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C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> SOURCEWELL; BOOSTING STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

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>> 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.

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

>>> LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK HAS REOPENED MANY OF THEIR TRAILS JUST THREE WEEKS AFTER THE JUNE 21ST STORM.

HOWEVER, SOME AREAS OF THE PARK WILL STILL BE CLOSED INDEFINITELY.

OUR REPORTER MATTHEW FREEMAN SPOKE WITH STATE PARK AND D.N.R.

OFFICIALS TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MUCH THE STORM IMPACTED THE ENVIRONMENT IN STATE PARK.

>> Reporter: LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK HAS A TOTAL OF 1,700 ACRES OF FORESTED LAND, OVER HALF IMPACTED IN SOME WAY BY THE JUNE 21ST DERECHO STORM.

>> THESE FORESTS IN OUR PARK TOOK THE BIGGEST DAMAGE FROM THESE LARGE WINDS, THE LARGER PINES WERE REALLY BADLY IMPACTED.

BECAUSE THE WINDS WERE NOT TOTALLY STRAIGHT LINE, THEY ARE POCKETS.

SO IT HAS TAKEN US THREE WEEKS TO FIND MOST OF THOSE POCKETS.

WE DO HAVE SOME REALLY GOOD DATA ACROSS THE STATE AND COUNTY LAND THAT LIKELY IS ABOUT 10,000 ACRES OF HEAVILY DAMAGED FORESTED LAND.

WE HAVE BEEN STRATEGIZING AND PRIORITIING AREAS HEAVILY HIT.

>> Reporter: WILDFIRES, FLOODING, AND HEAVY WINDS CAUSE MANY DISTURBANCES TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

THESE ARE CONSIDERED A HEALTHY THING THAT ALLOWS THE IMPACTED ECOSYSTEM TO ADAPT.

>> THIS IS FAR MORE THAN WE USUALLY SEE.

WE'RE HAVING TO SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME TRYING TO LOOK AT WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE, THE HEAVY BLOW DOWN AREAS ARE.

WE HAVE PROBABLY ABOUT 100 ACRES OF PRETTY BADLY IMPACTED BLOW DOWN, WHERE THERE IS NOT JUST MUCH LEFT STANDING.

>> Reporter: STATE PARK AND D.N.R.

OFFICIALS ARE WORKING TO REMOVE DAMAGED TREES IN THE AREA AS LEAVING THEM DOWN CAN CAUSE SOME DRASTIC IMPACTS.

>> THE STORM HASN'T HAPPENED IN MID-JUNE, WHERE THEY HAVEN'T PUT ON THEIR CONES YET, SO THEY HAVEN'T DROPPED THEIR SEED SOURCE.

THEY'RE SHADING OUT AND COVERING THE GROUND SO THAT THE NEW SEEDLINGS THAT WILL COME UP UNDERNEATH, THEY DON'T HAVE A CHANCE.

IT'S AFTER A HARVEST OR WIND EVENT, YOU HAVE THE RISK OF NOT HAVING A FOREST IN THE FUTURE IF WE DON'T ACTIVELY MANAGE OUR FOREST STAND.

>> Reporter: OTHER CONCERN IS POTENTIAL OF INSECT AND DISEASE OUTBREAKS CAUSED BY THE DOWNED TREES IN THE PARK, PARTICULARLY THE PINE BARK BEETLE.

>> THEY'RE IN OUR PINE FOREST TO SOME EXTENT BUT WHEN WE HAVE ISSUES WITH THEM IS WHEN WE START GETTING A LOT OF STRESSED, DEAD, OR DYING TREES.

WHEN TREES SNAP OFF, THEY RELEASE HORMONES THAT ATTRACT BUGS AND INSECTS AND THEY GET UNDERNEATH THE BARK AND YOU RUN THE RISK OF SUBJECTING THE HEALTHY TREES TO THE BUGS.

