>> 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.

[♪♪♪] >> Dennis: HI EVERYONE, THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

>>> A 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM FOSSTON HAS DIED IN A ONE VEHICLE CRASH IN RURAL CLAY COUNTY NORTH OF GLYNDON EARLY THIS MORNING.

THE CLAY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS A VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY ON THE 10,000TH BLOCK OF 80TH AVENUE NORTH AND STRUCK A POWER POLE.

THE 21-YEAR-OLD SISSETON SOUTH DAKOTA MAN WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AREA HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

THE 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE NAMES OF THE VICTIMS ARE NOT BEING RELEASED UNTIL MONDAY PENDING NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS.

THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INDICATES ALCOHOL AND SPEED APPEAR TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THE CRASH.

>>> A 56-YEAR-OLD RED LAKE MAN MADE HIS INITIAL COURT HEARING TODAY ON CHARGES OF SEXUALLY ABUSING A MINOR.

JOHN BARRETT SENIOR WAS INDICTED ON TWO COUNTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR EARLIER THIS WEEK.

THE INDICTMENT ACCUSES BARRETT OF KNOWINGLY ENGAGING AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE IN A SEXUAL ACT WITH A MINOR VICTIM ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS FROM ON OR ABOUT JUNE 2023 TO FEBRUARY 2025.

HIS CASE IS THE RESULT OF AN INVESTIGATION BY THE F.B.I.

AND RED LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>>> THE WOMEN'S CANCER SURVIVORSHIP RETREAT IN BEMIDJI IS GIVING SURVIVORS A CHANCE TO HEAR WHAT'S CHANGING IN CANCER CARE.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING TAKES US TO THIS EVENT, HOSTED BY SANFORD HEALTH.

>> Reporter: AT CONCORDIA LANGUAGE VILLAGES, THE DAY BROUGHT SURVIVORS TOGETHER NOT JUST TO LEARN BUT TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO UNDERSTAND THE JOURNEY AND THE TURNOUT SHOWED JUST HOW MUCH THAT CONNECTION WAS NEEDED.

>> I AM STOKED TO HAVE THIS MANY PEOPLE HERE AT OUR FIRST EVER SURVIVORSHIP RETREAT.

IT TELLS ME THAT BEMIDJI REALLY NEEDED SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

I'M FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE TURN OUT THAT WE DID.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE BIGGEST FOCUSES, WHAT COMES NEXT AND FOUR PHYSICIANS BROUGHT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON SCREENING, EARLY DETECTION, AND TREATMENT.

THEIR MESSAGE, STAYING INFORMED CAN PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN PROTECTING LONG-TERM HEALTH.

FOR CANCER SURVIVORS, THE QUESTIONS CAN CONTINUE LONG AFTER TREATMENT.

THIS RETREAT HAS GIVEN WOMEN DIRECT ACCESS TO DOCTORS AND A CLEAR LOOK AT WHAT IS CHANGING IN CANCER CARE.

>> THESE ARE SHOWING HOW MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE MOTIVATED TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO MAINTAIN THEIR HEALTH AND GET ALL THE INFORMATION TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN KEEP THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AS HIGH AS THEY CAN, DESPITE EVERYTHING THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH.

>> Reporter: EVEN AFTER TREATMENT ENDS, THE RECOVERY JOURNEY CAN BRING CHALLENGES THAT DON'T SURFACE RIGHT AWAY.

THAT'S WHY FOLLOW UP CARE CAN BECOME JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE TREATMENT ITSELF.

>> THERE CAN BE A LOT OF UNKNOWNS AFTER THEY ARE FINISHED AND A LOT OF THE TIMES, THE SIDE EFFECTS THEY HAD AFTER THEY ARE DONE CANNOT EVEN SHOW UP UNTIL LATER DOWN THE ROAD >> Reporter: THE RETREAT EMPHASIZED THAT SURVIVORSHIP CARE CAN BE DIFFERENT IN EVERY PERSON, FROM MANAGING SIDE EFFECTS, TO MAKING DECISIONS ON CARE, PATIENTS SHOULD FEEL EMPOWERED TO SPEAK UP ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED.

>> WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.

