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

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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.

[♪♪♪] >> Matthew: HEY EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

MY NAME IS MATTHEW FREEMAN FILLING IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN WITH YOUR LAKELAND NEWS.

>>> DISCUSSION AROSE DURING LAST WEEK'S BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WITH THE DISTRICT'S MEMBERSHIP TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE UP FOR ITS ANNUAL RENEWAL.

REPORTER MILES WALKER WAS IN ATTENDANCE, AND HAS MORE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE BRAINERD SCHOOL DISTRICT'S AGREEMENT WITH THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE IS A YEARLY OCCURRENCE FOLLOWING EVERY SCHOOL YEAR BUT A COUPLE OF PARENTS TOOK THE ROUTINE DISCUSSION IN ANOTHER DIRECTION.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THEY AMEND OUR PARTICIPATION IN GIRLS SPORTS SO THAT WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY BRAINERD GIRLS SPORTS TEAM TO PARTICIPATE AGAINST A TEAM WITH A BIOLOGICAL MALE ON IT.

>> LET'S KEEP GIRLS SPORTS SAFE AND EQUAL.

>> Reporter: CARLSON CITED THE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT WHICH SAW PARK TAKE THE CROWN, A TEAM THAT FEATURED A TRANSGENDER ATHLETE AS THEIR STARTING PITCHER.

>> TEAMS WERE ROBBED OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE BECAUSE ANABELLE LED HER TEAM TO WIN STATE LAST YEAR OUT OF THEIR SECTION.

SHE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO GET BACK BECAUSE OF THE UNFAIR BIOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE.

>> Reporter: THEY PROHIBITED TRANSGENDER TEENS TO PLAY SINCE 2017.

HOWEVER, THAT IS NOT EASING THE MINDS OF SOME BRAINERD PARENTS.

>> BIOLOGICAL MALES ON AVERAGE HAVE PHYSICAL ADVANTAGES IN TERMS OF STRENGTH, SPEED, AND ENDURANCE DUE TO THE TESTOSTERONE AND MUSCLE MASS DEVELOPMENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER PUBERTY.

GIRLS DESERVE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND A CHANCE TO WIN BASED ON HARD WORK, NOT BIOLOGY.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH CARLSON VOICED THEIR INTEREST IN ADDING A CAVEAT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR, BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL PUBLIC SUPERINTENDENT SAID THAT IT COULD WARRANT DISCUSSION WITH THE CENTRAL LAKES CONFERENCE, IT'S A SEPARATE TALK THAN WITH THE LEAGUE.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE TO BE PART OF THE LEAGUE OTHERWISE YOU CAN'T PARTICIPATE.

UNTIL IT GETS FIGURED OUT IN D.C. WITH TITLE 9, MINNESOTA WILL STAY WHERE THEY'RE AT.

WE CAN DETERMINE WHAT THE CRITERIA IS GOING TO BE.

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

>> THE BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO RENEW ITS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR.

>>> CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE IN MINNESOTA TO THE RULE THAT BANNED AMERICAN-INDIAN MASCOTS.

UNDER THE PREVIOUS BILL, APPROVAL FOR AMERICAN-INDIAN MASCOTS HAD TO COME FROM ALL 11 TRIBAL NATIONS IN THE STATE, AS WELL AS THE TRIBAL NATIONS EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

THE CHANGE NOW ALLOWS SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO SEEK AN EXEMPTION FROM JUST THE TRIBAL NATION NEAREST TO THEM.

AROUND TWO DOZEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE SENT LETTERS INFORMING THEM THAT THEIR SCHOOL'S MASCOT VIOLATED THE LAW AFTER THE STATE PASSED THE MASCOT BAN IN 2023.

SEVERAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS FILED FOR EXEMPTIONS, GIVEN THE COST IT WOULD TAKE TO REMOVE THE CURRENT MASCOT AND CHOOSE ANOTHER, SOME REPORTING OVER $400,000.