>> Reporter: THE STATE PARK HOPES TO REGAIN THE ECONOMIC VALUE LOST BY ESTABLISHING TIMBER SALES WITH LOCAL LOGGERS.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE UTILIZING THE RESOURCE EFFECTIVELY AND PROTECTING IT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> IT'S 1,700 ACRES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF AREAS WHERE WE WON'T REMOVE ALL THE BLOWN TOWN -- DOWN TREES, BUT WE WILL TRY TO GET THE LOGGERS TO COME IN AND REMOVE THIS STUFF, TAKE IT TO MARKET, THAT'S DESIRABLE FOR US.

IT SAVES US DOLLARS AND TIME IN THE LONG RUN.

MY GOAL IS TO GET THESE STANDS REPLANTED AS QUICKLY AS I CAN.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BEMIDJI, I'M MATTHEW FREEMAN, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> WE WILL HAVE MORE DETAILS ON WHAT'S OFFICIALLY OPEN AND WHAT WILL BE CLOSED OFF INDEFINITELY IN LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK LATER THIS WEEK.

>>> TWO FIREFIGHTERS WERE INJURED AFTER RESPONDING TO A HOUSE FIRE NEAR BEMIDJI ON SUNDAY.

AROUND 9:15 P.M., 41 FIREFIGHTERS AND 14 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT, RESPONDED TO THE SCENE ON BLACK LAKE ROAD ABOUT 13 MILES NORTH OF BEMIDJI.

A SINGLE STORY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN FLAMES WHEN THEY ARRIVED.

FIREFIGHTERS SPENT ABOUT THREE AND HALF HOURS ON THE SCENE AND CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO PEOPLE OR PETS IN THE BUILDING.

THE TWO FIREFIGHTERS WHO WERE INJURED WERE TREATED AND RELEASED AT THE SCENE.

THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT BEMIDJI FIRE CHIEF JUSTIN SHERWOOD SAYS IT APPEARS TO BE ACCIDENTAL.

>>> THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE HAS IDENTIFIED THE PERSON WHO DIED IN A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH SOUTH OF BOWLUS ON JULY 11TH.

ACCORDING TO SHERIFF SHAWN LARSEN, THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT 25-YEAR-OLD JUAN RODRIGUEZ OF TAMPA, FLORIDA WAS DRIVING A CAR WESTBOUND ON 30TH STREET WHEN HE FAILED TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN.

HIS VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK BY A PICKUP TRUCK DRIVEN BY 37-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM ANDERSON OF FULDA, WHO WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON 120TH AVE.

THE COLLISION CAUSED BOTH VEHICLES TO ROLL AND COME TO REST IN A DITCH, WHERE A POWER POLE WAS ALSO STRUCK.

FIRST RESPONDERS PERFORMED LIFESAVING MEASURES ON RODRIGUEZ BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND RODRIGUEZ PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

ANDERSON WAS NOT INJURED IN THE CRASH.

THE INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL IS ASSISTING WITH RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CRASH.

>>> THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP TO FIND A 61-YEAR-OLD BRAINERD WOMAN REPORTED MISSING ON SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2025.

CORY DEGEEST IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE FEMALE 5 FOOT 1 INCH TALL, WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 150 POUNDS WITH SANDY BROWN HAIR AND BLUE EYES.

SHE WAS LAST SEEN WALKING ON BEECH STREET IN BRAINERD ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO.

AUTHORITIES ARE CONCERNED FOR HER WELLBEING DUE TO PRE-EXISTING CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT DEGEEST'S WHEREABOUTS, PLEASE CONTACT THE BRAINERD POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>>> HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA CAME OUT ON SATURDAY TO PROTEST AND DEMAND COURAGE, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER.

REPRESENTATIVE STAUBER RECENTLY VOTED IN FAVOR OF WHAT HAS BEEN DUBBED THE “BIG, BEAUTIFUL BIL”" BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

PROTESTERS ARGUED THAT HIS VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL WOULD DIRECTLY HARM RESIDENTS IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 8, INCLUDING CUTS TO MEDICAID AND SNAP FUNDING.

PROTESTS WERE ALSO HELD IN HERMANTOWN, CHISHOLM, AND FOREST LAKE AS A COORDINATED EFFORT TO PROTEST REPRESENTATIVE STAUBER' SANCTIONS.

>>> 70% OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL DISTRICTS OPERATE LEVIES TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR FUNDING.

THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD VOTED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE PUBLIC CAN VOTE ON A REFERENDUM OF THEIR OWN.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: OUTSIDE THE WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL CENTER IN BRAINERD, PEOPLE GATHERED TO PROTEST THE SCHOOL BOARD MOVING FORWARD WITH AN OPERATION DEAF I HAVE WITHOUT A PUBLIC VOTE.

ALISON IS NOT AGAINST THE REFERENDUM, BUT SHE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE HEARD WHEN MAKING A DECISION.

>> IT'S NOT YES OR NO, IT'S THAT WE WANT TO VOICE OUR OPINION.

I SUPPORT A LEVY TO SUPPORT THE STAFF.

WE HAVE THE MOST WONDERFUL STAFF AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM STAY AROUND.

>> EVEN IF IT DIDN'T GET PASSED, THAT WOULD BE FINE, BUT I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT.

>> Reporter: IT WAS AN INTERESTING SCENE WITH STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS ALIKE LINING THE WALLS TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

>> THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO FUND OUR SCHOOLS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHO WILL DECIDE THAT.

LET US DECIDE.

>> THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENT ARGUMENTS, DIFFERENT OPINIONS, AND DIFFERENT OPINIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAD A GOOD DISTRICT HERE FOR A LONG TIME.

PEOPLE COME, PEOPLE TELL ME THEY MOVE HERE BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOLS.

THAT'S AN ASSET TO EVERYBODY.

THAT'S AN ASSET TO EVERY BUSINESS OWNER AND EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY.

BOTTOM LINE, LET US DECIDE.

>> I MAY NOT BE A TEACHER IN THIS DISTRICT, BUT AS A PARENT, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW HEAVY IT MUST FEEL TO BE ASKED TO DO MORE WITH LESS, TO SEE VITAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS PULLED AWAY FROM KIDS YOU CARE ABOUT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

PUTTING A LEVY ON THE BALLOT IS NOT ABOUT FORCING AN OUTCOME, IT'S ABOUT LETTING OUR COMMUNITY DECIDE WHAT KIND OF SCHOOLS AND WHAT KIND OF FUTURE WE WANT HERE.

>> Reporter: OF THE MANY PEOPLE THAT SPOKE DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WANTED ONE THING, THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

>> AND THE FIRST WORD ON THE BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL'S LOGO IS OPPORTUNITY AND YOU LISTENED TO MANY PEOPLE WHO JUST WANT THE OPPORTUNITY, THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE, TO SAY YES OR NO.

THAT'S ALL THEY WANTED.

MY STUDENTS, MY KIDS WANT THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT PAST STUDENTS HAVE HAD.

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

>> AFTER AN HOUR OF DELIBERATION, THE MOTION TO HOLD A REFERENDUM THIS FALL FAILED TO PASS IN A 3-3 TIE VOTE.

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

>> Stacy: AREAS OF SMOKE WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR AIR QUALITY IN MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA AND WE COULD BE SEEING SOME STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING IN TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

I'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK IN THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, THE DRUNKEN NOODLE RESTAURANT HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVE IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> THE THIRD ANNUAL ‘BABE'S BURNOUT CAR SHOW' TOOK PLACE THIS WEEKEND IN THE SANFORD CENTER PARKING LOT AND MORE THAN 100 CARS WERE SHOWN OFF TO THE THOUSANDS OF ATTENDEES.

EVERY YEAR THE SHOW HAS GROWN AND THIS YEAR'S WAS THE BIGGEST YET.

THE BEMIDJI COMMUNITY SAW ALL DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODELS OF CARS AND TRUCKS FROM THE EARLY 1900S ALL THE WAY UP TO 2025.

ALONGSIDE THE LIVE MUSIC AND FOOD, THE BIGGEST EVENT OF THE DAY, AND THE CAR SHOW'S NAMESAKE, THE BURNOUT PIT, FILLED THE AREA WITH SMOKE.

AND ALTHOUGH NOT NORMALLY THOUGHT OF AS A GREAT FRAGRANCE BY SOME, THE SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER BROUGHT IN MORE THAN 7,000 PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

>> BEING HERE IN BEMIDJI, I'M BRAND NEW.

