>> AND HOME PHONE, LEARN MORE AT GO CTC.COM AND BY SANDFORD HEALTH, WITH PRIMARY LOCATIONS ACROSS THE MIDWEST.

LEARN MORE AT SANFORD HEALTH.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED IN PART BY WOODSETH, SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITY SINCE 1975.

>> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS WITH NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER, AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪] >> Sydney: HI EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

I'M SYDNEY DICK IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> A BRAINERD MAN WAS CHARGED IN CROW WING COUNTY DISTRICT COURT AFTER ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING A MAN AND FLEEING FROM DEPUTIES IN A VEHICLE.

47-YEAR-OLD NICHOLAS RYAN WAS CHARGED ON JUNE 30TH WITH FIVE FELONIES AND 4-GROSS MISDEMEANORS AFTER AN INCIDENT IN BRAINERD.

ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT, HE WAS IN AN ALTERCATION WITH ANOTHER DRIVER THAT ENDED WITH THE VICTIM BEING PUNCHED IN THE FACE.

DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED AFTER THE VICTIM DESCRIBED THE SUSPECT AND HIS TRUCK.

HE LED LAW ENFORCEMENT ON A CHASE WITH SPEEDS REACHING 93 MILES PER HOUR AND CRASHED INTO THE WOODS ON THE EAST SIDE OF COUNTY ROAD 4, AT THE INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROAD 13.

IT TOOK MULTIPLE OFFICERS AND DEPUTIES TO DETAIN HIM, WHO ADMINISTERED SEDATIVES DUE TO HIS VIOLENT BEHAVIOR.

LABORATORY TESTING SAID HE HAD A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION OF 0.196.

HE WAS CHARGE IN CROW WING COUNTY COURT WITH FELONY DRIVING WITH INTOXICATION, THREATS OF VIOLENCE, ASSAULT ON A PEACE OFFICER, AND PLEADING A PEACE OFFICER IN A MOTOR VEHICLE.

HE WAS CHARGED WITH SEVERAL GROSS MISDEMEANORS, INCLUDING ASSAULT ON EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND DRIVING ON A CANCELED LICENSE.

HE IS CURRENTLY ALREADY ON PROBATION FOR A 2025 DOMESTIC ASSAULT CONVICTION AND FOR FLEEING IN A MOTOR VEHICLE IN 2024, AS WELL AS A PRIOR D.W.I.

CONVICTION.

BOND WAS SET AT $300,000 WITH NO CONDITIONS AND $100,000 WITH CONDITIONS.

HE IS DUE BACK IN COURT ON JULY 7TH.

>>> WHILE THE CITY OF CROSS LAKE HAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THE FREEDOM FLAGS INITIATIVE AHEAD OF THE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS.

THE PROJECT IS INTENDED TO HONOR THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE COUNTRY'S FREEDOM AND RECOGNIZE ALL WHO HAVE SERVED AND CONTINUE TO SERVE THE NATION.

MORE THAN 35 VOLUNTEERS HELPED ASSEMBLE HUNDREDS OF FLAGS TO PLACE ALONG THE CITY'S SIDEWALKS IN HONOR OF THE COUNTRY'S 250th BIRTHDAY.

CROSS LAKE MAYOR JACKSON SAID ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT THE FLAGS WILL FLY FOR TWO WEEKS BEGINNING JUNE 30TH.

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

CROSS LAKE COMES TOGETHER FOR MANY THINGS AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

PEOPLE ARE HONORING THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY, WHO ARE STILL ACTIVE IN THE MILITARY, AND WHO HAVE GAVE EVERYTHING FOR US.

THE PATRIOTISM IS CONTAGIOUS.

>> Sydney: THE FREEDOM FLAG COMMITTEE PLANS ON INSTALLING FLAGS FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND LABOR DAY WEEKEND, ON TOP OF THEIR 4TH OF JULY PLANS.

>>> AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, MOST BABY LOONS ON MINNESOTA LAKES ARE ONLY ABOUT 1-MONTH-OLD AND SOME ADULTS ARE STILL NESTING.

THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME OF THE SEASON FOR LOON SAFETY, DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CHICKS ON TOP OF THE INCREASED BOATING TRAFFIC.

THE 4TH OF JULY IS THE MOST DEADLY DAY FOR MINNESOTA LOONS AND THE NATIONAL LOON CENTER IN CROSS LAKE IS URGING PEOPLE TO USE MORE CAUTION WHEN GETTING OUT ON THE LAKES FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>> JUST KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THEM, GIVE THEM SPACE, RESPECT NO WAKE ZONES, AND MAKING SURE TO KEEP LOW IF YOU'RE WITHIN 50 FEET OF THE SHORELINE.

THE CHICKS ARE IN A SMALL AND VULNERABLE STATE.

THE CHICKS HAVE FLUFFY FEATHERS, MEANING THEY'RE BUOYANT.

THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR FULL DIVING CAPACITY.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO DIVE TO AVOID A BOAT COLLISION.

IF AN ADULT HAVE BABIES ON ITS BACK, THAT ADULT IS NOT GOING TO DIVE OUT OF THE WAY EITHER, AND EVEN THOUGH LOONS ARE WELL RENOWNED FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE SWIMMING AND DIVING ABILITIES, THEY'RE NOT INVINCIBLE AND THEY CAN'T AVOID AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT.

>>> ONE WAY THAT THE NATIONAL LOON CENTER SAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN HELP THE LOONS SURVIVE THE BUSY WEEKEND IS BY HAVING A DESIGNATED LOON LOOKOUT ON THE BOAT, BECAUSE THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE EVERYTHING.

>>> MORE THAN A DECADE AGO, ONE RED LAKE ARTIST TRANSFORMED THE BEMIDJI WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT WITH A MASSIVE EAGLE AND NATURE-FOCUSED MURAL, AND THIS WEEK HE REVISITED THE SITE TO RESTORE THE ART TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY.

MURAL ARTIST WESLEY MAY CREATED THE ORIGINAL PIECE IN 2014, AND THE 2026 REVISION TOUCHED UP FADING PAINT SPOTS AND RE-SEALED THE WORK TO MAKE IT LAST FOR YEARS TO COME.

THE RESTORATION WAS SPONSORED BY THE CITY'S PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION, AND TOOK AROUND A WEEK TO FINISH AS OPPOSED TO THE THREE WEEKS THAT IT TOOK THE FIRST TIME AROUND.

>> THE MAIN OBJECT AROUND THIS IS THE WATER AND WHAT THEY REALLY DO HERE IS CLEAN THE WATER OUT.

AS THEY CLEAN THE WATER, THE TITLE OF THE PAINTING IS TO GIVE THANKS TO THE WATER, SO IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.

YOU WILL SEE THE TWO PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE AND THEY'RE TALKING TO THE WATER, SENDING OFF PRAYERS OF EVERYTHING FOR SAFE WATERS BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS, OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER, WITH ANOTHER PERSON, WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE MURAL PROJECT FINISHED ON THURSDAY, AND WAS A SOLO PROJECT COMPLETED BY MAY.

>>> IT'S ALMOST TIME TO CELEBRATE 250 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE, BUT IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO SHOOT OFF FIREWORKS FOR THE 4TH OF JULY, EXPERTS ARE URGING YOU TO BE CAREFUL.

MISHANDLING EVEN SEEMINGLY MINOR FIREWORKS, LIKE SPARKLERS, CAN QUICKLY TURN FUN FESTIVITIES INTO A TRAGEDY.

MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON THE MOST COMMON INJURIES SEEN THIS TIME OF YEAR, AND HOW TO STAY SAFE.

>> Reporter: IT'S ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PASTIMES, TO HONOR THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE, BUT IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO LIGHT UP THE SKY ON YOUR OWN, BEWARE.