THE CHANGE TO THE MASCOT LAW WILL ALSO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SEEKING AN EXEMPTION TO GATHER A LETTER FROM THEIR DISTRICT'S AMERICAN INDIAN PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, IF THE DISTRICT HAS ONE.

>>> THIS NEXT COMING MONDAY, JUNE 23RD.

CONSTRUCTION OF A SHARED-USE TRAIL ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF DIVISION STREET WEST IN BEMIDJI IS SET TO BEGIN.

ACCORDING TO A RELEASE FROM BELTRAMI COUNTY.

CONSTRUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE FROM BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL TO JEFFERSON AVENUE.

THE PROJECT WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC, HOWEVER, PEOPLE ARE URGED TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO AVOID DELAYS.

DRIVERS SHOULD EXPECT ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN THAT AREA, INCLUDING PARTIAL LANE CLOSURES AND SHOULDER CLOSURES.

THE BELTRAMI COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT URGES MOTORISTS TO SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING IN WORK ZONES.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST 15TH.

>>> THE ANNUAL LOOP THE LAKE FESTIVAL IN BEMIDJI IS BACK THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 21ST.

HUNDREDS OF BIKERS FROM ALL AROUND MINNESOTA TAKE PART IN THE FESTIVAL TO CYCLE AROUND LAKE BEMIDJI ON THEIR BIKES.

THIS, HOWEVER, WILL CAUSE SOME TRAFFIC DETOURS.

ACCORDING TO A POST FROM THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE, WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DETOURED ON BIRCHMONT BEACH ROAD FROM COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TO BEMIDJI AVENUE.

EASTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL TRAVEL IN THE WESTBOUND LANE.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ASKS THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE STRETCH BETWEEN THOSE TWO ROADS TO EXIT YOUR DRIVEWAYS TO THE EAST IN THE WESTBOUND LANE.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS BLOCKED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM WITHHOLDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TRANSPORTATION FUNDS FROM STATES THAT DON'T AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.

TWENTY STATES, INCLUDING MINNESOTA, SUED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AFTER THEY SAID TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY, SEAN DUFFY, THREATENED TO CUT OFF FUNDING TO STATES THAT REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION AGENDA.

U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE JOHN MCCONNELL JUNIOR ON THURSDAY, BARRED FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS FROM CARRYING OUT THAT THREAT BEFORE THE LAWSUIT WAS FULLY RESOLVED.

AN ATTORNEY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAD ARGUED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD THE LEGAL DISCRETION TO SET CONDITIONS ON STATES RECEIVING THE CONGRESSIONALLY APPROPRIATED FUNDS.

>>> THE SECOND ANNUAL LOONS AND LAKES FESTIVAL KICKED OFF TODAY IN CROSSLAKE.

REPORTER DANIEL PURSELL WAS THERE TO CATCH ALL OF THE ACTION.

>> Reporter: THE LOONS AND LAKES FESTIVAL AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE 10,000 LAKES AND ITS STATE BIRD, THE LOON.

>> WHEN WE LOSE LOONS, WE TYPICALLY THINK IT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE WATER QUALITY IS DECLINING.

SO IF WE WOULD DO OUR BEST TO PROTECT THE FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEMS, PRESERVE THE QUALITY OF OUR LAKES, WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE LOONS AROUND.

IF WE DON'T, WE WILL FIND THAT LOONS, THE BEAUTIFUL CALL OF THE LOON IS SOMETHING THAT WILL ONLY BE A DISTANT MEMORY.

>> Reporter: THE DAY KICKED OFF WITH PONTOON RIDES.

>> A BIG PART OF WHAT THE LOON CENTER IS ABOUT IS NOT JUST GOING OUT AND SEEING THEM, WHICH IS REALLY COOL, AND LEARNING ABOUT THEIR LIFECYCLE, BUT ALSO JUST WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL LOON POPULATION.

IT MEANS THAT WE'RE BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF THE WATER AND THE LAND.

