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

LEARN MORE 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 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 GIG WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO SPEED THROTTLING.

>> Announcer: 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.

>> Dennis: HI, EVERYONE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

THE MINNESOTA OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2023 TO CONNECT THE ADULT-USE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY WITH UPDATED LEGISLATION AND TO BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE STATE AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THEIR CURRENT LISTENING TOUR WHERE THEY ARE GOING AROUND THE STATE TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE FACE-TO-FACE.

>> Sydney: A Q&A SESSION BETWEEN THE MINNESOTA OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT AND THE PUBLIC TOOK PLACE IN BEMIDJI TO EXPLAIN HOW THE DEPARTMENT REGULATES THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY IN MINNESOTA AND TO CONNECT WITH LOCAL LAWMAKERS ABOUT HOW THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTHS OF LEGAL ADULT USE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS SALES HAVE GONE.

>> WE TALKED TO FOLKS AT CITY HALL HERE IN BEMIDJI TO SORT OF GET A SENSE OF WHAT ARE THEY EXPERIENCING AND SEEING AND THEY HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHICH THE STATE OR LOCAL, WHO HAS JURISDICTION ON THESE KIND OF ISSUES.

>> Sydney: THE LISTENING TOUR IS OPEN TO MANUFACTURERS BUSINESS DISTRIBUTORS, LOCAL DISPENSARY OWNERS OR ANYONE WHO WISHES TO LEARN THE LEGAL SIDE OF THE MINNESOTA CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

>> WE CAN HAVE EVENTS IN SAINT PAUL MONDAY TO FRIDAY, 9 TO 5, BUT THAT LIMITS WHO CAN MAKE IT DOWN THERE, SO DOING A LISTENING TOUR IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GO TO PLACES WHERE WE CAN TALK TO REGULATORS AND POLICY DECISION MAKERS.

>> Sydney: THE OCM MAIN OFFICE IS LOCATED IN SAINT PAUL, SO BY TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE AND TALKING FACE-TO-FACE WITH PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY AROUND MINNESOTA, THEY HOPE TO GET A FIRST HAND LOOK ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE IN NORTHERN, EASTERN, AND WESTERN MINNESOTA ARE DEALING WITH.

>> PLOW IS THE REGULATION OF OUT OF STATE PRODUCT BEING TRANSPORTED INTO STATE AFFECTING THE GENERAL MARKET?

>> THEY HAVE TO APPLY FOR A MINNESOTA CANNABIS LICENSE AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS CAN CONTROL THE TYPE OF PRODUCT THAT'S SOLD.

>> WHEN WE'RE DRIVING TO OR FROM HOME, WE MIGHT STOP AT A STORE OR TALK TO AN OPERATOR AND HEAR ABOUT THE CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS THEY HAVE AND THE REALITY WHAT IS THEY'RE EXPERIENCING AND THE BOTTLENECKS THEY FEEL MIGHT BE QUITE DIFFERENT THAN THE BOTTLENECKS IN THE OUTSTATE, SO WE TALKED TO A LOCAL RETAILER WHO EXPRESSED THEY'RE HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH TRANSPORTATION AND IT'S BECAUSE BEMIDJI IS FIVE HOURS FROM THE TWIN CITIES.

GETTING TO HEAR IT FROM THE OPERATORS HELPS US ADVOCATE FOR THEM WHEN WE'RE TALKING TO OUR LEGISLATIVE PARTNERS AND HELPS US MAKE DECISION THAT ULTIMATELY ARE MAKING SURE THAT THESE BUSINESSES HAVE A CHANCE TO SUCCEED.

>> Sydney: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THE OCM'S NEXT STOP ON THEIR "CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY LISTENING TOUR" WILL BE TOMORROW, JUNE 5th, AT LAKE SUPERIOR UNIVERSITY IN DULUTH.

REGISTRATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT WEBSITE.

