Stories from August 1, 2021

A house fire in Wadena County early Sunday left two people dead and a third person injured.
Ask a Bookseller: 'Skunk and Badger'
Bookseller Linda Crowder recommends the kids’ chapter book “Skunk and Badger,” written by Amy Timberlake and illustrated by Jon Klassen. "This book will be a classic someday," predicts Crowder.
Anger mounts as Biden, Congress allow eviction ban to expire
Anger and frustration mounted in Congress over the weekend as a nationwide eviction moratorium expired during a surge in the COVID-19 pandemic. One Democratic lawmaker even camped outside the Capitol in protest as millions of Americans faced being forced from their homes.
Florida breaks record for COVID-19 hospitalizations
A day after it recorded the most new daily cases since the start of the pandemic, Florida on Sunday broke a previous record for current hospitalizations, as the number of patients in hospitals because of COVID-19 once again broke through the 10,000-person threshold.
Settled: High-jump friends elect double gold over jump-off
In a huddle with track officials, friends and rivals Mutaz Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy were given the option to settle the tie with a jump-off. Barshim had a better idea: How about two golds?
Belarus runner alleges Olympic team tried to send her home
A Belarus track sprinter alleged her Olympic team tried to remove her from Japan in a dispute that led to a standoff Sunday evening at Tokyo’s main airport.
A break from the smoke in some areas Sunday; temps rebound this week
Areas of smoke from Canadian wildfires are expected to linger in parts of Minnesota this Sunday. We have details on that, plus a look at the week ahead.
Lakeville swimmer Regan Smith wins third Olympic medal
Lakeville swimmer Regan Smith won a third Olympic medal on Sunday, helping the U.S. to the silver in the women's 4-by-100 medley relay.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will linger over much of Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin this Sunday. Details on that, plus your temperature forecast.
Epic swims: Dressel, McKeon take place among Olympic greats
Caeleb Dressel of the U.S. is only the fifth swimmer to win as many five golds at one Olympics. Australia's Emma McKeon became only the second woman in any sport to capture seven medals.
Western wildfires may take weeks to months to contain
The Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, the country's largest active blaze, could reach full containment in October. Until then, officials say, wildfire conditions will only continue to intensify.