>> Reporter: THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THERE WERE SHORT CLEAN UPS TO ENSURE THAT BOTH PEOPLE AND LOONS ARE ABLE TO ENJOY MINNESOTA'S NATURAL BEAUTY.

VOLUNTEERS WERE LOOKING ESPECIALLY FOR LEAD FISHING, WHICH IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH.

>> WHEN THEY PICK UP PEBBLES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE, THEY DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ROCK AND LEAD.

THAT LOON COMES BACK LATER AND THINKS THAT'S DINNER.

THAT'S A WAY FOR A LOON TO INGEST IT AND IT'S NOT A GOOD WAY TO GO.

LEAD POISONING IS ONE OF THE MOST LETHAL THING TO A LOON.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS THE NATIONAL LOON CENTER, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FILLED THE SITE TO SEE THE CULMINATION OF MANY YEARS OF WORK.

>> AS A COMMUNITY, CROSS LAKE DECIDED WE WANTED TO BUILD A NATIONAL LOON CENTER.

WE WANTED TO CELEBRATE AND PROTECT THE LOONS THAT MAKE THIS AREA SPECIAL.

TODAY REPRESENTS THE NEXT STEP IN THAT WHOLE VISION OF MAKING THIS A REALITY.

IT'S FUN TO BE AT THIS POINT WHERE WE ACTUALLY WILL BEGIN TO SEE THAT VISION BECOME A REALITY.

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

>> THE LOONS AND LAKES FESTIVAL CONTINUES TOMORROW AT THE CROSSLAKE TOWN SQUARE STARTING AT 11:00 A.M. WE'LL HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THE NATIONAL LOON GROUNDBREAKING NEXT WEEK.

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

>> Josh: THE HUMIDITY IS RISING AND THE TEMPERATURE IS CLIMBING AND THE HEAT IS ON AS CONDITIONS ARE RIPENING FOR SOME SEVERE WEATHER TO POP AND SOME TORNADO WATCHES ALREADY ISSUED FOR THE EVENING.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS IN A COUPLE MINUTES.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, THE 19th ANNUAL SUMMER SHOW CHOIR CAMP.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪] >>> 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 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 CRAGUN'S VACATION GRAND PRIZE WINNER, WHICH WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING IN A LIVE DRAWING ON THE MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH NEWSCAST.

>>> THE FIRST OF TWO ROUNDS OF EXTREME HEAT IS UNDERWAY FOR PARTS OF THE EASTERN HALF OF THE U.S.

TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO REACH DANGEROUS, RECORD-BREAKING LEVELS OVER THE WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK.

AS THOSE TEMPERATURES CLIMB, MANY HOMEOWNERS ARE SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK.

EXPERTS SAY A FEW SIMPLE STEPS COULD KEEP YOUR HOME COOL AND SAVE YOU MONEY.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: WITH SUMMER HEAT BEARING DOWN, JOSH SAYS THAT ENERGY BILLS ARE A GROWING CONCERN FOR MANY AMERICAN FAMILIES.

>> HOMEOWNERS SAY THEY'RE MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT SUMMER SPENDING AND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO AFFORD TO COOL THEIR HOMES.

>> Reporter: FILTER CHANGES AND OUTDOOR FILTER CHANGINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> AFTER YOU MOW THE GRASS, WASH ALL THE GRASS CLIPPINGS THAT MAY GET ON THE CONDENSER.

>> Reporter: AND PUTTING OFF MAINTENANCE CAN TURN INTO COSTLY REPAIRS.

>> IF ONE THING BREAKS, IT COULD TAKE OUT ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO RISE IN A PRELUDE TO NEXT WEEK'S HEAT DOME.

IT'S EXPECTED TO EXPAND ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN U.S. BY THE WEEKEND, COVERING THE MIDWEST, MID-ATLANTIC, AND NORTHEAST.

HIGH TEMPERATURES ACROSS THESE REGIONS ARE EXPECTED TO SOAR AT LEAST 15 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL.

