>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
MEMBER FDIC.
>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.
MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.
>> 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.
>>> WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH A DEVELOPING STORY FROM EMILY MINNESOTA WHERE A FIRE AND EXPLOSION KILLED A PERSON NEAR MINNIE LAKE DRIVE TODAY.
A LAKELAND NEWS VIEWER SENT US THIS VIDEO AND PHOTOS OF THE SCENE.
CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF ERIC KLANG SAY THE INVESTIGATION IS EARLY BUT IT APPEARS ONE PERSON WAS LIVING IN A BUS WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE VICTIM COULDN'T ESCAPE THE EXPLOSION.
WITNESSES TELL LAKELAND NEWS THERE MAY HAVE BEEN TWO EXPLOSIONS IN ALL.
LAW ENFORCEMENT REMAINED ON THE SCENE THIS EVENING AND KLANG SAYS MORE INFORMATION IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED ON MONDAY.
>>> ONE PERSON DIED AND ANOTHER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH NEAR MANHATTAN BEACH THIS MORNING THAT INVOLVED A DUMP TRUCK.
THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE REPORTS THAT PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INDICATES THE CRASH PRIMARILY INVOLVED THE DUMP TRUCK TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON COUNTY ROAD ONE AND AN SUV THAT WAS ENTERING COUNTY ROAD ONE FROM THE SOUTH, COMING FROM COUNTY ROAD 66.
A SECOND SUV, WHICH WAS TURNING FROM COUNTY ROAD ONE ONTO COUNTY ROAD 66, WAS ALSO STRUCK DURING THE INCIDENT.
LIFE-SAVING MEASURES WERE PERFORMED ON THE 18-YEAR-OLD DRIVER OF THE SUV INVOLVED IN THE INITIAL COLLISION, BUT DESPITE EFFORTS, THE INDIVIDUAL WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.
THE FRONT PASSENGER OF THE SAME SUV WAS AIRLIFTED FROM THE SCENE IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
A REAR PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL BY A PRIVATE PARTY WITH INJURIES THAT ARE BELIEVED TO BE NON-LIFE THREATENING.
THE DRIVER OF THE DUMP TRUCK DEPARTED THE SCENE WITH THEIR EMPLOYER.
THE NAMES OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH ARE BEING WITHHELD PENDING FAMILY NOTIFICATION AND FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
THIS INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER ACTIVE INVESTIGATION BY THE CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN COOPERATION WITH THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL.
>>> A 48-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS INJURED AFTER SHE HIT A TURKEY WITH HER SUV IN AITKIN COUNTY.
THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND TWO THIS AFTERNOON ON HIGHWAY 18, ABOUT 13 MILES NORTHEAST OF GARRISON NEAR THE NORTH END OF MILLE LACS LAKE.
THE STATE PATROL SAYS JENNIFER GEREN OF WEATHERWOOD WAS TAKEN TO AN AREA HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AFTER THE TURKEY HIT HER VEHICLES WINDSHIELD AND IT VEERED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ROLLED INTO THE DITCH.
>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1948, THE MINNESOTA GOVERNOR'S FISHING OPENER WILL TAKE PLACE IN CROSSLAKE.
REPORTER MILES WALKER HAS MORE ON WHAT THE STATE TRADITION COMING TO THE BEAUTY SPOT OF MINNESOTA MEANS ECONOMICALLY FOR THE CITY.
>> Reporter: WITH THE 2025 MINNESOTA GOVERNOR'S FISHING OPENING LESS THAN 24 HOURS AWAY FROM KICKING OFF, MORALE IS HIGH FOR THE PEOPLE OF CROSS LAKE.
>> EVERYONE IS READY.
IT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL.
IT IS AFTER A LONG WINTER AND ALL OF OUR RETAIL SPACES ARE FULL.
EVERYBODY IS ROCKING AND ROLLING AND READY TO GO.
>> Reporter: AS IS NO SURPRISE THAT IN THE LAND OF 10 THOUSAND LAKES, FISHING IS QUITE THE STAPLE.
OVER 500,000 ANGLERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE STATE'S OPENING DAY.
