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Cathy Wurzer
St. Paul, Minn.

Trading air conditioning for fans -- but not just any fans

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Today is slated to be the hottest day yet of a heat wave that's been melting the Midwest, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees and a heat index that could get as high as 118.

In the struggle to stay cool, it's hard to imagine anyone being opposed to the delights of air conditioning. But one St. Paul resident is arguing against it, and in favor of fans. That's right — good, old-fashioned fans.

Michael Tortorello made his case for this unlikely hero in a recent New York Times article. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer about why fans deserve more credit, and a little more limelight.