CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY AV CAPTIONING www.avcaptioning.com >> Announcer: PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI, CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER, FDIC.

CTC: INTERNET, PHONE AND TV.

CTC, 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 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 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 TEN YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE, THE ALL-FIBEROPTIC NETWORK THAT TRANSFORMS HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>>> LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10.

WE'RE 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.

>> Matthew: HEY, EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN, FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN, WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

A MAN FROM NASHWAUK WHO WAS WANTED FOR MULTIPLE FELONIES WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER BARRICADING HIMSELF INSIDE HIS RESIDENCE ONCE OFFICERS ARRIVED.

ACCORDING TO THE ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THEIR OFFICE RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF AN ASSAULT ON PLATT AVENUE IN NASHWAUK AT AROUND 1:00 P.M. ON JULY 27th.

ONCE DEPUTIES ARRIVED, A MAN LATER IDENTIFIED AS ADAM EARL ELJ WOULD BARRICADE HIMSELF INSIDE.

ELJ WAS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES, INCLUDING SECOND-DEGREE ASSAULT, FELONY THREATS OF VIOLENCE, AND FELONY CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE INCIDENT AND CONCERNS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, THE ITASCA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IMPLEMENTED WHAT'S CALLED A SURROUND AND CALLOUT PROCEDURE, UTILIZING THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM ON THE DEPARTMENT'S ARMORED VEHICLE.

AFTER REPEATED ANNOUNCEMENTS FAILED TO BRING THE SUSPECT OUT, PEPPER SPRAY GAS WAS THREATENED TO BE DEPLOYED INTO THE BASEMENT OF THE RESIDENCE.

SHORTLY AFTER THAT THREAT WAS MADE, ELJ EXITED THE HOME AND SURRENDERED WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INCIDENT.

NO MAJOR INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE SUSPECT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

THIS INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

>>> THE GRAND RAPIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF AN ATTEMPTED SCAM TEXT THAT IS BEING SENT OUT AROUND THE AREA.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT'S FACEBOOK PAGE, THE ALERT WILL SAY THEY ARE THE MINNESOTA DMV, ASKING YOU TO COMPLETE A PAYMENT FOR AN OUTSTANDING TRAFFIC TICKET.

IN MINNESOTA, THAT DEPARTMENT IS ACTUALLY CALLED DRIVER AND VEHICLE SERVICES, OR DVS.

THE ALERT WILL SAY YOUR VEHICLE REGISTRATION WILL BE SUSPENDED ALONG WITH YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGES FOR 30 DAYS.

THE ALERT WILL PROVIDE A LINK THAT SAYS YOU CAN PAY IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE GRAND RAPIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THIS IS A SCAM LINK AND YOU SHOULD NOT GO TO THAT WEB ADDRESS.

IF YOU RECEIVE A TEXT OR EMAIL SIMILAR TO THIS, YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE GRAND RAPIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT AT THE NUMBER ONTHE SCREEN.

>>> THOSE IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND BEYOND GATHERED TO LEARN MORE PRODUCTIVE WAYS TO HANDLE CONFLICT, IMPROVE TEAM COMMUNICATION AND MORALE, AS WELL AS ENHANCE LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR A MORE RESILIENT BUSINESS DURING TODAY'S BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES WORKSHOP.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Miles: HOSTED THROUGH THE BLUE OX BUSINESS ACADEMY AT THE BRAINERD LIKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE BLUE OX SUCCESS SERIES TAKES AIM AT DEVELOPING SKILLS IN THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF MANAGING A BUSINESS.

>> THIS SERIES IS A GREAT STOOL FOR OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND SEE AND LEARN FROM OTHER EXPERTS IN CERTAIN AREAS WITHIN THE CHAMBER, AND IT'S A FREE WAY FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND LEARN THINGS.

WE OFFER MANY DIFFERENT COURSES AS WELL AND WE DO IT MONTHLY.

>> Miles: THIS MORNING'S SUCCESS SERIES SESSION FEATURED TRUTH-BASED CONSULTING FOUNDER HALLEY POND, A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY GRADUATE WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING LEADERS AND TEAMS FOSTER CULTURES OF TROST AND COLLABORATION.

