>> 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.

; KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH INTERNET, TV, MOBILE, AND HOME PHONE.

LEARN MORE AT 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, PROVIDING ALL FIBEROPTIC INTERNET SPEEDS UP TO 10 GIGS WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> 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.

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

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

>>> A CRASH IN ITASCA COUNTY KILLED TWO PEOPLE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

THE STATE PATROL REPORTS THAT ONE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON U.S.

HIGHWAY 169 AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND WHEN THEY COLLIDED NEAR VICTORY LANE IN HARRIS TOWNSHIP, LOCATED JUST SOUTH OF GRAND RAPIDS.

24-YEAR-OLD MCKENNA CHRISTENSEN -- JUST SOUTH OF GRAND RAPIDS, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

WISCONSIN WAS DRIVING ONE VEHICLE, AND 83-YEAR-OLD CAROL ROSE WISS OF GRAND RAPIDS WAS DRIVING THE OTHER.

BOTH VICTIMS DIED AT THE SCENE, AND WERE THE ONLY OCCUPANTS OF THEIR VEHICLES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

ALCOHOL IS NOT BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THE CRASH.

>>> A CAR ACCIDENT ON SATURDAY NIGHT ENDED WITH A VEHICLE LANDING ON A BUILDING IN NAYTAHWAUSH.

ACCORDING TO THE MAHNOMEN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, JUST BEFORE 8:30 P.M.

ON JUNE 27TH, A VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROADWAY, JUMPED AN APPROACH, AND LANDED ON A BUILDING.

THE DRIVER, 36-YEAR-OLD CHARLES ORTELY OF MOORHEAD, WAS APPREHENDED AFTER A SHORT FOOT PURSUIT AWAY FROM THE SCENE.

HE REPORTEDLY APPEARED TO BE HIGHLY INTOXICATED, AND PILLS AND OPEN BOTTLES OF ALCOHOL WERE FOUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE.

SHERIFF JOSH GUENTHER REPORTS THAT ORTLEY REFUSED TO SUBMIT TO SOBRIETY TESTS, AND HE WAS TAKEN TO JAIL AFTER BEING MEDICALLY CLEARED.

WITNESSES TOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT ORTLEY WAS ALREADY INTOXICATED WHEN HE ARRIVED AT A PARTY BEFORE THE CRASH.

THERE WAS A RESIDENT INSIDE THE BUILDING THAT WAS STRUCK BY THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT PERSON WAS NOT INJURED.

>>> THE LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE HAS APPOINTED A NEW PRESIDENT, WHO IS EXPECTED TO START IN HER NEW ROLE NEXT WEEK.

THE LLTC BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED DOCTOR ERIN STRESOW TO TAKE OVER THE PRESIDENT POSITION.

STRESOW AND SADIE COOPER WERE THE LAST TWO FINALISTS ADDED TO THE CONVERSATION.

DOCTOR STRESOW CURRENTLY SERVES IN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN HIGHER EDUCATION AND HAS NEARLY TWO DECADES OF EXPERIENCE WITHIN TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ON TOP OF WORKING WITH STUDENT SUCCESS ACROSS SEVERAL COLLEGES.

SHE HAS ALSO BEEN EMPLOYED WITH THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE.

JULY 7TH IS SET TO BE DOCTOR STRESOW'S FIRST OFFICIAL DAY IN OFFICE, AND THE TRIBAL COLLEGE HAS A MEET AND GREET EVENT SET FOR HER TO GATHER WITH THE PUBLIC ON JULY 21ST, IN THE CAMPUS DRUM ROOM.

>>> THE NORTHLAND ARBORETUM IN BAXTER BROUGHT 11 AND 12-YEAR-OLD KIDS TOGETHER FOR ITS ANNUAL ‘ECO EXPLORERS STEM ADVENTURE CAMP.'

REPORTER MILES WALKER STOPPED BY THE WEEK-LONG CAMP TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT GENERATION IS LEARNING WHEN IT COMES TO THE OUTDOORS.

