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>> 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.

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

THE BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO NOT SIGN A RENEWED CONTRACT WITH THE SANFORD EVENT CENTER'S CURRENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY LEGENDS GLOBAL, AND FOR THE CITY TO FULLY TAKE OVER MANAGEMENT.

THE DECISION CAME FROM YESTERDAY'S MEETING, TO PREPARE FOR THE END OF LEGENDS GLOBAL'S CONTRACT IN MARCH.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE ON WHAT DROVE EACH COUNCILOR TO MAKE THEIR VOTE.

>> OBVIOUSLY WHEN WE WENT INTO THIS CONTRACT, WE BOTH HAD HOPES THAT THE PERFORMANCE, ESPECIALLY THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE WOULD BE DIFFERENT.

IT DIDN'T TURN OUT THAT WAY.

WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME THING AND EXPECT DIFFERENT RESULTS.

THE RESULTS THAT WE HAVE ARE UNACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S UP TO US TO PUSH ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER AND I AM PUSHING FOR CHANGE.

>> Reporter: AFTER A PRESENTATION OF THE CITY'S FULL AUDIT OF THE SANFORD CENTER FROM 2025, CITY MANAGER SPOKE ABOUT THE PROPOSED TAKEOVER PLAN HE CREATED, WHICH GOES FROM 16 TO 10 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES AT THE CENTER.

>> I THINK THE CITY SHOULD LOOK AT THE WE BRING IT IN-HOUSE AND OPERATES AS AN INTERSTATE FUND, WHERE IT'S ON ITS OWN ACCOUNT, MANAGED ITS OWN WAY, NOT PUTTING BURDEN ON THE TAX LEVY.

I THINK PART OF OUR STRUGGLE AND THE FLAW IN THE CURRENT STRUGGLE WE HAVE IS THAT IT OPERATES IN ITS OWN ISLAND.

IT PUTS STRESS ON THE OPERATIONS BUT NOT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY OPERATIONS.

I KNOW WE CANNOT FIX IT IF WE DON'T DECREASE EXPENSES AND INCREASE REVENUE.

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: HE WILL BE TAKING OVER AS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

THEY WILL TALK ABOUT HOW THE TAKEOVER COULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT THE CURRENT CITY MANAGEMENT ROLE THAT HE IS IN, WHICH HE WILL CONTINUE ON TOP OF TAKING OVER THE SANFORD CENTER.

>> IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DON'T KNOW, HOW CAN YOU ACT AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AN EVENT CENTER.

I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE WITH A BACKGROUND IN HOSPITALITY TO FACILITATE THOSE CONVERSATIONS, THOSE CONTRACTS, AND I HIRED YOU TO BE A CITY MANAGER TO MANAGE THE CITY.

>> CONCERNED ABOUT TAKING ON THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLE, I WOULD PREFER TO SEE A PLAN WHERE WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS, YOU KNOW, EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF INDUSTRY, TAKING THAT PIECE ON, AND REPORTING TO YOU AS WE DO IN EVERY OTHER TYPE OF DEPARTMENT.

HOW DO WE LOOK AT THE FOREST VERSUS THE TREES, AND I DON'T WANT YOU FOCUSING ON ONE TREE, BUT THE WHOLE FOREST.

>> Reporter: THE FINAL VOTE WAS 6-1 IN FAVOR OF THE CITY TAKING OVER MANAGEMENT DUTIES.

COUNCILLOR EMILY RIVERA WAS THE LOAN NEGATIVE VOTE, INSTEAD ASKING FOR MORE TIME TO COME TO A DECISION.

>> I KNOW THAT WE'RE READY TO TAKE THIS ON.

HONESTLY, IF I AM LOOKING AT OUR ABILITY AS A CITY AND EVERYTHING WE GOT GOING ON.

CAN WE DO IT?

ABSOLUTELY, I'M SURE.

WE DID IT THE LAST TIME, BUT IT'S REALLY HARD BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT POSSIBLE SAVINGS, BUT WE'RE ALSO NOT TALKING ABOUT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES OR THINGS THAT WERE NOT CONSIDERING YET.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO INVEST IN THINGS.

>> FROM MY STANDPOINT, I AM PREPARED TO SUPPORT OUR CITY MANAGER IN THE DIRECTION HE SEES FIT, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WHATEVER HAPPENS HERE IS IN HIS HANDS.

IT SEEMS LIKE HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT THAT ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY AND I SUPPORT THAT.

I THINK BRINGING IT IN HOUSE IS THE RIGHT MOVE, RIGHT NOW.