THERE IS NO ONE ELSE WE'RE HERE FOR.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE YOU CARE THAT YOU WANT, THAT GIVES YOU CARE, THAT KEEPS YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE BEST AS WE CAN, AND FIXING YOUR CANCER UNDER CONTROL.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M RYAN FLEMING, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE RETREAT IS PART OF SANFORD HEALTH'S ONGOING SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAMMING, WITH RESOURCES DESIGNED TO HELP WOMEN NAVIGATE THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES THAT CAN CONTINUE WELL BEYOND TREATMENT.

>>> THE CENTER IN BRAINERD HOSTED ITS ANNUAL AGELESS EXPO TODAY.

THE EXPO IS THE GRAND FINALE TO ITS SENIORS' HEALTH AND WELLNESS WEEK.

THE EVENT WAS HIGHLIGHTED WITH A VARIETY OF VENDORS AND ATTRACTIONS, INCLUDING THE MINNESOTA LAW PROJECT'S JUSTICE BUS, CROW WING ENERGIZED, ESSENTIA HEALTH AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, WITH DEMONSTRATIONS LIKE SPOT, CROW WING COUNTY'S FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND.

THE CENTER BELIEVES THAT WHETHER YOU'RE RETIRED, PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT, OR SIMPLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE AND INFORMED, THE AGELESS EXPO IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER RESOURCES DEDICATED TO HELPING ADULTS 45 AND UP.

>> TODAY WE'RE HERE FOR THE AGELESS EXPO AT THE CENTER.

IT'S AN ANNUAL EVENT FOR US AND IT'S A WAY TO BRING TOGETHER DIFFERENT BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS THAT SERVE OUR COMMUNITY FOR PEOPLE 45-PLUS AND THEY CAN COME AND EXPERIENCE ALL THOSE BUSINESSES HAVE TO OFFER AND LEARN ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO, IT'S JUST AN EVENT TO LEARN MORE AND INTERACT, AND EXPERIENCE A LOT OF AMAZING THINGS TODAY.

>> THE CENTER'S MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE MATURE ADULTS TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY LIVING, SOCIALIZATION, LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.

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

>> WE'LL SEE SOME RAINY WEATHER TO START THE WEEKEND, A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK ON SUNDAY, AND THEN MORE CHANCES OF RAIN RETURN MONDAY AND TUESDAY, I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, HEADWATERS MUSIC [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> CROSSLAKE DAYS IS UNDERWAY AND WILL GO UNTIL SATURDAY NIGHT, BRINGING PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE TO CELEBRATE THE START OF A NEW SEASON.

THE ANNUAL EVENT USHERS IN FALL, WITH RESTAURANTS AND MERCHANTS OFFERING SPECIALS AND FAMILIES ENJOYING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY, INCLUDING THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST CHILI PEPPER, WITH THE WINNER RECEIVING UP TO $5600 IN PRIZES.

THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF THE WEEKEND IS THE CHILI COOK-OFF, WITH MORE THAN 30 BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING.

ORGANIZERS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SHOWING ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING WEEKENDS OF THE YEAR TO NEW AND RETURNING PARTICIPANTS.

>> SO IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR 39 YEARS.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST DRAWS TO CROSSLAKE DAYS IS THE CHILI COOK-OFF, WHICH HAPPENS ON SATURDAY.

IT STARTS AT NOON AND THERE ARE 32 BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING THIS YEAR.

FOR PEOPLE THAT IT'S THEIR FIRST TIME, IT'S A GOOD WAY TO GET THEM IMMERSED IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND HOPEFULLY IT INSPIRES THEM TO COME BACK FOR THE NEXT CROSSLAKES DAYS.

NEXT YEAR WILL BE OUR 40th SO WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING BIGGER.

>> THE THIRD AND FINAL CLUE TO THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST CHILI PEPPER WILL BE RELEASED SATURDAY AT 9:00 A.M.

>>> STACY JOINS US NOW.

WE HAVE THAT EVENT GOING ON IN CROSSLAKE, BEMIDJI STATE HAS THEIR BIG HOMECOMING TOMORROW.

WE COULD USE SOME NICE WEATHER.

