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Hey Bismarck, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: New snowplow tracker, 13 pastry stops, and pictures with the Easter Bunny + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Bismarck protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Fresh features now live: NDDOT’s travel map now includes a snowplow tracker and a LoadPass permit link, giving Bismarck-area drivers and commercial haulers a simpler way to plan their trips — see what’s been added.

Grassroots development gets a lift: North Dakota Department of Commerce awarded the final round of Rural Catalyst Grants, investing $2.5 million in nine rural communities for emergency services, health care, housing, and food security — read the full story.

Follow the scent of sugar: An article spotlights 13 North Dakota pastry stops that make noon plans vanish, including Bismarck favorites Brick Oven Bakery, Bearscat Bakehouse, El Coquí Bakery, plus destinations from Minot to Jamestown — explore all 13 sweet spots.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Bid, dine, and support Ducks Unlimited
• Kids explore STEM with Gateway to Science
• Paint your own concrete creations

🫶 We got your back

Fresh-baked sandwich fix: Craving a low-key lunch win? Brick Oven Bakery stacks from-scratch breads with croissant-level buttery bliss into simple, satisfying sandwiches like a BLT or Parisian ham-and-Swiss, plus good coffee and tempting pastries for a morale boost. A neighborhood staple.

Riverfront reset spot: When the week stacks up, head to Sertoma Park for fresh air: meandering paths, big trees, and room to roam, play, or sip coffee on a bench. Loop it with a friend, steal twenty minutes, and call it self-care.

Playtime, upgraded: Need a quick kid-pleasing pick? At Hiccups Children’s Boutique, find playful toys, smart puzzles, and one-of-a-kind little gifts, plus cozy pajamas for tiny sleepers. A bright downtown stop for birthday surprises or midweek morale boosts when you want something delightful, fast.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🐛 Buggin Out Preschool Discovery Hour @ North Dakota’s Gateway to Science | Wednesday (3/11) at 9:00 AM – Got a kid who collects roly-polies like trading cards? Take them to Gateway to Science for a free, ages 3 to 5 preschool discovery hour where little entomologists build bug hotels, peer at exoskeletons, and zip along a pollination path, all hands-on, all chaos contained.

👶 Tiny Tots Dancing @ Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library | Wednesday (3/11) at 4:15 PM – Let the kiddos spin their wiggles into culture at Bismarck Library’s Children’s Library under the trees, where Sacred Pipe Resource Center turns dance time into a friendly intro to powwow music, dances, and regalia. Free, welcoming, and high-energy. You clap, they learn, everyone sleeps well.

🛍 Vendor Show @ Kirkwood Mall | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – Between timeouts at the Boys AA hoops and bracket debates, wander the mall’s common area for a vendor show packed with local makers, entrepreneurs, and tempting eats. It’s the perfect halftime stroll, with gifts you’ll actually use, zero cheesy souvenirs, and plenty of people-watching.

🐰 Pictures with the Easter Bunny @ Gateway Mall | Friday (3/13) at 12:00 PM – Skip the overpriced mall setup and snag free DIY pics with the Easter Bunny, a cute backdrop, and zero hard sells. Bring the kids, the grandparents, the friend group, and your phone or camera. Bribery with jelly beans is encouraged, patience even more.

🏅 Little Kids, Big World: Athletes @ North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum | Saturday (3/14) at 10:15 AM – Whether your toddler thinks a hockey stick is a magic wand, or you need an indoor win, head to Little Kids, Big World: Athletes at the Heritage Center for free, tabletop takes on North Dakota sports legends. Meet at west entrance. Saturday topics repeat Monday.

🧶 Fibers and Friends @ Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Grab your yarn and park yourself in the Former Governors’ Mansion for a cozy stitch-and-chat. Bring crochet, knitting, or whatever fiber fling you fancy, share tricks, and humbly brag. Free entry, cookies and coffee included, all ages welcome with an adult in tow.

🎲 Toys, Comics, Cards & More @ Bismarck Eagles Club #2237 | Sunday (3/15) at 9:00 AM – Relive your childhood, responsibly, at a free-admission show of toys, comics, cards, and all the collectibles you promised you would stop hoarding. Star Wars, trains, sports memorabilia, 3D printed art, pickled goodies, and Grubbersputz popcorn await, so bring cash, a tote, and your willpower.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Bismarck report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 39°F – Low: 22°F – Precip: 21%

A slight chance of snow between 2pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Southwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 41°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 13%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: A slight chance of snow between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across North Dakota but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

Ranch-Style by Diversity Homes, this 4,056 sq ft home blends elegance and utility in a vaulted plan. Highlights include a glass-surrounded office, a chef’s kitchen with double ovens, and an open staircase, plus a primary suite. The lower level adds a wet bar and theater room. An oversized heated garage and an east-facing covered deck bring utility and morning light.

Take a peek inside →