>> 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 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, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> A SMALL MINNESOTA COMMUNITY IS MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR A LAPORTE MAN BATTLING LUNG CANCER.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING SHOWS US HOW THE LAPORTE BENEDICT LIONS CLUB AND BUSINESSES CAME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT ONE OF THEIR OWN.

>> Reporter: 132, THAT'S THE POPULATION OF LAPORTE, MINNESOTA, BUT GENEROSITY HERE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES.

THE LION'S CLUB ORGANIZED A BENEFIT THAT BROUGHT NEIGHBORS AND BUSINESSES TOGETHER, RAISING OVER $23,000 FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR RESIDENT.

>> WE JUST RECEIVED A BIG CHECK FOR MY CANCER BENEFIT THAT THE LION'S CLUB PUT ON.

FOR ONE THING, I'M TOO YOUNG TO GIVE UP, I'M FIGHTING IT.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 200 SILENT AUCTION ITEMS, A TACO LUNCH, AND DONATIONS FROM BUSINESSES NEAR AND FAR HELPED THIS TINY TOWN RALLY BEHIND EARNIE.

WHAT FOLLOWED WAS A FUNDRAISING EFFORT.

WHAT STARTED AS A WAY TO HELP ONE FAMILY HAS TURNED INTO SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER, A COMMUNITY SHOWING THAT EVEN THE SMALLEST TOWNS CAN MAKE ENORMOUS DIFFERENCES.

>> WE HAVE DONE THESE IN THE PAST AND WE PULLED IN $3,000 OR $4,000 ON FUNDRAISERS DOING RUMMAGE SALE ACTIVITIES, BUT THIS IS A LARGER EVENT.

IT HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAD WITH THE FAMILY TO GET THIS PULLED OFF.

>> Reporter: BEYOND THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS RAISED, SOMETHING ELSE STOOD OUT, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT.

THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT IS SOMETHING THAT HIS WIFE NEVER EXPECTED.

>> PEOPLE DONATED, BUSINESSES DONATED, AND THINGS I WASN'T EXPECTING, PEOPLE HAVE MADE GREAT IMPRESSIONS AND CONNECTED WITH SO MANY PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE THAT CAME IN, THEY HUNTED YOU DOWN, THEY WANTED TO TALK TO YOU, THEY WANTED TO WISH THE BEST FOR EVERYBODY.

IT WAS JUST AMAZING.

I THINK OUR COMMUNITY IS SO GREAT.

>> Reporter: TUESDAY NIGHT'S LION'S CLUB MEETING MARKED THE CULMINATION OF AN EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT, HELPING THE FAMILY SHOW WHAT THAT COMMITMENT LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE.

>> THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS THIS FAMILY.

WE ALL STAND BEHIND EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY, IF SOMEONE IS HAVING A PROBLEM, IT'S NOT JUST A CHECK, IT'S OUR SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN LAPORTE, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE MONEY RAISED WILL HELP THE KLOEHN FAMILY COVER EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH ERNIE'S CANCER TREATMENTS, EASING SOME OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN AS HE CONTINUES HIS FIGHT AGAINST THE DISEASE.

>>> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S FINAL PUSH BEFORE ELECTION DAY INCLUDES A BUS TOUR WITH STOPS IN TWENTY CITIES BEGINNING TODAY AND ENDING ON MONDAY.

THE STOPS INCLUDE ONE IN BAXTER TOMORROW AS WELL AS THIS ONE IN BEMIDJI TODAY.

MANY OF THE STATEWIDE G.O.P.

CANDIDATES TOOK PART IN THE EVENT AT RAPHAEL'S BAKERY TODAY.

WE GOT A CHANCE TO TALK TO SOME OF THE CANDIDATES TODAY AND WILL BE BRINGING YOU THEIR COMMENTS IN A ELECTION EVE REPORT NEXT MONDAY HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS.

THE D.F.L.

IS ALSO GOING ON A STATEWIDE BUS TOUR WITH A STOP SCHEDULED FOR BEMIDJI SUNDAY MORNING.

LOCAL AND STATEWIDE D.F.L.