CAN YOU HELP US OUT THERE?

>> Stacy: IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LINE OF SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA.

STARTING IN WESTERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING, CROSSING OVER TO THE EAST IN THE AFTERNOON.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE COULD SEE SOME SUNSHINE ON SUNDAY BEFORE ANOTHER CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND POSSIBLY A FEW THUNDERSTORMS RETURN AS WE START THE WORK [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, IT WAS CLOUDY AND DRY ACROSS OUR AREA TODAY.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER OVERNIGHT AND TOMORROW, BUT WE WILL SEE SOME SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, CROSSING INTO THE EAST.

SOME SUNSHINE IS POSSIBLE TO CLOSE OUT THE WEEKEND, BUT MORE SHOWERS AND POSSIBLY A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 60 DEGREES.

AT THE AIRPORT.

THE WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 6 MILES PER HOUR, WITH A DEW POINT OF 60, AND HUMIDITY AT 98%.

IN BRAINERD, CLOUDY SKIES, 62 DEGREES, 58 IS OUR DEW POINT, PRESSURE IS FALLING, AND WINDS ARE CALM.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, WE KEPT THE CLOUD COVER THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

IT'S GOING TO BE MOSTLY CLOUDY OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THE CLOUDS STICK AROUND TOMORROW BUT AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE DO HAVE A LINE OF SHOWERS, WHICH WILL BE MAKING ITS WAY ACROSS THE AREA.

SO IT'S PRETTY LIKELY WE WILL SEE SOME RAIN AT SOME POINT TOMORROW.

WE DO HAVE DRY WEATHER FOR SUNDAY, BUT MORE SHOWERS ARE BACK TO START THE WORKWEEK.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, BEAUTIFUL FALL COLORS, ANGELA IN CASS LAKE, BILL AND SCREWDRIVERDY FROM -- JUDY FROM UPPER RED LAKE.

WE HAVE A FEW DANDELIONS.

CHRISSY SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM DEERWOOD.

GARY SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF A COUPLE OF TRUMPETER SWANS IN DEERWOOD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, CLOUDY SKIES, A HIGH OF 66.

ANGELA AT CASS LAKE, MOSTLY CLOUDY, HUMID TODAY, THE HIGH WAS 66.

LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 65 WAS OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BRAINERD, SO AGAIN VERY SEASONAL HIGH TEMPERATURE, WE'RE JUST 1 DEGREE OFF OF THE AVERAGE.

57 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNSET TONIGHT AT 7:08.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 63, SO AGAIN PRETTY MUCH ON TARGET WITH OUR AVERAGE.

57 FOR THE LOW, AND 7:11 FOR THE SUNRISE AND FOR SUNSET.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE WILL SEE THE SHOWERS PUSHING INTO THE AREA, BEGINNING IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA, PROBABLY VERY LATE TONIGHT AND THEN TOMORROW MORNING, PUSHING INTO THE WEST.

THAT WILL CONTINUE TO SLOWLY MAKE ITS WAY ACROSS OUR VIEWING AREA SO WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE SOME SHOWERS AT LEAST AT SOME POINT DURING THE DAY.

OTHERWISE, CLOUDY SKIES, HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE LOW TO MID-60s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, TEMPERATURES SHOULD TOP OUTRIGHT AROUND 60, MAYBE SOME MID-60s AROUND AITKIN.

OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

LOWS NEAR 54.

TOMORROW, SHOWERS WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA, OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, 62 FOR THE HIGH, SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20.

SUNDAY WILL BRING US VARIABLE CLOUDS, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-60s TO MID-70s THROUGHOUT OUR VIEWING AREA.

SHOWERS AND POSSIBLY A FEW SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS RETURN ON MONDAY, THAT CONTINUES INTO TUESDAY BEFORE MAINLY QUIET WEATHER RETURNS AROUND MIDWEEK.

HIGHS WEDNESDAY WILL BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 60s.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE SOMETHING COMING UP ON BEMIDJI STATE HOMECOMING AND ALSO BEMIDJI HIGH HOMECOMING.

>> Charlie: YES, WE HAD A LOT OF GOOD GAMES WE GOT TO GET TO TONIGHT.

