>> 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.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE 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, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE GIGAZONE, THE ALL FIBEROPTIC NETWORK THAT HAS TRANSFORMED HOW WE LIVE AND WORK.

>> 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.

>>> THE GREATER BEMIDJI AREA RECEIVED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE FROM THE WIND STORM THAT STRUCK NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN HAS DETAILS ON WHAT WAS INSURED BY BELTRAMI COUNTY AND HOW COUNTY OFFICIALS PLAN ON FUNDING WHAT WASN'T COVERED.

>> SEVERAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES THROUGHOUT BELTRAMI COUNTY SUFFERED DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THE DESTRUCTIVE STORM THAT STRUCK THROUGH THE AREA, SOME OF THOSE OWNED BY THE COUNTY.

LUCKILY THOSE BUILDINGS ARE INSURED, HOWEVER THE INVENTORY WAS NOT, THE CONWILL SUFFER LOSSES AS A RESULT.

EXACTLY HOW MUCH IS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

>> WE'LL FIGURE OUT WHAT IS INSURED AND HOW MUCH AND WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE WAS DONE AND THE EXCLUSIONS ON THE INSURANCE POLICY.

IS THIS COVERS, IS THAT COVERED?

SO WE GET THESE SAME SORTS OF THINGS WE WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND DISPUTE THAT WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS COVERED.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY WAS PRESENTED WITH A FEW OPTIONS THAT TOM BARRY SAID SHOULD NOT IMPACT TAX DOLLARS.

THIS WOULD GO TOWARDS RECOVERY EFFORTS.

>> THIS IS ONE TIME MONEY THAT WE RECEIVED SEVERAL YEARS AGO FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

YOU HAVE $395,000, PLUS OR MINUS A FEW DOLLARS OF THAT FUNDING AND THE REMAINDER OF THE AARP, WHICH WAS A SEPARATE APPROPRIATION ONE TIME, THAT WE WERE USING OVER THE YEARS TO BUY ONE TIME THINGS.

THAT SITS AT $1.25 MILLION.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD GIVE THE COUNTY ACCESS TO $1.5 MILLION WITHOUT DOING LOCAL TAX ADJUSTMENTS.

>> THIS WILL BE A LONG TIME RECOVERY, WILL REQUIRE PATIENCE, WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND GET THINGS CORRECTED.

>> Reporter: NO DECISION WAS MADE ON WHETHER THEY WOULD PURSUE THAT OPTION, REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE THE EXACT AMOUNT OF REIMBURSABLE DOLLARS SPENT AS OF YET BECAUSE THAT NUMBER CHANGES BY THE HOUR.

BUT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, TOM BARRY BELIEVES THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY SITTING SOUTH OF THE $1 MILLION MARK.

>>> TEAM RUBICON, A VETERAN-LED HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION, HAS MADE THEIR WAY TO BEMIDJI TO ASSIST WITH POST-STORM CLEANUP.

THE THIRTY VOLUNTEERS ARE BEING HOSTED BY BEMIDJI COVENANT CHURCH.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK WENT OUT INTO THE FIELD TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RELIEF EFFORTS AROUND NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> Reporter: FROM THE FRONT LINES OF THE MILITARY, TO THE FIRST LINES OF DISASTER RELIEF, THOUSANDS OF VETERANS, FIREFIGHTERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND ORDINARY CITIZENS HAVE JOINED TEAM RUBICON TO HELP REBUILD AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS.

>> EVERY TIME THERE IS A WANT, WE CAN FULFILL IT.

>> ALL OF THESE VOLUNTEERS DO IT BECAUSE OF A SENSE OF PURPOSE, A GREATER CALLING, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WENT INTO THOSE VOCATIONS DID IT PARTICULARLY FOR THAT, WANTING TO SERVE, WANTING TO GIVE BACK.

>> Reporter: IT'S FOCUSED ON GETTING TREES AND DEBRIS OUT OF HOMES AND YARDS BUT VOLUNTEERS BRING SO MUCH MORE TO THIS JOB THAN JUST A CHAINSAW.

>> I MIGHT GET EMOTIONAL HERE, BUT EVERY TIME I COME HOME FROM ONE OF THESE, I FEEL LIKE I RECEIVED MORE THAN I GIVEN.

I HAVE SEEN IT MANY TIMES WHERE WE BROUGHT PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR FLOODING HOMES, SOME OF THE POIGNANT ONES IS AFTER A STORM RETRIEVING A BURIAL FLAG OUT OF A HOUSE WHEN THEY LOST EVERYTHING.