WILL IT BE THE RIGHT MOVE THREE YEARS FROM NOW FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?

TIME WILL TELL.

HISTORY JUDGES US ALL.

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

>> THE NEW SANFORD CENTER OPERATIONAL CHANGES WILL GO INTO EFFECT IN MARCH OF 2027.

FULL STAFF CHANGES ARE YET TO BE DECIDED.

>>> THIS WILL BE THE FINAL YEAR FOR THE SERTOMA WINTER WONDERLAND HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY IN BRAINERD.

THE SERTOMA CLUB ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE DISPLAY IS ENDING AFTER THIS WINTERS DISPLAY AT THE NORTHLAND ARBORETUM.

WINTER WONDERLAND BEGAN IN 2006 AND THIS WILL BE THE 21ST YEAR OF THE DISPLAY.

ORGANIZERS SAY THAT OVER THE PAST TWENTY YEARS, WINTER WONDERLAND HAS NOT ONLY BROUGHT JOY TO FAMILIES ACROSS THE REGION—IT HAS ALSO MADE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON LOCAL NONPROFITS.

APPROXIMATELY $500,000 HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL NON-PROFITS OVER THE DURATION OF THIS PROJECT.

LAST YEAR ALONE, THE BRAINERD NOON SERTOMA CLUB DONATED MORE THAN $20,000 IN EVENT PROCEEDS TO ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE LAKES AREA RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM, NORTHLAND ARBORETUM, TIMBER BAY, AND CONFIDENCE LEARNING CENTER.

SERTOMA CLUB OFFICIALS SAY THE DECISION TO RETIRE THE EVENT COMES AFTER CAREFUL EVALUATION OF SEVERAL LONG TERM CHALLENGES, INCLUDING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE EXPENSES FROM BRAINERD PUBLIC UTILITIES, THE ABSENCE OF A LONG TERM LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTHLAND ARBORETUM, AND OTHER OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS.

THEY SAY THAT TOGETHER, THESE FACTORS MADE IT CLEAR THAT WINTER WONDERLAND COULD NOT CONTINUE IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY.

>>> THE MINNESOTA MILITARY AND VETERANS MUSEUM WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN ITS NEW 40,000-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY DURING A THREE-DAY GRAND OPENING WEEKEND, BEGINNING ON FRIDAY.

LOCATED ON A 32-ACRE CAMPUS JUST OUTSIDE THE GATES OF CAMP RIPLEY, THE NEW MUSEUM WILL PROVIDE VISITORS WITH AN EXPANSIVE EXPLORATION OF MINNESOTA'S MILITARY HISTORY.

THROUGH IMMERSIVE EXHIBITS, RESTORED MILITARY VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT, INTERACTIVE GALLERIES, ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS AND MORE THAN 25,000 ARTIFACTS, THE MUSEUM TELLS THE STORIES OF MINNESOTANS WHO HAVE SERVED FROM THE CIVIL WAR THROUGH TODAY.

AND IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT ANY OR SOME OF THE EVENTS.

THE MINNESOTA MILITARY AND VETERANS MUSEUM IS INVITING THE PUBLIC TO VIRTUALLY ATTEND SEVERAL HISTORIC EVENTS SURROUNDING THE OPENING OF ITS NEW MUSEUM IN LITTLE FALLS.

ALL LIVESTREAMED EVENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT THAT WEB ADDRESS ON THE SCREEN.

ALSO, A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CAN BE FOUND AT THIS ADDRESS THE SCREEN, MNVETMUSEUM.ORG.

>>> CROW WING COUNTY IS MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARKING LOT AND PEDESTRIAN AREAS AROUND ITS JUDICIAL CENTER AND JAIL IN BRAINERD.

THE PROJECT IS HAPPENING IN THREE PHASES THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

OUR REPORTER XZAYVER CURRY HAS MORE ON THE WORK AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR PEOPLE USING THE BUILDINGS.

>> Reporter: CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY AROUND CROW WING COUNTY'S JUDICIAL CENTER AND JAIL.

>> THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT'S OUR PARKING LOT IS 20 YEARS OLD, THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS STARTING TO FAIL, AND WE'RE TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE.

WE DON'T WANT TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE IT COMPLETELY FAILS.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

THIS WILL LAST FOR THE NEXT 20 TO 30 YEARS.

IT'S A GOOD IMPROVEMENT.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CROW WING COUNTY FACILITIES, HIGHWAY ENGINEERING, AND ANDERSON BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION.