WE HAVE TWO TEAMS TRYING TO GET THEIR FIRST WIN.

WE HAVE TWO TEAMS THAT HAVEN'T LOST A GAME THIS SEASON.

WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS AND ALL THE SCORES FROM AROUND THE AREA COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> IT'S BEEN A CASE OF CLOSE, BUT NOT CLOSE ENOUGH SO FAR THIS SEASON FOR BEMIDJI FOOTBALL.

FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS, THE LUMBERJACKS HAD LATE LEADS AND VICTORY WITHIN THEIR GRASP, ONLY TO LET IT SLIP AWAY IN THE FINAL MINUTES OF BOTH GAMES.

TONIGHT, THE JACKS WERE AT HOME TRYING TO AVOID THE SAME PITFALLS AND SECURE THAT FIRST DUB OF THE SEASON AGAINST ANOTHER WINLESS TEAM, SAUK RAPIDS-RICE.

LATE FIRST QUARTER, STILL SCORELESS, CALVIN BEHIND THE DEFENSE, MAKES THE CATCH AT THE FIVE, THEY WOULD SCORE 2 PLAYS LATER, THEY LED 13-0 BEFORE THE LUMBERJACKS FINDS THE OFFENSE.

MATTHEW, AND THAT'S GOING TO MOVE THE STICK, SAME DRIVE, GARRETT PUNCHES IT IN.

ENSUING DRIVE, THIS PLAY KIND OF SUMS UP THE WHOLE GAME.

BEMIDJI HAS PEYTON BOTTLED UP, BUT HE FINDS HIS WAY OUT OF THE CROWD.

RUSHING FOR 140 YARDS IN JUST THE FIRST HALF ALONE, FINISHED WITH 5 TOUCHDOWNS.

THIS MADE IT 19-7.

LUMBERJACKS LOOKING TO ANSWER.

USING HIS LEGS, BOBBING AND WEAVING, SHEDDING TACKLES, WHEELING HIS WAY TO THE END ZONE, BRINGING BEMIDJI WITHIN A SCORE.

THAT WAS AS CLOSE AS THEY GET.

THE OFFENSE FOR SAUK RAPIDS RICE TOO MUCH, THE JACKS FALL 48-35 ON HOMECOMING.

>>> DOWN SOUTH, IT WAS A BATTLE OF THE UNBEATEN.

FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME FOR PIERZ, PRESTON UNLOADS, CONNECTS WITH BO, AND 59-YARD RECEPTION, SETS UP A TOUCHDOWN, IT'S 7-0 PIERZ.

LATE FIRST QUARTER, SAME SCORE, FINDING THE END ZONE FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT, AND THEY WILL TAKE A 20-6 LEAD INTO HALFTIME.

WE JUMP AHEA GUESS WHO?

SHOWING OFF THAT 100-METER SPEED, MAKING THE HUSKIES LOOK SILLY.

A HAT-TRICK FOR THE YOUNG MAN, PIERZ KEEPS ON ROLLING THIS TIME, A 27-6 VICTORY OVER ALBANY, THE PIONEERS HAVE YET TO ALLOW MORE THAN 7 POINTS A GAME THIS SEASON.

>>> WELL, IT'S THE ANNUAL BATTLE OF THE BEAVERS ON SATURDAY, BUT IT'S ALSO HOMECOMING FOR BSU FOOTBALL, WHICH MEANS A DIP IN THE LAKE IS ON LINE.

NOW, JUMPING INTO LAKE BEMIDJI AFTER THE HOMECOMING GAME IS ONE OF THE MORE UNIQUE TRADITIONS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL, BUT IT'S ONE THAT HAS TO BE EARNED WITH A WIN, OTHERWISE, THEY STAY DRY.

SINCE THE TRADITION STARTED IN 1993, BEMIDJI STATE IS 23-9 IN HOMECOMING GAMES, AND HAS ONLY MISSED THE LAKE JUMP TWICE SINCE BOLTE TOOK OVER AS HEAD COACH IN 2016.

>> I MEAN IT'S EVERYTHING YOU DREAM OF WHEN YOU COME IN AS A FRESHMAN.