>> EVERY YEAR, I SEE INJURIES THAT REALLY CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> Reporter: AN ORTHOPEDIC HAND SURGEON SAYS BLAST INJURIES ARE COMMON AROUND THE JULY 4TH WEEKEND AND USUALLY INVOLVE SEVERE BURNS.

>> MOST OF THEM WILL HAVE AMPUTATIONS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS, INCLUDING FROM THE FINGERS OR THE WHOLE HAND AND ARM.

I NEEDED TO DO THAT AS WELL.

THEY CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR ALONE, THERE WERE 15 REPORTED FIREWORKS RELATED DEATHS AND AROUND 13,000 INJURIES.

1,300 OF THOSE PEOPLE WERE HURT BY SPARKLERS.

>> SPARKLERS BURN AT 1200 DEGREES, WHICH CAN MELT METAL.

ALL THESE INJURIES HAPPEN IN A SPLIT SECOND.

>> Reporter: IF YOU CHOOSE TO LIGHT YOUR OWN FIREWORKS, NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY WITH OR IGNITE THEM.

THAT INCLUDES SPARKLERS.

MAKE SURE FIREWORKS ARE LEGAL IN YOUR AREA BEFORE USING THEM AND THEY'RE LABELED FOR CONSUMERS AND NOT PROFESSIONAL USE.

KEEP A HOSE HANDY IN CASE THERE IS A PROBLEM, LIGHT FIREWORKS ONE AT A TIME, THEN MOVE BACK QUICKLY.

NEVER TRY TO RELIGHT OR PICK UP FIREWORKS THAT HAVEN'T FULLY IGNITED AND NEVER USE FIREWORKS WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.

>> I WOULD LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS REALLY.

>> Reporter: I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> THE U.S.

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION SAYS TO ALSO FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS ON THE FIREWORKS, AND TO NEVER HOLD THEM IN YOUR HAND UNLESS THE INSTRUCTIONS SPECIFY TO DO SO.

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

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING COOLER TEMPERATURES FOR OUR 4TH OF JULY AND WE MAY SEE A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, THE LAKE'S AREA JUSTICE TABLE DISCUSSED THE FREE BOOK.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> WHAT BEGAN AS AN IDEA DURING A MOUNTAIN BIKE TRIP IS NOW BECOMING A REALITY FOR ONE TEENAGER IN MINNESOTA.

CRYSTAL FLINTROP SPOKE WITH THE TEEN, WHO IS BUILDING A PROFESSIONALLY-DESIGNED MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK FOR HIS EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT.

>> I LOOKED AT MY MOM AND SAID THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO.

>> Reporter: THAT MOMENT CAME AFTER A MOUNTAIN BIKE TRIP TO NORTHERN WISCONSIN AND NOW YEARS LATER, TOMMY'S IDEA IS TAKING SHAPE ON 8 ACRES OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.

>> THIS IS A BIKE SKILLS PARK.

A BIKE SKILLS PARK IS AN AREA FOR KIDS TO PUT THEIR BIKES INTO USE FOR BIKE COORDINATION, HANDLING SKILLS, IN AN EASILY REPEATABLE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: IT WILL FEATURE MULTIPLE RIDING LINES AND TRAIL LOOPS DESIGNED FOR DIFFERENT AGES AND EXPERIENCE LABELS.

THEY CAN PRACTICE BIKE HANDLING SKILLS IN ONE AREA BEFORE PUTTING THE SKILLS TO USE ON LONGER TRAIL SECTIONS.

>> MY FAVORITE PART WILL BE EITHER THE SKILLS SECTION OR THIS ONE TRAIL THAT GOES ALL THE WAY AROUND.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT FEATURES ON ALL THESE TRAILS AND THEY ARE SO DIFFERENT IN SO MANY DIFFERENT CAPACITIES.

SO YOU CAN DO AS MANY THINGS AS YOU WANT TO WITHOUT IT GETTING BORING OR TOO REPEATABLE.

>> Reporter: BUT BUILDING THE PARK BECAME ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN MOUNTAIN BIKING.