THE WORK INCLUDES SIDEWALK REPAIRS, ADA IMPROVEMENTS, LIGHTING UPGRADES, A NEW MILL AND OVERLAY OF THE PARKING LOT AND PARKING LOT STRIPING.

>> IT'S BROKEN UP IN TWO PHASES AND THERE WILL BE ADJUSTMENTS TO ACCESS TO THE BUILDING.

CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW THE DOORS INTO THE JAIL ARE CLOSED.

WE'RE GOING TO GET SIDEWALK PUT BACK IN PLACE, AND THOSE DOORS WILL BE BACK OPEN THIS COMING MONDAY.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT WILL TEMPORARILY CLOSE ACCESS TO THE JAIL LOBBY, WITH STAFF REROUTING FOOT TRAFFIC TO PROVIDE ACCESS.

>> OUR WORK IS DONE WITH THE DEMOLITION, SO WE'RE TAKING AWAY THE SIDEWALKS.

THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE WITH THE FIRST COUPLE PHASES HERE IS THAT WE CANNOT CLOSE ACCESS TO OUR BUILDINGS.

THE JAIL ALLOWED US TO CLOSE ACCESS, AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING THAT UP AND AROUND.

IT GOES THROUGH THE JUDICIAL CENTER.

IT'S CHALLENGING TO KEEP ACCESSES OPEN.

>> Reporter: THE SECOND PHASE CREWS WILL BE REMOVING THE CONCRETE SIDEWALK BETWEEN THE JAIL AND JUDICIAL CENTER BEFORE INSTALLING NEW CONCRETE.

THEN STARTING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21ST, CONSTRUCTION WILL MOVE TO THE NORTH SECTION OF THE JUDICIAL CENTER'S ENTRANCE.

ONCE THE SIDEWALK WORK IS COMPLETE, CREWS WILL TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THE PARKING LOT ITSELF.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE CONTINUING WITH SIDEWALK REMOVALS AND REPLACEMENT.

THEN COMING THE WEEK OF THE 21st, THE JUDICIAL CENTER, WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON THAT ENTRANCE.

JUST BE CAUTIOUS.

WE'RE EXCITED TO MAKE THESE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE COUNTY.

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

>> CREWS WILL CONTINUE WORKING AROUND THE JAIL AND JUDICIAL CENTER THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

ACCESS WILL REMAIN OPEN, BUT VISITORS SHOULD WATCH FOR SIGNS AND TEMPORARY CHANGES AS CONSTRUCTION MOVES FROM SIDEWALKS TO THE PARKING LOT.

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

>> Stacy: WE'LL SEE SUNSHINE TOMORROW BUT SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURN FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

WE DO HAVE A BIG COOL DOWN FOR THE WEEKEND.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, ONE SPECIAL PHOTO IS BECOMING AN UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT FOR A CLEARBROOK FAMILY.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> A LOCAL PRESCHOOLER IS ABOUT TO BE FEATURED IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF TIMES SQUARE.

REPORTER RYAN FLEMING TAKES US TO CLEARBROOK, WHERE EMI SCHAFFER'S FAMILY IS PREPARING FOR THE BIG MOMENT.

>> Reporter: AT JUST 3 YEARS OLD, EMI IS HEADED FOR A BIG STAGE.

THE PRESCHOOLER WHO HAS DOWN SYNDROME WAS CHOSEN FROM MORE THAN 2,700 ENTRIES TO HAVE HER PICTURE FEATURE IN A NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY TIME SQUARE PRESENTATION.

>> WE'RE HONESTLY SCARED OF THE DIAGNOSIS BUT THAT'S BEFORE WE KNEW BETTER.

NOW THAT EMI IS HERE, WE DON'T SEE THE DIAGNOSIS ANYMORE, WE SEE OUR BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL AND I HOPE THAT IS WHAT OTHER FAMILIES SEE AND THEY'RE NOT SCARED OF THE DIAGNOSIS EITHER BECAUSE IT'S JUST A VERY SMALL PART OF WHO SHE IS.

>> Reporter: WHAT STARTED AS A SIMPLE SNAPSHOT AT HOME SOON BECAME SOMETHING BIGGER AND THE PHOTO ULTIMATELY CHOSEN CARRIES A LITTLE EXTRA FAMILY MEANING.

FROM A QUIET HOME IN CLEARBROOK, TO THE BRIGHT LIGHTS AT TIME SQUARE, ONE PICTURE OF EMI IS ABOUT TO MAKE QUITE THE JOURNEY.