YOU LEARN ABOUT IT AND YOU WATCH THE GUYS JUMP IN AND YOU'RE LIKE I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT, I WANT TO DO IT MYSELF.

PEOPLE SAY IT GOES BY FAST AND IT DOES.

I WANT TO ENJOY EVERY BIT OF IT AND I WANT TO JUMP INTO THAT LAKE.

>> I MEANS A LOT TO THE TEAM.

WE HAD A COUPLE OF GAMES, A COUPLE OF THINGS GO DIFFERENT WAYS, THEN WE'RE SITTING AT A BETTER RECORD THAN WE ARE NOW.

THAT'S FOOTBALL, THAT'S HOW IT IS.

WHEN YOU GET THOSE TOUGH MOMENTS, YOU HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND MAKE PLAYS.

IF YOU DON'T MAKE PLAYS, YOU GO OUT THERE AND KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND MAKE THE NEXT PLAY ANY WAY.

>> BSU WILL HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM SATURDAY, COMING IN WITH A 1-3 RECORD, AND DESPITE BEING 23-2 ALL TIME AGAINST OPPONENT MINOT STATE, THEY DID LOSE TO THEM LAST YEAR 28-21.

KICK-OFF IS SET FOR 2 P.M.

>> Dennis: YEAH, IT SHOULD BE A GOOD GAME.

>> Charlie: I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

I WILL CHECK THAT THING OUT.

HOPEFULLY THEY COME AWAY WITH A W.

>> Dennis: SOUNDS GOOD, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> BEMIDJI'S HEADWATERS MUSIC AND ARTS OFTEN HOSTS MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY THE CHANCE TO SEE DIFFERENT MUSIC STYLES AND INSTRUMENTS IN CONCERT.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK STOPPED BY TONIGHT'S CONCERT, WHICH FEATURED A UNIQUE, BACK-FORTH STYLE OF PERFORMANCE, FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: STEVE AND NATHAN HAVE BEEN PERFORMING IMPROV MUSIC TOGETHER FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BRINGING THE SAXOPHONE AND DRUMS TOGETHER IN A STYLE OF MUSIC THAT THEY DON'T LIKE PUTTING A LABEL ON.

>> THE MUSIC IS COMPLETELY UNPLANNED.

THERE IS NO PREPARATION OTHER THAN WHAT WE'VE DONE ALL OUR MUSICAL LIVES TO GET TO THIS POINT.

SO, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MUSIC WILL BE UNTIL IT HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: THE DUO WAS BRINGING THEIR UNIQUE MUSIC STYLE TO BEMIDJI AND THE EVENT IS A HOMECOMING AFTER MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

[♪♪♪] >> OH, IT'S GREAT.

SOME PEOPLE ARE EVEN LIKE OH, RIGHT.

IT'S BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.

I HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE AND SOME FRIENDS ARE COMING BY AND SO, IT'S GREAT.

IT'S REALLY GOOD.

>> Reporter: AND SIMPLY FOR STEVE TO RETURN TO BEMIDJI, HE USED TO LIVE HERE AND THERE ARE PEOPLE STOPPING IN TO GET REACQUAINTED.

SO, THAT ASPECT OF CONNECTING WITH OLD FRIENDS AND OFFERING SOMETHING THAT IS PRETTY SPECIAL, PRETTY UNUSUAL.

I HADN'T REALLY HEARD ABOUT THIS TYPE OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE UNTIL I WAS TALKING WITH STEVE.

>> Reporter: TONIGHT'S PERFORMANCE MARKS THE FIRST ONE SINCE THE PAIR RELEASED THEIR NEWEST ALBUM TITLED MEMORY IS SUBJECTIVE, WHICH STEVE DESCRIBES AS A CONVERSATION, NOT JUST A MUSICAL PIECE.

>> WE PLAY WITH EACH OTHER BUT IT IS, IT'S CONVERSATIONAL.

IT'S IN THE SAME WAY WHEN YOU MEET A FRIEND FOR A CUP OF COFFEE, YOU DON'T COME IN WITH A SCRIPT.

YOU COME IN, YOU SIT DOWN, AND SOMEBODY HAS SOMETHING TO SAY.