CANDIDATES WILL BE AT PAUL AND BABE IN DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI AT 8:45 A.M.

YOU CAN GO TO THE MINNESOTA D.F.L.

FACEBOOK PAGE FOR A LINK TO ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS AND TO SIGN UP.

WE WILL BRING YOU SOME OF THEIR COMMENTS AS WELL IN OUR ELECTION EVE REPORT NEXT MONDAY NIGHT.

>>> THE MINNESOTA MAN CONVICTED FOR HIS ROLE IN THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE FRAUD SCHEME WAS SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON WEDNESDAY.

SALIM SAID WAS FOUND GUILTY LAST YEAR ON 21 COUNTS, INCLUDING MONEY LAUNDERING, BRIBERY AND WIRE FRAUD.

PROSECUTORS ACCUSED SAID, WHO OWNED A RESTAURANT, OF FABRICATING THE NUMBER OF MEALS HE PROVIDED FOR HUNGRY CHILDREN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

PROSECUTORS SAY HE THEN TOOK THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL PROGRAM AND BOUGHT A LUXURY HOME AND AN $87,000 PICKUP TRUCK.

SAID, A NATIVE OF SOMALIA, DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS WHILE TESTIFYING AT THE TRIAL IN 2025, SAYING MANY MEALS WERE DELIVERED OFF SITE.

BUT AT HIS SENTENCING WEDNESDAY, HE CHANGED COURSE AND EXPRESSED REMORSE.

SAID'S CO-DEFENDANT AIMEE BOCK, THE FOUNDER OF FEEDING OUR FUTURE, WAS SENTENCED TO 42 YEARS IN PRISON EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AUTHORITIES SAY MORE THAN $250 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS WAS TAKEN IN THE SCHEME OVERALL.

PROSECUTORS HAVE CALLED IT ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST COVID-19-RELATED FRAUD.

>>> ELECTION DAY IS NEXT TUESDAY, AND BEFORE THEN WE ARE PREVIEWING A FEW OF THE RACES IN LAKELAND COUNTRY.

TONIGHT, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES FACING OFF FOR THE MINNESOTA HOUSE 6A DISTRICT, INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN BEN DAVIS AND DFL CHALLENGER SAMUEL GRIGSBY.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE ASKED THEM WAS WHY ARE YOU SEEKING THIS POSITION.

>> WELL, I'VE BEEN SERVING IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND I GOT INVOLVED.

I'M A PASTOR, WHAT IS A PASTOR DOING IN POLITICS?

I THINK WE NEED MORE PASTORS INVOLVED IN POLITICS.

BACK DURING COVID, GOVERNOR WALZ, HE MANDATED THAT WE HAD TO CLOSE OUR DOORS.

THAT WAS A VIOLATION OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT AND SO THAT GOT ME TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT OUR STATE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING.

I DIDN'T LIKE THAT.

ONE THING LED TO ANOTHER AND I ENDED UP RUNNING FOR THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AND I AM FIGHTING FOR OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

CHRISTIAN, CONSTITUTIONAL, AND CONSERVATIVE ARE THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME.

>> I DECIDED TO RUN AS A PERSON BECAUSE OF THE TIMING AND THE FIGHTING BETWEEN PARTIES.

I AM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS, FROM FIRE, TO E.M.S., I WORK AS A POLICE RESERVE OFFICER, VOLUNTEER OFFICER, I WORK IN MY COMMUNITY, AND I SEE THE TOLL IT HAS TAKEN ON OUR FAMILY WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

AFFORDABLE ISSUES, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR HEALTH CARE ISSUES, WE'RE SEEING THE FRAUD ISSUES WE HAVE GOING ON, AND THEN JUST THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMICS IN OUR AREA AS A WHOLE NEEDS TO IMPROVE.

MYSELF, IT'S JUST I FEEL LIKE I CAN DO IT TO HELP AND WORK BIPARTISANLY TO GET THE GOALS WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR AREA TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> OUR LAKELAND NEWS ELECTION PREVIEWS WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW.

>>> THE FINAL SNAPSHOT OF THE U.S.

