Skip to Content
Opinion

Hope You’ve Got a Long Weekend. If Not, You’ve Still Got This Friday Open Thread.

What on your minds this Friday, Racket pals?

9:47 AM CDT on June 30, 2023

Wouldn’t you rather be watching a laser show?

|Jingda Chen

Well, there's sure plenty to talk about this long 4th of July weekend.

As we celebrate (or don't) an always fraught holiday, the city of Minneapolis is making some *extremely Minnesotan voice* interesting choices. Taste of Minnesota returns this weekend, which means "downtown Minneapolis is back" again, etc. But the Stone Arch Bridge will be closed before sundown (a decision made without community input, and apparently not made by the MPRB), signaling that not everyone is welcome to our "revitalized" urban space. And though I've personally never been a big fireworks guy, it's hard to get excited about a big civic laser show on Boom Island.

In short, Independence Day is dumb, the rulers of downtown Minneapolis don't care what you think, and, uh, laser show. On the plus side, a long weekend (if you're fortunate enough to have one) gives you plenty of time to catch up on any Racket stories you missed.

As always, talk about whatever you want in the comments. We'll be back on Wednesday, which seems like ages from now.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

Genocide Scholar Denied Genocide Studies Job for Calling out Genocide Gets Settlement from the U

Plus remembering Sue Zelickson, Trump's disdain for U visas, and Hennepin County libraries propose hour cuts in today's Flyover news roundup.

RacketCast, Ep. 58: IRL CSI Feat. Forensic Scientist Melissa Loren

Meet one of the BCA's top crime scene scientists.

August 7, 2026

The Confusion, Chaos, and Courage I Saw at This Weekend’s Anti-Trans Rally Outside of Target Center

Inside the arena, the Minnesota Lynx squared off against the Indiana Fever. Outside the stadium, local activists took on an array of anti-trans protesters.

August 7, 2026

For This Week’s Open Thread, Tell Us the Grossest Food/Drink You Love

As we do every Friday, we're turning Racket over to you, the readers.

Freeloader Friday: 141 Free Things To Do This Weekend

Vintage markets, old-school cars, and lots of tunes in the sun.

August 7, 2026

Soon-to-Be Ghouly-Weds? Evil Noem-Lewandowski Pair Look Awfully Cozy on Lake Minnetonka.

Plus tariff tolls on small biz, remembering a Somali singer, and an update on Racket's fifth birthday in today's Flyover news roundup.

August 6, 2026