>> AT EVERY BUSINESS I WORKED FOR IN YEARS BEFORE, CONFLICT WAS USUALLY NAVIGATED IN ONE OF TWO WAYS.

PEOPLE PRETENDED LIKE IT DIDN'T EXIST OR IT WAS HANDLED AS A WAY THAT WAS OVERLY COMPETITIVE.

I REALIZED WE HAVE TO DO THIS BETTER.

>> Miles: UPON SHARED PRACTICAL STRATEGIES ON THOUSAND TO UNEARTH WHAT'S UNDER THE TABLE, WHETHER UNSAID RESENTMENTS, CURRY IS ON SITS, FEARS OR DISCOMFORTS WITH THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

>> A LOT OF OUR CONFLICT COMES FROM THE UNADDRESSED THINGS FOR SAKE OF BREAKING THE RELATIONSHIP OR DESTROYING ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS OR TEAM DYNAMICS.

TO STEP INTO THAT, WE EXPLORED SOME TOOLS, SOME BREATHING EXERCISES, SOME DIFFERENT WAYS TO REGULATE OUR BODIES, AND WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT LANGUAGE TO USE AND LANGUAGE TO AVOID WHEN IN CONFLICT.

>> Miles: HER MISSION AND VISION FOR TRUTH-BASED CONSULTING PERTAINS TO HELPING PEOPLE FLOURISH BY ACTIVATING AUTHENTIC, VULNERABLE AND BRAVE CONVERSATIONS, CREATING A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE FEELS COURAGEOUS TO COMMUNICATE ACROSS DIFFERENCE WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION.

>> IT'S AMAZING WHAT THESE TEAMS ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER ONCE THEY HAVE THESE HONEST DIALOGUES IN A DIGNIFIED WAY.

THEIR RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK TRANSFORM, THEY CARRY THE SKILLS OUT INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS, WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

I HOPE PEOPLE WALK AWAY WITH A GREATER SENSE OF THEIR OWN POWER.

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

>> Matthew: POND WILL ALSO BE A PRESENTER FOR THE 2025-26 BLUE OX LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE PROGRAM STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.

>>> MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON JOINED A COALITION OF 22 OTHER STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN SUING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER THE DEFUND PROVISION OF THEIR BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL WHICH TARGETS ORGANIZATIONS LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD FROM RECEIVING MEDICAID FUNDING.

THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA AND TWO OF ITS LOCAL AFFILIATES FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EARLIER THIS MONTH, CHALLENGING THE PROHIBITED MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS.

IN TODAY'S FILING, ELLISON AND THE COALITION ARGUE THAT THE DEFUND PROVISION IS LIKELY TO INCREASE HEALTH RISKS WHICH COULD RESULT NOT ONLY IN WIDESPREAD AND DEVASTATING EFFECTS ON THE HEALTH OF VULNERABLE PATIENTS, BUT ALSO INCREASED COSTS OF $30 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND $52 MILLION OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS IN MEDICAID PROGRAMS.

THE RELEASE FROM ELLISON SAYS THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD HEALTH CENTERS IN MINNESOTA RELY ON MORE THAN $9 MILLION IN MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS COVERING OVER 30,000 PATIENT VISITS EACH YEAR.

>>> THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, OR SNAP, IS THE LARGEST ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAM IN AMERICA.

BUT THE RECENT PASSAGE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT WILL RESULT IN THE LARGEST CUTS THE PROGRAM HAS EVER SEEN.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ DISCUSSES HOW THESE CUTS COULD IMPACT FAMILIES AND ALSO LOCAL ECONOMIES.

>> Ivan: FOR THE LAST 86 YEARS, SNAP HAS HELPED MILLIONS OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES BUY NUTRITIOUS FOOD.

>> THIS FILLS A CRUCIAL FOOD GAP FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> Ivan: JAMES IS A DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR POVERTY REACH.

HE SAYS NAPS HAD SERVED AS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER TO LOCAL GROCERY STORES AND COMMUNITIES.

IN 2023, NAN ACCOUNTED FOR $124 BILLION IN SALES AT 252,000 RETAILERS.