ECONOMY BEFORE ELECTION DAY DROPPED THURSDAY, AS VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS WITH THE COST OF LIVING THE LEADING ISSUE IN THE MIDTERMS.

NEW FEDERAL DATA SHOWS STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ROBUST CONSUMER SPENDING, BUT THE RATE OF INFLATION IS RISING FASTER THAN WAGES CAN KEEP UP WITH, PUTTING PRESSURE ON AMERICANS, AND, ON THE US FEDERAL RESERVE.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ BREAKS IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: AS AMERICANS HEAD TO THE POLLS, ONE ISSUE IS CLEARLY TOP OF MIND.

>> PRICES ARE HIGH.

>> AFFORDABILITY.

>> MAN, WELL IT'S THE ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: AN ECONOMY THAT ACCORDING TO FEDERAL DATA IS SHOWING SOLID GROWTH.

G.D.P.

ACCELERATING FASTER THAN EXPECTED IN THE THIRD QUARTER.

>> THE U.S.

ECONOMY REALLY AMAZES WITH ITS RESILIENCE.

>> Reporter: WITH THE GROWTH COMES REAL PAIN FOR CONSUMERS.

>> THEY'RE TIRED OF INFLATION AND THEY CONTINUE TO SUFFER THE ECONOMIC SWINGS AND ARROWS OF PRICES WHICH HAVE GONE TO HIGHER LEVELS.

>> Reporter: THE FEDERAL RESERVE SAID IT ROSE HALF A PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER, POSING IT AT 3.6%, WELL ABOVE THE 2% TARGET.

THE FED IS WALKING A FINE LINE BETWEEN TAMING PRICES AND PROTECTING JOBS, HOLDING INTEREST RATES STEADY TO GIVE THE SEPTEMBER RATE HIKE MORE TIME TO RIPPLE THROUGH THE ECONOMY.

>> INTEREST RATES GET IN THE CRACKS.

INTEREST RATES EFFECT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ALMOST EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: THAT INCLUDES HIRING, DESPITE WHAT IS A ROBUST LABOR LANDSCAPE, AN ECONOMIST WARNS THAT THE HEADLINE NUMBERS CAN MASK HEADWINDS FOR JOB SEEKERS.

>> WHEN THERE IS UNCERTAINTY IN THE MARKET, IT'S POSSIBLE THAT LAWYERS START TO FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T WANT TO HIRE AS MUCH.

>> Reporter: WITH THE FEDS SET TO MEET IN DECEMBER, ECONOMIC ANALYSTS SAYS THAT IT'S LIKELY ANOTHER RATE HIKE WILL CLOSE OUT THE YEAR.

>> WAGES ARE NOT GROWING AS FAST AS PRICES HAVE BEEN RISING AND THAT MEANS SOMETHING GOT TO GIVE.

>> Reporter: I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>> A BIG DRIVER FOR GDP GROWTH IN THE THIRD QUARTER WAS THE STRONG INVESTMENTS FROM AI COMPANIES, WHICH CONTINUE TO BUILD OUT DATA CENTERS AND SPEND BIG MONEY IN DEVELOPING THE TECHNOLOGY.

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

>> Stacy: WELL, WE'LL HAVE SUNSHINE TOMORROW BUT SHOWERS WILL MOVE BACK INTO THE AREA TO START THE WEEKEND AND WE SHOULD HAVE A NICE WARM END TO OUR WEEKEND ON SUNDAY.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PREPARE FOR THEIR WIZARD OF OZ THEATER PROD [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> OCTOBER IS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH,, AN INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE THAT EDUCATES EVERYONE ABOUT ONLINE SAFETY AND EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES TO PROTECT THEIR DATA FROM CYBERCRIME.

CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH REMINDS EVERYONE THAT THERE ARE SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE WAYS TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE ONLINE AND PROTECT THEIR PERSONAL DATA.

THE THEME OF CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IS DON'T MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM.

OFFICIALS SAY STAYING SAFE ONLINE ISN'T ABOUT MAKING ONE PERFECT DECISION, IT'S ABOUT BUILDING HABITS AND REPEATING THEM CONSISTENTLY.

