES OF TOTAL RAINFALL.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, 2.4 INCHES OF RAIN, A HIGH OF 74.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, 0.7-INCH OF RAIN.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, A HIGH OF 74.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, 0.064-INCH OF RAIN.

IN BRAINERD, COOLER THAN AVERAGE, AND OUR LOW TEMPERATURE WAS 69.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 73, THE LOW WAS 65, SUNSET TONIGHT AT 9:04.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING FOG IN THE MORNING, AREAS OF SMOKE CONTINUING THROUGHOUT THE DAY, BUT SKY CONDITIONS SHOULD BE MOSTLY SUNNY, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, SUNSHINE, MORNING FOG, AND AGAIN AREAS OF FOG IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW 80s.

PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 58.

TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY, STILL LOOKING AT AREAS OF SMOKE WITH PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING AND HIGHS NEAR 79.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE'LL SEE SUNSHINE ON FRIDAY AS TEMPERATURES START TO WARM UP INTO THE LOW TO MID-80s AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

THERE ARE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AND WE ARE WATCHING FOR THE POTENTIAL OF MORE HEAVY RAINFALL ON SUNDAY.

ISOLATED RAIN IN THE NORTHEAST ON MONDAY, WITH HIGHS NEAR 82.

BECOME -- BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

MATTHEW IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

>> Matthew: THE FINAL ROUND OF THE MGA TOURNAMENT WRAPPING UP AND WE HAVE A FEW GOLFERS THAT DID WELL.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> GOLFERS WERE READY FOR THE FINAL ROUND OF THE MGA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP EARLIER TODAY BUT LIGHTNING CAUSED THE TOURNAMENT TO BE DELAYED FOR NEARLY FOUR AND A HALF HOURS.

THAT DELAY AFFECTED SOME GOLFERS BUT OTHERS FLOURISHED THROUGH IT.

FINAL ROUND GOT UNDERWAY THIS MORNING FROM THE CLASSIC COURSE AT MADDEN'S.

ON ONE, FIGHTING ILLINI GOLFER JAKE BIRDWELL, WHEW WHAT A PUTT TO SECURE THE BIRDIE, HE'D TAKE FOURTH PLACE OVERALL.

ON TWO, SOUTH DAKOTA U'S JOE ROHLWING SINKS ONE FOR BIRDIE.

HE SHOT TWO UNDER TODAY, SNAGGING SECOND PLACE, BUT NORTHFIELD ALUM NATE STEVENS HAD SEVEN BIRDIES IN THE FINAL ROUND, INCLUDING THIS ONE AT THREE, HE ALSO HAD FOUR IN A ROW ON 14-15-16-AND-17, THAT WOULD ULTIMATELY SECURE HIM THE TITLE OF MINNESOTA AMATEUR CHAMPION.

STEVENS SHOT A 4-UNDER 67, THE BEST ROUND OF THE DAY AND TIED FOR THE BEST ACROSS ALL THREE DAYS TO WIN BY TWO SHOTS TO BECOME THE FIRST NORTH FIELD GOLF CLUB MEMBER TO WIN THE AMATEUR.

AFTERWARDS WE GOT TO HEAR FROM THE CHAMP.

>> I HAVE BEEN PLAYING IN THIS TOURNAMENT A LONG TIME.

I'M GLAD TO FINALLY CHECK IT OFF.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PLAYERS THAT HAVE WON THIS TOURNAMENT AND HAVE SUCCEEDED AT THE NEXT LEVEL.

SO, I WANT TO FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS IN WINNING THIS EVENT.

IT MEANS I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

>> STEVENS NOW HAS EARNED A FULL EXCEPTION TO THE US AMATEUR TAKING PLACE AT THE OLYMPIC CLUB IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA FROM AUGUST 11TH THROUGH THE 17TH.

>>> WELL, THE TWINS LOST TO THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS EARLIER TODAY.

>>> WELL, THE JUNE 21ST DERECHO STORM CANCELLED MANY EVENTS IN THE AREA FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL LOOP THE LAKE EVENT, WHICH BRINGS IN CYCLERS FROM ALL AROUND THE STATE FOR A RIDE AROUND LAKE BEMIDJI.

