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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: 80 volunteer opportunities, Cheba Hut opens with dozens of jobs, and St. Patrick’s Day parade returns + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

A hub for giving back: United Way of Yellowstone County is connecting Billings neighbors with more than 80 ways to help, from local nonprofits to employer programs, building purpose and stronger resumes for young people — see how to get involved.

Chain expands in Montana: Billings’ first Cheba Hut has opened on the West End, bringing 50 jobs. The Billings Chamber says the new sandwich spot will boost local employment and draw visitors — get all the details.

Ambitious vision drives progress: Billings Public Schools recently announced a balanced budget and a 17.3% boost to starting teacher pay, while spotlighting new programs and safety goals shaped by the district’s strategic plan — 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:

• Enjoy Fire Horse class at Meadowlark
• Learn modern calligraphy with Tonya Fink
• Join Eagle Mount Spring Break adventures

🫶 We got your back

Your next lunch crush: TopZ Sandwich Company covers midweek cravings with hand-sliced meats, fresh-baked bread, and hearty soups that actually hit the spot. With multiple Billings locations and local love in every bite, it slides into your lunch rotation easily. No complicated decisions, just really good sandwiches.

Quick nature reset: Unplug with an after-work loop at Riverfront Park, where paved trails weave through shady green pockets and picnic nooks await. Bring dinner in a thermos, phone a friend, and decompress as the city hums softly in the background.

Old-school toy heaven: Whether you’ve got a farm-obsessed kiddo or a grown-up collector, Action Toys lines the shelves with scale tractors, construction rigs, animals, plush, puzzles, and ride-ons. Expect sturdy classics that entertain for hours and, somehow, wind up on your desk too… proof that playtime never really ends.

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.

🧒 Kids Day! @ Pizza Ranch FunZone Arcade | Tuesday (3/10) at 11:00 AM – Kids Day means one glorious thing: your tiny negotiators eat free. Kids 12 and under, one per paying adult, score mac and cheese, chicken fingers, pepperoni pizza, and ice cream, while you enjoy a hot meal, a quiet minute, and zero dishes.

🧠 Family-to-Family Mental Health Education Class @ NAMI Billings | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:30 PM – Skip the late-night Google spirals and grab a seat in this FREE, 8-week class for anyone supporting a loved one with a mental health condition. Taught by folks who’ve been there, it offers practical tools, clear language, and sanity-saving strategies for them, and you.

🧘 Get Limber @ Billings First Church | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats a midweek tune-up. Lita Pepion leads a free movement and mobility class at Billings First Church that loosens creaky joints, builds strength, and restores your mood, no heroics required, just all-levels guidance and the kind of reset your back will thank you for.

🎸 Uke-Razy and more @ Craft Local | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – A free Billings debut with ukulele mischief and low-stakes games, basically group therapy for folks who remember mixtapes. Teen duo Cracked Silence hits Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, and originals, and Will Nutt warms things up with punk, folk, and Wyoming grit.

🌱 Seed Starting Basics @ Gainan’s Heights Flowers & Garden | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Ready to stop gambling with spring frost and leggy seedlings? Join Rocky Mountain College botanist Megan Poulette for a free workshop on what to start indoors, supplies, sowing methods, light and heat, common pitfalls, and hardening off. Local know-how, real science, and fewer plant obituaries.

☘ 43rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Street Party & Celtic Fair @ Skypoint | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to dust off the green, the 43rd St. Patrick’s parade and Celtic Fair takes over under Skypoint, free and loud. Expect over 35 floats, bagpipers, cloggers, food trucks, and a Broadway concert. Bring the kids, keep your dignity.

🎵 Anthem @ Walkers Grill | Sunday (3/15) at 7:00 PM – Skip the green beer parade and catch Anthem’s Walkers debut for Saint Paddy’s, a lively set that swings from trad reels to pop to punk, with mandolin, harmonica, and plenty of grit. It’s toe-tappin’, festive fun, and there’s no cover, obviously.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Billings report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 43°F – Low: 21°F – Precip: 47%

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West northwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 21, with temperatures rising to around 23 overnight. West northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 2%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West southwest wind 8 to 17 mph. Later: A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy. Low around 37, with temperatures rising to around 41 overnight. West southwest wind 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Montana 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

This ultimate shop house spans two lots under 10 acres, pairing workspace with comfort. The 4,944 sq ft shop features five insulated doors with commercial motors front and back, a grease pit, and a lift, plus radiant heat and LED lighting. Attached living adds luxe kitchen, premium finishes, fenced grounds with pet enclosure, a covered patio, and seasonal flood irrigation.

Take a peek inside →