AS PART OF HIS EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT, TOMMY SPENT THE LAST TWO YEARS LEARNING HOW TO LEAD VOLUNTEERS, WORK WITH BUSINESSES, AND SECURE FUNDING.

>> THIS HAS TAUGHT ME A LOT NOT ONLY ABOUT PEOPLE BUT ALSO ABOUT HOW THINGS CAN BE DIFFERENT FROM ANOTHER.

GRANTS ARE A LOT DIFFERENT THAN GOING IN FRONT OF A BUSINESS AND ASKING FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

JUST WITH THE WAY YOU TALK AND THE WAY YOU SHOW YOUR CONFIDENCE, IT'S A LOT DIFFERENT THAN BEING BEHIND THE COMPUTER SCREEN WITH GRANTS.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS STARTED TAKING NOTICE.

>> HONESTLY, I THINK THE BIKING COMMUNITY, A LOT OF THE NON-PROFITS ARE AMAZED.

YOU DON'T HEAR OF A 14-YEAR-OLD OR 15-YEAR-OLD STARTING A $350,000 BIKE PARK.

SO IT'S INCREDIBLE.

WE COME OUT TO VOLUNTEER DAYS.

WE ALSO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP HIM WITH SOME GRANT APPLICATIONS AND USING OUR RESOURCES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THROUGH WORK OUT HERE WITH BEING ABLE TO HELP BUILD THE TRAILS AND VOLUNTEER AND THEN MARKETING.

>> Reporter: AFTER TWO YEARS OF PLANNING, FUNDRAISING, AND VOLUNTEER WORK, THE PROJECT IS NOW JUST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AWAY FROM THE FINISH LINE.

>> WITH ALL OF THEIR HELP IN-KIND AND MONETARY, WE'RE 92% TO GOAL, WHICH MEANS WE'RE $29,000 LEFT OF A $366,500 PROJECT.

>> Reporter: FOR TOMMY, THE GOAL IS SIMPLE, TO CREATE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY THAT FIRST INSPIRED HIM YEARS AGO.

>> RIFFE IS STILL TAKING DONATIONS TO BE ABLE TO COVER THE REMAINING FUNDING FOR THE PARK.

>>> THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY IS BACK AGAIN THIS SUMMER.

THIS YEAR WE ARE GIVING AWAY A FOUR-NIGHT STAY AT CHASE ON THE LAKE IN WALKER ALONG WITH A $200 RESORT GIFT CARD.

TO REGISTER SEND US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ON IT AND THEN WATCH LAKELAND NEWS TO SEE IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN.

HERE ARE TONIGHTS FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME YOU CAN QUALIFY BY CALLING US ON THE VACATION GIVEAWAY HOTLINE NUMBER BEFORE 5:00 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.

EVERY WEEKNIGHT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, RIGHT HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS, WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS FOR THE 2026 LAKELAND PBS VACATION CONTEST.

WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER IN A LIVE DRAWING ON OUR MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST NEWSCAST.

>>> WE HAVE STACY JOINING US FOR THE WEATHER, FOR OUR UPCOMING NATION'S 250th BIRTHDAY.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING COOLER TEMPERATURES.

WE HAVE HIGHS IN THE 80s TODAY, LOOKING AT MAINLY 70s ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW.

WE'LL SEE MORE CLOUD COVER AND WE COULD BE SEEING SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, IT WAS A BIT HUMID OUT THERE AGAIN TODAY AND THAT HELPED FUEL THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOPED TODAY.

SOME OF THEM WERE STRONG AND SEVERE IN OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW FOR OUR 4TH OF JULY AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING MORE CLOUD COVER, ALONG WITH COOLER TEMPERATURES TO GO WITH THEM.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 65 AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTH WIND AT THE STUDIO WITH A DEW POINT OF 65.

IN BRAINERD, MOSTLY CLOUDY, 77, THE DEW POINT IS 71, PRESSURE IS RISING AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

WE DID HAVE SOME STRONG STORMS AND THERE WERE A FEW THAT DID RISE TO THE LEVEL OF SEVERE IN OUR VIEWING AREA TODAY.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE AREA AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW, ALONG WITH A BIT MORE CLOUD COVER, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND THAT WILL HELP KEEP THOSE TEMPERATURES A LITTLE BIT COOLER.

