>> 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.

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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 WITH LOCAL NEW FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER, AND MILES WALKER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

>> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THIS SPECIAL ELECTION NIGHT EDITION OF LAKELAND NEWS.

TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THE CANDIDATES AS WELL AS SOME VOTERS BUT WE'RE GOING TO START TONIGHT TAKING A LOOK AT SOME STATEWIDE RACES BEGINNING WITH THE GOVERNORS RACE WHERE MINNESOTAN'S WILL ELECT A NEW PERSON TO SERVE AS GOVERNOR FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE WITH 44% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING, LISA WITH A LEAD OVER AMY KLOBUCHAR.

U.S.

SENATOR RACE, 44% REPORTING AND MICHELLE HAS A 6-POINT LEAD THERE.

MICHELLE FISCHBACH, A COMMANDING LEAD AT THIS POINT WITH 52% IN.

DISTRICT 8, MUCH CLOSER RACE THERE WITH PETE STAUBER LEADING BY 5%.

STEVE SIMON FROM THE DFL, THE INCUMBENT IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE RACE, HE IS TRAILING THE REPUBLICAN AT THIS POINT WITH 44% IN.

STATE AUDITOR, CLOSE RACE HERE.

SCOTT JENSEN, 6-POINT LEAD ON ZACH.

AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, KEITH ELLISON IS TRAILING IN THE RACE RIGHT NOW WITH 44% IN.

53% OF THE VOTES ARE GOING TOWARDS RONALD.

WE'LL GET BACK TO STATE LEGISLATIVE RESULTS IN JUST A LITTLE BIT BUT FIRST WE WANT TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THE CANDIDATES TONIGHT AS THEY GATHERED TO SEE THE RESULTS COME IN.

WE BEGIN WITH OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WHO CAUGHT UP WITH DISTRICT 2-A STATE REPRESENTATIVE BIDAL DURAN AT THE BELTRAMI COUNTY REPUBLICAN ELECTION PARTY.

>> Reporter: THANKS DENNIS.

I AM HERE TONIGHT WITH MINNESOTA HOUSE 2-A REPRESENTATIVE BIDAL DURAN.

HOW ARE WE FEELING TONIGHT?

WHAT IS THE ENERGY ON ELECTION NIGHT?

>> THE ENERGY IS REALLY GOOD WITHIN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WITHIN THE DISTRICT ACTUALLY.

I'VE BEEN REALLY EXCITED ABOUT EVERYTHING GOING ON HERE.

THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD FEEDBACK.

I THINK IT'S TIME FOR MINNESOTA TO SEE A CHANGE AND THIS IS A GOOD ELECTION TO DO THIS.

>> Reporter: HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE CAMPAIGN SEASON WENT FOR YOU?

>> CAMPAIGN SEASON WAS GREAT.

YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER STOP WORKING WHEN YOU ARE A REPRESENTATIVE.

YOU HAVE TO BALANCE THAT WITH THE CAMPAIGN STUFF.

I REALLY THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO, YOU KNOW, EDUCATE MORE PEOPLE ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND IF I CAN JUST TELL YOUR VIEWERS JUST TO STAY FOCUSED ON POLITICS AND YOUR LOCAL POLITICIANS HERE TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE DOING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHTS YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT DURING YOUR CAMPAIGN?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK EDUCATION HAS BEEN A NUMBER ONE THING THAT I'VE BEEN REALLY WORKING ON THROUGHOUT MY TWO-YEAR TERM HERE, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE STAYING EDUCATED WITH WHAT IS GOING ON WITH STATE POLITICS.

THAT'S A HUGE THING HERE.

THAT'S ONE OF MY BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BRINGING MORE PEOPLE TO THE FOREFRONT OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITHIN OUR STATE.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PASS, I THINK WE'RE DOING SOME REALLY GOOD THINGS WITHIN THE STATE.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S 50-50 FOR THE STATEHOUSE AND YOU KNOW, TRYING TO COMMUNICATE AND BALANCE THAT WITH DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR IN THE SENATE.