IT WILL MARK THE HOTTEST TEMPERATURES OF THE YEAR-TO-DATE, RISING INTO THE 90s.

HUMIDITY WILL MAKE IT FEEL HOTTER.

>> THE BIG THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS, IF YOU TAKE A SHOWER, MAKE SURE YOU TURN YOUR EXHAUST FAN ON.

EVERY TIME YOU RUN WATER IN THE HOUSE, YOU'RE ADDING HUMIDITY AS WELL.

KEEPING THE DOORS CLOSED, IN AND OUT AS FAST AS YOU CAN.

>> Reporter: IN ATLANTA, I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>> Matthew: STACY IS OUT TONIGHT, WE HAVE JOSH PETERSON THAT HAS MORE ON THE HEATWAVE.

>> Josh: YES MATTHEW, AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A HEATWAVE AND YOU CAN SEE THAT BY THIS MAP HERE.

WE HAVE EXTREME HEAT WARNINGS, A HEAT ADVISORY, AND TORNADO WATCHES.

I'LL HAVE THE COMPLETE DETAILS ON THE TORNADO WATCHES THAT WERE JUST ISSUED [♪♪♪] >> AND NOW THE WEATHER ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Josh: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A HEATWAVE AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

THE HEAT IS ON.

AS YOU CAN SEE HERE IN THE FORECAST, YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE SOME ISSUES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT AND ALSO JUST RECENTLY ISSUED TORNADO WATCHES FOR BOTH POLK AND MAHNOMEN COUNTIES.

THIS IS ALL A TORNADO WATCH.

EXPECT THOSE TO MOVE EASTWARD AS WE GET THROUGHOUT THE EVENING AS TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY AND THE CONDITIONS JUST RIPEN FOR A CHANCE FOR SEVERE WEATHER TONIGHT.

FIRST, LET'S GET INTO OUR CURRENT CONDITIONS RIGHT NOW HERE IN BEMIDJI.

IT'S 72 DEGREES, WINDS SOUTHEAST AT 13 MILES PER HOUR, DEW POINT AT 67, HUMIDITY OF 70%, AND THE BAROMETER IS FALLING, WITH A PEAK WIND GUST AT 14 MILES PER HOUR.

IN BRAINERD, 74, BAROMETER IS FALLING AT 29.55 AND EAST, SOUTHEAST WIND AT 7 MILES PER HOUR.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE RADAR, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THIS IS WHAT WE SAW EARLIER TODAY.

I MEAN WISPY CLOUDS MOVING IN, BREAKING THE SUN, AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WATCHING AND TRIGGERING THE WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS THAT ARE ISSUED, AS WELL AS THE TORNADO WATCHES IN POLK AND MAHNOMEN COUNTIES.

THESE STORMS WILL MOVE EASTWARD AND WE WILL SEE THE CHANCE OF 1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE OVERNIGHT HOURS, PROBABLY HITTING AROUND THE BEMIDJI AREA AROUND 11:30, BUT THERE IS A SECOND BAND THAT COULD HIT LATER ON IN THE NIGHT, PROBABLY AROUND 1:30.

SO MOVING ON, BEFORE WE GET INTO THE FORECAST, LET'S TAKE A BREATH HERE AND ENJOY SOME PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY OUR EAGLE EYES.

ANGELA IN CASS LAKE SHOWING THAT BEAUTIFUL SKY WITH SOME OF THE WISPY WHITE CLOUDS AND FLOWERS BLOOMING THANKS TO GARY.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR REPORTS, WE HAVE ARLENE IN MENAHGA, 62, LIGHT BREEZE THIS MORNING.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, FEW CLOUDS, HIGH OF 82.

ARLENE IN LONGVILLE, MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 82.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR BRAINERD ALMANAC, HIGH OF 79.

THE AVERAGE FOR THE LOW IS 55.

IN BEMIDJI, HIGH OF 79, BRAINERD AT 75, LOW OF 64, OUR AVERAGE THERE IS AT 55.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE FORECAST AS IT PLAYS OUT THROUGH TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, THE CLOUDS CLEAR AWAY, WE WILL HAVE MOMENTS OF SUNSHINE.

