Metro residents are breathing easier this morning, but we aren't in the clear yet.

What's happening: Most of the state remains under an "unprecedented" air quality alert thanks to a thick plume of smoke from Canadian wildfires that blew our way and won't budge.

• While the outlook improved Sunday, the Air Quality Index in Minneapolis and St. Paul is expected to hit "unhealthy for sensitive groups," such as the elderly, children and those with asthma or other breathing conditions, per the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Why it matters: It's gross! Seriously, the smoke-filled air that blanketed the Twin Cities in recent days is bad for our health and can cause uncomfortable symptoms.

• One local hospital saw an increase in complaints of shortness of breath over the weekend, the Star Tribune reports, and several area pools closed as a precaution.

What you should do: MPCA recommends limiting outdoor physical activity and staying away from other sources of air pollution, such as wood fires and busy roads, when the index rises.

• The National Weather Service's Twin Cities office posted a helpful chart with guidance for the general public, and those whose age or health make them more susceptible to side effects.
• Pets should also limit time outdoors, per the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The bottom line: This air quality alert is expected to lift by Tuesday afternoon. But the drought and extreme heat will likely continue to fuel an already bad wildfire season, as Axios' Andrew Freedman reports.

• That means more smoke could come our way.

Minnesotans who are behind on their natural gas or power bills could see their service cut starting today.

Driving the news: A moratorium on utility shutoffs enacted during the pandemic lifts Monday, meaning major power and gas companies can suspend service to residential customers who haven't paid.

• Disconnection notices went out to affected households earlier this summer.

By the numbers: Recent filings with the state's Public Utilities Commission show that hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans' balances are past due, though it's unclear how many are at risk of disconnection.

• A Centerpoint Energy spokesperson, for example, told us roughly 14,000 of the company's 823,00o customers here have a balance of $500-plus and could be subject to a shutoff.

Yes, but: Your service won't be disconnected if you've applied for energy assistance or even set up a payment plan, per an agreement between companies and the PUC.

For those who need help, more information on resources is available via the state's Department of Commerce and the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota.

Full story.

The Riverview Coffee Shop and Wine Bar in Longfellow closed its doors over the weekend.

What's happening: A letter taped to the door Sunday morning said the owners were shutting down "for now … so that we can takes some time to reassess the future" following a challenging year.

• "We love this corner and believe whatever the future holds it will be great," the letter reads.

Why it matters: The cafe, kitty-corner from The Riverview Theater, has been a staple in the South Minneapolis neighborhood for decades.

What they're saying: Regulars left messages of support in sidewalk chalk outside the red-brick building.

• "You are the reason we moved a block away!" one read. "We hope you'll be back soon."

"I'm frustrated with, not just my football players who won't get vaccinated, I'm frustrated with everybody."

Go deeper.

Minnesotans who received enhanced unemployment benefits or Paycheck Protection Program loans last year can expect to wait a little longer for tax relief from the state.

What's happening: Refunds for about 550,000 filers who paid state taxes on the extra $300 and $600 unemployment payments issued during the pandemic likely won't go out until September, a Minnesota Department of Revenue spokesperson told us.

• A smaller number of refunds for Paycheck Protection Program loan recipients whose returns can be automatically adjusted should be issued later this month.

Context: State lawmakers voted this summer to waive state income taxes on PPP loans and up to $10,200 in extra federal unemployment benefits for those who made less than $150,000 for the year.

• But unlike the federal government and many other states, lawmakers here waited until after the filing deadline to pass a tax conformity bill.

Behind the delay: The Revenue Department had to update 2020 tax forms and develop a system for processing and adjusting already-filed returns once the change was signed into law.

Full story.

🥇 Suni Lee won bronze in the uneven bars and Regan Smith snagged silver in the 4x100 medley over the weekend.

• ⏰ Attention early risers (or night owls): Lee competes in her final event, balance beam, starting at 3am CT Tuesday.

🙁 High turnover and reports of low staff morale are plaguing St. Paul's Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity. (Pioneer Press)

👵 New protections for assisted living residents took effect this weekend. "People's lives will be saved by this law — and hopefully the conditions of those lives will be improved," one elder care advocate said. (Star Tribune)

🐴 Faribault County's only vet is offering to give away his practice to someone willing to serve the rural area's animals. (KARE11)

Audrey celebrated "Sunisa Lee Day" last week with a trip to Hmong Village on the east side of St. Paul.

• 🍜 Check out her trip to the one-of-a-kind indoor market — and her delicious lunch recommendation — on our @AxiosTwinCities Instagram account.