HALF OF WHICH WERE AT FROM STORES SUCH AS WALMART, WHILE A QUARTER WENT TO SUPERMARKETS.

IF RECIPIENTS NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO SNAP, COULD IT LEAD TO AN ECONOMIC HIT FOR SOME COMMUNITIES.

>> THAT'S GOING TO REDUCE SPENDING AT THOSE LOCAL STORES AND, THEREFORE, COULD CREATE SOME ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND EVEN IN THE MOST EXTREME CASE, POTENTIAL CLOSURES OF THOSE MARKETS.

>> Ivan: HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY THE NEW LAW WILL RESTORE INTEGRITY TO THE PROGRAM AND BENEFIT GROCERY SES BY PUSHING MORE PEOPLE TO WOSHLG.

NEW WORK REQUIREMENTS EXPAND TO PARENTS WITH CHILDREN OLDER THAN 13 AND PEOPLE AGES 55 TO 64.

BUT STUDIES SHOW WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR SNAP DO NOT INCREASE EMPLOYMENT.

>> PEOPLE DON'T JUMP INTO THE LABOR FORCE IN BIG DROVES WHEN THEY GET CONFRONTED WITH WORK REQUIREMENTS, BUT WHAT THEY DO TEND TO DO IS JUMP OUT OF THE PROGRAM ALTOGETHER.

THEY'RE GOING TO BECOME MORE RELIANT ON FOOD PANTRIES OR CHURCHES OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.

>> Ivan: I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>> Matthew: MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON, AS PART OF A 22-STATE COALITION, HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER ILLEGAL DEMANDS THAT STATES HAND OVER PERSONAL DATA OF SNAP RECIPIENTS.

OVER 400,000 MINNESOTANS ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE SNAP PROGRAM.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: WE'RE GOING TO SEE PRETTY QUIET WEATHER OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, BUT WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE SEEING A LOT OF WILDFIRE SMOKE IN THE AREA AND AIR QUALITY ALERT IS OUT FOR MOST THE WEEK.

I'LL HAVE THE FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Sydney: AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTH WOODS EXPERIENCE, THE 41st LAKE GEORGE ANNUAL BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL TOOK PLACE OVER THE WEEKEND.

.

>> Announcer: AND NOW, LAKELAND NEWS AT 10.

>> Matthew: THE CUYUNA LAKES MOUNTAIN BIKE CREW IS A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS MAINTAIN BIKE TRAILS IN THE CROSBY-IRONTON AREA.

BUT AFTER FACING AN UNEXPECTED SETBACK THIS SUMMER, THE COMMUNITY RETURNED THE FAVOR AND HELPED THEM BACK.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

>> Daniel: THE RALLY CENTER IN IRONTON IS A HOT SPOT FOR LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKERS AND A HOME TO THE KRUNE KRUNE NA LAKES MOUNT BIKE CREW.

>> WE ARE 100% VOLUNTEER MAINTAINED TRAILS AND, OF COURSE, THEY HELPED BUILD THE TRAILS OUT HERE, SO RAISING MONEY TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THIS REALLY BEAUTIFUL PLACE OUT HERE IN THE AREA.

>> Daniel: THE MOUNT BIKE CLUB MAINTAINED OVER 70 MILES OF TRAILS IN THE AREA, BUT THEY EXPERIENCED AN OBJECT TACKLE THIS SUMMER THAT WOULD YOU WON'T FIND OVER ANY OF THE TRAILS.

MORE THAN $5,000 OF MAINTENANCE DIVIMENT WAS STOLEN FROM THEM.

>> SOMEONE NOTICED ONE OF OUR CONTAIN NERS AND DECIDED TO BREAK IN AND TAKE ALL OF OUR EQUIPMENT AND THAT'S WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS USE TO MAINTAIN THE TRAILS OUT HERE.

WE HAD ALL OF OUR WEED WHIPS OUT OF THIS SPECIFIC CONTAINER TAKEN.

OUR BACKPACK LEAF BLOWERS AND THEY EVEN TOOK THE GAS.