MOST OF US CAN EXPECT TO SEE HIGHS IN THE 70s.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT AND THE SKY WAS GORGEOUS THIS MORNING, BEAUTIFUL COLORS AROUND SUNRISE.

WE HAVE PHOTOS FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND BRIAN AT SULLIVAN LAKE.

CHRISSY ENJOYING THE NICE OUTDOORS IN DEERWOOD, SPOTTING A DRAGON FLY OUT THERE.

WE DID HAVE THE SHOWERS AND STORMS ROLLING THROUGH, JOAN SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A THUNDERSTORM CLOUD.

AND ANGELA WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE A DOUBLE RAINBOW AFTER THE STORMS MOVED THROUGH CASS LAKE.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 62 THIS MORNING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY, SOME BRIEF RAIN TODAY, 87 FOR THE HIGH.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE AND 84.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY HAZE TONIGHT, WE ALSO SEE A HIGH OF 84 IN BRAINERD.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH A HIGH OF 84.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC IN BRAINERD TODAY, WE TOPPED OUT AT 86, 5 DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE.

64 WAS THE LOW, SUNSET AT 12 MINUTES AFTER 9:00.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 84, SO WARMER THAN AVERAGE TEMPERATURES IN BEMIDJI.

57 WAS OUR LOW, SUNSET TONIGHT AT 9:20.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE WILL SEE MORE CLOUD COVER OUT THERE, PARTLY TO MOST LIVE -- MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, WHICH WILL POP-UP NOW AND AGAIN.

AS WE LOOK AT THE HIGH TEMPERATURES, IT WILL BE COOLER.

HIGHS ARE IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA, WITH HIGHS AROUND 75 TO 80 IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, MOSTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT, WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE, LOWS NEAR 61.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW, AGAIN, SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE, HIGHS NEAR 78, AND EAST TO NORTHEAST WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING SUNNY SKIES ON SUNDAY, WITH A HIGH OF 82, AND WE'RE BACK INTO THE MID-80s ON MONDAY, WITH A SMALL CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE ACTIVE WEATHER PATTERN, SO WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING MORE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ON WEDNESDAY, WITH HIGHS AROUND 80 DEGREES AS WE HEAD TOWARDS MIDWEEK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Sydney: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU STACY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER IN STUDIO FOR OUR SPORTS TONIGHT.

CHARLIE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE BEMIDJI LUMBERJACK TRAP SHOOTING TEAM.

>> Charlie: THEY WON THE STATE TITLE ONE WEEK AGO.

I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THEM.

ALSO TONIGHT, THE HEAD COACH OF THE MINNESOTA LYNX, A CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND MORE COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >> Charlie: NO ONE HAS WON MORE GAMES AS A MINNESOTA HEAD COACH THAN REEVES.

SHE IS TIED AND WITH A WIN TONIGHT, SHE WILL BE THE SEOUL -- SOLE OWNER OF THE RECORD.

STARTING IN THE FIRST QUARTER, MINNESOTA DOWN.

KAYLA McBRIDE CLOSES THE GAP.

SHE LED WITH 18 POINTS TONIGHT.

SECOND QUARTER, OLIVIA MILES, NO LOOK TO ANASTASIA.

SHE HAD FIVE ASSISTS IN THIS ONE.

SHE STARTED ADDRESS A ROOKIE AND IT WASN'T JUST FOR HER PASSING, KNOTS THE GAME.

MIDWAY, THE LIBERTY TAKE A 10-POINT LEAD AND STEWART WILL DROP 36 ALL BY HER LONE SOME.

THE LYNX FALL IN NEW YORK.

MINNESOTA HAS THE TOP RECORD IN NEW YORK BUT REEVES WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MIX -- NEXT MONDAY TO MAKE HISTORY IN THAT GAME.