I'M SORRY.

WHEN THEY LOST EVERYTHING, WE WANT TO BE THERE TO HELP THEM ON THEIR WORST DAY OF THEIR LIFE.

>> Reporter: AND THE ORGANIZATION HAS MORE THAN 200,000 OTHER VOLUNTEERS THAT SHARE THAT SAME MISSION WORLDWIDE, ALL OF WHOM ARE RELIANT ON COMMUNITY DONATIONS DURING THEIR STAY.

>> WE MADE A FOOD DONATION OF $1,000 TOWARDS SNACKS, BEVERAGES, HYDRATION, JUST TO SUPPORT THEM.

IT'S AN HONOR TO GIVE BACK AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO BE IN A POSITION TO DO SO.

>> Reporter: THE TEAM PLANS TO BE HERE FOR TWO MORE WEEKS BUT DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE, THEY'RE STILL DOING DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS, WHICH COULD CAUSE THEM TO STAY IN BEMIDJI FOR LONGER.

>> WE'RE ACTIVELY ENGAGING IN THE COMMUNITY, FINDING WORK ORDERS, TO HELP AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE GONE INTO PLACES WHERE OUR ABJECT POVERTY AND THEY ARE WILLING TO GIVE YOU THE SHIRT OFF THEIR BACK, FEED YOU, OFFER YOU MONEY, AND WE DON'T ACCEPT ANY OF THAT, BUT THAT'S THE GRATITUDE AND THAT'S HOW WE GET PAID, THE GRATITUDE OF THE PEOPLE WE'RE SERVING.

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

>> HUBBARD AND CASS COUNTY WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RELIEF EFFORTS FROM TEAM RUBICON.

TO ACCESS HELP, PEOPLE CAN CONTACT THE BEMIDJI UNITED WAY, COMMUNITY RESOURCE CONNECTIONS, OR TEAM RUBICON DIRECTLY.

AND IF ANYONE FROM THE ORGANIZATION ASKS FOR PAYMENT AT ANY POINT, IT IS A SCAM, AS RUBICON DOES NOT CHARGE FOR ANY OF THEIR SERVICES.

>>> AFTER A FEBRUARY FIRE DISPLACED RESIDENTS OF A 12-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING IN WADENA AND KILLED ONE PERSON.

THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION JOINED FORCES WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS TO CREATE A RELIEF FUND, AND THE COMMUNITY RESPONDED WITH GENEROSITY AND CARE.

ORGANIZERS SAY INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $12,000 TO HELP THE AFFECTED RESIDENTS.

THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SUPPORT, INCLUDING RENT AND UTILITY DEPOSITS, GIFT CARDS FOR GROCERIES AND HOUSEHOLD NEEDS, CAR REPAIRS AND MORE.

AND A PORTION OF THE MONEY RAISED HAS BEEN SET ASIDE TO ASSIST RESIDENTS WITH ONGOING NEEDS AS THEY CONTINUE TO RECOVER AND REBUILD.

>>> CENTRAL MINNESOTANS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSED MAPLE RIVER-CUYUNA 345 KILOVOLT TRANSMISSION PROJECT DURING A COLLECTION OF OPEN HOUSES OVER THE PAST WEEK, ARRANGED THROUGH MINNESOTA POWER, OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY AND GREAT RIVER ENERGY.

REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: APPROVED BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2024, THE MAPLE RIVER TRANSMISSION PROJECT IS INTENDED TO ENHANCE THE RELIABILITY OF THE REGIONAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AS THE WAY WE PRODUCE AND USE ELECTRICITY CHANGES.

>> THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PROJECT IS REALLY PARAMOUNT TO THE UPPER MIDWEST AND ESPECIALLY NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THE GENERATION FLEET ACROSS OUR STATE IS CHANGING, COAL FIRE, FOSSIL FUEL IS BEING REPLACED BY MORE COST EFFECTIVE RENEWABLE GENERATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT'S GOAL IS CATERED TOWARDS MEETING A GROWING ELECTRICAL DEMAND AND ENHANCING RESILIENCY DURING EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS.

>> THEY'RE LOOKING AT UPGRADING THE SYSTEM NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE.