>> Reporter: THE ECO EXPLORERS STEM ADVENTURE CAMP, THEY WILL LEARN BY DOING, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND EXPLORING THE ARBORETUM'S TRAILS.

>> WE WANT TO PROVIDE THE YOUNGER GENERATION AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE AN ENGINEER OR BE A SCIENTIST FOR A WEEK AND EXPLORE THEIR CURIOSITY, HOW THEY CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS, WATCH THOSE SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS DO.

>> Reporter: DESIGNING AND TESTING WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS AND LEARNING HOW SCIENTISTS USE TECHNOLOGY TO TRACK WILDLIFE LIKE MOOSE AND WOLVES.

>> I THINK IT'S BEST TO THINK OF IT AS NOT THE KIDS GO HOME WITH A FUN TOY THEY MADE RATHER THEY HAVE SPENT THE MORNING OR THE AFTERNOON BUILDING LIKE A WIND POWERED WATER PUMP AND UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS INVOLVED IN TESTING THEIR EXPERIMENT, WHAT DO THEY NEED TO DO NEXT IF IT DOESN'T WORK, WHAT DO THEY NEED TO DO TO ADJUST IT AND KEEP ON TESTING THAT.

>> Reporter: THE CAMP IS MEANT TO COMBINE STEM OR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH WITH OUTDOOR EXPLORATION TO CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL AND FUN EXPERIENCE.

>> IT'S EASY TO TELL THEY'RE REALLY ENJOYING WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND IT'S REALLY HAVING AN IMPACT ON THEM.

YOU CAN SEE THEM PIECE IT TOGETHER THAT THIS COULD BE PART OF THEIR YOUNG LIVES AND FUTURE CAREER.

>> Reporter: THE ECO EXPLORERS STEM ADVENTURE CAMP PROVIDES CAMPERS WITH 400 ACRES OF MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE AND MILES OF WALKING TRAILS FOR KIDS TO EXPERIENCE.

>> WE'RE ABLE TO TAKE THE KIDS OUT THERE AND TALK ABOUT CONSERVATION WORK AND WHAT DOES IT ACROSS THE STATE LOOK LIKE.

IT SHOWS THE KIDS THAT YES, THERE ARE STEPS INVOLVED LOOKING AFTER AND UNDERSTANDING THE ANIMALS, COURTESY OF JUST DOWN THE ROAD.

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

>>> THE FOURTH OF JULY IS COMING UP THIS WEEKEND, AND TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE PREDICTED TO TRAVEL DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD FOR THE COUNTRY'S 250TH BIRTHDAY.

TRAVELING DRIVERS CAN ENJOY FALLING GAS PRICES, BUT AS FESTIVITIES KICK OFF THIS WEEK, MILLIONS WILL FACE DANGEROUS HEAT THAT'S LIKELY TO BREAK RECORDS.

REPORTER MICHAEL YOSHIDA HAS MORE DETAILS ON TRAVEL DETAILS.

>> Reporter: HOLIDAY TRAVEL IS EXPECTED TO SET A RECORD THIS WEEK AS THE NATION MARKS ITS 250th ANNIVERSARY.

DRIVERS WILL GET THE WELCOMED SIGHT OF COOLING GAS PRICES, MANY WILL SEE RISING TEMPS AS THEY CELEBRATE THE FOURTH.

A RECORD 72.2 MILLION AMERICANS ARE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL FOR 4TH OF JULY WEEK, ACCORDING TO AAA.

WITH MORE THAN 61 MILLION DRIVING TO THEIR DESTINATIONS.

>> THE HEAT IS COMING DOWN ON GAS PRICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, VIRTUALLY EVERYONE IS SEEING GAS PRICES DROP THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS DECLINING SEVEN STRAIGHT WEEKS.

>> Reporter: A WELCOME SIGHT, RISING COSTS ARE STILL HAVING AN IMPACT.