>>> THE HIGHWAY 197 PROJECT IN BEMIDJI IS NOW OFFICIALLY IN STAGE 1-B, MEANING TRAFFIC WILL BE SHIFTING TO A TEMPORARY BYPASS LANE FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

THIS STAGE INCLUDES FULL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGHWAY AND THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW ROUNDABOUT AT THE MENARDS INTERSECTION.

A REGIONAL TRUCK DETOUR WILL REMAIN IN PLACE TO SUPPORT HEAVY VEHICLE TRAFFIC.

ADDITIONAL SHORT-TERM DETOURS FOR ALL MOTORISTS ARE PLANNED LATER THIS SUMMER DURING STAGES 1-C AND 1-F.

EACH IS EXPECTED TO LAST APPROXIMATELY TWO TO THREE WEEKS.

>> DEFINITELY PLAN FOR SOME EXTRA TRAVEL TIME.

THERE WILL BE SOME EXPECTED DELAYS, OF COURSE, AS WE'RE TRANSITIONING FOLKS OVER TO THE TEMPORARY BYPASS LANE, AND, OF COURSE, FOLLOW THE SPEED LIMIT.

IT'S 35 THROUGH THE WORK ZONE.

SO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHERE YOU ARE, SLOW DOWN, AND AVOID ANY AND ALL DISTRACTIONS AND JUST PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> Dennis: DURING THE WEEK OF JUNE 8th, CREWS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN REMOVALS IN STAGE 1-B IN PREPARATION OF CONSTRUCTING THE ROUNDABOUT AT THE MENARDS ENTRANCE.

>>> THE BRAINERD LAKES REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION HELD ITS MONTHLY MEETING DISCUSSING NEW AGENDAS AND POLICIES WITH THE ADDITION OF A NEW TENANT.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY WAS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE MEETING AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Xzayver: THE COMMISSION AT ITS MEETING THIS MORNING APPROVED PART OF THE FAA AIRPORT TERMINAL PROGRAM TO UPDATE ITS HVAC SYSTEM THROUGH THE ENTIRE AIRPORT.

>> IT'S REALLY A GREAT WIN FOR OUR AIRPORT TO BE MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR HVAC SYSTEM AND PROVIDE OUR TENANTS AS WELL AS CUSTOMERS A COOL, COMFORTABLE, OR WARM PLACE TO SIT IF THEY'RE WAITING FOR AN AIRPLANE TO DEPART OR COME AND DO BUSINESS.

WE RELY HEAVILY ON THE FAA AND MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR GRANTS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

IMS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THESE LARGE IMPROVEMENTS.

>> Xzayver: IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE MEETING WAS THE RIBBON CUTTING OF THE NEWEST TENANT, EXECUTIVE EXPRESS, A PRIVATE SERVICE THAT PRIORITIZES TRANSPORTATION, RELAXATION.

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IN THIS COMMUNITY IS IT'S JUST SMALL ENOUGH THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE UBER OR LYFT.

SO MANY PEOPLE THAT TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD, THEY'RE SO USED TO THAT TYPE OF SERVICE NOW, SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO CHANGE THE MENTALITY OF THAT WHERE IF THEY THINK ABOUT EXECUTIVE EXPRESS AND MAKE AN ADVANCE RESERVATION, WE'RE WAITING FOR THEM.

WE ARE READY, WE'RE OUT THERE WITH A VEHICLE THAT'S READY TO GO, TAKE THEM WHEREVER THEY NEED TO GO.

>> Xzayver: THE AIRPORT COMMISSION FEELS THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH EXECUTIVE EXPRESS CAN BE A GREAT LONG-TERM BENEFIT FOR EVERYONE IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.

>> IT'S A WAY TO INCREASE OUR REVENUES, WHICH RESULTS IN LESS TAXES BY OUR TAXPAYERS BECAUSE IT IS SUCTIONED BY THE CITY -- SUBSIDIZED BY THE CITY OF BRAINERD.