SO I THINK WE DID SOME REALLY GOOD THINGS, BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

>> Reporter: PERFECT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

ONCE AGAIN, THIS WAS MINNESOTA HOUSE 2A REPRESENTATIVE BIDAL DURAN.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> THANKS SYDNEY, DURAN'S OPPONENT IS D.F.L.ER REED OLSON.

THESE TWO MET TWO YEARS AGO IN AN ELECTION DURAN WON BY 851 VOTES.

OLSON HOPING TO SWING THOSE VOTES HIS DIRECTION THIS TIME AROUND AND OUR RYAN FLEMING CAUGHT UP WITH OLSON EARLIER TONIGHT AT A D.F.L.

ELECTION GATHERING IN BEMIDJI.

>> Reporter: THANKS DENNIS.

I'M HERE WITH MINNESOTA HOUSE 2A CANDIDATE REED OLSON.

HOW ARE WE FEELING ABOUT TONIGHT?

>> REALLY GOOD, REALLY GOOD.

I AM HAVING A NERVOUS DAY, BUT WE'RE GETTING TOWARDS THE END HERE.

WE SHOULD SEE THE PRECINCTS REPORTING AND WE'RE FEELING REALLY STRONG TONIGHT.

REALLY GOOD.

>> Reporter: EXCELLENT, TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LEADING UP TO THIS, ABOUT YOUR CAMPAIGN.

>> WELL, WE HAVE JUST HAD THE BEST, THIS IS MY THIRD RUN FOR THIS SEAT.

THIS IS BY FAR IN A WAY THE BEST CAMPAIGN WE PUT TOGETHER.

WE HAVE MORE VOLUNTEERS, WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE BEEN CALLING MORE THAN THEY EVER HAVE, MORE THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST.

WE KNOCKED ON MORE DOORS, I KNOCKED ON FOUR OR FIVE TIMES MORE DOORS THAN LAST CYCLE.

THE VOLUNTEERS, WE KNOCKED MORE THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST.

SO THINGS ARE LOOKING REALLY, REALLY GOOD BECAUSE OF THE TEAM WE BUILT AND ALL THE GREAT VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE BEEN OUT THERE FOR US.

>> Reporter: GREAT, TELL ME ABOUT WHAT FOCUS YOU HAD DURING YOUR CAMPAIGN.

>> MY FOCUS HAS BEEN THE SAME FOCUS OF MOST OF THE FAMILIES OUT THERE, MOST OF THE WORKERS OUT THERE, AFFORDABILITY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE HIGH GAS PRICES.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND HIGH-QUALITY CHILDCARE.

WE DESERVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND REGULAR PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE.

THOSE ARE THE KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES THAT I HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS MINNESOTA STATE 2A CANDIDATE REED OLSON.

BACK TO YOU DENNIS.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THERE ARE A DOZEN STATE LEGISLATIVE CONTESTS IN LAKELAND COUNTRY.

UNLIKE IN RECENT ELECTIONS, THIS PART OF THE STATE HAS TRENDED STRONGLY RED WITH REPUBLICANS CURRENTLY HOLDING ALL THESE SEATS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

LET'S SEE IF ANYTHING HAS CHANGED THIS YEAR.

WE START WITH THE STATE SENATE RACES, DISTRICT 2.

STEVE GREEN HAS 55% OF THE VOTE WITH 40% OF PRECINCTS IN.

MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 5, THERE IS NO INCUMBENT HERE.

THE REPUBLICAN MIKE WIENER IS LEADING THAT WITH 69%.

STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 6, CARRY HEINTZEMAN WITH 61% OF THE VOTE.

STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 10, NATHAN HAS 75% OF THE VOTE, WITH 17% IN.

WE MOVE ON TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE RACE, HERE'S THE ONE WE JUST PREVIEWED OR TALKED TO, BIDAL DURAN HAS A LEAD WITH 56% WITH 40% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING.

ALSO DISTRICT 2B, MATT BLISS THE INCUMBENT HAS 59%.

5A, IT'S CHRISTA HAS 11% OF THE VOTE.