>> IT'S PART OF THE MINNESOTA CULTURE.
WE HAVE PRETTY MUCH ANY KIND OF FISHING, FRESH WATER FISHING YOU CAN ASK FOR IN THIS STATE.
>> THE TOWN OF CROSS LAKE IS HUGE.
PEOPLE ARE NOT JUST FISHING OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOUSES, IT'S PEOPLE DRIVING UP THEIR BOATS IN THE TWIN CITIES, FROM OTHER STATES.
>> Reporter: AND WHERE THERE ARE FISHERS, THERE ARE FISHING LICENSES.
MINNESOTA IS FOURTH IN THE U.S.
IN LICENSE SALES, WITH SALES ALREADY UP 10% FROM LAST YEAR, SELLING OVER 200,000 LICENSES IN 2025 THUS FAR.
>> THEY'RE REALLY THE MAIN WAY WE FUND OUR FISHERIES WORK ACROSS THE STATE, SO THAT THE RUNNING OF OUR FISH HATCHERIES, THE RAISING OF FISH, THE STOCKING OF FISH, AND SOME REALLY INCREDIBLE RESEARCH THAT GOES ON THERE, SO THAT MINNESOTANS CAN HAVE AMAZING ANDINGING -- ANGLING OPPORTUNITIES ON THE WATER.
>> Reporter: AS ACCORDING TO GOVERNOR TIM WALZ, THE STATE HAS A $14 BILLION FISHING INDUSTRY.
>> THE PURPOSE OF THE FISHING OPENER IS TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT MINNESOTA HAS, HIGHLIGHT BOTH CULTURALLY AND THE PEOPLE AND ECONOMICALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.
WE HAVE NICE ROOMS, WE ARE GOING TO BUY LUNCH, WE'RE GOING TO SHOP, WE'RE GOING TO REFUEL THE VEHICLES.
EVERYBODY IS DOING THAT AND THEN THEY'RE TELLING THE STORY.
>> Reporter: WITH SO MUCH TRAFFIC EXPECTED TO COME ACROSS CROSS LAKE'S WAY, THEY HOPE THEY WILL SEE WHAT THE TOWN HAS TO OFFER.
>> WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED RIGHT HERE.
WE'RE A SMALL POPULATION IN THE WINTER BUT WE QUADRUPLE IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS.
>> WE HAVE A BUNCH OF PROJECTS COMING, NEW TRAILS AROUND TOWN, A CONNECTIVITY PLAN, A LOT OF IRON IN THE FIRE AND WE HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER EVERYBODY ALL YEAR ROUND.
>> Reporter: REPORTING IN CROSS LAKE, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.
>> OUR DANIEL PURSELL WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS WEEKENDS 77TH ANNUAL MINNESOTA GOVERNORS FISHING OPENER ON MONDAY.
>>> ESSENTIA HEALTH HAS ANNOUNCED A GROUNDBREAKING FOR A STATE-OF-THE-ART ORTHOPEDIC CENTER IN BAXTER AT THE FORMER CAMPING WORLD SITE.
THE ORTHOPEDIC CENTER WILL INCLUDE APPROXIMATELY 60,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE AND ALLOW ESSENTIA TO SUPPLEMENT EXISTING SERVICES WITH NEW OFFERINGS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO MEET PATIENTS' NEEDS.
ESSENTIAL SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE THE FACILITY WILL TRANSFORM CARE IN THE REGION.
ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT 40,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE INSIDE THE BUILDING WILL INITIALLY BE UNUSED, WITH THE POTENTIAL TO BE BUILT OUT BASED ON PATIENT NEEDS.
THE GROUNDBREAKING WILL BE FROM 5:30-7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, MAY 13TH.
THE EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
ATTENDEES CAN EXPECT REFRESHMENTS, SELF-GUIDED TOURS, RENDERINGS OF THE CENTER AND SIGNAGE INSIDE THE BUILDING THAT WILL BE RENOVATED.
>>> THE MOORHEAD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS REQUESTING THE PUBLIC'S ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING 18-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO WALKED AWAY FROM A MOORHEAD CARE FACILITY TODAY.
