Skip to Content
News

Today’s Open Thread: It’s an Important Rodent Holiday 

It's time once again for us to turn Racket over to you, the readers.

It’s your holiday, little buddy!

|Unsplash

Hello. Hi. Hola. It’s me, Jessica. Keith is out today moving to new digs, so I'm here to dump some lighter fluid onto the embers of this week’s open thread post. 

Last night, my Mom sent me a text at the stroke of midnight wishing me a happy Groundhog's Day. Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow this morning, in case you were wondering, which means spring is coming early, but if you’ve been outside in Minnesota lately you probably already knew that. 

While I don’t take weather predictions from disoriented rodents seriously, I do appreciate the reminder to watch Groundhog Day, a movie that gets me thinking about breaking bad habits, changing perspectives, and trying to be the best version of ourselves. I know New Year’s is the big resolution holiday, but I feel like Groundhog’s Day could be a lower stakes, more realistic counterpart. A big part of realizing goals is recognizing and breaking bad cycles, after all.

So let’s talk about bad habits and what we’re doing to break them this season. My lifelong dumb habit is drinking too much coffee. It gives me migraines. It fucks with my stomach. I stop sleeping. I drink too much, then I quit, only to start up again a few months later. I’ve been slowly weaning myself off the juice; during lockdown I was up to over a pint of joe a day, now I’m down to a single champagne flute (gotta put that neglected glassware to use somehow).

What dumb habits do you struggle to kick? Let’s talk in the thread below. Or, just share your plans for the weekend—or whatever else you feel like talking about. I’m going out for cocktails with a friend tonight, how about you?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racket

Data Reporter Unearths Epstein’s Ties to MN’s North Shore

Plus the Wolves-ICE connection, a report on the economics of live local music, and yet another How to Help in today's Flyover news roundup.

February 18, 2026

ICE Cost Lake Street Businesses at Least $46M. These Weekly Cash Mobs Help Them Claw Back Profit.

The Lake Street Council's cash mobs are bringing hundreds of people to struggling restaurants each week.

February 18, 2026

Streaming the Siege: At Every Turn, ICE’s MN Invasion Has Been Captured on Video

As the country’s largest-ever immigration raid hits Minnesota, unprecedented packs of journalists, activists, and influencers upload scenes of the chaos.

February 18, 2026

Anyone in the Mood for a Rent Strike?

Plus remembering the Hortmans as the House returns, hero dogs doing important work, and how you can help Midtown Global Market in today's Flyover news roundup.

What Can I Say? It’s Your Complete Concert Calendar: Feb. 17-23

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

February 17, 2026

I Waited 11 Years (and Then a Few Hours) to Visit the Apostle Islands Ice Caves

Climate change has shrunk ice coverage on Lake Superior, making ice-cave access anomalous. If you have the chance, you should go.

February 17, 2026
See all posts