Record heat is likely in southern and central Minnesota this weekend, but it will be much drier than last week's heat wave. And the Minnesota Department of Health is centralizing COVID-19 testing in wastewater systems. 

Those stories and more, in today’s MPR News evening update. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota may be headed for one of the hottest days ever recorded during the run of the State Fair. An Albert Lea health care clinic, which the community recently fought to attract, is closing at the end of the year. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

Severe and extreme drought conditions expanded in Minnesota over the past week, and the Minnesota Legislative Auditor said Thursday that the Department of Public Safety didn't adequately manage a grant program aimed at helping firefighters.

Those news stories and more, in an evening news update hosted by Kirsti Marohn. Music by Gary Meister.

A teenager pleaded guilty Wednesday to shooting and killing a St. Paul man during a car theft. Michael Scott Brasel, 44, was killed in front of his house in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood in May.

And five people face charges in an alleged scheme to defraud the Minnesota Medical Assistance program of nearly $10 million. This is an MPR News Morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

New law on police restraints in Minnesota schools is turning into a political flashpoint and five face charges for millions in Medicaid fraud. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

It's day seven of the Minnesota state fair and a lot of fairgoers are finding it's tough to get there.

And on Wednesday, six people are expected to finish a frigid swim in Lake Superior. The goal was to swim nearly 50 miles from Split Rock Lighthouse to Duluth - without wetsuits. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

Attorneys general from 22 states have dropped their opposition to a multi-billion dollar settlement with 3M over contamination of public water supplies, and Hennepin and Clay Counties are among the latest in Minnesota to announce they are removing School Resource Officers from districts.

This is an evening news update from MPR News, hosted by Peter Cox. Music by Gary Meister.

An air quality alert has been issued for West Central Minnesota although much of the state will see hazy skies by Tuesday afternoon. Smoke from Canadian wildfires will lower the air quality to unhealthy levels for people with heart and lung diseases.

Currently, Brainerd is the largest city in Minnesota that doesn't regularly chlorinate its water, only when there's an issue. The city has a long history of fighting additives to its drinking water. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

As many remember the March on Washington, some remember Minnesotans that took part. Also, the U.S. Agriculture secretary was in Minnesota and at the state fair, as a new farm bill is taking shape. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

There’s a commemorative concert at the U tonight in honor of the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech. After a lukewarm opening day, attendance for day two of the Minnesota State Fair shattered the record. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.