IT GOES FROM THERE.

IT'S REALLY A VERY SIMILAR THING.

>> Reporter: ON TOP OF PERFORMING TONIGHT, THE DUO WILL BE HOLDING A JAZZ IMPROV MASTER CLASS TOMORROW TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT HOW THE IMPROVISATION ACTUALLY WORKS.

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

>> THE CLASS WILL BE TAKING PLACE AT HEADWATERS MUSIC AND ARTS AT 11 A.M.

TOMORROW, AND MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES, INSTRUMENTS, AND SKILL LEVELS ARE WELCOME.

ZBL -- >>> YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED WE HAVE SOME EXTRA TIME.

IT'S TIME TO SAY FAREWELL TO SOMEONE SPECIAL HERE ON LAKELAND NEWS.

CHARLIE YEAGER JOINED OUR NEWS TEAM IN JANUARY OF 2023 AS A NEWS REPORTER IN BRAINERD.

WE PROMOTED HIM TO SPORTS DIRECTOR LATER THAT SUMMER AND THE REST HAS BEEN HISTORY.

CHARLIE IS NOW OUR LONGEST TENURED SPORTS DIRECTOR EVER BUT IS LEAVING US FOR AN EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITY.

BEFORE WE GET TO THAT WE THOUGHT WE'D TAKE A LOOK AT SOME VINTAGE CHARLIE YAEGER FROM HIS FIRST FEW APPEARANCES ON LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Charlie: WITH THE HELP OF 130 VOLUNTEER WORKERS, THEY WERE ABLE TO DRILL 20,000 HOLES IN JUST 2.5 HOURS.

>> NUMBER ONE RANKED WARROAD ON THE ROAD TONIGHT AT BEMIDJI.

WARRIORS ARE UNDEFEATED HEADED INTO TONIGHT'S MATCH UP.

THEY ARE TRYING TO WIN.

WARROAD WON THAT CONTEST 5-2.

>>> PEQUOT LAKES GIRLS BASKETBALL IS COMING OFF A CLOSE WIN AGAINST ST.

CLOUD CATHEDRAL.

THAT SHOULD COME OF NO SURPRISE.

THEY HAVE BEEN FINDING WAYS TO WIN ALL SEASON LONG.

>> Dennis: CHARLIE, NOT TOO BAD FOR YOUR FIRST FEW TIMES ON THE AIR.

>> Charlie: NOT AT ALL.

>> Dennis: ESPECIALLY FOR OUR VIEWERS, YOU DEVELOPED INTO AN EXCEPTIONAL HONOR TALENT AND STORYTELLER.

THERE ARE SO MANY QUALITY VIDEO CLIPS BUT WE WANTED TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF YOUR FINEST MOMENTS MORE RECENTLY.

>> Charlie: AS OF TIP OFF TONIGHT, NONE OF THE TIMBERWOLVES HAVE BEEN ARRESTED DESPITE THE HEIST THEY PULLED OFF ON MONDAY.

STEALING THE SEMI FINAL FROM THE SPURS.

IN THE SECOND QUARTER, RUMBLING, NO ONE CAN TAKE HIM DOWN.

HE GETS INTO THE RED ZONE.

>> Charlie: THERE IS A MIGRATORY BIRD CAUSING MIGRAINES FOR WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY FOOTBALL.

>>> BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY MAY NOT BE AS FAMOUS AS DAYTONA, NOR AS BIG AS INDY, JUST A SMALL DIRT TRACK IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, BUT IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO MICHAEL FULLERTON.

>> IT'S MORE THAN JUST BUTTONS TO OPEN DOORS AND RAMPS OR ELEVATORS INSTEAD OF STAIRS THAT MAKES A CAMPUS ACCESSIBLE.

>> Dennis: NOW THERE YOU GO, SOME OUTSTANDING WORK.

WE WILL GET TO WHY HE HAS A COWBOY HAT ON IN A SECOND.

FIRST, I MEAN I HAVE SEEN YOU GROW IN SO MANY WAYS SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN WITH US AS A SPORTS JOURNALIST, AND SUCH A PASSION TO IMPROVE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THEY WANT TO IMPROVE, CHARLIE DOES WHAT IT TAKES TO IMPROVE.

