Good morning, Minnesota. It's Tuesday. Today will be a glorious sunny, summery day with highs in the 70s to 80s, depending on where you are in the state. Near Lake Superior? Expect highs in the 60s there. For your full weather forecast, head to the Updraft blog.
Minneapolis: First mayoral race since George Floyd's murder
Residents are gearing up to elect a new mayor in Democratic-dominated Minneapolis. Seven mayoral candidates, including incumbent Jacob Frey, are vying for this week's DFL endorsement.
Those watching the race closely say Kate Knuth, Sheila Nezhad and Frey are the most active candidates. Knuth is a former suburban state representative and said the events of 2020 convinced her Minneapolis needed new leadership. Nezhad is a longtime organizer who says Frey missed the opportunity to work with community as Minneapolis coped with the overlapping crises of Floyd's murder and a global pandemic. Frey says he's provided "steady leadership" and stayed true to his beliefs, even when hundreds of protesters rallying outside his house demanded he vow to defund the police.
Get to know the candidates and how the endorsement process works.
Drought severity increases
The entire Upper Midwest really, really needs rain. Though our sweltering heat has subsided, drought conditions aren't getting any better.
Here's a state-by-state breakdown of drought coverage, to give you an idea:
- North Dakota: 99 percent
- South Dakota: 79 percent
- Michigan: 70 percent
- Iowa: 57 percent
- Minnesota: 46 percent
- Wisconsin: 34 percent
Rain isn't abundant in the forecast, either. A glimpse of hope is a weak low-pressure system bringing a few scattered thunderstorms Wednesday night into Thursday.
Here are the specifics on how our region is impacted — from farms to water supply concerns.
MN Court of Appeals upholds approval of Line 3
State utility regulators approved Enbridge Energy's Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project. Opposition groups sued, arguing Enbridge failed to prove there's enough demand for the oil the pipeline will carry. On Monday , the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the project, acknowledging that "reasonable minds may differ on the central question of need for replacement Line 3."
This ruling comes one week after the Treaty People Gathering — the largest mass resistance yet against the controversial project. More than 200 activists were arrested while protesting at a pipeline pump station. Many locked themselves to construction equipment to slow work on the project and to draw attention from President Joe Biden to take action against Line 3.
— Grace Birnstengel, MPR News | Find me on Twitter @grace__ | 
