mn_am1If you didn’t like this early census statistic from U.S. Rep. Colin Peterson — that 25 percent of his constituents think the American military destroyed the World Trade Center towers on 9/11 — well, he’s sorry. Without indicating a precise proportion this time, Peterson amended his claim: “[T]here are people in the Seventh District who freely identify themselves as outside the mainstream — on the left and on the right — who try to hijack public forums like town hall meetings.” And crash them into tall buildings, he forgot to add.

Elsewhere in Minnesota headlines this morning …

DULUTH: Rally rankles council members. A boxing promoter whose own supporter says is ”very, very agitated” led protesters from the City Hall steps to a council meeting room, demanding several city councilors resign or apologize for various alleged transgressions.  [Fox 21 News]

MINNEAPOLIS: …and He threw the money-collectors out. A federal court case will go nowhere after plaintiffs complaining about a collection agency’s use of the phrase “WWJD?” were revealed to be owners of a rival collection agency. [Associated Press]

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS: School sues ACLU back. The embattled TiZA charter school filed a countersuit against the state civil-liberties group, claiming defamation. [St. Paul Pioneer Press]

DANUBE: Bigger fish to fry? The police chief and his wife are charged with taking $4,650 from the fire department’s smelt-fry fund, although they put the money back. [West Central Tribune]

MINNEAPOLIS: Fine to laugh. Clubs needed a pricey license to stage stand-up comedy acts — until the city council amended its ways. [City Pages]

RED WING: This boot was made for exhibitin’. Parading four blocks to its new museum home was the world’s largest boot — the one Norm Coleman didn’t quite measure up to. At size 638 D, could it be a reincarnated governor? [Associated Press]