THE CHANCE FOR SPECKLED SHOWERS ON THE WAY FOR THE OVERNIGHT HOURS BUT SUNDAY NOT A BAD DAY, BUT EXTREMELY WARM AND HUMID.

WATCH WHAT IS HAPPENING SUNDAY EVENING, YOU WILL SEE IT CREATE THAT BAND AND MOVE EASTWARD, WHICH COULD CREATE A CHANCE FOR SEVERE WEATHER COME SUNDAY EVENING.

TAKING A LOOK FOR TOMORROW, WARROAD, 77 DEGREES, PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

PARK RAPIDS, 89.

CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WADENA, 92.

YOU SEE THE 90s START TO ROLL IN AS YOU HEAD SOUTH, 94 IN LITTLE FALLS.

TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, DAMAGING WINDS POSSIBLE, AND HAIL IS POSSIBLE AS WELL.

LOW OF 64.

WINDS 10 TO 15 MILES PER HOUR.

TOMORROW, PARTLY CLOUDY, CLEARING IN THE EVENING, HIGH OF 88, WINDS SOUTHEAST AT 5 TO 10.

THEN TONIGHT, THOSE CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CLEAR OUT FOR TOMORROW, BUT THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURN FOR SUNDAY EVENING, TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR EXTENDED FORECAST HERE.

IF MY CLICKER WILL ADVANCE, THERE WE GO.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WE GET A BREAK BUT THEN CLOUDS RETURN AND THEN ROLL IN AND TAKE OVER THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE YEAR THERE, JUNE 25TH.

HALFWAY POINT TO CHRISTMAS, THERE IS YOUR FORECAST, MATTHEW BACK TO YOU.

>> Matthew: THANK YOU SO MUCH JOSH.

WE HAVE CHARLIE YAEGER WITH US AND YOU HAVE NEWS ON A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> Charlie: WE HAVE THE LAST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR IS OVER, BUT THE MHSHL PARK RAPIDS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THEM YESTERDAY, THEY WENT DOWN AND WON A STATE TITLE.

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

[♪♪♪] >>> EIGHT DAYS AGO PARK RAPIDS CAPTURED A STATE TITLE WITH THEIR GIRLS 4-BY-400-METER RELAY TEAM AND IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR THE SCHOOL TO GET ANOTHER.

TODAY AT THE MINNEAPOLIS GUN CLUB IN PRIOR LAKE.

THE PARK RAPIDS CLAY DUSTERS SECURED THE SCHOOL'S FIRST EVER MSHSL CLAY TARGET STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

IN THEIR 8TH STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE, THE SQUAD SHOT A TEAM TOTAL 486 OUT OF 500 TARGETS, THREE MORE THAN SECOND PLACE SPRING GROVE.

SENIOR ZACH PAURUS AND JUNIOR FRANK SOUTHERTON LED THE WAY EACH BREAKING 99 OF THEIR 100 TARGETS.

JOINING THEM TO HOIST THE TROPHY WAS AVERY KAPAUN, WYATT KOSKELA, SILAS CARTER, ALTERNATE HUNTER BOZOVSKY, AND COACHES ROBIN AND JODI WALSH.

AS AN INDIVIDUAL BOZOVSKY FINISHED 8TH SHOOTING A 99 WITH A 42 REVERSE, FELLOW HUNTERSVILLE SPORTSMEN'S PARK SHOOTER FORDYCE JOHNSON OF MENAHGA FINISHED 5TH WITH A 99 AND 77 REVERSE.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM.

>>> TWINS RETURNED HOME TODAY, THEY ARE STARTING THE WEEKEND SERIES WITH THE BREWERS.

TOP OF THE 5th, TRAILING 1-0.

CODY FLASHING THE LEATHER, DOUBLES UP REESE, AND PROBABLY SAVES A RUN IN THE PROCESS.

