>> 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.

>>> SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR, PAID A VISIT TO BEMIDJI EARLIER TODAY TO GET AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE RECEIVED FROM THE JUNE 21ST STORM AND WHAT EFFORTS CAN BE MADE BY FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO HELP WITH RECOVERY EFFORTS.

KLOBUCHAR MET WITH LOCAL LEADERS AND OFFICIALS.

AFTER A BRIEF MEETING WITH THOSE WHO LED CLEANUP AND RECOVERY EFFORTS, SENATOR KLOBUCHAR TOOK A TOUR OF THE CITY.

STOPPING AT PLACES THAT SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE FROM THE STORM, LIKE DIAMOND POINT PARK AND THE SANFORD CENTER.

KLOBUCHAR SAID THAT SHE WAS ASTOUNDED BY HOW MUCH DAMAGE THERE WAS, BUT WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE THE RECOVERY EFFORTS MADE SO FAR.

>> TO THINK THAT 9 MILLION TREES HAVE BEEN LOST, SO MANY HOMES DAMAGED, NEARLY EVERY HOME SUFFERING SOME DAMAGE, AND ONE OF MY MOST AMAZING MOMENTS WAS TO LOOK AT THESE YARDS WHERE PEOPLE HAD TREES JUST CUT DOWN, STUMPS IN THE YARDS, ALL READY TO BE TAKEN AWAY, BUT THEY WERE STILL MOWING THEIR LAWN, THEY WERE STILL TAKING CARE OF THEIR HOUSE, THEY STILL HAD THEIR KID'S BIKE OUT THERE NOW.

IT JUST MAKES YOU SEE THIS KIND OF PRIDE IN BEMIDJI STRONG.

>> KLOBUCHAR SAYS SHE, ALONG WITH SENATOR TINA SMITH AND REPRESENTATIVE PETE STAUBER ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO SECURE FEMA FUNDING FOR THE AREA.

RIGHT NOW, 75-PERCENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE WOULD BE REIMBURSED BUT FEMA FUNDS WOULD HELP WITH THE OTHER 25-PERCENT.

IF THE AREA DOESN'T QUALIFY, KLOBUCHAR IS CONFIDENT THE STATE CAN HELP COVER THE COSTS.

>> ONE THING ABOUT MINNESOTA THROUGH MANY GOVERNORS, WE SET UP THIS FUND THAT IS A BACK UP.

BASICALLY, IF SOMEONE DOESN'T QUALIFY, WE HAVE A WAY TO HELP OUT WITH PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

ALL THAT BEING SAID, IT SHOWS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO PEOPLE'S HOMES AND JUST TO HEAR ALL OF THE FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP AND HOW THE COMMUNITY IS PITCHING IN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE BEMIDJI IS EVERY BIT AS STRONG AS IT WAS BEFORE AND EVEN STRONGER AND SO, THE MORE PEOPLE CAN STICK WITH IT AND STAY HERE AND GET US THROUGH THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO EMERGE REALLY STRONG OUT THE OTHER END.

>> BEMIDJI MAYOR JORGE PRINCE SAYS ALTHOUGH THE EXACT AMOUNT IS STILL UNKNOWN.

THE STORM CAUSED POTENTIALLY OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGES.

EVEN THOUGH THE CITY AND COUNTY ARE GETTING REIMBURSED FOR 75-PERCENT OF THOSE COSTS.

PRINCE ADDED THAT THE 25-PERCENT THAT IS STILL REMAINING WILL BE A VERY HEFTY PRICE TO PAY.

>>> THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A COORDINATED GROUND SEARCH ON MONDAY FOR A 61-YEAR-OLD BRAINERD WOMAN REPORTED MISSING ON SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2025.

CORY DEGEEST IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE FEMALE, 5 FEET 1 INCH TALL, WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 150 POUNDS,WITH SANDY BROWN HAIR AND BLUE EYES.

SHE WAS LAST SEEN WALKING ON BEECH STREET IN BRAINERD ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO.