IF YOU ANALOGIZE IT TO THE ROADWAY SYSTEM, THESE ARE THE INTERSTATES OF THE SYSTEM, WHERE TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION LINES ARE LIKE TOWNSHIP ROADS.

SO IT'S A BULK CAPACITY WITH THIS PROJECT.

>> Reporter: ENABLING REGIONAL ENERGY TRANSFER, SUPPORTING ECONOMICAL GRID OPERATIONS.

>> THIS IS THE MID CONTINENT INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR WHO IN CONJUNCTION WITH WORKING WITH THE UTILITY, PUT THESE PROJECTS FORWARD, WIND, SOLAR, A RENEWABLE GENERATION THAT WILL BECOME COMMON PLACE IN THE UPPER MIDWEST.

>> Reporter: THESE OPEN HOUSES ARE ALLOWING LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND LANDOWNERS TO DIRECTLY LEARN MORE AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSED 160-MILE LONG TRANSMISSION LINE, THAT WOULD RUN FROM THE OTTER TAIL STATION IN NORTH DAKOTA.

>> WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE YOUR COUNTIES, TOWNSHIPS, AND CITIES, AND THE LANDOWNERS TOO.

IT'S GREAT TO EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE FEEDBACK THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO GIVE US SO WE CAN REALLY START MOVING FORWARD ON TRYING TO DEVELOP A POSSIBLE CORRIDOR OR ROUTE AND CONSTRUCTION TOO.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BAXTER, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THOSE INVOLVED IN THE M.R.C.

TRANSMISSION PROJECT WILL CONTINUE ENGAGING WITH STAKEHOLDERS, AS WELL AS DISCUSSING WHAT FINAL ROUTE TO USE IN APPLYING FOR APPROVAL FROM THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

>>> THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

IS INCREASING PATROLS FOR IMPAIRED BOATERS OVER THE LONG FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.

OFFICERS WILL BE OUT AS PART OF OPERATION DRY WATER WITH A GOAL OF MAKING THE WATER SAFER FOR EVERYONE BY REMOVING ANYONE OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

IN MINNESOTA AND ACROSS THE NATION, BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED IS THE LEADING CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO BOATING ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

WHILE MANY BOATERS DO THE RIGHT THING BY LEAVING ALCOHOL ON SHORE, DOZENS OF THEM ARE ARRESTED FOR BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED EACH YEAR IN THE DAYS SURROUNDING THE FOURTH OF JULY.

>> IF YOU ARE UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND OPERATING A BOAT OR VEHICLE, WE WILL FIND YOU.

THERE ARE DMO -- NO WARNINGS AND NO SECOND CHANCES.

YOU WILL BE ARRESTED, YOU WILL GO TO JAIL, AND YOU WILL FACE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

>> D.N.R.

OFFICIALS SAY MINNESOTA HAS PARTICULARLY STRONG LAWS RELATED TO BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED.

ANYONE CONVICTED OF OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, WHETHER THEY'RE OPERATING A BOAT, MOTOR VEHICLE, OR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE, LOSES THEIR PRIVILEGE TO OPERATE THOSE MACHINES.

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

>> Stacy: IT'S GOING TO BE HOT AND HUMID OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BECOME LIKELY AS A COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH THE AREA BEGINNING FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE 4TH OF JULY IS JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY AND THE BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS SOME TIPS ON HOW [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW MORE NEWS WITH DENNIS WEIMANN.

[♪♪♪] >>> ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN PYROTECHNICS ASSOCIATION, AMERICANS USE ABOUT 275 MILLION POUNDS OF FIREWORKS EVERY YEAR AND NO HOLIDAY IS CELEBRATED MORE WITH FIREWORKS THAN THE FOURTH OF JULY.

WITH AN ESTIMATED 14,000 FIREWORKS DISPLAYS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE ON HOW TO STAY SAFE AROUND THE CELEBRATIONS ON THE FOURTH.

HERE HE IS WITH MORE.

>> Reporter: EVERY YEAR, AMERICANS LOOK TO THE SKIES TO CELEBRATE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES.

WHILE MILLIONS CELEBRATE WITH BARBECUES AND PARADES, THOUSANDS WILL CELEBRATE IN THE E.R.

DUE TO FIREWORKS-RELATED ACCIDENTS.

>> DON'T TRY TO PICK IT UP IF IT'S A DUD OR HASN'T GONE OFF.