>> Daniel: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CLUB WASTED NO TIME HE SAIDING UP FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO REPLACE THE STOLEN EQUIPMENT, THUT SHE NEVER COULD HAVE EXPECTED HOW THE COMMUNITY SHOWED THEIR SUPPORT.

>> I WAS TALKING WITH THE BOARD AS WELL AS DNR AND WE PUT A PRICE BACK ON EVERYTHING, AND WE KNEW THAT WE NEEDED AT LEAST $7,000 TO REPLACE EVERYTHING.

ALL I DID WAS RELEASE IT ON FACEBOOK.

IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

I CHECKED IT IN FOUR HOURS AND WE WERE ALREADY AT 3500 TO 4,000.

>> Daniel: THROUGH FUNDRAISING EFFORTS, THE GROUP REACHED THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS IN LESS THAN TWO DAYS.

BUT ABOUT THE MONEY WASN'T JUST FROM THE LOCAL MEMBERS.

MEMBERS OF THE MOUNT BIKING COMMUNITY WERE HELPING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> PEOPLE FROM IOWA AND TEXAS AND ALL OVER AND JUST REALLY RALLIED BEHIND AND IT WAS COOL TO SEE.

WHILE IT WAS SAD, IT WAS REALLY NEAT TO SEE HOW THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER, JUST THE MOUNTAIN BIKE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST THE CUYUNA LAKES AREA AND SUPPORTING ALL OF THIS THAT WE HAVE HERE BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S VOLUNTEER MAINTAINED, AND THEY'RE PROUD OF IT.

>> Daniel: FOR MEMBERS OF THE CLUB AND PEOPLE IN THE MOUNTAIN BIKING COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING AND WELCOMING THEIR BIKING BRETHREN IS COMMON PLACE.

>> IT'S THE BEST COMMUNITY.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME ON TEAR BIKE.

NO MATTER WHAT BIKE YOU RIDE, HOW YOU RIDE, IF YOU'RE FORECAST OR SLOW, YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME AND RIDE.

>> Daniel: I'M DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Matthew: IF YOU'D LIKE TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE CREW, THEY HOST VOLUNTEER NIGHTS EVERY THURSDAY DURING THE SUMMERTIME AT 5:30.

TO REGISTER.

HEAD TO CUYUNALAKESMTB.COM.

>>> 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.

>>> we got Stacy with us.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY, BUT A LITTLE SMOKEY.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE AREAS OF SMOKE STICKING AROUND PRETTY MUCH THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

WE HAVE AN AIR QUALITY ALERT OUT FOR OUR VIEWING AREA THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING, SO IT'S A ROUGH WEEK FOR >> Announcer: AND NOW, THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WELL, WE ARE SETTLING INTO A PRETTY QUIET WEATHER PATTERN OUT THERE.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING PERIODS OF SMOKE THAT ARE GOING TO IMPACT OUR AIR QUALITY, A LOT OF HAZY CONDITIONS ALREADY TODAY, EXPECT TO SEE MORE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEK.

IN FACT, THAT AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

SO WE'LL HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THAT IN JUST A FEW SECONDS.

CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 68 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT EAST WIND AT THE STUDIO.

DEWPOINT IS 57, HUMIDITY AS 68%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY, BUT IT IS HAZY, 70 DEGREES.

OUR DEWPOINT IS 60.

PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS NORTHEAST AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

AN AIR QUALITY ALERT IS OUT AND IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 P.M. ON SATURDAY.

THE AIR QUALITY INDEX IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE RED OR UNHEALTHY CATEGORY ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

THIS MEANS SOME MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ALONG WITH PEOPLE IN SENSITIVE GROUPS MAY EXPERIENCE HEALTH EFFECTS.

WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THE SMOKE IN THE AIR IN OUR VIEWING AREA ALREADY TODAY.

WE ARE SEEING MORE CLOUD COVER THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING, AND EVEN A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS TRYING TO REACH THE GROUND IN PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

THERE IS STILL A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SEEING A FEW SHOWERS IN THE MOST WESTERN PARTS OF THE VIEWING AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, BUT AGAIN AREAS OF SMOKE.

