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

Conspiracy-Loving Immigration Judge Lasts 4 Months on Job

Plus Rapidan Dam is damned, Klobuchar caught repeating posts on Twitter, and a really cool rock house for sale in today's Flyover news roundup.

September 15, 2026

Don’t Look Now But It’s Your Complete Concert Calendar: Sept. 15-21

Pretty much all the music you can catch in the Twin Cities this week.

September 15, 2026

The Weedeater: Stoned Martha’s Cookies

‘Put the weed in the cookie cup and eat it all up’ is what I sang to myself while making these.

September 15, 2026

Mud, Rocks, and Mental Anguish: A Novice Mountain Biker Attempts the Race Across Duluth

You can mountain bike 40+ miles across Duluth. But should you?

September 15, 2026

Craft Beer Bubble Watch: Foreclosure Trouble Brewing for Summit

Plus Playboy highlights locked/loaded sex workers, winter will be warm, and Bon Iver write a local bar jingle in today's Flyover news roundup.

September 14, 2026

ChromaZone Mural Fest, Phoebe Bridgers, Neighborhood Super Sale: This Week’s Best Events

Plus a taco tour, an apple press, and a party on the capitol lawn.

September 14, 2026