AUTHORITIES ARE CONCERNED FOR HER WELL-BEING DUE TO PRE-EXISTING CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT DEGEEST'S WHEREABOUTS, PLEASE CONTACT THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE SEARCH ON MONDAY WILL FOCUS ON UNDEVELOPED LAND PARCELS IN SOUTHEAST BRAINERD.

OFFICIALS ARE URGING THE PUBLIC TO AVOID INDEPENDENT, SELF INITIATED SEARCHES IN THE DESIGNATED SEARCH AREA IN ORDER TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH THE COORDINATED SEARCH OPERATION.

>>> A 35-YEAR-OLD RED LAKE MAN HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF ONE COUNT OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR.

A FEDERAL JURY FOUND MATTHEW THOMAS MCGREGOR GUILTY FOLLOWING A FOUR-DAY TRIAL.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS AND EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL, MCGREGOR GROOMED AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A MINOR VICTIM WHO WAS UNDER THE AGE OF 15.

MCGREGOR WILL BE SENTENCED AT A LATER DATE.

>>> AN 18-YEAR OLD MAN SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES IN A MOTORCYCLE CRASH LAST NIGHT IN CROW WING COUNTY.

SHERIFFS OFFICE OFFICIALS SAY THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION SHOWS THAT TY MICHAEL LEE WILSON WAS OPERATING A MOTORCYCLE THAT LEFT THE ROADWAY, CROSSED MULTIPLE DRIVEWAYS AND STRUCK AN E-911 SIGN.

THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 10:30 P.M.

IN THE AREA OF THE 6700 BLOCK OF COUNTY ROAD 13 ABOUT THREE MILES SOUTH OF NISSWA.

>>> MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL' HAS OFFICIALLY RESIGNED FROM THE SENATE.

SHE WAS CONVICTED OF BURGLARY LAST WEEK.

THE DEMOCRATIC FIRST-TERM SENATOR WAS ARRESTED IN APRIL OF 2024 WHEN SHE BROKE INTO HER ESTRANGED STEPMOTHER'S HOME AND TOLD POLICE SHE WAS LOOKING FOR HER FATHER'S BELONGINGS.

A JURY DELIBERATED FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE FINDING HER GUILTY OF FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY AND POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS.

MITCHELL REPRESENTS A SUBURBAN DISTRICT EAST OF ST. PAUL.

HER RESIGNATION WILL NOW ALLOW GOVERNOR TIM WALZ TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL HER SEAT.

>>> THE CITY OF BEMIDJI RAISED THE RED LAKE NATION FLAG TODAY IN HONOR OF ROGER A JOURDAIN DAY.

LOCAL OFFICIALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS GATHERED FOR THE FLAG RAISING AT BEMIDJI CITY HALL.

JOURDAIN WAS RED LAKE'S FIRST TRIBAL LEADER.

HE WAS ELECTED TRIBAL CHAIRMAN IN 1959 AND SERVED IN THAT ROLE UNTIL 1990.

JOURDAIN IS CREDITED WITH LOBBYING FOR FEDERAL SUPPORT AND PROTECTING RED LAKE'S TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AND HIS MEMORY LIVES ON.

>> IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT FOR MY FAMILY TO BE REPRESENTED IN A GOOD WAY TO SHOW THAT ROGER'S LEGACY IS STILL, YOU KNOW, WITHIN OUR FAMILY.

THEY SAY THAT GENERATIONAL WISDOM TRAVELS WITHIN PEOPLE, RIGHT?

IT ECHOES THROUGH TIME.

IT SHOWS UP IN PEOPLE THAT REALLY LOOK UP AND IDOLIZE MY GRANDPA AND JUST LEARNING FROM HIM.

IT JUST SHAPED WHO I AM TODAY AND WHAT I DO FOR WORK AND HOW I LEAD MYSELF.

>> ROGER A JOURDAIN DAY WAS FIRST RECOGNIZED IN BEMIDJI IN 2011 AND IT IS CELEBRATED ON JULY 27TH EACH YEAR.

>>> THE U.S. ARMY CHAPLAIN CORPS WAS FOUNDED ON JULY 29TH OF 1775 AND JUST DAYS BEFORE THE CELEBRATION OF THE CORPS 250TH BIRTHDAY.

THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD SAID GOODBYE TO THEIR SENIOR ARMY CHAPLAIN OF OVER TWO YEARS.

AN ARMY CHAPLAIN AIMS TO PROVIDE RELIGIOUS SUPPORT AND SPIRITUAL CARE TO SERVICE MEMBERS.

COLONEL BUDDY WINN HAS SERVED AS A CHAPLAIN IN THE ARMY SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2006 AND HAS BEEN THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD STATE CHAPLAIN SINCE MARCH OF 2023.

STEPPING INTO THE POSITION IS LIEUTENANT COLONEL TIMOTHY USIT.

USIT HAS SERVED AS A CHAPLAIN SINCE AUGUST OF 2012, HE BELIEVES THAT HIS JOB AS STATE CHAPLAIN IS TO HELP PROVIDE >> WHY THEY CAN ENDURE ANYHOW.

THE WORK THAT WE DO FOR OUR SOLDIERS IS HELPING THEM TO SAY YES TO LIFE IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING.

THAT'S WHERE WE FIND THE MEANING AND PURPOSE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON IN THE MIDST OF A VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCE, AGAIN WE FACE ON AND OFF THE BATTLEFIELD AND IN AND OUTSIDE THE UNIFORM.

>> THE STATE CHAPLAIN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL CARE OF MINNESOTA'S 13,000 SOLDIERS, AIRMEN, AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HELD A PUBLIC MEETING ON TUESDAY TO DETAIL THE POTENTIAL CHANGES COMING TO THE HIGHWAY 371 AND HIGHWAY 210 INTERSECTION IN BAXTER.

ACCORDING TO MINN-DOT, DURING A FOUR YEAR STUDY OF THE INTERSECTION FROM 2019 TO 2023, THE INTERSECTION SAW 525-ACCIDENTS IN AND AROUND THE CROSS STREETS.

TO HELP IMPROVE SAFETY ON THE ROADWAYS, MINN-DOT IS PROPOSING TO UTILIZE WHAT IS BEING CALLED BUTTON HOOKS, WHICH ARE ROADWAYS SIMILAR TO ROUNDABOUTS TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON THE ROADWAYS FOR THE FUTURE.

OF -- >> WE'RE CERTAINLY SEEING CONGESTION.

WE'RE PUSHING 49,000 VEHICLES THROUGH THAT INTERSECTION EACH DAY, UP TO 60,000 DURING THE PEAK WEEKEND.

THAT INTERSECTION IS JUST BREAKING DOWN AS WE STUDY IT INTO THE FUTURE YEARS.

>> CONSTRUCTION IS NOT IMMINENT IN THE AREA.

MINN-DOT IS PROPOSING THE PROJECT IN LATE 2027 AND CONSTRUCTION WOULD NOT START UNTIL 2028.

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

>> Elissa: MORE HEAT AND HUMIDITY ARE ON THE WAY THIS WEEKEND, I'LL HAVE MORE IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL IS HOSTING THEIR [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>>> CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HAD OVER 70 CAMPERS TAKE PART IN ITS HEALTHCARE EXPLORATION CAMP LAST WEEK.

REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE TO SEE WHAT THE TWO-DAY-LONG CAMP HAD IN STORE FOR POTENTIALLY THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

>> Reporter: THANKS IN LARGE PARTLY OF CLC'S HEALTH CARE SPECIALIST, ALONG WITH CLC STUDENTS, CAMPERS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A ROTATION FILLED WITH VARIOUS HEALTH CARE CAREER STATIONS.

>> WE HAD DRAWING SIMULATED BLOOD, CPR RACES, SKIN STAPLING, WE TRIED TO COVER A VARIETY OF CAREERS, INCLUDING SURGICAL TECH, LAB TECH, X-RAY, NURSING, DENTAL CAREERS.

>> Reporter: CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE HEALTH COURSES HELP CREATE AND DISSIMULATE COLLEGE, WITH THE AIM OF PREVENTING DISEASE AND PREVENTING IT WORLDWIDE.

>> JUST FOR THE HIGH SCHOOLERS TO LEARN WHAT IS OUT THERE IN CAREER.