>> I SUBMITTED THREE VERY DIFFERENT PHOTOS, BUT WE HAD ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT I KNEW SEEING THAT ON A BIG JUMBOTRON WOULD REALLY STAND OUT.

IT'S ACTUALLY OF EMI RIDING HER VINTAGE RADIO FLYER CAR THAT MY HUSBAND GOT FOR HER BEFORE SHE WAS BORN.

>> Reporter: THE TIME SQUARE SPOTLIGHT IS MORE THAN JUST A PICTURE, A JOYFUL MILESTONE AFTER TOUGHER ONES.

>> 3 YEARS OLD AND SHE HAD THREE MAJOR MEDICAL SURGERIES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WHEN LIFE HAS THESE HEAVY MOMENTS THAT COME AT YOU, IT'S REALLY NICE THAT THERE ARE THINGS OUT THERE THAT OFFSET IT WITH THESE POSITIVE MOMENTS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE FAMILY, THE BRIGHT LIGHTS IS A CHANCE FOR HER TO KNOW THAT SHE WAS SURROUNDED BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT BELIEVES SHE BELONGS.

>> I HOPE SHE WILL IN HER OWN WAY RECOGNIZE THAT WHILE I'M HERE, I'M SEEN, I COUNT, I'M INCLUDED, YOU KNOW.

THIS ALL MATTERS.

MY FRIENDS MATTER.

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

>> THE TIMES SQUARE PRESENTATION RUNS THIS SATURDAY FROM 7:30 TO 8:30 A.M.

CENTRAL, WITH THE NEW YORK CITY BUDDY WALK FOLLOWING AFTERWARD.

PRETTY COOL STORY THERE.

>>> STACY, WEATHER-WISE WE HAVE A LITTLE COOLER WEATHER.

>> Stacy: IT WAS COOLER TODAY, HIGHS IN THE 60s AND 70s.

WE ARE GOING TO START TO SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES STARTING TOMORROW AND WE COULD SEE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FRIDAY BEFORE A BIGGER COOL DOWN THIS WE [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, SOME OF US DID HAVE A BIT OF RAIN EARLY ON TODAY BUT OVERALL, IT WAS A MAINLY QUIET DAY.

WE DID HAVE SOME SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES COOLER TODAY.

WE DO START TO WARM UP TOMORROW ALREADY.

IT LOOKS PRETTY QUIET FOR US TOMORROW, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOP, ESPECIALLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EVENING.

THEN WE WILL HAVE SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES BEHIND THAT SYSTEM.

RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 59 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT, AT OUR STUDIO, WINDS ARE AT 3 MILES PER HOUR, AND WE PICKED UP 0.03-INCH OF RAIN THIS MORNING.

IN BRAINERD, CLEAR SKIES, DEW POINT OF 63, WINDS OUT OF THE WEST AT 3 MILES PER HOUR.

LOOKING AT OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR, IT IS PRETTY UNEVENTFUL THIS EVENING.

IT'S GOING TO BE QUIET OVERNIGHT TONIGHT WITH CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

WE START OUT WITH SUNSHINE TOMORROW, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON, WE WILL SEE THE COLD FRONT BEGIN TO MOVE TOWARDS THE AREA, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP IN THE AREA.

THEN WE WILL HAVE SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES BEHIND THE FRONT FOR BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, GORGEOUS SKY THIS MORNING FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, DEBRA FROM LAKE ADA, SAMROSE WITH THE CLOUDS AND THE CHOPPY WATERS OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

WE HAVE PICTURES FROM CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD OF A BEAR MAKING A STOP TO HER YARD THIS AFTERNOON.

LINDA SPOTTING THIS LITTLE SNAPPER TURTLE IN ONAMIA.

JOAN WITH SOME HUMMINGBIRDS MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE GARAGE.

LUCKILY THEY GOT THEM OUT SAFELY.

GARY SENDING US THIS PHOTO FROM DEERWOOD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORT, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 58 AND BREEZY THIS MORNING.

DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, 57 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, CLOUDY WITH SOME SUN.

CHRISSY IN DEERWOOD, PARTLY CLOUDY AND SUNSHINE TODAY.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY AND WINDY.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 71.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 73.

THAT IS ACTUALLY OUR AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR THIS DATE.

58 IS THE LOW, 7:40 WAS OUR SUNSET.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 69, AGAIN VERY CLOSE TO AVERAGE, JUST A LITTLE BIT SHY OF THAT.

56 IS THE LOW, 7:44 THE SUNSET.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE ACTUALLY SHOULD BE SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY.