IT WOULDN'T MATTER, WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THAT LATER.

NEXT INNING, 2-0, CHRISTIAN FINDS THE OUTFIELD.

THEN BASES LOADED, LOOKING TO BLOW THINGS WIDE OPEN, HE DOES.

BASES CLEARING DOUBLE, HE WENT 4 FOR 6 WITH 2 DOUBLES, 8-0 THE SCORE.

JACOB HAD A PERFECT GAME THROUGH 6th BUT BOTTOM OF THE 7th, HE ISSUES A WALK TO BYRON.

OH NO, MATT TAKES AWAY THAT AND THE SHUTOUT IN ONE SWING, 2-RUN SHOT MAKES IT 8-2.

THE TWINS COULDN'T MUSTER A WHOLE LOT, IT'S ACTUALLY 17-4 NOW.

THAT GAME IS STILL GOING BUT I'M NOT SURE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9th THE TWINS WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE UP THAT DEFICIT.

THEY ARE WAY DOWN.

>>> IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL MORNING OVER AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB AND THE WEATHER LINED UP PERFECTLY FOR THE 48TH GORDY SKAAR MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT.

THE ANNUAL EVENT KICKS OFF THE BEMIDJI STATE ATHLETIC SUMMER GOLF FUNDRAISERS EACH YEAR.

THE GORDY SKAAR HAS BROUGHT IN OVER $950,000 COMBINED OVER THE LAST 47-YEARS AND THIS SUMMER THEY HOPE TO ECLIPSE THE $1 MILLION MARK, BUT IN ADDITION TO RAISING MONEY, THE TOURNAMENT IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND ALUMNI TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR FUNDRAISING GOLF TOURNAMENTS IS BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF FOLKS WHO LOVE BSU, WHOSE FAMILIES HAVE CARRIED ON THAT LOVE, AND WE TRIED TO INSTILL THAT INTO OUR STUDENT ATHLETES EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT THIS TOURNAMENT IS DEFINITELY JUST HEARING THE STORIES OUT ON THE COURSE.

THREE YEARS IN, I'M STILL, YOU KNOW, LEARNING SOMETHING NEW ABOUT EVERY PARTICIPANT.

SO TO HEAR ABOUT THEIR LIVES, WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST YEAR, AND JUST GETTING TO KNOW THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH GOLF AND THROUGH EATING A FEW BRATZ, IT'S THE FUN PART OF THE JOB, THE INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.

>> BETWEEN FLIGHTS OF GOLF, BSU BASKETBALL PLAYER AND FORMER BEMIDJI LUMBERJACK ISAAC SEVERTS WAS AWARDED THE GORDY SKAAR ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP WHICH IS GIVEN EACH YEAR TO AN INCOMING FRESHMAN OR TRANSFER STUDENT-ATHLETE FROM NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>>> NINA LUBARSKI WAS NAMED THE NEWEST HEAD COACH OF THE BEMIDJI NORDIC SKI TEAM, TAKING OVER FOR LONG-TIME HEAD COACH MARK WALTERS WHO ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT LAST WEEK.

IT SEEMED ONLY FITTING LUBARSKI WOULD BE PICKED TO FILL THE SKI BOOTS OF HER PREDECESSOR.

SHE SPENT THE LAST 11 YEARS UNDER HIS TUTELAGE AS AN ASSISTANT COACH.

THE FAMILIARITY WILL AID IN THE TRANSFER OF POWER, CREATING A SEAMLESS TRANSITION ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE CULTURE THE LUMBERJACKS HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO.

>> I THINK WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST IS JUST CONTINUING TO JUST KEEP THIS FAMILY KIND OF FEEL THAT WE HAVE WITH THE SKI TEAM.

I MEAN EVERYBODY GETS ALONG, YOU KNOW, THE BOYS AND GIRLS, THEY PRACTICE TOGETHER, THEY WORK TOGETHER.

WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A REALLY GOOD VIBE AND JUST GOOD TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP.