THEY HEARD ABOUT BEING A NURSE OR DOCTOR, THEY MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THE MRI TECH AND SO MANY CAREERS THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED.

>> Reporter: WHILE THERE IS A GROWING SHORTAGE OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN THE U.S., WITH A CRITICAL HEALTH CARE WORKER SHORTAGE, 100,000 EXPECTED BY 2028 ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, THE CAMP'S INTENTION IS TO EDUCATE AND EXCITE THE YOUNGER GENERATION ABOUT THE FIELD.

>> YOU CAN BE A MALE OR FEMALE, ANYBODY.

SO LONG AS YOU HAVE THE PASSION OF HELPING, YOU HAVE TO SEE HEALTH CARE IN A DIFFERENT WAY, IN WHICH IT'S OPEN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: AFTER GOING THROUGH A COLLECTION OF HEALTH CARE RELATED ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING EMT WORK, THEY GOT TO PUT THEIR NEWFOUND KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST IN A CPR RACE FINALE.

>> I HOPE IT GIVES THEM A GOAL AND IT GIVES THEM MAYBE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE CLASSES THEY ARE TAKING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

THESE ARE STUDENTS GOING INTO 8th, 9th, AND 10th GRADE, SO THEY HAVE TIME.

THEY CAN KNOCK OUT A LOT OF PREREQUISITE AND MAKE AN EASIER COURSE FOR THEM.

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

>> THOSE TAKING PART IN CLC'S HEALTHCARE CAMP ALSO GOT TO VISIT AND LEARN FROM HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT THE ESSENTIA HEALTH-SAINT JOSEPH'S MEDICAL CENTER.

>>> DOWNTOWN BRAINERD HAS BEEN WITHOUT A FARMERS MARKET FOR A FEW YEARS NOW BUT THAT CHANGED THIS YEAR WITH THE FRIDAY FARMERS MARKET AT CITY HALL.

VENDORS HAVE SET UP SHOP WITH VARIOUS ITEMS WITH EVERYTHING FROM FLOWERS TO SKIN CARE PRODUCTS TO HAND MADE JEWELRY.

ORGANIZER DORO SHOE IN FIRST OPENED THE MARKET LAST YEAR AT ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH.

BUT SHE WAS FORCED TO FIND A NEW LOCATION FOR THE MARKET FOR THIS YEAR AND SAYS SHE CANNOT BE HAPPIER WITH THEIR NEW HOME.

>> WE HAD MARKETS DOWNTOWN BEFORE AND WE HAD JUST BEEN MISSING THAT.

THE CITY HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY GREAT ABOUT HAVING US IN THEIR PARKING LOT, GIVING UP THEIR PARKING ON FRIDAYS.

THAT'S BEEN AWESOME.

THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT.

>> THE MARKET IS OPEN EVERY FRIDAY, WEATHER PERMITTING, FROM 9:00 TO 2:00 UNTIL OCTOBER 10TH.

>>> 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.

#.

>>> WELL STACY HAS TONIGHT OFF.

ELISSA IS IN AND IT'S GOING TO BE A WARM WEEKEND IT SOUNDS LIKE.

>> Elissa: IT IS, IT'S GOING TO FEEL LIKE SUMMERTIME WITH SUNS [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Elissa: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I'M ELISSA BENSON WITH YOUR WEATHER.

FROM NOON UNTIL 8:00 P.M.

TOMORROW, THERE IS A HEAT ADVISORY.

IT WILL FEEL LIKE 95 DEGREES WITH THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY.

KEEP THAT IN MIND, DRINK WATER, AND BE SAFE WHEN YOU'RE OUTDOORS.

WE'RE ON THE WARM END, SEEING MID TO UPPER 70s ACROSS THE REGION HERE.

IN BEMIDJI, 75 DEGREES WITH A SOUTH WIND AND A PEAK WIND OF 13 TODAY.

THEN BRAINERD HAS SIMILAR CONDITIONS WITH A LITTLE BIT OF HAZE, 74 DEGREES WITH A SOUTH WIND AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT OUR RADAR, CURRENTLY WE SEE THOSE CLOUDS WE HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY, BUT AS WE MOVE INTO TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE CLOUDS MOVING OUT OF THE AREA.