>> IT PROVIDES ADDITIONAL REVENUES FOR OPERATING EXPENSES AND GETS PEOPLE TO AND FROM ON THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE.

>> Xzayver: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Dennis: THE NEXT BRAINERD LAKES REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, JULY 2nd.

>>> AUTHORITIES HAVE LIFTED ALL EVACUATION ZONES NEAR A WILDFIRE NEAR ELY.

THAT FIRE REMAINS AT ABOUT 35 ACRES, BUT IS NOW 30% CONTAINED.

THE BIRCH BAY FIRE WAS DETECTED ON MONDAY ABOUT EIGHT MILES NORTHWEST OF ELY NEAR BURNTSIDE LAKE.

ACCORDING TO U.S.

FORESTRY OFFICIALS, 103 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO CONTAIN THE FIRE.

FIREFIGHTERS WILL CONTINUE TO REINFORCE CONTAINMENT LINES ALONG THE EDGE OF THE FIRE PERIMETER.

A HOTSHOT CREW ARRIVED ON THE INCIDENT TODAY AND WILL BE ASSISTING IN MOP-UP AND CONTAINMENT.

THE PUBLIC IS STILL ADVISED TO STAY CLEAR OF THE AREA.

THERE ARE NO CURRENT CLOSURES IN EFFECT, BUT FIREFIGHTERS AND EQUIPMENT ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON THE FIRE.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNKNOWN AND UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> THE MINNESOTA DNR HAS CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF ZEBRA MUSSELS IN A LAKE NEAR LONGVILLE IN CASS COUNTY.

A CASS COUNTY INVASIVE SPECIES SPECIALIST CONTACTED THE DNR AFTER A ZEBRA MUSSEL WAS FOUND ON A SETTLEMENT SAMPLER AT THE END OF A PRIVATE DOCK ON LITTLE BOY LAKE.

SETTLEMENT SAMPLERS ARE SOLID SURFACES PLACED IN THE WATER THAT PEOPLE CAN REGULARLY CHECK FOR ATTACHED ZEBRA MUSSELS, TO AID IN DETECTION.

A MINNESOTA DNR INVASIVE SPECIES SPECIALIST FOUND A LIVE ZEBRA MUSSEL ATTACHED TO A NATIVE MUSSEL DURING A FOLLOW-UP SEARCH OF LITTLE BOY LAKE.

>> Announcer: STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10: >> Stacy: WE COULD SEE A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LATER TONIGHT AND AGAIN TOMORROW.

OTHERWISE, IT LOOKS LIKE SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND.

WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> Matthew: AND >> Announcer: AND NOW, MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

>> Dennis: TODAY, JUNE 4th, IS PROTECT MY PUBLIC MEDIA DAY, A NATIONAL MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE ESSENTIAL SERVICE LOCAL STATIONS PROVIDE EVERY DAY AND TO RALLY SUPPORT FOR RESTORING FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP PROTECT THE FUTURE OF LOCAL PUBLIC MEDIA STATIONS.

LAKELAND PBS MARKED THE DAY BY HOSTING AN OPEN HOUSE, GIVING COMMUNITY MEMBERS THE CHANCE TO GO BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE BEMIDJI STUDIO TO EXPERIENCE HOW LOCAL TELEVISION IS MADE AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THE VITAL ROLE PUBLIC MEDIA PLAYS, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

>> IT BRINGS AWARENESS TO REALLY THE ENTIRE COUNTRY ABOUT WHAT PUBLIC MEDIA, WHAT PUBLIC TV STATIONS MEAN TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, SINCE THE FEDERAL RESCISSION OF FUNDING FOR CPB, IT'S SMALL RURAL STATIONS LIKE LAKELAND PBS THAT HAVE BORNE THE BRUNT OF THAT EFFECT.

WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF PUBLIC MEDIA ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN SMALL RURAL MARKETS LIKE OURS, AND IF THERE'S A WAY TO BRING THAT FEDERAL SUPPORT BACK DIRECTLY TO STATIONS LIKE OURS, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING FOR.