CROW WING COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES SAY IN THE AGE OF A.I., THIS CAN BE HARD, BUT BY DOING SO, YOU CAN MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT FOR CYBER CRIMINALS.

>> IN THE ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW, A.I.

IS A HUGE THING.

SO US STAYING AHEAD IS HARD WHEN YOU ARE COMBATING GIANT FARMS AND THINGS SPAMMING OUT E-MAILS OR ATTACKS AGAINST THEIR SYSTEM.

SO THAT IS PROBABLY OUR BEST STEP AND OUR BEST TOOL SET, TO TRAIN OUR LOCAL USERS HERE TO SAY YOUR DATA IS VALUABLE.

WHY ARE THEY CONTACTING YOU?

WHY ARE THEY REACHING OUT TO YOU?

>> CROW WING REPRESENTATIVES SAY THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF ONLINE IS TO USE STRONG PASSWORDS, TURN ON MULTIFACTOR AUTHENTICATION, AND UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE SO THAT THEY CAN RECOGNIZE AND REPORT SYSTEM HACKS AND SCAMS.

>>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET TO WEATHER.

I HAVE TALKED ENOUGH SO FAR TONIGHT.

LET'S MOVE TO WEATHER.

>> Stacy: RIGHT, WE ARE SEEING SUNSHINE TOMORROW, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW.

THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE DO HAVE SOME CHANCE OF SHOWERS ON SATURDAY.

SUNDAY LOOKS CLOUDY BUT WARMER AND THEN MONDAY AND TUESDAY WE WILL BE SEEING MORE SHOWERS IN [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WE SAW A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND TEMPERATURES WERE A LITTLE BIT COOLER, HIGHS IN THE 40s.

WE'LL SEE MAINLY 40s TOMORROW, SOME LOW 50s.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF SUNSHINE TOMORROW.

CHANCE OF SHOWERS RETURN ON SATURDAY, A WARM UP ON SUNDAY BEFORE MORE SHOWERS AS WE HEAD INTO THE WORKWEEK.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 34 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WINDS AT THE STUDIO ARE FROM THE WEST AT 3 MILES PER HOUR, 29 IS OUR DEW POINT, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 82%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, IT'S 39 DEGREES, 34 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS RISING, AND WINDS ARE CALM.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE AGAIN ARE SEEING THAT MIX OF SOME CLEAR SKIES, WE HAVE SOME CLOUD COVER OUT THERE, AND WE WILL HAVE VARIABLE CLOUDS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

MOST OF THE CLOUDS ARE GOING TO BREAK UP TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, WITH MOST OF US SEEING SUNSHINE THROUGH MOST OF THE DAY.

TEMPERATURE-WISE, STILL SOME 40s OUT THERE, SOME LOW 50s, AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE WILL HAVE CHANCE OF SHOWERS RETURNING ON SATURDAY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GORGEOUS SKIES THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA.

IT WAS A BREEZY DAY OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

WE HAVE THE PICTURE FROM SAMROSE.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN DEERWOOD FROM CHRISSY.

ANGELA SPOTTING A BALD EAGLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NEAR CASS LAKE.

LORRIE SAYING THE SUN BROUGHT THE BLUE JAYS OUT NEAR LITTLE TURTLE LAKE.

GARY SPOTTING A SWAN FAMILY IN DEERWOOD.

A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET TONIGHT FROM BILL AND JUDY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 33 AND FROSTY THIS MORNING.

TOPPING OUT AT 46, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY AND SUNSHINE.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, 45 IS THE HIGH TEMPERATURE, SUNSHINE TODAY.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, A LOW OF 28.

ON OUR ALMANAC, WE TOPPED OUT TODAY AT 46 IN BRAINERD, A LITTLE COOL, SEASONAL FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE.

WE HAD SUNSET AT 6:05.