THINGS LIKE THAT IS WHAT NORMALLY WOULD CAUSE AN INJURY TO YOUR HAND, FACE, THINGS LIKE THAT, A BURN INJURY.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION, OVER 14,000 PEOPLE WERE TREATED FOR FIREWORKS-RELATED INJURIES IN 2024 AND 11 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN FIREWORKS RELATED INCIDENTS.

>> SOME OF THEM BURN UP TO 2,000 DEGREES, SO WHEN YOU'RE USING A SPARKLER, OR THE FOUNTAINS, JUST MAKE SURE THE KIDS ARE CLEAR OF THE SPACE OR YOU ARE CLEAR OF THE SPACE, SO YOU DON'T POTENTIALLY BURN YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: THE INJURIES ARE NOT THE ONLY CONCERN THAT BRAINERD FIRE CHIEF HAS WHEN IT COMES TO FIREWORKS.

THEY ARE EASILY STARTED WHEN FIREWORKS ARE NOT PROPERLY DISPOSED OF.

>> MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOUSED IN WATER, ENSURING THEY'RE COMPLETELY OUT BEFORE YOU PUT THEM IN THE TRASH CAN THAT IS NEXT TO YOUR HOUSE AND IF THE TRASH CAN STARTS A FIRE, IT WILL TYPICALLY START THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE ON FIRE AND WE DON'T WANT THAT.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER PEOPLE MAY CELEBRATE, THE CHIEF URGES PEOPLE TO USE CAUTION.

>> WE WANT EVERYBODY TO ENJOY A 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND AND SPENDING THE NIGHT AT THE E.R.

IS NOT ENJOYABLE FOR YOU OR PEOPLE AT THE E.R.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, DANIEL PURSELL, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> THE CITY OF BRAINERD WILL BE PUTTING ON A FIREWORKS SHOW ABOVE DON ADAMSON FIELD AT 10:15 P.M. ON FRIDAY TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY.

IT IS ONE OF THE MANY FIREWORKS DISPLAYS SCHEDULED AROUND THE LAKELAND COUNTRY.

>>> THE BEMIDJI JAYCEES WATER CARNIVAL KICKED OFF TODAY AND RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY JULY 6TH.

THIS YEAR DUE TO STORM DAMAGE IN THE CITY IT WILL LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

MERRIAMS MIDWAY IS BACK IN THE SANFORD CENTER PARKING LOT.

IT OPENED TONIGHT AND WILL BE OPEN 1:00 TO 11:00 THROUGH SATURDAY AND 1:00 TO 7:00 ON SUNDAY BUT DUE TO IMPACTS FROM THE STORM.

THE ENTERTAINMENT TENT ON THE WATER FRONT WILL NOT BE A PART OF THIS WATER CARNIVAL BUT INSTEAD OF CANCELLING ALL OF THE EVENTS ALL THE MUSIC EVENTS WILL NOW TAKE PLACE AT THE LOFT EVENT CENTER DOWNTOWN.

ZBLOOFSHGS.

>> -- I HAD THE THOUGHT WHEN I HAD MULTIPLE BUSINESS OWNERS COME TO ME VERY CONCERNED.

IT HAS A HUGE IMPACT FOR THEM REVENUE-WISE, NOT HAVING THE TENT HERE AND KEEPING PEOPLE DOWNTOWN.

I REACHED OUT TO THE OWNERS AND SAID I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HOST THE LIVE MUSIC EVENTS AT LEAST UP HERE AND WE DID.

WE HAD TO GET VERY CREATIVE.

WE KNOW THAT THE JAYCEES BUDGET IS NOT LARGE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE UP IN THE BAR SALES, WE DECIDED TO OFFER OUR VENUE FOR FREE.

>> BINGO, FIREWORKS, AND THE COLOR RUN WILL GO ON WITHOUT ANY CHANGES.

THE RED, WHITE AND BOOM FIREWORKS ARE TONIGHT.

THEY SHOULD BE GETTING STARTED AT ANY MOMENT.

THE PARADE WILL ALSO BE HELD BUT THE ROUTE HAS BEEN CHANGED DUE TO SIGNIFICANT STORM DAMAGE.

THE NEW ROUTE STARTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 8TH STREET AND BELTRAMI AVE, TRAVELS SOUTH ON BELTRAMI AVE, TURNS WEST ON 4TH STREET FOR ONE BLOCK, AND THEN HEADS NORTH ALONG MINNESOTA AVE, ENDING AGAIN ON 8TH STREET.