DISTRICT 5B, MAGGIE EVERS AND JONATHAN CLAUSSEN, AND CLAUSEN HAS THE HIGHER VOTE.

NICK HARDY CHALLENGING HEINTZEMAN, AROUND THIS IS A CLOSE RACE AT THIS POINT WITH 700 VOTES BETWEEN THEM BUT HEINTZEMAN HAS 56% OVERALL.

THAT'S WITH 40% REPORTING.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 7A SPENCER IGO HAS 59% OF THE VOTE WITH 32% IN.

MINNESOTA STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 10A, IT IS MARK WITH 72% OF THE VOTE, WITH 12% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING.

WE'LL HAVE MORE RESULTS IN A MINUTE BUT FIRST WE WANTED TO BRING YOU TO HEAR FROM VOTERS ACROSS LAKELAND COUNTRY TODAY, AS THOUSANDS MADE THEIR WAY TO THEIR LOCAL POLLS.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK STOPPED BY SEVERAL LOCATIONS ACROSS BELTRAMI COUNTY EARLIER THIS EVENING, TO ASK RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT BROUGHT THEM OUT TODAY TO VOTE, AND WHY THE ACTION IS IMPORTANT TO THEM.

>> Reporter: AS AMERICANS, EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY, MINNESOTANS ARE NO DIFFERENT.

HEADING TO THE POLLS ALL OVER BELTRAMI COUNTY TO MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD.

>> I FEEL LIKE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO VOTE.

IT IS OUR ONE RIGHT THAT WE HAVE THAT NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY FROM US.

SO REGARDLESS WHAT PARTY YOU ARE VOTING FOR, JUST VOTE.

>> I ALWAYS FELT PRETTY PASSIONATE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE A PART OF SHAPING THE COUNTRY'S FUTURE AND TO VOTE, EVEN IF IT'S A SMALL PART.

IT IS A PART.

IT MEANS SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE STATE, MANY IMPORTANT ISSUES ARISE EVERY ELECTION SEASON, WITH RISING COSTS OF LIVING AND CHANGES TO HEALTH CARE AMONG THOSE AT THE FOREFRONT IN 2026.

>> RURAL AMERICA, WE NEED TO GET OUR OPINION OUT THERE.

HEALTH CARE IS GOING TO BE VERY EFFECTED IN RURAL MINNESOTA, AND WE'RE SEEING THOSE EFFECTS.

I WORK IN HEALTH CARE SO THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

I'M VOTING WITH MY BELIEFS IN THAT.

>> Reporter: CERTAIN PEOPLE HAVE ASPECTS OF THE BALLOT THAT IS DRAWING THEM TO THE POLLS BUT SOME HAVE A WIDER VIEW.

>> I NEVER VOTE IN THE MIDTERMS BEFORE SO I THOUGHT THIS YEAR WOULD BE A GOOD YEAR TO START.

I JUST THINK THAT RECENTLY, I KIND OF ADOPTED THIS ATTITUDE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE VERY MAD ABOUT THE WORLD THAT WE'RE LIVING IN AND THE EASIEST WAY FOR US IN A DEMOCRACY TO FIX THAT IS TO VOTE AND ALSO TO CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES, E-MAIL THEM.

SO BE IN THE CHANGE I LIKE TO SEE.

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

>> AND WE WILL BE BACK AFTER A SHORT BREAK WITH MORE ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS, INCLUDING UPDATES FROM LOCAL CITY COUNCIL, COUNTY AND SCHOOL BOARD RACES.

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

>> Stacy: MORE GUSTS AND RAIN IS ON THE WAY.

I'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD EXPERIENCE, WE'RE TURNING UP THE HEAT WHILE FLOATING ON A MINNESOTA LAKE.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: WELCOME BACK EVERYONE TO OUR CONTINUING ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS AS WE TURN TO SOME OF THE CITY, COUNTY, AND SCHOOL ELECTIONS HERE IN NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

WE BEGIN WITH BELTRAMI COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 1, THIS IS WITH 65% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING AND A VERY CLOSE RACE THERE.

