AM.MN: ‘Socialist’ label gets a workout at Austin immigration clash

It’s becoming a regular thing in Austin, as rival groups sparred over immigration in front of the Mower County Courthouse. Twenty anti-immigrant demonstrators led by a local National Socialist Movement activist squared off with 50 counter-protesters, including a Socialist Workers Party candidate for Minneapolis mayor. It’s the second anti-immigrant rally in two weeks and the Nazi group says its members will be back next month.

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning …

MOORHEAD: Counting scholars, snowbirds in next census could save state a seat in D.C. Local college students escaped the U.S. Census’ clutches last time, but tallying them may be key to preserving Minnesota’s current complement of eight in the U.S. House of Representatives. [Forum of Fargo-Moorhead]

RED WING: Tough economy encourages jury-shirking. Goodhue County tries to work with jurors afraid for their jobs; the state’s $10 per diem doesn’t buy much security. [Red Wing Republican Eagle]

MINNETONKA: Dam closes due to drought. Lake Minnetonka’s gain is Minnehaha Creek’s loss, as Gray’s Bay Dam is shut until the water level rises about a foot on the lake, which feeds the creek. [Sun Newspapers]

ST. PAUL: Segway menace spreads. What costs $70 in Minneapolis will set you back $10 more in St. Paul, where a private company’s tours-by-Segway have a new home base at the Minnesota History Center. Remember: “They can’t hear us, they’re on Segways!” [St. Paul Pioneer Press; Twin Cities Daily Planet]

ALBERT LEA: USA Today delays article on health push. Locals looking for their names in a promised story on their vitality efforts will have to wait another week. [Albert Lea Tribune]

BLOOMINGTON: Swine flu dampens attendance at school. As many as two-thirds of students are missing class due to the virus — unless it’s early-onset summeritis. [KSTP-TV]