>> Dennis: AROUND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE OPEN HOUSE EARLIER TODAY.

>>> 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, YOU NEED TO 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.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME ANNOUNCED, YOU CAN THEN 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.

AND HERE ARE TONIGHT'S FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL HAVE A SHOT AT BEING OUR 2026 CHASE ON THE LAKE VACATION GRAND PRIZE WINNER.

WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER IN A NEWSCAST ON MONDAY, AUGUST 31st.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER.

STACY IS HERE.

A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN IN THE AREA TONIGHT.

>> Stacy: WE HAVE BEEN STEEG A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HERE AND THERE TONIGHT, COULD STILL SEE SOME OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND EVEN AGAIN TOMORROW.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE SEEING SUNSHINE AND WE'LL SEE SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES AGAIN TH >> Announcer: AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

>> Stacy: WELL, WE'VE BEEN SEEING A LITTLE BIT MORE HUMIDITY IN THE AIR AND THAT HELPED TO TRIGGER SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.

AND WE STILL COULD SEE A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN PARTS OF THE AREA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

ANOTHER CHANCE FOR US TOMORROW, OTHERWISE IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

SUNSHINE CONTINUES THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND WE SHOULD BE SEEING SOME EVEN WARMER TEMPERATURES BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 72 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTHEAST WIND AT OUR STUDIO, AND WE HAVE PICKED UP .04 OF AN INCH OF RAIN THIS EVENING.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY AND 70 WITH A DEWPOINT OF 66.

PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE SOUTHEAST AT 3.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE CAN SEE SOME OF THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WHICH FIRED UP THIS EVENING ACROSS MAINLY THE CENTRAL INTO THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE.

SOME OF THE MORE SOUTHERN AREAS OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY ACROSS THIS REGION OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND MORE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR MUCH OF THE AREA TOMORROW.

OTHER THAN THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE SEEING SUNSHINE AND THAT SUNSHINE WILL CONTINUE AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

WE HAVE ANOTHER BEAR SIGHTING IN THE AREA, DAVE FROM BEMIDJI SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A BEAR SPOTTED IN HIS YARD, SO THANK YOU, DAVE, FOR SHARING THAT TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE PHOTOS, ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM EARLY THIS MORNING IN MENAHGA AND GREAT SKIES THIS MORNING FROM DEBRA.

SONIA SAYING A SPRINKLE OUT OF CLOUDS AND GARY WITH NICE FLOWERS IN THE DEERWOOD AREA AND A LOT OF CLOUD COVER IN BEMIDJI AND ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNSET OVER CASS LAKE, SO BEAUTIFUL COLORS IN THE SKY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAGHA, 72 THIS EVENING, DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, 64 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON REPORTING A HIGH OF 80.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, 77 THE HIGH, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNSHINE TODAY.

CHRISTY IN DEERWOOD, QUARTER INCH OF RAIN OVERNIGHT.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, A FEW SPRINKLES TODAY.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 77 WAS THE HIGH TODAY IN BRAINERD, JUST A FEW DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE AND WE HAD A LOW OF 61.

BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT TODAY AT 82.

THAT'S TEN DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE AND ALSO TEN DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE LOW WITH A LOW OF 60.

SO OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE COULD BE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD COVER IN THE MORNING.

OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE SEEING MORE SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY AND THEN WE HAVE SOME CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA AS WE HEAD INTO THE AREA.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE MID 70s ACROSS THE FAR NORTH, COULD BE CLOSE TO 80 DEGREES HEADING TOWARDS PARK RAPIDS AND GRAND RAPIDS WITH LOW TO MID 80s ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THE FORECAST TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

53 INCORPORATE LOW.

AGAIN TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WE'RE SEEING A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON WITH HIRES NEAR 79.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE'RE SEEING SUNSHINE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AND WARMER TEMPERATURES, HIGHS COULD BE NEAR 90 ON SUNDAY.

