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

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: New nonstop route, Hell’s Belles, and Women’s Fair + 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

Environmental concerns reshape local baseball: The PaddleHeads’ owner has withdrawn a push for artificial turf at Ogren Field, citing health and environmental concerns, while an anti-plastic coalition plans to meet with city managers on policy — read the full story.

Expanded connectivity reshapes regional travel: American Airlines has launched nonstop flights between Missoula and Chicago, secured with federal grants and local support. The route opens one-stop access to 150-plus global destinations for travelers and businesses — get all the details.

Stopgap sanitation plan draws scrutiny: Missoula City-County health board approved wastewater variance for Holland Lake Lodge in February, clearing a hurdle to reopening while Forest Service works to replace failed lagoons despite water quality concerns — get all the details.

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 Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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:

• Create your yearly tarot wheel
• Women and genderqueer climbers build power
• Swap seeds, houseplants, and gardening books
• 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

Sweet, fully plant-based fix: Missoula’s Veera Donuts brightens mornings with scratch-made, 100% vegan donuts in wildly creative flavors, plus savory plant-based bites for balance. From maple bars to fritters, seitan sandwiches to biscuits, it’s all joy, no dairy, always.

Treasure hunt, downtown edition: Four floors and 15,000+ square feet of vintage finds await at Montana Antique Mall, where an afternoon slips by fast. Browse sturdy old-school furniture, quirky collectibles, and story-soaked curios… a relaxed way to satisfy that something-unique itch any day.

Wake up ready, sparkle on: At Permanently Beautiful, polished permanent makeup, including brows, liner, and lips, meets custom-fit welded jewelry. It’s fuss-free, with a fresh face plus a forever bracelet in one simple stop, for low-maintenance glow and shine that sticks around.

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.

♻ Household Chemical Dropoff @ Home ReSource | Friday (3/6) at 12:00 PM – Whether your garage smells like an auto shop or your shed is a chemistry set, this year-round household chemical dropoff keeps paint, pesticides, and mystery jars out of the landfill and our groundwater, nudging Missoula toward Zero by Fifty. Appointment required, fee, register here: https://www.homeresource.org/hcd/hcd-registration/

🎬 Montana BDR Documentary Screening @ Maverick Motorsports | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 AM – Catch the Montana BDR documentary from Backcountry Discovery Routes, the final link in the Western system, charting 900 miles from Idaho to Canada across 13 mountain ranges. Big views, no dust, actual seats. Plan your summer ride, swap stories, and call it training.

♻ Skwalapalooza Gear Swap @ Blackfoot River Outfitters | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Clear the garage and your conscience at Blackfoot River Outfitters’ annual Skwalapalooza gear swap, where used rods find new homes, and everything is 20% off. Sell extras for cash or fatter credit, demo rods, try waders, enter raffles, and pounce early for the best deals.

❄ Winter Market @ Southgate Mall | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – If you’re tired of pretending frozen peas are seasonal, swing through the Missoula Valley Winter Market in the Southgate Mall concourse by Schell’s. Farm-fresh produce, legit baked goods, and plenty more, all on Saturdays through April. It’s community, carbs, and zero wind chill.

👩 Women’s Fair @ University of Montana | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Missoula Women’s Fair is back at the UC Ballroom, free to stroll, shop, and get a tarot reading. Expect 50+ local vendors, pampering, raffles for good causes, and a $100 door prize. Bring a tote, your favorite girlfriends, and that ‘I deserve this’ energy.

📚 Saturday Tiny Tales @ Missoula Public Library | Saturday (3/7) at 3:00 PM – Short and sweet storytime at the Imaginarium where tiny humans bounce, clap, and rhyme their way toward reading. Expect songs, finger-plays, nursery rhymes, and a cozy tale or two, all led by Youth Services pros. Thirty minutes, zero meltdowns, fingers crossed.

🔔 Hell’s Belles @ The Wilma | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 PM – Saturday at The Wilma means earplugs, a beer, and Hell’s Belles, the all-female AC/DC tribute, blasting it the way it was meant to be, loud and unapologetic. Broken Anthems opens, you handle the shout-alongs. Leave the high kicks to them, knees will thank you.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 The Inn at Derbeyshire @ Zootown Arts Community Center – 7:30 PM
• 3/7 Hell’s Belles @ The Wilma – 7:00 PM
• 3/8 Mr. Z @ Missoula Public Library – 3:00 PM
• 3/9 Social Dance @ Missoula, MT, United States, Montana – 6:15 PM
• 3/10 Youth Guitar Classes @ Tangled Tones Music Studio – 5:15 PM
• 3/11 Edgewater Rhythms @ FINN – 5:00 PM
• 3/12 Alice/Wonderland @ University of Montana, School of Theatre & Dance, PARTV Bldg, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT, United States, Montana 59812 – 7:30 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

📻 Missoula report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 45°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 25%

A chance of snow between 10am and noon, then a slight chance of rain and snow between noon and 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. West southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain and snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. West southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 53%

A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A slight chance of rain before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Something in your house is about to break 🏠

It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.

It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.

American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.

This house is wild

This 5-bed, 3-bath Upper Miller Creek home spans over 3,500 square feet with an open main level and a primary suite on the first floor. A granite kitchen with stainless appliances and pantry flows to dining and a deck. Downstairs adds a family room and a flex studio with utility sink and 240-volt. Fenced yard, parks and The Den nearby.

Take a peek inside →