BEMIDJI REACHING 45, WHICH IS OUR AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR, 35 FOR THE LOW, AND 6:06 FOR OUR SUNSET.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, SOME MODELS SUGGESTING THERE MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT PRECIPITATION IN THE AREA, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES IN THE AREA TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURES SHOULD TOP OUT IN THE MID-40s ACROSS THE FAR NORTH, OTHERWISE WE'RE IN SOME UPPER 40s TO AROUND 50 FOR THE REST OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, UPPER 40s, AROUND 50 FOR OUR HIGHS.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST, VARIABLE CLOUDS FOR TONIGHT, 28.

OUR LOW TEMPERATURE, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10, THEN TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY.

VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, SHOWERS MOVE BACK INTO THE AREA ON SATURDAY, BUT TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO CLIMB AND BY SUNDAY, ALTHOUGH WE'RE GOING TO SEE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-60s.

HEADING INTO THE WORKWEEK, SHOWERS RETURN MONDAY AND TUESDAY, BUT TEMPERATURES STAY MILD, AND WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS ANYWHERE FROM 55 TO 60.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

MILES IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS AND HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS MOVING ON.

>> Miles: ABSOLUTELY.

WE GOT TO SECTION 5-1A IN THE QUARTER FINALS.

WE'LL HAVE MORE FROM [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH MILES WALKER.

>>> WELL DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK, BROWERVILLE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL HAS BEEN HERE FOR YEARS.

AFTER POSTING A LACKLUSTER 2-22 RECORD IN 2025, THE TIGERS GOT BACK INTO FORM THIS YEAR, EARNING THE NUMBER ONE SEED FOR SECTION 5-1A'S WEST SUBSECTION, WHILE COLLECTING 17 WINS THIS SEASON, THE FOURTH TIME IN WHICH BROWERVILLE HAS DONE SO IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

NOW VERNDALE STANDS BEFORE THEM, A TEAM COMING OFF A 3-2 VICTORY OVER BERTHA-HEWITT.

BROWERVILLE BACK AT HOME FOR SECTION 5-1A WEST SUBSECTION QUARTERFINALS, TAKING ON VERNDALE, TIGERS BEAT THE PIRATES IN STRAIGHT SETS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

SANTANA CLEAR FOR TAKE OFF, TIGERS TAKE THE FIRST SET, 25-16.

ON TO THE SECOND, VERNDALE TRYING TO KNOT THINGS UP, AND PULLS WITHIN 1.

THE TIGERS EARN THEIR STRIPES TONIGHT, SAME SET, AND LOOK AT THIS SAVE RIGHT HERE FROM THE PARKING LOT, FINDS RAYLIN.

SHE HAD 6 KILLS ON THE NIGHT AS BROWERVILLE SWEEPS VERNDALE IN THREE SETS.

LONG PRAIRIE GREY EAGLE WITH AN UPSET OVER SEBEKA.

IN SECTION 5-1A, PINE RIVER-BACKUS ADVANCES TO THE SEMIS.

BRAINERD'S SEASON TAKES AN END TO ALEXANDRIA.

LITTLE FALLS DROPS TO SAUK RAPIDS RICE.

PEQUOT LAKES GET THE WIN OVER MELROSE.

IN BOYS CROSS COUNTRY, BRAINERD CLENCHES A TRIP TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE, BRAINERD IS ABLE TO GO THROUGH AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2007 BRAINERD SENT THE BOYS AND GIRLS.

IN SECTION 8-2A CHAMPIONSHIP, LITTLE FALLS COMES INTO 8th PLACE FOR THAT.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE, LITTLE FALLS FALLS JUST 11 POINTS SHY OF CLENCHING A STATE TOURNAMENT BERTH.

IN SECTION 5-1A, PIERZ COMES OUT IN 6th PLACE, ROYALTON AND MILLE LACS ROUND OUT 13th AND 17th FOR THE BOYS.

ON THE GIRL'S SIDE, PIERZ COMES IN AT 5th PLACE.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE CLASS 2-A SINGLES TOURNAMENT FOR TENNIS, LITTLE FALLS DROPS IN STRAIGHT SETS TO OLIVIA.

IN CLASS 1A IN THE SINGLES TOURNAMENT, THEY DROP OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND AND EMMY GETS THE WIN.

