When the Iran war caused gas prices to surge this spring, Brent Strong and his partner finally decided to sell their car and rely on bikes, buses or, when really needed, a rented Evie car to travel from their Whittier neighborhood home.

Why it matters: There's evidence that spiking gas prices — which topped $4 in May — prompted some people, like Strong, to change their transportation habits.

By the numbers: After a year of Metro Transit ridership declines, passenger volume increased by 2.2% in March, April and May, compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from the agency.

• Metro Transit's new E Line, which runs from Southdale Center to the University of Minnesota, saw twice as many riders as expected in its first six months.

Meanwhile, traffic volumes on Minnesota roads fell 0.1% in May compared to a year before, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

What they're saying: Metro Transit general manager Lesley Kandaras called the increases an encouraging sign that investments in the system are "delivering on what people across our region want, which is affordable, convenient and reliable service, and a system that is consistently safe, clean and welcoming."

Between the lines: It's harder to get real-time data on increases in people walking or biking.

• When gas prices spiked, Mary Kimball began biking from her home on the West Side of St. Paul to her job near Highway 280 and University Avenue.
• She calculated the 16-mile round trip would save her roughly the cost of a coffee or sandwich at Amore Coffee — so she treats herself at her favorite neighborhood shop.

Zoom out: Some big metros, like Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, reported much larger transit ridership increases of 11% to 13% over the spring, per Yale Environment 360.

• A 2015 University of Maryland study found that for every 10% increase in gas prices, there was a 1.2% increase in transit ridership. Gas prices in Minnesota are about 20% higher than a year ago.

What we're watching: With maintenance work shutting down the entire Blue Line and the downtown Minneapolis parts of the Green Line this summer, don't expect the ridership gains to continue.

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Minnesota's other state bird has been quiet so far this season.

Twin Cities mosquito traps are catching about 40% of their usual number of human-biting varieties, according to the June 29 count from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD).

• This is the period of the year when mosquito populations typically peak.

Between the lines: Dry conditions through much of May and June — when most of the metro was officially classified as "abnormally dry" — have kept mosquito numbers at bay, MMCD officials said.

What we're watching: Mosquito species that thrive in cattails are also currently hatching, as is typical for early July — which usually drives the season to its peak.

What they're saying: "We are likely experiencing the peak right now, though," MMCD public affairs manager Alex Carlson tells Axios.

• "Unless we see lots of rain in July, it should be downhill from here."

🩻 A St. Paul-funded program erased $15.4 million in residents' medical debt — well short of the $100 million former Mayor Melvin Carter promised — after the nonprofit administering the program failed to convince more hospitals to forgive unpaid bills. (Star Tribune)

🏗️ The developers behind a housing-heavy remaking of the former Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota headquarters in Eagan have withdrawn their application following neighborhood pushback. (Pioneer Press)

A 16-year-old boy was in critical condition yesterday after he was rescued from the Minnehaha Falls water basin. He had been swimming in the basin Saturday evening, but did not resurface. (KARE 11)

🗞️ Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan is retiring after a 36-year career at the paper. (Star Tribune)

⚾️ The Twins won a series against the Yankees in New York for the first time since 2014, but Byron Buxton, who was just named to the AL All-Star team, re-injured his hip. (Associated Press)

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