If you’ve attended or played in a softball or baseball game this summer, you likely share something in common with a lot of Minnesotans. The intense heat, coupled with the high humidity, has led to delays and sweltering conditions for fans, players, and umpires alike. That comes at the end of July 2026, which will go down as the warmest month in American history. There are plenty of church leagues and beer leagues around the state, but one group that meets in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul is a little different. They have team names like the Grand Slamphibians, Tree Huggers, and Straight A Sluggers. These aren’t just your average Joes. These players are almost all state government workers. Many of those folks work directly on climate issues at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. So we ventured out to the Dunning Fields on the hottest evening of summer to talk to the experts while they were off the clock.

If you’ve attended or played in a softball or baseball game this summer, you likely share something in common with a lot of Minnesotans. The intense heat, coupled with the high humidity, has led to delays and sweltering conditions for fans, players, and umpires alike. That comes at the end of July 2026, which will go down as the warmest month in American history. There are plenty of church leagues and beer leagues around the state, but one group that meets in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul is a little different. They have team names like the Grand Slamphibians, Tree Huggers, and Straight A Sluggers. These aren’t just your average Joes. These players are almost all state government workers. Many of those folks work directly on climate issues at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. So we ventured out to the Dunning Fields on the hottest evening of summer to talk to the experts while they were off the clock.

If you’ve attended or played in a softball or baseball game this summer, you likely share something in common with a lot of Minnesotans. The intense heat, coupled with the high humidity, has led to delays and sweltering conditions for fans, players, and umpires alike. That comes at the end of July 2026, which will go down as the warmest month in American history. There are plenty of church leagues and beer leagues around the state, but one group that meets in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul is a little different. They have team names like the Grand Slamphibians, Tree Huggers, and Straight A Sluggers. These aren’t just your average Joes. These players are almost all state government workers. Many of those folks work directly on climate issues at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. So we ventured out to the Dunning Fields on the hottest evening of summer to talk to the experts while they were off the clock.

On softball night, Minnesota climate experts feel the heat

What would you guess is the deadliest disaster in Minnesota history? A wildfire? Blizzard? Tornado? It was none of those. In 1936, a <a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/journal/minnesotas-worst-heat-wave-record.html" class="default">long-term heat wave killed at least 900 across Minnesota</a>. Heat is America’s top weather killer, even in the age of air conditioning and community pools. For the return of the long-running Climate Cast, we wanted to revisit the terrible cost of the 1936 heat wave that hit 90 years ago this month. On July 14, 1936, experts estimated a person was dying every three minutes in Minneapolis alone as a direct result of the heat. In this episode, MPR News chief meteorologist Ben Cathey speaks with with Geoff Williams, the author of a new book, “<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Geoff-Williams/172297574" class="default">The Summer of Death</a>.” Williams calculates that at least 12,000 people died across America. He thinks Minnesota’s official death toll is likely severely under-calculated. Click play on the audio player above to listen to this episode or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.

What would you guess is the deadliest disaster in Minnesota history? A wildfire? Blizzard? Tornado? It was none of those. In 1936, a long-term heat wave killed at least 900 across Minnesota. Heat is America’s top weather killer, even in the age of air conditioning and community pools. For the return of the long-running Climate Cast, we wanted to revisit the terrible cost of the 1936 heat wave that hit 90 years ago this month. On July 14, 1936, experts estimated a person was dying every three minutes in Minneapolis alone as a direct result of the heat. In this episode, MPR News chief meteorologist Ben Cathey speaks with with Geoff Williams, the author of a new book, “The Summer of Death.” Williams calculates that at least 12,000 people died across America. He thinks Minnesota’s official death toll is likely severely under-calculated. Click play on the audio player above to listen to this episode or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.

What would you guess is the deadliest disaster in Minnesota history? A wildfire? Blizzard? Tornado? It was none of those. In 1936, a <a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/journal/minnesotas-worst-heat-wave-record.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">long-term heat wave killed at least 900 across Minnesota</a>. Heat is America’s top weather killer, even in the age of air conditioning and community pools. For the return of the long-running Climate Cast, we wanted to revisit the terrible cost of the 1936 heat wave that hit 90 years ago this month. On July 14, 1936, experts estimated a person was dying every three minutes in Minneapolis alone as a direct result of the heat. In this episode, MPR News chief meteorologist Ben Cathey speaks with with Geoff Williams, the author of a new book, “<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Geoff-Williams/172297574" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Summer of Death</a>.” Williams calculates that at least 12,000 people died across America. He thinks Minnesota’s official death toll is likely severely under-calculated. Click play on the audio player above to listen to this episode or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.

Learning from deadliest disaster in Minnesota history

The taxpayer funded crop insurance program is propping up farmers who continue to plant in frequently flooded fields.

The taxpayer funded crop insurance program is propping up farmers who continue to plant in frequently flooded fields.

Frequently flooded farmland costs taxpayers billions

Battery storage capacity in the United States more than doubled last year. But supply chain issues and access to raw materials could slow that growth this year.

Battery storage capacity in the United States more than doubled last year. But supply chain issues and access to raw materials could slow that growth this year.

2021 was a boom year for batteries

By the 2030s, research suggests the Arctic could see its first summer with no sea ice at all. But quick action on methane could help.

By the 2030s, research suggests the Arctic could see its first summer with no sea ice at all. But quick action on methane could help.

Methane reduction could help save Arctic sea ice

Climate scientists were stunned last week when temperatures in Antarctica spiked 50 to 90 degrees higher than average for March.

Climate scientists were stunned last week when temperatures in Antarctica spiked 50 to 90 degrees higher than average for March.

High temperatures in Antarctica stun climate scientists

A new study says Minnesota winters and summers will be significantly warmer by the turn of the century.

A new study says Minnesota winters and summers will be significantly warmer by the turn of the century.

MN could see 55 fewer days with snow underfoot by 2100

Global leaders are calling for increased oil production outside of Russia at a time when scientists say the time to act on climate change is now.

Global leaders are calling for increased oil production outside of Russia at a time when scientists say the time to act on climate change is now.

War in Ukraine complicates war on climate change

A lead author of the latest United Nations’ climate report says climate migration is already happening in many places.

A lead author of the latest United Nations’ climate report says climate migration is already happening in many places.

Climate change is already driving global migration

Coffee is a very finicky crop, needing just the right “Goldilocks” climate and altitude to produce rich, quality brews. So naturally, climate change is taking a toll.

Coffee is a very finicky crop, needing just the right “Goldilocks” climate and altitude to produce rich, quality brews. So naturally, climate change is taking a toll.

Climate change and your cup of joe

The shift in cold weather trends has affected everything from when you can begin ice fishing each year, to what you can plant in your yard, to the management of invasive pests.

The shift in cold weather trends has affected everything from when you can begin ice fishing each year, to what you can plant in your yard, to the management of invasive pests.

Minnesota is seeing fewer days with extreme cold

More frequent severe storms and subtle temperature shifts are threatening Monarchs in Mexico’s butterfly sanctuaries.

More frequent severe storms and subtle temperature shifts are threatening Monarchs in Mexico’s butterfly sanctuaries.

Climate change brings danger to butterfly sanctuaries

MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner with the latest research on our changing climate.

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