I LOVE THE COMMUNITY.

EVERYONE WANTS TO TALK, THEY'RE FRIENDLY AND ENERGETIC.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST HAVING FUN.

>> YEAH, THERE ARE A LOT OF CAR ENTHUSIASTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT WHAT'S REALLY COOL IS WATCHING THE YOUNGER COMMUNITY COME OUT.

THERE ARE A TON OF CARS.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE HERE THAN I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE.

IT'S LIKE BEING WELCOMED IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S REALLY COOL.

>> HALF OF THIS YEAR'S EVENT PROCEEDS WERE DONATED TO THE BEMIDJI UNITED WAY'S DISASTER RELIEF FUND, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT THAT ALSO TOOK PLACE THAT DAY.

SO ALONG WITH ENJOYING COOL CARS FOR A DAY.

THE VISITORS TO BABE'S BURNOUT CAR SHOW WERE ALSO DONATING TO RECOVERY EFFORTS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>>> LIVE MUSIC SHOWS AND CONCERTS ARE COMMON IN THE SUMMERTIME, BUT THEY ARE A LITTLE LESS COMMON TO BE PERFORMED ON AN ISLAND.

THE ‘EMPTY COOLER BAND' HAS BEEN PERFORMING IN AND AROUND THE BEMIDJI AREA FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, BUT ARE NOW LOOKING TO PLAY A KIND OF SHOW THAT THEY'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.

THE FOUR-PERSON ENSEMBLE IS SET TO PERFORM ON STAR ISLAND IN CASS LAKE THIS UPCOMING SATURDAY, JULY 19TH.

THE BAND HAS BEEN PLANNING THE SHOW FOR MONTHS, AND THIS WILL # # # BE THEIR FIRST EVER SHOW ON THE WATERS OF STAR ISLAND.

THEY PLAN ON SETTING UP ON A BARGE ON STAR ISLAND AND PEOPLE CAN ANCHOR THEIR BOATS ALONG THE BEACH AND ENJOYING THE LIVE SHOW, AND THE AFTERNOON OF ACTIVITIES IS ALL BROUGHT ABOUT BY LOCAL SPONSORS.

>> EVERYBODY LOVES MUSIC.

WELL, LET'S JUST PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER OUT THERE WHERE IT'S A LITTLE MORE ORGANIZED, THAT'S THE DIFFICULTY OF IT.

I MEAN GETTING A BARGE, GETTING THE STAGE SET UP, THE DOCKS, IT'S PRETTY COOL TO BE GOING OUT THERE AND BEING IN THE PLACE THAT I GREW UP AND HAD FUN ON THE LAKE ALL THE TIME.

I WANTED TO SHOW MY APPRECIATION AND AFTER THE STORM, THEY GOT HIT PRETTY ROUGH.

SO I THOUGHT, WHY NOT?

YOU KNOW, GIVE SOME MUSIC.

>> ALONG WITH THE MUSIC THERE WILL BE GIVEAWAYS, FOOD AND DRINKS, AND AN AFTER PARTY THAT IS OPEN TO ALL.

THE CONCERT IS SET TO START ON SATURDAY, JULY 19TH, AT 2:00 P.M. AND FREE WILL DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED, BUT THE SHOW ITSELF IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

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

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

AND HERE ARE TONIGHTS 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 CRAGUNS VACATION GRAND PRIZE WINNER, WHICH WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING IN A LIVE DRAWING ON THE MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH NEWSCAST.

>>> TIME FOR WEATHER, STACY JOINS US NOW.

WELL, THE SMOKE THIS WEEKEND WAS AS BAD AS I THINK WE'VE HAD.

OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE HAD A LOT OF SMOKE IN THE AIR FROM CANADIAN WILDFIRES.

>> Stacy: IT CONTINUES TO AFFECT OUR AIR QUALITY ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE THE AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL TOMORROW, WE'RE EXPECTING ANOTHER ROUND OF SMOKE AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH.