>>> MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THE NEW YORK YANKEES GET THE WIN OVER THE MINNESOTA TWINS.

THE WORLD CUP, EGYPT ADVANCES.

BACK AND FORTH ALL NIGHT, ARGENTINA WINS IN EXTRA TIME.

COLOMBIA IS UP 1-0 IN THE 83rd MINUTE ON GHANA.

>>> IT WAS ONE WEEK AGO TODAY THAT THE BEMIDJI LUMBERJACK TRAP SHOOT TEAM WON THEIR FIRST EVER MSHSL STATE TITLE IN CLAY TARGET, AND THERE WAS STILL A BUZZ OUT AT THE PRACTICE RANGE THIS WEEK.

WHILE SOME MEMBERS OF THE TEAM PREPARED TO SHOOT AT NATIONALS, THE LUMBERJACKS PUT THE BAND BACK TOGETHER FOR A QUICK 25 SHOOT, AND AFTERWARDS, THE BOYS SHARED WHAT IT MEANT TO BE STATE CHAMPIONS.

>> IT MEANT EVERYTHING, ALL OF OUR HARD WORK COMBINED AND WE GOT SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT.

OUR FIRST 50, IT WASN'T TERRIBLE, BUT IT DEFINITELY COULD BE IMPROVED ON.

WE DEFINITELY CRITIQUED EACH OVER A LITTLE BIT.

AND AS YOU HAVE SEEN, IT WAS ONE TO REMEMBER.

>> IT WAS SURREAL.

FEELINGS CAN'T EXPLAIN THAT.

IT WAS AWESOME.

I REPLAY THAT MOMENT EVERY TIME.

IT WAS GREAT.

WE NEVER PLACED AT STATE OR ANYTHING FOR TRAP SHOOTING SO TO BRING HOME A STATE TITLE IS PRETTY UNREAL.

IF IT WAS A GROUP TO DO IT, IT WAS US, I GUESS.

>> THE TEAM OF 5 LUMBERJACKS THAT WON THE STATE TITLE DIDN'T NECESSARILY SHOOT WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE SEASON THOUGH.

THEY WERE COMPRISED OF THE BEST SHOOTERS BEMIDJI HAD TO OFFER, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THEIR BEST SHOOTING AVERAGES OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON ACROSS VARIOUS COMPETITIONS.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, TRUST AND DEDICATION WERE MAJOR FACTORS IN BRINGING HOME THE HARDWARE.

>> HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CLAYS OF SHOOTING, SHOOTING ON DAYS YOU DON'T WANT TO SHOOT, SHOOTING ON RAINY AND STORMY DAYS, ANYTHING JUST TO GET PRACTICE IN.

>> I KNOWN THEM FOR SOME TIME.

I HAVE SEEN THEIR SCORES, THEIR AVERAGES, SEEN THEM SHOOT, IT'S GREAT PEOPLE TO TRUST AND I HAD NO WORRY TRUSTING THEM, KNOWING THEY WOULD ALL DO THEIR PART, AS WELL AS ME.

>> YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME THE WIN, THE COLD, THE SNOW, AND ONE SUNDAY WE HAD TO SHOVEL ALL THE SIDEWALKS OFF BEFORE WE COULD SHOOT.

WE HAD BUDDY COME WITH US AND WORK WITH US ON TRAINING AND HE TALKED ABOUT HOW IT'S A MENTAL GAME, ONE CLAY TARGET AT A TIME.

THAT'S YOUR ONLY COMPETITION.

WE TRIED TO STRESS THAT AS COACHES.

I HAVE 16 OR 17 COACHES THAT HELP COACH EVERY NIGHT THAT ARE A HUGE PART OF THE PROGRAM AND THEY MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> Charlie: WELL, OBVIOUSLY THE BIG DIFFERENCE CAME THIS YEAR, THEY WON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

JUST FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, I WANTED TO MENTION THEIR NAMES.

ON THE FAR LEFT, ERIC, HE WAS THE ALTERNATE FOR THE TEAM.

