The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved a rule this week that will allow gasoline blended with higher amounts of ethanol to be sold year-round in eight Midwestern states, including Minnesota.

And Canadian wildfires brought smoke and hazy skies to Minnesota last summer. Some of those fires are still smoldering underground.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.