THANKS TO CLEANUP EFFORTS FROM THE CITY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THOUGH, WHAT ORGANIZERS ARE CALLING THE ‘REVERSE HALF LOOP THE LAKE' WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW EVENING.

AFTER THE PAUL BUNYAN STATE TRAIL WAS REOPENED, ORGANIZERS WERE QUICK TO MAKE THIS EVENT HAPPEN TO GIVE THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY THE TIME TO REST AND RELAX AND ENJOY THE NATURE THAT IS STILL STANDING.

THE 12-MILE RIDE WILL START AT THE SOUTH SHORE BEACH HOUSE, AND RIDERS WILL TRAVEL ALONG THE PAUL BUNYAN STATE TRAIL TO LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK AND BACK.

>> RIGHT AFTER THE STORM, OF COURSE WE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ON THE TRAIL.

THEY HAVE A BEAUTIFULLY CLEARED OFF, AND THANKS TO THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE TRAIL, THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL TREES, BEAUTIFUL SHADE, IT'S A GORGEOUS RIDE.

IT'S JUST FABULOUS HOW PEOPLE HAVE COME TOGETHER TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND THE COMMUNITY AND TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THE STRESSES OF CLEANING UP AND REPAIRING AND JUST RECOGNIZING THAT WE LOST 1 MILLION TREES BUT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF TREES.

>> Matthew: BIKE BEMIDJI IS ASKING THOSE INTERESTED TO GATHER AT THE SOUTH SHORE BEACH HOUSE AT 5:30 P.M. TO SIGN WAIVERS AND BIKERS WILL TAKE OFF AT 6:00 P.M. >>> WELL, WE STILL HAVE SOME TIME AHEAD OF US BEFORE FOOTBALL SEASON IS OFFICIALLY HERE.

BUT WITH IT BEING JUST OVER A MONTH AWAY, PLAYERS FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE ARE CURRENTLY DEVELOPING AND HONING THEIR SKILLS FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON AT BSU'S SMALL SCHOOL SUMMER FOOTBALL CAMP.

IT'S A GREAT TIME TO FRESHEN UP BEFORE THE SEASON, THIS GIVES HIGH SCHOOL COACHES A CHANCE TO GET USE TO THE NEW PLAYERS ON THE TEAM AND BSU COACHES CAN PUT ON THEIR SCOUTING HATS AND POTENTIALLY RECRUIT FUTURE PLAYERS TO THE PROGRAM.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT TIME FOR ALL THESE SCHOOLS TO COME UP HERE.

THEY HAVE TIME TO MEET, TO GET OUT HERE ON THE PRACTICE, AND TEST THINGS OUT, NEW SCHEMES, A LOT OF NEW SPACES.

IT'S NICE TO GET OUT HERE AND DO A TEST RUN BEFORE IT BECOMES REAL.

ALL THESE COACHES APPRECIATE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO PUT IT TO THE TEST.

>>> THIS WEEK, TEAMS FROM DIVISIONS 1-A TO 3-A GET THE CHANCE TO START ON TEAM PRACTICES, SCRIMMAGES, AND SITUATIONAL DRILLS WITH OTHER TEAMS IN FULL PADS.

SOMETHING THAT USUALLY CAN'T BE DONE DURING THE OFFSEASON.

THIS NOT ONLY GIVES THE PLAYERS A CHANCE TO GET WARMED UP FOR THE SEASON.

>> IT'S UNIQUE TO GET THIS MUCH TALENT ON CAMPUS.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHOW OFF WHAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS TO OFFER, WHAT OUR CAMPUS HAS TO OFFER AND WHO WE ARE AS A PROGRAM.

THEY GET TO SEE ALL OF OUR FACILITIES, THEY GET TO MEET US, AND THEY SEE HOW WE COACH.

IT'S A HUGE THING FOR US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT TO FIND SOME NEW GUYS.

>> Matthew: NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE THE BIGGEST SCHOOL SUMMER FOOTBALL CAMP, FEATURING TEAMS FROM DIVISIONS 4-A TO 6-A, WHO WILL ALSO GET A CHANCE TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE UPCOMING SEASON.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, GETTING CLOSE TO THAT TIME OF THE YEAR.