WE WILL SEE TEMPERATURES WARMING UP ONCE AGAIN WITH HIGHS IN THE MID-70s TO AROUND 80 ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA AND THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE UPPER 70s TO AROUND 80 IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

SO OUR FORECAST TONIGHT, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH LOWS NEAR 47 AND VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10, SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, 78 FOR THE HIGH, AND SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

LOOKING AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE'LL START TO SEE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT FRIDAY AFTERNOON, SUNSHINE EARLY IN THE DAY, HIGHS NEAR 80.

THEN THE BIG COOL DOWN THIS WEEKEND WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-60s, COULD BE A LITTLE UNSETTLED ON SUNDAY, BUT A BETTER CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARRIVE ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, CHARLIE IS HERE WITH OUR SPORTS NOW.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF VOLLEYBALL.

THEY ARE UNDEFEATED TO START THE SEASON.

WE GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM THEM AND THE BRAINERD TENNIS TEAM COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

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

[♪♪♪] >> SOME SAY PERFECTION IS NOT ATTAINABLE BUT IF YOU CHASE PERFECTION, YOU CAN CATCH EXCELLENCE.

BSU VOLLEYBALL HAS DONE BOTH SO FAR THIS SEASON.

THEIR BEST START SINCE 1988 WHEN THEY WON THEIR FIRST 14 CONTESTS AND THE THIRD BEST ONLY TO THEIR PERFECT 10-0 SEASON IN 1971.

THE BEAVERS ARE NOT JUST WINNING, THEY'RE DOMINATING, HAVING WON 18 STRAIGHT SETS, ONLY DROPPING 4 SETS THUS FAR.

A MASSIVE TURN AROUND FOR A PROGRAM THAT IS ONLY 8 OR MORE MATCHES IN A SEASON, TWICE IN THE LAST 14 YEARS.

>> IT FEELS GOOD TO SEE THE WORK WE PUT IN FINALLY TRANSLATE ON THE SCORE SHEET LIKE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

I THINK WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD THROUGH ALL THE ADVERSITY AND IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT PAY OFF.

WE SAY WE WANT TO PLAY BEAVER VOLLEYBALL, FOCUSING ON OURSELVES AND WHAT WE CAN DO AND THAT IS TRANSLATING INTO THE SCORE.

WE ARE TRYING TO STAY CALM AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE SCORE TOO MUCH, JUST KNOW WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

>> Charlie: BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY, BY JOHNSON THAT MADE THE JUMP FROM ASSISTANT TO INTERIM AFTER ERICA DEPARTED FOR AUGUSTANA IN LATE JUNE.

>> WE WERE SET UP FOR SUCCESS WITH THE SPRING WE HAD WITH OUR PREVIOUS COACH AND THESE GIRLS HAVE RESPONDED VERY WELL AND THEY'RE WORKING REALLY HARD FOR THE PROGRAM AND NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT FOR EACH OTHER AND THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW.

ON THE COURT, OUR BIGGEST THING IS OUR SERVE AND PASS GAME AND THE DECISION MAKING.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE WANTED TO GROW, WE JUST HAD A YOUNG TEAM.

THIS YEAR, PEOPLE ARE GETTING OLDER, HAVING MORE EXPERIENCE, LIKE HAVING GOOD DECISIONS ON THE COURT.

WE'RE JUST FOCUSED ON ONE MATCH AT A TIME, NEXT MATCH, AND NSIC, EVERYONE IS SO GOOD.

SO NOT LOOKING TOO FAR AHEAD, NOT LOOKING BEHIND AT WHAT WE JUST DID.

A LOT OF RANKED TEAMS THROUGH THE CONFERENCE SEASON AND I'M EXCITED BECAUSE THE GAMES ARE COMPETITIVE AND IT'S A FUN ENVIRONMENT TO PLAY IN.

WE'RE LUCKY TO PLAY IN ONE OF THE BEST DIVISION 2 CONFERENCES.

I'M GRATEFUL TO BE PART OF THAT AND PART OF THE CONFERENCE.

>> Charlie: THEY BEGIN PLAY THIS FRIDAY WITH A TRIP TO MINOT.

THEN THEY WILL GO TO BISMARCK TO TAKE ON U MARY.

>>> BRAINERD GIRLS TENNIS IS COMING OFF A 20-6 RECORD AND SECTION SEMIFINAL APPEARANCE IN 2025, BUT THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO FIND THEIR FOOTING EARLY IN 2026.

