Subscribe to Axios Twin Cities

🇱🇻 The 15th annual Latvian Song and Dance festival is happening now in downtown St. Paul. The Ordway, St. Paul Cathedral, Xcel Energy Center and others are hosting performances through July 4 — check out the lineup. Prices vary.

🎩 Prom season isn't over yet! If you missed out, make up for it at Back 2 The Prom at the Granada Theater on Friday, a queer-centered community prom and drag show. 18+, $10.

This week's Hot Homes collection includes a sunny Dutch Colonial and a sleek one-story in Highland Park.

Hundreds of millions of dollars stemming from a major settlement related to the opioid epidemic will begin flowing to Minnesota this month.

The big picture: Minnesota's state and local governments are set to see $300 million over the next 18 years as part of a 46-state, $26 billion settlement with Johnson & Johnson and three other drug companies. That settlement was finalized in February.

The skies will be dark in St. Paul and Minneapolis this 4th of July as both cities are skipping fireworks again.

Why it matters: Fireworks are an Independence Day staple, but due to COVID restrictions, high costs, staffing shortages and other logistical challenges, we haven’t had city-sponsored displays in years.

Did you and your dog develop separation anxiety during the pandemic? Fear not! There are plenty of places that will now serve both you and your pup during a night out on the town.

Delta Air Lines has issued a systemwide waiver for travelers to rebook at no charge July 1-4, a sign that there is likely to be mass cancellations this holiday weekend.

• Last weekend, Delta, the dominant carrier at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, canceled more than 600 flights and delayed more than 2,000.

The Twin Cities have been slower to adopt electric vehicles than other major metro areas across the country, though local sales are picking up.

Driving the news: In April 2022, only about 2.7% of new vehicle registrations in the Twin Cities were electric, lagging far behind other big metros, according to recent numbers from S&P Global Mobility.

Whether you're looking for a family lake retreat or a couples' getaway, here are six beautiful Airbnb escapes, all under four hours driving distance from the Twin Cities.