Racket

Racket is a Minneapolis-based, alt-weekly-style publication founded in 2021 by four former City Pages editors—Jessica Armbruster, Jay Boller, Em Cassel, and Keith Harris. Emerging in the wake of City Pages’ closure, Racket positions itself as both a continuation and reinvention of that legacy, offering “fun and fearless” journalism that blends sharp reporting with an engaging, irreverent tone. Its coverage spans Minnesota news, politics, music, arts, food, and the often-overlooked quirks of local life, delivering stories that are as insightful as they are entertaining. What distinguishes Racket is its ownership and funding model. As a writer-owned outlet with no reliance on grants or major investors, it operates independently, sustained entirely by reader memberships. This structure reinforces its commitment to editorial freedom and ensures that resources directly support journalists, artists, and contributors rather than external stakeholders. Racket also positions itself in opposition to broader industry trends, emphasizing human-driven storytelling over algorithmic or AI-generated content, and advocating for media that reflects workers, creatives, and independent voices. In a challenging media landscape, it stands out as a bold, community-supported experiment in sustaining local journalism with personality, purpose, and accountability.