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Antonio

@antoniobackman.bsky.social

Have a new cat image that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Credit to Medieval Cats by Catherine Nappington

October 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM

Antonio

@antoniobackman.bsky.social

From Dave Pell's Next Draft - An absolute stinger at the end.

From Dave Pell's Next Draft about recent events in Hollywood, and specifically after Jimmy Kimmel's suspension. "We've spent countless hours analyzing the character of Donald Trump. But that's a settled issue. The real character being tested is ours. We've seen that character wilt in our halls of Congress, our institutions, our universities, and our corporate boardrooms, as a parade of rapid-fire knee-bending has heralded in a new era of American exceptionalism - one in which we prove that no country capitulates to authoritarian tendencies faster than us."

September 19, 2025 at 11:07 AM

Antonio

@antoniobackman.bsky.social

From Adam Platt's Twin Cities Business Mag's article about the Strib closing their print facility. First, the weekday print circ is about 71,000 (low but still better than I thought) and the weekday digital is 102,000, that's really not ideal, really speaks to their digital sub struggles.

A screenshot clip of From Adam Platt's Twin Cities Business Mag's article about the Strib closing their print facility. First, the weekday print circ is about 71,000 (low but still better than I thought) and the weekday digital is 102,000, that's really not ideal, really speaks to their digital sub struggles. Sunday print circ is about 123,000. The Strib VP gives a helpful and unlikely positive spin on the numbers.

September 12, 2025 at 4:56 PM

Antonio

@antoniobackman.bsky.social

Remember when someone posted this picture likening DFL leaders to characters from The Godfather. Because, honestly, I still think about it and I laugh and laugh.

Unsure the source of this adapted movie poster. It says "The Godfather of Crime" and features DFL leaders as characters from the Godfather. People include Tim Walz, Melvin Carter, Steve Simon, Peggy Flanagan, Julia Blaha, Jacob Frey and Keith Ellison. Plus Tom Weber.

September 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM

Antonio

@antoniobackman.bsky.social

Final Roundup of the 2025 reviews for the #MNStateFair New Foods, in case you want some guidance on which foods you want as we start the last weekend of the Fair. Will also personally recommend the Soft Serve Royal Raspberry Beer, which was marvelous.

Minnesota State Fair New Foods 2025 Final Roundup. A spreadsheet that ranks all the new food released last year by using the media reviews that were published then. More green boxes means the food was more liked, more dark blue boxes means the food were more disliked. Somali Street Fries is at the top followed by Sweet Squeakers, Hula Kalua Pork, Tandoori Chicken Quesaratha, Deep-Fried Tofuego Bites, Cherry Bigfoot Limeade Float, Fawaffle, Shrimp and Pork Toast on-a-stick, etc

August 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM

Antonio

@antoniobackman.bsky.social

I'll say this, I think the Baba's production team seemed a little under prepared for the Fair, so there is prolly some inconsistencies for the food, but as a whole, I think that it's clear to be a top tier dish.

Image shows positive/negative reviews for the #MNStateFair New Food Fawaffle. Racket was negative, everyone else was positive.

August 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Antonio

@antoniobackman.bsky.social

Updated Roundup of the 2025 reviews for the #MNStateFair New Foods. The final draft will come out on Wednesday when Heavy Table releases their reviews. Clear to see that the worst new foods this year were the Timber Twists, Smashadilla, Birthday Cake Cookie Dough on-a-stick and....

Minnesota State Fair New Foods 2025 Roundup from the weekend. A spreadsheet that ranks all the new food released last year by using the media reviews that were published then. More green boxes means the food was more liked, more dark blue boxes means the food were more disliked.

August 24, 2025 at 11:41 PM

Antonio

@antoniobackman.bsky.social

Roundup of media reviews about the New Minnesota State Fair Foods for 2025 from the first day! A final draft will come out later this weekend. Somali Street Fries and Sweet Squeakers are early favorites. Blue Barn redeemed itself? #mnstatefair

Minnesota State Fair New Foods 2025 Roundup from the first day. A spreadsheet that ranks all the new food released last year by using the media reviews that were published then. More green boxes means the food was more liked, more dark blue boxes means the food were more disliked.

August 22, 2025 at 5:35 PM

Antonio

@antoniobackman.bsky.social

I'll be collecting media reviews about the New Minnesota State Fair Foods this year and organizing them like this (sample version from last years 2024 reviews).