Cooler temperatures and higher humidity helps firefighting effort, but officials continue to monitor for new fires in windy conditions

Minnesota today is supported by Granite Partners, over 20 years of growing Minnesota-based companies that source and sell around the world. Granite Partners, growing companies, enhancing communities. You can learn more at granite.com. This is Minnesota today for Wednesday, July 22nd. I'm Phineas Pope. Here's what's happening in Minnesota. Hundreds of firefighters continue to battle wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres in the boundary waters. Those fire crews saw cooler temperatures and higher humidity yesterday, which helped efforts to contain the fires, but there were also winds that gusted to near 30 miles per hour. Officials are also monitoring for any new fires that started from lightning strikes earlier this week. Access to the Boundary Waters canoe area wilderness remains closed through at least tomorrow. Go evacuation orders remain in place for homes, cabins, and businesses along the Fernberg Trail east of Ely and along much of the Echo Trail northwest of Ely. The use of no-knock warrants by law enforcement agencies in Minnesota has declined dramatically since the state law restricting their use went into effect in 2023. John Susan Collins has more. Legislators changed the law to require a higher standard for law enforcement agencies seeking no-knock warrants following the shooting death of 22-year-old Amir Locke by a Minneapolis police officer in 2022. That year, there were 185 no-knock warrants requested by agencies around the state. A new report from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety found that the number of no-knock warrants statewide dropped to 20 last year. Only four of those were for no-knock warrants on homes. None of the agencies requesting the warrants were based solely in Hennepin or Ramsey County's. I'm John Susan Collins, Minneapolis. Following two shootings in Minneapolis this weekend, Mayor Jacob Frey announced a temporary increase in police patrols in the city. But Ward 7 Councilmember Elizabeth Schaefer says MPD needs more long-term support and permanent staff to address violence. I have not heard the mayor's report at this point in time, but I can tell and speak to a larger systemic issue. that, you know, yes, it's great if we're sending some more temporary patrols to the area. We absolutely need it, maybe even a targeted enforcement, I'm not sure. But what we do need for the 5th Precinct is an additional community response team. Schaefer and other city officials met with the 5th Precinct Inspector yesterday. She said they discussed ways to address the lack of resources in the police department. After admitting to shooting Minnesota lawmakers, JD Vance Belter is now asking to serve his time at a prison outside of Orlando, Florida. Kate Kelly reports.