DUE TO THE CHANGE IN THE GRAND PARADE ROUTE, REGISTRATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ONLINE UNTIL JULY 3RD, 2025.

THERE WILL BE NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.

>>> THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY IS BACK AGAIN THIS SUMMER.

THIS YEAR ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE GIVING AWAY A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUN'S RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

AND HERE ARE TONIGHT'S FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL HAVE A SHOT AT BEING OUR 2025 CRAGUN'S VACATION GRAND PRIZE WINNER, WHICH WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING IN A LIVE DRAWING ON THE MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH NEWSCAST.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY IS HERE.

EVERYBODY IS WONDERING HOW THIS 4TH OF JULY FORECAST IS LOOKING.

>> Stacy: AND FOR THE 4TH OF JULY, IT LOOKS LIKE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY, WE WILL BE SEEING MORE ACTIVE WEATHER MOVING IN.

UNTIL THAT POINT, A LOT OF SUNSHINE, IT'S GOING TO BE HOT, IT'S GOING TO BE HUMID OUT THERE, AND THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH ON FRIDAY AFTER NOON AND THAT COULD BRING US SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FRIDAY AFTERNOON TH [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, AFTER SOME EARLY MORNING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, WE HAD SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

IT'S BEEN HOT AND IT'S STARTING TO GET HUMID.

WE'LL HAVE THE HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND OVERALL, A LOT OF SUNSHINE OUT THERE.

A COLD FRONT WILL BEGIN TO CROSS THE AREA BEGINNING ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, FRIDAY NIGHT, AND THAT COULD TRIGGER SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA, POTENTIALLY SEVERE WEATHER, BUT POSSIBLY BRINGING HEAVY RAINFALL.

IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 74 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE A LIGHT SOUTHEAST WIND AT OUR STUDIO, THE DEW POINT IS 62, AND WE HAVE HUMIDITY AT 67%.

IN BRAINERD, PARTLY CLOUDY, DEW POINT OF 61, PRESSURE IS ON THE RISE, VARIABLE WINDS AT 3 MILES PER HOUR.

ON OUR SATELLITE AND RADAR PICTURE, WE DID HAVE ONE POP-UP THUNDERSTORM BETWEEN BRAINERD AND AITKIN THIS EVENING, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, IT HAS BEEN QUIET OUT THERE, A FEW PUFFY CLOUDS HERE AND THERE, AND SOME AREAS OF SMOKE MOVING INTO NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, WE EXPECT TO SEE CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, BUT AGAIN WE COULD SEE THE AREAS OF SMOKE ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

SUNNY SKIES TOMORROW, HOT AND HUMID AND THEN AS I MENTIONED, SHOWERS POSSIBLE ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.

WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

WE HAD SOME STORMS EARLIER TODAY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, SAMROSE CAPTURING SOME OF THOSE CLOUDS OVER THE NARROWS BETWEEN UPPER AND LOWER RED LAKE AND STEPHEN FINDING A RAINBOW IN THE SKY IN LITTLE ROCK.

GORGEOUS MORNING SKIES FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA, DEBRA AT LAKE ADA AND A GORGEOUS DAY ON POTATO LAKE.

JOAN IN LAPORTE WITH THE PUFFY CLOUDS.

GARY AND VERN WITH SOME OF THE DAY LILIES IN BLOOM AND A BEAUTIFUL EVENING AT LAKE EDWARD FROM SARAH.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYES REPORTS, DEBRA AT PINE RIVER, 64 THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUNNY AND HUMID TODAY, HIGH OF 86.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUNNY AND 84.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING A HIGH OF 87.

ON OUR ALMANAC, 87 TODAY, WARMER THAN AVERAGE, 81 IS OUR AVERAGE HIGH, 58 WAS OUR LOW, SUNSET AT 12 MINUTES AFTER 9:00.

BEMIDJI REACHING A HIGH OF 81, SO A LITTLE ON THE WARM SIDE, 60 FOR THE LOW, AND SUNSET AT 9:20.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE HAVE SOME CLOUD COVER IN PARTS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA EARLY IN THE DAY, BUT OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE PRETTY SUNNY AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAYTIME HOURS TOMORROW.

AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO BE HOT, IT'S GOING TO BE HUMID OUT THERE.

WE WILL BE SEEING THE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID, MAYBE EVEN SOME UPPER 80s ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR VIEWING AREA.

HEADING INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA, HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM ANYWHERE NEAR 85 TO 90.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES, AREAS OF SMOKE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA WITH LOWS NEAR 59.

MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW, 85 FOR THE HIGH, SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

THE WEEKEND FORECAST, WE'LL BE SEEING HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS CONTINUING INTO JULY 4TH AND THEN THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH IN THE AFTERNOON, TRIGGERING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, POSSIBLY SOME SEVERE ONES, POSSIBLY HEAVY RAINFALL, HIGHS ON FRIDAY NEAR 90, BUT THE COLD FRONT WILL BRING IN SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE UNSETTLED WEATHER, ESPECIALLY ON SATURDAY BUT SLIGHT CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE NOW WITH OUR SPORTS.

>> Charlie: YEAH, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF STORM DAMAGE THAT WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIX HERE IN BEMIDJI.

OBVIOUSLY THE BIG TIME HIGH PRIORITY CRITICAL DAMAGE TAKEN CARED OF BUT NOW SOME OF THE ANCILLARY THINGS.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE COMING UP [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> IT'S BEEN ALMOST WEEK SINCE THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS HIT BEMIDJI AND NOW THAT MOST OF THE HIGH PRIORITY OR CRITICAL DAMAGE HAS EITHER BEEN FIXED OR IS BEING WORKED ON, ATTENTION IS SHIFTING TOWARDS OTHER DAMAGE, LIKE ATHLETIC FACILITIES.

BEMIDJI SCHOOLS SPENT THE BETTER PART OF LAST WEEK ASSESSING THE DAMAGE DONE TO ALL FACILITIES AND GENERATING A PLAN TO PUT BACK WHAT THE STORM MOVED.

TODAY, I HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH BEMIDJI SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT JEREMY OLSON, WHO IS OPTIMISTIC NEARLY ALL THEIR OUTDOOR ATHLETIC FACILITIES WILL BE READY TO GO BY NEXT WEEK, SANS THE LIGHT POLE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS COURTS.

>> IT'S CHALLENGING TO LOOK AT YOUR DISTRICT AND SEE THIS MUCH DAMAGE HAPPENING, BUT YOU KNOW, IT RESEMBLES WHAT THE COMMUNITY FACED TOO.

WE HAD A LOT OF DAMAGE AND OUR SPORTS FACILITIES, OUR OUTDOOR FACILITIES.

WE HAVE A BUILDING GROUND DEPARTMENT THAT INITIATED CALLS TO VARIOUS VENDORS, OUR INSURANCE PROVIDERS, SO FORTH, AND REALLY GOT THE CLEAN UP EFFORT MOVING VERY QUICKLY, WHICH WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR RECOVERY EFFORT.

>> Charlie: NOT SURE WHAT THE COST OF THE ATHLETIC REPAIRS WILL BE BUT THE DAMAGES ARE STILL BEING ASSESSED THERE.

>>> BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY HAS OPTED OUT OF THE NCAA HOUSE SETTLEMENT, A DECISION THEY MADE AT THE DEADLINE ON MONDAY.

AFTER MONTHS OF DELIBERATION, OPTING INTO THE HOUSE SETTLEMENT ALLOWS A SCHOOL TO PAY UP TO $20.5 MILLION TOTAL TO STUDENT-ATHLETES FOR THEIR NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS, WHILE ALSO GIVING SCHOLARSHIPS TO EVERY PLAYER ON A ROSTER.

AS A CONCESSION, ROSTERS ARE CAPPED, ESSENTIALLY GETTING RID OF WALK-ONS.

AS DIVISION ONE SPORTS, BSU MEN'S AND WOMEN'S HOCKEY WOULD HAVE SEEN THE BIGGEST IMPACT WITH ROSTER SIZES THAT EXCEED CURRENT LIMITS SET FORTH BY THE SETTLEMENT, COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT THE SCHOOL'S ATHLETIC SET UP IS MULTI-DIVISIONAL.

THEY DECIDED TO ASSESS THE LANDSCAPE BEFORE JUMPING INTO UNKNOWN WATERS.

>> THIS IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE TO THE NCAA THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN 50 YEARS, MAYBE IN THE ENTIRE EXISTENCE OF THE NCAA.

AS WE WERE LOOKING AT IT, WE WERE THINKING IN THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS PLAY OUT IN REAL-TIME.

IF WE DON'T HAVE TO JUMP INTO SOMETHING THAT HAS SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY, WHY DON'T WE STAY IN OUR WHEELHOUSE WHERE WE KNOW THIS IS HOW WE NEED TO RECRUIT, THIS IS HOW WE NEED TO SCHOLARSHIP, THIS IS HOW WE ENGAGE OUR DONORS AND ALUMNI TO KEEP BEAVER HOCKEY MOVING FORWARD AND SEE WHAT ARE THE PITFALLS, THE ADVANTAGES, AND GO FROM THERE.

WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR WHOLE DEPARTMENT AND MAKE SURE WE'RE MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION.

AS I SAID BEFORE, IT'S WHEN WE DECIDE TO JUMP IN, IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE JUMPING IN AND NOT BEING PUSHED.

>> BSU CAN OPT-IN TO THE NCAA HOUSE SETTLEMENT NEXT YEAR IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

IN THE MEANTIME, BEMIDJI STATE ATHLETES CAN STILL EARN NIL MONEY AS LONG AS THEY REPORT IT THROUGH NIL GO, A DATABASE FOR ALL NAME-IMAGE-LIKENESS DEALS FOR DIVISION ONE ATHLETES.

>> Dennis: YEAH, GETTING COMPLICATED.

>> Charlie: IT IS A LITTLE BIT, BUT THE ATHLETES ARE GETTING PAID.

THAT'S THE GIST OF IT.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> STAYING ACTIVE IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF BEING HEALTHY.

BUT IN OUR BUSY LIVES IT CAN SOMETIMES BE HARD TO FIND THE TIME TO WORK OUT.

IN TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER HAS SIMPLE WAYS TO WORK EXERCISE INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE.

>> Reporter: FROM WORK TO FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY, OUR SCHEDULES TEND TO STACK UP.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS I HEAR WHEN IT COMES TO EXERCISE, I JUST DON'T HAVE THE TIME.

>> Reporter: BUT PART OF STAYING HEALTHY IS BEING ACTIVE.

THE C.D.C.

SAYS ADULTS NEED AT LEAST 150 MINUTES OF MODERATE INTENSITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY A WEEK AND TWO DAYS OF MUSCLE STRENGTHENING ACTIVITY EVERY WEEK.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET IT DONE ALL AT ONCE.

IT CAN BE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT, IT'S OKAY TO TAKE IT SLOW SAYS DR. SANJAY GUPTA.

>> RESEARCH SHOWS A 5 MINUTE WALK WILL DO YOU GOOD.

JUST GET MOVING SOMEHOW.

1 FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER AND INCORPORATE IT INTO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE.

>> Reporter: START THE HABIT OF EXERCISE BY SLOWLY ADDING TO THOSE SHORT WALKS.

GUPTA SAID MAKE SLIGHT CHANGES TO INCREASE YOUR STEPS, PARK FURTHER AWAY FROM A STORE OR WORK OR TAKE THE STAIRS INSTEAD OF THE ELEVATOR BUT HE SAID TO COMMIT TO TAKING THAT FIVE MINUTE OR MORE WALK EVERY DAY.

>> THIS SNACK SIZE EXERCISE ROUTINE CAN LEAD TO LONGER WALKS AND WORKOUTS.

IT USUALLY TAKES TWO TO THREE WEEKS FOR SOMETHING TO BECOME A HABIT BUT IF YOU CAN BUILD UP 11 MINUTES OF MODERATE ACTIVITY A DAY, YOU CAN LOWER YOUR RISK OF CANCER, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, PREMATURE DEATH.

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

>> THE C.D.C.

SAYS EXERCISE THAT REQUIRES MODERATE EFFORT IS SAFE FOR MOST PEOPLE BUT IF YOU HAVE AN UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITION, LIKE HEART DISEASE OR DIABETES, THE AGENCY SAYS TO TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THE TYPES AND AMOUNTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THAT ARE RIGHT FOR YOU.

>>> WE HAVE A CHANCE TO GET ONE MORE LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

WE HEAD BACK TO STACY.

>> Stacy: WE WILL BE SEEING CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OVERNIGHT, SOME AREAS OF SMOKE ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

LOWS WILL BE NEAR 59, TOMORROW, SUNNY, HOT AND HUMID, WE WILL BE SEEING HIGHS IN THE MID-80s, SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS AT 5 TO 20.

>> Charlie: AND THE TWINS GOT A WIN TONIGHT, 2-1 OVER THE MARLINS.

>> Dennis: HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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