HER RUN WOULD COME TO AN END IN THE SECOND ROUND AGAINST ELIZABETH SHORES.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE DOUBLE TOURNAMENT ON CLASS 1A, BOTH THE DOUBLES FOR STAPLES MOTLEY AND NATALIE AND SARAH DROP OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE NHL, THE WILD BROUGHT TODAY IN OVERTIME AGAINST THE ISLANDERS.

>>> PIERZ FOOTBALL IS HEADING INTO SECTION 7-3A PLAYOFFS UNDEFEATED.

LAST SEASON THE TEAM WAS 10-0 BEFORE FALLING SHORT TO DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON IN THE CLASS 2A STATE QUARTERFINALS.

THIS YEAR THEY HAVE A LOT OF RETURNING SENIORS FROM LAST YEAR'S PLAYOFF RUN AND ARE LOOKING TO GET BACK TO STATE AND CLAIM THEIR 10TH SECTION TITLE SINCE 2011.

OUR SPORTS REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE PIERZ PIONEERS HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF WINNING, WITH FOUR STATE TITLES, THE LAST ONE COMING IN 2019, THE COACH LOOKS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP QUALITIES IN HIS PLAYERS AND KNOWS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE AND ALSO UNDERSTANDS THAT EACH TEAM NEEDS TO BUILD ITS OWN PERSONA.

>> WE'RE LED BY AN OUTSTANDING SENIOR CLASS.

A LOT OF THESE KIDS PLAYED IN THE STATE QUARTER FINALS AND WE FEEL THEY'RE HUNGRY TO GET BACK OUT THERE.

WE COMPARE ONE GROUP TO THE NEXT GROUP.

YOU KNOW, EVERY GROUP, EVERY TEAM HAS THEIR IDENTITY AND WE WILL USE EXAMPLES FROM OTHER YEARS JUST TO SHOW WHAT IT TOOK TO WIN IT ALL.

IT'S ALWAYS THE ULTIMATE GOAL FOR EVERY TIME ONCE YOU START IN AUGUST, BUT IT'S TO GET BETTER EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

>> Reporter: FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR, THE PIONEERS ARE UNDEFEATED HEADED TO THE SECTION PLAYOFFS.

WITH THE TEAM HAVING AN EXTRA WEEK TO PREPARE, THEY'RE GETTING TO WORK AND READY FOR WHO IS ON THE OTHER SIDE.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS, GUYS THAT STEPPED UP TO BE LEADERS.

WE HAVE GREAT COACHES.

THEY PUT A GAME PLAN TO HELP US BE THE BEST WE CAN.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET BETTER, JUST WORK ON STUFF, JUST GETTING BETTER.

>> Reporter: THE PIONEERS' DEFENSE IS ALLOWING UNDER 20 RUSHING YARDS, WITH A 6-1 TURNOVER RATIO.

THEY HAVE NOT ALLOWED AN OPPONENT TO SCORE MORE THAN 7 POINTS A GAME.

>> OUR DEFENSIVE COACHES ARE DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB.

THEY ARE GETTING KIDS IN THE RIGHT SPOT.

WE HAVE SPEED IN ALL THREE LEVELS.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE SPEED, YOU GET HATS TO THE BALL AND YOU CREATE TURNOVERS.

OUR KIDS TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN THAT.

THESE KIDS PLAYED ON THE DEFENSE, SO THEY'RE COMING BACK WITH EXPERIENCE AND IT'S SHOWING RIGHT NOW.

>> WE ARE WORKING AS A TEAM, AS A DEFENSE.

THE DEFENSE IS THE BIGGEST PART WORKING TOGETHER, DOING YOUR JOB, AND WHEN YOU DO YOUR JOB, IT FORCES THE QUARTERBACK TO MAKE THE RULES AND SCRAMBLE AND DO THINGS THEY DON'T WANT TO.

>> REPORTING IN PIERZ, XZAYVER CURRY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> NUMBER ONE SEEDED PIERZ WILL FACE NUMBER FOUR SEED ESKO IN THE SEMIFINALS ROUND OF THE SECTION 7-3A PLAYOFFS.