THAT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRIGGERING SHOWERS AND [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪] >> Stacy: WELL, AFTER A RELATIVELY QUIET BUT SMOKEY DAY TODAY, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE OUR WEATHER PATTERN BECOME MORE ACTIVE WITH SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA ALREADY THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING, MORE ANTICIPATED OVERNIGHT AND TOMORROW.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE WILL STILL BE CONTENDING WITH THE WILDFIRE SMOKE SO THE AIR QUALITY IN MOST OF THE VIEWING AREA WILL BE DIMINISHED AGAIN, AT LEAST THROUGH TOMORROW.

MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND.

HERE ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN BEMIDJI, IT'S 72 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT.

AT OUR STUDIO, WE HAVE AN EAST WIND AT 6 MILES PER HOUR, THE DEW POINT IS 63, AND HUMIDITY IS AT 71%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE CLEAR SKIES AND 77 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 64.

PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE CALM.

MUCH OF THE VIEWING AREA IS UNDER AN AIR QUALITY ALERT.

THIS IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY.

NORTHEAST MINNESOTA, THE AIR QUALITY INDEX IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE RED OR UNHEALTHY CATEGORY AND IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, IT IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE ORANGE CATEGORY, MEANING THE AIR WILL BE UNHEALTHY FOR PEOPLE IN SENSITIVE GROUPS.

NOW IN ADDITION TO THE AREAS OF SMOKE STILL LINGERING IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT, WE HAVE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE FAR NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE.

AS A COLD FRONT BEGINS TO DROP INTO MINNESOTA STARTING TONIGHT AND CONTINUING INTO TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE THE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY MOVING SOUTHWARD.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF MAYBE AN ISOLATED STORM COULD BECOME STRONG OR SEVERE IN MUCH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT AND MORE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOMORROW.

WE COULD ALSO SEE SOME HEAVY RAINFALL WITH THIS SYSTEM AS WE AGAIN ARE GOING TO BE SEEING THAT SMOKE INFILTRATING THE AREA BEHIND THAT FRONT.

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

RANDY CATCHING THE WIND, JUST THE RIGHT TIME TO UNFURL THAT FLAG IN BRAINERD.

SOME DEER SPOTTED, RALPH WITH A FAWN.

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS IN BLOOM THROUGHOUT THE AREA, GARY SENDING US THIS PHOTO, JOAN IN LAPORTE, AND DYLAN CAPTURING THE BEAUTIFUL SUNSET AT PELICAN LAKE.

THANKS FOR SHARING THOSE.

NOW FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, BOB IN BLUFFTON, SUN WITH LIGHT SMOKE, HIGH OF 81.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD, HIGH OF 86.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, SUN BUT HUMID AND THE HIGH WAS 84.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD TOPPING OUT AT 86, A FEW DEGREES ABOVE THE AVERAGE.

A LOW OF 59.

BEMIDJI WAS CLOSE TO OUR AVERAGE HIGH AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE HIGH WAS THE AVERAGE AT 79, AND 1 DEGREE ABOVE OUR AVERAGE LOW WITH A LOW OF 59.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW, WE'LL HAVE THE FIRST ROUND OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH, COULD SEE SOME STRONG STORMS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE MORNING.

THAT ACTIVITY WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE DAY WITH MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POPPING UP AND DEVELOPING AS THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH.

IT WILL DRAPE SOME MORE SMOKE INTO THE AREA AND ONCE AGAIN, THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE.

A 1 IN 5 CHANCE OF SEEING STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS, HIGHS ACROSS THE NORTH SHOULD BE IN THE LOW TO MID-70s, AND AS WE HEAD INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA AHEAD OF THE FRONT, WE SHOULD SEE HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-80s, MAYBE 87 IN LITTLE FALLS.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY FOR MOST OF THE AREA TONIGHT, A SMALLER CHANCE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

FOR TOMORROW, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY WITH OTHERWISE PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES, HIGHS NEAR 77.

LOOKING AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, SOME OF THOSE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LINGER INTO WEDNESDAY.

COOLER TEMPERATURES WEDNESDAY AS WELL, WE DO START TO WARM UP LATE THIS WEEK, BUT WE COULD SEE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AGAIN THROUGH AT LEAST THE START OF THE WEEKEND.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Dennis: OKAY, THANKS STACY.