AFTER STARTING THIS SEASON 3-3, THE WARRIORS HAVE DROPPED THEIR LAST 3-MATCHES.

THEY'VE SEEN SOME CONSISTENCY BEHIND NUMBER ONE SINGLE'S JUNIOR TARYN MITHUN, WHO IS 7-1 IN HER INDIVIDUAL MATCHES.

BUT WITH ONLY FOUR RETURNERS TO THIS SEASONS STARTING ROSTER, HEAD COACH GARRETT GOEDEN IS TRYING OUT DIFFERENT LINEUPS IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE A SPARK, WHILE ALSO HELPING THE GIRLS PREPARE FOR NEW STRATEGIES FROM OPPOSING TEAMS.

>> WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MIXTURES OF PEOPLE WORKS BEST, WHAT COMBINATION, WHAT DOUBLES PARTNERS WORK BEST TOGETHER.

WE NEED TO BRUSH OFF ANY LOSSES WE HAVE, JUST MOVING FORWARD, KEEP MOVING FORWARD, LOOKING FOR THE NEXT DAY.

WE'RE WORKING ON THE THINGS THAT WE'RE SUPER STRONG ON, KEEP BUILDING UP OUR SERVING GAME, AND THEN JUST CONSISTENTLY WORKING ON ATTACKING, WORKING AGAINST OTHER TEAMS' STRATEGIES, AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS COMING NEXT, AND WHAT IS COMING BACK AT US.

>> Charlie: THEY WILL TRY TO GET BACK ON TRACK TOMORROW WHEN THEY HOST SARTELL.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S GOING TO WRAP IT UP FOR SPORTS THEN.

THANKS CHARLIE.

SEPTEMBER IS PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND IN THE U.S., THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES CONTINUES TO INCREASE WITH THE STEEPEST RISE IN ADVANCED-STAGES OF THE DISEASE ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BUT EARLY DIAGNOSIS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES ODDS OF SURVIVAL.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS WHY SCREENING IS NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL AND WHAT EXPERTS SAY EVERY MAN SHOULD DO WHEN IT COMES TO THIS CANCER.

>> Reporter: FIRST, THE GOOD NEWS.

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SAYS A RISE IN PROSTATE CANCER CASES IS LIKELY DUE TO MORE MEN BEING SCREENED FOR THE DISEASE BUT NOW THE BAD NEWS, MANY ARE NOT BEING SCREENED EARLY ENOUGH.

>> THE CASES ARE REALLY DRIVEN BY LARGELY BY THOSE WITH ADVANCE CANCER.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, 334,000 NEW CASES OF PROSTATE CANCER ARE ESTIMATED TO BE DIAGNOSED IN THE U.S.

AND MORE THAN 36,000 MEN ARE PROJECTED TO DIE FROM THE DISEASE, BUT REGULAR SCREENINGS CAN SAVE LIVES BY DETECTING THE DISEASE EARLY WHEN IT IS EASIER TO TREAT.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT PROSTATE CANCER RISK ARE IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK ARE THOSE OVER AGE 50, THOSE WITH A HISTORY OF PROSTATE CANCER, ESPECIALLY IF MULTIPLE RELATIVES WERE DIAGNOSED AT AN EARLY AGE, AND BLACK MEN ARE 70% MORE LIKELY TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH THE DISEASE COMPARED TO WHITE MEN.

WHEN IT DEVELOPS AT THIS GROUP, IT'S USUALLY AT A YOUNGER AGE AND THEY ARE TWO TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM THE CANCER.

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RECOMMEND THAT MEN AT HIGH RISK HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH THEIR DAUGHTER BETWEEN AGES 40 AND 45 ON WHETHER SCREENING IS RIGHT FOR THEM AND PEOPLE AT AVERAGE RISK START THE DISCUSSION AT AGE 50.

>> AFTER A BLOOD TEST, AN ELEVATED PSA, MOST MEN WILL GET AN MRI AND THEN BASED ON THAT, THEY CAN DECIDE ON A BIOPSY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

IF THE BIOPSY SHOWS CANCER, MANY MEN CAN BE FOLLOWED FOR YEARS BEFORE THEY NEED ACTIVE THERAPY.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, WE CAN GET A CHECK OF OUR WEATHER WITH STACY.

>> Stacy: CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, LOWS NEAR 47, VARIABLE WINDS UP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, IT'S GOING TO BE WARMER, HIGHS NEAR 78 AND SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON FRIDAY AND THEN A BIG COOL DOWN FOR THE WEEKEND.

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

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM