Minnesota Today

As heat waves are hitting the Upper Midwest for the next few days, Xcel Energy says its crews and operation teams are prepared. Xcel says they have more crews on standby and the company also pushed people to sign up for alerts and report outages.

The Minneapolis City Council is set to vote this week on whether to approve a reconstruction project on Lyndale Avenue South. Project officials with Hennepin County say the street is due for improvements. But some business owners are seeking a delay. They say they’re worried about losing customers as some businesses on nearby Hennepin Avenue continue to struggle after recent road work there.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce has advice for homeowners affected by the recent rash of weather events around the state. The agency recommends homeowners document all damages and should not repair anything until talking to their insurance provider first.

Enrollment in the state's MNsure health insurance plans plunged 12 percent already this year in the wake of rising health insurance costs.

Federal authorities have handed over evidence to state investigators in the January killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis.

And months of planning for a Boundary Waters canoe trip came to an abrupt end for one Minnesota family after wildfires forced the U.S. Forest Service to close the area and cancel all entry permits this week.

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

As heat waves are hitting the Upper Midwest for the next few days, Xcel Energy says its crews and operation teams are prepared. Xcel says they have more crews on standby and the company also pushed people to sign up for alerts and report outages.

The Minneapolis City Council is set to vote this week on whether to approve a reconstruction project on Lyndale Avenue South. Project officials with Hennepin County say the street is due for improvements. But some business owners are seeking a delay. They say they’re worried about losing customers as some businesses on nearby Hennepin Avenue continue to struggle after recent road work there.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce has advice for homeowners affected by the recent rash of weather events around the state. The agency recommends homeowners document all damages and should not repair anything until talking to their insurance provider first.

Enrollment in the state's MNsure health insurance plans plunged 12 percent already this year in the wake of rising health insurance costs.

Temperatures are going to be climbing across Minnesota through the weekend -- as another heat wave takes aim at the region.

The Superior National Forest has closed access to a large section of the Boundary Waters because of several active wildfires and dangerously hot and dry conditions.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development awarded 11 programs across the state grants to make child care more affordable.

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

A judge Thursday sentenced a former Homeland Security agent to seven years in federal prison for making child sex abuse videos. He's one of three Minnesota-based law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty last year to child sex abuse image crimes.

17,000 Minnesotans left the Affordable Care Act marketplace over the past year, according to figures provided by MNsure.

With a major midterm election just months away, political campaigns are in full fundraising mode.

Damage assessment and cleanup continues in Mower County after the second round of flash flooding there in a week. Parts of the county, including Austin, Adams and LeRoy, received around a half-foot of rain Wednesday. The flooding swamped streets and highways and sent water into basements. The sheriff’s office said it had to rescue some people from their homes.

St. Paul plans to close homeless encampments throughout the city, citing public health and safety concerns. The first closure will be the encampment at Pig’s Eye Park near the Mississippi River on August 5. After that, other encampments will be closed on a rolling basis. Mayor Kaohly Her says the city has been working with partners to help encampment residents transition to safer, more stable housing.

The Minneapolis City Council is considering a 75-day pilot program that would have police fly drones to 911 calls. Police leaders say drones will save time and give officers information before they respond to calls. Dozens of residents expressed opposition to the proposal at a public hearing Wednesday. MPD says the program would be designed to comply with the state Department of Human Rights consent decree.

Striking Chisago County workers say residents are beginning to feel the effects of delayed services. A union representative says people have come directly to the picket line looking for county staff, including social workers and septic inspectors. Union members voted overwhelmingly to continue the strike. The two sides were scheduled to return to mediation Thursday.

The Minnesota State Fair has released this year’s list of new foods and vendors. The new foods include savory pickle pie with ranch-and-hot-sauce frosting, cheese curds rolled into lumpia and a Hmong corndog from Union Hmong Kitchen made in collaboration with Kramarczuk’s. Nine new vendors are joining the fair this year. The State Fair runs from August 27 through September 7.

The weather across Minnesota will be relatively quiet over the next few days, but another heat dome is developing over the upper Midwest. After more typical temperatures Thursday and Friday, the weekend will bring more heat. Highs could reach 90 degrees as early as Saturday, with 90s likely Sunday into much of next week. Heat index values could reach the 95 to 102 degree range.

Republican candidates for governor are telling voters they'll reduce Minnesota's budget and taxes if they're elected. Democrats called on Republicans to more clearly spell out what they'd seek to cut.

A federal lawsuit alleges that the medical giant Mayo Clinic has been cutting corners as it incorporates artificial intelligence into its research and patient care.

Deere & Company, a farm equipment manufacturer, reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and five states, including Minnesota.

Minnesota Somali community leaders are denouncing President Donald Trump for posting a clip of Somali kindergartners at a St. Paul graduation on Truth Social.

The Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office is again asking a judge for more time to respond to a demand from Renee Good's widow for the return of her vehicle.

Cleanup continues north of Detroit Lake following Monday night’s tornado that caused major damage to buildings and trees.

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

Several people were injured Monday night when a tornado touched down and caused significant damage north of Detroit Lakes. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado based on weather spotter sightings.

Nearly 75,000 people got approval to take paid family and medical leave under the state’s program in the first six months since it got off the ground.

The Elk River City Council Monday night voted down changes to a city ordinance that would have allowed a new data center

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