THANKS A LOT MATTHEW.

IT'S A DISEASE THAT'S OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY MEN.

OSTEOPOROSIS WEAKENS BONES CAUSING THEM TO BE BRITTLE AND TO BREAK EASIER AND THE CONDITION DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE BASED ON GENDER.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS WHY MEN SHOULD ALSO FOCUS ON BONE HEALTH.

>> Reporter: AT 40 YEARS OLD, BRAD WAS PRESCRIBED STEROIDS FOR A CONDITION.

BECAUSE OF THAT MEDICATION, HE WAS TOLD HIS BONE HEALTH WAS AT RISK, SOMETHING HE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT BEFORE.

>> I HAD PLAYED FOOTBALL AND RUGBY AFTER COLLEGE AND SO, I NEVER WORRIED ABOUT BREAKING BONES UNTIL SOMEBODY SAYS YOU ARE AT RISK FOR FRACTURES, IF NOT WORSE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THAT, HE STARTED WALKING 3 TO 5 MILES A DAY TO HELP MAINTAIN BONE STRENGTH, REGULAR EXERCISE, AND RESISTANCE TRAINING CAN PREVENT OSTEOPETROSIS.

>> EXERCISE IS MEDICINE.

>> Reporter: LEWIS SAYS SOME OF THE U.S. DON'T SEE BONE DENSITY AS A TOP HEALTH CONCERN.

IT CAN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT A PERSON'S LIFE, ESPECIALLY AS THEY AGE.

>> IF YOU HAVE THE DIAGNOSIS OF OSTEOPETROSIS, YOU ARE INCREASED OF A SPINAL FRACTURE.

IN MEN PARTICULARLY, THEY HAVE MORE COMPLICATIONS AND MORE POOR OUTCOMES AFTER A FRACTURE THAN WOMEN.

>> Reporter: NOW AT AGE 68, HE FEELS GREAT AND ENCOURAGES ALL MEN TO FOCUS ON BONE HEALTH.

>> THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS, DO YOUR ANNUAL CHECK UP.

LISTEN TO THEM WHEN THEY TELL YOU, YOU NEED TO TAKE A BONE DENSITY TEST.

JUST DO IT.

YOU WILL WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA WHAT YOUR NEXT 10 YEARS WILL LOOK LIKE.

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

>> THE U.S. PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING FOR WOMEN AGED 65 AND OLDER AND FOR YOUNGER POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH INCREASED FRACTURE RISK.

FOR MEN, THOUGH THE TASK FORCE SAYS IT'S FOUND INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO RECOMMEND FOR OR AGAINST SCREENING.

HOWEVER, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMEND SCREENING FOR MEN AGED 70 AND OLDER OR YOUNGER MEN WITH RISK FACTORS SO EXPERTS SAY TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THE BEST PATH FOR YOU.

>>> OKAY, WE HAVE A CHANCE TO GET ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE GO BACK OVER TO STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING AREAS OF SMOKE ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

IN FACT, ACROSS MOST OF THE STATE TOMORROW.

OUR VIEWING AREA IS UNDER THE AIR QUALITY ALERT UNTIL 11:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, THE AIR QUALITY INDEX IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE RED CATEGORY, MEANING IT IS UNHEALTHY, AND THAT MEANS THAT MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ALONG WITH THOSE IN SENSITIVE GROUPS CAN EXPERIENCE HEALTH EFFECTS FROM THAT SMOKE.

TONIGHT, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AREAS OF SMOKE, SOME PATCHY FOG, LOWS DOWN TO 58.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY, BUT WE WILL STILL SEE AREAS OF SMOKE AND PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING, HIGHS WILL BE NEAR 79.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD, QUIET WEATHER ON FRIDAY, COULD SEE SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS WEEKEND, HIGHS SHOULD BE IN THE 80s.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT.

>> Matthew: NOW CHARLIE YAEGER WILL BE WITH US TOMORROW AND HE WILL BE GIVING US INSIGHT ON A GOLF TOURNAMENT IN THE PARK RAPIDS AREA.

WE'LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT TOMORROW.

>> Dennis: SOUNDS GOOD.

THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'RE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Matthew: GOOD NIGHT.

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