Heat wave hits Upper Midwest

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. MNsure is the Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance option for Minnesotans who don't qualify for Medicaid, but don't have employer-based health care benefits.

Local offices of the Farm Service Agency lost 7 percent of county staff in Minnesota. The Farm Service Agency lost 8 percent of its county staff last year. That’s on top of losing 21 percent of its federal jobs.

Heat dome set to double the Twin Cities' 90-degree days this week

Minneapolis business owners seek delay in Lyndale Avenue construction

Tornado near Detroit Lakes leaves mess to clean up, as well as opportunities for scammers

Soaring costs and end of tax credit leads 17,000 Minnesotans to drop MNSure health coverage