>> AMERICANS ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING $250 MILLION MORE ON GASOLINE THEY DID A YEAR AGO.

>> Reporter: SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO OFFSET HIGHER COSTS INCLUDE CUTTING BACK ON EXTRAS LIKE EATING OUT AND SOUVENIRS, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL INCLUSIVE OPTIONS, AND CHOOSING DESTINATIONS CLOSER TO HOME AND SHORTENING TRIPS.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE THE SECOND MOST EXPENSIVE JULY 4TH, STILL UNDER 2022'S PEAK WHEN PRICES WERE WELL ABOVE $4, BUT INDEED A PERILOUS RECORD OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE JULY 4TH.

>> Reporter: DANGEROUSLY HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL IMPACT MILLIONS THIS 4TH OF JULY.

>> WE'RE TRACKING A MULTI-DAY HEATWAVE.

THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HAVE TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES, WHICH MAY BREAK RECORDS.

>> Reporter: FROM THE MID-ATLANTIC TO EAST COAST, SEVERAL DAYS AND NIGHTS OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL BE A CONCERN AS PEOPLE ATTEND PARADES, COOKOUTS, SPORTING EVENTS, AND FIREWORKS.

>> DRINK LOTS OF WATER, EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL THIRSTY, TAKE BREAKS, AND CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS, LOVED ONES, AND PETS.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE SCOPE OF THIS HEATWAVE, MORE THAN 100 DAILY HIGHS COULD BE BROKEN.

I'M MICHAEL YOSHIDA.

>> AND THE HEAT WAVE WILL NOT JUST BE AFFECTING THE EAST COAST, HERE IN THE MIDWEST THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERAL HEAT ADVISORIES ALREADY AND IS PREDICTING MORE BY THIS WEEKEND.

THE HOT FRONT IN MINNESOTA BEGAN OVER THE WEEKEND AND TODAY, WITH A HEAT INDEX REACHING INTO THE TRIPLE DIGITS.

STACY HAS TONIGHT OFF BUT WE'LL HAVE THE FULL WEATHER FORECAST COMING UP IN A FEW MINUTES AND THE HOT TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE.

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

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, THERE IS A VIDEO GAME STORE THAT HAS BEEN SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA SINCE 2018.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> DURING A SPECIAL MEETING LAST TUESDAY, THE BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD APPROVED A REVISED BUDGET FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR AND SET A PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR THE UPCOMING 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR.

WHEN THE BOARD APPROVED THE PRELIMINARY 2025-26 BUDGET LAST SUMMER, THE PROJECTED DEFICIT WAS $2.2 MILLION, BUT THE DEFICIENCY SHRUNK TO AROUND $1.3 MILLION IN UNASSIGNED FUNDS.

AS FOR THE 2026-27 PRELIMINARY BUDGET, THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT THE BUDGET DEFICIENCY IS CONTRIBUTED BY A DECREASE IN ENROLLMENT, SUPPLIES, AND A REDUCTION IN STAFF DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE APPROVED THAT PRELIMINARY BUDGET TO SAY HERE'S WHERE WE THINK WE ARE GOING TO COME OUT THE END OF THE YEAR, AT A DEFICIT OF 3.3 MILLION.

SO THAT IS GOING TO EAT INTO OUR RESERVES AND WE KNOW THAT.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

WE THINK IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE AND THAT IS WHY WE'VE ASKED FOR THE VOTERS TO GET A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT A LEVY THIS CYCLE.

>> ONE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT IS THE DECREASE IN BIRTHS OVER THE PAST DECADE.

IN 2014, THERE WERE 695 BIRTHS IN CROW WING COUNTY, COMPARED TO 599 IN 2024.

>>> THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVE-AWAY 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 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.

>>> SOME SEVERE WIND AND THUNDERSTORMS CAME THROUGH LAKELAND COUNTRY IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON THAT LEFT THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER AND SPARKED SEVERAL SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES THAT ESCALATED TO TORNADO WARNINGS IN THE NORTHWEST.

