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It’s Friday, Minot! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: College enrollment surge, a Save the Reef escape room, and Sebastian Bach on tour + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Colleges report rising interest: Reports show spring enrollment across the North Dakota University System has climbed nearly 2 percent, with gains at every campus. Fall 2025 was the highest since 2014, signaling momentum — get all the details.

Youth agriculture workshop highlights: NDSU Extension hosted a hands-on calving school south of Minot, drawing 52 4-H’ers to learn skills across livestock, with YQCA required to exhibit at the 2026 North Dakota State Fair — read the full story.

Rethinking local pet care: Minot is seeking proposals to run its animal pound after plans to continue with Souris Valley Animal Shelter fell through, and the council will weigh management of the facility — read the full story.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Solve puzzles to save the reef
• Sip and paint vibrant spring waterfalls
• Camp-style care when school’s out
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Plant-powered pick‑me‑up: Refuel your midweek slump with Blissful Bee Juicery. Cold-pressed juices, açaí bowls, and smoothies made with real ingredients bring bold color and clean flavor. Quick, tasty, and surprisingly filling without the crash… an easy, feel-good reset that won’t weigh you down.

Treasure hunt, local impact: Clear your trunk and your conscience. Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Thrift Store is a Minot browse where grandma’s gravy boat meets next week’s wall art. Inventory moves fast, finds are quirky, and every purchase fuels good work at home.

Wake‑up ready brows: Skip the morning pencil and wake up ready with custom cosmetic tattooing from Nickel & Dodge. Choose powder or hair‑stroke brows, soft eyeliner, or lips, all tailored to flatter and built to last. A subtle weekday upgrade from a trusted Minot crew.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Around town this weekend

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🍓 Fresh Strawberries & Oranges @ Buffalo Wild Wings | Friday (3/6) at 12:00 PM – Take a quick detour to Buffalo Wild Wings on South Broadway for farm-fresh strawberries, oranges, pecans, and Michigan maple syrup, in town just days after harvest. Pre-order for the discount, pay at pickup, and quietly avoid watching your neighbor nab the last flat.

🐟 Zion Fish Fry @ Zion Lutheran Church | Friday (3/6) at 3:00 PM – Craving small-town comfort, and maybe a second helping. Zion’s fish fry is serving crispy cod with mashed potatoes, creamed corn, coleslaw, a roll, and dessert, $15 for adults, $10 for kids, pay at the door. Supports Zion’s general fund, volunteers welcome, ask Joe or Amanda.

🧱 Ready Builders Lego Competition @ North Dakota State Fair Center | Friday (3/6) at 6:00 PM – Home & Garden Show means the kids get to be the builders for once. Ages 5 to 12 get 40 minutes to craft a dream house, judges pick winners, and the Legos are provided, so your feet are safe. Free after admission, first-come spots.

🛍 Market Day @ Dakota Square Mall | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats strolling the mall and finding your farmers market crew set up near Chico’s every week, cozy and indoors. Stock up on local honey, breads, proteins, crafted gifts, 3D-printed oddities, jewelry, household staples, and treats for the pup, then call it errands.

✂ Mexican Star Wallhanging Class @ Creative Dimensions by Chelce Detert | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Fabric stash giving you side-eye? This two-part Mexican Star wall-hanging class turns straight seams into curvy magic. Part one covers technique and assembly, pre-cutting is a must, part two is layering, marking, and quilting on your machine.

🌱 Kokedama Class @ North Dakota State Fair Center | Saturday (3/7) at 12:15 PM – Sneak off to the Home & Garden Show’s Maker’s Nook and get your hands dirty with a Kokedama class led by the Lowe’s Garden Center folks. You’ll craft a modern, moss-wrapped plant that’s part décor, part bragging rights, and all zen. Presale tickets coming soon.

🌱 Seed Starting Basics @ North Dakota State Fair Center | Saturday (3/7) at 2:30 PM – Grab a coffee, then swing by the Maker’s Nook at the Minot Home & Garden Show for Pitner Provisions’ beginner seed-starting class. Plant take-home starts in biodegradable pots, get a digital guide, and feel smug about 2026 tomatoes, all for five bucks, supplies included.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Balderdash @ Rockin’ Horse Saloon & Sports Bar – 8:30 PM
• 3/6 Drive Night 1 @ The Original Bar and Nightclub – 9:30 PM
• 3/7 90’s & 2000’s Throwback Night @ Blue Rider – 8:30 PM
• 3/7 Drive Night 2 @ The Original Bar and Nightclub – 9:30 PM
• 3/10 Sebastian Bach @ The Original Bar and Nightclub – 6:30 PM
• 3/11 Rittz and more @ The Original Bar and Nightclub – 7:00 PM
• 3/12 Free Nachos @ Blue Rider – 4:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Minot report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 31°F – Low: 19°F – Precip: 7%

Partly sunny, with a high near 31. Northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. West wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 51°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Southwest wind 12 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

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