THANK YOU TO OUR EAGLE EYES FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOS, ARLENE AND SAMROSE WITH THE SKY TODAY.

JOAN IN LAPORTE WITH A BEAR AND GARY WITH THE FLOWERS.

MOVING ALONG HERE, SOME MORE BEAUTIFUL SKY PICTURES TODAY.

SOME BIRDS AND THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING THOSE.

MORE EAGLE EYES HERE, 59 AND FOGGY AT 6:00 A.M., SIMILAR CONDITIONS AT LAKE ADA.

83 DEGREES.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, 76 DEGREES AT 8:30.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, A HIGH OF 82 TODAY.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, THE SOUTH WIND AND HUMIDITY.

THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING THOSE.

OUR ALMANAC, THE LOW OF 60, WHAT WE EXPECT THIS YEAR.

BEMIDJI SEEING SIMILAR CONDITIONS, HIGH OF 84, NOT QUITE A RECORD, BUT A LOW OF 55 TODAY.

LOOKING AT OUR FORECAST, AS WE MOVE INTO THE WEEKEND, TOMORROW WE SEE THE CLOUDS MOVING OUT OF THE AREA ONCE AGAIN WITH A CHANCE OF SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

SO HERE WE SEE THAT MOVING IN AS WE MOVE INTO SUNDAY.

SOME MORE CLOUD COVER AND SUNDAY SIMILAR CONDITIONS WITH THOSE CLOUDS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

>>> LOOKING TOWARDS TOMORROW, WE SEE THAT CHANCE OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS, 86 DEGREES, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY NICE TOMORROW.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS SOUTHEASTERN VIEWING AREA, MAY NOT SEE ANY CHANCE OF RAIN TOMORROW.

LOOKING TOWARDS TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY, DECREASING CLOUDS, LOW OF 66, WATCH OUT FOR THOSE RAIN CHANCES, SIMILAR TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE HOT.

A HIGH OF 88 DEGREES AND HUMID WITH NICE BREEZES OUT THERE.

YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE SEE THOSE CHANCES OF RAIN MOVING ACROSS THE WEEKEND, MORE THAN LIKELY WON'T SEE TOO MUCH, BUT KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THOSE SKIES.

IT'S GOING TO BE WARM ALL WEEKEND, AND AS WE MOVE TOWARDS THE REST OF THE WEEK, THAT RAIN CHANCE STARTS TO DISSIPATE AFTER LIKELY SHOWERS ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

THEN IT STARTS COOLING OFF AGAIN.

A NICE WARM WEEKEND TO BE OUTSIDE AND THEN MOVING BACK TOWARDS THE COOL END NEXT WEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS ELISSA.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A SPECIAL STORY FOR US TONIGHT.

>> Charlie: I DO, I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL NAMED LILY CANUT WHO DECIDED SHE WANTED TO BE A RACE CAR DRIVER, AT LEAST AT THE BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY.

SHE HAS SOME OTHER THINGS SHE PLANS TO DO AS WELL.

I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT HER AND MOR [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> BSU FOOTBALL LEFT THE GRIDIRON TO TAKE ON THE GREENS TODAY FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL KEN TRAXLER MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT AT CASTLE HIGHLANDS.

THE SUN WAS OUT AS 20 TEAMS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ALUMNI ALIKE TOOK THE COURSE FOR THE 4 MAN SCRAMBLE TOURNAMENT.

PUTTING FUNDS RAISED TOWARDS IMPROVING THE PROGRAM, WHILE ALSO GIVING ALUMNI THE CHANCE TO HONOR FALLEN BEAVERS AND USING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH UP WITH ONE ANOTHER.

>> WE SPEAK A LOT IN STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF THOSE WHO COME BEFORE YOU.

I THINK IT MEANS MORE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PEOPLE THAT PASS ON, AND REMEMBER SOME OF THOSE GUYS THAT ARE UNFORTUNATELY NOT HERE WITH US RIGHT NOW.

