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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Students advance to state, Words by the Water with Minnesota authors, and a Texas Hold’em poker tournament + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Brainerd 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

Local students earn accolades: Wadena-Deer Creek FFA advanced two teams to state after strong performances at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, fish and wildlife third, Evan Schmitz third individually, and farm business management fourth — see who advanced to state.

Storytellers take center stage: Friends of the Brainerd Public Library’s second annual Words by the Water will be April 24-25 at Madden’s on Gull with five Minnesota authors, signings, and a non-alcoholic beverage tasting — check out the full lineup.

Construction update for drivers: Crow Wing County hired DeChantal Excavating to clear trees on County Road 170 Mapleton Road and Cass County Road 167. Work should take two weeks, so expect crews and delays — get all the details.

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:

• Revive houseplants with hands-on help
• Raffles and prizes at Mule Deer Palooza
• Shop small at spring craft show

🫶 We got your back

Loose-meat legend alert: Been eyeing the Maid-Rite at The Barn Diner? Here’s a nudge. Classic loose-meat on a soft bun, warm soup-and-pie combos, and a cozy counter, proof that weeknights in Brainerd can feel like a small celebration.

Rainy-day lifesaver alert: Whether you need a quick birthday fix or something to keep little humans busy, Turtle Town Books and Gifts devotes half the shop to puzzles, games, and toys, with shelves of great reads, so you can grab a gift or rainy-day distraction fast, no overthinking required.

Fresh-air reset: Revamped Lum Park delivers beachy hangouts, disc golf, volleyball, playgrounds, and easy lake access, ideal for a low-key loop, casual catch, or impromptu picnic. Stroll the shoreline, toss a frisbee, or kick back with a friend for a breezy, no-fuss evening.

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.

🤝 Business After Hours @ Karl’s TV and Appliance | Tuesday (3/10) at 4:30 PM – Business After Hours is landing at Karl’s TV and Appliance, now proudly employee owned, for networking hotter than a new range. Expect heavy apps, pop, prize drawings, and a live chat with the manager. Bring cards, maybe a door prize, and your best 20 seconds.

🎨 Open studio night @ Franklin Arts Center | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Got a half-finished project giving you side-eye? Pop into Lil Fish Studios’ open studio at Franklin Arts Center, bring your own, tinker with materials on hand, or soak up the creative buzz, all free, South Door entrance, just inside to the right.

♠ Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament @ The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes | Monday (3/16) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’ve been slow-playing since dial-up, or you just learned the big blind, The Lodge hosts a free Texas Hold’em tourney with volunteer dealers who shuffle and coach. Arrive early, claim a seat, chase prizes, enjoy a pint, and tip the kitty.

🗺 Explore Brainerd Lakes Area Tourism: March Meeting @ Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce | Tuesday (3/17) at 9:00 AM – Tourism folks, unite. The lake will not market itself, so this Brainerd Lakes roundtable gathers lodging and attraction leaders to trade notes on bookings, upcoming events, what guests ask for, and partnerships. Come for the coffee, stay for results. Free to attend, registration requested.

☕ Third Space Thursday @ Franklin Arts Center | Thursday (3/19) at 6:30 PM – If your craft drawer is full of good intentions, swing by Third Space Thursday for a block printing workshop with artist Lisa Ackerman. Carve vinyl erasers, print on paper or fabric, swap stamps, and leave with a stash. Free, just RSVP online or hit Going.

🔬 Live Science Shows @ Essentia Health Sports Center | Friday (3/20) at 4:00 PM – Skip comparing granite samples and pop over to the Home Show stage, where the U of M Physics Force turns science into a riot. Think leaf blowers, flying toilet paper, and stunts your insurance agent hates, all free with admission, fun for all ages.

📚 Carnegie Book Club @ Carnegie Wellness | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats a tea-fueled chat with Thoreau at the Carnegie Book Club. We’re reading Walden and Civil Disobedience, talking solitude, stubbornness, and the sudden urge to build a cabin, then pretending our phones are at the bottom of a pond. It’s free, just RSVP.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Brainerd report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 38°F – Low: 24°F – Precip: 33%

A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Later: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 24. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 39°F – Low: 20°F – Precip: 19%

A chance of snow before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. West wind 0 to 10 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Minnesota 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

New construction minutes from town, this 3-bed on a half-acre sits between the Mississippi River and Gilbert Lake in a neighborhood with a community walking path. An open layout delivers vaulted ceilings and an electric fireplace. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz, slate steel appliances, and an island. A primary suite, in-floor radiant heat, and a heated garage add polish.

Take a peek inside →