ANGEL FISHERMAN IS KNOWN TO HAVE TIES TO THE RED LAKE, MN AREA.
FISHERMAN IS DESCRIBED AS BEING 5-FEET-5-INCHES TALL AND 140 POUNDS WITH RED/ORANGE HAIR AND BROWN EYES.
SHE WAS LAST KNOWN TO BE WEARING A BLACK TANK TOP AND RED AND BLACK SKIRT.
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT FISHERMAN'S WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE MOORHEAD POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>>> BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY AND NORTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE CELEBRATED THEIR 2025 GRADUATING CLASSES EARLIER TODAY WITH THEIR ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES.
THE SANFORD CENTER HOSTED TWO CEREMONIES FOR BSU AND ONE FOR NTC, EACH OF WHICH SENT HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE STAGE.
OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK SPOKE TO SEVERAL GRADUATES ABOUT WHAT THIS STEP IN THEIR LIVES MEANS TO THEM.
[APPLAUSE].
>> Reporter: LESS THAN 40% OF U.S. CITIZENS HAVE GRADUATED COLLEGE WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR HIGHER.
STUDENTS FROM BSU ADDED TO THAT PERCENTAGE EARLIER TODAY AS THEY HELD THEIR 105th COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY.
>> IT WAS A BUSY DAY AS OVER 1,000 STUDENTS MADE THE CHANGE FROM STUDENT TO ALUMNI AND TO SOME, TODAY MEANS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST GRADUATING COLLEGE.
>> ALMOST HALF OF OUR STUDENTS ARE FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS, MEANING THEIR PARENTS DON'T HAVE COLLEGE DEGREES, SO THEY ARE INTRODUCING THIS AND CHANGING THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR FAMILY FOREVER.
>> Reporter: THE 2025 CLASS, WHICH ALSO HAD THE LARGEST NUMBER OF AMERICAN INDIAN GRADUATES THAT BSU HAS EVER SEEN STARTED THEIR JOURNEYS DURING THE TAIL END OF THE PANDEMIC AND HAS SEEN COUNTLESS CHANGES SINCE.
>> THERE IS A REAL TRANSFORMATION AND YOU ENGAGE SOME OF THE STUDENTS AND THE FIRST TIME THEY COME IN.
SOMETIMES A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND DOUBT YOU CAN SEE IN THEIR EYES.
I LOVE LOOKING IN THEIR EYES, SHAKING THEIR HANDS AS THEY WALK ACROSS THE STAGE.
THERE IS A NEW CONFIDENCE, THERE IS VISION, THERE IS EXCITEMENT.
IT'S JUST A GLOW IN THE EYE.
>> Reporter: AND WITH LIFE CHANGES COMES BIG EMOTIONS AS WELL.
>> ANXIOUS, EXCITED, AND HONESTLY I'M OVERWHELMED.
>> IT'S SO FUN BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE THIS WITH THE COMMUNITY, ALL MY FRIENDS, MY FAMILY, THE FACULTY AND STAFF THAT HELPED ME ON THE JOURNEY THESE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
I'M EXCITED FOR NOT ONLY CELEBRATING THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS BUT ALSO THE FUTURE.
>> Reporter: NOW THAT THEY ARE DONE WITH THEIR COLLEGE TIME, BSU'S NEWEST ALUMNI IS READY TO START THEIR CAREER JOURNEYS AND GET OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY.
>> I'M STARTING MY JOB ON THE WOMAN'S AND CHILDREN'S UNIT HERE.
I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
I WILL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH MY MOM.
I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE OVERALL.
I ALWAYS LOVED HELPING PEOPLE AND LEARNING HOW HUMANS WORK, MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
I HOPE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES AND HELP THEM GET BETTER.
>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM BEMIDJI, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.
>> IN TOTAL, BSU'S CLASS OF 2025 EARNED 1,065 DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES INCLUDING 80 GRADUATE DEGREES AND 444 STUDENTS GRADUATED WITH ACADEMIC HONORS.