TO HAVE THESE GUYS COME BACK WITH THEIR PALS, YOU KNOW, TO BE ABLE TO HANG OUT IN DIFFERENT CAPACITIES, NOT ON THE GRIDIRON BUT OUT ON THE GOLF COURSE, IT'S FUN TO SEE.

IT'S JUST WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE COMRADERY AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE SPORT THAT WE'RE IN.

>> THE BSU FOOTBALL SEASON IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, THEY BEGIN FALL CAMP THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST BUT THEIR FIRST HOME GAME WON'T BE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 13TH WHEN THEY HOST SIOUX FALLS.

>>> DOWN AT THE NATIVE AMERICAN BASKETBALL INVITATION IN ARIZONA, RED LAKE WARRIOR ANDREW ROY NAILS THIS HALF COURT BUZZER BEATER TO WIN THE GAME FOR HIS CLUB.

THE MN ELITE, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF RED LAKE AND LEECH LAKERS, HE GOT THE BALL WITH 3.4 SECONDS LEFT ON THE CLOCK.

HE MOVES ON TO PLAY TOMORROW.

>>> WELL SOMETIMES WE CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY WE'RE DRAWN TO THE THINGS WE LOVE.

IT'S LIKE THERE IS AN INVISIBLE FORCE NUDGING US TOWARDS OUR DESTINY.

FOR ONE NEWEST RACER, THE ANSWER MAY VERY WELL RUN IN HER VEINS.

16-YEAR-OLD LILY HAS AN INCH FOR RACING, A NEED FOR SPEED.

IT'S IN HER BLOOD.

>> I LOVE THAT ADRENALINE, FEELING THE HORSEPOWER JUST BEING ABLE TO BE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: ON HER FATHER'S SIDE, DWIGHT IS A BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY HALL OF FAMER AND HER DAD RACED AS WELL.

>> I WAS NOT ALIVE YET, SO I DIDN'T SEE ANY RECORDINGS OR ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: HER UNCLE WHO WORK IN THE PITS FOR DWIGHT AND SKY, NOW HELPS WITH LILY'S CAR AND ISN'T SURPRISED THAT SHE TOOK TO RACING.

>> IT'S FUNNY HOW THAT COMES OUT IN THE END, NO RECOLLECTION OF IT AT ALL, BUT HAS IT IN HER BLOOD THAT SHE WANTS TO RACE AND GO FAST.

>> Reporter: ON HER MOTHER'S SIDE, SNOWMOBILES, AND THE GARFIELD ICE RACES.

IT WAS THE DIRT TRACK THAT SHE YEARNED FOR.

>> I WAS NOT READY FOR THAT BUT MY DAD GOT INVOLVED AND IT WAS OFF TO THE RACES, LITERALLY.

I GIVE ALL THE CREDIT TO HIM.

HE BUILT THE CAR AND HE MADE IT START, HE PUT IN THE MONEY AND TIME AND EFFORT TO DO IT.

>> AS A GRANDFATHER, YOU JUST DO IT FOR THE KIDS AND I LOVE IT TOO.

IT'S BOTH OF US.

WE GOT IT IN OUR BLOOD I GUESS.

>> Reporter: ON MAY 31st, LILY LOST SOME OF HER BLOOD, GRANDPA DWIGHT.

>> HE PASSED AWAY A WEEK BEFORE I STARTED RACING ACTUALLY.

SO THAT WAS SUCKY.

>> Reporter: ADDING TO THE ADVERSITY, HER DAD SKY HAS TO CHEER HER ON FROM PRISON.

>> HE WANTS ME TO DO THIS SO BAD.

HE IS HAPPY FOR ME, ALTHOUGH HE CAN'T BE HERE FOR ME.

>> Reporter: LILY STILL HAS PLENTY OF SUPPORT FROM THE STANDS FROM HER MOTHER AND AUNT, DESPITE THE RISKS INVOLVED.

>> EVERY SINGLE TIME THAT SHE GETS IN HER CAR, I WORRY.

>> Reporter: IT WAS ONLY LILY'S SECOND RACE WHEN BRITTANY'S WHOLE WORLD TURNED UPSIDEDOWN.

