Skip to Content
Opinion

Today Is Racket’s 2nd Birthday and Our Gift to You Is This Friday Open Thread

Where were you on August 18, 2021?

Baby pictures: An archrival screengrab of Racket’s homepage on Day 1.

Happy birthday to us.

Two years ago today, Racket published its first story: "24 Hours in Uptown," for which the four of us fanned out through Minneapolis's most overdiscussed not-a-neighborhood and noted what we saw, heard, and endured over the course of a day.

There was more to come on August 18, 2021. Em wrote a complaint about Tesla owners and a warning to restaurant customers about how the pandemic had changed dining out. Jay tackled the State Fair's laissez-faire Covid protocols. We ran our first poll: "Who Will Racket Disappoint First?" And we published our first Event Horizon,

We've grown a lot since then. Not staff-wise—there's still just the four of us. But in terms of our readership (you!) and the features we offer, we're no longer the squalling, red-faced infant we once were. We are a squalling, red-faced toddler, thank you very much.

But the open thread isn't about us, it's about you. So here's our open thread prompt for today: How has your life and your world changed since 2021?

Of course, feel free to ignore the prompt and talk about what you want. And if you insist on wishing us a happy birthday, we will accept your good wishes with out characteristic graciousness.

Oh, and I almost forgot until I saw Em's comment below, but we're celebrating our birthday IRL at Fair State Brewing Cooperative in NE Minneapolis on Saturday, August 26. We really hope to see bunches of you there.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racket

Minneapolis Homeowner Uncovers Incredible Blast From the Past

Plus cool Lynx news, more skateparks coming soon, and a new study on Mississippi flooding in today's Flyover news roundup.

A Taste of Minnesota and Other Festive Fourth Picks for Your Complete Concert Calendar: July 1-7

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

July 1, 2025

Weed Weviews: 4 Things I Tried in June

Lot's of easy drinking for the summer season.

Inside the High-Wire MN Fight Over Medically Diagnosing Child Abuse Head Trauma

Plus Strib excellence, wanna buy Burrito Loco, a viral obit, and let's hear from the Grandma's Marathon artist in today's Flyover news roundup.

Frozen Treats at the Sculpture Garden, a Walk-Up Window for the Donut Trap, and More June Food News

Plus Korean fried chicken in Richfield, the debut of Palace Pub, and much more.

June 30, 2025
See all posts