Now that the story of the Flying Imams has turned from a civil rights case that demonstrates how America seethes with hatred against ordinary Muslims to a story about six politically connected imams who staged a stunt to push a lawsuit and a political agenda, the MSM hs lost interest.

Even that part of the MSM-reprint service known as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has decided to throw in the towel. Though it is a local story with national implications, the classic reason a regional paper rides a story longer than, say, the New York Times, the Star-Tribune can’t be bothered. (Except for the excellent columns by Katherine Kersten.)

Its managing editor Anders Gyllenhaal recently wrote to a reader (hat tip, Powerline) : “I don’t think the paper dropped this story, but I do think it had run its course. I would like to have seen a story delving into who these folks were, a good suggestion, but I don’t think it’s timely at this point. I think this is one of those stories that runs for a couple of days, then subsides. I gather you disagree, which is fine.”

Is Anders right? Or does the imams story have legs, loads of fresh angles that readers will be interested in?

So, over the course of the next few days, I will be posting some new information about the case along with some questions that reporters and other investigators might want to ask. I have asked a retired senior D.C. detective to read the police report and evaluate it. What he found and didn’t find will surprise you. I also have examined the religious rules behind Muslim prayers and have some questions about the imams’ faith and practice. But the biggest unanswered question: Were these imams acting on behalf of Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, who they met with the day before their stunt?

Watch this space.