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

In the past month, atmospheric carbon dioxide reached 420 parts per million for the first time. That’s a 50 percent increase from pre-industrial levels.

In the past month, atmospheric carbon dioxide reached 420 parts per million for the first time. That’s a 50 percent increase from pre-industrial levels.

Carbon dioxide in atmosphere spikes to new high

Plants that researchers use to measure moisture are so dry, they aren’t growing this spring. The conditions could act as kindling for another record fire season.

Plants that researchers use to measure moisture are so dry, they aren’t growing this spring. The conditions could act as kindling for another record fire season.

A missing sign of spring worries fire researchers

Many saw natural gas the bridge fuel to a net-zero energy future. But rapidly emerging climate solutions mean that bridge is getting shorter fast.

Many saw natural gas the bridge fuel to a net-zero energy future. But rapidly emerging climate solutions mean that bridge is getting shorter fast.

The natural gas boom appears to be going bust

This year, Lake Superior saw its lowest January ice levels in 48 years. While there will be outliers, scientists expect the trend to continue.

This year, Lake Superior saw its lowest January ice levels in 48 years. While there will be outliers, scientists expect the trend to continue.

Expect low ice years on Lake Superior to continue

Damage from three storms in 1998 alone cost more than those during the previous 40 years combined. Since then, the pace of costly storms hasn’t let up.

Damage from three storms in 1998 alone cost more than those during the previous 40 years combined. Since then, the pace of costly storms hasn’t let up.

Extreme weather is driving up costs for MN homeowners

The National Hurricane Center is getting a head start this year by releasing its tropical weather outlook two weeks earlier.

The National Hurricane Center is getting a head start this year by releasing its tropical weather outlook two weeks earlier.

Forecasts catching up with early hurricane arrivals

It’s the center of many Minnesota traditions, but the prized fish isn’t exempt from the effects of climate change.

It’s the center of many Minnesota traditions, but the prized fish isn’t exempt from the effects of climate change.

How climate change is affecting walleye

It’s cross-country skiing season and Minnesotan Jessie Diggins is on a roll. But the snow conditions she was brought up on are rapidly changing.

It’s cross-country skiing season and Minnesotan Jessie Diggins is on a roll. But the snow conditions she was brought up on are rapidly changing.

Climate change threatens winter recreation

But will the routine update mask the magnitude of climate change when we hear our daily forecasts?

But will the routine update mask the magnitude of climate change when we hear our daily forecasts?

NOAA update to cement warmer climate as new normal

The blackouts in Texas are just the latest example of of how vulnerable our power grids are to climate change-fueled extreme weather.

The blackouts in Texas are just the latest example of of how vulnerable our power grids are to climate change-fueled extreme weather.

How we can climate-proof the power grid

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

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