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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Bridger pipeline proposal, Crow beadwork for Ian Munsick, and an air hockey tournament + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Plan follows existing corridors: A proposed Bridger pipeline would carry Canadian crude across eastern Montana into Wyoming, possibly reviving portions of Keystone XL. Regulators will review application within 30 days, construction possible in 2027 — get all the details.

Leadership forged in service: Patrick Smith, a board-certified family nurse practitioner with pulmonary and critical care experience, has joined the Great Falls Clinic Pulmonology team, bringing Army service and a focus on veteran care — learn about his journey.

Cultural craft finds global stage: Crow beadwork artist Rachal Malebear Stone shares Montana roots with the world, crafting belts for Ian Munsick and his father ahead of a University of Montana concert — read the full story.

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:

• Maya Jewell Zeller discusses Raised by Ferns
• Create handmade cards for $5
• Preview lots, visit dealers, enjoy whiskey

🫶 We got your back

Lunch that actually hits: Family-run Grinders Soups and Subs piles craveable grinders on signature Blue Truck Bread, paired with scratch-made soups. Hearty without the fuss, it fits your weekday rhythm and satisfies fast, no pretense, just bold flavors and warm rolls.

Weekend recharge spot: When you need a quick reset in town, Giant Springs State Park offers glassy springs, mellow paths for a brisk walk or jog, and quiet nooks for coffee and deep breaths. Slip in a midweek stroll and thank yourself later.

Toy fix, sorted: From LEGO builds and squishy fidgets to brain-twisting puzzles and fresh family board games, Let’s Play Games & Toys keeps downtown Great Falls playful and local. Shelves brim with picks that delight tiny humans and fully grown ones alike, sparking curiosity and making rainy days fly.

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 Great Falls | Tuesday (3/10) at 11:00 AM – Give your kitchen the night off, swing by for Kids Day. Kids 12 and under eat free, one per paying adult. Mac and cheese, pepperoni pizza, and ice cream handle the negotiations, and you enjoy a hot meal, minimal bargaining, and someone else doing dishes.

💪 HIIT Class @ Falls Fitness & Personal Training | Thursday (3/12) at 5:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to actually use those sneakers, this free HIIT class is it. Quick, sweaty, and surprisingly fun, you get community vibes, a core that reminds you it exists, and the smug joy of not paying a dime.

📚 Marcus Daly’s Montana Empires @ The History Museum | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Park yourself at The History Museum’s Ozark Club for a free author talk as Brenda Wahler unspools Marcus Daly’s empires of copper, racehorses, and politics. Butte grit, Anaconda money, and Bitterroot horses included. If you remember the Big Stack over Black Eagle, she does too.

🧘 Yoga with Sage @ Alliance for Youth | Sunday (3/15) at 10:00 AM – Roll out your mat at Alliance for Youth for a free yoga session with Sage. It’s the kind of stretchy, breathe-y reset your back has been begging for since the last time you tried to touch your toes, and yes, your knees are invited.

🏒 Air Hockey Tournament @ Sidequest Arcade Bar | Sunday (3/15) at 5:00 PM – Downtown’s monthly air hockey throwdown is free to enter, with prizes and bragging rights that outlast your elbow ice pack. Warm up those arcade reflexes and prove the fastest hands in town still belong to the grown‑ups. Register ahead or at the door.

🎩 D. James Hats Trunk Show @ The C.M. Russell Museum | Thursday (3/19) at 12:00 PM – Whether you’re hat-curious or your ballcap’s on its last rodeo, the museum hosts D. James Hats for custom builds, expert fittings, and a peek at the craft with Lea and Darren James. No admission, just choose your felt, crown, brim, and ribbon, all Montana-made.

🍺 Brewhaha Beer Run Series @ Mighty Mo Brewing Company | Thursday (3/19) at 6:00 PM – RaceMT’s Brewhaha Beer Run is taking off from Mighty Mo, no registration, no fee, and no excuses, just show up. It’s an easygoing, approximate 5K, then a pint with the regulars. Run now, earn your river-view bragging rights later.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Great Falls report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 39°F – Low: 21°F – Precip: 24%

A slight chance of snow after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. West southwest wind 6 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. West southwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 47°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 16%

A slight chance of snow after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind 14 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain and snow before 9pm, then a chance of rain and snow between 9pm and midnight, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. West southwest wind 21 to 31 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

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 5-bed, 3-bath, 3,114 sq ft home sits on 5 acres with mountain and prairie views, minutes to town. The main level offers vaulted ceilings and an open great room with kitchen, plus primary suite. The finished lower level adds a rec room and three bedrooms. An oversized 780 sq ft two-car garage pairs with end-of-road privacy and no covenants.

Take a peek inside →