ANN HAS THE NARROW LEAD AT THIS POINT.

CROW WING COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3, 75% OF THE PRECINCTS IN, ANOTHER CLOSE RACE, JESSICAAL GOT -- JESSICA HAS THE NARROW LEAD.

AND NOW THIS IS MORE OPENED UP AS THE INCUMBENT ROSEMARY HAS 61% OF THE VOTE.

BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE, THIS IS WITH 40% IN.

THE INCUMBENT THAYER HAS 52% OF THE VEHICLE CODE OVER RON JOHNSON'S 48%.

NOTHING IN FROM WARD 2 AT THIS POINT.

WARD 4, NOTHING IN FROM WARD 4 AS WELL.

BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL, THIS IS WITH 77% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING, WINGING IT, ERICKSON HAS THE LEAD WITH 55%.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE FOR BRAINERD, THIS IS BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, BAXTER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, WITH 75% IN, WE HAVE ZACH INCUMBENT LEADING, AND THE SECOND PLACE FINISHER RIGHT NOW IS JEFF, SO RIGHT AS IT STANDS NOW, THOSE WOULD BE THE TWO WINNERS.

CASS COUNTY SHERIFF, CONTESTED RACE HERE ALL CAMPAIGN LONG, BRIAN WELK HAS 59% OF THE VOTE WITH 35% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING.

CLEAR WATER COUNTY SHERIFF, ANOTHER CONTESTED RACE AND THIS ONE HAS NOTHING IN IT AT THIS POINT.

HUBBARD COUNTY SHERIFF, THIS WAS HEATED AS WELL.

ANTHONY HAS 54% OF THE VOTE WITH 97% OF PRECINCTS IN.

WE'RE DECLARING HIM THE WINNER AT THIS POINT.

MAHNOMEN COUNTY SHERIFF, NOTHING IN FROM THAT ONE.

FROM ROSEAU, WE HAVE THE INCUMBENT, WITH 86% OF THE VOTE, WITH 27% REPORTING.

WHAT DEANA COUNTY SHERIFF, NOTHING YET ON THAT AT THIS POINT.

WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON THIS AS RESULTS BECOME FINAL.

BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD, THREE PEOPLE WILL BE ELECTED OUT OF THESE CANDIDATES.

WITH 62% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING, JENNY HAS THE LEAD WITH 23%, CAROL JOHNSON, WHO SERVED A LONG TIME ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, LOOKING TO GET BACK ON HAS 22%.

RIGHT NOW COLLEEN HAS 19.3%, VERY CLOSE NUMBERS THERE SO MUCH TO BE DECIDED IN THAT RACE.

BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD, SAME DEAL.

53% REPORTING, TOP THREE VOTE GETTERS MOVE ON.

INCUMBENT R.J.

AND D.J., THE TOP TWO VOTE GETTERS IT LOOKS LIKE.

ACTUALLY, MARK IS IN THERE AS WELL WITH 15.41, SARAH RIGHT THERE, SHE'S THE BOARD CHAIR AT THIS POINT.

VERY CLOSE NUMBERS ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

STILL A LOT OF PRECINCTS TO REPORT AND MUCH TO BE DECIDED.

BRAINERD SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1, ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL $865 PER PUPIL, THAT IS FAILING WITH 56% RIGHT NOW AND 53% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING.

FINALLY, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THIS IS TO ADD MONEY TO THE SCHOOLS.

THIS IS A STATEWIDE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND THE YES-VOTE HAS 69%.

ACTUALLY, THAT'S A BIG LEAD, NOT A PERCENT, IT'S MORE THAN 500,000 LEAD VOTES.

NOW WE GOT OFF THE BOARD.

NOW ELISSA IS IN TO TALK ABOUT OUR WEATHER [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> HI EVERYONE, GOOD EVENING, I'M ELISSA BENSON.

CURRENTLY IT'S NICE AND COOL OUT THERE, 40s ACROSS THE BOARD HERE.