WHILE THE STORM DID NOT DO AS MUCH DAMAGE AS THE JUNE WIND STORM LAST SUMMER.

THE BEMIDJI JAYCEES ANNOUNCED THAT THEIR WATER CARNIVAL TENT SET UP AT THE LAKE BEMIDJI WATERFRONT WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

THE TENT, WHICH HAS MADE ITS SUMMERTIME APPEARANCE AT THE CARNIVAL FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS, WAS RIPPED APART BY THE STRONG WINDS.

FIRST RESPONDERS AND VOLUNTEERS RESPONDED TO CLEAN UP THE DEBRIS BEFORE THE OFFICIAL START TO THE 82ND ANNUAL EVENT, WHICH IS SET FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 1ST.

THE JAYCEES PRESIDENT, LARISSA DONOVAN, TOLD LAKELAND NEWS THEY ARE REMAINING CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CONTINUATION OF EVENTS.

THE FULL DETAILS ABOUT WHERE AND WHEN EVERYTHING WILL TAKE PLACE IS STILL BEING DETERMINED.

>>> WE HAVE JUST SEEN A NEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EXTENDED FOR NORTHWEST HUBBARD COUNTY, CLEAR WATER, AND SOUTHWEST BELTRAMI.

I WILL HAVE THE FULL WEATH [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Sydney: STACY HAS THE NIGHT OFF SO I WILL BE BRINGING YOU THE WEATHER RIGHT HERE FROM THE DESK.

WE SAW LOTS OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA TODAY.

STRONG WINDS AND THAT WILL CONTINUE AS WE GO THROUGH THE NIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW.

THOSE STORMS WILL CONTINUE.

IT WILL BE PRETTY GUSTY.

THE PEAK WINDS TODAY IN BEMIDJI WAS 13 MILES PER HOUR, IT'S CURRENTLY 74 DEGREES.

THERE WASN'T TOO MUCH PRECIPITATION BUILD UP, BUT YOU CAN PROBABLY HEAR OUTSIDE OUR STUDIO, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE STORMS AND THOSE WILL CONTINUE AS THE SYSTEMS ARE MOVING FROM EAST TO WEST.

IN BRAINERD, IT IS 78 DEGREES, SOUTHEAST WINDS OF 9 MILES PER HOUR, AND 87% HUMIDITY.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE HUMID OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND THAT WILL BE BRINGING IN THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.

IT WILL BE VERY HOT UP INTO THE 90s WITH SEVERE HUMIDITY, THOSE EXTREME HEAT WARNINGS WILL BE IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY, IT WASN'T TOO CRAZY THROUGHOUT THE DAY, LOTS OF CLOUD COVER, BUT WE CAN SEE A LOT OF THE SYSTEMS COMING IN AS WE GET THROUGH THE NIGHT TONIGHT, THAT ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, BUT IT WILL CLEAR UP AS WE GET INTO TOMORROW.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

WE HAVE STORMS FROM ALL AROUND THE AREA, ANGELA IN TOWER HILL, SAMROSE IN PONEMAH, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE WINDS WHIPPING IN.

SANDY BRINGING US SOME SUNSHINE WITH THE FLOWERS POKING OUT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN BLACKDUCK.

BILL AND JUDY AT UPPER RED LAKE, GORGEOUS AS ALWAYS.

WE HAVE RABBITS FROM LAURIE AT LITTLE TURTLE RIVER LAKE.

AS WE HAD SOME CLEAR SKIES COMING IN THIS AFTERNOON BUT NOT TOO MUCH.

ARLENE IN MENAHGA REPORTS FOG AND DRIZZLY THIS MORNING.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE REPORTING A HIGH OF 74.

IN BLUFFTON, THEY HAD 0.25-INCH HAIL, 1.5 INCH OF RAIN.

