Minnesota Now

Just before 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the temperature was already pushing 80 degrees near downtown St. Paul, where Michael New was working on construction at the John Ireland Bridge. He wears long sleeves, a face mask and sunglasses on days like this.

“I would recommend keeping your skin covered so the sun isn’t beating on your skin, wear wicking material, I prefer a face mask just to keep the sun off me,” said New.

New says he plans to drink a lot of water and get in the shade when he can. He and other outdoor workers in farming, forestry, delivery and construction will be outside in extreme heat this week.

Stacy Arnold is director of safety for the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota. She spoked with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about how she works to help employers in construction adopt safer practices around heat and other hazards.

The U.S. Forest Service has closed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for at least the rest of this week, authorities have issued evacuation orders for the BWCA and some nearby areas, and MPR News is hearing reports about some dramatic rescues of paddlers and campers.

MPR News reporter Dan Kraker joined Minnesota Now from Ely, where he spoke to officials leading the firefighting and rescue efforts and to people affected by the fires.

The worst air quality in the country Tuesday is in northeastern Minnesota. It’s led the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to issue an air quality alert for that part of the state, due to smoke from wildfires. And now, that alert has expanded to central Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

Matt Taraldsen, a meteorologist for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, joined Minnesota Now to talk about when you could see smoky skies and what precautions to take.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is closed after more than a dozen wildfires sparked in the surrounding region over the weekend. We'll hear from an outfitter and get the latest on efforts to control the fires as hot, dry weather continues.

There have been several drownings and boating accidents in recent weeks. We'll go to Otter Tail County to learn about safety in lakes and streams.

State law enforcement say they have physical evidence in three shootings by federal immigration agents. We'll have an update.

Plus, nearly a year after losing federal funding, a public radio station in northern Minnesota is expanding its local news coverage.

And, the Twins are aiming for the playoffs. We'll have the latest in sports.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Top of the World” by Kodj, and our Song of the Day was “Burning Sunbeams” by Red Eye Ruby.

This week marks the one year since Congress rolled back funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The move left radio stations across the country scrambling to find funding to help cover their communities like KAXE in Grand Rapids.

But thanks to a $4.2 million grant from the Bush Foundation, the northern Minnesota news station is now planning to expand news coverage, help create an ambassador program, and strengthen partnerships with regional newsrooms.

Sarah Bignall, CEO and general manager of KAXE, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the donation and the news station.

The Minnesota Twins are on a hot streak. This weekend they won their fifth series in a row. It’s quite a turnaround from the start of the season, when the Athletic’s annual “hope-o-meter" poll found Twins fans were the least optimistic about their team’s chances.

Minnesota Now sports contributors, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson, spoke more about the Twins, the Timberwovles and more.

Minnesota is baking under a mass of hot, dry air this week. Few things bring relief from extreme heat like wading or swimming out into the cool water of this region’s lakes and streams.

But that’s also part of the danger of a heat wave. Drownings spiked when temperatures soared in Europe earlier this summer. This was also true during an infamously hot summer in North America 90 years ago.

Today, swimming lessons are more common. And sheriff's departments across the state have staff dedicated to water safety.

Troy Lee, water patrol officer for Otter Tail County joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about staying safe while out on the water.

The U.S. Forest Service has announced it is closing the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, after more than a dozen wildfires ignited around Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Governor Tim Walz has called on the National Guard to help.

The fires are in remote areas, though some residents of St. Louis County were notified they should be prepared to evacuate.

Karen Harrison, a wildfire prevention specialist with the Department of Natural Resources, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk get an update on the fires and how they’re being fought.

The City of St. Paul announced it will clear a homeless encampment in Pigs Eye Park next month. Mayor Kaohly Her joined MPR News to talk about the camp's conditions, where people living there will go and the state of homelessness in the city.

A Minnesota Congresswoman says medical students in states with strict abortion laws are missing out on important training. A doctor weighed in on her proposed bill to help them travel.

Plus, the list of new Minnesota State Fair foods dropped today! We met one vendor that might already be familiar to some Twin Cities listeners.

And we learned about the one-of-a-kind, sustainable clothing that local textile artists are selling this weekend. They're calling it "slow fashion."

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “by my side” by SoulFlower, and our Song of the Day was "The Authority Song” by John Mellencamp.

Thrift stores and clothing swaps have grown in popularity in recent years, as shoppers look for deals or sustainable alternatives to the fast-fashion industry. At an event happening Thursday through Saturday at Textile Center in Minneapolis, they can find homemade pieces knit, crocheted, woven, sewn or otherwise made by hand. Textile Center Director of Operations Erin Husted joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the Slow Fashion Sale.