OUR CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, 44 DEGREES, WITH SOME RAIN GOING ON.

100% HUMIDITY WITH PEAK WINDS UP TO 17 MILES PER HOUR CURRENTLY.

SIMILAR CONDITIONS IN BRAINERD, JUST A HAIR WARMER WITH SOME STRONGER WINDS AT 22 MILES PER HOUR THERE.

LOOKING AT OUR CURRENT RADAR HERE, WE DO SEE THAT RAIN THAT WE ARE SEEING ACROSS THE REGION MOVING CONTINUALLY INTO THE NIGHT AND THAT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORNING AND THROUGHOUT THE DAY TOMORROW AS WELL.

THANK YOU TO OUR VIEWERS FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOS, A LOT OF WILDLIFE AND SCENERY TODAY.

GARY IN DEERWOOD WITH SOME WATER FOWL AND JOIN IN LAPORTE WITH TURKEYS.

BILL AND JUDY WITH THE SHORELINE.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD WITH SOME NICE SCENERY.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THOSE IN.

SOME MORE EAGLE EYE SUBMISSIONS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 46 THIS AFTERNOON.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, A HIGH OF 45 TODAY, SIMILAR CONDITIONS FOR ARLENE IN LONGVILLE WITH A LOW OF 47, HIGH OF 53.

CONTINUING ON HERE, JOAN IN LAPORTE, HIGH OF 54 WITH SOME SPRINKLES, SIMILAR FOR CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD WITH A LOW OF 51 AND BREEZY.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, 46 THIS EVENING WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS.

OUR ALMANAC FOR TODAY IN BRAINERD, HIGH OF 61, PRETTY WARM FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR, LOW OF 49.

A SUNRISE AT 7:01, NICE TO SEE THESE EARLIER MORNINGS, AND BEMIDJI, SIMILAR CONDITIONS BUT COOLER, HIGH OF 51, LOW OF 44, WITH SUNSET AT 4:59.

WINTER IS COMING, UNFORTUNATELY.

LOOKING TOWARDS TOMORROW, IT'S GOING TO BE SIMILAR TO TODAY WITH MORE RAIN CHANCES SCATTERED ACROSS THE REGION.

LIGHT RAIN IS LIKELY, EXCEPT FOR FAR NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THAT TREND CONTINUES INTO THE SOUTHERN PART OF OUR VIEWING AREA WITH THE UPPER 40s EXPECTED.

TONIGHT, RAIN SHOWERS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE, LOW OF 46, WITH GUSTS UP TO 30.

THAT SAME WEATHER WILL CONTINUE INTO TOMORROW, PRETTY MUCH THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS WE SAW TODAY BEFORE WE START WARMING UP INTO SOME LOW 50s, WITH SUNSHINE ON THE WAY THIS WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS ELISSA.

MILES IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS NOW.

>> Miles: YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT BRAINERD BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY.

THEY'R [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH MILES WALKER.

[♪♪♪] >> Miles: FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2007, BOTH THE BRAINERD BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS WILL BE ADVANCING TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

IN THE SECTION 8 3-AAA FINALS, BRAINERD BOYS WON IN AN IMPRESSIVE TWO-POINT VICTORY OVER ALEXANDRIA TO CLAIM THE SECTION TITLE.

FOR BRAINERD BOYS THEY WERE LED BY SENIOR JONATHAN COWELL, WHO WON THE INDIVIDUAL TITLE WITH A PERSONAL BEST OF 15:36.3, WHICH IS JUST SHY OF THE SCHOOLS RECORD OF 15:33 SET BY JUSTIN GRUNEWALD IN 2003.

>> DURING THE RACE, I WANTED TO STAY FOCUS AND HIT MY PACES EVERY SINGLE DAY, WE DO THE 600s, THE EXACT SAME PACE EVERY DAY, AND I HAD AN IDEA IN MIND OF WHAT I WANTED TO GO OUT FIRST AND SECOND MILE.

I HIT THAT RIGHT ON AND AFTER THE SECOND MILE, IT WAS JUST ABOUT WINNING AT THAT POINT.

