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.

More Stories

Who Is Potential MN Gov. Amy Klobuchar? Let’s Ask Author Amy Klobuchar.

Plus suspicious Klobes mailers, the mysterious killing of Joe Eder, and what if we legalized sleeping in cars in today's Flyover news roundup.

October 22, 2026

On the Big Screen This Week: Hitchcock, Hamaguchi, and More Fests Than You Can Handle

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

October 22, 2026

‘Sweet Land’ at 20: Exploring the MN-Made Movie’s Still-Relevant Immigrant Themes

The filmmaker and author reflect on taking the short story from page to screen, and celebrate its anniversary this weekend with a screening at the Main.

Why Are We Suddenly Talking About ‘Somali Gangs’ All the Time?

Plus running from Trump, rewarding Nick Shirley, and a weak-ass WSJ hit piece in today's Flyover news roundup.

October 21, 2026

Best Budget Bites: $7 Burger Basket From Como Tap

Is it possible to find a cheaper burger basket ANYWHERE?

October 21, 2026

A Very Early Preview of the Very Delayed Green Line Extension

Will this light rail put us on the map like Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook?

October 21, 2026