IT PROBABLY IS GOING TO BE PRETTY HAZY AS ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE ANTICIPATING THOSE AREAS OF SMOKE.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

TRACY WITH THIS PHOTO OF THE GORGEOUS SKIES OVER LEECH LAKE AND TONYA ALSO WITH A PICTURE OF LEECH LAKE.

ARLENE THIS MORNING, A HAZY SKY THERE, A COUPLE OF DEER IN THE FOREGROUND, AND GARY WITH A PICTURE OF A WILD FLOWER HE SPOTTED.

JOAN WITH THE BIRDS IN LAPORTE.

LORI WITH THE LOONS ON LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

SANDRA AND ANGELA BOTH SENDING US PICTURES FROM CASS LAKE OF THE GORGEOUS SUNSET THIS EVENING.

AGAIN, IT WAS A LITTLE SMOKEY OUT THERE, A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUDS AS WELL.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE FOR SHARING PHOTOS TONIGHT.

EAGLE REPORTS, ARLENE, 61 AND HAZY THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, HAZY SUN TODAY.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, HAZY AND SMOKEY WITH A HIGH OF 77.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE AND HAZY AND 78.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, THE HIGH 78.

STEPHANIE IN BRAIRNTIOND OVERLAST AND 75 AND SANDRA AT CASS LAKE, 70 THIS EVENING.

ON THE ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 82, SEASONAL FOR THIS DATE.

67 WAS THE LOW.

WE HAD SUNSET AT 8:49.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 77, SO JUST A FEW DEGREES SHORT OF THAT AVERAGE HIGH, 58 FOR THE LOW AND SUNRISE AT 5:55.

LOOKING AT OUR FORECAST TO TOMORROW, A FEW CLOUDS COULD LINGER IN THE MORNING, BET HEADING THROUGH THE DAY EXPECT TO SEE SUNNY SKIES.

WE'LL BE SEEING THE AREAS OF SMOKE, SO IT MAY BE A BIT HAZY OUT THERE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, HIGHS ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA SHOULD BE IN THE LOW TO MID 70s AND IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, WE ARE LOOKING AT MID TO UPPER 70s.

OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH AREAS OF SMOKE AND AGAIN, THERE'S THAT SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN PARTS OF WESTERN MINNESOTA.

LOWS NEAR 55.

FOR TOMORROW, MOSTLY SUNNY AND AGAIN AREAS OF SMOKE WITH HIGHS NEAR 73.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, MORE OF THE SAME ON THURSDAY.

TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT IN THE MID 70s, JUST A LITTLE BIT WARMER ON FRIDAY WITH PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON SATURDAY AND A MORE SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON SUNDAY.

HIGH TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND, THOUGH, SHOULD BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH, STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER WITH US OUT ALL DAY AT THE BIRCHMONT TWO.

>> Charlie: ROUND TWO FOR THE MEN AND THE FIST EQUAL PIKE ROUND FOR THE WOMEN.

IT WAS A GORGEOUS DAY AND THAT'S WHY I GOT EYE SUNTAN ON.

THE SUN WAS OUT ALL DAY LONG, GREAT WEATHER FOR GOLF.

I HEAR IT'S LIKE THAT ALL WEEK.

>> Announcer: AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: THE GREENS WERE FIRM, THE ROUGH WAS LONG, AND THE PLAY ON TUESDAY AT THE 101st BIRCHMONT GOLF TOURNAMENT WAS SOME OF THE BEST WE'VE SEEN.

ON THE MEN'S SIDE, 13 GOLFERS QUALIFIED WITH EVEN OR BETTER SCORES, AND 17 SHOT EVEN OR BETTER JUST IN TODAY'S SECOND ROUND.

AND WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY IT WAS OUT AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB.

VIEW FROM THE 10th TEE BOX IS ONE OF THE BEST AROUND.

WE PICK UP AT THE PAR 4 13th.

TOBY, YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE HIM AS BSU HOCKEY MEN'S EQUIPMENT MANAGER.

PRETTY GOOD GOLFER TOO.

LEADING A UPHILL PUTT FOR BIRDIE.

HE SHOT 69 AND FINISHED QUALIFYING TIED FOR 7th AT 2-UNDER.

BACK AT 12, CARTER WHITE WAS PUTTING ON A PUTTING CLING.