CHARLIE IS HERE, ALL-STAR BREAK FOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

>> Charlie: IT STARTED TODAY AND THAT MEANS THE HOME RUN DERBY.

THIS YEAR, THE MINNESOTA TWINS HAD BYRON BUXTON PLAY IN THE DERBY.

HAVEN'T HAD SOMEONE FROM THE TWINS PLAYING IT.

WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHLIGHT FROM THAT AND MO [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

[♪♪♪] >>> LOVE IT OR HATE IT, THE MLB ALLSTAR BREAK JUST WOULDN'T FEEL RIGHT WITHOUT THE HOME RUN DERBY TO KICK THINGS OFF, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2014, THE TWINS HAD A PARTICIPANT, 11 YEARS AFTER BRIAN DOZIER, AND 17 YEARS AFTER JUSTIN MORNEAU WON THE WHOLE THING.

BYRON BUXTON IS REPPING MINNESOTA IN THE DERBY.

HE WE ABLE TO HIT 15 OVER THE WALL, AND GOT 5 MORE IN THE BONUS ROUND FOR 20 TOTAL.

HE QUALIFIED FOR THE SECOND ROUND AND HE SHOWED SOME FATIGUE THERE, MUSTERING 7 LONG BALLS.

HE GOT KNOCKED OUT BY JUNIOR.

IT WAS CAL FROM SEATTLE THAT WOULD BEAT THEM ALL.

THE BIG DUMPER ABSOLUTELY WAKEN IN THE FINAL ROUND.

HIS DAD WAS THE ONE PITCHING, YOUNGER BROTHER CATCHING, 54 TOTAL HOMERS WHAT HE HIT.

THE FOURTH TIME A MARINER WON THE AWARD WITH THE SECOND TO DO IT, PRETTY GOOD COMPANY THERE.

THAT'S KEN AND HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST TO DO IT.

>>> WELL, ONLY 6 CLASSES TOOK THE TRACK ON WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY AT THE BEMIDJI SPEEDWAY.

WE'LL START OFF WITH THE MODIFIEDS, IT WAS THE DOYLE ERICKSON IN THE NUMBER 99 FROM BAGLEY WHO'D TAKE HIS HEAT AND THE FEATURE RACE, HIS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON.

IN THE MOD FOURS, HIS SON, BLAKE ERICKSON WOULD SWEEP THE HEAT AND FEATURE AS WELL.

IT'S HIS FIRST WIN AT BEMIDJI SINCE OPENING WEEKEND, HIS THIRD WIN OVERALL, AND IN THE SUPER STOCKS, IN HIS 26TH FEATURES THIS SEASON, MATT SPARBY OF BEMIDJI FINALLY PICKED UP HIS FIRST WIN AFTER FINISHING THIRD IN HIS HEAT.

ROUNDING OUT THE OTHER SIX FEATURES ON THE EVENING.

NEXT WEEK, GREAT RIVER RESCUE NIGHT, FANS GET $2 OFF ADMISSION IF YOU BRING A PET RELATED ITEM FOR DONATION.

HORNETS AND MODIFIES WILL HAVE THE DAY OFF.

>>> WELL, EVEN THE WORLD OF DRAGON BOATING HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE JUNE 21ST DERECHO THAT HIT BEMIDJI.

EVERY TUESDAY DURING THE SUMMER, THE FIRST CITY DRAGON BOAT CLUB HOLDS PRACTICES OUT OF DIAMOND POINT PARK FOR TEAMS AND INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO GET THEIR PADDLE ON AHEAD OF BEMIDJI'S ANNUAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL.

BUT WITH THE PARK CURRENTLY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO THE CLEANUP OF STORM DAMAGE, THE CLUB HAD THE IDEA TO MOVE ONE OF THE BOATS TO RUTTGER'S BIRCHMONT LODGE TO CONTINUE HOLDING PRACTICES, UNTIL IT'S TIME FOR THE DRAGON BOAT RACES, WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE CITY, MEMBERS OF THE CLUB AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS WERE ESCORTED THROUGH THE PARK TO THE BOAT HOUSE.

FROM THERE THE GROUP SET SAIL FOR AN HOUR-LONG PADDLE TO THE NORTH SHORE OF THE LAKE, WHERE THEY PARKED THE BOAT ON THE RUTTGER'S BEACH.