A LITTLE BIT COOLER WITH A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON MONDAY, AND THEN WE WARM UP AGAIN ON TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS, STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE.

THIS IS CALIFORNIA WEATHER FROM WHERE YOU'RE FROM?

>> Charlie: IT FEELS A LITTLE BIT LIKE CALIFORNIA WEATHER AND IT WAS NICE WEATHER FOR THE STATE TRACK MEET WHICH STARTED TODAY.

CLASS AAA AND CLASS A GETTING GOING.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT AND GOT A STATE CHAMPION AS WELL.

WE'LL TELL YOU ALL THAT AND MORE >> Announcer: AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS, TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES FROM ALL OVER MINNESOTA WILL COMPETE AT SAINT MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, ALL VYING FOR A CHANCE TO STAND ATOP THE PODIUM.

TODAY MANY OF THE FIELD EVENTS WERE CROWNING STATE CHAMPIONS WHILE THE TRACK EVENTS WERE MOSTLY PRELIMINARY RACES, AND WE HAD PLENTY OF AREA ATHLETES COMPETING IN BOTH.

WE START IN CLASS AAA ON THE TRACK WITH THE BOYS 800-METER PRELIMS.

CALEB KNOTT FOR BEMIDJI SETS A NEW PERSONAL RECORD, 1:55 FLAT.

HE QUALIFIED FOR SATURDAY'S FINALS.

WE HEAD INDOORS FOR THE BOYS POLE VAULT.

BRAINERD'S JOE SMITH CLEARS 14'6".

HE MADE THE PODIUM FINISHING IN SIXTH PLACE OVERALL.

ON THE GIRLS SIDE, IN DISCUS, WARRIORS ISABELLE PLOOF FLINGS IT 111'1".

SHE WOULD PLACE 13th OVERALL ON THE DAY.

AND IN THE HIGH JUMP, BRAINERD'S CORA CLOUGH, WHO TORE HER ACL LAST SEASON AND COULD NOT DEFEND HER TITLE, TAKES BACK HER CROWN, CLEARING 5'6".

IT'S CLOUGH'S SECOND TITLE IN THE EVENT, BUT FOR HER, BEING BACK COMPETING WAS THE REAL VICTORY.

>> ONCE I CLEARED 5'6", I KNEW THAT WAS EITHER GOING TO BE A WIN OR I GOT AN EVENT, SO IT FELT REALLY NICE TO GET THAT OUT OF THE WAY AND ONCE I DID IT, I WAS LIKE, I DID IT.

TEARING MY ACL WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO ME BECAUSE NOW I DON'T HAVE A MENTAL BLOCK AND THIS YEAR, MY GOAL WAS TO WIN STATE AGAIN AND JUST BE BACK COMPETING AND BEING HOW I USED TO BE.

YEAH, IT FELT GOOD.

>> Charlie: HERE'S A LOOK AT IT FROM THE BOYS SIDE OF THINGS.

JOE SMITH A MEDALIST IN THE POLE VAULT, CALEB KNOTT FROM BEMIDJI MOVING ON AND THE 500-METER RELAY TEAM MOVING AS WELL.

ON THE GIRLS SIDE OF THINGS, THE 300-METER HURDLES AND THE 4-BY-4 FOR BRAINERD ALSO QUALIFYING.

>>> SWITCHING OVER TO CLASS A IN THE AFTERNOON, STARTING WITH THE GIRLS LONG JUMP, PILLAGER'S SOPHIE SCHLOSSER, 17'9" ON THE LEAP, GOOD FOR 6th PLACE OVERALL.

OVER IN DISCUS, SARAH HARTUNG FOR PARK RAPIDS SENDS IT FLYING 123'1".

HARTUNG WOULD TAKE HOME 5th PLACE IN THE EVENT.