IT'S CLEAR, AS YOU CAN TELL WITH YOUR WORK HERE.

YOUR WORK HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL AS YOUR PLETHORA OF AWARDS SHOWS.

YEAH, I AM GOING TO MISS YOU ON THE AIR OBVIOUSLY, BUT MISS YOU AS A FRIEND, IN THE NEWSROOM, SOMEONE THAT SETS AN EXAMPLE FOR EVERYBODY IN HOW WE DO THINGS HERE.

SO, IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG LOSS FOR US, BUT YOU HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

YOU ARE MORE THAN READY FOR THE NEXT STEP AND CONGRATULATIONS.

GOOD LUCK, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND CONTRIBUTED TO LAKELAND NEWS.

TELL US NOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR PLANS.

ARE YOU GOING SOMEWHERE WARMER THAN WHERE WE ARE.

>> Charlie: YEAH, EVERYBODY LOVES WHEN I WEAR THE TIE AND IT SAYS TEXAS BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I AM MOVING.

I'M MOVING WAY DOWN SOUTH, NEAR SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, NEXT TO THE BORDER, AND YEAH, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL LET ME WEAR THE HAT THERE, BUT DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY SUITS ARE GOING DOWN TO TEXAS, TO BE CLOSER WITH MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE COVERING FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS DOWN THERE AND FOOTBALL FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME, I REALLY LOVE FOOTBALL.

FOOTBALL IS MY JAM.

SO THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO WORK IN A PLACE WHERE FOOTBALL IS TRULY KING IS GREAT.

I AM GOING TO MISS HOCKEY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THAT DOWN IN TEXAS.

>> Dennis: YOU EVEN PICKED UP HOCKEY.

>> Charlie: YES, I TRIED TO PLAY SOME.

I WILL STICK WITH FOOTBALL.

DEFINITELY, I JUST CAN'T THANK YOU DENNIS ENOUGH FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY.

I KNOW I SAID I WASN'T GOING TO GET EMOTIONAL, BUT YOU GAVE ME MY FIRST OPPORTUNITY.

IT WAS FANTASTIC.

I PICKED UP EVERYTHING WHEN YOU OFFERED ME THE JOB FROM CALIFORNIA AND CAME OUT HERE.

IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE BLAST.

THE REASON THAT THE WORK LOOKED AMATEUR AT FIRST AND THEN REALLY GOOD AT THE END IS BECAUSE YOU GIVING ME THE GUIDANCE, WORKING WITH STACY EVERY NIGHT AS WELL IN WEATHER, TRYING TO HOLD ON TO THE STUFF AT THE VERY END SO I CAN GET MY TIE ON RIGHT BEFORE THE CAMERA COMES BACK TO ME.

THANK YOU TO CHAZ, WHO IS MY MENTOR, THANK YOU LAKELAND PBS AND ALL THE PEOPLE AROUND HERE.

I KNOW WE WERE JOKING ABOUT GETTING AWARDS, BUT IT WASN'T ABOUT THE AWARDS BUT THE PEOPLE HERE AND MEETING REALLY AMAZING PEOPLE HERE IN BEMIDJI AND COVERING SOME REALLY AMAZING KIDS, AND TELLING THEIR STORIES AS WELL, AND IT'S BEEN SO MUCH FUN.

I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS PLACE.

IT'S BEEN A WILD RIDE AND CERTAINLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW ADVENTURE BUT I WON'T FORGET THE PAST.

>> Dennis: YES, I'M EXCITED FOR YOUR FUTURE.

YOU DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY AND IT SHOWS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A HUGE FOLLOWING, AND YOU DESERVEDLY SO.

YOU REALLY TAKEN OUR SPORTS DEPARTMENT TO ANOTHER LEVEL AND WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU.

THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

>> Charlie: I'LL KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT IS GOING ON UP HERE TOO.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW EVERYTHING FINISHES UP THIS YEAR.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO WRAP UP THE SHOW ON THAT NOTE.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY.

WE'LL INTRODUCE OUR NEW SPORTS DIRECTOR ON MONDAY.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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