>> I HOPE TO BREAK THE SCHOOL RECORD AND HOPEFULLY OUR TEAM CAN PODIUM.

>> Miles: ON THE GIRL'S SIDE, AUDREANNA HINES WHO FINISHED WITH 19:01.9 WAS THE TEAMS LEADING PACER.

THANKS TO HER EFFORTS THE GIRLS PLACED SECOND BEHIND NUMBER TWO RANKED ST.

MICHAEL ALBERTVILLE, AND WAS ABLE TO BUILD A 19-POINT GAP BETWEEN THIRD-PLACED MOORHEAD.

>> PREPARING FOR SECTIONS WAS KIND OF GREAT.

WE ALL WORKED HARD AND GAVE IT OUR BEST AND DID THE WORK TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.

ESPECIALLY THE GIRLS, WE PUSH EACH OVER A LOT AND JUST GET BETTER AND SEEING THE GUYS PERFORM AT THAT LEVEL TOO AND MAKE IT.

IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE.

IT SHOWS HOW HARD WE'VE BEEN WORKING.

>> BLASING WHO IS NORMALLY THE TEAMS TOP PLACER WASN'T 100 PERCENT IN THE SECTION FINALS, PLACING 24TH WITH A TIME OF 19:42.5 HOWEVER HER AND THE TEAM LOOK TO CONTINUE THEIR WINNING WAYS THIS SATURDAY AT THE TEAMS FIRST MEET.

>>> AND BEMIDJI CROSS COUNTRY IS SENDING A COUPLE OF TWO-TIME CLASS-3A STATE TOURNAMENT ENTRANTS BACK DOWN TO THE MEET NEXT WEEK.

EXCUSE ME, THIS WEEKEND.

ON THE BOYS SIDE, WILL AMES IS MAKING HIS SECOND STRAIGHT TRIP TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT AFTER FINISHING IN SEVENTH PLACE AT THE SECTION 8AAA CHAMPIONSHIP, POSTING A TIME OF 16-MINUTES AND 6-SECONDS.

LAST YEAR, AMES BATTLED HIS WAY THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S LES BOLSTAD GOLF COURSE TO 92ND PLACE AT THE STATE MEET.

AMES IS READY FOR A NEW CHALLENGE AT STATE THIS YEAR.

>> A DAY PRIOR, I AM JUST GOING TO WALK AROUND, JUST LOOK OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT ALL I SHOULD DO.

HONESTLY, I DON'T THINK I WILL DO MUCH DIFFERENT.

I WILL GO OUT THERE, RUN, HAVE FUN, AND LEAVE IT ALL OUT THERE.

>> AND CHLOE DERBY WILL ALSO BE REPRESENTING BEMIDJI CROSS COUNTRY AT STATE FOR THE SECOND TIME.

AFTER QUALIFYING FOR STATE AS A FRESHMAN, DERBY PLACED 124TH AT THE 2024 STATE MEET.

WHILE INJURIES DERAILED DERBY'S SOPHOMORE SEASON, SHE RESPONDED WITH A FIFTH-PLACE FINISH AT THIS YEAR'S 8-3A CHAMPIONSHIP, RUNNING A TIME OF 18-MINUTES, 42-SECONDS.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S MOSTLY A MENTAL COME BACK, LIKE NOT PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON MYSELF AND HAVING THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE PRESSURE FROM OTHER PEOPLE.

SO THAT'S BEEN THE BIGGEST THING.

IT'S LIKE PHYSICALLY, LIKE, I HAVE BEEN TRAINING SO HARD.

I KNEW THAT.

I HAD THE FITNESS TO RUN HOWEVER FAST I COULD.

SO IT WAS MENTALLY NOT BEING STRESSED OUT AND OVERWHELMED.

>> AND JUST TO ADD ONTO DERBY'S JOURNEY, WITH LOWER BACK, KNEE, AND HIP INJURIES, SHE STILL PLACED 27TH AT LAST YEAR'S SECTION MEET, RUNNING IT IN 20-MINUTE, 11-SECONDS.