AND IN THE 300-METER HURDLES, VIOLETTE METZ SHOWING OUT FOR PILLAGER.

SHE WINS HER HEAT AND QUALIFIES FOR THE FINALS TOMORROW, CLOSING IN 44.32 SECONDS.

SWITCHING TO THE BOYS, REIGNING POLE VAULT CHAMPION TURNER BEACHY FOR STAPLES-MOTLEY CLEARS 13'6" LIKE IT'S NOTHING.

BEACHY WOULD FINISH IN FIFTH PLACE THIS YEAR.

OVER TO THE TRIPLE JUMP PIT, AITKIN GOBBLER ISAIAH BAKER TAKING FLIGHT, STICKS IT AT 44'1".

HE TAKES HOME THIRD PLACE OVERALL.

AND IN THE 800-METER RUN, WADENA-DEER CREEK'S GRANT NELSON HAD THE BEST TIME IN HIS HEAT, SECOND BEST IN THE CLASS.

HE CLOSED IT OUT IN 1:57, QUALIFYING FOR THE FINALS TOMORROW AS WELL.

HERE IS A LOOK AT ALL THE AREA BOYS MEDALISTS FROM CLASS A. A COUPLE PARK RAPIDS BOYS IN THE 3200 AND TWO OTHER AREA BOYS IN THE TRIPLE JUMP.

AND HERE ARE YOUR AREA QUALIFIERS ON THE TRACK SIDE FOR BOYS.

BRAYDEN FOUST FROM PIERZ IN TWO EVENTS.

AND HERE IS A LOOK AT THE GIRLS MEDALISTS AND QUALIFIERS.

THE CLASS A FINALS WILL BE TOMORROW AFTERNOON AFTER THE AA PRELIMS.

>>> WELL, AITKIN BASEBALL HAS BOAT-RACED THEIR WAY THROUGH THE POST SEASON, GOING A PERFECT 4-0 WHILE OUTSCORING OPPONENTS 43-7.

THAT INCLUDES A TEN-INNING SHELLACKING OF DULUTH MARSHALL IN THE SEMIFINALS, WHO IS COINCIDENTALLY THE SAME TEAM THE GOBBLERS PLAYED IN TODAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP.

THE HILLTOPPERS THEY GOT IN THIS ONE WERE VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN TUESDAY.

TOP OF THE FIFTH, IT'S STILL SCORELESS.

GO AHEAD RUN 90 FEET AWAY, BUT NATHAN PARK BLOWS IT BY JACOBSEN.

A RUNNER ON FIRST, BELTS ONE DOWN THE LINE, IT'S FAIR AND GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE CORNER.

SANFORD KICKS IT IN HIGH GEAR TO SCORE.

GOBBLERS TAKE A 1-0 LEAD ON THE RBI DOUBLE.

BOTTOM 7, AITKIN A STRIKE AWAY FROM VICTORY.

THE K IS DELIVERED AND THE GOBBLERS ARE CELEBRATING BECAUSE THEY'RE THE 2026 SECTION 7-AA CHAMPIONS.

1-0 THE FINAL THERE.

COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF A 10-0 GAME.

AFTERWARDS, WE GOT TO HEAR WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HEADING BACK TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2021.

>> THIS IS AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE.

I'M SO GLAD WE GOT TO DO IT WITH THE TEAM.

IT'S AWESOME OVERALL.

I CAN'T EVEN COMPREHEND IT RIGHT NOW.

>> WE KNEW IT WASN'T GOING TO BE THE SAME TYPE OF GAME, BUT WE KNEW IF WE BELIEVED AND DID EVERYTHING WE WERE SUPPOSED TO AND LIMITED THE MISTAKES, THIS IS HOW IT WOULD BE.

>> I'M SO EXCITED FOR OUR SENIORS.