>>> ACCORDING TO THE 2024 CENSUS, OVER 4,000 TROOPS RESIDE IN CROW WING COUNTY AND A SPECIAL EVENT WAS HELD TO THANK SOME OF THOSE VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE.
VETERANS GATHERED INTO YESTERDAY'S GONE IN BRAINERD ON THURSDAY TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR SACRIFICES THAT THEY MADE FOR THEIR COUNTRY.
ATTENDEES INCLUDED CURRENT MILITARY MEMBERS FROM THE 194TH BATTALION, A TEAM FROM FREEDOM FLIGHT, AN ORGANIZATION THAT FLIES HOT AIR BALLOONS FOR P.O.W.
'S AND MISSING IN ACTION SERVICE MEMBERS AND EVEN A 98 YEAR OLD WORLD WAR II VETERAN.
>> TODAY'S EVENT WAS ABOUT HONORING THE BRAVERY OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, THAT HAVE GONE BEFORE US AND HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY, AND HAVE DIED FOR OUR FREEDOM.
>> THOSE IN ATTENDANCE RECEIVED A FREE LUNCH AS WELL AS A PLAQUE AND CARD THANKING THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE.
[♪♪♪] >> STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.
>> Stacy: IT'S GOING TO BE DRY, HOT, AND WINDY OVER THE WEEKEND, AND WE COULD SEE NEAR CRITICAL OR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS THE AREA.
WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH AND HAVE THE REST OF YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.
>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK WITH THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, THE BSU CHOIR SAY GOODBYE TO THE >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.
; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.
C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.
>> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.
>>> OVER 100,000 PEOPLE FLOCK TO LITTLE FALLS EVERY YEAR TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR ANNUAL ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR AND NOW THE EVENT IS BEING RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY.
THE MID-AMERICA CHAMBER EXECUTIVES SELECTED THE LITTLE FALLS ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR AS THE COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR.
NEARLY 600 VENDORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY COME TO LITTLE FALLS TO SELL THEIR CRAFTS, BRINGING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THE COMMUNITY, WITH THE LITTLE FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REINVESTING NEARLY $30,000 INTO THE COMMUNITY EVERY YEAR.
>> THE WHOLE TOWN GETS INVOLVED AT THIS EVENT.
A LOT OF OUR BUSINESSES, THEIR SURVIVAL, IT'S A LOT OF WORK.
IT'S A BIG PRODUCTION, THERE IS A LOT THAT HAPPENS THAT WEEKEND AND A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED, A LOT OF WHEELS TURNING, AND IT'S LIKE YEAH, I THINK WE DESERVE IT.
>> THIS YEARS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 6TH AND 7TH.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO BE A VENDOR, APPLY ON LITTLE FALLS ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR DOT COM BY MAY 31ST.
>>> FIREFIGHTERS ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS WEEKEND AS THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA WILL BE IN A FIRE WEATHER WATCH THIS WEEKEND.
AND ALREADY TODAY THERE WERE SOME WILDFIRES POPPING UP IN THE AREA.
ONE ACTIVE FIRE IS ABOUT 4.5 MILES WEST-NORTHWEST OF BEMIDJI.
TERMED THE "SOO FIRE" IT WAS REPORTED THIS AFTERNOON AND IS CURRENTLY LISTED AT 74 ACRES.
THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER SMALLER WILDFIRES BEING REPORTED IN THE LAKELAND VIEWING AREA AT THIS HOUR AS WELL, MOST RANGING AROUND AN ACRE TO TWO ACRES.
>>> AND JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON THESE HOT DRY WINDY CONDITIONS IS WEATHER CASTER STACY CHRISTENSON.
>> Stacy: YES, AND CONDITIONS ARE ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
WE'RE GOING TO SEE VERY HOT WEATHER, HOT TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY AND OF COURSE IT STAYS DRY.
WE WILL HAVE A LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND BREEZY CONDITIONS AS WELL.
WE DO HAVE A FIRE WEATHER WATCH AS WE ARE EXPECTING NEAR CRITICAL OR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR SOME ON SATURDAY BUT EVERYWHERE >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED 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.