CLAYTON, KAIDEN, COLTER, JEREMY, AND JOSH ALL STATE CHAMPIONS FOR THE BEMIDJI LUMBERJACKS.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM.

>> Sydney: ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE IT COMING FROM THE LOCAL KIDS.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

THE LAKES AREA JUSTICE TABLE AND BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY EDUCATION TEAM HOST ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY SESSIONS, TO CREATE COMMUNAL CONVERSATIONS AND ENCOURAGE READING.

RECENTLY, THEY READ TO BE FREE, A STORY CENTERED AROUND DISCUSSING IDENTITY AND BELONGING FOR EVERYONE.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY VISITED THE SESSION FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

>> Reporter: THE ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE IS DESIGNED FOR UPPER ELEMENTARY TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND BEYOND WHO WANT A SPACE TO THINK DEEPLY, SPEAK HONESTLY, AND BUILD COMMUNITY WITH OTHERS.

>> I THINK THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS FOR PEOPLE TO START SHARING STORIES, WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY COME FROM, WHAT DEFINES THEM AS HUMAN BEINGS, WHAT THEIR VALUES ARE, AND AS PEOPLE START TALKING ABOUT THEY WERE STORIES, THEY FORGET THAT WE'RE DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE'RE MORE ALIKE THAN WE ARE DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: THE SESSIONS HAVE OPEN DIALOG ABOUT RACISM IN THE AREA AND HOW TO IDENTIFY AND LIMIT THE MISTREATMENT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

>> WE'RE INSPIRED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ARE -- RESOURCES THAT TALK ABOUT RACISM, HOW TO UNDERSTAND IT, HOW TO ELIMINATE IT, AND HAVE PERSPECTIVES THAT COME FROM INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AS WELL, WHICH MANY OF THE BOOKS AND RESOURCES AROUND RACISM MAY TALK ABOUT OTHER PERSPECTIVES WITHIN THAT, BUT DON'T INCLUDE THE INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE.

>> Reporter: DURING THE FINAL CLASS, PARTICIPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES WITH BUTTONS AND DIFFERENT DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS SHARING THEIR VIEWS ON THE TOPIC.

>> I REALLY ENJOYED IT.

IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL TO SEE PEOPLE ENGAGED AND GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND BUILDING COMMUNITY WITHIN COMMUNITY.

YOU REALIZE WHAT A SMALL WORLD IT IS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE YOU KNOW, NEW PEOPLE YOU MEET, AND A LOT OF BRIDGES BEING BUILT, WHICH I THINK IS WONDERFUL.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZERS A THAT AN IMPORTANT PIECE TO ENDING RACISM IS THE OPEN DIALOG AND DISCUSSION OF IT AND BELIEVE THESE SESSIONS WERE A GREAT START TO THAT.

>> PEOPLE THINK THAT IF WE DISCUSS RACE OR IF WE DISCUSS THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES, THAT IN ITSELF IS RACISM AND TRULY THAT IS THE NECESSARY PART OF BEING ABLE TO DISCUSS ALL THE BEAUTY AND DIVERSITY OF HUMANS.

IF WE DON'T HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS, THAT'S HOW IT ALLOWS FOR THINGS TO PLAY OUT THAT ARE FROM INSTITUTIONAL RACISM THAT OCCURS IN LARGE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> A NEW BOOK IS CHOSEN AT EVERY ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY EVENT.

THE THEMES USUALLY FOCUS ON DEMOCRACY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

>>> AND STACY HAS ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE COULD STILL SEE SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WITH OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND LOWS NEAR 61.

NOW FOR OUR 4TH OF JULY, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AND ONCE AGAIN THERE MAY BE A FEW THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE, HIGHS NEAR 78, NORTHEAST WINDS UP TO 10.

WE'LL SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO THE EARLY PART OF NEXT WEEK.

>> Sydney: THANK YOU STACY AND HAVE A GOOD 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE.

>> Charlie: BE SAFE, GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM GLAP