THEY WERE A GROUP THAT WHEN THEY WERE IN YOUTH BASEBALL GOT BEAT UP, DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF SUCCESS, BUT THEY STUCK WITH IT, BELIEVED IN EACH OTHER AND HERE THEY ARE GOING TO A STATE TOURNAMENT.

I'M SO HAPPY FOR THEM AND OUR TEAM AND OUR WHOLE PROGRAM AND TOWN.

>> Charlie: THIS WILL BE THE THIRD STATE TOURNAMENT THAT THE GOBBLERS ARE HEADED TO.

LAST TIME IN 2021, THEY FINISHED IN THIRD PLACE.

THEIR FIRST TIME THERE, THEY LOST IN THE QUARTERS.

A COUPLE MORE SCORES.

STANLEY CUP FINALS ARE GOING TO OVERTIME, 3-3 THERE.

>> Dennis: THAT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD SERIES.

>> Charlie: LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> Dennis: THANKS, CHARLIE.

>>> FEEL LIKE YOUR BOAT IS A BIT CLUTTERED WITH FISHING GEAR?

OR MAYBE YOU GET OVERWHELMED BY ALL THE TACKLE HANGING ON THE WALL AT YOUR LOCAL BAIT SHOP.

WELL, WORRY NO LONGER BECAUSE FOR THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF FISHING TIPS, RAY AND MANDY GOT YOU COVERED BY TELLING US WHAT GEAR YOU CAN DO WITHOUT.

>> Ray: WE'RE GOING TO TALK TONIGHT ABOUT THE THINGS YOU DON'T NEED TO GO FISHING WITH.

IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING TODAY WITH THE EXPENSIVE BOATS, EXPENSIVE MOTORS, EXPENSIVE ELECTRONICS, AND I'M A HYPOCRITE BECAUSE I'VE GOT IT HERE TOO.

I'VE GOT AN LORANZ, A GARMIN, AN ELECTRIC TROLLING WATER BACK THERE.

I USE ALL THIS STUFF, BUT THERE WAS A TIME I DIDN'T HAVE ANY OF THIS.

I HAD A PADDLE BOAT AND A ROD AND REAL THAT WAS LIKE THIS, IRON.

IRON ROD AND IRON REEL AND IT WOULD TAKE A PRETTY GOOD BITE TO BE ABLE TO FEEL IT, WHICH IS WHY WE USE BOBBERS, BUT MANDY IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT A FEW OTHER IDEAS OF THINGS WE DON'T NEED.

>> Mandy: RAY TOUCHED ON, IN TODAY'S AGE, TACKLE, TACKLE, TACKLE.

WE GET OVERWHELMED.

EVERYBODY THINKS YOU HAVE TO HAVE EVERY SINGLE COLOR, EVERY SINGLE SIZE.

IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING.

AND HERE AGAIN, I'M A BIT OF A HYPOCRITE, TOO, BECAUSE TACKLE BOXES GALORE, BUT IN REALITY, WITH FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT PIECES OF TACKLE, YOU CAN REALISTICALLY FISH ANY SPECIES THERE IS.

>> Ray: AND I THINK THAT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE VISITING MINNESOTA, TO REALIZE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE ALL THIS FANCY EQUIPMENT.

YOU CAN STILL GO OUT AND GET SUNFISH AND CRAPPIES, BULLHEADS, MAYBE WALLEYES, JUST BY HAVING SOME BASIC HOOKS, LINES, AND SINKER, AND A NICE LITTLE ROD.

FOR LAKELAND NEWS, I'M RAY GILDOW.

>> Mandy: AND I'M MANDY UHRICH, BASING BIOLOGIST.

>> Stacy: WE COULD BE SEEING A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

OTHERWISE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS AT 53.

TOMORROW, AGAIN A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

79 FOR THE HIGH.

SUNSHINE RETURNS AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND AND SO DOES THE HEAT.

WE'LL BE SEEING HIGHS NEAR 90 ON SUNDAY.

>> Dennis: THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY AV CAPTIONING www.avcaptioning.com