More than half of the northern wildfires are 100% contained

The worst of the smoke from northern wildfires may have cleared out from southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities, but firefighting efforts continue up north with some success. Nine of the 16 wildfires are now 100% contained, up from three on Monday.

Small businesses in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area reliant on outdoor activities like canoe rental are taking a financial hit from the fires. “Ely, Grand Marais, Tofte — these are tourism-based economies. The amount of people that we bring into these communities, buying gas and buying food at restaurants and buying groceries, it’s not minimal,” says Voyageur Canoe Outfitters owner Matt Ritter.

A suspect in the Highland Park shooting that left three dead on Monday was arrested in Virginia, Minnesota. Formal charges are pending for the St. Paul resident.

Local startup Mawadda began providing disposable hijabs to North Memorial hospitals earlier this summer. Founded by two respiratory therapists, the company grew out of the frustration of dealing with hijabs and PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Jessi Kingston, the system director at North Memorial, sees the hijabs as a benefit for both patients and team members. “To the extent that we can recognize who they are,” she says, “provide something that respects whether it’s their religion or their culture, and make that as seamless as possible … I think it helps them in their health journey.”

Did you know: Minnesota is the only state with a historical society in every county. These are the kind of things you can learn from one Wikipedia fan’s deep dive into the culture of local wiki editors.

Minnesota breweries might be struggling amidst a shrinking craft brewing industry, but you’d hardly know it from the State Fair, where 75 new specialty beers and drinks will vie for your attention. Dill Pickle Seltzer will keep trying to convince you that pickles can improve anything while a variety of fruit forward brews from Watermelon Sea Salt Lager to Lime in the Coconut cream ale will likely pair nicely with a hot day on the fairgrounds. A ranch-dressing flavored cream ale, though? No. Immediately no.

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