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July 22, 2011

MPR News photos of the week

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Unusual weather and the long-awaited end of the state government shutdown dominated the news this week.

Getting wet

1

Blaine, MN, USA — Fourteen-year-olds Tanner Kuhl, left, and Buzuaya Weis play in a spray of water from a fire truck at the Schwan's USA Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament in Blaine, Minn. Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Extreme humidity coupled with already-high temperatures pushed the heat index into record territory across Minnesota this week. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Heat wave

2

Minneapolis, MN, USA — After a quick break to eat a hot dog, four-year-old Marquis Cates Jr. begins his sprint back to the water. Cates and some of his family members spent the sweltering afternoon of July 18, 2011, at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, Minn. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Cooling off at Target Field

3

Minneapolis, MN, USA — Fans crowded around a mister fan in the right field stands at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn. on Wednesday, July 20, 2011. (MPR Photo/Tim Nelson) link to this photo

Running through rain

4

St. Paul, MN, USA — A man runs through the rain on Como Avenue in St. Paul, Minn. Tuesday, July 19, 2011. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Signing budget

5

St. Paul, MN, USA — With Secretary of State Mark Ritchie next to him, Gov. Mark Dayton signs the budget bills at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Dayton's signatures ended the 20-day long state government shutdown. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Flag raised

6

Bemidji, MN, USA — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff at the northwest regional headquarters in Bemidji look on as the American flag is raised on Thursday, July 21, 2011. It was the first day back to work for about 22,000 state workers following the shutdown. (MPR Photo/Tom Robertson) link to this photo

Cleaning up

7

Afton, MN, USA — Afton State Park manager Steve Groebner cleaned his office after it was vandalized during the government shutdown in Afton, Minn. Thursday, July 21, 2011. Afton State Park opened to visitors Thursday with limited resources because of the vandalism that occurred at the park during the shutdown. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Heron Release

8

Coon Rapids, MN, USA — Almost two months after being rescued, a Great Blue Heron chick displaced by the north Minneapolis tornado is released back to the wild on July 18, 2011, in Coon Rapids, Minn., near the Mississippi River. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

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The Highway 1 Fire near Ely
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Republicans gather in St. Cloud
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BP's drilling disaster stretches north
Minnesota pelicans carry pollution from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

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Vikings fans invade Capitol
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Marriage amendment march
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Morris Dancers welcome spring
It's a 500 year-old folk tradition from England that has sunk deep roots here in Minnesota.

MPR News photos of the week
National Guard members come home, Morris Dancers celebrate spring and more.

Smelt return for a fishy tradition
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