RALPH IN JENKINS REPORTS A HIGH OF 75 AND HIGH WINDS.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH ME TODAY.

ON OUR ALMANAC, FOR BRAINERD, IT WAS 79 DEGREES, LOW OF 66.

SUNSET AT 9:12 P.M.

SO WE'RE HITTING THE AVERAGES.

IN BEMIDJI, IT WAS MORE OF THE SAME TEMPERATURES INTO THE HIGH -- I WAS GOING TO SAY HIGH OF 70, BUT WE PEAKED AT 81 TODAY, HIGH HUMIDITY TODAY.

LOW OF 63, SUNSET WAS AT 9:20.

ON OUR FORECAST, AS WE MOVE THROUGH TOMORROW, THE SYSTEMS WILL CLEAR UP AS WE GET OVERNIGHT.

WE WILL HAVE CLOUDY SKIES IN THE MORNING AND THEN SUNSHINE FOR MOST OF THE REST OF THE DAY AS WE GET THROUGH TUESDAY.

WE WILL BE SEEING WARM WEATHER WITH TEMPERATURES UP INTO THE 80s FOR MOST OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND SUNSHINE ALL AROUND ON TUESDAY.

FOR OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY.

WE STILL HAVE A COUPLE OF ADVISORIES OUT THAT WILL BE ENDING AROUND 11:15, SO FAIRLY SOON, BUT NEW ONES COULD BE COMING IN, WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MILES PER HOUR, SO WE'LL HAVE SOME WINDS.

THE WINDS WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW WITH A HIGH OF 84, FOG IN THE MORNING, THEN CLEARING OUT TO SUNNY SKIES.

GUSTS UP TO 30 MILES PER HOUR.

ON THE EXTENDED FORECAST, WE WILL BE SEEING LOTS OF SUN, THE 80s, AND THE RAIN CLOUDS YOU SEE WILL BE A LOT OF ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

THAT WILL CONTINUE AS WE GET INTO THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND, WE WILL BE SEEING ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AND HIGHS INTO THE MID-80s.

>> Sydney: THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR WEATHER SO CHARLIE IS JOINING US FOR SPORTS.

WE HAD SOME SPECIAL ATHLETES COMING IN.

>> Charlie: YES, WE HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THEM OFF, A LITTLE OVER A WEEK AGO ON FRIDAY.

WE SAW THEM OFF AND THEY CAME BACK WITH A COUPLE OF MEDALS.

WE GOT TO TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT AFTER THE BREAK AND WE HAVE SOME OTHER SPORTS AS WELL, COMING UP IN JUST A MOMENT.

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

[♪♪♪] >> WE DECLARE OPEN THE 2026 SPECIAL OLYMPICS U.S.A.

GAMES.

LET'S GO!

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> THAT WAS THE SCENE FROM HUNTINGTON BANK STADIUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA JUST OVER A WEEK AGO.

BUT NOW THE SPECIAL OLYMPIC U.S.

GAMES HAVE COME TO A CLOSE, AND TWO PARTICIPANTS FROM BEMIDJI HAVE BROUGHT HOME SOME HARDWARE.

ATHLETE KATIE FELLOWS AND HER SISTER AND UNIFIED PARTNER LISA KIEWATT WON BRONZE MEDALS IN BOTH THE DOUBLES AND TEAM BOWLING EVENTS, WHILE KATIE TOOK HOME A 7TH PLACE RIBBON IN SINGLES BOWLING.

THE DUO, REPRESENTED NOT JUST BEMIDJI, BUT THE WHOLE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND EVEN THOUGH THE GAMES ARE CLOSED, THE FUN ISN'T OVER JUST YET FOR THE SISTERS.

KATIE AND LISA HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS THE GRAND MARSHALS FOR THE BEMIDJI 4TH OF JULY PARADE, WHERE THEY WILL BE SHOWING OFF THEIR WELL-EARNED MEDALLIONS.