>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.
[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, OTHER THAN JUST A FEW RAIN DROPS HERE AND THERE TODAY, WE HAD DRY WEATHER, A LOT OF SUNSHINE IN THE AREA, AND SOME COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURES.
WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A PRETTY NICE START TO THE WEEKEND WITH SUNNY SKIES AND AGAIN WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURES TOMORROW, ALTHOUGH IT IS VERY DRY, PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA IN A FIRE WEATHER WATCH TOMORROW, BUT OUR ENTIRE VIEWING AREA UNDER THAT WATCH AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY AS THE TEMPERATURES WARM UP WITH HIGHS IN THE 80s AND 90s.
RIGHT NOW IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 59 AT THE AIRPORT.
VARIABLE WINDS AT 3 MILES PER HOUR, AND THE DEW POINT IS 33, HUMIDITY IS AT 37%.
IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES, 68 DEGREES, THE DEW POINT IS 30, AND PRESSURE IS RISING, AND WINDS ARE NORTH AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.
NOW WE DO HAVE THIS FIRE WEATHER WATCH, WHICH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA.
IT WILL RUN FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING FOR PARTS OF NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, INCLUDING ROSEAU, LAKE OF THE WOODS, NORTHERN BELTRAMI, POLK AND NORTHERN CLEAR WATER COUNTIES.
AND FOR THE REST OF THE AREA, WARNINGS UP TO SUNDAY EVENING, AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY AS LOW AS 15% TO 20%.
ANY FIRES THAT IGNITE WILL BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.
ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE THIS EVENING, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SMOKEY CONDITIONS FROM CANADIAN WILDFIRES AND A FEW PATCHY CLOUDS.
IT HAS BEEN PRETTY CLEAR, PRETTY SUNNY AS WE MOVED THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE HAZY AS WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE POTENTIAL FOR THE WILDFIRE SMOKE IN THE AREA.
SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.
ARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE IN MENAHGA.
JIM SAYING THERE WAS A MRET RAL OF PELICANS THIS MORNING.
JOAN WITH A BEAR MAKING A SPEEDY EXIT FROM HER YARD IN LAPORTE.
LINDA SPOTTING SOME SUNSHINE IN THE WOODS.
ANGELA SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNSET AT PIKE BAY.
CHRISTOPHER WITH A PICTURE OF THIS GORGEOUS SUNSET.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.
FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 53 AND CLEAR AND CALM THIS MORNING.
ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY, BUT A BIT ON THE BREEZY SIDE.
CHRISTOPHER IN WALKER REPORTING A HIGH OF 62.
ANGELA AT CASS LAKE PARTLY CLOUDY AND A HIGH OF 74.
LOOKING AT OUR ALMANAC, 81 WAS THE HIGH IN BRAINERD, FALLING 4 DEGREES SHY OF OUR RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE, WITH A LOW THIS MORNING OF 47.
BEMIDJI TOPPING OUT AT 77, AND OUR LOW AT 55.
WE START TOMORROW WITH A LOT OF SUNSHINE, A LOT OF CLEAR SKIES, AND IN FACT, WE HAVE MAINLY QUIET WEATHER THROUGH THE DAY.
THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT A FEW RAIN SHOWERS COULD MOVE INTO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, HOWEVER THOSE WILL BE SPOTTY, FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, TEMPERATURE-WISE, VERY COMFORTABLE WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60s TO MID-70s IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE WILL BE SEEING THE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-70s.
SO A NICE COMFORTABLE DAY FOR US TOMORROW.
SO TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES, COULD SEE SOME AREAS OF SMOKE WITH LOWS DOWN TO 41.
THEN TOMORROW, SUNNY SKIES, THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, HIGHS NEAR 72, AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.
LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, MORE SUNSHINE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, BUT BREEZY AND HOT ON SUNDAY, HIGHS NEAR 89.
WE COULD SEE SOME LOCATIONS TOPPING 90.
STILL IN THE UPPER 80s EARLY NEXT WEEK, NEXT CHANCE OF RAIN WILL BE A SLIGHT ONE ON WEDNESDAY.