HERE'S A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW THE TWO RETURNING STATE PARTICIPANTS FARED IN THEIR LAST TRIPS TO THE TOURNAMENT.

THEY WILL BOTH GET THEIR CHANCE TO SET NEW P.R.

'S THIS UPCOMING SATURDAY AT THE MAJESTIC OAKS GOLF CLUB.

>>> AND SWITCHING GEARS TO SPORTS.

>> Dennis: THANKS MILES.

AT TRI-BIRCHES REPORT IN HACKENSACK, A MINNESOTA TRADITION IS TAKING ON A UNIQUE TWIST.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING EXPLORES THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND CREATION FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOODS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP, THEY COMBINE A WOOD FIRED SAUNA WITH A MOTORIZED BOAT, ALLOWING SIX GUESTS TO CRUISE THE LAKE WHILE ENJOYING THE HEAT.

THE INSPIRATION WAS SIMPLE.

>> I WANTED THE SAUNA CLOSER TO THE WATER.

YOU CAN'T GET CLOSER TO THE WATER THAN BEING ON THE WATER.

I DECIDED TO PUT THIS SAUNA ON THE WATER AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO PUT IT ON THE WATER THAN ON A BOAT THAT YOU CAN DRIVE AROUND THE LAKE WITH.

WHAT IS MORE MINNESOTAN THAN THAT?

>> Reporter: PUTTING ONE ON A BOAT?

THAT'S A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.

HACKENSACK IS TAKING THE HEAT OFF OF LAND AND BRINGING IT TO THE WATER.

LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER, CENTRAL MINNESOTA'S FIRST FLOATING SAUNA TOOK OVER 9 MONTHS TO BRING TO LIFE.

THE PROJECT GAVE THOSE NEARBY A FRONT ROW SEAT AS AN AMBITIOUS IDEA BECAME REALITY.

>> HE KEPT EVOLVING THIS IDEA UNTIL HE WAS LIKE THAT'S IT, I'M GOING TO DO IT.

SO OVER THIS PAST YEAR, HERE AT THE RESORT, MYSELF AND ALL OF THE NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WATCH HIM BUILD THIS FANTASTIC DREAM OF HIS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE MINNESOTA NATIVE BEHIND IT ALL, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF WAYS TO ENJOY THE LAKE, BUT THIS CREATION OFFERS SOMETHING YOU WON'T FIND ON AN ORDINARY BOAT, A CHANCE TO WARM UP BEFORE MAKING A SPLASH.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO DO COLD PLUNGES RIGHT AFTER THEY COME OUT OF THE SAUNA.

HAVING THE EXPERIENCE OF JUMPING RIGHT INTO THE COLD WATER OF A MINNESOTAN LAKE IS THE WORLD'S MOST NATURAL COLD PLUNGE.

SO YOU HAVE TO ENJOY THE LAKE IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> Reporter: THE FLOATING SAUNA IS ALREADY DRIVING INTEREST BEYOND THE SHORES OF HACKENSACK.

WITH THE RECENT LAUNCH, THIS ADDITION TO LAKE LIFE IS CATCHING THE ATTENTION OF MINNESOTA'S RESORT COMMUNITY.

>> WHEN IT COMES UP TO OUR RESORTING COMMUNITY, JUST LAST WEEK HE WAS AT THE COMMUNITY OF MINNESOTA RESORTERS AND SHOWING IT OFF TO 130 DIFFERENT RESORT THERE IS AND THEY ALL REALLY LOVED THIS IDEA.

THEY WERE ALL REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THIS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN HACKENSACK FOR THIS WEEK'S NORTHWOOD EXPERIENCE, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE FLOATING SAUNA IS AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS AT TRI-BIRCHES RESORT IN HACKENSACK, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE DELIVERED TO PRIVATE DOCKS THROUGHOUT PARTS OF MINNESOTA, GIVING LAKEGOERS A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE IT CLOSER TO HOME.

>>> WELL, THAT IS GOING TO WRAP UP OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY, WE'RE BACK AT 10:00 TOMORROW NIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]