>>> WELL, WITH JUST 60-DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE FIRST GAME OF THEIR SEASON, AND EVEN LESS TIME BEFORE FALL PRACTICE BEGINS, BEMIDJI STATE ANNOUNCED THE DEPARTURE OF ITS HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH.

ERIKA BUTE, WHO WAS PROMOTED TO THE JOB IN FEBRUARY OF 2025, ANNOUNCED HER RESIGNATION AS THE HEAD COACH TO ACCEPT A POSITION AT THE HELM OF HER ALMA MATER, AUGUSTANA.

IN HER LONE SEASON AS HEAD COACH, BUTE COMPILED A 7-21 RECORD WITH A SIGNATURE 5-SET WIN OVER 18TH RANKED MINNESOTA DULUTH, A VICTORY THAT SNAPPED A 40-MATCH LOSING STREAK TO THE BULLDOGS THAT STARTED IN 1998.

BUTE WAS HIRED AS AN ASSISTANT AT B-S-U FOR THE 2024 SEASON, BEFORE TAKING OVER THE INTERIM ROLE FOR THE FINAL FEW GAMES.

THE BEAVERS OPEN ON THE ROAD THIS YEAR AT THE MAURADERS' FIRST SERVE INVITATIONAL IN BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, AGAINST WESTERN NEW MEXICO.

B-S-U WILL PLAY AT AUGUSTANA SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH, BUT THEY WILL NOT HOST THE VIKINGS THIS SEASON.

>>> THREE B-S-U MEN'S HOCKEY PLAYERS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO NHL DEVELOPMENT CAMPS.

RISING SOPHOMORE DEFENSEMAN MAXON VIG, WHO WAS DRAFTED IN THE 7TH ROUND BY MONTREAL, WILL REPORT TO THE CANADIENS CAMP.

WHILE RISING SENIOR FORWARD OLIVER PEER, AND RISING SOPHOMORE GOLATENDER MAX HILDEBRAND, HAVE BOTH BEEN INVITED TO CAMP FOR THE WINNIPEG JETS, DESPITE BEING UNDRAFTED.

CAMPS WILL TAKE PLACE SPORADICALLY OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND ARE TYPICALLY 4-TO-5 DAYS LONG.

>>> WELL, AFTER TOURING THE NL WEST, THE TWINS RETURN TO AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAY WITH A SERIES IN HOUSTON VERSUS THE ASTROS.

MINNESOTA COMES IN HAVING WON 5 OF THEIR LAST 6-SERIES, AND TOOK 2 OUT OF 3 AT HOME AGAINST THE ‘STROS BACK IN MAY.

TOP OF THE FOURTH HERE, STILL SCORELESS.

LEWIS, SEE YOU LATER, HIS 8th HOMER OF THE YEAR HELPS THE TWINS STRIKE FIRST.

IT'S 1-0.

NEXT BATTER, VICTOR TATTOOS A SLIDER TO LEFT CENTER, MAKE IT BACK-TO-BACK HOME RUNS, THIRD TIME FOR THE TWINS THIS SEASON THEY DONE THAT.

THEY LEAD 2-0.

NOW JOSH BELL, TOWERING HOMER, A 2-RUN SHOT, EQUIPPING 50 R.B.I.s, TWINS HANG ON TO WIN 5-4.

THEY ALSO GOT A GREAT START OUT OF MATTHEWS 7 INNINGS, 7K'S FOR HIM.

>>> A LITTLE OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP ACTION.

END OF THE KNOCKOUT ROUNDS, WE HAD A COUPLE OF STUNNERS.

BRAZIL BEATS JAPAN IN A STOPPAGE TIME GOAL, THEY'RE MOVING ON.

THEN PARAGUAY STUNTS GERMANY.

CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW, MOROCCO AND THE NETHERLANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE MOROCCO HAD A STOPPAGE TIME GOAL AND THAT IS HOW THEY WERE ABLE TO TIE THE NETHERLANDS.

THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD IN HAND.

IT'S CRAZY.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE IN EXTRA TIME AND MAYBE WE'LL HAVE AN UPDATE BY THE TIME THE SHOW IS OVER.

>> Sydney: IT'S EXCITING FOR THE LAST SECOND GOALS.

THANK YOU CHARLIE.

THERE IS A VIDEO GAME STORE THAT HAS BEEN SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA SINCE 2018.

PLAY N TRADE SPECIALIZES IN SELLING VIDEO GAMES, CONSOLES, VINTAGE COLLECTIBLES, COMICS AND MORE.

REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS THE STORY FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: PLAY AND -- N TRADE'S OWNER ORIGINATED BEFORE HE BOUGHT THE BUSINESS.

>> IT'S BEEN WITH ME PRETTY MUCH AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.

DEFINITELY GETTING TO GROW UP IN THE LATTER PART OF THE '80s A '90s, THERE WAS SO MUCH GOOD TELEVISION AND POP CULTURE.

>> Reporter: ROUGHLY TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICANS PLAY VIDEO GAMES EVERY WEEK.

HE NOTICED THAT LOVE FOR THE INDUSTRY ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> IF YOU GO TO THE STORE ONLINE, THEY STILL WANT PREMIUM DOLLARS AND THEY CAN TAKE IT AWAY WHENEVER THEY WANT.

YOU NEVER ACTUALLY OWN IT, THAT'S WHY I LIKE PHYSICAL MEDIA.

>> Reporter: THE COLLECTIBLES MARKET IS WORTH WELL OVER $100 BILLION.

AS AN AVID COLLECTOR HIMSELF, HE KNOWS THE PRIDE THAT COLLECTORS TAKE IN FINDING OR SELLING A NEW CATCH.

>> EVERY DIFFERENT TOY LINE OR COLLECTIBLE HAS ITS HOLY GRAIL, AS THEY SAY.

EVERYBODY COMES IN LOOKING FOR THEIR HOLY GRAIL AND I TRY TO GET AS MUCH OF THAT AS POSSIBLE.

YOU CAN BUY ANYTHING ONLINE BUT TO GO IN AND FIND THAT PIECE YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR, IT'S A BIG DEAL.

>> Reporter: THE GAMING AND COLLECTIBLE LANDSCAPES CAN BE INHERENTLY COMPETITIVE, THE BEAUTY BEHIND PLAY N TRADE ARE THE CONVERSATIONS.

>> THAT IS THE BEST PART OF OWNING THE STORE, HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE AND TALK ABOUT THEIR LOVE AND THEIR INTERESTS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY FIND THAT THING THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.

JUST TO SEE THAT EXCITEMENT AND JOY COME THROUGH, IT'S GREAT.

JUST AWESOME THAT'S WHAT I GET TO DO FOR A LIVING, TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> PLAY N TRADE IS OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY FROM 11:00 A.M.

TO 7:00 P.M.

>>> WE HAVE ONE FINAL LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER AS WE SEE THOSE SYSTEMS MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE VIEWING AREA TONIGHT.

THOSE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO BE LIKELY, WIND GUSTS UP TO 30 MILES PER HOUR, LOW OF 63, SO IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE WARM AS WE GET THROUGH TOMORROW, UP INTO THE 80s.

WE WILL BE SEEING CLEAR SKIES TOMORROW, IT WILL STILL BE PRETTY BREEZY.

AS WE GET THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK, WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF SCATTERED AND ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY AS WE GET INTO THE REALLY HOT AND HUMID DAYS.

>> Charlie: AND IT WAS A RAIN OUT AT THE BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY ON SUNDAY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALL THAT RAIN.

THEY WILL HAVE THEIR MEET THE DRIVERS NIGHT ON JULY 19TH.

THAT'S WHERE IT'S BEEN MOVED TO FOR YOUR RACING AFICIONADOS.

>> Sydney: WELL, THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]