>> I GOT DOWN TO THE TRACK AS FAST AS I COULD AND I WAS ON MY KNEES AND I WAS PRAYING THAT MY LITTLE GIRL WAS OKAY.

>> Reporter: RELIEF CAME IN THE FORM OF TWO THUMBS UP.

MOM COULD BREATHE AGAIN, UNTIL THAT RACING BLOOD KICKED IN.

>> I LITERALLY WANTED TO BE THERE THE NEXT SECOND AND WANTED TO GET BACK ON THE TRACK.

>> ARE YOU NERVOUS?

>> Reporter: GRANDPA WOULD NEED TO FIX THE CAR FIRST BUT THIS PAST SUNDAY, LITERAL HOURS AFTER GRANDPA DWIGHT'S MEMORIAL SERVICE, LILY WAS BACK ON THE DIRT BECAUSE IT'S IN HER BLOOD.

>> IF HE COULD SEE ME, I THINK HE WOULD BE PROUD, ALTHOUGH OBVIOUSLY I'M NOT TO HIS LEVEL.

I'M HOPING I CAN BE BUT I THINK ABOUT HIM.

>> HE WOULD BE SO PROUD OF HER AND WE KNOW HE IS UP THERE CHEERING FOR HER RIGHT NOW, ALTHOUGH HE CAN'T BE HERE WITH US.

>> Reporter: AND A CANUT WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THE TRACK AT BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY.

>> I WANT TO PURSUE THIS AS FAR AS I CAN.

I KNOW A LOT OF THE WOMEN ARE IN THEIR 40s AND I WANT TO BE AS BRAVE AS THEM, STICK TO IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT ALWAYS A GOOD YEAR, JUST LIKE HOW I ROLLED MY CAR LAST WEEKEND.

>> Charlie: WELL HOPEFULLY THERE ARE NOT MANY ROLLING HER CARS IN HER FUTURE, BUT WHAT IS IN HER FUTURE, NEXT YEAR AS A SENIOR, SHE WILL BE ATTENDING BSU AS PART OF THE PROGRAM, SO SHE WILL BE TAKING CREDIT COURSES THERE.

SHE WANTS TO BE AN ACCOUNTANT.

SO THAT'S WHAT SHE IS GOING TO SCHOOL FOR.

I CAN'T EVEN COUNT WITHOUT MY HANDS.

YEAH, REALLY, REALLY COOL.

>> Dennis: YEAH, COUNTING WAS NOT A GOOD CLASS FOR ME EITHER.

THE BASKETBALL SHOT, THAT WAS AMAZING.

WHAT GRADE LEVEL WAS THAT?

>> Charlie: THAT'S HIGH SCHOOL.

THERE WERE A LOT OF HIGH SCHOOLERS, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THEM PLAY THIS PAST YEAR FOR RED LAKE OR FOR CASS LAKE-BENA.

THAT'S WHERE AGAIN, LEECH LAKERS AND RED LAKERS ON THAT TEAM.

THEY HAVE A COUPLE OTHER TEAMS DOWN THERE, A COUPLE OF FOLKS FROM RED LAKE PLAYING ON DIFFERENT TEAMS.

A COOL THING THEY HAVE GOING ON AND WE'LL HAVE MORE ON HOW EVERYBODY DID ON MONDAY.

>> Dennis: SOUNDS GOOD, THANKS CHARLIE.

SHOW CHOIR WAS INTRODUCED AT THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL 30 YEARS AGO AND THIS WEEKEND THEY ARE TAKING A LOOK BACK THROUGH HISTORY WITH THEIR FIRST EVER ALL-SHOW CHOIR REUNION.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK VISITED THEIR REHEARSAL TO SEE HOW PREPARATION IS GOING AND WHY THIS REUNION IS SO SPECIAL TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL SHOW CHOIR HAS CHANGED TREMENDOUSLY AND NOW THREE DECADES OF SHOW CHOIR STUDENTS ARE JOINING TOGETHER ON THE STAGE ONCE AGAIN.

