Stories from July 18, 2021

Huge Oregon blaze grows as wildfires burn across western U.S.
The destructive Bootleg Fire just north of the California border grew to more than 476 square miles, an area about the size of Los Angeles, as critically dangerous fire weather loomed in the coming days.
Temperatures increase this week and so does the fire risk
As Minnesota heads into another prolonged hot stretch, the drier weather also continues, exacerbating drought conditions and elevating the fire risk.
Los Angeles hopes new mask mandate will reverse virus spike
Los Angeles County residents are again required to wear masks indoors regardless of their vaccination status — a new mandate starting this weekend that health officials hope will reverse the latest spikes in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
U.S. surgeon general 'worried about what is to come' in pandemic
The U.S. surgeon general said Sunday that he's concerned about what lies ahead with cases of COVID-19 increasing in every state, millions still unvaccinated and a highly contagious virus variant spreading rapidly.
St. Cloud looks to restore old stormwater tunnel for bats
The project will build a new, rerouted storm sewer to replace an existing brick-and-mortar tunnel built in the 1920s. That old tunnel will be restored to provide critical habitat for bats facing population declines due to a deadly fungal disease.
Racked with guilt, some COVID-19 survivors are asking, 'Why me?'
Survivor's guilt is typically associated with soldiers or first responders who survive a traumatic event that others did not. It's now consuming some people who survived a deadly disease that so many didn't. A counselor gives steps to address those feelings.
First positive COVID tests for athletes in Olympic Village
Two South African soccer players have become the first athletes inside the Olympic Village to test positive for COVID-19, with the Tokyo Games opening on Friday.
The state finishes out the weekend with more warm, dry, and hazy weather.
Padres-Nationals game suspended after shooting outside D.C. stadium
A game between the San Diego Padres and Washington was suspended in the sixth inning Saturday night after a shooting outside Nationals Park that caused echoes of gunfire inside the stadium and prompted fans to scramble for safety in the dugout.
Deepening drought prompts Minnesota to step up response
Minnesota officials have stepped up their drought response as the state grows drier. The drought is threatening water supplies and agriculture, and raising the risk for more wildfires.
State Sen. David Tomassoni announces ALS diagnosis
Longtime state Sen. David Tomassoni of Chisholm says he has Lou Gehrig's disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. He says he intends to continue serving his district as well as being an advocate for those living with ALS.