>> Dennis: THEY HAVE A GOOD SHOT OF MAKING ANOTHER RUN THIS YEAR.

>> Miles: YEAH, THAT'S THE HOPE.

>> Dennis: YEP, OKAY, THANKS MILES.

THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL THEATER PROGRAM IS PREPARING FOR ITS BIGGEST PRODUCTION IN SEVERAL YEARS, WITH THE UPCOMING RENDITION OF THE WIZARD OF OZ.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK ATTENDED TONIGHT'S REHEARSAL, AND SPOKE TO SEVERAL CAST MEMBERS ABOUT THE MUSICAL, FOR THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE.

BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL'S THEATER PROGRAM IS TRANSPORTING THEIR AUDIENCE TO A FARAWAY LAND WITH THE SCHOOL'S RENDITION OF THE WIZARD OF OZ.

>> IT'S AS CLASSIC TO THE MOVIE AS YOU CAN GET.

IT'S PRETTY WORD FOR WORD, THE WIZARD OF OZ FILM.

IT'S A CLASSIC.

>> IT'S SO SPECIAL AND SO COOL.

I ALWAYS LOVED THE MOVIE.

I HAVE GONE TO THE MUSEUM SO MANY TIMES AND IT'S BEEN A HUGE PART OF MY GROWING UP.

IT'S SUPER SPECIAL.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE BIGGEST PRODUCTION THAT THE THEATER PROGRAM HAS PUT ON IN MANY YEARS, WITH AT LEAST 70 STUDENTS TOTAL.

>> IN RECENT YEARS, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GROW AND DEVELOP THE PROGRAM.

EVERY YEAR WE'VE BEEN DOING A GOOD JOB, ADDING NUMBERS, AND THIS YEAR IT EXPLODED.

IT'S BEEN REALLY COOL TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH A LARGE GROUP OF KIDS AND TO SEE HOW THEY GROW AND HOW THEY DEVELOP IN CHARACTER AND DIFFERENT ROLES AND LEADERSHIP.

>> IT'S REALLY FUN.

I THINK WIZARD OF OZ IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE FROM A LONG TIME AGO SO I LOVE IT.

I'M THANKFUL I GET TO BE IN THE FIRST EVER MUSICAL FOR WIZARD OF OZ.

>> Reporter: NOW TWO WEEKS OUT FROM OPENING NIGHT, EVERYONE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO A CERTAIN ASPECT OF THE MUSICAL.

>> I REALLY LIKE, IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN.

>> OH, IT'S JUST SO EXCITING.

IT'S A FEELING I CAN'T REALLY EXPLAIN.

IT'S AN ADRENALINE YOU DON'T GET FROM ANYTHING ELSE.

>> IT'S NERVE-RACKING OPENING NIGHT BUT WHEN YOU GET UP THERE, IT'S LIKE WE WORKED SO HARD ON THIS.

LET'S PUT OUR BEST FOOT OUT THERE.

IT'S FUN.

>> IT'S A FUN SHOW TO SEE AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT AND I THINK EVERY TIME I WATCH IT, I JUST LEAVE FEELING HAPPIER THAN I DID.

IT'S SUCH A CLASSIC FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND SEE.

>> ALONG WITH TICKET SALES, ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR THE THEATER PROGRAM WILL BE TAKING PLACE DURING THE WIZARD OF OZ SHOW WEEKEND IN THE FORM OF BAKED GOODS AND RUMMAGE SALE.

REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI WITH THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN APPLE, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE BHS THE WIZARD OF OZ PERFORMANCE WILL BE THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12TH, FRIDAY THE 13TH, AND SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14TH.

EACH SHOW STARTS AT 7:00 P.M.

AND TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR AND ONLINE.

>>> LET'S GO BACK TO STACY FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE VARIABLE CLOUDS ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT, LOWS DOWN TO 28, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES, TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT AROUND 49, BUT VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

CHANCE OF SHOWERS RETURN ON SATURDAY, MILD ON SUNDAY, AND THEN MORE RAIN EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>> Dennis: THAT'S GOING TO WRAP IT UP FOR US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> Miles: GOOD NIGHT.

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