>> IT'S SO SURREAL BECAUSE IT'S LIKE ALL GENERATIONS OF CLASSMATES AND PEERS THAT I WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM WITH AND THEN TO SEE STUDENTS AND ALUMNI THAT I COACHED COME BACK AND YOU SEE THIS TOTAL INTERSECTION.

>> IT'S REALLY FUN AND SO EMOTIONAL.

I WAS CRYING IMMEDIATELY WHEN PEOPLE WALKED INTO THE ROOM.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE UP TO AND HAVE FACE-TO-FACE CONNECTIONS.

>> Reporter: AND THEY HAD MORE THAN 80 PEOPLE REGISTER TO COME TO THE UNION, REPRESENTING THREE DIFFERENT DECADES OF SHOW CHOIR STUDENTS.

>> IT IS SO AMAZING.

WE HAVE 23 OF THE 30 YEARS REPRESENTED HERE BY ANYWHERE FROM 1 STUDENT TO 10.

>> I HAVE SEEN CLASSMATES THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN IN 25 YEARS.

SO IT'S GREAT TO JUST CONNECT AND SING AND PERFORM WITH EACH OTHER AGAIN BECAUSE THERE IS A SPECIAL BOND WHEN YOU'RE ON STAGE WITH SOMEONE AND SHARING THAT MOMENT.

>> Reporter: THE REUNION SHOW WILL CONTAIN A MIX OF OLD HITS AND NEW ONES.

>> AND THEN OUR BALLAD, WE WILL TALK ABOUT GROWING UP, WE LEAVE HOME, AND OFTEN TIMES WE RETURN TO THAT HOME IN THE END.

>> Reporter: AND IN THIS CASE, RETURNING HOME MEANS RETURNING TO THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL STAGE.

>> THOSE EARLY YEARS REALLY WERE FORMATIVE IN HOW THE SHOW CHOIR GREW DRAMATICALLY AND REALLY SET THE PLATFORM THAT LAUNCHED IT INTO WHAT IT HAS BECOME TODAY.

>> WE ALL HAD A PIECE IN THE BUILDING OF THIS PROGRAM.

WE ALL GOT SOME OWNERSHIP, I THINK.

WE ALL OWN A PART OF THIS SHOW.

WE ALL, YOU KNOW, HELP CREATE AND SUSTAIN AND KEEP IT GOING.

>> Reporter: AND THIS WEEKEND, SUSTAINING THE PROGRAM IS COMING IN THE FORM OF A REUNION SHOW.

>> I HOPE THE COMMUNITY COMES OUT BECAUSE THIS REALLY IS A SUCCESS STORY OF OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY, OUR SCHOOL, AND STUDENTS.

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

>> THE ACTUAL SHOW FOR THE ALL-SHOW CHOIR REUNION WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW, SATURDAY THE 26TH, AT 1:00 P.M.

IN THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM.

TICKETS CAN BE BOUGHT AT THE DOOR WITH A FREEWILL DONATION.

>>> TIME FOR ONE LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE GO TO ELISSA.

>> Elissa: HI EVERYONE, TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH DECREASING CLOUDS, LOW OF 66.

TOMORROW, SUNNY, HOT, HUMID, HIGH OF 88, SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE DAY, AND THEN YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST, IT'S LOOKING LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY NICE.

SCATTERED RAIN AND SHOWERS THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, DRY AND SUNNY WITH WARM TEMPS.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Charlie: ON SUNDAY, THE MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE AT THE WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY GYMNASIUM.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE FRIENDS WITH JIM AND HE WAS THEIR COACH, BUT IT'S FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO GO AND ALSO BAILEY PLAYS FOR THE BEMIDJI LUMBERJACKS, GIRLS HOCKEY PLAYER.

SHE WILL GET TO PLAY FOR TEAM U.S.A. AT THE HOCKEY FESTIVAL IN LAKE PLACID.

THAT WAS A BIG INVITE FOR HER.

SHE PLAYED THE LAST COUPLE SUMMERS.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE HER DOING GOOD THINGS ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.

>> Dennis: AND WALKER COACH.

>> Charlie: YES, THE WALKER BASKETBALL COACH FOR GIRLS BASKETBALL.

>> Dennis: WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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