Milk production in the dairy state jumped less than 1 percent from 2010, but that was still enough to set a new state record. The Winona Daily News says Wisconsin cows accounted for 1 out of every 8 gallons of milk in the United States. Minnesota, meanwhile, saw dairy production dip about 2 percent.

In Minnesota's metropolitan counties 14 percent of residents receive Social Security benefits. In rural counties it's more than 23 percent.

Health officials want to be generous with the bug spray during the heat wave that's settling over Minnesota. Late summer heat creates ideal conditions for the mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus. In the Twin Cities, the mosquito control district is chemically treating 77,000 storm drains.

Steamy weather is back in the headlines as temperatures are expected to approach triple digits again this week. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for central and southern Minnesota on Monday. That's when afternoon heat indices are expected to hit the 95 to 105 degree range across much of the state.

Dairy Queen recently opened its 500th store in China, where the Green Tea Blizzard dessert is the No. 1 seller. The Minnesota-based company has more than 270 outlets in Thailand and expanded into Singapore last year.

The corner of 25th Avenue and Division Street in St. Cloud has been home to a seasonal Dairy Queen for more than six decades, but that will come to an end on Sunday, Sept. 2. "Hopefully, we can send everyone away happy one last time," said owner Bob Lahr. The tiny vintage cement building is being demolished to make room for a new CVS Pharmacy. A new Dairy Queen location just south of the existing building is set to open in February.

Gov. Scott Walker survived a highly contentious recall election in Wisconsin on Tuesday, defeating Democrat and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. What did the result say about Walker, his stand against public employee unions, big money vs. grassroots campaigning and what's next for the two parties?