BACK TO YOU.
>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT, THANKS STACY.
CHARLIE IS HERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAD A STRING OF WEATHER LIKE THAT LAST JULY.
>> Charlie: YEAH, I DON'T REMEMBER IT BEING LIKE THAT.
IT'S NICE TO HAVE THE WEATHER WE HAVE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE LESS THAN TWO HOURS AWAY, WE HAVE THE FISHING OPENER.
BEFORE WE GET TO TALKING ABOUT THE FISHING OPENER, WE HAD A FIRST EVER TONIGHT OVER AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL, FIRST EVER BOYS VOLLEYBALL GAME, THEY WERE TAKING ON ROGERS.
WE HAVE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.
[♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE.
>> IN FOCUS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.
>> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.
>>> BEMIDJI BOYS VOLLEYBALL BOASTED A 9-1 RECORD AND RANKED 9th OUT OF THE 77 TOTAL TEAMS IN THE STATE.
THE LUMBERJACKS ARE THE ONLY TEAM NORTH OF ST.
CLOUD ARE PROUD OF WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR AND TONIGHT THEY GOT TO SHARE THAT PRIDE WITH THE COMMUNITY AS THEY TOOK THE COURT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL, UNDER THE RULES OF THE MSHSL, THEY WELCOMED ROGERS INTO THEIR HOUSE.
IN THE FIRST SET, IT WAS CAPTAIN ELIJAH THAT GOT THE JACKS GOING.
LATER IN THE SET, KAREN CAME UP WITH THREE STRAIGHT ACES, INCLUDING THIS NASTY BENDER.
THEN LUMBERJACKS STILL UP 15-13.
IT'S THE ONLY CAPTAIN BLASTING ONE RIGHT THROUGH THE ROYALS AND THEY WOULD GO TO EXTRA POINTS.
THAT'S WHERE ROGERS WOULD MAKE JUST ONE MORE PLAY THAN THE JACKS, ANDERSON HAMMERS IT INTO THE BLOCK FOR SET POINT.
29-27.
BEMIDJI FELL IN THAT ONE AS WELL, 28-26 AND ULTIMATELY WOULD FALL IN THREE SETS.
STILL WHAT A SHOWING BY THE LUMBERJACKS IN THEIR FIRST EVER HOME MATCH.
>>> BEMIDJI BOYS TENNIS WAS BACK ON THE COURTS TODAY AFTER THEIR WIN OVER BRAINERD TAKING ON ANOTHER RIVAL MOORHEAD.
IN NUMBER ONE SINGLES, OWEN LAPPINGA GOES OVER THE TOP, THE FINESSE, TAPS THE PAINT FOR THE POINT.
HE'D WIN HIS MATCH 6-2, 6-3.
OVER AT 2ND DOUBLES, IT'S JOSH AREL WITH SERVE AND CHASE FAIRCHILD, PUTS IT AWAY.
THEY'D WIN THEIR MATCH IN STRAIGHT SETS.
LUMBERJACKS MASH THE SPUDS 6-1.
JACK'S PLAYED ALEXANDRIA LATER IN THE DAY BUT FELL IN THAT ONE 5-2.
>>> SOME MORE SCORES FOR YOU, BRAINERD GOT THE WIN OVER SAUK RAPIDS RICE.
SARTELL WINS IN THEIR DOUBLE HEADER.
LITTLE FALLS GETS THE WIN OVER FERGUS FALLS.
PILLAGER BEATS STAPLES MOTLEY.
WADENA DEER CREEK TOPS PEQUOT LAKES.
NEVIS GETS A WIN AND SO DOES WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY.
MENAHGA, A TIGHT ONE WITH ROSEAU.
IN BASEBALL, LITTLE FALLS BEATS ALBANY.
WADENA DEER CREEK TOPS MENAHGA.
CROSBY-IRONTON FALLS.
SEBEKA BEATS PILLAGER.
WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY GETS THE WIN.
NEVIS FALLS TO CANNON FALLS.
BOYS LACROSSE, BRAINERD GETS THE WIN.