HE QUALIFIED THIRD WITH A 9-UNDER TOTAL.

READING HIS LINE ON A SLIGHTLY SHORTER PUTT WAS RYLIN ENGLE WHO SHOT A TWO-DAY 7-UNDER.

THE PAR 5 WAS A HONEY HOLE TODAY.

FIRST JACOB SCARFRUD FROM THE ROUGH.

HE POSTED A 4-UNDER TODAY, FINISHED QUALIFYING 5th AT 6-UNDER.

LUCAS FEDERAL WITH A CHIP THAT WOULD LEAD TO A BIRD TI AS WELL.

HE STARRED THE LOWEST QUALIFYING SCORE OF THE TOURNAMENT REQUEST A 65 TODAY.

SHOT A TWO-DAY 10-UNDER, QUALIFIED IN SECOND, AND JON SAUER, THE TOP QUALIFIER WITH ROUNDS OF 66 AND 67 TO GO 11-UNDER.

ALSO CASHING IN A BIRDIE AT 4.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE TOP FIVE QUALIFYING MEN'S SCORES.

MANAGED TO GET A HIGHLIGHT OF EACH AND HERE ARE ALL 32 MACH PLAY QUALIFIERS WITH THEIR MATCHES.

LOTS OF NEW FACES,S SOME FAMILIAR ONES AND THE MATCH PLAY WILL BEGIN TOMORROW AFTERNOON FOR THE MEN.

IT'S SHAPING UP TO BE A GOOD ONE.

REALLY GOOD MATCHUPS THERE.

>>> EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE WOMEN TEED IT UP FOR THEIR SINGLE QUALIFYING ROUND.

28 GOLFERS VYING FOR 16 AVAILABLE MATCH PLAY SPOTS.

START OFF AT 17, THE 2023 GIRCH MONT CHAMP FROM GRAND FORKS, MNG, THIS PUTT FOR PAR NEVER ANY DOUBTSHIP SHE SARTED AN 80, QUALIFIED, TIED 2307th.

HEADING TO 18, ANNIKA, HER ONLY BIRDIE OF THE DAY.

SHE SHOT A 78 QUALIFYING TIED FOR 4th.

AT THE SECOND TEE BOX, ANNA EKMAN FOR PARK RAPIDS COMES AWAY WITH A BEAUTIFUL SHOT, ABLE TO SNAG A PAR.

SHE QUALIFIED TIED FOR 2nd AT PLUS-4.

AT THE PAR 5 15th, ANOTHER UMD GOLFER, LINDSAY ASTRAP WITH A DESCENT CHIP ON, BUT STILL LEFT HERSELF A SIZEABLE BIRDIE PUTT.

THAT WILL COME IN HANDY.

BIRDIE PUMPED HER TO A ROUND OF 76 TO QUALIFY SECOND.

FINALLY, HERE'S A STORY FOR YOU, JAYA JUST MISSED LAST YEAR, TODAY SHE QUALIFIED IN THE TOP 2.

ONE OF MANY APPROACHES TODAY FOR HER.

HERE ARE YOUR TOP FIVE QUALIFIERS IN THE WOMEN'S QUALIFYING ROUND.

AGAIN, THEY ONLY SHOOT ONE DAY OF QUALIFYING BEFORE HEADING TO THEIR ROUND OF 16 MATCH PLAY, AND THIS IS HOW MATCH PLAY IS GOING TO LOOK NOT WOMEN.

THOSE ARE YOUR 16 QUALIFIERS AND THOSE ARE THE MATCHUPS.

AND WE ALSO HAVE A TWINS SCORE FOR YOU.

THEY FELL TO THE BOSTON RED SOX 8-5.

THEY'RE 4-7 SINCE THE ALL-STAR BREAK, SO NOT DOING SO HOT IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.

>> Matthew: BUT AT LEAST WE GOT GOOD GOLF.

>> Charlie: GREAT GOLF.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU, CHARLIE.

>>> SUMMERTIME IS PRIME BERRY PICKING TIME, AND RIGHT NOW IT'S BLUEBERRY SEASON.

HUNDREDS OF LAKE GEORGE RESIDENTS CELEBRATE BLUEBERRY SEASON WITH THEIR ANNUAL BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK VISITED THE 41st ANNUAL FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND TO SEE THE OUTDOORS EVENTS AND BLUEBERRY-THEMED GOODS FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Sydney: FROM FRIDAY NIGHT STRAIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON, LAKE GEORGE SAW AN ABUNDANCE OF ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR 41st ANNUAL BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL.

>> YEARS BEFORE THAT, IT USED TO BE THE FIRE MAUNS FUNDRAISER.

THEY LOOKED BEANS AND HAM AND SERVED IT AND BACK IN 1982 OR '3, THEY DECIDED TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIGGER AND THEY CALLED IT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL BECAUSE WE'RE SURROUNDED BY WILD BLUEBERRIES OUT IN THE WOODS.

>> Sydney: ALONG WITH THE VENDORS AND OTHER FOOD TENTS, ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PARTS OF THE ENTIRE FESTIVAL ARE THE BLUEBERRY MILKSHAKES.

>> OH, THEY'RE A HIT.

YOU KNOW, USUALLY I HAVE A BIG LONG LINE AND SO IT'S HARD TO KEEP UP, SO THIS YEAR, I BOUGHT A NEW MACHINE I COULD KEEP DOWN THE LINE.

>> WE LIKE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE HAVING FUN AND WE GIVE THEM A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, AND WE ARE BLESSED WITH GOOD WEATHER EVERY TIME WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

>> Sydney: THE LAKE GEORGE COMMUNITY SEES MORE THAN 50 LOCAL AND NON-LOCAL VENDORS COMING OUT TO CELEBRATE NATURE'S BLUEBERRIES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> WE GET A LOT OF PEOPLE ASKING FOR BLUEBERRY PIE AND THERE'S PLENTY OF PIE TO BE HAD AROUND HERE.

>> WE'VE GOT ACRES AND ACRES AND ACRES OF BLUEBERRIES.

YOU CAN WANDER OUT IN THE WOODS AFTER YOU GET DOWN AND TAKE A BUCKET AND PROBABLY PICK ENOUGH TO MAKE A PIE BEFORE YOU GO HOME.

>> Sydney: THE ANNUAL FESTIVALS TURNS A SMALL TOWN OF A FEW HUNDRED TO BUCKLING SIDEWALKS OF A FEW THOUSANDS.

>> I LIKE TO SOCIAL YIE,Z I LIKE THE PEOPLE AND MAKE THEM HAPPY, AND ON A HOT DAY, IT'S A GOOD THING.

>> LAKE GEORGE IS A SPECTACULAR COMMUNITY.

IT'S ABOUT AS ALL-AMERICAN AND OLD-FASHIONED AND REAL TRUE AMERICA AS YOU'RE GOING TO FIND.

>> Sydney: VENDORS AND DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES CATER TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, INCLUDING SHOPPING FOR THE ADULTS AND GAMES FOR CHILDREN.

AND WHILE THE FESTIVAL DOES GET KIDS OUTSIDE, THE COMMUNITY TRIES TO KEEP THEM OUTSIDE FOR LONGER THAN JUST THE WEEKEND BY DONATING BIKES FOR KIDS TO TAKE HOME.

>> EVERYONE AROUND TOWN BUYS TWO OR THREE OR HALF A DOZEN OR 10 OR 12 BICYCLES.

THERE'S A WHOLE PILE OF BICYCLES OVER THERE.

>> Sydney: REPORTING FROM LAKE GEORGE WITH THIS WEEK'S NORTHWARD WOOD EXPERIENCE, I'M SYDNEY DICK WITH LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Matthew: THE FESTIVAL ALSO HAD SEVERAL MORE OUTDOORS EVENTS, SUCH AS A COMMUNITY VOLLEYBALL AND SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT AND OUTDOOR CONCERTS AND LIVE MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

>> Stacy: WE'LL BE SEEING AREAS OF SMOKE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND WE HAVE THIS AIR QUALITY ALERT OUT FOR THE VIEWING AREA.

IT IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 P.M. ON SATURDAY.

AIR QUALITY INDEX IN THE RED CATEGORY.

>> Matthew: THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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