MARK AND I DID A LOT OF CO-COACHING.

HE PUT A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY ON ME.

HE SAID WE'RE BOTH THE HEAD COACH, ALL THE YEARS I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HIM.

HE TAUGHT ME A LOT.

HE DID A LOT GETTING THE NUMBERS BIGGER, GETTING KIDS TO STATE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

IF I CAN HANG ON TO THAT, THAT'S WHAT I HOPE I CAN DO.

>> Charlie: SHE WAS JOKING WITH ME SAYING MARK WILL BE AROUND HELPING OUT.

HE ISN'T RETIRING IN THAT SENSE.

HE WILL BE AROUND THE TEAM.

IT WILL BE GOOD TO HAVE HER HEADING THINGS NOW.

>> Matthew: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> THE 18TH ANNUAL SUMMER SHOW CHOIR CAMP MADE ITS WAY TO THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL LAST WEEK.

GATHERING MEMBERS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SHOW CHOIR TEAMS TO BECOME TEACHERS AND COACHES FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SINGERS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN FOCUS, OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK STOPPED BY THE CAMP TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT DOING SHOW CHOIR MEANS TO THE KIDS.

[♪♪♪] >> Reporter: SHOW CHOIR COMBINES SINGING AND DANCING INTO ONE ENTERTAINING SHOW BUT THE 6th THROUGH NINTH GRADERS KNOW THAT PUTTING THESE PERFORMANCES TOGETHER ISN'T ALL FUN AND GAMES.

>> PEOPLE REALLY THINK IT'S NOT A SPORT AND IT ACTUALLY IS.

IT'S THE LONGEST SPORT IN BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL.

>> YOU SPEND LONG HOURS, LONG DAYS, LONG WEEKS TOGETHER AND YOU JUST TRULY BECOME A FAMILY AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> Reporter: AND FOR SOME, IT'S ABOUT ACTUAL FAMILY AS WELL.

>> MY BROTHER JACK THOUGHT SHOW CHOIR WAS NOT A THING, BUT THEN MY BROTHER ZEKE GOT HIM INTO IT AND HE LOVES IT.

>> MY FAVORITE ASPECT IS PROBABLY JUST HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS, JUST HAVING SOME FREE TIME, AND DANCING WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE SHOW CHOIR CAMP TEACHES ABOUT SINGING AND DANCING, IT CAN TEACH LIFE LESSONS THAT STUDENTS CAN TAKE WITH THEM, EVEN IF THEY DON'T WISH TO CONTINUE WITH SHOW CHOIR THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL.

>> I HAVE STAGE FRIGHT, BUT I STILL DO IT BECAUSE IF YOU FACE YOUR FEARS, THEN YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO BREAK YOUR FEARS.

>> IT PREPARES YOU BY GIVING YOU A CHANCE TO SING AND DANCE ON STAGE AND GETTING COMFORTABLE SINGING IN FRONT OF PEOPLE.

>> YOU HAVE TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE IT ALL SOUNDS AND LOOKS GOOD.

>> Reporter: THROUGHOUT THE FIVE DAY CAMP, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE PERFORMERS WORK TOWARDS.

>> IT'S A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT BECAUSE I WAS ONCE THEM AND BECOMING THEIR TEACHER, THEIR LEADER IN A SENSE, IT IS REALLY COOL.

>> MY FAVORITE THING IS SEEING THEM START HERE AND AS THEY JOIN SHOW CHOIR, SEEING HOW MUCH BETTER THEY GET.

OH, I REMEMBER YOU WHEN YOU WERE THIS BIG AND NOW YOU'RE DOING SO WELL.

THEY'RE ALWAYS SO GOOD AND I THOUGHT I CANNOT DO THAT.

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

>> Matthew: THAT'S OUR SHOW, BE SAFE OVER THE WEEKEND WITH THE HEATWAVE.

WE'LL BE BACK ON MONDAY.

>> Charlie: GOOD NIGHT.

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