GIRLS LACROSSE, BRAINERD ALSO GETS THE WIN.
GRANDS RAPIDS GREEN WAY GETTING THE WIN OVER HERMANTOWN PROCTOR.
IN GOLF, THE BOYS FINISHED IN THE MEET AND ON THE GIRL'S SIDE OF THINGS, BRAINERD FINISHED THIRD.
IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THE MINNESOTA TWINS KEEP WINNING, THAT'S SICK IN A ROW FOR THEM.
IN THE PWHL, THE FROST TIE THE SERIES IN THE SEMIFINALS 1-1.
>>> WITH THE 2025 MINNESOTA FISHING OPENER LESS THAN 2-HOURS AWAY, WE FIGURED IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO FIND OUT WHAT THIS WEEKEND HOLDS FOR ANGLERS LOOKING TO BAG A FEW WALLEYE.
SO WE CHECKED IN WITH FISHING GUIDES DICK BEARDSLEY AND RAY GILDOW WHO GAVE US THEIR OUTLOOK FOR FISHING IN THE VIEWING AREA AS WELL AS A FEW LAST-MINUTE TIPS BEFORE HITTING THE WATER.
>> THE ICE HAS BEEN MELTED ON AREA LAKES FOR NEARLY TWO FULL WEEKS LEADING INTO THE 2025 FISHING OPENER AND THAT BODES WELL FOR ANGLERS CASTING A LINE THIS WEEKEND.
>> THE WALLEYES ARE DONE SPAWNING NOW AND HOPEFULLY THEY HAD A FEW DAYS WHERE THEY CAN RECOVER.
IT TAKES A LOT OUT OF THEM.
THE SHINERS ARE STARTING TO MOVE UP IN THE SHALLOW WATER NOW AND THOSE WALLEYES, THEY FOLLOW THOSE SHINERS, THOSE SPOT TAILS ESPECIALLY, UP IN THE SHALLOW WATER AREAS.
THEY SHOULD BE PRETTY AGGRESSIVE.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A GOOD BITE THROUGHOUT THE BEMIDJI AREA.
>> Reporter: WARMER WEATHER THIS WEEKEND WILL ALSO HELP, BRINGING UP THE WATER TEMPERATURE, LEADING TO MORE ACTIVE FISH.
THE TIME OF DAY IS ALSO SOMETHING TO CONSIDER WHEN HEADING OUT.
>> EARLY MORNINGS ARE ALWAYS A LITTLE BETTER AND LATER IN THE EVENING IS BETTER AND THE MIDDAY TIME IS SLOWER, WE HAVE GOOD POPULATIONS OF WALLEYES IN OUR AREA LAKES.
WE HAVE ROUND LAKE, ALL GOOD WALLEYE LAKES.
>> Reporter: JIGS, MINNOWS ARE THE MOST RECOMMENDED TYPES OF BAIT, AND IN ADDITION TO BAIT, HERE ARE SOME LAST MINUTE RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> I RECOMMEND YOU WEAR LIFE JACKETS WHEN FISHING, WHEN YOU'RE GOING ACROSS THE LAKE AT A GOOD SPEED.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CUSHION IN THE BOAT WITH YOU AND THAT HAS TO BE OUT.
THE LIFE JACKETS, THEY CAN BE IN A COMPARTMENT BUT THE THROAT CUSHIONS HAVE TO BE OUT WHEN THEY'RE ACCESSIBLE RIGHT AWAY.
>> DIFFERENT LAKES HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS FOR HOW MANY YOU CAN KEEP AND THE SIZE YOU CAN KEEP, BE SURE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE, EITHER IN YOUR LICENSE BOOK OR ON THE SIGNS THAT ARE POSTED ON THE LAKES.
>> Charlie: ALTHOUGH THE FISHING SEASON HASN'T OPENED FOR WALLEYE, IT HAS BEEN OPEN FOR STURGEON FOR A LITTLE BIT AND FRANK ZAPPA WITH A RECORD CATCH, THE ANNUAL TOURNAMENT ON THE LAKE OF THE WOODS, 0.25-INCH BIGGER THAN THE BIGGEST RECORDED STURGEON CAUGHT IN THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
SO WE MIGHT HAVE A NEW RECORD THERE.