>> WE JUST CANNOT ACCESS DIAMOND POINT SAFELY UNTIL EARLY AUGUST.

WELL, THE FESTIVAL IS OVER BY THEN.

MY WIFE AND I APPROACHED RUTGERS EARLIER THIS WEEK AND THEY JUST GRACIOUSLY OPENED THEIR ARMS AND SAID COME ON DOWN.

SO THIS IS FANTASTIC.

IT'S A GREAT LOCATION TOO.

>> IT WAS VERY SHORT NOTICE, SO WE TAPPED INTO THE HIGH SCHOOL NORDIC SKI TEAM'S WHITE CAPS.

WE HAVE THE ALUMNI SKIERS AND RUNNERS CALLED THE WAVE RUNNERS.

WE HAVE THE CROSS COUNTRY SKI CLUB SNOW DRAGONS.

YOU HAVE THE HYDRA HEADS AND WOOLY IRISHMEN ALL MIXED INTO ONE NIGHT OF PADDLING.

>> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT A PRIVATE SESSION OR TIMES FOR ONE OF THE THREE REMAINING TUESDAY NIGHT PRACTICES.

YOU CAN REACH OUT TO EITHER MARK OR MIKE AT THE NUMBERS LISTED HERE.

THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL RUNS FROM WEDNESDAY JULY 30TH THROUGH SATURDAY AUGUST 2ND.

SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

IT'S NOT TOO FAR OFF.

>> Dennis: RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, MAKING THE BEST OF A TOUGH SITUATION.

>> Charlie: ABSOLUTELY, BUT AT LEAST THEY GET TO CONTINUE DOING SOMETHING THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVE.

>> Dennis: THANKS CHARLIE.

DRUNKEN NOODLE HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED IN DOWNTOWN BRAINERD, AS THE PAD TYE RESTAURANT IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON LAUREL STREET.

REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE FOR ITS GRAND OPENING THIS MORNING FOR THE LATEST IN THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: DRUNKEN NOODLE CO-OWNER WHO ALSO CO OWNS SOUTHEAST ASIAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN RESTAURANT CHICKEN RICE IS LOOKING TO BRING THE TOWN MORE CUISINE FROM THAT REGION OF THE WORLD.

>> I'M FROM THAILAND, RIGHT?

IN THAI FOOD, THAT'S MY ORIGIN ROUTE.

WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEM MORE VARIETY.

>> Reporter: DRUNKEN NOODLE FEATURES FRESH TRADITIONAL THAI DISHES.

>> THAI CUISINE IS NOODLES, RICE, AND PAD THAI IS OUR NUMBER ONE SELLER.

IT'S NOODLE WITH A TAMRIND SAUCE.

>> Reporter: HAVING ESTABLISHMENTS AS FAR AS FARGO, NORTH CAROLINA, WHERE THEY FIRST BROKE GROUND IN 2009, LOOKING TO FILL A DESIRE FOR MORE THAI AND ASIAN INFLUENCED FOOD IN MINNESOTA.

>> WE HAVE MANY THINGS TO OFFER FROM MILD TO SPICY.

BRAINERD IS THE AREA WHERE WE CAN SERVE PEOPLE YEAR ROUND BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD POPULATION AND IT'S LIKE THE FOOD WE OPEN IN DOWNTOWN.

I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE FOOD AND CULTURE TO THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: DRUNKEN NOODLES ALSO KNOWN AS PAD KEE MOW IS A SPICY STIR FRIED DISH MADE WITH WIDE RICE NOODLES, VEGETABLES, AND MEAT, SEASONED WITH SOY SAUCE, FISH SAUCE, AND CHILI PEPPERS, SOMETHING THEY LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF FOODIES THAT LIKE TO TRY NEW THINGS.

THERE IS THE VEGETABLE, THE CARB, AND THE PROTEIN TOGETHER.

IT'S A GOOD MEAL, IT'S FAST, AND IT'S GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-BUSINESS, MILES WALKER, LAKELAND NEWS.

[CHEERING].

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

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYBODY.

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

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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