Photo courtesy of moonbuggy

A Wisconsin fireworks store got a different kind of explosion this Fourth of July weekend. While the state is used to Minnesotans flocking over the border to get fireworks illegal in their own state, the store was bombarded with angry customers and Muslim groups who said their "Run Hadji Run" fireworks were flat-out racist.

The $30 fireworks package features men in traditional Muslim attire riding camels as a fighter plane flies overhead. On the back of the package, Uncle Sam is yanking the beard of another man dressed in traditional Muslim attire. Apparently this company's idea of a real patriotic fireworks celebration is pretty offensive to everyone else with some common sense. The Wisconsin store under fire has since pulled the product from their store.

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Photo by Ha-Wee

Some people apparently can't get into the Fourth of July spirit. One St. Paul man was so enraged by the amateur fireworks in his neighborhood he took the problem into his own hands and allegedly shot one of the teens in the neck.

While a group of people were setting off fireworks in the street near E. Belvidere Street and Oakdale Avenue, one 14-year-old boy suddenly grabbed his neck and blood started flowing. People first thought he had been hit by a stray firecracker, but medics quickly realized he had suffered a gunshot wound.

Police tracked down and jailed a 49-year-old neighbor on suspicion of aggravated assault in the shooting. Officials believe he was so mad about the fireworks in his neighborhood that he shot the boy to make it all stop.

The teen is in critical but stable condition and is expected to survive.

Check out a video report and interview with the teen's cousin at WCCO.

Photo courtesy of Pedal Studios

We're all having trouble figuring out how to cope with the loss of Michael Jackson. Drunken "Billie Jean" karaoke attempt? Tried it. Imitation moon walks at the Pride Parade? Failed. A good day with the Jackson 5 VH1 movie and a box of tissues? We're better than that.

Well we think we've found the solution to your MJ depression. Why not ride it out with a bunch of fellow super fans while MJ belts it out in the background? Done and done.

Pedal Studios in Minneapolis is offering two one-hour Michael Jackson tribute rides. For free! Sweat out the pain, Jacko lovers.

More info on the rides:
Tonight (June 29) and Thursday (July 2) at 6:45 pm
Free! The rides are first-come, first-serve.
Pedal Studios
21 5th St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
612-644-5900

There must have been a lot of idiot drunk drivers thanking their lucky stars this weekend when they made it home safe and without a DWI New Year's Eve. The Minnesota State Patrol announced that they arrested 28 people on suspicion of drunk driving from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.More >>

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By Beth Walton via phone.

People were literally dancing in the street in downtown St. Paul as Barack Obama gave his victory speech. Young people in Franken T-shirts stood up in their car, flashing Democratic party signs out their window and waving their hands through the sun roof. A car of black teenagers whizzed by on Kellog Blvd, an American flag attached to the car's side mirror. They honked first and everyone else followed.

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