>> Dennis: THAT IS A BIG FISH.
>> Charlie: THEY MADE IT OFFICIAL AT THE EVENT BUT MINNESOTA STILL HAS TO COUNT IT.
>> Dennis: YEAH, THANKS CHARLIE.
>>> THE BEMIDJI CHOIR AT BSU HELD ITS FINAL CONCERT OF THE YEAR YESTERDAY, WHICH MEANT THAT HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE GRADUATING SENIORS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE CHOIR FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN ATTENDED THE CONCERT TO GET REACTIONS FROM CHOIR MEMBERS, FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-FOCUS.
[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND BEMIDJI CHOIR ALUMNI ALL PACKED IN THE BALLROOM FOR THE FINAL CONCERT OF THE YEAR AND TO CELEBRATE THE GRADUATING SENIORS.
>> SENDING OFF TO THE WORLD ON A POSITIVE NOTE AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO DO GOOD AND BE WELL.
[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: HE WRAPS UP HIS FIRST YEAR AS A FULL TIME DIRECTOR AS THE CHOIR AFTER SERVING AS INTERIM FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AND IS HAPPY TO STAY LONG-TERM.
>> THESE STUDENTS ARE WONDERFUL.
MY COLLEAGUES ARE FABULOUS.
IT'S BEEN A GREAT YEAR AND I'M EXCITED TO CONTINUE BUILDING ON THAT.
>> Reporter: CHOIR MEMBERS SAY THEY LEARN SO MUCH FROM THEIR TIME IN THE CHOIR THAT WILL STAY WITH THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
>> HARD WORK PAYS OFF, BUT YOU CAN ALSO WORK HARD AND PLAY HARD.
THOSE ARE THE TWO MAIN THINGS I TAKEN AWAY.
PUTTING YOUR BEST EFFORT TO SOMETHING YOU REALLY BELIEVE IN AND ENJOY, IT'S REALLY FULFILLING.
>> Reporter: IT'S A BITTERSWEET CONCERT FOR GRADUAING SENIORS.
>> VERY EMOTIONAL, I'M GLAD I DID NOT CRY.
IT WAS INCREDIBLY FUN AND THE SONGS WE PICKED WERE ONES I KNEW VERY WELL AND THE NEW SONGS WERE VERY TOUCHING.
>> I MET A LOT OF GREAT GUYS AND GALS.
EVERYONE HAS BEEN SUPER WELCOMING AND SUPPORTIVE.
I'M NOT A MUSIC MAJOR AND I LEARNED SO MUCH.
>> Reporter: HE HOPES THEY CAN TAKE AWAY WHAT THEY LEARNED DURING THEIR TIME IN CHOIR AND USE IT ON THE NEXT STEPS OF THEIR JOURNEY.
>> IF THEY CAN TAKE THAT WILLINGNESS TO BE VULNERABLE, TAKE RISKS, MAKE MISTAKES AND GROW FROM THEM, I WILL BE VERY HAPPY AND HAVE FELT LIKE I SUCCEEDED AS AN EDUCATOR.
[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.
>> Dennis: THREE MEMBERS OF THE BEMIDJI CHOIR ALSO STEPPED IN AS CONDUCTORS DURING THE PARTS OF THE CONCERT.
>>> WELL, WE HAVE ONE LAST LOOK AT OUR WEATHER, IT'S GOING TO BE A DRY AND HOT WEEKEND.
>> Stacy: YES, WE WILL SEE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS, WE HAVE A FIRE WEATHER WATCH OUT FOR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA TOMORROW, AND THEN FOR THE ENTIRE VIEWING AREA AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY.
IT'S GOING TO BE HOT, IT'S GOING TO BE WINDY, AND THEN IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DRY.
>> Charlie: SOME GOOD TIPS BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, HAVE FUN.
>> Dennis: THERE YOU GO.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, WE ARE BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT.
WE'LL SEE YOU THEN, GOOD NIGHT.
>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.
[♪♪♪]